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On the Cover: “When I moved to Bend, I wanted to focus on joy,” Dina Rhoden says. Today, Dina crafts vibrant, highly colorful collages, weaving acrylics, gold leaf and other materials together to create surprising narratives. “A fellow artist joked that my style was consistently ‘contemporary Celtic with a little Grandma Moses thrown in,’ and I like that description.”
Dina’s work will be on sale at the fall Art Show at the Redmond High School Commons, on November 15-16 and available at the Dry Canyon Arts Center. Her website is: ABendKindOfHappy.com.
Call for Artists: If you're interested in being a SW featured artist, email: production@bendsource.com.
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This week we shine a light on Redmond, the Hub of Central Oregon. There are so many new places under construction from an aquatics center to an art center to new businesses and roads, that it’s difficult to wrangle them altogether in a single issue. But we did our best. This issue also includes the Redmond music scene and a place you can sit and enjoy a proper High Tea, as well as one of the earliest holiday markets in the area and extreme dirt bike racing. — Nic Moye, Managing Editor
LIGHTMETER:
PRESENTED BY HARVEST MOON WOODWORKS
A dreamy day in the woods, captured by Instagram user @erikkerr1.
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One Good Turn Deserves Another
t’s not a secret, and it’s nothing new: Central Oregon has too few homes for the people who already live here — not to mention the ones who keep coming — and the housing we do have is expensive. On this page, over the years we’ve advocated for all sorts of solutions: for governments to step up and do more to build shelters and incentivize affordable housing; for churches and other facilities to open their parking lots for safe parking; for private entities to consider ways they could secure spaces for people to live. Solutions to a housing crisis, on an individual level, could come in the form of devoting a room in one’s home to a renter or even building an ADU on
In that spirit, a local developer was aiming to be part of the solution. Faced with a lot that needed a great deal of work to develop, this developer opted instead to place four tiny homes on it. The small spaces are reserved for elders and families. As the process unfolded, notices went out to neighbors to let them know what was happening. Then when the homes began to arrive, as if right on cue, a neighbor complained. No one had even moved in yet, but the neighbor was concerned that proper notice had not been given.
As a recent story published in the Source detailed, the concerns that neighbors have around these types of facilities — that they will increase crime and cause property values to go down — simply don’t bear out. Property values still rise. The facility in question, on Franklin Avenue, is managed by the nonprofit Central Oregon Villages, which offers support services and vets the residents who will occupy the homes. This summer, the nonprofit held several sessions that allowed neighbors to learn what was happening.
The practical result of this type of resistance is that the same elderly people and families who might live here will now live unsheltered, without support, where they’d be forced to make harder choices to survive. We can only assume that people want to see homelessness addressed in our community — but only if it happens out of sight of their own homes or property.
We are optimistic that the housing will still be built and that this only another delay and inconvenience. It is rare to see a developer come forward and to offer up their own private property toward an end such as this. But at some point, we’d like see that person held up and celebrated rather than shut down.
Joe Kline
Letters
SUPPORTING EQUALITY & EQUITY
There has been an ongoing policy discussion within the Redmond School Board in regard to Equity and Equality in our school. Some have tried to turn those two words into political wedges. I planned on speaking at the meeting, but the citizen comments list was full when I went to sign up. So, let me be clear on my position. Ensuring that every child in Redmond has an equal & fair opportunity to succeed is not a political issue, it’s a community responsibility. Equality means giving every student the same resources. Equity is how we build stronger classrooms, better citizens and a more united Redmond. Those who try to use equity and equality as political weapons misunderstand what’s at stake. This is about kids — not politics. So, I personally reject the voices that seek to divide us. Let’s stand together for fairness, compassion and opportunity. Because when Redmond’s children succeed, ALL OF REDMOND SUCCEEDS. What everyone should be asking themselves is what was the motivation behind changing the original language?
—Clifford B. Evelyn
A LACK OF OVERSIGHT
The Source’s October 23 article about Cleveland Commons captured what many in Central Oregon have witnessed firsthand: a lack of oversight and consistency in programs meant to help our most vulnerable neighbors.
As a lifelong Central Oregonian and social-services professional, I have personally raised concerns with NeighborImpact leadership about staff behavior, poor communication and an absence of trauma-informed practices. What’s happening at Cleveland Commons is not an isolated issue; it reflects
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a pattern of inadequate accountability and blurred boundaries between staff and residents.
Permanent supportive housing can only succeed when there is safety, trust and professionalism at every level. When staff misuse their roles or when oversight is weak, those striving for recovery and stability can easily lose hope.
Our community deserves transparency from the organizations managing these programs. Public funding requires public accountability — and the residents living within these facilities deserve to know that the people entrusted with their care are held to the highest ethical standards.
The Source’s reporting has opened an important conversation. Let’s ensure it leads to meaningful reform and a renewed commitment to compassion, integrity and community responsibility.
—Stephanie R. VanKlootwyk
SPEND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS EFFICIENTLY
I want to be clear that I fully support the goal of creating safe pedestrian and bike routes connecting Bend’s east and west sides. However, what concerns me — and many others — is not the concept of a bridge, but the cost and repeated redesigns of the Hawthorne Crossing project. While it’s true that Measure 9-135 transportation bond funds and the $25 million in state and federal grants are earmarked specifically for transportation projects, this doesn’t mean we should spend them inefficiently. These are still taxpayer-funded dollars, and responsible spending should always be part of the conversation.
According to the City of Bend’s own updates, the Hawthorne Crossing has gone through multiple rounds of redesign
due to engineering challenges and community feedback. As of this year, the projected cost has increased well beyond initial estimates, and the final price tag is still uncertain. This constant redesign cycle raises legitimate concerns about fiscal oversight and project feasibility.
No one disputes the need for a safe connection between the east and west sides. But do we truly need an elaborate “signature” bridge when a simpler, functional pedestrian overpass—or even other safe crossings—could achieve the same goal at a fraction of the cost? Investing in safety does not require extravagance.
Yes, funds are earmarked for transportation, but fiscal responsibility within that category still matters. The city should explore alternative, cost-effective designs that prioritize safety and accessibility over aesthetics and grandeur. Bend residents deserve solutions that are both practical and sustainable—not projects that grow in price every few months.
—Nicole Moore-Perullo
KINDNESS AROUND BEND
Today I was reminded why kindness matters so much. A FedEx driver dropped off a package at my home and, hearing my dogs barking inside, left a dog bone alongside the box. Such a small gesture — yet it completely made my day (and my dogs’).
Moments like these are what make Bend such a special place. They remind us that kindness doesn’t have to be big or loud to be powerful — it just has to be human. These little acts of care connect us, soften the edges of busy days and make our growing town feel like a true community. I’d love to start sharing more of these everyday examples of “Kindness Around Bend.”
If you see kindness happening in our community, please share it with me at KindnessAroundBend@gmail.com. Let’s celebrate the good around us and keep Bend’s heart connected through simple, human moments.
— Justina Bryant
Letter of the Week:
Thanks Justina! I hope your idea spreads. As letter of the week, you can stop by the Source office at NW Georgia & Bond for a gift card to Palate coffee.
—Nic Moye, Managing Editor
LOVE BIRD YOGA
WELCOME
Bend Considers Adding a Fee to Discourage Natural Gas in New Homes
The City Council is struggling to balance climate goals with costs associated with upgrading to efficient electric systems
By Nic Moye
The Bend City Council is struggling to define a policy to encourage all electric appliances and heating/ cooling systems in new construction.
The City is working toward a goal of cutting fossil fuel use by 70% by 2050. According to the City’s website, half of local emissions come from energy use in buildings. Residential buildings are responsible for 28%, while commercial buildings contribute 20%. In April, the Bend City Council instructed staff to explore ways to encourage residential electrification rather than natural gas in new construction.
At a work session on Oct. 22, councilors heard a presentation from consultant Danielle Walker with Brightline Group about the current usage of electricity versus natural gas and some of the costs associated with building homes that only run on electricity.
“There’s obviously real tension between our goals for climate and environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on fossil fuel... There’s tension with our housing goals,” Councilor Mike Riley said.
Walker’s presentation showed upgrading to efficient electric equipment would reduce current CO2 emissions by 27%, but it also showed annual energy costs for Pacific Power customers would rise by $151 per year. It would save money for Central Electric Cooperative customers, by as much as $234 annually. Another slide indicated it could cost $25,006 to install efficient electric equipment compared to $11,420 for efficient gas equipment in homes. Converting to all electric, but not efficient appliances, would cost $4,585. The presentation also stated that 60% of heating systems in new construction in Bend are natural gas.
Federal incentives to install solar panels as an environmentally friendly source of energy are ending. On December 31, 2025, the 30% tax credit
for residential solar panels will be terminated following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill last July.
The City Council is considering implementing a fee to discourage the installation of natural gas in future projects, possibly as a tiered system similar to how they operate the System Development Charges. Councilors also want to consider non-monetary incentives but did not mention specifics about what those might be nor what the amount of a new fee could look like.
Councilor Megan Norris, who works for Hayden Homes and won’t be voting on a plan due to a conflict of interest, participated in the discussion saying, “This is a struggle. I’m very committed to protecting our environment and climate goals, but I also recognize that our governor has declared a housing emergency in our state, and I’m very concerned about some of these numbers that I’m seeing. You know, $25,000 in equipment costs that are going to have to be borne by developers. That’s significant, and that’s probably going to be passed down to the eventual homeowner.”
Councilor Steve Platt was also concerned about costs.
“Even though my heart says I want to shift and have no more gas installations, I want to be pragmatic, and I want to understand and have dollars to help enable that shift, because it is more expensive. So I want revenue to help make it easier for the people who are going to get into homes, and the people who are going to build homes to actually encourage this shift over the long term.” He also said, “I’m also highly, highly sensitive to the cost of getting the housing built here locally, and what that means to me is we’ve got to get our housing production numbers happening such that we have 33,000 more homes in the next 20 years, and I want those homes to be affordable.”
The council chamber was packed with young adults holding signs during the Oct. 22 meeting. Earlier they held a rally at the Peace Corner at Wall Street and Newport Avenue, shouting, “What do we want? Climate Action! When do we want it? Now!” Many of them are members of the Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition and Energize Bend!, which support the elimination of natural gas in new homes.
Energize Bend! Campaign Coordinator Brennan Breen told the Source, “I think as a young person, we really need climate leadership and haven’t gotten it as young people. Even in a town like Bend that really relies on the environment for a lot of things that draw us here, we really haven’t done anything to protect it. We passed our community climate action plan in 2019 and since then, emissions have gone up 13%.”
At the end of the discussion, Mayor Melanie Kebler directed the consultant and staff to return to its Dec. 10 work session with two or three options outlining fees or incentives.
“We received a lot of input before today, and I want to thank everybody who sent us input, who emailed us, who called, who is here today, who was rallying on the corner. We appreciate you showing your care for this issue. Your care for your community and continue to send us that input. We will continue working this process. As you heard today, it is not black and white. There are nuances. It is a hard topic to wrestle with, but we are committed to wrestling with it and to finding the best solution we can right now,” Kebler said.
After the December work session, the City will launch a committee to get input on a proposed plan, as well as hold roundtables with developers and environmentalists. The goal is to have a new fee or incentive plan in place by late spring.
The Ghost Tree Invitational is Canceled
The 2026 Ghost Tree Invitational will not happen. In an email to sponsors, the organizer said the event had a really bad year and each year expenses go up more and more. The email, sent by Ryan Chackel of Rogue 5 Media, Inc. said “It was a really hard decision to make and not one we took lightly but after this year there was really no path forward.” The golf tournament, dinner and auction has raised money for local charities for 18 years.
A Permanent Memorial for Barry Washington Jr.
A bronze plaque has been installed at the corner of NW Wall Street and Oregon Avenue in memory of Barry Washington Jr., the 22-year-old who was shot and killed at that spot in 2021 after a man became upset over Washington talking to his fiancé. Washington’s family wanted a permanent memorial, which was paid for by crowdfunding. The plaque includes Psalms 23 as well as a message from his loved ones about how much he’ll be missed and a quote from Washington saying, “Mama I’m gonna be good.” The man who killed Washington is serving a 10-year prison sentence.
—Nic Moye
$72,000
—How
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a songwriter’s job to tell people how to live. I think it’s their job to tell people how they’ve lived.”
—Redmond musician Casey Hurt in this week’s Sound.
Students
much the Dry Canyon Arts Association raised for art education in Redmond schools from “The Hub of Possibility.”
Nic Moye
First-Year Results of Updated Tree Code are In
Only 7% of developments were affected by new rules geared toward tree preservation
By Peter Madsen
The City of Bend’s Tree Regulation Update Advisory Committee presented its inaugural review of the effectiveness of the updated Tree Preservation Code during a City Council work session on Oct. 22.
Since August 2024, the City processed 766 development applications, of which 711 were exempt from the Tree Preservation Code because they pertained to lots an acre or less in size, according to Renee Brooke, City of Bend’s planning manager and TRUAC member.
That means only 55 development projects were subjected to the updated preservation standards. Of those lots, 14 did not have any regulated trees onsite. Priority trees were found on 20% of lots (of which there were three) and 25% featured regulated trees (six lots). One quarter of non-exempt lots featured both priority trees and regulated trees.
During the work session, TRUAC staff proposed some changes to the tree code, of which the Council was supportive, Brooke told the Source. Those changes, which will likely be implemented early next year, include giving more flexibility for work to occur in and around tree roots owing to unique circumstances on a particular site, Brooke said. That flexibility here will allow more trees to remain in place and save developers some cash.
As outlined in the tree code, whose update city councilors approved on June 20, 2024, a priority tree is one that measures 20 inches in diameter, measured at the trunk at 4.5 feet (or the diameter at breast height). A regulated tree has a 6-inch diameter at breast height. Non-regulated trees are any tree smaller than that.
The tree code affects projects on lots larger than 1 acre, on which land divisions, single-family homes, multiunit housing and commercial and industrial developments are planned for development.
The 14-member TRUAC, which also includes developers, reported that 26 of 41 projects are preserving trees and don’t require mitigation. Fifteen of 41 projects are mitigating for tree loss, which means a total of 1,160 new trees will be planted on 13 projects sites. And $111,000 were assessed in fees in lieu of preservation, according to the report.
The in-lieu preservation funds will go toward street tree planting, emergency removals of larger trees in the right of way and some routine pruning throughout Bend public property, according to the report. This money may also offset costs of the citywide GIS tree inventory database, the implementation of the 10-year urban forest management plan and the urban tree canopy cover assessment.
Redmond’s First Dispensary Expected to Open in December
Oregrown is currently remodeling a store off Hwy 97 in Redmond, while a second dispensary is hoping to break ground on a new building next spring
By Nic Moye
Oregrown is currently remodeling a space in a business/shopping center off Hwy 97.
The TRUAC originally drew up the tree code regulations to mitigate new development areas from becoming treeless heat islands, Brooke said during the presentation.
Feedback from developers is also included in the annual review. Their concerns include having to pay in-lieu fees before they’re issued a building permit or subdivision final plan approval as well as the added costs to preserve — and work around — larger priority trees compared to smaller regulated trees. Developers also said the updated tree code raises the final price tags on developments and complicates meeting defensible space requirements. Brooke said TRUAC has not yet received any hard data to that effect.
The annual review also listed developers’ suggested amendments, which include exemptions to industrial zones; exempting all juniper trees or limiting preservation to junipers wider than 20” at breast height; and trees in the proposed right of way. Additionally, developers proposed allowing street trees to count toward tree replacement mitigation and they asked to reconfigure requirements for extraordinarily big sites in expansion areas, such as the Stevens Road Tract and Caraway, a 150-acre housing development in northwest Bend.
Oregrown appears to be on track to open in Redmond in early December. It’ll be the first retail marijuana store in the city. Oregrown is currently remodeling a space in the business/shopping center at 2127 Highway 97. A final city inspection is scheduled for the first week of December. Oregrown has locations on NW Wall Street in downtown Bend, Portland, Eugene and Chico, CA.
The Flower Room will be the second marijuana retail store in Redmond. Owner Alex Aiken says he’s waiting on city permits before breaking ground on an 8,000 square foot building at the north end of Redmond in front of Home Depot, with the hope of opening by mid-April on 4/20. Aiken says once permits are approved, it’ll take about 30 days to construct the building, which will have space for two other retailers. He says he’s currently in talks with a food-based business for one of the spots. Aiken says he’s also planning to donate a certain percentage of gross revenue to local nonprofits. The Flower Room has locations in Tumalo and on NW Hill Street in Bend.
The City of Redmond set restrictions that no business may operate more than one dispensary in the city, and there cannot be more than one retail marijuana dispensary per 10,000 city residents. The City is not accepting new applications at this time but could open up the process for a third marijuana retail store in mid-2026.
Nic Moye
City of Bend Facebook
RN
REDMOND NEWS
New Digs for Housing Works
The region’s housing authority is building a new Redmond office, with plans for a childcare center and more affordable housing onsite
By Nicole Vulcan
Housing Works, Central Oregon’s regional housing authority, has operated out of a downtown Redmond building for years, building affordable housing and helping people obtain housing assistance, get homeownership training and more.
It recently sold its historic building, making way for the Dry Canyon Arts Association and other businesses, and has a new facility underway. Plans for the new Housing Works complex include a large office space, affordable homes for both renters and homeowners and a childcare facility. The Source chatted with Housing Works Executive Director Lynne McConnell about the changes in a recent Q&A. Answers have been lightly edited for clarity.
the Source: Share some info about the new facility. Lynne McConnell: What’s exciting is that we’re building a whole new office. It’s actually half the size of our last office. It’s going to be a lot more efficient, but it’s built for us, versus the old historic building that wasn’t designed for us and couldn’t really be remodeled in the way that we wanted it to, because it was historic. So, the new building, 5,000 square feet. It’s going to be on the corner of Antler in Redmond and 17th. It’s a whole campus. Five acres — Rooted Homes bought a portion of it from us, and they’re under construction on a project… we’re applying for multifamily. We haven’t gotten money yet, but it’ll be roughly 60 units. We’re trying to build a childcare site we’ll build out, because that’s our expertise. We’ll sell it for under value to NeighborImpact to operate it, because we do not operate childcare.
tS: When is the new office expected to open?
LM: We’ll go vertical in November on the new office. It’s roughly an eight-month build, so hopefully July. We’ll have a big party when that happens, because it’s also our 50th anniversary.
tS: Share more about the childcare center.
LM: I think having a childcare center there is going to be super cool. We’ll have three classrooms. One of those classrooms is slated for infants, which is really cool. Redmond is a childcare desert in particular for infants, and so being able to provide those services, in partnership, is huge. That’s something we’re really excited about. Our multifamily we’re really excited about, too. Most of them are like we typically go for, Earth Advantage platinum, which is really energy efficient, so folks have limited bills going long term, etc. So just having this sort of services center there, and in the same way that we did on Simpson, the College View project, if folks want to move into homeownership, they don’t have to change their entire community. They can, in theory, just go across the street, and that’s a model we really enjoy for our customers.
tS: What’s it going to take to see that childcare center actually built in Redmond?
LM: I think we need about $700,000 more for the childcare center to go to start building. We have it mostly designed. We’ve received some money from the state to build it.
TRICK OR TREAT ON 6TH STREET
DRESS UP IN DOWNTOWN REDMOND
Presented by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce and First Interstate Bank, the city will close off 6th street between SW Black Butte Blvd. and SW Forest Ave. Families are invited to bring their littles down to Trick or Treat with the business community. If you are a business outside of downtown looking to participate, 10’x10’ booth spaces are available to reserve. Join the festive atmosphere and build community along the way. Fri., Oct. 31, 4–6pm in Downtown Redmond. Free.
FRIDAY 10/31
NIGHTMARE ON GENERAL DUFFY’S STREET
HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Head to General Duffy’s for a full lineup of Halloween-themed activities. The early evening features a vendor marketplace and “Trunk or Treat”, followed by a costume contest and live music by Chained to Stone. To close out the night, get yourself on stage for “Killer Karaoke” at the Annex. Fri., Oct. 31, 4–10pm at General Duffy’s Waterhole. 404 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. Free.
A rendering of the new office building for Housing Works, planned to open in summer 2026.
Courtesy Housing Works
Public input is playing a major role in shaping Redmond’s future
By Nic Moye
Redmond is undergoing a sort of renaissance, with significant projects underway that will expand cultural and recreational options and change how drivers navigate the city’s east side. Much of the new activity is driven by public input and the passion of those involved.
Diving into The Hub
Katie Hammer has two words to describe how she feels about the future: “Very excited.” She celebrated her 35th anniversary as Redmond Area Park and Recreation District’s executive director in September. “As a district, we have been working to build a building that would better meet our community needs for decades, so to see this happen, it’s super exciting!”
It’s still months away from completion, but the 56,000 square foot Hub Aquatics and Recreation Center in southwest Redmond is under construction. Hammer visits the site every week with her own hard hat.
Currently, RAPRD operates out of the Cascade Swim Center on SW Rimrock Drive, which it leases from the Redmond School District. It’s the only public pool in Redmond, which means activities are limited. All swim lessons have a wait list. Other programs, like fitness classes, are spread out at other facilities such as the Redmond Senior Center or Pleasant Ridge Community Hall.
The Hub will cater to a growing population. When Cascade Swim Center opened in 1979, Redmond had a
population of about 6,500 people. Today, RAPRD serves approximately 52,000, which includes Terrebonne and Tumalo. Estimates from Portland State’s Population Research Center shows the District will likely grow to 63,000 residents in the next 10 years and 75,000 by 2047, which is a 60% increase over its 2020 population. Trying to serve all ages within the District can be challenging. According to RAPRD’s 2025 Master Plan, a third of the households include children under the age of 18. Nearly half of the District’s population is between the ages of 25 and 64.
A community survey found that swimming and water safety classes were the only programs where more than half the respondents, 58%, participated in the recent past. That same survey found that 19% expressed the greatest need for swimming programs, followed by adult sports.
To bridge the gap, The Hub will have two pools. A 25-meter lap pool will have eight lanes. A second pool will include a lazy river. A giant, covered, spiraling water slide in the corner of the building will take riders outside the building and back in before gently landing them in a shallow, 6-inch flume, making it safe for all ages.
The Hub will have a hot tub, locker rooms, a gym, two fitness rooms for yoga and other classes, a walking track and a court that will be a shared space for basketball, volleyball and pickleball during different times of day. There are two party rooms, one adjacent to a kitchen, which will be used for cooking classes and as a rental space. A childcare
room will also be available for parents using the facility.
The exterior is expected to be finished before winter weather sets in, then crews will finish up the inside, pouring concrete into pools, finishing walls, laying down flooring and adding finishing touches. In May, a problem with the paint peeling above the pool area required it to be redone, causing an estimated four-month delay. A generator will help the facility serve as a shelter during an extreme emergency.
The Hub is expected to be open sometime next summer. Once it opens, the Cascade Swim Center will close to the public. The road to the finish line for The Hub has been a long one. RAPRD first went for a bond in 2008, but voters defeated it, primarily because a location had not been identified, Hammer said. RAPRD bought 10 acres at SW 35th Street and Lava Avenue just off Highland Avenue in 2009. Voters approved a $49 million bond in 2022 but failed to pass an operation levy twice in 2022 and 2024, so the Hub will be opening without one. In the meantime, there’s been a 36% increase in construction costs.
“The district does have a permanent tax rate, so we do have funding,” Hammer says. At this point, RAPRD doesn’t have plans to put the levy on the ballot a third time. “We don’t believe our permanent rate is quite enough to cover the operating expenses for the new building for the long term, but we have reserves set aside so that we will be able to operate that building for the first couple
years. And we are in the process of trying to develop some public-private partnerships to raise some private dollars to help with operations.”
Hammer says they’re beginning the process of developing those partnerships, but the program will likely allow businesses to buy naming rights for different areas within The Hub. Hammer says so far one business has committed.
Once open, user fees will be approximately $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and children, with discounted pass options available. Hammer anticipates needing to hire an additional four to five full-time employees and 10 more parttime workers.
The plan, and even the name, have been driven by community feedback. When park board members narrowed the list of names to their top three choices, the public came back with The Hub.
First Friday in December at new art center
Mel Archer has been a glass fusion artist for more than a decade. The board chair for the Dry Canyon Arts Association, Archer seems almost giddy while standing amid drywall dust and construction tools in a historic building in downtown Redmond.
“We’ve been actually working on this for three years, and it wasn’t until Christmas Day of last year we got the notice that this was back on the burner,” Archer told the Source. It’s an exciting time to be an artist in Redmond. The Dry Canyon Community Art Center on
Rendering of The Hub aquatic center which is expected to open in summer 2026.
Katie Hammer
SW 6th Street will be a place where Arts Association members and other artists can showcase and sell their work.
“We couldn’t start reconstructing until Aug. 1, so we’re rush, rush, rush,” Archer explains. Construction is furiously underway so the art center can open for First Friday on December 5.
The center is located in the historic Lynch & Roberts building, built in in 1917. The location began as a general store and also hosted the Redmond Potato Show, which preceded the Deschutes County Fair. Archer says the organization wanted that spot because of the massive windows along the front, allowing art to be visible from the sidewalk, hopefully enticing people to enter. The front of the building will be filled with artwork, which will rotate every two months. The public will be able to walk in and view the display or purchase a piece. There will also be a gift store featuring locally made jewelry, hand-dyed silk scarves and other small items. The nonprofit Arts Association will receive a 30% commission for each item sold, with the artist getting 70% of the sale. Eventually, artists who are not members of the Dry Canyon Arts Association will also be featured.
“I think we’re hoping for next November, a year from now, it’ll be local veterans. Then probably next May we might have high school students,” Archer says.
grants, and they’re in the process of selling sponsorships to pay for operations. “There’s been over 100 people who have donated at the $100 and up level. And then you get into the $1,000 and up level, there’s been quite a few. And we’re just now going out and seeing corporate sponsors,” he explains. They also divided the building in half, with a new spa going in next door.
Katie McCarthy is on the other side, opening a medspa called Redefined Wellness. She previously worked as a nurse practitioner but left to work in medical spas. Her facility will offer facial treatments and medical esthetics including Botox, filler, microneedling and lasers, along with a red-light bed, cryotherapy and sauna, and other providers, including a functional medicine nurse practitioner and a chiropractor. McCarthy hopes to be open by late December or early January.
The French doors that’ll divide the space between the wellness spa and art gallery are intentional. McCarthy wanted the beauty of the art gallery to be seen from her waiting room.
“Both entities are so unique, but so community-based, and we get to play off that with each other which is cool,” she says.
Community hub of learning and discovery
At the back of the art gallery are classrooms where local artists will begin offering classes early next year. In 15 months, the art center will grow even larger, adding 1,500 square feet, when Housing Works moves out of its space at the back of the building. When that happens, Archer says the plan is to add workshops for activities like pottery and ceramics.
The entire operation is volunteer-based and a labor of love. The Dry Canyon Arts Association started with 19 members back in the year 2000. Today, there are 196 members.
“Artists want to show their work… We got tired of keeping it in our closets,” Archer explains.
Even with the focus on the new art center, the annual Fall Art Show hosted by the Dry Canyon Arts Association will still happen Nov. 15 & 16 at Redmond High School. During the fall and spring art shows, raffle tickets help raise money for Jump Start Arts, a visual art education program in Redmond elementary schools.
“Last year we raised $72,000. So, if we hadn’t been doing that, there is no art education in the elementary schools,” Archer says with a proud smile.
“We are so incredibly grateful for their generosity and continued support of art education in our schools,” says Logan McGinnis, public information officer for Redmond Schools.
The Association relies on community support. Archer says funding comes from an angel investor and
The flurry of activity happening in Redmond right now was preceded by the completion of a new library, replacing the old one at the corner of SW Deschutes Avenue and 9th Street. The design was a collaborative effort between library staff and the public, which gave input through a survey.
Library Director Todd Dunkelberg says there were four specific categories the public wanted. Two-thirds of respondents asked for an interactive space for children, focused on discovery and learning, which led to activities encouraging mobility, play, rhyming, music, letter awareness and more.
“We have areas where kids can be mobile, climbing around on things,” Dunkelberg says. There are tunnels, a play kitchen, a music area, a game to match shapes and comfy, low seating.
The community also wanted multiuse spaces — private spots to work or meet with other people. The result is three community rooms, one meeting room and four private study rooms which can be reserved for free.
“We actually have people driving out from Bend to use it because there aren’t free spaces,” Dunkelberg told the Source, noting that a similar design will be included in the new Central Library in Bend, expected to open by June.
One of the most unique areas in the Redmond library is the MakerSpace, where visitors can use a sewing machine, wood cutting machine or 3D printer.
“To be totally honest, it’s so much more popular than we thought it would
Dr. Cochran
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be. We’re a little overwhelmed. So we’re reconfiguring or hiring more staff to help out with this area,” Dunkelberg said.
The space contains bins full of supplies for making jewelry, laminating, soldering, wood carving, stamp pressing, leather working and fly tying. Dunkelberg says 20 sewing machines were donated to the library. Volunteers are there during certain hours to help firsttime users navigate the process.
The public survey also showed a preference for integrated indoor and outdoor spaces. The Redmond library has an outdoor porch that wraps around the building with tables and chairs and an expansive patio area which is sometimes used for special programs. The public also placed high value on library resources and programs.
The library also incorporates commanding works of art. A massive wooden sculpture hangs above the stairway leading to the second floor. “Sage” is meant to mimic a cross section of sagebrush and is the work of Seattle area artist John Grade. Dunkelberg mentioned a plan to acquire another Grade sculpture that represents juniper and the mountains. That and other art is paid for through donations and the Deschutes Public Library Foundation, which dedicates 1% of money raised to art.
Dunkelberg has worked for the Deschutes Public Library system for 26 years and says trying to meet the needs for children, teenagers, parents, people looking for a job, seniors and various other potential library users is challenging, but the Redmond Library may be the closest so far at achieving that goal of community hub.
After opening in January, the new Redmond Library immediately saw a spike in the number of users compared to the previous library. It was built as part of a $195 million bond, which includes remodeling every library in Deschutes County and building the new Central Library on the east side of Bend.
“One of my favorite moments standing in Redmond, I was shelving some books and I was listening to these two people talk to each other. It sounded like they’d known each other forever. And kind of near the end of the conversation, one of them said, ‘Well, my name’s, you know, my name… and I live down the block.’ I’m like, oh! Our community is actually meeting each other here — which was kind of out goal, but to see it happening, especially in this day and age where we really need people to connect, that’s something I’m most excited about.”
Paving the way to success
Coinciding with the surge in cultural and recreational development, the City of Redmond is in the heart of a five-year, $172 million roster of Capital Improvement Projects. It’ll touch everything from sewers to roads to ice skating. The bulk of activity is going on now, 2025-26, with work continuing into 2030.
The plan includes a stop light at SW Highland and SW 35th Street where the Hub Aquatic Center is being built, but the biggest road project is the east side arterial, which will provide an alternate route to South Highway 97. It’ll help alleviate congestion around the airport, which is undergoing a massive expansion expected to be complete in 2028, and the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, which is in the process of developing a master plan for future development. The extension of Airport Way from Veterans Avenue to Highway 126 will also open access to the old Juniper Golf Course for commercial development. The City of Redmond is building three roundabouts in the area. Three legs of the new roundabout at NE 9th Street and Highway 126 have already opened. The final leg will open next year when a roundabout near the airport is finished.
“The development of public infrastructure and services are critical to ensuring the ongoing quality of life for residents,” says Redmond’s Deputy City Manager Steve Ashworth.
Another major project is the city’s new wastewater treatment plant at the Redmond Wetlands Complex. “Once the existing wastewater treatment plant is no longer operational, planning will take place to decide how best to utilize this site, which may include expansion of park amenities within the Dry Canyon,” says Redmond’s Director of Public Works Jessica MacClanahan.
A smaller part of the CIP includes a permanent ice rink. Redmond permanently closed its downtown ice rink in 2024 due to significant mechanical failures. City staff are currently working with the City Council to determine the scope of the project.
“The goal is to provide a boutique-style winter ice facility for the winter months that can be utilized for public activities during non-skating months,” Ashworth told the Source. “The facility will most likely have restrooms and a small concession for skate rental but mostly be an open-air facility. The location of the park is immediately east of the library on the property that housed the old police station.”
The CIP covers 32 projects and is reviewed every winter by the City Council.
“The City programs its capital improvement projects considering both financial and staffing resources,” MacClanahan says. “Specific project schedules are subject to change based on other factors such as permitting or right of way needs, but the City feels confident that the projects listed are generally representative of the work plan for the next 5 years.”
Ashworth says, “The investments in public infrastructure the City of Redmond continues to make are strategic in accommodating growth in a sustainable and positive manner with a focus on retaining our small-town charm.”
Katie Hammer visits The Hub construction site weekly.
Members of the Dry Canyon Arts Association. The new art center will be run by volunteers.
Large windows along the front of the Dry Canyon Community Arts Center will showcase the art inside.
The Eastside Arterial project is adding roundabouts and new connections to ease congestion around the fairgrounds and airport.
City of Redmond
Beth Hanson
Nic Moye
Nic Moye
SOURCE PICKS
WEDNESDAY 10/29
RIVER’S PLACE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY
MURDER MYSTERY-STYLE
Help River’s Place celebrate seven years of business with a murder mystery-themed party. Find clues and make guesses for a chance to be entered into a prize drawing. Live music by Blackstrap Bluegrass; costumes encouraged! Wed., Oct. 29, 6–8pm at River’s Place. 787 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend. Free.
WEDNESDAY 10/29
GARLAND JEFFREYS: THE KING OF IN BETWEEN
AT SISTERS MOVIE HOUSE
For one night only, catch this music documentary following the life and career of Garland Jeffreys. Rolling Stone Magazine called him the "Most Promising New Artist of 1977," and fellow musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed and Bob Marley all revered him. His uncompromising stance on controversial issues still resonates today. Wed., Oct. 29, 6:45pm at Sisters Movie House. 720 Desperado Court, Sisters. $17.
THURSDAY 10/30
CHUCK SAMS: RIGHTS OF NATURE
KICKING OFF THE LIVABLE FUTURE FORUM
In the first installment of the 2025 Livable Future Forum series, hosted by Central Oregon LandWatch, Chuck Sams will join COLW Executive Director Ben Gordon for a discussion on the Rights of Nature—a movement that redefines how we relate to land, water and wildlife. Sams, the first Indigenous National Park Service Director and Cayuse and Walla Walla tribal citizen, will share perspectives shaped by Indigenous law and conservation leadership. Thu., Oct. 30, 7-8:30pm at OSU Cascades Ray Hall Atrium. 1500 SW Chandler Ave., Bend. $10-$25.
HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA
AT UPP LIQUIDS
Serving up award-winning beer and Halloween fun, UPP Liquids will host a Friday night party featuring live music and DJ sets, a costume contest with prizes, flash tattoos, face painting a photo booth and performances by High Desert Fire Artists. Fri., Oct. 31, 8pm at UPP Liquids. 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. $20–$25. 21+.
GHOSTS, GOBLINS AND GOODBYES
THE LAST HURRAH AT SUNRIVER BREWING’S GALVESTON PUB
Head to Sunriver Brewing’s Galveston Pub for a Halloween party in honor of the location’s final weekend. Sunriver will continue to operate at its East Side Pub, Sunriver Pub and new location in Redmond. Fri., Oct. 31, 6pm at Sunriver Brewing Co. Galveston Pub. 1005 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Free.
SATURDAY 11/1
HOLLOW AND STILL: PHOTOGRAPHS FOLLOWING FIRE BY DAVID PAUL BAYLES
EXHIBITION OPENING
In September 2020, the Holiday Farm Fire, driven by fierce east winds, burned 173,000 acres along the forested McKenzie River canyon in the Cascades of Oregon. Hollow and Still brings together a special collection of photographs from acclaimed photographer David Paul Bayles, one of the first to capture the aftermath. Sat., Nov. 1, 10am–4pm at the High Desert Museum. 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Price of museum entrance varies.
SUNDAY 11/2
SONGS AND STORIES WITH MIGUEL BERNAL
CUBAN MASTER DRUMMER
Miguel Bernal will play the sacred Bata drum rhythms used by Santería worshippers to honor and communicate with the divine. He will share songs and stories of the gods and goddesses and entertain questions from the audience. Miguel Bernal is a world-renowned percussionist who plays with Portland-based band Pink Martini. Sun., Nov. 2, 4pm at Downtown Bend Public Library. 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.
SUNDAY 11/2
BEAUTIFUL STRENGTHS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
PRESENTATION BY DR. MICHELLE JACOB
Dr. Michelle Jacob emphasizes that understanding Indigenous history must go hand in hand with celebrating the vibrant contributions of Native peoples today. Rooted in Yakama traditions and the wisdom of Elders, her talk will highlight the brilliance of Indigenous communities while offering a message of hope, love and collective strength. The talk is part of COCC’s Indigenous Speaker series. Sun., Nov. 2, 1pm at Wille Hall. 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Sliding scale pricing.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14 JUDITH
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
NOVEMBER 22
Sunvriver Brewing Co
Central Oregon LandWatch
UPP Liquids
David Paul Bayles
By Nic Moye
S SOUND Learning How to Listen and Reset Redmond musician Casey Hurt
releases his latest, most personal album yet
The latest album from Redmond musician Casey
Hurt is an intimate portrait of the past decade involving life-changing experiences. His nephew passed away in a car crash 10 years ago. His album, “Back to the Start” dropped Oct. 12, the anniversary of his nephew’s death. It’s Hurt’s fourth solo album, and the first one released in 13 years.
“It was a memorandum to my family and something we all went through. But I had gone through a divorce. I moved from Los Angeles to New York to all over the country and back and ended up in Redmond with my family. Here, I fell in love. I got married…we have a son,” Hurt explains. His wife, Lora Hurt, is also a songwriter and sings in one of the tracks on the new album.
Hurt says his life experiences led him to write songs differently with honesty being at the forefront. He describes “Back to the Start” as 13 tracks, one story.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily a songwriter’s job to tell people how to live. I think it’s their job to tell people how they’ve lived and what they’ve experienced and let the listener interpret for themselves,” Hurt told the Source. He describes his sound as a mix of Americana, folk and blues.
Hurts website lists notable moments in his music career, with songs featured on television programs such as “Criminal Minds,” “Pretty Little Liars” and “One Tree Hill.” He’s also been active in theater, serving as music director for productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, American Conservatory Theater and Berkeley Repertory Theater.
Hurt performs at local venues, sometimes with a family band which includes his father. He says music spans many generations in his family. “My great grandfather used to play country music on the radio during the Great Depression, and he was kind of the founder of the whole thing and really started playing. He taught my dad, then passed it down to me and my nephew and
our son. He teaches our son every week,” Hurt says. “They don’t call it lessons, they call it two guys hanging out, but it’s them just working on all things music. Right now, they’re soldering some pedals together in preparation for learning how to build a guitar.”
In December, he and Lora are flying to Akron, Ohio to perform for an event at the LeBron James Family Foundation and participate in leading a choir. That foundation supports educational programs in LeBron’s hometown. Hurt says one of his earlier songs was the bridge that got him involved.
“You just don’t ever know where they’re going to turn up. And one of my songs founds its way to the community in the LeBron James Foundation, and they use that song as kind of like their mantra for raising up the work they do in Akron,” Hurt explains.
When he’s not performing or producing music, Hurt and his wife run the Art & Music store on SW 5th in downtown Redmond, which they took over after Hurt’s parents retired. The store sells musical instruments, parts and fine arts supplies. Hurt even put a recording studio in the back.
“It’s so neat to have people come in and buy strings because they’re like ‘I have a gig tonight or I have a gig this weekend,’ and we get to hear about that. It’s such a neat opportunity to have so many musicians that are being paid to perform live,” Hurt says. “It’s a lot of really young, hungry musicians and then this subset of older musicians who are really hungry to keep playing.”
The music scene in Redmond has grown in recent years, attracting big names to events like the FareWell Festival. “We’ve had the privilege of seeing a lot of artists travel through on tour and stop in and get stuff from us,” Hurt says. “When Sturgill Simpson was in town, we got to help his guitar tech with some setup stuff for things they forgot when they were on the road. So it’s really, all of a sudden, become this hub. For
a long time it was kind of the sister city to Bend, you know, a kind of quiet town, but all of a sudden things have popped with the Blacksmith and Duffy’s and the community in Brasada and Testimony and The Vault.”
When Hurt reflects on his latest album, he says he’s partial to the song “Sturdy Lovers.”
“It’s about learning how to understand each other and communicate with each other… Sometimes we work so hard to try to understand each other and hear each other that we get in each other’s way and, you know, learning how to reset that.”
• Studios, Cottages,
Redmond musician Casey Hurt has released his most personal album to date.
Casey Hurt
OPERATION WARM
Hello Friends,
As I reflect on this past year, I am struck by the theme of growth not only in the numbers of families we serve or programs we offer, but in the mindset that drives our work A growth mindset reminds us that change is always possible, that resilience can be built, and that by engaging together we can create a stronger, healthier future for our community.
For families, that means learning how to self-advocate, share their stories, and embrace new skills that help create long-term stability. We see parents discover their voice, children flourish in therapeutic classrooms, and families grow stronger by leaning into the support around them
For our supporters, engagement is about moving beyond a place of scarcity into abundance. Your attention, generosity, and advocacy make a profound impact on children and families in Central Oregon When you show up whether by giving, volunteering, or amplifying our mission you become part of the circle of growth that sustains MountainStar.
Even as we navigate uncertain times, we choose to focus on possibility With your partnership, we ’ ve strengthened our mental health support, invested in staff development, and deepened the ways we walk alongside families. These successes remind us that engagement rooted in abundance is powerful and can transform lives
Looking ahead, we will continue to nurture engagement in every corner of our work: for children, for families, and for MountainStar. Together, we are cultivating a community where every child can grow up safe, healthy, and full of potential
Thank you for engaging with us and believing in what is possible
With gratitude,
KARA TACHIKAWA, Executive Director, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery
RELIEF NURSERY MILESTONES
Instances of child abuse increases during times of stress.
MOUNTAINSTAR FAMILIES
At MountainStar, the average number of family stressors is 14.
The state of Oregon has a threshold of 6 stressors to indicate “high stress.”
RELIEF NURSERY MILESTONES
MOUNTAINSTAR KIDS
Kids’ Outcomes:
At MountainStar, social and emotional learning means helping children understand and manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and engage with their community These skills form the foundation for lifelong learning, resilience, and overall well-being.
Children Served:
of children met or exceeded the benchmarks for physical, cognitive, and social and emotional development
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
cases of child abuse in Oregon happen to children 6 and younger - 9% under the age of one Every year, infants under the age of one experience the highest rate of child abuse and neglect of any age group
Through
Be part of this ongoing impact by:
Becoming a monthly donor
Joining our Partners for Kids program WAYS TO GIVE:
Making a gift from your Donor Advised Fund.
Creating a Legacy Gift
Volunteering your time
Joining your local Advisory Board.
Attending events, like Birdies 4 Babies
Advocating, for MountainStar’s Mission
STRENGTHENING
MountainStar Family Relief Nursery is the only prevention program in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties providing therapeutic classrooms, parenting education services, and family support targeted at protecting babies and toddlers who are at significant risk for abuse and neglect.
By Nic Moye
The Sounds of Yemen Are Coming to Bend
Trio El Khat is on an international tour that includes Silver Moon Brewing
What began as a few friends playing music together in the Middle East turned into an international tour with a stop at Silver Moon Brewing in Bend. El Khat is a three-person minimalist band, using mostly homemade instruments.
“I wasn’t planning on starting a band, I was working on some tunes that afterwards became the first album. I invited some friends to record and one thing led to another,” founder Eyal El Wahab says. He describes their sound as “something like rough Yemenite traditional experimental.”
While living in the Middle East, Eyal says they made instruments using whatever they could find, such as creating a DIY Oud, cello or using tin cans as drums.
“Those sounds can be found in the ancient Yemeni culture,” he explains, which is where their families once lived. El Khat started touring in 2019 and have released three albums so far, with a fourth expected in 2026. Their latest is titled “Mute.”
“The songs are about canceling one another, having no doubts, holding strong opinions, insensitive and blind towards one another and gratitude. Like not hearing but not in sound necessarily,” Eyal says. The band’s name is born from a family tradition.
“Khat is a plant chewed in Yemen and many other countries in the Arab Peninsula. It’s in our families’ tradition to have those Khat ceremonies weekly. We felt the leaf represents everything that’s good in its purity, being natural, on the other hand highly destructive,” he says.
This is the third time El Khat has toured the U.S. Press releases about the band describe them as detached to a land or flag.
“You are born in a place; does it give you ownership over it because of that?” Eyal told the Source. “I believe no one should be attached to anything, especially to a land and flags. These are only symbols that make walls instead of uniting, those symbols controlled by other people, people that call themselves leaders. They clearly don’t represent the people and don’t care about their people so there is no attachment, I am an individual.”
Eyal says he’s grateful for the opportunity to visit Bend and share his culture and tradition. El Khat will be at Silver Moon Brewing on Nov. 11.
El Khat Tue. Nov 11, 6pm Silver Moon Brewing 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend silvermoonbrewing.com/events $19
The trio El Khat is a minimalist band using mostly homemade instruments.
El Khat
CALENDAR
29 Wednesday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Bunk+Brew Open Mic Show off your talent at Bunk + Brew’s Open Mic Night! Sign-ups begin at 5:30 PM, the show kicks off at 6. All acts welcome—music, comedy, poetry, and more. Grab a drink, hit the stage, or cheer them on. Free to attend. Good vibes guaranteed. 6-8pm. Free.
The Capitol The Capitol Karaoke Music Weekly Karaoke at its finest! Central Oregon’s premiere karaoke experience has just moved locations! Now at the Capitol! Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
The Cellar Live Music with Danger Gently Head down to The Cellar every Wednesday to enjoy live music from Danger Gently, a talented rotating cast of characters playing old-timey jams! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Dean Mueller & Lilli Worona Dean Mueller and Lilli Worona deliver heartfelt Americana performances, blending Dean’s soulful songwriting with Lilli’s evocative compositions and beautiful vocals. With expressive fiddle and guitar work, their Nashville-style song swapping features a mix of original songs and select covers. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.
Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Night Open mic comedy on Bend’s NE side. Come down, eat some BBQ, drink some drinks, and be prepared to laugh. Great for first timers to experienced performers. FREE 7:30-9pm. Free.
Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Bill Powers Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music every Wednesday from 6-8pm. 6-8pm. Free.
Deschutes Brewery & Public House
Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Head Games multi-media trivia is at Deschutes Bend Public House every Wednesday. Win prizes. Teams up to six. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Transmission: ‘80s Dark Wave Social Club Immerse yourself in the sounds of the ’80s underground. DJ Mark Brody spins Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Cure, Clan of Xymox, and more at Dogwood at The Pine Shed. A moody night of goth, post-punk, and darkwave. Every 2nd Wednesday. 7-10pm. Free.
The Domino Room Jonah Marais 8pm. Hosmer Bar Trivia Night Join us midweek for brainy banter and cold drinks! Whether you’re a seasoned quiz champ or just in it for the laughs, gather your crew and test your knowledge! See you there! 7-9pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Open Mic Night Downtown living room welcomes musicians to bring their acoustic set or turn it up to 11 with the whole band. Bring your own instruments. 6:30pm. Free.
Market of Choice Bend Scrabble Club at Market of Choice We meet upstairs. We use the 7th edition of the Scabble Players Dictionary. New Scrabble players are welcome. If you have a Scrabble set, please bring it as a backup. 6-8:30pm. Free.
McMenamins Father Luke’s Room Dance Through the Decades Get ready for a night of nostalgia just days before Halloween! Join The Throwbacks as they play you the best hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and beyond. Costumes are highly encouraged, so come dressed in your best decade-inspired look or as your favorite rock star, and be ready to dance through the decades! 7-9pm.
Bingo (think Bingo and Name that Tune). Great food, cold drinks and good times. Free to play and prizes for each round winner. 6-8pm. Free.
Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesdays at Ponch’s Place Enjoy Bingo at Ponch’s Place on Wednesdays. 5:30-7pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Music Bingo Join us for Music Bingo, hosted by the always entertaining Rachel Fishman, who keeps the crowd singing and laughing all night! It’s the perfect bonus to your night out enjoying great food, drinks and good company at Portello! 6:308:30pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Music Bingo: HALLOWEEN EDITION! This Wednesday - Halloween themed music rounds, fun prizes, special spooky cocktails, and costumes encouraged! Come sing, sip, and get in the Halloween spirit at Portello! Free to play for customers while you enjoy some delicious food and/or drinks! Reservations or walk-ins welcome 6:30-8:30pm.
Prost! - Bend WTF! Wednesday Trivia Fun! Genuine UKB Trivia is truly unique and entertaining trivia for you! Independent, locally owned and operated. Please bring something to write with and some positive vibes, too :). 7pm. Free.
River’s Place Seventh Anniversary Party There has been a murder! Find clues at the party to help you guess: Who dunnit, in what room and with what weapon. Correct guesses will be entered into a drawing for the BIG PRIZE. Live music by Blackstrap Bluegrass Costumes encouraged but not required. Celebrate 7 years with us! 6-8pm. Free.
Upp Liquids Bend Comedy Open Mic The Bend Comedy Open Mic, every Wednesday at UPP Liquids. All peformance types and ages are welcome! 7-9pm. Free.
Wonderland Chicken X Worthy Brewing Karaoke Wednesdays Sing your heart out, enjoy a cold beer and fried chicken! 7-11pm. Free.
30 Thursday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Austin Mercantile Live Music Every Thursday Join at Austin Mercantile for live music every Thursday. Offering a light happy hour menu — daily flatbread, chili, charcuterie, soft pretzels and more! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
Bar Rio Live Music at Bar Rio Grab your favorite bites and sips and relax into the music— ranging from jazz and blues to pop and flamenco. 6-8pm. Free.
The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room Trivia Night Tease your brain and win cool prizes. Happy Hour menu will be offered during game time. Grab your friends and enjoy an evening of fabulous wines, snacks and fun! Every last Thursday of the month. Arrive early, game starts at 6pm. Last Thursday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.
Bunk+Brew Karaoke Thursdays Sing your heart out at Bunk + Brew’s Karaoke Night! Whether you’re a pro or just love the spotlight, all voices are welcome. Food carts available all evening! Located in the Historic Lucas House Living Room for winter. 7-10pm. Free.
LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
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The Cellar Live Irish Trad Music with The Ballybogs! Join us for a night of live music featuring Bend’s Irish Trad band, The Ballybogs! Every Thursday at The Cellar. Seats fill up, so get there early if you can! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Blü Egyptian Freaky Dance Party Blü Egyptian returns to Bend! 8-11:30pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Blu Egyptian Blü Egyptian are an electrifying quartet based in Chico, CA who have singlehandedly pioneered the genre Prog-Jam. This catchy breed of Funk, Latin, Reggae, Bluegrass and Rock n’ Roll has swept up the West Coast in a dancing frenzy. Brace yourself for the ever-evolving experience that is Blü Egyptian. 8-10pm. Free.
Crave Bend COMEDY OPEN MIC NIGHT Comedy Open Mic Night on the SW side of Bend! Adults only encouraged. Intimate, smaller venue, healthier food and beverages, and an interactive night of comedy every Thursday! Hosted By Hopper. 7-9pm. Free.
The Dez Lounge Open Mic Join Joyful Lane at open mic night! Enjoy NA cocktails, charcuterie and dessert while listening to local talent! 6-9pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Let’s Have a Kiki A weekly 2SLGBTQIA+ night hosted by Cliché, with a new featured resident DJ each month. Kicking off the series in May with DJ Lunallday. Let’s have a kiki! 7-10pm. Free.
Elements Public House Trivia Night at Elements Public House with QuizHead Games Come be all you can be with Trivia Night every Thursday from 6-8pm! Featuring QuizHead. games. Located at the north end of Redmond. Full bar and great food! 6-8pm. Free.
Hosmer Bar Bingo Night Your week just found its highlight—bingo! Join us for drinks, good company and a little friendly competition. Pull up a chair, grab a board and let’s make some memories! 7-9pm. Free.
The Lot Sidney Joseph A multi-instrumentalist who’s greatest passion has been creating and performing music since he was just a wee lad. With a foggy Philly past. The smokey voiced singer just moved to Oregon, where he’s finding inspiration for new songs. 6-8pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Problem Stick & Cutter Marie Legacy psychogenic accord-wreckage party-ghouls PROBLEM STICK lure novel noisy rock impressionists CUTTER MARIE for a fit of cacophonous ritual celebration. So, music. 9pm-Midnight. Free.
Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/
Annex Aaron Watson Aaron Watson’s career is perhaps summed up best by Forbes, who says he’s “one of country music’s biggest DIY success stories.” For over 20 years, Watson has traveled the land as country’s ultimate underdog troubadour—a truly independent artist with the spirit of the American frontier in his veins. 7-11pm.
Mountain Burger Thursday Night Live Mari & The Dream at Mountain Burger for Thursday Night Live! 6-8pm. Free.
Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place with QuizHead Games. 6-8pm. Free.
River’s Place Grits ‘n’ Gravy A folksy take on traditional country music featuring Lilli Worona, Mike Biggers & Kurt Silva! 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Trivia on the Moon Come down to Silver Moon Brewing for a night of trivia! Teams are welcome to show up in groups up to 8 people. Silver Moon also offers seating reservations for $20 donations that all go to F*Cancer! If you would like to reserve a table please contact the Trivia on the Moon Facebook page. 7pm. Free.
Stoller Wine Bar Bend Coyote Rider Kat Hilst, Kim Kelley and Tim Coffey perform original folk-Americana songs crafted for timeless storytelling with roots-driven sound and powerful harmonies. 6-8pm. Free.
Volcanic Theatre Pub The Hasbens: 5th Annual Halloween Party 5th Annual Halloween Party! 8-11pm. $20-$25.
31 Friday
The Belfry Belfry Halloween Extravaganza! The Crunk Mountain Boys are a high-octane musical force to reckon with. David Jacobs-Strain is at the helm with his swampy roots/blues originals and fierce guitar playing. You can’t sit still when this mostly acoustic band is rattling the windows and thumping the floor. 8-11:30pm.
The Capitol Bend Burlesque Co. presents: Urban Legends Join us this Halloween for a journey to the other side. Bend Burlesque Company is taking over the Capitol with possessive performances set to a compilation of short stories, inspired by iconic urban legends. 7-8:15pm.
Funky and psychedelic jam band The Hasbens will host a festive Halloween party and live show with support from Mamasboy Thu., Oct. 30, 8pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub.
The Hasbens
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Get Up & Groove Halloween Morning Dance Party A sunrise dance party with live DJs and coffee-fueled good vibes. Costumes encouraged. Family-friendly. Don’t forget grandma! 7:45-9am. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Halloween Bash with FAFO (Funk Around and Find Out) Get ready to party for our first Halloween Bash with FAFO! Funk Around & Find Out is a High-energy funk and fusion experience. Fresh, groovy spin on popular tunes spanning decades … from The Beatles to Dua Lipa. We will have a best custom contest, prizes and other spooky fun! 8-10pm.
Crave Bend Costume Comedy Night We’re not saying this show will summon demons, but after a few drinks, you might start dating one again. Join us Halloween Night for Costumed Comedy Night at Crave, where the comics wear costumes and the jokes get filthy. 6-7:30pm. $20.
The Domino Room Dirtbag Ball Calling all dirtbags! Get ready to rock your face off and dance your a** off! This Halloween at the Domino room the Pub Beer will flow like wine. Dress your worst and come party with ThoughtBox and Cptn Over! 21+ FREE SHOW! 8pm-Midnight. FREE.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Stage 28 Karaoke
Come out for a night of Stage 28 Karaoke with your host Miss Min! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free.
JC’s Bar & Grill JC’s Halloween Bash We’re the Pub Crawl check-in spot! stop by for killer DJ vibes with Van Morrison, a fog-filled game room , and plus hauntingly good Halloween cocktail and shot specials! Costumes encouraged! 4pm-2am. Free.
M&J Tavern Halloween Party Friday Oct 31st the Party will be Magical!!! Disney is the theme! Bring all your ghouls and gals in for a night of fantastical music and fun. Best dressed interpretations will recieve suprise prizes and notoriety! 9pm. Free. Pls tip the bands!.
McMenamins Old St. Francis School
McMenamins Halloween Bash feat. Dad Bods Band & Fractal Known as one of Bend’s biggest and most anticipated Halloween parties, the event always packs the house, there’s nothing else like it. 9pm-Midnight. $20.
Portello Wine and Spirits Halloween
Pre-Funk Party w/Maria Jackson! Kick off your Halloween night at Portello! Enjoy dinner, live music by Maria Jackson, and spooky-themed cocktails. Wear your costumes and get in the spirit before hitting the town to your late night Halloween festivities! The ultimate pre-funk party! 6-8pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Live Music: Maria Jackson Band We are excited to have Maria back at Portello this weekend! Her soulful vocals brings an electrifying sound inspired by Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae and Sade. Last Friday of every month, 7-9pm. Free.
UPP Liquids Halloween Extravaganza Costume contest with prizes, live music by the Rumpeppers, live DJs, photo booth, drink specials and more! 8pm-1am.
Velvet Lounge Halloween in Neverland Our annual Halloween party is kicking off Halloween Friday! Dress to impress with your favorite Neverland character. 21+. 5pm-1am. Free.
Wildwood Bar & Grill Halloween with The Rusty Frets & costume contest sponsored by Oregrown The Rusty Frets are a new American Reggae band out of Bend Oregon. They have played along side Kashd Out, Sensamotion, Afroman, and Kyle Smith! Most recently, the Rusty Frets released a single “Swervy” featuring the legendary G.Love 8-10pm. Free.
1
Saturday
Austin Mercantile Saturday Afternoon Live Music Austin Mercantile is now adding live music on Saturdays! Serving wine, beer, lite happy hour menu, gifts and home decor. Hope to see you soon! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
The Belfry John Reischman & The Jaybirds + Darin Gentry’s Old Time Machine Living legend of the mandolin, John Reischman, brings an intimate evening of acoustic music to The Belfry with his band, The Jaybirds. Local old-time group Darin Gentry’s Old Time Machine opens. 7-9:30pm.
Bridge 99 Brewery Family-Friendly Karaoke Night Looking for family fun? You’ll find it every Saturday night at Bridge 99 Brewery. Family-friendly karaoke is hosted by DJ Jackie J and A Fine Note Karaoke Too from 6-9 PM. Adults, kids and good dogs welcome. 6-9pm. Free.
The Capitol Rare Form w/ Soft Clip and Mafimi (Montly DJ Residency) Bend’s finest nightclub, djs, atmosphere and premium sound system. First Friday features Rare Form w/ Soft Clip and Mafimi. First Saturday of every month, 9pm-2am. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free.
Deschutes Public Library-Downtown Open Hub Singing The science is out–singing together gives us a lasting, healthy natural high. Join local songleader Ian Carrick to share in an anciently familiar practice. With a decade of experience helping people sing together, Ian creates a welcoming, playful and tender space. No experience necessary. Wanted: your raw, imperfect voice! 10-11:30am. $10-25.
Pangaea Guild Hall Halloween at Pangaea
Join us for a night of spooky eats and drinks with dancing, haunted decor, and a costume contest with prizes. Free entry, 21+ only. 6-11pm.
Portello Wine and Spirits Barringer & Baker With steller vocals and masterful violin they create wonderful soundscapes of classic songs and instrumentals. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Jack Krouscup Trio 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Punk-O-Ween 4 (Halloween Punk Rock Costume Party) Bend’s annual punk rock halloween party! All ages. Noon-11pm.
Tumalo Lavender Lavender Nights: End of Season Gathering Join us for a family & dog friendly evening to celebrate the end of the summer season. Live music, fire pits, treats, and Juniper Moon slinging beer, wine, mocktails and more! Enjoy 15% off in the store and the launch of our seasonal Frankincense & Lavender line! 3-7pm. Free.
2 Sunday
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Trivia Night Sunday Funday Trivia with Sean. Gather your team, or roll solo and find a spot early in the cafe, knowledge tests begin at 6pm. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Talamh Dubh and Friends Talamh Dubh is a trio with collective ties to Ireland and a love for Irish music. Their name, “Dark Earth” in Gaelic, pays homage to the volcanic ground of the Cascade range upon which the group formed. Featured in their repertoire are jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches, waltzes, and songs. 4-6pm.
The Commonwealth Pub Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Live multi-media trivia every Sunday @ 6pm. The Commonwealth Pub - Bend Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to 6. 6-8pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Okay Karaoke
Sing your favorite songs with friends, enjoy professional sound and lighting, and let the spotlight shine on you. Hosted by the dynamic Tammy Larsen, it’s the perfect night out for music lovers and party people alike. Noon-11pm. Free.
Midtown Ballroom Zakk Sabbath: American Winter Tour ‘25 7 & 8pm.
Midtown Ballroom Zakk Sabbath: American Winter Tour ‘25 7 & 8pm.
River’s Place The Brainy Brunch Trivia! Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia presents “The Brainy Brunch!” Bring your crew of friends or family and a pen/pencil! Play for fun and gift cards, play for free! Experienced, independent, locally owned and operated! Noon. Free.
River’s Place Eric Leadbetter Vintage rock sounds sprinkled with tasteful jam sections, to a unique contemporary eclectic melting pot of songwriting styles 5-7pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.
3 Monday
Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Habitat for Humanity Join us for Bingo with Bren, supporting Habitat for Humanity! Fifty percent of proceeds go to cash prizes, while the rest helps build safe, affordable housing for families in need. Play, win, and make a difference— together we can create a future where everyone has a place to call home. 6-8pm. $2.
The Commonwealth Pub Monday Night Musicians Open Showcase and Jam Calling all musicians, singers and performers! Join us for a weekly open showcase where you can share your talent, connect with other artists and perform in a welcoming atmosphere. Bring your instrument — backline is provided. 5-9pm. Free.
Crux Fermentation Project Trivia Night @ Crux Trivia Night at Crux! First place team wins a $25 gift card! 6-8pm. Free.
Elixir Winery and Tasting Room Locals Music Night and Open Mic Bend’s friendliest open-mic! All genres welcome. Oregon and international wine, beer and tapas menu available all evening. 6-9pm. Free.
Dean Mueller and Lilli Worona (pictured) deliver heartfelt Americana performances, blending Dean's soulful songwriting with Lilli's evocative compositions and beautiful vocals. Wed., Oct. 29, 7:30pm at The Commonwealth Pub.
Lilli Worona
CALENDAR EVENTS
On Tap Locals’ Day Plus Live Music Cheaper drinks all day and live music at night, get down to On Tap. 11am-9pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Beertown Comedy Open Mic Voted #1 Open Mic and Locals Night, Beertown Comedy’s Open Mic happens every Monday at Silver Moon Brewing. Free to watch and perform! Sign-ups at 6:30pm, show at 7pm. With 20 spots available, bring your best jokes and get noticed for paid gigs. Laughter guaranteed! 6:30-9pm. Free.
4 Tuesday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Beach Hut Deli Tip of the Tongue Trivia Come out and play Tip of the Tongue trivia for a chance to win some great prizes and show off your trivia skills! 6-8pm. Free.
The Capitol The Capitol Karaoke Music Weekly Karaoke at its finest! Central Oregon’s premiere karaoke experience has just moved locations! Now at the Capitol! Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
The Cellar Open Mic Open mic at The Cellar hosted by Mari! 6-8pm and all are welcome! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Open Mic StoryTellers open mic nights are full of music, laughs and community. Mason James is the host. Poetry, comedy and spoken word are welcome, but this is mainly a musical open mic. Performance slots are a quick 10 minutes each, so being warmed up and ready is ideal. If you wish to perform sign-ups start at 5pm in the cafe. 6pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Elise Franklin Quartet: Tuesday Night Jazz The Elise Franklin Quartet, a group of experienced musicians playing jazz standards and Latin, is led by Elise Franklin on vocals and Jack Krouscup on piano. Elise grew up in a musical family, and pursued acting first, which led to singing professionally in 2000. Be ready for a wonderful evening. 7-9pm. Free.
Elements Public House Trivia (&Taco) Tuesdays Quiz fans of Redmond: bring your crew this week for UKB live trivia & more! Delicious menu favorites, brews, cocktails, plus Taco Tuesday menu! Play for gift card prizes or just for fun. Bring good vibes and a pen. 6:30pm. Free.
The Lot Trivia Tuesdays Stop scrolling and streaming, get out of the house and flex your brain. Your friends will be excited for the invite, so put it out there and make memories on Tuesday nights. A local host challenges you with six questions in six categories. The heated benches are calling your name. 6-7:30pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Karaoke Every Tuesday at your downtown living room! Sign-ups start at 8pm and the singing goes until last call OR last singer, whichever comes first! 8pm-1:15am. Free.
Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger Come to Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Fun and prizes await! 7:30-9pm. Free.
Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free. Pinky G’s Pizzeria TRIVIA NIGHT Test your knowledge in a casual/laid-back atmosphere. Pizza, beer and trivia. Free to play and prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
Sunriver Library Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher Experience the transcendent beauty of classical guitar with a critically acclaimed guitarist. Peter offers an audience-friendly, solo recital that runs the gamut from the Renaissance Period through the 19th century. Learn more at www. peterfletcher.com 1-2pm. Free.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
Artist Talk: Microphones & Fever
Dreams Join us for an artist talk with Andrew Paul Keiper where he will present his work as a sound, installation and media artist. Andrew’s work addresses the threat and history of nuclear weapons through field recording, sound design, photography, and other media. Oct. 30, 4-6pm. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Rd., Sisters. Contact: 5419040700. inquiries@roundhousefoundation. org. Free.
Discover Owls: Denizens of the Dark? What makes owls so mysterious? Is it their nocturnal habit, their silent flight, their secretive nature? Explore the roles these birds play in traditional mythologies, while learning about owls of Central Oregon. Presented by Damian Fagan, a local naturalist who spent several seasons hooting for spotted owls in Utah. Oct. 29, 5:306:30pm. Downtown Bend Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St,, Bend. Contact: 5413121029. laurelh@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
Exhibition Opening: Hollow and Still: Photographs Following Fire by David Paul Bayles In September 2020, the Holiday Farm Fire, driven by fierce east winds, burned 173,000 acres along the forested McKenzie River canyon in the Cascades of Oregon. Hollow and Still brings together a special collection of photographs from acclaimed photographer David Paul Bayles, one of the first to capture the aftermath. Nov. 1, 10am-4pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum.org. Museum admission varies.
Indigenous Speakers Series: Beautiful Strengths of Indigenous Communities Dr. Michelle Jacob emphasizes that understanding Indigenous history must go hand in hand with celebrating the vibrant contributions of Native peoples. Rooted in Yakama traditions and the wisdom of Elders, her talk will highlight the resilience and brilliance of Indigenous communities while offering a message of hope, love and strength. Nov. 2. COCC Campus Center - Wille Hall, 2600 College Way, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum.org. Sliding-scale pricing.
Natural History Pub: The Recipe for Healthy Soil A healthy garden begins with healthy soil. But what’s the recipe for good soil?
A mix of plants, animals, fungi, moisture and an understanding of your soil’s individual history. Join Garrett L. Duyck, Basin Resource Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to learn about soil management in the region. Nov. 3, 7-8pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum.org. Free with RSVP.
Rights of Nature For the kickoff to the 2025 Livable Future Forum, former National Park Service Director Chuck Sams will join Central Oregon LandWatch Executive Director Ben Gordon for a discussion on the Rights of Nature—a movement that redefines how we relate to land, water, and wildlife. Oct. 30, 7-8:30pm. OSU Cascades Ray Hall Atrium, 1500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend. Contact: 5416472930. lace@colw.org. $10 - $25.
Third Thursday Open Mic at the High Desert Music Hall Spoken word open mic night for all poets, storytellers and writers. This is an in-person program. Join us at the High Desert Music Hall for a spoken word open mic night the third Thursday of the month. All writers and readers and word-lovers invited to attend and read. Every third Thursday, 6-8pm. Contact: 541312-1063. paigef@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
Winter Hours Begin Winter hours begin! The Museum will now be open daily 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Nov. 1, 10am-4pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum.org.
THEATER
Beetlejuice Jr. This is a show about death. This show dives into the “whole being dead thing” with heart and humor. When teenager Lydia Deetz moves into a haunted house and meets the ghostly couple who once lived there—along with a mischievous demon named Beetlejuice—chaos ensues! Thu, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30pm, Fri, Oct. 31, 6:30-8:30pm, Sat, Nov. 1, 1:30-3:30 and 6:308:30pm, Thu, Nov. 6, 6:30-8:30pm, Fri, Nov. 7, 6:30-8:30pm and 1:30am-3:30pm and Sat, Nov. 8, 6:30-8:30pm. Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend. Contact: (541) 419-5558. admin@beatchildrenstheatre.org. $15-$20.
The Haunting of Hill House Prepare to be enveloped in an atmosphere of chilling suspense and psychological terror! Based on Shirley Jackson’s iconic novel and Directed by Donald Emmerich. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30pm and Sundays, 2pm. Through Nov. 2. Cascades Theatrical Co, 148 NW Greenwood Ave,, Bend. Contact: 541=389-0803. $42-$47.
Nancy Blue: Girl Detective Will Nancy and her friends solve the mystery of the missing principal? Find out in this fun parody-mystery production from BEAT Children’s Theatre! Fri, Aug. 15, 6-7pm, Ongoing, 2-3pm and Sat, Aug. 16, 2-3pm. Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend. $15-$20.
Once: The Musical A transcendent theatrical experience that will sweep you off your feet. As the sun sets on a charmingly gritty Irish cityscape, the ethereal music weaves a tapestry of love and longing, daring you to believe in the unexpected. Join us for a chronicle of chance encounters and soulful connection. Thursdays-Sundays, 7-9:30pm. Through Nov. 15. The Greenhouse Cabaret, 1017 NE 2nd St., Bend. Contact: 541.699.2840. info@thegreenhousecabaret.com. $49-$79.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Autumn Plant Medicine Workshop
Come on a day all about autumn plant medicine. Learn local medicinal plants, then make herbal remedies with them to take home! Adults and 16+ Nov. 1, 10am-3pm. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: info@nighthawknaturalistschool. com. $65.
Bend Adult Volleyball Bend Hoops adult open gym volleyball sessions offer players a chance to get together and enjoy some competition. To sign up, go to meetup.com and RSVP. Bring exact change. Sundays, 7-9pm and Saturdays, 7:30pm. Bend Hoops, 1307 NE 1st St, Bend. $10.
Bevel Putting Mayhem Disc Golfers!! Come join us on Wednesdays for Bevel Putting Mayhem in the hop garden at Bevel! $5 entry, with an optional $1 perfect putt pot, and $1 off beers for players. Sign-ups start at 5:30, first putts at 6pm. All skill levels welcome - meet new friends! Wednesdays, 5:30-8pm. Through April 29. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 5419723835. holla@bevelbeer.com. $5. Green Ridge Raptor Survey Join Think Wild and learn about raptor migration, overwintering raptors, and the importance of population monitoring by participating in informal raptor survey counts. Carpool to the survey site will meet at Village Green Park in Sisters, OR at 12:00pm. Bring lawn chairs, snacks, and adequate layers! Nov. 1, Noon-3pm. Village Green Park, 335 S. Elm St., Sisters. Contact: becca@ thinkwildco.org.
Roller Skate Jam! Come skate with us— quads and inlines welcome! We throw down at the courts off SE Wilson, next to the skatepark. Music, dancing, rolling and a friendly community of welcoming skaters. All levels and ages welcome. Tuesdays, 6-8pm. Ponderosa Park, 225 SE 15th St., Bend. Contact: 206-334-8488. joe@ joe-walker.com. Free.
FUNDRAISING
Bend Food Project Quilt Sale The 4th Annual Quilt Sale to benefit the Bend Food Project will be held on Saturday, November 1, at the Unitarian Fellowship in Bend (61980 Skyline Ranch Road). Last year, we raised over $37,000 to feed kids in Deschutes County. Please help us reach our goal of $35,000 this year. Nov. 1, 9am-3pm. Contact: 303 817 3774. sandra97707@ gmail.com.
Community Pint Night with Think Wild
Join us at The Ale for an evening of pub science, bats, and pumpkin carving! Learn all about Oregon’s native bats from the folks at Think Wild, enjoy a pint for a cause, and get creative with some spooky seasonal carving. BYOpumpkin, stencils/ paint provided. Proceeds go to wildlife conservation! Oct. 30, 5-7pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: taryn@ thealeapothecary.com.
Wildly popular Black Sabbath cover band, Zakk Sabbath, will rock the stage at Midtown Ballroom Sun., Nov. 2, 7pm.
Zakk Sabbath
CHOW C
It’s All About the Birria
Three carts, three Redmond versions of the
beloved taco
By Nicole Vulcan
Redmond has an abundance of food carts — and food cart pods — these days. Not long ago, Wild Ride was the epicenter of cart culture. But in the past several years, we’ve seen an explosion of places where people can grab a bite, have a seat and, in most places, also have a beer. On a recent weekend, I set out to explore some of those pods and eat my way through them. As I cruised the crunchy gravel of General Duffy’s, Redmond Food Park and the alleyway of Kobold Brewing, one thing was abundantly clear: Redmond, like many other locales, is all about the birria.
It’s been a popular menu item at Mexican restaurants and carts in recent years, but birria’s origins go back to colonial Mexico. When the Spanish brought goats to the Americas, Mexicans in the state of Jalisco began to eat the gamey meat stewed, with plenty of spices. That tradition spread around the country, where eventually, chefs in Tijuana began to use beef instead to make the soupy, rich thing we savor as modern-day birria.
If birria is on the menu, I have a hard time ordering anything else. I love its rich stewiness. And with so many carts offering up their versions, I set out to do a bit of compare and contrast — you know, for journalism.
El Poblanito
The first place on my tour was El Poblanito, a cart located at General Duffy’s. Being my first stop, I made the happy mistake of ordering not just a birria taco, but the blackened salmon one, too. You don’t find salmon tacos at a Mexican cart that often, so I had to try it. The birria taco here wasn’t bland; the first bite offered a “rich oiliness,” which is the best way to describe it. One taco isn’t necessarily enough to fill one up, but this version came with a solid chunk of satisfying beef that could certainly try. The blackened salmon, meanwhile, came with a hearty portion of salmon, perfectly cooked and flavored well with blackened spices and sweetened with a mango salsa.
La Birria Republic
With “birria” in the name, the challenge at La Birria Republic at the Redmond Food Park is deciding into which vessel you should pour the birria. I opted for a single Quesa Taco — a version of birria that melts a healthy dose of cheese with the stewy meat. This version, even with a single taco, came with a little cup of consommé, which is a definite plus. More traditional birria comes served up with some of the broth in which the meat was stewed, and it’s never unwelcome. La Birria Republic’s consommé had a slight taste of cinnamon mixed with a slight spiciness. The meat itself didn’t drip with flavor, but dipping the taco in the broth was a delight.
El Imperio
Two food carts take up the space outside Kobold Brewing, and with one of them being Richard’s Sliders and the other being El Imperio, it would have been tough to choose between them, had I not already eaten three tacos. Determined to stay focused, I ordered only the birria taco at El Imperio — though those sliders won’t long be ignored. The first bite of El Imperio’s version was cilantro-forward, with a slight hint of chile. I opted for the hand-made tortilla — a great choice, as its thicker, doughier countenance held up well to the heft of the birria inside. The red, hot salsa I chose for the taco was a welcome addition, adding a bit more smokiness to the birria.
If you’re in the mood for birria, you don’t have to go far in Redmond to get it. Each of the three I tried offered something delicious, though the addition of the consommé to the one at La Birria Republic made it my favorite on this tour. To be fair, consommé does come with the larger orders at El Poblanito, too. Anywhere you go, however, it’s birria, and that means it’s going to be some good eatin’.
LITTLE BITES
By Nic Moye
Bar Rio is Morphing into The Rio Room
The downtown Bend restaurant will close, but the public can rent the space
Bar Rio in downtown Bend is rebranding into a private event space called The Rio Room. The last day for the public to visit Bar Rio is expected to be Thursday, Oct. 30. After that, the owners will focus on renting out the space for rehearsal dinners, business luncheons, birthdays, holiday parties and more. The space can accommodate up to 60 guests. The owners also plan to host public events, such as paella nights, holiday brunches and a place to watch big sporting events.
General Manager Randy Fitch says the idea grew out of the success they’ve had with catering and the needs of clients in the downtown area. “This type of space doesn’t exist downtown,” he told the Source.
The venue can be rented for $750 on weekdays/$1,000 on weekends. Catering options include a Latin menu similar to the Barrio food truck, Mediterranean similar to Shimshon at the Grove or Spanish paella with Mediterranean tapas like Bar Rio. Clients can also rent the venue and bring in an outside licensed caterer.
The Rio Room will still provide support for Barrio, the Shimshon and the Bodega’s grab and go market. “We prep for all of these outlets in our downtown kitchen, our commissary. Catering is also available through The Rio Room as pick up, delivery, and off site for all your needs,” Fitch says.
The Bar Rio will rebrand into The Rio Room for private events and catering.
Bar Rio
El Poblanito's birria taco was hearty, with a healthy chunk of beef. But that salmon taco...
A hand-made tortilla at El Imperio made an extra sturdy vessel for the birria. At La Birria Republic, you had me at consommé.
Photos by Nicole Vulcan
LITTLE BITES
By Nic Moye
High Tea in Central Oregon Steep Teahouse & Gifts offers casual and fancy tea experiences
The sophistication of Afternoon Tea is a tradition that’s been revived in Redmond. Steep Teahouse & Gifts began serving High Tea in July, when Kelle Doran and her husband moved from Prineville to Redmond and bought the business on NW 7th Street, which was formerly Maple Moon Home & Gift. Steep is packed full of items perfect for filling gift baskets such as loose leaf tea, lotions, soaps, Stonewall Kitchen seasonings, kitchen items and more. Customers can also buy tea and pastries to go or sit in what Doran calls ‘the casual room.’
Reservations are only needed if customers are interested in experiencing one of their high tea packages. “The fancier teas take longer, to make the food. So, they could even call an hour before,” Doran says.
The most elaborate High Tea offered includes four tea sandwiches such as cucumber, dill and cream cheese or ham, Brie and apple. “We do a coronation chicken sandwich. That’s what they served at the king’s coronation. It’s like a turmeric and a couple other spices, shredded chicken. That one’s really good on croissants,” Doran says. High Tea also includes two savories, a small salad, a scone with lemon curd, preserves and Devonshire cream, three small desserts and a pot of tea for $45 per person.
There are three options for $15, such as the Princess Tea, which includes two sandwiches, a scone, three petite desserts with a pot of tea; the Charcuter-Tea, which is an assortment of cheese, crackers, meats, berries, dried fruit, nuts, a small dessert and tea; or the Dessert Tea, which has a scone, four mini-desserts and pot of tea. Doran says they can accommodate people
with dietary needs, such as gluten free or vegan if requested when making the reservation.
The Afternoon Tea has two sandwiches, two savories, a scone, two desserts and a pot of tea for $29 and the Steep Tea is the simplest version with a pot of tea and scone for $10.
The idea of Afternoon Tea is attributed to the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, in 1840. The evening meal was served sometime between eight and nine p.m., but the Duchess struggled with hunger around four or five in the afternoon and began requesting tea, bread, butter and cake as a daily ritual.
“For 17 years I’ve wanted to have a tea shop and was just kind of waiting for the right time,” Doran says. “I have always watched Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, all those. I went to school in a castle in England for one semester. I just love tea!”
There’s a baker on staff and a flower shop operating inside the Steep gift store, as well as a vendor selling vintage items on the property. There’s also a BNB, which Doran also manages.
Ongoing road construction makes it challenging to reach Steep Teahouse & Gifts, but Doran says that’s expected to be finished at their location by the end of November. She’s already looking ahead to the holidays and taking reservations for a special Christmas High Tea brunch the first three Saturdays in December at 11am. She may add additional days if needed.
Reservations are needed for a formal High Tea experience.
Nic Moye
CULTURE
C Building Confidence, Character and Grace
“The Little Mermaid” swims onto a high school stage in Redmond
By Nic Moye
ADisney classic, “The Little Mermaid,” will be center stage in Redmond this November. Ovation
Performing Arts is putting on the production. The non-profit primarily serves homeschooled families and describes itself as a Christian-based organization. Jonathan Shepherd and his wife have run OPA for the past decade, developing young actors from around Central Oregon. For the production of “Little Mermaid,” actors are coming from Redmond, Bend, Sunriver, La Pine, Tumalo, Terrebonne, Madras and Prineville.
Shepherd says all of its productions are family-friendly. “Our tongue-in-cheek slogan here is ‘no cursing, no kissing, no killing.’ We emphasize our actors’ personal boundaries over our characters’ expectations laid out in the scripts,” he explains.
“The Little Mermaid” takes the audience under the sea with the story of Ariel, who swims to the surface at age 15 and falls in love with a human prince. She desperately tries to leave the sea to be with the prince and makes a deal with the sea witch to have human legs in exchange for her voice. The deal is not what it seems, and Ariel needs the help of her friends to restore order under the sea and find a way to live happily ever after with the prince. The story is based on the classic fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen and the animated Disney film.
OPA’s production is a parent and community collaboration who help with custom sets, choreography and costumes. The cast features nearly 60 actors, ages eight to 14. While OPA is traditionally a homeschool theater group, several young actors are from public and private schools. Most rehearsals are done during the day, making it challenging for non-homeschooled participants, but Shepherd says they’ve shifted shows for older performers to the evenings to make it easier for public or private school teens and college students with day jobs to participate.
OPA produces musicals for four staggered age groups: Debut (8-12), Forte (8-14), Brava (13-18) and Encore (15-adult). The “Little Mermaid” is being performed by the Forte group. Shepherd says the overlap
allows some actors to age up or down if siblings are involved. Each age group gets one performance a year, which allows OPA to feature different ages in lead roles.
“The age division structure is a newly implemented effort just this year in order to add more shows and provide more opportunities,” Janet Grant, who helps with publicity, told the Source. “We went from two shows a year to four.”
“The differing age groups have allowed us to stay with our ‘no cut’ policy,” Shepherd says. “Selecting our shows is tricky… We promise our families that just by signing up for a show, their actor’s participation in rehearsals and onstage will be high. This is a hard promise to live up to.” He explains that there’s usually a 1:2 boy/girl ratio, so finding musicals with enough roles for girls can be tricky. The “Little Mermaid” works nicely because Ariel has six sisters and other roles that can be male or female, like the crab Sebastian or Scuttle the seabird.
Part of OPA’s goal is to develop a young actor, teaching them acting theory and building confidence. “They sometimes write up backstories for their characters,” Shepherd explains, “and time permitting, we love to deep dive into the details, thinking about how their character would react or move, the cadence of their voices, as they express their emotions. We’ve always got our eye on life skills that apply outside of theatre: self-confidence, presence and gravitas in a room, public speaking, thinking outside the box.”
OPA is a faith-based program. Shepherd says there is usually prayer before an audition and sometimes during rehearsals, but there’s no expectation beyond respectfulness.
“We also overtly encourage cooperative, collaborative character qualities from a Biblical foundation: showing support and kindness even in the ‘competition’ of auditions, helping others, handling adversity with grace. These are qualities most people want for their kids whether they participate in religion or not,” Shepherd explains. “We have kids from all different denominations of churches as well as those who do not attend church. We do not require anyone to be a Christian to be involved. We just want to provide a wholesome environment where kids can come together and do what they love.”
OPA performances move around to different high school stages. “Little Mermaid” will be at Redmond High School, which Shepherd says is their first time there. The musicians are adults who play with various ensembles in Central Oregon. Rehearsals are at the OPA studio on Clausen Road on the north side of Bend. It’ll be performed over the second and third weekends in November. Rehearsals are already underway for its next production, “Prince of Egypt,” which will be performed at Ridgeview High School by OPA’s Encore division featuring actors 15 years and older. Show dates will be in January.
Little Mermaid Nov. 7-9, 14-16
Redmond High School
675 SW Rimrock Way, Redmond ovationpa.com/ $14 individual/$48 family four-pack
A scene from the "Little Mermaid" rehearsal, during the song "Kiss the Girl." When performed on stage, the audience will see a rowboat, a lagoon and all the actors in costumes.
Jonathan Shepherd
Ovation Performing Arts
SC SCREEN Rich Man/Rich Man
“Good Fortune” is in bad
By Jared Rasic
Ithink Aziz Ansari meant well when he sat down to write “Good Fortune” and really thought he was trying to unpack the unfairness of the gig worker system in America, and how easy it is to make one or two small mistakes and end up homeless and destitute. While “Good Fortune” has some solid ideas and funny performances (especially from Keanu Reeves), it ultimately feels like an out-of-touch attempt to write about poverty from the POV of someone wealthy for so long that struggling is just a distant dream.
Ansari plays Arj, a nearly destitute documentary editor barely making ends meet by delivering food and whatever other odd jobs he can find from day to day, week to week. He meets Jeff (Seth Rogan, solidly in his stoner giggle wheelhouse), a rich tech bro who hires Arj to be his assistant. As Arj desperately tries to make enough money to stop living in his car, his hopelessness is witnessed by Gabriel (a dryly perfect Keanu Reeves), an Angel who is only allowed to protect people from accidents incurred from texting and driving. When Gabriel takes an interest in guiding Arj, he messes things up just enough to almost make for an entertaining screwball comedy.
I don’t know much about whatever nearly got Ansari cancelled a few years ago, so I won’t speak to that, but as a writer and performer, I’ve enjoyed him for years. As much as I enjoyed his work on “Parks and Recreation,” it was the series “Master of None” that proved he could balance his specific brand of comedy with nuanced and sometimes heartbreaking dramatic work, as well as some genuinely innovative filmmaking.
That’s what confuses me about “Good Fortune.”
Across three seasons of “Master of None,” Ansari worked with filmmakers like James Ponsoldt (“The End of the Tour”), Alan Yang (“The Good Place”), Melina Matsoukas (“Queen & Slim) and the dearly departed Lynn Shelton (“Your Sister’s Sister”), while
faith
entertaining as sections of the film can be, doesn’t really have an authorial voice or style and feels like Ansari didn’t allow himself enough time in preproduction to craft any memorable shot compositions or rhythm to the filmmaking.
Across 97 minutes, we’re able to see quite a few of Ansari’s influences, like the heart of Wenders’ “Wings of Desire,” the humor of “Trading Places,” the optimism of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the celestial touch of “Heaven Can Wait.” Sadly, “Good Fortune” feels like a hybrid monstrosity built from the limbs of those films without really nailing down what it was trying to say, other than “being poor is super difficult, and most of life’s problems are fixed with money and influence.”
but it feels like a hollow morality lesson coming from someone fresh from cashing the Saudi Arabian government’s massive checks for performing in Riyadh. What initially feels like Ansari thumbing his nose at capitalism, the naïveté of the rich, liberal mindset, the cowardly greed of union busting and the devaluation of the gig worker, instead just lands as an intermittently funny homage to 1940s screwball comedies.
While that all sounds like a lot of complaining, the movie still ALMOST works because of the comedic charisma of Keanu Reeves as a chain-smoking angel hooked on tacos and chicken nuggies and the charm and intelligence of a seriously underused Keke Palmer. Even as I shook my head at the sometimes insultingly myopic takes on poverty and destitution, I still wanted to spend time with Reeves and Palmer working their magic and effortlessly carrying the film on their movie star magnetism.
Again, I do think Ansari was well-meaning with “Good Fortune” and was genuinely trying to say something insightful about economic inequality and empathy, but it feels like the script got rushed into filming without taking the time to make sure those meaningful ideas came with some actual thoughtfulness. Even as the film manages a few mild laughs and cute moments, it feels like the product of someone out of touch and looking to reconnect with “regular Americans.” It doesn’t work. A rich guy telling me that being rich is awesome and that I still might find some joy in poverty pissed me off and soured what could have been a cute morality fable almost immediately. I wonder how Ansari will condescend to me next.
“Good Fortune”
Aziz Ansari
I greatly respect that Ansari was attempting to tackle some of American society’s most glaring faults,
Lionsgate
O OUTSIDE The Brip Brap Makes the Hip Hap
Local teen moto racer leads his novice category heading to the 4th
stop of AMA EnduroCross in Redmond on Nov. 8
By Peter Madsen
Gnar-buckets EnduroCross racing is returning to Redmond.
The American Motorcyclist Association EnduroCross series will pitstop at the First Interstate Bank Center on Nov. 8 — the fourth of six rounds winding through America’s Western states.
While the pro category boasts household names like current series leaders Trystan Hart, Jonny Walker and Ryder LeBlond, the AMA EnduroCross series offers race categories that span ability and age ranges.
If you’re keen to root for a homegrown racer on the come-up, you could do worse than 18-year-old Conlan Archer. The Sisters High School senior is turning heads in the novice division, placing second place out of more than 20 racers in Prescott Valley, Arizona, the first stop of this year’s EnduroCross series on Oct. 18. Last weekend, Conlan rejoined the series for its second and third stops in Idaho Falls. He finished 10th place on Oct. 24 and in sixth place the following day. This is Archer’s third year competing in EnduroCross. He placed 9th overall in the 2023 series and 6th overall last year, both times in the novice category.
“It was a long weekend for sure, I put in a lot of work,” Archer said via email on Monday. “Friday’s main race was a challenge…I just got really tired throughout the day and I made too many mistakes.”
But Archer turned it around on Oct. 25. He held second place for much of the main race, but two errors landed him in sixth. Archer is presently in first place in the novice series standings with 49 points.
EnduroCross meshes the motocross race format with the challenging obstacles of an Enduro race, crammed into a tight closed course, usually in a stadium or arena setting, according to the AMA website. Riders navigate rock beds and slash through water crossings and log sections. And don’t forget about those tricky tractor tires. EX is like indoor cyclocross but with dirt bikes that typically feature 250cc four-stroke engines in the amateur categories. Pros usually race 350cc four-strokers. Amateurs race four minutes plus a final lap; pros race for six minutes plus a lap. Racers advance through several heats.
Archer’s novice performances this season show him holding steady — and then some — from his 2024 season, which was cut short at the last stop in Everett, Washington on Nov. 16. A racer and friend ran Archer over in the rock section, resulting in a concussion and a broken finger.
“He apologized,” Archer said with a chuckle while chatting recently by phone. Despite not scoring at the last stop, due to the accident, Archer still finished sixth overall with 50 points. “He felt pretty bad.”
Archer knows that rubbin’ is racin’.
Supported by sponsors Archer Construction, Sisters Moto, M9 Suspension and Kay Graphic and Designs Co., the racer spent the off-season healing and rebuilding his strength for this season. That involved cross-training on his mountain bike at Mt. Bachelor’s Bike Park, pumping weight in his family’s home gym and dialing his EX skills in the course he and his dad built in their backyard. Despite the injury, Archer says the rock pit and the matrix — aka the log stack — are his favorite obstacles in any EX course. They remind him of his high desert training grounds.
Archer is unabashed about his goals this season: he’s got his eyes on the AMA novice plate — the award given to each category’s respective series championship.
“I just want to feel confident in every race and keep improving on my skills, my physical strength and mental strength, as well,” he said.
Competitors in this year’s AMA EnduroCross series will navigate a new point structure — one standardized by AMA SuperCross — that rewards consistent podium finishes and keeps championship battles and rivalries alive longer, according to AMA.
“Fans will see more riders in contention deeper into the season,” Tod Hammock, the president of Cycle City Promotions said a press release. “Wins still matter, but consistency will now play a bigger role in who comes out on top.”
The new point system is as follows: the winner earns 25 points, second place 22, third place 20. Points decrease by one per position down through the final position. This means podium finishers at the first few race stops won’t irrevocably pull away from the field, pointwise. Points for consistent racing will reward the rest of the top 10 finishers; comeback racers still have a shot.
AMA EnduroCross Sat. Nov. 8, 5:30—10pm First Interstate Bank Center (Deschutes County Fair Ground & Expo Center) 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond endurocross.com/events/2025-round-four/ Tickets begin at $26.50+service fee
Above photos, EnduroCross is a hybrid motorcycle racing discipline that combines enduro racing with motocross.
Bottom photo, 18 year old Conlan Archer, from Sisters, is presently leading the novice category in this year's EnduroCross Series.
Conlan Archer
AMA EX
AMA EX
By Nic Moye
Holiday Gift Shopping Begins in Redmond
The Snowflake Boutique is an annual arts, crafts and food fair
To kick off the holiday season, the 49th annual Snowflake Boutique will transport you to a winter wonderland. The Cascade Lakes South Building at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond will be full of crafts, art and food items. Shoppers can fill their bags with gift and holiday items and pay for everything on the way out.
The event began with a few friends selling crafts from their home in 1975. Today, thousands attend with around 80 vendors. Organizers are club members who jury the items to ensure products are high quality and not duplicated.
“For fit of the show, items need to be 75% handmade or improved, so we don’t accept resellers of items that don’t fit that criteria,” Snowflake Boutique Publicity Chair Tina Littlefield told the Source.
Vendor categories include Christmas, children, kitchen, garden, pets, food, jewelry, clothing, vintage and more. The list of items for sale is quite long,
“Food includes honey, toffee, nuts, flavored salts, jelly, jams, dip mixes, scone and shortbread mixes,” Littlefield says. “We have hand poured
candles, soaps, lotions, everything lavender, pet collars, dog coats, hand painted dog bone ornaments [and] western themed items such as framed rodeo posters.” There’s also a jewelry room, pottery, knitted items and children’s toys.
With a minimal fee of $4 per adult, after expenses, money raised will be donated to local charities. Last year nearly $5,000 was donated to the Redmond Senior Center, the Redmond Chapter of the Band of Brothers and Family Access Network.
Littlefield says it takes volunteers five days to set up, operate and take down. She looks forward to celebrating the events’ half a century milestone next year.
Snowflake Boutique Fri Nov. 7 1-8pm, Sat Nov. 8 9am-5pm Deschutes County Fairgrounds South Sisters Building 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond snowflakeboutique.org/ $4/Kids under 12 free
Dozens of vendors are curated to ensure quality and variety.
Snowflake Boutique Facebook
Reinhart
CRAFT CR GABF is Down with UPP Bend’s new brewery wins big time at biggest beer competition
By Brian Yaeger
Five medals from the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) were awarded to Bend’s new UPP Liquids en route to being named Best Brewery of the Year in the 251-500 barrel class. But locals are the real winners.
Some 8,315 brews were submitted to GABF, America’s most auspicious beer competition, where 250 of the world’s most critical beer experts awarded 347 medals to the best IPAs, pilsners, porters and more. For UPP (Uniting People and Places) to win five of those medals after being open for less than five months is unprecedented.
Last year, when Bend’s then-newest brewery, Terranaut, earned a GABF medal right out of the gate, that was exciting enough. But in my 2024 roundup of GABF precious medals returning from Denver to Bend last year, I prognosticated, “While 10 Barrel earned six medals overall, I don’t imagine this feat will be replicated in the future. That’s because the award-winning beers were created by 10 Barrel’s innovation team, all of whom were terminated by new owner Tilray.”
While no other upstart brewery has won five medals (in this case, two gold, two silver, one bronze for four intriguing sour beers and an imperial stout), no other new brewery has quite the same pedigree. That’s because UPP is the merger of Immersion Brewing’s ownership of husband-and-wife team Sean Lampe and Amanda Plattner along with most of 10 Barrel Brewing’s innovation team (Tonya Cornett, Ian Larkin, Jose Ruiz, and Ben Shirley), all of them unceremoniously laid off last year by new owner Tilray Brands immediately preceding 10 Barrel’s record-tying haul of six medals at the 2024 GABF.
Relatedly, Terranaut was co-founded by Bryon Pyka, who coincidentally left Cornett’s innovation team before the mass terminations. Furthermore, Deschutes Brewery earned a gold in the non-alcoholic beer category this year, while Monkless won two medals for its Belgian ales. 10 Barrel came up blank.
The reason Central Oregonians are the real winners in all this is because it demonstrates that Bend’s beer scene continues to punch above its weight. California may always take home the most medals, but it’s also home to nearly a thousand breweries, which is nearly double Colorado’s brewery population, hence why their breweries typically are awarded the second-most (and the fact that Colorado is home to GABF, so those beers are the freshest). Oregon placed third, not just in 2025, but throughout GABF’s 39-year
history. And after Portland, Bend has amassed the second most medals. That said, our luck has little to do with how many Bend-brewed beers wind up on the GABF podium.
Brewers like Cornett and Larkin are rare. And revered. The Indiana-native who’s called Bend home for 23 years said she was “highly motivated to stay in Bend.” It’s no secret the beer market is struggling. At the same time, one look at the newest players proves we are living in the best time to be a locavore beer lover. As recently as 2022, Funky Fauna Artisan Ales has excelled in the wide world of tragically-overlooked saisons, while Van Henion Brewing focused on classic lagers. And Terranaut was named Small Brewery of the Year at this year’s Oregon Brewery Awards.
“We’re trying to push the boundaries of beer while bringing the best examples of the big sellers, as well,” says Larkin, who first worked with Cornett pre-10 Barrel at Bend Brewing Co. “We’ve spent 15 fricking years together. We finish each other’s sentences.”
Added Cornett, UPP “is where you come for something different.”
Though UPP’s two best-selling beers are America’s two most popular styles, an IPA and a Mexican lager, the brewing team is convinced there’s unmet demand for approachable sour beers with novel flavors. Gold medal-winning Moments Made features blueberry and rose tea, while silver medal-winning Flower Child is a gose brewed with peach, chamomile and cardamom.
That said, one of UPP’s medals was awarded to a cucumber gose that tastes even better than Cucumber Crush did back when the highly-decorated team that created it garnered three GABF and three World Beer Cup medals for it. The name of the new one is UPP Yours.
From left to right, Bart Watson, Tonya Cornett, Jose Ruiz, Amanda Plattner and Sean Lampe.
UPP Liquids
Crossword “Spirited”
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
Pearl’s Puzzle
King” (Stallone series) 16. Japan’s longest-serving prime minister
What a spirit wants in the divorce?
Proofreader’s catch
Da’s opposite
Triathlon equipment
24. Son nicknamed “Trip” or “Trey”
26. Entertain
27. Spirit moving above everybody else?
33. Searches (for)
34. Bell sounds
35. Use a crowbar
38. Wraps things up
39. “Care to join me?”
40. Borscht eater, maybe
41. I, in Psych 101
42. First of a two-movie series
43. Very smooth
44. Spirit who starred in “Schindler’s List?”
47. Drawings of animate movies, say
49. Damage
50. Insurance company named after a volcano
51. It’s dropped in a flash
54. Chills
58. Kingston sch.
59. What’s part of a spirit’s work out/
62. Card in a phone
63. In the open
64. “Stiller & ___: Nothing Is Lost” (2025 documentary)
65. Ball holder
66. Food, clothing, shelter
67. ___ Villa (Premier League soccer club)
DOWN
1. “Over here”
2. Ocean hail
3. Starter course
4. They don’t play well with others
5. “You get the picture,” briefly
6. Very small
7. Like kawaii characters
8. Too many to count
9. Drug on a blotter
10. Wagers that something won’t happen
11. “If all else fails” option
12. Some reeds
13. Hard to comprehend
18. Condo, e.g.
23. “My thoughts are,” initially
25. “___ going down!”
26. Fleck who led the Flecktones
27. Butter in Indian cooking
28. Well-endowed
29. Relaxing, say
30. Paintings with trippy visuals
31. Tither’s amount
32. “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” author ___ Abdurraqib
36. All-night party
37. Mans name that sounds like parts of a roof
39. Hang around
40. Eastern daylight time events
42. Standard
43. Squid’s home
45. Made tracks
46. “Turn off that alarm!”
47. Opera tenor who makes a deal with the devil
48. Stick home
51. Versatile bag
52. Had misgivings about
53. Boomers, with “the”
55. Rap session
56. Canary Islands currency
57. Go over
60. Shade
61. ___ Heller (grumpy neighbor on “Only Murders in the Building”)
Puzzle for the week of October 27, 2025 Difficulty Level:
Puzzle for the week of October 27, 2025
Difficulty Level: ●●●○
S S N E L M
O S N O M O N E T
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters
L A M E S N O R T exactly once.
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters exactly once. LAME SNORT
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “If you stare into the darkness for a long time, _______ will be created out of that darkness, and it will be very ”
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters L A M E S N O R T exactly once.
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “If you stare into the darkness for a long time, _______ will darkness, and it will be very . ” - Chidi Ejeagba
L T R W O N H E P
E H W P R L N O T
Answer for the week of October 20, 2025
N O P H E T R L W
T E L O N R W P H
R W H L P E O T N
O P N T W H E R L
“Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none.” —Doug Larson
“Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three - and paradise is when you have none ” - Doug Larson O R A L
ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny
The Grief Experience Available for purchase from Dudley’s in Bend.
MATCH ANY GYM MEMBERSHIP PRICE Good for one month from June-Sept 1st. Must show proof of other gym membership cost and after first month price match, FHF full pricing applies.
Foundation Health and Fitness: 541-668-1409 info@foundationhealthandfitness.com
•
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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the late 18th century, Balloonomania came to Paris. Large crowds gathered to watch inventors and impresarios send hot air balloons into the sky. Spectators were astonished, fearful, and filled with wonder. Some wept, and some fainted. I suspect you’re due for your own exhilarating lift-off, Scorpio—a surge of inspiration that may bewilder a few witnesses but will delight those with open minds. Halloween costume prop: wings.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t be too shocked by my unusual list of raw materials that might soon turn out to be valuable: grime, muck, scuzz, scum, slop, bilge, slime, and glop. Amazingly, this stuff may conceal treasures or could be converted into unexpected building materials. So I dare you to dive in and explore the disguised bounty. Proceed on the assumption that you will find things you can use when you distrust first impressions and probe beneath surfaces. Halloween costume suggestions: sacred janitor, recycling wizard, garbage genius.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the tidepools of America’s Pacific Northwest lives the ochre starfish, a keystone species that keeps mussel populations in check. Remove the starfish, and the ecosystem collapses into imbalance. Let’s make this creature your power symbol, Capricorn. The visible effect of your presence may not be flashy or vivid, but you will hold a stabilizing role in a group, project, or relationship. Your quiet influence can keep things harmonious. Your gift is not to dominate the scene, but to keep the whole system alive and diverse. Halloween costume suggestion: ochre starfish (More info: tinyurl.com/ OchreStarfish).
motion. Too taut, and the cloth flaps, wasting energy; too loose, and power dissipates. The miracle lies in geometry tuned to an unseen current. I invite you to be inspired by this approach, Taurus. Build curvature into your plans so that optimism isn’t an afterthought but a structural feature. Calibrate your approaches to natural processes so movement arises from alignment rather than brute effort. Make sure your progress is fueled by what you love and trust. Halloween costume suggestion: Wear a sail.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): All of us can benefit from regular phases of purification: periods when we dedicate ourselves to cleansing, shedding, and simplifying. During these intense times of self-healing, we might check our integrity levels to see if they remain high. We can atone for mistakes, scrub away messy karma, and dismantle wasteful habits. Here’s another essential practice: disconnecting ourselves from influences that lower our energy and demean our soul. The coming weeks will be a perfect time to engage in these therapeutic pleasures, Gemini. Halloween costume suggestion: purifier, rejuvenator, cleanser, refiner.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): For hundreds of years, the Blackfoot people of North America built buffalo jumps. These were steep cliffs where herds of bison could be guided and driven over the edge during a hunt. It required elaborate cooperation. Scouts tracked the herd, decoys lured them toward the drop, and prep teams waited below to process the meat, hides, and bones for the whole community’s sustenance. I hope you will engage in smaller versions of this project. Now is an excellent time to initiate, inspire, and foster shared efforts. Make it a high priority to work with allies you trust. Halloween costume suggestions: shepherd, sheep dog, cowboy, vaquero.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the ancient Greek world, oracles spoke in riddles. This was not because they were coy, but because they understood that truth must often arrive obliquely. Directness is overrated when the soul is in motion. Mythic modes of perception don’t obey the laws of logic. In this spirit, Pisces, I invite you to make riddles and ambiguities be your allies. A dream, an overheard conversation, or a misheard lyric may contain an enigmatic but pithy code. You should be alert for messages that arrive sideways and upside down. Tilt your head. Read between the flames. You will understand when your heart recognizes what your mind can’t name. Halloween costume suggestion: oracle or fortune-teller.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): On the outskirts of a village in Ghana, a healer gathers plants only when the moon says yes. She speaks the names of each leaf aloud, as if to ask permission, and never picks more than needed. She trusts that each herb has its own wisdom that she can learn from. I invite you to emulate her approach, Aries. Now is a good time to search for resources you need to heal and thrive. The best approach is to be receptive to what life brings you, and approach with reverence and gratitude. Halloween costume suggestion: herbalist, traditional healer, sacred botanist.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A well-cut ship’s sail is not a flat sheet. It has a gentle curve that the sailmaker crafts stitch by stitch so the wind will catch and convert invisible pressure into forward
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Deep in the Pacific Ocean, male humpback whales sing the longest, slowest, most intricate love songs ever. Their bass tones are loud and strong, sometimes traveling for miles before reaching their intended recipients. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to compose and unleash your own ultimate love songs, Cancerian. Your emotional intelligence is peaking, and your passionate intensity is extra refined and attractive. Meditate on the specific nature of the gifts you want to offer and receive in return. Halloween costume suggestion: singer of love songs.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Between 1680 and 1725, Italy’s Antonio Stradivari and his family made legendary violins that are highly valued today. They selected alpine spruce trees and Balkan maple, seasoned the wood for years, and laid varnish in painstaking layers that produced sublime resonance. Their genius craftsmanship can be summed up as the cumulative magic of meticulousness over time. I recommend their approach to you, Leo. Be in service to the long game. Commune with people, tools, and commitments that age well. Act on the theory that beautiful tone is perfected in layers. Halloween costume suggestion: a fine craftsperson.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Trained women dancers in Rajasthan, India, perform the ancient art of bhavai. As folk music plays, they balance on the dull edge of a sword and hold up to 20 clay pots on their head. They sway with elegance and artistry, demonstrating an ultimate embodiment of “grace under pressure.” I don’t foresee challenges as demanding as that for you, Virgo. But I suspect you will have the poise and focus to accomplish the metaphorical equivalents of such a feat. Halloween costume suggestion: regal acrobat or nimble dancer.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1968, researchers at Stanford conducted the “marshmallow test.” Children were offered a single sweet treat immediately. But if they didn’t quickly gobble down the marshmallow, thus postponing their gratification, they were awarded with two candies later. The kids who held out for the double reward didn’t do so by sheer willpower alone. Rather, they found clever ways to distract themselves to make the wait more bearable: making up games, focusing their attention elsewhere, and adjusting their surroundings. I advise you to learn from their approach, Libra. Cultivate forbearance and poise without dimming your passion. Harness small triumphs of willpower into generating big, longterm gains. Diligent, focused effort invested now will almost certainly lead to satisfying outcomes. So please prioritize incremental, systematic grunt work over stunts and adrenaline. Halloween costume trick: carry two marshmallows.
SAVAGE IN BEND
EXPOSING THE QUIRKS
THAT MAKE CENTRAL
OREGON UNIQUE
By Josh Savage
The Redmond Hotel haunted?
Readers get a two for one, because this week is the Redmond issue AND Halloween! So why not answer a question about a haunting?
Lynn J. asks, “Is the SCP Redmond Hotel really haunted?”
This tale begins way back in 1906, when William and Fannie Wilson built the original Redmond Hotel, a wooden two-story structure in what was then a tiny, dusty town in the High Desert. For two decades, it was the place to stay until June 1927, when a fire swept through downtown and burned the hotel and several other surrounding businesses to the ground.
Rather than give up, a determined Fannie Wilson decided to rebuild, and within a year, a brand new building, The New Redmond Hotel rose from the ashes. This brick structure, built in Georgian style, was designed to withstand future fire hazards. The doors opened in 1928. More than a hotel, Wilson’s establishment hosted parties, civic gatherings and out of town visitors who didn’t mind paying a little extra for hot running water.
Why the haunted reputation? That’s where fact and folklore get tangled up like every time I try to use my extension cords. There’s no documented record of anyone perishing in the 1927 blaze, nor at any other time for that matter, but a building that survives tragedy tends to pick up a few ghost tales, whether it deserves them or not. Add in decades of guests, staff and the unusual proprietor (Fannie was famous for keeping a monkey in the basement), and you’ve got the recipe for a paranormal legend.
When my detective skills led me to scour paranormal websites, such as Oregon Haunted Houses and Fright Find, I found the majority of members on the forums agree that the hotel is haunted. For example, several people claim to have seen the apparition of the ‘Lady in the Lobby’ drifting through the lobby or down the hallways. Is it Fannie? Perhaps someone who missed checkout by ninety years?
Guests have also described hearing footsteps when no one is around, sometimes even the sound of children running overhead. Visitors swear that strange glowing orbs have popped up in photos. Lights flicking on and off, items moving mysteriously and even an occasional overwhelming ‘presence’ in certain rooms have been reported. Depending on your outlook, this is either proof of the afterlife or just faulty wiring in an almost 100-year-old building.
In 2019, after decades of wear and tear, the New Redmond Hotel got a modern makeover. Rebranded as part of the SCP (Soul, Community, Planet) Hotels group, the building now combines historic charm with modern sustainability. There’s a bar called The Rooftop, where you can sip cocktails while looking out over the Cascade Mountains.
And yes, the ghosts apparently came along for the renovation ride. According to the dates listed on forums, reports of footsteps, flickering lights, and mysterious paranormal activity didn’t vanish with the new carpets. If anything, the activity might have gotten livelier, because if you’d been stuck behind drywall for decades, you’d probably have a few things to say too!
I spoke with Tobias Colvin, the general manager who has been there since the renovation of the hotel. Though a bit skeptical, he admitted that both guests and employees have told him about abnormal sights and sounds.
“If there is a ghost here,” he adds, “it’s a friendly one, because it’s never bothered us.”
Haunted or Hype? Totally up to my savvy readers to decide, and there’s no solid historical evidence tying the SCP Redmond Hotel to any specific ghost. No tragic housekeeper locked in the cellar, no guest who never checked out. What lingers is a century of stories, some uncanny experiences and a whole lot of hearsay.
But let’s face it, if I’m going to stay in Redmond, isn’t it a little more fun to book the hotel that comes with a bit of ghost lore? Worst case, I sleep soundly after dinner and drinks on the rooftop. Best case, I meet the Lady of the Lobby and have a story to take home that will impress my daughters. It’s not just me either, because as I found out, the hotel attracts its share of ghost hunters and paranormal investigators.
The SCP Redmond Hotel is one of the city’s historic treasures with a fascinating history, one that survived fire, decline and disrepair to become a centerpiece of downtown once again. The hauntings? Think of them as icing on the cake. If you’re like me and want to find out for yourself, stay the night. And if the lights flicker or you hear footsteps in the hallway, don’t panic. It’s just the hotel reminding you that history never really leaves, it just lingers in the lobby.
—Have a question for Savage? Send it to ultimatescavenger@yahoo.com
TAKE ME HOME
Bend’s Still on Top
Most of us already know why people move to Bend — because at one point, we did the same thing. But why does it continue to top Oregon’s “best places to live” lists and yet not a single Oregon city appears in U.S. News’ Top 275?
Back in 2000, Bend’s population was 52,029. A decade later, it grew to 76,639, then to 99,178 by 2020. Today, it’s around 107,812 — and still climbing. Everyone has their own story of what brought them here, but most fall into a few familiar categories.
Recreational Activities
Are you a skier? Maybe Mt. Bachelor drew you to Bend. A mountain biker? Perhaps it was the endless trails and quick access to forest land. Or maybe you love being on the water — paddleboarding or kayaking on alpine lakes. Whether you hike, climb, or just enjoy the views on your daily walks, it’s easy to see why Bend ranks so highly for recreation.
Big-City Convenience in a Mid-Sized Package
It always makes me laugh when people complain about traffic in Bend. Sure, we have some congestion, but with an average commute of just 14.9 minutes — seven minutes less than the national average, according to U.S. News — we’re doing just fine. How many cities of 100,000 people can claim top-tier restaurants, a concert venue with
By Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend
national acts, boutique shopping and a brewery on nearly every corner?
Small-Town Safety in a Growing City
You’d expect a city with that much going on to have higher crime rates— but not here. Bend is the only Oregon city with more than 50,000 residents to make OregonEssentials.com’s list of the 10 Safest Cities in Oregon. With a violent crime rate of just 1.87 per 1,000 residents according to neighborhoodscout.com, we sit well below the state average of 3.26 and far below larger cities like Portland (7.23), Salem (4.62), Medford (4.03), and Eugene (3.55).
The Other Side of the Story
So why doesn’t Bend land in the top 275 U.S. cities to live in? A major factor is affordability. At the end of 2024, Bend’s median home price was $687,404 — nearly double the national average — while household income sat only modestly above it. That imbalance weighs heavily in U.S. News’ scoring. Beyond affordability, locals mention limited job opportunities and Central Oregon’s distance from larger markets. Of course, for many residents, that remoteness is part of the charm. Maybe Bend doesn’t need to be on any national list to prove its worth. The people who live here already know what makes it special.
—Nathan Powers is Director of Marketing/Business Development Engel & Völkers Bend
