Dez Ramirez

With three and a half years under its belt, Xicha — the first Latinx-owned brewery in Oregon — has put down some West Salem roots, living their slogan of “Cerveza. Comida. Cultura,” or translates to “Beer. Food. Culture.” Antunez and his business partners Matt Dakopolos, Ben Mendoza and Maggie Antunez (Ricardo’s wife) are the heart and soul of the operation. More

With its sprawling forests and lush waterways, you’ll find dozens of hikes around the Willamette Valley that lead to tumbling falls. Where to start? From popular stunners like Silver Falls State Park to lesser-known Shellburg Falls, here are some of my favorites in the valley. Get out there — your waterfall-mist facial awaits. More

Curious travelers planning an adventure to this wild pocket of the Pacific Northwest should pack boots and cowboy hats — you’ll need both while exploring this arid side of the Cascades. The region is rich in history (hello, prehistoric fossil beds) and also offers incredible opportunities to soak up the high-desert sunshine, something that newcomers might not believe exists here in Oregon. Here are the top stops from my weekend road trip. More