Jeff Johnston has a ritual during Central Oregon’s winter months. Several times a week, he finds himself, along with Kundi, his Australian Shepherd, standing in the pre-dawn light at Wanoga Sno-Park. As he unlocks a shipping container that houses a utilitarian Ski-Doo Skandic snowmobile, Kundi tears around in the snow, marking his favorite spots. After […]
All Wags at Wanoga Sno-Park
Posted inFilm
Claw and Order
It’s been a LONG nine years since Disney’s “Zootopia” was released to near universal praise and over a billion dollars at the box office. In my review of the film, I said, “‘Zootopia’ is an important movie for parents, kids and anyone who appreciates animated films. Asking people to be less prejudiced and more open-minded […]
Posted inCulture
Gingerbread Houses Support Affordable Housing
One of the sweetest holiday celebrations involves constructing Gingerbread Houses. Building a dream house out of cookies with icing cement and candy accents takes creativity, patience and will power to keep from gobbling up the lumber! Gingerbread Junction at Sunriver Resort is in its 30th year. The free event is a tour of wild imaginations […]
Posted inSmoke Signals
Feds Kill Buzz: Hemp THC Goes Up In Smoke
The reopening of the Federal Government last month was a good thing, but the spending bill that allowed it to do so? Not so much, especially for those who produce, sell and consume hemp derived THC. Thanks to an effort to “close the Hemp loophole,” in just under a year, it’s going to be illegal. […]
Posted inOutside
Return of the Snow Dragon at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
What originated as construction on a quinzhee (a snow shelter made by hardened show and hollowed out) at Meissner Sno-Park and evolved into an annual tradition, artist Joshua Cook and a team of volunteers are once again inviting participants to experience the “Snow Dragon” art installation on one of the most magical nights on the […]
Posted inCulture
Free Will Astrology, Week of Dec. 11
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Leonardo da Vinci painted his iconic *Mona Lisa* on a thin panel of poplar wood, which naturally expands and contracts with changes in humidity. Over the centuries, this movement has caused a crack and measurable warping. One side of the classic opus is bending a bit more than the other. Let’s […]
Posted inOutside
Shooting for the Snow Zone
Pete Alport arrived at the young snowboarder’s home at 11pm on a winter’s night in late 2022. The pair bid a cheerful goodbye to Kai Huggin’s parents and drove south from Bend into the night. Where Highway 138 intersects the north access for Crater Lake, they ditched the truck and fired up the snowmobiles. During […]
Posted inPodcasts, Video
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break, Kat Mastrangelo🎧
In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, host Aaron Switzer sits down with Kat Mastrangelo, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine, a free clinic serving uninsured adults across Central Oregon. Kat shares her journey from a career in health policy and hospital administration to leading an organization that provides critical care for those who fall […]
Posted inLocal News
Oregon: No Place to Die
Imagine this: You recently retired in the state you love. You’ve raised a family, paid off a mortgage. Supported nonprofits and the local restaurants in your community. Against all odds, you’ve even put some money away for the grandkids. You’ve prospered through a good life, most of it in Oregon, but your accountant has just […]
Posted inBusiness News
Holm Made Toffee Co. to Host Kids Makers Market
We are opening our toffee kitchen for a Holiday Pop-Up and decided to invite the next generation of Bend business owners! Find unique hand-crafted gifts created by talented young entrepreneurs from Central Oregon. Our vendors are hard at work creating: Shop for last minute gifts while helping these young makers learn how to successfully […]