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Hey Medford, hope your week’s off to a good start! Chef Josh Dorcak’s James Beard nod, blues harmonica blowout, date night truffles and cocktails, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Recognition builds for local talent: Medford chef Josh Dorcak is a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Northwest and Pacific again, and he is partnering with Jacksonville’s Cowhorn Kitchen. Finalists will be announced in March — get all the details.
Earnings timing and company overview: Lithia & Driveway will release fourth quarter and full year 2025 results before the market opens on February 11, with a conference call the same day for investors in Medford — read the full story.
Inside the selection process: U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz nominated 16 Oregon students to service academies, including Central Point’s Aviyah Jones, Gabriel Medina-Banuelos, Keegan Thonstad, and Benjamin Warner, with final decisions this spring — see how candidates are evaluated.
Fresh support for growers: The USDA awarded $1.6 million to 12 producers statewide, including Applegoat Valley Farm in Jackson County with $250,000 to market products and Big Barn Cidery in Josephine County with $50,000 — see which farms got funding.
Gold and silver are (still) on fire: Gold’s strong run continues, and silver is outperforming nearly every major asset class in the last year. With demand rising and supply tight, precious metals offer the right combination of market hedge and growth. Augusta Precious Metals is a great way to invest in gold because you can just roll over part of your retirement account into their gold and silver IRAs. Curious to learn more about it? Grab their free guide here.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Fresh chapter for neighborhood shoppers: Ashland’s new Grocery Outlet opened in January with discounts and a community boost. Owners Jonathan and Jennifer Lawton, who also run the Medford store, donated $1,000 to the Ashland Food Project and pledged to continue addressing food insecurity. About 35 people were hired. Read the full story.
What’s behind the increase: Central Point City Council approved a 20 to 24 percent water rate hike taking effect February 21. Single-family base rates will rise to $26.40-$65.45, depending on meter size, up from $22-$54.54. Heavier users face steeper increases to encourage conservation amid higher wholesale costs. See what’s changing and why.
Carb-happy comfort fix: Macaroni’s Ristorante serves a panko-crusted mac with Tillamook sharp cheddar that nails the cozy notes: creamy, crunchy, unapologetically cheesy. Consider it a midweek morale booster, with plenty of other Italian classics for those no-fuss, feels-like-home dinner cravings.
Closet refresh, anyone? Urban Minx is a Medford boutique keeping closets happy with unique, trend-leaning pieces, denim, shoes, and accessories, plus a steady stream of new arrivals in-store and online. Perfect for when your favorite sweater starts giving retired gym shirt energy.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this week
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.
This week
⚡ Be an Energy Explorer @ Jackson County Library Services – Oregon (White City Branch Library) | Tuesday (2/3) at 3:00 PM – Give the kids a reason to put down the tablet and light up, literally. ScienceWorks pops into White City Library with hands-on demos for kids 6 and up covering electricity, batteries, and solar cells, where young scientists power lights and motors, ask questions, claim snacks.
⛰ Hike the Greensprings Mountain Trail @ Green Springs Mountain | Wednesday (2/4) at 9:00 AM – Stretch your legs on a 3-mile, moderate-to-easy ramble through old-growth forests and meadows on Green Springs Mountain, just east of Ashland. KS Wild’s Conservation Director leads the way, with biodiversity, big views, and just enough climb to call it exercise. Sign up here: https://www.kswild.org/upcoming-events/greensprings-hike.
🍗 Cork ‘N’ Fork @ Paschal Winery and Vineyard | Wednesday (2/4) at 6:30 PM – Nothing beats midweek comfort like Cork ‘N’ Fork’s island spread. Huli Huli chicken, vegetable fried rice, Hawaiian mac, and green salad with lilikoi vinaigrette by Maren Faye, an island escape, no TSA, for $15, $13 for members. Wednesday, reservation only, so claim your spot.
This weekend
🍸 Date Night: Make It Together — Truffles + Cocktails @ Zi Spice | Saturday (2/7) at 2:00 AM – Skip the crowded prix fixe and get your hands messy together. You’ll roll rich truffles, shake proper cocktails, and head home with a box of bragging rights, a faint cocoa dusting on your sleeves, and a renewed respect for teamwork.
🍬 Rock Point “Sweet” Artisan Market @ Rock Point RV Park | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re sweet on someone, or just sweet on pastries, the first Rock Point market of the year brings Valentine-ready goods to the Big Red Barn. Exit 43 off I-5, grab a handcrafted coffee, browse local makers, and call it romance across from Del Rio.
🏠 Habiview Kickoff Wall Raising @ Street between Alcan and Kerry Dr. | Saturday (2/7) at 10:00 AM – Skip the honey-do list and watch Habitat for Humanity raise the first walls for Houses 91 and 92 at the Habiview subdivision in North Medford. It kicks off eight homes, with a boost from Westminster Presbyterian Church. Cheer, snap a pic, no experience required.
🐦 Hummingbirds: Chasing Flowers for 1,000 Miles! @ Talent Community Center | Sunday (2/8) at 1:00 PM – PPRV and Klamath Bird Observatory are hosting a two-part dive into hummingbirds, the tiny flower-chasers clocking 1,000 miles like it’s no big deal. Come for legit science and migration magic, stay to feel smug about finally planting natives, not petunias.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Medford report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 58°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. North wind around 2 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. North northwest wind around 2 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 63. East northeast wind around 3 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 31.
This house is wild
Built in 2023 in Cedar Landing, this 4-bed, 2-bath, 1,790-square-foot home pairs modern design with easy everyday function. An open layout showcases sleek finishes, quartz countertops, stainless appliances, and smart storage. An electric fireplace anchors the living area, ideal for gatherings. Outside, a large backyard and covered patio extend usable space year-round, plus a 2-car garage on a .21-acre lot.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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