Think the ultimate wine-tasting room is a musty, dank, candlelit cave piled high with oak barrels, where aged nectars of fine grapes are sipped from pure crystal? Might be if you're lucky enough to have access to the great wineries of France or California's Napa Valley. But in New York City the place to taste one or more of a 100 cult, boutique and rare wines — and meet other wine lovers without being intimidated ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- The long, warm evenings in Central Oregon once again herald the return of Twilight Ale, Deschutes Brewery's award-winning summer seasonal. For those whose idea of summer fun is matching the hatch, honing one's short game, or flying down single-track on the edge of sanity, Twilight Ale will make hanging out next to the Weber and reflecting on these pursuits that much more enjoyable.  Twilight Ale is a straw-colored ale with a vigorous ... [full story]

Crown Point National Bank Targets Summer Opening BEND, Ore. - The organizers of Crown Point National Bank (in organization) announce that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted Conditional Approval of its application for a national commercial bank charter. Crown Point is presently targeting a summer opening and intends to raise between $30 and $40 million in capital to fund the bank’s formation and opening.   Crown Point National Bank hopes to ... [full story]

Not all hotels are taking a chainsaw to their room rates to lure or hang on to customers. Choice Hotels International, hardly a marquee name in the hospitality world and one that caters to frugal business travelers and vacationers who can live without afternoon high tea and 900-thread-count linens, claims it isn't cutting prices to chase guests at its 5,800 hotels and motels worldwide. With 10 folksy-sounding mid-priced and economy brands ranging from Comfort Inns ... [full story]

The farmers' market has proven to be a great place to find and purchase fresh, local food. For the same reason, it offers a connection between Oregon schools and local growers who can supply food that may eventually reach kids throughout the state. With the start of this year's farmers' market season, some school districts are looking to locate local food items this spring and the farms that produce them."Farmers' markets can be used as ... [full story]

Health Insurer Will Pay Claims, Provide Coverage to Policyholders during Transition SALEM, Ore. — Preferred Health Plan Inc., a Klamath Falls-based health insurer, will withdraw from the Oregon insurance market because of financial problems, the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced yesterday. Preferred Health Plan is looking for another insurer to pick up its business. In the meantime, DCBS is monitoring the company on a daily basis to ensure it has the ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. -- The Pacific Northwest’s leading independently-owned real estate brokerage, The Hasson Company Realtors, recently announced it will again sponsor the 33rd Annual U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP) competition in Central Oregon on Sat., May 16, 2009.   Each year, the event draws thousands of participants, including some of the top athletes throughout the Northwest as well as several “weekend warriors” from across the nation.        Much like the Nike Hood to Coast Relay and ... [full story]

tbd Wins Title for Fourth Straight Year, Seven of Last Eight Years BEND, Ore. -- tbd, a full-service advertising agency located in Central Oregon, recently announced that it received multiple awards at the annual Drake Awards, including “Best of Show,” an honor which it has received seven of the last eight years. “While the ultimate measure of success for us is how well our clients perform in the marketplace, it’s also extremely rewarding to receive ... [full story]

BEND, Ore. – The joint venture partnership of Willem Willemstein and Bend-based Chris van der Velde have acquired Tetherow Golf Club in Bend, Oregon. The acquisition includes the golf course, clubhouse and practice facility. The residential community continues to be developed by the Eugene-based Spring Capital Group, Proterra, LLC and Arrowood of Bend Oregon   Willem Willemstein and Chris van der Velde have acquired Tetherow Golf Club in Bend, Oregon.  Netherlands-based Willemstein is one of the largest ... [full story]

Precision Wire Components joins SHARP SALEM, Ore. – Oregon OSHA will welcome Precision Wire Components LLC next month as the latest employer in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). SHARP provides an incentive for Oregon employers to work with their employees to find and correct hazards, develop and implement effective safety and health programs, and continuously improve. The ultimate goal of SHARP is to encourage employers to become self-sufficient in managing workplace safety ... [full story]

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Born in Norway in the mid-1800s, Simon Benson worked as a bull-team driver, fry cook, and logger turned philanthropic lumber baron. He donated 20 bronze drinking fountains to Portland, Ore., so his timber cutters wouldn't quench their thirst in the city's saloons. Wishful thinking. The lifelong teetotaler would be stunned to learn that today the El Gaucho Bar, attached to his elegant namesake hotel, The Benson, is selling $220 cocktails and a ... [full story]

The Oregon Department of Agriculture continues to offer reimbursement for organic certification costs from U.S. Department of Agriculture accredited certifiers. This reimbursement is also available to Oregon growers or processors renewing their certification. Eligibility is based upon certifications dated after October 1, 2007 and through September 30, 2009.Reimbursements for each of two qualifying years will be made on a first come-first serve basis.All qualified growers or processors who obtained organic certification or renewed their organic ... [full story]

Company to Move Manufacturing System and Equipment from Korea and Spain to Oregon; Could bring $250-million to Oregon Economy PORTLAND, Ore. -- As today’s manufacturers and retailers transition towards greener and more efficient supply chains, GreenLight Pallet Co., the manufacturer of the UNIPAL 100% recyclable patented corrugated pallet system, announced plans to complete its 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility on Marine Drive along the Columbia River in Portland this May. As GreenLight Pallet Co. LLC ... [full story]