Matter of Record
On April 21 a judge agreed to settle a lawsuit between the City of Bend and the Central Oregon Peacekeepers, an activist group formed to protect social justice protests. The decision brings an end to a year-long legal fight and orders Bend to pay $18,000 to cover the Peacekeepers’ attorney fees. The process started in…
What’s In Your Story Today?
I’ve been writing Third Act columns for a year?! Tempus really does fugit. By way of throwing myself a party, in this column and the next I’m going to re-noodle themes I’ve been chasing down over the past 12 months and, for that matter, forever. During the first half of life, according to author James…
Smith Rock Spring Thing
Smith Rock has seen a huge increase in visitors in the past few years. This is evidenced by any weekend trip out to the park where cars are seen to be parked to the pumpkin patch and sometimes beyond. Some estimates claim over 750,000 people visit the park each year. In 2021 all Oregon state…
Noticias en Español
Una tormenta de nieve al final de la temporada dio a los habitantes del centro de Oregon una luz de esperanza a que la sequía, una de las más fuertes en la historia de la región, podría aminorar. El reporte de precipitación Snotel de Oregon encontró que parte alta del rio Deschutes recibió cerca del…
Diva Drag Brunch Adds Bend to its Regular Roster
If you’ve never experienced the wonder that is a Diva Drag Brunch—or any drag brunch, really—then here are a few basics you should know. Try to come in an energetic mind state, because these shows are feisty and fun. But if you happen to come on a day you’re feeling sluggish, then the brunch and…
Artist Fact Sheet: Gus Clark & The Least of His Problems
When thinking about the Pacific Northwest’s music scene, one might not immediately hone in on its country music. However, if you know where to look you’ll find those artists and bands churning out brilliant bits of country, Americana and blues. One PNW native in particular, the talented Gus Clark, has managed to carve out his…
Better Call Mom
Our story ends in front of a pile of Ukrainian crepes. Some are flavored with savory herbs and cottage cheese, and others are filled with strawberries, vanilla and sweet cheese. These crepes, called nalysnyky (gnaw-lees-nike), make the perfect Mother’s Day meal. But first, some thoughts on the true meaning of Mother’s Day. We have this little…
Save Water, Plant Native!
Water—or lack thereof—is a hot topic these days. According to the latest Oregon Climate Assessment, more than one-third of Oregon has been in a drought for the last 20 years, and we aren’t likely to return to what we all think of as “normal” water conditions. The situation in Central Oregon is especially dire for…
Exploring Psychoactive Therapy
Some 23.8% of Oregon residents, or 783,000 people, suffer from a mental health illness according to Mental Health America. This is the third highest amongst all states and the District of Columbia. The American Psychological Association reported in October 2021 that 84% of psychologists who treat anxiety reported an increase in demand across the country. …
Astrology Week April 28, 2022
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Poet Jennifer Willoughby writes, “I am so busy. I am practicing my new hobby of watching me become someone else. There is so much violence in reconstruction. Every minute is grisly, but I have to participate. I am building what I cannot break.” I wouldn’t describe your own reconstruction process during…
UFOregon
On Sept. 24, 1959, Redmond police officer Robert Dickerson spotted a flying mushroom-shaped object moving side to side in the sky. It glowed green, yellow, crimson and blue, he reported, bright enough to illuminate nearby treetops and reportedly hovered in the sky for over an hour. The object pinged the Federal Aviation Administration’s radar, and…
It’s All Happening
Sorry, I’m gonna date myself real quick. One of the only times I ever skipped school was March 31 of my senior year when I took off during lunch to go to the first showing of “The Matrix” at my local theater. Yeah, I was a real troublemaker. I went into that movie expecting some…
Letters to the Editor 04/28/2022
Guest Opinion: In Response to “Firefighters Feuding,” News, 4/7 There have been three news articles regarding the fighterfighters’ union staff becoming unhappy with Fire Chief Mike Supkis and the board’s management of the 115 square mile fire district and the nearly 1,000 square mile ambulance service area. In July 2021 my elected term expired and…
