Oregon State Extension Presents: The Central Oregon Small Farm School 2024
The Central Oregon Agricultural Show announces the upcoming Small Farm School event scheduled for April 6. The event is co-produced by the School of Ranch, The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District, and the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance, and will be held during the Central Oregon Agricultural Show at the fairgrounds in Redmond.…
Theater In The Park Returns With Hit, ‘Mamma Mia’
Lay It Out Events announces the return of the annual outdoor performance series, Theater in the Park, with the beloved musical sensation “Mamma Mia.” For over a decade, Theater in the Park has delighted audiences with unforgettable performances in the scenic setting of Drake Park. From the uproarious comedy of “Spamalot” to the poignant drama…
NeighborImpact Announces US Bank’s Foodie Crawl
Join us on Sunday, April 28, from 2-6 p.m. for this popular annual pub-crawl-meets-progressive-dinner event. At this celebration of local food and drink, guests sample small plates and beverage pairings from a select group of chefs and restaurants in downtown Bend, all for a good cause. From 2-4 p.m., guests set their own pace, exploring…
Near Record-Breaking Levels Of Visitation At Oregon State Parks in 2023
Oregon State Parks continued to experience near record-breaking levels of both day use and camping in 2023. It was the second busiest year for day-use visits with an estimated at 52.2 million visits, just behind the historic record of 53 million in 2021. It was the fourth busiest camping year with 2.9 million camper nights,…
Hayden Homes Named 2023 Company of the Year By Idaho Home Builders Association
In recognition of its decades of exemplary leadership in the industry, the Northwest’s largest privately owned home builder, Hayden Homes, has been awarded the Idaho Home Builders Association 2023 Company of the Year. In bestowing the honor, IHBA celebrates member companies that make significant contributions to the industry, to their local home builders associations, and…
Oregon State receives $10 million grant to work with 13 Native American Tribes on hemp economic development
Oregon State University’s Global Hemp Innovation Center has received a $10 million grant to work with 13 Native American Tribes to spur economic development in the western United States by developing manufacturing capabilities for materials and products made from hemp. The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture,…
Eastside Neighbors Advocate for Less-Concentrated Houseless Facilities
Since 2021, a homeowner in Bend’s Larkspur neighborhood has been documenting City and County transitional housing and shelter facilities, noting a high concentration in Larkspur and on the east side of Bend. Tom Gugg, along with others, advocates for the spread of facilities in other Bend neighborhoods, noting the potential for concentrated facilities to impact…
WinterFest Raises Over $12,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters
The 2024 Bend WinterFest made a memorable return to Bend’s Old Mill District this year. This year’s event not only marked its comeback to a beloved location but also set a new milestone in its philanthropic efforts by raising an impressive $12,500 for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBSCO) of Central Oregon. This significant contribution underscores…
A Day with the Community Crisis Response Team
It was 8am on a Wednesday when I arrived at the one-story building where the recently created Community Crisis Response Team operates. I had requested to spend half a day with the team to see how the program works. I had no idea what to expect during my visit. Program Manager Adam Goggins greeted me…
Central Oregon’s Winter PrideFest is Here!
The upcoming Central Oregon Winter PrideFest promises an unforgettable blend of entertainment, outdoor adventures and cultural experiences, uniting the community in a celebration of diversity and inclusion. “This is the sixth year we’ll be having it,” OUT Central Oregon Board President Brayan Gonzalez explained. “It’s four days of indoor/outdoor events and is a huge point…
A Look Ahead to Summer 2024: Musicians Descend on Bend
With the recent rounds of snowfall, I’ve found myself daydreaming of spring and summer. Sure, there’ll be plenty of time for paddle boarding and biking when the dog days of summer come around, but there’s no better way to spend a summer night than by enjoying an amazing live concert. Luckily, from post-grunge and pop-rock,…
Horoscope Week of March 7, 2024
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I invite you to entertain the following theory: Certain environments, companions, and influences enhance your intelligence, health, and ability to love—while others either do the opposite or have a neutral effect. If that’s true, it makes good sense for you to put yourself in the presence of environments, companions, and influences…
Letters to the Editor 03/07/2024
Correction: Last week’s story, “Over Bend’s Dead Bodies” was incorrectly labeled as News. It should have been labeled as Commentary. We regret the error. Guest Opinion: Ongoing Concentration of Poverty in Bend We are a group of concerned neighbors trying to shine a light on the issue of Economic Segregation in Bend. City of Bend…
Pinky G’s Pizzeria Opens on Third Street
The former Sergeant’s Cafe on Third Street is now officially a New York style pizzeria. Pinky G’s Pizzeria opened its doors Feb. 25, serving up whole pies and pizzas by the slice, as well as calzones, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, salads and more. Fans of Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” may recognize the brand,…
Bend Continues Transportation Fee Deliberations
The City of Bend continued deliberations around a controversial fee that could charge residents a monthly fee for street operations and maintenance. The Bend City Council offered two listening sessions at the end of February, where the public had an opoortunity to share comments and feedback. The Council will discuss feedback at a March 6…
Oregon to Roll Out New Drug Use Policies
A bill modifying components of Oregon’s controversial Measure 110 calls for recriminalizing drug possession and investing more money into new treatment programs. House Bill 4002 passed the Oregon House on Feb. 29 and the Oregon Senate on March 1. HB 4002 aims to help Oregon’s drug crisis by changing the policies around drug use, drug prevention…
Senate Passes Housing Production Package
The Oregon Senate passed a package on Feb. 29, aimed at creating affordable housing and housing individuals experiencing houselessness. The Emergency Housing Stability and Production Package, a top priority for Gov. Tina Kotek, will support housing production and makes it easier for Oregon cities to create infrastructure. Senate Bill 1537 and Senate Bill 1530, along…
Oregon's Land Use Laws Needed a Little Loosening
Among state policies, two things have made Oregon make national headlines in recent decades: One, of course, is Measure 110 and its attempt at a new path for drug decriminalization and treatment – a measure that got something of a reversal this week when legislators passed HB 4002. The other policy that has made Oregon…
Fear is the Mind Killer
Look, Frank Herbert’s “Dune” was such a large part of growing up for me that I was always going to be obsessed with any cinematic attempt to capture the weird desert magic onscreen. While there have been many terrible adaptations of books that I love (the “Golden Compass” and “Dark Tower” movies come to mind),…
Musicians Inspired by Everyday Miracles
Heart Dance Records is an independent record label that specializes in ambient, electronic, and new age music with its main HQ in Phoenix, Arizona. Initially a label started by classically trained flutist, Sherry Finzer, Heart Dance Records has grown into a nationwide recording company with countless talented artists recording and distributing original music as part…
Oregon pone en marcha la nuevas políticas sobre el uso de drogas
Un proyecto de ley que modifica los elementos de la controversial Medida 110 de Oregon exige repenalizar la posesión de drogas e invertir más dinero en nuevos programas para el tratamiento por drogas. El proyecto de ley 4002 fue aprobado por la Cámara de Representantes de Oregon el 29 de febrero y por el Senado…
Awakening Your Inner Hero
I apologize from the very beginning if you began reading today’s message because you thought it was going to provide some enlightenment about the art of sexual love-making. But hopefully today’s message will be one of the most life-impacting you’ve ever read on this eternally compelling topic. I never was comfortable with these common words for…
The Costs of Buying a Home
Buying a home is a thrilling milestone in life, representing independence, stability and a place to call your own. However, amid the excitement of house hunting and envisioning your dream space, it’s crucial to understand the financial landscape that accompanies it. Beyond the actual price, prospective homebuyers must grapple with myriad upfront and/or out-of-pocket costs.…
Boxwood Kitchen Becomes Mill Works Pub
An Old Mill District restaurant is now a pub. After a short closure and a rebrand, the space formerly known as Boxwood Kitchen recently opened under the name Mill Works Pub. Boxwood closed in late January to undergo a rebrand and redesign. The space reopened March 4, with a new look, more beer taps and…
Source Warmup
E-Bike Legislation Passes Oregon Senate Legislation that updates definitions of e-bikes in the Oregon Vehicle Code passed the Oregon Senate. Trenton’s Law, named after Trenton Burger, the teen who was struck and killed by a vehicle this summer while riding a Class 2 e-bike in Bend, was introduced by Rep. Emerson Levy, D-Bend. HB 4103…
Sasquatch Seriously
In Oregon we take Sasquatch (also known as Bigfoot) seriously. It’s one of the main legends associated with this state — so much so that when I travel and tell people I’m from Oregon, they ask if I’ve seen Bigfoot. I haven’t, but I also don’t spend that much time in the forest, to be…
