Bend Metro Parks & Recreation and Palmer Homes will officially dedicateBend's newest park--Gardenside Park--at a ceremony that will take place on Thursday, September 28 from 4-6 p.m.At nearly two acres in size, Gardenside Park features a patio with coveredpicnic structure and tables, paved walkways connecting to community trails, youth play equipment, restroom facilities and landscaped open space.The event will double as a community celebration, with a barbecue, icecream, balloons and face painting.  Following brief remarks ... [full story]

Jared Vanderhoff is the new Senior District Executive for the Crater Lake Council's Fremont District, Boy Scouts of America, which serves central Oregon. He comes to the district from the Oregon Trail Council, having held posts in Corvallis, Newport and Springfield. Vanderhoff will work with Scouts and adult volunteers in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties. His work involves building membership at both youth and adult levels, fundraising, program development and leadership training. An Eagle Scout ... [full story]

I don’t know what the president’s job approval rating is today, but interest in having his job is at an all-time low. Just before the ’04 presidential election, ABC News and Weekly Reader found that half of the teens polled thought it was possible to grow up and become president -- but 80 percent had absolutely no interest in the job. Next to being the parent of a rebellious teen, being president has to be one ... [full story]

"Children need boooundarieees," child psychologists harangue in that sing-songy, whiny voice that annoys the crap out of me. "They need limits on what they're allowed to dooooo."I wholeheartedly agree. I am a firm believer in setting boundaries as a way to help children grow. My own kids have learned the Basic Rules for Getting Along in the Deckers' House: be respectful to others, never hit your siblings, and never, ever cheer against the Colts. After all, ... [full story]

I’ve been watching Unsolved Mysteries again. It’s on every night at eight. My VCR is set to Record Perpetually. Robert Stack announced so many episodes that I know his voice better than my father’s. I have dreams in which he is my father. I was crushed to hear of his passing, but then I saw an episode in which Stack said, “Although I am dead, inexplicably my voice continues to announce this program. If you ... [full story]

When Americans try to figure out their net worth, they often find that their biggest chunk of wealth isn't stashed in a bank or a brokerage account. For many of us, our true wealth can be found in our porcelain sinks, wallpapered bedrooms, outdated kitchens and scuffed hardwood floors. Our homes, particularly in states like California, New York and Florida, are often our most valuable asset. Knowing that a house has turned into a personal ... [full story]

The day I flew into Miami, Fidel Castro had ceded power to his brother and all of Little Havana was dancing in the streets, celebrating news they had waited to hear for 47 years. Since Castro took control in 1959, nearly a million Cubans have left their native land, most settling in Miami, where they wait for the Old Country to welcome them home. But the younger generations raised in Florida have no memory of ... [full story]

For those commuters too busy to drive as they check sports scores, trade stocks or watch a movie on their phone, Blackberry or DVD screen, Mercedes-Benz has an upgraded cruise control that keeps electronic eyes on the road.   MERCEDES S550 - The Mercedes S550 has short- and long-range radar that can scan 160 yards ahead and be active at speeds up to 120 mph. At slow speeds, the system will brake the car to a stop. ... [full story]

A small appliance malfunction near a food preparation table caused $20,000 in damage to a local restaurant Thursday, authorities said. The manager of McGrath’s Fish House called the fire department about 8 a.m. September 21 when he noticed a strong odor of smoke.  One engine company with six firefighters responded to 3118 North Highway 97 and searched the area for fire and fire extension, but none was found. According to Fire Inspector T.J. Johannsen, what she ... [full story]

A Bend woman who had not cleared her windshield from overnight frost and dew struck a pedestrian walking on the edge of Groff Road Wednesday morning, deputies said. The driver, Christine M. Kellison, 36 of Bend, was cited for obstructed vision and failure to drive on the right after she drifted to the far side of the Groff Road between Ward and Rickard Roads and hit one of two women walking on the side of ... [full story]