olume 4, Issue 9 H April 27 - May 10, 2017 Pg 7 Pg 8 Pg 26 2 / WWW.ROGUEVALLEYMESSENGER.COM Convergence: Digital Media and Technology On view through Saturday, May 27, 2017 Exhibition co-curated by Richard Herskowitz and Scott Malbaurn in collaboration with the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art and the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Works by Allison Cekala, Nina Katchadourian, Derek G. Larson, Ken Matsubara, Julia Oldham, Vanessa Renwick, Peter Sarkisian, and Lou Watson. First Friday Trolley May 5 Hours extended to 8 pm. Free and open to the public. Vanessa Renwick, Medusa Smack, 2012, MOV file, screen, rugs, pillows, 66 x 86 inches. On generous loan from the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, OR. This work was acquired with the assistance of The Ford Family Foundation through a special grant program managed by the Oregon Arts Commission. FREE Family Day Saturday, May 20 Photo: Mark Licari. 10 am to 1 pm. Free and open to the public. Gala Celebration: the Schneider Museum of Art at 30 Years Benefitting the Museum’s exhibitions and educational programming Please join our red carpet event as we celebrate our pearl anniversary SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2017 AT 6:00 PM Cocktail hour with hors d’ouevres, open wine and beer bar on the patio An elegant dinner prepared by Larks Chef Damon Jones in the museum Silent art auction • Special entertainment Festive attire • Designated parking [email protected] or 541-552-8248 for invitation and ticket information mailing: 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard • gps: 555 Indiana Street Ashland, Oregon 97520 541-552-6245 • email: [email protected] web: sma.sou.edu • social: @schneidermoa PARKING: From Indiana Street, turn left into the metered lot between Frances Lane and Indiana St. There is also limited parking behind the Museum. APRIL 27 – MAY 10, 2017 / THE ROGUE VALLEY MESSENGER / 3 The Rogue Valley Messenger PO Box 8069 | Medford, OR 97501 CONTENTS 541-708-5688 page page roguevalleymessenger.com page [email protected] THE BUSINESS END OF THINGS The region is rife with This spring/late winter, seemingly ordinary men and 8 22 SALES MANAGER it poured restaurants in x Katie Ball women who are actually SALES REPS Tuula Rebhahn Grants Pass. Four new WEB MASTER Tammy Wilder superhero graphic artists and establishments opened shop SOCIAL MEDIA WIZ Alex Sophia movie mover-and-shakers. downtown, one returned to its OUR FINANANCIAL WIZARD Sara Louton, Advanced Books For Medford’s burgeoning old stomping grounds (Four DISTRIBUTION Alex Sophia, Olivia Doty Comic Con, get to know these Seasons Chinese) and one got OUR WORDSMITHS super stars behind some of a major remodel (Taqueria PUBLISHER & EDITOR Phil Busse the most memorable comics Mexico). And, take our quiz: ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sara Jane Wiltermood and movies. Match the superhero to his or MUSIC EDITOR Josh Gross her favorite drink. PRODUCTION MANAGER Katie Ball CALENDAR EDITOR Jordon Lindsey page ROAMING REPORTERS Hannah Jones page ART CRITIC Jordan Marie Martinez OUTDOOR EXPERTS Jeanine Moy, Mike Dickenson Apple Jam Music Festival, Our film reviewer COLUMNISTS 24 27 Rob Brezsny, Shannon Wheeler, held at The Moon Barn in Christopher Lucas attended Deborah Gordon, Dan Smith Williams, is approaching a recent screening of the FREELANCERS Tyrell Trimble, Tuula Rebhahn, Melissa Haskin, Julie Gillis, Charles Fischman, Anna its ninth year running. A candid and insightful film Diem, Josh Davis, Christopher Lucas and Jacob Scheppler homegrown festival, built about a SOU student who GET IN TOUCH from the ground up here in fell into an opioid addiction, EMAIL [email protected] the Rogue Valley, Apple Jam and returned back from its MUSIC [email protected] has quickly become one the dark hole. A frightening and, EVENTS [email protected] most anticipated festivals of ultimately, redemptive story. ADVERTISE [email protected] the season. A preview of the upcoming festival. SALES DEADLINE: 5 pm Thurs EDITORIAL DEADLINE: 5 pm Thurs Food & Drink 22 CALENDAR DEADLINE: 12 pm Thurs Don’t Shoot the Messenger 4 CLASSIFIED DEADLINE: 4 pm Thurs Letters 5 Culture 24 Deadlines may shift for special/holiday issues. News 7 Sports & Outdoors 25 ON THE COVER: Feature 8 Screen 26 Our Picks 13 Wellness 28 Photo Credit: Mary Wilkins-Kelly Live Music and Nightlife 14 Free Will Astrology 29 Photography Events 16 Weed Garden 30 Design by: Katie Ball Sound 20 Rec Room 31 SolarSolar mademade easy.easy. Sunshine,Sunshine, savings, savings, andand incentives. incentives. 800.947.1187 $6,000$6,000 800.947.1187 OregonOregon Tax Tax Credit Credit truesouthsolar.nettruesouthsolar.net SetSet to to Expire Expire in in 2017! 2017! 4 / WWW.ROGUEVALLEYMESSENGER.COM DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER David Versus Veresen Earlier this month, the esteemed Pulitzer Priz- es were handed out for excellence in journalism. Mixed in with the big dogs and usual suspects is a small newspaper, The Storm Lake Times, a twice- weekly newspaper in Iowa. The circulation for the newspaper is smaller than the Messenger. The editor won the prize for best editorial writing, for a series of articles that unapologetically took on big agricultural interests in the farming community. Congratulations. And thanks for the inspiration. We also believe that small can be mighty, and we are encouraged that the Messenger can make a difference in southern Oregon—yes, by providing great information about events, and art, and bands, but also about pub- lic interest happenings and championing important causes. (We also are currently in the process of switching this newspaper to a nonprofit, and are asking our readers to submit us. Just like public radio listeners support its services, we need your support; see page 10. And thank you to those who already have pledged.) Specifically, we are hoping to rally our readers to be politically engaged. Don’t let this be a silent spring in southern Oregon. Concerned about global warming (and who shouldn’t be?)? There is something stirring in your backyard—on the Oregon coast—that you can stop. Although it has not yet reached the notoriety of the Standing Rock pipeline and protests, the so-called LNG Pipeline has so many of the same elements—a pipeline bisecting public and private property, and Native lands; environmental concerns, as a potentially large contributor to carbon emissions; a federal govern- ment running roughshod over local opinions. No thank you. The LNG pipeline has twice been rejected by Federal Energy Regulatory Com- mission (FERC). But shortly after Donald Trump was elected in November, word began to circulate that Veresen, the Canadian company proposing the pipeline, planned to resubmit its application to the FERC for approval of the pipeline again—although local opinion has not changed in its opposition to the pipeline, what has is the federal government’s attitude towards energy sources and global warming. They did. And Veresen is looking pretty assured about getting their pre- cious permit. Unless you stop them. Just last week, White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn all but promised that the administration would approve the permit, saying that it would offer a big economic boon to the U.S. economy. (Egg on his face: The company that would own the pipeline is Canadian.) But David can beat Goliath. Jefferson Start by attending the People’s Climate March on Saturday, April 29 in Pear Blossom Park in Medford. It is a satellite march to one in Washington DC. The march has a diffuse number of abstract goals—and that has been a flaw in the State of Mind efforts to “stop” global warming. Organizers and publicity has explained that the march will creating good-paying clean energy jobs in our region; safeguard public with Special Guest Artist lands, clean water, air, and fisheries; support family farms, etc., etc. While we find this scatter shot unhelpful, we encourage readers and marchers to focus those Craig Chaquico concerns to the one, biggest threat to carbon emissions and environmental harm in southern Oregon: The LNG Pipeline. Sat., May 20 Second, support YES on Measure 6-162. While most of our readers don’t live in the voting jurisdiction for Measure 6-162, most could be affected by the LNG 7:30 pm only · SOU Music Recital Hall Pipeline. The measure would prohibit the transportation of fossil fuels within the county as well as the development of any non-sustainable energy systems, particularly hydraulic and pneumatic fracturing; essentially, banning the pipeline. JSCC is thrilled to team up with the legendary CRAIG CHAQUICO, Currently, the YES on Measure 6-162 is outgunned. Opposition has reportedly Grammy-nominated, contemporary jazz guitarist and gathered a war chest of funds, a reported $358,500 in campaign contributions, former lead guitarist and songwriter for the original more than 30 times the amount the Yes on Measure 6-162 committee has re- Jefferson Starship and Starship (Miracles, Jane, ceived. Much like the GMO ban ballot measures a few years ago, multinational corporations—which only have financial gains to seek from the region—are roll- Find Your Way Back, Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now). ing into town and trying to buy a victory. The bulk of the funds (92 percent) to stop Measure 6-162 have been funneled from Veresen. Tickets $25 Adults, $5 Students (through high school) Don’t have $300,000 to fight back? Push back through marching. Push back available at Paddington Station, at the door, and online at through posting on Facebook. Talk with friends about the concerns over the LNG JeffersonStateChoralCoalition.com Pipeline. Just don’t do nothing. APRIL 27 – MAY 10, 2017 / THE ROGUE VALLEY MESSENGER / 5 LETTERS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? Send your thoughts to: [email protected] Letters must be received by noon Friday before next print date for inclusion in the following week’s paper.