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After two tough years, the outdoor venue has a new Executive Director at the helm
Hosting a resident orchestra as well as nationally recognized traveling acts (oh, hello, Norah Jones), Britt Fest is a cornerstone of culture in southern Oregon. For the past decade, the organization has been managed by the same Executive Director. But late last year, Abby McKee was hired to take the

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

Profile: Cave Junction Mayoral CandidateChristopher Hall
RVM: You have an interesting background. You grew up on an apple orchard in Vermont. It is logical to assume that is where the interest to move to the Illinois Valley comes from—and to co-found the Cave Junction Farmers’ Market? Christopher Hall: Yes, my interest to move to the

PUBLIC PROFILE: Susan Aversa Orrego, Managing Director, Collaborative Theatre Project
Rogue Valley Messenger: There is quite a robust lineup this year. What is the decision making process for determining what plays to present? SAO: As our name implies, we meet together to discuss scripts and ideas for each season. In crafting the 2020 Season, we wanted fun, yet thought-provoking material

PUBLIC PROFILE: Sally Mackler, Board President, SNYP Clinic
Serving the region, the newly open SNYP Clinic in Talent, is exactly what its letters stand for: spay and neutering pets. We caught up the nonprofit’s Board president, Sally Mackler, to find out how the clinic came about—and the scope of the problem they hope to, well, neuter. Rogue Valley

Gift Idea: Buy Local Art! Spotlight on Dana Feagin
On a recent stop in downtown Ashland, I popped into Ashland Art Center—and was immediately greeted by a painting of a cow (what you see on this issue’s cover). I was smitten. Something about the creature’s smirk was infectious. That sly smile—and the painting—are a window to a larger story,

PUBLIC PROFILE: Jen Aguayo, Ashland Parks and Recreation Department
Bear Creek is a defining natural feature for the region, but it also has been defined by pollution and trash over the decades. Not so much anymore! Do call it a comeback: Over the past several years, Bear Creek has enjoyed a restoration, and in no small part because residents