❄️ Where's the Snow?

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! We’re officially under 10 days until the planned opening date at Bachelor, and the snow stake is still reading dirt. Hopefully, those long-term forecasts calling for colder weather and some moisture come to fruition quickly.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

• 🪕 Big Ponderoo lineup drops

• 📽️ Tin Pan Theater announces its holiday movie schedule

• 🛍️ Ladies Night in downtown Bend

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson & Emily Elaro 

SPONSORED BY POMEGRANATE HOME

The farmhouse shop is brimming with treasures for everyone on your list, alongside unique decor for bringing the holiday sparkle into your own home. From affordable stocking stuffers to show-stopping vintage finds, Pomegranate has been Bend’s most magical shopping destination since 1998.

Swing by on Small Business Saturday, from 10 ’til 6, and you can also expect:

🥂 Complimentary treats & drinks
🎁 Gifts with every purchase
🎟️ Luxurious gift basket raffle
🎨 Holiday crafting in The Cottage 
🔥 Relaxed hangs by the fire pit 

📍 On Bend River Mall Drive, between Macy’s & Winco
❤️ Follow along @pomegranate_home

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SNAPSHOTS

🪕 Big Ponderoo Lineup (and a few tickets) Drops

The calendar has yet to turn to 2026, but it’s been a busy couple of weeks for show announcements for the upcoming summer. This week, it’s Big Ponderoo’s turn to take the (online) stage as they dropped their lineup for next year’s festival. For those not in the know, Big Ponderoo takes over Sisters for two days of music in a setting that takes you back to the days before paying for festival tickets required taking out a second mortgage. A limited number of tickets will go on sale this morning at 10 AM.

🤽 Summit Water Polo Teams Dominate

Bend continues its run of taking home the gold as the boys and girls’ water polo teams from Summit ran away with the state 4A/5A titles. No word yet on which Bend high schools will be bringing home a new trophy this upcoming weekend!

🧗 New Smith Rock Visitor Center Can’t Clear the Crux

Last year (or maybe it was earlier this year 🤔 ), we shared the news that the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department was planning on building a fancy new visitor center at Smith Rock State Park. Well, those plans have hit a snag as budget shortfalls have resulted in the state diverting funds to other projects. The project isn’t done for good, but there is no timeline on when the state may pick it back up.

BUSINESS HAPPENINGS

🌮 El Caporal opens on the west side: West side Bend residents just got a new option for Mexican food as El Caporal has opened its new location inside the Peppertree Hotel. Their east side location is one of our go-tos when we can’t think of what to make for dinner (our kids love their enchilada plate), so it’ll be nice to have a second option in town.

🖥️ Work Collective opens second location within the new Blackstrap campus: The west side of town tends to dominate the coworking space, so this will be a nice addition for those who reside in SE Bend. Work Collective has opened a new coworking space within the new Blackstrap campus at SE Wilson & 9th Ave. The building will also be getting a new coffee shop, as Junction Roastery out of Redmond will be moving in soon (late edit: more to come on Monday 😉).

📽️ Tin Pan Theater announces its holiday movie lineup: Want to get into the holiday spirit at Bend’s coziest movie theater? Tin Pan Theater announced its holiday movie lineup for December, with showings of Die Hard (don’t yell at me, it’s a Christmas movie), Love Actually, Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Holdovers. Grab your tickets now to start your favorite new holiday tradition.

🩺 The Gynecology Collective opens in NE Bend: I don’t think anyone has ever said that Bend has too many medical care providers, and now we can add one more option to the list. Over the weekend, The Gynecology Collective opened the doors to their new office at 180 NE Penn Ave. They held a grand opening last Saturday; so sorry if anyone missed out on the champagne because of me!

@THEBENDBUZZ

📸 @andreeeennewkirk |📍Old Mill District
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

TOGETHER WITH RALLY RECREATION

Having family in town for the holidays? Rally Recreation offers a welcoming space to gather, unplug, and create memories. No pressure. No screens. Just real-life connection through classic game play (and an abundance of free parking). Now offering beer, wine and cider and extended weekend hours!

Take a break to unwind, throw a party to connect with friends, sign up for a league to improve your skills, become a member to create a community! Visit rallyrecreation.com for information on current membership promotions (including one free month and a personal set of ping pong paddles), hosting a fundraiser, and registering for leagues.

Follow us on Instagram @rallyrecreation to learn about monthly themed events, like Family Game Night, '80s Night, Cosmic K-pop Night, and more!

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Wednesday 11.19

🎥 Powderhound Preview & Fundraiser: Ski season hype is officially ON. Head to the Tower for a special screening of Powderhound, plus raffles, community stoke, and a chance to support local avalanche safety efforts. It’s like a preseason wax for your soul. 6 PM Tower Theatre

🌲 Refugia of the Blue Mountains: Worthy Brewing’s garden crew dives deep into climate resilience, old-growth ecosystems, and what refugia really means for the forests we love. Grab a pint and nerd out responsibly. 6 PM Worthy Brewing

🎿 Exploring Central Oregon’s Ungroomed Ski Trails: Feeling adventurous this winter? Learn where the ungroomed, less-traveled ski routes live—and how not to get lost on them—at this outdoorsy library talk for quiet-trail seekers. 6:30 PM Downtown Bend Library

✍️ Writing Wednesdays – Poetry: Whether you're a seasoned poet or someone who only writes in the Notes app at 2 AM, this guided creative session is your midweek permission slip to play with words. 7 PM The Open Arts Center

🤠 Line Dance Lessons: Saddle up, Bend! Free beginner line dance lessons are stepping into The Coyote—downtown’s shiny new country bar—and Alex Reininger is leading the boot-scootin’ fun. No partner, no experience, no worries—just bring your boots or your comfiest sneakers and a can-do two-step attitude. 7 PM The Coyote

🌵 Free Succulent Pick-Up for Kids: Pick up your succulents! If you registered for a free succulent for your little one, then it’s time to bring your kiddos by the library to adopt a tiny green friend. 12 PM Downtown Bend Library

🤝 Move & Connect: Join Deschutes Women in Business for their final event of 2025. There will be opportunities for networking, dancing, and updating those headshots for only $35! 4 PM Volcanic Theatre Pub

🏋️ Free Workout with F3: Need an excuse to wake up at 5 AM and start the day with a butt kicking workout instead of doomscrolling? Here’s your chance! F3 hosts FREE workouts in Bend four days a week, with Mondays & Wednesdays at Pine Nursery and Tuesdays & Thursdays at Riverbend Park. 5:30 AM Pine Nursery Park

Thursday 11.20

🩺 Med Talk: Want the chance to expand your network in the local medical community? Join the Central Oregon Medical Society for their monthly med talk at Deschutes Brewery. This month’s talk will be led by Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Kimberly Milbrandt. 6 PM Deschutes Public House

🏃‍♀️ Women’s Group Run: Join Run Collective for a women’s group run leaving from The Commons. Don’t forget your headlamp! 5 PM The Commons

🦖 Museum & Me: A sensory-friendly visit to the High Desert Museum designed for guests who prefer a quieter, gentler museum experience. Explore and discover at your own pace. 4 PM High Desert Museum

🍻 Central Oregon PubTalk: Your monthly meetup for founders, innovators, and curious entrepreneurial minds. Expect networking, big ideas, and at least one person casually mentioning their new startup. 4:30 PM Worthy Brewing

🧙‍♂️ Harry Potter Trivia: Brush up on your spells, potions, and extremely specific knowledge about the Hogwarts curriculum. Monkless is serving up brews—and possibly your house pride. 6 PM Monkless The Abbey

💻 Remote Worker Happy Hour: Calling all laptop warriors! Clock out and meet your fellow Bend freelancers, remote workers, and digital nomads for a relaxed end-of-day hang. 4:30 PM Wildwood at the Box Factory

🐟 Big Fish Love: Shark fans, science nerds, and people who simply appreciate a good fajita — this one’s for you. Join OSU’s Big Fish Lab crew for a deep dive into what makes ocean ecosystems thrive. Expect fascinating stories, live music from Snowcreek, and the legendary Shark Mouth Fajitas. 5 PM UPP Liquids

🍂 November Rewilding – Grateful & Grounded: Reset before holiday chaos hits. This guided session blends gentle movement, mindfulness, and seasonal reflection to help you realign with what matters. 6:30 PM Hanai

🛍️ Ladies’ Night Out: Ladies, this is your night! Head downtown for an evening of sips, shopping, sparkle, and supporting local. Check the link for the full list of participating businesses. 4 - 8 PM Downtown Bend

🙋 Bingo Night: Have you stopped by to check out the new digs at the Roundabout Pub? If not, today’s the perfect day as they will be hosting a bingo night hosted by MC Banana Dan. 7 PM Roundabout Pub

🎭️ Clue: on Stage: Come support Bend’s next wave of theatre talent with Clue: On Stage at Mountain View High School. There will be showings both Thursday and Friday evenings, and tickets can be purchased online or at the door. 7 PM Mountain View High School

🍺 Beer Angels Book Club: Want to chat about the latest in literature over a frosty pint? Hop on over to this month’s Beer Angels Book Club meeting at Bevel Brewing. This month’s book of choice is Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. 5:30 PM Bevel Brewing

UPCOMING EVENTS

🌲 Livable Future Forum: Join Central Oregon Landwatch at the Tower Theatre as they host award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and National Geographic Explorer Kiliii Yüyan for a discussion on indigenous practices for a thriving earth. Catch the matinee at 3 PM (tickets) or the evening show at 7 PM (tickets). Thursday, December 4th at 3 PM & 7 PM at the Tower Theatre

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LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday 11.19

Kenny Hadden | Crosscut | 6 PM 
Blake & the Music | McMenamins | 6 PM
Kennebec & Brendan Eder Ensemble | The Domino Room | 7:30 PM | Tickets

Thursday 11.20

Twin Engines | River’s Place | 6 PM
Haute Melange | Stoller Wine Bar | 6 PM
Skinny Dennis | The Lot | 6 PM
Holly Bowling | Tower Theatre | 7 PM | Tickets
Oregon Fryer | The Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM 
Station Camp | Silver Moon | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Spencer Crandall | The Domino Room | 8 PM | Tickets

WHO’S HIRING IN BEND

Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the last week.

• Dental Assistant at Mosaic Community Health

• Dental Hygienist (per diem) at Mosaic Community Health

• Dental Hygienist at Mosaic Community Health

• Executive Director at Central Oregon Collective

• Prep Cook at Deschutes Brewery

Searching for a new job? Browse the full job board

Looking for local candidates for your open position? Post your job

THANKS!

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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