Summer is here and that means hiking, camping, birding and other fun outdoor activities. Having the right gear will help make your outdoor experiences more fun and more memorable. Here are a few of my top picks.   ALPEN 788 SPOTTING SCOPE: Photo by S. Staats ALPEN 788 SPOTTING SCOPE Whether you’re birdwatching, wildlife watching or just sightseeing, there’s only one piece of gear better than a pair of binoculars and that’s a spotting scope. My pick ... [full story]

Statistically speaking, par 3’s are generally the most difficult holes to par. Remember these important factors the next time you are standing on the tee box of a par 3: First of all, don’t try to be a hero. Many players let their egos get the best of them. They want to be able to tell their buddies they hit a 7 iron instead of a 6, 9 instead of an 8, etc. It doesn’t ... [full story]

West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Aloha Knights at Bend Elks - Play-by-Play Jul 16, 2006 at Bend, OR (Vince Genna Stadium) Score by Innings R H E ------------------------------------------- Aloha Knights....... 523 010 000 - 11 12 3 Bend Elks........... 000 320 000 - 5 8 2 ------------------------------------------- Aloha Knights starters: 12/2b Casey; 4/ss Selden; 8/3b Morel; 29/1b ... [full story]

Homeowners are reminded by the Bend Fire Department that they are legally and financially responsible for any damage caused due to fire escaping their control. Matthew Sahlberg of Bend is fortunate that his out-of-control debris fire that burned about ¼ acre did not cause any property damage other than the destruction of natural vegetation. According to Battalion Chief Bob Madden, on Monday July 17 at about 6:30 pm, ten Bend Fire personnel responded to a ... [full story]

Bend Memorial Clinic has signed a six-year outsourcing agreement with MED3000, Inc. Under the arrangement, MED3OOO, a national healthcare management and technology company, will provide the clinic with practice management information systems as an Application Service Provider (ASP), and will also provide the clinic with revenue cycle management services. Responsible for the treatment of more than 200,000 patients annually, the Bend Memorial Clinic conducted extensive research for an ASP and Revenue Cycle Management provider. The ... [full story]

Two big issues were tackled at last week’s Bend City Council meeting.  After three decades, new zoning rules have been put into place and the council implemented new regulations on area payday lenders. In the Zone It has been years in the making and July 5th the city council adopted new city zoning rules designed to protect the very qualities that draw people to the town.  “Our challenge was to write a code that helps ... [full story]

Q: I’m 54 my wife is 52. We have approximately $200,000 in a 401(k) and $115,000 of equity in our home (valued at about $315,000). We’re trying to plan for our future and are thinking about selling our home and downsizing to a smaller mortgage with fewer home-related expenses. Does it make sense to put down $100,000 on a house and have only a $70,000 mortgage? Or should we take out a bigger mortgage and ... [full story]

The Honda Civic coupe seems all grown up now, ready to please adults with its confidence and style. It used to be that this little two-door was fit for a first-time buyer, but the eighth generation 2006 model has been fleshed out in size, substance and safety. It's a good choice as a refined and stylish high-mileage commuter car.   HONDA CIVIC - The Honda Civic coupe is in its eighth generation and has been fleshed ... [full story]

  MEDTRONICA - The National Osteoporosis Foundation Web site at www.nof.org is a good place to begin learning about the bone-loss disease that afflicts millions of elderly people, particularly women. CNS Photo.  MEDTRONICANational Osteoporosis Foundationwww.nof.orgA good place to begin learning about osteoporosis, a bone-loss disease that afflicts millions of elderly people, particularly women. The information on symptoms, treatment and prevention is reliable, current and easy to read. Plus, there are links to finding doctors and support groups. ... [full story]

West Coast Collegiate Baseball League Aloha Knights at Bend Elks - Play-by-Play Jul 15, 2006 at Bend, OR (Vince Genna Stadium) Score by Innings R H E ------------------------------------------- Aloha Knights....... 000 002 010 - 3 9 1 Bend Elks........... 230 001 10X - 7 9 1 ------------------------------------------- Aloha Knights starters: 3/lf Krauser; 4/ss Selden; 14/cf Borba; ... [full story]