Author Archive

Vanessa Newman

Vanessa Newman

Vanessa Newman taught Rogue Valley Manor residents to do Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Rogue Community College students to do Pilates and Parkinson’s clients to dance. She grew up in Massachusetts, moved to Colorado and now resides in Oregon with her family. She began writing at age eight, but now she writes more and can be found relocating chocolate at Lillie Belle Farms. She has published articles in IDEA, Rocky Mountain Sports, Women’s Edition, Rogue Valley Messenger and online at Livestrong.com and eHow. She has also written online courses for companies like SkillSoft, Chevron, and Anheuser-Busch. Her published children’s books and novels are available at Amazon, SoulSongFlutes

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I like my Mexican food sizzling and the Rogue Valley not sizzling. Since I lost my home in the Almeda fire, I have poetic license to say this. And there is a fire safety point to my story along with a great restaurant review. On a Wednesday afternoon, my friend

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In the Same Breath (Available April 16-17) A man widely opens his mouth, pressing so hard against his mask that indentations remain. He strains to say, “no oxygen,” while slowly asphyxiating, but health care workers cannot hear or help him. Later, the documentary cuts to a scene where the Chinese

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When I was a child, every time we went on a picnic, it was a special, magical adventure. We always had the same meal. My mom prepared her traditional chicken (coated in crushed corn flakes), hard-boiled eggs, potato salad and cookies. Nothing too extraordinary, but taking it on the road

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When you say “melt” in July, the immediate connotation is high external temperature. “The Melt” I am talking about is a food truck located on Bartlett Street on one of the two pads in Medford referred to as, “Bartlett Bites.” There are several options for choosing what to munch at

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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

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“I truly believe art is about expressing yourself with a growth mindset,” says Jenay Elder.   Flowers, at least some varieties, can bloom in the worst of circumstances. Elder is blossoming too in these uncertain times—growing her business online. Usually, she conducts classes and demos at Art & Soul Gallery below

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  Pandemic or not, one has to eat. Hearty, nourishing food comforts the mind, body and soul. Not to mention that creating routines and normalcy at a time when most people’s lives have been radically upended is important as long as you “social distance.” And according to the CDC: “There

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The Oregon Chocolate Festival turns “sweet sixteen” this year, with a party to top them all on March 6 to 8 at the Ashland Hills Hotel and Suites. For starters, attendees have an opening night choice of celebration.  “Those who want a fancy culinary affair can go to the Wine

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  February is Ashland Culinary Month and “Restaurant Week” kicks off the foodie celebration February 3 – 9 with a slice of local flavors. There are multiple establishments involved in this six-day celebration, and for 2020, tradition and tapas set the tone.  The Rogue Valley Messenger had a chance to

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Over Easy? Named for their heavy reliance on eggs? Partially.  Chef Braden (who is also the owner) claims it is an expression of their style—casual, non-pretentious, kid-friendly and welcoming. Though, they do use “a lot of eggs,” says his wife Stephanie, who can be found waiting tables and ringing up