Crater Lake is one of the most awe inspiring natural wonders on Earth. The deepest lake in America, it is also the purest lake in the world. Its majesty and sheer beauty are simply unforgettable.
     As Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake National Park is also a major economic driver, with nearly 500,000 annual visitors pumping $30 million per year into the southern Oregon economy.
     The Crater Lake National Park Trust is a nonprofit organization that works to protect, promote, and enhance this special place. For example, its Classroom at Crater Lake program brings some 3,000 grade school kids from the region to the park each year for a hands-on science education program.
     The Trust is also actively developing partnerships with local businesses to help further its mission.
     Fly-fishing and stargazing trips are also in the planning stages. The Trust’s Family Fun Day on September 26 will give away 500 free root beer floats (courtesy of Crater Lake Soda and Dairy Farmers of Oregon) while guests enjoy traditional Klamath tribal dancing and music.
     The Trust is also working to connect Crater Lake more strongly with tourists and tourism-related businesses by providing park passes businesses can share with clients and guests, helping to shape Travel Oregon’s Central Cascades geotourism project, and presenting events exploring different facets of Crater Lake. Seeking to serve as an online home for Crater Lake fans, the Trust has also developed an active Web site, a free monthly email newsletter, and a presence on Facebook and Twitter to help encourage and engage visitors.
     If your business is interested in a partnership with the Crater Lake Trust, please contact Executive Director Jeff Allen at (541) 708-5125 or jeff@craterlaketrust.org. 
 

     Recessions have a way of forcing businesses to focus on priorities and think about what really matters. Qwest has recently uncovered some interesting trends involving small and medium-sized business (SMB) views on technology.
     First, SMBs say connectivity is vital to their business. This year, SMBs generally intend to cut overall spending and may reduce some tech expenditures, but they'd prefer not to cut "communications" spending because it's simply too essential.
     SMBs also say no matter where else they make sacrifices they will not forego Internet connection speed to save money, citing the critical role speed plays in operating the business and effectively sharing information with customers, employees, and stakeholders. SMBs also refuse to sacrifice communications quality and reliability to save, again signaling the importance of connectivity.
     Finally, SMBs want their technology provider to act more like a partner than a vendor. They crave stability, wanting assurance that their provider can weather tough times and have the financial strength to partner with them over the long term. SMBs understand that the tech landscape is complicated and the latest developments are complex.
     Technology Opportunities In An Economic Downturn
     As SMBs look to "invest to win" during a downturn, growing and emerging SMB tech trends include:
     Connectivity & Mobility: Investing in a plan for connectivity and mobile access, including an evolution path, is an opportunity to maximize productivity and create consistent experiences across every customer touch point.
     Security & Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery (BCDR): SMBs are focusing more on protecting customer data, which helps guard their company's reputation and the bottom line.
     Technology Integration: SMBs should consider consolidation of their services, as voice and data integration, IP services and managed services provide opportunities to reduce the number of providers and cut costs.
     While economic times are tough, the right technology (and technology partner) can help businesses identify new opportunities for growth.
     For more information contact Paula Herbert at Paula.Herbert@qwest.com.
 

  What's New

Saving Grace Announces Title Sponsor for 21st Annual Saving Grace Children’s Festival
     The 2009 Saving Grace Children’s Festival in Drake Park is shaping up to be the most successful yet, thanks to a key partnership from Dr. Hester, at Bend Family Dentistry. The 2009 Saving Grace Children’s Festival will take place Saturday, July 18 in Drake Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This celebration of healthy families has been a local favorite for 21 years. Bend Family Dentistry has committed to be the event’s title sponsor for the second year in a row.
     Saving Grace is currently collecting donations of new and gently used stuffed animals for use at the Saving Grace Children’s Festival. Donations can be made at the administrative office, 1425 NW Kingston Ave., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Saving Grace provides comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services to more than 5,000 Central Oregonians each year. For more information please call 382-9227 or visit www.saving-grace.org.
 

Local Physician Attends Conference on Cataract Surgery

     Patricia Buehler, MD, MPH, attended the New York City Eclipse meeting in February. The meeting was to discuss the new AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +3.0D implant lens for cataract surgery. The meeting was for a select group of surgeons to discuss their experiences with this new lens. The lens corrects for distance, intermediate and near vision, as well as the optical distortion that occurs with aging.
 

HBG Launches Community Web Portal – MyCentralOregon.com

     Horizon Broadcasting Group, the operator of six radio stations in Central Oregon, has launched MyCentralOregon.com (www.mycentraloregon.com), the region’s most comprehensive Web site for local news and community information.
     “We are excited to provide Central Oregon residents with a new option for real-time local news and community information,” said Keith Shipman, President and CEO of Horizon Broadcasting Group.
     MyCentralOregon.com features local, regional, national and international news, weather (including satellite and radar images), sports, traffic, business updates, an entertainment and dining guide, health and community information and much more. There are also Classified, Real Estate, and Yellow Page sections designed for easy consumer use.
     “The KBNW news team – Annette Weston, Bill Baker and Glenn Vaagen – will provide local news content pertinent to Central Oregon. The Associated Press provides MyCentralOregon.com with regional, national and international news and video,” noted Shipman.
 

Get Control of Email! June 23, 2009

     Tracy Campbell, of Simplicated, LLC and Dennis Hungerford of Sandler Sales are hosting Get Control of Email!, a nationally recognized, interactive training which reduces email volume by 20 percent, improves email quality and clarity by 35 percent, and improves participant’s ability to manage electronic information by 35 percent.
     The event will take place on June 23 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the First American Title Training Room (395 SW Bluff Drive). Register at Get Control of Email!, or by calling 541-788-7001.
 

Central Oregon Attraction Crooked River Dinner Train Now Open

     The Crooked River Dinner Train and Cougar Canyon BBQ had its first dinner run of the season on May 30. The train is under new management and will run every Saturday, with more dates to be scheduled as the summer progresses. The train will also be transformed into the Cougar Canyon Whistle Stop Tavern from 3 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, while it is parked in its location off Lone Pine Road between Redmond and Terrebonne.
     “To us, the train is an important piece of the culture of Central Oregon and we are looking forward to creating memories for our riders,” said Jimmy Brundage, owner of Cougar Canyon Catering which took over operations for the train earlier this year. “We have changed the menu, changed the entertainment line-up and kept the authentic experience that the train provides.”
     The scheduled Saturday night runs will continue the murder mystery entertainment tradition with a new and improved twist. Upcoming dinner train themes include wine tasting and family entertainment evenings, comedy night and guest celebrity night.
     The full schedule and pricing can be found online at www.crookedriverdinnertrain.com or by calling 541-447-6251.
 

Talk of the Town: The “Golden” Dilemma

     From Boomers to Seniors and Beyond: Are We Prepared?
     Baby Boomers are considered 20 years away from needing institutional help. A 65 year old person today lives an average of 17 more years. Are we prepared for the impact of increasing longevity?
     Will you have financial security in your remaining years? Who will care for you should you need assistance? Are you in the “sandwich” generation, possibly caring for parents and children? If you’re retired and could go back ten years, what would you advise someone about to retire?
Talk of the Town will be taped on June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Greenwood Playhouse located at 148 NW Greenwood. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to talk@bendbroadband.com or 388-5814. For more details: www.talkofthetownco.com.
     Talk of the Town airs Mondays at 7 p.m. on BendBroadband COTV channel 11 and on COTV on Demand.
 

Kiddoz Inc. Offers Weekend Care

     DROP-OFF Weekend Care is finally here! KIDDOZ Inc. Indoor Play Center & Preschool is offering a very unique, much needed and affordable service to Central Oregon.
     Whether you’re working, shopping, kayaking, or movie-going, your kiddo will have a blast at KIDDOZ! DROP-OFF Weekend Care is offered every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Sunday and additional hours negotiable). Certified staff plans the day’s activities, which include play (of course), arts & crafts, discovery, group activities, baking, story time and music & movement.
     Sibling and Group discounts are honored. For more information or to make a reservation, call (541)312-4742.
 

Never-Before-Seen 19th-Century Quilts Exhibit Opens at the High Desert Museum

     The High Desert Museum presents Patterns from the Past: 19th-Century American Quilts, June 6 through August 5, featuring quilts from the Revolutionary War to Civil War eras. This is the first time these quilts are on public display.
     The 17 quilts on display reflect the status, sentiment, politics, and patriotism of the women living in and around the prosperous Southern states between 1776 and 1865.
     In the early half of the 20th century, Elizabeth Saville Lewis began collecting pre-19th century quilts from Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina. She made no note as to their history or origin. The quilts were left to her daughter, Susan Lewis Cockrell, who gave them to museums throughout the West. Susan’s only request was that the quilts be studied and enjoyed.
     The exhibit also includes a communal quilt on which visitors can sew or quilt.
 

June High Desert Museum Events

      June is packed with fun at the High Desert Museum:
     June 20-21: Sagebrush Soldiers - It is 1865, and Civil War troops are returning west, sent to insure peace in the High Desert. Meet the blue-clad soldiers at their encampment as they fire muskets, drill, and cook their supper over the campfire and gamble. Watch out – they’re recruiting!
     June 20-21: 1910 Lazinka Sawmill in Action! The whistle blows. The huge blade whirs. Sawdust flies. Century-old fun. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
     June 21: Father’s Day – Accompany Dad to the Museum, and he visits for half price, $7.50.
     June 27: Oregon Sesquicentennial Author - Jane Kirkpatrick discusses and signs copies of her books, many which are set in the 19th-century High Desert. 1 p.m.
     June 28: Linda Hussa, award-winning author of The Family Ranch: Nurturing Children, the Land and Tradition in the American West, discusses keeping family ranch traditions alive. 1:30 p.m.
     For more information on upcoming events go www.highdesertmuseum.org
 

Small Business Solutions

     A free workshop, Small Business Solutions, will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at Mid Oregon Credit Union, 1386 NE Cushing Drive, Bend. Call 382-1795 to reserve your seat.
     This free workshop will cover many options for the small business owner such as: how to set up a 401k, how a 401k can benefit your business, the pros and cons, and how to calculate expenses. Other topics will be covered as well, including; business checking, loans and more. It is hosted by JC Hallman, Financial Advisor, MEMBERS Financial Services.
 

Building a Basic Budget: The Five-Step Spending Plan

     A free financial workshop, Building a Basic Budget: The Five-Step Spending Plan, will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at Mid Oregon Credit Union, 1386 NE Cushing Drive, Bend. The public is invited. Presenter will be Terri Rahmsdorff, Credit Specialist and Central Oregon Low Income Network Kooperative (COLINK) board president.
     Most American consumers waste 20 to 30 percent of their money because of poor spending habits and poor planning, experts estimate. If you have trouble keeping track of where your money goes, you’re not alone. Many people admit they can’t recall where they spent the majority of their last ATM withdrawal. The Five-Step Spending Plan spells out in step-by-step detail how to draw your own financial blueprint for action. Each participant will come away with a personal action plan, plenty of ideas for how to save money, and better understanding of how to track where your money goes.
     Call 382-1795 to reserve your seat.