The year 2016 was a great time to be outside: extreme sport start-ups let Bendites bungee off a bridge or dive into the sky; rare wolves and foxes made brief cameos in the wild; Bachelor debuted a new ski lift; even Pokémon Go helped out, if only fleetingly. To help you start planning your outdoor […]
Russ Axon
Posted inOutside
Field Medicine
Wilderness first aid training help responders and patients in remote areas
With so many opportunities to explore the outdoors in Bend come just as many opportunities to get hurt. From a simple sprain to a traumatic injury, getting hurt in the wilderness can elevate the intensity of any medical emergency. That’s where wilderness first aid is key. Specially-trained nurses, paramedics and therapists are prepared to deliver […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
One Gift, Two Gift, Bad Gift, Good Gift
How to avoid buying your spouse a terrible gift
You’ve done it. You found the perfect gift for that special someone in your life. It’s expertly wrapped, resting under the tree, and on Christmas morning you can barely hide your excitement as your significant other opens the box and exclaims, “Oh … “ Buying a gift for your spouse feels like an impossible challenge. […]
Posted inOutside
Winter Wheels
Snow and ice? Nothing a well-prepped cyclist can’t handle
When the snow hits the ground, it doesn’t mean your bike tires have to leave it. Between the potentially slippery roads, the restrictive snowfall and the unpleasant chill, it seems like an easy choice for cycling commuters to store away their bicycles for the season. Handling winter weather can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. […]
Posted inOutside
Snow Bros
Local brothers are rising stars in the ski and snowboard worlds
Throughout history, many of the greatest teams are siblings: the Williams sisters swept professional tennis, the Wright brothers reached the skies, and the Super Mario Bros. dominated video games. Jonah and Jared Elston may be among those names, soon. The Montana-raised brothers have racked up accolades for their performances in their respective snow sports. The […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Outside the Box for the Trail Warrior
One of the keys to successfully tackling any trail is having the best gear. And that doesn’t only apply to hiking through the woods. Whether you’re exploring Crater Lake, climbing Broken Top or falling through the skies above Central Oregon, having top quality gear can make or break the experience. Luckily, adventurers don’t have to […]
Posted inOutside
Quick Fit
Local shoe company lets Special Olympians and other athletes get their kicks on faster and easier
After recovering from a 2010 bike accident that broke his neck and back, George Pierce had another dilemma. The world champion duathlete wanted to make a comeback, but was losing a lot of time changing shoes during the races. “I asked myself, ‘How could I solve this problem? How could I get into the shoes […]
Posted inOutside
Get It While You Can
Great fall weather extends the season—and the trail work—for Bend’s cycling community
For James Williams and Laura Winberry, right now is the best time to be biking. “Trails are prime right now. They’re as good as they get,” said Williams, an avid cyclist. “There’s fewer people, good dirt, pretty colors in the woods as we get deeper into fall.” “Usually this time of year’s a lot colder […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Housing that Won’t Break the Bank
Local efforts tackle the issue of affordability
One of the biggest issues facing Bend today is the lack of affordable housing. At the root of the problem: the large discrepancy between the median income and the median home price. According to the 2015 American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census, the median household income in Bend is $57,373. That’s $2,000 above […]
Posted inCulture
“Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask”
Book by By Dr. Anton Treuer
At a time when Native American rights are being trampled on even as I write this, Dr. Anton Treuer’s presentation is more important than ever. His book, “Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask,” focuses on helping redefine how Americans view Native American culture in 2015. We had a chance […]