Cover Story
2018 Gift Guide Part 2
Take a look at the calendar. Or maybe don’t—because it’s going to reveal that the days until Christmas are few. If there’s one bright spot in the equation, it’s that this here gift guide is giving you some locally sourced ideas to help you round out that holiday shopping list. (If you missed last week’s…
Another Visit to A Texas Detention Facility for Sen. Merkley
Last weekend, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) made another trip to Texas, in an attempt to shine a light on the treatment of immigrant children and their families. Merkley said in a press release that he stopped in Tornillo, Texas—the site of the largest of the child detention facilities. Merkley said the tent camp now holds…
Gung Ho for Shows: Sisters Folk Fest Winter Concert Series
You’re going to want to clear your calendar for these later winter nights, because these shows, brought to you by the people at Sisters Folk Fest, are some of the highlights of the season. Hopefully by then, instead of needing hot cocoa, you’ll just let that sweet folk music warm you up! All shows will…
Airing of Grievances: An Invitation
If you’re a fan of ’90s TV, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Festivus—the non-secular, invented holiday made popular by the sitcom, “Seinfeld.” In homage to that time-honored tradition, we invite you, readers, to participate in your own Airing of Grievances, Central Oregon edition. Is there a facet of living in Central Oregon that…
Park Board to Vote Tuesday on Funding Mirror Pond Dredging
The Board of Directors of Bend Park and Recreation District will vote Tuesday on a resolution that would see the District contributing $300,000 toward dredging Mirror Pond. The pond has not been dredged since 1984, and advocates for dredging say it’s necessary to preserve the pond’s iconic nature. According to the agenda set for BPRD’s…
An Expanded Vision for Deschutes Public Libraries
It’s no secret that Bend is growing big—fast. As businesses, contractors, and schools are rushing to keep up, the Deschutes Public Library is no exception, launching its new expansion plan for the libraries in Bend, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine. DPL has an average of 2,300 people visiting its locations every day, making it the third-largest service population for libraries in Oregon.…
Alternative Ways to Give the Gift of Art
A great alternative to giving a gift is giving an experience—a way to make time for family and friends and to do something fun. One offering that can incorporate groups of friends and family: a painting class with Karen Eland. This is not a typical painting class, however. Eland only paints with either coffee or beer—and…
Good Intentions?
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If that’s the case, “Green Book” is all up in that infrastructure. The film pokes its head out like a groundhog, so harmless, looking to the audience for approval without stopping to think if it has anything to say. “Green Book” wants to please…
Facebook Post Launches Salsa Company
People had been trying to talk him into it for years. Chris Ringo developed his salsa recipe after moving to Oregon from Texas to marry his wife, Ruby. He couldn’t find a salsa he liked and missed the Tex-Mex flavors from home. His salsa always found its way onto the table when they had people…
High Returns: Investing in Cannabis Stocks
People frequently ask me about investing in cannabis stock. My response is on par with asking a dog their take on the intricacies of German biodynamic farming: near zero comprehension, evidenced by a tilting of the head and possibly licking the face of the person asking the question. (This ensures I am only ever asked…
The Rise and Fall of the 22-ounce Bottle
The bottle that helped fuel the expansion of small brewpubs appears to be in decline.
On His Own Again
Almost a decade ago, singer-songwriter Jacob Miller boarded Amtrak’s famous Empire Builder line with a one-way ticket headed west. With a population of less than 1,000, Miller left behind the small-town life of Eden, Wis., with his suitcase and a Fender Jaguar guitar in hand. With no real plans other than striking out on his…
Chop Local
When setting up an appointment to talk with 92-year-old Virgil Brunson, he made two things clear: One, our meeting cannot interfere with his firewood gathering, and two, it absolutely cannot be during a Portland Trail Blazers game. If he and his partners are delivering a cord of firewood, they make sure to be done and…
Sing along with the Masters
The Mastersingers of Central Oregon make spirits bright with John Rutter’s Magnificat, plus a handful of favorite holiday tunes, at the Tower Theatre this weekend. Rutter’s popular elaboration of the classic song of praise, also known as the “Song of Mary,” is a joy-filled masterwork the Mastersingers will perform with the accompaniment of a 25-piece…
Local Real Estate Market Cools Down Again for November
According to November 2018 Central Oregon MLS statistics for Bend single family residences (excluding condos and manufactured homes) on 1 acre or less, the market cooled down again, with sales volume decreasing by 17 percent from November 2017. The median price increased slightly from $432,900 in October 2018 to $433,143 for November 2018. Sales of…
The Weekend Warrior Everyman Gifts
He’s the one who holds it all together—the busy career, the next-level holiday decorations… and the big dreams of big gifts for the rest of the family. With all of that on his plate, doesn’t this guy deserve some big gifts of his own this holiday season? Whether he’s thinking of dabbling in a new…
Stylish Mom Gifts
With so much on her plate, this stylish lady deserves a little extra appreciation at the holidays. While raising the kids, being supportive of her husband and all of his wacky ideas, and acting as the level-headed voice of reason when things (inevitably) go astray, she handles it all with grace and patience. Here are…
Holiday Lights Paddle Parade
The ever-popular Holiday Lights Paddle Parade returns to the Old Mill District this weekend — featuring paddleboards, kayaks and canoes all dolled up in festive Christmas decorations and lights. Last year, boats and boards decorated in holiday garb floated through the Old Mill District while lighting up the Deschutes River. The event, nearly 20 years strong,…
The Thrifty Cousin Gifts
He’s the type who shows up unannounced to any (and all) family gatherings—invited or not. Sure, you love his devilishly endearing antics—but that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily prepared with something for him under the tree. Never fear: These local gifts are easy to get, even last-minute. Cascade Snow Bike Rental Full day rental $375 /…
Free Will Astrology—Week of December 13
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “What is the point of being alive if you don’t at least try to do something remarkable?” Author John Green asked that question. I confess that I’m not entirely comfortable with it. It’s a bit pushy. I find I’m more likely to do remarkable things if I’m not trying too hard…
Sophisticated Couple Gifts
You know the couple. The busy, upwardly mobile professionals with impeccable style and an air of savoir faire. The challenge of buying a gift for people who seem to have everything can be daunting, but never fear! We’ve got you covered with gift ideas to help them further elevate their sanctuary and provide an escape…
Letters to the Editor
In Response to, “The Commodity That Is Cannabis” on 12/6 Like you said in your title, cannabis is now a commodity and will be treated as such. The CEOs and investors of steel companies generally know nothing of welding, fabrication, or truly anything that has to do with steel other than buying and selling it.…
#DriveWithSmokey
There are a lot of things to like about Smokey Bear. Not only does he wear a cool hat, but he’s by far the safest bear in the forest. Luckily, we can now take Smokey with us everywhere we go. Keep Oregon Green has teamed up with the USDA Forest Service and the Oregon Department…
Pre-Game the Bag Ban with these Bags
After a Dec. 5 Bend City Council meeting, it looks like Bend is well on its way to banning carryout plastic bags. No need to wait for the official ban—here are five reusable bags you can take grocery shopping now. “Bend” Bag, 18″ x 16″ x 4″, $24. Screen-printed, natural cotton canvas bag from Bend-based…
The Notorious Nest-Stealers
Well, it’s that time of year (again). If you’re fortunate enough to have a home close to the same habitat great horned owls need to make a living, you’re also hearing them now as they cuddle up and sing love songs to each other. The owls usually begin their courtship in November, about a football…
Bag Ban: A Litany of Laughable Arguments Against
As we reported in a web story last week, on Dec. 5, the Bend City Council had its first reading of an ordinance that would see Bend’s consumption of plastic bags cut down significantly. The new ordinance, up for a second reading later this month, would prohibit retailers from handing out plastic bags at the…
Pro File: Graham Zimmerman
He’s a photographer, alpinist and intellectual, and a lover of nature, people and dogs. He’s also one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. As a professional athlete, Graham Zimmerman climbs technical rock and ice routes in the high mountains. He’s a multi-disciplined expert who excels in the wild corners of the world. Although soft…
2019 Shall Rule Them All
I’ve been writing about movies since I was a kid, reviewing them professionally for over a decade. Even after all these years, when I look at the slate of new films in an upcoming year, I still get just as excited as I always have. Sure, it’s easy to be cynical about a new “Transformers”…
The Hand That Rocks The Ladle and From Adhere to Eternity
I’m a 57-year-old twice-divorced man. Though I never wanted to get to a point where romance wouldn’t be in my big picture, I’m feeling done with it. I’ve replaced dating and getting married again with gourmet cooking for one. I’m really enjoying it, but it worries me. Is it okay to be done? —Single And…
Powering the Dredge
Leaders in Bend are looking at a new way to fund the dredging of Mirror Pond: Increasing franchise fees for the utility that owns Newport Dam. The proposal, which became more of a reality following last week’s meetings with PacifiCorp—which owns Pacific Power—would see the City of Bend contributing $300,000 to dredging, with Bend Park…
World’s First Cold Brewed Coffee Taproom Grand Opening
Don’t call it a cafe or a coffee shop! Riff is opening a taproom to serve its cold brewed coffee. At the Dec. 15 grand opening they’ll be showing off their full food menu and draft offerings: regular, nitro and hot nitro cold brewed coffee, beer collaborations with Crux Fermentation Project and Deschutes Brewery, draft…
Online Burden
Online retailers may soon need to collect sales taxes when they sell items to people who live in states with a sales tax. On June 21, the Supreme Court ruled that a state may collect sales tax from taxpayers located in other states. The ruling stems from a 2016 case in South Dakota, where the…
