🛣️📰Statewide Series Of Transportation Safety Meetings Starts In Redmond

Issue #109

10 Apr

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

 🤔Tuesday Local Trivia ANSWER

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

💧 City of Bend Offers Turf Removal Rebates 

🏛️📰Deschutes County 2040 Comprehensive Plan Moves to Next Phase

🔥📰Annual FireFree Yard Debris Disposal Event Begins in May

🚴‍♀️ Great NorthWest Nationals race BMX in Redmond

🛣️📰Statewide Series Of Transportation Safety Meetings Starts In Redmond

📰 Community News

🫴 Mentors Needed For Children Of Incarcerated Adults

📖Black Butte Ranch featured in novel

😔 Teammates remember Culver HS junior who died in car crash 🎦

🐶 Pet of the Week - Meet Daisy! 💖

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

 

How many Brewers/Breweries were there in Central Oregon in 2005?

A) 5

B) 10

C) 2

D) 20

Answer: A) 5

In 2005 there were only 5 breweries in Central Oregon:

Deschutes Brewery est., Bend 1988

Bend Brewing Co. est., Bend 1993

Cascade Lakes Brewing est., Redmond 1994

Silver Moon Brewing est., Bend 2004

McMenamins Old St Francis School opened pub in Bend 2004

 

BEND

City of Bend Offers Turf Removal Rebates 

City of Bend water customers can receive a Turf Removal Rebate to convert lawns into a low-water use landscape. 

The City Water Conservation program is providing another innovative way to help customers save water and money. Beginning in April 2024, City of Bend water customers can apply to the new Turf Removal Rebate program and earn $3 per square foot (up to $3,000) to remove currently-planted and thriving lawns into low-water Xeriscapes. This water-wise type of gardening conserves water and helps protect the environment and valuable resources. 

 “As the water demands continue to grow in Central Oregon, we need to take additional steps to reduce outdoor water use and meet our goals,” said Dan Denning, City of Bend Water Conservation Program Manager. “The City’s Water Conservation program focuses on teaching and implementing best water-use practices to help customers conserve without sacrificing the quality of the High Desert lifestyle they enjoy. Incentivizing the replacement of water-thirsty plants to low-water, drought tolerant landscapes save our customers on their water bill and greatly reduces the water demand.”  

During peak irrigation season in the summer, water use can escalate to 26 million gallons per day. Through water saving programs such as this, and other rebate and educational campaigns, the Water Conservation team has helped slow the daily demand for water despite the growth in population, industry and tourism. 

The Turf Removal Rebate program will continue through 2024 until the $75,000 funds are used. Participation is on a first come, first served basis and an application and approval is required. To learn more about the City of Bend Water Conservation program and the rebates offered, visit bendoregon.gov/conservation. 

 

Deschutes County 2040 Comprehensive Plan Moves to Next Phase

 

Following a 24-month development process, the Deschutes County Planning Commission has recommended approval of the revised draft Deschutes 2040 Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is the County’s map for the future and provides the goals, policies, and actions that are intended to guide the day-to-day decisions of elected officials and staff. The Plan will now move on to the second portion of the hearing phase before the Board of County Commissioners.

Community members are invited to review the revised draft plan, which includes Planning Commission recommendations, and to provide additional input on this document during an upcoming public hearing.

The Board of County Commissions will hold three public hearings to gather testimony on the revised Deschutes 2040 Plan.

  • Wednesday, April 10: Barnes and Sawyer Rooms, 1300 NW Wall St., Bend

    • The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., the exact hearing start time will be posted on the agenda which is posted one week before the meeting.

  • Tuesday, April 23: Sunriver SHARC, Dillon Room, 57250 Overlook Rd., Sunriver

    • Hearing start time: 3 p.m.

  • Tuesday, April 30: Sisters City Hall, 520 E Cascade Ave, Sisters

    • Hearing start time: 3 p.m.

Each meeting will have a hybrid option, community members can provide testimony in person or via zoom. Written comments can also be submitted via email to [email protected]. See the project website for additional information – www.deschutes.org/2040 and click on “Hearings Page”.

Media Contact: Nicole Mardell, AICP, Senior Planner, Deschutes County Community Development, (541) 317-3157, [email protected]

 

Annual FireFree Yard Debris Disposal Event Begins in May

With the arrival of spring temperatures, Deschutes County residents are encouraged to clean up their yards and take advantage of the FREE yard debris disposal event, beginning May 3, 2024.

The annual spring FireFree event allows residents to drop-off their yard debris at collection sites around Deschutes County free of charge (dates, times and locations vary). The event is meant to inspire residents to prepare their homes for the threat of wildfire season.

“During a wildfire, most homes are lost when falling embers smolder and ignite the vulnerable areas around the home,” said County Forester Kevin Moriarty. “Embers can travel several miles and ignite roof valleys and gutters filled with pine needles, as well as leaves or other debris piled in a yard.”

“We hope residents will take advantage of this free program and reduce the risk of fire around their homes,” added County Commission Chair Patti Adair.

Items that will be accepted at the collection sites include grass clippings, brush, plant trimmings, pine needles, pine cones, weeds, branches, and stumps or trees that are less than 12 inches in diameter.

Items that will NOT be accepted include sod, dirt, rocks, lumber, metal, trash or plastics of any kind, and stumps or trees that are larger than 12 inches in diameter.

Please remember to cover your loads as you travel to a collection site.

Here are the dates, times and locations for the FireFree spring collection:

Bend: Knott Landfill, 61050 SE 27th St.

May 3 – May 12 (7 days a week)

7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sunriver: Sunriver Compost Site, 18305 Cottonwood Rd.

May 3 – May 4 (Friday and Saturday)

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

La Pine: Southwest Transfer Station, 54580 Hwy 97

May 31 – June 8 (Monday–Saturday)

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Redmond: Negus Transfer Station, 2400 NE Maple Ave.

May 31 – June 8 (Monday–Saturday)

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sisters: Northwest Transfer Station, 68200 Fryrear Rd.

May 31 – June 8 (Monday–Saturday)

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call (541) 322-7129, or visit www.firefree.org

Great NorthWest Nationals race BMX in Redmond

 

Hundreds of professional and amateur BMX riders from around the world will descend on Redmond this weekend for the USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals.

The three-day event will be held indoors at the First Interstate Bank Center at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.

Races begin at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. competitors racing well into the evening. Parking is $10 per day, and fans are welcome to watch and cheer on their favorite riders as they expertly navigate jumps, twists and turns along the track.

The USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals has been a central Oregon staple since 2008.

JoAnna Eisler, director of business development at Visit Central Oregon, said the early spring event has brough in events to Central Oregon during a key shoulder season.

“The USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals event is a significant driver of hotel occupancy in our area during a typically slower tourism period. As a sponsor of this event, we've seen it attract thousands of visitors to the region, filling our hotels and supporting local businesses,” Eisler said.

There are 11 sanctioned USA BMX tracks in Oregon for riders of all ages to get their start in BMX racing. The only such track in Central Oregon is in Redmond at Smith Rock BMX, 1935 NE Maple Ave.

Many local Redmond riders from Smith Rock BMX will be competing at the USA BMX Great NorthWest Nationals this weekend, including national title holders 14-year-old Mallory Aldridge and 17-year-old Cyrus Russell, both competing at the expert level of their age classes.

This story first appeared in the Redmond Spokesman

Statewide Series Of Transportation Safety Meetings Starts In Redmond

Oregon’s Department of Transportation kicks off a series of public workshops and open house meetings this week in Central Oregon, focused on safety. ODOT’s Transportation Safety Office will host eight meetings around the state over the next six weeks, starting Thursday in Redmond.

ODOT's Mindy McCartt says others are scheduled for southern and eastern Oregon and The Gorge, "These are those rural areas where we haven’t been in very often."

The agency wants to hear ideas from the public about how to improve safe road user behavior, "It’s the getting the right information in front of the people that need to know, in order to elicit a behavioral change," says McCartt, "And the only way we know, right now, to influence the public is to get out there and ask them how they want to learn."

She says existing tools, like tickets and social media campaigns, aren't enough, "We’ve worked with our legislative partners and our law enforcement partners and increased the fines for distracted driving. Well, that’s still not working; we still have distracted drivers out there. So, now we’re going to be looking at what’s going to get your attention? What’s going to get your attention to re-think is it worth picking up that phone?"

The information will help determine how grant money is spent in each community on a variety of issues, "We’re looking at aging road users, we’re looking at bicycle safety, commercial vehicle safety, commercial traffic safety, distracted driving, drivers education, emergency medical services; impaired driving, intersection safety - when you think about, ‘is it legal to turn right on a red?’ Those kinds of things; U-turns, motorcycle safety, seatbelt awareness, child protective seats, pedestrian, Safe Routes to School, work zones." 

Thursday’s all-day workshop in Redmond requires an RSVP via email or by calling 541-508-9690. The open house starts at 5 p.m., at Redmond City Hall. Later stops include The Dalles, Roseburg, North Bend and Island City. 

 

Mentors Needed For Children Of Incarcerated Adults

Posted Heather Roberts KBND

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is looking for volunteers for Central Oregon Partnerships For Youth (COPY), to mentor young people who have a parent in custody.

COPY's Bob Moore says the program works with kids trying to process a lot of family upheaval, "If you’re a kid who has a parent dealing with drug offenses or a registered sex offender, those are really big, challenging issues and you’re probably not having a lot of safe places for you to process some of the feelings and concerns that you’re dealing with." He tells KBND News, "Our volunteers are one of those people that are often having those conversations with kids because they know that’s a safe environment."

After training and background checks, a COPY mentor is paired with a child. "What we ask of our volunteers is to spend a couple hours per week with that youth for a year," says Moore, "And what that time looks like kind of depends a little bit on interest and activities and all sorts of different things."

To keep costs down, COPY partners with local organizations to provide options, "Whether it’s the rock climbing gym or the trampoline parks or High Desert Museum or the park and rec districts. So, a lot of opportunities for the volunteers to be plugged in with their youth, doing things out in the community that don’t cost a lot of money through those partnerships." Moore says, "Mt. Bachelor just ended up setting up a partnership with us to do some projects around getting kids into the outdoor environment with some of the programs that they offer.

We’ve got some partnerships around cooking, in particular, which I think are amazing." Moore adds, "Having the opportunity for our kids to go out and just have some positive connections in the community, but also having that stable adult that’s willing to be with them through that process and be that consistent person in their life."

COPY is grant funded. The next training for volunteer mentors is Saturday, April 13. The 3.5-hour class covers policies, how to establish a mentor relationship, the impact incarceration has on families and communication. A current volunteer will also take questions. It's free but advanced registration is required. To sign up, call 541-388-6651 or email. Click HERE for more information. 

Black Butte Ranch featured in novel

By Katy Yoder Nugget News Sisters, OR

Sandy Grubb, author of her debut middle grade novel "Just Like Click," will begin a Pacific Northwest book tour at Paulina Springs Books on April 16, at 6:30 p.m. Located near Black Butte Ranch, Sisters' Paulina Springs Books is an appropriate first stop for the Lake Oswego author. "Just Like Click" won the Kraken Book Prize sponsored by Regal House Publishing to recognize outstanding middle grade fiction.

"We've been coming to Black Butte Ranch for 45 years," said Grubb from her home in Lake Oswego. "I've dreamed of writing a novel since college. After hearing a children's novelist, I was inspired to write my first novel for children as well. The setting came to me before my character, Nick. Black Butte Ranch is so beautiful and has a lot of room for adventure. I chose to make Nick a boy because I have three sons. I want all children to be readers. Sometimes boys are more reluctant to read, so I wanted to make the book engaging for them too. I kept it fast paced and created a relatable character and person young people can root for."

Teammates remember Culver HS junior who died in car crash

'A shining light in this world': Teammates remember Culver HS junior who died in car crash

"A VIBRANT SOUL": Jorja Nelson, a Culver High School junior and athlete, died in a car crash on Sunday, the district confirmed. A GoFundMe has been created to help her family.

www.centraloregondaily.com/news/local/jorja-nelson-culver-high-student-car-crash/article_f8ba0c34-f698-11ee-8755-47ae95430d96.html

 

Meet Daisy

Meet Daisy

This sweet girl was surrendered to us due to no fault of her own..The family believes Daisy deserves more in her life

Daisy is 1 year old, Lab/golden retriever mix. We have been told she is dog friendly, doesn’t mind cats and does good around kiddos but can knock them down with her puppy energy!

We would still like to test her with dogs and cats here in the shelter, just to be on the safe side for potential adopters!

Daisy does still need vet work so she is available for Foster To Adopt!

If you’d like to meet her, please CALL and schedule a meet and greet with her!

 

Upcoming Events

What’s Up Central Oregon

Unity Event Jazz Concert Series with Tom Bergeron April 2024

April 12, 2024 - April 13, 2024

This is the 2nd concert in our Jazz series. The first one sold out in record time, so grab your tickets for this one ASAP!     We are truly blessed to have this quality of jazz music to hear in Central Oregon. The Metolius flows through Bend on Friday, April 12th at 7pm – Doors open at 6:15pm. Beverages and snacks will be available for sale. Come early to get a good seat.     Go to: https://unitycentraloregon.org/jazz-concert-series-tom-bergeron/   Register: https://bendticket.com/events/tom-bergeron-and-metolius-jazz-concert-4-12-2024     Tom Bergeron and Metolius Jazz   A splendid band of gifted jazz musicians, each academically endowed, and deeply rooted in many facets of jazz music. Tom Bergeron brings his vast background of American and Brazilian jazz saxophone studies to the bandstand in perfect style and taste. With… Don Latarski’s guitar mastery is unsurpassed. Andrew Lion’s bass roars with tenderness. Ryan Biesak’s inspired lightness on drums. Rosi Bergeron swings her authentic Brazilian voice. For more info contact Robert Sposato @ [email protected] or 541-513-1997

Wednesday April 10th

Thursday April 11th

Friday April 12th

HDCM Concert Series: SAKURA CELLO QUINTET By High Desert Chamber Music 

Saturday April 13th

@ Scalehouse Gallery 10:00AM - 12:30PM

Alex Winters @ On Tap 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Sunday April 14th

Deschutes Theater Company presents the hilarious comedy "Women In Jeopardy" at Hollinshead Barn and performances at Open Space Event Studios.  Chicago Tribune calls this show "Purely delightful....".  There will be 5 performances:

HOLLINSHEAD BARN:
April 12th at 7:30pm
April 13th at 2pm and 7:30pm 

OPEN SPACE EVENT STUDIOS:
April 19th at 7:30pm 
April 20th at 2pm

Tickets are $25

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