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🏛️📰City of Bend plans to tear down Firerock Footbridge and staircase, may rebuild staircase amid neighbor criticism

Issue #110

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In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

 🤔Thursday Local Trivia

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🔥💲Oregon State Fire Marshal issues grants to boost staffing ahead of wildfire season

📰Deschutes Trail Coalition opens 2024 Small Project Grant period

🏛️📰City of Bend plans to tear down Firerock Footbridge and staircase, may rebuild staircase amid neighbor criticism

📰Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Unveiling Redmond’s Newest Art Program

🧑‍🎨📰April/May Artist Feature at Makin’ It Local, Sisters

📰 Community News

📰 Crook County Fire and Rescue, Main Station Seismic Upgrade and Remodel

⚡Business Spotlight - EPIC Energy Centers

😁 MEME of the Day

📅 Lots of Events

 

How many Breweries are there in Central Oregon currently?

A) 41

B) 31

C) 52

D) 29

👉Find the answer in Tomorrow’s Newsletter👉

BEND

Oregon State Fire Marshal issues grants to boost staffing ahead of wildfire season

SALEM, Ore. – To boost the number of firefighters across Oregon before wildfire season, the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced it has awarded $6 million in grants to 191 local fire agencies across the state. 

The 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program is in its third year. Local agencies in the Oregon structural fire service were eligible to apply for up to $35,000. The funding will allow agencies to bring on additional firefighters or increase on-duty hours during the 2024 fire season. A list of agencies awarded funding can be found here.

The 2023 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program was integral to the success in protecting communities, adding more than 1,500 paid firefighters to the Oregon fire service. These added resources allowed agencies to attack fires and keep them small and away from communities and added capacity to respond to other calls, ultimately saving lives. Read about the successes here.

“The staffing grant program has been a huge success for the Oregon fire service and our district,” Sublimity Fire District Chief Alan Hume said. “It allowed us to staff our station during the busiest time of the year, which we previously couldn't do. This resulted in quicker responses with adequate staffing for not only our district, but our neighboring agencies. Last year we had several fires in our area with the potential to develop into larger, extended duration fires. We were able, as region, to keep those fires smaller.”

“This grant has provided us the ability to respond to all requests for emergency services, including automatic and mutual aid requests in our district,” Crooked River Ranch Rural Fire Protection District Chief Sean Hartley said. “This program is instrumental in keeping fires in our community small and allowed us to respond to multiple calls for service at the same time.”

This 2024 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant program is part of a multi-pronged approach to combat wildfire in Oregon. Over the last three years, the OSFM has made strategic investments to modernize the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System and help communities become more wildfire adapted. 

This grant is part of the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon initiative. The OSFM is looking for sustained funding for this program and is exploring all options to continue this highly successful grant in 2025 and beyond.

ABOUT RESPONSE READY OREGON

The OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon initiative was created to help boost capacity and modernize wildfire response within the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS). The goal of Response Ready Oregon is to keep fires small and away from communities, reducing costly conflagrations.

 

Deschutes Trail Coalition opens 2024 Small Project Grant period

Deschutes Trail Coalition opens 2024 Small Project Grant period

The Deschutes Trails Coalition is launching its 2024 Small Project Grant, with up to $35,000 for multiple small, trail-focused projects within the Deschutes National Forest.

www.centraloregondaily.com/news/pets-animals-nature/deschutes-trail-coalition-opens-2024-small-project-grant-period/article_cb8ee98c-f6ca-11ee-9c14-cfda8a3c76ee.html

City of Bend plans to tear down Firerock Footbridge and staircase, may rebuild staircase amid neighbor criticism

 

 BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Firerock Footbridge over the Deschutes River and the adjoining staircase, located in the Rimrock Village East neighborhood, are scheduled to be demolished by the City of Bend late this summer. They're considered to be derelict and to no longer serve any purpose.

Project Engineer Jason Suhr said: “That bridge, with the intent of it, was to support the water lines. With it deemed obsolete, making the pipe underneath the bridge obsolete, we are going to be proceeding forward with the removal of the pipeline, as well as the bridge.”

The bridge and staircase were originally built by the neighborhood developer, R.C. Crum, back in the 1970s. The bridge and staircase were meant to support a 6-inch-diameter water line, supplying potable water to the Rimrock West neighborhood.

Fast forward to 1992, when it was agreed the City of Bend would become owners of the footbridge; accepting liability for the structure, and the footbridge would remain in place and open for area residents.

Some community members believe the city has reneged on its promise.

Resident Jarred Baker said, “Since 1992, when this was all put into place, the city has never maintained any piece of the bridge or the stairwell down to the area. Any boards that you could actually see that look a little bit more replaced were from local area residents that have actually done any upkeep on it.”

City engineers say the water line supported under the bridge deck has become critically damaged, and not suitable to be returned to service. The footbridge has been closed to the public since 2015 due to concerns regarding the structural integrity of the bridge.

“We did a condition assessment of the bridge and the staircase ,of which came back, that shows structural deficiencies and violations of code compliance," Suhr said. "And so from a health and safety perspective to the public, the city has closed off these structures to public access, and therefore we are proceeding forward with the removal of them to reduce that risk and liability associated with people potentially using and harming themselves with these structures.”

However, neighborhood resident Baker points out the importance to many of keeping the bridge and its staircase intact.

“As a local resident, this is an area that I frequent at least weekly, and it's something that we actually moved into the neighborhood for," he said. "Its amenity, that was part of our neighborhood. It provided a reason for us to come here.”

Even though the city plans to move forward with plans to tear down the footbridge, it's willing to make some concessions on the staircase. With a city staff review of past decisions underway, a planning commission hearing originally planned for Monday night has been delayed two weeks, until April 22nd.

 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Unveiling Redmond’s Newest Art Program

The Redmond Commission for Art in Public Places (RCAPP) will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil its latest public art installation, The Two-Sided Art Display. All members of the community are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, April 12, at 3pm at the southwest corner of Centennial Park (Ninth St. & Evergreen Ave.).  The ceremony will include a brief presentation from the artists whose work is currently featured on the display, as well as City representatives.  The ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by an open artists reception at Beyond the Vine, 427 SW Eighth St., just across the park. Light appetizers will be provided.

RCAPP’s new Two-Sided Art Display was constructed by former RCAPP Chair Bruce Taylor and heralds the inception of a dynamic rotating art gallery here in Redmond. This event is held in collaboration with the Redmond Chamber of Commerce & CVB and marks an exciting new chapter in Redmond’s artistic landscape. RCAPP members look forward to engaging with attendees and discussing public art’s role in enriching the fabric of Redmond’s cultural identity.

For more information about the ribbon cutting contact RCAPP Chair Darlene Veehuizen at 541-224-4080, or via email at [email protected].

About RCAPP:
The Redmond Commission for Art in Public Places (RCAPP) enhances Redmond’s community identity by strategically placing art in public spaces, maintaining an art inventory, advising city policies, fostering community engagement, collaborating with public agencies, and securing funding for arts and culture initiatives. To learn how you can get involved on RCAPP programs or volunteer on the commission, please visit redmondoregon.gov/RCAPP or contact City of Redmond Long Range Planner Morgan Snyder at 541-504-3062 or via email at [email protected].

This story first appeared in Cascade A&E

April/May Artist Feature at Makin’ It Local, Sisters

 

Makin’ It Local announces the exhibition of letterpress prints by Greenbird Press and Quail Lane Press. The two Oregon-based artist studios capture the beauty of Oregon through fine art prints inspired by nature, local area geographical maps, and artistic interpretation of the high desert. An Open House at Makin’ It Local at 281 W Cascade Avenue in Downtown Sisters will coincide with The Sisters Arts Association Fourth Friday Art Walk on Friday, April 26, 2024, from 4-7pm.

Letterpress is a relief printing technique in which the raised surface from a printing plate or handset type is inked and pressed into paper. The pressure from the press, combined with a thick paper stock, creates a deep impression in the paper, giving each piece a tactile quality unique to letterpress.

Green Bird Press:

Green Bird Press is a small letterpress printing and bookbinding studio owned and operated by Susan Porteous in Bend. She takes a modern, minimalist approach to design. Letterpress products, from prints to greeting cards, are hand-printed in small batches on two vintage presses: a Vandercook SP-15 and a Kelsey Excelsior X.  You can view and purchase the work of Greenbird Press at Makin’ It Local in downtown Sisters.

Quail Lane Press:

Quail Lane Press is a letterpress studio specializing in landscape art. They create original maps and multicolor landscape prints and cards. Behind Quail Lane is husband and wife Michelle and Chip Snyder. It began with a baby press and evolved into three sizeable vintage letterpress machines. The machines are old and cantankerous, so it takes significant time and attention to detail to ensure each print retains the same impression, registration, and inking as the last. Michelle states, “It can be laborious (there are good and bad print days!)… but creating a perfect print is a wonderful feeling.  The printer’s high.” You can view and purchase letterpress prints and cards at Makin’ It Local in downtown Sisters.

About Makin’ It Local:
We are Makin’ It Local and Celebrating Oregon. Art, photography, fine crafts, jewelry, ceramics, gifts and more. Featuring artwork by Megan Marie Myers, Lindsay Gilmore, Rachel Dantona ( Hikerbooty ), James Parsons (Extreme Oregon), Pete Alport, Christian Murillo, Letter Press by Quail Lane Press and Green Bird Press, Julie Hamilton, Sheila Dunn, Susan Luckey Higdon, and many more! Stop by today – Seriously Great Art.  Makin’ It Local is located at 281 W Cascade Avenue in downtown Sisters and is open spring hours, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5:30pm, and Sunday, 10am to 3pm. For more information:

Open House: Fine Art Prints by Green Bird Press and Quail Lane Press, two Oregon-based letterpress printers, highlight Makin’ It Local’s Open House held during Sisters Fourth Friday Art Walk, Friday, April 26 from 4-7pm.

Monthly Art Feature: Deep Impressions / Perfect Print / Wonderful Feeling — Letterpress prints from Green Bird Press and Quail Lane Press.  The exhibition will run April 26-May 23.

makinitlocal.com • @makinitlocal • @greenbirdpress • @quaillanepress • 541-904-4722 • [email protected]

 

Crook County Fire and Rescue, Main Station Seismic Upgrade and Remodel

Crook County Fire and Rescue is excited to announce it will be upgrading and remodeling the main station in Prineville, Oregon.  This project was made possible by a Seismic Rehabilitation Grant from the state of Oregon, and financing through the Special Public Works Fund, also through Business Oregon.  This is the first major upgrade to the main station since it was last remodeled in 2006.

The project will include individual sleeping quarters for crews, upgraded bathroom facilities, and an update to the kitchen.  It also will include health and wellness upgrades, allowing turnouts to be stored separately from the apparatus bay, keeping them separated from the diesel exhaust of the fire engines and ambulances.  A separate equipment cleaning room will also be added, allowing for the decon of equipment after a fire in a more appropriate location.  The exterior of the station will also look different in the end with siding and roof upgrades which will help strengthen the station and make it more resilient during a natural disaster. 

Construction is slated to begin the end of April, and is scheduled to be completed by November 1st of this year. The district will be operating out of a temporary facility within the city limits, and 24-hour service will be maintained throughout the duration of the project.  The district does not anticipate any interruption in service to the community during this time. 

The district’s general business line, 541-447-5011, will still be functioning and in-person service can be made at the district’s annex building located at 205 NE 4th Street, Prineville, Oregon.  For community members needing to mail items to the district, the mailing address will remain the same at 500 NE Belknap Street, Prineville, Oregon.  For questions, please contact Fire Chief Matt Smith, or Division Chief Russell Deboodt.

The district would like to thank Business Oregon for their help and guidance through this process, as well as our local partners, the City of Prineville and Crook County for their support for this project.

 

Epic Energy Centers - Bend (Kelley & Rich Salber)

Elevate Your Wellness at Epic Energy Centers: A Holistic Haven in Central Oregon

 

 Have you been searching for a holistic approach to enhance your overall well-being and vitality? Well, look no further than Epic Energy Centers in Bend, Oregon! Nestled in the heart of the city at 205 NW Franklin Ave, this wellness oasis is a game-changer when it comes to recharging your batteries and revitalizing your spirit.

Epic Energy Centers isn't just your average wellness center —it's a place where magic happens. Stepping inside feels like entering a realm of pure positivity and rejuvenation. The ambiance is soothing, the staff is friendly, and the services are top-notch. It's no wonder why this place has garnered rave reviews from satisfied customers.

One Google review raves about the personalized approach to wellness at Epic Energy Centers, mentioning how the staff goes above and beyond to ensure every visitor feels valued and cared for. This dedication to customer satisfaction is truly commendable and sets Epic Energy Centers apart from the rest.

Let's delve into the feature profile of Epic Energy Centers to understand what makes this establishment so special:

Epic Energy Centers is more than just a wellness center—it's a sanctuary for those seeking balance, harmony, and vitality in their lives. Epic Energy Centers caters to every aspect of well-being.

Epic Energy Centers create a truly transformative and uplifting experience for all who walk through their doors.

Many clients have shared heartwarming stories of how Epic Energy Centers has made a significant impact on their lives. From overcoming stress and anxiety to finding inner peace and clarity, the stories of personal transformation are endless. One client even mentioned how a single session at Epic Energy Centers changed their perspective on life and set them on a path of self-discovery.

Epic Energy Centers isn't just a place you visit—it's an experience that stays with you long after you've left. So if you're in need of a little pick-me-up or a big dose of positive healing energy, make sure to pay them a visit in Bend, Oregon. Trust us, your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it!

 

Address: 205 NW Franklin Ave Bend, OR Get Directions

Phone: 541-449-9829

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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

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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