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Nicole Vulcan

Nicole Vulcan became Editor of the Source in 2016 and was promoted to Editor in Chief in 2024, managing the Editorial Board and the news team's many investigative projects. She's also at work on her debut book of journalistic non-fiction, titled "Self Medication," which traces Oregon's drug decriminalization efforts in the 21st Century, and tells a parallel tale of her own family’s losses from fentanyl addiction in the age of Measure 110. With all of that on her plate, send snacks. Catch up with the adventures at her book's Substack, called Self Medication.

nicole@bendsource.com
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Rookie Restaurant of the Year

Blissful Spoon’s long-awaited brick-and-mortar brought Mediterranean delights—on top of its popular granola and baked goods
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The creation of a brick-and-mortar restaurant for Blissful Spoon was a long time coming for Bendites, who have been clamoring for expanded offerings since at least 2018, when Miki and Kamal Bakkari started selling granola and baked goods at local farmers markets. The couple, meanwhile, admits that opening a bona fide restaurant was never really […]

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Restaurant of the Year

Wild Rose continues its popularity through the pandemic—and sets it sights on a new endeavor
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Around seven and a half years ago the Itti family moved from Port Townsend, Washington, to Bend, and our food scene has not been the same since. At that point, they’d been operating a Thai restaurant in Port Townsend for over two decades, and, seeing that Bend already had a handful of Thai restaurants, the […]

Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides

Food Cart of the Year

At The Tin Pig, the chicken is the star of the show
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It is impossible for someone to mention The Tin Pig or even The Podski without me instantly craving a chicken sandwich. Whether it’s the spicy Nashville Chicken, or the Sweet T that comes with pimento cheese and honey, foodies around Bend know The Tin Pig is the place to go for a chicken sando cooked […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Bend Farmers Market Opens May 5, with COVID-Friendly Options

Over 30 local vendors will be set up in Brooks Alley, between Franklin and Minnesota streets
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In a sure sign of spring, Market Wednesdays in downtown Bend start again May 5. The Bend Farmers Market will be open for in-person strolling from 2 to 6pm every Wednesday through Oct. 13. Over 30 local vendors will be set up in Brooks Alley, between Franklin and Minnesota streets (near Mirror Pond). New offerings […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Cart Patrol: Alebrije’s showstoppers include a Mexican pizza, mole, menudo

Mexican cart at Bunk + Brew, growing a food and music scene in downtown Bend
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Expect magical things when you visit Alebrije, the cart inspired by the Mexican state of Oaxaca, located in the lot behind the Bunk + Brew hostel in downtown Bend. For one, the cart’s name is derived from the fantastical folk-art creatures that are sculpted from wood and brightly painted—much like the logo and exterior of […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Wing Wednesday at Pop’s

Wings that have been flash-fried and tossed in a sweet and salty sauce
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For those visiting the Bunk + Brew food cart pod, Wednesdays may offer another special draw mid-week. Pop’s Southern BBQ cart, one of two food carts in the lot, is offering a special “Wing Wednesday” all day. For $5, diners get six wings that have been flash-fried and tossed in a sweet and salty sauce. […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Mother’s Day Fundraiser for Healing Reins

A fun activity for the upcoming Mother’s Day
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Healing Reins, the therapeutic equine riding center, is offering a fun activity (and fundraiser) for the upcoming Mother’s Day. The Gal’s Barn Night Out happens May 7 from 5-7pm, and includes a number of activities along with food and drink. Participants take part in a “Horsemanship 101” class that teaches how to communicate and connect […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Brunch in a Box

HDFFA’s upcoming fundraiser supports locals’ access to local food
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Whether you’re already a meal-kit type of household, or you’re looking to try it out and see if it’s for you, the fundraiser underway at the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance could be just the ticket. HDFFA is currently accepting pre-orders for its Brunch Box Fundraiser, a fundraiser for the organization’s Food Access Program. […]

Posted inMusic

Barefoot Melodies

A tribute to two local musicians, who rose up from Bend’s open mic scene to record an album and play at Bend Roots
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Every music scene has one: the fan who stands at the front, dancing like no one else is watching. In the case of Melodi Johnson, the dancing rose to a fever pitch the second she hit the floor—a shimmering, snake-like twirl that would emerge from her body, whether the tunes were of the mellow folk […]

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