It is a stressful time. The Messenger spoke with Ashland-based Alaya Ketani, a neuroscience specialist who works closely and calmly with individuals who are experiencing trauma and anxieties. With service from socially-distanced individual private sessions to Zoom counseling, she provides tools and support to mend and sustain through these odd times and,

Reviewing restaurants right now feels like going for a bike ride in a wet-suit—awkward and unsettling in this new paradigm of how we do things. I was not ready to dine-in, but absolutely desperate for a meal not cooked at home without the accompanying dirty dishes. A teenager in the

As I comb over the body of work that The Shaky Harlots have done so far, I look for signs of their growth as artists. I half expect to find a raw, playing-all-on-one-level beginning that gives evidence of the band trying to find itself in their early days, but I’m

Not all wine comes from grapes. Let that sink in: Wine can be made from flowers and berries—and an outstanding example of that diversity comes from southern Oregon’s own Wild Wines, a decade-plus old established winery near Jacksonville. Dreamt up by Carla David, the winery has grown steadily, picking up

Mold illness is a relatively newly recognized phenomena in medicine. It has been found to be a common underlying cause of chronic, unresolved health issues. It is a condition that results from an accumulation of mycotoxins in the body. It is different than a mold allergy. Mold allergy symptoms from

Oregon-based Black Studies educator and writer, Walidah Imarisha, wrote that Oregon was “founded as a racist white utopia,” and after over a week of protests following the death of George Floyd, I’m inclined to believe that we are closer to those roots than most of us are comfortable admitting. I

Undoubtedly, the coronavirus pandemic has significantly changed how we work, learn, and socialize. Not only are many parents now furloughed or trying to work from home, but their children have been unable to go to school or take advantage of childcare programs for the past few months. And even as

Norway is the ultimate backpacker paradise due to the wide variety of landscapes in this isolated country. Filled to the brim with fantastic hiking, superb skiing, hot beaches in the summer and a busy city life – you’ll never be bored. Once you’ve decided on the best route for your

Our continuing series profiling local breweries, and how they are managing COVID-19 shutdowns. In this year’s Besties, the Messenger’s readers’ choices for their favorites, Weekend Beer Company in Grants Pass traded wins with Medford-based Walkabout Brewing Company. Less than two years old, but already an institution in Grants Pass, they

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kingston has had fewer coronavirus cases compared to other places in the US. With these low numbers, Kingston is looking to ease the emergency restrictions that they have placed for the pandemic. Based on the findings of the Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington

On Thursday, June 4 at 4 pm, Caldera Brewing Company, southern Oregon’s largest brewery, reopens to the public. Over the next few days, Jim Mills is leading a number of meetings to talk with serving staff, kitchen staff and brewers about the new protocols. It will be a different world

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