🌄 The days are getting longer

The job board is live, business openings and closings, and a new recycling option

Author

Derek Carlson
January 07, 2025

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Here’s a bit of calm in the morning, like a blanket of freshly fallen snow.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

  • 💼 We launched a new job board

  • 🩰 Two rounds of classic shows at the Tower

  • 👨‍💼 Businesses opening and closing around town

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

🏡 Spring Homebuying Season is Around the Corner!

Homes are sitting on the market and come this spring, there will likely be deals to be had…if you’re prepared. Getting a jump start in January can set you up for success. Here’s how to stay ahead and be ready to place an offer on your dream home:

1️⃣ Keep Your Income Stable
Stick to your current job, and avoid changes that might complicate lender approvals. Document bonuses and freelance income for consistency.

2️⃣ Avoid Financial Shake-Ups
Hold off on big purchases and opening new credit lines. Pay bills on time to maintain your credit score.

3️⃣ Build Your Cushion
Save for unexpected costs like inspections or repairs, and keep your accounts overdraft-free.

4️⃣ Organize Paperwork
Gather pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. Document large transfers clearly.

5️⃣ Think Strategically
File taxes thoughtfully and resolve outstanding payments to avoid loan delays.

6️⃣ Stay Put
Avoid co-signing loans or moving before closing.

7️⃣ Get Pre-Approved
It sets your budget and signals sellers you're serious.

Ready to tackle this list? Let’s start planning today! 📞

🔔 Ring The Bell!
📞 323.806.1864
📱 @ringthebell_homeloans
📧 [email protected]
🏦 NMLS #2113486

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

SNAPSHOTS

♻️ A new option for hard-to-recycle items

At Summerfest this year, I visited The Environmental Center’s tent and took the recycling challenge to test my knowledge of what could and couldn’t be recycled in Deschutes County. Needless to say, I was shocked by how many things I had previously thought were recyclable that should have been going in the trash.

Luckily, recycling is about to get a little easier as Cascade Disposal is rolling out a new program for hard-to-recycle items like plastic clamshells, batteries, styrofoam, and lightbulbs. You can find the full details about the new program here.

❄️ Explore the backcountry huts of Central Oregon

Now that winter is officially here, it’s time to use the snow to our advantage by kicking and gliding our way to the backcountry huts scattered throughout the hills surrounding Bend. The Source published an excellent writeup on some of the more accessible huts that make for the perfect destination during a snowy adventure.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🎵 A new record shop opens in midtown: Vintage vinyl record collectors can now browse (in person! - their previous shop was online only) to their hearts’ content at VinylStop off of Greenwood Ave. Their hours are still in flux as they get settled in, so it is best to check their Facebook page before stopping by. 155 NE Greenwood Ave

🍝 Silver Moon Brewing adds an Italian food option: Bend has added another Italian dining option to the fray with the opening of Mundrelli’s Italian Kitchen at Silver Moon Brewing. Stop in for a polpetta sando (weird name, delicious sandwich).

🏓 A new hangout option in NWX: Are you tired of your kids turning your living room into a rec room? Then you’re in luck, as there’s a new hangout spot in town. Rally Recreation, located in NWX next to Thump Coffee, offers up a game room atmosphere and a fun place for teens to hang out. With all-day passes available, they can come and go as they please.

🍷 Downtown wine bar abruptly closes: Downtown wine bar and restaurant Domaine Serene abruptly closed their doors for good on Friday morning. No word yet on what may be taking over the beautifully renovated space.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @outgary |📍M’s Bakery (more to come soon!)
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

TOGETHER WITH HIGHER GROUND MOVING

A few weeks ago, my parents, mid-move from Bend to the coast, were raving about the incredible service they got from Higher Ground Moving.

From kind and knowledgeable estimators to a price that came in under expectations, they were blown away. After meeting Nate, the owner, I saw why—his team is experienced, reliable, and ready for anything, whether it’s relocating a house across Oregon or just a piano across town.

If a move is on your horizon, skip the stress and call Higher Ground Moving at (541)316-3155. They’ll take care of you every step of the way!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday (1/7)

🎿 Intro to backcountry skiing: Interested in making your way from the groomed nordic trails to the untracked backcountry but don’t know where to start? Central Oregon Nordic Club (CONC) is holding a lecture on how to make this transition a fun and safe one. 5:30 - 7:30 PM Downtown Bend Library

🪚 Intro to woodshop: Did you sleep through shop class in high school and now want to build your own rustic furniture? DIYCave is hosting an introductory woodshop class that will teach you to safely operate the tablesaw, bandsaw, and chop saw. After the lesson, you’ll get one free hour of shop time to put those skills to use. 6 - 9 PM 444 SE 9th St

🧶 Beginner crochet lessons: Want to learn a new hobby to fend off the dreaded winter blues? How about with a 2-day crochet lesson where you’ll finish up with an adorable (and handmade) octopus plushie? Classes take place Tuesday & Thursday from 6 - 8 PM 925 NW Wall St

🕊️ Hanai open house: Now that the holidays are over and the kids are back at school, the Hanai Center is starting up their weekly open houses again. You can take this time to connect with your neighbors, quietly reflect in their open spaces, or join their Grief Relief or Reiki Energy Healing classes. 4 - 7 PM 62430 Eagle Rd

❓️ Trivia Tuesday at Boneyard: Put your obscure knowledge to the test while sipping on Bend’s favorite IPA at the Boneyard Pub. 6 - 9 PM 1955 NE Division St

Wednesday (1/8)

🚲️ Bikepacking story night: Are you already looking forward to the snow melting and hitting the trails for an epic bikepacking adventure? You’re not the only one! Fuel that stoke at bikepacking story night at Chariot Bike. At this month’s event, you’ll hear from the Knoth family about their adventures in locations near and far. 5:30 PM 1444 NW College Way

👑 The Snow Queen: Take in the splendor of The Grand Kyiv Ballet live at the Tower Theatre for their one-day-only performance of The Snow Queen. This fairy tale-inspired show is perfect for kids and adults alike. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🪙 More than pocket change: Are you versed in the practice of numismatics, or are you like me and have never heard that word before? (It means the study and collection of coins and currency…but I’m sure you already knew that.) If you’ve always wanted to learn how to identify coins that are worth more than their stated value, then this free event at the library is for you! 4 - 5 PM East Bend Library

🚵‍♀️ Women’s adventure speaker series: This inaugural session of the SheJumps speaker series will be a presentation from local ski, running, and yoga coaches/instructors on how women can up their adventure game through the assistance of a coach or personal trainer. 6 PM 2843 NW Lolo Dr

📗 Classics book club: Join your fellow literature fans at this month’s classics book club at Roundabout Books. The Setting Sun by Osamu Dazai will be the topic du jour. 6 - 7 PM 900 NW Mt Washington Dr

Thursday (1/9)

🕯️ XC ski glide wax clinic: Tired of bringing your skis in for a fresh wax every couple of weeks and want to tackle this chore on your own? Head over to WebSkis for a glide wax clinic that will teach you the basics of how to apply hot wax and liquid wax to your sticks. 5:30 PM 157 NW Franklin Ave

🥜 The Nutcracker: The Snow Queen isn’t the only show taking place while The Grand Kyiv Ballet is in town. On Thursday, you can treat yourself to a performance of The Nutcracker and see the show that has been captivating audiences for over 100 years. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🪩 The Prom preview night: On Friday, the Cascades Theatrical Company will be kicking off their two-week run of The Prom. But if you want a sneak peek, they’re offering a preview night sponsored by the Deschutes Library. No tickets required! 7:30 - 10 PM 148 NW Greenwood Ave

🧙‍♀️ Night of the witch: Celebrate all things witchy at Volcanic Theatre Pub with Night of the Witch. There will be film screenings, live music, tarot card readings, and dance performances to keep the evening rolling. 7 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🙋‍♀️ UKB trivia at Bridge 99: It’s trivia time on Bend’s north side with another round of fun from Useless Knowledge Bowl trivia. Come try your hand at remembering your most useless facts, and you may take home a prize or two. 6:30 - 8:30 PM 63063 Layton Ave

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday (1/7)

😴 

Wednesday (1/8)

Crosscut Warming Hut | Shipe & Lilli | 6 PM
Commonwealth Pub | Americana Redux | 6:30 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Haute Melange | 6 PM | Tickets
Old St. Francis School | Honey Don’t | 7 PM

Thursday (1/9)

Suttle Lodge | Karyn Ann | 6 PM | Tickets
Stihl Whiskey Bar | Brandon Campbell Trio | 7 PM
Mountain Burger | Ali Renee | 5 PM
River’s Place | Popcorn | 6 PM
M&J Tavern | Scott Brownwood | 9 PM
Stoller Wine Bar | Barringer & Baker | 6 PM
Commonwealth Pub | Anderson Koenig | 7:30 PM
The Lot | Bill Powers | 6 PM

WHO’S HIRING IN BEND

Looking for a new job or want to bring in great local candidates for your open position? We promised last week (or maybe it was two weeks ago 🤔) that we’d start posting local jobs in the newsletter, and now here we are.

For a limited time (exactly how limited is still TBD), companies can post their jobs for only $25! Jobs will be posted on the Bend Buzz job board for 60 days AND included in the newsletter. What a deal!

Hiring? Post a job

Searching for a new job? Browse the full job board

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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