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Before we say farewell to 2024, let’s take a look back! This issue is an opportunity to reflect on the great reporting our team executed this year and a chance to feature some top news stories you may remember (or maybe missed), curated by investigative reporter Jennifer Baires. Reporter Julianna LaFollette sat down with Mayor Melanie Kebler to discuss some of the City’s accomplishments, and our publisher Aaron Switzer also checked in with 10 of his “Bend Don’t Break” podcast guests to discuss their top 10 moments from the last year. Editor in Chief Nicole Vulcan revisits some of the area’s tastiest morsels over the past 12 months. Film critic Jared Rasic offers a wildly comprehensive overview of the last year in movies, the volume of which might be enough to hold you over through the next year as well. As we look ahead to 2025, we have some great book recommendations, and an insightful column from Oregon’s Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston about bringing more light after the year’s darkest days. Thanks for being with us in 2024; here’s to a fulfilling new year!
LIGHTMETER:
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“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” – Victor Hugo, Les Misérables Thank you so much @jaydo_ventures for tagging us in this beautiful frosty winter sunrise in the high desert. Don't forget to share your photos with us and tag @sourceweekly for a chance to be featured as Instagram of the week and in
Another Year, Another Painful Increase in Electric Rates
New Year’s Eve may be a night for celebration, but this year, New Year’s Day may also be a day for consternation. That’s because on New Year’s Day, electric rates are going up once again for many people in Oregon. Last week, Oregon’s Public Utilities Commission approved yet another rate increase for customers of both Pacific Power and Portland General Electric — rate increases that mean customers will now be paying about 50% more than we did just a handful of years ago. As of Jan. 1, rates will go up another 10%, fast on the heels of several other rate increases in the past several years. Ouch.
If you’re someone who likes to think on the bright side, perhaps you can look at this from the “it could have been worse” angle. Originally, Pacific Power asked for a rate increase of 21.6%, according to the utility watchdog Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board, which regulators rejected — along with rejecting the utility’s request to raise its profit margins.
The power companies say they need to increase rates once again to keep up with increased energy costs, building out clean energy infrastructure, the costs of wildfires and the increased demand for energy from data centers and artificial intelligence.
But there are several things to take issue with there — one being that PacifiCorp, which owns Pacific Power, was found to be liable for a number of the 2020 Labor Day megafires. Just this week, the federal government filed yet another lawsuit against PacifiCorp in connection with the Archie Creek Fire in Douglas County.
Now, the company is having you pay for those alleged wildfire mistakes — along with helping them keep up with demand at data centers, when residential demand isn’t increasing at nearly the same rate. According to reporting in the Oregon Capital Chronicle, demand among PGE’s industrial customers like data centers has gone up 34% over the past five years, while residential demand is only up 5%. Should the average person be subsidizing the region’s demand for AI?
This whole thing is an indication of how basic parts of life, such as electricity, are becoming a luxury. Last year, both Pacific Power and PGE cut off the electricity of customers in record-breaking numbers. Some 20,000 Pacific Power customers had their power disconnected due to nonpayment in 2024, according to the CUB
— up from 8,000 shutoffs the year prior. Those numbers are a clear signal that more and more people are unable to cover basic expenses, and a sign that the shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway — the parent company of PacifiCorp — are prized above the average person just trying to pay the bills.
PacifiCorp clocked some $324 million in net income in the third quarter of 2024, according to the energy newsletter NewsData — a marked increase from the third quarter of 2023, when it marked a $652 million net loss, largely due to wildfire costs. In Q4 of 2024, “retail revenues were up $195 million from higher average rates and $53 million from higher retail volumes,” the newsletter stated.
Having rate increases hit in the dead of winter, just after a holiday season that likely cost most households more money than usual, is yet another blow for the average person. That’s why the CUB attempted to get the Commission to move the hearings about rate increases to April, instead of January — a proposal the Commission ultimately rejected. What it did agree to, however, was to ban utilities from cutting off the power of low-income, bill-discount customers between Jan. 1 and April 1, and to approve an increase in the amount of discount lower-income customers can get. On top of that, moving forward, data centers and other large industrial customers will have to forecast their energy needs with 95% accuracy, or pay penalties for the miscalculation. That’s relevant, because when they don’t forecast accurately and end up needing more power in a pinch, the rest of us pay a premium for that last-minute power.
When the fires and contagion and shutdowns of the pandemic era ended, most of us breathed a sigh of relief, feeling glad to have all of that chaos behind us. But like it or not, it seems that when it comes to electric rates, we’ll be living through the effects of 2020 for a long time to come.
Letters
RE: “CITY ENGINEER RESIGNS FOLLOWING INTERNAL INVESTIGATION INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH MACHER DEVELOPERS”
Great reporting! Thank you. This says it all and confirms my thoughts and comments I have made about our city and developer relationships. They are ruining this town.
—Nicole Perullo via bendsource.com on 12/16
As a CoB employee who understands this issue and the way the city works better than anyone else commenting, this was all handled pretty well. Management received complaints, investigated to determine the real facts and the employee resigned. To say that there’s widespread corruption or that people at a high level aren’t working or aren’t doing their jobs is just false. This was a case of one employee that made some mistakes, had some issues and when those came out, the situation was looked at and the employee is gone. There’s no conspiracy here, just people trying to address the issue and get some accountability, which is what happened.
—John Ronson via bendsource.com on 12/18
‘AMANPOUR & COMPANY’ AND GOOGLY EYES
“Amanpour and Company,” a BBC Worldwide program (episode #7121 on OPB, Tuesday, Dec. 17), at the end mentioned Bend’s googly eyes with some pictures. Reminds me of Banksy. I think it’s pretty fun and dog knows we need humor these days. I know the city wants ’em to stop, but I think city ought to just let the googly eyes fad wear out. Or take advantage of the free advertising and co-opt it somehow with tourism ads. The sheer mention on “Amanpour and Company” must be worth millions in advertising dollars worldwide. “Bend, Oregon, the fun town!” Hmm, “I’m googly eyed about Bend!” Anyone else have some fun slogans for the tourists? Ok, and locals? Appreciating googly-eyed deer statues in Bend; um, going worldwide. I wish it was my idea, but it’s far better than anything I could come up with.
—Tom D Ford
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!
AFFORDABLE HOUSING INNOVATION
As of 2023, Bend is facing an estimated shortage of 3,500 to 4,500 housing units, particularly for low- and moderate-income households. But how do we create more affordable housing? Interest rates are high, materials costs are high and labor costs are high. High costs impede development. But what if you already own the land? I recently heard a news report that the federal government has done an assessment to identify federal property that could be used for developing housing. One group of properties that are particularly useful for cities are post offices. Just think how many post offices cities contain! What if those (often) one-story buildings were replaced with three- to four-story buildings that contain apartments on the top and a post office on the bottom. You have just met multiple goals: more housing, keep the post office and avoid urban sprawl. Could the same be done with city property that we already own? Well, the Bend-La Pine School District says, “Yes!” As reported in Central Oregon Daily, the school district has a 2.5acre triangular parcel of land that is not extremely usable. They are selling this land to Habitat for Humanity to develop affordable housing for district employees. How exciting! I will be walking around Bend wondering what other creative solutions are right in front of my eyes. What one-story buildings, empty lots or underutilized spaces could be converted into multi-unit buildings? Where else could this strategy be utilized? Maybe you are curious too…
—Autumn Marler
WE’RE
RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO SHUT DOWN DAPL
With just one month left before Donald Trump returns to the White House, we are running out of time to lock in protections for our climate and communities. One critical action President Biden can take right now is to permanently shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The pipeline is currently operating illegally, even as the
ongoing legal battles surrounding it are reaching a critical point. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe continues to fight against corporate and state interference to protect their sacred land and the safety of surrounding communities. In 2020, concerned citizens urged President Biden to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, and he listened. Now, we must continue to press him to take immediate action on DAPL before Trump takes office. The risk of further environmental harm and disruption to Indigenous land is too great to ignore. President Biden must prioritize the permanent shutdown of DAPL in his final days in office. The fight for a cleaner, safer future is in our hands, and we cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
—Linda Hinton
WORKING GUIDE AND SERVICE DOG AWARENESS
On the afternoon of Wed., Dec. 18, my dear friend NS, her guide dog W and I were walking along the Old Mill river path together, enjoying our conversation and the beautiful sunny day. We were returning to Miller’s Landing and a gentleman was playing fetch with his dog off leash on the grassy patch by the path. As we approached the duo, my spidey senses spiked and sure enough the dog rushed towards us. Now, imagine for a moment, you can’t see the world around you and, unbeknownst to you, your trusted partner who you 100% rely on to navigate is about to be accosted. So, I step out in front and grabbed
the dog by the collar to stop the attack and yelled out to the man to call his dog and put them on a leash because this is a working guide dog team. To our complete shock, the man yelled at us saying that he’s on public property and doesn’t need to have his dog on a leash. No acknowledgement, no ownership of personal responsibility and no apology. Seriously, WTF!? (And yes, dogs in public spaces must be on leash within city limits, subject to a $250 fine.) My friend is not the only person in Bend who relies on a highly trained working service dog to live her best life, just like all of us, here in the awesome high desert. Bend, we absolutely love our dogs, but please, please, please: Be aware that some dogs are working and need to be respected while they’re on the clock. Thank you!
—Timothy Gorbold
Letter of the Week:
Thanks for sharing your experience, Timothy. Having owned a reactive dog in the past, as well as interacting with others in public, I cannot agree more that dog owners need to take ownership of their pets. As the saying goes: There are no bad dogs, only bad owners. Stop by for your gift card to Palate.
—Chris Young
Deschutes County Appoints Kent Vander Kamp as Sheriff, One Week Early
On Dec. 18, Deschutes County Commissioners appointed Kent Vander Kamp as sheriff for the period of Jan. 1 until his term begins on Jan. 6. While Vander Kamp’s term would typically begin on Jan. 6, state law required him to be appointed early, as Sheriff Shane Nelson is retiring on Dec. 31.
"I am deeply honored to accept the appointment by the Board of Commissioners to serve as Deschutes County Sheriff during this transitional period. I look forward to officially stepping into this role and continuing to build on the trust and collaboration our community deserves,” Vander Kamp wrote in a press release.
Vander Kamp also announced his command staff, as follows: Aaron Wells as Undersheriff, Mike Sundberg as Patrol Captain, Ty Rupert as Detective Captain, Mike Shults as Corrections Captain and Bill Bailey as Administrative Captain.
—Julianna LaFollette
2.6 Mil.
—The number of dog poop bags Bend Park & Recreation District ordered last year, from the Feature story, “Bend Don’t Break Podcast Guests: Top 10 Moments from 2024”
Interview with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler
Mayor Kebler talks about City accomplishment and plans for the new year
By Julianna LaFollette
The Source Weekly sat down with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler to talk about plans for the new year, along with noteworthy accomplishments from 2024. We covered significant topics such as housing, transportation and, of course, googly eyes.
Housing
On housing, Kebler was proud of the UGB expansion the City just approved, along with its investments in affordable housing projects.
“We know that we’re building more housing per capita than other cities in the state. We’re on the right track, and we still have a problem. Too many people cannot afford to live here,” Kebler said. “We have too many people rent burdened. We’ve seen that number shift a little bit, and our staff are saying this is because people are leaving who are rent burdened.”
While the City continues to work on increasing housing, Kebler is proud of the City’s achievements on homelessness, noting a drop in Bend’s Point-in-Time Count and the count of unsheltered people.
“I think the real star of that story is the safe parking program,” Kebler said.
The City, she said, just got notice that a couple more places are going to start doing safe parking in Bend, increasing needed capacity. Kebler also mentioned the City’s $5 million grant from HUD, meant to expand housing supply and lower housing costs. In the new year, the City will begin divulging more details about what the grant funding will go to.
investment here,’ and ‘there’s a lot of users of this system that aren’t locals’ — people that are visiting or whatever — and continuing to have commitment to try to find those revenue sources as well,” Kebler said.
Environmental Issues
On environmental issues, the City will look to strengthen its Community Climate Action Plan, which currently has no proposal for funding projects, according to Kebler.
the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art. While we don’t condone the wreaths, leis and Santa hats, let’s stay away from adhesives, graffiti and all things that can damage the art,” the post read.
“Light is cheer. Light is festivity. Light is hope. The shortest day of the year, December 21, is behind us.”
—Ellen
Waterston, from her column on ageism and aging, “The Third Act: Many Happy Returns”
Transportation
According to Kebler, the biggest upcoming transportation project is the Hawthorne Overcrossing. She was proud that the City was able to secure state and federal funding for the bridge and kick off the process by choosing a design.
In 2024, the City moved forward with a Transportation Fee, aimed at maintaining the City’s transportation system. Kebler, proud of the City’s work on the fee, said phase two of the fee will add sustained funding to do more work, hiring more crews and purchasing more equipment.
“I think that’s an accomplishment, to move a policy like that forward and make sure that were explaining it as best we can. At the same time, saying, ‘we also hear that there’s a lot of local
“I think that’s the biggest challenge going forward, is to figure out what kind of sustainable funding could be available for a climate action office,” Kebler said.
The City was also proud of its turf removal program, which allows households to save water by receiving a rebate to convert their grass lawns into low-water landscapes. The program, Kebler said, was extremely popular, receiving 120 applications last year. The program will return in 2025.
Googly Eyes
On Dec. 4, the City posted about the addition of googly eyes on several art pieces in Bend’s roundabouts. The announcement featured three examples of sculptures pasted with googly eyes.
“We love our roundabout art in Bend, so let’s do our part to take care of it. While the googly eyes placed on
The post took the City by surprise, receiving nearly 400 pro-googly eyes comments. The post, along with the City’s reaction, blew up, getting featured on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and The New York Times, among many other major news sites. Mayor Kebler, surprised and delighted at the publicity of the story, sees the googly eyes as a way for people to appreciate the local art.
“That’s public art that people see every day, and you kind of get used to it. Everywhere you’re traveling, every day, you see art. So, part of it is like people noticing the art again,” she said.
René Mitchell, City communications director, chimed in to set the record straight.
“It really started as a very benign, friendly reminder. We just did not expect the comments,” she told the Source Weekly. “However, it brings a lot of attention to the collection. And who doesn’t love being on Stephen Colbert.” Kebler agreed.
Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler looks past the googly eyes to a bright future ahead.
Melanie Kebler Instagram
The Top Central Oregon Stories of 2024
From fires to elections, this year was full of compelling local news. Here are the top stories that impacted our region – see the complete list on our website.
By Jennifer Baires
A City Tax Exemption Program Indefinitely Pauses
In early January, the Bend City Council approved a nearly $10.6 million, 10-year tax exemption for Jackstraw, a large mixed-use development near the Box Factory with over 300 apartment units and 16,000 square feet of retail planned. The exemption was requested by developers Killian Pacific via the City’s Multiple Unit Property Tax Exemption program – but the request came after construction was underway, and Killian Pacific claimed it couldn’t complete the project without the hefty tax break. Since February, the City’s MUPTE program has been on hold while the Council reevaluates.
The Largest
Dam
Removal Project in U.S. History
The largest dam removal project in U.S. history took place this year, and Nicole Vulcan, Source Weekly’s Editor in Chief, dipped in throughout the year to watch the progression and restoration of the Klamath River along the Oregon-California border. The threepart series included reporting during winter, spring and summer, from the historic removal of the dam to the young Indigenous paddlers training for a historic run from the river’s source to the Pacific Ocean.
A Failed Housing Program
In March, the Source Weekly reported on concerns regarding a high concentration of transitional housing and shelter facilities in east Bend. These concerns led to a petition to sell, relocate or repurpose a Deschutes County housing program on Wilson Avenue for male convicts and sex offenders, aimed at creating stability and increasing public safety. After months of complaints from neighbors, County Commissioners voted to relocate the program. Days later, the board voted to discontinue it altogether.
In October, the Source Weekly reported on the former housing manager’s experience. Once the program failed, housing manager Kyle Virdetech was left homeless, without the funds he was promised. He blames the closure on a lack of communication and support.
Struggles at Bend-La Pine Schools
Reporter Julianna LaFollette sat down with several teachers within BLPS to hear about their ongoing struggles with resources, time and compensation. Then, in May, voters in Deschutes County struck down a levy that would have raised $22 million annually over the next five years through a property tax of $1 per $1,000
assessed value. The influx, BLPS said, would have staved off layoffs and ensured average class sizes and enhancement programs stayed the same. Now, the district faces possible cuts of over 180 positions and an increased student-teacher ratio, by four students per class, over the next biennium.
Drug Recriminalization and Deflection
This year saw the end of Oregon’s drug decriminalization experiment, which voters approved in 2020, with the passage of bills to recriminalize drug possession. The new legislation offered counties funds and support to launch deflection programs, so that those arrested can receive treatment for drug use rather than a citation or jail time. We followed this story from the rollback of Measure 110 in March, to the early days of Deschutes County’s development of an implementation of drug addiction and behavioral health treatment programs, the official launch of the program in September and a look at the small successes the County reported one month in.
In a Land Birthed by Fire
From May through August our new investigative and features reporter Jennifer Baires undertook a three-part series looking at how prepared our region is for the next big fire.
Starting with the forests surrounding Central Oregon communities, the series looked at a first-in-the-nation pilot program to aggressively treat forests with larger prescribed burns, closer to town than before. The second part focused on the scant policies in place to curb the ever-growing threat of building and living along the border of urban and wild – and it came on the heels of the Darlene 3 Fire that led to evacuations for many in La Pine.
The series – but not our fire coverage – wrapped with a trip to a fire basecamp in Ochoco National Forest where Complex Incident Command teams were deployed for weeks on end, leading hundreds of wildland firefighters in fighting an 87,000-acre fire.
Mt. Bachelor for Sale
In August, POWDR Corporation announced that after 23 years of ownership it was ready to sell Mt. Bachelor, along with three other ski resorts in its holding. Some in the community saw this as opportune news and quickly formed a local group to attempt to buy the resort. In the months following the POWDR Corp announcement we delved into the local effort, along with looking
at potential industry titans positioned to buy the mountain and asked the explored the question – what does Mt. Bachelor – or its ownership – mean for Bend?
Encampments at Juniper Ridge
The end of summer saw a large wildfire break out in northeast Bend, near Juniper Ridge, where dozens of people live in makeshift shelters and encampments. The public outcry following the fire led to a renewed political effort to address the homeless encampments spread throughout Juniper Ridge. Our reporters went to JR to see what living conditions are like for those who “live on the outskirts” and followed the back-and-forth between the Bend City Council and the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners to decide the best way forward.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Race
After Deschutes County Sheriff Shane Nelson announced his plan to retire at the end of this year, two contenders for office – Capt. William Bailey and Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp – entered the race, coming out in two clear camps. Bailey, with Nelson’s support, aligned himself with the current administration while Vander Kamp positioned himself as a change-maker who would bring a new, transparent and unifying approach to the office.
As election day neared, the race heated up with Nelson uncovering decades-old personnel records of Vander Kamp’s and a flurry of litigation by Vander Kamp to keep the records sealed. The files were (inadvertently) made public weeks before the election, but Vander Kamp won the election handily. Supporters pointed to Vander Kamp winning the union vote as a sign of his positive position within the department and said that Bailey did not do enough to distance himself from Nelson’s negative public perception after years of lawsuits and accusations of favoritism and retaliation.
—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.
The reborn Klamath River at Copco Lake is flanked by striated patterns of new green growth from seeds dropped by helicopter.
A firefighter works a prescribed burn near Cascade Scenic Lakes Byway on May 14.
A burned camp sits on the City’s land in Juniper Ridge, along a canal.
Ben Cole
Julianna LaFollette
Nicole Vulcan
Jennifer Baires
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Q&A with Manager of Redmond’s SCP Hotel, Tobias Colvin
Downtown business owner and outgoing City Councilor Tobias Colvin talks Council accomplishments and Redmond growth
By Julianna LaFollette
As the end of the year approaches, Tobias Colvin, manager of the downtown SCP Redmond Hotel and an outgoing Redmond City Councilor, talks about his accomplishments on the Council, plans following his term and growth in Redmond.
Source Weekly: What are some of your biggest accomplishments as a member of the City Council?
Tobias Colvin: It was a very productive two years. I think we got the right people on the Council, and we were able to collaborate to do some really big stuff. We could talk about the infrastructure that we've approved with the public safety facility. The airport continues to get renovated, so we should be breaking ground on that this next year. Water was another big thing that happened this year, trying to get to some certainty in our water rights moving forward.
I think Redmond is going to be a force to be reckoned with, with the relationships and the amount of money we can get from the legislature. We are batting above our weight, basically, because we have a really strong Council that all are aligned with making sure that we do the best we can with a fast-growing city. It was an honor to serve with all those councilors. They're all very sharp and bright people that care very much about what we do. We have an amazing staff at the City of Redmond, and I foresee the City really pushing us forward in the next two to four years.
SW: What’s next for you?
TC: Take a break. I have a couple kids and a wife…so spending some time with them is going to be great. [The City] already put me back on two different committees, the Planning Commission and the Tourism Committee. So, I’ll be working really closely with the Council, not in an official capacity, but through the committees and commissions to do some work that we already started, but on the ground floor.
SW: Speaking of tourism, is the tourism industry in Redmond changing?
TC: With the fairgrounds getting the big festival in the summer, things are just coming. There are more and more people coming. It’s the off seasons that we really need that help. Redmond doesn't have a mountain like Bachelor right down the street from us, but we are about equal distance from Hoodoo, Bachelor and Mount Hood – all about an hour to an hour and a half away. So, trying to say, ‘Hey, there's some
advantages to staying in Redmond, with Smith Rock close by, the Dry Canyon, all the restaurants that have come up, the venues.’ We just want to be a player in that tourism market in Central Oregon.
SW: Being a downtown business owner, how has downtown Redmond grown or changed in recent years?
TC: It's been amazing how much growth there has been. I think we were somewhere around 70% occupancy for all downtown businesses in 2019, when I first came here and we opened the hotel. Now… it’s like 95-97% occupancy. It's really a place that people want to kind of meander, grab some ice cream, go to a shop, buy some clothes, then go down to the hotel and have a cocktail or two before heading home. It’s really grown over the last five years. And I think it's really telling [with] the project that we have here with the hotel.
THE BLACKSMITH BALL: NEW YEAR’S EVE PROM
DANCE AND CELEBRATE IN PROM NIGHT ATTIRE
Welcome 2025 at Redmond’s prom-style Blacksmith Ball. The evening features live tracks from DJ Chris, karaoke, a line dance session, a photo booth and a midnight countdown. Dress in your best prom attire for this festive celebration. Tue., Dec. 31, 7pm-1am at Blacksmith Public House. 308 SW Evergreen Ave., Redmond. Free.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT GENERAL DUFFY’S
RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH LATIN MUSIC
General Duffy’s is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party in the Annex to celebrate. Dance and party on the last night of 2024 with live Latin music from DJ Azteca. Free admission for ladies and $5 entry fee for men. Tue., Dec. 31, 8pm-2am at General Duffy’s Annex. 413 Glacier Ave., Redmond. Free to $5.
BELFRY NYE WITH COMPANY GRAND AND KOTA DOSA
HIGH-ENERGY MUSIC FOR THE NEW YEAR
Celebrate with a powerhouse night of music featuring Company Grand, a dynamic nine-piece band known for its original tunes and high-energy covers. The lineup will keep you dancing through midnight. Tue., Dec. 31, 8pm-2am at The Belfry. 302 E Main Ave., Sisters. $45.
Tobias Colvin’s term on the Redmond City Council will end in 2025. Colvin is the general manager at Redmond’s historic SCP Hotel.
Julianna LaFollette
Tobias Colvin
BEND DON'T BREAK PODCAST GUESTS TOP 10 MOMENTS FROM 2024
Our humble podcast of conversations with the local people who shape our lives had a great list of guests this year. While we regret that we can’t revisit every episode, please enjoy these end-of-year top 10 lists from 10 of our favorites. If you want more, you can find the complete podcasts online. As we embark on a new year, if there’s someone you really want to hear from, don’t hesitate to reach out to podcast producer Megan Burton at megan@layitoutevents.com and we’ll try to bring them on. Thank you for reading and listening — see you in the new year!
Jeff Knapp CEO
Visit Bend
Things you might not know about Bend tourists:
They’re kinda your neighbors. 35% of Bend visitors come from right here in Oregon. Most hail from towns along the I-5 corridor, like Portland, Salem or Eugene, while another 20% journey here from Washington.
Who’s gonna pay for that?
Visit Bend gets funded by transient room tax dollars (TRT) paid by folks staying in hotels and Airbnbs. That’s what state law dictates, but only 35% of TRT gets funneled back into tourism promotion. The other 65% goes to the city’s general fund for services like police and fire.
We make guests hug trees. While we don’t literally force Bend visitors to be granola-munching eco-warriors, we do use TRT to protect and fix our wild places.
We’ll stuff your stocking. We sell Christmas tree permits, Old Mill District gift cards and a huge array of Bend swag!
Where the @#$% did this traffic come from? If you’ve grumbled about tourists while sitting in a rush hour log jam on the parkway, you’re not alone. But you’re also not totally right. According to a 2024 ECOnorthwest study, most of the vehicles on the road during Bend’s most congested times are folks who live in Central Oregon.
Like concerts and food? Hug a tourist. Tourists to Bend poured $157 million into dining at
Bend restaurants in 2023. And about half of concertgoers at Hayden Homes Amphitheater hail from outside our area.
Give us your crappy plastic. You know those annoying plastic thingamabobs binding cans of beer and cider? PakTech handles can’t go in your regular bin, but the Bend Visitor Center offers free recycling.
They leave something behind when they’re skiing and floating. In 2023, nonlocal visitors to Mt. Bachelor helped pump $72.6 million into the Deschutes County economy. And out-oftowners who hit the Bend Whitewater Park made a splash with $26.5 million in economic output.
They’re not just here for bikes and beer. Visit Bend worked with local voters to pass a bond measure funding the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund. Since 2015, this grant program has funneled more than $2 million in TRT dollars into arts and culture attractions.
We’re merrily bobbing along together. If you’ve floated the river in July, you know it’s a freakin’ madhouse. Ever wondered about the breakdown of tourists to visitors? Turns out 68% of river floaters during peak float time are Bend locals. Looks like we all float on OK.
Thoughts from DarkSky Oregon Things we’re happy to have seen in 2024:
A large part of Lake County, Oregon, was certified as the first phase of the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary. It’s the largest dark sky sanctuary in the world and is about half the size of New Jersey, with potential to triple in size. Who knew that our Oregon Outback is that big and boasts star-filled night skies?
By contrast, one of our smallest cities, the city of Antelope, became certified as the first International Dark Sky community in Oregon. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh turns over in his grave!
And last week, the wonderful and little-known Cottonwood Canyon State Park, downstream on the John Day River, became certified as the second International Dark Sky park in Oregon!
Citizen scientists across Oregon are expanding the Oregon Skyglow Measurement Network, which measures the darkness, or lack thereof, of the night sky. It’s a wonderful STEM project — and the night sky perspective introduces “A” for art, to expand it into STEAM. (See darkskyoregon.org)
Things we’d rather not see in the future:
2025: Bright, white holiday lights outlining house roofs and gutters bring the look of the Las Vegas strip to Bend. (Artistic, creative, lighted holiday decorations are much preferred.)
2055: By repeated expansion of the urban growth boundaries, the Central Oregon megalopolis exceeds the size, population, negative environmental impact and light pollution output of Los Angeles. Tom McCall turns over in his grave.
Positive developments to hope for:
2025: Because of a manufacturing defect, the streetlights installed in Bend during 2019 are failing and turning first purple, then eventually blue. Those street lights should be recognized as a nuisance and a safety and environmental hazard. Not waiting for resident complaints, Pacific Power goes out at night to identify the failing LED street lights. And, instead of installing more of the same white lamps, replaces them with warm-colored, night-skyfriendly LED lamps that also improve the city’s ambiance.
2025: Costco management replaces the bright glaring, interrogation lighting that greets shoppers approaching the entrance at the new location in Bend. Management apologizes, in particular to its customers with aging eyes, for imposing such an unpleasant experience upon them. The new outdoor lighting will be warm colored, safety compliant and inviting.
2030: After a concerted City of Bend traffic safety campaign with lots of well-positioned signs, the majority of residents and visitors to Bend finally understand how to signal at roundabouts, and actually do so. (Only when departing the roundabout, please.)
2035: Recognizing the energy savings, reduction of carbon footprint, reduction of glare, safety improvements, benefits to human sleep patterns and to the wild ecosystem — all a result of quality outdoor lighting — Oregon makes history by becoming the first certified “Dark Sky State.”
Things about being a local TV personality and broadcaster:
The ability to connect and meet people in our community that I otherwise wouldn’t get to know.
Working with some flat-out characters over the years! And also best friends. Or co-workers who become part of your “chosen family.”
An easy icebreaker when someone asks, “What do you do for work?”
The chance to play dress-up and get ready for “prom” every day for live TV.
Being “in the know” about what weather is ahead or what is happening in the community on a daily basis.
Silly comments from viewers when out and about (like in the aisles at grocery stores) concerning how I look in “real life” versus how I appear on TV: “You’re so much taller!” “You really wear a lot of makeup!” “You’re skinnier than I thought!” LOL!
Being invited to celebrate and raise funds for worthy causes in our region and helping to bring awareness to different organizations.
Dave Clemens Operations Manager
Horizon Broadcasting Group
(KQAK-FM, KWPK-FM, KRCO-FM, KRCO-AM, KBNW-AM)
Things I shouldn’t have said out loud on The Dave Clemens Experience in 2024:
Coca-Cola will stop selling its Spiced flavor. Big deal. I’m still upset that they stopped adding cocaine.
HBO and Max won’t renew their deal for new episodes of “Sesame Street,” leaving the show without a home: The situation is so bad, I saw Oscar at the BottleDrop asking for cans and spare change. AND Maria might finally start an OnlyFans!
Donald Trump pledged to build more monuments to American heroes: Personally, I can’t wait to visit the Kid Rock Memorial.
Today is Friday the 13th: I know it’s a silly superstition, but just to be on the safe side, don’t walk under a ladder, cross a black cat or deny health care coverage to people who desperately need it.
This week, we learned that Styx will be coming to Bend with Kevin Cronin, Don Felder and, hopefully, their cardiologists!
Britney Spears has moved to Mexico: Now it’s Mexico's turn to complain that WE aren’t sending our best.
The first time someone ordered a burger with grilled cheeses as the buns. We had never really thought of doing something like that, and when we put it together, it made us laugh.
One time, after a long day, we just finished cleaning and I dropped the bucket of oil we had just poured out of the fryer… it sucked more than it was funny, but we laughed the whole time we were cleaning it up.
One of the guys on the team dropped a whole quart of sliced limes that we had just gotten done. So, we sliced another quart and put it on his station, and he spilled them again.
Every single time we ask either “ketchup or burger sauce,” our customer responds with: “Yes.” Every time.
We used to say “yee-haw” when we would give a burger we called the cowboy to a guest. We thought it was a lot funnier than they did.
My uncle had never worked BOH [back of house], and he is one of the guys doing prep in the morning. He had cut himself when he first started, and then he cut a bigger chunk off his finger in the same spot right after the original healed. He was in pain, we were laughing.
Getting an adrenaline rush every day at work due to the nature of being on live TV — meaning, any mistake you make, thousands of people will see it! Performing can be fun.
Having a job that is different every day, and helps develop skills such as improvisation, staying calm under pressure, decision making and multitasking.
Having the privilege to play a team sport on the daily! From the on-air talent to the director, audio tech, producer, reporters, assignment manager and everything in between!
The cost to buy every item from “The Twelve Days of Christmas” this year is $49,263: Double that if the Nine Ladies Dancing are from Stars. You can’t even get the seven swans a-swimming in Springfield, Ohio. You know, because someone ate them.
Gavin Newsom said he wants to “Trumpproof” California. What’s he gonna do… shut down all the McDonald’s?
A study ranked the “most fun” cities in America based on 65 metrics. Vegas is #1, followed by Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and New Orleans. They obviously don’t know how fun it is to watch new Oregonians, from California, in Bend when we get our first snow of the season!
According to the FBI’s Crime Information Center, 563,000 people were reported missing in 2023. That’s nothing, on Election Day this year, over nine million people who voted for Biden in 2020 were nowhere to be found in 2024!
Anytime someone comes up and quotes an Adam Sandler movie makes us crack up. Our original slogan, “Momma said it’s the best burger in town” is a play on “The Waterboy.”
Watching someone with a good amount of experience first start working the truck and realize that all their experience doesn’t really help them. You can almost see their soul leave.
We enjoy our place at The Podski, so getting to know our regulars and the other carts’ crews is always a good time. We have shared many laughs together.
My favorite thing about working on the truck are all the inside jokes that develop with one another. We are usually pretty beat after a long day, so we just start riffing with one another and whatever comes out that is funny becomes a saying on the truck. I love our team.
John Kish Entrepreneur/Owner
Somewhere That’s Green
Musings Looking Back on 2024:
Building a cedar raised bed in your backyard and growing your own vegetables — super rewarding, delicious and cheap!
Learning to sew. I cannot stress enough the feeling of wearing your own custom clothes or altering your clothes. Fashion is a great way to express creativity, build confidence and spread color in this drab world.
Get the tattoo or piercing... just do it. The stigmas are gone, it’s 2024, it’s rad and you’ll never regret it.
Katy Brooks CEO/President
Bend Chamber of Commerce
Read a book! I AM HORRIBLE at reading a book, but every time I do I learn so much... it helps me leverage my point at the holiday dinner table when arguments start. Facts are facts, America!
Dance it out. Adulting is hard, let go of your reservations and find opportunities to DANCE. Feed that inner child.
SEE MORE ART. Whether it’s galleries, musicals, a folk band or museum — or even just some buskers. Art fuels the soul!
A light-hearted glance at 2024 and five things to look forward to in 2025:
Notable things from 2024:
City of Bend secures federal and state funding to build a new Hawthorne overcrossing.
Twinkle lights on the trees in downtown Bend… such happiness.
KRXF 92/9FM
Watch “The Great British Bake Off” and try your hand at baking failure. It’s humbling and so fun, plus the show just reminds you how humanity should be: kind and simple.
Delete your Facebook, or get off Reddit! They are cesspools of false information and infuriating, empty arguments. Protect thy mental health.
Use your blinker while exiting roundabouts, and zipper in when merging onto the highways. PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.
Buy from local businesses only. The effect is not instant but builds a stronger local infrastructure/economy and has massive effects locally, which will only benefit you.
Bend City Council approves “tiny TIFs” (tax increment financing districts). God bless economic development, everyone...
The return of Alaska flights to PDX, year-round. Hallelujah!
Saying goodbye to the Ice Fine Jewelry store as Marty Smith retires after more than 50 years as a downtown Bend merchant.
My wish list for 2025 — with a bit of whimsy:
State legislature decides keeping businesses from leaving Oregon is actually important, adding incentives in the 2025 session to help them grow and attract more.
Shows I saw in 2024:
Foo Fighters at Providence Park in PDX: Dave Grohl is a bona fide rock star for a reason. Three hours filled with moments of tenderness mixed with relentless rock and great songs. Punk queen Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders opened. I was in heaven for five hours.
LCD Soundsystem at Hayden Homes Amphitheater: What an incredible performance; particularly the second half of their set. My face hurt from smiling so much during their set. Joyous.
St. Vincent at HHA: If Trent Reznor and Siouxsie Sioux had a baby, it would be St. Vincent. She was mesmerizing. And what a huge bonus to see Jason Falkner play guitar with her.
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats at HHA: The second half of the show was like what I imagine a revival would be like. The crowd went off when they played “S.O.B.”
UB40 at Oregon Spirit Distillers: I didn’t know what to expect, but wow! They were so tight and awesome.
New, giant, googly-eye roundabout art installed, satisfying the googly-eye bandit who has been placing them on existing art.
New Hawthorne overcrossing designed as a ski ramp/jump.
Burgerville comes to town.
OSU-Cascades secures state funding to match a $1 billion investment from the Knight Foundation to construct an epic indoor snowboard, biosciences and wearable health tech research center… oh, and a coffee shop.
Styx at HHA: Apparently, I know every single Styx song. Still sound exactly the same. Fun show!
ELO at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit: Jeff Lynne didn’t move an inch on stage, but it didn’t matter. He sounded great and the visuals were also really cool.
Anderson .Paak at HHA: Drummer extraordinaire! Would love to see more funk shows like this come to town.
Chiggi Momo at Silver Moon Brewing at Bend Roots Festival: Fantastic local band with power-pop vibes. Female singer who’s a badass bass player, too. Love her! Love them!
Amargoso at Silver Moon Brewing at Bend Roots: Rockin’ local band with great chops! It’s always a party when Amargoso plays.
I get asked frequently if life at Bend Park & Recreation District mirrors the TV sitcom “Parks and Rec.” The truth is there are some days that feel like we’re in an episode, and at the same time, there’s a lot of professionalism and pride going into what our team delivers for livability in the form of parks, trails and recreational opportunities. Here are 10 things you may not know about BPRD:
BPRD manages more than 3,600 acres, including two-thirds of the total as natural, open spaces like Shevlin Park, Riley Ranch Nature Reserve and Sawyer Park. When you think of a park, you may picture irrigated turf, but it’s a small percentage (5.5%) of overall parkland.
Speaking of turf, we recently purchased Clifton, a robot who became the Most Valuable Player because he paints sports field lines fast (freeing up other staff to do other tasks), never forgets the dimensions needed and helped us save 312 hours of labor and 50% of paint supply this year.
We appreciate savings anywhere possible because we order a mountain of dog poop bags each year. We ordered more than 2.6 million bags last year, which includes sharing more than 100,000 with Dogpac for non-BPRD areas.
I don’t know if Vince Genna, the first BPRD executive director, was a dog owner, but he was a visionary. He first conceptualized the idea of the Deschutes River Trail in 1958, hoping to connect Tumalo State Park to Sunriver someday. We’re still working on it, but data proves it is crucial for our transportation system.
The Deschutes River Trail use increased from 2022 to 2024, particularly near Pacific Park’s new undercrossing and boardwalk connection to Drake Park. And the Colorado underpass, the highest total use by any trail counter, had its peak day on July 4 each of the last three years.
Speaking of Independence Day, the July 4 pet parade is an Oregon Heritage event and just celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first parade. Over the years, animals have included June bugs,
cats, deer, badgers, goldfish, chickens, squirrels, ducks, oxen, calves, a pet eagle, baby coyotes and two fawns in a netted baby buggy. In 1933, “cross dogs and rattlesnakes” were barred from the parade, and we’ve kept that rule for good reason.
The pet parade is one of many times when we enlist help from volunteers. From sports coaches to adopt-a-park groups, teen lifeguards and event helpers, 1,247 volunteers contributed almost 45,000 hours of service last year — equal to 22 full-time employees. That is extremely helpful and generous!
For readers who visit Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, Larkspur Community Center or The Pavilion, you’re in good company. We had approximately 1.3 million visits from June 2023 to July 2024. We also have 2.1 million website page views with fitness schedules as most read.
More than 8 in 10 school-age children participated in at least one registration program last year, and older adults are making big strides, too — 40% of ages 65 to 85 play for life with us, including more than 5,000 with Medicare plan passes to facilities.
Teens can be challenging to serve, but Bend had its heyday in the 1960s when a teen council spearheaded a Teeter-Totter Marathon and set a world record of three weeks of continuous teeter-tottering totaling 504 hours. A new world record of 534 hours was set by Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, teenagers in 1966, and Bend teenagers met the challenge by setting a new world record of 728 hours. Way to go, Bend!
People are really starting to figure this roundabout thing out!
COCC’s enrollment continues to climb, and it’s pretty darn cool that the college is now 75 years old.
The Duck Race is the single most fun “raffle” of the year, and again raised a ton of money for the community. (Also, if they ever do dredge Mirror Pond again, I’m guessing there might be a few ducks buried in the silt…)
It’s getting harder and harder to believe that the “grass is always greener” with the growing number of xeriscape yards in Central Oregon.
I only ran into *one* extra-long, illegally parked truck on Bond Street this year!
If you need to see what a truly amazing, long-range community strategic vision and plan looks like, Envision Bend has you covered.
The “Bend Don’t Break” podcast has to be one of the top 500 podcasts in the 97701 ZIP code — congrats!
The COCC Foundation will again be offering a record number of scholarship dollars — projected to exceed $2.3 million in 2025-2026!
The Source Weekly is truly my go-to for what’s going on in town, candidate endorsements and also burns well in approved fireplaces.
Imagine if we could find a globally impactful use for fallen ponderosa pine needles?
Ring in the new year on the mountain at Hoodoo’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Spend the day skiing or relaxing in the lodge with free live music. The evening wraps up with a special dinner buffet and a spectacular fireworks display. Tue., Dec. 31, 9am-9pm at Hoodoo Ski Area. 27400 Big Lake Rd., Sisters. Free.
NYE KICK-OFF CELEBRATION
START YOUR EVENING IN STYLE
Begin your New Year’s Eve festivities at Freeland Spirits’ new tasting room. Enjoy DJ-curated tunes, champagne Jell-O shots, cocktail specials and a lively atmosphere to set the tone for your night. Tues., Dec. 31, 5-8pm at Freeland Spirits Tasting Room. 550 SW Industrial Way, Ste. 190, Bend. Free.
DISCO INFERNO BALL NEW YEAR’S EVE
GET GROOVY AT RIVERHOUSE
Throw it back to the ’70s with the Disco Inferno Ball at Riverhouse. Dance the night away to Patrick Lamb and Hit Factory while celebrating with a funky crowd. Tue., Dec. 31, 6pm-1am at Riverhouse Convention Center. 2850 NW Rippling River Ct., Bend. $125-$1,250.
NYE WITH FREDDIE AND THE FLANNELS
PARTY LIKE IT’S EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Toast the New Year early with champagne as the ball drops in NYC at 9pm our time. Dance to ’90s hits performed live by Freddie and the Flannels in a relaxed, outdoor atmosphere. Tue., Dec. 31, 7pm-9pm at River’s Place. 787 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend. Free.
BOOTLEGGERS BALL NYE AT IMMERSION BREWING
A ROARING ’20S NYE PARTY
Travel back to the Jazz Age with Immersion Brewing’s annual Bootleggers Ball. Delight in craft cocktails, beer, a photo booth, live music, DJs and a midnight ball drop. Tue., Dec. 31, 8pm-1am at Immersion Brewing. 550 SW Industrial Way, Ste. 185, Bend. $25.
JESHUA MARSHALL’S 5TH ANNUAL NYE BASH
SILVER MOON’S ROCKING NYE TRADITION
Join Jeshua Marshall, known for his work with Larry and His Flask, for his annual New Year’s bash featuring a lineup of local artists like Chiggi Momo and Mari & The Dream. Expect unforgettable performances and a vibrant vibe. Tue., Dec. 31, 6pm11:55pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $20.
ELEGANZA: A CLICHÉ NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA
CLICHÉ’S BIGGEST PARTY OF THE YEAR!
Cliché, the queer-oriented DJ duo, presents its biggest event of the year with Eleganza, a celebration offering a safe and welcoming environment for all. Expect lively club music, vibrant energy and a fun community to dance along with.
Theatre Pub. 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $20.
MCMENAMINS NEW YEAR’S EVE
LIVE MUSIC AND DANCING AT OLD ST. FRANCIS SCHOOL
Head to McMenamins for a night packed with live music from Portland’s The Quick & Easy Boys and Bend’s Leadbetter Band, dancing and a midnight toast. Say goodbye to 2024 in the cozy ambiance of the Old St. Francis School. Tue., Dec. 31, 9pm at McMenamins Old St. Francis School. 700 NW Bond St., Bend. $20-$28.
NYE PARTY AT THE PUB!
GET READY FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT Party at the pub on New Year’s Eve with all of your friends. Enjoy live music from DJ Baby T, a champagne toast and a ball drop to kickoff 2025. Tue., Dec. 31, 6pm at The Commonwealth Pub. 30 SW Century Dr., Ste. 100, Bend. Free.
Old St. Francis McMenamins IG
Pexels
Pexels
CALENDAR
25 Wednesday
Bridge 99 Brewery Open Mic Night at Bridge 99 - Hosted by Oddfellow Join us for an unforgettable Open Mic Night presented by Oddfellow! Grab your friends, showcase your skills, and cheer on fellow artists! Sign-ups start at 6pm, event happens every Wednesday. Let’s make some beautiful music together! 6:038:30pm. Free.
The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company Wednesday Jam Sessions Drink some fine cask or imported beers and try some amazing British pies while listening to local musicians jam out. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Open Mic Night Downtown living room welcomes musicians to bring their acoustic set or turn it up to eleven with the whole band. Bring your own instruments. Goes to last call or last musician, whichever comes first. 21+. 6:30pm. Free.
Northside Bar & Grill Mellow Wednesday
Acoustic Open Mic and Jam hosted by Derek Michael Marc Sign-up sheet is available at 6:30pm. 7-9pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Christmas Day Attention misfits, black sheep, and anyone spending Christmas alone—or wishing they could be—we’ve got you at The Commonwealth Pub. If the in-laws are driving you nuts, you’re single and ready to mingle, mad about the gift that wasn’t under the tree, or just need to drown your sorrows—we’re here for you 10am. Free.
26 Thursday
Austin Mercantile Live Music Every Thursday Join at Austin Mercantile for live music every Thursday. Offering a light happy hour menu — daily flatbread, chili, charcuterie, soft pretzels and more! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Thursday at Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Thursdays at 6:30pm at Bridge 99 Brewery with Useless Knowledge Bowl. It’s no ordinary trivia night, Team up to win house gift cards! Great brews, cocktails, and more. In-house menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:308:30pm. Free.
Bunk+Brew Karaoke Thursdays Sing your heart out during Karaoke Thursdays at Bunk + Brew! Whether you’re a pro or just here for fun, join us for a night of music, drinks and laughs. Don’t miss the ultimate karaoke experience! 7-10pm. Free.
Elements Public House Trivia Night at Elements Public House with QuizHead Games Come be all you can be with Trivia Night every Thursday from 6-8pm! Featuring QuizHead. games. Located at the north end of Redmond. Full bar and great food! 6-8pm. Free.
Mountain Burger Paul Eddy at Mountain Burger Come check out Paul Eddy at Mountain Burger’s Thu. night live. 5-7pm. Free.
Pangaea Guild Hall Intro to D&D Workshop Calling all adventurers! Have you wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons but have no idea where to start? Pangaea Guild Hall presents an “Intro to D&D” workshop series hosted by yours truly, Guildmaster Chris! Learn to build and play your own D&D character. Call or email to reserve your spot! 6-9pm. $10.
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.
The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room Trivia Night Tease your brain and win cool prizes. Happy Hour menu will be offered during game time. Grab your friends and enjoy an evening of fabulous wines, snacks and fun! Every last Thursday of the month. Arrive early, game starts at 6pm. Last Thursday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Switchback at The Commonwealth Pub Pushing boundaries, breaking the mold. With their unique blend of classic and alternative rock, lead singer Natalie Gibbs, with Spooky Robinson (guitar), Bill Ridner (bass), and Danny Kuettle (drums), unleash the energy and passion of the music you love. 7pm. Free.
The Dez Lounge Open Mic w/ Joyful Lane Join Joyful Lane as he hosts open mic night @The Dez Lounge! Enjoy NA cocktails, Charcuterie and desserts while listening to local talent! 6-9pm. Free.
The Lot Live Music with Marco Polo @ The Lot Marco Polo is an international traveling musician, with a soulful and passionate folk/rock sound. 6-8pm. Free.
Velvet Open Mic Monthly Open Mic at Velvet! Hosted by Mari every 4th Thu., of every month! Sign-up starts at 6pm, and music goes until 9pm. All are welcome! Fourth Thursday of every month, 7-9pm. Free.
27 Friday
General Duffy’s Annex AUSTN Acoustic Set
AUSTN performs a solo acoustic set in the annex at General Duffy’s Waterhole. 9pm-1am. Free.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Stage 28 Karaoke
Come out for a night of Stage 28 Karaoke with your host Miss Min! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free.
Big E’s Sports Bar Karaoke Night Central Oregon’s most fun karaoke venue! Karaoke is hosted by A Fine Note Karaoke Too and DJ Jackie J. Delicious food and drink and a friendly staff. Come join the show where you are the star! 8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Third Seven and Black Currant Join us for a very special evening of experimental vibe making. Third Seven is oneman cello artist Billy Mickelson. He plays strings, percussive loops with layered vocals. Black Currant is the avant-pop project of composer and singer Kelly Martin. Both are returning to Bend for this one time only event. 7-10pm. $10.
Silver Moon Brewing So You Think You Got Jokes - Stand Up Comedy Competition Get ready for the Ugly Sweater Edition of “So You Think You Got Jokes” at Silver Moon in Bend. Laugh through the holidays as comedians compete in hilarious rounds, including improv inspired by your suggestions. Wear your ugliest sweater and join the fun and help crown the winner! 8-9:30pm. $15.
The Commonwealth Pub StatusFear at The Commonwealth Pub! StatusFear will bring a unique mix of hard rock and heavy metal favorites to life at The Commonwealth Pub! 8pm. Free.
LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
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Volcanic Theatre Pub Marvel Years with Josh Teed Marvel Years - Cory Wythe, the producer and guitarist better known as Marvel Years, artfully blends electronic beats and shredding soulful guitar on his original tracks and remixes creating a sound that is a unique hybrid of EDM fusing glitch, retro-funk, classic rock, soul, jazz and hip-hop. 8pm. $20.
28 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.
Bridge 99 Brewery Live Music Saturday at Bridge 99 Come enjoy live music at Bridge 99 Brewery in NE Bend. Rotating musicians, check our FB for who’s playing! Grab a beer and a pizza and enjoy our amazing local and traveling musicians! Looking for a location to play solo or with a band? Email events@bridge99brewery.com for more information. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Bunk+Brew Apres Ski Night Kick back after your slopes session every Saturday at Bunk + Brew! Enjoy good drinks, cozy vibes, and great tunes as we celebrate the ski season. Whether you’re in gear or relaxed, join us for the perfect apres ski hangout! 7-10pm. Free.
General Duffy’s Annex Deep in the Disco Get ready to dance the night away! An unforgettable Disco Party featuring the electrifying sounds of Deep Canyon Collective. Groove to a mix of funk, house, and disco beats spun by three incredible DJs! 10pm-2am. Free.
River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions The Positive Side, a Jazz Jam at River’s Place. 6-8pm. Free.
The Capitol Hot Box - Intimate Show w/ Big Talent Hot Box is a love letter to all the ways Central Oregon brings the heat. This intimate show will give you the tingles with Drag, the shivers with Burlesque, and the giggles with stand-up comedy as all this big talent highlight all the ways they can “show it off.” 6:30-8pm. $20 online/$25 at the door.
The Commonwealth Pub DJ Chris Karaoke Get ready for a night of music, singing, and nonstop fun! DJ Chris is bringing the energy with top 40 hits and all your favorite karaoke tracks. Grab your friends, warm up those vocal cords, and join. 8pm. Free.
Wildwood Bar & Grill Use’ta Do Roots-country and bluegrass, sometimes rock tunes. 7-10pm. Free.
29 Sunday
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Trivia
Night Sunday Funday Trivia with Sean. Gather your team, or roll solo and find a spot early in the cafe, knowledge tests begin at 6pm. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
River’s Place Trivia Sunday Fun at River’s Place at 12 Noon This is no average trivia, it’s Useless Knowledge Bowl! Meet up this Sunday for 12 noon start to win gift card prizes for top teams! Come play and experience what sets us apart! No fee to play. Cold beverages in the taproom, and an abundance of great food truck options. Noon-2pm. Free.
River’s Place Double Jump Local indie-pop band with hints of Motown. Cover songs from all eras, tasteful originals, and a cowbell! 5-7pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.
Unofficial Logging Co. Sunday Matinee Live Music Series Sunday Matinee Live Music Series presented by Unofficial Logging Co and DMM Music LLC. Every Sunday (5-7pm) beginning Nov 3.through February d. Free admission & all ages. Come listen to some of Central Oregon’s finest! 5-7pm. Free.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Boot Juice w/ The Gold Souls Boot Juice hails from the Hills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern CA. The band features electric and acoustic guitars, 3 vocalists, bass, drums, saxophone and trumpet. The driving grooves of funk, rich textures of soul, and storytelling of the blues converge through this bodacious brand of boogie. 7pm. $15.
30 Monday
Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Family Kitchen ‘Tis the season to support those around us and this month we are proud to support Family Kitchen which feeds those less fortunate in our community. Come enjoy some fun Bingo ($2 per card) for a chance to win CASH prizes while donating to this inspiring organization! 6-8pm. $2.
Freddie and the Flannels, the ’90s cover band based in Bend, bring back some classic, pre-Y2K hits. Get ready to party like its Eastern Standard Time on New Year’s Eve with good jams and a champagne toast. Tue., Dec. 31, 7-9pm at River’s Place.
Freddie and the Flannels FB cont.
CALENDAR EVENTS
Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Mondays at Bridge 99 Trivia Mondays at 6:30pm at Bridge 99 Brewery with Useless Knowledge Bowl. It’s no ordinary trivia night, Team up to win house gift cards! Great brews, cocktails, and more. Inhouse menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Bunk+Brew Open Mic Show off your talent at Bunk + Brew’s Open Mic Night! Whether you sing, tell jokes or play an instrument, come share your creativity with the community. Enjoy drinks, great vibes and amazing local talent - everyone’s welcome to perform or enjoy the show! 7-10pm. Free.
Crux Fermentation Project Trivia Night @ Crux Trivia Night at Crux! First place team wins a $25 gift card! 6-8pm. Free.
Elixir Wine Locals Music Night and Open Mic Bend’s friendliest open-mic! All genres welcome. Oregon and international wine, beer and tapas menu available all evening. 6-9pm. Free.
JC’s Bar & Grill Free Pool + all day Happy Hour! Free pool Mondays! All-day Happy Hour, free pool with any purchase, and unbeatable deals on drinks and bites! Enjoy delicious eats, ice-cold brews, and game day vibes with football on and the sound up. Don’t miss out- Mondays just got way better! 2pm-Midnight. Free.
On Tap Locals’ Day Plus Live Music Cheaper drinks all day and live music at night, get down to On Tap. 11am-9pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Beertown Comedy Open Mic Voted #1 Open Mic and Locals Night, Beertown Comedy’s Open Mic happens every Monday at Silver Moon Brewing. Free to watch and perform! Sign-ups at 6:30pm, show at 7pm. With 20 spots available, bring your best jokes and get noticed for paid gigs. Laughter guaranteed! 6:30-9pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Monday Acoustic Open Mic Night Monday Acoustic Open Mic Night at The Commonwealth Pub Whether you’re performing original songs or acoustic covers, the stage is yours Monday nights at The Commonwealth Pub! With full sound and lights provided, just bring your instrument and get ready to shine! Sign-ups 5pm and music 6-10pm. 5pm. Free.
31 Tuesday
Blacksmith Public House The Blacksmith Ball - New Year’s Eve Prom Let’s welcome 2025 at a prom-style New Year’s Eve party, featuring DJ Chris plus Karaoke, Fire Line Dance session, Photo Booth, Huge Midnight Countdown and more. Dress to impress, there is a promposal contest! 7pm-1am. Free.
Bunk+Brew Trivia: The Four Elements Test your knowledge at Bunk + Brew’s themed trivia night this Tuesday from 7-9pm! This week’s theme: The Four Elements—Wind, Earth, Air, and Fire. Gather your team, grab some drinks, and see if you’ve got what it takes to master the elements. Fun, food, and prizes await! 7-9pm. Free.
The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company Open Mic Open mic at The Cellar hosted by Mari! 6-8pm and all are welcome! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commons Cafe & Taproom 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.
The Domino Room Diggin Dirt, The Sextones From behind the redwood curtain of Humboldt County, California, the seven-piece funk-soul band Diggin Dirt has carved out a niche as a live party not to be missed. Shoveling their own path, Diggin Dirt has seen sustained growth over the past few years, with multiple national tours and festival stops at Jam Cruise, High Sierra, Hulaween, Same Same but Different, Live Oak, Cascade Equinox, Joshua Tree Music Festival and many more. 9:15pm. $30.
Courtesy @diggindirtband IG
From Humboldt County, the seven-piece, Californian, funk-soul band Diggin Dirt has carved out a niche not to be missed live. Dance to a psychedelic blend of funk, rock and soul music on New Year’s Eve, plus catch openers The Sextones. Tues., Dec. 31, 8pm at The Domino Room.
General Duffy’s Annex New Year’s Eve Party Ring in 2025 with a New Year’s Eve Party at the General Duffy’s Annex. There will be Latin music playing all night from DJ Azteca. 8pm-2am. Free-$5.
Hoodoo Ski Area Hoodoo New Year’s Eve Celebration! An all-day party on the mountain. Lifts run from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Special dinner menu, live music until midnight and an epic firework show on the mountain. It’s a great family-friendly atmosphere for New Year’s and non-skiing guests are welcome to come hang out in the lodge and enjoy the free live music. 9am-9pm. Free.
Immersion Brewing Bootleggers Ball NYE @ Immersion Brewing Take a step back into time with Immersion Brewing to the roaring 20’s for our annual NYE party! We’ll have 3 bars serving up craft cocktails and beers all night long, along with a photo booth, champagne toast, and balloon drop at midnight. Live music, DJ’s, and plenty of dancing. 8pm-1am. $25.
JC’s Bar & Grill TACOS + TEQUILA TUESDAYS! Spice up your week with 3 tacos for $6.50 and amazing deals on margaritas, tequila, and Mexican beers like Corona, Pacifico, and Tecate! Special runs from open-close! Come join us every Tuesday-where the tacos are hot, and the drink specials are even hotter! 2-10pm. Free.
McMenamins Old St. Francis
School McMenamins New Year’s Eve Make your plans now for New Year’s Eve shenanigans, and get ready for a night packed with dancing and live music; plus, a midnight champagne toast to mark the turn of the new year! Book your room now, and make your stay extra special with our New Year’s Eve package offering two keepsake sparkling wine flutes, bottled water and festive surprises! 9pm. $20-$28.
River’s Place NYE with Freddy & The Flannels Ring in the new year with all the songs you loved from the’ 90s by this amazing band. Let’s party like it’s Eastern Standard time with a champagne toast when the ball drops in NYC at 9pm. 7-9pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub NYE PARTY at The Pub! Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Commonwealth Pub with all your friends! Enjoy live music from DJ Baby T, a champagne toast, and our very own ball drop to kick off 2025—all with no cover charge! Mark your calendars, make your plans, and get ready for an unforgettable night. 6pm. Free.
The Lot TRIVIA TUESDAY @ The Lot Join your trivia loving peeps on the heated benches for a fun Tuesday evening out! Six categories with six questions each. Eat. Drink. Think. Prizes from food carts and local breweries. Every Tuesday from November to end of April. 6-8pm. Free.
Volcanic Theatre Pub ELEGANZA: A CLICHÉ NEW YEAR'S EXTRAVAGANZA CLICHÉ is back with their biggest party of the year! ELEGANZA is the premier 2SLGBTQIA+ NYE event where the community can ring in 2025 in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. Dress to impress and leave everyone in attendance gagged. 8pm-1am. $20.
Wildwood Bar & Grill New Years Eve: Latin Dance Party with DJ Solo Come celebrate with us and bring in the New Year with Latin music and dancing! Quick complimentary, beginner friendly Latin dance lesson to kick things off. Then DJ SOLO will keep the party rocking with your favorite Latin music all night. 9pm-1am. Free.
MUSIC
Jingle your Bells - A Night of Improv Comedy Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised and it’s all funny. The New York Times calls Broadway’s Next Hit Musical “Hilarious!” Time Out NY says “At last! A musical of, for, and by the people.” Limited VIP table seating available! Dec. 29, 7pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@towertheatre.org. $34 - $76 (plus $6 Historic Preservation fee).
DANCE
Santa Slayed: La Bon Burlesque
Murder Mystery Santa Slayed is La Bon Burlesque’s most interactive show to date–one half an immersive investigative experience, one half the sultry and silly performances you’ve come to anticipate from us. The story will be developing all month, so buy tickets early for the full experience! Dec. 28, 7pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Presale - $20, Door - $30.
ARTS + CRAFTS
Bezel Setting Workshop - Make a Sterling Silver Pendant or Ring This fun workshop is great for those with some metal working/soldering experience and want to advance their skills. Learn how to create and bezel set a gemstone in sterling silver from beginning to end! We will create a bezel setting for a cabochon gemstone in a pendant or ring. Dec. 28, 10am-3:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@ diycave.com. $269.
SAA Friday Artwalk in Sisters Map, galleries and more details at https://www. sistersartsassociation.org/4th-friday-artwalks @SistersArtsAssociation Visit the Art Galleries of Sisters featuring: A great time, beautiful art, good company, demonstrations, plus additional sponsoring restaurants and food venues Fourth Friday of every month, 10am-7pm. Through Dec. 27. Downtown Sisters, Hood Avenue., Sisters. Contact: 541-719-8581. events@sistersartsassociation.org. Free.
Where Art and Agriculture Coexist This exhibition invites you to explore the unique perspectives of artists who participated in the Pine Meadow Ranch Center for the Arts & Agriculture’s 2022 and 2023 Artist Residency programs. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 1-6pm. Through Dec. 28. Scalehouse Gallery, 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541640-2186. info@scalehouse.org. Free.
Must make a donation of $25 or more to receive incentive/enter drawing.
• 100% of your donation will go directly to the local nonprofit of your choice.
• You know your donation will be used to support YOUR community.
• You’ll receive a special thank you offer from one of our sponsors.
• A total of $30k in awards will be given to the participating nonprofits.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
David Kreitzer Open Gallery and Studio The son of a Lutheran minister, Nebraska-born Contemporary Realist David Kreitzer paints stunning small and large meditative images of floral, landscape, figure, and midwest beauty. Kreitzer began his professional career at the prestigious Maxwell Galleries in 1960’s San Francisco, on the vanguard of a revival of New Realism. Fridays-Sundays, 1-4pm. David Kreitzer Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 20214 Archie Briggs Rd, Bend. Contact: 805-234-2048. jkreitze@ icloud.com. Free.
Healing Waters: New Show by Contemporary Realist painter David Kreitzer Contemporary Realist Painter David Kreitzer presents “Healing Waters”-an exhibition of oil images of translucent, sparkling, emerald and turquoise lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Kreitzer paints meditative and healing images of peace and beauty in the style of the old masters. 20% of proceeds will be donated to the St. Charles Foundation. Ongoing, 8am-7pm. St. Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend. Contact: 805-234-2048. jkreitze@icloud.com. Free.
GROUPS
+ MEETUPS
Introduction to Fire Fans Classes include a warm-up, instruction on specific fan skills, connecting sequences of movements, building choreography, and finding your own fan flow. Classes will review and rehearse the previous week’s skills so you can take the whole series or drop-in for one class Sign up under special events at https://www.lavacitycirque.com/ Sun, Dec. 29, 1-2pm and Sun, Jan. 5, 1-2pm. Lava City Cirque, 63075 Crusher Ave #105, Bend. Contact: 458-666-3626. highdesertfireartists@gmail. com. $10.
Speed Dating - All Ages 21+ Join us for an evening of excitement and connection at our Single Mingle and Speed Dating event! Geared toward singles looking to make new connections, this event offers a blend of casual mingling and structured speed dating rounds. Engage in dynamic conversations, share laughter, and who knows – you might find that special connection. Reserve your spot now for a night filled with possibilities! Dec. 27, 6-8pm. Bridge 99 Brewery, 63063 Layton Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964.
With sky-high vocal range, showstopping delivery and a guitar, the Los Angeles-based pop singer/ songwriter AUSTN brings an acoustic set to General Duffy’s in Redmond. Fri., Dec. 27, 9pm-1am at General Duffy’s Annex.
FUNDRAISING
Oregon Holiday Hoop Fest Get ready for three days of high-flying action and intense competition at the Oregon Holiday Hoop Fest! Hosted at Summit High School and Caldera High School in beautiful Bend, this basketball tournament brings together top high school teams from across the region for an unforgettable holiday showdown. Fri, Dec. 27, 1-7pm, Sat, Dec. 28, 1-7pm and Sun, Dec. 29, 8am-2pm. Summit High School, 2855 NW Clearwater Dr., Bend. Contact: 971-331-6751. $10.
EVENTS + MARKETS
Menorah Lighting at the Old Mill Join Chabad of Central Oregon for a festive Chanukah celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 4pm in the Old Mill District. The event will feature a menorah lighting ceremony, live music, and delicious refreshments. All are welcome to attend this joyous occasion, regardless of faith or background. Come celebrate the first night of Chanukah with us! Dec. 25, 4-5pm. Old Mill District, 450 SW Powerhouse Dr. Suite 422, Bend. Free.
Bill Healy:
New Year’s Eve Bonfire on the Snow Don’t miss out on one of our biggest events of the year! Snowshoeing through the powder-filled forest, we will descend upon an amazing snowbuilt amphitheater where a crackling bonfire awaits. Gathering around the fire, we will usher in the New Year with a champagne toast at the turn of midnight! Dec. 31, 9pm-1am. Wanderlust Tours, 61535 S Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-3898359. info@wanderlusttours.com. $160.
FAMILY + KIDS
Wildheart Winter Survivors: Winter Break Camp Wildheart Winter Survivors know that emergencies are unpredictable. They also know that certain skills and behaviors will greatly increase one’s likelihood of surviving any disaster that arises. Survivors will navigate the world of unpredictability while playing team games, making new friends, and preparing to face challenges. Register on Wildheart Website. Dec. 27, 9am-3:45pm. Powell Plains, 62800 Powell Butte Highway, Bend. Contact: 541-625-0273. info@wildheartnatureschool.com. $77.
Winter Nights: By the Fireside This is your ticket to get the entire family out of the house in their pajamas! Take family portraits in our photo booth, enjoy story time with your kiddos, decorate cookies, savor beverage tastings from regional craft vendors, The final Winter Nights of the year! Be sure to RSVP! Dec. 26, 4-7:30pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@ highdesertmuseum.org. Adults/Member Guests $10 w/RSVP, $12 at the door. Age 3-12 $6.
BEER + DRINK
Disco Inferno Ball New Year’s Eve featuring Patrick Lamb and Hit Factory Do a Little Dance, Show a Little Love, and Give Back This New Year’s Eve! Get ready to groove back to the funky ‘70s at Riverhouse Lodge’s Disco Inferno Ball! Celebrate New Year’s Eve with an electrifying night of music, fun, and giving back, all while dancing to the live beats of Patrick Lamb & Hit Factory. Dec. 31, 6pm-1am. Riverhouse Convention Center, 2850 NW Rippling River Ct., Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964. $125-$1,250.
East Coast New Year's Party Join us for a special East Coast New Year’s Eve 3-course prix fixe menu! $85 includes choice of appetizer, entree and dessert with a glass of bubbly for a toast at 9pm.Gratuity is not included. Dec. 31, 5-9pm. Flights Wine Bar, 1444 NW College Way Suite 1, Bend. Contact: 541-728-0753. flightswinebend@ gmail.com. $85 plus gratuity.
New Year’s Eve at Stoller Wine Bar | Bend Ring in 2025 at Stoller Wine Bar! Enjoy a 9pm New York ball drop with a complimentary toast, a curated bubbles flight, oysters, and caviar for purchase. Dress to impress and celebrate with fine wine, bites, and great company! Dec. 31, 1-10pm. Stoller Wine Bar Bend, 555 NW Arizona Ave, Suite 30, Bend. Free.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Viaggio Wine Merchant Come ring in the New Year with us! Along with copious amounts of bubbly, we’ll have caviar specials and other menu additions to make the night both delicious and special. We’ll do an East Coast Ball Drop celebration at 9pm but the party will continue until the fun stops! Dec. 31, 3-10pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. Price varies by purchase.
NYE Kick-Off Celebration! Kick-off your New Years Eve at the Bend Tasting Room 5pm-8pm with a live DJ, Champagne Jell-o shots, cocktail specials, and more! Buy a bottle and get 20% off Fresh Mixers to keep your night going! Come cheers to 2025 with us! Dec. 31, 5-8pm. Freeland Spirits Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way Suite 190, Bend. Contact: 541593-0129. Free.
New Year’s Eve Dinner Enjoy a special New Year’s Eve dinner at Juniper Preserve. Dec. 31, 5:30-7:30pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 866-320-5024. guest.services@juniperpreserve.com. $125.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
New Moon Intention Coed Circle As we step into the new year, there’s no better time to set powerful intentions and embrace new beginnings. Join us for a transformative New Moon Circle, a sacred gathering where we will harness the energy of the new moon to ignite our dreams and manifest our deepest desires. Dec. 30, 6:308:45pm. Hani Foundation, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 650-862-9336. willowmerchant@gmail. com. $45.
New Year's Intention Setting & Sound Bath Start the New Year with clarity and peace! Join us for a collective tarot reading, intention setting, & a relaxing sound bath Dec. 30, 6-7:30pm. Hanai Center, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 850-832-5703. align45llc@gmail. com. $35.
Courtesy General Duffy's
Welcome 2025 with renewed energy & purpose. Join us on New Yearʼs Eve & New Yearʼs Day for specialty yoga classes and workshops featuring a cacao ceremony, mocktails, EDM party flow, breathwork, & MORE!
A Year of Central Oregon Chow Highlights of a booming food scene in Bend and beyond
By Nicole Vulcan
In Central Oregon, the old adage holds: If there’s one thing constant about the local food scene, it’s change. From celebrity openings to the closing of places locals will sorely miss, a lot came and went in 2024. Here’s a highlight reel of what the Source Weekly covered in Bend and beyond.
January
In January, Bendites said hello to a new Indian buffet, with the opening of Real Taste of India along O.B. Riley Road. Later, in November, Real Taste of India upped its game by adding a small grocery to its offerings. Fat Tony’s Pizzeria also opened on Hill Street in January, offering Neapolitan-style pizzas. Folks did say goodbye to two longtime staples as well, with the announcement of the closing of Cascade Lakes Brewing Company’s pub on Century Drive and Rockin’ Dave’s Bistro & Backstage Lounge selling its building and shutting up shop.
February
In February, a Bend favorite, Jackson’s Corner, came under new ownership, with local restaurateurs Chris and Anna Hall purchasing the business. That purchase would also lead to another addition for Jackson’s the following month.
March
March brought the departure of Sunny’s Italian Joint in The Grove in Northwest Crossing, which was replaced by another Jackson’s Corner location in its spot. Also added to the scene in March was Pinky G’s, a New Yorkstyle pizzeria in the former Sargent’s Cafe on Third Street. Closing in March was The Brown Owl bar and cart in the Box Factory — a space that quickly reopened as WildWood Bar & Grill. The Point, the downtown bar along Bond Street, also closed in March.
As for March openings: Cuppa Ramen replaced Taste of Thailand/Thai on the Fly on Greenwood Avenue, and Ponch’s Place, the new food cart lot off Brinson Boulevard at the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon, opened.
April
April brought Burger Week, a new Source Weekly tradition that delivered $10 burgers to locals’ bellies — look for it again this April! Also appearing in April: the Source Weekly’s Restaurant Guide, giving the Restaurant of the Year designation to Rancher Butcher Chef, Rookie of the Year to Dear Irene and Food Cart of the Year to Americana. Mmm… Rancher Butcher Chef.
May
In a move we hope happens again, May saw the arrival of the Central Oregon Taco Fest, brought to you by the folks at Hola!, complete with luchadores, tequila and, of course, tacos. In Redmond, a new gaming space and cafe, Pangaea Guild Hall, opened on Sixth Street. Also reopening in May: beloved Hawaiian food truck, Aina, winner of Best Food Truck in our Best of Central Oregon several years running, which closed for a year and reopened at On Tap. In May, Bonta Gelato also opened its new location along Galveston Avenue in Bend, and announced a pending space shared with Backporch Coffee that would soon open in Redmond. And at the end of the month, Neighbor Rotisserie, the latest venture for the former owners of Jackson’s, opened in the old Kebaba space.
June
June saw the opening of Good Egg, brought to you by the owners of Dear Mom Cafe, in The Grove, as well as Kobe Sushi & Hibachi Grill along Greenwood Avenue. Westside Taco Co., formerly of Redmond, moved to The Bite in Tumalo. And celebrity chef Brian Malarkey debuted his Bend steakhouse, Hawkeye & Huckleberry, on Century Drive, while RBC opened its new bar, Bar RBC, in the former Dogwood Cocktail Cabin downtown. Meanwhile, another Bend favorite, El Sancho, experienced a fire that shut down its east side location. Axel’s Taco Shop opened in the Reed South Plaza, where a new market, Reed Crossing Market, also opened.
July
July brought what might be considered by some as a seismic change to the Bend food scene, with the opening of an Asian market, Tomi Mart. Another big announcement in July: the pending arrival of Ken’s Artisan Pizza, the Portland star of pizza that will soon open in the former Seven Nightclub. The owners of San Simón also opened a new spot for libations, Hasta Que Olvidemos, on Galveston.
August
In August, Baldy’s Barbeque expanded to La Pine. Also opening that month: SDiegos So Cal Burritos in the Old Ironworks district, and Haven Bagel in Reed South Plaza.
September
Bend is on a bit of a booze-free bender, and that played out with the opening of The Dez Lounge in the Palate coffee location at night. That month, Backporch Coffee and Bonta Gelato finally opened their space in Redmond.
October
In October, Cuppa Yo opened a location in Prineville. That month, Chomp Chomp, the downtown Bend bar that opened at the dawn of the pandemic, closed its doors. Cassity’s, the new bar in the former Cabin 22 locale, also opened in October.
November
The Hideaway, the classic Bend sports bar, opened a new space near Empire Boulevard on Bend’s north side in early November. In the Box Factory, Freeland Spirits of Portland opened a new tasting room Nov. 17. Also opening in November: Yokocho Izakaya, a Japanese bar along Division Street.
December
December brought the opening of Wonderland Chicken Co., which moved its operations to Worthy Brewing’s downtown space.
If you haven’t checked out some of those spaces, maybe this list will help. But just to add one more to your list: The new Dogwood at the Pine Shed, located on Second Street in the Bend Central District, plans to open its doors with six (or seven) food trucks on New Year’s Eve.
July brought what might be considered by some as a seismic change to the Bend food scene, with the opening of an Asian market, Tomi Mart.
JULY - TOMI MART
JULY - KEN'S ARTISAN PIZZA OCTOBER - CHOMP CHOMP
Nicole Vulcan Nicole Vulcan Jennifer Galler
CULTURE
Intentional Reading in 2025 Read
books that bring joy, challenge our growth, explore nature, build community and grow our understanding of the world
By Cassie Clemans, Owner of Roundabout Books & Cafe
WHAT CASSIE'S READING
A—An enchanting tale about three characters living along two great rivers — the Tigris and the Thames — all connected by a single drop of water, which remanifests across the centuries. A source of life and harbinger of death, rivers transcend history, transcend fate: “Water remembers. It is humans who forget.”
s I write this month’s column, I hear bookselling chatter and bustling holiday shoppers all around me. Before I start talking about next year’s books, I want to take this moment to thank all of you for your support this year — not just at my shop but at literary outlets all over Central Oregon. I am so grateful to live in a community that places such a high value on books and reading.
This summer at our staff retreat, we did a team-building exercise to clarify our values as individuals and find ways to support each other as a team. I led the discussion with the idea of stewardship, a core value in my life since exploring all the U.S. National Parks. But stewardship is also a value with which I approach most everything in life, including this bookstore. I believe independent bookstores belong to the community of people that supports them, and the owner and employees are caretakers, making sure these shops continue to be a place of enjoyment and refuge for everyone for years to come.
As Robin Wall Kimmerer (author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” and her newest book, “The Serviceberry”) said: “Indie bookstores are crucial wellsprings for the health of our democracy. I see them as places that nurture community and our connection to each other, where books aren’t merely commodities but the meeting point for two minds.” I couldn’t agree more.
As we look toward 2025, we intend to read books that bring joy, challenge our growth, explore nature, build community and grow our understanding of the world. We’re starting off the year with “Democracy in Retrograde” by Sami Sage and Emily Amick, and Roundabout Books is hosting a community read and workshop centered on civic engagement. After our booksellers read it this year, we thought it the perfect springboard to a community conversation.
This is the true magic of books. You never know if the next one you pick up is going to change your perspective, teach you something new or alter your approach to life. Already, 2025 is an exciting year for books. Here’s a quick peek at what’s coming: JANUARY
One of my all-time favorite books, “The Great Gatsby” turns 100 this year. If you’ve already read most of Fitzgerald’s works, consider picking up “Sweet Fury” by Sash Bischoff in January, a thrilling debut heralded as a feminist adaption of “Tender Is the Night.”
Also in January, “All the Water in the World” by Eiren Caffall is a literary thriller that takes place partly on the roof of New York’s Museum of Natural History in a flooded future. Or try “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor, where a disabled Nigerian-American woman pens a wildly successful sci-fi novel, but as her fame rises, she loses control of the narrative — a surprisingly cutting yet heartfelt drama about art and love, identity and connection and, ultimately, what makes us human.
Later in January, the long-awaited new book from Han Kang, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, arrives. Called “We Do Not Part,” it’s a powerful look at the painful history of South Korea. A debut from Catherine Airey called “Confessions” is a mesmerizing story that examines the irresistible gravity of the past through three generations of women. Another debut, “Penitence,” by Kristin Koval, explores the complexities of family loyalty and the profound experience of forgiveness.
FEBRUARY
If love is on your mind in February, check out “Isola” by Allegra Goodman, the story of a young woman and her lover who are marooned on an island — an exhilarating and breathtaking saga of love, faith and defiance, based on a true story. Also, “This Is a Love Story” by Jessica Soffer is a love letter to New York City told through the lens of a 50-year romance. February also brings the new TJ Klune, “The Bones Beneath My Skin,” and “Memorial Days,” the memoir by one of our favorite authors, Geraldine Brooks. There is also a debut called “Mutual Interest” by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith, a timeless queer love story about three people united by marriage, love and their budding business empire in turn-ofthe-century New York City.
Don’t miss the new book by one of Bend’s favorite authors, Eowyn Ivey. “Black Woods, Blue Sky,” a “Beauty and the Beast” story that takes place in the Alaskan wilderness. Also, keep an eye on “Stone Yard Devotional” by Charlotte Wood, a 2024 Booker Prize shortlist title that makes its U.S. debut this month.
MARCH
The flood of literary gifts continues in March! One of my all-time favorite authors, Charlotte McConaghy, has a new book out called “Wild Dark Shore,” a novel about a family living alone on a remote island when a mysterious woman washes up on the shore.
“Dream State” by Eric Puchner is getting a lot of early reader attention for its exploration of the perennial pitfalls of adulthood and lauded as a wonder of character and craft.
An additional debut to check out in March is “The Persians” by Sanam Mahloudji, which explores a dysfunctional Iranian family and a complicated cultural inheritance.
That’s all I have space for today! I hope your 2025 is filled with intention and possibility and some really, really great reads. Happy New Year!
“There Are Rivers in the Sky" by Elif Shafak
Some of our most anticipated reads of 2025.
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Books
SCREEN
SC Too Much Goodness, Not Enough Time Jared picks his top movies and shows of 2024
By Jared Rasic
This time of the year is always hard for me as someone who writes about film for a living. Publications all over the country start releasing their best-of lists featuring the top movies and shows they discovered over the past 12 months. Because I don’t live in Los Angeles, New York or another large market, I don’t get to see a lot of the big releases before they open in the rest of the country. By the time we get to the end of the year, a lot of the big award contenders haven’t opened near me, so I have to build a list without having watched everything buzzworthy.
Luckily, this year was another remarkable year for cinema, so I’m still happy with the ones I did see. Still, by January or February, this list might be completely different, but that’s OK. How we view art changes constantly, and when we make these lists, it’s not so much a marker of what movies are objectively better than others, but a look at the people we were at this specific time in history and the art that was shaping our social moment.
We also had another pretty powerful year for television, with the streaming services dominating the landscape once again. Season three of “The Bear” might have been its weakest season so far, but that still makes it better than most shows out there. Netflix’s adaptation of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” is sumptuous and gorgeous, finding the soul of the novel and expanding it in ways both surprising and inevitable. “Shōgun” was intense and epic, yet also managed to be fun and exciting in ways a lot of shows forget to be. Nothing felt dragged out; instead, it moved like a sword through grass. “Black Doves” and “Slow Horses” were both handily the best spy shows on television, proving once again that the U.K. has that genre on lock.
For me, my two favorite shows I watched all year were Max’s “The Penguin,” which basically set “The Sopranos” in the world of Batman (more fun than it sounds), and “Say Nothing,” Hulu’s uncompromising and electric limited series set in Belfast during the Troubles. If “Say Nothing” was a movie, it would be my favorite film of the year, hands down.
The worst movies I saw in 2024 (in no particular order) are: “The Crow,” “Kraven the Hunter,” “Madame Web,” “Borderlands,” “Founders Day,” “Subservience,” “Unfrosted,” “Latency,” “Poolman” and “Trigger Warning.”
The scariest movie of the year was a 45-minute short called “Chime,” directed by horror master Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Most underrated comedy: “Hundreds of Beavers” for its 120 minutes of pure slapstick
imagination. Most underrated drama: “Tuesday” for reminding the world that Julia Louis-Dreyfus is an incredible performer, no matter the genre. Most overrated: “Longlegs” really bummed me out because I love Nic Cage and Oz Perkins but, even though the vibe is immaculate, the story felt undercooked, and the film was nowhere near as scary as I had hoped. Best prequel: “The First Omen” is a classy, very well-crafted horror film on its own, but also adds colors and shades to the 1976 original that make it a better movie in retrospect. Best martial arts movie: “Monkey Man” — Dev Patel should be our next James Bond. Period.
Here are my top 10 movies of the year — see all 15 on our website by visiting bendsource.com.
10: “Anora”
A drama that’s simultaneously a meet-cute romantic comedy and a deeply humane unpacking of the toll sex work can take on a soul.
9: “Challengers”
Sexy, fun and genuinely surprising, this is not just the best movie I’ve ever seen about tennis, but it beautifully carries the best love triangle since “The Notebook.”
8: “The Substance”
Deliriously disgusting body horror held in check by a boldly fearless script acting as a primal scream for a new kind of feminism that protects all women. Genu-
7: “Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World”
A pitch-black Hungarian comedy that takes the piss out of late-stage capitalism while spitting in the face of the corporations that grind the working class to death. Both hilarious and devastating.
6: “Queer”
Takes the drug-addled loneliness of “Naked Lunch” and plops it down in 1950s Mexico City with seminal work from Daniel Craig and a scene-stealing Jason Schwartzman.
5: “Ghostlight”
A truly exceptional work of humanity that ruminates on the healing power of artistic expression with grace, beauty and breathtaking empathy. Remarkable.
4: “Conclave”
Who knew a bunch of old men voting for a new pope would feel like a glossy Hollywood thriller? Ralph Fiennes gives career-best work here and that’s saying something.
3: “I Saw the TV Glow”
Still a movie I think about at least once a day. This dark, dreamlike fairy tale breaks open a young man’s lonely spirit and searches for ways to help him heal. Every viewing of this changes what I think it means.
2: “The Beast”
A three-hour-long, French mind-bender that only makes sense in your dreams. Bertrand Bonello is a master filmmaker, and this might be his best film yet.
1: “His Three Daughters”
Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen play three estranged sisters who reconnect in their father’s small NYC apartment to take care of him during his final days. Perfect in every way and deals with grief so honestly that I found myself crying without really knowing why.
Honorable mentions: “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” “Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell,” “Janet Planet,” “Evil Does Not Exist,” “Wicked,” “Flow,” “Thelma,” “Memoir of a Snail,” “National Anthem,” “La Chimera,” “Bird,” “Oddity,” “Dahomey,” “A Different Man,” “Dune: Part 2.” What were some of your favorite films of the year? Let me know! Thank you once again for letting me write about movies for you. It’s an honor.
Natasha Lyonne, Carrie Coon and Elizabeth Olsen are perfection in “His Three Daughters.”
OSuet Smarts: Helping Birds Without Hurting Them What bird lovers should
By Elise Wolf
Picture this: A chickadee lands on your carefully crafted pinecone feeder, coated with peanut butter or suet and seeds. You’re feeling good about helping local wildlife. But wait! As your neighborhood bird rehabilitator, let me share a secret that could save birds’ lives — and it’s all about the hidden dangers of fats.
You know the beautiful feathers adorning our flighted friends? Well, they’re not just pretty — they are an engineering masterpiece that would make NASA jealous. Feathers are crucial for survival, with a structural design that’s both intricate and purposeful. Imagine thousands of tiny zippers (barbs) that lock together to create a shield so perfect it makes water roll off a bird’s back.
On frigid days, birds’ down become heat traps, locking in warm air and keeping birds toasty. In summer, feathers provide crucial insulation against heat. It’s nature’s version of an all-weather survival suit, and birds depend on it entirely. Here’s the catch: When fats or other contaminants get on feathers, they gum up those tiny barbs, creating holes in birds’ insulation. Like a tear in a wetsuit, the bird loses body heat rapidly once water reaches the skin. For birds, greasy feathers are a deadly liability.
How does this happen? Picture a bird landing on that shortening-, suet- or peanut butter-covered pinecone. As he hops around feeding, his feet or body feathers pick up tiny amounts of fat. Later, while preening (with feet or bill), he spreads that fat into his feathers. Once this happens, the bird can’t fix it — bird saliva can’t remove oils any more than we can wash oil off our hands without soap.
The consequences? Imagine trying to stay warm wearing a wet jacket in freezing weather. Compromised birds spend hours and days desperately trying to clean themselves, taking critical time away from feeding, making them weaker by the day. Seeing these birds is a rarity; struggling birds stay hidden.
But don’t panic! Here’s your action plan:
1. Use proper feeders: Avoid exposed suet balls and fat-slathered cones. Never spread fats on trees. Use cage-style suet feeders that don't allow birds to stand directly on the food. Squirrel-proof feeders are super feather savers.
2. Location matters: Don’t feed birds in the forest. Place feeders in the shade, away from windows.
3. Choose the right fats: Pure peanut butter (pour off oil) or true suet (hard fat from a cow’s groin) are the best fats as they do not soften or spread easily. True suet is dry and crumbly. Gelatin also works.
4. Avoid super greasy and soft fats: Fat trimmings and vegetable oils spread easily and get soft on even a mildly warm day. Bacon grease also has chemicals.
5. Keep it clean: Regularly clean feeders with hot, soapy water; replace suet weekly in winter.
6. Give it a rest regularly: Birds obsessed with suet can choose it over more nutritious options.
7. Avoid spring and summer suet feeding: Babies need high protein; parents must feed babies insects or wild seeds and foods. Our suet is not a nutritional match for nature’s powerhouse of foods.
To test if your suet is bird-safe, give it a feel. If it’s soft or squishy, it’s too risky. Does just touching it make your hand greasy? Hard, dry and crumbly is the goal. You’re looking for something more like a crumbly shortbread cookie than a soft stick of butter.
Suet feeding is relatively new on the scene of mass-produced bird foods. Sadly, we lack the science for some of our
know about safe suet feeding
food options. For example, suet “doughs” are a no-melt, no-spread option but come at the price of being nutritionally deficient. They have caused gout in cases of overfeeding. Some add chicken starters, but this is a high-fiber food meant for birds with powerful gizzards, not the tiny, weak gizzards of songbirds.
Quick digesting-, calorie- and nutrition-packed food is what our birds need. Notably, the sunflower seed is 49% fat and 22% protein, better than any suet made. Wreaths made with gelatin and de-hulled sunflower seeds are bird safe and a fun craft project. Find recipes at nativebirdcare.org.
In taking these small steps to protect our birds, we become more than just observers — we become their allies in survival, ensuring they continue to grace our yards and habitats.
—Elise Wolf directs Native Bird Care Avian Rescue. Find birdsafe recipes, kids crafts and feeder options at nativebirdcare.org
GO HERE
By Savannah Mendoza
Bonfire on the Snow: A Magical New Year’s Eve Adventure
Ring in 2025 in the Cascade Mountains with a snowshoe tour, starlit skies and a champagne toast by the fire
Celebrate the arrival of 2025 with Wanderlust Tours’ Bonfire on the Snow, an unforgettable New Year’s Eve adventure in the Cascade Mountains. Designed for avid adventurers and those seeking an outdoorsy New Year’s Eve experience, the snowshoe excursion will wind through a serene, snow-covered forest under a starlit sky. The journey will lead to a hand-carved snow amphitheater with a crackling bonfire. During the tour, naturalist guides will point out constellations and share insights about the snowy landscape under the twinkling sky. Snowshoers can settle into the amphitheater to savor locally made desserts and sip hot cocoa infused with hazelnut-espresso vodka. At midnight, a toast of champagne will mark the arrival of the new year in a magical, peaceful setting.
The tour runs from 9pm to 1:15am on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with transportation, snowshoes and headlamps provided. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly and reserve shoe sizes when registering, as availability is limited. Waterproof gear will also be available for rent.
Wanderlust Tours: New Year’s Eve Bonfire on the Snow Tues., Dec. 31, 9pm
Bird-safe gelatin and sunflower seeds make a great craft project.
Keep birds off fats to help them stay warm.
Birds are safer on clean cage feeders.
Elise Wolf
Steve Byland
Steve Byland
Courtesy Wanderlust Tours FB
THE PSYCHEDELIC FRONTIER EXPLORING
INTENTIONAL PSYCHEDELIC
USE IN THE MODERN WORLD
By Mary Casanave Sheridan
Empowered to Explore
In the ever-evolving landscape, it’s crucial we occasionally pause, ground ourselves and reflect on the journey we’re undertaking — especially when exploring the vast, unknown territories of the mind and spirit. This is one of those reflective pauses, a moment to clarify and reaffirm my heart, purpose and role.
At its core, this column is a compass aimed at enlightening and advocating — a lantern held high to illuminate the intricate paths of psychedelic experience without imposing my personal beliefs or worldview onto the diverse tapestry of your journeys. The purpose of this column is to act in service of the medicine and the journeyer in your shared, heartfelt quest for understanding the depths of human consciousness and embracing the awareness, growth, understanding, acceptance and whatever else may come.
human experience. The staggering effectiveness of the propaganda from the war on drugs era cannot be understated. It has infiltrated our perceptions of safety, legality and morality, dictating what we believe is acceptable and inserting an unwarranted and unasked for authority over what we can explore about our own minds and consciousness. It introduced ideas of harm that were falsified and exaggerated to the point of being unhelpful, stoking fear and division.
To that end, I honor the principle of cognitive liberty — the sacred right to the freedom of thought and the sovereignty of our own minds. This idea underpins everything, from the practical to the profound. I embrace the diversity of experiences and settings in which individuals find themselves called to explore, acknowledging that each path is as unique as the soul that walks it. Each of us holds an inalienable right to explore the vast landscapes of our own soul, and our connection to self, each other and spirit. Even unassisted, I honor the myriad paths that souls might take in their quest. It is not for me to dictate the course of one’s journey, but to offer empathy, understanding, education, resources and support to those who walk these roads.
Cognitive liberty might feel challenging or uncomfortable for some, and if so, I would like to offer the invitation to explore deeper; to consider what longstanding beliefs it disturbs, probe why those beliefs are there, how they came to be and whether they truly serve you — or others. This inquiry isn’t superficial: It cuts to the core of our relationship with conditioned responses, and the difference between them and the authentic self. Many of us have conditioned beliefs and responses to these topics shaped by the profoundly pervasive messaging of the war on drugs. This is not our fault. But accepting it as true is a choice.
The narrative that entheogens are harmful, dangerous and taboo is a blip in the timeline of human history. For millennia, our ancestors have sought understanding, healing and connection through these substances, indicating that these paths are intrinsic aspects of
We must question why these substances, and our relationship with them, are perceived as threats by systems of power. What is it about our quest for inner truth that unsettles the status quo? When did we relinquish the right to explore the full expanse of our consciousness to the limitations imposed by others? Part of our collective calling in this movement is to challenge the remnants of this era by advocating for the unobstructed exploration of consciousness. I am committed to fostering informed discussions centered on the quest for truth and spiritual fulfillment.
The awakening humanity is poised for — a shift in priorities, values and lifestyles amid the crises enveloping our world — will be significantly smoother and more peaceful if approached with the curiosity, generosity, grounded calm and measured responsiveness that journeying through entheogenic realms teaches us. These experiences do not just have the potential to transform us individually but, collectively, can guide us toward a more connected, empathetic and understanding society. Indeed, the psychedelic movement seeks more than the legalization or decriminalization of these substances — it calls for a healing of cultural wounds and the facilitation of responsible use. It holds space for the importance of nurturing of the individual’s mind and spirit.
The essence of my work, and the purpose of this column, is to ensure that anyone drawn to these realms feels empowered to explore them in a way that feels safe, held and true to their inner guidance. My trust resides in the transformative power of these journeys and in each of you as you navigate your own.
In closing, let us question and challenge with love, advocating for an approach to psychedelic exploration that honors the individual’s right to choose, respects the transformative power of these substances and celebrates the infinite paths to self-discovery.
—Questions are encouraged: Send to mothermarymyco@gmail.com
Location: Oregon backcountry
40. Follow right behind 41. Coverage in a hospital 42. Schedule master: Abbr. 45. Be shy 46. Nerded (out)
48. Consider sound advice, like boxer Sonny? 52. Strong suit 53. Jabs at the drugstore 54. Treeless tract
56. Neckwear for boxer Riddick?
61. Furious with
62. Number line?
63. Computer language that shares its name with a drink
64. Makes a few changes
65. "So near and ___ so far"
66. Go ballistic
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
DOWN
1. ___ Cup (annual November/December competition)
2. Salad topping
3. Glide downhill
4. Sarcastic comment
5. Narrow passage
6. Videos on X, e.g.
7. "Emperor's Hymn" composer
8. Contacts via Slack
9. Pastry with a hole
10. ___ nous (in confidence)
11. Show runners
12. Italian playhouse
13. College application parts
18. Hail Mary's paths
21. Great sadness
23. Trucker's cap material
24. Three oceans touch it
25. Breaks in relations
26. Golf-course rental
27. Like steak tartare
31. Officers-to-be
32. "Just sayin'," online
33. Wise guys
35. Do exactly what's expected at
36. Barbecue spot
37. "The Memory Police" author Ogawa
38. Clive of "Children of Men"
39. And, in Alsdorf
42. Top-level
43. Race starter
44. State positively
46. Jump in the pool
47. Offer hints
49. Canvas construction
50. "Here we go again!"
51. Arledge who created "Monday Night Football"
55. Extras in a "Star Wars" bar scene, briefly
57. Whole Foods rival, to fans
58. Crime writer Rankin
59. "Which Witch?" author Ibbotson
60. Easy mark
Puzzle for the week of December 23, 2024
Pearl’s Puzzle
Puzzle for the week of December 23, 2024
Difficulty Level: ●●○○
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters O W M I R A C L E exactly once.
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters exactly once. OW MIRACLE
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters O W M I R A C L E exactly once.
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “When I was a small child we were allowed to wait up until midnight on 31 December. Then as the TV chimed, Dad would run to the front door and open it, ing the New Year ” - Sara Pascoe
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “When I was a small child we were allowed to wait up until midnight on 31 December. Then as the TV chimed, Dad would run to the front door and open it, _____ing the New Year”
Answer for the week of December 16, 2024
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “When I was a small child we were allowed to wait up until midnight Then as the TV chimed, Dad would run to the front door and open Year ”
- Sara Pascoe
O D R E B M I N C
M N I D C O E R B
E B C N R I D O M
Answer for the week of December 16,
B O E C D R M I N
R I N B M E C D O
D C M O I N B E R
”One thing I learned from drinking is that if you ever go Christmas caroling, you should go with a group of people. And also go in midDecember.” — author unknown
”One thing I learned from drinking is that if you ever go Christmas caroling, you should go with a group of people. And also go in mid-December.” - author unknown
RUNNERS!
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should be easy and
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ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Since 1985, musician David Gilmour has led Pink Floyd. The band has sold over 250 million records. He's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in both the UK and the US. But my favorite thing about Gilmour is that he's a passionate activist who has crusaded for animal rights, environmentalism, poverty, and human rights. A few years ago, he auctioned off 120 of his guitars, raising over $21 million for an environmentalist charity. In accordance with astrological omens, I propose we make him one of your inspirational role models in 2025, Capricorn. May he mobilize you to use your stature and clout to perform an array of good works that are of service to your world.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian author Virginia Woolf extolled the virtues of cultivating a supple soul that thrives on change. She pledged to be relentless in her commitment to be authentically herself and not succumb to groupthink. I recommend you make these two of your featured themes in 2025. To inspire your efforts, I will quote her radical perspective at length: “Movement and change are the essence of our being; rigidity is death; conformity is death: let us say what comes into our heads, repeat ourselves, contradict ourselves, fling out the wildest nonsense, and follow the most fantastic fancies without caring what the world does or thinks or says.”
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1992, two friends promised each other that if either of them ever won the lottery, they would share it with the other. Twenty-eight years later, that's exactly what happened. In 2020, Thomas Cook bought a ticket that turned out to be the winner of the Powerhouse jackpot in Wisconsin. He called Joseph Feeney with the good news. After paying taxes, both men were $5.7 million richer. I am not predicting the exact same sequence for your future, Pisces. But like Cook and Feeney, I expect you will glean pleasing rewards generated from seeds planted in the past.
wiki/Shoshin
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Ohio’s Cuyahoga River used to catch on fire regularly. The cause was pollution. For a hundred years, industries had poured their wastes into the waterway. The surface was often dotted with oil slicks. But after a notorious river fire in 1969, the locals decided to remedy the situation, aided by the newly established Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the Cuyahoga still isn’t 100% clean, but it’s far better. It hosts kayaking, fishing, and paddle boarding. I propose we use its rehabilitation as a symbol for you in 2025. You will have welcome opportunities to clean up messes that have lingered for far too long. Please take full advantage of these cosmic invitations to sweep karmic debris out of your life.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Steve Jobs, founder of Apple computers, said, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” I propose that you make this one of your mottoes in 2025. More than ever before, you will have exceptional power to transform the environments you share with others. You will have an enhanced ability to revise and reinvigorate the systems and the rules you use. Don’t underestimate your influence during the coming months, Leo. Assume that people will be listening especially closely to your ideas and extra receptive to be affected by you.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 2025, I would love for you to specialize in making new connections and deepening your existing connections. I hope you will summon extra creativity and panache as you regularly blend your beautiful energies with others’ beautiful energies. I predict you will thrive on linking elements that should be linked but have never been before. What do you think, Aries? Does it sound fun to become a playful master of mixing and combining? Would you enjoy generating splashy unifications that serve your dreams?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “Confidence is 10 percent hard work and 90 percent delusion,” declared Taurus comedian Tina Fey. But I believe you will disprove that assessment in the coming months. The work you do will be unusually replete with grace and dynamism. It will be focused and diligent work, yes, but more importantly, it will be smart work that’s largely free of delusion. That’s why I’m inclined to revise Fey’s formula for your sake. In 2025, your brimming levels of confidence will be primarily due to your fine, conscientious, effective work.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the 1960s, a Swedish journalist tried an experiment. He wanted to see if art critics could distinguish between abstract paintings made by skilled artists and those created by a four-year-old chimpanzee whose pseudonym was Pierre Brassau. Surprise! Many of the critics treated all the paintings with equal respect. One even gave special praise to Pierre Brassau, describing his strokes of color as having "the delicacy of a ballet dancer." I'm authorizing you to unleash your inner Pierre Brassau in the coming months, Gemini. Be an innocent rookie, a newcomer with great instincts, an exuberant amateur who specializes in fun experiments. Do you know what beginner's mind is? You approach every experience with zero assumptions or expectations, as if you were seeing everything for the first time. For more, read this: wikipedia.org/
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I will give you four related terms to describe your key motif in 2025: 1. Your Soul’s Code. 2. Your Master Plan. 3. Your Destiny’s Blueprint. 4. Your Mission Statement. All four are rooted in this epic question: What is your overarching purpose here on earth, and how are you fulfilling it? The coming months will be a time when you can make dramatic progress in formulating vivid, detailed visions of the life you want to live. You can also undertake robust action steps to make those visions more of a practical reality. I encourage you to write your big-picture, long-range dreams in a special notebook or a file on your tech device. Keep adding to the text throughout the coming months.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): People in India were the first to discover diamonds buried in the earth. Most historians believe it happened in the 4th century BCE. For the next two millennia, India remained the only source of diamonds. Finally, new stashes were found in Brazil in 1725 and in South Africa in the 1870s. Let’s use this 2,000- year gap as a metaphor for your life. I suspect that far too many months have passed since you have located a fresh source of a certain treasure or bounty you crave. That will change in 2025. Here come long-delayed blessings!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In my vision of your life in 2025, you will dramatically enhance how togetherness works for you. Below are four questions to help guide your explorations and breakthroughs. 1. Is it feasible to change yourself in ways that enable you to have a more satisfying relationship with romantic love? 2. Will you include your intimate relationships as an essential part of your spiritual path—and vice versa? 3. What work on yourself can you do to heal your old wounds and thereby make yourself a better partner and collaborator? 4. Can you help your best allies to heal their wounds and thereby become better partners and collaborators?
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Japanese, the word for “frog” sounds similar to the word meaning “to return.” That’s one reason frogs have been lucky in some circles of Japanese culture. They symbolize the blessing that occurs when travelers return home safely, or when health is restored, or when spent money is replenished. I bring this to your attention, Sagittarius, because I suspect 2025 will be a time when satisfying and enjoyable returns will be a key theme. Consider keeping the likeness of a lovable frog in your living space.
Homework: Make the most positive prediction about your future that you can dare to imagine. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
THE THIRD ACT A COLUMN
By Ellen Waterston
ON AGEISM AND AGEING
Many Happy Returns
No sooner is holiday buying over, no sooner are living rooms out from under the jolly chaos of ribbons and wrapping paper, than we’re headed back to the malls and downtown shops with returns. Gift givers, I feel your pain. I know the ouch factor when you’ve spent hours agonizing over the perfect present, only for it to be summarily marched back to the store to be exchanged for something else. The season of giving makes way for the season of returning.
There’s a happier, less frenzied form of returning that also characterizes this time of year: the return of light, of long and longer days after the dark and darker days of October, November and December. Participating in the wide variety of centuries-old traditions celebrating light’s return, communities are glimmering, shimmering and glittering; downtowns are bedecked and bedazzled in strings of color. In neighborhoods, shrubs bloom with light and bare trees magically leaf out in twin
the invitation to take stock, to reflect — a warm-up for meaningful New Year’s resolutions.
On my recent December birthday, a card I received wished me: “Many happy returns.” “I’m down with that,”
I thought to myself. “Lots more birthdays sound like a good thing.” But I have since learned that some, like actress and author Shirley MacLaine, interpret the phrase “many happy returns” differently — less a wish for more birthdays and more a reference to passing through many bodies on the way to a higher level of perfection, on the way to healing the cosmic soul. It all gives new meaning to the notion of meeting yourself coming and going, buying and returning! Historically, most civilizations, spiritual practices and religions have believed in a form of reincarnation. Hinduism, Buddhism, some streams of Judaism and a number of tribal societies are among those that still do.
MacLaine, 90, has long championed
Logre estabilidad y genere valor a través de la propiedad
celebrated on December 25. That’s the same day ancient Romans used to mark the “birthday of the unconquered sun.” Iran’s Yalda festival honors Mithra, an angel of light, thought to have been born during solstice. China’s Dongzhi festival celebrates when winter’s darkness begins to give way to prehistoric light. Danes, Norwegians and Swedes gather for Juul, or Yule, to welcome the return of the sun god. Common to all is
ning out to satisfy all her curiosities about this life, but she is not afraid of dying. “I’m kind of interested in going there,” she is quoted as saying during a CBS interview in October. She says she looks forward to dying because then, on return, she can prove she was right all along.
—Poet and author Ellen Waterston is a woman of a certain age who resides in Bend. "The Third Act" is a series of columns on ageing and ageism.
TAKE ME HOME
By James Keane, Broker RE/MAX Key Properties
The allure of timing the real estate market is understandable. The idea of buying low and selling high is a classic investment strategy. However, when it comes to real estate, this approach can be fraught with uncertainty and risk.
The real estate market is a complex interplay of economic, demographic and psychological factors. Economic conditions, interest rates, job markets and demographic shifts can all significantly influence property values. Additionally, consumer sentiment, investor behavior and government policies can further complicate the equation. Predicting these factors with precision is nearly impossible as they can change rapidly and unexpectedly.
Waiting for the “perfect” moment to buy or sell can lead to missed opportunities. By the time you’re ready to act, market conditions may have changed dramatically. Prices may have risen, interest rates may have increased, or desirable properties may have been snatched up by other buyers. Moreover, trying to time the market can lead to emotional decision-making. FOMO (fear of missing out) or a desire to avoid potential losses can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive choices. This can result in buying at inflated prices or selling at a loss.
A more prudent strategy is to focus on your long-term goals and financial situation. Clearly articulating your reasons for buying or selling a home, whether it’s for a family, investment or retirement, will help make informed decisions aligned with your needs and aspirations. Assessing your budget, income and debt levels will help set realistic expectations and avoid
overextending financially.
Consulting with a knowledgeable real estate agent can provide valuable insights into local market trends, property values and potential risks. Agents can guide you through the complex buying and selling process, ensuring informed decisions throughout the transaction. Real estate is a long-term investment. While short-term fluctuations may occur, historical trends suggest that property values tend to appreciate over time. Adopting a longterm perspective allows you to weather market fluctuations and reap the rewards of your investment.
Instead of timing the market, focus on maximizing your time in the market. By owning property for an extended period, you can benefit from potential appreciation and build equity over time. This “time in the market” strategy is often more effective than attempting to time the market’s peaks and troughs.
Imagine you were waiting to buy a home in a desirable neighborhood because you believed prices were about to drop. However, due to unexpected economic growth and increased demand, prices surged. You missed out on a valuable opportunity to build equity and potentially benefit from future appreciation.
While the allure of timing the real estate market may be tempting, it’s often a risky and unpredictable endeavor. By focusing on your long-term goals, understanding your financial situation and seeking expert advice, you can make informed decisions that align with your needs and aspirations. Remember, the best time to invest in real estate is when you’re ready — not when the market is.
