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.

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!

Children’s Holiday Party Scheduled in NorthWest Crossing

NorthWest Crossing and Sage Café and Coffeehouse are teaming up to help families in Central Oregon make some special holiday memories. A holiday party will be held in the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood center that is fun for kids of all ages. Cookie decorating, holiday crafts and an appearance by the one-and-only Santa Claus (from 11 am to 1 pm) are just part of the day’s festivities!

WHEN: Saturday, December 11th from 10am to 2 pm
WHERE: 2755 NW Crossing Dr. #109 (the former Riley's Market space)
COST: $5 per child includes all supplies!

Come make some memories! For more information visit www.nwxevents.com.

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.