Source Weekly April 4, 2024

Whether you’re looking to make the switch to an EV, support solar or receive Wattsmart® discounts on energy-efficient upgrades, we have choices to help you reach your goals.

Explore energy options at PacificPower.net/Choices

No coupon needed! Use your library card to check out everything from books and movies to museum passes and sewing machines.

Library cards are free for Deschutes County residents. Get your card by visiting any library location, or apply online at dpl.pub/getacard

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Nicole Vulcan - editor@bendsource.com REPORTER Julianna LaFollette- reporter@bendsource.com

REPORTER / CALENDAR

It’s starting to get beautiful outside, and this week, we take a little time to look at the benefits of all that sun — besides the Vitamin D, of course. In this week’s Feature, Julianna LaFollette shares some of the incentives and programs people can pursue in a quest to “go solar.” And Armando Borrego interviews a Central Oregonian living life “off the grid.” In Chow, Jared Rasic visits Manzanita Grill for a full table of foods to sample, and in Little Bites, I outline a few places to go enjoy the sun while you eat and drink. In Sound, we hear from the Cold War Kids, who will be visiting Bend very soon for (hopefully) a last gasp of winter fun. Thanks for reading!

Imagine money was no object, and that the universe owed you a favor. If you were King for a day, what would you do? We know that Armando would begin his rule with a bacon, egg and cheese on an everything bagel! Thanks to @thearmando_1 for tagging us in this great behind the scenes photo from last year’s Breakfast and Lunch Guide. Don’t forget to share your photos with us and tag @sourceweekly for a chance to be featured as Instagram of the week and in print as our Lightmeter. Winners receive a free print from @highdesertframeworks.

OPINION

It was a debacle when Deschutes County approved the purchase of an adult parole and probation home within 1,000 feet of a park, with barely any public notice.

It was a debacle when, after hearing more complaints from neighbors, the Board of Commissioners abruptly voted to move the parole and probation home without any consideration of what the financials would look like for selling the home, buying another one and moving the residents who were already living there.

And now, in part three of the debacle that is the Adult Parole and Probation home, county commissioners have voted to end the proj ect all together. The board voted 2-1 during executive session this week to end the program at the home. Even some of the neighbors who complained about public notice were stunned to know that instead of moving the home to somewhere not within 1,000 feet of a park, there would be no home at all.

advocating that such a home was sorely needed in Central Oregon. It makes sense: Offer support for those who just got out of jail, rather than forcing them to remain without homes and roaming the streets. County officials agreed that this was a needed resource, but that’s where it began to fall apart. Oversight of the location appears lacking; how else do stipulations around the distances from schools and parks get ignored? What’s more, when the county commissioners had this decision before them in the late fall, they asked very few questions about notices given to neighbors. No one had yet complained, they said at a meeting in the fall, so it looked like it was OK to approve the project. From there, a litany of poor decisions and shady dealings.

If it fell on county staff from Adult Parole and Probation to ensure the process was followed to a T, why didn’t their supervisors — the county commission – check that it was?

Now, rather than attempting to house the adult parolees, some of them sex offenders, in a house where they would avoid experiencing homelessness and gain tools that might help them avoid reoffending, those offenders may very well be roaming the streets.

This is the worst possible outcome.

The whole thing got started because county staff from the Adult Parole and Probation department came forward,

There is a lot of blame to go around here. County staff, and the commissioners both need to do better. While the cost for poor management is not clear, it will be substantial. But more importantly, the home is still needed, and as a community we’ve failed one of our most vulnerable populations. And by the look of it, we’re a long way out from fixing this.

GAS PUMPS AND POT

1. I would like to start a movement that gas pumps are not parking spots. Please be kind and thoughtful of others and once you have filled your tank, move to a parking spot to get food, restroom etc., so the next person can fill and go. Just because no one is around doesn't mean that five other people might just be coming into the service station and have to wait 10 minutes for an empty pump. Let's make the world a better place, one good act at a time.

2. Pot. It would benefit pot users to know that pot stays in your system for five days after your last usage and you can get a DUI within the five days, due to a recent friend got arrested for a DUI on pot. And on the news and radio they said that using any form of pot increases your chances by 42% to have heart issues. People used to think cigarettes were safe too. Be wise and educated and be safe everyone. Live a healthy life.

—Elaine Rank

MAGA PARENTING

Election-loser Trump continues to mutate USA society into the society that George Orwell warned about in his 1949 science fiction novel, "1984." Truth is whatever Big Brother says it is. Empirical facts—such as repeatedly verified election results and how hydrocarbon mismanagement is causing catastrophic global warming—are annoying hoaxes in Trump's egocentric, alternate reality. Trump’s edicts, the culture war, and warm guns are the MAGA silver dollars, half dollars, and quarters while reality, civility, and environmental sustainability are its dimes, nickels and pennies.

Do MAGA parents tell their children to be truthful, play fair, and always remember the Golden Rule even though

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your thoughts to editor@bendsource.com.

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Letter of the week receives $5 to Palate!

their idolized Big Brother believes that anyone who behaves or even thinks in these terms is a sucker and a loser?

Or to avoid being hypocritical, do MAGA parents encourage their kids to lie and cheat in order to ALWAYS “win” because that is Trump’s overriding concern in life? Do they tell their kids that cooperation, friendship, and romance are tools to be used only for acquiring wealth and social status? Does a viciously competitive, paranoid, and tribalistic MAGA culture inspire them to buy their teenage children AK-47’s so they can help to defend their grossly persecuted, Jesus-like leader from the radical left vermin who continually try to force reality, fair elections, and the rule of law upon him? Do they tell their kids that Trump’s enemies are their enemies, and that the democracy that their ancestors sacrificed and sometimes even died for for must now be dismantled because it hinders their blindingly glorious Big Brother’s lust for unlimited power?

I am curious, because it must be difficult being MAGA parents who are forced into choosing between blatant hypocrisy and fanatical cultism as they attempt to guide their children’s sensibilities and behavior in 2024 / 1984.

— Eddie Kinnamon

AUTOPSY RELEASED FOR NEX BENEDICT

Police in Owasso, OK are investigating the death of Nex Benedict. If that is all they do, they are overlooking a serious crime: three girls who were educated in the Oklahoma school system were capable of gang brutality in response to getting wet.

That’s pretty violent.

How did they get that violent? Is that being investigated?

These girls were deeply harmed as a

result of their conditioning. They will forever live with the knowledge that they attacked three on one. That they caused their victim to black out. How does one go on to maintain a confidence in their basic goodness? Who put this violence into them? Who should we investigate?

Teachers, parents, school policy makers — who else, really, was responsible and instrumental in shaping these girls from infants to a gang? An autopsy had to be performed to answer the question of whether the head trauma they caused in Nex Benedict was the cause of death...how could three Owasso girls be suspected of killing another student in a bathroom brawl? It should never have been a question! They should never have required an autopsy to exonerate them.

“These girls would never attack one person like that, they would turn, leave the bathroom, and show their soaking wet selves to school authorities and trust them to handle the minor insult.” This should have been the girls’ defense. But instead, it was an autopsy. Sadly, the facts in the investigation were confirmed: they did create a substantiated threat of future harm to Nex Benedict if they continued to attend the school as a transgender student, and Nex Benedict did commit suicide the next day rather than live with that threat.

Let us do our duty by these three young victims who have had their innocence destroyed, and their futures forever marred by an egregious lack of

healthy socialization.

And another scary thought: are you sure this could not happen here?

—Kelli Wainscoat

RE: SUN TIME. COLUMN, 3/28

My sincere compliments to Ellen Waterston for her "Sun Time" article in her column, "The Third Act." This article was exceptionally well-researched, very informative and refreshingly thoughtful in her presentation. She's an outstanding journalist with excellent insight — and a real asset to Bend Source. Many thanks for all that she contributes to our community.

—Bob Reese

Letter of the Week:

Bob: We agree, and plenty of other people must think so too — read the story on her recent award in this week’s Culture. And come on by for your gift card to Palate!

—Nicole Vulcan

Deschutes County Adult Parole and Probation Housing Terminated

After deciding to find an alternative location for a property housing Adult Parole and Probation clients, Deschutes County Commissioners voted 2-1 to discontinue the program altogether.

On March 27, following executive session, Commissioner Tony DeBone moved to terminate the agreement with Free on the Outside, the organization that manages and operates the Wilson Avenue program. Commissioner Patti Adair and DeBone voted “Yes” and Commissioner Phil Chang voted “No.”

2024 Preliminary Point in Time Data Released

Unhoused Serviced Data Coordinator at NeighborImpact, Ben Scott, presented the 2024 preliminary Central Oregon Point in Time count and analysis at a Homeless Leadership Coalition meeting on April 2.

The annual PIT count is the count of sheltered and unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The count lasted 10 days and attempts to show the number of individuals and families experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The count was carried out from Jan. 23 -31.

The preliminary numbers presented on April 2 show that the total count in 2024 was 1,811, up from 2023, when the total PIT count of both sheltered and unsheltered individuals was 1,647.

This year’s preliminary unsheltered count was 1,195, not a large difference from last year’s count of 1,189. The final numbers and analysis will be published on the HLC’s website later this month.

—Julianna LaFollette

17.5 miles

- The number of trail miles proposed to be added under the Forest Service’s West Bend Trails project.

From this week’s News, “Planned Trail Upgrades in Bend”

Planned Trail Upgrades in West Bend

A proposal intends to improve trails in the Deschutes National Forest to the west of Bend and Sunriver

By Julianna LaFollette

The U.S. Forest Service proposed a project to improve heavily used trails west of Bend and Sunriver. The proposal includes a variety of suggested improvements aimed at connecting and improving trails in the area. The Forest Service is accepting public comments on the project through April 13.

The package proposes changes to several areas of the popular trail system that starts on the west edge of Bend and extends west to areas around Mt. Bachelor. The West Bend Trails project would add approximately 17.5 miles of new system trail to provide better connectivity and increase the types of trail oppor tunities.

“Don’t subscribe, invent.”

-Ellen Waterston, from this week’s Culture interview with the poet and author, titled “Literary Legacies”

Gov. Tina Kotek on Monday signed into law the sweeping measure the Oregon Legislature passed to combat the state’s fentanyl drug addiction and overdose crisis.

Kotek previously had said she would sign House Bill 4002, which was a centerpiece proposal of the short session. The law puts in place a new misdemeanor penalty for possession of small amounts of hard drugs, with opportunities for defendants to avoid jail if they enroll in programs that aid in their recovery and potential treatment.

In a letter to legislative leaders, Kotek said the state needs to have a carefully

coordinated implementation to work as intended.

The new law will put $211 million toward a variety of court and treatment programs, including new and expanded residential treatment facilities, recovery houses and programs for counties to set up so-called deflection programs that people can participate in to avoid jail and criminal charges after an interaction with police. So far, 23 of Oregon’s 36 counties have agreed to set up those programs, which are not mandatory.

—This story originally appeared in the Oregon Capital Chronicle on April 1.

According to Webb, people also want more winter fatbike trails, and more variety. The proposal would create a new trail, Yeti Winter Fat Bike Trail, adding 5 miles of trail, providing more diverse terrain and challenge just southwest of Kiwa Butte.

It would also reroute 8.8 miles of trail to improve confusing intersections and trail sustainability, and decommission approximately 17 miles of unauthorized trail to make the areas safer for wildlife.

According to Kaitlyn Webb with the Deschutes National Forest, the changes will create opportunities for trail users of all types, including hikers, mountain bikers, skiers and others. The Deschutes National Forest proposed this project due to the heavy use of the trail system.

“Really, the goal of the project is to provide quality, trail-based recreation opportunities for all types of users and experience levels while minimizing disturbance and negative impacts to other resources like wildlife,” said Webb.

Some of the proposed changes include rerouting sections of trails such as Pine Drops and Swampy Loop, and adding a formal connector trail between Shevlin Park and Phil’s Trail. A few new connectors would allow people to put trails together in new and different ways and create shorter or longer loops. One of the proposed actions includes a new trail that would create a route between Swampy and Wanoga sno parks, providing trail connectivity and loop options. Another new trail, Ridge Loop, would provide system connectivity and loop options out of the Swampy area.

Central Oregon Trail Alliance staff and volunteers have been working with the Forest Service and advocating for a lot of these changes, said Emmy Andrews, COTA’s executive director. On this project, COTA has worked closely with wildlife biologists on staff at the Forest Service and other natural resource specialists to discuss ways to improve the recreation experience.

The package also proposes creating more advanced trails, which is something COTA, which advocates for and helps to maintain and build trails, gets lots of requests for, said Andrews. Improvements would offer more challenging terrain, increasing steepness and technical trail features for mountain bikers.

COTA is particularly excited about the upgrades at Wanoga Sno-Park, a popular mountain bike hub and a good place to practice skills, Andrews said.

The proposal would add approximately 5.3 miles of new trail to the incomplete mountain bike route on the unnamed butte above Wanoga Snow Play. These new trails, including multiple downhill trails, feature varying levels of difficulty.

“We’re looking for ways that we can incorporate more downhill and technical trails so that we can meet that need for the growing demand for that here with mountain bike populations,” said Webb.

The Forest Service is constantly evaluating what the needs are in a certain area, what types of user conflicts are present and how to improve recreation opportunities. Oftentimes, the public will make suggestions for ideas or opportunities to improve recreation. “We take that into account when we’re thinking about planning and future opportunities for trail improvement,” said Webb. C

In Bend, 10% of Units Finished Last Year Were Considered Affordable Housing Bend reached new affordable housing milestone

By Julianna LaFollette

The City of Bend determined that 10% of all housing units that had been completed for the 2023 calendar year were deed-restricted affordable.

The City considers housing affordable if a household is paying no more than 30% of its gross income on rent or a mortgage. With this definition, affordability varies by each family’s income. The City plans to continue supporting all types of housing, including affordable, to help the high number of individuals rent-burdened in Bend.

Historically, the City’s housing department’s goals have been to see about 100 deed-restricted affordable units developed per year. However, the city does not have a general percentage of affordable housing that it’s aiming for. According to Lynne McConnell, the City of Bend’s housing director, the city bases its goals for affordable housing on resources and revenue that it has access to.

The cost of building affordable units in Bend is so high, McConnell explained, that its difficult to rent or sell the units at an affordable level. Thus, incentives can be useful.

This last biennium, 2021 through 2023, the City had more resources as a result of COVID-19 relief funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the American Rescue Plan Act.

With these resources, the City was able to support acquisition and development of affordable housing projects. The City can support projects through funding the acquisition of land, development or construction through its Affordable Housing Fund. Other tools, funding programs and tax

exemptions that the City can provide allow developers to more easily create affordable housing.

“We were able to put those resources, as well as additional resources that were generated at the state level, into affordable housing,” said McConnell. “That made a massive impact in our ability to deliver.”

The City altered its goals in the last biennium because of the increased resources. Bend had a goal of having 1,000 units in progress in that twoyear period, instead of 100 a year. While the City wasn’t able to reach that goal, it came close with a total of 886 completed or permitted units at the end of 2023.

The 886 units included projects that the City has funded or that are in permitting, in addition to those that have been completed. McConnell clarified that the units counting toward the 10% affordable housing were only completed units.

Another resource the City has in promoting affordable housing development include its System Development Charge Exemption Program, created in 2018. This program makes it so affordable housing developments don’t have to pay SDCs, the charges normally charged to developers to cover the costs of new infrastructure like roads and sewers. According to McConnell, the exemptions and the cash that came through relief funding were two of the biggest factors in getting these units off the ground.

The City’s five-year strategic plan for housing listed affordable rental housing as one of its top priorities.

Affordable homeownership is slightly lower in priority. Out of the affordable

Protecting Reproductive Health in Oregon Oregon politicians

and health agencies highlight the state’s continued effort to protect reproductive health care

By Julianna LaFollette

As the Supreme Court heard arguments to limit reproductive health care this month, on March 26, Oregon Democrats reconfirmed the state’s commitment to protecting and strengthening abortion access across the state. Twenty-three organizations were awarded a total of $8.5 million to address access to reproductive health care and barriers faced by marginalized communities.

homes completed in 2023, McConnell said that 144 were rentals and 18 were slated for homeownership.

“We do have a lot of affordable ownership opportunities coming online,” said McConnell.

Affordable homeownership units coming online but not yet complete include about 150 units, which, according to McConnell, is a big deal. “That’s far more than we’ve had in any given year before.”

McConnell highlighted a few affordable housing projects in development that the housing department is excited about. Cleveland Commons, a joint venture between Housing Works and NeighborImpact in southeast Bend, is a former shelter that was owned by NeighborImpact for several years.

This project, which will house folks who have chronic health conditions, will offer 33 units of permanent supportive housing to help those who have been houseless in the past. It will be a stable place for people to exist as long as they need.

“It’s a small one, but it’s going to be very mighty for our ability to tackle some of the challenges with houselessness,” said McConnell.

Another project currently underway includes Rooted at Simpson, developed by Housing Works and Rooted Homes. The development will include 40 single-family homes and 59 subsidized rental apartments.

“The fact that we are doing this through incentives and the power of our limited community wanting to do this work and wanting to give back is really cool,” said McConnell.

Oregon Democrats approved funding for the Reproductive Health Equity Fund. The money will go toward projects, programs and organizations that work to expand reproductive health equity.

This funding will provide workforce and care investments, support for people seeking abortion or other reproductive services, research and community-based outreach and education.

“Money and distance should never stand between an Oregonian and the basic health care they deserve – no exceptions. I’m proud that our state is doing what’s right for our people and their health,” said Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton & SW Portland).

The Reproductive Health Equity Fund started in March 2022 with a $15 million allocation from the Oregon Legislature to address gaps in Oregon’s reproductive health care infrastructure and expand access.

The Reproductive Health Program at Oregon Health Authority also announced a new website on March 26, making it easier for people to seek abortion care and services. The website offers information about abortions, where individuals can access abortion services, payment and insurance options, legal rights and privacy information and travel and emotional support.

The Abortion Access in Oregon website was created in collaboration with community, clinical and state partners to ensure the information it contains is relevant and accessible, according to a press release.

“The new Abortion Access in Oregon website helps us reaffirm to people in Oregon that abortion remains legal and protected in our state, and that anyone who comes to our state for an abortion, regardless of immigration status, has the legal and protected right to that abortion service, not just Oregon residents,” Gov. Tina Kotek said.

Courtesy Rooted Homes

Mejoras de senderos proyectadas en la zona Oeste de Bend

Por Julianna LaFollette

El Servicio Forestal de los Estados Unidos propuso un proyecto para mejorar senderos muy transitados del lado oeste de Bend y Sunriver. La propuesta incluye varias mejoras destinadas a conectar y mejorar los senderos de la zona. El Servicio Forestal tomara comentarios públicos en relación a este proyecto hasta el 13 de abril.

El paquete propone cambios de varias áreas del popular sistema de senderos que comienza a las orillas del oeste de Bend y se extiende hacia el oeste hasta las áreas alrededor de Mt. Bachelor. El proyecto West Bend Trails agregaría aproximadamente 17.5 millas de sendero para brindar mejor conectividad y aumentar senderos.

También desviaría 8.8 millas de senderos para mejorar los confusos cruces y la sostenibilidad de los senderos y retiraría aproximadamente 17 millas de senderos no autorizados para hacer que las áreas sean más seguras para la vida silvestre.

otras personas más. El Bosque Nacional de Deschutes propuso este proyecto debido al tránsito pesado.

e impactos negativos hacia los recursos como lo es la vida silvestre,” comento Webb.

conectores nuevos permitirían a la gente juntar senderos en diferentes y formas nuevas, y crear circuitos más cortos o más largos. Una de las propuestas incluye un nuevo sendero que crearía una ruta entre los parques Swampy y Wanoga, proporcionando la conección de senderos y alternativas de circuito. Otro sendero nuevo, Ridge Loop, proporcionaria conectividad del sistema y opciones de circuitos fuera del área de Swampy.

Según Webb, la gente también quiere más senderos para fatbikes durante el invierno así

como tener más variedad. La propuesta crearía un nuevo sendero, Yeti Winter Fat Bike Trail, que agregaría 5 millas de sendero, proporcionando un terreno más diverso y mas desafiante justo al suroeste de Kiwa Butte.

La propuesta agregaría aproximadamente 5.3 millas de sendero nuevo a la ruta incompleta para ciclismo de montaña en la loma inombrable sobre Wanoga Snow Play. Estos senderos nuevos, que incluyen multiples senderos costa abajo, incluyen distintos niveles de dificultad.

g get out. get with it. get free. get simple. get back to it. get wild. get into it. raw.

brunch, juice, smoothies, cocktails, soup & salad. smoothies

• all organic

• juice is crafted daily

• full in-house recycling & sanitized glass bottles

• eco-friendly containers

• juicing pulp composting

• juice of the month: $2off

o pen daily 9-3pm

westside yard

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Courtesy US National Forest Service

Finding Freedom Off Grid

IResidents of the Juniper Acres off-grid community are more than homesteaders; they’re also electricians, farmers, firefighters and roadworkers

By Armando Borrego

n today's world, where many are seeking a simpler, more self-sufficient way of life, off-grid living has emerged as a compelling option. This lifestyle isn't just about reducing your carbon footprint, but about taking control of your own energy needs and living in harmony with nature. Off-grid living encourages self-reliance, as individuals learn to live sustainably and handle waste responsibly.

Central Oregon off-grid community, Juniper Acres, east of Bend and south of Prineville, is more than just a place to live; it's a sprawling community built on shared values and mutual support.

Julie Ann Collier, a seasoned off-grid homesteader with over a decade of experience at the Crook County homestead, sheds light on the unique appeal of this rugged community and the diverse array of individuals who call it home.

“My husband and I both grew up in rural settings,” said Collier. “When we decided to look for property that was outside of town. Juniper Acres was everything we were looking for.”

"People live here for different reasons," Collier explained. "Typically, property prices here have been much more affordable compared to Crook and Deschutes County. For those looking for the offgrid lifestyle, Juniper Acres is an obvious choice." Indeed, the allure of Juniper Acres extends beyond its affordable real estate, attracting individuals from various walks of life who seek simplicity and a deeper connection to nature. “A great many of us just crave seclusion and space,” Collier added. “It’s a great place for the most part for neurodivergent people, introverts and veterans with PTSD. Living in this environment is typically less chaotic than living in a town where your neighbor is basically sitting in your lap."

Reflecting on the diverse makeup of the community, Collier emphasized the ever-evolving population of offgrid adventurers. "We have a very broad mix of people in Juniper Acres. We’ve been mislabeled as being a collection of unintelligent and uneducated people and neither of those labels are true." She highlights the community's spirit of tolerance and mutual support, where neighbors may hold differing views but come together in times of need. "We look after one another and we’re tolerant of one another,” Collier remarked. Juniper Acres residents face a litany of logistical hurdles such as finding water supply, waste disposal and the necessity of being prepared for harsh weather conditions, especially during Central Oregon's unforgiving winters. “If you move out to Juniper Acres, you absolutely have to adjust your expectations,” Collier explained. “It’s not the same as living in a town. You modify the things you take for granted living on the grid, like water usage and electricity dependency.” Additionally, the lack of

“Living in this environment is typically less chaotic than living in a town where your neighbor is basically sitting in your lap."

—Julie Anne Collier

accessibility to emergency services and the challenges of maintaining infrastructure pose ongoing challenges for residents. "The dirt roads are challenging at times and have made it more difficult to attract and keep outside vendors and for emergency services to reach us," Collier notes. The Juniper Acres community does not have a fire department and often has to begin fighting fires before neighboring departments from either Alfalfa Fire or Crook County arrive on scene for support. In Juniper Acres, the spirit of community runs deep, fostering connections that endure through the challenges of off-grid living.

Another major hurdle for the area, aside from the current state of Juniper Acres’ main road in and out, is the lack of sufficient power lines and transformers needed for reliable electricity supply. With many requiring power for their general safety and well-being, the residents rely on generators and other sources of external wattage, a practice that, as Collier notes, can at times be difficult and expensive.

“There’s a common misconception that living off-grid is cheap or free. It’s not necessarily cheaper than living on the grid for electricity and water until you have completely dialed in your system,” she said. “Then you have the added expenses of maintaining and replacing solar components and generators, gas

for going to and from town for necessities and the extra wear and tear on your vehicles.”

While these difficulties do make for a more determined way of life, for many, these challenges are far outweighed by the rewards of the area. "At the end of the day, you know you’ve earned your successes," Collier added. Earning successes is precisely the atittude the community has adopted once more, organizing a community group, Cans for Cascade, that is currently working on improving the state of the area’s main road, Cascade Way. “We have a growing population of elders out here and we were obviously aware of the growing need for possible emergency services and improved accessibility to those services,” said Collier. “This community has started fundraising and donating their personal time to fixing the road.”

One of the most alluring aspects of Juniper Acres is its deep connection to nature. Surrounded by high desert terrain, residents are treated to breathtaking views, tranquil solitude and a sense of harmony with the natural world. “I 100 percent believe that it is more rewarding to live this lifestyle. You walk out your door directly into nature. I’ve lived in Central Oregon my entire life and I think some of the most amazing sunsets to be seen are from right here,” Collier said.

Julie Anne Collier says that lesson one when living off-grid is “don’t ever panic.” After a decade of self-sufficient living, there’s very little that stirs her as she still helps fight wildfires and fix generators.

Off-grid living offers a tangible solution for individuals striving to minimize their environmental footprint while embracing a deeper connection to the natural world.

Courtesy Juniper Acres Off-Grid Tales

Courtesy Juniper Acres Facebook

The state of Oregon hopes to reach a goal of generating 100% renewable energy by 2040. One way it intends to get there is through the increasingly popular energy alternative, solar energy. As the state, and the U.S. attempt to decrease the use of fossil fuels, the benefits and support that come with installing a solar system are more attractive than ever.

In 2021, most electricity in Oregon came from hydropower, at roughly 39%. That resource was followed by natural gas and coal. At the time, solar accounted for 4.7% of electricity generation. While that number may seem low, experts suggest that the increasing prevalence and support for solar energy will propel Oregon into a cleaner future.

Goals

When it comes to energy goals, Oregon’s are not specifically related to solar energy. They are focused on decarbonizing the entire electric grid, and solar is a big factor.

“It’s about reaching certain milestones of eliminating fossil fuels for Oregon’s electric grid. Solar will play a key role in helping Oregon meet those climate goals,” said Rob Del Mar, a senior policy analyst at the Oregon Department of Energy.

For the last several years, solar has been the fastest growing renewable energy resource across the country. With coal plants being shut down and more solar being brought online, ODOE anticipates that solar will be crucial in Oregon’s energy future. In order to help Oregon get there, the state has created incentive programs to promote the use of solar.

Solar’s key role in helping Oregon meet its climate goals

By Julianna LaFollette

Oregon has been supporting solar projects for decades, according to Del Mar, including increased incentive for low- and moderate-income projects. In the early days of solar in Oregon, it was a lot more expensive than it is now. “Solar was a lot more expensive than it is now, and the market was transformed by these [programs],” said Del Mar. “Now, the federal and state policy focus is to let these incentive programs reach a little deeper into our communities.”

Incentives and Benefits

Residents looking to get help in installing a solar system can choose from a number of different incentive programs. “We had a very active year for solar upgrades in 2023. Since we’ve been here, 2002, we’ve helped more than 25,000 folks go solar, so there is quite a lot of activity in the market,” said Julianne Thacher with the nonprofit Energy Trust.

While the idea of installing solar panels can seem daunting, organizations like Energy Trust can help make the process smoother for people wanting to make the switch, offering incentives and guiding individuals through the process.

The organization offers cash incentives for solar systems going on homes, with increased incentives for income-qualified homes.

ODOE’s Oregon Solar and Storage Rebate Program issues rebates to approved contractors who pass the savings on to customers. This program is intended for residential customers and organizations that serve low-income residents.

ODOE has other programs, including a community renewable energy

grant program, providing grants for planning and developing community energy projects.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a Solar for All grant program that is focused on providing benefits from solar energy to low-income households and disadvantaged communities. This program awards grants to expand the number of residential solar investments.

Individuals can also receive federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. “The idea with solar is that all of these incentives kind of stack up to help support that upfront project cost,” said Del Mar.

For individuals who don’t have direct or easy access to solar – whether they have a shaded roof, are a renter or live in an apartment – community solar may be the answer. People can enter the state’s community solar program and contribute to renewable energy efforts while receiving benefits without the upfront costs of installing a solar system.

The program allows individuals to subscribe to a local community solar project and get credits on their monthly bill, offsetting electricity use and saving money on electricity costs.

“It’s a great way for people to participate who otherwise couldn’t,” said Thacher.

People who have solar systems installed can also receive credits from power companies with a net metering system. The systems allow customers to “store” excess electricity on the grid, reducing or offsetting the electricity they would otherwise have to purchase.

With Pacific Power’s system, a household will always receive a monthly

electric bill, because there is a basic charge each month. The monthly bills will cover the cost of energy a household consumes from the power grid, if a solar system does not cover usage. Pacific Power’s net metering rules, credits and rates are all subject to rate changes.

Reliability

Individuals can also receive incentives on batteries that pair with solar systems, a helpful tool that helps the effectiveness of the renewable energy source. According to Del Mar, they are seeing more and more batteries installed on residential solar systems. Battery storage enables a system to deliver energy it generates during the day, anytime over a 24-hour period.

For residential systems, it can save the electricity that a home generates and provide emergency backup power to the home if the grid goes down. “That’s really important in areas that experience frequent outages,” said Thacher.

According to Del Mar, solar is pretty reliable in Oregon. This is because the state doesn’t have enough solar yet to experience technical integration issues, an issue that some areas with a lot of solar, like California, can experience due to the variability of the energy source. Battery storage is one of the answers to that integration challenge, said Del Mar.

“The combination of solar and battery storage is just really working wonders on energy resilience in Oregon. I think that’s another trend that we’ll continue to see for the coming years, solar and battery storage used for backup power in the event of wildfires or any other natural hazard on the grid,” said Del Mar.

Is your 3- or 4-year-old ready for preschool?

Bend Preschool is open and enrolling!

With more than 21 years of experience, Bend Preschool believes that learning is done through experiential play. Our focus is the child as a whole and with the help of Preschool Promise (state funded scholarship) your child can attend to Bend Preschool for free!

SOURCE PICKS

WEDNESDAY 04/03

BIG SASSY MOVIE NIGHT: MEAN GIRLS

A FILM FIESTA!

The original “Mean Girls” film returns to the big screen on this night of perfomance dancing. Some of Central Oregon’s favorite dancers will bring these classic characters to life while the film plays behind them for a fully immersive and interactive movie watching experience. Wed., Apr. 3, 7pm at The Capitol. 190 NW Oregon Ave., Bend. $25-$140.

THURSDAY 04/04

PINT NIGHT SUPPORTING STREET DOG HERO

CRAFT BEER AND CANINES

Sip on your favorite brews while helping to raise funds for an incredible cause. Street Dog Hero helps local street dogs receive medical services, and provides adoption services, awareness and education. Support these efforts on Thu., Apr. 4, 5-7pm at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Lt. 2, Bend. Free.

THURSDAY 04/04

POETRY MONTH SLAM

SPOKEN WORD SPECTACLE

Celebrate National Poetry Month at Roundabout Books. Literature lovers and writers with a penchant for poems are welcome to come and read original works. Poetry is intended for writers 18 and up; please consider this before bringing kids. 10 spots available for readers, sign up early. Thu., Apr. 4, 6:30pm at Roundabout Books. 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. $5.

THURSDAY 04/04

WRITERS WRITING –CHARACTERS WHO RESONATE

PRACTICE FOR PAGE-TURNERS

Get valuable practice at writing original characters that resonate with readers. This event is hosted by the Deschutes Public Library and is led by Smithsonian-published writer Bob Balmer who leads writing workshops throughout the Pacific Northwest and California. Registration is required for this event. For more info, please visit https://host5.evanced.info/ deschutes/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=73311 Thu., Apr. 4, 5:30pm at the Downtown Bend Library. 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

THURSDAY 04/04

THE WAY OF THE HEART: AN EVENING OF CACAO THROUGH HISTORY AND CEREMONY

INDIGENOUS HEALING

Embark on a journey with elder and teacher Alejandro Cerda Alvar as he guides an exploration of cacao as medicine for the heart, body and spirit. Delve into Maya-Toltec lineage teachings, partake in a traditional cacao ceremony and gain research-based insight. Participation supports vital indigenous community projects in Ecuador and Paraguay. Thu., Apr. 4, 6:30pm at Unity Community of Bend. 63645 Scenic Dr., Bend. $35.

FRIDAY 04/05

PAM TILLIS

A SOUTHERN STAR SHOWCASE

With her captivating vocals and lyrics, Country Music Award winner Pam Tillis promises to take audiences on a journey through the heart of country music. From chart-topping hits to soulful ballads, her performance is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans old and new alike. Catch the timeless country star making her Tower debut on Fri., Apr. 5, 7:30pm at the Tower Theatre. 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $36-$61 plus $4 historic preservation fee.

FRIDAY 04/05

THE POSITIVE SIDE JAZZ QUARTET

SWINGIN’ JAZZ NIGHT

A night of terrific jazz from talented local musicians. Carson Hackbart, Isaac Miller, Dan Miller and Draven Schmidt, who are set to perform classic jazz standards accompanying a special dinner on Fri., Apr. 5, 6pm at General Duffy’s Annex. 404 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. Reservations required.

SATURDAY 04/06

“THELMA” – FILM SCREENING

A REEL ADVENTURE!

BendFlim and Sundance Film partner to present a special screening of American comedy film “Thelma.” Moviegoers are invited to enjoy the story of a 90-yearold woman’s quest to reclaim what is rightfully hers. The screening offers participants the chance to watch the film as well as be entered for a chance to win a giveaway. Sat., Apr. 6, 7pm at the Tower Theatre. 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $12-$15.

SATURDAY 04/06

THE MUDDY SOULS AND THE PARNELLS – EASY FOLK FEATURED ARTIST NIGHT

A NIGHT OF FOLK FUSION

Folk/Americana group The Parnells will perform with meaningful songs and infectious melodies that highlight the stories that are unique to the Pacific Northwest. The group’s concert is part of a doubleheader night of folk as touring group The Muddy Souls brings progressive bluegrass jams and groovy improvisation. Sat., Apr. 6, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $12.

Alex Deuel

Michelle Ericksen

Courtesy Bend Ticket

Courtesy BendFilm

Jenner Fox Band

Paul Simon Tribute

Sprout Film Festival

Central Oregon Youth Orchestra

Winter Fun with the Cold War Kids

Exploring a sense of freedom with Nathan Willett

By Alan Sculley

These days, Nathan Willett values the autonomy he and his band, Cold War Kids, have gained over a career that now stretches 20 years and spans 10 albums. The band plays Saturday night at Deschutes Brewery as part of Subaru Winterfest.

That sense of freedom has shown up in tangible ways, first on the band’s “New Age Norms” trilogy of releases and now on a self-titled album released in October. Cold War Kids embarked on these projects after their contract with Capitol Records expired and the band in 2018 released a greatest hits collection, “This Will All Blow Over In Time,” and a live album, “Audience.”

In a sense, those two releases marked the end of a chapter in the Cold War Kids story, and Willett, in a late-January phone interview, said he wanted to cast aside some of the usual considerations that come with making new music.

The format itself for “New Age Norms” was a bit of a rebellious statement. Each eight-song installment was a little long to be marketed as an EP, but a bit short of being a full album and was recorded with a different producer. The first installment arrived in November 2019, followed by “New Age Norms 2” in August of 2020 and the final chapter in September 2021.

“I think it represented a sort of, a lot of things,” Willett said of ‘New Age Norms. “I think it represented a certain type of freedom and a certain type of, like, totally not really caring about how it’s all going to land. For me a lot of it is breaking the constraint of the album or the single and just kind of being somewhere in between and being sort of in a way maximal, a maximalism in ways it was this huge exercise in writing and production and trying things and spreading our wings and working with different people, working in different ways, finding different sounds, asking us what can a Cold War Kids song be like?

“I think it came at a time also when we had this sort of contractually obligated best-of collection we had to put out and we did our live record, which both ended up being great, but it was just so much backward looking that I wanted to just open the floodgates of like, I just want to write a lot,” he said. “And yeah, I really needed it. It was a really healthy thing.”

The three “New Age Norms” releases were well received, with some critics praising Cold War Kids for broadening their musical horizons, while delivering hook-filled songs that retained the band’s signature mix of alt-rock with shadings of R&B and blues, yet also being a bit more concise and a little less chaotic than early hits like “Hang Me Up To Dry” or “Something Is Not Right With Me.”

The self-titled album is back to a more conventional format of 12 songs, but it also reflects Willett’s willingness to challenge himself and continue being open to new collaborations and creative approaches. He worked with several new producer/songwriters, including Militarie Gun’s Max Epstein, Casey Lagos (Kesha, Wrabel), Ethan Gruska (Phoebe Bridgers, Weezer), Jenn Decliveo (Miley Cyrus, Hozier) and Malay (Frank Ocean, Lorde). And he continued to explore the question of what can a new Cold War Kids song be like these days.

One notable shift came with the lyrics, which found Willett getting more introspective and personal, although not in the spill-my-guts style that’s popular these days. Musically, “Cold War Kids” offers a compelling mix of rockers (the catchy “Double Life”), upbeat soul-inflected pop (“Blame,” “Run Away With Me”) bouncy alt-pop (“Empty Inside”) and rich balladry (“Another Name” and “Starring Role.”)

Much of the musical growth Cold War Kids have made and will make in the future can be traced back to a fundamental change that happened ahead of the group’s

third album, 2011’s “Mine Is Yours.” Up to then the band had been a democracy, with the four original members (singer/keyboardist/guitarist Willett, guitarist Jonnie Russell, bassist Matt Maust and drummer Matt Aveiro) seeking to contribute equally to the songwriting.

Willett and his bandmates realized democracy wasn’t working, communicating was tricky and the songs themselves sometimes suffered. The better approach was to have one songwriter steering the ship, and Willett took on that role.

The band’s lineup has evolved since, with Willett, Maust, David Quon (guitar), Matthew Schwartz (keyboards, guitar, percussion) and Joe Plummer (drums) intact since 2016, while Willett has remained the songwriter and leader in Cold War Kids.

With the self-titled album released and Willett and his bandmates feeling proud of their work, new songs will be a large presence in the band’s current live shows. Willett appreciates the band’s fans, but he said playing the new songs will help ensure he’s enjoying the show Cold War Kids present each night.

“Always kind of the ambition is to want to lean heavily on the new (songs),” Willett said. “We’re actually probably playing seven every night off of the new record. I’m really excited about that. I feel like more than ever, I kind of need it for my own sake.”

Cold War Kids

With Radical Revolution, Ruby Waters and Takimba at Subaru Winterfest Deschutes Brewery on Simpson Ave., Bend Sat., Apr. 13

Opening bands 5-8pm; Cold War Kids 8:30-10pm

(Live music featuring Radical Revolution and Takimba at Deschutes Brewery also on Friday, 5:30-9pm)

Photo by Sean-Flynn

Nathan Willet, left, and Matt Maust stretch out to keep the songs fresh.

It’s the law, with a $250+ fine for violation or exclusion. Police can issue a ticket. Park stewards may issue a 30+-day exclusion from parks and trails.

The liability is on you.

It’s your dog and you’re liable for your dog’s behavior, even for criminal charges and civil lawsuits.

Thank you for your cooperation!

CALENDAR

3 Wednesday

Big Sassy Movie Night: Mean Girls A Film Fiesta! The original "Mean Girls" film returns to the big screen on this night of performance dancing. Some of Central Oregon's favorite dancers will bring these classic characters to life while the film plays behind them for a fully immersive and interactive movie watching experience. 7pm at the Capitol. $25-$140

Blacksmith Public House Head Games

Trivia at The Blacksmith! A fun night of trivia hosted by Head Games Trivia! Put your thinking caps on every Wednesday night and bring a team of your smartest friends. Free to play! 7-9pm. Free.

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company

Wednesday Jam Sessions Drink some fine cask or imported beers and try some amazing British pies while listening to some local musicians jam out. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Sign-up 7:30pm. If you’ve ever wanted to try stand-up comedy, this is where you start! 8-10pm. Free.

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Bill Powers Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music every Wednesday from 6-8pm.

Deschutes Brewery Public House Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Head Games multi-media trivia is at Deschutes Bend Public House every Wednesday. Win prizes. Teams up to six. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Kobold Brewing / The Vault Taphouse

Trivia Night Trivia Night at The Vault! Come test your knowledge and drink top notch local beer! 6:30-8pm. Free.

M&J Tavern Open Mic Night Downtown living room welcomes musicians to bring their acoustic set or turn it up to eleven with the whole band. Bring your own instruments. Goes to last call or last musician, which ever comes first. 21+. 6:30pm. Free.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School JuJu Eyeball JuJu is back for some Fab Beatle music and it keeps adding new songs, groovy. 6-9pm. Free.

Northside Bar & Grill Mellow Wednesday

Acoustic Open Mic and Jam hosted by Derek Michael Marc Sign up sheet is available at 6:30pm. 7-9pm. Free.

Pour House Grill Last Call Trivia Wednesday Last Call Trivia Wednesdays, bring your smartest friends and win free food and drink. 6:30-8:30pm.

Prost! Bend Trivia Prost! UKB Trivia is now at Prost! Bend on Wednesdays at 7pm! Genuine UKB Trivia is no average trivia night! Meet up with friends, win gift card prizes for top teams! Enjoy Prost’s authentic beer and food menu. Trivia is free to play, with no buy-ins! 7-9pm. Free.

The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Jazz at the Suttle Lodge Dirty Jazz with Wolfe House Records, first Wednesdays of the month, all winter long! RSVP required for overnight lodging guests to claim complimentary seats. Book your stay here, and then for your tickets, email info@ thesuttlelodge.com no less than 72 hours prior to the show with your lodging confirmation number. Doors at 5:30. Show starts at 6pm.Food and drink available from Skip Restaurant during the show. 6-8pm.

> Tickets Available on Bendticket.com

4 Thursday

The Ballybogs and Friends Grab a pint, relax and enjoy live music by an amazing group of artists that brings the best Irish trad music in Central Oregon. Every Thursday at The Cellar. 6-8pm. Free.

Austin Mercantile Live Music Every Thursday Join at Austin Mercantile for live music every Thursday. Offering a light happy hour menu — daily flatbread, chili, charcuterie, soft pretzels and more! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.

Bend Elks Lodge #1371 Bingo Bingo at the Elk’s Lodge. Win cash prizes. 6-9pm. $23.

Blacksmith Public House Karaoke Hosted By DJ Chris A fun night of karaoke with DJ Chris at Blacksmith Public House! Grab a drink, sing a song, have some tasty food and unwind with us after a long day. 6-8pm.

Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Thursday at Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Thursdays at 6:30pm at Bridge 99 Brewery with Useless Knowledge Bowl. It’s no ordinary trivia night, Team up to win house gift cards! Great brews, cocktails, and more. In-house menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:30-8:30pm.

Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market

Live Music with Paul Eddy Grab a beer and join for live music with Paul Eddy on the patio at the Pub on Reed Market. Music starts at 5:30pm, free and family-friendly. 5:30-7:30pm. Free.

Elements Public House Trivia Night at Elements Public House with QuizHead Games Come be all you can be with Trivia Night every Thursday from 6-8pm! Featuring QuizHead.games Trivia is every Thursday night! Located at the north end of Redmond. Full bar and great food! 6-8pm. No Cover Charge.

Eqwine Wine Bar Open Mic Got a musical bone you’d like to share? Come to open mic night at Eqwine every Thursday at 7pm. Your first beer/ cider is on the house if you take the stage. 7-9pm. Free.

River’s Place Music with Faisal Covering music from all genres. Backed by raw acoustics and a soulful raspy voice. A Bend local, pleasing the masses all over town! 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Trivia on the Moon

Come down to Silver Moon Brewing for a night of trivia! Teams are welcome to show up in groups up to 8 people. Silver Moon also offers seating reservations for $20 donations that all go to F*Cancer! If you would like to reserve a table please contact the Trivia on the Moon Facebook page. 7pm. Free.

Stoller Wine Bar Bend SHINE SHINE is back at Stoller for some acoustic gems from all across the musical spectrum. You can expect great fun dance songs, deep cuts, and soaring harmonies. Free! 6-8pm. Free.

The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room Trivia Night Trivia Night! Grab your smartest friends and put those thinking caps on. Join for some great wines from The Winery at Manzanita and fun times. Hosted by Quiz Head Games every second and last Thursday of every month. Cheers! Every other Thursday, 6-8pm.

The Lot Live Music with Faisal Live music with Faisal Abu-Nawwas. Country, reggae, rock, soft stuff, and ‘80s and ‘90s covers promising a little bit of everything to please the masses! First Thursday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.

The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse

Suttle Lodge’s Fireside Concert Series: New Victorian Fireside Show This week, New Victorian will play unique, ethereal Americana style. Rsvp required for overnight lodging guests to claim complimentary seats. 6-8pm.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Keller Williams with Ryan Montbleau Keller built his reputation initially on his engaging live performances, no two of which are ever alike. For most of his career he has performed solo. His shows rooted around Keller singing his compositions and choice cover songs, while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, bass, guitar synthesizer and drum samples. 7 & 8pm. $30.

5 Friday

Bend Poker Room Friday Night Poker Tournament Come on in for the Friday night poker tournament! $80 entry with unlimited rebuys for the first hour and an optional add-on for $40 at the first break. Patrons pay a $10 entrance fee. No money bet in any game is collected by the Bend Poker Room. 6-11pm. $80.

Blacksmith Public House

First Friday and JuJu Eyeball Live Music Catch some Beatles music from Juju Eyeball, a Beatles cover band live at Blacksmith Public House! 6 amazing food trucks, full coffee bar, and a full bar all available to you! 6:30-10pm. Free.

General Duffy’s Annex

The Positive Side Jazz Quartet Come enjoy a special dinner accompanied by The Positive Side Jazz Quartet. With Carson Hackbart on bass, Isaac Miller on piano, Dan Miller on drums and Draven Schmidt on tenor saxophone. Playing some of your favorite standards and some less frequently heard, at the new Annex Kitchen and Cocktails. 6-8pm. Reservations required.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Stage 28 Karaoke

Come out for a night of Stage 28 Karaoke with your host Miss Min! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free.

Big E’s Sports Bar Karaoke Night Central Oregon’s most fun karaoke venue! Karaoke is hosted by A Fine Note Karaoke Too and DJ Jackie J. Delicious food and drink and a friendly staff. Come join the show where you are the star! 8pm. Free admission. Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex “Don’t Stop Believin’” ‘80”s Party! It’s time to go back in time! All your fav ‘80s smash hits back to back to back to back all night long! DJ Mystic and DJ Cruz team up with lights, lasers, smoke and visuals to bring you back! 9pm-2am. $10 at door.

Silver Moon Brewing

So Much House: Fluffy Stuff & Luxo SoMuchHouse: Bend debut DJ set by Fluffy Stuff with support by Luxo. B2B set by Its Fine & MStarkDJ. Dance, community, house music. Join for this special night! First Friday of every month, 8pm-2am. $15.

The Capitol BitsNSkits presents Three Nights of Laughter Bits ‘n’ Skits proudly presents Three Nights of Laughter Join Central Oregon’s favorite producers of sketch comedy for a night, or all three nights, of entertainment as local comedians and musicians celebrate spring at The Capitol! 6:30-8pm. $15.

6 Saturday

Austin Mercantile Saturday Afternoon Live Music Austin Mercantile is now adding live music on Saturdays! Serving wine, beer, lite happy hour menu, gifts and home decor. Hope to see you soon! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.

The Muddy Souls and the Parnells - Easy Folk Featured Artist Night

A night of Folk Fusion. Folk/Americana group

The Parnells will perform with meaningful songs and infectious melodies that hightlight the stories that are unique to the Pacific Northwest. The group's concert is part of a double header night of folk as touring group The Muddy Souls brings progressive bluegrass jams and groovy improvisation.7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. $12.

Blacksmith Public House Heller Highwater Live Music

An exhilarating evening with Heller Highwater, delivering live music that will sweep you away, starting at 6:30pm. Amazing food trucks, full coffee bar, and a full bar all available to you! 6:30-10pm.

Bridge 99 Brewery Stage 28 Karaoke Come out for a night of all ages Stage 28 Karaoke with your host Miss Min! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? 6pm. Free.

Submitting an event is free and easy. Add your event to our calendar at

American musician and record producer Booker T. Jones performs at the Tower Theatre on Sun., Apr. 14, at 7:30pm. Jones was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and still tours with his Grammy award-winning catalog.

Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro

Stay and Splash Special Offer

ROOM RATES START AT $129 PLUS A $50 RESORT CREDIT PER NIGHT

Calling all Central Oregon locals! Book your spring staycation at Sunriver Resort to enjoy rates starting at $129 per night. Our Stay and Splash package offers unlimited fun at the year-round Cove Aquatic Center, plus a $50 nightly credit to enjoy at our poolside restaurant, The Spotted Frog and more. Availability is limited, book today!

Book now to revitalize in our Central Oregon natural splendor at SunriverResort.com/Offers

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Playtime with Jake Woodmansee and Friends Comedy Show A night filled with laughter, friendship and shared memories—a perfect reminder of the importance of good times with great friends. Featuring Jake Woodmansee, Aaron Johnson and Skylar King Hosted By Courtney Stevens. 21+ Strong Content Expected 8-9:30pm $15..

Elixir Wine Open Mic Showcase featuring Chris Huffine Enjoy Chris Huffine’s mix of originals, covers and one-of-a-kind mashups, then jam with him and other talented local musicians for the rest of the evening. Local and international wine, beer on tap and light tapas menu served at Bend’s Friendliest Open Mic venue. 6-9pm. Free.

Eqwine Wine Bar The Harris Blake Band“Playing songs people know” The Harris Blake Band acoustic duo plays songs people know! Limited seating come early! 7-9pm.

Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/ Annex Club Reggaeton Club Reggaeton is back again and it's the party everyone is talking about! Reggaeton toda la noche! All the hottest and newest reggaeton on the streets. DJ Mistico and DJ Cruz and more! Modelo and Tequila drink specials! 9pm-2am. $10 at the door.

Northside Bar & Grill Almost Local classic rock and dance band. 8-11pm. Free.

On Tap Ky Burt Ky Burt performs at On Tap on April 6. Come out and enjoy some great food, beverages and live music. 6-8pm.

River’s Place Saturday Jazz Session Cy Defects performs Jazz and funk fusion. 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Superball Superball is back to rock the Moon! Lots of original material also this gig! $10 tickets. 7-10pm. $10.

The Capitol BitsNSkits presents Three Nights of Laughter Bits ‘n’ Skits proudly presents Three Nights of Laughter Join Central Oregon’s favorite producers of sketch comedy for a night, or all three nights, of entertainment as local comedians and musicians celebrate spring at The Capitol! 6:30-8pm. $15.

Velvet One Mad Man Music Spencer Snyder, One Mad Man, loops together multiple instruments to create moody, driven backdrops accompanied by smooth vocals. Hip-hop-style drums drive funk-inspired bass followed by electrifying sounds from his keyboard and guitar. First Saturday of every month, 8-11pm. Free.

8 Monday

Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting a new local charity each month! $2 per bingo card, 50% goes to the charity and 50% goes to cash prizes every round! Visit bevelbeer.com to view all the beneficiaries supported this year! 6-8pm.

Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Mondays at Bridge 99 Trivia Mondays at 6:30pm at Bridge 99 Brewery with Useless Knowledge Bowl. It’s no ordinary trivia night, Team up to win house gift cards! Great brews, cocktails, and more. In-house menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:30-8:30pm.

Elements Public House Open Mic with DMM Music Come jam with some great local musicians and enjoy an evening of music, great food and full bar. Musician sign up at 6pm. Sound and PA provided by DMM Music LLC Located at the North end of Redmond. An award-winning full bar and great food! 6:30-9:30pm. No Cover Charge.

Elixir Wine Locals Music Night and Open Mic Bend’s friendliest open-mic! All genres welcome. Oregon and international wine, beer and tapas menu available all evening. 6-9pm. Free.

On Tap Locals’ Day Plus Live Music Cheaper drinks all day and live music at night, get down to On Tap. 11am-9pm. Free.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom Storytellers Open Mic StoryTellers open mic nights are full of music, laughs and community. Mason James is the host. Poetry, comedy and spoken word are welcome, but this is mainly a musical open mic. Performance slots are a quick 10 minutes each, so being warmed up and ready is ideal. If you wish to perform sign-ups start at 5pm in the cafe. 6pm. Free.

Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free. River’s Place Bingo! Have fun, win cash and support a local non profit organization. Cards $1-$5. 6-8pm.

The Lot Trivia Tuesday Heated Benches, frothy pints, food cart goodness and the brain flexing sport of trivia! Bring a team or join one and have fun with the trivia loving, smartypants people of Bend. 6-8pm. Free.

The Lot Think Wild Trivia at The Lot Join Think Wild for a monthly Trivia Nights at The Lot on 745 NW Columbia Street! Test your knowledge of Central Oregon’s wildlife, outdoors, and conservation to win great prizes! Excellent raffle prizes, tickets can be purchased with cash or via Venmo. Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Coleman Hell “The Joyride Tour” Coleman Hell`s debut album “Summerland” made a splash with his genre-defying monster of a hit, “2 Heads.” The mesmerizing track was a favourite with critics and fans and quickly reached Top 10 and hit four times platinum in Canada, gold in the U.S. and exceeded 150 million streams on Spotify. $20.

7 Sunday

The Astro Lounge Local Artist Spotlight

Sundays This is a chance to listen to Central Oregon’s newest and upcoming local artists. They have earned their spot to perform a two-hour show, changing weekly, every Sunday. Support local top notch talent! 7-9pm. Free.

The Astro Lounge Chained to Stone Come jam in downtown Bend at The Astro Lounge and experience the best hardcore ‘90s rock in Central Oregon. Tribute to Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam and more! No cover. 7-9pm. Free.

Cascade Lakes at 7th Street Live Music with Eric Leadbetter Grab a beer and join for live music with Eric Leadbetter on the pavilion at the Pub at 7th Street. Music starts at 5:30pm, free and family-friendly. 5:30-7:30pm.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom Trivia

Night Sunday Funday Trivia with Sean. Gather your team, or roll solo and find a spot early in the cafe, knowledge tests begin at 6pm. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place. Free. 6-8pm. Free.

River’s Place Trivia Sundays at Noon Trivia Sundays at Noon, with UKB Trivia, at River’s Place. This is no ordinary contest, this is a live trivia game show. Bring your bunch and win gift card prizes for top teams! Indoor and outdoor seating available. Great food and drink options available. Noon-2pm. Free.

River’s Place JuJu Eyeball JuJu Eyeball, Central Oregon’s premier Beatles cover band, is back for more Fab music. Party on, Jojo! 5-7pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon

Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Saxsquatch presents Bigfoot Rave Saxsquatch presents Bigfoot Rave, a costume themed dance party hosted by the saxy beast. Be a bigfoot, a fairy, an alien, or be whatever you believe in. Just come have fun and dance the night away with Saxsquatch and his DJ friends! 7-11:59pm. $15.

Silver Moon Brewing Beertown Comedy Open Mic Enjoy Beertown Comedy Open Mic every Monday Night at Silver Moon Brewing! Sign-up starts at 6:30pm and closes at 7pm, when the show starts. They have 15, five minute spots available. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Comedy Open Mic

Comedy open mic every Monday at Silver Moon Brewing in the Green Room. Sign-ups at 6:30pm. Presented by Tease Bang Boom Productions. 7-8:30pm. Free.

The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room Bottles and Boards - Game Night Grab your favorite board game or borrow one! Every Monday is Game Night! Pair a Bottle of wine with a selection of Charcuterie Boards and get $5 off Whites or $10 off Reds. Fun times and great wines! Cheers! 2-9pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Facet, The Kronk Men, Hello Traitor, Dead Nettle Facet - “Facet’s most important aspect is just how damn loud and enjoyable their debut is. This Self-Titled is much more than an Unwound fan’s dream, but if the famous blend of noise rock and post-hardcore ever whet your whistle, boy howdy, do I have your new favorite band. 7-11:59pm. $10.

Worthy Brewing Head Games Trivia Night

Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Head Games multi-media trivia is at Worthy Brewing Co. in Bend every Monday. Win prizes. Teams up to six. 7-9pm. Free.

9 Tuesday

Bangers & Brews Redmond UKB Trivia Tuesdays UKB Trivia Tuesdays 6:30pm start time at Bangers and Brews in Redmond! Join this week for this unique “Live Trivia Game Show.” Meet up to compete for prizes! UKB Trivia is free to play, with no buy-ins. Great menu and beers! 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company

Shine Your Light (Open Mic) Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday at The Cellar. Sign-ups at 5:30pm. Hosted By: Zac. What better way to spend a Tuesday evening than to check out Bend’s local artist working on their passion or be one of those artist. All art welcome! Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company

Music Night at The Cellar, Featuring Central Oregon Music & Musicians Grab a pint, sit back, relax and enjoy live music by Central Oregon musicians! Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, from 6-8pm at The Cellar! Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Greg Volker and The River Greg Volker is a Minneapolis-based singer/ songwriter/ who made a name for himself while living in the San Francisco Bay Area where he recorded six albums with bands Deer Crossing, Dirt Road, and Gunpowder. Since moving back to Minneapolis he formed his new band, The River, in 2022. 7-10pm. Free.

Worthy Beers & Burgers Head Games Trivia Night Join for live multi-media trivia every Tuesday night. Win prizes. Teams up to 6 players. 7-9pm. Free.

MUSIC

Pam Tillis The Grand Ole Opry member, multiple Grammy and CMA winner, and chart-topper “Maybe It Was Memphis,” “Shake the Sugar Tree,” “Mi Vida Local” and “Queen of Denial” makes her Tower debut in an audience-pleasing show of country music favorites. April 5, 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@towertheatre.org. $36 - $61 (plus $4 Historic Preservation fee).

Rob Gregerson Performs at Arome in Redmond Enjoy a musical performance as part of Redmond’s First Friday. April 5, 4-7pm. Arome, 432 SW 6th St., Redmond. Contact: 541-3121032. lizg@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

Sunday Brunch and Karaoke Wake up right with brunch and karaoke! Sundays, 10am3pm. General Duffy’s Waterhole, 404 SW Forest Avenue, Redmond. Free.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American band. The group’s distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles, manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap It Up." Co-founder Kim Wilson is thethe sole original member. April 7, 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@ towertheatre.org. $41 - $61 (plus $4 Historic Preservation fee).

Way Back Whensdays - Live vendors and vintage shopping

Every first wednesday, head to Revival for a mood-lit live "Tiny Desk" performance put on by a rotation of local musicians. Imbibe over free bites and locally-brewed bevs while perusing racks of vintage clothing and offerings by guest vendors. Ten percent of all sales go to the performers! First Wednesday of every month, 6-9pm. Through Dec. 4. Revival Vintage, 1824 NE Division St, Bend. Contact: 503-702-3552. shastabrook@ gmail.com. Free.

Local troubadour Bill Powers will perform a great set of live music at Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5 on Wed., Apr. 3, at 6pm.

Courtesy Al Wood

DANCE

Argentine Tango Classes and Dance

Join every Wednesday for Tango classes and dancing! Your first class is free. Tango 101 Class from 6:30-7pm, no partner needed! All levels class from 7-8pm. Open dancing from 8-9:30pm. Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm. Sons of Norway Hall, 549 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend. Contact: 541-7283234. tangocentraloregon@gmail.com. $5-$10.

Beginner Country Line Dance Lesson

Dust your boots off and get down here! Friday nights in La Pine have never been so fun. Come learn a new beginner line dance, drink good cider and meet new people. Free, tips appreciated. Taught by McKenna. April 5, 7-8pm. Legend Cider Company, 6481 Bluewood Pl, La Pine. Contact: 541-610-3357. Free.

Bend Dance Project Adult Community

Drop-in Class

Join nonprofit Bend Dance Project for an adult intermediate level drop-in dance class. Styles include classic jazz, street jazz, modern and lyrical. Teachers and styles rotate monthly. Supportive and welcoming atmosphere! Suggested donation $10. Fridays, 12:15-1:45pm. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-7281063. dancevelocity@live.com. $10.

Bend Dance Project Adult Community Drop-in Dance Class

Join nonprofit Bend Dance Project for a weekly intermediate level adult dance class. Teachers and styles rotate monthly and include lyrical jazz, modern/ contemporary, street jazz and musical theater. Friendly, supportive atmosphere and opportunities to perform. Suggested $10 donation. Fridays, 12:15-1:45pm. Academie de Ballet Classique, 162 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend. Contact: 541728-1063. dancevelocity@live.com.

Bend Dance Project Adult Drop-in Dance Class

Join Bend Dance Project for weekly adult intermediate level drop-in class. Rotating teachers and styles include contemporary, street jazz, modern and theater dance. Friendly supportive atmosphere. Fridays, 12:151:45pm. Academia De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-541-728-1063. dancevelocity@live.com. $10 donation.

Line Dance Lessons Bring your honey, your besties, your mama, your granpda, your neighbor, or even your dog to these fun free lessons! April 9, 7-8pm. Blacksmith Public House, 308 SW Evergreen Ave., Redmond. Contact: 541-604-8878.

Nia Fusion of dance, martial arts and healing arts focusing on reconnecting to body sensations and the body’s natural way of movement through form, freedom and play. You will dance though deep intention and joyful expressions to connect to your true nature. Tuesdays, 5:15pm. Bend Hot Yoga, 1230 NE 3rd St. UnitA230, Bend. Contact: yoga@bendhotyoga.com. $20/drop-In.

Scottish Country Dance A chance to socialize and get a bit of exercise, too. Beginners are welcome. All footwork, figures and social graces will be taught and reviewed. Mondays, 7-9pm. Sons of Norway Hall, 549 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend. Contact: 541-508-9110. allely@ bendbroadband.com. $5.

Sexy West Coast Swing! The 4 -week series is Tuesdays starting April 2, $60/person. No partner necessary. 6:30pm Beginning, 8pm Beginning Plus. Register by 3/31 w Victoria. Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm. Through April 30. Bend Dance, SW Porcupine Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-410-0048. salsavictoria@yahoo.com. $60.

Soul in Motion Movement & Dance

Come move with what is moving in you, in community, putting a little more life in your life!! No experience necessary... guided and facilitated to support you to sink down from the chatter of your mind and into your body... inviting it take the lead. Mindful movement and dance... drop in. Wednesdays, 6-7:15pm. Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga, 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112, Bend. Contact: 541-948-7015. soulinmotionbend@gmail.com. $20.

Soulful Sunday Community Dance

Sunday is a perfect time to step on to the dance floor. This will be a facilitated and supported Soul Motion® practice. $20 if registered online, $25 drop in. Pay what you can. Sundays, 10-11:30am. Through June 17. Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga, 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112, Bend. Contact: 541-948-7015. soulinmotionbend@ gmail.com.

Sun-Kissed Salsa! Sun’s out, grab a margarita and let’s Salsa! Three levels of classes for newbies to experienced dancers, classes are 4-week series starting first Wednesday every month. 6pm beginning, 7:15pm beginning plus, 8:30pm intermediate. No partner needed, $60/month, register by Mar., 31 with Victoria 541-410-0048. Wednesdays, 6-7pm. Through April 24. Bend Dance, SW Porcupine Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-410-0048. salsavictoria@yahoo. com. $60.

Temple Tribal Fusion Dance Includes Tribal Belly Dance, traditional sacred dances, yoga, fitness, dance drills, choreography to expand your movement language and build strength, grace, agility, confidence in a heart-centered, world-class learning environment. Join for fun, a great workout, or perform in the dance company. Mixed level classes give something for everyone, from newbies to advanced dancers. All levels warmly welcomed! Learn more at http://www.templetribalfusion. com/dance-bend Mondays, 5-6:15pm. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. $20.

FILM EVENTS

“Thelma” - Sundance Film

Screening with BendFilm Deceived by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, a 90-year-old woman sets out on a quest to reclaim what was taken from her. A fun evening, giveaways and a great film! All BendFilm Members get in to this event for free! April 6, 7-9pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-388-3378. elise.furgurson@bendfilm.org. $12-$15.

Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge “Yamnuska: The Ragged Edge” follows two modern day adventurers as they embark on a rock climbing journey through time, celebrating the rich history and folklore of one of Canada’s most iconic climbing cliffs, paying homage to the colorful characters who have etched their names into its vertical walls since 1950s. April 9, 7:15-8:30pm. Sisters Movie House, 720 Desperado Court, Sisters. Contact: 541-549-8833. inquiries@ sistersmoviehouse.com. $16.

ARTS + CRAFTS

Art Viewing Visit Sagebrushers Art Society in beautiful Bend to see lovely work, paintings and greeting cards by local artists. New exhibit every 8 weeks. Visit Sagebrushersartofbend.com for information on current shows. Wednesdays, 1-4pm, Fridays, 1-4pm and Saturdays, 1-4pm. Sagebrushers Art Society, 117 SW Roosevelt Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-617-0900. Free.

Blacksmithing 101 - Forge a Metal Wall Hook

Come have fun and try your hand at the time-honored DIY craft of shaping, tapering, splitting, twisting and punching steel to create art, jewelry and functional items. You will create a useful custom wall hook during the two 2-hour class series and be certified come back to use the forge. April 9, 5:30-7:30pm and April 10, 5:30-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $279.

Crochet Corner: Fancywork Yarn Shop

Gather with fellow crocheters for an afternoon of crafting, learning and inspiration! Founder and lead educator of the American Crochet Association, Salena Baca, hosts this 2-hour hook session held at Fancywork Yarn Shop. All skill levels are welcome in this weekly drop-in event. Thursdays, 1-3pm. Fancywork Yarn Shop, 200 NE Greenwood Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-3238686. hello@fancywork.com. Free.

First Friday Art Walk Local artist display and sell their artwork. Local musicians play from 6-8 pm. Wine, beer, cider, seltzer along with cocktails available for purchase. Flatbreads, nachos, charcuterie boards also available for purchase. Indoor and outdoor seating. 21 and over, pet friendly patio. First Friday of every month, 4-8pm. Eqwine Wine Bar, 218 SW 4th St, Redmond. Contact: 541-527-4419. eqwine. wine@gmail.com. Free.

Intro to 3D Printing for Adults 3D printing is a skill that anyone can learn to use and enjoy. This class will cover everything from how a 3D printer works to creating and printing out custom designs. Tinkercad is used, a free, easy-to-use web app in this class. April 3, 7-9:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $139.

Eugene-based swing band Cherry Poppin’ Daddies fuses elements of ska, swing and punk influences, creating a unique and vibrant sound that's impossible to resist. With electrifying performances of catchy tunes, this show promises to be a high-energy extravaganza on Sat., Apr. 13, 8pm at the Domino Room.

Photo by Rod Black

Intro to Blacksmithing - ages 16+ Come have fun and try your hand at the time-honored DIY craft of shaping, tapering and punching steel to create a functional bottle opener. This is a good 2-hour introductory workshop before committing to the two-sessions Blacksmithing 101 class. Tools and materials are provided. April 6, 10am-Noon. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@ diycave.com. $169.

Intro to Welding This hands-on class is perfect for beginners or anyone needing a refresher class in cutting and welding. You’ll cut steel with a plasma cutter and weld those pieces back together. You’ll get to try your hand at MIG welding. No Welding Experience Needed! All materials and tools included. April 8, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $139.

Kids Beaded Earrings Class - ages 12+ In this two-hour workshop, students learn to make two to three pairs of earrings using wire and glass/ metal/stones. This is a wonderful project for young makers because it introduces them to the joy of jewelry-making. Beginners and intermediate beginners are welcome and will progress in skill level. April 3, 4-6pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $87.

Kids Intro to 3D Printing - ages 9+

This class will cover everything from how a 3D printer works to creating and printing out custom designs. Beginners and intermediate beginners including repeat participants are welcome and will progress in skills. April 3, 3:30-6:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $109.

Kids Welding Class - ages 10+

In this hands-on class, kids cut steel with a torch and weld those pieces back together. They’ll learn some amazing skills and take their creations home. Beginners and intermediate beginners are welcome and will progress in skill level. All materials included. April 3, 4-6pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $98.

Make a Pair of Textured Hoop Earrings

In this fun 2-hour workshop, students will learn to create the perfect textured hoop earrings, how to shape a copper or brass hoop, add texture using hammers and stamps, then finish them up by creating sterling silver ear wires. Previous jewelry making experience is helpful but not essential. April 8, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $119.

Redmond First Friday Art Walk Meet

with local artist while walking downtown Redmond. First Friday of every month. Downtown Redmond, Sixth Street, Redmond. Free.

Wood Furniture Making

This 4-week class takes students through the complete process of creating a hardwood stool. In the wood shop, students will gain advanced skills in project planning and will use nearly every machine in the shop including the table saw, chop saw, bandsaw, drill press, and routers to create joinery. Tue, April 9, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $499.

Wood Laminated Cutting Boardsages 16+ In the 2-day series, students learn the safe operation and proper applications of a few major woodworking tools. The workshop will cover table saw, chop saw, overhead belt sander, and glue-up techniques. Build cutting boards to directly apply learned techniques. Tablesaw certification included. Wed, April 3, 6-8:30pm and Wed, April 10, 6-8:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $309.

Youth Art Takeover featuring Bend La Pine Students This exhibition celebrates the artistic achievements of Bend La Pine student artists. It is a part of the larger Downtown Bend Youth Art Takeover, held during April’s First Friday. Student works can be viewed at multiple locations on Friday, April 5th. April 5-25. The ANNEX, A Scalehouse Project, 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-640-2186. marley@ scalehouse.org.

PRESENTATIONS

+ EXHIBITS

An Evening with Author TJ Klune New York Times best-selling author TJ Klune shares his story of being queer and neurodiverse while coming of age in rural Oregon. Fantasy fiction author of The House in the Cerulean, Klune believes it’s important, now more than ever, to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories. April 9, 6-7:30pm. Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus, Bend, Bend. Contact: 541-383-7257. cgilbride@cocc.edu. Free.

Bend Ghost Tours

Join for Ghosts and Legends of Downtown Bend Tour and hear all about Bend’s permanent residents! Your spirit guide will lead you through the haunted streets and alleyways of Historic Downtown Bend where you’ll learn about the city’s many macabre tales, long-buried secrets and famous ghosts. Wednesdays-Sundays, 7:30-9pm. Downtown Bend, Downtown Bend, Bend. Contact: 541-3500732. bendghosttours@gmail.com. $25.

Contemporary Realist David Kreitzer

Open Home Gallery and Studio Join contemporary realist painter David Kreitzer, celebrating his 58 years as a professional artist, in an open studio and gallery exhibit of Central Oregon landscape splendor, California “Nishigoi” koi images and more. Kreitzer began his career at Maxwell Galleries in San Francisco. Fridays-Sundays, 1-6pm. Through April 28. Kreitzer Art Gallery and Studio, 20214 Archie Briggs Road, Bend. Contact: 805-234-2048. jkreitze@icloud.com. Free.

Exhibition Closing – Andy Warhol’s Endangered Species

Last chance to see the Andy Warhol Endangered Species Series, from the collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation. Free with paid museum admission. April 7, 9am-5pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-3824754. info@highdesertmuseum.org.

Sleep Under The Stars Hosted Observatory Experience A Hosted experience at The Spot At Smith Rock’s Asterisk Observatory will include a short educational presentation, night sky observing through our 17-inch telescope, a guided constellation tour, stargazing, and a Q & A period with hot beverages. Hosted experiences are offered nightly in March, April,

May, June, September, and October between the 3rd quarter and 1st quarter lunar phases when the sky is darkest. Your group’s visit to the observatory includes an overnight stay at The Spot At Smith Rock for up to 6 people. Group sizes of 8 or 10 can be accommodated for an additional cost. Mondays. Asterisk Observatory, 10136 NE Crooked River Dr., Terrebone. $79-$179.

THEATER

Behind the Scenes with a Professional Puppeteer Ellipse Theatre Community (ETC), in partnership with the Tower Theatre, is pleased to offer a special puppetry workshop with DLUX Puppets. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this engaging, hands-on workshop is perfect for the whole family! Registration is required, go to etcbend.org/ education to register. Event is free, while suggested donation is $10-$25. April 9, 4:15-5:15pm. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend. Contact: info@etcbend.org.

DLUX Puppets A fun musical adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” with actors, high-quality puppetry, and digitally projected scenery the whole family will enjoy! April 9, 7 and 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@towertheatre.org. $26 - $31 (plus $4 Historic Preservation fee).

WORDS

A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest: A Reading and Conversation with Charlie J. Stephens and Irene Cooper Join author

Charlie J. Stephens in conversation with local author Irene Cooper about Stephen’s debut novel, “A Wounded Deer Leaps Highest.” April 4, 5-6:30pm. Cafe des Chutes, 50 SE Scott St., Bend. Free.

Central Oregon Landwatch: Speaker: Ben Gordon, Executive Director Central Oregon Landwatch with speaker Ben Gordon, executive director with Q and A to follow. April 4, Noon-1pm. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-931-9096. Free.

Creative Writing Playshop with Krayna

Castelbaum Creative Writing Playshop: Pile

As Metaphor For Family? The thrills! The chills! Nothing else supplies material, or catalyzes the creative impulse, like the complex territory of family. Join the expedition, where family is the springboard for an imaginative romp. Register at https://scalehouse2024.eventive.org/schedule/ 65ca7ab550fb5903ca1f58c4 April 6, 10:30amNoon. Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts, 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-640-2186. marley@scalehouse.org. $35.

Current Fiction Book Club Please join

Current Fiction Book Club to discuss “Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch. April 3, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541-306-6564. julie@roundaboutbookshop.com. Free.

DNA Basics with Beth Taylor and Crista Cowan Learn DNA Basics with Beth Taylor and a basic understanding of Ancestry DNA with Crista Cowan. Watch two RootsTech 2023 videos and then discuss what was learned. Free, must register for in-person or Zoom. April 9, 10-10:30am. Williamson Hall at Rock Arbor Villa, 2200 NE Hwy 20, Bend. Contact: 541-3179553. Info@bendgenealogy.org.

Mystery Book Club Please join in-store or on zoom for Mystery Book Club. The group will discuss The Ladies of the Secret Circus by Constance Sayers. Join zoom link here: https:// us02web.zoom.us/j/87648931984?pwd=eHN4VjRIOVkyck5DL092OE9Nakd2QT09. Wednesdays, 10:30am. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541-3066564. julie@roundaboutbookshop.com. Free.

Poetry Month

Slam Celebrate National Poetry Month at Roundabout Books! Do you write poetry about love, loss, nature, joy, and more? Come read it at Roundabout Books! Poetry intended for 18+ is welcome, please consider this before bringing kids. We have 10 spots for readers, so sign up now! April 4, 6:30-7:30pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541-306-6564. julie@ roundaboutbookshop.com. $5.

Quiet Writing Enjoy the focus of a quiet space with the benefit of others’ company. Bring personal work, read a book, or answer emails. Come when you can, leave when you want. Free, open network WiFi available. Mondays, 9-10:30am.

Deschutes Downtown Bend Public Library - Meyer Room, 601 N.W. Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.

Writers Working - How to Shout About Your Work

Let’s explore how you can get the word out about your writing while staying true to yourself, your voice, and your audience. Survey the online presence of established authors and provide a big-picture perspective on planning your marketing approach so you don’t lose sight of your goals. April 9, 5:30-7:30pm. Downtown Bend Public Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@dpls. lib.or.us. Free.

Writers Writing - Characters Who

Resonate Your characters often carry the emotion of a story. Does the reader love, hate, care about the character? How does that happen - through physical description, personality, character traits? Practice developing characters who resonate. Registration required at https:// host5.evanced.info/deschutes/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=73311 April 4, 5:30-7pm. Brooks Room / Downtown Bend Library, (no address), (no city). Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@dpls. lib.or.us. Free.

Writers Writing: Quiet Writing Time

Enjoy the focus of a quiet space with the benefit of others’ company. This is an in-person program. Masks are recommended at all in-person library events. Bring personal work, read a book or answer emails. Come when you can, leave when you want. Free, open network WiFi available. Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30pm. Deschutes Public Library-Downtown, 601 NW Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1063. paigef@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

ETC.

Post Mountain Sauna Sesh Free sauna sessions, Fridays and Saturdays at Bunk and Brew. Discounted draft beer, deals on authentic Oaxacan food from Alebrije, delicious Wonderland chicken, fires and live music on select dates. Check in with your Bachelor pass at the Beer Truck in the Yard. Fridays-Saturdays, 3-9pm. Through April 6. Bunk+Brew, 42 NW Hawthorne Avenue, Bend. Contact: 458-202-1090. Free.

CALENDAR

The Way of the Heart: An Evening of Cacao through History and Ceremony

Join visiting elder, teacher and researcher Alejandro Cerda Alvar in an evening exploring cacao as medicine for the heart, body, mind and spirit with teachings for everyday living. Experience Maya-Toltec lineage teachings, a traditional cacao ceremony, and up-to-the moment scientific research. Proceeds support indigenous community projects in Ecuador and Paraguay. April 4, 6:30-8:30pm. Unity Community of Bend, 63645 Scenic Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-603-8485. drmichelle.ericksen@gmail. com. $35.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Bend Adult Volleyball Bend Hoops adult open gym volleyball sessions offer players a chance to get together and enjoy some competition. To sign up, go to meetup.com and RSVP. Bring exact change. Sundays, 7-9pm and Saturdays, 7:30pm. Bend Hoops, 1307 NE 1st St, Bend. $10.

Bend Rock Gym BIPOC Climb Night

Join Vamonos Outside and the BRG for its monthly BIPOC climbing night. Second Tuesday of every month. Bend Rock Gym, 1182 SE Centennial Ct., Bend. $15.

International Dark Skies Week

Prineville Prineville is home to Oregon’s only International Dark Sky Park and is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the celestial magic of the night sky! Join on Saturday, Apr., 6, for a night of astronomical exploration at Prineville Reservoir State Park! April 6, 6-11pm. Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-8359. info@wanderlusttours.com. $130.

Sadie Hawkins Pistol Shoot

Join the Redmond Rod & Gun Club for the annual Sadie Hawkins Pistol Shoot. Come with a friend or partner and compete against others for prizes. Entry is $50 per pair, come enjoy the refreshments too! April 6, 2:30-5pm. Redmond Rod & Gun Club, 9020 S HWY 97, Redmond. Contact: 541-6040144. LadyGetsaGun@gmail.com. $50.

Snowmobiles at Elk Lake Resort

At your front door hundreds of miles of trails await that wind through several designated wilderness areas and national forests. Please note: Guests renting snowmobile from Elk Lake Resort must pay $60 per guest roundtrip transportation fee in addition to rental rates, as we are not allowed to rent from Dutchman Flats SnoPark. Drivers must be at least 18 years old with a valid Driver’s License in hand. All passengers must be at least six years old and have the ability to hold on and ride safely. Helmets, goggles and fuel are included with each rental. There is a non-refundable damage waiver fee of $25 per sled added to each reservation. Brand new 2024 Polaris Snowmobiles have been added to the rental fleet this winter season. Embark on a winter adventure on a Polaris 650 Switchback XC 146, single and tandem models. Thursdays-Sundays. Elk Lake Resort, 60000 SW Century Dr., Bend.

Wander Run Club Weekly Run All paces, all bodies welcome, let’s wander! Meet at 8am at Shevlin Park. Truly an all bodies, all paces running community. Walk-run, and walkers invited as well! @wander_run_club on Instagram Sundays, 8-10am. Through April 21. Shevlin Park, 18920 Shevlin Rd., Bend. Contact: 831-201-8032. be.shaktiyoga@gmail.com. Free.

VOLUNTEER

Bunny Rescue Needs Volunteers

Looking for more volunteers to help with tidying bunny enclosures, feeding, watering, giving treats, head scratches, play time and fostering. All ages welcome and time commitments are flexible — weekly, monthly or fill-in. Located at the south end of Redmond. Email Lindsey with your interests and availability: wildflowerbunnylove@gmail.com. Ongoing.

Camp Fire Recruiting Summer Camp

Interns

Are you 18+ years old, currently enrolled in college, and interested in building leadership skills around working with youth, education, the environment, and/or STEM? Camp Fire Central Oregon is hiring interns for inclusive, supportive summer camp programs! Learn more, explore the perks: https://campfireco.org/jobs/ Wednesdays-Sundays. Through April 30. Contact: 541-382-4682. jobs@campfireco.org.

Remond Family Kitchen Dinner Family Kitchen is continuing to provide nutritious meals to anyone in need now in Redmond! They need volunteers to prepare dinners and clean up afterward on Mondays - Fridays, from 2-4:30pm. Email Tori (see below) with any questions, or sign up here: https://www.signupgenius. com/go/RedmondDinner Mondays-Fridays, 2-4:30pm. Mountain View Fellowship, 1475 SW 35th St, Redmond. Contact: 631-942-3528. tori@ familykitchen.org. Free.

Seeking Volunteers Volunteers needed to assist with cage cleaning and socializing birds to prepare for adoption, bring a friend! Please call first, mornings preferred. Mondays-Sundays, 10am-12:30pm. Second Chance Bird Rescue, 19084 Dayton Rd, Bend. Contact: 916-956-2153.

Thrive Moving Volunteers

Support your neighbors by helping them move to their new home. If interested, fill out the volunteer form or reach out! Ongoing. Contact: 541-728-1022. TCOmoving22@gmail.com.

Volunteer Fair Lunch will be provided by the Fellowship. Organizations that provide a service to the local community in various ways will be at the Volunteer Fair to share what they do and sign you up! April 6, 11am-1pm. Sunriver Christian Fellowship, 18139 Cottonwood Road, Sunriver. Contact: 541-593-1183. info@sunriverchristianfellowship.org.

Volunteer Opportunity Can you lift a bale of hay? Are you able to follow detailed instructions? Are you dependable? Searching for assistance with daily feeding for equines at Mustangs To The Rescue (MTTR). After all, food is a language of love. Leave a message at 541-330-8943 email: volunteer@mustangstotherescue Ongoing, 9am5pm. Mustangs to the Rescue, 21670 McGilvray Road, Bend. Contact: 541-330-8943. volunteer@ mustangstotherescue.

Volunteer with Mustangs To The Rescue Get a great workout, feel useful doing something meaningful and experience the healing energy of horses all at the same time! Mustangs to the Rescue (MTTR) is a local horse rescue seeking responsible, hard-working souls to assist with all aspects of horse care. No experience necessary. Call and leave a message or email: 541-330-8943 volunteer@mustangstotherescue Ongoing. Mustangs To The Rescue, 21670 SE McGilvray Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-3308943. volunteer@mustangstotherescue.org.

Volunteer with Salvation Army The Salvation Army has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for almost every age. Salvation Army has an emergency food pantry, the groups visit residents of assisted living centers and make up gifts for veterans and the homeless. Ongoing. Contact: 541-389-8888.

Volunteer, Feed the Masses! At Family Kitchen, the mission is to serve anyone who needs nutritious meals in a safe and caring environment. They have tons of volunteer needs - servers, cooks, shoppers, and more. Groups and teams wanted! Monthly or quarterly opportunities! Visit familykitchen.org/volunteer to fill out a volunteer interest form. Mondays-Sundays. Family Kitchen, 231 NW Idaho, Bend. Contact: tori@familykitchen.org. Free.

Volunteering in Oregon’s High Desert with ONDA Oregon Natural Desert Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, defending and restoring Oregon’s high desert for current and future generations. ONDA opened registration for its spring 2023 stewardship trips. For more info, visit its website. Ongoing.

Volunteers Needed for Humane Society Thrift Store Do you love animals and discovering “new” treasures? Then volunteering at the HSCO Thrift Store is a great way to combine your passions while helping raise funds to provide animal welfare services for the local community. For more information visit the website at www.hsco.org/volunteer. Ongoing. Humane Society Thrift Shop, 61220 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3840. abigail@hsco. org.

GROUPS + MEETUPS

4-Week Topical Men’s Group: “Worldly Stressors” 4 Week topical Men’s Group, “Worldly Stressors”: A thoughtful, non-confrontational group discussion of current issues destabilizing the country/world. The group attempts to respectfully share diverse perspectives to gain wisdom, insight and grounding; practicing understanding vs over-reacting. Contact Jeff to RSVP/Info. Offered at 2 times each Wed: 10:3012 or 5:30-7pm. Wed, April 3, 10:30am-Noon and Wednesdays, 5:30-7pm. Through April 24. Downtown Bend Library, 601 Northwest Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 541-350-5177. jwalkup@ bendbroadband.com. Free.

Autocross Club of Central Oregon Meetings ACCO meets monthly, March through October either at Bend or Redmond Black Bear Diners. See our website. At these meetings, events and club policies etc. are discussed and members vote on things to guide the direction of the club. Autocross Club of Central Oregon is a nonprofit social club. Thu, April 4, 6-8pm, Thu, May 2, 6-8pm, Thu, June 6, 6-8pm, Thu, July 11, 6-8pm, Thu, Aug. 1, 6-8pm, Thu, Aug. 29, 6-8pm and Thu, Sept. 19, 6-8pm. Black Bear Diner Redmond, 429 NW Cedar Ave, Redmond. Contact: 541-593-7383. publicity@autoxclub.org.

Bend Ukelele Group (BUGs) Do you play Uke? Like to learn to play? Beginners and experienced players all welcome to join the fun every Tuesday at 6:30-8pm at Big E’s just off 3rd street near Reed Market. Go play with the group! Tue, Dec. 6, 6:30pm and Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Big E’s Sports Bar, 1012 SE Cleveland Ave., Bend. Contact: 206-707-6337. Free.

Bluegrass Jam Circle All are welcome to join this open acoustic jam circle on the first Sunday of every month! Hosted by Jake Soto of Larkspur Stand, you’re invited to share your favorite tunes on guitar, banjo, bass, mando, fiddle, harmonica, spoons, dobro, slide, pianica, banjolele, etc. $1 off beers for all jammers! First Sunday of every month, 3-5pm. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 541972-3835. holla@bevelbeer.com. Free.

Central OR. Webinar!- Is it a good time to buy a home? Learn all about the home-buying process, financing options, contingencies and most importantly, whether or not now is the right time to buy or sell! Free weekly webinars, every other Thursday at 1pm. All are welcome: sellers, first time buyers, trading up, investors, relocating, etc. Visit www.centralORwebinars.com to register today! Thursdays, 1-2pm. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 503-810-2723. scass@kw.com. Free.

City Nature Challenge - iNaturalist Workshop - Learn iNaturalist for Nature Appreciation and Citizen Science

Unlock the wonders of nature with iNaturalist! Join Think Wild at East Bend Public Library to discover the app’s power in citizen science. Learn to identify and record local flora/fauna, fostering a global effort to map wildlife. Bring your device and be part of the City Nature Challenge. April 5, 4-5:30pm. East Bend Public Library, 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6165. molly@thinkwildco.org. Free.

ConnectW - Munch and Mingle in Redmond ConnectW is connecting professional women over a limited-seating, monthly noon meal every first Thursday of the month. Business sharing, social networking and friendship. Attendance is capped at 12 and registration is required to save your seat at the table. Price is cost of meal. First Thursday of every month, 11:45am-1pm. Madaline’s Grill & Steak House, 2414 Highway 97, Redmond. Contact: info@ connectw.org.

Free Dinner Seminar: Hormones, Fatigue and Belly Fat This fun, informative and useful lecture will focus on the underlying reasons that men and women struggle with inflammation. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about how holistic medicine gets to the root of the problem to transform bodies and lives. Seating is limited, please RSVP. April 9, 6-7:30pm. Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-410-5866. Free.

Free Mom and Baby Group

Bring your babies and come connect with other parents about the joys and challenges of being a mother. Each week, a guest specialist will speak about helpful points related to postpartum health and wellness, baby care and mindful parenting. There will also be time for open circle discussions each session. First Friday of every month, 10:45-11:45am. Through June 7. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@ freespiritbend.com. Free.

Reggae legends Israel Vibration and Roots Radics features talented musicians like Steve Golding, Dwight Pinkey and more. This roots reggae group hails from Kingston and will perform on Sun., Apr. 14, 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub.

Courtesy @realisraelvibration Instagram

Dear Central Oregon,

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery is on a mission: we want all our community’s children to thrive, and we know that is no small feat!

MountainStar has been serving Central Oregon families for 23 years and a lot of our success is due to the unwavering commitment of our community. People who join MountainStar in this work develop a deeper understanding of family stressors that may lead to abuse. Once we understand those stressors, we can work upstream and approach families with trauma-informed, therapeutic services designed to break cycles of abuse and open doors to new opportunities for children and their parents.

We know that families confront big barriers – housing insecurity, mental health struggles, isolation, and addiction – and we remain engaged in those spaces to better support the families MountainStar serves. We believe every child deserves the best start possible. And we know that a strong start for babies and toddlers has a positive impact on our community for many years to come.

This spring, we are excited to bring you closer to our work. We are eager for you to develop a deeper understanding of the long-term impact of our services. We invite you to Walk With a Child on April 30. We’re producing new materials to illustrate the path of a child that walks through life With MountainStar or Without MountainStar. We serve children 0-5 years old and their healthy start at MountainStar remains present throughout their lives. Take a sneak peek on the next page!

After the event, these materials will be made available to the wider community. Maybe you are a local business and would like to educate your staff and customers around early intervention programs and how they ensure our community’s children thrive. Perhaps your faith community would like to focus on increasing awareness for child abuse prevention and get a closer look at potential outcomes for children and their families. We are excited to share this with you!

MountainStar pledges to be a continued leader in our community – raising awareness for prevention services that support families and keep children safe from abuse and neglect. We will continue to seek avenues and push conversations that drive lasting change. We will uphold our values to provide compassionate, non-judgmental care and continue to advocate on behalf of vulnerable families in our community.

Thank you for prioritizing the safety of children! Thank you for your ongoing partnership!

With Gratitude, Executive Director, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

. . . at MountainStar, it's what we do every day, all year long.

We get involved with families facing tough challenges at a time when it matters most - the first 1,000 days of their child’s life.

Children attend therapeutic early childhood classes designed for babies and toddlers living in high-stress and chaotic homes and who typically do not get enough quality time with a responsive caretaker. MountainStar’s staff and volunteers create a safe and predictable environment to respond to the unique needs of each child in our program.

CHECKOUT OUR EVENTS

KEEP KIDS SAFE

OTHER WAYS TO SHOW SUPPORT

Volunteer in the classroom, host a fundraiser on Facebook, or drop off an essential item at one of the participating diaper drive locations in April:

Thank you to our 2024 child abuse prevention partners!

Mountain Star

mtstar.org / info@mtstar.org

For more information, please visit our website at mtstar.org and follow us on social media!

CALENDAR EVENTS

Homebuyer Webinar: Learn how to get up to $21k in closing cost assistance! Learn how to get below market rates and closing cost credits up to $21k using the Oregon Bond Residential Loan Program when you purchase a home. Free weekly webinars, every other Thursday at 1pm. All are welcome, sellers, first time buyers, trading up, investors, relocating. Register at www.centralORwebinars.com Thursdays, 1-2pm. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 503-8102723. SCASS@KW.COM. Free.

Liberate your Life: Unlocking Inner Joy and Freedom for Women Unlock your full potential and make the most of every moment by joining Liberate Your Life. This 8-week virtual course provides a simple, step-by-step playbook for each topic, so you can easily follow along and get the most out of your journey. Thursdays- 2/22/24-4/11/24 Half-off coupon code: ilovesourceweekly Thursdays, 5-6pm. Through April 11. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 541-706-1593. libbey@livefreeapothecary.com. $1,000.

Masculine Embodiment Nights Brotherhood, movement, breath and integrity. Men gathering in circle to share from the heart and remember how to feel. Come as you are, leave more connected. A space to be seen. Please RSVP for head count and be punctual. $15-25 - No man turned away Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm. Sons of Norway Hall, 549 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend. Contact: 541-668-7518. adam.j.tutor@gmail.com.

Mountain Muskrats Monthly Meeting

Your unexpected Central Oregon dive experience begins here. The Mountain Muskrats is an independent dive club set on exploring Central Oregon’s waterways. Join the club! First Saturday of every month, 5:30pm. The Den Dive Shop, 56881 Enterprise Drive, Sunriver. Contact: 541-600-9355. thedendiveshop@hotmail.com. $100 annual club fee.

Open house/Ribbon cutting ceremony for Juniper Dermatology’s new Bend location! A grand opening celebration, open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for Juniper Dermatology’s new Bend location! The Physician clinic offers comprehensive cosmetic and medical dermatology. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 3pm. Finger food, drinks and raffles! April 5, 3-5pm. Juniper Dermatology, 2450 NE Mary Rose Place, ste 201, Bend. Free.

PFLAG Central Oregon Monthly Meeting

Each meeting discusses connection, education and support for our LGBTQIAA friends and family. A night of educational speakers and networking opportunities. Tue, Sept. 12, 6:308pm, Tue, Oct. 10, 6:30-8pm and Second Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8pm. Through June 11. Nativity Lutheran Church, 60850 Brosterhous Road, Bend. Contact: pflagcentraloregon@ gmail.com. Free.

Prenatal Yoga Rejuvenate, relax and recharge as you move, breathe and build community with other expectant moms! Reduce common pregnancy discomforts and tensions, prepare your body for birth, improve your postpartum recovery and bring mindfulness to your daily life. All levels and stages of pregnancy are welcome. 6-week series. Saturdays, 10:30-11:45am. Through May 11. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@freespiritbend.com. $125.

Ribbon Cutting for Macneish and Associates LLC-American Family Insurance

Celebrate Macneish and Associates LLC-American Family Insurance‘s Bend location with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration to follow! Food, beverages and a raffle will take place! April 4, 3:30-5:30pm. Macneish & Associates LLC, American Family Insurance, 605 NE Savannah Dr, #5, Bend. Free.

Ribbon Cutting for Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams has a brand-new location in Bend! Celebrate the new space with a ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration to follow!

Sherwin Williams is well known for expertise in paint, customer service and great selection. The event will include food and giveaways! April 9, 3-5pm. Sherwin Williams, 2620 NE Hwy 20, Ste 230, Bend. Free.

Secretary of State Democratic Primary Forum In collaboration with the City Club Consortium of Oregon, the City Club of Central Oregon, the City Club of Portland with support from the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County. On YouTube. Please follow event link to submit questions . April 9, 7:30-8pm. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 541-668-7642. kim@cityclubco. org.

Secretary of State Republican Primary Forum In collaboration with the City Club Consortium of Oregon, the City Club of Central Oregon, the Club of Portland with support from the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County. This forum is on YouTube. To submit questions, please follow the link to the event page. April 9, 5:30-6:30pm. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 541-6687642. info@cityclubco.org.

Singles Mingle and Speed Dating

Looking to meet new people? Make a special connection? Want to try something different? This is a singles community event every first Friday! Give speed dating a try! Enjoy some fun times and great wines and who knows maybe you will meet that special someone! CHEERS! First Friday of every month, 6-8pm. The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 194, Bend. Contact: info@bendwinebar.com. $5 at door.

Tension Release Yoga

Come stretch, enjoy self-massage and unwind from your busy week. Using yoga therapy balls and foam rollers these classes will heal sore or injured muscles through self-myofascial massage. Plus, through gentle yoga and restorative postures , improve your breathing, releasing patterns of tension and tightness stored in the body. Sundays, 6:30-7:45pm.

Through May 12. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@freespiritbend.com. $125.

Total Core Yoga

This invigorating series focuses on developing your total core. Come and improve your posture and balance as well as enhance your yoga standing and inverted poses. Each week strengthen, stretch, and stabilize a different area of your core. Moms three months and up, postpartum are welcome to attend. Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm.

Through May 6. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@freespiritbend.com. $125.

Yoga Mama Classes Develop a yoga and mindful practice that builds strength and flexibility and helps balance out emotions. Reduce common “mom” tensions especially in the low back, neck and shoulders, while increasing core strength and rebalancing your hips and pelvis. Learn Ayurvedic Yoga methods to reduce fatigue in this 6-week series. Wednesdays, 5:30-6:45pm. Through May 8. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-2413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $126.

FUNDRAISING

‘90s Throwback Prom-Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend Join this ‘90s Throwback Prom, a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bend! Tickets go on sale Thu., Feb. 8! Don’t miss out on your chance to get jiggy and support a good cause! April 6, 7-10pm. Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend, 500 NE Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 541-617-2877. Alice@bgcbend.org. $75.

International Beaver Day An interpretive beaver walk along the Deschutes River followed by an axe-throwing fundraiser at Unofficial Logging Co. in Bend! Meet at the North end of Drake Park by Looney Bean Coffee. 20% of sales all day at Unofficial Logging Co. donated to Think Wild. April 7, 1-6pm. Unofficial Logging Co., 910 NW Harriman St. Suite #100, Bend. Contact: 541668-6165. molly@thinkwildco.org. Free.

Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash

The Third Annual Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash, brought to you by Wild Ride Brewing! Prepare for a two-night extravaganza filled with incredible music, exciting raffles, a live auction and the specially brewed Kiefer Magic IPA. April 5, 5-9pm. Wild Ride Brewing, 1500 NE 3rd Street, Prineville. Contact: michelle.duff@rimrocktrails. org. The Third Annual Kiefer’s Magical Birthday Bash, brought to you by Wild Ride Brewing! Prepare for a two-night extravaganza filled with incredible music, exciting raffles, a live auction and the specially brewed Kiefer IPA. April 6, 5-9pm. Wild Ride Brewing, 332 SW 5th Street, Redmond. Contact: 503-539-5985. michelle. duff@rimrocktrails.org.

MVHS’s High Desert Droids Garage Sale Fundraiser

This garage sale will raise funds for MVHS’s robotics team. Community donations of sellable items accepted 11/10 4pm-7pm. Garage Sale on 11/11 9am-2:30pm in the MVHS cafeteria. There will be furniture, home goods, kitchen, toys, electronics, clothing, books, collectables and more! Ongoing, 9am2:30pm. Mountain View High School Cafeteria, 2755 NE 27th St., Bend. Contact: 541-699-1671. todd.andresen@bend.k12.or.us. Free.

Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo Silver Moon partners with The YOUNI Movement to guarantee the best bingo experience in all of Central Oregon! Not’Cho Grandma’s Bingo is the OG of bingo, high energy bingo that promises to entertain from start to finish! Bingo cards are $25 per person. Family friendly fundraising! Free general admission, $10 early entry. Sundays, 10amNoon. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-639-1730. hello@ younimovement.com. $10-$200.

NATURAL MENOPAUSE SUPPORT + BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES

Dr. Azure Karli, N.D.

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Blending Nature with Medicine

bendnaturopath.com

541/389/9750

Jazz guitarist John Scofield is a three-time Grammy award-winning musician with over 40 studio recordings in his discography varying from bebop and blues to acoustic chamber jazz. Enjoy the show on Wed., Apr. 10, 8pm at the Tower Theatre.

Courtesy John Scofield Facebook

GUNG HO

By Armando Borrego

A Delta Blues Boy’s Birthday Wish

A conversation with longtime Bend musician Greg Bryce on his band and the inspiration behind the upcoming Beltane Festival

lackflowers Blacksun is a local rock group with a sound that resonates with locals who love the energy of Americana rooted music.

"I grew up in between Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan," lead vocalist/ guitarist Greg Bryce shared. "I was born in '63 and as a kid, and I remember I'd go to sleep with my radio on Motown." While music always played a huge role in Bryce’s life, the musician made a living spending half his year in Alaska for work. “I was a wildland firefighter up there until I retired at 57,” recalled Bryce. “But it was around 30 when I started picking up guitar, and I always liked slide guitar and that Southern Delta music," he continued. "Playing with Andy Coleman, who plays lap steel guitar in the group, we kind of taught each other this style of Delta blues music and have been working together for almost 20 years

Drawing inspiration from the timeless tradition of Delta blues, the group’s music captures the raw authenticity of living free.

While weaving soul-filled tunes to fans is satisfying, Bryce is also dedicated to highlighting the community of creatives he has come to know as his family and friends here in Central Oregon. Bryce’s hearty presence in the local music scene is only underlined by the upcoming Beltane Festival at Open Space Event Studios, a festival that stemmed from a desire to celebrate, according to the artist. “Last year was my 60th birthday and I decided I wanted to have a birthday party,” Bryce added. “So, I started to work on an idea for a rock show bringing my friends together, and I figured I might need some more drawing power than just my birthday and that’s when I realized that most everyone I know here in Bend

The festival features interactive crafts, magic and art installations while bands JackRat, Huck Fin Yacht Club and Blackflowers Blacksun perform throughout

Bryce credits his authentic music compositions to a vast array of musical influences ranging from Motown classics to punk-rock kings Iggy and the Stooges.

Courtesy Blackflowers Blacksun Facebook

Pint Night Supporting Street Dog

Hero Come out and support Street Dog Hero. $1 of every pint purchased throughout the day is donated directly to this impactful and important organization. April 4, 5-7pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Road Lot #2, Bend. Contact: 541-923-1795. FREE.

EVENTS

+ MARKETS

Apero Hours at Lone Pine Coffee Roasters Apero Hours at Lone Pine with natural wine and small plates. Fridays, 5-8pm and Saturdays, 5-8pm. Lone Pine Coffee Roasters, 910 NW Harriman, Bend. Contact: www.lonepinecoffeeroasters.com. Free.

Sunriver Music Festival Tickets on Sale Now Tickets for the Sunriver Music Festival are now available! Find tickets at sunrivermusic.org or call 541-593-1084. Ongoing. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 541-593-1084.

FAMILY + KIDS

Bend Ice Figure Skating Club End of Season Showcase T-minus 1 week until the end of season figure skating show! Grab your pre-show tickets today and skip the line! 25 solos, 3 group performances and Barbie theme! Come grab your family and come support these skaters! $7 per person. April 6, 6-8pm. The Pavilion, 1001 SW Bradbury Way, Bend. Contact: vicechair@bendicefigureskatingclub.org.

Bend Kids Clothing Exchange Join every first Saturday of the month! Bring your outgrown clothes and shop for “new” (secondhand) clothes up to size 5T. Return monthly to exchange for new sizes/styles! Clothing donations not necessary to attend; everyone is welcome to come and shop. One bag per family limit. First Saturday of every month, 10am-Noon. Downtown Bend Public Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

Camp Fire Central Oregon Recruiting Volunteer Camp Counselors for Tumalo Day Camp Camp Fire Central Oregon is recruiting amazing adults to serve as volunteer camp counselors at the beloved Tumalo Day Camp at beautiful Tumalo State Park! Choose one week in June, July or August. Kids of volunteers get to go to camp for free! Learn more about camp and volunteering: https://campfireco.org/ tdc/ Mondays-Wednesdays. Through April 25. Tumalo, downtown, Tumalo. Contact: 541-3824682. info@campfireco.org.

Cosmic Jump Night A Cosmic Party turns the bright lights off and the party lights on! It’s time to glow! Wear white or bright clothing for the full effect, ages 12 and up recommended. Saturdays, 7-9pm. Mountain Air Trampoline Park, 20495 Murray Road, Bend. Contact: 541647-1409. info@mountainairbend.com. $23.

Kids Ninja Warrior Classes

Challenging Ninja Warrior circuits will keep your kids developing new skills. They will feel empowered as they greatly improve speed, increase strength, become more coordinated and enhance athletic abilities. 6-week series, multiple days / times of the week to choose from, age 6 - 9. Mondays-Thursdays. Through June 20. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@ freespiritbend.com. $135.

Mini-Yogi Classes

Each Mini-Yogi Class is designed around a theme and includes age-appropriate yoga sequences, partner poses, songs, and active story time to help with kids’ social, mental and physical development! 6-week series, age 3 - 5 plus parent / caregiver. Wednesdays, 4:30-5:15pm. Through June 19. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@ freespiritbend.com. $125.

Tween Yoga: Chakra Series part

2 This 4- class series is designed for ages 9 -13 and focuses on creating community, mindfulness, sensory exploration, movement, journaling, meditation, art and discussion. Tween yogis leave with a take home craft and journal prompts to carry the theme of the day. Make candles as the capstone craft! Tuesdays, 4:30-6pm. Through April 23. Hanai Center, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: adventuresinyogapants@gmail.com. $123.

FOOD + DRINK

Fried Chicken Thursdays Fried Chicken Thursdays at Flights Wine Bar! Dine in with a 2-piece plate with sides and a biscuit for $18 or take an 8-piece bucket and a bottle to-go! Upgrade to the “Balla Bucket” to get a selected bottle of champagne. Thursdays, 3-9pm. Flights Wine Bar, 1444 NW College Way Suite 1, Bend. Contact: 541-728-0753. flightswinebend@gmail. com. $38.

BEER + DRINK

$12 Burger and Beer Thursday’s with Blue Eyes Burgers and Fries Come on out to Boss Rambler Beer Club for $12 Burger and Beer Night with Blue Eyes Burgers and Fries every Thursday! Thursdays. Boss Rambler Beer Club, 1009 NW Galveston Ave., Bend.

Apres Ski and Chill Happy Hour Flash your pass pares ski and chill happy hour with resident food cart @blueeyesburgersandfries!

Daily from Noon - 5pm . Blue Eyes Thurs-Sun: $5 Ski Babe IPA, $3 Stokes Light, $5 JaPOW! Japanese Lager Sake Bombs, $8 Cocktails, Slushees, $3 Shot Ski’s and free small fry with burger purchase. Mondays-Sundays, Noon5pm. Through May 27. Boss Rambler Beer Club, 1009 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: info@ bossrambler.com.

Distiller-odeo First Friday Celebrate First Friday Rodeo style with country music, rodeo decor, happy hour pricing and free tours. Tours will take place every hour on the hour on a first come, first served basis. Come have a drink and see how whiskey is made! April 5, 4-8pm. Oregon Spirit Distillers, 740 NE First St., Bend. Contact: 541-382-0002. ashley@oregonspiritdistillers. com.

Happy Hour At the Bend Wine Bar, come in to take advantage of special pricing during weekly happy hour. Featuring $5 off artisanal cheese and charcuterie boards, $2 off of wines by the glass and $1 off pint draft beers. Mondays-Thursdays, 2-4pm. The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 194, Bend. Contact: info@bendwinebar.com. Free.

Locals’ Night with The Bluegrass Collective Monday is the day to be at Silver Moon Brewing! Come on down and join the local family all day every Monday! Silver Moon offers $3 pints of the core lineup beers and $4 pours of the barrel-aged beers all day. Come down and sample what’s new while also enjoying the brand new food menu! Mondays. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Free.

Locals’ Night at WaypointBBC Locals’ Night at WaypointBBC! $5 draft beer, $8 house red and white wine and $8 specialty cocktail. Tuesdays, Noon-10pm. Waypoint, 921 NW Mt Washington Drive, Bend. Contact: 458-206-0826. Waypointbbc@gmail.com. Free.

Mixed Case Tuesdays Shop Viaggio Wine Merchant on Tuesdays and receive 15% off your purchase of any mixed case of wine (12 bottles), and 20% off special order cases we order for you. Tuesdays, 3-9pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend. Contact: 541299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. Free.

Mixology Monday

Learn the ins and outs of the craft cocktail world, while snacking on a house-made charcuterie board. Each class will guide you through the history and mechanics of 4 artisanal cocktails. Go to Waypointbbc.com to reserve your spot! Class is limited to 6 participants. Mondays, 6-7:30pm. Waypoint, 921 NW Mt Washington Drive, Bend. Contact: 458-206-0826. waypointbbc@gmail.com. $75-$100.

Monkless to the Mountain The mountains are open and “Monkless to the Mountains” is back! Flash your mountain pass and get $1 off your first draft beer, or flight. You just found your après-ski hang out! Mondays-Thursdays, 11:30am-8pm. Through May 30. Monkless Belgian Ales Brasserie, 803 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 541-797-6760.

The World On Tap Win $100 travel vouchers anywhere on Earth via five raffles, one per hour! Enjoy worldwide beer styles, food trucks serving international and regional cuisines and a sugar shack with locally-made, global desserts. April 6, Noon-6pm. On Tap, 1424 NE Cushing Drive, Bend. Contact: brian@beerodyssey.com.

Wednesdays - Friends and Family Day

Every Wednesday is Friends and Family Day. Social Hour prices on all tap beverages all night. $6 wines, $5 beer, cider or seltzer and $5 basic well drinks. Wednesdays, 3-10pm. Eqwine Wine Bar, 218 SW 4th St, Redmond. Contact: 541-5274419. eqwine.wine@gmail.com.

HEALTH

+ WELLNESS

Aligning with the Purpose of your Soul: Akashic Soul Record Reading

Learn the four main areas of your Akashic Soul Record and receive guidance toward your soul’s purpose. All attendees will receive a personal copy of the record as read by Sarah Noble April 5, 6:30-8pm. The Peoples Apothecary, 1841 NE Division Street, Bend. Contact: 541-728-2368. classes@thepeoplesapothecary.net. $111

Behavioral First Responder Level 1

A day of learning mental and behavioral health care skills custom-tailored to outdoor professionals and experiential educators. This course explores the “RESPOND” method for preventing and managing mental and behavioral health concerns in people who participate in outdoor education or outdoor settings. April 6, 9am-5pm. Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. Contact: 801-477-7544. info@ alpengloweducation.com. $279.

Blooming Bliss: Meditation and Crafting Gathering Join Lizet Garcia to gather for a soul-nourishing journey into the heart of spring, where meditation and crafting converge. Welcome Spring with a relaxing meditation suited to increase mental harmony and creativity. Participants will craft a woodland suncatcher using natural materials foraged from nature. Please pre-register. April 6, Noon-2pm. Bend Hot Yoga, 1230 NE 3rd St. UnitA230, Bend. Contact: yoga@ bendhotyoga.com. $50.

Free Beginner’s Yoga Free beginner’s yoga in the Bend Community Center with instructors from Namaspa of Bend. Sponsored by the Salvation Army of Bend and Namaspa. Great for stretching and relaxation. Wednesdays, Noon1pm. Bend Community Center, 541 NE Dekalb Ave., Bend. Contact: 844-647-2730. Free.

Horse Butte 10-Mile Trail Run FootZone is proud to produce this Central Oregon classic at Horse Butte with special thanks to presenting sponsor Altra Running. April 7, 9am. Horse Butte, Billadeau Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-317-3568. col@footzonebend.com. $55.

Intro to Sibs: Understanding Siblings of People with Disabilities/Diversabilities

The sibling relationship is the longest relationship most of us will experience in life. Family dynamics become complicated when a sibling experiences disability. This session, led by an Adult Sib, sheds light onto the unique role Sibs play in unique family dynamics. April 6, 10-11:30am. Bend CoWorking, 150 NE Hawthorne Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-678-2704. amandah@diversabilityinc.org. Free.

Live Music Kriya Yoga and Soundbath

- Grateful Dead inspired Join Kevin Kraft, Pete Kartsounes and Cathleen Hylton for a special Sunday of Grateful Dead sounds, movement and a meditative journey with gongs, crystal and Tibetan bowls, flutes, guitar, piano and more in this inner explorative journey. April 7, 11am12:30pm. High Desert Music Hall, 818 SW Forest Ave, Redmond. Contact: 808-783-0374. Kevin@ soundshala.com. $30.

Session I: Spring Renewal Blossom into your Best Self Are you ready to reignite your dreams and embrace the vibrant energy of spring? Join for a Spring Reset where inspiration blooms, goals take root and transformation flourishes. Work with a professional coach in an energizing group setting to set goals and transform! April 8, 6-7:30pm. Hanai Center, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 763-242-9932. sarah@coaching-x.com. $25.

Spring Forest Bath with Tea Ceremony

Allow yourself to be guided in finding presence in nature as you slow down and open your senses to the world around. A truly amazing experience in connecting with the more than human world based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Sat, April 6, 1-3pm, Sat, May 4, 1-3pm and Sat, June 1, 1-3pm. Shevlin Park, 18920 Shevlin Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-316-9213. missie@romingyogabend.com. $35.

Tarot and Tea with Kati Cozy up with a cup of tea and let Tarot support you in whatever may be on your mind. Kati is an Intuitive Tarot and Oracle card reader offering 30-minute readings. Longer readings available. Secure your spot ahead of time at threedeertarot.com Saturdays, 11am-2pm. Through April 20. The Peoples Apothecary, 1841 NE Division Street, Bend. Contact: hello@threedeertarot.com. $50.

The Sakura Cello Quintet is renowned for its fresh arrangements of Beethoven, Debussy and more. Catch the group’s debut performance as part of the High Desert Music Concert Series on Fri., Apr. 12, 7:30pm at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Photo by Steven McHale

CHOW C

Southwest Fusion for a Northwest Palate

Nobody does it like Manzanita Grill

By Jared Rasic

Manzanita Grill is easily one of the best food carts in town. Actually, let me rephrase that: Manzanita Grill is one of the best restaurants in town…full stop. It won Food Cart of the Year in the Source Weekly’s 2022 Restaurant Guide, but it can compete with any brick-and-mortar spot. Limiting it to the genre of “food cart” is placing an invisible barrier that the food has never once suffered from. In fact, in the years that I’ve been eating at Manzanita Grill, not only has the food always been delicious, consistent and adventurous, but I’m not sure a single limitation could hold them back from making what I think is some of the most exciting food in Central Oregon.

Owned and operated by couple Jade Sellers and Joaquin Ortiz, Manzanita is one of the last remaining places to eat in Bend that prioritizes quantity and quality, serving up what are not only the largest plates of food in Central Oregon, but also ones filled with the freshest and highest quality ingredients in town. Obviously, this isn’t much of a secret, because while I was visiting the spot nestled in the parking lot of the Humm Kombucha taproom, the cart had a level of foot traffic that was frankly jaw dropping. In the hour I was there, I’m not sure Ortiz and staff had a second to slow down.

In the five years Manzanita has been at that location, the menu has changed a little bit, but the staples have always remained.

“At first, we only had sandwiches, sliders, munchies and sides. We did tacos as a special and they were soon added to the everyday menu board because customers kept asking for them!” says Sellers. No matter what you order, every single dish on the menu is a knockout. “We picked our favorites at first and wanted a good blend and variety. The menu has grown with our customers. We saw what people were coming back for and would add it to the menu.”

The jalapeño poppers are legendary and second to none; massively fat and crispy, packed to bursting with either pulled pork or shredded chicken, a melted three-cheese blend and a perfectly balanced chipotle aioli. I don’t want to oversell the aioli, but the blend of smokey, sweet and spicy is so on point that I would buy bottles of this if I could.

My go-to at Manzanita is usually the French Dip with thinly sliced and incredibly tender steak, caramelized onions and that incredible aioli with its light and mouthwatering au jus.

This sandwich is such monolith of delicious meats and flavors that it’s easily enough for lunch and dinner. For this review I wanted to expand my horizons and see what Ortiz felt I should order. He brought me so much food that the people inside Humm laughed at me. It was everything I always wanted.

I received four giant Tex-Mex tacos filled with a mixture of smoked pork carnitas, pollo asado, carne asada and al pastor. Lightly topped with pico and cheese, these tacos were unbelievably tasty, while handily being larger, fresher and more flavorful than most other taco selections in town. All were delicious, but the carnitas had more going on than I knew was possible, balancing a deep smoky spice with a light sweetness that was deceptively complex. Plus, the pollo asado was honestly the most tender chicken I think I’ve ever had.

Next, he brought me the Deschutes Philly with easily a pound of steak, grilled bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, white American cheese and chipotle aioli. This beast is massive, sloppy and amazing…enough for at least two meals. The steak was perfectly cooked and the bread was so fresh and sweet that it was hard to stop eating even after I was full. It’s hard to do this sandwich justice in description, so I think you should just eat one right now and thank me later.

Finally, Ortiz brought me the Manzanita Torta. Let me be clear with zero equivocations: this was, without hyperbole, the best torta I’ve had in my life. Not just in Bend, but from my childhood in California to today: none have come close to this. This gargantuan

LITTLE BITES

By Nicole Vulcan

Excuses to Eat Outdoors

Warmer days are ahead. If you need an excuse to bask in the sun, check out these upcoming food events

beauty is topped with carne asada, chorizo, al pastor and ham with melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeños and avocado, nestled in a flawless crunchy Mexican sweet bread. The chorizo adds deep oregano smoky vibes into the sweet and thin ham and the adobo robustness of the al pastor create a complexity of flavor I’m already dreaming of repeating.

Sellers explains Ortiz’s history as a master chef. “It’s from Joaquin’s hometown being Mexico City, blended with his time spent cheffing in Arizona and Texas, mixed with his love for BBQ from living and cooking in Kansas and Tennessee,” says Sellers. “He loves to explore and create that Mexican flair with savory, smokey and slightly spicy southwest fusion. Joaquin has been cooking for 20+ years in the States and learned he had a passion for cooking as a kid helping his mom cook and sell food in Mexico City.”

Don’t take my word for it. From the chicken sandwich to the amazing French fries and everything in between, Manzanita Grill will leave you fat and happy with visions of chipotle aioli dancing through your dreams. Great food made by great people: isn’t that what we’re after?

Manzanita Grill

1125 NE 2nd St., Bend Mon-Tue 11am-6pm Wed-Fri 11am-7pm Sat 11am-4pm 541-848-9438

It’s 70 degrees as I type this, and I don’t know about you, but as a youth, sitting in an office tapping on a machine while the flowers burst into bloom without me is not the future I envisioned for myself. Alas, there’s the weekend, and hopefully after work, too, to enjoy the glory of eating food in the sun. With warmer days ahead, here are a few upcoming food events that let you do just that.

Distiller-Odeo First Friday

It’s a rodeo theme over at Oregon Spirit Distillers this First Friday. Featuring country music, rodeo décor, happy hour pricing and free tours. Fri., Apr. 5, 4-8pm

The World On Tap

Drink global beers, and desserts from around the world at a “sugar shack,” and enter the raffles for $100 travel vouchers anywhere on Earth at this event at On Tap, where a host of delicious food carts also await. Sat., Apr. 6, Noon-6pm.

Saisons on the Lawn at Crux Fermentation Project

What’s more quintessentially Bend than sitting on the Crux lawn, watching the sun go down while you grab an El Sancho taco? At this event, get a taster package for $20 and try five saisons, with a special tasting glass. Sat., Apr. 20. Noon-6pm

Shuck It Up Oyster Roast at Cascade Lakes

Check out the inaugural Oyster Roast on the patio at the Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market Road. Local brews, too! Sat., Apr. 27, 2-5pm

Gaze upon the Philly, tacos and torta and rejoice!

Jared Rasic

Courtesy Oregon Spirit Distilers

2024

Want to win stuff for eating burgers?

7 Days - $10 Burgers

Enter our giveaway! SCAN

BURGER WEEK HAS RETURNED TO CENTRAL OREGON! BIGGER · JUICIER · TASTIER

Prepare your taste buds for a week of decadence from some of the finest eateries around. Between now and April 9, visit participating businesses to try their specially created Burger Week entry, for a special price of only $10. We are so excited to embark on this culinary tour de force with you!

Bend Burger Company

Bleu Rooster

Active Culture

BBQ Burger

House-made lentil burger, red onion, slaw, avocado, seasoning, BBQ beet sauce, on a wheat bun, served with tortilla chips and a side of salsa. 285 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend

Vegan & Veggie Burgers Burgers

Bend Burger Co.

Redmond Burger Co.

Broken Top

Blue Eyes Burgers & Fries

VEGGIE SMASH

Blue Eyes Burgers & Fries VEGGIE SMASH features house made veggie patty topped with griddled onions, pickles, shrettuce, American cheese & supreme sauce on a fresh baked M’s Bakery bun. 706 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend

Broken Top Bleu cheese burger with hand cut French fries: 1/3 pound patty and a freshly made hamburger bun, smoky bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, pickles, bleu cheese & homemade burger sauce.

1939 NE 3rd St, Bend

249 NW 6th, Redmond

Blue Eyes Burgers & Fries

NASH SMASH

Blue Eyes Burgers & Fries NASH SMASH features local Pitchfork-T Ranch grass fed beef patty topped with Nashville hot & spicy fried pickles, house slaw, comeback sauce & American cheese on a fresh baked M’s Bakery bun.

Bleu Rooster

Bistro Burger

1/3 lb hand pressed patty with black beer bacon jam, white cheddar, garlic aioli, arugula and tomato on a Big Ed’s potato bun.

1424 NE Cushing Dr, Bend

Boneyard Pub

Royale with Cheese

706 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend

Crux Fermentation

Chopped Cheese

House seasoned ground beef, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions and burger sauce on a toasted

50 SW Division St, Bend

Two Angus ground beef patties stacked & topped with American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato & royale sauce on a brioche bun. Served with kettle chips. Add bacon or upgrade your side to fries, soup or salad for an upcharge.

1955 NE Division St, Bend

Crave Burger

Grilled Oregon beef burger with bacon beer cheese sauce, tater tots, shredded lettuce and sriracha ketchup.

3075 US-97 BUS, Bend

More Burgers

Dandy’s Drive In Dandy Double Delight

Featuring not one, but TWO juicy 3-ounce beef patties, this burger means business. It’s topped with gooey pepper jack cheese, delicious bacon, caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, tangy pickles, and our famous secret sauce. Undoubtably a symphony of meat, cheese, and veggies. 1334 NE 3rd St, Bend

Immersion Brewing

IM Smashing

Two thin n' crispy beef patties, two slices of pepperjack cheese, pickle slices, onion rings, house-made bacon jam, burger sauce, on a pub bun.

Dogs & Fries

Mushroom Swiss Burger

93% Lean Ground Beef, Caramelized Onions, Caramelized Mushroom, Swiss cheeses, and Topped with our house Garlic Aioli. Bend location only.

550 SW Industrial Way, Bend

Luckey’s Woodsman

Powderhouse Smash + Midnight Brisket

Well Rooted Farm smash burger, white American cheese, grilled shallots, dill pickle slaw, chipotle aioli and bun. PLUS free add on brisket!

311 SW Century Dr, Bend

ROAM

The Great YUZU Burger

Grilled 8 oz brisket burger, yuzu aioli, tempura onion ring, gochujang relish, pickled cabbage, gruyere cheese, brioche bun.

Available during Burger Week from 11am-9pm for dine-in only.

10 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend

That Guy’s Bistro

TG Burger add Bacon

3136 Powell Butte Rd, Bend

Initiative Brewing

Smash Bacon

Cheeseburger

4oz Smash Patty, Tillamook cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onion, house made burger sauce, on a toasted brioche bun.

424 NW 5th St, Redmond

Richard’s Sliders

The Signature

The Signature, at Richard's Sliders, is everything you need a burger to be, and none of the B.S. It's believed that the first hamburger invented was just onions, patty, and cheese. It was so good it started a revolution in sandwiches! The Signature is all that. Come get 'em! Two for $10.

245 SW 6th St, Redmond

Super Deluxe

Total Eclipse Burger

Our iconic Single Deluxe with hardwood smoked honey-cured Bacon, 100% Avocado mash, and pickled jalapeños. This burger isn’t missing anything.

Our popular That Guy's Burger, add Bacon angus beef, thick cut bacon, american swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion with our TG sauce on garlic grilled Big Ed's Potato bun.

61147 S Hwy

97, Bend

805 NE 3rd St, Bend

Restaurants: J-DUB, Hola!, Roam, Brewing Company, Zydeco, 900 Wall, Drake and more to come! Get ready, food lovers! Join us for US Bank’s Foodie Crawl, presented by Cascade Natural Gas Corporation on Sunday, April 28th in downtown Bend. Savour delectable food and beverage pairings curated by Bend’s top chefs, all while contributing to a great cause. Help us in our mission to feed 60,000 people every month through NeighborImpact’s Food Bank. But wait, the fun doesn’t end there! Join us for the exclusive Afterparty at McMenamins Old St. Francis School from 4-6pm to cap off a fantastic evening. Hurry, tickets are selling fast!

CCULTURE

Author Events Embrace a Storytelling Tradition

Book readings to bring you up close and personal with local and visiting authors

By Cassie Clemans, Owner of Roundabout Books and Cafe

Storytelling is as ancient as humanity itself. African rock art and cave drawings in France date as far back as 30,000 years ago and are considered the first evidence of visual storytelling. Egyptian hieroglyphs date back to 5,000 years ago. Homer’s works are recognized as the first epic works of written storytelling, composed in the 8th century B.C.

Oral storytelling traditions have been passed down through centuries of generations. National Geographic’s website has a collection of wonderful histories of storytelling traditions throughout time. Native American storytelling traditions continue in the Cherokee and Choctaw Nations, among others. Song and dance are powerful foundations in Native Hawaiian storytelling traditions. The role of the storyteller in West African culture persists today as entertainment and education. The Jewish celebration of Passover includes a storytelling ritual. Irish culture is steeped in storytelling tradition through spoken, song and the written word.

Yet, oral storytelling still struggles to find its place in modern American culture, especially for adults. Outside of school curriculum and children’s story time hours held at libraries and bookstores, we don’t regularly incorporate storytelling into daily life. The truth is, we’re busy. We probably work too much, overschedule our time off and fill up all the spare moments trying to stay up to date on current events through podcasts and news apps. But attending a local author event is one way to continue honoring this centuries-old storytelling tradition. It may be a hard sell as we get closer to another gorgeous Bend summer full of concerts and festivals and some of the best outdoor recreation on the West Coast, but I argue that author events are seriously underrated.

When authors stand in front of a live audience to read from their books or share details of their writing process and inspiration, they’re carrying forward the human storytelling tradition. This thread has connected generations for thousands of years. Some would even say that storytelling is the thing that defines humanity. It is precious and sacred to us. Making an effort to include an author event in your busy schedule gives you the chance to be part of this oral tradition, even if it’s only on the rare occasion.

The other side of storytelling is listening — another skill we tend to let slip away in today’s modern world of talking and texting and posting. When was the last time you listened to someone read aloud? Listening to an author describe not just a story, but the motive behind it, the inspiration, the ideas and research and thought that went into it is a wonderful way to experience a book.

The third side (can there be a third side?) of storytelling is community. I know there are a wide variety of podcasts out there that interview authors, tell you what to read next and summarize books in 15 minutes or less. But attending an event in person is entirely different. You sit in a room shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors. You listen to the voice of the author and watch their expressions change. You support a local organization and the author by showing up and being a part of an audience. You are being present and involved.

Not convinced yet?

• If you’re reading a books column, there’s a good chance you have introvert tendencies, which means forced conversation is taxing. I get you. An author event is the perfect way to appear “social” without having to talk to anyone! You can even attend by yourself! Show up, take a seat, ignore everyone around you, and just listen. You don’t have to raise your hand, no one will call on you to

speak, you can chuckle in a friendly way with your neighbor and feel all the healthy interactions of being social, without actually being social. It’s lovely.

• Author events are not very long, and often end early. You show up, you listen to the author speak and answer questions for an hour, then go home. You’re in your PJs, eating popcorn, and watching Netflix by 8pm, luxuriating in the quiet evening before a busy tomorrow.

• Author events are cheap. Many are free. The events at Roundabout Books cost $5 if the event is held at the bookstore. Even if it’s a big author event at a large venue, it’s usually no more than $10-$15 to attend. Yes, you buy the books, but those probably count as part of your monthly book budget anyway, so don’t count it in your entertainment budget.

• You don’t even have to read the book. Yes, we encourage you to, but some of my most memorable and impactful author events have been about books I haven’t read (yet). Mostly, because it’s just as fascinating to listen to someone talk about a story you know nothing about, as it is to listen to someone talk about a story you’re intimately familiar with.

• Get inspired by the process! Writing is hard work, and if you’re trying to write your own book, there’s no better way to get a little boost than by listening to someone who’s gone through the process.

• There are author events for every interest. Fiction, memoir, history, social interest, outdoor recreation, children, and young adult. You name it!

• Build your book collection and meet the author! Let’s admit we love collecting books and following our favorite authors like teenagers on Instagram. Author events are the perfect place to get your books signed and to chat with the author in person. Don’t pass up the opportunity to be part of today’s oral storytelling tradition. Check the upcoming author events in our area.

Roundabout Books & Cafe

• April 18 – Rene Denfeld, “Sleeping Giants”

• April 25 – Matt Wastradowski, “Coastal Oregon”

• May 2 – Glen Van Peski, “Take Less. Do More”

• May 23 – Emily Levesque, “The Last Stargazers”

• May 30 – Nicole Meier, “City of Books”

• May 31 – Ian Nicholson, “Climbing Self-Rescue”

• June 26 – Lisa See, “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women”

Sunriver Books

• April 19 – Bob Welch, “Seven Summers”

Paulina Springs Books

• April 11 – Wendy Williams, “Autobiography of a Sea Creature”

• April 16 – Sandy Grubb, “Just Like Click”

• April 25 – Karen Spears Zacharias, “No Perfect Mothers”

Deschutes Public Library

• May 16 – Robin Wall Kimmerer, “Braiding Sweetgrass”

• May 18 – Cindy Baldwin, “No Matter the Distance”

• June 1 – Emily Habeck, “Shark Heart”

OSU Cascades, Central Oregon Community College

• April 9 – TJ Klune, “The House in the Cerulean Sea”

WHAT CASSIE'S READING

“Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch

—On a dark, wet evening in Dublin, scientist and mother-offour Eilish Stack answers her front door to find two officers from Ireland’s newly formed secret police on her step. They’ve arrived to interrogate her husband, a trade unionist.

Ireland is falling apart, caught in the grip of a government turning toward tyranny. As the life she knows and the ones she loves disappear before her eyes, Eilish must contend with the dystopian logic of her new, unraveling country. How far will she go to save her family? And what—or who—is she willing to leave behind?

CCULTURE Literary Legacies

Local writer Ellen Waterston wins multiple awards

By Jared Rasic

Ellen Waterston, an author and also a columnist for the Source Weekly, has been an amazing resource to those of us who have literary aspirations in Central Oregon. Her undying love of Oregon and the written word have been an inspiration to me for decades, and her work with The Nature of Words introduced me to the robust and lovely writing community of the high desert. In March, Waterston was the recipient of the Soapstone Bread and Roses Award from the Soapstone grassroots writing organization. And then on April 8, Waterston receives the Stewart H. Holbrook Award Literary Legacy Award during the Oregon Book Awards ceremony. The Source checked in with Waterston to discuss the awards and the Central Oregon writing scene.

Source Weekly: Tell me what it was like winning the Literary Legacy Award. Was it something you expected?

Ellen Waterston: No, I surely did not expect either the Soapstone Bread and Roses Award (March) or the Stewart H. Holbrook Award (April)! I knew I was nominated for the latter, but never expected to be selected. The Bread and Roses Award came out of the blue. Two big surprises. Two big honors. They were both established approximately 40 years ago, and this is the first time a woman has won these awards on this side of the Cascades and only the third time the Holbrook has crossed the mountains.

SW: You’ve contributed so much to the literary arts in Oregon and your writing is so closely linked to the state in some ways. How does Oregon inspire you? Does it still inspire you as much as it used to?

EW: The literary arts community of Oregon is my inspiration and support, but the high desert is my muse and has been for decades. Its inscrutability is its allure. Originally from the East Coast, I feel incredibly lucky to have landed in this high and dry part of Oregon. I believe we’re led to the landscape that will teach us what we need to know. For me that teacher turns out to be Oregon’s Outback.

SW: You’ve been a huge inspiration to my own poetry writing in particular. What would you say to modern readers who haven’t discovered the beauty of poetry yet?

EW: Jared, thank you! We may not realize it, but we all have experienced the power, humor and beauty of poetry— in song lyrics, slam and hip-hop, not to mention within the prose we read. We all recognize the ability of a

few carefully chosen and placed words to tell a complete story, to open our hearts, to shift our earth on its axis. That’s amore, poetry-style! So I’d say be more intentional, choose to read a book of poetry, and then another. The Source Weekly’s annual poetry contest winners will be published soon. Read them. Area bookstores often feature poetry readings. Go and listen. In each case, you’ll be glad you did.

SW: How would you convince someone to try poetry who hadn’t before?

EW: The best way to get better at writing poetry, or prose for that matter, is to first read a lot of, in this case, poems (narrative, formal forms, free verse, lyric, cowboy), see what grabs you. And then write. Sit down, pen or tablet in hand, and “think like a canyon” as Madras poet Jarold Ramsey says. Think obliquely. See the presence of story, of metaphor, in everything. More practically, there are many “prompts” or exercises online and in books on writing poetry that will get you out of your own way, allow your words and thoughts to have their say on the page, to rock your readers’ worlds. Go, poetry team, go!

SW: I know you get asked this question a lot, but for those struggling to find their voice as writers, what advice would you give them?

EW: Again, read more. We like some books more than others, some writers’ voices on the page more than others. The author’s voice is their unique thumbprint on the page, their unique perspective and way of expressing it. As you get more into the discipline, habit and swing of writing, you’ll start to recognize and have confidence in your voice as expressed by what you put down on the page. Your writing doesn’t have to sound a certain way, only like your writing. Don’t subscribe, invent.

SW: Are there any poets, fiction and non-fiction authors that you don’t think are getting enough love in 2024?

EW: Of course, but as with all the arts, luck has a lot to do with the distribution of love. Some of the most talented and committed artists don’t rise to the top. However, thanks to traditional and nontraditional ways of getting books in front of the public and the promotion of authors by our regional libraries, bookstores, colleges, universities,

cultural nonprofits and literary arts organizations, writers are increasingly receiving the exposure they deserve.

SW: Most of the people I know either only read books on their phone or listen to audiobooks. Do you think physical books will ever go the way of so much other physical media, or do you think they’ll always be here to stay?

EW: Granted, reading a book on your phone or Kindle while traveling, or listening to the audio version while out for a run or walking the dog is efficient and convenient, but the experience of reading a book that you hold in your hands is a more dedicated activity; dinneron-the-run versus a slow-food, homecooked, sit-down feast. That’s a reason to safeguard physical books. Another is if the great Godzilla cyber-attack occurs, it wouldn’t only be hard to get money out of the bank, gas into your car, pay for food at the grocery store, but wouldn’t audiobooks be inaccessible too? If so, that’s another reason to safeguard books. Then again, nothing will always be here to stay.

Bend writer Ellen Waterston credits Oregon's Outback for much of her inspiration.

Courtesy Ellen Waterston

APRIL 6

SC Godzilla x Kong x Audience Expectations

The Monsterverse remains entertaining, if shallow

By Jared Rasic

Iguess I should get this out of the way up front: Do not go into “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” expecting something like “Godzilla Minus One.” That was a character-driven monster movie that explored generational trauma, PTSD and a nation’s collective fear of a crusty radioactive kaiju that indiscriminately destroys Japan as easy as breathing. Would it be nice if “GxK” had the same emotional depth as “GMO?” Sure. But the films have completely different intentions, and to judge one on the strength of the other is a losing battle.

Japanese kaiju movies will always have a deeper core of emotion to them because they’re coming from the perspective of a society that survived Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Godzilla is Japan’s collective trauma and fear of the bomb wrapped up in a 400-foot-tall nuclear murder lizard who only sometimes comes to the protection of humanity, but more often than not only knows how to destroy.

American kaiju movies like “Pacific Rim” and the five films and two series that encapsulate the “MonsterVerse” don’t truck in that fear and regret. Instead, they exist to generate pure Hollywood spectacle featuring a few laughs, some post-ironic needle drops and enough loud and bombastic destruction to discourage any audience introspection. We don’t go to our Blockbusters for that. Maybe we should, but we can’t blame these movies for feeding us the meal that we keep eating.

But look at the “MonsterVerse” as a whole. “Godzilla” in 2014 took the concept fairly seriously, treating the monster like an elder god of chaos and destruction. With a cast featuring Bryan Cranston, Juliette Binoche and Sally Hawkins all giving serious dramatic performances, it looked like the “MonsterVerse” was

going the prestige route of Hollywood monster movies. Then, 2017’s “Kong: Skull Island” went the opposite direction: instead of maintaining the solemnity of “Godzilla,” it went full-on campy action adventure, though still packing the cast with great actors including John Goodman, Tom Hiddleston, Sam Jackson, John C. Reilly and Brie Larson.

The next two films really shaped the “MonsterVerse” as we know it now. With 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong,” they leaned so far into the cartoonish and goofball spectacle of giant monsters fighting each other that the human drama became an underwritten afterthought. That should have been impossible considering those two films had casts including Millie Bobby Brown, Sally Hawkins, Ken Watanabe, David Strathairn, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Alexander Skarsgård, Lance Reddick, Brian Tyree Henry and Rebecca Hall. Those are all very solid actors who tried and failed to elevate the material.

I’m sure I’ll be in the minority here, but I think “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” takes the formula that sputtered to a halt in the last two films and makes it work here. With the returning Hall and Henry, plus the added bonus of the great Dan (“The Guest”) Stevens, we have humans who are fun to watch as they go on an adventure to (as was discovered in the last movie) the Hollow Earth to try and save the world from evil kaiju. While there is a little character work and drama, “Godzilla x Kong” instead just decides to be ridiculously fun while giving King Kong the best arc he has had in a movie in decades.

Here are five ridiculous things I loved that will help you decide whether you’ll be into “Godzilla x Kong:”

1) Dan Stevens’ character is named Trapper and is a veterinarian specifically for giant monsters. He wears Hawaiian shirts and is into Badfinger and Kiss. 2) Godzilla rage tackles Kong through a pyramid in Cairo. 3) Godzilla curls up in the Roman Coliseum to sleep like a lizard puppy. 4) One of the big set pieces involves Godzilla, Kong and the evil monsters all fighting in zero gravity!! 5) The fight between Kong and Godzilla is choreographed like The Rock and Stone Cold in a professional wrestling match. Do those things sound stupid, fun or all of the above to you? There’s your answer.

Yes, these movies could be better. The AppleTV+ “MonsterVerse” series “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” finds the balance between the humans and monsters much better than the movies have, but it’s also 10 hours long and has the space for actual character development. The audience I saw this with applauded rapturously when this was over, so I know it’s still a crowd pleaser, but I’m not sure these movies will ever have the depth of their Japanese counterparts. Still, for what it is, “Godzilla x Kong” remains a fun and shallow time at the movies.

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire”

Dir. Adam Wingard

Grade: B-

Now playing at Regal Old Mill, Sisters Movie House, Odem Theater Pub, Madras Cinema 5

Godzilla and Kong: together again for the first time.

Courtesy of Legendary Pictures

GO HERE

By Armando Borrego

A Beltane Festival

Looking ahead to the upcoming Beltane Festival; a one-night extravaganza full of art, music and magic

Step into a world where magic, creativity and community intertwine at Bend’s second annual Beltane Festival, a spirited celebration that marks the enchanting midpoint between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. At this May Day-themed celebration, all are invited to revel in a day dedicated to awakening the artist inside.

"I helped set up this festival last spring, in May,” explained music organizer for the event, Amy Bathen. “It’s really the brainchild of Greg Bryce. He’s the one that came to me and said, ‘I have this idea, can you help me get it off the ground?’" The festival's lineup includes live performances by local bands JackRat and Greg Bryce’s band, Blackflowers Blacksun.

"We had a really good response from the community last year, so we're doing it again," Bathen added. "This has been a huge collaborative effort. I’m really excited to see how it comes together with everybody."

Art and magic merge in an array of installations and activities as this year's event promises to deepen its connection to its magical elements, thanks to the collaboration with local Wiccan practitioner Sharon Balsamo.

"Greg approached me to see if I would be interested in bringing and creating more of a spiritual/intentional element to this May Day event," shared Balsamo. "For me, when I go out, I want the experience to feel nourishing and to fill up my cup. The idea of this is that we want people to come to the event and feel inspired and nourished and connected and uplifted. That's really what magic is all about; creating an energetic frequency where we can allow amazing things to happen and be our best selves."

These spiritual elements, combined with live music, art installations and interactive experiences, aim to create an atmosphere where attendees can feel a deep sense of connection to the community and the natural world. “We want to give people an opportunity to bring out the magic inside of themselves. We tend to take ourselves very seriously and that makes life less fun,” said Balsamo.

Dressing with flair is encouraged; it’s a day to embody the spirit of Beltane, celebrating the beauty of the earth, the local creative community and the joy of coming together.

“What we want to do is encourage people to dress up and do what makes them feel their most vibrant,” Balsamo said.

The festival will feature live music from local bands and delicious food and beverage available for purchase from local businesses Van Henion Beer, Noosh by Lily and more.

Photo courtesy Amy Bathen

SERVING CENTRAL OREGON SINCE 2007

SMOKE SIGNALS

Local Smoke Gear

Upgrade your equipment and support local at the same time this 4/20

By Josh Jardine

Welcome to April, which brings two reasons to celebrate: 4/20, and (hopefully) a tax refund. While there are many good uses for a refund, I propose you use some of it to upgrade your smoking game, while supporting a very local business.

That business is Bendbased Smoke Honest, and I had the chance to try out some of their gear when it launched in 2022. The timing allowed me to use some of the products, but only for a short period before review ing them.

The Hand Pipe is travel friendly as well, a mere 5” x 1.2” x .6” and 3 oz., all aircraft grade aluminum with a lifetime warranty. It has a built-in poker, a removable sliding cover and a snakelike pathway the smoke travels through, greatly cooling and cleaning the hit. The result is far smoother than a regular pipe, easy to clean and slips easily into a pocket. If you don’t finish the bowl, the cover keeps the remains scent and spill proof in the bowl.

Flash forward to ear lier this year, when an email from a publicist hit my inbox with an offer to send a collection of smoking gear for possible review. I replied yes without reading much more and was pleasantly surprised when the box showed up days later from Smoke Honest. Hello again.

Of five products sent, I had tried two, the Capsule Water Pipe and StashLight Doob Tube with a built-in lighter. My initial review of both was positive, but since then, the Capsule has been in heavy rotation not only at home, but at a summer event series I produce. It’s gotten as much use as any consumption tool in my collection, and consistently gets compliments from first-time users.

The design is thoughtful as it is beautiful, with a few new tweaks. The Capsule is still composed of thick “shatter proof borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and anodized aluminum.” The modular format means lost or broken parts can be replaced and disassembled. It packs into itself, providing ease and safety for travel. Cleaning is a breeze. Thoughtful touches include a magnetic top to hold a lighter, and a diffuser at the base of the downstem. New touches include a diffuser at the base of the mouthpiece, and a selection of colors for the silicon base and mouthpiece cap.

The StashLight is an anodized aluminum joint carrying tube, crush, water and scent proof, with a refillable lighter built at one end. It now comes in an extra-large size option for blunt and king-sized rollie lovers. I’ve field tested all the features, and it checks.

Two new items have the same high-quality materials and design aesthetic. The Grinder has the same black aluminum and glass pairing as the Capsule, producing fluffy, evenly ground flowers in a solid feeling 8 oz., silicone gripped, palm sized unit that’s surprisingly comfortable to use.

The ground flower collects in the removable glass base, a thick hand blown, petri dish shaped piece which can store what is to be ground, as well as an eye-catching serving dish for smelling and viewing flowers. Its 3.2” wide diameter provides ease when loading a bowl, and the ability to view how much is grinding in real time allows more precision than traditional grinders. Smoke Honest says the dish holds about 3.5 grams of flowers; I got more when ground. Once done, place the glass base back onto the grinder, with its silicone band providing airtight, scent proof, see-through storage.

The Storage Set is the other new product, a set of two of the glass storage dishes which fit onto the grinder, with airtight silicone covers in black and white. This allows for a stackable collection of several strains, easily identified with different colored covers.

The end effect is not only joy in repetition when using the gear, it’s an elevated and elegant way to store, present and enjoy flowers. The products are on par with the glasses, decanters and equipment designed for maximizing the storage, preparation and consumption of alcohol. They would make a great 4/20 gift for any cannabis enthusiast seeking to maximize their experience. Buy local!

Crossword “Initialisms”

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

51.  Outlying community

52.  Chicas

53.  NFL star ___ Beckham Jr.

54.  Story with animals

55.  "I am unamused!"

58.  Fractionth of a SSD

59.  Relaxed

60.  Laptop's edge?

62.  ___ Museum (Kansas City aviation museum)

63.  Hackneyed

64.  Archaeologist's job

Puzzle for the week of April 1, 2024

Difficulty Level: ●○○○

Puzzle for the week of April 1, 2024

E N

T O E M N

Difficulty Level: ●○○○

M N

A P

O R A M I

E R O A

N O P T I

P N

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters

P O E M T R A I N exactly once.

P O E M T R A I N exactly once.

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote:

“How far a-winging to keep this with l!

How much breath left in reserve to fill

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete

The sky of washed azure and whipped-cream cumuli

“

With their rusty, musical, heart-plumbing cry!”

How far a-winging to keep this with l!

- Robert Penn Warren, Redwing Blackbirds

How much breath left in reserve to fill

Answer for the week of March 25, 2024

The sky of washed azure and whipped-cream cumuli

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES

With their rusty, musical, heart-plumbing cry!”

M E C R A H T O N

T H N O E C R M A

- Robert Penn Warren, Redwing Blackbirds

R O A M T N C E H

Answer for the week of March 25, 2024

O N T E H R A C M

C M E N O A H T R

A R H C M T O N E

E T R H C M N A O

H C M A N O E R T

N A O T R E M H C

“April Fool, n: The March fool with another month added to his folly.”

“April Fool, n: The March fool with another month added to his folly.”

- Ambrose Bierce

— Ambrose Bierce

A

© Pearl Stark

www.mathpuzzlesgames.com/quodoku

E

T

N A O T R E M H C

“April Fool, n: The March fool with another month added to his folly.”

- Ambrose Bierce

© Pearl Stark

www.mathpuzzlesgames.com/quodoku

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries author Eric G. Wilson claims, "Darker emotional states— doubt, confusion, alienation, despair—inspire a deeper and more durable experience of the sacred than contentment does." I disagree. I know for a fact that an exquisite embrace of life's holiness is equally possible through luminous joy and boisterous triumph and exultant breakthroughs. Propagandists of the supposed potency of misery are stuck in a habit of mind that's endemic to the part of civilization that's rotting and dying. In any case, Aries, I'm pleased to tell you that in the coming weeks, you will have abundant opportunities to glide into sacred awareness on the strength of your lust for life and joie de vivre.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Will humans succeed in halting the decimation of the environment? Will we neutralize the power of fundamentalism as it fights to quash our imaginations and limit our freedoms? Will we outflank and outlast the authoritarians that threaten democracy? Sorry I'm asking you to think about sad realities. But now is an excellent time for you to ponder the world we are creating for our descendants—and resolve to do something in loving service to the future. Meditate on the riddle from Lewis Carroll’s book Through the Looking Glass: “It's a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.”

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The genius polymath Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) contributed much treasure to science and engineering. One encyclopedia sums up his legacy: “He was the father of observational astronomy, modern-era classical physics, the scientific method, and modern science.” Unfortunately, many of Galileo’s ideas conflicted with the teachings of Catholicism. The church fathers hounded him for years, even arresting him and putting him on trial. The Vatican eventually apologized, though not until 350 years after Galileo died. I expect that you, too, will generate many new approaches and possibilities in the coming months, Gemini—not Galileo level, of course, but still: sufficiently unprecedented to rouse the resistance of conventional wisdom. I suspect you won’t have to wait long to be vindicated, however.

additional assignments: 1. Upgrade your skills at helping yourself access your own resources and activate your own potentialS. 2. Be forthright and straightforward in asking the people you help to help you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I don’t regard a solar eclipse as a bad omen. On the contrary, I believe it may purge and cleanse stale old karma. On some occasions, I have seen it flush away emotional debts and debris that have been accumulating for years. So how shall we interpret the total solar eclipse that will electrify your astrological house of intimate togetherness in the coming days? I think it’s a favorable time to be brave and daring as you upgrade your best relationships. What habits and patterns are you ready to reinvent and reconfigure? What new approaches are you willing to experiment with?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): At your best, you Scorpios are not invasive manipulators. Rather, you are catalysts. You are instigators of transformation, resurrectors of dead energy, awakeners of numb minds. The people you influence may not be aware that they long to draw on your influence. They may think you are somehow imposing it on them, when, in fact, you are simply being your genuine, intense self, and they are reaching out to absorb your unruly healing. In the coming weeks, please keep in mind what I’ve said here.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): In my astrological opinion, it’s prime time for you to shower big wild favors on your beautiful self. Get the fun underway with a period of rigorous self-care: a physical checkup, perhaps, and visits with the dentist, therapist, hairstylist, and acupuncturist. Try new healing agents and seek precise magic that enhances and uplifts your energy. I trust you will also call on luxurious indulgences like a massage, a psychic reading, gourmet meals, an emotionally potent movie, exciting new music, and long, slow love-making. Anything else, Sagittarius? Make a list and carry out these tasks with the same verve and determination you would give to any important task.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Now would be a perfect time to prove your love. How? You might begin by being extra considerate, sensitive, sweet, and tender. I hope you will add sublime, scintillating touches, too. Maybe you will tell your beloved allies beautiful truths about themselves— revelations that make them feel deeply understood and appreciated. Maybe you will give them gifts or blessings they have wanted for a long time but never managed to get for themselves. It’s possible you will serenade them with their favorite songs, or write a poem or story about them, or buy them a symbol that inspires their spiritual quest. To climax all your kindness, perhaps you will describe the ways they have changed your life for the better.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo naturalist and ornithologist William Henry Hudson (1841–1922) said, "I am not a lover of lawns. Rather would I see daisies in their thousands, ground ivy, hawkweed, and dandelions with splendid flowers and fairy down, than the too-well-tended lawn." I encourage you to adopt his attitude toward everything in your life for the next few weeks. Always opt for unruly beauty over tidy regimentation. Choose lush vitality over pruned efficiency. Blend your fate with influences that exult in creative expressiveness, genial fertility, and deep feelings. (PS: Cultural critic Michael Pollan says, “A lawn is nature under totalitarian rule.”)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I praise and celebrate you for your skills at helping other people access their resources and activate their potentials. I hope you are rewarded well for your gorgeous service. If you are not, please figure out how to correct the problem in the coming months. If you are feeling extra bold, consider these two

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The coming days will be a favorable time for you to wrestle with an angel or play chess with a devil. You will have extraordinary power in any showdown or collaboration with spiritual forces. Your practical intelligence will serve you well in encounters with nonrational enigmas and supernatural riddles. Here’s a hot tip: Never assume that any being, human or divine, is holier or wiser than you. You will have a special knack for finding compassionate solutions to address even the knottiest dilemmas.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your featured organ of the month is your nose. This may sound beyond the scope of predictable possibilities, but I'm serious: You will make robust decisions and discriminating choices if you get your sniffer fully involved. So I advise you to favor and explore whatever smells good. Cultivate a nuanced appreciation for what aromas can reveal. If there’s a hint of a stink or an odd tang, go elsewhere. The saying “follow your nose” is especially applicable. PS: I recommend you take steps to expose yourself to a wide array of scents that energize you and boost your mood.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): When is the best time to ask for a raise or an increase in benefits?

Can astrology reveal favorable periods for being aggressive about getting more of what you want?

In the system I use, the time that’s 30 to 60 days after your birthday is most likely to generate good results. Another phase is 210 to 240 days after your birthday. Keep in mind that these estimates may be partly fanciful and playful and mythical. But then in my philosophy, fanciful and playful and mythical actions have an honored place. Self-fulfilling prophecies are more likely to be fulfilled if you regard them as fun experiments rather than serious, literal rules.

Homework: Imagine that everything and everyplace in your life are holy. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

AWAKENING YOUR INNER HERO

A COLUMN TO HELP LOCALS LIVE A KINDER AND MORE COURAGEOUS LIFE

By Burt Gershater

Fake It ‘Til You…

Opportunities to choose to do life righter, brighter and better are available to us every day, all day long. Even when we don’t feel like it. Pretty cool, eh?

I am assuming you know the last two words of this wise old lesson, “Fake it till you make it.” I learned it a long time ago from the 12-Step program that has helped and continues to help untold millions of folks to live more productive, connected and loving lives.

It’s telling us to be a kinder, more courageous and ethical person, even if we have to fake it, even if it doesn’t feel sincere. Ultimately these positive behaviors become more natural with practice…and many, many people benefit from our effort. There is another associated wisdom, “Practice makes perfect.” What we know for sure is that without practice, moving toward perfection can’t happen.

But I have just a little problem with “Fake it till you make it.” I understand, because a client recently told me, there is some curative humor imbedded in the “fake it” part. But still, “fake it” isn’t the most accurate way to express this helpful wisdom. The version I came up with the other morning is: “Do right, despite…”

Pause for a moment. Take a few gentle breaths through your nostrils, into your belly, slowly…and say it again: “Do right, despite…” Listen to yourself.

The three words are do, right, and despite.

Let’s dig into them.

We’ll begin with “do.”

When it’s all said and done, who we are is what we do. Thank goodness we are not what we think. Whew! I don’t know about you, but if I was judged by where my mind goes, I’d be doing time somewhere…if I got lucky. Thank God we are not judged by our private thoughts! Our thoughts are essential, for sure. In many ways they help run our show. Our thoughts allow us to learn, discern, choose and plan, And, our mind can also be awful, cruel, seemingly out of control, but still, we are NOT our thoughts. What we do is who we are. What we choose to not do is also who we are.

Now, let’s tackle the most important word in this three-word wisdom: “right.” This one is huge—even bigger than huge. What is right?? People have argued about what is right since the beginning of time.

“I’m right.”

“No, you aren’t, I am right.”

Those two lines are the key ingredients in every conflict. These are the oldest, most frequently used, aggressive sentences expressed in the history of humankind.

I cannot tell you what is right in your life. That isn’t my job and I don’t know what is right for you. I am still figuring it out for me.

But allow me to list some concepts that will move us into the realm of “rightness” that we are discussing today. Take a breath after each one and soak it in: kindness, honesty, generosity, forgiveness, react less, humility, patience, listen better, judge less, be curious, offer sincere apologies, smile, much more gratitude than complaints, make your bed in the morning, go to a state of awe every day—even twice a day.

Again, breathe into your belly, through your nostrils, slowly (this one can help us do all the above more easily.)

Enough examples for now. You get the idea. “Right” connects and nurtures, and whatever is “Not Right” disconnects and damages.

Lastly, “despite.”

We have endless reasons for not doing what is right. Some are more legitimate than others. Here are a few I know well: I can be tired, in a hurry, stressed, low-blood sugar or just self-centered. It’s easy to blame someone else for my less-than-right behavior. I’ve done all of these. I can defend myself and deny what I did was wrong, though I know the truth when I’m being honest.

Despite having someone to blame.

Despite having low blood sugar. Despite being exhausted, etc., etc., etc., we can choose to do right most of the time.

Regardless, we are always responsible for our behaviors even when we’re not entirely in control of them.

Here is the key: by merging our highest intentions with vigilant effort, we can and will inevitably do better. Not always immediately, but we’re now on the higher road.

Opportunities to choose to do life righter, brighter and better are available to us every day, all day long. Truly, this is one of our most amazing blessings.

One more breath for the road. …

Thanks for reading.

- Burt Gershater is a counselor, leadership trainer, speaker and writer. He can be reached at info@burtgershater.com

By James Keane Broker RE/MAX Key Properties

What changes you need to know about

Acouple of weeks ago (right before our weekly deadline) news broke that the National Association of Realtors settled to end litigation brought against it by home sellers regarding broker commissions. I will be discussing the facts of the settlement thus far, acknowledging that the courts have not approved the settlement and no changes will be made until at least July. I will be saving my opinion for a later article, perhaps after the July ruling, or perhaps if we continue to get readers reaching out.

So, what is changing? Based on what we know now, a couple of changes will be made.

As a licensed broker and member of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors, I have access to the Multiple Listing Service where brokers list homes that they have an agreement with the seller to list. In these listings, brokers provide all kinds of information, including public-facing information (number of bedrooms, lot size, school district, pictures, etc…) basically the information that goes to third-party sites like Zillow. There is also private information that does not leave the MLS, like if the home is vacant, how to access, best showing hours, certain seller preferences as well as what the listing broker will be compensating the buyer’s broker for bringing a qualified buyer to complete the transaction. So now maybe in July or sometime in the future, listing agents will no longer be advertising the compensation for a buyer’s broker. So now, since the compensation is not listed, it must be discussed and put in writing or negotiated through the purchase

contract. This is the big change on the list side we have been made aware of; the next change has to do with the specific “buyer agent” and how that relationship will work going forward.

On the buyer’s side, in July or sometime in the future, agents will be required to enter into a contract with a client looking to buy prior to showing a single property. This agreement will outline the length or term of the agreement, as well as what the agent will be charging to successfully guide a client through the purchase of a property. Unfortunately, we really don’t have anything concrete to share as the “legal eagles” sort this out. There has been a lot of speculation as to what this will look like exactly moving forward; will sellers continue to compensate cooperating brokers? Will buyers pay out of pocket for the services of a buyer’s agent? Will lenders have products to cover commissions or fees for buyers’ agents?

So far that is about all we know that could change or be altered in the coming months, and to our loyal readers, I will try and dig deeper once more facts are fleshed out and we have a better understanding of what exactly is going to change.

I would like to pose a few questions to our readers:

What do you think of the two changes outlined in this article? Is this good for buyers and sellers? Does this seem to favor sellers? How does this help buyers? Let me know what you think, and we can do follow-up articles or a mailbag, whichever seems more appropriate. Thanks!

APRIL 7th

For complete event details go to pppbend.com

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