Good morning, Bend.

Sgt. First Class Rosa Cortez was honored with the Courage Project award on July 3 in Washington, D.C. for helping military families pursue legal status + she donated a $25,000 grant to Gorge Soccer in The Dalles to support affordable youth soccer.

Bend Park & Recreation District registration for fall 2026 programs opens at 6 a.m. Aug.

4 for one day only — the Fall 2026 Playlist lists sports and arts activities available from Sept. to Dec., and an information night is held July 29 at Larkspur Community Center.

Central Oregon Villages, a local homeless nonprofit, is hosting a yard sale at 62125 NE Benson Way from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26.

Proceeds will aid shelter services; the sale opens at 8 a.m. Friday and ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (featuring donated goods).

Deschutes Public Library will host a celebration for its Central Library on Aug.

15 from noon to 4 p.m. with kite flying, a Lava City Cirque show and remarks from Arthur Sze and Ellen Waterston — the library offers a writing workshop and llamas on Aug. 16 after a morning closure.

Firefighters battled wildfires across Central Oregon on Wednesday as thunderstorms with wind and lightning were expected at 2 p.m. The storms could worsen conditions at the 19,000-acre Akawa Butte Fire near Sisters and the Brewer and Box Springs fires near Prineville, prompting evacuations + road closures.

Local estheticians are offering non-invasive treatments to help residents keep youthful, healthy skin using methods like NeoGen Plasma Skin Regeneration + T-Shape 2 body contouring.

They note that clients prefer natural approaches with little downtime to support long-term skin care.

Dr. Ian Smith of St. Charles Health System in Bend advised residents today on wildfire smoke risks as the Oregon DEQ extended its air-quality advisory across Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

He urged limiting outdoor activity, sealing homes, and using fitted N95 masks for protection.

Red Cross will host a blood drive at Redmond Fire & Rescue on Friday to honor late firefighter Michael Kienzle, who died in early June from leukemia.

The drive runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and calls on community members to help ease a current blood shortage.

Construction has begun on CASCADA, a Nordic-inspired wellness spa and 68-room hotel near the Box Factory district.

Excavators began clearing the site on July 22; a groundbreaking celebration will take place on July 28, and the project will open in late 2028, featuring thermal baths, dining and parking.

Bend North Little League is hosting the Junior League Baseball West Region Tournament at Caldera High School (a long-time baseball venue) through July 30.

Teams from across the West, including Alaska and California, compete for a chance to advance to the Junior League Baseball World Series in Taylor, Michigan.

Bend firefighter and masters cyclist Scott Seaton has pushed OBRA to require a Therapeutic Use Exemption for racers using testosterone replacement therapy, a measure that limits doping but faces cost challenges for local race testing.

The policy is set to guide grassroots bike races moving forward.

Bend Summer Hoopfest

All day — Bend, OR — Registration required — Experience thrilling basketball tournaments in the heart of Oregon.

Reiki Level 2 Attunement & Certification

10 AM – 4 PM — Hawthorn Healing Arts Center, LLC — Pre-registration required — Dive deep into the world of Reiki healing with Level 2 training and certification.

Beertown Comedy Open Mic

6:30-9 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a laugh at the #1 Open Mic night for local comedians.

History Pub: A Century of Bend's Water System

7-9 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — $5 — Discover the intriguing history of Bend's water system with insights from a local expert.

Munch & Music Concert Series

5-9 p.m. — Drake Park — Free entry — Celebrate summer with free live music and local food vendors at this beloved concert series in Bend.

Steve Earle Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticket pricing varies — Experience the storytelling prowess of acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Earle live.

Lindsey Stirling - Duality Untamed Tour

7-8:30 p.m. — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — No tickets available currently — Experience an electrifying performance by Lindsey Stirling at a scenic venue.

Dominick Antonelli's Original Music Performance

6-8 p.m. — General Duffy's Waterhole — Food and drink available — Experience heartfelt lyrics and acoustic instrumentals by a rising star on his first national tour.

Luke Bryan: Word On The Street Tour

6-7:30 p.m. — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Tickets available — Experience the five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan perform his feel-good country anthems live.

Sarah McLachlan Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Hayden Homes Amphitheater — Tickets available — Experience the soulful melodies of Sarah McLachlan performed live in a beautiful outdoor venue.