Living Southern Oregon

Welcome to the Living Southern Oregon podcast! Today, we are joined by Blaine Alexander Lindsey, a queer artist and spoken word poet with a stutter. Blaine moved to Ashland from the Bay area in 2013, and in the years since has become deeply involved in the local art and food scenes, hosting the Speakeasy unplugged mic and organizing community-arts events. Blaine has also worked in the mom+pop food industry, as a homecare provider, farmer, event organizer and host, as well as nonprofit development. Blaine is passionate about local art, food and community-building in the service of a healthier planet and society. He also loves the amazing local outdoor recreations and the culture of kind, creative and resilient people of all ages and backgrounds. We are excited to hear more about Blaine's work and experiences in the Rogue Valley.  Facebook @blaine.lindsey  Elder Apothecary Living Opportunities  Ashland Food Angels

Meet Kyle Poling, Field Botanist at The Understory Initiative and owner of Dry Earth Nursery. He is a self-taught botanist, passionate conservationist, and avid gardener. He volunteers with the Pollinator Project Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon Monarch Advocates. Upcoming Events: The  PPRV Native Plant Sale, Sunday May 7th 10-4pm at our office in Phoenix. It’s a  “farmers market” style plant sale for small, local, native plant nurseries to sell their plants. Kyle will be there! FYI: I’m a fairly introverted lover of plants (like most plant people!) but put myself “out there” because of the importance of teaching people about native plants and how they benefit the local ecosystem. Even in a small backyard garden. This is probably the topic I would be most interested in talking about. I could also talk about my side-hustle nursery DEN and the work that TUI is doing locally to restore the land. Outside of just business, I’m a crazy gardener with over 1000 plants of all different types, cold-hardy cacti, carnivorous species, natives, edibles, houseplants, a little of everything... I’m also an animal lover with lots of pets and a history of working on farms. Lastly, I'm fascinated with native pollinators (not invasive European honeybees although at one point, before I knew what I do now about how they compete with the native species, I did keep a backyard hive but sold it for mason bee boxes).  If anyone wants to volunteer with TUI they can sign up to be on the email list through the TUI website. The Dry Earth Nursery  The Understory Initiative  Southern Oregon Monarch Advocates The Pollinator Project  

Welcome to the show Lisa, it is an honor to have you here. For those who don’t know, Lisa Manyon is an internationally bestselling author, podcast host, entrepreneur, and the president of Write On Creative®. She is known for her Challenge. Solution. Invitation™ communication framework, and for teaching and transforming marketing with integrity and healing with love. Lisa is also a cancer thriver and offers in-house employee wellness retreats. She currently lives in beautiful Ashland, Oregon, where she has been since 2015. Lisa loves the outdoors, writing and helping others articulate their messages, and is delighted that her love letter to humanity, Spiritual Sugar, is being so well received.  WriteOnCreative.com SpiritualSugar.com – get a copy of the book https://unitedwayofjacksoncounty.org/will/ - please donate  Holistic Path for Wellness, Medford Bloomsbury Books

Welcome to the show! Our guest today is Bobby Stricker, a recent transplant to the Applegate Valley in Oregon. Bobby is a father, husband, writer, advertising consultant, and magazine publisher of the 101 Things To Do magazine that promotes travel and tourism throughout Western, Coastal, and Southern Oregon. He is passionate about exploring the variety of people and things to do in Oregon, from home repair fun and homesteading, to food, beer, wine, kids activities, and more. Bobby has been in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest since 2014, when he moved from his longtime home of Scottsdale, Arizona. He's interested in aviation, travel, yoga, hiking, food, the oceans and river adventures, car shows, and festivals of any kind. As a marketing consultant, Bobby loves meeting people and experiencing how they live their lives.  FYI: He's excited about promoting the Applegate Valley AVA designation and has been in cooperation with Grants Pass tourism authority and Jacksonville Chamber. Bobby is also gearing up for the June release of the new edition of the 101 Things To Do magazine and is always looking for new things to write about. If you have a business or want to recommend a business that needs more customers and revenue from locals and visitors, contact Bobby at 101thingsoregon.com Rogue Jet Boat Tours Union Creek Resort Cantrall Buckley Park Belle Fiore Winery - Ashland 101thingsoregon.com Jacksonvilleyogaandwellness.com

Welcome to this episode of the Living Southern Oregon podcast with Simona Fino!  I'm so excited to introduce our guest today, Muna Nash. Muna is the owner of Lovejoy's Tea Room of Ashland, a business she's been operating for the last two years. She has been in the tea room business for the last 20 years, and her original tea room in San Francisco was the oldest in the city. Muna has a unique style of tea room that has been described as quirky and whimsical, blending the tradition of tea service with an eclectic and playful charm. She felt that Ashland was the perfect place to bring this concept of tea room to life, and she's been living here semi-permanently since early 2021. Muna also loves the vibrant food scene here, and some of her favorite places in Ashland include Websters, Vida bakery, and the Oregon Cabaret Theater. And of course, she recommends her own tea room, Lovejoy's, for a unique experience. At Lovejoy's, they have upcoming events like their Witches Tea every October, which has sold out twice in a row. Lovejoy’s Tea Room of Ashland Renaissance Rose The Websters Grizzly Peak Winery Paddington Station and the Paddinton Jewel Box

Welcome, Madeline DeCourcey! We are very excited to have you on our podcast today. Madeline is a true renaissance woman - a production coordinator for Barnstormers Theatre, an active member of the Josephine County Cultural Coalition, a customer support for Hardwood Games, a mobile game company and a social media marketer for C21 JC Jones American Dream. Madeline also holds a BFA in Theatre Arts and has 7 years experience in Los Angeles. Madeline is passionate about theatre, video games, her four cats, and she is expecting her first baby! Madeline is a local to Grant Pass and loves food, comedy, open mics, hiking and traveling. We can’t wait to hear more about your passions and life experiences. Barnstormers Theatre Josephine County Cultural Coalition Porchfest - Grants Pass Hardwood Games Abu's Oasis Deli Fat Tony's New York Style Paninis FYI: I enjoy getting to share and apply my expertise at our local community theatre, there has been a lot of growth and set back due to the pandemic. I’ve run their summer camp for kids for the last 6 years. Modern day actors wear many caps. I get as much enjoyment out of producing, directing, and coaching theatre as I do from being on the stage. In my time off I love playing video games. The artwork and storytelling in modern games is incredible. They are like interactive movies that last the length of a mini series or more. I have four cats that I love to snuggle up with while I play.  And have my first baby on the way. I love food, comedy, open mics and the many theater options in the area. I also love hiking and traveling. I haven’t done much traveling lately but I do love it and have been out of the US many times. 

Outdoor educator has been Kyle’s profession through various paths (climbing guide, hiking instructor, ski patroller, ski/snowboard instructor, etc.) In recent years, he worked as a commercial and residential carpenter. Arrowhead operates on the Rogue River, the John Day River, and they hope to start doing a few trips on the Deschutes. They are booking trips for the upcoming 2023 river season. Kyle is most excited about the Decolonizing the Rogue, a 4-day place-based workshop focusing on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. He has run this trip once for the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy and is excited to do it again, and hopefully into the future. FYI Being new to the area, we are hoping to meet people, and we have met some folks mostly through preschool, other friends, and the guide community. I look forward to getting settled and doing some building and woodworking projects again. This business consumes my thoughts, and I work hard to create space for being with my family and trying to settle into a new place. That sounds negative, but I love what I am doing. It is incredibly hard, but I find it really mentally stimulating. Arrowhead River Adventures - Grants Pass Decolonizing the Rogue Rafting Trip A Taste of India - Grants Pass Cathedral Hills Hiking Trails - GP Recreation section of the Rogue River  Forged & Found Antique store- GP Oregon Books & Games - GP YMCA of Grants Pass

Danielle is a native of The Bronx and now lives in Talent with their amazing partner, Erika, and their hilarious dog, Sawyer. Danielle enjoys storytelling, art, visiting new cities, roadside attractions, podcasts, Lin Manuel Miranda, theater, card playing, healthy banter, and talking to strangers. They are in love with how stories inspire connections, heal our hurt, soothe our longing, and how sharing our stories can make a vast room full of strangers feel like a familiar front porch with friends. Danielle is interested in counseling, people, places in Southern Oregon (wineries, venues, what places have been and what they are now, how the valley has changed, organizations such as The Hearth, volunteering at the Jackson County Animal Shelter, queer community, etc. Guilty pleasures: scrolling tik tok, scrolling zillow, and listening to showtunes while they clean. Their interests include Wine, Whiskey, Coffee, Food, Sushi, Animals, Mentoring. Music, Camping and Hiking. Danielle is outgoing, authentic, curious, straightforward, maybe a tendency to overshare, warm, fun (on a good day). They love telling stories, talking about people, what connects us and inspires us. The Lantern Storytelling *The next Lantern event is March 19, 7:30pm at the Black sheep in Ashland.* The Black Sheep - Ashland La Clinica Health Bestow - Ashland Irvine and Roberts Vineyard Brick Room

Abby McKee is the new-ish (7 months in) President & CEO at Britt Music & Arts Festival. and has a career as a nonprofit arts administrator who specializes in building community spaces through engaging and interesting arts projects. Abby grew up in rural Virginia and traveled across the country studying orchestral flute. She landed on the West Coast in her early 20s. Since then, she has become firmly ensconced in the West Coast lifestyle and loves it here. Abby was living in Portland and Salem for the last 5.5 years and moved to Southern Oregon in April of 2022. August 24th – Best of Britt Fundraiser, Restaurants & Wineries, Pink Martini Evergreen Ballroom Central Point Ashland Lindy Swing Society Irvine and Roberts Vineyard Paschal Winery

Jacqui is a community builder, Ashland Ambassador and she adores this town. She tells people that this is a place where you can start a project and it will be supported. She has started two bands in this town as well as the Ashland Folk Collective. Jacqui and her family love that there are so many things within walking distance and love going to the Coop as well as La Baguette, enjoying their outdoor cafe & music scene as well as going for walks to the little libraries to find a new favorite book!  Jacqui also enjoys the open Mic at Elder Apothecary and strolling through town bumping into friends. Spontaneous interactions with the community is one of her favorite parts of Ashland. Ashland Folk Collective Fry Family Farm Ashland Food Co-op La Baguette Music Cafe Hilltop Music Shop Get N Gear - Ashland Rogue Valley Growers Market Solarrolla.com

Ash loves going to shows at OSF and other theaters, trying to find great cheeseburgers, looking for comics and vintage toys and pre-pandemic Britt in the summer. Some of his passions are reading, writing, illustration, movies and collecting weird bits of information/random skills. He also enjoys stories and storytelling. Ash is also passionate about encouraging people to be lifelong learners, he is excited about the cool things happening at ScienceWorks and some of the new(ish) fun technology that can help spark creativity. ScienceWorks is kind of a waystation for people from all kinds of communities -  from parents with small children and school aged kids to high school and college students all the way up to retirees. They also see pre-service teachers and education Masters students through their professional development workshops and collaborations with SOU. ScienceWorks - Ashland Celebrating the Explorer anniversary “May the 4th be with you” events! Treehouse Books Ashland Barneys Better Burgers Medford SOU Student Theatre Rogue Theater Company Cabaret Theatre - Ashland Ashland High School Theater

Chris is a family and work focused person, looking to make the most of my days, all of them. He is excited about the potential of Woodland Charter and the direction it is headed.  It is a positive educational organization with many motivated families and supporters who are helping the school continue to grow and thrive and a vision for beauty, purpose and excellence.  The students at Woodland are so joyful, and excited about the learning and community it provides.  And it is the students that surround us all with such hope and such purpose everyday.  Chris enjoys biking, running, hiking and healthy cooking with local agriculture. He also loves to explore all the county parks for disc golf, playgrounds, hikes, river access and berry picking.  Chris recently connected with Barnstormers Theater to act in The Christmas Story with his middle son Kai. We play lots of games as a family, love to play, and be together.  Josephine County is a great backdrop for this!  Another great thing about being in Southern Oregon is the fact that I get to spend my work day with my children.  I take them to work each day, and I get to see them being school children, then take them home.  We really love the 3 day weekends, and it does create an amazing work life balance, and allows us to enjoy exploring this lovely region, playing outside and inside.  We do work hard everyday at Woodland Charter School,  I am committed to being a hard working school leader and my children are committed to being hard working students.  Recently I connected Woodland Charter School with Mt. Ashland and we have a Youth Ski Program that takes place on Fridays in January and February.  Cathedral Hills Trail - Grants Pass Rogue Community College Limpy Creek - Redwood Hwy Dollar Mountain Trail - Grants Pass Grants Pass Grower’s Market Iguana Comics - Grants Pass Oregon Books - Grants Pass Old Town Antique Mall - Grants Pass Second Chance Thrift Store - Grants Pass Josephine County Library True Juice - Grants Pass Ma Mosa’s Restaurant - Grants Pass Tamales Con Alma Cocina - Grants Pass

Conrad will be telling us about earthen construction, appropriate technology and design. He has been working on this since 2001, through workshops and consulting. He doesn’t believe that there is only one way to build; however, earthen construction, in particular in the form of cob and adobe brick, seem to provide such a universal and beautiful way to shelter ourselves, that in his eyes, has become the "mother of all construction". This motivates Conrad to teach people how to create their own living environment, using clay-soil as the primary ingredient. In 2014 Conrad compiled most of the things being taught during the workshop into a book called "House of Earth". This is now used as a textbook for most workshops. When he is not building or teaching he likes to camp, Kayak, and, most of all, make music and sing songs with my guitar and harmonica. House Alive House of Earth - Book Plaisance Ranch - Winery

Rebel Heart Books was always intended to be more than a bookstore. It’s a place to connect through story: ours, yours and the books we choose to share space with. The archeress image is the guiding force for our mantra: be brave, be true, leave your mark. Our collection of books is eclectic, intentional and lovingly curated. Since we usually get only one copy of any one book, we like to think that if a book finds you at Rebel Heart, it was meant for you. Rebel Heart Books Marion Denard - Writers Room Workshop Whitman Parker - Jacksonville Review Todd Lovett Studio & Artisan Gardener Treehouse Books - Ashland Cerberus Coffee - Jacksonville

Garett is passionate about his work with Troon Vineyard. Since January of 2018, Troon has been reimagined and transformed as a diversified Biodynamic and Regenerative Organic Certified farm, adding chickens, sheep, vegetables, cider apples, and a permaculture-style food forest to an historic vineyard and winery. Garett is also passionate about real, good food, preaching the value of soil, and the interconnectedness of all life. He has lectured on soil health, composting and regenerative farming for individuals, community interest groups, and brands. He has been a participant in A Greater Applegate's Food and Farming planning sessions with the goal of creating tool- and knowledge-sharing networks between producers in Josephine and Jackson Counties. Garett loves the walkability of Jacksonville. He also loves to walk to open mic night - and play drums occasionally! Garett loves working at the intersection of food, farming, and community development. He has never lived in a place that so seamlessly supports the collaboration between farmers, chefs, winemakers, herbalists, artists, and consumers. He’s especially enjoyed partnering with Chef Carl Krause of Earnest Baking Co. You'll find Troon produce - and next year, lamb! - on the menu of his food truck. This year, Troon celebrated their 50th anniversary. As of next spring, all 50 acres of vines will have been replanted with grapes borne in the Rhone Valley (France) and Cotes-du-Rhone, where the climate is very similar to that of the Kubli Bench. The Applegate Valley is the PERFECT context to grow wine grapes. A few months ago, Troon was honored as a "Top American Winery of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and the Rogue Valley was nominated as "Emerging Wine Region of the Year". This has brought a lot of buzz to our community of winegrowers and makers that are not as well-known as the Willamette, but doing really interesting things. The Biggest Little Farm - on Hulu Kimballs Artisan Wines Earnest Baking Company Crater Lake Mt. Ashland

Hello everyone and thank you for joining us here at Living Southern Oregon. Today I will be introducing you to Jake Rockwell. Jake is an Oregonian who first came to Medford in 1992. He lives here with his wife, Sherrie, and son, Ethan. Jake has owned several businesses over the years and currently he is the Owner and Team Leader of the Rockwell Group, a local real estate team brokered by eXp Realty, and he is an active real estate investor. Jake is also an avid golfer and you can often find him at the Medford Country Club enjoying the game with friends and family and working hard to not let his son win too often. Wild River Brewery & Pizza Mountain Mikes Pizza Porter’s Train Station & Restaurant Lake of the Woods Resort Tap and Vine Mr Smith’s Sports Bar & Grill

Today we will be speaking with the creator and host of this show, Simona Fino. Simona is an active member of the Southern Oregon community, keeping busy with the Living Southern Oregon podcast, buying & selling homes for her clients and participating in all of the fantastic adventures this area has to offer. She has lived in Southern Oregon with her 15 yr old daughter, Sahara since January 2015. Simona enjoys dancing to the house music scene, live music, kayaking and many other activities. She is constantly on the go and loves to bring people and communities together. The Haul in Grants Pass Britt Festival Casa Blanca in Grants Pass LongSword Vineyard Forage Coffee Company DJ Samuel Lawrence J-DeD Media - Media Editing

Lilly moved here from Arizona specifically to study winemaking to apply to mead-making. While in school, she also helped launch a Meadery in Whales, UK.  Oran Mor Meads in Roseburg was launched in 2015 and they are now one of the top Meaderies in the state producing award-winning mead. They focus on producing Meads and Honey wines from local and varietal honey and farm direct, using local PNW fruit and spices. Lilly is also currently involved in helping teach the Mead Program at UC Davis. Location: Oran Mor Artisan Mead, 305 Melrose Rd. Roseburg, OR 97471  Tasting Room phone number 505-310-1525 Winery Number 928-600-8138 Oran Mor Artisan Mead Cascade Girl Bee Heart of Spice Huele le tacos - Food Truck Lighthouse Bakery Secret wine society in Oakland, OR North Bank - BLM Preserve Spire Mountain Winery, Triple Oak, Joseph Jane Dino’s Italian Brine, Brew & Barrel Festival - Ashland Hills - January 14 & 15 Steamboat Inn

Ashley has always been drawn to the healing arts, she knew she wanted to be a massage therapist since she was a young teenager. After a few years of practicing massage she realized there were way more people who needed healing than she could ever help with her own two hands. Ashley attended a retreat at Ramtha's School of Enlightenment where she learned about Blu Room technology. An atmosphere of high resonance, UVB light and sound that increases the natural ability we already have to heal ourselves. She told her friend/ future business partner Quchyal as we sat in the audience that day, "Oh we are definitely opening one of these in Grants Pass!" So here they are now going into their 4th year of the blu room being alive in our sweet little hometown. The Living Blu (the only Blu Room in Oregon)  Greg Doss - Acupuncture Catalyst Pizza - Food Cart Taylor’s Brewing (formerly Rogue Valley Brewing) Weekend Brewing

Don Harriss is a talented composer, recording artist, producer, and audio engineer. Don was the Musical Director for a dozen or more shows at the Craterian and Camelot Theatres. He also occasionally ventures into pop and has performed in Rogue Valley bands. He is currently working on an orchestral composition and building a recording studio.  He has lived in Southern Oregon since 1993. Note: additional music for this episode comes from Don's album A Hero's Welcome. RoxyAnn Winery Dancin’ Vineyard Red Lily Vineyard Don Harriss Facebook