There are few symbols – save Old Glory and maybe a slice of apple pie – more symbolic of mainstream American culture than McDonald's sweeping yellow arches.
While there is nothing wrong with McDonald's per se – we enjoy a basket of fries and Big Mac as much as the next person, maybe more – there is a big problem with America's dietary relationship with McDonald's and the rest of the fast food industry that McDonald's has rightly or wrongly come to represent. That relationship is more like dealer and junkie than that of restaurant and customer, something that Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock noted a few years back when he reported that McDonald's refers to its frequent customers, as “heavy users.” It's a relationship that McDonald's courts with its aggressive marketing toward children (McDonald's distributes more toys than the nation's biggest toy retailers in any given year) and its oversized portions.
Source Weekly
Take the Wheel, Kid
Do you remember when your mom, dad or grandpa put you on his or her lap and let you, just a child, steer the car down some vacant rural road? Yeah, a lot of us have that memory and for the most part, it was probably hardly dangerous. Such behavior is probably more frowned upon now – thanks a lot Bin Laden – but then it was just good, clean fun.
Tougher Than Steel: What's in a death toll? The RNC's power struggle, epic floods and more
The author is smelling smoke yet too dazed to know if it's from a fire in Sisters or his new piece of art/glass/pipe, watching the greatest political video ever made @ http//www..youtube.com/watch?v=1hvaeHllwtw (thanks Carrot). Give a view and see why our country is both beautiful and in deep doo-doo. Enjoy!
Bigger Is So Much Better
Remember when about the only people who owned crew cab pickup trucks were railroad and oil field crews? If someone offered to give you one of those it would have been a really bad investment. Now the average – must have – three-quarter-ton, four-door pickup, after getting its lift kit, and giant tire makeover, spends most of its spare time in the detail shop getting a perm. It may seem hard to believe, but it used to be that when ranchers needed to take the family to town they did it in a car and no one seemed to question their manhood. The odd thing now is that there seems to be a disproportionate number of young men and grandpas without families or crews driving them around. I asked a dealer once why people were buying four-door pickups. His answer: “because they love them.” I am guessing the depth of this salesman's love was equally strong.
Maybe soon there will be four-door semi tractors. Besides going to Costco and skiing, you could haul a refer load of something down to L.A. and make some money! And if you hit someone head on it would be all over for him or her, but not you. You could have video games for the kids in the back to keep them occupied until the cop lets you go – high fives!!!
Brothels Was A Bust
The brothel (Bend's Brothels, 7-21) article last week was extremely poorly written. It was painful to read – my high school newspaper had much better articles.
Share the lakes
I am a windsurfer who, along with several other friends, enjoys sailing on the lakes around here. Recently, on two different occasions, I encountered a lack of courtesy and lack of knowledge of the right-of-way rules by motorboats on both Cultus and Odell lakes.
Both times I was sailing across the lake and the boats were coming at a 90-degree angle on a collision course toward me. They never attempted to slow down or go behind me, so I had to slow down and navigate across the wake they left.
Our picks for 8/4 – 8/12: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Flobots, William Fitsimmons, Art and more
Michael Franti & Spearhead, Flobots
thursday 5
The show, a big faction of Bend's live music, that fans have been waiting for is finally here as the benevolent Michael Franti and his band return to the LSA, this time joined by indie hip-hoppers Flobots. See the On Stage column for more. 6:30pm. Les Schwab Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr. All ages. $37 plus fees.
Dar Williams
thursday 5
This poppy folk artist has been touring the country for almost 20 years now, all the while creating excellently crafted songs with a distinct sound that has since been the calling card of the New York-based artist. She's also known for her social and environmental activism, some of which can be heard in her passionate songs. Reserved seating: $29 & $37/adv, $32 & $40/day of show. 8pm-10pm, Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St.
You'll still find snow, but dust rules the day
High and Dry. It is difficult to imagine that after the number of days of hot weather we've had recently there can still be snow blocking any trails, but it's true. The Metolius-Windigo trail is still blocked by snow and a few remaining downed trees that are due for cutting soon. Snow can also be found on the Kwohl Butte trail (off the South side of Mt. Bachelor) and on some parts of the 370 Road, which provides access to the Broken Top trails in the Three Sisters Wilderness area.
That said, trail clearing is progressing nicely. This is why we live in and visit Bend – the sheer volume of available single track for exploring. By mid-August, we will have access to almost 500 miles of trails within a one-hour radius of Bend. One COTA volunteer actually measured 272 miles of continuous single track accessible right from the edge of town!
Shark Attacks: Overrated!
For many people, this week is a lot like Christmas – unless you're Jewish, in which case it's a lot like that unpronounceable holiday you people celebrate. It's national “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel (starting August 1) – a whopping seven days of documentaries devoted to sharks and the chunks they take out of your ass.
Now, me? I say sharks are OVERRATED. I mean, c'mon! What do sharks actually do other than amputate ass cheeks? NOT MUCH. Plus! The Discovery Channel has been hosting “Shark Week” since 1987 – the same year my mom first discovered a pube in my diaper. Isn't it time to let some other animal have a chance? Like, how about “Monkeys on Roller Skates Week”? They're adorable and hilarious, and if you stick a banana between your cheeks, I bet they'd happily bite your ass off. Or “Crocodiles on Meth Week.” You squirt some meth up in a croc's grill and laugh and laugh and laugh while they furiously clean your kitchen and reorganize your spice rack.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy & the Cairo Gang
Bonnie “Prince” Billy & the Cairo GangThe Wonder Show of the WorldDrag City Records
Will Oldham (aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy) has a devoted underground following. And because of that, I thought I'd be floored by The Wonder Show of the World, seeing that it's my first experience with the man.

