C.O. COVID-19 Friday notices: online church services, canceled events
We will provide community and government COVID-related announcements in a running list. To see the initial lists for Thursday, visit our coronavirus news page at http://www.ktvz.com/coronavirus. Please email any additions to stories@ktvz.com - thanks.
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The Oregon FFA has canceled its March 19-22 annual state convention at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center, which expected some 3,500 guests.
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The High Desert Community Theater group is canceling the spring performance play in Madras held at the Madras Performing Arts Center scheduled for March 19, 20, 21 and 22.
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A health care town hall planned Friday afternoon at the Redmond Senior Center has been canceled, as that facility has closed.
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St. Joseph's Catholic Church annual ham dinner scheduled for Sunday, March 15th has been canceled.
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St. Vincent de Paul of Crook County has postponed the Donor Appreciation breakfast scheduled for Wednesday, March 18th.
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Several Bend churches have announced their move to online services. Here's their news release:
Press Release March 13, 2020 Bend, Oregon
In light of the confirmation from officials in Deschutes County on Wednesday of the first COVID-19 case, the President’s address, and the recommendations from our Governor, we will be transitioning to online worship services beginning this Sunday. In order to increase the safety of our entire community we are closing our buildings for all non-essential meetings until further notice. Our primary reasons for making these changes are:
- We know that the best measure for impacting the spread of this virus is containment.
- We acknowledge that a great number of people worshipping in our spaces are over the age of 60 and that the highest risk is for this particular demographic.
- We have been asked by the Governor to restrict gatherings wherein folks cannot keep a minimum of three feet distance from one another.
- We believe that taking these measures models a deep desire to contribute to the well-being of our community.
Each of our communities deeply values connection and care. Therefore during this time we have begun to seek ways to stay in contact with those who may be most at risk to experience the negative psychological and spiritual effects of social distancing. The leadership of these faith communities is committed to following the recommendations of our public health officials.
This is a challenging time for our community and for our world. As spiritual leaders we are dedicated to holding light and hope during difficult times. We are committed to care for this community and will offer resources as we are able.
Bend Church, United Methodist, bendumc.org
First Presbyterian Church Bend, bendfp.org
Trinity Episcopal Church, trinitybend.org
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon, uufco.org
Unity Community of Central Oregon, unitycentraloregon.com
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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon cancels Sunday services and all events until further notice. Join us every Sunday at 10 am at www.uufco.org for live stream service with Rev. Scott Rudolph.
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Bend Nazarene Church also will be closed, according to Lead Pastor R.J. Strickland.
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From Westside Church:
Starting this Sunday, all of our Sunday services (8:15, 9:45, 11:15) including our evening service (5:30), will be online and available throughout the rest of the week. We will continue to gather online at westsidelive.org and Facebook during the suspension of our gatherings. Our team will provide full worship and the regular teaching we had planned. So, while we will not gather at our physical location for a few weeks, we will still gather online in strong community.
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A Stop the Bleed class planned on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Foundry Church has been canceled.
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UPCOMING APRIL 3-4 PIANO SHOWCASE
CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
SUNRIVER, ORE – Given the growing concern around COVID-19, and in light of the ban on large public gatherings declared by Oregon Governor Brown, the Sunriver Music Festival Board of Trustees has decided that it is in the best interest of our patrons to cancel our upcoming Piano Showcase event, April 3-4, in Bend.
“Obviously we are extremely disappointed not to share the talents of these four world-class pianists with Central Oregon audiences,” states Operations Director Meagan Iverson. “The safety and wellbeing of our patrons and performers is paramount.”
Ticket holders to the Piano Showcase at the Tower Theatre will be receiving an email outlining next steps and options.
Iverson adds that, at this point, there are no anticipated changes to the 43rd Annual Summer Festival in August. Music Director George Hanson reports that plans for celebrating the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven with Sunriver and Bend concerts from August 9-22 are nearing completion. You can view the complete season by going to the Festival’s website www.sunrivermusic.org.
Tickets for the for summer season go on sale beginning April 1st. For complete information email tickets@sunrivermusic.org, or by calling the Ticket Office at 541-593-9310.
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ODFW cancels educational classes and workshops until April 13
SALEM, Ore. – ODFW is cancelling hunter education classes, field days, clinics, outdoor skills workshops, angler education trainings, Family Fishing events and other volunteer-led activities in accordance with COVID-19 guidance from the State of Oregon and the Governor’s office until at least April 13.
ODFW is taking these steps to protect our participants, volunteers, staff and others. Additionally, closures of schools and other facilities may impact the ability to hold these events.
Refunds to participants will be processed automatically for any paid classes or workshops.
Registration for future classes is postponed until further notice.
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SHARC AQUATIC CENTER TO CLOSE THROUGH MONDAY
SUNRIVER – Under an abundance of caution following Gov. Kate Brown’s announcement of a statewide mandate to ban and/or cancel large gatherings to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the Sunriver Owners Association Board of Directors has elected a temporary closure of the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center (SHARC) starting Friday, March 13 through Monday, March 16.
“The Sunriver community does not have immunity from the COVID-19 coronavirus. With the rapid progression we are seeing in Oregon and the rest of the world, the threat presented requires that we do what we can to prevent, to the extent possible, the spread of this virus,” said Keith Mobley, president of SROA Board of Directors. “Facilities where large numbers of people gather deserve attention. SHARC is at the top of the list. For that, and other reasons, I am exercising my authority as president of the Sunriver Owners Association to order the temporary closure of that facility, until such time as the full board of directors may determine to be appropriate.”
The SROA board will convene for a special meeting on Monday at 10 a.m. to decide next steps, when to reopen the facility and the possible need to suspend upcoming scheduled events.
“The safety of our owners, and the public, is our primary focus and we are taking the governor’s recommendations very seriously,” said Hugh Palcic, SROA General Manager. “We encourage everyone to be self-responsible, stay home and limit your public exposure so we all can remain healthy, assist in suppressing the spread within the county and the state and, hopefully, keep it out of the Sunriver community altogether.”
Updates on SHARC and SROA operations will be posted, as available, on the SROA website at www.sunriverowners.org and Facebook. SROA’s administrative services will remain open at this time, but highly recommends that owners, contractors and service providers call or email – rather than coming into the office. Staff contact information can be found on the SROA website.
The SHARC closure includes all owner and public areas of the facility. Although the SHARC facility will be closed, key staff will be available by phone and/or email only.
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Deschutes Children's Foundation Postpones Annual Fundraiser Due to Coronavirus Concerns
BEND, OR – March 13, 2020 – Deschutes Children’s Foundation has made the difficult decision to postpone its largest annual fundraiser, Ripples, due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. The auction is the cornerstone fundraiser of the year for the organization, which has been serving the community since 1990.
“Ripples provides a large portion of our operating funds and is crucial to our success,” said Amy Ward, Deschutes Children’s Foundation Executive Director. “We look forward to bringing the community together for our event once again, it will just be a little later in the year.”
The fundraiser, which was scheduled for April 18, provides support to 25 area nonprofit organizations that serve children and families. The auction has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2020.
“While coronavirus may be a crisis, having to move this event is not,” said Board Chair Sarah Stevens, Regional Director of Human Resources for Knife River Corporation. “We have been serving the community and supporting the vital nonprofits at our four community campuses for decades. We are willing to make a short-term sacrifice for the overall health of our community. We are confident that our community will stand behind us as we take the necessary time to see how this situation develops.”
The foundation has contacted its sponsors and received overwhelming support for the decision to delay the fundraiser. “I’m happy to support Deschutes Children’s Foundation and Ripples, now and in the future,” shared Jeff Deswert, president of Kirby Nagelhout Construction Company, the event’s presenting sponsor. “We trust that the organization is doing the right thing to keep our community safe during this time.”
“We are thankful for the support of so many local companies that value our mission and our collective wellbeing, especially Riverhouse on the Deschutes for accommodating our new date” Ward said. “We look forward to holding the event when people can focus on the pleasure of supporting children and families in our community.”
You can reach Deschutes Children’s Foundation with additional questions or support at 541-388-3101, or online at www.deschuteschildrensfoundation.org.
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Snowshoe & Ski With a Ranger Tours at Mt Bachelor, Volunteer Info Night Cancelled due to COVID-19
BEND, ORE - Discover Your Forest’s Public Ski and Snowshoe tours will not be offered for the remainder of the season due to safety concerns related to COVID-19. This includes all Junior Snow Ranger, Snowshoe with a Ranger and Ski with a Ranger Programs. In addition, we will not be offering our Project SNOW and Snow School field trip programs. After consulting with agency and program partners, this decision was made out of an abundance of caution regarding public gatherings. We feel strongly that the health and safety of our volunteers, visitors and staff are of the utmost importance.
Public Snowshoe and Ski with a Ranger programs were scheduled to run at Mt Bachelor through March 29, 2020. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort continues to be fully operational and open daily for Alpine skiing / snowboarding and Nordic skiing. Latest snow conditions and resort news can be found on the Mt. Bachelor website.
Also cancelled, is the Discover Your Forest Volunteer information night which was scheduled for March 18th, 2020. To receive updates on this event and digital information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, contact Community Engagement Director, Stacey Cochran at Stacey.cochran@discovernw.org.
As part of these free programs, donations are accepted to help non-profit Discover Your Forest continue to provide educational programming and volunteer support to their partners at the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, as well as the Crooked River National Grassland. If you would still like to support these programs, you can do so by visiting discoveryourforest.org/donate. Up to date information about all of our programs can be found at discoveryourforest.org.
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HISTORIC DOWNTOWN REDMOND’S FIRST FRIDAY GOES DIGITAL
Be Kind. Be Local
Redmond, Oregon, April 3rd — It's no secret that the Pandemic Status of COVID-19 has put a damper on local businesses. However, that doesn't mean that Redmond companies aren't open for business! At shopredmondoregon.com we have listed a myriad of Redmond Local Businesses that are offering online products, gift certificates, delivered products and services, etc. The community is encouraged to click on each business listed to see what each is offering!
If you do want to get out for fresh air, there are many more businesses and local vendors that will be waiting to welcome you downtown, be sure to join us in person or online for First Friday in Redmond where you can say hi to your neighbor and support local businesses! Small Businesses are the backbone of our community, so we implore you to support local and help keep our local economy alive. Remember, when you shop local, $.67 of every dollar spent at a local business goes back into the community.
Follow the event on Facebook to stay up to date: www.facebook.com/events/756273138180735
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For Oregon Feats of Strength competition scheduled for March 21, competition will still continue at this time, but due to restrictions recently place on crowd capacities by Governor Kate Brown because of possible threat of spreading the coronavirus, we regret that we will no longer be open to the public for this year's Oregon Feats of Strength. We are forced to limit capacity to only include athletes, their families and coaches, and our supporting staff. We apologize for this change in plans.
Christine Burk
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend’s Response to COVID-19
BEND, ORE (March 13, 2020) – Amidst growing concern regarding COVID-19 Coronavirus and the announcement of extended school closures last night, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend (BGCB) is evaluating a decision whether or not to provide programming and care for school-aged children in the coming weeks.
“Our board and leadership are actively working with local officials to determine if there is a workable and safe plan for our Club to meet the critical need in our community during school closures,” said Executive Director, Juliana Williams. “The safety and well-being of our members and staff is our top priority as we evaluate the situation.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend will be open for regular afterschool programming on Friday, March 13th. Both Clubs will be closed on Monday, March 16th in order to sanitize the facility. Additional closures have not yet been determined.
Club leadership is evaluating the public health situation as well as the critical need for some parents and caregivers to continue to work.
“We will communicate as soon as we have a decision about whether or not we remain open while the school district is closed and how programs would operate in that case,” Williams continued. “Please keep in mind that plans are subject to change as the situation develops.”
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From the Sisters School District:
Due to the governor's resent mandate on public gatherings, the Mr. SHS Pageant that was scheduled for Saturday night has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 24th at 6:00 pm. Tickets that have already been sold will be valid for the May showing. If you have purchased a ticket and cannot attend the May performance, refunds are available or, your purchase will be welcomed as a donation to our FAN program. Tickets for the May event remain available for purchase from contestants or at the door. Your continued support of FAN and the students is most appreciated. If you have any questions contact Jami Lyn Weber at jamilyn.weber@ssd6.org.
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From NeighborImpact:
Redmond, OR - In order to protect the health of its tax prepares and clients against Coronavirus, AARP has canceled its free tax preparation services for the remainder of the tax season.
Taxes currently in progress and appointments already made will be completed within the next 10 days. No new walk-ins or appointments will be accepted at this time. Although tax services are no longer available, NeighborImpact offices remain open and operational.
