Overcome by the Muse (and the Scotch) in Bend
While sadly pondering Bend's economic troubles yesterday, as I often do, I hit upon an inspiration: What this town needs is a poet laureate.
Those “Disturbing” Kids Downtown
Remember how a few months ago our downtown merchants were in a dither about the horrible panhandler problem? That worry seems to have faded, but now they've got a new one: young people creating a "disturbance."
New Summer Shows! G. Love, Jackie Greene, Bill Nershi!
For those of you who've been bitching about as perceived lack of solid summer shows (because clearly, Sugarland isn't good enough for you.
Shocker: Eckman Votes Against the GOBs!
Kathie Eckman might have jeopardized her standing in the Bend Good Old Boys and Girls Club yesterday: She cast the deciding vote to repeal the meal exemption from the city's room tax.
Portello Pleases
I loved your review about Portello and wanted to share my experience with you. I was invited to lunch with a friend there and was really excited since I had heard great things.
Introducing: The Underground
First off, if you haven't noticed yet, there is finally some action on the north end of Third Street in the long vacant and almost-forgotten Club 97 location. Once the nucleus of Bend's nightlife scene, the expansive club has been sitting empty for several years now - until this week, when The Underground opens in…
Kroger Takes a Stand Against Pot, Moderately
Once upon a time - 36 years ago, to be exact, when Gov. Tom McCall signed a bill making Oregon the first state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot - our state was a forerunner in the fight for sensible marijuana policies. Since then we've fallen behind, but we may have a chance…
Got It Backwards
Could someone please explain why if we, the people, want more education we have to vote to raise our property taxes, but if we want to vote for more "lock up your neighbor laws," those are funded out of the general fund. Why can't we vote for "educate your neighbor" laws to be enacted out…
The Stain on Farrah’s Name
Mr. McMenaminuses, (Of course this is your "ghost-writer" name.
Don’t Ignore Honduras
Central America is a blind spot in America's consciousness, a region that can hardly be thought to matter much in the face of economic meltdown and two wars in the Middle East. But few regions have as direct an impact on the USA as Central America does.
Too Quick to Dismiss Facebook
Mr. Lockwood, I just got done reading your article from this week on Facebook.
A Peach at 40: A day at the Oregon Country Fair
Andre the Giant's basket weaving tutorial starts at noon. Twenty years ago, I attended my first Oregon Country Fair. It was a spontaneous adventure, unsanctioned by my parents, who believed me to be waterskiing. I've still never waterskied, but I've returned to the OCF numerous times over the past twenty years. I've escorted first-timers and…
Weak Wood Derby
We almost didn't tune into the Home Run Derby on Monday night because, well, ever since those stupid Congressmen almost made Mark McGwire cry on national TV, thus convincing everyone that steroids were somehow bad for baseball, what's the point? But we did, however, watch the Derby - mainly because we wanted background for our…
The Wreck of the Westy: My Volkswagen goes head-to-head with an elk
My VW "Westy," killed by an elk. That poor old busted VW "Westy" in the photo was a lovely old thing. It was built in 1984 by some pretty smart German engineers, it has a newly rebuilt engine in it, and only a little over 140,000 miles on the odometer, and now, according to Farmer's…
Right Place, Right Time: The role of serendipity in running rivers and racing bikes
An umbrella drink vacation, Idaho style.When I got invited on a trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, I had no idea how lucky I was. My friends had been trying for 12 years to score a permit. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Which, I've…
Brilliantly Baffling: Japanese auteur delivers on the DS
Take the briefcase and run.I was clear-headed and sane when I arrived, driving Giggs my Toyota Celica and carrying my briefcase Catherine. But on Lospass Island, everything shifted towards the strange. The sun sat perpetually overhead, casting a never-dilating disc of shadow beneath my feet. Trees, lush and tropical from a distance, thinned into non-existence,…
Clone Wars: Sam Rockwell descends into the dark side of the moon
This is ground control to Major Bowie…your son directed this movie.The previews for Moon are misleading and for once that's a good thing. This is not a space-age horror/time-warp/psychological thriller, but rather a socio-politico commentary on the present, taking place in the not so distant future.
The film focuses on the psychological ramifications of cabin…
Bend likes Brüno?: Yep, except for this list of moments
Animal cruelty?At the opening night screening of Brüno at the Old Mill cinema no one walked out. Not the giggling groups of teenage boys, not those engaged in middle-aged man-dates, not the hand-holding couples, not even the lady who gasped, "Oh my god" at five-minute intervals. No, the entire audience sat stalwartly through the sexual…
The Be Better Bloody Blues
I, along with many, have experienced the worst of the worst this allergy season. One day I was frolicking about, allowing the sun to make my golden tresses blonder, my pale skin bronzier, and my deranged spirit lighter. And then, mysteriously, I couldn’t breathe. There was no doubt that a little hit of Advil Cold…
Over the River and Through the Woods: Kokanee Café brings fine dining down to earth
Head out to the river for Ocean finds like this at Kokanee Cafe.Until a recent visit to Kokanee Café, my exposure to executive chef Roscoe Roberson was limited to his winning performance in this year's Top Chef competition at the Bite of Bend. With gutsy dishes like chilled watermelon-ginger and pork cheek medallion soup as…
Over the River and Through the Woods: Kokanee Café brings fine dining down to earth
Head out to the river for Ocean finds like this at Kokanee Cafe.Until a recent visit to Kokanee Café, my exposure to executive chef Roscoe Roberson was limited to his winning performance in this year’s Top Chef competition at the Bite of Bend. With gutsy dishes like chilled watermelon-ginger and pork cheek medallion soup as…
Anderson: Electro indie-pop all the way from the Netherlands
We're dutch, isn't that crazy?!If there is one thing the Central Oregon music scene is severely lacking its electro, indie-pop, which is a shame because, well, it's a pretty freaking awesome genre. But the time has finally come for synth-rocking electronica to make an appearance and Anderson, a Netherlands-based duo, is the band to bring…
Keeping it Real: Reverend Peyton on wood, steel, CCR, country blues and his Big Damn Band
The pig plays bass….sometimes.The Reverend Peyton likes to keep it real, and not in the vague hip-hop sort of way.
As the namesake and leader of The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, a family collective that includes brother Jayme on drums and wife Breezy on washboard while he plays fingerstyle guitar, Peyton wears suspenders, a…
Our Picks for the Week 7/16-7/23
Taarka
thursday 16
The folk-powered world music machine known as Taarka is back in town once again, this time rocking the upper confines of the Summit Saloon and Stage before crossing the mountains for the Northwest String Summit. Yes, it's that time of year again when all the NWSS bands stop off here in Bend…
New to the Game: Up-river watersports you probably haven’t heard of
Editor’s Note: For more great Summer Adventure articles like this one, pick up our special issue for the full spread.
River Boarding
Several groups of river boarders reside in the area, each having a slightly different system. Some have bigger or different shaped boards, some use braided bungee for their stretch and some use a…
Mt. B’s Radical New Rates: Locals catch a break at Bachelor, Shire Update and more
If you've lived in Bend for more than a year or two, you've probably had one of those days when you head up to Bachelor hoping for 6-8 inches of untracked powder only to find that the rain in town translates to rain on the mountain. And unless you're a season pass holder, you've either…
Over in a Barrel: Plan for Colorado street dam could benefit fish, floaters and paddlers
The colorado spillway at present. Deschutes River drownings and close calls have become a grim summer ritual around Bend when a combination of tourists and well-lubricated locals descends on the urban waterways. And it isn't just the waterfalls and whitewater that have been causing headaches for rescuers and others charged with public safety. Man-made obstacles…
Our Least Appreciated Species of Wildlife
Public officials and amateur biologists are tracking ominous reports this summer of a frightening invasive species, which has been tentatively named Homo moronicus Central Oregoniensis.
The creature reportedly is elusive and rarely encountered in its natural habitat. However, campers, hikers and others who claim to have observed it in the wild describe it as similar…
Paying Dues and Shining Shoes: Counting the costs of war, the confirmation circus, brothels and more
The author has been sent on the road to discover a lost country formerly known as America. He is reporting from a crosswalk, telling select tourists to run into the street and others to join him for a float, on assignment for Or-Bust.com and The Source Weekly.
1,000,000,000,000 A dubious record was set this week…
