(We’re not necessarily saying that we agree with them, but these were the five most important decisions by City Council this year.) 1. Noise Ordinance: In 2012, the question of when (as in how late) venues can host live music and how loud they could play their music had residents so hot under the collar […]
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Broadcast News
Anchorman 2: Ron Burgundy Ruins News Forever
Ron Burgundy tries to hang himself in the first 15 minutes of “Anchorman 2”—and for a second, even this Anchorman fan thought that might not be a terrible idea. It’s been nine years since the brilliant “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” began its long journey toward becoming a cult classic, and expectations for a […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Gift Guide
Shopping for Her!
Gals are different than guys. We hope that is not late-breaking news for you. Yes, Venus, Mars; among other differences. What is relevant right now, though, is that shopping for women is different than shopping for men. Certainly some gender-neutral gifts are fine, like a sub-freezing sleeping bag or bike accessories. In this week’s issue […]
Posted inNews
Let’s Call it a Draw
In the fast and furious pond-or-river debate, some are calling for both
At last Wednesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Jim Clinton held up a colorful painting of what could be. The rendering (pictured above) showed both a river and a pond—but no Newport Avenue dam, the 103-year-old, leaking structure that creates Mirror Pond. Presented to murmuring approvals and head nods at the city council meeting, this new […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
A Tale of Two Cities
Shop Local!
Did you know that so-called craft brew sales only account for six percent of total beer sales in the United States? That is a mere drop in the ocean of Budweiser, Coors and PBR! The idea that only one out of every 16 beer drinkers picks up a 10 Barrel or a Deschutes brew is […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Annual Give Guide
Click here to give! No, being a nonprofit doesn’t mean that the organization can’t “make” money. And it certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t need money. In fact, these organizations—from the Alzheimer’s Association to Warm Springs Community Action Team—probably need your money more than any for-profit company because what they are “selling” and what they […]
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Gearing Up
Bend Bikes advocates for more
infrastructure improvements
At last Wednesday’s City Council meeting, more than a dozen cyclists crowded into the chambers to say something elected officials may not hear often enough: Thanks. Organized by Bend Bikes, a recently formed group advocating for urban cyclists, the contingent spilled into the hallway outside the council chambers and sent nine people up to the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
Winter Wellness
Fact or fiction: What to believe and what to be
Don’t fall for the hype! Some common health maxims hold up, others don’t. Read on to find out how to stay healthy this winter. Claim: Kombucha is good for you. If you know anyone who does their shopping at Whole Foods, you’ve surely been assured of the health benefits of kombucha, a fermented tea drink […]
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Bond, Park Bond
Slow but steady progress for last year’s park bond
A year ago, Bend voters narrowly approved a $29 million bond measure to fund parks projects across the city. While some of these projects—which include an $11 million ice rink and recreation center, a whitewater park and various improvements to the Deschutes River Trail System—are not due to be completed until 2016, excitement is already […]
Posted inCulture
Wicca-pedia
What is modern pagan witchcraft?
A grouping of generically bland apartments in Redmond are not the dark gothic mansion on the hill with flickering lightning and roaring thunder I imagined (hoped?) to be a Wiccan’s home. I approach the numbered door, and it opens with a whiff of musky incense. Standing in front of me is Toby Hurd, a tall, […]
