Franklin Gordon got into craft beer in the early 2000s, and after years in the bar & restaurant industries, at beer distribution companies, and as a production brewer. He became a Certified Cicerone and started his own consulting company, Beer Wise, to plan beer dinners, develop menus for restaurants and tap rooms, and train bar staff on maximizing their effectiveness when working in the craft beer industry. He is currently a beer buyer in Bend, OR and continues to study diligently in the craft beer and gastronomic industries. On this premier episode of Bend's Grand Craft Beer Podcast, host Brian Yaeger and beer buyer Franklin Gordon— two Certified Cicerones—offer a primer on the current State of affairs in the bend brewing scene from trends and sub-trends to tasty new beers.

Tammy Baney is the executive director of Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council. In this edition of Bend Don't Break, she chats with Publisher Aaron Switzer about COIC, what she wishes people know about the region's intergovernmental organization, her goals for the future and more.

This episode features a conversation with local media icon R.L. Garrigus, talking about the biggest story he ever covered in Central Oregon, the toughest issue we face in current times and how news coverage has evolved since he began his radio career in Bend in 1979. He also tells the tale of his latest elk hunting escapades.

R.L. has won numerous local, state, and national awards for his news coverage and community involvement. He is in the Oregon Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame as a 2004 Heritage Broadcaster of the Year.

The Bend City Council and Deschutes County Commissioners honored R.L. on January 22nd, 2004, proclaiming the day to be R.L. Garrigus Day which was celebrated by friends and family for his service to the Central Oregon

Brian Yaeger is a Source contributor, beer author (including "Oregon Breweries"), beer fest producer and beer-tasting instructor at COCC. Because he’s working on doughnut authorship, you’ll find he occasionally reviews the local doughnut scene. Yes, he absolutely floats all summer long with a beer in one hand and a doughnut in the other.

This week, Yaeger penned a cover story about the long and storied history of Mirror Pond Pale Ale -- one of Deschutes Brewery's oldest beers and one of its best sellers. We talk about the hop, developed by Oregon State University, that helped put Oregon (and Mirror Pond Pale Ale) on the map, what brewers had to say about the beer's flavor evolution over time and more.

Amy Stahl is the Founder of Metolius Artisan Tea, an ethics-forward, woman-founded tea company crafting exceptional teas, chai, matcha and botanical syrups in Bend, Oregon. Stahl joins us on the Bend Don't Break podcast to talk about her recent tea trip to Nepal — an adventure that inspired her to share more of her tea-stories with the public.

After four years in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam era, Bob Shaw met his wife Cheryl while working for a college ministry. They started a family and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where Bob entered the world of recreational vehicle sales and service.

After eight years with Beaver Coach – which brought him to Bend - a more serious pursuit of a career, not just a job, began. Bob had been a public speaker for years and secretly hoped for a job where he could speak for a living. A unique chain of events carried him back to college at COCC and a job as a waiter in a casual fine-dining restaurant at the age of 45. He was then introduced to working as talent in commercials by a co-worker that was doing the same. A couple of years of making commercials opened the door for a successful audition as the weathercaster on the live morning news program. A short while later, Bob transferred to Mississippi State University, completed a meteorology training, and is now celebrating years “in the business” and on NewsChannel 21 at Sunrise.

Viewers will be sad to know that Bob is retiring this summer, and so we just had to have him on the program. In this edition of Bend Don't Break we talk about his favorite parts about doing weather, where he got his slogan "Have a Sparkling Day," and more.

Brian Potwin is the Executive Director of Commute Options. He has lived in Central Oregon since the year 2000 and loves to ride bicycles and work with the community. Working for Commute Options since 2008, Brian has learned many techniques for outreaching and engaging communities in Central Oregon. He is passionate about creative change and promoting community health, active transportation and a vibrant local economy. In this episode of Bend Don't Break, we chat with Potwin about Commute Options programming and its approach to helping communities stay safe while walking, riding or rolling around Central Oregon.

Nancy Zadoff and her husband Paul relocated to Bend several years ago after working and living in various locations around the globe including Australia, Europe and California. They vacationed in Central Oregon for years and always knew they would make Bend their final stop. Nancy, one of seven children, grew up in her parent’s gardens and always loved every aspect of gardening. In her former career Nancy was a creative global marketing leader of high-performance teams in driving product vision, creation, marketing and merchandising within the consumer goods/apparel & fashion arena. She’s now happy to be growing her flowers and curating cheeses, meats and other special foods and gifts from talented artisans and makers both locally and around the world at her shop, Wild Petals Provisions. The shop is located in Brooks Alley in downtown Bend.

Kenny Adams is a writer, designer, film maker, and a father. As Executive Director of The Father’s Group, Kenny has bolstered and strengthened The Ujima Youth Program, developed the Night Out With The Father’s Group series, developed and administered The Father’s Group Film Festival featuring his own documentary, Blend, in which he interviews many Black residents of Central Oregon. Kenny has an IT professional background but his life is devoted to the betterment of his family, friends and community, by any means.

In this edition of Bend Don't Break, we chat with Adams about the Juneteenth celebration happening June 17 and 18 in Drake Park in Bend, his work with The Father's Group and much more.

Craig Brauner is a theatre artist and educator who's called Central Oregon home since 2018. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he has starred in over 80 productions across the country with prominent regional theatres as well as numerous workshops, readings and devised pieces. He obtained his MFA in Acting from the University of California-Irvine and BFA from the University of Evansville. He is a proud Founding Member and current President of Ellipse Theatre Community, a 501(c)(3) arts and education non-profit located in Central Oregon. We chat with Brauner about the theatre's current production, "Fun Home," about its Pride Month events, called Project Pride and what the future holds for Central Oregon theatre.