Pacific Northwest snowpack levels above normal
The Pacific Northwest snowpack levels are far above their normal levels this year. That’s according to the latest numbers released by the National Weather Center in Portland. The data shows some areas are at 150 percent of normal. Central Oregon is 143 percent of normal while certain locations in southern Oregon have more than 200…
Ruling allows Navajo Nation to continue its lawsuit against Urban Outfitters
The Navajo Nation’s lawsuit against retailer Urban Outfitters has been upheld by a federal court judge. In 2012, the tribe filed suit against the clothing store in New Mexico’s U.S. District Court after accessories and clothing labeled Navajo were sold in stores and online. U.S. District Judge Bruce D. Black decided the suit could continue…
Raising Their Voices
When I first moved to Bend, I had no real sense of identity, especially when it came to religion. A few years in Catholic school had taught me I wasn’t a Catholic and a few different Christian day camps and Bible studies made me realize that I wasn’t sure if I was religious, spiritual, or…
A Big Drag
Maybe you’re sitting on the couch right now, reading this as you light up a joint. And maybe you’re in one of the states where what you’re doing is no longer a crime, so you’re feeling pretty good because your leisure activity will no longer lure the police into your home. Sorry to harsh your…
Letters 12/23-12/30
IN REPLY TO “LETTER: REFUGEES CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CRISIS” (DEC. 16) Um, Climate Change is a global event, not limited to the U.S.A. While it’s true that limiting population (globally) would be good for the climate, it’s practically irrelevant where refugees settle. Not totally irrelevant, since we in the U.S.A. have the highest per capita…
An Unseen Problem
Bend’s sewer system is at capacity, but that’s not its only problem. Add several decades of neglected maintenance and pump stations reaching the end of their lifecycle to the mix and it’s a rather stinky—and expensive—situation. Coming in at $10.6 million, it’s also one of the costliest infrastructure projects currently on the City’s plate. As…
Side Notes 12/23-12/30
On Dec. 18, the Tribal Council of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs certified the voting results of the Cannabis Economic Development program, which overwhelmingly passed with 1,252 votes for the referendum and 198 against. The Confederated Tribes are now permitted to produce and sell hemp, recreational and medical marijuana for retail sale outside of…
Glow By Tube
Shawn Cannon has a glowing secret. With a hearty laugh, the recreation director for the Sunriver Owners’ Association (SROA) freely admits that she is a “blacklight addict” who becomes overly excited about staging blacklight events. She says her colleagues sometimes have to temper her enthusiasm. Cannon has good reason to be excited, as the SROA…
Go Here 12/23-12/30
With winter upon us and snow falling in the mountains, there is an abundance of opportunities to enjoy the solitude offered by our Central Oregon backcountry. One popular winter outing is a trek to Elk Lake Resort on the Cascade Lakes Highway. In the winter you can only drive as far as Mt. Bachelor; from…
Coyotes Forever
Coyotes Forever The oxymoronic management of a species By Jim Anderson I first became interested in coyotes shortly after I rolled into Bend on my good old ’51 OHV Harley in September of ’74. A couple of years later, I met and enjoyed a wonderful association with Henry Tonseth, ranger of the U.S. Forest Service…
Our Picks 12/23-12/30
all december Small Wonders ART GIFTS—Giving the gift of art can be pricey, but the local artists at Hood Avenue Art decided to do something about that and created smaller versions of paintings and hand crafted items like jewelry and note cards. The special exhibit also includes tiny sculptures, bookcases, and fiber arts. All artists…
A Grumpy Old Man Experiences a Star War
This is not the review you are looking for. I’ll spend some time talking about The Force Awakens itself further down, but it’s almost pointless since Star Wars is now and will always be a critic-proof franchise. It doesn’t really matter what any critic says about the newest film in the decades-spanning series, either you’re…
The Slipper 12/23-12/30
Reclaiming the River To say that water is the lifeblood of Central Oregon is an understatement. So it’s understandable that any threat—real or perceived—to people’s ability to use water in the ways they are accustomed to meets with resistance. But water is not an unlimited resource and, as demands on that resource increase it’s imperative…
Learning to Be Fearless
In Japanese, karaoke means “Empty Orchestra” and while that is a beautiful image, it is not entirely accurate. Karaoke DJs (or KJs) are the ghost in the machine, the voices, minds and nimble fingers of the vocal-less music you try to impress friends and strangers to. KJs summon the one song you just have to…
Source Suggests 12/23-12/30
Rockin' Robin Karaoke Robin DJs Tuesday nights at Seven Nightclub and it’s a master class in how to do karaoke right. Most of the people at these shows can sing pretty incredibly. 8 pm. Every Tuesday. Seven Nightclub, 1033 NW Bond St. No cover. Mavericks If modern pop Top 40 doesn’t do it for you,…
Just Another Hole in the Wall
Central Oregon has more than 30 craft breweries. Oregon—and Bend in particular—have been honored with countless awards and national publicity touting the progressive beer culture found here. The competition is keen, and the varieties and styles seem endless. Bend’s Rat Hole Brew Pub in the Old Mill District, and now also in Sunriver’s Business Park,…
First Time Home Buyers Face Challenges
First Time Home Buyers Face Challenges By Nick Nayne According to the National Association of Realtors most recent annual survey of homebuyers, the percentage of first-time homebuyers is at the lowest point since 1987. The historic average of homebuyers identifying themselves as first time homebuyers was 32 percent, whereas the historical average is about 40…
Two for the Holidays
Looking for something a little special to break out at Christmas dinner? Or simply dreading the thought of a week snowed in with your extended family without booze? Bend’s local breweries have you covered—and in two very different ways, too. Last week saw the release of Bubbly from 10 Barrel, the first time the rapidly…
Smoke Signals 12/23-12/30
Deschutes County enacts temporary pot business ban By Steve Holmes While Bend has been working on its regulations for cannabis businesses, so has Deschutes County. The Deschutes County Planning Commission has proposed regulations, and County Commissioners were scheduled to decide on the proposed regulations at their Dec. 21 meeting. The regulations would apply to businesses…
Art Watch 12/23-12/30
Through the end of December, one art gallery is offering miniature pieces to make giving the gift of art more affordable. The Small Wonders exhibit—started by local artists at Hood Avenue Art Gallery in Sisters—is now in its second year. Kathleen Keliher with Hood Avenue Art says it’s not uncommon to find smaller art this…
