‘Bend 101’ seminar set for new residents, community members

(Update: Adding video, comments)

Seminar to introduce new residents to community

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Whether exploring Mt. Bachelor, floating the river or picking a brewery to try, Bend has a variety of things that make it special. It's often made rankings as among the nation's fastest-growing cities. But it may be difficult for newcomers to understand what it means to be a Bendite.

Tom Carlsen has lived in Bend for over 40 years. He says it's the culture and location that make it a great place to live.

"All of us who have been in Bend for more than a little while, you know, think it's a great place to be," said Carlsen. "And it has a culture that we tend to treat our neighbors well, and we want to be collaborative and cooperative, rather than competitive."

With a vision of enhancing the community, Carlsen and others partnered with the Bend Chamber of Commerce to create 'Bend 101'.

It's a seminar for longtime and new residents to learn about Bend's history, values, and ways to connect. There will be a history lesson on how Bend was founded, an introduction to local nonprofits and tips on ways to explore the area.

Finn Leahy, events and programming lead for the Bend Chamber of Commerce, says the event is for everyone.

"The idea of how do we take individuals that have gotten here in the last 2-3 years, or the individuals that have been here longer and haven't found a way to get engaged with the community," he said. "You know -- how do we give them the road map to both get engaged, give back their time, learn more about their new hometown?"

"And you know, better create an environment that helps to promote their success," Leahy added.

And while some Bend residents decry growth and all the newcomers, Carlsen said there's a positive path forward, for everyone.

"I think we want to manage the growth the best we can, do smart growth," he said. "We want people that come here to embrace the reasons they're coming here, not to change it immediately."

The first Bend 101 is on April 12 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Tetherow Event Pavilion. There's space for 250 people to attend. It costs $15 to register.

Leahy says they plan to host the seminar quarterly, throughout the year.

Here's a video produced about the program: