Dear John, I feel your pain.

This weekend as I was enjoying your Sunday paper, I happened upon your piece about Legal Notices. My, my did it take me back to some of my own troubles in this area.

If you don’t recognize my name, I’m the former Editor in Chief of the Chauvet Cave in southern France. There was a time when I would not need to offer this introduction, for my cave paintings were known far and wide. Not only did we paint legal notices, we painted classified ads, many sales people sold cave space and painters (my God did we have painters!) all working to further our mighty endeavor. People traveled from far and wide to visit my cave and pay their respects to the might of cave painting!

Bob "Woody" Woodward reports back from Interbike, the annual Vegas bike show. It should be noted that during the weekend Woody was inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Again, Congrats Woody! An honor well-deserved.

If your idea of a good time is walking umpteen miles a day in a noisy, crowded exposition hall while screaming as loud as you can to be heard over the din, eating bad, and expensive food, spending every non talking moment with your head curried in your mobile device and falling into bed dead tired at the end of the day (and after another really bad, expensive meal), that you’re ready to cover the annual InterBike show.

Here’s a sample of what went on at the show in Las Vegas last week, a reflection of what will be in cycling retail stores 2013

But before that, note that several of the biggies in the bike business (Trek and Giant to name two) do not participate in Interbike’s indoor expo but rather show up at the on-dirt demos in Boulder City that proceed the show.

O.K. Back inside in the maelstrom of bikies, here are some show highlights:

It's official—the lovely city-owned historical building in the Mirror Pond Gallery will soon have a new tenant.

Bend's David Marchi, an experienced, mountaineering, heli-ski and cycling guide, is opening a backcountry ski/boutique bike shop that will also serve coffee and beers from within The Rademacher House, the former home of Arts Central. Marchi signed a lease today.

This is great news for three reasons.

For one, it puts a true outdoors shop in downtown Bend, which should provide balance to the art galleries, restaurants and bars. Secondly, beer and coffee are involved and we like both of those things. A lot. Finally, with more regular foot traffic and extended hours, the shop should help mitigate the petty crime and loitering which has plagued the common area for some time.

Marchi says that he hopes he can bring some of the backcountry culture into his shop, called Crow’s Feet Commons, and give enthusiasts a place where they can learn, discuss and meet up both before and after adventures.

It’s the weekend and you’ve got 48 hours to pack in as much music and revelry as possible. Here are a few picks to get the party started.

Friday

At the Astro Lounge party blues musician Andy Frasco will combine bliss and blues in a way that makes your feet move and your body sweat. The Domino Room hosts M. Ward, one half of She and Him and one of the fiercer fiends found in Monsters of Folk. Bellingham based pop-folk band The Ames get the music flowing at the Liquid Lounge with celebrated Central Oregon band Broken Down Guitars opening the show. At Mavericks Unwound keeps it alt-country.

Saturday

If you can’t catch Frasco’s Friday night show (or you’d just like s’more please) he’s at McMenamins  at 7pm. Described as quirky and smiley with a hint of sorrow (what the folk?) Brianne Kathleen plays the Silver Moon Brewery and if folk is your favorite flavor you can double dip with a trip to the Horned hand to see Portland based Lost City.

Bend City Councilor Jodie Barram, aka the Swiss Miss, is getting ready to rumble!

The otherwise mild-mannered Ms. Barram isn't taking this year's challengers to her First Place Yodeling Title lightly, promising to defend her championship status at Oktoberfest in downtown Bend tonight.

Here's a little clip of last year's competition in action. But as you'll see they couldn't touch her and the Swiss Miss snakes the win in the end.

She'll be throwing down at 7 p.m. Events continue through tomorrow night. For a full schedule check out the Oktoberfest website.

Most fun tidbit about the Jazz at the Oxford series: every single one of the 18 shows these folks have put on has been sold out, according to organizers.

Did not know that until today when I called Marshall Glickman, the founder of the Jazz at the Oxford series, to learn a bit more about this year’s six-show season.

Other thing I learned from Glickman: the jazz musicians coming to town this year for the series are FOR REAL.

We’ll take a more in-depth look prior to the opening show on Oct. 19, but in the meantime here’s the line-up and how to get tickets.

THE LINE-UP

Remember that new noise ordinance the city passed this summer?

At the time, we reported that music venues were annoyed about it, especially the part where Les Schwab got an exemption but no one else did. Then things got quiet.  

But after The Horned Hand got a $750 citation a few weeks back for violating the noise ordinance one minute after the 10 p.m. noise curfew, musicians and other music venue owners have gotten together to request changes to the new law.

The group has created a Facebook page under the title Bend Residents For A Sensible Noise Ordinance. There’s even a bumper sticker around these days to draw attention to the issue.

Two people testified to the Bend City Council last night that the new noise ordinance, which is chapter 5.50 of the city code*, is too strict.

Every year, just as September draws to a close and autumn begins, brewers across the Northwest get the call that they’ve been waiting for all season—it’s hop harvest time! Come get your damn hops!

And so starts the brewers’ annual pilgrimage to the Willamette Valley and Yakima, Wash. to pick up the recently harvested hops that will, later that day, be added to various fresh hop beers.

Fresh hop season really is the best time of the year.

You can find fresh hop beers on tap all over town—get out there and sample, as most all of them will be no doubt be the best beverage that’s ever passed through your lips.

After you’ve spent the week sampling the local offerings, get your ass to one of the many Oregon fresh hop festivals that are kicking off next weekend.

Thursday it’s all about putting something new in your noggin. Whether its figuring out your fitness, going deep with Doug Devine or Pecenka’s presentation on the Playa Lakes there are plenty of opportunities to expand your mind (and shrink your waistline) today.

Bend Senior Center hosts the For the Health of It Wellness & Fitness Fair featuring presentations, diabetes, glaucoma and visual testing, food and fitness demonstrations, flu vaccinations and a community BBQ. This event is NOT just for seniors so drop by and visit with some of our esteemed elders, get tested and then put the ole feed bag on. 12-4pm at the Bend Senior Center, 1600 SE Reed Market Road. Free.

Ever wonder what happened to the CSS Hunley? You know, the confederate submarine that played a role in the American Civil War? Wait, what? A submarine built in 1863 that sank not once but twice? See you’re learning something already! Now head down to hear the rest of the story from Doug Devine courtesy of the Archaeology Society of Central Oregon. 7:30pm at C.O.A.R., 212 NE 4^Th Street. $5 suggested donation.

 Can’t tell a Red Footed Booby from a Rough Faced Shag? The East Cascades Audubon Society can help. This local organization specializes in Central Oregon ornithology, conservation and promoting an appreciation for our fine-feathered friends. To that end Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife habitat biologist Larry Pecenka will be speaking on Playa Lakes and Desert Wetlands and the birds who love them.  6:30pm at the Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Avenue. Free.