The Bier Stein, located off Willamette Street about a mile from the U of O campus in Eugene, is a veritable shrine to good beer. Originally opened in somewhat cramped quarters in 2005, the bar/restaurant/bottle shop moved to much larger digs three years ago, expanding to offer thousands of bottles and some of the best […]
Pacific Northwest
Bend’s War On Roads
Much like drivers grip their steering wheels to brace themselves for Bend’s renowned, axle-eating potholes, controversy surrounding a proposed five-cent per gallon fuel tax gripped the local community this past March. Money from Measure 9-105 was to be used exclusively for road repairs and improvements in Bend. Estimated to generate about $2.5 million—it was a […]
Little Bites 7/16-7/13
Pasta House Bar and Grill The Pasta House Bar and Grill opened its doors in early May on the south side of Bend. Owner Chip Simmons, proprietor of the Pour House, says he felt it was time to share his love of classic Italian fare with his Bend neighbors. “I have always loved pasta and […]
Slow and Smokey
For Cody Serbus, making tasty BBQ for the ravenous masses is more than just meat, fire, serve. The owner of Cody’s Catering & Cookshack food truck in the Century Center near GoodLife Brewery says, “BBQ is a mix between science and just having that right touch. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share of growing […]
Go Here 6/29-7/6
Bend Kayak School Learn the skills necessary to navigate the whitewater rapids of Central Oregon! The Bend Kayak School is offering beginner classes this summer. These immersion classes will teach amateur kayakers how to safely and expertly maneuver kayaks downriver. The class will be spread across two days, and attendees can expect personal instruction that […]
Dining on the Waterfront
For Dave Nissen, founder of Wanderlust Tours, coming up with new ideas is a group effort. “We at Wanderlust often find ourselves hanging out, sipping on suds at the end of the day, and brainstorming what would knock people’s socks off,” he said. After 23 years in business, Nissen and his team of guides and […]
Give Me Freedom, Or Give Me Bikes!
Ryan James was working at the Starbucks downtown when he saw his first Freedom Ride. “Leading up to the event, there was a lot of buzz,” he said. “I remember during the morning, we had a line out the door, and then we were completely dead for two hours during the Freedom Ride.” James and […]
Bend Burlesque & Hot Summer Nights
Summer nights in Bend are about to get hot. On July 1, Bend Burlesque Company will celebrate summer with a new show that will have audience members fanning themselves for relief. Aptly named “These Coming Summer Nights,” the production promises to titillate, thrill, and delight with 11 entertainers, multiple acts, and live music by local […]
Mrs. Mejaski’s Majestic Majesty
Gotta Dance Studio and Company has been part of the Central Oregon landscape for 15 years, and Michelle Mejaski has been the face and driving force behind it since the inception. Hundreds of men, women and children have learned jazz, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary dance from the Gotta Dance team over the years. Recently Mejaski […]
Three Ways to Get Help With a Down Payment
The main challenge for most first-time homebuyers is coming up with the down payment. This is difficult when rising rents eat away at potential down payment savings. Here are some options that are often overlooked: Ask the seller to pay closing costs. It is not uncommon to ask and receive up to 6 percent of […]

