Last week, in a Portland wine shop, a jovial Sen. Ron Wyden announced that he had barked, and that the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau had backed down. At issue was whether restaurants, taverns and convenience stores could sell wine in growlers and other containers—like many currently do for beer. Over the […]
Glass Slipper
Posted inOpinion
Get on the Bus, Gus
Over the past decade, the tenor of the environmental movement has shifted more towards the you-attract-more-bees-with-honey sweetness. Oh sure, there are still plenty of indignant protestors and bloggers (rightfully) browbeating corporations and polluters. But increasingly so, the paradigm for speaking about environmental issues and, more broadly, sustainability matters is about figuring out a solution that […]
Posted inOpinion
Locally-grown solutions
In most simple terms, there are five ways to manage conflict: Avoidance, just turning and walking away; or, as my ex preferred, to just ignore the problem. Accommodating, which is the yielding behavior I did to placate her. Compromising, when each side gives up something they want in order to reach an agreement. Or, competition, […]
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Hot Shots
According to a 2013 Forest Service study, wildfires in the western states are expected to double by 2050. In part because of drier winters (like this one; yes, global warming is real!) and in part because homes are being built closer to wildland areas. Yes, that is bad news. Particularly bad news in terms of […]
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Letters 2/5-2/12
In reply to “Glass Slipper, Half-Full” (Editorial, 2/6) What an excellent portrayal of one of the—if not THE—greatest economic and sustainable growth opportunities to come to Bend in a long time. Transformation, innovation and dynamic community growth requires a bit of stretching and thinking outside the box. Yes, no one said that would be easy. […]
Posted inOpinion
Glass Slipper, Half-Full
At a packed neighborhood meeting last week, Oregon State University-Cascades representatives attempted to explain how the upcoming campus expansion could benefit the broader Bend community; particularly, transportation. Upgrades, like boosting busing services and greatly expanding bike lane infrastructure, were just a couple of the perks mentioned as Bend plans to greet a four-year university on […]
Posted inOpinion
Free (Market) The Booze!
Our Glass Slipper this week goes to Rob Patridge who heads a five-person policy panel for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission and who is co-introducing (with the OLCC’s Executive director) a bill for the February session of the Oregon legislature to, hold on to your bowler hat, loosen the OLCC’s grip on liquor sales—potentially the […]
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Not A Puff Piece
Last week, President Barack Obama declared in a New Yorker article he doesn’t believe marijuana is any more dangerous than alcohol “in terms of impact on the individual consumer.” “As has been well documented,” he said, “I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice. (But) I […]
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Letters 1/8 – 1/16
In reply to “A Logical Breakdown of the Dam,” (News, 12/19) Sir, Views. The Bend Paddle and Trails Alliance presentation was interesting. We are told we can “have our cake and eat it too.” Really. What was left out is the fact that this particular cake costs. No free dessert. A member of the “Save […]
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Private Versus Public
As 2013 drew to a close, a handful of legal cases about two of the most important conversations from the past year—same-sex marriage, and NSA surveillance—were decided. But, in the midst of end-of-the-year lists, college football games and holiday hoopla, the cases attracted only minor attention, even though considered individually and together, the cases serve […]