Cinematographer Greg Balkin made a short film in 2023 that so inspired him he’s organizing an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The 24-minute film, “The Life We Have,” which was shown during last year’s BendFilm Festival, follows Rob Shaver of San Antonio, Texas, for more than a year. After being diagnosed […]
Embracing What’s Real & Important in Life
Posted inFood & Drink
New Mexican Restaurant
A new Mexican restaurant has opened in northeast Bend. Dani’s Taco Shop has a robust menu starting with breakfast plates and burritos with eggs, potatoes, cheese and vegetarian and meat options such as beef, ham and chorizo. Other menu items include a variety of tortas, tacos, soups and more. The menu is vast and there’s […]
Posted inColumns
You Name It
I’m not talking about the nonhuman animate things we name, such as pets, even plants, but rather the inanimate things, like houses, boats, cars or even vacuum cleaners. I grew up in houses named Up Yonder and Verte Feuille, learned to sail in the Me Too. Since moving to Oregon, houses have been christened Dorothy’s, […]
Posted inCulture
Free Will Astrology, Week of March 26
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries poet Maya Angelou proclaimed, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” In that spirit, Aries, I urge you to tell everyone everything—all your secret thoughts, hidden feelings, and private opinions. Post your diary online! Confess your fantasies to strangers! Share your unfiltered inner monologue with […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
Pet Evacuation Team Scrambles to Save Lives
June 17, 2025, is a day Mick Phillips won’t soon forget. The 51-year-old resident of Crooked River Ranch owns A2Z Security and was working for a client in Bend when he got an evacuation notification on his phone due to the Alder Springs fire that broke out on Crooked River National Grasslands. “It went from […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
A ‘Turdological’ Survey
Most likely, The Bomb Squad, a local dog waste removal service, has already beaten you to any pun or turn of phrase you could possibly cook up related to their niche business. After all, these are the folks who define “turdology” as “the joyful study and pursuit of professional dog waste removal.” Their employees are, […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
Herd Mentality
Every other Saturday, at various pet stores in Bend and Redmond, the nonprofit Herding Dog Rescue of Central Oregon hosts adoption events, inviting the public to come meet the herding dogs available for fostering or adoption. At a recent event at Local Paws in Redmond, HDRCO President Jessi Harrison was joined by dog trainer Ali […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
Take Your Pet to Work Day — Everyday!
With more than 40 restaurants that welcome dogs, nine off-leash dog parks, miles upon miles of dog-friendly trails, and even dog-specific food carts and menus around town, it’s no wonder Bend is known as “Dog Town, USA.” The city of Bend has more than 12,000 licensed dogs, many of them on the go daily and […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
The Happy Little Hero
As Roger Caras, an animal rights activist, once wrote in “A Celebration of Dogs,” “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” This sentiment certainly captures how Ed Jackiewicz felt about his pup, Smooch. When Ed’s daughter first expressed her desire for a dog, her mother was skeptical. After being turned […]
Posted inCentral Oregon Pets
The Star of the Show
A miniature donkey from Montana has become a celebrity in Central Oregon. Cimarron Kid was relocated to Crook County in 2000, from Bart and Marion Barton’s donkey farm, Barton’s Brayin’ Assets. He found his Oregon home with their daughter, Kim Griffin, who also owns a variety of animals including a mustang, chickens and goats. The […]