Joshua Savage
Posted inCulture

Savage in Bend: Exposing the Quirks That Make Central Oregon Unique

In this new column, a Bend author and enthusiastic local answers your questions about Central Oregon
by Joshua Savage

Hello Central Oregonians! Welcome to the newest column for the Source Weekly. I’m a southerner (from Mississippi) stranded (perhaps permanently) in the Pacific Northwest. Like the majority of us, I landed in Bend and fell in love with the area. Also like most of us, I love the outdoors, but I feel we often overlook […]

Posted inBend Nest

It’s Baby Season!

Where to experience new animal life in Central Oregon
by Joshua Savage

After a long winter, most Central Oregonians look forward to warmer weather and a little color to the landscape. The High Desert morphs as flowers bloom, leaves sprout and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors finally arrives. Spring and summer signal a time of new life, especially for the array of animals, domesticated and […]

Posted inBend Nest

Kids Have a Voice: Save Skyline Forest

by Joshua Savage

Skyline Forest, a huge tract of undeveloped land located west of Bend, has been a source of concern for quite some time. At almost 33,000 acres, this pristine privately owned area is for sale. Conservationists worry about heightened wildfire risk, loss of wildlife habitat and other negative impacts of development. Central Oregon LandWatch has stepped […]

Posted inBend Nest

Thermal Magic

Discover Oregon’s Bounty of Hot Springs
by Joshua Savage

During the summer, the invigorating cold waters of the Deschutes River and the Cascade Lakes are a welcome respite from the heat. When the winter weather hits, though, it’s the exact opposite. We search for ways to warm our bodies—wood stoves, layers of clothing and hot chocolate. Not all of us own or have easy […]

Posted inCulture

Greening the High Desert

A permaculture farm on Hunnel Road demonstrates the abundance that can happen, even in the High Desert
by Joshua Savage

“My wish is for every home in Bend to grow their own food.” A dream? Not in the mind of Shiv Shakti, an optimist transforming 10 acres of the High Desert into a permaculture paradise.   In the local news the words “Hunnel Road” often conjure ideas of homelessness and dilapidated RVs, but after the dead […]

Posted inBend Nest

It’s All About the Kids

Learning the ropes at the Bend Boxing Club
by Joshua Savage

South of Reed Market Road, on American Loop, sits a slice of Bend not many people visit. As I drove down the gravel street, I thought I had made a wrong turn and double-checked the address, but then suddenly noticed an area teeming with life. I knew I was in the right place. Welcome to […]

Posted inBend Nest

It’s Gardening Time!

Tips for facing the challenge of high desert growing
by Joshua Savage

At the first sign of spring, with warmer days ahead, many of us are excited to get outside and play. We are ready to start tinkering in the garden and dreaming of the season’s abundance.   Wait a minute, not so fast! This isn’t the Willamette Valley, where rain is plentiful and vegetation grows easily. No, […]

Posted inBend Nest

A Good Kind of Fire

Backyard bonfires stoke comfort and creativity
by Joshua Savage

Before modern civilization became inundated with distractions like television, internet and ways to fill the time, there was fire. Long after humanity, there will be fire. During the parched summer months, we know how dangerous the tiniest spark can be in Central Oregon. However, building and enjoying a fire is the best part of our frigid winters! In […]

Posted inBend Nest

In Search of Color

Notes from a quick road trip to Ashland
by Joshua Savage

It’s a given that we all love Bend, and most of us have our favorite season here. Autumn has always been mine, but sometimes I miss being surrounded by the glorious multicolored leaves that are reminiscent of where I grew up. Bend does offer some autumn beauty, though. The golden maple trees along Industrial Way […]

Posted inBend Nest

Seeds of Comfort

A group that uses gardening for healing
by Joshua Savage

The creation of Comfort Seeds, a group that uses gardening for healing, is a tale full of heartwarming hope and inspiration. When asked about her experience with Comfort Seeds, founder Katie Diez replied, “I never imagined such a positive reaction.” This simple act and concept started with an unexpected discovery. When her father passed away […]

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