Cover Story
Paid Parking Plan for Downtown Bend Sparks Debate
Pulling into a street parking space in downtown Bend with his family of four on a recent Tuesday afternoon, Rory Howland was pleasantly surprised to not see any parking meters. “Our downtown is all meters, $2-and-something cents an hour,” said Howland, who was visiting from Santa Cruz, California. Unlike Howland’s town, Bend offers two hours of street parking for free. “It’s nice to see a sign that says ‘free parking,’” he said. It’s a sight that…
The Buzz on the Sunriver Wildflower and Pollinator Festival
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Central Oregon Wildflower Show and Pollinator Festival, sponsored by the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory on June 27. This annual event highlights the beauty of native wildflowers and flowering shrubs, and their relationships with a diversity of pollinator species, and coincides with National Pollinator Week, June 22-28.…
Veteran Rapper Wax Brings LA Sound to Bend
I was surprised to hear Michael Jones say he’s never felt like he made it, considering the 17 years and dozen studio albums under his belt, not to mention the numerous national tours he’s gone on. He explained that success is an ongoing process, and every development always felt like a stepping stone toward something bigger. Part of that sentiment is tied to…
MusicOregon is Hoping for a Bigger Turnout in Bend the Second Time Around
In a community filled with talented local musicians and supporting venues, participation in a listening session in May aimed at providing more support for musicians was low. MusicOregon is returning to Bend, hoping to drum up a bigger crowd. The nonprofit is on a statewide listening tour to gather input that will influence future programming,…
The Truth is Around Here Somewhere
I think how much you’ll like “Disclosure Day,” the newest film from Steven Spielberg, depends a lot on what your favorite film of his is. From the raw, thrumming energy of “Jurassic Park,” “Jaws” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” to the throwback sentimentality of “E.T.” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” back around…
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
The old adage “don’t shoot the messenger” has its roots in ancient times when messengers were literally people traveling to deliver news that may or may not be taken well by the receiving party. It was understood that to ensure these messages made it through, the messenger must be guaranteed safe passage and not be laid…
Free Will Astrology, Week of June 18
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Eastern monarch butterflies migrate annually from the American Midwest to central Mexico. The individuals who start the journey from Nebraska or Wisconsin die long before they reach the oyamel fir trees of Mexico. So do their children and their grandchildren. Their great-grandchildren finish the trip, though they have never been to…
Residents Who Filed Complaint Against Sheriff Candidate James McLaughlin Speak Out
On Feb 25, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Lt. James “Mac” McLaughlin stood outside a home in Sunriver. The DCSO SWAT commander, McLaughlin was leading a team in delivering an arrest warrant to Paul Akehurst, who was wanted for allegedly making $700 in purchases with a stolen gasoline card he’d bought and eluding officers several times…
In a Sheriff’s Office as Troubled as This One, Skepticism Comes with Every Turn
Maybe the allegations levied by Sheriff Ty Rupert against his Deschutes County sheriff opponent, Lt. James “Mac” McLaughlin, are no big deal. Or maybe they’re grounded in facts and evidence. Based on recent revelations uncovered by this paper, it seems that the latter could very well be true. But when it comes to the sheriff’s office today, with as many skeletons as this one, forgive us if the whole thing comes with a lot of skepticism — and…
Bites & Sips
Waffles? Yes, please! The image of a waffle window sounds delightful. Stoopwafel is serving sweet treats from a side stoop at Pangaea Guild Hall in downtown Redmond. Mini Belgian waffles and waffle tacos come in sweet or savory flavors like Goodberry, which combines berry compote, lemon curd and whipped cream, Campfire — a twist on…
This Is Not a House
The image above borrows from René Magritte’s 1929 painting, The Treachery of Images. He painted a pipe and wrote beneath it, “This is not a pipe.” He was right. It was a painting of a pipe. A representation. A symbol. Not the thing itself. The same is true of the photo above. That is not…
Letters to the Editor, Week of June 18
The Fix our Forest Act is flawed It is great to see considerable local support to save The Roadless Rule, and I am one of those Roadless Rule supporters. I am writing this letter because there also needs to be opposition to the Fix Our Forest Act (H.R.471 /S.1462). Janelle Bynum voted in support of…
Nourishing the Body & Soul
A partnership between Family Kitchen, FREAK’N ART and Open Space Event Studios will culminate with a pop-up art show to raise money for local artists and to feed the homeless. Family Kitchen is celebrating its 40th birthday with a renewed energy. The nonprofit provides free, nutritious meals to anyone in need in a safe and…
Rhiannon Giddens
Rhiannon Giddens is a musical polymath. As someone who started out studying opera vocals, she’s best known for her skills as a formidable banjo player. Along the way, she has played a major role promoting old-time music and bluegrass while smashing the stereotypes of this genre being homogenous (i.e. strictly created by White people). That’s…
Redmond Airport Lands Bend Brewing, Sisters Coffee and Sparrow Bakery
Travelers at the Redmond Municipal Airport will have their choice of Central Oregon favorites including Sisters Coffee, Bend Brewing Company and Sparrow Bakery when an expansion project wraps up there in late 2027. The Redmond City Council signed a contract with Tailwind Hospitality, LLC, a national airport concessions company that will facilitate the local restaurants at the airport. The vendor plans to create a new food hall with walk-up counters, self-order kiosks, express areas and a grab-and-go market. That…
A Fresh Start, Beautifully Served
There are restaurant openings, and then there are restaurant openings that feel like the beginning of something special. Rosemary and Fox, the new chef-owned restaurant in the former Jackalope Grill space in downtown Bend, falls firmly into the latter category. While many longtime locals will recognize the building, they may hardly recognize the interior. The…
A Journey Back in Time
On a recent Saturday morning, trained volunteers with the Deschutes Historical Museum led small groups of people through Bend’s historic downtown neighborhoods. The walking tours explore architecture, landmarks and unique stories from the early 1900s, including those of six Bendites who helped transform the early community. Volunteer and tour guide, Staci Louie, has been leading…
Patio Season has Arrived
When the bright, beautiful Central Oregon sun finally burns off the High Desert-ified frosted chill, I have a ritual that reawakens the warmth in my bones and sheds off my Seasonal Affective Disorder like so many discarded layers of North Face. I find a patio in Bend, bring a book and either drink coffee or…
Complaint Alleges Sheriff Candidate Ty Rupert Broke Campaign Law: Updated
A complaint filed with the state ethics body alleges Deschutes County Sheriff candidate Ty Rupert misused county resources while campaigning for the top law-enforcement position in the County. Rupert, who was appointed interim sheriff by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners in July, embarked on a series of town halls throughout Deschutes County, beginning…
Bend Contemplates Future City Hall Sites
A new analysis shows property near Pilot Butte may be the most feasible for a new Bend City Hall project, but city councilors are holding on to the vision that the future headquarters will anchor a planned urban core closer to the Bend Parkway, the Bend Central District. The Bend City Council backed a staff…
