Culture

On a recent afternoon, the classroom at BJ’s Quilt Basket on the south side of Bend was full of energy. It was time for the Sew Teach Me program to begin. On the tables lay bags of brightly colored fabrics and sewing notions as well as four sewing machines awaiting the hands of four excited […]

In 1968, Lyle Jarvis and Bill Jones realized there was a need in the Central Oregon community for a rehabilitation center specifically for boys. They got together and founded J Bar J, a live-in ranch for teenage boys who were considered troubled or on the road to jail. Since then, J Bar J Boys Ranch […]

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. — Robert Frost When asked for a snapshot of her study abroad program in Xi’an, China, Bend teen, Linnea Lane, recalls, “Walking down the street outside of the school gate to explore or […]

Who Am I?: A Peek-Through-Pages Book of Endangered Animals by Tim Flach Guess what animal is on each page? Through beautiful photographs and fun clues, readers learn about one-dozen endangered species. The engaging combination of animal portraits, photographs of the environment and riddles is both fun and informative! Peek and guess — “I spend nearly […]

We asked these kids at Cottage Day Care: If you could make anything out of snow and have it come to life, what would you create? Irie, 6: A snow puppy! Because it is my favorite animal. Walter, 6: A talking snowman. Marty, 6: A vanilla snowshake, like a milkshake so I could drink it. […]

Navigating the adolescent years with your teen is tough. From friendships to school and social activities, discerning what’s age-appropriate versus downright unsafe for your kids is difficult. Add to that the dangers associated with the internet and social media, and traversing the landscape of parenting an adolescent can seem downright impossible. Like it or not, […]

Whether holiday baking is a family tradition for your clan or not, these simple recipes and tips are designed to inspire even those who have never dared anything homemade or sprinkled a single Christmas cookie! Tips • Let the kids help set up equipment and measure out ingredients • Bring on the sprinkles, frosting, chocolate […]

We asked these kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend, “What are some ways you spend special time with family?” Blakely, 6: When it’s Thanksgiving, my grandparents have a big feast for our whole family. I get to sit at the kid’s table with my cousins. Preston, 9: Having sleepovers with my cousins […]

It was the kind of summer day in Central Oregon that people live for—sunny skies, warm-but-not-too-hot temperatures and a stunning view of the Cascades looming overhead. If Bend teen Sophia Rodriguez could have picked an ideal day to mark her 15th birthday with a lavish celebration, this would be it. Rodriguez was celebrating her quinceañera—a […]

Bookshelf: Recommended by Paige Bentley-Flannery Community Librarian at Deschutes Public Library Croc & Turtle Snow Fun! by Mike Wohnoutka Are you ready for snow? Best friends, Croc and Turtle are back in a snow adventure- “woooooooshhh!” They make a list of all the winter things they want to do together. Croc is ready, but Turtle […]