🎉 Get ready to ring in the new year

New Year's parties around Bend, winter storms hit the mountains, and Christmas tree cleanup time

Author

Derek Carlson
December 27, 2024

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Like the jelly-of-the-month club, the Bend Buzz is the gift that keeps on giving.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🎉 New Year parties happening around Central Oregon

  • ❄️ Big time snow in the mountains

  • 🎄 Leave it to the scouts

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

Alright Bend. It's almost the end of the year, which means you're all probably skipping work to go skiing or cleaning up mountains of wrapping paper to get the house ready for your New Year’s Eve party. But while you're at it, maybe it's time to add one more thing to the list - a year-end mortgage check-up.

Just like an annual doctor’s visit, your mortgage can occasionally use some TLC to keep your finances healthy. That’s where Alan comes in—offering FREE Annual Mortgage Reviews to help you:

  • ☑️ Save Money: Refinancing could put some extra cash in your pocket.

  • ☑️ Build Wealth: Leverage equity for home projects or investments.

  • ☑️ Plan Ahead: Stay ahead of tax or insurance changes before they sneak up.

  • ☑️ Achieve Goals: Adjust your mortgage to fit your evolving life plans.

🏡 Your mortgage should work for you, not the other way around. Let’s make sure it does!

📆 Schedule your free review today and take control of your financial future.

Give Alan a call or text anytime at (323)806-1864 to get started.

NMLS 2113486

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SNAPSHOTS

❄️ A snowy holiday break

Winter has returned to the mountains, and this time, it isn’t messing around. Forecasted snowfalls at Bachelor are downright impressive, which will make travel difficult, but will also offer up free refills of powder all weekend long. Maybe don’t try to make the drive up with your low-clearance vehicle on summer tires before the roads have been plowed, though.

🌲 Let the scouts take your tree

Christmas is over, the presents are unwrapped, and the needles are quickly falling off that tree that looked oh-so-perfect out in the forest just 3 weeks ago. Rather than dealing with cutting it up or having the trash person boot it from your yard debris bin, let the scouts take care of it instead. You can find all the details here.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍩 Richards is still open for business: Local donut favorite Richards suffered damage to the front of the building when it was hit by an SUV earlier this week. But fear not, as you can still get your donut fix during the holiday break when they are back to business as usual.

@THEBENDBUZZ

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LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday

🫶 New Year new dates: Looking for the perfect date for your upcoming New Year’s soirée? Head over to Bridge 99 Brewery for a 21+ casual mingling and speed dating event. 6 - 8 PM 63063 Layton Ave

😆 Unscripted comedy: Join Bend’s funniest improv troupe, The Roundabouts, for an evening of laughs. Audience participation is not only encouraged but required, so be prepared for a fun, immersive event. 7:30 PM 220 NE Lafayette Ave

🏀 Holiday hoop fest: See the best that Oregon high school hoops has to offer with the Holiday Hoop Fest at Summit High School. Teams from around the state will compete in this three-day tournament. 1 - 7 PM Friday & Saturday and 8 AM - 2 PM Sunday

⛷️ Friday night lights (Bend’s version): Want to get out to hit the slopes but can’t get away during the workday? Head up to Hoodoo this evening for some skiing under the lights. Tickets are only $39 from 4 PM - close. 4 PM Hoodoo Ski Area

🌕️ Full moon Luminaria: Winter is back in the mountains, and what better way to celebrate than with Luminaria at Mt. Bachelor? During the event, a 2km nordic trail is lined with candles, and skiers or snowshoers traverse the course by candlelight, moonlight, and headlamp. A half-day nordic pass is required. 5 - 8 PM Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center

Saturday

🎄 Best worst Christmas comedy: What better way is there to celebrate the passing of Christmas than to get together and share the WORST holiday stories? Well, Craft Kitchen will be hosting a comedy event where these musings will be center stage, and it’s a comedy show you won’t want to miss. 7 PM 62988 Layton Ave

💃 Decades dance party: Come bust a move to the top hits from the 60s through today. DJ Bevel Beard will keep the party moving and the dance floor grooving. 6 - 9 PM 911 SE Armour Rd

🎅 Santa Slayed - a murder mystery: Join La Bon Burlesque at the Volcanic Theatre Pub for this event that will be half interactive murder mystery and half burlesque performance. While character tickets are all sold out, you can still join the crowd and watch this story unfold. 8 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🪩 Deep in the disco: Put on your best disco clothes and make your way to Redmond for an evening of disco dancing fun at General Duffy’s. The best-dressed dancers may just take home some cash prizes 🤑 10 PM - 2 AM 413 Glacier Ave, Redmond

🪕 New skies cabaret: Aspen Lakes Golf Course is hosting Meadow Skies Productions for their fundraising event: New Skies Cabaret. The evening will feature Irish/Scottish folk tunes, classical songs, sea shanties, live poetry readings, and more! 5 - 8 PM 16900 Aspen Lakes Dr, Sisters

Sunday

🔔 Jingle your bells: Part musical, part improv, part comedy. This hilarious show at the Tower Theatre will be playing for one night only, and you won’t want to miss it. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🎲 Calling all dungeon masters: Finish the year off right with an evening of Dungeons and Dragons at Modern Games. Bring a level 20 character and make new gaming friends in town. 4 - 8 PM 550 SW Industrial Way

🪟 Glass open studio: Put your stained glass skills to work at this open studio time at DIYCave. If you’ve completed a stained glass class previously, you’re welcome to come and work on your own projects with their tools and supplies. 11 AM - 2 PM 444 SE 9th St

NEW YEAR PARTY ROUNDUP

Thanks to everyone who has reached out to ask about NYE parties. So, to help you all plan out your upcoming Tuesday night, here’s a roundup of all the events I could find in Bend (+ a few bonus events from elsewhere around Central Oregon).

I’ll see all my fellow millennials out on the dance floor at 8 PM so we can be home and in bed by 11.

LIVE MUSIC

Friday

McMenamins | Skilllethead | 6 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Marvel Years | 8 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Third Seven | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Commonwealth Pub | StatusFear | 8 PM

Saturday

Silver Moon Brewing | That 90’s Band | 7 PM | Tickets
McMenamins | Superball | 6 PM
The Ale Apothecary | Sleeper & Tarekith | 6 PM
Wildwood Bar & Grill | Use’ta Do | 7 PM
Tower Theatre | The Fab Four | 6:30 PM | Tickets
Northside Bar & Grill | Brian Hanson Band | 8 PM
Bridge 99 Brewery | Dave LiaBraaten | 6:30 PM
Portello Wine & Spirits | Bobby Turner | 6:30 PM

Sunday

McMenamins | Megan Alder and the Woods | 6 PM
Tower Theatre | Jingle Your Bells | 7 PM | Tickets
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Boot Juice | 8 PM | Tickets
River’s Place | Double Jump | 5 PM
Unofficial Logging Co | Bobby Lindstrom | 5 PM

WEEKEND SNOW REPORT

It is storm cycle season in the mountains, and this latest round isn’t messing around. Come prepared to ride with a buddy and enjoy deeeeep snow on the mountain.

Bachelor Snow Forecast

Current base: 84”

  • ❄️ Friday - 11 to 19 inches

  • ❄️ Saturday - 12 to 20 inches

  • ❄️ Sunday - 8 to 14 inches

Meissner Snow Forecast

Current report: Meissner is getting in on the fun as well with this storm. This means unplowed lots early in the mornings but amazing skiing conditions once the grooming team does their work.

  • ❄️ Friday - 2 to 5 inches

  • ❄️ Saturday - 2 to 4 inches

  • ❄️ Sunday - 3 to 5 inches

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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