Tag: Bend

Homesteader

Father Luke, The KKK, and the doctrine of Americanism in Bend

Tor Hanson

Originally published in The Homesteader (Deschutes County Historical Society newsletter) on May 2017 If you have attended a History Pub at McMenamins Old St. Francis School in Bend, you may have seen an illustration of an audience of white-clad KKK members seated in front of a Catholic priest. You may have surmised that the incident happened elsewhere. After all, history books tell us the Klan was a racist movement in the southern part of the United States – far away from Bend, Oregon. The event actually took place in Bend, almost 100 years ago, when Father Luke Sheehan stepped onto the … Continue reading Father Luke, The KKK, and the doctrine of Americanism in Bend

The Bulletin Special Pubs

Maren Gribskov – Against All Odds

Tor Hanson

Originally published in UMagazine – February 2017 Maren Gribskov is synonymous with Pine Tavern. Her business acumen and audacity made her a woman to be reckoned with for almost half a century. Even though she would never admit to it, Gribskov was a pioneering force in Bend. And she did it all because her mother told her that she could do anything she wanted, even if it meant being a single woman doing business in a man’s world. The story of Maren Jensen Gribskov and Pine Tavern started in June 1894. Born to Danish immigrants, Gribskov spent her first 11 … Continue reading Maren Gribskov – Against All Odds

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Citizen Group Recommends Changes to Bend City Charter

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – February 2, 2017 With support from Bend Chamber of Commerce, Bend 2030, and the City Club of Central Oregon, a group of Bend citizens have explored the city’s current governance model. Based on input from two citizen meetings last year, the Bend City Governance committee presented their findings in front of the city council last night. According to the report, the citizen’s input group favors a publicly elected mayor as well as the creation of a ward system to give all citizens in Bend fair representation in city council. Presented by … Continue reading Citizen Group Recommends Changes to Bend City Charter

Bend Chamber of Commerce

City Council Float Public/Private Partnerships at Financial Strategy Meeting

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – March 23, 2017 If three words could some up the Bend City Council’s Financial Strategy Meeting Wednesday, it might be Money, Money, Money… With the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) approved last fall, Councilors are in the midst of how to move forward with the “opportunity” and “expansion” areas identified in the plan. In total, more than 90 procurement decisions will fall in the Councilors lap within the foreseeable future. But according to council and staff, there’s not enough funds in the city coffers for all the projects. Bend City Councilors and … Continue reading City Council Float Public/Private Partnerships at Financial Strategy Meeting

Pioneer Gazette

The Finest Little Hotel in America: Pilot Butte Inn

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Deschutes Pioneer Gazette – January 2017 Author Irving Cobb called it “The Finest Little Hotel in America.” Former presidents, movie stars, skiing legends, local dignitaries, lumber buyers, and even a sitting First Lady walked through the doors of Pilot Butte Inn during its storied past. Gone from Bend since the demolition of the Swiss Chalet-style hotel in 1973, just mention the Inn by name to an old-time Bendite and stories about weddings, birthday parties, and all-night dancing celebrations are recalled. Visitors and new Bend residents may not even know the hotel ever existed. Today, a modern … Continue reading The Finest Little Hotel in America: Pilot Butte Inn

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Transportation Issues and Potholes Loom Large at Council Meeting

Tor Hanson

Originally published in the Bend Chamber Business Edition – March 2, 2017 Transportation issues loomed large at last night’s city council meeting. The future of the upgraded 14th Street Corridor and approval of Uber and Lyft-type transportation options were approved. And the issue of potholes weaved in and out of the discussions throughout the evening with public frustration topping the visitor section. Uber/Lyft Ride-hailing Services Approved After weeks of heated debate, amendments; and long-winded discussions about horse-drawn carriages and pedicabs, the council finally approved the repeal of the Bend city code regulating taxicabs with updated language that factor in ride-hailing … Continue reading Transportation Issues and Potholes Loom Large at Council Meeting

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Local Liquids: Bend’s Beer Scene

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 Craft brew has been flowing in Bend and Central Oregon since 1988 when Gary Fish’s Deschutes Brewery started production in a small brewpub on Wall Street. Twenty-nine years later, Bend holds the title for the most breweries per capita in Oregon. There are 22 in town, another eight outside the city limits, and more are on tap. Bend’s beer craze started with the establishment of Deschutes Brewing in 1988 and Bend Brewing Company in 1995. Also worth mentioning is Cascade Lakes Brewing in Redmond that premiered in 1994. The fledgling … Continue reading Local Liquids: Bend’s Beer Scene

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Sheriff L. Shane Nelson – A Bend Story

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 L. Shane Nelson is the new sheriff in town. Elected in November 2016, he and his 229 employees – of whom 174 are sworn deputies – provide safety and security for one of Oregon’s largest and most diversified regions. As Bend and its surroundings approach new population highs, the Sheriff’s Office is accepting the challenges head on. Deschutes County recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary. The Sheriff’s Office is equally old. Nelson is the county’s ninth sheriff, with Sheriff Samuel E. Roberts the first to hold office in Bend. The position … Continue reading Sheriff L. Shane Nelson – A Bend Story

Bend Chamber of Commerce

Cannabis Industry: Vertically Integrated

Tor Hanson

Originally published in Bend Business and Lifestyle Magazine – 2017 Central Oregon’s marijuana industry is in full bloom. The measure to legalize pot in Oregon three years ago has made pot shops a part of the retail landscape in downtown Bend and surrounding cities. And Oregrown is the first retail marijuana outlet on Bend’s storied Wall Street. Chicago transplants and childhood friends Aviv Hadar and Hunter Neubauer are co-owners of Oregrown. In keeping with Oregon’s craft ethos, the two founders proudly highlight the company’s adherence to the farm-to-table movement. Their organic products are grown locally only miles from the downtown … Continue reading Cannabis Industry: Vertically Integrated

Homesteader

Moonshine Rooftop Parties at Reid School

Tor Hanson

Published in the Deschutes Historical Society Newsletter “Homesteader” Juvenile delinquency was running rampant in the winter and spring months of 1923. The Bend Bulletin was reporting rooftop parties at Reid School, bootleggers selling moonshine to high school students, kids taking joy rides at the rail yard, and underage patrons getting caught at the local pool halls. In the early 1920’s, Bend’s youth were hard pressed to find an outlet for entertainment beyond school-sanctioned activities. “One of the reasons for the continuing and growing number of juvenile activities that verge on or actually are infractions of law is the utter lack … Continue reading Moonshine Rooftop Parties at Reid School