If you’ve driven by, you’ve probably noticed the scaffolding. The look of Westside Bakery, which has stayed consistent for…maybe forever…is getting a makeover. It sounds like they might even mix up the color scheme from their traditional blue.

There is a new theater downtown in Tin Pan Alley. You won’t find them playing Titanic in 3D.

From a more detailed piece a few days ago in the Source:

Their bread and butter will be documentaries, independent films, locally made films, foreign films and “some of the artsy mainstream films,” which they hope will generate conversation for patrons.

It’s not all deep and meaningful, though. They’re planning to offer Cult Classic midnight showings starting later in the spring with films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. They’ll do Spaghetti Western nights with all you can eat spaghetti, and Saturday morning cartoons, too.

Admission is $6, they are closed Monday’s. I think this is going to be a welcome addition to downtown. Check out their FB page for a current movie times.

Tin Pan Theater
869 NW Tin Pan Alley
Phone: 541-639-7711
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tin-Pan-Theater/297866646920246
Website: http://tinpantheater.com/

Part of starting the blog was giving me a reason to better understand how different social properties mix together. When it came to Pinterest, I’m still not exactly sure the best use for it is, as it relates to WhatTheBend. But as you might have heard, it recently became the #3 social network behind Facebook and Twitter.

I created a board with links straight to the ‘jobs’ pages of most all of the top employers in Bend. There are a few missing, since Pinterest will only let you pin images – and a couple of sites didn’t have any images.

So, if you’re looking for a job in Bend, and are on Pinterest – check out my Top Bend Employers board. And if I left anyone out – let me know.

Update: Well, it looks like Trattoria Sbandati isn’t going anywhere for the time being. That’s the last time I trust a shirtless guy downtown whispering secrets…

Word is that Trattoria Sbandati is moving into the old Bourbon Street location. And this is no April Fools joke (see previous post). This is great news for a great restaurant. If you’ve never been to Trattoria Sbandati, it’s excellent authentic Italian.

The downtown spot should be much better for business; they’re currently located at the bottom of College Way. I haven’t heard timing yet, but will update as I hear more…

Trattoria Sbandati Details:
Dinner: Tuesday – Saturday 5:00 – close
Address: 1444 Northwest College Way # 4  Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 306-6825

This hasn’t been announced yet, but Ben Harper will be coming through Bend after his July 5th show at Edgefield. It’s rumored to be announced within the next two weeks. I’ll share more details as I have them.

UPDATE: Sorry, guys…but today is April 1st. No Ben Harper concert in Bend.

Everyone knows Art, right? Our friend sitting downtown on the corner of Bond and Franklin? Well, now he has a bit more of a personality. He’s on Twitter. And Facebook. And why shouldn’t he be? He’s one of Bend’s most famous people.

So far, his tweets are funny stuff. You can follow him on Twitter at @ArtBend or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArtBend

My goal with this post is not to take sides, but to share with those who haven’t yet heard of this group being formed. A Facebook group was started yesterday, and after a little less than 24 hours has 1,300+ members. This could be somewhat deceiving though as it appears that many (as I was) were added to the group automatically.

Frustration with Mt. Bachelor (this links to a PDF) is nothing new, but their most recent announcement of cutting back to Thursday – Sunday during the month of May has pushed many people over the edge, and I think ultimately sparked the creation of this group.

The purpose of the group? It’s clearly in very early stages, but here is a bit more detail from a document that was created within the group:

The Community Buyout of Mt Bachelor has been formed to create a discussion forum and efficient communication link between the members of the Central Oregon community that would be interested in seeing Mt Bachelor become a community owned, financially viable, not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to providing a significantly better experience to local and non-local guests. By eliminating the profit motive of a corporate owner (Powdr Corporation), Mt Bachelor can be liberated to revise its operations for the benefit of its patrons and the Central Oregon community as a whole. A short list of desirable changes might include extending the snowriding season to begin earlier and end later, increasing the daily hours of operation, increasing the lift operation schedule to run ALL of the lifts that are possible, preventative lift maintenance (not disruptive “break-fix”), improving the quality of the food & beverage services, adding summer activities such as lift served downhill mountain biking, major concerts and festivals, and adding other amenities and programs that would help to make Mt Bachelor a truly extraordinary destination. The possibilities are endless. We can re-invent Mt Bachelor!!

 Since the time that Powdr Corporation acquired Mt Bachelor, locals have complained about a systematic reduction and degradation of mountain operations and services, the obvious purpose of which has been to reduce expenses in order to improve profits for Powdr Corporation’s owners. If Mt Bachelor were community owned, operating priorities would strive to balance financial viability with the best interests of the season pass holders, day pass holders and the Central Oregon community. Success would be redefined from profits to STOKE!!!

Next Steps:

1. ADD MEMBERS to this group so that we can form a large and connected base of support. PLEASE INVITE YOUR CENTRAL OREGON FRIENDS TO JOIN THIS GROUP!!!!

2. ASSESS INTEREST among our community in participating in a Buyout in which a few thousand people would contribute, say $5,000 – $10,000 each, in exchange for an ownership share in the new not-for-profit version of Mt Bachelor, and a LIFETIME SEASON PASS.

3. ASSESS POWDR CORP’s RECEPTIVITY TO SELLING MT BACHELOR and their required terms of sale. Note: We shouldn’t underestimate the influence that several thousand current season pass holders could have, if organized, upon the terms of a Buyout, or upon Powdr’s willingness to sell. In effect, WE CAN PERSUADE THEM to “see things our way” because we hold significant influence over their business results. We are their customers. They NEED US and they can not succeed without us. They have had their chance to operate Mt Bachelor and they have shown us very clearly what their priorities are.

LET’S DO THIS, PEOPLE!!! LET’S TAKE BACK MT BACHELOR!!!!

Again, this post is not to promote an agenda for one side or the other (notice no ranting or raving) – but simply to create awareness of a topic that is a current source of frustration for many in the community. The idea is that awareness will help lead to greater communication between both sides, which should be a positive.

If you haven’t used it, you’ve probably heard of it. Pinterest. A virtual pinboard where you can organize and share all the things that you find on the web.

A bit of a late adopter on this one, I created an account for WhatTheBend. As a start, I knew that Bend had been showing up on a lot of “lists” lately – best places to retire, one of the fittest cities in the west, etc. So – I created a board for “Bend list appearances” here.

Similar to WhatTheBend’s YouTube channel - I’ll likely use it as a place to curate Bend related content – so follow me if that’s up your alley.

I was given a heads up that this show was coming to town. I hadn’t heard of Little Tybee, so decided to check them out on Facebook. They’re playing at the Common Table on Tuesday, March 27th.

So who are they? From their Facebook page:

Little Tybee is something of a mini orchestra with its ever-evolving five to ten members all engaged in intricate musicianship. Their name comes from a tiny island off the coast of their native Georgia, where legend has it, an undetonated atomic bomb from the 1950s lies missing.

They’re on tour promoting their new album coming out this Spring as a follow-up to their “Humorous To Bees” album released last Spring. Playing at SXSW in Austin this week, check them out at the Common Table March 27th. A $5 donation is preferred.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Real Food Street Bistro is the new cart / truck in town. (Is it cart or truck?). Fresh. Local. Real. That’s their slogan. And talking to them – it sounds like that’s what they pride themselves on.

They’re located at 535 1/2 NW Columbia, just down from Hutch’s right against the empty corner lot. They’ve got tables and a fire pit in the back where you can eat or wait for your food.

Below is the grilled cheese, chips and pickle I ordered earlier tonight, which was really good. Not just any grilled cheese – an inside out grilled cheese – Swiss, boursin and feta cheese with arugula and drunken onions on an inside out Baked bakery baguette for $7. So good.

Definitely head down and try them out.

Real Food Bistro Details
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realfoodstreetbistro/
Website: http://www.realfoodstreetbistro.com/
Phone: (541) 771-REAL (you can call ahead)
Hours (TBD, but for now): Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 7pm