🦫 The rock chucks are back

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! There’s no surer sign that spring is in the air than seeing the rock chucks back at the Old Mill.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🍖 Sisters Smokehouse is coming to Bend

• ⛷️ Collegiate ski & snowboard championships at Bachelor

• ☘️ A look ahead to the St. Patrick’s Day events happening this weekend

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SPONSORED BY RYAN WALKER STATE FARM

Relying on Luck? Here’s a Smarter Approach. ☘️ 🔎 

Some things in life are worth rolling the dice on—your insurance isn’t one of them. Yet so many people cross their fingers and hope they’re covered, rather than taking a few minutes to actually check.

Let’s break it down:

❌ "I hope my car insurance covers accidents."
✅ "My policy has me covered."

❌"I think my home insurance covers floods?"
✅"I checked—I'm protected."

❌"I should review my policy sometime..."
✅"I made sure I'm fully covered."

The good news? Planning is easier than you think. A simple policy review can help you avoid costly surprises—and it only takes a few minutes.

Don’t leave your future up to chance. Schedule your review today!

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SNAPSHOTS

🏂️ Mt Bachelor proposes upgrades for Northwest Express

Mt. Bachelor may be in the midst of a sale, but that isn’t stopping lift upgrades from happening, as they are seeking approval from the Forest Service for future upgrades to the Northwest Express lift. The modernization project would include replacing the lift's electric drive components and safety switches, replacing two operator shacks, and increasing chair storage.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🍖 Sisters Smokehouse is coming to Bend: Big news for fans of Sisters Smokehouse’s outstanding butcher shop and sandwiches. This Sisters (and, as of last year, Redmond) staple will be opening a location in Bend sometime later this year. There is no word yet on the exact location.

👗 Darlin Bend grand opening: Bend’s newest boutique opened its doors to the public in grand fashion during First Friday. Swing by their downtown location on NW Wall to peep at their selection of apparel and decor.

☕️ Turtle Island Coffee Shop is up for sale: Turtle Island Coffee Shop officially closed their doors for good on March 9th, and now the business is up for sale as a turn-key asset sale. Whoever steps in will have all the fixtures, equipment, and a 5-year lease to kickstart their own coffee business journey.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @tonks_thepup |📍Bend
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

TOGETHER WITH ROOM TO BLOOM

This recent weather has us thinking spring is right around the corner—which means it might be time for a little spring cleaning. But if the thought of tackling the clutter feels overwhelming, let Jaci and Jenna at Room to Bloom take the reins!

Room to Bloom isn’t a cleaning service. They work with you to create a mindful, organized space and set up systems to help keep the chaos in check long-term.

Most projects take just two visits to completely transform a space, so you can spend more time enjoying spring in Central Oregon and less time stressing over the mess. Just check out these before and afters to see their work in action!

Ready to refresh your home? Reach out today—and don't forget to give them a follow on Instagram for the latest tips and transformations! ✨ 

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Tuesday 3.11

🦫 Wildlife trivia with Think Wild: Put that High Desert wildlife knowledge to the test at this month’s edition of Think Wild trivia at The Lot. 6 - 8 PM The Lot

🧩 Puzzled Pint: Puzzled Pint rotates between breweries each month, and March’s stop is at Bevel Brewing. Join a team or take on these word and logic puzzles on your own to see if you can be crowned the next puzzled pint champion. 6 PM Bevel Brewing

🧑‍💼 Small business consulting at the library: Own a small business (hey, that’s me!) and need some help navigating all the potential pitfalls that can present themselves on a daily basis? SCORE is offering free small business consulting at the Downtown Bend Library. 5:30 - 7:30 PM Downtown Bend Library

✍️ Hear from Oregon’s poet laureate: The Downtown Bend Library is welcoming Oregon’s poet laureate, Ellen Waterson, for a discussion on her first six months in the role, her latest works, and an exciting upcoming project where attendees can get involved. 5:30 PM Downtown Bend Library

👩‍💼 Celebrate n Elevate: Women’s networking group Celebrate n Elevate is throwing their inaugural event at Tetherow, and you’re invited! This is a great chance to expand your business network and enjoy some lunch. 11:30 AM - 1 PM Tetherow Golf Club

⛷️ U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships: All this week, the country’s best collegiate skiers, snowboarders, and nordic skiers are converging on Mt. Bachelor for the U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championships. There will be dedicated hiking routes to the finish corrals if you want to check out the action. Tues - Sat

Wednesday 3.12

🎸 United Through Music: Move and groove for a good cause at United Through Music at Volcanic Theatre Pub. This event is in support of NeighborImpact, a local nonprofit that reaches over 60,000 households in Central Oregon every year. 7 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🧭 An updated 10 essentials: Second false spring is in the air, and that means hiking season is right around the corner (right after 3rd winter, of course). Be prepared when you head out into the wilderness with this talk on how to maximize your personal safety and help others in need. 6 PM Downtown Bend Library

☘️ March pub run: Dress up in your favorite green running shirt and join FootZone for their March pub run. This one is taking off from Boneyard Pub which means you can enjoy the sweet nectar of an RPM IPA afterwards. 5:30 PM Boneyard Pub

❓️ UKB trivia at Prost!: Grab a stein of your favorite German beer and test your trivia knowledge with another round of trivia with Useless Knowledge Bowl Trivia at Prost!. 7 PM Prost!

🌲 Nature night at Tower Theatre: It’s nature night at the Tower Theatre. Hear from Deschutes Land Trust and Anya Tyson as they talk about the sagebrush-covered land that surrounds Bend, and the animals that call it home. 6 PM Tower Theatre

Thursday 3.13

🪖 Cost of conquest: Explore veteran history with historian Patty Limerick at the High Desert Museum. She’ll share her insights from discussions with student veterans and their connections to the past. 6 PM High Desert Museum

🔢 Bingo night at Silver Moon: Swing by Silver Moon Brewing for a night of bingo fun. Proceeds will go towards supporting the Lava Bears softball team. 6 - 9 PM Silver Moon Brewing

❔ Trivia at Bridge 99: NE Bendites unite with a trivia get-together at Bridge 99 Brewing. Show off those useless knowledge skills and lament with your neighbors about the difficulties of navigating the Empire traffic woes. 6:30 PM Bridge 99 Brewing

🎓️ Bend 101: Water & Waste: Spend the evening learning a little more about the inner workings of water in Bend, like where does it come from and where does it go after you dump that pasta water down the sink. There will be drinks, appetizers, and a chance for networking at the end. 5:30 PM COCC - Wille Hall

🚶 Hike the Deschutes River Trail: Get outside and make some new friends with a mellow hike along the Deschutes River Trail with the Paulina Peak Social Group. 1 PM Riverbend Park

⛹️ Adult dodgeball: Show off those skills at the weekly adult dodgeball meetup at the Boys and Girls Club. For only $10, you can relive the glory days of gym class. Just remember, you’re not 17 anymore, so warm up those throwing shoulders. 6:30 PM Boy’s and Girls Club

Weekend Preview

Looking to start planning ahead for the weekend? Here’s your preview of some of the top events happening around Bend March 14 - 16.

LIVE MUSIC

Tuesday 3.11

Volcanic Theatre Pub | The Cactus Blossoms | 8 PM | Tickets

Wednesday 3.12

Crosscut Warming Hut | Ghost of Brian Craig | 6 PM
Commonwealth Pub | Kevin Dorin | 7 PM

Thursday 3.13

Volcanic Theatre Pub | The Koffin Kats | 8 PM | Tickets
Commonwealth Pub | Haute Melange | 7:30 PM
River’s Place | Potter & Quon | 6 PM
Suttle Lodge | Brittany Danielle Fireside Show | 6 PM | Tickets
The Lot | Draven Schmidt | 6 PM

WHO’S HIRING IN BEND

Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the last week.

• Executive Director at 350Deschutes

• Driver/Crew Lead at Higher Ground Moving

• Digital Marketing and Communications Intern at Around the Bend Farms

• Communications and Events Managers at HDFFA

• Assistant Manager at Clementine Urban Merchantile

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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