NorthWest Crossing Blog Moves to northwestcrossing.com

Our blog has moved to our brand new website! Check it out at http://northwestcrossing.com/blog/

Bend, Oregon Neighborhood of NorthWest Crossing Wins Sustainability Award

We were very pleased and excited to receive a Sustainability Award from The Environmental Center at a special ceremony at the Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend last week. The awards honor businesses, organizations and individuals that are leading the way to a sustainable future in Central Oregon. There were four categories for the award program, and NorthWestCrossing was recognized as the top Large Business of the year. First Lady of Oregon, and founder of 3E Strategies, Cynthia Hayes spoke at the event.

The Environmental Center hosts the annual Sustainability Awards as a way of highlighting the determined and persistent change makers—in business, government, nonprofit, and the community—who are essential to achieving a sustainable future.  By showcasing these commitments to a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, and an equitable society, The Environmental Center hopes to inspire even more sustainable action in Central Oregon.

Built on the intrinsically sustainable principles, NorthWest Crossing has won several awards and been featured in national publications for its green practices. Residents benefit from homes built to Earth Advantage and ENERGY STAR standards, connectivity to encourage alternative transportation and neighborhood amenities, such as parks, trails and a community. Several buildings in the commercial area of the neighborhood are LEED certified.

Check out the super cool hand-forged award by a local artist:

Renowned Planner Jeff Speck Speaks in Bend, Oregon

Last night, NorthWest Crossing sponsored a presentation through the Building a BetterBend lecture series, which brings speakers to the region to help educate the community about quality growth and development. Renowned author and lecturer Jeff Speck joined us to talk about  “What Makes Commercial Centers Work:  Getting Planning and Transportation Right”.

Speck shared some great insights from his work around the country promoting smart growth and sustainable design, applying them to the Bend, Oregon community and ways that planners here could take into consideration choices that would impact daily life of its citizens.

He brings solid experience to his lectures - Speck is a city planner and architectural designer who, through writing, lectures, and built work, advocates internationally for smart growth and sustainable design. As Director of Design at the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003 through 2007, he oversaw the Mayors' Institute on City Design and created the Governors' Institute on Community Design, a federal program that helps state governors fight suburban sprawl. Prior to joining the Endowment, Mr. Speck spent ten years as Director of Town Planning at Duany Plater-Zyberk and Co., a leading practitioner of the New Urbanism, where he led or managed more than forty of the firm's projects. He is the co-author of Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream as well as the just-released Smart Growth Manual. He serves as a Contributing Editor to Metropolis Magazine, and on the Sustainability Task Force of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

NorthWest Crossing, which has been committed to the smart growth principles since its inception, was happy to support bringing a speaker like Speck to our community!

Bend, Oregon Farmers Market Gears Up For End of Season

The NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market the Bend, Oregon neighborhood of NorthWest Crossing is celebrating the last two Saturdays of the season with some great live music, and a lineup of vendors that will keep you well-stocked in goodies right through the Fall.

This Saturday and next, McKenzie River Farms will be helping to put the "Farm" in Farmers Market with a great selection of produce. According to their site, they'll have every summer produce item imaginable -from tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries, all the way to August harvested eggplant, garlic and melons.

Couple this with a fabulous selection of delicious specialty foods, wagon rides, a petting zoo and plenty of arts and crafts, and you have a Saturday that screams "SUMMER TIME" in Bend, Oregon. Not to mention the live sounds of Chata Addy (Authentic West African Music) on this Saturday, August 27th and the eclectic folk tunes from Brent Alan and Lino Trio on September 3rd.

See you at the Farmers Market!

NorthWest Crossing's Own Bend, Oregon Brewery: Below Grade Brewing

It's no secret that Bend, Oregon is exploding with craft breweries: the count continues to rise. Here in NorthWest Crossing, we have our own community brewery - Below Grade Brewing. Owned and operated by residents Dean and Bridget Wise, the handcrafted beers from this nano-brewery debuted at the NWX Farmers Market earlier this summer.

Wise built his small brewing "facility" in a corner of his basement, has been home brewing for almost 20 years according to a recent Bulletin article. Wise says that Below Grade is a community brewery that provides fresh, fine ales batch-by-batch to beer enthusiasts. Because each run of each beer differs slightly - expressing the craft of beer making - these enthusiasts become part of the brewing experience.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! Come try a pint for yourself this weekend at the Farmers Market, held on Saturday August 6 from 10am-2pm.

Where to Retire? NorthWest Crossing in Bend, Oregon! That's Where!

Bend has long been recognized as a wonderful place to live - and to retire. In fact, according to a recent article in Where to Retire Magazine, Bend, Oregon is one of the best. Included in that equation is the retirement friendly community of NorthWest Crossing.

The article, which appears in the May/June issue of the magazine, introduces Bend as: "An outdoor haven where pine forests give way to a high desert plateau, Bend offers bountiful recreation year-round, including hiking, fishing, boating, skiing, camping and hunting. A refuge for urbanites weary of the fast lane, its cosmopolitan chic yet has the lure of the wild." Sound romantic? It is!

The in-depth piece goes into all the wonderful things Bend, Oregon has to offer, and then talks about specific places to live, including NorthWest Crossing. "A neotraditional community featuring classic regional architecture, green building mandates and pedestrian-friendly design. A hit with families and empty nesters, the 486-acre, mixed-use development...[has a] recent addition of Discovery Park Lodge, a 53-unit affordable housing complex for those 55 and older."

From paddling the Deschutes River, to trying out some of the area's craft beers, and from attending the many community events to purchasing the right house for retirement....this great article highlights all the greatness our community has to offer.

Structure Development NW Gets Its Build On In NorthWest Crossing

Building in Bend, Oregon's NorthWest Crossing for just about one year, Structure Development NW is currently starting on its second home in the neighborhood. As with all the company's work, these NorthWest Crossing homes display their philosophy of surrounding home buyers with the absolute best products and services - each aspect of the home is chosen with care and thoughtful consideration. 

Owners Dan Goodrich and Scott Houck

According to co-owner Dan Goodrich, he enjoys working in NorthWest Crossing for several reasons: "Utilizing multiple builders to diversify the neighborhood aesthetic, while holding to unique review standards, elevates the end product. In the end, this ultimately benefits not only the home buyers, but the life span and strength of the community." 


Goodrich went on to mention that his team enjoys feeling like part of a long-term collaboration that will benefit Bend, Oregon in the future. "When we drive through this community, we can sense that it will be a great place to live now - and in 10, 20 or 30 years. You can't say that about every newly developed neighborhood in Bend, Oregon." 


He says, "We are thrilled to be a part of the growth here going forward!" And we're thrilled to have you on board. 

NWX Farmers Market Bend, Oregon Starts This Weekend! Dancing Cow Farms to Participate

We're so excited that our much-anticipated NWX Farmers Market starts this Saturday at 10am - look for the Farmers Market every Saturday through September 3. Our lineup of vendors is stellar, and this week we're spotlighting Dancing Cow Farms out of Prineville, Oregon. 

Dancing Cow Farms is owned by Jerre Kosta and Sean Dodson, who grow vegetables (mostly from organic and heritage seed) and raising rare Irish Dexter Cattle, 6-horned Jacob Sheep, Icelandic Horses, Lavender Guinea Fowl, Heritage Turkeys, Indian Runner Ducks and a variety of Heritage Chickens. Believing that healthy foods begin with healthy soils, they practice rotational grazing and planting. Their organic compost comes from the farm and they enjoy working with nature to control growth and pests. With a passion for their work, they consider it a great honor to be farmers and the stewards of the land and these animals.

While Dancing Cow is not a certified organic farm, organic is their practice. Each year they integrate more of Joel Salatin's Polyfarm methods, Bill Mollison's Permaculture design, Rudolf Steiner's biodynamic and Allan Savory's Holistic Resource Management practices. Each year the farm grows!

In rotation we multi-species graze our animals across our pastures moving them often to keep our animals and fields healthy. The cattle come first eating the best of the pasture. The sheep follow enjoying the forbs and grasses left by the cattle. The chickens are behind working the ground and enjoying the bugs, grasses and legumes as they clean up behind the grazers.

The grazer's diet is supplemented with fresh water, free-choice organic mineral and supplements, Redmond Salt and Kelp. The chicken's pasture diet is supplemented with fresh water and a feed mix of the farm's own recipe including grains, Fertrall's organic minerals and supplements, Redmond Salt and Kelp. They crack the grain and make the mix at the farm.

Jerre has sold farm fresh eggs and vegetables weekly in Bend since 2003. In 2006, Sean and Jerre helped to create the first farmer's market in Prineville.

We're excited to see what they bring to this year's NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market in Bend, Oregon! 

Event Season is Coming Up at NorthWest Crossing!

It looks like summer is finally here (knock on wood) and that means it is time to start getting geared up for the unofficial kickoff to summer in Bend, Oregon: The NorthWest Crossing Hullabaloo on Friday, June 24th! Not only that, the much-anticipated NWX Farmers Market starts the very next morning, with great fare and treasures from local vendors. 

Here are just a few of the activities for the family during the Hullabaloo:

• NWX Criterium, presented by BendBroadband and the Umpqua Bank Kids Crit. Even if you’re not a cyclist, this fast-paced race is a fun spectator sport, especially when it involves streamers, tricycles and a mad rush of little helmets and pedals.
• Music: Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter Mark Cohn and his full band will headline the Hullabaloo Mainstage, presented by The Garner Group for a truly magical musical evening, which will include such classics as “Walking In Memphis,” “Silver Thunderbird,” and the lovely “True Companion.” Cohn’s act will be preceded by the Oregon-based singer/songwriter/producer Franchot Tone, who has worked in the past with such names as Jack Johnson, Bend Harper and Michael Franti, just to name a few. Visitors will also enjoy the hip hop sounds of MOsley WOtta, a group that encourages unity through music and the celebration of human commonalities.
• Children’s activities in the Kids Zone, an art walk and food court featuring all types of delectable dining options make the Hullabaloo the perfect way to spend one of summer’s longest days. Feed your need for summer fun!

See you there!

Good Earth Farms: Growing Good Stuff for Us!

From our guest blogger, Charlie Rich of Good Earth Farms! Bringing yummy goodness your way for the coming NWX Farmer's Market in Bend, Oregon!

"There was no rest this off-season for Good Earth Farms (formerly known as Paradise Farms).  Starting in December, the farm began its move to a much milder micro-climate on Deschutes Market Rd and expanded acreage in production by more than 200 percent!  We are also expanding our booth at the NWX Farmers Market to accommodate the wider variety of produce we are growing this year.  

Some of the tasty produce currently in production for the Farmers Market is lettuce, kale, swiss chard, spinach, arugula, carrots, peas, beans, onions, cilantro, broccoli, beets, cabbage, cilantro, tomatoes (the best!), potatoes, squash, peppers and maybe some corn and a few juicy melons...! Our special lettuce mix blend is one of our top sellers and we are hoping this year that we have more NWX families buying their lettuce from Good Earth Farms. You are welcome to stop by and sample any of our produce for free and experience tasty, freshly harvested food that hasn't been on a truck for three days...!   

At Good Earth Farms we continue to enhance our sustainable and organic growing methods to provide you with the freshest, most nutritious produce in Central Oregon. We grow varieties you won’t find from the industrial food system - heirloom and open-pollinated varieties that have evolved naturally over the years with a vast array of tastes, colors, sizes, shapes and always high in nutritional value. Our goal is to help create a local, sustainable food system that keeps us healthy, preserves our natural resources, supports the local economy and tastes great!  This can only be achieved with your support and we look forward to seeing you this Summer at the NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market."

Thanks Charlie! We're looking forward to all the yummy local fare at this year's Farmer's Market - starts Saturday, June 25th at 10am in the NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center in Bend, Oregon.

Marc Cohn to Headline at Hullabaloo!

We're kicking off summer in style with our Hullabaloo headline musical act, Marc Cohn. Cohn is a Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter who will be gracing the Hullabaloo main stage, sponsored by The Garner Group, with his full band and performing such classics as “Walking In Memphis,” “Silver Thunderbird,” and “True Companion.” Access to the festival and music is free to the public.

Cohn will also be bringing to the stage some favorites from his newest album, "Listening Booth: 1970", which transforms songs from such artists as Cat Stevens, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Van Morrison, Smokey Robinson and Creedence Clearwater Revival into tracks that are warm, soulful, more than a little sexy and full of easy-going charm.

Cohn’s act will be preceded by the Oregon-based singer/songwriter/producer Franchot Tone, who has worked in the past with such names as Jack Johnson, Bend Harper and Michael Franti, just to name a few. Visitors will also enjoy the hip hop sounds of MOsley WOtta, a group that encourages unity through music and the celebration of human commonalities.

WHEN: June 24^th, 3:30-10 p.m.

WHAT: NorthWest Crossing Hullabaloo

WHERE: NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center, Bend, Oregon

COST: Free

The uproarious street festival, which is in its fourth year, regularly features bike races (including a kid’s crit), live music, street performers and family activities. The next day, June 25th, is the kick off of the popular NorthWest Crossing Farmer’s Market, which will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of September. 

NorthWest Crossing Bend Spring Festival

We had so much fun welcoming spring....which isn't quite here yet...last weekend at the Bend Spring Festival in NorthWest Crossing! Check out some awesome photos at this link from Jill Rosell Photography.

Thanks for coming to help us celebrate everyone!

Think Your Dog is Cute Enough to be Miss or Mister January?

Or any other month of the year? Enter your dog to be featured in the new 2010 "Dogs of NorthWest Crossing" Calendar. We are looking for some cute canines to grace the pages of the first-ever 2012 calendar, benefiting the Bend Spay & Neuter Project. If you think your pooch fits the bill, please complete the form on our website and submit one great photo of your pet. Photos will be accepted through April 17th.

On April 18th, submitted photos will be posted on an album on the NorthWest Crossing Facebook page. Ask your friends and family to LIKE the NorthWest Crossing Facebook page and vote for your photo by May 1. The 12 canines with the most LIKES will win great swag from Ruff Wear, receive a professional photo shoot sometime between May & October by photographer Karen Cammack, and be part of the 2012 Dogs of NorthWest Crossing calendar going on sale late-fall 2011. Proceeds benefit the Bend Spay & Neuter Project.

Do you think the pictured dog is a cutie? He's available for adoption through an Oregon rescue group!

Tonight! Neighborhood Night. Upcoming! NorthWest Crossing Bend Spring Festival

Today, the weather has warmed and it is starting to really feel like spring time. What better way to celebrate than coming down to the very first NWX Neighborhood Night - tonight 3/30 starting at 5pm. Participating businesses and restaurants will be offering a variety of specials, entertainment, giveaways and more! http://www.northwestcrossing.com/.docs/pg/10624

Then, we bring out the big guns for the NorthWest Crossing Bend Spring Festival. Celebrating the return of the sun, the renewal of the earth, and the launching of a busy Central Oregon outdoor season, the free Bend Spring Festival takes place in our Neighborhood Center.We invite you to explore the original art, to get some tips from the Oregon State University Master Gardeners, to enjoy live music, great food, wine and beer.

The NorthWest Crossing Bend Spring Festival will take place Saturday, April 16th through Sunday April 17th. The activities Saturday run from 11a.m. – 10 p.m. and include a children’s performance area and an artist promenade with over 40 artists. Sunday the fun continues from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. with dance performances, live music, and outdoor gear retailers to get you ready for summer play. We are looking forward to another year of brilliant sunshine, amazing chalk art, great food and getting our groove back outdoors!

Local Company Sara Bella is "Upcycling" to NorthWest Crossing

Sara Bella* Upcycled, a retail company that creates useful products from "trash", is joining our neighborhood center. What a great fit for a Bend, Oregon neighborhood that is committed to sustainability! Sara Bella upcycles (the process of converting waste materials into new materials of higher environmental value) plastic bags and banners into fun, fashionable and functional items such as tote bags, aprons, wallets, belts and more.

Sara Wiener, who owns the company, said, “We are very excited to move to NorthWest Crossing, not only are we doubling our retail floor space, but we are looking forward to being in a community that values sustainability. The green concept of this neighborhood and its walkability fits in with our own philosophy. We love being near the schools – young people really ‘get’ upcycling and appreciate what we are doing.”

Not only do Sara Bella’s efforts rescue trash from landfills, but they also keep plastic bags out of oceans and waterways, positively affecting wildlife. All the company’s products are made made from at least 95% rescued trash (upcycled plastic bags and banners), with the remaining percentage consisting of thread, metal fittings, zippers and clips. While creating a successful business, the mission of Sara Bella is to educate and teach methods to create environmentally friendly goods in the United States as well as abroad.

We are so excited to welcome Sara Bella* to the neighborhood! Pretty soon, we'll all be sporting some of their great totes, bags and wallets!

NORTHWEST CROSSING “HOME” TO NEW COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP HOUSE

Several Central Oregon companies came together over the past few months to make the dream of home ownership come true for one Bend, Oregon family. The construction of this new affordable house was made possible through a unique partnership that included:

• West Bend Property Company, the developer of NorthWest Crossing, donated the homesite.
• SolAire Homebuilders constructed the home, receiving some donated time and materials from their team of subcontractors and suppliers.
• The City of Bend provided a zero percent “Course of Construction” Loan.
• Housing Works made the home available through its HomeQuest Ground Lease program.
• Helping Hand Housing provided support and reduced-rent housing to the homebuyer while she got her feet beneath her.

The HomeQuest Ground Lease Program was developed about two years ago and assists families in home ownership by separating the ownership of the home from the ownership of the land, making the home more affordable for workforce families. The land under the home is placed in the HomeQuest program and is leased to the homeowner. The owner is able to amass shared equity in the home itself, receiving a portion of the home’s appreciation (determined by current market value), and can then eventually buy a home outside the program. The shared appreciation keeps the home at an affordable price for the next selected buyer.

Two years ago, NorthWest Crossing was also the site of a Bend, Oregon HomeQuest Ground Lease home, and another one is planned for the future. Projects like these enrich our community and truly show that Central Oregon is a place where individuals and businesses band together for the greater good.

Tate and Tate Catering!!

Okay, we just posted about this, but we think it is just too exciting to let slide by! Plus, we're surprised by the lack of comments!?

You may have noticed some activity at the former Riley's Market space this week. It's our new neighbor: Tate & Tate Catering! This popular Central Oregon caterer (ranked 2010 Central Oregon's Best Caterer by "The Source Weekly") will offer daily "Grab n Go" lunches and dinners that will include a variety of crisp salads, sandwiches, fresh made soups as well as their signature family style entrée casseroles in three different sizes. Tate & Tate's new retail location in NorthWest Crossing is scheduled to open mid-February 2011. We will keep you up to date with an exact opening date as they get closer. For more information, visitwww.tateandtatecatering.com.

Also, please welcome BendFilm to the neighborhood. They are getting settled in their new space on NW Crossing Drive in the former BICA Gallery location. www.bendfilm.org.

Keep an eye out for more exciting news about other new neighbors coming to our Neighborhood Center!

Welcome To NorthWest Crossing in Bend, Oregon!

We are extending a warm welcome to our newest tenants in the NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center: BendFilm and Tate and Tate Catering!

Non-profit organization BendFilm has already moved into the space formerly occupied by BICA Gallery at 2748 NW Crossing Drive. Previously, BendFilm’s offices were located near downtown on Irving Street.Bob Lane, executive director for BendFilm, said, “We chose NorthWest Crossing because of the great office space available, the fantastic neighborhood with higher traffic patterns and visibility, and a valued longstanding partnership with Brooks Resources.” They are posting updates on progress on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/BendFilm-Festival/121307537466

Tate and Tate Catering, one of Central Oregon’s top catering companies, is opening a retail location in the space formerly occupied by Riley’s Market at 2755 NW Crossing Dr # 109. At the new location, Tate and Tate will be offering daily “Grab n Go” lunch and dinner, that will include a variety of salads, sandwiches, fresh made soups as well as their signature family style entrée casseroles in three different sizes, both fresh and frozen, to take away. Opening is scheduled for mid-February 2011. http://www.tateandtatecatering.com/

WELCOME! We are so excited to have you in Bend, Oregon's NorthWest Crossing.