A friend of mine, the mother of a 10-year-old, recently asked me for advice. "My husband and I have started to give our daughter an allowance," she said. "But frankly, I don't know how to teach her what money really means. What does she need to know? And what should I do?" As we talked (and, needless to say, I was full of advice on this topic), I realized she wasn't asking about the nuts ... [full story]

Ochoco Wildlife District General: Snow is present at higher elevations, and conditions can be icy and treacherous.   Hunters need to be equipped to handle unpredictable winter conditions.Hunters are reminded the motorized access restrictions associated with the South Boundary Green Dot Travel Management Area (TMA) in the Ochoco unit remain in effect year around. Maps are available at portal signs as you enter the TMA, or from local ODFW and forest service offices.  Additionally areas on the ... [full story]

Freezing weather has arrived in parts of Central Oregon and most small ponds and water holes are frozen and snow blankets the ground at higher elevation. Deer are in the rut, winter raptors are at their usual feeding areas and waterbirds are confined to open water areas. Mule deer are on their winter range and a good place to observe them is the Fort Rock Valley south to Silver Lake and east to Christmas Valley. ... [full story]

ANTELOPE FLAT RESERVOIR: rainbow troutNo recent reports. CLEAR LAKE: rainbow troutNo recent reports.  CRESCENT LAKE: brown trout, kokaneeBrown trout fishing has reportedly been very good. This is typically a good time of year to target both brown trout and lake trout on Crescent. Kokanee is slow. CROOKED RIVER MAINSTEM: rainbow troutReports of some good to fair angling for rainbow trout.CROOKED RIVER BELOW BOWMAN DAM: redband troutNo recent reports.  ODFW and OSU have initiated a radio ... [full story]

Part of the fun of "Romance & Cigarettes" - and only the right mood will let you inhale this one - is the thought of John Turturro grinning, lighting up, puffing his film through the air.   ROMANCE & CIGARETTES' - Kate Winslet really lights up for an inflamed moment in John Turturro's sorta musical comedy 'Romance & Cigarettes.' CNS Photo courtesy of Boroturro. RATINGS 4 STARS - Excellent. 3 STARS - Worthy. 2 STARS - Mixed. ... [full story]

How do you even go about making a movie that has six actors (one a woman, one a child) playing approximations of Bob Dylan, none of whom is named Bob Dylan and all of whose stories careen through one another like the tracks of some demented railroad, and which further depicts a boy named Woody Guthrie being swallowed by a large, cartoon whale?   'I'M NOT THERE' - Christian Bale as Jack in 'I'm Not There.' ... [full story]

Stephen King's "The Mist" poses no threat to John Carpenter's "The Fog." Conceptually, it nuzzles "Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster," though it's a lot less fun.   'THE MIST' - Laurie Holden, Thomas Jane and Nathan Gamble star in Frank Darabont's adaptation of Stephen King's 'The Mist.' CNS Photo courtesy of Ronn Schmidt.  RATINGS 4 STARS - Excellent. 3 STARS - Worthy. 2 STARS - Mixed. 1 STAR - Poor. 0 - Forget It (a dog.) Back in ... [full story]

 "Quirk's not a sparkle." Weigh that dialogue line and you've got the floaty heft of "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium." The quirky movie often sparkles, and as Mr. Magorium, maybe this era's Mr. Magoo, there is Dustin Hoffman.   'MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM' - Dustin Hoffman hams it up as the owner of a magical shop in 'Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.' CNS Photo courtesy of Fox Walden.  RATINGS 4 STARS - Excellent. 3 STARS - Worthy. 2 STARS ... [full story]

"No Country for Old Men," the new startler from Joel and Ethan Coen, deals an odd hand confidently. The Texas crime story leads with aces high, but dips for some low and wild cards.   'NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN' - Josh Brolin plays Llewelyn Moss in 'No Country for Old Men.' CNS Photo courtesy of Richard Foreman.  RATINGS 4 STARS - Excellent. 3 STARS - Worthy. 2 STARS - Mixed. 1 STAR - Poor. 0 - ... [full story]

Q: I saw some terrific trompe l'oeil paintings in a designer showhouse last year and can't get out of my mind that I'd love something really exciting for my living room walls. I collect blue and white dishes and garniture. The artist said she could paint them really big. My husband usually lets me do what I want, but he's not thrilled with this latest idea and I'm getting cold feet. What do you think? ... [full story]