Power Hour: Is solar on the horizon for you in 2020?
2020-02-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Power Hours are networking events with a panel of experts to ignite new conversations around energy efficiency.
Please RSVP in advance.
The solar market is a dynamic force in 2020 with lots of new opportunities for more of our community to reap the benefits of solar power. While the long-standing federal tax credit has decreased slightly, opportunities in Oregon, including increased income-qualified incentives, will make solar more accessible for more families. Other programs including community solar and community investment coop models will shake up our opportunities even more. Come see what’s on the horizon for 2020 and make sure you aren’t missing out on the chance to make the switch to clean energy this year!
Schedule:
5:00 – 5:30pm: Networking
5:30 – 6:30pm: Panel Discussion, Q&A
6:30 – 7:00pm: Networking
Speakers:

Dan Orzech is the General Manager of the Oregon Clean Power Coop, the only state-wide renewable energy co-op in the U.S. A native Oregonian, and graduate of Reed College, he has worked in the solar industry for the last decade, developing or consulting on a total of more than 25 megawatts of solar projects across the U.S.
Joe Mazzarella works with Sunlight Solar Energy as part of their System Design and Project Development teams. After graduating from Washington State University and taking a brief seven-year Rocky Mountain ski hiatus, Joe moved to Bend in 2000. Joe ran his own house painting company from 2001-2011 before switching gears to the solar field full time. Since then, Joe has helped hundreds of homes, businesses, schools and municipalities go solar throughout the state. He has been trained and certified by NABCEP in Technical Sales, and enjoys sharing his knowledge of solar and passion for the environment with solar workshops for kids and adults alike. When not out promoting the power of the sun (or enjoying it while skiing and fishing), Joe can usually be found at home doing dishes.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor:

The Plight of the Sage-Grouse
2020-02-19
Biology meets Botany in Oregon’s High Desert
Stu Garrett will share his fascination with the iconic Sage-Grouse, known for the male’s strut, puffy chest and spiky tail feathers to attract females during breeding season. Learn about historical events leading to the condition of the ecosystems we see on the High Desert today, and we will consider some of the changes that might help the Sage-Grouse survive. Free and open to the public.

Bend COTA Work Events
2020-02-20, 2020-02-27, 2020-03-05, 2020-03-12
When: Thursday Aug 11, Tuesday Aug 16, Tuesday Aug 23 and Tuesday Aug 30, 5:15 to Dusk
Where: Meet at the old Ray’s parking lot, NE corner of Simpson Ave and Century Drive in Bend
Worksite: Varies
There’s only one thing better than mountain biking in Bend, OR and that’s riding in Bend, knowing that you helped build and maintain the trails you love.
Please bring a hydration pack with water and a snack.
Be sure to bring appropriate layers to accommodate whatever the weather may be.
Questions? contact@cotamtb.com
All COTA trail work events require the following safety measures:
All participants are required to have the following protective clothing and equipment:

Sturdy shoes or boots
Gloves
Eye protection with clear or light colored lens
Long pants

Due to COTA’s insurance requirements and the inherent dangers of trail work, we must implement the following policy regarding children at work events:

For anyone 14 years of age or younger, we require one parent, guardian, or responsible adult for supervision of every four kids attending any COTA trail work events.
All minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian available to sign our waiver.

Anyone who arrives for a work event may be turned away if he/she cannot meet the above requirements.

Sentenced for a Season, Punished for Life
2020-02-20
Many of us have grown up being told—and believing—that after a person serves their sentence for a crime, the slate is wiped clean. Every possibility exists for them to find a decent job, a decent apartment, a decent car. From there, they can go on to build a decent life. But the truth does not often bear out this scenario. A felony conviction can restrict travel options, licensing options for employment, housing, and financial aid, just to name a few. What does it mean to our society that 8 percent of our overall US population—and 33 percent of African American men—who have felony convictions run into these barriers after they serve time in prison? Join facilitator Pamela Slaughter in a conversation about how this reality affects our communities and what alternatives might look like.
About Pamela Slaughter: Pamela Slaughter is a native Oregonian with varied interests. She works as an adult protective service investigator for Multnomah County and is a licensed real estate broker with Keller Williams Realty Portland Central, working as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Pamela also serves as BellaOnline magazine’s Senior Issues editor and hosts a weekly writing group—Shut Up & Write! Pamela loves showing off the beauty of Oregon and gets to do so regularly as a coleader for People of Color Hike! In her spare time, Pamela spends time with family and friends, and bakes delicious cakes.
This program is made possible with support from Oregon Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Oregon Cultural Trust.Co-organized by Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program, COCC’s Diversity and Inclusion Office and COCC Madras Campus.
With support from: Oregon Community Foundation, St. Charles Health System, Cascades Academy, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Associated Students of COCC.

Dangerous Oil Trains Increasing in Central Oregon
2020-02-20
Dangerous fire and explosions. There’s already been two incidents in Oregon. Two lucky breaks, in Mosier and Madras. But these trains run right through downtown Bend. And if you live within a mile of the railroad tracks, you are at serious risk. The entire downtown area could be obliterated. Much like Lac Megantic, in Canada, where an explosion killed 47 people and racked up 2 billion in damages. Now, the formerly picturesque town lies in gravel rubble, without sufficient funds to rebuild. With little recourse, these damages fall on taxpayers.
The industry says their trains are safer and the risks minimal. But are they? And why are we at such serious risk in Central Oregon? What can we do about it?
Learn the answers to these questions and more. Attend the FREE presentation.

What Would You Do Without Winter: Snow Activism Tour
2020-02-21
Lauren MacCallum from Scotland and Josh Jespersen from Colorado are fighting the climate crisis in their own backyards, and we’re screening two films to share their stories with you, in the hope you’ll be inspired to take action too. After the film screenings, Patagonia ambassador Josh Dirksen and nonprofits Deschutes Land Trust and Protect Our Winters will facilitate an interactive discussion on how to connect with local climate groups.
Everyone has something to contribute—let us help maximize your climate fight and match your skills with the organizations that need them the most. It’s your winter, and your choice. Will you take action to protect it?

Second Annual Wild Rivers Night
2020-02-22
Come celebrate wild rivers! A variety of paddlers will share their adventures in rafts, kayaks, SUPs, and even biking. Rivers in CO, OR, and even as far away as the Karnali River in Nepal. This event was so popular last year that we decided to make it an annual event. Come one, come all! Your donation of $10 (or more!) at the door will help fund river restoration projects. We expect this popular event to sell out so get your tickets soon.
Free beer from Deschutes Brewery and kombucha from Caboost.

Womxn in Conservation: February Prineville Gathering
2020-02-25
Join Womxn in Conservation for a Prineville Happy Hour on Tuesday, February 25, 2020! Head on over to Crooked River Brewing to meet and chat with other womxn working in conservation from 5:30-7pm. Members will have an opportunity to meet each other and discuss how Central Oregon Womxn in Conservation can best serve folks in Prineville, the Ochocos, and elsewhere in Crook County!
This will be a great opportunity to meet new folks and find ways to collaborate with other womxn across the region! Carpooling is available, sign up here. RSVPs are appreciated, which you can do here.

The Role of Innovation and Technology in an Increasingly Carbon-Constrained World
2020-02-25
Join local Bend speakers for a conversation about creating economic opportunity in the era of climate change.
As an emerging hub for innovation, Central Oregon is ripe for creating technology solutions in response to the risks being caused by climate change that also help grow our economy. Join Bend-area speakers Rita Hansen of On-Board Dynamics, Tucker Ruberti of Enel X, and Adam Krynicki, Executive Director, Innovation Co-Lab OSU Cascades for a conversation about creating economic opportunities in the era of climate change.
Register here.

Restoring the Dignity of Rivers
2020-02-26
Every river, stream, and creek is unique and cannot be replaced by anything else. While rivers are a natural resource that provides a wide range of benefits, they are worth more to society than just their economic value. Join Deschutes Land Trust and river scientist Dr. Colin Thorne as we explore the dignity of rivers, or the innate right rivers have to be valued, respected, and to receive ethical treatment. Recently, rivers in India, New Zealand, Colombia, and Bangladesh have been granted the same legal rights as people. In a US context, this is a somewhat radical concept of the river, but a critical one. Colin proposes that the sustainability of our rivers will only be assured when the communities that surround and benefit from them choose to not only restore the functionality of their rivers, but also to respect the dignity of their rivers. This presentation is free and ticket sales open one month prior to the event.
Nature Nights are free, but a ticket is required. Please register online: deschuteslandtrust.org

Mountainfilm on Tour-Bend
2020-02-28, 2020-02-29
Each year, The Environmental Center brings Mountainfilm on Tour to Bend to showcase incredible documentary films, thoughtfully curated for our Central Oregon audience. This film event features stories of adventure, climate change, culture, and resilience from around the world.

Latino Outdoors Shevlin Park Outing
2020-02-29
Para la salida de este mes, iremos a Shevlin Park. Estaremos haciendo una introducción a caminando en la nieve sobre raquetas. Caminaremos una vuelta de 2.2 millas alrededor del parque. ¡Lluvia, nieve, o sol, ahí estaremos!Estaremos rifando artículos de Cairn y zapatos de Keen! También habrá bebidas calientes y tamales. Por favor de dejarnos saber si planean en asistir. (Tenemos que saber cuántas personas van a asistir para ordenar suficiente comida)
For this month’s outing we will be going to Shevlin Park. We will be doing an introduction to Snowshoeing and walking the 2.2 mile loop around the park! Rain, snow or shine we will be there! We will be doing a raffle for some items from Cairn and some Keen shoes! We will also be providing food and warm drinks (aka: Tamales!!!). Please be sure to let us know if you plan on attending so that we know how much food to bring.

Basics of Solar Workshop - Bend
2020-03-02
Come learn about solar!
At the Basics of Solar Workshop, Solar Oregon will answer your questions and help you take the first step to adding solar to your home. Solar Oregon will answer your questions about how solar works and share information about incentives available.

The event is free and open to everyone.
This workshop is made possible with support from Energy Trust of Oregon

Looking Beyond Our Differences: Seeing the Humanity in Each of Us
2020-03-03, 2020-03-04
A talk by Oregon’s first African American Supreme Court Justice

Justice Adrienne Nelson will talk about how her life experiences — from being the first person of color at her Arkansas high school to be named valedictorian to serving as the first African American on the Oregon Supreme Court — have informed her focus on leadership, diversity, inclusion, mentoring, community service and the legal profession. She works daily to “make this world a little bit better.” Justice Nelson will also give us global perspectives and believes if we each connect to our humanity, it opens us up to many more possibilities.
Tuesday, March 3
Wille Hall, Coats Campus Center, COCC Bend Campus, 6 p.m.
RSVP here
Wednesday, March 4
Room 209, COCC Redmond Campus, 9 a.m.
RSVP here
Co-organized by The Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program and COCC’s Diversity & Inclusion Office with sponsorship support from The Oregon Community Foundation, Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, and Associated Students of COCC.
About Justice Nelson: Justice Adrienne Nelson was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court January 2018, making her the first African American to sit on the state’s highest court. She is a frequent speaker on topics including diversity, inclusion, equity, leadership and professional development. She sits on the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Public Education, is the Oregon delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, chairs the Lewis and Clark Law School Judge Roosevelt Robinson Scholarship Committee and is vice-president of the Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court.

Net-Zero Schools from Process to Impacts: Uncovering Barriers and Benefits
2020-03-05
Register here
Energy Trust 2018 Net Zero Fellowship research presentation
With Dr. Ihab Elzeyadi

Presentation: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Q&A: 1:00 – 1:30 p.m.

Lunch will be provided and CEUs available for self-reporting.

Examining Our Personal Experiences of Connection and Community
2020-03-09
In 1992, in the midst of riots sparked by the acquittal of police officers who brutally beat him, Rodney King asked, “Can we get along?” This iconic American question still resonates today. What is it that drives this question, and why can it be so difficult to answer? What holds us back from connecting with each other? How do our personal experiences contribute to—and have the potential to break down—these barriers? Join facilitator Chisao Hata as she holds space to examine our individual and collective questions on race, perspectives, and cultural values around what brings us together and what separates us. This conversation may include some hands-on activities.
Monday, March 9
COCC Redmond Campus, 6 p.m.
RSVP here
Tuesday, March 10
COCC Prineville Campus, 5:30 p.m.
RSVP here
About Chisao Hata
Chisao Hata is an artist educator, dance director, arts integration specialist, community activist, and performing artist. For over two decades through her work in education, she has been a protector of imagination and personal discovery, and a champion for individual expression. Creating engaged learning for our youth, our citizen artists, is her life’s work. She has had the honor of serving hundreds of Portland’s children, youth, and adults across many communities. Chisao believes that we are all inextricably linked and the arts are our conduit to build bridges between our communities.

The Future of Waste in Deschutes County - Sunriver
2020-03-10
As more and more people move to Deschutes County, more and more trash is being created for drop off at our nearly full Knott Landfill. Recycling, while an important part of the process, is not the solution to addressing the massive volume of waste in our community. Come learn about what to do to help make an impact to reduce waste in our community. We will address the current state of recycling and how to do it right, but talk more in-depth about other forms of waste diversion and prevention. What can you do to help rather than hinder?
Ani Kasch is the Rethink Waste Program Manager at The Environmental Center, a local non-profit organization working to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon where she has been educating the community for 2.5 years. She is passionate about waste reduction, especially around wasted food. She is an avid bike commuter and enjoys cooking and eating local food.

Examining Our Personal Experiences of Connection and Community
2020-03-10
In 1992, in the midst of riots sparked by the acquittal of police officers who brutally beat him, Rodney King asked, “Can we get along?” This iconic American question still resonates today. What is it that drives this question, and why can it be so difficult to answer? What holds us back from connecting with each other? How do our personal experiences contribute to—and have the potential to break down—these barriers? Join facilitator Chisao Hata as she holds space to examine our individual and collective questions on race, perspectives, and cultural values around what brings us together and what separates us. This conversation may include some hands-on activities.
Monday, March 9
COCC Redmond Campus, 6 p.m.
RSVP here
Tuesday, March 10
COCC Prineville Campus, 5:30 p.m.
RSVP here
About Chisao Hata: Chisao Hata is an artist educator, dance director, arts integration specialist, community activist, and performing artist. For over two decades through her work in education, she has been a protector of imagination and personal discovery, and a champion for individual expression. Creating engaged learning for our youth, our citizen artists, is her life’s work. She has had the honor of serving hundreds of Portland’s children, youth, and adults across many communities. Chisao believes that we are all inextricably linked and the arts are our conduit to build bridges between our communities.
Co-organized by Nancy R. Chandler Visiting Scholar Program, COCC’s Diversity and Inclusion Office and COCC Redmond Campus. With support from: Oregon Community Foundation, Cascades Academy of Central Oregon, Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund and Associated Students of COCC.

The Electric Future of Cars, Bikes, and Transit
2020-03-11
Over the last 10 years, rapid advances in electric vehicles have changed the way we get around. The Environmental Center’s Electric Mobility expert, Neil Baunsgard, discusses what is available now and what is yet to come in the future of electric cars, bikes and public transit.

Noche de Cuentos
2020-03-11
‘Noche de Cuentos’ was created to connect Latinos and Spanish-speakers to the traditions of oral storytelling prominent in Latin America. The program will consist of food, a workshop to help participants build the skills to tell their own stories and explore the art of storytelling, and will conclude with a presentation by a local Storyteller/Librarian from Redmond name Pia Alliende. The program is open to all ages, although the workshop is geared toward school-age children, teens, and adults. Deschutes Public Library will provide child care and crafting happening during this section for the smallest kiddos.

LOGE Speaker Series: Rethink Waste
2020-03-11
To kick off the LOGE Speaker Series, Ani Kasch of the Rethink Waste Project and the The Environmental Center will be joining us to discuss the topic of waste and how we can be better stewards to the environment. If you’ve ever felt the desire to be more responsible with your waste but don’t know where to start or maybe it seems like too much work, this presentation is for you!
Topics to be covered are:
Wasted food issues and prevention
General waste reduction ideas
Recycling, its importance and how to do it right
Current events around waste and what you can do about them?
Join us in the LOGE Bend cafe for an hour of trash talk and community.

Green Drinks at SCP Redmond
2020-03-12
Join us in downtown Redmond for March Green Drinks!

Soul Community Planet (SCP) is for people who value personal wellness, social good and the environment. SCP Redmond opened in December 2019 after a two-year renovation. The 49-room hotel blends lodging, eating, drinking, shopping, working and socializing all in a venue with historical and local flavor. The renovation took the vintage structure down to its historic bones, replacing outdated infrastructure with modern and efficient plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems and includes the use of green materials and eco-friendly products. Signature features include living green walls throughout the property and a garden on the rooftop.
Additionally, every time a guest stays overnight, SCP donates the estimated cost to plant a tree to the One Tree Planted organization.
Learn more about SCP Redmond here: www.scphotel.com/redmond
Please RSVP in advance. Carpools and transit are encouraged.

Evolve
2020-03-13, 2020-03-14
Postponed to November 2020. Details to be announced soon.
The Red Door Project presents: Evolve
Directed by Kevin Jones; Co-Directed by Louanne Moldovan
Presented in collaboration with the Central Oregon Community College Afrocentric Club
Evolve is a new performance experience that explores the relationship between law enforcement and communities of color. Combining monologues from The New Black Fest’s Hands Up: 7 Playwrights, 7 Testaments, a show written by African American men and women about their experience with racial profiling, and Cop Out: Beyond Black, White & Blue, based on interviews with police officers, Evolve seeks to stimulate conversation in a new way and help us to bridge a seemingly intractable divide.

Youth Earth Optimism Summit
2020-03-14
Do you encourage other people to use less or recycle more? Join teens from around Central Oregon at the first youth Climate Change Summit hosted at the High Desert Museum. Meet youth and adult speakers who will talk about current large and small scale solutions. Learn how you can make a difference and become inspired to create change. Throughout this event, youth will have opportunity to discuss climate change through activities, discussions and speakers.
In addition MOsley WOtta will be performing at the end of the event. A sustainable dinner will be provided. This event is for 6th through 12th grade students. Be green! Carpool if you can. Transportation will be available from Bend and Redmond.
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm – elementary school students
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – middle and high school students
