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An SEO and SEM Girl’s Dream: Jill Whalen and Bruce Clay Hit the Town of Bend, Oregon at Bend WebCAM 2010

Do you remember when DOS computers were still “in”? Back in my college days, I dreaded the thought of getting on the DOS to type up the six-page paper that I put off writing until mere hours before class. A pot of coffee and a function command cheat sheet in hand, I plunked away and never would’ve thought that five years later I would be among the first wave of early SEO adopters for business websites.

Being the creative, free-spirited rebel that I was (am?), somehow I stumbled into the world of web design with a fierce interest in SEO. It was then that I discovered two of my SEO dreamboats: Jill Whalen and Bruce Clay. Feverishly reading anything they had to say about algorithm changes, which SE’s were usurping who, and future predictions for SEO, I anxiously awaited their weekly newsletters like a little girl hoping to unwrap Golden Dream Barbie on Christmas Day (true story).

After 10 long years, I’m giddy and thrilled with the opportunity to actually meet my SEO dream team on my turf of all places, Bend, Oregon, which, by the way, just so happens to be rumored as the birth place of SEO (attend the History of SEO Panel for proof). Plus, anxious to see of some of my newer favorites like David Mihm and the rest of the very worthy speakers who rock the world of web, creative and marketing. I’m not worthy. I’m not worthy.

Tickets are still available to Bend WebCAM 9/30-10/1, 2010 www.bendwebcam.com. Get them before it’s sold out.

An Ancient Hawaiian Sport Surfs Into Bend

Since going to Hawaii a few months ago, I was dying to try stand up paddle surfing along a serene Maui beach. With one rental car, a short window of time, and conflicting activity schedules within my travel group, my stand up paddle dreams were crushed. Flash forward to being home in Bend again and I’m finally able to check this activity off my life list. Stand up paddle boarding has found its way from the isles of Hawaii to the middle of Central Oregon.

The Visit Bend team met up with Mike and Tom from Sun Country Tours—one of few companies in Bend offering both instruction and paddle board rentals—on a warm July evening in River Bend Park in the Old Mill District along the Deschutes River. Mike and Tom were paddle pros with years of experience in the ocean on typical surf and paddle surf style boards. The biggest question looming in the back of my mind was “how hard is this?”

We carried the boards to the river’s edge, kicked off our flip flops and slipped into the water. With my paddle straddling my board, I immediately hopped up and began to paddle my way upstream towards the Farewell Bend Park bridge. The on-the-water instruction and advice provided by Mike and Tom came in handy when we hit strong currents under the bridge, which left us working up a sweat and going no where fast. Best advice of the day: stay close to the edge of the river where the current isn’t as strong.

Once we arrived at a placid area along the Deschutes River, Tom showed me some advanced tricks and tips for paddle surfing on the ocean. Then, it was time to head back down stream which was much less of a work out and gave me some time to perfect my surf skills.

The sport of stand up paddle surfing is definitely a relaxing way to blow off some steam, burn off my lunch, commune with nature, and stay cool on hot summer day in Bend.

Tip: Sun Country Tours offers inflatable paddle board rentals that are incredibly stable and rigid. You can collapse them into a vehicle and hit a high Cascade Lake for some paddling. No roof racks or tie straps required.

Tip: Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe offers women’s stand up paddle surfing every Monday night through the summer and special fitness classes (with personal trainers) every Tuesday from their river front location in the Old Mill District.

Tip: Good enough to race? Join the race series August 6-8, 2010 at Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe

Tip: I highly recommend it to anyone of all ages and skill levels. It’s really much easier than it seems. Wondering what to wear? Bring your life vest (if you have your own or one will be provided by Sun Country Tours), water shoes or shoes you don’t care about if you toss them to shore, and board shorts over your swimsuit. Leave your sunglasses behind or get one of those cords.

Happy paddling!

Signature Event at Tower Theatre Featuring Author Kelsey Collins, David Santangelo & Terri Daniel with Music by Susan Werner

Kelsey Collins, Sisters-based speaker and author will be kicking off the 3-speaker event “Life Wide Open: Three Perspectives on Trust, Forgiveness and Transformation” July 28th at the Tower Theatre in Bend.

The event will take place, Wednesday, July 28th, doors opening at 5PM, with a spiritually-packed lineup including Collins and Central Oregon speaker/authors, David Santangelo and Terri Daniel, and music by daring, innovative, and known to many as the darling of the Sisters Folk Festival, singer and songwriter Susan Werner. This signature event seeks to expand traditional definitions of trust, forgiveness and transformation into a new whole by featuring three speakers focused on three phases of life.

Collins, renowned for inspiring others to live with their hearts wide open, and her book, “Exit Strategy: Leaving this Life with Grace and Gratitude” – now on tour throughout the Northwest and California – will take event participants on an interactive journey through trust and the purpose of living a life wide open. Collins has spoken to hundreds at numerous conferences and workshops throughout the Northwest as a speaker with an uncanny ability to relate across generations on subjects critical to our wholeness as a culture.

Said Collins, “We often tell ourselves that we can’t be happy when we are challenged. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s our challenges that empower us to grow, seek, expand and explore. When we trust that, through love and forgiveness, our lives are naturally transformed. This event will seek to address that.”

The event will take place on July28th, on the main stage at the Tower Theatre. It will be a full evening event including music and hors d‘œuvres provided by Tate and Tate catering. Tickets will be on sale July 8th through the Tower Theatre and given away on Clear 101.7FM. Limited seating is available.

What’s a Jackalope?

According to Wikipedia, a jackalope is “an imaginary animal of North American folklore (a so-called “fearsome critter“) described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns or deer antlers and sometimes a pheasant‘s tail (and often hind legs).” According to Bend locals in the know, the Jackalope Grill is a fantastic restaurant in Bend that has great northwest food and wine. This is the type of hidden gem visitors long to find.

Run by Tim and Kathy Garling, who came to Bend from Utah and have several years of experience in the restaurant business, the Jackalope Grill focuses on fresh, local, and organic cuisine. Chef Tim has his own “blogalope” – it’s worth a look.

Needless to say, I was very excited for the Visit Bend team’s recent dinner at the Jackalope Grill. You can read our team review here. We’re not sure what our next Foodie Adventure brings, so stay tuned for more Oregon restaurant reviews by Visit Bend.

A Bit of Paris in Bend This Weekend

I love antiques, estate sales and flea markets, especially French flea markets. My dream of visiting a true Parisian flea market has yet to be realized, but it looks like I can get my Paris fix right here in Bend, Oregon this weekend.

A hand-picked selection of vendors from all over the west will be selling their antiques, vintage and repurposed furnishings and accessories, and handcrafted Etsy artisan goods and objects d’art.  The French Flea Market at Pomegranate is Bend’s best juried flea market and is celebrating its 11^th year.

The French Flea Market takes place every summer in Bend, starting in June from 10am to 4pm on the historic grounds of Pomegranate Home and Garden, one of my favorite go-to stores in Bend for special gifts. They’re located off Business Highway 97 and NE River Mall Avenue (across from Macy’s). For more information or directions, contact Pomegranate Home and Garden at 541-383-3713 or visit their website at www.Pomegranate-Home.com.

If you’d like to find out about more funky, off-the-beaten-path type of places to shop in Bend, I highly recommend checking out Good Finds in Bend for a where-to-find-guide on a few specialty retailers spread out around the city in locations that you may never find.

Happy shopping! Or, should I say Faites de bonnes emplettes!

Upcoming Bend French Flea Market dates for 2011: July 9, August 6 & 27, September 10

The Bend Foodie Adventurer Update

Having hundreds of divine restaurants to choose from in our town of 82,000 is a Foodie’s dream come true, but we’re always up for the challenge of foregoing our favorites to try out some new cuisine.

The Visit Bend team of foodies venture out together a few times every quarter to try a new restaurant together. Recently, we were lucky enough to dine at 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar and The Restaurant at Awbrey Glen. We also fit in a tasty tasting of Volcano Vineyards vino (and Sangria) in their downtown Bend tasting room off Minnesota Avenue. The upstairs area can be reserved for private parties, book clubs and meetings for free.

5 Fusion and Sushi Bar is one of Bend’s newest sushi and only Asian “fusion” restaurant, located next door to The Tower Theatre. Once the home of Deep, Bend’s now defunct sushi restaurant, 5 Spice hasn’t made us miss it one bit. The sushi is very fresh and the rolls are amazing. I have to admit that I’m not a sushi fan (the texture gets to me), but I eat it occasionally when surrounded by my sushi-addict friends. I’ve actually dined at one of the best sushi bars in San Francisco and Orange County, so I do know what good sushi should taste like. I’m perfectly content with the Tempura Veggie Roll and the Crispy Fritter with Sweet Chili Sauce. This is why 5 Fusion is a great place to meet my sushi friends for dinner or their “happi hour” because I can order a Rib Eye Steak or the Oolong Tea Glazed Sea Bass over noodles and they can have their sushi. 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar recently underwent a name change from 5 Spice in case you were wondering. It’s the same owner, Lilian Chu, and her talented team.

>> Read more here

I know dining at a golf course probably doesn’t interest many people who don’t golf, but I’d recommend heading to The Restaurant at Awbrey Glen, located on Bend’s wealthy Westside. Cocktails and appetizers on the patio, a sunset dinner alfresco, or even a well-earned hearty breakfast after a Sunday stroll up the butte sounds like a fantastic way to work in exercise and eating. The lush golf course green and mountain views provide a picture perfect backdrop to nosh away–a  few of my favorites are the Yucatan Chicken or the Kalbi Braised Short Ribs.

>> Read more here

Check out the additional Bend restaurant reviews that the Visit Bend Foodies have frequented over the last year or so here. From Bend’s oldest and only restaurant with a 250 year-old pine tree growing up through the floor (The Pine Tavern) to river front dining (Pastini Pastaria, Crossings at the Riverhouse, Greg’s Grill), we scout—and taste–the Bend dining scene at popular and off-the-beaten-path restaurants.

>> Follow our tantalizing taste bud journey into Bend’s dining culture here