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Hi Medford, we made it to Thursday!
In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Mavis Staples, a snowshoe hike, and the Oregon Chocolate Festival + plenty of reasons to put on real pants this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
University board leadership changes: The Oregon Senate confirmed Peter Buckley and Christopher Geryak as SOU trustees and reappointed four others. The reappointed terms begin July 1, with Hala Schepmann continuing as faculty trustee — see who’s joining and returning.
New partnership for resilient forests: In February, the U.S. Forest Service and Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians signed a stewardship agreement to boost restoration on 155,000 acres in Rogue River-Siskiyou and Umpqua — get all the partnership details.
Rural school embraces clean power: Pinehurst School District near Ashland has been awarded nearly $220,000 to install a solar array and battery backup through Oregon’s Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, boosting campus reliability — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Craving a real burger? Burger Spot keeps it simple and spot-on, with juicy patties, crisp edges, and no fuss. It’s the kind of weeknight staple you crave, made by people who care, straightforward, satisfying, and reliably good.
Smooth laps, zero pressure: Shake off the winter blahs with easy glides and zero ego. At The RRRink, lace up, cruise a few mellow loops with friends, and still call it exercise. It’s low-stakes fun, even when your ankles are freelancing and your turns look more jazz than figure.
Playtime that counts: If the kids need to run, tinker, and make a glorious mess, The Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon delivers with hands-on exhibits, outdoor playscapes, a Maker Space, and The Annex: Clay and Culinary Studio right across the street. Easy, low-stress fun that actually wears them out.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Medford for grown ups
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
❄ Snowshoe Hike @ Hyatt Lake Recreation Area | Thursday (3/5) at 9:00 AM – Ready to swap driveway slush for real snow? BLM rangers are leading a mellow snowshoe at Hyatt Lake, with animal tracks, winter adaptations, and a dash of snow science. Meet at the old Rite Aid, now CVS, in Ashland, snowshoes and poles provided, weather permitting.
📚 Story Seeds: Nurturing a Love for Reading in Early Years @ The Family Connection | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – Want to raise a reader without nightly hostage negotiations over one more page? Learn how to pick great books, spark real conversations, and turn stories into crafts, cooking, and feelings talk. You even leave with a Reading Jump Start Kit, which beats another plastic toy.
🍫 22nd Annual Oregon Chocolate Festival @ Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Two days of artisan chocolate, wine, and live demos, plus a chance to vote for your favorite makers. Celebrating 22 years by spotlighting the women running the cocoa world, from bean to boss. Bring the kids, they waltz in free, you call it research.
🍷 Wine Release Party @ Del Rio Vineyards | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – If your wine rack has been giving you the side-eye, Del Rio’s wine release is your fix, with seasonal pours, new songs from VinylTap, Southern Oregon’s premier power trio, and room to dance. Non-members are in for $12, which covers the tasting, obviously.
🌱 Terrarium Class @ Corrine’s Flowers & Gifts | Saturday (3/7) at 3:00 PM – If you’ve been meaning to add greenery without adopting another needy ficus, come build a low-drama terrarium. They teach layering, plant picks, and mini-ecosystem mojo, you get all materials, wine, nonalcoholic sips, charcuterie, and a take-home showpiece that forgives neglect.
🔨 Madrone Trail’s 19th Annual Benefit Auction @ Historic Ashland Armory | Saturday (3/7) at 5:30 PM – Let’s get fancy at the Golden Gala, a jazz-soaked benefit with live tunes, dancing, dinner, drinks, and live and silent auctions, all for Madrone Trail, the Rogue Valley’s only public Waldorf school. Open to all, tickets are limited, so stake yours, dust off good shoes.
💄 Medford Beauty Expo @ Hilton Garden Inn | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Rogue Valley locals, the Medford Beauty Expo is your excuse to trade bathroom experiments for pro tips, quality products, and pampering with your favorite people. Expect local pros, smart skincare, and shades you can actually wear, because overhead lighting lies. Link in bio.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Medford report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 49°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 16%
Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 49. Northwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. North northwest wind 0 to 7 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 54°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 9%
Partly sunny, with a high near 54. North northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This 2,546-square-foot Mahar built home in Stonegate Estates pairs a gated front courtyard with a bright great room that flows to the kitchen and dining. Guest bedrooms share a Jack and Jill bath and each has a private exterior entrance. Large windows and open sight lines keep it airy, with a secluded courtyard for outdoor lounging.
Take a peek inside →
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