A lot of people cheered when the Oregon State Legislative Assembly this session repealed the controversial wildfire risk map that some allege was a factor in rising insurance rates for their homes. Insurance companies we talked to for an earlier story assured us they have their own maps to assess risk — and anyway, a bill […]
With Home Fire Prevention Efforts, Expect a Future of Patchwork Regulations
Posted inFood & Drink
Longboard Louie’s is Closing!
You heard it right: Longboard Louie’s is shutting its doors for good. It’s been a Mexi-food staple with a Mayan Hawaiian twist since opening on the westside in 1996. That location closed some time ago and the eastside location off Greenwood Avenue opened in 2007. Menu favorites include tacos, burritos, and enchiladas with proteins like […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Roadhouse Vibes
You’ll catch the smell of brisket in the air before you even step out. That’s the smoker—tucked off the lot like a wood-fired sidecar to the kitchen inside Cross-Eyed Cricket. Formerly known as Mavericks, the space was purchased by owners Mike Moor and Luke Mason in 2020. They preserved the dance floor, ditched the shortcuts […]
Posted inCulture
Breaking Through Chronic Healing Plateaus
After 25 years in naturopathic medicine, I’ve seen it countless times: a patient who eats well, takes supplements, prioritizes movement and mindfulness—but still feels stuck. Despite all their efforts, a particular chronic issue simply won’t budge. As a new transplant to Bend, I’ve been inspired by the depth of self-care knowledge in the community—people here […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 07/10/2025
Another Magical Event Spring gives us Homegrown. Fall, Roots. And now, thanks to Chicago Bob Dougherty, summer gives us Bend Blues Fest. On a chilly Saturday at Silver Moon music lovers were treated to a remarkable day of nonstop blues. The talent was undeniable, and the joy displayed by the bands was reciprocated by the […]
Posted inCulture
Horoscope Week of July 10, 2025
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In Yoruba cosmology, ase is the sacred life force that animates the universe. It’s divine energy that can be harnessed by humans to make things happen, to speak and act with ardent intention so that words and deeds shape reality. I am pleased to report that you Cancerians are extra aligned […]
Posted inMusic
It’s Not Too Late to Whip It
It all started around a campfire at the beach during the pandemic. Brian pulled out a guitar, and Beau started singing. Jerry had a guitar, too. Back home in Bend after the trip, they added drums, pulled in a couple more guys, and fired up a bonafide jam session in someone’s garage. But this wasn’t […]
Posted inOutside
“This Land”
A new art exhibit at Scalehouse gallery is conceived from the idea that seeing one’s own reflection is troubling. In the early 1900s, Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa explored the notion that a mirror is unnatural because it collapses the distance between the “I who sees” and the “I who is seen.” Today, Oregon artist Ben Buswell […]
Posted inNews
When Wells Run Dry
What happens above ground stays above ground, but below the surface, water doesn’t recognize fence lines. The aquifer beneath Deschutes County operates as a single, interconnected system where water use in one location directly affects availability throughout the region. Nearly 35,000 residents—approximately 16% of the county’s population—depend on private wells that tap into the same […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Sippin’ on Sunshine
When happy hour rolls around, many of us mix our favorite cocktail: gin & tonic, margarita or maybe just a chilled glass of pinot grigio. But for many of us seeking alternatives to alcohol, there’s a whole new world out there for us: Cannabis cocktails. And do I have the perfect alcohol-free, cannabis-based cocktail for […]