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.