Culture Features
Upcoming Love Your Neighbor panel explores how Central Oregonians can approach race issues in a new era
The cold weather and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic are forcing people inside and into their homes as winter sets in—a far cry from the hustle and bustle of summer, when tourists continued to come to Central Oregon, and, ahead of the 2020 election, protests and demonstrations were common locally and nationally. With the presidential election behind us, some are looking forward to a quieter period, focused less on divisive politics.
By Nicole Vulcan
Dec 2, 2020
Culture Features
Shop-Local platform allows locals to browse dozens of area retailers, all from one place
The economic benefits of shopping local and supporting businesses in the place one lives are widely known. In this week's Feature story, we outline how some Central Oregon business owners are using Instagram and other social media platforms to sell and promote not just their own products, but those of other local businesses, too.
By Nicole Vulcan
Nov 25, 2020
Culture Features
Sparrow Clubs, a local nonprofit organization for medically compromised children, is experiencing a shortage of families to sponsor
Among pandemic business casualties, nonprofits face a challenging era. It can be assumed that most organizations feel that pinch in sponsorship losses.
By Jess McComb
Nov 11, 2020
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Culture Features
Halloween-themed circus hits Redmond—in person or online
Halloween festivities are ramping up, despite COVID-19 restrictions, and amid this wild year, Venardos Circus is offering some live entertainment. Its “Spooky Spectacular” show in Redmond happens throughout the last week-end of October.
By Jess McComb
Oct 29, 2020
circus entertainment Halloween show big top ringmaster
Culture Features
Central Oregon Community College promotes Laura Boehme to chief information officer
In September, Central Oregon Community College hired its first female chief information officer, Laura Boehme. She had previously served as the chief human resources officer for the college and will continue to work in both roles.
By Laurel Brauns
Oct 28, 2020
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Culture Features
Promoting design thinking continues amid the pandemic, with an online series of presentations, panels, films and more
The times we find ourselves in, elicit, basically, one of two things in people: The urge to retreat and wait out the storm, or the ability to see opportunity in chaos and to act upon that to forge a new path. Bend Design, long a draw for those looking for inspiration and new ideas, aims to serve those who draw creative inspiration from chaos and uncertainty; those who are, as the conference organizers describe, "curious in volatile times about how creative design can shape humanity's collective future."
By Nicole Vulcan
Oct 14, 2020
bend events bend art galleries bend films
Culture Features
Local parents weigh in on a Halloween sans trick-or-treating, and spooky traditions move online
It's officially "spooky season," though this year's festivities will undoubtedly look a little different. Halloween itself might not be canceled, but classic door-to-door trick-or-treating is being shunned by many, as handing out candy to strangers has rapidly transformed from a time-worn tradition to a purported health hazard.
By Cayla Clark
Oct 7, 2020
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Culture Features
Original play featuring BIPOC cast, "Evanescent," opens at CTC
Bendite Stephanie Von Aydan has spent the majority of her time in theaters onstage, and not behind the scenes. That changed recently, when Cascades Theatrical Company granted her the opportunity to run a full-length show that she both penned and directed.
By Cayla Clark
Sep 30, 2020
bend theatre cascades theatrical company evanescent Von Aydan
Culture Features
Local Mrs. Oregon aims for Mrs. America
When she was crowned "Miss Czhilispiel" in her Texas hometown in 1998, Tara Songey's royal duties included riding on parade floats in the thick Texas heat and humidity. She recalls the floats as "foil frying pans" and laughs as she remembers, "just melting and wearing that heavy crown."
By Richard Sitts
Sep 30, 2020
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Culture Features
This year's Go Clean Energy Conference goes virtual, allowing for more globally renowned speakers to participate
While COVID-19 event restrictions wiped out some plans altogether, many local businesses and organizations chose to adapt and take advantage of what could be viewed as a unique opportunity to "go virtual." "Of course, with COVID happening, we had to make some changes," explained Diane Hodiak, executive director of 305Deschutes, a nonprofit organization geared toward building awareness, educating and organizing further action around climate stability.
By Cayla Clark
Sep 23, 2020
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Culture Features
Local artist's new works were inspired by his 2017 show in the same space
Artist Bill Hoppe's latest show, Gradients & Gatherings, is on display through Sept. 26 at the Liberty Theater—the final installation in the gallery before it closes its doors. At Liberty, the collective that originally planned the show, announced last month that it was merging with Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts for future installations and events, with future locations for works TBD.
By Nicole Vulcan
Sep 16, 2020
bend local artists bend art central oregon galleries bill hoppe scalehouse collaborative liberty theater
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