Cold Snap
With sub-freezing temperatures predicted this week, Bend City Manager Eric King signed a weather emergency declaration that went into effect on Dec. 1 and runs until Feb. 28, 2019. King’s declaration allows the use of approved alternative shelter facilities to provide emergency overnight lodging for homeless people when the temperature is or is predicted to…
Bend-La Pine Schools Invites Public to Review Attendance Area Options
The Bend-La Pine Schools’ Attendance Area Review Committee is inviting interested parents and other community members to give input about three potential elementary school attendance area maps this December. According to Bend-La Pine Schools, the new boundaries will define the new, 600-seat elementary school attendance area in north-central Bend set to open in the fall…
Living on Lava
Dr. Julie Donnelly-Nolan has been mapping Newberry Volcano for the past 20 years, as part of her work as a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. She’s one of many scientists and government agents who keep their eyes on the potential for a volcanic eruption in Central Oregon. While it’s not the highest-priority threat local…
Letters to the Editor
In Response to, “Big Changes to Well Traveled Trails” on 11/15 My biggest problem with the trail permit system is the financial aspect. If this was all about preserving nature, there would not be so much money involved. To me, it is obvious that this is a money making scheme to simply capitalize off of…
Oregon Whiskey Hunting
Mostly wood flavors with hints of caramel, ripe apples, cherries, tobacco and chocolate to start and a long-lasting finish of sweet caramel. That may be as close as you ever get to tasting a 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. Production is very low for the beloved spirit; Oregon received three…
Deschutes County Farm Bureau Appeals New Pot Rules
After the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners used an “emergency” clause Oct. 24 to quickly change some of its rules for growing recreational marijuana in the County, the Deschutes County Farm Bureau filed a motion to have the changes appealed. Matt Cyrus from the Deschutes County Farm Bureau says the agriculture advocacy group on Nov.…
Don’t Start Naming Councilors Names Yet
As 2018 fades from view, we see 2019 approaching with a host of new leadership. A new Deschutes County Commissioner will join the ranks. An avowed advocate for schools—in the form of a current Bend-La Pine Schools board member—moves to the Oregon House, representing District 54. In District 53, a younger, moderate politician replaces longtime…
Shadowboxing
When “Creed” came out in 2015, no one really expected the emotional powerhouse that director Ryan Coogler had delivered. A spinoff of “Rocky,” focused on the son of the late Apollo Creed, sounds like something dreamt up in a corny Hollywood focus group aimed at pitching ideas for sports movies. The—ahem—knockout performances from Michael B.…
Men in Fights
I refuse to become cynical about movies. Even films that have the most broadly commercial appeal and attempt to reach out and embrace every single demographic still can have moments of pure artistry sprinkled throughout. I believe that for each horrible Adam Sandler movie released, there’s also a young and hungry filmmaker out there trying to…
State to County Commissioners: Arbitrarily Deny Cannabis Permits at Your Peril
Since Deschutes County has elected yet another anti-marijuana County Commissioner, it might be instructive to take a look at a recent Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals decision before you buy into the notion that pending marijuana land-use permits are dead in the water. First, a little procedural primer: When land-use applicants seek to grow,…
Hip-Hop Subscription
When Baba Zumbi, the primary member in hip-hop crew Zion I, started out in the late ’90s, the music industry was a very different place. When he wanted to release an album, Zumbi would tell his distributors and they’d provide an advance that would help him record. In the age of streaming and digital downloads,…
Warning: Wildlife on Highway
Many Central Oregon drivers fall into two categories: those who have hit mule deer and those who know someone who has. Fortunately for both deer and driver, a 4-mile section along Hwy. 97 south of Lava Butte now provides both with safe passage. In June 2012, the Oregon Department of Transportation completed the Lava Butte…
Move Over, Mariah
San Francisco’s Diego’s Umbrella has been pioneering its own brand of high-energy gypsy rock since 2001, and in the meantime have become touring favorites in Bend. A Diego’s Umbrella show guarantees an evening of sweat-inducing dancing, with Jake Wood sure to join the crowd with his “party drum.” The band oozes energy and knows how…
Affordable Housing Is An Issue, Even for D.C. Politicians
The latest tales of the nationwide affordable housing crisis came from Washington, D.C., this week, when New York’s Representative-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. House—announced that until her salary kicks in in January, she can’t afford to rent an apartment. Surprisingly, this is not unusual. Even with a $174,000 annual salary…
Satisfy French Cravings at Loyaute
If you missed the last four French-inspired pop-ups from Chef Josh Podwils, you have one more chance this year. Dec. 11, Loyaute will be a temporary restaurant at Holm Made Toffee, with a six-course fine dining menu of foie gras, cognac shrimp, poached pear salad, squid ink linguini pasta and uni, duck and wild mushrooms,…
Teetotally Awesome
Teetotally Awesome I’m a recovering addict, five years sober. My ex-boyfriend was a “normie” (12-step slang for someone who hasn’t had addiction issues), and there were definitely things he just didn’t get. Do I need to date another recovering addict to feel understood? I’ve done that before, and I really don’t like it. It’s like…
Insta-Watch x2
This week I feature two female artists in our community in my last Insta-Watch. Next year, I hope to feature Central Oregon artists in a new way throughout the year, so you can get to know your friendly local artists some more. @Domko Fine Art Dominique Kongsli Color is abundant in Dominique Kongsli’s art. It’s…
Early Resolve
Year after year, in survey after survey, the most popular New Year’s resolutions relate to diet, exercise and weight loss. It’s probably no coincidence that we make these resolutions after the damage is done, at the end of holidays. Resolving to turn the ship around is a healthy response to the feeling of waking up…
Free Will Astrology—Week of November 29
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Blackjack is a card game popular in gambling casinos. In the eternal struggle to improve the odds of winning big money, some blackjack players work in teams. One teammate secretly counts the cards as they’re dealt and assesses what cards are likely to come up next. Another teammate gets subtle signals…
A ‘Miracle’ remake
“Miracle on 34th Street – A Live Radio Play” is a winner from the start. The story of a young girl and her mother who learn to believe in Santa Claus—and true love—opens at the Cascades Theatre Friday, winning out over a handful of options the Cascades creative team considered for its holiday production this…
