If the land of Oz was for realsies (and not just a theme we selected for our Best of Central Oregon issue) Amber Amos would be like the Good Witch, her band of loyal taco lovers floating behind her, bottles of salsa and fresh crema in each hand. If you haven’t yet tried Amos’ taco […]
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.
Best Day Care
When it comes to running a business in the age of COVID-19, it’s abundantly clear that “we’re not in Kansas anymore.” And when it comes to daycare openings in Bend, suffice to say that finding a place to take your child is like going toe to toe with the Wicked Witch of the West. Plenty […]
Best New Restaurant in Redmond
Like most of Central Oregon, Redmond is growing. With that has come a swanky new hotel downtown, an awesome push for more public art, a host of new breweries (and a distillery) in recent years—and now, the advent of Carnaval Mexican Grill. Plenty of places in Redmond serve up the Mexican fare that people know […]
Best Grocery Store ▶ [with video]
Standing in the delightfully colorful produce section inside Bend’s Newport Avenue Market, it occurs to me that we couldn’t have chosen a better location for our Wizard of Oz-themed cover shoot with CEO Lauren G.R. Johnson. Above the dark green zucchinis and the broad-leafed parsley sits a monkey that looks plucked right from an Oz-themed […]
Best Burrito
1st Place: Parrilla Grill 635 NW 14th St., Bend 541-617-9600 Parrilla Grill – Midtown 706 NE Greenwood Ave., Bend 541-617-9600 2nd Place: Super Burrito – Downtown 1133 NW Wall St., Bend 541-312-2009 El Super Burrito 3 425 NE Windy Knolls Dr., Bend 541-388-0166
Shelter from the Smoke
Locals mobilize to offer a space for people without homes to go, away from the hazardous air quality
Local Homeless Shelters are Helping Evacuees and the Area’s Houseless Population. Here’s How They Say You Can Help.
Central Oregonians are keeping windows and doors closed today, as smoke from the many fires burning in Oregon began to blow this direction starting Thursday night. Keeping the windows and doors closed helps preserve indoor air quality—but for those who live outdoors or in temporary shelters, that’s not really possible. Friday afternoon, Bend shelter Shepherd’s […]
Stop with the Antifa Arson Rumors, FBI Says
Antifa, Oregon wildfires, oregon arson rumors, fire resources
Friday Morning Update: Oregon Approved for Disaster Declaration, Local Events Canceled due to Smoke
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced this morning that the president has approved Oregon’s request for a disaster declaration in the state. The Emergency Disaster Declaration makes it possible for state, tribal and local governments to get federal equipment and other resources to help battle the massive fires that are burning in Oregon right now—largely […]
Staggering Numbers: Nearly a Million Acres Burning, Half a Million People Under Evacuation Orders
The numbers are almost too much to fathom: As of late Thursday, a record-breaking 900,000 acres of land in Oregon was on fire. With that, 500,000 people are under some type of evacuation order. (Update: This is corrected from an earlier report; an estimated 500,000 people are under either a Level 1, 2 or 3 […]

