In This Issue

A Sanctuary for Shared Experiences: Director of Literary Development and Dramaturgy Amrita Ramanan
Late American stage producer and director Zelda Fichandler once said art is community, as well as a personal experience, spurned from the ideas and dreams of the individual. Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Director of Literary Development and Dramaturgy Amrita Ramanan acts this out daily through her work. Ramanan arrived to OSF

Fresh Out of the Box: The New Rogue Theater Company Presents Fragments
There is a little bit of betrayal. A little bit of loss. Some sex too. But, a whole lot of love. Fragments is the first production for the newly formed Rogue Theater Company opening March 7 in Ashland. Jessica Sage, Artistic Director, has carefully assembled semi-autobiographical fragments and created a

DRINK LOCAL: In My Element – Elements Tapas Bar in Medford
Located on the corner of Front and Main Streets, Elements Tapas Bar is a highlight of Medford’s downtown. I went in on a fairly busy night, looking for a couple of signature cocktails. My server, Courtney, was incredibly helpful and steered me towards several cocktails I enjoyed. I tried three

GO HERE: The Trail That Tried To Catch Bigfoot – Collings Mountain Trail
As spring approaches, trails all across Southern Oregon open up for the year. It’s time to strap on the hiking boots and head out to Collings Mountain Trail in Applegate. The nearly seven mile trail when hiked to the end and back offers picturesque views of Applegate Lake. The trail

Benefiting Everyone Through Art: The Studio in Medford
The list of featured artists at the Studio at Living Opportunities is long and diverse. Founded in 2004, the Studio was to benefit people with disabilities. Between then and now, the Studio has showcased art by multiple artists, founded a music department, is forming a band, and added drama to

Ready. Set. Go-Karting! Rogue Karting in Medford is High-Octane Recreation
Whether dreaming of a summertime county fairs or harboring big-track NASCAR dreams, go-karting is a gateway activity—and a great indoor escape from the cold, rainy weather 50,000 square foot track. Located on Lars Way, off of Sage Road just beyond Keller Supply Company, Rogue Karting opened their 50,000 square foot

Local Hawaiian Vacation: Aloha Friday at the Grass Shack
A dear friend of mine, who lives on a coconut plantation in Hawaii, recently invited me to visit Kauai. Island time and tropical drinks enticed me but instead of blowing my latest paycheck on a plane ticket, I did the next best thing. I took my husband and 14-year old

DON’T SMOKE THE MESSENGER: The THC Fair – Four Years In
On the 1st day of August, 2015—exactly one month after cannabis became legal in Oregon—The THC Fair (The Hemp and Cannabis Fair) held its first cannabis industry expo here in Southern Oregon. There was a buzz about town. Especially if you were a consumer who wanted a glimpse into

From Hollywood Dropout to Here, We Are: Filmmaker Martin Goldman’s Wild Ride
The road has been long and travelled well (in a Porsche 911 and a ’66 Volkswagen Van) from New York to California to Vermont to Wyoming to Canada to Taos and most recently Ashland, Oregon. And wherever Goldman goes, he can’t help himself from making films. “The only thing I

PUBLIC PROFILE: Eve Smyth & Kate Sullivan – Co-Directors, Ashland Children’s Theatre
Rogue Valley Messenger: The adage is never act with dogs or kids! Can you make a good counter-argument? Yes! Especially if you’re working with a kid who is pretending to be a dog, then you get the best of both worlds. Okay, we can’t really speak to the dog

Not Sure What It Could Be: Is CBD For Me?
Medical Cannabis preparations have been exploding in popularity since legalization in Oregon. Lately, I have been asked more and more questions about Cannabidiol (CBD), the constituent of the plant that doesn’t get you high and is legal in all 50 states. The inquiries are coming from seniors with chronic pain

PUBLIC PROFILE: Rick Brown, Executive Director/Head Coach, Rogue Rowing Club
Rick Brown was hired as the new Executive Director and Head Coach for Rogue Rowing less than four years ago, and quickly began stacking up the awards: With silver medals for SOU at the American Collegiate Rowing championships, and as the 2017 US Rowing club of the year. It