Every two months representatives from the Bend City Council update community members on current issues and projects of the City. The "August Update" highlights the Housing (affordability and meeting housing need), fire safety both preparation and planning, and the Bend City website at bendoregon.gov.
A conversation with Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang
Louise and Carolyn have a conversation with Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang covering the new makeup of the DCC, proposed districting, the 2026 fire season and more.
The Redmond Community Concerts Association celebrates their 43rd season with five fall and winter concerts.
Diana Barker, from the Redmond Community Concerts Association, talks about the 43rd RCCA season and their performing arts scholarships for Deschutes County high school seniors. There will be five Fall and Winter concerts including a brass ensemble, three tenors, stride and swing piano, a violin virtuoso and ending with a powerful multi-octave vocalist.
Destination Rehab - Helping patients with neurological challenges to reclaim an active life in the great outdoors.
Carol-Ann Nelson, founder and executive director of Destination Rehab, describes how people with neurological issues can enjoy outdoor recreation like kayaking, paddle boarding, rock climbing, and other activities. www.DestinationRehab.org
The Redmond Food Project: Fighting Hunger One Green Bag at a Time
Dr Lucy Hart Paulson, President of the Redmond Food Project, talks with Paul Roger about food insecurity in Redmond and how the Project provides a simple way to support those in need. Also discussed: how food insecurity affects a child's development and learning. RedmondFoodProject.org
Sunriver Music Festival - Celebrates its 49th summer season and 250 years of American music.
Meagan Iverson, the executive director for the Sunriver Music Festival, talks about the 49th summer season of the festival including the featured musicians and the robust music education programs made possible by festival funding. www.SunriverMusic.org
Camp Fire Central Oregon - 110 years supporting the high desert needs community support now.
Kecia Kubota, Camp Fire Central Oregon's executive director, talks about their 110 year history in Central Oregon and addresses the significant loss of funding that threatens a wide range of kid-centered programs. www.CampFireCO.org
Healing from the Wounds of Slavery and Racism - A Conversation
This is a conversation about racism and the need for an inclusive perspective on the history of the nation and the world, bridging the gap between races. Marcus LeGrand, Bend-La Pine Schools Board Member and Advisor/Coordinator of the COCC Ethnocentric Program, and Mark Montgomery, facilitator for Coming To The Table, explore race relations and healing. comingtothetable.org/organizer/bend
Ballot Initiative to use Ranked-Choice Voting for County Comissioner Election
Tawny Howlett introduced the Proportional Rank Choice Voting Ballot Initiative which is backed by Defend Our Democracy Coalition, Common Cause, Tribal Democracy and several other pro-democracy groups. The PRCV Measure is in response to the DMAC (districting map which is based on old census data) to ensure a more diverse representation on our County Commissioner Board. Currently, the County Commissioner Board represents only Bend and Redmond. PRCV creates a pathway for South County and Sisters to be represented as well. The measure is proposed for multi-winners races, such as County Commission.
Moving into stable housing without furniture? Furnish Hope can help with that!
Megan Martin, the founding executive director for Furnish Hope, talks about the exponential growth of Furnish Hope, a program that started with a request to help one family obtain furniture as they moved into stable housing. Ten years later, more than 3,000 families across Central Oregon have benefitted from their vital transitional support. www.FurnishHope.com
Deschutes County Dept of Solid Waste - Modernized Recycling with Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson, Community Engagement Coordinator for Deschutes County's Department of Solid Waste, shares new recycling guidance as part of the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). www.DeschutesCounty.gov
Board House Society with Caitlin and Trygve Bjornstad
Trygve and Caitlin Bjornstad started the non-profit Board House Society to empower everyone through skateboarding, creative expression, and community. Through school programs, camps, events, skateboard lessons and other local collaborations, their goal is to curate and foster togetherness through skateboarding. boardhousesociety.org
Secret Central Oregon: NASA Training with Vanessa Ivey
Louise and Paul talk with Vanessa Ivey from the Deschutes Historical Museum about NASA's astronaut training here in Central Oregon. deschuteshistory.org
ONDA - Protecting Biodiverse Wildlands in Central and Eastern Oregon
Ryan Houston, the Executive Director for the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA), discusses 1) the status on lithium mining in southeastern Oregon's McDermitt Caldera, and 2) the open comment period on a federal proposal to deregulate cattle grazing in Central and Eastern Oregon (closes July 13 at 9:00pm PDT). www.ONDA.org
Erin Heyl - South County Collective Action in La Pine
Harrison and Erin discuss recent collective action in La Pine. La Pine also made national news with the city’s successful rebuke of a data center threatening to establish itself there.
J Bar J Youth Services and the 2026 Oregon High Desert Classics Hunter-Jumper Horse Show
J Bar J Youth Services CEO and President, Stephanie Alvstad, and Chief Operating Officer, Keith Riggs, discuss the wide range of credentialed services they provide to at-risk youth across 15 different programs in nine locations in Central Oregon. www.JbarJ.org
They also preview their largest fundraiser, The Oregon High Desert Classics, a free-to-the-public event that brings world-class horses and riders to J Bar J's Hamby Ranch in Bend July 8-12, 2026. www.OregonHighDesertClassics.org
Climate Fee and Automated Traffic with Bend City Councilors Mike Riley and Ariel Mendez
Every two months, representatives from the Bend City Council update community members on current issues and City projects. The June update highlights the Bend Climate Fee, automated traffic enforcement tools, City goals, and the Bend City website at bendoregon.gov.
A Chat with Rick Russell, Deschutes County Commissioner-Elect
Rick Russell talks about his plans as a newly-elected Deschutes County Commissioner, redistricting, and his personal experience running for office.
Seed to Table - Talking about the POP Club (Power of Produce)
Audrey Tehan, Founder and Executive Director at Seed to Table in Sisters OR, talks about the opening of the 2026 Sisters Farmers Market, youth and adult education programs, and shares what it's like to farm vegetables in Central Oregon. www.SeedtoTableOregon.org and SistersFarmersMarket.com
Rosie The Riveter, The Musical, A Conversation with Marilyn Magness, Writer, Director, Choreographer
Marilyn Magness, Imagineer and Consultant with Creative Development International, is writer, director, and choreographer of Rosie The Riveter. She talks about her extensive history in the world of family entertainment and the upcoming debut of the premiere performance of Rosie the Riveter at the Tower Theatre in June 2026.