On the Cover: Illustration by Éva Lund. Éva Lund is an illustrator, cartoonist and comic artist who works in a variety of mediums including digital, pen and ink, acrylic and paper clay. Humor plays an important role in Lund’s work, as she feels she can connect best with the viewer through a comical disposition. Éva Lund lives in a converted school bus with her hot boyfriend and highly-intellectual cat.
To view more of Éva’s work, connect with her on Instagram or through her website: EvaLundArt.com, @evalundart
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The countdown is on as we head closer to the 12 days of Christmas. Winter is a magical time in Central Oregon with a flurry of holiday events and winter festivals. We have it all covered in one handy location with our Holiday Guide so you can pace yourself. In other news, some ideas on where to eat out this holiday season if cooking isn’t on the menu and what to gift a beer lover. We also get a peek inside the new luxury hotel that’s taken over the Old Post Office in downtown Bend. And what makes burrowing owls fun to watch. —Managing Editor Nic Moye
LIGHTMETER:
PRESENTED BY HARVEST MOON WOODWORKS
HARVESTMOONWOODWORKS.COM CUSTOM. CABINE TS
Robin Hayakawa
OPINION A Gas Tax Repeal Could Be Looming, But Oregonians Will Feel the Effects Right Away
From the flurry of activity that has been happening around the proposed gas tax referendum, it’s clear that many Oregonians have strong feelings about the issue of raising fees on car registrations and raising the state gas tax by 6 cents.
Partisan historians are calling the effort “unprecedented.” Some are going out of their way to sign the petition that would repeal the Oregon Department of Transportation funding package that the Oregon State Legislative Assembly passed — barely — just this fall. In just a few short weeks, signature-gatherers say they have collected double the number of signatures they need to allow Oregon voters to vote on repealing that effort in the legislature.
WILD PETALS PROVISIONS
Supporters of the referendum say the 6-cent increase in gas taxes, set to go into effect Dec. 31, is going to be toughest on rural communities, which typically drive longer distances to get to work and school. Referendum supporters say the increased costs for drivers are too high a price to pay. And yet what gives us pause is the dearth of alternatives that would allow Oregon’s roads to continue to be plowed and maintained.
When the snow flies, you can bet that people in both rural and urban communities will be expecting a plow driver to hit the road before the start of the workday. But while some people have proposed alternatives that tackle spending — such as scaling back the major bridge projects in the Portland and Salem areas or changing the bond programs that dictate how new gas tax monies can be spent, the current referendum effort doesn’t really touch on alternative spending or funding issues at all. In this binary system, you’re either a “No Tax” Oregonian, or you’re
not. It’s a sad duality that has largely been drawn along party lines over an issue that is as non-partisan as we can imagine. Private enterprise doesn’t take care of the growing infrastructure needs of the state — government does. And they pay for it with taxes.
This conundrum may hit people in the face long before the actual vote on the matter.
Should the signature-gathering effort be successful, voters will have the chance to vote on the issue during the November 2026 election. But the potential damage may be done long before that. If the petition effort is successful, the funding package passed by the legislature won’t go into effect at the end of this year as expected. Hundreds of ODOT workers, so recently relieved that they wouldn’t be losing their jobs, could be back on the unemployment line. With no funding package in place, ODOT will be forced to scale back service on this winter’s road plowing. It’s an odd conundrum: Supporters of the funding package will see the effects of no funding package playing out for a full year before voters will have a chance to say whether they wanted it or not. The gas tax repeal may be looming, but Oregonians will get hit with the effects right away.
We live in a state that allows for initiatives and referendums. That is part of running a government of the people, by the people. But with funding cuts coming from all directions this year, as the federal government abdicates its role at the state level, a year of deferred maintenance is not what the state needs right now. And for a community like Bend that supports an enormous tourist population, the lack of funding for travelers will be keenly felt.
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PARKING PROBLEM
Parking on Deschutes Market Road adjacent to the Pine Nursery dog park has been in the news recently. There used to be access to the dog park from Deschutes Market Road before the roundabout was put in. Some residents from the apartment complex Solis also used to park there. Safety may be a reason now for the No Parking signs, but the problem is part of a bigger story. It is about fairness and quality of life for Bendites who live in apartment complexes. There are parking fees at most apartment complexes in addition to rent. Monthly fees can range from $30 to $175 for one assigned parking space, less for an unassigned one. At Solis, residents used to have a choice of parking a second family car on Deschutes Market Road. Now that choice is gone and they have to pay for parking two cars, adding to a family’s expense. A second problem is that there may not be enough spaces for all 2-car family residents in a complex. The algorithm used by builders and condoned by the city to allocate parking spaces is usually one and a half spaces per unit. How many people do you know that own half a car? I thought Bend wanted to be a family friendly town. I am aware that land is expensive. But until the city insists builders provide affordable and adequate numbers of parking spaces for people in apartment complexes the problem found on Deschutes Market Road will persist.
—Carol Smalley
RE: COUNTY DISTRICT MAPPING
I am wondering how much public comments even matter anymore. Not a whole lot of thought has gone into the decision of county commissioners to want future commission positions to be in districts vs at large. There are some factors that have not even been discussed or considered in this rushed process.
I am and have been opposed to the districting of the county for county commissioner positions. There are so many things wrong with this. The process stunk, the fact that the advisory committee was not unanimous in their recommendation says something in itself, the rushing of the process, old data/information and above all that IF there is not a viable candidate in your district you don’t really have a voice, let alone a vote. Some additional factors are what this is going to cost the County. The current commissioners were initially concerned about the costs of two additional commissioners when voters passed a vote to add them. What is currently not being talked about is the costs of different ballots that will have to be printed, the costs of staff having to do more tracking and separate counting of these ballots, more campaign expenses and what about having to have more drop sites for each district. Haven’t heard any of this talked about.
I am all about at large as it is what we want in a candidate — to be looking at the interest of the entire county, not
a specific area. If commissioners move forward with this, I suspect that it will be shot down with a no vote. There was a lot of money and time spent for something that most likely will not pass. I believe the commissioners should wait until there is a full five-member commission, get new, recent information regarding census information, look at the additional costs and see if folks even want this. A straight question to voters would be if they even want districts for these positions. The current rush on this process is uncalled for.
Some history of how we got here: two county commissioners refused to consider having two additional seats on the commission and so a citizen took it upon himself and volunteers to get the needed signatures to put this on a ballot. GUESS WHAT — it passed with large numbers to add the additional two positions. Now we are looking at one more way for the two county commissioners to push an agenda because they want to gerrymander voting — at least that is what it looks like on the surface. YES, that is exactly what it looks like. All of this because you want to continue be the sole voice for the county. It seems to me that commissioners should be looking at more important matters that are CURRENTLY affecting everyone right now, than worrying about future elections. We have immediate concerns with homeless as we go into the winter, food insecurities for not only homeless but many families and to top that off, health
services being available for all.
I really hope that you will table this issue, despite having already put out funds for the facilitator and took up many folks time and travel. OHHH and the last meeting that didn’t happen did not allow the public to once again weigh in. Stop this foolishness now.
—Mary Fleischmann
RE: “ASK MEANINGFUL QUESTIONS ABOUT GREEN ENERGY POLICIES” (NOV. 20)
Thank you Mr. Stanko for pointing out how important it is for young people, and old, to question and fully research things they hear, especially in this day and age! While your statements about the growth of coal and natural gas usage are totally unfounded, your statements should inspire many people to look hard at their sources of information and choose those that provide substantiated data.
I must point out one error in your statement that implies that natural gas is a good option to have available when the power is out. Please note that no gas heat or cooking will work when the electronic controls they use, the thermostats and igniters, require electric power to work.
We should all agree with your closing about working for the health of the Earth, and every little bit we can do will contribute to reducing human-caused climate crisis, even if the little bit seems meaningless.
—Mathieu Federspiel
Battery Ignites Fire at School
Bend Fire & Rescue says a lithium battery stored in a cabinet started a fire in the custodians’ workshop at Miller Elementary School at 9pm on Sunday, Nov. 30. The fire triggered the sprinkler system, preventing the fire from spreading outside the room, but smoke and water did spread into the attached gym. The National Fire Protection Association recommends storing lithium batteries away from anything that can catch fire or inside a non-combustible cabinet or storage container.
Food & Toy Drive Underway
Bend Fire & Rescue is collecting non-perishable food donations at its fire stations through Dec. 12. Most needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, soup and peanut butter. The food will be distributed through NeighborImpact. Bend Fire & Rescue’s Santa Express will also visit three neighborhoods collecting food, clothing and toys for the Salvation Army. Starting at 6pm on Dec. 5, it’ll be in SE Bend at Foxborough, Larkspur and Sun Meadow areas; Dec. 6 in NW Bend at Three Pines, Westside Meadows and Shevlin Ridge and Dec. 8 in SW Bend at Pine Ridge, River Canyon and Aspen Rim neighborhoods.
—Nic Moye
Pushback Mounts Against Oregon’s Planned Transportation Tax Hike
The increases provide “critical new funding,” per ODOT
By Kayvon Bumpus
On Nov. 7, Gov. Tina Kotek signed Oregon House Bill 3991 into law. But before it can take effect, a petition may send it to next year’s ballot instead, giving Oregon voters the power of a thumbs up or thumbs down.
The new legislation will raise the state gas tax by 6 cents, raise the registration fee for most passenger vehicles by $42, and increase title fees from $77 to $216 for most vehicles.
HB 3991, primarily a funding package for the Oregon Department of Transportation, also raises a temporary payroll tax that funds public transit statewide, doubling it from 0.1% to 0.2% until January 2028.
“For a worker earning the average Oregon salary of about $68,000, the extra cost during that period would be $5.60 per month,” ODOT spokesperson Kacey Davey said in a statement to the Source.
In a signing letter to Secretary of State Tobias Read, Kotek said the bill “helps prevent cuts to [ODOT] and communities across the state that would have posed a significant danger to Oregonians’ safety and ability to get to where they need to go,” and “helps us keep state highways and local roads safe and open to traffic while preserving transit service and halting the pending layoffs of essential transportation staff.”
the state and provides a crucial option for people who cannot or do not drive, allowing them to access work, education, health care, and other essential services.”
—The
“We hope to provide music that is beautiful and passionate like traditional Gypsy Swing, yet with just a slight hint of mystery, macabre, and humor.”
—Brandon Campbell from The Brandon Campbell Trio in Gung Ho.
ODOT estimates that the average Oregon taxpayer will “pay about $66 more annually in registration fees and gas taxes.” This tax revenue goes to the State Highway Fund, “which distributes money to ODOT, counties, and cities to maintain and improve Oregon’s roads and bridges,” and is “divided 50/30/20 among ODOT, counties and cities,” Davey said. “ODOT’s share will be used for operations and maintenance, supporting essential work such as snow and ice removal, clearing rockfall and landslide debris, reopening lanes after traffic incidents and other critical maintenance activities across the state.”
Opponents of the tax hikes are making noise through a petition, which could prevent the bill from taking effect on Dec. 31. Instead, voters would decide on the matter in the November 2026 election.
The signature-gathering effort is led by No Tax Oregon, an organization created to fight HB 3991. Its campaign is funded by the brand-new “Right to Vote on the Gas Tax PAC,” formed by Republican state lawmakers Sen. Bruce Starr (R-Dundee) and Rep. Ed Diehl (R-Scio), plus Taxpayers Association of Oregon founder Jason Williams.
“When compromise and numerous chances for bipartisanship are ignored, the People of Oregon deserve a vote,” Starr wrote in a guest column for a conservative blog, calling the increases “devastating.” No Tax Oregon’s initiative is “the largest volunteer signature effort the state has seen in years—possibly ever,” according to Diehl. “People aren’t just willing to sign; they’re seeking us out,” the representative said. “Oregonians want the right to vote on these taxes and fees, and they know Salem is not representing their interests.”
Although public outrage has mostly revolved around the gas and vehicle fee hikes, the doubled payroll tax is an important factor of HB 3991. While the former provides money to the State Highway Fund, the payroll tax revenue goes “directly into the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF), which distributes revenue to public transit providers throughout Oregon based on population size,” Davey said. “It supports transit in every corner of
Deschutes County has received over $4.3 million from STIF this year. But not all voters here are convinced that STIF or ODOT need the extra revenue.
“This is the governor, House and the Senate trying to make decisions for all of us,” said Neil Ripsch, a Deschutes County organizer for No Tax Oregon. “She is one-sided, they are being one-sided, and to hell with everybody else.”
Ripsch believes that the tax overburdens working Oregonians in an unjustifiable way. “I think everybody is going to be impacted. It’s getting so damn lopsided, it’s hard for a family to survive,” he told the Source, sitting behind a table inside Expressway Market & Deli, a gas station in the Larkspur neighborhood. No Tax Oregon will gather signatures there through at least Dec. 7.
The Governor and ODOT’s justification for raising taxes has failed to convince rural voters, business owners and conservatives like Ripsch. “Without this [tax increase] going into effect, I think there will still be plenty of road work, etcetera,” Ripsch said.
ODOT spokesperson Davey told the Source that that the extra funds will be “critical” to “operate and maintain Oregon’s transportation system,” and that the agency could be in big trouble, financially and operationally, if HB 3991 is postponed by the petition or repealed at next year’s ballot. “This continued uncertainty is difficult for the agency. Many ODOT employees are worried about their own jobs and are worried about the ability of ODOT to continue to serve Oregon,” Davey stated. “Governor Kotek has directed ODOT to continue hiring for vacant winter maintenance positions while the agency’s funding situation is analyzed. We are working closely with the governor’s office to evaluate the state’s options to address impacts to the agency.”
More than 150,000 signatures have been collected by No Tax Oregon, according to Diehl, who tweeted, “We’re not stopping. We’re not quitting. We are going to send a message to Salem.” The Secretary of State will have to verify 78,116 of those signatures in order to certify the petition and put HB 3991’s fate in voters’ hands.
year the gelatin salad was created in this week’s Go Here.
Ripsch collects signatures inside a Larkspur gas station deli.
Kayvon Bumpus
One Homeless Man Seeks More Than Just Survival on Second Street
A mind for politics among Bend’s roughly 1,000 unsheltered residents
By Kayvon Bumpus
The man in the tent was undeniably oratorical.
He casually supplied adjectives like “adversarial,” discussed the concept of trickle-down economics with disdain, and held the word “conducive” (often used incorrectly) to its dictionary definition.
Three feet away from an open bucket serving as a makeshift toilet, I was speaking to someone more eloquent than many employed and educated people I encounter every day.
The unhoused man identified himself as Emmanuel; he didn’t reveal his age. From the noble-silver hue of the hair that he had left, it wasn’t hard to estimate. He’s old enough that he could be in an assisted-living home, and certainly too old to be living without a home or assistance.
I had approached the man to ask about his preparations for incoming winter weather, but I walked away with much more to think about.
“Born into poverty” on the East Coast, Emmanuel’s sense of morals compounded his financial struggle. “I wanted more than what I was offered. What was being offered at that time was to go and hurt somebody,” he said, referencing U.S. military service. “And that’s a part of America too, I guess. I just knew that it wasn’t for me.”
Instead, the man found work through temporary staffing agencies like Labor Ready. He’s thankful for the experience — “It’s where I got mostly all my skills from,” he said — but living from one unguaranteed shift to the next could only last so long.
That unstable road eventually led to West Coast destitution. Sipping from a flask, Emmanuel told me he has been homeless in Bend for seven or eight years. Many observations have come to him during that time.
Theft, he said, is a “very serious” factor to worry about on the streets. Choosing somewhere inconspicuous to camp or store belongings is an option, but staying out of the way can make it much harder to reach resources.
Across Oregon, encampments have developed reputations as hotbeds of crime and violence. Emmanuel understands why, but insisted that many criminals who hang around camps aren’t homeless. “People sell drugs, hurt people, and then they have a family to go home to,” he suggested. “Those [criminals] running amok, causing problems… They don’t live out here with us, but the blame goes to homeless people.”
He challenged another stereotype: “Not everybody ends up here by being a [drug] user… That actually comes with the territory when you can’t get your meds, when your meds get stolen.” Emmanuel himself drinks alcohol to ease the pain of a rheumatological condition, conditions/dupuytrens-disease” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Dupuytren’s contracture, for which he has difficulty obtaining medication.
The man claims to have witnessed corruption and rot within institutions meant to combat homelessness. “The money is there, the programs are there, but there’s people misusing the system and abusing people like me,” Emmanuel said. “It’s like a failing business… The government decides whether to bail them out. Except the business is people’s lives.”
He used “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” a Danish folktale, as a comparison. The naked Emperor represents homelessness relief infrastructure, which Emmanuel called ineffective, propped up by advisors and officials who would rather keep their positions safe than point out anything wrong with the status quo.
The village boy who dared to break the spell by calling out the Emperor’s nudity isn’t Emmanuel alone, but a sum of homeless people and their advocates “in the trenches, in the frontline,” he said, impressing the point that many of these folks have been waiting for a long time to speak on their experiences with the system.
“Across the country, you got people with bright ideas, but they’re a paycheck away from being homeless, or they are homeless. These are the people I’m reaching out to. I’m hoping that these words inspire them,” Emmanuel expressed. “I listen to people that’s down here in the mud with me. They do have answers, a lot of them do.”
His own answers center around communication. “The resources are there,” he said, mentioning the Homeless Leadership Coalition, which works across three counties and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation to “oversee and coordinate the available services to people experiencing homelessness in Central Oregon,” its website reads.
But, Emmanuel said, “We don’t hear about that kind of help until someone brings it up. People are withholding badly needed resources and information. Sometimes that’s homeless people who were told to give word to other people, sometimes it’s the people who hold the resources picking and choosing who their favorites are.”
Emmanuel chuckled as he greeted another unhoused man rolling past on a bike. “I talk to the older cats and the younger cats,” he told me. “There’s people coming along that want change, they want this shit to end, and we know how to do that if they just give us what we need.”
Before looking to the future, unhoused people and advocates must contend with the current federal agenda. For example, a July executive order issued by President Trump threatened the federal funding of states and municipalities who fail
to enforce restrictions on “urban camping and loitering.”
Oregon is participating in a 20-state lawsuit against the federal government, filed on Nov. 25 and led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown. It challenges new policies within the Department of Housing and Urban Development that directly affect Continuum of Care — a 38-year-old congressional program that funds Central Oregon’s own Homeless Leadership Coalition. Brown argues that, by abandoning “Housing First” philosophy and penalizing jurisdictions “that do not enforce certain policies this Administration favors, like bans on public camping, ...the Trump Administration has embraced policies that risk trapping people in poverty and punishing them for being poor.”
Emmanuel agrees with Trump that something needs to change. But he said the President’s punitive approach won’t fix the issue that he experiences, and that he sees others succumb to: “A homeless person, already a victim, getting victimized again and again and again.”
In another timeline, perhaps Emmanuel’s words could have stirred a rally crowd or Senate floor. “The country is at a crossroads right now, and it can no longer be Americans versus Americans. That’s not gonna help with nothing at all when it comes to what America can do for her struggling citizens,” he said, his voice rising. “How can we change anything with an attitude of indifference?”
But in this timeline, December gets colder by the day, with life-threatening temperatures overnight. “I’m hunkering down, getting the supplies that I need,” Emmanuel said. “I prioritize, I see what has to be done to create a foundation.”
He spoke about “foundation” more than just figuratively — his “goals and aspirations” include nonprofit work to combat homelessness. “If I can get my foundation established, that will be my springboard for other ideas, to help others who do have the answers for how to end homelessness. I’d be able to help them have a platform and foundations as well,” the man envisioned.
As I stood outside his tent and shivered off the wind chill, I wondered if a homeless-led social movement could find any success in today’s United States. I figured, however, that with access to shelter, food, medical treatment, and free information, Emmanuel could put statesmen to shame with his powers of speech. And he’s far from the only one outside, waiting for a chance.
"I listen to people that's down here in the mud with me."
Kayvon Bumpus
RN
REDMOND NEWS
Shopping here is as guilt-free as can be.
Grace & Goods Elevates the Shopping — and Giving — Experience
Bethlehem Inn to open an “adorable” women’s thrift boutique in Redmond
By Peter Madsen
Grace & Goods, a soon-to-open thrift boutique in Redmond, will offer shoppers an experience that goes beyond that of a typical thrift store. Folks can peruse its racks during the shop’s grand opening on Dec. 10.
The thrift boutique sits in a 350-square-foot building on NW Sixth Street. With a new navy-and-cream paint job, the shoebox-size store is bright and welcoming, says Jon Baker, Bethlehem Inn’s development director.
“It’s a great size. It’s perfect for a retail shop,” Baker said. “I honestly don’t use the term ‘adorable,’ but it really is adorable.”
Grace & Goods’ proceeds will directly benefit the unhoused people who utilize the services of Bethlehem Inn, a leading shelter and casework service provider in Central Oregon. The nonprofit serves nearly 200 people every night and provides about 100,000 meals each year, according to the organization.
The nonprofit previously used the space as storage for its Bethlehem Inn Redmond Community Housing program, which is also located on the property. Prior to that, the little building was home to a beauty salon, Baker said.
Donated clothing items, many new with original tags still attached, are waiting for shoppers. Baker says he’s not a “fashion guy,” but he says donations to Grace & Goods are impressive, such as a full-length Boden coat. Other standout pieces include tops, bottoms, dresses, blouses and accessories.
“It’ll be a wonderful place,” Baker said. “Of course, it brings in some very important and much needed revenue to the organization, but more importantly, it’s a wonderful place to educate the community, especially the folks who may not otherwise interface with Bethlehem Inn and the work we do.”
Baker encourages folks who are doing wardrobe edits to consider donating new or like-new women’s items to Grace & Goods. If a coat, for example, might seem too fancy for a typical thrift donation, that’s perfect — Grace & Goods can sell it at reasonable price, which in turn will fund more meals, programs or casework hours than otherwise.
In the coming weeks and months, Bethlehem Inn employees will take turns staffing the shop, yet the hope is for volunteers to fill those roles, Baker said.
“It’s important for us to provide something to the community that’s not just another generic store,” Baker said. “Instead, Grace & Goods is really a special place that supports a really important mission.”
Make wreaths and centerpieces with native tree and shrub species of Central Oregon. This will be a fun and educational way to identify your local and native tree species, as well as create something artistic and homey for your home. Warm holiday refreshments and cookies provided. Fri., Dec. 5, 1-4pm at the Redmond Library. 827 SW Deschutes Ave., Redmond. $20-$30; registration required.
FRIDAY 12/5
DRY CANYON COMMUNITY
CENTER
GRAND OPENING
Celebrate the launch of Redmond’s new hub for local art and community creativity: the Dry Canyon Community Art Center. A ribbon-cutting kicks off the grand opening, with displays of local art and a look at how the center will support art education in the community. Come see the new galleries, classrooms and gift shop, all open to the public. Fri., Dec. 5, 4-7pm at Dry Canyon Community Art Center. 415 SW 6th St., Redmond. Free.
SATURDAY 12/6
CELESTIAL CELEBRATION
SAGITTARIUS SEASON
A celebration of those born under the star sign of Sagittarius (friends of Sagittarius welcome.) Enjoy a night of bespoke cocktails, fine food and more! Sat., Dec. 6, 6-11pm at Pangaea Guild Hall. 652 SW Sixth St., Redmond. Free; all ages.
Bethlehem Inn’s new Redmond thrift boutique will give an upscale shopping experience while directly benefiting the unhoused folks the nonprofit serves.
Bethlehem Inn
While the holidays are a time for celebration and family, with so much going on, it can be overwhelming. To help you glide through the next several weeks like a pro, we’ve gathered local festivities into one convenient calendar. Whether you’re seeking out Santa, markets with locally made goods, fun runs or live holiday music, get ready to leap into the jolly jumble of festive fun and may your holiday season be merry!
December
See the Icons for select events
Santa Sightings
Live Music
Festive Races
Christmas Trees
Menorah Lighting
Valentine's
3
TETHEROW RESORT HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Tetherow Resort Event Pavilion
4
WINTER NIGHTS: FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW
High Desert Museum
CAROLING BY CENTRAL OREGON MASTERSINGERS
Downtown Bend Public Library
5
FIRST FRIDAY ARTISAN MARKET
RE/MAX Key Properties
HOLIDAY MARKET
Thump Downtown
CHRISTMAS MARKET Bend Brewing Company
FIRST FRIDAY: TIS THE SEASON ART STROLL Downtown Bend
TOY DRIVE & BENEFIT CONCERT
Volcanic Theatre Pub
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
6
BEND CHRISTMAS PARADE Downtown Bend
BEVEL HOLIDAY MARKET
Bevel Craft Brewing
SCHILLING’S MAKERS MARKET
Schilling’s Garden Market
TUMALO LAVENDER HOLIDAY MARKET
Tumalo Lavender
MERRY CHEERSMAS MARKET On Tap
HOLIDAY SPIRIT MARKET
Groove Yoga
MISTLETOE MILER FUN RUN
Bend Brewing Company
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center
MAGICAL MARKETS OF MERRIMENT
Somewhere That’s Green
CASCADE CHORALE’S HOLIDAY MAGIC
Tower Theatre
REINDEER RUSH
Bend Brewing Company
UGLY SWEATER 5K
The Barn in Sisters
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL
Old Mill District
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL
Old Mill District
THE BELLS OF SUNRIVER HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE
Sunriver Public Library
7
CASCADE CHORALE’S HOLIDAY MAGIC
Tower Theatre
BEND TREE LIGHTING
Brandis Square
BEVEL HOLIDAY MARKET
Bevel Craft Brewing
SCHILLING’S MAKERS MARKET
Schilling’s Garden Market
CHRISTMAS MAKERS MARKET
West Side Tavern
MAGICAL MARKETS OF MERRIMENT
Somewhere That’s Green
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL
Old Mill District
KINDRED HOLIDAY MARKET
Spork
10
ROCK THE HOLIDAYS WITH VIOLINIST
AARON MEYER
Tower Theatre
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL
Old Mill District
Four Decades of the Festival of Trees
It’s the Hospice of Redmond’s largest fundraiser of the year
By Nic Moye
You can decorate your home without effort and donate to a good cause by bidding on a tree at the annual Festival of Trees. The Hospice of Redmond has hosted the fundraiser for 42 years. It’s been chosen by Source readers as the Best Nonprofit Event in 2024 and 2025.
More than 30 elaborately decorated trees are up for auction. The public can view the trees for free during the day on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Santa will be there for photos. The public can also vote for their favorite tree with the People’s Choice Award. The evening live auction is a ticketed event which includes dinner and a drink. The menu this year includes a buffet with butternut squash, Chevre salad, beef brisket, mashed potatoes, Mediterranean chicken, falafel and several dessert options. The event also includes raffles, a silent auction, live music and games.
Money raised is used for hospice care, the transitions program for people navigating serious illness, bereavement services, Camp Sunrise helping children who are grieving and pet peace of mind helping people with a life-limiting illness keep their pets. Last year the event raised more than $210,000.
Lauren Lebien, community engagement manager for Hospice of Redmond, says the daytime event is popular and attracted 1,500 people last year. The evening gala had 420 attendees.
Organizers say volunteers are critical to the success of the Festival of Trees, delivering the
trees to buyers the next day. About 95 people work to make it happen and all trees up for auction are donated.
“We have incredible and creative tree decorators, offering themes anywhere from Cinderella-themed trees, rustic/country-themed trees, vintage trees and more,” Lebien told the Source. “There have been too many incredible tree packages over the years to pick just one. We have a barbed-wire cactus “tree” every year which tends to go for a lot!...This year, we also have a “Home Improvement” tree with thousands of dollars worth of gift certificates for various excavation, contracting [and] masonry work.”
Lebien says the highest bid on a tree in past years was $23,000.
“This event is Hospice of Redmond’s main fundraiser,” she says. “Funds are essential for our various free programs. We have served all of Central Oregon since 1979, so the money raised at Festival of Trees stays in Central Oregon and truly helps our community’s friends and neighbors in need.”
Festival of Trees
Sat. Dec 6 10am-1pm viewing, Gala 5pm Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond hospiceofredmond.org/festival-of-trees/ $110/individual $880/table for 8
Last year, the Festival of Trees raised $210,000 for Hospice of Redmond. Money raised from the Festival of Trees stays in Central Oregon. The above photo from 2023 shows the popular barbed-wire cactus tree on the right.
Photos courtesy of Erik Breon
A Dino-Mite Christmas Experience
Jurassic Quest returns to the fairgrounds with life-like dinosaurs and hundreds of thousands of Legos
By Nic Moye
Jurassic Quest returns to the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center for a special holiday edition. Billed as North America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur experience, families can walk among more than 80 life-size, animatronic dinos. There are also interactive exhibits, fossil digs with T-Rex Teeth and a triceratops horn, dino rides, bounce houses, live dinosaur shows and opportunities for children to pet baby dinosaurs. Jurassic Quest transports families through 165 million years of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Budding paleontologists can become Junior Park Rangers and become experts on dinosaurs.
“Our most universally loved dinosaur is the T-Rex, especially during the walk-around T-Rex show,” says Alyssa Garza, chief marketing officer for Jurassic Quest. “For kids, our baby dinosaurs — like Tyson the T-Rex and Cammie the Camarasaurus — often steal the spotlight and are huge fan favorites for meet-and-greet moments.”
The event will also feature Brick Fest Live’s LEGO experience included in the price of a ticket and with no time limit. Creative stations feature more than a million building bricks including a pit filled with more than 200,000 colorful bricks. Visitors can meet LEGO Masters and participate in brick challenges including one to build the largest floor mosaic to set a Guinness World Record. There will also be brick derby races on 35-foot tracks. Brick Fest also has a glow-in-thedark building area.
There will be Christmas-themed music and dinosaur backdrops for photos with Santa and
other holiday décor throughout the venue. Kiddos can look for hidden Elf on the Shelf characters for a game with prizes. Jurassic Quest Christmas ornaments will be on sale
Organizers are also offering a sensory hour which is an early admission experience designed for families and children with sensory sensitivities or special needs. Guests can enjoy the show one hour before doors open to the public on Saturday morning, with lowered sound and adjusted lighting for a more comfortable and inclusive visit.
Jurassic Quest will be in Redmond for three days from Dec. 19-21. There are three price points for tickets. The standard general admission ticket includes the dino walkthrough experience, fossil digs, T-Rex meet and greet, the bounce houses and photo ops. The middle price point for the Kids Unlimited ticket allows unlimited rides and activities. The highest priced ticket, the Dino Mite Pass, allows kids to skip the line for all rides. “Families can truly spend the whole day if they want. While we use timed entry windows to help manage flow, guests are welcome to stay and explore for as long as they’d like once inside,” Garza says.
Jurassic Quest
Fri-Sun Dec 19-21
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond Jurassicquest.com
$22.85-$67.85
11
WINTER NIGHTS: WINTER IN THE WEST High Desert Museum
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
12
HOLIDAY LIGHTS PADDLE PARADE Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
13
2ND AND OLNEY MAKERS MARKET Camp Clay Bend
THE LOCAVORE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIRE Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
CRAFT-O! HOLIDAY BAZAAR
The Workhouse
PIANO FLOW AND CANDLELIT SKI Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center
PET PICTURES WITH SANTA Local Paws
MAGICAL MARKETS OF MERRIMENT
Somewhere That’s Green
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
DRIVE-THRU HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE Larkspur Community Center
14
CRAFT-O! HOLIDAY BAZAAR The Workhouse
WINTER CIRCUS MAKERS MARKET Central Oregon Aerial Arts
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
MAGICAL MARKETS OF MERRIMENT
Somewhere That’s Green
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
Kids have an opportunity to pet life-like dinosaurs. More than 80 animatronic dinosaurs will be a part of Jurassic Quest. With dino rides Dec. 19-21.
Photos courtesy of Jurassic Quest
REDMOND COMMUNITY CHOIR HOLIDAY CONCERT Redmond High School
MENORAH LIGHTING Old Mill District
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
FIRESIDE FESTIVITIES Discovery Corner 18
WINTER NIGHTS: SNOWOLOGY! High Desert Museum
SWINGIN’ TOWER CHRISTMAS Tower Theater
19
MT. BACHELOR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
JURASSIC QUEST
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
DIRKSEN DERBY
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
SWINGIN’ TOWER CHRISTMAS Tower Theater
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
KOLOVITA: UKRAINIAN WINTER CRAFT LAB Café Des Chutes
20
BEND BURLESQUE CO. PRESENTS: BABES IN TOYLAND High Desert Music Hall
CHRISTMAS AT THE OXFORD: MEET SANTA The Oxford Hotel
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
JURASSIC QUEST
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
DIRKSEN DERBY
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
SWINGIN’ TOWER CHRISTMAS Tower Theater
MAGICAL MARKETS OF MERRIMENT
Somewhere That’s Green
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
21
CHRISTMAS AT THE OXFORD: MEET SANTA The Oxford Hotel
CAROLERS IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
JURASSIC QUEST
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
DIRKSEN DERBY
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
SWINGIN’ TOWER CHRISTMAS Tower Theater
MAGICAL MARKETS OF MERRIMENT Somewhere That’s Green
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
22
CHRISTMAS MOVIES TRIVIA Bevel Craft Brewing
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District 23
SANTALAND IN THE OLD MILL Old Mill District
SANTA ON THE SLOPES Mt Bachelor Ski Resort
RUN
Mt Bachelor Ski Resort
16
ELEGANZA: A CLICHÉ NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA
Dogwood at the Pine Shed
COCKTAIL SOCIAL
Riverhouse Lodge
KOTA DOSA + JESHUA MARSHALL AND THE FLOOD The Belfry
THE HASBENS + CALL DOWN THUNDER Midtown Ballroom
NYE PARTY
Stoller Wine Bar
THE GHOST OF BRIAN CRAIG
Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5
SOUL’D OUT
The Commonwealth Pub
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School
BONFIRE ON THE SNOW Wanderlust Tours
Spreading Holiday Cheer
Carolers will serenade shoppers at the Old Mill District and kids can send letters to Santa
By Nic Moye
One of the best things about the holidays are traditions and Christmas carols are a tradition dating back to the medieval times of the 14th century. It’s believed the first carols were sung by Franciscan friars who stood in a circle, linking hands, singing together. Christmas carols have somehow survived through the centuries. According to English-heritage.org, the oldest surviving carol is “O Come All Ye Faithful” from the 18th century.
“We started the North Pole Express Mailboxes in 2020 as an additional way for kids and families to connect with Santa and it’s grown each year,” Eastes says. “In 2024, we helped more than 1,000 kids communicate with the North Pole.”
NEW
RELAY
Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center
The holiday tradition is kept alive with carolers roaming the Old Mill District serenading shoppers on various days throughout December. Among the local groups scheduled to fill the air with holiday cheer are Bella Acapella, a women’s group, ReSistas Bend, which formed during the Women’s March in 2017 singing songs of social justice and unity, according to their facebook page, Bend High School, Caldera High School and the High Desert Jazz Choir.
“Our guests love it, in part because it’s another way to get festive down here,” says Old Mill Marketing Director Beau Eastes. “We’re so fortunate to have fantastic and passionate singers who take a lot of pride in what they do. I can’t imagine a holiday season without them.”
For kiddos, Santa has a mailbox in the Old Mill. Young ones can drop off their holiday wish lists at the North Pole Express Mailbox (no postage needed) and they’ll receive a response from Santa. Letters do need to include a return address.
The mailbox is located at SantaLand on the second floor above Lush and is open Fridays-Sundays in December. The last day to drop off letters to Santa is Sunday Dec. 14. Eastes says while a lot of kids list the toys they want like Lego, Ninjago, Elsa shoes and karaoke machines, a fair number talk about what they would like for their moms, dads, brothers and sisters.
“It’s pretty heartwarming to read,” he adds.
Carolers in the Old Mill District Sat. Dec 6 3-5pm Wed. Dec 10 6:30-8:30pm Thu. Dec 11 4:30-5:30pm Fri. Dec 12 5-6:30pm Sun. Dec 14 Noon-3;30pm Mon. Dec 25, 5-6pm Sat. Dec 20 3:30-5:30pm Sun. Dec 21 Noon-3:30pm
Letters to Santa Fri-Sun through Dec 14 11am-5pm Old Mill District above Lush 520 SW Powerhouse Dr., Bend
Wanderlust Tours Above, the ReSistas Bend carolers at the Old Mill District in December 2024. Right, past carolers at the Old Mill.
A Winter Wonderland Returns with WinterFest in February
Brandi Cyrus and Tiffany are headliners
By Nic Moye
WinterFest returns to the Old Mill District Feb. 13-15 with music, art, family friendly activities, fire and ice! Music headliners include Brandi Cyrus on Friday evening and Tiffany on Saturday. Cyrus, Miley Cyrus’s sister, performs a mash-up of country, pop and electronic beats that’ll get the crowd dancing. Opening for Cyrus is Saxsquatch, a 7-foot-tall sax-playing Sasquatch, that’s sure to be entertaining.
Pop icon Tiffany made history in 1987 as the youngest female artist to top the Billboard charts with her hit, “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Blondie tribute band “Glass of Hearts” is scheduled to open for her.
WinterFest began as a local winter celebration more than 20 years ago. The traditional ice sculpting event returns with artists transforming blocks of ice into works of art. Fire features will warm up visitors while lighting up the festival at night. More than 100 regional artists will sell their work in the Wonderland Marketplace while outdoor gear will be for sale at the Cascades Market. K9 Kings will perform amazing tricks with Frisbees. An Oregon Lifestyle Marketplace will showcase the best in Oregon wines, food and handmade goods. A series of food carts will be on hand as well as beer, wine, cider and spirits.
There will be a family play zone with bounce houses and Oregon Museum of Science and
Industry interactive challenges. A wine walk will kick off the Friday night festivities at retailers in the Old Mill District. There is an extra cost for that. The hot cocoa fun run will round out the festival on the last day with a gourmet hot cocoa bar and, for adults, Crater Lake Spirits to spice it up.
One of the most exciting events during the festival is the Pump Bump Jam Contest. It’s a dual-race pump track where snowboarders and skiers compete against each other for prizes.
Each WinterFest ticket is good for all three days and Mt. Bachelor season pass holders receive free admission. Concerts are included with the tickets. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon.
WinterFest is produced by Lay It Out Events which is a sister company of the Source.
Bend WinterFest
Feb 13-15 Fri 5-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm Old Mill District
520 SW Powerhouse Dr #624, Bend bendticket.com/events/2026-bend-winterfest-2-13-2026
$22.94 adults/$14.38 12&under
VERTFEST
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort
13
BEND WINTERFEST
Hayden Homes Amphitheater
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND BONFIRE ON THE SNOW
Wanderlust Tours
14
BEND WINTERFEST
Hayden Homes Amphitheater
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND BONFIRE ON THE SNOW
Wanderlust Tours
15
BEND WINTERFEST
Hayden Homes Amphitheater
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND BONFIRE ON THE SNOW
Wanderlust Tours
16
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND BONFIRE ON THE SNOW
Wanderlust Tours
WinterFest returns in February with fire & ice, pump track competitions and a kid zone. Music headliner, pop icon Tiffany made history as the youngest female artist to top the Billboard charts in 1987.
D o y o u f e e l l ike so m e thi n g j us t i s n ’ t right— e v e n t ho u g h y ou r la bs co me ba c k ‘ no rma l ’ ?
Yo u ’re committed to y o ur health , and y o u kn ow t h e r e has t o be a d ee p e r a n s w e r.
We a r e a t eam o f C o n v entionall y and F unctionall y t r ained P h y s i c i ans, N u r se P r actitione r s, C e r tified N utritionists and H ealth C oaches, all dedi c a t ed t o
partne r ing w ith y ou t o bui l d y ou r health. We a r e in net w ork w i th mo s t insu r an c es and a r e a cc e p ting
N e w Patient s
N o w We l c o min g
Pe diatri c Pati en ts !
B ec a u s e k ids d ese r v e r oo t- c a u s e c a r e t o o.
From nut r it i on and gu t hea l th t o im mune s uppor t an d
d e v e l op m en t a l c on c erns, t o We l lne s s Ex a m s f ro m a
holi s tic per s pect i v e, w e o f f e r w ho l e-ch il d c a re de s igne d
t o un c o v e r ro o t c auses and s uppor t li f e l ong w el l ne s s
SOURCE PICKS
THURSDAY 12/4
GUARDIANS OF LIFE
INDIGENOUS PRACTICES FOR A THRIVING EARTH
Photographer, filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan will share breathtaking stories of survival, Indigenous resilience and ecological kinship. Through images and stories spanning the globe from the Arctic to Australia, Yüyan reminds us that when we protect the more-than-human world, we are also protecting ourselves. Thu., Dec. 4, 3pm and 7pm at the Tower Theatre. 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $15-$30.
THURSDAY 12/4-12/13
LITTLE WOMEN
WINTER DELIGHT AT THE THEATER
Celebrate the holiday season with one of the most beloved tales, Little Women, adapted by Marisha Chamberlain from the novel by Louisa May Alcott. This adaptation spotlights one busy, busy year in the March sisters' lives. Featuring favorite moments and fabulous performances, Little Women is a heartwarming story of family and fortitude. Showing at various times Thu., Dec. 4-Sat., Dec. 13 at Open Space Event Studios. 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend. $30
FRIDAY
FUNKSHUI
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS!
12/5
Bandmates Adriel, Corey, Scott, Matt and Matthew bring the heat to FunkShui’s energetic live shows. The seasoned musicians are talented and playful—you’re going to want to dance.Fri., Dec. 5, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $15.
TEB
LOCAL TALENT AT SILVER MOON
A night of original music from Bend-based songwriter Travis Ehrenstrom and his band, TEB. Ehrenstrom brings quality musicianship and well-crafted original songs to every performance. His latest project, “Our Creative States,” saw him traveling, writing and releasing songs about what he found along the way. Sat., Dec. 6, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $15.
FLAMINGOSIS
WITH STAVIG
Flamingosis makes the soundtrack to being your best self. Under the spell of Aaron Velasquez, a New Jersey-raised and Brooklyn-based artist and producer, handcrafted electronic beats meet live instrumentation spiked with funk in the center of the dance floor (right underneath the disco ball.) Sun., Dec. 7, 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub. 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $33.
SUNDAY 12/7
VINTAGE POP-UP
AT UPP LIQUIDS
With vintage to modern clothing finds and tunes spinning by DJ See Alice, this is sure to be a very groovy treasure hunt. Browse unique pieces from different eras and one-of-a-kind garments to spice up your style or find unique second-hand gifts. Sun., Dec. 7, 11am-4pm at UPP Liquids. 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Free
SUNDAY 12/7
HANDMADE MOMENTS
AMERICANA FLAVORS AT THE BELFRY
Handmade Moments is a fearless, all-weather duo based in New Orleans. Anna Moss and Joel Ludford’s endearing personalities guide us through diverse musical flavors of American music. They serve up ornate instrumentation and simple, yet sophisticated songcraft. Their live show offers a memorable mix of intoxicating vocals, bass clarinet, saxophone, sousaphone, guitar, upright bass, and tag team beatboxing. Sun., Dec. 7, 7pm at the Belfry. 302 E Main Ave., Sisters.
MONDAY
BARTENDERS BALL
12/8
CELEBRATING THE HOSPITALITY COMMUNITY
This industry-only gathering brings bartenders, servers, chefs, managers, baristas and everyone who keeps our region’s service scene thriving together for an evening of connection, appreciation and fun. The evening is supported by an incredible lineup of partners and local favorites. Whether you’re coming to mingle, celebrate your crew or simply enjoy a night where hospitality workers get treated like guests, The Bartender’s Ball is our chance to lift a glass to the people who keep this industry moving. Mon., Dec. 8, 8pm at Dogwood at the Pine Shed. 821 NE Second St., Bend. $28.
TEB FB
Oregon LandWatch
Flamingosis FB
Handmade Moments FB
Meadow Sky Productions
S SOUND Swingin’ Tower Christmas Returns to Tower Theatre
This
popular annual Christmas event, hosted by Mollie and Jim Tennant, features four separate performances with local talent, the season’s liveliest songs and heartwarming stories
By Ramona McCallister
One of Bend’s most festive Christmas performances is back!
Swingin’ Tower Christmas will light up the stage at the Tower Theatre in December, with four performances. Get ready to jingle all the way! These festive and family-friendly shows feature a lively blend of holiday classics and seasonal tunes, bringing the joyous spirit of Christmas to life. Audiences should expect an immersive musical experience, perfect for holiday cheer and fun for the entire family, making it a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas season in Bend.
Nichole Baumann, director of communications for the Tower Theatre Foundation, says that Swingin’ Tower Christmas has been an annual show since December 2017.
“This event is produced by Mollie and Jim Tennant and presented by the nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation,” added Baumann. “This year’s performance sponsor is Salvesen Homes. It features all local talent, including a great 16-piece live band on stage.”
She went on to say, “The holiday season is a special time here at the Tower. We offer a variety of events that give families and friends the opportunity to make great memories or create annual traditions. We welcome both local and global ballet performances. You can hear Central Oregon mastersingers and musicians filling the theatre with classic sounds of the season. If films are a favorite way to commemorate the holidays, we often screen a crowd favorite like “Elf.” Swingin’ Tower Christmas is the grand finale of our schedule.”
Baumann emphasized that the annual Swingin’ Tower Christmas features a robust local cast of vocalists, a big band, and some surprises to delight audiences of all ages.
Show host Mollie Tennant says they have presented the show every year, except for two years during COVID.
“We have been doing it every year since then,” she added.
Jim Tennant is the talent behind the 16-piece live band. The band is made up of local musicians, with only three young musicians in the original band, which consists of students from local high schools. The band has since added local players, including talent from the Central Oregon Symphony and musicians from local musical productions.
“I got to know a lot of the good players in town. That is kind of how it evolved,” says Tennant.
He added that at least half the band has been in the show since 2017 and emphasized that all but one member of the show is from Central Oregon, with one band member from Roseburg.
According to Tennant, when audience members provide feedback, they remark that the show puts them in a great Christmas spirit.
“We are very happy about that. Whenever we hear someone say, ‘That really put me in the Christmas spirit— your show,’ that means a lot.”’
Mollie added that they really want audience members to feel like they have watched the old-fashioned Christmas specials that one could watch long ago on television.
“You are hearing all your favorite Christmas songs — but played by local musicians and singers,” said Mollie.
Jim added that the stage is very festive, and they put a great deal of effort into making it come alive. He pointed out that they put a lot of thought and planning into the show — and the planning begins months before the December performance. They really strive to make it fun for the audience, the band and the performers.
“We are really focusing on, ‘Is this going to be fun for the audience, and is this going to be fun for the band and the performers?’ So far, so good, we have done a good job with that. We just want to continue making it fun for everybody. If the performers and the band are having fun, then we are pretty sure the audience will have a good time too,”’ concluded Jim Tennant.
The four performances are Dec. 18, 19, 20, and Dec. 21, and all begin at 7pm.
The shows are presented by Salvesen Homes and the Tower Theatre Foundation. Tickets are $44-$54, plus $8 Historic Preservation Fee. There is reserved seating, and doors open at 6pm for each performance.
Tower Theatre Swingin’ Christmas Dec 18-21
Tower Theatre
835 NW Wall Street, Bend towertheatre.org/events
$44-$54
Photos courtesy of Speedy Butterfly
Mollie and Jim Tennant light up the stage with Jim's big live band in the background, in a Swingin' Tower Theatre Christmas.
A joyful cast of local performers join Mollie and Jim Tennant in a Swingin' Tower Christmas.
CALENDAR
3 Wednesday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
The Capitol The Capitol Karaoke Music
Weekly Karaoke at its finest! Central Oregon’s premiere karaoke experience has just moved locations! Now at the Capitol! Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
The Cellar Live Music with Danger Gently Head down to The Cellar every Wednesday to enjoy live music from Danger Gently, a talented rotating cast of characters playing old-timey jams! 6-8pm. 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. Great for first timers to experienced performers. FREE 7:30-9pm. Free.
Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Eric Leadbetter Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music every Wednesday from 6-8pm. 6-8pm. Free.
Deschutes Brewery & Public House
Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Head Games multi-media trivia is at Deschutes Bend Public House every Wednesday. Win prizes. Teams up to six. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
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. Every 2nd Wednesday. 7-10pm. Free.
Hosmer Bar Trivia Night Join us midweek for brainy banter and cold drinks! Whether you’re a seasoned quiz champ or just in it for the laughs, gather your crew and test your knowledge! See you there! 7-9pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Open Mic Night Downtown living room welcomes musicians to bring their acoustic set or turn it up to 11 with the whole band. Bring your own instruments. 6:30pm. Free.
Market of Choice Bend Scrabble Club at Market of Choice We meet upstairs. We use the 7th edition of the Scabble Players Dictionary. New Scrabble players are welcome. If you have a Scrabble set, please bring it as a backup. 6-8:30pm. 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.
Pinky G’s Pizzeria Music Bingo Join us for Music Bingo (think name that tune meets tradition bingo). Every Wednesday! Free to play and prizes for the winners. 6pm. Free.
Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesdays at Ponch’s Place Enjoy Bingo at Ponch’s Place on Wednesdays. 5:30-7pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Music Bingo Join us for Music Bingo, hosted by the always entertaining Rachel Fishman, who keeps the crowd singing and laughing all night! It’s the perfect bonus to your night out enjoying great food, drinks and good company at Portello! 6:308:30pm. Free.
Prost! - Bend WTF! Wednesday Trivia Fun! Genuine UKB Trivia is truly unique and entertaining trivia for you! Independent, locally owned and operated. Please bring something to write with and some positive vibes, too :). 7pm. Free.
Brawn on standup bass and Bob Baker on Violin. 6pm. $10.
The Commonweath Pub Talamh Dubh Come enjoy an evening of great Irish music! 7:309:30pm. Free.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Jazz at the Suttle Lodge Join us for Dirty Jazz with Wolfe House Records, first and third Wednesdays of the month, all winter long! Food & Drink available from our Skip Restaurant during the show. 6-7pm.
Upp Liquids Bend Comedy Open Mic The Bend Comedy Open Mic, every Wednesday at UPP Liquids. All peformance types and ages are welcome! 7-9pm. Free.
Wonderland Chicken X Worthy Brewing Karaoke Wednesdays Sing your heart out, enjoy a cold beer and fried chicken! 7-11pm. Free.
4 Thursday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Austin Mercantile Live Music Every Thursday Join at Austin Mercantile for live music every Thursday. Offering a light happy hour menu — daily flatbread, chili, charcuterie, soft pretzels and more! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
Bar Rio Live Music at Bar Rio Grab your favorite bites and sips and relax into the music— ranging from jazz and blues to pop and flamenco. 6-8pm. Free.
Bunk+Brew Karaoke Thursdays Sing your heart out at Bunk + Brew’s Karaoke Night! Whether you’re a pro or just love the spotlight, all voices are welcome. Food carts available all evening! Located in the Historic Lucas House Living Room for winter. 7-10pm. Free.
The Capitol Noche Latina @ The Capitol Get ready to dance the night away at the hottest Latino party in town. Join us at The Capitol the first Thursday of every month for a night filled with vibrant music and amazing company. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and energetic atmosphere of Latino music and dance. 8:30-11:30pm.
The Cellar Live Irish Trad Music with The Ballybogs! Join us for a night of live music featuring Bend’s Irish Trad band, The Ballybogs! Every Thursday at The Cellar. Seats fill up, so get there early if you can! 6-8pm. Free.
Crave Bend COMEDY OPEN MIC NIGHT
Comedy Open Mic Night on the SW side of Bend! Adults only encouraged. Intimate, smaller venue, healthier food and beverages, and an interactive night of comedy every Thursday! Hosted By Hopper. 7-9pm. Free.
The Dez Lounge Open Mic Join Joyful Lane at open mic night! Enjoy NA cocktails, charcuterie and dessert while listening to local talent! 6-9pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Let’s Have a Kiki A weekly 2SLGBTQIA+ night hosted by Cliché, with a new featured resident DJ each month. Let’s have a kiki! 7-10pm. Free.
LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
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The Domino Room Immortal Technique Immortal Technique is a Peruvian born, Harlem raised activist and rapper best known for his complex lyricism, unfeigned humanitarianism, and highly intellectual nature. While incarcerated in his youth, he picked up the pen to unknowingly pioneer a new generation of artists and listeners alike during his parole. 8pm-Midnight. $36.
Downtown Bend Public LibraryBrooks Room Caroling by Central Oregon Mastersingers Enjoy traditional carols and fun arrangements of holiday classics with an ensemble of the Central Oregon Mastersingers. Founded in 2005, the Mastersingers comprises many of the area’s finest singers who share a common passion for the best in choral music. 2-2:30pm. Free.
Elements Public House Trivia Night at Elements Public House with QuizHead Games Come be all you can be with Trivia Night every Thursday from 6-8pm! Featuring QuizHead. games. Located at the north end of Redmond. Full bar and great food! 6-8pm. Free.
Hosmer Bar Bingo Night Your week just found its highlight—bingo! Join us for drinks, good company and a little friendly competition. Pull up a chair, grab a board and let’s make some memories! 7-9pm. Free.
The Lot Draven Lush solo saxophone ballads, smooth R&B style. 6-8pm. Free.
Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place with QuizHead Games. 6-8pm. Free.
River’s Place Piña Colada Infectious energy and feel-good yacht/pop, rock and R&B tunes of the 70s and 80s. 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Trivia on the Moon Come down to Silver Moon Brewing for a night of trivia! Teams are welcome to show up in groups up to 8 people. Silver Moon also offers seating reservations for $20 donations that all go to F*Cancer! If you would like to reserve a table please contact the Trivia on the Moon Facebook page. 7pm. Free.
Stoller Wine Bar Bend Coyote Rider 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 Commonweath Pub Daring Greatly DARING GREATLY is a harmony-driven rock band originally from Calgary, Alberta, now based in Southern California. Blending classic 70s rock with modern soul, folk, and country influences, the band is known for their powerful three-part vocal harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and energetic live shows. These guys can play. 7:309:30pm. Free.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Suttle Lodge’s Fireside Concert Series: Patrick Leonard Most Thursdays from November through May, we have some fireside live music. RSVP required for overnight lodging guests to claim complimentary seats. Food & Drink available from our Skip Restaurant during the show. 6-8pm.
5 Friday
The Belfry Dance Party w/ DJ Fake and Sorski We just want to dance with you! This is an open container of sound and movement. 7-10pm. Blacksmith Public House Sleepless Truckers Our venue is kid and dog-friendly, and we have a full bar, 12 taps, 7 food truck options, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating! www. blacksmithpublichouse.com 6:30-10pm. Free.
The Capitol Proper with Giancarlo & Mr. Danimals Monthly DJ Residency with Giancarlo (Fantastic Voyage) & Mr. Danimals (House of Sutiki.) First Friday of every month, 9pm-2am. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free.
Desert Inn Sports Bar & Grill Chasin’ Bandits feat Christie Strode Chasin’ Bandits play Country, Rock & Southern Rock tunes. Christie Strode adds her vocal talents to many of your favorite songs. The Desert Inn has a great menu w Prime Rib Fridays. Catch this talented band first Friday monthly all season long. Great vibes off the Culver Hwy! First Friday of every month, 7-10pm. Free.
London-based yacht rock duo Young Gun Silver Fox is the project of Andy Platts and Shawn Lee. Sun., Dec. 7, 8pm at The Domino Room.
Young Gun Silver Fox
Hardtails Bar & Grill Stage 28 Karaoke Come out for a night of Stage 28 Karaoke with your host Miss Min! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free.
Pine & Prism Wellness Collective The Liminal Library A sacred first-Friday gathering in downtown Bend — explore aura photography, intuitive + tarot readings, sound healing, and more rotating offerings in a space held with intention. No appointment needed — bring your open heart and wander through the energy of community. 5pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Rogue City Renegades with Special Guest Bigfoot County In support of their upcoming album release “Pine Needle Promises,” Rogue City Renegades combine soaring virtuosic guitar solos, a rhythm section dripping with emotion and soul, and lyrical themes of freedom, healing, gratitude, and vulnerability, creating an infectious vibe for dancing & singing along. 7-11pm. $10-$15.
Silver Moon Brewing FunkShui & Guests FunkShui (fŭnk′ shwā′) brings the FUNK! Adriel, Corey, Scott, Matt and Matthew! 7pm. $15.
Silver Moon Brewing Any Given Session Any Given Session is a Portland-based band blending rock, soul, funk, and blue-eyed grooves into an authentic, high-energy sound. They are longtime friends and collaborators, they bring heartfelt and soulful original songs, raw musicianship, and a contagious spirit to every stage they play. 7-11pm.
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 Central Oregon Toy Drive Benefit Concert Join us on Friday, December 5th at Volcanic Theater Pub for the Second Annual Central Oregon Toy Drive Benefit Concert, presented by The Telos Initiative. A night where our entire community comes together to bring holiday joy to local children in need. 6-11pm. Free.
6 Saturday
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. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room Kara Grace Wilson Kara Grace Wilson’s new 6-song EP, Don’t Shoot the Messenger, is a culmination of nearly 15 years of songwriting. Set in the cozy taproom of Ale Apothecary, her music will surely fill the space and warm your bones. 6-8pm. Free.
Austin Mercantile Saturday Afternoon Live Music Austin Mercantile is now adding live music on Saturdays! Serving wine, beer, lite happy hour menu, gifts and home decor. Hope to see you soon! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
The Belfry The Smoke Drifters The Smoke Drifters bring their central Oregon blend of feel good Roots Rock to The Belfry. Led by singer-songwriter Jonas Tarlen, The Smoke Drifters keep the vibes high with a diverse sound based in folk rock, bluegrass, country, and blues. Tarlen’s lyrics are witty, relatable, and filled with life’s adventures paired with melodies and grooves to keep you moving! 7-8pm.
Bend Cider Co. Ben Johnson Come on out and listen to singer-songwriter Ben Johnson perform in our backyard tent! Dress warm, and get cozy by the fire while Ben delivers his blend of folk, country, western & jazz. Enjoy delicious ciders, beer, wine, & n/a beverages. Light appetizers available, outside food welcome. Kid & dog-friendly. 3-5pm. Free.
Blacksmith Public House Live Music by Heller Highwater Our venue is kid and dog-friendly, and we have a full bar, 12 taps, 7 food truck options, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating! www.blacksmithpublichouse. com 6:30-10pm. Free.
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 Capitol Rare Form w/ Soft Clip and Mafimi (Montly DJ Residency) Bend’s finest nightclub, djs, atmosphere and premium sound system. First Friday features Rare Form w/ Soft Clip and Mafimi. First Saturday of every month, 9pm-2am. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub The Rumpeppers The Rumpeppers are a dynamic rock band hailing from Central Oregon, known for their high-energy performances and engaging presence in the local music scene. Their live shows are celebrated for their electrifying atmosphere, earning them recognition as one of Bend’s favorite party bands. Get ready! 8-10pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Superball Superball, featuring Kye Kennedy and Dan Larsson from Juju Eyeball, brings the sounds of the late ‘60s to ‘80s, rocking iconic hits and original music. With guitarist David Miller and drummer Sean Rule, they’re ready to boogie in bell bottoms. 8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free.
Craft Kitchen and Brewery Eleanore Ryan Get ready for a night full of laughs, food, and good vibes! From quick wit to relatable humor, this lineup brings a mix of charm, chaos, and comedy gold that’ll have you laughing all night long. 8-9:30pm.
Crave Bend Shameless: Bad Relationships Comedy Show They say love hurts… but laughter heals (and tequila helps). Get ready for the return of SHAMELESS, the no-filter, story-driven comedy competition where Bend’s boldest comedians bare it all in the name of heartbreak and hilarity. This season’s theme? BAD RELATIONSHIPS. Seating is limited, grab your tickets early. 7-8:30pm. $15.
Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Live at the Vineyard: John Hoover & The Mighty Quinns If you love John Denver, this is your night! Playing guitars, mandolin, percussion and bass, the Quinns present a fully energized performance evocative of Denver’s live concerts. The kindred musical talents and influences of the band members allow a performance true to the messages of peace. 5-8pm. $22.
Pangaea Guild Hall Celestial Celebration - Sagittarius A celebration of those born under the star sign of Sagittarius. Join us for a night of bespoke cocktails, fine food, and more! All ages. 6-11pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Wil Kinky Straight from Portland, Wil Kinky brings his funky, soulful style and unique sound to Bend Saturday night. Catch him while you can—great music, amazing food, and the perfect vibe for your Saturday evening! 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Single Malt Jazz ~ Piano trio 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing TEB A night of original music from Bend-based songwriter Travis Ehrenstrom and the TEB band. Expect high-energy grooves, heartfelt lyrics, and a community-driven live music experience. Noon. $15.
Wildwood Bar & Grill DJ SofaSoul DJ SofaSoul of Roseburg’s funk band FunkShui spins an all vinyl set of funk, old school hip hop, and more! 8-11pm. Free.
7 Sunday
The Belfry Handmade Moments Handmade Moments is a fearless, all-weather duo based in New Orleans, LA. Anna Moss and Joel Ludford’s endearing personalities guide us through diverse musical flavors of American music. 7-10pm.
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Trivia Night Sunday Funday Trivia with Sean. Gather your team, or roll solo and find a spot early in the cafe, knowledge tests begin at 6pm. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Live multi-media trivia every Sunday @ 6pm. The Commonwealth Pub - Bend Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to 6. 6-8pm. 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.
The Domino Room Young Gun Silver Fox, Miller Campbell 8pm. $25.
River’s Place The Brainy Brunch Trivia! Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia presents “The Brainy Brunch!” Bring your crew of friends or family and a pen/pencil! Play for fun and gift cards, play for free! Experienced, independent, locally owned and operated! Noon. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Talamh Dubh & Friends Talamh Dubh is a trio with collective ties to Ireland and a love for Irish music. Their name, “Dark Earth” in Gaelic, pays homage to the volcanic ground of the Cascade range upon which the group formed. Featured in their repertoire are jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches, waltzes, and songs. 4-6pm.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Flamingosis Flamingosis makes the soundtrack to being your best self. Under the spell of Aaron Velasquez, the New Jersey-raised and Brooklyn-based artist and producer, handcrafted electronic beats meet live instrumentation spiked with funk in the center of the dancefloor (right underneath the disco ball). 7-11pm. $33.
8 Monday
10 Barrel Brewing Westside Pub Trivia Night with UKB Trivia! Team up with friends for some casual fun, win prizes! Early sign-up is encouraged at ukbtrivia.com. Seating is limited, reserve early. 7pm. Free.
Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Sleep in Heavenly Peace Join us for Bingo with Bren, an evening of community and kindness supporting Sleep in Heavenly Peace! Half the proceeds go to cash prizes, while the other half helps build and deliver beds to children in need, ensuring no child sleeps on the floor. Cash Only, please! 6-8pm. $2.
The Commonwealth Pub Monday Night Musicians Open Showcase and Jam Calling all musicians, singers and performers! Join us for a weekly open showcase where you can share your talent, connect with other artists and perform in a welcoming atmosphere. Bring your instrument — backline is provided. 5-9pm. Free.
Crux Fermentation Project Trivia Night @ Crux Trivia Night at Crux! First place team wins a $25 gift card! 6-8pm. Free.
Elixir Winery and Tasting Room Locals Music Night and Open Mic Bend’s friendliest open-mic! All genres welcome. Oregon and international wine, beer and tapas menu available all evening. 6-9pm. Free.
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. . 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.
River’s Place $4 Pints Monday Night Football Fall, football, and beer! This week we feature Crux Fermentation. $4 pints and swag giveaways! 6 big screen TVs. Sound will be on for the game. For the non beer lover, we also have $4 Tieton Cider pints and $2 off house wine. 5-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Beertown Comedy Open Mic Voted #1 Open Mic and Locals Night, Beertown Comedy’s Open Mic happens every Monday at Silver Moon Brewing. Free to watch and perform! Sign-ups at 6:30pm, show at 7pm. With 20 spots available, bring your best jokes and get noticed for paid gigs. Laughter guaranteed! 6:30-9pm. Free.
Local favorites The Smoke Drifters are back at the Belfry Sat., Dec. 6, 7pm. Led by Jonas Tarlen, the band keeps vibes high with sounds based in folk-rock, bluegrass, country and blues.
The Smoke Drifters FB
CALENDAR
9 Tuesday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Beach Hut Deli Tip of the Tongue Trivia Come out and play Tip of the Tongue trivia for a chance to win some great prizes and show off your trivia skills! 6-8pm. Free.
The Capitol The Capitol Karaoke Music Weekly Karaoke at its finest! Central Oregon’s premiere karaoke experience has just moved locations! Now at the Capitol! Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
The Cellar Open Mic Open mic at The Cellar hosted by Mari! 6-8pm and all are welcome! 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 Adam Carlson trio Bend native Adam Carlson is now one of the most in demand drummers in Oregon. He is coming home from Portland to perform with his friend from the U of O Jazz program, Nick Hamel on guitar and bassist Tom Freedman. It will be funk and Fusion Jazz. 7-9pm. Cover charge.
Elements Public House Trivia (&Taco) Tuesdays Quiz fans of Redmond: bring your crew this week for UKB live trivia & more! Delicious menu favorites, brews, cocktails, plus Taco Tuesday menu! Play for gift card prizes or just for fun. Bring good vibes and a pen. 6:30pm. Free.
The Lot Trivia Tuesdays Stop scrolling and streaming, get out of the house and flex your brain. Your friends will be excited for the invite, so put it out there and make memories on Tuesday nights. A local host challenges you with six questions in six categories. The heated benches are calling your name. 6-7:30pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Karaoke Every Tuesday at your downtown living room! Sign-ups start at 8pm and the singing goes until last call OR last singer, whichever comes first! 8pm-1:15am. Free.
Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger Come to Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Fun and prizes await! 7:30-9pm. Free.
Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free. Pinky G’s Pizzeria TRIVIA NIGHT Test your knowledge in a casual/laid-back atmosphere. Pizza, beer and trivia. Free to play and prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
River’s Place Bingo! Have fun, win $$ and help out a local non profit organization. Cards $1-$5 6-8pm. Free.
Ski Inn Taphouse Hotel Haute Melange Scott Johnson on lead guitar, Jon Harnum on rhythm and trumpet, Evan Brawn on standup bass and Bob Baker on Violin. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Adam Carlson: Tuesday Night Jazz Adam Carlson, Bend native, returns to his home town to lead his own quartet! He’ll be teaming up with Bend locals Jim Tennant on trumpet, Seth Burrows on guitar, and Andrew Lion on bass to present a night of energetic jazz! 7-9pm.
MUSIC
The Bells of Sunriver Holiday Performance Ring in the season with the Bells of Sunriver as they play traditional and contemporary holiday tunes on handbells. Dec. 6, 11amNoon. Sunriver Public Library, 56855 Venture Lane, Sunriver. Contact: 5413121029. laurelh@ deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
Cascade Chorale’s Holiday Magic - A Season’s Journey Under the masterful direction and artistry of James W. Knox, this concert offers not just a collection of carols and choral works, but a meditative progression through the themes of mystery, wonder, joy, and community that define this time of year. Come share in the joy! Dec. 6, 7-9pm and Dec. 7, 3-5pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-3170700. info@towertheatre.org. $25 - $37.
Central Oregon Youth Orchestra Winter 2025 Concert The Central Oregon Youth Orchestra (COYO) proudly presents its Winter 2025 Concert on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 PM at the historic Tower Theatre in downtown Bend. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Tickets range from $16 to $21, and are available now at towertheatre.org. Dec. 3, 7-9pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: (541) 317-0700. $16-$21.
DANCE
Adult Ballet Class Come 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: 541-3824055. dance@ abcbend.com. Varies: Drop-ins $25, 4-Pack or Register receives a discount!.
Free Community Square Dance Party
An introduction to square dancing. No dance experience or partner needed. Our square dance pros will teach all the moves needed to get you dancing. 60 minutes of dancing to rock n roll & modern country tunes. Come casual and comfortable. Dec. 6, 1-2pm. Pine Forest Grange Hall, 63214 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Contact: 619-9570732. rswee3@gmail.com. Free.
Salsa Dance Classes: Beginner Level Come join us at Foundation Health and Fitness for our exciting Salsa Dance Classes for beginners! Whether you have two left feet or are looking to brush up on your moves, this class is perfect for you. Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30pm. Through Dec. 23. Foundation Health And Fitness, 1105 SE Centennial St, Bend. Contact: 5413256676. latindancebend@gmail.com. $15.
FILM EVENTS
“Dream Boldly: The Grand AdvenChair” Documentary Screening Local Bend adventurer Geoff Babb, a survivor of two strokes, takes years to perfect an all-terrain human-powered wheelchair, culminating in a rigorous 4-day expedition down and back out of the Grand Canyon, with a ripple effect on others from its creation—access to nature previously out of reach. Dec. 4, 5-6:30pm. Redmond Public Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave., Redmond. Contact: 5413121063. beccar@deschuteslibrary. org. Free.
"Hirwa" Film showing and Fundraiser
Join us for a screening of Hirwa! Hirwa is the debut short film created by our Academy athletes — written, filmed and edited by them. Based on true events, Hirwa depicts life on the streets through the athletes’ own eyes and voices. Hirwa is a Rwandan name that means “chance.” Dec. 6, 7-10pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Free; RSVP required..
"Come and See Me in the Good Light"
Join us for a free screening and discussion of Come See Me In The Good Light, a film about two poet lovers, Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley, facing an incurable diagnosis as they embark on a poignant, yet unexpectedly humorous, exploration of love, mortality, and the small moments that matter. Dec. 6, 6:30-9pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd Street, Bend. Contact: 9787714635. hello@theopenartscenter.org. Free.
ARTS + CRAFTS
Hatsuike, New Year Ikebana Workshop In-person Sogetsu Ikebana Workshop celebrating Hatsuike, the Japanese custom of welcoming the New Year by going back to basics. We’ll be creating an arrangement for the year’s first ikebana, demonstrating a renewed sense of purpose and humility for 2026. All are welcome, from novice to master. Dec. 7. Flourish of Tumalo, 64702 Cook Avenue, Tumalo. Contact: (541) 7970124. geriservi@gmail.com. $60.
Maker’s Market Local handmade artists will showcase crafts. Great time for one of kind gift shopping! Featured: Upcycled Denim! Jackets, skirts and custom hoodies. Handmade by Nancy Blake Dec. 7, 1-4pm. West Side Tavern, 930 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 5412131460. upcycledecoclothier@gmail.com.
Open Art Nights Bring your art supplies and make art with your new creative community! No registration required, just show up with an open mind and willingness to create and connect. 18+. Questions? Email brian@theopenartscenter. org Tuesdays, 6-9pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd Street, Bend. Contact: 978-771-4635. brian@theopenartscenter.org. Free. Wreath Making Class! Come join us in the greenhouse to make your own wreath this holiday season! The box store wreaths simply can’t beat making one with us. All supplies included, inspiration provided and merriment will be had. Call the store from 9-5 to secure your spot! 541-318-6155 Dec. 6, 1-3pm and Dec. 7, 1-3pm. Moonfire & Sun Garden Center, 61944 SE 27th St., Bend. Contact: 541-318-6155. info@ moonfireandsun.com. $55.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
Guardians of Life Photographer, filmmaker, and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan will share breathtaking stories of survival, Indigenous resilience, and ecological kinship. Through images and stories spanning the globe from the Arctic to Australia, Yüyan reminds us that when we protect the more-than-human world, we are also protecting ourselves. Dec. 4, 12-4 and 7-8:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 5416472930. info@colw.org. $30.
Healing Waters: New Show by Contemporary Realist Painter David Kreitzer Kreitzer paints meditative and healing images of peace and beauty in the style of the old masters. 20% of proceeds will be donated to the St. Charles Foundation. Ongoing, 8am-7pm. St. Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend. Contact: 805-234-2048. jkreitze@icloud.com. Free.
Oregon’s Wild Public Lands with Pete Alport Join Oregon Wild and Pete Alport for this special presentation on Oregon’s wild public lands. Pete will take us on a journey through the changing seasons of Oregon’s wildest landscapes and show us the many values that wild, intact public lands provide. Dec. 3, 6-7pm. Worthy Brewing - Main Pub and Brewery, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-382-2616. Free.
Snowshoeing in Central Oregon Learn about local snowshoe trails in time for winter recreation. Bob Timmer and Kelly Cleman of the Central Oregon Nordic Club (CONC) will discuss the over 27 miles of dedicated snowshoe trails at nearby sno-parks. Dec. 3, 6:30-7:30pm. Downtown Bend Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St,, Bend. Contact: 5413121062. Elsah@ deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
THEATER
Head Over Heels: High School Version Summit Theatre Company and Bend Senior High Theatre present Head Over Heels: High School Version, featuring the music of The Go-Go’s. A vibrant, inclusive musical celebration of love and identity. Performances December 5–13 at Summit High School Auditorium. Fri, Dec. 5, 7-9:30pm, Sat, Dec. 6, 7-9:30pm, Sun, Dec. 7, 2-4:30pm, Thu, Dec. 11, 7-9:30pm, Fri, Dec. 12, 7-9:30pm and Sat, Dec. 13, 7-9:30pm. Summit High School Auditorium, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-355-4190. Lara.Okamoto@bend.k12.or.us. $10-$15.
Little Women Celebrate the holiday season with us in Concord, MA this winter for one of the most beloved tales of all time, Little Women, adapted by Marisha Chamberlain from the novel by Louisa May Alcott. With performances December 4th-13th, this show is the perfect holiday event for friends and family. Thu, Dec. 4, 7pm, Fri, Dec. 5, 7pm, Sat, Dec. 6, 2 and 7pm, Thu, Dec. 11, 7pm, Fri, Dec. 12, 7pm and Sat, Dec. 13, 2 and 7pm. Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend. Contact: meadowskyproductions@gmail.com. $30.
The Magic of Disney’s Frozen Jr.— Live on Stage! Experience the magic of Disney’s Frozen Jr.! Join Anna, Elsa, and friends for a heartwarming adventure filled with music, laughter, and family fun. With songs like “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, this show is a must-see event for audiences of all ages! Thu, Dec. 4, 7-8:30pm, Fri, Dec. 5, 7-8:30pm, Sat, Dec. 6, 2-3:30 and 7-8:30pm and Sun, Dec. 7, 2-3:30pm. Caldera High School, 60925 SE 15th St, Bend, OR 97702, Bend. Contact: 541-355-5177. lindsay.nickerson@bend. k12.or.us. $10-$15.
Mistletoe Miler Festive Fun Run The holiday fun run, reimagined. Meet up with Santa on the tail, strike a pose at professional photo stops and warm up with treats and other festive surprises. Finish this and roll straight into the Bend Christmas Parade. Dec. 6, 9:30-10:30am. Bend Brewing Company, 1019 NW Brooks St., Bend. Contact: 514-350-4635. info@cascaderelays.com. $25-$45.
Motocross Practice & Training Open Practice & Training. All Ages. All Abilities. (3) courses; Motocross, Arenacross & Turn Track. Register at MX13MX.com Practice tab. Sat, Dec. 6, 12:30-4pm, Sun, Dec. 14, 12:30-4pm and Sat, Dec. 20, 12:30-4pm. MX13 MX, 7505 NW Eagle Dr, Redmond, OR 97756, Redmond. Contact: 5418155512. homan@justinhoman.com. 50.00.
Redmond Running Group Run All levels welcome. Find the Redmond Oregon Running Klub on Facebook for weekly run details. Thursdays, 6:15pm. Contact: rundanorun1985@gmail. com. Free.
Roller Skate Jam! Come skate with us— quads and inlines welcome! We throw down at the courts off SE Wilson, next to the skatepark. . All levels and ages welcome. Tuesdays, 6-8pm. Ponderosa Park, 225 SE 15th St., Bend. Contact: 206-334-8488. joe@joe-walker.com. Free.
VOLUNTEER
Bunny Rescue Needs Volunteers
Looking for more volunteers to help with tidying bunny enclosures, feeding, watering, giving treats, head scratches, play time and fostering. All ages welcome and time commitments are flexible — weekly, monthly or fill-in. Located at the south end of Redmond. Email Lindsey with your interests and availability: wildflowerbunnylove@gmail.com. Ongoing.
Dog Adoption Event Hosted by Amazing Dogs Rescue Dog adoption event at PetSmart hosted by amazing dogs rescue. Check out adoptable dogs online at amazingdogs.org Every 2 weeks at PetSmart 11-1pm. Every other Sunday, 11am-1pm. PetSmart, 63455 N. Highway 97, Bend.
NeighborImpact Volunteer Opportunities Support NeighborImpact and its programs! Register as a volunteer, then browse open opportunities. Roles needed: Food Bank, HomeSource, facilities, special events and more! Mondays-Fridays. NeighborImpact Office - Redmond, 2303 SW First St., Redmond. Contact: 541-419-2595. grantj@neighborimpact.org. Free.
Redmond Family Kitchen Dinner Family Kitchen is continuing to provide nutritious meals to anyone in need, now in Redmond! Volunteers prepare dinners and clean up afterward. Email Tori with any questions or sign up here: https:// www.signupgenius.com/go/RedmondDinner Mondays-Fridays, 2-4:30pm. Mountain View Fellowship, 1475 SW 35th St, Redmond. Contact: 631-942-3528. tori@familykitchen.org. Free. Thrive Moving Volunteers Support your neighbors by helping them move to their new home. If interested, fill out the volunteer form or reach out! Ongoing. Contact: 541-728-1022. TCOmoving22@gmail.com.
Volunteer at the Bend ReStore If you want to help make affordable homeownership a reality for individuals and families in Central Oregon, consider volunteering at the Bend ReStore! Ongoing, 9am-5pm. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 224 NE Thurston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-312-6709. Volunteer@brhabitat.org. Free.
Volunteer CASAs Needed CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Our pre-service training classes are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively advocate for these children. Apply today at casaofcentraloregon.org/volunteer. Ongoing. Rosie Bareis community campus, 1010 NW 14th Street, Bend. Contact: 541-389-1618. enoyes@ casaofcentraloregon.org. Free.
Portland-based Wil Kinky brings his funky and soulful sound to Bend Sat., Dec. 6, 6:30pm at Portello Wine and Spirits.
Wil Kinky
CALENDAR
Volunteer for Foster Dogs Volunteer to be a dog foster parent! There is a huge need and it is very rewarding, giving you a sense of purpose. Each dog is special. Thursdays. Contact: 458292-8362. HDRescueoregon.com.
Volunteer with Salvation Army The Salvation Army has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for almost every age. Salvation Army has an emergency food pantry, the groups visit residents of assisted living centers and make up gifts for veterans and the homeless. Ongoing. Contact: 541-389-8888.
Volunteer, Feed the Masses! At Family Kitchen, the mission is to serve anyone who needs nutritious meals in a safe and caring environment. They have tons of volunteer needs - servers, cooks, shoppers, and more. Groups and teams wanted! Monthly or quarterly opportunities! Visit familykitchen.org/volunteer to fill out a volunteer interest form. Mondays-Sundays. Family Kitchen, 231 NW Idaho, Bend. Contact: tori@familykitchen.org. Free.
Volunteering in Oregon’s High Desert with ONDA Oregon Natural Desert Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, defending and restoring Oregon’s high desert. They engage the public in their work to improve the health of desert ecosystems by leading guided, small group, volunteer service trips in some of eastern Oregon’s most remote and beautiful landscapes. Visit www.onda. org/trips to find the full calendar and descriptions of current volunteer trip offerings. Ongoing.
Volunteers Needed for Humane Society Thrift Store Do you love animals and discovering “new” treasures? Then volunteering at the HSCO Thrift Store is a great way to combine your passions while helping raise funds to provide animal welfare services for the local community. For more information visit the website at www. hsco.org/volunteer. Ongoing. Humane Society Thrift Shop, 61220 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3840. abigail@hsco.org.
Volunteers Needed! Calling all horse lovers! Happy Trails Horse Rescue needs volunteers! Can you help us help horses? Every other Sunday, 10-11am. Happy Trails Horse Rescue, 18929 Couch Market Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-241-0783. hthrvolunteer@yahoo.com. Free.
GROUPS + MEETUPS
The Beaver Den Book Club Beavers are remarkable animals that shape ecosystems through their dam-building and habitat creation, influencing other species and environmental processes. To better understand their impact, we host a monthly science reading event where we critically evaluate research papers on beavers. Join us to discuss and explore these fascinating studies together. First Wednesday of every month, 6-8pm. Bend CoWorking, 150 NE Hawthorne Avenue, 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! Wednesdays, 6-9pm. Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St., Bend. Contact: 425-354-8867. leifawiebe@gmail.com. Free.
Bend Pinochle Club $7 for non-members. If you have any questions or desire more information please contact us at bendpinochle@gmail.com or go to our website (bendpinochle.com) for details. All ages welcome. Thursdays, 11:30am-3pm and Fridays, 11:30am-3pm. Golden Age Card Club, 40 SE 5th St, Bend. Contact: 541-389-1752. Free.
Cribbage Play nine games of cribbage with friendly people. Cash prizes available. Mon, Dec. 1 and 4:55-8:15pm and Mon, Dec. 8 and 4:558:15pm. Abby’s Legendary Pizza, 1115 Northeast Third St., Bend. Contact: 541-530-1112. rickyticky1954@gmail.com. $2-$15.
Dog Adoption Event Dog adoption event at Mud Bay on Saturday, December 6th from 11am to 2pm. Come over and meet our great dogs needing a home. Remember to spay, neuter, and adopt to help over crowded shelters and rescues. Not ready to adopt? Try fostering! bay Dec. 6, 11am-2pm. Mud Bay North, 20520 Robal Lane, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: 458-292-8362. Herdingdogrescue@gmail.com.
FUNDRAISING
Bingo for Senior Dogs Come play bingo while supporting senior and disabled rescue dogs at RylieMay Rescue Ranch. Spider City will also donate $1 from all beverage purchases. It’s a fun, relaxed atmosphere and your friendly dogs are welcome to join. www.ryliemayrescueranch. com. Every other Thursday, 6-8pm. Spider City Brewing - Brewery Tap Room, 1177 SE Ninth St., Bend. Contact: ryliemayrescueranch@gmail. com. $1-$3 per game.
Bingo with my Gnomes A Juniper Elementary PTO event. Help support an amazing fundraiser for one of bends first elementary schools turning 60 this year! \ Your ticket allows entrance into the bingo experience, but bingo is free to play and amazing game prizes won! Dec. 7, 1-3:30pm. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: pto@juniperpto. org. $50 per ticket.
Holiday Potluck, Silent Auction and Member Stories Before we eat: Hear a story from a member about an ancestor. After we share: Potluck lunch! Bring an item to share. Throughout the morning: Silent auction fundraiser (cash or check). Bring a new or gently used item at 9:45. Everyone welcome! Dec. 9, 10-11:30am. Williamson Hall at Rock Arbor Villa, 2200 NE Hwy 20, Bend. Contact: 541-317-9553. info@bendgenealogy.0rg. Free.
Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo Silver Moon partners with The YOUNI Movement to guarantee the best bingo experience in all of Central Oregon! Not’Cho Grandma’s Bingo is the OG of bingo, high energy bingo that promises to entertain from start to finish! Bingo cards are $25 per person. Family friendly fundraising! Free general admission, $10 early entry. Sundays, 10amNoon. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-639-1730. hello@ younimovement.com. $10-$200.
Santa Claus is Coming to Unity Professional photo session with Santa. Furry friends welcome to join. Christmas fashion available for creative inspiration. Digital photos to print or use anyway you wish. Skip the line by scheduling your appointment with the link provided or QR code on the flyer. Dec. 6, 1:30-7pm. Unity Spiritual Community, 63645 Scenic Dr, Bend. Contact: 5414206799. Sanyamembe@gmail.com. $35-$50.
Scout Troop 90 Christmas Tree Sale Troop 90 Christmas Tree Lot Troop 90’s tree lot offers some of the most beautiful 6ft-10ft Nobile Fir trees in the state of Oregon. Proceeds go toward supporting our local scouts. Troop 90 will also provide trees to 3 homes in need through the Habitat for Humanity Home Ownership Program. Saturdays-Sundays, 10am-6:30pm, Wednesdays, 3:30-6:30pm and Thursdays-Fridays, 4:306:30pm. Through Dec. 21. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 224 NE Thurston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-604-0862. Bsatroop90bendoregon@gmail. com.
EVENTS + MARKETS
14th Annual Holiday Faire Three Sisters Lions Club 14th Annual Holiday Faire featuring local vendors with high quality unique handmade items. Wed, Dec. 3, 10am-5pm, Thu, Dec. 4, 10am-5pm, Fri, Dec. 5, 10am-5pm, Sat, Dec. 6, 10am-6pm, Sun, Dec. 7, 10am-4pm, Mon, Dec. 8, 10am-5pm, Tue, Dec. 9, 10am-5pm.y Faire, 282 S. Cedar Street, Sisters. Contact: 541-410-0896. threesisterslionsclub@gmail.com. Free.
Bevel Holiday Market Celebrate the season at the Bevel Holiday Market! Shop local makers, enjoy hot cocoa, great beer, free kids crafts, and delicious food carts. Take photos with Santa from 2–4pm both days! Donate a toy for our drive and enter our festive raffle. Holiday magic awaits at Bevel! Dec. 6, Noon-4pm and Dec. 7, Noon-4pm. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 5419723835. holla@bevelbeer.com. Free.
Christmas Makers Market Sip your favorite drink while you shop, mingle with makers, and discover one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the perfect chance to support small businesses. Dec. 7, 1-4pm. West Side Tavern, 930 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 5413824810. shenoahs@yahoo.com. Free.
First Friday Artisan Market Join us for a festive evening at REMAX Key Properties! Shop handmade goods from local artisans, enjoy holiday treats and charcuterie, and try a festive cocktail sample from Oregon Spirit Distillers and Meadowland Syrups. Holiday movies for kids and local art make it fun for the whole family! Dec. 5, 5-8pm. RE/MAX Key Properties, 42 NW Greenwood Avenue, Bend. Contact: (541) 728-0033. lexit@rmkporegon.com. Free.
The Grove Holiday Makers Market The Grove Holiday Markets Celebrate the season with four festive weekends of local makers, handcrafted gifts, and cozy holiday vibes at The Grove Market Hall. Explore a curated selection of artisan goods perfect for everyone on your list. Special Appearance from Santa 12.06.25 Saturdays-Sundays, 11am-3pm. Through Dec. 7. The Grove, 921 NW Mt. Washington Dr., Bend. Contact: grovebendevents@gmail.com. Free.
Holiday Brunch Barket with Kendall Cares Come celebrate the holidays with Street Dog Hero at this year’s Holiday Brunch Barket! This year, we are teaming up with the Kendall Cares Program to host a Holiday Barket on December 7th from 11am-2pm at the Kendall Audi Dealership in Bend. We will have adoptable dogs, snacks, mimosas, photos Dec. 7, 11am2pm. Kendall Audi Bend, 1045 SE Third St., Bend. Contact: (503)329-7612. becky@streetdoghero. org. Free.
Holiday Pet Portraits Capture your furry friend in festive style. Perfect for holiday cards or a keepsake to cherish. Digital portraits are just $15 each. Spots fill fast, so be sure to stop by today and reserve your time spot! Dec. 6, 10am-4pm. Local Paws, 435 SW Evergreen Ave., Redmond. Contact: 5416048990. $15.
Haute Melange is a group of four talented musicians (Scott Johnson on lead guitar, Jon Harnum on rhythm and trumpet, Evan Brawn on standup bass and Bob Baker on violin) playing Django/Grappelli era tunes. Wed., Dec. 3, 6pm at Silver Moon Brewing.
Haute Melange
Holiday Shopping at Schilling’s Farm Stand Pick up your wreath and soak in the holiday spirit at the Farm Stand! Shop festive gifts, décor, gourmet foods, and local wines. Enjoy $5 pours and 20% off bottles during Holiday Happy Hour (2–4pm). Cozy fires, warm tents, hot coco, and seasonal cheer—check our calendar for all the details! Mon, Dec. 1, 10am-4pm, Tue, Dec. 2, 10am-4pm, Wed, Dec. 3, 10am-4pm, Thu, Dec. 4, 10am-4pm and Fri, Dec. 5, 10am-4pm. Schilling’s Garden Market, 64640 Old Bend-Redmond HWY, Bend. Contact: 541-323-0160. info@schillingsgardenmarket.com. Free.
Justicia Healing + Groove Yoga’s 3rd Annual Holiday Spirit Market Celebrate the holidays at Justicia Healing + Groove Yoga’s 3rd Annual Holiday Spirit Market! Explore locally made treasures—artisan jewelry, ethically sourced crystals, lavender luxuries, natural skincare, art, textiles, leather goods, candles, handmade treats, cocoa, teas, and more. Thoughtfully curated gifts created with intention and the spirit of giving. Dec. 6, 11:30am-4:30pm. Groove Yoga, 1740 NW Pence Ln, Bend. Free.
Kindred Holiday Market A community-centered holiday gathering of local makers and handcrafted goods. Shop unique gifts, meet the artisans behind them, and celebrate buying locally this season. Donations collected for Latino Community Association. Dec. 7, 11am-4pm. Spork, 937 NW Newport Ave #130, Bend. Free.
Magical Markets of Merriment The 5th annual Magical Markets are here, one of Bend’s more beloved holiday markets. With rotating vendors every weekend, we have a bustling selection of curated goods to offer, as well as the fabulous Sandra Claus serving up fresh baked cookies. Saturdays-Sundays, 10am-5pm. Through Dec. 21. Somewhere That’s Green, 1017 NE 2nd St., Bend. Contact: 541-330-4086. john@ somewheregreen.com. Free.
Silver Sage Trading Store Winter Sale At the Museum store, you get more than a souvenir. Kick-start your year-end shopping at Silver Sage Trading. Find 20% discounts on most merchandise for Museum members, plus special discounts on holiday gift favorites. Then, on November 30, shop support the High Desert Museum on Museum Store Sunday! Ongoing, 11am-4pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@ highdesertmuseum.org. Free.
Tetherow Holiday Bazaar Join us at the Tetherow Holiday Bazaar featuring 42 vendors, including two nonprofits. Bring a toy for MountainStar Family Relief Nursery and receive a free drink ticket. Enjoy gift wrapping by Think Wild, who will be accepting donations to support local wildlife and conservation efforts. Dec. 3, 4-8pm. Tetherow Resort Event Pavilion, 61240 Skyline Ranch Rd., Bend. Contact: hclark@tetherow.com. Free.
Tumalo Lavender’s Holiday Shopping Market Shop and be merry with us at our holiday shopping market! Enjoy 6 local vendors, 15% off store wide, free gift with purchase, sips and snacks, raffle giveaway, and more! Wear a festive sweater and get your holiday shopping done. Family and dog friendly! Dec. 6, 10am-3pm. Tumalo Lavender, 19825 Connarn Road, Bend. Contact: (541) 383-2441. info@tumalolavender.com. Free.
Vintage Pop-up Come join us for a groovy time filled with vintage to modern clothing finds and tunes spun by DJ See Alice. Browse through unique pieces from different eras and a curated selection of one-of-a-kind pieces that will add a touch of nostalgia to your wardrobe. 11-4pm with DJ See Alice Dec. 7, 11am-4pm. Upp Liquids, 550 Sw Industrial way, Bend. Contact: 5413256676. vintagehouse81@ gmail.com. 0.
Wild Wreath Making Workshop Join the Native Plant Society of Oregon High Desert Chapter in a cozy, DIY, holiday event! We will be making wreaths and centerpieces together with native tree and shrub species of Central Oregon. Dec. 5, 12:30-5:30pm. Redmond Library, 827 Southwest Deschutes Avenue, Redmond. Contact: hdceventscoordinator@gmail.com. Free.
FAMILY + KIDS
Family Polar Express Movie Night In The Energy Night An After Hours Recharge The Whole Family Can Enjoy! At half the price of a regular session PLUS Kids attend free with an adult. This is a great way to give the whole family an immunity boost while ensuring a deep nights rest. Everyone Leaves with a Holiday Treat! Dec. 9, Noon-8pm. Epic Energy Centers, 205 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-449-9829. support@epicenergycenters.com. $40.
Magical Markets of Merriment The 5th annual Magical Markets are back, one of Bend’s most popular holiday market experiences! Every weekend, we have a rotating group of curated makers selling their wares, some only found here. We also have SANDRA CLAUS baking up cookies! Come find us at Somewhere That’s Green Plant Shoppe. Saturdays-Sundays, 10am5pm. Through Dec. 21. Somewhere That’s Green, 1017 NE 2nd St., Bend. Contact: 5413304086. help@somewheregreen.com. Free.
Merry Cheersmas Market Join us for Santa, sips and shopping—an event featuring local vendors and festive beers! Dec. 6, 11am-4pm. On Tap, 1424 NE Cushing Dr., Bend.
Santa Pajama Jam Event Celebrate the holidays at Free Spirit in festive PJs! Kids can meet Santa and his elves, play fun games, make ornaments, and stay active in our ninja gym. With music, decorations, and joyful energy, it’s a magical day of holiday memories. Limited spots— reserve yours today! Dec. 5, 9-10:30, 10:30amNoon, 12-1:30 and 1:30-3pm. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend@gmail.com. $28.
Santa’s Elf Gather the family and enjoy lunch surrounded by the glow of holiday decorations & the spirit of the season. Rumor has it that one of Santa’s very own elves will be slipping away from the workshop to pay us a special visit & see all the kiddos! Fri, Nov. 28, 10am-Noon-Sat, Dec. 6, Noon-3pm, Sat, Dec. 13, Noon-3pm and Sat, Dec. 20, Noon-3pm. Monkless Belgian Ales - Brasserie, 803 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 5417976760. Ugly Sweater 5k Run/Walk It’s time for the 5th Annual UGLY SWEATER 5K RUN OR WALK!! Bring the whole family, come dressed in your favorite Ugly Christmas Sweater and kick off the Holiday Season right! Enjoy a beautiful chip-timed run through Sisters in your favorite Ugly Sweater all while giving back! Dec. 6, 8:45am-12:30pm. The Barn in Sisters, 171 E Main St., Sisters. Contact: 971409-8461. kelly.bither@gmail.com. 34.00-45.00.
Westside Village Magnet School Winter Bazaar! The Winter Bazaar is a lively gift market featuring both student and professional vendors sharing handmade crafts, art, baked goods, and creative products. It’s a beloved Westside tradition that brings together our school and the greater Bend community for a day of connection and celebration. Dec. 6, 9am-2pm. Westside Village Magnet School, 1101 NW 12th St., Bend. Contact: (541) 355-2000. Marcie. gibson@bend.k12.or.us. Free.
Winter Nights: Footprints in the Snow
The wonder of winter always reveals itself in the footprints we make in the first snowfall of the season. What’s on your feet? Which socks help make the moment? Wear your coziest combo to explore the Soil Alive! exhibition, decorate cookies, scavenger hunt, enjoy toddler dance parties and more. Dec. 4, 4-7pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 5413824754. info@highdesertmuseum.org. Prices vary.
BEER + DRINK
$10 Rebuy Hold’em Tournament Thursday Night $10 no limit Hold’em poker tournament at Bend Poker Room starting at 6pm. Unlimited rebuys for the first hour and an optional add-on after the first break. Friendly crowd, great vibes and action packed night! Thursdays, 6pm. Bend Poker Room, 917 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend. Contact: bendpokerroom@gmail.com. $10.
$10 Wing Wednesdays A new weekly special: $10 Wing Wednesdays at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Choose from one of the house-made sauces like Char Sui, This IPA BBQ and Spicy Staycay Pineapple or go naked! Wednesdays, 11am-9pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. $16 Fish Taco and House Margarita Fridays Join for 3 fish tacos and a house margarita for only $16 every Friday at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Fridays, 11am-9pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend.
$20 Tuesdays Every Tuesday, all to-go wine bottles are $20 with the purchase of a glass. Enjoy wines you cannot find anywhere else in the world, besides our little cabin. Made exclusively for us from grapes sourced mainly in California and Oregon, many of which are biodynamic, these wines are exceptional. Tuesdays, 3-10pm. Hasta Que Olvidemos, 1142 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-241-2443.
Bartender’s Ball We invite you and your entire team to unwind, meet fellow industry professionals, and enjoy a well-deserved night out crafted just for you. The evening is supported by an incredible lineup of partners and local favorites, as featured on the event artwork: Oregon Spirit Distillers, Dan Henion, Funky Fauna Artisan Ales, Cointreau, Mount Gay Rum, Timberline Vodka, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Easy Rider. Dec. 8, 8pm-Midnight. Dogwood At The Pine Shed, 821 NE Second St., Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964.
Commonwealth Pub Happy Hour It’s 5 for 5, with $5 draft beers, $5 house wines, $5 margaritas, $5 crushes and $5 well liquor. Play ping-pong, darts, cornhole, games and enjoy afternoon music on patio and indoors. Ongoing, Noon-6pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Free.
Crosscut Warming Hut: Locals’ Day! Tuesdays are Locals’ Day. Every Tuesday enjoy $1 off regular size draft beverages. Come by the Warming Hut and hang out by the fire. See you soon, Bend! Tuesdays. Crosscut Warming Hut No 5, 566 SW Mill View Way, Bend.
Educators & Nurses Apprecation Day
We’re raising a glass to those who give so much! Join us for Nurses & Educators Day, where we show appreciation for the heroes in scrubs and classrooms. 50% off all beers and ciders for nurses and educators. Tuesdays. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. Contact: 458-836-7866. jesse@cascadelakes.com. Free.
First Friday Oyster Bar Viaggio Wine Merchant’s monthly celebration of super-fresh oysters from Washington’s Hama Hama Oyster Company accompanied by an incredible roster of perfectly paired wines, champagne, craft beer and European-style small plates and snacks. First Friday of every month, 3-9pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. Price varies.
Flannel Friday Happy Hour Come on down in your Northwest best for Happy Hour! 4-6pm every Friday. $2 off drafts, $1 off everything else. Fridays, 4-6pm. Contact: taryn@ thealeapothecary.com. Free.
Friday Happy Hour Tapas & Wine Kick off the weekend the right way! Every Friday from 4pm on, swing by for a relaxing and social evening at Elixir Wine. $10 wine specials by the glass and $2 off regular glass pours, including our own Oregon & Washington wines. Fridays, 4-7pm. Elixir Winery and Tasting Room, 11 NW Lava Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-388-5330. tastingroom@ elixirwinegroup.com. Free.
Friday Night $80 Poker Tournament
Bend Poker Room is hosting our most popular no limit hold’em poker tournament starting at 6pm. Register before 6pm for an extra 1/3 starting stack. Late registration runs till 7:10pm. Blind levels are 20 mins and a 10 min break every hour. Optional add-on after the 1st break! Fridays, 6-11:30pm. Bend Poker Room, 917 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend. Contact: (541) 508-9123. bendpokerroom@gmail.com. $80.
Happier Hours + Power Hour $3 draft Coors Light, $5 draft beer and food cart specials that will make your taste buds dance! Mondays-Thursdays, 2-4pm and Mondays-Thursdays, 8-9pm. Midtown Yacht Club, 1661 NE Fourth St., Bend. Contact: 458-256-5454. midtownyachtclub@gmail.com. Free.
Happy Hour Every Day Make every afternoon a little brighter with a hint of British charm at The Commonwealth Pub! From 3-5pm, enjoy drink specials and a cozy pub vibe that’s perfect for winding down. $3 PBRs $5 RPMs $6 Margaritas $7 Wine Happy Hour bites from Whappos! Mondays-Sundays, 3-5pm. Through Dec. 18. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-668-6200. thecommonwealthpubevents@gmail.com. Free.
Industry Appreciation Day! 20% off for all Industry friends! Wednesdays, 2-8pm. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.
Industry Night Every Sunday is Industry Night! If you’re a bartender, server, chef, cook - anyone in the biz - come unwind with: $5 Hornitos or Monopolowa, $7.50 draft domestic beer + well whiskey, and $3.50 tallboys & $10 man-mosas (on special for all!). You work hard-cheers to you! Sundays-Noon-2am. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-383-3000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free.
Locals Day! Locals Day at the Ale! $2 off drafts and $1 off wine and cider! Wednesdays, 2pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.
Locals’ Day Come on down to Bevel Craft Brewing for $4 beers and cider and $1 off wine all day. There are also food specials from the food carts located out back at The Patio! Tuesdays. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: holla@bevelbeer.com. Free.
Oregon Wild and Pete Alport will host a special presentation on Oregon’s public lands
Dec. 3, 6pm at Worthy Brewing.
Pete Alport
By Nic Moye
GUNG HO Music for Questionable People
The Brandon Campbell Trio releases its first album together
Brandon Campbell has released a new album, “Swinging from the Chandeliers.” It’s the first time all three members of The Brandon Campbell Trio have recorded together. It’s a Bend-based instrumental group which Campbell describes like this, “We are an acoustic trio with a sound rooted in the tradition of Gypsy Swing icon Django Reinhardt, but one that explores a slightly different path. It’s beautiful and sophisticated, yet contains within it a subtle, fun, darker vibe.”
Listeners will hear Campbell on guitar, Brian Hickey on upright bass and Mark Evans on tenor guitar. The three started making music together eight years ago. Campbell and Hickey met through their kids and Evans answered an ad on Craig’s List.
“There were no formal auditions — just a grateful surprise to find anyone interested and it worked out perfectly,” Campbell told the Source. He says their unique blend stems from his rockabilly-punk past in the Los Angeles music scene where his band at the time shared stages with The Stray Cats, L7, The Damned and Link Wray.
Campbell has released two prior solo albums and continues to write all of the original compositions. “The biggest difference from my previous albums is that I am now writing with Brian and Mark’s specific instruments in mind,” Campbell says, “and I’m not limited by my own playing ability as I was on previous albums where I recorded all the instruments myself. I compose the charts and the melodies, and they develop their parts over those charts. The tunes truly evolve
during rehearsal, where we all try different things and see how we like them as a group. And sometimes there are ‘happy accidents!’”
Campbell says they try to infuse humor into their music. He’s a visual composer and starts writing a piece by picturing a certain scene in his head. “For instance, the title track, “Swinging from the Chandeliers,” was inspired by a party in an old mansion that had turned into complete debauchery,” he explains.
“We lightheartedly refer to our music as “Quality music for questionable people,” Campbell says. “We hope to provide music that is beautiful and passionate like traditional Gypsy Swing, yet with just a slight hint of mystery, macabre, and humor. It’s also a nod and humorous play on early jazz being considered “Degenerate Music.”
The latest album featuring the Trio is sold at Smith Rock Records in Bend and Herringbone Books in Redmond, as well as online. It’s also on multiple streaming platforms. The Trio also has three local performances in December and January scheduled in Bend.
The Brandon Campbell Trio Live Shows
Sat Dec 20 2-6pm The Ale Apothecary, 30 SW Century Dr. #140
Thu Jan 15 Stihl Whiskey Bar, 550 NW Franklin Ave.
Wed Jan 28 Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5, 566 SW Mill View Way Free
An acoustic trio with a sound rooted in the tradition of Gypsy Swing icon Django Reinhardt.
Rebeca Campbell
Locals’ Night at WaypointBBC Locals’ Night at WaypointBBC! $5 draft beer, $8 house red and white wine and $8 specialty cocktail. Tuesdays, Noon-10pm. Waypoint, 921 NW Mt Washington Dr., Bend. Contact: 458-206-0826. Waypointbbc@gmail.com. Free.
Mezcal Mondays Every Monday get to know one new mezcal in cocktail form, and as a neat pour, at a discounted price. Plus all of our signature mezcal drinks are just $11 all night. Mondays, 4-11pm. The Flamingo Room, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-323-0472. Monday Night Football Come down for Northside’s Monday night football! Food, drinks and a raffle for your chance to win a jersey! Mondays. Northside Bar & Grill, 62860 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Free.
The Reindeer Room Holiday Pop-up Bar Immerse yourself in a magical holiday experience at The Reindeer Room Holiday Pop-up Bar at River’s Edge Golf Course. Transform an ordinary evening into an extraordinary experience filled with festive cocktails, tasty bites, and seasonal cheer. You won’t want to miss this merry celebration right here in Bend! Wed, Dec. 3, 4:30-9pm, Thu, Dec. 4, 4:30-9pm, Fri, Dec. 5, 4:30-9pm, Sat, Dec. 6, 4:30-9pm, Sun, Dec. 7, 4:30-7:30pm. River’s Edge Golf Course, 400 NW Pro Shop Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-389-2828. http://riversedgegolfbend.com.
STOKED for Thursdays $2 Stokes Lager drafts. Yeah, you read that right. Crazy cheap beer, crazy fun vibes! Thursdays. Stoked for Thursdays! Get $2 draft Stokes Lager by Boss Rambler all day long — some of the cheapest draft beer in Bend! Come get stoked with us! Thursdays. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 5413833000. jcsbend@ gmail.com.
Taco & Margarita Tuesdays Enjoy 2/$10 chipotle chicken street tacos and $10 margaritas! Tuesdays, 4-9pm. Portello Wine and Spirits, 2754 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-385-1777. contact@portellobend.com. Free.
Tiki Tuesdays We want you to love rum as much as we do! Every Tuesday we will feature a new rum at a discounted price. Additionally all signature rum drinks will be just $11 all night. Tuesdays, 4-11pm. The Flamingo Room, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 5413230472. info@ theflamingoroombend.com.
Wine Mondays! Every Monday night all glasses of wine are $9! This is an opportunity to try wines from our vast wine list all night long and pair with either tasty small plates or delicious dishes by creative chef Nikki Munk. Mondays, 4-9pm. Portello Wine and Spirits, 2754 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-385-1777. admin@portellowinecafe.com. Free.
Wings + TRIVIA + Whiskey Enjoy $0.75 wings, $4.50 well whiskey, $6 seven & sevens while testing your knowledge with Trivia, hosted by our amazing Cole! Take on our infamous “physical” challenge - think paper airplanes, musical chairs, limbo etc! Come eat, drink and bring your A-game! Wednesdays, 7pm. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-3833000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
All Levels Acroyoga Class Experience connection, community, and movement in this weekly acroyoga class. A stellar teaching team with a variety of skill sets will bring you unique class material each week. All levels class focusing on accessible progressions for both beginners and intermediate practitioners. Venmo @Buddy-Thomas-1 to reserve. Wednesdays, 7:45-8:45pm. Through Dec. 17. Lava City Cirque, 63075 Crusher Ave #105, Bend. $15.
Blissful Birth: Partners workshop Join Beth Lyons for a transformative and educational experience designed for expecting couples who want to deepen their connection, prepare for birth with confidence, and welcome their baby. Dec. 6, 11am-12:15pm. Bend Yoga Center, 1230 NE 3rd Street, Suite A230, Bend. Contact: yoga@ bendyoga.center. $22 per person.
Full Moon Magic Market The Dez will be Closing soon and this will be our last Full Moon Market. Tarot, vendors, NA drinks and magic! Come enjoy! Dec. 5, 6-9pm. The Dez Lounge, 643 NW Colorado Ave., BEND. Contact: 5416109384. Thedezbend@gmail.com. Free.
NAMI Connection Peer Support Group
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. Mondays, 7-9pm. Contact: 503-230-8009. info@namicentraloregon.org. Free.
NAMI Mental Health Peer Support Group: Madras NAMI’s Peer Connection Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental health challenges. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who’ve been there. 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month. First and Third Friday of every month, 1-2pm. Best Care Treatment Services, South Y Complex Building, First Floor, Madras. Contact: 541-316-0167. support@ namicentraloregon.org. Free.
Open House at Hanai Join us for our weekly Open House at Hanai! This is a time for you to explore, connect, create, or nourish. To learn more visit hanaifoundation.org Tuesdays, 4-7pm. Through Dec. 30. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6494. info@hanaifoundation. org. Free.
Pain Free Posture - Celebrating More than 50 Years of The Vance Stance Tired of being in pain? Get to the root of why you are tight & suffering. Learn to stand in gravity, not behind it. Offering a series of 5 1.5 hour sessions in my private studio for $175. You pick the date and time. Wednesdays, 12-1:30pm. EastSide Home Studio, 21173, Bend. Contact: 541-330-9070. vancebonner@juno.com. $175 for 5 class series. Prenatal Yoga Prepares the body and mind for labor, birth and new motherhood. Emphasis is placed on building strength, channeling the power of the breath, and connecting to intuition. Suitable for women in any stage of pregnancy, as long as you feel good practicing and your care provider approves. Please pre-register. Tuesdays, 9am. Bend Hot Yoga, 1230 NE 3rd St. UnitA230, Bend. Contact: yoga@bendyoga.center. $24.
Prenatal Yoga Series Rejuvenate, relax, and recharge as we move, breathe, and build community with other expectant moms! You’ll reduce common pregnancy discomforts and tensions, prepare your body for birth, improve your postpartum recovery, and bring mindfulness to your daily life. All levels and stages of pregnancy are welcome. 6-week series. Saturdays, 10:30-11:45am and Saturdays, 10:30-11:45am. Through Dec. 13. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $142.
Psilocybin-Supported Reiki Mini Journey A gentle, guided psilocybin mini-journey held in a safe, reverent container. Reiki support, emotional care, and reflective space intertwine to help your voyage land with clarity, integration, and ease. Limited spots — held with love in Bend. Thu, Dec. 4, 6-9pm and Thu, Dec. 11, 6-9pm. Drop Thesis, 505 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 9186715457. hello@pineandprism.com. $300.
Radiant Meno-Yoga Series Join our transformative yoga series for individuals 35+ experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Enhance well-being, reduce stress, and rebalance hormones through yoga asana, breathwork, and Ayurveda. This 6-week program addresses symptoms like mood swings and sleep issues, offering recorded practices and mindfulness prompts. No prior experience needed—empower yourself today! Tuesdays, 6:30-7:45pm. Through Dec. 9. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $142.
Reconnecting to Workplace Purpose
In this webinar, we’ll start with a quick survey to spot your strengths and pain points at work - kind of like finding the squeaky wheels before adding some oil. Then we’ll dig into our newest resource: The 52 Tips Playbook, where simple, science-backed habits help boost trust, resilience, leadership Dec. 9, 2-3pm. Contact: (808) 421-8855. anthony@anthonypoponi.com. Free.
Shadow Yoga Basics, Donation Based Introduces principles and practices of Shadow Yoga, with an emphasis on the lower structure and building the pathway of power. Pay what you can. Mondays, 6-7pm. Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga, 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112, Bend. Contact: 541-588-2480. info@continuum-yoga.com. $1-$19.
Taizé Choir of Central Oregon We invite you to participate in an hour of meditative Taizé music, prayer and silence at our monthly interfaith service. All are welcome. Come early to participate in our rehearsal at 6:15 pm. First Thursday of every month, 7-8pm. Through May 7. Trinity Episcopal Church - St. Helens Hall, 231 NW Idaho St., Bend. Contact: 541-8155574. taizebend@gmail.com. Free - donations accepted. Yoga for Pelvic Health and Healing, with Laura Flood, PT, DPT, RYT - Local Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Learn how to connect to your pelvic floor muscles, so you can care for your pelvic area in your daily life, yoga practice and recreational activities. Small group class focused on: pelvic anatomy and physiology, alignment based yoga postures, breathing and nervous system awareness. Sign up online: www.lotusflowerphysio.com/yoga Fridays, 12:30-1:30pm. Namaspa Yoga Studio, 1135 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-2416008. Laura@lotusflowerphysio.com. $25.
Bob Timmer and Kelly Cleman of the Central Oregon Nordic Club will discuss over 27 miles of dedicated snowshoe trails at nearby sno-parks. Learn more about local snowshoeing as winter recreation season kicks off. Wed., Dec. 3, 6:30pm at Downtown Bend Library. 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.
Central Oregon Nordic Club FB
Christmas Tree Lighting
Join us in the heart of Downtown Bend for a magical and memorable evening filled with music, lights, Santa, hot chocolate, and community joy.
This cherished tradition brings families, friends, and neighbors together to celebrate the season under the glow of the Downtown Bend Christmas tree.
Sunday, December 7th • 5:00–7:30pm Brandis Square • Downtown Bend
CHOW C
Where to Eat and What to Cook This Holiday Season
Festive dinners out and cozy homemade bites
By Donna Britt
The season is here and you can feel it in the crisp air along the Deschutes and the twinkle lights that creep earlier into the afternoon. Bend becomes a swirl of visiting family, friend reunions and the familiar question that floats through every living room this time of year. Where should we eat? And if we stay in what do we cook?
This year why not make it easy! Whether that means letting someone else do the heavy lifting in an inviting restaurant dining room along the river or greeting your guests at home with something delicious before sending everyone out on the town, we’ve got you covered either way.
A handful of local favorites keep their doors open on Dec. 25 for anyone who wants a holiday meal without managing oven logistics or tracking down a missing roasting pan. These are the spots that make the day feel special with menus that lean into comfort, celebration and the kind of hospitality that lets you simply enjoy being together.
Set right along the Deschutes, Currents at the Riverhouse feels tailor made for a holiday meal. The dining room stretches wide with big windows that frame the river in winter. Their Christmas dinner keeps things seasonal and warm with dishes like slowsmoked prime rib and ham with red eye gravy. Classic sides such as buttery mashed potatoes, rich gravy and yam puree are also on this year’s Christmas dinner menu. Make your reservations through the Riverhouse website or by calling the restaurant directly. If you are entertaining a larger family group you will want to call ahead to arrange seating.
Anthony’s at The Old Mill District brings its Pacific Northwest seafood focus to the holiday table with a Christmas menu in addition to its regular offerings. Think wild king salmon, local oysters and Dungeness crab as well as other seasonal favorites. The dining room looks over the river trail and the lights of the Old Mill, which adds a festive backdrop for any holiday gathering. There will also be hearty sides and desserts that lean classic and cozy. Reservations can be made on Anthony’s website or through standard booking apps. Christmas Day tends to sell out so grab your time slot sooner rather than later.
Pine Tavern is Bend history wrapped in a warm downtown dining room. The Christmas dinner menu sticks to tradition with roasted turkey or prime rib, dressing, vegetables, salads and pies. If you have relatives visiting from out of town this is the place to give them a little taste of Bend nostalgia right down to the gigantic old ponderosa trees growing through the dining room floor. Call directly for reservations or book through its website. Seating fills fast on Christmas Day and the restaurant has a loyal following of locals who return each year.
Of course, sometimes the holiday celebration begins long before dinner. Maybe you want to start the evening at home with a snack and a toast before heading out into town. Or maybe you have a full house of sleepers who will wake up hungry the morning after and you want to have an easy breakfast ready to go. Here are two recipes that strike that perfect balance. Simple enough for a busy week yet special enough to feel like the holidays.
Cheese Wafers for Pre-Dinner Snacking
These little savory wafers are the kind of thing you can make ahead and forget about until guests arrive. They are crisp, salty and melt in your mouth. You can pair them with champagne before heading to dinner or serve them with a bowl of soup if you are keeping things simple at home. The perfect hors d’oeuvre or accompaniment to any soup or salad. These wafers can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to a month. You can use any type of hard dry cheese such as cheddar, parmesan, asiago, pecorino or Manchego.
Makes about two dozen
• 1 to 2 cups grated cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Sprinkle a couple tablespoons of cheese to form three inch rounds onto baking sheet. Keep cheese disks about one inch apart. Make as many rounds as desired. Bake until cheese is melted golden brown and stops bubbling.
Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet until hardened. Set them out with olives, nuts or a festive drink.
Orange Cardamom Pancakes for the Morning Crowd
When the house wakes up slowly and slippers shuffle into the kitchen these pancakes are the warm welcome everyone needs. The orange and cardamom bring a bright holiday aroma to the air and the batter comes together in minutes. They are tender, fragrant and ready for maple syrup or a spoonful of jam.
Serves 4 to 6
• 3 cups flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• One half teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 2 eggs
• 2 ½ cups buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
• 1 stick butter, melted plus more for greasing griddle
• Maple syrup for serving
• Orange marmalade or blueberry jam for serving
Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, extract, zest and butter to dry ingredients. Mix well to combine. Add more milk a tablespoon at a time if you want thinner pancakes. Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter for greasing. Working in batches, cook pancakes using about one third cup batter for each. Cook until bubbly on top and golden brown underneath, one to two minutes, then flip and cook until golden on the other side. Repeat until all are done, adding more butter as needed. Keep pancakes warm on a plate covered with foil or on a baking sheet in a warm oven until serving. Drizzle with syrup and top with butter, jam or marmalade as desired.
Whether it’s a festive dinner out or pancakes in pajamas, here’s to good food and good company — Happy Holidays!
Currents at the Riverhouse 3075 N. Business 97, Bend 541-389-8810
967 NW Brooks Street, Bend 541-382-5581 pinetavern.com/index.html
Donna Britt
Your Loca l Market For
Best Seafood In Central Oregon 3 Time Winner
Sebastian’s Seafood & Specialty Market, is a foodie’s dream retail shop! This holiday season, shop local for your dinner party seafood needs and gifts for everyone. They carry a variety of fresh seafood sure to please your guests. Pre-order seafood and sushi catering platters to make entertaining easier. Shop for gifts like specialty tinned fish, local seasonings, and artisan chocolates in the retail store. If you’re hungry, try the new PNW shrimp & crab melt from the cafe.
Best Seafood
CULTURE
New Boutique Hotel in Old Post Office Now Accepting Reservations
Developers of The Westman preserved parts of the building’s historic postal past
By Nic Moye
The Westman Hotel is set to open in mid-December in the newly remodeled historic post office in downtown Bend. Reservations are being accepted starting Friday, Dec. 19. The high-end hotel has 23 rooms and suites on three floors ranging in price from $399 to $749 per night. At the top end are two-story lofts which have a spiral staircase to the bedroom. Mid-range rooms include outdoor patio space.
The building is owned by Gil Burgess, who purchased it about four years ago.
“The owner grew up in very modest means about an hour and a half from here towards Eugene, and his family would save their pennies and come up here [to Bend] every three months or so and get a sandwich. That was like going to Disneyland and he fell in love with Bend as a kid,” says Mark Keller with Embarcadero Hospitality Group, which manages the hotel. Keller says Burgess bought the property as a love letter to Bend.
The old U.S. Post Office at the corner of NW Wall Street and Franklin Avenue was built in 1932 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. When the Postal Service outgrew the space, the building housed various business offices.
“The exterior is intact, as are the original windows, the historic lobby floors, the entry vestibule, grand staircase and architectural details such as the columns and the Art Deco - inspired decorative moulding,” Sondra Storm, with Embarcadero Hospitality Group, told the Source. “We were also able to preserve several pieces that make for great storytelling — including original blueprints and the building’s post office vault door.”
Visitors will enter the luxury hotel through the original post office vestibule, open the door using the original brass door pulls and walk on the original flooring. Throughout the hallways and rooms are historic blueprints, photos and post cards with stamps originating from the old post office. The original vault door will hang on the wall of one room.
Some of the rooms are named in honor of the building’s origins, including the Postmaster’s Loft, the Mail Room Loft and the Postal Inspector’s Signature Suite.
Keller says piecing together the layout of the rooms was tricky, working within the footprint of a post office and following rules that guide renovations of historic buildings. The staircase was moved to ensure all rooms would feel spacious.
The dog-friendly Westman was named after the first female mail carrier west of the Mississippi. Minnie Westman trekked through Oregon’s coastal mountains in the late 1880s, making her way by horse through rugged terrain and treacherous weather to deliver letters and packages at the age of 20. Her father and uncle established a 60-mile stage line from Eugene to Mapleton and held the region’s mail contract — which is how Minnie was able to obtain her position at a time when women were not eligible to be mail carriers.
At one end of the lobby is a bar, named Minnie’s, which will be open to the general public starting Dec. 19. Keller says it’ll serve small plates and cocktails.
“It’s really an honor to be in this building and an honor to just have people share their stories,” Keller says. People have wandered in to talk about their memories, some dating back to childhood when their parents worked in the building. Keller says they’ve had roughly 600 applicants apply to work there. “It’s an opportunity to work in a place where you have so few guests, you can give them incredible personal service. Our whole goal is for everybody on the staff to be an ambassador to Central Oregon.”
The post office first opened in the 1930s. It will reopen as The Westman luxury hotel on Dec. 19.
The most expensive rooms feature a spiral staircase up to the bed.
Seven rooms have private patios with fire pits.
Deschutes Historical Society
Nic Moye
Nic Moye
SC SCREEN Complying with Gravity Wicked: For Not That Good
By Jared Rasic
My obsession with musical theater switched off one day before I was able to join the “Wicked” fanbase. The music from “Les Mis,” “Hedwig,” “Spring Awakening,” “Rent,” “Once,” “Rocky Horror,” “Phantom” and a few more still spin round in my head some weeks, but shows like “Cats,” “Rock of Ages” and “Frozen” feel lukewarm and facile to me. Like cat claws on a chalkboard. So, when I went to the first part of the “Wicked” duology, it was as someone with zero expectations or familiarity with the musical or the book on which it was loosely based.
While I found the first one to be an interesting deconstructionist take on “The Wizard of Oz” and with a couple of absolute bangers on the soundtrack (“Defying Gravity” and “Popular” were instantly iconic), “Wicked” suffered from being a 160-minute film that only adapted the first act of the musical. By the time the plot really gains momentum and puts the characters in some high-stakes and propulsive situations, the movie ends and hopes you’ll shell out another $20 in a year to catch the rest of the story.
“Wicked: For Good” picks up fairly quickly after the last one ended with Elphaba (a luminous Cynthia Erivo) now firmly taking on the mantle of the Wicked Witch of the West after the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum doing his best Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (a wasted Michelle Yeoh) have used propaganda to manipulate the entirety of Oz into wanting Elphaba dead and being racist toward the talking animals and Munchkins. Meanwhile, Galinda (a perfectly cast Ariana Grande) and Prince Fiyero (an also wasted Jonathan Bailey) play their roles as good little fascists changing the evil government from within.
That’s a solid place to begin, but there are several fundamental issues with the film that keep it from working as a stand-alone, a sequel, or as an allegory for resistance against a fascist state that it so desperately aspires to be. First, because almost all of the character development is in the first film, not many of the dramatic moments in “For Good” land with resonance.
The film might play nicely as a five-hour double feature with the first one, but on its own, the love triangle is flaccid, the character beats are rushed and none of the songs are very memorable.
Sure, songs like “No Place Like Home” and “For Good” are solid crowd-pleasers, but when you have a first half that ends with a literal curtain dropper like “Defying Gravity,” it’s hard not to feel like it’s completely front-loaded as a piece of musical theater. I know this was a common complaint about the show on Broadway as well, so avoiding that level of anticlimax in the sequel was probably always going to be a losing battle for director Jon M. Chu.
Where I think “Wicked: For Good” is foundationally broken is in its storytelling and what it aims to achieve as a companion piece to “The Wizard of Oz.” What I don’t understand is the film’s intention: do the “Wicked” films want to revere the 1939 original, or do they want to demystify the classic and add a dark texture to the magical land of Oz?
MINOR SPOILERS FOLLOW: The opening scene of “Wicked: For Good” portrays all of the intelligent and verbal animals of Oz being brutally forced to build the Yellow Brick Road. Eventually, the Munchkins lose their right to travel across the borders of Oz. The Tin Man is portrayed as violent and driven by vengeance. The Cowardly Lion is pathetic and delusional. It’s almost like the creative team behind “For Good” wants future viewings of “The Wizard of Oz” to be tinged with an ugliness that, quite literally, will dilute the timeless magic inherent in the classic.
I respect the subversive spirit that it takes to try and dismantle the untouchability of the original, but neither “Wicked” nor its sequel pulls it off. Instead, we’re left with something like Baby’s First Animal Farm that wants to have its surface-level anti-fascist commentary and eat it, too. Make “The Wizard of Oz” as “edgy” as you want to, but don’t serve it to me as a glossy musical with forgettable songs and a grab bag of mixed metaphors.
Still, I’m sure it will make half a billion dollars and the audience who were genuinely swept away by the first part will find more to fall in love with here. Erivo is a force of nature and the movie is always interesting to look at with gorgeously realized sets and design, but regardless, it’s a shallow waste of nearly bottomless cinematic resources. I hate to say it, but I’ve peeked behind the curtain and the wizard wears no clothes, stuck in a lead hot air balloon, still quite subject to gravity.
“Wicked: For Good”
Dir. Jon M. Chu
Grade: D+
Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, McMenamins Old St. Francis, Sisters Movie House, Redmond Cinema, Madras Cinema 5
Witches, good, bad and otherwise.
O OUTSIDE Species Spotlight: Burrowing Owl A funny little owl
By LeeAnn Kriegh
Pronghorn are perhaps the most graceful animal native to the high desert country of central and eastern Oregon. Golden eagles are the most majestic, greater sage-grouse the most emblematic. And burrowing owls? They’re the funniest.
For starters, burrowing owls have the peculiar habit of living in underground burrows — not the trees that most birds prefer. They move into holes in the ground excavated by prairie dogs, ground squirrels, desert tortoises and in our area, badgers.
To reshape old burrows to their liking, the diminutive owls dig with their downturned beaks and make dirt fly with their feet, then decorate with cow manure, feathers, grass and whatever else strikes their fancy. The manure is thought to attract insects for the owls to eat, and it might mask the owls’ scent from predators — including the badgers that made the burrows in the first place.
The owls’ predilection for the subterranean is not their only oddity. They fly during the daytime as well as at night, and they don’t hoot; they coo, warble, cluck and scream. When threatened, juveniles mimic the threatening hiss of a rattlesnake and adults run like the dickens instead of flying.
Now, let’s talk about those legs. Imagine that you get to design burrowing owls from a clump of brown clay. First, you shape the body to resemble a chunky American robin, which is to say a very small owl. That leaves you with excess clay, so on a lark you roll two slender cigars, each several inches long, and attach them as legs — comically long, un-owl-like legs.
Those feathered stilts are a clever adaptation that allows the owls to stand tall like curious meerkats, peering this way and that across the broad expanses of grasslands and sagebrush country where they live. They also use their long gams to race across the ground chasing prey, their bodies thrust forward like a tourist on a Segway.
It’s not their long legs that make these golden-eyed owls such a social media darling, subject of countless memes and videos — or at least it’s not solely their legs. It’s also their thick, white unibrow, which, when lowered, makes them look comically offended and, when raised, suggests the wide-eyed curiosity of a puppy.
Add to their expressive brow their whole-body bobs, 180-degree head tilts to the left and right, and communal nature, and you start to understand why just about everyone loves a burrowing owl.
Despite our affection for them, burrowing owl populations are dwindling. They’re considered birds of conservation concern, both federally and in Oregon, as well as in seven other Western states. The main conservation concerns are habitat loss—specifically, the loss of flat, open lands like sagebrush steppe and grasslands—and the decline of burrowing mammals like badgers that the owls depend on to excavate their underground homes.
Public lands provide the natural habitat that burrowing owls and every other wildlife species depend on. That’s why organizations like the Bend-based Oregon Natural Desert Association are working to conserve the most wild, spectacular and important public lands in Oregon’s high desert.
If you are among the many who adore burrowing owls and want to support their recovery, one small step is to purchase Oregon Natural Desert Association’s Wild Desert Calendar at ONDA.org. Featuring stunning landscape and wildlife photography, the latest edition of this celebrated publication includes graceful pronghorn, emblematic greater sage-grouse and, yes, comical burrowing owls. All proceeds from every calendar purchased support critical conservation initiatives in Oregon’s high desert.
There’s nothing funny about the dangers facing burrowing owls, but the good news is that each of us can take action to ensure these odd little owls are out there for a long time to come, cooing and hissing, bobbing and head-tilting, burrowing and bringing us joy.
— About the Author: LeeAnn Kriegh is a longtime ONDA member, freelance writer and the author of “The Nature of Bend” and “The Nature of Portland.”
A family of burrowing owls, bobbing and head-tilting in unison.
Lane Wintermute
Burrowing owls’ comically long and un-owl-like legs are a clever adaptation that allows them to stand tall like curious meerkats.
Tara Lemezis
By Nic Moye
Time to Shine with a Freak Holiday Salad
The Deschutes Historical Museum is celebrating gelatin sides
Jello salad was created in 1904 by Mrs. John E. Cook of Pennsylvania.
She called it the “Perfection Salad.” The colorful item became especially popular after World War II as a convenient, inexpensive dish for busy housewives. It became overshadowed in the 1960s and 70s with the rise of other cooking trends. Nonetheless, many families still have a favorite recipe or tradition involving the wiggly, sweet or savory treat.
The Deschutes Historical Museum is calling on the public to earn bragging rights by entering the Holiday Gelatin Salad Show on Saturday, Dec. 13. There are four categories including Best Presentation with the fanciest molds; Most Savory; Family Salad Recipe with bonus points for a family photo that includes the salad; and Best Oops, You Tried, showing you gave it a shot, even
if it didn’t turn out the way you expected. One winner and one runner-up will be chosen for each category with a Best in Show chosen from among the four winners.
To enter, print an entry form from the museum’s website at deschuteshistory.org and show up with your salad between noon and 1pm on Dec. 13. Judging begins at 1pm. The event is also a food drive, so the museum is asking the public to donate nonperishable food items.
Holiday Gelatin Salad Show Sat Dec 14 Judging Begins 1pm
Deschutes Historical Museum
129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend deschuteshistory.org/ Free
Above, gelatin salad saw a boom in popularity after World War II. Right, Lorlee Ackerman won Best in Show last year with her “Rainbow Layered” gelatin.
Deschutes Historical Museum
1 FREE Pint ($7 value)
RAFFLE
RAFFLE
1 FREE Plant propagation from Moonfire&Sun Garden Center + + + +
Be entered to win a $25, $50, or $100 Makin’ it Local Gift Card
Be entered to win 1 of 2 $100 gift cards to Moonfire&Sun Garden Center
Must make a donation of $25 or more to receive incentive/enter drawing.
RAFFLE
Be entered to win One Syringe of Restylane from Snow Dermatology, 2 available
• 100% of you donation will go directly to the local nonprofit of your choice.
• You know your donation will be used to support YOUR community.
• You’ll receive a special thank you offer from one of our sponsors.
• A total of $30k in awards will be given to the participating nonprofits.
Category Sponsor
CRAFT CR Brewery Mug Clubs are the Gifts that Literally Keep on Giving
Tis the Season? More like Tis
Happy Hour Year-round
By Brian Yaeger
There are two kinds of gifts: things and experiences. The beauty of gifting someone a mug club membership is that you’re giving them both (tangible or, rather, drinkable beer plus the mug itself and perhaps some swag, as well as the community and comradery that is baked into the membership.
It was when I’d run into Bevel owners Nate and Val Doss the day they opened up the newly vacated spots in their hyperlimited mug club capped at 100, where members get, among several perks, all beers for $4.50. So since those finite spaces are now unavailable, here are available, giftable mug clubs around Central Oregon starting with the Big Kahuna, Deschutes Brewery.
For $150, you can bequeath a friend or family mem ber a slot in Deschutes’s Pub Club. For starters, it gives members a buck off pints at the brewpub on Bond, the production facility taproom on Simpson, and even the pub up in Portland (unless they stop in for a beer on Wednesdays in which said pints are a cool three bucks). Other perks include, but are not limited to, a birthday beer, access to club exclusive beers, and discounts on everything from food to merch. If you’re feeling generous and the giftee is a next-level beer geek, for $250 you can give the gift of Deschutes’s Cellar Door Society that includes a mixed bag of Cellar Door reserve beers, a free pair of sampler flights per year and member-only events.
Club members also receive discounts and other perks, but membership is also highly limited so don’t wait until you hear Santa’s sleigh overhead.
For the “real ale” lover in your life, you can’t go wrong with gifting Porter Brewing’s Cask Club at just $99. Down in the cellar-level pub below Silverado Jewelry Gallery in downtown Bend, members receive a keepsake dimpled mug, a free first pint each Monday (and the first fill is free regardless of the day it’s redeemed). Not only does the recipient receive a free birthday pint, but they’ll get a free pretzel on every visit during his or her birthday month. And like other mug clubs that include private parties, Cask Club members are invited to attend Porter’s annual Brewer’s Dinner.
At GoodLife Brewing, the mug club has a wait list, but if you’re lucky enough to nab a spot, your $200 gift includes $5 mug fills anytime, except on Monday when the member gets the first fill free. Additional benefits include a mug club jacket and discounts on everything from food to beer to merch, VIP access to special events, and of course, the mug itself.
With the $125 gift of a Cascade Lakes Mug Club, not only does the recipient get a 24-ounce Yeti mug, they get unlimited fills for $6 (less than the price of most pints, meaning 8 fewer ounces, around town). What’s more, every Friday recipients get a free fill while additional bonuses include occasional free growler fills and a $25 birthday gift card.
Whether that special someone on your list lives moonwalking distance to Silver Moon Brewing or finds themselves there for beer and/or food and/ or the numerous concerts and events the brewery hosts, a $125 Silver Moon Lunar Club membership includes a free beer every single Monday and cheap $4 pints all other times. Lunar
Over at Bend’s newest brewery, UPP Liquids, you can gift Bend’s newest mug club, the Fill’er UPP Club for $200. With the custom mug that members receive, they can use ‘em for $4 beers daily (except Wednesdays when the first fill is gratis). As for the standard birthday perk, UPP’s includes a freebie for one guest of the celebrant. Merch discounts, early-access to upcoming events, and the members-only party round out the bennies.
And finally, up in Redmond and over in Prineville, a Wild Ride Brewing Mug Club can be purchased for your special someone (including yourself since you’re especially special to yourself) for only $100. Members receive imperial pints (20 ounces) at normal pint prices and discounts aplenty on apparel, on Thursdays and more, along with a membership party and brewery tour come spring.
If you know that beer lovers in your life are partial to one of the other 20-plus breweries nearby, you can always stuff a gift card from there into each of their stockings.
ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The world’s oldest known musical composition is the Hurrian Hymn No. 6. It was discovered etched on clay tablets in Syria, dating back to 1400 BCE. When finally decoded and performed, it revealed harmonies that still resonate with modern listeners. Your projects in the coming months could share this timeless quality, Sagittarius. You will have an enhanced power to bridge your past and your future. A possibility you’ve been nurturing for months or even years may finally ripen into beautiful completion. Watch for opportunities to synergize tradition with innovative novelty or deep-rooted marvels with sweet, breezy forms of expression.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m taking a risk here by urging you cautious Capricorns to at least flirt with the Finnish tradition of drinking alcohol at home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out. I’m certainly not encouraging you to get so hammered that you can’t safely wander outdoors. My point is to give yourself permission to celebrate your amazing, mysterious, beautiful life with a bout of utterly uninhibited relaxation and totally indulgent contentment. I authorize you to be loose and free and even slightly irresponsible. Let your private pleasures reign supreme.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the Quechua language, the word ayllu refers to a kinship system not just of people, but of animals, ancestors, dreams, and nature. To be aligned with one’s ayllu is to live in reciprocity, in the ongoing exchange of care and meaning among the entire web of life. “We belong to what we love,” the Quecha elders say. Aquarius, I believe you’re being asked to focus on your ayllu. Who or what comprises your circle of belonging? Which beings, places, and unseen presences help weave the pattern of your treasured destiny? Whom do you create for—not as audience, but as kin who receive and answer your song? As you nourish your connections in the coming weeks, pay special attention to those who respect your idiosyncrasies. It’s not your birthright to simply fit in. Your utter uniqueness is one of your greatest gifts, and it’s your sacred duty to give it.
in ways that feel manageable, Taurus. Don’t push yourself to be a fearless warrior. The trembling truth-teller is your best role model. As an experiment to get started, say yes to two things that make you nervous but don’t terrify you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your inner ear contains three canals filled with fluid. They act like gyroscopes, telling you which way is up, how fast you’re moving, and when to stop. Your ability to maintain your balance depends on their loyal service. Without them, you couldn’t orient yourself in space. Moral of the story: You stabilize yourself through constant adjustment. Let’s make this a metaphor for your current assignment. Your ability to remain poised, centered, and grounded will require ongoing adaptations. It won’t work to remain still and fixed. You will have to keep calibrating and adapting.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Let’s extol the value of productive confusion: the disorienting state when your old maps no longer match the territory. Your beloved certainties shudder and dissipate, and you don’t know what you don’t know. This isn’t a failure of understanding, but the ripe precondition for a breakthrough. The caterpillar doesn’t smoothly or instantly transition into a butterfly. First it dissolves into chaotic goo and simmers there for a while. Conclusion: Stay in the not-knowing a little longer.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Coffee from Java, orchids from Iceland, and grapes from Vesuvius, Italy: What do these bounties have in common? They flourish in the extra fertile soil created by volcanic eruptions. The molten lava that initially leveled everything in its path later cooled and became a repository of rich nutrients. I expect a milder version of this theme for you, Leo. Events and energies that at first cause disruption will eventually become vitalizing and even healing. Challenges will lead to nourishment.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Yoruba cosmology, the divine spirit Oshun presides over rivers, love, beauty, and sweet water. But her sweetness isn’t a weakness. It’s a sublime power, as evidenced by how her waters once restored life to the barren earth when every other force had failed. You Pisceans are now channeling extra strong currents of Oshun energy. Your tenderness is magnetic. Your imaginative flourishes are as valuable as gold. And your love, when rooted in your sovereign self-respect, is healing. But don’t let your nurturing be exploited. Choose wisely where you share your bounty. The right people will honor your flow, not judge it or try to change it. Your duty is to be uninhibitedly yourself and let your lyrical truths ripple freely.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Here are two of your birthrights as an Aries: to be the spark that ignites the fire and the trailblazer who doesn’t wait for permission. I invite you to embody both of those roles to the max in the coming weeks. But keep these caveats in mind: Your flame should provide light and warmth but not rouse scorching agitation. Your intention should be to lead the way, not stir up drama or demand attention. Be bold and innovative, my dear, but always with rigorous integrity. Be sensitive and receptive as you unleash your gorgeous courage. In my vision of your future, you’re the wise guide who inspires and includes, who innovates and reflects. You fight for interdependence, not dominance.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Here’s a key theme: microdoses of courage. You don’t need to summon splashy acts of epic heroism. Subtle rebellions against numbness and ignorance may be all that’s required. Your understated superpowers will be tactful surges of honesty and gentle interventions in challenging transitions. So be brave
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gardeners in Japan spend years training bonsai trees to grow into elegant shapes. The process requires extraordinary patience, close listening, and an intimate relationship with an ever-changing life form. I invite you to approach your current projects with this mindset. You may feel tempted to expedite the growth that’s unfolding. You might feel pressure to “complete” or “optimize.” But the flourishing of your work depends on subtle attunement, not brute progress. Pay tender attention to what wants to emerge slowly. Tend to it with care. Time is your collaborator, not your enemy. You’re weaving lasting beauty.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Swedish concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little, but just right.” It suggests that the best option may be in the middle rather than in the extremes. Yes, sometimes that means an uneasy compromise. But more often, it’s how the power and virtue come fully alive and thrive. Many people don’t like this fact of life. They are fixated on the delusion that more is always better. In the coming weeks, Libra, I invite you to be a connoisseur of lagom. To do it right, you may have to strenuously resist peer pressure and groupthink.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In Bangkok markets, elderly women sell caged birds. Why? For the specific purpose of releasing them. Those who buy a captive sparrow or dove immediately open the cage door and let the creature fly away in a symbolic gesture of compassion and spiritual aspiration. It’s a Buddhist act believed to bring good karma to the person who sets the bird free. I invite you to imagine yourself performing this sacrament, Scorpio, or perhaps conducting an actual ritual with the equivalent purpose. Now is a fun and fertile time to liberate an outdated belief, a conversation you keep replaying, or a version of yourself that’s no longer relevant. Take your cue from the signs that appear in the Bangkok market: Letting go is a form of prayer.
Homework: Could you heal someone else by teaching what healed you? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
Pearl’s Puzzle
Puzzle for the week of December 01, 2025
Difficulty Level: ●●○○
ows” vampire)
55 1982 Roald Dahl novel, wiht “The” 56 Email subj. heading 57 Just beat out 59 Financial support 60 Storm’s dir. 61 Stupefaction
62 ID that cannot begin 666 (sadly)
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters C A K I N G T O M exactly once.
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “ s were probably the earliest spells. . . I am convinced that if nobody had ever invented s, nobody would ever have imagined s.” -
T.H. White
Answer for the week of November 24, 2025
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES
G U H O E T S N E N O S T R U G H
S H T N G U O R E
N U S R E G H T O
G T H O S N E U R
O R E T U H S N G
U O G E N T R H S
H S N U R O G E T
T E R G H S N O U
“Every Thanksgiving I bring the champagne, because in my family we all know what our strengths are.” — Gloria Fallo
“Every Thanksgiving I bring the champagne, because in my family we all know what our strengths are.”
Gloria Fallo
connections are.
As interdependent as we clearly are, way too often we do not notice or remotely acknowledge our immeasurable neediness. Some of us even mistakenly say to ourselves or to others:
“I AM INDEPENDENT!”
That is so untrue!
-most of our less productive human conditions. Some include: selfishness, I-am-right-you-are-wrong mentality, loneliness, limited joyfulness, being more judgmental than thankful, prone to addictions of every kind. The biggest one is our paralyzing avoidance of vulnerability. We are NOT independent even when we might believe we are! Maybe even especially when we believe we are.
And what is the primary source of our all-too-common, self-limiting behaviors?
FEAR!
We all have it.
You, me, every animal that ever lived. Even plants in their own “planty” ways express fear. Plants have complex survival strategies that can detect danger and respond chemically, and even spread the word to their veggie buddies. Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, deer and at least 20 species of birds visit our yard throughout the year. Each and every one is on edge and looking
appreciation for my words. It was, and continues to be, a memorable connection. We learned quickly that we have followed remarkably similar pathways in our personal and professional lives. His name is Thomson Barton, and he has consulted with businesses around the world. Both he and I have worked with high-level athletes and teams.
We’re both pretty old fellas—but are doing our best not to act like it.
Thomy’s main focus is to help us recognize and move through our self-limiting fears, very much like I do in my teambuilding programs. His book, “Please Lie to Me,” is a down-toearth, elevating understanding of the life-dampening defensive patterns we fall into when we feel insecure, anxious or threatened.
Fight, flight and freeze are the main categories of these patterns.
Thomy teaches skills that allow our authentic self to direct our lives rather than our self-limiting, fear-based self.
WHOOPEEE!
Much, much more on this topic as my Inner Hero messages, along with Thomy’s life-elevating wisdoms, keep rolling on.
- Burt Gershater is a counselor, leadership trainer, speaker and writer. He can be reached at info@burtgershater.com.
Something’s shifted in real estate over the past few years. Women, especially single women, are buying homes at rates that would’ve been unthinkable a generation ago. In 2024, single women made up about 20% of all buyers, while single men accounted for only 8%. Among first-time homebuyers, nearly one in four buyers is a single woman.
This isn’t just a statistical curiosity. Until the 1970s, women couldn’t even get a mortgage without a male co-signer. Now they’re the ones driving major market trends, often on smaller incomes (around $71,300 median for single women versus $87,500 for men) but with equal determination. The narrative is shifting: for these women, homeownership is increasingly seen as a route to independence, financial security and creating a personal “nest,” rather than simply a follow-on from marriage or dual-income households.
What’s more, women buyers tend to look at homes through a different lens. Often, it’s less about pure investment potential and more about stability, community ties, school quality and long-term livability. While long-term investment potential is important, many times, women are also thinking about multi-generational needs, walkable neighborhoods, flexible spaces for work or caregiving, and homes that actually function as sanctuaries and not just assets.
This perspective is reshaping everything from home design to
Listed by Jake Moorhead,
neighborhood development. Real estate professionals are finally catching on, tailoring their approach to match what women actually want rather than assuming everyone’s priorities are identical.
For women considering Bend, winter might be an excellent time to find the right home. The market quiets down when snow starts falling which means fewer competing buyers, more motivated sellers and often, better room to negotiate. In the winter, you get to see how a house performs when it matters: Does the heating work? Is the insulation decent? What does snow removal and driveway access look like?
At NestBend, we understand the specific needs of a female buyer. In fact, we have two women homebuyers on our team with real life experience navigating the market. We understand that home may mean something bigger than square footage and resale value.
But winter buying isn’t without its quirks. Plan inspections carefully around weather. Expect lower inventory but potentially faster timelines. Get your financing locked down early. And pay attention to those cold-weather issues: snow load on the roof, frozen pipe risks, insulation quality.
The bigger picture? Women aren’t just participating in homeownership anymore; they’re defining it. Paired with a market like Bend and a season that favors serious buyers over casual browsers, it can be a pretty perfect time to make your move.
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