Summer is Awesome (Don’t complain about the heat)
I don’t like to whine about the weather. We live in the high desert portion of the Pacific Northwest.
Wash Your Damn Hands: Contagion is basically a star-studded public service announcement
If I had it my way, I would go my entire life without seeing Gwyneth Paltrow's skull sawed open and the skin on her head peeled back. But this is what happens as doctors performed an autopsy on her Contagion character, Beth Emhoff. It's the kind of moment where you put your hand up in…
Win Joan Osborne Tickets
I will proudly say that I will not make a single “What if God was one of us?” jokes in this post. I promise.
With Water Gone, Fish Perish In Tumalo Creek
A project designed to improve fish habitat on Tumalo Creek resulted in an unintended fish kill over the weekend. It’s not clear how many fish were killed when a crew working with the Tumalo Irrigation District dramatically cut back flows on the already meager Tumalo Creek downstream from Shevlin Park where the district pulls most…
New Music: From The Ashes Of Roma Di Luna Comes Polica!
A couple weeks ago, I told you all about a brilliant debut album from a group called NewVillager. Well.
College Football: Nicknames and mascots
The college pigskin season started this past week and with it time to once again examine team nicknames and the current trend to wild uniforms. There are nicknames and uniforms that are truly fearsome and some that are, well, not destined to strike fear into the hearts of anyone, much less the opposition. First to…
Filling a Void: Planker Sandwiches puts a distinctive twist on the traditional sandwich shop
Joe Devenchenzi had a simple idea. After years in the restaurant business he wanted to make and serve fresh products while avoiding the late hours. After visiting Bend for most of his life and owning a home in town for the past eight years, the Grants Pass native decided to open up a place of…
The Gospel According to Larry David
I think we can all agree that the Ten Commandments – while certainly serving their purpose – is something whose time has passed. In fact, toss the whole Bible out while you’re at it.
On Gifts From Friends
On a recent Sunday evening, 3,000 miles from home and feeling every inch of it, I opened a bottle of wine. It was a gift from friends, an Argentinean red I knew to be excellent, but contrary to plans I had for it, it was not a joyous occasion. Across from me, my wife sat…
Deschutes Reveals Jubelale Label Art
It’s not quite fall, let alone winter.
Neighborhood Association Change on Hold
Numerous neighborhood association representatives made their voices heard at the Sept. 7 City Council meeting, enough so in fact that the Council chose to shelf an amendment that would alter the city’s relationship with the associations until a later date. The Councilors, who approved a change that would classify the associations as nongovernmental on Aug.…
West Coast Bank to Close in Bend
Serving as yet another indicator of our dreary economic reality, both Bend West Coast Bank branches are reportedly scheduled to close — the last two such branches east of the Cascades. A brief chat with an employee at the Century Dr.
Obama Bashing Accomplishes Nothing
Over the past few weeks I have read with much dismay, the opinions put forth that our president is either worthless or spending too much. Those are not the exact words but they convey the overall tone. First and foremost, I moved here to Bend because of my love for Central Oregon, but what I…
Brandi Carlile Returning To Bend
Minutes after I posted this about last night’s awesome Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlile show at the Les Schwab Amphitheater, I saw on the Random Presents site that Carlile is coming back again this winter. Carlile, known for her gutsy roots rockers and battleship of a voice, is heading out on her first-ever solo acoustic…
Time for Bend to Grow Up
I heartily endorse the plan to elect our mayor, which appeared in the Source recently. I am glad to see this interest by some council members after the flabby excuses for not electing our mayor made by an ad hoc committee. The mayor should be elected by the citizens, as befits a town that has…
On Grammar, Guns and Class War
Sirs, I feel the need to respond to some letters from the last issue. I applauded Mr. Gerard's efforts to preserve the grammatical integrity of the English language, but must point out to him the error of his ways. I don't imagine he consulted Mr. Webster before he wrote to you, or he would have…
Our Straight Poop Is Freshness-Dated for Your Protection
Monday, Aug. 29 Ill winds blow Wall Street good: Lower-than-expected damage toll from Hurricane Irene pushes insurance company stocks higher … Hurricanes … in Vermont? Flooding from Irene creates worst natural disaster in Vermont since 1927; at least three killed … Shelter from the storm: Algeria gives asylum to 31 members of Libyan dictator Muammar…
Bend's Builders Come Begging Again
In baseball, the rule is three strikes and you're out. But if you're part of the building and development lobby in Bend, you just stay at the plate and take as many swings as you want. Three years ago, in the throes of the Great Recession, the local builders had the bright idea of asking…
Mt. Bachelor Announces Price Increase/Improvements
Mt. Bachelor made its annual announcement as to the prices for the upcoming winter’s season passes last week. The price has yo-yoed over the years, but has remained stable over the past few seasons with just a few minor tweaks. This year, season passes are $829 for adults if you buy by September 30 and…
Our Picks for 9/8-9/15
Reverend Horton Heat thursday 8 The irreverent Reverend Horton Heat is making a return appearance to heat up the Domino Room with some of the craziest psychobilly jams you're likely to hear this side of Texas. Opening the show is a band whose name we just heard bleeped out on a radio ad – Nashville…
Big Talent in a Small Town What you'll be hearing at the Sisters Folk Festival
This weekend, almost all of Sisters will be taken over by the annual Sisters Folk Festival, the celebration of all things rootsy that's long been an institution of the outdoor music scene here in Central Oregon. Now one of the most acclaimed mid-sized folk festivals in the country, Sisters Folk has expanded its scope and…
A Well-Hidden Gem: Pono Farms & Fine Meats is a cut above the rest
The restaurant world preaches location, but what's often forgotten is equally important – execution, variety and customer service. Pono Farms & Fine Meats is a butcher shop/deli offering fresh cuts and preparations of ranch raised beef and pork direct from their Central Oregon farm. This is farm-to-fork like you've never seen. Fresh ground beef, shaved…
Little Bites: The Pod: A cluster of food carts for your convenience, with more to come
It's time to eat and you're craving some freshly beer-battered salmon and sweet potato fries from So Wild Fish and Chips, but your lady friend is insisting on rice and veggies. At best, such a situation means one of y'all is going to need to compromise on your dinner plans. At worst, you're going to…
Blair Witch in Space: Apollo 18 belies its “found footage” scenario and goes for the gusto
We all have to make choices. Like if someone tells you a story and says it really happened, you choose to believe it. And if it's an especially good story, well even better. If it's embellished, all over the map and totally unbelievable, but ultimately makes you laugh, well, then all the better. If you…
Holy Shark! Shark Night 3D: Come for the sharks, stay for the other sharks
I know you're not going to see this movie, but I'm going to review it anyway. Just to spite you. So, Shark Night (not to be mistaken for Shark Knight, the aquatic adventure film starring Martin Lawrence and Mo'Nique that follows the exploits of a chivalrous mako shark and his… I've just been told that…
Remind Yourself Never to Forget
In case you haven't heard (or haven't been reminded in the last 45 seconds), this coming weekend marks a very important day of remembrance for Americans – and those who hate Americans. (And NO, it's not Free Slurpee Day at 7-Eleven!!! That was JULY 11, idiot, not SEPTEMBER 11!! Confidential to terrorists: Free Slurpee Day…
Superstar, Supermodel: Tom Brady's clothing advertisements are too sexy for the NFL
I don't only read sports magazines. I'm an indiscriminate fan of several publications, many of which are left on my coffee table and toilet tank with the intention of letting my houseguests and/or bathroom users know of my varied and erudite interests. So now you know why I was reading Esquire the other day. As…
Firefighters Expect an “Extended” Battle Outside Sisters
It’s been several years since Sisters, a community that knows a thing or two about wildfire threats and evacuations, saw its last major conflagration. But that could change this week as the Shadow Lake Fire, which is burning about 15 miles west of town, grows.
Video: Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlile
Last night, things were somewhat bittersweet at the Les Schwab Amphitheater. On one hand, it was the last show of what’s been a great summer in music at the LSA, and that’s a bummer.
Central Oregon Soldiers Arrive Home From Iraq Today
Back from their missions in Iraq where they conducted force protection and convoy security are 18 Central Oregon soldiers who served as part of Operation New Dawn. Sixteen of the Oregon National Guard soldiers, who are members of the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade, fly into RDM at 11:30am and another two arrive at the…
