🚧 When will Olney Ave open?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! I hope everyone is enjoying our annual Juneuary weather!

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🚧 Olney Ave construction update

• 🍽️ A new food cart moves into Midtown Yacht Club

• 👗 Consignment Collective celebrates their grand opening

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

SPONSORED BY BEND LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

🏠️ Bend Leadership Academy Is Live — and Learning Is Underway

School choice season is here, and Bend families have a new option. Bend Leadership Academy is officially open and actively educating future leaders.

Founded by Bend locals Jenna and Sean Minard, BLA grew out of a desire for something different, a school that puts physiology first while fostering independence, critical thinking, and real-world leadership skills.

This fall, Bend Leadership Academy will serve leaders ages 5–14 (K–8), with plans to expand into high school in Fall 2027.

Families can tour the school and see what day-to-day learning looks like in action. If you’re curious about a more intentional, empowering approach to education, now’s a great time to explore whether BLA could be the right fit for your family.

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

SNAPSHOTS

🚧 Olney Construction Update

Wondering what the heck is happening with Olney Ave? You’re not alone! Luckily, the city just shared an updated timeline of when to expect this stretch of road to finally reopen. BNSF’s railway crew had been reassigned to Washington following the flooding, but they will be back on site soon, and the city anticipates that they will finish their work on the rail crossing by mid-February.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

👗 Consignment Collective Grand Opening: Come celebrate the grand opening of the Consignment Collective on Thursday, January 15th. This brand new consignment shop offers rentalable racks so you can get rid of your old, but still good, stuff. There will be a ribbon cutting at 10 AM, shopping from 10 AM - 2 PM, and a party from 4 - 6 PM. 593 NE Azure Dr #6

🍽️ Potluck Food Cart Grand Opening: Midtown Yacht Club is officially opening their doors on Thursday, January 15th, to Potluck, a food truck taking the place of Lively Up Yourself. Expect dishes like salmon cake sliders, jambalaya, vegan bahn mi, chicken doner, tiramisu, and homemade hamburger helper for the little ones.

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 la.lucestudio |📍Two Suns Art Studio
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

TOGETHER WITH SALT AESTHETICS

Our Truths

Let’s be real, there are a lot of Med Spas in Bend. That’s a good thing, but it also makes your search for the perfect provider a bit harder. 

At Salt, our practice is built on three simple truths: Less. No. Minimal. 

We aren't about drastic changes; we’re about minimal intervention for maximum confidence. 

If you’re navigating medical aesthetics for the first time or still haven’t found a "home" for your skin health, we invite you to read our truths.

If our approach feels right to you, we would love to meet you.

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Wednesday 1.14

🪴🧶 Macramé Plant Hanger Workshop: Get knotty in the best way. Learn the basics of macramé while creating a handmade plant hanger to take home—perfect for cozying up your space or leveling up your plant-parent game. 5 PM Funky Fauna

🧘 Continuum Inquiry Playshop Series: Join Rainey for a relaxed playshop exploring fluid movement, gentle sound, and body awareness. 6 PM Continuum Yoga

🔭 Bend Astronomy Club Meetup: Like to spend your days wondering about the cosmos above? Join in at the Bend Astronomy Club’s January meetup, where they’ll be discussing the world of space debris. 6 PM COCC Middleton Science Center, Room 230

🤠 Spaghetti Western: Western vibes meet Italian flair at this themed dinner night. Expect saucy spaghetti, cinematic energy, and a playful twist on a classic genre—come hungry and ready for something different. 6 PM Tin Pan Theater

🏃‍♀️ January Group Run: Lace up for a social run from FootZone to Deschutes Brewery’s tasting room. All paces welcome, good vibes encouraged, and post-run refreshments await. 5:30 PM FootZone

😂 $5 Comedy Night: Big laughs, small price tag. Catch a lineup of comedians serving up jokes and good times—perfect for a midweek mood boost without breaking the bank. 7:30 PM Silver Moon

🎶 Stop Making Sense: Experience the iconic Talking Heads concert film on the big screen. High-energy visuals, legendary music, and pure art-house magic—this one’s a must for music lovers. 7:30 PM Tower Theatre

🎨 Northern Lights Paint & Sip: Sip wine while painting your own dreamy aurora masterpiece. No experience needed—just show up, relax, and let the colors flow. 6 PM The Winery at Manzanita

🧠 Trivia Night: Want to put your trivia skills to the test and maybe play a little pickleball after? Join Ballers & Brews for their first-ever trivia night. 6 PM Ballers & Brews

Thursday 1.15

🎤 Teen Open Mic Night: Young creatives take the stage! An encouraging space for teens to share music, poetry, comedy, and more. 5 PM The Open Arts Center

🎿 Tour of Meissner Classic Kick Wax Clinic: Dial in your Nordic skills with this hands-on wax clinic. Learn classic kick wax techniques just in time for prime winter skiing. 6:30 PM WebSkis

🎲 Board Game Night: Looking for a group of new BFFs? Join New Friends Bend at Modern Games for a board game night. 6 PM at Modern Games

📺 Stranger Things Trivia: Test your Hawkins knowledge—from Demogorgons to Eleven’s waffles. Grab a pint, rally your trivia team, and head to the Upside Down. 6:30 PM Bend Brewing

🕯️ January Women’s Rewilding: Kick off the year reconnecting with your wild side and endless possibilities in a fun, all-women's gathering. 6:30 PM Hanai

💆‍♀️ Women’s Wellness Workshop: Join Andrea McGinty of Remax and Dr. Jourdan Carboy of Alpenaura plastic surgery for a women’s wellness workshop for your physical & financial health. 5 PM Remax

🎙️ Winter Mics: Comedy Open Mic: Local comedians (and brave first-timers) take the mic for a night of unscripted laughs. Come cheer, cringe, and discover Bend’s next comedy favorite. 6:30 PM Worthy Brewing

✂️ Community ’n Crafts: Craft, chat, and create together. This laid-back gathering is all about making things with your hands while connecting with fellow creatives. 5 PM The Pantry

🚁 Lost Frontier Heli-Skiing Info Night: Curious about heli-skiing? Learn what it takes to access untouched terrain, jaw-dropping lines, and true backcountry adventure from the experts. 7 PM Pine Mountain Sports

LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday 1.14

Tommy Stinson | Oblivion Pour House | 7 PM | Tickets
Kurt Silva | The Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM

Thursday 1.15

Popcorn | Rivers Place | 6 PM
Draven | The Lot | 6 PM 
Piña Colada | Midtown Yacht Club | 6 PM
Patterns Fly | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets

WHO’S HIRING IN BEND

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

• Medical Assistant at Mosaic Community Health

• Patient Services Rep at Mosaic Community Health

• Language Access Services Supervisor at Mosaic Community Health

• Studio + Gallery Associate at The Workhouse

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!

Have an event you want to feature or want to advertise your business to our 16,000+ readers in Bend? Drop us a line here → [email protected]