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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 inFood & Drink

Brown Owl Expanding

The popular food-cart-meets-bar in The Box Factory is making more room for its growing base of customers
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

The Brown Owl, the popular food-cart-meets-bar in The Box Factory, is making more room for its growing base of customers. Owner Lisandro Ramon has leased the space just west of the Brown Owl’s current location to expand, adding 1,400 square feet to the current footprint. “Capacity is an issue,” Ramon said of the current space. […]

Posted inFood & Drink

A New Venture: Left Coast Burger Company

New burger spot in the Cascade Village Shopping Center coming soon
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

The Brown Owl‘s owner, Lisandro Ramon, is at work on opening a new burger spot in the Cascade Village Shopping Center, in the former Yo Wild frozen yogurt space. The concept is inspired by Ramon’s visits to “old school burger joints” with his grandfather growing up, and will include diner-style chairs, counter service and an […]

Posted inFood & Drink

As Les Schwab’s Move Advances, A New Home for Hardy’s

The longtime burger joint on Third Street in Bend is headed for a new home
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The longtime burger joint on Third Street in Bend is headed for a new home. Hardy’s Hot Wings Hamburgers & Ice Cream announced on its Facebook page Aug. 15 that it would be moving 2 miles north, to the former Cheerleader’s building at 3081 N. Hwy 97, near The Riverhouse on the Deschutes and the […]

Posted inBest Of Central Oregon

Best Republican PR Stunt

Fleeing Oregon to protest Cap and Invest legislation
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If Oregon Senate Republicans’ goal this year was to position themselves as righteous outlaws, out there to rabble rouse anything that remotely whiffs of “climate change legislation,” then call “The Base” placated. In one epic public relations stunt, Senate Republicans appeared to have a grand time fleeing the state to oppose HB 2020, the proposed […]

Posted inBest Of Central Oregon

Best Boutique

Bedouin
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Bedouin has been a mainstay in Sisters since 1986, the year Janet Brockway opened the doors. Way back when, as a teenager, Harmony Thomas worked in the boutique—so when Brockway decided to retire, Thomas was a natural fit to take over, buying the business from that original owner last year. Since then, Thomas has been […]

Posted inFood & Drink

Brickhouse Gets a Nod from Wine Spectator

Local steak house gets national recognition
Avatar photo Nicole Vulcan

The Brickhouse steak house in downtown Bend got a nod this year from Wine Spectator magazine. The restaurant was one of over 30 Oregon locations earning recognition in Wine Spectator‘s 2019 Restaurant Awards—awards that name the locations with the best wine lists around the world. According to the magazine, Brickhouse earned the award for its […]

Posted inBest Of Central Oregon

Best TV Personality

Bob Shaw, KTVZ
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Lots of people have a love for recreational vehicles—especially in the summer in Central Oregon—but were it not for the good ol’ RV, Central Oregonians might not be able to boast a local treasure in Bob Shaw, chief meteorologist and community affairs director at KTVZ. Shaw came to this area for a job with Beaver […]

Posted inFood & Drink

New Wing Spot in Bend

Fans of chicken wings have a new spot to please their palates
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Fans of chicken wings have a new spot to please their palates. Northwest Wing Shop opened earlier this summer on Colorado Avenue, close to The Podski food cart lot. The menu includes “Southern style wings with a Northwest frame of mind” and 10 different wing sauces, as well as fried okra, crispy cauliflower, fried chicken […]

Posted inBest Of Central Oregon

Best Bike Shop

Hutch’s Bicycles
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In an outdoors community awash in a sea of bike shops, gear stores and big-box options, what compels readers to vote one particular place Best Bike Shop, year after year? This particular bike shop’s wins in Best of Central Oregon go back as long as the Source has been doing the contest, taking second just […]

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