Life + Culture

Companion Animal Medical Project (CAMP)

Caring for Companion Animals and Their People Article and Photography by Donna Burklo Josh held each of the four kittens with tears in his eyes as he surrendered them on to a better life. “This isn’t a place for kittens to live,” he murmured into one’s fur. The place he refers to is commonly known as Dirt World, or Juniper Ridge, a location bordered to the west by Highway 97 between Bend and Redmond that is temporarily sanctioned for community members without homes to live and have access to...

Life + Culture

Healthy Bites for Happy Dogs

Locally Crafted Organic Dog Treats Bring Quality Ingredients and Tail-Wagging Flavor Together Article by Julie E. Furnas | Photography by Sierra Confer Central Oregon is renowned for its dog-friendly environment. From Madras to Prineville to Sunriver, Redmond, Bend and La Pine – our region offers parks, trails, lakes and dog-friendly restaurants and bars for our furry friends to enjoy year-round. Additionally, Central Oregon boasts a wide array of custom, locally made products and treats for...

Arts + Culture

A Little Slice of Sunshine

Bring Sunshine Indoors with Tips for Growing Lemon Trees and Simple Recipes to Enjoy Together Article by Julie E. Furnas Summer is peak lemon season and with lemons comes lemonade, popsicles, baked goods and more! Summer is also a great time to teach kids the value of gardening, and caring for a small lemon tree can be a great starter project. Because citrus trees thrive in warmer climates, growing any type of citrus in Central Oregon can be challenging. But with the right tools, specialized...

Arts + Culture

The Art of Belonging

Hearts Unknown Education Creates Space for Young People to Feel Safe, Find Hope and Thrive Article by Lynette Confer | Photography by Hillary Christen and Matt Vega When you first enter Hearts Unknown Education’s space, the first thing you notice isn’t the art. It’s the kids. They’re painting, singing, laughing, building, talking, eating, creating and connecting. A teenager experiments with a guitar riff on stage while another carefully adds color to a canvas. Across the room, a small group...

Life + Culture

Rooted in Community

Around the Bend Farms Helps Central Oregon Explore Food, Connection, and Community Through Regenerative Agriculture Article by Lynette Confer | Photography by Shadow Bear Media When it comes to food, it can be easy to focus only on what’s on your plate – and miss the deeper connections it creates. But exploring where our food comes from has the power to reconnect us not only to nourishment, but also to community, to the rhythms of the seasons, and to the land itself. In a fast-moving world...

Life + Culture

Summer Nights Trailside Cocktails

Simple Camping Cocktails Designed for Relaxing Evenings Beneath the Open Summer Sky Article by Julie E. Furnas Summer campouts offer the perfect opportunity to slow down, reconnect and embrace the beauty of the great outdoors. Whether exploring the lakes, trails and forests of Central Oregon or simply gathering around a campfire beneath the stars, camping creates lasting memories rooted in adventure and relaxation. At the end of a full day of summer campout activities, a signature cocktail...

Arts + Culture

In a Rut?

Time to Explore the Oregon Trail! Article by Donna Burklo In 1993, 57-year old Muriel Carbiener stepped out of her vehicle and into the Eastern Oregon sagebrush. “You want me to hike in THIS?” she asked her husband Gail Carbiener, then 59. The trust earned over their 36 years of marriage won Gail the privilege of introducing his wife to the “ruts”. The ruts are, in this case, the indentations in the earth made by the wheels of the covered wagons passing through on their way from Missouri to...

Life + Culture

Campfire Kitchen in the High Desert

Celebrate Father’s Day the Central Oregon Way with These Simple Fireside Recipes Article by Lynette Confer There is something about cooking a meal over a campfire or campfire stove that slows everything down. In the best ways. Each step feels more intentional. From gathering the ingredients, tools and camping gear, to setting up the campsite and camp kitchen, opportunities abound for connection and a chance for families and friends to gather in ways that just aren’t possible in a crowded...

Wellness

A Mane Event

Personalized Hair Restoration Solutions that Build Confidence Article by Sue Baldani | Photography by Shadow Bear Media A healthy head of hair is often associated with youth and vitality. But as men age, many begin to notice thinning—or even significant hair loss. “Most hair loss in men is due to male pattern hair loss,” says board-certified medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Leslie Carter, owner of Deschutes Dermatology in Bend. “It’s estimated that 80% of men will experience...

Arts + Culture

More Than Music

Local Men Share How Guitar Creates Connection Article by Donna Burklo What is it about guys and guitars? Hypothesis: A guy playing a guitar is in it to get the girl. There is something undeniable about the sexiness of a man caressing the neck, strumming the strings, and gazing lovingly at the curvature of the body - of a guitar. Type ‘what is it about guys and guitars’ into your browser and you’ll have enough fodder to support the hypothesis. Cue the research music. The ‘Guitar Gods Revue’...