Moon boots, lava roots.

In the mid-’60s, NASA came here to practice walking on the moon. Not Houston. Not Florida. Here.

Central Oregon’s lava fields, ash flats, and glassy rock formations looked remarkably similar to the lunar surface, prompting Apollo crews to tromp around Lava Butte, the Newberry caldera, Fort Rock, Hole-in-the-Ground, and McKenzie Pass. This is where they learned geology and tested their gear. Locals called it “Moon Country,” which sounds like a tourist trap until you’re standing on black rock that crunches like broken plates. You’ll quickly realize this landscape trained the people who actually went up there. Apollo 15’s Jim Irwin even took a sliver of local Bend lava to the Moon. That’s the most Bend flex imaginable.

Next clear day, go climb Paulina Peak, lap Lava Butte, then try not to see moon dust in every pumice path for the rest of the week.

Bend Venture Finalists

Every October, our little downtown puts on a suit and throws cash at ideas. Tower Theatre. Lights hot. Pitches tighter than a kickflip on Bond. That’s Bend Venture Conference. And this year’s Growth Stage semifinalists read like a mood board for the near future.

The bracket shrinks again in early October. Finalists hit the Tower stage Friday, October 17, right in the middle of High Desert Innovation Week, with the whole circus running October 13–17. Early-bird tickets are live through September 30 if you’re the plan-ahead type.

Why this matters here: BVC isn’t just checks. It’s phone numbers, mentors, follow-on rounds, and the “you’re not crazy” nod every founder needs to keep going. Twenty-two years in, more than $14M has moved from talk to term sheets because a bunch of people in Central Oregon decided to bet on builders. That’s a real legacy, not a slogan.

Community Tool Library Launches 🪚

The Central Oregon Tool Library is open. In the Bend ReStore lot. Drills, tile saws, ladders, garden gear—the good stuff. You check them out like books. Bring them back like a decent neighbor. Saves cash. Cuts waste. Builds skills. Habitat’s the fiscal sponsor; the community did the rest.

🐾Bend’s Best Good Boys & Good Girls 🐾

🐶 Luna – 6 years, German Shepherd
Might have to adopt Luna myself. Housetrained. One look at her pictures and you can see the loyalty in her eyes.

🐱 Zoe –1.5 Years, Border Collie Mix
Bubbly and sweet and loves kisses. Sounds like the perfect family pup.

🐶 Barnacle – 1 year, Terrier Mix
Loads of energy and enjoys meeting other pups.

A Meal We Loved Recently

This one’s a plate that doesn’t just fill you up, it tells a story. Rice, beans, stewed beef, and plantains. It’s the national dish of the Dominican Republic, and Robert and Trisha are serving it out of a food cart tucked away at Dogwood. The flavors come layered: smoky, savory, sweet…and if you like spicy, grab some of their hot sauce(AMAZING).

Robert brought his abuela’s secret recipes all the way from the Dominican Republic just for us. A combo that feels both comforting and just different enough to yank you out of your taco-and-IPA routine. Honestly? It’s the kind of meal you think about the next day while you’re stuck in Reed Market traffic, wondering how soon you can justify going back.