Welcome to the Talk of Bend Oregon

Local Bend Firefighter Showcases Photography in August Exhibition at Thump - Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Michael J. Caligure, a full-time Bend firefighter since 1982,
exhibits images of professional Bend Fire & Rescue firefighters during
training and local emergencies in his August photography exhibition at
Thump Coffee. Having the experience of both a photographer and a
firefighter, Caligure depicts first-hand the energy, emotion and
magnificent blaze of the fire scene, while documenting the heroes who
risk their lives everyday for our community.

The exhibition for Thump Coffee is a personal statement of Caligures
career and his enthusiasm for depicting firefighters in action on the
scene. Caligures photography tells stories of the personal tests,
experiences and conquests in the life of a firefighter.

In this exhibition, Caligures subject is firefighters in action, however
Caligure also enjoys capturing images relating to everyday life and
important landmarks in ones own journey. My passion for photography
began around 1979 when I purchased my first camera, Caligure states, I
enjoy outdoor activities, so many of my photographs consist of landscapes
and aerials. His work also includes portraits and sporting events.

Thump Coffee is located in downtown Bend at 25 NW Minnesota Ave. For
details, visit www.ThumpCoffee.com or call 541-388-0226.

Oregon Badlands Wilderness is Subject of Senate Hearing - Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Former Deschutes County Commissioner Swearingen Joins Oregon Natural Desert Association for Meetings with Congressional Leadership in Washington D.C.

(BEND, OR) Today in Washington D.C., members of the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests heard testimony on the Oregon Badlands Wilderness Act (S. 3088), introduced last month by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). Oregon Natural Desert Association’s executive director Brent Fenty and wilderness coordinator Gena Goodman-Campbell, as well as former Sisters mayor and Deschutes County commissioner Linda Swearingen, submitted testimony at the hearing, and are in Washington this week to meet with key congressional leadership concerning the wilderness bill.

“Protecting the Badlands—the high desert gem in our backyard—just makes good sense,” says Swearingen. “Wilderness areas help boost the local economy, and offer the chance to get away from the rush of our daily lives. And the way Bend is growing, it's important that we protect the Badlands while we still have the chance.”

The Public Lands and Forest Subcommittee also heard testimony on Sen.
Wyden’s Spring Basin Wilderness Act (S. 3089), which will protect more than 8,600 acres overlooking the John Day Wild and Scenic River. At the hearing, Senator Smith announced that he would like to cosponsor the bill with Senator Wyden.

“With the overwhelming support behind these wilderness designations, our hope is that these bills will move quickly through committee hearings,”
says Fenty. “We salute Senator Wyden for championing these conservation measures, and look forward to working with him and Senator Smith to see the Oregon Badlands and Spring Basin added to America’s National Wilderness Preservation System, forever protected for future generations to enjoy.”

For more about the Oregon Badlands and Spring Basin Wilderness and the Oregon Natural Desert Association, go to

http://www.onda.org.

Anne Hubler Fiber Art - Celebrated Ohio Artist Show Quilts - Saturday, July 05, 2008

Anne Hubler, a well-known Ohio fiber artist whose work is included in the permanent art collections of the White House and the Ohio Governor's Mansion, will exhibit quilts during July. Hubler is the mother of thump owner, Hazel Chapple."Her work isn't just patterns or combinations of fabrics. They tell a story. Her work as a fiber artist has helped raise the profile of quilters and other fiber artists," said Judy Mott, executive director of Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District in Dayton, Ohio.Throughout her career, Hubler has exhibited extensively in Ohio. Three of Hubler's pieces were chosen for inclusion in the Ohio Governor's residence permanent collection. She has received many awards, including a lifetime achievement Special Commendation Award from the Board of County Commissioners and the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District this year.For the thump exhibit, only one piece, "Orange Barrels," is a traditional quilt constructed of three layers (surface, batting, backing). The others use a process of hand stitching tiny pieces of fabric on artist's canvas. Hubler says she made this transition in technique because the final pieces are less bulky, easier for transport and exhibition.See the Ohio Public Public Broadcasting interview with Hubler about her Lifetime Achievement award:
http://www.oll.state.oh.us/multimedia/programs/media.cfm?

Gratis Grounds Make Killer Compost - Saturday, July 05, 2008

Thump has wonderful organic and sustainably grown coffee grounds available for composting and worm bins. Coffee grounds' very jagged microscopic surface area helps speed up the breakdown of the biomass being composted. Email us at thump@thumpcoffee.com or call 388-0226 to arrange a pick-up time for your coffee grounds!

Jackalope Grill August - Saturday, July 05, 2008

The Jackalope Grill will be hosting a winemakers dinner with Walla

Walla's Saviah Cellars (http://www.saviahcellars.com)

4Peaks music Festival - Thursday, July 03, 2008

Named one the best live concerts of 2007 by The Bulletin’s music critic Ben Salmon, The 4 Peaks Music Festival returns for second year to Central Oregon’s high desert this July 25-26 with even more music, camping, food, beverage, crafts and kids’ fun. The momentum means a bigger and better event, expanding the 20-acre venue to 80 acres to allow for more camping and a designated family camping area. The musical line-up also blossomed into 20 bands from last year’s 17 and includes highly regarded national touring bands, as well as local favorites.

:: THE BANDS

– Two Days, Two Stages, 20

The 4 Peaks Music Festival has finalized its line-up and full weekend schedule, featuring two stages of performances by local acts and national touring bands. The official roster promises great shows for all ages:

Friday, July 25

Main Stage
12:35-1:25 State of Jefferson
2:35- 3:25 Brent Alan
4:45- 6:15 Blue Turtle Seduction
7:35- 9:20 Hot Buttered Rum
9:45- 11:00 Zilla

Almost Local Stage
11:00-12: 00 Opener TBD
12:15-12:35 North Channel
1:25- 2:25 The Mostest
3:35- 4:40 Acorn Project
6:25- 7:25 Poor Man’s Whiskey
9:20-9:35 Poor Man’s Whiskey

Saturday, July 26
Main Stage
10:00- 10:50 Blackstrap
12:10- 1:15 Moon Mountain Ramblers
2:30- 3:45 Flowmotion
5:00- 6:25 Poor Man’s Whiskey
8:05- 10:00 Tea Leaf Green
10:30- 11:30 Everyone Orchestra

Almost Locals Stage
11:00- 12:00 Rising Tide
1:25- 2:20 The Grain
3:55- 4:55 Izabella
6:35- 7:55 Delta Nove
10:05- 10:25 The Erins

:: ART
Internationally recognized music interpretative painters VORCAN will be making a stop at this year’s festival. Formed in 2006, VORCAN is a collaboration between two prolific artists, Vort and Cank, who started an art production company and abstract art consulting firm called in Philadelphia. They began collaboratively painting live music of all genres in a variety of venues and events throughout Philadelphia and New York City. Using the music and environment as inspiration, Vort and Cank, create fine art using collaborative imagery. VORCAN has painted over 250 events in The United States and across Europe.

"I can't wait to paint Zilla again at 4 Peaks Music Festival," says VORCAN’s Chris Cank, "When we painted Zilla before, as the band played musicians throughout the festival began to join in. First Steve Kimock, and then Anahata, Sasha Butterfly Rose, and Lynx. There were other musicians joining in to become the Sonic Bloom Orchestra. The outcome was a waterfall of an incredible soundscape never to be replicated in history."

Check out VORCAN's and website here: http://www.vorcan.com/

http://www.artbybuffalo.com/

www.4peaksmusic.com. Tickets are available at Ranch Records on Wall St. in downtown Bend, or at www.frontgatetickets.com.

Vendors interested in reserving booth space should contact Will Nash at

541-788-0314 or will@4peaksmusic.com. The 4 Peaks Music Festival information hotline is 541-382-8064.

::KIDS

There are plenty of fun, hands-on activities for the kids and the whole family to enjoy during the festival. Continuing from last year, kids are welcomed to create festival prayer flags which are hung on site at the festival. Fun stations for the kids to play in will be provided by local Bend businesses. such as Gigglybops, Kids Central and others.

Storytelling, juggling, poi workshops, water balloons toss contests and black light mural paintings will also be available for kid’s entertainment. Parents and adults can settle in and relax at The Dragon Lounge and have some maté tea, soda, iced coffee, beer, wine, or cocktails while their children have fun hula-hooping with the best, Molly Hogan, and enjoying the kid friendly environment. Here’s the schedule:

Friday, July 25

11am- 4pm: Prayer Flags! Make your mark on the Festival by creating your own prayer flag. There will also be mask making, chalk art and fun crafts for the kids.

12 pm: Juggling & Poi Workshop with Planetary Poi and the Spinsters

1 pm: Kids Central leads Child's Play with Todd LaFrenz and Gigglybops

3 pm: Stilting for the kids, made easy with Mike Reuse from Fireflight

Saturday, July 26

11 am - 4 pm: Prayer Flags! Masks! Paintings and crafts

12 pm: Wand Making Workshop

1 pm: Kids Central leads Child's Play with Todd LaFrenz and Gigglybobs

2 pm: Hula Hoops Workshop with Molly Hogan

3 pm: Hoops Jam takes the dance bowl in the amphitheatre

4pm: Kids Parade through the Venue!

:: THE FESTIVAL

The 4 Peaks Music Festival is named after the four Cascade mountain peaks the form a picturesque backdrop at the venue: Broken Top, South, Middle and North Sister. The festival is a self-contained village that includes a kid’s creative area for young festival goers. Part of the profits will benefit a local nonprofit organization (to be determined).

"We have continued to receive positive feedback from last years festival attendees," says EricWalton, a board member and one of the festival’s founders. "This year we have bigger headliners and an expanded venue, including more camping and a designated family camping area. With that, we anticipate doubling our attendance this year to more than 3,000. The music and venue will make a great family getaway for both visitors and locals to enjoy together."

:: THE LOCATION

Central Oregon is best known for its diverse recreational opportunities on both the Deschutes River and in the Deschutes National Forest, world class climbing at Smith Rock, endless mountain bike trails, rivers and lakes for boating, kayaking and fishing as well as a vibrant downtown with shops, restaurants and art galleries.

:: THE TICKETS & DETAILS

Early Bird tickets are already sold out, but two-day passes are available.

One-day passes are being added for those who only want to sample the festival for a single day only. Two-day tickets, which include camping and a weekend of fun events, are $88.75. Ticket prices at the door will climb up again to $98.50. Single-day passes for Friday are $40, while Saturday tickets are $65.

For details, visit

Local artist Chris "Buffalo" Folsom, known for his larger-than-life metal sculpture creations, will also be working on-site at the festival. Folsom, whose work includes strikingly graceful animal sculptures such as his piece titled "Momma Bear and Cubs in Traffic Circle" located in a Madras roundabout, will provide festival-goers with the opportunity to watch fist hand as the artist creates innovative and original work.

More about Buffalo Folsom Sculpture:

4 Peaks Music Festival Brings 20 Eclectic Bands to Sunny Central Oregon

Two-Day Celebration Expands to 80 Acres, With Family Camping, More Music