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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 2019)
Holidays in Sisters Wednesday, December 4, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 694-B SE Third St., Bend |Open Every Day 7 a.m.-10 p.m. 14 We are fi lled to the brim with holiday gifts! Before you head to Bend and fi ght the crowds, come see what we have to offer! Denali blankets, candles, puzzles, toys and much more! And don’t forget to grab your libations here! The Gallimaufry — 541-549-9841 — Corner of Hwy. 20 & Elm St. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sisters’ local liquor store for 41 years, off ering the largest selection in town. MACKENZIE CREEK MERCANTILE Coats, jackets, snow boots, gloves, hats & more for all! 541-549-8424 | 290 W. Cascade Ave. www.mackenziecreekmercantile.com Holiday Happenings! — All New Specialty Gifts — Wine, chocolates, nuts and more Gift baskets and gift certifi cates! Amazing food & specialty cocktails Live Music Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays Book offi ce & holiday parties now CHOPS Bistro 541-549-6015 370 E. Cascade Ave. Lounge open daily 4:30 to close Dining room open daily 5 to close Treat your Christmas tree to vodka? — By Kym Pokorny, OSU Extension Service — CORVALLIS 3 From vodka in the water to I.V. tubes in the trunk, there are lots of urban myths about how to take care of your cut Christmas tree. Chal Landgren, a Christmas tree specialist with Oregon State University Extension Service, busts those myths with answers to some common questions. Q. How do I know a tree is fresh when I purchase it? A. Choose a tree that looks green and healthy with needles that snap like a fresh carrot. Shake it a few times to get rid of old needles. Once you9re home, place the tree in water if you do not plan to put it up immediately. Choose a large, water- filled stand to display the tree indoors. Check the water level daily; trees will be very thirsty the first few days inside a heated home. Q. Do I need to recut the stem after I get my tree home? A. Yes, if more than 24 hours has elapsed since the stem was last cut. The fresh cut helps water uptake, and the sooner you can get the tree into water, the fresher it will be. Q. Do I need to cut two inches off the tree base for it to take up water in the stand? A. No, cutting a 1/4-inch slice off the base is plenty for water uptake. However, clearing the ceiling is another question. Q. Do I need to cut the base of the trees at an angle, drill holes in the base or install plastic tubes so the tree can get water? A. No. Water begins the path up the tree via microscopic tubes called <tracheids= in the wood just beneath the bark. The wood near the outer part of the stem is very efficient in con- ducting water and becomes less so toward the center. So, simply cut the stem perpendicular to the trunk to maximize the area exposed to the water. Complicated cuts, drill holes or I.V. tubes do not help. Q. Do I need to add something to the water to help the tree stay fresher? A. People have added all kinds of things to water, including vodka, 7-Up, bleach, aspirin and sugar. However, clean, cold water is all that is needed. Some additives actually can cause your tree to shed needles or dry out more rapidly. Q. Will any tree stand work, as long as it holds the tree up? A. No. A stand should hold a quart of water for every inch of stem diameter. A tree with a 6-inch stem diameter will need a stand that holds a gallon and a half of water. Very few stands have the capacity for today9s large trees. Consider purchasing a new stand, or a smaller tree, if the water capacity is not adequate. Q. If my decorated tree runs out of water, do I need to take it down and recut the base? A. No. If you refill the water stand within 24 hours of going dry, most trees (Douglas-fir, noble, Nordmann, Fraser) should re-hydrate just fine. For grand fir, 12 hours may be the limit. Of course, it is best if the tree does not run out of water, so check it every day. Your tree may not be the only one drinking from the tree stand 3 your pets may be helping them- selves to the water, too. So check the water level daily, especially in the first few days. If your tree becomes dry and brittle, it may be time to take it down. Chops Bistro Chops Bistro has been a local favorite for the last three years. They’re known for fireside dining in the dining ing room and providing live entertainment on the weekends in their comfortable lounge. They hit all the right notes with local Tony Lompa starting the weekend on Fridays at 6 p.m. and Bill Keale finishing out on Sundays. Saturdays are shared by various artists. The lounge has become quite the cozy spot to be. And the BIG NEWS is that in the newly renovated lounge, retail gifts have been added — wine, chocolates, nuts, gift certificates and gift baskets, just in time for the holidays. Chops provides a great atmosphere, wonderful food and a wel- coming staff. The wine list is top-notch and owner Tracy Syanovitz has several special wine dinners being offered this winter. ’Tis the season! Book reservations now for holiday parties; limited dates available. Stop by for details at 370 E. Cascade Ave.