Arts + Culture

Ten Ways to Give Big

Small Ways to Make a Big Impact in Central Oregon Article by Julie E. Furnas Central Oregon is known as a tight knit, multi-city community whose generosity and willingness to help our neighbors are the heart of what makes this region special. While inclement weather and rising costs can make the holiday season an especially challenging time for organizations that work directly with underserved members of the community, their hard work makes a meaningful difference for those in need. There are...

Arts + Culture

Festival of Trees Supports Hospice

Redmond of Hospice Changes Name to ClearPath Healthcare - Continues to Present Festival of Trees Article by Julie E. Furnas | Photography by Timothy Park For the past 43 years, the Hospice of Redmond Festival of Trees has been a holiday tradition that brings joy to thousands in Central Oregon while raising funds that provide critical support to those navigating life’s most challenging moments. What feels like a magical evening for attendees becomes real, meaningful care for neighbors who need...

Home + Design

More Than Furniture

The Legacy of Family and Serving the Central Oregon Community         Article by Lynette Confer | Photography by Sierra Confer For more than four decades, M. Jacobs Fine Furniture has been part of the Bend landscape, offering everything from sofas and dining sets to mattresses and Norwegian recliners. But ask store manager Catherine Monchamp what keeps customers returning year after year, and her answer has less to do with furniture, more to do with family. “The family attitude, the looking...

Home + Design

Home is Where Hope Wins

Rooted Homes Offers Homeownership and Belonging Article by Donna Burklo | Photography by Donna Burklo & Tyler Valzania Creative On a cold day in January 2026, volunteers and outreach workers were stationed across Central Oregon to meet with our neighbors who live houseless in order to include each in the official Point in Time Count (PIT). For the first time, with this year’s count, our region recorded a decline in this census; there were 19% fewer homeless Central Oregonians than in the...

Life + Culture

Baked with Heart

Hot Lava Bakery Blends Sunriver Tradition with South-American Inspired Treats Article by Julie E. Furnas | Photography by Maile Mason Morning strolls through the Village at Sunriver offer up familiar aromas of cinnamon, coffee and warm pastries luring tourists and locals alike to Hot Lava Bakery, a Central Oregon staple serving up delicious breakfast, baked goods and specialty coffees. The wait in line passes quickly as eager customers feast their eyes on beautiful custom creations, from...

Home + Design

Make Room

The Lost Art of Setting the Table— the Ritual We All Need Article by Lynette Confer Food is more than physical nourishment. It feeds something deeper—the soul, the spirit, our need to connect. Around a table, we share more than a meal. We share stories, laughter, silence, celebrations and the ordinary details of our extraordinary lives. We pause to notice what is right in front of us, and who is beside us. Yet it is increasingly easy to eat without really eating: breakfast in the car, lunch...

Arts + Culture

The Family Table

Sisters Family Creates Legacy Blending Food, Art, Wine and Community Article by Sue Baldani | Photography by Natalie Stephenson In 2000, a family legacy was born, evolving into a beloved Sisters restaurant and gallery rooted in a passion for food and art. “I started off wanting to be an architect,” says artist Dan Rickards. “I always enjoyed the design aspect, and I could draw. I hadn't painted before, but I knew that I could do some form of art.” The Art It wasn’t until he met his wife...

Home + Design

Small Dwellings Offer Big Benefits

Create More Living Space in Your Own Backyard Article by Sue Baldani | Photography by Natalie Stephenson and Ross Chandler Photography Ever since Bend changed its zoning laws in 2019 to allow the building of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on personal properties, the demand for them has skyrocketed. These self-contained living spaces are usually found in backyards as separate edifices, but ADUs can also be constructed in garages, on top of garages or as additions to homes. They are often...

Arts + Culture

Beyond Personality Types

Humor, honesty and the Enneagram help Elizabeth Orr unlock deeper self-awareness and connection Article by Lynette Confer Style isn’t always about what someone chooses to wear or how they decorate their home. Sometimes it’s the way they move through the world. It’s the way one person dives headfirst into conflict while another avoids it at all costs. It’s the instinct to protect oneself or the impulse to care for everyone else first. It’s the frustration that bubbles up when someone loads the...

Life + Culture

Styled to Gather

From a Welcoming Grazing Table to Comfort Food Recipes, Here’s Everything You Need for a Beautifully Styled Fall Dinner Party Article by Julie E. Furnas As September brings vibrant colors and cooling air over Central Oregon, it’s time once again to plan fall gatherings with friends and family to celebrate the beauty of Autumn. Early fall dinner parties are a great way to bring people together during a season when warm and comforting flavors are welcomed. Whether it’s gathering indoors around...