lover. This piece entitled, "Baba Yaga," is inspired by
and Agnew's desire to continue living a magical life despite how raw the world can feel at times.
Baba Yaga reminds us there is still magic, mystery, and wonders to behold. All of that magic is inside everyone of us, just waiting to be discovered. Please come visit Lori at the Northwest crossing farmers market this spring. If you can't see her in person, please visit her on instagram @lo.agnew or website at LoriAgnewfineart.com.
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The annual Point in Time Count just wrapped up with the goal of accounting for the local homeless population. Once the data is processed, we’ll learn whether numbers are up or down from previous years and get a better picture of how many families and children are living without permanent shelter. In this issue, PIT volunteers share observations about the homeless and dispel myths. We also have a first-hand account from a homeless man in Bend explaining how he became homeless. And two young men open up about their turbulent, unsettling childhoods cycling through foster homes, emerging as young adults with bright futures.
In other news, a conversation with the new manager of the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. Plus a look at the High Desert Museum’s new volcano exhibit and a plea for volunteers from Central Oregon to help preserve treasured mountain biking and hiking trails in Oakridge. —Managing Editor Nic Moye
LIGHTMETER: PRESENTED BY HARVEST MOON WOODWORKS
Bend-raised Olympian Hunter Hess told followers he “cannot wait to represent Team USA” when he competes next week in the men’s freeski halfpipe. Hess, who grew up in Central Oregon and trained with Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation, has been outspoken in his opposition to the Trump administration — a move that had him called out as a “loser” by the president himself on social media. “There is so much that is great about America, but there are always things that could be better,” Hess wrote on his Instagram. “One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.” Hess, seen here competing in the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen last month, competes Feb. 19 and 20.
HARVESTMOONWOODWORKS.COM CUSTOM. CABINE TS
Dustin Satloff - US Ski Team
A County Map in Search of a Problem
Deschutes County government is embarrassing itself. Earlier this month, the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to put a map, dividing the county into five districts, before voters. In a subsequent 2-1 vote the Board voted to put that map before voters in November. The Commission could have gotten this painful map process over with and added it to the ballot this May, but instead decided to extend this protracted process further into the future. Strategically, the decision to extend the map to the midterm elections is likely to bring higher turnout. It’s not a presidential year, but disillusioned voters intent on flipping the House and Senate will likely turn up in great numbers, and somehow, some commissioners believe that this will benefit their desire to see the map pass.
There are currently a great many concerns surrounding the County’s new segmented voting map. The entire county commission listened to a myriad amount of testimony about the lopsidedness of the county district map, the increase in partisan tensions around the map and of course the exorbitant cost that adopting this map will bring about in staff time litigating the map. And yet two of them still decided to put the map before voters.
It may not matter to the pro-map commissioners. One of them, Patti Adair, is leaving the commission to run for the U.S. House. The other, Tony DeBone, will likely see his commissioner race decided in the May primary cycle before the map is voted upon. If the map goes down in flames it is no political skin off their political nose.
But if the map passes, all of Deschutes County taxpayers will have things to concern themselves with. There will be the almost-inevitable legal challenges to the map, which will cost the County dearly. Some estimate that bill will run into the hundreds of thousands. There will be the hundreds if not thousands of voters in at least one of Bend’s districts that experience disenfranchisement when they discover that the votes of Central Oregon’s largest city — with roughly half the population — have been watered down to two of
the five votes on the Commission.
And that’s not even taking into account the partisan animosity that this fabricated process has already caused. Voters in an earlier election said they wanted a non-partisan commission — just more of them. Five to be exact. The low-level gerrymandering antics being thrust on the County in the form of a splintered map are now only more ironic when you consider that the initiatives citizens have successfully brought forth and seen passed in recent elections were intended to have a more professional, non-partisan and representative government.
When the committee that drew up the series of proposed maps was doing its work, they deliberated at length about what demographic data to use to draw the lines. They ended up using voter registration data. But voters are not the only people who deserve representative government. In the case of the district that would be in southeast Bend, the decision to use voter registration data meant that far more people were lumped into that district, since it contains so many families.
During the meeting in which they decided on the maps, commissioners could have voted to create a process that requires redrawing the map lines again when the results of the next Census are released. They directed County staff to look into the options, and again kicked another can. Adding that requirement would give many voters some solace that the map is not intended to privilege one certain type of voter over another.
When voters, via citizen initiative, approved the idea of making the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners a five-member board, we thought we were getting more representative government. What we have are amateurish politicians creating maps that truly divide us. The people of our region, whatever their political leanings, are not so very different and deserve better.
A long time from now, in November, the county’s voters will get to decide on this flawed map. We hope voters will see this as the problem in search of a solution that it is and reject it.
BEING BETTER ROLE MODELS
I went to the ICE OUT demonstration in Bend on Jan. 31. It did my heart and soul good to see the amazing crowd that came out to voice their support of Minnesota and opposition to the latest ICE strategies occurring across our nation. There was joy, singing and chanting, drums booming out downtown and lots of smiles and positivity. I love the creativity of some of the signs. However, I find myself dismayed to see signs stating F**K TRUMP and/or F**K ICE. Believe me, I understand the desire to use strong words to express the anger and disappointment we share regarding Trump and ICE. But is this the tone we want to send out to the world? There are kids out there demonstrating alongside their parents/grandparents. Do we want our youth mimicking us, using this simplistic, negative language? Let’s get more creative and send messages that are serious but leave the negative tone behind. Come on, Bend. We can do better.
—Michi Sato
SKILLS AND ABILITIES ARE IMPORTANT
I find the atmosphere here in Central Oregon is old and antiquated. In conversing with individuals, those who vote do it for the most random of reasons. I’m not saying this to degrade or embarrass anyone, but when you vote because you have a loyalty to someone’s family member or because they are your friend, that’s just stupid in my opinion.
Public office is not symbolic. It actually requires serious decision making under pressure, the ability to understand complex information, and the discipline to separate personal beliefs from public duty. I know that even with core skills and the best intentions, it can still lead to ineffective or harmful outcomes.
It’s important to understand that
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experience and preparation matter. Why, because government decisions affect public safety, education, housing infrastructure and the responsible use of taxpayer money. Case in point, the failed election of electing a sheriff not worthy of the position. This cost the taxpayers of Deschutes County and it took almost an act of congress to rid the county of this terrible decision/choice.
When we evaluate the skills and abilities of candidates, it’s not about elitism or excluding new voices, it’s about ensuring that those we elect are ready to do the job on day one. Remember, democracy works best when voters look beyond slogans and personalities and instead focus on competence, readiness, and integrity. In summary, when we prioritize a candidate’s qualifications and capacity to serve, then and only then, do we honor both the responsibility of the office and the power of the VOTE.
—Clifford B. Evelyn Sr.
BE A PART OF CHANGE
It’s time to tell the hard truth. Authoritarianism and fascism are on the rise in the USA right now, and none of us can hide from it. The same familiar patterns are happening as when authoritarianism and fascism have risen in our history, both in the USA and around the world. What we as a population do next will largely determine the next decade of daily living in the USA.
Authoritarianism and fascism are fragile, brittle things that easily break. They are short lived. They require constant effort, instilling fear and dominance in hopes that the accompanying power and influence of fascism can be extended just a little bit longer. This is what history teaches. It takes the population rising up to put an end to it. Otherwise, things devolve toward violence and war.
We see the illegal push to get rid of anyone who even looks like an immigrant, regardless of protected legal or citizenship status. Yes, this violates the constitution, but the fascists don’t care. And instead of deporting people back to country of origin, the secret deals with other authoritarian countries put people in secret prisons around the world, where they can be tortured and mistreated.
History teaches that next the fascists come for the media, artists, and unions. We are already seeing some of that happen. Why? Because journalists expose corruption and bad actions, artists make commentary on society in ways that are critical of strongman leaders, and unions organize people to stand up and fight for rights.
The Trump Administration already has its secret police, in the form of ICE. Next comes the co-opting of the military, for when the secret police are not enough to keep a populace in line.
All of this requires constant effort from the fascists. Even the smallest acts of community, of defiance, of protest strain the effort and ability for fascism to take root.
The next decade in this country will either make or break us as a people. I believe it will make us into something different, hopefully better. But all of that change starts with you.
Get off your couch. Write letters to the editor. Use 5calls.org or Resistbot or other things to contact your elected leaders. Donate to a local foodbank,
regularly if you can. Support your community, and those who are struggling and hiding within it. Support local artists and comedians, support and join labor unions. Protest peacefully, and continually in big and small ways.
I’m not asking you to be an activist. You already are about the things you care about. I’m asking you to unleash your inner activist in our community before the authoritarians and fascists come for you.
Melodramatic? That’s also not what history teaches. Every act of resistance, no matter how small, puts more pressure on the fascists to maintain control. And eventually, the pressure will overwhelm the system, and they will lose control altogether. It starts with you, with all of us.
—Jason J. Herring
Letter of the Week:
Jason, as letter of the week, you can stop by our office at NW Georgia Avenue and Bond Street to pick up a gift card to Palate coffee.
—Managing Editor Nic Moye
Thomason Auto Group To Close
Thomason Auto Group on SE Third Street in Bend is closing after a decade in business. It comes after owner, 42-yearold Chris Thomason, died in an avalanche while snowmobiling near Truckee, California on Jan. 5. A post on the dealership’s Facebook page on Sunday Feb. 8 says, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of Thomason Auto Group… It has been our absolute honor to serve this community. We didn’t just see you as customers; you were our neighbors, friends, and our supporters.”
District Map Will Be on November Ballot
Deschutes County Commissioners voted 2-1 to advance a proposed county district map to the November ballot. Voters will decide whether to implement the map, which divides Deschutes County into five districts. If approved, voters would only vote for future commissioner candidates residing within their district starting in 2028. The board of commissioners is expanding from three to five members in January 2027. Four “at-large” seats will be on the May ballot.
—Nic Moye
AI and iPads: ‘Ed-Tech’ Draws Skepticism from Bend-La Pine Parents
The school district says it’s taking a “cautious but balanced approach” to AI
By Kayvon Bumpus
Parents of Bend-La Pine Schools students, supported by local advocacy group Well Wired, have joined forces to express their collective concerns about the district’s implementation of educational technology, or “ed-tech.” A statement, presented at the, Feb. 10 school board meeting, asks the school board to “reduce screen time in schools and reevaluate the District’s increasing reliance on Big Tech — iPads, educational technology apps and Generative AI including AI chatbots — to deliver education to our children in Bend-La Pine public schools.”
The letter was signed by “more than 1,100 parents and community members representing more than 1,500 students, including parents from every grade and every school in the district,” organizers said. The parents and Well Wired, which advocates in Central Oregon “to promote healthy screen use in schools,” outline several primary concerns with ed-tech.
Citing research from the Brookings Institute, MIT and neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, the letter argues that ed-tech, when loosely restricted, can lead to a “negative impact on learning quality and academic outcomes,” especially when generative AI is involved. Also mentioned are “harms to wellbeing, safety and development” caused by ed-tech, including concerns about device misuse by students and potential “violations of data privacy and security.”
However, Houston and Well Wired co-founder Brooke Mues argued that teachers are not thoroughly instructed on responsible and ethical use of generative AI, let alone on how to effectively oversee it as a part of curriculum for dozens of students.
District resources viewed by the Source show that “Artificial Intelligence in BLS Classrooms” is a 90-minute required training program, which “highlights practical applications of AI for educators and students, including guidance on MagicSchool and AI image generation,” and “offers professional learning resources for staff interested in understanding and integrating AI in [Bend-LaPine] classrooms.”
AI may be the most topical concern, but ed-tech in general has parents sweating. “A lot of this rolled out during COVID; there simply wasn’t enough time to evaluate everything,” Mues added. Houston noted that, since 2020, iPads have been issued to students in every grade, including kindergartners: “Teachers now depend on this method of instruction as core curriculum.”
—The preliminary number of homeless individuals living in the city of
The Source spoke with parents who mentioned MagicSchool AI as a program of specific concern. This is the proprietary AI platform of MagicSchool Inc — founded in 2023, the Colorado-based company (registered in Delaware for tax purposes) has since attracted big investment from powerful purses like billion-dollar hedge fund Atreides Management.
Prineville.
“Regardless of all the strife and everything I’ve been through, I still want to be the best version of me at the end of the day.”
—24 year old Kira Newman who grew up homeless.
MagicSchool Inc markets its software as a means to “amplify educator impact” and “unlock student potential,” using generative AI not just to reduce teachers’ workload, but to “strengthen student outcomes” by familiarizing kids with this advanced technology — technology that our society may be becoming reliant on to the point of cognitive detriment, studies indicate.
Bend-La Pine Schools has blocked external generative AI software, like ChatGPT, on district devices, its ed-tech executive director Karen Rush told the Source. “At the same time, we provide [MagicSchool] for teachers to use to teach students how to use AI with an understanding of both the benefits and pitfalls. Within this approved platform, our teachers control which AI tools students can access and when they can access them.”
Natalie Houston, a parent and mental health clinician, called MagicSchool AI (which comes built-in on student-issued devices) an example of “gimmicky, digitized stimuli meant to capture attention” that offers quick results and instant gratification, but ultimately fails at promoting long-term learning. “When teachers fall prey to using that technique, they are actually undermining attention spans,” she said.
Rush said that MagicSchool “operates as a closed system, meaning that AI-generated responses are based solely on content provided within the platform and are not connected to open internet searches,” stating that teachers oversee and set parameters for student use. “No students in grades K—2 have accessed the tools to date, and approximately 20% of students overall have generated AI responses within MagicSchool rooms,” she continued.
At a June 2024 school board meeting, a letter signed by over 135 Central Oregon pediatricians, counselors and behavioral health providers was presented by a child psychologist, recommending that district tighten its ed-tech policies by only issuing iPads to older students, setting limits on screen time and incorporating iPads into curriculum only when they improves or apply directly to the topic of learning, such as a coding class.
“Since then, to my knowledge, the district has failed to take any of these recommendations,” Mues said. “It appears there is now more use and more reliance on the iPads.”
In a statement to the Source, ed-tech director Rush said, “We agree with parents who believe that educational technology, including AI, must be used purposefully and responsibly. We have a clear duty to our students to teach both digital literacy — how to use technology to support learning, collaboration, and communication — and digital responsibility, which means using technology in ways that are safe, ethical, sustainable, and inclusive.”
She concluded, “The tools we integrate into classrooms are intended to support and enhance instruction that is thoughtfully designed and delivered by highly qualified teachers. The teacher-student relationship will always be the most important factor in children’s education, and technology will never replace that.”
Houston, speaking as both a parent and a mental health expert, asked that BLPS, “form an advisory committee made of community professionals that can advise [district] policies and practices at a pace commensurate with the pace of change in the technology landscape.” ”
Though Governor Tina Kotek’s Executive Order 25-09 directs schools to ban usage of personal electronic devices during the school day, ed-tech products enjoy a largely unchallenged status in Oregon.
Bend-La Pine Schools’ district headquarters, located in the former Bend High School building in downtown Bend.
Sarah Isak-Goode
What to Know About Fares on Cascades East Transit
Fares are no longer free and cash will still be accepted … for now
By Kayvon Bumpus
This month, Cascades East Transit resumed fare collection, which had been suspended on non-recreational routes since the spring of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating fare-free had been possible because of federal relief funding, CET stated, but that money has long been in the rearview mirror.
CET is operated by the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, a regional organization made up of city and county governments in the tri-county area plus the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. After experimenting with rural public transportation in the mid-2000s, COIC established a regular bus service in Bend with regional connections by 2010.
Today, a bus trip (excluding Dial-a-Ride, the airport route and recreational shuttles) costs $2, with a daily cap of $6 if a rider is using the new CET Go Pass, an e-payment system where riders add funds to an app or a physical card that they can scan instead of paying cash. Monthly bus passes cost $60, while an annual pass costs $500.
“This reintroduction of fares supports public transit growth and expansion, funding new routes, extended service hours and improved accessibility to reach more areas across Central Oregon,” CET stated on its website. A reduced fare program exists for qualifying individuals. Included are, but not limited to, riders age 60 or older, Medicare cardholders, disabled veterans and other disabled individuals, and individuals who can legally verify their low-income status. For standard bus routes, the reduced fare is $1.
While cash fare is currently still accepted, CET stated that it wants to phase this payment method out for numerous reasons.
“Users can still pay with cash on the bus, but it is discouraged as they will be paying full-price fares,” said CET spokesperson Andrea Wasilew in an email to the Source. “Individuals who sign up for passes… will qualify for the daily limit where after you ride the bus three times, everything else is free for that day. In line with collecting revenue, the transit card/app system allows us to improve safety on the bus by creating
individual accounts we can use to exclude riders from the bus who should not be using the system based on behavior, rule violations, etc.”
CET leaders expect ridership to decrease slightly as a result of fares returning. “Generally, we could expect a 10% reduction in rides from fare re-implementation. A lot of times it isn’t a reduction of riders, but a reduction of trips, as people become a little more diligent in organizing trips when each one has a specific cost,” Wasilew said.
The agency currently projects that fare revenue will total “approximately $1.2 million in the first year based on previous ridership,” Wasilew told the Source. “This will help support the current system as costs increase, and also potentially support increased service.”
Community and the future
The Central Oregon Community Movement Fund is a fundraising effort by CET “to unite community partners in expanding bus transit access and strengthening a connected region where no one is left behind due to financial barriers,” an agency press release reads.
Sponsors can make a $500 or higher contribution to fully subsidize fares, “allowing residents who cannot afford transit to ride the bus.” A $10,000 sponsorship would cover 10,000 bus tickets or 330 individual monthly passes.
CET intends to create long-term partnerships with local social service organizations through this fund, but informed the Source that the program is in its earliest stages. “We do not yet know what level of contribution to anticipate from the community or which specific aspects of the program donors may be most interested in supporting,” Wasilew said. “As sponsor and community contributions begin to come in over the coming months, we expect to gain a clearer understanding and will work with partner organizations and stakeholders to ensure these funds are used in the most impactful way possible to support riders.”
Some riders aren’t psyched about paying fares
through the virtual CET Go Pass. A Bend resident waiting at Hawthorne Station, Sam, complained, “It’s just going to make things more complicated for no reason.”
CET argues that the Go Pass will “streamline the process” and that “safety reasons” make digitization a better option than cash fares.
Coin collectors need not worry at the moment, though. “We currently do not have a timeline,” Wasilew stated when asked if CET plans to phase out cash fares entirely. “We are assessing the pass system and listening to riders’ request to accept cash, at least in the interim, as the system is implemented.”
For those who don’t have a smartphone or prefer other payment methods, CET will host sign-up events throughout the month of February.
• Feb 18: Warm Springs Market, 9am - 3pm
• Feb 19: Crook County Library, 11:30am - 3:30pm
Riders can also sign up for a pass card and other programs at Hawthorne Station in Bend during normal business hours. “If you think you qualify for a reduced fare, swing by Hawthorne Station or a sign-up event in your area with appropriate documentation for your account to be verified,” CET stated.
As well as an app, physical cards are available for the new Cascades East Transit Pass, also known as a CET Go Pass.
Kayvon Bumpus
REDMOND NEWS
New County Fair and Expo Director Is ‘Looking Forward’ to Being Back in Oregon
Jeff Curtis brings experience from Portland and Alaska to lead the Deschutes County Fairgrounds amid a tricky financial future
By Kayvon Bumpus
When first reached by the Source for a phone interview, newly hired Deschutes County Fair and Expo Director Jeff Curtis was in the process of having his car shipped from Alaska down here to the lower 48. Once he and his vehicle arrive, plenty more logistics will be waiting for Curtis in Central Oregon.
Curtis has called Oregon home before — he led the Portland Rose Festival Foundation as CEO for 18 years. Though he was “passionate” about working with the Rose Festival, part of him wanted to switch things up.
“You don’t even know what your top gear is professionally when you’re doing the same thing for so long,” Curtis said. “I felt like I could do something different, like there’s another gear in Jeff Curtis.”
After taking time to figure out what that something different might be, Curtis accepted an offer far from Portland, becoming CEO of the Alaska State Fair.
“I absolutely found a completely different gear up here,” he told the Source. “Running the state fair, I am in the heart of what’s really important to Alaskans, which is celebration of the community at the same time as a focus on livestock, agriculture and entertainment… That’s the essence of fairs.”
Per a press release, the fair achieved “back-to-back overall attendance records” under Curtis’ leadership, “along with consecutive record-setting attendance” for the fair’s special concert events. “At the same time,” Curtis added, “I provided leadership on this 300-acre property, like, ‘What do we need to invest in or raise money for,’ or ‘what’s our next capital project?’”
Former Deschutes County Fair and Expo Director Geoff Hinds stepped down last fall after a six-year stint, accepting a new position in Wyoming. As reported by the Source in December, Hinds led the fair to record attendance; in 2023, the fairgrounds drew nearly a million visitors and its events generated an “estimated local economic impact” of $104,208,600, per former Interim Fair and Expo Director Erik Kropp, who now works as the deputy county administrator.
However, a five-year budget forecast from a Deschutes County Budget Committee Meeting suggested that the Fair and Expo Center could soon be in the red, with increasing annual expenditures making a financial deficit possible in 2027.
Back in Oregon, somewhere new
As a previous resident of Oregon, Curtis has checked out the middle part of the state. “Some of my best family memories are with my three daughters, camping in Central Oregon.” When he announced his new job, he got an unexpectedly warm welcome: “A lot of people said, ‘Great to have you back,’ even though I’m not going to Portland, I’m going to Redmond,” Curtis laughed.
He believes his “variety of relationships in Oregon and in the Bend-Redmond area” will come in handy. “It’s not a foreign community to me at all, I just haven’t lived there before,” he said. “But I get to live there now.”
One physical factor of the Deschutes County Fair drew Curtis in. “What is notable and attractive to me is the fairgrounds itself — the property. It’s a premier fairgrounds site, really well laid out,” he said. “It’s obvious that it’s a very successful piece of property. It draws great events… my job will be to steward that and grow that, and part of that growth will be looking at master plans and studies that [Deschutes County] is engaged in which are still in process, but developing the next phase of what that fairground property looks like.”
Asked about the fairgrounds’ financial forecast, Curtis said, “I’ve seen the balance sheets and have a perspective of where they are,” but declined to comment further until he gets to Redmond and gets to work.
“It’s a really strong fair and my job will be to continue to improve and grow it,” Curtis said. “My job is to jump in, to embrace the community, to take good care of that piece of property and be a good financial steward.”
WEDNESDAY
SPEED DATING FOR SINGLES
HUB CITY DATING SCENE
A speed dating event for people 25-75, grouped by age! It’s Valentine’s week, and what better time to find a new boo? Meet fun, like-minded singles in a relaxed environment, right in downtown Redmond. 6-8pm at Testimony Wine Bar. 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. Contact: info@epiphanymatch.com. $10.
SATURDAY 2/14
VALENTINE’S 5-COURSE FOOD AND WINE PAIRING W/ LIVE JAZZ
SNAZZY MUSIC AND WINE
An unforgettable evening at Maragas Winery, where fine wine meets live jazz. Savor a fivecourse gourmet dinner, each dish creatively paired with handcrafted wines to bring sensory magic to both wine and cuisine. Immerse yourself into the world of food, wine, jazz, art and winery ambiance. 6-8:30pm at Maragas Winery. 15523 SW Hwy 97, Culver. Contact: 541-546-5464. info@maragaswinery.com. $95.
TUESDAY 2/17
REDMOND COOKBOOK CLUB
REGGAE TUNES
Join local home chefs for a potluck cooked from a different cookbook each month. Meet great people, enjoy delicious wine, and share fabulous food! Choose your recipe at our monthly happy hour on the 2nd Tuesdays, then bring your dish to the dinner party every 3rd Tuesday. Bon appetit! Contact: 503-409-7944. kelsey.seymour@jillscookbookclub.com. Third Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm at Arome. 432 SW 6th St., Redmond. $15.
Jeff Curtis (LinkedIn)
From Trauma to Triumph: Two Young Men Overcome Childhood Homelessness with Poise and Perseverance
After chaotic young lives, their last stop as teenagers was a J Bar J youth shelter
By Nic Moye
The annual Point in Time homeless count just wrapped up, with results expected in March. During last year’s count, on Jan. 27, 2025, 268 people under the age of 25 were reported unsheltered in Bend. Each of those young people have a history that many of us will never hear. Two young Bend men, one who just turned 18 and one in his early 20s, agreed to talk with the Source about their experience growing up without a home. While the two men don’t know each other, there are similarities in their attitudes of resilience, self-awareness, kindness and genuine appreciation for the good that currently exists in their lives.
One tough cookie
Kira Newman’s childhood was so chaotic, he refers to notes he’s written to accurately keep count of the number of places he’s lived and programs he’s been through in foster care. He was removed from his home at the age of three due to neglect and abuse. Throughout his childhood he lived in multiple states, attended multiple schools, moved through various foster homes, lived on the streets and in homeless shelters and attempted suicide multiple times, all before the age of 18.
Checking his notes, Newman, who uses he/they pronouns, says the magic number was 38. “Twenty-one placements, three homes and 14 programs. All prior to the age of 18. Something I don’t believe youth should have to go through.”
At various times, he was with his mother. Newman says she had multiple boyfriends, some in the military, prompting frequent moves around the country. His mother had a total of five children, but Newman only really knew a half-sister and brother. He describes those periods as a home of violence, trauma and abuse, mentally, emotionally and physically.
“I’ve run away multiple times from my mother. It’d be either me running away or her kicking me out.” Newman says the last time he ran away from her, he was 14. He says he walked from
Crooked River Ranch all the way to Portland where he lived on the street and stole food from stores. “I was already used to not eating a lot growing up. Even to this day, I don’t always eat every meal.” A hotel manager found him sleeping outside and drove him to a Portland shelter that provided a bed and food in exchange for chores. At some point, the state of Oregon became his legal guardian. “I’ve been through a lot of programs. Those aren’t always the greatest. I looked like, in their words, I looked shady, sketchy, seemed like a hoodlum. So they always thought I was up to no good,” Newman says. “So I wouldn’t want to stay in those places. They were already profiling me. I ran away from quite a few of those.” Newman is over 6 feet tall with a baritone voice. Between his stays in foster or youth homes, he lived with staff from the Oregon Department of Human Services. “They would drop me off at school in the morning, pick me up from school, take me to get food, and then bring me to a hotel where I would spend the night with two DHS workers.”
Eventually, Newman returned to Bend and was placed in the LOFT on the west side of the city, which is transitional housing for youth ages 12-24 through J Bar J’s Cascade Youth & Family Center. He lived there nearly three years until age 18, which was the longest he’d ever lived in one place, he said. During that time, Newman graduated from La Pine High School. He got up early to catch a bus from Bend to Sunriver where he’d transfer to another bus taking him to La Pine. He went there because the school has a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, which appealed to him at the time. Newman was also part of J Bar J’s Independent Living Program, which teaches skills in areas such as money management and career preparation. “I think for the most part, they have been one of the biggest impacts I’ve had in my life, off and on for almost eight years,” Newman says.
Even as a young adult, he struggled with low points. “I always felt like my
life was gonna end at the age of 23. And I really found that that version of me, a version of all that pain, all that suffering, all that trauma, that version doesn’t need to be meaningful. I’m able to start planning my future. Start having aspirations and life goals and just building life with my wife.”
He turned 24 in January and got married last November to a woman he met at Marshall High School, before he switched to La Pine. He changed his last name from Akito to Newman, which is his wife’s name.
He’s become a voice for children going through similar, unsettling childhoods. He’s met with politicians and serves on boards for the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, Continuum of Care, Homeless Leadership Coalition and Youth Action. He received the 2025 Outstanding Young Leader from the Oregon Foster Club. Newman is also a peer leader for youth currently in J Bar J programs. “My work on a tri-county, state and federal level is to advocate for youth experiencing homelessness and policy changes. I’ve actually gone to Washington, D.C., twice now to talk to our state representatives and officials.”
“Watching Kira grow has been one of the most powerful reminders of what resilience truly looks like,” says Tawnie Meyer, program manager for J Bar J’s Independent Living Program. “I’ve seen Kira move from houselessness to stability, from survival to purpose. Instead of turning inward, Kira chose to become a voice for others in the community who share similar experiences. What inspires me most is that Kira didn’t just overcome hardship; they transformed it into advocacy. Kira carries their past with honesty and strength, using it to light the way for people who are still finding their footing. That kind of growth doesn’t just change one life; it changes communities.”
“For what I’ve gone through, I think I’ve done a decent amount of good and I hope I continue to,” Newman says. “For the longest time, there’s been a stigma. One just around what homelessness is. People, one, haven’t wanted to discuss
it. Two, don’t even understand what constitutes homelessness. Besides that... most of the people who have been making decisions about what happens to you are people who have never experienced things these youths have in common.”
The impact of his young life continues to haunt him. “You know, I’m not an easy person, and I do have anger. I have a lot of, I’ve had a lot of trauma.” But he faces life with grit and perseverance and has been talking with a therapist.
“Everything happens for a reason. Might not be the best, but it makes you who you are,” he says. “I still have plenty of issues that I need to work through. Definitely not perfect, but regardless of all the strife and everything I’ve been through, I still want to be the best version of me at the end of the day.”
Newman has a rocky relationship with his mother, but he has made amends with his father, who was invited to his wedding, and he keeps in touch with his sister. After a transient life with no permanent home, Newman now lives in an RV with his bride, parked on private property outside his in-law’s home. “It’s actually a very nice situation. It’s a nice RV and the situation is very nice. I do see how it sounds funny and ironic,” Newman says with a big smile. But it’s a home he owns. “Stability and safety are what make any place a home. It doesn’t matter really what it is.”
An artist with a dream
Will Richardson is 18 years old and living in an apartment on the west side of Bend by himself. His early childhood was filled with Child Protective Service workers and foster homes, and cycling in and out of his parents’ home, due, he says, to their drug use. At age 14 he ran away.
“I had a falling out with my parents due to my sexuality and them not agreeing with that. So I decided to run away with my ex for about a period of three years or so.”
According to the National Network for Youth, LGBTQ+ youth are over 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. They make up as much as 40% of all youth
Will Richardson
“I try to live my life as genuinely as I can. Be myself no matter what other people think. At the end of the day, I know the person that I am.”
Kira Newman
“I always felt like my life was gonna end at the age of 23. And I really found that that version of me, a version of all that pain, all that suffering, all that trauma, that version doesn’t need to be meaningful. I’m able to start planning my future. Start having aspirations and life goals.”
experiencing homelessness, despite representing only 9.5% of the overall population.
During that period, Richardson said he would be high all day every day, couch hopping or sometimes living in what he refers to as a trap house full of transient people using illegal drugs.
“There’s a good year of my life that I just can’t remember clearly because I was so messed up on drugs all the time, which is definitely something I regret.” Richardson was aware he was in a bad situation.
“I’ve lived in more places than I could count.” He admits he made bad decisions, especially with a turbulent relationship involving an on-again-off-again boyfriend and dropping out of Mountain View High School. “I didn’t have any stability. Nobody to hold me accountable, so I just stopped going to school.”
At one of his lowest points, shortly after Thanksgiving of 2024, he got a call from someone at J Bar J checking on him. They placed Richardson in Canal House, a youth shelter in Redmond with six beds. “That was tough. A lot of restrictions on the things that I could do. There were curfews,” he says. “But at the same time, I knew I couldn’t really do anything about it because I had nowhere else to go. I’ve always been a really, really independent person. My freedom is something that I hold very dear to me. At first I was like, I don’t want to be here. Don’t want to be here. Don’t want to be here at all. Then I was starting to get used to it there and made a lot of friends.”
While at Canal House, Richardson decided to get back in school. He rode a bus to Bend each weekday to attend classes through Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, which provides alternative high school education, employment training and other support. Richardson, at age 17, got his GED last May, within days of receiving keys to the Bend apartment. “So that was like a really, really big moment, like those two huge things happening in one day.”
His apartment is subsidized. J Bar J has a housing department and sub-contracts with organizations to provide case management for apartment vouchers and subsidies. Richardson says he meets with someone from NeighborImpact to determine how much of his rent will be
subsidized. At first, it was a tough transition because he had no furniture. He credits a teacher at COIC for getting him a couch, lamps, pictures and other items to make his two-bedroom apartment feel more like a home. He says he’s also been diagnosed with ADHD and met with a psychiatrist. Richardson is outgoing and the type of person who can keep a conversation going. He’s unemployed but looking for a full-time job. “The biggest thing that’s bringing me stress at this moment is finding a job.”
He has seven brothers and sisters, two of whom are full siblings. His parents are now divorced, but he talks with them on a regular basis. In spite of his troubled childhood, Richardson developed a strong ethos of staying true to himself. “I try to live my life as genuinely as I can. Be myself no matter what other people think. At the end of the day, I know the person that I am.” He also maintains contact with people at J Bar J. “I still go visit them all the time over at Canal House in Redmond. I visited them for New Year’s and Christmas because I wasn’t really doing anything and…I miss the staffers there. I’m still in contact with them, which is really nice. I can call them if I ever need anything or if I ever just need somebody to talk to, which is a really, really nice thing to have,” he says. “A lot of places like homeless shelters, it’s like, once you’re out, you’re out and you never hear from those people again. I put the effort into making my own little community through there.”
Richardson wants to attend college and double major in Spanish and art, which fits into his ultimate dream. “I draw all the time. Love doing art… There’s this town called Coatepec, Veracruz, which is on the eastern part of Mexico… I really want to open my art gallery there… It’s the town where one of my favorite singers grew up. Her name is Natalia Lafourcade.”
On his 18th birthday he got a tattoo on his arm that reads, “Todo A Su Tiempo” which means everything in its own time. “Kind of like a reminder. Every time I look at it, to take things slow, when I can. Not to rush everything. And yeah, you need to put work into things, but sometimes you need to let things come to you naturally. So it’s about balance.”
Submitted by Kira Newman
Nic Moye
My Journey Through Homelessness
A first-person account of being homeless in Bend
By Tim Gibbons M.S.
Iam the current face of homelessness in Bend and Central Oregon. I am 67 years old, highly educated and without a place to live. Thankfully, I found Shepherd’s House Ministries Lighthouse — a shelter for the homeless in Bend. Initially, it began as the 2nd Street Shelter as a low-barrier emergency shelter in June 2021. Later that year, $2.5 million was provided by the State of Oregon from House Bill 2006 and $1.4 million through money allocated to the City of Bend from the American Rescue Plan Act (The Source Weekly, July 13, 2022) to provide a more comprehensive center. In June of 2022 it transitioned into a more comprehensive Navigation Center. The City of Bend provides money annually from its general fund to operate the shelter.
The Lighthouse is a low-barrier shelter. Residents are here for one of three reasons: mental health challenges, substance abuse, or a lack of financial resources. I fall into the third category. I am semi-retired and for the last four years I substitute taught in the Bend/LaPine, Redmond, and Sisters school districts and it provided a steady income. For the last two years I have collected Social Security. Unfortunately, I have been without my car for the last seven months because I have been unable to pay a large repair bill. This has negatively impacted my ability to substitute teach on a regular basis. And so, I found myself unable to find an affordable place to live. For two weeks I stayed with two different friends. However, staying longer than a week can damage a friendship.
My experience at the shelter opened my eyes to who is impacted by the high cost of living in Bend. Let me dispel some myths surrounding the homeless population. There are people of all ages and backgrounds. Some, like me, are highly educated and had a successful career or careers. It is a mix of blue collar and white collar workers. According to Apartments.com, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Bend is $1,430. In addition, the cost of groceries has risen. Over the last two decades the median price for a single home in Bend has increased from $150,000 in 1997 to $700,000 at the beginning of 2026 (The Bulletin, Jan. 8, 2026).
In conversations with residents at the Lighthouse I learned there is a mix of those who have lived “on the street,” some who are ex-felons, some are individuals suffering from mental health challenges, and some are recovering alcoholics and former drug addicts. These are people on the edge of polite society. They are in survival mode
and their behavior and communication change. Many use the f-word repeatedly in a conversation as a means to emphasize. It becomes de rigueur. Selfishness becomes more prominent. Some individuals retain their kindness for others. Some do not.
Is everybody clean and sober? NO! One morning I witnessed an individual who was obviously high. From his rambling dialogue I was unable to understand what he was saying. My fellow residents at our breakfast table all agreed he was high.
I sought out residents with whom I could have a “normal” conversation. Many had successful careers and hold post-graduate degrees. Like me, they are at the Lighthouse because of a lack of financial resources. They do not suffer from mental health challenges or substance abuse. The need to connect and share my story is what helps me stay sane with a healthy outlook.
The Lighthouse has permanent staff that runs the facility. The kitchen staff has several chefs who prepare healthful and very flavorful meals three times a day. This is one of several things that stand out at this facility. In addition, Case Managers can help you find a job and housing. Further, Peer Support Staff can provide you transportation to a medical appointment, a bank, or other social services that can help you get out of homelessness.
I was fortunate to connect with a supportive Case Manager and a caring member of the Peer Support Staff. I was able to have healthy, productive conversations with them and feel a human connection. Most days I walk to the Deschutes Public Library to escape the toxic environment that is the main room of the Lighthouse, called the dayroom. I need quiet surroundings to read, write, and reflect. And the library is a refuge. Many of the residents of the Lighthouse also visit the library to escape the chaos.
The longer I stayed at the Lighthouse the more I became aware of the dangerous individuals who were residents. This included sexual predators and ex-felons. Some were victims of domestic and sexual abuse. As a low-barrier shelter, they will take nearly everyone. Other shelters in town such as the Bethlehem Inn are high-barrier and the screening and background check are more complex. Low-barrier shelters focus on easy access and keeping people safe and alive, while high-barrier shelters have stricter entry requirements such as sobriety, program participation, and background checks to create a stable environment.
The staff I’ve interacted with most are non-judgmental and treated me with kindness and dignity. I am especially grateful for that. Below are descriptions of a few of the individuals I have met at the shelter. I have changed names to protect their identity.
• Daniel, the former technology industry leader from the 1970s and 80s. He plays Solitaire throughout the day.
• Robert, the brilliant molecular biologist who worked for several pharmaceutical companies and now spends his time creating herbal medicine formulas to improve cognitive and immune function.
• John, the instructor who taught psychology at Stanford University.
• Jane, who worked as an executive assistant for powerful business executives.
• Sarah, who has a faraway look in her eyes and is mainly non-verbal. When encountered with a question she can flash a charming smile.
• Dan, covered in black hair and a bushy beard, is mostly non-verbal and loves to eat and mumbles to himself.
• Betsy, a dramatic woman, loves to draw attention to herself.
• Jocelyn, a gray-haired woman in a wheelchair who wants to be independent in all her actions.
• Wally, who worked in the paper mill and construction industries and can operate any piece of heavy equipment or machinery in a mill.
I think many in our society have an outdated image of the homeless population.
Not too long ago I thought of the homeless as mostly mentally ill. Today, we know it as a blend of young and old, comprised of all ethnic backgrounds, a mix of blue collar and white collar workers, and those with a college education and/or post-graduate degrees. Do I have a solution? No. My job is to illuminate the current situation I see in Central Oregon. My simple advice is be well and take care of your neighbors and friends.
Tim Gibbons
The Faces of Homelessness — More Than Numbers
The annual Point-In-Time count is conducted every year, directed by HUD, and executed by dozens of volunteers throughout Central Oregon
By Ramona McCallister
On a single night in January each year, the Point-in-Time Count takes place nationwide to count people experiencing homelessness. In Central Oregon, this takes place in La Pine, Sisters, Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation. Information from this count provides data and insights to better understand the homeless population and provide effective support.
Rosie Laurie serves as the regional coordinator for the Central Oregon PIT Count this year. There are two counts: sheltered, (includes emergency shelter and transitional) and unsheltered, which includes living in areas that are not meant for human habitation (abandoned buildings, outside, cars, etc.). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires that Central Oregon do a count for each county annually. The Homeless Leadership Coalition acts as the Continuum of Care that provides support for the PIT in each county.
“I’ve been very impressed with the dedication and coordination shown by PIT leads and volunteers across the region,” said Laurie.
Under this umbrella are the volunteers who provide boots on the ground and assembling data in real time. It is no small task, as many volunteers reach out to camps outside of city limits, as well as shelters, food panties, hotels, and soup kitchens. The count also
includes people who may temporarily live with relatives or friends, (also known as couch-surfing), people living in trailers without water and sewer hook-ups, barns and sheds or garages on the property of a relative or friend. The numbers are not finalized until early spring, but preliminary and “unaudited” numbers were available for Crook County as of Feb. 3 which showed 203 homeless individuals in the city of Prineville, and 63 in outlying areas. That reflects 63% of last year’s count, which was 388.
“The reason for the lower numbers this year, is in part, due to the fact that we were able to house over 30 people that we had come in contact with last year, through the services that are offered,” said Redemption House Ministries Director Cindy Jacobsen.
Preliminary numbers were not yet available for Deschutes or Jefferson County. The overall 2024/2025 PIT count for Central Oregon included 1,252 electronic interview surveys, 190 observational surveys completed, with 666 in shelters across the region. A total of 2108 unique, unduplicated people were included in last year’s Point in Time Count.
A closer look behind the data
Jacobson has been the director for Redemption House Ministries in Prineville since 2019, and with the organization since 2013. A pilot program began in 2024, that included
reaching out to surrounding encampments in Crook County. It has gone from identifying two homeless camps to eight. Volunteers take food boxes, blankets and water to these locations during their count.
“For me, it was just eye-opening how many women and children were out there alone, and veterans and older people,” said Jacobson. She added that seeing families living in an RV with no running water or hook-ups is heart-rendering. Jacobson met people who ended up homeless because they couldn’t afford rent, and many had medical situations.
“This year I am going out with my team, and I feel it is very important. I do love going out and connecting. We can get so caught up in our offices and try to put all our numbers together all the time to bring in all the funds and all that, that sometimes we kind of forget what we are doing it for. I get my whole team involved, to go out and actually meet the people and get the stories and hear why they (our team) are here pulling together all this stuff and working the hours that they do, because we are a small team.”
Jacobson emphasized that there’s a variety of homeless people and reasons why they are there. “We let people know that there is still hope, and there are still people who care, and we are here to help you. If you want to help yourself, we will help you with a hand up. We are not just here for the handout, but a hand up. We have got some good responses to that,” she said about their outreach.
Shenika Cumberbatch Corpas, Community Partnership coordinator and contract administrator for Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties, works with a large number of people who helped with the PIT count. They ask each homeless participant, “Where did you sleep the night of the 26th (Jan. 26)?”
In Bend, organizations that helped with the outreach include Shepherd’s House and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach. Cumberbatch Corpas said one of the big takeaways last year for her was a rise in numbers.
“For me it was the increase, noticing that the count has not decreased and we are seeing these numbers rise. We are
trying to find out where the gaps are and trying to do what we can to really capture folks and have those conversations.” She added that the issue is complex, but they want to try to figure out how to support these people and identify the services needed and the gaps that exist. One misconception she encounters is that people choose and prefer to be homeless and live off the system, and no matter what, they do not want to work.
“We actually know that is not the truth. No one chooses to be homeless,” she emphasized. She added that it can happen easily, from losing a job or having medical problems, and it can happen in an instant. “For folks who are homeless — it’s not a choice.”
Stories behind the faces
Behind each number is a story. Volunteer Camille Jones shared some of their stories with the Source. One involves James, born in Portland in 1940. He hitchhiked to Prineville in 1959 to help fight wildfires and fell in love with the area. After his career in the Air Force and working odd jobs, he retired to care for his ailing father. James moved to Prineville in 2020, hoping to buy a piece of property in Summit Prairie. In the meantime, he bought a used Airstream and moved into an RV Park. Unfortunately, the dip in the market at the beginning of COVID affected the trust he’d received from his father, and his dreams of owning property slipped away. Now, he is dependent on social security and VA benefits.
Julie, James’s daughter, is college-educated and spent her career working for banks. She lost her full-time job shortly after testifying against her boss in a human trafficking case. Afterward, she became a contract worker. For six years she’s dealt with being fired from a variety of companies with little to no notice since she had no worker protection.
She and her husband have bounced around — sometimes able to rent their own place, sometimes staying with friends and relatives. Every time she is let go, it feels like three steps back until her current situation, which she
considers a true low: living with her father in his rundown Airstream with no hook-ups. She applied for SNAP and housing assistance and continues to get work as she can, but the three of them mostly rely on James’s social security and VA benefits. Their situation has remained the same since COVID.
Jennifer Woods shares a story both as a volunteer, an employee of Redemption House Ministries, and a woman who has experienced homelessness. She volunteered for the PIT count and was part of the Redemption House outreach team in 2024/2025 going into camps in the outer areas to count individuals who weren’t counted before because they didn’t have an outreach team. “A big part of how the numbers increased was not necessarily that we had more homeless people, but we had more resources to do the count.”
Woods indicated that her involvement feels personal. “I actually stayed at the women’s shelter for Redemption House Ministries and I became an employee. Many of my co-workers have also had the same journey — this is in our heart, and we are passionate about it because we have had the support and the ability to get back on our feet after whatever our situations were that we came from.”
Woods emphasized that one misconception is that homeless people are always coming to the community from somewhere else. She said that many times they are folks who have lived in the area for a long time, and many were previously housed. Another misnomer is that they are homeless because of drugs and choices.
“I can speak from my own personal experience. It had nothing to do with any of that. I left a domestic violence situation. It’s often not what people think, of how we get there and how it happens (homelessness).”
Volunteers share their insights
Camille Jones began volunteering for the PIT last year. “I’ve always seen people on the streets and wished that I could do something, and I have always
wanted to contribute to my community,” said Jones with conviction. She witnessed people in her life become homeless and felt helpless. The PIT count has been a chance to give back and make a difference.
She says there are more families who are homeless, as well as children, than people realize. “There is a misconception, or maybe something that people don’t think about, ‘There are no homeless here in Prineville, because I don’t see them,’ and that is not the case at all. They are trying to be under the radar, because it can be dangerous for them.”
Jeannie Coyle moved to Crook County approximately seven years ago. She had never had experience volunteering, but she wanted to get involved in the community and signed up for the PIT count. She and her husband, David, wanted to learn more about homelessness. She came from the corporate world and likes systems and processes. “I didn’t know how hard it would be, or how much time it would take,” she exclaimed. She was part of a three-person team and is thankful to be giving back to her community. “There are many, many different kinds of people, not only different ages, but different sexes and different situations. Each is a story, and all the stories are very complicated.”
Jones said there are more families in the outlying areas than people realize. “We forget that unhoused people are people just like us.”
Danna McNeese represents the Sisters community in the PIT count and feels one of the biggest misconceptions are that homeless are addicts and suffering from mental health needs. “That category of person is probably 20% of the unhoused population in Sisters.”
Coyle feels that people make assumptions. “One is, ‘these are people who can’t or won’t work hard, and they are not as smart as they should be.”’
Cumberbatch Corpas concluded, “No one wants to be homeless, or spend 10 years on the streets and not know when they are going to be safe.”
From left are Redemption House Ministries Director Cindy Jacobsen; Julie Pierce, kitchen manager for Craigs Compassionate Cafe; and Jennifer Woods, volunteer and staff for Redemption House Ministries.
Ramona McCallister
Volunteers for the Crook County Outreach Team stand in front of a table with blankets, clothing and water, while conducting the 2026 PIT count in a remote encampment area.
Cindy Jacobson
SOURCE PICKS
THURSDAY 2/12
BRAVO THE BAGCHASER, LIL MARU, GMONEYDT, PLAYERRWAYS, & DJ TRILL
MEXICAN RAP
Bravo The Bagchaser is the next Mexican rap star to break out of Los Angeles. He’s relentlessly racing to greatness, speeding down the lane legends like Cypress Hill and more recently, Shoreline Mafia, opened for Latino artists from L.A. to flourish in mainstream rap culture. 8:45pm-Midnight at The Domino Room. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $36.
FRIDAY 2/13
STUDENTS AGAINST ICE
STUDENT ACTIVISM
This rally, organized by Bend Student Voices, will bring together a diverse coalition of local youth who wish to speak out against the Trump Administration. Feb. 13, 2pm in Downtown Bend, on the corner of Wall Street and Newport Ave. FRIDAY
THE RUMPEPPERS
BRINGING THE ENERGY
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. The band comprises members Zeus Guelfex, Paul Streichan, Scott Kanavel, and Logan Anderson, who together create a distinctive sound that resonates with audiences. 8-10pm at The Commonwealth Pub. 30 SW Century Dr. #100., Bend.
FRIDAY 1/29
DATE NIGHT THAT REALLY ROCKS: LAPIDARY
PLAY WITH STONES TOGETHER
In this guided, beginner-friendly class, learn the fundamentals of lapidary work as you shape, grind and polish stone on professional equipment. From choosing your rough material to watching it transform into a smooth, glossy cabochon, you’ll experience the full magic of the process side-by-side. No prior experience needed. Feb. 13, 6-8pm at DIY Cave. 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. $99.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY 2/13-2/15
2026 BEND WINTERFEST
MUSIC, LIGHTS AND WINTER FUN
Under the sparkling lights, the 2026 Bend WinterFest will create an enchanting atmosphere filled with live music, art, delectable cuisine, shopping and entertainment suitable for all ages. Tickets are good for all three days! Browse art, outdoor accessories, handmade creations and more in the expansive marketplaces. And go see Tiffany take the stage Saturday night, along with other amazing artists throughout the weekend. Fri-Sun at the Old Mill District, 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., Bend. $11.17+
SATURDAY
VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER & DANCE CONCERT
MUSIC AND DANCING
2026 continues the tradition of Sunriver Music Festival's Valentine's Day Dinner & Dance Concert. Sponsored by Sunriver Resort and Sunriver Markets and featuring the 17-piece Notables Swing Band, here’s your opportunity for a fun night out in the iconic Great Hall. 5-9pm at Sunriver Resort. 17600 Center Dr., Sunriver. $140.
SATURDAY 2/14
CANDLELIGHT PIANO CONCERT AT MT. BACHELOR
SNOWY MUSIC
Experience Mt. Bachelor in a whole new light this Valentine’s Day with Piano Flow Live, a candlelit outdoor piano concert set in the snowy landscape of the Nordic Center. Guests are invited to ski or snowshoe through the trails while listening via wireless headphones, or relax inside the lodge. 5:30-6:30 & 7:30-8:30pm at Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center. 13000 SW Century Dr., Bend. $20-$45.
SATURDAY 2/14
DANNY SERAPHINE’S EVENING OF CHICAGO
STAR-STUDDED NIGHT
A weekend with Danny Seraphine, Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee and cofounder / original Drummer of the band Chicago and his All-Star band CTA (California, Transit Authority) with special guest Tony Grant, lead singer of the The Temptations. 5-7pm at The Oxford Hotel. 10 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend. $81.80.
SATURDAY 2/14
FONDUE FOR TWO
VALENTINE’S TREAT
Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards celebrates Valentines Day with live music and fondue for two. Wine will be purchased separately at the time of the event. Tickets are sold for two guests attending together. Music by Reno & Cindy. 5-8pm at Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards. 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr., Terrebonne. $100 per couple.
SUNDAY 2/15
THE ELOVATORS W. SHWAYZE & JARV
REGGAE TUNES
Exploding into the American progressive roots scene in 2018 with their #1 Billboard Reggae album Defy Gravity, The Elovaters have quickly become a household name for lovers of Sublime, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Stick Figure and more. 8pm-Midnight at Midtown Ballroom. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $39.
Unsplash
CENTRAL OREGON’S BIGGEST WINTER CELEBRATION
LIGHT, ICE AND FIRE EXPOSITION PUMP BUMP JAM CONTEST
TITLE SPONSOR
PROUD TO SUPPORT BEND’S FAVORITE WINTER TRADITION.
BRIGHTEN THE WINTER SEASON!
Central Oregon’s Biggest Winter Celebration!The 2026 Boss Mortgage Bend WinterFestis excited to return standing as the Northwest's largest winter festival! Prepare for a weekend filled with an array of live music acts, artisans, and vendors from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.Breathe in the fresh air of the high desert and explore mesmerizing sculptures crafted from fire, ice, and light. Shop an array of artists, vendors, and more in the Wonderland Marketplace and the outdoor Cascades Market. Relax in our heated Royal Lounge tent before heading to the Oregrown Main Stage for spectacular performances by 80s legend Tiffany and dance your heart out with Brandi Cyrus.Engage in family-friendly, STEM-based activities hosted by OMSI and sponsored by Lonza. And don't miss out on the Hot Cocoa Run, a fun-filled 5K through the Old Mill, complete with cocoa and more at the finish line.
Is it winter? Hard to say. Is it Winterfest? Yep, anyway.
No snow in sight, but spirits are high, Good tunes, cold drinks, and friends nearby. Boss Mortgage is proud to help make it happen, Because Bend + community = always a win.
So grab a cup, wander around, Winter or not, this fest goes down.
Cheers, Randy Vance CEO/Founder, Boss Mortgage
SCAN FOR TICKETS
ENTRY TICKETS
GENERAL ADMISSION:
$17 advanced
$20 at the gate
SENIOR:
$15 at the gate
KID’S ADMISSION (Under 12):
$10 advanced
$12 at the gate
General admission tickets are good for ALL THREE DAYS just keep your wristband!
Kids two and under are FREE CAN ONLY MAKE IT ON SUNDAY? Sunday ONLY admission: $15
Lay It Out Events proudly supports local nonprofits & community organizations!
BENEFICIARY
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Adult Hot Cocoa Run: $25 (does not include admission)
Every year, a portion of proceeds from WinterFest is donated to a local nonprofit. In 2026, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon returns as this year’s beneficiary! Big Brothers Big Sisters offers effective mentoring programs that improve the lives of our community’s youth. These programs deeply engage communities through collaboration with families, mentors, community funders, schools and other partners. Offering a variety of programs to meet community and youth needs.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13
5:00pm WinterFest kicks off!
5:00pm Wine Walk begins in the Old Mill District
6:00pm The Rally: Ski and Snowboard Competition –Snowboarders night
7:00pm Saxsquatch performs at the Oregrown Main Stage
8:00pm Family Play Zone closes
8:30pm Brandi Cyrus performs on the Oregrown Main Stage
9:30pm Marketplaces close
10:00pm WinterFest closes
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
11:00am Day 2 of WinterFest begins!
11:00am Simplicity by Hayden Homes Ice Carving begins
1:00pm K9 Kings Flying Dog Show
2:30pm K9 Kings Flying Dog Show
4:00pm K9 Kings Flying Dog Show
6:00pm 80s Trivia on the Oregrown Main Stage
6:00pm The Rally: Ski and Snowboard Competition –Skiers night
7:00pm Glass of Hearts: Blondie Tribute performs on the Oregrown Main Stage
8:00pm Family Play Zone closes
8:30pm Tiffany performs on the Oregrown Main Stage
9:30pm Marketplaces close
10:00pm Winterfest closes
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
11:00am Final day of WinterFest begins!
11:00am Simplicity by Hayden Homes Ice Carving begins
Noon Hot Cocoa Run 5K Run
1:00pm K9 Kings Flying Dog Show
2:30pm K9 Kings Flying Dog Show
4:00pm K9 Kings Flying Dog Show
5:00pm WinterFest closes
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Fire Pit Displays, Ice Carving, Light Art
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 13TH
SAXSQUATCH
Saxsquatch is a 7’ tall multi-instrumentalist, producer, and electronic music artist from North Carolina. Saxsquatch’s live show is a mind bending experience showcasing his music production, stage plot, and saxophone skills over original music, remixes, and crowd participation.
BRANDI CYRUS SPARKS STAGE
Brandi Cyrus is a powerhouse of creativity, seamlessly blending her passions for music, fashion, travel, and animals into an electrifying career that spans the worlds of DJing, hosting, content creation, and podcasting. With music running through her veins, Brandi has captivated audiences globally as a DJ. Brandi’s musical journey includes her debut release, a remix of Lainey Wilson’s hit Wildflowers and Wild Horses, blending her unique style with country-infused beats that have resonated with fans worldwide.
Our DJ’s are Portland based artists: Rymes & Lowbeams. Our Dj’s will send you on a journey through genres and cultures, mixing epic melodies that bridge the worlds of dreamy house, lo-fi vibes, hip hop hooks, and indie influences into a captivating blur on the dance floor.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14TH
TIFFANY HEART OF GLASS
Giving the NW a taste of the New Wave era’s premier femalefronted powerhouse, Glass of Hearts delivers all the punk, disco and rap packed with every ounce of energy one show can handle. We deliver the sound, look and feel of Debbie Harry and crew in their prime.
Tiffany is a legendary pop star who became the youngest female artist to top the Billboard charts with her debut album, featuring the No. 1 hits “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Could’ve Been.” Over her decades-long career, she has sold more than 15 million albums and evolved her sound from pop to rock and country, with critically acclaimed albums like The Color of Silence, A Million Miles, and Pieces of Me
80'S
TRIVIA
Join us for a an epic evening of ’80s trivia in the Hayden Homes Amphitheater before the show on Saturday night! This electrifying trivia night will transport you back in time with nostalgic questions covering music, movies, pop culture, and significant events that made the 80’s. For just $5, you can purchase a game board from The Lay It Out Foundation for a chance to win one of our fabulous prizes and ultimate trivia glory! Proceeds from the game will benefit the nonprofit (purchase not required to participate in trivia). The trivia fun will be hosted by comedian Anthony Poponi.
FIRE
Warm up next to a cozy fire pit and take in the magic of the fire sculptures.
FIRE PIT ARTISTS:
• Jay Nielson
• Iron Roots Design
• Cody Miller
• Marvin Wafford
• Tim McGowan
• Jenny Brown
• Alisa Looney
ICE
Look on as the carvers transform their blocks of ice into intricate masterpieces.
ICE CARVERS:
• Mike Richards
• Nina Nev
• Russel Leno
THE RALLY
The Rally is back at WinterFest — and it’s bringing the stoke.
This high-energy snowboard and ski contest features a pump-track–style course where riders of all levels can drop in, show off, and race for cash prizes.
FEBRUARY 13
5PM - 8PM
PICK UP STARTS @ 4PM AT SAXON'S
Kick off WinterFest weekend with the Wine Walk—sip and stroll through the diverse retailers of the Old Mill District with a custom Wine Walk glass in hand, eight curated wine samples, and entry to WinterFest all weekend long.
SAXON’S
STOLLER ESTATE BRUT SPARKLING
The aromatics are generous, showing juicy notes of pear, ginger, and anise seed. The palate is vibrant and taut, but the effervescence carries the fruit through a long finish.
BUDD + FINN
ERATH WILLAMETTE VALLEY
PINOT NOIR
Showcasing bright red cherry and raspberry layered with subtle floral, herbal, and earthy notes, capturing the classic elegance of Oregon Pinot Noir. The palate is silky and refined, with soft acidity, delicate fruit, and a light, airy finish.
TUMALO ART CO
DREAMING TREE CHARDONNAY
HELLO SUNSHINE
AMATERRA WINERY 2020 CABERNET
SAUVIGNON
Aromas of dried berry, blueberry, cocoa powder, berry preserves, 5-spice, raisin, fennel, and chocolate frosting. On the palate, there are flavors of chocolate, blackberry, prune, intense warming spices, and new leather.
WARBY PARKER
WILLAMETTE 2022 MÉTIS RED BLEND
A complex red blend of the finest varietals from the Walla Walla Valley including 42% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec
VA PIANO
2022 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Dark fruit meets warm spice in this smooth red blend, featuring blackberry, cherry, cedar, and clove, with a polished French oak finish.
SAVORY SPICE
WILLAMETTE 2023 ESTATE PINOT NOIR
Bright ruby in the glass, the wine exemplifies the classic "Willamette Valley style" with savory and fruit-forward aromas of potpourri, sage, red currant and raspberry.
EVOKE WINERY
DOMINATRIX PINOT NOIR
Dark black cherry flavors with gripping leather dominate the tightly wound oak characteristics that are fiery and intense. This Domme has a velvety texture that will whip your taste buds into a frenzy.
ESCORT SAUVIGNON BLANC
Our Chardonnay embodies the classic California style. Rich yet elegant, with flavors of apple, lemon, and a touch of toasted almond. Enjoy out on the patio, by the fire, or any time at all.
Alluring citrus aromas and gorgeous light body reveals blossoming scents of racy acidity with a fantastic finish! Escort delivers that much needed boost to your inner palate.
FAMILY PLAY ZONE
The fun doesn’t stop at WinterFest! The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry Science (OMSI) will bring a collection of hands-on brainteasers challenge visitors to think both critically and creatively. Puzzles range in difficulty and content but most incorporate concepts of geometry, algebra and or physics and lead to fun (and often surprising) solutions!Kids will enjoy playing educational games and interacting with STEM-based activities, sponsored by Lonza!
HOURS: Friday 5-8pm
Saturday 11am-8pm
Sunday 11am-8pm
K9 KINGS FLYING DOG SHOW
Each performance demonstrates the amazing ATHLETICISM of these amazing working dogs. They will captivate the audience with their skills of spinning, flipping and jumping.
SHOW TIMES:
Saturday & Sunday 1pm | 2:30pm | 4pm
Register on site starting at 11am!
FEBRUARY 15
STARTS AT NOON @ Old Mill District
CUSTOM MUG!
Includes a custom mug (for the first 200 finishers), full hot cocoa bar and more goodies at the finish!
HOT COCOA RUN
Ready to add some sweet, chocolaty fun to your WinterFest experience? We’ve got something special lined up for all you runners out there – the exhilarating Hot Cocoa Run!
Race Details: Lace up your running shoes and get set for a thrilling 5K run through the winter wonderland of Bend. But here’s the twist – come dressed in your quirkiest, funniest, or most creative costume!
After crossing the finish line, indulge in a steaming hot cocoa bar adorned with all your favorite toppings. And to add that extra kick of delight, a splash of Crater Lake Spirits awaits
FOOD VENDORS
• Adamo’s Carnival Eats
• Beyond Borders Food Truck
• Central Oregon Barbecue
• Coco and Mallow LLC.
• Crepes Du Jour
• Island Noodles MT
• Qualiserve
• Rainy Day Beignets
• Rico’s Tacos
• Sangers Gourmet Hamburgers
• Smokey Bag Jerky
• Soup & Co
• Sparkle N Swirl Dirty Sodas
• The Corndog Company of Central Oregon
• Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck
• Wild West Mini Donuts
VENDORS
DRINKS?
• Avid Hard Cider
• Avid Blackberry
• Avid Shiro Plum Cherry
• Beatbox
• Blueberry Lemonade
• Fruit Punch
• Crater Lake Spirits Cocktails
• The Breakfast Club
• Madonna’s Manhattan
• Deschutes Brewery
• Black Butte Porter
• Fresh Squeezed IPA
• King Crispy Pilsner
• Red Chair NWPA
• Superstoked NA Golden
• Underwood
• Pinot Noir
• Pinot Gris
BUSINESS SHOWCASE
• Floor Coverings International
• Evergreen Softub
• Ferrellgas
• HomeMasters
• LeafFilter
• LeafGuard
• Masters of Disasters Property Restoration
• National Solar
• Powers Bath and Remodel
• Project Recover
• Renewal By Andersen
• Simplicity by Hayden Homes
• Smile-A-Mile Painting Oregon
• TDS
WONDERLAND MARKETPLACE
Discover a vibrant marketplace filled with over 100 local vendors & exhibitors showcasing handmade goods including leather, woodwork, pottery, jewelry, apparel, photography, rustic art, home goods, and more! Local businesses in fitness, media, home improvement, real estate, insurance, and non-profits will share their services with potential new clients from Central Oregon and beyond!
• 208 Tees
• Amazing Grace Mission
• Andean Weaves
• Anvil Sportswear LLC.
• Ascend Mushrooms
• Be Good Monster
• Be Oregon Clothing Co
• Calliope Knits
• Catman Cellars
• Central Oregon Psychic
• Coastal Vin Chaud
• Cole Crafted
• Concentrated Earth
• Crater Lake Spirits
• Crazy About Crystals
• Curmuffins
• Darkside Smokehouse
• Deschutes Acupuncture
• Down to Ferment
• Dubai Chocolate
• Elizabeth Jewelry
• Farewell Market
• Glass by Carel
• Happy Yak
• It’s My Fun
• JTGEMS
• Leaf & Bean Tea and Coffee Co.
• Little Family Farm
• Lone Cow Coffee
• Lux HandCrafted Designs
• LVMCbend
• Manuka Mana
• Metolius Wellness
• Murwin’s
• My Art Maker, LLC
• One Spoiled Dog Treat Co.
• Oregon Rocks by Kai
• OZSTRALIA
• Pacific Northwest Specialties
• Papa’s Sunflower Seeds
• Possum Fox Backyard Goods
• Rose & Fern
• Rose Roots Design Studio
• Salsa Mami
• South Barlow Berries LLC
• Spirit Gems
• Springtime Farms
• Stavoren Trading Co.
• Studio Les Bois
• The Crafter and The Carver
• The Flow Shoppe
• Urban River Spirits
• Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon
• Vinyl-ly Done Designs
• Weed Technology & Fabrication
CASCADE OUTDOOR MARKET
Stroll through the heart of Winterfest and take in the breathtaking views of the snowy Cascades Mountains. Become inspired by local vendors along the way who will introduce you to the great Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Find sports & recreation, tours & experiences, hot tubs & saunas, outdoor apparel and more. Discover your next adventure!Winterfest and take in the breathtaking views of the snowy Cascades Mountains. Become inspired by local vendors along the way who will introduce you to the great Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Find sports & recreation, tours & experiences, hot tubs & saunas, outdoor apparel and more. Discover your next adventure!
• Baileys Sports
• BeatBox Beverages
• Bend Axe Throwing
• Bend Backcountry LLC.
• Bridge City Kid
• Crepe-Oh-Holics
• Ember Sauna
• Giddyup Gear, LLC.
• Gifted & Co.
• Grizzly Knives
• JK Enterprise
• Marsh McLennan Agency
• Misty Sky Crafts
• Patio Fyre
• Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck
• ZapTrip Tattoos
S SOUND Blues, Soul and Rock ‘n’
WRoll Bigfoot County, together about a year, is making a splash in the local music scene
By Nic Moye
hile Covid created shockwaves still reverberating today, some good also came to fruition, made possible by happenstance. That’s the genesis of the band Bigfoot County, when two neighbors, Mike Szabo and Mitch Gadsby, hanging out at a neighborhood gathering during the pandemic discovered a shared passion for music.
“We clicked right away. It just sounded great right off the bat. We put on a mini show for everyone there, and of course people were telling us we should start a band as they do when that happens,” Szabo told the Source. “I kind of got serious about it and joined this website called Bandmix, which is almost like a dating website for musicians. That’s where I found Matthew [Miller], our drummer, and eventually James [Hutchens], the other guitar player, who brought in Casey [Holloway] on bass. It was pretty obvious when we first all got in a room together that we had something pretty special. It just clicked.”
Their band has been together for about a year. Szabo, who grew up in a musical family, is on lead and rhythm guitar and vocals. Gadsby grew up in a touring musical family and is on vocals and keys. “He says when he was a toddler they would go to gigs and he would sleep in the guitar case on stage beside them,” Szabo said when asked to describe his bandmates. The drummer, Miller, moved from Seattle where he was performing with prominent bands. Holloway is the bass player, who also
comes from a musical family. His father has been part of local bluegrass and country bands. “We have James Hutchens on lead and rhythm guitar, specifically always a telecaster guitar. James has been playing in bands around Bend for a long time, and he brings a country flair to our sound.”
Szabo started a band in 2014 called
“The Dirty Hounds” but left it when work and raising young children required more of his time and attention.
“Then in 2021, I had a rough year during the pandemic where I lost two really
close friends and a brother, all in the same year, all different non-COVID-related incidents,” Szabo says. “After that I found myself really digging back into music for cathartic reasons.”
His greatest musical influence was the Allman Brothers. “The soul and emotion in every note Duane [Allman] played and every word Gregg [Allman] sang was incredible. That was definitely the band that changed everything for me, and I still listen to those albums all the time.”
When he eventually assembled Bigfoot County, Szabo says it took off
quickly. He’s found support at Silver Moon Brewing and The Commonwealth Pub. “It’s really been a great little music community at those two places, I feel very grateful for everyone’s support.”
The name, Bigfoot County, comes from a lyric in the Grateful Dead song “Brown-Eyed Women” that goes “Tumble down shack in Big Foot County. Snowed so hard that the roof caved in.”
“I guess we are a cover band, but we don’t play covers note for note. We kind of just jam to good tunes and make them our own. We play songs that have a lot of room for improvisation,” Szabo explains. “We are a two-guitar band, and both of us play leads, so there are a lot of dueling guitar solos at our shows. We play stuff like early Allman Brothers, a little Grateful Dead, Stones, Al Green, Tedeschi Trucks, Marvin Gaye. We also throw in some country tunes from Sturgill, Stapleton and Haggard, among others. We try to make everything as danceable as possible.”
Bigfoot County is performing at Silver Moon on Friday, Feb. 20. “If you like that old school, bluesy rock sound, you’ll definitely like us.”
Bigfoot County Fri, Feb 20 7pm Silver Moon Brewing 24 NW Greenwood Ave, Bend bendticket.com/events/bigfoot-country-2-20-2026
$12.24
Left to right, Casy Holloway (bass), Mathew Miller (drums), James Hutchens (guitar), Mitch Gadsby (keys/ vocals), Mike Szabo (guitar/vocals)
Mike Szabo
CALENDAR
11 Wednesday
The Belfry SFF Presents Gadan at The Belfry Gadan blends Irish trad, bluegrass, folk, and Appalachian fire with Italian flair. 7-9pm. $30.
The Capitol Karaoke Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Night Open mic comedy on Bend’s NE side. Come down, eat some BBQ, drink some drinks, and be prepared to laugh. 7:30-9pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Transmission: ‘80s Dark Wave Social Club Immerse yourself in the sounds of the ’80s underground. A moody night of goth, post-punk, and darkwave. Every 2nd Wednesday, 7-10pm. Free.
Hosmer Bar Trivia Night 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! 7-9pm. Free.
JC’s Bar & Grill Wing-SKEY Wednesday + Trivia Enjoy $0.75 wings, cheap whiskey and drink deals. Trivia with the infamous “physical” challenge (think musical chairs, limbo, paper airplanes, etc.) kicks off at 7pm. 7pm. Free.
McMenamins Father Luke’s Room Skillethead - Album Release! Come celebrate as Central Oregon’s own Skillethead, releases their debut album, Check the Weather! Supported by Never Come Down Duo! 7-10pm. $15.
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 Music Bingo (think name that tune meets tradition bingo). Every other Wednesday! Free to play and prizes for the winners. Every other Wednesday.. Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesday Come out for bingo! 5:30-7pm. Free.
Prost! - Bend WTF! Wednesday Trivia Fun! Genuine UKB Trivia is truly unique and entertaining trivia! Independent, locally owned and operated. Please bring something to write with and positive vibes, too :). 7pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing $5 Comedy Night Show features Cam Stone, Tess Eddington, Logan Lennox, Ella Terese, Laura B Wright and Katy Ipock. Hosted by Jon Brown. 21+. 7:30-9pm. Sunriver Public Library Pete Kartsounes Performance Enjoy the eclectic style of an award-winning singer-songwriter on guitar. 12:30-1:30pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Evan Mullins & Connor Bennett A multi-dimensional improvisation-driven duo blending bluegrass standards with the songbooks of the Grateful Dead, JGB, Dylan, the Allman Brothers. 7:30-9:30pm.
Upp Liquids Bend Comedy Open Mic Every Wednesday at UPP Liquids. All peformance types and ages are welcome! 7-9pm. Free.
12 Thursday
The Cellar Live Irish Trad Music with The Ballybogs! Live music featuring Bend’s Irish Trad band, The Ballybogs! Every Thursday at The Cellar. Seats fill up, so get there early! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commons Cafe & Taproom The Commons Sessions Featuring singer-songwriters Johnny Bourbon, Annika Hankshaw, and Kara Wilson. 6-8pm. Free.
The Domino Room Bravo The Bagchaser, Lil Maru, GMONEYDT, Playerrways, & DJ Trill Bravo The Bagchaser is the next Mexican rap star to break out of Los Angeles. 8:45pm-Midnight. $36.
Hosmer Bar Bingo Night Your week just found its highlight—bingo! Drinks, good company and a little friendly competition. 7-9pm. Free.
The Lot Sidney Joseph A multi-instrumentalist whose greatest passion has been creating and performing music since he was just a wee lad. 6-8pm. Free.
Mountain Burger Mavisbretz Project Great food, great music and amazing company. 6-8pm. Free.
Open Space Event Studios Venus in Fur Thomas, a beleaguered playwright/director, is desperate to find an actress to play Vanda, the female lead in his adaptation of the classic sadomasochistic tale Venus in Fur. 7pm.
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Live Wire Pop, country and
Stoller Wine Bar Bend Live Music at Stoller Join us for our Live Music Series, featuring local artist we know and love. Reservations are available and walk-ins are always welcome! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Good Trouble
Good Trouble is an Arena Classic Rock Band featuring music cover of Top Arena and Classic Rock hits of the 70’s & 80’s. 7:30-9:30pm.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Suttle Lodge’s Fireside Concert Series: Skybound Blue Thursday night fireside live music.RSVP required for overnight lodging guests to claim complimentary seats. 6-8pm.
13 Friday
The Capitol So Much Love + Mntra, Given Peace, Matt Blasko, Casey Capps SoMuchHouse & Love of House collaborate again to bring you the best of the best dance music in the Northwest! Join us for a Valentines weekend celebration. We create a elevated nightlife experience with our connection to the community. See you on the dance floor! Noon-2am. $10.
The Commonwealth Pub The Rumpeppers A dynamic rock band hailing from Central Oregon, known for their high-energy performances and engaging presence in the local music scene. 8-10pm.
Domino Room Dana Buckendahl PresentsDoucheology A multimedia stand up comedy extravaganza by Dana Buckendahl. Hosted by Cody Parr with opener Elaine Johnson. An unapologetic, hilarious breakdown of douchebaggery from a woman who tells it like it is. Doors 6pm. General Admission Seating. 7-9pm. $25.
Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Galentines Fondue Night Fondue for you! First glass of sangria included. Bring friends, sip & eat! 5-8pm. $40.
Hablo Tacos Comedy Chaos Five rounds of secret prompts. Each round, teams get just five minutes to write their best one-liner before time runs out. 8-10pm. $19.73.
Open Space Event Studios Venus in Fur Thomas, a beleaguered playwright/director, is desperate to find an actress to play Vanda, the female lead in his adaptation of the classic sadomasochistic tale Venus in Fur. . 7pm.
Silver Moon Brewing A.M. INTERSTATE & MARI AND THE DREAM A.M. Interstate’s music is defined as Rock n Roll, however like with all great rock n roll, their sound travels from and through traditional country, hard driving rock n blues, indie alternative soundscapes, classic rock, souring cosmic psychedelia, and alternative Americana folk. 7-10pm. $14.38.
The Oxford Hotel Danny Seraphine’s Evening of Chicago JA weekend with Danny Seraphine, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee and cofounder / original Drummer of the band Chicago and his All-Star band CTA (California, Transit Authority) with special guest, Tony Grant lead singer of the The Temptations. 6-8pm.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Damien Jurado Plays His Greatest Hits Indie/folk; supported by St. Yuma. 7pm. $33.
14
Saturday
Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Fondue for Two (Valentines Day Dinner) Live Music Celebrate Valentines Day with live music and fondue for two. Tickets are sold for two guests attending together. Music by Reno & Cindy 5-8pm. $100 per couple.
Great Hall at Sunriver Resort Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance Concert 2026 continues the tradition of Sunriver Music Festival’s Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance Concert. Sponsored by Sunriver Resort and Sunriver Markets and featuring the 17-piece Notables Swing Band, here’s your opportunity for a fun night out in the iconic Great Hall. 5-9pm. $140.
McMenamins Old St. Francis School Valentine’s Day: Couples Who Play Linda & Mark Quon will kick off the night with bassist John Allen and fiddle player Casey Willis. Then, Jeff Bethke & Holly Davidson close the evening with their band So Much Closer. 7-10pm. $15 + fees.
Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center
Piano Flow Live at Mt. Bachelor Ski the candlelit trails under the stars at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center, while award-winning pianist Paula Dreyer serenades you with her beautiful piano music. Enjoy hot drinks and menu specials at the Nordic Cafe, take a nordic ski or snowshoe, and celebrate the season in the great outdoors. 5:30-8:30pm.
Open Space Event Studios Venus in Fur Thomas, a beleaguered playwright/director, is desperate to find an actress to play Vanda, the female lead in his adaptation of the classic sadomasochistic tale Venus in Fur. . 2 & 7pm.
River’s Place Evan Mullins & Travis Ehrenstrom Duo Grab your sweetheart and listen to some tunes from the heart this Valentine’s Day. This duo performs heartfelt Americana songwriting; soulful, genre-crossing musicianship with storytelling, rich vocals and improvisational piano finesse. 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing A Candlelit Valentine’s Evening An intimate evening of classic and original love songs. 7-10pm.
The Barrel Room at Upp Liquids C’est La Voom: A Valentine’s Day Burlesque Dinner Experience Spend Valentine’s Day wrapped in velvet, candlelight, and a little French mischief — an intimate, French-inspired burlesque dinner show designed to be savored slowly. 7-10pm. The Commonweath Pub Valentines “All You Need Is Love” with JuJu Eyeball The band will focus on Beatles songs with the title “love” in it, so come and sing and dance and spread some love! 8-10pm.
The Oxford Hotel Danny Seraphine’s Evening of Chicago A weekend with Danny Seraphine, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee and cofounder / original Drummer of the band Chicago and his All-Star band CTA (California, Transit Authority) with special guest, Tony Grant lead singer of the The Temptations. 5-7pm.
15 Sunday
Currents at the Riverhouse 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. 11am-1pm. Free.
Local band The Rumpeppers bring their lively brand of rock and roll — with plenty of theatrics — to The Commonwealth Pub Friday night.
Rumpeppers
Midtown Ballroom The Elovaters with Shwayze & JARV Exploding into the American progressive roots scene in 2018 with their #1 Billboard Reggae album Defy Gravity, The Elovaters have quickly become a household name for lovers of Sublime, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Stick Figure and more. 8pm-Midnight. $39.
River’s Place Kurt Silva & Cynthia West Powerful musical duo bringing classic and contemporary favorites to life. 5-7pm. Free.
Unity Community of Central Oregon Sonic Bliss ~ Breath & Soundbath Experience This blended event combines Breath & Sound to create a potent, transformational healing journey. 6-7:15pm. $28.29.
16 Monday
Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Furnish Hope Play for cash prizes every round while helping provide essential furnishings to those rebuilding their lives. $2 per card or 6 cards for $10 (cash only!) 6-8pm. 2.
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.
Silver Moon Brewing Bluegrass Collective Mondays Local intermediate to advanced players come out to perform their favorite bluegrass songs for locals’ night; experienced BG players encouraged to join and share the stage. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Musician’s Open Showcase Hosted by The Session Calling all musicians! Join us Monday nights, for a special opportunity to share your talent, connect with other artists, and perform in a welcoming and collaborative, music-loving atmosphere. Backline provided, just bring instruments and chords! 5-9pm. Free.
17 Tuesday
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. River’s Place Mardis Gras! Don your party beads, sequins and feather boas for a night of Creole cookin’, specialty cocktails, live music and dancing. Live music by The ABluestics, New Orleans style blues & roots. 6-8pm. Free.
18 Wednesday
Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Night Open mic comedy on Bend’s NE side. Come down, eat some BBQ, drink some drinks, and be prepared to laugh. 7:30-9pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Tropical Latin Dance Party ¡Ven a disfrutar de una fiesta de baile tropical latino en Dogwood cada tercer Miércoles del mes! Tropical Latin Dance Party at Dogwood is the place to be every third Wednesday of the month! Join us for a night of sizzling rhythms and spicy moves at Dogwood at The Pine Third Wednesday of every month, 7-10pm. 0.
McMenamins Father Luke’s Room Epic 90’s Rock at McMenamins Featuring Chained to Stone Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and more! 7-10pm. FREE..
Portello Lounge Music Bingo 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! 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing J. Carmichael + Guests J. Carmichael (songwriter/mandolinist) writes ballads about love, God and a world spinning out of control. Defiance, perhaps to a fault, echoes in his music. 7pm. $13.
Silver Moon Brewing Cascadia
Comedy - Mx. Dahlia Belle and Carlos Kareem Windham The Cascadia Comedy Series is bringing headliners and big talent from all over the West Coast to Silver Moon Brewing on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Feb 18th: Featuring Mx. Dahlia Belle and Carlos Kareem Windham. 7:30-9pm.
The Commonweath Pub Mys Jae Julianne was born and brewed in a musical family of opera singers, Broadway performers, and professional touring musicians. Her classical training in voice, piano, guitar, oboe and ukulele were complemented by the soul and funk of the Bay Area where she grew up performing. You are in for a treat. 7:30-9:30pm.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Jazz at the Suttle Lodge Dirty Jazz with Wolfe House Records, first and third Wednesdays of the month, all winter long! 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.
MUSIC
Central Oregon Symphony’s Winter Concert Series- Young Artist Winners
Young Artist Competition winners alongside a vibrant orchestral program. Works by Akutagawa, Debussy, Beethoven, and Arturo Márquez, culminating in the fiery, rhythm-driven Conga del Fuego Nuevo. Feb. 14, 2pm and Feb. 15, 2pm. Mountain View High School Auditorium, 2755 NE 27th St., Bend. Contact: cosymphony.com. Free with memebership.
OperaBend presents Bend Singer Showcase An inspiring performance that highlights the voices that make our region shine. Feb. 15, 3-5pm. Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus, Bend, Bend. Contact: (503) 351-2465. jocelyn@operabend.org. Donations welcome.
Public (ROCK) Choir - Sing Your Face
Off A fun, no-stress night where all skill levels can GET LOUD with a GREAT live band and group singing. Rock and Pop songs only. Tue, Feb. 17, 6-8pm, The Barrel Room at Upp Liquids, 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 541-728-3798. singbend@gmail.com. 20.00.
Valentine’s Dinner & Dance Concert
Head to the Sunriver Resort Great Hall for a gourmet dinner and quality concert experience all in one! Feb. 14, 5-9pm. Great Hall at Sunriver Resort, 57081 Great Hall Loop, Sunriver. Contact: 541-593-9310. tickets@sunrivermusic.org. $140.
DANCE
Bend Community Contra Dance Live bands from the Pacific Northwest who play music from many countries: Celtic nations, Scandinavia, Quebec, American old time and more! Newcomers are welcome and dances start with a half hour of teaching. Second Saturday of every month, 7-9:30pm. Through April 11. Pine Forest Grange Hall, 63214 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Contact: 559-313-5266. bendcontra@gmail.com. $10-$20.
Cuban Dance Class Series! Rueda de Casino is an energetic, community-oriented dance from Cuba, where couples dance intermingled and in-sync with other couples. Class series re-starts every month. Singles or partners! Mon, Feb. 16, 6-7:30pm. Through March 23. Upp Liquids, 550 SW Industrial way, Bend. Contact: 5416108865. bendrueda@gmail.com. $40.
Discover Capoeira! Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian artform mixing martial arts, acrobatic movement, dance elements, mobility and music. Perfect for adult beginners. Shirt included Feb. 17,, 7-8pm. High Desert Martial Arts, 63056 Lower Meadow Dr. Ste. 120, Bend. Contact: 541678-3460. ucabend@gmail.com. $20.
Square Dance Lessons Red Rock Square Dance club starts beginner lessons. Lessons Sundays 3-4:30, Wednesdays 5-6:30. First two lessons free. No new students after 2/18. Feb. 15, 3-4:30pm. Redmond Grange Hall, 707 SW Kalama., Redmond. Contact: 5099533726. rswee3@ gmail.com. $5
ARTS + CRAFTS
Blacksmithing 201 - Forge a Knife Blade *2 Day Class Learn forging techniques needed to produce sharp-edged tools of high-carbon steel. Emphasis is on learning the fundamental skills needed to forge a good knife. Feb. 17, 5:30-7:30pm and Feb. 18, 5:30-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. 299.
Chinese New Year Paint & Sip Sip, paint, and create a festive masterpiece inspired by Chinese New Year. Feb. 18, 6-8pm. Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: sarahanneswoffer@gmail. com. $55.
Contemporary Landscape Painting for Adults A brief survey of landscape painting with particular attention on contemporary approaches, techniques, materials, content, meaning and form will be introduced. Meets 3 times. Thursdays, 6-9pm. Through Feb. 26. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Contact: maija@theopenartscenter.org. $175.
Craft & Connect An afternoon of fellowship and craft. Bring any small project and materials you need to work alongside community members and enjoy conversation with fellow artists. Info: Roundhousefoundation.org/events/ Feb. 12, 3-5pm. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Rd., Sisters. Free.
Date Night Blacksmith Forged Hearts (Two-Day Workshop) Try your hand at the time-honored DIY craft of shaping, tapering, splitting, twisting, and punching steel to create a beautiful set of forged steel hearts during the two 2-hour class series. Feb. 10, 5:30-7:30pm and Feb. 11, 5:30-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $239.
Date Night That Really Rocks: Lapidary Learn the fundamentals of lapidary work as you shape, grind, and polish stone. Feb. 13, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave. com. $99.
Date Night Turn Wine Bottles into Drinking Glasses Fill your cupboard with seriously cool drinking glasses that you made from your empty wine bottles. Wed, Feb. 11, 6pm and Sat, Feb. 14, 6pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@ diycave.com. $129.
Fermentation 101: An Easy Path to Probiotic Perfection Learn to make probiotic-rich sauerkraut and fermented cucumbers. Feb. 17, 5:30-8:30pm. OSU Extension Redmond, 3800 SW, SE Airport Way Bldg. 4, Redmond. Contact: 650-224-6750. info@schoolofranch. org. $55.
Fused Glass Hearts Learn basic cutting, layering, and design techniques while creating a heart-themed piece for Valentine’s Day. Ages 10+. Feb. 12, 5:30-7pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 5415087438. HelloFreakNArt@gmail.com. $65.
Galentine’s Flower Bar Create your own Valentine Bouquet! No reservation needed. Feb. 13, 2-6pm. The Lot, 745 NW Columbia St., Bend. Contact: 8086524721. passionflowersbend@ gmail.com. Prices vary.
Galentines Witches & Wine: Paint Your Own Tarot Card Workshop Join artist Michelle Schultz for a painting experience where you’ll design and paint your very own tarot card. Feb. 13, 7-8:30pm. Gathered Wares, 50 SE Scott St., Bend. Contact: 678 710 5988. info@ michelleschultzstudio.com. $68.
Intro to Stained Glass - Honeycomb Suncatcher Get hands-on experience with the basics of the copper foil technique — no prior skills needed. Create a stunning, multicolored suncatcher. Wed, Feb. 18, 6-8pm and Wed, Feb. 25, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave. com. $139.
Mending Workshop Learn basic mending techniques like patching, darning, sashiko stitching, and replacing buttons. Bring one to two items to mend. Feb. 15, 11am-1pm. Two Suns Art Studio + MakerSpace, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: NA. cedarandseaweed@tuta.com. $60.
Metal Clay Rings: Two-Day Workshop Learn how to make rings with Metal Clay. Mon, Feb. 16, 6-9pm and Wed, Feb. 18, 6-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $219.
Paint and Sip at Austin Mercantile Join your friendly local artist for some painting and sipping fun! Sat, Feb. 14, 2-4pm. Austin Mercantile, 19570 Amber Meadow Dr Suite 190, Bend. Contact: 8058018328. chalkedcreative@gmail. com. $48.
Paint Night! Enjoy Silver Moon’s delicious offerings as you are led through a painting stepby-step from start to finish! Feb. 17, 5:30-8pm. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-728-4253. jennie.thom@ gmail.com. 49.
Gras already? Yes, it is! River’s Place gets
music, dancing and all the yummy food.
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CALENDAR EVENTS
Petals & Texture: A Valentine’s Floral Experience Celebrate Valentine’s season with a hands-on floral workshop led by Tracy Curtis of Woodland and Floral. Ages 12+. Feb. 11, 5:307:30pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 5415087438. HelloFreakNArt@gmail. com. $75.
Reception: Soul of the Land — Quilts by June Jaeger A reception celebrating Soul of the Land, quilts and textile art by Oregon artist June Jaeger. Feb. 13, 5-7pm. Belknap Exhibit Center, 136 NE 3rd St, Prineville. Contact: 541447-3715. sean.briscoe@crookcountyor.gov. Free.
Self-Care Valentine’s Day Workshop A gentle space to slow down and turn toward yourself with care. Feb. 13, 6-8pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Contact: maija@theopenartscenter.org. $45.
Sewing 101 - Make a Fleece Beanie Hat Learn the basics of sewing while making something cozy and wearable—a custom fleece beanie hat! Feb. 17, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $129.
Stamped with Love: Leather Keychain Date Night Learn the basics of leather stamping using high-quality vegetable-tanned leather and professional stamping tools. Feb. 13, 6-9pm. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave. com. $129.
Valentine’s Day Flower Bar and Popup Valentine’s Flowers Bring your sweetie and create your own Valentine’s flower bouquet. Feb. 14, 1-4pm. River’s Place, 787 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend. Contact: (808) 652-4721. passionflowersbend@gmail.com. Prices vary.
Valentines Paint Party A pre Valentine’s Day event painting a moon and sun painting! Feb. 11, 6-8pm. Wild Ride Brewing, 332 SW Fifth St., Redmond. Contact: 5412805339. itsjustpaint@ yahoo.com. 38.00.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
Artist Talk: Colors of the Horse with Kimry Jelen A project that explores horses through color, appreciation and lived experience. Feb. 17, 5:30-6:30pm. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Rd., Sisters. Contact: 5419040700. inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org. Free.
Decoding the Ocean: How Waves Form and Shape Our World Explore the different types of waves we observe in the water, how they are formed, their relevance in our everyday life and how we study them. Feb. 13, 5-6pm.. Feb. 14, 11am-Noon. Sisters Library, 110 N Cedar St., Sisters. Contact: 5413121063. beccar@ deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
ET Expert Lab— Effective Communication and Emotional Intelligence This session blends self-awareness with actionable communication skills to help you show up as a more effective emotionally intelligent leader. Feb. 11, 3:45-6pm. OSU Cascades Campus, Obsidian Hall, Room 207, 1500 SW Chandler Avenue, Bend.
Forged in Fire: The Volcanic Activity that Shaped Oregon’s High Desert Geologist, author, and photographer Dr. Ellen Bishop will share new discoveries linking iconic high desert landscapes—including Steens Mountain and the Owyhee Canyonlands—to the Yellowstone hotspot. Feb. 11, 7-8pm. Contact: 5413302638. onda@onda.org. Free.
Nature Night: Caring for Our Rivers and Streams Join Restoration Specialist, Jason Grant, as he discusses the importance of streams and floodplains, the efforts the Land Trust and partners are undertaking to promote long-term strength of those habitats, and how the results inform future projects. Registration required. Feb. 18, 7-8:30pm. Contact: 541-3300017. event@deschuteslandtrust.org. Free.
Science Pub: The Science Behind Choosing the Right Running Shoe Join OSU Cascades researcher JJ Hannigan as he explores how running shoe design affects movement and injury risk. Feb. 17, 5:30-7:15pm. Oregon State University-Cascades, 1500 SW Chandler Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-322-3100. events@osucascades.edu. $22.
The Universe Before There Were Stars with Dr. Brandon Matthews Exlpore how cosmologists turned cosmic static into a detailed map of early structure that shaped the universe we see today, and why modern measurements now challenge our understanding of cosmic expansion. Contact: bac@cantordust.net. Room 230 of Middleton Science Center. Feb. 11, 6pm. COCC, 2600 NW College Way, Bend.
The World of Amateur (Ham) Radio
Explore the electromagnetic spectrum, radio waves, propagation, and an array of radio frequencies with the High Desert Amateur Radio Group. Feb. 15, 3-4pm. Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-312-1032. lizg@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
WORDS
The Craft of Writing Wednesdays Learn the technical nuts and bolts of creative writing one craft element at a time. Third Wednesday of every month, 7-8:30pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd St, Bend, OR 97701, Bend. Free.
Hello! Storytime Sharing stories, movement and a touch of music with 0-5 year olds, geared toward those younger ages. A heavy emphasis on fun, so bring your listening ears and a smile. Feb. 11, 10:30-11am. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. 0.
Late Night Shopping: Celebrate Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day! A first-ever Galentine’s and Valentine’s Celebration! Roundabout is open for late night shopping (hockey romance books!) and a DIY bookmark workshop. (Bookmark kits $6) Feb. 13, 5-8pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 5413066564. events@ roundaboutbookshop.com. Free.
Mystery Book Club We will discuss The Briars by Sarah Crouch. Feb. 18, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. 0.
Nonfiction Book Club We will discuss The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel. Feb. 13, 9-10am. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. 0.
RAB Middles Book Club We will discuss Dear Jackie by Jessixa Bagley. Feb. 16, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. .
ETC.
Boeing, Boeing A French farce about an American bachelor named Bernard in Paris who juggles relationships with three flight attendants, each unaware of the others. Thu, Feb. 12, 7:30pm, Fri, Feb. 13, 7:30pm, Sat, Feb. 14, 7:30pm, Sun, Feb. 15, 2pm. Cascades Theatrical Co, 148 NW Greenwood Ave,, Bend. C’est la Voom at the Barrel Room An evening of seductive storytelling, classic cabaret flair, and playful tease, set inside the Barrel Room. Guests will enjoy a fully seated, served dinner alongside the show. Feb. 14, 7-10pm. The Barrel Room at UPP, 550 SW Industrial Way ste #185, Bend. Contact: 541-633-7821. info@ uppliquids.com. $80-$140.
Messages for the Heart: Connection, Relationship and Self-Love An intimate gathering designed to offer clarity and orientation through tarot, intuitive readings, energy medicine integration and plant spirit partnership. Feb. 14, 11am-2pm. Pine & Prism Wellness Collective, 856 NW Bond St., Suite 202, Bend. Contact: 5414191509. sarah@forestwisecollective.com. $137.
Valentine’s Date Night Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Playful Paws Cat Café! Cupcakes, a cold beverage, and 50 minutes with adoptable cats. Feb. 14, 4-7pm. Playful Paws Cat Cafe, 1465 SW Knoll Ave, Bend. Contact: meow@playfulpawscatcafe.com. $24.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
2026 Hot Cocoa Run The return of the Hot Cocoa Run! Race entry includes admission to all three days of WinterFest! Early registration will close on Thursday, February 12 at midnight. Any latecomers can sign up on-site Sunday at 11 am. Feb. 15, Noon. Old Mill District, 450 SW Powerhouse Dr. Suite 422, Bend. $45.
Crater Lake Snowshoe Adventure
An excursion of Oregon’s only National Park! Perched atop the 750-mile long cordillera, the Feb. 14, 8am-5pm. Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-8359. info@ wanderlusttours.com. $240.
Hoodoo’s Enchanted Nordic Trek A magical evening trek at Hoodoo’s Nordic Trail System! Enjoy a rose, chocolate covered strawberries. Feb. 14, 2-4:06pm. Hoodoo Ski Area, 27400 Big Lake Road, Sisters. Contact: 541.822.3799. eventsbreakingfree@gmail.com.
Valentine’s Weekend Bonfire on the Snow Celebrate Valentine’s Day around a cozy bonfire in the snowy old growth forest. Feb. 1316, 7-11pm. Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-8359. info@wanderlusttours.com. $150.
GROUPS + MEETUPS
BEND 101: Waste in Bend—Impact, Diversion & Innovation An engaging Bend 101 focused on how the city and community manage waste and preserve our incredible natural beauty. Feb. 12, 5-7:30pm. Deschutes Brewery - Mountain Room, 901 SW Simpson Avenue, Bend. $20.
Get romantic in the snow this Valentine’s Day at Hoodoo’s Nordic Trail System. Chocolate and strawberries included for the first 50 guests… just pray for snow, K?
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Love Notes: A Soundbath Experience at Juniper Preserve, Golf & Wellness Resort A shared experience of rest, resonance, and connection. Guided by singing crystal bowls, Tibetan sound bowls and expansive gong vibrations. Feb. 14, 6-7pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600
Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 5416935388. info@juniperpreserve.com. $55..
Nerd Night Presents: Super Science Trivia! Test your science knowledge, win prizes and have fun. Feb. 17, 6-8pm. Worthy Brewing - Main Pub and Brewery, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: jake@skeptoid.com. Free.
Sips & Sounds: A Botanical Tonic & Elixir Tasting Experience at Juniper Preserve An immersive botanical tasting experience inspired by traditional apothecaries and modern, ritual-based wellness practices. Feb. 14, 3:30-5pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-6935388. info@juniperpreserve.com. $85.00.
Speed Dating @ Ponch’s Place - Bend (ages 40ish +) Exclusively for singles ages 40ish +, put on by professional matchmakers at Epiphany Match. Participants get their first drink FREE! Feb. 18, 6-8pm. Ponch’s Place, 62889 NE Oxford Ct., Bend. Contact: info@epiphanymatch. com. $15.
Speed Dating @ The Coyote (ages 2139ish) Get ready to meet potential matches at our Speed Dating event (ages 21-39ish) - who knows, you might just find your perfect match! Feb. 14, 4-6pm. The Coyote, 910 NW Harriman St., Bend. Contact: info@epiphanymatch.com. $5.
Speed Dating for Singles! (ages 25ish-75ish, grouped by age) Speed Dating: Meet fun, like-minded singles in a relaxed, welcoming setting! Enjoy laughter, great conversations & real connections, Feb. 11, 6-8pm. Testimony Wine Bar, 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. Contact: info@epiphanymatch.com. $10.
Students Against ICE Students Against ICE. 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 The Peace Corner, Downtown Bend To protest immigration enforcement techniques and encourage youth civic involvement. Feb. 13, 2pm. Downtown Bend, Corner of Wall Street and Newport Avenue, Bend. Free
EVENTS + MARKETS
2026 Bend WinterFest Under the sparkling lights, the 2026 Bend WinterFest will create an enchanting atmosphere filled with live music, art, delectable cuisine, shopping and entertainment suitable for all ages. Tickets are good for all three days! Fri, Feb. 13-Sun Feb. 15. Old Mill District, 450 SW Powerhouse Dr. Suite 422, Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964. $11+
Self-love on Valentine’s Day! Enjoy Self-Love Brew tea, a loving guided meditation, a restorative sound bath, and a shared writing ritual—plus a Trebled Souls candle to take home. Feb. 14, 3-4:30pm. Discovery West, 1123 NW Ochoa Dr, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: 312-2139834. info@trebledsouls.com. $75.
FAMILY + KIDS
Babysitter Training in Bend With Camp Fire Central Oregon An educational, handson course for teens ages 12-17. Participants will learn important babysitting skills, including basic childcare and first aid, safety measures, food preparation and job ethics. Mon, Feb. 16, 9am5pm. Contact: 5413824682. info@campfireco. org. $135.
Harold’s Birthday Bash A birthday celebration for Hoodoo’s mascot, Harold the Hodag. Dance Party, Hot Chocolate and Smores! Feb. 15, 9am-9pm. Hoodoo Ski Area, 27400 Big Lake Road, Sisters. Contact: 541.822.3799. eventsbreakingfree@gmail.com.
Kids Ninja Classes Challenging Ninja Warrior circuits will keep your kids developing new skills. Contact: info@freespiritbend.com. $144.
FOOD + DRINK
All You Need is Love - Valentine’s Dinner at Portello Lounge Indulge in thoughfully crafted dishes, decadent desserts and swoon-worthy cocktails in a cozy setting. Reservations recommended. Feb. 14, 4-9pm. Portello Lounge, 2754 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: contact@portellobend.com.
Redmond Cookbook Club Join local home chefs for a potluck cooked from a different cookbook each month. Meet great people, enjoy delicious wine, and share fabulous food! Third Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm. Arome, 432 SW 6th St., Redmond. Contact: 503-409-7944. kelsey.seymour@jillscookbookclub.com. $15.
Valentine’s Chef Pairing Experience A five-wine flight expertly paired with 4 chef-crafted dishes. Feb. 13, 4-5:30 and 7-8:30pm and Feb. 14, 4-5:30 and 7-8:30pm. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 5413066000. bend@wvv.com. $95.
Valentine’s Day Dinner and a Movie Enjoy a romantic, multi-course dinner complemented by Romancing the Stone on the big screen. Feb. 14, 6-9:30pm. Riverhouse Lodge. Contact: 541-389-3111. info@riverhouse. com. Sold out!.
Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Dinner Partake in a candlelit four-course dining experience overlooking the Deschutes River, inclusive of dishes like Prime Rib of Beef and Chocolate Hazelnut Opera Cake. Reservations encouraged through Tock. Feb. 14, 4-9pm. Currents at the Riverhouse, 3075 N. Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-3111. info@riverhouse.com. $90.
Valentines 5 Course Food and Wine Pairing with Live Jazz Fine wine meets live jazz. Savor a five-course gourmet dinner, each dish creatively paired with handcrafted wines. Feb. 14, 6-8:30pm. Maragas Winery, 15523 SW Hwy 97, Culver. Contact: 5415465464. info@maragaswinery.com. $95.
BEER + DRINK
Beer & Sweets Pairing Enjoy five 5oz beers perfectly paired with locally made sweets for just $20. It’s a fun, flavor-packed night you won’t want to miss. Feb. 13, 5-8pm. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 5419723835. holla@bevelbeer.com. 20..
Love at First Flight A Valentines Day celebration. Stout flights & decadent bites. Feb. 14, 5-9pm. On Tap, 1424 NE Cushing Dr., Bend.. Sunday Valentines Fondue Fondue will be served from 12-5pm Sunday, February 15th. Wine sold separatley. Tickets are $40/guest Noon-5pm. Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr., Terrebonne. Contact: 541-526-5075. events@fhcvineyards.com. $40.
Valentine’s Dinner A carefully curated Prix Fixe menu. The menu is designed to be enjoyed as a journey—unhurried, intimate, and perfectly suited for the occasion. Feb. 14, 5-9pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 8663205024. marketing@juniperpreserve. com. $115.
Valentines Beer Pairing and Dessert with UPP Liquids Join local brewers from UPP Liquids, Worthy Brewing, and Terranaut in the brewery at UPP Liquids for a beer and dessert pairing experience. Feb. 12, 6-8pm. Upp Liquids, 550 SW Industrial way, Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
Cat Stevens Moonshadow Mysticism
- Live Cat Stevens Music, Movement & Soundbath A tribute to the legendary music and messaging of Cat Stevens. Feb. 13, 6-7:30pm. Unity Spiritual Community, 63645 Scenic Dr, Bend. Contact: 8087830374. Kevin@ soundshala.com. $25-$35.
Exploring Your Past Lives Workshop
Learn how to: Travel to + access the Akashic Records Library Journey to your past lives to harvest the goodness + gifts they offer Cut cords + ties to your past lives to allow freedom in this lifetime Gain skills + tools to work with past lives on your own. Feb. 18, 6-7:30pm. Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: (541) 668-6494. hello@sarahnoble.com. $111.
Lob of Your Life: A Pickleball
Social Bring that special someone – whether it’s a friend, partner, or workout buddy – and join an exciting evening of pickleball, drinks, and plenty of fun! Feb. 14, 2-6pm. SHARC Event Space, Sunriver Resort. Contact: 541-323-0964.
Sonic Bliss ~ Breath & Soundbath Experience! Breathe gently and deeply into this healing 432 Hz crystal bowl, Reiki soundbath and breathwork experience! Feb. 15, 6-7:15pm. Unity Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Dr, Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964. $28.29. Tantric Temple Date Ritual Tantric Temple Date Night is a guided, clothed intimacy ritual cultivating presence, reverence and conscious connection. Feb. 13, 6:30-8pm. East Bend Private Residence, Emily Ct, Bend. Contact: 5412285330. elizabeth.weigand@gmail.com. $25.
Valentine’s Day Sound Bath A heart-centered Kundalini Yoga and Sound Bath experience inviting warmth, presence, and gentle connection. Feb. 14, 1-2:30pm. Bend Yoga Center, 1230 NE 3rd Street, Suite A230, Bend. Contact: yoga@ bendyoga.center. $30.
Valentine’s Partner Yoga Experience a deep level of relaxation through connection and support with a dear friend, family member, or partner. Feb. 13, 7-8:30pm. Namaspa Yoga Studio, 1135 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541.550.8550. Deven@DevenSislerYoga.com. $65.
Valentine’s Day Sound Bath: Loving Vibrations & Sacred Sound Journey
Come solo or with a loved one. Feb. 14, 5-6pm. Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964. <CharacterSytle:Ticket>BTICK<CharacterStyle:>
Yoga for Hips: Morning Edition Find flexibility and tension relief through active mobility. Feb. 17, 7:30-8:30am. Bend Yoga Center, 1230 NE 3rd Street, Suite A230, Bend. Contact: yoga@ bendyoga.center. $25.
Love is in the air this week, and if you’re ready to find some, a host of speed dating events will get you started! Check out events at Ponch’s Place, The Coyote and Testimony Wine Bar for other singles, ready to mingle.
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CHOW C
Small Kitchen, Big Taste
Gogo’s
Bistro specializes in smash burgers, hot sandwiches, salads and sides
By Julie Furnas
No snow in January means another opportunity to eat outside. No offense to good weather but Bend needs snow! This time of year, I’m usually taking my food “to go” back to my warm office or house and eating inside while the snow melts off the roof. Not this year! I’ve eaten outside more this January than I have the entire time I’ve lived here and admittedly, I’m kinda loving it. When I rolled up to the food truck lot at Silver Moon, the weather was gorgeous. Right at the entrance of the lot sits Gogo’s Bistro. The menu is full of Bend’s favorite sandwiches, salads, mac and cheese and more. Now typically, I save my craving for a Reuben during the cold months as I consider it a “winter sandwich” and while I wasn’t feeling like a salad today, I asked the chef, Junior Tablas, what I should have. The next thing I know, a scrumptious-looking, Double Smash Cheeseburger with seasoned fries, shining in the January sun, was in front of me. Challenge accepted.
Now, am I a burger expert? No. Am I a smash burger expert? No. Am I an expert on how a perfectly cooked burger, pickles, lettuce, tomato, cheese, secret sauce and grilled onions (at my request) should dance on my taste buds? Absolutely! This burger was incredible from top to bottom: the bun was a perfect texture, the cheese was perfectly smashed into the patties and the veggies were crisp and crunchy surrounded by Junior’s secret sauce. The fries were seasoned with another secret mix and the fry sauce was a creamy, housemade delight. I did my best not to ask for ketchup but half way through the fries, I couldn’t help it - I wanted all the flavors!
Gogo’s Bistro is the sister food truck to Tablas, which is situated in the middle of the other trucks. The menus are completely different yet they compliment each other and both offer delicious lunch, dinner and daily specials. Schedules vary for each truck in the lot and as Silver Moon is known for
its events — that’s when things are really hopping! When visiting this lot, order your food first, run into Silver Moon to grab a drink and by the time you get back, your food will be ready to eat. Junior Tablas is the chef at Gogo's Bistro and takes pride in everything he prepares for his guests.
I spoke with Tablas about his bistro.
the Source: How long have you been at this location?
Junior Tablas: It’ll be two years in April.
tS: What’s the busiest time for you guys?
JT: Noon to mid day, dinner time (when people are meeting for drinks after work) and definitely when Silver Moon has their trivia, bingo and concerts.
tS: What’s in the secret sauce?
JT: It’s a secret (smiling).
tS: How long have you been a chef?
JT: Over 20 years. I was at Brasada Ranch for a very long time and cooked for hundreds of people.
tS: May I take your picture?
JT: It’s not about me, it’s about the food. The food speaks for itself.
tS: How is the catering part of the business going?
JT: Tablas is doing a lot of catering this year, more than we expected.
tS: What’s the best specialty item you have?
JT: Here, I’ll cook it for you.
I was a lucky girl that day. He shared a Cuban sandwich and lamb gyro. Thank you, Junior!
If a burger isn’t your thing, go for the lamb gyro at Gogo’s Bistro or Tablas outside Silver Moon.
Cuban sandwich.
Smash burger.
Photos by Julie Furnas
SC SCREEN The Politics of Insanity
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” amplifies the right people at the perfect time
By Jared Rasic
For like five minutes, I thought it would be a funny idea to start this review pretending like I was doing a deep dive into the new “Melania” documentary, but then I had the (quite obvious) epiphany that giving money, publicity, or my words to propaganda directed by a hack filmmaker photographed cuddling women next to Jeffrey Epstein isn’t hilarious. At all. In a period where Trump has artistically pillaged the Kennedy Center, unknown parties on Craigslist are offering $50 to see “Melania” in Boston area theaters over the opening weekend and the Justice Department released pieces of the Epstein Files to pull focus from ICE’s murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, it makes more sense to write about something less pathetic and nihilistic.
Instead, I want to talk about “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” a hybrid documentary that uses the real- life recordings of Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was murdered on Jan. 29, 2024, during a shelling by the Israeli army while it invaded Gaza. In her final few hours alive, Rajab was on the phone with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, a group of call-center volunteers who were trying to get an ambulance to her location over several hours while a tank pinned down her and six of her family members in their black Kia. An ambulance came close to reaching her, but the PRCS soon lost contact with both Rajab and the paramedics. It took 12 days for the Israeli military to withdraw and for rescuers to finally reach the location. What was found was the little black Kia with the bodies of Rajab and six of her family members (along with the 335 rounds fired into the car), as well as the destroyed PRCS ambulance and the two paramedics, also killed.
The startling originality of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” lies in its juxtaposition of authentic PRCS call recordings with dramatized performances of the volunteers who assisted her. Whether you classify it as a docudrama or a hybrid-doc, the result is a grueling viewing experience—made even more devastating by
the viewer’s knowledge of the ultimate fate of both the young girl and her would-be saviors.
It’s even more depressing looking at the situation a little over two years later. According to initial investigations, not only were the family and paramedics killed in a “planned execution” by the Israeli army, but fragments of American-made anti-tank rounds were found at the site. At the time, the Israel Defense Forces said there were no troops in the area, while an Al Jazeera investigation found that there were three Israeli tanks in the vicinity. The U.S. government feigns emotional devastation while continuing to supply weapons, even as the International Criminal Court files war crimes complaints against the IDF battalion commander responsible for killing Rajab. The world continues to turn in slow circles, becoming less and less like one I recognize.
Almost every minute of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is devastating, especially when looking toward Gaza now, when 18,000 children (so far) have been killed in what is now a politically charged and debated genocide. Director Kaouther Ben Hanna doesn’t brook
debate with this film. However, taking the (apparently controversial) position that the murder of children (or, dare I say, anyone) is evil, regardless of their religion and race. Peace shouldn’t be political.
What I find remarkable about the film itself is that, even by dramatizing the events at the Palestine Red Crescent Society, it doesn’t become histrionic, manipulative, or inauthentic. Ben Hannah shows us archived photos of Rajab as we hear her real voice, crying out to be rescued, making her a real person and tragic victim, even to those who would somehow take issue with the politicization.
Here’s the thing. We are long past the point of anything and everything being politicized in ways both insane and otherwise. Worldwide pandemic? Genocide? Americans murdered on the streets by masked men led by a lil dude dressed like an actual Nazi? Seems like these things are obviously bad and we should all be profoundly against them. But we’re not and I won’t assume sanity from this country ever again.
When “The Voice of Hind Rajab” concluded, the audience remained in total silence until the credits finished and the lights rose. As everyone quietly shuffled out of the theater, I had a thought so depressing that I didn’t even want to follow it to its logical conclusion. I thought, “I wonder how they’ll try and find a way to justify killing a little girl with a tank.” I’m happy this movie exists and that this question can be posed (and Hind Rajab can have some semblance of a legacy), but how the hell is this our reality now? It’s a tough film to watch and simultaneously completely crucial for the betterment of humankind.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” Dir. Kaouther Ben Hanna Grade: N/A Now Playing at Tin Pan Theater N/A
LITTLE WOMEN
The Broadway Musical
Book by Allan Knee
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein
Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
FEB. 27th– MAR . 8th
February 27, 28 and March 6, 7 at 7pm March 1 and 8 at 2pm Get your tickets now! https://centraloregonadu.com/
Prepare to be heartbroken by “The Voice of Hind Rajab.”
Watermelon Pictures
OUTSIDE Oakridge Offers Miles of Picturesque, Quiet, Forest Trails for Mountain Biking and Hiking
About a 90-minute drive from Bend, the small town nestled in the Willamette National Forest enables an escape from civilization, but volunteers are needed to help maintain its trails and fundraise
By Dallas Finn Calvert
In the time it takes to polish off a breakfast burrito and listen to an episode or two of your favorite podcast, Derrick Bell wants you to know that you could be enjoying the solitude of nearly 600 miles of biking and hiking through serene forest trails, reminiscent of Central Oregon a couple decades ago.
“In less than an hour and 45 minutes, you can be in a wilderness setting where there’s no population, no cell service, and be out on a trail and not see anybody else all day long,” says Bell, 59, a former Bend resident who, since 1996, has lived in Oakridge, a small town of approximately 3,000 residents nestled in the Willamette National Forest.
“It’s a good spot to escape to and be out in the forest without seeing any signs of civilization whatsoever,” said Bell, a longtime mountain biker and the trail crew leader for Oakridge Trails Alliance (OTA), a nonprofit group dedicated to maintaining and updating existing trails, and constructing new ones in Oakridge, which is about 100 miles southwest of Bend.
“We’re a very small town, and it’s entirely surrounded by national forest,” he said. “It’s one of the few, and I think it might be the only city, in the United States that’s entirely surrounded by national forest.”
Oakridge is a “total mountain bike destination,” said Lev Stryker, 50, a longtime Bend resident and owner of Cog Wild. The Bend-based mountain-bike business provides guided rides, skills instruction, and seasonal shuttle service to trailheads in Bend and Oakridge, where the company set up a satellite storefront 11 years ago. Stryker has been mountain biking in Oakridge for 25 years.
“It was a no-brainer to expand there,” Stryker said, but added that improvements are needed to ensure it continues to be a destination for outdoor adventurers. It’s lagged behind similar locales in recent years, he said.
“It’s gotten a little stale. There’s definitely a lot of people that still come there, but a lot of other places have new trails and infrastructure has been built, and they’ve become more attractive to tourism,” Stryker said. “Oakridge needs a little boost. Some new trails, maybe a new hotel, some new lodging, bring it up to speed, into a recreation economy, into something more vibrant. Something like Moab (Utah) or Bellingham (Washington).”
Stryker said the ability to ride from town directly to trails, as many cyclists do in Bend, is a definite need, as are more beginner-to-intermediate routes and “stacked loops.” Those types of trails have a common trailhead, with myriad options for riders to experience from that point. A beginner up to an expert rider could start from the same place, and trails build on each other. Currently, Oakridge has several stellar “singular” rides, Stryker said, such as the Alpine Trail, a 17-mile track, but once you complete a ride, you have a shuttle, typically, to your next one or call it a day. If there were more stacked routes, like the Phil’s Trail system in Bend, that would be ideal, he said.
“There’s a central trailhead and multiple options, like a climbing route that goes up but then has different
options to go down. There might be a black diamond downhill trail but also a blue flow trail and a green beginner trail,” Stryker said.
Bell said OTA is “currently working on creating a wider network of trails that will be geared toward mountain biking” as it continues to grow. Oakridge has had various trail groups over the last 20 years, Bell said, that have “morphed” into what is now the OTA, which has until recently subsisted on donations. The group is “striving to get a bigger donation stream so we don’t have to rely on government grants, because they’re a little bit more specific and then also, they’re from the government, so you never know.” Stryker said donations and fundraising are two areas in which he thinks Central Oregonians could really help in Oakridge.
“Based on the data that Cog Wild’s collected, like who’s booking our tours and shuttles there, a large portion are from Bend and Central Oregon,” he said. “If we’re seeing a bunch of people going over there and riding and recreating, it does make sense to reach out to this community and say, ‘Hey, come over again. Help us either on the ground or with injecting some funding or fundraising efforts. All of that helps, and I think the Bend community does that really well.”
Until the donation pool gets bigger and more fundraising occurs, Bell said OTA is hard at work thanks to two sizeable grants it was awarded recently to help fund a dedicated staff of four who can maintain and update trails. Approximately 370 miles are mixed used for mountain biking, hikers, and equestrians, and then another 150 solely for hikers and equestrians. Motorcycles and e-bikes are allowed on another 70 miles.
“We have a paid trail crew of four people. That’s a pretty big deal,” Bell said. “We’ve been trying to get a paid trail crew for at least 15 years now, and we’ve finally pulled it all together and pulled it off.”
One of the grants, from the National Forest Foundation, dedicates $500,000 toward new-trail construction and connection of existing trails. The other grant, for $100,000, is “more of a trail-maintenance grant,” Bell said, from the U.S. government as part of the Great American Outdoors Act. The GAOA is for maintaining existing trails in the Oakridge area.
A key OTA project, in addition to general maintenance of existing trails, is construction of a connector of the Bunchgrass and High Divide trails with the Fuji Mountain Trail to enable mountain bikers to avoid gravel forest roads as they ride from Waldo Lake all the way to Oakridge. It’ll be about 120 miles with the connector.
While Oakridge has the trails, isn’t crowded, and now has a dedicated trail crew, Bell isn’t content to rest on the OTA’s laurels. He’s hoping to encourage more Central Oregon-based outdoor enthusiasts to check out what Oakridge has to offer. Over the past five years, he’s noticed an increased presence of Bend mountain bikers coming over the mountain to enjoy Oakridge’s trails and wants to see that continue.
“It’s great. The more, the merrier,” he said, adding he still makes his way to Bend to ride, but it’s definitely
a different experience from riding in Oakridge. “I enjoy Bend and really like going there, but I know what I’m going to get when I go there. The trails are good, but I’m going to see plenty of other people if I go to Bend to ride. It’s basically to socialize because I’m going to see all sorts of different people on the trail. It’s kind of the opposite over here in Oakridge. You can get out in the middle of nowhere and be by yourself. Oakridge is a really good place to do that.”
Bell is hoping that while more Central Oregon outdoor enthusiasts heed the call of the Oakridge trails, they also step up to help support the Oregon gem that’s close to home. OTA has about eight “regular” volunteers, mostly from the Oakridge and Eugene area, who show up for the weekly Wednesday workdays. There’s also a volunteer workday on every third Saturday of the month. The group uses its Facebook and Instagram accounts to get the word out.
“As far as mountain biking goes, I feel like trail work is part of the program. You’re out there in the woods, you might tear stuff up a little bit, and so, you know, it’s nice to give back to what you’re using,” Bell said. “But also, and I don’t want to dive too deep into it, with our government and the trimming back that’s gone on in various organizations, we’ve seen cutbacks in the forest service. I think in this last year, there were three forest service trail people in the Oakridge area whereas in the past, they’ve had a half-dozen or more, and then they’d hire Northwest Youth Corps (teens) in the summer. They’re not going to be able to do that this year. So, there are less forest service employees to help take care of trails, which means that it’s going to be a little bit more on the user groups. They’re going to have to take care of the trails. That’s just my observation, and I don’t want to throw too much politics into it, but we need to come out and help take care of our public lands. It’s becoming more and more important if we want to keep on using the public lands.”
To find out more about volunteering with OTA, reach out via its socials or email Bell at derrickbell.67@ gmail.com. The next Saturday work party is set for Feb. 28 at 9 am at the Cloverpatch Connector Trail .
A recent OTA work party included, from left to right, Alex Boyd, Dan Feldman, Garrett Wilson, Scott Taylor, Mike Hilbrandt, Derrick Bell, and Bob Holley.
Oakridge Trails Alliance
By Nic Moye
“Under Pressure”
New exhibit at the High Desert Museum explores the local history of volcanoes
While volcanoes date back millions and millions of years, knowledge about them continues evolving. A study by the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences published in January 2025 found that all volcanoes, including dormant ones, have persistent and large magma bodies. Scientists used seismic waves to identify magma chambers beneath six volcanoes within the Cascade Range.
A new exhibit at the High Desert Museum, “Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration” takes visitors on an educational and interactive journey behind the massive peaks that serve as a scenic and recreational backdrop in Central Oregon.
“We’re including a lot of research that may be totally new to people,” explains Kyrie Kellett, a consulting curator for the High Desert Museum. “They may not know some of the relationships between the Yellowstone hotspot [and west coast.]”
The exhibit explains the origins of places like Smith Rock, coastal mountains and Steens Mountain. Visitors will be able to touch rock specimens including porphyritic basalt, welded tuff and spindle bomb and watch videos of volcanoes erupting. The constant rumble of eruptions is heard throughout the exhibit. A hot lava floor simulation is spread across the center of the floor as a nod to the children’s hot lava game. “Under Pressure” also explores the cultural and historical
significance of volcanoes to people living in the High Desert region.
“We wanted it to really lean into the 80s theme,” Kellett says. “For a lot of people, the last time they really thought about volcanoes erupting and having a really big impact in the area was with Mount St. Helens.” The Washington volcano erupted on May 18, 1980, at 8:32am. It’s considered one of the most disastrous eruptions in U.S. history, killing 57 people, causing more than a $1 billion in damages and sending ash into eleven states and five Canadian provinces.
“With 350 million people living near an active volcano worldwide, the more we understand about volcanoes, the better we can exist alongside them,” High Desert Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw said in a news release.
The exhibit replaces “Sensing Sasquatch” in the Spirit of the West Gallery and is scheduled to run nearly a year through Jan. 3, 2027.
Under Pressure:
A Volcanic Exploration
Now through Jan. 3, 2027
High Desert Museum 59800 US-97, Bend highdesertmuseum.org/
Museum Admission: $20 thru Feb 28 / $24 March-Oct
Discounts for seniors, college students, children
Advertise in the Women’s Issue and let Central Oregon know how you connect and reach the modern woman and her community.
A simulation of hot lava appears on the floor of the exhibit.
Nic Moye
Crossword “Sweet Puzzle”
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
Pearl’s Puzzle
Puzzle for the week of February 09, 2026
Puzzle for the week of February 09, 2026 Difficulty
Difficulty Level
Difficulty Level:
Some servers
36. Valentine’s Day gift, and a literal hint to what’s added to this puzzle’s theme answers
38. Shade of green 39. Wanted letters 40. Told all
44. Turn red or yellow, say
45. Highland cloth worn by thriller writer Tom?
49. Stay
50. Private
51. Many a time
54. Walled city near Madrid
55. Where the utterly foolish drink?
58. “Love Story” author
59. It’s known for its bell ringers
60. Slow movement
61. Thick pieces
62. Comic Bowen
63. Time span DOWN
Astronaut’s insignia 2. Fair
3. Watered-down
4. Letters of concern
5. Concentrated, in a way
6. “___ me!”
7. Med. specialty 8. Cry from Homer Simpson
9. “Nobody won!”
10. Respectful 11. Knowing 12. Hinder
13. Olympic racers
18. Bakery supply
22. Nickname for Margaret
23. Adversaries
24. “OOOUUU” rapper
25. Piecrust ingredient
26. Water
27. Wait in the shadows
28. Louise of “Gilligan’s Island”
32. Distort
33. Fringe
34. Existed
36. Figure skater Kadavy
37. Work without ___
38. Enlist in
40. Where things trend
41. Liechtensteiner’s currency
42. Place to conduct a paternity test
43. Like some transfers
45. Unrefined
46. True
47. Pedro’s girlfriend
48. Pluck
51. ___ d’amore
52. Throw
53. Arduous journey
55. Nonclerical
56. Charlottesville sch.
57. “That hurts!”
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters exactly once. GAME SHIRT
G A M E S H I R T exactly once.
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters G A M E S H I R T exactly once.
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “According to the Wall Street Journal, Melania pocketed $28 million of the licensing fee for the film. You know, between and , she’s probably the highest-paid actress in the world.” - Jimmy Kimmel
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete “According to the Wall Street Journal, Melania pocketed $28 million for the film. You know, between and , she’s probably actress in the world.”
U S O K H P E T C
C K H T O E U P S
- Jimmy Kimmel
T U P C K H O S E
Answer for the week of
E C S U T O H K P
O H K P E S C U T
K O T H P C S E U
H P U E S K T C O
S E C O U T P H K
"My strategy is to stop the puck." — Goaltender Tuukka Rask of Finland
"My strategy is to stop the puck." - Goaltender Tuukka Rask of Finland
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Poet Mary Oliver asked her readers, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" This Valentine season, I propose a collaborative version of this prod: Ask those you care for to help you answer Oliver’s question, and offer to help them answer it for themselves. Now is an excellent time to act on the truth that vibrant intimacy involves the two of you inspiring each other to fulfill your highest callings. Do whatever it takes to make both of you braver and bolder as you learn more about who you are meant to be.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Can you care for stressed people without making it your duty to rescue them? Can you offer support without being taken advantage of? I hope so, Pisces. Life is inviting you to be more skilled about expressing your love without compromising your own interests. How? First, offer affection without signing up for endless service. Second, don’t let your empathy blur into entanglement. Third, monitor your urge to care so it doesn’t weaken your sovereignty. Your gift for soothing others' struggles evokes my deep respect, but it’s most effective when it’s subtle and relaxed. Give people room to carry out their own necessary work.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): "The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them," wrote Ernest Hemingway. This Valentine season, I propose you experiment with his approach. Take a smart risk with people who have shown glimmers of reliability but whom you haven't fully welcomed. Don’t indulge in reckless credulity, just courageous and discerning openness. Be vulnerable enough to discover what further connection might bloom if you lead with faith rather than suspicion. Your willingness to believe in someone's better nature may help bring it forth.
you to test the hypothesis that being thoroughly known and understood is more crucial than being regularly praised and flattered. Enrich your connections with the perceptive souls who love you not for your highlight reel but for your raw, genuine self.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The famously kind and caring author Anne Lamott confessed, "I thought such awful thoughts that I cannot even say them out loud because they would make Jesus want to drink gin straight out of the cat dish." That’s a liberating insight. She revealed that even kind, caring people like her harbor messy internal chaos. This Valentine season, Virgo, I dare you to share a few of your less-than-noble thoughts with soulful characters whom you trust will love you no matter what. Let them see that your goodness coexists with your salty imperfections. Maybe you could even playfully highlight the rough and rugged parts of you for their entertainment value. What’s the goal? To deepen spirited togetherness.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): How do we eagerly and daringly merge our fortunes with another person while maintaining our sovereign selfhood? How do we cultivate interesting togetherness without suppressing or diluting our idiosyncratic beauty? In some respects, this is a heroic experiment that seems almost impossible. In other respects, it’s the best work on the planet for anyone who’s brave enough to attempt it. Luckily for you Libras, this is potentially one of your superpowers. And now is an excellent time to take your efforts to the next level of heartful grittiness.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus singer Barbra Streisand addressed her legendary perfectionism. She said that truly interesting intimacy became available for her only after she showed her dear allies her full array of selves, not just her shiny, polished side. In alignment with astrological omens, I encourage you to experiment with the daring art of unfinished revelation. Let the people you care for witness you in the midst of becoming. Share your uncertainties, your halfformed thoughts, and your works in progress. Surprise! Your flaws may prove as endearing as your achievements.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Here’s a quote by the character Carrie Bradshaw from the TV show Sex and the City: “The most exciting, challenging, and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you that you love, that's fabulous." I invite you to make this a prime meditation, Scorpio. To begin, get extra inspired by your own mysterious beauty: captivated by your own depths, fascinated by your mysterious contradictions, and delighted by your urge for continual transformation. The next step is to identify allies and potential allies who appreciate the strange magnificence you treasure in yourself. Who devoutly wants you to fulfill your genuine, idiosyncratic soul’s code? Spend the coming weeks enriching your connections with these people.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Author Anaïs Nin wrote, "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." I believe this understanding of camaraderie should be at the heart of most Geminis’ destinies. It’s your birthright and your potential superpower to seek connections with people who inspire you to think thoughts and feel feelings you would never summon by yourself. You have an uncanny knack for finding allies and colleagues who help you unveil and express more of your total self. Now is a good time to tap further into these blessings.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Poet David Whyte said that "heartbreak is unpreventable.” It’s “the natural outcome of caring for people and things over which we have no control." But here's the redemptive twist: Your capacity to feel heartbreak proves you have loved well. Your shaky aches are emblems of your courageous readiness to risk closeness and be deeply affected. So let’s celebrate your tender heart not despite its vulnerability but because of it. You should brandish your sensitivity as a superpower.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Choreographer Twyla Tharp said she fell in love with her husband partly because "he was the only person who didn't seem impressed by me." I will extrapolate from that to draw this conclusion: Our most valuable allies might show their most rigorous respect by seeing us clearly. This Valentine season, Leo, I invite
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): This Valentine season, I propose that you infuse your intimate life with a fun dose of playful curiosity. Visualize your beloved allies, both current and potential, as unfolding mysteries rather than solved puzzles. Ask them provocative questions you’ve never thought to ask before. Wonder aloud about their simmering dreams and evolving philosophies. (Brezsny’s Togetherness Rule #1: Iwhen you think you've figured someone out completely, the relationship withers.) In fact, let’s make this one of your assignments for the next five months: Heighten and nurture your nosiness about the beautiful people you love. Treat each conversation as an expedition into unexplored territory. (Brezsny’s Togetherness Rule #2: A great way to stoke their passion for you and your passion for them is to believe there’s always more to discover about each other.)
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Ecologists studying symbiosis know that successful partnerships aren't always between similar organisms. Some bonds link the fortunes of radically different creatures, like clownfish and sea anemones or oxpeckers and buffalo. Each supplies resources or protection the other lacks, often assuring they live more successfully together than they would on their own. This is useful information for you right now. At least one of the allies you need looks nothing like you. Their genius is orthogonal to yours, or they have skills you don’t. The blend may not be comfortable, but I bet it’s the precise intelligence you need to achieve what you can’t accomplish alone.
Homework: What fresh, bold action on behalf of love could you take? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
UNDERSTANDING INTIMACY
A COLUMN THAT FOSTERS DEEPER LOVE BETWEEN COUPLES
By Dr. Jane Guyn
Why Your Partner Deserves Better Than
Your Barista Gets
My wife and I are trying to improve our relationship and we’re seeing a couples counselor to help with communication. The sessions are challenging—we fight a lot. Of course, our fighting isn’t just about everyday stuff. We fight about intimacy too, which means we almost never connect. There’s so much conflict. I don’t know how to make things better. Can you help us?
—Fighting Mad in Bend
Someone called me the “Miss Manners of Sex” this morning. I think it’s because of all the sex tips I discuss and write about, being pleasant, patient, and generous tops the list.
Most people I work with are dealing with intimacy issues, but that doesn’t mean regular fights about the trash and the dog don’t impact intimacy. I wish I could tell you most couples don’t fight—that they get along nicely—but the truth is, they do. This happens for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes both partners are working from home and can’t figure out how to let go of work stress when work is home and home is work. We all want some kind of worklife balance, but if you’ve been watching Severance, you know this can be taken to the extreme. The way life works these days is challenging. Everyone’s glued to their phones, bills are high, and stress is through the roof for most of us.
In many ways, couples had an easier time when they had privacy and time to themselves at work instead of stumbling over each other all day. But even if you don’t both work from home, plenty of things get in the way of real connection. It can push you to the boiling point, and that means if you’re like other couples, the way you treat each other ranges from a little bit rude to extremely disrespectful and hostile.
One thing I talk about over and over is what I call Intimacy Etiquette—what you can do as a couple, or even individually, to help each other feel comfortable and open in your relationship. Yes, it starts with keeping a lid on out-of-control fighting, but it doesn’t stop there.
Your partner deserves the very best you have to offer. Being kind and patient in marriage may sound old-fashioned or silly, but our grandparents knew something I think we’ve forgotten: the person you love most shouldn’t be last on the list when you’re giving your love to the world. When you treat the barista at Starbucks more politely than you treat your wife, there’s a problem. It makes perfect sense that when your partner treats you well, it’s easier to feel open to physical intimacy.
When they’re angry and hostile, it’s a challenge. So what can you do to make communication and connection easier?
Here are three things you can do today to get your relationship back on track—both in the kitchen and the bedroom—between counseling sessions:
Thing #1: Be polite and kind to your partner.
When you spend all day arguing about something big or small, intimacy becomes nearly impossible. Treat your partner with the same courtesy you’d give a stranger. Be aware of what you’re communicating with your eye contact and body language. We communicate more than we imagine nonverbally.
Thing #2: No pressure, no rush, no expectations.
Give yourselves permission to reconnect playfully without an intimacy agenda. For example, maybe offer to play a game that you know your partner has been interested in, or set up time for a walk on the river some afternoon. Even a shared jigsaw puzzle or movie night can feel good.
Thing #3: Create conditions so your partner will want to spend time with you.
Set things up so your partner is genuinely interested in spending time together. Really listen to your partner without giving advice. In my opinion, being polite and kind to your partner is the first step to stopping out-of-control fighting. The next step? Take a deep breath, tell your partner you love her and you’ll have a wonderful and loving Valentine’s Day this year.
You got this!
Xoxo Dr. Jane
—Dr. Jane Guyn (she/her) is a wellknown relationship coach who received her Ph.D. in Human Sexuality and is trained as a Professional Sex Coach and Core Energy Coach. Send her your questions at thesource@drjaneguyn.com.
ave you been thinking about making 2026 the year you sell your home?
Consider this. Your home is one of the assets you own (unlike your car) that increases over time. U.S. home prices experienced rapid growth from 2019 to 2024, with cumulative increases reaching approximately 55%, or a 9.2% average annual increase. Now price growth does vary by area, but it is still a great stat to keep in mind.
Early spring or spring-like weather tends to bring buyers to the market and with inventories usually low, it can create a great opportunity for you.
Price, condition and location are the three main factors that affect your value and access to your equity when you sell.
You can’t change the location of your home, but you can do the hard work to make sure it is in top condition.
Here is our six-step program to help
• With low snow, take a good look at your home from the outside. Trim the dead flower beds, rake leaves, scrub the front entry and door, consider mulch and a new door mat. The Buyer starts their appraisal as they walk up to the entry. Consider making your entry more inviting.
• The kitchen is the next room to concentrate on. Old appliances? Replacing them will make you money. Replacement refreshes a kitchen and gives the effect of a of a well-maintained home, often recouping 60% to 100% of the cost. Modern, energy-efficient, or stainless steel appliances are top drivers for buyer interest.
• Banker Boxes are your friend. Start with the living room and declutter. Yes that does mean removing your grandmother’s favorite vase, the dried flower arrangements, and the owl collection your son made. Take a minimalist approach and put everything you don’t need on the floor.
By Sheree MacRitchie & Shelby MacRitchie, REMAX
Sort the items into the boxes by packing to save, recycling by donating or putting in the trash.
• By putting everything on the floor you are forced to deal with each item with scrutiny. You are essentially pre-packing for when you move.
• Bathrooms and bedrooms need a refresh. New bed coverings, towels and bathmats will make a difference. Counters and bedside tables need to be cleaned of all the misc. stuff we all collect. Think sparse, not clutter.
• Maintenance is huge. Would you buy a car with a broken taillight? Replace windows with broken seals, re-grout around sinks as needed, touch up paint where needed. If you can’t do this by yourself, consider hiring a handyman.
• The garage is where the magic happens. Clean your garage thoroughly. Next, make space for all the banker boxes you will need to store. Stack them nicely. It tells a buyer you are packing to move.
Lastly, and this should go without saying. Clean, clean, clean. Every drawer and cupboard, under sinks, the oven, the windows. Touch every surface to make the house shine. This step can’t be stressed enough.
The way you live in your home and the way you sell it are different. By repurposing, cleaning, decluttering and pre-packing, the impression you give a potential buyer is that you are a serious seller and not an owner.
Price, condition and location make a difference, and you can affect your selling experience by working with your trusted real estate advisor on price and making the condition welcoming and pristine. In the end, these two factors outweigh the location. After all, you can’t move your house. If you’re thinking of selling your home this spring and are looking for expert advice, we are here for you.
