Thanks to some tipsters, it looks like three hoodlums are behind bars for slashing tires.  After word got out that 35 people were suffering the heartbreak of slahed-tire-itis, the phones at the Vancouver Police Department began to ring.

At least two tipsters offered matching descriptions which led deputies to arrest a trio of young teens (two attend Gaiser Middle School and one attends Hudsons Bay High School).  Cops believe they’ve located the knife used to inflict the damage.  The threesome face felony charges.

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If the foot and a half of snow dumped on the Portland Metro wasn’t enough for you, local slopes are offering discounts and special packages to celebrate National Learn a Snow Sport Month.  For more info visit SkiOregon

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Despite last night’s scare (how many heard the city-wide groan as a fresh dusting of powder descended from the heavens around 6 PM?) there is no more anticipated snow in the Portland Metro area in the near future.  We can expect good old-fashioned Oregon rain.

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Think Opera is all fat guys singing in Italian?  How about a gripping ghost story so chilling you’ll spend the full two-and-a-half hours gripping your armrests and clinging to the edge of your seat?  That’s the set up for The Turn of the Screw, set to open in February at Keller Auditorium.

Based on the popular story by Henry James, Turn is set to music by the operatic master Benjamin Britten.  Described as intense, atmospheric and evocative this is one production not to be missed.  For details on tickets visit www.portlandopera.org

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Social Security checks are getting fatter.  Effective this weekend, each check is now bumped by just shy of 6%.  On average, that means each retiree will see an extra $63 every month (total monthly check of $1,153).

According to this story in the Columbian the bump isn’t considered life-changing by any stretch of the imagination.  BUT, the additional bucks are certainly welcome in this struggling economy.

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Local dancers have a new place to call home.  The Oregonian reports that BodyVox is working with a local developer on a 26,000 square foot space in Northwest Portland.  

The permanent spot comes after cramming into cramped quarters for the better part of a decade.  Talk about being able to stretch your legs.

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The folks at PGE aren’t letting a sagging economy stop them from opening their hearts and wallets.  Employees donated a record breaking $1.59 Million to community organizations (that includes PGE’s 50% match).

61% of employees kicked in this year.  That’s about double the national average.  The Oregon Food Bank was the top money receiver but cash also went to 896 other nonprofits.

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Despite swirling winds and the lack of the Rodgers Brothers on Offense, the Beavs got a W in the Sun Bowl over Pittsburgh.

The only points in the defensive struggler were by the Beav’s Justin Kahut in the 2nd quarter.  That W SHOULD keep the Beavs in the top-25 at seasons end.  Experts are projecting as many as FOUR PAC-10 squads ending the season in the top-25 including UO, USC and either Cal or Arizona.

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The Portland Trail Blazers went into Tuesday night’s game hoping to win, but expecting a loss.  Despite playing on their home court, they were facing the defending National Champion Boston Celtics.  A team they’ve already lost to once this season by 15.  A team that has only lost four games all year.

Not to mention, the Blazers would be without All Star Brandon Roy (nursing an injury).

But in front of a sellout crowd at the Rose Garden, The Blazers got the upset.

91-86.

One knock against the younger Blazers was their timidity to attack established stars.  To get aggressive.  Not on this night.  First, Greg Oden accidentally sent Ray Allen into the stands driving to the basket.  A couple quarters later, Kevin Garnett threw a couple cheap elbows at Lamarcus Aldridge who gave Garnett’s bald head a slap in retaliation.  Both got technical fouls and Garnett was warned, you cannot push the Blazer’s around anymore. 

The Blazers now believe they can hang with anyone in the league and rightly so.  Playoffs anyone?

Olivia Bucks / The Oregonian

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Within a month, the Ducks beat TWO schools who have team colors of Orange and Black and the initials OSU.

Fresh off the Civil War shellacking of Oregon State, the Ducks rallied from a ten point, first quarter deficit to spank the Cowboys of Oklahoma State 41-31.  Things started slowly for the Flock, only netting one scoring drive in the first half.  But the Spread came alive in the second half as the Ducks used a balanced ground / passing game to rattle off 35 points.

Anticipation for this game was high as both teams posses high-octane offenses.  With only 24 combine points in the first half, some began to speculate that this would be more of a defensive struggle.  However, with half-time adjustments in place, the heavyweight slugfest was on.  OSU QB  Zac Robinson and UO Qb Jeremiah Masoli drew their squads within one score of each other, only to match, blow-for-blow, throughout the third and most of the fourth quarter.  

The Ducks, picked in the preseason to finish second in the pac ten and opened the season ranked in the top-25, finish the season 10-3 and likely ranked in the top-15 in the final polls.

Thomas Boyd / The Oregonian

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