Happy Hour in the Garden Slowly Reopens
2020-08-04, 2020-08-11, 2020-08-18 | Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Our Garden Team has kicked off Happy Hour in the Garden. Join us every Tuesday, 4-6pm, through September 1st.
Here are our new COVID-10 guidelines, which we also have posted on our task board in the garden.
Volunteering in the Garden COVID Guidelines:

There will be a maximum of 8 volunteers (we do not have an RSVP set up for this at this time)
Please BYO (bring your own) gloves & hand tools (if you have them)
I will have other sanitized tools available for use if needed
Please bring a can coozie. Our donated beverages will be in cans and bottles this year, coozie will help you to identify yours.
Please maintain 6′ social distancing rules
Please bring your face masks to wear when 6′ can’t be maintained for a project
If you bring kids, they must be supervised and able to follow other garden guidelines
Garden Team will be: sanitizing tools, pens, and picnic table before and after use
We will have hand washing station and hand sanitizer available for use. Please use them!
Don’t come if you, anyone in your household, or anyone you have come in contact with has had any symptoms in the last 72 hours.

Every 4 weeks we’ll have another sponsor. Thanks to Humm Kombucha, Worthy Garden Club, 10 Barrel, Deschutes Brewery & Boneyard Beer for coming on board again this year!

Oregon Safe Routes to School Virtual Annual Meeting
2020-08-05
The Oregon Safe Routes to School Annual Meeting series will provide opportunities for Network members to collaborate on 2020-2021 school year plans and network with statewide practitioners. The meeting will consist of 3 different meetings held on July 29, August 5 and August 19.
Meeting will include: Planning for the 2020-2021 school year. Presentations on curriculum tools and resources.

Member Appreciation Event
2020-08-05
Thank you, Environmental Center supporters! Join us to hear how your membership is making a difference in Central Oregon & beyond.

About this Event

Each summer, our team and Board of Directors look forward to connecting with you at the Member Appreciation Luncheon in August. We’ve decided to do things a little differently this summer in order to prioritize the well-being of everyone involved.
In lieu of gathering at our facility, we’re hosting an online event to share how your financial support has made a tremendous impact across Central Oregon over the last 12 months. Despite the pandemic, we still want to take time to express our gratitude and share how we’re putting your membership contribution to work.
Our livestream event will include…

Updates from our Executive Director, staff, and Board of Directors
An opportunity to ask questions and share feedback about our work
See some familiar, smiling faces

Following the live event, our staff will be outdoors at The Environmental Center between 1-5 p.m. Swing by our front lawn to wave and shout hello! We will all be wearing masks and will keep our distance. We will have bottled kombucha to share, and you’ll also have an opportunity to see Jefferson’s Greene’s artwork that was featured during the 2020 Earth Day celebration.
Thank you for your flexibility this year. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

Right to Clean Air -- an Environmental Justice Pathways Webinar
2020-08-05
Join the next Environmental Justice Webinar Series: Right to Clean Air. This webinar will bring in diverse perspectives on what a Right to Clean Air means for our communities’ well-being and health. It will also spark a discussion of the intersections between the current public health and social crises we are experiencing today, and how they are exacerbated by dirty and polluted air.
This event will be moderated by Benjamin Duncan, the Chief Officer of Diversity and Equity, Multnomah County.

ADVOCACY: Support funding Bend's Core Area Plan
2020-08-05
The Core Area Plan, adopted by the City Council on May 20, 2020, is the culmination of the City of Bend’s planning process to identify needed projects and programs in the BCD and surrounding neighborhoods. It includes our recommendations for equitable redevelopment.
The City Council will vote to create an urban renewal area so that they may use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to provide funding for those projects and programs on August 5, 2020.

Tell the City why you support the Core Area TIF Plan to make the vision for a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive mixed-use neighborhood in the center of Bend a reality!

Remembering the Hiroshima Bombing 75 Years Ago
2020-08-06 - 2020-08-08
What: Hiroshima Day activities: Shadow Project and Film Festival
Date: August 6-8
Where: Bend and on Zoom
Shadow Project, Aug 6, 4:00 pm media viewing

The Vocal Seniority and the Sierra Club Juniper Group have organized a Shadow Project to commemorate the Hiroshima bombing. We will outline with chalk the stencils of our bodies on the sidewalk in front of the Deschutes County Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend. We will use appropriate social distancing in recapitulating the shadows of the Hiroshima victims whose bodies were vaporized by the blast, leaving only shadows of where they fell victim.
Activists will do the outlines as couples from 2-4 pm on Aug 6 to avoid creating a crowd. Spokespersons will be available to the press from 2-5 at the gazebo near the sidewalk.
Zoom Film Festival Aug 6, 7, and 8 at 7:00 pm, each of three evenings, followed by Zoom discussion.
Beginning on Aug 6 (Hiroshima Day) and ending on the 8th (the evening before Nagasaki Day), we will encourage people to join in a virtual film festival featuring these classic movies:

The Day After Trinity (Aug 6 at 7pm)
Fail Safe (Aug 7 at 7pm)
Dr. Strangelove (Aug 8 at 7pm)

Zoom discussion groups will follow each film. Synopses of each film are attached. Register here.
Background on the Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombings
Seventy-five years-ago today, August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan followed three days later by a second nuclear detonation over Nagasaki, resulting in approximately 129,000 and 226,000 deaths, respectively. Japan surrendered unconditionally on August 15th, ending World War II.
The Trinity Test
One of the most profound scientific accomplishments occurred at 5:30 am on July 16, 1945 at the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range in New Mexico. It was the first detonation of a nuclear device, called “The Gadget” by the Manhattan Project scientists charged with developing the atomic bomb. The experimental above-ground detonation was named the “Trinity Test”, taken after the John Donne (1572-1631) poem which invoked the dominion of the Trinity “By power, love, knowledge be”, implying a transference of godly power to humans who have now mastered the power of the universe in splitting the atom and unleashing its supreme destructive power.
In a 1965 TV interview, J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, reflected: “We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed; a few people cried. Most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, ‘Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.’; I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.”

Bend COTA Work Events
2020-08-06, 2020-08-13
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.

Social Justice Book Club: "So You Want To Talk About Race"
2020-08-07, 2020-08-14
Each quarter OSU-Cascades Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is hosting a 12-week book discussion group. These weekly conversations are designed to be drop-in and are open to OSU-Cascades students, staff and faculty as well as community members.
This summer, we’re reading Ijeoma Oluo’s “So You Want to Talk About Race.” Meeting and reading schedule is below. Please register and join at any time, and contact Erin Rook with questions or requests for accommodations.
Summer Social Justice Book Club (Most) Fridays at noon
Remaining Schedule:
July 10: Ch. 4 and 5 – “Why am I always being told to ‘check my privilege’?” and “What is intersectionality and why do I need it?”
July 24: Ch. 6 – “Is police brutality really about race?”
July 31: Ch. 7 and 8 – “How can I talk about affirmative action?” and “What is the school-to-prison pipeline?”
Aug. 7: Ch. 9 and 10 – “Why can’t I say the ‘N’ word?” and “What is cultural appropriation?”
Aug. 14: Ch. 11 and 12 – “Why can’t I touch your hair?” and “What are microaggressions?”
Aug. 21: Ch. 13 and 14 – “Why are our students so angry?” “What is the model minority myth?”
Aug. 28: Ch. 15 and 16 – “But what if I hate Al Sharpton?” and “I just got called a racist, what do I do now?”
Sept. 4: Ch. 17 – “Talking is great, but what else can I do?”

Biblioteca en Camino! Library on the Go!
2020-08-07, 2020-08-14
The Deschutes Public Library will be visiting 8 different locations throughout Central Oregon (4 in Bend, 1 in La Pine, 2 in Redmond, 1 in Sisters) this summer to hand out “Grab and Go” kits with activities for youth to do. Our friends, Carly and Rodrigo will be giving out books and signing folks up for the summer reading program, as well. Due to the current states of things, they are asking folks to pick up a kit to take home to do. Everything folks needs to complete the projects will be found in the kit. More details about location and time can be found in the flyer attached.

16th annual Haulin’ Aspen
2020-08-08
The Haulin’ Aspen is Central Oregon’s only full trail marathon and is part of the Pacific NW Full and Half Marathon Series. The cool mountain air, the intoxicating smell of pine and fir needles all set the scene for the Haulin’ Aspen Trail races. Starting in the Deschutes National Forest at Wanoga Sno-Park, just outside Bend, Oregon, the Haulin’ Aspen boasts shady jeep roads, fast single-track, stunning mountain views, challenging terrain, flowy descents and cool mountain temperatures at an elevation of nearly 5500’.
Choose your distance – go the Full Marathon, Half-Marathon or try the Half-As (6.5 miles) depending on your comfort level. Each distance is professionally supported by our medical team and ample aid stations stocked with GU gels, water and electrolyte drinks.
Each year, runners from across the country mark their calendars for this epic forest trail race and all that Central Oregon and Bend have to offer making it a great choice for a weekend get-away or family vacation. Register early for great discounts!

Forest Explorers Summer Camp
2020-08-10 - 2020-08-13
We’re excited for some summer fun in the forest! We will learn about natural history, explore the forest, create shelters, and splash in Tumalo Creek. The health & safety of our participants and staff is our top priority. We hope the fresh air, exercise, learning, and interacting will help students feel refreshed and joyful! Sign up today before we’re full.
Currently, we have space for:
August 10-13 *Space for 1 more camper in older group and 2 more campers in younger group
Ages: 6-10 years
Cost: $180/child or $125/child for 2+siblings
Where: Skyliner Lodge – 16125 Skyliners Road, Bend, OR

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Intensive
2020-08-11 - 2020-08-14
****Registration closes August 14, 12:00 PM
***Training Dates: August 17-19 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join OSU-Cascades business instructor and community social equity advocate Erika McCalpine for a three-day, deep dive into DEI topics that can help you shape a fairer and more equitable workplace environment.
The DEI Intensive is open to business and nonprofit leaders and managers, and community members seeking a greater understanding of social equality. Each day will examine a critical topic area:
Day 1: UNCONCIOUS BIAS
Day 2: FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT
Day 3: ADVANCING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Each session is limited to 40 participants. Following registration, audience members will receive viewing instructions. For information contact events@osucascades.edu.

Magnificent Monarchs
2020-08-12
Central Oregon is rich with numerous species of native butterflies including the magnificent monarch butterfly. Join Deschutes Land Trust ecologist Amanda Egertson for a colorful talk to learn more about the king of the butterfly world: the mighty monarch. Amanda will share fascinating facts about their life history, incredible migrations, and ways you can help them survive and thrive in our high desert. Then, you’ll have a chance to ask your monarch or milkweed questions!

Live Video by Deschutes Land Trust

Bend Citizens’ Climate Lobby Monthly Meeting
2020-08-12
The Bend chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby is one of over 450 local chapters in the U.S., all working for federal legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and fairly as possible. They encourage our elected Members of Congress to learn about and then vote for strong climate legislation that will protect the natural legacy of this country and the foundation of our economic well-being.
They are particularly focused on a policy that will put a price on each metric ton of CO2 emissions (and those of other greenhouse gases) and incentivize the transition to the use of renewable energy sources. Activities include community outreach, lobbying at the federal level, and the use of all types of media to get the message across.
Where: Online. To get the link to the Zoom monthly meeting, please email info@citizensclimatebend.org.

Webcast: Oregon's Forests and the Fight Against Climate Change
2020-08-12
Did you know that the State of Oregon owns and manages almost a million acres of public forestland? Oregon’s “State Forests” can play a major role in fighting climate change – both by sequestering large amounts of carbon, and by mitigating the impacts of climate change – if the state shifts the management of these public lands to respond to the climate crisis.
Join our friends at Oregon Wild on Wednesday to hear about efforts to protect state-owned old-growth forests and transition the management of our State Forests towards more climate-smart forestry. Two community organizers from different corners of the state will be presenting, followed with a Q&A. Hope you can join!

Power Hour | Is Zero energy the solution to housing affordability?
2020-08-13
Featuring Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity and Kor Community Land Trust
When it comes to affordable homeownership, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity knows how to get it done. With 150 homes built (and counting), our community relies on their organization and volunteers to fill an important need for affordable homeownership. Kor Community Land Trust, a new non-profit to the scene, is also working to address the need for stable and permanently affordable housing. Both non-profits have committed to providing zero energy homes–that is, homes that produce as much energy as they use–with no utility bills.

Why zero energy? Because it means their families can reliably count on stable housing costs, even as utility costs continue to increase. Because it means healthier indoor air quality. And because the homes will be more durable and need fewer repairs over the life of the home.

Spoiler alert–zero energy homes might just be the missing link to creating more affordable housing for our entire community. Join us to hear the whole story from Jacob Clark, Director of Construction with Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity, and Amy Warren, Executive Director, Kor Community Land Trust. They will show us how their homeownership programs are changing lives and why zero energy is a crucial piece of their missions.

Register
Meet our speakers:

Jacob Clark, Director of Construction, Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. Jacob proudly builds homes and changes lives through shelter. He brings a unique perspective on efficient and affordable shelter to the team.
Amy Warren, Executive Directory, Kor Community Land Trust. Amy worked in the construction for 14-years before receiving a degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Oregon State University in 2015. She moved to Bend in 1996 and has seen first hand the change in our housing needs. She has a passion for equity in housing, sustainable building and design, and energy efficiency.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor

Energy Trust of Oregon, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable power. Their services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista save $3.4 billion on energy bills. Their work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future.

Thank you to our event sponsor

Earth Advantage’s third-party certification ensures five key areas of building a sustainable home are met for these projects: energy, health, land, materials, and water.

Oregon Green New Deal Listening Session - with NAACP Eugene & Beyond Toxics
2020-08-13
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color, tribal nations, immigrants, and people with low-incomes—just like climate change, dirty energy projects, and pollution. As we look to rebuild our economy, it’s crucial that we, as people most impacted by climate change, are the ones leading the conversations. That’s why the Oregon Just Transition Alliance is launching the Oregon Green New Deal Listening Tour, asking communities across the state to help shape our collective futures.
Now more than ever, we must present our visions, ideas, and policies to build an economy that values workers, communities, and natural spaces.

Interactive online workshop sessions will be:
August 13th, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community
and
August 27th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: our allies and supporters

OLCV Environmental Book Club: Saving Big Creek
2020-08-17
You may be wondering—what/where is Big Creek? This twelve-mile stream starts in the Siuslaw National Forest, to the west of Eugene. From there, it weaves through the foggy Coast Range, between sitka spruce, and thickets of alder. And then something remarkable happens: Big Creek broadens into a freshwater marsh, just before it reaches the sea. Fish have adapted to this rare ecosystem, creating unique subspecies. Big Creek is also an important home for salmon, elk, and the endangered species of butterfly that helped save this ecosystem for future generations.

OLCV’s next Book Club pick is Saving Big Creek by local author Andrea Scharf. This fascinating book tells the story of one of Oregon’s most unique coastal ecosystems, and how it was saved from being turned into a multi-million dollar resort.

This Book Club meeting is especially exciting because Andrea herself will be joining live! She’ll be on Zoom to answer questions and chat with us about her book. Make sure you RSVP to receive the Zoom link!

Exploration of women's suffrage and voting equity
2020-08-18
Explore the history, challenges and ongoing work of voting equality.
Kimberly Jensen highlights key developments in the history of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Kim will also explore the challenges to voting rights in Oregon and the nation from the time of the woman’s suffrage movement to our own day, with suggestions for work we can all do to achieve voting equity in our state and nation.
Kimberly Jensen is Professor of History and Gender Studies at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. She is the author of Mobilizing Minerva: American Women in the First World War (University of Illinois Press, 2008) and Oregon’s Doctor to the World: Esther Pohl Lovejoy and a Life in Activism (University of Washington, 2012). She is a board member of the Oregon Women’s History Consortium.
Where: A link to view this program online will be available beginning August 18 at 6:00 p.m. here.

Oregon Safe Routes to School 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting
2020-08-19
The Oregon Safe Routes to School Annual Meeting series will provide opportunities for Network members to collaborate on 2020-2021 school year plans and network with statewide practitioners. The meeting will consist of 3 different meetings held on July 29, August 5 and August 19.
Meeting will include: Regional Leads present SRTS plans for their region in Oregon
*Opportunity for Questions and Feedback

Webcast: Leadership, Hope, Action: Diverse Voices For Environmental Conservation
2020-08-19
Please join our friends at Oregon Wild for a panel discussion with diverse conservation leaders in Oregon. Panelists will talk about current and historic barriers to working in natural resources conservation, efforts to dismantle racism and other obstacles, successes of environmental organizations to create a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable movement, and opportunities for more change.
You won’t want to miss this event, so please reserve your spot today!

DEMAND BEND BECOMES A SANCTUARY CITY
2020-08-19
Join Bend city council meeting this Wednesday Aug 19 and stand with our Immigrant neighbors. Being a “welcoming city” did not protect our community, Bend City Council must DECLARE Bend a City of Refuge and Sanctuary for immigrants from all countries. Bend City Council must align with Governor Brown and all state leadership to uphold sanctuary for immigrants, and protect our cities from sanctions while protecting families from gross violations of civil rights. Bend Police Department, must not enforce Federal civil immigration laws and shall not use city monies, resources or personnel to investigate, question, detect or apprehend persons whose only violation is or may be a civil violation of immigration law; FURTHERMORE Bend City Council must directs the City Manager and the Bend Police Department to develop and implement plans to protect and uphold the civil and human rights of Immigrant community members interacting with DHS in our city.
**City council meeting agenda here: https://bend.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=9&event_id=487
Call: 1-855-282-6330 Enter code: 146 828 2994##
Within the first 100 days of Krantz as chief of police WE DEMAND:
1. Bend City Council must DECLARE Bend a City of Refuge and Sanctuary for immigrants from all countries, and The City of Bend must RESOLVE to oppose immigration raids; Bend City Council must align with Governor Brown and all state leadership to uphold sanctuary for immigrants, while protecting families from gross violations of civil rights.
2. A COMPLETE AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF MICHAEL KRANTZ FULL RECORD.
3. A CONCRETE PLAN TO IDENTIFY AND DISMANTLE WHITE SUPREMACY/NATIONALISM WITHIN BEND PD AND THE BEND COMMUNITY.
4. A CLEAR ACTION PLAN TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY FROM ICE/CBP FAMILY SEPARATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS THAT MUST INCLUDE ADDRESSING THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE BEHAVIOR AND CULTURE REGARDING THESE INSTITUTIONS.
5. BAN TEAR GAS
6. BAN CHOKEHOLDS & STRANGLEHOLDS
7. REQUIRED DE-ESCALATION
8. REQUIRED EXHAUSTING ALL ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SHOOTING
9. REQUIRED WARNING BEFORE SHOOTING
10. REQUIRED DUTY TO INTERVENE
11. BAN SHOOTING AT MOVING VEHICLES
12. REQUIRED USE OF FORCE CONTINUUM
13. REQUIRED COMPREHENSIVE REPORTING
14. END QUALIFY IMMUNITY
15. A PLAN TO CREATE CITIZEN’S RESPONSES LIKE CAHOOTS MODEL

Bend City Council Public Hearing on TSP
2020-08-19
City Council will hold a public hearing on adoption of the Transportation System Plan (TSP) on August 19th, 2020
A vibrant urban core will not be possible without funding through Tax Increment Financing (TIF), but City Councilors are hearing a loud voice from people who are misinformed in believing it is a new tax or that it would have a big impact on taxing districts. TIF is not a new tax and it represents much less than one percent of local agencies’ budgets.
Read our TIF FAQs to learn more about this important funding tool
The Core Area Plan, adopted by the City Council on May 20, 2020, is the culmination of the City of Bend’s planning process to identify needed projects and programs in the BCD and surrounding neighborhoods. It includes recommendations for equitable redevelopment.
The Councilors need to hear your support for funding the BCD vision!

BEND CHAMBER COVID-19 IMPACT WEBINAR Schools Reopening
2020-08-20
The Bend-La Pine Schools District is working on plans to reopen schools on September 14 with distance learning for
the first six weeks. What will that look like? Will the kids be physically back in school anytime soon?

Join us as guests Lora Nordquist, interim Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent, and Carrie Douglass, Chair of the Bend-La Pine Schools Board, talk about the plans, the metrics, and what school will look like for children in 2020 and into 2021.

VIRTUAL NATURE MEDITATION
2020-08-20
Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Maret Pajutee for a meditative evening connecting with nature from the comfort of your own home. Begin with a short breathing practice to relax and restore, then explore guided meditation as a way to tap into the calming powers of nature. Imagine sitting in the shade by a high mountain lake watching the water shimmer in the sunlight. You can capture that feeling anytime with simple meditation practices. All you need is a comfortable place to sit or lie down (a lake is optional!). No experience necessary. Registration required to receive the virtual event link. Only one person per household needs to register for this event.
