Our humble podcast of conversations with the local people who shape our lives had a great list of guests this year. While we regret that we can't revisit every episode, please enjoy these end-of-year top 10 lists from 10 of our favorites. If you want more, you can find the complete podcasts online. As we embark on a new year, if there's someone you really want to hear from, don't hesitate to reach out to podcast producer Megan Burton at megan@layitoutevents.com and we'll try to bring them on. Thank you for reading and listening — see you in the new year!
Jeff Knapp
CEO
Visit Bend
Things you might not know about Bend tourists:
1. They're kinda your neighbors. 35% of Bend visitors come from right here in Oregon. Most hail from towns along the I-5 corridor, like Portland, Salem or Eugene, while another 20% journey here from Washington.
2. Who's gonna pay for that? Visit Bend gets funded by transient room tax dollars (TRT) paid by folks staying in hotels and Airbnbs. That's what state law dictates, but only 35% of TRT gets funneled back into tourism promotion. The other 65% goes to the city's general fund for services like police and fire.
3. We make guests hug trees. While we don't literally force Bend visitors to be granola-munching eco-warriors, we do use TRT to protect and fix our wild places.
4. We'll stuff your stocking. We sell Christmas tree permits, Old Mill District gift cards and a huge array of Bend swag!
5. Where the @#$% did this traffic come from? If you've grumbled about tourists while sitting in a rush hour log jam on the parkway, you're not alone. But you're also not totally right. According to a 2024 ECOnorthwest study, most of the vehicles on the road during Bend's most congested times are folks who live in Central Oregon.
6. Like concerts and food? Hug a tourist. Tourists to Bend poured $157 million into dining at Bend restaurants in 2023. And about half of concertgoers at Hayden Homes Amphitheater hail from outside our area.
7. Give us your crappy plastic. You know those annoying plastic thingamabobs binding cans of beer and cider? PakTech handles can't go in your regular bin, but the Bend Visitor Center offers free recycling.
8. They leave something behind when they're skiing and floating. In 2023, nonlocal visitors to Mt. Bachelor helped pump $72.6 million into the Deschutes County economy. And out-of-towners who hit the Bend Whitewater Park made a splash with $26.5 million in economic output.
9. They're not just here for bikes and beer. Visit Bend worked with local voters to pass a bond measure funding the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund. Since 2015, this grant program has funneled more than $2 million in TRT dollars into arts and culture attractions.
10. We're merrily bobbing along together. If you've floated the river in July, you know it's a freakin' madhouse. Ever wondered about the breakdown of tourists to visitors? Turns out 68% of river floaters during peak float time are Bend locals. Looks like we all float on OK.
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-jeff-knapp-22139004
Bill Kowalik
Board Chair, DarkSky Oregon
(Thoughts from DarkSky Oregon)
Things we're happy to have seen in 2024:
1. A large part of Lake County, Oregon, was certified as the first phase of the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary. It's the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world and is about half the size of New Jersey, with potential to triple in size. Who knew that our Oregon Outback is that big and boasts star-filled night skies?
2. By contrast, one of our smallest cities, the city of Antelope, became certified as the first International Dark Sky community in Oregon. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh turns over in his grave!
3. And last week, the wonderful and little-known Cottonwood Canyon State Park, downstream on the John Day River, became certified as the second International Dark Sky park in Oregon!
4. Citizen scientists across Oregon are expanding the Oregon Skyglow Measurement Network, which measures the darkness, or lack thereof, of the night sky. It's a wonderful STEM project — and the night sky perspective introduces "A" for art, to expand it into STEAM. (See darkskyoregon.org)
Things we'd rather not see in the future:
5. 2025: Bright, white holiday lights outlining house roofs and gutters bring the look of the Las Vegas strip to Bend. (Artistic, creative, lighted holiday decorations are much preferred.)
6. 2055: By repeated expansion of the urban growth boundaries, the Central Oregon megalopolis exceeds the size, population, negative environmental impact and light pollution output of Los Angeles. Tom McCall turns over in his grave.
Positive developments to hope for:
7. 2025: Because of a manufacturing defect, the streetlights installed in Bend during 2019 are failing and turning first purple, then eventually blue. Those street lights should be recognized as a nuisance and a safety and environmental hazard. Not waiting for resident complaints, Pacific Power goes out at night to identify the failing LED street lights. And, instead of installing more of the same white lamps, replaces them with warm-colored, night-sky-friendly LED lamps that also improve the city's ambiance.
8. 2025: Costco management replaces the bright glaring, interrogation lighting that greets shoppers approaching the entrance at the new location in Bend. Management apologizes, in particular to its customers with aging eyes, for imposing such an unpleasant experience upon them. The new outdoor lighting will be warm colored, safety compliant and inviting.
9. 2030: After a concerted City of Bend traffic safety campaign with lots of well-positioned signs, the majority of residents and visitors to Bend finally understand how to signal at roundabouts, and actually do so. (Only when departing the roundabout, please.)
10. 2035: Recognizing the energy savings, reduction of carbon footprint, reduction of glare, safety improvements, benefits to human sleep patterns and to the wild ecosystem — all a result of quality outdoor lighting — Oregon makes history by becoming the first certified "Dark Sky State."
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-bill-kowalik-21991695
Dave Clemens
Operations Manager
Horizon Broadcasting Group
Things I shouldn't have said out loud on The Dave Clemens Experience in 2024:
1. Coca-Cola will stop selling its Spiced flavor. Big deal. I'm still upset that they stopped adding cocaine.
2. HBO and Max won't renew their deal for new episodes of "Sesame Street," leaving the show without a home: The situation is so bad, I saw Oscar at the BottleDrop asking for cans and spare change. AND Maria might finally start an OnlyFans!
3. Donald Trump pledged to build more monuments to American heroes: Personally, I can't wait to visit the Kid Rock Memorial.
4. Today is Friday the 13th: I know it's a silly superstition, but just to be on the safe side, don't walk under a ladder, cross a black cat or deny health care coverage to people who desperately need it.
5. This week, we learned that Styx will be coming to Bend with Kevin Cronin, Don Felder and, hopefully, their cardiologists!
6. Britney Spears has moved to Mexico: Now it's Mexico's turn to complain that WE aren't sending our best.
7. The cost to buy every item from "The Twelve Days of Christmas" this year is $49,263: Double that if the Nine Ladies Dancing are from Stars. You can't even get the seven swans a-swimming in Springfield, Ohio. You know, because someone ate them.
8. Gavin Newsom said he wants to "Trump-proof" California. What's he gonna do... shut down all the McDonald's?
9. A study ranked the "most fun" cities in America based on 65 metrics. Vegas is #1, followed by Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and New Orleans. They obviously don't know how fun it is to watch new Oregonians, from California, in Bend when we get our first snow of the season!
10. According to the FBI's Crime Information Center, 563,000 people were reported missing in 2023. That's nothing, on Election Day this year, over nine million people who voted for Biden in 2020 were nowhere to be found in 2024!
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-dave-clemens-21628813
Emily Kirk
Anchor
Central Oregon Daily News
Things about being a local TV personality and broadcaster:
1. The ability to connect and meet people in our community that I otherwise wouldn't get to know.
2. Working with some flat-out characters over the years! And also best friends. Or co-workers who become part of your "chosen family."
3. An easy icebreaker when someone asks, "What do you do for work?"
4. The chance to play dress-up and get ready for "prom" every day for live TV.
5. Being "in the know" about what weather is ahead or what is happening in the community on a daily basis.
6. Silly comments from viewers when out and about (like in the aisles at grocery stores) concerning how I look in "real life" versus how I appear on TV: "You're so much taller!" "You really wear a lot of makeup!" "You're skinnier than I thought!" LOL!
7. Being invited to celebrate and raise funds for worthy causes in our region and helping to bring awareness to different organizations.
8. Getting an adrenaline rush every day at work due to the nature of being on live TV — meaning, any mistake you make, thousands of people will see it! Performing can be fun.
9. Having a job that is different every day, and helps develop skills such as improvisation, staying calm under pressure, decision making and multitasking.
10. Having the privilege to play a team sport on the daily! From the on-air talent to the director, audio tech, producer, reporters, assignment manager and everything in between!
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-emily-kirk-22035112
Jo Franco
Chef
Americana
Moments from the Americana food truck:
1. The first time someone ordered a burger with grilled cheeses as the buns. We had never really thought of doing something like that, and when we put it together, it made us laugh.
2. One time, after a long day, we just finished cleaning and I dropped the bucket of oil we had just poured out of the fryer... it sucked more than it was funny, but we laughed the whole time we were cleaning it up.
3. One of the guys on the team dropped a whole quart of sliced limes that we had just gotten done. So, we sliced another quart and put it on his station, and he spilled them again.
4. Every single time we ask either "ketchup or burger sauce," our customer responds with: "Yes." Every time.
5. We used to say "yee-haw" when we would give a burger we called the cowboy to a guest. We thought it was a lot funnier than they did.
6. My uncle had never worked BOH [back of house], and he is one of the guys doing prep in the morning. He had cut himself when he first started, and then he cut a bigger chunk off his finger in the same spot right after the original healed. He was in pain, we were laughing.
7. Anytime someone comes up and quotes an Adam Sandler movie makes us crack up. Our original slogan, "Momma said it's the best burger in town" is a play on "The Waterboy."
8. Watching someone with a good amount of experience first start working the truck and realize that all their experience doesn't really help them. You can almost see their soul leave.
9. We enjoy our place at The Podski, so getting to know our regulars and the other carts' crews is always a good time. We have shared many laughs together.
10. My favorite thing about working on the truck are all the inside jokes that develop with one another. We are usually pretty beat after a long day, so we just start riffing with one another and whatever comes out that is funny becomes a saying on the truck. I love our team.
bendsource.com/news/listen-jo-franco-owner-of-americana-food-truck-21324613
John Kish
Entrepreneur/Owner
Somewhere That's Green
Musings Looking Back on 2024:
1. Building a cedar raised bed in your backyard and growing your own vegetables — super rewarding, delicious and cheap!
2. Learning to sew. I cannot stress enough the feeling of wearing your own custom clothes or altering your clothes. Fashion is a great way to express creativity, build confidence and spread color in this drab world.
3. Get the tattoo or piercing... just do it. The stigmas are gone, it's 2024, it's rad and you'll never regret it.
4. Read a book! I AM HORRIBLE at reading a book, but every time I do I learn so much... it helps me leverage my point at the holiday dinner table when arguments start. Facts are facts, America!
5. Dance it out. Adulting is hard, let go of your reservations and find opportunities to DANCE. Feed that inner child.
6. SEE MORE ART. Whether it's galleries, musicals, a folk band or museum — or even just some buskers. Art fuels the soul!
7. Watch "The Great British Bake Off" and try your hand at baking failure. It's humbling and so fun, plus the show just reminds you how humanity should be: kind and simple.
8. Delete your Facebook, or get off Reddit! They are cesspools of false information and infuriating, empty arguments. Protect thy mental health.
9. Use your blinker while exiting roundabouts, and zipper in when merging onto the highways. PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
10. Buy from local businesses only. The effect is not instant but builds a stronger local infrastructure/economy and has massive effects locally, which will only benefit you.
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-john-kish-21884285
Katy Brooks
CEO/President
Bend Chamber of Commerce
A light-hearted glance at 2024 and five things to look forward to in 2025:
Notable things from 2024:
1. City of Bend secures federal and state funding to build a new Hawthorne overcrossing.
2. Twinkle lights on the trees in downtown Bend... such happiness.
3. Bend City Council approves "tiny TIFs" (tax increment financing districts). God bless economic development, everyone...
4. The return of Alaska flights to PDX, year-round. Hallelujah!
5. Saying goodbye to the Ice Fine Jewelry store as Marty Smith retires after more than 50 years as a downtown Bend merchant.
My wish list for 2025 — with a bit of whimsy:
1. State legislature decides keeping businesses from leaving Oregon is actually important, adding incentives in the 2025 session to help them grow and attract more.
2. New, giant, googly-eye roundabout art installed, satisfying the googly-eye bandit who has been placing them on existing art.
3. New Hawthorne overcrossing designed as a ski ramp/jump.
4. Burgerville comes to town.
5. OSU-Cascades secures state funding to match a $1 billion investment from the Knight Foundation to construct an epic indoor snowboard, biosciences and wearable health tech research center... oh, and a coffee shop.
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-katy-brooks-21531648
Kris Metzdorf-Arnold
Program Director/On-Air Personality
KRXF 92/9FM
Shows I saw in 2024:
1. Foo Fighters at Providence Park in PDX: Dave Grohl is a bona fide rock star for a reason. Three hours filled with moments of tenderness mixed with relentless rock and great songs. Punk queen Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders opened. I was in heaven for five hours.
2. LCD Soundsystem at Hayden Homes Amphitheater: What an incredible performance; particularly the second half of their set. My face hurt from smiling so much during their set. Joyous.
3. St. Vincent at HHA: If Trent Reznor and Siouxsie Sioux had a baby, it would be St. Vincent. She was mesmerizing. And what a huge bonus to see Jason Falkner play guitar with her.
4. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at HHA: The second half of the show was like what I imagine a revival would be like. The crowd went off when they played "S.O.B."
5. UB40 at Oregon Spirit Distillers: I didn't know what to expect, but wow! They were so tight and awesome.
6. Styx at HHA: Apparently, I know every single Styx song. Still sound exactly the same. Fun show!
7. ELO at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit: Jeff Lynne didn't move an inch on stage, but it didn't matter. He sounded great and the visuals were also really cool.
8. Anderson .Paak at HHA: Drummer extraordinaire! Would love to see more funk shows like this come to town.
9. Chiggi Momo at Silver Moon Brewing at Bend Roots Festival: Fantastic local band with power-pop vibes. Female singer who's a badass bass player, too. Love her! Love them!
10. Amargoso at Silver Moon Brewing at Bend Roots: Rockin' local band with great chops! It's always a party when Amargoso plays.
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-kris-metzdorf-arnold-21918214
Michelle Healy
Executive Director
Bend Park & Recreation District
I get asked frequently if life at Bend Park & Recreation District mirrors the TV sitcom "Parks and Rec." The truth is there are some days that feel like we're in an episode, and at the same time, there's a lot of professionalism and pride going into what our team delivers for livability in the form of parks, trails and recreational opportunities. Here are 10 things you may not know about BPRD:
1. BPRD manages more than 3,600 acres, including two-thirds of the total as natural, open spaces like Shevlin Park, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve and Sawyer Park. When you think of a park, you may picture irrigated turf, but it's a small percentage (5.5%) of overall parkland.
2. Speaking of turf, we recently purchased Clifton, a robot who became the Most Valuable Player because he paints sports field lines fast (freeing up other staff to do other tasks), never forgets the dimensions needed and helped us save 312 hours of labor and 50% of paint supply this year.
3. We appreciate savings anywhere possible because we order a mountain of dog poop bags each year. We ordered more than 2.6 million bags last year, which includes sharing more than 100,000 with Dogpac for non-BPRD areas.
4. I don't know if Vince Genna, the first BPRD executive director, was a dog owner, but he was a visionary. He first conceptualized the idea of the Deschutes River Trail in 1958, hoping to connect Tumalo State Park to Sunriver someday. We're still working on it, but data proves it is crucial for our transportation system.
5. The Deschutes River Trail use increased from 2022 to 2024, particularly near Pacific Park's new undercrossing and boardwalk connection to Drake Park. And the Colorado underpass, the highest total use by any trail counter, had its peak day on July 4 each of the last three years.
6. Speaking of Independence Day, the July 4 pet parade is an Oregon Heritage event and just celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first parade. Over the years, animals have included June bugs, cats, deer, badgers, goldfish, chickens, squirrels, ducks, oxen, calves, a pet eagle, baby coyotes and two fawns in a netted baby buggy. In 1933, "cross dogs and rattlesnakes" were barred from the parade, and we've kept that rule for good reason.
7. The pet parade is one of many times when we enlist help from volunteers. From sports coaches to adopt-a-park groups, teen lifeguards and event helpers, 1,247 volunteers contributed almost 45,000 hours of service last year — equal to 22 full-time employees. That is extremely helpful and generous!
8. For readers who visit Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, Larkspur Community Center or The Pavilion, you're in good company. We had approximately 1.3 million visits from June 2023 to July 2024. We also have 2.1 million website page views with fitness schedules as most read.
9. More than 8 in 10 school-age children participated in at least one registration program last year, and older adults are making big strides, too — 40% of ages 65 to 85 play for life with us, including more than 5,000 with Medicare plan passes to facilities.
10. Teens can be challenging to serve, but Bend had its heyday in the 1960s when a teen council spearheaded a Teeter-Totter Marathon and set a world record of three weeks of continuous teeter-tottering totaling 504 hours. A new world record of 534 hours was set by Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, teenagers in 1966, and Bend teenagers met the challenge by setting a new world record of 728 hours. Way to go, Bend!
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-michelle-healy-22105623
Zak Boone
Chief Advancement Officer
Executive Director of COCC Foundation
1. People are really starting to figure this roundabout thing out!
2. COCC's enrollment continues to climb, and it's pretty darn cool that the college is now 75 years old.
3. The Duck Race is the single most fun "raffle" of the year, and again raised a ton of money for the community. (Also, if they ever do dredge Mirror Pond again, I'm guessing there might be a few ducks buried in the silt...)
4. It's getting harder and harder to believe that the "grass is always greener" with the growing number of xeriscape yards in Central Oregon.
5. I only ran into *one* extra-long, illegally parked truck on Bond Street this year!
6. If you need to see what a truly amazing, long-range community strategic vision and plan looks like, Envision Bend has you covered.
7. The "Bend Don't Break" podcast has to be one of the top 500 podcasts in the 97701 ZIP code — congrats!
8. The COCC Foundation will again be offering a record number of scholarship dollars — projected to exceed $2.3 million in 2025-2026!
9. The Source Weekly is truly my go-to for what's going on in town, candidate endorsements and also burns well in approved fireplaces.
10. Imagine if we could find a globally impactful use for fallen ponderosa pine needles?
bendsource.com/news/listen-bend-dont-break-with-zak-boone-21884316
