News nuggets Snippets and tidbits from Sisters Country

• Over 150 unfilled jobs in Sisters.

And they are not minimum wage by a far cry. If you consider that arguably the two largest employers in Sisters are each in search of CEOs paying in the six figures, the job market here is more than meets the eye. A nonprofit is advertising for an admin manager at $45-$55,000/year. Praxis Health has a clerical opening for up to $41,000.

Seed to Table is offering employment up to $25/hour. There are over 50 jobs paying at least $6/hour more than the current minimum wage of $12.75 and yet businesses are struggling to meet staffing demands.

• Christmas pageantry.

The Children’s Nativity Pageant at the Church of the Transfiguration is an unscripted play where all children attending have the opportunity to participate. The Christmas Story is read aloud, and the children are costumed by church helpers and move into the sanctuary at appropriate prompting during the reading.

Organizers say: “This has meant a lot of meaningful, sometimes amusing, always surprising and wonderful examples of how the Christmas Story affects us all. We have been told the children never forget their participation and all ages are welcome to join in the pageant. We once had a two-year-old Mary and her mom was a wise man!”

The pageant is set for 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at the church, 68825 Brooks Camp Rd.

• Home sales still strong.

Two fewer homes transacted in Sisters Country in November over October – from 31 to 29, and the average declined from $804,522 to $754,163. The median price, however – the one that is a truer gauge of the market - jumped a bit, from $685,000 to $699,500. Usually by November sales taper as families with school children have purchased.

The pace shows no signs of letup but inventory is up with more new homes available.

Sharp-eyed reader Catherine Black noticed in our last report that a lot in Pine Meadows was posted in Data Source at $850,000. The property, in fact, had a dwelling on it.

• Stay off the trails!

At least when muddy. PLEASE, Sisters Trails Alliance asks. They have posted signs that are nearly impossible to miss at all the major trailheads. There are more and more reports of the signs being ignored and some popular bike trails in the Peterson system are quite rutted.

• Chain up.

Oregon’s chain law applies to all highways throughout the state. Traction tires may be used in place of chains on vehicles rated at 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less and that are not towing or being towed.

“Traction tires” are studded tires, retractable studded tires, or other tires that meet the tire industry definition as suitable for use in severe snow conditions.

• Rotary raffle winners score prizes.

Sandra Brink, manager at U.S. Bank, was the first-prize winner in the recent Rotary Club of Sisters Mega Raffle. Some $5,000 in prizes were awarded to 18 winners. Brink chose golf for four at Aspen Lakes.

• Before you strike that match...

It’s outdoor burning season, a time when — in theory — it is safe to burn certain yard debris outdoors on your own property. It’s guided by more than common sense and the rights you enjoy as a land owner. We live in a forest and any carelessness is an invitation to disaster. Help keep our community safe. Before you burn even the smallest pile create a free and easy account at http://www.sistersfire.com.

The online reporting system allows Fire District staff the ability to see who is burning on a daily basis, immediately notify users of changing conditions, message important fire safety information, ensure that those planning to burn are aware of the City of Sisters’ outdoor burn ban and that the right jurisdiction is being notified of the planned burn.

• Longing for snow.

Barring the improbable, Hoodoo will again see a post-Christmas opening. Overall, however, the experts predict a La Niña pattern is solidifying, suggesting that January through April will provide plenty of winter fun.

Either way, Brad Boyd, owner of Eurosports, is ready. The shop has finished converting the 800 sq. ft. adjacent garage entirely to skiing and snowboarding sales and rentals. The main shop will display bikes year round. The unseasonably warm, dry autumn has hurt Boyd’s ski business while the bicycle side is enjoying good volume, particularly with rental bikes as visitors continue to favor Sisters’ famed trails.

Boyd notes that if you add up all his tap and packaged beer options – non-alcoholic, gluten free, and including Kombucha and wine, there are close to 100 beverage options at the Food Cart Garden.

• Light ’em up.

You would be hard pressed to find a better outdoor Christmas-light display in all of Sisters Country than at 70875 Indian Ford Road. Thousands and thousands of lights spread over acres are worth the drive. Dozens of trees are draped in lights and there are bright displays of both secular and Christian themes.