It's Hotter than a Cat on a Hot Tin Roof!

Yikes! In case you've been too busy to notice, or possibly on a cool exotic vacation somewhere else, it's been hot here in Central Oregon. The forecast for today is 94 to 100! Same for tomorrow, but cooling in the evenings, hallelujah. It may be hotter than "a cat on a hot tin roof" but these are really the "Dog Days" of summer. I know you have heard that phrase before, but do you know where it originated from? According to Wikipedia - the term "Dog Days" was first used by the Greeks (during Aristotle's time) as well as the ancient Romans, named after Sirius ( the "Dog Star") the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun. The ancients believed that the Dog Days signified the period of time when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as the sun( which is no longer true) supposedly adding to the sun's heat creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. In Ancient Rome, the Dog Days extended from July 24 through August 24. The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, coinciding with the ancient rise of the the Dog Star, Sirius.

Whew, now that we understand all of that, the question is how do you stay cool? Black Butte Ranch has so much to offer during these hottest days. You and your family (two adults and two kids) can golf after 4pm every day at Glaze Meadow Golf Course for only $60! That's a cool deal. You could also spend your day chillin' at the Glaze Meadow Recreation Center pool. The Kids will have a blast in the spray playground(see below) doesn't that look like fun? There's also a great snack shop, where you can buy sandwiches and drinks (pop, water, etc.) and enjoy the cool water.

And just in time for the "Dog Days" you can get 20% your bike rental at Glaze Meadow Rental Shop Monday - Thursday. If you haven't been on the bike paths here at the Ranch, you haven't yet experienced one of the greatest ways to see the flora and fauna here. There are 18 miles of paths (mostly in the shade) that are easy for most levels of cycling (even the wee ones). Come and cool down with us http://www.blackbutteranch.com/.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Launch of Online "Lodge Area Task Force Discussion Board"

The Lodge Area Task Force (LATF) has created a new online discussion board that is an open forum for anyone to voice their opinions, ideas, questions, suggestions and solutions with regard to the "lodge area". This area consists of the lodge itself, Lodge Shop, Coldwell Banker Reed Bros. real estate office, lodge pool and locker rooms, Lakeside Bistro, Recreation Barn and surrounding area. Some of these buildings are aging and the LATF has been given the job of exploring various solutions to upgrading, remodeling or redesigning the buildings. Their goal is to work with an architect and to come up with a viable site plan for the area. Please take some time to join in the discussion and let your voice be heard. Go to http://groups.google.com/group/lodge-area-task-force?hl=en and post your thoughts.

New Director of Sales and Marketing

Charles Kingsbaker, the Ranch's new Director of Sales and Marketing has arrived! Today is his first official day on the job. According to the press release - "He brings over 10 years of resort and golf experience, most recently with Troon Golf, where he was Regional sales and Marketing Director. In his new position at the Ranch, Kingsbaker will lead the development, management, and implementation of strategic marketing programs and sales stretegies for all of Black Butte Ranch..."

Welcome Charles!

If You Weren't Here You Missed It!

If you weren't here for the Infamous Stringdusters concert, I have two questions - why not and where were you?

This was an amazing concert in a place with unmatched views and ambiance. The Lakeside Lawn provided incredible "ampitheater like" acoustics; the weather was perfect and the audience was delightful. It took many volunteers to pull it off, but in the end it was masterfully put together and everyone had a great time.

I cant' wait for the next concert in the
"Live at the Ranch" series. I'll keep you all posted when we come up with the next one.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that even little Mary Elizabeth made an appearance. She's a cutie!

I also had my trusty sidekick - Ms. Emma Huntsman up on stage with me to thank everyone for coming and making our inaugural concert a booming success.




The Americana Kids received $3000 in donations from the concert-goers which made all the effort worth it. They are very appreciative of everyone's generosity.

See ya around the Ranch!

Katie

Black Butte II Fire Is Contained

I would like to thank all fire crews on the BBII fire for their hard work. According to the latest update from the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center the fire is 100% contained and they are mopping up hot spots within the fire perimeter. The final acreage count is 578 acres and there are still some Forest Roads closed and the trail up Black Butte as well as the Metolius-Windigo trail is still closed. Hopefully they will be opened soon as they are both very popular trails. We are lucky that the Forest Service was able to respond so quickly and have the use of so many resources enabling them to get control of fire rapidly. You can get more information about the BBII fire at this website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/conditions/fire-news.shtml.

One of the BBR staff recently compiled a historical listing of fires that have been near or around the Ranch since the year 2000. There have been five major forest fires, and out of those only one came close enough to destroy property. The loss of our beautiful forests is a sad occurance, but can also be of benefit to forest regeneration. I recently went for a hike up Black Crater and amidst the devastation caused by the 2006 Black Crater Fire the ground of the forest was filled with lush western ferns and a multitude of ponderosa seedlings. The circle of life continues on.

Cheers!

Katie

Ranch News Update

I have two news updates. As some of you may know, when our new general manager, Scott Huntsman came on board his wife was close to having their fourth child. Little Mary Elizabeth Huntsman was born on July 1, 2009! I have never seen so many people follow the impending birth of a child so closely (other than the royal family of course). Everyone at the Ranch was anxiously awaiting Mary Elizabeth's arrival. Congrats to Scott and Christy!

Secondly, the other piece of big news is that we have a new Director of Sales and Marketing due to start around July 23. Charles Kingsbaker brings over 10 years of resort and golf experience, most recently with Troon Golf, where he served as regional sales and marketing director, overseeing strategic resort, real estate and golf sales and marketing initiatives for various Troon Golf managed properties. We are very excited to have someone of Charles' caliber working to promote and improve the Ranch. Welcome Charles!

Well that's it for now.

Tour Des Chutes Ride is Saturday

This is for all you avid cyclists. The fifth annual "Tour Des Chutes" is Saturday July 18, 2009. The ride is organized by brain cancer survivor, Gary Bonacker and benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation as well as the St. Charles Cancer center. It is a great ride and offers various lengths of rides from 7, 25, 48, 70 and 90 miles. Hopefully it won't be too hot and there will be lots of riders participating. After the ride the atmosphere is very festive and you get a giant burrito courtesy of Longboard Loui's of Bend. Hope to see you there.

Cheers!
Katie

Don't Forget the Infamous Stringdusters July 17

Preparations are underway for the first "Live at the Ranch" concert series, featuring the Infamous Stringdusters, and will benefit the Sisters Americana Project ($5 donation please). Check out their music at http://thestringdusters.com/. The Ranch is providing a beautiful "venue with a view" where concert goers will be treated to outstanding bluegrass music as well as a view of Phalarope Lake and the Three Sisters as the sun sets. Be sure to bring your sand chairs and a blanket and enjoy the ranch style barbeque food available for purchase. We will also have a special area for wheelchair seating. Please note: no outside alcoholic beverages allowed (there is a Beer Garden on site). come early to get a good spot and enjoy the relaxed ambiance of the Ranch.

Cheers!

Katie

Quilt Show !

As quilters descend upon Sisters from all over the United States (even some internationally), we welcome them with open arms. While I'm not a quilter myself, there are many avid quilters that are residents of the Ranch. In fact, our very own Ruth Ingham recently had an art quilt display at the Sisters library. I had the honor of viewing one of her art quilts before it went to the library and was fascinated with the incredible detail involved in the piece.

I understand that the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show organizers are expecting record-breaking attendance at this year's show. Well at least it isn't going to be 90 degrees, and it doesn't appear that any remaining smoke from the smoldering Black Butte II fire is going to drift into town, whew! I also read that if you bring your own bottle of water you can get free refills all over town.

Quilt on Sisters!

Golf.com Article on CO Golf

It's pretty cool when you get free publicity as we did in the Golf.com's article about golf in Central Oregon (well, ok it actually says Bend, but covers Sunriver Resort all the way to Black Butte Ranch). Check out their review of the Big Meadow course atBBR http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/article/0,28136,1908504,00.html. The author wrote"In truth, this is exactly the kind or course you want to play on the first day of your vacation, unlike its sisters track Glaze Meadow, which calls for bow-anarrow accuracy." Ok, you can play Glaze on your second day of vacation.

Fire Season Begins

Well it's no secret that there is a wildfire on Black Butte (the volcanic cone NOT the Ranch, whew!). We are proud to be of assistance to the firefighters by providing water for their aerial attack as well as any additional strategic help they may need. Black Butte is very special to all of us here. Not only is it our namesake, but it is a defining landmark, that we enjoy. If you have never made the trek to the top of Black Butte it is one you should add to your "must do" list. It is a moderate hike with about a 1600 ft elevation climb over close to two miles. Some of the hike takes you through dense ponderosa forest and some of it offers amazing views of Black Butte Ranch at its base as well as the Three Sisters (although Middle Sister is hidden from view), Broken Top, Mt. Jefferson and on a really clear day Mt. Hood and Mt. Ranier.

The firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fire and from where I sit ( my office window looks directly out at the butte) they are doing a great job! We should be able to enjoy the trail again soon. As for the Ranch nothing here is threatened and we are operating as normal.