“There is a lot of talent in Bend. People who have never gotten to be in a gallery can get more connected and more involved now.” — Lacey Champagne You’ve probably heard the saying, “An artist is only as good as his tools.” While talent does play a big part, having the right supplies doesn’t […]
Source Spotlight
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Source Spotlight: Shannon Talbo
Promoting artists big and small in Central Oregon
“My mission as an event producer in Central Oregon is to create opportunities for the community to be entertained, inspired and connected.” — Shannon Talbo When it comes to your work life, it could get a lot worse than rubbing elbows with a rock goddess and a hip-hop godfather. But that’s just one of the […]
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Source Spotlight: Ed Kimball
Will sing or fish for pleasure
Ed remembers a good stretch of about seven years during which he skied 200 days a year. “I’ve always loved the outdoors.” What was it that drew Edward and Barb Kimball to Central Oregon 40 years ago? Was it the skiing, fly-fishing, beautiful scenery, or just the great outdoors in general? Try all of the […]
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Courtney Van Fossan
Meet the bike activist and mom improving mobility, one bike ride at a time
Van Fossan says that more and more, she is wanting to leave the car behind, especially for all those easy trips around town, “so there’s not so many of us driving in cars alone,” she adds. Something as simple as riding a bicycle can help improve one’s mental health— and can even bring a grown […]
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She Flies With Her Own Wings
A spotlight on Oregon’s two female governors
She flies with her own wings. Could Oregon have a more fitting state motto? In 1987, then-Secretary of State Barbara Roberts introduced a bill to change Oregon’s motto from the previous Latin version, Alis Volat Propitis, to its English version, “She flies with her own wings.” Kind of a fitting move for the woman who […]
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Source Spotlight: Nancy Blankenship
Deschutes County Clerk: A job title that means serving locals, all day, every day
“That’s when you get the joy out of the job, when you get to help the people. That just brings a lot of joy and satisfaction.” — Nancy Blankenship At some time or another, most people in Deschutes County end up going to the County Clerk’s office to take care of official business. And of […]
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Source Spotlight: Diane Hodiak
Local environmental nonprofit leader
“We’ve had a tremendous number of people who want to get involved now and we need to engage now more than ever before. People are discovering that non-involvement is not going to get us to where we need to be.” — Diane Hodiak “People call us a political organization, but we’re not. We’re just doing […]
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Source Spotlight: Forging a lifestyle
Central Oregon retiree carves his own niche
“When I start carving wood, I can lose track of three hours and not know what even happened. I just get zoned into it.” — George Blackman On a recent breezy morning, volunteers gathered at the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch in the high desert backcountry between Bend and Redmond to hang a new sign to […]
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Source Spotlight: John Schweiter
Need a job in Central Oregon?
John Schweiter hires a couple dozen of employees every week—and he’s just getting started
“What I look for most is empathy and heart, because those are things you can’t teach. My whole passion in life is to to employ people in good jobs.” — John Schweiter As a youth, John Schweiter rode his bicycle around what was then a much smaller Bend. As a young adult, he ran a […]
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Source Spotlight: Chelsea Woodmansee
Cheers! Brewfest boss thrives on the community of beer
“The best thing about beer is that it creates such a cool community and I don’t see that going away any time. I feel honored to be a part of it.” — Chelsea Woodmansee She is the Beer Goddess. It says so right there on her business card. Chelsea Woodmansee has earned that title, as […]