💨 We don't want that smoke

Greetings, Bend! Did you know that we are knocking on the door of hitting 1,000 subscribers!?! (I’m as shocked as you are)

In honor of moving on up to the the single comma club, we are going to do a little giveaway. Details will be announced soon, but in the meantime, if you’re a local business that wants to chip in and join the fun, shoot me an email at [email protected] or message me on Instagram.

Shoutout to Bend Breakfast Burrito for being the first to offer up some delicious rewards to our incredible readers!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🔥 What to do when it’s smoky in Bend

• 🎫 Pickleballers take over Pine Nursery Park

• 🥁 Munch & Music rolls on

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🌵 It’s week two of the High Desert Classics

If you missed out on the first week of running, jumping, and hunting from some of the country’s best horses and horse riders, then you’re in luck, as week two of the High Desert Classics kicks off on Wednesday. The event is free to attend, and tickets are still available for the Grand Prix and Hunt brunch.

😤 Smoke season is here

It’s that time again when every central Oregonian wakes up and immediately checks Purpleair.com to see if the AQI is low enough to go on their morning mountain bike ride. If you’re feeling like cabin fever is setting in, then we have some recommendations below on things to do around town when the AQI turns purple.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🏕️ Glamping is about to get a little easier: If camping in the woods off of a random forest service road isn’t quite your style, then you’re in luck, as Bend’s newest and most luxurious RV resort should be opening its doors by Labor Day weekend. The resort, located off of Murphy Rd., will be home to 176 RV sites, a swimming pool, and even pickleball courts!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday

👨‍🌾 Yoga for Gardeners: Join Lauren Davey as she combines two of Bend’s favorite activities: gardening and yoga. This yoga sesh will help keep you nimble enough to tend to your giant pumpkins well into the fall months. Best of all, she has teamed up with Bend Urban Gardens to offer each participant a veggie start. 5:30 - 7 PM 1135 NW Galveston Ave

👪 Family yoga at the library: Introduce your littles to the wonderful world of yoga at this free event at the downtown Bend library. Ages 0 - 5 9:30 - 10:30 AM

⚾ Its root root root for the home team: Your local Bend Elks open up a mid-week series against their arch nemesis, the Cowlitz Black Bears. The games run through Thursday, and all kick off at 6:35 PM. Luckily, temperatures are looking a little more reasonable, so grab the family and spend an evening at the ol’ ballpark.

Wednesday

✨ Sip and Shop at Crux: Swing by Crux Fermentation Project for the inaugural twilight market. Shop for handmade wares from 17 local makers while you sample some of Crux’s latest frosty offerings. 5 - 9:30 PM 50 SW Division St

🍅 Downtown farmers market: Take a stroll down Brooks Alley to stock the fridge with produce, meats, and baked goods from your favorite Bend artisans. If you haven’t yet tried the Kouign-Amann from M’s Bakery, I highly recommend it! 11 AM - 3 PM Brooks Alley

🏓 Show us your favorite dinks: Cheer on the local pickleballers as they take on over 700 of the best players from around the Pacific Northwest at the Pacific Northwest Classic at Pine Nursery Park. July 24 - 28 Pine Nursery Park

Thursday

🚗 Where we’re going, we don't need roads: Head down to the Tin Pan Theater for their second installment of movies in the alley. This time, the feature film is Back to the Future. But if you don’t buy your tickets soon, they’ll be telling you to make like a leaf and get out of here as these shows sell out fast. 8:30 PM 869 NW Tin Pan Alley

🎵 Munch & Music: Let the kids stay up past their bedtime just once and head down to Drake Park for an evening of bouncy houses, deep-fried snacks, and music from Kalimba. 5:30 - 9 PM Drake Park

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday

Silver Moon Brewing | Anna Katarina | 7 - 9 PM | Tickets
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Jake Xerxes Fussell | 9 PM | Tickets

Wednesday

Silver Moon Brewing | Animals in the Attic | 7 - 10 PM | Tickets
Crosscut Warming Hut | Kenny Hadden | 6 - 8 PM
The Commons | Gabrial Sweyn | 7 - 9 PM
Bunk + Brew | Dan Delion & Andrew Shepard | 7 - 9 PM
Juniper Preserve | Evan Mullins | 5 - 8 PM
Oregon Spirit Distillers | UB40 | 7:30 PM | Tickets
McMenamins | Jess Ryan Band | 6 PM
Bevel Craft Brewing | Space Falcon | 6 - 8 PM
The Cellar | Darin Gentry & Friends | 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Thursday

The Cellar | The Ballybogs and Friends | 6 - 8 PM
Dump City Dumplings | Kerry Sheehan | 5:30 PM
Drake Park | Kalimba | 5:30 - 9 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Rock for Socks | 8 PM | Tickets
Midtown Ballroom | Alejandro Escovedo | 8:30 PM | Tickets
Northside Bar & Grill | Don Hoxie | 8 - 10 PM
The Lot | Parker Steers | 6 - 8 PM
River’s Place | Soul’d Out | 6 - 8 PM

BEND OUTDOOR GUIDE

⛰️ What to do when it’s smoky in Bend

This year’s hot and dry July, plus the recent lightning storms, has meant an early arrival for the annual wildfire smoke season. If you’re getting a little stir-crazy around the house when the AQI sits in the unhealthy range, then here are a few of our favorite spots to get out and have some fun while still keeping our lungs happy.

• Bounce around at the Trampoline Zone

• Play some pickleball at the Pickleball Zone

• Head up above the smoke at Mt. Bachelor

• Wander through the High Desert Museum

• Go climbing at the Bend Rock Gym

• Make some art at ISoMiMo

• Race go-karts at K1 Speed

• Catch a movie at the Old Mill

• Go for a swim at Larkspur or Juniper

• Drive to the coast and come back in October (just kidding…kind of)

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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