⏰ It's time to spring forward

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Don’t forget to roll those clocks forward on Sunday morning!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🏊️ A big upgrade planned at the Juniper pool

• 🍷 A new winery is replacing an old winery

• 🏳️‍🌈 It’s Winter PrideFest ‘25 weekend

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SPONSORED BY AUSTIN BUSKOHL REAL ESTATE

Bend’s Median Home Price Is About to Spike—But Here’s What Actually Matters

Remember this time last year when Bend’s median home price jumped to $785,000, only to drop back into the low $700Ks the following month? If not, you’re not alone. It happened fast—and it's likely about to happen again, possibly setting a new record high for Bend.

But here’s the thing: that number doesn’t actually matter.

What does matter?

✅ What buyers can comfortably afford
✅ What strategies are available to buyers right now to assist in affordability

And the good news? Inventory is growing. Sellers are preparing to move, and homes are coming to market at a healthy pace (I repeat: healthy, not concerning).

➡ Thinking about selling? Let’s talk about what it takes to stand out.
➡ Thinking about buying? I’m happy to share how to take advantage of today’s market conditions.

In the meantime, here are two great homes currently for sale in the area:

🏡 Looking for some elbow room? This 3000 square foot home on 6 acres is ready for its next owner. Is it you?
🏡 Maybe you know someone looking to downsize on the east side? Check out this home with a fully remodeled interior!

_{Interested in featuring your business in our next ad spot? ⬆️ Fill out THIS FORM!}

SNAPSHOTS

🥗 Join me for dinner at Luscious Supper Club

Last week, I sat down with Rose Archer, the mastermind behind Luscious Supper Club, to chat about social media, community, and business. We threw around some ideas for working together, and in the end, we decided to collaborate on a dinner in June!

If you haven’t been to a Luscious Supper Club event, here’s the deal: three nights a month, Rose puts on a four-hour, seven-course dining experience for just 20 people where you’ll be wined (if that’s your thing) and dined at communal tables—a perfect way to meet new friends over incredible food.

I’ll be at their June 14th dinner, and tickets just opened up yesterday. So, if you want to join me over an incredible meal, make sure to act fast. They usually sell out within days (the June 13th dinner is already sold out 😱)!

Oh, and to sweeten the pot a little more, Rose is also giving away a pair of tickets (a $350 value!) to a future dinner of your choice! Head over to Instagram to enter and get in on the fun.

🏊️ Big plans in store for the Juniper pool:

There were rumblings last summer regarding the future of the removable cover over the pool at Juniper Fitness Center. It was near the end of its life, and the short-term decision was made to leave it up year-round as the process of taking it on and off was risking damaging it beyond repair.

Well, now BPRD has come up with a more permanent solution, but unfortunately, it will also require a long shutdown of Juniper’s outdoor 50-meter pool. The new plans call for a semi-transparent retractable roof that would open up 50% of the pool to the outdoors during the summer months. This upgrade, planned to start in the fall of 2026, will require a six-month shutdown of the outdoor pool, so get those laps in now!

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🎹 In A Landscape tickets go on sale: In A Landscape is a traveling piano concert series that takes place in wild and beautiful outdoor locations across the West Coast. We’ve been lucky enough to attend two of these amazing shows (at Mt. Bachelor and Paulina Lake), and they are truly magical. If you’d like to attend one of the shows happening this summer, tickets go on sale TODAY at noon. Local stops include two shows at Black Butte Ranch, one at Wine Down Ranch in Prineville, a night show in Sunriver, and lastly, a stop at Drake Park. Check the whole list, though, as there are some incredible locations on the schedule (Alvord Desert and Fort Rock caught my eye).

🍷 A new winery is coming to downtown Bend: Fans of the shuttered Domain Serene Wine Lounge will be pleased to hear that another winery will be moving into the currently-vacant space later this spring. Portland’s Amaterra Winery is taking over the space and, like its predecessor, will feature a tasting lounge, full restaurant, and private event spaces.

🍽️ An Old Mill restaurant is closing its doors: Millworks Pub, a local parent-favorite for their sweet play area setup, announced that their last day of service will be March 15th. No news yet on what may be going into the space, although I’ve heard some rumors…

@THEBENDBUZZ

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TOGETHER WITH JUST-IN TIME APPLIANCE REPAIR

🔧 In a world where everything feels disposable, it’s nice to know some folks still believe in fixing, not replacing—like Just-In Time Appliance Repair!

Is your fridge turning into an iceberg? 🔄 Or maybe your go-to burner on your range just... gave up? Instead of dealing with the inconvenience (or dropping serious cash on a new appliance), give Just-In Time a shout!

They service most major brands, back their work with a 1-year warranty, and even offer a 110% money-back guarantee! 

Ready to bring that wonky appliance back to life? Book your service online or give them a ring at (541) 208-4424!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 3.7

🫘 New Orleans style Mardi Gras: The Mardi Gras fun isn’t over yet as Silver Moon Brewing is hosting a party, New Orleans style. Enjoy music, games, and a costume contest. 7:45 PM Silver Moon Brewing

🏳️‍🌈 Winter PrideFest: Winter PrideFest ’25 continues all weekend long with comedy, nighttime snowshoe tours, skiing, parties, bingo, and more! Check out the full lineup for all the events happening this weekend. Fri – Sun

🦃 Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show: Head to the Deschutes County Expo Center to take in all things outdoors. The event will feature classes, events, the kid’s trout fishing pond, and more! Thurs – Sun Deschutes County Expo Center

🍷 First Friday Art & Wine Walk: Browse the work from some of Bend’s best artists and sip some amazing wines at First Friday at the Old Mill. Afterward, head downtown to continue the festivities at all the local shops that are staying up late to welcome visitors. 3 – 6 PM Old Mill District & 5 - 8 PM Downtown Bend

🎹 Piano on skis: The last piano ski concert of the season is here. Join pianist Paula Dreyer at the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center for an evening of skiing or snowshoeing to her enchanting music. 5:30 & 7:30 PM Mt. Bachelor Nordic Center

🤣 Comedy night at Hosmer Bar: Join Bits’N’Skits for a night of comedy at Hosmer Bar in midtown Bend. 7 PM 1415 NE 3rd St

Saturday 3.8

🐝 Beginner beekeeping class: Ever wanted to keep your own bees but have no idea where to start? We’ll start here as the Central Oregon Beekeeping Association is hosting a full-day workshop that will teach you all the ins and outs of this sweet hobby. 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM Embark Co-Working Community

🧒 Kids’ Entrepreneur Market: Come support Bend’s youngest entrepreneurs at the Downtown Bend Library for this two-day market. Sat – Sun 1 – 4 PM Downtown Bend Library

⛷️ Women’s Adventure Film Tour: The Tower Theatre is playing host to the Women’s Adventure Film Tour and its lineup of films that span extreme sports, personal journeys, and boundary-pushing storytelling. 3 PM Tower Theatre

🎣 Fly Fishing Film Tour: Get hyped for fishing season with the 19th annual Fly Fishing Film Tour at Tower Theatre. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🍻 Beer & bingo fundraiser: Come take part in some bingo fun at Worthy Brewing. The event is raising funds for Desert Montessori School and will feature bingo (duh), raffles, and a cash 50/50 raffle. 1 PM Worthy Brewing

🏉 Bend vs Valley: Bend rugby is back for their spring season, and they’re kicking it off with a match against the Valley Kangaroos. 1 PM High Desert Middle School

Sunday 3.9

🥕 CSA Share Fair: Did you read our Central Oregon CSA roundup and now want to meet the farmers growing the produce? Head to The Environmental Center for the CSA Fair Share, where you can learn more about our local CSAs and how they help contribute to a sustainable local food system. 10 AM – 1 PM The Environmental Center

📚️ None of the Answers book launch: Head to Dudley’s Bookshop to meet local author Jeff Swaney and pick up a copy of his new book None of the Answers. 2 – 3:30 PM Dudley’s Bookshop

🔠 Scrabble club in Sisters: Spend some time out in Sisters (make sure to grab an apple fritter while you’re there) at Scrabble Club at Paulina Springs Books. This is a drop-in event, so feel free to stay for one game or more. 11 AM 252 W Hood Ave, Sisters

🔢 Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo: Fans of Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo are in for a treat as there is not one but two offerings of this local favorite happening today. 9:30 AM & 1 PM Silver Moon Brewing

🎺 Cascade Winds concert: Head to the Summit High auditorium for the Cascade Winds Symphonic Band winter concert. 2 PM Summit High School

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 3.7

M&J Tavern | AMARGOSO | 9 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | JuJu Eyeball | 7 PM | Tickets
Silver Moon Brewing | The Singalong Bros | 6 PM
Commonwealth Pub | Cheyenne West | 8 PM
Wildwood Bar & Grill | Band of Comerados | 10 PM
Worthy Brewing | Livid Kings & The Kronk Men | 4 PM
Portello Win & Spirits | Beth Willis | 6:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship | Jeffrey Kahane | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Cross-Eyed Cricket | Jackson Michelson | 8 PM | Tickets
The Dez Lounge | DJ Preet | 6 PM

Saturday 3.8

Northside Bar & Grill | Switchback | 8 PM
Commonwealth Pub | Sonic Benders | 8 PM
Bridge 99 Brewing | Oddfellow | 6:30 PM
Portello Win & Spirits | Beth Willis | 6:30 PM

Sunday 3.9

River’s Place | Mason James | 5 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | BENDing Strings | 7 PM
Bar Rio | Mari & The Dream | 6 PM

WEEKEND SNOW REPORT

After a one-week break that included record-breaking high temperatures, a torrential downpour in the mountains, and even a little new snow, we’re back with another snow report to get you ready to hit the slopes this weekend.

It’s looking like another weekend of spring skiing conditions on the hill with colder overnight temps followed by some mid-40s days.

Bachelor Snow Forecast

Current base: 115”

• 🌤️ Friday - Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 30s

• 🌥️ Saturday - Partly cloudy with highs in the mid-40s

• 🌥️ Sunday - ditto

Meissner Snow Report

Current report: The rain certainly did some damage to the snowpack at Meissner, but with 6 feet at the snow stake, it's still holding strong. There are only a few more weeks of grooming left (unless they can extend the season for a bit), so hit the trails while you still can.

• 🌤️ Friday - Mostly sunny with highs in the low-40s

• 🌤️ Saturday - Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 40s

• 🌥️ Sunday - ditto

Wanoga Fat Bike Trail Report

No new grooming reports for the Wanoga fat bike trails.

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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