Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.
Good morning, Bend.
🏘️ Community
A Bend church turned its annual holiday dinner into a Christmas surprise by gifting over 140 children from 80 families with wrapped gifts and a $100 gift card per family.
The Bend Seventh Day Adventist Fellowship (partnering with Healthy Families of Central Oregon) organized the event to brighten the holidays.
Aaron Switzer interviewed Melissa Steele, Bend Fire Rescue’s Deputy Fire Marshal of Wildfire Preparedness on 'Bend Don't Break' today.
With over 20 years experience, she explained practical wildfire prevention measures (such as defensible space and home hardening) to help residents protect their homes in Central Oregon.
Mountain View Community Development secured $3 million from a federal banking group for a 75-home supportive housing project in Redmond (designed to help residents transitioning out of homelessness), and construction will begin late spring or early summer if additional funding is finalized.
The Pavilion celebrates its 10th anniversary and the winter solstice on Dec.
19 from 6-8:30 p.m.—the event features DJ Teafly, a skating performance, cake, treats, hot cocoa, and a raffle; donors receive an $8 fee discount with a non-perishable food donation for NeighborImpact.
Cascade Disposal is celebrating its 25th annual Bike Build fundraiser by partnering with Toys for Tots to deliver 82 new bikes + helmets to Central Oregon children this holiday season.
The event unites employees and vendors to build bikes and raise funds for disadvantaged kids.
Shepherd’s House Ministries will serve free Christmas dinners on Monday, Dec.
22 at the Men's Center in Bend and at Redmond Center, and on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at a Bend venue— the nonprofit requests donations of food items to help serve local families, program participants, and the unhoused.
💼 Business
The historic downtown building reopens today as The Westman Hotel, offering locals a staycation deal with 10% off rooms and 1:00 p.m. late checkout — a nod to Minnie Westman, the first female mail deliverer — as the community welcomes the transformation.
🌲 Environment
Deschutes County Solid Waste reminds residents to celebrate the holidays sustainably by reusing decorations, wrapping gifts with care, and reducing food waste while expanding recycling options for items that are tough to recycle (available at the Knot Landfill and selected transfer stations).
Volunteers from the Deschutes Land Trust restored fire lines and planted native grasses at Aspen Hollow Preserve near Sisters on Wednesday after the Flat Fire ended months earlier.
They aimed to mend damage from heavy equipment and containment construction — a step toward healing the land.
🎉 Bend Events
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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
SHINE Acoustic Performance
8-10 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Free entry — Enjoy classics from the '70s, '80s, '90s and beyond with SHINE's acoustic trio.
Swingin' Tower Christmas
7-8:30 p.m. — Tower Theatre, Bend, OR — RSVP required — Experience a festive holiday show with swingin' Christmas songs and local performers against a backdrop of a live big band.
Swingin' Tower Christmas
2-5 p.m. — Tower Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a festive family holiday show filled with swingin’ Christmas songs and seasonal stories.
No School Day Camp
9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Amity Creek Magnet at Thompson School — Registration fee applies — Turn a day off into a fun-filled adventure with creativity for kids K-5.
Christmas Eve Dinner at Juniper Preserve
9 AM – 4 PM — Juniper Preserve — Cost varies — Enjoy a lavish holiday brunch buffet with festive cheer and seasonal favorites.
Tony Smiley Live Performance
7 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — Cost Info Not Provided — Experience a vibrant evening of live music from Tony Smiley.
JuJu Eyeball New Year's Celebration
8-10 p.m. — The Commonwealth Pub — Ticket information not provided — Celebrate the year's end with live Beatles tunes from Bend's very own JuJu Eyeball.
Sunday Swim: Cold Plunge in the Deschutes
7:30-8:00 a.m. — Riverbend Park — Free entry — Start your Sunday with a refreshing cold plunge in the beautiful Deschutes River for an energizing morning experience.
Beertown Comedy Open Mic
6:30-9:30 p.m. — Silver Moon Brewing — Free entry — Enjoy a hilarious night of local comedy at Bend's favorite open mic night.
New Year’s Eve 2026 Celebration with Watkins Glen
9 p.m. — McMenamins Old St. Francis School — $28 — Celebrate the New Year with live music, specialty cocktails, and a midnight champagne toast.
🏠 Bend Real Estate
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