Out Our Backdoor: Winter running, mtb trails and more

Posted inOutside

Out Our Backdoor: Winter running, mtb trails and more

Mike Bookey

Kaleidoscope Run
Trail running: Bend’s instant outdoor experienceOminous clouds loomed overhead as I set out for a
run this past week at a park on the west side of town. The sun's rays
were hidden behind clouds and my eyes and ears were on autopilot,
looking and listening but not seeing and hearing. This can easily
happen in the fast-paced world in which we live. We rush through a
day's work, then off to sneak in a quick outdoor workout before
speeding home to spend time with the family. Cooking, cleaning, chores,
a quick read and off to bed before getting up to repeat another day. It
is easy to fall into the trap of not taking the time to truly
appreciate our surroundings.

Posted inCulture

The Best Movie You Shouldn’t See: Funny Games is vile done right

Mike Bookey

Smells like a bit of ultra violence. I have warned people not to see this movie. Funny Games is one of the
most disturbing films ever made, destined to stay with you for days if
not weeks. My pleas of "avoid at all costs" have inadvertently sparked
curiosity and interest in the film, which is good because people should
see this movie. And that's director Michael Haneke’s intention with
this shot-by-shot remake of his provocative and frightening German film
of the same name. His original intention was to expose the mind-numbing
violence that permeates our mainstream films, in doing so he makes us
completely aware of what we're watching and feeling. Rather than
desensitizing-it’s OVER-sensitizing. The result is a relentless mental
overload that will stick with you. Just try to shake off the creepiness…

Posted inCulture

Sweet and SOUR: Director Nathan Gray uses skateboards to cross political boundaries

Mike Bookey

They rip on the gaza strip. Bend's own Nathan Gray created a unique way of promoting peace in the
Middle East. He and co-producers Sean Scerritt and Sudip Peterson,
drawing on what they describe as "dynamic acts of peace and unity,"
have created SOUR 4 Peace in the Middle East, a film that crosses
borders with nine top Israeli and Jordanian skate boarders. In a recent
conversation with Scerritt, he said the theme that sparked the idea
behind the film is "doing what you love with people you're not supposed
to like."

Posted inMusic

Ye-eah! Fake Metallica tears up the pub

Jeff Trainor

just like the real thing, except in a much smaller stadium.In the spirit of fearlessly exploring the oft-scary phenomenon of
tribute bands, Sound Check moseyed over to the Reed Pub Company last
Saturday night to catch a face full of Motorbreath.
Around a
hundred souls were holding down the wee pub's peanut shell-sprinkled
floor and spilling out into the smokers' patio outside when we showed
up. Once the openers were done, the smoke machines had the joint socked
in and the audience had had their fill of obnoxious Nickelback hits on
the sound system, the main event started at darn near the stroke of
midnight.

Posted inMusic

In Search of Buckethead: Dispelling myths (and creating some new ones)

The Source Staff

A rare shot of the Buckethead species (kentuckyfriedus bucketenius) in its natural environment.

There are really only a few things we know for sure about Buckethead. One: he wears a bucket on his head. Two: he doesn’t do interviews and if he does he provides largely nonsensical answers by way of a demented hand puppet. Three: He can play the shit out of a guitar. Buckethead is also the man behind the song “Jordan” which is largely considered one of the most difficult tracks to play on “Guitar Hero.” In addition to his new fame within the ever-expanding “Guitar Hero” stratosphere, Buckethead has long been respected by fans of metal as well as funk, and many styles in between. He’s a true student of the axe and also wields a pretty mean pair of nun chucks – but more on that later.

Posted inMusic

Funky Puppets: The Greyboy Allstars have returned, and they’ve brought the Muppets with them

The Source Staff

The real life men of the Greyboy allstars.The Muppets have always creeped me out. But if you turn the Greyboy
Allstars, the rejuvenated San Diego funky, jazzy boogaloo band, into
fuzzy puppets, then I can cope, as long as they bring the funk.

The
band's video for their James Brown-flavored track "Still Waiting"
features the Greyboys onstage in a juke joint, each member somewhat
accurately depicted in Muppet form. Without a live actor in sight, the
Muppeted men of GBA rip through the funk-laden track with the
representation of saxophonist/vocalist Karl Denson leading the way as a
dancefloor of fellow fuzzy figures dance their fake little asses off.

Posted inNews

School District Goes Local

Mike Bookey

In last week's column we listed the three finalists for the superintendent position for the Bend-La Pine School District. As it turns out, by the time the paper had hit the streets, the district's board of directors had concluded their search, choosing one of their own by way of a 6-1 vote: Ron Wilkinson, the district's deputy superintendent for almost seven years.
With 31 years of educational experience, Wilkinson was one of three finalists for the job, but the only one with local experience. Wilkinson will take the place of current superintendent Doug Nelson, who is retiring in June after eight years with the district. The other two finalists for the job had experience working in education in Wyoming and California's Bay Area.

Posted inFood & Drink

Cabernet Franc: the well kept secret of the Loire

Eric Flowers

The Cab Franc from the vineTraveling west out of Colfax, Washington recently, I was hit with the unmistakable aroma of Cabernet Franc. Not just any Cab Franc either, but something out of France’s Loire Valley. It took a minute to realize it was the burnt grass stubble sticking out of the snow along the roadside ditch. “Of course!” you say, “burnt roadside ditch stubble.” Since assuming the lofty position of the Source’s newly established wine columnist, I’ve been working hard to fortify my wine vocabulary. “I like it!” and “Mmmm!” are clearly no longer adequate.

Posted inFood & Drink

Cabernet Franc: the well kept secret of the Loire

Eric Flowers

The Cab Franc from the vineTraveling west out of Colfax, Washington recently, I was hit with the unmistakable aroma of Cabernet Franc. Not just any Cab Franc either, but something out of France's Loire Valley. It took a minute to realize it was the burnt grass stubble sticking out of the snow along the roadside ditch. "Of course!" you say, "burnt roadside ditch stubble." Since assuming the lofty position of the Source's newly established wine columnist, I've been working hard to fortify my wine vocabulary. "I like it!" and "Mmmm!" are clearly no longer adequate.

Posted inFood & Drink

Hot Spot: Redmond’s Spot Café brings a fresh

Eric Flowers

When the food is this good, there’s no time for photosJust when Bend seems ready to engulf Redmond in its culinary shadow, another eatery pops up to shed some needed gastronomic sunshine on the northern burb. In this case, it’s a breakfast establishment the likes of which Redmond has yet to experience.
Although the building is old and has a look that suggests it may have once housed a similar eatery, the Spot Café is shiny and new. Located right downtown with a cool retro sign and a full glass front, it’s reminiscent of the diners of old.
The Spot is owned and operated by partners Scott Gennrich and Scott Byers. Both arrive with experience; Gennrich is a part owner of the Astro Lounge and Byers is a veteran of several local restaurants, including, Bluefish, 28, and Seasons at The Seventh Mountain Resort where he was the executive chef.
Rather than tackle a dinner menu, they opted for a more manageable route, focusing on breakfast and lunch. The interior is pleasant and clean, if a bit stark; it reminds me of Alpenglow 10 years ago. Piles of fresh-baked goods greet diners at the counter, while food servers bustle through the swinging kitchen door with steaming plates of food.

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