The Source - June 4, 2026

the Source 704 NW Georgia Ave., Bend, OR 97703 t. 541-383-0800 bendsource.com info@bendsource.com

EDITOR’S NOTE:

For this week’s issue, I sat down with realtor Brian Ladd to talk about housing prices. This is not a topic I’m an expert in, but Brian had a power point presentation ready to not only answer my questions but to illustrate those answers with real time data. He was generous with his time and patient in providing Source readers with a better understanding of where things stand for people hoping to buy or sell a home.

Our columnist this week, Burt Gershater, wrote about his personal struggle recovering from a stroke. I was struck by his honesty and desire to share this difficult experience with the public. His heartfelt journey on the path to recovery is one that I’m sure you’ll find memorable.

I recently shared a meal with Donna Britt at Casa Sur, a new Mexican restaurant on the west side of Bend. She can certainly handle spicy food far easier than I can! You’ll find her review in Chow. Donna is expanding her role with the Source by writing more food reviews each month and sharing video of her meals and other foodie events on Instagram @bendsource.

—Managing

Editor Nic Moye

LIGHTMETER:

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Nicole Vulcan–nicole@bendsource.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Nic Moye–editor@bendsource.com

FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Peter Madsen–peter@layitoutfoundation.org

REPORTER

Clayton Franke–clayton@layitoutfoundation.org

REPORTER / CALENDAR EDITOR

Jesse Coronado–calendar@bendsource.com, reporter@bendsource.com

COPY EDITOR

Richard Sitts

FREELANCERS

Jared Rasic, Kim Cooper-Findling, Donna Britt, Josh Jardine, Burt Gershater, Eli Zatz, Dallas Finn Calvert

SYNDICATED CONTENT

Rob Brezsney, Brendan Emmett Quigley, Jen Sorensen, Pearl Stark, Tom Tomorrow, Matt Wuerker

PRODUCTION MANAGER / ART DIRECTOR

Jennifer Galler–production@bendsource.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Adrian Galler–design@bendsource.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Ashley Sarvis

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Ban Tat, Chad Barnes advertise@bendsource.com

TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Megan Burton–megan@layitoutevents.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Sean Switzer

CONTROLLER

Angela Switzer–angela@bendsource.com

PUBLISHER

Aaron Switzer–aaron@bendsource.com

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Paul Butler

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Editorial

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Summer Fest was a

no

Good

vibes, Korean corn dogs, and vendors with locally made goods made this year’s fest one for the books. We want to share your photo! Email calendar@bendsource.com or tag @ sourceweekly on Instagram for a chance to be featured.

Coronado

Local Law Enforcement is Right to Be More Cautious of New Video Surveillance Technology

You may “not be doing anything wrong” now, but it only takes the flick of a pen to change what “wrong” means

In recent months, local law enforcement agencies, including the Bend Police Department, Redmond Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, have considered adding new video surveillance technology — or replacing cast-off technology — that helps them monitor the community and ostensibly better solve crimes.

Given the breadth of information coming at us about privacy and technology, these agencies have, and should, take their time in considering all of the implications before signing on the dotted line. As recent Source reporting showed, there’s much to be concerned about when law enforcement agencies — whether through willfulness or by mistake — open up the data they’ve collected for other agencies to procure. In the case of Bend PD, a simple oversight on a toggle switch opened up the department’s Automated License Plate Reader data to federal immigration authorities, which accessed Bend’s data 279 times in a matter of weeks.

A public record request made by the Oregon Law Center helped the Source uncover that local oversight. Similar databases (this time, driver and criminal records) factored into a recent lawsuit by the Rural Organizing Project against the Oregon State Police. In the suit, the ROP alleges that OSP has shared data with federal immigration authorities for years, in apparent violation of the state’s sanctuary laws.

As scrutiny and public interest increases, local law enforcement agencies are correct in exercising a bit more caution as they move ahead with implementing new technologies.

In the case of Bend PD, city leaders this month moved to add a discussion over a new set of surveillance cameras to the City Council agenda — where the public will be able to weigh in — rather than leaving the decision behind closed doors. As more recent Source

reporting indicated, the city manager would have been within his right to simply approve the new cameras, since it amounted to only an addition to an existing contract. The fact that he didn’t points to an increasing amount of understanding of the sensitive nature of such decisions. Just because they can be done out of the light of day, doesn’t mean they should.

Deschutes County, meanwhile, is right now considering the addition of these same Axon technologies (notably, in-vehicle ALPR cameras) to its inventory. The item was on a County agenda last week, but got moved to this week — ostensibly because the issue needed more consideration to account for a new state law that mandates these vendors ensure end-toend encryption, which means the access keys remain solely in the hands of the subscriber and not in those of a for-profit corporation.

Back in 2020, when George Floyd’s name was on everyone’s lips, the public called loudly for more officers to wear body cameras. Many departments, including several in Central Oregon, added them. But what we welcomed in the name of police accountability has now opened the door for all kinds of other surveillance — and the same people who clamored for body camera footage may now be dismayed how the companies providing those cameras are also, increasingly, expanding their offerings around surveillance. There are some who will say, “if you’re not breaking the rules, you don’t have to be worried.” But as every asylum seeker who came to America and followed the rules knows, the rules can be changed at any time.

For that reason, we should welcome our local governments being as careful, and of course transparent, as they need to be as they weigh personal privacy — and the sanctity of our sanctuary laws — with public safety.

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

Letters must be received by noon Friday for inclusion in the following week’s paper. Please limit letters to 250 words. Submission does not guarantee publication. Opinions printed here do not constitute an editorial endorsement of said opinions.

Letter of the week receives $5 to Palate!

EGG 0ILING PROGRAM

I’ve just read the latest issue of the Source and the letter of the week enlightened me to the fact that Bend Park and Rec has been doing a goose egg oiling program. I reached out to Parks and Rec and the person who is in charge is Zara Hickman, with whom I have left a message as I feel like this is a violation of not only our wildlife, but also not letting the public know, or asking for any input, or giving any explanation.

Thank you for highlighting that letter. I feel almost devastated that they are doing this. I had wondered why we had not seen little goslings the last couple of years, now knowing why and thinking how awful this program is.

I hope Parks and Rec will give us a remedy, or quit doing this, period.

—Jane Loveday

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF GOSLINGS

I cried when I saw the Letter to the Editor “ Disappearance of goslings.” It’s one thing when nature prevents a gosling from being born, it’s cruelty when humans interfere.

—Angela Kamm

CENTRAL OREGON DESERVES A REAL VOICE ON AI

Most people I speak with in Central Oregon have complicated feelings about artificial intelligence, with the tension between curiosity and fear showing up close to home. Traffic cameras scanning license plates on

local roads. A proposed data center in La Pine raising hard questions about water, land use, and who actually benefits. Real worry about what AI chatbots are doing to kids’ mental health. As a parent of two young children, I feel the weight of these questions personally, even as I work on them professionally.

What makes AI anxiety so hard to shake isn’t the complexity — it’s the feeling that the decisions are being made somewhere else, by someone else, without us. That’s what the 2026 Community Solutions Assembly on AI is built to change.

Led by the Central Oregon Civic Action Project, this three-phase process — a community poll, small group conversations, and a representative deliberative assembly — is designed to bring the full range of Central Oregon voices to the people making decisions about AI at the local and state level. We used this same model in 2024 for Oregon’s first Citizens’ Assembly on youth homelessness. Local governments are still acting on those recommendations today.

Two phases are open right now. An anonymous poll runs through late June. Community Conversations — small group discussions in person and online — run through June. Both are open to every resident of Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties and the Warm Springs Reservation.

AI is shaping Central Oregon whether we engage or not. This is our chance to engage. Poll: oregon. bloomproject.us

—Josh Burgess

OSU-CASCADES LITTLE KITS CLOSURE

I’m writing in response to OSU-Cascades’ recent decision to close the Little Kits daycare program. My daughter attends Little Kits and is thriving there. The program has provided stability and peace of mind for my family.

About a year ago, OSU publicly stated in The Source, “The time felt right for growth,” and, “Over five years, we’ve seen the need for care. That gave us additional confidence in designing the Little Kits center.”

OSU-Cascades received $3.4 million in public funding to build this child care facility. The university recruited highly qualified staff from out of town and accepted infants, toddlers, and preschoolers into its care. These actions created a reasonable expectation that the program would be given a genuine opportunity to succeed.

When child care programs serve young children, there is also an expectation that a reasonable effort will be made to ensure continuity of care before operations are discontinued or transferred to another operator.

The program was never fully staffed or enrolled and there has been no effort to market it. Now, after only nine months of operation, families are being left scrambling for child care while the facility may instead become a revenue-generating lease opportunity with no transparent bidding process or operator criteria.

High-quality child care is desperately needed in Bend. OSU should pause this decision and work transparently with families, staff and the community to explore every option for preserving these child care spots, ensuring continuity of care, and honoring the public trust and funding invested in this program.

—Rachel Taylor

Letter of the Week:

Rachel,

I think many families can relate. As Letter of the Week, you can stop by the Source office for a gift card to Palate coffee.

—Managing Editor Nic Moye

Wildlife overpasses

County Commissioners approved a letter of support for ODOT’s grant application to design and engineer wildlife passages along Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake. ODOT says that 35-mile stretch of road has one of the highest densities of deer/elk-vehicle collisions in the state, killing an estimated 350 to 600 mule deer and elk each year. There are 10 proposed areas for wildlife passages with the top priority near Black Butte Ranch. Construction should begin after the planning phase, which is underway, costing an estimated $58 million for four overcrossings.

ODOT is applying for a federal grant through the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program administered through the Federal Highway Administration.

Courthouse update

Apresentation at the June 1 Board of Commissioners meeting shows construction of the courthouse expansion is 88% complete. Work crews are finishing basement restrooms, a first-floor courtroom and offices and remodeling a temporary entrance. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 14.

Sisters’ boundary expansion

The Deschutes County Planning Commission voted to extend a written public comment period on a proposed expansion of the Sisters Urban Growth Boundary and will hold deliberations on June 25. The City of Sisters wants to add 318 acres of land on its east side, north of Highway 126, south of the Eagle Airport. Work on the amendment began in 2024 to accommodate the need for housing, parks and other urban uses. The county will decide whether to approve a change in zoning and to the Comprehensive Plan Designations for properties within the proposed expansion area. During the May 28 public hearing, comments were made both in favor and opposed to the expansion plan. A second joint public hearing will be held before the Sisters City Council and Deschutes County Commissioners at a future date. If both the City and County approve, the proposal will be submitted to the state for review.

La Pine Rejects Proposed Data Center Amid Public Outcry

The City Council was exploring the

sale of industrial park land to a data center developer

By Clayton Franke

Applause and cheers thundered through the La Pine City Council meeting Wednesday evening as the body quashed a proposed industrial land sale to develop a data center that generated fierce public opposition in recent weeks.

The City Council’s unanimous vote on May 27 came after hearing a combined nearly five hours of public meeting comments this month, mostly lambasting the proposal. People formed online Facebook groups and circulated petitions encouraging the Council to shoot it down.

“You have to understand, we do listen to you,” La Pine City Council President Cathi VanDamme told the crowd during the May 27 meeting. “We do listen to you because we live here as well. Thank you for showing up and giving your opinion.”

The vote also came after a report from City Manager Geoff Wullschlager that raised questions about the developer’s estimates for how many new jobs and how much City revenue the proposed data center would generate.

Public opposition in La Pine is part of a trend as communities nationwide sour on data centers in their areas, fearing they will drain local water and energy resources, affecting quality of life with traffic, pollution and noise. Data centers are large warehouses full of computers that store and process digital information. A boom in Artificial Intelligence tools has propelled demand for new data centers to host servers to store information.

The La Pine City Council voted in March to move ahead with the sale process of a 20-acre parcel at the 330-acre La Pine Industrial Park east of U.S. Highway 97. That vote directed Wullschlager to find out more about the data center proposal and report back to the City Council.

The initial proposal was for a 20,000-square-foot facility — about one-third the size of a football field — although developers were eyeing a potential expansion in the future.

Sale of the vacant land in the industrial park, which is owned by Deschutes County, would have needed final approval from both the La Pine City Council and the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners.

“My mind on this thing was made up from the beginning because of the presentation that was made,” City Councilor Mike Shields said Wednesday. “However, it is our due diligence, it is our job, to give everything a fair chance, to learn everything we can about it. “

La Pine residents’ opposition came despite developer Boxminer.io promising the proposed AI data center would not use excessive water or affect electricity bills. Developers said that could be accomplished through a “closed loop” cooling system, which recirculates cooling liquid instead of evaporating water.

In a statement on its website, Midstate Electric Cooperative, which provides power to the La Pine area, ensured customers electricity rates would not go up due to the data center, which would be required to pay for any required power infrastructure upgrades.

The data center proposal would have used 20 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 16,000 homes. According to Midstate, that’s a fraction of the provider’s power capacity and would have been “more than adequately serviced with no risk of disruption.”

In a public comment on Wednesday, Boxminer.io CEO Jeff Keller touted “significant” financial and economic benefits for the City, arguing it’s exactly the kind of project appropriate for an industrial park.

“I didn’t think it was going to be this problematic to try to put an industrial use — especially a high-end, hightech industrial use — in an industrial park,” Keller said.

The Sunriver-La Pine Economic Development Board had recommended the project to the City Council.

Initially, Boxminer.io floated the potential for up to 200 full-time “high-tech value” jobs from the data center, according to a City Manager’s report from March. But those numbers were only if the facility were to eventually expand. Keller said on Wednesday he estimated 50 full-time jobs to start, adding, “I’m not 100% sure we will get to 50, but it will be considerable.”

City Manager Wullschlager’s report cast doubt on that estimate, and some of the other numbers in Boxminer’s proposal. He found that 800,000-square-foot Amazon facilities produce about 200 higher-paying jobs. Using that job-to-square-foot ratio, Boxminer’s smaller data center would only produce about five jobs.

Wullschlager also found the company may have significantly overestimated how much it would likely pay in electric utility franchise fees, which the City collects from Midstate in exchange for using the City streets to serve residents.

“In both the revenue and employment categories (comparable by way of data), Boxminer’s estimates fail to yield dependable information,” Wullschlager wrote in his report.

La Pine’s rejection comes just days before a one-year pause on property tax breaks for data centers. Earlier this year, the Oregon Legislature cut data centers out of a bill expanding the state’s Enterprise Zone Program, which is intended to lure private investment by offering temporary tax abatements.

Regardless of the moratorium, Keller told the Council he would forego any tax breaks the data center was eligible for.

As Keller put it, “This is millions of dollars on an annual basis that we have said we will not ask for, that because it’s not fair.”

La Pine Mayor Jeannine Earls, right, and City Council President Cathi VanDamme listen to public comments on a proposed data center at the La Pine Industrial Park at a meeting on May 13.

Eli Zatz

Deschutes County Finds Provider for East Redmond Managed Homeless

But limited funding poses questions about staffing and security

By Clayton Franke

Deschutes County may have found a service provider to support people in a developed homeless campground in East Redmond, but it’s unclear how much money will be left over for other operations like security, trash removal and porta potties.

In March, Deschutes County and the City of Redmond completed construction on a 36-site fenced campground with gravel roads, campsites, power and water. But it’s been sitting vacant after initial calls to run it went unanswered by Central Oregon’s largest homeless service nonprofits, which said the County was asking too much for too little funding.

The County then scaled back its request with hopes to get the camp up and running, with hundreds of people still camping on nearby government-owned lands where homelessness has hamstrung industrial development.

Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp told the Source in an email Monday that the County still doesn’t have an estimate for when people might be able to move into the camp.

But the County took a step in that direction on Monday. With a 2-1 vote, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners signaled its intent to award a contract to First Light, a nonprofit that specializes in substance use treatment and reentry programs. The County will still have to negotiate how much of its $500,000 budget for two years of operations to include in the contract for the support services intended to help people get out of homelessness, and how much to leave for nutsand-bolts camp operations.

Deschutes County and the City of Redmond inked an agreement in October to split $676,000 in construction costs to build the camp. The site is on 5.5 acres of County-owned north of the Redmond Airport and U.S. Highway 126, about 1.5 miles east of downtown Redmond. The County set aside enough land to eventually double the camp to 72 spaces.

The managed camp will be a first-of-its-kind model in Central Oregon, with slightly more infrastructure and stability than the designated “safe stay” camping area north of Bend at Juniper Ridge, where hundreds of people are living.

According to First Light’s application, one or two staff will be on site for two to four hours a day, seven days a week. Staff would enforce rules, resolve disputes and provide workshops such as job prep, nutrition and self-care to help people work toward housing.

“Our focus is to help folks who are struggling with SUD [substance use disorder] and mental health, ensuring they have the proper referrals to achieve that housing and also around job search, to help uplift them out of that place that they’re in currently,” Executive Director Lorenzo Perez told county commissioners Monday.

First Light’s application estimated the work will cost about $16,415 per month, or nearly $394,000 over two years.

More funding would be helpful, Perez said.

“We’re really doing a service to the County and

the City by accepting such a restricted budget,” Executive Director Lorenzo Perez told county commissioners on Monday.

That’s a sentiment Central Oregon service providers have echoed since managed camp discussions began nearly two years ago.

First Light formed about four years ago, with Perez bringing two decades of experience in the local behavioral health field. First Light runs street outreach programs to homeless camps, but hasn’t run a shelter before.

When the County initially sought an operator in January, it passed on First Light’s application and two others, citing in part a lack of experience managing shelters. No new groups applied the second time around. Home More Network , an outreach and basic needs nonprofit, also submitted a second application to run the camp.

Central Oregon Villages, one of the region’s largest outdoor shelter providers, told the Source the County’s revised request would have been too difficult to run well without more funding.

“If we were to manage the camp we would recommend something with far more staffing in order to create success,” Executive Director Scott Jones wrote in an email.

Under the revised model, the County will hold contracts for security, porta potties and trash removal.

The County doesn’t know exactly how much security it will be able to provide but estimates one to two hours per day based on the current budget, Kropp, the deputy county administrator, told

commissioners Monday.

Without an around-the-clock camp host, there won’t be anyone to open and close gates to the camp at night, Kropp said. And it means camp residents would be responsible for calling 911 in an after-hours emergency, he said.

City of Redmond staff will be responsible for coordinating entries into the camp.

The City surveyed interest in the camp as it moves people off of industrial park land in east Redmond north of Antler Avenue. In March County Commissioners asked the City to hold off on the sweep until the managed camp was open, but the City moved ahead, citing public safety and affects on local business, with a goal of having the land cleared by June 1.

County staff reported in April that 14 people had recently moved their camps to County-owned land in east Redmond, including 10 from the City’s industrial park. In total, about 160 people are camped on County lands in the area, including a few on a 137-acre parcel designated for a land swap with the state that was held up by the presence of encampments in 2022. Most people are now living in an area outside the city limits dubbed the “Green Zone,” where the County isn’t forcing people to move for the time being.

Deputy City Manager Steve Ashworth told the Source the eight people who remain camped at the industrial park have all expressed interest in moving to the managed camp.

Deschutes County and the City of Redmond’s managed homeless camp sits vacant in this April photo.

Clayton Franke

Redmond Mayor Talks Growth, Announces Reelection Bid in ‘State of the City’ Speech

Mayor Ed Fitch says Redmond is in “great” shape

By Clayton Franke

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch delivered a State of the City address Thursday morning focused on how the City is handling the sweeping challenges of population growth, which he largely blamed on a “deluge” of state mandates restricting local control before announcing his plans to run for reelection for a final time this year.

Fitch’s speech lasted about 40 minutes with City staff, local elected officials and members of the public in attendance. He said the City is doing a good job facing a rise in the number of calls to police, increased traffic and congestion, homelessness, state goals to build thousands of new homes and uncertainty about the future of the City’s groundwater supply.

“I’m happy to report the City is in great shape, and hopefully will be in the future, too,” Fitch said.

Growth in Redmond and Deschutes County has slowed from the post-pandemic era, but is still outpacing the rest of the state. The most recent estimates from Portland State University’s Population Research Center put Redmond’s population at 38,199. Forecasts say the City will add another 20,000 people by 2050.

A state analysis says Redmond will need to build about 10,000 new homes in the next 20 years to keep up with growth, make up for historic underbuilding and stay in line with state-mandated housing goals.

But Fitch and the City Council have clashed with the Oregon Legislature’s housing reforms, which strip cities’ ability to block developers from building townhomes, duplexes and triplexes in areas historically dominated by single-family homes. Fitch said he feels forcing denser housing onto smaller lots is “compromising the integrity of neighborhoods.”

“They come up every freaking year from Salem,” Fitch said of the housing laws, adding that the City’s planning department is “doing a great job trying to keep up with that, but it’s gotta stop. These state mandates, they’re really taking away any ability as a city to control the future.”

Fitch also called the state’s urban growth boundary

expansion process too difficult and expensive, mentioning his vision to add 1,200 acres in northwest Redmond for new homes and businesses through special legislative action. The City has created a master plan for the land, showing where homes, schools and businesses could go.

On transportation, Fitch discussed a host of planned road upgrades and expressed frustration with the Oregon Department of Transportation, citing red tape and calling the agency “very, very challenging” to work with. He talked about a long-term vision to build an east-west beltway around Redmond to ease congestion.

One of Fitch’s biggest challenges has been securing a future water supply for the City. Drought, declining aquifer levels and new regulations make it unlikely the City will get access to greater levels of groundwater in the future. Officials are confident the current water right will last another 15 to 20 years, and ongoing conservation efforts will extend it even further.

The speech ended with Fitch declaring that he’ll seek a fourth two-year term in office this November. He won’t be able to run again after that because of a voter-approved change to the City charter in 2024 that capped mayors and councilors to two consecutive terms while expanding the term length to four years.

Fitch was Redmond’s city attorney for two decades before serving one term as mayor from 1999 to 2001. He was elected again as mayor in 2022.

REDMOND FARMERS MARKET

LOCAL GOODS AND FOODS

Peruse and shop for some goods from local vendors and farmers. The Friday Farmers Market runs from May through August. 3-7pm at Centennial Park. 446 SW 9th St., Redmond. Free. SATURDAY

CONQUER THE CANYON

SATURDAY SWEAT

Boasting stunning unique geological features, Redmond’s Dry Canyon Trail is the perfect setting for a quest to conquer the canyon! The steep rocky walls and twisted juniper serve as a tribute to the area’s tormented volcanic past. 9am at Centennial Park. 446 SW 9th St., Redmond. $45-80 FRIDAY

SINGLES SPEED DATING AGES 40+

SKIP THE APPS

Speed Dating: Meet fun, like-minded singles in a relaxed, welcoming setting! Enjoy laughter, great conversations & real connections. 6-8pm at Testimony Wine Bar. 307 NW 6th St., Redmond. $10.

Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch speaks at the ‘State of the City’ address on Thursday, May 28 at Redmond City Hall.

Clayton Franke

Dave Takisaki

Bend’s Housing Market Remains Horizontal

Prices have remained stable over the past five years

By Nic Moye

The housing market in Bend seems to be holding steady over the past few years, with a median home price in Bend around $710,000. There are more buyers than sellers right now, but buyers are riding the tide of the economy.

“There was a dip in interest rates, where it went down from 6.5 to just under 6% in February, and we had a huge explosion of buyers in that month,” Brian Ladd, principal broker of the Ladd Group, Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty, told the Source. But he says that bonanza turned into a trickle in March and April with the invasion of Iran linked to a rise in inflation and interest rates. That caused homebuyers to remain cautious. In May, sales and pending sales began bouncing back, up about 20% compared to a year ago.

“What we’re finding is that buyers are trying to buy, and anytime there’s a stabilization in prices, a stabilization in interest rates, a stable economy, all the buyers start re-entering as quickly as they can, but they just keep getting punched in the face with so many headwinds that it’s just a challenging market,” Ladd says.

Housing prices will likely never go back to the more affordable $300$400,000 price point of years past, because construction and land costs remain high. But prices have leveled.

“Let’s go back to the pandemic start and we had a huge bump up in prices. But then we’ve had a stabilization in prices ever since about ‘21. We’re at the same exact price that we were in ‘21, so that’s a five-year timeout in prices,” Ladd says. “And there is almost never a time in history where prices go flat for five years.”

Right now, there’s a four-month supply of inventory in Bend. But Ladd believes there are more people willing to sell their homes, just waiting for the market to heat up. In May, the median time for a house on the market in Bend was 42 days. Ladd says 45% of the homes sold within 30 days, but 22% had been on the market for 120 days. A market analysis for April posted on the Ladd Group’s website finds that cash transactions increased from 23% in 2025 to 33% this past April while the median price remained stable, which may mean that high-end buyers are becoming more value-conscious in their purchasing decisions.

“One of the major trends right now is we’ve seen a huge slowdown in the number of new people arriving here,” Ladd says. “In the last year, there’s almost no new people coming to town.”

Portland State University, which tracks population estimates, shows that Bend’s population has grown by an average of 1.5% each year since 2022, compared to the growth spurt of nearly 9% between 2020 and 2021.

“We have people leaving, and we have some new people coming, but it’s not the rush of buyers anymore,” Ladd says. “What we’re seeing now is people that have been in Bend awhile, couldn’t find a house when they moved here…and the shiny countertops and whatnot are probably a little less necessary than the understanding of where they fit in town. So, it’s a little bit more of nuanced buying than it was before.”

Dancing Mortgage Rates

The mortgage industry does one thing reliably — and that’s to fluctuate

By Kim Cooper Findling

Ask most people to weigh in on the current mortgage market, and the response will likely be that the market is challenging. Rates are high, making it more difficult to break into the already traditionally tough Bend real estate market.

“We’re stuck in a high interest environment,” states Sam Boyer, senior mortgage advisor and branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation in downtown Bend. But he’s quick to point out that when it comes to mortgages and real estate, it’s all relative. “Of course, it depends on who you talk to.”

The additional percentage applied to a loan on a home — or the mortgage rate — is currently sitting in the mid-6% range. Zoom out and look from a historical perspective and one sees that rates have fluctuated dramatically over the past decades. “Those who remember the 1970s and 1980s, when rates soared to 18%, have a longterm perspective on how bad things truly can be,” Boyer says.

Wedged in more recent memory, however, is 2020 and 2021, when mortgage rates dropped into the 2% to 3% range. This relatively recent dip is why most people

now feel the pinch of current rates. That drop, however, explains Boyer, was akin to many national matters that were radically affected by the unprecedented impacts of COVID. The boomerang a couple of years later sent rates even higher than they are today, into the 7% and 8% range — yet it’s tempting to look back to the very low rates and hope that they will return. “If you look at just within the past decade or two, rates now are relatively high,” concludes Boyer.

Higher mortgage rates have many outcomes, one of which is that they force higher mortgage payments. That in turn makes it tougher for buyers to qualify for a loan in the first place, which slows transactions. “Higher rates mean a greater barrier to entry to the market,” said Boyer. “Higher rates mean the real estate market is more locked up.”

The impact of higher rates hits both first-time buyers, trying to break into the market for the first time, and more established residents, who might otherwise consider a move within market. “Those who bought when rates were low, and have a

Ladd Group at Cascade Hasson

Sotheby’s Realty

current mortgage of 2%, look at 7% rates and say, ‘why would I sell and buy? I’ll just stay put.’ That’s another aspect of higher rates that keep the market stalled.”

But it’s not all bad news, said Boyer. He points to the boom in Bend housing geared toward more affordable price points, including housing developments cropping up on the east side of town, as preventing the local market from a total standstill. “That’s a unique aspect of Bend compared to some other parts of the country,” he said. “There are a lot of homes being built at a price point that is helpful for firsttime homebuyers.”

The consensus among economists in the mortgage industry, said Boyer, is that rates will continue to drop, although it’s also true that there is much uncertainty in the current environment. “Interest rates were slowly coming down from a couple of years ago, but recent developments in Iran have pushed rates back up. That’s not helping. However, the federal reserve says that rates need to come down. The question is, at what rate, and to what degree, will that occur.”

In the meantime, a slower market can be a good time to buy, said Boyer. With competition down, the opportunity to get into a good house is higher — unlike when rates were low during COVID and homes were selling in a matter of days (or hours!) and often for more than asking price. Boyer tells clients not to overlook the current market. “If you might be able to stomach a higher interest rate loan for a year or two, until rates drop and a refinance makes sense, now is a good time to buy,” he said. “Don’t be afraid that your payment today is your forever payment.”

To that end, Boyer’s company offers current clients cost-free refinancing in the future to help make moving forward now more palatable. He also points to incentive programs that are available, like tools that allow buyers to leverage their credit to reduce interest rates — called a “rate buy down,” that might help people break into the market.

While economists predict rates dropping, Boyer explained that from a bigger perspective, a slower drop is healthier. “The federal reserve’s job is to drop rates slowly, so as not to push inflation higher than necessary,” he explains. “They can’t force anything without consequences.”

In 15 years in the industry, Boyer has seen rates rise, drop with COVID, and then rise again. “There’s something to be said for slow adjustments,” he said. “For the economy at large, I’ve seen the negative effects of change that happens too fast.”

Partners for Affordable Housing Works to Ensure Homes for Everyone

The collaborative coalition features members from a variety of sectors that aims to address affordable housing, or the lack thereof, in Central Oregon

By Dallas Finn Calvert

Acoalition of 38 Central Oregon builders, architects, employers and civic, economic-development and nonprofit groups is working synergistically to address the need for affordable housing in Central Oregon Partners for Affordable Housing This is a nonprofit created by members of the Central Oregon Builders Association in 2010 to help provide safe, affordable housing while also stimulating development, preservation and revitalization efforts across Central Oregon.

Today, the coalition includes interested and expert parties beyond the building industry to help increase affordable-housing options, both rentals and purchased homes, for Central Oregonians. It includes members from a variety of spaces, including the Bend Chamber of Commerce , the Cascades East Association of Realtors, Habitat for Humanity , Oregon Nurses Association and the student government at OSU-Cascades.

Part of its efforts include helping educate the public and policymakers about the local housing situation and ways in which more affordable housing can be made available. Partners for Affordable Housing will host a future forums for gubernatorial candidates, Bend mayor and city council candidates and Redmond city council candidates. focused on the topic of affordable housing and the high cost of available housing.

Partners for Affordable Housing is doing vital work, says Eliza Wilson, 38, a Bend native and executive director of RootedHomes, a Central Oregon community land trust founded in 2014, which is also a part of Partners for Affordable Housing.

“I feel that the coalition’s goal is to bring folks together to collaborate really collectively to make a difference in Central Oregon and in Deschutes County around building affordable housing and making affordable housing more accessible for the folks who live here,” Wilson said. “A lot of people end up moving out of the area because they just don’t have that next step of housing available to them. I think that’s why this coalition is so important.

“I think one thing that the public doesn’t understand is that when we say affordable, we mean (for) the workforce. We mean nurses. We mean your mechanic. That’s who affordable housing is for, and then there’s low-income housing that is absolutely needed, too,” she added. “It’s a Central Oregon problem, not just in Bend. I think Bend has more resources to show what the issue is, but we know there’s this same issue in Madras, where it’s difficult for teachers to find affordable housing. It’s the same thing with people who work in the medical system there. It’s an issue in Central Oregon as a whole. This isn’t an opinion. It’s a fact. Central Oregon is one of the top 10 least affordable places to live in the country.”

Wilson explained that Central Oregon has historically been “under invested in” with respect to state and federal monies targeted toward building affordable housing. “We are way behind in the development that was needed 10, 15 years ago, and

Bend, specifically, is building more housing than anywhere in the state right now because we’re all aware of this issue,” she says.

David Welton, 50, is a software engineer by profession. However, his “passion project” is working with the volunteer-driven Central Oregon YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) organization that works toward ensuring there are homes of “all shapes and sizes” for Central Oregonians, be it houses, condominiums, apartments, multiplexes, micro housing or cottage clusters. Central Oregon YIMBY is part of the Partners in Affordable Housing “big tent coalition,” he explains, where there are various “ideas and approaches about the highest priorities,” and it’s an integral group to help address the need for housing for everyone.

“My wife and I moved to town 11 years ago now, and it was difficult to find a rental, and I was kind of thinking, you know, ‘Hey, if I’m a software guy and this is a struggle, what’s it like for people that are actually important to the community, like nurses and teachers and firefighters, police-service workers,’” Welton said. “I got to thinking about that and just realized that if we didn’t change course here, we were going to lose a lot of people that are vital to this community. I think everyone who’s lived here long enough has seen friends, family, and colleagues leave for places that are more affordable, and that’s a loss to all of us.”

As a frame of reference, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development annually determines the area median income and median family income for counties and multicounty metropolitan areas across the country. For 2026, HUD calculated that the Bend-Redmond MFI is $120,200. In 2025, the AMI for Central Oregon ranged from $77,400 to $114,300. Meanwhile, according to Realtor.com, $656,000 is the median sales price as of May 2026 for homes sold in Deschutes County, while the median rent is $2,025 per month.

Candidates for Deschutes County Commissioner participate in a forum in April hosted by Partners for Affordable Housing.

Partners for Affordable Housing

SOURCE PICKS

THURSDAY

LORD HURON

“TAKE ME BACK TO THE NIGHT WE MET”

This band is known for fusing folk, country and a little bit of rock 'n' roll. "Twilight" fans know them for the hauntingly sweet song, “The Night We Met.” Bendites will want to grab their partner, or perhaps take themselves on a self-date and enjoy a sultry sweet night of live music. 7pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater. 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend. $79.50. FRIDAY 06/05

GRETTA SEABIRD

FOLK-POP EXPERIENCE

Gretta Seabird began with a simple songwriting challenge. Every two weeks, Jeremiah Brunnhoelzl would email guitar tracks from his flat in Brooklyn, New York to Lee McDonnell in Portland, who would then give herself a mere day to pen down lyrics and melody. 7-10PM at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $12.24

WINE 'N' SHINE CAR SHOW

MUSCLE CARS, TRUCKS AND AESTHETIC ENGINES Car lovers: buckle up and get your hot rods ready to rumble. This show features classics and newer modified cars, trucks, and motorcycles. There will also be live music. 10am-2pm at Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards. 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr., Terrebonne. Free.

SUNDAY

SKELETON CREWE

INTIMATE EVENING OF GENRE BENDING MUSIC

Each performance, Skeleton Crewe promises to offer high level artistry hosting an intimate evening of original compositions (many of which were written by Robert Hunter in collaboration with Barraco), Grateful Dead interpretations, and dynamic improvisations that span genres from traditional Hawaiian to psychedelic Americana. 8pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub. 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $32.43

SUNDAY 06/07

THE DUST DEVILS

BREWSKI AND TUNES AT THE BREWERY

A rootsy trio that defies musical boundaries with its unique blend of old blues, country, swing and originals. Prepare for a toe-tapping, soul-stirring good time with Stu Kinzel (guitar/reso), Jim Roy (guitar/mandolin), Devilette Maggie J (bass). Everybody sings! 4-6pm at Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room and Beer Garden. 969 SW Colorado, Bend. Free.

TUESDAY 06/09

LIVE MUSIC AT GOODLIFE

FAMILY FRIENDLY MUSIC NIGHT

Free Live Music in GoodLife's Beer Garden. Full kitchen, full bar, food trucks, playground, kids menu, good vibes, sweet backdrop! 6-8pm at GoodLife Brewing. 70 SW SW Century Dr. Ste. 100-464, Bend. Free

BOARD GAME COMEDY NIGHT

BOARD GAMES AND JOKEY-JOKES

The Board Game Comedy Tour is stopping by Modern Games in Bend! Grant Lyon, professional comedian and board game content creator, will perform a family-friendly stand-up comedy show that is a must-see for any board game fan. 7-8pm at Modern Games. 550 SW Industrial Way #150, Bend. $15

WEDNESDAY

THE TWO TRACKS

SPIRIT OF THE WEST

Rooted in the wide-open landscapes of Wyoming, The Two Tracks creates music that fuses rich storytelling, soulful harmonies, and the spirit of the American West. At the heart of The Two Tracks is a deep commitment to connection—on stage and on record. 7:30-9:30pm at The Commonwealth Pub. Free.

WEDNESDAY 06/10

ERIC LEADBETTER

BROTHERS BAND IN BEND

Relax with a pint or some smooth whiskey and enjoy the musical stylings of Eric Leadbetter. His music fuses rock, blues and soul into a mix that leaves audiences feeling moved. 6-8pm at Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5. 566 SW Mill View Way, Bend. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing

Eric Leadbetter Instagram

John Matychuk

Lord Huron Instagram

Matthieu Rochette

Nik Korba

High Fade and Ginger Molasses will rock Bend

By Nic Moye

S SOUND Two Bands Making Music on Their Own Terms

DIY musicianship at its best

The Scottish funk southern rock band, High Fade, is on a busy North American tour throughout the U.S. and Canada, including a stop in Bend at Volcanic Theatre Pub. Their sound is described as a blend of hard rock, funk, jazz, metal and soul. The gravelly voice of lead singer Harry Valentino, backed by bass player Oli Sentance and drummer Heath Campbell, is at times hard rock and at times a feel-good jam.

High Fade just released a new album, “Twice as Nice,” in May. It’s their second full-length studio album released independently under their own label, RPN Records. Valentino says they decided to take the more challenging road of staying independent to maintain their creative freedom. He’s an outspoken advocate for DIY musicianship, encouraging emerging artists to build on their own terms rather than surrender control.

“I think for us it’s incredibly difficult but extremely rewarding.,” Valentino says. “Our fan base knows and appreciates our grassroots approach, and I think it resonates a lot with people in the industry who see us coming from afar.”

Valentino started the band in Edinburgh, in 2018 with the original members busking and gigging on the streets. Sentance joined a couple of years later while Campbell signed on last year. The good-natured musicians had fun when describing one another to the Source. Sentance says Valentino is “speedy, fresh, organized, sharp, can’t walk into him.” Valentino describes Sentance as participating in the “world’s strongest mustache game, plays bass the proper way, organized, always up early, coffee connoisseur.” Valentino and Sentance both describe Campbell as “precise, speedy, wholesome, funny and inappropriate most of the time.” They create the music together, with Valentino initially writing lyrics, but everyone contributing to the finished song.

High Fade has been to Bend before, performing in front of a small crowd. “We actually played a set supporting ourselves, too, since the support band pulled out!” Valentino says cheerfully. Since then, they’ve built a following on social media and launched a whirlwind tour with performances scheduled nearly every day through July.

High Fade

Sun, June 28 6pm

Volcanic Theatre Pub

70 SW Century Dr, Bend

Highfademusic.live $26.77

An overflow of creativity spun into funny videos Ginger Molasses is a unique blend of soul, funk and rock. The five-piece band came together in 2023 in Nevada City, California. Married musicians Galen Krumel (bassist/keyboard) and Lessley Anderson (keyboard/ songwriter), moved there from San Francisco during the pandemic. They were looking for a new project and placed an ad on Craigslist where they met singer Tawnee Kendell. Eventually they met Nick Overhauser (drums) and Bohdi Dulac (guitar) and the band was complete.

“We have elements of funk and soul, but are not a jam band, as we are songwriting-driven, with intentional arrangements,” Anderson told the Source. “We have been compared to classic bands of the 70s, like Zeppelin and Fleetwood Mac.”

Anderson says the group had instant chemistry and bonded over Bob Seger and homemade ginger molasses cookies, thus the band’s name. This is their first summer on the road, with a July stop at Silver Moon

Brewing on their schedule. “We are very excited to play Bend, and hope that people take a chance and come check us out,” Anderson says.

Ginger Molasses’ has a retro vibe that will get listeners off their feet. Their lead singer has a powerful voice. “We are regularly hired to play raucous street fairs and afterparties,” Anderson says. “Our front woman, Tawnee, is like a force of nature, fun and lively. It’s hard to take your eyes off her.”

The band gets along so well, and has such a bounty of creative ideas, that they spend their spare time recording quirky, fun video skits. Their most recent is a series called “River Rats” which is also the name of one of their songs. While the “River Rats” song has its own music video the “River Rats” video series is more akin to movie shorts with a plot. Overhauser and Dulac star as vice cops tracking the River Rat gang, played by Anderson and Kendell. Krumel plays a crawfish who helps crack the case. Yep, a crawfish helps crack the case! Not the typical type of video you’d expect from a musical act but it certainly adds to the charm of this group.

“We have an absurdist sense of humor, and sometimes the rock band cannot contain it all,” Anderson says.

Their songs each tell a tale as well. Many of the songs Anderson writes for the band are based on real stories she came across as a feature journalist in her previous career. “I am really inspired by stories about people living outside the margins of what’s “normal” or legal,” she explains. “The song “Heidi Fleiss” was written after I read a weird New York Times story about how former Hollywood Madam, Heidi Fleiss, was operating a laundromat in Pahrump, Nevada while trying to raise funds to open a whorehouse for women.” It’s not a typical theme for a song but it works in a way that only Ginger Molasses can rock.

Ginger Molasses Thu, July 30

Silver Moon Brewing 24 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend Bendticket.com $14.38

Ginger Molasses is comprised of, from left, Lessley Anderson, Bohdi Dulac, Tawnee Kendell, Nick Overhauser and Galen Krumel.

High Fade recently released its second album, “Twice as Nice.”

High Fade

Ingrid Nelson

CALENDAR

3

Wednesday

Bend Cider Co. Micah Dachtler Listen to Micah Dachtler who will be performing solo jazz guitar on the beautiful backyard garden stage. Enjoy delightful ciders, cold beer, wine, & n/a beverages. Light appetizers available, outside food welcome. Kid and dog-friendly. 6-8pm. Free.

The Capitol Karaoke Drink specials! Air guitars! People should definitely check this out for themselves. 8pm-1am. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Dail Croome Come join us for an intimate evening with Canadian singer and artist Dail Croome. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.

The Coyote Free Line Dance Lessons Free beginner-friendly line dance lessons with instructor Alex Reininger. Learn two fun dances in one hour— no experience needed! 7-8pm. Free.

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Night Open mic comedy on Bend’s NE side. Come down, eat some BBQ, drink some drinks, and be prepared to laugh. 7:30-9pm. Free.

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Anderson Koenig Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music in the garden from 6-8pm. 6-8pm. Free.

Hosmer Bar Trivia Night Brainy banter and cold drinks! Whether one is a seasoned quiz champ or just in it for the laughs, gather the crew and test everyone’s knowledge! 7-9pm. Free.

Northside Bar & Grill Mellow Wednesday Open Mic Night Come down for our Open Mic Night hosted by Derek Michael Marc!!! Sign up at 530pm to get a spot to play! 5:30-8pm. Free.

Portello Lounge Music Bingo Music Bingo is hosted by the always entertaining Rachel Fishman, who keeps the crowd singing and laughing all night! It’s the perfect bonus to a night out enjoying great food, drinks and good company at Portello! 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Fai Laci After College, Luke Faillaci sat with the four years’ worth of music he recorded in his college bedroom. In that pile sat Fai Laci’s first EP ‘Conversation,’ which included the songs “Five” and “Gypsy Lover” both now with millions of streams. 7-10pm. $17.59.

Tetherow Resort Summer Live Music Live music featuring local musicians at the Tetherow Resort Clubhouse Patio. Custom food menu, full bar, free wine or spirits tasting. 5-7pm. Free.

4 Thursday

Alpenglow Park Alpenglow Nights Experience the magic of music and community. Gather the friends and family for Alpenglow Nights: five unforgettable Thursday nights this summer at Alpenglow Park! 6pm. Free.

Bevel Craft Brewing Live Music at Bevel Catch talented local artists on the patio, grab a bite from our 4 on-site food carts, and enjoy award-winning craft beer, wine, cider, and more. Bring friends, relax, and make it a weekly tradition. 6-8pm. Free.

Bunk+Brew Karaoke Thursdays All voices are welcome. Food carts available all evening! Located in the Historic Lucas House Living Room for winter. 7-10pm. Free.

The Cellar Live Irish Trad Music with The Ballybogs! Live music featuring Bend’s Irish Trad band, The Ballybogs! Every Thursday at The Cellar. Seats fill up, so get there early! 6-8pm. Free.

Highwater Trio Heller Highwater will play at the vineyard. Enjoy some good music, pizza or salad, and gorgeous views of the vineyards. 5-8pm. $18.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Live at the Vineyard: Ghost of Brian Craig Ghost of Brian Craig is a solo live music project based out of Bend, Oregon. Using a looping pedal, harmonica, backing tracks and skillful acoustic guitar playing, he creates intricate and dynamic soundscapes. 5-8pm. $12.

Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot Lilli Worona & John Shipe Lilli Worona is a singer/ songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living and performing in Central Oregon. Growing up, Lilli was influenced by her father who is a classically trained vocalist, music teacher and guitarist. John Shipe, seasoned singer songwriter from Eugene Oregon. Freeform Americana recording artist. 6-8pm. $10.

Hayden Homes Amphitheater Lord Huron This band is known for fusing folk, country and a little bit of rock and roll. Twilight fans know them for the hauntingly sweet song “The Night We Met.” Bendites will want to grab their partner, or perhaps take themselves on a self-date for this sweet and enjoy a sultry sweet night of live music 7pm. $79.50

Hosmer Bar Bingo Night Your week just found its highlight—bingo! Drinks, good company and a little friendly competition. 7-9pm. Free.

Initiative Brewing - The Hub Karaoke at Initiative in Redmond! They flip the switch—free, all-ages karaoke where kids, regulars, and first-timers get their moment. Belt it out or soak in the chaos—this is a weekly excuse to show up and let loose. Bubba, aka DJ Bubba Yum, runs the show, spinning tracks, hyping the crowd, and nudging everyone toward the mic. 5:30-7:30pm. Free.

The Lot Doc Monos Doc Monos is a solo acoustic project from singer/songwriter Andy Jaehrling. Andy has performed across the US ( Iowa, Washington State, Washington DC, Colorado, Texas and Oregon) since the mid 90’s; mostly in bands, but now as a solo artist. Andy brings a nice mix of Folk, Americana, Blues, and 6-8pm. Free.

Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays With QuizHead Games. 6-8pm. Free.

River’s Place Broken Top Bluegrass A combined trifecta of traditional tunes, bluegrass and Primordial Oozegrass, Broken Top seeks to create a new original sound intertwined with the traditions of string band music. 6-8pm. Free.

Stoller Wine Bar Bend Haute Melange Haute Melange performs the first Thursday of each month at Stollers, celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt, Gypsy Jazz and beyond. Jon Harnum (trumpet and guitar), Bob Baker (violin), Scott Johnson (guitar) and Andrew Lion (bass). A swinging blend of classic jazz manouche. 6-8pm. Free.

The Winery at Manzanita- Bend Vino & Vibes Enjoy an evening of wine and Local community grooves every Thursday. Local singers and song writers welcome. 5-7pm. Free.

Worthy Brewing - Main Pub and Brewery Comedy Mics Hear fresh jokes from established comedians, cheer on first timers, and drink tasty brews. For comics, this is a practice space, and also an opportunity to get booked for paid time in future shows. 6:30-8:45pm. Free.

LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

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5 Friday

Bend Cider Co. Coyote Rider at Bend Cider Kat Hilst, Kim Kelley and Tim Coffey perform original folk-Americana songs crafted for timeless storytelling with roots-driven sound and powerful harmonies. 6-8pm. Free.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom First Friday Block Party! They crank up the tunes every first Friday to celebrate Art Walk throughout downtown. Food, Drink, and Community abound on these nights. VanHenion Brewing helps this event support the Latino Community Association. First Friday of every month, 5:30-8:30pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Petty Thievery Based in Southern Oregon, this is a band of veteran musicians who have joined together to honor the music of Tom Petty. Each bring their love for Petty’s songs and the music of the Heartbreakers to this fun rock and roll tribute. 8-10pm. $25 in advance/$30 at door.

Desert Inn Sports Bar & Grill Chasin’ Bandits The Band plays a variety of memorable country and rock favorites. Talented musicians keep the crowd entertained and engaged. Come out and dance the night away or just enjoy the music. The DI in Metolius is a friendly local establishment with great food and drinks, Friday night is prime rib night! First Friday of every month, 7-10pm. Free.

The Domino Room Twisted Insane Twisted Insane, from San Diego, California, is an American rapper and songwriter renowned for his chopper rap style characterized by exceptionally fast flows and horrorcore themes blending dark, violent narratives with gangsta rap elements. 7:30-10:30pm. $24.28.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Live at the Vineyard: Jeff Miller & The Congregation What happens when some new, “old” friends figure out through a series of unanticipated encounters that they were meant to make some music together and smiling so hard while doing it, their faces hurt? You get Jeff Miller & The Congregation ...a NW based band from Bend, Oregon. 6-9pm. $30.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Jeff Miller They have been said to have a folk-rock feel to their music. Chill out, listen to some good music while the sun starts to sets around the beautiful vineyard. 6-9pm. $30.

Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot Singer Songwriter Series: Linda Quon, Kenny Hadden and Tamra Jean Another Singer Songwriter Series for the month of June, featuring an intimate night of original music and storytelling from Linda Quon, Kenny Hadden, and Tamra Jean. Three artists, three unique voices, sharing songs and stories in a relaxed, close-up setting. 6-8pm. $10.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke at Hardtails Come out for a night of Karaoke with your host DJ GABY! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday or Saturday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free.

Pangaea Guild Hall Pangaea After DarkPride Edition A night of seduction, spectacle, and unapologetic expression featuring burlesque, pole, drag, shibari, tarot, and a dance floor that doesn’t quit. The hall will be decked out in blacklights, so bring UV reactive gear and celebrate Pride! 6:30-11:59pm. $30.

RE/MAX Key Properties First Friday Gallery Hop First Friday at REMAX Key Properties featuring local artist Angie Tomson of One Two Coyote. Enjoy wine tasting, live DJ music, gourmet bites by Stacks Dinner & Delicatessen, and a vibrant evening of art and community connection. 5-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Gretta Seabird Gretta Seabird began with a simple songwriting challenge. Every two weeks, Jeremiah Brunnhoelzl would email guitar tracks from his flat in Brooklyn, NY to Lee McDonnell in Portland, OR, who would then give herself a mere day to pen down lyrics and melody. 7-10pm. $12.24

Silver Moon Brewing The Roundabouts - Bluegrass Some of Central Oregon’s most talented musicians combine forces to provide an incredible night of Bluegrass music. Quattlebaum, Karwan, Kartsounes & Hencel! 7pm-10am. $14.38

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.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Cliche: 2026 Pride

Celebration Party Volcanic Theatre Pub and 1988

Entertainment Presents: CLICHÉ: 2026 Pride

Celebration Party With Support From: DJ Timothy Bee Friday, June 5th Doors at 8PM This event is 21+ 8pm. $15.44.

Coyote Rider will play at Bend Cider Co. on June 5.

Bend Cider Co.

6 Saturday

The Astro Lounge Live local sounds with assorted DJs. Live local sounds from different artists every Friday and Saturday. 10pm-2am. Weekend cover charge.

Blacksmith Public House Neon Circus Brooks and Dunn Tribute This event is a part of the FANfest series. All ages welcome! 7-10pm. $29. Bridge 99 Brewery Family-Friendly Karaoke Night Looking for family fun? You’ll find it every Saturday night at Bridge 99 Brewery. Family-friendly karaoke is hosted by DJ Jackie J and A Fine Note Karaoke Too from 6-9 PM. Adults, kids and good dogs welcome. 6-9pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Double Jump Double Jump is an Indie Pop Rock local band that brings known covers to a new life and original music that will get people humming throughout the week. Indie music with a Saxophone? The auduience is covered. 8-10pm. Free.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards

Wine ‘n’ Shine Car Show Annual Wine ’N’ Shine Car Show at Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards in Terrebonne, Oregon June 6, 2026. The show runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. This show features classics and newer modified cars, trucks, and motorcycles. There will also be live music. 10am-2pm. Free.

Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot Bob Baker and Mark Barringer Barringer and Baker formed seven years after Bob had wandered into a wine bar where Mark was playing in Bend Oregon. They met, they jammed, and it wasn’t until seven years later when Bob had a home in Sisters OR that they reconnected and the synergy and energy from the 6-8pm. $10.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Karaoke at Hardtails Come out for a night of Karaoke with your host DJ GABY! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday or Saturday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free.

Hayden Homes Amphitheater Bailey Zimmerman: Different Night Same Rodeo Tour 2026 7pm.

M&J Tavern Oregon Punk Rock w/ The Slappy’s, ITSCHAOS and SuckerPunch! Summer is here! Local bands The Slappy’s and ITSCHAOS bring SuckerPunch back from southern Oregon for one heck of a punk rock party! 21 and over. Tip the bands cause it is free to get in! 9pm. Free/ Tips encouraged.

M&J Tavern The Slappy’s, IDIOCENTRIC & SuckerPunch Summer is here! Local bands The Slappy’s and IDIOCENTRIC bring SuckerPunch back from southern Oregon for one heck of a punk rock party! 21 and over. Tip the bands cause it is free to get in! 9pm. Free/Tips encouraged.

LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

Maragas Winery Samantha Maragas - Broadway Café - A live music soloist experience. After Completing her 2nd Year at Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts, Samantha returns to her roots to perform for 1 day on June 6. A solo performance, Broadway Cafe will feature a selection of stirring Broadway vocals and popular tunes from rock to country. 2-6pm. Free.

PLAYA IN A LANDSCAPE: PLAYA Concert Classical Music in the Wild returns to Lake County and brings partner Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) for a weekend celebrating the region’s rural communities and wild beauty. An afternoon concert at one of Oregon’s most inspiring creative campuses, surrounded by the wetlands and rimrock of Summer Lake. 4-5:30pm. $49.17.

Portello Lounge Retro Dance Party @ Portello Lounge! Retro Dance Party at Portello Lounge! From the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond, DJ Briantology will keep people dancing all night. Break out the neon, tracksuits, or bell bottoms — but no pressure, come ready for cocktails, dinner, dancing, and a ridiculously fun night! 8-11pm. Free for customers.

River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Michelle Van Handel Quartet ~ Jazz standards, swing & Latin 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing The Hugs, Long Deer & Jackrat The Hugs push their alternative pop foundation into forward-thinking territory— blending classic song craft with subtle experimentation and modern production choices that feel distinctly 2026 without chasing indie trends. 7-10pm. $14.82

Velvet Lounge One Mad Man Music One Mad Man: loops together multiple instruments to create moody, driven backdrops accompanied by smooth vocals. First Saturday of every month, 9pm-Midnight. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub La Bon Burlesque and Bend Dyke Night Presents: But I’m a Cheerleader An interactive burlesque show followed by an epic dance party, all inspired by the queer cult classic “But I’m a Cheerleader!” 5-11:30pm. $15.00- $40.00.

7 Sunday

Bend Cider Co. Dirk Van Houweling Singer-songwriter Dirk Van Houweling plays on the beautiful backyard garden stage! Enjoy award winning ciders, cold beer, wine, and n/a beverages. Light appetizers available, outside food welcome. Kid and dog-friendly. Free! 5-7pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Shineola Singalong Shineola has one main aim: to get the audience singing to the top of their lungs! From popular rock to timeless choruses, and from anthem classics to generations old folk songs from the commonwealth, come and experience the magic of CHORUS THERAPY!! 4-6pm. Free.

Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room & Beer Garden The Dust Devils A rootsy trio that defies musical boundaries with their unique blend of old blues, country, swing and originals. Prepare for a toe-tapping, soul-stilling good time. Stu Kinzel (guitar/reso), Jim Roy (guitar/mandolin), Devilette Maggie J (bass). Everybody sings! 4-6pm. Free.

Dogwood At The Pine Shed Okay Karaoke Sing your favorite songs with friends, enjoy professional sound and lighting, and let the spotlight shine on you. Hosted by the dynamic Tammy Larsen, it’s the perfect night out for music lovers and party people alike. Noon-11pm. Free.

Initiative Brewing - The Hub Trivia Sunday with UKB Trivia at Initiative Brewing/The Hub in Redmond Not too early, not too late! Team up to win prizes, or for the fun of it. No fee to play! This is no ordinary trivia quiz, it’s Useless Knowledge Bowl! Enjoy fantastic food and brews. Bring good vibes and a pen if possible. 4-6pm. Free.

River’s Place Sunday Funday Trivia! Grab your team and join the fun! Free to play & prizes to win! Check out our Mimosa menu Noon-2pm. Free.

River’s Place Pete Kartsounes Ballads, blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, and compositions that defy definition, he is best described as a story teller, weaving a tale through a soulful musical journey. 5-7pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Skeleton Crewe feat. Jay Lane, Bob Barraco, Barry Sless, Pete Sears, and Stephen Inglis Parallel 44 Presents SKELETON CREWE featuring Jay Lane, Bob Barraco, Barry Sless, Pete Sears, and Stephen Inglis. 8pm. $32.43.

8 Monday

Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Ronald McDonald House Bingo with Bren is supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities with this bingo event! Half of proceeds go to cash prizes, while the other half helps provide comfort, housing, and support for families with children receiving medical care. $2 per Card or 6 Cards for $10! 6-8pm. $2.

The Commonwealth Pub Musician Open Mic Showcase hosted by The Session Calling all musicians! Monday nights are nights for a special opportunity to showcase talent, connect with other artists, and perform in a welcoming and collaborative, music-loving atmosphere. Backline provided, just bring instruments and chords! 5-9pm. Free.

Hayden Homes Amphitheater Bonnie Raitt: Live 2026 She broke through to the top in the early 90s with her Grammy Award-winning albums, “Nick of Time” and “Luck of the Draw,” which feature hits, “Something To Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” among others. 7pm.

$67-$387

M&J Tavern Vinyl Night Monday Night just got better!!! 9pm to Midnight. SupaFly will be your Dj. Bring your own vinyl and sign up to add it to the Playlist or pick from hers. 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.

9 Tuesday

Beach Hut Deli Tip of the Tongue Trivia Tip of the Tongue trivia is the right event for those who want to test their knowledge and try for a chance to win some great prizes! 6-8pm. Free.

The Capitol Karaoke Drink specials! Air guitars! People should definitely check this out for themselves. 8pm-1am. Free.

The Cellar Open Mic Open Mic is hosted by Mari of the band, Mari & The Dream! This is an intimate night of sharing music in a welcoming environment and supportive community. 6-8pm. Free.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom 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.

The Commonwealth Pub The Light Heavyweights - Tuesday Jazz A night of jazz with The Light Heavyweights. 7-9pm. Free.

Elements Public House Trivia (&Taco) Tuesdays Quiz fans of Redmond: bring the crew this week for UKB live trivia & more! Delicious menu favorites, brews, cocktails, plus Taco Tuesday menu! Players will compete for gift card prizes or play just for fun. Bring good vibes and a pen. 6:30pm. Free.

GoodLife Brewing Live Music in the GoodLife Beer Garden Free Live Music in GoodLife’s Beergarden every Sunday 4-6 and Tuesday 6-8. Full Kitchen, Full Bar, Food Trucks, Playground, Kids Menu, GOOD VIBES! 6-8pm. Free.

Hayden Homes Amphitheater Jim Gaffigan: Everything is Wonderful! 7:30pm.

Initiative Brewing - The Hub Bingo at Initiative in Redmond! Randy is hosting Central Oregon’s “semi-pro” bingo legend, for a fun night with real cash prizes. Great food, cold drinks, and a good time—all while supporting the Redmond Senior Center! 5:30-7:30pm. Free.

M&J Tavern Karaoke Sign-ups start at 8pm! 8pm-1:15am. Free.

Modern Games The Board Game Comedy Tour The Board Game Comedy Tour is stopping by Modern Games in Bend! Grant Lyon, professional comedian and board game content creator, will perform a family-friendly stand-up comedy show that is a must-see for any board game fan. 7-8pm. $15.

Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesdays Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Free to play! Prizes & fun every Tuesday! 7:30-9pm. Free.

River’s Place Bingo! Have fun, win money and help out a local non profit organization. Cards $1$5 6-8pm. Free.

The Glow Pad Bend Ecstatic Dance A weekly free-form dance and movement space with live Dj’s and setlist curators who craft music journeys which inspire embodied explorations. Open to everyone 12+. Non-alcoholic. Not a class, no steps to learn, conversation-free and shoe-free dance floor. 7:30-9:30pm. $20.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Karaoke Karaoke in the pub of VTP! Every Tuesday, 7pm - late 7pm. Free.

10

Wednesday

The Astro Lounge Karaoke with Christina Karaoke with Christina. Karafun catalog gives one thousands of songs to sing to. Great sound system and brand new wireless mics. Drink specials during the event. 9pm-1am. Free.

Boneyard Pub Hot Gypsy Swing at The Boneyard Pub with The Brandon Campbell Trio!!! Enjoy food and drink specials while The Brandon Campbell Trio delivers a sophisticated blend of traditional Gypsy Swing and evocative originals! Their sound is hot, vibrant, atmospheric, and rooted in the acoustic legacy of Django Reinhardt. All ages welcome! 6-8pm. Free.

The Capitol Karaoke Drink specials! Air guitars! People should definitely check this out for themselves. 8pm-1am. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub The Giant StepsCOCC Jazz Combo The Giant Steps are one chamber of the COCC Jazz combo. Come enjoy some summer evening early jazz. 5-6pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub The Two Tracks Rooted in the wide-open landscapes of Wyoming, The Two Tracks create music that fuses rich storytelling, soulful harmonies, and the spirit of the American West. At the heart of The Two Tracks is a deep commitment to connection—on stage and on record. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.

Bonnie Raitt will play at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on June 8.

Bonnie Raitt Instagram

The Coyote Free Line Dance Lessons Free beginner-friendly line dance lessons with instructor Alex Reininger. Learn two fun dances in one hour— no experience needed! 7-8pm. Free.

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Night Open mic comedy on Bend’s NE side. Come down, eat some BBQ, drink some drinks, and be prepared to laugh. 7:30-9pm. Free.

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Eric Leadbetter Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music in the garden from 6-8pm. 6-8pm. Free.

Dogwood At The Pine Shed Transmission: ‘80s Dark Wave Social Club Immerse yourself in the sounds of the ’80s underground. DJ Mark Brody spins Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Cure, Clan of Xymox, and more at Dogwood at The Pine Shed. A moody night of goth, post-punk, and darkwave. Second Wednesday of every month, 7-10pm. Free.

Greg’s Grill The Dust Devils A rootsy trio that defies musical boundaries with their unique blend of old blues, country, swing and originals. Prepare for a toe-tapping, soul-stirring good time. Stu Kinzel (guitar/reso), Jim Roy (guitar/mandolin) Devilette Maggie J (bass). 5-7pm. Free.

Hosmer Bar Trivia Night Brainy banter and cold drinks! Whether one is a seasoned quiz champ or just in it for the laughs, gather the crew and test everyone’s knowledge! 7-9pm. Free.

Northside Bar & Grill Mellow Wednesday Open Mic Night Come down for our Open Mic Night hosted by Derek Michael Marc!!! Sign up at 530pm to get a spot to play! 5:30-8pm. Free.

Portello Lounge Music Bingo Music Bingo is hosted by the always entertaining Rachel Fishman, who keeps the crowd singing and laughing all night! It’s the perfect bonus to a night out enjoying great food, drinks and good company at Portello! 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Prost! - Bend Wednesday Trivia Fun at Prost! Bend 7pm UKB Trivia in Bend is an ongoing event on Wednesdays. Useless Knowledge Bowl is a live trivia & more, no AI here. People can team up with friends for some casual fun, there’s no fee to play, Authentic food favorites, biers and more. Feed the brain and the belly! 7-9pm. Free.

SCP Redmond Hotel Trivia Night Whether you’re coming with your friends and family or flying solo, you’ll experience an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and community. Open to both community members and hotel guests. Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Tetherow Resort Summer Live Music Live music featuring local musicians at the Tetherow Resort Clubhouse Patio. Custom food menu, full bar, free wine or spirits tasting. 5-7pm. Free.

MUSIC

Joyful Lane Music benefit concert for Obsidian Middle School Music Program Dry Canyon Club is proud to host Joyful Lane Music performing a fundraising concert to benefit Obsidian Middle School Music Program. A percentage of all sales through DCC will be donated, and Joyful Lane will donate 100% of tips. June 10, 6-8pm. Dry Canyon Club, 1865 NW Hemlock Ave, Redmond. Free.

Thursday Night Live at Mountain Burger! Sidney Joseph at Mountain Burger for Thursday Night Live! Great music, food & company! June 4, 6-8pm. Mountain Burger, 2747 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-668-7177. info@mountainburgerbend.com. Free.

Young Artists Scholarship Concert Sunriver Music Festival will feature the 2026 Young Artists Scholarship recipients who are among Central Oregon’s finest young musicians aspiring to a career in classical music. All are invited; tickets not required. June 5, 7pm. Community Bible Church at Sunriver, 1 Theater Dr., Sunriver. Contact: 541-593-1084. information@sunrivermusic.org. Free.

DANCE

Adult Ballet Class Learn or rediscover the art of ballet on Tuesday nights! Adult Ballet is an open-level class for adult learners and dancers. Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 and 6:45-7:45pm. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4055. dance@abcbend.com. Price varies.

Adult Jazz Dance Community Class

Intermediate-level adult jazz drop-in dance classes. Friendly, supportive atmosphere. Get your dance on! Fridays, 12:15-1:45pm. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 408-857-6773. jcliff@gmail.com. $10.

Boots & Brews at Worthy Brewing Country line dance lessons 6-7pm. Two-step dance lessons 7-8pm. Open dancing 8-9pm. Food & drink specials. Family-friendly patio atmosphere. Tuesdays, 7-8pm. Through Sept. 30. Worthy BrewingMain Pub and Brewery, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: howdy@swingnline.com. Free.

Coppelia Ballet Grand Ballet Academy presents Coppélia, featuring local dance instructors Anguelina Kouznetsova and Alexandra Reininger in this whimsical, family-friendly ballet. June 6, 5pm. Sisters High School Auditorium, (no address), (no city). 18.00. Grand Ballet Academy presents Coppélia, featuring local dance instructors Anguelina Kouznetsova and Alexandra Reininger. June 7, 2pm. Summit High School Auditorium, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr., Bend. $18.

FILM EVENTS

Your Art Here Step into the studios of Oregon artists in season 2 of Your Art Here, a documentary by independent filmmaker, Bec Ellis. This exclusive live premiere invites people to mingle with artists, experience the film, and engage with a live artist panel discussion featuring Lisa Congdon and others. June 9, 7am-8:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541317-0700. contact@bec-ellis.com. $10.

ARTS + CRAFTS

All Levels Wheel Throwing Beginner and intermediate wheel-throwing techniques. Each class is catered to students’ needs. Students start with clay prep, and work through to glazing a finished piece. Total of 5 classes. Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30pm. Through July 8. Camp Clay Bend, 147 NE Olney Ave, Bend. Contact: 808-269-9992. kara@campclay.studio. $350.

American Institute of Architects Oregon Chapter People’s Choice Awards The American Institute of Architects Oregon Chapter is hosting a design competition open to the public! Posters of the submitted projects will be on display in the second floor hallway of 1000 Wall. View the projects and vote! Fri, June 5, 5-8pm and Mondays-Fridays, 8am-8pm. Through July 10. 1000 Wall Second Floor, 1000 NW Wall Street, Bend. Free. Art Play Toddlers and preschoolers dive into process-based art through sensory stations, open-ended exploration, and hands-on creative play. Ages 2-5 Thursdays-Saturdays, 10-11am. Two Suns Art Studio + MakerSpace, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend. Contact: 541-892-6471. taylor@ twosunsartstudio.com. $25.

Bezel Setting Workshop - Pendant or Ring A fun, hands-on workshop to level up metalworking skills! Learn to make a gorgeous sterling silver bezel setting for a cabochon gemstone, and walk away with a beautiful pendant or ring! All tools and materials are provided—just bring your creativity! No experience required. Material costs not included. 20% discount for members. Sat, June 6, 10am-3:30pm and Sat, Aug. 8, 10am3:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave. com. $269.

CALENDAR

Blacksmithing 101 - Forge a Pair of

Wall Hooks Proper hammer strokes, anvil techniques, stance, forge etiquette/management, history of the craft, and safety are emphasized in this course. Students will create a pair of useful custom wall hooks during the two 2-hour class series. June 9, 5:30-7:30pm and June 10, 5:30-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@ diycave.com. $239.

Charcuterie Board Pottery Workshop In this fun and relaxed Modern Charcuterie Board Handbuilding Workshop, participants design and create their own handcrafted ceramic serving board, perfect for cheese, fruit, and all your favorite shared bites. Shape a modern, functional charcuterie board while exploring clean lines, soft curves, and thoughtful details. June 6, 11am-1:30pm. Teal Art & Lounge, 1024 NW Bond Street, Bend. Contact: 415-308-4538. krista@lalucestudio.com. $150.

Create Your Own Tarot Card Deep dive into two of the Major Arcana from the traditional Rider Waite Smith deck. Then reimagine a card using personalized symbolism and imagery! June 4, 6-8pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 541-6686708. info@bendteal.com. $65.

Crochet Café Fancy Nancy will be the host at Fancywork Yarn Shop. This 2-hour hook session is designed specifically to foster community among the crochet crew. All skill levels are welcome in this weekly drop-in event. Thursdays, 1-3pm. Fancywork Yarn Shop, 200 NE Greenwood Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-323-8686. hello@fancywork.com. Free.

David Kinker—”Rippling Echoes” Painter David Kinker’s images of water are featured in his June exhibit, “Rippling Echoes,” during the Old Mill District, First Friday Gallery Walk. Avid river rafter and guide, David Kinker paints plein air wherever he goes, and then creates the ‘memories reflected’, in his studio. June 5, 3-7pm. Tumalo Art Co., 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., Ste. 407, Bend. Contact: 541-385-9144. art@ tumaloartco.com. Free.

Free Teen Open Art Hours Teens ages 13-18 are welcome to join every Tuesday & Thursday between 3pm-7pm for Free Open Art Hours where they will have access to art supplies, musical instruments, a sewing station, and plenty of space for your creative projects with the support of creative mentors. Registration required. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 3-7pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Contact: 9787714635. claire@theopenartscenter.org. Free.

Janice Rhodes’ Encaustic Paintings

Janice Rhodes’ encaustic paintings are featured in The Oxford Hotel lobby during the month of June. June 1-28, 9am-Noon. The Oxford Hotel, 10 Northwest Minnesota Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-382-8436. Free.

Knit Night A cozy evening of creativity and connection hosted by Katie from Wool Town. Whether a seasoned knitter or just a beginner, this welcoming gathering is the perfect place to unwind, learn, and create alongside others. Second and Fourth Wednesday of every month, 6-8pm. Teal Tea & Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St. Ste101, Bend. Contact: info@ bendteal.com. Free.

Sidney Joseph will play at Mountain Burger on June 4. Listeners can grab a burger and some brewski while they listen to some good music.

Sidney Joseph Instagram

The Open Arts Center First Friday Grand Opening! Tour the Teen Center, meet and explore 20+ artist studios, visit the community gallery, enjoy live music, and create art together! June 5, 5-8pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Contact: 971-2416225. maija@theopenartscenter.org. Free.

The Open Arts Center First Friday Grand Opening Tour the Teen Center, meet and explore 20+ artist studios, visit the community gallery, enjoy live music, and create art together! To learn more and to get involved: www.theopenartscenter. org June 5, 5-8pm. The Open Arts Center, 175 NE Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: 971-241-6225. maija@theopenartscenter.org. Free.

PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS

Container Gardening 101 Learn the how, where and why of container gardening for edible and ornamental plants in Central Oregon. June 9, 5:30-6:30pm. Worthy Brewing - Main Pub and Brewery, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: 541316-0080. info@worthygardenclub.org. Free.

FacebookXEmail Why COCC An overview of Central Oregon Community College and how it can support personal, academic, and career goals. June 9, 6-7pm. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1032. lizg@ deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

Nashwood Gallery First Friday Wonderful little gallery in functioning art studio on the corner of NE 2nd St. and Olney! All are welcome. First Friday of every month, 4-8pm. Nashwood Gallery, 1385 NE 2nd Street, Bend. Contact: 541-7880314. will.nashwood@gmail.com. Free.

WORDS

Community Solutions presents Constructive Communication for Civil Dialogue A two-hour workshop led by Charlie Young, based on his book, Constructive Communication for Civil Dialogue. This session is designed for anyone who wants to expand their communication skills, find common understanding, improve relationships, or be assertive in a civil/mindful manner. June 6, 10am-Noon. Community Solutions of Central Oregon, 1010 NW 14th st, Bend. Contact: 541-383-0187. director@solutionsco.org. $30.

Craig Johnson “The Brothers McKay” Johnson returns with the Brothers McKay, a new addition to the NYT bestselling Sheriff Longmire series. Attendees can get a ticket with a pre-purchase copy of “The Brothers McKay” at Sunriver Books. June 6, 5-6pm. Three Rivers Elementary School, 56900 Enterprise Dr., Sunriver, Sunriver. Prices vary.

ETC.

Diva Drag Brunch Pride event hosted by Rily Burrows, Amora Namor, Fertile Liza and Papa Raunch. Open seating, so audience are encouraged to get there early! June 7, 11am-2pm. Dogwood At The Pine Shed, 821 NE Second St., Bend. $20. Wednesday Night Rebuy Tournament

20-minute blind levels with a 10-minute break every hour. Register early to get our early bird bonus for an extra 1/3 starting stack! Unlimited rebuys for the first hour. Late registration ends at 7:10pm. Wednesdays, 6-11pm. Bend Poker Room, 917 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend. Contact: 541508-9123. bendpokerrroom@gmail.com. $20.

OUTDOORS EVENTS

2026 Conquer the Canyon Boasting stunning unique geological features, Redmond’s Dry Canyon Trail is the perfect setting for your quest to conquer the canyon! The steep rocky walls and twisted juniper serve as a tribute to the area’s tormented volcanic past. June 6, 9am. Centennial Park, Evergreen, Between 7th and 8th St., Redmond. $45-$80.

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 Ultimate: Summer League Registration, now through June 8th! Bend Ultimate Frisbee Summer League Registration is here! This 14+, Co-ed League’s general registration will end on June 8th for pods to be formed! Register asap: https://bendultimate.org/e/summer-league-2026-fruit-salad-pods May 21-June 8, Midnight. Pacific Crest Athletic Field, 19150 NW Skyliners Rd, Bend. Contact: summer-league2026-fruit-salad-pods-admins@bend.ultimatecentral.com. $55.

Women’s Walk & Talk Wednesday AdventurUs believes adventure starts with showing up—and sometimes that looks like a simple walk in the middle of the day. No pace requirements. Zero pressure. The event is open to women, including cis, trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks who feel aligned with a women-centered community. First Wednesday of every month, Noon-1pm. Through Dec. 31. Outside In, 845 Northwest Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 541 600 4393. info@theadventurus.com. Free.

GROUPS

+ MEETUPS

4th Annual Butterfly Release This meaningful event is open to the public and offers families, friends, and community members an opportunity to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Guests will experience a heartfelt ceremony featuring live butterfly releases, moments of reflection, and a chance to gather together in remembrance and support. June 6, Noon-1pm. Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St., Bend. Contact: 541-550-1155. butterfly@ bristolhospice.com. Free.

Backcountry Brew The Backcountry Brew is a monthly meetup to talk hunting, fishing, cooking, conservation, and everything else that goes with the hunting-angling-outdoors lifestyle. They are all-around outdoors people happy to answer questions and share advice to help people get out and procure own wild-caught food. First Saturday of every month. The Commons Cafe & Taproom, 875 NW Brooks St., Bend. Free.

The Beaver Den - Scientific Literacy Book Club Each month, the group selects a published research paper relating to beavers to read, critically evaluate, and discuss. This month’s discussion is about new research that demonstrates the benefits of beaver-managed habitats for native pollinators. June 3, 5:30-7pm. Dogwood At The Pine Shed, 821 NE Second St., Bend. Contact: 541-699-1606. maureen@thinkwildco.org. Free.

Bend Chess and Go Club Casual gathering for players of Chess and Go/Baduk/Weiqi. Informal and welcoming to players of all skill levels. We love teaching new people! Thursdays, 6-9pm. Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St., Bend. Contact: 425-354-8867. leifawiebe@ gmail.com. Free.

Biz & Bevs @ QXO, formerly Miller Lumber “Biz & Bevs” event at QXO, formerly Miller Lumber! Grown professional networks at QXO while enjoying beer from Deschutes Brewery, cider from Tumalo Cider Company and small bites from Alpenglow Adventure Catering! June 9, 4:30-6pm. QXO, 110 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend. $10/Free for Chamber Members.

BUGS (Bend Ukulele Group) Weekly ukulele jam, open to all levels. Jam and sing along. Free for first timers. Play and sing along with old song favorites and experience the fun of playing this amazing little instrument. Tuesdays, 6-8pm. Pickleball Zone, 63040 NE 18th St., Bend. Contact: 206-707-6337. sherilfoster@yahoo. com. $5.

Connect W’s Munch & Mingle in Redmond A monthly noon gathering where professional women of Central Oregon connect over meaningful conversations. Held on the first Thursday of every month, this exclusive event fosters business growth, social networking, and genuine friendships. Seating is limited to 12. Registration is required. June 4, 11:45am1pm. Feast Food Co, 546 NW 7th St, Redmond. Contact: 541-410-1894. info@connectw.org. Prices vary.

Creating Connections Book Group Do you want more people in your life? Or stronger bonds with people you know? Join this book group to explore emotions, deep learning, and meaningful conversations. We’ll meet every other Sunday at Teal Art & Tea Lounge in downtown Bend. Look for us on Meetup.com. Every other Sunday, 11am-1pm. Through March 29. Contact: 541-668-7670. Free.

ET Expert Lab—Leadership & Teambuilding in a Digital World This session helps us adopt a “tech-ready” mindset—people-first, tool-supported—while developing communication habits and collaboration strategies suited for hybrid and AI-enabled workplaces. Participants explore real tools, discuss modern leadership challenges, and walk away with a plan to collaborate and lead confidently in the digital age. June 10, 3:45-6pm. Partners in Care, 2611 NE Courtney Dr., Bend. $35/ $25 for chamber members.

Marijuana Anonymous Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share the experience, strength and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. Entrance on Staats St. Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm. Bend Church, 680 NW Bond Street, Bend. Contact: 541-633-6025. curbdaherb@gmail.com. Free.

Pride Paddle Parade Bend is bringing back river parade energy, and this time we’re adding Pride, color, and sparkle baby! Decorate your paddleboard or kayak like a parade-worthy masterpiece and come ready for a fun, community paddle down the river toward Pride at Drake Park! Expect costumes, music, funsies! Shout-out Bend Boarding Babes June 6, Noon. Bend White Water Park, 166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend. Free.

Rally League Night This event features ping-pong and foosball leagues! At the first few meetings, the group will have round robin play, gauge interest and determine league formats. Wednesdays, 5-8pm. Rally Recreation, 549 NW York Dr, Bend. Contact: 541-241-8581. info@ rallyrecreation.com. $8-$10.

Scrabble Club Meet upstairs. Club uses the 7th edition of the Scrabble Players Dictionary. All levels welcome. Wednesdays, 6-8:30pm. Market of Choice, 115 NW Sisemore St, Bend. Contact: 828-707-4390. testudine2002@yahoo.com. Free.

Pride revelers can decorate their paddle boards with pride goodies and novelty items before they launch down the river at Drake Park on June 6.

Holly Mandarich

By Nic Moye

GUNG HO A Weekend of Reggae, Art and Community Returns for the Second Year

Kelly Johnson Broker

Bend Premier Real Estate Kelly@GoBendHomes.com 541-610-5144

“Love

Reggae Rise Up Oregon returns to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center for the second year, jam packed with a powerful lineup, including the hip-hop sounds of Dirty Heads, the Cali-reggae music of Rebelution, the alt rock quintet 311, the island vibes of Iration, the punk energy of Ballyhoo!, the vintage pop of Bombargo, the Latino energy of Fayuca, the spiritual lyrics of Mike Love, rapper Shwayze, Bob Marley’s grandson Skip Marley and more.

Organizers say what makes this festival event unique is the blend of music, art and community. “We’ll have live painters and visual artists creating throughout the weekend and a curated marketplace featuring local Oregon vendors, makers, clothing brands, handmade goods, wellness products and artisan crafts,” Senior Marketing Manager Abby Gerald told the Source.

Festival goers with weekend passes often spend the night. “Camping is still available, including car camping, RV camping and glamping options,” Gerald says. It’s a family friendly event with children ages six and under free with a paid guardian.

Reggae Rise Up, founded in 2015, puts on festivals in six states including Florida, Arizona, Texas, Utah and Nevada. The weekend kicks off with an official Reggae Rise Up Oregon pre-party at The Domino Room June 11. Scheduled to perform are Tribe Of I, The Alley Kats and Rubbah Tree. That event is open to all ages.

Reggae Rise Up Oregon Fri-Sun June 12-14

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond Reggaeriseup.com/oregon 3-day pass $253

Reggae Rise Up Oregon is at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.

Singles Speed Dating at Testimony in Redmond (ages 40+) Speed Dating: Meet fun, like-minded singles in a relaxed, welcoming setting! Enjoy laughter, great conversations & real connections. June 10, 6-8pm. Testimony Wine Bar, 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. Contact: 406-6723861. info@epiphanymatch.com. $10.

EVENTS

+ MARKETS

Bend Summer Pride Grab a blanket and them favorite people and head out to Drake Park for Bend Summer Pride. There will be food carts, acoustic music, lawn games, drag pop-ups and more! Fur babies and family welcome. June 6, Noon-3pm. Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd., Bend. Free.

Elevation Farmers Market Food, handmade goods, music and the good ol’ feeling of community. Shop and support local makers and farmers. Fridays, 3-7pm. Through Oct. 30. Elevation Bend, 61334 S U.S. Highway 97, Bend. Free. Lavender 101 Learn all about lavender on their farm! Workshop includes a farm tour, indepth information about how to plant, grow, and use lavender. Participants will take a lavender plant home. June 6, 10-11:30am. Tumalo Lavender, 19825 Connarn Road, Bend. Contact: tamar@tumalolavender.com. $40.

Live Well, Age Well Expo Super fun health and wellness fair. Vendors and a plethora of other activities for attendees. BPRD’s annual health and wellness fair for older adults—renamed the Live Well Age Well Expo! This Expo features 50+ health and wellness providers sharing information and services from experts and specialists. Live music, exercise classes, and a free community lunch are all included. June 9, 11am-2pm. The Pavilion, 1001 SW Bradbury Way, Bend. Contact: 541-389-7275. info@bendparksandrec. org. Free.

Redmond Farmers Market Peruse and shop for some goods from local vendors and farmers. The Friday Farmers Market runs from May through August. Fridays, 3-7pm. Through Aug. 28. Centennial Park, Evergreen, Between 7th and 8th St., Redmond. Free.

Summer with the Library Kickoff Event

Frolic at Alpenglow Park in Bend to celebrate the beginning of Summer with the Library 2026 with line dancing, face painting, summer reading, community organizations, and activities. PARKING: Please carpool, walk, or bike if possible. Caldera High School is not available as overflow parking on this date. June 6, 10am-Noon. Alpenglow Park, 61049 Southeast 15th Street, Bend. Contact: 541330-3764. chandrav@descuteslibrary.org. Free.

The Vintage & Makers Market A curated community market bringing together vintage clothing, handmade goods, home decor, local makers, music, food, and creative energy—all in one vibrant space. A Crux Fermentation Project for a day of unique finds, incredible food carts, multiple DJs throughout the day, and live music under the evening sky. June 6, Noon-6pm. Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St., Bend. Contact: 541640-0118. vintagehouse81@gmail.com. Free.

FAMILY + KIDS

Bend Handmade Market 2026 This event is on Saturday, June 6th located at Bond St & Oregon Ave in Downtown Bend. Attendees will discover the best makers and artists in the PNW at Urban Craft Uprising’s Bend Handmade Market! https:// urbancraftuprising.com/bend-handmade-market/ June 6, 10am-5pm. Downtown Bend, Bond St & Oregon Ave, Bend. Contact: info@urbancraftuprising.com. Free.

Kids Ninja After-School Camp Wednesdays are packed with climbing, parkour, timed races, and team games on our epic Ninja Warrior course! Ages 6–10. Build strength, speed, and confidence while having a blast and making new ninja friends. Wednesdays, 1:15-3:45pm. Through June 17. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541241-3919. info@freespiritbend.com. $142.

Kids Open Gym This event is for kids ages 6-12. The gym includes trampolines, foam pits, ninja cage, obstacle course, fort building and more! Those interested can save a spot by pre-registering. Saturdays, 5-7:30pm. Central Oregon Gymnastics Academy, 63060 Layton Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-385-1163. $28/$48 monthly unlimited visits.

Made with Pride: design the Pride outfit of your dreams Get ready for Pride weekend by designing outfits that are bold and creative. In this hands-on workshop, LGBTQ+ youth and allies will explore up-cycling, sewing, tie dye, patches, accessories, and DIY fashion techniques to transform old clothes into Pride-ready looks. Donations appreciated. June 3, 3-7pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Contact: 978-771-4635. claire@theopenartscenter.org. Free.

Ninja Night Fun, team-building games, Ninja Warrior challenges, and thrilling timed races through our amazing obstacle course. This is a great opportunity for Ninjas to work on their balance, and coordination. Age 6-13 Saturdays, 5:30-8:30pm. Through June 20. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@freespiritbend.com. $42.

Sensory Play This class is all about safe, sensory-rich art play using non-toxic, taste-safe materials. It’s messy in the best way; building fine motor skills, supporting sensory processing, encouraging early language, and helping babies feel confident exploring the world around them. Tuesdays, 9:15-10:15am. Through June 9. Two Suns Art Studio + MakerSpace, 70 SW Century Drive, Bend. Contact: (541) 892-6471. Briony@ twosunsartstudio.com. $21.

Teen Creative Writing Workshops For all those teens who love to write stories, poetry, fan-fiction or more. Explore a range of story elements and apply techniques directly to writing. Bring a project or start from scratch. Build a Teen writing community! Donations appreciated. Wednesdays, 3-4:30pm. Through July 1. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Contact: 978-771-4635. claire@theopenartscenter.org. Free.

The Oregon Archaeology Roadshow

The Oregon Archaeology Roadshow, held at the Deschutes Historical Museum in Bend, focuses on The Archaeology of Fire and Water, and features dozens of exhibits and activities hosted by archaeologists and heritage specialists, representing universities, regional tribes, federal and state agencies, companies, and nonprofit organizations. This is a free and family-friendly event. June 6, 11am-3pm. Deschutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-389-1813. info@deschuteshistory.org. Free.

Youth Choir of Central Oregon: Auditions for our 2026-2027 season Kids can expect to make lifelong friendships and experience unforgettable performances. Book an audition today by calling or emailing. Open to kids entering 5th through 12th grade. www.ycco.org Mondays, 5:30-8:30pm. Through June 8. Deschutes Children’s Foundation East Campus, 2125 NE Daggett Ln., Bend. Contact: 541-385-0470. choiroffice@ycco.org. Free.

HEALTH + WELLNESS

Badass Sound Bath Empowering, elevated, and anything but average. This sound bath brings a bold twist to deep R&R. The organizers kick things off with juicy beats, mantras and movement. They then settle in for a deeply relaxing sound bath with live instruments to help participants reset, recharge and reconnect with their inner badass. June 9, 6:307:30pm. CONTINUUM, A School of Shadow Yoga Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964.

Belly Dance Classes, all levels welcome Expand your movement language by learning a variety of Belly Dance styles + build strength, grace, confidence, & community. Classes include a great workout, yoga, professional technique, functional fitness approach for alignment, longevity, & safety in movement and body. Performance opportunities for those who desire Mondays, 5-6:15pm. Private Studio, ., Bend. Contact: https://www.templetribalfusion. com/contact/. $20.

Care Empowerment 6-Session Series

No one should navigate dementia care alone. The ABC Dementia Care Empowerment Series is a compassionate, six-session online program offering dementia caregiver education, connection, and support. Hosted by Sagebrush Speech Therapy and facilitated by ABC Dementia Care. Mondays, 4-5:30pm, Mondays, 4-5:30pm and Mondays, 4-5:30pm. Through June 8. Sagebrush Speech Therapy, 604 NW Harriman St., Bend. Contact: 541728-3635. patty@abcdementia.com. $195.

Cultivate Your Nature Workshops These are monthly outdoor workshops to cultivate nature and wellbeing. People are encouraged to come fragrance-free with sun protective clothing, sunscreen, and water. Please email joanna@ desipotential.com to register and specify any accessibility concerns. First Thursday of every month, 10-11am. Bend, Oregon, (no address), (no city). Contact: joanna@desipotential.com. Free.

Energetic Readings/Intuitive Readings

Energetic readings reveal the energies that boost, block, or impact you in specific areas of your life. Tuning into your unique energy system, we explore where you feel stuck, limited, or unsettled, and how you can shift to feel more joyful and empowered. In-person and Zoom. Learn more at bluelotusenergetics.com/energetic-readings. Tuesdays, 10am-7pm and Thursdays, 7-9pm. Blue Lotus Energetics, 145 NE Revere Ave, Studio C, Bend. Contact: 541-241-2207. hello@bluelotusenergetics.com. $125.

Feel & Flow A guided hot and cold water embodiment series exploring emotional flow, nervous system regulation, breath, sensation, and presence. Participants will experience facilitated body-based practices followed by personal integration soaking time. A gentle and grounding space for reconnecting with feeling, aliveness, and the body. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30am. Through June 4. Flux Thermal Lounge, 70 SW Century Dr., Suite 145, Bend. Contact: 541-516-0161. elizabeth.weigand@gmail.com. $38.

Taize Meditation Service The Taize Choir of Central Oregon invites you to participate in an hour of meditative Taize music, prayer, and silence at our monthly interfaith service, 7pm, first Thu., of Oct. through June at St. Helens Hall. We welcome new musicians and singers. We also encourage families to attend. First Thursday of every month, 7pm. Trinity Episcopal Church - St. Helens Hall, 231 NW Idaho St., Bend. Contact: 541-8155574. taizebend@gmail.com. Free.

Weekly Online Breathwork Weekly online breathwork hosted from Bend, Oregon and open worldwide. Release stress, reset the nervous system, and reconnect to calm through guided Conscious Connected Breathing. Trauma-aware and choice-based. Wednesdays, 6:30pm. Through Dec. 30. Contact: confluencebreathbody@gmail. com. $22.

Bend Summer Pride will take place at Drake Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, snacks and friends on June 6. This inviting Bend space is just waiting for you.

Jennie Clavel

TALL BOY TUESDAYS

CHOW C

A Taste of Southern Mexico on Century Drive

Casa Sur brings bold flavors, tropical touches and serious heat to Bend’s west side

By Donna Britt

At first glance, the new Casa Sur Southern Mexican Cuisine might look like just another neighborhood Mexican restaurant wedged into the busy stretch of SW Century Drive in Bend. But spend a few minutes with the menu and it quickly becomes clear this is aiming for something deeper, richer and a little more regional than the usual burrito and margarita routine.

Opened in the former Crave Bend location by father and son team Reyes and Alex Nava, Casa Sur is rooted in southern Mexican cooking and family tradition. Reyes Nava brings more than two decades of kitchen experience, including 15 years as an executive chef, and the menu reflects that long simmering dream of creating a restaurant inspired by the flavors they grew up with. Think slow cooked meats, smoky sauces, tropical fruit, seafood, habanero heat and mole. Lots of mole.

I stopped in on a recent warm weekday afternoon and lucked into one of the last patio tables before the dinner crowd rolled in. The shaded L-shaped deck is one of the restaurant’s best assets. It feels tucked away and surprisingly private despite facing busy Century Drive. By the time I left just after 5 p.m., the patio was packed and the dining room was buzzing. Apparently the word is already out. And honestly, once the chips and salsa arrive, you understand why. Though fair warning here. The salsa is spicy. Not “medium salsa at a chain restaurant” spicy. More like accidentally-taking-too-big-a-bite-and-needing-an-immediate-drink spicy. It is flavorful though, so even if your spice tolerance is questionable, you will probably want to take a bite or two. The guacamole also brought some serious heat thanks to roasted jalapeños that clearly leaned toward the fiery side of the pepper spectrum that day. Consider yourself warned if you are accustomed to gentler guac.

Southern Mexican cuisine often gets overshadowed in the United States by northern Mexican and Tex Mex staples, but it is one of the country’s richest culinary traditions. Rooted in ancient Mayan and Aztec cooking, the cuisine of southern states like Oaxaca leans heavily into seafood, chicken, tropical fruits, chiles, herbs and famously complex moles. Oaxaca alone is often called the Land of the Seven Moles.

That influence shows up all over Casa Sur’s menu. The starters range from Calamar a la Mexicana with calamari, tomato, onion and jalapeño to smoky Costillas de Puerco al Chipotle, pork short ribs with chipotle sauce, cabbage and pickled red onion. There is also Choriqueso, that glorious bubbling skillet of melted Oaxaca cheese and chorizo served with tortillas for scooping. The menu is expansive without feeling unfocused. You will find familiar crowd pleasers like burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and street tacos alongside seafood heavy specialties and large format molcajetes loaded with sizzling meats or shellfish.

Online, diners seem particularly obsessed with the shrimp ceviche and the carnitas street tacos. After reading the menu, I understood the temptation. The Ceviche Tropical with mahi or shrimp, mango, jicama, serrano and lime sounds especially ideal for a summertime Bend afternoon. But on my first visit, I wanted to try something that might showcase the kitchen’s technique a little more directly. So I ordered the Enchiladas de Mole with carnitas. I love Mexican food in all forms. Taco truck tacos. Fast burritos. Fancy sit-down Tex Mex. Rice and beans forever. But if a restaurant makes mole from scratch, that is usually where I start paying attention.

Casa Sur’s mole arrived silky smooth and earthy with that signature bittersweet depth that makes mole so compelling. The slow cooked pork was tender and generous, tucked into soft enchiladas and topped with queso fresco and drizzled sour cream, which I much prefer to dollops of sour cream. I

LITTLE BITES

By Nic Moye

Bamboo Sushi Opens

Bamboo Sushi has finally opened in downtown Bend after it had originally expected to open last year. The chain on NW Oregon Avenue specializes in certified sustainable sushi. Starters on the menu include miso soup, 7 spice calamari and shishito peppers. There’s an oyster menu as well as a wide variety of sushi and rolls. Other items include crispy rice with salmon, tuna or albacore, tempura, a wagyu burger and a variety of tofu and veggie dishes.

really appreciated the avocado slices on top and the pickled onion on the side along with rice and beans were solid supporting players.

My only complaint was simple. I wanted more mole. More sauce. More of that velvety richness poured over everything. At $22, the dish felt reasonably priced given the portion and preparation involved.

And there are still plenty of menu items pulling me back for another visit. The Molcajete del Sur for two arrives in a hot stone bowl piled with steak, chicken, shrimp, chorizo, nopales and grilled queso fresco. A seafood version features mahi, scallops, mussels, clams, crab legs and shrimp. A recent special served seafood in a hollowed pineapple topped with melted Oaxaca cheese, avocado and pickled onion. Basically the kind of dramatic restaurant dish where every nearby table immediately asks, “What is THAT?”

The pozole also sounds worth returning for. Based on family recipes from southern Mexico, it features slow cooked pork, hominy and rich broth served with cabbage, radish, oregano, chile and lime, so diners can customize each bowl to their liking.

The cocktail menu keeps pace with the kitchen’s tropical leanings. Margaritas come in hibiscus, coconut and spicy variations, and weekend specials have included a Passion Fruit Jalapeño Margarita and a Pineapple Orange Aperol Sour. There are also mojitos, a Mezcal Negroni and an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, alongside Mexican beers, agua frescas and Mexican Coke.

Now for the practical realities. Parking is currently a bit of a mess thanks to construction behind neighboring Powder House. The lot behind Casa Sur is tight and somewhat confusing, and because the entrance is located in the back, first time visitors may find themselves awkwardly circling the building before figuring it out.

Service is also still finding its rhythm. You can tell they are working through the inevitable opening kinks. But everyone I encountered was genuinely warm and welcoming, which matters. Casa Sur already feels like a restaurant with a strong sense of identity. It is not trying to be trendy or reinvent Mexican food. It is simply offering a broader look at southern Mexican cuisine with care, spice and ambition.

Just maybe keep a margarita nearby when the salsa arrives.

Casa Sur Southern Mexican Cuisine Sun, Tue-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm 335 SW Century Drive, Bend casasurbend.com IG: casasurbend

Bamboo Sushi has eight locations in Oregon, Washington, Denver and San Francisco. Initially the Bend location is only open for dinner during weekdays and lunch and dinner on Saturdays. The website indicates it may add a Happy Hour in the future. For now, the restaurant is only taking walk-ins.

Bamboo Sushi

Tue-Fri 5pm-9pm, Sat Noon-9pm 125 NW Oregon Ave, Bend bamboosushi.com/

Sisters Farmers Market Opens Sunday New vendors

Tand programs for kids

he Sisters Farmers Market kicks off Sunday, June 7 with more than 45 vendors. On opening day, Sisters Community Garden and students from Sisters High School’s greenhouse class will be at the market selling perennials, flowers and veggie starts.

Sisters Farmers Market Director Willa Bauman told the Source that new vendors this year include cheese from Windy Acres Dairy, Marquam Hill Berries, Mexican food from REINA and quail meat and eggs from Lost Grace Farm. Last year more than 22,000 people attended the Sisters Farmers Market.

The market also offers a Power of Produce Club for children ages 14 and under, now in its second year. It’s an opportunity for kids to meet growers, complete educational activities and buy fruits and veggies at the market with $5 coupons each Sunday they participate. Last year 192 youngsters from Sisters, Bend, Redmond and other parts of Central Oregon participated with a total of $2,620 distributed. Kids can sign up at the Info Booth.

Sisters Farmers Market

Sundays 10am-2pm thru October Fir Street Park

sistersfarmersmarket.com/music

The Enchiladas de Mole with carnitas features chunks of tender pork wrapped in corn tortillas with queso fresco, sour cream, avocado slices along with rice and beans.

Donna Britt

Bamboo Sushi has opened in downtown Bend with initial hours focusing on dinner.

Nic Moye There are more than 45 vendors participating. Emily Green

CULTURE

Friday Night (Rodeo) Lights A small rodeo grounds outside Redmond puts on a big show

By Eli Zatz

I’d never given much thought to the logistics of wrestling a 500-pound cow, but as I rolled around in the dirt, arms locked around a pair of clipped horns and a swinging bovine head, I gave the strategy some serious thought. To end up in this precarious position, I’d volunteered — maybe foolishly — to partake in the O’Neil Arena’s intermission entertainment on the night of May 22.

Situated along the banks of the Crooked River, some 15 minutes northeast of Redmond’s downtown, a series of corrals, bleachers and food carts make up the O’Neil Arena’s “bucking” grounds. On the eve of four mid-summer Fridays, the stands will be filled with both rodeo aficionados and first-time fans alike, all coming to witness the arena’s high octane Pro Caliber Bull Riding Series.

By 6:30 p.m., there’s a tension in the air, an almost palpable electricity that fills the arena. Out of the audience’s eye, the riders go through their pre-ride rituals. Ten-year-old Dallas Marshall prepares his rope in a cloud of dust, rubbing the fibers down in a sticky rosin. He’s been riding steers and mini-bulls since he was five. Next to him is 10-yearold Duke Chappel, training partner and competitor. According to Duke, it’s usually Dallas who wins, and with a paycheck up for grabs, these boys take it seriously.

For all these riders, it’s eight seconds and a bucking, writhing, 1,500-pound animal separating them from the cash prize — or in this case a Can Am 500 four-wheeler. For Cutter Woollard, bull riding is his full-time job.

“During the summer, I’m gone every weekend,” he says. “It’s three rodeos a week.”

These rides have taken their toll. Woollard wears a compression sleeve around his torso, a remnant of four recently broken ribs. Dallas points out scaring on his hands from an unlucky dismount. Veteran rider Levi Grant taps his head, reminiscing on a two-day, bull-induced blackout.

There are plenty of limps to go around in the corral.

It’s 7pm now and the riders stand quietly in a semi-circle, heads bowed. Cowboy evangelist G.W. Campbell leads the congregation in prayer. Many of the assembled wear “Jesus loves Cowboys” patches on their chest protectors. It’s a solemn moment and a recognition of the risk faced each time these riders choose to enter the arena.

Campbell begins: “Dear lord, we pledge our allegiance to you and I pray that you keep them out of harm’s way. I pray for the bull fighters who try to keep the bulls away from them [riders] and I pray for safety for them as well.” Bull fighter Cody Messerle nods knowingly.

“We ask for your help, and your strength, and if anybody doesn’t know you in their heart, I pray they’d ask for it right now. Jesus, we give you strength and praise. Amen. Now, let’s ride, boys!”

The gate swings open and out comes Timber Winnier. He’s being bucked left and right, locked in a dead heat against his bull. The animal’s eyes have been wild since long before the chute opened. Winnier is thrown free of his bull, tumbling through the dark soil and missing the eight second second threshold. Zack McVay noted that the bulls can feel the energy in the air, “just like horses.” The same bulls that stood peacefully while Duke and Dallas played over them the day before have been transformed into the writhing animals stomping through the grounds.

The rides continue late into the evening. It’s only been six years since the O’Neil Arena’s humble beginnings as a practice facility, yet the packed stands are not an indication of the competitions’ infancy. The stands will be packed out three more times this season, with qualifiers taking place on June 5 and June 19, with a finale coming on Aug. 22, when prizes will be awarded.

Cody Messerle gets to his feet after a hard hit.

Eli Zatz

Duke, Dallas, and Wooller loiter around the bulls before the bucking action begins.

Eli Zatz

GW Campbell, the Cowboy Preacher.

Eli Zatz

Liminal Memories "Backrooms", the future of theaters and the art of the mindf**k

By Jared Rasic

The theatrical release and box office explosion of the new A24 psychological horror film “Backrooms” represents a landmark moment in modern cinema. It serves as the intersection of three major contemporary cinematic trends: the box office dominance of horror, the mainstream acceptance of a new YouTube-to-cinema pipeline and a successful push to get Gen Z into movie theaters instead of streaming from home. With the smash success of “Backrooms” and last month’s “Obsession,” I’m seeing a future for movie theaters that, just a year ago, felt impossible.

With chain cinemas closing all over the country, it recently felt like the communal theater-going experience was on its way to extinction. But if small movies like these cannot only get the under-30 crowd back into seats but also end up dethroning “Star Wars” at the box office, we’re entering unprecedented times for small-to-mid budget films.

Directed by Kane Parsons, who was just 17 when his initial short film went viral on YouTube, “Backrooms” signals a massive shift in how Hollywood discovers talent and concepts. As major studios increasingly look to digital spaces for fresh intellectual property, this film stands not just as a bastion for the future of cinema but as a testament to the creepiness of liminal space horror and the inherent power of “mindf**k” cinema that challenges our perception of reality.

To understand why a studio like A24 scrambled to greenlight a feature-length film based on a series of YouTube videos directed by a teenager, you have to look at the current state of the film industry, where horror movies are experiencing a massive, sustained golden age. While traditional blockbusters have struggled to draw audiences away from streaming services, horror has proven to be uniquely bulletproof. It’s a genre designed for the communal, theatrical experience— audiences want to scream together in a dark room.

Horror also consistently delivers astronomical returns on investment. Look at “The Blair Witch Project.” It made $250 million on a $200,000 budget. That’s a return that studios will never stop chasing. What Parsons has done brilliantly with his theatrical

Whatever you do, don’t end up lost in the "Backrooms".

debut is not just gracefully expanding on that initial concept of someone accidentally “noclipping” out of reality and into an infinite, randomly segmented maze of empty rooms, but anchoring the film with two absolutely remarkable actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. Ejiofor plays a depressed and struggling furniture store owner who discovers the Backrooms in his basement, while Reinsve plays his skeptical therapist who is worried for his mental health.

When you have two actors of such extraordinary caliber grounding your film, even the long, silent stretches of the characters walking through the distorted, impossible yellow rooms become fraught with tension. Both masters effortlessly convey this dread using just their eyes. It’s a masterclass in physical performance that I’m shocked such a young filmmaker was able to cultivate.

The concept of “Backrooms” taps perfectly into the phenomenon of “liminal spaces”—places like schools, malls, or offices that are usually bustling with people but become deeply eerie and unnatural when completely vacant. (Please don’t let this become the fate of all movie theaters.)

There are moments throughout the film where absolutely nothing scary is in frame, yet the alien strangeness of the environment is profoundly unsettling and induces a deeply primal dread. One character describes the Backrooms as incomplete and incorrect memories taken from the minds of those who have

become lost in the endless hallways. That scares the absolute hell out of me.

There are no jump scares or typical horror tropes in “Backrooms.” Instead, I would lovingly place the film within the genre of “Mindf**k” movies—psychological and surrealist films that actively attempt to distort reality, break logic and leave audiences questioning the world around them as they drive home. Mindf**k cinema transforms the act of watching a movie from a passive experience into an active, intellectual puzzle that, as with the best of movies, actively rewires your brain.

Films like Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” and “Inception,” Charlie Kaufman’s “Synecdoche, New York,” or basically anything from David Lynch refuse to hand the audience easy answers. Instead, they force viewers to decipher shifting timelines, unreliable narrators and dream-logic. It’s fun, I swear.

“Backrooms” embodies this genre perfectly by weaponizing spatial and psychological disorientation. The horror doesn’t come from monsters jumping out of corners, but from the existential dread of infinity, the breakdown of linear time, and the terrifying realization that the architecture around you makes absolutely no sense. It forces the human brain to confront a space that looks deeply familiar yet fundamentally wrong.

While the film makes a few minor rookie mistakes with its script—making too many things literal that could have been understood on a purely instinctual level, it’s an astonishingly assured and tonally immaculate first feature by such a young filmmaker.

“Backrooms” might not convert anyone who inherently dislikes being spooked at the movies, but it’s worth watching for the anti-horror crowd simply to see how atypical the genre can be when approached by someone with a singular vision. It’s filmmaking like this that saves the theatrical experience just as much as its “Top Gun” or Ryan Gosling. Let’s see where this goes.

“Backrooms”

Dir. Kane Parsons

Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, Sisters Movie House, Redmond Cinema, Madras Cinema 5 and coming soon to Tin Pan Theater

OUTSIDE Crater Lake Lodge Reservations Have Dropped 50%

GM Liz Ashley says misleading headlines have left the impression the park is closed

By Nic Moye

The general manager of Crater Lake Resort has sent out an SOS of sorts to let the public know the National Park is open. Liz Ashley says that widespread misinformation has resulted in massive cancellations. The only closures at the park are the Cleetwood Cove Trail that leads down to the lake and boat tours. All other areas, including scenic drives, overlooks, other hiking trails, the visitor centers and resort, are open.

Ashley says national news headlines and social media coverage have been misleading. A cursory search online finds a PennLive.com headline reading, “Major U.S. attraction now closed for years: Here’s why”, as well as one from The Weather Channel stating, “Crater Lake Access To Be Closed For Years Starting in 2026.”

Ashley says, “Unfortunately, many travelers were left with the impression that the entire National Park had shut down. That misunderstanding has had serious consequences for tourism-dependent communities throughout southern Oregon.” She says local resorts, motels, restaurants, guides, campgrounds, gas stations, shops and family-owned businesses are all feeling the impact.

Ashley told the Source that Crater Lake Lodge has seen a 50% drop in business. It’s normally 60% full in May but this May, it was 30% full. She says, so far, reservations between Memorial Day and Labor Day are only

half of what’s usually booked.

The owners of Horseshoe Ranch in Fort Klamath told the Herald and News that normally they’re fully booked in July and August by mid-February but this year they’re barely booked. The owner of The Aspen Inn motel, also in Fort Klamath, says the impact has been devastating.

“I started seeing headlines last year that were misleading. It was frustrating but I didn’t think too much about it,” Ashley says. “Once March hit, and we were only at half of our normal reservation numbers, I knew something was going on. That is also when I really started noticing cancellation calls coming in regarding the “closure.”

Work at Cleetwood Cove includes removing dangerous rocks, overhauling the trail, replacing the dock, pier, restrooms and ticket booth. The area is expected to reopen for the 2029 summer season. About 10% or 54,000 park visitors, hike that trail each year.

Ashley hopes that renewed public awareness and accurate reporting will help restore confidence in visiting the park and support the local economies that depend on it. “Crater Lake National Park is one of the most important economic drivers for our region,” she says. “We may not be able to get our normal occupancy numbers up this summer, but hopefully 2027 and 2028 will improve.”

Reservations at Crater Lake Lodge in May are impacting the local economy.

Nic Moye

The only part of Crater Lake that’s closed is access to the water.

Nic Moye

By Jesse Coronado

Creators of Open Arts Center Prepare for Grand Opening

Visitors can tour rooms, create art and get a sense of the amenities and supplies the center offers

Creativity, collaboration and belonging.

That is what founders of the new Open Arts Center, Maija Kellner-Rode and Claire Brislin, say is in store for artists who want to pay the center a visit. The development that has been in the works since 2023 will open its doors on June 5 and bring Central Oregonians a Teen Center, art studios and a gallery with local artwork. Kellner-Rode and Brislin say they want the space to function as a third space, giving artists a place where they can connect, express themselves artistically and feel a sense of supportive community.

“It’s a gathering place, sort of like if you were to go to a watering hole,” Kellner-Rode says. “It’s a centralized place for artists who often work in isolation to come and gather and connect and kind of dream of a collective artistic future for Bend.”

At its grand opening event, visitors will be able to tour and meander through the different areas while live music plays. There will be an interactive component to the event where people of all ages will be able to add their own art to a mural and get a sense of the type of provisions the OAC offers.

“I would say that the interactive part is essential because we really want people to experience what it feels like to make art in community,” Kellner-Rode says. “We are looking at the creative arts from a holistic approach and want to be offering the full breadth of what’s possible within the arts.”

Kellner-Rode and Brislin say the passion project has been underway since 2023 and made possible through fundraising and the support of people from other local organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and the High Desert Museum.

“When this building showed up on the market last year, it was just the perfect place with the size of it, the different rooms, the accessible location and the public transport to get here,” Brislin told the Source.

The 2000-square-foot space that is the Teen Center will provide young adults with amenities like a lounge area, a plethora of art supplies and clay, a sewing station, musical instruments and a space for people with sensory sensitivities.

“We want this to be a beacon of hope and a space where people can come together,” Kellner-Rode says. “I really want to encourage people to dream with us and know that so much is possible here and that it will really strengthen our community to have spaces like this.”

At the June 5 grand opening, visitors will be able to create art, listen to live music and tour the Teen Center and on-site art studios.

Maija Kellner-Rode

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5PM TO 8PM

17

COME ENJOY A DRINK AND SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE!

By Josh Jardine

The

Deco is Art

Gravity bongs at a higher level

Although I use vaporization as my primary form of cannabis consumption, with flower through an Herbalizer desktop unit and rosin in an Omegatron. I find the benefits of vaping to be multifold: richer taste, reduced respiratory irritation, activating and utilizing a wider range of cannabinoids, using precise temperatures to obtain specific effects, extended sessions with less cannabis, and, of course, no spilled bong water.

Ah yes, bongs. While I’m not such a fussy lit tle prince that I will turn down a well rolled joint or pipe load, when I’m combusting, I prefer a bong, preferably chilled with ice. Bong hits are clean, as evidenced by the black, gummy tar that remains in the water. By design, they give the user a larger hit, which gets you higher, which is good.

I have seen some greatly improved GBs since then, including some German models starting at $300. But Ashleigh found a model that she thought was a great fit for me for under $9. And she was right, and it’s joined my rotation of devices offered with my Backstage Budtending services, as well as having a session with friends. It’s a beautiful, fun, and effective piece of art.

The options for bongs greatly range in price, quality, materials and special features and add ons. I’ve tried and reviewed ones from all categories, and the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. They include the risks of handling a three figure piece of glass while high, cleaning it, and the aforementioned spillage issue.

Frequently, my friend and co-worker Ashleigh asked if I had a gravity bong, as they wanted to gift me one they had recently seen online.

I had not heard the term “Gravity Bong” in some time, and my experiences with them in the past had been effective albeit crude in design, build and execution. No great shock, as they are frequently made using empty plastic soda bottles. And although the word “bong” is used, it’s a misnomer, as the smoke never actually travels through water.

Novel-tree.com has a great piece on building your own Gravity Bong (a.k.a GB, bucket bong, grav, geeb, gibby, yoin, or ghetto bong, which they explains is “a...smoking device that uses water and air pressure to force a large volume of smoke into your lungs all at once. The basic principle: a bottle is suspended in water, smoke fills the bottle as it’s raised, and then the smoke is pushed into your lungs as the bottle is pressed back down.”

It’s the “Deco” from NWTN Home, a company producing beautifully craftedsmokeware and accessories. It’s inspired by vintage glassware, with refreshing styles and colors that distinguish immediately. It’s made from hand-blown borosciliate glass, and the weight and size make it perfect as a desk/table top smoking device. It fits in beautifully with my MCM-leaning favored style, and garners as many comments about the look as the effects.

It’s just four pieces that are quick and simple to clean (a glass shell, core, and bowl, and silicone ring), and slides together. Fill the shell (base) 3/4ths full with water, insert the “core” as you light the bowl that sits in the top, while you slowly pull the core up from the shell. The pressure keeps the bowl lit, and when the core is about halfway up, remove the bowl, and push slowly back down. The smoke that has collected is now shooting up through the opening where the bowl was. You simply put your mouth above the stream of smoke, and breathe in, with far less effort required to generate the smoke through other means.

There is a slight learning curve, as patience is key in filling both the shell, and your lungs with the smoke. Eye watering coughing fits resulted when I didn’t take my time, but once I got it down? Maaaaaaaaan, listen…I was high for 45 minutes after just two smaller bowls, the type of high where stress and pain equally melt away and you just feel good.

It’s a huge step up from homemade GBs, and made the session feel more sophisticated, adult, and dare I say, classy. Getting high with stylish gear is what’s up.

WesleyGibbs

AWAKENING YOUR INNER HERO

COLUMN

LOCALS LIVE A KINDER AND MORE COURAGEOUS LIFE

By Burt Gershater

My 80th Birthday, Heart Problems and Stroke

Can I do this?

Time will tell.

Please, bear with me and I truly do mean it this time!

My hands are unsteady but I want to share my story.

I was born June 8, 1946, in Manhattan, New York. Depending on when you are reading this, it could very well be my birthday. My 80th birthday! Minimally, it’s close and it’s hard for me to believe. I have planned on writing about this day for more than a year. EIGHTY. I want to live a lot longer. I love life. I love my darling wife, I love my entire beautiful family, all my dear friends and soooo much more. I am soooo happy for this special time to celebrate with my loved ones.

Am I filled with hyperboles today?

YES!

Too many? NO!

Will I be able to finish today’s message?

I’m going to give it my best shot. But my right-hand coordination sucks. Why, you may ask?

Hold on to your seat.

Three weeks ago, I had heart artery blockage and a mild stroke. There was too much chest pain, which led Wendy and me up to the Emergency Department at St. Charles Hospital. One test led to another. At least five cardiac and brain tests the first time, and probably eight by the time I was finally released, 14 days and three ED admissions later.

Thank you, St. Charles Hospital! Thank you, all my 911 personnel, doctors, physician assistants, nurses, technicians, all the sophisticated diagnostic machinery, you hardworking administrators, dieticians...EVERYONE. I cannot thank you remotely enough. But I am thanking you from the bottom of my tender, healing heart and brain.

Rest!

That is the advice I have heard from every single professional and non-professional person.

Am I good at it?

Guess.

I’m home now. I’m not yet working in my counseling role which I have been joyfully doing for the past 50 years. Remember, I was told to rest. Wendy helped me cancel my schedule for the next few weeks. Will that be enough? There is so much I don’t know. And I’m sure this is one of the

main reasons for a precautionary warning I was given, that the possibility of falling into a depressive cycle could increase after a few weeks.

Those of us fortunate folks whose bodies have mostly been taking care of us since our birth, hardly even realize that they are working. It’s natural to take our brilliantly functioning bodies for granted.

These first 400 words I’ve written already have taken at least five times longer than my pre-stroke typing time-frame.

This is n example of sone omy first-time aound sentnces. It happens nearl8 every sentence. Mistales. Thbn redo,

As many of you know, I like to type. It’s been a huge part of my professional and creative life. Nearly every professional in the medical field has told me I will mostly, with some occupational therapy, regain these skills.

This brings me to one of the most important realities in life that every single one of us needs to deal with:

Nothing ever stays the same. Nothing.

We all “know” that, but knowing it cognitively and truly knowing, understanding and accepting it…most of us can do better as our days go on. This is why, although I didn’t know this 25 years ago, I called my column, Awaken Your Inner Heroes. We all get challenged.

I want to say, so you know I know this, my mild physical and cognitive issues are hardly worthy of mentioning! I have lived nearly 80 years of a beautiful life with a strong, cooperative body and mind. Things change. In my case, just a tiny bit.

Please, always keep this wisdom close by:

God grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

~Reinhold Niebuhr, The Serenity Prayer I finished my first post-stroke column!

Bless us all as we make our way Home.

And thanks for reading. Oh… Happy Birthday to me!

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

TAKE ME HOME

By Molly Maphet Brokers

Where the West Still Feels Wild

The Lifestyle

Whether influenced by the popular television series, “Yellowstone,” or a need to get back to the basics, Cowboy Culture is seeing a revival throughout the U.S. In an ultra-automated world that moves at break-neck speed, people are craving the need to unplug as Western traditions of owning land and being self-sufficient have taken a front seat. Yes, it’s rodeo season, but the influence of western style is becoming increasingly popular no matter what time of year.

The Modern Ranch

Modern Farmhouse and Mountain Modern have had their moment, but the Modern Ranch is now in the spotlight. What does that look like in home style and finishes? Combining Americana with timeless SW design, Modern Ranch is a harmonious fusion of classic western interiors. Leather, cowhide, southwestern textiles, found pieces, natural earth tones, raw wood elements, classic terracotta and stone, cozy fireplaces, layers of texture and plenty of natural light. Rustic, yet refined with sprawling single-level floorplans and expansive patio spaces that make sense for accommodating big gatherings and lots of muddy cowboy boots.

Cowboy Capital of Oregon

There are hints of ranching influence all over Central Oregon, but if you are looking for authentic western charm, the laid-back town of Prineville offers an effortless blend of cowboy heritage and modern amenities. With a population just shy of 12,500, Prineville is

the oldest incorporated city in Central Oregon, founded in 1868. The downtown scene gives off an unpretentious western vibe with locally owned boutiques, friendly coffee shops and excellent steak houses that can seat you on the weekend without a reservation.

During the summer months, visitors and locals enjoy the buzz of excitement leading up to the Crooked River Roundup, which is kicked off with a cattle drive being led through downtown by cowboys and cowgirls in full western attire, followed by the stampede block party and three days of rodeo action. A couple of weeks after the rodeo events wrap up, the horse race portion of the Crooked River Roundup begins — this year they will be celebrating 60 years of racing. Other summer activities include the Wings and Wheels car & airplane show at the Prineville Airport, holiday parades, a large rockhound show, the county fair with 4H/FFA auction, live music in the park, water sports at the two reservoirs nearby and many youth rodeo events.

But when the summer dust settles, the sweet little town of Prineville is still there, steady and dependable. Coffee drive-thrus have a line at the crack of dawn, horse trailers roll through downtown, locals wave you onto the highway in front of them, and the traditions of ranching and the western ways of life carry on. Whether you are looking for a quaint downtown cottage, a luxury ranch, or something in between, there are many opportunities for homeownership in the cowboy capital of Oregon. Come kick off your boots and stay a while.

Cummins

Tenley Houghton,

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

transform this thing instantly, but, for starters, need only shift it by 10 percent in the direction of mercy and freedom. What small, specific action would generate that 10 percent?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Neurologist Oliver Sacks said, "I am haunted by the density of experience." He meant that every moment contains far more richness than we can fully register or remember. This observation will be especially relevant for you in the coming weeks. Your mind (and heart!) will be flooded with an abundance of stimuli, ideas, feelings, and impressions. It might initially feel overwhelming, but will ultimately be a boon—especially if you prepare yourself for the intensity and abundance. Imagine yourself standing next to a fountain and feeling cheerful about getting soaked.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have superpowers that hardened hearts and tough guys can’t fathom. Receptivity is a key part of your genius, for example. Emotional fluency is at the root of your intelligence. Your ability to feel so much and so deeply makes you dangerous to status quos managed by people who overthink everything. Wait! There’s more. You can nurture without smothering and protect without imprisoning. You wield the powers of memory without being enslaved by nostalgia. You make home a verb, not a noun, as you build shelter for yourself and your tribe. I hope you will express these gorgeous talents to the max in the coming weeks and months.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): What’s your most vital relationship? I dare you to surprise each other in the coming weeks. Refresh your bond with playful experimentation. Here are adventures you two could explore: 1. Take a walk together with no destination in mind, letting curiosity guide you. Talk about the paths you have not yet taken in life but might like to. 2. Describe the most beautiful future you can imagine for each other. Share practical steps you could take to make these scenarios happen. 3. Choose a food treat you both love, speak a blessing over it, then eat it slowly together as you name what you are most grateful for in your connection.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Chess masters and accomplished musicians practice differently from amateurs. They focus most intensely on their weak points, less so on rehearsing what they already do well. It’s uncomfortable to confront inadequacy, but they’re better for it. In my astrological opinion, Capricorn, you should specialize in a similar courage during the coming weeks. I invite you to direct your generous attention toward your shakiest skills and most uncertain territories. Glorious growth will happen at the edge of your competence.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): An astrologer rooted in older traditions might claim that now is an ideal time to promote your personal agenda through sly, gossipy maneuvering. But since I am devoted to building a new culture grounded in compassionate values that nourish the soul, my message is different. I’m pleased to tell you that the coming weeks will be a potent phase to engage in elevating gossip that serves the greater good, to celebrate unsung heroes, and to call attention to everything that is thriving. For practical dreamers like you and me, carelessly speaking ill of others undermines our own aspirations. One of the most effective ways to expand our own possibilities is to use the power of language to boost other people’s chances for joy and success.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The ancient Library of Alexandria contained over half a million scrolls. If you devoted eight hours a day to reading, you could finish about 5,000 books over the course of your life. The librarians back then knew they would never read all the texts they managed and protected. Their job wasn't to consume all knowledge but to be stewards of abundance. They’re good role models for you, Virgo. The wonderful fact is that you don't have to master every single thing that attracts your attention. Your far more relaxing task is to curate with care and wisdom. Your growing edge is to know what to preserve and what to release. One of your noblest projects is to commune pleasurably with the intriguing mysteries that life brings you, not obsess on them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libra psychologist Carol Dweck distinguishes between fixed mindsets ("I'm not smart enough") and growth mindsets ("I can become smarter"). When you have a fixed mindset, obstacles weigh you down. With a growth mindset, they motivate you to develop. What determines your trajectory isn't your current skill level but how you relate to your edge. With this in mind, Libra, I invite you to monitor your selftalk as you encounter challenges. Are you prone to thinking that limitations are permanent, or do you see them as temporary states you can use as opportunities? You now have a good chance to instill the latter as a root habit.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What’s something you wish you could change about yourself? Is it a trait, pattern, fear, or story about your body? And what exactly tells you that this can never change? Is it loyalty to old expectations or a rotting prophecy someone laid on you? Consider the possibility that maybe the “can’t” is really a “won’t,” or a “don’t know how yet,” or “I’m afraid of who I’d be without this.” Then imagine that you don’t have to

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 18): Be more like a lightning storm over a green meadow and less like a porch light attracting moths. Be more like a spiritual riddle in an ecstatic poem and less like a slogan printed on a T- shirt. Be more like a Miles Davis improvisation and less like a tune played note-for -note from the sheet music for a formulaic pop song. Can you stretch yourself into more fertile wildness, Aquarius? Will you expand your future with adventures that thrill your imagination? I believe you can and should. For bonus magic, be more like a dream of wandering in a rowdy paradise and less like the old version of yourself. Trust the frontier signals that make your pulse quicken, and speak less about the obvious truths that make everyone nod in agreement.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Are you ready to assess the state of your emotional pain? Every few years, I invite you to take stock. I ask you to reflect on how well you’ve been cultivating meaningful stress while avoiding useless pain and misery. So, how’s your progress since our last check-in? Have you improved at sidestepping dull torments you’ve relived a thousand times? Are you less vulnerable to being wounded by ignorant or thoughtless people? Can you more swiftly shake off the sting of minor troubles? Most importantly, are you increasingly magnetized to the intriguing dilemmas that challenge you to grow wiser and more resourceful?

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You are often the best possible remedy for stale, unoriginal thinking that’s festering in your vicinity. And you are especially so these days. Others might have the gall to disrupt the deadening status quo, but you have the charm to do it without scorching every bridge and laying waste to the land. So I invite you to step into the role of cheerful troublemaker. Unleash your iconoclastic sparks with the intention of making life friskier and more imaginative, not more tangled and irritating.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In many farming cultures, including parts of India, growers speak or sing to their crops as they walk through the fields. It’s a gesture of personal care that mirrors growing scientific interest in how plants respond to sound and vibration. Some studies suggest that plants exposed to sustained speech and song may grow more vigorously. Your assignment in the coming weeks, Taurus, is to speak to the growing things in your life with similar devotion. Talk to your projects. Sing to your relationships. Tell jokes to your dreams. The universe is extra responsive to your sweet voice.

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

words

62 "I don't buy it" 65 Stuff in a deposit

Puzzle for the week of June 01, 2026

Pearl’s Puzzle Difficulty

Puzzle for the week of June 01, 2026

Difficulty Level: ●●○○

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 exactly once.

U R S exactly once.

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

exactly once.

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love heterosexuals, it’s just that they need more

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love heterosexuals, it’s just that they need more ” - Doug MacLeod

Answer for the week of May 25, 2026

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and heterosexuals. That doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love heterosexuals, need more . ”

S T G N H W A R E

- Doug MacLeod

N E W R A S T G H

H R A T E G N S W

Answer for the

W G E S T R H N A

A H S E G N W T R

R N T H W A S E G

"Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly." — Pablo Neruda

"Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly." - Pablo Neruda

© Pearl Stark