Imagine an alternative. Imagine your child’s day: They wake up, wolf down breakfast, get dressed and then head off to school-only “school” isn’t inside a fluorescent-lit, rectangular box. School takes place inside a traditional Native American tipi, replete with heated floors, swivel chair desks, a modern whiteboard and two teachers whose effervescence fills the room. […]
Nicole Blume
Posted inBend Nest
Generation Resilient
How to help pandemic babies thrive
As we approach the second anniversary of the pandemic, parents of children born during this unique time may have questions about their child’s social and emotional development. Questions like: How has social distancing affected my infant? Has my baby received enough human contact to recognize facial emotions? Will my toddler’s speech and language development be […]
Posted inBend Nest
Nothing says “Spring Green” like Saint Patrick’s Day
Enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt for kidsEnjoy a St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt for kids
Held every March 17, this feast day in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is beloved across the country among descendents of the Irish diaspora. From festive parades to greenlit landmarks, revelers celebrate Irish culture and heritage with traditional food, drinks and games – and, of course, by wearing green to keep […]
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Hockey Ace
Local teen credits Bend Bullets program for launching her to the next level
Whether on or off the rink, local teen hockey players are demonstrating not only exceptional athletic ability, but also a commitment to personal growth and character development. One local organization helping young people with these goals is the Bend Bullets, whose name is an acronym for “Better Understanding Life Lessons and Expectations Through Sports.” Launched […]
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Close to the Heart
A Holiday Celebration of Local Artisans
This season, Bend Nest has a present for you! We’ve been searching near and far for the finest holiday gifts on offer this season. And, not surprisingly, we found them right here in our backyard. For unique, handmade items, made by Central Oregon artists and creators, look no further than these pages. We’ve curated our […]
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Music Therapy
Where Words Fail, Music Speaks
Dr. Debasish Mridha once said that “music can heal the wounds that medicine can’t touch.” If this is true, then music therapy can provide the healing balm to soothe a troubled soul. Many people have experienced better emotional well-being from their relationships with music. Instinctively we know how good it feels to listen to a […]
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Power To The People
Senate bill introduces mandatory civics class for all high school students
Abraham Lincoln once said, “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.” Perhaps Oregon legislators were thinking of this quote when they signed a new bill last spring that will require high school students in Oregon to take one semester of dedicated civics education prior […]
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Doing Our Part
Central Oregon Businesses Support Zero-Waste Trends for a Brighter Future
ANew York woman named Lauren Singer once managed to fit four years’ worth of trash into one 16-ounce mason jar. Although that ecological feat may seem utterly daunting, there are numerous ways to get started on a path to zero waste. We all know how problematic non-biodegradable trash has become, between the Great Pacific Garbage […]
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River Raiders
Local trio retrieves lost items while cleaning up the Deschutes
There’s nothing quite like floating the Deschutes River in the summertime. Whether traveling by kayak, canoe, paddleboard or inner tube, Bendites love to wind their way down the glorious river come late May. Floating the Deschutes is arguably the city’s primary pastime, and according to the Old Mill District website, there are “an estimated 250,000 […]
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Rescue Mission
Freedom for Great Apes provides sanctuary for chimpanzees in need
Parents everywhere are familiar with this chaotic scene: Emma is playing with a favorite toy, when Jackson decides he wants to play with it too. He bops her on the head with a stick, distracting her just long enough to snatch the coveted item, and she shrieks in rage. But when his back is turned, […]
