After listening attentively to the first episode with Cornelius Edison, my 10-year-old daughter said to me, โMama, you forgot to say your name!โ Even though it was her first time ever listening to a podcast, she was completely right. I had forgotten to present myself. I humbly nodded and she immediately asked me, โBut, why?โ […]
Outside
Create a Fire-Resistant Yard to Protect Your Home
The City of Bend is considering updating codes to require defensible space buffer zones around homes. The idea is to remove fuel sources near structures which can stop flames from advancing. There are three different zones around a home to consider when creating a defensible space: immediate, intermediate and extended. The National Fire Protection Association […]
Petersen Rock Garden Receives Some TLC
The passion Rasmus Petersen felt as he began creating the Petersen Rock Garden in 1935 remains alive to this day in both the caretakers of the property and the visitors who flood the grounds daily. Petersen lovingly built the ornate rock sculptures over four acres on his rural property between Bend and Redmond, first sourcing […]
April First Friday & Easter Events
First Fridays are a monthly tradition in downtown Bend, Redmond and the Old Mill District. The Art & Wine Walk in the Old Mill kicks off at 3pm on April 3 so you can stop there first. In Downtown Bend and Redmond, festivities start at 5pm. While there are dozens of stores and galleries to […]
Embracing Whatโs Real & Important in Life
Cinematographer Greg Balkin made a short film in 2023 that so inspired him heโs organizing an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The 24-minute film, “The Life We Have,โ which was shown during last yearโs BendFilm Festival, follows Rob Shaver of San Antonio, Texas, for more than a year. After being diagnosed […]
Thrilling Adventure Films Benefit Local Students
Two nights of films about mountain adventure, environmental stories and outdoor exploration are coming to the Tower Theatre. The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, April 17-18, benefits Friends of Realms, a nonprofit that supports outdoor learning programs at Realms Schools. Each night of the festival showcases different films. The Friday night selection, titled โCrevasse,โ […]
Shredder Bend
Getting youngsters excited about skiing for the first time can be a challenge. Itโs cold, and for some, intimidating. Morgan Schaening and his wife, Natalie, are opening Shredder Bend, an indoor, year-round ski and snowboard school for children ages one to 10. โWe get them in real skis, real boots, real snowboards and we help […]
Bend Into Balance
Perhaps drawn to the sheer natural beauty surrounding Bend and its endless trails and terrains for hiking, biking, running, rock climbing, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding (and so much more), the city has attracted many individuals who get out, play, compete and thrive in this vibrant outdoor playground. And along with them, so have a great […]
Lead Toxicity in the Wild Ones
My first experience with lead toxicity as a veterinarian was in a sweet basset hound that developed acute lead poisoning from licking lead paint dust from his paws. Currently, in the wildlife hospital at Think Wild in Bend, we see a different manifestation of the same toxicity, from an avoidable source. In mid 2025, a […]
The Iconic Osprey
If the Seattle Seahawks lived up to their namesake, they would be known as the Seattle Osprey. Inspired by these magnificent birds of prey, the team unveiled their team sea hawk logo in 1976, which was a stylized inspiration paying homage to artwork of the Kwakwakaโwakw people who lived along the Pacific Northwest coast, primarily […]

