Living History: A Conversation with 1961 freedom riders, tonight
If you missed COCC’s screening of Freedom Riders, don’t miss tonight’s talk by two people who were on the scene in 1961, risking their safety in the name of nonviolence and equal rights (by the way, you can still catch Freedom Riders on Thursday, Jan. 26 at COCC Madras Campus, room 116, from 4:30-6:30pm p.
(Deschutes) Beer Is Back!
Acting on anonymous tip that the Bond Street location had re-openend, MicroCosmos made our way down to the Deschutes Brewery for a late lunch today and discovered a bigger bolder pub in place of our longtime watering hole. The brewery has yet to formally announce its grand re-opening, look for that later this week, so…
The Underrated Genius of Danny Barnes
You have been hearing plenty about the surging and expanding world of Americana music in this paper and most every other music publication this side of Tiger Beat and how bands like Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers and, hell, even our own Larry and His Flask are changing our conception of traditional music. A…
The Science of Slickness: How and why road crews keep you safe in the snow
If you've ever bitched about being stuck behind the snowplow or the gravel truck, you should get that attitude of yours in check and realize that these people are trying to keep you alive and your vehicle intact. Most of us acknowledge that, but few of us know exactly how these street scientists are keeping…
The Science of Ski Wax: There’s a lot more to it than melting a candle over the base of your favorite boards before heading out the door
You hear it all the time. What kind of wax are you using? Or, I need to wax my skis. Ski wax. We know we need it, plenty of people neglect it, while others pontificate about it ad nauseum. But why, exactly, does it matter and how does it work? Magic? More like science; chemistry…
The More Things Change: Known by many names, Gore-Tex is the technology underlying all modern gear
Buying winter gear can be intimidating. Winter hardware, like skis and snowboards, has seen some dramatic changes in the last two decades. Winter apparel, on the other hand, tells a different story. Industry insiders like Doug Hoscheck, one of the creators of Polar Fleece, say apparel has basically been the same for the last 30…
Built for Speed: The Physics of the Winter Athlete Body
Ever been out skiing, feeling like you're in a groove, moving along at a good pace, only to be passed like you're standing still by a truly gifted skier? Me neither. (kidding.) When you see an elite athlete in action firsthand – especially when you're participating in the same sport – it gives you a…
Lab Goggles Before Ski Goggles: Applying the scientific method to the Northwest’s wacky weather
The Jet Stream: What the hell is it? * A corridor of fast-moving air that separates the cold air in the north from the warm air in the south that determines where storms form and where they move. *Composed of wind currents high in the atmosphere (20,000 feet) *During cold fronts, the jet stream bends…
Goodbye, Bend: On five years of writing about sports and other things you might have cared about
I've been writing words in this paper for more than five years. Some of you have enjoyed those words while others have detested them so much that they felt the need to call me, among other things, a communist. This week, however, is my last at the Source. Next week I'm going to go write…
Winter Rules
This is your weekend perspective writer, Mr. Pumped McPositive.
Avalanches reported in CO backcountry
Oh, how the backcountry beckons after such a storm at this. But beware: these are perfect avalanche conditions and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office strongly recommends avoiding all backcountry trails.
Radical Band Tonight: Animal Eyes play the The Horned Hand. Cheap!
So it’s shitty outside, so what? Actually, it’s not that bad today .
Civilized Behavior: Roman Polanski takes you into the Carnage of parenting
Whether you have children of your own, plan to someday have kids or simply can't stand them, it's universally known that at some point a child will make your life a pain in the ass. Acclaimed director Roman Polanski brings us one such moment without even introducing the rascals. After a disagreement between two boys…
We Take it Back
Our bad. Looks like Greg was scheduling a town hall right under our noses.
Mt Bachelor. It's a record. 35 in 24.
Mt. B is reporting that Superstorm 2012™ that’s been walloping the Northwest for the last 36 hours has dropped a record 24-hour snowfall on the mountain with 35 inches as of this afternoon.
Our Picks for 1/19-1/26
Anthony B thursday 19 Yeah, we highlighted the Jamaican superstar last week, but we're doing it again – he's that awesome, and how often do we get authentic reggae in Central Oregon? Over the last 14 years, the prolific artist has cranked out 13 albums and more than 1,000 singles, all while advocating justice for…
Too Much of a Good Thing: Bachelor Closes
Update: Mt. Bachelor is reporting that the 35 inches that they recently received set a new record for total snowfall within a 24-hour period.
Nice Day for a Jog — Seriously
Take a good look at the photo below. What do you see? Probably not much through my rain-soaked window as my vehicle was buffeted by 30-plus mph winds.
Shooting the Breeze with the NYT’s Andrew Ross Sorkin: Things I learned
Last night, we spent a few minutes with New York Times business columnist and author (Too Big to Fail) Andrew Ross Sorkin, who’s in Bend for today’s Business Conference and Economic Forecast. Bill Watkins, economic forecaster, was also in the room, dropping wisdom on us media folk.
Comics Vs. Video Games: Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is a fighter done right
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3, and it makes me wonder what the next version is going to be called. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3.5 perhaps? Or maybe, We’re Totally Serious, This is the REALLY Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. What does “ultimate” mean? For starters, it…
Low End Chills and Thrills: Contraband finally allows Iceland to get noticed for more than Bjork
It's common knowledge that our modern movie-going experience has been inundated with remakes from every genre under the sun, so I was leery that Contraband, starring Mark Wahlberg, is the updated version of Lucio Fulci's Italian gangster splatter-fest of the same name. Well, there might be some miniscule similarities, but the Italian maestro's film is…
An Extremely Happy Hour: Joolz reminds us why it’s still going strong
It's easy to take for granted the number of incredible restaurants we have here in Bend. I always thought I'd have another chance to go to a place like Yoko's or Grover's (or Colors, which I still miss constantly), but then once I craved them, they were no longer there. I went to Joolz when…
A Folk Hero: Peter Yarrow reflects on how his music helped change America
Peter Yarrow, Mary Travers and Noel Paul Stookey sang about “the hammer of justice,” “the bell of freedom” and “the song about love between my brothers and my sisters, all over this land,” many times as their version of Pete Seeger and Lee Hayes’ “If I Had a Hammer” rose to number 10 on the…
Where's Walden?: Critics charge Oregon's Congressman with playing politics with his public appearance
Rep. Greg Walden's office in Bend probably looks a lot like you would imagine. The American and Oregon flags line a door that leads to a basic office with a few desks, a conference room, a water cooler, chairs and a bank of windows that reveal a view of Greenwood Avenue. On this particular evening,…
More Concealed Handgun Paranoia
The discussion over whether or not to release the names of concealed weapons permit holders has proved fertile ground for debate over the issues of privacy, public safety and gun owners' rights. However, much of that debate has been strongly colored by hyperbole, particularly from the pro-gun lobby that would like to paint gun owners…
All the Straight Poop on Mitt, Newt, Tim and the Two Rickys
Monday, Jan. 9 It's good to be the boss: Mitt Romney stirs controversy by telling business execs in New Hampshire, “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.” (He was talking about health insurance companies) … Buddy who? Poll shows Buddy Roemer (he's former congressman and Louisiana governor) has pulled ahead…
Flip-Flopping on Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake, in the high Cascades west of the Deschutes County border, is one of the most ultraoligotrophic lakes in the world. That fancy nine-dollar word means the water is clear – amazingly clear. Experiments have shown that objects in Waldo Lake can be seen at a depth of nearly 160 feet. But whether Waldo…
Which is Worse?
The media is awash in stories about some Marines who urinated on a pile of dead Afghans. People the world over and our left wing media are enraged. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has stated that when they find these jarheads they are going to swing. Nope, you cannot pee on a dead guy,…
More People, Less Money, in Politics
Someone once coined the phrase, “We have the best government money can buy.” Sad, but true. Big Money Interests (Corporations, the Wealthy, Labor Unions, Special Interests) have taken over our political process to the detriment of “We the People.” They control our Congress, and until “big money” is taken out of politics we will not…
Dredging Mirror Pond Isn't the Answer
Some 25 years ago Mirror Pond was dredged for several hundred thousand dollars. Within a very short time, it was obvious that silt was returning.
Heck Yes, Winter!
It’s snowing, which is awesome. Mt.
