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 […]
Return of the Snow Dragon at Virginia Meissner Sno-Park
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 […]
Posted inBusiness News
BLM Launches “One Dollar, One” Tree Holiday Savings Across Local Public Lands
The Bureau of Land Management has announced a series of holiday affordability measures that will help families save money, enjoy public lands, and support wildfire prevention efforts across Oregon and Washington during the 2025–2026 winter season. Effective immediately through January 31, the BLM is reducing many personal-use permit fees to just $1, including Christmas tree permits […]
Posted inBusiness News
Portion of Newberry #2 Snowmobile Trail Closed This Winter
Starting December 1, a portion of the Newberry #2 Snowmobile Trail will be closed between junction #317 and #321 south of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument approximately 14 miles east of La Pine. The temporary closure will remain in place through April 15, 2026. The Deschutes National Forest is implementing this temporary closure to provide […]
Posted inBusiness News
County Hosts Online Open House For South Century Drive Roundabouts
The Deschutes County Road Department invites community members to a second online open house to review designs for roundabouts at two intersections on South Century Drive. This follows the first open house held last spring. South Century Drive is an essential route near the Sunriver and Three Rivers communities. The Road Department plans to install roundabouts […]
Posted inBusiness News
The Novel Idea 2026 Community Book Club Pick is Revealed
Deschutes Public Library is pleased to announce Thomas Kohnstamm’s novel Supersonic as the 2026 A Novel Idea selection during a public unveiling event. The book reveal reached new heights as Seattle-native Kohnstamm, who had been quietly hidden among the guests, surprised attendees by taking the podium to speak about his book’s selection. Complementing Supersonic, a youth edition pick was […]