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EDITOR’S NOTE:
The tug of war over housing and conservation often elicits passionate emotions. Reporter Clayton Franke wades through the complex issue the City of Sisters is sorting through in trying to expand its urban growth boundary with the hope of providing more affordable housing. What looked like a nearly done deal after two years suddenly stalled with objections raised by state environmental agencies.
Peter Madsen talked with outgoing library director Todd Dunkelberg as he reflects on his career and looks ahead. Peter’s Q&A sheds light on library fines, the new library and retirement.
In the music scene, we have interviews with two powerhouse stars — one known for rock, the other country — who share the stage at Hayden Homes Amphitheater. And several local rock bands team up to offer a free concert aimed at raising money to feed the hungry. Music makes us feel good in so many ways.
—Managing Editor, Nic Moye
LIGHTMETER:
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Nicole Vulcan–nicole@bendsource.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Nic Moye–editor@bendsource.com
FEATURES AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
Peter Madsen–peter@layitoutfoundation.org
REPORTER
Clayton Franke–clayton@layitoutfoundation.org
REPORTER / CALENDAR EDITOR
Dallas Finn Calvert–calendar@bendsource.com, reporter@bendsource.com
COPY EDITOR Richard Sitts
FREELANCERS
Jared Rasic, Donna Britt, Eli Zatz, Dave Gil de Rubio, L.
Kent Wolgamott, Joshua Phillips
SYNDICATED CONTENT
Rob Brezsney, Brendan Emmett Quigley, Jen Sorensen, Pearl Stark, Tom Tomorrow, Matt Wuerker
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OPINION
Much Ado About Psilocybin
Oregon’s experiment into mushroom as therapy seems to be going well — except for all the issues that we already knew about
Arecent review of Oregon’s psilocybin therapy program brings up some of the most obvious points about the initiative, approved by voters just a handful of years ago: High-earning individuals are often the ones accessing the program. Many of them come from out of state to do so. People are accessing the program not just for psychological concerns like anxiety or depression, but also for general wellness. And with the program so new and the bar set relatively high for reporting on participants’ mental health concerns, not enough data is out there to be sure that the facilities offering these programs are doing it safely and not letting in people for whom psychedelics could be dangerous. Add in some public confusion about what’s legal and what’s not (“mushroom” gummies and other products with questionable ingredients have been showing up on store shelves in recent years) and there’s still plenty to sort out.
But tell us all something we couldn’t have predicted about a program that is less than a decade old.
When Oregonians in 2020 voted in favor of launching the nation’s first psilocybin therapy program, the same set of concerns was talked about then. As the program rolled out and facilities began to open, that continued: Would the extensive fees and setup costs for the facilities cause them to be too expensive for people in need to access? Wouldn’t this make Oregon — long a state that’s experimented with drug
policy — even more of a tourist destination for drug enthusiasts? And what were the guardrails in place to make the program safe?
But just because the average person in Oregon could intuit these common concerns doesn’t mean that there isn’t a need to process them and codify them in a more formal way. Articles like the one just produced in the International Journal of Drug Policy might tell us something of what we already know — and yet, if they get us one step closer to resolving the initial concerns, by getting policymakers to tweak the formula and make the program cheaper and more accessible, for example, then we’ll take it. Studies that analyze efficacy and safety at scale, like the one currently underway at Oregon Health & Science University, could help some people — namely, the people who make the laws that the Oregon Health Authority and the therapy centers adhere to — understand what many people already know: that psilocybin can and does help a lot of people. The more people it helps, in theory, the more people it has the potential to help in the future.
We need more research to legitimize the issue in the public square, and to ensure products are safe and facilitators are ready for issues that arise. Based on the data we already have, Oregon’s experiment into mushroom as therapy seems to be going well — except for all the issues that we already knew about.
O Letters
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BEING SEEN
At Munch & Music the other night, a handsome man, early forties maybe, looked at me and said, “You are pretty.
Three words.
At this season of my life, I never expected to hear those words again. But his tone, his eye contact, the plain sincerity of it, made me believe him. I walked on, surprised and light.
“Do you know him?” my friend asked.
“I don’t think so,” I said. It didn’t matter. What mattered was how long it had been since anyone bothered to say something so simple and true, and mean it.
A few days later, a childhood friend sent me a video of her late husband’s commencement address. I wrote to her. What he’d said stayed with me: showing up in person, looking someone in the eye, telling them what you actually see in them. That man at the gathering had done exactly that, without knowing it.
So I’ve started doing it back.
Telling someone they are pretty. Saying, “I am so glad you are here.” Asking about a surgery and really waiting for the answer. With the Silver Sharks, I say it out loud when I see it: her grace in the water, his steady way with the group.
I don’t know his name. I probably never will. But he changed how I move through a room.
— Laurie Clark
IF CIRCUSES HAVE EVOLVED WHY CAN’T RODEOS?
Rodeos are experiencing a major surge in popularity across Oregon currently and are supported locally as a massive driver for local economies. It is deeply discouraging that an event built on violence toward animals continues to draw such enthusiastic crowds.
Part of the problem lies in the fact
that the industry works very hard to make sure the audience don’t see the “bad side” and unfortunately the propaganda is working.
The misleading argument by rodeo sponsors that rodeo is merely a display of traditional ranching is a fallacy.
Ranchers prioritize low-stress handling and calm environments to prevent livestock weight loss and injury. Long-term health of the animals is a priority for economic reasons. Whereas rodeos subject animals to periods of intense stress, fear and high injury risks for entertainment. In rodeo the goal is speed, spectacle and human domination over an animal.
Local news outlets and seemingly reputable businesses continue to lend their credibility to the spectacle, and most people simply don’t look deeply enough to what they’re witnessing. This isn’t unique to rodeo — we saw the same pattern with the circus, with SeaWorld, with every form of animal entertainment that has ever existed. Again, to hide the “bad side” these organizations shower the audience with glittering lights, acrobatic feats and lively music designed to distract audiences from the harsher, unseen realities of the industry.
These live circuses with animal acts have largely been replaced by extraordinary human performers — and somehow Cirque du Soleil is more breathtaking than anything an exploited elephant ever did. The magic didn’t disappear. It just evolved.
So why not rodeo? And in this age of extraordinary technology and creative innovation, we have to believe there are ingenious minds capable of designing a simulated rodeo experience that captures all the excitement without a single animal being terrorized, injured or killed.
—Jill Tinker
GOVERNMENT ROUNDUP
By Nic Moye
Board of Commissioners July 8
On Wednesday, July 8, Deschutes County Commissioners held a public hearing on a proposal to rezone about 20 acres off Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond, from agricultural to rural industrial. The area is known as Last Ranch and informally, as the Funny Farm, which was a roadside attraction. Last year, commissioners approved the zone change but Central Oregon Landwatch appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals, which found the application was not fully in compliance with Planning Goal 5, which requires local governments to protect natural resources, open space, scenic and historic areas. LUBA sent the issue back to commissioners for the remand hearing which took place on July 8. The issue
involves Highway 97, which was designated as a scenic resource in 1992 and whether new industrial uses permitted under a zone change would conflict with the highway’s designation. That protects a quarter mile on each side of the highway with certain rules governing landscaping, building colors and size of structures within the first 100-feet. The property currently has two unoccupied houses and a barn. After hearing testimony in favor and opposed to the rezoning, the commissioners voted to keep an open record period on the issue open with deliberations scheduled Aug. 19, a decision expected on Aug. 26, a first reading Sept. 9 and second reading on Sept. 23.
Bend Park & Recreation Board Meeting July 7
The Bend Park & Recreation Board elected Cary Schneider as its new Chair and Deb Schoen as its Vice Chair on July 7. During the meeting, Executive Director Michelle Healy reported the playground boat structure at Harmon Park is closed due to aging, rust
and the presence of lead paint. Healy says the park district is looking at its options and associated costs, which include removing it, refurbishing it or replacing it. The rest of the playground remains open.
The boat play structure at Harmon Park is closed due to safety issues. It’s future remains uncertain.
Bend Park & Recreation District
Want to be the New Deschutes Public Library Director? Todd Dunkelberg Says ‘Listen’
From solving barside sports arguments to waiving late fees, Dunkelberg reflects on the soft science, joys and lessons of library leadership
By Peter Madsen
The year was 1999. Books, magazines and newspapers still ruled the Earth. The internet, barely existent, wriggled in a puddle somewhere. Todd Dunkelberg had already earned a master’s in library and information science from the University of Texas-Austin. He’d been working as a children’s librarian when he was tapped to relocate to Central Oregon to manage the Redmond Library.
Flash forward to 2026. Dunkelberg, exec utive director of the Deschutes Pub lic Library system since 2009, has watched the information age accelerate at Mach speed toward a brave new world.
Libraries, and the reading public alike, have adapted. The way folks seek information has changed as much as the ways libraries serve communities is now technologically focused.
deliver it has changed.
For example, when I started out, it wasn’t unusual to get a call from somebody at a bar saying, “We’re here having an argument, and we want to know who won the World Series in 1962 and how many games it was.”
[Laughter.]
Along the way, Dunkelberg has overseen the implementation of a $195 million bond and construction of the Redmond Public Library and, as of early May, the Central Library at Stevens Ranch in Bend. Dunkelberg, at 59, is easing toward a long-announced retirement this fall. The trouble herein lies not with what he’ll do with all the newfound free time but in helping find the next person to fill his shoes.
To help with the hunt, The Deschutes Library board of directors signed a $45,000 one-year contract with DSG|Koya, an executive recruiting firm, earlier this year. After reaching out to 300 people and receiving 50 applications, the firm presented 16 candidate résumés. A search committee interviewed eight candidates, arriving on two finalists who traveled to Bend earlier this month to present their visions for the library system.
As the dust settles, however, the position remains open.
The library has temporarily paused its search; it will consider appointing an interim director at its Aug. 12 board meeting.
In the meantime, the Source chatted with Dunkelberg about a career that has spanned a revolutionary period in the library sciences. He also speaks about the relational, playful nature with everyday readers — and library staff alike — who he’s found invaluable in steering a library system into the 21st Century.
[This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.]
the Source: What made you want to join the world of libraries?
Todd Dunkelberg: There’s a book called “What Color is Your Parachute?” [that] goes through a lot of worksheets to figure out what work matches your qualities and what you’re looking for. When I did that, it became obvious that libraries were an amazing fit. I started out in libraries when it was pre-internet. All the information came from research, books, newspapers and archives.
tS: Obviously, there’s since been a revolution in how people consume information.
TD: Yes, but the central customer service, helping connect people to the information, connecting people to the joy of reading — all that still exists. The way we
TD: It was fun — it was a pretty heady feeling to be like; I can answer that. We’d grab a sports almanac and go from there. Now, we can do that in about 2 seconds with our thumbs and our cell phones. So that piece has changed a bit, but in a lot of ways, we still use those skills, but to do a deeper dive into research, helping people get beyond the surface and understand how the information they’re getting isn’t accurate. We’re still really about literacy. I was reading an article about a health services library that has virtual reality goggles. Those make me think of gaming. But medical students were using the goggles to practice surgery.
tS: Wow.
TD: It really helped shift my thinking. We’re about connecting people, sometimes through digital literacy. If you want to get a job, you have to understand how to use the technology. That’s why we have a 3D printer. How does that fit with my view of a building filled with books? With our new build ings Redmond and now in Bend, it’s about connecting our communities. That’s why we have a maker’s space and a children’s discovery area.
tS: So back to the 1962 World Series…
TD: It was seven games. And the Yankees beat the Giants.
[Laughter.]
tS: When we met at the library a few months ago, you checked two books out to me and now they’re overdue.
came in late when they were in kindergarten and they hadn’t been able to use their card since.
tS: Oh, no.
TD: And that’s completely opposite of what we’re trying to accomplish at the library. In the decade since we got rid of fines, it’s really had no impact on our ability to keep books and it hasn’t impacted our budget. As a director, sometimes it’s good to question something that seems like it’s always been there, but to wonder why it is and do we need to change?
tS: That’s so interesting. What are some other examples of fresh thinking that make for a good library director?
TD: I can’t take full credit for this, but our staff discussed a lot of studies about listening to your staff, listening to your community. Especially if you look at our building projects, the things that seem unique and innovative came directly from customers’ desires, like our collaborative working area, our maker’s spaces, our children’s discovery area. Those were things that our community told us they’d like to see, what they need to thrive. A really big piece that’s really needed is the ability to listen and to know how to translate that into what fits with our mission. And when it doesn’t fit, we can find ways to make partnerships so we can stay focused on our mission.
TD: We haven’t charged fees for about 10 years, so you’re safe. Eventually, if they’re too late, you’ll probably get a bill from us for the entire book. But if you bring it back, the bill will go away.
tS: When I was an undergraduate student, I remember an English teacher got arrested because he had too many unpaid fines at the city library. People were like, whoa, that’s serious overkill. When DPL got rid of fees, was that part of a national trend?
TD: For me as a director, I was looking at our budget and at how much time our staff was spending in interactions with people about a 10-cent fine. I realized that the argument was costing the library about $10 in staff time. That lead me to question why we were doing this. I found a lot of research throughout the country about the effectiveness of fines, and what I found was counterintuitive: it showed that fines had just created a barrier to entry, especially for low-income users. Anecdotally, as a children’s librarian, there were numerous times when a high school freshman would come in to check out a book to write a report. I’d look at their record, and they had a copy of “Curious George” that
tS: I have the impression that you’re very relational with everyday readers. Where does that rank in importance for the new director? Also, where does having fun as a director fit in? I’m flashing to that hilarious video you filmed where you introduce the new Redmond library using Gen Z slang.
TD: Everybody has their own styles; I like to have fun, but that’s just me. There’s plenty room for a director who’s a very serious person, as well. Those are the intangibles that you’re looking for in a new director. It goes back to really listening. How well do they connect with people? That’s a more important piece than what genre they’re reading. The joy of libraries for me is everyone’s reading is different. A new director may be 100% into historical nonfiction, or they may be into fantasy literature. It doesn’t matter. It’s about connecting people to the process, joy and discovery of reading itself.
tS: What are your retirement plans?
TD: I’d like to volunteer, contribute to our community in some other way. I’d like to travel. First, I’ll head to the Oregon Coast to sit and think about where I’ll want to go.
tS: I assume books will inform these travel decisions.
TD: Yes. I just read a novel that took place in Tokyo and it made me think I should go there. So, that’s probably my entry point. Then I’ll go grab a travel book and learn more about the place.
tS: In retirement, you’ll have plenty time to read books.
TD: I would love to say I’d read more books, but I’m also the world’s best procrastinator, so I may just feel guiltier about not reading books.
ToddDunkelberg
PeterMadsen
‘ICE Out’ Protest Remains Peaceful, if Aware of Upcoming Elections’ Precarity
Hundreds of drivers, passing by the downtown Bend Peace Corner, honked in solidarity with anti-ICE activists
By Peter Madsen
The honking from passing drivers was incessant during the afternoon of July 11 at the downtown Bend Peace Corner.
For the roughly 50 protesters mingling at the corner of NW Portland and Wall, those honks of solidarity was a good thing, if the two recent local arrests and Houston shooting death by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were anything but.
The protest, “From Houston to Central Oregon: Abolish ICE Everywhere,” was organized by the Central Oregon chapter of 50501, a national activism group and resource for immigrant rights. Colloquially, this is the weekly “ICE Out” protest that has held forth since September.
Far from the black-clad, Antifa archetype, the protesters instead seemed cut from the cloth of everyday Central Oregonians.
A woman wearing capris, river sandals, a blouse and sunhat waved a sign overhead: “ICE = Rogue Death Squad.” A sandy-haired man wearing a golf shirt, khaki shorts and boat shoes foisted a sign that read: “Corrupt. Senile. Pedophile. Impeach. Convict. Remove.”
Spanish-language Reggaetón piped from a portable speaker. A card table featured packets of bilingual immigrant bill of rights, handy in the event of an ICE stop.
Yet not all passersby were on board.
“These people need to get a f*ckin’ life,” a man, also wearing a golf shirt and boat shoes, shouted over his shoulder as he ambled with companions along Portland Avenue.
The weekly protest had a renewed urgency on July 11. Just days before, agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a construction worker and father of three in Houston. The day after the Araujo killing, July 8, federal immigration authorities arrested two men in Bend, the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition confirmed with the Source. The group did not respond to follow-up emails regarding their identities.
Unknowable to the Bend protesters on July 11, ICE would shoot and kill a 26-year-old man in Biddeford, Maine, on the morning of July 13.
At the July 11 gathering, a man joined the sign-waving ranks, carrying one of his own. A counter-protestor, he concealed his identity with the neck gaiter he’d pulled over his face. His sign advocated waging war against citizens he deemed, “godless Marxist fascist scum,” among other indictments. Protestors cajoled him to remove his mask. He stood mostly silent, thronged by protestors who took turning blocking his sign’s message with those of their own for the duration of the hour-long protest.
On a less raucous corner, Stan Oliver wore a long-sleeve, hooded sun tee, holding a sign that read “Silence is Compliance” and, on the other side, a redwhite-and-blue banner featuring a crossed-out swastika and the word “never.” He designed his sign holder to allow him to easily swap out the messages from between plexiglass slides.
Oliver said he’s been protesting at the Peace Corner since the beginning of the first Trump administration. And during the 1960s, as a young man, he protested the shooting deaths of students by National Guardsmen at Kent State.
“There are a lot of people behind this, and it’s nice to see how many people keep supporting this,” Oliver said. “It’s hard to come out here all the time, and there are people here every week.”
Oliver said he’s been impressed by the protesters outside the ICE detention center in Portland.
“That’s been an interesting example on how to protest without directly confronting people in a way that turns them off. I think it’s important for people who oppose this administration to be heard.”
While Oliver was speaking, two teen boys whipped by on e-motos, gesturing with middle fingers and yelling obscenities at protesters. Oliver tracked the provocation.
“I like smiling at those people,” he said. “That behavior is what Trump has encouraged — the ugliest part of people. Now we see that all the time.”
Oliver says he’s eyeing the 2026 midterm elections to see if congressional power tips away from Trump-supporting lawmakers. He’s also tracking any potential interference with ballot counting and allegations of voter fraud.
“They’re really stepping things up right now. It wouldn’t surprise me if they have some shenanigans where they confiscate ballots, under the auspices of an emergency,” Oliver said. “That could be a sign of the end of free elections. That’s very concerning.”
That skepticism was warranted. On June 24, a federal judge permanently blocked essential sections of Trump’s executive order from March 2025 that would have required eligible voters to prove citizenship and have negated mail-in ballots that arrived after Election Day. The following day, the U.S. Department of Justice sent letters to every secretary of state, threatening to prosecute elections officials.
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read issued a statement that rivals the unflappable-ness of any protester’s signage:
“The U.S. DOJ is knocking on our door again with more threats and no evidence to back up their fever dreams about non-existent voter fraud,” Read stated. “I’m not intimidated by political threats or manufactured controversy. …We’ve beaten back every illegal executive order and lawsuit so far. We’re ready to do it again, as many times as it takes.”
Since ICE’s shooting deaths of protestors in Minneapolis in January, federal immigration authorities have kept a lower profile. Nonetheless, immigration authorities have clocked record arrests throughout the country. In the last five days of June, federal immigration authorities have made 10,000 detainments, according to The New York Times. Cities particularly targeted have been Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston.
50501 Central Oregon is the local chapter of the national 50501 initiative, whose name is short for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement” and states its purpose as fighting for democracy against fascism and the billionaire class.
The Central Oregon chapter has organized the weekly Defend Democracy protests since October and, notably, the No Kings rally in Drake Park on March 28. The group also led local vigils and protests of the federal immigration authorities’ shooting deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in January.
As the “ICE Out” protestors wrapped up after their scheduled gathering, three young adults remained. They said they were there do their part to keep “atrocious things” from happening to more of their neighbors.
“I think it’s important we raise awareness that we are a melting pot country, we are a nation of immigrants living on stolen land,” said Flicker Bryan. “We have no right to kick out people who have come here after us.”
Three young protesters remained after the “ICE Out” protest disbanded for the day. “We have to look out for our neighbors,” they said.
Peter Madsen
Local resident Stan Oliver says he has participated in protests since the student killings at Kent State University.
Peter Madsen
REDMOND NEWS
Candidates File to Run for Redmond City Council
Three City Council seats are open, along with the mayoral position
By Peter Madsen
The filing deadline may be Aug. 25, but numerous candidates for Redmond City Council have signaled their interest by filing paperwork early.
The mayoral seat is open, along with three seats on the Redmond City Council. These are four-year terms. Interested parties can pick up a campaign packet from the city’s Recorder’s Office or send an email request. (More information is available on the Redmond City Election website.) Stipulations include having lived in Redmond for a calendar year preceding the Nov. 3 election. Here are the candidates running so far.
Mayor
Ed Fitch
The mayoral incumbent, Ed Fitch has been a Redmond resident since 1979. That’s the same year he began as Redmond’s city attorney, serving until 1996. He was subsequently Redmond’s mayor from 1999 to 2001. He was also a member and chairperson of the Redmond Development Commission from 2010 to 2013; additionally, he was a member of the South 97 Advisory Committee from 2013 to 2018. Fitch was also president and board member of the Redmond Executive Association. Fitch is a partner at Fitch & Neary, a law firm that specializes in civil litigation.
Jay Patrick
This is Jay Patrick’s second mayoral campaign. Having lived in Redmond since age 6 when he relocated with his military-veteran father and nurse mother, Patrick served as a city councilor from 1999 until 2023, when he ran and lost against then-councilor Ed Fitch in the 2022 mayoral race.
A 25-year former city councilor, Patrick wrote in a social media post that he “has worked alongside dedicated city staff, fellow council members and engaged citizens to help shape Redmond into the thriving community we see today. Those partnerships and the trust placed in me have meant everything.”
Patrick works for the Jefferson County Education Service District, according to filing documents.
Charles Webster Baer
A previous candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner Board Position 3, Baer did not move past May’s primary election. In previous campaigns, Baer has run on an unorthodox platform: mandated depopulation, creating a government-run, legalized magic mushrooms industry and green-lighting zoning for a light rail system between Terrebonne and Sunriver.
City Council
Trevor Johnson
Relative political newcomer Trevor Johnson promises to bring a progressive bent to the Redmond City Council. Having lived in Redmond since 2012, Johnson helped introduce Redmond’s first Pride Month proclamation. He has also volunteered with environmental organizations such as Greenpeace to confront climate issues, according to his campaign website. Johnson is an advocate of food waste composting and local bus service expansion.
Kathryn Osborne
Running to keep her Council position, Kathryn Osborne has served since 2022. With a Master of Business Administration from Concordia University, she has also been a committee member, vice chair and chair of the Downtown Urban Renewal Advisory Committee. Osbourne has been involved in community organizations such as the Rotary Club of Redmond, Redmond Street Kitchen and volunteered with wildland firefighting efforts, according to her city profile.
Tobias Colvin
A former Redmond city councilor who served from 2022 to 2024, Tobias Colvin and his family relocated from Atlanta to Redmond in 2017. He holds a natural resources degree from Colorado State University. Since 2019, Colvin has worked as the general manager at SCP Redmond Hotel. According to campaign filings, Colvin served as chairperson on the urban area planning commission from 2025-2026, as well as serving as chairperson on the Tourism and Budget Committees during the same period. Previously, Colvin chaired the Downtown Urban Renewal Advisory Committee from 2020 to 2022.
WINEMAKER POP-UP POURING: LE DOUBBLÉ TROUBBLÉ
GOOD
WINE, FUN TIMES
Le Doubblé Troubblé Wine Co. brings a playful spirit to seriously good wine. Born from two friends' love of wine and skiing, they craft expressive single-vineyard wines from the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. Discover why they're twice the trouble—and twice the fun! 6-8pm at Testimony Wine Bar, 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. $25.
FRIDAY 7/17
HONEY OF THE HEART
VOCAL WORKSHOP AND CONCERT
Alchemical Rhythm + Melodic Nectar to rewild the heart. "An ambrosial mix of musical interpretations influenced by folk, soul, roots and world/flamenco styles.” Vocal Workshop at 6pm, Concert at 7:30pm. $30 each or $50 for both. 6-9:30pm at Peterson Rock Garden, 7930 SW 77th St., Redmond. $30-50.
TUESDAY 7/21
AUTHOR EVENT: DANIEL SEDDIQUI
MODERN AMERICANA
Internationally recognized author and speaker Daniel Seddiqui speaks on Drinkin' Up the Pacific Northwest, the third book in The Immersive Travel Guide series. Discover the people, places, and stories behind the Pacific Northwest's beverage culture, followed by Q&A and a book signing. 6-7pm at Herringbone Bookstore, 422 SW 6th Street, Redmond. Free.
City of Redmond
Wrong Side
The Messy Fight Over the Sisters Urban Growth Boundary
What’s billed as a golden housing proposal was left out of plans to expand the small Central Oregon city. Now, powerful developers are mounting pressure on the decades-old system that controls where they can build.
By Clayton Franke
Bill Willitts stops his Dodge truck at a quiet neighborhood intersection west of downtown Sisters and gets out. He points out two different types of homes: some have garages in the back, and some have garages in the front, which is more space efficient. Rows of two-story tract houses are separated by wide black asphalt streets flanked by gravel drainage ditches. Then he points to the tall Ponderosas sprinkled throughout the neighborhood — including one anchored in the shoulder of the street, protruding into the asphalt.
“I look down this street, I’m proud of it,” said Willitts, a longtime Sisters developer. A black baseball cap and sunglasses shaded his face. “It’s got a nice feel to it.”
Nearby, a street sign reads “Willitts St.” He was one of the partners on a team who developed hundreds of homes here, a neighborhood called McKenzie Meadows. Two decades ago, the last time Sisters expanded its urban growth boundary — or UGB, a development border that is Oregon’s marquee land-use planning tool — this land was included. Today, the boundary severs the rows of homes from another 58 acres of Ponderosa forest owned by Willitts and company. He thought it would be a shoo-in for future expansions of the city. But this time around, they’re on the outside looking in.
And they’re fighting hard to change that.
The future growth of Sisters, a small city of about 3,700 people whose population is expected to double in the next 20 years, is hanging on a knife’s edge. A recent hiccup related to planning for development
of the Line
A map of the proposed urban growth boundary amendment, with the City’s preferred expansion area shown in orange.
around wetlands and streams has put more pressure on the City, which is faced with a looming deadline to turn the page on one of the most complicated and crucial planning processes local governments in Oregon face. The fight is a flashpoint for broader pressures across Central Oregon to flex decades-old development boundary rules as the region faces some of the highest housing costs in the state.
“I wish it was moving a little faster,” Sisters Mayor Jennifer Letz told the Source. “Every day we don’t have a UGB amendment is a day we’re not working towards more housing and more affordable housing.
“Part of that is the nature of the beast,” Letz added.
A “gift” for Sisters
For Oregon cities, expanding an urban growth boundary takes years — sometimes even decades. Bend’s last expansion, finalized in 2016, took 12 years.
Expansion projects first require stacks of studies and analysis, months or years of redrawing the boundary and are then subject to layers of appeals before state regulators finally sign off.
The Sisters expansion draws on planning work going back to 2019. Now, the City faces a critical deadline of getting Deschutes County to approve the expansion by the end of the year or risk having to go back and redo much of its initial planning work.
City staff and a mayor-appointed steering committee took a year and a half to hash out a proposed
expansion area. The preferred concept is to add about 300 acres east and northeast of downtown Sisters. City officials are confident that is enough land to build more than 1,100 new homes, plus schools, parks, commercial and industrial areas.
Mayor Letz was part of a majority on the Sisters City Council that finalized the proposal late last year with a 3-2 vote. Much of the debate has revolved around whether or not to include the McKenzie Meadows property on the west side of town.
Its owners, who bought the land about 30 years ago, are storied figures in the Sisters community. After Hallmark bought his gift design company, Willitts moved to Sisters and got into real estate. His family developed the Five Pine Lodge, a hotel and spa that recently topped national lists. His partners are Curt Kallberg, a developer and longtime officer with the Sisters Rodeo, and the family of the late Bill Reed, who pioneered the western aesthetic of Sisters’ downtown commercial core. They’re also working with regional homebuilding giant Hayden Homes, which built the first phase of McKenzie Meadows, and affordable housing developer Habitat for Humanity.
Owners say the site is ready to be brought into the City to deliver hundreds of new homes, with the promise that 30% of them will be restricted to lower incomes. Willitts estimates there is room for 400 to 450 new homes.
“I cannot overstate what a gift this is,” Morgan Greenwood, a Sisters resident who has worked as a
City of Sisters
lobbyist for development and real estate groups, told the Deschutes County Planning Commission on May 28. “These are homeownership opportunities as opposed to rentals. This does not happen, ever. I’ve never seen this happen in any jurisdiction in Central Oregon. I think that this is a gift that the City of Sisters should take the time to see through.”
A July real estate report shows the median home prices in Sisters is $685,000, the second-highest of any Central Oregon city behind Bend. The Sisters housing report used in the urban growth boundary expansion found nearly 40% of renters were “rent burdened.”
Officials with Sisters School District have testified that prospective staff turned down jobs because housing was too expensive.
A 1,200-square-foot house built by Hayden Homes in the first part of the McKenzie Meadows neighborhood was the only option that Hannah Sutton, an emergency medical professional, could afford.
“Honestly, I’d prefer them to just build a bunch more of these houses here,” Sutton said from her porch, despite making it clear she was no fan of the corporate home building company. “That’s what the community needs. That’s what the teachers need. This house across the street is $550,000.”
When Gov. Tina Kotek visited Central Oregon in October to tout her housing agenda, the McKenzie Meadows site was on the scheduled stops. But the governor was called back to Salem to deal with a legal battle over Trump’s deployment of the national guard in Portland, according to reporting by The Nugget Newspaper.
In recent years, Kotek and the Oregon legislature have created carveouts allowing cities to fast-track land into their urban growth boundary outside of the normal process, in the name of easing the housing crisis.
“Governor Kotek did learn about the Mckenzie Meadows Village site as part of her Central Oregon housing tour and, yes, she supports the UGB expansion to get that housing built,” Luke Harkings, a spokesperson for Gov. Kotek, told the Source via email.
Farm and forest protections
McKenzie Meadows is zoned forest — a designation designed to steer away development.
Oregon’s land use planning system, created by Gov. Tom McCall and the legislature in the 1970s, was meant to ensure growth is compacted in cities while rural resource lands like farms and forests are protected. Cities are required to prioritize expansions on land where zoning designations already allow rural residential housing. There were already more than enough lands east of downtown Sisters zoned for residential
use. Much of it turned rural residential when Brooks Resources, the real estate subsidiary that emerged from Central Oregon’s logging boom, sold the lots in the 1970s. Now, the company has pieced together agreements with some of the landowners for a large master-planned development that will include 30% affordable housing, according to CEO Kirk Schueler.
McKenzie Meadows owners got Deschutes County’s approval to rezone the land just as Sisters was set to move forward with the proposed east side expansion. But when an appeal from environmental watchdog group Central Oregon LandWatch held up the zone change, Sisters decided to move ahead without McKenzie Meadows.
“There wasn’t really any shortage of land for use to consider from the beginning,” Letz said. “I think there’s still that sense of let’s just keep this process moving, and let’s get to a place where we can have UGB amendments and start building houses.”
Sisters city officials are confident the expansion lands can deliver the housing the City needs. McKenzie Meadows supporters argue much of it will likely stay undeveloped for far too long, given issues with topography, infrastructure, neighborhood covenants and the opposition of some landowners who say they don’t want to be inside the urban growth boundary.
“This land is paper land that’s never going to turn into dirt,” Willitts told the planning commission July 9.
Who has the best lands?
A half-mile east of Sisters City Hall, the small town streets break into views of rock outcroppings, sagebrush, juniper, ponderosa and sparse mailboxes heading long gravel driveways.
As he tends to the Sisters urban growth boundary process, Ben Walsh has been spending more time on the property where he grew up east of town, where his elderly mother lives. From a back porch overlooking a wide grassy meadow flanked by a rocky ridge, he recalled a childhood playing on the landscape.
“Waking up in the morning and seeing the meadow offer up its dawn ground fog, that goes a long way back for me in my life,” said Walsh, who works as a construction contractor and manager in Portland. “There’s a lot of meaning in it.”
In a future world, when the land is part of Sisters, he sees the meadow as a park or nature preserve to educate kids as neighborhoods are developed around it.
Just south of the property lies Whychus Creek, a stream where agencies have worked to restore habitat and native fish. Not far is the confluence with Indian Ford Creek, which several groups are also working to restore. Similar to Walsh, members of the citizen committee that drew the proposed urban expansion see the areas as places where future neighborhoods will have easy access to nature.
But those features are now causing trouble for the City. When three state agencies flagged the presence of wetlands and streams in a June 3 letter, the Deschutes County Planning Commission extended its public hearing on the Sisters expansion. On July 9, state planners clarified that their letters weren’t meant to hold up the expansion, but were merely a setup for the environmental planning process that’s expected to happen once Deschutes County approves the expansion.
That caused Sisters planners to quickly submit a package of changes to Deschutes County to clean up what they called a “quirk” in County code and ensure wetland protections as the land is in limbo between jurisdictions.
The City hopes the planning commission will recommend approval of both the code amendments and the urban expansion at an Aug. 27 meeting.
But that procedural step means more time — and provides another avenue for appeals that could drag the proposed expansion past the critical end of year deadline.
Chris Koback, a land use attorney for the McKenzie Meadows property, mentioned that possibility during a public hearing July 9.
Sisters Community Development Director Scott Woodford told the Source he believes that as long as Deschutes County approves the expansion by the deadline, Sisters won’t have to redo its planning process.
That is not given.
Historically, the County’s decision-making boards have been sympathetic to developer requests. Willitts has donated tens of thousands of dollars to help both Republicans and Democrats get elected to the Deschutes County Commission, including outgoing commissioner Tony DeBone and commissioner-elect Rick Russell. Even Commissioner Phil Chang, who usually votes against rezoning farm and forest land, supported the McKenzie Meadows rezone.
Deschutes County Planning Commission Chair Matt Cyrus — a Sisters farmer whose family has developed destination resorts — raised questions July 9 about whether the expansion lands could be easily developed, given the pushback of some landowners.
“My concern is whether or not you have a Tetris problem on your hands,” Cyrus said.
But under the state’s urban growth boundary rules, staying away from expanding to farm and forest lands matters more than whether landowners of residential lands actually want to develop.
To some, the Sisters expansion is an example of the state’s land use system gone wrong. In a May article, the property rights group Oregon Property Owners Association called it a “slow-motion train wreck.”
But to Walsh, who is looking forward to his family’s property coming into the boundary, McKenzie Meadows seem to have hijacked the civic process.
“As a community, can we get together and come to a consensus agreement about what to do so we don’t fight it out in the courts for the next three to five years? We have a screaming affordability problem in Sisters,” Walsh said. “There’s so many ways in which a three-tofive-year fight about the UGB expansion in Sisters is terrible for the community.”
And to Willitts, the land use system has become weaponized. He doesn’t think it’s what the founders of the system intended.
“We have to have common purpose,” he said. “We have to come together and say ‘your extreme isn’t working.’”
—This story is powered by the Lay It Out Foundation, the nonprofit with a mission of promoting deep reporting and investigative journalism in Central Oregon. Learn more and be part of this important work by visiting layitoutfoundation.org.
Ben Walsh stands on his family’s property east of Sisters. His mother bought the 20 acres in the 1970s. Now, it could be eligible for urban development as the City of Sisters expands.
Clayton Franke
Developer Bill Willitts stands in the first phase of the McKenzie Meadows neighborhood in Sisters. He hopes to expand the neighborhood by another 400 homes, but nearby land wasn’t included in the City of Sisters recent urban growth boundary expansion.
Clayton Franke
SOURCE PICKS
WEDNESDAY 7/15
PLANT HIKE
EXPLORE THE LAND!
Join the Deschutes Land Trust to learn about the plants of the Metolius Preserve. Explore the unique transition zone where wet westside and dry eastside plants converge. Learn how differences in geography, geology, and soils determine conditions for the rich diversity of plant life at the Preserve. Registration is required. 9am-1pm at Metolius Preserve, near Camp Sherman, Sisters. Free.
THURSDAY 7/16
CHARLEY CROCKETT – AGE OF THE RAM TOUR
STANDOUT COUNTRY STAR
Hailed as a "must-see live performer" by Rolling Stone, and a "force to be reckoned with" by CMT, Charley Crockett crafts his singular "Gulf & Western" sound — described as "very 21st century and very vintage" by NPR Music — by synthesizing country, blues, soul, Cajun, R&B and other pieces of American Roots music. And when his voice comes out of your speakers, there is no confusing him for any other artist. 6:30pm at Hayden Homes Amphitheater, 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr., Bend. $56-$122.
THURSDAY 7/16
CROOKED RIVER ROUNDUP HORSE RACES
CHEER ON CHAMPIONS!
These events feature some of the most athletic horses and riders in the West. Enjoy food, drinks and a good show! 5:30pm at Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 S Main St., Prineville. $11.75.
FRIDAY 7/17
MICKEY AVALON 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
TWO DECADES OF RHYMES
Volcanic Theatre & 1988 Entertainment Presents: Mickey Avalon - 20-Year Anniversary Tour. GenreRap/Hip-hop. 7pm at Volcanic Theatre Pub Outdoor Courtyard, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. $30-40.
FRIDAY 7/17
SUNSET YOGA AT THE FARM
ROOTED IN RELAXATION
An evening of sunset movement and stillness on the farm with Do Yoga Outside. During this session you will be led through a grounded yoga practice followed by a restorative sound bath. Experience the calm of lavender hydrosol and essential oils and enjoy fresh lavender lemonade. 7-8:30pm at Tumalo Lavender, 19825 Connarn Road, Bend. $45.
SATURDAY 7/18
CHANGING FUTURES: CIRCLE OF FRIENDS FUNDRAISING EVENT
GOOD TIMES, GREATER IMPACT
Celebrate the 15-Year Anniversary of Circle of Friends at the Changing Futures fundraising event. Enjoy food, refreshments, live auctions, silent auctions, live music with Megan Alder and emceed by Anthony Poponi. 5:30-8pm at Five Pine Lodge Event Center, 1021 Desperado Trail, Sisters. $80-$140.
SATURDAY 7/18
SLEEPLESS TRUCKERS
GRIT AND GROOVE
This live show consiss of the grit of Americana, Southern Rock and the raw power of Red Dirt while putting their own twist on everyone's favorite classics. 8-10pm at Hardtails Bar & Grill, 175 N Larch St., Sisters. $10.
SUNDAY 7/19
LIFT UP LOCAL SCHOOLS
FUN TIMES ON THE MOUNTAIN
Join Mt. Bachelor and the Bend La Pine Education Foundation for an afternoon on the mountain featuring scenic chairlift rides, hiking, lunch at 7,800 feet and the chance to win awesome Mt. Bachelor raffle prizes, all while raising funds for local schools. 11am-3pm at Mt. Bachelor, 13000 Century Drive, Bend. Free.
TUESDAY 7/21
ELISE FRANKLIN QUARTET
TUESDAY JAZZ
The Elise Franklin Quartet, a group of experienced musicians playing jazz standards and Latin, is led by Elise Franklin on vocals and Jack Krouscup on piano. 7-9pm at the Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Free.
WEDNESDAY 7/22
JERRY GARCIA BAND NIGHT
LEGENDARY TUNES
JGB Night at Silver Moon Brewery! Dance the night away to the music of Jerry Garcia with Bend jam-band StealHead & The Soul Sistahs, plus special guests GBots & The Journeymen on "Jerry Duty.” 7-9:30pm at Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $10.
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Deschutes Land Trust
S SOUND Melissa Etheridge Will ‘Rock Your Toes Off’
With a healthy song catalog from which to draw, the legend promises plenty of fireworks when she hits the stage
By Dave Gil de Rubio
Melissa Etheridge is a survivor. For starters try coming out publicly as a lesbian in January 1992 at a time when entertainers didn’t do that kind of thing, surviving breast cancer and most recently, losing a child to an opioid overdose. This kind of reclamation of self and survival over the trauma and tragedies real life throws at people are a central tenant of “Rise,” Etheridge’s new album and first collection of original material since 2019’s “The Medicine Show.”
For the Kansas native, it was also a chance to get back to making the kind of music she was cutting back in her late ‘80s/early-to-mid-’90s heyday.
“When it comes to albums, every couple of years I would write an album that was a marker of where I was physically, emotionally, spiritually and as a woman and musician,” Etheridge said in an early March interview. “After ‘Medicine Show,’ the events unrolled from losing my son to the pandemic, which was a big part of the whole thing. And then there was coming through all of that, doing a Broadway show about my life, writing a book and going deep into my life. I felt like I’d cleaned up everything in the past and it was time to talk about where I was right now.”
She added, “I wrote [the song] ‘Rise’ after the L.A. fires last year. We’re going to fall to the earth sometimes and we’re going to taste the dirt, but you’re going to rise. We’re going to come out of it. I wanted it to be inspirational. I wanted it to be a respite from the insanity that people are seeing and feeling. I wanted it to be one of those albums that people put on, drive down the highway listening to. I just wanted it to be a Melissa Etheridge album.”
Helping with the heavy lifting was producer Shooter Jennings, who Etheridge found when researching where to find an ideal creative partner who would be more about honoring her songs versus being a slave to social media algorithms and trends. The quest took Etheridge to Music City.
guitar-playing singer/songwriter could make a quick commute from home while getting to use her own musicians. Meeting up with Jennings sealed the deal for an experience that turned into a two-week session of live-in-the-studio jams.
“When I met Shooter, I went to go see him at his studio and it’s at Sunset Sound,” she said with a laugh. “I made “Breakdown” at the very same studio and that really brought me back. Just meeting him was everything, from his heart and soul for music and inspiration from his father (country icon Waylon Jennings) to how much he loved his pop. And the stories, we got along instantly with him and his wife. I don’t want to do albums with anybody else now. I just want to work with Shooter.”
“The first song I wrote was ‘Call You,’ which is about my son,” she said. “I needed to put this out and write a song that says I miss him and the loss is so great that I can’t even explain it. But also, I’m not going to stop. I’m not going to stop living. I’m not going to stop trying. I will keep you in my heart forever and ever and ever. Wherever you are in the nonphysical, you want me to be happy and to thrive. And that’s what I’m going to do.”
With a healthy song catalog from which to draw, Etheridge promises plenty of fireworks when she hits the stage. As someone who has rightfully earned a reputation for her dynamic live show, she also says it’s the best way for her to connect with concert-goers, diehard fans and otherwise.
“I wanted to make a record in 2025 and it would be a Melissa Etheridge record, meaning that it would be about the songs,” Etheridge explained. “It’s about recording a song I can just take the stage and play — boom. I didn’t need to explore anything. I just wanted it to be great songs. I really looked around me to see who was making albums that way and what they were doing. Of course, most of it was coming out of Nashville. I really looked at a lot of the artists and lot of the producers. I found that Dave Cobb and Shooter actually did a lot of the projects. I ended up talking to Brandi Carlile, who is a friend of mine, and found that Dave Cobb would have been great, but he’s really busy.”
Jennings proved to be a better match, given that he had a recording setup in nearby Hollywood, California, where Etheridge had recorded her sixth studio album back in 1999. The geographic convenience meant the
The 11 songs Etheridge and Jennings recorded give off an old-school, outlaw country vibe that is miles beyond whatever bro-country seems to have a stranglehold on both the charts and the airwaves. Highlights include the rollicking “Davina” and its combination of countrypolitan piano runs and rich harmonies, the anthemic autobiographical opener “Bein’ Alive” and “The Other Side of Blue,” the latter of which Chris Stapleton only wanted to be involved with as co-writer until Etheridge convinced him otherwise (“I told Chris the world needed to hear us sing together,” she said.)
But the song that cuts to the heart of Etheridge’s message of resilience in the face of darkness is “Call You,” a heartfelt love letter to her late son Beckett.
“I needed to put this out and write a song that says I miss him and the loss is so great that I can’t even explain it. But also, I’m not going to stop. I’m not going to stop living. I’m not going to stop trying. I will keep you in my heart forever and ever and ever.”
— Melissa Etheridge
“As an artist, I understand that I’m going to be more accessible and better live — I just am,” she said. “So, you’re going to hear your favorite songs. I’ve got five wonderful hit songs I love to share with everybody, so I’m going to do that. We’re going to pump our fists in the air to ‘I’m the Only One’ and ‘Come to My Window.’ And then you’re going to hear a good chunk of the (new) album. Then I’m going to talk about the songs and what they mean so I can bring people in. That’s what I used to do. When I’d make a new album, I would play some songs and tell people about them. If people hear it, then maybe they will go and check out the whole album. Then I’ll play a couple of really deep tracks from old albums and then that’s the show, man. We’re going to rock your toes off.”
Wynonna Judd & Melissa Etheridge Thu, July 23 6:30pm Hayden Homes Amphitheater
344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend bendconcerts.com/events
$69.85+
Melissa Etheridge draws from a deep well of life experiences and deep catalog of heart-felt songs.
Melissa Etheridge
CALENDAR
15 Wednesday
The Commonwealth Pub Chasing Ebenezer Portland-based world folk-rock band Chasing Ebenezer inspires audiences to love in the middle of conflict, infusing instrumentation from every continent over danceable Americana beats and penetrating lyrics. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.
Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Kenny Hadden w/ Casey Willis Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music in Crosscut Warming Hut No 5’s garden. 6-8pm. Free.
Hayden Homes Amphitheater Sam Barber - The American Route Tour Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Sam Barber captures the experience, uncertainty, wisdom, and promise of coming-of-age on his 2025 EP, Music for the Soul [Atlantic Records]. 6:30pm. $62.70.
16 Thursday
The Commonwealth Pub Sakoyana Sakoyana is a jazz-funk band from Sonoma County, California. Influenced by sounds and creations of all kinds. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.
Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot Mike Biggers and Lilli Worona Lilli Worona and Mike bring a blend of folk, rock, blues, and country influences to the stage.6-8pm. $10.
Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Charley Crockett - Age of the Ram Tour Hailed as a “must-see live performer” by Rolling Stone, and a “force to be reckoned with” by CMT, Charley Crockett crafts his singular “Gulf & Western” sound -- described as “very 21st century and very vintage” by NPR Music -- by synthesizing country, blues, soul, Cajun, R&B and other pieces of American Roots music. 6:30pm. $56-$122. M&J Tavern Masinformation & Carmela Misinformation invites touring band, Carmela, to join the stage for a Thursday summer show to keep the good vibes going and hot sounds cranked! 9pm. Free.
Portello Lounge Beverly Anderson @ Portello Lounge’s 2nd Anniversary Fest Beverly’s infectious energy and talent are the Thursday night that makes it worth getting out of the house! Reservations or walk-ins welcome! 6-8pm. Free for customers.
River’s Place Bill Powers Old Growth A new group formed by Bill Powers of Honey Don’t and Silvertone Devils. There’s twang, grit, sweet and savory boogie. 6-8pm. Free.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Outdoor Courtyard Nick Lutsko & the $100k Band Outside in the Volcanic Courtyard. Genre - Progressive Pop. Doors @ 6PM - Show Starts @ 7PM. Presale$20 Door - $30 6pm. $30.
17 Friday
Bend Cider Co. Katalysst A lovely evening with California-based, Katalysst. This duo crafts identity in the fertile space where folk-inflected rock meets thoughtful songwriting & commentary. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commons Cafe & Taproom IAN GEORGE & The Knee Pockets with Mustang County Boxing Jamboree A subtly explosive and peculiarly adventurous band delivering the sort of concert you’ll likely dance, sway, sing, laugh and probably cry too. 7-9pm. $15.
LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
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The Commonwealth Pub Good Trouble
Good Trouble is an Arena Classic Rock Band featuring music cover of Top Arena and Classic Rock hits of the 70’s & 80’s. 8-10pm. Free.
The Coyote Jai Beau live at Coyote The artist behind the song the Coyote Dance Team is coming to Bend for a live performance people won’t want to miss. 9pm-1am. $5.
Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot DoubleWide: Sue and Rick Moore DoubleWide is a fun and folksy Americana duo based in Sisters, Oregon consisting of husband and wife team Sue and Rick Moore. 6-8pm. $5.
Hayden Homes Amphitheater JIMMY EAT
WORLD The now-classic band, Jimmy Eat World is coming to Bend to celebrate their 25 anniversary of their hit album Bleed American. This will be a night that concert goers will not forget! 6pm.$74.
M&J Tavern Big Treble Fiddle, and strings collide in a fun pack night of covers that span multiple genres and ages. 8pm til late for all you early risers and late nighters!!! 8pm. Free.
Petersen Rock Garden Honey of the Heart An ambrosial mix of musical interpretations influenced by folk, soul, roots and world/ flamenco styles. 6-9:30pm. $30-$50.
Portello Lounge Jordan Wolfe @ Portello Lounge 2nd Anniversary Fest Jordan is a Bend music staple - bringing his amazing vocal range and musicianship. Reservations and walk-ins welcome! 6:30-8:30pm. Free for customers.
Testimony Wine Bar LIVE MUSIC: Forest Ray Forest Ray creates a mix of psychedelic rock that features doses of influence from Americana, post-punk, country, lo-fi, garage rock and, most recently, hints of folk. 6-8pm. Free.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Outdoor Courtyard Mickey Avalon 20 Year Anniversary Volcanic Theatre & 1988 Entertainment Presents: Mickey Avalon - 20 Year Anniversary Tour. 7pm. $37.
18 Saturday
Craft Kitchen and Brewery The Audit Comedy show featuring Central Oregon’s best talent, includes a post-performance element unlike anything you’ve experienced live before. 8-10pm. $10.
Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot Haute Mélange Haute Mélange is gypsy jazz the way it was meant to be heard, hot, intricate, and completely alive. The name says it all: Haute for the high-caliber musicianship, Mélange for the rich, swirling blend of influences that makes every performance its own thing. 6-8pm. $10.
Hardtails Bar & Grill Sleepless Truckers Live show consisting of the grit of Americana, Southern Rock and the raw power of Red Dirt while putting their own twist of everyone’s favorite classics. 8-10pm. $10.
M&J Tavern KRONKMEN, Weapon World & Herb KRONKMEN bring some fresh sounds to the stage before debuting new material to melt eardrums! Its guaranteed to be LOUD! 21 and over. 9pm. Free. Tips for band encouraged. McMenamins Old St. Francis School The McMenamins Karaoke Experience Hosted by A Fine Note Karaoke Too, it’s the show where YOU ARE THE STAR. They have all the songs you want to sing. Doors 6:30 PM in Father Luke’s Room. 7-10pm. Free.
Portello Lounge Long Gone Wilder w/Rachel Fishman @ Portello Lounge 2nd Anniversary Fest Celebrate the “new” Portello Lounge’s 2nd anniversary with Long Gone Wilder bringing blues, classic rock, Americana + more crowdfavorite songs with special guest (and Portello owner) Rachel Fishman! 6:30-8:30pm. Free for customers.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Unofficial Levity & Tape B After Party This is an event featuring Matt Wax B2B Welterweight, Shalyssa B2B Ground$core, and Eyeneye B2B Swell Times. 10:30pm. $15.44.
19 Sunday
River’s Place Swing & Line Dancing on the Patio Free swing lesson, two line dances and open dance means something for everyone. No experience necessary. No partner necessary. An evening of dancing on the patio lead by FireLine Dancing. 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Garret T. Willie Garret T. Willie is a 25 year old AC/DC loving Indiginous bluesman from Kingcome Inlet in British Columbia who has quickly risen as one of Canada’s most compelling voices in blues and rock! 7pm.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Serpentfoot w/ Milk for the Angry and Sungrater VTP & 1988 Entertainment Presents: Serpentfoot w/ Milk for the Angry and Sungrater Psychedelic Rock / Garage Rock Doors @ 5PM - Show Starts @ 6PM 5pm. $20.59.
20 Monday
Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting The Giving Plate Bingo with Bren is supporting The Giving Plate! Half the proceeds go to cash prizes, while the other half helps fight hunger by providing food to individuals and families in need. $2 per card or 6 cards for $10. This is a family-friendly event. 6-8pm. $2.
The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse Big Lawn Series The Suttle Lodge is a perfect stop for touring bands and musicians, allowing us to showcase some incredible artists from near and far. Catch a variety of tunes on our Big Lawn every Monday and Thursday from 6-8pm. Free for all and for all ages. 6-8pm. Free.
21 Tuesday
The Commonwealth Pub Elise Franklin Quartet - Tuesday Jazz The Elise Franklin Quartet, a group of experienced musicians playing jazz standards and Latin, is led by Elise Franklin on vocals and Jack Krouscup on piano. 7-9pm.
The Domino Room Dinosaur Pile-Up Live music celebrating their new album, “Ive Felt Better.” 7pm. $27.21.
22 Wednesday
The Commonwealth Pub Elevator Operator Elevator Operator is a positive-vibe indie/ alt-pop band from Olympia creating high-frequency originals that blend catchy synth hooks, modern guitar tones, and rich vocal harmonies. On a mission to help raise the collective vibe, their dance-ready, feel-good sound moves both hearts and feet, inviting audiences into a shared celebration of life. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.
Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot Jimmy & Dee Fretwell Jimmy Fretwell is an alt-country Americana songwriter whose music feels instantly lived-in. Rooted in folk, country and American roots traditions, his songs balance timeless songwriting with a fresh, contemporary edge. 6-8pm. $10.
Hayden Homes Amphitheater Trevor Noah 7:30pm.
Silver Moon Brewing Jerry Garcia Band Night Join us for another JGB Night at Silver Moon Brewery! Dance the night away to the music of Jerry Garcia with Bend jam-band StealHead & The Soul Sistahs, plus special guests GBots & The Journeymen on “Jerry Duty.” 7-9:30pm. $10.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Matte Blvck - House of Serpents Tour Volcanic Theatre Pub & 1988 Entertainment Presents: Matte Blvck - House of Serpents Tour. Supported by Snakes of Russia and So Much Blood. Genre - Darkwave/Industrial. Doors @ 8PM - Show Starts @ 9PM. Presale - $25 Door - $35.
Canadian blues- rock standout Garret T. Willie is bringing his soulful sound to Silver Moon!
JULY 2026-JANUARY 2027
July-August
Friday, July 31
STEVE EARLE with Olivia Wolf
Three-time Grammy winner Steve Earle brings a lifetime of fearless songwriting, road-worn stories, and Americana at its fi nest. Joined by rising artist Olivia Wolf, this season opener is raw, honest, and unforgettable.
Sunday, August 2
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND
Five-time Grammy winner delivers blues that's equal parts soul, groove, and pure guitar mastery. Experience one of music's true legends.
September-October
Thursday, August 6
JERRY'S MIDDLE FINGER
Celebrate Jerry Garcia Week with this premier Grateful Dead tribute band. Deep jams, endless improvisation, and the spirit of the Dead come alive for one unforgettable night.
Saturday, September 12
THE INFAMOUS
STRINGDUSTERS
with Silas Herman & The Tone Unit
Grammy-winners shatter bluegrass boundaries with blazing musicianship and fearless improvisation. If you love acoustic music with no limits, this is your night.
Sunday, September 20
SHEMEKIA COPELAND
Powerful. Passionate. Unapologetic. Grammy-nominated Shemekia Copeland brings modern blues roaring to life with a voice that's impossible to forget.
Wednesday, September 23
THE TEXAS HEADHUNTERS
This is what happens when three world-class Texas guitar slingers share one stage. Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller, and Jesse Dayton, bring blistering guitar work, gritty vocals, and all the swagger Texas blues rock is known for.
Saturday, October 3
PUNCH BROTHERS
Virtuosic, bold, and brilliantly original, they redefine acoustic music with every performance. Led by Chris Thile (Nickel Creek founder), this is genre-bending musicianship at its absolute finest.
Sunday, October 4
PETER ANTONIOU
What if someone could read your mind AND make you laugh out loud? Blending comedy, psychology, and impossible mind reading into an interactive experience, he will leave you amazed.
Tuesday, October 6
ROGER MCGUINN
The unmistakable sound of The Byrds lives on with the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer. Hear the songs that forever changed folk rock.
Tuesday, October 13
OTTMAR LIEBERT & LUNA NEGRA
World-renowned guitarist returns with Luna Negra for an evening of passionate fl amenco, unforgettable melodies, and music that transports you around the globe.
Tuesday, October 20
THE WAR AND TREATY
Explosive vocals. Boundless soul. Pure emotion. Touch of Twang. They deliver one of today's most powerful live performances, where every song comes straight from the heart.
Wednesday, October 21
TAIKOPROJECT
Feel every heartbeat of Japan's ancient drumming tradition reimagined for today. A breathtaking explosion of rhythm, athleticism, and raw power will leave you breathless.
Sunday, October 25
STELLA HEATH: THE BILLIE HOLIDAY PROJECT
Step into the golden age of jazz as Stella celebrates the timeless music and enduring spirit of Billie Holiday with elegance, warmth, and soul, and Big Band sound!
November-December
Wednesday, November 4
JOHN SCOFIELD'S
2026
Sunday, November 22
SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX
Electrospective Featuring Oteil Burbridge, Larry Goldings & Adam Deitch
Four musical giants. One extraordinary night. Jazz, funk, and fearless improvisation collide for a night that promises to be one of the season's fi nest and funkiest performances!
Sunday, November 8
MARC BROUSSARD
Louisiana soul meets powerhouse vocals as Marc delivers heartfelt songs, swampy grooves, and the kind of voice that gives you chills and leaves you wanting much more.
Sunday, November 15
SOLAS
For over three decades, they have brought Irish tradition to life with dazzling musicianship and infectious energy. A joyful celebration of Celtic music at its very best. Cozy up for the start of winter with this timeless music.
Friday, November 20 PICK
UP THE PIECES
A Celebration of Motown & Classic Soul
The songs you know. The grooves you love. This all-star mash up of Bend’s best musicians bring Motown and classic soul back to life, and you'll be dancing from the fi rst note.
Saturday, November 21
SCHISM
A Tribute to TOOL
Dark. Powerful. Immersive. SCHISM recreates the music, intensity, and visual spectacle of TOOL with stunning precision for an unforgettable concert experience.
January
Saturday, January 9
AMERICA IN PURSUIT Featuring Lara Downes with special guest Chris Thomas Music. Conversation. Community. Join acclaimed pianist and NPR host Lara Downes and local celebrity Chris Thomas for an inspiring evening exploring the stories that shape America's cultural landscape.
Friday, January 15
FIVE FOR FIGHTING WITH STRING QUARTET and special guest Lace and Lee Hear "Superman," "100 Years," and more as John Ondrasik performs his biggest hits with the breathtaking power of a live string quartet. His voice will leave you mesmerized.
From viral sensation to global phenomenon, Postmodern transforms today's biggest hits into dazzling vintage swing, jazz, and big band classics. Dress the part and join the fun.
Tuesday, December 1
JAKE
SHIMABUKURO: HOLIDAYS IN HAWAII
Called the "Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele," Jake turns four strings into pure magic. Celebrate the holidays with joy, virtuosity, and island spirit. He is a Tower favorite not to miss.
Thursday, December 10
A JOHN PRINE CHRISTMAS with The Jenner Fox Band
Celebrate the wit, warmth, and timeless songs of John Prine in a holiday concert fi lled with laughter, nostalgia, and stories that stay with you forever.
Friday, December 18 – Sunday, December 20
SWINGIN' TOWER CHRISTMAS
A beloved Central Oregon tradition returns! Celebrate the season with festive favorites, incredible local talent, and holiday memories the whole family will treasure.
Tuesday, December 22
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION
The Griswolds are back! Experience one of the funniest holiday movies ever made on the big screen, and laugh along with a packed house. Come in spirit with your ugliest Christmas sweater.
Thursday, January 21 TRAVELING WILBURYS REVUE
Celebrate the timeless music of George Harrison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Je Lynne in this joyous tribute to one of rock's greatest supergroups.
Friday, January 22
80S KIDS
Dust o the neon, tease up your hair, and hit the dance fl oor! The ultimate '80s party is packed with iconic hits, nonstop nostalgia, and totally awesome fun.
Saturday, January 30
STEVE POLTZ
Part storyteller, part songwriter, completely unpredictable. Poltz turns his concert into a one-of-a-kind experience. Come for the music, stay for the laughter, spontaneity, and unforgettable moments.
Wednesday, August 12
Sensory Movie Night: The Peanuts Movie (2015)
Friday, November 13
Page To Screen: Wonka (2023)
Free Books & A Movie!
Experience MEMBERSHIP
Community collaboration with:
A tax-deductible membership with the nonprofit Tower Theatre ensures Central Oregon’s hub of performing arts continues to present diverse artists, educate students, support regional nonprofits, and bring the community together. Benefits include early access to tickets, discounts, complimentary popcorn, and VIP parking.
LessonPLAN (Performing Live Arts Now) is the Tower’s award-winning educational series of world-renown artists enhancing learning for more than 68,000 Central Oregon students since 2011. We serve students from public, private and homeschool groups across Central Oregon through theatre performances and in-school assemblies.
The historic 460-seat Tower Theatre is owned and operated by the Tower Theatre Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. The Tower Theatre Foundation's mission is to provide dynamic programs that make essential contributions to Central Oregon's culture, strengthen our community, and steward the historic venue. The performances in this guide are presented by the Tower Theatre Foundation and reflect our vision of furthering Central Oregon as a dynamic hub of culture. The theatre is rented by film festivals, conferences, and nonprofits for an additional 150 events this season.
Find the full schedule of events at towertheatre.org
Bluegrass & Blues Every Tuesday through the end of July there will be live bluegrass in the beer garden. Enjoy craft beer on tap, flavored malt beverages, and non-alcoholic beers and good music. Tuesdays, 5-7pm. Through July 28. Deschutes Brewery Tasting Room & Beer Garden, 901 SW Simpson Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-385–8606. Free.
A Composer’s Voice Across Mediums Coposing for film, games, and the concert hall. As a composer working across concert music, film, television, theme parks, and video games, Oregon-born Chris Thomas moves between mediums that demand fundamentally different approaches to how music functions. July 17, 10-11:30am. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1032. lizg@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.
DANCE
Boots & Brews at Worthy Brewing Country line dance lessons 6-7pm. Two-step dance lessons 7-8pm. Open dancing 8-9pm. Food & drink specials. Family-friendly patio atmosphere. Tuesdays, 7-8pm. Through Sept. 30. Worthy Brewing - Main Pub and Brewery, 495 NE Bellevue Dr., Bend. Contact: howdy@swingnline.com. Free.
La Bon Burlesque’s 2 Year Anniversary Bash Celebrate two dazzling years of La Bon Burlesque on Saturday, July 18, at Craft Kitchen & Brewery! Join Craft Kitchen & Brewery for an unforgettable evening of burlesque, laughter, community, and sparkle as they toast the incredible performers and supporters who made it all possible. July 18, 6-9pm. Craft Kitchen & Brewery, 62988 Layton Ave Ste 103, Bend. Contact: NA. labonburlesque@gmail.com. $15.00- $35.00. Tango in the Park Dance, mingle and experience the magic of Argentine Tango under the stars. Tango in Bend hosts this free, outdoor tango experience on the Drake Park Bandshell stage. No partner needed. It’s the perfect way to spend a summer evening. 6:30-9pm. Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd., Bend. FREE.
ARTS + CRAFTS
The Art of Bookmaking Explore the skills of illustrating and binding books, and discover ways to self-publish creations! July 16, 4-6pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $90.
Blacksmithing 101 - Make a Pair of Wall Hooks Learn the fundamentals of forging steel as you shape, taper, twist, and punch metal to create a custom wall hook. This two-session class covers hammer technique, anvil use, forge safety, and craft basics. Completing the course certifies you to use the DIYcave Forge independently. July 14, 5:30-7:30pm and July 15, 5:30-7:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com.$239.
Botanical Dye Workshop Join Lauren of Vive Textiles for a beginner-friendly workshop to explore the art of natural dyeing and create your own one-of-a-kind silk scarf using dried homegrown flowers, leaves, and other botanicals, including lavender buds grown right here on the farm. July 18, 10-11:30am. Tumalo Lavender, 19825 Connarn Road, Bend. Contact: tamar@ tumalolavender.com. $60.
Foraged & Stitched: Paper Embroidery Try your hand at paper embroidery using upcycled materials like reclaimed fence boards and found objects from nature. Choose your favorite embroidery flosses and stitch simple geometric designs onto cardstock then add natural embellishments for an organic touch. Finish by mounting your piece on cedar to take home. Please pre-register. July 16, 5:30-7pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-5087438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. 50.00.
Fused Glass Casting - Hearts Create something small, meaningful and full of personality in this hands-on fused glass workshop. In this class, you’ll design a set of nine one-ofa-kind glass hearts using colorful frit (crushed and powdered glass) layered into casting molds. This process allows you to build unique patterns and designs. July 22, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $124.
Garden & Gather at Harmony Farm Sanctuary! We invite you to GARDEN & GATHER: A Botanical Workshop & Sanctuary Experience. This morning is designed for slow living, community, and compassion. Your experience will include, blending your own garden hand scrub, crafting a 2 oz herbal tea, guided instruction and time with rescued farm animals. July 18, 11am-1pm. Harmony Farm Sanctuary, PO Box 2347, Sisters. Contact: 2488603646. shari.harmonyfarmsanctuary@gmail.com. $75.
Intro to 3D Printing Learn the basics of 3D printing and Tinkercad design in this beginner class. Explore how 3D printers work, create custom designs and print your own project. By the end, you’ll be certified to use the DIYcave’s 3D printers and have a solid foundation in digital fabrication. July 20, 6-8:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. 139.
Intro to Stained Glass - Honeycomb Suncatcher Curious about stained glass? This beginner-friendly class is the perfect way to dive in! In just two hours, you’ll get hands-on experience with the basics of the copper foil technique — no prior skills needed to create a stunning, multicolored suncatcher that looks amazing in any window. July 15, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. 139.
Kids Woodworking - Build a Birdhouse (Ages 11-17) Get creative in this fun and hands-on workshop where young makers will build and decorate their very own modern wooden birdhouse! Kids will receive all the materials and step-by-step guidance they need to introduce them to the joy of woodworking and the pride of creating something with their own hands. July 22, 5:30-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. 99.
Knit Night A cozy evening of creativity and connection hosted by Katie from Wool Town. Whether a seasoned knitter or just a beginner, this welcoming gathering is the perfect place to unwind, learn, and create alongside others. Second and Fourth Wednesday of every month, 6-8pm. Teal Tea & Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St. Ste101, Bend. Contact: info@bendteal.com. Free.
Let's Paint Your Pet Email Ms. Sarah your pet photograph, and she’ll have your canvas pre-drawn and ready for a successful painting class. July 15, 6-8pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $65.
Paint and Sip at Austin Kitchen Looking for a laid-back night out? Come join a friendly local artist for some painting and sipping fun! No pressure, just good vibes and a relaxed atmosphere. This event is two hours and all necessary supplies and a guided tutorial will be provided. July 18, 2-4pm. Austin Kitchen, 19570 Amber Meadow Dr Suite 190, Bend. Contact: 8058018328. chalkedcreative@gmail.com. $48.
Perch, Paint & Bloom Perch, Paint & Bloom – Join Sunnyside Up Farm for an adults-only guided hummingbird painting experience on July 16 at 6 PM. No experience necessary. Registration is required. July 16, 6-8pm. Sunnyside Up Farm, 63265 Silvis Rd, Bend. Contact: (541) 4200794. info@sunnysideupbend.com. $50.
Stamp Making Learn the art of lineocut with Rachel and make your very own stamps. July 22, 6-8pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@ bendteal.com. $50.
Wood Shaker Cabinet Doors This class will give you an opportunity to learn how cabinet doors are made for different configurations of cabinetry. You will learn how to calculate the different individual door part sizes, how to cut, machine and assemble them to achieve a specific finished size. July 20, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. 169.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
3D Printer Basics This 90 minute discussion will focus on the processes and tools that needed to make safe and effective use of 3D printers. Explore the 3D printing workflow, software tools and considerations to be aware of. Wed, June 17, 4-5:30pm and Sat, July 18, 10:30am-Noon. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: 541-2413395. emilyc@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
The Healthcare Foundation: Building Healthy Communities for a Stronger Economy Join EDCO and Regence for an engaging conversation with regional healthcare and business leaders exploring the vital connection between employee well-being, access to healthcare and economic prosperity. Attendees will gain insights into today’s healthcare challenges, the impacts on employers and workforce development. July 22, 4:30-7pm. Kiln, 501 SW Hill St, Bend. $32-$48.
WORDS
Mystery Book Club On Wednesday, July 15th, at 6pm, the group will discuss The Silver Bone by Andrey Kurkov. July 15, 6-7pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 541-306-6564. events@ roundaboutbookshop.com. Free.
Third Thursday Spoken Word Night Spoken word open mic night for all poets, writers, storytellers, and songwriters. Step up to the mic for a spoken word night the third Thursday of the month. All writers and readers and word-lovers invited to attend and read. July 16, 6-7pm. SCP Redmond Hotel, 521 Southwest 6th Street, Redmond. Contact: 541-312-1032. lizg@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.
ETC.
Author Event: Daniel Seddiqui
An evening celebrating Drinkin' Up the Pacific Northwest. Discover the people, places, and stories behind the Pacific Northwest’s beverage culture, followed by Q&A and a book signing. July 21, 6-7pm. Herringbone Bookstore, 422 SW 6th Street, Redmond. Contact: 541-526-1491. herringbonebooksevents@gmail.com. Free.
Riverbank Remedies: A Guided Herbal Plant Walk Spend time with two herbalists out in Nature, learning about the medicinal and edible plants that grow in our area. Join us monthly to witness the plants in each phase of their lives. The fruits of our walk; we will share a wild foraged tea together. Tue, July 21, 6-8pm and Sun, Aug. 2, 4-6pm. The Peoples Apothecary, 1841 NE Division Street, Bend. Contact: 5417282368. classes@thepeoplesapothecary.net. $25.
Enjoy a relaxing morning making herbal tea and hand scrub before visiting rescued farm animals at Harmony Farm Sanctuary.
Unsplash Drew Jemmett
Rancher Butcher Chef, Crater Lake Spirits, Rise Wellness, Pine Mountain Sports, Flow Wellness, Orangetheory, Obagi Skin Care, El Sancho, Willamette Valley Vineyards, ChillWell, Genesi Natural Skin Care and much more.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Crooked River Roundup Horse Races These events feature some of the most athletic horses and riders in the West. Enjoy food, drinks and a good show! Wed, July 15, 5:30pm, Thu, July 16, 5:30pm, Fri, July 17, 5:30pm and Sat, July 18, 5:30pm. Crook County Fairgrounds, 1280 S Main St., Prineville, Prineville. $11.75.
Plant Hike Join the Deschutes Land Trust to learn about the plants of the Metolius Preserve. Explore the unique transition zone where wet westside and dry eastside plants converge. Learn how differences in geography, geology, and soils determine conditions for the rich diversity of plant life at the Preserve. Registration is required. July 15, 9am-1pm. Metolius Preserve, near Camp Sherman, Sisters. Contact: 541-330-0017. event@deschuteslandtrust.org. Free.
Roller Derby: Lava City vs. Birds of a Feather Lava City vs. Birds of a Feather Roller Derby Bout. Saturday, July 18th. Doors @2:30, Game @3:30. The Pavilion, 1001 SW Bradbury Way, Bend. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $12 for Seniors/Veterans/Students, 5 and under free with paid adult. Seating is limited, please bring your own chair. July 18, 3:30-5:30pm. The Pavilion, 1001 SW Bradbury Way, Bend. Contact: None. lavacityinfo@gmail. com. $15 advance/$18 at the door.
Sisters Astronomy Club Star Watch The Sisters Astronomy Club members will be on hand with telescopes to share their knowledge and views of the sky with attendees. The event will be at the west end of the south parking lot of Sisters High School. The star party will be cancelled if inclement weather interferes. Fri, July 17, 8:30-10:30pm, Fri, Aug. 14, 8-10pm, Fri, Sept. 4, 7-9pm and Fri, Oct. 2, 6:30-8:30pm. Sisters High School, 1700 McKinney Butte Rd., Sisters. Free. Star Party Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Steve Moore for an exploration of the summer night sky at Rimrock Ranch. Steve and friends from the Sisters Astronomy Club will set up powerful telescopes and help identify constellations, planets, and far-away galaxies. Registration is required. July 18, 8:30-11:30pm. Rimrock Ranch, outside Sisters, Sisters. Contact: 541-330-0017. event@deschuteslandtrust.org. Free.
FUNDRAISING
Bike MS: Oregon Bend Kick Off Join Bike MS for their Bend Kickoff to connect with fellow cyclists, get the inside scoop on this year’s ride and kick off an incredible season of fundraising and community. July 15, 6-8pm. Ponderosa Park, 225 SE 15th St., Bend. Contact: danie.klein@ nmss.org. FREE.
Changing Futures 2026 a Circle of Friends Fundraiser Event Celebrate the 15-Year Anniversary of Circle of Friends at the Changing Futures fundraising event on July 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Held at Five Pines Lodge. Enjoy food-refreshments, live and silent auctions, and live music with Megan Alder and emceed by Anthony Poponi. July 18, 5:30-8pm. FivePine Lodge Event Center, 1021 Desperado Trail, Sisters. Contact: 541-588-6445. karen@circleoffriendsoregon.org. $80-$140.
Grand Cru Cork & Barrel’s gala event will benefit the KIDS Center. Attendees will enjoy wines from a dozen guest wineries from Sonoma, enjoy a multi-course sit-down dinner with wine pairings, and bid on exciting live auction packages. July 18, 4:30-9pm. Central Oregon Community College, 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Contact: 541-383-5958. info@corkandbarrel.org. $200.
Lift Up Local Schools Join Mt. Bachelor and the Bend La Pine Education Foundation for an afternoon on the mountain featuring scenic chairlift rides, hiking, lunch at 7,800 feet, and the chance to win awesome Mt. Bachelor raffle prizes, all while raising funds for local schools. July 19, 11am-3pm. Mt. Bachelor, 13000 Century Drive, Bend. $17-20.
Raise the Baton Fundraising Party Raise the Baton is Sunriver Music Festival’s premier fundraising party of the year! This lively event raises vital funds for Young Artists Scholarships and the Festival’s world-class concerts. Hosted by Maestro Brett Mitchell and illustrious auctioneer Molly May, the event features performances by advanced Young Artists Scholarship recipients. July 18, 5-8:30pm. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend, OR 97703, Bend. Contact: 541-593-1084. tickets@sunrivermusic.org. $150.
Sip At summer’s biggest wine tasting party, attendees can taste their way through a dozen Sonoma wineries. They will also find local beer, cider and spirits, plus small bites, live music, a silent auction and more! It’s a glorious summer evening under the tent. This Cork & Barrel event benefits KIDS Center. July 17, 4:30-7:30pm. Central Oregon Community College, 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Contact: 541-383-5958. info@corkandbarrel.org. $125.
Support of Heart of Oregon + Win a Cruise Enter for a chance to win an 8-day cruise for two through Southeast Alaska’s Eastern Passages aboard the historic M/V Catalyst with Pacific Catalyst. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Every ticket supports the development of Central Oregon’s first youth workforce development campus, helping local young people gain the skills July 15-5pm. $100.
Timeless Treasures This sale features donated new and gently used items from vintage and fanciful to practical. Antiques, artwork, kids’ stuff, home furnishings, collectibles, technology, garden equipment, power and hand tools, camping and sporting gear, and more! The proceeds will benefit the Sisters Museum. The Hall is air-conditioned. Something for everyone! July 18, 8am-3pm. Sisters Firehouse Community Hall, 301 S Elm St, Sisters. Contact: 541-5491403. museum@threesistershistoricalsociety. org. Free.
EVENTS + MARKETS
High Desert Garden Tour From waterwise landscaping to vegetables, a Japanese garden and the OSU Extension research garden, this self-guided tour offers practical ideas & fresh inspiration. July 18, 8:30am-3:30pm. OSU Deschutes County Extension Service, 3800 SW Airport Way, Redmond. Contact: 541-548-6088. rachel.humpert@oregonstate.edu. $20.00.
The Lavender Lair: A Summer Micro-Festival & Retreat Featuring embodiment classes, art workshops, live music, and moments to reconnect one another and the living world. Sat, July 18, 11am-10pm and Sat, Aug. 8, 11am-10pm. Loving Kindness Lavender Farm, Address to be shared upon RSVP, Redmond. Contact: 760-846-4891. alyssa@soultrip.co. $88. Maya Moon Designs Pop Up - Sip & Shop @ Portello Lounge 2nd Anniversary Fest Sip + Eat + Shop at the Maya Moon Designs and Jaxon Designs pop up, sip & shop event as part of the Portello Lounge 2nd Anniversary Fest! Pick out a perfect handbag or piece of jewelry - and enjoy a Spritz, Mimosa, glass of wine, or favorite cocktail! July 18, 10am-3pm. Portello Lounge, 2754 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: contact@portellobend.com. Free for customers.
THREADS & TUNES Join Upp Liquids for an afternoon of curated vintage finds and pre-loved clothing, cold beer, great music, coffee, and community. July 19, 11am-4pm. Upp Liquids, 550 SW Industrial way, Bend. Contact: (541) 640-0118. vintagehouse81@gmail.com. Free.
FAMILY + KIDS
Blissful Spoon & Roundabout Books present: A Bookish Tea Party A “food & baking” tea party! Your ticket includes food and drinks, plus there will be books about food and baking--cookbooks, picture books and more! All ages welcome! July 16, 1:30-3pm. Blissful Spoon & Papillon, 65 NW Newport Ave., Bend. Contact: 5413066564. events@roundaboutbookshop.com. 30-45.
Fused glass Sun-catcher class Sunriver Summer fused glass classes offered at the Artists’ Gallery of Sunriver, OR. On July 16th, Artists’ Gallery Sunriver will be hosting a class on making sun-catchers. All supplies and tools will be provided. July 16, 7-8:30pm. Artists’ Gallery Sunriver, 57100 Beaver Dr. Suite 19, Sunriver. Contact: (541) 593-4382. heidibrownglass@ outlook.com. $75.
Jefferson County Fair and Rodeo Carnival games and fair rides, fair food, drinks, cotton candy, live music and an action-packed rodeo. Bring family and friends for a warm summer day at the fair. Wed, July 22, Thu, July 23, Fri, July 24 and Sat, July 25. Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 430 SW Fairgrounds Rd., Madras. $15.
Kids’ Entrepreneur Market An entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market for ages 7–17. Young entrepreneurs sell handmade artwork, crafts, food, toys, jewelry, and more. A real-world experience that sparks creativity, builds confidence, and teaches business and life skills — all while having a blast! $15-$30 to participate. July 18, Noon-3am. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 703-309-9360. KidsEntrepreneurMarket@gmail.com. Free.
Neighborhood Nature Days Presented by the NatureConnect Central Oregon partners. Nature exploration – Hands on science – Stories – Crafts. Free! This week’s program features activities with Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory. July 21, 10-11am. Hollygrape Park, 19489 SW Hollygrape Street, Bend. Contact: 541-3624324. katie@natureconnectco.org. Free. Starshine Circus Performers Kids create fun characters, laugh, learn magic, build fairy houses, play games and create their own Starshine Circus! They learn different circus acts during the week, like joke-telling, juggling, magic, clowning, hula-hooping, and imaginary menagerie. We’re lifeguard certified, so kids can swim near shore in the lake! Mon, July 20, 9am-2pm, Tue, July 21, 9am-2pm, Wed, July 22, 9am-2pm, Thu, July 23, 9am-2pm and Fri, July 24, 9am-2pm. The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, 13300 Hwy 20, Sisters. Contact: 541-645-0688. jennie@starshine-theater.com. 365.
Welcome the Night 2026 From stargazing to bat watching to telescope tours and insect discoveries, explore the wonder of the dark at the High Desert Museum! July 15, 7-10pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum.org. $10.
Unsplash Caroline Attwood
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FOOD + DRINK
Now Open - Painted Pony Espresso & Twisted Teepee Now Open: Painted Pony Espresso and Twisted Teepee at The Commissary at the Warm Springs Reservation. Wednesday through Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. July 10-15, 8am-5pm. The Commissary at Warm Springs, Wasco Street & Paiute Ave, Warm Springs. Free.
BEER + DRINK
Coffee Bar & Brunch Now open for delicious weekend brunch, weekday craft coffee and breakfast everyday! Sunriver Brewing Company’s Eastside Pub is an East Bend meeting spot for friends and family. A place for community gathering, featuring large locally crafted wood tables, open kitchen, kids play area, and relaxed outdoor seating. Saturdays-Sundays. Sunriver Brewing Co. - Eastside Pub, 1500 NE Cushing Dr., Bend. $10-$30.
An Intro to Sicilian Wines Join AJ Huey for a 30-minute Introduction to Sicilian Wine after his recent trip to Sicily, followed by a 30-minute discussion of our 2027 Sicily tour with Dan and Deb of Morningstar Tours. Ticket includes the tasting, a glass of Sicilian wine, $5 toward a bottle purchase, and social time July 22, 6-7:30pm. The Haven CoWorking, 1001 Southwest Disk Drive, Bend. Contact: 801-652-2995. hello@ curiousvinecollective.com. $40.
Winemaker Pop-up Pouring: Le Doubblé Troubblé Le Doubblé Troubblé Wine Co. brings a playful spirit to seriously good wine. Born from two friends’ love of wine and skiing, they craft expressive single-vineyard wines from the Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley. Join Testimony Wine Bar Friday to discover why they’re twice the trouble—and twice the fun! July 17, 6-8pm. Testimony Wine Bar, 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. $25.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
Breath & Soundbath ~ Sonic Bliss Breath gently and deeply within this healing 432Hz Crystal Bowl, Didgeridoo, Reiki, Sound Bath and Breathwork experience. This experience opens with gentle movement, tapping and Chi Kung, flowing into a guided breathwork session and sound bath skillfully supported with live Didgeridoo, Sitar, Gongs, Koshi Chimes, and more. July 19, 6-7:15pm. Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Drive, Bend. Contact: 808-887-0830. lisacswisher@gmail.com. $28.52.
Find Your Freedom: A Sound Journey
Treat yourself to an extraordinary escape into tranquility with a harmonic journey of sound with Lynette and Kris. Sacred Sound Journey Letting go into freedom is a powerful, conscious choice and a liberating act of self-determination. It recognizes that your future isn’t dictated by the past. July 18, 10-11:15am. Hanai Center, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: info@intuitivesacredsound. com. From $49.87.
Forest Bathing: Rest, Restore, Reconnect Forest bathing is a guided nature experience that blends mindfulness and nature connection. It helps quiet the mind and brings you into the present moment through your senses. By slowing down and tuning in, your body naturally shifts into a relaxed, restorative state, reducing stress and supporting overall well-being. July 19, 10am-Noon. Shevlin Park, 18920 Shevlin Rd., Bend. Contact: indy@rootedpresence.com. 40.00.
Free Pure Barre class! Stretch, tone, and sweat at ON TAP with this fun, in-person Pure Barre session. This class is all about moving and having a blast! Bring friends, energy, and your favorite workout gear. July 19, 10am-Noon. On Tap, 1424 NE Cushing Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-6785857. bend@purebarre.com. Free.
Intuition Activation Class w/Cathleen Hylton Through guided exercises, grounding practices, and hands-on intuitive exploration, participants learn how to tune into your own inner wisdom with ease. This class is supportive, empowering, and perfect for all levels. July 15, 6-7:30pm. The Peoples Apothecary, 1841 NE Division Street, Bend. Contact: 541-728-2368. classes@thepeoplesapothecary.net. $30. Men’s Yoga for Low Back & Hips Mobility Stop ignoring that stiff lower back and locked hips. A zero-fluff mobility session built for the male frame. Reset your nervous system, clear the compression, and rebuild your physical baseline. No flexibility required—just show up and do the work. Email/text for Zoom link/address. Mondays, 5pm. Private Home, Deschutes River Woods, Bend. Contact: 541-668-7594. andrew@ masculineembodiment.com. Donation.
Mini Yogi 6-Week Summer Series Each class is designed around a theme and includes age-appropriate yoga sequences, partner poses, songs, and mini obstacle course to help with kids’ social, mental, and physical development! Age 3-5. Fridays, 11am-Noon and Fridays, 11amNoon Through Sept. 4. Free Spirit Yoga + Ninja + Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3919. info@freespiritbend. com. $134.
NAMI Family Support Group Gain hope and develop supportive relationships. This group allows one’s voice to be heard and provides an opportunity for personal needs to be met. It encourages empathy, productive discussion and a sense of community. Second and Fourth Wednesday of every month, 5:30-6:30pm. First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE Ninth St., Bend. Contact: info@namicentraloregon.org. Free.
NAMI Mental Health Peer Support Group: La Pine NAMI’s Peer Connection Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental health challenges. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who’ve been there. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month. First and Third Tuesday of every month, 3pm. La Pine Senior Activity Center, 16450 Victory Way, La Pine. Contact: 541-316-0167. programs@namicentraloregon.org. Free.
Pain Free Posture - Celebrating More than 50 Years of The Vance Stance Tired of being in pain? Get to the root of why you are tight & suffering. Learn to stand in gravity, not behind it. Offering a series of 5 1.5 hour sessions in a private studio for $175. Pick the date and time. Wednesdays, 12-1:30pm. EastSide Home Studio, 21173, Bend. Contact: 541-330-9070. vancebonner@juno.com. $175 for 5 class series.
Prineville In-Person Group NAMI Connection Peer Support Group is a free, peer-led support group for any adult who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. First and Third Wednesday of every month, 3pm. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 695 N.W. Third St., Prineville. Contact: organize@namicentraloregon.org. Free.
Redmond NAMI Family Support Group
The National Alliance of Mental Illness is having a Family Support Group. This is a peer-led group program for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. In these groups, family members can talk frankly about their challenges and help one another through their learned wisdom. Third and First Tuesday of every month, 6-7pm. Redmond Seventh Day Adventist Church, 945 SW Glacier Rd, Redmond. Contact: 541-316-0888. organize@namicentraloregon.org. Free.
Rest in Rhythm This slow, floor-based practice combines gentle movement, supported rest, guided meditation, and live sound to help settle into the body and reconnect with breath. Designed to support the nervous system without urgency or expectation, Rest in Rhythm offers a softer start to the day. Thursdays, 7-8am. Pine & Prism Wellness Collective, 856 NW Bond St., Suite 202, Bend. Contact: 918-671-5457. hello@ pineandprism.com. Pay what you can.
Sunset yoga at the farm Join us for an evening of sunset movement and stillness on the farm with Do Yoga Outside. During this session you will be lead through a grounded yoga practice followed by a restorative sound bath. Experience the calm of lavender hydrosol and essential oils, and enjoy fresh lavender lemonade. July 17, 7-8:30pm. Tumalo Lavender, 19825 Connarn Road, Bend. Contact: tamar@ tumalolavender.com. $45.
Understanding Dementia-Related Behaviors: A Caregiver’s Guide Behavioral changes can be one of the most challenging aspects of dementia for families and caregivers. Join Dr. Allison Lindauer of OHSU’s Oregon Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center for an informative presentation exploring what dementia is, why behavioral symptoms occur, and how families can respond effectively. July 16, 11am-Noon. Partners in Care, 2611 NE Courtney Dr., Bend. Contact: (541) 410-3918. communityevents@partnersbend.org. Free.
Wednesday Night Astrology Talk People root themselves in ancient teachings of both philosophy and astronomy to link to the astrology of modern times. Learn about the divine cosmic tapestry of time. Wednesdays, 4:30-6:30pm. Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, 63645 Scenic Dr,, Bend. Contact: 657-349-9750. esoteric.butcher@gmail.com. $5-$20 Donation.
Yoga in the Park The best thing about summer is doing yoga outside! Happening the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month all summer long, 1 hour of fun, all levels donation-based yoga! Bring your own yoga mat, and come join us! July 15, 6-7pm. Pioneer Park, corner of Wall Street and Portland, Bend. Contact: 5419052949. soundbathstillness@gmail.com. $5-10 donation.
Yoga in the Wild Get rejuvenated and breathe in the fresh mountain air during our Yoga in the Wild series at Mt. Bachelor this summer season during a one-hour All Levels combination class of Vinyasa and Hatha yoga, taught by Mobility Duo. The Yoga in the Wild series is happening on selected evenings all summer long. July 16, 4-5pm. Mt. Bachelor, 13000 Century Drive, Bend. Free.
Take in the fresh mountain air and views during Mt. Bachelor’s outdoor yoga class.
Mt. Bachelor
CULTURE
The Sunriver Quilt Show Highlights Local Talent
More than 100 quilts will be hung throughout Sunriver Village
By Nic Moye
On the heels of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show this weekend, a smaller celebration of the treasured tradition of quilting will brighten up Sunriver Village later this summer. It’s the 38th year for the Sunriver Quilt Show and Sale, which will feature more than 100 quilts. Most of those on display will be shown for the first time in Sunriver, with only a few having been shown previously at the Sisters show. All of the quilters belong to the Mountain Meadow Quilters Guild, which has about 80 members. Quilts will be hung outside on buildings in Sunriver Village on the first day of August.
“Quilting is a creative art form using fabric pieces to construct patterns and designs of all sizes,” Mountain Meadow Quilters Guild President Carol Boswell told the Source. “Quilters may follow a pattern, or develop their own designs, both of which allow creativity. A beginner may start with a basic design, and as skill level improves, more detailed and intricate designs can be achieved. Quilting can be done using sewing machines, or hand sewing. Quilters typically enjoy being part of a group or quilt guild.”
Many of the quilts are for sale with prices ranging from $100 to $800, but Boswell says there will be other items on sale as well.
“Take home beautiful, quilted potholders perfect for gift giving, or redecorating your own kitchen,” she says.
“A variety of unique, handmade household and gift items will also be offered. The Thrifty Quilter tent returns with a huge selection of low-priced fabric, sewing notions, quilt kits, books and all things quilting.”
The Sunriver Quilt Show has traditionally been held the first Saturday in August with the goal of showcasing local talent.
“Holding our own guild show provides our members with a quilt show to showcase their work close to home,” Boswell says. “Past quilt show attendees often comment on how walkable our show is and mention the size is perfect for an afternoon outing.”
Early evidence of quilting dates back to ancient Egypt where quilted garments were used for warmth and protection. Similar items were also found in Europe worn by Crusaders in the 12th century underneath armor. During the Middle Ages, quilting gained popularity in Italy and France using luxurious fabrics.
Boswell says quilting still remains a thriving artform attracting all ages and even men. The Mountain Meadow Quilters Guild meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and often includes speakers or workshops. Anyone interested in learning more about quilting can attend. The group welcomes all skill levels. Meeting times and locations can be found on its website. Boswell says the guild promotes quilting through education, friendship and community service.
“Monthly events, such as “Block of the Month,” are offered,” Boswell says. “Community service quilts are worked on at special sewing sessions and once completed are donated to several local Bend area charities.”
The sale of items at the quilt show will support the community quilts program and educational opportunities. Visitors can expect to see a wide spectrum of color and style from traditional to modern quilting.
Sunriver Quilt Show & Sale Sat, Aug 1 9am-4pm Sunriver Village Beaver Dr, Sunriver mountainmeadowquilters.org/sunriver-quilt-show/ Free
The Sunriver Quilt Show is Aug. 1, featuring 100 quilts hung outdoors.
One bite of Cascade Alchemy Bowls’ Mt. Hood Bowl and I immediately regretted every visit I had ever made to Blacksmith Public House without ordering it from the food truck. The creamy Thai-in spired peanut sauce was bright and citrusy. Tender marinated chicken, crunchy pickled carrots, sautéed bok choy and cool cucumber slices came together over a bed of rice and quinoa in a bowl that somehow managed to be hearty, fresh and incredibly satisfying all at once. Before I was halfway through lunch, I was already planning my return visit.
I have spent some quality time at Blacksmith Public House in Redmond in recent times for live music and casual gatherings. I always admired the lineup of food trucks offering everything from pizza and burgers to tacos and Asian-inspired fare, but somehow Cascade Alchemy Bowls, which won “Best Food Truck” in Redmond in 2025, had escaped my attention. It took an enthusiastic recommendation from a friend to finally steer me toward the colorful truck on the west side of the courtyard.
Cascade Alchemy Bowls serves, what owners Curtis Christiansen and Jaimie Edwards call, healthy comfort food. It sounds like an ambitious promise, especially for a menu built around dietary restrictions, but after just one meal it becomes clear these bowls are about abundance rather than limitation. They are colorful, satisfying and layered with fresh flavors that never feel like a compromise.
The truck has an equally compelling origin story. Christiansen, who grew up in Redmond, says he first fell in love with the restaurant industry while working his first job as what he jokingly calls a “porcelain technician,” otherwise known as a dishwasher. Edwards grew up in Corvallis before making her way across the Cascades to Central Oregon in her early twenties. When the two met, Christiansen was preparing to launch his own food truck centered around hearty bowls. Then reality intervened.
Edwards could not eat many of the ingredients featured in his original recipes, including wheat, garlic, onion and apples. Instead of abandoning the idea, the couple completely reimagined the menu together. They spent months developing recipes that eliminated
gluten, soy, canola oil and many common high FODMAP ingredients while refusing to sacrifice flavor. (FODMAP is an acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyois, which are types of sugars that are poorly absorbed by the body.)
Cascade Alchemy Bowls was born in 2021. The name reflects more than clever branding. Alchemy traditionally refers to transformation, and the couple believes that eating foods suited to your own body can create a kind of everyday magic by increasing energy and reducing unwanted symptoms. “It was tough at first to create the new dishes that met all the criteria, but it was totally doable,” Christiansen says. “It took a few months, but we got it dialed in.”
That dedication has paid off. Cascade Alchemy Bowls has developed an enthusiastic following. “Redmond has really shown that they love us,” Christiansen says. “Especially being a gluten-free truck,” Edwards adds. “We didn’t think people were going to come out for us like this. We really appreciate all the support.”
Their dream is to eventually open a small brick and mortar restaurant in Bend before expanding farther along the Cascade Range, fittingly mirroring the mountain-inspired names of their bowls, including Mt. Hood, Mt. Shasta, Newberry Crater and Bachelor Butte.
As we chatted, a lunch line formed. It quickly became obvious that many were repeat customers. “We’re 100 percent gluten-free, but everybody loves our food,” Christiansen smiles. “People who are gluten-free bring their families, who also love eating our bowls because the flavor is exceptional. With no garlic or onion or wheat, it allows you to taste all the flavors.”
Running a food truck together presents its own challenges, but Edwards believes their partnership is one of the business’s greatest strengths. “We communicate well with each other,” she says. “We’ve definitely built a business that we want to do together.”
Like any food business, there are obstacles. Labor remains Christiansen’s biggest concern. Edwards points to the
weather and the unpredictability of customer traffic. Since nearly everything is made from scratch, including the sauces and pickles, prep begins at least two hours before opening every day. Thankfully, all that work shows up in the food. I savored every bite of my Mt. Hood bowl and Edwards suggested I also try her favorite, the Green Lakes Bowl. Built with ginger shoyu chicken, grilled bok choy, pickled carrot slaw, sunflower seeds and a dill forward garden tahini herb sauce over sweet potatoes, it became dinner later that evening. The tahini sauce delivered plenty of fresh dill without overwhelming the bowl. The sweet potatoes added just enough sweetness to balance the tangy sauce while the sunflower seeds contributed a welcome crunch.
Christiansen’s favorite, the Mt. Shasta Bowl, leans into bold Mexican-inspired flavors with barbacoa-style shredded beef, black beans, cotija cheese, jalapeños and an irresistible elote sauce. “It has everything that goes on Mexican street corn, just made into a sauce,” he explains. Bright cilantro, lime zest, ancho chile and creamy richness make it every bit as craveable as he promised.
The rest of the menu continues the same thoughtful approach. The Deschutes Burger Bowl pairs a beef patty with watermelon rind relish and house burger sauce. The Alpine Summit Bowl transforms breakfast into an all day option with potatoes, bacon, feta, a fried egg and balsamic glaze, while remaining fully customizable. Even children have their own simplified bowls built around chicken, rice or sweet potatoes.
With generous portions, fresh ingredients and every sauce made in house, the prices feel entirely fair. Small bowls begin at $15 while large portions range from $18 to about $23. Cascade Alchemy Bowls proves that healthful food doesn’t have to be boring, restrictive or joyless. Instead, it can be colorful, deeply flavorful and satisfying enough to keep you planning your next visit before you’ve finished the first bowl.
Cascade Alchemy Bowls
Mon-Wed 11am-8pm, Thu-Sun 11am-9pm
Blacksmith Public House
308 SW Evergreen Avenue, Redmond
cascadealchemybowls.com IG: cascadealchemybowls
LITTLE BITES
By Nic Moye
Rockin’ Away Hunger Local bands team up for a benefit concert to fight food insecurity
Eight local bands are teaming up for a free concert to help fight local food insecurity. The idea started last year when a member of the Bend band Long Operators wanted to do something to honor his late grandfather, a preacher in Seattle. After learning his family had been assisted by St. Vincent de Paul in the past, one of the band members reached out to form a partnership with the nonprofit. Last year’s inaugural event raised $2,324.
This year, the concert, which is the last Friday in July, will be held at Boneyard Pub on NE Division Street. In addition to live music, there will be a silent auction, raffle prizes and merchandise for sale. Boneyard will also donate $1 per beer sold throughout the event.
The beneficiary, St. Vincent de Paul, serves more than 30,000 people each year through its food pantry and other programs such as low-income rentals, a high-barrier shelter and support services. Board chair Sue Shea said in a news release, “Our needs are great and sometimes overwhelming and this effort will have a huge impact.”
Performing bands include Anaphora, Doublejump, Chiggi Momo, The Inspectors, Jackrat, Long Operators, Thoughtbox and Not Your Ex Lover.
Bands for Bread Fri, July 31 Noon-9pm Boneyard Pub 1955 NE Division St, Bend instagram.com/bandsforbread/ Free — Donations Support Food Insecurity
PhotosbyDonnaB
Musical Comedy by Mel Br ooks Coming to Dr ake Par
SC SCREEN An Awkward Dinner, Demi-gods and the Unquiet Dead
A very strange triple feature
By Jared Rasic
When I go to the theater, I’m rarely there for just a single movie. I spend an inordinate amount of my life in dark rooms, staring at giant screens alongside strangers, all hoping to be transported out of the mundanity of existence. I think ultimately we all want to enter worlds that make us feel less alone or more connected to the universe and its myriad disparate orbits. So when I’m there, I try to fit between two and four movies of completely different genres and quality together to build my own weird little film festival of uncontrollable quality. Besides, if I’m honest with myself, there’s probably nowhere else on earth I feel more at peace than at the cinema.
So, that’s this week’s highest recommendation to you: the next time you go to the movies, try to catch at least two films. Catch three. Be at the theater for so long that the employees look confused by your presence, wondering if you’re a corporate spy. Try to make the movies you see as different as possible so your brain does a minor factory reset as you bounce between films that have no business being watched in the same day, let alone back to back.
My brain was certainly worried about me after the triple feature I pulled off this weekend. With only about five minutes between screenings, I caught “Evil Dead Burn” the live-action “Moana” remake and “The Invite.” What did this bizarre triptych of motion pictures have in common? Only my partially delirious self in the audience, wondering what I had gotten myself into.
I started with “Evil Dead Burn,” a movie I was unreasonably excited for mostly because “Evil Dead” is my favorite horror movie franchise of all time. Did “Burn” live up to that impossible hype? Not remotely, but it’s still a profoundly violent, nasty bit of mean-spirited terror. Director Sébastien Vaniček helmed the delightfully disturbing Deadly Spiders in a French High Rise flick,
“Infested,” so I knew he would bring the kinetic insanity that Sam Raimi, Fede Alvarez and Lee Cronin brought to earlier installments. Vaniček delivers bonkers camera movements and inventive ultra violence (seriously, this movie is disgusting), but the film is fundamentally broken by deeply inconsistent performances, a plot that never generates empathy for its characters and multiple lines of unnatural, dull dialogue.
The story, centered on a French woman who survives a miserable, abusive marriage only to be trapped in an even more dangerous situation with her in-laws, is a decent one. But Vaniček jettisons the bleak, Looney Tunes splatstick humor of the series for a self-serious narrative that is tonally at odds with previous entries. If all you’re after is a few gory set-pieces, you’ll have intermittent fun—just don’t expect to ever want to watch this one again. That said, co-star Luciane Buchanan steals the film with both hands. Whenever she’s not on-screen, nothing interesting is happening. Can she be a movie star now, please?
Next came the live-action “Moana” remake, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprising his role as the
demigod Maui—only this time with an inconsistent wig and a prosthetic body suit, sans nipples. Honestly, it’s one of the better live-action Disney remakes, but that’s only when comparing it to outright abominations like “Snow White” and “The Little Mermaid.” In fact, it’s so beholden to the 2016 animated musical that its creative bankruptcy is shocking. “Moana” exists solely to double-dip into the pockets of fans of the original, while trading in the bright neon blues and lush greens of the cartoon for a dull CGI backdrop that, despite shooting on location in Hawaii, looks entirely brought to us from a studio in Burbank.
I wrapped this mini-festival up with “The Invite,” a captivating four-hander starring Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde as a profoundly unhappy married couple hosting a dinner party for their new-ish upstairs neighbors, played by a luminous Penélope Cruz and a never-funnier Edward Norton. Go into this as blindly as possible so you can watch their evening unfold with the same shock and awkwardness as the characters.
Olivia Wilde rediscovers the promise she showed as a filmmaker with her wonderfully warm debut, “Booksmart,”
with this blisteringly funny, gorgeously devastating chamber piece that will prompt every couple in the audience to have a complicated conversation on the drive home. “The Invite” is pure cinema that blends deceptively breezy direction, a nuanced script and four flawlessly calibrated performances into a film that not only remixes “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” for a modern audience but also fulfills the ultimate promise of the medium: pinning you to your seat without a single car chase or explosion.
“The Invite” is a modern classic that has more to say about intimacy and humanity in a single monologue from Edward Norton than most films manage in their entire runtime. It was an absolute treat and the perfect palate cleanser to end my marathon.
While I certainly don’t recommend seeing these three specific movies back to back (to back), I still think you should find a random trio and just go for it. Lose yourself for a day, ruin your sleep schedule and risk hating my advice—because a bad day at the movies beats a good day most anywhere else.
“Evil Dead Burn”
Dir. Sébastien Vaniček Grade: C
Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, Redmond Cinema, Madras Cinema 5
“Moana” Dir. Thomas Kail Grade: D+
Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, Sisters Movie House, Redmond Cinema, Madras Cinema 5,
“The Invite” Dir. Olivia Wilde Grade: A
Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, coming
I know I’ve seen this somewhere before.
Dave Chun: Craftsman
The Source spent a day with Dave Chun in his Bend Surf shop to hear more about what makes the surfboard shaper tick
By Eli Zatz
The walls are dotted with images of surfing legends and rows of unshaped surfboard blanks line the tall wooden shelves. A series of finished boards are hung as art pieces around the shop, as light classical music echoes from the shaping rooms in the back. A respirator-clad Dave Chun shuffles around a newly minted surfboard, inspecting the fiberglass. It’s a work of art, with bright oranges and reds popping through the shimmering glassing. Years ago, Chun crafted me a board, a gorgeous 4’10 swallowtail with a perfect green glassing. It’s taken its beatings over the years, but it remains one of my prized possessions.
When I sat down with Chun in his shop to learn more about Bend Surf, I thought we’d talk about surfboard shapes, the process and the Bend surfing community at large. Instead, Dave told me a story — one of humble beginnings, craftsmanship and an obsession with the elusive perfect surfboard.
“My earliest memories are all around two things; sports, and making things,” Chun told me. Growing up with two working parents, there was ample opportunity for a young Chun to explore both. Born just minutes from the Pacific in Kailua, Hawaii, immersion in the water via surfing or spearfishing was a non-negotiable — and with a knack for craftsmanship, the intersection between the two was inevitable.
Hawaii. It was there that he began to build things in earnest. By the end of the ‘80s, Chun and his wife Meg were deeply ingrained in the fabric of the Kialoa Canoe Club. The sport of outrigger canoeing is synonymous with Polynesian and Hawaiian culture, originally used as the sole form of transportation between the island chains. A friend of Chun’s in the club was getting married, and as a gift, he decided to build a paddle. Paddles are a unique shape and a challenging thing to make, with most being crafted artisanally by “uncles in their garages.” Being a craftsman by nature, Chun took the challenge of making a paddle head on. “I figured by looking at it, somebody made the thing. Well, then I should be able to make it, too,” he says, chuckling at the confidence of the statement. His finished product was beautiful, well received by the newlyweds, and — surprisingly — incredibly effective in its use. However, as a craftsman, Chun recognized that there was more to be done.
By Nic Moye
Waterwise and Resilient Gardens on Display
The
annual garden tour returns to educate and inspire
TThis intersection was brought forth by an unassuming worldwide catalyst. By the end of the 1960s, a revolution was taking place in surfing, and an Australian by the name of Bob McTavish was at the forefront. Chronicled in William Finnegan’s memoir, “Barbarian Days,” the appearance of McTavish on a sleek “shortboard” at California’s Rincon break sent the surfing world into a frenzy. These new boards were faster, more maneuverable and better adept at handling midsize waves than their longboard counterparts. By 1969, it was shortboarders making the cover of Surfing Magazine, and the effects of this revolution began to send ripples through the surfing world.
Twelve-year-old Chun and his surfing colleagues wanted in on the new wave. “We all had these longboards, and we wanted shortboards — and we didn’t have money for shortboards.” Thus, Chun’s shaping career began, aided by hacksaws and a complete disregard for the “beautiful longboards” that they had ridden growing up. There isn’t a picture that exists of Chun’s first board, but it’s no surprise that even after a 50-year hiatus, those rudimentary shaping techniques would remain ingrained in his mind.
It was during that hiatus that Chun’s creativity and craftsmanship flourished. At 20 years old, his inherent compassion and quiet calmness landed him a job in San Francisco as a counselor in a home for troubled youth, and after a four-year stint, significantly longer than the average sixweek turnover rate of counselors, Chun returned home to
Following the completion of the Bend Whitewater Park which opened in 2015 , it became clear that traditional ocean boards would not perform on a faster and smaller standing wave. The foam riverboard options were slow, clumsy and lacked the performance of their fiberglass counterparts. It was this need for faster, more maneuverable boards that brought an end to Chun’s 50-year hiatus in the surfing industry. He began to create once again.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon I watch Chun work a foam blank into a rideable weapon of a board. Mozart plays in the background as he begins to shape, slowly and meticulously marking out the ends of the rocker profile. “The surfboard is one of the most wonderful objects a builder can make, because we can manipulate it in so many ways and tailor it in so many ways for what the surfer wants,” he tells me as he prepares the board to be cut.
Chun would tell you that he’s not anything special — just someone who enjoys creating. There are plenty of shapers who are more skillful, have built more boards, created revolutionary designs and come closer to unattainable perfection, yet it’s Chun’s dedication to craft and his willingness to step into something out of his wheelhouse that sets him apart.
“What I’ve always liked about craft is that craft rewards repetition. The more you do it the better you get at it, and you just have to expect you’re going to screw up a lot,” he says. After 300 boards, he still feels as if he’s at the tip of the iceberg — still screwing up, still creating things that are less than perfect.
No matter how many nearly perfect boards Chun shapes, he’ll never stop creating. “The main reason I build is how I relate to the world, how I relate to people…there’s sometimes a certain inability in me to see the good things that I have done in the things I make. I see all the things I did wrong. It makes me want to do better.”
he 31st annual High Desert Garden Tour will guide you to five locations including the OSU Demonstration Garden and outdoor learning lab. The demonstration garden, which started at the Deschutes County fairgrounds in 2003, includes perennials, trees and shrubs that demonstrate cold hardiness, water wise and fire-resistance. It also features a watersmart controller and a three-bin compost system. The private gardens feature innovative approaches to water conservation, fire-resistant designs, pollinator plants and food gardens that thrive in the local climate. OSU Master Gardeners will be at each location to provide information and answer questions.
The self-guided tours began in 1994, growing in popularity over the years. The locations change each year with this year featuring gardens in Redmond. The goal is to spark creativity, educate and celebrate successful gardeners. Visitors will learn how to extend the growing season, cold-weathering gardening and having plant diversity.
Location information will be provided after purchasing tickets which are $20. And parents, you can drag your kids around the event because children 18 and under are free!
High Desert Garden Tour Sat July 18 8:30am-3:30pm Redmond extension.oregonstate.edu/mg/central/events/ high-desert-garden-tour $20 adults/18-under Free
The gardens feature fire-resistant designs and waterwise plants.
Joe Kline
Dave Chun inspects the glassing on a newly minted board.
Eli Zatz
GET TICKETS NOW FOR THE NIGHT GLOW!
FRIDAY, JULY 25TH TO SUNDAY, JULY 27TH
THE MEDICINE CABINET WITHIN
HOLISTIC MEDICINE AND YOUR POWER TO BE WELL
By Joshua Phillips, ND
Competitive Sports for Health of Mind and Body
Cheering on your favorite teams may be an act of health and self-care
It is not news to anyone that getting regular exercise is good for health and well-being, but you might be surprised to know that participating in competitive group sports takes that to the next level. Further, you might be even more surprised to learn that spectating and enjoying sporting events carries with it elements that have been attributed to greater health and wellness. For those indulging in the international World Cup soccer tournament and enjoying the thrill of these games, you might be pleased to know that even though you aren’t out on the pitch chasing the ball, the experience itself may be an act of health and self-care.
First off, for those inclined and able to play sports competitively, even if it is the weekend pick-up games at the park, you are engaging in an activity that offers elements you don’t get when focusing on solo exercise alone. The group camaraderie that exists when playing a sport with others instantly gets us out of the self-focused exercise routine that can become rote and tedious over time. Joining the team, no matter how casual it is, creates the opportunity to bond with others and meet new people, an easy way to break out of the isolation and loneliness that is endemic in our hyper-digital culture. A National Institutes of Health news piece suggests that “organized sports participation is linked to improved psychological well-being, self-esteem, emotional stability, stress resilience, and social integration.”
It is worth noting that exercising solo is of course also important, particularly when it is combined with time outdoors, taking a break from our relentless exposure to media and digital information. This focused exercise can target specific muscle groups, support strength training and improve cardiovascular health. Volumes of literature support both cardiovascular and strength training to support prevention of almost every chronic disease. Supporting healthy weight,
blood sugar and cholesterol levels is just the beginning. Exercise also supports a healthy endocrine system, promoting balanced neurochemistry that improves our moods and emotional landscape, all of which are also supportive of cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and longevity.
Now, back to the couch and those televised games. While your mental image of a group of overweight men throwing back beer and Doritos may not inspire a picture of health and well being, there may just be some elements to this cultural ritual that are surprisingly good for us. Again, first and foremost this is a direct remedy for loneliness and isolation, which is an understated element contributing to many chronic health issues, both mental and physical. Secondly, the group dynamic of cheering for the team triggers a cascade of neurochemistry that is rich in mood enhancing elements, improving our sense of connection and well-being. A Psychology Today article suggests that “frequent sports spectators actually show a greater volume of gray matter in brain areas linked to pleasure and motivation.” Again, it is worth suggesting that hopefully the spectating of sports also motivates the participation in them, to support the physical as well as the mental benefits of experiencing competition.
This article may be just in time for the World Cup finals, and if you haven’t already been watching, may you be further inspired to gather with friends or family to enjoy this international tournament. Whatever sport you enjoy watching, chances are good, you can also find some local groups in town to get out on the field and combine the well-understood benefits of exercise with the social connection that comes along with team sports.
—Joshua Phillips, ND is a naturopathic physician and the director at Hawthorn Healing Arts Center in Bend, Oregon. He can be reached at docnaturecure@gmail. com with questions or comment.
TAKE ME HOME
By Debbie Martorano, RE/MAX Key Properties
Why Pricing Your Home Correctly in This Market Matters So Much
If you’re buying or selling a home in Central Oregon right now, you’ve probably already noticed: this isn’t the market it was a few years ago. Gone are the days of frenzied bidding wars, multiple offers within hours, and buyers competing to pay well over asking price. The market has settled into something different.
What’s Changed?
Prices have stabilized, inventory has grown, and days on market (the amount of time it typically takes to sell a home) has increased. For buyers, that adds up to something they haven’t had in years, TIME.
Buyers can shop at their own pace. There’s room to negotiate. Buyers can afford to be picky and demanding. For many buyers, every dollar counts.
What
Does This Mean for Sellers?
More inventory is great news for buyers, but it can present challenges for sellers. More homes on the market means more competition, and that makes pricing a home correctly from day one is more important than ever. Sellers today have two real goals from the moment a listing goes live:
• Create momentum right away. It’s difficult to overstate how much the first days on the market matter. Lots of activity, meaning calls, showings and online views, is what creates momentum, demand and quick offers.
• Avoid becoming a stale listing. Homes that sit on the market for a while can carry a stigma. Buyers may wonder, what’s wrong with it? Even when the honest answer may be, nothing. Except that it’s slightly overpriced. This is exactly why getting the price right from day one is more important than ever. A home that’s priced
accurately and presented well tends to move quickly. A home that’s overpriced, even slightly, risks sitting. Once it sits, it can be difficult to regain that initial momentum.
How We Get the Price Right
Pricing a home correctly isn’t guesswork. It comes down to data, local knowledge, and experience. And this is why it is so important to work with an experienced real estate professional.
• We study the comparables. A comparable, or “comp,” is a recently sold home similar in size, condition, location, and features to the one being priced. Comps tell us what buyers in the current market are actually willing to pay, not what a home might have sold for a year or two ago.
• We track price per square foot closely across neighborhoods and property types, so we know exactly where a home’s true value lies. We’ll also take a look at where upgrades or improvements have genuinely added to that value.
• We factor in presentation. Pricing and positioning go hand in hand. A well-priced home that isn’t presented well can still struggle, just as a beautifully staged home priced incorrectly can sit unsold. This means professional photography, staging, if needed, and all the pre-inspection work that can be already done.
The homes that are priced right and positioned well from the start are the ones moving quickly. The ones that aren’t are at risk of becoming the type of stale property any seller would want to avoid.
Working with an agent that has a deep understanding of pricing could be the difference between a smooth transaction and a long, frustrating one.
ASTROLOGY
By Rob Brezsny
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Make a list of your five greatest pleasures. These are experiences that stir your senses, steady your pulse, and remind you why love being alive. Write them down as if they were sacred prayers. Sing a spontaneous song of praise of them. Then set out on a quest to discover pleasure number six. This is a delight you have never tasted, touched, or imagined before. Maybe it will come from saying yes to a possibility you usually decline. Treat this experiment as a form of worship and a way to boost your devotion to your healing life force.
er acts. In the weeks ahead, you will be carrying some potent renegade energy. Used wisely, your radiant defiance could topple a stagnant situation that’s overdue for change.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to neuroscientists, the "default mode network" is the area of your brain that lights up when you're daydreaming, drifting through thoughts and feelings, and letting your imagination roam around. This is when your deep self does crucial work: weaving memories into stories, making creative connections, rehearsing possible futures, and forging your sense of identity. I mention this, Leo, because the coming days will be prime time for you to indulge lavishly in this healing and restorative activity. Don't let a task-obsessed world shame you out of your reveries. Your genius will bloom from their slowly swirling flow.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Many healers favor the slow-and-steady path. They often meet with people once a week, trusting that even stubborn issues must be unwoven with patience and gentleness. But there are also bold experimenters who work differently. I know an acupuncturist who invites clients to live at her clinic for six days straight, offering a new treatment every two hours during the waking hours. She creates a healing immersion chamber. That’s the spirit I recommend for you in the coming weeks, Capricorn. You’re at the threshold of resolving a long-standing imbalance. What will serve you best isn’t dabbling at it but offering it focused, sustained, wholehearted attention until the shift activates.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You can refresh and boost your ambition if you give it a firm, precise adjustment sometime soon. Your raw vitality will surge back if you refrain from indulging in a careless habit that has been draining it. Your willpower and determination have been weakened by the fallout from an old misstep, but you now have the clarity needed to repair that error. Your libidinous energy is not as clear and potent as it could be, but it will become so once you get more honest about what truly excites you.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Here are three gentle nudges: 1. One of your trusty tools or assets still seems to be working fine, but I suggest you look into the possibility that it will soon need repair. 2. Unless you act proactively to ease the strain on your system, a mini-breakdown could be on the horizon. 3. The monster hiding in your closet is hibernating, which makes this the perfect time to summon an exorcist before it rouses. Here’s the very good news, dear Virgo: Because you are reading this oracle, you are now armed with all you need to stave off turmoil and head in the direction of an exciting renaissance.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Researchers who study improvisational jazz have found that master musicians often anticipate each other's ideas milliseconds before anyone actually plays the notes. Their brains become exquisitely synchronized through deep listening rather than rigid planning. Maybe more than any other sign, you Libras possess a similar aptitude in managing your intimate alliances and social connections. In the coming weeks, this superpower will be even more necessary and available than usual. I'll provide a reminder: Pay less attention to what people claim to mean and more attention to the rhythms beneath their words. Let your intuition guide you. The subtly shared timing will generate elegant cooperation.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “It’s bad luck to be superstitious!” is a delightful paradox that I enjoy playing with. It makes fun of our tendency to believe that invisible forces are constantly keeping score on our behavior. On one level, the phrase pokes at the way superstition multiplies anxiety instead of easing it. If you really believed it’s bad luck to be superstitious, then your belief about bad luck would itself be a superstition. So you’d have to avoid the very thinking pattern you’re using to feel safer. It exposes how easily the mind can tie itself in knots trying to control the uncontrollable. On another level, “it’s bad luck to be superstitious” is an invitation to examine which of your little rituals are entertaining and nourishing and which are cages. Keeping a lucky stone in your pocket is fine if it amuses you, but believing you’re doomed if you don't carry the stone isn't so fine. My advice: Notice when your charm or taboo is no longer a quirky companion, but starts being a tyrant that shrinks your freedom.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Are you the type of Sagittarius who pushes open doors with “pull” signs on them? Do you get a secret kick out of opening boxes from the end that says “open other side”? Maybe you even yack on your phone in designated quiet zones. If so, I’d like to suggest channeling your rebellious spark into grand-
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’re like an arrow that has been shot from a bow and is three-quarters of the way to the target. You’re a delicious meal still simmering on the stove, or a pregnancy at seven months, or the last two weeks before a major election. When I tuned my inner vision to you, I glimpsed a honeybee wriggling a dance to show its coworkers where a stand of blooming lilac awaits. Have you ever been on the verge of speaking a new language with ease? That’s where you are now, Pisces: just before true fluency clicks.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In honor of the intensive homecoming phase of your astrological cycle, I have homework for you. 1. Make a prediction about how old you will be when you know precisely who you are. 2. Forecast the day when you will look in the mirror and recognize your face as an intricate portrait of every experience you have ever loved. 3. Imagine the dawn when the boundary between your own longing and life’s longing will dissolve, revealing they’ve always been the same current. 4. Predict when your heart will be as wild and free and brave as you have always wanted it to be.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ornithologists studying migration know that some birds don't fly directly to their destination. They follow "leading lines.” These are geographical features like coastlines and mountain ranges that provide orientation. Even when this means taking a longer route, the certainty of having a guiding landmark outweighs the efficiency of a straight line across nondescript terrain. I recommend the birds’ approach to you in the coming weeks, Taurus. Follow your own leading lines: practices and intuitions that provide lucid orientation even when they don't offer shortcuts. The indirect path offers the surety you need.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): What’s an important truth you keep forgetting about? Maybe it’s a promise you once made to yourself, or an understanding that your younger self knew, or a wisdom your body keeps trying to communicate while your mind ignores it. What truth returns again and again in different guises: through synchronicities, seemingly random comments from friends, recurring dreams, or the same lesson repeating in new situations? What crucial insights about life do you remember during crisis or ecstasy, only to abandon them once normalcy returns? Now is a favorable time to fully recover this lesson and install it firmly at the heart of your life.
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
Pearl’s Puzzle Difficulty
Puzzle for the week of July 13, 2026
Puzzle for the week of July 13, 2026 Difficulty Level:
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters
U N T G I S M O exactly once.
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote:
You can't depend on your eyes when your of focus.”
