Blog entries posted in The Blender

Don't Miss The Ascetic Junkies At Silver Moon

Ethan Maffey — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:12:23 +0100

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the talented (and now married) Matt & Kali in Bend Oregon… but that’s all going to change tonight at Silver Moon Tap Room! If you’ve missed past coverage of The Ascetic Junkies, well… you must have been hidden under a rock. From their 2010 album This Cage Has No Bottom, to the new music they are creating (and are sure to sh...

10th Anniversary of the Dirty Half

James Williams — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:52:45 +0100

Sunday, June 12 will mark 10 years of the Dirty Half. Will anyone beat Max King this year? Last year King won the trail half marathon in 1 hour, 11.3 seconds, but Carlos Truillo was close, finishing in 1:12.17. Eugene's Sopagna Eap won the women's event in 1:22.22. Both King and Eap set new cou...

Celebrate 4/20 By Watching Out for Grow Operations, Authorities Say

Mike Bookey — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:51:53 +0100

While some of Central Oregon's population is for some reason celebrating today (with it being April 20 and all), our area's drug enforcement officials are taking a different tact for this year's de facto pot holiday.

The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement re...

Pickathon Announces Lineup Additions: Black Mountain, Grupo Fantasma and more

Mike Bookey — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:57:05 +0100

Today, Pickathon -- the eclectic rootsy/indie festival that takes place on a farm outside of Portland -- announced additions to its already solid lineup.

Topping the list is Black Mountain, a Canadian rock act with an Americana edge that has been making some waves as of late. Also, there's the Latin sounds of Grupo Fantasma, adding to wha...

Last Band Standing Contestants Announced

Mike Bookey — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:45:29 +0100

Last Band Standing -- the local battle of the bands competition -- is back for another year. This year, the shows have moved over to the Century Center for Friday night shows between May 6 and July 8.

Last year, Mosley Wotta walked away with the top prize, which was valued at more than $30,000.

This year, another 32 bands (more than 50 applied...far less than last year, which brought out more than 100 submissions) are heading into the competition, and while there are definitely ...

Last Week to Buy 4 Peaks Tickets at Advance Pricing

Mike Bookey — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The 4 Peaks Music Festival is back on this year and they've returned to their original spot out at Tumalo's Rockin' A Ranch.

The festival, set for July 15 and 16, currently includes Poor Man's Whiskey, New Monsoon, Elephant Revival, Acorn Project and several other rootsy acts. This year's event is on a more intimate scale, so you might want to get tickets soon...especially if you want to save some money.

On April 20, tickets (which include passes to both nights and camping) will...

Will Ferrell is on "The Office" Tonight!

Mike Bookey — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:49:21 +0100

As I believe I've mentioned a few times on this blog: I freakin' love The Office. A lot. Like, more than a friend. And I'm not one of those "it used to be funny but not anymore" sort of people -- I still am very much infatuated with Michael Scott and company.

For example, one time I got to chat with Rainn Wilson (Dwight Shrute) and it basically made my life.

And tonight, Mr. Will Ferrell is joining the cast, playing Michael's replacement (Steve Carell is leaving the show at the ...

Indictment Made in Fatal Third Street Hit and Run

Mike Bookey — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:54:07 +0100

Deschutes County District Attorney Patrick Flaherty announced today that Brett Lee Biedscheid has been indicted for the hit-and-run death of pedestrian Anthony Martin back in late January.

Biedscheid has long been referenced as a person of interest in the case, but was officially indicted by a grand jury today on suspicion of criminal negligent homicide and "failure to perform the duties of a driver when a person is killed," according to a press release from Flaherty's office.

M...

Trooper Stops to Help Motorist, Ends up Delivering Baby

Mike Bookey — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:24:07 +0100

An Oregon fish and wildlife trooper got a little more than he planned for on Monday morning when he stopped on Highway 199 near Selma to help what he thought was a motorist having car trouble.

Instead, the trooper, Dan Stinnett, found two women in the car -- one frantically trying to call 911 to tell them that the other woman was ready to deliver a baby.

Stinnett found the baby girl's head already half way out and within three minutes had helped deliver the baby.

"When th...

Pink Martini, Dierks Bentley Added to Les Schwab Amphitheater Schedule

Mike Bookey — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:54:57 +0100

The Les Schwab Amphitheater announced today two -- well actually, three -- more additions to the summer concert schedule.

Pink Martini is scheduled to play on July 23, while Dierks Bentley will appear on August 10.

The LSA also officially announced today that Allison Krauss and Union Station are playing, too. But we told you all about that last week.

This marks the third appearance by Pink Martini in the past five years at the LSA, and the 13-member (or more) world-spanni...

Phish Playing the Gorge August 5 and 6

Mike Bookey — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:48:09 +0100

All those Phishheads out there saying things along the lines of "Hey, what's up with the band giving the cold shoulder to the West Coast for the past couple of years?" can relax this morning, after the band announced a pair of shows at the Gorge Amphitheater for August 5 and 6.

The...

Goodbye Glenn Beck, Says Jon Stewart...Hilarious

Mike Bookey — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:04:05 +0100

As you may have heard, Fox News television personality/conspiracy theorist Glenn Beck is leaving the network soon. If you hadn't heard that, let me give you a moment to let that news settle.

OK, good. Last night, Jon Stewart bid farewell to Beck with this tribute...and it's excellently funny. And only slightly crazier than the real thing.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Intro - Jon Tells the Truth While Wearing Glasses

www.thedailyshow.com

Dail...

This Weekend's Music Lineup

Mike Bookey — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:47:28 +0100

What to do this weekend... Well, first off, get outside because by tomorrow, it's going to be crappy again.

But tonight, here are a couple options after the Art Walk.

I'd recommend squeezing into the MadHappy Lounge where Jay Tablet is having his big ol' CD release part. The record is awesome, by the way. The music is free and starts at 9pm, but get there by 7pm for a BBQ dinner. 21 and up.

Over at the Domino Room, there's some fantastic reggae, if that's your thing, with...

Some UConn Fan Just Called and Threatened Me With Violence!

Mike Bookey — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:29:42 +0100

Sometimes people call newspaper reporters to say, "Hey, nice job on your article!"

But most of the time, they call and say things like what I just heard from a guy who dropped me a line about 10 minutes ago about this week's Left Field column.

"Do you know anything about UConn basketba...

New Music Video for Culver City Dub Collective by Bend's Rage Films

Mike Bookey — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:32:05 +0100

Here's a fun little local music fact: Franchot Tone, the singer songwriter who's recently started playing around town with his own band, is also a member of the popular SoCal reggae band Culver City Dub Collective.

The band recently shot this music video, directed by Rage Films' Sky Pinnick, showing the band enjoying the sunshine of Venice Beach and other hip L.A. locales. And here it is:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4Oz9CLv2w 575x370]

Former Ernesto’s Spot to Reopen As Pub and Brew Shop

Eric Flowers — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:59:49 +0100

The owners of The Brew Shop, aka the homebrew shop on Division, have signed a lease for the iconic Ernesto’s building on Third Street. Owner Tom Gilles said he and his partners signed a lease earlier this week that will allow them to open an expanded brew shop and basement pub in the Ernesto’s building by ea...

Oregon Legislator Argues Like a 15 Year Old Against Unemployment Benefit Extensions

Mike Bookey — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:29:16 +0100

The subject of unemployment benefit extensions has brought some vibrant and at times contentious debate to the floor of the Oregon state legislature, but you need to take a look at this at-times-painful-to-watch video of Rep. Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer) arguing against extensions.

Thanks to blogger T. A. Barnhart for posting this.

Rep Thatcher hates on the unemployed from t.a. barnhart on Vimeo.

Come to Our Party...and then go see Galactic

Mike Bookey — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:01:50 +0100

As you may already know, this blog is hosting a party tonight and it's gonna be suhweeet.

We're giving away free CDs and books and at least one T-shirt. All you have to do is show up at Velvet tonight between 7pm and 10pm and you can help yourself to free stuff (But don't be a jerk about it take all t...

Alex Trebek: New University of Oregon Football Announcer

Mike Bookey — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 15:47:01 +0100

No, he's not really the new announcer for the Ducks, but he totally should be. You'll agree after taking a look at this:

[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mioJvjkuRA&feature=player_embedded#at=126 480x390]

The Decemberists Coming to Bend on May 29, Ween in July

Mike Bookey — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:21:00 +0100

I just got word from the Old Mill District that the Memorial Day Weekend music schedule got a big boost today with the announcement that The Decemberists are playing the Les Schwab Amphitheater on May 29, along with openers Rodrigo y Gabriella.

As you probably already know, the Portland-based Decemberists have been getting a ton...