Natalie MacMaster never feels her baby kick back while she's busy dancing and fiddling onstage. But the kid is certain to have a killer sense of rhythm once the Celtic musician gives birth in June. Energetic stomping and hopping is as integral to MacMaster's Cape Breton fiddling style as the musical performance itself. With child, she modifies her movement a bit. "I hop less and focus more on the rhythms with the feet," says MacMaster, ... [full story]

In April, Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) will make significant progress toward a dedicated, local program to lead economic development for Prineville and Crook County.  The effort is a partnership between EDCO, the Prineville/Crook County Chamber of Commerce, Crook County, the City of Prineville, and local businesses.  The partnership is the result of more than two years of collaborative community discussion, preparation, and funding efforts. Modeled after a similar partnership EDCO and Redmond Economic ... [full story]

Korn and Evanescence to Co-Headline This Year's Family Values Tour One of the greatest brands in summer rock festivals is back! Multi-platinum, Grammy-winning hard rock bands Korn and Evanescence will co-headline the best and most distinctive Family Values Tour line-up yet. Co-headliners Korn and Evanescence are proud to be sharing the traveling festival's main stage with Atreyu, Flyleaf, HELLYEAH (featuring members of Pantera and Mudvayne), and Trivium.   Korn and Evanescence to co-headline this year's Family ... [full story]

Putting your health completely in the hands of others simply is not a good idea, say some doctors. Family medicine specialists Keith Werstler and Christopher Stetler say that patients are wise to participate in their health care by maintaining up-to-date records of their own. That means working in partnership with your primary care provider as well as keeping important health history readily accessible in case of emergency. "I speak with a lot of my patients ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - A career diplomat with broad experience in the Middle East was sworn in Thursday as U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Ryan Crocker, who most recently served as ambassador to Pakistan, succeeds Zalmay Kalilzad, who moved to head the U.S. mission at the United Nations. Crocker was director of governance for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq for six months in 2003. He has also been ambassador to Kuwait, Syria and Lebanon and in other positions ... [full story]

Q: Our veterinarian has recommended that we treat our cats to prevent heartworms. Although we have had cats for many years, we have never been told that this is important nor have we ever heard of any cat having heartworms. We have always had our dogs on preventive treatments. Are heartworms a new thing in cats? Should indoor cats be treated? A: Although feline heartworm disease was first reported in 1921, most cat owners are ... [full story]

Circuit City said Wednesday that it had fired 3,400 of its highest-paid sales staff and will replace them with lower-paid workers, a risky strategy to cut costs that goes beyond the layoffs, buyouts and hiring freezes commonly used by struggling companies. The fired workers will receive severance packages and a chance to apply for lower-paying positions after a 10-week delay, said the 655-store electronics chain based in Richmond, Va. They weren't given the option of ... [full story]

Katie Foster is only 32 but feels like she's going on 50. In the past 14 months, her energy level has been cut in half, according to her husband, Jeff. The cause is Behcet's (pronounced BAY-sets) disease, a rare malady that hit Katie hard in late 2005. "There's no way these Christmas decorations would still be up if this was two years ago," Katie said the week after New Year's. LIVING WITH PAIN - ... [full story]

Recently, an extensive scientific review has found that patients who have been prescribed a drug treatment are dissatisfied with the informational leaflets that come with their medicines. By reviewing more than 70 studies from the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia and the U.S., researchers found that patients believe the informational leaflets that come with their prescription medicines are confusing and of little help. Instead, poor layout and complex language often hinder communication. Many patients would like ... [full story]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Starting right away, changes in the way that classes are scheduled and that students register for them at Oregon State University are expected to make it easier for students to both get the courses they want and speed their progress toward graduation. Most of the changes have to do with increased automation of the registration process, says University Registrar Kent Kuo. Beginning April 9-13, for instance, students will no longer use paper ... [full story]