Thursday, November 20th, 2025
Good morning, Bend. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 20th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Local artisans are fueling a growing gift economy in Central Oregon as holiday shoppers turn to handmade jewelry, baked goods, and other crafts offered by neighborhood businesses — a trend that supports local makers such as Derive Jewelry and Messy Marvin’s Home Bakery. These community members rely on local support to expand their creative reach during the season. Source Weekly
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Developers have begun building a new 50,000-square-foot athletic club on Skyliners Road in west Bend that will have a pool, courts, a gym, and an outdoor area for food trucks. The club, led by John Malfatto and Rob McDonald, will finish by summer (expected summer 2027) and aims to offer modern sports and fitness options to local residents. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Downtown Bend merchants have reported slower business this shoulder season—international tourists are fewer while local shoppers help keep many stores open. Legacy spots like 900 Wall have closed and The Lemon Tree is on sale as shop owners adjust their plans ahead of the holiday season. Source Weekly
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Pianist Paula Dreyer, who spent 20 years playing in California, will perform at 7 p.m. today at Tower Theatre (835 NW Wall Street) where she opens for Holly Bowling. She said the show will feature live painting by Karen Eland along with original pieces, improvisations and covers, and tickets cost ($19 to $39). Bend Bulletin
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Chris Boyd, principal of Caldera High School, was named Administrator of the Year Tuesday by Bend-La Pine Schools officials—he has served in the district for 11 years and helped open three schools including Pacific Crest Middle School. Bend Bulletin
- ➤ Liz Vargas received the Support Staff Member of the Year award from Bend-La Pine Schools on Wednesday—she has worked for eight years supporting newcomer families and designing a more efficient intake process. School officials and district leaders celebrated her efforts with a surprise presentation at the Education Center. KTVZ
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ ODOT will host an open house on December 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Dogwood at The Pine Shed in Bend+ residents will be able to view the new truss-style bridge design that will connect both sides of the city. Central Oregon Daily
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Intermountain Conference coaches selected the all-league teams and awards for the 2025 high school girls soccer season—player of the year is Shea Manfredi and coach of the year is Scott Sagar, both from Bend. The selections include players from several local schools, with teams set after voting by league coaches. The Oregonian
- ➤ Intermountain Conference boys soccer announced its 2025 all-league selections, naming Summit’s Quentin Swanston (junior) as player of the year and Tom Bunnell as coach of the year. The awards honor top players from teams such as Summit, Bend, and Redmond/Culver. The Oregonian
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Christmas in July with Central Oregon Holiday Toy Drive Santa
Central Oregon Holiday Toy Drive has taken over for the Toys for Tots which has suspended operations in Central Oregon and Marines from MCL 1308 with support from Summit Health are taking over with our Santa on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st of July and 7 of August every Thursday at 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm BRING A TOY PLEASE its needed
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Winter Business HOP
8:30 – 10:00 AM — High Desert Music Hall — Free entry — Network and showcase your business among local entrepreneurs in a lively coffee-inspired setting.
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Kids’ Entrepreneur Market
1-4 p.m. — Downtown Bend Library — Free entry — A unique eco-friendly market empowering kids ages 7-17 to learn entrepreneurship by creating and selling their products.
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Beertown Comedy Open Mic
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a night of laughter at the top-rated open mic in Bend.
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Thanksgiving Dinner at Currents
3-9 p.m. — Riverhouse Lodge — Reservations recommended — Savor seasonal dishes with river views this Thanksgiving in Bend.
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Gerardo Coronel Concert
9:30 PM – 12:30 AM — Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex — Ticket information available — Experience a high-energy night with El Jerry Gerardo Coronel and the best regional music.
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Annual Holiday Marketplace at the Vineyard
9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Faith Hope & Charity Vineyards — Free entry — Explore local crafts and enjoy award-winning wine and food while soaking in beautiful vineyard views.
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Natural History Pub: The Recipe for Healthy Soil
7-8 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — Free, RSVP required — Discover what makes healthy soil essential for a thriving garden with local experts.
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O Christmas Tea - A British Comedy
3-6 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Cost Info — Enjoy a hilariously inventive show that blends British humor with unexpected twists.
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FunkShui & Guests Live Show
7-10 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Enjoy a fun night with live funk music by FunkShui and guests.
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Kids Night Out with Camp Fire Central Oregon
1:30-4:30 a.m. — 437 NW Wall St, Bend, OR — Donation-based event — Kids enjoy games, crafts, and dinner while parents have a night out.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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