Blender headed over to the Domino Room last night fully ready to get down to some good underground indie hip-hop, sample some Bud Light and maybe even unleash some popping, locking and dropping. At least two of our three intentions came to fruition.
The Domino Effect: Midtown packs ’em in for some underground hip-hop
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The Meltdown: Pols Play the Blame Game
Jeff Merkley is pointing the finger at Gordon Smith for the meltdown of the American capitalist system, and Gordon Smith is pointing the finger right back at … Ron Wyden?
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We’re Still No. 2 in Overpriced Houses
Home prices in Bend continue to drop, but we’re still the second most overvalued real estate market in the country, according to the international economic analysis firm Global Insight.
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Suicide Buzz Draws Oregonian’s Notice
The buzz in the Bend blogosphere about suicides among local developers has gotten loud enough for The Oregonian to devote a lengthy story to the topic Saturday.
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Renaissance Homes Headed for Bankruptcy
Renaissance Homes, one of Oregon's biggest home builders, will soon file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, The Oregonian is reporting.
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Research: Conservatives Are Wusses
An intriguing note from the world of science: People may hold conservative political views because they're hard-wired to be more fearful than liberals, according to a team of eight researchers.
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“Undecided” Leads in Westlund-Alley Race
A poll out this week shows Democratic state treasurer candidate Ben Westlund has opened up a double-digit lead over Republican rival Allen Alley, but there's less there than meets the eye.
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Problem Stick wows David Allan Coe’s Crowd
Holy cowboy boots, tank tops and leather vests, Blender readers, what a show on Wednesday night at the Midtown. It was Mr.
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Fresh Legs on Smith Illegal Worker Story
Willamette Week is saying it has proof that Sen. Gordon Smith's family-owned frozen food company has employed at least some illegal immigrants.
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City County remain split on airport district: Joint meeting doesn’t produce any resolution
Summer is nearly over but city councilors and county commissioners saved a few fireworks for their Monday night work session where they clashed over a proposed urban renewal district around the Bend airport.
The urban renewal district, which would help subsidize infrastructure improvements at the airport, is something that the city badly wants to bolster its economic development efforts. However, the proposal requires the blessing of the county commission, and commissioners remain split over it. Earlier this month the commission tabled the discussion on the proposal indefinitely over its concerns about the impact on other taxing districts in the county, which would see their future revenues impacted by the urban renewal plan.
The Council and Commissioners debated heavily the budget for a proposed air traffic tower, emergency services and Urban Renewal Zone for the expanding businesses around the airport.
An economic debate erupted with council members squaring on the sides of both business and residences alike. At one point Commissioner Dennis Luke simply refused to discuss the topic.
Commissioner Mike Daley voiced his opinion in favor of the increased industrial base caused by a busy airport.
Advocates point out that the Bend Municipal Airport has grown drastically in the six years since its master plan was reviewed. Currently there are roughly 50,000 flights taking off from the airport a year.
"What I see at the Bend airport,"said Mr. Daley, "is a lot of really good jobs, a diversification of our economy."
Although his remarks brought a single loud applaud from a member of the attending public, the two governing bodies are sure to debate this topic for quite some time.