Bend Oregon Living. Featuring Central Oregon

In Central Oregon, bicycles are as ubiquitous as ski racks mounted to cars, symbols of the athletically inclined residents, many of whom moved here for the miles of riding trails.To serve the public demand, numerous mom-and-pop bike shops have opened in the area, offering consumers a wide shopping selection. The options can be mind-boggling, especially for consumers who fall somewhere between the elite athlete and the casual biker who just needs a mode of transportation to Drake Park during the summer.

Battistella earns berth in LPGA event
NORTH VANCOUVER, British Columbia Taya Battistella earned a berth Tuesday in the LPGA s CN Canadian Women s Open by winning the CN Canadian Women s Tour season-opening event.The Bend professional golfer, who is a regular on the Duramed Futures Tour, fired an even-par 71-73 144 at Seymour Golf and Country Club to hold off Courtney Erdman of Arcadia, Calif., by two strokes.

Big win for Bears; Bend headed to 5A state quarterfinals after sophomore belts grand slam
Bend High s Chris Zelmer woke up Tuesday just happy to be on Bend High s varsity baseball playoff roster.He ended the day a hero, the guy who sent the Lava Bears to the quarterfinal round of the Class 5A state playoffs with one swing of the bat.Trailing by five runs going into the bottom of the seventh inning on Tuesday, Bend High rallied to defeat Hillsboro 9-8 in the second round of the 5A state playoffs, ending the game when Zelmer, a sophomore pinch-hitter, hit a walk-off grand slam.

Bend man creates something for golfer with everything wooden putters
Doug Dryer has never really stood over a putt, stared down a line and drilled a 10-footer that counts.In fact, the Bend resident has never played golf at all.But while the avid skier and snowboarder does not know the feeling of sending a ball to the back of a cup himself, he does know a lot about woodworking.

Stocks jump with consumer confidence
NEW YORK Consumers are feeling better, and that s making investors feel better, too. But some market watchers question how long these mutually reinforcing good moods can last. The stock market rose for the first time in a week Tuesday as unexpectedly strong consumer-confidence data sparked optimism that spending by Americans could support a hoped-for economic recovery in the second half of the year.