Culture Features

For over 40 years, Cascade Theatrical Company has been bringing the stage to life in Central Oregon through community theatre, having put on over 350 productions. Its latest venture is sure to leave guests rolling in the aisles. “The 39 Steps,” a play described by director Desi Thrower as a “hilarious and multi-faceted piece of […]

Here’s a woman’s issue for you: RAGE. Does the phrase, “woman’s issue,” irritate you? Good. It should. The anger of being told you’re too much and not enough, sometimes in the same breath. Of watching autonomy slip away in real time. Of staying calm on the surface while everything tightens around you. Because issues that […]

A new exhibit at the Bowman Museum‘s Belknap Exhibit Center is entitled  “Soul of the Land: Quilts by June Jaeger.” Jaeger was born in Prineville and has lived there off and on at various points of her life. She feels a deep connection to the small town. “There is just a lot of good people […]

Student elves at The Waldorf School of Bend have been busy for weeks making felt hearts. It’s a project the entire school, including parents, undertake to continue the annual tradition of heart bombing downtown Bend on Valentine’s Day. “Our entire school comes together, sometimes other people not from my school, and it just feels joyful,” […]

In celebration of Black History Month, Central Oregon Community College will host several community offerings in February that highlight “Black triumph” and celebrate Black women and youth. Events include an empowerment retreat; two dinners with speakers and/or performers; a viewing of “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am,” and a community forum. All events are free, […]

“’Self’ appears to be a gathering of body, thoughts, perceptions, awareness, and sensations, yet we experience ourselves as something else.” David Guterson grew up near a Tibetan diaspora family in his Seattle neighborhood, befriending the boys in the family who were his age and spending time with them in their home. Even as a child, […]

On the third Tuesday of every month, the Sisters Science Club packs The Belfry, an old church in Sisters turned performance venue, with curious minds eager to learn about the next “Frontier in Science.” What began in 2011 as the dream of Cal Allen, Bob Collins, and Dave Hiller, three passionate members of the Sisters […]

Mindy Dougherty has had a challenging life, going through numerous traumatic events dating back to her earliest memories at age 4 when she says she was sexually abused by one of her brothers. She spent her childhood split between Florida with her mother and California with her father whom she describes as a drug addict […]

The frenzy of the holidays is almost behind us and 2026 is just around the corner. For many, using the new year to set goals and resolutions is a time-honored tradition. Some of you may join a gym or commit to Dry January. Perhaps you want to do more for our local community. Volunteer at […]

Seven years ago, Jess Burke was living in Portland, working as a disability analyst for the State of Oregon, and regularly hiking upward of 60 miles a month with her husband, Rod. She began experiencing stiffness in her neck, shoulders and right side, so her doctor prescribed physical therapy. “It wasn’t helping much, but I […]