Aaron

Aaron

    Game Changer, Think Oregon

    Chamber Music Unites Burns, Oregon

    In blue-collar Burns, chamber music helps bring a small community together written by James Sinks | illustration by Kristiina Almy A former county commissioner plays tenor sax. A research ecologist plays the violin. A police officer plays bass clarinet. And a college student and enrolled member of the Burns Paiute Tribe plays tuba. Twice a year in the Oregon high desert, the nonprofit Chamber Music Society of Harney County brings together volunteer musicians from Burns and the vicinity for free concerts. The most recent, in March, featured fifty-four musicians, and a crowd of more than 200 came to watch and listen to their friends and neighbors in the association’s three ensembles: a choir, bell choir and orchestra. The repertoire is wide, from folk songs to movie soundtracks to patriotic marches. And the shows are a testament that even in one of the more remote places in the country, music has…

    A powerful wave crashes against the rocky shoreline with a towering spray, capturing the dynamic natural beauty of Oregon's coast, perfect for exploring Oregon's scenic landscapes and outdoor adventures.
    Featured

    Storm Watching on the Oregon Coast

    Storm watching along the Oregon Coast reveals the region’s natural dynamism written by Daniel O’Neil In one corner, the Oregon Coast, forged by fault lines, long-ago volcanics and distant lava flows. In the other, the early winter north Pacific Ocean, with its incessant battering waves and wind. Watching the two clash is a spectacle of Mother Nature’s brutal strength and beauty, one that is quickly gaining aficionados. With plenty of cliffs and headlands, punchbowls and blowholes, not to mention warm hospitality and a relaxed offseason vibe, storm watching on the Oregon Coast does not disappoint. With the right timing, and plenty of precaution, taking in the action is yet another way to enjoy and appreciate Oregon’s rugged coastline. Storm watching offers plenty of opportunities from late fall until the end of winter. Some people go for the storm itself, the unimpeded ocean winds and sideways rain that challenge one’s balance…

    Chanterelle Sauté on toasted sourdough.
    Farm to Table, Live Oregon, Oregon Home Grown Chef

    Foraging Oregon’s Golden Chanterelles

    written by Thor Erickson | photography by Tambi Lane “I thought you’d never get here!” a booming voice exclaimed through my driver-side window as I pulled into the parking area. “I’ve been waiting for thirty minutes!” The voice was that of my brother-in-law, Pete. Pete and my sister Kaari live near Portland, and I live in Bend, so we’d arranged to meet about midway, at my secret/not-so-secret spot for finding chanterelle mushrooms. Pete, a retired army nurse, is adept at hunting and fishing, and for years I have been threatening to add foraging to his set of skills. I pulled out my field guide and showed him what we were looking for: Cantharellus formosus, the Pacific golden chanterelle, Oregon’s official state mushroom, and in my opinion the most delicious edible mushroom. After a mile walk, we came upon the place—a large stand of Douglas fir, spruce and hemlock casting long…

    A person with short hair relaxing at a bar with their hand on their face and a beer mug nearby, surrounded by vibrant, colorful abstract art, capturing the essence of Oregon's art and culture scene.
    Food+Drink, Live Oregon

    When Beer and Jazz Find Their Groove

    written by Jeremy Storton | illustration by Maggie Wauklyn I sink deeper into the patio chair as shadows stretch into oblivion, bathed in the golden light of dusk. The song “So What” wafts from the house like the aromas from our homegrown chef’s kitchen. “Man From Monterey” then picks up the groove, setting the mood as my buddy and I sip our beer. The pairing of good beer and jazz as day fades into night always seems to bring life into perspective. Some of my favorite contemplative moments were steeped in conversation with a great beer in hand while jazz played softly in the background. I’d bet that in your quiet moments, many of you aren’t all that different. Staring into your glass, your mind goes elsewhere. Your foot taps. Your head sways. You may not know exactly where you are, but you know it’s somewhere good. The similarities between…

    Enjoying fishing in Oregon's scenic waters, these anglers explore outdoor adventures featured in 1859 Oregon Magazine, highlighting the region's natural beauty and leisure activities.
    Adventure, Explore Oregon

    Cape Kiwanda Dory Fishing Adventure

    Punching through Cape Kiwanda surf with a seasoned captain, a hefty catch and century-old dory culture written by Cathy Carroll In the faint light just after dawn in the Pelican Brewing Company parking lot in Pacific City, Captain Joe Hay stood at the stern of his trailered dory boat, primed to launch straight from the beach through the surf of Cape Kiwanda—a tradition among local fishers since the early 1900s. With the dry humor of someone who’s spent thirty years plying the waters for its bounty, Hay, in pink Chubbies swim trunks but visible only from the waist up, quipped: “I guess you’re wondering why I’m not wearing pants—my wife wears them, and she’s home in bed.” This was just what a neophyte wearing an anti-seasickness patch behind an ear needed to hear. “She’s a smart woman,” I replied, feeling less nervous. I climbed aboard. The crew towed the open-hulled,…

    A portrait of a smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a patterned dress and pearl necklace, featured in Oregon's 1859 Magazine, highlighting Oregon's culture, arts, and lifestyle.
    Bibliophile, Live Oregon, Notebook

    Antidote for Buried Histories

    Acclaimed new novel is a reckoning, unearthing horrors and shimmering possibilities interview by Cathy Carroll Karen Russell’s latest novel, The Antidote, is her first since Swamplandia!, one of The New York Times’ ten best books of the year and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. She has received many awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship and The New Yorker’s “20 under 40” list (she is now 43). Russell, who lives in Portland, also serves on the board of Street Books, a mobile library and community space for people living outside or at the margins in Portland. What drove you to incorporate magical elements with brutal historical realities? I’m sure my early reading history has a lot to do with it, as does growing up in Miami, where long before I knew how to read I learned how many streaming realities can coexist on a single city block. As…

    Beautiful fall colors in Oregon’s parks, vibrant leaves, serene pond, and peaceful nature scene in Portland, Oregon.
    Explore Oregon, Trip Planner

    Fall for Ashland

    As the days shorten, the Rogue Valley’s dramatic hamlet is a little spooky and a lot awesome written by James Sinks With its renowned theatrical festival, international culinary scene, public university and smorgasbord of outdoor recreation pursuits, it might not feel fair to call Ashland a ghost town. Then again, you might not be wrong. Paranormal reports abound in the hamlet in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, from the ghost of a 1930s actor lurking at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, to one that stomps the hallways at the Columbia Hotel downtown. “Based on the stories I’ve heard, the spirits here are more mischievous than murderous,” chuckled 74-year-old Peter Finkle, a local historian who leads art and history walking tours. His most popular, by far, explores Haunted Ashland. Even if you don’t bump into apparitions, you’ll still be spirited away—and quite busy—in Oregon’s drama capital. Zigzag from dusty mountain trails to U-pick…

    Happy beer mug cartoon character winning race with medals, racing to finish line, celebrating success, in a playful illustration for Oregon lifestyle, beverages, and local culture.
    Food+Drink, Live Oregon

    Beer Competitions and Why You Should Care

    written by Jeremy Storton | illustration by Edwin Ouellette A woman once walked into the shop where I sold beer and wine. We chatted about her dinner plans, and I offered a few perfect pairings. Instead of taking my advice, she reached for two bottles from the bottom shelf and said, “I’ll just go with these. They’re safe.” Her word “safe” shook me. After all, a great bottle isn’t about safety or security—it’s about joy and adventure. I’ve thought about that moment ever since. What I think she really expressed was the overwhelm of so many choices, compounded by the fear of disappointment after spending hard-earned money. Luckily, there is a way to enjoy a flavor adventure without the risk.  For years, I’ve sat at a little round table with rows of mystery beer in small cups waiting for me and other beer judges to blindly evaluate them. Judging beer…

    A picturesque view of Oregon vineyards at sunrise, with rolling hills, lush grapevines, and distant mountains, highlighting Oregon's renowned wine country and scenic beauty.
    Featured

    7 Pastoral Wine Getaways in Oregon

    Fall for These Wine Country Escapes written by Jean Chen Smith Oregon tips the scale at more than 1,100 wineries in the state, making it the ideal destination for a wine country getaway. Fall is the harvest season for the majority of vineyards, when grapes are ripe for picking, and properties are abuzz with activity. Grapevines are at the apex of their beauty with an abundance of grapes. It is my favorite time to visit wineries. There are many options when it comes to choosing romantic accommodations after a day of wine tasting. Some wineries offer luxurious lodging where you can sip and stay, enjoying an immersive experience. Surrounded by the beauty of the vines, staying on a working vineyard is a unique getaway. Boutique hotels and small inns also make an excellent choice when visiting wine country. Fall head over heels for these idyllic stops. CARLTON Abbey Road Farm…