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🌩️ Where there's smoke, there's fire

🌩️ Where there's smoke, there's fire

Fires threaten Mt. Bachelor, take the checkered flag at Bend's new RC track, and where to hike without a permit

Derek Carlson
September 10, 2024

Good morning, Bend! We’re here to provide a little dose of morning clarity through the haze.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

📖 Volunteer in the classroom
🔥 Fire season roars back to life
🧒 Kids Center celebrates 30 years

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🏫 SMART Reading Volunteer Opportunities

School is back in session, and SMART Reading, a local children’s literacy non-profit, is looking for volunteers. Volunteers will read with students either one-on-one or in entire classes and would need to be available during school hours for one hour per week from October through May. More information is available here - https://smartreading.org/volunteer/

🌩️ Where there’s lightning, there’s thunder…and fires

Lightning storms over the weekend sparked numerous fires around the high desert, including a few perilously close to Mt. Bachelor. These fires have brought smoke back to the area and closed large swaths of recreation lands, including Mt. Bachelor itself. One of the best ways to keep track of closures, smoke levels, and fire reports is through an app called Watch Duty. Hopefully, the rains forecasted later this week will show up and help slow things down!

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🏎️ A new way to race

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a professional race car driver but can’t afford a million-dollar car, then a new Bend business offers the next best thing. Three River RC just opened a brand new RC car track, which is open to the public Friday - Sunday. Bring your own offroad RC car or rent one of theirs and see who can take home the checkered flag.

🚸 Kids Center open house

2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the Kids Center, a local non-profit helping children and families who have suffered abuse. In honor of this milestone, they welcome you to pay a visit to their center to tour the facility, enjoy some refreshments, meet O’Malley (the resident dog), and learn more about how you can get involved. 2 - 6 PM 1375 NW Kingston Ave

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday

🪚 Central Oregon Woodworkers meetup

Love woodworking and want to get together with other like-minded folk to chat about sawdust and bevel cuts? DIYCave is hosting this month’s Central Oregon Woodworkers meeting. The group is free to join, and the event is free to attend. 5 - 7 PM 444 SE 9th St

☕️ Commerce and coffee

Come meet fellow business owners and expand your professional network at Commerce and Coffee (which, BTW, starts in 2 hours if you’re reading this at 6 AM). The event is free to Chamber members and is $10 for non-members. Coffee from Thump and breakfast bites from Bend Breakfast Burrito will be provided. 8 - 9:30 AM Waypoint Hotel

Wednesday

🧒 Hello! Storytime at Roundabout Books

Bring the littles to Roundabout Books for a storytime get-together with local hedgehog aficionado Kathleen. This fun event will include movement, stories, and a chance to meet fellow parents. 10:30 - 11 AM 900 NW Mt Washington Dr

👩‍👦 Moms and groms at Boss Rambler

Stop by Boss Rambler Beer Club with your grom (that’s surf or skateboard speak for a kid) to hang out with fellow Bend moms. Grab a drink and make some new friends at this fun after-school event. 3 - 6 PM Boss Rambler Beer Club

🏓 Learn the basics of pickleball

Learn how to play pickleball or take your skills to the next level with a class at Juniper Preserve. For $40, you’ll get 90 minutes of instruction from their experienced pickleball coach, which will have you ready to run the courts at Pine Nursery Park. 9 - 10:30 AM Juniper Preserve

Thursday

🧘 Riverside yoga and wine

Join Free Spirit Yoga for a one-hour outdoor yoga session, followed by wine tasting and epic views on the lawn at the Va Piano Vineyards tasting room. 5:30 - 7:30 PM Free Spirit Yoga

💪 Flex your trivia muscles at Bridge 99

Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia makes its weekly stop at Bridge 99 Brewing on Bend’s northeast side. Grab some friends or show up and join a team. There is no fee to play, and you may even take home some prizes courtesy of Bridge 99. 6:30 PM 63063 Layton Ave

🚵‍♀️ Thrilla cyclocross kickoff

The Thrilla cyclocross race series kicks off for another year of fun at the Bend Athletic Club. All levels are welcome; there is even a kids race for ages 3 - 8! Winners of each category will take home a six-pack from Deschutes Brewing (except for the kids, of course).

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

BEND OUTDOOR REPORT

Fall is just around the corner, which means cooler days, fall foliage season, and fewer crowds out on the trails. But if you were hoping to hop on the trail to South Sister at a moment’s notice, then sadly, that is still not the case, as Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are still required for many of the popular trailheads around the area until October 15th.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other trails to choose from around the high desert that do not require permits. So, if you’re feeling inspired on a Saturday morning, then grab some water and snacks and head out to conquer one of these epic hikes.

Black Butte - 4 miles & 1,500 feet of elevation gain to the top of Black Butte near Sisters
Wychus Trail - 6.4 miles & 660 feet of elevation gain along Wychus Creek with views of the Three Sisters
Tumalo Falls - A choose-your-own-adventure trail that ranges from a short walk to the Tumalo Falls overlook to a 7-mile out-and-back along Tumalo Creek with numerous waterfalls.
Six Lakes Trail - This is an easy trail (great for backpacking!) that will take you by numerous scenic lakes, including Blow and Doris Lake.
Tumalo Mountain - Get those legs in shape for ski season with this 4-mile hike to the top of Tumalo Mountain.
Winopee Lake - This little-known trail near Cultus Lake will take you to numerous backcountry lakes. Keep an eye out for the old cabin near Muskrat Lake.

THANKS!

Stay cool, and thank you again for reading!

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