TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! It’s finally snowing again!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro

Conventus Lending is now in Bend—bringing flexible, fast financing solutions built for real estate investors. From fix & flip and bridge loans to ground-up construction and long-term rental financing, Conventus helps investors move quickly and confidently at every stage of a project.

While proudly local to Bend, Conventus lends in 44 states, including across the Pacific Northwest, helping real estate investors access reliable capital wherever opportunity arises.

Leading our Bend office is John DesCamp, Managing Director and longtime PNW resident. With 30+ years of experience in residential lending and private banking, John is known for his responsiveness, trusted guidance, and superb service.

Whether you’re investing in a single-family property, new build, or multifamily project, John and Conventus are here in Bend to help you make it happen.

📞 (425) 941-5031
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.cvlending.com

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Have an idea for a business or event that would enrich and cultivate Bend’s arts and cultural scene and bring in tourists from more than 50 miles away? Visit Bend has opened its application period for its Arts + Culture grants. The application period runs through March 27th, and you can review the full guidelines and see past recipients here.

I hope all you parents out there spent the weekend studying the BPRD playbook (because there wasn’t anything else going on, right?), as registration for spring programs opens tomorrow, Tuesday at 6 AM, sharp. So grab a cup of coffee, join the virtual waiting room, and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Forgot to make that reservation for a romantic dinner on Valentine’s Day? Have no fear! There are plenty of options still available to make the day of love a success! Here are some last-minute ideas that don’t involve an overpriced prix fixe menu.

After the winter season we’ve had, I wouldn’t be surprised if more folks in Bend spent yesterday evening watching the snow stake cam than the Super Bowl (congrats to the Seahawks fans out there). Snow has FINALLY returned to the mountains with Bachelor picking up a decent amount to cover up all those bare spots on the slopes. Things aren’t quite as rosy at Meissner as they have decided to suspend grooming until they get some more snow. So hopefully we wake up to a few new inches there this morning!

🥯 Haven Bagels is coming to the west side: This one has sat on the back burner for a week or two, as our newsletters lately have been shockingly full. But now we have the space to share. Haven Bagels, which is currently located at Reed Market and 27th, will be opening a new west side location later this year. It will be located off of Century Dr next to Terava apartments.

🏀 Boys and Girls Club offering free teen membership: Need to get your teens out of the house (and off their phones)? The Boys & Girls Club of Bend is now offering FREE memberships to teens (ages 13-18) who are still in school. The club offers teen-only hours M-F from 5:30 - 7:30 PM where they can enjoy the open gym, jam on stage, or play a game of air hockey, foosball, or bumper pool.

📸 @allyhash84 |📍Deschutes River Trail
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Explosive new exhibition arrives at High Desert Museum

Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration is now open at the High Desert Museum! An original exhibition, Under Pressure takes visitors on an educational, interactive and thought-provoking journey into the forces that make volcanoes among the most majestic and often misunderstood natural wonders of the world. 

Visitors can get up close with volcanic rocks, interact with a lava flow projection, and learn about cutting-edge volcano research. Get to know the rumbling giants that live among us. They never go out of style! Open through January 3, 2027. 

🔥 Deschutes Land Trust’s 2025 Wildfire Experience: A powerful, story-driven look at wildfire in Central Oregon—what’s changed, what we’re learning, and how landscapes (and communities) recover. Expect visuals, expert insight, and meaningful conversation over a pint. 6 PM Worthy Brewing

📚 The Disengaged Teen: Education journalist Jenny Anderson digs into why so many teens feel checked out—and what actually helps them re-engage.6 PM Cascades Academy

💬 Conversations on Connection: An intimate, small-group gathering exploring feminine and masculine polarity—how these energies show up in relationships, communication, and attraction. Expect guided discussion, thoughtful reflection, and grounded conversation in a private, cozy setting designed for real connection. 6:30 PM Private Residence

🕯 Winter Sister Circle Gathering: Come together with a circle of incredible women to honor and uplift each other while embracing the beauty of the changing seasons. 6:30 PM Hanai

🦉 Think Wild Volunteer Orientation: Want to volunteer to help the wildlife that calls Central Oregon home? Think Wild is holding a volunteer orientation that will go over upcoming opportunities and how to stay connected. 5 PM Think Wild

💕 Singles Speed Dating: Get ready to meet that special someone at Epiphany Match’s speed dating event at Stoller. Ages 25 - 50 for this one. 6 PM Stoller Wine Bar

🧠 10 Barrel Trivia: Put your useless knowledge to the test at 10 Barrel’s trivia night hosted by Useless Knowledge Bowl. 7 PM 10 Barrel West

🥊 Self Defense Class: Been interested in learning more about self-defense? Bend Self Defense is holding a free class at Tula Movement Arts where you can learn how to get yourself out of a potentially dangerous situation. 7:30 PM Tula

🦦 Restoring a Keystone: Bringing Sea Otters Back to Oregon: A fascinating virtual talk on the ecological ripple effects of sea otters—and what their return could mean for Oregon’s coast. 6 PM via Zoom

🍻 Biz & Bevs: A casual after-work mixer for local professionals looking to make real connections without the awkward vibes. Grab a drink, swap stories, and expand your circle. 4:30 PM Work-Collective Midway

🎬 Film Screening: Toni Morrison – The Pieces I Am: A moving, intimate documentary celebrating the life, voice, and legacy of Toni Morrison. Part of Black History Month programming, followed by space for reflection and discussion. 6 PM COCC, Wille Hall

🤝 After Hours Networking: Low-pressure networking with local professionals in a relaxed brewery setting. Come solo or with coworkers—either way, expect good conversations and even better beer. 5:30 PM Bridge 99

❤️ Lunch & Learn: Heart Health from the Inside Out: A midday wellness talk focused on prevention-first heart health, covering habits, nutrition, and everyday choices that actually make a difference. Bring your lunch and your questions. 12 PM Larkspur Community Center

🦌 Wildlife Trivia: Test your animal knowledge—from local critters to wild facts you definitely didn’t learn in school. Prizes, bragging rights, and a fun excuse to grab food and drinks. 6 PM The Lot

✏ Urban Sketchers Funky Night Out: Get ready to get funky with Urban Sketchers. Today’s outing will be at Funky Fauny, which should provide plenty of great sketching opportunities. 5 PM Funky Fauna

🔉 Badass Sound Bath: Settle into stillness as live instruments guide you through a deeply relaxing sound bath where vibration and frequency do the heavy lifting. 6:30 PM Continuum

Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Elise Franklin Quartet | The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM 

💕Friday: WinterFest officially kicks off at the Old Mill, bringing lights, snow play, and full-on winter energy to town. Lean into Galentine’s vibes with a Flower Bar at The Lot, Witches and Wine with Michelle Schultz, Books & Bottles at Dudley’s, or cozy up at Bevel’s Beer & Sweets Pairing. Looking for something outdoors? Romance on the Snow turns winter into a love story. Cap the night with laughs at Comedy Chaos or catch Doucheology comedy at the Domino Room for something bold and unpredictable.

❤️Saturday: Valentine’s Day goes every direction—playful, romantic, and delightfully weird. Start grounded with Messages for the Heart at Pine & Prism, then rally your crew for Cowboys & Cupids or a flirty Pickleball Social in Sunriver. As the sun dips, Piano Flow Live at Mt. Bachelor delivers alpine magic, while candlelit dinners, burlesque flair (C’est La Voom), and live music experiences fill the night. Whether you’re sipping flights, dancing close, or going full glam, this one’s stacked.

💗Sunday: Ease out of the weekend with fresh air and comfort. WinterFest’s Hot Cocoa Run warms things up, while Sunset Snowshoe Tours keep the romance going in the mountains. Prefer cozy creativity? Try a Macramé Plant Hanger Workshop, nerd out at The World of Ham Radio, or wind down with Brews on the Bayou at Bend Brewing.

🎶 Live Music Highlights: This weekend brings some serious talent to town: Damien Jurado at Volcanic Theatre Pub, The Elovaters at Midtown Ballroom, and A.M. Interstate & Mari and the Dream at Silver Moon. You’ll also find soulful sets from Danny Seraphine at the Oxford, local favorites The Rumpeppers at The Commonwealth, and easy Sunday vibes with Coyote Rider at Currents.

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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