While doing some highly academic research for our annual Winter Wellness issue (on stands Nov. 8) we came across the video below. It's just what we were looking for!

When winter hits, you need to know how to stay fit and remain sane through the seemingly endless cold, grey days. But we were stressing out as we searched high and low for the latest workout fads and winter-appropriate fitness regimes.

Then THIS video fell in our laps: wimp.com/bestworkout.

PGA Tour player and U. of O grad Ben Crane explains how he got his body looking so good; how to keep a workout fun; how to relieve stress with the "snake-shaker" and how to beat the winter blues with the "sledge-wand."

In case you missed it, President Obama really handed it to Willard Romney (that's his real first name) in the third and final presidential debate last night.

Most pundits agreed this morning—Obama was the clear winner of the final debate. The President was well-prepared and even combative as he challenged Romney from the start—a far cry from the Obama we saw in the first debate in which he was accused of appearing weak and distracted.

There were a number of highlights last night, some that could even trump Romney's  "binders of women" comment from the last debate. But Obama's "battleships and bayonets" moment was MONEY and will be remembered as one of the best quips of this election cycle.

Here it is. Obama really gets going around the 18-second mark.

This is well worth watching. See Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in Bend, 7pm Friday night at the Midtown.

Favorite lines:

"I probably shoulda washed this—smells like R. Kelly sheets. Pisssssssss. ...but shit, it was 99 cents!"

"Velour jumpsuit and some house slippers/dookie-brown leather jacket that I found, digging."

It's not everyday that we get smart hip-hop in Bend.

This week we get it twice—Zion I tonight and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis on Friday. Click on the links to read our reviews, written by our own Mix Master Maffey.

Since we've been feeling hip-hop deprived, we'll be going to both shows. Zion I's new album, Shadowboxing, blends old-school-style beats with progressive lyrics and calls on the Bay-Area duo's 20-plus years of recording experience to make a very tight record. You can stream the 2012 release at djbooth.net.

Zion I

8:30 pm, Wed., Oct. 17

Warren Miller’s Flow State is your Saturday night/Sunday night solution.

Here's why: Beautiful snowriding shots set to dubstep, beer on tap, free giveaways from local retailers AND...

your $20 ticket GETS YOU ONE LIFT TICKET TO MT. BACHELOR! Yes, this is for real.

Our partners over at Lay It Out Events really want you to have a good time. And so do we. We just gave away two tickets to Flow State and we have two more to give away! Stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page for more.

Like free stuff? Good. Powderhouse, Mountain Supply, Great Outdoors and others will be on hand with loads of new gear which they will throw into the crowd with abandon. Plus, if you fill out a simple form you’ll be entered to win one of three prizes from Warren Miller, where the top prize is a heli-ski trip in B.C. So, there’s that.

While compiling a short list of the best ski/snowboard films EVER for our annual SnowRider's Issue (on stands Oct. 18) we came across some real gems.

Mostly there involve late-80's ski legend Glen Plake, who is (still) the man.

Here are a few others that are on the list. What's missing?

There's no shortage of ski films slated for screenings in Bend. Lucky!

On Saturday, TGR's 2012 release The Dream Factory is showing at the Tower (8pm, $12). The welcome-to-winter film highlights Alaska and its pioneers—old and new—from old-skooler Doug Coombs to new stompers like Seth Morrison. It's from TGR, so it's going to be awesome. Watch the trailer below if you don't believe me.

Unfortunately, TGR's dumbass website person listed Bend as a city in Idaho. So, don't be thrown off, or whatever. The film IS being shown at 8PM, SATURDAY at the TOWER. 

Okay. We've also got The Ordinary Skier showing at BendFilm, which starts Oct. 11.

Finally, the new Warren Miller movie, Flow State, is screening in Bend on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22. AND! Each $20 ticket includes a FREE LIFT TICKET TO MT. BACHELOR. We have some of these and we will give two away next week, so stay tuned.

Is it me, or does the High Plains Drifter look like he’s performing at the senior center talent show. More evidence that the GOP should just keep playing to their strengths, Blind Fear and Righteous Anger and leave the comedy to those who still have a sense of humor.

It’s finally happening. The Avengers is coming out at midnight.

We know you've been patiently awaiting the premiere. So, to hold you over until midnight, here is a trailer for The Avengers made-for-TV-movie (circa 1978) in which the teams of earth’s mightiest heroes fight their arch nemesis, Loki, and the terribly threatening rock band KISS.

Check out Tony Stark’s epic mustache:

The footage from the Timbers game is particularly cool, as are all of the Portland-at-night shots.