Cover Story
River Democracy
Rivers are a big economic engine that float our entire state. During the last session of Congress, more of Oregon’s rivers were given Wild and Scenic designation—meaning more protection for these precious waterways. Riding that tide, now Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) is going to bat to further increase protected mileage with the River Democracy Act—and…
Three Fires
Grandview Fire The fire 10 miles north of Sisters torched 6,032 acres, just under 10 square miles, since it was first reported on July 11. The Grandview Fire fed on timber, juniper sage and grass and grew with the help of high heat, low humidity and active winds. It threatened 421 homes, but none were…
Letters to the Editor 7/15/21
Editor’s note: Summer is in full swing! The return of events like Munch and Music and Summer Fest this past week was a marker that things are more “normal” than they’ve been in the past year—but beyond that feeling of normalcy was just the plain joy that comes from hearing live music, from seeing the…
Noticias en Español
La ciudad de Bend está prolongando el estado de emergencia que prohibió el uso privado de cohetes y ofreció servicios a comunidades sin hogar hasta el 31 de agosto. La orden de emergencia entró en vigencia el 28 de junio y en un principio vencía el 9 de julio, pero se prolongó debido al riesgo…
Need A Ride
Before the pandemic, when Bendites needed a ride, be it to the airport to avoid parking fees, home after a few too many at the bar or – for those without a car – to simply avoid the walk or bike ride to their destination, they could usually find it on a ridesharing app or…
Turnkey Funding Awarded In Bend
Bend Value Inn will be converted into a transitional shelter for the homeless thanks to a $2.9 million grant through Project Turnkey, a state program that funds the purchase and renovation of motels into shelters for people who are experiencing houselessness or at risk of becoming unhoused. The City of Bend originally sought to acquire…
Parking Pains are Only Beginning. Survey All Residents About How to Proceed with Old Bend Program
This past week, the City of Bend’s new Old Bend Parking District program got its first big test when the annual Munch and Music free event debuted once again in Drake Park. To the average person who biked or walked to the event, it was a grand success—a reminder of the power of human connection…
Stop, Collaborate and Listen
When 2nd Street Theater closed its doors shortly before Platypus Pub was torn down to make room for another Starbucks, it felt like that little burgeoning Bend Central District was dismantled before it really lived up to its full potential. With Humm Kombucha there and the astoundingly delicious Manzanita Grill, the area has enough touchstones…
Hot Birds Are Not Happy Birds
Well, good people, the heat is upon us. We’ve been warned it was coming, and here it is. The impact(s) of Climate Change we can feel and touch. When we go out driving in our infernal internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, we are a big part of the situation that’s bringing the heat. Like the coal-burning…
High Desert Horror Story
What’s more traumatic to a Bendite? Ravaged and empty shelves where toilet paper once was, or not knowing when you’ll receive that new piece of recreation equipment you ordered months ago? Resounding concern is mounting for outdoor-related retail items that seem to be condemned to backorder purgatory. Never mind the usual delays industry enthusiasts would…
Spy Game
As an unapologetic Marvel fanboy, it has been too long since 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” hit theaters. I think I got so used to the Pavlovian response of there being a new Marvel movie in the theater every few months, that when COVID hit and movies stopped coming out for a while, I missed…
Artist Fact Sheet: Madison Cunningham
Last year was a big year for Madison Cunningham—all things considered. The singer/songwriter was nominated for Best American Album at the 2019 Grammy Awards for her work on “Who Are You Now,” which tackles the progress of a young adult making their way from home. And if you can believe it, her year going into…
Bangers, Coffee, Tacos and Frozen Yogurt All Available at New Plaza on Bend’s East Side
The latest addition to the burgeoning food scene on Bend’s east side is a new plaza at 1462 NE Cushing Drive. That’s right in between the On Tap food truck lot, also on Cushing Drive, and Café Yumm! at Neff Place. The plaza features mostly food establishments, although right in the middle of all the…
Mecca Grade Estate Malt and Brewing Tastes Like Madras
If you’re looking for Mecca Grade Brewing but find yourself driving over a cattle grate on your way down a dangerous, narrow dirt road, you’ve gone too far. You do have to drive down a gravelly dirt road to get to Mecca Grade Estate Malt, with a nanobrewery as its side hustle, but that steep…
Cork and Barrel Returns
Nine years ago, Cork and Barrel started as a one-day event, and has since expanded into a year-round fundraiser for KIDS Center with a goal to raise $500,000. The 2021 C&B is a three-day wine and food event. Every year, C&B introduces new wine regions to Central Oregon. This year, they’re featuring the winemakers of…
LGBTQ+ Night at Dogwood
The Dogwood Cocktail Cabin is playing host to a monthly gathering of LGBTQ+ peeps (and their friends). Oh Yess—A Monthly Night Out happens from 7-10pm on Thursday, July 15 at the downtown bar. Come to “giggle, gree, support and cavort,” reads the event’s description in the Source calendar. The event happens the third Thursday of…
Relay Runs with Your Crew
While running solo can be a good way to unwind and get away from it all, running with support makes crushing goals even easier. What’s a marathon finish line without the signs and cheers from the crowd? For folks looking to soak up some community fun while getting active, Cascade Relays offers relay races that…
Market Update and June Statistics
The June 2021 data is in and as expected, it once again demonstrates extremely low inventory, driving demand and increased median home prices. The inventory showed a very slight increase in June; however not enough to make even the slightest dent in the buyer demand. As a whole, the market in Central Oregon remains overheated,…
Thin Line Between Love And Bait
Thin Line Between Love And Bait My relationship with a man I’d been dating was getting serious. His previous relationship ended when his girlfriend dumped him. Last month, he ran into her and told her he was seeing me. She began crying and begged him to take her back. He was torn about what to…
Free Will Astrology—Week of July 15
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian poet Linda Hogan says she doesn’t like to be parched. She wants to be like “a tree drinking the rain.” I think every Cancerian has similar dreams: to be steadily immersed in engrossing feelings, awash with intimate longings, flowing along in rhythm with the soul’s songs. The coming weeks will…
