the Source September 4, 2025

EDITOR’S NOTE:

EDITOR IN CHIEF Nicole Vulcan–nicole@bendsource.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Nic Moye–editor@bendsource.com

FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Peter Madsen–peter@layitoutfoundation.org

REPORTER

Sarah Isak-Goode–reporter@bendsource.com

REPORTER / CALENDAR EDITOR

Maddie Franz–calendar@bendsource.com

COPY EDITOR

Richard Sitts

FREELANCERS

Jared Rasic, Donna Britt, Burt Gershater, Josh Jardine, Sally Compton, Julie Hanney

SYNDICATED CONTENT

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

PRODUCTION MANAGER / ART DIRECTOR

Jennifer Galler–production@bendsource.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Adrian Galler–design@bendsource.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Ashley Sarvis

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Ban Tat, Chad Barnes

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Sean Switzer

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Many of us visited lakes, trails and campgrounds this summer. With a growing number of people in the area, it’s a challenge for crews to keep up with maintenance and cleaning, especially with shrinking budgets. Sarah Isak-Goode looks at troubling times for managing the outdoors. In the food world, we have news about a new sushi restaurant and a cowboy bar opening soon in downtown Bend, plus the impact the closing of Prep-A Chef’s Kitchen will have on the local food scene. Julie Hanney describes the experience of Open Mic Nights for those of you who have never attended one. And the local arts and culture scene is having a Big Re/Think. — Managing Editor Nic Moye

LIGHTMETER:

Ashley Sarvis

Chill Out, They’re on an E-Bike

Check out a site like Next Door and you’d be convinced that Bend’s streets are a hellscape of overzealous teens on e-bikes, hopping curbs, doing tricks and generally causing mayhem — all before they commit the most grievous of sins: leaving the e-bikes on a street corner where none have stood before.

At least, that’s the vibe we caught after reading the myriad comments that came in from Peter Madsen’s “review” of the new Veo e-bikes, “Veo: a (Near) Crash Course in Responsible E-Bike Ridesharing.” To some, it appears that leaving an e-bike in a residential location is akin to reckless endangerment, and riding one in even a slightly willy-nilly fashion should be enough to get the cops out.

As the story detailed, the speed and ease of use do make the new ridesharing bikes a temptation for someone who likes to go fast and hop curbs — but they also do something that is another hot topic of conversation on community forums: They cut down on traffic. In the first month, some 3,700 riders rode over 35,000 miles on the new e-bikes. That’s a lot of distance that could have been covered in a much larger vehicle, further snarling the traffic that Bendites so love to discuss.

What is ironic is that people love to parallel the bad behavior of e-bike riders with the bad behavior of drivers, as if the two things were one and the same. But the riders pushing 35,000 miles on an e-bike are putting less strain on the roads and creating less traffic — and oh, they’re also not really putting others in danger. Make an ill-advised move on a rideshare bike, and the worst of the damage is likely to happen to yourself. Make a dumb move in a large vehicle and people can get killed.

Still, it appears that when it comes to other people on e-bikes — and especially the ridesharing variety — people want perfection, even while drivers

have the potential to be much worse. Every day, like it or not, more people move to Bend, putting a strain on our roads and adding more traffic at our stoplights. The ugliness that has been brewing at the Oregon legislature this past week, as it convenes in a special session to address funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation, is just one signal that traffic issues, road infrastructure and maintenance are thorny problems that may get worse before they get better.

As much as some might want to spend the new gas tax funds in ODOT’s funding package on a drawbridge that closes off Bend to outsiders, that’s going to have to take a back seat to basic items such as plowing the roads in winter and maintaining the infrastructure we have. Without a way to keep Bend from growing, as so many would prefer, we have to find ways to work with what we have — and one of those ways is to beef up the alternative forms of transportation.

Bend’s Transportation GO! Bond, which voters approved in 2020, is largely aimed at doing just that. We are seeing the results of that in places such as Wilson Avenue and Olney Avenue right now — and even while some complain about the restrictions those projects are putting on cars, projects such as those are also slowly beginning to encourage more people on two wheels to skip the traffic and parking headaches and enjoy another way to get around town. The rising popularity of personal and ridesharing e-bikes is accelerating that progress.

Those e-bikes might look slightly annoying left on a street corner, but they represent one less trip in a car that might have stood in your way on your way to work. And thanks to a local team that picks them up, they won’t be there for long.

O Letters

BEND’S MIDTOWN CROSSINGS: MOVING THROUGH THE MUDDY MIDDLE

This summer, the build-out of the voter-approved 2020 Transportation Bond projects (looking at you, Greenwood and Olney) has tested the patience of our community — but it is a test we can pass.

The win on the horizon is a safer, more balanced transportation system with better flow for all modes of travel: cars, bikes, pedestrians, and transit. Big livability wins — like cleaner air and more freedom to choose how we get around — await on the other side of the road closures and frustrating traffic signal cycles we’ve all sat through this summer. Right now, we’re in the muddy middle where our community can’t yet see and feel these benefits.

Nowhere is this more evident than Bend’s Midtown Crossings — Franklin, Hawthorne, and Greenwood Avenues. Transformations underway on these East-West connectors are key to the revitalization of the BCD–the Bend Central District — and highlight the pain and potential of rebalancing how we get around in a growing city. As Bend City Council makes decisions about the Midtown Crossings in September, our community is ready for three key outcomes:

Get Franklin done: Prioritize Franklin Avenue’s (Harriman—4th) safety, streetscaping, and stormwater improvements. This construction will again be disruptive, but the payoff is a safer street for drivers, bikers and pedestrians, along with further unlocking the BCD’s redevelopment potential. Adjust Franklin’s design to free up and redirect some funding to Hawthorne, which is poised to become the main East-West spine of Bend’s bike network.

Catch up on Hawthorne: Ensure the Hawthorne Corridor — the “Drake to Juniper” route — has a clear plan, design, and funding for becoming a safe, connected route that syncs with the Hawthorne Bridge’s construction timeline (2027). This includes redesigning the 3rd Street crossing to improve safety and traffic flow for all modes of travel. The Hawthorne Bridge will be a redevelopment catalyst for the BCD, a community landmark, and a strong move toward sustainable growth and a more livable future — if the City prioritizes and leverages the opportunities beyond the bridge landings to make this an outstanding bike and pedestrian corridor.

Hold steady on Greenwood: The Midtown Crossings (and Olney) aren’t isolated projects. They’re an interconnected system designed to move people safely and efficiently through the

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY?

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heart of Bend. As project construction continues, taking a systems approach gives a clearer sense of how these pieces fit together — and helps avoid repeating the frustrations of Olney and Greenwood. We urge City Council to hold steady in the face of understandable but temporary construction fatigue. Complete and open all three Midtown Crossings (plus Olney) to see how they work together before selecting a final Greenwood design.

Gaining more freedom to choose safe, efficient ways to get around our community is going to take grit, patience, perseverance and focus. Fortunately, Bendites have these qualities in spades — and we’re ready for a more balanced transportation system that supports daily life, fuels the BCD’s ongoing transformation and strengthens our shared livability.

—Corie

Harlan, Cities & Towns Program Director, Central Oregon LandWatch

WHO WE ARE

The concept and nature of our country is established by the Declaration of Independence, our founding document. We the people declare ourselves to be free of despotic Monarchy. And we declare among other things that freedom consists of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our Constitution established our form of government and further codified individual freedoms and governmental restrictions. We tend to refer to the Constitution when in fact it is the Declaration of Independence which defines who we are, a free people.

And there is the rub. Are we indeed free? Are we allowed to pursue happiness? Or are we subject to governmental interference in our lives?

Does government have the right to punish lifestyles when those lifestyles harm no one? Does government have the right to harass and punish immigrants, gays, transgenders, political dissidents even educational institutions? No, that violates not only our Constitution, but our national values as established by the Declaration of Impendence. Those are the actions of dictatorships, most embodied by the German Nazis, Japanese Military and the Russian Communists. We, the citizens of the United States of America, are being tested.

—James Scott

RE: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OPINION: “CRIMINALIZING HOMELESSNESS”(8/21)

According to a rather old but still relevant study by the NIH: Three factors contributing substantially to the recent

increase in the numbers of homeless people are the low-income housing shortage, changing economic trends and inadequate income supports, and the deinstitutionalization of mentally ill patients.

When you look at their three classifications, you can see that different solutions are required.

Temporary — these folks are usually homeless due to a catastrophic event such as a fire which displaces an individual or family who may quickly run out of funds for temporary housing.

Episodic — those who may require public benefits and run out of funds before the next payment.

Chronic — these are most often people with addiction or mental health issues.

—Diane Burns

ROADLESS RULE

There couldn’t be a worse time for the Roadless Rule to be rescinded. But that’s the reality of the threat we are facing from this current administration. They want the public to believe this is necessary for the prevention of wildfires but that is simply inaccurate. The facts are that the majority of fires are started by people. Inviting access into backcountry areas will make wildfires more likely, not less.

The Trump administration has decimated the United States Forest Service by 25%, including a large percentage of firefighters. Their intentions are not benign. Our public lands are vital

habitat for species like elk, grizzlies, wolverines, salmon and so many more. These pristine forests are already at risk. Their demise should not be endangered by people who refuse to recognize the value and beauty of our precious land.

I commend Andrea Salinas, our 6th district representative who is heading this campaign in favor of preserving the RACA (Roadless Area Conservation Act) which has protected over 2 million acres in Oregon for 25 years. We need to contact our representatives to encourage them to keep our roadless areas as they stand. The future of our magnificent state should not be compromised by corporate handouts to billionaires; enough of their despicable greed.

“Be proud. Retreat into the depths of thought and morality, but do not, whatever else you do, descend into the servitude of imbeciles.”

—Ms. Oakley Taylor

Letter of the Week:

Thanks Oakley. Most of us live in Central Oregon because of the natural treasures surrounding us. As letter of the week, you can stop by our office in downtown Bend for a gift card to Palate coffee.

—Managing Editor Nic Moye

Deschutes County District Mapping

The Deschutes County District Mapping Advisory Committee is holding a series of meetings to draw up districts for the Deschutes County Commission to expand from three to five seats. Neil Bryant is the committee chair. Other appointed members include Andrew Kaza, Bernie Brader, Carol Loesche, Matt Cyrus, Melanie Kebler, Ned Dempsey and Phil Henderson. Voters will need to approve the finalized map. Two new commissioner seats up for election in 2026 will be at-large for a two-year term before the new plan is in place in 2028. The mapping commission’s next public meeting is Sept. 10 at 1pm at the Deschutes Service Building on NW Wall Street in Bend.

—Nic Moye

Assessing Flat Fire Damage At Whychus Creek Preserves

Decades of restoration projects may have limited the damage done

By Nic Moye

With the Flat Fire raging across more than 23,000 acres, assessment continues on the damage done. The fire burned several Deschutes Land Trust Preserves including Aspen Hollow Preserve, Rimrock Ranch and Whychus Canyon Preserve. Land Trust Engagement Director, Sarah Mowry, wrote in a web post that flames burned a small portion on the southern side of Aspen Hollow. The fire then turned south, missing the main part of the Preserve. Aspen Hollow is 58 acres northeast of Sisters featuring cliffs, pine and aspen groves.

$469 million

—The amount of money arts and culture generated in Oregon according to the Americans for the Arts 2024 survey in The Big Re/Think.

North of that area, Mowry says the Flat Fire also swept through Whychus Canyon Preserve, with 930 acres of desert and canyons including 7 miles of hiking trails. Mowry says the unrestored portion of Whychus Creek in the canyon burned hot. It’s unclear what damage was done at the northern portion which was restored in 2016. She described trailhead impacts as moderate with the trailhead kiosk untouched.

"I feel like the Forest Service has been suffering from death by 1,000 cuts."

—Kit Dickey, from Sawyers with Attitude to Spare, in this week’s feature story by Sarah Isak-Goode.

Deschutes Land Trust Executive Director Rika Ayotte told the Source, “It is certainly hard to see a place you have loved and worked to protect for decades on fire, but we also know that fire is a natural part of the forests and meadows of Whychus Creek. We are fortunate to not have our homes at risk and many of the structures on site are safe as of now. That said, early reports indicate that some of our restoration areas (both stream and forest) are looking good! That was one of our key goals with our restoration projects: to help our natural areas be more resilient to things like fire, floods and climate change.”

North of Whychus Creek Preserve, Rimrock Ranch, a 1,123-acre wildlife preserve with rimrock canyons along a nearly 2-mile stretch of Whychus Creek, was damaged more significantly.

However, several structures were saved and the recently restored Whychus Creek floodplain remains green and intact. The Ranch is habitat for a variety of wildlife including salmon and steelhead, mule deer, elk, bobcat, beaver, eagles and numerous other birds. The area also has historic, cultural significance. According to the Deschutes Land Trust, Rimrock Ranch was part of the land ceded to the U.S. in a treaty with the Tribes of Middle Oregon in 1855, which included the Wasq’u and Warm Springs Tribes. The land has passed through numerous owners. In 2020, the Deschutes Land Trust purchased the property to permanently protect it.

Six miles of Whychus Creek passes through the Preserve and Rimrock Ranch. In the mid-1900’s, portions of the creek were straightened and bermed which diminished the habitat. Restoration on the stream through Rimrock Ranch finished in 2023. To reconnect Whychus Creek to its historic floodplain, crews moved 70,000 cubic yards of rock and soil to raise portions of the creek bed. Deschutes Land Trust says more than 59 acres of the valley floor was made accessible to water flows to improve habitat for fish and wildlife. The number of pools in the creek

channel increased from 35 to 119. More than 6,000 trees were placed across the valley floor to slow water and reduce erosion. An additional 96,500 plants were also added to the restoration area. The Land Trust says the Preserves are significant. Along the 41 miles of Whychus Creek, which runs from the Three Sisters Wilderness to the Deschutes River, only six miles provides critical meadow habitat. That includes Whychus Canyon Preserve, Rimrock Ranch and Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Camp Polk Meadow was not burned but was closed during the evacuation orders. Whychus Canyon Preserve will be closed longer until staff from Deschutes Land Trust can go in to assess hazards and restoration needs. In July, another protected area owned by Deschutes Land Trust, the 5,000-acre Priday Ranch north of Madras, was burned during the Cram Fire. Ayotte is optimistic that 30 years of restoration projects in the Whychus Creek area has helped build the resilience needed to recover.

“We will be carefully observing how restored areas can recover naturally and how we can accelerate restoration in other burned areas,” Ayotte says. “Disturbances from fire suppression efforts (hand and bulldozer lines etc) will be important places to make early investments in managing weeds and reestablishing native plant communities. We are working closely with our agency and Tribal partners to inform our post-fire recovery and restoration planning.”

She is also asking for hikers to respect the closures as long as they’re in place.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says the Flat Fire has destroyed five homes in the county. Three are primary residences and two are secondary residences. The Northwest Coordination Center says the Flat Fire has threatened 2,319 homes.

The Flat Fire burned portions of Whychus Canyon Preserve.

Portions of Rimrock Ranch were significantly burned.

Photos courtesy Deschutes Land Trust

Oregon House Passes Major Transportation Funding Bill Package aims to prevent nearly 1,000 ODOT layoffs, maintain road services statewide

By Sarah Isak-Goode

The Oregon House of Representatives passed a significant transportation funding package on Monday, Sept. 1, moving the state closer to avoiding massive layoffs and maintaining critical road services across Oregon.

The bill now heads to the Senate during the ongoing special legislative session. If approved, it would prevent what could be the largest government layoff in Oregon history — 932 jobs that the Oregon Department of Transportation planned to cut without new funding.

House Speaker Julie Fahey felt that the timing was symbolic, with the House vote happening on Labor Day.

“Safe, reliable roads, bridges and transit are what make it possible for workers to get to their jobs, parents to bring their kids to school, seniors to reach medical appointments and small businesses to move goods,” Fahey said in a press release on Sept.1.

Addressing cost concerns

Lawmakers changed the original proposal after hearing from thousands of Oregonians who raised concerns about the cost of living at an Aug. 25 public hearing.

“We have heard those concerns and have made additional changes to the bill to address them,” said House Majority Leader Ben Bowman in a press release on Aug. 31. The newly revised bill eliminates a provision that would have allowed tax increases without legislative approval.

The final package would cost the average driver about $66 per year — or $5.50 monthly — in gas taxes and registration fees. The governor’s plan also includes a small payroll tax increase for transit funding, adding about $3.60 monthly for someone earning $2,000 per month starting in January 2026.

Funding breakdown

The plan would split roughly $300 million in new funding between ODOT (50%), counties (30%) and cities (20%). This represents about a 30% boost from current funding levels for local governments.

ODOT’s share would prevent the planned layoffs and restore some services. Without new funding, the agency plans to start cutting jobs in September, with a second round of cuts in January 2026. The agency would also shut down maintenance facilities statewide.

The department has already tried to close budget gaps by cutting $300 million over five years through efficiency measures, facility consolidations and

putting off maintenance work. But that wasn’t enough to cover ongoing operational costs.

ODOT restructuring

The legislation also includes changes to how ODOT operates. It would let the governor directly hire and fire the transportation department’s director, taking that power away from the Oregon Transportation Commission. The bill also requires regular audits by the Secretary of State focusing on major projects and highway fund spending.

Rep. Susan McLain emphasized the real-world impact of the funding decisions in a recent press release. “The roads, bridges, and maintenance services we’re talking about in this bill affect real lives — parents driving their kids to

school, seniors getting to appointments, first responders reaching emergencies,” McLain said. “We cannot leave rural Oregon behind. We cannot gamble with safety. We cannot afford to wait.”

The bill would prevent the closure of about a dozen maintenance stations and keep thousands of miles of roads plowed during winter months, according to lawmakers.

Current transportation funding from Oregon’s last major package, House Bill 2017, restricts spending with only 6% available for operations and maintenance. The rest goes toward construction projects and paying off transportation bonds.

The Oregon Senate was expected to vote on the funding package on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

The transportation funding bill would provide necessary improvements to city, county and state roads. Adobe

If this bill passes, over 900 jobs at ODOT would be saved.

Oregon Department of Transportation

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20% off power floats for the month of September!

REDMOND NEWS Redmond School District Starts New School Year Ahead of Statewide

Executive Order

Personal electronics ban to start on the first day of school

By Sarah Isak-Goode

Redmond School District will ban all personal electronic devices during school hours starting with the 2025-26 school year, following the statewide Executive Order No. 25-09 signed by Gov. Tina Kotek on July 2.

The district’s “bell to bell” policy prohibits students from using cell phones, smartwatches, smart glasses and earbuds from the start of regular class time until the final bell rings. Devices must stay in backpacks, lockers or locked classroom cabinets during school hours.

“We chose to begin enforcement and implement the policy on the first day of the school year, so expectations are clear from the start,” said Logan McGinnis, district public information officer. “We are committed to working with students, families, and staff to provide the best learning environment we can.” According to the governor’s orders, all schools must have their new policy in effect by Jan. 1, 2026.

District was already planning changes

Redmond schools were already moving toward stricter phone rules when Kotek signed the order in July.

“Redmond School District has been working on a district-wide cell phone policy for a while,” said Liz Goodrich, school board director. “The Governor’s order, like it or hate it, required us to move quickly to get a policy adopted. Although districts have until January, we felt starting off the new school year with a policy in place was a better option than waiting.”

The statewide policy aims to boost student mental health, reduce distractions and improve academic success.

Teachers pushed for change

Classroom educators backed the stricter rules during recent school board meetings.

“Several teachers made public comment at board meetings in support of a policy banning cell phone use during the school day,” Goodrich told the Source. “They spoke powerfully about the negative impact that cell phones have on instructional time, student mental health and safety.”

Implementation details

The school board is finalizing the district’s official policy and consequences, promising students won’t lose class time over violations. Details will be released before school starts.

“Consistent enforcement of the policy throughout the district will be critical,” Goodrich said.

Parents who need to reach their children during school hours should call the school’s front office instead of texting directly. Students will be able to have on hand any school-issued Chromebooks for classwork, internet access and email.

Policy comparison

Redmond High School’s 2023-24 handbook already restricted phone use, requiring devices to be “off and away from bell to bell” with access only before school, during passing periods, lunch and after school. Students caught using phones in class had to report to the student management office, call parents and have a parent pick up the confiscated device. Refusing to comply resulted in out-of-school suspension.

Under the new rules, personal electronics must be put away for the entire day. “The biggest difference will be at the high school level, where students will no longer be able to use devices during school hours,” says McGinnis. “Phones and other devices must be kept in lockers or backpacks.”

This year, students who break this policy face differently escalating consequences. For a first offense, school staff will take the device and hold it at the front office until the end of the day, and parents will get a call about what happened. A second violation means the device goes to the front office again until dismissal, but this time parents can either pick it up themselves or call the school to have it released to their child. Students with three or more violations will have their devices confiscated, and a parent must meet with an administrator or dean — either by phone, video call or in person — before getting the device back. None of these consequences will cause students to miss class time.

9/3-9/7

WEDNESDAY 9/3

MUSIC ON THE GREEN

AT AMERICAN LEGION PARK

The final night of the beloved summer concert series, Music on the Green is a community event embodying the spirit of summer. Enjoy live music with friends and family. Find tasty food, sip cold beverages and shop unique crafts. This week, Hokule'a Ohana takes the stage. Wed., Sept. 3, 5:30-7:30pm at American Legion Park. 850 SW Rimrock Way, Redmond. Free.

SATURDAY 9/6

STASH SALE

WITH THE HIGH DESERT QUILT GUILD Head to the Redmond VFW to find quilting and crafting treasures! The sale will mostly feature fabric, but expect other miscellaneous quilting items, including partially finished products, panels, books and patterns. Sat., Sept. 6, 9am-3pm at Redmond VFW Post 4108. 491 SW Veterans Way, Redmond. Free.

SUNDAY 9/7

SOMATICS & DREAM STATE SOUND BATH

WITH LIVE BOB DYLAN MUSIC

Immerse yourself in the legendary tunes of Bob Dylan, combined with the therapeutic benefits of somatic movement and a relaxing dream state sound bath. Please bring a yoga mat, light blanket and eye cover for maximum comfort. Sun., Sept. 7, 11am at High Desert Music Hall. 818 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. $35.

Adobe Stock

Unsplash

Students can use their phones before or after school.

Under the new policy in Redmond schools, students store their cell phones in their lockers until the end of the day.

Death by a Thousand Cuts

Can volunteers remedy the federal government’s disinvestments?

By

It was the type of summer day that makes you wish summer would never end in Central Oregon, so my husband and I decided to go for a hike at Paulina Lake. The thick pine forest encased the shimmering lake in cooling shade. Before starting the 7.5-mile hike, we decided to make a pit stop at the only two restrooms for miles. As seems to be increasingly usual, there was a small line already gathered outside the door of the first restroom. The other restroom door was locked. A sign on it read: “Needs Repair! This restroom is CLOSED for the season.”

Part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Paulina Lake is one of over 200 lakes in the Deschutes National Forest and is run by the U.S. Forest Service. Most outdoor recreation in Oregon occurs on federal property managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management, which together oversee 53% of Oregon’s land. The Forest Service is part of the Agriculture Department, but Congress funds it through a subcommittee that deals with interior and environmental spending. The Bureau of Land Management works within the Interior Department

and manages federal lands nationwide. A study of the Trump administration’s 2026 budget by the Center for American Progress shows that more than a third of the funding is to be cut from federally run agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chops to these budgets have happened before, but cuts are deeper than ever.

Volunteers struggle to fill gaps

“I feel like the Forest Service has been suffering from death by 1,000 cuts,” said Kit Dickey, a longtime volunteer and trail coordinator for Sawyers with Attitude to Spare in Central Oregon. SWATS volunteers maintain approximately 250 miles of trail annually in the National Forest. Dickey has watched the Deschutes National Forest slowly lose the staff and resources that once kept its trails maintained and campgrounds operational. Bathrooms are going uncleaned, and trails are deteriorating without repair, she explained. Dickey is worried that SWATS, and other similar organizations, won’t be able to pick up the slack much longer. The demanding nature of long weekend shifts, combined with an increasingly older volunteer workforce and the need for extensive training, create significant hurdles for these organizations. With budgets shrinking, volunteer organizations will find it even harder to address these mounting difficulties.

The more visitors there are, the more maintenance is needed. Since 2006, BLM lands have seen a 46% increase in visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has seen a 5% increase in visitors. According to the study by the Center for American Progress, cutting the budget by 30% would leave one ranger for every 16,000 visitors.

An increasing reliance on volunteers

Each year, the Deschutes National Forest has nearly eight million people visit its 94 family campgrounds and 1.6 million acres of high desert, alpine forests and meadows. This summer, three major campgrounds have been closed, not for renovations or improvements, but because the Forest Service can’t afford to make them safe. North Davis Creek Campground shut down for 2025 due to “hazard tree mitigation needs,” according to the Deschutes National Forest’s website. Reservoir Campground closed for the same reason in 2024. China Hat Campground remains closed following the Firestone and Flat Top fires. DNF officials did not respond to requests for more information on local campground closures.

Even for the open campgrounds, nearly one-third of visitors reported that the host was unavailable, found an informal poll by the Source in Aug. 2025. The poll asked Source readers to rate their opinions of campsites, trails and more. The same poll also found that 20% of visitors found bathrooms dirty and 14% found trails unkempt and littered.

President of the Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness and longtime volunteer, Richard Nix, has seen these effects of funding cuts firsthand.

“It’s been increasingly difficult to help the Forest Service because they had less funds… We saw that the kiosks at the trailheads needed repair. We asked the Forest Service for some money to repair the kiosks. Well, of course, they didn’t have any money. So, then we had to raise funds to buy the lumber to fix the trailhead kiosks.” Nix says that the Forest Service used to have people

Sarah Isak-Goode

A “Needs Repair!” sign from a recent visit to the bathrooms at Paulina Lake.

The One Big Beautiful Bill no longer designates logging funds to schools or roads- funds that are relied on in rural Oregon counties.

Sarah Isak-Goode

in various positions to coordinate trail crews, volunteers and work on projects, but that they don’t have those people any longer.

The Deschutes National Forest lost its trails volunteer coordinator position over two years ago when a federal hiring freeze prevented it from filling the vacant role. The nonprofit Discover Your Forest stepped in to provide one regular coordinator and is a partner of Deschutes Trails Coalition. Annually, DTC assists with coordinating nearly 40,000 volunteer hours. The Deschutes Trails Coalition has stepped up to fund a full-time summer trail crew to supplement volunteer work, but even that faces restrictions. The crew is limited to working on specific funded projects rather than general maintenance, creating gaps in overall trail care.

With a small office team of three, the DTC collaborates with more than 30 volunteer groups to manage an estimated 2,700 miles of summer trails. Groups including the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, SWATS, Friends of the Central Cascades Wilderness and Central Oregon Nordic Club are doing trail maintenance, education and advocacy work that used to be handled by federally paid staff.

The volunteer effort is impressive. A crew of wilderness volunteers with an average age of 72 maintains trails in Central Oregon, says Kit Dickey, SWATS volunteer and trail coordinator.

“There are things we cannot do. We can log out, we can do the brushing... but we cannot do the significant tread and drainage repair or bridge building.” With the Big Beautiful Bill cutting into more than one-third of the budget for public land management, volunteers have become vital to public lands.

Volunteers are well aware of the problems with this dependency. Sue Sullivan, vice president of the Central Oregon Nordic Club, compared it to self-checkout at grocery stores: “Every time you do self-checkout, you are saying, well, we can get by, because they’ll do it themselves. And so you’re actually taking away someone’s job... if we’re doing it, then they can say, well, we can always count on the volunteers.”

The sustainability concerns go deeper than just aging volunteers. Training new people takes years, and the Forest Service no longer provides the coordination and education programs it once did, Dickey explained. “It takes maybe five, seven years for somebody to become really skilled,” said Dickey.

Trump pushes logging, drilling

The majority of Oregonians support protecting public lands like the BLM and Forest Service, reports the Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy Oregon Poll from May 2025. In addition to being used for recreation, these lands also provide regulated wildlife habitats, cattle grazing and timber harvesting.

Trump proposes cutting funding for parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands by at least one-third

Proposed cuts to land management agency budgets, 2024–2026

Trump proposes cutting funding for parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands by at least one-third

Table showing budgets

Proposed cuts to land management agency budgets, 2024–2026

Table showing budgets at public land management agencies in 2024, proposed budgets for 2026, and percentage difference between the two.

Note: U.S. Forest Service numbers are for the non-fire budget.

Source: Center for American Progress

Note: U.S. Forest Service numbers are for the non-fire budget.

Source: Center for American Progress

The Trump administration is pushing to speed up logging, mining and oil extraction on public lands. The One Big Beautiful Act mandates 20-year logging contracts and increasing timber production by at least 250 million board feet annually for the Forest Service and 20 million for the Bureau of Land Management.

Logging has historically funded local critical services like roads and schools. Because counties can’t collect property taxes on federal land, they must choose between funding from the Secure Rural Schools program or a share of timber sale profits from public lands. In general, Oregon counties usually choose

Secure Rural Schools because it pays more. But that funding ran out in 2023.

The One Big Beautiful Act fails to guarantee revenue, stating, “Any monies derived from a timber sale contract... shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.”

“This has caused considerable angst among counties,” shared Sen. Ron Wyden in a recent press release.

But even logging operations face constraints.

“There’s not a lot of valuable logging left,” said Dickey, who has also served as chairman of the Central Oregon Forest Stewardship Foundation. “The mills are

so far away that by the time you cut a log, you have added so much to the cost of the log just by moving it from one place to another.”

Critical environmental protections for forests are being cast aside. BLM land is now being directed by Bill Groffy, formerly of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association. His appointment by the Trump administration is intended to focus on “energy dominance,” not conservation. The so-called “Fix Our Forests Act” would make it easier to bypass environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act. “It primarily focuses on cutting environmental reviews in national forests to enable greater levels of industrial logging,” states a press release from the Sierra Club.

Other rollbacks include potentially rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule that protects 58 million acres of backcountry, including 2 million acres in Oregon containing places like Sparks Lake, Hosmer Lake and Tumalo Mountain.

“For decades, the Roadless Rule has protected our wildest and most intact landscapes, and some of Oregon’s most treasured public lands,” said Oregon Wild’s Central Oregon Field Associate Sami Godlove in an email. “Eliminating the Roadless Rule and opening the last of our remaining intact wild spaces to development, road construction and industrial activities is a massive threat to everyone who enjoys our public lands and the freedom of the great outdoors. Oregonians value these places deeply, and now is the time to raise our voices to ensure they remain protected for future generations.”

Hundreds of volunteers donate time and energy to maintaining the Deschutes National Forest.

Source: Center for American Progress

Deschutes Trails Coalition

SOURCE PICKS

THURSDAY 9/4

MELVIN SEALS + JGB

50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Celebrate 50 years of soulful jams with Melvin Seals & JGB as they bring their legendary sound to Midtown Ballroom. Led by Jerry Garcia’s longtime keyboardist, the band delivers a high-energy mix of blues, rock, funk and gospel. Don’t miss this milestone night of musical magic, with local favorites Brother Gabe Trio opening the show. Thu., Sept. 4, 6:30pm at Midtown Ballroom. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $40.

THURSDAY 9/4

KARYN ANN

AMERICANA AT THE COMMONWEALTH

With a voice that’s equal parts church bell and bourbon barrel, and a gut-punching grit reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt or Grace Potter, Portland-based singer/ songwriter Karyn Ann has been charming audiences across the U.S. and beyond for over a decade with her fresh and classic blend of soulful Americana. Thu., Sept. 4, 7:30pm at the Commonwealth Pub. 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Free.

THURSDAY 9/4

LICKITY SPLIT

ROOTS, RHYTHM, REVIVAL

Formerly The Bunkhouse Two, Lickity Split plays original songs that nod to the rich tapestry of American roots music. The band plays a catchy mix of old-time, country blues, ragtime and jug band classics. Thu., Sept. 4, 6pm at Rivers Place. 787 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend. Free.

THURSDAY 9/4

PARTY LATINO

ONE-YEAR CELEBRATION

Latin Dance Bend has been hosting a weekly party every Thursday for the past year. Celebrate its anniversary this week with a vibrant and energetic community party. The evening kicks off with a dance lesson and DJ Solo will spin tunes ‘til late. Thu., Sept. 4, 8:30pm at The Capitol. 190 NW Oregon Ave., Bend. 21+. Free.

SATURDAY 9/6

END OF SUMMER GARDEN PARTY

AT SCHILLING’S MARKET

The end-of-season celebration will include a massive plant sale, specialty beverages, food from Ma Dee Thai and The Alchemist’s Patisserie, live music and art vendors. Sat., Sept. 6, 9am-7pm and Sun., Sept. 7, 10am-5pm at Schillings Garden Market. 64640 Old Bend-Redmond Hwy., Bend. Free.

SATURDAY 9/6

THE DRIFTLESS REVELERS

WITH ROMAN & THE LONG HAUL

On tour out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, The Driftless Revelers self-describe as “string band freak-folk from the fringes of the driftless and the reservoirs of revelry.” See for yourself this weekend! Joining are local Oregon Americana rockers Roman and the Long Haul. Sat., Sept. 6, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $15.

SUNDAY 9/7

SAM GRISMAN PROJECT

LIVE AT THE TOWER

We’ve got another Grateful Dead-themed Pick for you this week: Sam Grisman is a gifted bassist and storyteller, carrying forward the sounds of his father, David Grisman and his godfather, Jerry Garcia. Sam’s handpicked ensemble breathes new life into the beloved Garcia-Grisman repertoire. Whether you're a die-hard Deadhead or a bluegrass purist, you’re likely to enjoy this sound of carrying the torch with love. Sun., Sept. 7, 7:30pm at the Tower Theatre. 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $29-$49.

MONDAY 9/8

NATURAL HISTORY PUB

THE SAGEBRUSH IN PRISONS PROJECT

Hosted by the High Desert Museum and Dr. Karen Hall, this Pub Talk will discuss how the Institute for Applied Ecology has teamed up with the Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Corrections to teach incarcerated crews how to grow sagebrush seedlings and learn about sagebrush ecosystems. The project, now spanning five states and 10 prisons, has grown 3.7 million sagebrush plants. Mon., Sept. 8, 7-8pm at McMenamins Old St. Francis School. 700 NW Bond St., Bend. Free; RSVP required.

Schillings Garden Market

Melvin Seals FB

Latin Dance Bend

Karyn Ann FB

Sam Grisman Project IG

Thriving, creative and supportive environments

abound

S SOUND Open Mic Nights in Central Oregon

By Julie Hanney

My task was to experience three different open mic nights and share insights. I am happy to report that the open mic scene is a creative, supportive and vibrant one for performers and listeners alike.

The history of open mics is a long and varied one. We have always had songs, tales and dances around evening campfires. We read about the gatherings of philosophers in Ancient Greece, where almost mythical figures would recite poetry and debate all things Life. The medieval period brought troubadours, traveling with instruments, songs and stories to share in far-flung villages around Europe. During the 1950s and 1960s, Europe and the U.S. experienced the rise of the coffeehouse as a gathering place that brought together poets, artists, political activists and musicians to share, collaborate and create in community. In more modern times, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Ed Sheeran, Regina Spektor, Tracy Chapman, Jon Prine and Ray LaMontagne all are said to have got their start at local open mic nights.

I first attended the weekly Tuesday evening Open Mic night at the Commons Cafe and Taproom in downtown Bend from 6-8pm. Performers can sign up starting at 5pm and host Mason James, who is one of those really upbeat, gentle and supportive people (who seems perfect for this job), calls up the performers, runs the sound, seems to know everyone and offers up kind words to each musician. By the way, the

Commons just received the award for Best Open Mic in Central Oregon... so congrats to them!

The event was set up outside and my husband and I found a place to sit where we had a great view of the stage, Drake Park and the changing colors of the sky. Such a variety of music was played that night, from covers of Lenny Kravitz by a septuagenarian with a ton of fuzz tone distortion on his guitar, to intricate finger style instrumental guitar music by a young man wearing no shoes, but some sweet socks adorned with sunflowers. The audience was rapt. No cell phones were out. There weren’t any loud side conversations taking place. It was a listening space in an authentic way.

A variety of younger, older and in-between performers shared two songs each. Each one would step up, plug in and bravely offer up these three-tofour-minute gifts of the soul and heart, then sit back down to warm applause and vocal praise. There were original songs of longing, heartbreak, loneliness, humor and poetic insight. A man who goes by the name “Dad Ideas” shared two songs that really stuck with me because of how original and heartfelt they were. Afterwards, I spoke to this “Dad” and he said that authenticity is one of his biggest priorities, and yes, you feel that in his music I was just so proud of each performer, because it takes so much courage to get up there on stage, by yourself, and do a thing. A real, brave, and vulnerable thing.

Next up was the Monday Night Musicians Showcase at the Commonwealth Pub, held from 6-9pm each week. The vibe of this place is welcoming, informal, quirky and the sound quality is really good. A resident band gets things started by playing a short set, then FAFO (Funk Around and Find Out, who is an older dude with the looks and vibes of a real, original hippy), calls up the musicians, hypes the crowd and keeps everything running smoothly. The resident band for the evening was Bigfoot Country playing tight and bluesy rock music. Next the musicians were called from the list. The crowd was enthusiastic, happy, laid-back... and again, no cell phones were being scrolled.

The highlight of that evening for me was a young teenage guitarist named Adam Martinez who enthusiastically hopped on stage with three middle-aged guys and blew our socks off with his incredible electric guitar skills. I’m guessing he was thirteen years old? Maybe older, maybe younger, but he can PLAY. His group did a couple of Beatles covers and I can’t adequately convey his skill, energy and joy. This young man will go far. You heard it here first: Adam Martinez. If Mondays aren’t your favorite day of the week, I think that may change if you get over to the Commonwealth Pub on a Monday evening.

A spoken word open mic was next, and among the few that occur regularly, I chose to attend the Third Thursday Spoken Word Night at the SCP Hotel in

Redmond. That’s the new name for the old hotel in Redmond smack dab in the middle of downtown. They have done an amazing job restoring the place.

The high-ceilinged room was sparsely filled. Maybe fourteen artsy souls were at this Deschutes Public Library sponsored event. Most people just shared one or two poems. I love listening to words from fellow “feelers.” The empaths and deep types who don’t just experience life once and then say, “That was fun!” They dissect, they look for meaning, they yearn for connection. It’s a road less traveled these days, to be sure. In a city of over 35,000 people, barely over a dozen people came out to share the spoken word. But it’s not about the numbers. It’s about the heart. Again, the audience was so attentive. The word-artists, so brave and vulnerable. Humanity can be so beautiful,and nothing at all like what you see on the nightly news.

My overall thoughts: Yes. Yes, go. Yes, be around creative people. Yes, be with the people who are living their dreams. It just might be contagious.

Open Mics in Central Oregon thecommonsbend.com/events thecommonwealthpub.com/events instagram.com/bendopenmics/

Other venues: McMenamins, Elixir Wine, The Dez, Northside, M & J Tavern and more

GUNG HO

By Nic Moye

New Country Bar is Opening in Downtown Bend

Coyote will focus on live entertainment and maybe a bull

Anew country music bar is opening in downtown Bend. The Coyote is taking over the space vacated by Unofficial Logging Co. on the corner of NW Harriman Street and Greenwood Avenue. Co-owner Jordan Houle says it’ll be a mix of oldtown Scottsdale and downtown Nashville with the pink hue of neon light partnered with upscale fixtures, finishes and artwork.

“Think loungey Coyote during the day and Coyote Ugly after dark. A killer cocktail list and food to match!” Houle says. There will be desert vibes throughout the venue, ram horns and disco saddles.

Live entertainment will be the main focus. “It’s always fun to get dressed up in your country best and go down to the hoedown,” Houle told the Source. “It gives fresh opportunity in Bend to be something else for a night. I can honestly say I’ve been downtown for a night with my sweatpants on! And that’s OK, but at the Coyote we want you to be able to step into an experience.”

It won’t be a restaurant experience, although Houle says there will be a small menu with flavorful appetizers. He’s hoping to bring the art of the drink back.

“Not just a drink with 80% vodka where you can taste the hangover coming early. We want to see more events. And oh yeah, we want a bull.” Houle and his partner, Jeff Berneski, own the NorthFresh Sushi Food Truck. They hope to open the Coyote the first week of October, depending on permits and licenses being approved.

The Coyote Opens in October 910 NW Harriman St.

Nic Moye

CALENDAR

3 Wednesday

The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.

Blacksmith Public House Head Games

Trivia Join us for a Head Games Trivia session every Wednesday night! Put your thinking caps on and bring a team of your smartest friendsFREE to play! Friendly for all ages and team sizes! Compete to win FANfest Concert Tickets First Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Bunk+Brew Open Jam with Monkey Mode Bring your instrument, your voice or just your vibe. All are welcome to join the spontaneous magic and jam with Bend’s best. No pressure, no rules—just pure creative flow. First Wednesday of every month, 6-9pm. 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 Dail Croome Dail has been playing and touring all over North America for nearly 30 years. Dail’s passionate vocal performances come from a deep love for the music of some classic rock vocalists such as Bob Seger and Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes. 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 John Shipe Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music. 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.

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. Midtown Yacht Club Bingo for Bunnies Play bingo, win great prizes and support the bunnies of Ember’s Bunny Rescue! Family friendly, bring your friends. 6-8pm. $3 per bingo card.

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

Pinky G’s Pizzeria MUSIC BINGO Join music 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.

LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

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Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesdays at Ponch’s Place Enjoy Bingo at Ponch’s Place on Wednesdays. 5:30-7pm. Free.

Prost! - Bend WTF! Wednesday Trivia Fun! Genuine UKB Trivia is truly unique and entertaining trivia for you! Independent, locally owned and operated. Please bring something to write with and some positive vibes, too :). 7pm. Free.

4 Thursday

The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.

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

Bar Rio Live Music at Bar Rio Grab your favorite bites and sips and relax into the music— ranging from jazz and blues to pop and flamenco. 6-8pm. Free.

Blacksmith Public House Karaoke with DJ Chris Join us on our indoor stage for Karaoke night! Every Thursday from 6:30-8pm. We have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, great drink options, and lots of food trucks! Family and dog friendly. 6:30-8pm. Free.

Bunk+Brew Karaoke Thursdays Sing your heart out at Bunk + Brew’s Karaoke Night! Whether you’re a pro or just love the spotlight, all voices are welcome. Food carts available all evening! Located in the Historic Lucas House Living Room for winter. 7-10pm. Free.

The Capitol Party Latino @ The Capitol - 1yr Celebration Join us at The Capitol the first Thursday of every month for a night filled with vibrant music and amazing company. A quick dance lesson will be offered at the beginning of the night to kick things off on the right foot. 8:30-11:45pm.

Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market Bingo at Cascade Lakes Brewing Company Join Think Wild and Cascade Lakes Brewing for bingo night! Win cash prizes and support our organization and mission to help inspire the high desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through education, conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation! 5-7pm.

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 Karyn Ann With a voice that’s equal parts church bell and bourbon barrel and a gut-punching grit reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt or Grace Potter, Portland-based singer-songwriter Karyn Ann has been charming audiences across the US and beyond for over a decade with her fresh and classic blend of Soulful Americana. 7:30-9:30pm. 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.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Kurt Silva Back at the vineyard for a solo performance is Central Oregon’s own Kurt Silva playing guitar and singing. 5-8pm. $15.

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.

McKenzie General Store & Obsidian Grill Brothers Reed at McKenzie General Store McKenzie General Store loves being able to provide free family friendly live music to our community of locals, adventures and travelers alike! With our outdoor beirgarden, restaurant and general store we’re sure to have all you need for an unforgettable evening! 6-9pm. Free.

Midtown Ballroom Melvin Seals & Jgb’s 50Th Anniversary Tour W/ Brother Gabe Trio Nicknamed “The Master of the Universe”” by Jerry Garcia himself, Melvin and his amazing band including John Kadlecik are sure to blow your mind. 6:30-11pm. $40.

Mountain Burger Thursday Night Live Ben Johnson live! 6-8pm. Free.

Pangaea Guild Hall Intro to D&D Workshop Calling all adventurers! Have you wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons but have no idea where to start? Pangaea Guild Hall presents an “Intro to D&D” workshop series hosted by yours truly, Guildmaster Chris! Learn to build and play your own D&D character. Call or email to reserve your spot! 6-9pm. $10.

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

River’s Place Lickity Split Original songs with a nod to the rich tapestry of American roots music — old-time, country blues, ragtime, jug band classics 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.

Tumalo State Park Sunset Yoga & Sound Journey Join Emily from Do Yoga Outside and Lauren from Resonance by Lauren for this 90 minute offering. There will be 45 minutes of restorative yoga flow, suitable for all levels of practitioners. Followed by 45 minutes of sinking into our bodies and listening to the frequencies of her beautiful instruments. 5:30-7pm. $35.

5 Friday

Bend Cider Co. Coyote Rider Coyote Rider is a singer/songwriter project based in Bend, with Kim Kelley on guitar and vocals and Kat Hilst on cello, mandolin and vocals. Tim Coffey joins as a special guest. 6pm. Free.

Bend Cider Co. Coyote Rider Singer-songwriter project Coyote Rider, features local favorites Kat Hilst on cello, mandolin, & vocals, and Kim Kelley on guitar & vocals. Enjoy their dynamic synergy in our beautiful backyard garden, while sipping on delicious ciders, beer, wine, & n/a beverages. 6-8pm. Free.

Big E’s Sports Bar and Grill Karaoke Night at Big E’s Bar & Grill A Fine Note Karaoke Too featuring DJ Jackie J, bringing the party! Come early, sing more (sing two songs in a row between 8-9pm.) 21+. 8pm. Free.

Bunk+Brew Bend Burlesque Co. presents: Buck Naked and the Trapper Keepers Bend Burlesque Company presents Buck Naked & the Trapper Keepers! A 90’s throwback night of live music and sultry burlesque at Bunk + Brew. Expect grunge, boy bands, and plenty of nostalgia with local legends The Trapper Keepers. 8-10pm. $25.

The Capitol Proper with Giancarlo & Mr. Danimals Monthly DJ Residency with Giancarlo (Fantastic Voyage) & Mr. Danimals (House of Sutiki.) First Friday of every month, 9pm-2am. Free. Cheba Hut Comedy Open Mic Bring your friends and let’s have some laughs together! 7:45-9pm. Free.

Head to McKenzie General Store to kick off your weekend deep in the woods, with live music from Brothers Reed and the smell of good food and a rushing river nearby. Thu., Sept. 4, 6-9pm.

Brothers Reed FB

The Commonwealth Pub Aladinsane Aladinsane plays all David Bowie songs. Band members are Mark Quon (vocals and guitar), David Miller (lead guitar), Lindsey Elias (drums), and Mark Karwan (bass). 7:30-9:30pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Shine With three vocalists, two guitars and bass, Shine covers classics from the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and beyond. 8pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free.

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy at Craft Kitchen Headlining comic Anthony Poponi is the founder of Focus on the 40 and Humore.us Productions and is a standup comedian, international professional speaker author and an expert in human happiness. 7:30-9:30pm. Currents at the Riverhouse Mavis Bretz Project Sing along to Americana, folk and bluegrass classics with the Mavis Bretz Project! 7-9pm. Free.

Desert Inn Sports Bar & Grill Chasin’ Bandits featuring Christie Strode Chasin’ Bandits will rock the stage playing favorite country and rock tunes featuring the powerful vocals of Christie Strode. Pool tables, lottery and full bar. 7-10pm. Free.

The Dez Lounge DJ Preet DJ Preet serves as your in-house resident DJ for First Fridays at the Dez. Dress festive and come prepared to enjoy vibrant beverages accompanied by spicy beats and luscious soundscapes. First Friday of every month, 6-9pm. Free.

General Duffy’s Annex Comedy Happy Hour Comedian Xander Beltran is a festival favorite with viral clips, national credits and laugh-out-loud storytelling. Cold drinks, big laughs and a night you won’t forget in Redmond! 7-9pm. $15.

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. McMenamins Old St. Francis School That ‘90s Band: Unplugged That ‘90s Band will bring you back to the ‘90s with some of the best and boldest nostalgic hits and deep tracks. 7-10pm. $15-$20.

Ponch’s Place Music with Alex Winters Enjoy Friday night music at Ponch’s Place! 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing The Savages Comedy Hour The Savages Comedy Hour returns to Bend! Join Adam Pasi (2x Portland’s Funniest Person), Nariko Ott (Hard Times, What’s More Metal?), and Amanda Arnold (opened for Jeff Ross & Dave Attell) for one powerhouse night of laughs at Silver Moon Brewing. 7-9pm. $15.

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

Sisters Depot Lilli Worona and Mike Biggers Lilli Worona is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living and performing in Central Oregon. For over twenty years Mike has been performing his music from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest. 6-8pm. $5.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Free Breedlove Guitars Music Night Breedlove Guitars presents a free, all-ages night of music Friday, September 5 at Bend’s Volcanic Theater Pub. Celebrate community and local talent with performances by Hailey Johnson, Luke Basile, Billy and the Box Car, Franchot Tone, Johnny Sidney Davis, and a special set from Pete Mroz and Shannon Pollard. 5-9pm. Free.

6 Saturday

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

ily-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 Cover City Get ready to dance, sing, and groove all night long with Cover City – a powerhouse band delivering high-energy, feel-good music that keeps the crowd moving! Known for their smooth style, tight harmonies, and killer grooves, Cover City transforms every show into a non-stop celebration. 8-10pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Superball Superball, featuring Kye Kennedy and Dan Larsson from Juju Eyeball, brings the sounds of the late ‘60s to ‘80s, rocking iconic hits and original music. With guitarist David Miller and drummer Sean Rule, they’re ready to boogie in bell bottoms. 8pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free.

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Sister Ethel And Friends Comedy Show Sister Ethel and Friends is a Bend original Comedy format. Set as an evangelical duo with Sister Ethel everyone’s favorite 90-year-old organists and Rev Woodmansee the energy is contagious and the jokes are outrageous. Comedians compete for your favor with this high energy showcase. Every third Saturday, 7:30-9:30pm. $20.

The Dez Lounge September Full Moon Evening Market! Join us at The Dez for our monthly Full Moon Evening Market! Music. Vendors. Tarot. Astrology and Psychic readings. Art. Non Alcoholic Cocktails, Charcuterie and Dessert! 6-9pm. Free.

Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards Live at the Vineyard. - Karissa & The Loose Screws Get ready for a high-energy country-rock night with Karissa and the Loose Screws—featuring members of one of Central Oregon’s BEST country bands! Meet Karissa, Mark & Ron—the powerhouse musicians from Countryfied who have been the heartbeat of Central Oregon’s music scene for years! 6-9pm. $25.

McKenzie General Store & Obsidian Grill Karyn Ann at McKenzie General Store McKenzie General Store loves being able to provide free family friendly live music to our community of locals, adventures and travelers alike! With our outdoor beirgarden, restaurant and general store we’re sure to have all you need for an unforgettable evening! 6-9pm. Free.

Pangaea Guild Hall Celestial Celebration - Virgo A celebration of those born under the star sign of Virgo. Join us for a night of bespoke cocktails, fine food, and more! 6-11pm. Free.

River’s Place Use’ta Do Five friends having fun, connecting audiences to music performances like they “Use’ta Do.” 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing The Driftless Revelers + Roman & the Long Haul The Driftless Revelers formed in the second spring of the first global pandemic of the 21st century, with one ear turned toward the shellac platters and Victrola virtuosos of the early to mid 20th century, and the other ear glued to the soundscapes of the 1960s & 1970s. 7pm. $15.

Silver Moon Brewing Andie Main: Cocaine Yogi Comedy Show Using the chakras as a mile marker for her journey, Andie Main tells the story of how she went from being a punk-rock coke dealer, to an alcoholic stand-up comic, to a now sober and disabled yoga teacher. 8pm. $20.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Keep Your Head Up Bend! Keep Your Head Up is an event designed to help those who’ve been affected by suicide build connections with their community, find mental health resources, and lift our spirits with the healing power of music! This event helps raise funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 2:30pm-Midnight. Free.

7 Sunday

Bend Cider Co. Halfway to St Paddy’s Day Party Come out and get jiggy at Bend Cider’s Halfway to St Paddy’s Day Party! Get your Irish spirit on with Five Pint Mary, The Ballybogs, The Riverstones, & the Cascade Highlanders Pipes & Drums. Delicious ciders, beer, wine, & n/a beverages, light appetizers available, outside food welcome. Kid & dog-friendly. 2:30-7:30pm. Free.

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

The Commonwealth Pub Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Live multi-media trivia every Sunday @ 6pm. The Commonwealth Pub - Bend Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to 6. 6-8pm. Free. Currents at the Riverhouse Mari Experience the soulful vocals of Mari live at Currents at the Riverhouse in Bend. Blending pop, R&B, and indie influences, Mari delivers original songs and covers in an intimate riverside setting. 11am1pm. Free.

Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room & Beer Garden Mark Ransom & Friends

Mark Ransom is a guitarist, songwriter, music educator, and depth psychologist. Best known in his home town of Bend, Oregon as founder and creative director of the Bend Roots Revival and band The Mostest. 4-6pm. Free.

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 Hello Trouble Linda Quon (vocals/guitar), Mark Quon and Jeff Bethke (guitar), Arthur Turlak (upright bass), Jenny Wasson-Herrada (fiddle) and Sophie Cashman (drums.) 6-8pm. 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.

Silver Moon Brewing Joey Harkum & Jeshua Marshall Joey Harkum has been touring for over a decade and making music all his life. Don’t miss this show! 6:30pm. $20.

Sisters Depot Haute Melange This performance is outdoors on the beautiful Sisters Depot back courtyard. A full dinner menu and bar are available. Reservations recommended. 5-7pm. $5.

Stars Cabaret Stand Up/Strip Down Local comics become “Strip Jokers” by taking off their clothes and baring their souls on the main stage of Stars Cabaret. Comedians will take off an article of clothing every minute or so. (Undies stay on. The amount of skin shown is up to each performer.) You are welcome to throw paper money on the stage during the performances. (No Coins, Please.) So, stop by the bank and get those dollar bills! 6-7:30pm.

8

Monday

Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Bingo with Bren is supporting the amazing organization, The Giving Plate, all September long! Grab your cards: $2 each or 6 for $10. Half the money goes out in CASH prizes, the other half helps fight hunger! Enjoy an exciting night of prizes, laughter, and giving back to the community. 6-8pm and 6-8pm. $2.

Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Bingo with Bren is supporting the amazing organization, The Giving Plate, all September long! Grab your cards: $2 each or 6 for $10. Half the money goes out in CASH prizes, the other half helps fight hunger! Enjoy an exciting night of prizes, laughter, and giving back to the community. 6-8pm and 6-8pm. $2.

Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Mondays at Bridge 99 Trivia Mondays at 6:30pm at Bridge 99 Brewery with Useless Knowledge Bowl. It’s no ordinary trivia night, Team up to win house gift cards! Great brews, cocktails, and more. Inhouse menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:30-8:30pm. Free. The Commonwealth Pub Monday Night Musicians Showcase: Hosted by FAFO Come showcase your sound, discover fresh talent and enjoy a night of incredible live music. Hosted by Funk Around & Find Out, we’re creating a space where musicians can stretch out, jam, tighten up or spark something new. Full backline provided. 6-9pm. Free.

Crux Fermentation Project Trivia Night @ Crux Trivia Night at Crux! First place team wins a $25 gift card! 6-8pm. Free.

Car enthusiasts unite! A showcase of timeless beauties from the 1910s to the 1980s, the Sunriver Antique and Classic Car Show takes place Sat., Sept. 6, 10am-2pm at the Village at Sunriver.

Alpine Entertainment

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.

Immersion Brewing Open Mic hosted by Bend Comedy All performance types are welcome! All ages are welcome to attend and perform! All acts are eligible to audition to perform in a future Bend Comedy show! 7-9pm. Free.

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

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.

9 Tuesday

The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.

Bunk+Brew Backyard Trivia Tuesdays! Big brains, cold beers, bragging rights! Battle it out under the stars with rotating trivia themes and epic prizes. Grab food from the food carts and drinks from the beer truck. Think you’ve got what it takes? 7-9pm. 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 Commonwealth Pub EXTC

- Terry Chambers and Friends at The Commonwealth Pub For almost four decades XTC fans could only dream of witnessing the sensational XTC classic songbook played live, but that dream has now become a reality. XTC’s legendary drummer Terry Chambers is back on the road with his band EXTC. 7:30-10pm.

Elements Public House Trivia Tuesdays at Elements Public House UKB Trivia is experienced, independent, locally owned and operated! Team up to win house gift cards! 7pm. 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.

Silver Moon Brewing Jared Justen, Kara Grace Wilson + Flow Zeda Indie singer/song writer Jared Justen is not an artist one can easily pigeonhole. He’s known for refreshing variety and unique intricacy in songwriting. 6:30pm. $13-$15.

FOOD + DRINK

Bend Farmers Market The Bend Farmers Market is a true farmers market dedicated to supporting the viability of local farmers, ranch ers and food producers who offer fresh local produce, protein and farm products to the people of Central Oregon. Wednesdays, 11am-3pm. Through Oct. 9. Brooks Alley, downtown Bend, Bend. Contact: bendfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Free.

Worthy Farmers Market Farm-fresh pro duce straight from local growers! One-of-a-kind products: handmade, unique and full of charac ter! Live music, food and beer—because Sundays should be fun! Free Community Booth supporting local nonprofits and initiatives! Sundays, 10am2pm. Through Sept. 28. Worthy Brewing - Main Pub and Brewery, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-241-6310. Free.

Sisters Farmers Market Join us on Sun days June-Oct for a vibrant community gathering featuring fresh produce, local goods, live music and community activities.The market hosts a diverse range of over 45 Central Oregon vendors weekly. Sundays, 10am-2pm. Through Oct. 26. Fir Street Park, Sisters, Sisters. Contact: sisters farmersmarket@gmail.com. Free.

BEER + DRINK

$10 Wing Wednesdays A new weekly special: $10 Wing Wednesdays at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Choose from one of the house-made sauces like Char Sui, This IPA

Happy Hour at Mountain Burger Happy Hour happens every day at Mountain Burger! Ongoing, 3-5pm. Mountain Burger, 2747 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 5416687177. info@ mountainburgerbend.com.

Incredible Summer Wine Sale Huge sale on refreshing summer white wine and bold red wine. Selections from the Elixir import portfolio. Taste before you buy! Open Monday-Saturday 10.00am - 6:00pm Mondays-Sundays, 10am6pm. Elixir Winery and Tasting Room, 11 NW Lava Rd., Bend. Contact: 541 388 5330. tastingroom@ elixirwinegroup.com. Free.

Industry Appreciation Day! 20% off for all Industry friends! Wednesdays, 2-8pm. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.

Locals Day! Locals Day at the Ale! $2 off drafts and $1 off wine and cider! Wednesdays, 2pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.

Locals’ Day Come on down to Bevel Craft Brewing for $4 beers and cider and $1 off wine all day. There are also food specials from the food

TRIVIA NIGHT Test your knowledge in a casual/laid-back atmosphere. Pizza, beer and trivia. Free to play and prizes for

Tumalo Lavender is hosting a harvest celebration Sat., Sept. 6. Stop by anytime between 9am-4pm ready to cut lavender! All tools provided, along with snacks, drinks and an appreciation gift.

Tumalo Lavender

CHOW C Prep Kitchen Bids Farewell After Eight Years of Feeding Creativity

The Bend commissary that helped launch over 275 local food ventures leaves a lasting imprint on the local culinary community

By Donna Britt

For eight years, Prep—A Chefs’ Kitchen on NE Revere Avenue in Bend, has been more than a set of ovens and countertops. It has been a lively hive of energy and ideas, a testing ground for food ventures that would go on to feed Central Oregon in food trucks, farmers markets, cafes and grocery store shelves. On Sept. 25, the community commissary kitchen will close its doors for good, leaving behind a legacy as rich as any recipe that ever simmered in its pots.

The news is bittersweet. On one hand, owner Mark Louis Katzman, who celebrated his 81st birthday earlier this year, is ready to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. On the other hand, there is no other kitchen in Central Oregon quite like Prep, a space that has helped more than 275 businesses get off the ground. Its departure is a reminder of how vital such spaces are for small food makers and how much their absence can ripple outward into a community that loves to eat.

When Katzman founded Prep in 2017, his vision was simple but powerful: create an affordable, professional space where food entrepreneurs could test their ideas without taking on the crushing overhead of their own commercial kitchens. In doing so, he planted seeds that would grow into some of Bend’s favorite flavors.

Over the years, Prep became the birthplace or testing ground for businesses like fRed Sauce, Riff Cold Brew, Mimi’s Bagel Deli, Blissful Spoon and Bend Breakfast Burrito. Restaurants like El Sancho used the kitchen during renovations. Makers of everything from hot sauce to kombucha passed through Prep’s doors along with a handful of local caterers. The roster reads like a who’s-who of Central Oregon’s indie food scene: Pili Hunters, Josie’s Best Gluten Free Mixes, Sakari Farms, Bo’s Falafel, The Americana food truck, Masa Empanadas, Bombaci Handmade Pasta, and so many more. Even established players came to Prep when they needed extra space for research and development. It was a proving ground, a safety net and a family kitchen all at once.

Ask anyone who spent time at Prep and they will tell you it was more than just a kitchen. It was a community. Businesses swapped advice, taste-tested each other’s recipes and shared the daily grind of chopping, mixing, bottling and baking.

“We are so grateful to have had a place that could get our pasta dreams off the ground,” said Annette Solis, co-founder of Bombaci Pasta. “We are sorry to see our Bend community lose a place that helps small businesses start.” Solis and her husband Gabriel Rossi launched their pasta company last spring and have now moved on to a different location.

The Prep team echoed that sentiment in an August email to Prep clients. “Prep — A Chefs’ Kitchen has been more than just a kitchen space; it has been a community, a launchpad and a creative hub for over 275 local food ventures across Central Oregon,” the email read. That sense of shared effort may be the most lasting ingredient Prep leaves behind.

A Changing Chapter

The closing has been on the horizon for a while. Last August, Katzman sent members a heartfelt letter explaining his decision to retire and put the business up for sale. At the time, the hope was that a new owner would continue operating the space as a commissary kitchen. But earlier this month, members learned the new owners would not be keeping it open to food businesses. The official closure date of Sept. 25 has now come and gone. For the more than 50 businesses still using the kitchen, it means scrambling for alternatives. Some, like fRed Sauce, began looking for new digs soon after they heard about the sale. Others are still searching. There are a handful of other commissary kitchens in Bend, such as Basecamp Kitchen and Eagle Mountain Kitchen, but there is often a waiting list or limited space.

Tekka Tiger, the Southeast Asian street food cart that opened in Prep’s parking lot this May, had its last day of service in the Prep location on Aug. 13. It is moving to a new location, taking over the food truck previously owned

by Mimi’s Bagel Deli at 3308 N. Highway 97 in Bend, beginning the first week of October, according to owner Rashita Banu. “We’re really looking forward to using the bigger truck to provide more options for our customers and can’t wait to welcome everyone back,” Banu said.

If there is one through-line in all the conversations about Prep, it is gratitude. Gratitude for the space. Gratitude for the community. Gratitude for the chance to turn recipes scribbled on notecards into actual businesses.

Katzman himself expressed that gratitude in a farewell note earlier this month. “It has been our absolute honor to support your ideas, flavors and dreams,” he wrote. “Watching your businesses grow and thrive within these walls has been an experience we will always treasure.” And from the Prep team: “We are endlessly grateful for your support and the memories we’ve built together. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey with us.”

The closing of Prep may mark the end of one chapter, but it also shines a light on the ongoing need for shared kitchen spaces in Central Oregon. The demand is clearly there. Dozens of businesses are actively seeking commissary space right now. Without it, many of them may face tough choices about whether they can continue.

At the same time, Prep’s legacy is proof that when such spaces exist, they can transform a food scene. Central Oregon’s dining landscape is richer, more diverse and more delicious because of what happened inside those kitchen walls. From tangy cold brew to pickled veggies to gluten-free pancakes, the flavors that began at Prep are still feeding the region today.

It is tempting to see Prep’s closing as a loss, and in some ways it certainly is. But it is also a success story. For eight years, this little commissary kitchen nurtured ideas that grew into thriving businesses, introduced neighbors to new tastes and gave countless entrepreneurs the confidence to take their next steps. That impact cannot be undone by a closing date.

After its ovens cool down for the last time, the spirit of Prep will live on in every bagel sold from a truck window, every jar of sauce simmered with love, every burrito unwrapped at a Bend park bench. The kitchen may be closing, but the flavors will keep moving forward.

By Nic Moye

LITTLE BITES Bamboo Sushi Opening in Bend

Abig, bold sign hanging in the window of a vacant restaurant space on Oregon Avenue in downtown Bend announces the future location of Bamboo Sushi. Marketing Manager Ava Brenneke says if all goes well, the restaurant will open in late December. “The city’s strong sense of community, growing food scene, and appreciation for sustainability align closely with our values,” she told the Source. In 2008, Bamboo Sushi became, what the company says, is the world’s first certified sustainable sushi restaurant.

“We focus on responsibly sourced seafood that is ethically caught. We do so in an effort to help maintain oceans and fisheries that are healthy for generations to come,” Brenneke explains. “We work with two globally recognized third-party organizations — the Marine Stewardship Council and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. They certify that select species are sourced according to rigorous environmental and social standards and they audit the entire chain of custody — from the fisher, to the distributor, to our restaurants — ensuring that nothing is broken along the way.”

The Bend location will be open for lunch and dinner. Brenneke says the menu will be similar to what’s being offered in Portland. “Our menu highlights beautifully crafted signature rolls, inventive small plates, seasonal dishes and it’s almost entirely gluten-free,” she told the Source. “We also offer a wide variety of vegetarian options and a dedicated kids’ menu, so no matter who joins you at the table, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

Bamboo Sushi has been voted the Best Sushi in Willamette Week’s Best of Portland four consecutive years. Brenneke says, “More than anything, we’re just incredibly excited to join the Bend community. We can’t wait to welcome our new neighbors and start building lasting connections here.”

Bamboo Sushi

Opening late December

125 NW Oregon Ave., Bend bamboosushi.com/

DonnaBritt

Bamboo Sushi

CULTURE

This fall, arts and culture leaders across Oregon will unite to launch a movement to build a more sustainable, resilient cultural arts core. Called The Big Re/Think, the challenge is being led by the Cultural Advocacy Coalition Foundation (CACO) which is a nonprofit advocacy organization that lobbies state lawmakers on behalf of arts, culture, history, heritage and humanities. The Big Re/Think will hold meetings in six cities around the state, including one in Bend this October. The ultimate goal is to prepare a 2027 advocacy and funding package to convince lawmakers that arts and cultural entities are a vital part of local economies and hold educational and social values.

According to the latest figures from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, the arts and culture sector contributed more than $11 billion dollars to Oregon’s economy in 2023 which was 3.5% of the state’s gross domestic product, representing 70,137 jobs. CACO’s vision encompasses a society where everyone — regardless of geography, income or background — can access and participate in arts, culture, heritage and the humanities within their own communities. The High Desert Museum’s Executive Director Dana Whitelaw says the contribution was even higher last year.

“Arts and culture are an economic powerhouse in Oregon, supporting over 22,000 jobs and generating $469 million in income according to the Americans for the Arts 2024 survey,” Whitelaw told the Source. “And from performances

The Big Re/Think A movement to secure a future for arts and culture in Oregon

By Nic Moye

to exhibitions, arts and culture brings innumerable opportunities for conversation, learning and connection.”

“The Big Re/Think will help us understand the unique challenges and circumstances that face our diverse community across the state,” Claire Blaylock, the statewide engagement coordinator explained. “This will help all of us as an Arts and Culture community address systemic challenges like funding and leadership development.

The coalition is currently seeking participants from artists, educators, organization leaders and others who wish to talk about the challenges and visions from creative communities. The

meeting in Bend will be Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the High Desert Museum.

“That’s at the core of The Big Re/ Think — to gather data and perspectives, spot opportunities for cohesion and collaboration and from that work share with lawmakers what the needs are in the state’s next long legislative session in 2027,” says Whitelaw, who’s on the CACO board.

Participants of the three-hour workshop in Bend will identify ways to strengthen the arts and culture ecosystem in Oregon. In attendance will be members from arts and culture organizations, artists, elected officials, business leaders and community

stakeholders. Blaylock expects more than 500 people and organizations to participate statewide.

“We’re so fortunate that Oregon stepped up as a leader during the pandemic to support the arts and culture sector. Yet we remain behind on per capita arts spending at the state level, ranking 41st in the nation according to the Nation Assembly of State Arts Agencies,” Whitelaw says.

The last Big Re/Think conference in 2014 generated a wish-list of goals. Blaylock says many of them were accomplished such as forming the Arts and Culture Caucus and reinstating the Governor’s Arts Awards.

Blaylock explains the Big Re/Think movement this way, “The world is a vastly different place in 2025 than it was in 2014. We need to go back and “rethink” the state of the sector and our needs or priorities.” She continues, “Arts and Culture are part of the solutions to every challenge our communities are facing. Arts and Culture are not “extra” features for a community; a strong and vibrant arts and culture scene creates thriving communities.”

Whitelaw explains it this way, “Oregon’s arts and culture entities are a source of statewide pride and this is an opportunity to share what we want to see for our communities in the future.”

The Big Re/Think Wed., Oct. 8

More info: oregonculture.org/about-us/bigrethink/

“Finding the Light” by Bend artist Kevin Necessary is a temporary outdoor art installation at the High Desert Museum.

Photo by Abbott Schindler

ISC SCREEN

When Good Directors Make Bad Movies

Ethan Coen and Ron Howard fail to evolve

By Jared Rasic

would never make a ridiculous statement like Ron Howard and the Coen Bros. are remotely in the same league as filmmakers, but I also think Howard isn’t necessarily accorded the respect he deserves from his nearly 50 years a director. Sure, he introduced the world to JD Vance with “Hillbilly Elegy,” which is definitely problematic. Still, a part of me will always respect Howard for his work on “Willow,” “Apollo 13,” “The Missing” and “Backdraft.” However, “A Beautiful Mind” is worse than you remember it, I promise.

Joel and Ethan Coen, meanwhile, have made somewhere around a doz en of the greatest films ever made, includ ing “Raising Arizona,” “The Big Lebowski” and “No Country For Old Men,” but haven’t made a film together since 2018’s misunderstood “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” Joel made the visually sumptuous “The Tragedy of Macbeth” with Denzel Washington in 2021 (and the upcoming “Jack of Spades” filming in Scotland this summer), while Ethan is making a Lesbian B-movie Trilogy, starting with 2024’s “Drive-Away Dolls,” followed up with this year’s “Honey Don’t” and then finishing with the upcoming “Go, Beavers!” So far, as filmmakers, they are stronger together. O Brother, Where Art Thou? indeed.

the movie fun to watch.

Re-teaming with the luminous Qualley, Coen and Cooke find a better balance of ideas with “Honey Don’t,” which takes the low-key detective shenanigans of “The Big Lebowski” and reimagines it as queer, horny “Chinatown” by the way of “The Long Goodbye.” On paper, that sounds amazing.

A Lesbian Lowbowski feels overdue; the problem is that there isn’t a center to the film to keep those shenanigans meaningful. I love watching Qualley and Aubrey Plaza teaming up to kick ass and chew scenery, but the tones and themes are too disparate to make the sun-soaked Neonoir feel like anything more than a scattered and brief diversion. If that’s all Coen and Cooke were after, that’s fine, but there’s a really great movie in here somewhere. I didn’t find it, though, and I’m not sure they did either.

with “Eden” or “Honey Don’t”

awful people on a tropical island leads to lust, bloodshed, hypocrisy and madness…in no particular order.

That’s an incredibly different setup for your average Ron Howard movie, but he never manages to generate an iota of tension across the entire interminably long 129 minutes. Ana de Armas fails to imbue the Baroness with enough humanity for us to care about her plight.

That’s the problem: the script by Noah Pink and Howard’s direction are at odds: “Eden” is a campy melodrama filled with hammy performances and soap opera plotting, but Howard’s direction is too heavy-handed to find what’s entertaining in the ridiculousness and Pink’s script is so self-serious that there isn’t a second of levity even with a toothless and shouting Jude Law running around like a madman.

The only actors that really manage to get away unscathed are a magnetic Vanessa Kirby and quietly powerful Sydney Sweeney, who both layer their characters with multitudes beyond what they’re given. Sweeney catches a lot of grief from popular culture, but she’s a stronger actress than anyone gives her credit for.

With Ethan Coen’s goofball queer caper “Honey Don’t” and Ron Howard’s new sweaty period drama “Eden,” both filmmakers feel lost in the weeds of trying to do something different.

Coen (along with partner Tricia Cooke, who co-wrote the trilogy with Coen and edited all of his movies since “Lebowski) has made a better film than “Drive-Away Dolls” with “Honey Don’t,” but still hasn’t found the cohesion that makes his features with Joel such classics. While “Drive-Away Dolls” features effortless chemistry between Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, the script is slapdash and lazy, even as its celebration of women and queerness keeps

At least “Honey Don’t” is entertaining, whereas I found Ron Howard’s “Eden” to be a test of my patience and abilities as a professional writer about films. First of all, with a cast like this, it shouldn’t be possible to make a bad movie. Jude Law and Vanessa Kirby flee Germany after WWI and go to the isle of Floreana in the Galápagos Islands. She gardens and heals from her multiple sclerosis while he writes a manifesto intended to call the bourgeoisie to task for the horrors occurring in Germany and across the world.

Inspired by their story, Margret and Heinz Wittmer (Daniel Brühl and Sydney Sweeney), along with their son, Harry, come to the island to also push back against modern society and become true settlers on a hostile island.

Finally comes the Baroness Eloise Bosquet de Wagner Wehrhorn (Ana de Armas), a cartoonishly evil caricature who, along with her two boy toys, comes to Floreana to open the world’s most exclusive and snobby hotel. The combination of these selfish, mostly

“Honey Don’t” and “Eden” are pretty terrible movies, overall. Sure, there are things to recommend about each, but they’re both too thin as cinema to really work. Ron Howard and Ethan Coen both have better films inside them to make, for sure. Howard also probably has worse. Let’s move on and maybe forget these ever happened.

“Honey Don’t”

Dir. Ethan Coen

Grade: CNow Playing at Regal Old Mill

“Eden”

Dir. Ron Howard

Grade: D Now Playing Regal Old Mill

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OKTOBERFEST

LOCATED AT THE DESCHUTES HISTORICAL MUSEUM LAWN

OUTSIDE Three Fall Backpacking Trails Near Bend

By Sally Compton

Most Central Oregonians look forward to the summer months to get in as many outdoor activities–like backpacking–as possible; It’s part of why we live here! But competitive permit systems, extended heat waves and unpredictable air quality and wildfires have made spending time outside in the summer increasingly challenging–especially when you’re hiking on foot, deep into the wilderness for an extended time with only the resources on your back on which to rely.

These reasons, along with crisp, fresh air, changing foliage colors, and less crowds on the trail, are why, in my opinion, fall is the most underrated season in Central Oregon, and the best time to embark on a backpacking adventure. These are three, beginner-friendly trails near Bend that are perfect for a 1-2 overnight stay, whether you’re a “Weekend Warrior” or just getting into the hobby and testing how heavy your pack is (how can packing for just one night still be 30 lbs?!). Just remember to Leave No Trace!

Camp Lake Trail

(14 miles out and back)

OK, I was reluctant to list this one, because I feel like it’s the lesser-known and even more gorgeous sister to the popular Green Lakes trail. But the longer distance and higher elevation make it slightly less accessible, and entry is still limited before Oct. 15 via the Central Cascade Wilderness Permit system. Starting at the Pole Creek Trailhead, Camp Lake Trail leads uphill through a burn area, across pristine creeks, and into rocky, but forested alpine habitat with expansive views of the Three Sisters and Broken Top. Set up your tent at Camp Lake and after a short rest, leave your pack and adventure further up a trail of scree between Middle and South sister to experience the otherworldly Chambers Lake Basin. Pack warm layers!

Maiden Lake via the PCT

(13 miles out and back, option to add 3 miles for a sunset Maiden peak summit from the Lake)

I happened upon this trail by accident when plans for a group backpacking trip to Camp Lake were derailed by smoke and wildfires. And wow–what a happy accident. This in-and-out trail, starting at Rosary Lakes Trailhead via the Pacific Crest Trail, has not one, nor two or three, but four(!) gorgeous, alpine lakes to choose among for setting up camp. Our group elected to camp at Maiden Lake, the last and furthest of the four, so that we could take the steep, adjacent Maiden Peak Summit trail up for sunset and canned rosé.

Perhaps the best part of this trail is that just a mile down the road, on the way back to Bend, is Odell Lake Lodge, where the promise of a bloody mary and burger in a rustic, cozy cabin overlooking the water fuels those last back-aching couple miles back to the trailhead.

Scott Mountain Trail (9.2 mile loop)

Scott Mountain Trail starts at Benson/Tenas Lake Trailhead and features some of the most breathtaking views of the Three Sisters that I’ve seen at the summit. If you don’t mind a bit of wind, I recommend camping at the top to enjoy both a spectacular sunset and sunrise from the comfort of your tent, with the Central Cascades as the backdrop. A loop trail is also always appreciated–it makes the hike out just as interesting as the hike in.

This is an especially fun trail to do in the fall, as you can forage for mushrooms along the ponds and small lakes that speckle the duration of the trail. Just remember that you’re sharing the wilderness with wildlife–I came across a large, fresh black bear print in the early morning’s dusting of snow on my way back down last October.

The Camp Lake Trail offers a scenic reward.

Sally Compton

SMOKE SIGNALS

High Times Is Dead. Long live High Times

By Josh Jardine

In a time when the majority of information and entertainment is consumed through screen time and not the printed page, it can be difficult to express the importance that the lowly magazine once held. Not just Life, Time and other mainstream publications, but those written and published for niche interests such as music, skateboarding, and the Venn diagram touchpoint between the two, cannabis.

The easy and legal accessibility of cannabis, along with a growing social acceptance of its use, can make it challenging to understand just what a different world it once was for cannabis enthusiasts. (Starting with the fact that the term “cannabis” was rarely used–it was marijuana, pot, or weed.)

Blukowski, Truman Capote and Hunter Thompson, among others), and featured notable cover models including Mick Jagger, Willie Nelson, and of course, Bob Marley.

It also served as a clearing house of cannabis news and information such as a “Weed Prices” section, where readers could mail in the cost and quality of flower and hash in their area. The magazine also championed cannabis user rights and examined the inherent racism that came with enforcing cannabis laws. Their brand quickly grew, even after the passing of Forcade in 1978. But the growth wasn’t easy, as many stores refused to carry the magazine, citing local standards, or Drug Enforcement Administration raids on stores carrying books and magazines about cannabis.

There were many cities and towns across the nation where possession of a single joint could result in arrest and a potential jail or prison sentence. Having a couple of plants in your closet or backyard could result in even harsher penalties. Although the 1960s had popularized the use of cannabis with the younger generation, it was still considered by the vast majority of Americans to be a dangerous drug that would lead to ruin.

Information about different strains, their effects, and growing techniques were shared word of mouth, this being pre internet and cell phone. There was also a growing culture around cannabis that didn’t have a clearinghouse until Tom Forcade, an underground publisher, produced the first issue of High Times in 1974.

In 1988, High Times held the first of its “Cannabis Cups” in Amsterdam, which, while technically illegal, grew in size, scope and credibility, bringing judges, growers, seed brewers and hash makers from around the world to compete. As Medical and Adult Use cannabis programs began in the U.S., the cup began stateside in numerous states.

The growth came with a shifting of priorities as High Times looked to expand from its original mission as a counterculture publication to a corporate entity as a “cannabis lifestyle brand.”

“Shadowy figure” is a most apt descriptor for Tom Forcade, who printed an initial run of 10,000 copies that sold out quickly. More rumors than facts are known, but it’s widely believed that he funded the magazine with proceeds from smuggling and sales of weed and LSD.

The magazine featured a Playboy-like centerfold featuring cannabis flowers and gifted the world with the growing wisdom of Ed Rosenthal, whose “Ask Ed” grow column can arguably be credited with doing more to increase the potency, yield and quality of growers’ efforts than anyone in U.S history.

The magazine quickly gained traction as the bible of cannabis culture and featured a wide variety of notable writers (William Burroughs, Charles

The year 2017 was the beginning of the end, as a fantastically bunged public stock offering led to accusations of fraud, a $5 million lawsuit from furious investors, a collapse of the Cannabis Cups as sponsors fled, partnership deals evaporated, and branded dispensaries closed, leaving many employees unpaid. The magazine stopped publication in 2024, the website was taken offline, and its remaining assets were placed into receivership.

In June, those assets were sold for $3.5 million to a true cannabis enthusiast, Josh Kesselman, the founder of RAW papers. He and his partner told the NY Times that they plan to resurrect the brand with podcasts, limited edition print editions, short form documentaries, video content, and the Cannabis Cup. He also told the Times that, “Our goal is not to make money on this. Our goal is to rebuild it to what it once was.”

High Times

Funny smell

41.  Evil action

42.  Animal seen in a pack, or on a pack

43.  From a certain point

44.  With 57-Across, service just a little further along this street?

47.  Toss overhead

48.  Singer-songwriter Kershaw

49.  Like some U-boat-targeted weapon

53.  Cologne cooler

54.  LIV competitor

57.  See 44-Across

58.  Post "9:00" and "5:00" on X?

61.  Doing nothing

62.  Over somebody

63.  Coach's first name on "Cheers"

64.  Bucks in the woods

65.  "Resident Alien" channel

66.  Dreadlocked dude

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

Pearl’s Puzzle

Difficulty Level

DOWN

1.  Some head gear

2.  Berry-yielding palm

3.  Cut of beef

4.  Dr. known for production

5.  Old-time lighter

6.  Reason for bouncing

7.  "Down in the dumps" vibe 8.  Mid-Atlantic convenience store chain

9.  "Fight Club" star

10.  Kind of unit

11.  Minor bump or scrape

12.  Small toys, for short

13.  Scrapes (by)

18.  Laundry room brand

23.  All finished

24.  Praise

26.  Bread for breakfast

27.  Radio personality Martinez

28.  Actress Davis

29.  Latin lover's words

30.  Back in the day

31.  Area of personal growth?

32.  Lacked, briefly

33.  Historical division

34.  Spending ___

39.  Persian back doors

40.  Cry while slopping

42.  Some rebranding overseers, for short

43.  Deere rival

45.  Mini burger

46.  "Sit ___ and rotate!"

49.  Parched

50.  Bump on a log

51.  It's a long story

52.  NYC theater district

53.  Wriggly

54.  Fodder for dad jokes

55.  Determination

56.  Offshore

59.  Temp employee around Christmastime

60.  "Let You Love Me" singer Rita

Puzzle for the week of September 1, 2025 Difficulty Level:

Puzzle for the week of September 1, 2025

Difficulty Level:

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

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters exactly once. PG FUN CROW

P G F U N C R O W exactly once.

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters P G F U N C R O W exactly once.

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “Who says today's kids deserve a quality education? Why can't they _______ sed like the rest of us?”

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “Who says today's kids deserve a quality education? Why can't they sed like the rest of us?” - author unknown

author unknown We’re Local! Questions, comments or suggestions for our local puzzle guru? Email Pearl Stark at pearl@bendsource.com © Pearl Stark mathpuzzlesgames.com/quodoku

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES

Answer for the week of August 25, 2025

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “Who says today's kids deserve a quality education? Why can't rest of us?

- author unknown

Answer for the week of August 25, 2025

P E N S L C

C L S R I A N E P A I N C E P S R L

“Tom grabbed his arm and pointed gasping, at the dimestore window. They stood there, unable to move because of the things from another world displayed so neatly, so innocently, so frighteningly, there. ‘Pencils, Doug, ten thousand pencils!’” —Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

“Tom grabbed his arm and pointed gasping, at the dime-store window. They stood there, unable to move because of the things from another world displayed so neatly, so innocently, so frighteningly, there. ‘Pencils, Doug, ten thousand pencils!’” - Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

“Tom grabbed his arm and pointed gasping, at the dime-store unable to move because of the things from another world displayed

WELLNESS

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Gross National Product (GNP) is a standard of economic success by which countries gauge their health. It reflects the world’s obsession with material wealth. But the Buddhist nation of Bhutan has a different accounting system: Gross National Happiness (GNH). It includes factors like the preservation of the environment, enrichment of the culture, and quality of governance. Here's an example of how Bhutan has raised its GNH. Its scenic beauty could generate a huge tourist industry. But strict limits have been placed on the number of foreign visitors, ensuring the land won't be trampled and despoiled. I would love to see you take a similar GNH inventory, Virgo. Tally how well you have loved and been loved. Acknowledge your victories and awakenings. Celebrate the beauty of your life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In Japanese haiku, poets may reference the lingering scent of flowers as a metaphor for a trace of something vivid that continues to be evocative after the event has passed. I suspect you understand this quite well right now. You are living in such an after-scent. A situation, encounter, or vision seems to have ended, but its echo is inviting you to remain attentive. Here’s my advice: Keep basking in the reverberations. Let your understandings and feelings continue to evolve. Your assignment is to allow the original experience to complete its transmission. The full blossoming needs more time to unfold.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the Australian desert, there’s a phenomenon called desert varnish. It’s a thin, dark coating of clay, iron, and manganese oxides. It forms over rocks due to microbial activity and prolonged exposure to wind and sun. Over time, these surfaces become canvases for Indigenous artists to create images. I like to think of their work as storytelling etched into endurance. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, consider using this marvel as a metaphor. Be alert for the markings of your own epic myth as they appear on the surfaces of your life. Summon an intention to express the motifs of your heroic story in creative ways. Show the world the wisdom you have gathered during your long, strange wanderings.

ity pour out freely. Be an overflowing source of joie de vivre and the lust for life.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1932, trailblazing aviator Amelia Earhart made a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, steering through icy winds and mechanical trouble. When she landed, she said she had been “too busy” to be scared. This is an excellent motto for you now, Pisces: “too busy to be scared.” Not because you should ignore your feelings, but because immersion in your good work, mission, and devotion will carry you through any momentary turbulence. You now have the power to throw yourself so completely into your purpose that fear becomes a background hum.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Austin Curtis was a prominent Black scientist whose work had spectacularly practical applications. Among his successes: He developed many new uses for peanut byproducts, including rubbing oils for pain relief. His work exploited the untapped potential of materials that others neglected or discarded. I urge you to adopt a similar strategy in the coming weeks, Aries: Be imaginative as you repurpose scraps and leftovers. Convert afterthoughts into useful assets. Breakthroughs could come from compost heaps, forgotten files, or half-forgotten ideas. You have the power to find value where others see junk.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In Polynesian navigation, sailors read the subtle rise and fall of ocean swells to find islands and chart their course. They also observe birds, winds, stars, and cloud formations. The technique is called wayfinding. I invite you to adopt your own version of that strategy, Taurus. Trust waves and weather rather than maps. Authorize your body to sense the future in ways that your brain can’t. Rely more fully on what you see and sense rather than what you think. Are you willing to dwell in the not-knowingness? Maybe go even further: Be excited about dwelling in the not-knowingness. Don’t get fixated on plotting the whole journey. Instead, assume that each day’s signs will bring you the information you need.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Indigenous Australian lore, the Dreamtime is a parallel dimension overlapping the material world, always present and accessible through ritual and listening. Virtually all Indigenous cultures throughout history have conceived of and interacted with comparable realms. If you are open to the possibility, you now have an enhanced capacity to draw sustenance from this otherworld. I encourage you to go in quest of help and healing that may only be available there. Pay close attention to your dreams. Ask your meditations to give you long glimpses of the hidden magic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Saturn is your ruling planet and archetype. In the old myth of the god Saturn, he rules time, which is not an enemy but a harvester. He gathers what has ripened. I believe the coming weeks will feature his metaphorical presence, Capricorn. You are primed to benefit from ripening. You are due to collect the fruits of your labors. This process may not happen in loud or dramatic ways. A relationship may deepen. A skill may get fully integrated. A long-running effort may coalesce. I say it’s time to celebrate! Congratulate yourself for having built with patience and worked through the shadows. Fully register the fact that your labor is love in slow motion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In Greek mythology, the constellation Aquarius was linked to a heroic character named Ganymede. The great god Zeus made this beautiful man the cupbearer to the gods. And what drink did Ganymede serve? Ambrosia, the divine drink of immortality. In accordance with astrological omens, I’m inviting you to enjoy a Ganymede-like phase in the coming weeks. Please feel emboldened to dole out your gorgeous uniqueness and weirdness to all who would benefit from it. Let your singular authentic -

Homework:

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The umbrella thorn acacia is an African tree whose roots grow up to 115 feet deep to tap hidden water beneath the desert floor. Above ground, it may look like a scraggly cluster of green, but underground it is a masterpiece of reach and survival. I see you as having resemblances to this tree these days, Gemini. Others may only see your surface gestures and your visible productivity. But you know how deep your roots run and how far you are reaching to nourish yourself. Don’t underestimate the power of your attunement to your core. Draw all you need from that primal reservoir.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): To make a tabla drum sing, the artisan adds a black patch of iron filings and starch at the center of the drumhead. Called a syahi, it creates complex overtones and allows the musician to summon both pitch and rhythm from the same surface. Let’s imagine, Cancerian, that you will be like that drum in the coming weeks. A spot that superficially looks out of place may actually be what gives your life its music. Your unique resonance will come not in spite of your idiosyncratic pressure points, but because of them. So don’t aim for sterile perfection. Embrace the irregularity that sings.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): There’s a Zen motto: “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” I hope you apply that wisdom in the coming weeks, Leo. Your breakthrough moments of insight have come or will come soon. But your next move should not consist of being self-satisfied or inert. Instead, I hope you seek integration. Translate your innovations into your daily rhythm. Turn the happy accidents into enduring improvements. The progress that comes next won’t be as flashy or visible, but it’ll be just as crucial.

AWAKENING YOUR INNER HERO

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

By Burt Gershater

Holiness, Alacrity and Silence

If you’re already confused, bear with me, please.

This whole message is about how to bring more aliveness into our daily lives. It’s one thing to just show up and do what we’re supposed to do, day-after-day, week-after-week, yearafter-year…until it’s over. It’s a whole ‘nother thing for us to bring our spirit, essence, enthusiasm, delight, our whatever you want to call it, with our steadiness, day-after-day. The part that shines, penetrates and connects us. Not only eye-to-eye, ear-to-ear, skinto-skin, but heart-to-heart and soul-tosoul. True connections that shift reality in the moment and . . . for who knows how much longer. These moments add up, forever, and create the energy force that keeps us truly going and flowing. Wonderfully, we need refills throughout the day, and we need to be one of the Re-fillers, too.

Every one of us.

That is our job for today, tomorrow, always.

Why do we have to do this and how do we do it?

These are the key questions.

The first one is easy.

Why do we need this special energy? To just be alive, all we need are the basics: food, water, oxygen and shelter. To be truly alive and bring our unique spirit into the world, we need our light-generating, high-octane energy, whose primary ingredients are love, inspiration, purpose and trust. We then get to create, comfort others, continually elevate ourselves, have deep gratitude. And very importantly, to resist the ever-available detrimental, addictive lifestyle patterns and seductive substances.

Most of us need to be vigilantly conscious in order to elevate our spirits. This comes more easily to some than others. No matter how high or how low we function in the moment, our dedicated efforts to move upward is what makes our world a better place. These add up and ultimately make the world brighter…one shiny brick at a time.

Now, how do we do this?? First, I want to address holiness. Most of us don’t use this word in relationship to ourselves—let’s change that. Holy, as we’re talking about it today, means serving the highest part of us. The part that is kind, curious, generous, way more positive than negative, deeply

grateful, and willing to admit our errors and do our best to not repeat them. Holy is separate from the mundane, the opposite of selfish, judgmental, egotis tical, arrogant…you get the idea.

We’re heading in a holier direction.

Now, alacrity. I didn’t know what it meant a month ago. It means to be cheerful, willing, enthusiastic, full of life. I love it. It’s my new favorite word. The opposite, of course, is apathy which is a lack of interest, passive and indifferent. Some have this holy quality of alacrity from the day they’re born, others don’t. Many of us have been traumatized along the way, and our enthusiasm has been damaged and muffled. Thus, it requires even more conscious, dedicated effort to be positive, to judge ourselves and others less, see beauty in everyone and share your sweet smile. The world needs our smiles.

Telehealth for Ages 12 and Up in Bend and Beyond

Enthusiasm is contagious. My most enthusiastic teacher of all time was Stan Ashe. He made diagramming sentences exciting for seventh graders! He would take me into the gym and teach me basketball moves that I used throughout my many years of hooping. Then, he became one of my dearest friends. We met up on Zoom until his 91st year with his son and a few other students. His enthusiasm and love touched everyone. Stan departed just a year ago, almost to the day. He decided, in his rich lifetime, to never grow old.

Lastly, silence. Most of us need more of it. It can be a peaceful time of self-reflection and deepening our often-understated gratitude. Silence is healing and way too rare in today’s world. Every time I leave my phone inside, sit on the back porch, watch and listen to the birds, enjoy the fluttering aspen leaves, and appreciate the simple wonders… peacefulness grows inside of me. We all need more silence. Please, make it part of your day.

Peacefulness, holiness, alacrity and silence are inseparable. Let’s all head upward on our journeys home.

Thanks for reading!

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

Join us on the first Friday of each month as downtown comes alive with art, music, shopping, and community vibes. Stroll the streets, sip local drinks, meet talented artists, and explore one-of-a-kind shops and galleries.

This month's theme: Local Love Night!

This First Friday, downtown businesses are showing extra appreciation for Bend locals with live art, exclusive deals, and plenty of community spirit.

See you downtown!

TAKE ME HOME

Beyond the Click

In today’s digital-first world, a potential homebuyer’s journey almost always begins online. They’re scrolling through listings on their phone, swiping past properties in a matter of seconds. In this high-speed, visually saturated environment, real estate photos aren’t just an accessory — they are the front door, the first impression and often the deciding factor that encourages a closer look. A stunning set of professional photographs is the single most powerful tool in a real estate agent’s arsenal, and here’s why they are an investment that pays for itself.

First and foremost, professional real estate photography is a matter of perception. A smartphone photo, no matter how well-intentioned, often falls short. It can make a spacious living room feel cramped, a sunlit kitchen appear dim and a meticulously maintained garden look unkempt. A professional, on the other hand, understands perspective, composition, and the art of storytelling through an image. They can capture the flow of a home, highlight its unique architectural features, and create a sense of aspiration that a simple snapshot cannot. This visual upgrade doesn’t just make the property look good, it makes it look valuable.

The use of lighting and post-processing is where the magic truly happens. A professional photographer doesn’t just point and shoot; they manipulate light to their advantage. They know how to open up a room with natural light, use flashes to fill in dark corners and avoid harsh shadows that can be distracting. This mastery of light is critical for showcasing the home’s true character and making it feel warm and inviting. Post-processing, or editing, is the crucial final step. This isn’t about creating an unrealistic depiction; it’s about perfecting the image. Photographers adjust color balance, straighten crooked lines

HOME PRICE ROUNDUP

By James Keane, Licensed broker RE/MAX Key Properties

and enhance the details that make a photo pop. This meticulous process ensures that every photo is a polished representation of the property, free of imperfections and ready to captivate a potential buyer.

The impact on marketing efforts is nothing short of transformative. A listing with high-quality photos receives significantly more views and clicks than one with amateur shots. This increased online engagement directly translates to a broader reach and more interested parties. When a listing stands out from the competition, it grabs attention and holds it. This not only speeds up the sales process but also has the potential to attract multiple offers, driving up the final sale price.

Perhaps the most tangible benefit is the improvement in foot traffic. The photos online serve as a filter. They either convince someone to schedule a showing or they don’t. A captivating visual presentation builds excitement and curiosity, making a potential buyer feel like they simply must see the home in person. They have already formed a positive emotional connection with the property through the photos and the in-person visit is the final confirmation. This higher quality of leads means agents spend their time with genuinely interested buyers, leading to a more efficient and successful transaction.

In conclusion, in the fiercely competitive real estate market, professional photography is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. It’s an investment in a property’s first impression, a strategic marketing tool that amplifies reach and value, and the direct link between an online listing and a successful showing. By entrusting the visual representation of a home to a professional, sellers and agents alike ensure they are putting their best foot forward, vastly improving their chances of a quick and profitable sale.

Rhonda Garrison and Brittany Barton