Exploratio n s a Jo u r n a l o f N o r t h We s t C r o s s i n g L i f e
Fa milies Come To g e t h e r i n
NorthWest Crossing It’s a rising trend across the nation: multiple generations of families are either living together or near one another in the same neighborhood. NorthWest Crossing is also home to many families whose in-laws, parents, sisters and brothers live just around the corner. One such family is Jason and Karin Boone. Some of the first residents of NorthWest Crossing, this couple bought their home here in 2003. Initially, they loved the alley
access to the houses, and the diversity of architecture. “Now, as the neighborhood grows, we love the proximity of everything and that we can walk so many places,” said Karin. “I walk my daughter to school, we walk to the parks and events in the neighborhood. We can even ride our bikes from our house to the local trails, like Phil’s Trail in a matter of minutes.” Better yet, the family usually has two sets of grandparents within walking distance,
to help spoil their two children, Ashley, 6 and Eli, 2. Soon after the Boones moved to NorthWest Crossing, Jason’s parents bought a second home in the neighborhood and now spend the entire summer in Central Oregon. Most recently, Karin’s parents, Carol Ann and Richard Thurston, also bought a home in NorthWest Crossing and have made it their primary residence. “While being close to family was certainly a factor in my in-laws’ and parents’ decision to move here, we were really all drawn to the same things about the neighborhood,” continued Karin. “We love visiting the restaurants and now our family even has a NorthWest Crossing Community Garden plot.” The Boone-Thurston clan isn’t the only family that has come together in the community of NorthWest Crossing. In fact, they are one of many such stories. Bill and Kristi Hartrich have lived in Bend for more than a decade. When Bill’s parents, Tom and Mary Hartrich, decided to move to Bend, he encouraged them to investigate living in NorthWest Crossing. Tom and Mary bought their home in 2004, and their son’s family was finally able to fulfill their dream of living in NorthWest Crossing in 2008.
The Thurstons spend quality time with their grandchildren at Compass Park. E x p l o r at i o n s < v o l . 01, i s s u e 04, 2010 < pg 1
Bill, who has two children Caiden, 6, and Lauren, 4, said, “Ever since we first discovered NorthWest Crossing, we wanted to live in the neighborhood. It is a kid’s mecca, and is so close to all the trails in the area. It is fantastic living in the same neighborhood as my parents. We love it here.” northwestcrossing.com
NWX Com m u n i t y G a r d e n It Doesn’t Get An y M o r e ‘ L o c a l ’ Th a n Th i s The local movement has taken society by storm over the last few years—buy local, make local habit —it just makes good sense. Now in NorthWest Crossing, residents in the community can grow their food literally blocks from their homes in the new Community Garden. And it doesn’t stop there. The waste from the food that they grow can be picked up (by bike of course), taken back to gardens, and used as compost to grow more food. It’s a full circle. Before individual residents took advantage of the garden’s 59 plots, NorthWest Crossing offered a plot to each of its local restaurants. Both LaRosa Mexican Kitchen and portello winecafé took advantage of the opportunity to grow their food just around the corner from their establishments.
University Extension Service Master Gardener program. The garden features cedar, raised beds with drip irrigation and is enclosed by an eight-foot tall wire fence. Generous donations and in-kind services from local companies, like Miller Lumber, Botanical Developments, Taylor NW, Ginger’s Kitchen and the NWX Builders’ Guild builders have made the garden possible. “This is so exciting for our community to create a complete circle of sustenance within blocks of home—plant, grow, eat, compost, grow, eat,” said Romy Mortensen, resident of NorthWest Crossing and vice president of marketing at Brooks Resources Corporation, part of the team developing the garden. “It’s a natural amenity in our plan for NorthWest Crossing as it fits perfectly with our goals of sustainability, environmentally sound practices and creating a sense of community. We are looking forward to seeing this project “grow” in 2010.”
# “Having an opportunity for our staff to grow our
own garden right next to the restaurant is great.” - Lance Newman, co-owner of portello
#
Lance Newman, co-owner of portello said, “Our menu is focused on fresh and local products. Having an opportunity for our staff to grow our own garden right next to the restaurant is great. We plan to grow both items we use in our menu everyday and new items we will incorporate as part of our menu as we go. Fortunately, we have a strong group of gardeners at the restaurant who are excited to work on it and to participate with our neighbors in the garden.” NorthWest Crossing is also encouraging composting associated with the project. By composting, waste in local landfills is reduced and the community gardeners will benefit from the rich, dark humus recycled food scraps will provide. The community garden was built by the developer of NorthWest Crossing and is being managed by the Oregon State
Suzanne Iselin tends to the family’s garden plot with her two kids, Sierra and Jake.
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It’s Easy to Look Your Best in NorthWest Crossing The NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center is home to two quality beauty salons that offer a variety of hair, nail and overall pampering services for clients from all over Central Oregon. CC Evans Salon was opened in July 2008 by Christy Evans and her experienced staff of professionals to provide hair, skin and nail treatments. The Salon encompasses all aspects of beauty, from color, cuts and highlights, to spa manicures and pedicures, to facials, peels and skin treatments for both men and women. Owner Christy Evans, a stylist in Central Oregon for nearly 14 years, was most recently the co-owner of Salon U4ria in Bend. Previously, she was a hair dresser for SpaW in Bend. Evans enjoys helping her clients discover their true beauty through personal attention and luxurious treatments.
CC Evans provides clients a relaxing salon experience.
everyone trying to build one another up, and I wanted to be a part of that while I provide an elegant, comfortable place where my clients can relax.” LOOK! Specialty Salon, which is also located in the Neighborhood Center, offers manicures, pedicures, facials and the whole range of hair services. Some highlights include the 90-minute ultimate pedicure, facials featuring GM Collins skin care and Bio-Theraputic technology and the six-series micro-current firming facial treatment. Why wait? The NorthWest Crossing salons make it easy for visitors to the Neighborhood Center to pamper themselves.
“NorthWest Crossing is the newest, hip, up-and-coming neighborhood in Bend,” Evans said. “I love the sense of community,
Good for the Neighborhood… Goo d for our Communi t y Time and again, NorthWest Crossing residents have proved their commitment to bettering our local community. That dedication has an impact well beyond the borders of NorthWest Crossing. For example: Bend Beautification Program: NorthWest Crossing resident and OSU Master Gardener Ruth Zdanowicz took the lead last year in organizing residents to work on land in and around the neighborhood through this city program. Residents remove roadside litter, noxious weeds and provide landscape maintenance on a regular basis. www.ci.bend.or.us/depts/public_works/street_maint_division/ bend_beautification_program.html v o l . 01, i s s u e 04, 2010 < pg 3
NWX Heaven Can Wait Team: Each year, NorthWest Crossing residents and friends form a team for the Heaven Can Wait 5K Run/ Walk. In 2010, the organizers brought together 100 participants from all ages, abilities and genders. The event raises funds to support Sara’s Project, a local education, screening, support and research program promoting the early detection of breast cancer. www.heavencanwait.org Getting involved – it’s part of the way of life in NorthWest Crossing.
The 2009 NWX Heaven Can Wait Team. northwestcrossing.com
Busine s s P r o f i l e :
Th e Garner G r o u p Realtors The Garner Group Realtors and Development LLC is a family affair that is centered in the community of NorthWest Crossing. The company was founded in 2008 by Jay and Sandy Garner. Before becoming an independent company, The Garner Group was the leading team within Coldwell Banker Morris Real Estate, Bend’s top producing real estate agency.
Sara Lafaver, Principal Broker, Sandy Garner, President and CEO, Jay Garner, co-founder, all of The Garner Group Realtors & Development LLC.
a resounding 57% and 20% share of the market in NorthWest Crossing bare land and residential transactions, respectively, according to Central Oregon Multiple Listing Service statistics. The Garner Group team has found that many of NorthWest Crossing’s neighborhood features have helped it hold greater values than elsewhere in the Bend market. Some of these features include a planned community that: protects its natural features; incorporates schools, parks and services; and maintains specific architectural and green building standards and provides for community social interaction. Sandy continued, “Home buyers are definitely price sensitive in the current market, but they also place a premium on neighborhood character and lasting value, both of which we have in NorthWest Crossing.”
Reviewing plans with builders is one of The Garner Group’s many roles.
Since then the family-owned business has grown dramatically to include 20 agents and administrative staff members. Of these, 17 are licensed brokers and 14 are active in sales. Ten staff members are family members, including daughters, sons, in-laws, and beyond. Last year, the company relocated its headquarters to the NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center, after opening a branch office there in mid-2008. The Garner Group represents the homesite listings for the developer of NorthWest Crossing, as well as many of the homes built by members of the NWX Builders’ Guild. “We were attracted to NorthWest Crossing because of its vitality and our belief in the future of NorthWest Crossing as an example of comprehensive neighborhood planning,” said Sandy. “We are committed to participate actively in the business and cultural life of the community, and are enjoying our role in the many events that are held here.” The Garner Group’s relocation proved to be a sound decision: the company led all other real estate companies in 2009 with Explorat i o n s : A Jo u r n a l o f N o r t h We s t C r o s s i ng Life
This is evidenced by inordinately high sales within the neighborhood over the past year and half, even in a depressed economy. In 2009, 61 homesites were sold (or pending) and 54 homes sold with an average price of nearly $400,000. In 2010, inventory on homesites is so low that West Bend Property Company is developing another phase in its master plan to bring more NorthWest Crossing homesites to market sooner than expected.
“We are committed to
p a r t i c i p a te a c tively in the business and cultural life of the
c o m m u n i t y. . . ” Sandy Garner ,
owner
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thought that the team put in to maximize quality of life components for prospective residents, while taking budget and cost into consideration. It incorporates many areas for relaxation or social interaction, such as a fitness room, library, computer areas with free internet access, a spacious front porch, outdoor decks and spacious indoor meeting rooms. Because of its location adjacent to the NorthWest Crossing Neighborhood Center, all the amenities housed there are also easily accessible by lodge residents.
Residents of Discovery Park Lodge enjoy coffee and a morning bridge game.
Discovery Park L o d g e Welcomes Area Sen i o r s H o m e One of the newest additions to the NorthWest Crossing neighborhood is the Discovery Park Lodge, an affordable living community for residents 55 years and older developed by Pacific Crest Affordable Housing. The beautiful new complex, which was completed late last year, was designed by Jim Landin of GGL Architecture and constructed by SunWest Builders, both of Bend. “We love NorthWest Crossing, and we jumped at the chance to develop a project there,” said John Gilbert of Pacific Crest Affordable Housing, who runs the company with partner, Rob Roy. “We think that the community has been thoughtfully planned and is enlightened with its various land uses all within walking distance of each other. This makes a perfect spot for the senior residents who are living at Discovery Park Lodge.” Pacific Crest Affordable Housing, led by John Gilbert and Rob Roy, also developed Mountain Laurel Lodge in Bend and Little v o l . 01, i s s u e 04, 2010 < pg 5
Deschutes Lodge in LaPine. All three facilities have been received with resounding success, serving the older population of Central Oregon. Rob Roy said: “As with all our projects, we are sensitive to research that shows that seniors in today’s society tend to become socially isolated. We’ve addressed this in several ways in Discovery Park Lodge: our building has interior hallways and diverse common areas so seniors can randomly and readily interact. Having more social interaction has proven to promote health and well-being and an important goal for us is to help people to live independently and retain their dignity longer.” Discovery Park Lodge took nearly five years to complete and demonstrates the
Ivan and Charlene Shuey waited more than a year to move into their apartment in the building. “We decided to move to Discovery Park Lodge to be closer to doctors, and we also liked the underground parking and security of the building. Now we love this beautiful place we call home, the social get togethers and all the good friends we have made.” Other features of the three-story 76,000 square foot complex include storage closets for residents, upper-floor balconies with mountain views, and a courtyard facing north across from a future 20-acre park, Discovery Park. The new resident community garden is built right next to the lodge as well. As with all buildings and homes in NorthWest Crossing, Discovery Park Lodge was built to specific green standards. During construction, local materials were used wherever possible and sustainable elements incorporated throughout—including a solar hot water system, installing recyclable carpet and harvesting wood from on-site for decorative log work in the building. The exterior also features native landscaping that requires minimal irrigation.
“...we love this beautiful place we call home, the social get together s and all the good friends we have made.” - Ivan and Charlene Shuey ,
residents
northwestcrossing.com
National Com pa n i e s Make Headqua r t e r s i n NorthWest C r o s s i n g Over the years, Bend has blossomed into a place where people want to live and work…which means many are moving their businesses here to enjoy the Central Oregon lifestyle. NorthWest Crossing is home to the headquarters for several companies with national and international reach. Ruff Wear A 2010 winner of Outside Magazine’s “Best Places to Work” in America list, Ruff Wear Dog Gear’s mission is to enhance the interactive bond between dogs and their humans. This unique company was the original designer of collapsible food and water bowls. The company has just grown from there to encompass gear for dogs of every description—from family pets to working dogs. Founded more than 15 years ago, Ruff Wear relocated to a 6,500-squarefoot building in NorthWest Crossing in 2004. Susan Strible, director of marketing for the company, said, “Ruff Wear chose to locate in Northwest Crossing primarily because of its proximity to the outdoor activities we all enjoy: trail running, hiking, mountain biking, skiing (with dogs of course!). Also, this location will provide the company room to grow and expand as our needs dictate. Ruff Wear employees love to work here because several of our staff live in the neighborhood, so the ‘commute’ is ideal.” Breedlove Guitar Company In October of 2008, this custom guitar manufacturing company opened up a new 20,000-square-foot facility in NorthWest Crossing’s industrial district. Breedlove
provides finely crafted musical instruments for artists around the world. “We chose NorthWest Crossing because we are the kind of company that wants to share in our community,” said Michelle Carney Sander, spokesperson for the company. The company is holding its second annual Breedlove Festival this July, and has recently made plans to open a café at its headquarters. American Licorice Born nearly 100 years ago in Chicago, this American classic started with producing Black Licorice Vines. Decades later, the company is still best known for its licorice— bringing happiness to mouths with their archetypal candy: Red Vines®. It is widely believed in popular culture that Red Vines were originally manufactured to reduce stress when consumed. One of the country’s original licorice manufacturers, American Licorice is now headquartered in NorthWest Crossing. DMK Golf Design David McLay Kidd, the mastermind behind such golf courses as Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast, the Castle Course in St. Andrews and Tetherow in Bend, has had his design headquarters in NorthWest Crossing since 2008. Scottish designer Kidd began the firm in 1998 when he opened an office in Great Britain. GOLF Magazine recently stated that Kidd’s “designs often provoke polar reactions, his spirit of adventure and willingness to break with convention—both evident in spades at the Castle Course and Tetherow—are to be saluted.”
Dog gear manufacturer Ruff Wear calls NorthWest Crossing home.
business features the largest array of organic products: from bamboo sheets to organic beauty products to organic baby products and everything in between. They currently have more than 50 suppliers and 3,000 products. NorthWest Crossing is home to many other dynamic and innovative companies, who have chosen the neighborhood for any reason from its accessibility to its commitment to sustainability.
Cathy’s Organic Superstore Cathy’s Organic Superstore is a Web-based business owned by NorthWest Crossing residents Brian and Cathy Gallagher. The
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N WX Explorers Clu b :
I n spire d by Natu r e The recently formed NWX Explorers Club was inspired by a book by Richard Louv: Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder and the subsequent program he founded called the Children and Nature Network (C&NN). The premise of the C&NN is to give every child in every community a wide range of opportunities to experience nature directly, reconnecting children with nature’s joys and lessons, and its profound physical and mental bounty. The NWX Explorers Club on a recent outdoor adventure in nearby Shevlin Park.
The C&NN helps to network and support people and organizations working toward this goal, such as the NWX Explorers Club, which is the only club of its kind in Oregon. One of the parents who helped to found the club, Karin Boone, said, “From my perspective, getting children out in nature is so important for normal development. The thing I notice the most when I see my own kids out in nature is how elaborate their imaginations are. I love to watch them explore, discover, and create, all with items they find in nature. Getting out in nature is also a great way to teach them how to show respect for our Earth and its resources, and helps motivate them to protect our land and water for future generations.”
The club hosts monthly outdoor adventures and is open to NorthWest Crossing residents as well as any other Central Oregon families interested in participating. For more information, log onto www.northwestcrossing.com/Bend_Oregon_Real_Estate/Our_ Community/NWX_Explorers_Club/. To find out more about this movement and the C&NN, visit childrenandnature.org. It has a wealth of information such as the latest news and research in this field as well as practical advice, including ways to apply new-found knowledge at home, at school, in work environments, and in the community.
A Recr e at i o n Oa s i s in the M i d d l e o f Tow n Dual in the Desert. Tour Des Chutes. Cascade Lakes Relay. High Desert Crit Series. USA Cycling Junior Road Nationals. What do all these events have in common? NorthWest Crossing. The neighborhood has become an oasis of sorts for athletic events over the past few years.
participate in mountain biking, running and other types of outdoor activities. Racing events fit in well with the NorthWest Crossing lifestyle.”
“We gravitate toward these types of events because many of our residents have very active lifestyles,” says David Ford, general manager of NorthWest Crossing. “They
Racers, casual participants and spectators alike can enjoy these fun outdoor events in NorthWest Crossing all summer long!
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In addition to the family-focused community events throughout the summer, there are several sporting events for 2010 already scheduled that begin, end or are held in the neighborhood.
May 29 Dual in the Desert Duathalon June 22-27 USA Cycling Juniors, U23 & Elite Road National Championships, www.usacycling.org July 17 Tour Des Chutes www.tourdeschutes.org July 30-31 Cascade Lakes Relay, www.cascadelakesrelay.com northwestcrossing.com
Eve n t s: Part of the “Spirit” of NorthWest Crossing When you ask NorthWest Crossing residents why they like living here, the answers don’t vary much. The welcoming people. The pedestrian-friendly design. Wide sidewalks, alley access, front porches, mature trees. The neighborhood’s commitment to green and sustainable practices. The diversity in the architecture. Perhaps what ties this all together is the most memorable thing about NorthWest Crossing: a true sense of community spirit. This spirit is in part demonstrated by the events that are held in the neighborhood throughout the year. These events range from resident-organized events, like the summer Twilight Tunes, to events organized by the developer of NorthWest Crossing like the increasingly popular Farmers Market. “There are so many things I love about living in NorthWest Crossing: the variety of the homes; the trees; and the amenities that the community’s mixed-use aspect brings,” said Colleen Dougherty, a resident since 2003. “But if I had to choose the one thing I like best I would have to say that it’s the people and their sense of community spirit. That’s what makes me feel like I am at home.” Living in Central Oregon is about more than just finding a house and a job. It is about choosing a place where you can become part of a special community, within the larger fabric of the wonderful and spectacular high desert.
Cyclists zoom through the streets of NorthWest Crossing during the NWX Criterium, part of the annual Hullabaloo event. Explorat i o n s : A Jo u r n a l o f N o r t h We s t C r o s s i ng Life
2010 NorthWest Crossing Events Calendar • June 22 – Twilight Tunes: Live music and fun in Compass Park. • June 23 – USA Cycling Junior Road Nationals • June 25 – 3rd Annual Hullabaloo: Great food, music, dancing, vendor booths and the much anticipated Kids Crit and Adult Crit bike races. Music headliner: Jonatha Brooke. • June 26 - Sept 25 – NWX Saturday Farmers Market: Fresh, local produce, eggs, meats, cheeses, music and more every Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • July 2 – First Friday Art Stroll in NorthWest Crossing • July 3 – Breedlove Festival: Join NorthWest Crossing business, Breedlove Guitars, as they celebrate music, summer and the Central Oregon lifestyle, featuring amazing artists, clinics, factory tours, concerts under the stars and more. • July 20 – Twilight Tunes: Live music and fun in Compass Park. • August 6 – First Friday Art Stroll in NorthWest Crossing • August 13, 20, 27, Sept 3 – Munch and Movies in Compass Park on Friday nights. A great family event with pre-movie entertainment and an exciting line up of family-friendly movies this year. • August 20 – Twilight Tunes: Live music/fun in Compass Park. For a complete listing of events, and all the fun details, visit www.nwxevents.com.
A young shopper at the NorthWest Crossing Saturday Farmers Market..
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