🐉 The snow dragon is back

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! Who’s braving the not-so-wintery weather and heading up to see the snow dragon this weekend?

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🍻 Zwickelmania are Bend breweries

• 🍔 You all delivered on burger recommendations

• 🍕 Ken’s Pizza is officially open for business

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

SPONSORED BY AUSTIN BUSKOHL REAL ESTATE

Is an Opportunity Opening Up in Bend’s $500K-$700K Market?

So far this month, buyer activity in Bend has been right on track—but not evenly across the board. With just a few days left, the number of homes projected to go under contract between $500K and $700K is falling well short of expectations.

And here’s where it gets interesting: January saw a strong wave of new listings in this range. With inventory holding steady and demand lagging at this price point, there may be an opportunity waiting for buyers ready to make a move.

👀 If you want to know what I'm seeing to call out this trend, let’s chat!

If that’s not you—but you still love checking out what’s hitting the market—here are a couple of standout homes currently for sale:

🏡 20393 Penhollow Lane

🏡 20520 SE Byron Avenue

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

SNAPSHOTS

🍻 Zwickelmania at local breweries

Zwickelmania is an annual event that takes place across Oregon, where breweries open their doors and let customers take a behind-the-scenes peek at the operation behind the beer. This year’s event is taking place on Saturday, and you can find the full list of participating breweries on the Oregon Craft Beer website.

🍔 Bend Buzz burger bash ballot breakdown

In Tuesday’s newsletter, I put out a call for your recommendations for the best burger in Bend, and hoo boy, you all did not disappoint. So far (the responses are still trickling in), I’ve received 110 recommendations that range from established favorites to hidden gems that I can’t wait to try.

The burgers will be judged using my proprietary grading system (also known as is this burger delicious or not), and there will be separate awards for the best smash burger, best traditional burger, and community favorite. But, in the end, there will be only one winner of the best burger in Bend.

In Tuesday’s newsletter, I’ll compile the top recommendations in each category and get to tasting (if anyone wants to join me for a stop along this burger-tasting quest, feel free to reach out - the more, the merrier!)

And if you haven’t submitted your entry for the best burger in Bend, there’s still time!

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🫓 Kefi Fresh 5th-anniversary celebration: Kefi Fresh is celebrating their 5th anniversary this weekend with a special deal. They are rolling back their pricing to the day they opened in 2020, so swing by anytime this weekend to say congratulations, pick up some lunch, and save a few bucks in the process.

🍕 Ken’s Artisan Pizza is officially open: As of yesterday, Bend is now home to one of the most acclaimed pizza restaurants in the entire country, as Ken’s Artisan Pizza officially opened its doors. Ken’s is open for dinner service Thursday - Monday, and we suggest getting there early as, if their Portland location is any indication, this is going to be a popular spot.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @katrinanoelle.k |📍Meissner Snow Dragon 🐉 
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

TOGETHER WITH SOL PATH PROPERTIES

🌸 Spring is just around the corner, and that means tourist season is coming fast in Bend! If managing your short-term rental has you feeling burned out—dealing with late-night messages, cleaning schedules, and all the other headaches—it might be time to pass the reins to someone else.

But instead of going with a big-name company where you’re just another number, why not work with someone local who truly cares about your property?

✨ Meet Kaitlin at Sol Path Properties! ✨ She offers a hands-on, personalized approach to managing your short-term rental, ensuring you reach your goals without lifting a finger.

💼 Ready to take a breather and let Kaitlin handle the heavy lifting? Reach out today!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Friday 2.21

☀️ Here comes the sun: Bring your little ones (ages 2 – 5) to the East Bend Library for a suncatcher craft-building event. 9:30 – 10:30 AM East Bend Library

😂 Comedy night at Silver Moon: Comedian Seth Milstein is bringing his valley humor to the high desert for an evening at Silver Moon. Voted Eugene’s best comic in 2021-22, you know this will be a good one. 7 PM Silver Moon Brewing

📽️ MountainFilm on tour: Head down to the Tower Theatre for a two-night event featuring stunning nature documentaries from around the world. Proceeds from the event go to support the Bend Environmental Center. Friday & Saturday @ 7 PM Tower Theatre

🔥 Suttle Lodge Winter Beer Fest: Head out to Suttle Lake Lodge for a weekend of gathering around the bonfire to sample some of the best winter beers that Oregon has to offer. Add in the live music and tasty food + snacks, and you’ve got yourself the perfect winter weekend. Fri – Sun 12 – 5 PM Suttle Lodge

🤙 California dreamin’: Portello Wine & Spirits is hosting a fundraising event for those impacted by the LA wildfires. There are a ton of amazing raffle prizes, specialty cocktails, and live music to keep the party rolling. 4 - 9 PM 2754 NW Crossing Dr

Saturday 2.22

🦦 Free day at the Museum: It’s time for another free day at the High Desert Museum. Everyone gets in for no charge to check out the new exhibits, watch the otters play, and check out the wildlife that calls our region home. 10 AM – 4 PM High Desert Museum

🧩 Puzzle swap at the library: Bring your old puzzles to the East Bend Library (full sets only, please!) and trade them out for a new and exciting set to keep the family busy on a cold winter night. 11 AM – 1 PM East Bend Library

🤣 Galyn Nash stand-up comedy: Comedian and podcaster Galyn Nash is bringing his act to Central Oregon with a one-night event at The Capitol. 6:30 PM The Capitol

⚙️ Children’s Museum popup in Sisters: Get your kids out of the house and make the drive to Sisters for another popup event from the Children’s Museum. This one will take place at Sisters Elementary School and is free for everyone! 10 AM – 2 PM Sisters Elementary School

🎮️ Retro game tournament: Have you been waiting for years for the chance to show off your Halo 3 skills one last time? Well, then, you’re in luck as Pangea Guild Hall in Redmond is hosting a retro game tournament that will put your N64, Gamecube, and Xbox360 (I suddenly feel very old writing that) skills to the test. 12 - 4 PM Pangea Guild Hall, Redmond

🌲 Saturdays at Skyliner: A little while back, we shared the news that the future of Skyliner Lodge was in flux. While there have been no definitive answers yet as to its future, NatureConnect is doing its best to ensure the lodge will remain open to school field trips, weddings, parties, and more. If you’d like to help support their mission, they are hosting a Saturday at Skyliner event filled with family-friendly activities like fort building, guided snowshoe tours, nature art, and a s’mores bar. 1 - 4 PM Skyliner Lodge

🚲️ Bikes & pints: Bend Bikes is hosting a bike-friendly happy hour at Goodlife Brewing, and you (and your well-behaved bicycles) are invited. Come chat with fellow cyclists and members of the Bend Bikes board to learn about what they are working on. 4 - 6 PM Goodlife Brewing

Sunday 2.23

✂️ Cut! Glue! Sketch!: Let your creative mind run wild with a communal craft time at The Workhouse. Work on your own craft or collaborate with others. Some materials are provided, but feel free to bring your own as well. 10 AM 50 SE Scott St

🗃️ Card trade night: Bring your Pokémon, sports cards, or any other collectible cards to the Hideaway Tavern for a card trade night. The event is free and family-friendly. 4 - 6 PM 939 SE 2nd St

❓️ UKB Trivia at River’s Place: Bring your smartest friends (or any friends…I mean, we’re just here to have fun, right?) to River’s Place for this week’s edition of Useless Knowledge Bowl trivia at River’s Place. 12 - 2 PM 787 NE Purcell Blvd

🏀 Adult basketball meetup: Want to get out on Sunday morning and shoot some hoops? The Bend Basketball Meetup group hosts Sunday morning pickup games at 7:15 & 8:40 AM. Games are 60 minutes, and with a max of 7 players per team, you’re guaranteed plenty of court time. 7:15 & 8:40 AM 1307 NE 1st St

😸 Cat breed bingo: You all loved cat breed bingo at Playful Paws Cat Cafe last time I wrote about it, so if you missed it, here’s your second chance. Tickets are $25 and include several rounds of cat bingo as well as time to hang out with the kitties. 4 - 6 PM 1465 SW Knoll Ave #102

LIVE MUSIC

Friday 2.21

Silver Moon Brewing | 40 oz to Freedom | 7 PM | Tickets
Commonwealth Pub | The Vibeshiftas | 8 PM

Saturday 2.22

Silver Moon Brewing | Mariee Sioux & Breanna Gonzalez | 7 PM | Tickets
River’s Place | Bill Keale | 2 PM
Caldera High School | Central Oregon Symphony | 2 & 7:30 PM | Tickets
Bend Brewing Company | Dive Bar Theology | 5 PM
Volcanic Theatre Pub | Youth Rock Fest | 6 PM | Tickets
On Tap | Pete Kartsounes | 6 PM
Wildwood Bar & Grill | Two Bit Piece | 7 PM
Bend Cider Co | Katalysst | 4 PM
Commonwealth Pub | Rob Gregerson | 8 PM
Portello Wine & Spirits | Evan Mullins | 6:30 PM
Northside Bar & Grill | Almost | 8 PM
Silver Moon Brewing | Kursk B2B ATEK | 8:30 PM | Tickets

Sunday 2.23

Silver Moon Brewing | The Kronk Men & Facet | 5 PM | Tickets
Hanai Center | The Connection Concert | 3 PM | Tickets
COCC - Pinckney Center | High Desert Melodies | 3 PM
Caldera High School | Central Oregon Symphony | 2 PM | Tickets
Unofficial Logging Co | Dark & Grey | 5 PM
River’s Place | Oyster Lee | 5 PM
Tower Theatre | Blues Harmonica Blowout | 7:30 PM | Tickets

WEEKEND SNOW REPORT

Well, I’m not sure how to spin the upcoming weather for this weekend in any way other than dreary. Snow levels are projected to rise to 7,700 ft, and there is plenty of moisture headed our way that will most likely not all be falling as snow.

Bachelor Snow Forecast

Current base: 115”

• 🌨️ Friday - 40% chance of snow

• 🌦️ Saturday - uh let’s just not talk about it 🙈 

• 🌦️ Sunday - ditto

Meissner Snow Report

Current report: Snow dragon building finishes up this weekend (if you haven’t seen the snow dragon yet, you can check out our reel we posted last week). Friday evening will feature a special luminaria around the Meissner Shelter and snow dragon, and on Saturday, there will be a free BBQ for dragon-building volunteers. Hopefully, the weather cooperates!

• 🌧️ Friday

• 🌧️ Saturday

• 🌧️ Sunday

Wanoga Fat Bike Trail Report

No new grooming reports for the Wanoga fat bike trails.

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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