Sep 4th, 2025 | Highlights

🌀BendZeit

“The spirit, stories, and service of Central Oregon – every edition.”

🧭 The Essentials

YOUR BI-WEEKLY BEND EDIT

Welcome to BendZeit – You’re Officially Informed.
We’re opening September with an edition full of what makes Bend tick right now: concerts under the late-summer sky, community fundraisers with big prizes, and local heroes worth celebrating. This issue spotlights the Humane Society of Central Oregon, Pine Mountain Sports’ Any Bike You Want Raffle, and the return of one of Bend’s quirkiest traditions — the Rotary Duck Race.

Inside you’ll also find:

• 🎶 Music that captures September evenings in Bend

• 🦆 How to get your duck in the race

• 🐾 HSCO in our Hometown Hero Spotlight

• 🚴 A raffle that could put you on a $7K dream bike

• 🍺 Breweries teasing their first autumn pours

Whether you’re savoring the last summer sunsets or starting to reach for that hoodie at night, this first September edition has you covered.

We’re breaking down the Top 3 Signals that prove the warm-weather vibe is peaking. And because Bend keeps delivering, we’re rolling out a fresh trio of our Top 3 Categories — what’s trending, tasty, scenic, or just plain awesome right now: 🍽️ Restaurants • 🏡 Homes • 🚶 Walking Trails • 💼 Local Businesses • 🌲 Outdoor Picks • 🎟️ Upcoming Events - and whatever else is catching the local vibe.

Each edition, we highlight one outstanding local business helping keep the BendZeit vibes flowing. This edition’s featured Spotlight:

🍹🌮 Nouveau Mexican & Peruvian Cuisine of Bend, OR

Hola!
Lively and colorful decor highlight the Mexican-Peruvian cuisine of Hola! Authentic Peruvian cuisine meets bold new directions in Mexican cuisine like you have never tasted. Enjoy chicken mole, ceviche, enchiladas, and mouth-watering seafood dishes. Amazing Caipirinhas, Margaritas and an expansive selection of tequilas. Outdoor dining available.

 🔥Top 3 Signals

1️⃣ Bend Named #1 Job Market in the U.S. (SmartAsset 2025)

A new SmartAsset study ranks Bend #1 nationwide for overall job market strength, citing low unemployment (≈3.1%), strong income growth (≈44% over three years), short commute times (≈16 minutes) and a high share of remote workers (≈27%). Local and national outlets picked it up, putting Bend’s economic momentum in the spotlight.
🌟 This marks a shift: Bend isn’t just an outdoor mecca — it’s a talent-magnet economy with national attention.
📍 As reported by CBS News and KTVZ; primary study by SmartAsset
📎Best Job Markets – 2025 Study
📎See which U.S. cities have the best job markets. - CBS News

2️⃣ New ATC Tower Takes Shape at Bend Municipal Airport

Bend is constructing a new $15 million air traffic control tower—a significant milestone for Bend Municipal Airport, which previously operated without one. The development brings a major boost in safety and efficiency to the third-busiest airport in Oregon. The tower, expected to stand 115 feet tall and become the region’s tallest structure, is slated for completion in fall 2025 and will be helicopter- and pilot-coordinated traffic’s safe new home.
🌟 This marks a shift: Bend is evolving from a general-aviation hub to one with serious air safety infrastructure and regional aviation prominence.
📍 As reported by Oregon Business and Cascade Business News
📎Bend Airport to Install Air Traffic Control Tower – Oregon Business

3️⃣ Record Steelhead Return to the Upper Deschutes River Basin

Fish biologists are celebrating a major milestone: over 950 adult steelhead have returned upstream past the Pelton–Round Butte dam complex into the upper Deschutes River Basin. This is the highest return since monitoring began, thanks to improved fish-passage systems (like the Selective Water Withdrawal facility), ongoing habitat restoration, and coordinated release strategies.
🌟 This marks a shift: Central Oregon’s conservation efforts are finally showing measurable success—positioning Bend as a leader in watershed stewardship and fish restoration.
📍 As reported through the Deschutes Land Trust and Portland General Electric’s environmental updates
📎Fish Reintroduction Update 2025 — Deschutes Land Trust

🍺 Top 3 Craft Breweries in Bend (per Untappd & Rate Beer)

Bend is one of the “Beer Capitals of the West,” and locals + visitors agree. These three breweries consistently earn the highest ratings across Untappd, RateBeer, and national beer magazines — proof that Bend remains a craft beer powerhouse.

🪑 Red Chair Gallery – Bend’s Award-Winning Artist Collective

A gallery for everyone.
In the heart of Bend’s Old Town Historic District you will find Red Chair Gallery, which is more than just a space — it’s a creative hub owned and operated by Central Oregon artists. Located at the corner of Oregon Ave & Bond Street in the iconic O’Kane Building, the gallery showcases the finest in art and contemporary craft. The Red Chair gallery is a Local Artist venue for Central Oregon. Its mission is to incorporate fine art and contemporary craft, in one location, and to create an environment exclusive to regional artists for the enjoyment of the local population and the out of town visitors. The diversity of the art mediums is key to realizing the gallery’s mission.

Voted “Best Gallery in Bend” and honored with the Best of Bend – Community Choice Award 2024, Red Chair is where local creativity meets community appreciation.

📞 (541) 306-3176 Call or email for purchase info or to grab a gift certificate — and support local talent year-round.

👉 Visit Red Chair Gallery or stop by and see why it's a true Bend favorite.

🧭 Around the Bend - What’s Happening These Weeks

🧘 Yoga in the Wild

📅 Thu, Sep 4 | 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
📍 Mt. Bachelor (Southwest Century Drive, Bend)
Breathe in forest air and stretch at this one-hour Vinyasa + Hatha class set against Mt. Bachelor’s scenic backdrop.
✨ Why go: A rejuvenating blend of nature and mindful movement.
📎 visitbend.com/event-calendar

🎲 Bingo at Cascade Lakes Brewing Company

📅 Thu, Sep 4 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
📍 Cascade Lakes Brewing Co Pub (Reed Market Rd, Bend)
Join Think Wild for a bingo night supporting local wildlife advocacy—with cash prizes to boot.
✨ Why go: Fun + community impact = win-win.
📎 visitbend.com/event-calendar

🎸 Breedlove Guitars Music Night at Volcanic Theatre Pub

📅 Fri, Sep 5 | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
📍 Volcanic Theatre Pub (SW Century Drive, Bend)
Celebrate regional musicians in a community-focused music showcase courtesy of Breedlove Guitars.
✨ Why go: Great music, no cover, full local spirit.
📎 visitbend.com/event-calendar

🚂 Eastern Cascades Model RR Club — 28th Annual Open House

📅 Sat–Sun, Sep 6–7 | 10:00 am–4:00 pm
📍 Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Club (21520 Modoc Ln)
Ride-on trains, layouts, food vendors—family-friendly rail fun all weekend.
✨ Why go: A beloved annual tradition for train lovers.
🔗 Eastern Cascades Model RR Club 28th Annual Open House - Visit Bend

🎸 An Evening with Ottmar Liebert (Tower Theatre)

📅 Tue, Sep 9 | 7:30 pm
📍 Tower Theatre
A night of globally loved, Nouveau Flamenco guitar.
✨ Why go: Virtuosic, transportive melodies in an intimate hall.
🔗 Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra

🎤 Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts — Love Earth Tour

📅 Wed, Sep 10 | 7:30 pm (doors 6:00 pm)
📍 Hayden Homes Amphitheater (Old Mill District)
The legend plays Bend—outdoor show on the river.
✨ Why go: Bucket-list concert in a gorgeous venue.
🔗 Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts | Bend Concerts Official Tickets

🎶 Bend Roots Revival (Free, Multi-Venue Festival)

📅 Fri–Sun, Sep 12–14 | Various times
📍 Midtown corridor: Bunk+Brew, Domino Room, Silver Moon, M&J Tavern & more
100+ regional acts across multiple stages; all ages welcome.
✨ Why go: Bend’s grassroots music marathon returns for its 19th year.
🔗Events - Bend Roots Revival

🦆 Community Spotlight: The Great Rotary Duck Race

📅 Also Happening this MONTH

🎶 Melvin Seals & JGB’s 50th Anniversary Tour

📅 Thu, Sep 4 | 6:30 PM
📍 Midtown Ballroom
Celebrate Jerry Garcia Band legacy with a live anniversary tour featuring Melvin Seals and the gang.
🎟️ Tickets available
More Info → visitcentraloregon.com

🚴 Gravity Race Series at Mt. Bachelor

📅 Weekly Race | Friday, Sep 5 | 3:30–7:00 PM
📍 Mt. Bachelor Bike Park (off Century Dr.)
Downhill mountain bike races in a friendly, beginner-to-advanced community series. Cheer on local riders—or join the thrill yourself!
🎟️ Free to spectate
Explore More → via Visit Bend calendar

🌀 Joey Harkum at Silver Moon Brewing

📅 Sun, Sep 7 | 7:00 PM
📍 Silver Moon Brewing
Catch Bend songwriter Joey Harkum perform his soulful tunes in a cozy brewery setting.
🎟️ Tickets available (~$28)
Get Details → via ConcertFix listings

🎶 Rebecca Conner Live at Currents at the Riverhouse

📅 Fri, Sep 12 | 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Currents at the Riverhouse (Riverhouse Lodge)
Enjoy genre-blending sounds from Rebecca Conner—jazz, reggae, folk & Afrobeat—right by the Deschutes River.
✨ Why go: Intimate riverside vibes and emerging artistry.
🔗 View Event → Riverhouse site

🚴 Around Town: Any Bike You Want Raffle

Family Kitchen and Pine Mountain Sports are teaming up again for the Any Bike You Want Raffle — and this year the prize is bigger than ever!

👉 Imagine rolling out with any bike of your choice from Pine Mountain Sports valued up to $7,000 (Trek, Juliana, or Santa Cruz). Yes, any bike you want!

🎟️ Tickets are just $10 each and every ticket helps support Family Kitchen’s mission of feeding those in need. Sales run now through Friday, October 31, 2025. The winning ticket will be drawn live at Pine Mountain Sports (255 SW Century Dr.) and announced that same morning at 9:45 am.

✨ Why go: Support a great cause, fuel Bend’s cycling passion, and maybe ride away on your dream bike.

🎟️ Buy your Tickets HERE: Any Bike You Want Raffle | Family Kitchen

🏡 The Market Minute: Bend, OR

Single Family Residential Snapshot (August 2025):
Compared to July, Bend’s housing market is sending mixed signals. Prices climbed, pendings rose, and sales volume nudged higher — but closings slowed and homes are taking longer to move. Buyers remain cautious, while sellers face a tougher road to meet the market.

🔽 Key August Metrics vs. July 2025:

📈 Median Sales Price: $798,500 — up from $763,148 → a 4.6% increase, reflecting strength at higher price points.

⏱ Median Days on Market: 44 days — up from 35 → a 25.7% increase, showing homes are lingering longer.

📦 Active Inventory: 873 homes — down from 973 → a 10.3% decline, tightening supply slightly.

🏷 New Listings: 219 — down from 288 → a 24.0% drop, meaning fewer fresh options for buyers.

🛑 New Pendings: 234 — up from 201 → a 16.4% increase, signaling renewed buyer activity.

💰 Total Sales Dollar Volume: $215.9M — up from $211.1M → a 2.3% gain, showing steady overall deal flow.

🤝 Closed Sales: 203 — down from 219 → a 7.3% decline, fewer deals crossing the finish line.

🏘️ Months of Inventory: 4.3 — down from 4.4 → reported as -3.2%, though the math is closer to -2.3%, still essentially flat.

🔍 What This Tells Us

📥 Buyers
You still hold leverage with longer days on market and fewer new listings keeping choices limited. Watch for motivated sellers, but act quickly on well-priced homes since pendings picked up.

📤 Sellers
The good news: prices and pendings are up. The challenge: buyers are selective and closings are slipping. Sharp pricing and a move-in-ready presentation remain critical to stand out.

🎯 Tip for the Moment

• Buyers: Take advantage of lower prices, but don’t wait too long — closings are ticking upward again.
  

• Sellers: Deals are happening, but only for homes priced competitively. Meet buyers where they are, or risk sitting.

💡Pro Insight: With median prices up 4.6% in August, pendings up 16.4%, but closings down 7.3%, Bend’s market is sending mixed signals. Sellers who adapt to conditions get results. Buyers who act decisively secure value.

Pro-Tip given by Bend Butte Property and 📊 Data provided by Domus Analytics — a trusted source for real estate market insights.*

* Disclaimer: Market data may vary. Always consult your local real estate professional or MLS for the most accurate and current information.

Also Interesting: 🏞️THE ULTIMATE RELOCATION GUIDE TO BEND 🏞️
🟢 #10 (of 20): A Guide to Bend’s Four Seasons 🟢
Bend experiences all four seasons in a high-desert climate — a major draw for many buyers. Here’s what to expect and how to make the most of each part of the year.

📚 Earlier in This Series:
🔵 1. The Ultimate Relocation Guide to Bend
🔵 2. Top 10 Neighborhoods for Newcomers
🔵 3. Cost of Living in Bend (2025 Edition)
🔵 4. Renting vs. Buying in Bend
🔵 5. Bend Homebuyer’s Checklist
🔵 6. Your First Year in Bend: What to Know & What to Do
🔵 7. Outdoor Recreation Guide
🔵 8. E-Bike Friendly Neighborhoods & Trails
🔵 9. Dog Owners’ Guide to Bend

To receive the full guide:

💰 Lender Spotlight: Aaron Callahan – Hilltop Home Loans

🛠️ Builder Spotlight: LUMA Vista Investment, Inc.

Looking for high-quality new construction from a builder you can trust?
🏡 LUMA Vista Investment, Inc. has earned a reputation as one of Central Oregon’s most respected homebuilders — with over 700 homes completed across communities in Central Oregon, including Tetherow, Sisters, Redmond, and beyond.

Led by owner Tony, LUMA Vista blends craftsmanship with integrity. Based on our own experience, LUMA Vista not only delivers exceptional work, but he’s also someone you can count on — reliable, transparent, and committed to doing things the right way.

🏡 Realtor Spotlight: Tom Graup – Bend Butte Properties

(BBP / Knipe Realty)

Bend Butte Properties/ Knipe RE – Local Roots, Trusted Results

Looking to buy or sell in Bend? 🌄 Trust local Realtor Thomas (Tom) Graup of Bend Butte Properties – backed by Knipe Realty ERA Powered. With a deep knowledge of Bend and a professional background in negotiation and client service, Tom brings more than real estate expertise — he brings care, strategy, and a passion for helping others thrive in Bend.

💬 Testimonials – Happy Customers

Why We Chose Them

This month, our Hometown Hero Spotlight shines on the Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO) — an organization that has been a cornerstone of compassion in our community for decades. Their vision isn’t just about providing shelter, but about creating a future where every animal is safe, healthy, and loved.

Their Vision

HSCO envisions a community where all companion animals are treated with kindness and respect, where homelessness and neglect are rare, and where people and pets thrive together. Through adoption services, veterinary care, education programs, and community outreach, they work tirelessly to make that vision a reality right here in Bend.

Why It Matters

From connecting families with their new best friend 🐶🐱 to providing vital support services for animals in need, HSCO embodies what it means to be a true Hometown Hero. Their work touches countless lives — both two- and four-legged — and Bend is better for it.

🏔️ Parks and Recreation🚴‍♂️

Learn how Old Coast Pickleball turned two courts into a thriving community and use their playbook to launch or grow your own club. Plus, get a free PDF download of 10 essential tips for opening your pickleball club.

🎲Take a Break – "ZeitSpiel" 🎲

🔮 What’s Just Around the Corner in Bend & Beyond — October

October in Central Oregon means crisp afternoons, golden leaves underfoot, and that unmistakable scent of woodsmoke in the air. The season of harvest, costumes, and cozy nights is here — here’s what to watch for:

🍂 Fall in Full Color
• Pumpkin patches and corn mazes are open for business 🎃🌽
• Cider houses and breweries are rolling out spiced seasonal pours 🍎🍺
• Leaf-peeping hikes along the Cascade Lakes Highway are at their peak 🍁🥾
• Farmers markets are shifting to their final weeks — stock up before winter ❄️

👻 Spirited Celebrations
• Haunted houses and ghost tours return for thrill seekers 🏚️👀
• Costume contests and trick-or-treat events take over downtown 🎭🍬
• Harvest festivals with live music, crafts, and comfort food abound 🎶🥧

📚 Community & Connection
• Local theaters debut fall plays and film screenings 🎬🎭
• Libraries launch cozy autumn reading challenges 📖☕
• Volunteer opportunities pop up ahead of the holiday season 🙌💙

📸 And yes… October’s Photo Clue will be a little spooky. Keep your eyes peeled! 👀

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🌀 Curated. Local. 100% Bend.

A Final Note

🍃 As we step into September...

Until next time, keep an eye on the Zeit.

Stay curious. Stay connected. Stay local.

Disclaimer:
All content featured in this publication is curated from publicly available sources, official announcements, and community resources. BendZeit does not claim ownership of any third-party material, and every effort has been made to ensure proper attribution where applicable. No copyright infringement is intended.