Life + Culture

Bok Choy? Sure!

Our Region’s Oregon Food Bank Provider Gets Creative Article by Donna Burklo | Photography by Cyr Beckley Running a food assistance program these days is at times a lesson in making “Stone Soup.” Start with what you have and encourage community participation in order to make it something actually palatable and filling. “I find out when I open my email,” says a frustrated Carly Auten, NeighborImpact Food Program Director, about the decrease in available food. “The usual order form is just...

Life + Culture

Preserving the Bounty

Cascades Cannery Aims to Keep the Taste of Central Oregon Alive Long After the Harvest Article by By Maegen Hindson There’s a certain magic in the high desert. You can taste it in a sun-warmed cherry tomato, bursting with sweetness that only our long days, cool nights, and volcanic soils can create. You can smell it in a fresh-cut bunch of basil, its aroma sharpened by the dry mountain air. You can see it in peppers that shine from lemon yellow to plum purple, their skins glossy under our...

Arts + Culture

Serving Beauty: How Handcrafted Ceramics Elevate Everyday Meals

Handmade Pottery Connects Us to the Land, the Maker and the Simple Joy of Sharing Food Article by Lynette Confer | Photography by Shadow Bear Media Our lives are busy, but mealtimes are often the perfect opportunity to slow down and savor. Handcrafted dishware—whether made by your own hands or found in a local artist’s studio—brings art and beauty to the table. There is magic in a handmade mug or wheel-thrown plate, each piece unique and perfectly imperfect. Because pottery is both functional...

Fitness

Discs, Delis and Fall Fun

How to Turn a Round of Disc Golf into a Full-Fledged Autumn Outing Article by Julie E. Furnas Disc golf is quickly becoming one of the most popular recreational and competitive sports in the world, with new courses opening up every year and live broadcast tournaments. Disc golf is a fun and inexpensive sport with easily accessible courses—and free to play!    In Central Oregon, sunshine graces the crispy autumn months, creating stunning backdrops for family and dog-friendly courses in all...

Home + Design

Powerfully Stylish

How Solar Panels are the Hottest Trend on the Roof Article by Sue Baldani | Photography by Maile Mason It seems like everything costs more these days, and people are scrambling to find ways to make ends meet. Most expenses are out of our control, but there are ways to save, especially when it comes to utility bills. Solar panels, which capture the energy of sunlight and convert it into electricity, are an effective way to offset electricity bills. Yes, there are expenses upfront, but there...

Arts + Culture

Rubbish Renewed

A Fashion Show Revolution for the Planet and Our Kids Article by Lynette Confer What do you get when a small group of visionary educators, artists, creators and environmentalists with a passion for the planet—and future generations—join forces with a mission to reimagine waste by creating couture with a conscience? You get Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show: a dazzling event where landfill-bound debris is transformed into jaw-dropping garments and designs. You get an event where creativity...

Home + Design

Meaningful Home Design

Making a House Feel Like a Home Article by Sue Baldani | Photography by Natalie Stephenson For 36 years, interior designer Dahli Brant has been creating extraordinary spaces for people’s everyday lives. “My approach is to learn what makes a client feel at home, how they utilize it, and what visually appeals to them, and then to make their home a beautiful, functional space surrounded by things they respond to,” she says. “That's why I love really strong, interesting pieces, whether it be art...

Style + Beauty

Style in Focus

Meet the Bend Creative Behind These Wearable Magnifying-Glass Necklaces Article by Julie E. Furnas | Photography by Photos Contributed by Moderne Monocle Nestled in the bustling shopping district of NW Galveston, Skye Design offers fresh and modern styles that reflect owner Malia Mathis’s deep passion for interior design and her creative vision. The boutique offers high quality luxury furnishings, stylish home décor, fine textiles and a unique collection of original jewelry that double as...

Fitness

Unplug to Reconnect

The Joy of a Tech-Free Summer Article by Julie E. Furnas Keeping kids unplugged from devices during the summer is challenging yet rewarding. Coming up with practical and engaging ideas to create a tech-light summer takes planning, structure and often advice from professionals. Because summer is less structured, the reliance on tech to engage kids at home can create conflict around devices that are hard to put down. On days or weeks when there are no camps, no outdoor trips or activities...

Life + Culture

Happy Feet, Paws & Hooves

Refreshing Watermelon Recipes for Kids, Pups and Ponies Article by Lynette Confer Looking for a refreshing, nutrient-packed snack? Watermelon might be the perfect treat. Originally from Africa, this hydrating fruit is now grown in warm climates around the world. Sweet, juicy, and full of health benefits, it’s a great addition to simple recipes that kids—and even a few pets—will love. Watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant...