TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Fitting that, in a year where the Pole Pedal Paddle had to be rerouted due to low snow, it was snowing at the start on Saturday morning.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro

Interested in an Above-Garage ADU or Guest House?

This recently completed above-garage ADU was designed to do it all: a place to play pool, watch sports, host guests, and create flexible extra living space without sacrificing the footprint of the property below.

Above-garage ADUs are one of the smartest ways to maximize space on your property in Bend and Central Oregon. Whether you’re dreaming of a guest house, rental income, multigenerational living space, home office, or private retreat, our team can help bring it to life.

Sierra James Construction offers full-service ADU design and construction, including:

Our architect, Ian Burgess, recently designed new pre-approved ADU plans for the City of Bend, expected to launch this summer.

Ready to explore the possibilities for your property?

Sierra James Construction
Built for Excellence
541-306-3775
sierrajamesconstruction.com

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Living on this side of the mountains comes with a certain amount of risk, knowing we’re a long (and sometimes snowy) drive away from a major hospital. For 40 years, Air Link provided flights over the mountains for patients who needed urgent care that could not be provided here. The partnership between Air Link and St. Charles is officially over, as they have announced a new agreement with Life Flight. I’m not certain what this means for folks who paid for Air Link membership, and the hospital stressed that this will have no impact on local emergency services (i.e., getting flown from the mountain to St. Charles).

It’s that time again for our Dinner Club get together. This month’s meetup is happening at 6 PM on Wednesday, May 27th at 6 PM. Same process as always. Fill out the quick survey, pay the $16 matching fee, and we’ll send you to a restaurant with 5 other strangers where you can get to know each other over dinner. And afterwards, we’ll all meet up for a beverage or two at a local watering hole.

Want in? You can sign up here.

Love the Bend Buzz and wish there was a way to stay up to date on what’s happening around Oregon? Well, now there’s a newsletter for that, as I just launched the Oregon Buzz (I promise it will include the same puns and topical 90s pop references that you’ve come to love in the Bend Buzz). The Oregon Buzz will be going out weekly on Wednesdays and will be a mix of statewide news, events (think bigger events that you’d be willing to hit the road for), highlights of places from around the state, trivia, etc.

Hit the button below to subscribe, or you can sign up here.

🍔 Alpine Smash Co opens at Crux: I heard y’all like smash burgers? I certainly do, and there’s a new option in town as Alpine Smash Co has opened its brand new cart at Crux. And speaking of Crux, they are also now home to Mountain Mahalo Shave Ice (they opened on Friday), and will be the new home for A Broken Angel (they’re opening on May 19th).

💻 Kiln opening today: Kiln, Bend’s newest coworking space (and, full disclosure, advertiser with the Bend Buzz), is opening the doors to their brand new space today. I’ve heard from a number of folks who have already signed up or grabbed one of the free passes they gave away a few weeks ago, and I’m excited to check it out myself. Maybe I’ll see some of you there this morning!

🧑‍🎨 Your Art Here Screening and Fundraiser: Step into the studios of Oregon artists in season 2 of Your Art Here, a documentary series of short films by independent filmmaker Bec Ellis. This exclusive live premiere invites you to mingle with artists, experience the film, and engage in a live artist panel discussion featuring Lisa Congdon (with additional artists joining as available).

Base tickets are $5, with the option to give toward a treatment fund for local artist Megan Marie Myers, who was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer during the production of this film. Megan is a beloved artist whose whimsical illustrations can be found throughout our city, bringing beauty and joy to many. As a small thank you, donations of $40 or more will receive a hand-signed 5x7 print of Megan’s artwork, available for pickup at the premiere.

*Just a reminder that nothing in this section is ever paid. It’s just our way of trying to shine a little light on folks doing good things in the community.

📸 @goldilocksgrvl |📍 McKenzie Pass
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

When something breaks, trust someone local.

When your fridge, washer, or oven quits, the last thing you want is to hand your home over to a stranger from out of town. Just-In Time Appliance Repair has been serving Bend families with honest, reliable service since day one, showing up on time and getting the job done right. No call centers, no runaround. Just a local team your neighbors already trust, backed by nearly 200 five-star reviews and the Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave Award.

📞 541-208-4424 | 🌐  justintimeappliance.com

🛹 Skate Camp: All Abilities Flow Edition: A skate session at Northpointe Park open to all abilities, hosted by BoardHouse & the Deschutes Public Library. A fun and welcoming Monday afternoon on wheels. 5:30 PM Northpointe Park

🐑 From Ranch to Runway: The legendary founder of Imperial Stock Ranch shares the story of building one of America's most celebrated wool brands from the high desert of Oregon. A fascinating evening about craft, sustainability, and what it means to make something that lasts. 5:30 PM Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture

🧖 Men's Monday Sauna: A dedicated sauna session for men with Gather Sauna House. Sweat, decompress, and start the week feeling like a new person. 5:30 PM Hanai Sauna Garden

🎨 Watercolor with Victoria: A gentle and beautiful Monday evening painting class at TEAL. Watercolor is forgiving, meditative, and the results always surprise you. 6 PM TEAL Tea & Art Lounge

📚 McMenamins Great Northwest Author Tour: Celebrated Pacific Northwest novelist Willy Vlautin comes to McMenamins for an evening of conversation and storytelling. One of the region's most beloved writers in one of Bend's most beloved venues. 7 PM McMenamins Old St. Francis School

🍼 Milk & Mingle: Join Evermore Midwifery for a free, drop-in feeding support hour for parents in the community. Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding, combo feeding, or just figuring it out, you’re welcome here. 12 PM 130 SW Century Dr, Suite 110

🐰 Hop into Trivia: Help support Ember’s Bunny Rescue with an evening of funky trivia at Funky Fauna. 6 PM Funky Fauna

🌲 Post 58 Kickoff: Post 58, a non-profit helping to build a generation of resilient, connected, and caring teenagers, has opened a Central Oregon chapter and is hosting an informational meeting for interested teenagers. Their adventures include backpacking, rock climbing, summiting a local volcano, etc. 7 PM Outpost at Campfire Hotel

🚵‍♀️ Technical Climbing with Lindsay: Grit Clinics brings their popular Teachable Tuesday series to Seventh Mountain Resort for a technical mountain bike climbing clinic. Level up your uphill game with hands-on coaching in a beautiful setting. 5 PM Seventh Mountain Resort

🏃 30th Annual Storm the Stairs: Run up the stairs at COCC for the 30th year running—literally. A beloved Central Oregon fitness tradition that's equal parts brutal and deeply satisfying. 5:30 PM COCC

🔥 Wildfire Home Protection Strategies: A practical and timely workshop on how to protect your home from wildfire. In Central Oregon, this is information every homeowner needs before fire season arrives. 5:30 PM Three Rivers School

🌿 Paint Oregon Landscapes with Kristen: Kristen from Chalked Creative is back at TEAL for another guided painting session, celebrating the stunning landscapes right outside our door. 6 PM TEAL Tea & Art Lounge

📙 Graphic Novel Book Club: If your kids are as obsessed with graphic novels as mine are, then they’ll appreciate this book club at the brand-spankin’-new library. 4 PM Central Library

🦆 Happy Hour with Dan Lanning: The head coach of Oregon’s top football squad (sorry, Beaver fans) will be stopping by Worthy Brewing for a happy hour Q&A. 5:30 PM Worthy Brewing

Avenue Army | Silver Moon | 6 PM | Tickets 
Greg Botsford & Lebart | On Tap | 6 PM
Bluegrass Collective | Silver Moon | 7 PM

Elise Franklin Quartet | The Commonwealth Pub | 7 PM

Friday:

☕Sisters Coffee Jackstraw Cafe Grand Opening Party
🎸Unofficial Claypool Gold Afterparty at The Domino Room
🎉 Dilly Dally 3rd Anniversary Party

Saturday:

💪NPC Bodybuilding Cascadian Classic at Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
😴Pajama Party Brunch at Coyote
🍻Bend Brews & Beyond at Drake Park
🥳2026 Kid’s Day in May at The Village at Sunriver
🕺Studio 61st Grand Opening at Box Factory

Sunday:

🐦Bird Walk at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve
🪴Spring Plant Sale at Worthy Brewing
🥣Pinch Pots with Camp Clay

Live Music:

🎸Damage Overdose at Silver Moon
🎵Slender Gems at Silver Moon
🔊Claypool Gold at Hayden Homes
🥁Shafty at The Domino Room
🎤Yellowcard at Hayden Homes
🎛️Vinyl Williams at Silver Moon

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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