❄️ Is this winter or spring?

A new Vietnamese restaurant (take two), a tool lending library coming to Bend, and day two of summer signups at BPRD

Author

Derek Carlson
March 18, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Last week, I asked if you had attended an event because you had seen it in the Bend Buzz, and over 92%(!!!!) said you either had been to an event or had one on your calendar to attend. I love hearing that folks are getting so much value out of the newsletter, and a huge thank you to everyone for reading!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🏊️ BPRD aquatic signups are today (summer camps kicked off yesterday)

  • 🍜 A new Vietnamese restaurant is coming to the Old Mill (I promise I included it this time 😬)

  • 👷 A fresh helping of new jobs in Bend

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

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SNAPSHOTS

🔧 Locals launching a tool lending library

Ever wanted to tackle a project but didn’t have the right tool or didn’t want to drop $200 for something that’ll be used once and just collect dust for years after? Many communities around the country have set up tool libraries, and Bend may be joining the club soon.

A local group is working on opening a tool library so you can pick up a carpenter square, miter saw, or nail gun to help you complete that home project that’s been on the honey-do list for way too long. Right now, they’re asking for volunteers and for folks to fill out their questionnaire so they know how to proceed to best serve the community. Check it out here.

🥽 BPRD swim signups kick-off

Yesterday, parents across Bend woke up early (I actually overslept by 20 minutes and ended up waitlisted for the only camp we wanted 😬) to hang out in the BPRD virtual waiting room in hopes of filling up their summer camp calendar. In case you missed out, there are plenty more options here. Today, the aquatic portion of the fun takes place with summer swim team, lessons, and water-based fun.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🧑‍🎨 Conversations for a Cause: Local writer/journalist Katie Morell is launching a new conversation series with artists from around Bend, and you’re invited to their inaugural event. Tickets are on sale now for the April 16th event with local potter and chef Marité Acosta. All proceeds from the event will be going to Partners in Care, a local hospice provider.

🍜 A new Vietnamese restaurant is coming to the Old Mill: Just last week, we announced that the Old Mill’s Millworks Pub was closing its doors. Well, it won’t be long before a restaurant steps into their shoes as Pho 88, a new Vietnamese restaurant by Alice Nguyen, is slated to open sometime in May. The restaurant will feature staples like pho, banh mi sandwiches, appetizers, and rice plates.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @liv119 |📍Drake Park
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TOGETHER WITH RETHINK WASTE

The 2025 Community Innovation Fund 💡 is now open!

Have an idea for reducing waste in the community, but need help?

Apply for the Community Innovation Fund (CIF)!

CIF provides up to $5K for any projects that reduce waste.

Here are a few of the 35 projects we’ve funded since 2020:

Check out the creative variety on our Projects Showcase.  

See the CIF page to learn more, or join our Info Session today, Tues, 3/18 3-4pm.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday 3.18

🦚 Hanai open house: Start your week off with an evening of community building and relaxation at the Hanai Center’s open house. 4 - 7 PM 62430 Eagle Rd

✍️ Spring Equinox journal circle: After the open house, stick around for a spring equinox journal circle. This guided event will offer meditation, journal prompts, and writing & sharing with a community of like-minded individuals. 7 - 8:30 PM 62430 Eagle Rd

👶 Mom & infant singing circle: Come make some new mom friends at this inaugural mom & infant singing circle at Stone Soup Bend. 9 AM 1288 SW Simpson Ave

🪚 Single plank cutting board class: Ever wanted to make one of those cool charcuterie/cutting boards? Now’s your chance at DIYCave, where they are hosting a single plank cutting board class. No prior woodworking experience required. 6 PM DIYCave

🦘 Free toddler jump time: Bring your little ones (ages five and under) to Mountain Air for some FREE trampoline time courtesy of the Deschutes Library. 12:30 - 2:30 PM Mountain Air

🤖 Free bite of robotics: Camp Fire Bend is hosting their free monthly Bite of Robotics session where your kids can try their hands at Lego robotics. 3:30 - 5:30 PM Sunriver Library

🦌 Science pub: Join your fellow nature and wildlife enthusiasts at this month’s Science Pub, where the topic of discussion will be Highways and Wildlife Crossings. 5:30 PM OSU-Cascades Edward J. Ray Hall

Wednesday 3.19

🧗 Movement for climbers: Improve your strength, flexibility, and climbing ability with this yoga class specifically geared towards climbers. 7 - 8 PM The Circuit Bouldering Gym

📕 Mystery book club: Come talk mystery with your fellow bibliophiles at the mystery book club at Roundabout Books. The Puzzle Box is this month’s book of choice. 6 PM 900 NW Mt. Washington Dr. #110

🧑‍🎨 Art & book pairing: Spend the evening at the Mockingbird Gallery in downtown Bend to explore a variety of artworks that match up with new books. Registration is required, and (as of Monday evening) there are still a few spots left. 5:30 - 6:30 PM Mockingbird Gallery

🧘 Awaken & align breath work: Center yourself in the center of the workweek with an awaken and align breathwork class at the Hanai Center. 6 PM 62430 Eagle Rd

🍺 Trivia at Deschutes: Show off those trivia chops at Deschutes Public House with an evening of questions from Head Games Trivia. 6:30 PM Deschutes Public House

🔠 Scrabble night: Been waiting for the perfect time to use words like zorilla, jaconet, or yuga? Now’s your chance at Scrabble night at Market of Choice (upstairs). 6 PM Market of Choice

Thursday 3.20

🏗️ Tackling Bend’s growth challenges: If you haven’t yet attended one of City Club of Bend’s events, I highly recommend checking them out. Each month, they tackle a community-wide issue or opportunity in Central Oregon in an open discussion format. This month’s meeting looks at the challenges, opportunities, and evolution of the planning process in our growing region. 11:30 AM - 1 PM Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon

🍷 Habitat happy hour: Join Habitat for Humanity for a free happy hour at Bend Restore and learn more about how they are working to make homeownership more affordable. 5:30 PM 224 NE Thurston Ct

🐔 Flock talk: Thinking about adding a few chickens to your backyard so you can enjoy farm-fresh eggs every morning? Wilco is hosting a flock talk to teach you the basics of raising your own chickens. 6 PM Bend Wilco Farm Store

❓️ Trivia at the Abbey: Join Wanderlust Tours at Monkless Belgian Ales (at their Abbey eastside location) for a nature in Oregon-themed trivia night. 6 - 8 PM 900 SE Wilson Ave

🍺 EDCO pub talk: Expand your business network and hear from some of Bend’s business leaders at this month’s EDCO pub talk at Worthy Brewing. 4:30 - 7 PM 495 NE Bellevue Dr

Weekend Preview

Here’s your weekend preview to help kick off spring break in style.

UPCOMING EVENTS

🏃 Sunriver Scramble Adventure Race* : Tired of running 5k road races and want a little more adventure in your life? The Sunriver Scramble Adventure Race combines hiking, paddling, running, and route finding on a course that is measured in hours, not distance. Want to bring the whole family along for the fun? They also offer a family-friendly race that is perfect for younger adventurers. April 26th (full adventure race) & 27th (family adventure race) at Sunriver Marina

Want to promote your event in this space? Click here to grab your spot.

*indicates paid advertising content.

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday 3.18

Tower Theatre | International Guitar Night | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Good Life Brewing | Evan Mullins | 5:30 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | The Grogans | 8 PM | Tickets
Silver Moon Brewing | Blues Revival Night | 6 PM

Wednesday 3.19

Crosscut Warming Hut | Bill Powers | 6 PM
Midtown Ballroom | Saint Motel | 8 PM | Tickets
Silver Moon Brewing | Bar Jay Bar | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Commonwealth Pub | Terence Neal | 7:30 PM
Old St. Francis School | Shady GroOove 2 | 7 PM
Tower Theatre | Asleep at the Wheel | 7:30 PM | Tickets

Thursday 3.20

The Lot | Skinny Dennis | 6 PM
River’s Place | One Mad Man | 6 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Aaron Wolf, Alific & Coloso | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Northside Bar & Grill | Strong Alibi | 8 PM
Bar Rio | The Raucous | 6 PM
Tower Theatre | Live from Laurel Canyon | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Mountain Burger | Evan Mullin | 6 PM

WHO’S HIRING IN BEND

Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the last week.

Searching for a new job? Browse the full job board

Looking for local candidates for your open position? Post your job

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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