In 2021, as Bend Park and Recreation District hosts the centennial celebration of two of our most cherished parks—Drake and Shevlin, take a moment to imagine life in Bend and specifically, in these parks 100 years ago. Drake Park Possibly unrecognizable back then except for the Deschutes River, no doubt the land where Drake Park […]
Joshua Savage
Posted inBend Nest
A Natural Remedy
Why children need to spend time outdoors
Kids these days! They spend way too much time on screens with distance learning, and then after school, they usually want to play video games or watch a show. Even before the pandemic and online school, children were spending more time in front of computers and less time outdoors than previous generations, and rightfully, many […]
Posted inBend Nest
Feel the Freedom
Bicycle commuting for students of all ages
The beginning of a new school year represents a fresh start – new classes, new people and opportunities. Like the beginning of a new year, back-to-school can be the perfect time to set goals and resolutions. Why not make one of them becoming a bike commuter—however the school year looks? Health Benefits Riding a bike […]
Posted inNews
Homeschool For Everyone
Parents, kids and administrators weigh in on the hurdles and benefits of mandatory homeschooling
Social distanced learning has proven a challenge for some and a blessing for many
Posted inNews
Life with a Nurse in Bend
Living with someone who works in the ICU and longing for the normal, monotonous routines of the past
Even before COVID-19 arrived in Deschutes County, St. Charles Medical Center attempted attempted to be preemptive, asking its nurses to pick up extra shifts if necessary. Niki, my wife and a nurse in the ICU, was torn. Like so many other families, we had already canceled our spring break trip. Since we now spend most […]
Posted inCulture
Book Chapel
Bend’s newest bookstore, brought to you by a former software developer turned Orthodox priest
Walking into Bend’s newest bookstore, Agia Sophia, the first sound I hear are those of relaxing, ancient Slavonic chants. An immediate feeling of calmness pervades me as a friendly, loquacious priest, fully garbed in a cassock, greets me. Within minutes Father Damian Kuolt, the cheerful owner, offers me a cup of coffee and a slice […]
Posted inBend Nest
2020 is the Year!
Winter excitement at Mt. Bachelor
If you’re new to Bend or even if you’ve lived here a while, it’s time to head up to Mt. Bachelor to check out what’s new for 2020. This season, Central Oregon’s famed ski area, the sixth largest in North America, has ramped up activities to guarantee that everyone falls in love with the snow. […]
Posted inOutside
Surviving Winter
For transplants and visitors, a quick guide to thriving when winter throws out her worst
Many Central Oregon transplants come from warmer climates; sunny southern California, the dry heat of Arizona, or in my case, Memphis, Tennessee. Until last year I had never witnessed a white Christmas, much less the Snowmaggedon that hit in late February, or the lighter storm we got last week. The cold, long winters and short […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The Cuban Flavor of Bend
On the hunt for that perfect sandwich
A few years ago, when the Obama administration relaxed travel restrictions to Cuba, I jumped at the opportunity to travel to the seemingly forbidden island. For years I had dreamed of antiquated Spanish colonial architecture, deep turquoise waters of the Caribbean, colorful neighborhoods teeming with vibrant energy and kids playing soccer in the streets. A country […]
