Cover Story
Falling through the Cracks at Cleveland Commons
By most appearances, Cleveland Commons, Central Oregon’s newest permanent supportive housing facility, was built for someone like Shawn Snyder. A retired professional rock climber and an SUV-dweller before the lifestyle became socially acceptable, Snyder, 55, has lived his life mostly on his own terms. He’s also been a divisive personality in the climbing community, banned…
Travel to Taizé in France Without Leaving Town
When I entered the dimly lit St. Helen’s Hall in downtown Bend on the first Thursday of October for the monthly Taizé meditation service, I was somewhat familiar with the music that originated in Taizé, France. These short and melodic spiritual songs are repeated several times as instruments and perhaps a solo voice are added over the…
Revolution and Other Lovers
Let me get the hype out of the way right from the jump so it doesn’t seem like I’m hyperbolically gushing over this movie for too many paragraphs in a row: “One Battle After Another” isn’t simply just an instant classic (which it is). Neither is it just another great Paul Thomas Anderson movie in…
Federal Grant Supports First-Generation College Students in Bend
Central Oregon Community College received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to provide low-income, first-generation students with specialized support to help them graduate and transfer to a four-year university. The TRIO Student Support Services grant will help 140 students per year over the next four years, pending congressional approval after the…
Free Will Astrology Week of Oct. 16
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I’m pleased to inform you that the coming weeks will be an excellent time to make a big wish upon a bright star. But I must also tell you how important it is to be clear and exact. Even a slight error in formulating your wish could result in only a…
A New Kind of Corner Store: Bend Roots Mercantile Sprouts on the East Side
A new kind of local love is taking root on Bend’s east side. Bend Roots Mercantile, a fresh new co-op-style market founded by local entrepreneur Merrideth Lindsey, is set for a soft opening in mid-October with full daily hours launching in November. The space will feature a curated selection of local foods, artisan goods and…
Redmond Among Central Oregon Cities Planning ‘No Kings’ Rallies
Back in June, the No Kings protests were clocked as one of the largest single-day protests in American history, bringing nearly 5 million people to the streets in 2,150 locations. Redmond was among them, along with several other cities in Central Oregon. On Oct. 18, Redmond residents are planning yet another action. Like the last…
With Health Insurance Costs Set to Rise, Deschutes County Will Remain ‘Poverty with a View’
Amid a government shutdown and growing economic uncertainty, one thing is sure: Health insurance — already expensive — is going to get a lot more spendy in the coming year. Part of that is inflation, but another part of it has to do with the tax credits that have helped keep health insurance relatively affordable…
Serving Up Fond Memories
The last varsity volleyball game in the current gym at Bend Senior High School will be Tuesday, Oct. 28, a bittersweet moment for the team. The gym is being demolished in June, as part of a four-year reconstruction plan funded by a $250 million bond that voters approved in 2022. The first phase of construction,…
Decision Delayed Regarding Expansion of Sisters’ Urban Growth Boundary
Sisters City Council has delayed its decision on the proposed expansion of its urban growth boundary until Nov. 5. That’s due largely to the recent rezone Deschutes County granted McKenzie Meadow Village, a 58-acre multifamily development north of Sisters High School. That Oct. 6 rezone brings the parcel from Forest Use 2 to Multiple-Use Agricultural…
Lazy Z Ranch
If you’ve ever driven on Highway 20 toward Sisters, you’ve seen the metal horses off to the left side, frozen midstride against the Cascade peaks. Just past them on the right, not as noticeable but with a much longer history, lies the Lazy Z Ranch. At first glance, with all the recent construction happening on…
Supporting the Immune System Through Fall and Winter
The morning frost outside and kids back in school remind us of the turning of the season. Seeing more upper respiratory infections in our clinic is also a reminder of the time of year when we’re more likely to come down with a cold or flu. This is a very natural rhythm, as we begin to…
New Indoor Sports Arena Under Construction
Jordan and Jacob Bailey are on a mission to build skills and confidence in the youth of Central Oregon, one sport at a time. They’ve owned the Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy since 2021, a sport they became involved with through their daughters. Their boys are active in skateboarding. “Jacob runs action sports camps at all…
A Market in Motion
As the leaves pile up and Halloween decorations take center stage across town, it’s time to reflect on the summer that was in Bend real estate. It’s no secret that the real estate market has been in flux this year due to factors like high interest rates, larger inventories, and buyer uncertainties. With misinformation spreading…
Are Porcupines in Peril?
Porcupines, which are the second largest member of the rodent family (Rodentia) and in the Beaver State (named after the largest member of the Rodentia), are classified as an unprotected species. But this status may change depending upon a new study of North American porcupines being initiated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.…
Letters to the Editor, Week of Oct. 16
Support for a Performing Arts Center Thank you for your September 25 article and your October 2 opinion piece about the need for a performing arts center in Central Oregon. I would love to see this come to fruition. I am concerned, however, that all acreage that would support a large center is being gobbled up by commercial and residential development. How…
