Anti-Walden, pro-Walden and pro-Trump rallies in Bend this week
Demonstrators on both sides of the political aisle show up to share their views on a number of issues facing Central Oregon and the U.S.
Zendites
“May I be filled with loving kindness. May all beings be free from suffering.” — from the Bend Zen chant Nine of us sit together inside a small room toward the back of St. Helens Hall on the Trinity Episcopal Church campus. We’re here to calm the mind. It’s hard work. You’ve heard of Monday…
Bend’s Backyard Dump
Bend-area resident Allan Curr, an accomplished shooter trained to use firearms in self-defense, used to practice shooting at locations along China Hat Road southeast of Bend. China Hat intersects at Knott Road, providing quick access to the Deschutes National Forest, but also a convenient but illegal dumping ground, a shelter for the homeless population and…
GUNG HO FOR SHOWS 3/1-9
Book these shows now so you don’t miss out. King Louie’s Blues Revue March 17-18 Phew, this is one heck of a funky show set for the Riverhouse Jazz series. The Portland-based brass band features three sets of smooth R&B, with bluesy vocals including “Oregon’s King of Soul” Andy Stokes, gospel queen LaRhonda Steele and…
Letters 2/22-3/1
Crooked River Water Flows I am concerned about the Crooked River water flows as it affects the fisheries. It is known that low water flows (1500 CFS) has raised havoc on the native trout and whitefish populations. Low water forces fish into smaller pockets and leaves insect larva high and dry. Extreme flows tend to…
Let’s Talk Saturation
Given the lack of a formal announcement, it might have been a surprise for fans of Redmond’s Juniper Brewing to go onto the local Craigslist a few days back and find the brewery for sale. The whole of Juniper’s operation is now on the market, including the two-barrel brewing system, 90-gallon brew kettle, four fermenters,…
Natural World: Journey’s Adventure
Sisters Middle School science teacher Susie Werts’ record-setting monarch butterfly, “Journey,” named such by her students, is back in the news. Professor David James of Washington State University at Pullman—who issued the numbered tag placed on the underside of the butterfly’s hind wing—is keeping in touch with researchers in Carpinteria, Calif., who originally reported the…
Weed Cash
Marijuana tax receipts statewide have been steadily declining since November—but still, recent reports from the Oregon Department of Revenue indicate the state has already brought in $65.4 million in tax dollars from legal marijuana. January 2017 alone brought $5.3 million into state coffers, with retailers selling an estimated $7 million worth of marijuana each week…
Ready to Ride
Whether you’re an enthusiast or even a professional, pedaling on a bike has been particularly challenging this winter. Bend has a reputation for being a place to comfortably ride bikes year-round, but not during this record snow year. For mountain and road bikers alike, the trails and roads have been covered in snow, promsing to…
Picks 3/1-3/9
Your guide to do things this week in Central Oregon. From the Muse Women’s Conference to star gazing and so much music… we have the top ten things to do this week. ¡Chiringa! Thursday 2 LATIN DANCE — A sure fire dance party of a time. This local band is ready to fire you up…
Angels of White Privilege
(I’m a 40 something white guy. I share that because we are examining a topic that involves women, minorities and cannabis. Meaning that I will be writing about two topics that I may not be best suited to address.) From my time in NYC, I can assure you weed delivery services are not uncommon, albeit…
Rowdy protestors are no new thing. Now go do your job.
On Sunday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) succinctly summed up what many people on both sides of the political aisle are thinking in regards to representatives staying away from their districts and avoiding public town halls during the President’s Day recess. “I understand why members of Congress don’t like it,” Christie said on CNN’s…
Past Perfect
For artist Wendy Chidester, the past gets more modern all the time. Much like this week’s cover entitled “Focal Point,” her other still life paintings depict things such as typewriters, sewing machines and watches that, depending on your age, might have belonged to either your parents or grandparents. In any case, they symbolize an era…
Black Lives Shatter
Racial issues are an emotionally charged subject in the world right now, but then again, they long have been. Many films explore this tension to great dramatic effect, but very few of them are horror films. Taking cues from horror classics that use repulsive subject matter to bring the thrills, debut director and screenwriter Jordan…
Bend Meets Bohemia
A tale of young artists, pursuing their creative dreams, consumed by love, loss, heartache, jealousy – and oh yes, typically lacking the rent money. How contemporary! The seeds of an upcoming TV “dramedy,” perhaps? Not quite. We open on roommates Rodolfo and Marcello, one a poet, the other a painter. It’s Christmas Eve in 19th…
Your Desert Island Movie
Most mainstream moviegoers consider animation to be child’s play. Disney has dominated the industry since the ’40s, so cartoons and kid flicks have been almost inextricably synonymous. That’s the norm in the U.S., at least. While U.S. audiences for animation still might have some growing up to do, the premier animation studio in Japan, Studio…
Pimp Hand Strong
When you hear the name “The Pimps of Joytime,” it’s hard to imagine how perfect that name actually is for the band. Every song off of every album sees the band absolutely pimping the idea of just letting go and having fun. Their funk is a deep funk you feel in your soul, making it…
Your Number is Up
“Who had the pork chop?” We’ve all been through this. You and your dining companions have chosen a restaurant, been seated, presented with menus and had your orders taken. When the food arrives, the server starts making you do all the work. It’s a conversation-stopper. Hands point to one another across the table. A glass…
The 2017 Leaflet
If you heart all things cannabis as much as many Central Oregonians (really, the sales numbers don’t lie!), then the process listed above may already come as second nature. But for those of you who are new to the cannabis scene in Central Oregon—or you’re simply looking for a new spot to stock up—let The…
Source Spotlight: Brad Chalfant
“We’re not done — whether it’s in Camp Polk or one of the other properties. We see these fisheries coming back, but I want to see whole beaver colonies restoring these flood plains. And some day I hope to see sandhill cranes nesting in one of these meadows.” Brad Chalfant, a founding member of the…
More Factors Working Against Millennials Entering the Housing Market
We typically hear that the main obstacles keeping many millennials from entering the housing market are student loan debt, stricter credit standards and escalating rents that make it difficult to save for a down payment. Additionally, the typical cry from the real estate sector is that there’s not enough inventory and that more homes need…
