The Patriots of Metal Proclaim That The Fire Never Dies Sylent Storm is a kick-ass traditional heavy metal band formed in Medford. I was lucky to catch founding member Jym Harris, who provides lead vocals, for a phone interview. Having incredible stage presence, counterpoint harmonies, killer guitar solos and thunder-like

With taunt editing, a steady drumbeat of a narrative and a magnetic central character, Take Out Girl tells the story of a dutiful daughter-turned-gangster. Both gritty and sleek, the film is tough, engaging, and charming—and a preface for a star-to-be, the director and co-writer Hisonni Mustafa. Affable and talented, Mustafa has

Stress is an unavoidable problem in students’ lives. Students stress over school, homework, living expenses and student debt, as well as their busy social lives. Now, some stress is good for you. It is a natural way of remaining alert and focused. However, unless you minimize stress in your life,

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Excellence does not require perfection,” wrote Aries author Henry James. Now I’m conveying this brilliant counsel to you—just in time for the season when it will make good sense to strive for shining excellence without getting bogged down in a debilitating quest for perfection. Have fun

Renee Tajima-Peña is an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker whose work focuses on communities of color, immigration, gender, and social justice. A week or so ago, she had a bundle of her films shown on PBS—Asian Americans, the first docu-series on Asian American history—and recently launched the Building History 3.0, an interactive

Well, now every topic does seem to have a film about it: A documentary about a toilet? Nearly two miles from the nearest road, Mt. Shasta’s composting toilet at Horse Camp sits at 7900 feet. A breathtaking destination for skiers and hikers, this popular spot was also chosen as a

War veteran-turned actor, Cristian Valle, plays an all-too-real character in Fort Irwin, as he chooses to reenact a wounded soldier in a hyper-realistic warfare training exercise to help him overcome PTSD. This great short film written and directed by AFI graduate Quinn Else blends his appreciation for documentary and simple

Written and directed by award-winning director Mark A. Levinson (Particle Fever), The Bit Playerisa an enjoyably comprehensive feature film about American mathematician and “Father of Information Theory,” Claude E. Shannon, and the unparalleled shift he unassumingly created for technology and humanity today. The fact that you can text a friend

What would I do if I knew this was the last day of my life? While we’ve all likely pondered this hypothetical question at some point, few of us have been faced with the reality of making the decision—and even fewer have had to do so while seeking solace on

Grocery lists, laundry piles, and endless errands. Oh…the ever-so-glamourous life of a mother! While these types of dreaded duties may sound more like the makings of a horror film than a comedy, local narrative short, UberMom, is anything but dark, portraying ordinary obligations such as these in lighthearted and comical

Virtual medicine visits with your healthcare practitioner via your computer or phone are part of the new normal, and that’s a good thing! Even before the stay at home orders began, seeing a healthcare practitioner via your device of choice was gaining popularity. Then the pandemic kicked telemedicine into the

Most of us can relate to the feeling of lost normalcy lately—leaving home without a face mask, or socializing with friends without a computer, for example. But while these forlorn conveniences rightfully elicit grief, there’s one group of people that’s also mourning the loss of something much bigger: closure. Yes,

Indeed, the tourism industry in southern Oregon has soured. Britt Fest and OSF both have shut down for the summer, and restaurants are closed indefinitely. But social distancing does not mean you cannot still drink local wines! And DANCIN Vineyard co-owner Dan Marca remains optimistic and upbeat. The Messenger caught up