TresSugar

Tasting the Oregon Coast

Lauren Hendrickson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:45:53 PDT

Exploring a state's local cuisine is always an adventure, and although I didn't quite make it over to the foodie haven of Portland on a recent trip to Oregon, the state's coast had plenty of tasty treats along the way. I spent a week exploring the wilderness, camping in a tear drop trailer, and of course, stopping at all of the local breweries, restaurants, and even a coffee roaster. The 363 miles of coast are not only gorgeous, but there is a plethora of tastiness along the way - the foodie scene has definitely made its way to the coast.

Voodoo Doughnut Goodness

Yum Community — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:12:23 PST

Good morning! We thought you might like to start your day with a plate of delicious-looking doughnuts. This photo and accompanying review was shared by 2savorypalates in the YumSugar Community.

No doubt many of you have heard of Voodoo Doughnut; the crazy and insanely delicious doughnut shop in Portland and Eugene where anything goes on a doughnut - namely the Bacon Maple Bar. My friend and I were in search of the perfect donut shop in our blog. Well, Voodoo was definitely a no-brainer for myself in Eugene, and honestly I'll take any excuse I can to head over there and try new things. The other place was a tiny little mom and pop donut place in Anaheim, CA, where people line up around the building and down the street for their signature blueberry donuts. If you're ever in any of these two areas of the states, please do yourself a favor and check them out.

Do you have a delicious photo to share? Upload it to the Savory Sights group in the community!

Year of the "Threatened Rabbit": World's Smallest Rabbits Fight Extinction

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:00:00 PST

Yes, all baby bunnies are small, but this species tops out at less than a pound . . . fully grown. The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits are native to the Pacific Northwest and face an uphill battle since being declared extinct in the 1990s. They are just one type of threatened hopper BBC recently wrote about as we enter the Year of the Rabbit. Learn all about these animals - and see more pics - when you start the slideshow.

Savory Sight: Deep-Fried Pop Tarts

Yum Community — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:00:55 PDT

YumSugar Community member Angelica discovered the unthinkable: deep-fried Pop Tarts. Do you have an image of something delicious that you recently made or enjoyed? If so, be sure to upload it in the Savory Sights group in our YumSugar Community!From The Candyman shop in Seaside, Oregon. Cause Pop Tarts totally need to be fried.

Stranger than Fiction: School Used Lap Dance Therapy

TresSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 PST

When you think of activities to help the emotional growth of teens with behavior troubles or special learning needs, lap dances would probably be the last thing you'd think of.

But that's exactly what the staff at Mount Bachelor Academy came up with, and they forced students to undergo lap dance therapy as a part of their "emotional growth" curriculum. The boarding school was shutdown after students accused the staff of employing this dubious therapy, and a seven-month state investigation has just confirmed the allegations.

According to the report, the school's "Lifesteps" seminars made students take on sexualized roles and perform in front of staff and students. One girl, who had been raped before going to the school, was forced to dress as a French maid and perform a lap dance. (Who thought this was a good idea?!)

Oregon's Department of Human Services says the school poses "a serious danger to child safety." Whenever I hear these horror stories about reform schools, I wonder: did anyone ever check to see if the people allowed to run them for so long needed some reform themselves?

They're Ba-aack - World's Smallest Rabbits Fight Extinction

PetSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:00:24 PDT

Yes, all baby bunnies are small but this species tops out at less than a pound . . . fully grown. The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbits are native to the Pacific Northwest and face an uphill battle since being declared extinct in the 1990s. Learn all about these animals - and see more pics - when you start the slideshow.

Coveted Crib: Neal Creek Retreat

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:00:51 PDT

Usually, when I share photos of a gorgeous modern home with you, there's little hope of actually staying at that place in real life. Not so with the Neal Creek residence. Located near Hood River, OR, this two-bedroom home is actually available for rent.

Architects Paul McKean and Amy Donohue designed this house to make a minimal impact on the environment. The house's main living space is raised one story above ground, which helps to protect it from flood and brush fire damage while providing patio and storage space below. A green roof helps the home to blend into the landscape.

To find out more about this house, and to take a full tour,

read more. The house makes use of renewable, local materials, including cedar siding and cabinetry and an FSC-certified wood floor, finished with vegetable wax. The carpet tiles are composed of natural wool and rubber, and all interior finishes are no-VOC. With Energy Star-certified appliances and highly energy-efficient windows, the home is comfortable and cozy no matter what the season. The Neal Creek Retreat was awarded the 2007 honor award from the American Institute of Architects, Portland.

View 15 Photos ›

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Briefing Book! Oregon Considers 1,900 Percent Tax on Beer

LibertySugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:30:04 PST

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Oregon's Green Idea: Taxing For Miles Driven Instead of Gas

LibertySugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:01:24 PST

Oregon drivers may soon start limiting their joyrides. The governor has called for a highway tax based on miles driven, not gasoline purchases after gas tax revenues dropped to $4.8 million a year compared with 2006.

The idea is that a state task force would equip every new vehicle in the state with a Global Positioning System device to record every mile driven and where. Motorists would pay at the gas pump based on how much they drove, whether they drive a Prius or a clunker party bus.

Oregon is one of the first states to start talking about a mileage fee, but Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Florida, Rhode Island, Minnesota and Texas have expressed interest in dropping the gas tax and charging drivers for their mileage. The proposal has already received plenty of opposition from Oregonians who say it would discriminate against rural residents, who have to drive farther for groceries, school and work, and caused concerns about government monitoring.

Do you think it's a smart move?

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Troopers Riding in Big Rigs to Nab Drivers: Smart or Sneaky?

CitizenSugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:30:13 PDT

Over a two days this week, Oregon State Police and sheriffs (perhaps better known by their CB radio code, "Boy Scouts") hitched a ride with big-rig truckers on the hunt for aggressive drivers who wouldn't suspect a "Smokey" ride along and wouldn't have time to "brush their teeth and comb their hair" (shout out for a radar trap ahead.)

Leaving the "bubble gum machine" (cop car) at home, the troopers were able to nab 38 drivers in just two days. From their shotgun perches, most of the drivers were ticketed for driving over a "double nickel" (55 mph) and never saw it coming.

The ODOT safety manager says "Research shows that most truck vs. car crashes could be avoided if drivers knew how to steer clear of unsafe situations. With this campaign, we hope to increase awareness, encourage safer driving practices and make a positive change in the risky driving behaviors of motorists - all of which will lead to fewer crashes, fatalities, and injuries on Oregon's roadways."

Is planting troopers in a big rig a creative solution - or a little bit like a speed trap taken too far?

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