SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM 2
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I know some of you have been angling for that Pumpkin Spice Latte since — gasp — August, but I’m here to let you know that fall is now officially here, and if sweetened gourd in your cup of joe is what makes you happy, then by all means, it’s time! Also just in time for the change of seasons is our Fall Arts and Style issue, in which we place some special focus on artists and makers and the events that center around them. Far from comprehensive, this special issue hears from local designers and makers in their own words, rounds up the arts events happening ahead of the holidays, and highlights the places you can drop in on local artists doing their work this time of year. In News, we’re giving you a rundown of the local candidates running for judge positions in Deschutes County. We also look at how a local tax rebate program is running afoul of fair-wage rules in the state, and what that could mean for construction of workforce housing. And, it’s election season, so our endorsements for Bend and Redmond mayor are also inside! Thanks for reading. —Editor in Chief, Nicole Vulcan
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The Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, part of the 81st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, held a Casing of Colors ceremony at Hayden Homes Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Casing of Colors is a formal U.S. Army tradition in which a unit’s symbolic flags, known as colors, are lowered, furled and placed in a protective sheath, marking the end of a unit’s active status. The unit has a distinguished history in Central Oregon and was formally designated in 2005, with major deployments to Iraq in 2009-2010, Afghanistan in 2014-2015 and two waves in Poland from 2021-2023. Want to share your photo with Central Oregon? Email calendar@bendsource.com or share and tag @sourceweekly on Instagram for a chance to have your photo featured.
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VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
On the Cover: Dora Novak is wearing her own design- an '80s bridal dress, dyed and cut. Underlayers of stitched, colored tulle to feel like plumes of feathers, a high accordion collar, originally used in a dance work about finding your voice. Paired with vintage '70s earrings and Betsy Johnson heels. Shot in a cemetery; inspiration was finding joy in dark places. Dora is a NYC-to-Bend costume designer working in theatre, film, and TV. DoraLNovak@Gmail.Com. Check her out on IG @doraleanova.
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OPINION Vote Ed Fitch for Redmond Mayor SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM
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edmond’s mayoral race is a matchup between incumbent Ed Fitch and fellow City Councilor Jay Patrick — a contest that means both have plenty of experience, and plenty of votes, from which to analyze their leadership. (Another person, Charles Webster Baer, is also in the running, but we did not consider him a viable candidate in this race.) Patrick’s priorities include infrastructure and “working as a team,” he told us — something he believes is missing on the Council right now. Fitch identified water and transportation as his two biggest priorities — both issues that have come before this Council on numerous fronts over the past several years. On the topic of water, we find one of the key differentiators between these two candidates. Fitch championed the new tiered water rate structure in Redmond that is going to charge big water users more for their increased consumption, and, ideally, help people
regulate their overuse. Patrick seemed to look at this new structure as just more pressure from state regulators, and voted against it. We think Fitch’s approach is more pragmatic in the face of a declining aquifer. Likewise, Patrick voted against the long-awaited managed camp in Redmond, which is meant to help move people off other private and public lands. We agree with Patrick’s assertion that we should address the root causes of homelessness as part of the solution, but that doesn’t solve the short-term challenges of fire danger and sanitation issues that have cropped up by having people camping in unsanctioned places on the outer edges of town. Patrick brings up a valid point about a need for a collaborative approach — one that any hopeful city councilor or mayor should heed. Still, our pick in this race is the incumbent. Vote Ed Fitch for mayor of Redmond.
Vote Melanie Kebler for Mayor of Bend
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magine you’re applying for a job. You submit your resume; you get the interview. During said interview, you extol the values of listening and having good information to inform you as you go about your work; only, as the interview goes on, it becomes clear that you have neither listened nor gathered much information — either good or bad or neutral — to inform you during this interview. You know you’re not going to get the job, right? When it comes to the race for Bend mayor, we are on the side of Team Democracy, which posits that anyone can throw their hat in the ring to lead the government. We would relish some hearty debates between two well-prepared candidates for Bend mayor — but unfortunately, this race is not that. In this race, Bernadette Strome wants the residents of Bend to support an unknown candidate who has very obviously not done her homework about what already exists within city government, and what specifically she can do to make it better. Strome talked at length during our interview about the importance of gathering “good data” to help us develop plans and pivot from those plans as needed. But in our conversation about homelessness, for example, Strome’s complete lack of preparation became apparent. There, she suggested the notion of having data to assess which programs were seeing the highest level of success — never mentioning and seeming not to know that the City of Bend maintains an entire dashboard, the Bend Housing Data Hub, that shows the number
of people who have transitioned to housing, the utilization rate of shelters and much more. Perhaps it’s true that there’s more and better data to be gathered, but the way this candidate tells it, we as Bend residents should go back to square one — to the first steps of extensive data-collection, and then wait for the new mayor to develop some brilliant new plan based on that protracted process. Strome wants to be able to listen to constituents and help them engage with their city government, but we see no evidence that she’s done the same to prepare for this position. Four years ago, Melanie Kebler became Bend’s first directly elected mayor in the modern age — an elevation in status from the former structure for Bend mayors, who were nominated by their fellow city councilors. She takes the job seriously, shows up professionally, always does her homework (and takes this newspaper to task when we get it wrong — as she should), and understands the needs, the opportunities and the limitations of Bend. We trust her to charge forward on improving our transportation system, managing growth responsibly, and seeing the city do its share in promoting economic development in Bend. With ongoing cuts at the federal level, Bend needs strategic leadership right now, not a gamble on someone who barely knows the job. Vote Melanie Kebler for Bend mayor. See the video of our interview with Strome and Kebler —>
O
Letters
OUR MAD MAN
—James Scott
BARBARA TATE, REDMOND CITY COUNCIL
Do you know what the great thing about Barb Tate is? She is a unifier. That’s why she will be so important to the Redmond City Council. She is seeking an open seat in the upcoming election in November. As a former Meals-on-Wheels center manager from Portland, I understand what it takes to coordinate and feed a lot of people. I recognize those skills in Barb. She and her husband George have lived in Redmond for 32 years. During that time, they ran Tate and Tate Catering. A lot of you know Barb because of that. Perhaps Tate and Tate provided delicious food for a friend or family member’s celebration. While George was the chef and
Letters must be received by noon Friday for inclusion in the following week’s paper. Please limit letters to 250 words. Submission does not guarantee publication. Opinions printed here do not constitute an editorial endorsement of said opinions. Letter of the week receives $5 to Palate!
ran the kitchen, Barb managed the staff at three locations, organized logistics, planned the budget and supplies and she solved a myriad of daily problems. She made friends with people from all walks of life. That is how Barb became a unifier. These skills are imperative to be a successful city councilor. Since retiring from her business, Barb has worked with several local nonprofits and has become emersed in Redmond’s particular issues. Water conservation, fire preparedness and economic development are some of her immediate calls to action. She has remarkable energy and all those business skills to help Redmond through the challenges ahead. Barb is trustworthy and tenacious. She brings people together. Barb Tate will work diligently for us and with the other members of Redmond’s City Council.
Morgan is currently the executive director of the Central and Eastern Oregon Red Cross where she manages people as well as the budget; she also goes to disaster sites across the country to serve as a chaplain to people in need. Morgan has her finger on the pulse of Deschutes County. She has a very good grasp of the mechanics of county government. She knows the budget forwards and backwards, and has a grasp of all the different county departments overseen by the Deschutes County Commission. She is an excellent listener and will work with others in county government as well as citizens to help develop and/or maintain policies and programs that work for us.
—Mary E Marckx Creel
I saw her while going into the coffee shop. Homeless, head in a dumpster. When I came out, she was munching on a pizza crust. Dirty hands and face, red hair askew. She smiled… a sincere, grateful, tooth-gapped smile. (Should I smile back or turn my head?) I smiled back and wished her good morning. After lingering in my car going through em’s, I noticed Shilo hanging his head out as if he wanted a pet. Highly unusual behavior for this cautious dog. It was the homeless lady, with an enormous pack on her slight body. She slowly walked up to Shilo. Smiled, a “someone likes me” smile, but said nothing. I observed silently as she enjoyed the moments of a friendly dog greeting. Finally, I asked where she was headed? “Montana,”
MORGAN SCHMIDT
I encourage you to vote for Morgan Schmidt for Deschutes County Commissioner. She has a proven track record of making things happen here. From the time she came to Bend in 2015, she has shown her both practical and compassionate sides by mentoring teenagers, organizing cold weather shelters during snowstorms and cooling stations during heat waves for our houseless neighbors. During the first week of Covid-19 shutdowns, she founded the Facebook page “Pandemic Partners” to connect people in need with people who could help them; it was wildly successful, and other communities copied this model. She has worked on and chaired numerous boards that support the people of our county, including the Bend Neighborhood Leadership Alliance, the Central Oregon Homeless Leadership Coalition’s Community Engagement Committee and the Presbytery of the Cascades Wildfire Response Committee.
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WISH I’D GIVEN MORE
came a quick reply, as if that was home. After some small talk, in a timid, awkward, hesitant way she asked if I had an extra dollar? I don’t encourage homeless by forking over money, but reached for my wallet and found seven. Her request was so humble, reticent and small, plus Shilo saw a special spirit, that I gave her two. Later the thought occurred to me. Maybe only the slightest circumstances of birth, parents, church, education, depression, poverty, drugs.…separate me from her. She was special. —Robert D Sandberg
Letter of the Week:
Thanks, Robert. Come on by for your Letter of the Week gift card! —Nicole Vulcan
5 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
We have a mad man in the White House — mad on power, greed and grievance. He’s dismantling our federal government. He’s rebuilding Washington, D.C., in his image. He’s waging war without our consent. He’s ruining our economy and our financial system. He has the audacity to claim ownership of other countries and to rename international geographical entities. All this at our expense. That expense is currently $40 trillion of debt and growing: an amount which can destroy us. A leader brings people together in common cause. But our mad man divides us, sets us against one another, denigrates religions, races, genders and nationalities; all while emptying our pockets and sullying the integrity (of the) United States of America. Our mad man is a threat to our existence and our government. If the Congress and the Supreme Court fail to control him, which is their responsibility, that task will fall to the People as clearly stated in The Declaration of Independence.
HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your thoughts to editor@bendsource.com.
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM
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Bend Rolls Back $60 Million in Tax Rebates for Apartment Developers After Wage Ruling A state agency said a property tax incentive program meant to spur apartments should be subject to state labor standards By Clayton Franke
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recent ruling from the state’s labor agency has thrown a wrench into a City of Bend program aimed at spurring construction of new apartment buildings. In a July 14 decision, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries ruled prevailing wage standards should apply for workers building a 264-unit apartment complex in southeast Bend because it’s slated to receive millions of dollars in property tax rebates. That’s forcing the City to roll back more than $60 million in planned rebates for three other large apartment developments already under construction or in the queue, as none had expected the added cost of paying prevailing wages. The decision likely won’t kill any of the projects that got rebates, according to the City. On Sept. 16, city councilors approved a new plan to cover millions in development and permit fees if builders will still provide the same amount of affordable housing the City wanted in exchange for the tax rebates: at least 15% of units restricted to 90% of the area median income, or about $108,000 for a family of four in Bend. And the developments plan to maintain other commitments, including hiring small businesses for at least one-quarter of its contracts and building energy efficient buildings, according to Jonathan Taylor, the City’s urban renewal manager who created the program. But with less funding, affordability will only be required for the housing units for a duration of 12 years instead of 24 or 30 promised under the initial program. And the ruling — at least for now — has stifled the Bend City Council’s latest tool for meeting lofty state housing goals and creating the dense, walkable neighborhoods the City and state hope to see. “It was disappointing,” Taylor told the Source, but the City was, “actually pretty pleased” to still maintain affordability, local contractor and energy requirements. Plus, the City will be able to start collecting property taxes on the developments sooner, he said. Still, there’s a chance the decision could be overturned. The City and Quarterra, the national development company building the apartments in southeast Bend, both filed administrative appeals contesting the ruling. According to Taylor, the ruling bucks the Bureau of Labor and Industries’ precedent on similar programs, which caught the City and developers off guard. Regional development company deChase Miksis has already started construction on a 178-unit apartment complex in north Bend called Britta Ridge. It will cost about $38 million to build, according to application materials. While cost additions from prevailing wage requirements vary, it can add between 15% and 20% to the price of construction, according to Managing Partner Mark Miksis. That can end up stalling or killing projects, he said. “Anytime we invest that much money into a project, we need to know the rules are going to be consistent,” he told the Source. Prevailing wage laws, which are required for projects that use at least $750,000 in public funds, ensure working standards, higher wages and benefits for construction workers.
Clayton Franke
Justin Hamilton, a construction worker with JKD Construction, works at the site for the Britta Ridge apartments in north Bend on Sept. 22.
Bureau of Labor and Industries Spokesperson Rachel Mann said decisions are based strictly on statutes written by the legislature. The law exempts tax abatements and tax credits, but not rebates, Mann said. “Because these payments ultimately originate from public agency funds, they meet the statutory definition of, “funds of a public agency,” and therefore trigger prevailing wage requirements,” Mann wrote in an email. At a Sept. 16 meeting, several union representatives called on the Bend City Council to embrace prevailing wage standards, warning of substandard working conditions, labor brokers and “fly-by-night” contractors. “Prevailing wage is a way that workers can actually afford to live where they work,” Chris McGhee, a representative with the North Coast States Carpenters Union, told the City Council. “Getting housing built is a good thing. But at what cost is the Council willing to do it?” That tension has spurred conversation among local policymakers and Oregon lawmakers, some of whom say the wage rules are getting in the way of badly needed housing. “It’s very good to try to protect the rights of workers and make sure folks are getting a living wage,” Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said at the Sept. 16 meeting. “But I’m increasingly having this discussion with folks that we need to have a bigger conversation about what we’re trying to achieve with prevailing wage statutes and what we’re trying to do with affordable housing.” Affordable housing, which relies largely on state and federal subsidies, is already exempt from prevailing wage requirements — as long as at least 60% of the units serve people making no more than 60% of the area median income for renters and 80% of the area median income for owners. The developments that qualified for Bend’s tax rebates are not affordable housing by that definition. Bend City Councilor Gina Franzosa said Sept. 16 she wasn’t supportive of giving tax rebates to mostly market-rate housing in the first place. However, “we’ve gotten ourselves into this, and I
don’t think we can really back out at this point,” she said. Bend adopted the Tax Increment Assistance for Housing Affordability program in late 2024. It replaced a different tax exemption program the City scrapped after controversy over a 10-year, $10 million award to developers of Jackstraw, a seven-story apartment development in the heart of town. That program had no minimum affordability requirements. The new program uses tax increment financing, or urban renewal — a tax reallocation tool cities typically use to spur redevelopment in blighted areas. The City essentially creates mini, property-level tax-capturing districts for planned developments that qualify. Once the housing is built, the property taxes on new construction are “reinvested” into the project by paying the developer instead of getting redistributed to other jurisdictions for things like schools, parks, streets and police. Despite the decision, Taylor said he views the program as successful. If the projects that received tax rebates come to fruition, Bend’s program will have helped incentivize more than 1,000 new apartment units and hundreds of affordable units in new multi-story buildings in west, north, southeast and midtown Bend. According to a state analysis of housing needs, Bend will need to build 34,000 homes in the next 20 years to keep up with demand and account for undersupply. That includes 12,000 homes below the 80% threshold. Meanwhile, the state has fallen well short of Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s goals to build 36,000 homes per year. “We’re going to work with our state representatives on how to continue to use tax rebates as incentives,” Taylor said. “We’re nowhere near what the governor wanted for housing production. So we need tools, we need local control.” —This story is powered by the Lay It Out Foundation, the nonprofit with a mission of promoting deep reporting and investigative journalism in Central Oregon. Learn more and be part of this important work by visiting layitoutfoundation.org.
NEWS
Compassion, ‘Tone and Tenor’
Candidates for Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge speak to qualifications By Peter Madsen
Peter Madsen
Thaddeus Betz
Betz has a background in civil rights, criminal defense and juvenile justice. Meeting at the Source office, Betz said he’s running because he believes in a strong and independent judiciary. “I think we have maybe forgotten how important that is, and the events of late have reminded us how important the judicial branch of government is,” Betz said. Court, Betz says, is the final place for citizens to go to both enforce their rights and seek protection from people trying to infringe on them. Betz says he feels compelled to run because he’s argued in courtrooms throughout Oregon, in federal court and in circuit court in remote corners, such as Harney and Grant counties. “I’ve seen a lot of different judges interact with parties and lawyers,” Betz said. “I think that has informed me how much a judge’s tone and tenor can impact the humans going through the legal system.” Constitutional Odds or Evens: Betz laughed. “That’s really hard because who would ever want to part with the First or the Fifth Amendments?” Betz said. “The Seventh Amendment is really important: It’s how plaintiffs get juries.” Betz added that the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from illegal searches and seizures, is indispensable, as well. Oh, don’t forget about the 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law and is the foundation of the Voting Rights Act. Favorite Lawyer Movie: “Just Mercy” Raun Atkinson
Raun Atkinson
Presently a criminal defense attorney and owner of Atlas Law Group, Atkinson has practiced law working both sides of the criminal justice system. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, he began his law career in 2013 as a Crook County prosecutor. He advanced to Chief Deputy District Attorney before leaving in 2021 to practice criminal law in Bend. Atkinson says having worked both sides of criminal cases suits him well. “I think it’s important for a judge to be able to not be biased one way or another,” he said. “I’ve seen judges come to the bench with one perspective and at times it feels like you’re speaking to a brick wall.” That’s erodes trust in the justice system. Atkinson doesn’t have much family law experience, yet owning a business has given him sharp insight into employment law, for example. If Atkinson were to win, he said he’d sell Atlas Law, which contracts with the state for public defense work, to avoid any conflict of interest. Constitutional Odds or Evens: “I don’t want to get in the business of saying I like certain amendments over others,”
Atkinson said. “It’s annoying in a sense that we can’t get good insight into our judge candidates.” Favorite Lawyer Movie: True Crime podcast “Serial” Keith Leitz
Keith Leitz
While Keith Leitz may be best known for serving Redmond as its city attorney for the past eight years, his legal work includes 15 total years as a public sector attorney. He previously worked as counsel for Coos County. Leitz is the sole candidate who has been a judge before, serving as an Air Force Judge Advocate General. “I think the most direct impact you can have is as a circuit court judge,” Leitz said. “Whether the outcome is positive or negative, you can still make that moment as good as possible in that moment.” Leitz said that his strength as a generalist would serve him well as a circuit court judge. He also spoke of the insight he’s gleaned as the parent of adult children who’ve moved through the justice system. “I’ve seen them have encounters both positive and negative with judges,” Leitz said, adding that granting dignity to those in court is paramount. Constitutional Odds or Evens: Leitz favors the odds, yet he said he’d mourn the loss of the Fourth. Favorite Lawyer Movie: “A Few Good Men” or “The Firm” Sonia Huntsman
Sonia Huntsman
Huntsman says she’s a balanced candidate, given her years of arguing both sides of criminal law as a defender and prosecutor. Presently an attorney with 22nd Circuit Defenders, a consortium offering public defense services, Huntsman says she’s proud to represent indigent clients. “Sometimes you’re the only person in the entire world who’s really on their side,” Huntsman said. One shining victory came when Huntsman won an appeal of a circuit court judge’s decision against her client. “To have a circuit court judge’s decision overturned, you have to do everything really exact,” she said. “You have to preserve a good record and you have to brief very carefully. [Wins] like that can be really meaningful to people’s lives.” Huntsman counts her family court experience as distinguishing. She’s also focused on domestic violence work as well. “I had the goal of helping people escape domestic violence, which affects not just the person who’s being abused but an entire family,” she said. “A lot of our societal problems originate in the family.” Constitutional Odds or Evens: Huntsman highlights the First, since “it’s the cornerstone of what our country was founded on.” The Fifth Amendment and the 14th, which is the due-process cornerstone that guarantees equal protection under law and birthright citizenship, are also key. Favorite Lawyer Movie: “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “12 Angry Men.” —This story is powered by the Lay It Out Foundation, the nonprofit with a mission of promoting deep reporting and investigative journalism in Central Oregon. Learn more and be part of this important work by visiting layitoutfoundation.org. Editor’s note: Two other candidates initially filed for the office. Candidate David Hession, an attorney with Deschutes Defenders, did not qualify to run, and Matthew Nelson, the Lead Deputy DA with the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office, formed a campaign committee yet decided not to run. A longer version of this story is available at BendSource.com.
Bend City Council approves office building purchase At a Sept. 16 meeting, the Bend City Council approved the purchase of a 70,000-square-foot-building to serve as offices for a growing number of City staff, in a pivot away from plans to build a large new City Hall. According to a staff presentation, the purchase price is $18 million, but the City is taking out $25 million in debt to cover moving expenses, furniture and remodels. The building currently serves as the office building for Pacific Source Health Plans, an insurance provider that’s been laying off staff. The purchase price is far less than it would’ve cost to build a brand-new City Hall and office space. The estimated cost for that development was pegged at around $150 million. City councilors said they still envision building a smaller City Council meeting chambers or civic center in the Bend Central District, where some developers view the City’s investment as key to redeveloping the area.
Bend, Deschutes County increase Juniper Ridge homeless camp funding The City of Bend and Deschutes County will spend an extra $550,000 to keep a designated homeless camp north of the City open for an extra six months, through June 2027. The two governments had already agreed back in January to delay the expected closing date for the camp. A resolution approved by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Sept 14 formalized the agreement, with the Bend City Council following suit Sept. 16. That resolution changes an initial agreement Bend and Deschutes County signed back in 2024 to create a “Temporary Safe Stay Area” on undeveloped City and County-owned land off of U.S. Highway 97, called Juniper Ridge. It was a move to address public safety concerns, help move people into shelter or housing and eventually clean up a growing encampment where people had been living in RVs and trailers for years.
7 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
S
ince Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Bethany Flint resigned in late July, four candidates are running in hopes of filling that Position 3 seat. In most lead-ups to an election, journalists get busy asking candidates about their platform and opinions on current issues. But in a judge race, things are different, since candidates, by law, can’t offer a broad opinion on a matter that may come before them in court. That means enlightening questions — such as, Should coal-rolling diesel smoke from a sweet vintage American pickup count as assault? — are all off the table. So in lieu of more specific questions, we posed a couple mental diversions: Which Constitutional amendments would you keep, odds or evens? And spill the tea on the best lawyer movie.
IN OTHER NEWS...
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM 8
Project bypasses UGB planning rules with hopes to build housing faster By Clayton Franke
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n 2019, Redmond was selected to be part of a test. That was Oregon’s Affordable Housing Pilot Program, a legislative experiment to see if loosening the state’s strict development boundaries could help cities get more affordable housing on the ground faster. Eight years later, the first homes in that test are under construction. “We have literally spent eight years bringing this project out of the ground,” Redmond City Councilor Cat Zwicker said Tuesday. “I am so excited.” Nonprofit developers RootedHomes and Northwest Community Housing Foundation broke ground this summer on 30 homes that will be permanently affordable through the community land trust model, where the nonprofits maintain ownership of the land while selling the homes to people who make less than a certain income. It’s all part of a planned neighborhood called Northpoint Vista, that will eventually include 450 homes across 40 acres in northwest Redmond. That land was made available for development through a pair of bills the Oregon Legislature passed in 2016 and 2019. It created a pilot program allowing cities to forego the tedious planning process associated with expanding the urban growth boundary. In exchange, the program mandated that at least 30% of the housing be restricted to people earning less than 80% of the area median income, which is about $96,000 for a family of four in the Bend-Redmond metro area. Despite the expedited urban growth boundary expansion, it still took years to get the site ready for housing, said Linda Cline, housing program analyst with the City of Redmond.
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9/26 – 9/27 SATURDAY
9/26
28TH ANNUAL TEDDY BEAR RUN DELIVERING SMILES TO CHILDREN AROUND CENTRAL OREGON
“One of the lessons we learned is, when the property is outside city limits, there’s no infrastructure,” Cline said Tuesday. “It ended up being a very big project.” Deschutes County donated the land for the project, while the state kicked in $8.5 million in grants for infrastructure. Bend and Redmond were the only two cities to participate in the state’s pilot project. Since then, Central Oregon has continued to be a testing ground for bending urban growth boundary rules to spur affordable housing development, which has raised concern from some land-use advocacy groups, who say cities should instead focus growth inward. The Northpoint neighborhood will bring 134 new income-restricted units for Redmond. State rules dictate that all affordable housing must start construction before the last 15% of market rate housing is finished, said Cline. Previous rules required more of the affordable housing to be built sooner, but the state allowed market rate housing to move ahead as state funding for affordable housing lagged. Housing Works will build apartments to round out the affordable portion of the development, while regional builders Pahlisch Homes and Cobalt development will build the market rate portions starting next year, Cline said. The first affordable homes are going up quickly, said Emma Rose, marketing manager at CS Construction, which is building the initial phase for RootedHomes. “Even just a few weeks ago, you didn’t have this framing,” Rose said, pointing to the wooden framing for homes under construction nearby. “This went up so fast.
The 28th annual Teddy Bear Run starts at Cascade Motorsports, delivers teddy bears to all four Central Oregon hospitals, and ends at General Duffy’s Waterhole for festivities. Bring a new teddy bear to donate. 9am-6pm. Riders leave at 10am from Cascade Motorsports, 63028 Sherman Road, Bend, and end at General Duffy’s, 404 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. $30.
SATURDAY
9/26
“DEAR BRUTUS” PART 2 FAMOUS SCENES FROM “JULIUS CAESAR”
Explore the most famous moments from William Shakespeare's popular play. 11:30am-12:30pm at the Redmond Library, 827 Southwest Deschutes Ave., Redmond. Free.
SUNDAY
9/27
FREE BOOK DAY 2026 THOUSANDS OF BOOKS, TOTALLY FREE!
It’s a community celebration of books, and readers of all ages are invited to browse thousands of books and take home whatever speaks to them. No cost, no limits, no barriers. 11am-4pm at High Desert Music Hall, 818 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. Free.
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
REDMOND NEWS
REDMOND PICKS
Unsplash-Ed Robertso
RN
Leaders Tout Launch of Massive Redmond Neighborhood
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Fall Festive Events Around Central Oregon Harvest Chef’s Pairing Experience
A visual conversation about movement, plastics and color, this exhibition by local artist Katie Dunbar runs through Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Deschutes Brewery, and features select paintings and collages in the brewery’s downstairs dining room. The Sunset Migration series portrays intimate and global situations of environmental and social concerns of Dunbar, who is also a successful graphic and mural artist. Check out Dunbar’s work for free from 11am-9:30pm at Deschutes Brewery & Public House, 1044 NW Bond St.
Foodies and oenophiles will delight in the Harvest Chef’s Pairing Experience, set for Wednesday, Sept. 30. Participants will indulge in a curated five-wine flight paired with four chef-created dishes in a communal experience so they can mingle and connect with other attendees while savoring each tasting. Cost is $95 for the experience at Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St. in Bend, which has other seasonal pairing events coming up, including the Fall Chef’s Pairings Experience on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and the (Halloween) Candy and Wine Pairing Experience on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Fall Equinox & Cacao Ceremony Friday, Sept. 25, 5-6pm It’s said that drinking pure chocolate cacao supports mood and well-being. Test the theory at a Fall Equinox Cacao & Sound Juniper Preserve Bath, a restorative evening that begins with a grounding cacao ceremony from Belize, and then flows into guided reflection and intention setting. The night caps off with a deeply restorative hypnotic meditation, light drumming and deep rest. Cost is $75 for the event, which is on Friday, Sept. 25 from 5-6pm at Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr. in Bend.
OAC First Friday Open Studios & Gallery Show Tour artist studios, explore the Open Arts Center’s current community exhibition and enjoy an evening of creativity, conversation and inspiration. OAC has 22 artist studios and collaborative spaces for use by its members, and there are also special events and classes for teenage artists. The OAC aims to provide a community-driven space for teens and adults to foster creativity, intergenerational learning and belonging. OAC also is launching its inaugural music series in October with intimate live performances, artist stories and live Q&A sessions. The free First Friday Open Studios & Gallery Show runs from 5-7pm on Friday, Oct. 2 at OAC, 992 NE 2nd St. in Bend, and again on Friday, Nov. 6. The Open Arts Center
Young Entrepreneur’s Fall Market The Young Entrepreneur’s Society of Central Oregon believes communities should invest in kids and their ideas and is showcasing that spirit at the 2026 Young Entrepreneur’s Fall Market. There’ll be unique goodies, handmade treasures and creative finds from more than 30 young Central Oregon makers. Attendees are helping kids build confidence, learn real world skills and discover the power of entrepreneurship. The market runs from 11am-2pm on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Deschutes County Library in Redmond, 827 SW Deschutes Ave.
Willamette Valley Vineyards
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The 20-Dollar Art Show Bend’s biggest little art show returns Oct. 10-27. High Desert Museum is partnering with Bright Place Gallery to host the legendary 20-Dollar Art Show exhibition, which features the walls of the museum blanketed with 9,000 original, miniature masterpieces by more than 180 local and emerging artists. The 20 Dollar Art Show
It’s a vibrant celebration of regional cre-
Dry Canyon Arts Speakeasy Fundraiser ativity, and opens on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Step back into the Roaring Twenties for a night of jazz, hidden doors and local creativity at the Dry Canyon Arts Association’s first fundraising event, “It’s a Roaring Good Time Speakeasy." The 1920s-themed evening promises vintage glamour, live entertainment, cocktails by Gompers, a buffet and a costume contest. Attendees have to use a secret password to find the event’s hidden door, and there’ll be an art raffle featuring pieces by DCAA artists. The event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 3 at a secret downtown-Bend location, and is limited to 80 guests. Tickets are $100. All proceeds benefit DCAA programs.
High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97 in Bend. The exhibition is free with museum admission and runs through Tuesday, Oct. 27. For those looking to purchase the exhibited artwork, the opportunity arises at the 20-Dollar Art Show Extravaganza, which is on Friday, Oct. 23 from 5:30-8:30pm. The Extravaganza is an after-hours event that kicks off the art sale, which continues through Oct. 24-25 from 9am-Noon. Tickets must be purchased for the Extravaganza and are $5 for adults (16 and younger are free). Cost includes music, food and drinks, and there’ll be a no-host bar. Artists keep 100% of the profits from the sale of their works.
Art in the West Closing Party 2026 Celebrate the closing of the 2026 Art in the West exhibition on Friday, Oct. 2, perusing approximately 130 original paintings, sculptures, photographs and mixed-media pieces that highlight the landscapes, wildlife and history of the high desert, which stretches from the eastern slope of the Cascades and Sierras to the Wyoming Basin and Colorado Plateau. Mingle with artists, watch live demonstrations and enjoy food and libations. The Art in the West exhibition is an annual juried fineart exhibition and online silent auction. The doors open at 6pm, and the event is free and open to the public at High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97 in Bend.
Cristina Acosta
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
Sunset Migration: Selected Paintings and Collages by Katie Dunbar
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Three local makers of wearable goods talk fall fashion, fabric as sculpture and getting those creative juices flowing By The Source Staff Fall requires a reset — a shift from the smoky-hot days of summer, where sundresses and flowing fabrics abound — to the warm, cozy, wind-ready garb of cooler days. For our Fall Arts and Style feature, we polled three Central Oregonians who spend their days making wearable goods to share their thoughts about their work and what gets them going. Responses are in the person’s own words.
Photos courtesy of Laura Rubin
Laura Rubin
Branch+Barrel
Jewelry made from wood and botanicals
Top three creative influences: Nature obvs :) In particular, the local flora here in Central Oregon. I work in tandem with Mother Earth’s art. When I uncover the astonishing layers of secret patterns that are hidden within something as innocuous as a pinecone, it’s hard not to feel the inspo flow. 1. Juniper wood is one of the most chaotic, unpredictable, and brilliant woods that I have ever worked with. Her growth patterns and heartwood colors are so capricious that I never get tired of discovering the stories that are concealed within her helter-skelter growth rings. Looking at a cross-section of a withered old juniper branch is like seeing into the mind of a moody and fickle spirit with her spiraling patterns and contrasting colors that never seem to make sense but never stop being beautiful. Not to mention her wild arid silhouettes! 2. Ponderosa pine’s fascinating puzzle-piece-like bark is one of the things that sparked my idea of creating jewelry from trees in the first place. Along with her inspirational bark texture, her mind-bending ability to survive low-intensity forest fires makes Ponderosa pine one of the more remarkable trees of the western U.S. I love going on walks along the Metolious River and admiring her flamboyant needles, stiff silhouettes and gargantuan pinecones. Ponderosa’s consistent and reliable wood is a comforting delight to work with. 3. A Pine cone’s purpose is to serve as a spiny spiraling fortress for their forebear’s seeds. One thing I find so special about pinecones is that the trees use so much energy and time to nurture and grow these cones in the hundreds when only a few, if any of her seeds will actually successfully fulfill their purpose. Favorite clothing/jewelry: I love big, bright, bombastic sweaters paired with equally splashy earrings. My new line of up-cycled earrings have been my sole choice for these sweater pairings as of late. The items that I wear are a way to represent the varying layers of my soul choices. It’s a glimpse of the paths that I have chosen in my life to land me in the current moment. Right now, I’d like to think that what I wear reads as a person who has found increasing comfort in her own skin and her queerness. Who is righteously proud of her quirk. Who is in constant defiance and scrutiny of the “norm.” What do I do to get my creative juices flowing: I used to answer this question by saying “going on a hike,” but the current condition of my body hasn’t allowed me this pleasure as often as I would like. So instead, I have been going micro. I have a hammock under an aspen tree in my backyard. If I lay there watching the dancing glittering leaves and give my body permission to rest, it doesn’t take long to inspire. These days, my recipe for creativity looks something like this: 4 cups of rest 1 tsp of dissociation 1/2 cup of nature Garnished with 3 tbsp of playfulness Why I started this business/creative endeavor: Looking back, I think I had no other choice but to start my own business. There is some irony in the fact that I now work three times as much as I used to at a 9 to 5 schlepp, but there are fewer limits on my daily choices. I get to listen to my body so much more when I move in my own haphazard way. My ADHD serves me better in the work that I do now, when most other occupational settings don’t allow room for the chaos. It can be a real superpower when put in a creative and intentional setting. Favorite part of fall style: I love that fashion’s color palette couples with the changing seasonal landscape. An olive green or a turmeric yellow are such calming and warm reminders to slow down a little and breathe in the crisp air. Musings on Central Oregon style: To me, Central Oregonian style is a confluence of nods to our cowboy past along with our present awareness of the condition of the world and the choices that we need to make moving forward. I think I’ll call this Eco-conscious Cowboy Chic.
Photo By Tatum Vameer
Photo by Cyr Beckley
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Dora’s Closet - Costume Designer for TV, Film, and Theatre Alterations and custom pieces, pop-ups with vintage clothing, custom embroidery and on-the-spot alterations
Top three creative influences: Mimi Holden in L.A. was an amazing influence during Covid when I was finding my voice. The idea of fabric as clothing and sculpture opened my mind to what a costume could be. I was lucky enough to do a residency at Suttle Lodge when I first arrived in Oregon and was able to hike and create clothing based on trees, moss, water and mountains — it was a gateway of influence that I was able to keep as I’ve continued my life here. Every hike brings new textures and ideas. Lastly, everyday people. People watching. I am always looking for inspiration from toddlers, teens and blue hairs. Everyone has a style. I am often asked to create a bartender, a mom, an everyday person. By keeping tabs on those around me, I can create more realistic, believable characters. Favorite piece of clothing/jewelry: I’m currently obsessed with animal accessories. A shrimp bolo paired with my upholstery horse vest is a favorite. What I do to get my creative juices flowing: I use my headphones to block out distractions and dress my mannequin. Many of my designs come from taking apart thrifted clothing and using the fabrics to make something new. The world already has so much waste. My theory is that everything I need already exists; it often just needs to be dyed, taken apart and put back together with a new eye. Why did you start this business/creative endeavor? I lived in New York for over 15 years. I worked on amazing million-dollar projects but didn’t get to have a design voice. I moved out here so I could create. I am so thankful for this community that houses so much art. Greenhouse Cabaret, Ponderosa Playhouse, and all the film and TV coming through Central Oregon. Favorite part of fall style: Sweater Weather! My sweater collection is funky, chunky, bright, and I have way too many. Musings on Central Oregon style: As a Midwestern girl who went from the East Coast to the West Coast, I have fallen in love with the western and ranch styles out here. The bolo ties, snap-front shirts, workwear and cowboy boots, paired with something soft and feminine or earthy. The mix of people and styles is what makes this space so unique. Photo by Joy Reyneke
Alicia Renner
Howl Goods
Apparel and soft goods brand made for your inner naturalist Top three creative influences: I often start with my location and find inspiration from the historical garments worn in the area. Usually this falls under three categories: this is western wear, workwear or outdoors wear. I usually seek solitaire time in nature to feel out what I want to see. I also love the Kariki Studios trend reports!! Favorite piece of clothing/jewelry: My Hudson’s Bay wool coat, because it’s such a beautiful historic piece of clothing that was a part of Western heritage. Plus, I’m Canadian and the Hudson’s Bay Company has been making wool blankets since before Pendleton even existed, so I like that part too. What I do to get my creative juices flowing: Sometimes I need to get outside and go for a walk to get the blood flowing and then when I get into my studio I make a tea and put on some good upbeat music and then I’m ready to make it happen. Why I started this business/creative endeavor: Originally, it started as a way to make the garments I wanted from companies like Filson or Pendleton, but couldn’t afford or find the proper fit for myself. It quickly evolved into something that felt important, connecting people with products by hand-making custom garments. And now it’s that, plus a way to provide products that are locally made using natural fibers. Favorite part of fall style: WOOL! I love the look of it, the practicality of it. I love wool knits and wovens, wool shirts and pants and jackets. It just feels so tough and timeless and iconically fall. Musings on Central Oregon style: I would love to see Bendites transcend the puffy coat and pick up a mackinaw. Nothing says, “I’m a strong westerner” better than leather boots, jeans and a nice wool coat. You don’t have to be cutting wood or standing around a camp fire to pull it off; you can add color or keep it earthy, you can jazz it up or keep it rugged. It’s such a versatile, natural look. Let’s move past the puff. Photo by Jake Breed
Photo by Alicia Renner
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
Dora Novak
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TOP SHOPS Embrace Small Businesses this Fall!
Explore a wide array of products, enjoy personalized service and discover a distinctive sense of style. By choosing to support local businesses, you contribute to the vitality of our community. Whether you're seeking highend fashion, exquisite jewelry or unique home decor, you'll find it all right here. Dive into the profiles below to get acquainted with some of Central Oregon's most cherished establishments. From meticulously crafted to thoughtfully selected, you might just stumble upon your next beloved boutique in Top Shops.
Happy Shopping!
John Paul Paul Designs Designs John
Blue Star Salon
1006 NW Bond St John Paul Designs Bend, OR 97703 1006 NW Bond St (541) 318 - 5645 Bend, OR 97703 www.JohnPaulDesigns.com (541) 318-5645 Johnpauldesigns.com
John Paul Designs has been Every John Paul Designs piece is a maradorning people with one riage of rugged rawness and refined artof a kind, handmade artisan istry. Hand in downtown Bend jewelry forforged nearly thirty years. with quality prides craftsmanship Johnheirloom Paul Designs itself for nearly thirty simple years. John Paul’sof Designs in crafting objects balance with cleanway: linesthe and art the texture old fashioned organic forms, way they haverustic beenstrength made and for subtle centuries. The jewelry elegance. Whether a wide crafted textured is cuff, aa custom labor ofengagement love that shows and ring or talisman can be felt. of art necklace, eachTheir pieceobjects carries character are meticulously hand crafted that is built to withstand your adventurandlife. imbued with a heartbeat of old ous JPD specializes in revisioning their own.
1001 NW Wall St. Suite 103 Bend, OR 97703 (541) 306 - 4845 BlueStarSalon High quality casual is Bend lifestyle by definition & that was Loni Van Duzer’s mission when she opened the doors to Blue Star Salon in May of 2010. Melding together classic foundations of hair design with current & innovative techniques to give people of all ages and gender the most on trend styles they aspire to achieve and dream about. Cool, chic, comfort every day. Exclusive Goldwell & Kevin Murphy color and products. Call us today for an appointment to get the stellar hair if your dreams.
jewelry into new creations that have a timeless appeal, oftentimes reusing your precious metalsseries and gemstones. our downtown atelier on the corner of Bond and Signature + customVisit designs. Heirloom quality craftsmanship. Oregon. Monday-Saturday: 10-6
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Silverado Jewelry Gallery
Roundabout Books & Café 900 NW Mt Washington Dr. Bend, OR 97703 (541) 306 - 6564 roundaboutbookshop.com @roundaboutbooks
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Roundabout Books, your independent and woman-owned bookshop in Northwest Crossing, is celebrating TEN YEARS of business!
For 28 years, Silverado Jewelry Gallery has been a downtown Bend destination for jewelry you’ll treasure for a lifetime. We represent exceptional handmade artists from around the world, with gold, silver, diamonds, one of a kind pieces, and distinctive wedding and engagement rings, each chosen for its craftsmanship and individuality. We’d love to help you find your new favorite piece.
There’s a full month of events planned - Attend any of them to be entered into a big raffle on October 31st.
We’re incredibly excited to welcome renowned artist Rene Escobar to the gallery for a trunk show on October 10th! Meet Rene in person and explore an expanded collection of his signature work, including the newest designs, right here in Bend.
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ACOTAR Book #6 Release Party
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Publisher Rep Picks Night
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Author Events
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Book Clubs
The main event is an Anniversary Party on Halloween - Come in costume, come for the hourly raffles, or come for the free mimosas (while supplies last).
This wouldn’t be possible without our loyal patrons and partners. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Visit roundaboutbookshop.com/10 for more information.
ccMcKenzie Shoes and Apparel 920 NW Bond St. Suite 101 Bend, Or 97703 (541) 312 - 6805 www.ccMckenzie.com
At ccMcKenzie, our customers love hiking Smith Rock, exploring the Cascade Lakes, or strolling Drake Park in style— Find boots with everyday comfort. Discover brands you really enjoy wearing like Habitat, Cut Loose, Bryn Walker, Zaket and Plover, Nic & Zoe, Pikolinos, Rieker, Miz Mooz and Else Jacobsen. Finish your outfit with a scarf or perhaps a brilliant Firefly necklace. Plus, find your perfect fit with our versatile denim from Kut, Jag, or Lyssé, all specially designed for all-day ease and Fall style. Our unique collection is curated to keep up with all of your local favorite Central Oregon adventures. Thank you for supporting our local, woman-led boutique!
Bring shoppers to your doorstep during the biggest season of the year when you advertise in our Shop Local issue! ON STANDS: NOV. 19
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1001 NW Wall St. Bend, OR 97703 (541) 322-8792 SilveradoGallery.com @SilveradoJewelryGallery
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9/23
SATURDAY
HYPE FOR HOUSING SILENT DISCO PARTY SUPPORT HOUSING WITH A MORNING DANCE
9/23 – 9/27
9/26
SUNDAY
9/27
Sunriver Oktoberfest Run
PARTY
Celebrate Thrive’s 10th anniversary with an outdoor dance party with a twist. Participants must reserve a headset (quantities are limited) and then can dance away an hour as part of a free, silent disco with RiseUpandGroove. 7:30-8:30am at Alpenglow Park, 61049 Southeast 15th St., Bend. Free but reservation required at givebutter.com/hype-for-housing.
THURSDAY
9/24
2026 SUNRIVER OKTOBERFEST RACE LACE UP YOUR LEDERHOSEN
Celebrate fall in true Central Oregon style — on the run! This is the perfect kickoff to Sunriver’s Oktoberfest weekend with a 10K and 5K. Walkers and strollers welcome, but no dogs, please! 10K has an 11 am start, the 5k starts at 11:15am at SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver. $45-$80.
SATURDAY Unsplash-Thays Orrico
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR SUICIDE LOSS SURVIVORS REMEMBERING THOSE LOST TO SUICIDE
September 2026 is National Suicide Prevention Month. All are welcome to join this meaningful event to honor and remember those lost to suicide. Event includes candle lighting and sound bath for healing and connection. Registration recommended for communication but not required. 6:30-7:30pm, Bend La Pine Administration Building, 520 NW Wall St., Bend. Free.
FRIDAY
9/25
SPEEDFEST 2 16 GRINDCORE/POWERVIOLENCE BANDS FROM ACROSS THE U.S.
SpeedFest 2 brings its punk, grindcore, hardcore and metal bands to Bend for the second year in a row for an all-ages festival. Doors open at 3pm and the music goes until 11pm at Silver Moon Brewing, 24 NW Greenwood Ave., Bend. $30.
FRIDAY
9/25
ANNUAL CHILI FEED AND RAFFLE FUNDRAISER FEATURING MILLIE’S FAMOUS CHILI
Enjoy some tasty chili and support the Deschutes Historical Museum at its annual chili feed and raffle. From the closely-held secret of “Millie’s Chili” recipe to the array of quality raffle baskets and live music offerings, it's an event not to be missed. 11am-7pm, Deschutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend. Free.
towertheatre.org
9/26
PARKINSON’S WALK A DAY OF FUNDRAISING AND AWARENESS
Sole Support for Parkinson’s is uniting hundreds of participants from across Central Oregon in celebration, support, community and purpose. Gather to make new friends, reconnect with old ones and celebrate our Parkinson’s family. Noon-3:30pm, Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St., Bend. Free, but donations encouraged.
SATURDAY
School of Roc
SCHOOL OF ROCK PRESENTS LOTAPALOOZA HELP CELEBRATE THEIR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
School of Rock is hosting a LOTAPALOOZA shindig that’ll include an end-of-season show, live student music, Bend Moonlight Market vendors, the Ponderosa Players, Iconic Dane, live merch print, a skate area and more. Noon-5pm at School of Rock Bend, 211 NE Revere Ave., Bend. $8 suggested donation.
SUNDAY
9/27 Júlia Girós
9/26
KIDS’ ENTREPRENEUR MARKET SUPPORT YOUNG CENTRAL OREGON ENTREPRENEURS
An entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market for ages 7-17 where young entrepreneurs sell handmade artwork, crafts, food, toys, jewelry and more. A real-world experience that sparks creativity, builds confidence and teaches business and life skills. 1pm in the Old Mill District (2nd floor, above LUSH), 520 SW Powerhouse Dr., #429. Free to attend, $10-$20 to participate.
SUNDAY
9/27
HARDTAILS HIGHWAY TO HOPE BENEFITS RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF OREGON
Inaugural event features a scenic Central Oregon motorcycle ride that begins at Ronald McDonald House in Bend and ends with a family-friendly afterparty at Hardtails in Sisters featuring live music, food and raffles. Cars are welcome. 8am departure from Ronald McDonald House of Bend, 1700 NE Purcell Blvd. Ride ends (and festivities begin) at Hardtails Outlaw Country Dive Bar & Grill, 175 N. Larch St., Sisters. Rider ticket, $30; afterparty-only ticket, $10.
Sunday, October 25
STELLA HEATH:
THE BILLIE HOLIDAY PROJECT
MARUJA LIMÓN: ONE NIGHT ONLY CAPTIVATING AUDIENCES ACROSS EUROPE, NORTH AFRICA AND THE U.S.
Enjoy the acclaimed Barcelona sextet’s electrifying blend of flamenco, Catalan music, Latin rhythms, pop and contemporary sounds. 7pm at Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. $30 for general admission; $5 for students. Both tickets include an $8 Historic Preservation Fee.
Wednesday, November 4
Sunday, November 8
JOHN SCOFIELD’S ELECTROSPECTIVE MARC BROUSSARD FEAT. OTEIL BURBRIDGE, LARRY GOLDINGS, & ADAM DEITCH
Warm Gadget Reclaims the Stage
S
SOUND
After eight long years, the band is back in the spotlight – if only for one night By Phoebe Young 17
Warm Gadget members Colten Williams, left, and Tim Vester.
O
n Sept. 29, beloved local band Warm Gadget ( joined by Austin Williams) will appear for its first live performance in eight years, opening for bands Julien-K and NITE at the Domino Room. Up until this show, the band’s members, Tim Vester and Colten Williams, have been taking a hiatus from live performances, choosing to dedicate more time to fine tuning their art in its production stages. “We just found that we really enjoy the creative process,” Vester told the Source. “We wanted to make the band a more powerful entity in the studio… and work on something longer-lasting… something people can take with them 20 years down the road, rather than just for one night.” Although the band hasn’t been performing live, its members have been staying busy with a multitude of other creative projects. In 2024, Warm Gadget released the album, “Sorrows,” followed in 2025 by the release of a collaboration E.P. with the Snowbeasts. The band also released a single for The Beat Cancer Foundation in the UK, contributed to a “compendium sort of soundtrack” for a horror anthology novel with Rafael Melo and worked on scores for various short films. While this broad collection of creative projects may sound daunting to some, Warm Gadget truly enjoys the challenge, saying, “We love it… we’re not doing anything we don’t want to do.” Vester also says Warm Gadget has another album in the works, which he predicts will reflect the fine tuning and careful artistry the band has spent the past eight years perfecting. “We’ve been looking at things differently… and trying not to repeat the same exact ‘formula’
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as before,” Vester shares. “Instead of [ just] a huge wall of noise, we decided to use space, atmospheric sounds and silence more than we’ve ever done before.” This should not, however, waver longtime listeners. “I think it will be surprising, but recognizable,” Vester assures fans. “It’s still us, it’s what we’ve always done… all of the existing elements are still present, but with these new elements popping up.” So what, after all this time, has coaxed Warm Gadget back into the spotlight? Its members say it was the voice of the people and the call of a good vibe. “We’ve been getting a lot of offers to play all over, and we’ve turned them down,” the band shared, but this performance back in their hometown seemed like a good fit. “We are excited and slightly nervous,” they say, “but we are all very confident and experienced with live performances.” Though bittersweet for fans, this return to the stage is not expected to be permanent. While Warm Gadget is excited to perform live, they still plan to maintain most of their work off stage for the foreseeable future. “We’re not coming back full fledge – every weekend, all the time,” Vester explains, “we have found that we just enjoy the [off stage] creative process more.” Julien-K, NITE and Warm Gadget Tuesday, Sept. 29 Doors 7pm, show 8pm The Domino Room 51 Northwest Greenwood Ave., Bend $25
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
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LIVE MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
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23 Wednesday Alpenglow Park Hype for Housing Free silent disco dance party with RiseUpandGroove. Celebrate Thrive’s 10th anniversary with a dance party - an hour of dancing in the great outdoors. Dance with your neighbors, support housing in our community. Participants must reserve a headset (quantity limited!) at https://givebutter. com/hype-for-housing. 7:30-8:30am. Free.
26 Saturday The Astro Lounge Live local sounds with
assorted DJs. Live local sounds from different artists every Friday and Saturday. 10pm-2am. Weekend cover charge.
Crosscut Warming Hut No 5 Megan Alder Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot
Handpicked Series by Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt An intimate music series featuring handpicked performers by Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt. No cover, but do suggest donations to support CoreSisters.org or the Latin Community Association. 6-8pm. Free.
Shades of Brew Never Tony, Please Anthony Poponi brings “Never Tony Please” to the stage in a hilarious, honest night of stand-up and storytelling about family, relationships, bad decisions and being wonderfully human. 7-9pm. $20.80. Silver Moon Brewing StealHead x TEB:
Pat O B-Day Extravaganza StealHead and TEB (Travis Ehrenstrom Band) join forces for Pat O’s birthday extravaganza at Silver Moon Brewing. Pat plays in both bands, so expect one big night of funk-fueled rock and a proper party for one of Central Oregon’s favorite musicians. Doors at 7pm. $10. 7pm. $10.
Total Chaos, a punk band that’s been together 30 years, takes the stage at The Domino Room on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:30 pm.
Kiln Kiln Grand Opening Party Get ready to party. Kiln is opening its doors for a jam-packed evening with live music, local food, drinks and incredible energy (think confetti cannons, a ribbon cutting and epic dance moves) on Thursday, September 24. Please RSVP athttps://www. eventbrite.com/e/kiln-bend-grand-openingparty-tickets-1995708279186. 6-10pm. Free.
The Commonwealth Pub Soul’d Out With over 40 years professional music experience each, Soul’d Out was created by Dennis Morris (guitar/vocals), Rutledge Waterhouse (bass / vocals), Steve Hartwell (keyboards/vocals) and Bruce Klouda (drums/vocals) several years ago to bring their brand of what they refer to as “rhythm & soul” music. 8-10pm.
The Lot Doc Monos Doc Monos is a solo acoustic project by Andy Jaehrling. Andy has performed across the US since the mid 90’s; mostly in bands, but now as a solo artist. Andy brings a mix of Folk, Americana, Blues and Rockabilly to his original composition. 6-8pm. Free.
Craft Kitchen & Brewery Comedy at Craft Kitchen Comedy at Craft Kitchen and Brewery. Follow @BitsNSkits for deals and future events! Join Bits N Skits Productions for another night of laughter and delicious food! Enjoy some of Craft’s tasty, made from scratch BBQ paired with a variety of brews and non-alcoholic options as well! Our brisket is smoked! 8-9:30pm. $15$20.
Mountain Burger 4th Anniversary Party at Mountain Burger Come celebrate with us! $4 draft beers and kids shakes all day! Live music by Shirley Doomed from 6-8pm! 11:30am-8pm. Free. River’s Place Heller Highwater Trio R&B,
24 Thursday Austin Kitchen Cecilia Voss Cecilia Voss
brings something for everyone performing a mix of styles ranging from folk and American roots to contemporary, blues and jazz. Settle in, enjoy a glass of wine and a heartfelt listening experience not to be missed. 5-7pm. Free.
Bevel Craft Brewing Live Music at Bevel Catch talented local artists on the patio, grab a bite from our 4 on-site food carts and enjoy award-winning craft beer, wine, cider and more. Bring friends, relax and make it a weekly tradition. 6-8pm. Free. The Cellar Live Irish Trad Music with The Ballybogs! Live music featuring Bend’s Irish Trad band, The Ballybogs! Every Thursday at The Cellar. Seats fill up, so get there early! 6-8pm. Free. The Commonwealth Pub Chicago Bob and The Blues Benders Based in Bend, Bob and the Benders bring a dynamic mix of original tunes and refreshed standards that will get you out of your seat and onto the dance floor! 8:3010:30pm. Dogwood At The Pine Shed Drag Bingo
Drag Bingo is back at the Dogwood at the Pine Shed, hosted by Riley Burrows! Seating at 6pm. Bingo starts at 7pm. $5 per card, good for all games. Thursday, Sept. 24. Arrive early to get the best seats in the house. 6-9pm. $5 per card.
River’s Place Sopa 7 year anniversary party! Sopa is turning 7, and we’re throwing a party with live music regional Mexican music by Grupo Inigualable, food specials, drink specials and full on fiesta vibes! 6-8pm. Free. Silvermoon Brewing Bend Oregon SPEEDFEST 2 Bend Oregon SpeedFest 2! Partake of some of the most dopest Grindcore/ Powerviolence bands. All ages welcome. Doors open at 3pm. Respect the venue and support the bands. $30.
The Commonwealth Pub Musician’s Open Showcase Hosted by The Session Calling all musicians! Come by Monday nights for a special opportunity to share your talent, connect with other artists and perform in a welcoming, collaborative and music-loving atmosphere. Hosted by The Session. Full backline provided, just bring instruments and chords. Signups at 5pm, music starts at 6pm. 5-9pm. Free. Relax with a pint and enjoy great local music in the garden from 6-8pm. 6-8pm. Free.
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rock and country to pop and blues, from the Rolling Stones, Bill Withers and Jason Maraz to Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeski, Chris Stapleton, Aretha Franklin, Adele and many more, they cover it all. 6-8pm. Free.
The Winery at Manzanita- Bend Vino &
Vibes Enjoy an evening of wine and Local community grooves every Thursday. Local singers and song writers welcome. 5-7pm. Free.
Yokocho Izakaya Comedy at Yokocho Izakaya Comedy night at Yokocho Izakaya Follow @BitsNSkits for deals and future events! Join Bits N Skits Productions for our opening comedy night at Yokocho Izakaya Japanese restaurant! This is a talented lineup that shouldn’t be missed! Enjoy some of Yokocho’s delicious food and laugh the night away with us. 8-9:30pm. $15-$20.
25 Friday The Astro Lounge Live local sounds with
assorted DJs. Live local sounds from different artists every Friday and Saturday. 10pm-2am. Weekend cover charge.
The Cellar James Townsend Come on down to The Cellar Friday night for tasty ales, savory pies and soulful acoustic jams with troubadour James Townsend. 6-8pm. Free.
Discovery Corner Plaza Food Cart Friday
Featuring Heller Highwater A lively summer evening filled with great food, live music, and community. Held the last Friday of each month from June through September, this family-friendly event brings toe-tappin’ tunes from rotating local musicians alongside a lineup of food vendors. 5-8pm.
The Domino Room Total Chaos Thirty years ago in Pomona Valley, California, was the birth of Total Chaos. Created out of the desperate need to save a dying genre of punk rock, during a time that the market was saturated with a more commercial new style. 7:30-10:30pm. $24.28. Eurosports Sisters Food Cart Garden
Toothpick Shaker Free live music at Eurosports this is our last Friday night of the season, plus there will be a Saturday night of music as well this week. Special time, 4-6pm before the Sisters Folk Festival starts. This week it’s Toothpick Shaker. Please feel free to bring your own chairs. 4-6pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Charlie Prayers Trio Smooth
sounds, chill night grooves and a soulful voice fill this mid-September evening. 9pm. Free, but please tip the bands!.
Portello Lounge Yacht Rock w/Pina Colada
@ Portello Lounge Get ready for a night of yacht rock and fun pop vibes with Pina Colada, Bend’s own feel-good band bringing the energy! Join us for live music, great food and drinks and time with friends. No tropical drinks required! Reservations or walk-ins welcome! 7-9pm. Free for customers.
Submitting an event is free and easy.
The Commonwealth Pub Heller Highwater Heller Highwater is a five piece dance band with roots in R&B and Classic Rock. Whereever Heller is playing, there’s a party going on. 8-10pm. The Domino Room TJ (Tanael Joachim) TJ is a standup comedian who has made appearances on Gotham Comedy Live on AXS TV and on Good Day New York on FOX. He is based in New York City but was born and raised in Haiti. TJ has a very laid back, smooth, and conversational style. 7:30-9pm. $30.08. Eurosports Sisters Food Cart Garden
The Smoke Drifters Our last free music night of the season at Eurosports. 4-6pm during the dinner break of the Sisters Folk festival. This week it’s The Smoke Drifters. please feel free to bring your own chairs as sometime we run out. 4-6pm. Free.
M&J Tavern Regal Nonchalant, Cold Spell
& Moon Cries Blood Bends premier Goth Night, Katacombs, brings an intimate 21+ evening of local and traveling hard-electro, industrial and dark wave acts as well as Moon Cries Blood choosing you for their CD release dance party. Better have yer boots on! Must have ID! Don’t forget to tip the bands. 9pm. Free.
Open Space Event Studios IMPROV
GRAND PRIX by Bend Institute of ComedySignature long-form improvisation competition. Featuring teams created by the audience, then judged by the audience. Get tickets now. Our last show sold out at 100. 7:30-9:30pm. $22 GA/$44 Reserved 2nd Row/$28 Door.
River’s Place The Huckle Bearers It’s our 7th annual Fresh Hops & Pop Up Shops event. Enjoy local vendors, live Bluesfolk Americana music and fresh hop beers galore! A perfect celebration of Fall and a truly unique beer-tasting experience. Flights of six will be available. 2-4pm. Free. River’s Place Saturday Jazz Sessions Obsidian jazz and contemporary jazz with a Pat Metheny emphasis. 6-8pm. Free. Runaround Sue BBQ Eli Madden Eli
Madden from Call Down Thunder jams acoustic crowd-pleasing covers and tasty originals. 6-8pm. Free.
27 Sunday Drake Park Sun Day Solar Fest Come cele-
brate the power of the sun at Sun Day Solar Fest! You can celebrate the power of renewable energy with other community members, learn more about clean energy and local opportunities, and engage with clean energy advocates. Games, activities, live music, educational materials, ebikes, and more! 11am-3pm. Free.
Add your event to our calendar at bendsource.com
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EVENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT
GoodLife Brewing Live Music in the GoodLife Beer Garden Free Live Music in GoodLife’s Beergarden every Sunday 4-6 and Tuesday 6-8. Full Kitchen, Full Bar, Food Trucks, Playground, Kids Menu, GOOD VIBES! 4-6pm. Free. Hayden Homes Amphitheater Jack John-
son: SURFILMUSIC Tour 2026 6:30pm.
Tower Theatre Maruja Limón: One
Night Only Presented by PRAx and OSU-Cascades, Maruja Limón brings its electrifying blend of flamenco, Catalan music, Latin rhythms, pop and contemporary sounds to Bend for one special performance. Based in Barcelona, the acclaimed female sextet has captivated audiences across Europe, North Africa and the United States. 7pm. $30 general admission; $5 students; plus $8 Historic Preservation Fee.
Volcanic Theatre Pub Goodbye June w/ Me Like Bees Volcanic Theatre & 1988 Entertainment Presents: Goodbye June w/ Me Like Bees Sunday, September 27th 2026 Genre - Southern Rock. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. Presale is $20. At the door, $28.
28 Monday 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. 9pm. 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.
29 Tuesday The Commonwealth Pub Jack Krouscop
Quartet - Tuesday Night Jazz Come enjoy a great night of jazz! 7-9pm.
GoodLife Brewing Live Music in the GoodLife Beer Garden Free Live Music in GoodLife’s Beergarden every Sunday 4-6 and Tuesday 6-8. Full Kitchen, Full Bar, Food Trucks, Playground, Kids Menu, GOOD VIBES! 6-8pm. Free. Volcanic Theatre Pub Guardin w/ Kennedy
XOXO and Fijimar at Volcanic Theatre Volcanic Theatre Pub presents Guardin w/ Kennedy XOXO and Fijimar. Genre is Lo-fi Indie/Emo Rap. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. 8pm-1am. Presale: $20/Day of: $30.
Frankie’s – formerly Sisters Depot
Handpicked Series by Tom Nechville & Linda Leavitt An intimate music series featuring handpicked performers by Tom Nechville and Linda Leavitt. No cover changes, but donations suggested to support CoreSisters.org or the Latin Community Association. 6-8pm. No cover.
McMenamins Father Luke’s Room Alicia Viani Band with Ray Davis The Alicia Viani Band (Mark Karwan on upright bass, Pete Kartsounes on lead guitar, Ray Davis on Keys, and Mike Morris on drums) creates unforgettable musical journeys crafted with provocative lyrics and innovative instrumentation. Ray Davis is opening the evening with originals songs and sounds. This is a family-friendly event. 7-10pm. Free.
MUSIC
Central Oregon Flute Ensemble Fall Chamber Concert Come enjoy the Central
Oregon Flute Ensemble’s chamber concert! We have a wonderful variety of small ensemble music in store, presented in the rotunda of the Barber Library on the COCC Campus. Admission is free and open to all. Come join us! Sept. 26, 2-3pm. COCC Barber Library, 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Contact: cofluteensemble@gmail.com. Free.
HDCM Concert Series: YU&I DUO
Opening night of High Desert Chamber Music’s 19th season features the Yu&I Duo. Winners of the prestigious Beverly Hills National Auditions and acclaimed for their “individual virtuosity and seamless collaboration.” Sept. 25, 7:30-9pm. First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE Ninth St., Bend. Contact: 5413063988. Info@HighDesertChamberMusic.com. $49 general/$10 child/student.
Peaceful Piano in the Vineyard Pianist
Paula Dreyer brings her acclaimed Piano Flow Live experience to Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards for a beautiful, family-friendly afternoon of live music among the vines and mountain views. Paula’s program blends soulful original compositions, classical pieces, and reimagined piano covers, curated specifically for the vineyard setting. Sept. 27, Noon-3pm. Faith, Hope & Charity Vineyards, 70450 NW Lower Valley Dr., Terrebonne. Contact: info@pauladreyer.com. $25, $40, $60.
Texas Headhunters feat. Ian Moore, Jesse Dayton & Johnny Moeller If Texas
guitar playing had a definitive DNA strand, it would look a lot like the collective resume of Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller and Jesse Dayton. For the past three decades, these virtuosic titans have operated on the cutting edge of roots music. Sept. 23, 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-317-0700. info@towertheatre.org. $17-27 (plus $8 Historic Preservation fee). Ticketmaster
producer from Auckland, New Zealand, who has made quite a name for himself worldwide, with his music reaching millions of streams across platforms. Sept. 24, 8-10pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 1375 SW Commerce Ave, Bend. Contact: (541) 323-1881. eventsbreakingfree@gmail. com. $10.
DANCE
Adult Ballet Class 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. Academie De Ballet Classique, 1900 NE 3rd St #104, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4055. dance@abcbend. com. Price varies. Adult Jazz Dance Community Class
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.
Sparks and Spurs Shine your boots and
wrangle your posse because we’re bringing the grit and grace to Craft Kitchen and Brewery’s stage with our brand-new fiery Western show, “Fire and Burlesque.” Sept. 26, 7-9pm. Craft Kitchen and Brewery, 62988 NE Layton Ave., Bend. Contact: 458-666-3626. highdesertfireartists@gmail.com. $25.
FILM EVENTS
2026 HUMP! Film Festival – Fall Lineup at Volcanic Theatre 2026 HUMP! Film
Festival – Fall Lineup. 21+. First showing, 6:30pm. Second showing, 9pm. HUMP! returns with an entirely new collection of short films for Fall 2026. Sept. 26, 6:30pm-Midnight. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: (541) 3231881. jenniferbreakingfree@gmail.com.
"Bad Press" free screening and panel discussion a Madras Performing Arts Center KWSO radio station invites the public
to a special free screening of the Sundance award-winning documentary followed by a panel discussion featuring prominent Indigenous and local journalists. Wednesday, Sept. 30. Doors open 3pm with refreshments, screening at 4pm and panel to follow at 5:30pm. Madras Performing Arts Center, 412 SE Buff St., Madras. Contact: (541) 460-2255. sue.matters@wstribes.org.
Gizzy Nights - The Official Central Oregon KGLW Meetup at Volcanic Theatre
Do you like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and see reminders of them everywhere? Or maybe you’re King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard curious? Introducing Gizzy Nights! Join our fan-based nights where we’ll watch each prerecorded livestream of “Field of Vision.” Wed, Sept. 23, 6-11pm and Wed, Sept. 30, 6-11pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: (541) 3231881. jenniferbreakingfree@gmail.com. Free.
Learning to Fly Aisha McAdams, a former competitive runner turned photographer, embarks on a journey to document the triumphs and struggles of famed ultra trailrunners, including Jim Walmsley and Vincent Bouillard. The film marvels at athletes who maintain their intensity as they run 100 miles of trails while climbing thousands of vertical feet. Sept. 30, 6:30pm. Sisters Movie House & Cafe, 720 S Desperado Ct, SISTERS. Contact: 5415498833. inquiries@ sistersmoviehouse.com. $17. Outliers and Outlaws Outliers and Outlaws
Jack Johnson brings his SURFILMUSIC Tour to Hayden Homes Amphitheater on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 6:30pm.
uncovers the history of a large and vibrant lesbian community in Eugene, Oregon. Lesbians who migrated to this small city in the 1960s-90s candidly share stories about the power of courageous and creative world-building. Q & A with director Courtney Herman and producer Judith Raiskin follows screening. Sept. 26, 3-5pm. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: 541-312-1032. lizg@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.
You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine A star-studded tribute concert film,
captured in October 2022 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, honoring the legendary songwriter’s enduring legacy. Featuring heartfelt performances and behind-the-scenes stories, the event brought together family, friends and acclaimed artists like Bonnie Raitt and Bob Weir to celebrate Prine’s life and music on the iconic stage. Sept. 23, 6:30pm. Sisters Movie House & Cafe, 720 S Desperado Ct, SISTERS. Contact: 5415498833. inquiries@sistersmoviehouse.com. $17.
ARTS + CRAFTS
3rd Annual Bend Artists’ Studio Tour For one weekend this fall, 14 Bend artists are opening the doors to the rooms where their work gets made. Come see what’s behind them. Sept. 26-27, 11am-4pm. Bend, Oregon, (no address), (no city). Contact: melissa@inspiredmelissa.com. Art for Lunch: Floral Line Art Join Sarah from Let’s Paint for a short and fun art class. All materials included. Each day is a different class. Sept. 25, 12-12:45pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $20. Build a Matcha Bowl Join Krista (La Luce Studio) and hand-build a ceramic matcha bowl! Sept. 29, 5:30-7:30pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $130. Create Your Next Chapter Join Happy Well Coaching in this interactive workshop and use movement, creativity and reflection to discover small steps toward your biggest goals. Leave inspired, motivated and equipped with a personalized action plan and vision board. Sept. 24, 9:30am-12:30pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $99. Kids Woodworking - Build a Birdhouse (Ages 11-17) Kids build and decorate their own modern wooden birdhouse while learning beginner woodworking skills. With all materials and step‑by‑step guidance provided, young makers create a fun, meaningful project they can display at home or gift to someone special. Sept. 23, 5:30-8pm. DIYcave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $99.
Kids: Advanced Art Perfect for young artists 9 years and older who love to create and want to learn more techniques and tools. New skills will be introduced and applied each week. Fri, Sept. 25, 9:30-10:45am and Wed, Sept. 30, 2:45-4pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@ bendteal.com. $30.
Kids: Art with Sarah Join licensed teacher Sarah Swoffer from Let’s Paint for a fun, handson class sure to tap into a child’s curiosity and build confidence. Wed, Sept. 23, 1:15-2:15pm and Wed, Sept. 30, 1:15-2:15pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $30. Laminated Wood Cutting Boards - 2 Day Workshop Learn to make a laminated cutting
board in this two‑session beginner workshop. Mill lumber, safely use core woodworking tools and practice glue‑up, shaping and finishing techniques. Build your board on day one, then return to refine and finish it, leaving with new skills and a custom cutting board. Sept. 28, 6-9pm and Sept. 29, 6-9pm. DIYcave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $259.
Leather Earrings Class Join Kailey and make two pairs of leather earrings at the Tea + Art Lounge. Tell your friends and make it the perfect girls night out. Sept. 25, 6-8pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $65. Let’s Paint a Poppy Join Sarah from Let’s
Paint and learn to paint with acrylic! Sept. 27, 4-6pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@ bendteal.com. $55.
19 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
River’s Place Fluffalove Music for the soul, consisting primarily of 70’s folk-rock gems. Fluffalove’s Laurel Canyon vibe includes two acoustic guitars (and sometimes a smokin’ electric guitar) and tight harmonies. 5-7pm. Free.
Volcanic Theatre Pub & 1988 Entertainment Present: ASHEZ w/ Hobi, Dasoma & Lazouli ASHEZ is a bass music
30 Wednesday
CALENDAR
CANDIDATE FORUMS 2026 SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM
20
presented by
Listen to the candidates answer YOUR questions at these live events. Wednesday, Wednesday y , Sep September p tember 30 - 5:30p 5:30pm pm
REDMOND CITY COUNCIL followed by REDMOND MAYORAL Candidates COCC Redmond Technology Education Center Community Room 209 2324 SE College Loop, Redmond 97756
Monday, Monday y, October 5 - 5:30pm 5:30p pm
BEND MAYORAL Candidates Deschutes Central Library, Community Room 2, 61956 SE Santorini St, Bend
Saturday, Saturday y, October 10 - 11:00am
US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 5 Candidates Ridgeview High School, 4555 SW Elkorn Ave, Redmond
Wednesday, Wednesday y, October 14 - 5:30p 5:30pm pm
DESCHUTES COUNTY COMMISSIONERS followed by SHERIFF Candidates Deschutes County Government Bldg, Sawyer Room, 1300 NW Wall St, Bend
Monday, Monday y, October 19 - 6:00p 6:00pm pm
SISTERS CITY COUNCIL Candidates Sisters Firehouse Community Hall, 301 S Elm St., Sisters
Wednesday, Wednesday y, October 21, 6:00p 6:00pm pm
LA PINE CITY COUNCIL followed by LA PINE MAYORAL Candidates La Pine Community Center, 16405 1st St., La Pine Submit your questions for the candidates
72 hours prior to the forum to: questions@lwvdeschutes.org For more information about our Candidate Forums, go to:
LWVDeschutes.org/Candidate-Forums
Empowering Voters
Defending D Democracy
EVENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT
CALENDAR Victoria Gobel
Metal Clay with Natural Stones: TwoDay Workshop Learn basic skills of working
Resin Workshop: Hand-Painted Coasters Create a set of four vibrant, hand-painted
coasters in this resin workshop with Kat Rains! Start with a painted background, layer colored-pencil designs, then seal with glossy resin for depth and protection. All materials included! Sept. 24, 5:15-7:15pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-508-7438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $60.
SAA 4th Friday Artwalk in Sisters, OR, All-Day 10am-7pm Visit the Art Galleries of Sisters for great time, beautiful art, good company, demonstrations, restaurants and sponsoring food venues during and following the walk. Fourth Friday of every month, 10am-7pm. Through Nov. 27. Downtown Sisters, Hood Avenue., Sisters. Contact: 541-719-8581. events@ sistersartsassociation.org. Free.
Sew Easy: Fit to You — Alterations 101 Finally make your almost-perfect clothes fit
right! Professional seamstress Sabrina of Bend Alterations teaches hemming, darts, sleeve/ strap shortening, taking in sides, and more. This intimate class (max 5 students) offers plenty of one-on-one time. Bring 1-2 garments and your own machine. Basic sewing knowledge required; not for stretch fabrics. Sept. 26, 1-4pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-5087438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $75.
Sew Easy: Pajamas for Beginners
Students will master cutting, pinning, threading, seams, hems, and finishing while making a matching set. Small class ensures personalized guidance. All materials provided. Tuesdays, 5:30-7:15pm. Through Oct. 13. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-508-7438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $250.
Stained Glass 101: Feather Suncatcher Two-Week Workshop Let creativity take flight in our upcoming Feather Stained Glass Suncatcher Class! This dreamy design is perfect for adding a touch of color and movement to windows. Great for beginners and seasoned makers alike. Come make something beautiful that shines in the sun! Mon, Sept. 21, 6-8pm and Mon, Sept. 28, 6-8pm. DIYcave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@ diycave.com. $219.
Mind Mapping for Clarity and Organization Feeling overwhelmed by ideas, projects or
competing priorities? Learn mind mapping, a visual tool for organizing information, clarifying goals and revealing connections. In this interactive class, create a map for a personal, professional or creative project and leave with techniques to bring focus and momentum to your next steps. Sept. 24, 1:30-3:45pm. Central Oregon Community College, 2600 NW College Way, Bend. Contact: 541 408 6111. kim@kimcurleyconsulting.com. $99. Learn to paint a nighttime sky and two fun pumpkins, no experience needed, on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Bend Tea and Art Lounge at 5:30 pm.
Taxidermy Shadow Boxes Join us in this
instructional self-guided class! Choose your bug upon arrival and floral arrangements provided by Isomimo. Everyone will have a 5”x5” shadow box to decorate. We’ll have hot glue to use, with assistance if necessary. Sept. 27, Noon-2pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@ bendteal.com. $50.
Wood Turning 101 - Introduction to Turning on the Wood Lathe Learn
wood‑lathe basics while mounting, shaping, sanding and finishing a turned project like a bottle opener or bud vase. This beginner‑friendly class teaches safe lathe operation and essential shaping tools, and participants leave certified to use the DIYcave lathe independently. Sept. 30, 6-9pm. DIYcave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave. com. $259.
PRESENTATIONS + EXHIBITS
Clear the Clutter Organizing coach, Rebecca Plasters, will help you clear the clutter in your life by sharing her “Five Essential Steps to a Decluttered and Organized Home.” Sept. 25, 11am-Noon. La Pine Library, 16425 1st St, La Pine. Contact: 5412413395. emilyc@deschuteslibrary.org. Free. In-Depth Nighttime Visit View the stars
through the telescopes in a guided tour! The event begins with an educational segment followed by observational fun. Tickets are only available online. Sat, Sept. 26, 8-10pm and Wed, Sept. 30, 8-10pm. Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory, 57245 River Rd., Sunriver, Sunriver. $2-$36.
Sept 2026 Central Oregon PubTalk: The Road to BVC Hear pitches from top ear-
ly-stage companies competing to be on stage at the 2026 Bend Venture Conference (BVC). Sept. 24, 4:30-7pm. Worthy Brewing, (no address), (no city). Contact: (541) 388-3236. Member Price: $32 Non-Member Price: $48.
THEATER
“Dear Brutus” Part 2: Famous Scenes from “Julius Caesar” Explore
the most famous moments from William Shakespeare’s popular play. Sept. 26, 11:30am12:30pm. Redmond Library, 827 Southwest Deschutes Avenue, Redmond. Contact: 541-3121050. Lizg@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.
Gizzy Nights - The Official Central Oregon KGLW Meetup at Volcanic Theatre Gizzy Nights - The Official Central Oregon KGLW Meetup. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm. Do you like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and see reminders of them everywhere? This might be for you! Sept. 30, 6-11pm. Volcanic Theatre Pub, 70 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: (541) 323-1881. jenniferbreakingfree@gmail. com. Free.
The Importance of Being Earnest
Ellipse Theatre Community production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” directed by Antony Sparrow, reimagines Oscar Wilde’s beloved comedy amid the tabloid frenzy, romantic deception, and social satire of the 1980s. Experience Wilde’s timeless wit and outrageous characters as Ellipse tours Central Oregon September 17– October 11, 2026. Sept. 25, 7-9:30pm. Sunriver Christian Fellowship, 18139 Cottonwood Road, Sunriver. $28.29 online/$25 at the door. Sept. 26, 2-4:30pm. Jefferson County Senior Center, 860 SW Madison St., Madras. $28.29 online/$25 at the door. Sept. 27, 12-4:30pm. La Pine Senior Activity Center, 16450 Victory Way, La Pine. $28.29 online/$25 at the door.
TEASE: Burlesque Brunch TEASE:
Burlesque Brunch is taking over the Dogwood at the Pine Shed on Sunday, Sept. 27. Featuring the best Burlesque performers in Central Oregon. Don’t miss out on this new twist on Sunday Brunch! Sept. 27, 11am-2pm. Dogwood At The Pine Shed, 821 NE Second St., Bend. Contact: 5037062335. justinbucklesproductions@gmail. com. $20.
ETC.
Ballet Bend Presents - San Francisco Ballet, Open Space Dance, Charlotte Ballet In Ballet Bend’s debut performance, cele-
brate 3 internationally acclaimed companies; San Francisco Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Open Space Dance. These companies will perform 3 masterpiece works at the highest level. Ranging in styles from classical to contemporary ballet, there will be something for everyone, and every age. Sept. 25, 7:30pm. Tower Theatre, 835 NW Wall St., Bend.
Food, Feelings, and Body Image-Connect Emotions to Food Behaviors Group Join Mind Body Spirit Psychotherapist
LLC about connecting emotions to eating behaviors and ultimately fostering a healthier relationship with oneself and viewing the body and food as allies. For ages 24 and older. Sept. 24, 2:15-3:30pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $95.
Self-Care Saturday: Money Talk Money Talk is a monthly workshop for women who want to feel more organized, prepared and empowered with their finances. Join Angela from Decluttered Money in taking practical steps toward greater financial peace and confidence. Sept. 26, 11am-Noon. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $25. Spirals of Life: Somatics & Plant Medicine Explore the spirals within and around you
through experiential anatomy, meditation, movement, plant allies and optional partner work. Discover how spirals shape the heart, limbs and bones and deepen your relationship with your body, gravity, Earth and the natural world. Sept. 26, 1-4:30pm. The Peoples Apothecary, 1841 NE Division St Ste 150, Bend. Contact: 5417282368. classes@thepeoplesapothecary.net. $60.
Stress, Anxiety and Mental Health-Psychoeducational Group Join Mind Body Spirit Psychotherapist LLC in learning about a person’s biology and how to start listening to emotions, sensations and important messages that our bodies communicate to us. Ages 24 and older, please. Sept. 24, 12:30-1:45pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@bendteal.com. $95.
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of Western bats through stunning stories, fascinating facts and experiential natural history. Books will be available to pick up at the event. Sept. 29, 6:30-7:30pm. Roundabout Books, 900 NW Mount Washington Dr., #110, Bend. Contact: 5413066564. events@roundaboutbookshop.com. $5.
Moonlight Pumpkins Learn to paint a nighttime sky and two fun pumpkins with watercolor paint with Victoria Gobel! Perfect for beginners or experienced artists. Sept. 30, 5:30-7:30pm. Bend Tea and Art Lounge, 1024 NW Bond St, Suite 101, Bend. Contact: 5416686708. info@ bendteal.com. $50. Resin Suncatcher Create a dazzling, light-catching suncatcher using laser-cut forms, fast-cure resin, alcohol inks, glitter, and mica powders! Layer, blend, and sparkle your way to a one-of-a-kind piece. No experience necessary, all supplies provided! Sept. 28, 5:30-7:30pm. FREAK’N ART, 1265 NW Wall st., Bend. Contact: 541-508-7438. hellofreaknart@gmail.com. $50.
WORDS
For the Love of Bats: Exploring Nature at Night with the West’s Flying Mammals Join Niki Desautels to unlock the secret lives
with metal clay, including how to achieve nice textures and create a pendant or a pair of earrings. Also learn how to add stones to fine silver creations with a premade bezel cup. Sept. 23, 6-9pm and Sept. 24, 6-7:30pm. DIYcave, 444 SE Ninth St. Suite 150, Bend. Contact: 5413882283. classes@diycave.com. $219.
GUNG HO By Dallas Finn Calvert
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM
22
Our Picks for Sisters Folk Festival
All the town of Sisters is a stage as the 29th annual festival runs Sept. 2527 and features world-renowned and up-and-coming artists Dylan Ladds
Scottish Fish fiddles all three days at the 2026 Sisters Folk Festival.
T
he town of Sisters transforms into a musical wonderland Sept. 25-27 as the 29th annual Sisters Folk Festival, featuring more than 30 artists and acts from around the globe, will entertain on seven stages across the downtown area. There’ll also be a KidZone for youngsters, artist-led workshops and a community celebration. The festival lineup is stacked with talent, including singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Thunderstorm Artis, a finalist on The Voice; singer songwriter Brandy Clark, a Grammy and Country Music Association award winner; Michael Cleveland, 12-time International Bluegrass Music Association Fiddle Player of the Year; and world-renowned Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. Here are a few the Source recommends: Lone Piñon, a New Mexican “orquesta típica” (string band), plays all three days. Lone Piñon got together in 2014 to showcase and honor New Mexico’s multi-ethnic musical heritage, and blends the sounds of fiddles, accordions, guitars, upright bass, vihuela and bilingual vocals across a range of traditional polkas, valses, rancheras and conjunto. Ozomatli, a world-renowned and Grammy-winning jam band from Los Angeles, is known for tackling social issues with its songs and performances, Ozomatli entertains with a riveting blend of salsa, jazz, funk, reggae and hiphop. Ozomatli is playing only one show at the festival, on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Scottish Fish, hailing from Boston’s Celtic music scene after meeting as youngsters at Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, has toured the globe with its fiddle-forward infusion of traditional Scottish and Cape Breton music. The band plays all three days. Spencer LaJoye, who says he makes queer indie folk music for everyone, plays all three days. LaJoye, winner of the 2021 Kerrville New Folk singer/songwriter contest and the 2024 Songwriter Serenade contest, is a vocal loop artist and classically trained violinist. The Paperboys, who hail from Canada, have been jamming across the world for 30 years, rocking audiences with a mix of Celtic reels, traditional Mexican folk, fiddle tunes, New Orleans brass band music, classic pop and bluegrass, and even throw in a waltz or two and a Latino/West African singalong. They play Friday and Saturday. Toubab Krewe, an instrumental powerhouse that blends African traditions, jam-band rock and international folk strains, formed in 2005 and hail from Asheville, NC. The band takes its name from toubab, which means “foreigner” in several West African languages, and krewe, which is the New Orleans-coined term for “crew.” The band plays Friday and Saturday. Sisters Folk Festival
Fri., Sept. 25, 6pm-12:30am, Sat., Sept. 26, Noon-12:30am and Sun., Sept. 27, 10am-4pm Variety of venues around Sisters $245 weekend pass; $95 Friday, Sept. 25; $160 Saturday, Sept. 26; $75 Sunday, Sept 27.
EVENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT
Wednesday Night Rebuy Tournament
OUTDOOR EVENTS 2026 Sunriver Oktoberfest Race
Lace up your lederhosen! The 2026 Sunriver Oktoberfest Race is your chance to celebrate fall in true Central Oregon style — on the run! Whether you’re chasing a new PR, jogging with family, or just in it for the post-race cheers, this festive event is the perfect kickoff to Oktoberfest weekend in Sunriver. Important notes: Walkers, strollers welcome! Strollers will stage at the back of the pack to reduce congestion along the narrow paths at the start. No dogs at this time. Sept. 26, 11am. SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver. $45-$80.
Board Bow-Making Workshop 2-day
Workshop. Outdoors. Build a bow that can last many years of use. They will spend the weekend crafting bows from milled boards. This style of bow making is a great introduction to crafting and understanding the steps of making your a bow from natural materials. Sept. 26, 9am-5pm. Bend, RSVP for address, Bend. Contact: info@ nighthawknaturalistschool.com. $300.
Ducks vs. USC Watch Party Let’s Go
Ducks! Sept. 26, 12:30pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend.
Geology Hikes Join the Deschutes Land Trust
on Sept. 25 and Sept. 27 for two different geology hikes. Registration required for both. Sept. 25 at Paulina Creek Preserve, where participants will take in outstanding views of Oregon’s largest active volcano while learning more about the geologic history of the region and recent volcanic activity at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. 5-7pm, Paulina Creek Preserve, Paulina Lake Rd., La Pine. On Sept. 27, the hike is at Whychus Canyon Preserve, where participants will marvel at the geologic history of the rimrock canyon and take in the views from two scenic overlooks while hiking. 10am-3pm, Whychus Canyon Preserve, outside Sisters. Contact: 541330-0017. event@deschuteslandtrust.org. Free.
Monday Night Football: Eagles vs. Bears Come watch Monday Night Football with
big TVs, big sound, and food and drink specials. Also, ask about our Football Club. Sept. 28, 5:15pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend.
Sunday Funday NFL Ticket Come watch every Sunday NFL game via NFL ticket! Also ask about our Football Club for specials and savings. Sundays, 9am-8:30pm. Through Jan. 3. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend. Thursday Night Football Watch Party: Falcons vs. Packers Come watch Thursday
Night Football with big TVs, big sound, and food and drink specials. Also, ask about our Football Club. Sept. 24, 5:15-8:30pm. The Commonwealth Pub, 30 SW Century Dr., Bend.
VOLUNTEER
Mentor a Child with an Incarcerated Parent: Fall Training Training will cover
program policies, Q&A from a current COPY volunteer, the impact incarceration has on kids and families and the developmental stages of a mentoring relationship. No cost to participate, but advance registration is required. Refreshment and light snacks provided. Sept. 26, 9:30am-12:30pm. Deschutes Services Building, DeArmond Room, 1300 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 541-388-6651. copy@deschutes.org. Free.
Ribbon Cutting & Open House: Cambria Hotel Join the Bend Chamber as we cele-
brate the ribbon cutting for Cambria Hotel’s new Bend location! Come experience the city’s newest hotel, enjoy great food and drinks, connect with friends and community partners, and take a tour. Sponsored by WaFd Bank. Sept. 30, 4:30-7pm. Cambria Hotel, 213 SW Columbia St, Bend. Free.
National Public Lands Day with Think Wild: Help Plant the Crooked River Native Plant Garden! Help celebrate
National Public Lands Day and help plant the Crooked River Native Plant Garden! Transform a former gravel lot into wildlife habitat and a community learning space. Volunteers will plant native shrubs, grasses, forbs and wildflowers while supporting pollinators and creating a thriving community green space. Sept. 26, 9am-1pm. Les Schwab Park (Crooked River Park), 1751 S Main St., Prineville. Contact: (541)-316-0397. hannah@thinkwildco.org.
Singing (with others) is Good for You
When singing, you can’t hide. Your voice, raw from when you were born, is authentically yours. Sharing the gift of your voice with others is an uplifting experience that local songleader Ian Carrick hopes everyone gets to share in this lifetime. Free event. Kids welcome. Come courageous, leave feeling lighter. Sat, Sept. 12, 4-5:15pm and Sat, Sept. 26, 10-11:30am. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: 541.633.6025. openhubsinging@gmail. com. Free.
Weed Warriors Join the Deschutes Land
Trust and our Weed Warriors to protect our lands from invasive weeds! The Weed Warriors volunteer group meets several times a month to help remove non-native weeds like spotted knapweed, teasel, mullein and Canada thistle from Land Trust protected lands. Sept. 30, 9am-Noon. Whychus Canyon Preserve, outside Sisters, Sisters. Contact: 541-330-0017. event@ deschuteslandtrust.org. Free.
Speed Dating at Stoller in Bend (Ages 50ish+) Get ready to meet new friends and
maybe meet someone special at our Speed Dating event for those aged 50-plus. Hosted by professional matchmaker with Epiphany Match. Sept. 28, 6-8pm. Stoller Wine Bar Bend, 555 NW Arizona Ave., Bend. Contact: 406-672-3861. info@epiphanymatch.com. $15.
GROUPS + MEETUPS
Candidate Forums 2026 - Redmond City Council and Redmond Mayor
You Bought the Assets. Did You Protect Them? Join COIN and Donovan LaCour
League of Women Voters of Deschutes County hosts candidate forums that are fair, nonpartisan, informational, free and open to the public. Listen to the candidates for Redmond City Council and Mayor answer your presubmitted questions. In the Community Room of the COCC Redmond Technology Center. Sept. 30, 5:30-7pm. COCC Redmond Technology Education Center, 2324 SE College Loop, Redmond. Contact: 541-931-9096. info@lwvdeschutes.org. Free.
of Prime Corporate Services for a practical discussion on creating the right legal and financial foundation for an investing business. Whether buying a first property or expanding an existing portfolio, the way a business is structured matters. Sept. 24, Noon-1pm. Contact: 5413160396. suzannerosemoore@gmail.com. Free.
FUNDRAISING
28th Annual Teddy Bear Run
Event will start at Cascade Motorsports, 63028 Sherman Rd, Bend. A group ride to deliver Teddy Bears will leave at 10am and travel to all four Central Oregon hospitals. Bring a new teddy bear to donate. After the ride, there will be festivities at General Duffy’s. Sept. 26, 9am-6pm. General Duffy’s Waterhole, 404 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. Contact: 541-280-0478. mocoriders2026@gmail.com. $30.
Annual Chili Feed and Raffle Fundraiser Save the date! The incredibly
popular annual Deschutes Historical Museum Chili Feed and Raffle is coming up! From the closely-held secret of “Millie’s Chili” recipe to the array of quality raffle baskets and live music offerings, it’s an event not to be missed! Sept. 25, 11am-7pm. Deschutes Historical Museum, 129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend. Contact: 541-389-1813. info@deschuteshistory.org. Free.
Bend Climate Fundraiser! 20% of all sales
that mention the Bend Climate fundraiser will be donated back all day from Mountain Burger! Come grab some delicious food and help support! Sept. 28, 11:30am-9pm. Mountain Burger, 2747 NW Crossing Dr., Bend. Contact: 5416687177. info@mountainburgerbend.com.
Bingo for Senior Dogs Play bingo while
supporting senior and disabled rescue dogs at RylieMay Rescue Ranch. Spider City will also donate $1 from all beverage purchases. ryliemayrescueranch.com. Every other Thursday, 6-8pm. Spider City Brewing - Brewery Tap Room, 1177 SE Ninth St., Bend. Contact: ryliemayrescueranch@gmail.com. $1-$3 per game.
Centralized Campus Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Join Heart of Oregon Corps
for the grand opening and ribbon cutting at Central Oregon’s first youth workforce development campus. Come tour Heart of Oregon’s new permanent campus that empowers young people to transform their lives and communities. Sept. 30, 11am-12:30pm. Heart of Oregon Corps, 800 SE Evergreen Ave, Redmond. Contact: (541)6337834. development@heartoforegon.org. Free. Kathleen Riopelle
Educators’ Night Out Back-to-school night, but for adults! Central Oregon teachers, school administrators, paraeducators, teacher aides, content specialists and all educators are invited to network with community organizations to support and enhance the upcoming school year. Join in demonstrations and get take-home resources. Light refreshments provided. Free for public, private and homeschool educators. Sept. 24, 6-8pm. High Desert Museum, 59800 S. Highway 97, Bend. Contact: 541-382-4754. info@highdesertmuseum.org. Free. Kitchenware & Cookbook Swap Got
kitchenware items and/or cookbooks to swap? All items must be clean and in good working order. Bring a bag to take home treasures. Organized by The Lunchbucket Podcast. In Meeting Room 3. Sept. 26, 9:30am-1pm. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: lunchbucketpodcast@gmail.com. Free.
FEATURED EVENTS BEND SPEEDFEST 2
Repair Café in English y Español Got a broken something? Bring it to be repaired! | ¿Tienes algo roto? ¡Tráelo a nuestro Repair Café! These free events connect people with broken stuff to people who like to fix stuff - they’re all about repairing things (together). Stuff like jewelry, small appliances and electronics, outdoor gear, clothing, Sept. 25, 5-7pm. Central Library, 61956 SE Santorini Street, Bend. Contact: 5412412650. lizg@dpls.lib.or.us. Free.
HARMONY AND HUGS: PARENT
AND CHILD YOGA AND SOUND BATH
Take a guided hike at Paulina Creek Preserve with Deschutes Land Trust on Friday, Sept. 25 at 5pm.
Ticket and promote your events with BendTicket! SPARKS AND SPURS
ELLIPSE THEATRE COMMUNITY PRESENTS: THE
IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Silver Moon Brewing
Namaspa
Craft Kitchen and Brewery
La Pine Activity Center
FRIDAY SEP 25 @ 3:00pm
SATURDAY SEP 26 @ 2:30pm
SATURDAY SEP 26 @ 7:00pm
SUNDAY SEP 27 @ 1:00pm
23 VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
20-minute blind levels with a 10-minute break every hour. Register early to get our early bird bonus for an extra 1/3 starting stack! Unlimited rebuys for the first hour. Late registration ends at 7:10pm. Wednesdays, 6-11pm. Bend Poker Room, 917 NE Greenwood Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-508-9123. bendpokerrroom@gmail.com. $20.
CALENDAR
Art by @conn leyyy
SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM
24
ART MUSIC AUTUMN DOWNTOWN BEND
OCT 2-4 BENDFALLFESTIVAL.COM PRESENTING SPONSOR
EVENTS
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT
CALENDAR Playful Paws
GROUNDSWELL: Compassion Into Action Join the Groundswell. It’s an afternoon
a guided wine and cheese pairing featuring four curated Oregon wines and locally crafted cheeses. A wine professional will share pairing tips and stories behind each selection. Tickets include the tasting, cheeses, gratuity and a $35 credit toward a two-bottle purchase. Sept. 27, 3:30-5pm. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 5413066000. bend@wvv.com. $50.
Sunriver Oktoberfest Save the date! The 2026 Sunriver Oktoberfest celebration will be packed with festive fun for the whole family! We’re thrilled to be bringing the heart of Oktoberfest to life with an incredible beer garden featuring a variety of German-themed brews from Sunriver Brewing, along with food, music and family friendly activities. There’ll also be fun runs (Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11am), putt-putt golf (Friday, Sept. 25 from 10am-3pm), a market (Saturday, Sept. 25 from 10:30am-1pm) and a party with live music, drinks and food. Sept. 26, Noon-5pm. SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver. Contact: (541)585-5000. sharcevents@ srowners.org. $6.89-$28.29.
Hardtails Highway to Hope Join us for the inaugural Hardtails Highway to Hope on Sept. 27. This scenic Central Oregon motorcycle ride begins at Ronald McDonald House in Bend and ends with a family-friendly afterparty at Hardtails in Sisters featuring live music, food and raffles. Cars are welcome. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Oregon. Sept. 27, 8am-4pm. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington, 1700 NE Purcell Blvd., Bend. Contact: 312-237-1674. jmorris@ronaldmcdonaldhouseoregon.org. $30. Parkinson’s Walk: Sole Support Bend Sole Support for Parkinson’s is a day of
FUNdraising and awareness, uniting hundreds of participants from across Central Oregon in celebration, support, community, and purpose. We gather to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and celebrate our Parkinson’s family. Sept. 26, 12-3:30pm. Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St., Bend. Contact: 800-426-6806. jeannine@parkinsonsresources.org. Free/Donations encouraged.
EVENTS + MARKETS
Kids’ Entrepreneur Market An entirely kid-run, eco-friendly market for ages 7–17 where young entrepreneurs sell handmade artwork, crafts, food, toys, jewelry and more. A real-world experience that sparks creativity, builds confidence and teaches business and life skills. Sat, Sept. 26, 1pm. Old Mill District (2nd Floor, above LUSH), 520 SW Powerhouse Dr #429, Bend. Contact: 703-309-9360. KidsEntrepreneurMarket@gmail.com. FREE to attend. $10-$20 to participate..
The Lodge Fall Festival It’ll be a fun-filled
fall day at The Lodge Fall Festival! Enjoy a fantastic lineup of local vendors, delicious food, live music, adoptable pets and our Classic Car ShowN-Shine. Raffle every 30 minutes. Adoptable dogs. Sept. 26, 10am-3pm. The Lodge Retirement Community, 411 East Carpenter Lane, Sisters. Contact: 541-647-4781. mrktgdirector@ thelodgerc.com. Free.
Oktober Fest Putt Putt Tournament The Putt Putt, a mini-golf game, is a part of the Oktoberfest weekend. Sept. 25, 10am-4pm. Sunriver Resort, 17600 Center Dr., Sunriver. TBD.
Seed Saving Workshop Learn when and
how to harvest, how to separate and clean the seed and best practices for storage. Leave with lots of knowledge and some cool cut flower seeds. Bring some seeds to clean and share with others. Sept. 30, 5:30-7:30pm. Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture, 68467 Three Creek Rd., Sisters. Contact: 5419040700. moriah@roundhousefoundation.org. $10.
FAMILY + KIDS
Camp Fire No School Day Camp No
school? No problem! Offered at Sisters Community Recreations Center in Sisters, No School Day Camps turn that “day off” into a day of creativity and fun! From kindergarten through 5th grade, we have you covered on those days Sisters Schools are out. Registration required. Mon, Sept. 28, 9-3am and Fri, Oct. 16, 9-3am. Sisters Community Recreation Center, 611 E Cascade Ave, Sisters. $80.
Stretch, relax and mingle with adoptable cats on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 24, both days at 9:30am, at Playful Paws Cat Café.
HEALTH + WELLNESS
“Cats on Mats” Meditation & Stretching
Free Book Day FREE BOOK DAY 2026! Thousands of books, totally free, at this community celebration of books and access to reading. Readers of all ages are invited to browse thousands of books and take home whatever speaks to them — no cost, no limits, no barriers. Sept. 27, 11am-4pm. High Desert Music Hall, 818 SW Forest Ave., Redmond. Contact: 541-526-1491. HerringboneBooksEvents@gmail.com. Free. Lego Robotics STEM Workshop (4th8th Grade) The Cascades Academy Robotics
Team and the Oregon Robotics Tournament Outreach Program are co-hosting a free Lego Robotics workshop at Cascades Academy in Bend for students in grades 4-8. Snacks and t-shirts are included for all participants. Event registration is required. Sept. 26, 1-4pm. Cascades Academy, 19860 Tumalo Reservoir Rd., Bend. Contact: snape@cascadesacademy.org. Free.
Nature Kids: Wings of Wonder! Join the Deschutes Land Trust for Nature Kids! Get outside and explore the nature of Central Oregon on guided family nature walks just for kids ages 5-10. Meet other families, learn more about the natural world around us and have fun! Registration is helpful, but not required. Sept. 26, 10:30am-Noon. Paulina Creek Preserve, Paulina Lake Rd., La Pine. Contact: 541-330-0017. event@deschuteslandtrust.org. Free. School of Rock presents: LOTAPALOOZA LOTAPALOOZA IS HERE!
School of Rock’s One-Year Anniversary + End of Season Show! Live student music, Bend Moonlight Market vendors, Ponderosa Players, Iconic Dance, live merch printing, a skate area and more. $8 is the suggested donation. Sept. 27, Noon-5pm. School of Rock Bend, 211 NE Revere Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-645-7625. bend@ schoolofrock.com. $8.
FOOD + DRINK
Harvest Chef’s Pairing Experience Join us for an exclusive Chef’s Pairings Experience featuring a five-wine flight paired with four chef-created dishes. Hosted by Winery Ambassador Ashley and Chef Cuin, this communal experience is perfect for connecting with fellow wine and food lovers. Sept. 30, 4-5:30pm. Willamette Valley Vineyards, 916 NW Wall St., Bend. Contact: 5413066000. bend@wvv.com. $80-$95. Sunriver Saturday Market The market features vendors with a wide variety of products. Groceries, handmade goods, and more. Sept. 26, 9am-1pm. SHARC, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver. Free.
BEER + DRINK
Fresh Hops & Pop Up Shops Our 7th annual celebration of the season with a ridiculous amount of fresh hop beer, flights for those who want to taste their way through the lineup, local vendors and live music by The Hucklebearers. This is a perfect Fall afternoon. Sept. 26, Noon5pm. River’s Place, 787 NE Purcell Blvd, Bend.
Hoptoberfest A fresh hop festival featuring
fresh hop beers from Crux, Silvermoon, Sunriver, Hopworks, Funky Fauna and Bend Brewing. Sept. 26, 2-7pm. Crux Fermentation Project, 50 SW Division St., Bend. Free.
Member’s Night at Amaterra Kitchen + Social Club Join Amaterra Kitchen + Social
Club for a members’ celebration, as all day long, wine-club members can enjoy special bottle and library pours, 5% off wine purchases, custom wine flights and entry into a raffle for two Tower Theatre tickets and two pre-show glasses of wine. Sept. 30, 3-9pm. Amaterra Kitchen + Social Club, 909 Northwest Bond Street, Bend.
Napa Valley Continuum Estate Bar Takeover Bar takeover! Celebrated Napa
Valley winery Continuum Estate, founded by the Mondavi Family, will be in-house pouring their highly allocated wine by-the-glass. Come taste this distinctive Pritchard Hill wine in a fun and casual setting with the winery’s rep behind the bar to answer all your questions. Sept. 23, 4:30-7pm. Viaggio Wine Merchant, 210 SW Century Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-299-5060. info@viaggiowine.com. Varies by purchase.
Oktoberfest Join us at Van Henion Brewing for live fest music from 4-6pm. The great Rustmouth plays from 6:30-8pm. Seven guest breweries on tap, stein-holding contest at 5:30pm and a hammerschlagen competition at 6pm. German food specials from Manzanita Grill. $20 cover includes commemorative mug and 16-oz pour. Sept. 26, 2-8pm. Van Henion Brewing, 63067 Plateau Dr., Bend. Contact: 541-323-3764. info@vanhenionbrewing.com. $20.
Old St. Francis Oktoberfest Oktoberfest means celebration and beer, so we’re serving up tasty German-style specials, plenty of beer and live music as a backdrop to it all. Live music at O’Kane’s includes from 1-3pm, the Alicia Viani Group; 3:30-6pm, Brent Alan & His Funky Friends; and from 7-9:30pm, Bigfoot County. Sept. 26, 1-9:30pm. McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend. Contact: 541382-5174. rachelf@mcmenamins.com. Free.
Stretch, relax and mingle with adoptable cats at “Cats on Mats” meditation and stretching. Led by Ulla Lundgren, this all-levels class includes a one-hour session. Bring a mat and wear comfy, cat-hair-friendly clothes. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today. Sat, Sept. 26, 9:3010:30am and Sat, Oct. 24, 9:30-10:30am. Playful Paws Cat Cafe, 1465 SW Knoll Ave, Bend. Contact: 541-728-3871. meow@playfulpawscatcafe. com. $30.
Candlelight Vigil for Suicide Loss Survivors All are welcome to join this mean-
ingful event to honor and remember those lost to suicide. Event includes candle lighting and sound bath for healing and connection. Registration recommended for communication, but not required Sept. 24, 6:30-7:30pm. Bend La Pine Administration Building, 520 NW Wall Street, Bend. Contact: 541-312-5721. bethany.kuschel@ deschutes.org. Free.
Fall Equinox & Cacao Ceremony Join us
for a beautiful Fall Equinox Cacao & Sound Bath, a restorative evening designed to help participants release what they no longer need, reconnect with themselves and welcome the new season with intention. Sept. 25, 5-6pm. Juniper Preserve, 65600 Pronghorn Club Dr., Bend. Contact: 541693-5388. info@juniperpreserve.com. $75.
How to Stock Your Pantry Learn budget-friendly resources and practical methods for building a well-rounded pantry! Sept. 24, 6-7:30pm. Hanai, 62430 Eagle Rd, Bend. Contact: 541-668-6494. juliana@hanaifoundation.org. $20. Reiki-Infused Sound Bath Join Lisa Tynan of Step Into Stillness and Amy Mew of Light, Love, and Reiki for a peaceful evening of connection, relaxation and renewal on the alpaca farm. We’ll begin with a special alpaca feeding experience, giving participants time to connect with these gentle, curious animals. Sept. 27, 5-6:30am. Bend Alpaca Ranch, 64380 High Mowing Ln, Bend. Contact: 3109087551. amy.mew@ gmail.com. $45. Shine A Light: 24-hour candlelight vigil and fundraiser for suicide prevention and mental-health awareness
NAMI Central Oregon and Hearts Unknown Education (HUE) come together for Shine a Light, a 24-hour candlelight vigil and fundraiser for suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Panel at 6pm, followed by the vigil beginning at 7pm on the Drake Park footbridge. Sept. 25, 7pm. Drake Park, 777 NW Riverside Blvd., Bend. Contact: 541-316-0888. Free.
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in support of compassionate end-of-life car. Each fall, The Peaceful Presence Project hosts Groundswell, our signature annual fundraiser. This special event brings together community members, partners and supporters for an afternoon of connection, reflection and celebration while raising critical unrestricted funding. Sept. 26, 4-6:30pm. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend, OR 97703, Bend. Contact: info@thepeacefulpresenceproject.org. $65.
Oregon Cheese & Wine Pairing Expe rience Celebrate Oregon Cheese Month with
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An Essential Guide to Fall Books Grab your book bestie and head to the nearest indie bookstore, as it’s officially the best time of the year! By Cassie Clemans, Owner of Roundabout Books Roundabout Books
they claim to preserve. This season is full of novels that invite discussion but also offer a breadth of fresh storylines. Readers are gushing over “Luna, Phoenix, Queen” by Julie Orringer, a bold, short, and gripping narrative about fidelity in all its forms, with a rescue dog at the heart of the story. Chloe Benjamin’s new book, “Under Story,” is a mind-bending exploration of love across worlds and the deep questions that drive science and question reality, even plausibility. If your book club hasn’t read Emma Cline yet, “Switzy” might be the perfect place to start. Long-listed for the Booker Prize, it's a brilliant character study of a wealthy man in his 70s suffering from dementia who chooses to end his life at a Switzerland clinic. In the last few years, R.F. Kuang’s readership has vastly expanded by publishing bestsellers outside of the fantasy genre. In her new book, “Taipei Story,” a young girl’s presumptions and understanding of the world are shifted when she travels to Taiwan to discover her roots. Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros fan bases have much to look forward to with the release of “A Court of Splintered Harmony” and “Threshing Day.” I’m going to give you one romance book: “Bad Words,” a debut by Rioghnach Robinson. It features a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance. If you’re a fan of Scott Hawkins’ cult classic, “The Library of Mount Char,” you’ll be awed by the gruesome savagery in his new book, “Blacktail,” where a half-breed wolf is on an epic adventure to seek the old gods in his quest for vengeance. Booksellers are also
raving about “Public Access Afterworld,” a debut literary book playing with the sci-fi and horror genres. For mystery lovers, Lucy Foley returns with a brandnew Miss Marple novel, “Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel.” Plus, don’t miss a new Inspector Gamache novel, “Miss Wolcott’s Ghost” by Louise Penny, and the new Richard Osman book, “We Chase Shadows.” Oh, and our staff loved the new John Grisham this year, “The French Illusion.” There is such a diverse array of nonfiction coming out this season, so I’ll do my best to hit a highlight for everyone. Emily Wilson’s mega-hit translations of Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey” make her new book, “Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea,” the perfect gift for her readers. Social commentary fans will welcome two new books this season from reliable time-tested writers. “Vibe” by Adam Grant explores our connections between people, and “Blockers” by Michael Lewis is an inside look at the early days of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. Two books addressing a shifting political landscape and the urgent need to regulate AI technology include “End Times Fascism: And the Fight for the Living” by Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor, and “The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State” by the indomitable Jill Lepore. For history readers, “The Rush” by Nathaniel Philbrick is sure to be a Pacific Northwest bestseller and reveals how California’s Gold Rush forged the modern United States and lit the long fuse to civil war. Any history, business or philosophy lover will gravitate to the new book by Jared Diamond, “Profits, Prophets, Coaches, and Kings,” a deep dive into effective leadership and the circumstances that have shaped great leaders. If you’re still looking for WWII history, our staff loved “Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War,” a captivating story about the Hotel Lutetia. And Rachel Maddow returns with “Department of Fate,” a revelatory history of the Department of Justice. Everyone is eager for Priya Parker’s new book, “The Art of Fighting,” which explores how conflict is an important part of any group dynamic. “Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body” by Andrew D Huberman is an essential guide for everything from improving brain function to enhancing mood and energy. “The Third Eye: Early Photographs” by George Harrison, with contributions from Colm Toibin and George Saunders, is the perfect book for Beatles fans and photographers alike. In “Monumental,” Simon Warrack, one of the world’s greatest stonemasons, takes us inside his craft, a career working with your hands, and the beauty of ancient buildings.
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ike any passionate book lover with a teetering TBR pile threatening to not just swallow your nightstand whole, but obliterate any measure of equal division of bedroom floor space, it’s time to think about what to buy next. “The Disappearers” by Marlon James released Sept 1 and kicked off the season with what The New York Times called the “book of the century.” If you want a book that reminds you of the power of literature to change you, in all its uncomfortable, perspective-shifting prose, this is it. The little girl still living inside me kept asking, “Am I allowed to read this?” as my naivety and assumptions crumbled in the wake of James’ 640page epic masterpiece of language, with an explicit and unflinchingly honest examination of the aftermath of a homophobic attack in Jamaica. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read. At some point in the last decade, we’ve all asked ourselves, what could happen if democracy crumbles? Thank goodness it was Emily St. John Mandel who answered. In her triumphant new book, “Exit Party,” Mandel constructs a thought experiment of parallel universes exploring two political outcomes – one in which the former United States is operating as a militia state, and one as a surveillance state. Three award-winning authors are back with fresh new stories that challenge how America sees itself. Hernan Diaz turns from the historical past to the imagined future in “Ply,” which examines the place of technology in the American imagination. In “American Hagwon,” Min Jin Lee examines the belief that education will lead the next generation to success and security. Barbara Kingsolver’s new book, “Partita,” is a deep dive into art, music, class dynamics and the importance of love and family. New historical fiction is something we always get asked for at the shop, and there are no shortage of options this fall. “Venus, Vanishing” by Rebecca Birrell is inspired by real-life women artists whose work and lives were destroyed by the Holocaust, and depicts Berlin’s early 20th century art scene. “Music Against the Night” is the new book by Yiyun Li, one of my favorite living writers, and explores the rise of two musicians in the 18th century. There’s been a lot of enthusiasm for Ariel Lawhon’s new book, “The Pirate Queen,” a sweeping historical adventure based on the real-life story of Grace O’Malley, the legendary Irish folk heroine who risked everything to defend her people. Rebecca Perry’s book, “May We Feed the King,” has been long-listed for the Booker Prize. It’s a fascinating look at how the stories that survive can distort the lives
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Little Bit of Italy CHOW AMundrelli’s brings old-country flavor to a new location
By Jared Rasic
By Nicole Vulcan
Boneyard Closing Its Pub, Going Back to ‘Where It All Started’
Boneyard
Jared Rasic
I The cart’s eponymous sandwich, the Mundrelli.
a regular human person to consume. Luckily, as I keep trying to tell everyone, I am somewhat of a superhuman X-Man; still, it took me two days to finish the trifecta. I think one of the reasons why Pinto will always have me as a customer is because she respects the importance of bread as the (literal) backbone of the entire sandwich. Fresh ingredients? Great. Innovative and exciting flavor profile? Awesome. But if you don’t come correct with the bread, none of it matters. Brilliantly, Mundrelli’s sandwiches come on Big Ed’s focaccia. This is already, inarguably, one of the best focaccias made in the country, let alone Bend. This bread is thick, crispy perfection that balances notes of oregano and parmesan flawlessly. When used in tandem with Mundrelli’s sandwiches, we’ve got something generational on our hands. First off, the Polpetta is mandatory for those with a deep and abiding love of meatballs. Packed with house-made Italian meatballs, rich pomodoro, fresh mozzarella, parmesan and basil, this sandwich is what I picture when I need comfort food. Tender and explosive in flavor, these meatballs are unlike any I’ve had before, almost leaning into the profile of a layered Italian sausage more than the standard, dense sphere you picture when you hear “meatball.” The Parmigiana follows suit. It’s an intentional and exciting take on a classic chicken parm. With crispy, hand-breaded chicken, mozzarella, pomodoro, pesto, sweet peppers and parmesan on Big Ed’s focaccia, it’s an approach that feels classic and innovative at the same time. The thick, perfectly breaded chicken combined with Pinto’s thick, buoyant pomodoro makes for a truly remarkable sandwich. Her pomodoro somehow manages to be voluptuous in flavor and texture, yet remains vibrant and
completely non-acidic. It’s a remarkable concoction, leading me to believe there’s some mad scientist to Pinto and her culinary inventions. “I’m bringing the flavors and recipes I grew up with in my Italian family to Central Oregon,” says Pinto. “I wanted to share the food I grew up loving and bring a little piece of that to the place I now call home. A big part of that is keeping the spirit of my Nonna and father alive by sharing the traditions, recipes and love for food they passed down to me.” Finally, I took on the signature sandwich: the Mundrelli. Packed with delicate Mortadella, mozzarella, house-made pistachio cream, arugula, EVOO, cracked pepper and pistachios on Big Ed’s focaccia, it’s a show-stopper. The freshness of the tender Mortadella is incredible. Combined with the mildly sweet, earthy pistachio cream, it makes for a signature dish unlike anything else in the high desert. “The Mundrelli is really a reflection of the things I love about Italian food,” says Pinto. I have always been obsessed with pistachios, and I absolutely love mortadella, so I wanted to build a sandwich around those flavors and really let them shine. What was really important to me was creating something that you couldn’t just get anywhere else. It has become my signature for a reason. It’s a little bit of Italy, a little bit of me, and a whole lot of love for food.” As I said, Portland no longer has the monopoly on destination-worthy dining in Oregon. I’ll be up on my hill, waiting for you to join me. Mundrelli’s Italian Kitchen
Wed-Sat 11:30am-8pm, Sun 11:30am-7:30pm At Base Camp 319 SW Century Dr., Bend Instagram: @mundrellis_italian_kitchen
n 2010, Tony Lawrence amassed the detritus of other breweries’ equipment, collecting enough beer-gear to launch what would be known as Boneyard Beer. The name was a nod to the stitched-together equipment — the “boneyard” of other beer-makers’ stuff. The brewery operated in that punk-rock style for over a decade and a half, pouring beers from a small taproom near downtown Bend. In 2018, Source beer aficionado Kevin Gifford announced the opening of the long-awaited pub, located on Division Street in Bend. In 2021 Source beer writer Heidi Howard announced the brewery had been acquired by Deschutes Brewery. Now, in 2026, is another new era. Boneyard announced on its social media sites that it’s closing the pub and “going back to where it all started” — back to operating just the small tasting room at Lake Place, which has remained open all this while. The “food and beverage space is very challenging and we decided it’s best to scale down and head back to Lake St.,” Lawrence told the Source in an email. The last day for the pub on Division Street is Oct. 11. For now there are no plans for food carts. Lawrence encourages people to visit the restaurants close by. Boneyard Beer
Wed-Fri Noon-7pm, Sat-Sun Noon-5pm 37 NW Lake Place, Bend boneyardbeer.com
BITE OF THE WEEK: STRAWBERRIES Out and about with food writer Donna Britt Donna Britt
This week's Bite - sweet strawberries from Well Rooted U-Pick Produce. Hurry before the frost comes. Bring friends, bring buckets and pick as many strawberries as you can before they're gone! —Donna Britt rounds up her favorite bites from around town each week on our Instagram @bendsource.
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ere is a hill I am prepared to die on: Over the last decade, Central Oregon has quietly stepped into the spotlight as a burgeoning destination for foodies across the country. We’ve long been a mecca for tourists from around the world looking for jaw-dropping outdoor recreation, but our food scene will have just as much gravity within the next few years. I’m calling it now. While it’s still an absolute blast to take a day trip to Portland to catch a meal at Eem, Screen Door or Kann, Bend has earned its destination flowers for unpretentious, truly elevated spots like Yoli, RBC, PotLuck and Tara Pinto’s Mundrelli’s Italian Kitchen (among a few others). Ever since my first bite of food prepared by Chef Pinto, I knew Bend had once again found itself on the receiving end of truly remarkable cuisine. When Mundrelli’s first opened at Silver Moon Brewing, I understood we had something special. Over the last year and change, however, the menu has been dialed in so expertly that it feels —and tastes! —like we’re getting world-class, authentic Italian comfort food from our Pacific Northwest backyard. From its new location at Base Camp behind the Powder House, you can immediately tell this is a new era for Mundrelli’s. From a small, expertly curated herb garden alongside the truck to the gorgeously designed rig itself, Mundrelli’s wows aesthetically and with the depth and breadth of its menu. “I cook from the heart and I wanted to share that through my menu,” says Pinto. “I wanted to bring some of the flavors and traditions I grew up eating with my family to Central Oregon. “Food has always been so much more than food to me. It’s memories, it’s family, it’s love. It has the ability to transport you to another time and another place, and that’s what I hope people experience when they eat Mundrelli’s.” Let’s start with the Parm & Pesto fries, which, I’m just saying, you should start with as well. Tossed in garlic butter and topped with pesto and a gently grated parmesan, these fries are entirely too sexy. I’ve noticed — especially as a garnish for French fries — pesto can sometimes clash with potatoes and create a goopy, almost poutine-esque mess that fails on a textural and flavor level. Luckily, this pesto is vibrant and punchy. Combined with the crunchy, buttery fries, it’s a nutty powerhouse that pairs beautifully with the mains. I tried three sandwiches, which is objectively insane. Half of a single sandwich is more than enough for
LITTLE BITES
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Cinema SCREEN Schrödinger’s “Resident Evil” and the art of the reboot By Jared Rasic 31
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don’t think I could ever survive as one of those social media film pundits who make a living dropping smooth-brained hot takes on movies they haven’t seen. When I imagine viewing art through some narrow, horny-for-clicks, soundbite-built lens of pop cynicism, it sounds overwhelmingly depressing. The exact same film trends that people roll their eyes at in 2026 are identical to the ones people claimed heralded the death of cinema back in the 1980s. Look at the new “Resident Evil” movie, the latest reboot in a 22-year-old film franchise based on a 30-year-old survival horror video game series. From 2002 to 2017, we (endured/enjoyed) six “Resident Evil” movies starring Milla Jovovich, from three different directors, all operating with wildly varying levels of skill and talent. Were those movies objectively good? Not really. Do I love them anyway? Mostly! They’re big, dumb and mind-numbingly ridiculous, but Jovovich’s near-feral zombie-killer vibes carried the series even when the filmmaking and visual effects collapsed into nonsensical blurs. In 2021, “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” was an attempted reboot that mashed the first two video games into something incomprehensible, leading to critical and financial failure, but was somehow still the most faithful attempt at replicating the games cinematically. Following that, Netflix dropped a live-action “Resident Evil” series so beholden to game lore that it was impenetrable for the average Netflix viewer. It was canceled after eight episodes to absolute silence. Now we have Zach Cregger’s 2026 reboot. Cregger — the horror maestro behind “Barbarian” and “Weapons” — brilliantly refuses to hunt that sweet nostalgia dollar. Instead, he did something fairly radical for a video game adaptation: he crafted a breathtakingly intense and exhilarating horror film that captures the actual feeling of playing a “Resident Evil” game. The best survival horror video games are so intense (and beloved) because they put you in the mind and body of a normal person who has to run, shoot and hide their way out of a living nightmare. Cregger brilliantly captures this feeling by casting Austin Abrams as Bryan, an affable medical courier/regular guy who’s tasked with delivering a mysterious, last-minute package to Raccoon General Hospital in Raccoon City, Colorado. After his performance as the chaotic crackhead James in “Weapons,” Abrams arrives here fully formed as a movie star. We’re subjectively tethered to Bryan from the opening frame and we’re pulled along with him as he tries to survive the worst day of his life. At a lean, razor-sharp 95 minutes, the film is a relentless haunted rollercoaster and the scariest and most expertly crafted “Resident Evil” movie by a wide margin,
IMDB
Listen, ma'am. Don't look, but there's something extremely awful on your face.
and easily one of the finest video game movies of all time (admittedly not a high bar to clear). Creggar co-writes and directs a movie that somehow feels quintessentially his, but still also lovingly recreates the feeling of playing “Resident Evil” at 2 am and getting scared so hard you throw your controller across the room. Cregger isn’t copying and pasting the plot, characters and set-pieces of the games; instead, he throws the viewer directly into this world while telling his own story. There are lovingly curated easter eggs for nerds like me, but you don’t need to know a single thing about the franchise to have a great time at the movies. Since the movie is breaking all kinds of financial records, I’m guessing I’m not the only one who’s swooning over this immediate classic. But because it was a reboot that wasn’t fetishizing the iconography of previous games or movies, the critical community spent months decrying the film as “Resident Evil” in name only and saying that Cregger was just exploiting the IP to make a few extra million at the box office. Now, don’t get me wrong, Hollywood does this all the time — hell, they did it with the 2021 “Resident Evil”— but pre-emptively writing off a reboot or a sequel (or any movie in general, really) takes the artists spending months of their lives building the project for granted. Nobody sets out to make a miserable failure of a movie. Some generational pieces of pop culture sound like horrible ideas on paper — many movies that, on paper, sound like horrible ideas — just look at “Barbie” and “The Lego Movie.”
If we banned reboots and remakes, we wouldn’t have John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” Brendan Fraser’s “The Mummy,” the American version of “The Office,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” the new era of “Doctor Who,” or the Christopher Nolan “Batman” trilogy. The list can go on. And yes, there are plenty of nauseatingly awful cash grabs (I’m looking at you, 2015’s “Fantastic Four” and Tim Burton’s 2001 “Planet of the Apes”), but declaring that something is bad before experiencing the thing itself is a Sisyphean exercise in futility. I would never say something as basic as “we all need to put more positivity into the world,” but that’s not necessarily a bad idea either. Sometimes, it’s OK to be corny, just as sometimes it’s OK to be a reboot or remake. Not all movies are created equal, but let’s look at it like Schrödinger’s Cat, but with movies. Schrödinger’s Cinema: The movie might be alive, or it might be dead, but until it’s out of the box and we actually see it, it’s both and neither. It’s just an ephemeral idea without form or content. Save the cynicism for politics, not art. You’ll find more joy in the mystery if you do.
“Resident Evil”
Dir. Zach Cregger Grade: ANow Playing at Regal Old Mill, Sisters Movie House, Madras Cinema 5
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Involved: National Public Lands Day OUTSIDE Get “Together for Tomorrow” theme invites volunteers to give back to public lands
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By Damian Fagan Courtesy Discover Your Forest
Meet the Spring Trash Bash cleanup crew with Discover Your Forest.
“Caring for public lands means more than enjoying them — it means taking responsibility for them.” The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will focus on an ongoing project, that includes partnership with Oregon Natural Desert Association, which involves a restoration project at Reynolds Pond on the edge of the Badlands Wilderness on Friday, Sept. 25, 10am – 3pm. “When people have a hand in improving a place, they develop a sense of ownership and pride in the work. We’ve seen that at Reynolds Pond. In the past, when the area wasn’t well maintained, it became a site for parties, vandalism and illegal dumping,” said Joey Nikirk, OR/WA BLM Public Affairs Specialist. “Improvements, including major road repairs and work at the pond, have helped shift that culture from vandalism to stewardship. When an area looks cared
Redmond’s Commission for Art in Public Places
HELP SHAPE REDMOND'S PUBLIC ART WE NEED YOUR INPUT ON THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC ART IN OUR CITY!
Take our short survey to share your ideas and enter for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards!! Scan the QR code to take the survey and share your ideas, or visit redmondoregon.gov/PublicArtSurvey for more information.
for, visitors tend to help keep it that way. “In 2023, the Empowering Access provided recommendations for addressing accessibility barriers,” added Nikirk. “We’ve already completed trail surfacing and compaction around the pond, and we’re looking for grants and other opportunities to add a restroom, replace the canal bridge with an accessible crossing, and improve parking.” Though ONDA doesn’t have a volunteer project specifically set for NPLD, there are a couple of volunteer opportunities such as the Pine Creek Spring Restoration #3 project, near Clarno, that involves removing juniper trees, and the Beatys Butte Spring Restoration #2 project, in the Greater Hart-Shelton area. See the ONDA website for details and sign-ups. “Oregon’s high desert public lands form the ecological foundation for
thriving watersheds, resilient native habitats and the communities that rely on these healthy ecosystems,” said Hana Sant, ONDA’s engagement director. “Protecting these interconnected landscapes takes collective action. Whether you advocate, volunteer, or contribute financially, your investment in Oregon’s desert is essential to its long-term health.” To reward yourself for getting involved in a NPLD event or to just get stoked about environmental activism around the world, don’t miss ONDA’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival, to be held at the Tower Theater on Oct. 2. National Public Lands Day Sept. 26 neefusa.org
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ational Public Lands Day takes on a great significance this year due to the Trump administration’s assault on public lands, endangered species and wild environments, and the release of several executive orders set to derail environmental legislation. Though this national day includes a variety of activities for volunteers to engage in – from trash cleanups to habitat restoration projects – it also represents an opportunity for the public to express how important public lands are to themselves and to the planet. National Public Lands Day, set as Sept. 26, is an annual day for people to engage with restoration and cleanup projects on public lands, from national parks to local green spaces. Organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service and other federal agencies, this is an opportunity to make one’s voice heard. This year’s theme, Together for Tomorrow, offers opportunities to work together and to highlight how public lands affect our daily lives and the legacy we leave behind. Discover Your Forest will host a Trash Bash cleanup day in the La Pine area on Sept. 26, from 9 am to Noon. “The primary focuses of the Care for the Land Program are bringing together community members for cleanup and restoration events while educating about Leave No Trace principles,” said Christina Edwards, Discover Your Forest’s Care for the Land coordinator.
WELLNESS
GO HERE
Local Artists Open Their Studios to the Public
34 SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / BEND’S INDEPENDENT VOICE - NOW DAILY AT WWW.BENDSOURCE.COM
The third annual Bend Artists’ Studio Tour is set for Sept. 26-27 at various spots around town By Dallas Finn Calvert
Denise Rich
From Pain to Performance Denise Rich is a Bend artist who specializes in acrylic, watercolor, pastel and mixed media.
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Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (541) 316-0627 borstingmd.com
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entral Oregonians will have a chance to peek behind the veil of artistic process on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27 at the third annual Bend Artists’ Studio Tour. It’s a free, family-friendly, self-guided event, running from 11am-4pm both days, put on by SageBrushers Art Society. At each studio on the tour, the artists will be available to talk about their art and process, and most will have pieces for sale. There are tour stops in all four quadrants of Bend that range from garden studios to a garage workbench to a spare bedroom. “This is an opportunity to get inside peoples’ studios, which is a pretty intimate experience,” said Melissa McGlenn, the tour’s team lead and one of the 13 artists opening their studios for the event. “There are artists that have beautiful studios in commercial areas. This is not that. This is your neighborhood artist who has their own little studio. Some are in their bedrooms. I have a little she-shed in my backyard. There’s quite a variety.” SageBrushers has a community studio artists can use, and free and paid classes, so artists have “lots of social creation time,” McGlenn said. However, the tour provides artists with an outlet to discuss their works and the lengthy, typically solitary process of creating art. “I have an oil painting that I’ve been working on for years. It’s a piece that is really meaningful to me, ‘Tre of my soul.’ It’s a lone tree with Bedouin dancers beneath it, a desert scene, from when I spent a year living on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. I don’t know if I’ll ever finish it, so having visitors to my studio gives me the opportunity to share that special moment and reason for wanting to create that piece,” McGlenn said.
Participating artists include Barbara Alford, Jesica Carleton, Scott Dyer, Steve Gevurtz, Susan Hood, Elizabeth Kolstad, Sally MacAllister, Judi McAlpin, Kenneth E. Meyer, Denise Rich, Laura Jo Sherman and Deborah Stevens. A variety of artistic pursuits will be on display, including bronze and ceramic figurative sculpture, fused glass and mosaic, pastel, oil, watercolor and acrylic painting, photography and handmade drums. In fact, no two stops on the tour will be the same, said McGlenn, who specializes in mixed media and handmade drums. A special stop on the tour is at the SageBrushers Gallery and Studio, located in the Southwest Crossing neighborhood. The nonprofit arts organization’s home is in a 1940’s cottage that’s been converted to a gallery, library and studio. During the tour, there’ll be member artists working in the studio at SageBrushers, which McGlenn said is the longest-standing organization of artists in Bend. It was founded in 1952 by five art enthusiasts to promote the arts across Central Oregon and now has more than 250 members and reflects the varied and rich artistic feel of the area. “Bend has a beautiful, cultural, artistic flair to it,” McGlenn said. “There are always new artists popping up. There’s all these new restaurants popping up. There’s always new creative opportunities popping up. It’s just such an alive and vivacious community and art scene.”
3rd Annual Bend Artists’ Studio Tour
Sat., Sept. 26 and Sun., Sept. 27, 11am-4pm Various artist studios around Bend Free, family-friendly, open to the public
THE PSYCHEDELIC FRONTIER EXPLORING INTENTIONAL PSYCHEDELIC USE IN THE MODERN WORLD By Mary Casanave Sheridan
REAL ESTATE
WHASSUP in Real Estate
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Q: Facilitators always talk about “set and setting” like it’s gospel, but is there any actual science behind it? A: People who’ve held this work have always known it, and it was never unique to psychedelics — set (mindset) and setting (place and surroundings) matter in any threshold experience: ceremony, grief, birth, initiation. What’s new is science starting to explain why.
Mary Gemba
The study “Set and setting” entered the conversation around 1960, popularized by Timothy Leary, but Michael Pollan, in “How to Change Your Mind,” credits Al Hubbard, the “Johnny Appleseed of LSD,” with drawing the concept from what he witnessed at Indigenous mushroom ceremonies in Mexico. Published in “Nature” in August, the five-year PsiConnect study out of Monash University is the largest single-site study of the acute psychedelic state to date: 62 healthy adults, scanned with both fMRI and EEG while on psilocybin, across several settings: rest, music, meditation, film. Not chaos, reorganization A lot of psychedelic research assumes these substances scramble the brain into noise, more connections firing more randomly, less order. That’s not what they found. Under psilocybin, brain networks became less rigidly separated, but didn’t collapse into chaos. They reorganized into structured patterns that reflected what the person was actually experiencing. As an author put it: “Context is not just background to the psychedelic experience. What a person is doing shapes how their brain responds.” Music matters Of everything tested, music produced the strongest reorganization of brain activity, stronger than meditation. Setting got studied. Set barely did. Worth being honest about what this study actually measured: mostly setting, not set. The four conditions tested — rest, music, meditation, film — are all environment, not what someone carries into the room. The closest thing to a test of mindset was an eightweek mindfulness course given beforehand, unconnected to the ceremony itself, and it made no measurable difference to how participants’ brains or experiences responded. I’d push back that this isn’t truly “set.” Set is what you actually believe and know about yourself, about the
substance, about the space you’re walking into and what you expect to make of it. It’s built through relationship and real understanding of what you’re doing and why, not a technique practiced in isolation from the thing it’s meant to prepare you for. Finding no effect from eight weeks of unrelated mindfulness training isn’t a null result on mindset. It’s a null result on this study’s attempt to measure it. What holding a space actually takes A ceremony hall, a yurt, a temple, open ground under open sky, even an informal gathering among people who trust each other — all of it can hold this work when held with safety and intention. What matters isn’t whether the setting is formal or recreational. It’s whether the space is dynamic enough to move with someone through grief, ecstasy, fear and awe, sometimes inside the same hour, and that takes real skill and real relationship to build, wherever it happens. What this puts at risk Worth naming as psilocybin heads toward FDA approval and, eventually, insurance coverage: More access is a real good, but the systems that make something billable also tend to standardize it — a compound, a dose, a repeatable window that looks the same from room to room, because that’s what scales. If this study is right that context is mechanism and not decoration, then which kind of space this medicine ends up living in isn’t a small detail. It may be the whole question. None of this is new to anyone who has actually held space for a ceremony, or to the traditions that have carried this knowledge for generations. The next few years of approvals, billing codes and facility requirements will decide whether that recognition actually lands, or gets quietly engineered back out in the name of scale. -This column is for educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for medical or legal advice. Have questions about navigating psychedelics? Send them to Mary@ Myco.Vision for future columns.
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Set and Setting is Part of the Medicine: Is there any science behind that notion?
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TAKE ME HOME
By Kenzie Carlstrom,
Broker REMAX Key Properties
The Biggest Misconception in Real Estate Right Now
A
s a full-time real estate advisor and investor, I’ve watched a misconception about how concessions have grown over the last four years. Today, nearly half of all home sales in Bend include them (according to data pulled from Cascades East MLS). Maybe you’ve heard the term, maybe you haven’t. Either way, let me break it down. Concessions are negotiated into a real estate transaction during the initial draft of the offer or during repair phase. Regardless, they are credits the seller pays to the buyer to close the sale. These can vary greatly on the amount but on average they are about $10,000. So what does it mean when nearly half of home sales in Bend are now closing with some form of seller concession? It means that these sellers are contributing money toward the buyer’s purchase, often helping with closing costs, prepaid expenses or an interest-rate buydown. These concessions can greatly change the story our market numbers tell. We often hear that homes are still selling relatively close to their asking prices, but the recorded sale price doesn’t show the money a seller may have contributed to make the transaction happen. A home can sell for $700,000 and still have thousands of dollars credited back to the buyer at closing. For sellers, that means the number you see attached to a recent neighborhood sale may not represent what that seller actually walked away with. For
buyers, it means there may be more opportunity in this market than the asking price suggests. Rather than negotiating exclusively on price, buyers are increasingly asking sellers to help reduce the upfront or monthly cost of purchasing the home. In many cases, that money can be more useful to a buyer than a comparable reduction in price. New construction has accelerated the trend, coupled with increasing interest rates. Large builders have been aggressive with incentives, particularly through affiliated lenders. They can offer rate buydowns and closing-cost credits so large, they are difficult or sometimes impossible for the average homeowner to compete with. That creates an unusual dynamic: advertised and recorded prices can remain relatively steady while the actual cost of getting a sale to close changes underneath them. It’s also why simply looking at the sale price of the house down the street doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about today’s market. The market isn’t necessarily defined by dramatic price drops right now. Much of the negotiation is happening somewhere less visible. When nearly half of sales include them, that’s no longer a footnote. It’s part of the market. If you are real estate curious, or already own real estate and want to sell, pay attention to these seller-paid concessions!
HOME PRICE ROUNDUP << LOW
844 SE Stratford Court, Bend 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,000 square feet; 0 acres Built in 1993 $360,000 Listed by Debbie Martorano and Chris Scott, REMAX Key Properties
MID >>
20991 NE Legend Place, Bend 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,500 square feet; 0.1 acres Built in 2018 $695,000 Listed by Kenzie Carlstrom, REMAX Key Properties
<< HIGH
1964 NW 1st Street, Bend 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2,364 square feet; 0.11 acres Built in 1920 $1,890,000 Listed by Kenzie Carlstrom, REMAX Key Properties
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
What the recorded sale price means
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ASTROLOGY By Rob Brezsny
SUNRIVER
OKTOBERFEST SEPTEMBER 26
RACE 5 K
1 0K
ry, Libran philosopher Denis Diderot was instrumental in creating the Encyclopédie. It wasn't the first compendium of the world's knowledge, but it was the most ambitious and comprehensive. In 28 volumes, it assembled contributions from a large number of writers, including leading figures of the French Enlightenment. Robust collaboration was key to its enduring influence. In the coming weeks, Libra, I’m hoping that you, like Diderot, will be an initiator and facilitator of rich cooperation. Conversations, partnerships, and shared projects could generate insights that none of the participants would have discovered alone. By inviting multiple perspectives into the discussion, you will help cultivate a fertile weave of ideas.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the volcanic seas around Iceland, underwater eruptions sometimes build entirely new islands that rise from the waves as bare, black rock. During the ensuing years, wind and waves and seabirds seed them with life. Mosses, lichens, hardy plants, and nesting birds slowly transform the raw lava into a living shore. I’m rooting for you to instigate a similar process, Scorpio. My prediction: A development that initially seems stark or unfinished could become fertile ground for growth. Your perceptive instincts will recognize possibilities before they are obvious to others. Be patient with beginnings that look raw. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22Dec. 21): I invite you to
achieve minor miracles that will enable you to brag at parties about how you created something out of nothing. Not in a loud, egotistical way, but with a sly glimmer in your eye, as if you’re sharing secrets about how reality can be coaxed into generosity if you approach it with imagination and chutzpah. Yes, dear Sagittarius, I'm ecstatic to inform you that now is a favorable moment to turn scraps into usefulness, boredom into invention, and vague hunches into tangible results. Be alert! Be on the lookout! Scout around for raw materials that have been overlooked or dismissed. Half-abandoned projects? Mercurial inclinations? Fugitive fantasies? Seemingly idle conversations that reveal marvelous glints and gleams? These are examples of the “nothings” you can turn into treasures.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I've got a rough, tough assignment for you: Dare yourself to be startled by your own exquisite beauty. Be bold and even brazen in appreciating what a marvelous creature you are. Can you summon the necessary audacity? I think you can. Please notice the ways you have underestimated your gifts, minimized your impact, or edited out your brilliance to make others comfortable. Allow yourself to feel the tender shock of recognizing that you’re more interesting and mysteriously compelling than you’ve been trained to believe. PS: This will help you call on even deeper inner resources in the coming weeks. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian writ-
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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In the 18th centu-
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er Virginia Woolf was a fount of interesting ideas. Sometimes she pushed her active mind to track them down and capture them, but on other occasions, she enjoyed gathering gems that arrived as her imagination wandered and drifted. These “moments of being” provided her with small treasures while she was walking in nature, taking a bath, or doing nothing in particular. I believe that you are now primed to experience many such pleasurable eruptions of insight. In the coming weeks, pauses and lulls and intermissions will open unexpected portals.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): For the low price of $199, I could expertly dispel that annoying curse you’ve been lugging around. But I would feel sleazy taking your cash when you are fully capable of zapping the curse yourself. So instead I will recommend that you perform the banishing ritual, then write yourself a check for $199. Here’s how. Step 1: Visualize an object that represents the curse. Imagine hurling it into a beach bonfire and watching it burn. Step 2: Bring to mind a person
you believe contributes to the curse. Envision a rope that ties the two of you together, waist to waist. Then imagine yourself revving up a chainsaw, slicing through the binding, and declaring, “You have no power over me!” Step 3: Roll on the floor as you laugh and cry tears of giddy release.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the practice of niwaki, Japanese gardeners shape trees so they look both natural and artfully composed. They prune and style the branches to dramatize the tree’s inherent character. Their goal is to collaborate. I recommend you experiment with a similar approach in the coming weeks, Aries. Try partnering with the living processes in your sphere rather than simply imposing your will on them. Ask yourself: What is trying to flourish here? Can I coax out some useful beauty? How can I coordinate my own intelligence with nature's intelligence? TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your spirit creatures for the coming weeks are the slow-moving giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands. They can live for more than a century. They conserve energy, move deliberately, and carry their protection with them. I believe you will benefit from embracing their ways in the coming weeks, Taurus. Refuse to be rushed or pressured, either by others or yourself. Proceed at the precise rate you need to. Your natural strength will thrive through your incremental steadiness. PS: Consider giving yourself a tortoise nickname. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A master perfumer
composes a fragrance in three layers. The top notes are what you smell first. They're vivid and volatile. The next layer blooms gradually, unfurling the heart notes of the fragrance. Underneath everything are the deep, resinous base notes, which don't fully reveal themselves for hours and cling longest to the skin. Let this be a metaphor to guide your joys and pleasures in the coming weeks, Gemini. Relish the bright top notes that flare and vanish, but persist long enough for the heart to open, and longer still for the deep base notes to emerge. Gather all the rich delights, not just some.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): It’s hard, scary work for a crab to molt its shell and grow a bigger one. As it waits for its new protection to grow, its soft, tender body is exposed and vulnerable. That’s why it often hides in rock crevices, neither moving nor eating until its armor returns. Your situation, dear Cancerian, isn’t nearly as dire as the poor, defenseless crab’s. But as you power through your own personal molting season, I urge you to enhance your psychic protection. You need to feel extra safe and secure. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Bats navigate by echolocation. They send out sounds and interpret the echoes. But when competing for food, they may also jam each other's sonar, generating acoustic interference that makes navigation harder for rivals. A similar phenomenon occurs in human populations. Some of the noisy talk we hear is other people's jamming signals. Consciously or unconsciously, they're creating interference that may make it harder for us to navigate. Now is a good time for you to learn better how to distinguish between real information and meaningless hubbub. Refine your filters. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Jan Tschichold (1902–1974) was a brilliant typographer who revolutionized graphic design. He left his mark on millions of books. But later in life, he rejected some of his own rules, returning to classical typography and critiquing his earlier work as too rigid. In this spirit, dear Virgo, I will ask you if some of your long-standing rules no longer serve you. Is it possible that some of your own "best practices" may have calcified into unexamined dogma? The coming months will invite productive heresy against your past selves. You're allowed to contradict your earlier convictions. Hint: Your vigorous evolution requires it.
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Homework: Find out about my new book, Enlightenment for Rebels: https://tinyurl.com/s7s7s7s
THE REC ROOM Crossword
By Brendan Emmett Quigley
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© Pearl Stark mathpuzzlesgames.com/quodoku
A R S LV S A E T S N A Difficulty Level: ●●○○ T N L S U E T LAS A ETT L L U R VT U T A L R V UU TE N U E N
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters
LUNAR VEST “Everyone must take time to complete sit and watch ________.” The highlightedonce. letters read left to right and top to bottom will the the quote: exactly — Elizabeth Lawrence
exactly once. The highlighted letters read left to right and top to bottom will complete the quote:
ACROSS 1 "Let's play it out" 4 Doormat's saying 10 Hotel employee 14 Upsilon preceder 15 Guitar goddess Stern 16 Mode seen in Pixar films 17 Big name in gambling resorts 18 Part of a linseed plant harvester? 20 They're blue on election day 22 Church's semicircular recess 23 Squirrel's snack 24 Noel's brother in Oasis 26 Demands precisely 27 What Jurassic Park beasts ride around in? 32 Fruit-filled pastries 33 Wanders freely 34 '90s game that came on many disks 37 Give the green light 38 Send cash 39 Claude's creation 40 School spirit 41 She's part of the extended family 42 Track and field prop 43 "The Communist Manifesto"? 45 Claire's "Homeland" role 48 Josh on the Knicks 49 X handle 50 Gush forth 53 Runny egg part 56 Rocket company for chickens? 59 Bumbling one 60 Barely makes (out) 61 Meghan married to Prince Harry 62 Burj Khalifa's nat. 63 Refuse to admit 64 Not yet revealed 65 Lambeau Leap org.
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Difficulty Level: ●●○○
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Questions, comments or suggestions for our local puzzle guru? Email Pearl Stark at pearl@bendsource.com
Fill in every row, column, and 3x3 box with each of the letters exactly once.
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We’re Local!
Puzzle for the week of September 21, 2026
A R S
Difficulty Level
VOLUME 30 ISSUE 39 / SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 / THE SOURCE
©2021 Brendan Emmett Quigley (www.brendanemmettquigley.com)
“Crossed Ends”
Pearl’s Puzzle
Puzzle for the week of September 21, 2026
DOWN 1 "Dynamic" programming language 2 Biblical gift givers 3 Musical genre with slurred lyrics 4 Global financial org. 5 Charcuterie meat 6 Devilish puzzle maker's ploy 7 "Need You Tonight" band 8 Pleasant 9 New Zealand parrot 10 Pilgrim's destinations 11 For a specific purpose 12 Chemically unreactive 13 Mends socks 19 Price of being a citizen? 21 Speed limit, at times 25 V-ups muscles, for short 26 Muppet who likes to talk about himself 27 Removable car roof panel 28 Fall tool 29 Slowly advance 30 Another nickname for Bey 31 "a horse designed by committee" according to automotive designer Alec Issigonis 34 Soft bread with an additional starch 35 Funk 36 They had to be home before the streetlights came on 38 Workbench tool 39 Toyota sedan model 41 Loud and disruptive 42 Degree earned in a studio, for short 43 Covered in turf 44 "What are you gonna do?" 45 Scoped out before a heist 46 Similar in nature 47 Back from the dead 50 Bridge's length 51 ___ of a whole 52 Fashion designer Marc 54 It may be brought out at dinner parties 55 Ship's backbone 57 Dallas university, for short 58 Crossed, or, what the last letters in this theme have been
“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the ________.” - Elizabeth Lawrence
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Answer for the week of September 14, 2026
ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S PUZZLES
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D I K S N W T E O T O N I D E W S2 K 5 ( 2 6 + $ 6 6 / ( ' 0 $ the 6 word 7 6 'dude.' , 1 ' , 5 $ “I wonder wasD that started with E WwhatSthe most T intelligent O Kthing Iever said N $ kidney. , &You're 2 9 gonna ( 5 be 7 fine.' 2 3'Dude, , 8 0 'Dude, these are isotopes.' 'Dude, we removed7your . $and 6 Turtle, ( ) ,all2my1 $ & 3 8 I am so stoked to win this Nobel Prize. I just wanna thank 8 Kevin, and I D T W K S E+ O N6 , ; $ 0 6 ( 1 2 5 ( 0 homies.'” Demetri Martin O- S E N T D K I W KPearlNStarkW O E I D T S © www.mathpuzzlesgames.com/quodoku N T I D W O S K E W E O K S T N D I S K D E I N O W T
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“I wonder what the most intelligent thing ever said was tha 'Dude, these are isotopes.' 'Dude, we removed your kidney. I am so stoked to win this Nobel Prize. I just wanna thank K homies.'” - Demetri Martin © Pearl Stark www.mathpuzzlesgames.com/quodoku