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!

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. 

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.

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!

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!

Bend, Oregon Holiday Fun Continues

As school winds down for Christmas break, there are still plenty of wonderful things to do in Bend, Oregon to celebrate the season. We wanted to share a few of our "picks" for fun in the coming days.

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"

A perfect retelling of the Olde England story, with its ghosts and timeless message of kindness, by the talented youth and adults of Central Oregon A stellar community cast of youth and adults again bring to life the classic story of redemption and the trueholiday spirit, produced by Bend Experimental Art Theatre (B.E.A.T.). Rick Jenkins returns as Scrooge in this original adaptation by Howard Schor, directed by Mary Kilpatrick. Runs Friday 12/17 through Monday 12/20 at the Tower Theatre.

Saxons Fine Jeweler's On a Clear Winter's Night Jazz Christmas

CLEAR 101. 7 proudly welcomes... Peter White on Guitar, Mindi Abair on Sax and Vocals, and Rick Braun on Trumpet, lead an 6 piece allstar, touring jazz ensemble of musicians, performing interesting covers of traditional holiday tunes! The show starts with the brilliant vocal stylings of SONOS, also performing Christmas tunes, accapella! This event is the perfect way to move into the holidays as the Riverhouse Convention Center is transformed with a dazzling array of Christmas lights, John Hillmer designed Christmas Stage Murals, and a ho-ho-whole variety of other decorations! The Saxons Fine Jeweler's on a Clear Winter's Night Jazz Christmas is presented by Big Country RV's and is hosted by Northwest Brain and Spine, Dr's Yundt and Hadden. The event is produced by C3 Events. Sunday, December 19th

We're so happy to be #inbend on the holidays!

NorthWest Crossing Bend, Oregon - Top Place to Retire

Bend, Oregon has long been lauded as a great place to retire. Recently, Where to Retire Magazine narrowed down that assertion by focusing specifically on NorthWest Crossing in their “Discoveries” section. The article, which appeared in the magazine’s November/December 2010 issue, describes NorthWest Crossing as best suited for those who seek “abundant outdoor pursuits near big-city amenities.”

Where to Retire writer Monique Lugo writes, “Residents at this master-planned community get the best of both worlds. They are minutes from trendy downtown Bend...and convenient to the region’s natural wonders.”

The article also covers other amenities in the Bend, Oregon neighborhood, including NorthWest Crossing’s commitment to conservation and sustainability, convenient neighborhood center, many acres of integrated parks and open spaces, and the community garden.

Where to Retire is the only magazine that is specifically designed to help people with retirement relocation decisions.

Forbes Names Bend Top Small City? We're Not Surprised

We love living in Bend, Oregon. It's a recreation mecca, a cultural hub and we get lots and lots of sunshine. Even with the chill of winter in the air, we can't get enough of the smell of pine trees, fresh water and sage. Being able to live here, work here and play here is a dream come true for many Central Oregonians. So, we weren't surprised at all by this news:

Forbes.com recently released an article naming the best small cities in the U.S. for business and careers, and Bend was included! The magazine looked at cities of less than 245,000 population across the country and evaluated them based 12 key factors, including living and business costs, job growth, income growth, educational attainment and projected economic growth. They also factored in quality of life issues, such as crime rates, cultural and recreational opportunities and similar.

And what better place to enjoy all Bend, Oregon has to offer than from NorthWest Crossing? :-)

Finding Fremont in Oregon

You may or may not know that NorthWest Crossing was fashioned after a theme of "exploration" and that's why many of the place and street names are reminiscent of the Lewis and Clark expedition. We also have a street named after John Fremont, and recently the Deschutes County Historical Society premiered a new documentary this historical trailblazer.

The film, entitled Finding Fremont in Oregon, 1843, makes the remarkable story of John C. Fremont's 1843 trek through Oregon come to life. Bend, Oregon local, Loren Irving,teamed up with Sandy Cummings of TVStoryteller and the Deschutes Historical Society to produce the film. This short film was debuted Tuesday night to a full house at McMenamin’s Theatre, and will be part of this weekend’s BendFilm Festival.

Kudos to Loren and the team for their work in tracing the trail of John C. Fremont and his expedition. Next time you visit Shevlin Park, take a stroll down to Fremont Meadow and imagine dozens of men, horses, and livestock camping overnight on their trek through our wonderful Bend, Oregon countryside.

NorthWest Crossing 2010 Farmers Market Ends this Saturday

Second year of popular Saturday Farmers Market wraps up its second year in Bend, Oregon

The NorthWest Crossing Farmers Market began during the summer of 2009, providing a weekend farmers market option to the local community. Founded by West Bend Property Company, the developer of the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood, the NWX Farmers Market features local, organic fresh foods, locally made arts and crafts, specialty foods, and live music each Saturday.

In 2010, the market opened on June 26, after the popular NWX Hullabaloo street fair, and will run through this Saturday, September 25^th. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The focus in 2010 was to bring local produce, meat, flowers and specialty items that are of the highest quality, to the greater community. The market’s definition of local encompasses the state of Oregon. There have been approximately 25 vendors each week.

Throughout the summer, free booth space was offered to select area non-profits for single or multiple Saturdays during the summer. At their booth space, the organizations took donations and disseminated information about their programs and services to attendees. In 2010, Grandma’s House, the Family Access Network and Bethlehem Inn all participated in the non-profit booth opportunity. NWX also donated a portion of its tote bag sales proceeds to participating non-profits.

Come say good-bye to the 2010 NWX Farmers Market this weekend and stock up for fall!

NorthWest Crossing Resident Plans to Start Up New Brewery

According to a recent article published in The Bulletin, Bend will soon be welcoming it's 11th brewery - Below Grade Brewing.

The article follows:

11 breweries and counting: Below Grade plans to start small in Bend
By David Holley / The Bulletin

Published: September 16. 2010 4:00AM PST
Yet another brewer has taken his first steps toward opening Central Oregon’s 11th commercial brewery.

Dean Wise has applied for a brewery-public house permit from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, as well as required federal permits, under the name Below Grade Brewing. Wise’s plan is to keep Below Grade small as he tests the market “to see if people will buy it on a regular basis — to see if it’s worthy.”

Wise has been a home brewer for 18 years.

Below Grade would be Bend’s ninth brewery. The region’s other two breweries are in Redmond and Sisters.

Initially, Wise plans to brew in his NorthWest Crossing home. For the first six to 12 months, he plans to brew three or four batches of beer at a time, bottling the product for retail sale and possibly selling kegs to bars.

He hopes to have his first batch ready for sale about a month after he receives state and federal approval, which is as soon as is legally allowed, he said. Federal approval can take 95 days or longer, Wise said. He has been waiting for five weeks, but has a meeting with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau today.

For Wise, who is a project manager for the J.L. Ward Co., brewing is about quality. He thinks his first retail beers could be two different India Pale Ales and an Old Ale — a dark, full-bodied beer like Deschutes Brewery’s Jubelale.

“I will focus on the craft of brewing beer in small batches, using only the highest-quality ingredients available,” he wrote onhis company website, which is intermittently accessible during construction. “The best ingredients make the best beer.”

The naming of his brewery, Below Grade, was three-pronged. It’s an inside joke among Wise and friends. It refers to his basement, where he brews beer. And it’s meant to be a bit self-deprecating.

“I think, hopefully, it might be an ironic name,” Wise said.

Friday Fun at NorthWest Crossing

NorthWest Crossing is a great place to visit any day of the week, but this Friday (9/3) is extra special. Not only are we hosting the last Munch N Movies showing of the season in Compass Park (with the classic Wizard of Oz), but we are also participating in the wonderful First Friday Art Walk. Two more reasons to visit NorthWest Crossing!

BICA Gallery will have two talented Oregon artists on display:

Scott Conary is an accomplished artist who lives and creates in Portland, Oregon. His paintings explore the realms of landscapes, figurative and still life. For Scott, the

paint is the sub

ject as much as any image that might emerge. Playing within this tension between image and surface, he looks to build a presence, a solidity which shows in his distinct style.

Lisa Copenhagen Wachs is a self-employed graphic designer and fine artist. She has worked

and lived in Portland, Oregon, San Francisco and Taos, New Mexico before settling in Bend, Oregon in 1992. Lisa paints primarily in oils

and works in mixed media collage/assemblage. The surrounding abundance of wildlife and nature around her studio, continue to be an inspiration for her artwork.

Come visit NorthWest Crossing. You never know what surprises await you.