2019 MINI S E Countryman ALL4

The 2019 S E Countryman ALL4 is the plug-in hybrid model of the MINI Countryman and the first-ever for the brand. It has the cuteness and quickness of the traditional MINI but with a short all-electric range of 12 miles, plus a regular gas engine and standard all-wheel-drive. However, none of this comes cheap.  …

Oregon 2019 AAA Four Diamond Restaurants

Congratulations to Oregon’s AAA Four Diamond restaurants!   A brief description of each property, along with AAA Inspector Notes, are provided below. (The year listed by each establishment indicates the year the property first received the current, consecutively maintained Diamond rating.)   LINCOLN CITY The Bay House (2015) Overlooking Siletz Bay, this fashionable, contemporary dining…

Oregon 2019 AAA Four Diamond Hotels

Congratulations to Oregon’s AAA Four Diamond hotels! A brief description of each property, along with AAA Inspector Notes, are provided below. (The year listed by each establishment indicates the year the property first received the current, consecutively maintained Diamond rating.)   BEND The Oxford Hotel (2010) In the heart of downtown, the level of personal…

2019 Chevrolet Equinox AWD Premier 2.0T

The Equinox is a pretty good compact SUV. It delivers a smooth ride and better than average fuel efficiency with a lower starting price than many rivals. However, there’s nothing that really makes it stand out in this very competitive segment.   The five-passenger Equinox was refreshed for the 2018 model year and gets some minor…