The Sunriver Nature Center offers a friendly reminder that it’s against the law to disturb a bird nest under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
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Due to extreme fire Sunriver Rules & Re danger and gulations
INSIDE THIS ISSUE SROA Board.................. 4 Nature Center ............... 8 Calendar ..................... 13
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SHARC News ............... 22 Public Safety ............... 27 Classified .................... 38
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S C E N E A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSOCIATION
JULY • 2016
VOLUME XLII • NUMBER 7
Rural Enterprise Zone boundary expansion approved
this project,” said Mark Smith, SROA Public Works Director. “And once you see all the kids playing on it makes it all worthwhile.” The old, outdated structure was closed and taken down at the end of April. Crews spent almost seven weeks between other projects to erect the new structure piece by piece.
Business Oregon has approved a request from Deschutes County, City of La Pine (zone sponsors) and EDCO (zone manager) to expand the existing Deschutes County Rural Enterprise Zone boundary to include Sunriver Business Park and Spring River Plaza. The new areas combined are 0.12 square miles, bringing the total zone up to 7.63 square miles. The request was approved based on documentation showing an employment area that is still economically lagging compared to the rest of the county as well as lower median household incomes and higher unemployment levels. The Deschutes County Rural Enterprise Zone received its designation in 2008 as an economic development program designed to attract traded-sector business investment and encourage job creation in economically-disadvantaged areas. It provides 3 to 15 years of prop-
Turn to Playground, page 3
Turn to Boundary, page 3
SUSAN BERGER PHOTOS
The Forell family, non-resident Sunriver owners visiting from Portland, were the first to explore the new playground structure at Fort Rock Park.
Rave reviews for new playground The anticipation was almost palpable as children of all ages waited patiently (some impatiently) for Sunriver Owners Association Public Works crews to finish installing the new play structure at Fort Rock Park. As soon as the “all clear” was given, youngsters all but pushed crews out of the way to begin exploring and
scrambling over the expansive structure, which includes a myriad of climbing apparatus, slides, tunnel and monkey bars. “Thank you for the new playground,” said 7-year-old Sam Forell to crew members who stayed and watched him and his younger siblings enjoy the fruits of their labor. “The crews really enjoyed working on
A changing of the guard at Blondie’s Pizza On July 1, Blondie’s Pizza in Sunriver finalized an ownership change in which long-time employees Jamie Foster and Carrie Powell purchased Tom Wilkerson’s percentage in the business, completing a transaction that began last fall. Foster has owned 30 percent of Blondie’s since 2006 and Powell has been manager since 1996, so they are comfortable with the operation and expect to not make any major changes in the restaurant. In 2010, a goal was set for 2016 to be the year Foster and Wilkerson would decide whether to sell the business or whether Foster would continue to operate it and Wilkerson would phase himself out. When Powell showed interest in becoming a partner the decision was easy for Foster and the process was started for Wilkerson to sell his share of Blondie’s to Powell. “I am excited that Jamie and Carrie have this opportunity. Jamie has been a major factor for the past 10 years — keeping the business consistent and adapting to the changes in Sunriver,” said Wilkerson. “And Carrie has been an extremely dedicated employee and deserves to benefit from her years of experience. It gives me peace of mind that the transition will be seamless and all of our loyal customers will not experience any disruption of service or quality.” When asked what was next, Wilkerson noted he would remain at Blondie’s through the summer and into the fall for as long as necessary. “2016 is fairly well obligated to Jamie and Carrie, helping them get through the summer and working to transition administrative duties, but I haven’t worked out my options yet,” he said. “I just knew after 21 years in Sunriver it was time to do SUNRIVER SCENE SUNRIVER OWNERS ASSN. VOLUME XLIl • NUMBER 7 P.O. BOX 3278 SUNRIVER, OR 97707
Blondie’s owner Tom Wilkerson, with co-owner Jamie Foster, center, is selling his remaining share of the popular Sunriver eatery to Carrie Powell, left.
something else.” Wilkerson noted that Blondie’s success is due to the efforts of numerous “awesome employees” and “thanks to a very supportive local population and dedicated following of seasonal guests.” “I will continue to help out as long as needed and will be coaching Club Volleyball next winter at Three Rivers School so I’m not leaving just yet,” he said. PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEND, OR PERMIT NO. 213