Hi to the 130 new subscribers this week. Welcome to your first edition! We would love to hear some feedback at the bottom.

We’re Paige and Mason. The Bend Banner is our way of keeping tabs on this wild, beautiful place we call home. To the mornings that start with coffee and mountain air, the trails that somehow always lead to a brewery, and the kind of small-town stories that remind you why you chose to live here in the first place.

It’s easy to fall for Bend’s obvious beauty. The river, the pines, the big skies that never seem to end. But the real charm sneaks up on you. It’s in the tiny shops, the quiet corners, the meals you don’t expect to be great until they are.

That’s exactly what Cuban Kitchen and Yoli are doing.

Cuban Kitchen sits on 3rd, hidden behind a parking lot full of errands. But step inside and suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely(No, seriously, what a fun atmosphere to eat or have a mojito in). The Cubano is the kind of sandwich that slows you down. Crispy bread, melting Swiss, and roast pork that tastes like heaven. The yuca fries? Golden little reminders that simple things, done right, can still surprise you. And you can’t forget about the peach habanero hot sauce. Yes, they sell bottles of them to take home.

Yoli brings its own kind of magic. The Korean fried chicken hits that perfect mix of sweet, crunchy, and just enough spice. The bibimbap is pure comfort in a bowl, and the lunch plates? Easily the best meal within walking distance of downtown. It’s food that makes you stop talking for a minute. The chef behind it all isn’t new to this. He’s cooked in Michelin-star kitchens and brings that same care to every plate here. Just this weekend foodie and NYT best-selling author Kenji Lopez-Alt stopped by and posted this about Yoli. If you’re planning a date night (and you should), sign up for one of their preset dinners. They’re intimate, creative, and absolutely lights out.

Both spots are quiet love letters to flavor and craft. They don’t shout for your attention. They just remind you why living here feels so good.

Because sometimes, falling in love with Bend means finding it in the most ordinary places. Even a strip mall.

If you’ve lived here long enough, you know Bend winters are sneaky. One week you’re sipping a beer in the sun, the next you’re scraping ice off your windshield with a coffee punch card. So before the snow hits, peek at this Reddit thread with loads of winter advice.

Get gear early. Get your snow shovel, roof rake, and ice scraper now. Once the first storm hits, they vanish faster than a free pint. Snowpocalypse folks of 2016/2017 know.

Winter tires beat confidence every time. AWD isn’t magic. Keep a shovel, blanket, gloves, and a snack stash in your car. You’ll thank yourself when traffic on 97 turns into a parking lot.

At home, blow out sprinklers, clean gutters, seal windows, and skip the de-icer. Use sand or cinder instead. And yeah, check on your neighbors. It’s the Bend way.

When temps drop, let faucets drip, keep pets warm, and maybe bookmark TripCheck for when the passes get sketchy.

Do all that, and you’ll be just fine. Because winter here isn’t something to fear. It’s something to lean into.

🐶 Shasta – 3 years, German Shepherd
A playful, talkative pup who loves to run and hang with other big dogs. Not a fan of small dogs, but full of energy and sweetness. She’ll shine in a home with routine and space to play.

🐱 Moomoo – 14 years, Chihauhah/Terrier
A sweet old pup. She has lived her life with one owner and is accustomed to a quiet and calm life.

🐶 Goober – 2 years, Shepherd Mix
A big-hearted goofball who leans in for cuddles and lives for playtime. He needs structure, exercise, and plenty of affection. The ultimate adventure buddy and loyal sidekick.

Want more event tips every week? Follow The Bend Banner on Instagram

Boots & Brews @ Worthy Brewing | 6:30 pm

Ladies Book Swap & Meet-Up @ Bridge 99 Brewery | 6:15 PM

Elise Franklin Quartet @ The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM

Kids Art With a Splash of Science @ Tower Theatre | 1 pm

Beetlejuice JR @ Open Space Event Studios | 5 pm

Thursday Night Live @ Mountain Burger | 6 pm

Yoga + Sound Bath @ Hanai Center | 6:30 pm

Meet Michael Cooper @ Paulina Springs Books (Sisters) | 6:30 pm

Annual Chili Feed & Raffle @ Deschutes Historical Museum | 11 am–3 pm

Snowflake Boutique @ Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center | 1 pm

First Friday @ Scalehouse Gallery | 5 pm

First Friday: Girl Dinner @ Oregon Spirit Distillers | 6 pm

Author Leah Sottile @ Dudley’s Bookshop Café | 6 pm

Embodied: Conscious Dance & Elixirs @ Hanai Center | 6:30 pm

Quatuor Agate @ Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | 7:30 pm

Bend Comedy Showcase @ UPP Liquids | 8 pm

Bend Snow & Avalanche Workshop @ COCC | 8 am

The First Freeze @ Pilot Butte State Park | 10 am

Annual Chili Feed & Raffle @ Deschutes Historical Museum | 11 am–3 pm

Beetlejuice JR @ Open Space Event Studios | 12 pm & 5 pm

Get Wild Chili Cook-Off @ Skyline Ranch Road | 4 pm

Wine Workshop @ Flights Wine Bar | 6 pm

Adult Prom Night @ Craft Kitchen & Brewery | 7 pm

Lexis Shardé Live @ UPP Liquids | 8 pm

Party People Dinner with Brie Larson & Chef Courtney McBroom @ Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge | 6 pm

Sensory Photography @ Deschutes Library | 1pm

Until Next Week,

Paige & Mason