The Source Weekly March 6, 2025

RoAd to TabLe

Roadkill salvagers

bring elk and deer from asphalt to their dinner table

Liability Reform in Oregon Recreation

Author Jeff Swaney Has “None of the Answers”

Burgerville, Sisters Meat and Smokehouse to Open in Bend

Wednesdays – Prime Rib

Classic Slow-roasted Prime Rib Dinner for just $35. 5pm until the last slice is gone.

Thursdays – Bingo & Build-Your-Own Pasta Dinner

Play Bingo for prizes 4 - 5pm, stay for a pasta dinner from 5-8:30pm.

Fridays – Live Music

Start your weekend with music and a sunset from 5:15 to 6:45pm.

To learn more about our special events or make a dining reservation, call 541-593-4855 or visit CalderaSprings.com/LakeHouse

The Source Weekly

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night. Since then, I have been involved with dark sky issues and teaching people the importance of turning off their outdoor lights or using motion detector lights. It’s such a simple 'ask' that most people understand but…it only takes a few with their high-intensity outdoor lights to block out the view of the stars. Old habits can be hard to change."

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

While many an Oregonian seeks farm-to-table fare both when eating out and at home, a subset of our industrious neighbors are trying a road-totable diet. Jennifer Baires looks into a growing number of roadkill salvage permits issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which allow people to harvest elk and deer from the roadside and bring it to their dinner table. In more traditional food news, we have reporting from Julianna LaFollette on the impending closure of Turtle Island Coffee Shop but also the opening of the first Burgerville in Central Oregon. Plus, Skylor Young covers the expansion of Sisters Meat and Smokehouse in both Sisters and Bend. In arts and culture, local author Jeff Swaney releases his debut memoir with a series of events around town, while Western swing legends Asleep at the Wheel make the drive from Texas to Bend to share more than 50 years of music at the Tower Theatre on March 19. There’s more news, events and columns on these pages, so read on!

PRESENTED BY HARVEST

“As we know, there are lessons to be learned from history. Hope to be derived from hardships faced before. We’ve gone through bad times before and survived, even thrived. History has shown us the strength and durability of the human spirit. In the end, it is our idealism and our courage and our commitment to one another—what we have in common—that will save us…” –Kristin Hannah, The Four Winds

ENROLL IN YOUR FUTURE

While the Feds Take a ‘Burn It Down’ Approach, Local Public Lands Could Quite Literally Burn I

f you were worried about unauthorized camping and fires starting on public lands before, buckle up.

With cuts to U.S. Forest Service personnel happening, it’s going to be very tough to see a lot of enforcement or an increase in fire-management activity on our public lands this summer.

In the last several weeks, at least 3,400 employees of the U.S. Forest Service, along with 1,000 National Parks Service employees and some 800 Bureau of Land Management employees, were terminated from their positions. Some of these were wildland firefighters. Others were in positions that helped firefighters be more efficient at their jobs.

This will certainly have a wide range of ramifications, but one that stands out for those living here in Central Oregon is how the cuts will affect our area’s intersecting concerns around wildfire and camping on public lands.

Some of those who have recently been fired from their positions at the Deschutes National Forest were the staff who helped ensure those who were dispersed-camping in the area were putting out their fires and staying within the prescribed two-week limits at places like Phil’s Trail. Many in our region have accused the local National Forest leaders of doing too little to keep these things in check. This latest development will exacerbate the problem.

controversy over the maps was a distraction from the real work that needs to be done to prepare communities for the wildfires that will inevitably come. It’s not yet clear, if the legislature does decide to take action on the existence of the wildfire maps, whether that would mean a total do-over. But in this multi-step process, the details matter.

County Commissioner Phil Chang seemed to fully grasp the totality of the situation when this week, he voted against supporting a County-level appeal for some 21,000 homes in Deschutes County that are in the “red,” or “high risk,” zone on the maps. He voted “no” because the risk maps are a means to an end: They’re not about helping insurance companies raise rates (that’s been banned by the legislature), but about helping Oregon move forward on actually making our homes safer from wildfire.

Baked into the process around the wildfire maps was a process that, once the maps were put into place, would have required home-hardening and defensible space measures for the most at-risk homes.

This past week, members of the Democratic delegation in Washington, D.C., sent a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, asking them to reconsider the terminations, as well as the ongoing hiring freeze that is also in place.

“Fewer firefighters and insufficient staffing during fire season exacerbate fire response delays, prevent effective mitigation efforts and place lives, property and our environment at greater risk,” Oregon’s House Democrats wrote.

We’re going to need a lot more of this advocacy at all levels of government. But regionally, we are seeing a lot of mixed messages.

Locally, Oregon state Sen. Anthony Broadman and Rep. Emerson Levy recently called for a repeal of Oregon’s recently re-released wildfire maps, saying the

By voting to appeal the map designations and stymie the process, Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone want homeowners to continue to be able to control their own destinies when it comes to how they treat — or don’t treat — their properties, even if those actions or inactions could lead to an entire surrounding community being less safe.

These maps are a first step toward more robust rules around protecting at-risk homes. That doesn’t sound like a distraction at all.

Right now, as it looks from the ground, the feds are taking a “burn it down” approach to federal employment and public lands that could quite literally burn while we wait for the courts and Washington, D.C., to fight it all out.

While that’s going on, we’re hoping for a less scattershot approach from our state and local leadership. Barring any more support from the feds, we need to find a way to work together to manage the fires that are inevitably going to come.

Letters

GUEST OPINION: FIXING OREGON’S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS REQUIRES CONSISTENCY, NOT RECRUITMENT

With the highest prevalence of mental illness in the U.S., Oregon is caught in the middle of a behavioral health crisis. The need for mental health and substance use disorder services is growing at an alarming rate, but the workforce to meet that need isn’t keeping up. Oregon is short thousands of behavioral health beds as it struggles to find staff. As a result, wait times can stretch up to six months for Oregonians in desperate need of immediate care. Oregon must grow its behavioral health workforce organically — by taking care of those who are already serving.

Adding thousands of trained professionals to the workforce doesn’t happen overnight. Oregon can’t simply recruit its way out of this problem. It must invest in its existing workforce while creating meaningful incentives for new professionals to join the field. That means boosting financial support and streamlining outdated processes while fostering a culture of support around behavioral health professionals.

Becoming a social worker is a major undertaking that can leave social workers struggling under a heavy financial burden. Tuition for earning a master’s of social work (MSW) often ranges from $40,000 to $60,000, while licensing and continued education requirements take additional time and money. In Oregon, a mental health and substance abuse social worker makes about $61,000 a year — $7,000 less than the average salary in Oregon. Expecting social workers to incur heavy loans to earn an MSW and then paying them less than average is simply unacceptable. Expecting more people to want to join an underpaid and overworked profession is simply unrealistic.

Oregon must act quickly to alleviate the financial stress on social workers through loan forgiveness programs, scholarships and paid internships. Understanding and alleviating the stressors on social workers is a pivotal step in shifting the narrative for so many Oregonians who

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need help. The value of behavioral health professionals isn’t measured in dollars but in healthy minds and lives. It’s time for Oregon to put its money behind the professionals who support its most vulnerable populations.

Outdated licensing and exam processes are another source of unnecessary stress on social workers. Further, the red tape created by old practices can prevent would-be social workers from entering the field. The everyday demands of social workers range from home visits to in-person sessions to researching available resources. On top of this, they must meticulously document all their interactions with clients, which can take hours every day. Allowing bureaucratic traditions to impose unnecessary work on already busy social workers simply increases the chances for burnout.

Oregon must prioritize initiatives such as the Social Work Licensure Compact that streamline old processes. Instead of requiring social workers to spend hours studying for and retaking a licensing exam for each state they want to practice in, the compact creates a single interstate license that is valid in all participating states. This provides seamless continuity of care for clients and social workers who need to move in or out of the state. Passing legislation such as this is a simple, effective way to strengthen the workforce by cutting away superfluous burdens.

While these steps may seem small in the face of such a widespread crisis, they are the key to creating an environment within Oregon that appreciates and supports behavioral health professionals. Addressing the shortage takes more than a single bill or recruitment push. It requires a lasting commitment to steadily supporting the professionals who dedicate themselves to helping our state. Social workers provide constant support to thousands of Oregonians. It’s Oregon’s turn to support them too.

—Richard L. Jones, Ph.D., president of the board at Preferra Insurance Company RRG, a behavioral health liability insurance company overseen by social workers

THE FEDERAL BUDGET PROPOSAL AND THE FALLOUT

I am angry today, more than I have been in a very long time. I am angry that Republicans have voted with such cruelty and self-serving malice to approve a budget that is in direct conflict with a prosperous nation, a nation that has in the past stood for dreams, equality and protection of the vulnerable. I am angry that the EU now thinks of the U.S. as an “adversary” (G. Rachman, The London Economic). I am angry that so many will be harmed if this budget makes it through Congress. Let me elaborate, if anything it’s therapeutic, hopefully it will galvanize people.

The budget proposal approved yesterday (2/25/25) is cruel. It includes $2 trillion in SPENDING CUTS, which these committees must find: $880 billion to Energy and Commerce Committee (this includes Medicaid and Medicare); $330 billion to Education and Workforce (the biggest chunk being school nutrition programs); $230 billion to Agriculture (the biggest chunk being SNAP); $562 billion from “other.” It includes TAX CUTS of $4.5 trillion (4.5 x $1,000 billion).

The cruelty is apparent in these data: In Oregon alone, 17% of the state’s population uses SNAP benefits, about one in six people. In the U.S., 12.6 % of the population uses SNAP; that’s 42.1 million per month. In Oregon alone, 23% or almost 1.5 million people have Medicaid for health care. In the U.S., 18.9% of the population or over 72 million people have Medicaid. So we now have a potential budget that takes away health care, food subsidies for families (SNAP and school nutrition) while giving enormous tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations.

The disparity in cuts vs. spending

automatically adds at least $2.8 trillion to the deficit. The debt ceiling is approved to be raised by $4 trillion. What this shows is a massive transfer of wealth from the poor and shrinking middle class to the wealthy, plain and simple. This budget wants to take the nonprofit status of hospitals; they will close in rural areas. Did you vote for this?

—Marilyn Hofmann-Jones

THANK YOU

Thank you to all the strangers who came to my aid on Wednesday, Feb. 26. I took a bad spill while walking along Pine Nursery Park. Within seconds there were several people including a nurse and an off-duty police officer by my side indicating the need for me to go to the emergency room. One woman insisted on not leaving my side until I was transported. Three young men in a car pulled up and came over to check on me. The fire department arrived with a pumper truck and EMT, followed by an ambulance. A broken arm and stitches to my face were attended to at the ER. Good and wonderful people at every stage. I can’t thank you enough!

—Jim Scott

Letter of the Week:

Jim, thanks for this note of gratitude, which restores our faith in the innate kindness and selflessness of people in our community.

—Chris Young

Deschutes County to Host Retail Theft Meetings

The Bend Police Department, along with the Redmond Police Department and the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, will host a series of Retailer Listening Sessions. The listening sessions are a result of an Organized Retail Theft (ORT) grant the County secured in the fall.

“The goal of the sessions is to stop organized retail crimes from occurring in the county by improving response to theft calls, increasing arrests and enhancing prosecution of retail theft offenders. Achieving this goal will require a multi-tiered approach,” read a statement from a Bend Police press release.

The listening sessions will allow the Deschutes County ORT team to hear from local retailers about the thefts they are experiencing and answer questions regarding Oregon retail theft law. People can register for listening sessions taking place in Bend and Redmond on March 12, 18 and 31.

—Julianna LaFollette

New Indian Restaurant to Replace Bend’s Nome Italiano

Authentic Indian restaurant The Crown Curry is set to open in the former Nome Italiano location on SW Knoll Avenue. The restaurant plans to open in late April or early May. The Crown Curry is run by restaurateur Bhavna Pardeshi, who operates two Indian restaurants in Washington.

The new restaurant will offer a lunch buffet, dinner service and a full bar, according to a press release. The lunch buffet will have high-end Indian cuisine with grab-and-go options. The restaurant’s dinner service will offer a more relaxed experience, with a range of classic and contemporary Indian dishes.

“Most of our popular dishes will stay the same, but we will be making some menu adjustments to best cater to local tastes,” Pardeshi said. “Our bar menu will be different as well — we plan to introduce more cocktails and fun drinks to complement our flavorful dishes. One thing that will remain unchanged is our dedication to providing delicious, authentic Indian food and exceptional service.”

—Julianna LaFollette

Cascade East Transit Workers Call for New Contract

Regional public transportation service employees are currently bargaining for living wages

By Julianna LaFollette

E8,000

— The number of roadkill salvage permits filed with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, from the Feature story, “Road to Table”

“We don’t know pleasure without experiencing pain.”

mployees at Cascades East Transit (CET), the region’s public transportation service, are calling for a fair contract that reflects the cost of living in the region. The union is urging community members and transit passengers to support the employees as they currently bargain for a new contract.

The union represents union members and employees of CET, consisting of bus drivers, dispatchers and other employees. According to a press release, members of the union have been working without a contract since Dec. 31, 2024.

CET is operated by Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC). According to the CET website, driver positions start at $23.48 per hour.

Thomas Tsuneta, the union’s local liaison, said the management’s economic offer is short of what’s needed for a decent standard of living in Central Oregon. The union’s mission is to secure fair wages, better working conditions and a future where every employee is valued and supported. Initially, it requested a 6% increase in wages for all CET employees.

“Our dedicated employees deserve not only a living wage, but also a sustainable career path at Cascades East Transit. We cannot continue training new hires only to see them leave after six months for better-paying opportunities,” said Tsuneta in a press release.

“We need our community to stand with us for fairness and justice, and demand that COIC come to the

bargaining table ready to bargain for a living wage. Together, we can ensure our workers receive a contract that not only improves their working conditions but also secures their financial future.”

Earlier this year, the Source Weekly reported on CET’s plans to increase service hours, buses and routes following a decrease in service during and after COVID-19. However, according to CET Director Bob Townsend, who spoke to the Source Weekly on Jan. 30, the agency has struggled to hire drivers in recent years and has been actively recruiting drivers for five years straight.

“We’re better off than we’ve been in the last few years, but we’re still short of where we want to be to get to a base level of service,” Townsend told the Source Weekly in January.

“We could use five or 10 more drivers than we have right now. Last year, we could have used 15 more. So, we fill them, but until we get to some of those positions... we’re limited on our growth.”

While drivers have seen some pay raises in recent years, according to Tsuneta, CET is still having a hard time retaining drivers because of its wages.

“We have a lot of people who will come in, they’ll train, they’ll get what’s called their CDL, the commercial driver’s license, and then they’ll leave for another position once they get their CDL,” Tsuneta told the Source Weekly.

— Jeff Swaney in his debut memoir “None of the Answers,” from the Culture story, “Rising Above”

Julianna LaFollette

A Controversial Bill Would Loosen Oregon’s Liability Laws

Local recreation businesses support the liability reform,

personal risk for recreators

By Julianna LaFollette

In 2006, 18-year-old Myles Bagley suffered serious injuries while snowboarding at Mt. Bachelor’s terrain park. He accused the resort of being negligent in its design and maintenance of the park. Prior to the injury, Bagley had signed a liability waiver — a contract that customers may sign when participating in recreational activities, which attempts to release an operator from legal responsibility for potential injuries incurred during an activity.

In 2014, after years of legal proceedings, the Oregon Supreme Court decided that enforcement of the liability waiver Bagley signed was unethical — a decision that largely deemed waivers unenforceable in the state.

Since the ruling, several businesses in the recreation industry have called for liability reform, reporting increasing insurance premiums and, in turn, growing costs associated with activities.

A proposed bill in the Oregon Legislature, House Bill 3140, could reintroduce the ability for recreation businesses to require customers to sign a liability waiver, offering a layer of protection against being sued and, thus, lowering insurance rates. Opponents of the bill, however, see the move as unjust to individuals.

Protect Oregon Recreation (POR), a coalition of statewide recreation providers, brought the bill forward. According to Erik Kancler, a lobbyist with POR, many local recreation providers have lost insurance providers or experienced skyrocketing premiums due to a greater degree of perceived risk in the state.

“You have Oregon-based providers going out of business and providers from out of state who aren't comfortable coming to Oregon,” Kancler told the Source Weekly.

The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, based out of Bend, was dropped by its liability insurance carrier in 2021. While it was able to find a new insurer, its premiums rose significantly, according to its written testimony supporting HB 3140.

Vámonos Outside in Bend, an organization connecting the Latine/BIPOC community to the outdoors, noted in a written testimony that the high cost of insurance and potential fear of liability can be harmful to small organizations, making it difficult to sustain its programs.

The Bend Chamber of Commerce, which aims to help local businesses thrive, also supports the bill.

“If you look at the list of supporters, it’s largely small businesses that are in or adjacent to the recreation industry in Bend and Central Oregon,” said Sara Odendahl, director of government affairs at the Bend Chamber. “That is who we are as an economic engine in terms of the community... it’s really the heartbeat of our economy.”

The Bend Chamber has heard from varying businesses — including large entities such as Mt. Bachelor, one of the largest employers in the region, as well as solo entrepreneur fly fishing guides — that are supportive of this bill.

“HB3140 ensures that Oregonians continue enjoying safe, professionally managed outdoor environments, preserving the state's recreation heritage,” said Mt. Bachelor General Manager John Merriman in an email to the Source Weekly. “Mt. Bachelor is supportive of the legislation, and we urge our representatives here in Bend, and across the state, to pass it into law.”

Other local entities in support of HB 3140 include

but some worry it’ll mean greater

Cog Wild Bicycle Tours, the outdoor gear consignment shop The Gear Fix and the City’s tourism promotion agency, Visit Bend, among others.

According to Odendahl, the recreation industry is a major driver of Bend’s economy. In 2023, recreators and visitors spent over $380 million in outdoor activities, supporting almost 3,500 jobs.

“We’re talking about this really large sector of our economy, which is really important, so that data really kind of underscores our support,” Odendahl told the Source Weekly.

The Chamber is also interested in helping Oregon become a more business-friendly state. According to Odendahl, Oregon ranks fairly low, nationally, when it comes to its tax climate and liability climate — things that businesses consider when looking to relocate, grow or start up in the state.

“This bill is just one example of a way that we can create a business-friendly, business-supportive state that’s going to help the entire state grow in terms of our economic output,” she said.

Kancler with POR explained that the current liability laws also affect the individuals utilizing the services.

“The user loses access, loses opportunity or pays more,” he said. “All of these activities are impacted. The impacts, like the proportional increases, are hardest felt by the smaller providers.”

Caleb Burns, co-owner of SWS Mountain Guides, out of Mt. Shasta, California, believes that the bill would enhance safety for individuals in the state.

Burns argues that it’s less safe for people to recreate in Oregon because there are fewer businesses willing to provide guided tours, experiences and safety lessons. He believes the bill would encourage more highly trained guides and outfitters to operate in Oregon.

“Insurance premiums go up significantly when you operate in Oregon,” Burns told the Source Weekly. “Outfitters and guides don’t make a ton of money already. And when you start to raise that insurance premium, we have two options: Either we raise our price, which is already expensive, or we just don’t do business there.”

Putting it on the People

Opponents feel the bill would be addressing increasing insurance premiums by placing the costs on the backs of those who are injured.

The Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Oregon’s largest plaintiff firm which aims to protect access to justice, does not support the bill. The association sees the bill as unfair to individuals and believes it will limit people’s rights to go to a jury trial.

“Businesses have an obligation to keep their customers safe. And when they don’t, it’s up to a jury to hear the facts of the case and decide, on a case-by-case basis, the outcome. This is our fundamental, constitutional right,” said Melissa Bobadilla, president of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association.

At a Feb. 19 public hearing, supporters and those in opposition testified about the impacts of the bill. Bagley, the individual injured at Mt. Bachelor in 2006, submitted testimony stating his opposition.

“If this bill is allowed to move forward, there would be no recourse for a young man, just entering adulthood, who had his life utterly shattered (though fortunately not taken) by the poor design of a recreational feature at a ski resort,” Bagley wrote in his testimony.

Bend resident Allison Hickey, who was injured in June 2024 after a bull jumped the fence at the Sisters Rodeo, also submitted testimony in opposition, writing that the bill would take away the rights of Oregonians injured by an operator’s negligence.

David Rosen, a personal injury attorney who owns the Bend firm High Desert Law, sees the bill as an ineffective way to address the rising cost of premiums.

“I do this work because individual by individual, we get to help a person who’s been catastrophically injured and taken off their life’s path and work to get them back on their life’s path. And that’s the goal,” Rosen told the Source Weekly. “Part of that is holding a responsible party accountable. This bill would take that possibility off the table.”

Opponents also feel that bringing back liability waivers could cause businesses to be less careful.

“The best way to make sure companies do what they should do to protect Oregonians is the knowledge that they will be held responsible if they cause injury when they fail to act with the care that a reasonable person would exercise (negligence). And this bill takes that off the table, too,” said Rosen.

Instead of focusing on a bill, opponents believe the legislature should focus on insurance reform. With rising premiums in various industries, Rosen is not convinced this bill will change the way insurers work in Oregon.

“The general complaint from the recreation industry is the rising cost of insurance premiums. Even if the legislature were to pass this law, it’s naïve to believe the insurance companies are going to do the right thing — or anything different at all,” he said.

Mt. Bachelor’s general manager, John Merriman, says the resort is in full support of HB 3140.

The Oregon Bicycle Racing Association, based out of Bend, reported significant increases in insurance premiums after getting dropped by its previous liability insurance carrier.

Julianna LaFollette

Julianna LaFollette

City of Redmond to Vote on Marijuana Rules in March

By Julianna LaFollette

On Feb. 25, the Redmond City Council held a public hearing on a proposal to allow marijuana dispensaries within city limits. Following the hearing, the Council decided to postpone its vote on amending city code until its next meeting in March.

In November, Redmond residents voted in favor of allowing marijuana dispensaries within the City of Redmond — something currently prohibited within city code. The advisory measure, a non-binding recommendation to the Council, passed with about 53% of the votes on Election Day.

Measure 9-177 gauged voters’ interest in amending city code, setting the slate for the city to make a decision on whether to amend its code. In November, voters also passed a conditional measure, allowing the city to impose a 3% tax on the sale of marijuana items by retailers within city limits, given that the city enacts code changes.

Prior to the election, Mayor Ed Fitch signaled that the Council would likely pass the code amendments if the majority of residents showed support for the initiative.

During the public hearing, residents shared their support or opposition to code changes allowing retail marijuana sales within the city.

Tobias Colvin, a former city councilor, was the

first to speak at the hearing and urged the council to listen to voters.

“I know some of you have strong personal opinions about this, one way or the other, but I would say the will of the people is more important than any of our personal opinions, especially on council,” Colvin said at the meeting. “The will of the people said to move it forward, so we should move it forward.”

Eric Lea, a Redmond school board member, stated his opposition to proposed code amendments, stating that Redmond should work to minimize youth access to marijuana, keeping it out of schools and public spaces. Others supported it, pointing to the benefits to the community. JoAnne Eisler, who operates a small business in downtown Redmond, said she supported dispensaries in Redmond. While she’s not a user of cannabis, she said at the meeting, she supports it simply for the tax dollars.

“I feel like the people that are going to be buying cannabis are not deterred by driving to Bend. So, it’s already here in the community. Those are tax dollars that we’re losing every year, and I’m just here to implore you to please listen to the voice of your voters,” Eisler said.

In future meetings, the Redmond City Council plans to vote on codifying the 3% tax into Redmond city code, creating time, place and manner regulations for dispensaries and, finally, implementing code amendments formally allowing dispensaries.

“We want to implement the will of the electorate, but we want to do it in a manner that respects the 46% of the people who actually voted against it,” said Fitch at the meeting. “By limiting the time, place and manner, so that it’s a small imprint on the community, I think we can accomplish both access and revenue that was approved by the voters, and also make sure that it doesn’t have a deleterious effect on the community.”

CONNECT W’S MUNCH & MINGLE

SOCIAL NETWORKING EVENT FOR WOMEN

Connect W’s monthly gathering is back, this time at Redmond’s Feast Food Co. Connect with professional women in Central Oregon over meaningful conversations. The event fosters business growth, social networking and genuine friendships. Thu., March 6, 11:45am-1pm at Feast Food Co. 546 NW Seventh St., Redmond. Cost of meal.

3/8

Pexels

Road to Table

Each year, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife issues a growing number of roadkill salvage permits to people taking elk and deer from the road to their dinner table. The “whys” for salvaging are many, ranging from ethical concerns to saving money on food. The “hows” are not for the squeamish.

Story and Photos by Jennifer Baires

Anne Christmas, a retired teacher from California, moved to a 5-acre farm behind the Sisters Rodeo grounds in 2017 seeking a different life.

“I grew up in Palos Verdes, California, and it was beautiful and wonderful,” Christmas says. “And I felt like we had fresh air and land there. But nothing like Central Oregon fresh air.”

On a recent visit to Christmas’ homestead, over a dozen chickens from her 40-plus flock are roosting around the large, wraparound patio, sending up a cacophony of crows and squawks. Inside, Christmas is busy roasting, chopping, searing and prepping ingredients for venison stew. It’s a take on her grandmother’s recipe, one that replaces beef with deer. In this case, a doe Christmas recovered last year off Highway 20.

“A friend knew of a deer that had just been hit, and he called me and said, ‘Come on over,’”

Christmas says as she adds onions to a pan. “And I said, ‘Well, I can’t, because my husband’s not home and I won’t be able to do it on my own.’

And he said, ‘No problem. I’ll help you.’ He loaded the deer into my truck, and I had to gut it and skin it, and then a couple of days later, after hanging it, I had to butcher it.”

To hang and butcher it, Christmas enlisted the help of a nearby friend — another woman who had also never carved up an entire deer. While her friend held up a cell phone playing a YouTube deer-butchering tutorial, Christmas diligently cut into the animal. It took hours — much longer, she guesses, than experienced butcherers. But she was pleased with the results. The doe had been hit by a car, Christmas says, but had very little bruising — ideal for harvesting “beautiful meat.”

“I really didn’t know what I was doing, and I wanted to do an excellent job of it,” she says. “The YouTube video I was watching was fantastic. It talked about tying off the esophagus so that you could get the whole part of the guts out.”

Christmas and her husband are part of a small but growing movement in Oregon to salvage fresh roadkill from the state’s ribbons of roads for food at home. It’s a movement that gained visibility with the passage of Senate Bill 372 in 2017, which legalized the process for deer and elk. Among the rules for the salvage program that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2019, are that you must apply for a permit

within 24 hours of salvaging an animal, you must remove the entire carcass, including gut piles from the side of the road, and you must surrender the antlers and head of the animal to an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) office within five business days for testing.

Since its implementation five years ago, ODFW has issued over 8,000 salvage permits. Bend ranks fifth among the cities with the highest overall salvage permits. Most of the permits are issued from cities along I-5, just over the Cascades, where more

“The Boneyard” off Highway 20 near Sisters is a popular dumping ground for roadkill picked up by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Anne Christmas and her husband have salvaged roughly half a dozen deer from Oregon roadways since the state legalized the practice in 2019.

“For my family, it’s a useful way to put meat in the freezer instead of it rotting away on the side of the road.”

—SHELBY BOAL

cars on the road mean more animals hit.

A Facebook group named Oregon Roadkill Recovery boasts almost 11,000 people with regular posts notifying would-be salvagers of recent roadkill sightings. There’s also an offshoot of the group, Central Oregon Roadkill Recovery, with a few hundred members. On most posts in the groups, users note where and when they saw the dead animal, the state of the body, some details of decomposition, like how bloated it appeared, and often a picture. Where some see simply roadkill, others see opportunity.

“Saw about 9:50am. Elk down in Beaverton on 185th Ave south of Germantown Rd. That’s all the information relayed to me. Good luck!” a user posted on Feb. 23. Within an hour, the post had two dozen comments — including a picture of the body — with posters working out who was nearby and best able to recover the animal.

Shelby Boal, who lives in La Pine, is a member of the Facebook group, and together with her family, she’s salvaged numerous deer. Boal says salvaging roadkill is an easy decision.

“For my family, it’s a useful way to put meat in the freezer instead of it rotting away on the side of the road,” Boal says. “Venison has a high protein content and is a great alternative to other red meats since it’s also lower in fat content.”

Boal says a background in hunting and knowing what red flags to look for as a sign that the meat has turned helps, too.

“Not every deer is salvageable. If it has obvious trauma to organs, they may be ruptured, which would render the meat no good. You also want to

check for tissue damage and the overall smell of the animal.”

While Christmas was preparing ingredients for venison stew in her kitchen, she shared similar sentiments, talking at length about how lean and nutritious deer meat is and all for the right price.

“It is so nice having almost free meat. I did pay a little bit for the bag to hang it in this last time, but I don’t think I paid for anything else,” she says.

Testing Heads

At the ODFW office in Bend, on the border between industrial and residential neighborhoods in the Old Farm District, biologist Kristin Fratella pulls on blue latex gloves and strides across the office’s shop to a refrigerator. She pulls out a worn, blood-stained WinCo bag and peeks inside.

“This is usually how we get them,” she says with a laugh, “in various states. This one’s missing an eyeball.”

Fratella takes the bagged spike mule deer head to a tall metal table and pulls it out, causing the deer’s bloated, blackened tongue to flop out. “We’re just going to grab some lymph nodes and a tooth off of it,” she says as she picks up a small hand saw. “What I’m looking for on this is the retropharyngeal lymph nodes.” She quickly saws through the back of the skull and digs around in the head, easily finding the lymph nodes — and a maggot.

“Sometimes you get a surprise maggot,” she says with a laugh. Blood splatter happens too, she adds, as she looks down at her stained shirt. “I usually have a change of clothes here for that reason.”

Fratella takes the lymph nodes for testing because that’s the part of the deer most likely to contain evidence of chronic wasting disease (CWD). As one of six CWD surveillance biologists for ODFW, Fratella tests every head brought into the Bend office for the deadly disease and helps monitor the health of the state’s deer population. CWD is a serious concern, not just for deer but potentially for humans. Fratella likens it to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, otherwise known as mad cow disease, which also involves a prion protein that causes normal brain proteins to fold abnormally.

“It’s a degenerative disease,” Fratella says, “The deer start to lose their mental faculties. They’re not able to eat, and they’re also more likely to be struck by vehicles, which is why we’re really interested in getting those samples from roadkill salvage.”

Kristin Fratella, one of six surveillance biologists at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, tests surrendered deer and elk heads for chronic wasting disease, a fatal, neurodegenerative infection.

Data provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Though there isn’t any proof, yet, that people can get sick from eating or handling an infected animal, Fratella says that the official recommendation is to wait for the testing results from ODFW before eating roadkill since similar diseases, like mad cow, have been shown to transmit to humans. So far, CWD hasn’t been detected in Oregon, but it has been found in all bordering states and could infect an animal for up to two years before symptoms show.

“It’s not something that you can simply cook out of the meat or just rinse off,” she says. “It’s something that is very persistent.”

Still, assuming an animal is harvested fresh and passes the “smell test” when picking it up, in addition to the CWD test later, she sees no harm in eating roadkill.

“Before I had this job, I did eat a roadkill deer,” she tells me in the breakroom at ODFW. “There’s a professor at OSU that made deer ribs for a barbecue.”

The Boneyard

As Christmas browns the venison from the doe she found and butchered a year ago, she talks about how she prefers roadkill to farmed animals. Other than the eggs from her chickens, it’s the only type of meat she’ll eat.

“When people tell me that they have venison, I often tell them, you know, just tell me it’s roadkill, and I’m good with it,” she says, letting out a small chuckle. “I do believe in hunting. I believe that it

“Growing animals to eat? Just doesn't seem right to me.”

ANNE CHRISTMAS

Information provided by ODFW from self-reported data by salvage participants; there may be some inaccuracies with exact species identification. This is a reflection of the entirety of the program from 2019-2025.

"The Boneyard" on a snowy February afternoon.

Anne Christmas.

needs to be done to keep the populations where they should be, especially since we’ve messed up their environment, their living space and all of that. But I’d rather eat roadkill.”

She recognizes that it’s an unusual practice but considers it an ethical way to eat animals.

“Growing animals to eat? Just doesn’t seem

right to me,” she says.

And, if an animal like the doe she took, or the other handful of deer she and her husband have salvaged over the last five years, isn’t removed from roadways for food, it’ll just end up in a dumping site like the one down the road from her house.

The dumping ground that Christmas and her husband affectionately nicknamed “The Boneyard” is about a football field’s distance off Highway 20 along a dirt road. At first blush, and with a few inches of snow on the ground, the barren landscape looks like any other stretch of undeveloped woods. Christmas and I walk a few yards into the area, our feet crunching in the snow as she points out carcasses. Ribcages and limbs scatter the landscape, picked clean by scavengers. This is where she dumped the remains of the doe she harvested.

“If you get here on a day when people have been dumping, before the coyotes get here, sometimes there are a couple different animals,” she says. “But, right now, probably just deer and maybe elk.”

Tomorrow night she’ll serve her stew at a family dinner, a welcome home for her husband and in-laws. Not everyone in the family is a fan of roadkill, though — at least they weren’t initially.

“My father is the worst about it,” she says. “He just thinks it’s so horrible that I eat roadkill, but when I feed it to him, he’s really happy. He thinks it’s delicious.”

—This story is powered by the Lay It Out Foundation, the nonprofit with a mission of promoting deep reporting and investigative journalism in Central Oregon. Learn more and be part of this important work by visiting layitoutfoundation.org.

Information provided by ODFW from self-reported data by salvage participants; there may be some inaccuracies with exact location identification.

Anne Christmas adjusts a favorite family stew recipe, swapping out beef for venison recovered from a deer hit by a car off Highway 20.

S SOUND

‘Half a Hundred Years,’ and Then Some Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel’s decades-long revival of Western

swing rolls on

By Chris Young

“

Inever thought I’d last a half a hundred years,” bellows the smooth baritone of Ray Benson on Asleep at the Wheel’s “Half a Hundred Years” — not a lot of folks have had this kind of longevity in the music industry. From behind a big white beard, Benson’s answer to his showbiz success is preceded by a deep, hearty chuckle: “Stubbornness, I guess. You know, whenever the time came where we’d go, ‘Well, are we going to keep doing this?’ I said, ‘Oh yeah, I love doing it.’ I love playing. I love touring. And I got a few more years. As long as my health holds up and people keep coming to the shows, I’ll keep doing it.”

As the autobiographical title track from his 2021 album — reportedly his 26th studio record with the outfit he founded in 1970 in Paw Paw, West Virginia — runs its course, Benson quips: “Might catch up to Willie one of these days.”

The Red Headed Stranger has been a friend of the band since the early days, encouraging the budding group to relocate to Austin in 1973, knowing they’d find more receptive audiences in Texas. In 1976, Asleep at the Wheel was the inaugural guest on the first official episode of “Austin City Limits” and has appeared 10 more times over the subsequent five decades.

In the early ’90s, Benson and Asleep at the Wheel decided to pay homage to Bob Wills, the godfather of Western swing music — the sound they’d been attempting to keep alive for the next generation.

“It was a hybrid form of music that was championed by many bands and singers and players from the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. Then in the ’60s, it really sort of disappeared,” Benson explains. “It was not mainstream music. Rock ‘n’ roll really kicked its butt, and then modern country music, too.”

So how’d Asleep at the Wheel make a living beating a dead horse during its nascent years? And how did Western swing become, as Benson puts it, “part of the fabric of American popular music”?

“We had a very small part in helping that, along with Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson and dozens of [others],” Benson says. That 1993 “Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys” — which features Haggard and Nelson plus Dolly Parton, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Lyle Lovett, Huey Lewis, Brooks & Dunn and many more, including original Wheel players Lucky Oceans, Chris

O’Connell and Floyd Domino — helped as well.

“I really have to credit Willie Nelson — and Merle Haggard — for really backing us with their endorsement, almost, you know?” Benson reflects. When putting that record together, “the first person I would go to is Willie — he’s my close friend. And so as soon as people heard, ‘Oh, you’re doing it with Willie,’ or Merle, then all these people jumped on board.”

"As long as my health holds up and people keep coming to the shows, I'll keep doing it."

—RAY BENSON

They jumped again in 1999 on “Ride with Bob” — again featuring Haggard and Nelson plus Reba McEntire, Dwight Yoakam, The Chicks, Lee Ann Womack, Tim McGraw and more — before skipping forward to 2015’s celebration of Wills on “Still the King” with — you guessed it — Nelson and Haggard alongside The Avett Brothers, Amos Lee, Old Crow Medicine Show, Del McCoury, Brad Paisley, Shooter Jennings and then some.

Notable as these collaborations may be, they are just a small sampling of the Wheel’s incredible recorded output. Ten Grammy Awards may sound impressive, but this is a live band — one that’s seen more than 100 musicians attend the Benson school of Western swing. And maybe that’s how he’s kept the tradition alive.

“I’ve had the luxury of always having a band, between six piece and 12 piece. And right now, we’re usually seven or eight pieces,” Benson says. “When they [new players] join the band, we tell them a very simple thing: Here’s the tape, or here’s the file,” Benson chuckles, “of what went before. Learn the song, learn the way we’ve done it. And then add whatever personality and technical ability you have to that. That’s what works, because then they have something to build on, as opposed to something to just ape.”

As the Wheel rolls on, today’s touring band features steel guitarist Curtis Clogston, Jonathan Doyle on sax and clarinet, Radoslav Lorković on piano and accordion, bassist Michael Archer, drummer Russ Patterson

and newcomer Ian Stewart on fiddle.

“When they join the band, I feature them. That’s the deal,” Benson adds, highlighting his innate ability to guide this group without ego throughout the years. “Sure, I’m the bandleader and I sing most of the songs,” he continues. “There are plenty of sideman gigs, but there are not a lot of gigs which enable him [Stewart] to sing the lead, write songs, be featured as a soloist, etc. And to me, that just makes the band that much better.”

From tributes stacked with icons of country music to more than 50 years of two-stepping originals, “the camaraderie among musicians is so important because that’s where great collaborations bring great music,” Benson sums up. It’s the reason Asleep at the Wheel still exists after all these years.

Asleep at the Wheel’s trajectory showcases a beautiful mashup of modern and bygone eras. Making an old style of music feel new again, there’s a line from the “Half a Hundred Years” track “There You Go Again” with Lyle Lovett that says: “There you go sending Venmos, to folks you barely know / There you go quoting Shakespeare, you never read him this I know!”

“Obviously I’ve had to adjust with the times or we would not be successful,” Benson says matter of factly. His sons, who he runs the business with, help him stay up to date. “If you don’t follow the technological changes that enable you to do things easier, faster, cheaper, you’re probably not going to be able to do it.”

“People ask me: What was the biggest change in your life from 1970 to the present? The first thing that was the biggest change was the fax machine,” Benson laughs. “The second thing was mobile phones, obviously. We got some of the first and it just changed our entire life. It was so amazing. It used to be you had a sack full of quarters and you’d use pay phones.”

Truth be told, life on the road hasn’t gotten simpler even with present-day advances — and, unsurprisingly, everything costs more money these days. “We’re coming up to Bend. To get from Austin, Texas — the first show will be in Portland — well, just to drive the bus up there costs thousands,” Benson says. (Not to mention the challenges of navigating our Central Oregon city: “The one thing I always say about Bend,” he pauses to laugh, “I’ve never seen a city build so many roundabouts. To take a 45-foot bus around those things is always a game.”)

“We have a Happy Trails plan that in a couple of years we’ll stop with the year-round touring, but we’ll never stop playing as long as I’m capable.”

When the Source Weekly spoke to Benson in late January, he was at home in Austin, “working on a new album” based around a concept that he calls “a pretty safe bet.”

“It’s an album of all Texas songs. We’ve been talking about doing this for about 15 years, and so I guess we finally got around to it.” More Texas standards — songs by Guy Clark, Peter Rowan, the Carter Family, Bob Wills and a Benson original.

When all is said and done, the legacy of Ray Benson may very well be right up there with the aforementioned. Too humble to say it himself, but it’s likely the ditties of Western swing would sound much softer without the torch-bearing efforts of Asleep at the Wheel for the last 55 years and counting.

Asleep at the Wheel

March 19; doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm; all ages

Ray Benson brings Western swing music back to Bend at the Tower Theatre on March 19.

SOURCE PICKS

WEDNESDAY 3/5

EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH ADVENTURE SPEAKER SERIES

FEATURING TWO FEMALE ARMY CAPTAINS

Discover how two female Army captains are empowering military women through adventure. Speakers Capt. Kim Liszka and Capt. Dakota Olsen Hariss will share their unique experiences about how women are protecting our country and communities, plus learn how to better support them and each other. Wed., March 5, 6-8pm at Embark Coworking Community. 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend. Free.

FRIDAY 3/7

PIANO FLOW LIVE AT MT. BACHELOR

LISTEN TO PAULA DREYER’S BEAUTIFUL PIANO MUSIC

Ski the candlelit trails under the stars at Mt. Bachelor while award-winning pianist Paula Dreyer serenades you with her beautiful piano music. Enjoy hot drinks and menu specials at the Nordic Cafe, take a Nordic ski or snowshoe and celebrate the great outdoors to the sound of music. Fri., March 7 at Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center. 13000 Century Dr., Bend. $20-$40.

SATURDAY 3/8

WINTER CARNIVAL AT HOODOO

A FUN ANNUAL TRADITION

Winter Carnival has been a tradition at Hoodoo for 40-plus years and includes a day full of free activi ties from axe throwing, an archery contest, a team tube race, a Hoodoo employee snow sculpture con test, bingo and more. The fun-filled day ends with a torchlit descent and fireworks on the mountain. Sat., March 8, 9am-9pm at Hoodoo Ski Area. 27400 Big Lake Rd., Sisters. Free.

SATURDAY 3/8

DIVA DRAG BRUNCH

MUSIC, FOOD AND FUN!

Diva Drag Brunch is back and taking over the Campfire Hotel once again for Winter PrideFest! Join PNW drag performers Lylac, Boujee Cherry, Heavy Cream, Jayla Rose, Slutashia and Amora Namor for an afternoon of music, food and fun! Sat., March 8, 11am-2pm at Campfire Hotel. 721 NE Third St., Bend. $25.

SATURDAY - SUNDAY 3/8 - 3/9

KIDS’ ENTREPRENEUR MARKET

AN ECO-FRIENDLY MARKET RAN BY KIDS

An entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market for ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their own products and services, all while considering the protection of our beloved planet. Sat., March 8 and Sun., March 9, 1-4pm at Downtown Bend Library, Brooks Room. 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Free to attend, $10-$20 to participate

SATURDAY 3/8

MT. BACHELOR WINTER PRIDEFEST

WHERE THE SLOPES MEET THE BEATS

Continue the Winter PrideFest weekend celebration with a day of thrilling runs on the slopes, then turn up the heat at the West Village Lodge party at Mt. Bachelor. Groove to beats by DJ Jenn N Juice and get ready to be wowed by special guest Yvie Oddly. Sat., March 8, 1-4pm at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, West Village. 13000 SW Century Dr., Bend. Free. SATURDAY 3/8

WINTER PRIDEFEST DANCE PARTY

THE ULTIMATE QUEER DANCE PARTY

Get ready to slay the night with beats from DJ Jae Fusz, the electrifying DJ Spikey Van Dykey and DJ Jenn N Juice for a full night of music. The dance party features performances by Yvie Oddly from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alongside the eclectic drag performances from Lylac Sat., March 8, 8pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $30.

SATURDAY 3/8

ULTIMATE APRÈS DANCE PARTY WITH DJ ROBERT PLANET

A POST-SHRED PARTY AT BOSS RAMBLER

Boss Rambler Beer Club is hosting its second ultimate après party featuring DJ Robert Planet. Grab all your friends and throw on your best neon ski attire and join the post-shred party. Sat., March 8, 6-9pm at Boss Rambler Beer Club. 1009 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Free.

TUESDAY 3/11

THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS WITH ERIN RAE

A HARMONIOUS DUO

Minneapolis-based duo The Cactus Blossoms is known for its harmonious blend of folk, country and early rock ‘n’ roll tunes. The pair’s music features intimate harmonies, creating a nostalgic yet modern sound often described as “genre-fusing counTue., March 11, 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub. 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $18.

Kate Molletta

The

Experience a Staycation

Locals-Only Rates Starting at $158

Including a $50 resort credit for each night of your stay

MARCH 15

Full Moon Yoga & Sound Healing

Saturate your mind, body, and soul with the healing properties of the Full Moon. This hour-long guided yoga class is gentle and slow, combined with powerful sound healing to accompany your full-moon yoga practice.

Exclusive Igloo Experience

Sunriver Resort’s private, heated igloos provide the perfect cozy atmosphere, complete with blankets, a Bluetoothconnected speaker and board games. Step outside to a crackling firepit and complimentary s’mores kit.

Mountain Shuttle & Ski Valet

Exclusive to resort guests, our daily mountain shuttles leaves from The Lodge at Sunriver Resort and drops you off at Mt Bachelor’s West Village Lodge. Enjoy complimentary ski valet when you reserve a roundtrip shuttle.

FRIDAY NIGHTS

Planetarium Shows

Learn about the solar system with the Sunriver Observatory at Sunriver Resort. The inflatable planetarium will be set up for an interpreter-led guided solar system tour. Friday evening shows at 5:30 and 6 pm.

DAILY DAILY

CALENDAR

5 Wednesday

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company Wednesday Jam Sessions Drink some fine cask or imported beers and try some amazing British pies while listening to local musicians jam out. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Eric Leadbetter Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music from Eric Leadbetter. 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.

M&J Tavern Open Mic Night Downtown living room welcomes musicians to bring their acoustic set or turn it up to eleven with the whole band. Bring your own instruments. Goes to last call or last musician, whichever comes first. 21+. 6:30pm. Free.

McMenamins Old St. Francis School Use’ta Do Roots-country & bluegrass straight outta Central Oregon, connecting audiences to music performances like they “Use’ta Do.” 7-10pm. Free.

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.

Pangaea Guild Hall D&D Battle Royale! • Teams of 2 Players • Lvl-6 Characters, Standard Array Stats | 2024 5e PHB Rules | No Homebrew Rules • 1 Magic Item & Potion per Player, Uncommon Rarity or Lower • Prizes Awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams • Seasonal Wins/Losses tracked, prizes for top teams 6-10pm. $5.

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.

Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesdays Enjoy bingo at Ponch’s Place on Wednesday’s. 5-7pm. Free.

Portello Wine and Spirits Midweek Music Lounge with Mark Creech Break up the midweek slump with great wine, craft cocktail, and live music! Join us for an evening of music with Mark Creech, bringing his talent and great vibes to Portello Wine and Spirits. A great way to bring some energy to your week! Reservations and walk-ins welcome! 6-8pm. Free.

Prost! Bend Trivia Prost! UKB Trivia is now at Prost! Genuine UKB Trivia is no average trivia night! Meet up with friends, win gift card prizes for top teams! Enjoy Prost’s authentic beer and food menu. Trivia is free to play, with no buy-ins! 7-9pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Dang Jazz Night

With Haute Melange Haute Melange brings Gypsy Jazz to Deschutes County in the tradition of Django Reinhardt, with elegant, high-class blends of traditional and modern swing as the band’s name represents. 6pm. $10.

The Commonwealth Pub Juliane Hansen with Franchot Tone Mys Jae is a singer/ songwriter based in Bend, who writes about life. She is classically trained in piano, voice, and oboe and considers this rich foundation a huge influence of her melodic style. 7:30pm. Free.

indeed, the Missouri-based singer/songwriter’s ability to set gripping, evocative narratives within soundscapes that weave together country, blues, folk, r&b, bluegrass. 7pm. $12/$15.

6

Thursday

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.

Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Thursday at Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Thursdays 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. In-house menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:308:30pm. 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.

Crave Kitchen 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.

Deschutes Brewery & Public House Stand Up Comedy It’s time for Stand Up Comedy with Soul of Wit Productions! Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at this hilarious night of comedy. Join us on First Thursdays at the Deschutes Brewery Bend Public House! **Headliners include Geoff Tate, Kermet Apio, & Susan Rice** First Thursday of every month, 7-9pm. $25.

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.

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 with Quizhead Games Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place with QuizHead Games. 5-7pm. Free.

River’s Place Piña Colada Infectious energy and feel-good yacht/pop, rock and R&B tunes of the ‘70s and ‘80s. 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Trivia on the Moon Come down to Silver Moon Brewing for a night of trivia! Teams are welcome to show up in groups up to 8 people. Silver Moon also offers seating reservations for $20 donations that all go to F*Cancer! If you would like to reserve a table please contact the Trivia on the Moon Facebook page. 7pm. Free.

LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

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Stihl Whiskey Bar The Brandon Campbell Trio Live Gypsy Swing with The Brandon Campbell Trio at Stihl Whiskey Bar! 7-9pm. Free.

Stoller Wine Bar Bend The Critical Blues Band live The Critical Blues Band brings their high-energy, low-down brand of blues back to Stoller Wine Bar. Honoring the legends of the genre, The Critical Blues Band delivers the power of the blues with a passion that gets audiences moving. 6-8pm. Free.

The Capitol Underground Latin Dance Party We look forward to seeing you at The Capitol first Thursday of every month for Bend’s best monthly Latin Dance Party. A quick dance lesson will be offered at the beginning of the night to kick things off on the right foot. 8-11:45pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Eric Leadbetter Solo Ledbetter’s music is very unique and original, with ghostly echoes of the golden ages of rock. And it should be, since he draws his musical inspiration from these eras by listening to a vast collection of classic vinyl. 7:30pm. Free.

The Dez Lounge Open Mic w/ Joyful Lane Join Joyful Lane as he hosts open mic night @The Dez Lounge! Enjoy NA cocktails, Charcuterie and desserts while listening to local talent! 6-9pm. Free.

The Lot Paul Eddy Bedell Artist and local singer/songwriter sings Beatles to Sinatra, plus originals. 6-8pm. Free.

Webfoot Garage at Silver Moon Brewing Cptn Over, Moon Rattles, North by North & Sungrater North by North is the rock & roll dream of two weirdos from Chicago, IL. Their garage-y power-pop sound has been forged through years of teen angst, twenty-something alienation, sleeping in vans, and practically living on a stage. 7pm. $13/$15.

7 Friday

Desert Inn Sports Bar & Grill Chasin’ Bandits feat Christie Strode Chasin’ Bandits plays country, rock & southern rock tunes. Christie Strode adds her vocal talents to many of your favorite songs. The Desert Inn has a great menu w Prime Rib Fridays. Catch this talented band first Friday monthly all season long. Great vibes off the Culver Hwy! First Friday of every month, 7-10pm. Free.

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.

Big E’s Sports Bar Karaoke Night Central Oregon’s most fun karaoke venue! Karaoke is hosted by A Fine Note Karaoke Too and DJ Jackie J. Delicious food and drink and a friendly staff. Come join the show where you are the star! 8pm. Free.

Portello Wine and Spirits Portland’s Beth Willis - Live music! Beth brings the ultimate night of music, packed with energy, spontaneity and pure talent, delivering an unforgettable live experience that keeps the crowd engaged and singing along. With smoky, effortless vocals, and an unstoppable song catalog, Beth is a true musical treasure. She is like a human jukebox-only better! -8, 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Seventh Mountain Resort WIGS - An Ice Breaker Ice skating with wigs! A fun way for participants to connect. This event is open to all ages – so bring your kiddos! $14 to skate for adults, $12 for kids. Skates are first come, first serve. 4-8pm. Free with RSVP - Skates $12/$14.

Silver Moon Brewing JUJU EYEBALL - BEND’S BEATLES BAND JuJu Eyeball is a high-energy Beatles cover band in Bend, active between 2015-present. 7pm. $10.

Silver Moon Brewing Mardi Gras New Orleans style Come enjoy the time of your life New Orleans style. We will play bingo with prizes as well as limbo with prizes! We also have performers and a DJ full of great music. We will have a costume contest with a $100 cash prize. So bring your sexiest outfit! 7:45pm-Midnight. $15.

Silver Moon Brewing Mardi Gras New Orleans Party Come celebrate the month of Mardi Gras! Wear your sexiest Mardi Gras outfit. There will be bingo and games with prizes. As well as a costume contest with a cash prize! Dance and have the time of your life for Mardi Gras. 7:4511pm. $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.

Based in Portland, Galen Clark is a keyboardist, songwriter and producer that creates genre-bending music of psychedelic funk and groove-heavy electronic jazz. Thu., March 6, 6pm at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse.

Galen Clark FB

CALENDAR

Stihl Whiskey Bar The Brandon Campbell Trio Live Gypsy Swing with The Brandon Campbell Trio at Stihl Whiskey Bar! 7-9pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Cheyenne West Nashville recording artist and seasoned songwriter Cheyenne West has been making country music since she was barely 12 years old. Since then, Cheyenne hasn't stopped pursuing her dream, has continued writing songs and has opened for stars such as Lee Brice, James Otto, Granger Smith, Colt Ford and most recently Ned Ledoux. Her high energy shows and country rockin' flavor keep the crowds yearning for more and her humble, yet bold personality will have people buzzin for many more years to come!. 8pm. Free

The Dez Lounge DJ Preet (@preet2d2) DJ Preet serves as your in-house resident DJ for First Friday’s at the DEZ. Spinning diverse and eclectic sets featuring global artists & his own original compositions. Dress festive and come prepared to enjoy vibrant beverages accompanied by spicy beats and luscious soundscapes. First Friday of every month, 6-9pm. Free.

Tower Theatre Queer Comedy Night - Winter PrideFest 2025 We’re beyond excited to bring the sensational Erin Foley to the Tower Theatre for a night of unstoppable laughter! Joining her are some of the best from the West Coast -Zack Binder (Los Angeles) Juno Men (Seattle). This event is 21+ 7-10pm. $30 - $55.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon HDCM Concert Series: JEFFREY KAHANE High Desert Chamber Music’s 17th season, presented by Washington Trust Bank and Lynch Murphy McLane LLP, continues with celebrated pianist Jeffrey Kahane. This evening is brought to you by Mission Building. Tickets available through HDCM by phone or online. Come hear the music! 7:30-9pm. $10-$48.

8 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.

Boss Rambler Beer Club Ultimate Après Dance Party with DJ Robert Planet It’s party number two of our featuring an APRÉS DJ SET by @djrobertplanet ! You know it’s going to be WIIIIIILD, so grab all your friends, throw on your best NEON (obnoxious ski dress encouraged!), and join us for the raddest post-shred party in-town! 6-9pm. Free.

Bunk+Brew Apres-Ski Saturdays End your ski day in style at Bunk + Brew! From 7-10pm, enjoy music, sauna passes, brews and aprèsski vibes. Discounts for Mt. Bachelor pass holders and employees. Food carts open all night! 7-10pm. Free.

Craft Kitchen & Brewery Comedy Night at Craft Kitchen & Brewery Join Bits N Skits Productions for a night of comedy at Craft Kitchen & Brewery. Come eat, drink, and be made merry while laughing along with Bend’s most talented comedians. · 21+ only recommended due to explicit content · $15 online/$20 at the door Craft Kitchen & Brewery: 62988 Layton Second Saturday of every month, 8-9:30pm. $15 online/$20 at the door.

Mount Bachelor Ski ResortWest Village Mt Bachelor West Village Lodge Party - Winter PrideFest 2025 Kick off your day with thrilling early runs, then turn up the heat at the West Village Lodge Party— where the slopes meet the beats! Groove to beats by the incredible DJ Jenn N Juice and get ready to be wowed by special guest Yvie Oddly! 1-4pm. Free.

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

Portello Wine and Spirits Portland’s Beth Willis - Live music! Beth brings the ultimate night of music, packed with energy, spontaneity and pure talent, delivering an unforgettable live experience that keeps the crowd engaged and singing along. With smoky, effortless vocals, and and an unstoppable song catalog, Beth is a true musical treasure. She is like a human jukebox-only better! March 7-8, 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Powell Butte Community Center Public Dance Public Dance featuring Frank Carlson. Western, rock and ‘50s. Saloon & Chuck Wagon Kitchen open at 6pm. Dance 7-10pm. Food reasonable price-pulled pork sand, calico beans and cole slaw. 7-10pm. $10.

River Pig Saloon Bend Winter Pride Party! Winter Pride has arrived & we’re shipping our favorite Seattle-based DJ down to celebrate. Pretty Please has DJ’d sets at Seattle staple Queer Bar for RuPaul drag queens Bosco & Irene the Alien so we know it’s going to be hot on the dance floor. 9pm-1am. Free.

River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Haute Mélange, Gypsy Jazz at River’s Place. 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Winter PrideFest 2025 Dance Party Get ready to slay the night with beats from DJ Jae Fusz, the electrifying DJ Spikey Van Dykey, and the iconic DJ Jenn N Juice! The party heats up with jaw-dropping performances by Yvie Oddly from RuPaul’s Drag Race alongside the fierce Lylac and Boujee Cherry. . $30.

The Commonwealth Pub Sonic Benders Sonic Benders is a 5-piece dance-driven instrumental Roots Funk band made up of Central Oregon all-star musicians: “Brother Gabe” Johnson (Watkins Glen, MFG, Vibeshiftas) on guitars, Patrick Ondrozeck (Company Grand, The Mostest) on keys, David Watts (The Cutmen) on bass, Jarrod Donatelli (Fractal). 8pm. Free.

9 Sunday

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

River’s Place Trivia! Free to play and prizes to win! UKB Trivia hosts this fun meeting of the minds. Check out our mimosa menu! Noon-2pm. Free.

River’s Place Mason James Folk, indie-pop local musician who loves taking songs from all generations and making them his own. 5-7pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub BENDing StringsPacific Northwest Rock Night Join us for another night of heavy riffs, fuzzy sounds, and a chaotic fun time dedicated to rock n roll. We are excited to host 3 great PNW bands. Starting the night with Plum Vision out of Boise, ID. Then the Macks & Monsterwatch. Buy Fee-Free tix at Revival Vintage! 7pm. $15 presale.

10 Monday

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.

Bunk+Brew Open Mic Mondays Show off your talent at Bunk + Brew! Open mic runs from 6-10pm, with sign-ups starting at 5:30. Stick around for open jam from 9-10pm. Enjoy food carts in our backyard while supporting local performers. Located in the Historic Lucas House Living Room for winter. 6-10pm. Free.

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

Elixir Wine 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 at Immersion Brewing - Bend Comedy - Open Mic at 7pmSign up at 6:30pm - 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! - 5 minutes spoken or 2 songs of stage time! 7-9pm. Free.

JC’s Bar & Grill Free Pool + all day Happy Hour! Free pool Mondays! All-day Happy Hour, free pool with any purchase, and unbeatable deals on drinks and bites! Enjoy delicious eats, ice-cold brews, and game day vibes with football on and the sound up. Don’t miss out- Mondays just got way better! 2pm-Midnight. 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.

The Commonwealth Pub Monday Acoustic Open Mic Night Monday Acoustic Open Mic Night at The Commonwealth Pub Whether you’re performing original songs or acoustic covers, the stage is yours Monday nights at The Commonwealth Pub! With full sound and lights provided, just bring your instrument and get ready to shine! Sign-ups 5pm and music 6-10pm. 5pm. Free.

11 Tuesday

Bevel Craft Brewing Puzzled Pint at Bevel Puzzled Pint is a casual, social puzzle-solving event happening at rotating bars on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. These puzzles often incorporate crossword clues, code breaking, word play, and logic problems. “Game Control” will be there to give hints and verify answers. Completely free, come any time! 6-9pm. Free.

Bunk+Brew Trivia Tuesdays Test your knowledge every Tuesday from 7-9pm at Bunk + Brew! New exciting themes every week. Bring your friends for a night of fun and prizes. Food carts will be open, so grab a bite or brew while you play. Located in the Historic Lucas House Dining Room. 7-9pm. Free.

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company Open Mic Open mic at The Cellar hosted by Mari! 6-8pm and all are welcome! 6-8pm. Free.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom Open Mic StoryTellers open mic nights are full of music, laughs and community. Mason James is the host. Poetry, comedy and spoken word are welcome, but this is mainly a musical open mic. Performance slots are a quick 10 minutes each, so being warmed up and ready is ideal. If you wish to perform sign-ups start at 5pm in the cafe. 6pm. Free.

Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger Come to Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Fun and prizes await! 7:30-9pm. Free. Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free.

Pinky G’s Pizzeria TRIVIA NIGHT Test your knowledge in a casual/laid-back atmosphere. Pizza, beer and trivia. Free to play and prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.

River’s Place Bingo! Have fun, win $$, and support a local nonprofit organization! Cards $1-$5. 6-8pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Karaoke Get ready for a night of music, singing, and nonstop fun at The Commonwealth Pub! DJ Chris is bringing the energy with top 40 hits and all your favorite karaoke tracks. Grab your friends, warm up those vocal cords, and join us for an unforgettable evening. Sign-ups 6pm Karaoke 7pm! Free.

The Lot TRIVIA TUESDAY @ The Lot Join your trivia loving peeps on the heated benches for a fun Tuesday evening out! Six categories with six questions each. Eat. Drink. Think. Prizes from food carts and local breweries. Every Tuesday from November to end of April. 6-8pm. Free.

The Lot Think Wild Trivia at The Lot! Think Wild Trivia Nights are back this fall! Test your knowledge of local wildlife, outdoor recreation, conservation news, and more! Support Central Oregon’s wildlife hospital, win fun prizes, and enjoy delicious food and beverages at The Lot! Second Tuesday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.

This summer, Pink Martini heads to Bend on its 30th anniversary tour extravaganza featuring China Forbes, bringing all of its classical and jazz pop tunes to the stage for an afternoon show. Sun., June 29, 2pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater.

Pink Martini FB

Volcanic Theatre Pub The Cactus Blossoms w/ Erin Rae The Cactus Blossoms are a Minneapolis-based duo known for their harmonious blend of country, folk, and early rock and roll. Their music features close harmonies reminiscent of sibling acts from the 1940s and ’50s, creating a nostalgic yet modern sound. They have been described as “genre-fusing country-folk” 7pm. $18 presale.

MUSIC

Live Music Nights: Mari & The Dream

Grab your favorite bites & sips, and listen to the music, curated by Migz Music. Tonight’s artist is Mari & The Dream, playing rock and Americana fusion. Live music artists are featured 6pm to 8pm, at Bar Rio in downtown Bend. March 9, 6-8pm. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free. Live Music Thursdays: Ali & Co Grab your favorite bites & sips, and listen to the music, curated by Migz Music. This week’s artist is Ali & Co, playing Latin/Americana tunes. Live music artists are featured every Thursday, 6 to 8pm, at Bar Rio in downtown Bend. March 6, 6-8pm. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

DANCE

Adult Beginner Jazz Dance Workshop

Nonprofit Bend Dance Project and ABC Ballet present a six-week adult beginner jazz dance workshop. Learn fundamental jazz dance vocabulary while getting a great workout! No prior experience needed. Pre-registration required. Call or email for additional info 408-857-6773 Fridays, 10:30-11:45am. Through March 21. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 408-857-6773. jcliff@gmail.com. $50 for the series.

Argentine Tango Classes and Social Dancing

We all need more hugs! Join us for Argentine Tango every Wednesday. Tango 101 lesson at 6:30pm, followed by a práctica from 7-9:30pm. Lesson suitable for brand-new (or experienced) beginners. No partner or shoes required (but socks are nice!). Check Facebook

for latest info. Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm. Sons of Norway Hall, 549 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend. Contact: 901-550-5671. aneezerk@gmail.com. Free your first time, $5 after that.

Ballroom Dance Class - ChaChaCha

A 4-week rhythm dance class for beginner or intermediate levels. This weekly progressive class builds onto prior week’s material. Partner recommended but not required. Foot positions and footwork are the same for Country Western dancers. If you are new to partner dancing, please contact Valerie for more information. Wednesdays, 6-7pm. Through March 27. The Space, 2570 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 110, Bend. Contact: 541-602-6168. valdances@ hotmail.com. $10.

BEND COMMUNITY CONTRA DANCE

Join us for a fun-filled evening of traditional American contra dancing with our energetic Prineville string band: ‘The Barkers and George’! Our talented local callers, Chela, Dave, and Ron, will guide you through the steps, so no experience is necessary. Instruction/warm up session begins at 7pm. March 8, 6:45-9:30pm. Pine Forest Grange Hall, 63214 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Contact: 541306-9563. bendcontra@gmail.com. $10.

Diva Drag Brunch Diva Drag Brunch is back and taking over the Campfire Hotel once again for Winter PrideFest 2025! Featuring the best of the best from the Pacific Northwest. Lylac, Boujee Cherry, Heavy Cream, Jayla Rose, Slutashia, and Amora Namor. We’re bringing everyone together for an outrageous afternoon of fun. March 8, 11am-2pm. Campfire Hotel, 721 Northeast 3rd Street, Bend. Contact: justinbucklesproductions@gmail.com. $25.

Snocial - Winter PrideFest 2025 Winter PrideFest 2025 Presents the Welcoming Snocial Party on Thursday March 7th at Volcanic Theatre Pub! Mix and mingle with other folx and allies over food and drinks. As with last our 2024 Snocial, this is an all ages / family event! Performances start at 7pm. March 6, 5-10pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: info@outcentraloregon.com. $20.

Soulful Sundays Conscious Dance Sunday is a perfect time to step on to the dance floor being in the temple of our bodies, moving as prayer. At the altar all that is present and alive within us, between us, in the world. A facilitated and supported Soul Motion® practice of being with self, other, world, and spirit. Sundays, 10-11:30am. Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga, 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112, Bend. Contact: 541-948-7015. soulinmotionbend@gmail.com. $25.

FILM EVENTS

Becoming Led Zeppelin Becoming Led Zeppelin explores the origins of this iconic group and their meteoric rise in just one year against all the odds. Powered by awe-inspiring, psychedelic, never-before-seen footage, performances, and music, Bernard MacMahon’s experiential cinematic odyssey explores Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical, and personal origin story. March 5, 6:45-9pm. Sisters Movie House, 720 Desperado Court, Sisters. Contact: 541-549-8833. inquiries@sistersmoviehouse. com. $17.

“Raiders of the Lost ark” We’re rolling back ticket prices and giving away birthday cake! Join this weeklong celebration of Central Oregon’s iconic venue and re-experience eight cinematic blockbusters from each decade the Tower was an active movie theater. March 5, 7pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@towertheatre. org. $2.50.

“Forrest Gump” We’re rolling back ticket prices and giving away birthday cake! Join this weeklong celebration of Central Oregon’s iconic venue and re-experience eight cinematic blockbusters from each decade the Tower was an active movie theater. March 6, 7pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541317-0700. info@towertheatre.org. $5.

“The Cigarette Surfboard” Screening & Filmmaker Conversation Cascades Academy is collaborating with BendFilm to present an encore screening of “The Cigarette Surfboard,” winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2024 Bend Film Festival. Filmmaker Ben Judkins will join us in person for a post-screening conversation. March 6, 6-8:30pm. Cascades Academy, 19860 Tumalo Reservoir Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-3820699. info@cascadesacademy.org. Free.

The Power of Screenwriting Join John Breen to unleash your creativity in this immersive, eight-week screenwriting class, where you’ll transform your ideas into a compelling short film script. Whether you’re just starting your storytelling journey or looking to sharpen your writing skills, this course dives into the essentials of fiction and screenwriting. Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm. Through March 20. Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave, Bend. Contact: improvbend@gmail.com. $390.

Ski Film Night Wednesdays Catch epic ski films at Bunk + Brew. Celebrate the slopes with fellow ski enthusiasts. Warm up with great food from our backyard food carts. Wednesdays, 6-9pm. Bunk+Brew, 42 NW Hawthorne Avenue, Bend. Free.

ARTS + CRAFTS

AD Glass & Design’s Glass Shamrock Scavenger Hunt Giveaway for St. Patrick’s Day 2025. AD Glass & Design Glassblowing Studio’s Glass Shamrock Scavenger Hunt Giveaway starts Saturday March 1 through St. Patrick’s Day. Lola, Glassblowing Boxer will be hiding tags all over Bend. Follow us or drop by our studio for hints and pictures of where to find a tag. March 1-17, 9am-5pm. AD Glass & Design, 30 SW Century Dr Suite 120, Bend. Contact: 541-241-8622. aaron@ad-glass.com. Free.

Art with a Splash of Science: Kandinsky, Music and Sound Waves Give your child an afternoon of creativity and fun with Let’s Paint! During the school year, we are hosting an after school session at Sarah’s home studio, complete with painting and art activities. Sign up now! March 7, Noon-3pm. Sarah’s Home Studio, 63320 NE Stonewood Dr, Bend. Contact: 541-480-7491. sarahanneswoffer@gmail.com. $45.

Blacksmithing 101 - Forge a Metal Wall Hook *2 Session Series In this class you will learn the skills you need to begin forging steel in true Maker fashion. Proper hammer strokes, anvil techniques, stance, forge etiquette/management, history of the craft, and safety are emphasized. You will create a useful custom wall hook during the 2-hour class series. March 11, 5:30-7:30pm and March 12, 5:307:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave. com. $279.

First Friday featuring Emily Livengood; “Places” Join us for First Friday to celebrate the opening of “Places,” paintings by Emily Livengood. March 7, 5-7pm. The ANNEX, A Scalehouse Project, 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-362-1288. info@scalehouse.org. Free.

Fitted Nuno Felted Vest Workshop Join us and award-winning felt artist, Flóra Carlile-Kovács at PMRCAA for a three-day immersive workshop covering the full process of creating a seamless garment and constructing a fitted and reversible vest. To register or for more information visit: roundhousefoundation.org/events/ March 7, 10am-5pm. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Rd., Sisters. Contact: 541-904-0700. inquiries@ roundhousefoundation.org. $450.

Foundation in Art, a 4-class series This 4-class series creates a strong foundation for any aspiring artist. Delve into a different fundamental principle of 2D art. Bring everything together in the final class with a painting. Thursdays, 5:15-7:15pm. Through March 13. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-508-7438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $185.

Intro to 3D Printing (Ages 9+) 3D printing is a skill that anyone can learn to use and enjoy. This class will cover everything from how a 3D printer works to creating and printing out custom designs. We will be using Tinkercad, a free, easy-to-use web app in this class. Get 3D printer certified! March 10, 6-8:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $139.

The Louisville, Kentucky-bred five-piece My Morning Jacket comes to Bend with rock, indie and alternative tunes. Tue., Aug. 5, 6:30pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater.

My Morning Jacket

CALENDAR

Intro to Blacksmithing - Create a Bottle Opener Come have fun and try your hand at the time-honored DIY craft of shaping, tapering, and punching steel to create a functional bottle opener. This is a good 2-hour introductory workshop before committing to the two-sessions Blacksmithing 101 class. Tools and materials are provided. 20% discount for DIYcave Members. March 8, 10am-Noon. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $169.

Let's Paint Art Class - Irish Sunrise Join us for a fun relaxing evening at Bridge 99 with Let's Paint! Grab a pint and unleash your inner artist in this wonderful all ages welcome painting class. No prior painting experience is needed, as our amazing instructor will be there to help guide you along the way. March 11, 6-8pm. Bridge 99 Brewery, 63063 Layton Ave., Bend. Contact: 541480-7491. sarahanneswoffer@gmail.com. $60. Mosaic Garden Stakes Starting with a plexiglass backer and a welded steel frame, you will create your design with stained glass pieces, to highlight a sunny spot in your yard or garden. No experience necessary, supplies and tools provided. March 8, Noon-4pm and March 9, Noon-2pm. Carleton Manor Mosaics, 1776 NE 8th Street, Bend. Contact: 907-230-1785. jesica@carletonmanormosaics.com. $150.

Pots with Purpose: Supporting The Trevor Project Stop by Somewhere That’s Green this March to support a great cause! Browse beautiful handmade pottery donated by local potters, and 100% of your purchase will go to the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project’s mission is to help stop suicide among young people in the queer community. March 1-31, 10am-6pm. Somewhere That’s Green, 1017 NE 2nd St., Bend. Contact: shop@somewheregreen.com. Free. Qi gong, Creative Writing & Bookmaking Playshop Bring yourself to a space where imagination, free play, and discovery converge. Move, dream, write, create snake books* and share in a spirit of safety and generosity. Open to one and all! NO writing, bookmaking or Qi gong experience needed. Materials provided; optional materials list to be sent upon registration. March 9, 10am-1pm. Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, 39 NW Louisiana Ave., Bend. Contact: krayna@ clearlenscoaching.com. $30-$120.

Reduction Printing, 3-class series During this 3-class workshop we learn how to create, one-of-a-kind, limited-edition prints using a reduction printmaking technique. This technique produces beautiful multilayered and multicolored prints. Each layer builds on the last as we cut off the linoleum block to reveal the next color in our composition. Wed, March 5, 5:15-7:30pm, Wed, March 12, 5:15-7:30pm and Wed, March 19, 5:15-7:30pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-508-7438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $150.

Rubbish Renewed Design Workshop

Are you considering participating in the Rubbish Renewed Fashion Show but aren’t sure how to create something from nothing? Sign up for one of the first ever Rubbish Renewed free organized community design workshops! We will have several dedicated designers, material manipulators, and technical teachers to help in the process. Fri, Feb. 21, 4-6pm and Fri, March 7, 4-6pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. Free.

Second Saturday at the Gallery Enjoy free food and libations at the Artists Gallery Sunriver Village the 2nd Saturday of each month. Work of 30 local artists is on display and here’s your chance to meet some of those artists. Second Saturday of every month, 4-6pm. The Village at Sunriver, 57100 Beaver Dr., Sunriver. Contact: 541-593-8704. Free.

Sewing and Leather Open Studio Come and practice your sewing and leather making skills with our guidance. Open Studio provides the perfect opportunity to spend a fun afternoon honing your skills. Develop the skills you learned in the Sewing and Leather classes you have taken and begin making your visions come to life! First Thursday of every month, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $20.

Spinner Ring Workshop - Learn To

Solder Join our Spinner Ring workshop, where creativity meets calm! Perfect for both soldering newbies and seasoned crafters, this class will guide you in crafting a stunning meditation (or fidget) ring with a Copper or Sterling Silver band and three spinning bands: Small class size, personalized instruction. Sat, March 8, 10am1:30pm and Sat, April 19, 10am-1:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $189.

Welding 101 - Structural Foundations

- Make a Table Base This 2-week course is all about the skills you need to design and make items with steel. Each student will fabricate a table base from 1.5” square steel tubing. The class builds upon skills learned in the beginning MIG welding classes. Hone your MIG welding knowledge and skills. Tue, March 11, 6-8pm and Tue, March 18, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $289.

Woodshop Basics Two - Router, Planer and Jointer In this class you will learn how to use the Router, Planer and Jointer. Once complete you will be able to create more precise techniques for edges and dimensions to improve your furniture and fine woodworking projects. You will also get 1 free hour in the Wood Shop on Saturday. March 11, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $159.

PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS

Bend Ghost Tours Join for Ghosts and Legends of Downtown Bend Tour and hear all about Bend’s permanent residents! Your spirit guide will lead you through the haunted streets and alleyways of Historic Downtown Bend where you’ll learn about the city’s many macabre tales, long-buried secrets and famous ghosts. Wednesdays-Sundays, 7:309pm. Downtown Bend, Downtown Bend, Bend. Contact: 541-350-0732. bendghosttours@ gmail.com. $25.

Empowering Women Through Adventure Speaker Series Join us in Bend for “Reveille & Retreat: Discover How Two Female Army Captains are Empowering Military Women Through Adventure.” Learn how Captain Dakota and Captain Kim are changing women’s lives and about the unique experiences of the women protecting our country & our communities. Learn how we can all better support them and each other. March 5, 6-8pm. Embark, 2843 NW Lolo Drive, Bend. Free.

Rest and Relief Through a series of print works, Melanie Stevens embarks on an exploration and visual meditation of moments of solitude, peace, and stillness as acts of resilience and protection. March 7, 5-7pm. Scalehouse Gallery, 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-362-1288. info@scalehouse.org. Free.

THEATER

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical The inspiring and heartwarming tale of Matilda Wormwood, a young girl with an extraordinary mind and a courageous spirit. Featuring a delightful score by Tim Minchin and a witty book by Dennis Kelly, Matilda the Musical is a story of resilience, imagination, and standing up for what’s right. Fri, Feb. 28, 7pm, Sat, March 1, 7pm, Sun, March 2, 2pm, Fri, March 7, 7pm, Sat, March 8, 7pm and Sun, March 9, 2pm. Mountain View High School Auditorium, 2755 NE 27th St., Bend. Contact: 541-355-4558. amy.james@bend.k12.or.us. $12-$16.

WORDS

Author! Author! Presents Anis Mojgani Anis Mojgani was the 10th Poet Laureate of Oregon, a two-time individual champion of the National Poetry Slam, and winner of the International World Cup Poetry Slam. He is the author of six books of poetry and the opera libretto for Sanctuaries.March 6, 7-8:30pm. Mountain View High School Auditorium, 92722 NE 27th St., Bend. Contact: 541-312-1027. admin@dplfoundation.org. Free.

Current Fiction Book Club Please join us for Current Fiction Book Club. We will discuss “Long Island” by Colm Toibin. March 5, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541-306-6564. julie@ roundaboutbookshop.com. Free. None of the Answers Book Launch Party Family-friendly event for the community - food and drink and book reading from first time local author Jeff Swaney at one of Bend’s newest finest watering holes. National kickoff party for the "None of the Answers" 2025 book tour. You don’t wanna miss it! March 8, 4-6pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Drive, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: jeff@jeffswaney.com. Free.

"None of The Answers" Book Launch Read and Sign Come on out for a family friendly book reading and signing from first-time local author Jeff Swaney presenting his book. "None of The Answers." Bring the crew and have some fun at this iconic landmark! March 9, 2-3:30pm. Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe, 135 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-749-2010. jeff@ jeffswaney.com. Free.

Using Land Records to Fill in the Blanks Researching land records can provide valuable information on your ancestors. Learn how researching land records can provide valuable information on your ancestors, from where the land was located, how wealthy they might have been, confirm familial relationships, and identify neighbors. Covers Federal land states vs State land states, township etc. March 11, 1011:30am. Williamson Hall at Rock Arbor Villa, 2200 NE Hwy 20, Bend. Contact: 541-317-9553. info@ bendgenealogy.org. Free, $10 for non-members.

ETC.

Eurythmy Workshop - Speech in Movement for Adults (Six 1 Hour Sessions) Introduction to Eurythmy consonant and vowel gestures through lively verses and choreographies used in the K-8 Waldorf curriculum, including snippets from fairytales and Shakespeare. Experience how this art refreshes you, as in each session, you deepen your knowledge of language and collaborate on a group choreography of Wendell Berry’s poem. Sat, March 8, 10-11am. Waldorf School of Bend, 2150 NE Studio Rd. Suite 2, Bend. Contact: 541-330-8841. info@bendwaldorf.com. $80.

Tis The Season For Scammers: Are You Prepared? Sergeant Thomas Lillenthal from the Deschutes County Sheriff”s Office: Sergeant ‘Lily’ as he is called, is Sergeant over Digital Forensics and Internet crimes against children. He has worked as a contract instructor for Cellebrite Ltd for 5 years teaching digital forensics to law enforcement around the world. Dinner included. March 5, 5:30-8:30pm. Bend Elks Lodge #1371, 63120 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-6102982. gingermugar@gmail.com. $30.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

The Beaver Den - scientific literacy book club Closely examining primary literature will give us a deeper understanding of how beavers influence other species and how environmental processes are studied and established. Scientific writing can be impenetrable, but discussing a text together is a great way to enhance understanding and grow curiosity for the details that others notice. March 5, 5:30-7pm. Think Wild Office, 150 NE Hawthorne Ave, Bend. Contact: maureen@thinkwildco.org. Free.

Bevel Putting Mayhem: Disc Golf! Join us for Bevel Putting Mayhem! This disc golf putting competition is open to all every Wednesday night from Oct-April in our hop garden. Bring 2 putters, enjoy $1 off beers, and compete in a double elimination format. Sign up at 5:30pm; first putts at 6pm. $5 to enter. Wednesdays, 5:30-9pm. Through April 30. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 541-972-3835. holla@bevelbeer.com. $5.

How to Start Running this Spring Whether you’re new to running or returning after a long break, you only need three things to start runninggear, motivation, and a plan! Join Ceiling: Unlimited running coach Michelle Poirot for a free and fun online talk that will get you excited to run this spring! March 10, 7pm. Contact: 503-481-0595. michelle@ ceilingunlimitedhealthcoaching.com. Free.

SheJumps | Get the Girls Out! | Mt. Bachelor | OR Get the Girls Out is a national campaign to unite women and girls as they support, challenge, mentor, and inspire each other in the outdoor sports/recreation world. SheJumps is partnering with Mt. Bachelor to bring GTGO to our Central Oregon ski/ride community! All are welcome, see you up there! March 9, 10am-3pm. Mt. Bachelor, 13000 Century Drive, Bend. Contact: lsequeira@shejumps.org. Free.

Winter Carnival @ Hoodoo Ski Area The premiere event of the season. Winter Carnival has been a tradition at Hoodoo for 40+ years and includes a number of free events (no lift ticket required): ax throwing booth, Frisbee golf, musical chairs, a three-legged obstacle race, a team tube race, a Hula-Hoop contest, and much more! March 8, 9am-9pm. Hoodoo Ski Area, 27400 Big Lake Road, Sisters. Contact: 541-815-0574. eventsbreakingfree@gmail.com. Free.

The Critical Blues Band delivers the power of blues music with high-energy and passion that gets audiences moving. Thu., March 6, 6-8pm at Stoller Wine Bar.

The Critical Blues Band FB

VOLUNTEER

Thrive Moving Volunteers Support your neighbors by helping them move to their new home. If interested, fill out the volunteer form or reach out! Ongoing. Contact: 541-728-1022. TCOmoving22@gmail.com.

Volunteer for foster dogs Volunteer to be a dog foster parent! Help dogs to get adopted after transitioning from shelters to Herding Dog Rescue. There is a huge need and it is very rewarding, giving you a sense of purpose. Each dog is special. Fill out a foster application at www.HDRescueoregon.com Thursdays. Contact: 458-292-8362. HDRescueoregon.com.

Volunteering in Oregon’s High Desert with ONDA Oregon Natural Desert Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, defending and restoring Oregon’s high desert. They engage the public in their work to improve the health of desert ecosystems by leading guided, small group, volunteer service trips in some of eastern Oregon’s most remote and beautiful landscapes. Visit www.onda. org/trips to find the full calendar and descriptions of current volunteer trip offerings. Ongoing.

GROUPS + MEETUPS

The Beaver Den Book Club Beavers are remarkable animals that shape ecosystems through their dam-building and habitat creation, influencing other species and environmental processes. To better understand their impact, we host a monthly science reading event where we critically evaluate research papers on beavers. Join us to discuss and explore these fascinating studies together. First Wednesday of every month, 6-8pm. Bend CoWorking, 150 NE Hawthorne Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-699-1606. maureen@thinkwildco.org. Free.

Central Oregon Republican Women’s Luncheon Meeting COFRW’s luncheon meeting will be held at the beautiful Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters. RSVP at cofrwbend@ gmail.com by March 4, 2025. $27 includes lunch; $10 coffee only. Learn about current issues that we face and how you can get involved in our community. Check-in starts at 10:30 am. March 6, 11am-1:30pm. Aspen Lakes Golf Course, 16900 Aspen Lakes Dr., Sisters. Contact: cofrwbend@ gmail.com. $27 includes lunch /$10 coffee only. COBKA Beginner Beekeeping Course

Join us for our 2025 hands-on, in-person course designed to equip new beekeepers with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully navigate their first year using Langstroth hives. Topics: Woodenware Setup & Hive Location Acquiring & Installing Bees Tools, Protective Gear & Safe Practices Colony Inspections & Maintenance Understanding Varroa March 8, 8:45am3:30pm. The Embark Coworking Community, 2843 NW Lolo Dr., Bend. Contact: 458-206-8470. contact@cobeekeeping.org. $20–$60 (sliding scale, includes annual membership).

Commerce & Coffee @ Meredith Lodging—March 11 Join us for Commerce & Coffee at Meredith Lodging! Come extend your professional network at Meredith Lodging while enjoying coffee from Thump Coffee and morning bites from Bend Breakfast Burrito! The best part? It is free to attend for members! Non-member pricing is $10 per person. March 11, 8-9:30am. Meredith Lodging, 19717 SW Mt Bachelor Dr, Bend. Free to Chamber members | $10 for non-members.

Connect W’s Munch & Mingle in Redmond Join ConnectW for a monthly noon gathering where professional women of Central Oregon connect over meaningful conversations. Held on the first Thursday of every month, this exclusive event fosters business growth, social networking, and genuine friendships. Attendance is limited to 12, registration is required. See you there! March 6, 11:45am-1pm. Feast Food Co, 546 NW 7th St, Redmond. Contact: 541-4101894. info@connectw.org. Cost of Meal.

Enterprise Risk Management Best Practices Enterprise Risk Management isn’t just about checking boxes, it’s about safeguarding your organization’s future. Businesses that take a proactive approach with prevention strategies, financial protections, and breach response protocols are far better position to avoid costly setbacks. Join us for an engaging and informative session. March 5, 7:50-10am. Hampton Inn & Suites, 750 SW Columbia St., Bend. Contact: 541410-9181. sandys@bendcable.com. $25.

ET Expert Lab—Career Advancement: One Size Does NOT Fit All—March 11 In today’s dynamic professional landscape, there’s no single path to success. Join us for an engaging panel discussion exploring diverse approaches to career advancement. Our expert panelists will delve into various strategies. March 11, 5-7pm. COCC Campus Center - Wille Hall, 2600 College Way, Bend. $25 Bend Chamber members | $35 non-Chamber members.

LWV Deschutes First Thursday Public Meeting Free informational meeting. Access to reproductive health care in Central Oregon. Speakers: Cassi MacQueen and Fletcher Chamberlin. Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette. Watch Livestream Noon. Presentation Recordings Available on LWV Deschutes YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@leagueofwomenvotersofdesch7364/streams March 6, 11:30am1pm. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-931-9096. info@lwvdeschutes.org. Free.

OUT & About - Winter PrideFest 2025 Come together for a vibrant, all-ages event featuring local and regional vendors, providers, and activities supporting the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. Enjoy interactive, gender-affirming fun and don’t miss Drag Bingo with the fabulous Dusty and Stacia with YOUNI MOVEMENT! March 9, 10am-3pm. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: info@outcentraloregon.com. Free.

Ribbon Cutting at Senior HelpersMarch 6 Join us for a Ribbon Cutting at Senior Helpers! Ribbon cutting ceremony to take place at 3:30pm. Enjoy drinks and light refreshments. Please RSVP to Bryce Elliott @ belliott@seniorhelpers.com March 6, 3-4pm. Senior Helpers of Central Oregon, 339 SW Century Dr, Ste 102, Bend. Free.

Speed Dating & Single Mingle - Ages 21-50 Join us for an evening of excitement and connection at our Single Mingle and Speed Dating event for ages 21-50! Geared toward singles looking to make new connections, this event offers a blend of casual mingling and structured speed dating rounds. March 7, 6-8pm. Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, (no address), (no city). Contact: 541-323-0964

Swordfighting competitions Learn, practice and compete in historical swordfighting. First practice is free and we have all the gear you need to try it out. Make new friends, and hit them with swords! Wednesdays, 5:15-7pm. Through April 30. Masonic Hall of Bend, 1036 NE 8th St., Bend. Contact: 541-241-6742. contact@ bend1595.com. Free.

FUNDRAISING

BINGO - RylieMay Rescue Ranch Come join us for a fun night of Bingo benefiting RylieMay Rescue Ranch! Great people, great prizes and great beer! $1 from every drink sold will go to this great organisation! Thu, Jan. 23, 6-8pm, Thu, Feb. 6, 6-8pm, Thu, Feb. 20, 6-8pm, Thu, March 6, 6-8pm and Thu, March 20, 6-8pm. Spider City Brewing, 1177 SE Ninth St., Bend. Contact: ryliemayrescueranch@gmail.com. $1-$3 per game.

Pint Night: Cribbage for a Cause We are teaming up with Oregon Adaptive Sports for March Community Pint Night! Join us every Thursday 4-7pm, play Cribbage for a Cause and raise a glass to OAS and help us create access to the great outdoors! Thursdays, 4-7pm. Through March 28. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Drive, Ste 140, Bend. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.

EVENTS + MARKETS

Kids’ Entrepreneur Market An entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market, for ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their own products and services, all while considering the protection of our beloved planet. Free to attend. $10-20 to participate. March 8, 1-4pm and March 9, 1-4pm. Downtown Bend Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St,, Bend. Contact: kidsentrepreneurmarket@gmail.com. Free. Winter PrideFest Bonfire on the Snow | Wanderlust Tours Celebrate Winter PrideFest as we strap into snowshoes and jaunt through the forest for a magical night gathered around a glowing bonfire under the starlit sky. Winter PrideFest is a time to come together to celebrate our amazing Central Oregon community and we are honored to be apart of it! March 7, 7-11pm. Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-8359. info@wanderlusttours.com. $126.

FAMILY + KIDS

Art with a Splash of Science: Kandinsky, Music and Sound Waves Give your child an afternoon of creativity and fun with Let’s Paint! During the school year, we are hosting an early release Wednesday session at Sarah’s home studio, complete with painting and art activities. Sign up now! March 5, 1:15-4:15pm. Sarah’s Home Studio, 63320 NE Stonewood Dr, Bend. Contact: 541-480-7491. sarahanneswoffer@gmail.com. $45.

Bend Pet Express Adoption Event It’s Adoption Day at Bend Pet Express featuring our adoptable Street Dog Hero pups! Come meet some pups looking for their forever homes while also learning more about you can get involved at SDH through adoption, fostering, volunteering and more. See you there! March 8, 10am-2pm. Bend Pet Express Westside, 133 SW Century Drive, Bend. Contact: 503-329-7612. becky@ streetdoghero.org. Free.

National Kickoff Party for Jeff Swaney’s Book “None of the Answers” at The Commonwealth Pub Get ready for a thrilling journey through risk, danger, neardeath experiences, and powerful life lessons in "None of the Answers," a revealing memoir by successful entrepreneur Jeff Swaney. Join us for a fun, laid-back celebration of Jeff’s new book, “None of the Answers” March 8, 4-6pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Drive, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6200. thecommonwealthpubevents@gmail.com. Free.

BEER + DRINK

Beards & Brews Join Deschutes Brewery & Bearded Oregon as we bring back Beard Competitions to the PNW with our Inaugural “Beards & Brews” Facial Hair Competition! Registration opens at 4pm. Competition begins at 5pm. Tickets: Spectator - free. Competitor - $20. Raffle Tickets - $1 each or 25 tickets for $20. March 8, 4-8pm. Deschutes Brewery & Public House, 1044 NW Bond St., Bend. Contact: 503-544-1045. anaden@deschutesbrewery.com. $20.

Cross Cut Warming Hut: Locals’ Day! Tuesdays are Locals’ Day. Every Tuesday enjoy $1 off regular size draft beverages. Come by the Warming Hut and hang out by the fire. See you soon, Bend! Tuesdays. Crosscut Warming Hut No 5, 566 SW Mill View Way. Free

Educators & Nurses Apprecation Day

We’re raising a glass to those who give so much! Join us for Nurses & Educators Day, where we show appreciation for the heroes in scrubs and classrooms. 50% off all beers and ciders for nurses and educators all day, every Tuesday, at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. 21175 SE Reed Market Road Lot #2, Bend. Contact: 458836-7866. jesse@cascadelakes.com. Free.

First Friday Oyster Night Viaggio Wine Merchant’s monthly celebration of super-fresh oysters from Washington’s Hama Hama Oyster Company accompanied by an incredible roster of perfectly paired wines, champagne, craft beer, and European-style small plates. Come early for the best seats and selection and find out why this party is the talk of the town. First Friday of every month, 3-9pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. Varies by purchase.

Flannel Friday Happy Hour Come on down in your Northwest best for Happy Hour! 4-6pm every Friday. $2 off drafts, $1 off everything else. Fridays, 4-6pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Drive, Ste 140, Bend. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary. com. Free.

Glassware Exploration Experience

Join us for a new and exclusive ambassador guided tasting experience where you will sample a curated selection of 3 wines in a Pinot Noir, Bordeaux and White Wine glass. During your flight you will learn and experience how different glassware affects the way wine presents and why. Saturdays, 4-5:30pm. Through March 31. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-306-6000. bend@ wvv.com. $35.

Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, The Red Clay Strays, alongside special guest Michael Marcagi, bring American country rock music to Bend this summer by fusing Southern rock and a heavy dose of soul. Sat., July 26, 7pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater.

Red Clay Strays FB

CALENDAR EVENTS

Happy Hour Every Day Make every afternoon a little brighter with a hint of British charm at The Commonwealth Pub! From 3-5pm, enjoy drink specials and a cozy pub vibe that’s perfect for winding down. $3 PBRs $5 RPMs $6 Margaritas $7 Wine Happy Hour bites from Whappos! Mondays-Sundays, 3-5pm. Through Dec. 18. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Drive, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6200. thecommonwealthpubevents@gmail.com. Free.

Industry Appreciation Day! 20% off for all Industry friends every Wednesday from 2-8pm! Wednesdays, 2-8pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Drive, Ste 140, Bend. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.

Industry Night Every Sunday is Industry Night! If you’re a bartender, server, chef, cook - anyone in the biz - come unwind with: $5 Hornitos or Monopolowa, $7.50 draft domestic beer + well whiskey, and $3.50 tallboys & $10 man-mosas (on special for all!). You work hard-cheers to you! Sundays-Noon-2am. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-383-3000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free.

Ladies Night Hey ladies! Come out for $8 limoncello-spiked bubbles and $2 off all menu cocktails every Thursday, Noon - 10pm. Follow us on Instagram for our specials, live music, and events. Share the love by tagging @barriobend in your photos. March 6, Noon-10pm. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free

PFriem Tap Takeover at Ponch’s Place

Enjoy $1 Off PFriem Pints during our PFriem Tap Takeover on Friday, March 7. Meet the Pfriem Brewer (after 4pm), enjoy swag giveaways and all of PFriem’s delicious pints: West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, Pilsner and 2 Specialty Beers. March 7, Noon-7pm. Ponch’s Place, 62889 NE Oxford Ct., Bend. Free.

Premier League & Football Weekends at The Commonwealth Pub! Sports fans, kick off your weekend mornings (at 7am) at The Commonwealth Pub with Premier League action, then dive into college and pro basketball fun! Grab your squad, your lucky scarf, your favorite jersey, enjoy a pint (or two), and fuel up with tasty bites from Whappos! Saturdays-Sundays, 7am. Through May 25. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Drive, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6200. thecommonwealthpubevents@gmail.com. Free. Sangria Sundays Like Sundays in Spain, just add paella. Every Sunday, Noon - close at Bar Rio in Downtown Bend. Sundays, Noon-10pm. Through April 27. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free. Tequila & Taco Tuesdays Join us from Noon-10pm for a Margarita & Three Tacos for $20! Follow us on Instagram for our specials, live music, and events. Share the love by tagging @ barriobend in your photos. Tuesdays, Noon10pm. Through April 29. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

Wine Wednesdays Wine up and wind down, all glasses $10. Every Wednesday, Noon to close at Bar Rio in downtown Bend. Wednesdays, Noon-10pm. Through April 30. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

Wings + TRIVIA + Whiskey Enjoy $0.75 wings, $4.50 well whiskey, $6 seven & sevens while testing your knowledge with Trivia, hosted by our amazing Cole! Take on our infamous “physical” challenge - think paper airplanes, musical chairs, limbo etc! Come eat, drink and bring your A-game! Wednesdays, 7pm. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-3833000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free.

HEALTH

+ WELLNESS

Aikido Free Introductory Adult Class! Please call to reserve your spot. Sat, March 1, 10:1511:30am, Mon, March 3, 5:30-6:45pm and Wed, March 5, 5:30-6:45pm. Free Introductory Aikido Adult Class! Please call to reserve your spot. Sat, March 8, 10:15-11:30am, Mon, March 10, 5:30-6:45pm and Wed, March 12, 5:30-6:45pm. Oregon Ki Society Bend Dojo, 20685 Carmen Loop, Suite 110, Bend. Contact: 541-350-7887. cfhc@hotmail.com. Free.

Capoeira Mixed Levels Community

Experience the exciting Brazilian art form of freedom, incorporating martial arts attacks, creative escapes, acrobatic movements, music and much more. Call to coordinate please. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7-8:30pm. High Desert Martial Arts, 63056 Lower Meadow Dr. Ste. 120, Bend. Contact: 541-678-3460. ucabend@gmail.com. $40 for a taster month.

EcoNIDRA: Where Yoga Nidra Meets

Nature Connection

EcoNIDRA is a deeply relaxing and restorative practice that enables us to reconnect with ourselves and with the earth. It is a blend of yoga nidra and forest therapy that helps us sleep better, restore profound peace and rejuvenation to the body, and cultivate a deeper level of nature connectedness. Thu, March 6, 7-8pm, Thu, March 13, 7-8pm and Thu, March 20, 7-8pm. Namaspa Yoga Studio, 1135 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: mindy@ rootedpresence.com. $22.

Health & Longevity Through Ayurveda

Practiced by 80 percent of India’s population and more than 3,000 years old, Ayurveda is a wholebody system of medicine in India and other countries. This workshop will outline the foundational principles of this ancient system of health care that emphasizes cultivating balance through traditional, commonsense, lifestyle-based practices. March 9, 1-3pm. Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-420-9020. brandyberlin@gmail.com. $79 ID/ $94.80 OD.

Natal Sound Charts: Alive Experience the astrological chart reimagined as a meditative sound experience. The timing of the sounds mirrors the counter-clockwise motion of the chart, beginning with the zodiac sign at the Ascendant. Mon, March 10, 6-7:15pm, Mon, March 24, 6-7:15pm, Mon, April 14, 6-7:15pm and Mon, April 28, 6-7:15pm. Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 505-991-1655. natalsoundcharts@gmail.com. $30.

Sister Circle Gathering Step into a space of warmth, support, and celebration at our Monthly Sister Circle Gathering! Come together with a circle of incredible women to honor and uplift each other while embracing the beauty of the changing seasons. This gathering is a haven where you can nourish your soul and connect. March 6, 6:30-8:30pm. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 650862-9336. willow@emergingheartscollective. com. $55.

Sister Circle Gathering-Spring Step into a space of warmth, support, and celebration at the Monthly Sister Circle Gathering! Come together with a circle of incredible women to honor and uplift each other while embracing the beauty of the changing seasons. This gathering is a haven where you can nourish your soul. Donation suggested $35 Mon, March 11, 6:30-8:45pm and Second Monday of every month, 6:30-8:45pm. Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 650-862-9336. willow@emergingheartscollective.com.

Sound Bath: Midweek Reset Feeling the midweek slump? Take a break from the hustle and reset with the healing power of sound. Join us for this relaxing and restorative sound bath! This immersive experience of soothing frequencies will allow you to recharge your energy and clear mental clutter, helping you restore balance and focus. March 5, Noon-1pm. Downtown Bend LibraryBrooks Room, 601 NW Wall St,, Bend. Contact: maramcbeckerllc@gmail.com. $25.

Tai Chi Unlock the Secrets of Serenity with Grandmaster Franklin’s Tai Chi Class! Embark on a transformative journey toward inner balance, harmony and a healthier you! Grandmaster Franklin invites you to join his exclusive Tai Chi Class, where ancient wisdom meets modern well-being. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9:45-10:45am. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-797-9620. arawak327@gmail.com. $100.

Taize Meditation Service The Taize Choir of Central Oregon invites you to participate in an hour of meditative Taize music, prayer, and silence at our monthly interfaith service, 7pm, first Thu., of Oct. through June at St. Helens Hall. We welcome new musicians and singers. We also encourage families to attend. First Thursday of every month, 7pm. Trinity Episcopal Church - St. Helens Hall, 231 NW Idaho St., Bend. Contact: 541-815-5574. taizebend@gmail.com. Free.

Unity Event Hello Inner Child Let’s Play 2025 Place of delight to enjoy music, creativity, light movement and fun, 14+ years welcome. Register to ensure enough supplies. Info: Clare@UnityCentralOregon. org 541-350-8448. March 10, 6-7:30pm. Unity Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend. Contact: 541-350-8448. Clare@ UnityCentralOregon.org. $10-$20 donation.

Winter Yoga Inside We’re excited to announce that Emily is moving indoors to a stunning new location! Enjoy 75 minutes of yoga flow followed by 15 minutes of community connection to unwind and meet other beautiful humans ✨ Let’s stay grounded, connected, and warm! Tuesdays, 5:30-7pm. Through March 25. The Heartgrounds, Shared upon RSVP, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6132. DoYogaOutside@gmail.com. $22.

Known for its harmonious blend of folk, country and early rock ’n’ roll tunes, The Cactus Blossoms performs in Bend with guest Erin Rae. Tue., March 11, 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub.

The Cactus Blossoms FB

Sisters Meat and Smokehouse Is Coming to Bend

The

artisanal butchery and eatery is also expanding its Sisters location to include a mercantile and after-hours events

Story and Photos by Skylor Young

When I walked into Sisters Meat and Smokehouse in Redmond, the enticing aroma of smoked meat and the invitation from the windowed wall to watch the butchers slicing steak made it clear to me that this was the place to get high-quality meat. The cashier, Garrett, rang me up for a couple of sandwiches and some bratwurst to take home, enthusiastically sharing that he was going dancing that night for his 25th birthday. Then he walked around to the front of the register to say hello to my 5-month-old child in her stroller. And that’s what made it clear to me that this was a family-owned business with strong community values.

I met co-owner Molly Wymer during this same visit to the Redmond meat shop and deli. I was sitting at a community table, with fridges full of quick grab meats, smoked butters and cheeses to my left, dipping sauces and soup mixes to my front and the sound of Garrett’s voice echoing through the shop from the deli counter in the back. I took my first bite of the Reuben sandwich when a woman standing next to my table asked me what I ordered. She emphatically shared that the Reuben was one of her favorites, that she loved how the corned beef had no gristle and made for a lean, delicious sandwich. I agreed and told her it was dressed well — it wasn’t overpowered with sauce and the marbled rye stayed fresh, not soggy. I was under the impression that I was chatting it up with a fellow patron of the restaurant given her genuine, unjaded enthusiasm for the sandwich and, again, my 5-month-old. I was thrilled to find out she’s one of the people responsible for shaping said sandwich and my experience.

Wymer opened the original Sisters Meat and Smokehouse in 2016 with four other friends, all who moved to Sisters at various times from the same small town in Southern Oregon. At the time, Wymer was running a food cart in Sisters and was a schoolteacher with three kids of her own. Brothers Wade and Brody Waller, a meat cutter and a meat smoker who learned the arts from their dad, had joined forces with Jeff and Kay Johnson, who would handle the business side of the establishment. All that was missing was, well, a general manager and employees. So when Wymer got wind that her friends needed help she stepped up to the plate — along with her husband and their three kids. Before long, Wymer sold the food cart, quit teaching and took on the role of co-owner and general manager full-time. Two of those kids, Jay and Annie Wymer, continued to work at the meat house through college, and today are the majority owners of the second storefront, located in Redmond, which opened in 2023.

The collaboration doesn’t stop with the ownership of the business. When I asked Wymer who creates the recipes for the sandwich menu, she said, “It takes all of us because everyone has a different opinion on flavors,” and all of those opinions together are what make the menu so great. The company sources its meats with strict integrity: beef from Greeley, Colorado, chicken from Mary’s Chicken and local lamb from Sisters. Consistency is integral to this establishment, so if the meats aren’t available from its trusted sources for any reason, you simply won’t find those meats on the shelves that day. And every smoked product is smoked in-house, from beef to cheeses to bolognas, sausages, fish, turkey — the list goes on. Don’t forget to grab some pepperoni sticks for a snack: Each bite starts with a satisfying snap, followed by an influx of salty, smokey flavor, but skips the over-the-top grease bomb that can often accompany a meat stick.

So what’s next for Sisters Meat and Smokehouse? Expansion. The Sisters location is moving into the old Antler Arts building next to its current spot, with an expected opening date of June 15. Here you’ll find indoor seating and a large mercantile with soups, dips, sauces, charcuterie boards, gift packages and much more. It’ll also feature afterhour happenings like wine tastings and basket-making events. And, drumroll please: Sisters Meat and Smokehouse is opening a location in Bend as well! The dates and location are being finalized, but you can expect to see more details in the months to come.

Sisters Meat and Smokehouse

Sisters: 110 S Spruce St. (moving to 311 E Cascade Ave. this June) Redmond: 308 SW Evergreen Ave. Bend: Coming soon! sistersmeat.com

House-made smoked pastrami Reuben sandwich on marbled rye.

House-smoked pepperoni sticks.

House-made smoked tri-tip sandwich on toasted French roll.

LITTLE BITES

By Savannah Mendoza

Launching and Growing a Farmers Market Business with Cultivate Bend

Learn how to grow a business at farmers markets with insights from seasoned vendors and market leaders

For many small businesses, a farmers market booth is more than just a weekend stand — it’s a steppingstone to a thriving brand. But turning a booth into a business takes strategy, and that’s exactly what Cultivate Bend’s upcoming panel event aims to provide.

To help vendors succeed, Cultivate Bend and the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance (HDFFA) are teaming up for Ask the Experts: From Booth to Brand, a panel discussion focused on launching and growing a successful farmers market business, which takes place on Thursday, March 13 at The Haven Coworking from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Cultivate Bend, a nonprofit organization supporting Central Oregon’s consumer-packaged goods (CPG) entrepreneurs, helps foster connection and provide resources, and Ann Pistacchi-Peck, HDFFA program director and manager of the downtown Bend Farmers Market, says, “At HDFFA, we know farmers markets play a crucial role in supporting local food producers by giving them a direct platform to sell products and build community connections.”

The event will offer insights into proven strategies and networking opportunities with fellow vendors, market managers and food industry leaders, as well as discussions with veteran vendors — all to gain valuable knowledge on what it takes to run a thriving business at markets and beyond.

“We want to create an open forum where business owners can discuss how to have a successful farmers market season. This includes topics like

logistics, marketing, customer engagement, profitability and staffing,” says Barb Myers, founder of Fixa Foods and a Cultivate Bend board member.

Designed for market vendors, aspiring entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers and food enthusiasts, the panel will feature industry experts sharing strategies, challenges and firsthand experiences. “Many new CPG entrepreneurs test their concept, launch their products and grow their business at farmers markets. It’s a great way to be immersed in the local food, beverage and natural products ecosystem,” Myers says.

Panelists include Pistacchi-Peck, Lauren Rasmussen (co-owner of Fibonacci Farms), Zoey Oquist (owner of The Crow’s Croft), Jeff Akers (owner of Bohemian Roastery) and Myers. The discussion will include a Q&A, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with experienced vendors and market leaders.

“We hope the event helps people make connections and implement new ideas to launch or grow their businesses at farmers markets. Plus, markets start in May, so it’s a great way to get ready and excited for the season,” Myers says.

Cultivate Bend’s Ask the Experts: From Booth to Brand Thu., March 13, 5:30-7:30pm The Haven Coworking 1001 SW Disk Dr., Ste. 250, Bend cultivatebend.com/event-main/ask-the-experts-031325 Free for Cultivate Bend members; $10 for nonmembers

By Fat Tony’s Chef Roberto Cardenas

Ann Pistacchi-Peck

LITTLE BITES

By Julianna LaFollette

Turtle Island Coffee Shop Announces Closure

Queer-owned coffee shop in downtown Bend set to close on March 9

Turtle Island Coffee Shop in downtown Bend announced on Feb. 27 that it will close its doors in early March. After over a year of operating, the owners made the decision to cease operations due to “the challenging and unsustainable current economic climate.”

The queer- and Indigenous-owned coffee shop is located on Oregon Avenue, next to The Capitol and Wild Rose. It opened in June 2023, taking over the space previously occupied by Bend Mountain Coffee. Co-owners Teh Sanchez and Beth Brady opened the space in hopes of it becoming a hub for the queer community.

The two said they were saddened to have to close their doors, as they were committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“Our mission was to provide a sanctuary where marginalized and othered folkx could feel seen, valued and empowered,” read a statement from the shop’s Instagram, announcing the closure.

“We poured our hearts into building Turtle Island Coffee as a place for connection, celebration, and community. We envisioned it as a space where people could freely express themselves, find solace and collaborate on positive change. We also valued and encouraged strong, true white allyship from those committed to doing their own work and fostering positive change within their communities.”

The shop’s last day of operations will be March 9. Turtle Island Coffee Shop 180 NW Oregon Ave., Bend turtleislandcoffeeshop.com

Burgerville Is Officially Coming to Bend

The PNW burger chain plans to open a location on Bend’s Third Street

Pacific Northwest fast food chain Burgerville announced its plans on March 3 to open a new location in Bend later this year. The store will take over the building previously occupied by Del Taco on SE Third Street. This opening will mark the first Central Oregon location for the chain.

“People have been asking for Burgerville to come to Bend for years, and we’re excited to be joining the community,” said Ed Casey, Burgerville CEO, in a press release.

“While many in Bend may already know the brand, we’re thrilled to bring the Burgerville experience to them firsthand — with high-quality and seasonal menu options, a welcoming atmosphere and a deep connection to local suppliers and sustainability.”

The Burgerville location will offer seasonal items as well as the chain’s signature menu, including classic burgers, fresh berry shakes and favorites such as the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Rings and Marionberry Lemonade.

“Expanding into Bend is an exciting milestone for Burgerville,” said May Han, chief development officer in a press release. “This location is part of a strategic effort to grow thoughtfully and bring our commitment of serving locally sourced menu items to Bend’s thriving food scene.”

Burgerville has not yet announced an opening date for its location at 612 SE Third St.

Burgerville 612 SE Third St., Bend

Teh Sanchez, left and Beth Brady.

CCULTURE

Rising Above Bend’s

Jeff Swaney looks back on a life of adventure and found wisdoms in his memoir, “None of the Answers: Racing Through Life in Reverse”

By Ryan J. Prado

When Jeff Swaney was 14 years old, an insurance salesperson knocked on the door of his home in Detroit, Michigan, extolling the soundness of a dizzying policy scheme to his parents. Detecting some dubious math in the pitch, the 14-year-old Swaney stepped in to quibble with the solicitor, trying and failing to convince his parents that this was one offer they ought to steer clear of. Years later, his inklings proved valid when in a time of economic need, his parents cashed out the policy for peanuts. Some money was gone forever, but what stuck was a valuable lesson for the teenaged Swaney.

In his debut memoir, “None of the Answers: Racing Through Life in Reverse,” Swaney elaborates: “The experience verified to me once again my ability to discern truth from bullshit and really served as motivation to get to a place of self-reliance and financial stability.”

Swaney has had a home in Bend and worked from the area since 2002. Along the way, he helped launch the BendFilm Festival and worked with the board for the Tower Theatre. His resume includes titles of “entrepreneur, advisor, consultant, collaborator, coach, concierge, networker, super dad, futurist, outdoorsman and friend.” The term “adventurer” could encapsulate all of that, and Swaney’s quiver of life experiences yields some unbelievable anecdotes from his storied past, memories he needed to get down before they were lost to time. When enough of his inner circle commented to him that he needed to write a book about his life, he started with what becomes a familiar approach as you read through “None of the Answers”: by the seat of his pants.

“I started writing on the back of envelopes and napkins and throwing it into a box,” explains Swaney. “Over time, the box started getting full of stuff, and I’d keep coming up with ideas and throw them in there. I started to think, ‘There might be a book here.’”

Swaney’s insights emerge as though from, as he self-describes, a wannabe philosopher.

Throughout the book, Swaney references quotes from great thinkers like Ram Dass — whose 1971 spiritual tome, “Be Here Now,” influenced him greatly — as well as Timothy Leary — who Swaney befriended after booking him at his old club. His days as owner and operator of Club Clearview throughout the burgeoning 1980s and ’90s Dallas, Texas, underground are legendary: The club helped to revive the Deep Ellum neighborhood’s arts and music scene in a time when anything and everything was on the table for trying to get people through the doors. Club Clearview helped to launch the careers of artists like Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, as well as foster such disparate ’90s entertainment as VR machines, slam poetry (before it was fluent in the American zeitgeist) and Soundgarden, who played an early gig at the venue. Mark Cuban, the billionaire “Shark Tank” tastemaker and minority owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, is an old friend and business partner of Swaney’s.

“I kind of fell into it, and worked with what I had,” Swaney says. “It was an incredible ride. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Before his ride took him to Dallas, Swaney was raised in Detroit just as the city began its precipitous economic decline. His family practiced as Lutherans, and Swaney was chosen as head acolyte of his school as reward for the voracity of his studies. The pull to organized religion was short-lived, if ever considered seriously, and when he graduated from college at Michigan State University with an engineering degree, rather than pursue the rigors of the workforce, Swaney prioritized his wayward spirit and decided to hop on a plane bound for Hong Kong, China, backpacking across the world for what he’d planned to be up to a full year.

“We don’t know pleasure without experiencing pain,” writes Swaney in “None of the Answers,” “and at the level of my planned subsistence, there was going to be plenty of discomfort. The bonus is we find the greatest joy in life is achieved when there are no expectations, and kablam! There you have a taste of nirvana.”

Subsequent travels through Hawaii and Europe, and even a dangerous and clandestine sojourn to Moscow during the Cold War, congealed to embolden a sense that lived experience — warts and all — was the greatest teacher in life for Swaney.

“You’re young and dumb and you don’t have shit, that’s when you do stuff like that,” says Swaney. “We learn by doing. We get lucky. We do the best we can.”

That risk-taking reaped artistic and, ultimately, financial freedom with Club Clearview.

“What I did was like P.T. Barnum,” says Swaney. “Our place had so many different rooms and we had so much stuff going on, if someone wanted to come try something, it was like, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Fellow budding entrepreneurs in the Deep Ellum scene noticed that Swaney seemed to know what got people’s synapses firing, and that his gift was in giving it to them.

“I never played music, I never really wrote or did anything like that,” says Swaney. “My gift was as a facilitator. I knew all these people and I really dug all these people. I could deal with anybody from the mayor — which I did — to every starving artist, and I treated everybody the same. The janitor got treated the same as the CEO of Neiman Marcus when he came in. We didn’t do any velvet ropes.”

Beyond his salad days in Dallas and around the world, the writing of “None of the Answers” compelled Swaney to put a pin in the expanses of his liberal world views, how someone “without a pot to piss in” would one day end up a successful businessperson. His book isn’t cloying, per se — he alludes to many mistakes along the road, and focuses later chapters on the traumas of a messy divorce and custody battle of his two children. His commonsense mantras punctuate the 300-plus-page book, drawing stark contrast to the seeming confusion surrounding the center of contemporary society. “Know your stuff,” “take a chance,” “trust your gut,” “follow your heart” — each milquetoast nugget valuable signage along the roadmap of life — populate the bottom line of Swaney’s wild ride so far.

“The cool thing about my life has been that it really wasn’t planned,” reiterates Swaney. “It all kinda just happened. I made some critical errors, but I survived them.

“I’m still going. We’re still on this ride. I wanna stay on the train as long as I can.”

Book release events for Jeff Swaney’s “None of the Answers: Racing Through Life in Reverse” Sat., March 8, 4-6pm: Meet, greet and sign at The Commonwealth Pub Sun., March 9, 2-3:30pm: Buy, read and sign at Dudley's Bookshop Cafe Sat., March 15, 2-3:30pm: Buy, read and sign at Bend Barnes & Noble More info at jeffswaney.com

Jeff Swaney

Jeff Swaney

SC Heed the Call

A meditation “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”

By Jared Rasic

Uncle Fred has died. He died in the street across the way from a brothel in the middle of the night. Shula, Fred’s niece, is on her way back from a costume party where she dressed as Missy Elliott from the music video for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” When she finds his body, she not only has to deal with her own unprocessed trauma, but the grief of her mother and Uncle Fred’s entire extended family, who are intent on lionizing the life of a deeply evil and horrific man.

The film isn’t wholly damning of Zambian culture — filmmaker Rungano Nyoni is much too smart to traffic in monocultural judgements; instead, she examines the lifelong lies we tell ourselves to keep broken families together with a thick paste of selfdeception, guilt and fear.

“On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” is set in modern Zambia. Fred’s family is mostly made up of the Bemba of the Bantu peoples who strongly believe in never saying anything negative about the dead for fear they could hear you because, according to custom, their spirits never leave the living. Shula has recently returned home from working abroad and we can tell that she has been westernized a little and, as a member of a younger generation than her aunties, isn’t as

willing to swallow the patriarchal conservatism she’s being force-fed.

Fred was a sexual predator. Molesting multiple family members (Shula included) as well as marrying and impregnating a preteen. Almost the entirety of the film is Fred’s wake with his family and teenage widow’s family fighting over his possessions, including the house where his half-dozen children are being raised in poverty. As an audience member, it’s hard to understand whether the family truly mourns Fred’s passing or if they’re really just trying to legitimize their own greed through performative grief.

“As a widow, her eyes should be puffy from crying. Her whole face should be swollen from crying,” says Uncle Fred’s sister, judging his widow for not mourning correctly. If your tears don’t fall heavy enough, then there must be something wrong with you. Shula plays the dutiful niece, daughter and young woman, while barely able to disguise her disgust at aspects of her culture’s customs that don’t remotely serve women. She fights back exhausted defeat even as she serves food to uncles more concerned with a free plate of food than mourning Fred. The men can mourn however they please.

The film isn’t wholly damning of Zambian culture — filmmaker Rungano Nyoni is much too smart to traffic in monocultural judgements; instead, she examines the lifelong lies we tell ourselves to keep broken families together with a thick paste of self-deception, guilt and fear. The ghosts of our past live with the generational guilt of our present. Many times throughout the film we hear a character make excuses for rapist Fred by saying, “that was in the

past,” as if looking too closely at their shared histories would invite too much introspection, and introspection only invites guilt. The living are at fault for the dead.

From Lucrecia Dalt’s score that dramatically changes the tone of the movie from jaunty absurdism to psychological intensity within a few frames (without derailing the flow and rhythm of the film), to Susan Chardy’s incendiary performance as Shula, to Nyoni’s visionary filmmaking, “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” deserves to be seen by as many people as A24 can put it in front of. This is cinema as protest, sending its well-aimed rage at misogyny, late-stage capitalism, the colonizer’s destructive influence on Africa and so many more topical topics that seem impossible for a 90-minute dark dramedy to cover.

One of the behavioral characteristics of the guinea fowl is a startling call to the animals around it, warning them all of impending danger. “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” is also a cry of warning. Not just an anguished wail for the generations of women who’ve lived entire lives without having a solitary moment of agency, but also a shout of alarm for young women to burn the customs that harm them before they’re caught spending a life chained by them.

“On Becoming a Guinea Fowl” Dir. Rungano Nyoni Opens worldwide on March 7

Susan Chardy should be our next big movie star.

Reward Increased for Recent Wolf Poaching in Oregon

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks public assistance in solving several wolf cases

By Damian Fagan

“

Poaching impacts all fish and wildlife across Oregon,” said Yvonne Shaw, Protect Oregon’s Wildlife’s Turn In Poachers (TIP) campaign coordinator. “The illegal killing of fish and wildlife not only complicates biologists’ ability to maintain species populations across the state, but it removes opportunity from hunters and anglers who harvest and from residents, recreationists and others who simply enjoy encountering wildlife while they are out and about in our wonderful state.”

“Poaching impacts all fish and wildlife across Oregon.”

—YVONNE SHAW, PROTECT OREGON’S WILDLIFE

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) relies upon the public to report poaching or suspected poaching activity, as there are limited staff spread around the state.

The Oregon State Police (OSP) are leading an investigation into a wolf-poaching incident that occurred on Jan. 29 in Union County. According to a press release, OSP Fish and Wildlife troopers responded to Catherine Creek Lane, roughly 11 miles southeast of Union, to find a wolf tracking collar from OR-86, an alpha male from the Frazier Mountain pack. Though the wolf carcass was not located, the collar was determined to have been unlawfully removed and OR-86 illegally taken. The investigation is still active and OSP asks the public for assistance with the case through its TIP hotline.

“Always remember that no tip is a bad tip,” added Shaw. “Troopers will work with any information available, and if someone who poaches fish or game animals is convicted, the person who reported them can receive either a cash reward or hunting preference points.”

Preference reward points may be applied for controlled hunt tags, and the cash reward for this particular case is $12,000. The rewards through the TIP program are for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

This isn’t the only active wolf-poaching case that has rewards. Other standing cases with rewards or preference points are for the shooting of a yearly wolf near Prairie City on or around May 19, 2024, ($12,100), for the poisoning of three wolves and two golden eagles near Imnaha in 2024 ($38,700) and for a wolf poaching on private property in Morrow County on or around Nov. 8, 2024, ($20,000). Visit the Protect Oregon’s Wildlife website for more ongoing cases.

Other open cases can be found on the ODFW website, as well as information about wolf biology and behavior to educate or reduce fears about wolf activity or what may happen when encountering a wolf in the wild.

“Wolf conflict is an important topic that we focus on,” said Shaw. “We have information on our website about protecting livestock in order to reduce depredation, and other information important to producers.”

One such information document is entitled “ODFW

Non-Lethal Measures to Minimize Wolf-Livestock Conflict.” Several of the recommendations — including the removal and disposal of any livestock carcasses or bone piles; the use of protective animals or herders; or the introduction of barriers such as fladry or temporary fencing — seem like simple and low-cost measures that would work in certain livestock operations. (Fladry are colored strips of cloth attached to a rope strung across an area, which flutter in the wind and deter wolves.)

Gray wolves are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in the western two-thirds of Oregon (west of Highways 395, 78 and 95). Gray wolves are protected by Oregon law in areas east of Highways 395, 78 and 95.

When making a report, remember to provide as much information as possible including a description

of the suspicious activity or violation; the date, time and location of the activity; vehicle descriptions, if possible; name or description of the suspect; and the type of wildlife involved. Just remember: Don’t put yourself in harms way by antagonizing anyone or interfering in a situation. Provide the information to OSP Fish and Wildlife troopers through the TIP hotline or through the dispatch. And remember, all tips can be reported anonymously.

Protect Oregon’s Wildlife: Turn In Poachers TIP hotline: Call 1-800-452-7888 or text *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone protectoregonswildlife.com

A gray wolf on the prowl in Oregon.

A gray wolf moves through the snow in Oregon.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

By Savannah Mendoza

Ski For All: A Celebration of Movement, Inclusion and Adventure

Riders of all abilities are uniting for an unforgettable day on the slopes at the eighth annual Ski For All fundraiser at Mt. Bachelor hosted by Oregon Adaptive Sports (OAS), celebrating outdoor adventure and inclusivity for all.

More than just an event, Ski For All is a movement driven by a shared belief in the power of outdoor recreation and the ability to bring everyone into the fold, regardless of their abilities.

The full-day event will take place at Mt. Bachelor on Saturday, March 15. OAS’ mission is to create access to high-quality outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities, and Ski For All plays a vital role in supporting that mission.

“It’s a celebration of movement, inclusivity and creative challenges,” says Cara Frank, development director at Oregon Adaptive Sports. “As a peer-to-peer fundraiser, we encourage everyone to get involved — whether an athlete, volunteer, family member, friend, sponsor or beyond. We also hope participants rally their networks to raise support for OAS.”

The event offers a flexible schedule, allowing individuals and teams to tackle the mountain at their own pace. Participants will take on unique challenges — like riding every open chairlift, visiting certain places on the mountain and synchronized skiing — throughout the day to score as

many points as possible to win prizes. Breakfast, coffee, lunch and a postevent party at Crux Fermentation Project will add to the day’s fun-filled atmosphere.

“Ski For All is an electric celebration of inclusion and community,” Frank says. “It’s about camaraderie, costumes (optional, but strongly encouraged!) and the joy of outdoor adventure. Whether folks are here to ski, ride, cheer or fundraise, the event is full of heart and a lot of fun!”

OAS focuses on five pillars of access: adaptive equipment, high-quality instruction, scholarships, accessible transportation and the inclusion of people with disabilities. The funds raised help sustain OAS’ efforts to provide these essential services.

“For me personally, Ski For All is about bringing my deaf and sign languages friends together on the slopes, united by our costumes,” Frank says. “It’s the high fives, the pure stoke and the unspoken bond when you spot someone wearing the blue or orange sash — symbols of Ski For All. It’s more than a day on the mountain, it’s a celebration of belonging.”

OAS Ski For All Sat., March 15, 9am-7:30pm Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort

13000 SW Century Dr., Bend oregonadaptivesports.rallybound.org

$40-$100

Photo Credit: Forrest Reinhart

SCARPA

Photo Credit: Forrest Reinhart

Cara Frank

Why Is Social Equity in Cannabis Such a Failure? Doing

the right thing the wrong way

LUCKY!

By Joshua Jardine

Social equity” is a frequently used term that isn’t always defined the same way. Because I, for one, welcome our new AI overlords, an AI-generated definition posits that “social equity is the principle of fairness and justice in how society allocates resources and opportunities. It aims to ensure that everyone has access to the same outcomes, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

Social equity in cannabis takes into account that the War on Drugs focused its efforts on communities of color, resulting in over policing and disproportionate incarceration of Blacks and POC for producing, distributing and using cannabis. How disproportionate? In 2020, the ACLU published a report reminding us that: “Despite roughly equal usage rates, Blacks are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana.”

As numerous states have enacted recreational cannabis programs, many have sought to address this inequity by providing opportunities for members of these marginalized communities to enter the cannabis industry. Last year, the University of Minnesota’s The Gender Policy Report explained that these efforts focus on the “expungement of past cannabis convictions, licensing and employment preferences, and using tax revenue for equity.”

A 2021 white paper by Leafly states that “…while Blacks make up 14% of the U.S. population, only 2% of the licensed cannabis businesses are owned by Blacks.”

With the legal cannabis industry in the U.S. valued at $32 billion, changing those numbers is the goal. So how are states, including Oregon, faring with that task?

It’s a mixed bag.

First, the good: Expungements and pardons of cannabis arrests have surpassed 2.5 million, which is great news for at least 2.5 million people. Many states have performed wholesale expungements. (In 2022, former-Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced plans to expunge over 47,000 cannabis arrests, and forgive over $14 million in fees and fines.)

Not so good? The manner and results of social equity cannabis programs in the licensing of businesses. Last week, The New York Times ran a story that showed just how bad good intentions can end up.

New York’s Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund started as a plan to “… underwrite the first 150 licensed dispensaries with $50 million of state money and $150 million raised from investors, then pass the cost on to retailers in the form of loans.”

The Legislature approved $50 million in the spring of 2022, but the state missed two deadlines to line up the $150 million from private investors, finally partnering up with private equity firm Chicago Atlantic.

The investment agreement heavily favored Chicago Atlantic, promising them a 15% return on their initial $50 million investment. Per the Times: “The loans to retailers carry a 13% interest rate over 10 years… limiting how much revenue can be spent on costs like rent, payroll and goods for sale. The fund can tack on an unlimited amount of administrative fees, and most licensees are required to pay interest on the full term of the loan even if they pay it off early.”

The fund also required owners to use the services of preselected contractors to build out the dispensaries, leaving owners with little to no say in design or any information as to the design and construction costs. The prices charged were egregiously high — in one case the company building a dispensary subcontracted the work out, then charged six times the amount paid to the subcontractor.

A mere 22 dispensaries have opened through the program, and so many of the owners have spoken of being forced into “debt traps,” as well as defaulting on multi-million dollar loans, that the state’s inspector general’s office has opened an investigation.

Not all programs have been failures. Perhaps the best example is Illinois, which has made nearly $28 million in fully forgivable loans at 4% interest. Other states, such as Minnesota, have been hobbled by “zone flooders or predatory applicants,” forcing the system to restart the licensing application process. In Ohio, lawmakers have proposed legislation to eliminate the social equity component of the voter passed initiative altogether.

Federal efforts to rollback and eliminate DEI programs don’t bode well for social equity in many things. Here’s hoping social equity remains in cannabis, albeit with greater care.

“ Markus Minkler, Pexels

Crossword “Watering Holes”

Pearl’s Puzzle

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

ACROSS

1.  Some Camaros

6.  Merely

10.  She’s always on an iPhone

14.  Kid’s rejection to a parent

15.  Regarding

16.  It might be booked to promote an album

17.  Refuse to stop talking about actor Ribisi?

20.  Emilia’s husband in the Globe

21.  Reverse in a car, say 22.  Numbered things

23.  En fuego

25.  Put into piles

26.  Tune that keeps building?

31.  Appear on a streaming show

34.  Warts and all

35.  What a co. makes back

36.  Ignore

37.  Isle of ___

39.  City seeing hazard

40.  It’s a laugh

41.  Lady’s title

42.  Some N95s

43.  “Both ‘Animal Farm’ or ‘1984’ works for me”?

47.  Eugene of “Schitt’s Creek”

48.  Acorn dropper

52.  Ultrasound rooms?

54.  Jacobs of fashion

56.  Roll up, as a flag

57.  Wiped down all of a Tube track?

60.  Greek vowels

61.  Its state emblem is a beehive

62.  Made a dramatic appearance

63.  Hotter than the sun

64.  Like dark meat

65.  Floting, perhaps

DOWN

1.  California city that hosts Coachella

2.  Blanchard of “Snowpiercer”

3.  Last letter

4.  Fills up a drawing sheet

5.  Size abbr.

6.  Cannon who wrote the classic children’s book “Stellaluna”

7.  Open org.

8.  Mix up

9.  As well as

10.  They often lead to another story

11.  Bad weather in some sci-fi

12.  Littlest one

13.  Spring bloomer

18.  Look all over

19.  Some YouTube channels

24.  Hold the deed to

25.  Bad attitude

27.  Gastropub selection

28.  Kind of sort of

29.  Reading room?

30.  Shows on a 16-Across

31.  Only Black man to win a Wimbledon singles title

32.  Tea selection

33.  Mustang treatment option

37.  Skeptical

38.  Messenger qualifier

39.  Location for testing land speed records

41.  Hell of a guy?

42.  Jan. honoree

44.  Galileo’s crime

45.  Deserving

46.  Per person

49.  Spoils

50.  Unibrowed Muppet

51.  Italian author Ferrante

52.  All-purpose wheels

53.  All-purpose bag

54.  Zuckerberg’s company

55.  “Severance” star ___ Scott

58.  Carry, with effort

59.  Time of your life?

Puzzle for the week of March 3, 2025 Difficulty Level:

Difficulty Level

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

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters exactly once. DAMP HONEY

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters D A M P H O N E Y exactly once.

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “Just a reminder for your weekend: _______ will be ______ing an hour earlier.” —Unknown

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “Just a reminder for your weekend: will be - Unknown Answer for the week of February 24, 2025

“Up

E C L A I M

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): No cars drove through London’s streets in 1868. That invention was still years away. But the roads were crammed with pedestrians and horses. To improve safety amidst the heavy traffic, a mechanical traffic light was installed—the first in the world. But it had a breakdown a month later, injured a police officer, and was discontinued. Traffic lights didn’t become common for 50 years after that. I believe your imminent innovations will have better luck and good timing, Pisces. Unlike the premature traffic signal, your creations and improvements will have the right context to succeed. Don’t be shy about pushing your good ideas! They could revamp the daily routine.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The world’s darkest material is Vantablack. This super-black coating absorbs 99.96% of visible light, creating a visual void. It has many practical applications, like improving the operation of telescopes, infrared cameras, and solar panels. I propose we make Vantablack your symbol of power in the coming weeks. It will signify that an apparent void or absence in your life might actually be a fertile opportunity. An ostensible emptiness may be full of potential.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Among their many sensational qualities, rivers have the power to create through demolition and revision. Over the centuries, they erode rock and earth, making canyons and valleys. Their slow and steady transformative energy can be an inspiration to you in the coming months, Taurus. You, too, will be able to accomplish wonders through the strength of your relentless persistence—and through your resolute insistence that some old approaches will need to be eliminated to make way for new dispensations.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Cosmic rhythms are authorizing you to be extra demanding in the coming days—as long as you are not frivolous, rude, or unreasonable. You have permission to ask for bigger and better privileges that you have previously felt were beyond your grasp. You should assume you have finally earned rights you had not fully earned before now. My advice is to be discerning about how you wield this extra power. Don’t waste it on trivial or petty matters. Use it to generate significant adjustments that will change your life for the better.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In North America, starlings are an invasive species introduced from Europe in the 19th century. They are problematic, competing with native species for resources. They can damage crops and spread diseases that affect livestock. Yet starlings also create the breathtakingly beautiful marvel known as a murmuration. They make mesmerizing, ever-shifting patterns in the sky while moving as one cohesive unit. We all have starling-like phenomena in our lives—people, situations, and experiences that arouse deeply paradoxical responses, that we both enjoy and disapprove of. According to my analysis, the coming weeks will be prime time to transform and evolve your relationships with these things. It’s unwise to sustain the status quo. I’m not necessarily advising you to banish them—simply to change your connection.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Centuries before European sailors ventured across the seas, Polynesians were making wide-ranging voyages around the South Pacific. Their navigations didn’t use compasses or sextants, but relied on analyzing ocean swells, star configurations, cloud formations, bird movements, and wind patterns. I bring their genius to your attention, Gemini, because I believe you are gaining access to new ways to read and understand your environment. Subtleties that weren’t previously clear to you are becoming so. Your perceptual powers seem to be growing, and so is your sensitivity to clues from below the visible surface of things. Your intuition is synergizing with your logical mind.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The Maeslant Barrier is a gigantic, movable barricade designed to prevent the flooding of the Dutch port of Rotterdam. It’s deployed when storms generate surges that need to be repelled. I think we all need metaphorical versions of this protective fortification, with its balance of unstinting vigilance and timely flexibility. Do you have such psychic structures in place, Cancerian? Now would be a good time to ensure that you have them and they’re working properly. A key factor, as you mull over the prospect I’m suggesting, is knowing that you don’t need to keep all your defenses raised to the max at all times. Rather, you need to sense when it’s crucial to assert limits and boundaries—and when it’s safe and right to allow the flow of connection and opportunity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The authentic alchemists of medieval times were not foolishly hoping to transmute literal lead and other cheap metals into literal gold. In fact, their goal was to change the wounded, ignorant, unripe qualities of their psyches into beautiful, radiant aspects. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to do such magic. Life will provide you with help and inspiration as you try to brighten your shadows. We all need to do this challenging work, Leo! Now is one of your periodic chances to do it really well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23Nov. 21): Buildings and walls in the old Incan city of Machu Picchu feature monumental stone blocks that fit together precisely. You can't slip a piece of paper between them. Most are irregularly shaped and weigh many tons. Whoever constructed these prodigious structures benefited from massive amounts of ingenuity and patience. I invite you to summon some of the same blend of diligence and brilliance as you work on your growing masterpiece in the coming weeks and months. My prediction: What you create in 2025 will last a very long time.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Bioluminescence is light emitted from living creatures. They don’t reflect the light of the sun or moon, but produce it themselves. Fireflies do it, and so do glow-worms and certain fungi. If you go to Puerto Rico’s Mosquito Bay, you may also spy the glimmer of marine plankton known as dinoflagellates. The best time to see them show what they can do is on a cloudy night during a new moon, when the deep murk reveals their full power. I believe their glory is a good metaphor for you in the coming days. Your beauty will be most visible and your illumination most valuable when the darkness is at a peak.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn-born Shah Jahan I was the Emperor of Hindustan from 1628 to 1658. During his reign, he commissioned the Taj Mahal, a magnificent garden and building complex to honor his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This spectacular “jewel of Islamic art” is still a major tourist attraction. In the spirit of Shah Jahan’s adoration, I invite you to dream and scheme about expressing your devotion to what you love. What stirs your heart and nourishes your soul? Find tangible ways to celebrate and fortify your deepest passions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Over 2,100 years ago, Greek scientists created an analog computer that could track astronomical movements and events decades in advance. Referred to now as the Antikythera mechanism, it was a unique, groundbreaking invention. Similar machines didn’t appear again until Europe in the 14th century. If it’s OK with you, I will compare you with the Antikythera mechanism. Why? You are often ahead of your time with your innovative approaches. People may regard you as complex, inscrutable, or unusual, when in fact you are simply alert for and homing in on future developments. These qualities of yours will be especially needed in the coming weeks and months.

Homework: What’s a need you have that you shouldn’t be embarrassed about but are? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

AWAKENING YOUR INNER HERO A

COLUMN TO HELP LOCALS LIVE A KINDER AND MORE COURAGEOUS

By Burt Gershater

Have You Grown Up Yet?

Aging is not related as much to time and years as it is to what we do with our time and years. Listen up: We need your youthful spirit!

Who would you truly want to be when you grow up?

Maybe you’ve already grown up. Maybe not. We’ll begin by defining what we mean by this age-old concept.

First, as with most things, there’s not one understanding of this often-misunderstood word. There are generally as many understandings for grown up as there are readers. I have my ideas, you’ve got yours. Sometimes, we might even agree. This is the first and most important understanding of being grown up: We finally come to accept that there’s rarely only one answer to nearly all questions. And we don’t always have to be right.

Here’s a question: Is age related to growing up? Yes!

Many of us older folks share stories about how we’ve gotten wiser in our later years. Less judgmental. Slower to react. More able to apologize and forgive. Less self-centered, sometimes. It generally takes time to grow up. And… absolutely not!

Unfortunately, time guarantees nothing in the realm of growing up. It’s often assisted by time, but not always. There are very young, very mature folks out there, and some much older, immature ones. Life is infinitely complex.

Darn near all of us, even us elders, are not yet fully grown up. Some factors inhibiting total maturation include: unhealed wounds, karma, difficulty letting go of egos, fears of every kind… and our own limited ability to see ourselves clearly. One of my frequently repeated, favorite wisdoms is:

I don’t know who discovered water but I’m sure it wasn’t the fish.

It’s often difficult to see ourselves clearly without some help.

Hold on a sec! Something just happened I can’t ignore. Bear with me. Let me give you a bit of very recent history.

Wendy and I attended a matinee showing of “A Complete Unknown,” a movie about Bob Dylan’s early career. As I’m writing, I’m also playing some of his old songs I have loved since they came out in the ’60s. And this song just came on: “Forever Young.” Really?! Here are some lyrics:

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth And see the light surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

May your song always be sung

And may you stay forever young

That is growing up! And now, “Blowin’ In The Wind” starts to play! You have got to be kidding me:

And how many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free?

Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head and pretend that he just doesn’t see?

Yes, and how many times must a man look up before he can see the sky?

And how many ears must one man have before he can hear people cry?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take ’til he knows that too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind, the answer is blowin’ in the wind

The reason the answer is “Blowin’ In The Wind” is because you and I are in charge of our own growing up. And one of the essential ingredients to being grown up is being able to see our own pain so we can feel the pain of our brothers and sisters… and share it, vulnerably.

You and I are the wind. We are also ultimately the answer. We have two essential jobs:

1. Never stop growing up — stay forever young.

2. Pass your love and wisdom on to everyone and everything you touch.

Be an inspiration. That is grown up!

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

Shift into harmony with the potent energy of the full moon.

Immerse yourself in a deep state of relaxation. Connect with your senses and elevate your frequency through the healing power of sound, vibration, yoga, and lunar magic

TAKE ME HOME

By James Keane Broker RE/MAX Key Properties

The Shortcomings of ‘Price per Square Foot’ A misguided

calculation

You’ve probably been told that “price per square foot” is the golden rule, the magic number that tells you a house’s worth. “This one’s only $X per square foot!” they exclaim. But here’s the truth, straight from an agent: that number is a dangerous oversimplification. It’s like judging a gourmet meal by its calorie count — technically accurate but completely missing the point.

Why? Because price per square foot is a very narrow view of a property’s value. It primarily focuses on the interior living space. It ignores crucial factors that significantly impact a home’s overall worth and livability.

First, let’s talk about lot size. You could have two houses with identical square footage, but one sits on a sprawling acre while the other is crammed onto a tiny city lot. The larger lot offers privacy, potential for expansion and simply more breathing room. That’s worth a premium, but price per square foot won’t reflect it.

Then there’s construction quality. Are we comparing a builder-grade home with basic finishes to a custom-built masterpiece with high-end materials? The difference in craftsmanship and durability is immense. A well-built home with quality fixtures and finishes will not only last longer but also offer a more enjoyable living experience. Price per square foot doesn’t account for the investment in superior construction.

And what about outdoor spaces? In our beautiful region, those patios, decks and landscaped yards are practically extensions of our living areas. A spacious outdoor kitchen, a fire pit area or a meticulously maintained garden can add significant value and

enjoyment. Yet, they’re often completely overlooked by the price per square foot calculation.

Consider this: A smaller home with a large, beautifully landscaped backyard might be more desirable than a larger home with a postage stamp-sized lot. The price per square foot might be higher in the smaller home, but the overall enjoyment and potential resale value could be greater.

Furthermore, the age of a home, the layout and the condition of major systems like HVAC and plumbing all play a role in its true value. A newly renovated smaller home could be priced higher per square foot than a larger, outdated home, but it could offer a move-in ready experience and lower maintenance costs.

The only time price per square foot becomes a truly useful, albeit still limited, comparison tool is when you’re looking at nearly identical properties within the same subdivision, built by the same builder within a short timeframe. Even then, slight variations in upgrades or lot placement can skew the numbers. Outside of that incredibly narrow scenario, it’s a metric that will lead you astray. So, what should you do instead of relying solely on price per square foot? Look at the big picture. Consider the property as a whole, taking into account lot size, construction quality, outdoor spaces and the overall condition. Work with a knowledgeable agent who can help you understand the nuances of the market and assess the true value of a property. Don’t let a single number dictate your decision. Your dream home is more than just a calculation.