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Tis the season for the spirit of generosity in whatever form you desire. Our CO Gives campaign is ongoing through the end of the year. Exchanging gifts with friends and family is often a fun, festive way to celebrate the end of the year. Sometimes a gift is needed for someone you may not know well. The following pages have some ideas to inspire your holiday shopping mission. When you need a break, there’s usually a food truck lot nearby. In this week’s Chow, Jared Rasic feasts at one of the newest lots at the north end of Bend. In Outside, a bunny rescue group needs volunteers and kids are welcome! In Sound, a Salem rock band is heading to Bend. And Ellen Waterston reflects on how a sizeable population is often dismissed. —Managing Editor, Nic Moye
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Are County Districts a Solution in Search of a Problem?
If there’s anything that gets people fired up in politics, it’s the topic of where to draw the lines that separate one voting bloc from another. In Texas right now, it’s a fight that may wind its way to the Supreme Court. In Deschutes County, it’s shaping up to be a bitter battle.
For the past several months, the District Mapping Advisory Committee, a group appointed by the current Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners, has been working to create maps that divide Deschutes County into five separate districts. County commissioners wanted to explore the idea of residents having direct representation from the commissioner that represents their district. The map that the DMAC selected — and selected one week ahead of its last meeting, to the chagrin of some — gives Bend two districts, with a third that incorporates southeast Bend and southern Deschutes County. Redmond has its own district, and Sisters and the western portion of the County have another. County commissioners will now vote on whether to bring this map before voters in an upcoming election. By the way some tell it, the map selected aims to create a Republican majority by offering the highest-population city, Bend, just two distinct seats.
The thing is, the seats on the county commission are supposed to be nonpartisan. Deschutes County voters dictated it so in 2022. Now some are crying foul, saying that partisan politics are driving the creation of the map. With U.S. Census data outdated, committee members struggled about what data to use to predict growth — and if growth should be considered at all at this time.
Opponents of the map selected say the committee’s use of voting records was highly unusual, and points to partisan gerrymandering.
While the current map certainly shades to that, it has us asking: Does a county really have such distinct populations that district maps and district representation is needed at all?
Will commissioners from one district stop caring about the greater good in the entire county?
The County’s work covers a lot of ground: a vast health department, managing the landfill, the sheriff’s office and tackling land use issues, among others. These county-wide concerns are tackled for the good of all people in the county. We struggle to see how dividing county residents into districts is going to make one commissioner more of an expert on
these county-wide issues, or how it’s going to provide better service for all of us. Will the creation of districts make health department dollars flow into one district and not another? Will sheriff’s deputies be encouraged to patrol certain parts of the county over others, based on the support they get from one district’s commissioner or another? Will commissioners from one district stop caring about the greater good in the entire county? We’d certainly hope not.
Some in Deschutes County may want this process to be politicized, and for the creation of districts to tip the scales in favor of one party or another. But with the creation of a nonpartisan commission, that’s not what voters have said they wanted. We’d wager that the creation of districts is going to make the public feel more disenfranchised. Most will want to see all five commissioners as one body, ideally advocating for the good of the entire county.
The folks who made up the DMAC had a job, and they diligently did what they were asked to do. But as the process has unfolded and we’ve seen the product of its work, it leaves us with a broader question: Is all of this just a solution in search of a problem?
As we prepare to add two more commissioners to the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners, we think it’s fair to have gone through this process. This is the time to consider all the options. But now that the process has unfolded — in a time when nationally, partisan rancor is at an all-time high — we’ve come to believe that separating people into distinct districts and allowing them to vote for just one commissioner is not the ideal way to go.
Fortunately, the public will have the chance to weigh in on this, several times. People can share their views with the existing county commissioners at their upcoming meetings, for one. And if those commissioners do vote to put the map issue on the ballot, voters will get to vote on it next year.
For this editorial board, we’re leaning toward a no.
O Letters
OPINION: WHEN KIDS ARE LEFT BEHIND, OUR COMMUNITY LOSES, TOO
Every child deserves to feel like they belong — but for many kids with disabilities or those impacted by trauma, school can become a place of stress instead of possibility. Too often, these children are misunderstood, excluded or left behind because the system wasn’t built with their needs in mind.
Across Central Oregon, more and more children are being removed from classrooms because their behaviors are too big, too loud, or too hard to manage. Many of these students have disabilities or have experienced trauma, and their behaviors are not signs of defiance — they are signals of stress. As a result, parents are being forced to make impossible choices: leaving work early, juggling repeated calls to pick up their child or even pulling them out of school entirely feeling forced to homeschool. When we respond to distress with exclusion, we don’t solve the problem, we deepen it, and we send a painful message: you don’t belong here. In the 2023—24 school year, more than 10,000 Oregon students with disabilities were suspended or expelled, according to the Oregon Department of Education’s Children with Disabilities Subject to Disciplinary Removal report. This reflects a national trend as well — students with disabilities are disciplined at nearly twice the rate of their nondisabled peers, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights 2020—21 Civil Rights Data Collection.
The truth is, some of these behaviors are challenging. They can disrupt classrooms and stretch teachers thin. However, rather than labeling these children as “problems,” we have to recognize that they are underserved. Their needs are different, not impossible. With the right environment, relationships and skill-building supports, these same students can and do thrive.
That belief is what led us to create BEAM. We are a local program that helps kids with complex behavioral and emotional needs rediscover learning and belonging. At BEAM, we don’t see children as broken or bad, we see their unmet needs and build the skills they’re missing. We teach emotional regulation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution alongside academics. We repair, reconnect, and rebuild confidence.
The transformation is undeniable. One BEAM parent recently shared, “My son has grown more in six months at BEAM than he did in four years at school.” And one of our fifth-grade students said, “Before BEAM, life was hard. I didn’t know how to handle big feelings
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or feel like I belonged anywhere. Now I feel better about myself and like I can handle challenges.”
While BEAM’s impact continues to grow through community partnerships and direct collaboration with dedicated teachers and school teams, our efforts to establish a formal partnership with the district have not been met with interest at this time. We recognize the challenges large systems face, but this only reinforces why community-driven solutions are so essential. We know that teachers want to teach and students want to learn. But for some children, the traditional classroom simply isn’t enough. That’s why BEAM is working to create a full-day school program built intentionally for students with disabilities, trauma histories, and significant emotional needs…a place designed specifically for them from the ground up.
As we search for a permanent home to expand our work, we’re asking Central Oregon (families, business owners, community leaders) to stand with us and help build the place these kids can truly belong. Every child deserves the chance to learn how to handle big feelings, solve problems, and feel proud of who they are. With community support, we can make that possible. Because at BEAM, every child belongs —- no exceptions
—Karen Bures, Executive Director of BEAM
EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE CULTURE AT CITY HALL
The resignation of Andres Portela III, Bend’s Equity and Inclusion Director, and his description of a hostile and unsafe work environment at City Hall should worry everyone in our community.
We need to demand that the outside contractor hired by the city to investigate Portela’s charges look deeply into the culture at City Hall that brought us to this point. Attacking Portela’s integrity, as some city officials have done, is unacceptable. A largely silent City Council isn’t helpful.
Members of the city’s Human Rights and Equity Commission have expressed concerns that their work—and the very existence of the Commission—is threatened by the recent reorganization of the city’s accessibility and equity work. That reorganization stripped Portela of responsibilities and undermined his ability to do his job.
I’m left with the impression that many white officials and employees at City Hall are challenged by working with people of color. Mandatory DEI training for all staff and City Councilors might help. We need some accountability.
If you share my concerns, let the City Council know by emailing them at councilall@bendoregon.gov. Ask for a copy of Andres Portela’s letter of resignation, which has been provided to media, so you can learn more about what he was up against. Copy your email to the Human Rights and Equity Commission at equity@bendoregon.gov to show them that there are people in this community who have their backs.
—Michael Funke
WORRIED ABOUT ROAD CLOSURE
The planned closure of SE Quill Place as part of the Reed Market Road railroad bridge project will force all 118 homes in Luderman Crossing to rely solely on SE Iron Horse Lane and SE Depot Loop as our only entrances and exits. This is a significant change from the two access points originally approved to support the neighborhood’s size and distribute traffic safely. Eliminating one route funnels all vehicles onto a narrow residential street network never intended to handle this volume. These concerns grow even more serious when considering the future traffic conditions created by both the proposed railroad bridge and the new two-lane roundabout on 15th Street. Turning left from Iron Horse Lane onto 15th Street is already difficult due to high speeds and heavy traffic. With every resident required to use this single exit—and with faster, higher-volume traffic flowing from the roundabout—this turn may become
nearly impossible, raising major concerns about mobility, pedestrian safety and emergency access. Instead of improving safety, the project places our neighborhood in a vulnerable position, wedged between an active rail line on one side and a massive new bridge on the other. This “double whammy” threatens the peace, character and livability of Luderman Crossing. While many in the community—myself included—recognize that Reed Market Road needs thoughtful improvements, placing a $32 million bridge in the center of it is not the solution. Bend deserves an alternative design that relieves congestion while preserving the quality of life that makes our city such an exceptional place to live.
—Kirsten Siewert
Letter of the Week:
Kirsten, it sounds like a no-win situation for you and your neighbors. To, hopefully, brighten your day a bit, you can stop by the Source office at NW Georgia and Bond for a gift card to Palate coffee.
—Managing Editor Nic Moye
Bonfire Parties are Causing Safety Concerns
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office says there’s been an uptick in high school bonfire parties leading to reports of physical and sexual assaults, underage drinking, property damage and weapons offenses. The incidents have occurred on Forest Service Land off Skyliners Road, McGrath Road, BLM land east of Redmond, Coyner Road area and Mayfield Pond. The Sheriff’s Office says the gatherings are usually during weekends and school breaks. It’s asking parents to talk with teens about the risks of attending unsupervised parties and wants the public to report information about planned gatherings in remote areas to law enforcement.
Smith Rock Improvements on Hold
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department says plans for a new visitor center at Smith Rock State Park are on hold due to a gap in funding. OPRD is projecting a $14 million budget shortfall due to a projected decrease in Lottery revenue, increasing costs and a need for more sustainable funding. Plans to improve parking and traffic flow as well as develop more accessible trails at Smith Rock are also on hold. Originally the work was to be paid for from a one-time general obligation bond approved by state lawmakers in 2021, but there is not enough to cover all of the planned projects. OPRD says seven projects will be completed. “We could not have anticipated the substantial increases in costs of materials, staffing and consultants or the significant reduction in revenue,” Deputy Director for Field and Community Services Matt Rippee said in a news release. Three other projects are also on hold including a new campground at Silver Falls, expanding RV sites at Champoeg and building a new interpretive center at Kam Wah Chung.
—Nic Moye
Oregon’s Hemp Industry Faces Crippling Federal and State Obstacles
Politicians
reach across the aisle to give hemp farmers a hard time
By Kayvon Bumpus
When Congress passed a major funding bill on Nov. 12, it ended the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Many Americans, like federal employees and food stamp recipients, breathed out sighs of relief.
But the legislation gave hemp farmers a coughing fit that could lead to full-on lung collapse.
No, it’s not because they’re smoking their own supply. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell jammed a technical ban into the bill that many growers, politicians, and experts consider to be a death sentence for the hemp industry.
The funding bill, H.R. 5371, legally reclassifies hemp in a significant way. The new definition excludes, and thus considers as illegal marijuana, any plant or byproduct containing more than 0.3% total tetrahydrocannabinols (THC compounds that get humans high). Also banned are hemp products containing “greater than 0.4 milligrams combined total per container” of THC and “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as [THC].”
MIL
—The
number of people over the age of 70 from Ellen Waterston’s “Saying Grace.”
“We took what we did with the emergency ban and made it permanent.”
—Redmond
City Councilor Cat Zwicker about restricting fireworks next 4th of July.
Anyone who has ever purchased legal marijuana or hemp knows something McConnell might not: 0.3% THC is a fractional amount, quite literally, and a product with that percentage will not cause intoxication upon consumption. Double that number, triple it, and the fact remains that nobody without some kind of medically anomalous hypersensitivity could feel anything more than mildly relaxed from this “boneless weed” (to use a colloquialism).
The Oregonian quoted a cannabis industry financial analyst, Beau Whitney, as predicting the ban to cause the total demise of “hemp-derived CBD products.” These often come in form of pain relief tonics and edibles that millions cite as lifesaving, with less of a narcotic effect than coffee. Whitney also said “products like protein powders, hemp-derived THC drinks, construction materials, auto parts and textiles” would be affected.
So, it’s another chapter in the ageold story of cannabis growers cursing the federal government, alleging that its policies are heavy-handed and poorly scientifically backed. But local hemp lobbyists planning to square up with McConnell’s GOP better watch out behind them. By God, it’s
the State of Oregon with a steel chair!
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission recently “finalized new hemp product registration rules,” creating a state Hemp Registry that farmers and other sellers must go through.
“Consumers will receive needed, clear information about the hemp products that they purchase,” said OLCC Commission Chair Dennis Doherty. “This will include information such as how much CBD and THC is in each serving, thereby increasing trust in the product and the market.”
Registering will cost a $400 fee per distinct product; the Hemp Registry will apply to “all cannabinoid hemp items intended for human or animal consumption or use, such as gummies, beverages, tinctures, capsules, vapes and smokable flower.”
Vendors who offer customers a wide variety of choices will be running up much higher bills in 2026, which may cause a chilling market effect.
These new rules officially take effect in January but a “grace period” will delay enforcement til June.
“The OLCC is committed to helping Oregon businesses transition smoothly to the Hemp Registry,” said OLCC Director Tara Wasiak. “By giving the industry time to adjust, we can protect consumers without unnecessary disruption.”
Given the combined weight of McConnell’s federal ban and the OLCC restrictions, the local hemp industry is bracing itself for far more than just a “disruption.”
“Every hemp seed in America will have to be destroyed, and 100 percent of the hemp products that are sold will no longer be allowed to be sold,” stated Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley spoke similarly: “This will in fact wipe out 95 to 99% of the industry.”
One hemp farm based outside of Medford is preparing for disaster. “Basically, it makes it unclear how we would have a path forward to continue to grow and produce any products,” said Paul Murdoch, co-founder of Horn Creek Hemp.
The farm has been operating since 2016 and touts itself as “the most award-winning CBD company in the U.S.,” but these roadblocks may be too much to overcome.
Murdoch “got into the weeds” to explain. Previously, the 0.3% limit applied just to Delta-9-THC, which is the most well-known cannabinoid found in recreational pot, but not the only THC compound found
in the cannabis plant. The new law’s “total limit” encompasses all naturally occurring THC cannabinoids, like THC-A, THC-V, and more, making it “very challenging to grow” plants in compliance, he said. The same goes for the 0.4 milligram limit on products: “We don’t test that low. Very few labs can test to that small level.” Murdoch said that this was an attempt by Republicans to counter the proliferation of Delta-8, THC-A, and other gas station hemp products that remain popular in weed-illegal states. He referred to companies selling that knock-off pot as “shortsighted, bad faith players who got sucked into the revenue… of course politicians were going to take notice.”
McConnell’s crackdown is bad news for hemp farmers everywhere, but the new OLCC regulations “make it almost impossible to continue in the state of Oregon,” according to Murdoch. “The OLCC laws make it so expensive to license and register products that we may just stop selling here.”
Given the new federal law, though, farms may struggle to sell hemp anywhere. For Horn Creek, state restrictions are a “blow to the gut” and the federal change, which will take effect in November 2026, is “a blow to the head.”
But Murdoch isn’t throwing in the towel. “The bulk of our customers are 40-plus, hard-working voters. CBD is not intoxicating and it’s tremendously helpful,” he shared, crediting the cannabinoid for allowing him, and many of his customers, to manage chronic pain without opioids.
Perhaps without the blow to the gut, a blow to the head will be easier to defend. Murdoch entreated Oregon legislators to “make it feasible for us who are complying, who have always done the right thing, to continue to provide these products,” while crossing his fingers that “cooler heads prevail” federally.
The OLCC did not respond to requests for comment by time of publication.
Marc Fuyà
Cancellation of District Mapping Meeting Stirs Gerrymandering Accusations
Committee drama could turn into “expensive and divisive litigation”
By Kayvon Bumpus
There’ve been claims of a Mr. Mander moving into Deschutes County — folks call him Gerry. He’s from Massachusetts originally, but with deep ties to the South, and recently got run out of Texas by a federal court.
Former Oregon Deputy Attorney General Pete Shepherd used reptilian imagery to describe the process of gerrymandering, where a region’s voting districts are designed to advantage one party disproportionally: “slimy,” “slithering,” and preferring “darkness to sunshine.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Shepherd, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, and members of the District Mapping Advisory Committee showed up in protest for a meeting that the Committee had already voted, 4-3, to cancel a week prior. Outside the shuttered Barnes & Sawyer boardroom, Shepherd called it a “premature termination of deliberations” in a speech to the small crowd.
“We were expecting a meeting today,” said Kebler, who served on the DMAC. She forwarded an email to the Source from a confused constituent. “A lot of Deschutes County residents were planning to attend… especially given the fact that the 11/19 meeting has been on the schedule for months,” the email reads. “Why was the last meeting canceled before the community had the opportunity to make final comments?”
The mapping advisory committee was formed in July to create and choose between proposals for the geographic boundaries of theoretical county commissioner voting districts.
Commissioners currently hold at-large positions, representing the entire county as opposed to each representing a section, but a prospective ballot measure on the DMAC map could establish separate political districts — a first for Deschutes County.
Since summer, DMAC has been meeting and discussing different map proposals. At the Nov. 12 meeting, DMAC voted 4-3 to advance a proposal, Map C, to the Board of County Commissioners for review. That four-person committee majority consists of two appointees each from County Commissioners Tony DeBone and Patty Adair, while Commissioner Phil Chang appointed the remaining three.
In 2022, voters approved Measure 9-148, which made commissioner seats non-partisan — at least on paper. DeBone and Adair are Republicans, meaning that Chang, a Democrat, is often outvoted when policy differences arise.
Put simply, Republicans control the highest-level electoral body of Deschutes County. Opponents say they’re utilizing districting to keep it that way, ignoring the demographic reality. Chang used the words “partisan power grab” to describe the proceedings.
Measure 9-173, which voters approved last year, will expand the three-person Commission to five members in 2027. Commissioners asked DMAC to come up with five districts — A, B, C, D and E — to put before voters to approve.
DMAC’s proposed Map C “leaves Districts A, C, and E favoring Republican
votes,” according to Mark Kelley, a former member of the county’s Facility Project Review Committee, “by putting almost all of Bend (with approximately half of the County’s population) into Districts B and D.”
Paul Lipscomb, a retired Marion County judge, called the map, “an attempt to maintain the current Republican majority of the commissioners in a majority Democratic county.” Kelley pointed to the 2024 general election, where Deschutes County voters went 53.47% Democratic and 43.06% Republican.
“Yet,” he wrote in a memorandum to the Commission, “Map C would have the Republican-voting precincts end up with 3 of 5 Board seats starting in 2028… Whether by design or by coincidence, the map bears the hallmarks of gerrymandering.”
Commissioner DeBone disagreed with this analysis. “We live in a 49/51% world,” he told the Source. “This is a non-partisan seat and there are more independent/unaffiliated voters than Democrats or Republicans.”
DMAC relied partially on voting records (without looking at party affiliation) to create map proposals. Lipscomb called this “legally impermissible,” warning it could lead to a court battle.
“No other county in Oregon has ever used voter registration data to establish commission districts,” said Kelley.
After DMAC’s conservative majority approved Map C on Nov. 12, the final Nov. 19 meeting was canceled “without sufficient public notice,” according to former Deputy DA Shepherd and
Committee members Carol Loesche and Andrew Kaza.
“I observed that the process was open/public, advertised and promoted in the environment we have today,” DeBone said.
Some oppose the idea of districting altogether. “The Commission required you to disintegrate our community into five fragments,” Shepherd wrote in a letter to DMAC. “The arguments in favor of this proposal explicitly appeal to our differences, rather than emphasizing our many and vastly more significant common concerns.”
“While on the one hand districting can create a closer connection between an elected official and their constituents and enable more focus on the issues and needs of the district, this can also cause a more divisive approach to the job they were elected to overall,” Judy Stiegler, a former state representative and current political science instructor at OSU-Cascades, told the Source. “Specifically, districting has the potential to narrow the approach of the elected official… it is a tug-of-war not only philosophically, but practically.”
DeBone said that the County Commission “will be receiving the [DMAC] recommendations at our regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 3” before taking “next steps” to put Map C on a future ballot. With a judicially and politically experienced opposition amassing against the districting proposal, those steps may be on shaky ground. “I don’t like conspiracy theories, but I don’t believe in coincidence either,” Kelley professed.
Bend Mayor and DMAC member Melanie Kebler speaks at the canceled committee meeting.
DMAC’s Map C proposal with color-coded districts.
Deschutes County
Kayvon Bumpus
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TREDMOND NEWS
Redmond Puts Its Foot Down on Fireworks
Violating the ban more than once could lead to a misdemeanor
By Kayvon Bumpus
he Redmond City Council passed Ordinance No. 2025-21, which prohibits, except on July 4, “the use of any and all fireworks” within city limits. Mayor Ed Fitch approved it the same day on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
Per Oregon state law, the term “fireworks” refers to “consumer fireworks, display fireworks, exempt fireworks, pyrotechnic articles, special effects; and other pyrotechnic devices” that “are capable of producing audible, visual, mechanical or thermal effects through combustion, deflagration or detonation; and contain chemical elements and compounds that are capable of burning independently of atmospheric oxygen or contain flammable liquid mixtures or flammable gas mixtures.”
To translate, it won’t be easy to find a loophole in Redmond’s ban.
If you get caught trying, though, don’t jump to speed-dial your lawyer right away. A violation of the ordinance, which can be found in Chapter 5 of the Redmond City Code, is a Class F civil infraction — petty stuff compared to the Class C infraction of riding a “sheep, swine, or similar animal” on public sidewalks, but still worthy of a hefty penalty that, according to City Councilor Kathryn Osborne, can amount to $1,500.
Anyone who racks up multiple infractions will be playing with fire as well as fireworks. “Repeat violations,” the ordinance reads, will be “treated as a
[criminal] misdemeanor.”
Redmond has outlawed fireworks twice in the past, but those bans were temporary, issued as “emergency ordinances.” Now, the ban is here to stay. “The unregulated use of any kind of fireworks poses significant risks to public safety, including the potential for wildfires, property damage, and personal injury,” reads Ordinance No. 2025-21.
“We took what we did with the emergency ban and made it permanent,” said Redmond City Councilor Cat Zwicker. “Legal fireworks are allowed on July 4th— something residents ask about every year,” Mayor Fitch told the Source. “With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence coming up, it’s a timely reminder that we can celebrate safely, while still prioritizing fire prevention like other communities.”
Despite their use being illegal every other day of the year, businesses will still be permitted to sell legal fireworks in Redmond. This differs from Bend, where the “use, sale, and possession” of fireworks have all been banned within city limits since 2021.
For anyone in Redmond desperate to light something (legal) off, unincorporated Deschutes County may be the only option, as Madras and Sisters also enforce strict bans.
Red-Light Cameras Get the Greenlight in Redmond
Fourteen traffic cameras will pop up around town
By Kayvon Bumpus
Starting in 2026, at least five intersections in Redmond will be monitored by traffic enforcement cameras. These locations are:
• NW 6th St. and NW Maple Ave.
• Highway 97 and SW Odem Medo Road
• NW 10th St (by Tom McCall Elementary School)
• Highway 97 and SW Veterans Way
• SW Highland Ave. and SW Rimrock Way
“Our number one complaint that we receive with the police department is always traffic complaints, traffic enforcement,” said Redmond Chief of Police Devin Lewis during a Nov. 18 Redmond City Council meeting. “It’s also our number one call for service.” Lewis and the City Council believe that the traffic camera program will free up police department resources, benefitting public safety overall.
Making roadways safer in Redmond is still the primary goal. “We believe this is going to improve traffic safety,” Lewis said. “The hope is through this program we start to impact people’s driving behaviors and change those driving behaviors for the better.”
The city is acquiring 14 cameras, including one “portable unit” that can be switched between locations, in a five-year contract with Verra Mobility, a “smart transportation” company based in Mesa, Arizona. A report authored by Redmond Police Lt. Curtis Chambers estimates “total contract costs” to be $4,375,200, but the
possibilities of extra maintenance and part replacement for cameras could see spending beyond that.
Installation will begin in December, but enforcement won’t start until February or March. First, there will be a month-long warning period combined with a plan by police to “develop and implement outreach strategies, including public service announcements, social media content, school safety materials, and community presentations. The goal is to ensure residents are well-informed about the purpose, locations, and legal framework of photo enforcement before any citations are issued.”
In the long-term, the camera program “is projected to be ‘cost-neutral.’ However, a fully mature program can take up to 18 months, or longer, to fully develop,” Chambers’ report states.
There’s even a possibility of the cameras making a profit: “It is during the first 18 months of the program that citation revenue may exceed program costs, as driver behavior changes.”
And if the Redmond City Council or Police Department sour on Verra Mobility, this would leave them a way out. “Revenue received in excess of program costs will be accumulated to offset initial start-up costs (driver awareness campaigns), ongoing project costs, and to provide resources to exercise an early termination option, if necessary,” the report reads.
LOCAL PAWS HOLIDAY SALE
GIFTS FOR YOUR PETS
Local Paws Pet Supply is encouraging folks to get out and shop local this weekend. While you enjoy the fun, festive atmosphere of downtown Redmond, pop into the pet store to find deals, refreshments and raffle baskets. Fri., Nov. 28, 9:30am7pm and Sat., Nov. 29, 9:30-5pm at Local Paws. 435 SW Evergreen Ave., Redmond. Free.
SATURDAY 11/29
STARLIGHT PARADE
"NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION" IS THE THEME
After you spend the day at The Redmond Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Village Market, stick around for the beloved Starlight Parade. Festivities begin at 5pm on 6th Street. Grab some eggnog and find your spot to witness the unpredictable fun of our "National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation"-themed parade. Sat., Nov. 29, 5pm in Downtown Redmond. 6th St., between Dogwood Ave. and Forest Ave. Free.
SUNDAY 11/30
FORAGED AND FESTIVE
CREATING A HOLIDAY WREATH
Bring your holiday cheer and a pair of clippers to this cozy afternoon hosted by School of Ranch. In the hands-on workshop, you will select, prep and arrange fresh evergreens, pinecones, berries and ribbons to craft your own wreath. The afternoon of crafting will wrap up with a potluck celebration. Sun., Nov. 30, 2-4:30pm at the American Legion. 704 SW 8th St., Redmond. $75.
The Wild Child
The thrill of tearing wrapping paper off gifts within seconds to get at the goods is at the heart of every wild child. Seven gift ideas ranging from playful to adventurous are sure to put a big smile on that sweet face.
Perfect for the child with a wild imagination! Great for playtime or cuddles, the oversized friendly dragon and soft sword from Wild Child in the Old Mill will stand out under the tree! Wild Child 1 2 3 4 5 6
Thames & Kosmos Andy: The Code & Play Robot $50 Learn basic programming skills. Leapin' Lizards Toy Co.
Teddy Lulu $18.95
Blind Box Labubu $65
There’s intrigue and mystery with every blind box! Collect the entire series! Pika Pika
Resistor Sunglasses $110
Flamin’ red Oakley Resistor sunglasses are for bold youth who want to stand out, not follow the crowd!
Sports Vision Bend
SOLSK8S Shop Deck $187
Perfect starter board for elementary to middle school-aged skaters. This 8” wide deck with Independent trucks and OJ Wheels is ready to shred.
SOLSK8S Skate Shop
Climbing Setup $259 (combined)
For the pint size sender! Get them set up with their first kit and start planning those family climbing trips of your dreams!
La Sportiva Tarantula Jr. Climbing Shoes $89 Petzel Picchu Helmet $70 Petzl Ouistiti Harness $100 Mountain Supply
MSR Tyker Snowshoes $80 Fun, sturdy and easy to use. Snowy adventures await! Mountain Supply
Featured on Model Dragon $85 Sword $28
The Chill Teen
Teens may be too chillaxed to act childish on Christmas morning, but they’ll covet the cool stuff on this wish list!
Niseko 3.0 Fubuki Boots
$149-$159
Cotopaxi Fuego Down Overall $285
Show-stompers, nuff said! Fashion meets function in this awesome throwback style from Cotopaxi.
Mountain Supply
Wavelength Board Game $35
Wavelength is a party game where two teams compete to read each other’s minds. It’s a thrilling experience of TALKING and THINKING and HIGH FIVING and has some deep word game sorcery, where decisions feel tense, strategic, and meaningful.
Modern Games
Perfect Winter Outfit $280 (combined)
Rock this retro vibe and total trendsetter!
Daydreamer – Ski Ya Later Tee - $78
Free People – Coastline Beanie - $30
Le Bon Her Socks - $15
I-SEA Women’s Sunglasses - $28
Gola Stadia ’86 Suede Sneakers - $129
Vanilla Urban Threads
Graphic Novels $13 -$20
6
Wren & Wild 1 2 3 4 5
Graphic novels, comic books, fantasy books and so much more!
Pegasus Books
Free Range Equipment, Canvas Pack $140
Rock this locally commissioned design, "Mushrooms & Moths" by Katie Daisy. Outside In
Locally Made Goodies $6-$52
Fun accessories by Little Peach, a sweet candle, and a Cosa Cura gift card for the stylesavvy teen who loves to mix it up. Cosa Cura
Featured on Model
Manucurist Green Flash Gift Set
$89
A thoughtful gift for the diy-er. This eco friendly and cruelty free French brand offers endless color and treatment options in an easy to use kit with a nontoxic and easy to use remover to keep the most dynamic of users excited!
The Plant-Loving Millennial
Teasel and 14k Gold Fill
Earrings $125
Hand-made designs utilizing natural wood and botanicals for the stylish plant lover in your life. One tree planted for every purchase!
Branchandbarreldesigns.com
Rocky Talkie $110
Designed with climbers and skiers in mind, the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio is license-free and built for adventure.
Expedition Club
Gardening Jumper $45
Warm
The Forest Wandering Gen X'r
The Gen-X generation are latchkey kids grown up and into relaxing under the stars or inside a sauna. 1 2 4 5
Ortovox Direct Voice
Transceiver $420
SPOT Gen4 Satellite Messenger $150
Garmin GPS $600
VSSL Survival Kit $100
For the backcountry explorer, the Ortovox Direct Voice Transceiver keeps you safe in avalanche terrain with real time communication, while the SPOT Gen4 Satellite Messenger is a lifeline for the off grid adventurer who needs to send location updates and SOS alerts. The Garmin GPS guides the map savvy trekker through any wilderness, and the VSSL Survival Kit equips the prepared minimalist with fire starters, first aid, and tools in one sleek tube.
Mountain Supply
Spa Gift Card $50-$300
Radiant Day Spa offers rest, tranquility, and pampering, through its featured massage, facials, and body treatments—all designed to ensure you a relaxing, therapeutic and unforgettable experience.
Radiant Day Spa
Handforged Necklace $1,400
Handforged sterling silver and copper pendant with turquoise and a diamond. John Paul Designs
Wood-Fired Sauna House Experience $50-$250
With saunas set up at Riverbend Park through the winter, Gather Sauna House provides an adventurous way to find deep relaxation: guests move between the cozy wood-fired heat and chilly Deschutes River.
Annual Membership to East Cascades Bird Alliance $25
Give the gift of guided bird walks, wild sightings, expert talks and community connection! ecbirds.org
Telescope $429
Journey through the universe with the smartphone-assisted Celestron Starsense telescope. Free lesson with purchase Expedition Club
Featured on Model
Urtopia - Carbon 1 Pro Matte Black $2,199
Urtopia Helmet $99
Ride farther, lighter, and smarter, with next-gen ultra-strong carbon frame and high performance AI. Pedego Electric Bikes Bend 1 2 3 4 5 6
Gather Sauna House
The Young-at-Heart Boomer
Age isn’t a number, it’s a feeling and boomers have it all figured out, right? So give them a touch of class, a bit of fun and a little vino and they’ll be just fine around that wild grandchild on Christmas morning!
Gabriel & Co Diamond Bracelets $5,540 (combined)
Gabriel & Co. bracelets focus on creating pieces that are both luxurious and easily stackable, allowing customers to build a personalized "wrist story."
Bujukan Bracelet with Clasp. 14k Yellow Gold
$1,760
Diamond Station Bujukan Bracelet. 14K Yellow Gold $1,855
14K White Gold Diamond Open Bujukan Bangle
$1,925
Saxon’s Fine Jewelry
Locally Made Goodies
$10-$120
3
5
6
Omnilux Contour Face $395
1 2 3 4 5 6
Bold Navone earrings, a chunky statement bracelet by ModernME, and self-care favorites for someone with a vibrant spirit who loves to shine.
Cosa Cura
Dermatologist recommended red light therapy device for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation. The all-natural treatment is gentle and requires no downtime, making it a convenient way to achieve a youthful glow.
Wren & Wild
Urtopia - Joy Carbon Crème
$1,800
Urtopia Helmet $99
Daily Cargo and weekend adventures all in one perfect, lightweight experience.”
Pedego Electric Bikes Bend
Ceramics Classes $50-$500
Gift the gift of play and learning! Mud Lake Studios offers classes and workshops to all levels. Whether it’s a desire for a new hobby or a call back to another life, it’s a great gift for potters new and old(er).
Mud Lake Studios
Wine Club Membership $105/month
Give the gift of cheer that will allow the young at heart to sit back and relax with a bottle of wine that keeps on coming.
Viaggio Wine Merchant
Featured on Model Red Leather Booties $349
Everyone is ageless with a pair of fancy cowgirl boots snug on their feet!
Desperado Boutique
Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs
A roundup of places to find unique, handcrafted items, locally-made art, specialty foods and festive cheer.
Sip and Shop Makers Market
Fri., Nov. 28, 10am-2pm Portello Wine and Spirits 2754 NW Crossing Dr. www.portellobend.com
Lions Club Holiday Faire
Nov. 28-Dec. 20; Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Sat., Dec. 13-Sun., Dec. 14, 9am-5pm The Workhouse 50 SE Scott St. theworkhousebend.com
Winter Circus Makers Market
Sun., Dec. 14, 1:30-5:30pm Central Oregon Aerial Arts 20700 Carmen Loop www.centraloregonaerialarts.com
Photos courtesy Unsplash
SOURCE PICKS
WEDNESDAY
FALL FLOWER BAR
WITH PASSION FLOWERS
Tap into your inner florist and create a fall bouquet to enjoy over the holiday. The Flower Bar is a handson event where guests can create their own custom bouquet using a curated selection of autumn-inspired blooms. Wed., Nov. 26, 3-7pm at The Bite. 19860 Seventh St., Tumalo. Prices vary.
I LIKE PIE
THANKSGIVING FUN RUN
A festive way to get the wiggles out before feasting, the I Like Pie race includes a 1.3, 3.14 and 5.3 mile loop. A portion of proceeds goes to supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Bend. Thu., Nov. 27, 7:30am-noon at Riverbend Park. 799 SW Columbia St., Bend. $25-$50.
FRIDAY
SO MUCH HOUSE
A DANCE PARTY FOOD DRIVE
So Much House (SMH) is Bend’s monthly night of house and techno, established in 2021 and curated by local DJ Casey Capps. This month, six DJs will keep the dance floor going and party-goers are encouraged to make a donation to Family Kitchen (cash or Venmo accepted.) Fri., Nov. 28, 7-11pm at Wildwood Bar & Grill. 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Free.
LEADBETTER BAND
ALBUM RELEASE CELEBRATION
Playing new songs from its fourth studio album, “Spell,” Leadbetter Band is throwing a party at Silver Moon. Somewhere between vintage rock, blues, funk and jam, the band delivers nonstop energy and groovy rhythm. Sat., Nov. 29, 7pm at Silver Moon Brewing. 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $13.
SATURDAY 11/29
THE MESSY MIC COMEDY SHOW
“UNPOLISHED BUT HILARIOUS”
This isn’t your buttoned-up comedy night; it’s where the laughs are loud, the stories are a little chaotic and anything can happen. You’ll see brand-new comics taking their first brave steps onto the stage alongside seasoned vets. Sat., Nov. 29, 8-9:30pm at Craft Kitchen and Brewery. 62988 NE Layton Ave., Bend. $10-$15.
SATURDAY 11/29
BEND MOONLIGHT MARKET
A BEND CLASSIC
Back at it! Bend’s favorite night market is here for its November installment, with art, food, booze, tattoos and live music. Sat., Nov. 29, 4-11pm at Midtown Ballroom. 51 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. Free. All ages. SATURDAY
CAMP CLAY ANNIVERSARY PARTY
CELEBRATING ONE YEAR
An evening of food, music, dancing and community to mark the clay studio’s first year in action. The creative space hosts classes and workshops, periodic events and space for members to work. Sat., Nov. 29, 5-8pm at camp clay. 147 NE Olney Ave., Bend. Free.
MONDAY 12/1
NATURAL HISTORY PUB
THE RECIPE FOR HEALTHY SOIL
A healthy garden begins with healthy soil. But what is the recipe for good soil? A mix of plants, animals, fungi, moisture and an understanding of your soil’s individual history are necessary to support a productive garden. Join Garrett L. Duyck, Basin Resource Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to learn about soil management in the region. Mon., Dec. 1, 7-8pm at McMenamins Old St. Francis School. 700 NW Bond St., Bend. Free; RSVP required.
Camp Clay
Craft Kitchen and Brewery
Cascade Relays
Leadbetter Band FB
Moonlight Market
D o y o u f e e l l ike so m e thi n g j us t i s n ’ t right— e v e n t ho u g h y ou r la bs co me ba c k ‘ no rma l ’ ?
Yo u ’re committed to y o ur health , and y o u kn ow t h e r e has t o be a d ee p e r a n s w e r.
We a r e a t eam o f C o n v entionall y and F unctionall y t r ained P h y s i c i ans, N u r se P r actitione r s, C e r tified
N utritionists and H ealth C oaches, all dedi c a t ed t o
partne r ing w ith y ou t o bui l d y ou r health. We a r e in net w ork w i th mo s t insu r an c es and a r e a cc e p ting
N e w Patient s
N o w We l c o min g Pe diatri c Pati en ts !
B ec a u s e k ids d ese r v e r oo t- c a u s e c a r e t o o.
From nut r it i on and gu t hea l th t o im mune s uppor t an d
d e v e l op m en t a l c on c erns, t o We l lne s s Ex a m s f ro m a
holi s tic per s pect i v e, w e o f f e r w ho l e-ch il d c a re de s igne d
t o un c o v e r ro o t c auses and s uppor t li f e l ong w el l ne s s
S SOUND Nina and The Rebel Rockers Bring Laid Back Vibes to Bend Ready to groove
By Stephanie Gregory
Get ready, Bend! Nina and The Rebel Rockers are bringing that cool reggae style with a blend of rock guitar, pulling inspiration from legendary performers like Sublime and Pepper, that will keep the audience on its toes.
“When I first heard the dub style, reggae, rock, with a dash of punk and ska I was hooked!” says lead vocalist Nina Zuniga as she reflects on the first time she saw the band Pepper live. “It’s such a magical feeling, vibing out and getting lost in the rhythm.” That is the feeling Nina and The Rebel Rockers are looking to recreate with music that gives that “chill feel that can also go hard but still leaves you dancing; that’s the vibe we are going for.”
Zuniga began her career as a singer hosting karaoke when she met guitarist Isaak, who in her words is a “magician on guitar and sax. I told myself, if I could get Isaak to join a band with me, I would start one!” The two quickly added to the lineup with guitarist Brendan, bassist Gavin and drummer Evan. Nina wrote their first single, “Like Sugar,” calling the song “her baby.”
“I couldn’t be more proud of what it has evolved into!” she says.
Hailing from the Salem area, the band has been gigging around the northwest for two years and shows no signs of slowing down. The Source recently had the opportunity to catch up with Zuniga and chat about the band’s first time playing in Bend at the upcoming show Dec. 11 at Silver Moon Brewing.
the Source: What brings you to Bend?
Nina: We are just gigging around at the moment. We went on tour in July and tried to come through but couldn’t make the date we had available work. Thankfully we were able to get the December 11 date booked and we are stoked. It’s definitely been on my bucket list to play in the beautiful city of Bend. We are all super pumped and can’t wait to groove with all the cool people out here!
tS: You mention some of your musical influences being Fleetwood Mac and The Expendables, but who would you say is your biggest influence?
N: This one is hard! We love all kinds of music! It truly is our passion. But I guess in this case, for the vision and feel I had for this band, I’d say it’s a hard toss-up between Sublime (RIP Bradley) and Pepper! Both band’s music and style is just something so fun and inspiring. Seeing Pepper live really put the fire in me for being in a rock/reggae band. It’s such a magical feeling, vibing out and getting lost in the rhythm of that type of music with a big group of people that feels the same!
tS: It looks like you have a single out, “Like Sugar.” Have you recorded a full-length album? Do you have any other songs available for download?
N: Yes! “Like Sugar” is my baby, the first song I ever wrote for NRR. We do not yet (have a full length album) but we have been hard at work writing in between all our shows. In October we released our
second single PNW Dream. I call it a reggae/metal/rock ballad. I wrote it about the beautiful place we live in and how magical it feels. The guys really brought my vision to life with the music. It’s pretty rad! The goal is to drop a full-length album in 2026. Everyone make sure to stay tuned!
tS: Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about Nina and The Rebel Rockers?
N: We are just a fun bunch of laid-back dreamers, hoping to leave our mark in this world. Our goal for every show is you leave feeling way better than when you got there! And of course, that’s the goal with every song we write as well, you feel better after jamming to our tunes. Something for people to really connect to. Music is powerful and we intend to use it in the best way possible. We are also going to be featured on a local Salem TV show and their YouTube channel. We are set to record our episode in March of 2026. So make sure you’re watching our socials for updates and the link for that when it’s available. We are pretty excited about it and feel super blessed for the opportunities we’ve been given. Like this interview! Thank you so much! Lastly, I guess is a reminder to everyone to support local music and venues! Go to shows, spread the word about new bands, share the music you find with your people, buy a piece of merch, download, stream and all the things to help the little guys achieve their big dreams! Spread good vibes and be excellent to each other. Much love!
Nina and The Rebel Rockers Thu. Dec. 11 7pm Silver Moon Brewing 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend silvermoonbrewing.com/events $12.24
Sherrie Duran
CALENDAR
26 Wednesday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
The Capitol The Capitol Karaoke Music
Weekly Karaoke at its finest! Central Oregon’s premiere karaoke experience has just moved locations! Now at the Capitol! Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
The Cellar Live Music with Danger Gently Head down to The Cellar every Wednesday to enjoy live music from Danger Gently, a talented rotating cast of characters playing old-timey jams! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub The Desert Howlers The Desert Howlers are fast establishing themselves as Central Oregon’s premier roadhouse blues band. With this tight rhythm section, soulful vocals, blazing guitar and gritty harmonica work, The Desert Howlers deliver powerful performances that resonate like a slapback echo across time from the heyday of blues and rock to present. 8-10pm. Free.
Craft Kitchen and Brewery Comedy Open Mic Night Open mic comedy on Bend’s NE side. Come down, eat some BBQ, drink some drinks, and be prepared to laugh. Great for first timers to experienced performers. FREE 7:30-9pm. Free.
Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Trance Folk Tradition Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music every Wednesday from 6-8pm. 6-8pm. Free.
Deschutes Brewery & Public House
Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Head Games multi-media trivia is at Deschutes Bend Public House every Wednesday. Win prizes. Teams up to six. 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Transmission: ‘80s Dark Wave Social Club Immerse yourself in the sounds of the ’80s underground. DJ Mark Brody spins Joy Division, Bauhaus, The Cure, Clan of Xymox, and more at Dogwood at The Pine Shed. A moody night of goth, post-punk, and darkwave. Every 2nd Wednesday. 7-10pm. Free.
Hosmer Bar Trivia Night Join us midweek for brainy banter and cold drinks! Whether you’re a seasoned quiz champ or just in it for the laughs, gather your crew and test your knowledge! See you there! 7-9pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Open Mic Night Downtown living room welcomes musicians to bring their acoustic set or turn it up to 11 with the whole band. Bring your own instruments. 6:30pm. Free.
Market of Choice Bend Scrabble Club at Market of Choice We meet upstairs. We use the 7th edition of the Scabble Players Dictionary. New Scrabble players are welcome. If you have a Scrabble set, please bring it as a backup. 6-8:30pm. Free.
Northside Bar & Grill Mellow Wednesday Open Mic Night Come down for our Open Mic Night hosted by Derek Michael Marc!!! Sign up at 530pm to get a spot to play! 5:30-8pm. Free. Pinky G’s Pizzeria Music Bingo Join us for Music Bingo (think name that tune meets tradition bingo). Every Wednesday! Free to play and prizes for the winners. 6pm. Free.
Ponch’s Place Bingo Wednesdays at Ponch’s Place Enjoy Bingo at Ponch’s Place on Wednesdays. 5:30-7pm. Free.
LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
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Portello Wine and Spirits Music Bingo Join us for Music Bingo, hosted by the always entertaining Rachel Fishman, who keeps the crowd singing and laughing all night! It’s the perfect bonus to your night out enjoying great food, drinks and good company at Portello! 6:308:30pm. Free.
Prost! - Bend WTF! Wednesday Trivia Fun! Genuine UKB Trivia is truly unique and entertaining trivia for you! Independent, locally owned and operated. Please bring something to write with and some positive vibes, too :). 7pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing StealHead with Bros Gabe JGB night Jerry Garcia Band night. StealHead with the Soul Sistahs <0x1F3B8> Jerry Duty: Brother Gabe Johnson Join us for a Homecoming & Thanksgiving Celebration — honoring community, music, and one of Bend’s most gifted jam-band guitar players: Brother Gabe. Expect the full JGB spirit: ✨ Motown ✨ Reggae ✨ Gospel 7-11:10pm. $10-$15.
Upp Liquids Bend Comedy Open Mic The Bend Comedy Open Mic, every Wednesday at UPP Liquids. All peformance types and ages are welcome! 7-9pm. Free.
Wonderland Chicken X Worthy Brewing Karaoke Wednesdays Sing your heart out, enjoy a cold beer and fried chicken! 7-11pm. Free.
27 Thursday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Austin Mercantile Live Music Every Thursday Join at Austin Mercantile for live music every Thursday. Offering a light happy hour menu — daily flatbread, chili, charcuterie, soft pretzels and more! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
Bar Rio Live Music at Bar Rio Grab your favorite bites and sips and relax into the music— ranging from jazz and blues to pop and flamenco. 6-8pm. Free.
The Bend Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room Trivia Night Tease your brain and win cool prizes. Happy Hour menu will be offered during game time. Grab your friends and enjoy an evening of fabulous wines, snacks and fun! Every last Thursday of the month. Arrive early, game starts at 6pm. Last Thursday of every month, 6-8pm. Free.
Bunk+Brew Karaoke Thursdays Sing your heart out at Bunk + Brew’s Karaoke Night! Whether you’re a pro or just love the spotlight, all voices are welcome. Food carts available all evening! Located in the Historic Lucas House Living Room for winter. 7-10pm. Free.
The Cellar Live Irish Trad Music with The Ballybogs! Join us for a night of live music featuring Bend’s Irish Trad band, The Ballybogs! Every Thursday at The Cellar. Seats fill up, so get there early if you can! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Pete Kartsounes Pete is an award winning singer-songwriter, flat picker, and cutting-edge musician’s musician, No stranger to life out on the road, Pete has spent over two decades bringing his voice and guitar to stages all over the world. Pete continues to push the boundaries of the eclectic world of acoustic music. 7:30-9:30pm. Free.
Crave Bend COMEDY OPEN MIC NIGHT
Comedy Open Mic Night on the SW side of Bend! Adults only encouraged. Intimate, smaller venue, healthier food and beverages, and an interactive night of comedy every Thursday! Hosted By Hopper. 7-9pm. Free.
The Dez Lounge Open Mic Join Joyful Lane at open mic night! Enjoy NA cocktails, charcuterie and dessert while listening to local talent! 6-9pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Let’s Have a Kiki A weekly 2SLGBTQIA+ night hosted by Cliché, with a new featured resident DJ each month. Kicking off the series in May with DJ Lunallday. Let’s have a kiki! 7-10pm. Free.
Elements Public House Trivia Night at Elements Public House with QuizHead Games Come be all you can be with Trivia Night every Thursday from 6-8pm! Featuring QuizHead. games. Located at the north end of Redmond. Full bar and great food! 6-8pm. Free.
Hosmer Bar Bingo Night Your week just found its highlight—bingo! Join us for drinks, good company and a little friendly competition. Pull up a chair, grab a board and let’s make some memories! 7-9pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Friendsgiving Party with One Mad Man One Mad Man brings his style and funk to the evening while we celebrate friends and family our way. 9pm. Free.
Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place Trivia Thursdays at Ponch’s Place with QuizHead Games. 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Trivia on the Moon Come down to Silver Moon Brewing for a night of trivia! Teams are welcome to show up in groups up to 8 people. Silver Moon also offers seating reservations for $20 donations that all go to F*Cancer! If you would like to reserve a table please contact the Trivia on the Moon Facebook page. 7pm. Free.
28 Friday
The Commonwealth Pub The Maxwell Friedman Group Maxwell (Malik) Friedman is living proof that some musicians are indeed “born with it.” Assembling veteran players, many years their senior, including guitarist “Brother Gabe” Johnson, the band delivers what Malik likes to call “Inspired Neo-Jazz Funk Soul Fusion”. You are in for a treat. 8-10pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free. Hardtails Bar & Grill Stage 28 Karaoke Come out for a night of Stage 28 Karaoke with your host Miss Min! What’s your go-to karaoke tune? Come to Hardtails for a fun Friday night and sing your heart out! 8pm-Midnight. Free. M&J Tavern Rustmouth & Delta 13 Rock, blues and Americana style keep the Holiday festivities rolling while Everyone in town needs to shake off all the good eats. 9pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Live Music: Maria Jackson Band We are excited to have Maria back at Portello this weekend! Her soulful vocals brings an electrifying sound inspired by Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae and Sade. Last Friday of every month, 7-9pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing The Roundabouts Holiday Improv Show Get ready to laugh your way into the holidays with The Roundabouts! This fast-paced improv comedy show blends audience suggestions, festive chaos, and holiday cheer into one hilarious night. No scripts, no plan—just pure spontaneous fun. Grab your friends and join the merriest comedy show of the season! 7-9pm.
Silver Moon Brewing Cover Story Cover Story, Bend’s own country rock band, lights up stages across Central Oregon with its high-energy shows and crowd-pleasing setlist. Formed by members of several beloved local bands, Cover Story combines decades of musical experience with a fresh, fun vibe. 7-10pm.
Sisters Depot Friday Nights with Tony Lompa Tony Lompa brings the vibe to Sisters Depot most Fridays. If the weather’s nice, he plays in the courtyard. If not, he plays upstairs at Frankie’s. No cover—just order food, shareables, or drinks and enjoy the evening. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Maxwell Friedman Group . Free.
Wildwood Bar & Grill So Much House: A Dance Party Food Drive So Much House (SMH) is central Oregon’s monthly House & Techno night. Bend, Oregon based established in 2021 and curated by Bend’s favorite local DJ & Promoter “Casey Capps”. These events showcase genres of House & Techno music at your favorite venues every month with local and out of town 7-11pm. Free.
A staple of the local live music circuit, Bill Powers and his guitar will play Sat., Nov. 29, 6:30-8:30pm at Portello Wine and Spirits.
Bill Powers
CALENDAR
29 Saturday
Austin Mercantile Saturday Afternoon Live Music Austin Mercantile is now adding live music on Saturdays! Serving wine, beer, lite happy hour menu, gifts and home decor. Hope to see you soon! 4:30-6:30pm. Free.
Bangers and Brews Bangin’ Comedy at Bangers and Brews Get ready for big laughs and good vibes! Join comedian Anthony Poponi— the upbeat host of Crazy Happy Silly Funny Nerdy podcast and live show —for a night packed with clever punchlines, quick wit, and contagious positivity. 8-9:30pm.
Bridge 99 Brewery Family-Friendly Karaoke Night Looking for family fun? You’ll find it every Saturday night at Bridge 99 Brewery. Family-friendly karaoke is hosted by DJ Jackie J and A Fine Note Karaoke Too from 6-9 PM. Adults, kids and good dogs welcome. 6-9pm. Free.
Camp Clay Bend Camp Clay Anniversary Party Please join us for an evening of shared food, music, dancing, and togetherness! This party marks our first year of being open to the public! Bring a dish if you wish, come dance, chat, and hang out in our creative space! 5-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub ‘80s and ‘90s Dance Party with DJ Chris Come dance the night away with hits from the ‘80s and ‘90s witj DJ Chris. Dressing up encouraged! 8-11pm. $20.
The Commonwealth Pub Commonwealth DJ Dance Party with TRUNORTH Join TRUNORTH as he makes his way down from the 49th parallel, spinning the latest and greatest, raising the bar on this year’s playoff season. Join him Friday and Saturday nights at The Commonwealth Pub and cheer on the beats from soul, to funk, to today’s hits. 9pm-Midnight. Free.
Craft Kitchen and Brewery The Messy Mic Comedy Show The Messy Mic is where comedy gets real raw, unpolished, and wildly entertaining. This isn’t your buttoned-up comedy night; it’s where the laughs are loud, the stories are a little chaotic, and anything can happen. You’ll see brand-new comics taking their first brave steps onto the stage alongside seasoned comics 8-9:30pm. $10-$15.
Crave Bend Shameless: Bad Relationships Comedy Show They say love hurts, but laughter heals (and tequila helps). Get ready for the no-filter, story-driven comedy competition where Bend’s boldest comedians bare it all in the name of heartbreak and hilarity. This season’s theme? Bad relationships. Seating is limited, grab your tickets early. 7-9pm. $20.
Larkspur Community Center Voices Rising’s Community Big Sing! Revel and delight in a participatory singing experience that celebrates the natural voice and community. From soulful to silly, you’ll learn simple pocket songs to polyphonic pieces in a matter of minutes from the choir’s Fall Season. Try it and be delighted by the beautiful sound we can make together! 2:30-5pm. $10-$25.
M&J Tavern Desert Howlers Its the final night of party and soul before the friends and family settle back into the daily routines. Come shake yer money maker. Don’t be a jive turkey! 9pm. Free.
McMenamins Father Luke’s Room MadSparkx Eli Madden ( Call Down Thunder) and Ben Sparks ( The Hasbens) jam acoustic crowd pleasing covers and tasty originals! Come see what the MadSparkx are all about! 7-10pm. Free.
Midtown Ballroom Bend Moonlight Market Tis the season for a holiday Bend Moonlight Market ✨ You know the drill, we got the things! Come party! ✨November 29th ✨4-11pm ✨FREE! ✨All ages welcome ✨Live music from 7-9pm ✨At @midtownballroombend <0x1FAF5><0x1F3FD> You don’t wanna miss this! 4-11pm. FREE.
Northside Bar & Grill The Cutmen Saturday Night Live Music Tonight we welcome back local 8 piece funk band, The Cutmen! 8-11pm. Free.
Portello Wine and Spirits Bill Powers Gather your family and friends and come down to Portello for a fun night of music with Bill Powers Saturday night! 6:30-8:30pm. Free.
River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Elise Franklin Trio: jazz standards and beautiful vocals. 6-8pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Leadbetter Band’s Album Release Celebration “Album Release Celebration for Leadbetter Bands fourth studio album “Spell”! Come to rock out, dance, and enjoy new tunes from Bends original rock n roll voyagers”Leadbetter Band was born in 2017, featuring Eric’s original songs. Their music style is vast and diverse.
Sisters Depot Aidan Moye and Jacob Everett Wallace Singer-songwriters Aidan Moye and Jacob Everett Wallace bring heartfelt storytelling and raw emotion to the stage. Aidan, from Wyoming, shares tender songs filled with melancholy and hope, while Texas native Jacob delivers introspective folk-rock with vulnerable lyrics. Together, they create an intimate, soulful performance. 7-9pm. $10.
Wildwood Bar & Grill Double Jump Double Jump is a local Indie Pop band with a variety of music for all generations. With high energetic vocals, to suave sax solos, to the beautiful ring of a cowbell; Double Jump can provide! 7-10pm. Free.
30 Sunday
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Trivia Night Sunday Funday Trivia with Sean. Gather your team, or roll solo and find a spot early in the cafe, knowledge tests begin at 6pm. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Talamh Dubh and Friends Talamh Dubh is a trio with collective ties to Ireland and a love for Irish music. Their name, “Dark Earth” in Gaelic, pays homage to the volcanic ground of the Cascade range upon which the group formed. Featured in their repertoire are jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches, waltzes, and songs. 4-6pm.
The Commonwealth Pub Head Games Trivia Night Eat. Drink. Think. Win! Live multi-media trivia every Sunday @ 6pm. The Commonwealth Pub - Bend Free to play. Win prizes. Teams up to 6. 6-8pm. Free.
Dogwood At The Pine Shed Okay Karaoke Sing your favorite songs with friends, enjoy professional sound and lighting, and let the spotlight shine on you. Hosted by the dynamic Tammy Larsen, it’s the perfect night out for music lovers and party people alike. Noon-11pm. Free.
River’s Place The Brainy Brunch Trivia! Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia presents “The Brainy Brunch!” Bring your crew of friends or family and a pen/pencil! Play for fun and gift cards, play for free! Experienced, independent, locally owned and operated! Noon. Free.
River’s Place Pete Kartsounes Ballads, blues, jazz, bluegrass, folk, and compositions that defy definition, he is best described as a story teller, weaving a tale through a soulful musical journey. 5-7pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Open Mic at the Moon Get a taste of the big time! Sign-up is at 4pm! Come check out the biggest and baddest open mic night in Bend! 5-8pm. Free.
1 Monday
Bevel Craft Brewing Bingo with Bren Supporting Sleep in Heavenly Peace Join us for Bingo with Bren, an evening of community and kindness supporting Sleep in Heavenly Peace! Half the proceeds go to cash prizes, while the other half helps build and deliver beds to children in need, ensuring no child sleeps on the floor. Cash Only, please! 6-8pm. 2.
The Commonwealth Pub Monday Night Musicians Open Showcase and Jam Calling all musicians, singers and performers! Join us for a weekly open showcase where you can share your talent, connect with other artists and perform in a welcoming atmosphere. Bring your instrument — backline is provided. 5-9pm. Free.
Crux Fermentation Project Trivia Night @ Crux Trivia Night at Crux! First place team wins a $25 gift card! 6-8pm. Free.
Elixir Winery and Tasting Room Locals Music Night and Open Mic Bend’s friendliest open-mic! All genres welcome. Oregon and international wine, beer and tapas menu available all evening. 6-9pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Vinyl Night Monday Night just got better!!! 9pm to Midnight. SupaFly will be your Dj. Bring your own vinyl and sign up to add it to the Playlist or pick from hers. . Free.
On Tap Locals’ Day Plus Live Music Cheaper drinks all day and live music at night, get down to On Tap. 11am-9pm. Free.
Silver Moon Brewing Beertown Comedy
Open Mic Voted #1 Open Mic and Locals Night, Beertown Comedy’s Open Mic happens every Monday at Silver Moon Brewing. Free to watch and perform! Sign-ups at 6:30pm, show at 7pm. With 20 spots available, bring your best jokes and get noticed for paid gigs. Laughter guaranteed! 6:30-9pm. Free.
2 Tuesday
The Astro Lounge Karaoke Get here early to put your name on the list! Drink specials every night. 9pm-2am. Free.
Beach Hut Deli Tip of the Tongue Trivia Come out and play Tip of the Tongue trivia for a chance to win some great prizes and show off your trivia skills! 6-8pm. Free.
The Capitol The Capitol Karaoke Music Weekly Karaoke at its finest! Central Oregon’s premiere karaoke experience has just moved locations! Now at the Capitol! Drink specials! Air guitars! Come see for yourself. 8pm-1am. Free.
The Cellar Open Mic Open mic at The Cellar hosted by Mari! 6-8pm and all are welcome! 6-8pm. Free.
The Commons Cafe & Taproom Open Mic StoryTellers open mic nights are full of music, laughs and community. Mason James is the host. Poetry, comedy and spoken word are welcome, but this is mainly a musical open mic. Performance slots are a quick 10 minutes each, so being warmed up and ready is ideal. If you wish to perform sign-ups start at 5pm in the cafe. 6pm. Free.
Elements Public House Trivia (&Taco) Tuesdays Quiz fans of Redmond: bring your crew this week for UKB live trivia & more! Delicious menu favorites, brews, cocktails, plus Taco Tuesday menu! Play for gift card prizes or just for fun. Bring good vibes and a pen. 6:30pm. Free.
The Lot Trivia Tuesdays Stop scrolling and streaming, get out of the house and flex your brain. Your friends will be excited for the invite, so put it out there and make memories on Tuesday nights. A local host challenges you with six questions in six categories. The heated benches are calling your name. 6-7:30pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Karaoke Every Tuesday at your downtown living room! Sign-ups start at 8pm and the singing goes until last call OR last singer, whichever comes first! 8pm-1:15am. Free.
Mountain Burger Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger Come to Trivia Tuesday at Mountain Burger! Fun and prizes await! 7:30-9pm. Free.
Northside Bar & Grill Karaoke with DJ Chris Ossig Karaoke with DJ Chris. 7-9pm. Free.
Pinky G’s Pizzeria TRIVIA NIGHT Test your knowledge in a casual/laid-back atmosphere. Pizza, beer and trivia. Free to play and prizes for 1st and 2nd place. 6-8pm. Free.
The Commonweath Pub Marianne Thomas with Single Malt Jazz Catch Marianne Thomas live at The Commonwealth Pub on December 2, backed by the swinging trio Single Malt Jazz — Don McFarlane on keys, Tom Freedman on bass, and Mathew Williams on drums. An engaging evening of jazz standards, blues, and a few originals you won’t want to miss! 7-9pm. Free.
DANCE
Adult Ballet Class Come learn or rediscover the art of ballet on Tuesday nights! Adult Ballet is an open-level class for adult learners and dancers. Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 and 6:45-7:45pm. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-3824055. dance@ abcbend.com. Varies: Drop-ins $25, 4-Pack or Register receives a discount!.
Adult Jazz Dance Community Class Join nonprofit Bend Dance Project for intermediate level adult jazz drop-in dance classes. Friendly supportive atmosphere. Get your dance on! Fridays, 12:15-1:45pm. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 408-857-6773. jcliff@gmail.com. $10 donation.
Argentine Tango Classes and Social Dance Classes Wednesdays. Tango Fundamentals progressive class 6:30pm; four-week series, join cohort on Facebook if brand-new. Main Práctica 7:30pm, intermediate class 8:15pm. After-hours práctica 8:45-9:30pm. Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30pm and Second Friday of every month, 7-9:30pm. Sons of Norway Hall, 549 NW Harmon Blvd., Bend. Contact: 9015505671. aneezerk@gmail.com. $5-$10.
Belly Dance Classes Expand your movement language by learning a variety of Belly Dance styles + build strength, grace, confidence, & community. Classes include a great workout, yoga, professional technique, functional fitness approach for alignment, longevity, & safety in movement and body. Performance opportunities for those who desire Mondays, 5-6:15pm. Private Studio, 123 Private Rd, Bend. Contact: https:// www.templetribalfusion.com/contact/. $20.
Bend Dance Project Adult Community Drop-in Class Join nonprofit Bend Dance Project for an adult intermediate level drop-in dance class. Styles include classic jazz, street jazz, modern and lyrical. Teachers and styles rotate monthly. Supportive and welcoming atmosphere! Suggested donation $10. Fridays, 12:15-1:45pm. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-7281063. dancevelocity@live.com. $10.
Indian Dance Classes Indian Classical & Temple Dance: excellent & supportive for any style of dance or athlete. Activate, balance and optimize your entire being, from the inside out! Includes yoga, hand gestures, sensual bends, head & eye postures and feet positions. Details and registration at www.templetribalfusion.com/ dance-bend. Wednesdays, 9:15-10:30am. Private Studio, 123 Private Rd, Bend. Contact: www. templetribalfusion.com/contact. $20.
Lindy Hop Social Dance and Intro Lesson Take back your night life! Join a community eager to share their excitement for this goofy, athletic and energetic dance. Sundays. Through Nov. 30. The Space, 63830 Clausen Rd, Bend. Contact: trevorsmith.or@gmail.com. $7-$12.
FILM EVENTS
Gaza Fights For Freedom In recognition of the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People,” Oregonian director Abby Martin, who was banned from entering Gaza, worked remotely with a team located within the besieged area to secure raw footage of the “Great March of Return,” a peaceful protest in 2018. Nov. 29, 3:30-5pm. Deschutes County Library, Downtown Bend, 601 NW Wall, Bend. Contact: jvpbend@ jewishvoiceforpeace.org. Free.
ARTS + CRAFTS
Annual Holiday Marketplace at the Vineyard The Fall air is crisp and it is time to come to Faith Hope & Charity for the annual Holiday Marketplace! Enjoy the beautiful vineyard views of the Three Sisters and enjoy a glass of wine or sangria, while you walk through our heated tent and choose the perfect gift. Nov. 29, 9am-4pm and Nov. 30, 10am-4pm. Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr., Terrebonne. Contact: 541-526-5075. events@ fhcvineyards.com. Free.
Art Viewing Visit Sagebrushers Art Society in beautiful Bend to see lovely work, paintings and greeting cards by local artists. New exhibit every 8 weeks. Visit Sagebrushersartofbend.com for information on current shows. Wednesdays, 1-4pm, Fridays, 1-4pm and Saturdays, 1-4pm. Sagebrushers Art Society, 117 SW Roosevelt Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-617-0900. Free. Crochet Café Bring your crochet projects and join your host, Fancy Nancy, and other crocheters at Fancywork Yarn Shop. This 2-hour hook session is designed specifically to foster community among the crochet crew. All skill levels are welcome in this weekly drop-in event. Thursdays, 1-3pm. Fancywork Yarn Shop, 200 NE Greenwood Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-3238686. hello@fancywork.com. Free.
Fall Flower Bar Tap into your inner florist and create a fall bouquet perfect for the Thanksgiving holiday! Our Fall Flower Bar is hands-on floral event where guests can create their own custom bouquet using a curated selection of autumn-inspired blooms. Prices vary bases on the size you make. Nov. 26, 3-7pm. The Bite, 19860 Seventh St., Tumalo. Contact: 8086524721. passionflowersbend@gmail.com. Price varies.
The Maxwell Friedman Group hits The Commonwealth Pub Fri., Nov. 28, 8-10pm.
Maxwell Friedman Group FB
CALENDAR EVENTS
Family Cutting Board Workshop Celebrate the season of togetherness with a creative day in the woodshop! Bring a friend, family member, or loved one and craft your very own one-plank cutting boards side by side. Each participant will design and build a board from start to finish, learning hands-on woodworking skills. Nov. 28, 3-5:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@ diycave.com. $139.
Foraged & Festive: Creating a Holiday Wreath Bring your holiday cheer and a pair of clippers! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to select, prep, and arrange fresh evergreens, pinecones, berries, and ribbons to craft your own wreath. We’ll wrap up our creativity with a cozy, old-fashioned potluck celebration. Nov. 30, 2-4:30pm. City of Redmond, Redmond, Or., Redmond. Contact: 650-224-6750. info@schoolofranch.org. $75.
Fused Glass Gingerbread Workshop
Keep the holiday magic going the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a family-friendly fused glass workshop that’s all about creativity, fun, and making new memories together! In this class, you’ll design and build your very own gingerbread-style house out of fused glass—a keepsake that will shine year after year. Nov. 30, 11am-12:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $89.
Helen Brown Watercolors High Desert Art League member Helen Brown is showing her watercolor batiks through December in the mezzanine gallery. Helen paints on rice paper, which gives her work a distinct textured appearance. Mondays-Sundays, 9am-7pm. Through Dec. 30. Touchmark at Pilot Butte, 1125 NE Watt Way, Bend. Contact: 541-238-6101. Free.
High Desert Art League show The High Desert Art League presents a group exhibit through December. A variety of works in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel and other media will be on display. Mondays-Fridays, 9am-5pm. Through Dec. 30. Premiere Property Group, 25 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-2416860. Free.
Horse Bodywork: A Daily Routine for Comfort & Connection Your horse says more than you think—if you know how to listen. In this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop, learn simple bodywork techniques, nervous system coregulation, and a 10-minute daily routine to support your horse’s physical ease and emotional well-being. Taught by Josh and Victoria Williams. Dec. 1, 10am-1pm. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: 650-224-6750. info@ schoolofranch.org. $140.
Hot Glass, Hot Deals: AD Glass & Design’s 2025 Holiday Season Launch The flame is lit! AD Glass & Design’s Holiday Glassblowing Season starts now! Glassblowing Demonstrations by Aaron Duccini. Watch for 5 minutes or 5 hours! “Create Your Own” Personal Experiences with Aaron. Browse 2025 Holiday Collections in our Gallery Gift Shop Nov. 28, Noon-5pm and Nov. 29, Noon-5pm. AD Glass & Design, 30 SW Century Dr Suite 120, Bend. Contact: 541-241-8622. aaron@ad-glass.com. Free.
Intro to 3D Printing This class will cover everything from how a 3D printer works to creating and printing out custom designs. We will be using Tinkercad, a free, easy-to-use web app in this class. At the end of this class, you will have 3D printing skill set and be certified on our printers. Dec. 2, 6-8:30pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@ diycave.com. $139.
Intro to Jewelry Soldering: Silver Stacked Rings This fun and creative class introduces you to the basics of soldering and the art of creating beautiful sterling silver rings. You’ll use a torch for soldering and learn how to size, shape, and texture your rings. Take home new skills and three beautifully crafted rings! Tue, Nov. 11, 6-8pm, Mon, Dec. 1, 6-8pm and Fri, Dec. 5, 6-8pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@ diycave.com. $129.
Joren Traveller High Desert Art League
member Joren Traveller is showing “My Oregon”, landscapes in oil in the lobby of the Oxford Hotel through the month of November. Meet the artist during the First Friday Art Walk, November 7, 5-7 p.m. Nov. 1-30, 9am-9pm. The Oxford Hotel, 10 Northwest Minnesota Avenue, Bend. Contact: 541-382-8436. Free.
Leather Ornament or Drink Coaster
Workshop Add warmth and handmade charm to your holiday season! In this festive workshop, you’ll explore the art of leather stamping while creating your own set of four custom Christmas ornaments or drink coasters. Our friendly instructor will guide you step-by-step through stamping and coloring techniques that make each design shine. Nov. 29, 10am-Noon. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $129.
NEW EXHIBIT: CONTEMPORARY REALIST ARTIST
DAVID KREITZER
Tradition Lives: New Contemporary Realist David Kreitzer healing and meditative oils. “In the tradition of Turner and Cezanne, painter David Kreitzer’s love of nature propels him to create exquisitely detailed, mood-invoking and stunning oil and watercolor Water, Landscapes, Figure, Fantasy, Nishigoi Koi, Wine Country, Still Life, Mid-West Heritage Nov. 1-Dec. 28, 4-9pm. The Loft, 919 NW Bond St., Bend. Contact: 8052342048. jkreitze@icloud.com. free.
Open Art Nights Bring your art supplies and make art with your new creative community! No registration required, just show up with an open mind and willingness to create and connect. 18+. Questions? Email brian@theopenartscenter. org Tuesdays, 6-9pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd Street, Bend. Contact: 978-771-4635. brian@theopenartscenter.org. Free.
SAA 4th Friday Artwalk in Sisters, OR, All-Day 10am-7pm Visit the Art Galleries of Sisters featuring: A great time, beautiful art, good company, demonstrations, plus additional sponsoring restaurants and food venues for during and following the walk. Visit with actual artists and their work including: Fine art and contemporary paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass artistry, jewelry, and more. Fourth Friday of every month, 10am-7pm. Through Nov. 28. Downtown Sisters, Hood Avenue., Sisters. Contact: 541-719-8581,. events@sistersartsassociation.org. Free.
Wood Shop Basics: Learn how to use the router, planer, & jointer In this class you will learn how to use the Router, Planer and Jointer. Once complete you will be able to create more precise techniques for edges and dimensions to improve your furniture and fine woodworking projects. You will also get 1 free hour back in the Wood Shop. Dec. 1, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $169.
Wood Shop Basics: Learn to use the Table Saw, Chop Saw, and Bandsaw In this class you will learn how to use the table saw, chop saw and bandsaw. Once complete you will have the confidence to build utilitarian projects such as picnic tables, planter boxes, Adirondack chairs and much more. You will also get 1 free hour back in the Wood Shop. Dec. 2, 6-9pm. DIY Cave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $169.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
Joe Dispenza Group Meditation In The Energy Room Every Thursday and Sunday Epic Energy Centers open’s the Energy Room early for a group meditation based off of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work and guidance. Guided and supported by local Bend Practitioners. Thursdays-Sundays, 9-11am. Through Feb. 27. Epic Energy Centers, 205 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: 541..449.9829. support@theepicenergycenters.com. $40.
Natural History Pub: The Recipe for Healthy Soil Join Garrett L. Duyck, Basin Resource Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to learn about soil management in the region. Rescheduled from November. Doors open at 5:30 pm. FREE, RSVP required Dec. 1, 7-8pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend. Contact: info@highdesertmuseum.org. Free.
THEATER
O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss… Grab your teacups! Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for the unexpected, London’s 3-time Impresario winners steep an outrageously funny and brilliantly inventive show reminiscent of classic British pantos - rich in wordplay, comic physicality, and cleverly crafted interacteractive elements! Dec. 2, 3-9pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $45.
WORDS
Writing Wednesdays at the OAC Join us every Wednesday night from 7pm-8:30pm for a free evening of writing, connection, and creativity. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays: Poetry Workshop; 2nd & 4th Wednesdays: Writing Workshop. Open to adults 18+, all levels welcome. Bring your notebook, your voice, and your curiosity. Let’s write together! Questions? Email: claire@ theopenartscenter.org Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm. The Open Arts Center, 999 NE 2nd Street, Bend. Contact: 978-771-4635. claire@theopenartscenter.org. Free.
ETC.
Bangin Comedy at Bangers & Brews Ready to laugh off those Thanksgiving leftovers? Join comedian Anthony Poponi for a night of fast-paced, feel-good comedy! Nov. 29, 8-9:30pm. Bangers & Brews - Westside, 1288 SW Simpson Ave., Bend. Contact: (808) 4218855. anthony@anthonypoponi.com. $20.
Vinyl Night Get groovy with a beer and a meal while local DJ Rollin’ Dust works his magic with vinyl. Purchase from a wide selection of ever-changing vinyl music. Every other Monday, 5-8pm. Immersion Brewing, 550 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 541-633-7821. info@ imbrewing.com. Free.
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Bend Adult Volleyball Bend Hoops adult open gym volleyball sessions offer players a chance to get together and enjoy some competition. To sign up, go to meetup.com and RSVP. Bring exact change. Sundays, 7-9pm and Saturdays, 7:30pm. Bend Hoops, 1307 NE 1st St, Bend. $10.
Bevel Putting Mayhem Disc Golfers!! Come join us on Wednesdays for Bevel Putting Mayhem in the hop garden at Bevel! $5 entry, with an optional $1 perfect putt pot, and $1 off beers for players. Sign-ups start at 5:30, first putts at 6pm. All skill levels welcome - meet new friends! Wednesdays, 5:30-8pm. Through April 29. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: 5419723835. holla@bevelbeer.com. $5.
Redmond Running Group Run All levels welcome. Find the Redmond Oregon Running Klub on Facebook for weekly run details. Thursdays, 6:15pm. Contact: rundanorun1985@gmail. com. Free.
Roller Skate Jam! Come skate with us— quads and inlines welcome! We throw down at the courts off SE Wilson, next to the skatepark. Music, dancing, rolling and a friendly community of welcoming skaters. All levels and ages welcome. Tuesdays, 6-8pm. Ponderosa Park, 225 SE 15th St., Bend. Contact: 206-334-8488. joe@ joe-walker.com. Free.
VOLUNTEER
Bunny Rescue Needs Volunteers
Looking for more volunteers to help with tidying bunny enclosures, feeding, watering, giving treats, head scratches, play time and fostering. All ages welcome and time commitments are flexible — weekly, monthly or fill-in. Located at the south end of Redmond. Email Lindsey with your interests and availability: wildflowerbunnylove@gmail.com. Ongoing.
General Volunteer Opportunities For information on volunteer opportunities at Bethlehem Inn please contact Courtney, Community Engagement Coordinator, at volunteer@bethleheminn.org. Fourth Thursday of every month. Bethlehem Inn, 3705 N Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: 541-322-8768 x11. volunteer@bethleheminn. org.
NeighborImpact Volunteer Opportunities Support NeighborImpact and its programs! Register as a volunteer, then browse open opportunities. Roles needed: Food Bank, HomeSource, facilities, special events and more! Mondays-Fridays. NeighborImpact Office - Redmond, 2303 SW First St., Redmond. Contact: 541-419-2595. grantj@neighborimpact.org. Free.
Redmond Family Kitchen Dinner Family Kitchen is continuing to provide nutritious meals to anyone in need, now in Redmond! Volunteers prepare dinners and clean up afterward. Email Tori with any questions or sign up here: https:// www.signupgenius.com/go/RedmondDinner Mondays-Fridays, 2-4:30pm. Mountain View Fellowship, 1475 SW 35th St, Redmond. Contact: 631-942-3528. tori@familykitchen.org. Free.
Kicking off the holiday season in truly festive form, O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy will have you laughing your way into December. Tue., Dec. 2 at the Tower Theatre.
James & Jamesy FB
Think Wild Volunteer Orientation Come to a Think Wild volunteer orientation at our office space to learn about Think Wild’s programs and the various ways that you can get involved, whether you have 30 minutes a year or 30 hours a week. Tue, Dec. 2, 5-6pm, Tue, Jan. 6, 5-6pm, Mon, Feb. 9, 5-6pm, Mon, March 2, 5-6pm, Tue, April 7, 5-6pm, Tue, May 5, 5-6pm, Tue, June 2, 5-6pm, Tue, July 7, 5-6pm and Tue, Aug. 4, 5-6pm. Sunlight Solar, 150 NE Hawthorne Ave., Bend. Contact: (541) 316-8294. hailee@thinkwildco.org. 0.
Thrive Moving Volunteers Support your neighbors by helping them move to their new home. If interested, fill out the volunteer form or reach out! Ongoing. Contact: 541-728-1022. TCOmoving22@gmail.com.
Volunteer at the Bend ReStore If you want to help make affordable homeownership a reality for individuals and families in Central Oregon, consider volunteering at the Bend ReStore! Ongoing, 9am-5pm. Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 224 NE Thurston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-312-6709. Volunteer@brhabitat.org. Free.
Volunteer CASAs Needed CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. They are community volunteers who advocate solely for the best interest of children and youth in foster care. Our pre-service training classes are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively advocate for these children. Apply today at casaofcentraloregon.org/volunteer. Ongoing. Rosie Bareis community campus, 1010 NW 14th Street, Bend. Contact: 541-389-1618. enoyes@casaofcentraloregon.org. Free.
Volunteer for Foster Dogs Volunteer to be a dog foster parent! There is a huge need and it is very rewarding, giving you a sense of purpose. Each dog is special. Thursdays. Contact: 458292-8362. HDRescueoregon.com.
Volunteer with Salvation Army The Salvation Army has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for almost every age. Salvation Army has an emergency food pantry, the groups visit residents of assisted living centers and make up gifts for veterans and the homeless. Ongoing. Contact: 541-389-8888.
Volunteer, Feed the Masses! At Family Kitchen, the mission is to serve anyone who needs nutritious meals in a safe and caring environment. They have tons of volunteer needs - servers, cooks, shoppers, and more. Groups and teams wanted! Monthly or quarterly opportunities! Visit familykitchen.org/volunteer to fill out a volunteer interest form. Mondays-Sundays. Family Kitchen, 231 NW Idaho, Bend. Contact: tori@familykitchen.org. Free.
Volunteering in Oregon’s High Desert with ONDA Oregon Natural Desert Association is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, defending and restoring Oregon’s high desert. Visit www.onda. org/trips to find the full calendar and descriptions of current volunteer trip offerings. Ongoing.
Volunteers Needed for Humane Society Thrift Store Do you love animals and discovering “new” treasures? Then volunteering at the HSCO Thrift Store is a great way to combine your passions while helping raise funds to provide animal welfare services for the local community. For more information visit the website at www. hsco.org/volunteer. Ongoing. Humane Society Thrift Shop, 61220 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-241-3840. abigail@hsco.org.
GROUPS + MEETUPS
Bend Chess and Go Club Casual gathering for players of Chess and Go/Baduk/Weiqi. Informal and welcoming to players of all skill levels. We love teaching new people! Wednesdays, 6-9pm. Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St., Bend. Contact: 425-354-8867. leifawiebe@gmail.com. Free.
Bend Pinochle Club $7 for non-members. If you have any questions or desire more information please contact us at bendpinochle@gmail.com or go to our website (bendpinochle.com) for details. All ages welcome. Thursdays, 11:30am-3pm and Fridays, 11:30am-3pm. Golden Age Card Club, 40 SE 5th St, Bend. Contact: 541-389-1752. Free.
Bend Ukulele Group Weekly Jam Beginners and experienced players are all welcome at this weekly jam. Join us in the Box Factory for this fun and engaging time to share music! Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm. The Barrel Room at UPP, 550 SW Industrial Way ste #185, Bend. Contact: 206-7076337. jcreekm@gmail.com. $5. Central Oregon Badminton Come and join the badminton group in Central Oregon. All levels welcome from beginner to experienced. Instruction, racquets, birdies available, 10 fee to play, can pay in cash at the event or in advance at Bend Badminton on Meetup.com. Saturdays, 6-8pm. Bend Hoops, 1307 NE 1st Street, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4994. sheena_fischer@yahoo. com. $10.
Cribbage Play nine games of cribbage with friendly people. Cash prizes available. Mon, Dec. 1 and 4:55-8:15pm and Mon, Dec. 8 and 4:558:15pm. Abby’s Legendary Pizza, 1115 Northeast Third St., Bend. Contact: 541-530-1112. rickyticky1954@gmail.com. $2-$15.
Homeschool Open Play Homeschool families are invited to a special time of play and exploration! Kids can climb rock walls, race down the giant red slide, cross the adventure net bridge, and soar through ninja obstacles while staying active, making friends, and connecting in a bright, fun, community-focused space. Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm. Through Dec. 16. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend@gmail.com. $16.
Rally League Night We are starting pingpong and foosball leagues! At the first few meetings, we will have round robin play, gauge interest and determine league formats. All ages and levels welcome. Wednesdays, 5-8pm. Rally Recreation, 549 NW York Dr, Bend. Contact: 541241-8581. info@rallyrecreation.com. $8-$10.
Speed Dating Join us at Testimony Wine Bar in their Sanctuary Room for a fun night of mingling and speed dating (ages 50+), hosted by Professional Matchmakers with Epiphany Match. Great conversations, laughter, and real connections in a welcoming atmosphere. Meet new people or someone special—spots are limited, reserve yours today! Nov. 26, 6-8pm. Testimony Wine Bar, 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. Contact: -. info@epiphanymatch.com. $5.
Volunteers needed for VegNet Bend Volunteer opportunities for VegNet Bend include - Event coordinators, executive board service, potluck themes, potluck and event setup and tear down, marketing, website maintenance, help with fundraising, cooking demos, film screenings, speaker presentations and more. Nonprofit 501 c3. Free, donations welcome. Ongoing. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: 541-480-3017. Judyveggienet@yahoo.com.
Wild Women Book Club Come join other women in community as participants dive deep into the untamed feminine psyche. This is set up in a way that you can jump in at any time with or without reading the “required” pages. Join in the discussion or just come for a cup of tea and listen! Fourth Wednesday of every month, 6-8pm. The
FUNDRAISING
Bingo for Veterans A fun family-friendly Bingo Night with proceeds benefiting Central Oregon Veterans Ranch! Win prizes, cash and support our these local Heroes. Bingo cards are $2 each or 6 for $10, with daubers supplied. Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:30pm and Fourth Wednesday of every month. Otto’s Landing, 652 NW Seventh St., Redmond. Contact: 541-699-1307. ottosredmond@gmail.com. Free.
Free Holiday Gift Wrapping Sponsored by the Oregon Equestrian Trails Bring your Hanukkah/Christmas/Birthday/Baby Shower/Wedding gifts to “The Free Gift Wrapping Center” to be wrapped. Items can be left while you continue to shop, purchase a Christmas tree, see a movie or dine. Dec. 1, Noon-6pm. Bend River Promenade, 3188 N Highway 97, Bend. Donations welcome..
Holiday Fundraiser for Scalehouse, Small Business Saturday Join us on Small Business Saturday for a holiday fundraising event at Scalehouse. Get in the holiday spirit and learn more about our current printmaking exhibition. Enjoy coffee from Back Porch, and donate to win raffle items from Downtown Bend Businesses, perfect for gifting. Nov. 29, 10am-1pm. Scalehouse Gallery, 550 NW Franklin Ave, Bend. Contact: (541) 362-1288. info@scalehouse.org.
FAMILY + KIDS
Cosmic Jump Night A Cosmic Party turns the bright lights off and the party lights on! It’s time to glow! Wear white or bright clothing for the full effect, ages 12 and up recommended. Saturdays, 7-9pm. Mountain Air Trampoline Park, 20495 Murray Road, Bend. Contact: 541647-1409. info@mountainairbend.com. $23. Family Yoga Series Partner up with your kid-yogis to practice yoga and mindfulness together! We teach kid-friendly yoga sequences, partner poses, and acro-yoga while introducing breathing techniques and mindfulness practices. 6-week series, age 5 - 8 plus parent/caregiver. No class 11/26 Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15pm and Wednesdays, 5:156:15pm. Through Dec. 3. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $142.
Indigo Homeschool Program for Girls (9-12) Trebled Souls proudly presents Indigo Homeschool for Girls—an enriching, holistic program blending movement, creativity, cooking, culture and mindfulness. Students explore through group projects, enjoy drumstick fitness, yoga, sound baths, hands-on cooking and meaningful conversation—nurturing emotional balance, connection and self-expression in a supportive, inspired environment. Mondays, 10am-2pm. Through Dec. 16. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 312-2139834. info@trebledsouls.com. Prices vary.
Infant Music Together Workshop Grow your baby into a confident music maker! Registration is required. This workshop is intended for non-mobile babies up to 8 months, and all children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Music Together-Central Oregon is an early childhood music and movement program for children and the grownups who love them. Dec. 2, 11:15amNoon. Downtown Bend Library - Brooks Room, 601 NW Wall St,, Bend. Contact: 5413121062. Elsah@deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
Suttle Lodge & Boathouse
WEDNESDAY DEC 3 @ 6:00pm
SUNDAY FEB 2 @ 11am High Desert Music Hall JAZZ AT THE SUTTLE LODGE
One Mad Man FB
LIVE STEVE MILLER BAND MUSIC & SOUND BATH
CALENDAR
Kid’s Night Out Drop off the kids ages 4-12 for a fun time at Kids Night Out! Pizza, games and jumping from 6-9pm. Purchase tickets online ahead of time as space is limited. Adult staff does roll-call 4 times per night, Kids remain on-site until pickup. Fridays, 7-9pm. Mountain Air Trampoline Park, 20495 Murray Road, Bend. Contact: 541-647-1409. info@mountainairbend.com. $30. Kids Open Play - Thanksgiving Break Welcome to our Kids Ninja Warrior gym in Bend! During Kids Open Play, toddlers, babies, and big kids can enjoy exciting obstacles, rock climbing, a giant red slide, adventure net bridge, rings, ropes, and more! It’s a clean, vibrant space where kids stay active and have a ninja-tastic time! Nov. 24-28, 12-1:30, 1:30-3 and 3-4:30pm. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $19. Little Leapers: A 2-Year-Old, Grown Up & Me Dance Class! Little Leapers is a Grown Up and Me curriculum for children that captures the joy and wonder of “firsts.” Saturdays, 9-9:30am. Acadamie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-3824055. dance@abcbend.com. Free.
No School Day Camps: The Whodunnit Workshop With Camp Fire! Offered at Amity Creek Elementary in Bend, No School Day Camps turn that “day off” into a day of creativity and fun themes! From K-5th grade, we have you covered on those three days Bend/La Pine Schools are out! Mon, Nov. 24, 9am-5:30pm, Tue, Nov. 25, 9am-5:30pm and Wed, Nov. 26, 9am5:30pm. Amity Creek Magnet School, 437 NW Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 5413824682. info@ campfireco.org. $94.
Nurture and Grow: Parenting Workshops Nurture and Grow: Parenting Workshop Cultivating Stronger Families, One Day at a Time Join us for a transformative 3-part workshop designed to empower parents with practical tools, supportive insights, and renewed confidence. Whether you’re navigating toddler tantrums or teen transitions, this series will help you strengthen your connection with your Tue, Dec. 2, 5:30-6:30pm, Tue, Dec. 9, 5:30-6:30pm and Tue, Dec. 16, 5:30-6:30pm. The Slow Down State, 192 E. Main Street, Sisters. Contact: 541-595-8682. Connect@GrowthRingsFamilyTherapy.com. Free.
Santa’s Elf Gather the family and enjoy lunch surrounded by the glow of holiday decorations & the spirit of the season. Rumor has it that one of Santa’s very own elves will be slipping away from the workshop to pay us a special visit & see all the kiddos! Fri, Nov. 28, 10am-Noon-Sat, Dec. 6, Noon-3pm, Sat, Dec. 13, Noon-3pm and Sat, Dec. 20, Noon-3pm. Monkless Belgian Ales - Brasserie, 803 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 5417976760. StoryTime Tea: A Journey Through Children’s Books Welcome to Storytime Tea, an enchanting afternoon where young readers and their caregivers can immerse themselves in the magical world of children’s literature while enjoying a delightful tea experience. This class is designed to nurture a love for reading, spark imagination, and create cherished memories through storytelling and interactive activities. Sat, Sept. 27, 2:30-3:30pm, Sat, Oct. 25, 2:303:30pm, Sat, Nov. 29, 2:30-3:30pm and Sat, Dec. 20, 2:30-3:30pm. The Peoples Apothecary, 1841 NE Division Street, Bend. Contact: 5417282368. classes@thepeoplesapothecary.net. $5.
Preparing for Divorce You are thinking about a divorce. What are some of the things you need to know before you start the process? How can you best prepare? Nov. 27, 6-7pm. Contact: 971 930 4716. stevenleskin@leskinlaw.com. Free Toddler Open Play - Thanksgiving Break Bring your toddlers to explore and play in our vibrant indoor gym! It’s a fun, safe space for your little adventurers to learn, explore, and grow. (10 months to 5 years) Nov. 24-28, 9-10:30 and 10:30am-Noon. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $16.
FOOD + DRINK
Fall Chef’s Pairing Experience Join us at the Bend Tasting Room & Restaurant for a fall themed Chef’s Pairings Experience, hosted by our Winery Ambassador Ashley and Chef Cuin. Exclusive wine and culinary journey, where you’ll indulge in a curated five-wine flight paired with 3 exquisite chef-created dishes and a delightful dessert course, Sundays, 5-6:30pm. Through Nov. 30. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 5413066000. bend@wvv.com. $75.
San Francisco Style Clam Chowder Registration required. 21+. Watch a demonstration on how to make San Francisco Style Clam Chowder from scratch in this cozy cooking class. Attendees will be invited to dish up a bowl of chowder (with or without a fresh bread bowl). Dec. 2, 5:30-7pm. Arome, 432 SW 6th St., Redmond. Contact: 5413121029. laurelh@ deschuteslibrary.org. Free.
Thanksgiving at Currents Looking for a more intimate way to celebrate the holiday? This Thanksgiving in Bend, Oregon, enjoy a plated dining experience at Currents Restaurant inside Riverhouse Lodge. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM, savor chef-inspired seasonal dishes, perfectly paired with lodge hospitality and river views. Nov. 27, 3-9pm. Currents at the Riverhouse, 3075 N. Hwy 97, Bend. Contact: riverhouselodge@turnerpr.com.
Thanksgiving Dinner at HØST Supper Club Now booking Thanksgiving Dinner at HØST Supper Club! We’ll be offering a three course dinner with two seating times to best accommodate our guests. Tickets are available online via OpenTable under “Experiences”. This event is ticketed/reservation only. Nov. 27, 3-8pm. HØST Supper Club, 13375 SW Forest Service Road #1419, Camp Sherman. Contact: 541-460-6550. chasen@hostsupperclub.com. $75.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Juniper Preserve
Enjoy a custom menu created to celebrate the holiday with your family and loved ones at Juniper Preserve. Enjoy stunning views of the golf courses from the Iris dining room and the Chanterelle Ball Room. Nov. 27, 12-5:30pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-693-5323. guest.services@ juniperpreserve.com. $34-$79.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Lodge Kitchen
Join us for an elaborate three-course culinary experience with Lodge Kitchen’s rustic take on the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, inspired by family celebrations on the frontier. Reservations required. Nov. 27, 2-8pm. Lodge Kitchen at Sunriver Resort, 17600 Center Dr., Sunriver. Contact: 541-593-3740.
Thanksgiving Grand Buffet 2025
Celebrate the holiday stress-free with our festive Thanksgiving Buffet at Riverhouse Lodge Conference & Event Center in Bend, Oregon. This holiday feast brings together family, friends, and the flavors of Central Oregon for one of the best Thanksgiving dining experiences in Bend. Nov. 27, 1-4pm. Riverhouse Lodge Conference & Event Center, 3075 N. Business 97, Bend. Contact: riverhouselodge@turnerpr.com.
BEER + DRINK
$10 Rebuy Hold’em Tournament Thursday Night $10 no limit Hold’em poker tournament at Bend Poker Room starting at 6pm. Unlimited rebuys for the first hour and an optional add-on after the first break. Friendly crowd, great vibes and action packed night! Thursdays, 6pm. Bend Poker Room, 917 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend. Contact: bendpokerroom@gmail.com. $10.
$10 Wing Wednesdays A new weekly special: $10 Wing Wednesdays at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Choose from one of the house-made sauces like Char Sui, This IPA BBQ and Spicy Staycay Pineapple or go naked! Wednesdays, 11am-9pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. $16 Fish Taco and House Margarita Fridays Join for 3 fish tacos and a house margarita for only $16 every Friday at Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market. Fridays, 11am-9pm. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend.
$20 Tuesdays Every Tuesday, all to-go wine bottles are $20 with the purchase of a glass. Enjoy wines you cannot find anywhere else in the world, besides our little cabin. Made exclusively for us from grapes sourced mainly in California and Oregon, many of which are biodynamic, these wines are exceptional. Tuesdays, 3-10pm. Hasta Que Olvidemos, 1142 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-241-2443.
4th Anniversary Sip & Sale + Blind Tasting Game at Flights Wine Bar Celebrate 4 incredible years with us at Flights Wine Bar! This year’s anniversary party falls on Shop Small Saturday, and we’re marking the occasion with a Blind Tasting Game built for all experience levels available from 4-7PM - plus raffle prizes and exclusive wine discounts. Nov. 29, 4-7pm. Flights Wine Bar, 1444 NW College Way, Bend. Contact: 541-728-0753. events.flights@gmail. com. $15/$75.
Barrel Tasting at Maragas Winery
Barrel Tasting at Maragas Winery. Always a fun and educational experience. This year Maragas will be highlighting their flagship wine “M”. - a Boredeaux varietal blend. Five wine vertical flight of “M”, two vintages still in barrel, and three in bottle. Typically reserved for winemakers, take adavantage, a rare opportunity. Portions of proceeds will benefit NeighborImpact Food Bank. Nov. 29, Noon-6pm. Maragas Winery, 15523 SW Hwy 97, Culver. Contact: 541-5465464. info@maragaswinery.com. $25.
Black Friday Brunch Black Friday Brunch is back at The Monkless Brasserie! Join us November 28th, starting at 10am, for a cozy, stress-free start to your holiday weekend. Let us take care of the cooking while you unwind with friends, family, and a beer! To make your reservations call The Brasserie at 541-797-6760. Nov. 28, 10am1pm. Monkless Belgian Ales - Brasserie, 803 SW Industrial Way, Bend. Contact: 5417976760.
Commonwealth Pub Happy Hour It’s 5 for 5, with $5 draft beers, $5 house wines, $5 margaritas, $5 crushes and $5 well liquor. Play ping-pong, darts, cornhole, games and enjoy afternoon music on patio and indoors. Ongoing, Noon-6pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Free.
Crosscut Warming Hut: Locals’ Day! Tuesdays are Locals’ Day. Every Tuesday enjoy $1 off regular size draft beverages. Come by the Warming Hut and hang out by the fire. See you soon, Bend! Tuesdays. Crosscut Warming Hut No 5, 566 SW Mill View Way, Bend.
Double Bubble Bar Trust us. Our Champagne Bubble Bar is just what you need to make it through the holiday madness. We’re here for you with two full weekends of gorgeous Champagnes flowing by the flight or by the glass. Take a break and treat yourself. European small plates also available. Fri, Nov. 21, Noon-9pm, Sat, Nov. 22, Noon-9pm, Sun, Nov. 23, 2-8pm, Fri, Nov. 28, Noon-9pm, Sat, Nov. 29, Noon-9pm and Sun, Nov. 30, 2-8pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@ viaggiowine.com. Varies by Purchase.
Happy Hour Every Day Make every afternoon a little brighter with a hint of British charm at The Commonwealth Pub! From 3-5pm, enjoy drink specials and a cozy pub vibe that’s perfect for winding down. $3 PBRs $5 RPMs $6 Margaritas $7 Wine Happy Hour bites from Whappos! Mondays-Sundays, 3-5pm. Through Dec. 18. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-668-6200. thecommonwealthpubevents@gmail.com. Free.
Industry Appreciation Day! 20% off for all Industry friends! Wednesdays, 2-8pm. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.
Locals Day! Locals Day at the Ale! $2 off drafts and $1 off wine and cider! Wednesdays, 2pm. The Ale Apothecary Tasting Room, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: taryn@thealeapothecary.com. Free.
Locals’ Day Come on down to Bevel Craft Brewing for $4 beers and cider and $1 off wine all day. There are also food specials from the food carts located out back at The Patio! Tuesdays. Bevel Craft Brewing, 911 SE Armour St., Bend. Contact: holla@bevelbeer.com. Free.
Educators & Nurses Apprecation Day
We’re raising a glass to those who give so much! Join us for Nurses & Educators Day, where we show appreciation for the heroes in scrubs and classrooms. 50% off all beers and ciders for nurses and educators. Tuesdays. Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market, 21175 SE Reed Market Rd., Bend. Contact: 458-836-7866. jesse@cascadelakes.com. Free.
Flannel Friday Happy Hour Come on down in your Northwest best for Happy Hour! 4-6pm every Friday. $2 off drafts, $1 off everything else. Fridays, 4-6pm. Contact: taryn@ thealeapothecary.com. Free.
Friday Happy Hour Tapas & Wine Kick off the weekend the right way! Every Friday from 4pm on, swing by for a relaxing and social evening at Elixir Wine. $10 wine specials by the glass and $2 off regular glass pours, including our own Oregon & Washington wines. Fridays, 4-7pm. Elixir Winery and Tasting Room, 11 NW Lava Rd., Bend. Contact: 541-388-5330. tastingroom@ elixirwinegroup.com. Free.
Happier Hours + Power Hour $3 draft Coors Light, $5 draft beer and food cart specials that will make your taste buds dance! Mondays-Thursdays, 2-4pm and Mondays-Thursdays, 8-9pm. Midtown Yacht Club, 1661 NE Fourth St., Bend. Contact: 458-256-5454. midtownyachtclub@gmail.com. Free.
Happy Hour Please join us Wed-Sun 3:00pm5:00pm for Happy Hour at Willamette Valley Vineyards Downtown Bend. We will be offering by the glass discounts, discounts on cocktails and beer, along with a wonderful small bites menu with items not featured on our regular menu, including oysters, gazpacho and carpaccio! Wednesdays-Sundays, 3-5pm. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-306-6000. bend@wvv. com. Free. Enjoy beautiful Pacific Northwest wines at a huge discount. All happy hour wine is $9 for 6 oz. rosé, white, red. We rotate the wine monthly. May 12-13, 3-5pm. Testimony Wine Bar, 307 NW Sixth St., Redmond. Contact: 541-267-7979. testimonywine@gmail.com. Free.
Happy Hour at Mountain Burger Happy Hour happens every day at Mountain Burger! Ongoing, 3-5pm. Mountain Burger, 2747 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 5416687177. info@ mountainburgerbend.com.
Happy Hour at Viaggio Wine Merchant $7 and $8 glasses of wine, cold beer and delicious discounted snacks. Cheers! Tuesdays-Sundays, 3-5pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@ viaggiowine.com. Varies by Purchase.
Locals’ Night at WaypointBBC Locals’ Night at WaypointBBC! $5 draft beer, $8 house red and white wine and $8 specialty cocktail. Tuesdays, Noon-10pm. Waypoint, 921 NW Mt Washington Dr., Bend. Contact: 458-206-0826. Waypointbbc@gmail.com. Free.
Mezcal Mondays Every Monday get to know one new mezcal in cocktail form, and as a neat pour, at a discounted price. Plus all of our signature mezcal drinks are just $11 all night. Mondays, 4-11pm. The Flamingo Room, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-323-0472. Monday Night Football Come down for Northside’s Monday night football! Food, drinks and a raffle for your chance to win a jersey! Mondays. Northside Bar & Grill, 62860 Boyd Acres Rd., Bend. Free.
Stoked for Thursdays Stoked for Thursdays! Get $2 draft Stokes Lager by Boss Rambler all day long — some of the cheapest draft beer in Bend! Come get stoked with us! Thursdays. $2 Stokes Lager drafts. Yeah, you read that right. Crazy cheap beer, crazy fun vibes! Thursdays. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 5413833000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free.
Suttle Lodge’s Thanksgiving Dinner Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Feast, served family style in the Lodge! Dinner will consist of a glass of welcome bubbles, and a multi-course menu, designed specially by our chef. Don’t forget to book a room or cabin after purchasing your tickets! Nov. 27, 4-7pm. The Suttle Lodge & Boathouse, 13300 Hwy 20, Sisters. Contact: 541-323-0964.
Taco & Margarita Tuesdays Enjoy 2/$10 chipotle chicken street tacos and $10 margaritas! Tuesdays, 4-9pm. Portello Wine and Spirits, 2754 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-385-1777. contact@portellobend.com. Free.
Thanksgiving Grand Buffet Celebrate the holiday stress-free with our festive Thanksgiving buffet. This holiday feast brings together family, friends, and the flavors of Central Oregon for one of the best Thanksgiving dining experiences in Bend. Nov. 27, 1-4pm. Riverhouse Convention Center, 2850 NW Rippling River Ct., Bend. Contact: 541-323-0964.
Tiki Tuesdays We want you to love rum as much as we do! Every Tuesday we will feature a new rum at a discounted price. We hope you will get to know this spirit on a new level. Additionally all signature rum drinks will be just $11 all night. Tuesdays, 4-11pm. The Flamingo Room, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 5413230472. info@ theflamingoroombend.com.
Talamh Dubh means "dark earth" in Gaelic, paying homage to the volcanic ground of the Cascade range upon which the group formed. Catch the musicians playing Irish tunes Sundays through Jan. 1, 4-6pm at The Commonwealth Pub.
Talamh Dubh FB
Wine Mondays! Every Monday night all glasses of wine are $9! This is an opportunity to try wines from our vast wine list all night long and pair with either tasty small plates or delicious dishes by creative chef Nikki Munk. Mondays, 4-9pm. Portello Wine and Spirits, 2754 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-385-1777. admin@portellowinecafe.com. Free.
Wings + TRIVIA + Whiskey Enjoy $0.75 wings, $4.50 well whiskey, $6 seven & sevens while testing your knowledge with Trivia, hosted by our amazing Cole! Take on our infamous “physical” challenge - think paper airplanes, musical chairs, limbo etc! Come eat, drink and bring your A-game! Wednesdays, 7pm. JC’s Bar & Grill, 642 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-3833000. jcsbend@gmail.com. Free.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
Access Bars and Body Process Gifting and Receiving Did you know your body’s first language is energy? Group trade of Access Bars and Body Processes is a great way to connect with others in the area and receive! If you have taken a Bars or Body Process class, join! What’s possible if we receive bodywork regularly?
Everything! First Tuesday of every month, 5-7pm. The Blissful Heart Hidden Garden, 105 NW Greeley Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-848-7608. jenniferevemorey@gmail.com. Free.
All Levels Acroyoga Class Experience connection, community, and movement in this weekly acroyoga class. A stellar teaching team with a variety of skill sets will bring you unique class material each week. All levels class focusing on accessible progressions for both beginners and intermediate practitioners. Venmo @Buddy-Thomas-1 to reserve. Wednesdays, 7:45-8:45pm. Through Dec. 17. Lava City Cirque, 63075 Crusher Ave #105, Bend. $15.
Capoeira Mixed Levels Community
Experience the exciting Brazilian art form of freedom, incorporating martial arts attacks, creative escapes, acrobatic movements, music and much more. Call to coordinate please. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7-8:30pm. High Desert Martial Arts, 63056 Lower Meadow Dr. Ste. 120, Bend. Contact: 541-678-3460. ucabend@gmail.com. $40 for a taster month.
Couples Massage Classes Explore a nurturing way to connect with your sweetheart in a couples massage class with Taproot Bodywork. Learn to relax your partner without hurting your hands! 2 or 4-hour classes, one couple per session. Additional days/times are available. Visit www.taprootbodywork.com for details. Every other Saturday-Sunday. Taproot Bodywork studio, Tumalo, Tumalo. Contact: 503-481-0595. taprootbodywork@gmail.com. Price varies.
Energetic Readings/Intuitive Readings
Energetic readings reveal the energies that boost, block, or impact you in specific areas of your life. Tuning into your unique energy system, we explore where you feel stuck, limited, or unsettled, and how you can shift to feel more joyful and empowered. In-person and Zoom. Learn more at bluelotusenergetics.com/energetic-readings. Tuesdays, 10am-7pm and Thursdays, 7-9pm. Blue Lotus Energetics, 145 NE Revere Ave, Studio C, Bend. Contact: 541-2412207. hello@bluelotusenergetics.com. $125.
Energetic Sovereignty: A 4-Week
Immersion Into The Art & Practice
Of Energetic Hygiene Through embodied teaching and practice, you’ll learn how to clear, protect, and empower your energetic field — not through fluffy concepts, but through practical techniques and ancient sacred temple art practices that support you to be more energized and clear in your life. + 1 in person meetup Bend, OR. Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm. Through Dec. 2. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: 5053856943. hello@kellyniewellness.com. $150.
Expressing Grief Through Collage This once-a-month group provides space and support for expressing the thoughts and emotions of grief using collage art. Participants will be provided materials to create their own collage piece each month, with an ongoing visual perspective of how grief evolves and changes over time. Contact Carla J at (541) 771-3257 First Tuesday of every month, 4-5:30pm. Through Dec. 2. Partners In Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend. Contact: (541) 771-3257.
Motivation and Goal Setting Workshop
It’s a great time to redesign your life. Make use of your time at home by setting and reaching goals in a free Zoom workshop. Certified Life Coach Jacquie Elliott is hosting a motivation and accountability workshop on the first Monday of the each month. Email her at coach@jacquieelliottclc.com for the link. First Monday of every month, 5:30-6:30pm. Contact: coach@jacquieelliottclc.com. Free.
NAMI Connection Peer Support Group
NAMI Connection Recovery 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. Mondays, 7-9pm. Contact: 503-230-8009. info@namicentraloregon.org. Free.
NAMI Family Support Group NAMI Family Support Group is a peer-led support group for any adult with a loved one who has experienced symptoms of a mental health condition. Gain insight from the challenges and successes of others facing similar experiences. Last Thursday of every month, 5:15-6:45pm. Contact: 541-3160167. 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 Tuesday of every month, 4-5:30pm. La Pine Senior Activity Center, 16450 Victory Way, La Pine. Contact: 541-316-0167. programs@namicentraloregon. org. Free.
Open House at Hanai Join us for our weekly Open House at Hanai! This is a time for you to explore, connect, create, or nourish. To learn more visit hanaifoundation.org Tuesdays, 4-7pm. Through Dec. 30. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6494. info@hanaifoundation. 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 my private studio for $175. You pick the date and time. Wednesdays, 12-1:30pm. EastSide Home Studio, 21173, Bend. Contact: 541-3309070. vancebonner@juno.com. $175 for 5 class series.
Prenatal Yoga Prepares the body and mind for labor, birth and new motherhood. Emphasis is placed on building strength, channeling the power of the breath, and connecting to intuition. Suitable for women in any stage of pregnancy, as long as you feel good practicing and your care provider approves. Please pre-register. Tuesdays, 9am. Bend Hot Yoga, 1230 NE 3rd St. UnitA230, Bend. Contact: yoga@bendyoga. center. $24.
Prenatal Yoga Series Rejuvenate, relax, and recharge as we move, breathe, and build community with other expectant moms! You’ll reduce common pregnancy discomforts and tensions, prepare your body for birth, improve your postpartum recovery, and bring mindfulness to your daily life. All levels and stages of pregnancy are welcome. 6-week series. Saturdays, 10:30-11:45am and Saturdays, 10:30-11:45am. Through Dec. 13. Free Spirit Yoga Ninja Play, 320 SW Powerhouse Drive, Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5412413919. info@freespiritbend.com. $142.
Shadow Yoga Basics, Donation Based Introduces principles and practices of Shadow Yoga, with an emphasis on the lower structure and building the pathway of power. Pay what you can. Mondays, 6-7pm. Continuum, A School of Shadow Yoga, 155 SW Century Drive, Suite 112, Bend. Contact: 541-588-2480. info@continuum-yoga.com. $1-$19.
Shala Breathwork Shake off the weekend and let go of the expectations for the upcoming week with breathwork at Yoga Shala Bend! Join Whitney as she guides participants through a beautiful breathing meditation with music! Sundays, 6:15-7:15pm. Yoga Shala Bend, 806 NW Brooks St. Suite 200, Bend. Contact: 208-4096028. breathewithwhitney@gmail.com. $20.
Soma Sangha: Earthing Our Bellies We will activate the Earth element in our bodies using breath, sound, and touch to calm and ground our bellies and nervous systems for the Winter. Soma Sangha is a gathering in which we deepen our embodiment, balance our energies, and strengthen our connection to the natural world. RSVP required. Dec. 2, 5:30-6:30pm. Hanai Foundation, 62430 Eagle Road, Bend. Contact: 541-633-5977. info@bodyandbeinghealing.com. Free.
Tai Chi Unlock the Secrets of Serenity with Grandmaster Franklin’s Tai Chi Class! Embark on a transformative journey toward inner balance, harmony and a healthier you! Grandmaster Franklin invites you to join his exclusive Tai Chi Class, where ancient wisdom meets modern well-being. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9:45-10:45am. Contact: 541-797-9620. arawak327@gmail.com. $100.
Yoga for Pelvic Health and Healing, with Laura Flood, PT, DPT, RYT - Local Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Learn how to connect to your pelvic floor muscles, so you can care for your pelvic area in your daily life, yoga practice and recreational activities. Small group class focused on: pelvic anatomy and physiology, alignment based yoga postures, breathing and nervous system awareness. Sign up online: www.lotusflowerphysio.com/yoga Fridays, 12:30-1:30pm. Namaspa Yoga Studio, 1135 NW Galveston Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-2416008. Laura@lotusflowerphysio.com. $25.
Head to Crosscut Warming Hut Wed., Nov. 26, 6pm for a pint and tunes by Trance Folk Tradition.
Trance Folk Tradition
CHOW C
WOne Lot, Six Remarkable Carts
Welcome to Ballers & Brews
By Jared Rasic
hen I was growing up, I was what teachers called an “indoor kid.” Someone so preoccupied with the life of the mind that I never played team sports or did much more than write stories that I tried and failed to get everyone to read. So when I initially heard about the new Ballers & Brews food cart pod, combining six food carts, two heated and covered pickleball courts with a ton of indoor and outdoor seating (including an adorable water station for the doggos), I was a bit hesitant to try it out simply because I don’t really care about pickleball.
I shouldn’t have worried because the minds behind Ballers & Brews don’t expect everyone to be pickleballers; instead, they’ve curated a flawless selection of food trucks, have a tap house that’s spacious and filled with a wide variety of great local (and further) microbrews and a cocktail list that’s playful and enticing. It’s one of the few food cart pods I’ve been to before that seems thoughtfully designed to be just as comfortable during a long winter as it is during one of our legendary summers.
Across two visits, I tried all six food carts and, please believe me when I say this, I can’t imagine a stronger lineup of cuisine anywhere else in town. Usually, there are always one or two trucks at your favorite food cart lot that you never try for one reason or another. At Ballers & Brews, I genuinely don’t know how I’m supposed to choose between these selections. You’ll see what I mean.
First off is Manzanita BBQ (sister truck to Manzanita Grill over at Van Henion Brewing), the brainchild of two of my favorite chefs in town, Joaquin and Jade Ortiz. Joaquin smokes meats like a damn mad scientist, crafting ribs that slide from the bone, a brisket French dip that actually, literally melts in your mouth, the best onion rings and poppers in Central Oregon and so much more. For years, I’ve been proselytizing to Bend about how incredible Manzanita Grill is and now with a BBQ cart, it’s hard to overhype their food. Manzanita is my desert island food, full stop.
Next is Bread and Bunny, a cart that has long been a staple at Midtown Yacht Club and now has expanded to Ballers. Keeley Parsons, owner and Food Genius behind Bread and Bunny, TOTS! And P!ZZA, has also been a cornerstone to the foodie community in Bend, quietly elevating the pizza, sandwich, salad and, dare I say it, tater tot game for years.
“There’s always this thought process in my brain that keeps asking — OK, now how do we elevate it even further,” says Parsons. “Always utilizing fresh quality ingredients, sourcing the best meats, cheeses,
breads and sandwich accessories and sometimes that means fatty messy drips on your face and sometimes that means the crunch of fresh farm greens with that ‘from the dirt’ flavor.”
If you haven’t tried the “Where Rueben All My Life” sandwich (the Wagyu pastrami will change you) or “Clyde’s Cobb” salad with farm greens, blue cheese Crumbles, red onion, cherry tomatoes, shredded chicken thigh, diced bacon pieces from Hill’s, candied pecans and fresh in-season berries… gently smothered in housemade blue cheese dressing…just thank me later. Many local chefs enjoy sharing how they’ve elevated the salad and sandwich game. Keeley (and Maci, who made my sandwich) actually do.
Then we come to Carlene and Ava Kitchin, the mother-daughter duo behind The Mighty Greek, serving up Greek culture and comfort food one flawless gyro at a time. From the perfectly tender lamb, the dreamy, pillowy pita, the fresh veggies, wonderfully sourced Kalamata olives and a complex and delicious tzatziki sauce, I immediately fell in love with their gyro. Also, their hand-cut fries are insanely delicious and are a new snack staple for my family.
“We like to treat everyone like family at The Mighty Greek,” says Ava. “Whether it’s your first time with us or you’re a regular, we hope to provide an experience that’s unique and welcoming. We can’t do it without YOU - So we make sure everyone knows that their support means everything. We also carry Greek desserts that you can’t get anywhere else in Central Oregon. Our yummy Loukoumades are a fan favorite.”
Chonie’s Pizza is primarily Detroit-style pies that lean into innovative topping combinations, fresh ingredients and a perfect crust with daily-made dough. We tried the Spicy Bendejo with Ezzo Pepperoni, hot capicola, crushed red pepper, spicy giardiniera, Grande parmesan and a house-made marinara. I was legit shocked at the heat from this pie, which never threatened to overwhelm the fresh veggie explosiveness of the toppings. I didn’t realize that I needed giardiniera on my pizza from now on, but here we are.
“Pizza has always been something I gravitated toward,” says chef, owner, operator Anthony Leal. “I’ve tried every style I could get my hands on, and Detroit style grabbed me because there’s so much room to play. It’s bold. It’s comforting. And for whatever reason, it hasn’t taken over Bend the way other styles and cuisines have. There was a lane open, and I knew I could do something special with it.” He has. Even just based on the Spicy Bendejo, consider me first in line for anything Chef Leal comes up with.
Next was 5th Street Bagels from Jacob Dawley (plus wife Jess and their four kids!), that has crafted some of the first bagel sandwiches Bend has to offer. In particular, the Tri-Tip and eggs with garlic herb schmear on a sourdough bagel is to die for. The stack of steak was thick, delicious and girthy, and the bagel was perfectly boiled from a magical sourdough starter. Plus, if you’re always on the hunt for perfect lox, look no further than Jacob’s fresh and mouthwatering salmon.
The Dawley family also isn’t just in it for themselves. “We are in the trial stages of a project we are calling ‘Loaves of Love,’ says Jacob. “Each day, we have been baking off loaves of sourdough bread and then taking them out and giving them to others who may want or need a loaf. Our hope is that with each loaf, they would not just be fed but be reminded that they are not alone or forgotten.”
Finally, we wrapped up our taste tour of Ballers & Brews with Indodaddy, who we’ve been a fan of since they opened at Bevel a while back. First of all, their unique blend of Indonesian fusion flavors keeps them one of the most exciting trucks in Central Oregon and if you’ve never had their Nasi Goreng (coconut turmeric rice with bacon, veggies and egg with a house made marinade) or their Lumpia (veggie egg roll), I highly recommend you dive in. The bacon is thick and unlike anything I’ve ever tasted and the coconut/ tumeric blend is complex and impossible to stop eating. Also, unequivocally, the Lumpia is the best egg roll I have ever tasted in my life. If you know of a better one, you live a charmed life because the one from Indodaddy is a work of art.
I wish I could tell you that one or two of the food carts were phoning it in or that if you go to Ballers & Brews, it will be easy to choose where to eat, but I can’t lie to you. I have no notes for any of the carts we tried, as not only was the food 10/10 across the board, but all of the people seemed warm and worthy of supporting. Ballers & Brews deserves to be the centerpiece of the Brewery District and, in time, I’m sure they will be.
Ballers & Brews
Taproom: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 10am-9pm
Pickleball: Daily 7am-9pm 20869 Redside Ct., Bend ballersandbrews.com/
Photos by Jared Rasic
5th Street Bagels Bread and Bunny Chonies Indodaddy Manzanita The Mighty Greek
By Nic Moye
Two New Food Places Open in Bend
Specialized coffee, breakfast and treats
Coffee and Community
ARedmond coffee shop has opened a Bend location. Junction Roastery and Social Club opened Nov. 24 near the intersection of SE Wilson Avenue and Ninth Street in the new Midway Campus building. The coffee shop roasts its own beans and serves up specialty coffees. Seasonal flavors include peppermint iced eggnog and peppermint mochas. The flavored syrups are from Holy Kakow in Sisters. Pastries include coffee cake baked in-house, croissant breakfast sandwiches, egg bites and items from Sisters Bakery.
The owner is Bo Olson who also owns Niblick & Greenes at Eagle Crest Resort. Marketing Director Jacqueline Berger says the name Junction Roastery and Social Club is meant to inspire community connections.
The original Redmond location, which opened three years ago, is on SW Deschutes Avenue.
Junction Roastery and Social Club Every day 7am-4pm 571 SE 9th St. Building C, Ste 101, Bend junctionroastery.com/
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner!
Elmer’s Restaurant is now open at the former Shari’s location in the Bend River Promenade. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner items including German pancakes, Dungeness Crab BLT salad, bacon cheese potato pancakes and beer-batter fish & chips. Seasonal menu items include bacon avocado omelet, triple berry crepes and grilled Monte Cristo. Vice President of Elmer’s Restaurant Jill Ramos says, “For each seasonal entrée ordered through the end of the year, Elmer’s will donate $1 to Folds of Honor, an educational scholarship
program for spouses and children of fallen or disabled U.S. military members and first responders.”
The Bend location is still hiring staff for host/bussers. Applications can be submitted through its website. Elmer’s will be open on Thanksgiving from 6:30am-2pm.
Elmer’s Restaurant
Every day 6:30am-9pm 3098 N Hwy 97, Bend eatatelmers.com/
Shop at any downtown business from 10am – 3pm and enter our Receipt Raffle for your chance to win $3,300+ in local prizes.
Some of the pastries at Junction Roastery and Social Club are from Sisters Bakery.
The Dungeness Crab BLT salad.
eatelmers.com
Junction Roastery and Social Club
CULTURE
Books to Inspire Your Next Gathering Holiday offerings cover cookies to cocktails
By Cassie Clemans, Owner of Roundabout Books
I’ve been making my Thanksgiving turkey the same exact way for over 20 years. As a young mom in my 20s, I had no idea how to even start a turkey, so I went to the only expert I knew: Martha Stewart. Martha’s Perfect Roast Turkey recipe, from brine to cheesecloth, is one of the few food traditions in my house. Even as I write this from the desk in my small office at the bookshop, I can smell the turkey roasting under a wine and butter-soaked cheesecloth and savor the first taste of juicy meat that falls off the carving knife right into the drippings pooling on the platter. This month, Clarkson Potter has reissued Martha’s first ever book: “Entertaining,” which was first published in 1982, for a whole new generation of readers.
Today I browsed through my recently purchased copy of “Entertaining,” and was immediately struck by the recipe titles: “Cocktails for Twenty-five,” “Midnight Omelette Supper for Thirty,” “A Country Buffet Breakfast for Forty,” “Thanksgiving Medley for Twenty-four.” As if most of us just casually host a couple dozen people every other week or so. But it got me thinking about gatherings, especially this time of the year, not just the best way to prepare and organize for a busy season of entertainment, but also how our gatherings have changed over the years.
For comparison, I picked up one of the most widely popular entertaining books this season: “Having People Over: A Modern Guide to Planning, Throwing, and Attending Every Type of Party” by Chelsea Fagan. I like this little book for several reasons. It gives us an updated primer on etiquette that feels more practical and intuitive to today’s lifestyle than the Emily Post-era norms of another generation. Fagan also discusses the shifts in social gatherings we see today as our current culture of insulated convenience certainly does not perpetuate social relationships. The era of solidifying friendships through networks of small favors like a ride in a pinch or a meal when you’re sick is fading and has been easily replaced by uber and grocery delivery services. Likewise, we often don’t feel the need to catch up with people when we see a constant stream of their lives on social media. And because wages haven’t kept pace with inflation for decades, people work longer hours to make ends meet, and dinner parties and other social commitments are usually first on the chopping block. Even gatherings of the people we live with, like a traditional daily family dinner, have experienced a sharp decline in the past decades.
Fagan addresses all this and more in chapter topics like “What Happened to Hosting?,” “The Best Things in Life are Free,” “Back Pocket Recipes,” “Just Dropping By,” “The Lost Art of Being a Good Guest,” and “Creating Grown-Up Communities.”
As an introvert reader, I loathe small talk and often avoid parties and large gatherings for the sole purpose of avoiding forced pleasantries and unmeaningful conversations with too many people, but I realize that it’s not a very healthy approach to social engagement. There is a chapter in “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters” by Priya Parker called “Keep Your Best Self Out of My Gathering” that connects this idea of building realness into meaningful gatherings. Even today, re-reading this chapter, I get tears in my eyes at the vulnerability and personal stories shared at her business dinner gathering. Fifteen strangers were moved and connected by a host who displayed a little bravery and asked the right questions. It reminds me of how important it is to step outside of our comfort zones to foster these moments of connection and create meaningful gatherings in life.
So, this holiday season, I invite you to take risks, maybe even throw yourself a little dinner party and invite the neighbors you never see, or the work friends you don’t spend social time with, or maybe even really give it a go and try Martha’s Midnight Supper for Thirty. Whatever you do, consider Parker’s advice: “Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them, when (often invisible) structure is baked into them, and when a host has the curiosity, willingness, and generosity of spirit to try.”
Book recommendations to get you started:
“Cookies: The Best Recipes for the Perfect Anytime Treat” by Vaugn Vreeland, NY Times Cooking. Our staff is obsessed with this book (mostly because of the Table of Cookies in the front of the book) but also because holiday baking and cookie parties are our favorite.
“Party People: A Cookbook for Creative Celebrations” by Brie Larson and Courtney McBroom. This book is full of really fun-themed ideas and menus to take your gatherings to the next level, including one for the messiest finger foods imaginable.
Bend local, Patricia Smith’s cookbook, “Feeding my Friends,” is a popular go-to resource full of elegant dishes to build the perfect dinner party. She even includes a chapter on local restaurant history and the Pine Tavern.
The star cookbook of the season probably goes to Samin Nosrat for her new book, “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love.” It contains 125 meticulously tested, flavor-forward, soul-nourishing recipes that bring joy and a sense of communion.
And finally, be a good guest and don’t forget the perfect hostess gift for your next dinner party. A small cookbook, a recipe deck like “The New York Times Cooking Appetizer Deck: 50 Cards for Starters and Snacks,” or a cocktail book like “Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist” by Tim Federle will bring a smile to your next host.
“Beasts of the Sea” by Lida Turpeinen, translated by David Hackston
—A sweeping and intimate tale about a fateful encounter between man and nature spanning three centuries and linked by a long-extinct denizen of the northern oceans. Beasts of the Sea is a tale of grand ambition, the quest for knowledge, and the urge to resurrect what humankind has, in its ignorance, destroyed.
WHAT CASSIE'S READING
Roundabout Books
SC SCREEN
Two Mothers A remarkable double feature
By Jared Rasic
It’s rare that two movies are both released around the same time and have profoundly interesting things to say about similar subjects. Yeah, you’ll get Twin Films like in 1997 when we were lucky enough to get “Volcano” and “Dante’s Peak” in the same calendar year, or even better, in 1998 when Hollywood bestowed upon us the end-of-theworld shenanigans of “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon.” If there’s anything a studio head loves, it’s an idea that someone else already spent money on.
Both “Die My Love” and “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” are fundamentally two hilariously tragic and brutally funny movies about motherhood, but instead of playing like Twin Films, they play like two visionary filmmakers were separately inspired to tell stories about complicated and desperate women pushed to the very end of what they can handle and then pulled past the point of no return.
In “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Rose Byrne plays Linda, a therapist who has reached her breaking point. Her preteen daughter has an eating disorder and must be fed through a tube every night, her husband travels for months at a time for work, her own therapist doesn’t seem to like her very much and the ceiling in her apartment floods, leaving a giant black void that forces Linda to examine the gaping black maw of nothingness she finds at the center of her own life. Linda and her daughter move into a seedy motel while the
ceiling is being fixed and end up trapped inside a spiraling dark night of the soul.
Make no mistake, “Legs” is a difficult watch, which takes the perpetual anxiety of “Beau is Afraid,” combines it with the relentless intensity of “Uncut Gems” and peppers it with a generous smattering of Lynchian dream logic and nightmarish insanity. It’s not a “fun” movie to watch, but it is a rewarding one. First of all, if there’s a better performance this year than Rose Byrne, I will be in awe. This is prodigious work, made all the more astonishing by how unlikable Linda is as a human being, yet still harrowingly relatable and empathetic as a character.
Director Mary Bronstein (whose husband and collaborator, Ronald, actually co-wrote “Uncut Gems”) hasn’t just crafted an impeccably well-written and acted film, but as a visual artist has immediately stepped into the rarified air of auteur. The tone, editing, cinematography, music, performances and overall freaking vibe meld so flawlessly together as to make “Legs” feel like one of those movies that immediately feels like it has always existed and we’re just now catching up to its singular wavelength.
“Die My Love” follows Jennifer Lawrence as Grace, a fiercely independent woman who moves out to the country with her boyfriend, Jackson, played by the increasingly impressive Robert Pattinson. Almost immediately, she becomes an unhappily bored and unsatisfied pregnant housewife. With the
birth of their child, Grace begins to suffer from postpartum depression and a buried violence that progressively unlocks itself from her deepest corners.
People were pretty hard on Lawrence for a few years and I hope that’s over now because, if we’re being honest, she’s been one of the finest actors of her generation since she exploded onto our screens with the masterpiece, “Winter’s Bone.” Her work in “Die My Love” isn’t just her best since 2017’s “Mother!” But quite possibly one of the most vulnerable and fearlessly naked performances that a movie star of her caliber has ever given. Her Grace switches from swooning and romantic one second to blisteringly feral the next, just with a shift in her eyes, and it’s truly mercurial work.
Scottish director Lynne Ramsay is probably on my Mount Rushmore of directors, as she directed not only one of my favorite films ever made with “Morvern Callar,” but also matches Lawrence in her fearlessness as an artist. Ramsay has only made five features across 26 years, and each one is more technically flawless, formally daring and subversively experimental than the last. With “Die My Love,” she crafts a film of such achingly gorgeous frames and hauntingly lonely interior lives that it wounds the viewer with its sharp edges and jagged splinters.
“Die My Love” and “If I Had Legs I Would Kick You” aren’t just about motherhood; they’re about the price women pay to exist in the world every day. The judgements, the expectations, the perfection that society insists upon
and then the cruelty it inflicts when they are just human. Both films are guttural screams of rage at a world that isn’t just unfair, but has been playing from a stacked deck all along.
While neither film would necessarily be described as a crowdpleaser, the rewards one gets afterward compensates for the discomfort of the viewing experience because both works put us directly, unflinchingly, behind the eyes of women going through crisis. This is cinema as empathy in ways we so rarely get from film anymore. I hope every single person who watches these two miraculous films discovers more grace for their mothers, their wives, their partners and their sisters. Or, at least, for yourself.
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”
Dir. Mary Bronstein
Grade: A
Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, Tin Pan Theater
“Die My Love”
Dir. Lynne Ramsay
Grade: A-
Now Playing at Regal Old Mill, Tin Pan Theater
A dance party at the end of the world.
Mubi
O OUTSIDE Volunteers Needed at Bunny Rescue Ember’s Wildflower has rescued
By Nic Moye
Most pet owners will reminisce about their favorite pet, one that deeply touched their heart, was a bonafide family member and by which each future pet is compared. Lindsey Provost took that sentiment to extremes after falling in love with her first pet bunny, Ember, in 2015. When Ember passed away in 2019, Provost started the nonprofit Ember’s Wildflower, dedicated to rescuing abandoned bunnies. The rescue only takes in domesticated rabbits, not wild ones.
“He [Ember] showed me how special bunnies are,” Provost told the Source. “I just learned a lot through him and learned how often they’re abandoned and how misunderstood they are. They’re actually the third most abandoned pet after cats and dogs.”
Ember’s Wildflower, located in Redmond, currently has 40 bunnies available for adoption. Provost says they’re in need of volunteers and foster homes. Volunteers are needed each day of the week for a 10am or 3:45pm shift.
nearly 400 domestic bunnies
“We have volunteers come, ideally twice a day, to feed the bunnies, clean out their pens, spend time with them. Sometimes volunteers help with washing the towels and blankets they use,” Provost explains.
Volunteers can sign up for the shifts they’re available and Provost says parents can volunteer with their children. Her biggest need is for consistent volunteers and people who can foster bunnies.
Provost says hay is the most important part of a pet rabbit’s diet. They also eat pellets which are also haybased and certain vegetables. Most bunnies live eight to 12 years, although some can live up to 16 years of age. They’re intelligent, social animals but don’t generally like being picked up. Provost says they are happiest in pairs. All of the rabbits at Ember’s are neutered or spayed. They can be litterbox trained, although it should be filled with pellets or paper instead of cat litter. The ideal pen 36” tall with a smooth bottom, not wire, with chew toys for stimulation. Those interested in adopting should be prepared to spend about $200
for set-up supplies and $40 per month per bunny for food and litter pellets. Vet visits can cost $75+. Provost says it’s generally a 10-year commitment.
As of September, Ember’s Wildflower has taken in 383 rabbits and adopted out 291.
“It is very rewarding to gain a prey animal’s trust… When they’re comfortable, they can be really affectionate. They can be very playful. They have their own unique personalities just like any pet and I think people don’t realize that they do have a lot of similarities to cats and dogs. They’re a lot more intelligent and interactive than most people give them credit for,” Provost says.
Ember’s Wildflower
Volunteers needed 7 days a week 10am & 3:45pm South Redmond emberswildflower.org/volunteer-2/
Haven, white and grey, and Harbor, grey, are Rex mix brothers surrendered from the Humane Society of Central Oregon after their owner abandoned them. They are skittish and may have been abused, but are slowly learning to trust people.
emberswildflower.org
Crystal, gray female, and Malachite, white and gray male, are an outgoing pair who love to explore and snuggle together. Crystal is not a big fan of children.
Ember’s Wildflower currently has 40 bunnies available for adoption.
Lindsey Provost
emberswildflower.org
This holiday season, make a charitable donation through the Source
Donate Between November 27-December 3 and receive this special offer:
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Must make a donation of $25 or more to receive incentive/enter drawing.
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By Nic Moye
Three Week Holiday Faire Raises Money for a Good Cause
Three Sisters Lions Club has hosted the event for 14 years
With the revolving door of holiday craft fairs each weekend, there’s one open from Black Friday through Dec. 20, seven days a week. The Three Sisters Lions Club is opening its 14th Holiday Faire on Nov 28. It’s in a new location this year on South Cedar Street behind High Camp Taphouse. The service club has 10 members.
“We sell handmade items from local vendors,” Angi Gardinier told the Source. “Some examples are rope bowls, Christmas cards and ornaments, handcrafted wood cutting boards, jewelry, honey, jams, girls dresses, puzzles, bowl cozies, Hershey bar snowmen, reindeer hot cocoa, scratch art, bird seed feeders, soaps, crochet animals, dog toys (that benefit Furry Friends here in Sisters) and lavender products.”
There are 16 carefully chosen vendors. It’s about half the size from previous years, because Gardinier says it’s difficult finding a space in downtown Sisters that’s available for three weeks. A portion of the proceeds will go to people in Sisters with sight and hearing impairment who need financial help.
“We have several scholarships we award each year,” Gardinier says. “The vendors pay a $95 table fee and 25% of their sales goes to the Three Sisters Lions Club.”
Three Sisters Lions Club Holiday Faire
Nov 28-Dec 20 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am6pm, Sun 10am-4pm 282 S.Cedar St., Sisters community.bendsource.com/bend/14th-annual-holiday-faire/Event?oid=23790871
The Holiday Faire in Sisters will be open for three weeks from Nov. 28-Dec. 20.With a variety of gifts for sale, there's something for everyone at the Faire.
Photos by Three Sisters Lions Club
Reinhart
THE PSYCHEDELIC FRONTIER EXPLORING INTENTIONAL PSYCHEDELIC USE IN THE MODERN WORLD
By Mary Casanave Sheridan
Spiritual or chemical reaction?
Q: “How do I know if my psychedelic experience was ‘real’ Spiritual insight or just neurochemical effects—and does it matter?”
A: This question resonates deeply with me and hits squarely at the heart of current psychedelic consciousness research. The answer isn’t either/or, it’s both/and!
The Science of Sacred Experience
Recent neuroscience reveals that psychedelics create profound neurochemical changes that correlate with the reported Spiritual experiences of journeyers. These substances primarily act on serotonin 2A receptors, leading to increased neural connectivity and altered default mode network activity. But this understanding, rather than diminishing the validity of spiritual insights, could be the neurochemical mechanism through which Spiritual connection and expanded consciousness becomes accessible. The psychedelic realms are deeper than observable phenomenon.
Research shows people consistently report belief-changing experiences under psychedelics, with lasting shifts in how they perceive reality and their place within it.
The fact that mystical experiences have neurochemical correlates doesn’t invalidate them, it reveals how the brain interfaces with expanded states of consciousness.
The Integration Test
The most reliable indicator of genuine Spiritual insight may be how it integrates into your life over time. Authentic revelations produce lasting positive changes: increased compassion, reduced anxiety, enhanced meaning and improved relationships. Studies show that meaningful insights continue to influence behavior and worldview months or years later, suggesting something more substantial than temporary neurochemical confusion.
However, psychedelics can generate false insights. Particularly when users lack proper safety or comfort in their setting and the people they are journeying with carry a negative or unhealthy mindset, or have a lack of integration support. The heightened suggestibility during altered states can lead to inflated significance being attributed to random or unhelpful thoughts, turning them into beliefs. This is why discernment, self-reflection and supported integration work is always crucial.
Beyond the Mind-Matter Divide May I suggest, perhaps your question itself reflects outdated thinking that separates mind from matter and the Spiritual from the material. Indigenous traditions working with plant medicines for millennia never made such distinctions—they understood these substances as technologies for accessing different dimensions of reality, just as “real” and meaningful as the one we typically occupy.
Modern research reveals that all transcendent states, whether from meditation, prayer, near-death experiences, or psychedelics, all involve measurable brain changes.
The Telepathy Tapes Connection
Due to my recent listening history, I am drawing parallels from your question to the popular podcast The Telepathy Tapes, and its mission of exploration and understanding of consciousness. Host Ky Dickens investigated telepathic communication among non-speaking autistic individuals in the first season. The second season explores near-death experiences, plant and animal communication, psychedelics, energy medicine and other ways of illuminating how we are all connected and receive information. Ultimately it seems they are all parts of the same territory, and when we access information through means science cannot yet explain, we’re touching the same mysterious fabric. One that many encounter in psychedelic states. This includes experiencing direct communion with plant, animal or Spirit intelligence, having an immediate knowing of information we were never taught or a shifting of thoughts, reactions or beliefs without effort during a psychedelic journey.
A Practical Approach
I gently suggest you focus less on need for proof of your experience’s “reality” and more on its fruits. Ask yourself: Does this insight increase your capacity for love, service and authentic living? Are you becoming more integrated and whole? The neurochemical effects and spiritual insights aren’t competing, they’re complementary aspects of a single, mysterious process. The music isn’t less beautiful because we don’t understand how the instrument works.
—Questions are encouraged to be sent to mary@myco.vision and free 30-minute consultations for further discussions can be made through her website https://myco. vision
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
Pearl’s Puzzle
Puzzle for the week of November 24, 2025 Difficulty Level:
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters
exactly once.
The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote: “Every Thanksgiving I bring the champagne, because in my family we all know what are.”
- Gloria Fallo
Answer for the week of November 17, 2025
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES
- Gloria Fallo
“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second.” — William James
“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The world’s oldest known musical composition is the Hurrian Hymn No. 6. It was discovered etched on clay tablets in Syria, dating back to 1400 BCE. When finally decoded and performed, it revealed harmonies that still resonate with modern listeners. Your projects in the coming months could share this timeless quality, Sagittarius. You will have an enhanced power to bridge your past and your future. A possibility you’ve been nurturing for months or even years may finally ripen into beautiful completion. Watch for opportunities to synergize tradition with innovative novelty or deep-rooted marvels with sweet, breezy forms of expression.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m taking a risk here by urging you cautious Capricorns to at least flirt with the Finnish tradition of drinking alcohol at home alone in your underwear with no intention of going out. I’m certainly not encouraging you to get so hammered that you can’t safely wander outdoors. My point is to give yourself permission to celebrate your amazing, mysterious, beautiful life with a bout of utterly uninhibited relaxation and totally indulgent contentment. I authorize you to be loose and free and even slightly irresponsible. Let your private pleasures reign supreme.
in ways that feel manageable, Taurus. Don’t push yourself to be a fearless warrior. The trembling truth-teller is your best role model. As an experiment to get started, say yes to two things that make you nervous but don’t terrify you.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your inner ear contains three canals filled with fluid. They act like gyroscopes, telling you which way is up, how fast you’re moving, and when to stop. Your ability to maintain your balance depends on their loyal service. Without them, you couldn’t orient yourself in space. Moral of the story: You stabilize yourself through constant adjustment. Let’s make this a metaphor for your current assignment. Your ability to remain poised, centered, and grounded will require ongoing adaptations. It won’t work to remain still and fixed. You will have to keep calibrating and adapting.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Let’s extol the value of productive confusion: the disorienting state when your old maps no longer match the territory. Your beloved certainties shudder and dissipate, and you don’t know what you don’t know. This isn’t a failure of understanding, but the ripe precondition for a breakthrough. The caterpillar doesn’t smoothly or instantly transition into a butterfly. First it dissolves into chaotic goo and simmers there for a while. Conclusion: Stay in the not-knowing a little longer.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In the Quechua language, the word ayllu refers to a kinship system not just of people, but of animals, ancestors, dreams, and nature. To be aligned with one’s ayllu is to live in reciprocity, in the ongoing exchange of care and meaning among the entire web of life. “We belong to what we love,” the Quecha elders say. Aquarius, I believe you’re being asked to focus on your ayllu. Who or what comprises your circle of belonging? Which beings, places, and unseen presences help weave the pattern of your treasured destiny? Whom do you create for—not as audience, but as kin who receive and answer your song? As you nourish your connections in the coming weeks, pay special attention to those who respect your idiosyncrasies. It’s not your birthright to simply fit in. Your utter uniqueness is one of your greatest gifts, and it’s your sacred duty to give it.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Coffee from Java, orchids from Iceland, and grapes from Vesuvius, Italy: What do these bounties have in common? They flourish in the extra fertile soil created by volcanic eruptions. The molten lava that initially leveled everything in its path later cooled and became a repository of rich nutrients. I expect a milder version of this theme for you, Leo. Events and energies that at first cause disruption will eventually become vitalizing and even healing. Challenges will lead to nourishment.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In Yoruba cosmology, the divine spirit Oshun presides over rivers, love, beauty, and sweet water. But her sweetness isn’t a weakness. It’s a sublime power, as evidenced by how her waters once restored life to the barren earth when every other force had failed. You Pisceans are now channeling extra strong currents of Oshun energy. Your tenderness is magnetic. Your imaginative flourishes are as valuable as gold. And your love, when rooted in your sovereign self-respect, is healing. But don’t let your nurturing be exploited. Choose wisely where you share your bounty. The right people will honor your flow, not judge it or try to change it. Your duty is to be uninhibitedly yourself and let your lyrical truths ripple freely.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Here are two of your birthrights as an Aries: to be the spark that ignites the fire and the trailblazer who doesn’t wait for permission. I invite you to embody both of those roles to the max in the coming weeks. But keep these caveats in mind: Your flame should provide light and warmth but not rouse scorching agitation. Your intention should be to lead the way, not stir up drama or demand attention. Be bold and innovative, my dear, but always with rigorous integrity. Be sensitive and receptive as you unleash your gorgeous courage. In my vision of your future, you’re the wise guide who inspires and includes, who innovates and reflects. You fight for interdependence, not dominance.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Here’s a key theme: microdoses of courage. You don’t need to summon splashy acts of epic heroism. Subtle rebellions against numbness and ignorance may be all that’s required. Your understated superpowers will be tactful surges of honesty and gentle interventions in challenging transitions. So be brave
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Gardeners in Japan spend years training bonsai trees to grow into elegant shapes. The process requires extraordinary patience, close listening, and an intimate relationship with an ever-changing life form. I invite you to approach your current projects with this mindset. You may feel tempted to expedite the growth that’s unfolding. You might feel pressure to “complete” or “optimize.” But the flourishing of your work depends on subtle attunement, not brute progress. Pay tender attention to what wants to emerge slowly. Tend to it with care. Time is your collaborator, not your enemy. You’re weaving lasting beauty.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Swedish concept of lagom means “not too much, not too little, but just right.” It suggests that the best option may be in the middle rather than in the extremes. Yes, sometimes that means an uneasy compromise. But more often, it’s how the power and virtue come fully alive and thrive. Many people don’t like this fact of life. They are fixated on the delusion that more is always better. In the coming weeks, Libra, I invite you to be a connoisseur of lagom. To do it right, you may have to strenuously resist peer pressure and groupthink.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In Bangkok markets, elderly women sell caged birds. Why? For the specific purpose of releasing them. Those who buy a captive sparrow or dove immediately open the cage door and let the creature fly away in a symbolic gesture of compassion and spiritual aspiration. It’s a Buddhist act believed to bring good karma to the person who sets the bird free. I invite you to imagine yourself performing this sacrament, Scorpio, or perhaps conducting an actual ritual with the equivalent purpose. Now is a fun and fertile time to liberate an outdated belief, a conversation you keep replaying, or a version of yourself that’s no longer relevant. Take your cue from the signs that appear in the Bangkok market: Letting go is a form of prayer.
Homework: Could you heal someone else by teaching what healed you? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
THE THIRD ACT A COLUMN ON AGEISM AND AGEING
By Ellen Waterston
Saying Grace
Remember when you received your first copy of AARP Magazine? It felt like a cold hand reaching up from the grave. Looking the other way, you picked it up like a dead mouse, a page pinched between forefinger and thumb, and threw it in the trash. Fast forward a decade or two and, admit it, you actually sit down and read the magazine. Even articles and interviews about dying are of passing interest (no pun intended).
AARP Magazine is the world’s largest circulation magazine and cleverly publishes separate demographic editions to make us feel age-appropriately informed and comforted. There’s an issue for ages 50-59, for ages 60-69, and then (drum roll), there’s 70-plus. I hate to break it to you, but 70-plus is code for “you’re going to die soon so you don’t really count.” It’s also blatant ageism. Even in the AARP world, where you’d think we’d get some respect, the 70-, 80- and 90-year-olds don’t rate a demographic distinction, despite the fact there are currently 33 million over the age of 70 in the U.S., one in 25 are in their 80s, and it’s projected there will be 8 million over 90 by 2050. Most importantly, each of these generations is exquisitely idiosyncratic and deserves better than societal and statistical homogenization.
Despite the attempted erasure of the 70-plus crowd, what those of us in that composite know is that these are the plus (as in bonus) years. Those still going strong take nothing for granted. They also know anything’s possible. There’s no telling what lies ahead, on Planet Earth or beyond. I mean, the way things are going with AI, who knows! Maybe the 70-plus team will have the last word. Maybe there will be a way to submit monthly columns from, well, the other side. Maybe a deceased painter will be able to remotely move a brush across the canvas. Maybe dying, as we know it, will become obsolete. Stranger things…are starting to happen.
A new Netflix series, “Famous Last Words,” interviews late-life notables regarding their “recent death,” even though it hasn’t yet occurred, and then broadcasts the interviews posthumously. In March 2025, at age 91, Jane Goodall, the world-renowned ethologist and conservationist, was interviewed. Of all the famous oldsters’ conversations stored in a vault at Netflix, Goodall’s was the one that launched the series on Oct. 3. Why? Because she was the first of the interviewees to die, on Oct. 1.
The weird possible subtext here is that Netflix is eagerly anticipating the death of the others. The other weird possible subtext is the living interviewees feel that pressure. After all, the show must go on.
Goodall’s work with chimpanzees is legend, forever changing the way people think about and engage with primates. In her interview, she gave us human primates an assignment: “We depend on Mother Nature for clean air, for water, for food, for clothing, for everything. And as we destroy one ecosystem after another, as we create worse climate change, worse loss of diversity, we have to do everything in our power to make the world a better place for the children alive today, and for those that will follow. Do your best while you’re still on this beautiful Planet Earth that I look down upon from where I am now. God bless you all.”
Hearing her refer to herself as dead during the interview is fascinating and unsettling. And it’s mind-bending to find yourself perceiving her as dead and simultaneously perceiving the interviewer, Brad Falchuk, as living. For those nearing and/or fearing death, Goodall assures it’s all fine there, wherever “there” is for each of us, and that the view is spectacular. We forget that at the time of the interview she actually hasn’t gotten “there” yet and/but by the time we see the interview, she has. What else to do but surrender to the mystery of this bardo, to suspend disbelief.
Many human primates who call the United States home (and aren’t among the 60 million Americans struggling to put food on the table) will soon gather for Thanksgiving and will give thanks for the bounty our longsuffering Planet Earth managed to produce once again. At best, it’s time with family and friends and is more grace-full than the hyped December holidays ahead. Should you need last minute Thanksgiving tips and recipes, you can always find them in AARP Magazine. And what better grace to offer before this traditional meal than Jane Goodall’s final wish for us all, including and especially 70-plus-year-olds. “I want to make sure that you all understand that each and every one of you has a role to play,” she says. “…your life matters, and you are here for a reason.”
—Poet and author Ellen Waterston is a woman of a certain age who resides in Bend. "The Third Act" is a series of columns on ageing and ageism.
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TAKE ME HOME
When
By Nathan Powers Engel Volkers Bend
Should You Sell?
Timing Your Sale for Maximum Return
The number one question most people ask when they’re considering selling their home is, “When should we sell?” The long-standing belief is that summer is the prime season — but what does the data actually show?
To get a clear answer, I focused on three key statistics: % of Original List Price Received, Average Days on Market, and $ Per Sq/Ft. These metrics give the most accurate picture of selling conditions.
This analysis uses a five-year sample: 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 2020 and 2021 were excluded because of the pandemic.
All data is sourced from the local MLS and is deemed reliable. Figures represent single-family homes only.
The percentage of Original List Price Received (Example: Listed at $1,000,000, Sells for $950,000 = 95%)
Best Time to Sell:
June ranked highest three times, while May and April each topped the list once. Overall, sellers receive the strongest percentage of original asking price between April and June.
Worst Time to Sell:
January and November posted the lowest results twice, with October ranking lowest once. The weakest months for preserving your original list price are October through December.
Impact on the Seller:
Across all years, homes sold in Q2 (April—June) averaged 98.5% of original list price, compared to 94.7% in Q4 (October—December) — a 3.8% difference. On a $1,000,000 home, that’s a $38,000 swing.
Days on Market (How long it takes for a home to go pending)
Best Time to Sell:
April and May posted the lowest days on market twice, with June leading once..
Worst Time to Sell:
February had the highest days on market twice, while November, December, and January each ranked highest once.
Impact on the Seller:
From April—June, homes averaged 10 days on market.
From December—February, they averaged 36 days.
$ Per Sq/Ft
Best Time to Sell:
July led the category twice, with April, June and August topping it once. The strongest period for maximizing price per square foot is May through July.
Worst Time to Sell:
January and February recorded the lowest price per square foot twice, with December finishing lowest once.
Impact on the Seller:
Across the sample, homes sold from May—July averaged $23 more per sq/ft than those sold from December—February. On a 1,000 sq/ft home, that’s an extra $23,000.
Final Takeaway
Every seller’s situation is unique, and there will always be exceptions, but homes sold between April and July tend to sell faster and for more money than those sold between November and February.
—Nathan Powers is the Director of Marketing/Business Development Engel & Völkers Bend
