Life + Culture

Coming Full Circle

Bringing Life and End of Life Fully Into Focus Article by Lynette Confer | Photography by Natalie Stephenson In a world that often shies away from conversations about death, one nonprofit is breaking the silence – offering grief literacy, end-of-life doula training and services, and a compassionate space to normalize discussions about life’s final chapter. The Peaceful Presence Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “reimagine and transform the way communities talk about...

Beauty

About Face

A Clear Vision of Health and Beauty   Article by Sue Baldani | Photography by Natalie Stephenson A year after graduating college, where she majored in anthropology and minored in French, Dr. Tara Goecks traveled to Burkina Faso, West Africa, with the Peace Corps. This trip, which lasted two years, changed the trajectory of her life. “I was a health volunteer and worked in health clinics in a remote village,” she says. “There, I saw a lot of different diseases and pathology and was able to...

Arts + Culture

Oregon’s Poet Laureate

Ellen Waterston – Painting a Portrait of the Central Oregon High Desert with Words Article by Julie E. Furnas | Photography by Shadow Bear Media In recognition of women this month, Bend Lifestyle magazine was honored to spend a bit of time with Oregon Poet Laureate and high desert author, Ellen Waterston. Best known for her poetry and literary nonfiction, Waterston uses the desert as a backdrop, a character - a connection to the human narrative and the world at large. Her poetry and prose...

Life + Culture

Mother May I?

May I Please Tell You Why I Love May? Article by Sharon Maier-Kennelly High Desert Food and Farm Alliance (HDFFA) believes everyone deserves good food. At the heart of that belief is their commitment to supporting, showcasing, and elevating local producers who work so hard to bring fresh, healthy, nutritious food from their farms to our own tables. Farmers Markets! HDFFA is always excited to welcome May, a month that arrives in the High Desert with an abundance of gifts. With the arrival...

Life + Culture

Soaring to New Heights

Local Young Woman Attains Prestigious Amelia Earhart Award and High Ranking in Civil Air Patrol Article by Lynette Confer After joining the local High Desert Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) just three years ago, 16 year-old Bend native Taylor Goodrich has soared to new heights by earning the rank of Captain in the CAP Cadet program, serving as the Cadet Commander for the local squadron and earning the prestigious Amelia Earhart award – an achievement reserved for only the top...

Finance + Legal Services

A Holistic Approach to Investing

Equilus Group Inc. Offers Their Financial Services in Bend Article by Lynette Confer In 2013, Equilus Group Inc. (EGI) was founded by Joel Frank, in Wenatchee, WA. EGI is a Registered Investment Advisory firm. Mike Musco, a Financial Advisor for the firm, resides in Bend. He meets with clients at the Equilus Capital Partners office in Bend’s Northwest Crossing. Musco brings extensive experience to the EGI team, having spent eight years at Microsoft in business and finance management roles...

Arts + Culture

Outdoor Coffee Experience

Hush Hush Coffee and Nomadic Café – “Celebrating Nature, Adventure and Coffee!” Article by Julie E. Furnas | Photography by Miguel Edwards As early as the 1400’s, people have been meeting up to drink coffee together. Historically, coffee shops were important places to play games, socialize and discuss politics and news. Fast forward to today and everyone around the world is still gathering in coffee shops, working and reconnecting face to face – something often more challenging in this age...

Arts + Culture

A Smart Investment for Business Growth

Talking Marketing Strategy with Cascade Creative Agency's Lindsey Baumsteiger Article by Julie E. Furnas Branding, marketing, and user-friendly websites are essential for businesses of all sizes to thrive. Creative services agencies that specialize in creating marketing collateral, modern website designs and fresh social media content, are crucial for businesses to stay competitive in today’s market and a wise investment for business owners. Lindsey Baumsteiger, owner and operator of  Cascade...

Home + Design

Transform Your Property with Native Landscaping

An All-Around Wise Investment Article by Lynette Confer When it comes to increasing the value and beauty of your home, landscaping is one of the best, and often-overlooked investments. A well-designed landscape enhances curb appeal, improves property value and creates a welcoming outdoor space. But not all landscaping is created equal – choosing native plants is a strategic and sustainable way to maximize your investment. Native plants are naturally adapted to the local climate and soil...

Life + Culture

Be a Star Supporter

Investing in Children and Families During Early Development is Life-Changing Article by Sue Baldani When it comes to investing, people always want to know what the returns will be. But, these returns don’t always have to be monetary. At MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, it’s the children who reap the rewards. A local nonprofit organization, MountainStar got its start in Bend in 2001 when community members came together and decided that more quality services were needed for families with...