Bend, OR April 2024

Investment

FINANCE + LEGAL SERVICES

A FRESH APPROACH TO INVESTING

LIFE + CULTURE

LESSONS LEARNED FROM BEES

FITNESS

LOCAL FITNESS STUDIO CULTIVATES COMMUNITY WITH LOW IMPACT, HIGH INTENSITY WORKOUTS

Investment

This issue focuses on investment—not only in the financial sense of the word that first comes to mind , but also investment in our environment, and our health as well.

You may be wondering why we would feature a beekeeper on the cover of our Investment issue. When you read the story of Broadus Bees, and beekeeper James "Jimmy" Broadus Wilkie V, you’ll discover why. I learned that there’s so much more to bees than most of us know…and was surprised to learn that Broadus Bees transports their hives to different locations throughout the seasons as one step to help them thrive. Bees are intrinsically invested in saving our planet, and this story taught me that we need to protect the bees so they thrive, so our environment thrives.

On the financial side, we talked with Equilus Capital Partners, who recently opened an office in NWX in Bend. The firm takes a fresh approach to investing, and focuses on building wealth for its clients through investments in incomeproducing real estate.

This issue introduces you to Gina Vaughn, owner and trainer of Purefit Lagree Studio on Bend’s northeast side. In addition to providing a fitness studio that offers low impact, high intensity workouts, she has cultivated a community of likeminded individuals to foster health, strength and connection.

This issue also shines a light on Clear Mourning, a nonprofit grief support organization and founder Sarah Peterson. With their mission to “transform the culture of grief through three core avenues: support, innovation and awareness,” Clear Mourning takes a unique approach to healing. Their Camp Courage program, designed for children, takes place in June.

We hope the stories in this issue encourage you to invest in your future, those you love, the things most important to you, and your community.

Thank you for supporting the local businesses who support magazine. Be sure to tell them you saw them here, on the pages of Bend Lifestyle.

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• Enduring quality craftsmanship

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MountainStar Family Relief NurseryKeeping Kids Safe

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more than 23 years, MountainStar has supported babies, toddlers and their families with therapeutic services that strengthen families and keep kids safe from abuse and neglect. This month, MountainStar invites the community to support their annual Keep Kids Safe Campaign. Also, join MountainStar on April 30 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for its new event, Walk With a Child. You’ll leave as a champion for our community’s children. MtStar.org

Unleash Your Dog’s Potential!

“Paw

A dynamic nonprofit

HUE helps guide and support young people who are struggling emotionally with a unique offering of “creative wellness” opportunities — art, free expression, meditation, somatic breath work, music and more. Co-Founder and Executive Director Nicola Carpinelli is seen in the photo on page 10 with a recent group of HUE students. Classes are offered free of charge to ages five through 18. ILoveHUE.org

(left)

EQUILUS CAPITAL PARTNERS

A Focus on Income-Producing Real Estate for Client Investment Portfolios

No matter your age or where you are in life, when it comes to investing, it’s important to find a team you can trust. With the state of the economy always in question, you also want to make sure your investment is protected, diversified, and earning as much as possible.

Just last year, a Northwest investment company opened a new Bend office. Offering a fresh approach to investing, Equilus Capital’s focus is building wealth for its clients through investment in real estate. Located in NWX, Equilus Capital’s Asset Manager Mike Musco is committed to helping local clients navigate investing at any stage of life.

Joel Frank noticed that the portfolios he was managing that included real estate were doing about 25% - 30% better than those that did not. “It was because of the tax advantages as well as the steady income that real estate can give people, unlike the stock market, which has a lot of volatility.”

“I enjoy helping people solve problems and helping them do better,” states Musco. “Being here in the Bend office, being local, it’s all about building relationships. We really take our fiduciary role seriously with utmost value on trust, respect and kindness. That’s a big deal to me personally.”

Equilus Capital’s unique approach to investing comes from its Founder, Joel Frank. During his 30-year career with major Fortune 100 investment companies, Joel noticed that the portfolios he was managing that included real estate were doing about 25% - 30% better than those that did not. “I really looked at that and was able to understand why and how that was working,” he says. “It was because of the tax advantages as well as the steady income that real estate can give people, unlike the stock market, which has a lot of volatility.”

So, Joel started working on putting together a professional financial advisory firm with a focus on real estate. He wanted that firm to be able to offer its own diverse real estate to investors.

In 2017, Equilus Capital Partners, LLC was founded. “We have multi-family apartments,

townhomes, medical professional buildings, and a retail establishment that has a long-term lease with a national tenant,” explains Joel, who is the Managing Principal as well as the Founder. “We like national tenants like Tractor Supply, Walgreens, and those types of really strong companies. They don't want to own their own properties. Instead, they like to lease back for the long term.”

The name of the company, he explains, signifies financial strength. “In Latin, the horse is the power of strength, and that’s why our logo model is a horse.”

Instead of people investing their money into real estate on their own, there are huge advantages to partnering with Equilus. “The company invests members’ assets into income-producing real estate,” Joel states. “Most people who want to invest on their own probably don't have our kind of diversification.”

“For example, if they have a million dollars, they may get a duplex, but a million dollars into our fund is going to give them the diversity of having all of these other properties in it that are larger and producing more income.”

Another benefit is not having to deal with all the landlord issues such as collecting rent and handling maintenance on the property. “It’s passive income,” says Joel. “They don't have to do anything — they just sit back and collect their monies and still have the benefits of ownership such as tax deductions and their interest off the loans if there's a loan on the property. It's all passed through proportionally to their share of interest. It’s managed like a mutual fund.”

People can trust Equilus, he says, because what it does is all federally regulated. “They can look us up on NASDAQ or FINRA. We've never had any problems or missed paying a dividend. It's always been on time and our financial strength has grown proportionally year after year.”

In addition to the Bend office, Equilus has locations in Kennewick and Wenatchee, Washington and is a true family business. Joel’s wife, Rhonda Frank, who has years of experience in business administration and event planning, is the Vice President of Marketing and Business Development.

“Over the years, I've helped Joel develop the business and supported him with it,” notes Rhonda. “When it grew to the point where we could afford for me to come on board, it was a great fit. I love doing the marketing. I'm a creative person and Joel and I work really well together. It's been a blessing to watch this business grow together and support each other and our team.”

Their daughters also work in the company. Jocelyn Frank is the financial administrator and Janee Poundstone is the marketing assistant. Joel says he has a passion for what he does and is proud to share it with his family.

Joel strongly believes in teamwork. “We have a great team. Mike Musco in Bend is a part of that as well.”

“We have an internal team, but a lot of my initial interactions with the clients may be with helping them with estate planning or other things that are most important at that moment,” explains Mike. “So, helping clients build their own team as well is something that we're doing.”

Seeing not only the company doing well, but its clients, too, is something the whole team finds truly rewarding. “We're very client focused,” says Rhonda. “We're not out to just pad our pockets. We want our investors to be successful. We believe that if we make them successful, then we're going to be successful as well. And that's our goal — to take really good care of the people who are trusting us.”

Adds Joel, “When people have investment problems or are seeking advice, what works well, as Mike stated, is showing them solutions. And many times, real estate inside an investment portfolio will do that.”

EquilusCapital.com

Lessons Learned From the Bees

““Beekeeping is crucial for pollination, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring food production,”

—Jimmy

Wilkie, Owner of Broadus Bees

This issue of Bend Lifestyle focuses on investment. When considering investment, you might not think about honeybees. And yet, our lives are intrinsically tied and forever connected to these small insects who play an integral role in pollination, the process of which supports biodiversity and helps maintain ecosystems. Healthy bee populations are essential to a healthy and thriving planet. We need bees.

In 2019, a new beekeeper and entrepreneur burst onto the scene in Bend. Though he was living in North Carolina at the time, a vacation to visit friends in Bend lead to a love connection, which triggered a cross country move for James "Jimmy" Broadus Wilkie V. “How does any good story start?” reflects Wilkie when asked how he ended up here. “Boy meets girl, falls in love, they have a child . . . I was looking for a fresh start in life when I came to visit friends here, and met my future wife, Nikki. I went back east, sold everything, and here I am.”

Beekeeping was not Wilkie’s first job. In his early 20s, Wilkie was a commercial diver, certified as an underwater welder and working for Shell and Texaco out of Louisiana. “I did that for four to five years, but that lifestyle was pretty brutal, and not sustainable for me,” remarks Wilkie. A career change was in order, and Wilkie enrolled at Western State University in Colorado where he studied wildlife biology and, of course, bees.

“I’ve always been fascinated with bees and their importance to the environment. From their social structure to their ability to communicate with each other, bees became a passion of mine, really since my early 20s.” After graduating, Wilkie moved to North Carolina to learn to be a beekeeper. He’s been beekeeping now for over 17 years.

“My neighbor in North Carolina, Ray Revis, was a beekeeper and he became my mentor,” notes Wilkie.  “I learned most of what I know about bees

and beekeeping from him. We traveled to Maine for blueberry pollination all the way down to the panhandle of Florida for the Tupelo Honey. He also introduced me to different kinds of honeybees and how to do a lot of the stuff beekeepers do, but how to do it differently, more efficiently.”

“Beekeeping is crucial for pollination, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring food production,” Wilkie explains. “Bees play a key role in the pollination of many crops, contributing to the growth of fruits, vegetables, and nuts that make up a significant part of our diet. Beyond this, bees provide honey, beeswax and other hive products that we benefit from. Honey is a natural sweetener with potential health benefits, including antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Other hive products like propolis and bee pollen also have potential health applications.”

When he first arrived in Bend, Wilkie worked for Agricultural Connections delivering produce. “Through this job, I met local farmers and just made connections that stuck. I started helping these farmers take care of their bees because they kind of get put on the back burner, so everyone can struggle with them from time to time.”

These relationships built a foundation for Wilkie, and in 2019 he founded Broadus Bees. “I developed a lot of relationships with landowners and farmers in Bend and they allow me to bring my bees to their property,” notes Wilkie. “I have a group of hives on a lavender farm on the southeast side of Bend. I have other groups of 40-50 hives in three to four locations in and around Bend.”

In January each year, Wilkie transports his hives from Bend to Williams, California, for the almond pollination. “Our bees spend the majority of their time in Central Oregon, but the almond pollination provides a major food source in the middle

HOW TO HELP BEES:

COBKA – information and resources at cobeekeeping.wildapricot.org

OSU Extension Office – offers Oregon Master Beekeeper Program and other resources; extension.oregonstate.edu

COCC – beginner beekeeping classes in spring and fall; cocc.edu

Pollinator Pathways program – Public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Even the smallest green spaces, like flower boxes and curb strips, can be part of a pathway. Pollinator-Pathway.org

For local native pollinator plants and seeds, check out WinterCreek Nursery and Schillings Garden Market.

WHAT BROADUS BEES OFFERS:

Products:

• Two types of honey each year, lavender and wildflower.

• Over 320 hives produce 10-15 55-gallon barrels of honey each year.

• Other hive products such as propolis, bee pollen, beeswax, soap, infused honey, lip balm, throat spray and honey hot sauce.

• New for 2024: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Honey – Wildflower honey aged four to five months in Oregon Spirits Distillery bourbon barrels.

• Order Broadus Bees products online with FREE local delivery or find a local retailer on their website.

Services:

• Whole hive set up and packages.

• Hive Health – Inspection, mentoring and maintenance.

• Swarm removal – without causing harm to the bees or your property.

• Educational seminars, demonstrations and COCC classes.

of winter so that we can feed them less sugar water, and it also gets them out of the Central Oregon roller coaster winters,” Wilkie explains.

After their time in California, Wilkie transports his bees to Groundwork Organics, a 100-acre farm in Junction City, Oregon. “The bees do really well in the spring with all the natural forage and no artificial feedings. In June, the bees return to Bend to produce honey.”

“While the bees are at Groundwork Organics, I make up nucs and packages of bees to sell in May,” Wilkie explains. “Nucs are a nucleus colony of bees, or a mini hive. A nuc is five frames, where a typical hive is ten frames. I sell the nucs in the spring to established beekeepers, and also sell packages to set up hives for new beekeepers.”

In his spare time, Wilkie supports local area beekeepers and has taught classes through Central Oregon Beekeeping Association (COBKA). Last year he began teaching a beginner beekeeping class at Central Oregon Community College (COCC) in the fall and spring. “I’m just trying to create and support more avenues for people to learn,” says Wilkie.

Broadus Bees has grown and evolved much faster than Wilkie expected. “We now do farmers markets four days a week in the summer and over 100 events a year including holiday bazaars and pop-up markets . . . that’s kind of our identity, ‘the honeybee person at the farmer’s markets,’” Wilkie laughs. “I never

expected us to grow this fast. I don’t think I could have built Broadus Bees anywhere else.”

“My favorite part of what I do is being part of this community. The satisfaction that comes from helping a farm with their bees, having these bees pollinate the food that people in Bend are eating, completing this flower to food to table cycle is what keeps me excited and gets me up in the morning," Wilkie says. "Our community of farmers and growers here in Bend is very unique with a great diversity of small farms, a lot of women-owned farms, that you don’t see in any typical scenario anywhere – it truly feels like people are longing for ways to get back to the way things used to be, when making real connections was a priority.”

If someone is interested in beekeeping, Wilkie suggests reading as much as you can about the topic. “Then you just have to go for it and get on a beekeepers list early to get bees in the springtime,” Wilkie suggests. “I think everyone can do it. You don’t need a lot of space. People are keeping bees on roof tops in Atlanta and putting bee hives on corporate high rises in cities and the bees are doing great there.”

“What I’m all about . . . the bees and being part of this community,” Wilkie says. “But more important, I’m all about family and being present for my kids, present for my wife. It’s these relationships that matter, family and community.”

BroadusBees.com

Strength A Passion for

When walking into the PureFit Lagree Studio on the northeast side of Bend, there is an immediate sense of community — a community dedicated to health, strength, and connection. The impressive machines line the studio, ready for users to get into an intense and fulfilling workout, guided by energetic and highly trained instructors. Anyone looking to invest in their wellness will find a warm welcome and the support needed to successfully meet personal fitness goals.

PILATES VS. LAGREE

There are several differences between Pilates and the Lagree method. Pilates was created to be a minimal impact, low intensity method that restores the body to its natural balance, all while keeping the heart rate below 90 beats per minute. Pilates is not intended as a cardio or body sculpting workout, yet it is an important practice for people seeking wellness and healing.

Lagree, on the other hand, is a low impact, high intensity workout that focuses on core, muscular strength, and endurance. Lagree incorporates some body building techniques that are done on the Megaformer machine and gets the heart rate well above 140 beats per minute, allowing the participant to hit the anaerobic threshold. During a typical class, there are quick transitions to keep the heart rate high and slow movement down to keep the muscles under tension, which is meant to strengthen, tighten, and tone the body.

While raising young children in California, PureFit Lagree Studio owner, Gina Vaughn, began strength training and taking Lagree classes in 2010. During this time, the owner of the facility where she was working out asked if she might be interested in getting certified to teach a few classes. Excited for the opportunity, Vaughn went on to become fully certified in mat and reformer Pilates, TRX and Lagree.

Two years later, Vaughn bought a studio in San Juan Capistrano and named it PureFit, with the catchy slogan, ‘The pure joy of being fit.’ Fast forward several years later, Vaughn and her husband came to Oregon to tour colleges for their eldest child and look for a new place to raise younger children. While visiting Central Oregon, Vaughn and her husband fell in love with the area and relocated right away.

‘When we moved to Bend, we saw PureFit as being a place where skiers, snowboarders, runners, hikers, bikers (mountain and road) and anyone who just enjoys being fit could get a great workout and join our community of likeminded individuals,” says Vaughn.

PureFit Studio strives to give everyone an effective, full body and safe workout. Their mission is to create a community that supports the individual’s workout goals. “It’s important to have a team that not only holds you accountable but supports you in whatever goals you may have in your future,” says Vaughn. “I feel so blessed to have a team of instructors who are so versatile and well-rounded and a group of amazing individuals who not only come to work out but who enjoy being a part of the community we are actively building,” she adds.

PureFit Studio offers fifty minute ‘Mega’ classes seven days a week and has a diverse staff from several different backgrounds, each bringing a unique way to train and engage their classes. Whether it is personal training or larger classes, Vaughn and her staff are extremely passionate about sharing their knowledge, energy, and dedication to help people reach their individual fitness and strengthening goals.

PureFitLagreeStudio.com

Finding the Way Through Grief

CLEAR MOURNING OFFERS SUPPORT ON A PERSONAL JOURNEY

In 2016, local resident, therapist and former hospice social worker Sarah Peterson experienced two great losses in her life. Her two-year old daughter, Marley, was killed when their family car was struck by a drunk driver. Three months later, Peterson lost her father. Having walked beside patients experiencing grief, this was not new territory for Peterson. But, this journey through grief was different. It was her own. And, it opened her eyes and heart to the real need for a shift in the culture of grief, the need for real support for those walking through this journey that is so much a part of life.

It was during her own grief work and journey that Peterson had a vision of creating an organization that would offer strong support and solace through a variety of programs and services, ensuring that no one must endure grief in isolation. On May 2, 2019, Peterson and a close friend founded Clear Mourning as a local nonprofit. For them, it was an investment in their community, filling a need often overlooked.

“Grief is an intrinsic part of the human experience; it’s the emotional price we pay for love,” says Sarah Peterson, LCSW and President and Founder of local nonprofit Clear Mourning. “The process of grieving is crucial because unresolved grief can manifest in our lives in detrimental ways, affecting our relationships, our health, and our ability to engage with the world.”

With their mission to “transform the culture of grief through three core avenues: support, innovation, and awareness,” Clear Mourning offers a unique approach to treating grief not as a condition to be fixed quickly, but as a profound relationship to be developed. With their services and programs aimed at embracing a wide range of age groups, Peterson says, “We prioritize the personalization of grief experiences, recognizing the individuality of each journey while also embracing the common threads that bind all mourners.”

One program facilitated by Clear Mourning since 2022, and founded by Partners In Care 15 years ago, is Camp Courage. It is through collaborative support and continued sponsorship by Partners In Care that Clear Mourning offers this program, which provides a space for young people to safely navigate feelings of loss through therapeutic activities such as art, music and storytelling. In addition to this program, Clear

Mourning has introduced ‘Grief Gifts,’ a compassionate initiative designed to provide crucial financial assistance amidst grief for essential needs such as funeral expenses, medical bills, retreats, and massage. This program underscores Clear Mourning’s commitment to offering tangible support alongside emotional solace.

“Our initiatives, from modernizing mourning attire to fostering community support, are designed to validate and honor the grieving process,” notes Peterson.

“Founding Clear Mourning has been an extraordinary part of my healing process,” states Peterson. “In the early stages of my grief, I yearned for guidance from someone who had walked a similar path – a bereaved mother who could illuminate the road ahead and assure me that joy and peace could still find a place in my life. Now, through Clear Mourning, I serve as a beacon for others, providing insight into the grief journey, acknowledging the unique yet universal aspects of living with loss.”

Peterson goes on to say, “It is my intention to share knowledge and introduce innovative ways for individuals to forge a meaningful relationship with their grief. In doing so, I continuously nurture my own connection with my grief, honoring the memory of my daughter and father. Their presence is intertwined with the essence of Clear Mourning, and in this work, I am deeply engaged with their legacy.”

“Clear Mourning is more than an organization; it is a movement towards a culture where the bereaved are understood, supported, and given the space to find new meaning in the wake of loss,” states Peterson. “Our goal is to ensure that no one has to endure their grief in isolation but can instead navigate their journey with a wealth of resources and a compassionate community at their side.”

For more information about services and programs offered by Clear Mourning, and to find ways to invest in and support their mission and work in our community, check out their website. Clear Mourning welcomes support in the form of volunteers, financial support, program sponsorship, as well as art and camp supplies for Camp Courage, which takes place June 24-27 this year.

ClearMourning.org

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS FOR A DELICIOUS BURST OF SPRING FLAVORS

This time of year, you might be craving the tastes of spring. Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls are easy to assemble and served fresh, with a sauce of your choosing, offer a burst of flavors that promise of spring and summer gardens to come.  These rolls are versatile. If you have rice paper wrappers, use your imagination and whatever fresh veggies, greens or herbs available (even a different type of noodle works!) to create a healthy, delicious appetizer, snack or addition to any meal. Tip: Cooked pork, shrimp, chicken or tofu are great additions to these rolls.

ingredients

• 2 oz. rice vermicelli (uncooked)

• 8 rice paper (spring roll wrappers)

• 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks or grated

• 1 cup red cabbage, very thinly sliced

• 1 large head leaf lettuce, leaves separated, rinsed and dried

• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced

• ¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

• ¼ cup fresh mint, roughly chopped

• ¾ cup fresh Thai basil or sweet basil leaves, roughly chopped

• 1 avocado, sliced

• Optional: chicken, shrimp, pork or tofu

Peanut Sauce

• ½ cup hoisin sauce

• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated

• 1 garlic clove, grated

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more for garnish

directions

1. Cook vermicelli according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

2. For sauce, whisk together all ingredients with ¼ cup of water. Top with another pinch of pepper flakes and refrigerate.

3. To assemble spring rolls (make one roll at a time): Prepare a stack of damp paper towels or dish towels. Fill a shallow bowl or pie pan with warm water. Soak one rice wrapper in warm water for about 15 seconds, rotating to soften. Place on damp towel. In the center of the rice paper, place three tablespoons of rice noodles and a small portion of each veggie and herb of your choosing, along with a lettuce leaf. Keep the filling bundled together in the center of the wrapper, folding the rice paper up and over the filling and fold in the sides, rolling into a tight cylinder to seal.

4. Place rolls on a platter and cover with a damp towel to prevent drying out. Repeat the process and serve rolls immediately with a sauce of your choosing. Or store in airtight container covered with a damp paper towel for up to two days.

APRIL 2ND

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 61980 Skyline Ranch Rd, Bend | 6:30 PM

Book Launch for Never Leave the Dogs Behind, by Brianna Madia at Bend's Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. The author of the New York Times bestseller Nowhere for Very Long  continues her story with this deeply honest, moving account of a woman walking the line between independence and isolation when she moves to the Southwest desert with nothing and no one but her four dogs.

RoundaboutBookShop.com

APRIL 6TH

Boys & Girls Club of Bend

Downtown Club, 500 NW Wall St. 7:00 PM

Alright, party people in the house, let's take it back — way back to the 90's! Dust off those prom outfits and head to the Boys & Girls Club of Bend's Downtown Club for an evening fundraiser that includes music, dancing, food, drinks and fun! Tickets are $75 and include one free drink. 7-10 p.m. BGCBend.org

APRIL 6TH

Scalehouse Gallery, 550 NW Franklin Ave., Suite 138 | 10:30 AM

Nothing else supplies material, or catalyzes the creative impulse, like the

Founded in 2006 by Dr. Mac Donell, MyMD is now the most established, premier concierge practice in Bend.

Personalized healthcare is our focus.

You deserve the best medical care

from the most qualified doctor. That’s why Dr. Richard Mac Donell at MyMD focuses on providing personal, intentional, and comprehensive care for a small group of patients. Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Mac Donell also works as your advocate, coordinating care among specialists and providing a unique and thorough approach to all your health care issues. Call to learn more today.

Membership includes:

• 24-hour phone access

• Same or next-day appointments

• Minimal to no wait times

• House calls available

• More!

“My experience with MyMD has been above and beyond. I have total confidence in my doctor and his support staff. They listen and solve any issues we might have—instant results!”

- Gary Wheeler,Bend

MYMD MEMBER SINCE 2020

complex territory of  family. Join the expedition, where family is the springboard for an imaginative romp. Join Scalehouse for a Creative Writing Workshop facilitated by Krayna Castelbaum in conjunction with the exhibition Mt. Pile, featuring Nan Curtis. For beginning and experienced writers. 10:30 a.m. - noon. Scalehouse.com

APRIL 14TH

Bend Marathon and Half Marathon

Westside of Bend | 7:00 AM

Come run the Bend Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k. Enjoy beautiful mountain town races with spectacularly scenic courses through West Bend. You’ll cruise around neighborhood parks, through ponderosa pine forests, along the mighty Deschutes River, and finish in a beautiful iconic Bend location with a chill afterparty, food and Cascade Lakes craft beer. Free kids race and youth 5k. Bend-Marathon.com

APRIL 18TH

Tracing Geological History Through Rocks and Minerals in Oregon's Desert

Tower Theatre | 7:00 PM

Join in the final events of Oregon Natural Desert Association’s 2024 High Desert Speaker Series, featuring Alison Jean Cole—an author, rockhound, and lapidary artist. Alison will showcase the rock and mineral treasures of Oregon’s desert. Glimpses of Oregon’s earliest cultures can be traced through these stone materials, which have been sought after for thousands of years. ONDA.org