Author Archive
Phil Busse

Interview with Rogue World Music Executive Director Ana Byers
Rogue Valley Messenger: This Memorial Day, Ashland World Music Festival returns. How exciting! A lot has changed in the world since the last festival—pandemic, fires, war and refugees in Europe, increased recognition of equity. So much. What has changed about the programming or focus of the festival? Ana Byers: A

There Are Second Acts: Medford’s New Mayor is a Familiar Face
A year or so ago, Randy Sparacino retired after nearly 30 years with the Medford Police Department, including serving as its chief. This year, Sparacino walked into his new office in Medford—as the newly elected mayor. During his first weeks in office, the Messenger had a few questions for Medford’s

AIFF: “Coded Bias” Explains Virtual World Prejudices, 1/15 – 1/21
A more shortcoming for A.I. is its “intelligence” is a derivative of its creator. Meaning: By and large, programmers are white men. As such – and as M.I.T. researcher Joy Buolamwini finds out, facial recognition software tends not to fare so well with women or with persons of color. It

AIFF presents “Love Sara,” a hazelnut torte of a movie (that’s a good thing!)
Ashland Independent Film Festivalcontinues their determination to provide programming at a time when gathering for movies is such a forbidden fruit. Their December programming includes a “screening” of “Love Sara,” available from December 11 – 17, and including a (Zoom) Q&A with the director. “Love Sara” is a pleasant British

Giving Tuesday: Klamath Bird Observatory
For the past four years, the Rogue Valley Messenger has hosted the largest in-person Giving Tuesday event in southern Oregon, an opportunity to mix-and-mingle with local nonprofits. The irony! In a year that organizations and individuals most need support, we are not able to gather. In the weeks leading up to

Giving Tuesday: Ashland Folk Collective
For the past four years, the Rogue Valley Messenger has hosted the largest in-person Giving Tuesday event in southern Oregon, an opportunity to mix-and-mingle with local nonprofits. The irony! In a year that organizations and individuals most need support, we are not able to gather. In the weeks leading up to

Giving Tuesday: Ashland New Plays Festival
For the past four years, the Rogue Valley Messenger has hosted the largest in-person Giving Tuesday event in southern Oregon, an opportunity to mix-and-mingle with local nonprofits. The irony! In a year that organizations and individuals most need support, we are not able to gather. In the weeks leading up

Giving Tuesday profile: Rogue Valley Mentoring
For the past four years, the Rogue Valley Messengerhas hosted the largest in-person Giving Tuesday event in southern Oregon, an opportunity to mix-and-mingle with local nonprofits. The irony! In a year that organizations and individuals most need support, we are not able to gather. In the weeks leading up to

AIFF World Film: Noir From the U.K., October 14 & 15
There may be no better year than this one to virtually travel: Ashland Independent Film Festival is hosting their Varsity World Film Week(s), a collection of films snagged from around the globe – a thriller from Iran, a animation festival from the Netherlands, a noir film from England. Starting on

Love story, mystery, thriller: Rembrandt! A documentary at AIFF
There may be no better year than this one to virtually travel: Ashland Independent Film Festival is hosting their (31st) Varsity World Film Weeks, a collection of films snagged from around the globe – a thriller from Iran, a animation festival from the Netherlands, a noir film from England. Starting