Source Weekly, January 9, 2025

Wednesdays – Prime Rib

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

Thursdays – Bingo & Build-Your-Own Pasta Dinner

Play Happy Hour Bingo from 4 - 5pm, stay for a custom pasta creation for dinner

Fridays – Live Music

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

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As we enter a new year, our team decided it was time to set some intentions and try some new things in the name of our physical and financial wellbeing. On the health side of the spectrum, investigative reporter Jennifer Baires tried a sensory deprivation float session to see if she could find some relaxation, and she also caught up with local movement specialist Vance Bonner to discuss 50 years of healing chronic pain. In wealth, reporter Julianna LaFollette spoke with a financial advisor about setting fiscally responsible goals. Calendar editor Savannah Mendoza wrote about a yoga, sauna and cold plunge experience and how to unwind with some local jazz. Plus, we have resolution-friendly eating at Crave Bend by Skylor Young, bird watching in the Malheur from ONDA contributor Renee Schiavone and how to mocktail in Bend — out on the town or at home with recipes from drink stylist Alyson Brown. Here’s to your health and wealth in 2025!

January 16, 2025 January 16, 2025

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In Bend and La Pine, the Urban-Rural Divide is Apparent in Our Parks

They’re both in the same county, but when it comes to funding for things like park services, it seems that the cities of La Pine and Bend couldn’t be further apart.

Over the last year, the La Pine Park and Recreation District board of directors abruptly resigned, leaving the staff out of their jobs and the community out of a local outlet for sports and other leisure activities. As we reported previously, a combination of financial woes and “staff facing serious harassment” were among the causes for the closure. The new board told the Source Weekly that the some $370,000 the District brings in each year through property taxes was not nearly enough to fund the District’s operations and the many District staff that were previously employed there. Numerous attempts to raise the tax rate over the years have failed.

The new board should be commended for slogging through the mess they’ve inherited, so as to once again offer sports and other programs for La Pine residents. Children in La Pine should not have to travel the many miles to other cities in order to play baseball. Many families in La Pine do transport their kids to other cities, namely Bend, to access recreation opportunities, but that’s hardly equitable for the kids whose families can’t muster the time or funds for all that travel.

Seeing the situation unfold in La Pine, it’s hard to ignore the contrast between the opportunities available in that town and those available in the

larger burg just to the north. In Bend, the Bend Park and Recreation District maintains countless programs, buildings and parks — offerings that are funded through a distinct tax district, separate from the City of Bend, and funded through taxpayer dollars. La Pine also has its own separate tax district.

In Bend, voters have routinely supported ambitious projects like the Whitewater Park and the Larkspur Community Center, completed not long ago. But the contrast between what voters will and won’t support is most stark when looking at a recent project proposed by BPRD.

Right now, BPRD aims to move the historic “High Wheels,” a relic from the old days of logging, out of Drake Park in order to restore the artifact, which has degraded from years' exposure to water. Historic preservationists want to see the relic completely restored, which could cost as much as $200,000. That represents over half of the entire budget of La Pine’s park district. It’s not yet clear whether BPRD will follow through with a full restoration or, like in years past, will opt for a more cosmetic fix, and discussions about what to do with the High Wheels are ongoing. But when juxtaposed against the headaches that La Pine is facing in just trying to offer basic services like baseball for kids, it’s clear that the urban-rural divide is very real right here in Deschutes County.

When it comes to government services, you get what you pay for.

O Letters

RE: “THE DAMNED

DESCHUTES”

Nigel Jaquiss’s recent article misses the point. The story is not one of an electric utility, its critics and the health of the Deschutes River. That framing is too narrow. The real story is one of tribal sovereignty, resilience and self-determination. To be precise, the sovereignty of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is the real story.

Like my tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs possesses ancient sovereignty as a “Treaty tribe.” And, like us, they are a large land-based, rural tribe with limited economic opportunity, persistent poverty, diminished life expectancy and public safety issues, among others.

Unlike other sovereigns, our governments have limited ability to generate revenue to provide for the welfare of our people. We, thus, are required to turn to economic development to generate necessary revenues. Economic development sometimes does fit neatly with our Indigenous cultures and every other policy priority of our tribal governments, yet we press on — because we must. Our teachings instruct us that we have a duty to manage our resources for seven generations into the future, which is necessarily predicated on our people’s continued survival.

I understand that, for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the waters of the Deschutes River and the salmon are the first and second gifts of the Creator. Yet, they made the sovereign choice to become a part owner of the Pelton hydroelectric project. If you wish to understand that choice, you should ask them why and be prepared to listen, really listen. Doing so honors their sovereignty and dignity.

In my view, that did not happen with Mr. Jaquiss’s article. His apparent cramped, antiquated understanding of tribal sovereignty as monolithically synonymous with NGOs’ liberal values or non-Native sports-fishermen’s interests in large trophy specimens of particular species of fish is simply wrong.

Tribal citizens rely on dynamic, modern tribal governments to balance many competing priorities and values in the way that best provides for the wellness of future generations — exactly as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has done with respect to their economic development on the Deschutes River and their Treaty-protected fisheries. The Tribe should be honored for its careful, thoughtful stewardship of the resources they have protected from time immemorial.

—J. Garret Renville, Chairman, Coalition of Large Tribes

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!

RE: “INTERVIEW WITH BEND MAYOR MELANIE KEBLER”

The Bend City Council has committed drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, pets and wildlife to unnecessary danger without addressing road improvements near the Caldera Ranch UGB. Knott Road and adjacent roads are an increasing safety concern for the vehicles joining Knott Road between China Hat Road to 15th Street and beyond. Blind curves as well as heavy traffic at times can make pulling out of a side street scary. Commercial big rig traffic between Route 97 to Route 20 are also increasing. Transit routes should not be an afterthought. Inadequate turning lanes, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and a growing student population make the corridor very dangerous. Ambulance and emergency vehicles must have access to all populated areas when needed. What will happen once thousands of new residents move into all the new and planned developments in southeast Bend? Should we wait for a major catastrophe to plan for the evacuation of thousands? Lava lands is not just history! There will be fires. Absolutely, the city needs more affordable housing. If possible, I hope the council can modify plans. We all want this to remain a great place to live and enjoy.

—James Moos via bendsource.com on 12/29/24

RE: RESPONSE TO “LOVE A RIVER” LETTER FROM 1/2 TSW’s 2 January 2025 issue with Kevin Tanski’s letter ended with an uncomfortable dump and run for me. After a lifetime of loving and using the Deschutes River as a playground he insists — as a “certified old guy,” it’s now time for the “youngins to get after the dying river to save it.” Really? What more can the old guy generation dump on the youth of today? The planet is trashed; wildlife, insects, birds, plants are on the brink of extinction; oceans are warming and full of trash with dead zones multiplying; much of the air is polluted as is the soil and fresh water lakes and rivers; food is contaminated if not indigestible; resources are extracted at an unprecedented rate; the planet’s carrying capacity was exceeded decades ago… It is BECAUSE the generations of old guys have been unwilling/ unable/don’t care/in denial… that our planet is in a mess. To date, much has been dumped on the shoulders of the next generation — our youth who never volunteered for this impossible achievement.

—M.A. Kruse

RECYCLE RUNNERS

Whenever I take my three or four bags of household trash to the Deschutes County landfill, I see items that have been prematurely thrown away. A few years ago, I rescued (which I think is against the rules) two large, high-quality, undamaged dog beds, which are still in use. Recently, huge sheets of aluminum and other construction materials were dumped because it would have taken the contractor added time to separate and drop off the metals at Radius Recycling or the landfill’s recycling center. On my last visit, there was a nice set of golf clubs and bag that should have gone to a charity thrift store for resale. Diverting recyclable and reusable items would save landfill space, save valuable metals and keep usable items in the community while supporting nonprofit charities.

In our county landfill’s clean and very well-run indoor facility, citizens drive in and dump their household trash onto a concrete floor. After enough piles have been made, a bulldozer clears the floor by pushing everything into a below-floor bin or trailer for transport to the dumping site. As citizens create those piles of household trash, one or two individuals could easily divert items that should be recycled or given to charities for resale.

Would it be possible for the Deschutes County landfill to create “Recycle Runner” employee positions in order to divert items that are being

improperly dumped by individual citizens? If the landfill’s budget would not support such employee positions, could citizen volunteers be allowed to divert metals to the landfill’s recycling center and still-usable items to charity thrift stores? We are wasting resources by burying economically valuable items in our conveniently located but soonto-be-full Deschutes County landfill.

—Eddie Kinnamon

Letter of the Week:

Eddie, thanks for your insightful suggestion. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

—Chris Young

Shooting in Downtown Bend Results in Two Injured

A 17-year-old and 18-year-old sustained minor injuries following a shooting at Centennial Parking Garage on Jan. 5. Bend Police responded to a report around 12:56am on Sunday of an 18-year-old who had been shot at the downtown parking garage and transported to St. Charles Bend. According to a press release, the shooting took place on top of the parking garage. Witnesses reported teens hanging out next to their vehicle when another group in a red Dodge Challenger pulled in on their passenger side. A passenger in the Challenger discharged a round from what police believe to be a shotgun. Projectiles from the round hit the two teens.

Bend Police officers identified the suspect as 18-year-old Genesis Zuniga Garcia. Police arrested Garcia on Monday morning. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Deschutes County jail. The firearm used in the incident had not been recovered as of Jan. 6, according to a press release.

—Julianna LaFollette

$4,562

The amount of money an average Bend household spends on bills above the national average, from “What Does It Cost to Live in Central Oregon?”

Respiratory Illnesses Rise in Central Oregon

Deschutes County Health Department notes spikes in flu and whooping cough positivity in December

By Julianna LaFollette

This week, the Deschutes County Health Department noted an upward trend in cases of the flu and whooping cough in Central Oregon, compared to previous years. Deschutes County Public Health program manager Dr. Rita Bacho shared the department’s most recent data on respiratory illnesses, along with vaccination rate trends in Central Oregon.

The most recent data, showing the week of Dec. 28, reported 28.6% flu positivity in Central Oregon, about 2% higher than the previous week.

“This is the highest test positivity Central Oregon has recorded so far this flu season,” Bacho told the Source Weekly.

While the flu and whooping cough are different, both infections can cause similar symptoms, such as a fever, chills, body aches, headaches and coughing. Both can result in severe illnesses.

While Bacho noted that they typically see an increase in whooping cough cases every five years, this year has had a higher percentage due to lower vaccination rates. The last increase in whooping cough, which Bacho said was not as significant as this year, was in 2019.

“I find that the number one obstacle to getting a head start in the new year is having the courage to overcome the fear of looking at what is actually happening right now.”

—Emma James of Rosell Wealth Management, from the Feature story, “Meeting Your Financial Goals in 2025”

Last season, the highest percentage it recorded was about 14%. Flu positivity this year is higher than it’s been in the previous two seasons, according to Bacho. She sees these numbers as a likely result of concluded COVID-19 protocols.

“Comparing this year to the previous two years, which were within the COVID-19 season, we are not surprised that we are seeing a higher test positivity, but 28.6% is quite high.”

With discontinued COVID-19 mandates, Bacho said, people are not masking and social distancing like they have in previous years, making it easier for people to get infected.

The health department is also seeing a significantly higher number of whooping cough cases in the region as well as the state. As of Dec. 19, Central Oregon has had about 61 cases.

“That’s about 10 times the number that we saw in 2023, so yes, we are very concerned about that because the vaccines are available and they are effective,” Bacho told the Source Weekly.

The state of Oregon has also seen a major increase in whooping cough cases, reporting 1,105 cases in 2024. That was the highest single-year case count since 1950, when Oregon reported 1,420 cases, according to a press release from the Oregon Health Authority on Jan. 2.

Many of the whooping cough cases in Central Oregon have been seen among unvaccinated individuals, which Bacho says is a “needless risk.” More vaccinations would help reduce the burden. The health department has seen a decline in vaccination rates among all vaccines since 2020.

“Getting a vaccine doesn’t only protect the one getting the vaccine, but it also protects their families, friends, loved ones and everyone around them,” said Bacho. “We do believe that is one of the biggest factors for the increases in respiratory diseases, because all of these diseases are avoidable.”

According to a press release from Central Oregon Public Health, 26% of Deschutes County residents have been vaccinated for the flu as of Dec. 11.

While other respiratory illnesses have increased this season, the health department has seen a decline in positivity for COVID-19. While the numbers typically go up and down, about 27 people, 3%, tested positive for COVID-19 in Central Oregon this past week.

During flu season, Bacho recommends getting vaccinated and avoiding close contact with those who are sick. People who are sick should limit contact with others, cover coughs and sneezes and wash their hands. She also suggests cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs and tables.

“Those are some basic measures that people can put in place, aside from getting a vaccine, which is one of the most important preventative measures,” said Bacho.

Julianna LaFollette

Bend Parks Looks to Restore Historic High Wheels

The District is weighing its options for a deteriorating cultural artifact sitting in Bend’s Drake Park

By Julianna LaFollette

The Bend Park and Recreation District plans to restore a cultural artifact after years of deterioration, due to exposure to harsh weather and a lack of significant upkeep. The High Wheels, a piece of equipment used to transport logs in the early 1900s, is displayed in Drake Park as a piece of history, meant to signify the city’s history as a logging town.

Following the community’s desire to maintain the structure, BPRD will share the current state of the High Wheels and its options for restoration at a Jan. 7 board meeting. BPRD is responsible for maintenance on the wheel because of its placement in Drake Park. Due to its severe deterioration, the wheel requires a significant amount of work to remain on-site.

The High Wheels have been a feature of Drake Park for 84 years, according to Kelly Cannon-Miller with the Deschutes Historical Museum. High wheels, used before motorized tractors, would be attached to a team of horses to move logs from the forest to the railroad and stood at about 11 feet in diameter. At one point, Cannon-Miller said, there were over 50 sets of high wheels and 200 horses working in Central Oregon forests.

The equipment was donated to the City of Bend by Brooks-Scanlon, one of the major lumber mills in Bend during the 1900s. The wheels were slowly replaced with tractors in the 1920s and were largely taken apart to recycle materials during the Second World War, which means very few exist today.

Since being placed in Drake Park as an artifact, the wheel has been pulled from the park twice for repairs, once in the 1960s and once in the early 2000s, according to Cannon-Miller. An assessment in 2001 recommended a complete restoration and rebuild, along with the implementation of a maintenance plan to prevent further deterioration. However, BPRD performed a less extensive, cosmetic restoration.

According to Sasha Sulia, BPRD director of park services, the District’s work in the early 2000s included minor maintenance, like repairing some of the rot, replacing bolts and painting the wheel.

In addition to its temporary repairs, the wheels have been exposed to persistent water exposure since 2001. The most recent assessment on the artifact, completed in 2018, found that the wheels have not been shielded from water caused by the irrigation system and had no drainage beneath it.

can do within the money that we’ve obligated to kind of do the best restoration they can do, so that it’s stable and can be put back on site and be safe, to still honor the history.”

“This level of water exposure hastened the loss of any stabilization provided in 2000 and the overall historic fabric,” said Cannon-Miller. “At this point, they really have to go the route of a full restoration. It’s past being able to do any temporary fixes.”

As BPRD assesses its restoration options, finding someone with the ability and knowledge to do this type of work is increasingly difficult.

“It’s a dwindling set of people,” said Cannon-Miller. The price to repair the wheel could also be significant, as a full restoration or replacement requires BPRD to ship it to a specialty wheelwright.

“We’ve reached out to a few companies that do this restoration work, and the cost came in significantly higher than what we were expecting,” said Sulia. “So, our staff in-house is looking at what they

According to Sulia, the estimated cost for a full restoration from a wheelwright ranges from $50,000 to $200,000.

BPRD will move the wheel offsite within the next few months, said Sulia. During that time, it will assess the wheel to see if they can do the work in-house.

“If we can’t, then we’ll have to change course and probably have a larger discussion,” she said. While the work needed to mend the wheel will require time and money, the community sees this as an important endeavor for BPRD.

“There is significant support in the community to repair them,” said Cannon-Miller. “I’m happy that the conversation has started again, and that now is a moment where there’s support within the community to help get some of the work done and help shepherd that.”

Julianna LaFollette

Deschutes Historical Museum

Deschutes Historical Museum

Julianna LaFollette

Redmond Ponders New Safe Parking Ordinance

The City of Redmond is set to decide whether to allow micro-shelter units at safe parking sites in City limits

By Julianna LaFollette

The City of Redmond is set to discuss an ordinance change that would allow micro-shelter units at safe parking sites. Redmond’s current safe parking code only allows vehicles at safe parking spaces. While those in support believe the allowance of micro-shelter units will open up more opportunities for unhoused residents, some wonder if these sites could be seen as less temporary.

The City of Redmond has seen major progress in its safe parking program, offering roughly 33 spots within city limits. Its program allows businesses to open parking spots to allow for a certain number of individuals to safely live in their vehicles, with access to services and case management.

A new proposal to allow pod shelters at safe parking sites, in addition to vehicles, came up at a Nov. 26 City Council meeting. While city councilors see the benefit, and feel it could be helpful in certain areas, some worried that building these temporary tiny homes could create a more permanent situation. Councilors also hope to clarify the parameters of the ordinance and hear from residents to gauge interest on this code amendment.

“They are temporary, so these are not meant to be a permanent shelter. They are meant to provide a place for people to get out of the weather,” said Rick Russell, executive director of Mountain View Community Development, the entity that runs the safe parking program in Redmond.

Mountain View Community Development has been offering safe parking in Redmond for three years now. According to Russell, the nonprofit has encountered several individuals who would benefit from the use of micro-shelters. Some of the folks looking to be part of the safe parking program, he said, will show up without a vehicle, or have an immovable or failing RV that they want to transition out of.

“That’s a really positive thing when someone is ready to get out of their RV and move on to something. If we can seize that moment, the chances of them really

being invested in working toward stable housing really go up,” he told the Source Weekly.

The City of Bend currently allows pod shelters in its safe parking code. Bend Church is one location that has offered micro-shelters in safe parking spaces for over two years now. The church has two pod shelters on its property, taking up about five of its parking spots.

“We have had zero problems with our people,” said Jen Stuart, lead pastor at Bend Church. “We’ve had multiple people find housing after being here. Our whole thought was just to show people, like, this isn’t scary.”

Russell spoke to Redmond city councilors on Jan. 6 during a council work session and urged them to take advantage of limited funding available for micro-shelters.

In June, Gov. Tina Kotek agreed to award Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council $1 million in shelter pod funding.

Today, according to Russell, about $450,000 remains from Kotek’s pod funding. As the funding expires in late June, Russell believes the city should act fast.

The Redmond City Council agreed to continue its discussion and make a decision at a future city council meeting.

16TH ANNUAL POLAR BEAR 5K/10K RUN

A FUN RUN TRADITION

Hosted by St. Thomas Academy, get ready to lace up your running shoes for the 16th Annual Polar Bear 5K/10K Run. This is a timed race for participants, and there will be food and fun to be had for all ages. Sat., Jan. 11, 9am-1pm at St. Thomas Parish Hall. 536 SW 12th St., Redmond. $40-$50.

LIVE STANDUP COMEDY: SAM MILLER

A NIGHT OF LAUGHS AT THE WINERY

Get ready for a night of laughter at Maragas Winery from nationally touring comedian Sam Miller. Miller’s jokes discuss his sobriety, being a parent and what jails are like in Yakima. Sat., Jan. 11, 7-9pm at Maragas Winery. 15523 SW Hwy 97, Culver. $30.

Bend Church has offered two pod shelters in its safe parking spaces for over two years.

Julianna LaFollette

One Woman’s Approach to Healing Chronic Pain

From New York to her home-based studio in Bend, Vance Bonner has spent the last half-century teaching people the Vance Stance — how to stand up straight

By Jennifer Baires

Vance Bonner has been teaching people how to move for 50 years.

Her life’s work, helping people learn to move in ways that will heal and prevent pain, began in 1974 in New York. Bonner, in her early 20s and just out of college at the time, happened to take an exercise class filled with ballerinas and dancers, all complaining of pain.

“They all looked odd to me,” she said, “and they were all saying to the teachers, ‘We have so much pain,’ and I’m saying to myself, at age 24, ‘Well, of course you do! You’re locking your knees, and you’re going swayback. I mean, of course, you’re in pain.’”

For anyone who has wrestled with chronic pain, that silent leech that slowly steals from those it inflicts the ability to do or find joy in everyday activities, the idea of being pain-free without surgery or medication can look like a mirage. Yet, Bonner claims that she’s helped people to find that healing through movement — and she has binders full of testimonials and online reviews to support the claim.

I first met with Bonner at her house in mid-December of last year to learn more about her life and career. Ever the caregiver, she greeted me at the door with offers of coffee, tea and water — and suggestions on how I could sit more comfortably while taking notes on her deep couch.

The coffee table in front of us was piled with material — her book, “The Vance Stance,” published in 1993, laid alongside binders chronicling her life and work over the last half-century. Flipping through, she showed me letters going back decades from former students thanking her for their healing.

Throughout my hour with Bonner, her eyes welled up multiple times. She asked me to ignore it, saying she cries during Hallmark movies now, too. Looking back on her life and remembering the twists of fate, the people who helped her along the way, and those she helped, moved her.

“It all began at Newton College of the Sacred Heart,” she said, voice thick with emotion.

After Newton College, she went to New York where she developed her movement program for the ballerinas she met in that first exercise class. The program is known as the Vance Stance, or “The Bonner System of Structural Reprogramming.” At its essence, Bonner teaches how to stand and move “in gravity, not behind it,” meaning not locking one’s knees so that the spine can lift appropriately. It’s a practice she developed from observation and education — Bonner earned a doctorate in health sciences from Columbia Pacific University in 1988.

Over her career, Bonner has led seminars in packed auditoriums, spoke at the National Institutes of Health, worked with professional athletes and taught other healers how to take her life’s work and apply it to their practices. But for nearly 30 years, she’s lived in Bend, working in the community and teaching private lessons from a humble studio in the back of her house.

“So, I’m in this little house, and I thought, I cannot go out and try to stir up business,” Bonner said, recalling when she first moved to Bend in the mid-’90s. “I don’t like to do that. I just want to work with people, not from anything fabulously self-serving; it’s just something I know works, and people go crazy when they meet it.”

As luck would have it, Bonner met a woman who

connected her with the head of Central Oregon Community College, and a decade of work teaching the community her methods through the college followed.

On another visit with Bonner, I observed her working with a couple of clients. Cindy Perry and Larry Peck started taking classes with her last spring.

Gone is the reminiscing, philosophical Bonner. Now, she is in full teacher mode. With authority, she directed the room — not just the couple, but me as well. She wanted to ensure that I was in the best place to capture and understand the work. Bonner was observant throughout, adjusting legs, arms and heads as needed. Pushing or pulling to provide deeper stretches and oscillating between encouraging and demanding in her feedback.

I left the trio less than an hour later, and already, the couple were sweating. In that short time, they were both pushed physically to move in ways their bodies hadn’t before. Both said they would be back again soon. Two more lives touched by the Vance Stance.

Vance Bonner is offering readers a free copy of her book, “The Vance Stance.” Email vancebonner@juno.com or call (541) 330-9070 for a free copy.

During a recent session, Vance Bonner works with clients Cindy Perry and Larry Peck.

Jennifer Baires

Jennifer Baires

Why a Float in a Pod Might Reduce Anxiety

ChillWell in Bend offers the region’s only commercially available reduced sensory stimulation tanks, and the health claims are many

By Jennifer Baires

The start of a new year brings resolutions aplenty. Among the top for many is focusing on health by eating cleaner and moving more, but a recently opened spot in Bend offers a lower bar to entry for health and wellness — floating away built-up stress, anxiety and troubles one hour at a time.

ChillWell opened last September as an expansion of a concept that owner Bryan Messmer first launched in 2018 with his float pod-only business, Easy Float. Since then, the company has rebranded as ChillWell and expanded its offerings to include infrared saunas and cold plunge tubs. And while Messmer is planning on adding more services — an outdoor barrel sauna is coming in the next few weeks — the float pods that brought him into the health and wellness space remain a core part of his services.

In a float pod, the tank is filled with just enough skin-temperature water for a person to float (around 10 inches deep) and enough dissolved Epsom salt to create a cradling buoyancy for the user. The tanks at ChillWell are smooth white, egg-shaped vessels that recall sci-fi space pods. A large latch at the top allows for easy entry and gives the floater control over how much light and sound they want to allow in the tank with them. Closing it all the way and turning off the interior light will seal out nearly all light and sound. That, combined with the water temperature and complete buoyancy, turns down, or off, the user’s senses. The aim is to surrender to the float and in so doing enter a hypnagogic state, or the threshold of consciousness — the transitional phase from wakefulness to sleep.

A 2023 report out of the University of California, Merced, analyzed existing research on floatation tanks, first invented in the mid-1950s, and found that: “Many studies have shown this technique to be beneficial in treating ailments such as anxiety, chronic pain, and other conditions associated with stress and muscle tension.”

Quoting one study’s results, the report said, “a single one-hour session of Floatation-REST was capable of inducing a strong reduction in state anxiety and a substantial improvement in mood in a group of 50 anxious and depressed participants spanning a range of different anxiety and stress-related disorders.”

It’s a dreamy promise, one that I — a mom of two young children and a full-time reporter for this paper

— was eager to test out at ChillWell, the only commercially available floating option in the area. My slight discomfort with enclosed spaces and (ahem) very minor control issues aside, what was there to lose?

Messmer said he first tried floating over a decade ago to help improve his sleep.

“I could fall asleep, but I couldn’t stay asleep,” Messmer said. “Like clockwork, every morning I would wake up at 3am, and floating made the biggest difference. I tried a bunch of different stuff to try to better rest, but a float tank made such a huge difference.”

He quickly turned from skeptic to believer and

The aim is to surrender to the float and in so doing enter a hypnagogic state, or the threshold of consciousness — the transitional phase from wakefulness to sleep.

has helped others experience the benefits of floating. Among his repeat clients, Messmer said, are people managing stress and anxiety, recovering from traumatic brain injury, dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and training for endurance events.

“It is pretty approachable,” Messmer said. “It’s meant to be relaxed, like, all recovery, no fitness.”

Setting my reservations aside and holding on to the promise that one hour of doing nothing would help me feel more relaxed and less stressed, I visited ChillWell in December for a float.

Inside, the spa is clean and modern. The main area holds the saunas and plunge tubs, and a narrow hallway to the left is where the two pods are housed in private rooms. Check-in was brief; I was instructed to rinse off well before to avoid contaminating the pod with lotion or conditioner and was also provided earplugs so I wouldn’t end up with ears full of Epsom salt. The attendant gave me some basic instructions about safety and how to control my experience by choosing to keep the interior light on, closing the latch to my preferred

spot and using a foam disk under my head if I was having trouble relaxing my neck and trusting the water’s buoyancy. Then I was left alone.

Upon entering the pod, I initially found the skin-temperature water disconcerting. The act of feeling nothing is hard to get used to. But, I was committed to the full experience and so I swiftly laid down, turned off the light and shut the latch, launching myself into blackness and silence. Within moments, I was spinning in circles. OK, not literal circles. While the pods are spacious, they’re not wide enough to accommodate 360s. However, the immediate feeling I had was like a compass needle trying to find north. Absent sensory input, my brain was lost. I grasped around for the light and managed to find it quite easily. Turns out I was not drifting in space, and it was still an inch or two from my hand, but I cracked the latch for good measure.

Over time and with experimentation, I did find some calm during my hour-long float. Leaving, I felt the kind of deep relaxation I usually associate with a good massage. I did not enter a hypnagogic state or experience any revelations or hallucinations; I did sleep better that night.

Weeks later, on a call with Messmer, he said, “We have a joke in the industry: If you’ve floated once you haven’t floated.”

He said that though it may sound self-serving, it’s important to float multiple times to get the full experience — hence the monthly membership that discounts a float from $69 an hour to $49 for one float a month.

Messmer acknowledges that it isn’t for everyone and that even he “falls off the wagon” sometimes.

“I’m a once-a-month floater until I fall off my New Year’s resolution somewhere around June,” he said. “This is the year where I’m going keep doing it,” he added, with a laugh, “because I know every time I do it, I think, ‘What took me so long to get back into this?’ Because you leave feeling just better.”

—These stories are 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.

Photos courtesy of Chill Well

Meeting Your Financial Goals in 2025

As the new year begins, get some tips on reaching financial goals

By Julianna LaFollette

It’s no secret that the cost of living in Central Oregon is high and continues to grow. As many individuals hope to start the new year off with fresh financial goals, local financial advisor Emma James with Rosell Wealth Management shared some tips to help individuals reach those objectives.

Take Inventory

According to James, financial goals are one of the main resolutions people have in mind when they think of the new year. Instead of focusing first on budgeting, James recommends people take a step back and assess their situation.

“There are so many articles out there about how to put yourself on a budget, reduce your spending, go through all of your subscriptions and cancel the subscriptions that you don’t need as a way of reducing your spending,” she said. “I find that for most people who are starting off the new year wondering what to do with their financial picture, the biggest thing that they can do is just first take an inventory of where they are right now.”

Rather than attempting to track all of their spending, it’s best to start off by taking a snapshot of where they are financially, James said. For some people, that means overcoming the fear of looking at their bank account, checking their 401K and identifying how much debt they have and the percentage of interest they’re paying.

“I find that the number one obstacle to getting a

head start in the new year is having the courage to overcome the fear of looking at what is actually happening right now,” she said.

Make Goals

After looking at their financial standing, James encourages people to identify their goals and what they want to accomplish in the new year. Depending on the person, these goals could include a decrease in spending overall, buying a house in the next two years, eliminating debt, making a financial plan or increasing their investment savings.

“I like to encourage that exploration because that really gets into the desire and the passion for implementing something that year,” James told the Source Weekly. “If it’s a specific thing that they have in mind, like buying a home, then that’s a much more tangible goal, as opposed to, ‘I just want to be financially fit,’ which is a huge, overwhelming task.”

Take Advantage of Resources

For people looking to accomplish a goal, various financial resources can make a big impact in getting there. While resources can help people achieve their goals, the type of resource depends on the person and what their end goal is.

“For example, if you wanted to have a budget and identify how much you were spending so that you could reduce some of those costs, there are a lot of resources out there that are free or relatively inexpensive that

I encourage a lot of people to go out, find and explore,” James said.

When it comes to financial advice and wellness, there is usually a barrier between the people who need access to that resource, James said, as it can often be expensive to meet with a financial advisor. For people looking to connect with resources that meet their income needs, James noted a number of alternative methods.

People can take various financial and business courses at the local library and get financial planning help from nonprofits, including 3rd Decade, which offers free personalized financial guidance and education to young adults.

“Those kinds of tools can help with the accountability, making sure that those things actually happen for that person,” she said.

What Does It Cost to Live in Central Oregon?

Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga

Angie Norwood, Owner

155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112

541-588-2480 continuum-yoga.com

Regular yoga practice improves physical function, increases mental clarity and fortifies the inner power structure. If you’re considering starting (or re-starting) yoga, try these principles – popularized by tennis legend Arthur Ashe – to support you:

1. Start where you are

If you’re new to yoga, find a beginner class. If you’re navigating an injury, choose therapeutic or restorative yoga. If you want to dive deep, commit to a workshop or private session. Being honest about where you are helps build traction over time.

2. Use what you have

Your unique profile of time, money and psychological resources will leverage change. If you have a free evening, start with one class. If you have interest, research local studios. If you have financial resources, purchase a monthly membership to motivate you. Use the tools at your disposal to uproot inertia.

3. Do what you can

Start small. If you want to cut back on sugar, you might start by skipping it in your daily coffee. And if you want to practice yoga, start with something you can tackle without restructuring your life. Lasting change takes time, so be patient—and remember, if it were easy, you’d already be doing it.

At Evoke, we go beyond the typical massage to deliver a truly transformative experience tailored to your unique needs, desires, and health concerns. Our serene space is infused with the energy of powerful crystals, Far Eastern artwork, and sacred symbols, all designed to heal and recharge you from the moment you step inside.

We invite you to stop by for a tour or

Wild Heart Therapy & Consulting

Savanna DeLuca, LPC, CCAT Blissful Heart Wellness Center

45 NW Greeley Ave, Bend, OR 97703

541-363-7116 wildhearttc.org

Unlock Your Potential with Somatic Therapy

Heal Deeply with Wild Heart Therapy & Consulting

What if you could achieve weeks of emotional healing in just one day? At Wild Heart Therapy in Bend, Oregon, we help busy professionals, therapy veterans, and those feeling stuck break free from old patterns and rediscover balance. Using cutting-edge methods like brainspotting and somatic practices, we guide you toward lasting transformation.

Our clients often report life-changing breakthroughs after their first somatic therapy intensive—results they hadn’t achieved in years of traditional therapy.

Our Offerings:

Somatic Therapy Intensives: Deep healing in 1-3 days—perfect for busy schedules or accelerated growth.

Weekly Therapy: Fosters secure attachment, transforming relationships and emotional resilience.

Somatic Summer Camp: A rejuvenating retreat blending mindfulness, movement, and nature-based therapy.

Special Offer: Mention this ad and receive 20% off Somatic Therapy Intensives if you book by Friday, 1/31!

Discover Wellness at Evoke Healing Space

Mosaic Community Health - Pediatrics Team

Bend . Redmond . Madras . Prineville . Sisters

MosaicCH.org . 541-383-3005

Addie and Jasper’s Story: Building trust with compassionate care

At three weeks old, baby Jasper still struggled to open his right eye, raising concerns for his mother, Addie Delong. During a routine postpartum checkup at Mosaic Community Health in Bend, she shared these worries with lactation consultant Tierra Link. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Tierra promptly elevated the urgency of Jasper’s appointment for further examination.

“His little eye was closed, but you could see he was kind of squinting with the other eye,” Link said. “You could definitely see his eye wasn’t opening all the way. I went to find a provider who could see Jasper right away.”

Within 30 minutes, Mosaic pediatrician Rebecca Hicks was able to evaluate Jasper’s eye. This exam initiated a whirlwind of a day for Delong that was stressful and emotional, but which provided important answers for her and baby Jasper thanks to the Mosaic care team.

“Within one day, I had my concerns met,” Delong said. “We had a diagnosis by the end of the day, and we had our case in front of surgeons in Portland. That was a kind of response that I really didn’t expect.”

An Integrated Community of Caregivers

“When I first walked in the room, I saw the look on mom’s face,” Dr. Hicks recalled from that day. “She was worried. I’ve seen Addie and Jasper multiple times, and they just looked di erent. So I quickly grabbed my endoscope to look into Jasper’s eye.”

This wasn’t easy, though. Jasper didn’t want to open his eye, so Dr. Hicks swaddled him, turned out the lights, and held him for 15 minutes before she

could get a clear look. The condition of the eye concerned her enough that she immediately texted local ophthalmologist Dr. John Davis, who replied within a few minutes that he wanted to see the baby right away.

While such an immediate response from a specialist was welcomed by Delong, the continual rise in urgency was startling, and she became emotional.

“I’ve cried in front of doctors before, but never like that,” said Delong. “But Dr. Hicks handled it so well. She sat down with me. She got emotional with me. She said that she’s a mother, too, and she understands it’s tough, but that they’re going to do everything to get me through this.”

Jasper was diagnosed with a serious eye condition called persistent fetal vasculature and microphthalmia. And though the care team got him in to see a retinal eye specialist surgeon within days, the condition was deemed inoperable. This means Jasper will not have vision in his right eye.

Generating Strength Through Support

Despite the final diagnosis, Delong remained positive. Jasper’s condition impacted just one eye, so he will grow up with vision in the other.

“I hate to say it could be worse, but that’s true in this case,” she said. “We’re just very thankful for the support we got, especially from the people at Mosaic. It was an emotional day, but I felt very much cared for.”

Dr. Hicks agreed, pointing out that cases like this demonstrate the importance of relationships between caregivers and patients, as well as throughout entire care teams.

“Despite a poor prognosis, my ability to take the time, to show the patient’s family that I really care, mattered to them,” she said. “It built trust between us that is very precious to me.”

Addie’s resilience throughout the ordeal also stood out to Dr. Hicks, who said she had never seen a parent handle a di cult diagnosis so graciously or with such balance and poise.

Delong credits a strong personal support system for helping weather this storm. Yet, the immediacy of Mosaic’s response helped assure her that her child’s health was being taken seriously by all the right people—and within hours, not days.

“If we felt we weren’t being understood and supported or getting help quickly, that would have been a huge mess,” Delong said. “Mosaic made sure we weren’t sitting in the unknown for too long. Dr. Hicks made sure we weren’t sitting around and wondering what’s wrong with our baby. They got us answers right away, and I do think that was a big part of how I was able to stay strong throughout all this.”

This level of personal, hands-on care has continued, Delong said, even as Jasper continues follow-up visits with specialists.

“Even now, as his main provider, Dr. Hicks is really keeping tabs on things,” she said. “She’s keeping track of other appointments we’re having and keeping all the threads together—even checking with us to see how appointments went and how she can help. We’re just so thankful.”

The Ins and Outs of Medical Bills for motor vehicle

injuries

So, you’ve been in a crash or maybe as a pedestrian or cyclist, you were hit by a car. You’re handling injuries and now you have to navigate a process to deal with three separate insurance companies: your auto insurance, their auto insurance, and health insurance. Here

important – your health and getting back on your feet.

Medical bills:

There’s a priority order of who pays an injured party’s medical bills. Every insurance policy issued in Oregon, by law, has Personal Injury Protection, PIP, that provides a minimum $15,000 for medical services for each individual who is that, health insurance is generally next in line to pay.

number to medical providers so they can bill the auto insurance directly. Do this as soon as possible, so there’s

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

If you were a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a car, you’re entitled to PIP coverage through your own auto insurance give to medical providers. If you don’t have auto insurance, your health insurance is primary. If you do not have auto or health, you can get PIP through auto insurance of the person who hit you.

If it was someone else’s fault, don’t worry about your insurance getting reimbursed by the at fault driver’s insurance. Insurance companies have their own process to get reimbursed. PIP was designed so injured parties can immediately get the medical treatment they need without waiting on a determination of whose fault it was.

If you use up your PIP, ask the insurance company to send you a copy of what’s called an “exhaust letter” indicating that you’ve used up the coverage. Provide that letter to your providers and health insurance, so your ask your PIP carrier to provide you with a ledger to keep track of your bills and know how much you have left.

If PIP wants to send you to an Independent Medical Examination, this generally means they want to see if you need to continue to treat. Consult an attorney to discuss your options. Ignoring their request entirely will give them the opportunity to deny coverage for additional treatment.

underinsured motorist coverage, as it provides protection in the event you are hit by someone who has no

Lost wages: Under Oregon law, PIP coverage also includes a wage loss provision under If coverage will want to see that along with a paystub to issue payment.

Final Tip: Don't be afraid to contact an attorney with questions. Most personal injuries attorneys will provide a consult free of charge. If you have any questions about this process - even if you don’t want to hire an attorney, but just want some questions answered - please feel free to give us a call.

SOURCE PICKS

WEDNESDAY 1/8

DJANGO JAZZ NIGHT

LIVELY SWING MUSIC AT SILVER MOON

Listen to elegant, high-class blends of traditional and modern swing music from Haute Melange in the heart of Bend for a night of hot club, Romani jazz. Wed., Jan. 8, 6pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $10.

WEDNESDAY 1/8

SKI FILM NIGHT

JAW-DROPPING SKI FOOTAGE

Swing by Bunk+Brew for an evening of epic ski films and enjoy thrilling footage, good drinks and great company happening every Wednesday. Wed., Jan. 8, 6-9pm at Bunk+Brew. 42 NW Hawthorne Ave., Bend. Free

THURSDAY 1/9

“THE PROM” PREVIEW NIGHT

A SNEAK PEEK OF A HEARTWARMING PLAY

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PHOTOGRAPHY

LEARN ABOUT WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

Join the wildlife team at the High Desert Museum to learn about and photograph wildlife. Experienced photographers will be available to assist participants with camera techniques. Sat., Jan. 11, 10am-2pm at High Desert Museum. 59800 S. Hwy 97, Bend. $150. SATURDAY

INTERNATIONAL FLY-FISHING FILM FESTIVAL

A CELEBRATION OF FRIENDSHIP, STORIES AND STOKE

The world’s leading fly-fishing film event consists of premium films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe and showcases the passion, lifestyle and culture of fly-fishing. The film festival is a gathering place for the fly-fishing community and will feature local filmmaker RA Beattie’s new film, “The Silent Spot ter.” Sat., Jan. 11, 7-9pm Tower Theatre. 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $25.

Enjoy a night of theater by watching the preview of the play “The Prom.” Expertly capturing all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy, the play has a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever. Catch a chance to see the heartwarming play from Jan. 10-26. Thu., Jan. 9, 7:30-10pm at Cascade Theatrical Company. 148 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Free. SATURDAY 1/11

SUNDAY 1/12

THINK WILD: WINE AND PAINT NIGHT

CREATE A WILDLIFE PAINTING

Embark on a cozy evening of wine and painting led by wildlife educator and artist Becca LiPuma from Think Wild. Sip on some wine while learning different techniques to create a wildlife painting to take home with you! Sun., Jan. 12, 1-3pm and 4-6pm at Stoller Wine Bar. 555 NW Arizona Ave., Ste. 30, Bend. $50.

SUNDAY 1/12

BAD BAD HATS WITH PARTY NAILS

DANCE TO INDIE-POP TUNES

Bad Bad Hats bring catchy, heartfelt indie-pop music with intimate melodic hooks that create an infectious sound. See the performance along with opener Party Nails for a night of danceable beats and fun anthems. Sun., Jan. 12, 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub. 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $20-$30.

SUNDAY 1/12

VILLALOBOS BROTHERS

MEXICAN, FOLK AND JAZZ MUSIC

Grammy Award-winning, family band Villalobos Brothers is recognized as one of the foremost contemporary Mexican ensembles in the world. With a unique fusion of Mexican, folk, jazz and classical music, the Villalobos Brothers have captivated audiences across the United States, Mexico, India, Russia and Canada. Sun., Jan. 12, 7:30pm at Tower Theatre. 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $24-$54.

TUESDAY 1/14

PUZZLED PINT

BEER, PUZZLES AND ENJOYMENT

Come solve word and logic puzzles that often incorporate crossword clues, code breaking, word play and logic problems. Puzzled Pint is a casual, social, puzzle-solving event happening at rotating bars on the second Tuesday of the month. Tue., Jan. 14, 6-9pm at Sunriver Brewing Eastside Pub. 1500 NE Cushing Dr., Bend. Free.

Jeshua Marshall

laurelh

nicoles

Robert

Beattie

Tower Theatre

S SOUND Shook Twins: Separate but Connected

After

36 years of close partnership, the sisters harmoniously navigate the intentional space between them

By Chris Young

Sisters Katelyn and Laurie Shook have spent more time together than most siblings. While the identical twins from Sandpoint, Idaho, are best known for weaving vocal harmonies and plucked banjo strings into their own idiosyncratic brand of danceable folkpop as the eponymous Shook Twins, they are not as inseparable today as they’ve been for the majority of their lives.

From singing in grade school choir, to enrolling at the University of Idaho in Moscow, to moving to Portland, the sisters — together — have always been cornerstones of their musical community. So, what does life look like now that one half of the duo got married and moved back to Sandpoint?

“Our lives have been a lot different since COVID, really. Everything really shifted career-wise for us,” Laurie Shook tells the Source Weekly. In 2019, “we were feeling like we wanted a huge change.” They talked about taking “a big break, maybe like two years,” she laughs. “We definitely did that.”

Katelyn moved back to Sandpoint in 2020 and “started working at our hometown theater,” Laurie says, “and I’ve just been hopping in other people’s bands or doing other little things.”

“We changed the way we framed our career, and it’s not all based on us driving around singing our songs, you know. It’s a lot less pressure, and I think it’s been really helpful. And living apart from Katelyn has also been really helpful,” Laurie says.

“We spent 36 years living together and living in a van together, and so I think the space is really welcomed. And our relationship has shifted quite a bit. Not seeing each other every day, it’s kind of wild, but it’s really wonderful. The time spent now is more poignant,” she explains.

What was once a steady but wearisome city-to-city, festival-to-festival hustle has also slowed to an intentional and meaningful pace. “Now, we play like eight shows a year. We just play the ones that mean the most and satisfy us the most, and it’s been a really wonderful shift,” Laurie says. Those gigs include playing Central Oregon’s Cascade Equinox Festival with bestie John Craigie this past September and a string of dates with the all-woman supergroup and ’90s pop cover band Sideboob, which embarked on a Pacific Northwest tour this past Halloween that was coordinated by Laurie.

“I really love being a side person, where it’s not my art upholding everybody’s livelihoods and, you know, it’s not, like, all on my shoulders,” Laurie says. “I just get to be in someone else’s band… it’s wonderful, low pressure.” She’s done this with Craigie and singer/ songwriter Anna Moss, who both twins sing with on the 2024 single “Gravy.”

Solo gigs happen from time to time, but “it’s not something I’m yearning to do, because I’m so used to having a twin to perform with and harmonizing, and I definitely prefer playing with people,” Laurie tells.

This is exactly what she’ll do to kick off 2025, starting with six Shook Twins’ dates in Oregon and Washington this month. Sharing the stage with soaring Portland pop rockers Glitterfox, the sisters, per usual, will intertwine their vocals, with Katelyn playing guitar and Laurie the banjo. Longtime bandmate Niko Slice will provide additional guitar, mandolin and bass, plus Aber Miller will join on keys and bass and Alex

Radakovich on drums. They’ll play Sisters’ The Belfry on Saturday, Jan. 18, and you can expect some onstage collaborations between the bands.

Just before hitting the road, Shook Twins will also release the new folk-disco track called “Hand Up,” singing the refrain, “I'll just keep my hand up and hope that someone sees me.”

“This song is like an old grade school feeling of wanting to be picked, to be recognized for something well done — balanced with the mystic of tryin’ to give zero Fs about what people think and what streaming platform playlist curators deem ‘good’ in today’s shifting landscape of how we consume and appreciate music. How does a hand get picked among 100,000 songs released per day?” Katelyn Shook writes.

“Hand Up” will be featured as part of the tour set, “and then we’re also gonna sing another new one that’s about raising a baby,” Laurie says, revealing that her sister is also expecting this year. “We recorded an album last May,” she continues. “We don’t quite have the album release plan; it’s not fully done yet. We’re just taking it real slow, just because Katelyn, you know… it’s been tricky trying to plan things around her trying to make a baby.”

For the time being, “we’re just kind of sitting on it, like a golden egg.”

Shook Twins with Glitterfox Sat., Jan. 18, 7pm The Belfry

302 East Main Ave., Sisters Sold out

Expect some onstage collaborations between the Shook Twins, above, and Glitterfox when the Portland acts share The Belfry stage on Jan. 18 in Sisters.

Sam Gehrke

Sam Gehrke

Get moving this season and beyond. Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, Larkspur Community Center and The Pavilion feature fitness, swim and skating activities and amenities for all ages and abilities.

5 Pools including 50-Meter Pool & Current Channel 2 Fitness Centers Indoor Track Fitness Studios Cycling Studio Spa Features NHL-Sized Ice/Roller Rink

250+ WEEKLY FITNESS CLASSES, SWIM SESSIONS & SKATE SESSIONS: Lap Swim Masters Swim Recreation Swim Water Fitness Strength & Conditioning Indoor Cycling

THREE LOCATIONS:

Juniper Swim & Fitness Center in NE Bend Larkspur Community Center in SE Bend The Pavilion in SW Bend

Scan to learn more. CHOOSE FROM A VARIETY OF PASSES

Schedules, fees and details at bendparksandrec.org

DROP-IN CLASSES & SESSIONS: No reservations needed • Single- and multi-visit passes.

SAVE WITH 30-DAY, QUARTERLY & ANNUAL PASSES:

Unlimited in & out privileges • No initiation fee • Great value Partner and family discounts.

CHILDCARE AVAILABLE:

Register in advance or drop-in • Ages 6 months to 6 years • Located at Juniper Swim & Fitness Center.

NO-COST & LOW-COST PASSES THROUGH HEALTH INSURANCE & SCHOLARSHIPS: Learn more about eligibility at bendparksandrec.org/passes.

CALENDAR

8 Wednesday

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company

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

Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 John Shipe Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music from John Snipe. 6-8pm. Free.

Deschutes Brewery & Public House

Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Head Games multi-media trivia is at Deschutes Bend Public House every Wednesday. Win prizes. Teams up to six. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

JC’s Bar & Grill WING-skey Wednesdays + TRIVIA Wednesdays at JC’s are a triple threat: $0.75 wings, killer whiskey specials and trivia kicking off at 7pm. Bring your A-game for our infamous “physical challenge” (think limbo and musical chairs!) and a night full of laughs and flavor. Don’t miss out - It’s the best midweek party in town! 7pm. 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.

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

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

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

The Commonwealth Pub American Redux Americana Redux is an eclectic “Americana” musical trio featuring Mitch Gordon (guitar and vocals), Keith Borman (bass and vocals), Neil Girard (drums, percussion and vocals). 6:30pm. Free.

9 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. 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 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.

Mountain Burger Ali Renee at Mountain Burger Thursday night live at Mountain Burger is Ali Renee. 5-7pm. Free.

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

River’s Place Popcorn Instruments pop tunes. You know you love them all. 6-8pm. Free.

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

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

Stoller Wine Bar Bend Barringer & Baker

Mark Barringer; guitar and vocals, and Bob Baker; violin, are back again at their favorite Bend hang. They bring to life creative musical arrangements of songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Reservations are recommended and can be made at the Stoller website. 6-8pm. Free.

The Commonwealth Pub Anderson Koenig Anderson Knight Koenig is a Bend-based singer/ songwriter who also goes by Billy when playing with the band Billy and the Box Kid. With his percussive rhythm guitar style, he tells stories about his life through music. 7:30pm. Free.

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

10 Friday

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 JuJu Eyeball Bend’s Beatles band JuJu Eyeball plays your favorite Fab 4 tunes. 7pm. $10.

Wildwood Bar & Grill Grits n’ Gravy Grits n’ Gravy, formerly known as the Dry Canyon Trio, is a smaller version of the full band, Dry Canyon Stampede. A folksy take on traditional country music featuring Lilli Worona, Mike Biggers and Kurt Silva! 7-10pm. Free.

11 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.

LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

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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.

Maragas Winery Live Standup Comedy - Sam Miller Doors open at 6:30, show at 7pm. Sam Miller is a nationally touring comedian. He has headlined multiple major comedy clubs including The Laugh Factory in Chicago. He’s on a nationally syndicated radio show and has written for Newsweek. Seating is first come, first served inside our Winery. 7-9pm. $30.

River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Mikey Bilello & Beverly Anderson, award-winning finger style guitar player and singer/songwriter. Soul, R&B, blues, jazz. 6-8pm. Free.

River’s Place Mikey Bilello with Beverly Anderson Two of Bend’s finest musicians, award-winning finger style guitar player Mikey Bilello, and singer/songwriter Beverly Anderson share the stage. Come hear your favorites ranging from Soul, R&B, blues, jazz. 6pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing The Crazy Happy Silly Funny Nerdy Show: A “Comedy Forward” Variety Show Crazy, silly, happy, funny and nerdy are more than just adjectives, they’re attributes we’re putting on stage in this “comedy forward” variety show called “The Crazy Happy Silly Funny Nerdy Show.” 7-9pm. $17.

The Commonwealth Pub The Rumpeppers The Rumpeppers is a dynamic rock band hailing from Central Oregon, known for its high-energy performances and engaging presence in the local music scene. The band comprises members Zeus Guelfex, Paul Streichan, Scott Kanavel, and Logan Drums. 8pm. Free.

The Oxford Hotel Jazz At The Oxford Saturday Morning Concerts & Educational Workshops With jazz, soul and R&B artists-Shaun Labelle, Stokely & Steve Cole. They performed Friday night on the very same stage. All community members are encouraged to come. Listen, enjoy and Interact with the artist(s). Musicians-bring your instruments, “sit-in” and be coached by the pro’s. Hosted by Georges Bouhey. www.desertjazz. net 11am-1pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Celebrity Jell-O Wrestling & DJ Dance Party - A Bend Women’s Rugby Fundraiser The Bend Lady Roughriders are hosting Celebrity Jell-O wrestling followed by a dance party w/ DJ Lord Queen Cole! All ticket sales go toward the Bend Women’s Rugby team’s upcoming season. Premium and VIP Splash zone seats available! 6pm-Midnight. $10.

Wildwood Bar & Grill That 90’s Band Unplugged Playing your favorite nostalgic rock hits unplugged. That ‘90s Band will take you right back there! 7-10pm. Free.

12 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.

Playful Paws Cat Cafe Cat Breed Bingo Cat lovers, join us for Cat Breed Bingo! Enjoy a fun evening of bingo, cat cuddles, and prizes—perfect for ages 8+. $25 includes several rounds and cat lounge access. Bring friends or family for a meowtastic time! Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today for this purr-fect event! 4-6pm. $25.

Formed in Minneapolis, Minn., Bad Bad Hats bring catchy, indie-pop music and infectious sounds to Bend. Sun., Jan. 12, 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub.

Courtesy Bad Bad Hats FB

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 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 Ben Johnson Country western/ folk singer Ben Johnson performs at River’s Place. 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.

Tower Theatre Villalobos Brothers The Villalobos Brothers is a GRAMMY-Award-winning family band, recognized as one of the foremost Contemporary Mexican ensembles in the world. With its unique fusion of Mexican folk, jazz, and classical music, the group has captivated audiences across the United States, Mexico, India, Russia, and Canada. 7:30pm. $24-$54.

Unofficial Logging Co. Sunday Matinee Music Series Sunday Matinee Live Music Series. Featuring local Central Oregon musician favorites. Family friendly! Presented by: Unofficial Logging Co. & DMM Music LLC. 5-7pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Bad Bad Hats w/ Party Nails Bad Bad Hats and Party Nails are known for their infectious indie-pop sound, but they bring unique flavors to the mix. Bad Bad Hats: Catchy, heartfelt indie-pop with intimate melodic hooks. Party Nails: A blend of synth-pop and indie electronica delivering danceable beats and emotionaly charged anthems. 7pm. $20-$30.

13 Monday

Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Locavore Start the New Year with Bingo with Bren in support of Central Oregon Locavore! Win cash prizes while supporting local food and farmers. Don’t miss the chance to win big and make a difference! $2 per card, Cash only! 6-8pm. $2.

Bridge 99 Brewery Trivia Mondays at Bridge 99 Trivia Mondays at 6:30pm at Bridge 99 Brewery with Useless Knowledge Bowl. It’s no ordinary trivia night, Team up to win house gift cards! Great brews, cocktails, and more. In-house menu and food truck options available! It’s free to play. Indoor and outdoor seating available. 63063 Layton Ave, Bend. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.

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.

River’s Place Monday Night Football Wild Card Round! $3 Pints and brewery swag giveaways. We have had so much fun all season with MNF so we are excited that we get to sneak in another one. 5-8pm. 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.

14 Tuesday

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.

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.

Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger Come to Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Fun and prizes await! 7:30-9pm. Free.. River’s Place Bingo! Have fun, win $$, and support a local nonprofit organization! Cards $1-$5. 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Cyrus Nabipoor Jazz Trumpeter A distinctive voice both on the horn and in his songwriting, Cyrus’ singular sound has garnered him international acclaim. He has been a featured festival artist at PDX Jazz, Cathedral Park, Montavilla Jazz, New Orleans French Quarter and Chicago Instigation. 7pm. $13.

Sunriver Brewing Eastside Pub

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

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

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

A trumpeter, composer, bandleader and educator with a distinctive voice, Nabipoor performs his jazz tunes at Silver Moon. Tue., Jan. 14, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing.

Courtesy Cyrus Nabipoor

provide direct services to

of human trafficking in Central

and

The at:project supports adult and minor survivors of human trafficking across Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties, as well as the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We provide assistance at every stage - from crisis to stabilization, connecting survivors with the resources they need to heal and thrive. Our approach prioritizes emotional, physical, and legal protection while honoring each individual’s unique identity, culture, and experiences.

As part of J Bar J Youth Services, we are committed to a healing-centered approach tailored to each person, both minors and adults

Since 2010, January has been recognized as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, educate, and shed light on an issue that impacts individuals, families, and communities. Let’s work together to build a safer, more supportive world.

What is human trafficking?

Human trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various purposes, including forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Is human trafficking the same as human smuggling?

Human trafficking is often confused with human smuggling, which involves illegal border crossings. In fact, human trafficking does not require any movement whatsoever.

Who are the traffickers?

There is no typical trafficker. Family members and caregivers, intimate partners, and employers are the main recruiters (Polaris, 2020).

Why do those who experience trafficking stay?

Very frequently, people who experience human trafficking don’t have the necessities, such as a house, food, or transportation. Some are afraid for their safety or have been manipulated so that they do not identify that they are under the control of another person.

What makes someone vulnerable to human trafficking?

Human trafficking is sustained by systemic inequalities. Some risk factors that can make individuals more vulnerable include among others: poverty, history of abuse or trauma, substance abuse, immigration status, and lack of social support.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

“Several of grateful to them

“I’ve gone to the at:project at my absolute lowest point, and with kindness and support offered by the at:project, I no longer identify with the broken girl I used to be!”

“The at:project literally changed my life.”

“Super thankful to be connected with the at:project.”

“Don’t be afraid to take that step.”

“I never would be safe and healthy relationships At:project to be kind supported figure out my life

“Without the at:project and amazing advocates wouldn’t have place or the that I have now out them! They truly been one biggest blessings in my life!”

“At:project has helped me find the tools to be independent and confident in all areas of my life.”

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: SURVIVORS’ VOICES

our clients agreed to share with you, their gratitude. We are them for their willingness to shine a light on their experiences.

never thought it be possible to feel and know what relationships are. helped me learn kind to myself and me in helping me out what I wanted life to look like.”

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the at:project, super thankful for at:projects support!”

“I never thought anyone could possibly understand what I went through. At:project helped me realize that I’m not alone. Having support from others who know what it’s like to go through this has helped me feel less alone

“at:project has helped me have faith in hopefulness.”

“Hoping the at:project can grow as an organization to be able to reach more struggling individuals out there that needs help finding their voice!”

“at:project has helped me go from not knowing how to help myself, to being the rock of my family, as well as being able to help and support many others that are struggling!”

“They have helped me so much within these past couple of months for example housing, school and other things I needed help with to get back on track in my life which I am so insanely grateful for!” the and the advocates I have a help now withThey have of the blessings life!”

“Everyone deserves to feel cared for, when you feel like you don’t have anyone, there’s always the at:project, with an amazing advocate offering meaningful support!!!”

“I never imagined I would be where I am todayAll thanks to the at:project.”

“I believe I have been very successful and fortunate for the things the at:project has provided. Everyone is very supportive and has helped me get through many obstacles I wouldn’t have been able to get through on my own.”

“At:project has helped me feel empowered through my journey, I am now confidently on my two feet and know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.”

Providing Leadership for our Region’s Human Trafficking Response Team

The at:project leads the Anti- Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon (ATACO), a task force comprising agencies in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties. ATACO, a certified multidisciplinary team under the Oregon Department of Justice, coordinates and maximizes local resources for a comprehensive response to suspected and confirmed human trafficking cases in

Central Oregon. The team is committed to a comprehensive approach to addressing both sex and labor trafficking, including identifying and recovering victims; proactively investigating, identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting those engaged in human trafficking; and providing trauma-informed, victimcentered services to those impacted by human trafficking.

ATACO Member Agencies:

• at:project

• Bend La Pine School District

• Bend Police Department

• BestCare Crook County

• CASA of Central Oregon

• Crook County Adult Parole & Probation

• Crook County Juvenile Department

• Crook County School District

• Crook County Sheriff’s Office

• Crook County Victims Assistance

• Deschutes County Adult Parole and Probation

• Deschutes Behavioral Health

• Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office

• Deschutes County Juvenile Justice

• Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office

• Deschutes County Stabilization Center

• FBI – Portland Division

• High Desert ESD

• In Our Backyard

• Jefferson County Adult Community Corrections

• Jefferson County Juvenile Department

• KIDS Center

• Oregon Dept. of Human Services - Child Welfare

• Prineville Police Department

• Redmond Police Department

• Redmond School District

DANCE

Ballroom Dance Class - East Coast Swing East Coast Swing every Wednesday in January. Partner encouraged but not required. Beginner and intermediate level. Review of combination, progression weekly and same footwork for Country Western interested dancers. Great brain health activity. Contact Valerie for more information. Wednesdays, 6-7pm. Through Feb. 1. The Space, 2570 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 110, Bend. Contact: 541-602-6168. valdances@hotmail.com. $10. Bend Community Contra Dance Our next dance is on Saturday, Jan. 11. Invite your friends and spread the word about our great dances, new dancers welcome! Local oldtime band from Prineville, Ouïe de Nault will provide music with a Québécois flair, & our callers will be David Stewart, Chela Sloper & Ron Bell-Roemer. Jan. 11, 6:45-9:30pm. Pine Forest Grange Hall, 63214 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-306-9563. bendcontra@ gmail.com. $10.

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

FILM EVENTS

International Fly Fishing Film Tour - Featuring Local Filmmakers Join us for the International Fly Fishing Film Festival, the world’s leading fly-fishing film event, consisting of films by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe - including local director RA Beattie - showcases the finest fishing cinematography on the planet! See you there! Jan. 11, 7-9pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@towertheatre.org. $25.

Night of the Witch Unlocked Films presents a night of big witch energy! The night will feature tarot card readings, dance performances, live music from the local electronic band Witch Eyes. That will be followed by the world premiere of Unlocked films latest music video to the Witch Eyes song “Darkness Marching”. Jan. 9, 7-10pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-306-1027. jesse@ unlockedfilms.space. $10.

Ski Film Night Join Bunk + Brew for an evening of epic ski films! Enjoy thrilling footage, good drinks, and great company. Don’t miss out! See you there! Wednesdays, 6-9pm. Bunk+Brew, 42 NW Hawthorne Avenue, Bend. Free.

ARTS + CRAFTS

Art Viewing Visit Sagebrushers Art Society in beautiful Bend to see lovely work, paintings and greeting cards by local artists. New exhibit every 8 weeks. Visit Sagebrushersartofbend.com for information on current shows. Wednesdays, 1-4pm, Fridays, 1-4pm and Saturdays, 1-4pm. Sagebrushers Art Society, 117 SW Roosevelt Ave., Bend. Contact: 541617-0900. Free.

Blacksmithing 101 - Forge a Metal Wall Hook *2 Session Series Come have fun and try your hand at the time-honored DIY craft of shaping, tapering, splitting, twisting, and punching steel to create art, jewelry, and functional items. You will create a useful custom wall hook during the two 2-hour class series plus be certified to take our knife class. Jan. 7, 5:30-7:30pm and Jan. 8, 5:30-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541388-2283. classes@diycave.com. 279.

Portland-based soul and Americana singer/songwriter Karyn Ann packs

Jan.

Blacksmithing 201 - Forge a Knife

Blade *2 Session Workshop This 2-day course focuses on the forging techniques needed to produce sharp-edged tools of high-carbon steel. We will cover blade design, control of steel grain structure, hardening and tempering methods, steel finishes, and handle construction. Take home a hand-forged knife of your own making! Jan. 14, 5:30-8pm and Jan. 15, 5:30-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $349.

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 1960s San Francisco, on the vanguard of a revival of New Realism. Fridays-Sundays, 1-6pm. David Kreitzer Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 20214 Archie Briggs Rd, Bend. Contact: 805-234-2048. jkreitze@icloud.com. Free.

Glass Open Studio If you have taken a glass class at DIYcave, come to our Glass Open Studio sessions. Come back and use our tools to practice what you learned, make something new or make a gift for family/friends, and spend a fun time with others while working on your craft. Sundays, 11am-2pm and Sundays, 11am-2pm. Through Jan. 27. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $25.

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. First Monday-Sunday of every month, 8am-8pm. Through Aug. 24. St. Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend. Contact: 805-2342048. jkreitze@icloud.com. Free.

Intro to the Wood Lathe Learn the basics of the wood lathe. In this class students will create an object from beginning to end which involves mounting a wood blank, rounding, shaping, sanding, and finishing. Upon completion of this class you will receive your DIYCave lathe certification lathe to start creating objects on your own. Jan. 8, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $179.

Intro to MIG Welding (ages 13+) This hands-on class is perfect for beginners or anyone needing a refresher class in cutting and welding. You’ll cut steel with a plasma cutter and weld those pieces back together. You’ll get to try your hand at MIG welding. No welding experience needed! Jan. 8, 6-8pm. Jan. 13, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $139.

Let's Paint at The Bend Wine BarNorthern Lights Our Paint n Sips are the perfect way to unwind and explore your creative side, while enjoying delicious wine and good company. No experience necessary. Our instructors will guide you through the painting process step-by-step. Come join us for a night of laughter, creativity, and Jan. 8, 6-8pm. The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way, Suite 194, Bend. Contact: 541-480-7491. sara. $55.

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

Spoon Ring Workshop Learn the art of polishing and shaping vintage sterling silver plateware into a ring that holds timeless beauty. Jan. 14, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $119.

Think Wild: Wine and Paint Night

Join Lead Wildlife Educator and artist, Becca LiPuma, from Think Wild for a Wine and Paint Night at Stoller Wine Bar on Sun., Jan., 12. Sip on wine while learning techniques to create a wildlife painting to take home with you! Jan. 12, 1-3 and 4-6pm. Stoller Wine Bar Bend, 555 NW Arizona Ave, Suite 30, Bend. Contact: 503-864-3404. $50.

Wildlife Wine and Paint NightSession 2 Join our Lead Wildlife Educator and artist, Becca LiPuma, for a Wine and Paint Night at Stoller Wine Bar on Sunday, Jan. 12. Sip on some wine while learning different techniques to create a wildlife painting to take home with you! Jan. 12, 4-6pm. Stoller Wine Bar Bend, 555 NW Arizona Ave, Suite 30, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6165. molly@thinkwildco. org. $50.

Woodshop Basics Two - Router, Planer and Jointer In this class you will learn how to use the Router, Planer and Jointer. Once complete you will be able to create more precise techniques for edges and dimensions to improve your furniture and fine woodworking projects. You will also get 1 free hour in the Wood Shop. Jan. 14, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $159.

PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS

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

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 mid-west beauty. Kreitzer began his professional career at the prestigious Maxwell Galleries in 1960s 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.

a punch with powerhouse vocals and emotive lyricism that will turn any listener into a fan. Thu.,

9, 6-8pm at The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse.

Courtesy of Karyn Ann Instagram

By Savannah Mendoza

Swing Into Bend’s Jazz Scene This Winter

Experience the magic of live jazz from local talent to world-class musicians at these upcoming performances

From the soulful sounds of saxophones to lively improvisations, Bend’s jazz scene is alive with energy, offering locals and visitors a chance to experience the timeless magic of the genre. Whether you’re a longtime jazz enthusiast or new to the style, Bend’s venues have a lineup of shows from world-class performances to intimate, local showcases.

Jazz at The Oxford

The popular Jazz at The Oxford series transforms downtown Bend’s boutique hotel into a haven for jazz lovers. Upcoming performances include:

• The Groove with Shaun LaBelle, Stokley and Steve Cole Shaun (Jan. 10-11):

LaBelle is an award-winning producer and multi-instrumentalist, blending jazz, pop and R&B.

• Patrick Lamb (Feb. 7-8): Renowned saxophonist celebrated for his blues-infused tones and collaborations with jazz legends.

• Benny Benack III & Khailah Johnson (March 14-15): A New York-based trumpeter and vocalist duo bringing soulful energy to the stage with a mix of jazz and pop influences.

Silver Moon Brewing

Bend’s homey brewery pairs craft beer with dynamic jazz performances:

• Django Jazz Night (Jan. 8): Haute Melange blends traditional and modern swing for an elegant and energetic evening.

• Cyrus Nabipoor (Jan. 14): A trumpeter, composer, bandleader and educator with a distinctive voice and international acclaim.

• Jazz Night with the Jazz Standard Band (Jan. 30): This group delivers a fun twist on familiar jazz hits and popular compositions and features local band members.

Tower Theatre

On Jan. 26, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra presents the New Orleans Songbook, a spirited tribute to the soul of New Orleans and Mardi Gras, celebrating the historic city’s profound jazz roots.

River’s Place

Saturday Jazz Sessions, every Saturday from 6 to 8pm, highlight local jazz talent in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.

Dirty Jazz at The Suttle Lodge

Wolfe House Records hosts improv-driven jazz nights every first Wednesday (from 6 to 8pm), blending beloved standards with innovative performances that keep the genre fresh and exciting.

Courtesy of Pexels

Exhibition Closing: Sensing Sasquatch Last chance to see Sensing Sasquatch! Jan. 12, 10am-4pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@ highdesertmuseum.org. Free with paid museum admission.

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.

Third Thursday Open Mic at the High Desert Music Hall Spoken word open mic night for all poets, storytellers and writers. This is an in-person program. Join us at the High Desert Music Hall for a spoken word open mic night the third Thursday of the month. All writers and readers and word-lovers invited to attend and read. Every third Thursday, 6-8pm. Contact: 541-312-1063. paigef@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

Treasures in Your Pocket: An Intro to Numismatics Discover the essentials of coin collecting in this informative session! Jan. 8, 4-5pm. East Bend Public Library, 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.

THEATER

”The Prom” Preview Night “The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow—but one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom...” First-come, first-served. No tickets are required - this event is sponsored by the Deschutes Public Library. Doors open at 7pm. Jan. 9, 7:30-10pm. Cascade Theatrical Company, 148 NW Greenwood, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1029. laurelh@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

OPA Presents “Cinderella” Jan. 3-12 OPA presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway version of “Cinderella.” The musical will run six shows, Jan. 3-12, at Ridgeview High, Tickets $14 or $48 for a family 4pk, ovationpa.com. Fri, Jan. 10, 6:30-9pm, Sat, Jan. 11, 6:30-9pm and Sun, Jan. 12, 3-5:30pm. Ridgeview High School, 4555 SW Elkhorn Ave., Redmond. Contact: 541815-4160. theatre@ovationpa.com. $14.

WORDS

Book Launch Event: What Happened to the McCrays by Tracey Lange Tickets for this event are $5 general admission or book purchase. From New York Times bestselling author Tracey Lange, a poignant story about the resilience of family, the importance of community, and the magic of middle school hockey. Jan. 14, 6:30-7:30pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541306-6564. julie@roundaboutbookshop.com. $5.

Central Oregon Writers Guild Network with your fellow writers at monthly workshops and lectures. Jan. 14, 5:30-7:30pm. Downtown Bend Public Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.

Classics Book Club Please join us for Classics Book Club. We will discuss The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai. Jan. 8, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541-306-6564. julie@roundaboutbookshop.com. Free.

Write Your Way - Creating a Writing System A writing class for all genres to establish practices and finish projects. Jan. 10, Noon-2pm. Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@ dpls.lib.or.us. Free.

Wildlife Conservation Photography

Join our wildlife team to learn about and photograph the wildlife in our care. Experienced photographers will be available to assist participants with camera techniques. Participants are welcome to explore the fundamentals of their equipment during a preliminary Zoom meeting. Jan. 11, 10am-2pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum. org. $150, members receive 20% discount Registration and prepayment required.

OUTDOORS EVENTS

16th Annual Polar Bear 5K/10K Run Annual 5k/10k Run hosted by St. Thomas Academy. This is a timed race for participants. The course for both the 5k and 10k starts and ends at St. Thomas Academy (corner of 19th St & Maple Ave) in Redmond. There will be food and fun to be had for all ages! Jan. 11, 9am-1pm. St. Thomas Parish Hall, 536 SW12th St., Redmond. $40-$50.

Bevel Putting Mayhem: Disc Golf! Join us for Bevel Putting Mayhem! This disc golf putting competition is open to all every Wednesday night from Oct-April in our hop garden. Bring 2 putters, enjoy $1 off beers, and compete in a double elimination format. Sign-up at 5:30pm; first putts at 6pm. $5 to enter. Wednesdays, 5:309pm. Through April 30. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 541-972-3835. holla@bevelbeer.com. $5.

Mastering the Trails: A Guide to Winter Training and Nutrition For Runners

Experience the thrill of winter trail running with our 8-week program 1/8-2/26. We will have 4 indepth virtual nutrition and running education sessions and 4 one-hour group trail runs held at local trails around Bend (locations TBA). Join Kelsey McGill, MA, and UESCA-Certified Ultrarunning Coach and Andrea Lopriore, RDN. Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm. Through Jan. 8. Various Locations - Bend, Bend, Bend. Contact: 518-420-3139. alpenglowendurancellc@gmail.com. $169.

Redmond Running Group Run All levels welcome. Find the Redmond Oregon Running Klub on Facebook for weekly run details. Thursdays, 6:15pm. Contact: rundanorun1985@gmail. com. Free.

VOLUNTEER

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

Volunteer with Salvation Army The Salvation Army has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for almost every age. Salvation Army has an emergency food pantry, the groups visit residents of assisted living centers and make up gifts for veterans and the homeless. Ongoing. Contact: 541-389-8888.

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

Volunteers Needed for Humane Society Thrift Store Do you love animals and discovering “new” treasures? Then volunteering at the HSCO Thrift Store is a great way to combine your passions while helping raise funds to provide animal welfare services for the local community. For more information visit the website at www.hsco.org/volunteer. Ongoing. Humane Society Thrift Shop, 61220 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3840. abigail@hsco. org.

GROUPS + MEETUPS

Central Oregon Badminton Come and join the badminton group in Central Oregon. All levels welcome from beginner to experienced. Instruction, racquets, birdies available, 10 fee to play, can pay in cash at the event or in advance at Bend Badminton on Meetup.com. Saturdays, 6-8pm. Bend Hoops, 1307 NE 1st Street, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4994. sheena_fischer@yahoo. com. $10.

Connect W’s Munch & Mingle ConnectW is connecting professional women over a limited-seating, monthly meal with business sharing, social networking and friendship. Attendance is capped at 12. Registration is required to save your seat. Jan. 9, 11:45am-1pm. Currents at the Riverhouse, 3075 N. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-410-1894. Cost of meal.

Sisters in Sisters Monthly Sisters in Sisters Meetup at The Barn. Join this monthly event Sisters in Sisters will continue every 2nd Thursday of the month from 4 to 7pm. Please contact the organizer with any questions. All Are Welcome. Second Thursday of every month, 4-7pm. The Barn in Sisters, 171 E. Main St., Sisters. Free. Trivia Tuesdays! Bring your crew and show everyone how much you know about stuff! Cheap beer, good food, and fun prizes! Every Tuesday at Immersion Brewing in the Box Factory. Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm. Immersion Brewing, 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 541-633-7821. info@ imbrewing.com. Free.

Volunteers needed for VegNet Bend

Volunteer opportunities for VegNet Bend include - Event coordinators, executive board service, potluck themes, potluck and event setup and tear down, marketing, website maintenance, help with fundraising, cooking demos, film screenings, speaker presentations and more. Nonprofit 501 c3. Free, donations welcome. Ongoing. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: 541-480-3017. Judyveggienet@yahoo.com.

FUNDRAISING

Bingo for Veterans A fun family-friendly Bingo Night with proceeds benefiting Central Oregon Veterans Ranch! Win prizes, cash and support our these local Heroes. Bingo cards are $2 each or 6 for $10, with daubers supplied. Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm and Fourth Wednesday of every month. Otto’s Landing, 652 NW 7th St., Redmond. Contact: 541-699-1307. ottosredmond@gmail.com. Free.

Mountain Burger Monday Mountain Burger Monday is part of our commitment to supporting the community we serve. By partnering with local nonprofits and giving back 10% of all sales, all day (dine in or take out), we aim to make a positive impact and support those who do so much in our community. Mondays, 11:30am-9pm. Mountain Burger, 2747 NW Crossing Drive, Bend. Contact: 541-6687177. hello@mountainburgerbend.com. Free. Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo Silver Moon partners with The YOUNI Movement to guarantee the best bingo experience in all of Central Oregon! Not’Cho Grandma’s Bingo is the OG of bingo, high energy bingo that promises to entertain from start to finish! Bingo cards are $25 per person. Family friendly fundraising! Free general admission, $10 early entry. Sundays, 10am-Noon. Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-639-1730. hello@younimovement.com. $10-$200.

EVENTS + MARKETS

Wintervention - Bend - Sun Mountain Fun Center It’s the biggest yard sale ever…The Northwest’s deepest snow series giveaway and it’s coming to a venue near you. Get geared up this season as we dump 100K in prizes including lift tickets, gear, skis, boards and more. Free for all ages… and a ton of fun for the whole family! Compete in SNOlympics, take a whack at Winter Trivia and throw down Snowballers Bingo with us to help raise scholarship funds for SNOWDAYS Foundation! Hosted by your favorite radio personalities, Harold the Hodag and his friends Yeti. Thu, Jan. 9, 6-8pm. Sun Mountain Fun Center, 300 River Mall Ave., Bend. Free.

Sam Miller is a touring comedian from Olympia, Wash., with jokes that revolve around his sobriety and being a parent. Catch his humorous performance at a vineyard in Culver. Sat., Jan. 11, 7-9pm Maragas Winery

Courtesy sammillercomedian Instagram

CALENDAR

FAMILY + KIDS

Birth & Newborn Online Class Join us virtually for a comprehensive 4-class series where we will learn about how your baby and body work together during labor, how partners can best support, ins and outs of intervention, birth plan considerations, postpartum healing, breastfeeding basics, and newborn care. Wednesdays, 6-8pm. Through Jan. 29. Contact: admin@centraloregonbirth.com. $300.

Campus Walk-and-Talk Join us for a Walkand-Talk event at the Waldorf School of Bend! This is a wonderful opportunity to explore our beautiful campus, observe our classes while in session, and learn more about our educational philosophy during a Q&A session with our early childhood and grade teachers Thu, Jan. 9, 1011:30am, Thu, Feb. 13, 10-11:30am, Thu, March 13, 10-11:30am, Thu, April 10, 10-11:30am and Sat, May 10, 10-11:30am. Waldorf School of Bend, 2150 NE Studio Rd. Suite 2, Bend. Contact: 541-330-8841. info@bendwaldorf.com. Free.

Homeschool Nature Half Days Join us on alternating Tuesdays or Wednesdays, Jan-April, to play nature games, learn survival skills, explore and do wild-crafting projects! Designed for ages 9-12 and returning 8 year olds. Jan. 14, 10am2pm. Bend, Oregon, (no address), (no city). Contact: info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com. $375.

Kids’ Math Night with Mathnasium

Looking for some math tutoring or a place to get your kid excited about STEM? The Mathnasium of Bend team is providing free math assessments and guidance on next steps. We’ll also have homework support, games, prizes, and snacks! Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. For elementary/middle schoolers. Jan. 10, 3-5:30pm. Downtown Bend Public Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-312-1062. Elsah@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

Krav Maga Class Self Defense Techniques for Men and Women of all ages and teens. Learn how to defend against a variety of attacks (punch, kick, choke etc) and weapons (guns, knives, clubs). Classes are held Tuesday to Friday evening and Saturday Morning. First class is free. Saturdays, 10-11am. Cascadia Krav Maga, 2525 Twin Knolls Rd #9,, Bend. Contact: 541223-9953. tim@cascadiakravmaga.com. Free.

Registration for Wildheart Wednesday Afterschool Program Wildheart Wednesday After School Program is designed to be fun, easy-going, and the perfect midweek energy boost for children in nature. Ages 6-10. Wildheart provides transportation to JJ Farm for this program from Amity Creek only . Registration is open. Go to www.wildheartnatureschool.com to sign up! Wednesdays, 1-5:30pm. Juniper Jungle Farm, Eastern outskirts of Bend, Bend. Contact: 541-6250273. info@wildhearnatureschool.com. Varies depending on season.

S’mores & Pours Bring the whole family to Cascade Lakes Brewing for a cozy evening by the fire! We’re serving up fun by the fire with a complimentary s’mores bar for all to enjoy. Purchase a pint to receive a roasting stick, then create your perfect s’more. Happening at both CLBC pubs. Every third Saturday, 5-7pm. Through March 22. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Road Lot #2, Bend. Contact: 458-836-7866. jesse@cascadelakes.com. Free.

FOOD + DRINK

Holistic Ayurvedic Eating + Cooking Class + Kitchen Counter Community

Learn about the magic of - and how to makeghee, Ayurveda’s golden elixir. After the holidays, we will dive into kitchari, the beloved dish of Ayurvedic cooking that helps sooth, support and reset the digestive system using simple, delicious, cost-effective, plant-based ingredients. It’s yummy and so nourishing. Jan. 13, 6-8pm. Camp Glandy, 61360 King Solomon Ct., Bend. Contact: 541-420-9020. brandyberlin@gmail. com. $30-$70.

BEER + DRINK

$10 Coffee + Breakfast Burrito

Fridays Your Fridays just got an upgrade! Introducing our breakfast burrito and coffee special with our besties, Bend Breakfast Burrito. Every Friday you can get a breakfast burrito + 16oz drip coffee (or 12oz cold brew) for just $10. Fridays, 7:30-11:30am. Boss Rambler Coffee, 1009 NW Galveston Ave, Bend. $10.

Educators & Nurses Apprecation Day We’re raising a glass to those who give so much! Join us for Nurses & Educators Day, where we show appreciation for the heroes in scrubs and classrooms. 50% off all beers and ciders for nurses and educators all day, every Tuesday, at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Tuesdays. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Road Lot #2, Bend. Contact: 458-836-7866. jesse@ cascadelakes.com. Free.

Happier Hour at MTYC Join us for the happiest hours in Bend! Monday - Friday | 2-5pm Relax, unwind, and enjoy great deals: $3 Draft Coors Light $5 draft beer food cart specials that will make your taste buds dance! Mondays-Fridays, 2-5pm. Midtown Yacht Club, 1661 NE 4th Street, Bend. Contact: 458-256-5454. midtownyachtclub@gmail. com. Free.

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

Locals Day! Locals Day at the Ale! $2 off drafts and $1 off wine and cider! Wednesdays, 2pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Dr, Ste140, Bend. Contact: taryn@ thealeapothecary.com. Free.

$10 Wing Wednesdays A new weekly special: $10 Wing Wednesdays at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Choose from one of the house-made sauces like Char Sui, This IPA BBQ and Spicy Staycay Pineapple or go naked! Wednesdays, 11am-9pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Road Lot #2, Bend.

$12 Burger and Beer Thursdays with Blue Eyes Burgers and Fries Come on out to Boss Rambler Beer Club for $12 Burger and Beer Night with Blue Eyes Burgers and Fries every Thursday!. Boss Rambler Beer Club, 1009 NW Galveston Ave., Bend.

$16 Fish Taco and House Margarita Fridays Join for 3 fish tacos and a house margarita for only $16 every Friday at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Fridays, 11am-9pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Road Lot #2, Bend.

Après-Ski Happy Hour Throughout the month, enjoy 20% off glasses and bottles when you show your lift ticket or season pass. Plus, all are welcome to delight in a special menu of small bites to complement your winter adventures. Mondays-Sundays. Through Jan. 31. Stoller Wine Bar Bend, 555 NW Arizona Ave, Suite 30, Bend. Free.

Apres Ski Happy Hour Swing by Sunriver Brewing Co, Galveston Pub for $5 pints of award winning craft beer and enjoy our Apres Ski, happy hour food and drink specials weekly 3-5pm. Cheers, Galveston Pub. Mondays-Fridays, 3-5pm. Through June 30. Sunriver Brewing Co. Galveston Pub, 1005 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Free.

Cocktails After Dark - $5 off Indulge in Cocktails After Dark, Thursday to Saturday, 8-10pm. Perfect for a nightcap, date night, or a flirty first meeting. Savor our new cocktail menu, featuring favorites like our Smoked Maple Bacon Old Fashioned, Spicy Cucumber Margarita, and Blood Orange Sour. All cocktails $5 off. See you there... Thursdays-Saturdays, 8-10pm. Portello Wine and Spirits, 2754 NW Crossing Drive - Suite 104, Bend. Contact: 541-385-1777. admin@portellowinecafe.com. Free.

Premier League & Football Weekends at The Commonwealth Pub! Sports fans, kick off your weekend mornings (at 7am) at The Commonwealth Pub with Premier League action, then dive into college and pro football fun! Grab your squad, your lucky scarf, your favorite jersey, enjoy a pint (or two), and fuel up with tasty bites from Whappos! Saturdays-Sundays, 7am. Through May 25. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Drive, Suite 100, Bend. Contact: 541668-6200. thecommonwealthpubevents@ gmail.com. Free.

HEALTH + WELLNESS

Breathwork and Reiki: Empower Your Healing Experience the transformative power of Breathwork with Reiki in a deeply personal session designed to process trauma, release emotions, and reconnect with your true self. Immerse yourself with premium headphones for a unique journey. Limited to 20 participants. Preregistration required at confluencebreathbodywork.com. Thu, Dec. 19, 7-8pm and Tue, Jan. 14, 7-8pm. Namaspa Yoga Studio, 1135 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-6686183. confluencebreathbody@gmail.com. $35 suggested donation.

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

Celebrating 50 Years of The Vance Stance! I’m happy to present a special offer: AsSeries of 5 private sessions of 1 1/2hours each, for $150. Pick your choice of date and time. Get to the root of why you’re tight, crooked, and suffering. Correct posture (scoliosis, bunions, migraines, knees, shoulder, bunions, migraines). Become flexible. Jan. 1-April 30. The Vance Bonner Studio, 21173 Sunburst Court, Bend. Contact: 541/330-9070. vancebonner@juno.com. $150.

Michelle Zauner was raised in Eugene and published the bestselling memoir “Crying in H Mart” in 2021. This week, the multi-hyphenate announced her fourth record as Japanese Breakfast and a headlining appearance at Hayden Homes on Aug. 30, with Ginger Root opening.

Courtesy Villalobos Brothers Instagram

Centered Yoga for Nervous System Health Centered Yoga offers a slow, mindful, and individualized approach in the Viniyoga tradition. This breath-centric, therapeutic practice prioritizes building resilience and mental well-being over fitness, teaching you how to shift the states of your mind and body back toward center regardless of what is happening in the storms around you. Wednesdays, 9-10am. Contact: 541-420-9020. brandyberlin@gmail. com. $5-$17 sliding scale.

Circle Of Wisdom: A Collective of Mom’s of Teenage Boys This 8-week course is a sacred space for mothers navigating the unique journey of raising teenage boys. We come together to share the challenges and triumphs of motherhood, particularly in these transformative years, while building a supportive and empowering community through breathwork, somatic practices, mindfulness, and honest conversation. Tuesdays, 7:158:45pm. Through Feb. 26. Still Water Yoga & Wellness, 1375 SE Wilson Ave. Suite 180, Bend. Contact: 541-728-3630. info@stillwateryoga. org. $250.

Crystal Bowl Didgeridoo Reiki Sound

Bath Drop into deep peace with 12 crystal bowls playing binaural beats, 3 didgeridoos, native flutes, koshi chimes and more! Reiki Master energy flows throughout this live, sonic, deeply healing, transformative journey. Please bring a yoga mat, pillow, blanket and a desire to be transported by sacred sound. Sundays, 6-7:15pm. Through Dec. 31. Unity Spiritual Community, 63645 Scenic Dr, Bend. Contact: 808-887-0830. chakrawaves888@gmail.com. $20-$30.

Day Retreat at Smith Rock Join us for a grounding day retreat at Smith Rock combining yoga, meditation, journaling, breathwork, intention setting and a beautiful hike. Experience yoga and meditation in one of Oregon’s most beautiful settings. Limited spots. Head to our website to reserve your spot! Saturdays, Noon-4pm. Through Feb. 22. Smith Rock State Park, 9241 NE Crooked River Dr., Terrebonne. Contact: 503-888-3674. wildlandguidingcompany@gmail.com. $95.

Early Stage Alzheimer’s Support Group Support group for those diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s disease and their care partners. Must register prior to attending. Call

1-800-272-3900 to register. Second Tuesday of every month, 2-3pm and Fourth Tuesday of every month, 2-3pm. Through April 22. Bend Church of the Nazarene, 1270 NE 27th St., Bend. Contact: 1-800-272-3900. Free.

Embodied Preconception, Pregnancy, & Postpartum Support Three 60-minute somatic(body-based) 1:1 coaching sessions. For pregnant and postpartum folks in need of embodied support. Welcome and move through fear, loss of identity, and other challenges so you can be fully present and centered in this pivotal time of life. Let’s have a pleasureful pregnancy! Nov. 7-Jan. 31. Intrepid Her, 20039 Beaver Lane, Bend. Contact: 541-948-5035. jessica@intrepidher. com. $344.

Feel Better with AYURVEDA - family dinner + discussion Come enjoy a family-style meal while you learn about the ancient science of Ayurvedic medicine. We are meant to feel well, and living this lifestyle is not complicated or expensive. It is a practical way to care for yourself and your family with simple, holistic practices that actually work. Jan. 9, 6-8pm. Hanai Center, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 541-420-9020. brandyberlin@gmail.com. Free by donation.

Gather Sauna House Opening Weekend Join Gather Sauna for opening weekend of sauna season at the river in Riverbend Park! Our traditional sauna sessions include authentic wood-fired sauna and natural river cold plunges + ample time to connect with nature and reset you mind/body/spirit! Pre-book your session online. Wednesdays-Sundays. Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St., Bend. Contact: 503-8306393. info@gathersaunahouse.com. $36 a seat for a communal session.

LEVEL 1 SOUND HEALING CERTIFICATION COURSE Discover the transformative power of sound in this 3-day, 20-hour intensive training led by Kevin Kraft, founder of Soundshala and a sound healing expert with 15+ years of experience. Perfect for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, this course will empower you to create meaningful sound healing experiences using various techniques. Fri, Jan. 10, 6-9pm, Sat, Jan. 11, 9am-6pm and Sun, Jan. 12, 9am-6pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: kerryn.horn@ juniperpreserve.com. $2,500.

Living Beyond Triggers and Traumausing Kundalini Yoga and Meditation to Heal We all “lose it” sometimes. Imagine your life free of self-defeating emotions! In this 4-week series you will gain insight into how you respond to trauma, anticipate your triggers, discover your inner strength, and practice tools to cultivate healthy emotional habits and boundaries. Jan. 9, 5:15-7pm. Namaspa Yoga Studio, 1135 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541668-5288. nirmalconforti@gmail.com. $185.

Needles & Gongs – Community Acupuncture & Sound Healing Let the soothing sounds of gongs, singing bowls, flutes, drums and the healing power of acupuncture needles guide you to a state of deep relaxation and balance. Acupuncture facilitated by David Watts and sound healing by Soundshala. Tue, Dec. 10, 6-8pm and Tue, Jan. 14, 6-8pm. Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, 39 NW Louisiana Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-330-0334. $75.

Prenatal Yoga Prepares the body and mind for labor, birth and new motherhood. Emphasis is placed on building strength, channeling the power of the breath, and connecting to intuition. Suitable for women in any stage of pregnancy, as long as you feel good practicing and your care provider approves. Please pre-register. Tuesdays, 9-10am. Bend Hot Yoga, 1230 NE 3rd St. UnitA230, Bend. Contact: yoga@bendhotyoga. com. $20.

Shadow Yoga Basics, Donation Based Introduces principles and practices of Shadow Yoga, with an emphasis on the lower structure and building the pathway of power. Pay what you can. Mondays, 6-7pm. Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga, 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112, Bend. Contact: 541-588-2480. info@continuum-yoga.com. $1-$19.

Shala Breathwork Shake off the weekend and let go of the expectations for the upcoming week with breathwork at Yoga Shala Bend! Join Whitney as she guides participants through a beautiful breathing meditation with music! Sundays, 6:15-7:15pm. Yoga Shala Bend, 806 NW Brooks St. Suite 200, Bend. Contact: 208-4096028. breathewithwhitney@gmail.com. $20.

Sister Circle Community Gathering

Step into a space of warmth, support, and celebration at our Monthly Sister Circle Gathering! Come together with a circle of incredible women

to honor and uplift each other while embracing the beauty of the changing seasons. This gathering is a haven where you can nourish your soul and connect Mon, Dec. 9, 6:30pm, Mon, Jan. 13, 6:30pm, Mon, Feb. 10, 6:30pm and Mon, March 10, 6:30pm. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 650-862-9336. willowmerchant@gmail. com. Donation (suggested $35).

Sister Circle Community Gathering-January Step into a space of warmth, support, and celebration at our Monthly Sister Circle Gathering! Come together with a circle of incredible women to honor and uplift each other while embracing the beauty of the changing seasons. Jan. 13, 6:30-8:30pm. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 650-862-9336. willow@ emergingheartscollective.com. $35.

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

Sister Circle Gathering-Spring Virtual Come together with a circle of incredible women to honor and uplift each other while embracing the beauty of the changing seasons. This gathering is a haven where you can nourish your soul. Donation suggested $25. Second Tuesday of every month, 4-6pm. Online Event, Webinar Link Inside Confirmation Email, Bend. Contact: 650-862-9336. willow@emergingheartscollective.com.

Stay Safe: Protection Yourself From Scam and Fraud Cybercrime against seniors has skyrocketed by 400% over the past five years, with losses averaging tens of thousands of dollars per victim. Living Well With Dementia Sisters is hosting this session to help you protect yourself from scams and fraud. Jan. 9, 10amNoon. Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD Fire Station 701, 301 S Elm St., Sisters. Contact: 925 6678456. Bill@lwwds.com. Free.

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

Unity Event Poetry Palooza JanMarch 2025 Second Friday of the month Jan – March 2025. Love Offering Appreciated. Get ready for sharing your best spoken word offerings and poetry. Open Mic. Jan. 10, 6-8pm. Unity Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend. Contact: 541-350-8448. Clare@ UnityCentralOregon.org. Free.

Unity Event Vision Board: Keys to Actualization Jan 8, 2025 Delve deep into your dreams, intentions, goals and desires for 2025. Supplies included but feel free to bring magazines and embellishments. Info: https://unitycentraloregon.elvanto.net/event/00e8ba8c-585c4b26-a50e-dd9b256d583a Info Contact: Clare@ UnityCentralOregon.org 541-350-8448. Jan. 8, 10:30am-1:30pm. Unity Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend. Contact: 541350-8448. Clare@UnityCentralOregon.org. $35.

Unity Event Yoga with Shirman JanFeb 2025 Join Shriman’s yoga class every Tues Jan 10 – Feb 25. Embark on a journey toward balance and self-discovery. Love Offering. Bring a Yoga mat and water bottle. Jan. 14, 9:30-11am. Unity Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend. Contact: 5413508448. Clare@UnityCentralOregon.org. Love offering appreciated.

Michelle Zauner was raised in Eugene and published the bestselling memoir “Crying in H Mart” in 2021. This week, the multi-hyphenate announced her fourth record

as Japanese Breakfast and a headlining appearance at Hayden Homes on Aug. 30, with Ginger Root opening.

Photo by Pak Bae

CHOW C Crave Bend: A Resolution-Friendly, Artisan Kitchen

Bowls, tacos, margaritas and mocktails for fresh seekers

By Skylor Young

Most of the time, New Year’s resolutions calling for healthier food and drink consumption require us to give up what we love and replace it with... well, the rest of this sentence is usually the reason why we give up on resolutions. It’s difficult to find alternatives that satisfyingly fill in the gaps where greasy, cheesy, breaded and boozy once lived. That is especially the case when going out to eat. But have no fear, my friends. I’m here to tell you about Crave Bend. It’s your one-stop spot for refreshing tacos, bowls, margaritas and mocktails.

Initially founded by Sandy Egge and husband Jeff Taber, Crave Bend opened in the spring of 2024. Much of the menu you see today was established at that time: a handful of healthful, fresh and deliciously fulfilling bowls and tacos. In August, however, the owners sold the restaurant to an avid fisherman who moved to Bend last year after a visit to the Deschutes lured him in and, as many visitors do, he decided to stay. The choice to buy Crave Bend was simple: It was a place where he felt comfortable grabbing a beer, taco and getting lost in a book for a few hours. Plus, the food was tasty and as healthful as what he would choose to cook for himself at home.

The entire menu is gluten-free with no refined sugars, high-fructose corn syrup or seed oils. The meats are grilled on an open flame. The flavor speaks to the validity of these claims. The Mediterranean bowl comes highly recommended for a reason; it’s a bowl of arugula, rice, hummus, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, feta and soft, moist lemon and tomato chicken with a vinaigrette unlike any I’ve ever tasted before. I swore to the chef that I would not reveal all of the secret ingredients in the dressing, but I will share that the cloves create a warming, full-bodied experience you do not want to miss. Give the bowl a good stir before your first bite so your mouth can experience the beautiful, complex combina tion of tastes in all their glory.

All bowl fillings also come in tacos, which are served on a double layer of corn tortillas and are (literally) overflowing with ingredients. The chili lime tri-tip taco features beef sourced from Childers Meat in Eugene. Served with oranges and crispy cabbage, it’s all smothered in an herbaceous chimichurri. For the vegetarians in the room, the squash and black bean tacos have a kick to them, but the spice does not overpower the sweet flavors of the saucy veggies and apple salsa. The generous portions filling these tacos are powerful enough to split your tortilla, so eat them with urgency!

The standout highlight of the menu is the blueberry salsa. That’s right, I said blueberry and salsa in the same sentence. With red peppers, pickled onions and cilantro, the blend of flavors is unique and will leave you wondering why no one else has thought of it yet. It’s chunky, it’s crisp, and it pairs perfectly with the satisfyingly warm tortilla chips it’s served with. It can also come with a guacamole that mirrors the freshness and rich flavor of its fruity counterpart.

These dishes will continue to be consistent staples on the growing menu in the months to come. There are plans to add soups, salads, wraps and sandwiches as new recipes are developed. And margaritas — lots and lots of margaritas. The aim is to have a selection of 20 different margaritas on the daily menu, with specials swapping in and out regularly.

What about the vibe? As described by the new owner: “All I really want to do is put smiles on people’s faces. Giving somebody a good drink and a good meal and an atmosphere where they feel like they can come and just hang out with their friends tends to do that.”

From a bar well on its way to offering the most extensive margarita menu in town, to a cozy couch area with board games, the ambiance offers a little smile for everyone. The goal is not to be the hippest restaurant, full of tourists, with a twohour wait; this is the place locals come to for a desert flower margarita and a taco while waiting for a table at said trendy spot. It’s a place for skiers to warm up by the outdoor fire pit tables with a beer and a bowl of soup after a long day at Bachelor. It’s a date-night destination when one person drinks alcohol and the other doesn’t — the lemonade mocktail with jalapeño juice is a harmony of spicy, sweet and sour flavors that’ll likely result in ordering another round. It’s a place to go for a few laughs with friends, especially with the weekly open mic comedy nights every Thursday. And while Crave Bend is currently only open until 8pm, in the coming months it will become the weekend late-night spot for folks who aren’t ready to go home but want a different vibe than the dive bar scene.

So, if your resolution this year involves being more mindful about what you’re putting in your body, do yourself a favor and grab a bite at Crave Bend. Even if your resolutions don’t have anything to do with what you’re eating or drinking, go anyway. You won’t regret it.

Crave Bend

Tue.-Sat., noon-8p 335 SW Century Dr., Bend cravebend.com

Skylor

Young

By Savannah Mendoza

Sip on Style: Bend’s Mocktail Scene Offers Refreshing Alternatives

From zero-proof sours to alcohol-free bubbly, Bend’s bars are raising the bar on mocktails

Mocktails are having a moment. As more people embrace health-conscious choices and inclusive social options, zero-proof beverages are becoming stars of the culinary world. In a town like Bend — famed for its craft beer and cocktail culture — the rise of creative, alcohol-free drinks proves that the art of mixology doesn’t require spirits to shine.

Whether you’re sober-curious, seeking a refreshing alcohol-free option or simply inspired to embrace healthier choices, these three local spots serve up mocktails that are as delicious as they are imaginative.

Lady Bird: Monmouth Sour

Nestled in the heart of the Old Mill District, Lady Bird Cultural Society combines vintage charm with modern flair. Known for its beautifully crafted, Prohibition-style drinks, the menu also features a thoughtful selection of non-alcoholic (N/A) and low-ABV options.

On “The Front Room” menu, you’ll find classics like the Saint Tropez, Never Been to Spain and The Blind Serpent. For a whiskey sour fan, the Monmouth Sour — made with zeroproof whiskey, lemon, honey and egg white — is a perfect match. Velvety and tangy with a whisper of sweetness, it captures the essence of its spirited counterpart. Visit during happy hour from 3-5pm or enjoy the full dinner service starting at 4:45pm.

Waypoint: Calm As You Like Waypoint, proudly operated by Bend Brewing Company, is located inside The Grove’s Market Hall in the Northwest Crossing neighborhood. This cozy bar features modern interiors and inviting outdoor fire pits for year-round enjoyment.

At the bottom of its menu, you’ll find a selection of zero-proof drinks, including the Pathfinder Highball, Andromeda and Horchata. On a recent visit, I tried the Calm As You Like, a warm blend of the botanical Drømme Calm, lemon and honey — emulating the soothing embrace of a hot toddy on a chilly, winter day.

Bar RBC: Phony Negroni

In downtown Bend, Rancher Butcher Chef’s bar — better known as Bar RBC — pairs Spanish-inspired small plates with an impressive drink menu. The zero-proof options are designed to impress even the most skeptical drinker.

The lineup includes the Vinada Sparkling Rosé, a sophisticated, alcohol-free bubbly with crisp, floral notes; the Persimmon Shrub, a tangy, fruit-forward treat; and the Phony Negroni, a bittersweet delight garnished with a bright orange twist. These elegant choices pair seamlessly with the tapas menu, elevating the mocktail experience to an art form.

The days are short, the air is cold and the chaos of the holiday season is now firmly behind us. What better way to relax and unwind than with a beautifully crafted, warming beverage?

We invite you to submit a delectable winter inspired cocktail and/or mocktail that showcases your mastery of mixology and wows customers. Whether it’s a new take on a classic, or a brand-new creation on the cutting edge of innovation, we look forward to sharing your special offering with the community.

PHOTO &

29 -TO-

4

DUE TO SOURCE WEEKLY BY JANUARY 22 7 DAYS OF $10 COCKTAILS & $8 MOCKTAILS

Lady Bird’s Monmouth Sour is a match made in heaven for whiskey sour lovers, crafted with zero-proof whiskey, lemon, honey and egg white.

Calm As You Like is a zero-proof spinoff of a hot toddy, a warm drink made with Drømme Calm, lemon and honey.

Bar RBC’s zero-proof menu offers the Phony Negroni, a classic bittersweet mocktail garnished with an orange twist.

C CULTURE Musical Theater, Cabaret, Drag and Film Events Aplenty So much to do, so little time

By Jared Rasic

One of the best things about living in Bend is the bottomless number of cultural events that happen on an almost daily basis. One of the worst things about living in Bend is that there are only so many hours in a day to go on these cultural adventures. Still, it’s a pretty good problem to have coming into 2025 when every new year seems to bring more brilliant artists to our community. Here are just a few of the things I’m looking forward to over the next few months.

NIGHT OF THE WITCH: A GRINDHOUSE DOUBLE FEATURE

Presented by Jesse Locke’s Unlocked Films, we have the world premiere of the music video of “Darkness Marching” from local group Witch Eyes (who will also be playing a set of music). There are also intuitive tarot readings from Kylie Motley, dance performances from Model Citizens and a screening of the Grindhouse classic “Mark of the Witch.”

“I love witches and I love a good celebration,” says Locke. “‘Night of the Witch’ is a celebration of individualism and badassery. The music video follows four time-traveling witches played by some of the most badass women I’ve ever met: Miss Charlotta Love, Judith Faustima, Siren Slade and Miranda Rose. It’s going to be a night of creativity, community and especially witches. Dress up, bring that big witch energy and let’s celebrate.”

Thu., Jan. 9, doors 7pm, show 8pm

Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend $10

“THE PROM”

Musicals are pretty dang hot right now (I’m looking at you, “Wicked”), and “The Prom” sounds like an absolutely delightful night of musical theater. The plot description goes like this: “Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue… and themselves. The town’s parents want to keep the high school dance on the straight and narrow — but when one student just wants to bring her girlfriend to prom, the entire town has a date with destiny. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with a courageous girl and the town’s citizens, and the result is love that brings them all together.”

Director Samantha Korich gives you another reason if you need one: “This musical is inspired by true events and follows a theme still felt by so many all across the world. This heartfelt comedy will have you laughing, crying and dancing all the way through.”

Jan. 10-26

Cascades Theatrical Company, 148 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend $39 for students/seniors, $43 for adults

SCARLET ENVY’S: BAD ADVICE TOUR

From “RuPaul’s Drag Race” comes Scarlet Envy. With 500K followers on socials, a 36-city U.S. tour, a performance of “Evita” with Katy Perry and a 90-minute live cabaret, Envy now brings her brilliance to Bend. “It’s awesome to have a Ru girl come to Bend and grace The Greenhouse stage as part of their 2025 tour!” says John Kish, the owner/artistic director of The Greenhouse Cabaret. “Scarlet is known as being ‘the drama’ of their season, but really they are a sweetheart and a talented force.”

Sun., Feb. 2, doors 6:30pm, show 7pm

The Greenhouse Cabaret, 1017 NE Second St., Bend

$35

LIZA’S LOUNGE

If you’ve ever been to Liza’s Lounge then you know exactly how special these events are, combining upscale dinner theater cabaret vibes with amazing food from Foxtail Bakery and music from brilliant local artists. It’s always a singular experience that transports you out of Bend and into a secret speakeasy of yesteryear. “We are back, back, back again!” says Kish. “This year we plan on doing three different shows throughout the year. This one is themed ‘Love & Foreplay,’ perfect for a couples dinner theater night out.”

Thu. Feb 6-Sat., Feb. 8, doors 7pm, show 7:30pm

The Greenhouse Cabaret, 1017 NE Second St., Bend $99

TOWER THEATRE 85TH ANNIVERSARY FILM FESTIVAL

The first six days of March will mark the celebration of the Tower Theatre’s 85th anniversary, and there will be screenings of “Creature from the Black Lagoon” (with a “Captain America” serial from 1944), “The Maltese Falcon,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “North by Northwest,” “The Graduate,” 1968’s “Planet of the Apes,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Forrest Gump,” all hosted by Kelly Cannon-Miller, executive director of the Deschutes County Historical Society, and Jared Rasic, watcher of movies. Ray Solley, executive director of the Tower Theatre, explains the idea: “We kick off the celebration March 1 with a throwback to 1940 Saturday matinees, serials and double features — including vintage newsreels and cartoons — all for 25 cents. We top off the anniversary party March 6 with complimentary birthday cake and a ‘life is like a box of chocolates.’”

Sat., March 1-Thu., March 6 Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend

There’s so much more going on over the next few months — there isn’t enough room for it all. There’s a screening of the great documentary “Space, Hope and Charity” at the Tower on Jan. 18. TMP presents the musical “Annie” from Feb. 7 to 16 at the Tower. The Tower also has the Mountainfilm festival on Feb. 21 and 22 as well as the Women’s Adventure Film Tour on March 8. Big Sexy Movie Night is screening “Edward Scissorhands” (at The Capitol on Jan. 15 and at Silver Moon on Feb. 5) with local troupe The Menagerie supplying drag, burlesque and pole dancing. Or how about Central Oregon Symphony’s Winter Concert Series beginning Feb. 22, High Desert Chamber Music’s 17th season continuing on Valentine’s Day with Frank Almond and a thousand other amazing things?

Courtesy of John Kish

Courtesy of Jesse Locke

SC The World Is a Vampire/Rockstar A Complete Unknosferatu

By Jared Rasic

While I knew it wouldn’t quite have the same cultural cache of “Barbenheimer,” I was still very excited for the same-day release of the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown” and the Robert Eggers remake of the classic vampire film “Nosferatu.” In my mind, the two films wouldn’t be quite as disparate as the same-day releases of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” since some of me thinks Timothée Chalamet might be part vampire, so I went in to both searching for interesting connections, both thematic and otherwise.

I watched “Nosferatu” first, which was definitely the right idea as the tone of the film is so brutally intense and oppressive that it was nice to have something a little lighter to follow it up with. Writer/director Robert Eggers is such an immensely talented visual artist that, within the first five minutes, “Nosferatu” conjures such a tangible and rich sense of time and place that the viewer is effortlessly laid smack down into the center of 1830s Germany and Transylvania. You’re there. Eggers is also obsessed with obscure language as he has proven with his past scripts for “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse” and “The Northman,” spending years researching historical documents of the time periods to create authentic dialogue. This combination makes “Nosferatu” a genuinely singular vision.

“Nosferatu” follows this same vibe, where the dialogue is opulent, almost Shakespearean, and designed not just to convey character, but tone, theme and place. So, with Eggers’ painstakingly accurate dialogue and world construction and a sense of overwhelming dread, we already have a movie that transports. Not to mention the fantastic performances of Bill Skarsgård as the ancient vampire Count Orlok, Lily-Rose Depp as his object of intense obsession, Nicholas Hoult as her hopelessly outmatched betrothed and Willem Dafoe as the doctor of the occult who seeks to end Orlok for good, we have what appears to be a flawlessly constructed film.

In a way, the construction of the film is so flawless that it reminded me of the complaint people have with the films of Wes Anderson: We’re looking inside a gorgeously designed diorama, kept at a distance by the filmmaker’s impeccable aesthetic and artistry. I ultimately disagree since, just as Anderson before him,

Eggers might design each frame within an inch of its life but still builds characters with such a profound sense of longing as to be relatable to each one of us.

My only real issues lie in what is ultimately the source material itself. The 1922 German expressionist film and Werner Herzog’s 1979 remake are really just unauthorized remixes of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” a story most of us are familiar with on a granular level. While the story of this modern adaptation doesn’t supply many surprises in regard to the plot itself, Eggers brilliantly subverts those earlier incarnations of the story by placing Lily-Rose Depp’s Ellen Hutter as the central character, so we’re viewing “Nosferatu” not just as a spooky vampire story, but as an historical record of how men throughout history have abused and discounted women who they deemed “hysterical.” Giving the story this modern context reshapes the text into something much sadder and emotionally fraught than any vampire film since “Only Lovers Left Alive.”

The horror fan in me would have loved “Nosferatu” to be scarier, but Skarsgård’s Orlok is undoubtedly a monster for the ages, and he is unrecognizable behind the makeup and booming Transylvanian voice. It’s a hell of a movie, all quibbles aside, and one I look forward to watching again immediately.

“A Complete Unknown” has three amazing scenes in it. Luckily, one of those scenes is the film’s first, with Bob Dylan showing up to Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital to sing “Song to Woody” to his hero Woody Guthrie. We’re immediately pulled into 1961, Dylan’s life and, even though the film does become a very conventional biopic not unlike director James Mangold’s Johnny Cash film “Walk the Line,” it’s still compulsively watchable.

As one of the few people left on Earth not completely blown away by Timothée Chalamet, I found his BDE (Bob Dylan Energy) to be mesmerizing. He doesn’t quite disappear into him in the same way Cate Blanchett did in the superior Dylan biopic “I’m Not There,” but, damn, he comes close. It’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed watching him onscreen, and the fact that he reportedly sang and played guitar and harmonica on 40 Dylan songs is incredible.

But still. Even though it’s right there in the title, I left the film still not knowing anything new about

Dylan as a person. He comes across as just an instrument for the songs to move through. The entire film is people telling him exactly who they think he is, which he bristles against, but also doesn’t seem to know who he is, either. All he wants is to play music but doesn’t really like his fans very much. He respects other musicians he can jam with, but that appears to be it. Dylan, as played by Chalamet, is kind of a dick.

Which is totally fine, but I already knew he was mercurial, remote, enigmatic and one of the finest songwriters of all time. As entertaining as “A Complete Unknown” is, it just feels like an addendum to “I’m Not There” and Scorsese’s documentaries “No Direction Home” and “Rolling Thunder Revue.” We only see him in “ACU” from his arrival to NYC in 1961 to the 1965 Newport Folk Festival where he plugged in his guitar and melted some faces. Nowhere in here do we see the origins of Evangelical Dylan or Car Commercial Dylan, Great American Songbook Dylan or Movie Star Dylan. As someone who so fiercely defies labeling of any kind, Dylan is only an interesting subject in that the filmmaker ultimately decides which Dylan to show us, and we’re left to decipher if any of those facets are real.

“Nosferatu” and “A Complete Unknown” are both wildly entertaining and watchable, flaws and all. They play together beautifully as thought-provoking looks at legendary figures deeply ensnared inside the cultural zeitgeist and left to be misinterpreted and misunderstood for generations. The only difference is that one is a mysterious, ancient legend whose words have controlled thousands and the other is a vampire.

“Nosferatu”

Directed by Robert Eggers

Grade: B+

Now playing at Regal Old Mill, Madras Cinema 5

“A Complete Unknown”

Directed by James Mangold

Grade: B

Now playing at Regal Old Mill, Sisters Movie House, Odem Theater Pub

The cinematography in “Nosferatu” is chef’s kiss.

The Freewheelin’ Chalamet in “A Complete Unknown.”

AI drawing of what A Complete Unknosferatu would look like.

Universal

Searchlight

AI via Jared Rasic

Birds of Malheur A guide to observing migrating birds at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge

By Renee Schiavone

Few experiences will put you in touch with the rhythms of the natural world quite like watching an avian migration.

In Oregon, we’re lucky to witness one of North America’s greatest animal migration paths right in our backyard. Each spring and fall, billions of birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway, a route stretching from Alaska to Patagonia, and pass through Oregon’s high desert on their way. Spots like the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are essential for hundreds of thousands of birds to eat, drink and refuel in the region’s extensive marshes and wetland vegetation.

Located roughly 30 miles south of the city of Burns in southeastern Oregon and adjacent to iconic Steens Mountain, the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a vast wetland surrounded by high desert habitat. Encompassing over 187,000 acres of varied terrain, the refuge’s abundant food and water provide breeding and nesting grounds for more than 340 species of birds — well over half of all bird species found in Oregon.

The Malheur Refuge was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds, and today, the refuge is one of the most productive waterfowl breeding areas in the United States. The area is a birder’s delight and is well worth a visit for anyone interested in deepening their connection to the natural world.

What

to Expect

The birds you are likely to see at the Malheur Refuge depend on when you visit. Migratory waterfowl and shorebirds begin arriving in late winter, while songbirds wait until later in the spring to arrive. March and early April bring an influx of sandhill cranes, snow and Ross’s geese, tundra swans and colorful waterfowl such as northern pintail, ruddy duck and cinnamon teal.

In late April into May, shorebirds and neotropical migratory birds arrive. You can expect to see specialties such as the American avocet, black-necked stilt, white-faced ibis, American white pelican, yellow-headed blackbird, western tanager and Bullock’s oriole at this time. You might also see the American bittern, marsh wren, common yellowthroat, Virginia rail and bobolink, though they can be a challenge to find.

When to Visit

March, April and May are the best months to see the greatest numbers of birds in their most colorful breeding plumage — the pattern and color of feathers on a bird, which changes during breeding. Come late May, mosquitoes begin to outnumber the birds, lasting through mid-August.

When September rolls around, the southbound Pacific Flyway migration peaks and attracts many birders again. In October, hunting season begins and birds become scarce until the following spring.

Where to Go

First-time visitors will not want to miss a visit to the refuge headquarters. While there, be sure to visit the seasonally operated visitor center to check out what birds are being seen where and pick up a bird checklist.

As the old adage indicates, early birds get the worm. Early mornings are the best

time to observe wildlife, as well as late evenings. While there are many trails to explore — including paved, universally accessible options — your vehicle is also an excellent way to observe birds throughout the refuge, and binoculars are encouraged to allow you to get a closer look without leaving your vehicle.

For a good overview of the refuge’s terrain, drive the Center Patrol Road from the headquarters down to P Ranch at the south end of the refuge, stopping for birds along the way. Don’t miss Benson Pond, where you can usually see trumpeter swans, and consider a hike on Buena Vista Overlook Trail for awe-inspiring views of the Steens Mountain and excellent opportunities for bird watching.

At 187,757 acres, one may not be able to cover the entire refuge in a single day. Fortunately, many lodging and camping options are available within a half hour of the refuge. Stewardship of the Refuge

The Malheur Refuge is of vital importance to the birds and wildlife that rely on it, and this landscape is also a natural treasure beloved by generations of Oregonians. While the refuge benefits from existing protections, ongoing caretaking is needed to sustain the health and vitality of the ecosystem.

Oregon Natural Desert Association has been working on the refuge to support conservation management since the 1990s and has led various restoration projects, including making necessary barbed-wire fences wildlife-friendly, removing obsolete fence and collecting data. These thoughtful stewardship efforts support a sustainable future for this stunning and ecologically vital landscape.

Renee Schiavone is the communications manager at Oregon Natural Desert Association, a nonprofit organization that protects and restores Oregon’s high desert public lands and waters.

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is home to shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds, like this marsh wren. Major songbird migration begins in late-April and reaches its peak in mid-May.

Craig Miller

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is primarily managed to protect birds — like this greater sandhill crane — and to provide birding opportunities.

Tom Koerner

January 18, 2025 10am-3pm

The Riverhouse at the Deschutes Convention Center Plan

Connect with event professionals. Discover your perfect style at the fashion show. Browse the latest trends in catering, photography, entertainment and more. Take home swag and win great prizes!

By Savannah Mendoza

Find Your Flow: A Unique Wellness Series in Bend

Gather Sauna House and Wildland Guiding Company collaborate to offer a transformative experience of yoga, meditation and thermal cycles in nature

Imagine stepping from a steaming sauna into the crisp embrace of a Central Oregon winter, your body alive with sensation and your mind as clear as the Deschutes River beside you. This harmony of movement, mediation and nature is at the heart of FLOW/FLOW — a wellness event series blending yoga flow, thermal therapy and guided meditation in a serene outdoor setting.

Surrounded by the high desert landscape and Bend’s natural beauty, Halina Kowalski-Thompson — trauma therapist and founder/CEO of Gather Sauna House — saw an opportunity to create a transformative wellness experience. Gather Sauna House brings the time-honored benefits of hot and cold exposure therapy to the community through a traditional wood-fired sauna and a chance to cold plunge in the river. “The hot-to-cold and back-to-forth acts like a pump for the lymphatic system, flushing out toxins and boosting immunity,” Kowalski explains.

This winter, Gather Sauna House has collaborated with Wildland Guiding Company to create FLOW/ FLOW, an event series along the Deschutes River. “We had planned to really start developing our events and ongoing sauna-based integrative classes this season by utilizing collaborations with other wellness professionals in the community, and we were thrilled to find such a great fit in Wildland Guiding Company,” Kowalski says.

Sharing a common mission to reconnect people with nature for healing, the series combines a 30-minute yoga flow, 70 minutes of hot/cold/rest thermic cycles and a guided meditation. “We believe FLOW/FLOW is the perfect way to shed the stress of the prior week, reset the nervous system and embrace the present moment,” Kowalski says.

Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat (or use one provided), a warm outfit with layers for the yoga session and a bathing suit for the sauna experience. Classes will initially run once a month on Sundays, with plans to expand frequency based on demand. Kowalski envisions a future permanent location, offering year-round wellness experiences while maintaining a deep connection to nature.

The next FLOW/FLOW class is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 26 at 2:45pm. The price of the class is $48 and those who are interested can sign up on the Gather Sauna House website.

FLOW/FLOW

Sun., Jan. 26, 2:45pm Riverbend Park

799 SW Columbia St., Bend gathersaunahouse.com $48

Photo Credit Jayde Silbernagel Creations

your

Purchase discount gift certificates online at perks.bendsource.com

CRAFT Buzz-Free, But Never Boring

Creative ways to nail Dry January in style

By Alyson Brown

Ah, Dry January. That magical time of year when we swap champagne toasts for sparkling water and learn that, yes, we can survive socializing without a cocktail in hand. But just because you’re taking a break from booze doesn’t mean you have to settle for boring drinks (or give up your fancy glassware). In fact, going alcohol-free is the perfect excuse to get a little creative. So, whether you’re detoxing or simply intrigued by the sober-curious movement, here’s how to make your Dry January drinks just as exciting as the real deal.

1. Fake It with Non-Alcoholic Spirits

Non-alcoholic spirits are having a serious moment, and for good reason — they bring all the flavor and complexity of traditional spirits but without the booze. Whether you’re into the herbal notes of gin, the rich depth of whiskey or the bittersweet complexity of amaro and liqueurs, brands like Monday, Spiritless, Lyre’s and The Pathfinder have you covered.

Faux Old Fashioned: Combine a non-alcoholic whiskey alternative like Lyre’s Traditional Reserve with a dash of bitters (alcohol-free options are available from All The Bitter), a teaspoon of simple syrup and an orange twist. Add a cherry if you’re feeling classic.

Zero-Proof Spritz: Mix a non-alcoholic amaro substitute, such as Wilderton’s Bittersweet Aperitivo or Ritual Zero Proof’s Aperitif, with soda water and a splash of grapefruit juice. Serve it over ice with a sprig of thyme or an orange slice for a bittersweet, effervescent treat.

2. Make Tea the Star of the Show

Tea isn’t just for cozy mornings or fighting off a cold — it’s a secret weapon for crafting mocktails with surprising depth and character. Whether you’re into earthy, floral or bold flavors, tea can take your zero-proof drinks to the next level.

London Fog Sour: Brew up some Earl Grey, add lemon juice, a touch of lavender honey and froth it up with aquafaba or egg white. It’s silky, tangy and oh so delicious.

Citrus Ginger Honey Toddy: Steep some ginger tea, then stir in honey and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Add a splash of orange juice and garnish with a slice of lemon and cinnamon sticks.

3. Kombucha: The Cool Kid on the Block

Kombucha is like that trendy friend who’s always at the farmers market. It’s tangy, fizzy and practically begs to be mixed into a mocktail.

Booch Mule: Sub ginger kombucha for ginger beer, squeeze in fresh lime and pour it over crushed ice. Garnish with mint in a copper mug.

Berry Bomb: Take berry-flavored kombucha, add a handful of muddled strawberries, a squeeze of lemon and top with soda water and mint. It’s bubbly and refreshing.

4. Juice It Up with Shrubs and Pressed Juices

Fresh juices, tangy vinegar-based shrubs and even verjus (an unfermented grape juice) can turn any drink into a zero-proof masterpiece.

Citrus Smash: Combine fresh grapefruit, orange and lime juice with a drizzle of honey and some soda water. Top it with a sprig of mint and non-alcoholic bitters and you’re golden.

Cozy Apple Fizz: Apple cider + a splash of apple cider vinegar + sparkling water + a cinnamon stick = autumn vibes in a glass, no matter the season.

Verjus Sparkler: Mix verjus with a touch of honey, a squeeze of lemon and top with N/A sparkling wine for a crisp, wine-like mocktail that’s both refreshing and complex.

5. Bring the Drama with Garnishes

Even if you’re skipping the alcohol, you can still go all out with your drinks. A fresh citrus slice, a delicate edible flower, a dash of edible glitter or a sprinkle of fresh herbs can take your mocktail from meh to magnificent. The garnish is half the charm! Plus, now is a great time to start planning your garnish garden!

6. Don’t Forget the Glassware

Drinking mocktails from a plain water glass? Take it up a notch by serving your mocktail in an elegant coupe or rocks glass with a large ice cube. It’s a simple way to elevate the experience. Try local shops like Borgo Rosati, Jack + Millie or Gathered Wares for fancy glassware.

Final Sip

Dry January doesn’t have to feel like a punishment: It’s your chance to experiment, try new flavors and impress your friends with your mixology skills (even if they’re just there for the snacks). So, grab your shaker, stock up on these easy swaps and enjoy drinks so good you won’t even miss the hangover. Cheers to a buzz-free but totally fun January — and maybe beyond!

Alyson Brown

Crossword “Curling”

Soccer manager Mourinho

53.  Best New American Play, e.g.

57.  Is unable to get a stone where you want it in curling?

60.  Mini revelation?

61.  Somewhat hesitant

62.  Craft similar to a pirogue

63.  One to grow on?

64.  Black stone

65.  Starts the bidding

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

Light source

Where the important people sit

Yale Bowl player

Boat Medea rode on

Caboose 8.  JD Vance's wife

9.  It's definite

10.  "Now you see it, now you don't" thing 11.  In the midst of 12.  Sailing hazard

13.  Tight bro 18.  Tiny complaints

19.  Voting groups

24.  "I sometimes go by," initially

25.  Frequent flier?

26.  Tijuana's state

27.  ___ runner

28.  Thus, in proofs

29.  Get back into music?

30.  Bank job

31.  You are here

34.  Word after Yankee

35.  One of the Twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament

36.  Window section

38.  It's lit

39.  Genre for Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets

41.  "That's the truth!"

42.  "Ya think you're sneaky, huh?"

43.  Kicked on a fourth down

44.  [Nudge] "Get me?"

45.  Safety's stat

46.  "A Love Supreme" saxophonist, to fans

47.  "Girls5eva" actress ___ Elise Goldsberry

50.  Jett with a guitar

51.  Grand Ole ___

52.  River that's totally forgettable?

54.  Archaeological find

55.  Representation

56.  Scratches (out)

58.  Company

59.  ___-warrior

Puzzle for the week of January 6, 2025

Pearl’s Puzzle Difficulty

Puzzle for the week of January 6, 2025

N E M T T H E

T N M I T S E

N H

I M H T S M S H D

Difficulty Level: ●●○○

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

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

M E N S T H I R D exactly once.

Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters M E N S T H I R D exactly once.

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “I’ve got a kid in Africa that I feed, that I clothe, that I school, that I inoculate for 75 cents a day… which is practically nothing compared to what it cost to ” - Anthony Jeselnik

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “I’ve got a kid in Africa that I feed, that I clothe, that I school, that I inoculate for 75 cents a day… which is practically nothing compared to what it cost to

Answer for the week of December 30, 2024

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES

N E R L O S W G B

W L S R B G O E N

G B O E N W L R S

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will “I’ve got a kid in Africa that I feed, that I clothe, that I school, cents a day… which is practically nothing compared to what - Anthony Jeselnik

E S W G L B N O R

O G L N W R B S E

Answer for the week of December 30, 2024

B R N S E O G L W

R O G W S N E B L

L N B O R E S W G

S W E B G L R N O

“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people's legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.” - Sarah Addison Allen

“Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around people's legs like house cats. It was magical, this snow globe world.” - Sarah Addison Allen

RUNNERS!

Free: Copy and paste this link to get four unconventional running form tips and a free introductory lesson. Learn how and how not to use your glutes: improve.awareathlete.com/improveawareathletecom

Running should be easy and natural.

I offer online and in person individual and group running form coaching. Find out more and ask questions at http://awareathlete.com/work-with-scott “Gratitude is simply an acknowledgment of reality.” burt@burtgershater.com • 928-699-5253 • www.burtgershater.com

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Astrologers in ancient China had the appalling view that over twothirds of all omens are negative, threatening, or scary. I haven’t seen formal research into the biases of modern Western stargazers, but my anecdotal evidence suggests they tend to be equally pessimistic. I regard this as an unjustified travesty. My studies have shown that there is no such thing as an inherently ominous astrological configuration. All portents are revelations about how to successfully wrangle with our problems, perpetrate liberation, ameliorate suffering, find redemption, and perform ingenious tweaks that liberate us from our mindforged manacles. They always have the potential to help us discover the deeper meanings beneath our experiences. Everything I just said is essential for you to keep in mind during 2025.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Over the years, a few people who don’t know me well have accused me of “thinking too much” or “overthinking.” They are wrong. While I aspire to always be open to constructive criticism, I am sure that I don’t think too much. Not all my thoughts are magnificent, original, and high-quality, of course; some are generated by fear and habit. However, I meticulously monitor the flow of all my thoughts and am skilled at knowing which ones I should question or not take seriously. The popular adage, “Don’t believe everything you think” is one of my axioms. In 2025, I invite you Aquarians to adopt my approach. Go right ahead and think as much as you want, even as you heighten your awareness of which of your thoughts are excellent and which are not.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): I’m pleased, bordering on gleeful, that your homecoming is well underway. All the signs suggest that as 2025 unfolds, you will ripen the processes of deepening your roots and building a stronger foundation. As a result, I expect and predict that your levels of domestic bliss will reach unprecedented heights. You may even create a deeply fulfilled sense of loving yourself exactly as you are and feeling like you truly belong to the world you are surrounded by. Dear Pisces, I dare you to cultivate more peace of mind than you have ever managed to arouse. I double-dare you to update traditions whose emotional potency has waned.

primed to be an early adapter who launches trends. You will be the first to try novel approaches and experiment with variations in how things have always been done. Enjoy your special capacity, Gemini. Be bold in generating innovations.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Psychologist Abraham Maslow defined “peak experiences” as “rare, exciting, oceanic, deeply moving, exhilarating, elevating experiences that generate an advanced form of perceiving reality, and are even mystic and magical in their effect upon the experimenter.” The moment of falling in love is one example. Another may happen when a creative artist makes an inspiring breakthrough in their work. These transcendent interludes may also come from dreamwork, exciting teachings, walks in nature, and responsible drug use. (Read more here: tinyurl.com/PeakInterludes) I bring these ideas to your attention, Cancerian, because I believe the months ahead will be prime time for you to cultivate and attract peak experiences.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to my analysis of the astrological omens, your life in 2025 will be pretty free of grueling karmic necessity. You will be granted exemptions from cosmic compulsion. You won’t be stymied by the oppressive inertia of the past. To state this happy turn of events more positively, you will have clearance to move and groove with daring expansiveness. Obligations and duties won’t disappear, but they’re more likely to be interesting than boring and arduous. Special dispensations and kind favors will flow more abundantly than they have in a long time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): One of my most enjoyable goals in life has been to expunge my “isms.” I’m pleased that I have made dramatic progress in liquidating much of the perverse cultural conditioning that imprinted me as I was growing up. I’ve largely liberated myself from racism, sexism, classism, ableism, heteronormativity, looksism, and even egotism. How are you doing with that stuff, Virgo? The coming months will be a favorable time to work on this honorable task. What habits of mind and feeling have you absorbed from the world that are not in sync with your highest ideals?

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries poet Charles Baudelaire said that if you want to fully activate your personal genius, you will reclaim and restore the intelligence you had as a child. You will empower it anew with all the capacities you have developed as an adult. I believe this is sensational advice for you in 2025. In my understanding of the astrological omens, you will have an extraordinary potential to use your mature faculties to beautifully express the wise innocence and lucid perceptions you were blessed with when you were young.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In many Asian myths, birds and snakes are depicted as adversaries. Their conflict symbolizes humanity's problems in coordinating the concerns of earth and heaven. Desire may be at odds with morality. Unconscious motivations can be opposed to good intentions. Pride, self-interest, and ambition might seem incompatible with spiritual aspirations, high-minded ideals, and the quest to transcend suffering. But here’s the good news for you, Taurus: In 2025, I suspect that birds and snakes will cooperate rather harmoniously. You and they will have stirring, provocative adventures together.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Using a fork to eat food was slow to gain acceptance in the Western world. Upper-class Europeans began to make it a habit in the 11th century, but most common folk regarded it as a pretentious irrelevancy for hundreds of years. Grabbing grub with the fingers was perfectly acceptable. I suspect this scenario might serve as an apt metaphor for you in 2025. You are

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Here's one of my predictions for you in 2025, Libra: You will reach the outer limits of your domain and then push on to explore beyond those limits. Here’s another prediction: You will realize with a pleasant shock that some old expectations about your destiny are too small, and soon you will be expanding those expectations. Can you handle one further mind-opening, soul-stretching prophecy? You will demolish at least one mental block, break at least one taboo, and dismantle an old wall that has interfered with your ability to give and receive love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): If you’re not married and would like to be, 2025 might be your best chance in years to find wedded bliss. If an existing intimate bond is less than optimal, the coming months will bring inspiration and breakthroughs to improve it. Let’s think even bigger and stronger, Scorpio, and speculate that you could be on the verge of all kinds of enhanced synergetic connections. I bet business and artistic partnerships will thrive if you decide you want them to. Links to valuable resources will be extra available if you work to refine your skills at collaboration and togetherness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I wonder how you will feel about the fact that I’m declaring 2025 to be the Year of the Muses for you Sagittarians. Will you be happy that I expect you to be flooded with provocative clues from inspiring influences? Or will you regard the influx of teachings and revelations as chaotic, confusing or inconvenient? In the hope you adopt my view, I urge you to expand your understanding of the nature of muses. They may be intriguing people, and might also take the form of voices in your head, ancestral mentors, beloved animals, famous creators, or spirit guides.

Homework: Whether or not you believe in reincarnation, imagine that you lived another life. Where was it? Who were you? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com

By Dr. Jane Guyn

Rejected in Bed UNDERSTANDING INTIMACY A COLUMN THAT FOSTERS DEEPER LOVE BETWEEN COUPLES

I am in a loving relationship with my boyfriend of six years. We’re both mid-30s, in good shape and successful. Everything’s perfect except for sex. At the beginning, the sex was great, but it’s completely off now. I want it, but he’s just not interested. He’s under a lot of stress, but the lack of sex has become really painful for me. I told my friend about this, and she asked me if he was gay. I guess it’s a possibility, but I doubt it. I think he’s just not that into me. I teach yoga, run distance and have a slim build. Other guys hit on me all the time. Apparently, I’m attractive enough. I don’t know how to bring it up. We’ve had occasional conversations about it and it seems like talking about it just makes things worse. Can you help?

From,

Rejected in Bed, in Bend

Dear Rejected,

Desire discrepancy between lovers where the male partner has lower libido is very common. In my practice, I see many couples where the woman has a higher sex drive than her male partner. When men aren’t interested, their partners wonder what’s wrong. Often, they blame themselves. Does their partner desire another person — either gay or straight? Is their sex unsatisfying? Why have things changed? They worry that their partner’s been watching porn or cheating in real life with someone else.

The most common reason that men stop being turned on with their partners (particularly during the earlier years of their relationship) is a fear of vulnerability and intimacy.

Tip #1: Get Professional Help

Your therapist or coach can help you take a look at what’s happening as an objective third party. Spoiler alert: There’s no magic bullet for this type of problem — nor is there for most sex issues. Usually, the answers lie in loving each other, letting go of expectations, being responsible for your own turn on, getting support if you’re triggered by traumatic events from the past and addressing communication and health-related concerns. That said, it’s tough to take care of all those things without someone to motivate you, understand you and encourage you. Get professional help and see what happens.

Tip #2: Get Specific Information

It’s crucial to know what’s really going on. Start out by trying to figure out if there are specific health problems in the way. Things like hormone issues, cardiac concerns or diabetes can really impact libido. Is he overweight? Is he in good shape? Does he exercise regularly? Is he struggling with a painful injury to his back, knees or shoulders? What about his sexual practices? How often does he self-pleasure?

Does he watch a lot of porn? Does he have an “addiction” to porn? Does he have specific sexual concerns such as generalized erectile dysfunction or early ejaculation? Does he get morning wood? How about his overall stress level? Is he depressed? Does he have ADHD or OCD? Does he need support for his mental health?

Tip #3: Get Connected with Each Other (and Off Your Phones)

Despite all the “connection” we supposedly experience these days, having internet-based relationships isn’t providing any of us with a real sense of community or personal intimacy. In fact, most studies show that we’re even more dissatisfied with our lives than we’ve ever been. This is true in our friendships and in our most intimate relationships. These relationships are often suffering because we’re distracted by our lives online.

To solve your sex problem, start by changing the way you both “do phone.”

Sometimes it’s helpful to put the phones away at a certain time of night; sometimes it’s good to delete apps or change the coloration on your screen. Maybe even leave the phones somewhere outside the bedroom when you go to bed. Whatever you decide to do, realize that if you’re like most couples, your phones are likely keeping you from connecting intimately. You can’t communicate properly with your phones constantly interrupting. This can be a relatively easy fix, and it will help lots of areas in your life — not just in the bedroom.

You got this.

Xoxo

Dr. Jane

—Dr. Jane Guyn (she/her) is a wellknown relationship coach who received her Ph.D. in Human Sexuality and is trained as a Professional Sex Coach and Core Energy Coach. Send her your questions at thesource@drjaneguyn.com.

TAKE ME HOME

By James Keane Broker RE/MAX Key Properties

Growing Pains Smart growth and what it means locally

Bend faces a critical challenge: how to accommodate increased population while preserving its unique character and environmental integrity. Unchecked growth can lead to urban sprawl, traffic congestion and strain on natural resources. To navigate these challenges, Bend is embracing “smart growth” principles, an approach to development that prioritizes sustainability, walkability and community well-being.

Smart growth emphasizes creating vibrant, walkable neighborhoods where residents can live, work and play. This reduces reliance on automobiles, a major contributor to pollution, and fosters a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system. Furthermore, it promotes a healthier lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling and other forms of active transportation.

Infill development, the redevelopment of vacant lots or underutilized properties within existing urban areas, is a key smart growth strategy. Infill projects maximize the use of existing infrastructure (roads, sewers, schools), reducing the need for costly and environmentally disruptive expansions. This approach also helps preserve green spaces and agricultural lands on the urban fringe.

Mixed-use development, another cornerstone of smart growth, integrates various functions — residential, commercial and recreational — within a single development. This creates pedestrian-friendly environments where residents can easily access shops, restaurants and other nearby amenities. The Hixon, a prominent example in Bend, exemplifies this concept. The rise of co-working spaces, such as The Haven in Bend, further supports smart

growth by providing flexible work envi ronments. Residents can work closer to home, reducing commuting time. By fostering a culture of remote work and supporting local businesses, co-working spaces contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Creating a diverse housing stock is crucial for a thriving, equitable com munity. Smart growth encourages a variety of housing options to meet the needs of residents at different stages of life, including affordable housing, multi-family dwellings and senior living communities. A range of housing choices ensures inclusivity and prevents the displacement of long-term residents.

Implementing smart growth requires a collaborative effort among city planners, developers, residents and businesses. This involves creating and implementing a comprehensive landuse plan that guides future development and prioritizes smart growth principles, investing in public transportation options (bus routes, bike lanes), creating walkable and bikeable communities by investing in sidewalks, bike paths and pedestrian infrastructure, incorporating green building practices and promoting renewable energy sources, and fostering open dialogue and collaboration with residents to ensure that their voices are heard.

By embracing smart growth, Bend can navigate its growth trajectory while preserving natural beauty, fostering a vibrant economy and ensuring a high quality of life for all its residents. This approach emphasizes long-term sustainability, recognizing that the success of the community depends on a balance between economic development, environmental protection and social equity.