In my humble opinion, the majority of people in the world prefer Peace on Earth to the alternative. I’ve asked around, not exactly a scientific survey, and everyone I’ve asked prefers Peace on Earth. What exactly are we preferring when we contemplate this ever-prayed-for dream? Peace on Earth is way more complex and soulful than […]
Culture
Posted inCulture
Special Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Events include dining, dancing, movies and bonfires
There are several ways you can celebrate Valentine’s Day, from an intimate evening at home to a splurge on a special dinner at a local restaurant. We’re highlighting just a few of the events happening over Valentine’s weekend. Dinner & Wine Pairing A pop-up dinner and wine pairing is being held at The Winery at […]
Posted inCulture
Free Will Astrology, Week of Jan 29
Aquarius may not be aware of how much influence they have
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In ecology, there’s a concept called “keystone species.” This refers to organisms that have a huge effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Remove them, and the whole ecosystem shifts. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe you are currently functioning as a keystone species in your social ecosystem. […]
Posted inColumns
A 2026 Resolution and Thoughts on Freedom and Liberty
Guest column by the Mayor of Redmond
Going back 250 years ago, our forefathers declared that all men are created equal by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This phrase embodied, in theory, the concepts of freedom and liberty as they existed in 18th century America but how those concepts evolved in our Constitution and our laws is the […]
Posted inFilm
Snubs, Marketing Budgets and Future Classics
Are the Oscar nominations getting any better?
Here’s how I know my brain is a giant old warehouse full of contradictions, out-of-print VHS tapes and Drew Struzan movie posters: I hold space for the two competing thoughts that the Oscars are an out-of-touch racket that only celebrates films with marketing budgets in the tens of millions, while also obsessively theorizing for weeks […]
Posted inColumns
Oregon Breaks Its Own Record for Cannabis Production
And lowest prices. Again.
Oregon continues to have a cannabis industry with great news for cannabis consumers, but brings financial misery to those growing, processing and selling it. Last year saw a trend continue that has plagued the Oregon industry — namely, growers produce far more cannabis than we consume. In 2025, licensed growers produced 13.5 million pounds, up from 12.3 million pounds in […]
Posted inColumns
Savage in Bend: The Oldest Business
The oldest business in Bend
Because I often get questions about the “oldest” things in Central Oregon, I thought I’d tackle one to kick off the Savage in Bend column for this year. Catherine H. asks, “What is the oldest business in Bend?” There are several factors to consider, but if we mean the currently operating longest business under the […]
Posted inFilm
Memento Mori
“28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is a trip through the best and worst of humanity
When we’re cynical about Hollywood and the movies they make, I think “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is exactly the kind of movie that we pre-judge before laying eyes on it. I mean, it’s the fourth movie in the “28 Days Later” franchise, but also the second in a trilogy that began last June […]
Posted inCulture
Free Will Astrology, Week of Jan. 22
If you’re under the Aquarius sign, you are a spy from the future
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You are a spy from the future. Thank you for your service! I love to see your boldness as you smuggle innovative ideas into a present that may or may not be ready for them. Your feelings of alienation are sometimes uncomfortable, but they are crucial to the treasure you offer […]
Posted inColumns
The Psychedelic Frontier, Jan. 22
Beyond the brain
Q: I keep reading about psychedelics in terms of brain chemistry, serotonin receptors, neuroplasticity, default mode networks. While I appreciate the science, something feels missing when I try to understand my own experiences purely through this lens. During my journeys, I feel like I’m traveling somewhere real, encountering genuine intelligence, receiving teachings that seem to […]
