Once again the Waldorf School of Bend blanketed Downtown with beautifully made hearts. These hearts sprung from winter tree branches, newspaper stands, benches and doorways. Community members arrived to open their stores amid 'love bombs' of all shapes and sizes. Visitors to Bend walked down from The Oxford and the Doubletree amid snowflakes and hearts. Locals came Downtown to pick up a cup of coffee and a heart to take home. These hearts uplifted our entire community - and it all began with the hearts and hands of our Waldorf School of Bend community. The Waldorf School of Bend cultivates academic excellence through their experiential curriculum rich in the arts, sciences and practical works. They honor each child’s unique spirit by building capacities of will, free thought, compassion and social responsibility. In this way, children develop with purpose to act as powerful world citizens. Downtown is the heart of Bend, and we are delighted that every year the Waldorf School of Bend helps us exemplify this by covering our streets with hearts!
4 Comments
The Bend Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of Jennifer
Stephens as a contractor focusing on government affairs. In this role, Stephens will have responsibility for tracking and providing insights into city, county and regional policies and assist with the chamber’s state legislative agenda. She also assists in staffing the chamber’s Advocacy Council and legislative committee. “We are so excited that Jennifer has joined our team. Government affairs is a complex subject and vital facet of the advocacy efforts the Chamber provides on behalf of our members and the business community,” said Katy Brooks, Bend Chamber CEO. “Jennifer has a broad perspective on the issues of Bend’s businesses and community, and understands the intricacies of our political and legislative landscapes.” Stephens grew up in Bend, is a multi-generational native Oregonian, and has roots in local community service, leadership in advocacy, background in management, and political experience. Jennifer received a bachelors degree and MBA from Southern Oregon University, and in addition to working with the Bend Chamber, she is also the Governmental Affairs Director at Insite LocalGovAffairs where she works with clients on issues that affect their business at the city and county levels of government, as well as consulting on regional ballot measures and candidate campaigns. THE OXFORD HOTEL BEND NAMED #11 BEST US HOTEL IN 2019 TRIPADVISOR TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Bend, Ore. – The Oxford Hotel Bend has once again been recognized as a winner in the United States category of the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® Awards for hotels, earning its Top 25 recognition for the seventh year in a row. In 2019, the Oxford Hotel Bend ranked 11th out of the Top 25 hotels designated for the award. It is the only hotel in Central Oregon to receive this honor. For the last 17 years, these awards have highlighted the world’s top properties around the globe. Travelers’ Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. The hallmarks of Travelers’ Choice winners are remarkable service, value and quality. “We are humbled to receive this recognition for the seventh year in a row,” said Oxford’s President and CEO, Curt Baney. “Our team remains committed to providing each and every guest with a unique stay from their moment of arrival, and this award is a direct reflection and celebration of those efforts. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the many guests who have shared their Oxford experience on TripAdvisor.”
“We congratulate the properties around the world recognized as the best hotels, which receive our highest honor – Travelers’ Choice Hotel awards,” said Desirée Fish, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. “Winners should be proud of their award as millions of travelers will consider this list when picking the perfect hotel for their needs this year.” To see why the Oxford Hotel Bend is #11 in the nation, visit https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels-cTop-g191#11 to view TripAdvisor traveler reviews. For all 2019 Travelers’ Choice winners, visit www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice. Travelers can also follow the conversation on Twitter at #travelerschoice. About Oxford Hotel Bend The Oxford Hotel Bend is the city’s first and only luxury boutique hotel. Located in the heart of downtown Bend, the seven-story hotel features 59 spacious and luxurious executive rooms, many with views of the Cascade Mountains. Designed with both the leisure and business traveler in mind, the Oxford Hotel Bend features a variety of amenities and services intended to up the ante on the traditional boutique hotel experience. For more information, visit www.oxfordhotelbend.com. About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, enables travelers to unleash the full potential of every trip. With 702 million reviews and opinions covering the world's largest selection of travel listings worldwide – covering 8 million accommodations, airlines, experiences, and restaurants -- TripAdvisor provides travelers with the wisdom of the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to do and where to eat. TripAdvisor also compares prices from more than 200 hotel booking sites so travelers can find the lowest price on the hotel that's right for them. TripAdvisor-branded sites are available in 49 markets, and are home to the world's largest travel community of 490 million average monthly unique visitors**, all looking to get the most out of every trip. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better. The subsidiaries and affiliates of TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) own and operate a portfolio of websites and businesses, including more than 20 travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bokun.io, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com. * Source: Jumpshot for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, September 2018 ** 2018 Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique visitors, Q3 2018 Rosa Shea, owner of Tangerine Hair Salon on Minnesota Ave in Downtown Bend, had a dream to be the best hair salon with the most incredible customer service. With 38 four and five star reviews on Yelp, it looks like her dream is coming true. Now, Rosa and her team are taking that vision to the next level with their recent remodel. They have not only upgraded their space, but you'll find new products and services as well. Call today to book an appointment, (541) 389-9090
In the current growth climate of Bend, Oregon you often hear cars and bikes pitched against each other. When one person talks about parking and roads, the other side cries out about bikes and public transit. The truth is that a healthy community has ALL of these things - safe bike/ped access throughout the City (especially in the Downtown district) abundant bike parking, a robust public transit system, forward-thinking development of roads and connectivity for cars, and adequate parking for residents and visitors. I think most people can agree that biking & public transit have a plethora of benefits. It's healthy, it's better for the planet, it saves money, and it cuts down on congestion. The DBBA diligently works to encourage Downtown employees to bike and carpool, actively works with Commute Options to explore new ways to educate and encourage people to use alternative modes of transportation, and advocates in their future Downtown vision for the development of bike/ped connections into Downtown, protected bike lanes, and increased bike parking. The DBBA was an partner in bringing Zagster Bike Share and the Ride Bend bus to Downtown. We love alternative modes of transportation! Although we are passionate about biking and public transit, we also recognize the need to develop easy, effective road connections as well as adequate parking in the Downtown district. Here are just a few cases where being able to drive and park in Downtown easily and safely is important:
The vision of the DBBA is to keep Downtown Bend an accessible and welcoming place for everyone, regardless of race, sex, religion, gender identity, age, social status, or mobility. Downtown serves a unique and special role in our community. It is the only shopping & arts district that is public. This allows it to fulfill a role in our community that no other place can. Nationally, Downtowns serve as locations where communities come alive, where bonds among neighbors are strengthened and where a sense of belonging is fostered. They are locations that spark economic development and drive entrepreneurial creativity. Currently there are 5,799 parking spaces in Downtown Bend, there are about 4,000 Downtown Bend employees, 94,520 Bend residents (reported by World Population Review), almost 20,000 visitors to Bend daily (reported by The Source in July 2016), we have upwards of 3,200 hotel rooms in Bend (reported by the Bulletin in Sept 2016), and in November of 2018 KTVZ reported that the High Desert population was growing by 20 people per day.
At a recent meeting with ODOT, they reported that they expect the population to be 160,000 plus by 2040. This is a 50% population increase in 20 years. Currently, the Downtown Bend parking garage is frequently at capacity - especially during events or during busy shopping seasons (Art Walk, Christmas). With the current population growth prediction, we can expect it to be outdated very soon. We need to plan now for additional Downtown parking in the future. Parking is an important part of Downtown Bend's future success, and needs to be developed hand-in-hand with increased bike access & public transportation. The City of Bend has done an amazing job addressing parking in Downtown Bend over this last year. The candidate chosen as the Downtown Bend Parking Manager has worked effectively and quickly to appraise the situation, find 'quick-win' solutions, enroll teamwork from community partners, and implement new strategies. Let's continue that good work by building a comprehensive plan for the future of transportation and parking in Downtown Bend.
BEND CULTURAL TOURISM FUND Grant Applications Due April 12, 2019 The Bend Cultural Tourism Commission announces the fifth year of the Bend Cultural Tourism Fund with the opening of its on-line grant application for Cultural Tourism grants. The complete application is due April 12, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Guidelines and instructions for both are available at https://www.visitbend.com/about-us/bend-cultural-tourism-fund/ The Commission will make its awards in May 2019, and anticipates over $200,000 in grant awards. In 2018, the fund awarded a total of $205,000 helping local organizations leverage marketing resources to attract more cultural tourists during the shoulder seasons and winter months – a time of year when the city’s tourism industry is down yet the vibrant cultural activities so central to Bend’s character are still going strong. The Bend Cultural Tourism Fund (BCTF) is a grant program dedicated to enhancing the local economy through the promotion and cultivation of Bend’s cultural tourism programs, with an emphasis on activities that help attract cultural tourists during the shoulder seasons and winter months. For more information, please see the website at https://www.visitbend.com/about-us/bend-cultural-tourism-fund/. Beginning today, parking improvements in downtown Bend will make parking easier, safer and more available for people looking for places to park. Here are the five changes coming to downtown: 1. Enforcement times will be extended to 7pm to increase turnover for on-street parking and provide better access to businesses during evening hours in the busiest parts of downtown. 2. The ParkMobile app will be available as a quick, easy option for downtown patrons to pay for parking in the Mirror Pond Lots and Centennial Garage. ParkMobile will be the only way to pay for parking at the Greenwood/Wall Lot and Irving Street. 3. Parking permits will change from paper to virtual permits to make paying for and managing parking permits easier for downtown employees. 4. A four-hour time limit will go into effect for the Mirror Pond Lots to increase turnover and make more parking spaces available. 5. New parking rates will support better downtown parking management by encouraging people to park in the right places for the right amount of time, and respond to community expectations for parking availability, equity in opportunities for all downtown patrons, and the economic vitality of downtown. “We know these improvements might taking some getting used to,” said Drew Dietrich parking demand manager for the City. “We’re going to start off by focusing our efforts on education first. Then we’ll move into enforcement. Our goal is to help people going downtown make the best use of the limited number of parking stalls and have a better experience while doing it.” For more information on downtown parking, visit www.bendoregon.gov/parking. Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact Joshua Romero at 541-693-2185 or jromero@bendoregon.gov. The Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) partners with local artist, photographer, Miguel Edwards Downtown Bend is growing and so is the Downtown Bend Business Association. As part of this growth, the vision and branding for Downtown are transforming. The DBBA is excited to announce Miguel Edwards as the new Downtown Bend photographer. Edwards is helping the non-profit showcase the history, vibrancy, shops, restaurants, and services in Downtown Bend to a larger community. “We are incredibly lucky to live in a City with a thriving Downtown,” says Aisling, Executive Director of the DBBA, “Downtown Bend is the heart of our community – and it has been for over 100 years. Photos that document and celebrate our history, culture, and vitality are a great asset for not only Downtown Bend but for our entire Bend community.” The decision to bring on Edwards comes from the request by Downtown Bend business and building owners. He has gained recognition recently from designing and building the cauldron for the Opening Ceremony of Special Olympics USA Games last summer in Seattle. The Cauldron “Hope Rising” will be featured at Oregon Winterfestin February. Miguel has worked with the Cities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Seattle, and Bellevue… to name a few. This December the book, Art in Seattle’s Public Spaces by Miguel Edwards and Jim Rupp with University of Washington Press hits the shelves (and Amazon). This month Edwards’ photograph is the cover image for Western Home Journal’s first Winter Book. “I am thrilled to be spending time investing in the culture of Bend.” says Edwards, “Ever since I was in high school I wanted to live in a place like Bend. To be asked to help grow and illustrate this wonderful place in its’ best light is really a great honor” The DBBA is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the vitality of Downtown Bend. For more information,or to make a donation, please email downtownbend@gmail.com. For more information on Miguel Edwards: https://www.bendbulletin.com/entertainment/finearts/6339478-151/qa-with-artist-miguel-edwards https://www.bendsource.com/bend/letters-to-the-editor/Content?oid=6260900 https://www.geekwire.com/2018/miguel-edwards/ http://www.migueledwards.com/ http://migueledwardsphotography.com/ The Downtown Bend Business Association is pleased to announce Bend Premier Real Estate as the presenting sponsor of the annual Bend Oktoberfest, to be held on Sept 21st and 22nd.
Bend Premier Real Estate’s Lynnea Miller states, “We are extremely pleased and excited to be part of such a worthwhile event. Not only is it worthwhile, it’s a blast! The fact that Bend Oktoberfest fundraising provides so much for our Downtown makes it a really unique Bend event.” This annual Bend Oktoberfest is a traditional German harvest celebration of food, fun, and brews. The event spans two days with a Family Fun Zone, Live Music, Weiner Dog Races, Tricycle Races, outrageous games, face painting, contests, giveaways & more. 100% of the proceeds go to the Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA)- a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the vitality of Downtown Bend. Oktoberfest is the DBBA’s largest fundraiser of the year and it is produced by the DBBA to directly raise funds to help beautify Downtown Bend & stimulate its economy. To learn more about this event, visit www.bendoktoberfest.org About Bend Premier Real Estate Bend Premier Real Estate is the only company in Bend to have been selected to join Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate, the most elite and largest luxury real estate network in the world. Brokerages with this distinction provide the highest level of customer service and demonstrated marketing excellence in luxury real estate. Through this alliance, our Luxury Properties are now featured on LuxuryRealEstate.com’s award-winning website, which attracts over 200 million potential buyers and more than 4 million page views in more than 190 countries each month with more than 12 billion dollars in active luxury real estate listings across the globe. Additionally, BPRE is now associated with the largest network of luxury real estate professionals with nearly 3900 offices and over 130,000 agents. To learn more about the Bend Premier Real Estate, visit: https://www.bendpremierrealestate.com/ About the DBBA The Downtown Bend Business Association is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors, composed of business and building owners in Downtown Bend.. Its board meets monthly and lends its expertise to the operations of the DBBA and the organization’s impact on the City of Bend. The DBBA’s mission is to increase the vitality of Downtown Bend. You can learn more about the DBBA at www.downtownbend.org. Beginning on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, the City of Bend joins numerous community partners in celebrating “Welcoming Week,” a series of community-organized events that highlight the principles of inclusion and create communities that prosper because everyone feels welcome. Welcoming Week takes place Sept. 14 to 23. Festivities begin with a Launch Celebration at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, at St. Charles Health System. Elected officials and community members will address attendees with thoughts about the importance of Welcoming Week. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend. Community events, including the “Borderless Stories” photography exhibit, a book reading, workshops and educational presentations, Latino Fest, a food truck event and a soccer tournament will provide residents ample opportunity to participate in Welcoming Week. View the Welcoming Week online calendar for more information on Welcoming Week events. In addition to attending Welcoming Week events, Bend area residents are encouraged to participate in a social media photo contest from Sept. 14 to 23. To enter the contest, participants must upload a photo with an “I’m a Welcomer” sign to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Tag the City of Bend page and use the hashtags #IWelcome and #WelcomingWeek to complete the entry. One photo will be randomly selected each day to win a prize pack of Welcoming Week and City of Bend goodies. For more information about Bend Welcoming Week, including event and social media contest information, visit www.bendoregon.gov/welcomingweek. Welcoming Week is a series of events in the community that raise awareness about Bend’s status as a Welcoming City and the benefits of welcoming everyone, including immigrants and refugees. On June 21, 2017, the Bend City Council unanimously supported a resolution for the City of Bend to be recognized as a Welcoming City. Participation in Welcoming Week is one of the requirements for recognition as a Welcoming City. |
|