In this Issue of C.O. Local BUZZ…

🌄 Bend, OR Weather

📰 Local News - What’s a Happening?

🛣️⚠️Weekly Road Construction Update Week of December 10 to December 16

🏥⚖️St. Charles Joins Appeal Against Oregon's Mental Health Neglect, Urges Long-Term Care for Vulnerable Patients

👶MountainStar Family Relief Nursery Launches Fundraising Drive for Facility Purchase in Madras

🏙️🏘️💵Bend awarding $1.2 million in block grants for affordable housing

 🎉🛒Coming Soon! Offers from Local Businesses

📅 Lots of Events

We Want To Spotlight Your Business!

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We ❤️ Local Businesses!
We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you're a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! "Central Oregon Local Buzz" is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our town. Let's collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special. Send us a message, and let's celebrate the spirit of Central Oregon together!  [email protected]

OR

Weekly Road Construction Update Week of December 10 to December 16

Skyline Ranch Road Crack Sealing (Bend Area) – Crack sealing work will be occurring along Skyline Ranch Road between Century Drive and Skyliners Road.

Traffic Information – Single-lane closures facilitated by flaggers will be occurring. Road users should expect delays of up to 20 minutes during work hours. Work hours are 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Gribbling Road Bridge Replacement (Bend Area) – Mobilization of equipment will be occurring on Gribbling Road near the Central Oregon Irrigation canal.

Traffic Information – Road users should expect trucks and equipment entering/exiting the roadway. Gribbling Road will be closed to traffic at the Central Oregon Irrigation canal starting Dec. 18.

Hunnell Road: Loco Road to Tumalo Road Improvement (Bend Area) – Signing work will be occurring. Work will include installation of radar speed signs at various locations along Hunnell Road.

Traffic Information – Shoulder closures will be occurring on Hunnell Road. Road users should expect delays. Hunnell Road also remains closed to through traffic between Loco Road and Rogers Road. Local residents should access Bowery Lane from U.S. Highway 97.

Powell Butte Highway & Butler Market Road Utility Work (Bend Area) – Underground utility work will be occurring near the intersection of Powell Butte Highway with Butler Market Road.

Traffic Information – Single-lane closures facilitated by flaggers will be occurring along Powell Butte Highway and Butler Market Road. Road users should expect delays of up to 20 minutes during work hours.

U.S. Highway 20: Tumalo - Cooley Project (Bend Area) – Miscellaneous trimming and cleanup work will be occurring near the Cook Avenue-O.B. Riley Road intersection and the U.S. 20-Old Bend Redmond Highway intersection.

Traffic Information – The U.S. 20/Old Bend-Redmond Highway and U.S. 20/Cook Avenue roundabouts are both open to traffic. Intermittent road work will continue near both roundabouts through early December.

St. Charles Joins Appeal Against Oregon's Mental Health Neglect, Urges Long-Term Care for Vulnerable Patients

Four major community hospital systems—Legacy Health, Providence Health & Services, PeaceHealth, and St. Charles Health System—have appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit against the state of Oregon, accusing the state of neglecting the rights of mentally ill individuals.

They argue that Oregon fails to provide proper mental health treatment for civilly committed patients, keeping them in acute care hospitals instead of specialized facilities, hindering their recovery and affecting hospital capacity for acute mental health cases.

The hospitals stress that civilly committed patients, meant for long-term care, remain in acute care hospitals for extended periods, up to a year, which compromises their treatment. They highlight how this situation limits the hospitals' ability to address acute mental health crises in the community.

Oregon law permits civil commitment for up to 180 days for those posing danger to themselves or others due to severe mental illness. Rather than transferring these individuals to appropriate long-term facilities, the state leaves them in community hospitals, which aren't equipped for extended psychiatric care.

The hospitals emphasize the urgent need for mentally ill individuals to be placed in specialized long-term care facilities, such as secure residential treatment facilities or the Oregon State Hospital, to receive appropriate treatment and regain their freedom.

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery Launches Fundraising Drive for Facility Purchase in Madras

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, a crucial child abuse prevention service in Jefferson County, has initiated a community-driven campaign aimed at securing the long-term stability of its services. The organization is in the process of purchasing its facility in Madras and needs to raise $100,000 by January 5th to meet the down payment requirement.

The urgency of the fundraising effort is tied to a conditional grant awarded to MountainStar. This grant is designated for renovating the building to expand essential spaces like a new classroom, kitchen, and offices. Failure to acquire the property would result in the forfeiture of the grant funds for renovation.

To encourage community involvement, the Bean Foundation has pledged $40,000 to match donations received for the building purchase. This matching grant presents an opportunity for donors to double the impact of their contributions made before the January 5th deadline.

Kara Tachikawa, Executive Director of MountainStar, expressed gratitude for the Bean Foundation's support and emphasized the significance of this initiative for the families and staff in Madras. Tachikawa highlighted the necessity for a better facility to enhance services and create a more conducive environment for both staff and families.

MountainStar urges the Madras community to support their cause by contributing to the $100,000 down payment. The organization invites locals to visit the site, engage with staff, and understand the vision behind the renovation project's potential to improve services for children and families.

George Neilson, a Bean Foundation Board member, praised MountainStar's longstanding contribution to the community's most vulnerable children and encouraged others to join in supporting the facility's purchase for program stability and expansion.

To participate in the capital campaign or make a donation toward the down payment, individuals can visit mtstar.org/donate or contact Staley Micken at [email protected].

MountainStar expressed immense gratitude to the Madras community for their ongoing support and commitment to creating a better future for children and families in Jefferson County.

**About MountainStar:**

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery is a local nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by providing vital services to vulnerable children and families in Central Oregon. Over 22 years, they've supported over 5,500 children, providing therapeutic classrooms, parenting education, and family support.

**About the Bean Foundation:**

Established in 1981 by Mr. Al Bean, the Bean Foundation focuses on enhancing the lives of children, young families, and young adults in Jefferson County through grants and support.

For more information about the campaign, events, and donations, visit www.mtstar.org.

Bend awarding $1.2 million in block grants for affordable housing

 $1.2 million from the City of Bend is going to block grants for developers who plan to create affordable housing.

The city says this year’s applicants are proposing a large number of affordable housing units

“We received six applications totaling 333 proposed units. So that’s really exciting,” said Mellissa Kamanya, City of Bend Affordable Housing Coordinator.

The applicants have to present their plans before the city’s affordable housing advisory committee, which will decide how the money is distributed.

The decision likely won’t be official until January.

We are working hard to bring you great Deals and Offers from our Local Businesses. Let us know which businesses you would like to have offers from and what Type of offers….👇

If you have more than one preference you can always comment on the poll once an answer has been submitted.

**The poll can only be done in the EMAIL Version, we apologize for any inconvenience.

What’s Up Central Oregon?

❄️Winter Wonderland Downtown Bend

Starting Nov. 15th, Bend downtown stores will be decorating their windows and stores for the 2023 Winter Wonderland contest.  Sponsored by Downtown Bend Association, contest winners will be announced Jan 15th.  In the meantime, wander the streets of downtown seeing the magic that store owners have created for the holidays. 

Holiday Light Show

• Sunriver Resort Backyard Cafe & Bar 17600 Center Drive Sunriver, Oregon

  By Sunriver Resort

  05:30 PM - 08:30 PM      

  Experience the magic of Sunriver Resort transformed into a holiday wonderland with our spectacular light show set to festive music. Grab a warm beverage and join us for our Holiday Light Show, happening three times a night! Nightly at 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm at the Backyard Cafe & Bar (behind the Lodge),

  November 19, 2023 - January 1, 2024.  

December 12th (Tuesday)

• Know Gather - Wreath Making Workshop East Bend Library 62080 Dean Swift Road Bend

  6pm - 7:30 pm

• Bingo at the Bag Village Bar & Grill 57100 Beaver Drive, Bldg. #7 Sunriver

  6:30pm

  Start your work week by having fun and supporting the Rotary Club of Sunriver-La Pine! Invite your friends and family to play Bingo at Village Bar & Grill in The Village at Sunriver. Arrive by 6:15 p.m. and games start at 6:30 p.m. The games are played in the lounge so it's for guests 21 years old and older.

December 13th (Wednesday)

• Grace Cooper live at High Desert Music Hall By High Desert Music Hall

  High Desert Music Hall 818 SW Forest Ave Redmond

  6pm - 8pm Free

• Geminids Meteor Shower Snowshoe Tour Wanderlust Tours 61535 S. Hwy 97, #13 Bend

  7 pm - 11pm

  Tickets $120

• Central Oregon Youth Orchestra 2023 Winter Concert By Tower Theatre Foundation Tower Theatre 835 NW Wall St. Bend

  Tickets

  $16 - $21 (plus $4 Historic Preservation fee)

  7pm - 9pm

 December 14th (Thursday)

• The Night Before The Night Before Christmas Cascades Theatrical Company 

  7:30pm

  Tickets Seniors/Students $32 Adults $35

• Paul Eddy Cascade Lakes Pub on Reed Market 21175 SE Reed Market Road, Lot #2 Bend

  5pm - 7pm Free

• Customer Appreciation Event Fly and Field Outfitters 35 SW Century Dr, Bend 

  4pm - 8pm

December 15th (Friday)

•  Tumalo Creek Holiday Lights Paddle Parade

  Join us again this year for one of Bend's most anticipated holiday events—the Tumalo Creek Holiday Lights Paddle Parade!

  Here’s how it works: Paddlers dress up in costume and decorate their kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards with colorful, battery-operated lights and holiday gear. From there, shortly before sunset, the parade kicks off from the Tumalo Creek shop on the Deschutes River before heading through the Old Mill District in Bend.

  Avid paddlers are encouraged to join, and spectators can watch from paved paths along the Deschutes River and from the Old Mill District Flag Bridge, which crosses the winding waterway.

• Sip & Shop Ladies Night

  River Bend Resale Boutique 200 NE Greedwood Ave Bend

  6pm - 9pm

• SantaLand Santa will be at The Old Mill District next to Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe, Friday, December 15, Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17, 2023, 11:00am to 5:00pm.  

• Painted Candles Workshop Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards 70450 NW Lower Valley Drive Terrebonne

  12 pm - 5pm

  Tickets $30   

   

December 16th (Saturday)

• Comedy At Craft: Jasmine Rogers

  Craft Kitchen & Brewery 62988 Layton Avenue Bend

  Tickets $15

  8pm - 9:30pm

• Jefferson Hope Trio Rivers Place 787 NE Purcell

  Bend 

  6pm - 8pm

•  Winter Market at the Distillery Oregon Spirit Distillers 740 NE 1st St, Bend

  1pm 

December 17th (Sunday)

•  Ghost of Brian Craig Rivers Place 787 NE Purcell

  Bend  5pm - 7pm

• The Train Man Returns! @ Downtown Bend Library

  It was nearly 25 years ago when Michael “The Train Man” Lavrich started sharing his model trains with delighted children—and adults—at the Downtown Bend Library. In the decades since then, his annual display of model trains has become a highly anticipated holiday tradition for countless families in Central Oregon. This year Lavrich is back to share the trains with young and old alike. WHERE: Downtown Bend Library (601 NW Wall Street, Bend) WHEN:

      December 16, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–5:30 p.m.

      December 17, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–5:30 p.m.

      December 18, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–6:00 p.m.

      December 19, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–6:00 p.m.

      December 21, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–6:00 p.m.

      December 22, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–6:00 p.m.

      December 23, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., 3–5:30 p.m.

  

Deschutes Public Library Calendar

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