If you want to run your own business but don't know where to begin, perfectbusiness.com is your answer. Helping entrepreneurs launch their dream company, the site provides tools like articles, videos and business listings. Co-founders Mark Verge and Dan Bliss want to provide support for new entrepreneurs. "It is a community of entrepreneurs that help each other," says Bliss. "The site provides a support system." Bliss refers to the site as the "MySpace for entrepreneurs" ... [full story]

"Blue Star: The True Story of One Man's Spiritual Awakening and Vision Quest" by Robert Harding; Cronos Press; 188 pages; $13. This supernova of a book chronicles the true experiences of a man intent on believing and trusting his intuition as he lives out his spiritual journey.   'BLUE STAR' - 'Blue Star' by Robert Harding chronicles the true experiences of a man intent on believing and trusting his intuition as he lives out his spiritual ... [full story]

Q: I purchased this covered dish thinking it was made by Fenton Glass Co. It is decorated with birds and roses in relief, measures 7 inches in diameter, and is in mint condition. I wrote to Fenton inquiring about its history only to learn it was not made by them. They told me it is a hummingbird puff box and it was made by Phoenix and Consolidated Art Glass.   PUFF PIECE - The Consolidated Lamp ... [full story]

BEND, Ore.  -- The Second Sunday reading event, hosted by Bend Public Library, will feature two of the winners of the 2007 Rising Star Creative Writing Competition sponsored by The Nature of Words. One of the featured writers will be Theresa Peoples, who won both the poetry and the literary nonfiction in the 15-18 year-old category in 2007. She currently attends the International School of the Cascades in Redmond, Ore. Also reading will be Michele ... [full story]

Public health officials warned consumers not to eat certain unsweetened puffed rice and puffed wheat cereals made by the Malt-O-Meal company. The cereal has been identified as the source of an outbreak of salmonellosis, with cases reported in a number of states. These cereals are sold at grocery stores and other outlets throughout the country. The recall does not include the hot porridge that most consumers might associate with the Malt-O-Meal brand. The recalled brands ... [full story]

REDMOND, Ore. -- Buckboard Murder Mysteries has contracted with Motion Pictures Videography to produce a series of broadcast commercials showcasing the talents and versatility of Central Oregon's finest interactive entertainment troupe. The first two commercials will begin airing in April/May. "Like our shows, our commercials are fun and unique to this market," says Steve Meyer, managing partner, Buckboard Productions. "Our talented troupe brings interactive murder mysteries, game shows and teambuilding events to Central Oregon's public and private audiences. Each murder mystery show has ... [full story]

Oregon Attorney General candidate John Kroger today announced the endorsement of the Oregon AFL-CIO.  The endorsement makes Kroger the only statewide candidate in a contested primary to receive the endorsements of Oregon's largest labor organizations - AFL-CIO, SEIU Locals 503 and 49 and the Oregon Education Association."John Kroger has fought against corrupt corporations like Enron whose leadership lined their pockets while robbing hardworking Americans of their pensions," said Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain. "He will ... [full story]

Across Oregon, 3,000 residents in 35 counties are receiving applications this week that will enable them to learn whether they are eligible for the Oregon Health Plan's Standard benefit package. The Oregon Department of Human Services mailed the applications Monday to people whose names a computer randomly selected from a reservation list on which 91,000-plus Oregon residents signed up during January and February. DHS expects to enroll 10,000 low-income adults during the next several months. ... [full story]

PORTLAND, Ore. – When it comes to real estate, there are three things to keep in mind: location, location, location. But what if that location also came with an increased risk of a devastating house fire? Residents in North Portland's Humboldt neighborhood face just that reality, with the American Red Cross responding about four times more often there than elsewhere in the metro area. Why? A combination of reasons – everything from older housing stock ... [full story]

CENTRAL OREGON -- Following are the results from the third Oregon High School Equestrian Team meet held in Central Oregon on April 10-12, 2008, including final district results and extra awards. All medal winners qualified for State competition.   Team Results:   Small Team Division 1st Dufur 375 2nd Lakeview 161 3rd Pendleton 84  4th Hood River 53 5th Paisley 52 6th Summit 21   Medium Team Division 1st Madras 301 2nd The Dallas/Wahtonka Union 295 3rd La Pine 289 4th Bend 197 5th Crook 101   Large Team Division 1st Redmond 656 2nd Sisters 558 3rd ... [full story]