Catching Up with Mr. Humble
To call big wave surfer Gerry Lopez a legend at this point would be an understatement. Yet, he still finds this status shocking. Lopez talks about his accomplishments with a humbleness that only a true master of their craft could possess and has an air of calm surrounding him that is infectious. He pioneered some…
It’s Going to be a Hoedown
It’s that time of year again to bust out the boots and blue jeans, because “The Biggest Little Show in the World” returns! The Sisters Rodeo is traditionally held during the second week of June, with 2022 being no exception. Rodeo events kick off June 8 and go until Sunday, June 12. Dating back to…
Horoscope Week of June 9, 2022
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here’s a message I hope you will deliver to the Universe sometime soon: “Dear Life: I declare myself open and ready to receive miracles, uplifting news, fun breakthroughs, smart love, and unexpected blessings. I hope to be able to give my special gifts in new and imaginative ways. I am also…
Letters to the Editor 06/09/2022
Guest Opinion: Please Sign the “Kids Not Camps” Initiative for November Ballot No doubt since September of 2021, there has been an escalation of public interest regarding the growing population of Bend’s unhoused residents and where they should camp, how they should camp, who is in charge and how this gets funded. There has been a…
Going Batty Near Bend
If you haven’t spent time with bats, you’ve missed out knowing some very lovely and helpful animals that share this beautiful old Earth with us…our Home away from Home. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Central Oregon’s bats way back in the early ’50s when I met up with one of our wonderful epidemiologists…
Future Battles Over Guns
On May 14 a racist attack on a Buffalo supermarket killed 10 and injured three; it was the deadliest mass shooting of the year—until just 10 days later, when a gunman killed 21 and injured 17 at a school in Uvalde, Texas. At least 246 mass shootings occurred so far in 2022 according to the…
Shutoff Shutdown Shut Down
The Bend utilities department will resume water shutoffs for delinquent payments on July 1, after two years of allowing people who hadn’t paid their bills to keep drawing City water. City Manager Eric King issued an emergency declaration suspending water service shutoffs in March 2020 due to the pandemic. The order was due to expire…
St. Charles Employees Seek Union
About 300 St. Charles Health System employees filed for union representation on June 3, just a few weeks after the health care provider terminated 181 positions, citing large budget deficits. The employees are represented by the Central Oregon Providers Network and hope to join the American Federation of Teachers, the United States second largest teachers…
Proposed Managed Camp Has a Site
The Bend City Council approved the first planning phase of a managed village for the unhoused at its regular meeting on June 1. If approved after Phase 1 the village will consist of 20 Pallet-brand structures on about 2 acres of land leased from the Desert Streams Church on 27th Street. Central Oregon Villages will…
Some Want Studies About Managed Camps. The Proposed Camp off 27th Will Be That Study.
Last week, the Bend City Council approved Phase 1 for funding a managed camp proposed to be built near 27th Street and Bear Creek Road on Bend’s east side. Central Oregon Villages, the nonprofit launched by former Bend police chief Jim Porter, aims to place some 20 small and temporary structures there to house currently…
Gravel Bike Adventures: Credit Card Tours
Hot showers and a comfortable bed. That’s my idea of camping—so the idea of bikepacking has never been my thing. I see those bikepackers loaded down with all their gear and I wonder how they do it. I figure the first hill above a 4% grade and I would turn around. But what if I…
May the Source Be With You: Night Vale, Finales and Running Up That Hill
I think there’s a little trend that might be changing for the better when it comes to shows and podcasts right now. One of the running clichés about television is that the longer a show is going, the worse it progressively gets. There are very few shows going back decades that people think either got…
Craft v. Commercial
In the before times, prior to the establishment of Oregon’s Adult Use recreational cannabis program, the list of things to consider when purchasing weed was fairly short, including but not limited to: “Is it, like, chronic?” “How much?” and “How late from the time my dealer says they will arrive will they actually show up?”…
Understanding Intimacy: Should We Open Our Marriage?
Dear Dr. Jane, My wife and I have had problems with intimacy for years. At this point, we’re pretty much sexless. I think the last time we made love was before Thanksgiving. What do you think about us opening our marriage to fix the sex problem? She really doesn’t want anything to do with me sexually,…
The Enduring Duo
Most musicians found their activities curtailed during the pandemic. For the Indigo Girls, the past two years have been a particularly busy season. The duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray just released a livestream project, “Look Long: Together,” that took a year and a half to complete, they’re the subject of an upcoming documentary…
Adventures in Beer, Food and Wine
Moving to a new town might prompt one to troll the bars or to join a sports team to meet new people. In modern times, the online site meetup.com is another place for those looking for like-minded individuals—and that’s exactly where Tom Cappy went looking for connections when he moved to Central Oregon in March…
A Songwriter’s Album
In April, Bend-based band DRIFT released its debut album, the 12-track acoustic rock collection titled “The Innocents.” DRIFT features the talents of Mark Quon, Terrence Neal, John Allen, Matthew Fletcher and Linda Quon. Now the band is ready to throw a rocking release party this Friday at the Volcanic Theatre Pub. Mark Quon has a…
Love Note Begets Speed Dating Event
This spring, Ben Capelin thought he made a connection with a woman in the produce section of Newport Market. After failing to connect with her that day, he decided to leave a note at the market, inviting her to meet up another day. While it didn’t quite work out as planned, the experience did inspire…
Pricing Your Home to Sell
Deciding to sell your home can be exciting, stressful and confusing, especially when it comes to the list price. You might be cashing out on equity for retirement, downsizing, upsizing or looking for land. Whatever your situation, you want to be sure you are getting the best return on your biggest investment: your home. There…
