📚️ New bookstore coming to the Old Mill

Dudley's opening at the Old Mill, lottery for summer camps, and a sneak peek of Stacks Deli

Author

Derek Carlson
January 21, 2026

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Who’s excited for some new books by the river trail this spring??

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 🐿️ High Desert Museum summer camp lottery

  • 📚️ Dudley’s opening at the Old Mill

  • 🥪 Get a sneak peek at Stacks Deli

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

Last week, we introduced you to Bend Leadership Academy, and the team loved hearing from so many curious families. If BLA is on your radar and you’re wondering what a typical day actually looks like, here’s a peek behind the curtain.

Each day begins with movement, fitness, and play, because a healthy mind starts with a healthy body. From there, leaders move into learning that’s hands-on and engaging, with self-paced academics, projects, and collaborative discussions. This isn’t a sit-and-listen classroom. Leaders are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and take ownership of their learning.

Fridays are reserved for enrichment. Local entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and experts lead workshops in areas like finance, art, language, and outdoor skills. These experiences help leaders explore new interests, build confidence, and connect learning to the real world.

If Bend Leadership Academy sounds like it could be a fit for your child, tours are now available. Reach out to schedule a visit and see learning in action.

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

SNAPSHOTS

🚧High Desert Museum Summer Camps Switch to Lottery

Here’s a little summer camp preview before the whole guide drops soon. The High Desert Museum summer camps are typically some of the most competitive in town, and, in order to better manage the demand, this year they are switching from a free-for-all signup to a lottery system. Want to get in on the action? Lottery registration starts tomorrow (Jan 22nd) and runs through February 2nd. The camps run weekly all summer long and are for kids going into 1st through 5th grades. You can learn more here.

🚐 RendezVan Camping Passes go on Sale Today

We gave you all the deets on this on Monday, but just in case you forgot to set a reminder, RendezVan camping passes go on sale today, Wednesday, at noon sharp!

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🥪 Stacks Deli sneak peek: There are a couple of big restaurant openings happening in the very near future, and now’s your chance to get a sneak peek at one. Stacks Dinner and Delicatessen (the New York-style deli going into the Old Mill) is hosting pop-ups all week long in their food truck directly outside the future restaurant space. Each day, they’ll be offering a few of their upcoming menu items in very limited quantities. Follow them on IG to stay up to date on what they’ll be serving up each day.

📚️ Big Story Books 5th year anniversary sale: Big Story Books is celebrating their 5th anniversary with a big sale for you all. Swing by today (Wednesday, January 21st) to say hi, congratulations, and take them up on their buy 2, get 1 free sale. They have a huge selection of both new and used books, so there are some great deals to be had!

📚️ Dudley’s Bookshop to expand to the Old Mill: And in other bookshop news, Dudley’s Bookshop announced that they will be opening a second location in the Old Mill this spring. Fear not, as their downtown location isn’t going anywhere for now. The new location will be situated between Lululemon and Will Leather Goods and will feature 900 sq ft of retail space and a selection of mostly new books.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 Michelle P. |📍Discovery West
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

TOGETHER WITH MOUNTAIN DOGS

More good news from Mountain Dogs.

Since opening their doors, Mountain Dogs has been welcoming Bend pups with open arms — and they’re about to hit a fun milestone with their 50th dog coming in for daycare. Safe to say, word is getting out.

They’re also expanding their services. Starting in February, Mountain Dogs will offer professional grooming on Fridays, making it even easier to keep your dog happy, clean, and well cared for in one place.

In addition to daily doggy daycare, Mountain Dogs offers overnight boarding, complete with glass-front pet suites, regular playtime, and trips to their outdoor yard and play space.

Whether you’re heading to work, the mountain, or out of town, your dog will be in good hands.

Learn more at mountain-dogs.com or call 541-777-8008.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Wednesday 1.21

🗣️ Almorzar & Aprender: Want a chance to work on your Spanish in an informal setting while also enjoying a tasty lunch? Join Gringo Language Academy at Los Andes for an afternoon of almorzar & aprender. 1:30 PM Los Andes

👩‍💼 Deschutes Women in Business: Good news, Deschutes Women in Business is back with their first event of 2026. Bad news, it’s already sold out as folks have been itching to get back into their networking routines. You can still join the waitlist and add their next event to your calendar while you’re at it! 4 PM Open Space Event Studios

🎭️ Yagódy: Head to the Tower Theatre for an evening of ancient folk melodies and contemporary collaborations from this seven-member ensemble from Lviv, Ukraine. 7:30 PM Tower Theatre

🎶 Music Bingo: Tap your toes to the beat at this fun evening of music bingo at Portello Lounge. 6:30 PM Portello Lounge

📖 Family Story Time: Bring the littles (ages 0-5) to the library for a morning of stories and movement. 11:30 AM Deschutes Children's Foundation- East Bend Campus

💻️ Tech Happy Hour: Join the crew from What the Tech, Bend? at this tech professional happy hour. It’s a great way to build your network in a low-key setting. 5:30 PM Crux

🎣 Spike-tooth Salmon in the Deschutes: Think that rainbow you hooked last weekend was big? Think again, as the Deschutes used to be home to gigantic spike-tooth salmon that weighed up to 500 pounds! Learn about these now extinct monsters at this free online event through the library. 6 PM Online

❓️ Mystery Book Club: Mystery abounds with this discussion of the book Guilty by Definition at this month’s mystery book club. 6 PM Roundabout Books

✍️ Urban Sketchers Meetup: Come and sketch Bend’s remote workforce in their natural setting at the Urban Sketchers meetup at Dilly Dally coffee. 9 AM Dilly Dally

🐔 Raising Chickens in Central Oregon: Thinking about backyard chickens? Learn what it really takes to raise happy, healthy hens in Central Oregon’s climate, from coop setup to winter care. Beer-friendly learning encouraged. 6 PM Worthy Brewing

🤠 Kids Line Dance Lesson: Little boots welcome. A fun, beginner-friendly line dance lesson just for kids, perfect for burning energy and learning a few classic moves. 5 PM Cross-Eyed Cricket

🎨 Pins & Chimes: Get crafty and zen with this hands-on workshop creating decorative pins and chimes. A mellow, creative evening with plenty of tactile fun. 6 PM Hanai

Thursday 1.22

💍 LOTR Trivia: Where in Fangorn forest does Pippin, Merry, and the Ents have their meeting? If you know the answer, then perhaps this is the trivia night for you. 6 PM The Abbey at Monkless

🧘 EcoNIDRA: Enjoy a relaxing evening of yoga that blends the ancient practice of yoga nidra and forest therapy. 7 PM Namaspa

🏃‍♀️ Women’s Group Run: Join a fun group of ladies at this weekly group run that leaves at 5 PM from Active Culture. 5 PM Active Culture

⛰️ Summit Method Goal Setting Workshop: Set yourself on the path to success in 2026 with this summit method goal-setting workshop. 5:30 PM Hanai

🍻 Central Oregon PubTalk: A casual meet-up for curious minds. Hear short talks on local topics, connect with community members, and enjoy thoughtful conversation over a pint. 4:30 PM Worthy Brewing

🧠 Sink or Swim Trivia: High-energy trivia night where the questions come fast and the competition is fierce. Bring a smart friend or two and test your random knowledge. 6:15 PM Bridge 99

🎨 Art Play: Open-ended creative play for kids, focused on exploration, imagination, and hands-on art-making in a supportive studio setting. 10 AM Two Suns Art Studio

🏕️ Cabin Fever Expo: Beat the winter blues with a massive expo packed with outdoor gear, recreation ideas, home improvement inspo, and local vendors. A classic Central Oregon winter cure. 10 AM Deschutes County Fairgrounds

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday 1.21

Two Tick Pony & The Living Room | Silver Moon | 7 PM
Acoustic Minds | McMenamins | 7 PM
Dean Mueller & Lilli Worona |  The Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM
Yagódy | Tower Theatre | 7:30 PM | Tickets

Thursday 1.22

Jenna Hansen | The Lot | 6 PM 
Bill Powers | Mountain Burger | 6 PM
One Mad Man | River’s Place | 6 PM
Derek Michael Marc | Stoller Wine Bar | 6 PM
Sweet Motor | The Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM
JD Simo & Luther Dickinson | Tower Theatre | 7:30 PM | Tickets

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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