This bi-monthly Bend City Update with city councilors Mike Riley and Ariel Mendez focuses on ICE and how the City addresses actions by the federal agency, as well as houselessness and affordable housing issues.
REDdress + WHITEdress: Threads of Silenced Nations with Mila Shelehoff and Jaime Black
Jaime Black, a Métis artist from Winnipeg, created the art installation The REDress Project to bring awareness to missing or murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. Bend artist Mila Shelehoff is the director of Kolovita, an organization dedicated to stewardship of Ukrainian culture. Her art installation REDdress + WHITEdress: Threads of Silenced Nations is Saturday February 21st at Farewell Bend Park in Bend.
COCC Black History Month Celebration Dinner with Shekinah McLean and Aizza Perez
Central Oregon Community College is hosting events celebrating Black history throughout the month, culminating with the Black History Month Celebration Dinner on Saturday February 28th. Shekinah McLean and Aizza Perez are COCC students, members of the Afrocentric Studies Club, and two of the organizers and emcees of the dinner.
Making First-Generation Homeownership Possible with Dulce Pelayo and Tess Spellacy from RootedHomes
RootedHomes is a non-profit that builds environmentally sustainable and permanently affordable homes, while also providing support services, such as translation and working through the lending process, to make homeownership accessible to first-generation buyers. Tess Spellacy, Homeownership Program Director, and Dulce Pelayo, Homeownership Program Coordinator, talk about the RootedHomes process and the Community Land Trust model. More information, home prices, and dates and locations for upcoming information sessions can be found at rootedhomes.org.
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do with Julian Pijuan
Most Americans experience a breakup during their lifetime. In fact, during the time it takes to watch a romantic comedy film (roughly two hours) over 172 couples get divorced! Breaking up is a part of life, and it's hard to do. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Julian Pijuan gives us some tips on how to cope when a relationship ends.
Gavin Alston on Racism in Redmond Schools
Harrison checks in with Gavin Alston three years after Gavin’s powerful speech at a Redmond City Council about the racism he experiences in Redmond schools made national news.
Conflict Resolution Services with Kyra Coke Duffy from Community Solutions
Kyra Coke Duffy, Executive Director of Community Solutions (formerly Central Oregon Mediation), talked about services and mediation training for volunteers. The offered services provide an alternative to going to court to resolve conflict.
1.25% for Wildlife with Sally Compton from Think Wild
Oregon House Bill 4134 is also known as 1.25% for Wildlife and would create funding for conservation work throughout the state. Sally Compton explains the potential impact of the bill, which is currently before the House Committee on Revenue. Sally is the Executive Director of the wildlife hospital and conservation center Think Wild. thinkwildco.org
St. Charles Foundation Programs and Plans with Bill Kuhn and Jenny O'Brien
Bill Kuhn, Board President, and Jenny O'Brien, Executive Director of St. Charles Foundation, give updates on the many programs and facility improvements being carried out by St. Charles Foundation to help improve the St. Charles Health System in Central Oregon.
The 2026 Sisters Historical Society's Fireside Speaker Series
Gayle Todd (President) and Ronni Duff (Past President and Volunteer Coordinator) talk about the Sisters Historical Society's 2026 Fireside Speaker Series and recall stories of interest from the annals of Sisters Country history.
"We can do anything you can do...we all need to dream big": Local College Student on Living With Down Syndrome
When her daughter Victoria was born with Down syndrome in 2003, Dianne Hanson was given outdated medical literature and few local resources. She joined forces with a few other moms to create Central Oregon Disability Support Network. At age 22, Victoria attends college, works at a restaurant and has big dreams for her future. Claire Merydith sits down with these women to learn more about Down syndrome, and of the opportunities CODSN provides.
Updates on Redmond with City Manager Keith Witcosky
Redmond City Manager Keith Witcosky shares updates and upcoming events and changes in Redmond.
NeighborImpact Weatherization Program with Director, Jessica Taylor
The NeighborImpact Weatherization Program, serving Central Oregon for over 15 years, saves home energy, supports the local economy, and offers options for available and affordable housing. Host of the Tuesday POINT, Malcom McRae talks with Program Director, Jessica Taylor about services, funding and how community members can access this service to save time, money and energy.
Integrating our Trauma with Somatic Therapy
Claire Merydith learns about somatic therapy with mental health professional Taryn DuBose. We hear about how this body-based treatment can help us heal from past trauma, and other conditions.
Conversations with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden
Host Louise Kaplan explores current events facing Oregon and the nation with Senator Jeff Merkley and Senator Ron Wyden, who share their thoughts about foreign, national and state concerns including health care, increased living costs, and Presidential power.
Desert Protection with Ryan Houston from the Oregon Natural Desert Association
Ryan Houston, Executive Director for the Oregon Natural Desert Association, explains what is at stake after the BLM's approval for exploratory lithium drilling in the McDermitt Caldera (SE Oregon). Plus, he highlights the value of beavers as a keystone species and the sage grouse as a barometer for health and welfare of wildlife in the Oregon desert.
Black History Month with Marcus LeGrand, COCC Afrocentric Program Coordinator
This discussion is about the value of "having knowledge" about the contributions of Black Americans during Black History Month and all year long. Guest Marcus LeGrand talked about the variety of activities available during the month of February through Central Oregon Community College and why celebration is important. More info can be found at cocc.edu/snv.
Camp Fire Central Oregon with Kecia Kubota
Kecia Kubota, Executive Director of Camp Fire Central Oregon, shares about their programs for children, youth and teens. MLK Day of Service activities are also shared.
COCC Season for Nonviolence with Charlotte Gilbride from the COCC Foundation
COCC continues to host the Season for Nonviolence, now in its 18th year. Charlotte McBride, Coordinator for the Nancy R. Chandler Lecture Series, shares information about the many events happening in the community, including lectures/presentations, dance, films, and community reads focusing on the book "Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—And How You Can, Too" by Ijeoma Oluo.
Coping with a Grieving Loved One
Experiencing a tragic loss can sometimes bring out the worst in us. While we see a lot of material on how to cope with our own grief, there's not much out there about how to cope when someone we love goes through it. Claire Merydith and her husband Chris sit down with counselor Sarah Peterson to talk about "grief induced psychosis." Chris tells us about his experience with Claire's depression after losing her mother in 2024, and Sarah gives us some tips and insights on grappling with grief.