Page 2973 – The Source

The Home Stretch: On the verge of victory, Obama parachutes into Central Oregon

Elise JonesMay 14, 2008August 16, 2023

It's 9am and the local press is anxious. It's been 40 years since the last presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy, visited Central Oregon and Barack Obama will be here any minute. Gulping organic coffee and checking lenses, "Change We Can Believe In" badges pinned to our chests, the bran muffins go ignored.

Across the lot, PV Powered employees huddle together, a brisk wind keeping jackets zipped, overtime conversation close. They're the first for Secret Service, electronic devices aside as the magic wand swipes over bodies. They enter, but we aren't allowed: "Thank you, now stand over there - Again."

And then the bus arrives - not Barack's black world-tour barge but the traveling press. Reuters and NBC, bloggers, months into this morass and better equipped, CNN and ABC bring small stepladders, wear laminated badges reading "Fired Up! Ready to go!" and "Camp Pain 2008." They sprint for the caffeine. The bran muffins still go untouched.
To my right is Jessica Slider, staring off at the three towers of the Old Mill, the Stars and Stripes swaying on high. Doing video stills and new media for the campaign since February 2007 and promoted to the plane only recently, "I feel good." she replies when asked. Grateful that she'll be home tomorrow, in Chicago for a well-deserved Mother's Day off, she then she looks about nervously - as if her personal welfare isn't approved for release. "I really shouldn't be on the record." she apologizes then disappears.
Moments later, I get the expected pat on the back, "Hi! Don't I know you?"
"No." Seeing the short, energetic man-child all too eager to know me. It's Nick Shapiro, Oregon communications director for the Obama campaign. Jessica did the requisite handoff; Nick wants to be on the record.

Outside

They’re not for sale!: The thing about skinks…

Jim AndersonMay 14, 2008October 12, 2023

About three days before my son, Caleb, turned (who is now grown with a son of his own) 16, we were zipping along Highway 26 between Sisters and Redmond, preparing him for his check ride with the Motor Vehicle Driving Examiner. As we passed the Cline Falls Airport I spotted two young boys standing next to a sign, "Lizards and skinks for sale."
"Whoa! Caleb!" I said. "We have to go back."
"Why, Dad?" He asked. (He was asking "Why?" about everything! Now his son asks the same questions. Love it!)
"Because there are some kids back there selling lizards and skinks. That's why!"
Pulling up to the lizard sales booth, two young men about 12 years old watched us eagerly with the sense of a big sale written all over their faces.

Culture

Broken Promises: Barsamian to discuss how the Left lost the battle for the airwaves

Eric FlowersMay 14, 2008August 16, 2023

David Barsamian loves public radio, but he hates what it has become - a mouthpiece for mainstream politicians and a timid political presence, unwilling and unable to challenge conventional thinking. Barsamian, who produces a weekly radio program out of Boulder, Colo. featuring dissidents’ voices like his longtime collaborator, Noam Chomsky, will be in Bend to discuss his work and what it will take to reclaim the airwaves from corporate America. The presentation is sponsored by KPOV, as part of its ongoing look at alternative media.

the Source Weekly: Do I hear birds?
David Barsamian: Yeah, I'm in my garden. I've a lot of stupid dandelions. It just rained yesterday, which is good because it's pretty easy to get them out.
tSW: You've got a new book out called Targeting Iran.
DB: I've also got a new book with (Noam) Chomsky out, called What We Say Goes and there is information about that on my website.

Outside

Breaking Trail and Grinding Gears: Local ultra runners, crust skiing and Chainbreaker results

InternMay 14, 2008June 23, 2024

lift off time for ryan trebon at last week’s webcyclery chainbreaker. McDonald Forest 50km
Several of Bend's ultrarunners made the trek over to Corvallis to run the McDonald Forest 50 km ultramarathon this past weekend. Runners braved an impressive 6400 feet of climbing. According to local Chris Askew, who finished in 23rd place out of 184 entrants, "The race course was a good mix of single track and logging roads with several nice climbs. Some of the climbs were run-able, some were not. A bluegrass band greeting us at the finish line was definitely a nice touch." The Bend contingency also included Joel Wirtz, who finished in 8th place in 4:37. Evelyn Dong and Darla Brader were the 1st and 2nd place women to finish in 4:38 (a new course record) and 5:04, respectively. Other strong Bend finishers included Aubrey Robbins, Jon and Karen Gnass, Colleen Moyer, Al and Nancy MacInnis, Lana Turner, Mark Pearson, and Dan and Kathy Harshburger. Good job to all of you!

Culture

Let the Old Guys Rock: Scorcese takes a sip from the Stones’ lovin’ cup with Shine a Light

InternMay 14, 2008January 28, 2024

Band of brothers. Martin Scorsese knows his rock-n-roll. He knows how to film it, document it and enunciate all the sounds, focusing on everything cool. But can he save the Rolling Stones, now in their fifth decade, with a concert engulfed in lights, camera, and action? Well kind of…

Shine follows essentially the same pattern of Scorcese's excellent opus, The Last Waltz, The Band's farewell show. The film starts with black-and-white footage of Scorsese and Mick Jagger talking by phone. Immediately humorous and edgy, we wonder if they will ever see eye-to-eye on anything. Jagger bitches about the hot lights and Scorsese nervously wants to open with the correct shot.
The concert is held in 2006 at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan. Bill Clinton introduces the Stones allowing for a hilarious "meet and greet" installment; a co-mingling of rock stars and politicians.

Culture

There’s Something About Vegas: Hollywood’s latest Sin City flick flops

InternMay 14, 2008January 28, 2024

the joke, unfortunately, is on us. Even though I expected little to no meat in this entree, I did hope for a sizeable helping of Cameron Diaz's comedic dazzle. She still manages to ignite her usual spark as the spunky party girl. Distinctly absent, though, are the laughs she so effortlessly generated in the wacky characters she portrayed in There's Something About Mary and In Her Shoes. It's not really her fault; the unleavened script Diaz is forced to work with here offers little more than insulting retorts of the kind most of us abandoned in junior high. Instead, we are left to marvel only at her gorgeous wardrobe.

Until now, I had never seen Ashton Kutcher in an actual film role, so I admit that I was curious to see if he had any real talent, or if he's just cute. It turns out he's just cute. Gratifyingly so, since there's little else in this movie to hold one's attention.

Food & Drink

Quick Bites: Every Night is Wine Night

InternMay 14, 2008January 4, 2023

Wine dinners and restaurant-hosted tastings have been popping up like tulips all over town lately. Whether you are a certified cork dork or just simply enjoy that glass of house red, you are sure to be satisfied. At one end of the spectrum are the casual after-work tastings offered by Blacksmith and Allyson’s Kitchen. These events cost $10 and typically focus on a themed flight of 6 – 8 wines of similar style and origin. I attended Blacksmith’s most recent event last Wednesday, hosted by sommelier Kevin Gilman, which focused on big Washington reds. No doubt about it, these were opulent, girthy wines with broad appeal and availability, and which spanned a reasonable price range. Their tasting notes were right on target, which made the experience accessible and easy.

Food & Drink

Quick Bites: Every Night is Wine Night

InternMay 14, 2008May 12, 2025

Wine dinners and restaurant-hosted tastings have been popping up like tulips all over town lately. Whether you are a certified cork dork or just simply enjoy that glass of house red, you are sure to be satisfied. At one end of the spectrum are the casual after-work tastings offered by Blacksmith and Allyson's Kitchen. These events cost $10 and typically focus on a themed flight of 6 - 8 wines of similar style and origin. I attended Blacksmith's most recent event last Wednesday, hosted by sommelier Kevin Gilman, which focused on big Washington reds. No doubt about it, these were opulent, girthy wines with broad appeal and availability, and which spanned a reasonable price range. Their tasting notes were right on target, which made the experience accessible and easy.

Food & Drink

A Geared Up “Sangwhich”: Getting nuked at the Speedshop Deli

InternMay 14, 2008April 1, 2024

The little sliver of a shop on Wall Street that once housed a much loved head shop, got a complete remodel (including the upstairs) and has turned into “moto” themed clothing store and deli. This is a fairly odd concept but it’s forging a niche among those that pride themselves on their “deli palates.”
The menu offers build-your-own options for “sangwiches” (as the menu calls them) with seven different Boar’s Head brands of meats and cheeses and a variety of breads and condiments.

Food & Drink

A Geared Up “Sangwhich”: Getting nuked at the Speedshop Deli

InternMay 14, 2008October 24, 2023

A glimpse of the New Look Blacksmith.When The Speedshop opened its doors, I was a bit confused. Was it a clothing shop? Moto paraphernalia? And where was I going to buy incense now that Ponderfusion had closed its doors? There was a "Deli" sign, but also T-shirts in the window. What is this place, I wondered? So I went in to find out.

The little sliver of a shop on Wall Street that once housed a much loved head shop, got a complete remodel (including the upstairs) and has turned into "moto" themed clothing store and deli. This is a fairly odd concept but it's forging a niche among those that pride themselves on their "deli palates."
The menu offers build-your-own options for "sangwiches" (as the menu calls them) with seven different Boar's Head brands of meats and cheeses and a variety of breads and condiments.

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