Cover Story
ApocEclipse BEND
On Aug. 21, Bend residents will have all of the headaches associated with the Great American Eclipse—without the benefit of being able to sit in the front yard and enjoy totality. When the moon passes in front of the sun on Mon., Aug. 21, Bend will be just outside the shadow. The city will have…
No federal charges for former Gov. Kitzhaber
Influence pedding investigation ends at the federal level.
Little Bites: French Market Opens & Solar Eclipse Ice Cream
Solar Eclipse Ice Cream Contest Winner Using the upcoming solar eclipse as a theme, Eberhard’s Dairy asked the public to come up with a new ice cream flavor. Marissa White won with her entry, Solar Swirl, a vanilla-based ice cream with caramel swirls, marshmallows, and small fudge chunks. Solar Swirl will be available at select…
Happy Hour Review: Aspect Boards & Brews
Aspect Boards & Brews How can you beat a beer and a taco for $5 while sitting in the sunshine watching the world go by Bend’s westside? You can’t. Aspect Boards & Brews, the skate and snowboarding shop that expanded a couple years ago to include 12 taps as well as sangria and a variety…
Where Does the Water Go?
For a growing brewery, one of the thorniest issues to deal with is what to do with all the wastewater—and not the kind people produce after having a few beers, either. According to John Mercer, a brewing consultant who oversaw Deschutes Brewery’s wastewater treatment efforts for 12 years, a “very dialed-in, well-managed brewery” will produce…
Happy Hour Review: The Backyard Brick Oven Pizza & Sports Bar
Those living and working on Bend’s northside have a new place to enjoy happy hour while waiting out the rush hour line of traffic that builds up on Empire Ave. The Backyard Brick Oven Pizza & Sports Bar opened earlier this year and provides diners a casual spot for happy hour cocktails and appetizers. Whether…
Oregon Legislative “Busy Work”
In 1927, when L.L. Patterson was our governor, the Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) was chosen as the state bird by Oregon’s school children in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audubon Society. It’s a familiar songbird of open country across the western two-thirds of the North American continent. It lives in Oregon on both the dry…
Happy Hour Review: Kayo’s Dinner House and Lounge
If you’re looking for a taste of luxury — the kind in which oysters, Kobe beef and Ahi tuna reign supreme — then you’re in luck: Kayos is just the ticket, and comes without a steep price tag. Unassumingly tucked off third street, next to an Econo Lodge, you wouldn’t believe Kayo’s has fireside lounges…
Tobacco 21 Hits a Snag
During the current state legislative session, Oregon was on track to become the third state to raise the legal age for smoking and buying cigarettes from 18 to 21, following California and Hawaii. It now appears, however, that Senate Bill 754 might be going up in smoke, thanks in part to big tobacco and former…
New Strategy Will Mean Paying To Park In Downtown Bend
Soon, drivers will have to kiss the days of free parking in downtown Bend goodbye. The city is growing and pressure on its downtown infrastructure means the City will be implementing changes in the next few years — including paid parking. Out goes free two-hour parking in the Mirror Pond parking basins and in comes…
Gallery Alleys
Like some fresh air with your art? Bend has the perfect solution. As you know, there’s no shortage of traditional downtown galleries where you can see a wide variety of exhibits on any given day. But have you noticed the growing number of pieces adorning some of the area’s outside walls too? It’s all part…
Cell Tower: When in doubt, err on the side of protecting kids.
Last week’s article, “Tower Tussle,” has ignited a lot of debate in the comments section of our website. The story discussed the debate over a proposed 5G cell tower at Trinity Episcopal Church, located adjacent to Amity Creek Magnet School in downtown Bend. Church leaders have not made a final decision about whether to allow…
Kick It Back or Sip It?
With well over 1,300 craft distilleries in the U.S., craft spirits have the potential to achieve market parity with craft beer, according to research by the American Craft Spirits Association. Bend, a city well known for rocking craft beer, also has a pretty rocking craft spirits industry. There are four distilleries in Bend: Backdrop Distilling, Cascade…
20/40/60: SUP, Sunday?!
What were you doing last Sunday morning? Perhaps wearing your Snuggie, drinking a hot cup of coffee and watching the wind toss the trees around? That sounds cozy. We know what you weren’t doing: paddleboarding on the Deschutes River near the Old Mill in Bend. We know, because we were the only ones doing it.…
Science Advice Goddess: Speaking Ill Of The Dud
Speaking Ill Of The Dud I have a close friend whose relationships always end badly. The new guy she’s dating has a reputation as a user. My friend’s very successful, and I believe he’s dating her for her business contacts. I need to be honest with her about this. How should I do that —…
Picks of the Week: June 15-21
Check out our print calendar for even more events and things to do in Central Oregon! Thursday 15 Ride Your F#%king Bike FILM — Part of the COTA movie night series, this documentary follows several Fox-sponsored athletes and a few Bend local legends as they travel for three weeks in a van biking like madmen.…
La Vie Bohème
There’s an old cliché, that any good writer is supposed to write what they know. Before he wrote “Rent,” Jonathan Larson lived in a loft with no heat on the fifth floor of a walkup on the corner of Greenwich and Spring in Lower Manhattan. While he had worked unsuccessfully on other projects, Larson didn’t…
Who Run the World?
“Be careful in the world of men, Diana. They do not deserve you.” For the last 20 years, Hollywood has made several half-assed attempts at making a “Wonder Woman” movie. At different times throughout the years, Sandra Bullock, Lucy Lawless, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Mariah Carey were all slated to play the Amazonian princess. No one…
Happy Hour Review: Pine Tavern Happy Hour
In a region that continues to experience astronomical growth, finding that shiny new thing in the way of a new restaurant or bar is not too tough. Plenty of places come and go—and then there are the spots that stick around through all the ups and downs. Take the Pine Tavern, open since 1936, when…
Cruise Control
Love him or hate him, Tom Cruise is very good at committing himself. To solid movies, to dangerous stunt work and lots of intense running, but most importantly, to entertaining us the best he possibly can. I usually try to separate the art from the artist (since I still enjoy the films of Woody Allen…
Fair Trade Fatties
I’m adamant that the cannabis I consume is organic. Which, thanks to stringent testing requirements in Oregon for cannabis sold in dispensaries, is far easier to verify than it’s ever been. But, that’s really only one part of the complex equation about supporting what you believe in when you buy your weed. Simply because a…
Happy Hour Review: Rockin’ Dave’s Backstage Lounge
In Midtown? Thirstaaaay? Fancy some good eats but want a mellow vibe? Then Rockin’ Daves’ Backstage Lounge is your neighborhood jaunt. Rock melodies fill this intimate hole-in-the-wall adorned with music memorabilia and old school records. It’s like you’ve just walked into a 70s bar—without the seedy side. If you’ve ever been to Rockin’ Daves for…
Show Bookers
Before your favorite band comes to town, a lot of work goes into getting them here. That includes countless emails, research, time spent driving to Portland and back to pick up an artist and hotel rooms booked for the band. To understand what goes into creating that incredible live music experience you love—and why some…
Go Here: Calling all Paddleboarders
Invitation to enter the annual Desert Orthopedic Bend Paddleboard Challenge Hailed regionally as one of Oregon’s best annual standup paddleboard gatherings, the 2017 Desert Orthopedic Bend Paddleboard Challenge takes place June 24, offering long and short courses as well as sprint races. BPC is one of three Bend races and 12 statewide races collectively comprising…
Pinnacles of the Peaks
This year, 4 Peaks Music Festival promises a the family-friendly fest environment on a grander scale than in years past. Moving to a new venue at Stevenson Ranch, expect grander views, bigger grassy fields, a larger late night tent, great selection of vendors and an impressive selection of musicians from across the globe. You’re already…
Pepper, Tribal Seeds, Phillip Phillips & Govt Mule
Pepper and Tribal Seeds Sept 13 ROCK — On their latest album, “Ohana,” Pepper reconnects with their Hawaiian roots. The band, which originally formed in Kona, Hawaii, relocated to Southern California in 1999 and has since taken the mainland by storm. Pepper infuses rock with reggae, ska and dub to create relaxing, yet upbeat jams.…
Source Spotlight: Katy Brooks
When it comes to job satisfaction, it’s a pretty safe bet to say there aren’t many people happier than Bend Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Katy Brooks. Sitting in a downtown teahouse, she exudes exuberance as she talks about her eight-month anniversary on the job. “But who’s counting?” she adds with a fleeting smile.…
ApocEclipse Prep
How to prepare for the ApocEclipse: Stock up on groceries, water, gas and beer early so stores can restock. Pick up prescriptions and medical supplies in advance. Be ready to lose touch with the world. Cell phone and Internet service could crash. Hit the ATM before the crowds arrive. Either the Internet will break or…
Real Estate Statistics for May 2017
According to the most recent Beacon report, closed sales in Bend for the month of May 2017 decreased by 4 transactions over April 2017 for a total of 216 sales as compared to 220 for April 2017. The median sales price declined from $394,000 in April to $374,000 for May. Not only were fewer homes…
Letters to the Editor June 5-12
The Steamboat Watershed In 1944, a young soldier named Frank Moore landed on Utah beach in Normandy. He fought his way across France to Paris, and then on to Luxembourg. He fought for his country, and to free Europe of the scourge of tyranny, all the while desperate to return home to his young wife…
Happy Hour Guide Summer 2017
Summer Sippin’ Starts Here When it comes to good summer feels, what could be better than a cold drink in your hand, the sun streaming down and the promise of a tab that’s not going to break the bank? If you ask us, not much —unless that experience is prefaced by another day spent crushing…
