Hello Bend! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Roundabout plans, Disney's Frozen, and adoptable puppies + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Traffic relief underway: Construction will start next week on a single-lane roundabout at SE 15th Street and Ferguson Road, a congested Bend intersection, targeting a Sept. 3 opening under the 2020 GO Bond -- see the roundabout plans.
Trail access gets a fix: A $56,396 Bend Sustainability Fund grant will replace the crumbling staircase on Pilot Butte Base Trail. Work begins in September and parts of the trail may close during construction -- check the trail fix details.
Help shape county planning: Deschutes County is seeking public input on its 2026 Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan update. A confidential survey, in English and Spanish, is open now through July 13 -- take the survey to weigh in.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Midweek brain reset: Skip the to-do list for 30 and wander Drake Park instead, where a lap by the water, a shady bench, and a quick picnic can turn the day around. Low effort, high return, ideal for dog walks, stroller missions, or decompressing before hitting the next Bend errand.
Spruce up your beds: Whether your tomatoes are sulking or your houseplants need a pep talk, Green Leaf Garden Center has the goods for Bend gardeners, from seeds and veggie starts to soils, nutrients, irrigation gear and indoor grow tents. Friendly local staff will help you troubleshoot and get things thriving this week.
Press Start Nostalgia: Between trail days or when the weather turns, Vector Volcano Classic Arcade delivers legit 80s and 90s cabinets and pinball in original, well-tuned shape, plus local craft beer, so you can flex that muscle memory, humble your friends, and remember why buttons beat touchscreens.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🪵 Kids Woodworking Cutting Boards (Ages 11-17) @ DIYcave | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:00 PM – Nothing beats kids learning to sand something that is not your dining table. In this woodworking workshop, ages 11-17 design and build a wooden cutting board, learn the basics with safe tools, personalize details, and leave with a functional keepsake.
🌞 Summer Sensory Tinkergarten @ Tumalo State Park | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Whether your kid taste-tests pinecones or just sniffs them, Tinkergarten returns to Tumalo State Park with outdoor sensory play for ages 1.5 to 8 and grown-ups. They will hit the famous five, the hidden vestibular and proprioception, then finish with joy, wonder, and tired children.
🛍 Late Night Shopping & Coloring @ Roundabout Books | Friday (6/26) at 5:00 PM – Late night shopping gets a whimsical upgrade with Coco Wyo handing out free coloring sheets and bookmarks, supplies included. Think retail therapy with markers and colored pencils. Bring your inner kid, leave the mess here, and go home with sharper pencils, and fewer worries.
❄ Disney's Frozen @ Ridgeview High School (Redmond) | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Yes, that Frozen, but our Ovation Performing Arts Brava cast is doing it up with full orchestra, high-energy dance, aerial silks, and vocals that thaw cynics. Bring the kids, the grandkids, or your inner Anna, and let Arendelle take you for a spin.
🐶 Adoption Event @ Pet Supplies Plus | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – An adoption event is unleashing a squad of absurdly cute, adoptable puppies, each fluent in tail wags, snack negotiations, and power napping. Basically speed dating for locals who prefer walks, muddy paws, and unconditional praise, not awkward small talk.
🛼 $8 Sunday Family Skate & Skatepark @ The Pavilion | Sunday (6/28) at 2:00 PM – Sunday is eight bucks to roll as a family, rental included, plus access to Pavilion skatepark features. Skates, blades, boards, and scooters are welcome, helmets required in the skatepark. Kids under 3 are free with a paying adult, and it counts as cardio and nostalgia.
🧙 Juniper Jedis @ Skyliners Lodge | Monday (6/29) – Let the kids channel their inner forest ninja at this stealth and observation workshop. They will learn to move quietly, watch wildlife, and tune in to the land, which is fancy talk for sneaking, listening, and not scaring the squirrels. Your coffee stays hot.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Bend report Weather forecastToday — High: 85°F — Low: 51°F — Precip: 17%
A slight chance of rain showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Northwest wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind 3 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tomorrow — High: 80°F — Low: 50°F — Precip: 19%
A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis immaculate 4-bedroom estate blends refined country living with serious wow factor on 2.74 acres in Deschutes County. Cascade sunsets, wildlife sightings, and three outdoor living spaces set the scene, while heated travertine floors, three gas fireplaces, a steam shower, and gourmet appliances bring the comfort. A fenced pool, sport court, shop, and remodeled guest quarters seal the deal.
Take a peek inside → |
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