Democratic state senator and treasurer candidate Ben Westlund, under attack from Republicans over an 11-year-old "sex scandal," got help from an unlikely quarter: the conservative blog Oregon Catalyst.
Westlund Finds an Unlikely Ally
Posted inNews
GOP’s Titanic Idea: Sell Oregon’s Water
File under "Yeah, THIS Is Gonna Fly": Oregon Senate Republicans want to sell Oregon water to "water-poor" out-of-state customers.
Posted inNews
Republicans Resuscitate a Westlund “Sex Scandal”
The blogosphere - or the Republican neighborhoods in it, anyway - is abuzz with news of a "sex scandal" involving Democratic state senator and state treasurer candidate Ben Westlund and a former State Capitol aide.
Posted inNews
Conor Oberst Video from the Domino Room
Conor Oberst brought his newly formed Mystic Valley band to the Domino Room last night and played a set that showcased material from his soon to be released self-titled record, which he’s releasing under his actual name, rather than his Bright Eyes alias. Last night’s show may have disappointed those looking to hear a Bright Eyes hit list, but surely impressed everyone who can appreciate an artist like Oberst, who very well might be his generation’s greatest singer songwriter.
Posted inNews
Wyden Wants to Snuff Out Toy Lighters
With the economy tanking, gasoline prices soaring, the war in Iraq dragging on and the war in Afghanistan heating up, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has trained his sights on … dangerous cigarette lighters.
Posted inNews
Greetings From Kayonu Toe
Remember John Hummel, the local lawyer and Bend city councilor who abruptly resigned and launched a major career change? He's alive and well and blogging in Liberia.
Posted inOpinion
Phone Book Harassment
Letter of the Week
If you own or rent a house in Central Oregon you know what this week's letter writer is talking about. We put the phone book bombardment right up there with the Bulletin's Marketplace free classified in the pantheon of unwanted commercial litter.
Posted inOpinion
Elite is Kind of Neat
In the middle of May this year, a friend of mine was kind enough to post a response to C.T.
Posted inCulture
Micro Cosmos: Silver Moon’s Noble India Pale Lager
The trend in IPA's over the past few years has been to go obnoxiously big, as evidenced by one local brewery's not so long ago makeover of its IPA. This approach is generally embraced by Northwest drinkers who gobble up malt and hops like a pre-Subway Jared at an Old Country Buffet.
Posted inCulture
From the Eye of a Dog: The Art of Racing In The Rain, By Garth Stein
The Art of Racing In The Rain by Garth Stein puts a canine in the narrator's seat and gives readers a chance to experience life through the eyes of a dog. From the clumsiness of birth to the agony of old age, the character of man's best friend, Enzo, guides readers through love, loss and victory as he discovers his passion for car racing.
His owner, Denny Swift, happens to be a race car driver as well as Enzo's hero and some of their best times together consist of watching car racing videos. But as many pets often realize, humans desire to share their lives with other humans and Enzo finds he is literally the odd dog out. Much of his life is spent at home watching the Speed Channel on cable. But it is Enzo's quick ability to compare the sport of car racing with the lessons of life that captures the reader's attention. Throughout the book, Enzo often expresses his desire to spend his next life with opposable thumbs as a human being. But before he can think about reincarnation, he must help Denny get back the one thing they both hold dear.
While Enzo's opinions on evolution and his knowledge of television shows such as Law & Order seem a little far-fetched, readers will enjoy insightful statements from Enzo such as "your car goes where your eyes go," that are developed throughout the book. Stein's attention to detail when describing the bitter personality of crows, observations of Denny's in-laws and rides around a race track are what captures the reader. Most of all, Stein is successful at making us believe we're on hands and knees with a keen sense of smell. As with any good dog story, emotions run high as Stein tackles some of life's most painful experiences. But his playful illusions through Enzo's eyes otherwise keep the book light-hearted and humorous.
Garth Stein Central Oregon Appearances
12pm Friday, August 1. Paulina Springs Books in Sisters. 252 W. Hood Ave. (Signing only). 5pm Friday, August 1. North Soles Footwear. 800 NW Wall St, Bend.
5pm Saturday, August 2. Sunriver Books & Music, Sunriver Mall Building.