Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has named Bend’s own Ellen Waterston the state’s 11th poet laureate. “The Oregon Poet Laureate fosters the art of poetry, encourages literacy and learning, addresses central issues relating to humanities and heritage, and reflects on public life in Oregon,” according to the governor’s office. Locals may know Waterston from any number […]
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.
Haven Bagel Opens
Haven Bagels + Coffee is now open in the southeast corner of Bend. The spot held its soft opening Aug. 16, featuring the bagels the company has become known for, along with some other special treats. For breakfast, try any number of the flavored bagels. On the day we visited, options included favorites such as […]
San Diego Style Burritos for Bend
A new food truck on Bend’s west side is serving up burritos, Southern California style. Those familiar with SoCal style burritos will know the signature ingredient: french fries, hand-cut, served in nearly every version of the burrito. SDiego’s opened this summer in the Old Iron Works complex, near Café Des Chutes and The Workhouse. Classic SoCal […]
Fundraiser Dinner Pairs Diners with Food Makers
For over 10 years, Central Oregon Locavore has hosted an event that allows local diners to eat from the bounty of the local food system and get to meet the people who make and grow the food. The Meet Your Farmer series matches local chefs with local farmers. On Aug. 21, that pairing includes the […]
Best Gym
Outdoor and indoor pools, numerous daily classes, sauna and steam rooms, two weight rooms and a host of ball courts… While some gyms offer one or two of those things, the Athletic Club of Bend has it all. Situated on a large campus close to Century Drive, since 1991 the Athletic Club has held a […]
Crafting the Best of Central Oregon
The theme for the 2024 Best of Central Oregon was “Titans,” in honor of the Summer Olympic Games. This year, the Source Weekly welcomed art intern Connley Sewalls for the season, who is studying illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Sewalls crafted a magical world of mythically powerful women, stoic strongmen, a […]
Pickathon Music Festival is Great for the Tunes… and Food
Since the early 2000s, Pickathon music festival has served up its own special blend of Americana, country, bluegrass, rock, pop… you name it, the festival has likely highlighted a band or two that fits the bill. And while this special festival, tucked away on a 40-acre farm amid the encroaching suburbs of Happy Valley, has […]
Summer: A Route from Source to Sea
On a recent July day, a group of young indigenous paddlers gathered in Klamath country to train, their sights set on running the Klamath River not far away. In a matter of a few short weeks, this river will run free all the way from Klamath Falls to the Pacific Ocean. As soon as this […]
Baldy’s Expands to La Pine
A Bend (and Redmond) staple — which has won a plethora of awards in our past Best of Central Oregon readers’ polls — is now set up in La Pine. Baldy’s Barbecue began serving up its delicious meats and sides outside Legend Cider Co. in La Pine as of late July. The “soft open” included a […]
Prep Bend is for Sale
Prep Bend, the space used by food purveyors around Central Oregon, is for sale. The business announced Tuesday the sale of the building along NE Second and Revere. The building is listed for sale at $2.75 million. The space contains coolers, freezers and numerous cooking spaces that allow business owners without their own commissary space […]

