First Friday, Christmas edition

It’s First Friday Art Walk in downtown Bend and the Old Mill District tonight—the last one of the year! Art galleries, shops, and other stores will stay open late with special art exhibits, and many offer up live music, free hors-d’oeuvres, and wine (or beer), and it’s a great time … Continue reading

Anyone know what’s up with Amalia’s?

Since at least Saturday, Amalia’s Mexican restaurant downtown has been closed, with butcher paper over the windows and a sign on the door saying it would be closed through Wednesday (today) for “restructuring” “reorganization.” Which of course never sounds good. I haven’t been able to find anything online to indicate what … Continue reading

Santa Express starts today

The Bend Fire Department’s Santa Express is back again this year, the food and clothing drive that hits up various Bend neighborhoods for a really good cause. The Bend Firefighter’s Association and Bend Fire and Rescue are working with The Salvation Army to collect non-perishable food items, clothing, and toys … Continue reading

Bend Christmas Parade photos (and video)

Did you make it downtown for the Bend Christmas Parade yesterday? I did (of course) and snapped a number of photos (the gallery is at the bottom of this post). I also had the Flip camera so snagged a few minutes of video. Unfortunately we didn’t stay long enough for … Continue reading

Deschutes beer tasting night at the Platypus Pub

I mentioned back in my beer news post last week that the Platypus Pub was planning a big Deschutes Brewery night tonight, the 29th. (And I forgot to mention it this week, unfortunately, until now.) Well it’s Thursday the 29th, and the tasting is here, and it’s better than I … Continue reading

On into Christmas season

With the Thanksgiving weekend (and particularly Black Friday) now behind us, it’s now time to look ahead to the Christmas season! Two of the big kickoff events are this week. (Though for me personally, it really isn’t the “Christmas season” until at least December…) The annual downtown Christmas tree lighting … Continue reading

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope the day is full of warmth and family and friendship, and everyone stays safe (particularly if you’re traveling today)! And don’t forget there are alternatives if you don’t (or can’t) make dinner yourself.

The Hills are Alive… with a sing-along

I didn’t know the 1965 film “The Sound of Music” had achieved a cult-like status to warrant things like costumed sing-alongs (something akin to “Rocky Horror”), but apparently it has: the Tower Theatre is hosting a Sound of Music Sing-Along Friday night at 6:30! Open your Von Trapp and hiss … Continue reading

“Sleepwalk with Me” movie at the Tower

This notice got to me a bit late, but you still have one more night to enjoy this movie now screening at the Tower Theatre: “Sleepwalk with Me” at 7pm (it originally ran from the 17th through the 21st). Here’s the press blurb: You’ve just woefully peeled yourself out of … Continue reading

Beer news roundup

It’s been awhile since I did a roundup of local beer news and happenings, so here’s a rundown to kick off the holiday week. Tonight (Monday the 19th), the Platypus Pub will be hosting brewer Zach Beckwith from Three Creeks Brewing for a tasting from 6 to 8pm; there will … Continue reading