The Source Weekly March 20, 2025

UNSUNG HEROES PLUS

After Hours at the Cove

Backyard Igloos

Cove Glow Party

Mystery on the Pickleball Court

Color Splash Bash

Featured Spring Break events and experiences

EDITOR’S NOTE:

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Nicole Vulcan - nicole@bendsource.com

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As winter refuses to go away in Central Oregon, this week’s feature shines a light on the unsung heroes of the Century — the Oregon Department of Transportation crews who keep Century Drive (aka the Cascade Lakes Highway) clear of snow, enabling the Bachelor lifestyle. Bend’s base is currently staffed by 17 operators and contributor Mike Macy spent some time with the workers who operate heavy equipment like plows, snowblowers, graders and front-end loaders in the most vexing conditions. Up on the slopes, Mt. Bachelor seeks to upgrade its Northwest Express lift and prepares for this spring’s RendezVan concert and festivities. In Natural World, Elise Wolf looks at the effects of climate change on birds and how we can help. In culinary happenings, new Vietnamese and Indian restaurants are coming to Bend, plus the season brings winemaker dinners from Cork & Barrel. There’s a lot more news, culture and events on the following pages, so read on!

Once again, April is National Poetry Month and the Source Weekly is teaming up with the Deschutes Public Library and OSU-Cascades for our annual poetry contest. This year’s theme is Rebellion and submissions are open now through April 2. Get all the details at bendsource.com/poetrymonth

“Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.” —Willy Wonka Thank you so much @jaydo_ventures for tagging us in this stunning view at sunset. Don’t

Puertas Abiertas Sábado, 29 de marzo 61646 Pettigrew Road, Unidad 13, Bend 12 - 3:30 PM

Jornada de Puertas Abiertas

¡Viviendas de 3 habitaciones este verano! Visite nuestra casa modelo y hable con nuestro equipo sobre nuestro programa de asistencia financiera. Traducción al español disponble durante la jornada.

Strategic Cuts to the Budget are One Thing. This is Not That.

AEl precio final varía con asistencia financiera -

$215,000

$335,000

lot has been said this week about the stopgap spending bill that Congress passed last Friday, when it was yet again on the precipice of shutting down the government. Democratic members of the U.S. House voted in lockstep against it, while in the Senate, a few key members of the Democratic caucus voted yes — keeping the government running until the fall. Much has also been said about those Democrats who voted yes, in what was certainly a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” type of scenario. Shutting down the government would have empowered our already overly powerful executive branch to exert even more power. Keeping it open means that the same executive’s plans for the government can move forward.

Wherever you stand on the budget passage, it’s instructive to keep an eye on the shift in spending priorities and how they reverberate here in Central Oregon.

Here are a few of the items that just got cut out of the budget passed by Congress, that directly affect us:

lawmakers assured residents at this weekend’s town hall that the center will be built. But at the same meeting, they acknowledged that a significant portion of this year’s legislative session is going to be spent addressing budget shortfalls from the federal government.

Unfortunately, rollout of these changes from the current administration is so chaotic and mercurial in their execution that leaders at the state and local level cannot prepare. Many people support cuts to government spending — especially those at the federal level — but those cuts need to be strategic. If they’re not methodically instituted, then the local nonprofits, businesses and governments affected — like those mentioned above — are unable to plan for the shortcomings without massive interruptions in services. In the case of the legislature, it means that lawmakers must now spend more time adjusting budgets and less time on the business of amending or making laws. That makes for less efficient government overall.

• $2 million in funding for CORE3, the proposed coordination center for Central and Eastern Oregon, which will be the local and state emergency response center for the state should there be a natural disaster like the Cascadia earthquake

• $3.5 million for improvements to OR126 in east Redmond between Oasis Village and town

• $1.25 million to purchase the land where Bend’s outdoor tiny home shelter currently sits

• $2.25 million for a wastewater collection system in Terrebonne

• $1.7 million for Oregon’s Court Appointed Special Advocates network, which supports children in foster care

These cuts will have real impacts. In the case of the CORE3 center,

Any time someone mentions one of the budget cuts that came with Congress passing its most recent continuing-resolution budget, and laments those cuts, someone else jumps in and says, “We can’t balance the budget without making some painful decisions.” That is fine in theory — but will those same people say the same thing when it comes time to renew the tax cuts that Trump initiated during his first term, and which continue to privilege the highest earners? It may be futile these days to point out this hypocrisy, but it is becoming a theme for an administration where sacrifices are not being evenly shared and a disproportionate amount of the burden is on those already struggling to make it in this new America.

Letters

GUEST OPINION: THE IDEA OF PUBLIC LANDS NEEDS NO DEFENSE, IT ONLY NEEDS DEFENDERS

Millions of acres of high desert public lands in Central and Eastern Oregon include some of the region’s most beloved areas like Steens Mountain, the Owyhee Canyonlands, the John Day River and Hart Mountain. Those who enjoy exploring these sinuous canyons, awe-inspiring vistas and vast expanses of sagebrush may be familiar with Edward Abbey’s often-cited quote from 1977: “The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.”

In the decades since this was written, community-based organizations like Oregon Natural Desert Association have worked tirelessly to defend wilderness as an imperfect but effective conservation tool to protect federal lands from mining, industrial development, road construction and other activities that permanently alter an ecosystem’s ability to provide clean water, sustainable recreation and healthy wildlife populations.

For more than 35 years, ONDA has joined with local communities, Tribal Nations, business leaders and others to protect species and habitat, recreational experiences, sacred sites and many other values. Through the years, we have fended off countless threats to wildlands, wildlife, rivers and places we all hold dear. In fact, a small group of Oregon desert defenders formed ONDA in 1987 specifically to push back against archaic, weak, loophole-riddled federal public lands laws used by the extractive industries to turn a profit, rather than benefit all Americans as intended.

We’re now entering an entirely new era in which it is not just the wild places that need defense, but the mere existence of public lands. As Senator Martin Heinrich said during a recent roundtable about the gutting of the federal workforce, “Trump and Musk created this chaos with one goal in mind: to… sell and take your public lands.”

ONDA invites you to take action for the very survival of public lands and the federal agencies we rely on to manage them. If you

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!

enjoy the millions of acres of public lands in Oregon, now is the time to be vigilant. Public lands need defenders. Fortunately, your defense of public lands puts you in good company: Recent polling shows an astounding 82% of voters oppose selling of federal public lands while 88% support keeping existing protective designations in place. These are astonishing majorities, particularly given today’s ideological divides.

And, if you hear tepid replies from elected leaders — things like, “the courts will take care of it” or “they won’t actually do that” — just ask yourself how many times these assertions have been proven false in recent memory. Speak up, be persistent and demand that your representatives actually represent you by taking immediate, proactive actions to protect public lands and their management agencies. Make sure your elected leaders know you will oppose rollbacks, sell-offs or weakening of the laws protecting the public lands that have been called “Americas best idea” and “our common ground” for good reason. Thank you for your vigilance and advocacy as we join together to be the defenders imagined decades ago. It may not be a new concept but it is, once again, a timely one.

—Ryan

Houston, Executive Director, Oregon Natural Desert Association

RE: “BRIDGE CROSSINGS COULD EASE TRAFFIC WOES, BUT WILDFIRE CONCERNS SHOULD FACTOR IN, TOO,” OPINION, 3/13

I am disappointed by the “Opinion” (3/13/25) on a new southern bridge crossing. Given the Source is partly a newspaper, an editorial should at least include a summary of reasons why people oppose the proposed bridge. Most of those opposed don’t live in those few houses along the river. Reasons for opposition include: The U.S. Forest Service and affected landowners along the river are not interested; the necessary exceptions to the scenic waterway plans that will have to be sought and fought over in court; impacts of additional disturbance to wildlife (especially declining population of mule deer); and the increasing human congestion and

degradation of the overused National Forest land west of the river that the footbridge would access.

Those who live within the Bend Park and Recreation District east of the river have present access to the river and the present footbridge via River Canyon Park. Those who live outside the District, in Deschutes River Woods and elsewhere, and therefore don’t pay taxes to the District, will have access to the new trail to Lava Lands and the bridge above Benham Falls. This will provide access to a considerable amount of National Forest.

People who are given questionnaires need to better understand the issues with the proposed footbridge and that it would not connect north along the river to the present footbridge. People should not be provided a one-sided presentation like the Source Opinion. There are so many higher priority projects in Bend (e.g., trail easements, park land acquisition and development) that the people in Bend who pay the District tax levy expect the District to accomplish. A compromise might be to look at the feasibility of a trail from the present footbridge over the Deschutes River south of the Bill Healy Bridge up to the paved trail along Century Drive that connects to National Forest.

—Robin Vora

ELIMINATING FIRE RISK MAPS

According to your recent reporting, state Sen. Broadman states that fire risk maps were “clearly a distraction” from important risk mitigation work. How is informing residents about the level of risk — whether it be fire, flood or earthquake — a distraction? The idea that a state fire map leads to increased premiums is a red herring. Insurance companies employ various tools, including wildfire risk scores, AI-powered models and geographic information systems to assess wildfire risk,

enabling them to make informed decisions about underwriting, pricing and risk management. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a National Risk Index that assesses wildfire risk across the country. People who think that an Oregon fire risk map is the only tool insurance companies use to set premiums are woefully uninformed. While not all states have fire risk maps, many use local resources and tools to assess and manage wildfire risks, and a variety of wildfire risk maps are available. For example, the First Street foundation has a model that shows the probabilistic risk of wildfire based on vegetation, topography and likely weather. My wife and I used the First Street model to evaluate where we wanted to buy a home a few years ago. We chose Bend, knowing that the health risk from wildfire smoke was high in late summer.

I equate the push to eliminate the Oregon fire map to what the administration is doing with climate change at the federal level. Federal websites are being scrubbed of information about climate change, whether it be sea level rise, more intense storms or longer duration heat waves. Taking away information does not make the problem go away. As Thomas Gray said, “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.”

—Dave Morrow

Letter of the Week:

Knowlege is power, Dave. As a former wildland firefighter, our resilience lies in our ability to come together as a community and take collective action.

—Chris Young

Ski Fatality at Mt. Bachelor

A skier at Mt. Bachelor was pronounced dead on March 17 after being buried in a tree well. Around 3pm, an individual at the resort reported a “trapped and injured person in steep terrain,” according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

DCSO identified the deceased as 34-yearold Benjamin Shelkey from Seattle, Washington. DCSO investigators determined Shelkey was found unresponsive, buried headfirst in a tree well. Third parties at the scene worked for approximately 15 to 20 minutes to free him before beginning CPR, according to a press release. While the official cause of death has not yet been determined, the circumstances are consistent with snow immersion suffocation.

“On behalf of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Oregon community, I want to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Benjamin Shelkey. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him,” read a statement from Sheriff Kent van der Kamp. “We also want to recognize the swift response and dedication of all those citizens and ski patrollers who assisted in this rescue effort. Tragedies like this remind us of the risks of outdoor recreation, and we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions when venturing into deep snow conditions.”

—Julianna LaFollette

1 billion

—The number of birds killed annually by collisions with residential windows and large buildings, from the Natural World story, “Climate’s Toll: Birds on the Brink”

Local Entities Clash on Bill Extending the Use of Tourism Dollars

HB 3556 would increase flexibility on the use of tourism funds

Photo and Story by Julianna LaFollette

Aproposed bill in the Oregon Legislative Assembly would extend the ways in which local transient tax dollars can be used by cities and counties. The bill, which is opposed by destination management organizations, attempts to strike a balance between meeting the needs of the tourism industry while responding to the impact that tourists have on communities.

Increasing flexibility for the use of the taxes gathered from facilities such as hotels and short-term rentals could give local governments more money for services heavily impacted by tourists, such as law enforcement. HB 3556 would apply to new or increased transient lodging taxes, and extend the uses of those funds to include public safety and certain costs related to community infrastructure.

“In Bend, we benefit from tourism and associated lodging tax revenue, but we definitely also feel impacts to our city services and infrastructure from visitors, too,” Kebler told the Source Weekly. “HB 3556 is a starting point on the conversation about adding some flexibility to restrictions in lodging tax law, and we had a great conversation with the County and our destination management organizations this week about how to move that conversation forward.”

According to Kebler, the City consistently gets feedback from residents about making sure tourists are paying their fair share for City services and infrastructure. The Bend City Council plans to discuss its support of the bill further at its March 19 meeting.

“Recent studies indicate that a longer hug has even more benefit to the huggers: Fiveto 10-second hugs have deeper positive ripples through our psyche and our physiology.”

—Joshua Phillips, ND, from his column, “The Medicine Cabinet Within: Human Touch”

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners hosted a roundtable meeting on March 17 to hear how various local entities feel about the bill. Following the meeting, it was clear that local destination management organizations (DMOs) strongly opposed it, while government agencies saw it as a chance to further support tourism-related services, like funding for police, street maintenance and possibly other services.

Deschutes County collects an 8% tax on lodging. The current tax rate for the City of Bend is 10.4%. Today, cities and counties are allowed to increase their lodging tax rate. At this point in time, this bill does not alter how cities or counties address tax rates.

The Oregon legislature established the state lodging tax in 2003, which lets cities and counties gather taxes on rooms occupied by visitors. Both the City of Bend and Deschutes County keep roughly 70% of the funds generated by local lodging taxes, while their respective DMOs, Visit Bend and Visit Central Oregon, get nearly 30%.

While local DMOs largely spend their tax revenue on marketing the destinations to potential visitors, the local governments spend it on tourism-related services. According to Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, the approximately $9 million the City received last year goes to the General Fund, which Kebler said is then mostly spent on police and fire, and some street maintenance.

Scott Larson, president of Visit Central Oregon, opposes the bill, worrying that it could potentially divert funds away from DMOs like Visit Central Oregon.

“What that looks like is a significant funding reduction for some of your city tourism boards or DMOs would cease to exist in that scenario, and our ability as the regional entity to support tourism in those smaller communities would be greatly reduced, if not completely disappear,” Larson told the Source Weekly.

According to a Deschutes County draft budget for its transient room taxes, the majority of the money it receives goes toward the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.

The language in the bill, which includes the use of funds on community infrastructure, is a point of concern for Larson. According to letters in support of the bill, HB 3556 would likely allow communities more discretion to identify what infrastructure uses the funds could go toward.

“It opens Pandora’s box to be funded for, effectively, anything. There is no longer a requirement to spend that money on tourism, management, marketing, promotion services, etc.,” Larson said. “It really would be pretty catastrophic for tourism in Central Oregon.”

A hearing on the bill with the House Committee on Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans is scheduled for March 20.

Local Legislators Address Health Care, Education, Wildfires and Other Concerns at Town Hall

Around 200 people attended a local Legislative Town Hall, largely focused on how the state is responding to federal decisions

By Julianna LaFollette

Central Oregonians packed the seats at Oregon State University-Cascades on a snowy Sunday to hear from local legislators about state efforts around health care, education, public safety, wildfire and more. The March 16 town hall included state Rep. Emerson Levy (D-OR53) and Rep. Jason Kropf (D-OR54), along with Sen. Anthony Broadman (D-OR27).

Answering questions submitted by the audience ahead of the event, legislators discussed issues important to Central Oregonians, while also addressing state responses to federal decisions and prospective budget cuts.

Regarding health care and federal threats to Medicaid, Levy assured people that, as of today, there are no changes to Medicaid in the state. However, when it comes to federal decisions around Medicaid, legislators are still unsure of what’s to come.

“We know that Medicaid is not being touched right now… When we leave in June, we won’t know the status of Medicaid. So, it is likely that we’re coming back for a special session to figure out what that all looks like,” said Levy.

On reproductive care, Broadman assured residents that the state is committed to fighting for maintaining Oregon’s current reproductive health care.

“We have an attorney general, a legislature and a governor who are committed to standing up for Oregon values, despite any of the federal chaos,” said Broadman. “We are not going to back down.”

Levy also spoke about the education and budget discussions happening in the current legislative session, which concludes at the end of June. According to her, the state is set to pass the highest budget it’s ever had, at $11.3 billion, but emphasized that the state still needs to make strides in student performance.

“You have the legislature — we can provide money, but we also need to work as a team to make sure that the standards are being met for our kids… we know it’s not just a funding issue,” she said.

While the Bend-La Pine Schools district is doing better than a lot of the state, according to Levy, kids are generally not reading at the level they should be. Gov Tina Kotek, she said, is investing more in accountability, which includes pushing school districts to adopt state programs that help students with literacy.

“I would say in education, really, the focus is just reading, math and our special ed, and we’re really working on all of those things right now,” Levy said.

Another big discussion centered around wildfire prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

Kropf highlighted a recent special session, in which $200 million went toward paying back Oregon fire employees for remaining firefighting costs from the summer. Moving forward, Kropf emphasized the importance of a budget helping to prepare for the wildfire season.

“We’re trying to figure out: How do we fund wildfire suppression costs? What is the revenue stream for that, in the face of growing wildfire

fighting costs? That’ll be a conversation, I guess, that will go on the entire session,” Kropf said. “But the goal we’ve identified is: What is the consistent, ongoing funding going to be for fighting fires moving forward?”

When it comes to federal budget cuts, the legislators mentioned a series of impacts to local communities, and how the state plans to address them.

“The impacts that we see on the news of federal budget cuts seem pretty theoretical sometimes, but they’re real,” said Broadman. “I think people are recognizing the impacts that’s going to have to our safety, to the affordability of our communities and the future of making sure that this is a disaster-resilient state.”

Last week, Oregon saw a significant cut to its CORE3 Coordination Center in Redmond, which would be the only emergency coordination hub for Central and Eastern Oregon. According to Broadman, it will still be built.

Kropf added that legislators are trying to prepare for organizations and projects losing federal funding.

“We are going to try our hardest within our budget means to provide a level of stability and

consistency, but I think that is going to be the overarching big challenge in this legislative session.”

Despite a series of uncertainties, Broadman said he’s hopeful that the state will continue fighting to protect its values.

“We have a governor whose proposed budget sets forth the resources that the Oregon Department of Justice needs in order to protect us. You have a legislature who’s not going to back down when it comes to attacks on our values and our way of life,” said Broadman.

“Americans are being tested by the Trump regime, and we will continue to rise to the challenge and give ourselves the resources we need to defend each other, to keep each other safe and to stand up for human rights and what is good and what is right.”

Town halls across the state have seen unusually large crowds in recent weeks, filled with residents calling for answers regarding actions from the Trump administration. While the event in Bend was relatively calm, other Oregon town halls have been more contentious, with constituents voicing angers and concerns about federal impacts.

Julianna LaFollette

MOUSETRAP MOUSETRAP

Local Heart of Oregon Corps Member Nationally Recognized

Photo and Story by Julianna LaFollette

Arecent graduate of Heart of Oregon Corps, Logan Nichol, was recognized by the National Association of Service and Conservation Corps on March 13 as one of six Corps Members of the Year. Nichols was chosen among more than 22,000 individuals.

The Corps Members of the Year award honors young members who exemplify leadership and the spirit of service, demonstrating personal growth and a sincere commitment to helping their community. According to HOC Executive Director Laura Handy, Nichol is the first local nominee to be selected since 2009.

Nichol went to Washington, D.C., for the annual conference and award ceremony and gave a speech alongside Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley. “It was a pretty surreal experience,” he told the Source Weekly.

Nichol has served over 4,000 hours as a corps member, benefiting Central Oregon communities though wildland fuel reduction projects, removing invasive plant species and protecting vulnerable habitats, among others.

Nichol entered the corps during his senior year of high school while trying to figure out what he wanted to do after graduation and never looked back.

Heart of Oregon Corps operates work, learn and earn programs where young adults, ages 16 to 24, can engage in a community with peers while working on projects to help solve problems, like building affordable homes, preserving natural spaces and wildfire prevention.

“I just really want to stress Logan’s journey. He has served over 4,000 hours through his core service since 2020 to now, earned a ton of certifications, and now he’s been hired as a staff crew leader, so now he’s leading a crew of youth that are near peers,” Handy told the Source Weekly.

Nichol is excited to step into his new role in helping the next generation of corps members serve the community while getting hands-on experience in a variety of fields.

“It has been a part of my long list of duties to be able to help support youth and inspire them to go to greater heights,” Nichol told the Source Weekly.

Heart of Oregon Corps is in the process of building a regional youth workforce development campus in Redmond. The new site will help support youth receiving specialized training, completing school and transitioning to a career.

CALM THE CHAOS: ADULT YOGA

SOOTHE THE MIND AND BODY

Relax, stretch and flow during an adult yoga class at the Redmond Library. Instructor Kaija Marshall will guide you through breathing, stretching and flow poses to soothe the mind and body through movement. Fri., March 21, 3pm at Redmond Library. 827 SW Deschutes Ave., Redmond. Free.

to the

Becca Reynolds City Spark

Logan Nichol at a job site at Knott Landfill.

Unsung Heroes of the Century

IDespite ODOT’s well-publicized financial issues, Bend’s crew of plow operators maintain a steady course to keep

our roads safe

By Mike Macy

n winter, those who venture up the Cascade Lakes Highway (aka Century Drive) to Virginia Meissner Sno-Park or beyond may not consider how much blood, sweat and tears go into making that possible. However, the Oregon Department of Transportation is acutely aware of what’s involved, especially those workers who lose precious sleep ensuring that the rest of us can zoom up Century Drive whenever we choose.

Supported by a host of mechanics, machinists, dispatchers and office workers, heavy-equipment operators with their plows, snowblowers, graders and

front-end loaders wage the actual combat, often in the most vexing conditions. “Not everyone can operate a snowplow,” says Rob Cox, one of ODOT’s road maintenance supervisors in Bend as he eases his massive 10-yard dump truck and plow through rush-hour traffic. (Century Drive’s two mountain trucks can carry only four yards of gravel, leaving more muscle for plowing.) “Many assume it’s a snap, until they give it a try. Some quit after a single test drive.”

After my ride-along to Mt. Bachelor, I can relate: The jostling reawakened every old insult in my nervous system, leaving me shaken.

“Not everyone can operate a snowplow. Many assume it’s a snap, until they give it a try. Some quit after a single test drive.”

—ROB COX

While many of us view a drive to Bachelor as an outing, it’s always serious business for the plow operators. “Driving a snowplow is mentally taxing,” says Cox. “In addition to the road and traffic, the driver has to pay attention to as many as three plows (head, belly and side) and the sander. Maximum speed for plowing is 35 mph. Any faster, and the plow leaves a wavy surface nobody enjoys.”

Rob Cox after a long shift of plowing roadways.

For the grader good: Slow down and bear right when passing.

Ben Coles

“Left to right. We move snow from the center line to the shoulder. When we can’t see the center line, we keep our left front tire on the rumble strip. The vibration tells us we’re on it,” Cox explains. “When you see the plow coming down the center of the road, we’re not playing chicken — we have to be there. Opposing traffic can help by slowing down and giving us some room. If they keep a steady line, all will be good.” During blizzards, drivers may not be able to see past the hood of their trucks. “When we can’t see from one snow stake to the next, we call that ‘plowing by braille.’” Just beyond the Sunriver junction, a knee-high pile of snow remains on the

shoulder. When Cox drops the blade, the curved plow sends a 14-foot-high vortex of slop up and over the top of the embankment. ODOT crews don’t stop at merely exhuming the roadway from each snowfall. Instead, they push the snow back to the far edge of the outward sloping shoulder where it meets the orange marker poles. Besides creating temporary storage space for the next dump, this minimizes the possibility of melt reaching the pavement where it might refreeze and send some feckless driver careening into a snowbank or oncoming traffic. That’s love.

Doing More, With Less

Currently, ODOT’s Bend base has 17 operators, down from 25 a few years ago, thanks in part to declining fuel tax revenues. In addition to Century Drive, however, the base is also responsible for Highways 97 and 20, and Greenwood Avenue in town. Keeping Highway 97 open is their top priority, but “our drivers take a great deal of pride in making Century Drive as safe as possible because friends and families use it every day,” says Cox, who skied Bachelor more than 100 times a season in years past and still snowmachines.

Normally, operators drive four 10-hour shifts each week. But storms can stretch shifts to 12 hours or more. “Whatever it takes,” says Cox, adding that during the big storm cycle over the Christmas holidays, everyone volunteered to work overtime to keep the roads open.

On Century Drive, ODOT’s responsibility extends 17 miles from the Deschutes National Forest boundary just past Tetherow to the West Village access road just past Dutchman Sno-Park. (Hence the sometimes-dramatic change in driving conditions at both ends.)

And there’s more. While the roadway is the priority, ODOT’s Forest Service contract also requires clearing seven sno-parks, including Kapka and Edison. As the parks are heavily used during the day, ODOT tackles them at night. While overnight parking is illegal in some, that doesn’t stop anyone. Indeed, the parks are rarely completely empty, thanks to folks camping in their vehicles or outside on overnights.

When they don’t have to maneuver around too many private vehicles, two men with a grader and a blower can clear eight inches of new snow from the smaller parks in about an hour. Ditto the Sunriver junction, which can only be safely cleared at night on account of the constant stream of daytime traffic. Larger sno-parks like Wanoga and Kapka take twice as long. Therefore, clearing just the sno-parks can easily consume two entire 4pm to 2am night shifts — and that’s with only eight inches of accumulation.

A plow approaches the Wanoga Butte sand shed.

A mountain truck pushes snow uphill.

ODOT

(541) 771-6830 sunrootedlandscape@gmail.com

“I just like working in snow and playing in snow. It takes a lot of work to make that road safe.”

—DAN RAMSEY

During big storms, by the time ODOT gets to the sno-parks, they may be buried in several feet.

Wanoga Beaut

ODOT’s satellite facility atop Wanoga Butte includes sand and fuel sheds and a heated garage for the blower and grader. Weatherwise, the butte is a beaut. During 22 years with Bend ODOT, Dan Ramsey has seen Wanoga roofs blown off twice. With no door on the sand shed, snow often swirls in, dusting the loader and cementing loose sand into boulders.

One of the most unpleasant tasks is refueling since drifted snow often clogs the entrance to Wanoga’s fuel shed. As shifts typically start in Bend with a full fuel tank, refueling, should it be necessary, tends to occur near shift’s end. Just to access the pump’s on-off switch, hose and nozzle, a tired operator must abandon a warm cab for 20 minutes of shoveling through a four-foot drift, often in biting winds or howling blizzards.

Creeping along at 3 to 5 mph, Wanoga’s massive snowblower can augur through a 12-foot-wide, five-foot-deep swath of snow and shoot it a couple hundred feet beyond the 10-foot-high berms along the roadway at Mt. Bachelor, making room for future snowfalls. Operating the blower requires exceptional skill and endless patience.

“You can’t push it,” Ramsey says. “It takes a certain kind of person. We have several who are able to maintain an unwavering berm edge. Rob is one of them.”

Like Cox, Ramsey is an avid snowmachiner when schedules allow. As for why he’s still at it after 40 years with ODOT, Ramsey says: “I just like working in snow and playing in snow. It takes a lot of work to make that road safe.”

The rest is up to us motorists.

FUNDING ISSUES

In the last year, the Oregon Department of Transportation has reported funding issues, warning that it would have to scale back winter weather road service because of budget shortfalls.

ODOT has been meeting with lawmakers, requesting more money in the 2025 session. According to reporting from the Oregon Journalism Project, ODOT said it needed more cash due to income from gas taxes unable to keep pace with the costs of road maintenance and other major projects. The agency has cited funding problems resulting from continued projected declines in gas tax collections and inflation.

In August 2024, ODOT told the Oregon Transportation Commission, which makes decisions on how ODOT funding is allocated, that it anticipated a gap of $354 million between its forecast for available funding and what it needs to keep current service levels, according to reporting from the Statesman Journal.

Closing the gap for the years 2025 through 2027 would require eliminating about 1,000 positions, a reduction in services and nearly 20% of its maintenance stations.

According to reporting from KGW, an ODOT representative said materials, labor and supplies are all costing more, giving ODOT more challenges when it comes to its budget.

A HEFTY BUDGET MISTAKE

ODOT announced that it made a more than $1 billion error in its 2023-25 budget, according to reporting from the Oregon Journalism Project. An ODOT employee announced the error at a Joint Committee on Transportation in late February. A January audit of ODOT found that the mistake was $1.1 billion out of a $5.9 billion budget; therefore, the agency expected to have nearly 19% more revenue than it actually did.

The agency discovered the error in late 2023 and notified the Oregon Transportation Commission, which oversees the agency, in early 2024.

ODOT SERVICES

In addition to its winter weather services, ODOT also deals with highway and road projects, road safety, maintenance and operation, running the Department of Motor Vehicles, tracking road conditions and operating a number of transportation systems and programs.

—Julianna LaFolette

Ben Coles

Even after 40 years with ODOT, Dan Ramsey's ready to roll.

SOURCE PICKS

SAINT MOTEL

UPBEAT INDIE-POP BAND COMES TO BEND

California-based indie band Saint Motel comes to Bend with its catchy art-pop tunes. On stage, Saint Motel’s music is often paired with innovative visual elements that accompany each song. Wed., March 19, 8pm at Midtown Ballroom. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $27.50.

DINNER AND A SHOW WITH TOWER THEATRE

ENJOY WINE, DINNER AND A SHOW ALL IN ONE! Get ready to embark on an elevated experience with the Tower Theatre. Enjoy dinner and a show featuring a three-course meal paired with wines from Willamette Valley Vineyards, and afterward delight in Live from Laurel Canyon at the Tower Theatre. Thu., March 20, 5pm at Willamette Valley Vineyards. 916 NW Wall St., Bend. $90.

SPRING WOMEN’S CIRCLE: NEW BEGINNINGS

SET INTENTIONS FOR THE SPRING SEASON

Reset, reconnect and set intentions for the season ahead through a women’s spring equinox circle. The evening gathering includes gentle yoga, guided meditation, journaling and community connections hosted by the Wildland Guiding Company. Fri., March 21, 5:30-7:30pm at 10 Barrel Brewing. 62950 NE 18th St., Bend. $40-$45.

FRIDAY 3/21

THE FLOOZIES

FUNKY FUN MUSIC

Brothers Matt and Mark Hill are the sonic visionaries behind electro-funk powerhouse The Floozies. Prepare for a night of high-energy, live electronic dance and funky music. Fri., March 21, 8pm at Midtown Ballroom. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $25.

A SPIRITED EQUINOX ADVENTURE

A DAY RETREAT HOSTED BY SOUL TRIP AND GATHER SAUNA HOUSE

Soul Trip and Gather Sauna have collaborated to create an event that honors the equinox and transition into spring with intention. The day retreat features a river walk, outdoor yoga, sauna/cold plunge and tea ritual. Sat., March 22, Noon-4pm at Gather Sauna House. 799 SW Columbia St., Bend. $95-$115.

SATURDAY 3/22

FREELAND SPIRITS WOMEN’S MAKERS MARKET

CELEBRATE WOMEN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Sip and shop among 10-plus women’s makers at this Women’s History Month event. Celebrate women small business owners with cocktails in hand and enjoy snacks and live music from local artist Erin Cole-Baker. Sat., March 22, Noon-5pm at Freeland Spirits Tasting Room. 550 SW Industrial Way, Ste. 190, Bend. Free.

SATURDAY 3/22

RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ

R&B AND SOUL MUSIC

Hailing from Los Angeles, Raquel Rodriguez comes to Bend with her R&B and soul tunes. As a singer/ songwriter and multifaceted artist, Rodriguez strives to create a sound that’s uniquely her own. Sat., March 22, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $15.

SUNDAY 3/23

COMMUNITY HIKE & YOGA

A WE HIKE TO HEAL EVENT

AdventurUs is excited to host the #wehiketoheal celebration, an outdoor campaign that believes nature heals. Join for a morning of yoga, hiking, journaling and meditation and be a part of the Outdoor Journal’s healing mission. Sun., March 23, 9am-Noon at Location TBA, Bend. Free.

MONDAY 3/24

SEWING, MENDING AND DARNING WORKSHOP

SEW AND REPAIR YOUR OWN CLOTHES

Come learn how to mend, sew and darn through this free workshop led by volunteer sewing fixers. Bring an item that needs repair such as socks, clothing or even a ripped backpack to work on and repair. Mon., March 24, 5-6:30pm at Downtown Bend Library. 601 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

Jeshua Marshall

The storytelling roots trio returns to Bend’s Midtown Ballroom

By Alan Sculley

S SOUND The Wood Brothers Are Following Their Hearts

Two decades ago, brothers Oliver and Chris Wood got to share a stage when Oliver’s band, King Johnson, opened a show for Chris’ acclaimed jazz-rooted group, Medeski Martin & Wood.

Oliver sat in with Chris that evening and something magical happened. The brothers realized they still had a musical and personal connection and wanted to make music together. Soon The Wood Brothers were formed, beginning a journey that has seen the brothers (along with percussionist and keyboardist Jano Rix, who joined the band in 2010) become one of the most unique and accomplished bands on the roots music scene.

Looking back, guitarist and singer Oliver feels he and his bassist brother crossed musical paths at an opportune time and might have been fortunate that their meeting of the musical minds didn’t happen sooner.

“Chris and I started The Wood Brothers not at the beginning of our careers. We had both been in separate parts of the country and in completely different circles for 12, 13 years ahead of time,” Oliver observed in a recent phone interview. “What that did was allow us to create our own musical identities and sort of grow up and maybe shed some baggage, or just get through our 20s, let’s say, and even for me, most of my 30s, before we started The Wood Brothers. But during that time, we grew apart because we were apart. We grew apart as brothers and we were not that close. And the music, when we started The Wood Brothers, the music brought us back together. That was our bridge to becoming close again.”

The next chapter in the musical journey of the trio opened in April 2023, when the eighth fulllength studio album of original material from The Wood Brothers, “Heart Is The Hero,” was released.

The approach the band took to make this latest album couldn’t have been more different than how the trio’s previous album, “Kingdom In My Mind,” was made.

To create the songs on “Kingdom In My Mind,” the three musicians spent hours upon hours improvising, which created a huge body of spontaneously played source material. From that, the Wood brothers and Rix identified magical moments and shaped and edited them down into songs with overdubbed parts and lyrics added to create cohesive finished songs.

“On ‘Kingdom In My Mind,’ we really experimented and recorded all kinds of weird music and then worked with the music, where the hard part about that was at the end, trying to edit things [into songs],” Oliver said. “Some of those things were somewhat collage-y and experimental and edited, but from very spontaneous music.

“I think this process [for ‘Heart Is The Hero’] was much different,” he said. “We used 16 tracks of tape only. And we did not use a computer. So we created these limitations… We did it more for the psychology of the creative process, which was to create these limitations where you don’t get to edit things and you don’t get to do things a million times. We have this expensive tape spinning around and you have to actually have a performance that you like and be somewhat prepared to do that.”

“We grew apart as brothers and we were not that close. When we started The Wood Brothers, the music brought us back together. That was our bridge to becoming close again.”

—OLIVER WOOD

That meant writing and refining songs before going in to record and being rehearsed enough to deliver album-worthy performances.

“Heart Is The Hero” finds The Wood Brothers anchoring the songs in more of an acoustic foundation than on “Kingdom In My Mind.” That doesn’t mean the current album is a mellow affair. Like previous Wood Brothers’ albums, the new songs have an earthy sound that eludes categories, but draws from a wide range of influences that include folk, blues, gospel, jazz, Latin, world beat and rock.

“Pilgrim” opens the album on a decidedly funky note, as popping rhythms underpin a big, melodic chorus that pairs well with some playful piano. The title song mines a steady and soulful vein, while “Worst Pain of All” has a poppier accent thanks to its light beat, comforting vocal melody and bah-bah-bah vocalizing segments. “Someone for Everyone” is an easy-going gem highlighted

by an intoxicating organ part that weaves its way through the song, while the barroom piano and tangy guitars on “Mean Man World” give the song a folk-country vibe to complement the song’s warm vocal about a daughter’s resilience and determination.

Over the past year or so, Oliver Wood found time to make a solo album, “Fat Cat Silhouette,” which was released last June, all while The Wood Brothers have continued to tour extensively and have also been working on a new album that should arrive this summer. The trio, of course, is playing songs from “Heart Is The Hero” on the current tour, but the shows will encompass material from across The Wood Brothers’ catalog.

“We try to mix in stuff from all of the albums,” Oliver said, noting that the band now occasionally plays two nights in certain cities on tours. “You expect people are going to come to both nights, so you make a special effort to make two completely different shows. That’s such a luxury at this point. It used to be a little stressful. Now it’s like, ‘Oh, we’ve got more songs than we could ever get to.’ So it’s kind of fun and it allows us to stretch out. So we’ve got stuff from every era, really.”

The Wood Brothers

With Griffin William Sherry Thu., March 27

Expect to hear songs from The Wood Brothers’ 2023 record, “Heart Is The Hero,” alongside material from every era of their catalog when the trio plays the Midtown Ballroom on March 27. Brothers Oliver, right, and Chris Wood, left, are joined by Jano Rix.

Shervin Lainez

CALENDAR

19 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 Bill Powers Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music from Bill Powers. 6-8pm. Free.

Deschutes Brewery & Public House

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

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

Midtown Ballroom Saint Motel -

The Symphony in the Sky Tour Saint Motel is a California-based indie band whose vivid and catchy art-pop is often paired with innovative visual elements both on-stage and in the form of unique self-made videos that accompany most of their songs. 8pm. $27.50-$202.50.

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

Pinky G’s Pizzeria MUSIC BINGO Join music Bingo (think Bingo and Name that Tune). Great food, cold drinks and good times. Free to play and prizes for each round winner. 6-8pm. Free.

Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesdays Enjoy bingo at Ponch’s Place on Wednesday’s. 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 Bar J Bar Miracle Water Tour Folk, country and western Americana artist based in Echo Park, Los Angeles, California. 7pm. $10/$13.

The Commonwealth Pub Terence Neal Singer/Songwriter from Southern California. Musical/ Influences, J.D. Souther, Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams. Album “Something Like This” on Spotify, Reverb Nation. 7:30pm. Free.

20 Thursday

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

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

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

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

Mountain Burger Evan Mullin at Mountain Burger Thursday Night Live at Mountain Burger! 6-8pm. Free.

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

River’s Place One Mad Man Loops together multiple instruments to create moody, driven backdrops accompanied by smooth vocals. Hiphop style drums drive funk-inspired bass followed by electrifying sounds from his keyboard and guitar. 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.

The Commonwealth Pub Two Trick Pony

An upbeat acoustic trio hailing from Bend, Two Trick Pony is united by a love of harmony singing, picking, and groove. 7:30pm. Free.

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

The Lot Skinny Dennis Skinny Dennis is an acoustic duo featuring Bill Sterling (guitar, vocals) and Rodney Toogood (bass, vocals). Classic rock, ‘80s indie pop, and original songs. Skinny Dennis’ sound will get you and your friends smiling and moving to tunes you know while discovering new favorites! 6-8pm. Free.

Webfoot Garage at Silver Moon

Brewing Aaron Wolf, Alific & Coloso Aaron Wolf is a nationally touring artist based out of San Diego,CA, that has quickly become known throughout Southern California as one of the fastest-rising acts as he makes a name for himself amongst the American reggae scene. His music blends elements of reggae, folk, and hip-hop with conscious lyrics. 7pm. $12/$15.

21 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.

LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE

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M&J Tavern JACKRAT & The Raucous High energy and experimental crash together on our stage for a night filled with fun and volume. 9pm. Free.

Midtown Ballroom The Floozies Brothers Matt and Mark Hill are the sonic visionaries behind electronic-funk powerhouse The Floozies. Certified heavyweights in the world of jam and future-groove, the Kansas City-based tandem champion authentic funk in the digital age. Familiar with sold-out shows across the country including their annual hometown Funk Street festival. 8pm-Midnight. $25.

The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room Live music w/ The Color Study/Full Color Dream/ Killmer Join us Friday night for a full Northwest lineup! Local band The Color Study will be team up with Full Color Dream (Bellingham) and Killmers (Portland). Should be a night of awesome tunes and funky brews. 5-8pm. Free.

The Capitol Comedy at The Capitol Nationally acclaimed comedian Andrew Sleighter comes to Bend Friday, March 21 at 7pm to perform at The Capitol. Andrew has been seen on Conan, James Corden, Dry Bar, Comedy Central and his album plays regularly on Sirius XM Radio. Opening for Andrew is Bend favorite Eric Oren. 7-8:30pm. $25.

The Commonwealth Pub StatusFear StatusFear will bringing a unique mix of hard rock and heavy metal favorites to life. Artist Website https://www.facebook.com/statusfear. band 8pm. Free.

The Horseshoe Tavern Use’ta Do Roots-country & bluegrass straight outta Central Oregon, connecting audiences to music performances like they “Use’ta Do.” 7:3010:30pm. Free.

Wildwood Bar & Grill Angelic Noise Angelic Noise is an original roots/pop duo from Portland. Angelic is her real name, the songwriter and creator of Angelic Noise. Songs include topics of love, lies, family, travel, and meditation. 7-10pm. Free.

Volcanic Theatre Pub Yak Attack and Cytrus Parallel 44 Presents YAK ATTACK & CYTRUS - THE ORANGE IS THE NEW YAK TOUR live in Bend on Friday, March 21 at Volcanic Theatre Pub. This bill features two of the West coast’s hottest dance acts and we can’t wait for these two super-talented and energetic bands! 7:30pm. $17 presale.

22 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.

Bunk+Brew Apres-Ski Saturdays End your ski day in style at Bunk + Brew! From 7-10pm, enjoy music, sauna passes, brews and après-ski vibes. Discounts for Mt. Bachelor pass holders and employees. Food carts open all night! 7-10pm. Free. Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards and Events Live at the Vineyard: Heller Highwater Band The full band, Heller Highwater, is taking the stage at Central Oregon’s most beautiful vineyard, bringing high-energy music to make your summer night unforgettable. Featuring: Heather Drakulich – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, percussion Tom Brouillette – guitar Bob Akers – bass Lance Van Buren – drums. 5-8pm. $20.

M&J Tavern Mari and The Dream & SUNGRATER A mix of rock and sweet roll. 9pm. Free.

Open Space Event Studios IMPROV

SHOWCASE 500 by Bend Institute of Comedy Bend Institute of Comedy presents IMPROV SHOWCASE 500 —a fearless, high-energy night of unscripted brilliance! Featuring BIC’s new teams and Breen’s professional comedy friends as the Pro Team, this show is packed with love, lightning-fast wit, and unexpected hilarity. Don’t miss the magic! 7:30-9pm. $20. River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Megan Alder & the Woods. Vocal wonder and smooth guitarist. Fresh original music with classic pop hits and funky swing. 6-8pm. Free.

Silver Moon Brewing Raquel Rodriguez & Guests Raquel Rodriguez is a multifaceted artist from Los Angeles who has made a name for herself by defying categorization. Raised in Santa Monica, Raquel was always recognized for her talent, often being labeled “the singer,” yet her artistry goes far beyond that. 7pm. $15.

The Commonwealth Pub Superball Greetings time travelers and bell bottom wearers – the late ‘60s and ‘70s are back and Superball is ready to rock! 8pm. Free.

Saint Motel comes to Bend with its catchy art-pop tunes. The California-based indie group pairs its music with innovative visual elements that accompany each song. Wed., March 19, 8pm at Midtown Ballroom.

Saint Motel FB

CALENDAR EVENTS

Volcanic Theatre Pub Billy & the Box Kid w/ The Gold Souls Come celebrate 3 years of local favorites Billy and the Box Kid! They will be joined by Sacramento funk band The Gold Souls and many special guests for a night of high energy dance music. 7pm. Presale - $12 Door - $17.

Wildwood Bar & Grill GBots & The Journeymen GBots and the Journeymen were forged from an alchemy of elements, part inspiration, part passion, with healthy dashes of good timing, like any song you can’t get out of your head. GBots intersects with bassist Justin Lebart, drummer Jon Swift, and lead guitarist and vocalist Mark Ransom. 7-10pm. Free.

23 Sunday

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

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

River’s Place Anderson Koenig Singer/songwriter sometimes known as Billy when playing with the band Billy and the Box Kid. With his percussive rhythm guitar style, he tells stories about his life through songs, some of which might make you cry while others will make you want to get up and dance. 5-7pm. Free.

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

Volcanic Theatre Pub The Takes Born out of Portland, The Takes is a folk rock band making music for the fun of it, creating community wherever they happen to be. After selling out Portland staple Mississippi Studios at the end of last year, The Takes set out on their first headline tour this spring. 7pm. $15 presale $25 door.

24 Monday

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

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

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

Elixir Wine Locals Music Night and Open Mic Bend’s friendliest open-mic! All genres welcome. Oregon and international wine, beer and tapas menu available all evening. 6-9pm. Free.

Immersion Brewing Open Mic at Immersion Brewing - Bend Comedy - Open Mic at 7pmSign up at 6:30pm - All performance types are welcome! - All ages are welcome to attend and perform! - All acts are eligible to audition to perform in a future Bend Comedy show! - 5 minutes spoken or 2 songs of stage time! 7-9pm. Free.

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

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

Silver Moon Brewing Beertown Comedy Open Mic Voted #1 Open Mic and Locals Night, Beertown Comedy’s Open Mic happens every Monday at Silver Moon Brewing. Free to watch and perform! Sign-ups at 6:30pm, show at 7pm. With 20 spots available, bring your best jokes and get noticed for paid gigs. Laughter guaranteed! 6:30-9pm. Free.

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

25 Tuesday

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

The Cellar-A Porter Brewing Company

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

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

Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger Come to Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Fun and prizes await! 7:30-9pm. Free.

Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free.

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

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

Silver Moon Brewing The Apricots, The Crooked Rugs & Mustang County Boxing Jamboree The Apricots are an indie-folk-rock band from Portland that thrives on vocal harmony. The Crooked Rugs are a psych-rock band. band formed in Fort Collins, Colorado. 6pm. $13/$15.

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

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

Volcanic Theatre Pub WAND Los Angeles group Wand started off playing psychedelic garage rock with metallic undertones, but as the band’s leader Cory Hanson loosened the reins, they shifted to a more classic rock and modern pop-influenced approach. 7pm. Presale - $20 Door - $25.

MUSIC

Dinner and a Show with Tower Theatre An elevated experience and collaboration with Tower Theater. Enjoy dinner and a show featuring a 3 course wine pairing dinner. After wine and a meal at our tasting room and restaurant, you will head over to the Tower Theater at 7:30pm to watch your show. Shows vary per date. Thu, March 20, 5-9:30pm, Sun, March 30, 5-9:30pm and Wed, April 23, 5-9:30pm. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-306-6000. bend@wvv.com. $90.

Jazz Central Swings! Jazz Central, Central Oregon’s premier vocal jazz ensemble, presents an enchanting evening of live music, featuring performances by the talented members and guests Mollie and Jim Tennant. March 21, 7pm. Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-5509318. jwknox@cocc.edu. $25.

Live Music Thursdays: The Raucous Grab your favorite bites & sips, and listen to the music, curated by Migz Music. This week’s artist is The Raucous, a psychedelic jam band from Bend. March 20, 6-8pm. Bar Rio, 915 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.

Voices Rising: Community Big Sing Revel and delight in epic harmonies, groovy rhythms, and words to feed the heart and soul with 100+ singers in a participatory community singing experience! Songs taught by ear. Singing for the joy of it. Connection over perfection. Even if you think you can’t sing, you belong here! March 22, 3-5pm. Larkspur Community Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-728-3872. kira.is.singing@ gmail.com. $10-$20 donation.

DANCE

Ballroom Dance Class - ChaChaCha

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

Flowstar Class - Beginner Learn the Movement Art of Flowstar with Ellie Hickle, the creator of the Flowstar Tricktionary! This class is perfect for someone looking to expand their prop manipulation knowledge or to simply try something new! 1-hour class followed by an hour of open flow. Beginners encouraged! March 23, 1-2pm. Lava City Cirque, 63075 Crusher Ave #105, Bend. Contact: wispflowarts@gmail.com. $410. La Bon Presents: Bingo & Burlesque Come on down to Craft Kitchen & Brewery on March 22 for an unforgettable night of games, prizes, and dazzling entertainment! Your ticket gets you 4 free Bingo cards and access to the hottest burlesque show in town! March 22, 7-9pm. Craft Kitchen & Brewery, 62988 Layton Ave #103, Bend. Contact: NA. labonburlesque@ gmail.com. $35-$45.

Salsa Dance Classes - Level 1 / Beginner Get ready to have fun learning new Salsa steps! This class is focused on learning basic steps, turns and introduction to partner-work. Dance partner not required but encouraged. Mondays, 8:15-9pm. Through March 31. The Space, 2570 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 110, Bend. Contact: 541-325-6676. LatinDanceBend@gmail.com. $15.

Salsa Dance Classes - Level 2 /

Intermediate This Salsa class is focused on partner-work. Perfect for someone looking to continue to build on their Salsa dance skill. Mondays, 9-9:45pm. Through March 31. The Space, 2570 NE Twin Knolls Drive, Suite 110, Bend. Contact: 541-325-6676. LatinDanceBend@ gmail.com. $15.

FILM EVENTS

Exhibition on Screen: Dawn on Impressionism, Paris 1874 The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history – millions flock every year to marvel at their masterpieces. They were scorned and penniless outsiders. 1874 was the year that changed everything; the first Impressionists, “hungry for independence,” broke the mold by holding their own exhibition outside official channels. March 19, 6:45-8:30pm. Sisters Movie House, 720 Desperado Court, Sisters. Contact: 541-549-8833. inquiries@sistersmoviehouse.com. $17.

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

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

ARTS + CRAFTS

Date Night - Stained Glass In this class you and your partner will make a stained glass sun-catcher or a fun multi colored honeycomb suncatcher for a fun night out! This introductory class provides a foundation for stained glass using the copper foil technique. All glass pieces will be precut. March 21, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-3882283. classes@diycave.com. $99.

Fauvist Pet Portrait Workshop Unleash your inner artist and bring your furry friend to life in vibrant Fauvist style! In this workshop, you’ll learn to create a bold, colorful pet portrait using acrylic paint on a 9x12 inch canvas. Fauvism is known for its expressive use of color and dynamic brushwork. No experience necessary! March 20, 5:15-7:30pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-508-7438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $60.

Based in Los Angeles, singer/songwriter Raquel Rodriguez sets the stage with her R&B and soul tunes. Sat., March 22, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing.

Raquel Rodriguez FB

Freeland Spirits Women’s Maker’s Market Come sip and shop 10+ bad ass local women maker’s at theWomen’s History Month Maker’s Market! Enjoy Cocktails, snacks and live music from the talented Erin Cole-Baker while you shop. March 22, Noon-5pm. Freeland Spirits Tasting Room, 550 SW Industrial Way Suite 190, Bend. Contact: 541-593-0129. bendtastingroom@freelandspirits.com. Free.

Intention & Flow Join Emily and Anna for a Sunday morning of creativity and calm. Start by crafting beautiful handmade cards as Anna guides you through techniques like ink stamping and heat embossing to create unique designs. Then, move into a grounding yoga flow with Emily! March 23, 10am-Noon. The Heartgrounds, Shared upon RSVP, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6132. doyogaoutside@ gmail.com. $35.

Pots with Purpose: Supporting The Trevor Project Stop by Somewhere That’s Green this March to support a great cause✨ Browse beautiful handmade pottery donated by local potters, and 100% of your purchase will go to the Trevor Project. The Trevor Project’s mission is to help stop suicide among young people in the queer community. March 1-31, 10am-6pm. Somewhere That’s Green, 1017 NE 2nd St., Bend. Contact: shop@somewheregreen.com. Free.

Sewing - Garment Making 101 Come learn how to sew your own clothes! In this comprehensive 2-week sewing series you will learn all the ins and outs of how to successfully sew your own clothing. You will gain sewing knowledge and skills and by the end of the series you will have a fun fleece! Mon, March 24, 6-9pm and Wed, March 26, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541388-2283. classes@diycave.com. $284.

Trailer Towing Basics Learning to tow a trailer doesn’t have to be intimidating. This workshop is perfect for beginners looking to learn the essentials of trailer safety and driving. From understanding your rig to tight turns and smooth backups, you’ll practice with your own equipment. March 22, 11am-2pm. City of Redmond, Redmond, Or., Redmond. Contact: 650224-6750. info@schoolofranch.org. $95.

PRESENTATIONS

+ EXHIBITS

Floods, Fires, & Volcanoes: Oregon’s Great Natural Disasters Oregon author William L. Sullivan presents an illustrated lecture about the floods, earthquakes, forest fires, eruptions, and tsunamis that have hit Oregon during the past 13,000 years of human settlement. March 19, 1-2pm. Redmond Public Library, 827 SW Deschutes Ave., Redmond. Contact: 541312-1029. laurelh@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.

Interdisciplinary volcanology: Combining geochronology and geophysics at the Three Sisters volcanic complex

As volcanologists, we look to the past to help us understand the future. We expect future eruption volumes, hazards, and timescales to follow those of the past. The Three Sisters volcanic complex in central Oregon is a great place to tackle an interdisciplinary project. March 25, 5:30pm. Worthy Brewing, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: 903477-2168. cogeosoc@gmail.com. Free.

"No Place to Grow Old" Movie Screening and Panel Discussion Central Oregon Villages and the Council on Aging of Central Oregon invite you to a special screening of "No Place To Grow Old," a documentary that delves into the growing crisis of senior homelessness. March 20, 6-8pm. OSU Cascades Ray Hall Atrium, 1500 SW Chandler Ave, Bend. Contact: info@councilonaging.org. Free.

FEATURED

Rosie the Riveter: Empowered by Chaos

Join us as we delve into the world of WWII women. Reflecting on Rosie the Riveter images by Norman Rockwell and J. Howard Miller, we will compare/ contrast these iconic images that inspired women to answer the call to duty by saying, “We can do it!” March 21, 1-2pm. Redmond Library, 827 Southwest Deschutes Avenue, Redmond. Contact: 541-3121063. beccar@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.

Sky Hunters Raptors take flight overhead in this special program. Experience these predators like never before as our wildlife specialists showcase the birds’ agility and grace. Tickets are available day-of at Admissions. Seating is limited, so arrive early! March 22-29, 11-11:30am and 1:30-2pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum. org. $7, Museum members receive 20% discount.

THEATER

Meadow Sky Presents “THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE” MARCH 14-23

Meadow Sky Productions is proud to present a childhood classic for its spring production, C.S. Lewis’ beloved, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The play will run for six shows. Fri, March 21, 6:30-8:30pm, Sat, March 22, 2-4 and 6:30-8:30pm and Sun, March 23, 3-5pm. High Desert Music Hall, 818 SW Forest Ave, Redmond. $25.

WORDS

Out of This World Book Club March 24 we discuss “Light from Uncommon Stars” by Ryka Aoki March 24, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541306-6564. julie@roundaboutbookshop.com. Free.

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Bow Making Workshop For adults and 16+. Spend the weekend making your own snakeskin backed bow, using the board bow method. Participants will make and take home a finished, usable traditional bow. March 22, 9am-4pm and March 23, 9am-4pm. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com. $300.

Community Hike & Yoga Join Saveria and Jill Rose for a relaxed morning designed to build community, connect with nature, and slow down. This hike is in support of the Outdoor Journal Tour’s We Hike To Heal initiative. SAVE THE DATE! Additional details & registration page will be shared soon. March 23, 9am-Noon. Free.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Opportunity! Volunteers wanted: Mustangs to the Rescue (MTTR) a (5013c nonprofit) desires help with all aspects of horse care. No experience necessary. Call 541-330-8943 and leave a message. Mondays-Sundays, 9am-4:30pm. Mustangs to the Rescue, 21670 McGilvray Road, Bend. Contact: 541-330-8943. volunteer@mustangstotherescue. Free.

Volunteer: Help Businesses Prosper!

Share your expertise. Become a volunteer mentor with SCORE in Central Oregon. The chapter is growing. Your experience and knowledge will be valued by both new and existing businesses in the community. To apply, call 541-316-0662 or visit centraloregon.score.org/volunteer. Fri, Aug. 26 and Ongoing. Contact: 541-316-0662.

GROUPS + MEETUPS

City Club Forum - Sustainable Growth & Land Management in Bend: Balancing Development and Retaining Bend’s Uniqueness As Bend continues to experience rapid expansion, this event will explore strategies for balancing sustainable development with environmental conservation and community needs. March 20, 11:30am-1pm. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central OR, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-668-7642. info@ cityclubco.org. $15-$49.

Dog adoption event Herding Dog Rescue of Central Oregon has several great dogs for you to meet. Stop by Local Paws in Redmond from 11 am until 2pm. Herding dogs are great companions for your walks, hikes, running, mountain biking, skiing, and just hugging! Adopt and foster! March 22, 11am-2pm. Local Paws, 435 SW Evergreen Ave., Redmond. Contact: 458-2928362. Herdingdogrescue@gmail.com. Free.

Habitat Happy Hour Sip, mingle, and build community Join us for drinks and small bites, meaningful conversations, and the latest news from our CEO, Carly Colgan. Meet like-minded community members and take an easy action for affordable homeownership—all in a fun, casual setting. March 20, 5:30-6:30pm. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 224 NE Thurston Ave., Bend. Contact: sstevens@brhabitat.org. Free.

Sewing, Mending, and Darning Workshop This free workshop, led by a handful of our sewing volunteer fixers, will teach you how to mend, sew, and darn, so that you can feel empowered to repair your own clothing, socks, and more! We have limited spots for this class, so RSVP is required. March 24, 5-6:30pm. Downtown Bend Library, 601 Northwest Wall Street, Bend. Contact: naomi@envirocenter.org. Free.

Speed Dating & Single Mingle at Bend Wine Bar - 50+ Join us for an evening of excitement and connection at our Single Mingle and Speed Dating event for ages 50+! Geared toward singles looking to make new connections, this event offers a blend of casual mingling and structured speed dating rounds. Engage in dynamic conversations, share laughter, and who knows –you might find that special connection. March 21, 6-8pm. Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room, Contact: 541-323-0964.

FUNDRAISING

3rd Annual Ryan O’Connell Memorial Game & Fundraiser Central Oregon Lacrosse players along with Burns Lacrosse will come together to honor Ryan’s life and play the 3rd Annual Ryan O’Connell Memorial Game & Fundraiser. We invite you to help continue building a legacy for this incredible young man on and off the LAX field. #BEKINDBERYAN March 20, 4:30-6pm. Mountain View HS Lacrosse field, 2755 NE 27th St, Bend. Free.

Avalanche Dog Party Get your bark on! Meet the team and join us for the 2nd annual Mt. Bachelor Avalanche Dog Fundraiser. Food, drinks, live music, raffle prizes, and of course the Avalanche Dog Patrol pups. March 22, 5-8pm. Greg’s Grill, 395 SW Powerhouse Dr., Bend. Free.

Indie-rock band Glass Animals comes to Bend this summer with special guest Orla Gartland. The band is led by singer/songwriter and producer Dave Bayley along with his childhood friends Joe Seaward, Ed Irwin-Singer and Drew MacFarlane. Sat., Aug. 16, 7pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater.

Glass Animals FB

By Savannah Mendoza

Get Ready to Rock at RendezVan

Every spring, a uniquely Bend-style celebration unfolds at Mt. Bachelor, bringing together RVers, campers and van-lifers for a long weekend of spring skiing, live music and good times on the mountain. RendezVan returns April 17 to 20, offering festivalgoers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure, après tailgating and live performances against an alpine backdrop.

Beyond the live music performances, RendezVan packs the weekend with fun, including a silent disco, food trucks, photobooth and, ultimately, the live sets that keep the energy high all weekend. This year’s lineup features Paper Idol and The Record Company as headliners on Friday and Saturday, respectively, along with a mix of funk, blues, reggae and electronic sounds for an unforgettable slopeside experience.

The festival kicks off Thursday night with The Hasbens, a Bend-based jam band known for its funky, psychedelic style that will keep crowds dancing and the energy elevated. Friday brings Paper Idol’s indie-electronic energy, featuring duo Adam Rochelle (keys) and Victor Singer (drums), alongside High Step Society, a Portland-based group that fuses EDM and jazz for an electrifying set.

As the weekend peaks on Saturday, Vermont singer/songwriter Mihali sets the tone with a laid-back yet lively mix of reggae, folk and blues, leading into The Record Company’s signature blues-infused rock ‘n’ roll. The trio, featuring band members Chris Vos (guitar, lead vocals,) Alex Stiff (bass, backing vocals) and Marc Cazorla (drums, backing vocals), will close out the festival with its gritty, punchy sound.

“Live music paired with skiing and riding until 7pm is an unbeatable slopeside experience,” said Mt. Bachelor President and General Manager John Merriman in a press release. “The energy from both the crowd and the musicians brings the mountain to life and is a perfect culmination of spring here at Mt. Bachelor.”

While the festival admission, activities and music are free, those looking to fully immerse themselves in the RendezVan experience can camp overnight. Limited camping passes are available at rendezvan.com. They tend to sell out quickly — so booking early is key to securing a spot over the weekend.

RendezVan

Thu., April 17- Sun., April 20

CALENDAR EVENTS

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

Flicker Nest Box Workshop Knock knock! Who’s there? It might be a Northern Flicker damaging your house, attempting to excavate a nest! Learn how to build and successfully position a flicker nest box on your property to deter damage to your home, or to simply provide these beautiful woodpeckers with a safe nesting environment. March 22, noon-1:30pm. Big Sky Sports Complex, 21690 Neff Rd., Bend. $75.

Wild Ride Pint Night for Thrive Central Oregon Visit our tap room to get a pint and raise money for Thrive Central Oregon. $1 from each pint sold during this time will go directly into Thrive’s housing bucket to help folks pay for rent, deposit, and application fees. March 20, 5-8pm. Wild Ride Brewing, 332 SW Fifth St., Redmond. Free.

EVENTS

+ MARKETS

Kids Open Play - Spring Break Welcome to our Kids Ninja Warrior gym in Bend! During Kids Open Play, toddlers, babies, and big kids can enjoy exciting obstacles, rock climbing, a giant red slide, adventure net bridge, rings, ropes, and more! It’s a clean, vibrant space where kids stay active and have a ninja-tastic time! March 23-28, 3am-4:30pm and March 24-29, 12-1:30 and 1:30-3pm. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@freespiritbend.com. $19.

Terrebonne Grange Spring Flea Market & Crafts Antiques, collectibles, tools, jewelry, home decor, household items, clothes, crafts, birdhouses, vintage, furniture, baked goods, honey, and lots more. March 22-23, 9am4pm. Terrebonne Grange Hall, 8286 11th St., Terrebonne. Contact: 541-419-8637. pdreilly0422@ gmail.com. Free.

FAMILY + KIDS

SDH Monthly On-site Adoption Event

Join us for our monthly adoption event, which will be held at our facility in Bend! This is a perfect opportunity to meet our adoptable SDH pups! March 22, 10am-1pm. Street Dog Hero, 910 SE Wilson Ave. Suite A-1, Bend. Contact: 503329-7612. becky@streetdoghero.org. Free. Spring Break Wildcrafting Camp March 25-27. Ages 9-12. All-outdoor wildcrafting skills camp. March 25, 9am-3pm. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: info@nighthawknaturalistschool.com. $240.

Street Dog Hero Spring Break Camp

2025 Street Dog Hero’s Spring Break Camp offers a fun, engaging and exciting introduction to humane education and shelter operations. Each day we will learn, craft, play and celebrate all things dog! We will work together on a community service project. Rising first-fourth graders are encouraged to attend! March 17-20, 10am-2pm. Street Dog Hero, 910 SE Wilson Ave. Suite A-1, Bend. Contact: 503-329-7612. becky@ streetdoghero.org. $250.

FOOD + DRINK

Bring Your Own Wine Dinner: Red Blend

Raise a glass at our BYOW Red Blend Dinner! Enjoy a 6-course menu paired with your favorite red blend, corkage fee waived. March 22, 6-9pm. Currents at the Riverhouse, 3075 N. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-389-3111. riverhouselodge@ turnerpr.com. $90/per person (gratuity included).

March Chef’s Pairing Experience Please join us at the Bend Tasting Room & Restaurant for a Chef’s Pairings Experience hosted by our Winery Ambassador and Chef. Invite friends to join you and experience this one-of-a-kind wine and culinary offering, featuring a five-wine flight and four chef pairings (including a dessert course). Sundays, 4:30-6pm. Through March 31. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-306-6000. bend@wvv.com. $60.

BEER + DRINK

Barrel Aged Beernanza A Unique Barrel Aged Beer Event with once in a lifetime brews from Anchorage Brewing, Horus Aged Ales, Sunriver, Fort George, Evil Twin, The Veil, Great Notion and more! March 22, 1-9pm. The Growler Guys - Westside, 1400 NW College Way, Bend. Contact: 747888-7346. bendwest@thegrowlerguys.com. Free.

Boneyard & Friends: Avery Brewing Co. Boneyard & Friends continues at Boneyard Pub as we host Avery Brewing Co. out of Boulder, Colorado. Draft List: Cold Front Golden Bock White Rascal Belgian Wit Ellie’s Brown Ale Avery IPA Highliner Haze The Maharaja IIPA Pump[KY] n March 21, 11am-10pm. Boneyard Pub, 1955 NE Division St., Bend. Contact: 541-241-7184. devinvan@boneyardpub.com. Free. Nicolas-Jay/Méo-Camuzet Wine Tasting Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Taste these must-try wines from standout Willamette Valley winery Nicolas-Jay alongside a special pour from the winery’s Burgundy partner, Domaine Méo-Camuzet. With a deep respect for organic and biodynamic farming, Nicolas-Jay handcrafts low-intervention Pinots and Chardonnays from some of Oregon’s most exceptional vineyards. March 19, 5:30-7pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Drive, Suite 160, Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. $55/$45 Wine Club.

Wings + TRIVIA + Whiskey Enjoy $0.75 wings, $4.50 well whiskey, $6 seven & sevens while testing your knowledge with Trivia, hosted by our amazing Cole! Take on our infamous “physical” challenge - think paper airplanes, musical chairs, limbo etc! Come eat, drink and bring your A-game! Wednesdays, 7pm. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-383-3000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free. Women Tasting Flights: Walla Walla and the Rocks District A monthly group of Women connecting with wine and one another. Dive into the wonderful world of Walla Walla in Washington and the unique Oregon side of Walla Walla in the Rocks District of Milton Freewater with not one but two winemakers for this month’s WTF. March 25, 5:30-7pm. Flights Wine Bar, 1444 NW College Way Suite 1, Bend. Contact: 541-728-0753. flightswinebend@ gmail.com. $70 including gratuity.

HEALTH + WELLNESS

Aikido Free Introductory Adult Class! Please call to reserve your spot. Sat, March 15, 10:1511:30am, Mon, March 17, 5:30-6:45pm and Wed, March 19, 5:30-6:45pm. Free Introductory Adult Class! Please call to reserve your spot. Sat, March 22, 10:15-11:30am, Mon, March 24, 5:30-6:45pm and Wed, March 26, 5:30-6:45pm. Oregon Ki Society Bend Dojo, 20685 Carmen Loop, Suite 110, Bend. Contact: 541-350-7887. cfhc@hotmail.com. Free.

Calm the Chaos: Adult Yoga Join us for a relaxing yoga class, we will breath, stretch and flow together, seeking to ease the mental chatter in our minds and sooth our bodies through movement. March 21, 3-4pm. Redmond Library, 827 Southwest Deschutes Avenue, Redmond. Contact: 541-312-1063. beccar@dpls.lib.or.us. Free - Registration required..

Embodied Exploration: A Spirited Equinox Adventure Soul Trip + Gather Sauna House invite you on a journey with the elements to honor the Equinox & transition into spring with intention. Join us for a day retreat to align with the season through elemental living rituals, including: a river walk, outdoor yoga, sauna/cold plunge, and tea ritual. March 22, Noon-4pm. Gather Sauna House, 799 SW Columbia St, Bend. Contact: 760-846-4891. alyssa@soultrip.co. $95-$115.

Somatic Healing for Tension and Stress This gathering is inspired by heart presence & the wisdom within our bodies. You will be invited to learn somatic tools that will support you to practice nurturing connection rooted in your heart body. Leigh Aschoff is trained by Gabor Maté. March 20, 6-8pm. Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 908-619-3905. personcenteredhealing@gmail. com. $45.

Spring Women’s Circle: New Beginnings Reset, reconnect and set intentions for the season ahead. This evening gathering includes gentle yoga, guided meditation, journaling and community connection. This curated 2-hour experience is designed to help you reconnect with yourself and others in an intentional, supportive space. Limited spots available - reserve yours today! March 21, 5:30-7:30pm. 10 Barrel Brewing Co. Pub & Brewing Facility, 62950 NE 18th St., Bend. Contact: 541-647-7941. wildlandguidingcompany@gmail.com. $40-$45.

The Outsiders Hip-Hop Dance: Auditions We’re edgy, we’re bold, we’re original - we’re The Outsiders! Come audition to join Bend’s newest performance dance crew, focusing on hip-hop dance with an infusion of rock’n’roll. If this sounds like your perfect jam, please come show us what you’ve got! March 22, 3-6pm. Seksé Fit, 550 SW Industrial Way. Suit 154, Bend. Contact: theoutsidersdance@ gmail.com. $10.

Hailing from Portland, The Takes is a folk-rock band that makes music known for its country and blues tendencies and lyrics inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Sun., March 23, 8pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub.

The Takes FB

7 Days / $10 Burgers April 3rd-9th

Source Weekly is proud to present our 3rd Annual Burger Week!

Central Oregon’s most exciting culinary event returns for a full week of beefy, burgery goodness. This is your invitation to craft a specialty burger, priced at $10, which showcases your exceptional culinary talents and wows your customers.

We cannot wait to share your creations with the community!

Current Participants:

Bend Brewing Co.

Bend Burger Co.

Redmond Burger Co.

Blue Eyes Burgers & Fries

Bluma’s Chicken and Waffles

Cascade Alchemy Bowls

Crux Fermentation Project

Currents at the Riverhouse

Fat Tony’s

Fire on the Mountain

Immersion Brewing

Initiative Brewing (Redmond and Madras)

Jackson’s Corner

Luckey’s Woodsman

Mountain Burger

Richard’s Sliders

Roam

Super Deluxe

That Guy’s Bistro

The Bleu Rooster

SC SCREEN

The Spies Who Loved One Another “Black Bag” revels in elegant espionage

By Jared Rasic

Can we agree that Steven Soderbergh is one of America’s most exciting, influential and innovative filmmakers currently working? Or, are his movies not “sexy” enough to elevate him to the ranks of artists like Hitchcock, Scorsese, Godard and Truffaut? Actually, I don’t really care if we agree: I’m calling it. Since 1989’s “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” Soderbergh not only helped revolutionize independent film in the U.S. but has consistently found ways to move cinema into blazingly original spaces of storytelling and technical innovation while remaining so prolific that it remains to be seen if he ever actually sleeps. Somehow making it look effortless, Soderbergh bounces between glossy Hollywood crowd-pleasers like the “Ocean’s” trilogy and “Erin Brockovich,” experimental arthouse oddities like “Bubble,” “Schizopolis” and “The Girlfriend Experience” and intense, clinical deconstructions of bureaucracy like “Traffic” and “Contagion.” My personal favorite of his sub-genres? His off-key character studies, “The Limey,” “Che,” parts one and two, and “Solaris.”

With his second release in just three months (after the flawed yet mesmerizing ghost story “Presence”), Soderbergh’s “Black Bag” isn’t just a return to form for the formally restless auteur, but is inarguably the finest spy thriller since 2011’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” Hollywood espionage movies have been mostly concerned with car chases and explosions as of late, so consider me refreshed that “Black Bag” would rather spend its brisk runtime on crackling dialogue, magnetic performances and high-stakes battles of wits.

British intelligence officer George Woodhouse (a tightly coiled Michael Fassbender) is given a list of five other British agents, one of whom leaked a software program, MacGuffin, known as Severus to the bad guys. Woodhouse has one week to investigate the five agents and discover the mole before thousands might die. The twist? One of the agents is Kathryn St. Jean (Cate Blanchett, having the time of her life), his beloved wife.

That’s not a spoiler as we learn that she’s one of the suspects in the opening minutes, but I won’t go into the plot more than this: Letting the slow burn of “Black Bag” unfurl in real-time before you is a blissfully entertaining experience. When audiences complain about Hollywood not making films for “adults” anymore, I imagine them picturing something with the complexity and intelligence of “Black Bag.”

Soderbergh directs, edits and shoots the film with such restless grace that it’s overwhelming to contemplate balancing such different artistic mediums simultaneously. He’s one of the few directors alive talented enough to edit scenes in his head while building shot compositions and lighting a frame. Editing while filming might sound intuitive, but tightrope walking between cinematic disciplines on a $50 million studio picture requires a level of confidence I cannot even fathom.

This elevated level of filmmaking, combined with an intelligent and fun script from David (“Jurassic Park”) Koepp, a playfully propulsive, percussive score from David (“Ocean’s 11”) Holmes, and a flawless supporting cast featuring a murderer’s row of future movie stars like Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page and Gustaf Skarsgård, makes “Black Bag” a compulsively watchable modern classic.

On the surface, this sounds like something goofily convoluted, like the Pitt-Jolie “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” but the film takes itself quite seriously. That doesn’t mean it isn’t fun, either. Fassbender and Blanchett display such #couplegoals that reveling in the multiple levels of their devotion to each other is not just sexy and sweet but refreshingly uncynical for a spy thriller. As intensely high stakes as the Severus mystery is, “Black Bag” is so ambitiously constructed that it works equally well as an achingly romantic love story.

Soderbergh has spent decades of his career delighting in showing us good-looking people being incredible at their jobs — whether it’s as lawyers, prostitutes, thieves, astronauts, strippers, revolutionaries or spies. He rarely ever approaches a story “normally,” instead coming in at singular and eccentric angles that make his audience re-examine their own preconceptions. “Black Bag” is so effortless, so elegant, that I want another five movies starring Woodhouse and St. Jean, but only with Soderbergh driving. Accept no substitutes.

Black Bag Dir. Steven Soderbergh

Cate Blanchett chews scenery with ease in “Black Bag.”

CHOW C Kitchen Sink Chicken Soup

A magic cure for “fowl” moods

Photo and Story by Megan Baker

Some recipes are handed down on tattered index cards, smudged with sauce and written in practically illegible cursive, while others evolve from pure necessity — using what you have to make something greater than the sum of its parts. Kitchen Sink Chicken Soup is a little bit of both. It’s old-school comfort meets modern-day resourcefulness with a hefty dose of hope stirred in.

I’ve gotten pretty good at what I call “kitchen foraging” — rummaging through all four corners of the fridge, cupboards and produce drawer to see what’s hanging on for dear life. It’s actually become kind of a fun challenge for me. Usually, there’s no shortage of veggies I once had great plans for that have now just become lesser, unappealing versions of themselves. I leave no stone unturned. Maybe that’s where Stone Soup came from — people pooling their odds and ends to make something hearty and delicious out of whatever is available. Thankfully, no boots here.

At the heart of everything is a small, whole chicken — skin on, bones intact — rinsed off and placed into a mesh strainer basket if you have one, nested into the pot. This makes the process so much easier when it’s time to remove the skin, bits and bones without too much hassle.

Surround it with whatever vegetables are left from the week. Onion and garlic skins stay on to give the broth that deeper hue and get every extra nutrient we can. Adding whole lemons, rind and all, because the oils and zest add brightness you just can’t get from juice alone. Add a head of garlic (or two) — smashed, skins intact — and your usual suspects like carrots and celery. I always add turmeric for its color and anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting warmth… trust me when I say: When it comes to turmeric, less is more.

Chicken soup’s reputation as a healer isn’t just folklore. Science backs it up, citing benefits from collagen, amino acids and that comforting warmth that opens sinuses and soothes the psyche. The long, slow simmer extracts the good stuff from bones and veggies, turning plain water into liquid gold.

Back when nothing went to waste and every ingredient had a purpose, soups like this became a staple of home kitchens. When I think back, I remember my mom’s kitchen usually having a pot simmering, full of bits and pieces she wouldn’t dream of tossing, and it seemed like culinary magic to me.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole, small chicken (skin on)

• 2 large onions, quartered (skins on)

• 2 whole lemons, halved and deseeded

• 2 heads of garlic (skins on)

• 5 large carrots (I prefer about 1-inch rounds)

• 5 celery stalks, chopped

• 2 bay leaves

• Kale (or dark leafy greens of any kind), chopped cupfuls of however much you want — they boil down almost completely

• Ginger (I usually have a halfway-dead, shriveled chunk hanging on for dear life)

• Turmeric (a little goes a long way)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup of farro or pearl couscous

Directions:

• Place the whole bird in a large, stainless mesh basket inside your largest stockpot and surround it with onions, lemons, garlic, carrots, celery, ginger plus any herbs that have survived the seasons in your garden. Add turmeric, salt and pepper over everything. I find that the larger the veggie pieces, the more likely they’ll still be there after hours of simmering.

• Cover with water until the ingredients are fully submerged. Sometimes I add Better Than Bouillon (chicken or garlic), depending on which I have — if any.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and let cook for at least three hours, skimming any foam that rises to the top.

• Carefully remove the basket with the chicken and let it cool slightly before shredding or dicing the meat, whichever suits you best. Strain the broth, discarding the spent vegetable skins and anything else you don’t want.

• Return the chicken to the broth and adjust seasoning to your taste. This is when I add farro or pearl couscous — any whole grains you have. You can use potatoes or egg noodles, too — anything you have for starch works. This is why every batch is unique.

Just like the idea behind Stone Soup — a communal pot full of various contributions — this soup brings together whatever odds and ends you’ve got, transforming them into a bowl of comfort and nourishment. It’s about making the most of what you have, letting time and intention work their magic and sharing it with those you love.

Final Thought:

This soup has a little bit of everything — just like life. You throw it all in, let it simmer and somehow it all comes together. Just remember, when life gives you lemons… throw them in whole.

By Savannah Mendoza

The Crown Curry Brings Authentic Indian Cuisine to Bend

Set to open in the spring, the restaurant will offer a wide array of Indian dishes in the former Nome Italiano space

The warm aroma of freshly baked naan, rich curries and fragrant spices will soon fill the former Nome Italiano space as The Crown Curry prepares to bring authentic Indian flavors to Bend. The new restaurant, helmed by experienced restaurateur

Bhavna Pardeshi, is set to open in late April or early May, adding a vibrant new option to Bend’s culinary scene.

This isn’t Pardeshi’s first venture into the restaurant world. She owns two successful Indian eateries in Washington — Walla Walla Indian Cuisine and Maharaja Taste of India in Kennewick, both known for their bold flavors and loyal following. Now, she’s ready to introduce her signature take on Indian cuisine to the Central Oregon community.

“We are so excited to bring our food to Bend,” Pardeshi shared in a statement. “We have many guests at our Walla Walla restaurant who visit from Central Oregon, and I was blown away with the beauty of Bend when I first visited. We knew this was the perfect place for our next restaurant.”

The Crown Curry will follow the successful model of Pardeshi’s other locations, offering a lunch buffet, full dinner service and a full bar. The lunch buffet will provide a fast yet high-quality dining option, and in the evening, the restaurant will transition to a more relaxed dining experience, showcasing both classic and contemporary Indian dishes.

The Crown Curry 1465 SW Knoll Ave., Bend

Pho 88,

Bend’s

New Vietnamese Eatery, Comes to Old Mill District

Opening this spring, the restaurant will serve a vibrant mix of traditional Vietnamese cuisine

Bend’s dining scene is about to get a flavorful addition. This spring, Pho 88, a Vietnamese restaurant from seasoned restaurateur Alice Nguyen, will open in the Old Mill District. Set to launch in May, the restaurant will take over the former Mill Works Pub space.

Nguyen, who previously owned Mio Sushi in Bend, is bringing her expertise back to the area with a fresh take on Vietnamese cuisine. Known for her passion for high-quality ingredients, she is excited to share the vibrant flavors of Vietnam with the community.

“I’ve always loved the Old Mill District,” Nguyen shared in a statement. “I’m beyond excited to be part of it again and introduce a Vietnamese restaurant to the mix.”

Food lovers can look forward to a diverse selection of Vietnamese favorites including fragrant bowls of pho with slow-simmered broth, crispy banh mi sandwiches filled with savory meats and rice noodle soups brimming with aromatic herbs and spices.

Beyond Pho 88’s vibrant menu, the restaurant will also feature a full bar, offering wine, beer and craft cocktails to complement its bold flavors.

By Fat Tony’s Chef Roberto Cardenas

Pho 88

Old Mill District

Climate’s Toll: Birds on the Brink

As the climate shifts, birds struggle to survive in a changing world. We can help.

By Elise Wolf

In June 2021, a devastating heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest, with temperatures soaring from 108° to 121°F. In Central Oregon, Pelton Dam on the Deschutes River reached 119°F. The impact devastated wildlife, with birds among the hardest hit. Babies leaped from nests in droves, overwhelming wildlife rehabilitation centers across the region.

As climate patterns shift, birds across North America face challenges reshaping their lives in both subtle and dramatic ways. The rhythms of nature that birds have relied on for millennia are changing, creating new challenges for species already navigating a complex world.

The National Audubon Society’s “Survival by Degrees” report for Oregon and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s “Conservation Strategy” document ecological effects that will permanently alter Oregon’s landscapes and wildlife. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, drought and extreme weather events are expected to change habitats and ecosystems throughout Oregon. Over the next century, our conifer forests — currently covering half the state — could dramatically decline while shrublands and grasslands expand.

The just-released State of the Birds report for 2025 by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) — a consortium of scientists and agency experts — states that “more than one-third of U.S. bird species are of high or moderate conservation concern.” Notably, aerial insectivores, like nighthawks, swifts and swallows, top the list for being extremely vulnerable to these life-altering ecosystem shifts. Other terrestrial birds, like our western forest birds, are also in particular trouble. Arid and grassland birds, shorebirds, seabirds and non-waterfowl waterbirds are already experiencing substantial declines. All will be forced to adapt, move or perish.

In Central Oregon, our feathered neighbors face unprecedented challenges in an arid landscape already altered by humans. Let’s explore how we can help.

It’s All About Time

Birds evolved precise timing for their life cycles and migrations. For many species, spring migration and breeding coincide with the explosion of insects that follows the seasonal flush of new leaves. This abundance of protein-rich food is essential for successfully raising young. Across much of North America, early springs can cause birds to miss times of peak food abundance. This timing mismatch lowers survival rates for nestlings and adults, and can lead to declining bird populations.

While overwintering birds experience these early warming trends and sometimes adjust, birds wintering in Central or South America can’t detect these changes from thousands of miles away. They rely on daylight length, internal biological clocks, instinct and other cues to time their journeys north. Some migrating birds try to adapt by rushing through migrations and skipping rest periods. It’s like running a marathon and immediately starting another race. Upon arrival, they might urgently begin breeding, leading to poor body condition and higher nestling mortality.

In Central Oregon, jump-started springs “snowmageddons” transform into prolonged cold and rainy periods that last until the weather decides it’s summer sometime in June. Birds tricked into nesting earlier face cold periods that force birds to sacrifice feeding time to keep eggs or babies warm. Breeding season cold snaps and heat waves reduce nest success for most North American bird species.

Disappearing Dinner

If you see fewer bugs splattered on your windshield, you’re witnessing a troubling trend. Insect populations are declining worldwide, with some studies showing drops of 75% in certain regions and a 40% decline globally. Climate change contributes to this decline, alongside habitat loss, drought and pesticide use. Research shows insect loss most severely impacts avian terrestrial insectivores.

About 96% of North American terrestrial birds feed their young on insects. Climate-driven and human-caused insect declines create a perfect storm, threatening insect-eating birds and their young. Bird parents bring their chicks thousands of insects a day; juicy, fat caterpillars are a favorite. Carolina chickadees, for example, plump up hungry nestlings with 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars. Aerial insectivores like tree swallows and bluebirds collect similar numbers of flighted insects.

The relationship between temperature and insect availability is critical. When temperatures drop below certain thresholds, insects become inactive, making them unavailable to birds regardless of actual abundance. Birds breeding to match earlier spring temperatures face twice the risk of encountering deadly cold snaps that drastically reduce insects. A single cold snap during breeding season can reduce bird offspring survival by more than 50% in some species. Extreme heat can also destroy insects or send them into hiding.

Central Oregon will increasingly be an emerging climate change hotspot.

Stamen Design

Five-day-old hatchling Cassin’s vireos pant to cool down on an extreme heat day.

Sheila Newenham

Mid-winter “false springs” — warm, spring-like days — also threaten insect populations as they can trick insects into emerging from hibernation or hatching early. When freezing temperatures return, they face starvation, predation and death. Repeated fluctuations between hot and cold can create local insect depletions, especially during drought.

Habitat Loss from All Angles

Climate change doesn’t act alone. It compounds other threats like habitat loss, wildfire and urbanization. The way we respond to these challenges affects birds in profound ways. Conversions of native plant communities to nonnative landscaping, agriculture and urban development dramatically reduce suitable habitats for many bird species. It also results in insect declines.

The more native wildflowers, shrubs, trees and other plants we preserve, the more birds are saved.

Doug Tallamy, in 2009, reported that “even centuries after their introduction, nonnative plants support on average 72% fewer insects.” No matter how lush it appears, a yard filled with nonnative plants can become a food desert for birds. Birds rely on our native shrubs, including sagebrush and rabbitbrush, and other local plants for food and nesting sites. Sadly, homeowners are being required to remove native shrubs for fire prevention.

Forest management can have unintended consequences, notably when urbanization is already eliminating substantial habitats. Logging and thinning projects designed to reduce fire risk often space out tree canopies, exposing forest floors to more sunlight and drying out soils that once retained moisture. Management practices that mow native plant understory alter the entire ecosystem biome. Yet, there are ways to mitigate fire risk and preserve native habitats.

Drought exacerbates all of these challenges. Water scarcity affects plants, limiting the production of seeds and leaves that sustain plant-eating birds. It also reduces insect

numbers, creating ripple effects throughout the food chain.

We Can Help

Baby birds face a gauntlet of life-threatening challenges. Climate change exacerbates these risks. Mortality rates in most baby birds are high. For instance, 75% of young robins and bluebirds do not survive until winter. These statistics are common for many songbird species. Predators cause the most mortality of nestlings and fledglings, both in the nest and out. Unfortunately, human-altered landscapes increase predator — birds and mammal — populations. Outdoor cats, windows, weather and habitat loss also take a substantial toll.

Wild birds are indicators of broader ecological shifts that eventually affect us all.

Working to protect and restore our native ecosystems is key to supporting our flighted friends. The more native wildflowers, shrubs, trees and other plants we preserve in their natural landscapes, the more bird populations are saved. Being an advocate and voice for our indigenous plant communities, both in the urban landscape and in our public lands, is critical.

Gardening for wildlife is a great solution, provided we offer safe habitats free of threats, like windows and cats. Planting regional native plants (from native plant nurseries) that support the adult stages of insects and juveniles can fill ecological gaps. Encouragingly, new research is exploring how native plant-based cultivars (slightly adapted versions of indigenous plants) might offer alternatives to hard-to-find or at-risk regional indigenous plants.

Along with native plant gardening, we can make enormous contributions by protecting birds from window collisions and cats. Residential windows kill up to 500 million birds annually; large buildings up to 500 million more. Keeping cats indoors and avoiding pesticides will save billions of birds as well. We can enjoy our flighted visitors so much more when we have done all we can to ensure their safety.

Birds adapt, but the rapid pace of change may exceed their ability to adjust. Our choices will determine which species thrive, struggle or disappear. By understanding these challenges, we can take meaningful action to help birds navigate a changing world.

—Elise Wolf directs Native Bird Care, an avian rescue (nativebirdcare.org)

SUMMER OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES

ADVENTURE

Hike scenic trails, ascend rock faces, navigate rivers, explore hidden caves, and tackle mountain bike rides.

LEADERSHIP

Develop teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills with guidance from local experts and credentialed teachers.

IMPACT

Learn about real-world environmental and community challenges, and discover how you can be a force for positive change.

JUNE 23-27

Explorers: 6th Graders

JULY 7-11

Navigators: 7th/8th Graders

JULY 14-18

Changemakers: 9/10th Graders

Since 1970, there’s been a substantial decline across most avian species.

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

By Savannah Mendoza

local chefs leading up to Cork & Barrel’s premier wine event

Wine and food lovers can indulge in intimate dining experiences through the Cork & Barrel Winemaker Dinner series — a collection of exclusive events where celebrated wineries, local chefs and creative menus come together at unique venues. Each dinner offers an opportunity to savor expertly paired multi-course meals while engaging with winemakers and winery owners from Cork & Barrel’s featured wine region — this year, it’s the Columbia River Gorge and Willamette Valley.

This spring and summer, Cork and Barrel has curated a lineup of winemaker dinners, each featuring a seasonally inspired menu crafted by a local chef and paired with selections from a guest winery. The intimate gatherings set the stage for the anticipated Cork & Barrel Sip event — a celebration of Oregon’s wine regions, featuring tastings, auctions and wine-centric festivities, all in support of the KIDS Center — taking place on Friday, July 18 at COCC.

The series kicks off in Redmond on Thursday, March 20, with a collaboration between Stoller Family Estate and Feast Food Company. Founding winemaker Melissa Burr will guide guests through each exquisite pairing while chef Chris Leyden of Feast Food showcases the bounty of Central Oregon with this modern American cuisine.

Next, on Tuesday, April 15, in Sunriver, PROJECT M Wines takes the spotlight with winemaker and owner Jerry Murray, known for crafting elegant Willamette Valley wines. The evening’s culinary pairings will be curated by chef de cuisine Krista Matheis of the Lake House at Caldera Springs, who will take guests on a flavorful journey through the Pacific Northwest using locally sourced ingredients. Also hosted at the Lake House, the dinner offers an intimate setting where guests can sip wine while soaking in views of the serene lake and towering pines.

The series concludes on Tuesday, May 15, with Dr. Madaiah Revana of Alexana Winery joined by chef Karl Holl, executive chef of Brasada Ranch. Held at Wild Rye, the newest addition to Brasada Ranch’s culinary scene, the evening will highlight Central Oregon’s high desert flavors in a refined yet rustic setting.

With limited seating available, early reservations are highly recommend. Visit Cork & Barrel’s website to purchase tickets and be part of an unforgettable evening of fine wine, exceptional cuisine and engaging conversation.

Cork & Barrel Winemaker Dinners

Events in Redmond, Sunriver and Powell Butte corkandbarrel.org/winemaker-dinners

$150-$175

Photo Credit: Forrest Reinhart

Cork & Barrel

Mt. Bachelor Plans Northwest Express Lift Improvements

Proposed lift upgrades aim to improve lift performance and reliability

Photo and Story by Julianna LaFollette

Mt. Bachelor’s Northwest Express lift is set to receive improvements that would modernize the lift. The proposed actions would enhance lift reliability, efficiency and performance through a series of upgrades.

According to a scoping letter, published by the U.S. Forest Service, some of the proposed improvements include burying portions of lines to protect wires from ice buildup, upgrading the lower terminal power supply and replacing existing operator shacks with larger structures, to accommodate larger electric motor controls.

Other planned upgrades include expanding lift chair storage to hold lift chairs in a semi-enclosed structure, allowing Mt. Bachelor to install a system to reduce ice buildup.

The Northwest Express lift, originally built in the 1996-97 season, received a new electric motor last year in an effort to improve operations. Before this upgrade, the lift ran on an auxiliary power unit, a diesel motor that ran the lift. While the previous motor could run the lift at full speed, it ran slower when it had a higher load on the motor, causing the lift to run slower on powder days and leading to longer lines during the 2022-23 season.

According to Presley Quon, Mt. Bachelor’s communications manager, the resort performs routine maintenance and special projects on all of its lifts, based on the particular needs and issues that arise.

“Ultimately, all lift maintenance projects and upgrades aim to improve efficiency and performance so we can give our guests the best experience up here on the slopes,” Quon told the Source Weekly.

This year, resort-goers have reported on social media an increase in abrupt holds on lifts around the mountain, including the Northwest Express lift, leading to longer lift rides or full lift closures, sometimes forcing those at the bottom of the lift to hike out of the area.

The Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest invites people to comment on the project proposal by March 25. According to a project overview, the USFS is set to come to a decision about the proposed lift improvements in June 2025. Implementation is estimated to take place June 2026.

Beyond the Basics

Unique spirits to elevate your home bar

Photo and Story by Alyson Brown

When it comes to cocktails, most people stick to the classic base spirits — vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey and brandy. But the world of spirits goes far beyond these usual suspects. Whether you’re looking to expand your palate, impress guests or simply shake up your usual routine, exploring unique spirits can open up a whole new world of flavor. Here are some distinctive options to try that will add intrigue and depth to your next cocktail.

Mezcal: The Smoky Cousin of Tequila

While tequila gets most of the attention, mezcal offers a bold, smoky complexity that can transform your cocktails. Made from the heart of the agave plant, or the piña, and traditionally roasted in underground pits, mezcal delivers earthy, herbal and smoky notes. Try swapping mezcal for tequila in a margarita or mixing it with ginger and citrus for a refreshing highball.

Absinthe: The Infamous Spirit that Deserves a Second Look

You’ve probably tried absinthe before — or maybe avoided it like the plague. With its reputation for being overpowering and its long history of myths and controversy, absinthe can be intimidating. But in the right application, it’s a beautifully complex and aromatic addition to cocktails.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate absinthe into a drink is by using a spray bottle to mist the inside of a glass before pouring in the cocktail. This technique adds just a touch of absinthe’s herbal, anise-forward character without overwhelming the drink. It works wonderfully in classics like a Sazerac or a Death in the Afternoon (absinthe with sparkling wine), and it can add an intriguing layer to modern creations.

Träkál: A Spirit of Patagonia

Träkál is a lesser known but fascinating spirit hailing from Patagonia. Made from apples and pears, then infused with native herbs and botanicals, it offers a flavor profile that falls somewhere between gin, brandy and herbal liqueurs. Its versatility makes it an excellent base for cocktails, especially those that lean into herbal, citrus or floral notes. Whether sipped neat or mixed into a unique twist on a classic cocktail, Träkál brings a taste of the rugged landscapes of South America into your glass.

Shochu: Japan’s Versatile Hidden Gem

Shochu is Japan’s lesser-known distilled spirit, often overshadowed by sake and whiskey. It comes in various styles, made from barley, sweet potatoes, rice or even buckwheat, resulting in a wide range of flavors — from nutty and earthy to floral and fruity. Unlike sake, shochu is distilled rather than brewed, and it typically has a lower ABV (25-30%), making it lighter and more delicate than many other spirits.

Shochu can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, diluted with water or even mixed into cocktails. A barley-based shochu (mugi shochu) can be a smooth alternative to whiskey, while a sweet potato-based variety (imo shochu) offers rich, umami depth. Try substituting shochu for gin or vodka in cocktails for a subtle, refined twist.

Aquavit: Scandinavia’s Spiced Wonder

If you love gin but want something a little different, aquavit is a fantastic alternative. This Scandinavian spirit is flavored with caraway, dill and other botanicals, making it a savory and herbaceous option for cocktails. It works beautifully in a negroni-style drink or simply with tonic and a twist of citrus. You can find a Nordic-inspired aquavit cocktail, Viking Sword, in my book, “The Flower-Infused Cocktail.” It features lingonberry jam and lime juice.

Cachaça: Brazil’s Funky Sugarcane Spirit

While often mistaken for rum, cachaça has a distinct grassy, funky quality due to its production from fresh sugarcane juice rather than molasses. It’s the key ingredient in the caipirinha, but it also works well in tropical cocktails and tiki-inspired drinks. Alternatively, make a tasty Brazilian mulled wine using cachaça!

Pisco: The Floral Brandy of South America

Hailing from Peru and Chile, pisco is a grape-based brandy known for its floral and fruity character. It’s the star of the classic pisco sour, but it also shines in simple spritzes or stirred cocktails with vermouth. Pisco’s versatility makes it an excellent addition to your bar cart.

Genepy: The Alpine Herbal Liqueur

Often compared to chartreuse but lighter and more floral, genepy is a lesser-known herbal liqueur from the French and Italian Alps. Made from mountain botanicals, it offers delicate notes of chamomile, mint and alpine flowers. With the ongoing chartreuse shortage, genepy has become a great alternative for cocktails that call for the beloved green or yellow liqueur. Enjoy it in a spritz, as

a substitute for chartreuse in a Last Word or bijou, or simply over ice. How to Find These Unique Spirits at a Liquor Store

If you’re eager to explore new spirits but aren’t sure where to start, asking the right questions can lead to some fantastic discoveries. I met up with Allison Cogen, the owner operator of Bend South Liquor, and asked her to weigh in on some unique spirits that you can find at the store:

“I love the idea of a dessert or aperitif for after meals. Kleos is a unique spirit from Greece that is delicious! I also really love Träkál, a Patagonian spirit. Turkish raki is also fun — when you add water it turns milky in color. The other category I love is amaros — there are so many to choose from and they all have their own unique flavor profile. I drink them straight, or sometimes with a splash of soda water for a low-ABV cocktail.”

And when I asked her to recommend something unusual yet approachable, she said: “I’m currently into trying funky mezcals. Part of them for me is the cultural origins and their stories, and I find that when that is tied to a spirit, I enjoy it all the more.”

Expand Your Cocktail Repertoire

Exploring these unique spirits can breathe new life into your home bartending. Whether you’re drawn to the smoky allure of mezcal, the herbal punch of aquavit or the floral elegance of pisco, there’s a world of flavors beyond the standard base spirits. Experiment, mix and sip your way to discovering your next favorite drink.

—Alyson Brown is a beverage photographer and drink stylist with an appreciation for a well-built cocktail. Her passion for cocktails led to her first book, “The Flower-Infused Cocktail: Flowers With A Twist.” Presently, Brown resides in The Stacks Art Studios & Gallery in the Old Mill District, situated right in the heart of Bend.

Food for the gods

31.  It’s about a foot

34.  Anxiety relieving drug, for short

37.  Classic Mazda

38.  A long, long, (keep going) long time

39.  One-liner, part 3

41.  Faucet trouble

42.  Woven product

44.  __-do-well

45.  Soapmaking compounds

46.  They’re one thing after another

48.  Bank (on)

50.  One-liner, part 4

53.  The Knicks’ home: Abbr.

56.  Like one using they/them pronouns

57.  Louvre Pyramid architect

58.  One of the simple machines

60.  Schmaltz

61.  End of the one-liner

64.  Goat’s cousin

65.  Cryptographer’s key

66.  Environment

67.  ___ for life

68.  Forward, as an email

69.  Wine selection

By Brendan Emmett Quigley

Pearl’s Puzzle

Puzzle for the week of March 17, 2025 Difficulty Level:

DOWN

1.  Bad environmental news

2.  Tea variety

3.  Birch bark boat

4.  Starting from

5.  “I’ll answer every question,” initially

6.  Old floor feature

7.  Lost intentionally

8.  First character in the Torah?

9.  He played Aslan in the “Narnia” films

10.  Indiana Jones quest

11.  Optional

12.  “Gnossiennes” composer

13.  Lemon producer

18.  What worker’s work for

22.  With clarity

25.  Out of site addresses?

26.  “What are ___?” (question of incredulity)

27.  Band that were 2024 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees

28.  In a pungent fashion

30.  Knocks on the door

31.  60ths of a min.

32.  Masters accomplishment

33.  Approximately

35.  Expected in

36.  Month in which Pitbull and Lin-Manuel Miranda was born

40.  Keene detective

43.  Dudes

47.  Justin Trudeau’s wife

49.  Barbecue spot

51.  Doesn’t spoil

52.  For a select audience

53.  Paris transport

54.  Dumping grounds?

55.  Act the braggart

56.  Luxury breakfast item nowadays

59.  Bucket of bolts

61.  “Bad Moon Rising” pop grp.

62.  Real understanding

63.  O’Hare’s IATA code

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

The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: "Always ________ everyone's in love and flowers pick themselves." - e.e. cummings

Answer for the week of March 10, 2025

ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES

S H W A O D P R E

P D E S W R O A H

O R A P H E W S D

“The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.” —Robert Benchley

“The freelance writer is a man who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps.” - Robert Benchley © Pearl Stark

ASTROLOGY

By Rob Brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. From standing still, they can be running at 70 miles per hour three seconds later. But they can’t sustain that intensity. After a 20-second burst, they need to relax and recover. This approach serves them well, enabling them to prey on the small creatures they like to eat. I encourage you to be like a metaphorical cheetah in the coming weeks, Aries. Capitalize on the power of focused, energetic spurts. Aim for bursts of dedicated effort, followed by purposeful rest. You don’t need to pursue a relentless pace to succeed. Recognize when it’s right to push hard and when it’s time to recharge.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Inside a kaleidoscope, the colored shards of glass are in an ever-shifting chaotic jumble. But internal mirrors present pleasing symmetrical designs to the person gazing into the kaleidoscope. I see a similar phenomenon going on in your life. Some deep intelligence within you (your higher self?) is creating intriguing patterns out of an apparent mess of fragments. I foresee this continuing for several weeks. So don’t be quick to jump to conclusions about your complicated life. A hidden order is there, and you can see its beauty if you’re patient and poised.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Spiders spin their webs with meticulous care, crafting structures that are delicate, strong, and useful. Their silk is five times more robust than steel of the same diameter. It’s waterproof, can stretch 140 percent of its length without splitting, and maintains its sturdiness at temperatures as low as -40 degrees. With that in mind, Gemini, I bid you to work on fortifying and expanding your own web in the coming weeks—by which I mean your network of connections and support. It’s an excellent time to deepen and refine your relationships with the resources and influences that help hold your world together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In 1858, businessperson James Miller Williams was digging a new water well on his land in Ontario, hoping to compensate for a local drought. He noticed oil was seeping out of the hole he had scooped. Soon, he became the first person in North America to develop a commercial oil well. I suspect that you, too, may soon stumble upon valuable fuels or resources, Libra—and they may be different from what you imagined you were looking for. Be alert and open-minded for unexpected discoveries.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I've been through the US education system, and I can testify that our textbooks don't give the French enough of the credit they deserve for helping our fledging nation gain independence from Great Britain. The 18th-century American Revolution would not have succeeded without extensive aid from France. So I'm a little late, but I am hereby showering France with praise and gratitude for its intervention. Now I encourage you, too, to compensate for your past lack of full appreciation for people and influences that have been essential to you becoming yourself. It's a different kind of atonement: not apologizing for sins, but offering symbolic and even literal rewards to underestimated helpers and supporters.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Chichén Itzá was a large pre-Columbian city from around 600 to 1200 CE. It was built by Mayan people in what’s now Mexico. At the city center was a pyramid, The Temple of Kukulcán. During the equinoxes, and only on the equinoxes, sunlight fell on its steps in such a way as to suggest a snake descending the stairs. The mathematical, architectural, and astronomical knowledge necessary to create this entertaining illusion was phenomenal. In that spirit, I am pleased to tell you that you are now capable of creating potent effects through careful planning. Your strategic thinking will be enhanced, especially in projects that require long-term vision. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for initiatives that coordinate multiple elements to generate fun and useful outcomes.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Fireflies produce very efficient light. Nearly all the energy expended in their internal chemical reactions is turned directly into their intense glow. By contrast, light bulbs are highly inefficient. In accordance with astrological omens, Leo, I urge you to be like a firefly in the coming weeks, not a light bulb. You will have dynamic power to convert your inner beauty into outer beauty. Be audacious! Be uninhibited! Shower the world with full doses of your radiant gifts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Brazil nut trees grow in the Amazon—but if only they are in the vicinity of orchid bees, their sole pollinators. And orchid bees thrive in no other place except where there are lots of blooming orchids. So the Brazil nut tree has very specific requirements for its growth and well-being. You Virgos aren’t quite so picky about the influences that keep you fertile and flourishing—though sometimes I do worry about it. The good news is that in the coming months, you will be casting a wider net in quest of inspiration and support. I suspect you will gather most, maybe all, of the inspiration and support you need.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): As I survey the astrological aspects, I am tempted to encourage you to be extra expansive about love. I am curious to see the scintillating intimacy you might cultivate. So, in the hope you're as intrigued by the experimental possibilities as I am, I invite you to memorize the following words by author Maya Angelou and express them to a person with whom you want to play deeper and wilder: "You are my living poem, my symphony of the untold, my golden horizon stretched beyond what the eye can see. You rise in me like courage, fierce and unyielding, yet soft as a lullaby sung to a weary soul. You are my promise kept, my hope reborn, the infinite melody in the heart of silence. I hold you in the marrow of my joy, where you are home."

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Four facts about a mountain goat as it navigates along steep and rocky terrain: 1. It’s strong and vigorous; 2. it’s determined and unflappable; 3. it’s precise and disciplined; 4. it calls on enormous stamina and resilience. According to my astrological analysis, you Capricorns will have maximum access to all these capacities during the coming weeks. You can use them to either ascend to seemingly impossible heights or descend to fantastically interesting depths. Trust in your power to persevere. Love the interesting journey as much as the satisfaction of reaching the goal of the journey.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The Swiss Army knife is a compact assemblage of tools. These may include a nail file, scissors, magnifying glass, screwdriver, pliers, blade, can opener, and many others. Is there a better symbol for adaptability and preparedness? I urge you to make it your metaphorical power object during the coming weeks, Aquarius. Explore new frontiers of flexibility, please. Be ready to shift perspective and approach quickly and smoothly. Be as agile and multifaceted as you dare.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Coast redwoods are the tallest trees on the planet. If, Goddess forbid, lumber harvesters cut down one of these beauties, it can be used to build more than 20 houses. And yet each mature tree begins as a seed the size of a coat button. Its monumental growth is steady and slow, relying on robust roots and a symbiotic relationship with a fungus that enables it to absorb water from fog. I propose we make the redwood your power symbol for now, Pisces. Inspired by its process, I hope you implement the magic of persistent, incremental growth. Treasure the fact that a fertile possibility has the potential, with patience and nurturing, to ripen into a longterm asset. Trust that small efforts, fueled by collaboration, will lead to gratifying achievements.

Homework:

Henry James said, "Excellence does not require perfection." Give an example from your own life.

THE MEDICINE CABINET WITHIN

HUMAN TOUCH

By Joshua Phillips, ND

Medicine

for the masses

We are a culture that has gone through a massive transformation in the way we connect to one another and information over the last 20 years or so. Ironically, while we have the tech for such tremendous connectivity, we may have simultaneously lost some of the incentive for old-fashioned physical connection and closeness — trading down for endless pings of data and images. This has resulted, for many, in a deficit of one of the most basic and important aspects of human health and well-being: touch. Physical closeness and touch are one of the simplest and meaningful ways to contribute to our mental health and physiologic health — and to the health of others at the same time.

Human touch and physical connection are one of the fundamentals of well-being that could be considered as important as diet, exercise and all the other things we do to cultivate health in our lives. Sexual connection and relationships are obviously another level of intimate touch, but health benefits occur by just sharing friendly and affectionate touch in a nonsexual way.

A friend recently shared that she was, for a time, a cuddle therapist, and I was surprised that such a thing even existed. Evidently, she witnessed a lot of healing for the people she worked with by offering the basics of platonic, clothed cuddling, simply to address this basic human need. The very fact that this service has become a professional offering is a testament to the deep need for touch and connection, as well as the deficit of it in our culture.

Oxytocin is a hormone that has been referred to as the cuddle hormone, as hugging, cuddling, kissing and intimate connection stimulates its release. This hormone is very powerful, supporting us physically, mentally and emotionally in many ways. Its release supports trust and bonding between people and helps to reduce stress and pain, among many other healthful metabolic effects.

A dive into the literature on the topic of the health benefits of touch reveals a surprising amount of research, with not-so-surprising conclusions. Brief hugging and handholding demonstrated reduced blood pressure and cardiovascular reactivity in a 2003 study. Susceptibility to illness like viral respiratory infections may be decreased by those engaged in affectionate touch more

than those who do not, as reported in a 2014 study. A study involving fibromyalgia patients demonstrated that therapeutic touch resulted in reports of improved quality of life and decreased levels of chronic pain.

It should come as no surprise that affectionate and therapeutic touch offers tremendous benefits as well for those struggling with issues of depression or anxiety. Human touch is another way to help regulate the body’s stress hormones like cortisol, while also supporting improved levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, GABA and dopamine. These positive neurochemical changes not only lend to greater feelings of joy and contentment, but also have positive downstream effects, improving metabolic health in virtually every system in the body.

Of all age demographics, the elderly is the group that statistically receives the least amount of touch. This part of our population, along with the rest of us, struggled greatly during the COVID years to reconcile the crucial need for human touch and connection with perceived risks of infection. While we seem to have, for the most part, moved on from this tough time, for many the fear of closeness and touch endures.

Your author would argue that the benefits far outweigh the risks, and that we are inherently a communal species that benefits deeply on every level from close connections with friends and family, to include affectionate touch. Recent studies also indicate that a longer hug has even more benefit to the huggers. Five- to 10-second hugs, and even a prolonged 20-second hug (as long as both people are into it!), have even deeper positive ripples through our psyche and our physiology.

Knowing these things, we all carry a tremendous gift to ourselves and to those in our lives: the ability to reach out and offer a friendly hug or affectionate touch. These gestures not only bring a smile to us and anyone on the receiving end but can also be considered a real part of our self-care and care for others in our community.

—Joshua Phillips, ND, is a naturopathic physician and the director at Hawthorn Healing Arts Center in Bend. He can be reached at docnaturecure@gmail. com with questions or comments.

By James Keane Broker RE/MAX Key Properties

Late Winter Market Report

What is happening now

While national economic trends often dominate the headlines, it’s imperative to analyze the specific conditions prevailing in our locale. Often people speak about “the market” in general, which is far too broad. You must really zoom into your location to understand the dynamics of what’s going on. We can’t ignore national trends, as they do have some level of impact, but it’s far more important to understand the specifics in Bend and what that means for buyers and sellers locally.

Presently, the Bend real estate market exhibits a state of equilibrium, characterized by a healthy inventory level of approximately three months. This figure signifies a balanced marketplace, affording prospective buyers a reasonable selection of available properties without inducing undue scarcity. If you remember a few years ago between 2020-22, it was typical for there to be less than 1.5 months of inventory, which along with low interest rates helped drive the madness of the COVID real estate world.

Furthermore, we observe approximately 350 active listings, representing a diverse array of residential options. This breadth of choice enables discerning buyers to identify properties that align with their specific requirements and preferences. The current market conditions facilitate a more deliberate and considered decision-making process, a welcome departure from the accelerated pace of previous years.

The average days on market (DOM) currently stand at 45. This metric indicates a measured market pace, where buyers are conducting thorough due diligence

and sellers are adopting realistic pricing strategies. This extended DOM reflects a return to a more traditional market dynamic, where transactions are conducted with prudence and deliberation.

The prevailing market conditions, characterized by a stable inventory, ample listings and a moderate DOM, can be attributed to the enduring desirability of Bend as a residential destination, coupled with the persistent influence of elevated interest rates.

The sustained period of higher interest rates, now approaching three years, has effectively moderated the frenzied market activity observed in previous cycles. However, it has not diminished the fundamental attraction of Bend as a desirable place to reside. This confluence of factors has resulted in a market that is both robust and stable. Therefore, the following guidance is offered:

For Prospective Buyers: The current market presents a favorable opportunity for strategic acquisition. The availability of inventory and the extended DOM provide ample time for thorough evaluation and negotiation. It’s advisable to engage a qualified real estate professional to navigate the market and secure a property that aligns with your financial and lifestyle objectives.

For Prospective Sellers: A well-informed and strategic approach is paramount. Accurate pricing, comprehensive marketing and a patient negotiation strategy are essential for achieving a successful transaction. The market favors sellers who present their properties competitively and are prepared to engage in constructive dialogue with prospective buyers.

Green Issue The Green Issue The

Just in time for Earth Day, the Source Weekly’s Green Issue will be packed with content on what locals and businesses are doing to increase sustainability. Readers will find tips and tricks on how to keep our community healthy and build a greener future. Be a part of this issue and let your conscious living efforts shine in the Green Issue!

this year, our Earth Heroes awards highlight the people voted on by the nonprofit environmental community. Join us as we celebrate those in Central Oregon committed to growing, defending and enriching the region we

Listed by William Hubbard and Jake Moorhead

by John Snippen of

HERO