What's New

Chamber’s Spring Showcase at the COBA 17th Annual Spring Home & Garden Show

     This is the premier home and garden show in Central Oregon and features hundreds of professionals in one location. It’s a one-stop shop for any construction or landscape project in addition to general business products and services. New exhibits will provide attendees with numerous ideas and resources.
     This year the Bend Chamber partnered with the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) to offer our Chamber members an opportunity to “showcase” their business. Be a part of this fun 3-day event, May 1-3, 2009, at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. Our Chamber Member businesses will be featured in 10x10 booth spaces along the upper level concourse inside the Expo Center’s Arena facility. The cost is just $395 for your space – there are no additional costs (unless you desire a wireless Internet connection).
    Can you really afford not to “showcase” your business in one of the BIGGEST Expo shows in Central Oregon? We all need to take advantage of any and all opportunities to market our businesses. This event is fun to attend and we want you to partner with the Bend Chamber in featuring your business, services and products.
     To receive a contract and registration packet, please contact Lindi DeWolf, lindi@bendchamber.org.
 

Bank of the Cascades Pledges Donation to United Way of Deschutes County for Each New Checking Account Opened

     In the spirit of supporting the local community, Bank of the Cascades has launched a unique program benefiting United Way of Deschutes County. The bank will contribute $10 to United Way for each new checking account opened between March 16 and June 30, 2009.
     “As part of our ongoing commitment to community giving, we’re collaborating with United Way to accomplish two goals: provide needed financial support to local social service agencies and put local dollars to work in our local community,” said Patricia L. Moss, Bank of the Cascades CEO.
     The campaign includes Bank of the Cascades branches in Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and Prineville. The bank’s contribution will be valid for new personal and business checking accounts opened with $1,500 or more in new money.
     “This is a tough environment for nonprofits like us,” said Ken Wilhelm, Executive Director, United Way. “With the economy taking a toll on jobs and income, we’re finding it to be a challenging fundraising environment at the same time that more people are in need of services. We’re grateful to Bank of the Cascades for asking us to join them in this campaign. This gives us another opportunity to connect with citizens and educate them about what we do and how our services support Central Oregon.”
 

     The Leadership Bend Class of 2009 is hosting the Leadership Bend Alumni Reunion for all past graduates of Leadership Bend.
     The event will take place at the Bend Golf and Country Club on May 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Come network with your fellow classmates and other graduates. The event is free to all alumni and a guest.
To register for the event, go to www.bendchamber.org/lsb. If you haven’t been contacted yet by a member of the Leadership Bend Class to update your contact information, call the Gayle Najera at the Bend Chamber at 382-3221.
     Also, make sure to look for the Leadership Bend Alumni Network on Facebook. Become a fan and stay updated with the latest information about classes, events, and much more!
 

The Hasson Company Realtors to sponsor 33rd Annual U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle

     The Pacific Northwest’s leading independently owned real estate brokerage, The Hasson Company Realtors, will sponsor the 33rd Annual U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle (PPP) competition on Saturday, May 16, 2009.
     In addition to the three teams participating from The Hasson Company’s Bend branch, a fourth Hasson team from the Portland-area offices will join the event. Volunteers at The Hasson Company booth will hand out water and snacks and answer any real estate questions visitors may have. At the kid’s PPP event on Sunday, May 17, 2009, 20 Hasson agents will volunteer to set up obstacle courses and assist children throughout the day.
     “The PPP delivers an unforgettable experience; it is the perfect blend of teamwork, competition and fitness,” says Mike Hasson, president and owner of The Hasson Company Realtors. “And the event helps the businesses of Central Oregon thrive.”
     Money raised through the PPP event supports the Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (MBSEF), a nonprofit organization that provides youth programs dedicated to promote competitive Alpine racing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and cycling. Some of MBSEF’s students have even gone on to compete on an international level.
     For more information about the event, visit www.hasson.com/ppp.
 

Meet Live Wolves at The High Desert Museum

     Meet live wolves face-to-face at The High Desert Museum with Colorado’s Mission: Wolf refuge and education project on April 18 and 19. Look into the eyes of these legendary, charismatic predators, and learn about their crucial role in a diverse, balanced ecosystem.
     In the program, visitors will meet the refuge’s ambassador wolves, Magpie, age seven, and Abe, age three. The refuge’s ambassador wolves typically are wolves that had been raised in captivity and cannot survive in the wild because they depend on humans for food.
     Mission: Wolves encourage people to connect with wildlife. By looking into the eyes of live wolves, they gain respect for them and are inspired to sustain wildlife. People usually fear meeting a wolf up close, but the unique Mission: Wolf experience allows people to easily overcome that fear and have it transformed into compassion.
     The events traditionally sell out. Tickets: $20. Members, $10. Tickets and information: 382-4754, ext. 241, www.highdesertmuseum.org and at the Museum.
 

Identity Theft, Don’t be a Victim!

When: May 11, 2009
Where: Deschutes Public Library, Brooks Room
601 NW Wall St Bend, OR 97701
Presenter: Ed Guest, CRPS of Waddell & Reed

Learn how to avoid identity theft and what to do if you’ve already been victimized.
Adults only please. No products sold, information only. Snacks provided.
 

Be an Ambassador of a Foreign Country for a Day

     Hungary, Uruguay, England, Russia, France…Is one of these your native or adopted culture? Or perhaps you would like to share a different world culture with others?
     Share your culture at the Third Annual High Desert Inter-Cultural Festival held at Redmond High School’s International School of the Cascades in Redmond on Saturday April 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
     You can help others learn about your culture by having a display booth showcasing cultural items and information about a country or through a workshop where you can present or demonstrate a unique aspect of your culture.
     Participation in the festival is free. So please join us on our quest to “bring people together to learn about and celebrate our different cultures.”
     To register and for more information, please contact Barb Eager at 447-0732. The festival is offered by R.I.C.E., Redmond Inter-Cultural Exchange, which is a project of Latino Community Association.
 

Local organizations receive funding for matched savings program

     Up to 75 Central Oregon lower income families will have an opportunity to increase their savings to achieve their goals. Housing Works, NeighborImpact, the Partnership to End Poverty, and Warm Springs Community Action Team announced in March the organizations have been allocated a combined $200,000 for their matched savings Individual Development Account programs.
     The Individual Development Accounts, called IDAs, are an innovative matched savings program to help hard working Oregonians gain greater financial security and financial management skills. Participants who have saved between $25 and $84 each month have their savings matched at a ratio of 3 to 1. At the end of 3 years, in some cases, this could mean that as much as $12,000 might be available to the participant for the purchase of an asset. The IDA money can be used for homeownership, microenterprises, further post-secondary education, home repair and renovation, or adaptive equipment technology with specialized training. During the savings period, program participants also attend financial education and other classes related to their savings goals to help secure financial self-sufficiency in the future.
         For information on the IDA program, call NeighborImpact at 548-2380 x138, the Partnership to End Poverty at 504-1389, Housing Works at 923-1018, or Warm Springs Community Action Team at 553-3148.
 

     Ever wonder what your dog treats are REALLY made of? A new Bend company has developed several new all natural dog cookie mixes, even a picky dog will like. These mixes allow you to quickly and easily bake batches of more than 70 dog cookies at home.
     Maggie’s Dog Munchies was developed by longtime Bend resident Judy Duncan when her local source of treats for her two-year-old wire fox terrier, Maggie, was no longer available. After some research and recipe experimenting, she finally found cookies that Maggie and the dog friends in the neighborhood liked. Duncan created four mixes: apple, oats & ginger; cheesy; barbecue and peanut butter.
     All mixes are produced in Bend. No wheat or corn, sugar or salt is in any mix. All ingredients are natural and food grade. Since you add the wet ingredients, you know they are safe and healthy. Mini cookie cutters are included with every mix, many different shapes are available, a great way to start a collection.
     Maggie’s Dog Munchies is available in several retail stores in Bend or you can visit the Web site at www.Maggiesdogmunchies.com.
 

Free Financial Workshops in April

     Two free financial workshops will be held in April 2009 at Mid Oregon Credit Union, 1386 NE Cushing Drive, Bend, at 6:00 p.m. Participants can call 382-1795 to reserve a seat.
     Thursday, April 23, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. Internet Banking and eBillPay Basics, presented by Ray Spreier, Mid Oregon Credit Union VP/CIO
     Online banking and eBillPay offer many benefits for conducting business in a fast, simple, and safe manner. Making sure your money is where it’s supposed to be, when it’s supposed to be there, is getting simpler all the time with electronic services. Learn the basics and get started.
     Tuesday, April 28, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. College Planning, hosted by JC Hallman, Financial Advisor, Members Financial Services
     Do college costs feel out of reach? Just about everyone agrees that an education pays. The real question is how to pay for an education. The good news is there are lots of tax-advantaged savings plans, tax breaks, and aid programs to help pay the bills. The important step is to start saving now – it’s never too late. Learn sound strategies for keeping a college education within reach. Topics to be covered include:
     • Inflation and college costs
     • Choosing a funding option
     • Calculating funding needs
     • Investment strategies
     • Tax-advantaged savings strategies
     • The cost of procrastination
 

     Thursday, April 23 at its Bend showroom, the firm will team up with Ginger’s Kitchenware and WineStyles, offering three free sessions over two hours.
     At 5:30 p.m., certified master designer Kathleen Donohue will present the latest in kitchen design and remodeling, reviewing good designs, tips on cabinets, countertops, appliances and creation of an efficient workspace. She will show several of her award-winning projects.
     At 6:30 p.m., an informal cooking demonstration by Ginger’s Kitchenware and wine-pairing by WineStyles will take place in the new Neil Kelly showroom kitchen.
     Neil Kelly’s Bend showroom is located at 190 NE Irving Ave. in Bend. Further information on these free seminars or the entire series is available on the web at www.neilkelly.com or by calling
(541) 382-7580.
 

     Technical Assistance for Community Services (TACS), Nonprofit Network of Central Oregon (NNCO) and Bank of the Cascades have joined forces to provide a comprehensive training series designed to provide valuable tools and resources on nonprofit management and development issues. The topic of discussion will be Board Reports: What Information Does Your Board Need?
     The workshop is open to anyone who works at, is on the board of, or raises money for a non-profit. This event will take place on April 22, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the St. Charles Medical Center, Conference Center. The cost is $25. To register go to www.tacs.org.
 

OSU-Cascades Campus Hosts College Transfer Fair

     Oregon State University - Cascades Campus will host a Transfer Fair for community members interested in learning about the campus’ application process and exploring degree programs, as well as for Central Oregon Community College students interested in transferring to OSU-Cascades to complete their bachelor’s degree.
     During the fair, which will be held on Wednesday, April 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., admissions specialists and faculty members from OSU-Cascades’ 11 undergraduate programs will be available to assist prospective students in advance of the May 1 transfer application deadline for the upcoming fall term.
     The Transfer Fair will take place in Cascades Hall on College Way in Bend. Faculty members will be available from noon to 1:00 p.m. Reservations are not necessary. For more information about OSU-Cascades visit www.osucascades.edu or call (541) 322-3100.
 

Saving Grace Announces New Board Member – Christina Casanueva

     Christina Casanueva has become the newest Saving Grace board member. Christina has always been fascinated and passionate about growing businesses with smart marketing and out-of-the-box creativity and was propelled by entrepreneurial octane very early in her business career. Christina is a business owner, marketer, writer, strategist and researcher, developer, designer, mom, and soon to be a wife. She pours her heart into the ventures she undertakes and looks forward to supporting the Saving Grace vision of life without violence.
 

SolAire Homebuilders Receives 2009 ENERGY STAR Homes Award

     SolAire Homebuilders received the 2009 Regional Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes Award among small sized builders in Oregon. Selected among many other builders across the state of Oregon, SolAire has demonstrated excellence as a green and sustainable builder in several focus areas.
     One hundred percent of all their custom homes built in 2008 were certified as ENERGY STAR. In fact, one of the ENERGY STAR homes was also the first LEED Platinum home certified in Central Oregon.
     “We are grateful to have homeowners and designers who enjoy partnering with SolAire to create and inspire sustainable living strategies into their new custom homes,” explains Cindi O’Neil, Vice President SolAire.
     Northwest ENERGY STAR looks to reward builders who promote energy efficiency demonstration projects.
     For more information go to www.solairehomebuilders.com or call (541) 383-2140.
 

St. Charles Foundation Receives Grant for Neonatal Treatment Equipment

     Thanks to the efforts of a Sisters High School Student, the St. Charles Bend Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will receive funding from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Oregon to purchase new equipment. The local Ronald McDonald House and the national office of the organization, each provided $4,692.50 for a total grant of $9,385.
     The grant proposal was prepared and submitted by Courtney Acarregui, a senior at Sisters High School, as part of a school event meant to raise funds for the St. Charles Bend NICU. The money will support the purchase of one neoBlue LED phototherapy light and two neoBlue Mini LED phototherapy lights, which are used to treat jaundice symptoms in newborns.
     “We are grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for the funding of this important equipment and to Courtney Acarregui for her work in making the grant a possibility,” said Ed McNeil, manager of the St. Charles Bend NICU.
 

Steele Associates/Clients Win Four Green Building of America Awards

     Steele Associates Architects, and their clients, are proud to announce that from more than 2,500 nominated projects, Community First Bank Mill Quarter Branch, Bend, OR; Aircraft Rubber/Fuel Safe Manufacturing Facility, Redmond, OR; Bechtel Office Building, Richland, WA; and the 9th and Rose Retail Center, Walla Walla, WA, have been selected as Green Building of America Award-winning projects and will be featured in the upcoming special Green Success Stories edition of Real Estate & Construction Review-Northwest. Each Green Building of America Success Story project will be highlighted in a case study that intertwines the words of the project’s owner/developer, consultants, architects and contractors to explain how the teams worked together to design and build one of the region’s most important, innovative or unique new or renovated sustainable facilities. The Real Estate & Construction Review has been published by Construction Communications since 1999.