Good morning, this is your Bend Local Frequency for Saturday, February 14.
What a perfect Valentine's Day to kick off with Bend Winterfest 2026 raging all day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Old Mill District. Picture this: ice carvers twisting frozen blocks into stunning sculptures, fire shows lighting up the night, festive lights twinkling everywhere, and live music pumping through the crisp air Friday and Saturday nights. Families are flocking for the special OMSI science demos, while thrill-seekers gear up for the high-energy ski and snowboard rally. It's Central Oregon's biggest winter bash, blending artisans, vendors, and that unbeatable community vibe, turning a chilly weekend into pure magic that reminds us why Bend shines in winter.
If you're plotting romance or Galentine's fun, head to Willamette Valley Vineyards Bend Tasting Room for the Valentine's Chef Pairing Experience running through 8:30 p.m. Winery Ambassador Ashley and Chef Cuin serve up a five-wine flight matched with three exquisite dishes, making every sip and bite a love letter to local flavors. Or cozy up at the Abbey Taproom, streaming Winter Olympics action with Belgian-style beers, ciders, and a bar cheese board, while pairing house-made Boeuf Bourguignon with Burgundies or bubbly from 3 p.m. till it sells out. Music lovers, catch Danny Seraphine's Evening of Chicago at the Oxford Hotel at 5 p.m., with the Rock Hall inductee and his CTA band delivering authentic hits alongside Temptations singer Tony Grant. Families can join Kids Après at Mt. Bachelor from noon to 2 p.m., blending play and après vibes.
On a serious note, Bend-La Pine Schools just shelved an AI chatbot called Raina after parents packed a February 10 board meeting with over a thousand petition signatures, raising alarms about rushed ed-tech and screen time. The district, spending over $64,000 yearly on the platform for 16,000 students, insists teachers control it, but parents pushed back hard, sparking real talk on keeping kids safe amid AI debates. Tragically, Crooked River Ranch's Douglas York, 54 and wanted for Redmond robberies, died fleeing police in a Clackamas crash Wednesday, closing a tense local manhunt.
Real estate's in a winter chill: Bend median prices at $680k, 89 closings, 2.5 months inventory, homes lingering 66 days. Buyers, this calm before spring storm means negotiation power as rates ease. Don't miss the Ultimate Scavenger Hunt downtown or Random Acts of Kindness Spree at Watershed Coffee, spreading joy today. And mark your calendars, the Bend Chamber's gearing up for its 100-year centennial gala May 21 at the High Desert Museum.
This has been Bend Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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