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⛷️ Gliding through winter

⛷️ Gliding through winter

School choice lottery season, a new local app for outdoor enthusiasts, and parking downtown hopefully gets a little easier

Derek Carlson
January 10, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! We hope everyone has been out enjoying the sun the last few days!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

🎒 School choice lottery season opens
📲 A new local app for connecting with outdoor enthusiasts
🚗 The downtown parking garage gets an upgrade

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SNAPSHOTS

🎒 School choice option lottery

January is school choice lottery season for the Bend-La Pine school district. During this time you can enter the lottery for a chance to enroll your student(s) at one of the many choice and dual-immersion schools in Bend. The lottery period opened on January 2nd for all grades and runs through January 24th for grades 1 - 12 (the kindergarten lottery doesn’t close until March 24th). You can read more about the lottery process, timelines, and school options here.

🚘️ Downtown parking garage upgrades

They say you’re not a true Bendite until you’ve gotten stuck behind a line of cars trying to exit the downtown parking garage while the gate refuses to open. But relief is on the way as the city is making upgrades that should (hopefully) improve the exit process.

And while we’re on the topic of parking, feel free to fill out this survey to let the DBBA know what you think of the parking experience in downtown Bend.

♻️ More info on the new Recycle Plus program

The wonderful folks at The Environmental Center (thanks, Kavi!) pointed out that both Cascade Disposal AND Republic Services are offering the new Recycle Plus program for hard-to-recycle items. Take a look at this blog post from The Environmental Center for more info on hard-to-recycle items and how you can help reduce your waste footprint.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🧇 Stuffed waffles in downtown Bend: A new waffle truck named The Secret Waffle Society has opened in downtown Bend. You can choose from a regular waffle or stuffed option with fillings like Nutella, apple pie, or sausage and cheddar. 1123 NW Bond Street Noon - 8 PM

⛷️ A new app launches connecting outdoor enthusiasts: Rill, a social networking app that connects folks looking to get out and hit the slopes, trails, or water together, launched last week to folks in the Bend area. The app was developed right here in town and is still in its very early alpha stages, so anyone who signs up now will be amongst the very first adopters. Grab that sweet user handle before all the good ones are taken!

🍖 Flosa’s BBQ is back: Local BBQ popup Flosa’s is back for 2025 to serve up another round of tasty smoked meats. As usual, they’ll be set up at Neighbor Rotisserie off of Newport Ave. Come early, as the best dishes go fast. Monday 5 PM - Sold Out

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TOGETHER WITH APOGEE

🏫 Introducing Apogee: A New Kind of School in Bend

As we mentioned earlier, school choice season is here, and this fall, Bend families will have a fresh option on the horizon!

Meet Jenna and Sean Minard, Bend locals who have a vision for something different for their daughter. That vision is now becoming a reality with Apogee—a school designed to put physiology first while fostering independence, critical thinking, and leadership in students.

If this approach resonates with your family, Apogee is hosting monthly informational sessions for parents with kids aged 5–13.

Curious to learn more? Now’s the perfect time to explore what makes Apogee stand out. Sign up today and see if it’s the right fit for your student!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday (1/10)

💌 Central Oregon speed dating: Join other single Central Oregonians at this ages 21 - 50 speed dating and mingle event at Bridge 99 Brewing. Matchmaker Jamie from Epiphany Match will be there to help keep those Cupid’s arrows flying. 6 - 8 PM 63063 Layton Ave

✏️ Write your way: Love writing but find yourself getting mired down and not finishing projects? Then this is the event for you! The Bend Library is hosting a free writing workshop that will help you establish a writing system to move those projects to the completed folder. 12 - 2 PM Online

✍️ Poetry Palooza: Want to share your poetry in a comfortable and supportive environment? Unity of Central Oregon is hosting a poetry palooza where you can sit back and listen or share your own poetry. Beginners are welcome! 6 - 8 PM 63645 Scenic Dr

⛷️ Ski under the lights: Take advantage of this epic winter snow by skiing under the lights at HooDoo. With tickets for only $39, this is a great way to get in some turns on the cheap. 4 PM - Close HooDoo Ski Area

🪩 Going to The Prom: If you missed the sneak peek showing of Cascade Theatrical Company’s The Prom, there is no need to fret. Showings will be taking place over the next three weekends, so there’s plenty of time to add a little art and culture to your life! 7:30 PM 148 NW Greenwood Ave

🏒 College hockey comes to Bend: The Bend Classic is returning to The Pavilion for two nights of collegiate-level hockey. On Friday and Saturday night, the Oregon Ducks will be taking on Rochester Christian University, with the puck dropping at 7:00 PM. There are still some tickets available as of writing this, but odds are they’ll sell out soon. (I’m doing my final Thursday night edits, and Friday is now sold out. Saturday is still available, though!). 7 PM The Pavillion

Saturday (1/11)

🎣 Fly fishing film festival: Just because the rivers are freezing over doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate all things fly fishing. The Tower Theatre is hosting the International Fly Fishing Film Festival, where you can watch and celebrate the stories of fishing, friendship, and lunkers. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🌕️ Luminaria at Mt. Bachelor: It’s time for another round of Luminaria at Mt. Bachelor, and this time, the weather looks to be a bit more in our favor. For those who don’t know, this is a 2km snowshoe or XC ski by candlelight, moonlight, and headlamp. At the halfway point, you can gather around the bonfire to howl at the moon and take in the splendor of this snowy landscape after dark. 5 - 8 PM Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center

✂️ Community craft swap: Bring that unused bin of extra yarn, fabric squares, or any other crafting supplies to the downtown library for a community craft swap. This is a great chance to get rid of excess supplies, pick up a new hobby, and meet fellow Central Oregon crafters. 10 AM - 12 PM Downtown Bend Library

😂 Crazy Happy Silly Funny Nerdy Show: Head down to Silver Moon Brewing for a night that will be part talent show, part improv, part comedy, but all 100% entertaining. There will be five performers on hand to keep the show moving and the laughs coming. 7 PM Silver Moon Brewing

🎷 Music education workshop: If you’re an aspiring musician and want the chance to pick the brains of those on the professional circuit, then you’re in luck. Before they play their sets at Jazz at The Oxford, you can chat (and may even jam!) with musicians Shaun LaBelle, Stokley & Steve Coloe. 11 AM - 1 PM 10 NW Minnesota Ave

🥊 Celebrity fight night: Disappointed by the Jake Paul/Mike Tyson “celebrity fight night” and want a do-over? Head over to the Volcanic Theatre Pub for a night of jello wrestling, dance parties, and fundraising for the Bend Women’s Rugby team. 6 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🎿 Apres ski party: Throw on your most obnoxious neon ski gear and swing by Boss Rambler Beer Club for an evening of apres partying. With cheap drinks, live music, jello shots, and giveaways & prizes, this should be a good one. 5 - 9 PM Boss Rambler Beer Club

Sunday (1/12)

⛷️ Sunday night glide: Come up and hit the trails at Meissner Sno-Park for FREE, thanks to Pine Mountain Spots. Starting at 4:30 PM, you can swing by Pine Mountain to rent a set of cross-country skis for free and join the group ski at Meissner starting at 6 PM. Pack a headlamp as the trails get a little dark! 4:30 PM Pine Mountain Sports

🏎️ Cars and coffee: Have a ride you want to show off or just want to check out some of the daily drivers that you see gracing the streets of Bend? Cars & Coffee is hosting a meetup at the Old Mill. Just don’t peel out of the parking lot and end up on one of those viral Instagram reels with your car stuck in the fishing pond. 8 - 10 PM Old Mill

🎨 Wine & Paint with Think Wild: Come spend the afternoon (or evening) at Stoller Wine Bar for a wine & paint night with Think Wild. Artist and lead wildlife educator Becca LiPuma will be on hand to teach you the techniques to create your own wildlife painting. 1 PM & 4 PM Stoller Wine Bar

🐱 Cat breed bingo: Round up all your cat-loving friends for an evening of cat breed bingo. The event also includes time in the cat room so you can see all the kitties up for adoption. 4 - 6 PM 1465 SW Knoll Ave

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY - MOBILE AIRSTREAM BAR

Ever dreamed of owning a business that’s as stylish as it is fun?

Meet Kraft Bar—a fully converted Airstream bar that’s been turning heads and elevating weddings, parties, and events across the high desert.

Now, this turnkey operation could be yours! With wedding season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take the reins and serve up unforgettable vibes at every event.

Ready to roll into your next adventure? Call or text Toby White at (928)607-3564 today and make Kraft Bar your dream business on wheels.

LIVE MUSIC

Friday (1/10)

Saturday (1/11)

Sunday (1/12)

WEEKEND SNOW REPORT

After some warmer, clearer weather, it looks like the flakes will be returning to the mountain over the weekend. Bachelor has already received 240” of snow this season, so let’s keep this party rolling.

Bachelor Snow Forecast

Current base: 103”

❄️ Friday - 2 to 4 inches
🌨️ Saturday - <1 inch
🌨️ / ⛅️ Sunday - < 1 inch

Meissner Snow Forecast

Current report: It should be another wonderful weekend of skiing at Meissner and the surrounding trails! While we’re on the subject, did you know that Meissner Nordic has its own app with real-time grooming updates, trail maps, and more? Consider downloading it before your next trip up to stay in the know!

🌨️ / 🌧️ Friday - <1 inch
🌤️ Saturday - no snow
⛅️ Sunday - chance of snow

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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