Things are looking pretty grim for anti-tax crusader Bill Sizemore, who admitted in court yesterday that he's spent more than $660,000 from a tax-exempt foundation on personal items.

So, this week's Sound Check told you about the Outback Festival down in Paisley, but didn't give you much visual representation...and visual representation means "pictures" for those not familiar with technical speak (that we just made up). Thanks to the good people at Grove Presents, here are some photos from inside the barn at the Outback Festival.

Destination resorts - love 'em or hate 'em? You'll be able to have your say next Wednesday.

The Eye tuned in OPB this morning to listen to the "Think Out Loud" program (taped Monday) about the slumping Bend economy and learned that the Doctrine of Bend Exceptionalism is still alive, if not exactly well, despite the bursting of the real estate bubble.

Plenty of celebrities have their own fan sites on the Web, but damn few have their own ANTI-fan sites. And now Bill Sizemore has joined that distinguished company.

Locked in a tight race with Jeff Merkley, Gordon Smith made a gutsy - and risky - move yesterday in voting for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill in the Senate.

As promised, here are the videos featured in the "You Get Tubed" story from this week's special film issue. This is a lot better than just reading about them, eh?

DRIVE THROUGH TOWN IN THE SNOW

JAMES BROWN LIVE AT THE SCHWAB

DEAD GUY IN THE PARK PRANK

COUCH BALLOONING

Gordon Smith likes to describe himself as a uniter, not a divider, but his campaign is running an ad aimed at antagonizing rural Oregonians against those durn pinko elitists in Portland.

Last weekend saw a good chunk of the Westside occupied by local musicians and local music devotees for the Bend Roots Revival. Here's some photos and video from that fest.

EMPTY SPACE ORCHESTRA

Space Hoax

Jason Graham working his artistic magic.

The Dirty Words displaying the ultimate rock star stance.

Visual mastery...

The Mostest and Friends headed up by Bend Roots organizer Mark Ransom.

The Shire, the ill-fated, Tolkien-themed housing development on Bend's southeast side, has become a national symbol of the follies of the real estate bubble. Latest evidence: a mention in Harper's Index, the venerable monthly's compilation of interesting and quirky statistics.