Hey, sports fans. Tired of watching reruns of the Miracle on Ice to see if the U.S. really does beat the Soviets in the 1980s Olympic semi-final? How many times can you watch Ed-Gar’s double that saved baseball in Seattle? Flutie’s Hail Mary Pass? The Catch? Thought so, me too. Just when the days seems […]
Damian Fagan
Damian Fagan is a freelance writer, outdoor enthusiast and avid birder. He is the author of several wildflower field guides including "Wildflowers of Oregon" and "Wildflowers of North America." Fagan lives in Bend with his wife, Raven, and a pollinator-friendly garden.
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Training Truffle Hunting Dogs
Scent-trained dogs sniff out elusive fungi delicacies
Throughout the world, truffles have long been a delicacy favored by royalty and commoners alike. Recipes featuring the Italian Piedmont white truffle or the French Périgord black truffle date back to the first century during the reign of the Roman Empire. Fast forward to today and the Pacific Northwest, where the highly sought-after Oregon white […]
Posted inOutside
Youth Sports, Upgraded
BEA, MBSEF and Bend Hoops all expand and look toward the future with new facilities and programs
When it comes to sports, there’s a lot going on for Bend youth. Peruse the Bend Park & Recreation District‘s Playbook and you’ll see a diversity of programs—but beyond BPRD’s numerous parks, sport fields and facilities, other organizations such as Bend Endurance Academy, Bend Hoops and Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation are also building toward […]
Posted inOutside
Student Climbers Ascend New Heights
Started by students, the OSU-Cascades climbing club has exploded in size, taking many podium spots in competitions
What started out as a simple idea—having OSU-Cascades student fees pay for a climbing club—has quickly grown in popularity that neither the founding members nor the University saw coming. “We started the club in January 2018 after I took PAC class (Physical Activity Course) for rock climbing,” said OSU-Cascades student Connor Park. Park enjoyed the […]
Posted inOutside
Nordic Fun for Racers and Everyone Else
In addition to its other events, Meissner Nordic Ski Club introduces a classic ski race for the everyman this season
For cross-country skiers, Meissner Sno-Park, located along Century Drive offers an extensive venue for classic or skate skiing. While a trio of events take place at the sno-park throughout the season, this year a new race, happening Jan. 5, is also part of the action. The management of the popular winter recreation site is a partnership […]
Posted inOutside
Get off the Couch and Curl
Bend Curling Club promotes the sport in Central Oregon
The closest many people have gotten to the sport of curling is by watching matches during the Winter Olympics on TV, maybe thinking “I think I can do that.” With the opening of The Pavilion ice rink in 2016 and the founding of the Bend Curling Club, that distance from couch to ice has narrowed. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Avalanche Dogs to the Rescue
Mt. Bachelor utilizes trained dogs as part of its avalanche rescue and snow safety program
Skiers at the Mt. Bachelor ski resort may encounter some unexpected company while carving turns: four-legged members of the mountain’s avalanche rescue team. Many ski resorts in North America have avalanche rescue dog programs as backup insurance policies. A dog’s ability to cover terrain quickly and sniff out someone caught in an avalanche is key. […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Hemp for Pets
CBD and hemp oil have the potential to provide natural healing for animals
The budding marijuana industry has caught fire as states legalize cannabis use for humans—but the market for hemp-based products for pets has also seen significant growth. Botanically, hemp and marijuana are different varieties of the same species of plant (Cannabis sativa). As an example, think of golden doodles and yellow labs; they’re different varieties of […]
Posted inOutside
Running of the Dogs
Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club hosts Fall Agility Trials in Prineville
If you’re new to the sport of dog agility, then head to the Crook County Fairgrounds this weekend, Sept. 27-29, for the Mt. Bachelor Kennel Club’s Fall Agility Trials. Watch dogs weave through poles, leap over jumps or charge through tunnels on timed courses. Besides speed, the challenging courses require the dogs and owners to […]
Posted inNews
Cleaning up the Caves
Graffiti removal project targets Boyd Cave in the Deschutes National Forest
A popular lava cave in the Deschutes National Forest was “untagged” this month as part of a graffiti removal project. Using commercial sandblasting equipment, volunteers from the Oregon High Desert Grotto, Western Cave Conservancy and Wanderlust Tours tackled the challenging job of removing graffiti from Boyd Cave along Forest Road 18, also known as China Hat […]
