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Hey Bend, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Red light cameras under construction, the largest dam removal in history, and a St. Patty’s party with Jesse Roper + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Bend protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

New approach to road safety: Construction is underway to install red light cameras at Bend’s high-crash intersections. A 30-day period before full enforcement is in effect, with a three-year contract costing up to $780,000 annually — see cost and timeline details.

Early artistry takes center stage: Two Suns Art Studio in Bend launched Tiny Artist classes for kids up to 6, with sensory play, art play, and five week story time sessions to spark creativity — read the full story.

Community talk offers safety guidance: Free wildfire preparedness session in Terrebonne is today, featuring experts from Deschutes County Natural Resources, OSU Extension, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal with steps to protect homes and land — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Rock St. Patty’s with Jesse Roper
• Create a bioactive fairy garden terrarium
• Join creative projects or bring yours

🫶 We got your back

Sandwiches worth detouring for: Craving a midday boost? Planker Sandwiches riffs on the classics with a Bend bent: Meatball Parm on baguette, pork belly gone Cuban, roast tri-tip with gorgonzola, and a Reuben from house-braised corned beef. Ideal for eating outside, the kind of lunch that reminds you why this town wins.

Riverfront reset, anyone?: Drake Park and Mirror Pond packs nearly a half-mile of riverfront, open lawns, and a refreshed Deschutes River Trail boardwalk. Slip in a midweek walk between errands, or loop it at sunset with a friend… then let the river do its thing.

Playtime, upgraded: Leapin’ Lizards Toy Company turns gift hunting into playtime, with handpicked, smart-fun toys, books, plush, and fidgets curated since 1995. Independent, welcoming, and stocked for quick birthday saves or rainy-day morale boosts, it’s the kind of neighborhood favorite that keeps families coming back.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🌵 Lunch & Learn: High Desert Restoration @ Larkspur Community Center | Tuesday (3/10) at 12:00 PM – Bring your lunch, grab a chair at Larkspur, and nerd out on High Desert restoration with Kharli Rose and Dylan O’Leary from the Oregon Desert Land Trust. It’s free, it’s actually useful, and yes, dessert and coffee are on them, not your pantry.

🌊 Nature Nights: The Water Remembers @ Tower Theatre | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Nature Nights is bringing Amy Bowers Cordalis, Yurok attorney and fisherwoman, to share how the Klamath River got its groove back with the largest dam removal in history. Expect talk on Indigenous leadership, policy that works, and salmon coming home. Free, just grab a ticket.

🎶 Shine @ Blacksmith Public House (Redmond) | Friday (3/13) at 6:30 PM – Shine brings harmony-heavy acoustic rock from the 70s, 80s, and beyond to the indoor stage, with seats for lounging and a dance floor if the knees agree. Family and dog friendly, with 12 taps, cocktails, an indoor sushi bar, and no cover.

♻ Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Clothes Swap @ Namaspa Yoga & Massage | Friday (3/13) at 7:00 PM – If your closet looks like a time capsule, bring those barely-worn mistakes to the clothing swap at Namaspa on Galveston. Share or snag for free, no judgment, just open piles, kind people, and the smug satisfaction of decluttering, refreshing your look, and supporting neighbors.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Celebrations @ McMenamins Old St. Francis School | Saturday (3/14) at 8:00 AM – Old St. Francis goes green over multiple days with free, all-ages St. Patrick’s shenanigans, live music, bagpipes, and shepherd’s pie. Whether you’re chasing the annual Devils Bit whiskey release, McMenamins Irish Stout, or a reason to clap off beat, community, carbs, and good tunes win.

🎵 Music Education Workshop @ The Oxford Hotel – Bend, Oregon | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Whether you still noodle on a guitar or just clap along, this free music workshop lets you meet the pros, ask questions, and maybe jam with featured artist John Lloyd Young. All ages, all instruments, no ego, no cover, courtesy of Georges Bouhey and Studio20.

🌱 Gardening Class Series @ La Pine Grange Hall | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Think you can coax tomatoes from pumice? The Grange is hosting free Sunday gardening classes that decode Central Oregon’s cranky soil and climate, with coffee, camaraderie, and practical tips. Drop in when you like, bring questions, and finally outgrow those rocks.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bend report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 41°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of snow between 2pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. West wind 2 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Southwest wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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Tomorrow – High: 50°F – Low: 40°F – Precip: 40%

A chance of snow before 11am, then a chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Southwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Oregon but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

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