Source Weekly August 1, 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE:

EDITOR

Nicole Vulcan - editor@bendsource.com

REPORTER

Julianna LaFollette- reporter@bendsource.com

REPORTER / CALENDAR EDITOR

Savannah Mendoza - calendar@bendsource.com

FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Jennifer Baires - features@layitoutfoundation.org

MUSIC WRITER

Chris Young - music@bendsource.com

COPY EDITOR

Richard Sitts

FREELANCERS

Jared Rasic, Jessica Sanchez-Millar, Chris Young, Burt Gershater

SYNDICATED CONTENT

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

PRODUCTION MANAGER / ART DIRECTOR

Jennifer Galler - production@bendsource.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ben Irish - design@bendsource.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Ashley Sarvis

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Ban Tat, Chad Barnes

advertise@bendsource.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Sean Switzer

CONTROLLER

Angela Switzer - angela@bendsource.com

PUBLISHER

Aaron Switzer - aaron@bendsource.com

WILD CARD

Paul Butler

NATIONAL ADVERTISING

Alternative Weekly Network 916-551-1770

Welcome to August! Behind the scenes over here, our team is hard at work getting ready for our big Best of Central Oregon issue, which begins to hit stands Aug. 14. Stay tuned for that! Meantime, some news, entertainment and info for your eyes and ears. Take a tour of the new Kah-Nee-Ta with Jennifer Baires in this week’s Feature. In News, Julianna LaFollette recounts a local dog’s run-in with some toxic mushrooms, and shares what to look out for as they proliferate in the area. In Sound, Chris Young chats with St. Vincent, aka Annie Clark, ahead of her first-ever Bend show. In Chow, Jared Rasic eats at the new bar that replaced The Brown Owl, called WildWood. And in Lit tle Bites, we share an opportunity to do something with all of that zucchini that is popping up seemingly overnight in local gardens. Plus, lots more — so get reading!

as

of the week and in print as our Lightmeter. Winners receive a

@highdesertframeworks.

Courtesy @sageinthewind Instagram

OPINION

A Land Swap 20 Years in the Making Could Result in Another Managed Camp. It’s a Good Plan — If It Can Be Done

Right now, a land swap deal between the Oregon Department of State Lands and Deschutes County, underway for 20 years, is nearing completion. The deal will swap some 137 acres of county land near East Antler Avenue in Redmond for 140 acres of state lands south of the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, which the county wants to use for “future Fair and Expo use.”

One caveat: the county must remove the people currently occupying its land. The plan at this point is to engage in a 10-month-long process that will remove people from that 137 acres and relocate them to another piece of county-owned land nearby.

On its surface, this seems fair. For one, the relocation will fall under the tenets of a state law, HB 3115, that seeks to ensure the safety and dignity of people experiencing homelessness — a fairly far cry from the response people might have imagined when in June the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, which sought to fine people for sleeping on public property. The fear there was that with the Grants Pass decision, cities would opt to employ more draconian methods to remove people experiencing homelessness; but Oregon’s law precludes that.

The county’s proposal also seems fair in that it includes provisions for portable toilets, garbage and water at the new location. That’s more than people currently living on the 137 acres of county land are experiencing.

Still there are some areas of concern.

enforce rules and manage emergencies, among other duties. When the Coordinated Houseless Response Office issued a request for proposals to run a managed camp on the county’s land earlier, no one came forward. According to documents issued from the office of Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp regarding the relocation, staff reported that “it will be easier to find a service provider to provide mobile case management services.” Challenges to providing a managed camp include lack of capacity among local nonprofits and the “overall magnitude” of the project, the documents stated.

So when it comes down to it, the issue here is capacity. The local nonprofits that are already doing this work are busy in other parts of the region. If capacity is the main issue, will an option for mobile, rather than constant on-site services, be enough to get someone to come forward to do this work?

On another note, the status of the Coordinated Houseless Response Office is in flux, according to recent reporting from The Bulletin. Did that office conduct the level of outreach necessary to make that project fly, or is Central Oregon really at an impasse in terms of our ability to staff the necessary services for projects like this?

Public servants in this region routinely lament the dynamic they’re seeing: Too much need, too few resources and people willing to do the things that need to be done.

One, it’s not entirely clear whether Deschutes County and the City of Redmond have the funds to maintain this level of service in perpetuity.

Second, there’s the problem of finding a service provider to run the thing — to answer phone calls, lay out and

In this case — assuming the funds are there to provide these services in the first place — we now have some political will behind the notion of a managed camp. It would be a shame to see the holdup here be a lack of someone to actually do the work on the ground.

DYSFUNCTIONAL DEMOCRACY

Kamala Harris has the credentials, the temperament and the vision to lead our country in the right direction if elected president, but regardless of her fitness for the presidency, the method of her ascent should cause concern for the integrity of our democracy.

I do not fault Kamala Harris for following the rules as written to secure the Democratic nomination in this year’s election, but the impact of those rules should raise eyebrows to anyone concerned with the transparency and accessibility of our democratic institutions.

For a democracy to thrive, elections must give voters (and if not voters, delegates to the Democratic Convention) meaningful choices. With Joe Biden’s unprecedented departure from the presidential race, Democratic leaders quickly scrambled to anoint Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate for president. In doing so, they have deprived Democratic voters the chance to weigh competing visions for our country in the marketplace of ideas. Without a meaningful choice for one of our major party candidates, this represents another step in the degradation of our democracy.

I would be remiss to ignore the fact that party procedures, and ballot access deadlines in various states have tied the hands of Democrats and created this crisis that makes grassroots decision-making untenable.

The biggest threat to democracy right now is Donald Trump and his reactionary sycophants, but after we beat them, we need to take a good hard look at how we run our democracy, if we truly value its preservation.

—Thomas Wrisley

HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your thoughts to editor@bendsource.com. Letters must be received by noon Friday for inclusion in the following week’s paper. Please limit letters to 250 words. Submission does not guarantee publication. Opinions printed here do not constitute an editorial endorsement of said opinions. Letter of the week receives $5 to Palate!

BPRD NEEDS TO MAKE PUBLIC DOG PARKS SAFER FOR ALL!

There needs to be better safety policies that protect Bend Park and Recreation District workers, dogs and their owners in public dog parks.

On July 11, a BPRD maintenance worker ignited his gas-powered blower without notice in the presence of off leashed dogs inside Alpenglow Dog Park. My dog, being nearby, turned and bit him!

This is a highly trained certified therapy dog who visits retirement homes without incident and has never bitten anyone else in the nine years that I have owned her. Local veterinarians confirmed that ANY dog put into this situation can bite out of fear.

She was placed in quarantine and we are excluded from Bend Park and Recreation District property for 30 days. I went to the BPRD district office to speak with staff as I feel much can be lost in written communication, however, no one was available. Later I incredulously received a threatening email to have me arrested for criminal trespass because I entered the district office!

These policies are in the job description for maintenance workers:

Promote safe conditions

Maintenance and safe operation of powered equipment

Safely operate powered equipment

BPRD also claims:

Running and screaming can trigger a dog's instinct to chase.

So, isn't BPRD violating their own policies?

I appealed and was denied because in part "everyone should take responsibility for their actions and I showed no responsibility."

By staying in the park and cooperating, I demonstrated responsibility and

shouldn't "everyone should take responsibility for their actions" include BPRD?

BPRD has not taken any responsibility, yet they claim that dog parks are to be a safe place to take dogs where "they can play, walk and run." Shouldn't they make dog parks safer for all?

We deserve better!

—Mary Robinson

RE: ON E-BIKES IN THE FOREST, DATA BRINGS CLARITY. OPINION, 7/11

The Source’s 7/11 editorial offered biased interpretations of e-bike data. Impacts of e-bikes on trail systems in Madras and Prineville are of questionable relevance to Bend given our higher trail pressures here. Tahoe National Forest trails are steeper and more technical than Bend's, which raises some rationale for pedal assist and decreases the likelihood of overuse. Plus, dirt in the Sierras does not pulverize to dust as in Bend. Anecdotal data that e-bikes don't increase maintenance doesn’t mean they don't increase damage unless trails are maintained to the same standard, and the degradation of Phil's Trail shows they are not. The Source's 7/25 article presented e-bikes as a way for seniors to extend ridership, but ignored additional demographics that pedal assist will attract, including the 30% of people in the e-bike advocacy group who are not seniors. Thinking pedal assist in Phil's Trail won't attract new demographics

is like thinking that permitting motorboats on a lake will appeal only to aging paddlers. Moreover, research shows it is possible to build strength into your 90s, so seniors can turn to strength coaches, not motors. The article brushed off the increased damage that e-bikes will inflict by noting the trails are terrible already. But new users will only make a bad situation worse and more dangerous, as berms degrade and trails turn to sand. The Source did not just take the wrong side of an issue, contrary to good journalistic practices it also took it one-sidedly.

Letter of the Week:

Helpful points, Matt. Come on by for your gift card to Palate.

—Nicole Vulcan

—Matt Orr

Mt.

Bachelor Open New Mixed-Use Trail

A new mixed-use trail at Mt. Bachelor, Evergreen, opens Aug. 1.

Mt. Bachelor plans to hold a grand opening of the trail at 11:30am, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, giveaways, free drink tokens and guided hikes at the top of the trail.

The new trail marks the first designated easy hiking and downhill biking trail at the resort, clocking in at just under 4.5 miles from the West Village base area to Pine Marten Lodge. The project, which started in 2022, was made possible through Visit Bend’s Sustainability Fund. Voters Will Decide on Expanding County Commission in November

A proposed ballot measure that would increase the number of county commissioners from three to five members was accepted by Deschutes County on July 29. Community member and business owner, John Heylin, started a petition to create this ballot in January . Heylin needed 6,581 signature for the measure to be on the November 2024 ballot. He received 6,649.

Air Quality Advisory in Parts of Oregon

On July 29, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory due to smoke from fires in Oregon, California, Idaho, Washington and Canada.

Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties were listed as affected areas, according to a press release. The advisory noted that smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. Those most at risk include infants, young people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people.

When smoke levels are high, individuals should stay inside, if possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and avoid places with the highest levels.

Smoke has been making its way to Central Oregon from the Oakridge area, which has several big fires. In that area, southwest of Central Oregon, is the Coffeepot Fire, which is now 2,761 acres and the Adam Mountain Fire, which is 8,026 acres, among others. Meanwhile in Harney County, several fires are over 200,000 acres.

—Julianna LaFollette

Experts Warn About Toxic Wild Mushrooms Mushroom experts and veterinarians caution pet owners about local mushrooms that could be fatal if ingested

By Julianna LaFollette

Summertime mushrooms can appear in varying locations and weather conditions throughout Central Oregon. While some mushrooms are harmless, others are severely poisonous and should be avoided at all costs, by both humans and their pets.

Recently, some of these toxic mushrooms have started to grow, causing pet owners and veterinarians to warn people about the harmful outcomes of ingesting them.

Last week, Jen Jones took her Husky mix, Maya, to a friend’s house in Sunriver. After about an hour of letting Maya run around in the backyard, Jones took her pup back to their home in Bend. That’s when Jones noticed something was off.

First, Jones said, Maya was acting lethargic. She started drooling and the symptoms progressed rapidly from there. “Then she just couldn’t walk,” said Jones. “Her paws were folding under her and she just started seizing and convulsing.” Jones and her husband, JJ, immediately took Maya to the emergency veterinarian.

After speaking with the doctor, and their friend who checked her backyard, they realized Maya had ingested a type of toxic mushroom, Amanita pantherina mushrooms.

Central Oregon has two common poisonous mushrooms, including the Amanita pantherina and Amanita aprica mushrooms. In general, the pantherina mushrooms, like the one Maya ate, are more likely to show up in the middle or end of summer. Aprica mushrooms are usually seen in the spring or early summer.

Some amanita mushrooms, like Amanita Muscarias, are also known to cause mind-altering effects. A chemical found in a certain type of Amanita mushroom, muscimol, was recently found in microdosing products that have been causing illnesses across the United States.

to make a post in a local Facebook group to warn people about these mushrooms.

According to local mushroom expert Julie Hamilton with the Central Oregon Mushroom Club, it’s difficult to know exactly when and where these mushrooms will pop up. She advises people to look out for these mushrooms in yards, at dog parks and out on local hiking trails.

“It’s hard to make any hard and fast rules about mushrooms, they’re sneaky buggers,” said Hamilton.

The two mushrooms that cause the most problems, she noted, have a compound in them with a scent that attracts dogs, and especially puppies. While some mushrooms can be hard to identify, the ones that are problematic are usually easily identifiable, if people know what to look for.

“After everything that Indian people went through across the nation, we’re still here… So same thing with Kah-Nee-Ta. Even though it went through struggles and it had to close, it did it for a reason, and now that it’s reopened it’s amazingly beautiful and we’re going to do the rest of it one phase at a time. Just like our Indian people.”

- Starla

Green, from the Feature story, “Kah-Nee-Ta

Rises.”

According to Taylor Stockdale, chief of the emergency department at the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon, danger among poisonous mushrooms can vary. Some of them are totally fine, while others are incredible lethal and fast-acting. “There’s not an antidote for some of them, so that can be the really hard part,” she said.

Symptoms include nausea, drooling, lip licking, seizures and tremors and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. Veterinarians generally have pretty good luck in treating them, said Stockdale, as long as they can get their tremors under control.

In these cases, an animal hospital will usually keep the dog for 24 hours. They typically give them medications to slow or stop the tremors and can administer other medications to try and soak up the residual toxins in their body.

“It’s kind of variable on how well those work, depending on the type of mushroom,” Stockdale said.

After the vet treated Maya, Jones’s dog, she was feeling better. The next day, Jones was able to take Maya home. She decided

Toxic mushrooms often have a white material on top, that often looks like white speckles. Hamilton advises people to always be on the lookout, or to email the Central Oregon Mushroom Club if they need help identifying a potentially poisonous mushroom.

“Just check your yard. A lot of times, as we start getting thunderstorms and more rain in the fall, things are going to pop up in people’s yard,” she said. “It’s really important to just kind of be on the lookout where your dog hangs out.”

Stockdale mentioned that cases of mushroom poisoning in dogs typically come in waves. “We tend to see them come in bundles,” said Stockdale. “There’s like a week where we’ll see maybe five to 10 different mushroom toxicities in dogs.”

If someone is worried that their pet may have gotten into a toxic mushroom, they should bring their animal and a sample of the mushroom, to the veterinary hospital.

“If families are starting to see mushrooms pop up on their walks or in their yard, I would just be super vigilant with their dog for the next couple of weeks, because eventually here, it gets dry enough that they’ll disappear,” said Stockdale.

Local dog Maya recovers from mushroom poisoning.

Jen Jones

- The number of Grammys won by St. Vincent, the musician otherwise known as Annie Clark. From this week’s Sound interview with the artist.

County Plans to Relocate Houseless in East Redmond

To

initiate an anticipated land swap, Deschutes County makes plans on how to relocate houseless individuals living in east Redmond

By Julianna LaFollette

After years of discussing plans to move houseless individual’s off of 137 acres of County-owned land in east Redmond, County Commissioners approved a plan that would help relocate individuals.

Commissioners voted 2-1, directing County staff members to draft a Request for Proposals for the operation of a supported/managed camp on 45-acres of land in east Redmond. Commissioner Tony DeBone voted “no.”

The process will move houseless individuals off of the 137 acres and offer a parcel of 45 acres of county land, south of the area, as an alternative location for people to go.

The removal from the 137 acres comes as the Department of State Lands and Deschutes County prepare to swap two parcels of land. In the spring of 2023, the Department of State Lands made it clear that the County’s 137 acres needed to be clear of people and debris before a land exchange could happen. The long-anticipated land exchange would give DSL the 137 acres of industrial land. In exchange, the County would acquire 140 acres of land south of the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center for future Fair and Expo use.

On July 29, County staff members provided commissioners three different draft plans for the relocation process. Concept one would relocate people to the 45 acres and offer basic hygiene services, an area for service providers and mobile case management.

Concept two, the one that County Commissioners approved, offers more services and a higher level of management. It would include all elements listed in the first concept, but would be more supported, requiring an RFP for services and oversight. Concept three would have planned to establish a fully managed camp.

Commissioner DeBone expressed his support for concept one, stating it was more deterministic, given that asking people to move is already a big step.

“Jumping right to step two means we’re going to find some magical service provider that’s going to work for a minimal amount of money, or we’re going to have to come up with a lot of money, to ask people to move and come join us,” he told the Source Weekly.

Commissioner Phil Chang, who voted for concept two, wanted to establish an area that was safe and secure, and felt that concept one would not accomplish that.

“If we want people to move out of homelessness, then I think we need to look at the other two options,” he said. At the July 29 meeting, he expressed his concerns that concept one would be a risk; telling people they can just move to the 45 acres without any management or services.

The draft plan is estimated to take 10 months. County staff, after getting direction from County Commissioners, will begin creating a preliminary RFP and workshop with local service providers on Aug. 13.

County Commissioners met with Redmond leaders and service providers this year, indicating plans for this relocation. After the initial meetings, the City of Redmond agreed to help move this plan forward.

“After seeing the disruptive behavior occurring on Juniper Ridge and along China Hat Road, we believe that an

appropriate investment in proper management, including the provisions of necessities (trash, port-a-potties, water etc.) is key to having this future site safe not only for those who live there but also for those on adjoining properties,” wrote Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch in a letter to County Commissioners.

Commissioners have yet to decide on a date for people to relocate. The County plans to meet with the City of Redmond, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s office to talk about enforcement, making sure all parties are agreeable if someone refuses to move off the 137 acres and to have a process to enforce that.

James Cook, an advocate for homeless services, has some concerns about the County’s vote. One concern, he said, is the lack of meaningful consultation with service providers.

Service providers met with County staff members on July 23 to discuss the options. Cook felt there should have been more input from service providers who are familiar with the situation in east Redmond and have relationships with some of the people out there.

Cook, who ran for the County Commission in 2018, also worries that without any concrete plan and timeframe, nothing will get done. The current plan, he said, relies on service providers to step up.

“This camp just isn't realistic, and we're going to be back in the same place we were before. I don't see people stepping up to do that,” he said. “They haven't made clear how much money they are willing to put out to make this happen… I don't think they have a realistic understanding of what it's going to take, both to encourage people to move where they would like them to move, and to actually have a safe, secure and successful location.”

Deschutes County Accepts Funding For Behavioral Health Facility

The $2 million grant will go toward a secure residential treatment facility

By Julianna LaFollette

Deschutes County accepted funding from the Oregon Health Authority on July 24 to support a behavioral health treatment facility in Redmond. On May 29, the Board of County Commissioners gave approval for the Deschutes County Health Services to accept a $2,000,000 grant to construct a Class 1, 16-bed secure residential treatment facility.

A Class 1 treatment facility serves people who meet a certain threshold – those who are too dangerous to themselves or others because of their mental illness and need involuntary secure treatment. According to Holly Harris, the Deschutes County behavioral health director, the need for this type of facility in Central Oregon is great.

“There is such limited capacity for those individuals. If they meet that level of care, they really shouldn’t be anywhere else other than that level of care. It’s not safe for them, it’s not safe for the community. This will help fill that gap,” Harris said.

While the $2 million will go toward the construction of this facility, it will not cover most of the funds needed to complete this project. According to Harris, the last facility like this one that the County tried to construct had about a $14 million price tag.

As she said, “$2 million is really a drop in the bucket when it comes to building a facility like this,” she said. “It’s really going to require an entity that has its own capital, money that they can invest in it.”

Harris said the County sent out a request to have a private partner help supplement the $2 million. They are in the process of reviewing applications. Harris also noted that it would likely take about 18 to 24 months to get the facility up and running.

Courtesy Deschutes County

Julianna LaFollette

Expertos advierten sobre las setas silvestres venenosas y las mascotas

Por Julianna LaFollette Traducido por Jéssica Sánchez-Millar

Las setas en verano pueden aparecer en varios lugares y en condiciones climáticas en el Centro de Oregón. Si bien algunas setas (hongos) son inofensivas, otras son muy venenosas y deben de evitarse a toda costa tanto en el ser humano como en las mascotas.

Recientemente, algunas de estas setas venenosas han comenzado a crecer lo que ha causado que los dueños de mascotas y veterinarios le adviertan a la gente sobre los efectos dañinos al ingerirlos.

La semana pasada, Jen Jones llevó a su perro Maya, una mezcla de raza Husky, a la casa de su amigo en Sunriver. Después de aproximadamente una hora de haber dejado correr a Maya por el jardín trasero, Jones se llevó a su cachorro de regreso a su casa en Bend. Fue entonces cuando Jones notó que algo estaba mal.

Primero, dijo Jones, Maya estaba desganada. Comenzó a babear y las molestias empeoraron rápidamente después de eso. ”De ahí no podía caminar,” dijo Jones. Tenía sus patas dobladas por debajo de ella y comenzó a agarrotarse y a convulsionar”. Jones y su esposo, JJ, llevaron de inmediato a Maya a la veterinaria de emergencia.

Después de platicar con el doctor y con su amigo que revisó el jardín trasero, se dieron cuenta que Maya había ingerido un tipo de seta venenosa, la seta Amanita pantherina.

La zona Centro de Oregón tiene dos setas venenosas comunes, incluidas las setas Amanita pantherina y la Amanita aprica. En general, las setas pantherina, como la que Maya comió, aparecen más comúnmente a mediados

o finales del verano. Las setas Aprica suelen presentarse en primavera o principios de verano.

También se sabe que algunas setas amanita, como la Amanita Muscarias, causan efectos que alteran la mente. Recientemente se encontró una sustancia química que se encuentra en cierto tipo de seta Amanita, muscimol, encontrada en productos microdosis que han estado causando enfermedades en los Estados Unidos.

Los síntomas incluyen nauseas, babear, lamido de los labios, convulsiones y temblorina, y algunas veces molestias gastrointestinales. Generalmente los veterinarios tienen mucha suerte con el tratamiento, dijo Stockdale, siempre y cuando puedan controlar la temblorina.

En estos casos, un hospital para animales suele mantener al perro por 24 horas. Por lo general, se les administran medicamentos para disminuir o parar la temblorina y pueden administrarse otros medicamentos para tratar de absorber el veneno restante en su cuerpo.

“En cuanto a que tan bien funciona esto varia, dependiendo del tipo de seta”, dijo Stockdale.

Después que el veterinario le dio tratamiento a Maya, la perra de Jones se sintió mejor. El 24 de julio, Jones pudo llevarse a Maya a casa. Ella decidió publicarlo en un grupo local de Facebook para advertirle a la gente sobre estas setas.

Según la experta local en setas, Julie Hamilton del Central Oregon Mushroom Club, es difícil saber con exactitud cuándo y dónde saldrán estas setas. Ella le aconseja a la gente que busquen estas setas en los jardines, en los parques para perros y en los senderos de la región.

Julie Hamilton

Kah-Nee-Ta Rises

A tour of a beloved Central Oregon resort in the hour before it reopens

By Jennifer Baires

It’s a few minutes before 10am on July 18 and already the sun is baking the hills around Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort on the Warm Springs Reservation. Six years ago, on Memorial Day, the storied resort shuttered following years of economic struggles. Over 100 people lost their jobs that day, most of them tribal members. It was an abrupt end to a dream realized in 1962, when Kah-Nee-Ta's doors opened for the first time offering guests hot springs access and a hotel facility.

But today, on this hot, slightly hazy summer day, there’s a new hum in the air. After years of delays, and with $13.1 million poured in from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs ($6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act) and Kirk Hanna, owner of Mt. Hood Skibowl, the renovations and critical infrastructure repairs are complete. Opening day is finally here.

As I pull into the parking lot two attendants in skyblue shirts with images of teepees running along one side stop me to ask who I’m meeting with – why I’m there an hour before the public gets let in. I’m told to park and head over a bridge to meet my guide for the day, Starla Green. As I walk over the bridge one of the men calls out to let me know, with a touch of pride in his voice, that the artificial turf laid out on the bridge is from Oregon State University’s football field. Even in this sovereign nation, Beaver fans abound.

On the other side of the Warm Springs River, I meet Starla Green and her 18-year-old daughter Kahmussa Green, who is Miss Warm Springs and the reservation’s cultural ambassador. For opening day, she’s wearing a long dress embossed in gold filigree against a rich brown background. Across her torso is her official “Miss Warm Springs” sash, atop her head a blue crown and on her feet leather moccasins. Kahmussa and Starla are direct descendants of the original Kah-Nee-Ta, the woman this land is named after. Kah-Nee-Ta, Starla Green tells me, means root digger in Ichishkiin, the language of the Warm Springs Tribe. She died in 1903 and is buried in a cemetery near the end of the canyon, Green says, indicating the hills in the distance. This is the land

she cared for and on it new generations are finding new ways to support themselves, while still holding on to tradition.

“A lot of us Indian women are actual food gatherers and still today go out and gather our foods,” Starla Green says. “Our roots, our berries.” The berries, huckleberries to be exact, grow wild around the reservation. Green, who in addition to being a media liaison and a key member of the resort’s design team, is also the resort’s kitchen manager, says that she hopes to use some of the local berries to top the Indian fry bread on offer in The Chinook Room, the resort restaurant. The fry bread is made by hand daily, an intensive process that produces delightfully crispy bread with a pillowy, airy interior.

As we walk into the hot spring-fed pool area, Green describes the significance of the “healing waters” and its use today. Up the river, she says are natural pools closed to the general public but still used regularly by tribal members.

Passing through the small poolside convenience store, we step out onto the pool deck, and it takes my eyes a minute to adjust to the bright sunlight bouncing off the light-sand colored deck and rows of white lounge chairs awaiting their first guests. The pools (there are multiple large soaking pools in the main area) sparkle like turquoise jewels set in white stone. Past the pools, hand-painted teepees are visible, and around the resort, as far as the eye can see, rolling hills are adorned with rocky outcrops and sparse green foliage. In front of us, the children’s splash pool features a tall mushroom-like feature spilling water continuously and an even taller water tower alternates dumping conical buckets of water. The effect stuns our small group into silence as we take it in. For a few moments, all we hear is falling water and birds calling in the distance.

Going once again into tour mode, Green gestures at the pools and gives a run-down of the features: The wellness hot spring pools and soaking tubs feature 32 minerals, state-of-the-art natural water treatment systems that reduce the need for chemicals like chlorine and

“We were here when it closed. We did an exit parade with our people, the whole parade of people. We walked out, closed it out, but we didn’t give up.”

— Starla Green

Visitors streamed in on Thursday, July 18, to soak in new hot-spring-fed pools at Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort on the Warm Springs Reservation.

Kahmussa Green, Miss Warm Springs, poses out front of a hand-painted teepee in Teepee Village at the resort.

Photos by Jennifer Baires

increase in temperature as you walk along the deck.

There are private cabanas of varying sizes along the edges, each with a shade, a fan and outlets for charging devices. Toward the end of the pool area, a few employees are readying the outdoor bar, ensuring that the taps are running and all is ready for the guests’ imminent arrival. Above the pool area, on a ridge along the Warm Springs River are riverside cabanas with private soaking tubs and sofas. These private soaking tubs were a major new addition to the resort, and they’re priced as such, starting at $199 on weekdays.

For those staying overnight, the resort offers 20 new teepees, all designed by Warm Springs artist Natalie Kirk and hand-painted by Nomadics Tipi Makers in Sisters. These were partly supported through a Visit Central Oregon grant as part of the Central Oregon Future Fund.

“This one is ‘She Who Watches,’” Green says, pointing to a slightly abstract image of a face. It’s an homage to the famous petroglyph in Washington’s Horsethief Lake State Park. “This is the old thunderbird design from our legends,” Green adds, pointing to another drawing. There are also images of bears, pronghorn antelopes and salmon. Among the animals are red handprints. The red-hand is a symbol of a growing movement to bring awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. It’s typically shown over a person’s mouth as a symbol of the missing girls/women whose voices are not heard and the silence of media and law enforcement. Kahmussa says that the problem is one she feels deeply and that as a runner, she wears a redhand print on herself while at competitions to bring more awareness to the issue.

Moving through the village area and back to the main building, Green stops to talk more about her connection to this land. “We actually lived here when I was very young,” she says. “When I was in grade school, because my mom worked out here and ran the stables. Back then they had employment housing and so we lived up here…my blood, sweat and tears is in this dirt.”

For her, Kah-Nee-Ta is more than a resort, a place to visit or even a place to work. Kah-Nee-Ta is where Green learned how to dance, how to do a traditional salmon bake. It’s where historic cultural customs are passed down and shared with people inside and outside of the community. The bakes and dances, Green says, will be held again on weekends

soon. When the resort closed in 2018, it was a loss for tourism in the area, but Green says it never felt like a final loss for her.

“We were here when it closed. We did an exit parade with our people, the whole parade of people. We walked out, closed it out, but we didn’t give up,” she says. “We didn’t give up hope.” Instead, they started looking for a way to reopen. Jim Sauers, CEO of Kah-Nee-Ta and Warm Springs Economic Development Corporation, partnered with Hanna from Mt. Hood Skibowl to find a new way to position the resort. They hit on the idea of using the hot springs as the focal point and designed the renovation around the idea of the “healing waters.”

Drawing a parallel between the historic Indigenous experience and the resort, Green says she isn’t surprised Kah-Nee-Ta is back. “After everything that Indian people went through across the nation, we’re still here,” she says. “So same thing with KahNee-Ta. Even though it went through struggles and it had to close, it did it for a reason, and now that it’s reopened it’s amazingly beautiful and we’re going to do the rest of it one phase at a time. Just like our Indian people. We’re back and we’re so happy.”

Though phase one is complete, a lot of work is still ahead. Staffing needs to ramp up, for one. Right now, the resort staffs around 100 employees, with 85% tribal members, but managers want to expand to 180. They’re still waiting on delivery of cold plunge tubs, and the extracurricular offerings like horseback riding and tubing the river are still a few weeks out. And there’s the old lodge and golf course that aren’t a part of this reopening.

The costs for a day pass and all the extras can quickly add up. An overnight stay requires a twonight minimum in either a hotel room, which starts at $249 per night, a teepee starting at $149 per night or an RV spot starting at $69. Still, people are coming.

A few minutes before 11am, Green’s walkie-talkie chirps and a voice announces that guests are arriving. She has another media interview to do, so she sends her daughter Kahmussa, who quickly walks to the front gates and over the footbridge to welcome a waiting crowd of visitors back to Kah-Nee-Ta.

—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.

Helpful Info: Day

Passes

are required and are good from 11am - 7pm

Weekday: $29/day

Weekend: $39/day

Water activities with the day pass:

• Kids’ hot springs Heated Pool & Spray Park

• Hot springs heated lazy river and pool

• 4 hot springs pools heated from 100 - 104 with therapeutic jets in the two hotter ones

• Cold plunge tubs

Land activities with the day pass include:

• Kids disc golf

• Basketball courts

• Bocce ball courts

• Pickleball courts

• Miniature golf

• Ping-pong tables

Poolside Lounge Areas (11am to 7pm, first come, first served)

• Lounge Chair w/canopy and cushions: starting at $29 on weekdays / $49 on weekends

• Adult or Kids Cabanas, 2-person: starting at $59 on weekdays / $99 on weekends

• VIP Cabana, 8-person: starting at $175 on weekdays / $225 on weekends

• Party Cabana, 16-person: starting at $399 on weekdays / $499 on weekends

Overnight Accommodations

All overnight accommodations require a two-night minimum, and a resort pass per person per night after the first guest.

HOTEL:

• 30 remodeled rooms, range from 3-bedroom suites that can accommodate up to 12 guests or individual rooms for up to 4 people. Prices start around $250/night.

TEEPEE:

• 20 new, hand-painted Teepees are installed over the pre-existing cement slabs in Teepee Village. The Teepees sleep 10 (bring your camping equipment!).

• In a nod to cultural practices, Teepee Village has a Tribal fire pit for regular Tribal storytelling. Prices start around $150/ night.

RV PARK:

• 50 RV sites with full hook-ups and 20 additional RV parking spots (coming soon). Prices start around $70/night.

Add-on Experiences

• 3-mile river tube float in Warm Springs River with shuttle service

• Guided horseback rides

• Tribal-guided fishing

Top left, water cascades from spray features in the children’s heated pool and spray park area. Bottom left, poolside cabanas offer shade, fans and lounge furniture starting at $175 a day. Right, private soaking tubs overlooking the Warm Springs River are available starting at $199 on weekdays.

SOURCE PICKS

WEDNESDAY

SUMMER DEAN AND THE SHINING DIMES

AMONG THE TOP-RANK TEXAS TUNESMITHS

Texas-based recording artists Summer Dean is as authentic as they come. The acclaimed singer-songwriter owns the stage from the moment she struts into the spotlight with a five-piece band behind her, captivating audiences across the country with her sly wit, Southern charm and soulful songcraft. Wed., July 31, 6-10pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $15.

THURSDAY 08/01

ATMOSPHERE – TOUR DE FRIENDS PART TROIS

ICONIC RAP DUO

The iconic duo from Minneapolis – rapper Sean Daley, known by his stage name “Slug,” and producer Anthony Davis (Ant) return to Bend as part of the Tour De Friends Part Trois. Joining Atmosphere at Midtown Ballroom for the show are DJ HEBL and the Los-Angeles-based band NOFUN! Thu., Aug. 1, 8pm. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $35.

BEND ELKS VS. CORVALLIS KNIGHTS

FRIDAY NIGHT BASEBALL

Spend a summer evening watching The Bend Elks, a collegiate summer baseball team located in Bend. The Elks, founding members of the West Coast League, compete against the Corvallis Knights on Friday at the historic Vince Genna Stadium. Fri., Aug. 2, 6:35pm. 401 SE Roosevelt Ave., Bend. $12-$22

ELK LAKE MUSIC ON THE WATER – THE ERINS

BEND-BASED DUO PERFORMS

The Erins (Erin Zurflu and Erin-Cole Baker) is a Central Oregon-based duo making harmony-driven music. The Erins’ sound was forged around backyard campfires, camping in the Cascade Lakes, playing festivals, venues and busking across the U.S. in their VW bus. See them perform at Elk Lake Resort’s Music on the Water series. Sat., Aug. 3, 5pm at Elk Lake Resort. Free.

ILIZA: THE GET READY TOUR

AWARD-WINNING STAND-UP COMEDIAN

Iliza Shlesinger is an award-wining American standup comedian, actress and television host, selling out theaters around the globe with a devoted fan base

KIDS’ ENTREPRENEUR SUMMER MARKET

A MARKET FOR YOUNG INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

The Kids’ Entrepreneur Market is a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs aged 5-17 to showcase their talents, innovation and acumen. The market is engaging and interactive, giving kids the opportunity to independently make and sell their own products and services. Participants gain real-world experience fostering creativity, confidence and skills beyond the classroom. Sat., Aug. 3, 10am-1pm at Troy Field. 690 NW Bond St., Bend. Free.

DESCHUTES COUNTY FAIR & RODEO

A WEEK OF UNMATCHED LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo is the largest County fair in the state. Each summer, the fair offers a diverse blend of entertainment. This year features live music from The Fray, Billy Currington, Yung Gravy, Lil Kin with Bow Wow and Banda Recoditos with 512 the Selena Experience. Wed., July 31-.Sun., Aug. 4, 11am-10pm. Deschites County Fair and Expo Center. 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond. $10-$25.

GIPSY KINGS

INFECTIOUS FLAMENCO-STYLED MUSIC

Gipsy Kings is a world-renowned band known for infectious flamenco-styled music. Founded in 1979 in Arles, France, its music is a unique, irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms. Since then, the band has toured virtually non-stop across the globe. Sun., Aug. 4, 6pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater. 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr., Bend. $54.35+.

SUNDAY 08/04

PEARL JAM IN GAMMA

LIVE PEARL JAM MUSIC AND SOUND BATH

Join an unforgettable experience featuring classic Pearl Jam tunes by Pete Kartsounes, followed by a soothing sound bath by Kevin Kraft. The event combines embodiment, breath work and awareness exercises, accompanied by the words and wisdom of Pearl Jam, with the musicality of Pete Kartsounes. Sun., Aug.4 ,11-12:30pm at High Desert Music Hall. 818 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. $30.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Courtesy Mary To-Saturnio

S SOUND St. Vincent: DIY ’Till You Die

Annie Clark finds joy in making music — with and without her friends — all while reckoning with the impossibility of the human experience

By Chris Young

Seven records and three Grammys in, St. Vincent decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. “All Born Screaming,” released in April, is Annie Clark’s first self-produced album and her first release on her own label, Total Pleasure Records. Clark has worked with some stellar collaborators over the years (David Byrne, anyone?), and “All Born Screaming” continues her upward trend as a powerful art rock nonconformist.

This time around, “the general philosophy was just work with your friends,” Clark explains. “Just make art with your friends.” She created space for creativity and brought together musicians who not only had aesthetics she liked but also those who could be honest with her: “People who you really trust, who will 100% be honest with you [because] you don’t necessarily need a hype man.”

The list of talented bandmates extends to the road with drummer Mark Guiliana, guitarist Jason Falkner, Rachel Eckroth on keys and bassist Charlotte Kemp Muhl. Still fairly fresh and touring behind the new release, “The show feels at that right, exciting place where it’s really tight but also not fully baked,” Clark tells. “New things happen every show, and you kind of never know what’s going to happen.”

Headlining Hayden Homes Amphitheater Aug. 8, St. Vincent shares the stage with indie rockers Spoon and electronic pop artist (and Bend native) Maiah Manser. Annie Clark spoke with the Source Weekly about her obsession with making dance music, hanging out with the world’s greatest drummers (two Foo Fighters appear behind the kit on the album!), and her “DIY ’till you die” ethos. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Source Weekly: We’re excited for you to be out here in Central Oregon soon.

Annie Clark: I know, me too! I’ve never been, and I know it’s so beautiful.

SW: “All Born Screaming” is your seventh studio record but the first one you’ve self-produced. That said, it’s not the first time you’ve produced a record, having helmed Sleater-Kinney’s 2019 album “The Center Won’t Hold,” among other production credits. Why did you decide to self-produce your own record now?

AC: I just knew that there were places I needed to go, as an artist, as a songwriter, that I couldn’t go unless I spent a lot of time in a room by myself, and found it — and found a new way and a deeper way to make music.

SW: Leading up to this album you spent a lot of time by yourself messing with modular synths and drum machines.

AC: Yeah, I’m still captive to them, unfortunately.

SW: Do you have a whole room full of synths now?

AC: Yeah, I’m in my studio right now and there’s [starts counting and trails off] 12; 12 synths and drum machines set up to make live electronic music [laughs], which I’m obsessed with doing. Which is funny because I never really went to clubs and I don’t listen to techno or house on the regular, but I’m just obsessed. [Laughs] It’s really fun. I love making electronic music. I love making dance music, and it’s a weird thing for me to love doing because I don’t know

that much about the genre at all. I’m just exploring.

SW: You actually did a lot of drum programming on the new record, but then you also worked with some of the industry’s most incredible drummers, like Josh Freese, Dave Grohl, Mark Guiliana and Stella Mozgawa of Warpaint.

AC: It’s a who’s-who of drummers. It really is pretty staggering. It was wonderful. You know, Dave is Dave, and he plays on “Flea,” he plays on the end of “Broken Man,” and he just brings so much thunder and enthusiasm. And then Mark Guiliana, I got to watch him do a solo drum show last week, and Mark Guiliana is the only drummer I would ever want to watch for an hour and a half. He puts on an incredible show. And then Josh Freese, I had him come in and he plays on “Hell Is Near,” which is so restrained but so beautiful. And then also he plays on “So Many Planets,” which is basically like a messed-up reggae, but he plays it like a ballerina. I loved working with all of them. And then Stella crushing it on “All Born Screaming” and that circular groove — excellent.

SW: I read that you’ve wanted to make a record called “All Born Screaming” since you were 23. Why was now the right time?

AC: Well, I think I hadn’t earned [it]… I didn’t know everything that the title could mean until now. I think it would have been a very different record, because “All Born Screaming” is, it’s protest, it’s agony. It’s also the

most wonderful thing in the world: The baby’s screaming, it’s alive and that’s a miracle—that’s a genuine miracle. I think the record touches on all of that: life and death and the urgency of all of it.

SW: “All Born Screaming” is also the first release on your own imprint, Total Pleasure Records. Why launch your own label at this point in your career?

AC: Well, pretty much it’s kind of just DIY ’till you die. That’s kind of my ethos. Basically, what I’ve always done is DIY, and, you know, in some cases, high-level DIY. [Laughs] At this point, you kind of know what you need from a label, and so you might as well just take some ownership of it because you end up doing a fair amount of the work anyway.

—Read more of this interview on our website, bendsource.com.

St. Vincent – All Born Screaming Tour

With special guests Spoon and Maiah Manser Thu., Aug. 8 Hayden Homes Amphitheater 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr., Bend Doors 5pm; show 6:30pm; all ages $62.70 Bendconcerts.com

St. Vincent and her super talented band will headline Hayden Homes Amphitheater on Thu., Aug 8 with Spoon and Maiah Manser.

Photo by Alex Da Corte

CALENDAR

31 Wednesday

Bend Brewing Company Chained to Stone Come jam with us in Downtown Bend outdoors on the river at Bend Brewing Company and experience Central Oregon’s premier ‘90s rock band! We tribute Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Silver Chair and more! 6-8pm. Free.

Bevel Craft Brewing Live Music with Eric Leadbetter and Friends Join Bevel Craft Brewing for a free show on the patio with Eric Leadbetter & Friends! Eric’s unique music echoes the golden age of rock, inspired by his extensive collection of classic vinyl. Don’t miss this original and nostalgic performance! 6-8pm. Free.

Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Sign-up 7:30pm. If you’ve ever wanted to try stand-up comedy, this is where you start! 8-10pm. Free.

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Sidney

Joseph Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music every Wednesday from 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.

General Duffy’s Waterhole Wednesday Night Open Mic Join Central Oregon School of Modern Music and General Duffy’s for the Wednesday night Open Mic! Play 3 songs. Groups of up to 3. Sign-up begins at 5:30. Food trucks, 25+ taps, drink specials! 6-9pm. Free.

JC’s Bar & Grill TRIVIA + Wing Wednesday!

$.75 cent wing special all day and trivia kicking off at 7:30pm. Don’t forget the infamous “physical” challenge as one of the categories (think musical chairs, limbo, paper airplane throwing etc)! Get a free appetizer by winning that round and happy hour pricing all week for the winning team. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.

Juniper Preserve Music on the Patio at Juniper Preserve Join Juniper Reserve for “Music on the Patio,” a summer series of live music performances happening every Wednesday evening at the Trailhead Grill at Juniper Preserve. 6-8pm. 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, which ever comes first. 21+. 6:30pm. Free.

Midtown Ballroom HUNKS The Show Ladies, listen up! The Perfect Girls’ Night Out® is just around the corner. It’s time to throw on those dancing shoes, grab your girls, and hit up the #1 Bachelorette Destination on tour! Whether celebrating your last night as a bachelorette, ringing in your birthday with a bang, or needing a well-deserved break from the real world with your gal pals, our Perfect Girls’ Night Out is the ultimate place to be. From the latest hits played by our top-notch DJ to the tantalizing cocktails crafted by our talented bartenders, we have everything you need for the time of your life. And let’s not forget about the HUNKS. These guys will make you feel like the only girl in the room with their incredible dance moves and jaw-dropping performances. Trust us, you’ll beg for more by the night’s end. So get ready to make unforgettable memories with your besties. 8-10pm. $21.95.

Oblivion Pour House Last Call Trivia Wednesday Last Call Trivia Wednesdays, bring your smartest friends and win free food and drink. 6:30-8:30pm.

Sisters Art Works Elephant Revival at Sisters Art Works Join Sisters Art Works for an unforgettable night listening to the enchanting melodies of Elephant Revival. Returning to touring after a four-year hiatus, this Colorado-based band is a unique collection of multi-instrumentalists blending elements of Celtic, Americana, folk, and indie rock. This is an outdoor, general admission show. 7-9pm. $38/adults and $20/ youth.

The Lot Live Music with Faisal at The Lot Live music with Faisal Abu-Nawwas. Country, reggae, rock, soft stuff, and ‘80s and ‘90s covers promising a little bit of everything to please the masses! 6-8pm. Free.

2 Friday

The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room

Prost! Bend Trivia Prost! UKB Trivia is now at Prost! Bend on Wednesdays at 7pm! 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 Summer Dean and The Shinning Dimes Summer Dean puts on a hell-of-a show. Armed with three albums, constant tours, and a hot five-piece band behind her, Summer struts onto every stage with the confidence and vulnerability of a songstress that has cemented her place among the top rank Texas tunesmiths. 6-10pm. $15.

The Vault Taphouse at Kobold Brewing Trivia Night Trivia Night at The Vault! Come test your knowledge and drink top notch local beer! 6:30-8pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub The Shivas The Shivas have been called “the hardest working band in show business”. Their sound has always evolved as they have grown, and worked with different labels and producers, but it has always stayed true to the psychedelic vision those kids had years ago at the very beginning. 9pm. $18.

1

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.

Bend Elks Lodge #1371 Bingo Bingo at the Elk’s Lodge. Win cash prizes. 6-9pm. $23.

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. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center

Chained to Stone Come jam with us at the Deschutes County Fair on the Food Court Stage and experience Central Oregon’s premier ‘90s rock band! We tribute Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Silver Chair and more! Set #1 7:30-8:30pm. Set #2 7:30-8:30 & 9:30-11:30pm. Free.

Drake Park Munch & Music Summit Health and PacificSource present Munch and Music, a free concert series in Drake Park. Presented by The Source Weekly and Hayden Homes it is celebrating its 33rd season! Live music, food trucks, bounce houses, and local artists! The music lineup for the Munch and Music: Aug. 1 - Fruition with special guest Toast & Jam Aug. 8 - Precious Byrd with special guest Dad Bods and Hella Shy 5:30-9pm. Free.

Elements Public House Trivia Night at Elements Public House with QuizHead Games Come be all you can be with Trivia Night every Thursday from 6-8pm! Featuring QuizHead. games. Located at the north end of Redmond. Full bar and great food! 6-8pm. Free.

Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards and Events Live at the Vineyard: Heller Highwater Band Heller Highwater’s full Band will be rocking out at the most beautiful venue in Central Oregon in the Vineyard. Lead Vocalist, Rhythm guitar, Percussion, Heather Drakulich along with Tom Brouillette, Bob Akers and Lance Van Buren. Enjoy our summer weather and concert on our patio. Tables and chairs provided . 5-8pm. $20.

Luckey’s Woodsman Trailside Kitchen

The Positive Side Jazz Quartet Come enjoy some jazz standards along side a whole roasted hog! Come join Luckey’s Woodsman anniversary for live music great food, even better desert and beer! 2-4pm. Free.

Midtown Ballroom ATMOSPHERE - Tour De Friends Part Trois Come out to see Atmosphere on their Tour De Friends Part Trois tour! 8pm. $35.

Ponch’s Place Trivia Night and Doctors Rounds at Ponch’s Place Join us for Trivia with QuizHead Games and Meet the Vet with Doctor Rounds. Every Thursday, a VRCCO vet will pour beer and connect with the community. Proceeds from each beer benefit the VRCCO Care Fund, helping Central Oregon pets in need. 6-8pm. Free.

River’s Place Bill Keale Hawaiian music, slack key guitar, pop and folk. Bill Keale’s smooth vocal style adds a special touch to audiences everywhere. His unique guitar styling and vocals is a reflection of his approachable and personable interpretation of Aloha. 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.

Blackflowers Blacksun with The Jess Ryan Band Celebrate First Friday at The Ale Apothecary! The Jess Ryan Band will deliver some driving, twang-infected, psych-infused rock. Blackflowers Blacksun also on board to blow the house down with old time slide guitar blues that is jumped up and electrified. 5pm. Free.

Bend Cider Co. The Dust Devils Come on out to Tumalo and listen to the Dust Devils on a lovely summer’s evening! Enjoy cold ciders, beers, wine and light appetizers while this trio of talented musicians perform a pleasing blend of blues, classic country, Western swing and folk. Family and dog friendly, outside food welcome. 6-8pm. Free.

Bend Poker Room Friday Night Poker Tournament Come on in for the Friday night poker tournament! $80 entry with unlimited rebuys for the first hour and an optional add-on for $40 at the first break. Patrons pay a $10 entrance fee. No money bet in any game is collected by the Bend Poker Room. 6-11pm. $80.

Blacksmith Public House FANfest Alabama Tribute “Roll On” Benefit Concert “Roll On” (tribute to Alabama) continues the 8-part series FANfest by Blacksmith Public House featuring tribute bands including Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, Def Leppard, and more. Net sale proceeds will benefit the Family Access Network (FAN). Doors open at 5, music starts at 7. 7-9pm. $29.

Bridge 99 Brewery Karaoke Fridays at Bridge 99 All your favorite songs with hostess, Miss Mindy! 7-9pm. Free.

Cheba Hut Sun Sets Comedy Open Mic Sun Sets is a free comedy open mic every Friday. Sign-up 7:30. Starts 8pm. Enjoy the nice summer weather and the fresh heat from these local legends. It’s a toasty good time. Hosted by Katy Ipock. 7:30-10pm. Free.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom First Friday Block Party First Friday Downtown Bend! Celebrate local arts and culture by hosting free live music featuring local bands for First Friday Art Walk block party style. Sponsored by Immersions Brewing. Lineup on our website event calendar thecommonsbend.com First Friday of every month, 6-9pm. Free.

Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards and Events Live at the Vineyard: Emily Stanton Jazz feat. High Street Combo Incredible music from the Great American Songbook “Sing along and Sip” with your favorite wines and your favorite songs of yesterday! Guaranteed to be a night you won’t forget with Emily’s renowned jazz showcase and High Streets talented entertainment. 6-9pm. $35.

From the heart of Calgary, Alberta, Daring Greatly stands out with its unique blend of rock and country, crafting a sound that’s both fresh and deeply moving. The Croome brothers, Patrick and Liam, along with drummer Brayden Tario, bring powerful three-part harmonies and masterful arrangements that define its distinct sound. Tue., Aug. 6, 6-9pm at Silver Moon Brewing.

Courtesy Daring Greatly Facebook

Piano Flow Explore at Smith Park

Friday August 9th

Smith Rock’s North Point Amphitheater

Show Time: 6:00 – 7:00PM

Join central Oregon local & award-winning Pianist Paula Dreyer to crafts an unforgettable musical journey starting at Smith Rock’s North Point Amphitheater. With wireless headsets, you'll be whisked away into a realm where every note dances through the enchanting landscape. Picture yourself wandering the trails, with each step accompanied by an invisible soundtrack. This isn't just a concert – it's an adventure for your senses. Let Paula’s dreamy compositions guide you through a journey of sound and nature, where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this whimsical, harmonious experience!

Featuring live painting from visual artist Evan Namkung!

For more information, scan or visit: pauladreyer.com/piano-flow-live

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.

Ponch’s Place Music with Popcorn Trio Enjoy Friday night music at Ponch’s Place with Popcorn Trio. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing The Cult of Tuck presents: The 2nd Annual Deb’s Dollhaus Deb’s Dollhaus is an annual fundraising event and variety show with acts that include drag, burlesque, comedy, live music. The raffle features prizes donated by local businesses and artist. This year’s proceeds are being donate to PCRF and ANERA in solidarity with Palestine to honor the memory of Deb Auchery. 8-11pm. $25 online, $35 at the door.

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

Volcanic Theatre Pub The Soul Rebels Brass sensation The Soul Rebels started with an idea, to expand upon the pop music they loved on the radio and the New Orleans brass tradition they grew up on. They took that tradition and blended funk and soul with elements of hip-hop, jazz and rock. 8-11:59pm. $25.

Worthy Brewing Scott Pemberton O Theory live at Worthy Brewing Scott Pemberton’s sound is much like the vibe of his native Portland freaky, fun and just the right amount of weird. The best way to categorize his music is with the moniker “Timber Rock”. Come see him live at Worthy Brewing! 7-9pm. Free.

The Yard @ Bunk + Brew Bend Burlesque presents: A Midsummer Night Carnival The Carnival is coming to town, burlesque style! Your favorite Bend Burlesque Company is putting on a sensual night of carnival magic, including silk and lyra performers, fire spinners, acrobats and jugglers, in the intimacy of the courtyard at Bunk + Brew. Put on your carnival best and join us! 8-10pm. $25-$35.

3 Saturday

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

The Barn in Sisters Blackflowers Blacksun Blackflowers Blacksun Play Delta Slide Jumped up and Electrified perform at The Barn in Sisters. 7pm. Free.

Blacksmith Public House FANfest Def Leppard Tribute “Hysteria” Benefit Concert “Hysteria” (tribute to Def Leppard) continues the 8-part series FANfest by Blacksmith Public House featuring tribute bands including Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Alabama, Tom Petty, Beastie Boys, and more. Net sale proceeds will benefit the Family Access Network (FAN). Doors open at 5, music starts at 7. 7-9pm. $29.

A spirited and versatile Americana quintet that performs folk-rock with touches of soul, bluegrass and country, Fruition emerged in the early 2010s from Portland. The band is comprised of Jay Cobb (vocals/ guitar/harmonica), Kellen Asebroek (vocals/guitar/piano), Mimi Naja (vocals/mandolin/guitar), Jeff Leonard (bassist) and Tyler Thompson (drummer). Thu., Aug.1, 5:30-9pm at Drake Park.

Elk Lake Resort Lodge Bar & Restaurant Elk Lake Music on the Water - The Erins 11th Annual Playing at Elk Lake! Jointhe 11th Annual Music on the Water Summer Series presented by Boneyard Beer and Crater Lake Spirits and enjoy free live music by our talented local and regional bands. Music starts at 5pm between the lodge and the lake. 5pm. Free.

Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards and Events Live at the Vineyard: John Hoover & The Mighty Quinns If you love John Denver this is your night! Playing guitars, mandolin, percussion and bass, the Quinns present a fully energized performance evocative of Denver’s live concerts (and the entire band sings.) The kindred musical talents and influences of the band members allow a performance true to the messages of peace. 6-9pm. $22.

Hardtails Bar & Grill Valhalla Tribute to Led Zeppelin If you love Led Zeppelin, you will love this band! Playing and perfecting the live sound of Robert Plant and this Iconic band has been credited to many years of playing together all over the United States. You don’t want to miss this band! 8-10pm. $20.

Hayden Homes Amphitheater

Iliza: The Get Ready Tour Trailblazing comedy from one of the genres fiercest comedians. 8pm. $39.50-$99.50.

Northside Bar & Grill Switchback Classic and alternative rock music from Switchback. 8-11pm. Free.

On Tap Almost Join On Tap for a fun filled evening with live music by Almost! Amazing food and drinks and family friendly! 6-8pm. Free.

Paulina Lake Lodge The JUGULARS Classic rock music. Everyone’s favorites from the ‘70s through contemporary. This is a beautiful venue with great music. Bring your dancing shoes. 2-5pm. Free.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 AT 7PM

River’s Place Monkey Mode Jazz-funk jam band Monkey Mode performs at River’s Place. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Too $hort Live in Bend ChochyCity Ent. Presents Too $hort Live in Bend (Outdoor Concert) at Silvermoon Brewing. Doors 7pm / Show 8pm. All ages / 21+ to drink. $45 advance / $50 day of. $125 Meet & Greet (GA ticket not included). 7pm-Midnight. $45 / $50 day of.

Velvet One Mad Man Music Spencer Snyder, One Mad Man, loops together multiple instruments to create moody, driven backdrops accompanied by smooth vocals. Hip-hop-style drums drive funk-inspired bass followed by electrifying sounds from his keyboard and guitar. First Saturday of every month, 8-11pm. Free.

Worthy Brewing Dad Bods Cover Band at Worthy Brewery Don’t miss this band! Come see the high-energy Dad Bods (Bend’s premier ‘80s cover band) at Worthy Brewery. This free concert is open to all ages, so bring the whole family for a night of food, fun and dancing! 6-8pm. Free.

4 Sunday

The Astro Lounge Local Artist Spotlight Sundays This is a chance to listen to Central Oregon’s newest and upcoming local artists. They have earned their spot to perform a two-hour show, changing weekly, every Sunday. Support local top notch talent! 7-9pm. Free.

Bridge 99 Brewery Open Mic Comedy at Bridge 99 Come down and give your friends a laugh! Sign-ups for open mic start at 6:30pm, show starts at 7pm! Each comedian gets 5 minutes. 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month. Free to attend, and free to participate. 7-9pm. Free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 8PM

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.

High Desert Music Hall Pearl Jam in Gamma. Live Pearl Jam Music & Sound Bath The sounds and lyrics of Pearl Jam live deep inside our cells. Combined with embodiment exercises, breath work, and awareness exercises, we weave the words of Pearl Jam with the musicality of Pete Kartsounes. After the movement, we lay down to journey deep into the Theta State, releasing and relaxing. 11-12:30pm. $30.

Juniper Preserve Free Your Voice. Cave Choir & Sound Bath In a special cave choir, lead by Deena Kamm, we will practice movement and vocalizations to find our voice and release any insecurities to the void of the cave. Open your hearts bringing awareness to the energy in your voice and body and then relax deeply for a sound bath. 10am. $55.

River’s Place Trivia Sundays at Noon Trivia Sundays at Noon, with UKB Trivia, at River’s Place. This is no ordinary contest, this is a live trivia game show. Bring your bunch and win gift card prizes for top teams! Indoor and outdoor seating available. Great food and drink options available. Noon-2pm. Free.

River’s Place Freddy & The Flannels ‘90s band covering a wide range of rock music: Hootie & the Blowfish, Matchbox Twenty, Jimmy Eat World, Pearl Jam, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Creed, 3 Doors Down, and others. 6-8pm. Free. Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Hell’s Belles It’s an all out rock ‘n’ roll assault that leaves you both satisfied and begging for more. Hell’s Belles keep conquering new cities, new states and new countries. 8-11:59pm. $20.

5 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. In-house menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:30-8:30pm. The Yard at Bunk + Brew Open Mic Monday Sign-up at 5:30pm. 3 song maximum/or 15-minute spots. Singles/duos/trios (no bands) (Cajun OK). Food and beverage carts on-site. Originals or covers. Minors welcome. 6-8pm. Free.

Elements Public House Open Mic with DMM Music Come jam with some great local musicians and enjoy an evening of music, great food and full bar. Musician sign-up at 6pm. Sound and PA provided by DMM Music LLC Located at the North end of Redmond. An award-winning full bar and great food! 6:30-8:30pm. 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.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 AT 6PM

Courtesy Fruition Facebook

CALENDAR EVENTS

Northside Bar & Grill David Miller Local musician David Miller performing classic rock and originals at Northside Bar and Grill. 6-8pm. 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 Join the #1 Open Mic at Silver Moon Brewing every Monday! Sign-ups at 6:30pm sharp. Perform or watch—maybe even witness a Roast Battle! Plus, opportunities for paid gigs. 6:30-9pm. Free.

SKIP Bar at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Monday Big Lawn Series The Suttle Lodge is a perfect stop for touring bands and musicians. Allowing The Suttle Lodge to showcase some incredible artists from near and far. Catch a variety of tunes on the big lawn every Monday from 6-8pm. Free.

The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room Bottles and Boards - Game Night Grab your favorite board game or borrow one! Every Monday is Game Night! Pair a bottle of wine with a selection of charcuterie boards and get $5 off Whites or $10 off Reds. Fun times and great wines! Cheers! 2-9pm. Free.

6 Tuesday

Bangers & Brews Redmond UKB Trivia Tuesdays UKB Trivia Tuesdays 6:30pm start time at Bangers and Brews in Redmond! Join this week for this unique “Live Trivia Game Show.” Meet up to compete for prizes! UKB Trivia is free to play, with no buy-ins. Great menu and beers! 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend Bend Ecstatic Dance An all-out, full-on, spectacular music and free-form movement journey happens every Tuesday on one of the biggest dance floors in Bend. A no-booze and no-shoes venue. No experience required, no dance instructions given. Just really excellent music curation and a big, clean floor to explore your unique movement across. 7:45-10pm. $15-$25 sliding scale.

The Commons Cafe & Taproom Storytellers 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.

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Head Games Trivia Night Live multi-media trivia every other Tuesday at Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5, Bend. Free to play, win prizes, teams up to 6. Please arrive early for best seats. Every other Tuesday, 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free. River’s Place Bingo! Have fun, win money and support a local nonprofit organization. In August we will play with CAMP (Companion Animal Medical Project) who provides free veterinary care - both preventative and urgent - to the unhoused population of Central Oregon. Cards $1-$5. 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Daring Greatly From the heart of Calgary, Alberta, Daring Greatly stands out with their unique blend of rock and country, crafting a sound that’s both fresh and deeply moving. The Croome brothers, Patrick and Liam, along with drummer Brayden Tario, bring powerful 3-part harmonies and masterful arrangements that define their distinct sound. 6-9pm. $10.

Worthy Beers & Burgers Head Games

Trivia Night Join for live multi-media trivia every Tuesday night. Win prizes. Teams up to 6 players. 7-9pm. Free.

MUSIC

Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicolas Reyes Gipsy Kings is world-renowned for infectious flamenco-styled music. Aug. 4, 6pm. Hayden Homes, 2464 SW Glacier Place #110, Redmond. $54.35-$419.40.

Praise with John Hoover and the Mighty Quinns Praise in The Vineyard with John Hoover and the Mighty Quinns. This band is very entertaining with their songs we love to sing-along too. Come experience the songs of Praise with the Aug. 4, 11am-Noon. Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards and Events, 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr., Terrebonne. Contact: 541-5265075. marketing@fhcvineyards.com. Free.

DANCE

Argentine Tango Classes and Dance

Join every Wednesday for Tango classes and dancing! Your first class is free. Tango 101 Class from 6:30-7pm, no partner needed! All levels class from 7-8pm. Open dancing from 8-9:30pm. Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm. Sons of Norway Hall, 549 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend. Contact: 541-7283234. tangocentraloregon@gmail.com. $5-$10.

Nia Fusion of dance, martial arts and healing arts focusing on reconnecting to body sensations and the body’s natural way of movement through form, freedom and play. You will dance though deep intention and joyful expressions to connect to your true nature. Tuesdays, 5:15pm. Bend Hot Yoga, 1230 NE 3rd St. UnitA230, Bend. Contact: yoga@bendhotyoga.com. $20/drop-In.

FILM EVENTS

Tin Pan Creature Features - Jurassic Park Tin Pan Theater’s Feature Creatures! Join your local arthouse cinema for a weekly series of the Tin Pan team’s favorite sci fi and horror films, outside in Tin Pan Alley! Aug. 1, 8:15pm. Tin Pan Theater, 869 NW Tin Pan Alley, Bend. Contact: boxoffice@bendfilm.org. $17.

ARTS + CRAFTS

Adult Slightly Nerdy Paint Night at Modern Games Unleash your inner artist and join us for a slightly nerdy evening of Painting Inside The Box (The Box Factory, that it). Our adult paint nights are the perfect way to unwind and explore your creative side, all while enjoying the awesome and inspiring Modern Games atmosphere. No experience is necessary. Aug. 5, 6-8pm. Modern Games, 550 SW Industrial way #150, bend. Contact: 541-480-7491. sarahanneswoffer@gmail.com. $45.

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. Aug. 3, 10am-Noon. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $169.

Katherine Taylor—Painting the Invisible: Unveiling What’s Under the Sheen A classically trained artist, Katherine Taylor focuses her August exhibit on depicting the underlying mystery of her subjects—people, wildlife, andd still life — in her luminous oil paintings. Opens Aug. 2, from 3-7pm during the Old Mill District’s First Friday Gallery Walk. Aug. 2, 3-7pm. Tumalo Art Co., 450 SW Powerhouse Dr., Ste. 407, Bend. Contact: 541-385-9144. art@ tumaloartco.com. Free.

Natural Dyes Workshop Series: Diving into the Dye and Mordant Processes

This is the second event in a series of Natural Dye Workshops with artist Madelaine Corbin. Dive into the technical processes behind natural color, where it comes from, and how to fasten it to fiber. This one-day workshop will focus on the dye process from start to finish. Aug. 3, 10am-3pm. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Rd., Sisters. Contact: 541-904-0700. inquiries@roundhousefoundation.org. $150.

Redmond First Friday Art Walk Meet with local artist while walking downtown Redmond. First Friday of every month. Downtown Redmond, Sixth Street. Free.

PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS

Homelessness in Deschutes County

Join the discussion and be a part of the solution. The Central Oregon Civic Action Project, in collaboration with Deschutes County, the City of Bend, and other entities, is conducting a civic assembly to help decide what priorities should be for building community solutions to prevent and end youth homelessness. Aug. 1, 6-7pm. Downtown Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-312-1032. lizg@dpls.lib. or.us. Free.

David Kreitzer in the Kreitzer Gallery Tradition Lives: New Contemporary Realist David Kreitzer healing and meditative oils.In the tradition of Turner and Cezanne, painter David Kreitzer’s love of nature propels him to create exquisitely detailed, mood-invoking and stunning oil and watercolor Water, Landscapes, Figure, Fantasy, Nishigoi Koi, Wine Country, Still Life, and Mid-West Heritage. July 1-Sept. 29, 10am6pm. David Kreitzer Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 20214 Archie Briggs Rd, Bend. Contact: 805-2342048. jkreitze@icloud.com. Free.

Hell’s Belles is an all-female AC/DC tribute band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 2000, Hell’s Belles are committed, ferocious, meticulous female rock musicians that delivers authentic AC/DC to the unbelievably supportive and wicked awesome fans. Sun., Aug. 4, 8-11:59pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub.

Courtesy Hell's Bell's Facebook

GUNG HO

By Savannah Mendoza

Compelling Artist Brings Her Inspiring Musical Journey to Bend Two nights of transformative music from Allison Russell, who opens for Tyler Childers

ACanadian singer, poet and activist, Allison Russell is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter deeply rooted in the folk community. The Grammy-award winning artist weaves stories and tales through the medium of music. On Aug. 10 and 11, Russell performs at Hayden Homes Amphitheater supporting Tyler Childers on tour.

Russell’s story is nothing short of inspiring. She escaped an abusive adoptive father, moved across the country and found her voice, earning three Grammy nominations along the way.

After two decades of music exploration in group bands, Russell released her solo album, “Outside Child,” redefining what artistry means in the 21st Century. Her follow-up solo album, “The Returner,” is a body-shaking, mind-expanding and soulful expression of Black liberation. Russell’s music exceeds all reasonable (and unreasonable) expectations and affirms her place among today’s most vital artists.

“The Returner” earned Russell a Grammy for Best American Roots Performance for song “Eve Was Black” and received three additional nominations for Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song and Best Americana Performance for title track.

For Russell, success didn’t come overnight. Instead, it was the result of decades of playing and growing while building a community of like-minded and supportive musicians around her. The chance to experiment and connect with other musicians and an audience is something that excites her, she said.

“When doors open, I walk through them,” Russell says. “And then I take as many people through them with me as I can. That’s my MO these days.”

Russell’s new record is a celebratory sigh of relief, marking her journey of healing and growth over the past few years. Fans in Bend can look forward to experiencing transformative live music from Russell at her upcoming show.

“I had always found solace in the outlet of writing, the outlet of songwriting, the outlet of poetry writing to process things,” explains Russell. “Early on I realized what a joy it was to creatively commune with others, and that kept me safe.”

Allison Russell performs in Bend for two nights on tour with Tyler Childers at Hayden Homes Amphitheater.

Courtesy Allison Russell Facebook

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Accessible Tours with AdvenChair: Lava Lands Wanderlust Tours is ecstatic to be partnering with AdvenChair to help those with mobility challenges get into the outdoors! This adventure will take us to Lava Lands, an amazing 10 square mile lava field where we will embark on a sunset hike followed by stargazing. Full details at our website! Aug. 3, 7:30-11pm. Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-8359. info@wanderlusttours.com. $300 per group of 4.

Bend Elks vs. Corvallis Knights

Come watch The Bend Elks - a collegiate summer baseball team located in Bend. The Elks are founding members of the West Coast League and play their home games at Vince Genna Stadium. Aug. 2, 6:35pm. Vince Genna Stadium, Fourth & Wilson Street, Bend. $12-$22.

Bonus Butte Challenge Kick Off Party Music, free pint, packet pick up and more! Curious about the Big Butte Challenge but not ready to commit to all 10 hikes? Looking for something new to do with visiting friends? Our limited-time $40 offer lets you explore two of our newest hikes & pints, w/dog photo contest too. July 31, 4:30-7:30pm. Immersion Brewing Barrel Room, 550 SW Industrial Way #185, Bend. Contact: 541350-4635. info@cascaderelays.com. Free.

Embodied Earth- Forest Bathing & Sound Bath Cultivate deep connections to the language of the trees, whispers of the wind, and secrets of the stones. Join us in the Juniper Grove to explore somatic connection to the Earth through gentle movement and rewinding, accompanied by the soothing symphonies of an epic sound bath. Rekindle your wonder! Aug. 3, 9-11am. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 8087830374. Kevin@ soundshala.com. $55.

Women’s Foundational Mountain Biking Skills Clinic Calling all ladies new to mountain biking! In just two hours, you’ll feel more confident going up and downhill, shifting, braking, cornering and going over small trail obstacles after instruction from Grit Clinics. This is the perfect, no pressure, no judgement setting to feel more comfortable on your mountain bike! $79 per session., Thu, Aug. 1, 5-7pm and Sat, Aug. 3, 9-11am. Seventh Mountain Resort, 18575 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-728-7878. info@gritclinics.com.

VOLUNTEER

Dog Adoption Event Hosted by Amazing Dogs Rescue Dog adoption event at PetSmart hosted by amazing dogs rescue. Check out adoptable dogs online at amazingdogs.org Every 2 weeks at PetSmart 11-1pm. Every other Sunday, 11am-1pm. PetSmart, 63455 N. Highway 97, Bend.

Volunteer, Feed the Masses! At Family Kitchen, the mission is to serve anyone who needs nutritious meals in a safe and caring environment. They have tons of volunteer needs - servers, cooks, shoppers, and more. Groups and teams wanted! Monthly or quarterly opportunities! Visit familykitchen.org/volunteer to fill out a volunteer interest form. Mondays-Sundays. Family Kitchen, 231 NW Idaho, Bend. Contact: tori@familykitchen.org. Free.

Volunteering in Oregon’s High Desert with ONDA Oregon Natural Desert Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, defending and restoring Oregon’s high desert for current and future generations. ONDA opened registration for its spring 2023 stewardship trips. For more info, visit its website. Ongoing.

GROUPS + MEETUPS

Bend YP Social @ loanDepot Join Bend YP Social in the sunshine to mingle, connect, and learn, hosted by loanDepot! Enjoy some relaxed networking with great beverages and appetizers. Hear from our guest speaker Brian Rankin, long-range planning manager for the City of Bend, about the future of our city! July 31, 5-7pm. loanDepot, 721 SW Industrial Way Suite 120, Bend. $15 Members/$25 Non-Members.

Marijuana Anonymous Marijuana Anonymous is a fellowship of people who share the experience, strength and hope with each other that we may solve our common problem and help others to recover from marijuana addiction. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana. Entrance on Staats St. Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm. Bend Church, 680 NW Bond Street, Bend. Contact: 541-633-6025. curbdaherb@gmail.com. Free.

FUNDRAISING

Munch and Music with Toy for Tots A booth for Marine Corps League 1308 Toys for Tots Early Start at Munch and Music in Drake Park Please BRING A TOY. We are supported by: Band of Brothers, VVA, VFW, and Summit Health and the people of Bend, LaPine, Redmond, Prineville, and Sisters. Thu, Aug. 1 and Thu, Aug. 8, 5:30-9:30pm. James (Bill) Gabriel, 1631 NE Cliff Dr, Bend. Contact: 818-585-2111. cyncyc@ gmail.com. Free.

Yappy Hour & Pet Adoption with HSCO

Yappy Hour & Pet Adoption with HSCO. Bottle sales benefiting Humane Society of Central Oregon. Live Music, wine and pets looking for their fur-ever home! Happy Hour discounts during event. It's going to be a howling good time on the patio! Join us every last Wednesday at the Tasting Room. Last Wednesday of every month, 4-7pm. The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 194, Bend. Free.

EVENTS + MARKETS

Northwest Crossing Farmers Market

Discover a bounty of seasonal produce, locally-raised meats, fresh eggs and cheese, handmade items, beautiful flowers, tasty morsels, and so much more! Support our local farmers and artisans. Open every Saturday during summer season from 10am to 2pm. Northwest Crossing Drive. Saturdays, 10am-2pm. Through Sept. 28. NorthWest Crossing, NorthWest Crossing, Bend. Free.

Sisters Farmers Market Visit Sisters Farmers Market to experience the bounty of Central Oregon! Browse fresh produce, locally raised meats, seafood, artisanal food products, and find the perfect handcrafted gift from local makers. Enjoy live music and be sure to visit our website to see each Sunday’s community activity schedule! Sundays, 10am-2pm. Through Oct. 27. Fir Street Park, Sisters, Sisters. Contact: 541-904-0134. sistersfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Free

FAMILY + KIDS

Bi-Mart Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, held annually at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, is the largest County fair in the state and the largest event east of the Cascades. Each summer, the fair offers a rich blend of live entertainment, livestock, thrilling rodeo action, and fun for all ages. The fair is a hallmark of summer in Central Oregon, drawing visitors from across the state to enjoy its diverse attractions. Wed, July 31, 11am-10pm, Thu, Aug. 1, 11am-10pm, Fri, Aug. 2, 11am-11pm, Sat, Aug. 3, 11am-11pm and Sun, Aug. 4, 11am-8pm. Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond, Redmond. $10-$25.

Chasin’ Bandits live at the Community Block Party Chasin’ Bandits returns to Juniper Golf Course for the annual Community Block Party. The band will play your favorite tunes at this family friendly free event . Balloon artist, bouncy house and put put green for the kids, Hole in one contest and other games food and beverage for purchase Aug. 6, 4-8pm. Juniper Golf Course, 1938 SW Elkhorn Avenue, Redmond. Free.

Five Miles Taphouse Grand Opening featuring DuBb Central Music Grab the family and come celebrate the grand opening of Five Miles Taphouse at 1/8th Street Food truck Patio, featuring free, live island-style reggae music by DuBb Central Music. Along with our food trucks, Little Fox Cart Company will be there with her organic cotton candy. Aug. 3. Five Miles Taphouse @ 1/8th Street Food Truck Patio, 639 SW 8th Street, Redmond. Contact: 541-5500667. cheers@fivemilesllc.com. Free.

Kids’ Entrepreneur Summer Market A market for kids ages 5-17 in our community who make and sell their own products and services. This is a real-world experience that allows children to be creative, build confidence, and learn skills beyond the classroom.Free to attend, $10-$20 to participate. Register to participate here: www.kidsentrepreneurmarket.com Aug. 3, 10am-1pm. Troy Field, NW Bond Street and Louisiana Avenue, Bend. Contact: kidsentrepreneurmarket@gmail.com. Free.

National Night Out with Bend Police

The event, Bend’s community night out, is part of a nationwide program designed to foster strong relationships between the community and law enforcement. This family-friendly, completely free event will feature tons of fun and free treats. Aug. 6, 4-8pm. Bear Creek Elementary School, 51 SE Bridgeford Blvd., Bend. Contact: 541-3222960. bendpolicepio@bendoregon.gov. Free.

Sunriver Saturday Market A boutique market where shoppers can find ingredients for a meal, a sweet treat, a local beverage, a gift or something for themselves. The markets from 11 am to 2 pm. Aug. 3, Sept. 7 and Oct. 5 at SHARC, by the basketball court. Sat, Aug. 3, 10am-2pm, Sat, Sept. 7, 10am-2pm and Sat, Oct. 5, 10am-2pm. SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver. Contact: 541-593-8149. sunriversaturdaymarket@gmail.com. Free.

BEER + DRINK

First Friday Oysters & Wine! Join Viaggio Wine Merchant for oysters and perfectly paired wines as well as our charcuterie plate, caviar & chips, line-caught tuna, sardines, olives and nuts, bread and olive oil, etc. If you’re not familiar with Hama Hama Oyster Company, now is the time to learn what sets them apart! Aug. 2, 3-9pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. Price varies.

Gallo Winery Tasting Come for a tasting of classic California and Washington wines from Gallo Winery! Tasting fee of $15 | Free for Wine Club Members Aug. 2, 5-8pm. Good Drop Wine Shoppe, 141 NW Minnesota Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-410-1470. support@gooddropwineshop.com. $15.

Opici Wine Group Tasting Come down to the shoppe for a tasting of four wines selected by Opici Wine Group! Tasting fee of $15. Free for Wine Club Members. Aug. 2, 5-8pm. The Good Drop Wine Shoppe, 141 NW Minnesota Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-410-1470. support@ thegooddropwineshop.com. $15.

Todd Alexander Wine Tasting & Seminar Meet winemaker Todd Alexander, of Force Majeure & Holocene Wines. Todd started in Napa, at Cade, Plumpjack & Bryant Family Vineyard. His highly-rated wines are sourced with fruit from sustainable, low-yield vineyards. All of Todd’s wines are made with low-impact techniques, using native yeasts and minimal manipulation. Not to miss! Aug. 1, 5:30-7pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. $45 ($35 for Wine Club Members).

Tuesday Wine on the Deck Come sit, relax and learn from the different local wineries featured on our year-round wine list. Each glass will be paired with a unique array of small-plates from our chef, using season ingredients to complement each wine. Restorations required. Purchase tickets via the Bend Ticket link. Tuesdays, 3-6pm. Through Aug. 27. SKIP Bar at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, 13300 Hwy 20, Sisters. $60.

HEALTH

+ WELLNESS

Friday Creekside Yoga Wind down your summer weekends with playful grounding outdoor yoga classes steps away from the Lodge. Yoga classes are taught by Ulla Lundgren who has more than 26 years experience as a yoga teacher, yoga teacher training facilitator and studio owner. Yoga classes are accessible and fun for all ages and abilities. RSVP to guarantee a spot in class. Fridays, 5-6pm. SKIP Bar at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, 13300 Hwy 20, Sisters. $20.

Sit Spot Community Gathering & Meditation: A Mini Forest Bathing Experience This experience focuses on coming together in community and enjoying the peace of the forest. It includes a brief sensory opening meditation, 20-30 minutes to enjoy a solo “sit spot”, a core forest bathing invitation for reducing stress and reconnecting to nature, and an optional closing sharing circle. Registration required. Aug. 6, 6:30-7:30pm. Shevlin Park, 18920 Shevlin Rd., Bend. Contact: mindy@ rootedpresence.com. Free.

The Power of Proper Fueling and Training for Runners Hitting your running goals requires more than just logging miles. This workshop delves into the powerful connection between food and performance Learn how to make strategic nutrition and training choices throughout your training season to unlock your full potential. Aug. 6, 6-7:15pm. Contact: alpenglowendurancellc@gmail.com. $29.

Hip-hop legend, Todd Anthony Shaw, better known by his stage name Too $hort, is an American rapper. A pioneer of West Coast hip-hop, Shaw was among the first acts to receive recognition in the genre during the late 1980s. Sat., Aug. 3, 7pm-midnight at Silver Moon Brewing.

Courtesy Too Short Facebook

CHOW C Hot Dogs, Buddha Bowls and Cocktails, Oh My

WildWood offers affordable eats and delish drinks in the Box Factory

By Jared Rasic

The most refreshing thing about WildWood, the new taproom, food cart, cocktail lounge combination located in the spot formerly held by The Brown Owl, is that it’s one of the first new places to open in Bend in a long time that doesn’t feel prohibitive to the pocketbook. The fact that the menu has multiple food options for under $10 is such a throwback to the Bend of yesteryear that it gives the space an almost nostalgic feel of when you could have a beer or two and a bite for under $20. Oh, and the food is super tasty across the board!

WildWood is also in such a heavily trafficked location that it could have easily phoned things in and still been just fine, but a there’s a thoughtfulness — from the tap curation, to the cocktail menu to the food and the interior design that proves owners Bret and Dayna Speers care about doing something different in the Old Mill District.

“We’ve been in the restaurant industry for 26 years owning several restaurants/pubs in Redding, California,” says Dayna Speers. “Our concept for WildWood (food) is very similar to Wilda’s Grill that we owned for 12 years. We came up with the concept for WildWood’s food using similar menu items.”

Makes sense to me not to fix things unbroken. At first glance, the menu is no

frills and simple, but everything I tried came prepared and crafted with care, while also taking an original approach that kept all the flavor profiles original and interesting. The Buddha Bowl is the most popular item on the menu and it’s easy to see why. For $11, you get a massive bowl of rice, red beans, cabbage, jalapeños, cilantro, sesame dressing and a hugely addictive garlic chili aioli (with either crispy chicken, house-made falafel or tofu as a protein choice). The flavor is on point and multi-layered, with a huge portion of food for the price point. And, seriously, that aioli is insanely good.

With three hot dogs to choose from for $8, I was thinking the WildWood dogs would also be perfect for a quick snack, but the dogs are heaped with toppings and are heartily delicious. I would recommend the WildWood Dog with Wilda’s mustard, sauerkraut, grilled onions and bacon or the BBQ Dog with crispy onions, BBQ sauce, cheddar and bacon. The all-beef hot dogs are mouth-watering and taste like a quality dog should. Between kids and the young at heart, these dogs are gonna have legions of fans.

“Most of the inspiration for the food was wanting a place that served a wide array of tastes that a family could go to and not break the bank,” says

Speers. “At the time we had middle school kids with simpler tastes (hot dogs & grilled cheese), but also wanted to offer more complex flavors with the Buddha Bowls and falafels … essentially creating an affordable place that everyone could find something to eat.”

I think that’s what I appreciated the most about the menu: the food could have been really plain bar fare that only existed so they could serve liquor and beer, but from the flavor profiles to the varied selections (the grilled cheese on naan is a delightful hybrid of a pupusa and quesadilla on flatbread…but stuffed with melted cheese), the Speers genuinely care about the quality of their offerings.

“We’re both foodies,” says Dayna Speers. “The Buddha Bowl was a dish that I ate regularly at home with scratch dressing that I perfected over the years. My love of falafel also drove me to come up with the recipe using all the elements that I love and putting my own spin on them. I’m also a vegetarian and gluten free, so that also shines through in a lot of our food offerings. But we cover the bases for the gluten and meat lovers as well!”

The Speers have also kept the homey, wood-covered interior of the Brown Owl while adding several new nooks and crannies throughout the first two floors,

giving it more of a upscale log cabin vibe.

The cocktails are also pretty fantastic. From the Summer Sipper (with rum, mint, lime, soda and freshly made strawberry puree), to the Honeymoon (a honeydew-forward mocktail) to the Gateway (a grapefruit-infused gin & tonic), great care is taken with the cocktail curation, and the bartender was deeply kind and attentive. “We feel like a strong cocktail menu has variety and is handcrafted,” says Dayna Speers. “All of our signature cocktails are infused and rotate seasonally. We also try and run specials with what fruit is in season.”

WildWood is deeply refreshing, not just because of how solid the food and beverages are, but because of its unpretentiousness. The space reminds me of the Bend I remember from the early aughts, when things were affordable and a little more casual. Settled into the Box Factory, it’s the perfect location for locals to be reminded of that old Bend magic, and for tourists to discover what the fuss is all about.

WildWood

550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 129, Bend 541-598-6138 wildwoodbendoregon.com On Instagram @WildWood_Bend

Dayna

Photos by Jared Rasic and Adrian Galler

LITTLE BITES

By Nicole Vulcan

It’s Zucchini Season. Will Your Friends and

Neighbors Survive?

Avoid being a zucchini over-sharer by learning techniques for preserving this iconic summer squash

If you have a garden, then you might know the scenario: It’s after dark and you find yourself tiptoeing up to your neighbor’s porch, aiming to leave a harvest of zucchini behind. Those with thriving zucchini plants know the deal: Your friends, loved ones, coworkers and neighbors get a full-on squash assault this time of year, every year.

Wouldn’t it be great to find ways to keep some of that summer bounty a bit longer into the year, so you don’t have to be the constant giver of too much of a good thing? That’s exactly what an upcoming demonstration will do.

Oregon State University Extension hosts its “What Do I Do With All This Zucchini?” demo at two separate sessions Wednesday, Aug. 14, in Redmond. Master food preservers will share tips on preserving zucchini, including covering the equipment and supplies people need. Sessions take place from 2-3:30pm or 5:30-7pm at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. Registration is required and due by Monday, Aug. 12, at 5pm. The demonstration session costs $10 per person.

What Do I Do With All This Zucchini?

Wed., Aug. 14, 2pm & 5:30pm Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center

3800 SE Airport Way, Redmond extension.oregonstate.edu/county/ deschutes/events

$10

SC SCREEN Halfway Check-In The best movies and shows of the year so far

By Jared Rasic

We’re a little more than halfway through 2024, which seems like an appropriate time to look back at some of the best movies and shows of the year that I’ve seen. Usually, the real bangers come in the fourth quarter, but 2024 has been pretty solid so far when it comes to films that are just purely entertaining, with a few mentally and emotionally stimulating ones sneaking through as well. Plus, television has been even stronger, with some of the most fearless and medium-advancing shows I’ve seen in some time. In no particular order, let’s take a look at some of the best movies and shows of the year…so far.

Movies

“Challengers:” Calling it the best horny tennis movie ever made is probably doing Luca Guadagnino’s kinetic and sexy drama a disservice, but the heat generated between Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist is palpable. Captivates from start to finish and never going in predictable Hollywood directions, “Challengers” also sports the best score of the year by certified geniuses Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. I couldn’t care less about tennis, but this damn fine movie actually made me get into it for two nearly perfect hours.

“Ghostlight:” An emotionally overwhelming and life-affirming dramedy following a gruff yet lovable construction worker who has been closed off from his wife and daughter since the suicide of his son. When he accidentally discovers a community theater group putting on a single performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” he re-connects with himself, his family and humanity in gorgeous and unexpected ways. Literally getting misty just writing about it.

“Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell:” A three-hour-long Vietnamese film that is the finest example of the Slow Cinema movement since 2010’s “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” and a gorgeous examination of the ephemeral lines between past, present, future and our dreams. A true art film with some of the most unforgettable framing and cinematography of the last few years. Patient filmgoers will be greatly rewarded here.

“Hundreds of Beavers:” A black-and-white, dialogue-free slapstick comedy that plays like modern day Buster Keaton. I can definitely see this not being everyone’s cup of tea, but this is such a singular work of originality that if you can get past some of the (purposefully) juvenile humor, there are endless riches to be unpacked here. Probably the best comedy of the year so far.

“I Saw the TV Glow:” A very specific vision of alienation and obsession that has more going on beneath the surface than a dozen regular films. Jane Schoenbrun has crafted a deeply personal, yet sneakily universal story that speaks directly to pop-culture nerds like me, while also layering in meta-context about their trans awakening. One hundred people can watch this movie and take 1,000 different meanings and none of them will be wrong.

“Robot Dreams:” Perfect and beautiful in every way. A lonely dog buys a robot to be his friend. Things don’t

go as planned. The hardest I’ve cried in the movies in a long time. Between this and “Ghostlight,” this is apparently my Happytears Era.

“The Beast:” A French sci-fi romance that hasn’t left my head for a moment since I watched it. Léa Seydoux gives a masterclass in stillness, portraying a lifetime of emotion in a single glance and once again proving she is at the top of the very small list of the best actors of her generation. I can’t explicitly tell you everything this movie means or what it’s trying to say, but I’ll never forget how it makes me feel when I close my eyes.

There are so many other good-to-great movies that have come out in the first half of the year. Some honorable mentions are the delightful comedy “Thelma,” the spectacle of “Dune: Part Two,” the boundless imagination of “Furiosa,” the mesmerizing “In a Violent Nature,” the charming “Janet Planet,” the enigmatic “Tuesday,” the bittersweet “Inside Out 2,” the challenging “Civil War,” the ferocious “Monkey Man” and the terrifying “The First Omen.” All are worth your time.

Shows

There are almost too many good shows to choose from this year, so I’ll wait until the end of the year to make a full-sized list of everything that was truly remarkable. Shows including “House of the Dragon,” “Evil” and “Fantasmas,” are still airing new episodes, but I’d be surprised if they don’t all stick their individual landings.

I’m still upset that “The Big Door Prize” was canceled a few weeks ago, right after ending on a cliffhanger after its second season finale. I will wonder how this story would have ended for a long time. This is easily the best show that no one I know was watching.

“Abbott Elementary” had another really strong season and so did “The Bear,” “Hacks,” and “Slow Horses,” while “Fallout,” “Shogun,” “Ripley,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “X-Men ’97” all had strong debuts. Honestly, it’s hard to know at this point what will still be memorable by the end of the year since so much content gets produced and released every week. Let’s check back in with each other in a few months and see where we’re at!

Bring your tissues to “Ghostlight.”

“Challengers” just might be the sexiest tennis movie ever.

Courtesy of IFC Films

Courtesy of Warner Bros

By Savannah Mendoza

The Big Butte Challenge: Summiting Central Oregon’s Scenic Beauty

Explore new heights and enjoy local brews with Cascade Relays

Bend is known not only for its stunning Cascade Mountains, but also for the beautiful buttes scattered across the Central Oregon landscape. This year, Cascade Relays encourages families and adventure enthusiasts to come to the fourth annual Big Butte Challenge. The event offers a unique opportunity to explore 10 scenic buttes and breweries at your own pace using custom maps along the way.

“This is our love letter to Bend from the Cascade Relays company,” said Kailey-Jean Clark, the director of operations and partnerships at Cascade Relays. “This challenge is an opportunity to encourage people to explore their own backyard and celebrate nature.”

The Big Butte Challenge started Memorial Day Weekend and runs through Oct. 1. Participants who are up for the challenge can summit these buttes for the best views of the summer, along with enjoying a delicious pint from a local brewery as their reward. To complete the challenge, attendees must submit a summit submission on the Cascade Relays website after conquering each butte to track their progress. Selfies while taking in the butte-iful views are encouraged for a chance to win prizes.

To build excitement, Cascade Relays is throwing a Big Butte Challenge launch party at Immersion Brewing on July 31, the Butte Debut kick-off celebration. Registered participants can collect a swag bag, enjoy live music, win prizes and toast to fellow adventures with a complimentary pint.

For those curious about the Big Butte Challenge, but unable to commit to summiting all 10 buttes, a two-butte

challenge features a pair of buttes to explore and two pints of beer for completing the challenge.

Here’s a list of the 10 Buttes and brews included in this year’s challenge:

• Barnes Butte (1.36 Miles) – Wild Ride Brewing

• Bessie Butte (0.64 Miles) – Van Henion Brewing

• Black Butte (1.90 Miles) – Deschutes Brewery

• Smith Rock (3.32 Miles) – Kobold

• Overturf Butte (2.79 Miles) – GoodLife Brewing

• Paulina Peak (3.06 Miles) – Bend Brewing Company

• Pilot Butte (1.03 Miles) – Worthy Brewing

• Tumalo Mountain (4.04 Miles) –Cascade Lakes Brewing

• Vista Butte (2.15 Miles) – Immersion Brewing

• Tam-a-lau (3.3 Miles) – Initiative Brewing

Registration is open at the Cascade Relays website. The cost is $65 for all 10 buttes, $20 for youth, $20 for a single Butte and $40 for the Bonus Butte Challenge. Prizes will be awarded to the first to summit all buttes, best photos and more.

lenge/ $20-$65

Bendites who are up for the challenge can summit buttes for brews in the Big Butte Challenge.

Courtesy Cascade Relays

SMOKE SIGNALS

“ Not-So-Magic Mushrooms What’s in your psychedelics?

By Josh Jardine

Magic” mushrooms have once again been in the news recently, and it hasn’t been for the best of reasons. For regular readers, it may have a sense of deja vu, as it parallels a cannabis-related news cycle with disturbing similarities.

While sparking one up is always a good idea before diving in, feel free to nibble on some mushrooms for this one. (If nothing else, it will make the col umn funnier.)

The little-known brand with a name so annoying I want to punch its face, Diamond Shruumz, has been gaining widespread recognition as of late in the worst way — reportedly sickening, hospitalizing, and potentially killing its customers.

California-based Prophet Premium Blends, owner of Diamond Shruumz, said it was initiating the recall after their Certificate of Analysis showed “higher than normal …levels of Muscimol, a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that as of July 23, “74 total illnesses, including 38 hospitalizations, have been reported in 28 U.S. states with ongoing efforts to identify other potential cases. There are two potentially associated deaths under investigation.” (And one of those 28 states is Oregon.)

Diamond Shruumz' line of chocolate bars, cones, and gummies were believed to be causing “seizures, central nervous system depression, loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness, agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/ hypotension, nausea, and vomiting” in users, per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A recall was issued in June, but there are reports of some of the products still being on shelves.

Those shelves involve smoke and vape shops, as well as gas stations and mini marts. You do you, but maybe don't consume psychedelics you’ve picked up at the Gas n’ Go. And maybe know what you are consuming in these products, because it’s not psilocybin…except when it is.

The naturally occurring ingredient that puts the magic in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, and is considered a DEA Schedule 1 drug, along with cannabis, heroin, bath salts, ecstasy, LSD and others. Schedule 1 means the DEA believes that the drug or other substance has a “high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical treatment use in the U.S, and…has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.”

Also known as “fly agaric,” it’s a legal mushroom whose biggest claim to fame has been its impact on — I’m not kidding — our story of Santa Claus, as pagan Northern Europeans used to consume the mushroom during the winter solstice. It’s a psychoactive mushroom, with effects that the American Journal of Preventive Medicine lists as “dizziness, dysphoria, visual hallucinations, agitation, ataxia, muscle fasciculation, seizures and coma.”

This isn’t to say that Muscimol is the only ingredient causing the illnesses. The Blue Ridge Poison Center at the University of Virginia also found Psilocin (a Schedule 1 substance) and Psilacetin, known as a “synthetic shroom,” in Diamond Shruumz. Neither were listed as an active ingredient. That parallel of which I spoke harkens back to 2017, when I wrote about the serious health issues and hospitalization of users of a synthetic cannabis product known as Spice, or K2. It was another case of people wanting access to something natural that the government has banned, leading to an industry designed to provide synthetic versions that while legal, may incur far greater damage to the user than the illegal (but far safer) products.

Even when made legal, as Oregon has done with psilocybin, access is not as easy as it is with cannabis. Mushrooms are not sold through brick-andmortar dispensary style shops, but rather must be acquired and consumed on site at a state licensed Service Center, and taken under the guidance of a facilitator in two sessions. Prices range from $800 to $2,500, which may be a factor as to why many of these service centers are not exactly thriving.

Seeking out states of intoxication is natural and is best addressed with substances that are natural as well. But don’t eat things with ingredients you can’t confirm.

Pexels

Crossword “Taking Hours”

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

1. Up on all the latest trends

2. Id's counterpart

3. The whole enchilada 4. Scream from the fans

5. Ruby slippers wearer 6. Cookware coating 7. Tortoise's rival 8. Did gangbusters on 9. The Ayatollah, e.g. 10. President Emmanuel

11. Charismatic glow

12. "Don't ever change," in proofs

13. "___ by you?"

21. It might be big, little, or white

22. One getting what's coming to them

23. Japanese dog breed

24. They often come out of the bathroom

25. "Finally"

29. Cellphone gizmo

30. Super Bowl X MVP Lynn

31. "If I Could Tell ___" ("Dear Evan Hansen" song)

32.  Māori greeting

36. MetLife Stadium player

37. Hubbub

39. Halloween activity

40. Tabby's cry

41. Sport in an octagon

43. Killer seen on some whale watches

44. Dua Lipa's genre

46. Followed closely

47. Outing that might involve cupping and shellacking

48. Deliverers of "Hail Marys"

52. For men?

53. Earring type

54. Knock to the ground

55. Go at it

56. Simplicity

57. Getting in other's business

61. Course average

62. Scrape (by)

63. Kamasi Washington plays it

Pearl’s Puzzle Difficulty

Puzzle for the week of July 29, 2024

exactly once.

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters D E B I T S O U P exactly once.

Robert Benchley

Answer for the week of July 22, 2024

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn’t the work moment.” - Robert Benchley

Answer for the week of July 22, 2024

“

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Astrologer Chris Zydel says every sign has superpowers. In honor of your birthday season, I'll tell you about those she attributes to you Leos. When you are at your best, you are a beacon of "joyful magnetism" who naturally exudes "irrepressible charisma." You "shine like a thousand suns" and "strut your stuff with unabashed audacity." All who are lucky enough to be in your sphere benefit from your "radiant spontaneity, bold, dramatic play, and whoo-hoo celebration of your creative genius." I will add that of course you can't always be a perfect embodiment of all these superpowers. But I suspect you are cruising through a phase when you are the next best thing to perfect.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo-born Friedrich August Kekule (1829–1896) transformed organic chemistry with his crucial discovery of the structure of carbon-based compounds. He had studied the problem for years. But his breakthrough realization didn’t arrive until he had a key dream while dozing. There’s not enough room here to describe it at length, but the image that solved the riddle was a snake biting its own tail. I bring this story to your attention, Virgo, because I suspect you could have practical and revelatory dreams yourself in the coming weeks. Daydream visions, too. Pay attention! What might be your equivalent to a snake biting its own tail?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Please don't succumb to numbness or apathy in the coming weeks. It’s crucial that you don’t. You should also take extreme measures to avoid boredom and cynicism. At the particular juncture in your amazing life, you need to feel deeply and care profoundly. You must find ways to be excited about as many things as possible, and you must vividly remember why your magnificent goals are so magnificent. Have you ruminated recently about which influences provide you with the spiritual and emotional riches that sustain you? I encourage you to become even more intimately interwoven with them. It’s time for you to be epic, mythic, even heroic.

bilities. I will ask you, therefore, to pry open your attitude so you will be alert to the looming blessings, even when they are in disguise.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A friend of a friend told me this story: One summer day, a guy he knew woke up at 5 am, meditated for a while, and made breakfast. As he gazed out his kitchen window, enjoying his coffee, he became alarmed. In the distance, at the top of a hill, a brush fire was burning. He called emergency services to alert firefighters. A few minutes later, though, he realized he had made an error. The brush fire was in fact the rising sun lighting up the horizon with its fiery rays. Use this as a teaching story in the coming days, Aquarius. Double-check your initial impressions to make sure they are true. Most importantly, be aware that you may initially respond with worry to events that are actually wonderful or interesting.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): At least a million ships lie at the bottom of the world’s oceans, lakes, and rivers. Some crashed because of storms, and others due to battles, collisions, or human error. A shipwreck hunter named Sean Fisher estimates that those remains hold over $60 billion worth of treasure. Among the most valuable are the old Spanish vessels that sank while carrying gold, silver, and other loot plundered from the Americas. If you have the slightest inkling to launch adventures in search of those riches, I predict the coming months will be an excellent tine. Alternately, you are likely to generate good fortune for yourself through any version of diving into the depths in quest of wealth in all of its many forms.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Historically, August has brought many outbreaks of empowerment. In August 1920, American women gained the right to vote. In August 1947, India and Pakistan wrested their independence from the British Empire’s long oppression. In August 1789, French revolutionaries issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man, a document that dramatically influenced the development of democracy and liberty in the Western world. In 1994, the United Nations established August 9 as the time to celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. In 2024, I am officially naming August to be Scorpio Power Spot Month. It will be an excellent time to claim and/or boost your command of the niche that will nurture your authority and confidence for years to come.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): August is Save Our Stereotypes Month for you Sagittarians. I hope you will celebrate by rising up strong and bold to defend our precious natural treasures. Remember that without cliches, platitudes, pigeonholes, conventional wisdom, and hackneyed ideas, life would be nearly impossible. JUST KIDDING! Everything I just said was a dirty lie. Here’s the truth. August is Scour Away Stereotypes Month for you Sagittarians. Please be an agent of original thinking and fertile freshness. Wage a brazen crusade against cliches, platitudes, pigeonholes, conventional wisdom, and hackneyed ideas.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’re never too old or wise or jaded to jump up in the air with glee when offered a free gift. Right? So I hope you won’t be so bent on maintaining your dignity and composure that you remain poker-faced when given the chance to grab the equivalent of a free gift. I confess I am worried you might be unreceptive to the sweet, rich things coming your way. I’m concerned you might be closed to unexpected possi-

ARIES (March 21-April 19): One meaning of the word “palette” is a flat board on which painters place a variety of pigments to apply to their canvas. What would be a metaphorical equivalent to a palette in your life? Maybe it’s a diary or journal where you lay out the feelings and ideas you use to craft your fate. Perhaps it’s an inner sanctuary where you retreat to organize your thoughts and meditate on upcoming decisions. Or it could be a group of allies with whom you commune and collaborate to enhance each other’s destinies. However you define your palette, Aries, I believe the time is right to enlarge its size and increase the range of pigments you can choose from.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The star that Westerners call Arcturus has a different name for Indigenous Australians: Marpeankurrk. In their part of the world, it begins to rise before dawn in August. For the Boorong people of northwest Victoria, this was once a sign to hunt for the larvae of wood ants, which comprised a staple food for months. I bring this up, Taurus, because heavenly omens are telling me you should be on the lookout for new sources of sustenance and fuel. What's your metaphorical equivalent of wood ant larvae?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Seventy percent of the world’s macadamia nuts have a single ancestor: a particular tree in Queensland, Australia. In 1896, two Hawaiian brothers took seeds from this tree and brought them back to their homestead in Oahu. From that small beginning, Hawaiian macadamia nuts have come to dominate the world’s production. I foresee you soon having resemblances to that original tree, Gemini. What you launch in the coming weeks and months could have tremendous staying power and reach far beyond its original inspiration.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Ketchup flows at about 0.03 miles per hour. In 35 hours, it could travel about a mile. I think you should move at a similar speed in the coming days. The slower you go, the better you will feel. The more deeply focused you are on each event, and the more you allow the rich details to unfold in their own sweet time, the more successful you will be at the art of living. Your words of power will be incremental, gradual, and cumulative.

Homework: What message would you like to send your 12-year-old self? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

AWAKENING YOUR INNER HERO

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

By Burt Gershater

Life: A Walk in the Park?

Life: A Walk in the Park?

We all know the answer to that one.

Whether it’s our work, our partner, our family, our physical health, mental health…life. No matter what, sometimes it’s a walk in the park and other times it’s a walk in the park during a tornado.

But we do live in a spectacular park — our planet Earth within our infinite universe. We also have been given a life that at times touches pure ecstasy but also can descend into unbearable misery, with every shade of feeling in between. Many of these life shades are created by the external world, but many others, and I would argue most, are created by our internal world. It’s another way of saying, “We see what we focus on.”

Lace up your boots.

My title comes from a recent selection by my book group, a gathering of some cool old dudes who have been meeting for over 20 years. Most of the time we actually discuss the book, but invariably, many other topics both personal and beyond are dug into. This month’s book title, if you haven’t already guessed, is “A Walk in the Park” written by Kevin Fedarko. It’s a story about a walk in the incomparably spectacular and treacherous Grand Canyon National Park.

Fifty-four years ago, I moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, for only two reasons. There was a graduate school in educational psychology and also a ski area a few miles north of town. Everything I was looking for…I thought. What I didn’t realize when I sent my application to Northern Arizona University was the Grand Canyon was just a little more than an hour’s drive to the north. But less than a year after arriving, the Grand Canyon became my second home. I hiked, climbed, rafted, made lifetime friends…and soaked in its beauty whenever I could. Paradise was in our back yard.

Well, not always paradise. Fedarko, a well-known writer and adventurer and the author of “A Walk in the Park,” hiked with his best buddy Pete McBride, an adventure photographer and filmmaker. The subtitle of his book reads: “The true story of a

spectacular misadventure in the Grand Canyon.” Like everything else in life, it’s only when we spend time up close do we begin to comprehend the com plexities of what we’re viewing. Fedarko is a master at viewing things up close.

“Up close” is an understatement when it comes to their trek through the full length of the Canyon. One can hardly believe it, but they hiked 800 miles over the course of 14 months through some of the most treacherous terrain on the planet.

WELLNESS

Accepting Patients!

Over 250 people are rescued from the canyon every year. In the past 150 years over 800 people took their last breath below the rim. In the summer months, temperatures can reach over 120 degrees in the shade. On the average, 17 people die in the Canyon every year from heat stroke, starvation, freezing, dehydration, drowning and falls of every kind.

Even Fedarko and McBride, on their first attempt, had to be rescued because death got closer than they even knew. Exhausted, wobbling legs, cramping spasms, confused, delirious, Fedarko was done in, and a rescue team made it possible to get them up to the rim. The park doctor told Fedarko, “You were extremely lucky. You could have easily died from a brain herniation.”

They vowed never to return and let go of their crazy plan.

But, as life happens, they recouped, learned, prepared better and determinedly placed one foot in front of the other for the entire length of the Grand Canyon.

Back to the book group. One of our members knows Fedarko and asked him to attend our gathering. I posed this question to him: “So, you accomplished your goal. What’s the gem of wisdom you took away from all this?”

He paused and spoke softly, “Humility.”

Isn’t humility the most important lesson we all need to learn on our walk in the park?

Walk on.

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

TAKE ME HOME Turn

By Kristin Marshall, Broker RE/MAX Key Properties

Getaway into Gold: Investing in a Vacation Home

Investing in a vacation home is not just about owning a piece of paradise; it's a strategic financial decision that can yield substantial returns. Whether you’re looking at a property nestled in the mountains, by a serene lake or in a charming small town, the benefits of owning a vacation home are numerous. Here’s why investing in a vacation home is a smart move for both locals and those considering a new getaway.

Strong Real Estate Market

Many vacation destinations like Central Oregon have vibrant and resilient real estate markets. The demand for vacation homes and rental properties in these areas continues to grow, driven by their appeal as both tourist destinations and desirable places to live. With a steady influx of visitors and new residents, property values in vacation spots can often see significant appreciation over the years. Investing in a vacation home not only provides a personal retreat but also offers the potential for long-term financial gain.

platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, managing vacation rentals has never been easier. Locations that are family-friendly, pet-friendly and adventure-friendly ensure a steady stream of guests eager to experience all they have to offer.

Future-Proofing Your Investment

Did you know? By 2025, 32.6 million Americans will work remotely. As remote work becomes more prevalent, many people are seeking locations that offer a balance between work and leisure. High-quality vacation spots, combined with excellent amenities and connectivity, make ideal choices for those looking to relocate or spend extended periods away from urban centers. By investing in a vacation home, you’re positioning yourself for the future, whether you plan to use it as a seasonal getaway, a rental property or a potential full-time residence.

Invest In a Property in a Place You Love

Income Potential Through Rentals

One of the most compelling reasons to invest in a vacation home is the opportunity to generate rental income. Popular vacation spots have a consistent demand for short-term rentals. By renting out your property when you’re not using it, you can offset the costs of ownership and even turn a profit. With

Buying a vacation home is a decision that combines lifestyle enhancement with smart financial planning. The natural beauty, recreational opportunities, strong real estate market, and vibrant community of many vacation destinations make them attractive options for investors. By turning your getaway into gold, you’re investing in both your well-being and your financial future.

Jericka Hassoun