Orvis stores will offer free fly casting and fly rod rigging classes every Saturday in July  from 9-10am and 11am-12 noon.  Upon completion of the courses, every participant will receive a $15 Orvis savings card and a certificate for a free membership to Trout Unlimited ($35 value).  All ages and beginning skill levels are welcome to attend the Fly Fishing 101 event. Space is limited.  RSVP with one of the participating locations to reserve your space.  Visit www.orvis.com/flyfishing101 to find a location near you. Bend Orvis store 541-312-8200.

Volunteers from Trout Unlimited will be on hand at select locations to aid with the instruction. “Fly fishers are a significant part of Trout Unlimited’s membership because of our mission to protect, conserve and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds in North America.  Our volunteers are excited to help newcomers learn and enjoy the sport of fly fishing,” said Christopher Anderson, Trout Unlimited.

Orvis and Trout Unlimited are partnering to offer a new industry event to introduce new fly fishers to the sport of fly fishing – Fly Fishing 101.  Never before has there been such an organized effort across so many locations to give new fly fishers a chance to learn the great sport of fly fishing free of cost.  “Newcomers to fly fishing are often intimidated with casting and other elements of getting started in the sport.  The Fly Fishing 101 event will help participants learn fly fishing basics in an easy, non-threatening way,” said Tory Myler, Orvis Retail and Wholesale Marketing Manager. 

St. Charles Free Summer Sunday Concerts - Stolen Sweets (Swing/Jazz)  Stolen Sweets are recreating the swing jazz sound of the 1930s.  Their music has an authentic feel that makes you feel like you've been transported back to the glory days of the New Orleans jazz scene.

A Talk in the Park  Bend Parks & Recreation District is hosting locals experts to share their knowledge about the great outdoors and the community we live in.  Grab your lunch and join us at Riverbend Park Picnic Shelter (799 S.W. Columbia).

Six Consecutive Wednesdays July 14-August 18 from 12:15 - 1pm:

August 4 - Where the Wild Things Are with Larry Pecenka, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Biologist

August 11 - Up a Creek with a Paddle with Eric Denzler, BPRD Outdoor Program Coordinator and Robin Laughlin, Design Manager

August 18 - Here Birdie Birdie with Kevin Lair, Wild Birds Unlimited

For more information visit Bend Parks & Recreation District or call Chris Zerger at 541/-389- 7275.

The First Friday Gallery Walks are held the first Friday of every month from 5-9pm, and the scope of the event has grown every year. Now galleries in downtown Bend, Northwest Crossing, and the Old Mill District open their doors for these special monthly evenings.  Most are already open seven days a week, but First Fridays are a special gathering for art lovers.  Many participating galleries bring in live music, new exhibits, lectures, demonstrations, plus the ever-popular food and wine samplings for their First Fridays.

Take the Free Artwalk Shuttle offering a continuous loop approximately every 50-60 minutes.  Service from 5-9pm.  Station 3 is located in the Old Mill District between Lahaina Galleries and REI and picks up at 5:40pm+/- and heads to Atelier 6000 and then downtown.

Make sure to stop in at Atelier 6000, Lahaina Galleries, Lubbesmeyer Studio & Gallery and Tumalo Art Co. for new works of art on view.

Atelier 6000 is a studio workshop exhibiting hand-pulled prints and handmade books.

Lubbesmeyer Studio & Gallery highlights the extraordinary fiber art created by the Lubbesmeyer sisters.