The Bend Chamber of Commerce announced on May 28 that its CEO, Katy Brooks, will step into a new role with the City of Bend on June 30. Having seen significant growth in Bend’s economy since she joined the Chamber in 2016, Brooks hopes to bring her expertise in growth and community opportunity to her […]
Bend Chamber CEO Takes Job with the City of Bend
Posted inNews
LISTEN: Bend Don’t Break with Amber Thacher 🎧
In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Amber Thacher, Interim Executive Director of City Club of Central Oregon. Amber shares her inspiring journey from Boston to Bend—reflecting on her time as Senior Director of Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where she developed programs on economic development, policy […]
Posted inCulture
Strangers, Cheerleaders & Lovers
Happy Pride, everyone! While there have been amazing queer films being produced for the last several decades, Hollywood still doesn’t promote them with as much effort as they should unless they think there’s a chance for the film to win awards or make a lot of money. So many incredible LGBTQIA2S+ films completely miss audiences […]
Posted inNews
Deschutes County Fairgrounds Announces Summer Concert Lineup
As summer approaches, the Deschutes County Fairgrounds is gearing up for a busy summer full of festivals and musical acts, including its 2025 Kendall Toyota of Bend Free Summer Concert Series. On May 22, the Fairgrounds announced its lineup for its annual concert series, taking place from July 30 through Aug. 3, offering big names […]
Posted inOpinion
A Bill Banning Cell Phones in Schools Died in the Legislature. If the Governor Takes It Up, the Details are Going to Matter.
When we interviewed candidates in Bend and Redmond for the recent school board elections, one thing was almost unanimous: they, like many teachers, are in favor of having strong policies in place that restrict the use of cell phones in schools. There were some nuances in candidates’ arguments — such as a consideration for those […]
Posted inOutside
Glass Act: Saving Birds from Windows
Picture the perfect morning: songbird voices filling the air with their joyful chorus, announcing the new day. Then a sickening thud. Sadly, this heart-wrenching sound is all too familiar. What many do not realize is the staggering scale. New research (Kornreich et al., 2024, PLoS One) indicates that up to one billion birds may die […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Second Annual Oregon Gin Festival
The Oregon Gin Festival returns for its second year. Oregon Spirit Distillers on NE First Street in Bend is hosting the event on June 7. It’s an opportunity to sample products or sip a cocktail. Fifteen local distilleries are participating. Attendees can taste a variety of gin flavors and create what’s being described as a […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor
Fix Our Forest Act is Misguided Having lived most of my adult life between Central Oregon and California, I’m no stranger to the devastating impact of wildfires on our homes, health, and communities. These fires have intensified as policy makers fail to implement crucial climate change mitigation measures. The proposed Fix Our Forest Act (FOFA) […]
Posted inCulture
Horoscope Week of May 29, 2025
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are now highly attuned to subtle energies, subliminal signals, and hidden agendas. No one in your sphere is even half as sensitive as you are to the intriguing mysteries that are unfolding beneath the visible surface. This may be a bit unsettling, but it’s a key asset. Your ability to […]
Posted inMusic
Inaugural Bend Blues Fest
This year the summer solstice will be filled with the blues. Silver Moon Brewing is hosting its first Bend Blues Fest on June 21. Two outdoor stages will feature a lineup of local musicians starting at 2pm. Last October, Silver Moon launched a monthly Blues Revival after a regular performer at Sunday night open mic […]