“I can’t believe I saw a llama.” That’s a phrase often repeated as folks encounter Jeff Wagner and his llama, Yogi. Wagner hauls Yogi in a trailer, from La Pine to the Old Mill District, on a regular basis so they can take a stroll. He started doing this during the pandemic because he thought it […]
Section Feature
Posted inNews
Dine-Out Drought
With rising costs and continued traffic impacts on nearby streets, downtown Bend business owners see a drop in foot traffic
Downtown Bend has traditionally been known as the heart of the city; a charming, pedestrian-friendly area that invites both locals and tourists to walk the streets and indulge in shopping, dining and nightlife. About 40 restaurants occupy the downtown area, offering a wide variety of options for those looking to dine in or grab a […]
Posted inOutside
Bend Brews & Beyond
The festival will have a big focus on non-alcoholic beverages
Billing itself as “a new kind of brew fest,” the Bend Brews and Beyond is the Bend Brewfest 2.0. It’s at a new location in Drake Park which means you can literally float up to it. There’s also a larger focus on cider and non-alcoholic drinks. In fact, there will be more than a dozen […]
Posted inCulture
Horoscope Week of May 15, 2025
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The most successful people aren’t those who merely follow their passion, but those who follow their curiosity. Honoring the guidance of our passions motivates us, but it can also narrow our focus. Heeding the call of our curiosity emboldens our adaptability, exploration, and maximum openness to new possibilities. In that spirit, […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters to the Editor 05/15/2025
Local law enforcement’s stance on cooperation with the Trump administration. I think it would be interesting to hear from the leaders of our local, county and state law enforcement agencies regarding their opinions of the overreach by the current president and his administration. Especially with regard to honoring sanctuary status, or cooperating with the federal […]
Posted inFood & Drink
BBQ & Line Dancing for a Good Cause
Central Oregon Locavore fundraiser
Central Oregon Locavore is serving up a BBQ and hoedown! It’s the first time the local nonprofit has done a fundraiser like this. The event will be at Cross-Eyed Cricket Watering Hole in Bend on May 24. Hattie’s BBQ will provide locally sourced pork from Well Rooted Farms. The meat will be smoked slowly overnight. […]
Posted inOutside
Dam(n) Busy as Beavers
Beaver Works Oregon engages in building beaver habitat
Beaver Works Oregon has been busy as the proverbial beaver to restore beaver habitat in LaPine and Collier Memorial State Parks. Along with Oregon State Park staff and other partners, Beaver Works has been planting willow, dogwood, and black cottonwood cuttings along stream and river banks, then installing wire fencing to allow the cuttings to […]
Posted inOpinion
Allowing RVs as Dwellings on Rural Properties is a Good Step. And Yet.
Some 7,500 properties in Deschutes County would qualify to be part of the program
As of last week, it’s now legal for people in rural areas of Deschutes County to rent a portion of their property to someone living in an RV. The Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners approved this change in line with a state bill from the 2023 legislative session that authorized the use of RVs […]
Posted inCulture
May theatrical roundup
Planes, Cage and a Really Good Boy
Cinema is robust enough to feel almost limitless as an art form. Although movies are nearly 130 years old, a few filmmakers continue to push the medium forward every year, finding innovative and groundbreaking new ways to tell stories. While it’s rare to come across a film that feels wholly singular, I still find joy […]
Posted inMusic
Sonic Journeys, Evolving Sounds
Khruangbin is coming to Bend May 28
Khruangbin (pronounced KRUNG-BIN) in Thai means airplane. It’s also the name of the mostly instrumental trio that has been making major waves ever since releasing its 2015 debut, “The Universe Smiles Upon You.” Made up of bassist Laura Lee, drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson and guitarist Mark Speer, the threesome’s ethereal sound has wide-reaching influences ranging […]