In my half-filled baby book, my mother wrote several entries about my appetite such as, “Loves bananas, crackers, and cookies” or “Loves to eat all the time.” Was this an early indication of my affair with food? I use that word quite seriously because it’s something I keep quiet about unless I’m around other food-smitten […]
Food, Books and Connection
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Big Ponderoo
One of the best things about Central Oregonians is our love of nature. So it’s no surprise that the SFF Presents outdoor festival, Big Ponderoo, is returning for its fourth year. Nestled beneath the giant shade trees of the idyllic Village Green Park in Sisters, this family-friendly event promises to be a summer sensation. With […]
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Movement Enthusiast Unlocks Joy Through Dance
Born to dance, Elise Porter, a Bend resident and local movement aficionado, pursues her life’s purpose by helping “humans get unstuck and release into the full joy of movement expression.” Propelling herself into as many styles of dance as possible, from high-school belly dancing classes and ballet-modern fusion in college, she’d jumped at every dance […]
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Same Spirit, New Stage: The 4 Peaks Music Festival Moves Indoors
The 4 Peaks Presents Music Festival, a cherished Central Oregon tradition since 2007, looks a little different this year, but the spirit remains the same. While it usually takes place outdoors, 2025’s event will move inside to the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend June 20-22. The 4 Peaks Music Festival all began with five […]
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Kiki with Cliché
From summer festivals and Pride events to a weekly queer night at local cocktail bar, Dogwood at the Pine Shed, local DJ duo Cliché is gearing up for a busy summer. The two DJs, Sean Lawrence (Father Sean) and Jonathon Lynch (Daddy Doubtfire), played their first gig together in 2023. According to Lawrence, the group […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Northern and Southern India by Way of Downtown
As someone who has lived and worked in downtown Bend for over 15 years, I can’t tell you how excited I get when a new restaurant opens that reaches beyond the comfort zone of brewery/pub food, steak houses, wine shops, and fine dining. Don’t get me wrong, there is some amazing food downtown that falls […]
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Summer Guide 2025
Keep this guide handy to help plan your summer! Kiki with Cliché: Bend’s queer DJ duo, Cliché, prepares for a summer of inclusive local events to find community on the dance floor Same Spirit, New Stage: The 4 Peaks Music Festival Moves Indoors Big Ponderoo: The Sensational Summer Festival in Sisters ‘Get Innocuous!’ LCD Soundsystem […]
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The Third Act
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry In writing classes and programs there’s a lot of talk about the importance of an author or poet’s voice. Emerging writers are urged to find theirs. Book club groups discuss authors who have […]
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Helicopter Crashes Near Prineville Airport
A helicopter crash near the Prineville Airport on May 17 killed one individual and severely injured another, according to the Prineville Police Department. A press release stated that the deceased was an 80-year-old male. The individual’s name is not being released at this time, Prineville Police Department said in an email. The second victim was a […]
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The Deschutes County Sheriff may lose his badge for lying
Last September, then-Deschutes County Sgt. Kent van der Kamp was about to win a big promotion. As a candidate for sheriff, he promised to reform a public safety agency with a history of costly lawsuits and overspending. But as Election Day neared, van der Kamp’s future seemed increasingly imperiled by accusations of dishonesty. His bosses […]