Author: Tor Hanson

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Changing Demographics: Central Oregon is Running Out of Employees

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Business Edition – April 2017 The good news: unemployment is down in Central Oregon. The flip side is a tightening labor market. As the boomer generation moves towards retirement, the demographics of Central Oregon are changing. The long-term trends are challenging but can be solved, according to Workforce Analyst Karla Castillo with the Oregon Employment Department. But in the short term, the region’s supply of available labor is shrinking. Few can dispute the fact Central Oregon is experiencing a growth spurt. Recently released statistics from the Population Research Center at Portland State University (PSU), show Deschutes and … Continue reading Changing Demographics: Central Oregon is Running Out of Employees

Musings

Rewriting Jönsson’s Life: The Back-story

Tor Hanson

I moved from Sweden to the United States in 1986 and lived in Los Angeles at the time, when I caught wind of a movie called “My Life As A Dog.” It was based on the book with the same name by Swedish author, Reidar Jönsson. Back in those days, it took a lot longer to get foreign movies to the United States – sorry to say, no iTunes. I finally saw the movie and fell in love with the story about Ingemar. Many years later, my wife, our daughter, and I moved from Los Angeles to Oregon to be closer to family. … Continue reading Rewriting Jönsson’s Life: The Back-story

Wireless NOW!

Wireless NOW! Hawaii On Air

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Wireless NOW! (An Ericsson Newsletter) – May 1997 Mention Honolulu and you evoke images of Waikiki Beach, shady palm trees and hula dancers. But when it comes to cellular, the island of Oahu is strictly business. Newcomer Hawaiian Wireless is involved in a turf battle over Hawaii’s 300,000 cellular customers. Weapons of choice include customer service and digital D-AMPS (IS-136) technology in the specialized mobile radio (SMR) spectrum. Hawaiian Wireless is the “new kid on the block” in a highly competitive market that already has four well-seated cellular providers on the island of Oahu, the most densely populated island … Continue reading Wireless NOW! Hawaii On Air

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Reidar Jönsson: Rewriting His Life

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Scanorama – April 1992 (Scandinavian Airlines’ Inflight Magazine) Swedish author Reidar Jönsson whose book, My Life as a Dog, was the basis of Lasse Hallström’s acclaimed film, is busier than ever. With a new book – My Father, His Son, a sequel to My Life as a Dog­ just out in the United States, he is currently doing a screen treatment of it. Born in 1944 in southern Swe­den, Jönsson published numerous screenplays, theater pieces, poetry and books before gaining public attention with My Life as a Dog. Ironically, he originally had no de­sire to see this book turned into … Continue reading Reidar Jönsson: Rewriting His Life

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Boom Operator: The Back-Story

Tor Hanson

The back-story to the Boom Operator article is pretty funny. The day prior to the interview with Sgt. Edwards, I drove from Bend, Oregon to Vacaville, California. I had orders to be at Travis Air Force base early the following morning. It was still dark when I left the hotel and started driving to the base. I was excited to get a chance to ride along in a military version of the DC-10, and wanted to get to my destination quickly. The Air Base Parkway leading up to Travis AFB was deserted and I decided to step on the gas and … Continue reading Boom Operator: The Back-Story

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Helicopter Pilot: Warren Petrie Back-Story

Tor Hanson

The back-story to the article about Warren Petrie harkens back to my love for airplanes and high-tech gadgets. As a KOIN 6 viewer in Bend, I watched many of Warren Petrie’s news reports from the Portland area. He always came across as a very personable guy with an exciting job; the perfect story for Boys’ Life Magazine. I pitched the idea and got the go-ahead to write the article. The interview took place at Warren’s home base at the Hillsboro Airport, just outside of Portland. My impressions about Mr. Petrie was spot on. He was personable and took me through the job of … Continue reading Helicopter Pilot: Warren Petrie Back-Story

The Bulletin Special Pubs

Maren Gribskov – Against All Odds

Tor Hanson

Originally published in UMagazine – February 2017 Maren Gribskov is synonymous with Pine Tavern. Her business acumen and audacity made her a woman to be reckoned with for almost half a century. Even though she would never admit to it, Gribskov was a pioneering force in Bend. And she did it all because her mother told her that she could do anything she wanted, even if it meant being a single woman doing business in a man’s world. The story of Maren Jensen Gribskov and Pine Tavern started in June 1894. Born to Danish immigrants, Gribskov spent her first 11 … Continue reading Maren Gribskov – Against All Odds

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Redmond Airport – Taking on a Growing Region

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 It is five o’clock in the morning. Alaska Airlines’ Bombardier turbo-prop is taxing out from the ramp at Roberts Field in Redmond. Passengers from all over Central Oregon are on their way to Portland. Next door American Eagles’ Canadair RJ 700 is being readied. In less than two hours, passengers will leave on a non-stop flight to Los Angeles. It’s been a long time coming. From its humble beginnings in the 1920s, the Redmond Municipal Airport has become a key player in Central Oregon’s powerhouse economy. The growing community is … Continue reading Redmond Airport – Taking on a Growing Region

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Citizen Group Recommends Changes to Bend City Charter

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – February 2, 2017 With support from Bend Chamber of Commerce, Bend 2030, and the City Club of Central Oregon, a group of Bend citizens have explored the city’s current governance model. Based on input from two citizen meetings last year, the Bend City Governance committee presented their findings in front of the city council last night. According to the report, the citizen’s input group favors a publicly elected mayor as well as the creation of a ward system to give all citizens in Bend fair representation in city council. Presented by … Continue reading Citizen Group Recommends Changes to Bend City Charter

Bend Chamber of Commerce

City Council Float Public/Private Partnerships at Financial Strategy Meeting

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – March 23, 2017 If three words could some up the Bend City Council’s Financial Strategy Meeting Wednesday, it might be Money, Money, Money… With the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) approved last fall, Councilors are in the midst of how to move forward with the “opportunity” and “expansion” areas identified in the plan. In total, more than 90 procurement decisions will fall in the Councilors lap within the foreseeable future. But according to council and staff, there’s not enough funds in the city coffers for all the projects. Bend City Councilors and … Continue reading City Council Float Public/Private Partnerships at Financial Strategy Meeting