Cover Story
Redemption Versus Revitalization: Bend’s ‘BottleDrop Problem’
Wide-eyed, a panhandler in the Bend Redemption Center parking lot declared that a secret shadow government in Portland runs the statewide BottleDrop recycling program as part of a nefarious plot to control the population. With such an informational murkiness encircling the BottleDrop from local to state levels, this man isn’t alone in offering crackpot theories.…
The Nihilist’s Guide to Drinking in 2026
The federal government’s new dietary guidelines arrived earlier this month, and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has flipped the food pyramid on its head. Americans need to eat more beef! And mix more cheese, butter and whole milk into everything we eat. Interestingly, though, and enthusiastic drinkers, take heed: The recommendations regarding alcohol are…
Après Ski Spots Around Town
In Central Oregon, après ski refers to more than winter happy hour deals rebranded with a French preposition and a cool accent. The post-mountain libations, slurped early and fervently, indicate a lifestyle shift that the wisest among us make each winter. During these dark months, outdoor activities are best staged just before the sun comes…
Free Will Astrology, Week of Jan 29
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In ecology, there’s a concept called “keystone species.” This refers to organisms that have a huge effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Remove them, and the whole ecosystem shifts. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe you are currently functioning as a keystone species in your social ecosystem.…
Paint & Sip
Sometimes you just want to hang out with your gal pals, sip a beverage of your choice and share a fun activity together. Wine & Paint nights are popping up all over town. It doesn’t matter if you can’t paint, that’s not the point. It’s a monthly event at the Winery at Manzanita in Bend.…
Bingo, Bingo and Oh Yeah, Trivia!
Looking for a fun outing with friends that doesn’t involve screen time? How about some bingo?Playing bingo with friends and family combines anticipation and social connection in a way that makes it enjoyable for everyone. The rules of bingo are simple and straightforward. Large groups can relax and socialize while waiting for their numbers to…
A 2026 Resolution and Thoughts on Freedom and Liberty
Going back 250 years ago, our forefathers declared that all men are created equal by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This phrase embodied, in theory, the concepts of freedom and liberty as they existed in 18th century America but how those concepts evolved in our Constitution and our laws is the…
Snubs, Marketing Budgets and Future Classics
Here’s how I know my brain is a giant old warehouse full of contradictions, out-of-print VHS tapes and Drew Struzan movie posters: I hold space for the two competing thoughts that the Oscars are an out-of-touch racket that only celebrates films with marketing budgets in the tens of millions, while also obsessively theorizing for weeks…
Where to Watch Your Favorite Teams in Action
So where’s the best bar/brewery/food cart lot in Central Oregon to watch your favorite televised sporting events? There are so many that it’s like asking where’s the best place to go for a hike, bike ride, float, swim, ski, snowshoe, well, you get the idea. It’s no secret that Central Oregon has a plethora of…
From Punk to Grindcore—Heavy Metal Hitting Silver Moon
Crashing beats. Roaring vocals. Rushing melodies. People often group heavy metal music into a mixed heap of fast, thundering music. But if you listen to the five bands playing on Feb. 6 at Silver Moon Brewing, you will hear distinct styles and sub-genres, blending inspirations from hip-hop to death metal. Spina, Nerve Damage, Weapon World,…
New Year, New Look: City of Bend’s Website Gets a Redesign
On Jan. 26, the City of Bend unveiled its new website to the public. With big, bubbly visuals, a prominent search bar atop the homepage, and revamped menu organization across the board, the new bendoregon.gov is quite a departure from the previous iteration. The redesign project began in the summer of 2024 when the City issued…
Dispersed Camp Sites North of Bend Will Close in June 2027
In a joint meeting on Jan. 20, leaders from Deschutes County and the City of Bend agreed to extend the date of permanently closing the Temporary Safe Stay Area to June 30, 2027. That’s 170 acres in the Juniper Ridge area east of Highway 97, north of Bend, comprised of 50 acres of county land and 120 acres of city land. In 2024, county and city officials agreed to jointly manage the TSSA…
Why Get in a Lather Over a Lil’ Ol’ County Map?
Right now, county residents are up in arms about a district mapping proposal that would divide Deschutes County into five districts. If you have been following the labyrinthine path that got us to this political point, then you know none of this had to be this way. Voters said yes to a referendum in the…
A Pop-Up Persian Evening
A pop-up dinner will whisk you away to another country as Hoss Talebi hosts another one of his Persian nights. He’s occasionally offered the event over the past two years. Talebi, who owns Dogs and Fries at the Bend Airport, says he started the pop-up dinners after receiving requests. He was born in Iran, where…
Tax Money Put to Quick Use for Flat Fire-affected Landowners
Last summer, on Aug. 21, Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District staff delivered a presentation to its board of directors about a potential pilot program to, among other things, aid wildfire-affected landowners. Literally that same day, the Flat Fire broke out near Sisters. It ultimately burned more than 23,000 acres and prompted that pilot program…
A Free Kids Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo
An event aimed to inspire and engage youngsters with music is the idea behind a petting zoo of instruments. The annual Virginia Riggs Children’s Concert is a free event on Saturday, Jan. 31, which includes a “zoo” of instruments for children to hold and explore. The event, put on by the Central Oregon Symphony, will…
Pattie Gonia Sued by Patagonia for Trademark Infringement
Pattie Gonia, a nationally touring drag queen, entrepreneur and activist for LGBTQ and environmental causes, has been sued by Patagonia, the outdoor brand, for six claims of trademark infringement. The company is seeking a jury trial and damages of $1. The lawsuit may complicate Pattie Gonia’s upcoming national drag show tour, which will visit nearly…
Savage in Bend: The Oldest Business
Because I often get questions about the “oldest” things in Central Oregon, I thought I’d tackle one to kick off the Savage in Bend column for this year. Catherine H. asks, “What is the oldest business in Bend?” There are several factors to consider, but if we mean the currently operating longest business under the…
New Year, New Money Rules For Women
As the new year begins, many of us focus on wellness goals. More sleep, more movement, more balance. But there’s another type of wellness that deserves just as much attention in January: women’s financial wellness. And here’s the truth most traditional financial advice ignores, classic investment strategies were built around a man’s life path, not…
A Special Night of Blues to Support Students
Five-time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’ is headlining the return of Sisters Starry Nights in April. The benefit concert has raised money for the Sisters School Foundation for decades. Jeri Fouts helped launch the fundraiser with other volunteers in 1997 to fill a void in school funding due to two voter approved state measures that limited…
Letters to the Editor, Week of Jan. 29
Dismayed by the District Mapping Process As an Independent voter, I’m dismayed at the direction taken by commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone on expanding the Deschutes County Commission from three to five members. Republicans Adair and DeBone “control” the county commission, with Democrat Phil Chang in the minority. A committee was appointed mostly by…
Not Just Another Taco
As a Latina who eats a lot of Mexican food, to say that I love tacos is an understatement. To say that Taco Tuesday is my favorite day of the week is also a huge understatement. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I start thinking about what type of tacos I’m going…
Local Author Wins Literary Awards Following Publication of His Evocative Memoir About His Adventures
Michael Cooper, like most people, has many sides. There’s Michael Cooper, adventuring outdoorsman who’s racked up more than 8,000 miles trailblazing in the desert and backcountry, summitted countless mountains (including the 10 highest peaks in Oregon), run wild rivers, and been on the brink of death more than once. There’s also Michael Cooper, music journalist,…
