Jaguar designer Ian Callum faced a dilemma when planning the XK convertible. It could have had a retractable hardtop, creating a coupe and a convertible - two cars in one. He tried, but the company had no experience in engineering a retractable hardtop. Plus, it was a challenge to find adequate stowage for the hardtop without ruining the car's lines. The budget was tight and a retractable hardtop wouldn't have saved that much money, Callum said ... [full story]

Trendy and artsy: Mini Cooper.  Cool soccer Mom: BMW wagon.  Nostalgia lover: new VW Beetle.  Midlife crisis: vintage Corvette.It's no accident that certain cars are driven by certain types of people.  In fact, by the time a car has reached the marketplace, a target buyer is practically in its DNA.  "Car manufacturers are designing vehicles based on focus group studies that give key insights into satisfying lifestyles, egos and current status symbols," says Ron Miller, a ... [full story]

Movie Review of "The Illusionist" With one flick of his cinematic wand, writer/director Neil Burger has created some enchanted evening.  From the opening image of a kaleidoscopic butterfly, followed by sepia-colored scenes of Vienna, circa 1900, with Philip Glass' music as an understated yet elegant accompaniment, Burger promises a magical, mystery tour in theater-seats-turned-time-machines.  He does not disappoint.   Edward Norton and Jessica Biel star in The Illusionist    Paul Giamatti (L) and Edward Norton (R) Based on Steven Millhauser's ... [full story]

Anyone who loves a quality brew and helping a good cause is invited down to the 3rd annual Bend Brew Fest.  It is taking place at the Les Schwab Amphitheater on Friday, August 18 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, August 19 from noon to 10 p.m. “It is a non-judged beer festival featuring beers throughout the northwest and even a bit further this year,” said Marney Smith, director of the Les Schwab ... [full story]

Our Community First remains resolute in their fight against a 200,000 square foot Wal-Mart supercenter in west Bend.  According to a news release issued August 15, the organization is committed to building continued community opposition to the supercenter, and remain confident that what they believe is a growing number of Bend residents think that the proposed Wal-Mart would be bad business for Bend.   Wal-Mart Supercenter, Photo by: Wal-Mart “Broad citizen participation has made all the difference and ... [full story]

Redmond Police Chief Lane Roberts has been selected to become the new director of the Deschutes County 9-1-1 Service District, Bend City Police Chief Andy Jordan announced this week. According to Jordan, the 9-1-1 Service District has been actively recruiting a new director for more than nine months.  The process involved an application and screening by Bob Murray and Associates, an executive search firm who assisted in the hiring of a new County Administrator.  Potential ... [full story]

Stating that smoke from wildland fires in the region may cause potential health concerns, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a new warning that air quality is approaching unhealthy levels. Smoke concentrations in Bend and Deschutes County reached the moderate level, just outside the “good” category, on the Oregon DEQ’s Wildfire Air Quality Rating Scale (WAQR). DEQ reminds area residents -- especially those individuals who may be sensitive to smoke -- that there are ... [full story]

When Jerry Leach went on vacation to Mexico, he had no idea it would lead to him living in Bend and managing the Ticket Mill in the Shops in the Old Mill District. The 29-year-old native Oregonian was passing through Northern California when it struck him that it was time to move to Central Oregon, the place where he had spent many of his childhood summers. “Before I even crossed back into the state line, ... [full story]

The Deschutes County District Attorney's office announced this week that the effort to reduce the number of bad check circulation in the County is gaining success.  Mike Dugan, Deschutes County District Attorney, has joined with American Corrective Counseling Services (ACCS) to develop an alternative to prosecution for those who write bad checks.  "It costs the citizens of Deschutes County a minimum of $750 for the DA's office to file and prosecute each person who writes ... [full story]

Nostalgic Warbird & Biplane Rides is offering the public a chance to re-live a piece of aviation history by taking an authentic barnstorming ride in a rare biplane. Rides will be available at the Sunriver Resort Airport through the 1st of September.   "Stanley", Carpentiero's 1929 New Standard Bi-plane    Mike Carpentiero, owner and pilot According to Mike Carpentiero, owner and pilot of the biplane, rides to the public are now being offered at a reduced rate of $75 per ... [full story]