POLL: Who Has Your Vote in the Nov. 2014 Election?
Central Oregon has a reputation for centrist politics. But when we posted the results of a recent Livability.com survey to that effect, some of you responded that this area isn’t moderate, but rather evenly split between conservatives and liberals (and, we might add, independents). Which leaves us wondering—where do our readers stand? Take the poll…
Casey Roats’ Candidacy for Bend City Council Questioned, Candidate Admits He Lived Outside the City
The City of Bend Charter is clear: It says a councilor must have resided within the city limits for the 12 months immediately preceding his or her election to office. But it appears that city council hopeful Casey Roats, who was born and raised in Bend, may not qualify for that very basic threshold. By…
Another Day, Another #Beer Award Bend Wins Best Beer Town, Again
Garnishing attention as one of the best beer towns in the nation is nothing new for Bend, so it’s no surprise that the recent USA Today Best Beer Towns list featured the city ranked at a healthy #4. Here’s what the list had to say about Bend: #4 – Bend, Ore. “When it comes to…
Bend Ranks Second in the Nation for People of a Certain Political Bent
Like attracts like, and political views are no exception. The Pacific coast has gained a reputation for liberalism (hence the double entendre of “The Left Coast”) while the so-called Bible Belt is predictably populated with folks with more conservative views. But this political clustering is not limited to the far ends of the spectrum. According…
Bend Beer Culture Reaches into the Midwest
A new brewing company on the shore of Lake Superior is getting an infusion of beer talent from Bend. Following a nationwide search for brewers, Voyageur Brewing is bringing in Deschutes Brewery alum Anders Johansen, according to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. Marais will be joined by Portland organic beer expert and consultant Craig Nicholls.…
Source Weekly Media Salon Pie-Off: Bake Pie, Win Prizes
There aren’t many things in the world our newspaper staff loves more than pie. And with fall in full swing, and Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to give you—our loyal readers—a chance to practice baking your favorite pastry-based, filling-stuffed, savory or sweet dishes. Join us tonight at Broken Top Bottle Shop at 7…
City Seeks Applicants for Vacation Rental Task Force
As concerns about vacation rentals—and the number of applications—continue to rise, the City of Bend is taking steps toward finding a solution by forming a Vacation Rental Task Force, comprised of residents on all sides of the issues as well as representatives from other stakeholder groups. The task force will “help shape decisions about vacation…
To Binge, or Not to Binge
Binge watching Netflix is an art. An art that I have mastered. Sprawled out on my couch in my house-onesie, my phone in arm’s reach for randomly refreshing Twitter and the ability to order pizza without leaving my seat, I have only one goal in mind: watch every episode of whatever show I’ve randomly decided…
OREGON HOUSE DISTRICT 54: KNUTE BUEHLER
In the race for House District 54, candidates Craig Wilhelm and Knute Buehler are virtual clones in terms of policy stances. Aside from their perspective on Measure 90 (Wilhelm is opposed, Buehler is in favor), the two men hold exactly the same positions. Both are fiscally conservative and socially moderate. They support abortion rights and…
Law and Disorder
Last Wednesday, as the final Bend Farmers’ Market of the year was wrapping up, cop cars spilled into the parking lot between Brooks Street and the top of Drake Park. Before long, officers had surrounded a young, black man and brought him to the ground. Onlookers, unaware of any crime and unable to see clearly…
COUNTY COMMISSIONER: JODIE BARRAM
We are not necessarily making this endorsement based on personality differences—Tony DeBone is easy-going and likable, while his challenger Jodie Barram is high-energy and equally likable. But we are endorsing Barram because she has shown that she can translate her effusive personality into actively soliciting citizen input on issues and building coalitions. We should note…
Getting Through the Teens
She’s endured the sleepless nights of infancy, the temper tantrums of toddlerhood and the oh-so-awkward tween stage. But I checked in to see how well this full-time mama—a 55-year-old Bendite, cancer survivor and former college professor—is surviving the teenage years (14 and 18, to be exact). She preferred her name not be used. How old…
Sequined Indulgence
Poison Waters started coming to Bend with her big-wigged, sequin-abundant, witty, high-healed drag performances before Central Oregon had a local pride festival. For 12 years, the Portland drag queen and a crew of other performers have visited annually putting on a show that also serves as a fundraiser for the Human Dignity Coalition, a Bend…
Letters 10/7-10/14
IN REPLY TO “ACCESS DENIED” (10/1) I appreciate Erin Rook’s illuminating article on disability issues in Bend. There is no question that the city’s Accessibility Manager needs more funding and resources. More funding will help Karin Morris to succeed at her job and her success will mean a more accessible community for everyone. The City…
“Crooked River” Country
Valerie Geary’s gorgeous debut novel, “Crooked River,” is a haunting coming of age ghost story that follows sisters Ollie and Sam, set in Central Oregon. The Source recently sat down with Valerie to explore how “Crooked River” came to life. Source Weekly: In “Crooked River,” the Central Oregon landscape almost serves as a secondary character…
Hats Off!
In the three races for City Council positions, our editorial team had an incredibly difficult time choosing which candidates to endorse, and for the best reason—we were impressed by all of the candidates. Over the past few months, we have had the opportunity to profile each of the candidates, and additionally hosted them for endorsement…
Seasonal Spa Treatments
It is a fine line between wellness and indulgence—and one that is, well, healthy to cross over an opportunity to rejuvenate. Perhaps the most Bend’centric is the line of beer-based remedies and skin care offered by Anjou (225 NW Franklin)—only if they floated you on a SUP out to the middle of Mirror Pond at…
North Cascades Gains a New Route
What’s now deemed as the second hardest technical climb in the North Cascades was pioneered this past August by a trio of climbers including Bend local and climbing guide, Max Tepfer. The Tiger—11 pitches with six leads of 5.10+ and harder—was created by Tepfer, Blake Herrington and Colin Moorhead on 1,000 feet of granite near…
Not Soft and Fluffy
If it isn’t your cup of tea to walk out of the theater questioning whether there is any good left in the world, then, well, The Pillowman probably isn’t for you. A dark comedy-drama written by Martin McDonagh (Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges), the play is even creepier than its title implies. The story watches the…
Go Here 10/16-10/22
Bend’s location abutting the state’s prime climbing areas and the country’s mecca for sport climbing, Smith Rock, makes this time of year—with cooler daytime temps and autumn sun—ideal for getting out on the rock. Climbers may still be looking for shade but it’s far cry from the mid-summer heat. Smith Rock Climbing School Since 1983,…
Election Guide 2014
Our concerns about Bend’s City Council are best typified by the lack of forward progress on issues such as Mirror Pond and the lack of hustle initialized to set in place a tax of recreational marijuana sales. With Bend’s rapid growth—an expected 50 percent population boom over the next decade—it is concerning that the current…
Our Picks 10/15-10/23
thursday 16 League of Women Voters Candidates Forum POLITICS—We’re entering the election season home stretch. Political ads are peppering the morning commercial breaks and lawn signs are scattered across neighborhoods like miniature billboards (and some actual billboards). Cut through the marketing crap and hear the candidates for Bend City Council Position 6, live and unscripted.…
Make the Perfect Kölsch, Brew with the Big Boys
As has been widely documented by now, Bend is a fairly marvelous place to grab a pint. What may not be so obvious to the casual visitor is that Central Oregon is fertile breeding ground for homebrewers, hardy men and women willing to spend hundreds of dollars on equipment and endless weekends of their time…
The Wondrous Vole
Central Oregon is home to remarkable little mammals known as the vole. Not a “mole” but a “vole.” Just a tiny, short-tailed mammal of no significance—about the size of your thumb—a mere tidbit to a coyote, or a tasty snack for a badger. But put 10,000 of them in one pasture and they will eat…
Ballot Measure Endorsements 2014
BALLOT MEASURES MEASURE 86: YES Requires creation of fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education, authorizes state indebtedness to finance fund With the cost of post-secondary education increasing faster than incomes for college graduates, a means to mitigate the debt burden on young adults is sorely needed. This measure will make college a reality for more…
Rebirth After Rebirth
When I spoke with Matthew Paul Miller—stage name Matisyahu—he was in Minneapolis getting ready for a show at the iconic First Avenue theater. It’s a strange coincidence that he was staying with a friend who helped him record some of the first music he ever wrote when he was living in Bend over a decade…
CITY COUNCILOR 5: NATHAN BODDIE
CITY COUNCILOR 5: NATHAN BODDIE Mark Capell is a smart man, but he is also an in-the-box type of thinker. When asked what City Council should do to create more affordable housing—one of the most pressing issues facing City Council if it wants to preserve an all-inclusive way of life for residents—he responded by discussing…
CITY COUNCILOR 6: LISA SEALES
One of the most interesting and encouraging races for public office is between the four candidates to fill the place of departing Jodie Barram; each candidate is individually impressive—and, moreover, as a group, they truly represent the best that the city offers in terms of democracy and civic engagement. Casey Roats, a fourth-generation Bend resident…
Three Creeks: Movin’ On Up
The local brewery known all around Oregon for its FivePine Chocolate Porter (and locally for being the one place you really can’t walk to when marathoning the Bend Ale Trail) is about to make its presence far more known. Since its founding in 2008, Three Creeks Brewing Company has produced solid beer and pub food…
CITY COUNCILOR 7: BARB CAMPBELL
This is truly a tough race to call. Both candidates are qualified, but in very different ways. Incumbent Scott Ramsey is contemplative and calm. “I take in a lot of information,” he explained about his decision-making process. Meanwhile, the challenger for his seat on council, small business owner (Wabi Sabi) and community activist Barb Campbell…
Midwest Minimalist
Jeffrey Foucault grew up in a small town set amongst the cornfields of Wisconsin, going to school, church and fishing with the same kids kindergarten to twelfth grade—a recognizable rural Midwest upbringing that set him on his path to becoming a troubadour country ballad writer. His description of his musical upbringing is as poetic as…
U.S. SENATE: JEFF MERKLEY
We are endorsing incumbent Jeff Merkley, but not with a great deal of enthusiasm. In his endorsement interview, the senator displayed a woeful lack of understanding about issues in Bend. The senator repeatedly talked about central and eastern Oregon, as if interchangeable, and when asked about what he has done specifically to represent issues here,…
Source Suggests 10/15-10/22
DJ QBert Don’t expect an evening of laptop-rock, QBert isn’t that kind of DJ. He was a founding member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, has been the subject of two documentaries, and is considered to be one of the Godfathers and masters of scratching technique. His rhythmic manipulation of records is unmatched and has been an…
U.S. CONGRESS: AELEA CHRISTOFFERSON
In the 16 years (four terms) since Greg Walden has served as the representative in the U.S. House for the Oregon’s expansive second district, central and eastern Oregon have moved toward a more even split between Democrats and Republicans, with an increasing number of independent voters. While Walden’s by-the-book Republican views (he also serves as…
Out of Town 10/15-10/22
portland friday 17 Dave Attell Comedian Dave Attell has built his career and his standup set on getting drunk in strange cities and chatting about his raunchy experiences. Perhaps best known for his Comedy Central television show, “Insomniac with Dave Attell” which visited random US and European cities where Attell would drink irresponsibly and take…
GOVERNOR: JOHN KITZHABER
Though Oregon’s economy continues to limp, there have been slow but steady improvements in healthcare and education over the past four years. Say what you will about investigations into Gross Happiness Quotients, Kitzhaber has given us no reason to dethrone him. And while Dennis Richardson comes across as an unassuming grandfatherly figure, his assurances that…
