Our morning travel has been curtailed to rolling out of bed and booting up our laptops instead of hour-long car commutes and our weekly happy hour hangouts have turned into Skype soirees. For better or worse, we have a lot of extra time on our hands. Why not spend some of that time catching up on some reading? Here are a handful of long-form reads we’ve published in the last year to pore over while...

Finally have a little time to read? We have some recommendations for that – and they’re all books by local authors, so you can #readlocal while you #supportlocal. Many of these can be ordered online from local bookshops like Changing Hands, as e-books or online from major retailers or their publishers, so you can order and read them in the safety of your own home.  If You Like: Heartwarming Stories for Little Ones Try: The Silly Adventures of Petunia & Herman the Worm An unexpected...

Happy headlines are hard to come by these days. Coronavirus cases in the Valley and fear concerning the pandemic continue to rise, but there are silver linings – the community is coming together (virtually) in solidarity and local organizations, businesses and residents are doing the best they can to support each other. Our duty during these tough times is to keep you informed and updated, even if the news isn’t always uplifting. Here is a...

Happy headlines are hard to come by these days. Coronavirus cases in the Valley and fear concerning the pandemic continue to rise, but there are silver linings – the community is coming together (virtually) in solidarity and local organizations, businesses and residents are doing the best they can to support each other. Our duty during these tough times is to keep you informed and updated, even if the news isn’t always uplifting. Here is a...

Tracy Perkins runs Strawberry Hedgehog, an ecologically conscious vegan boutique that carries its own soaps plus the wares of other vendors and artists. Need a body cream, beard oil or jar of healing spices? Until recently, Perkins’s brick-and-mortar shop had you covered. But now, the spread of the coronavirus has forced her to partially close. “The decision to close was not made lightly,” Perkins says. “We will not be able to maintain paying all of...

Self-quarantine got you feeling stir crazy? Us, too. With the suspension of large events and our favorite Valley venues shut down until further notice, it’s time to get creative when it comes to things to do. Here are 10 ways to help soothe your social distancing blues in the Valley this weekend. 1. Have your own happy hour. There’s nothing wrong with a little liquid therapy during this difficult time, and some of your favorite...

The coronavirus pandemic has caused closures across the country and instilled widespread panic in our communities. But some local businesses and institutions are taking this time to give back. Here are a few ways Valley restaurants, residents and organizations are making a difference during the age of COVID-19 – and how you can help, as well. Creativity for a Cause Local photographer Danny Upshaw is fascinated with the iconic Westward Ho, a subsidized housing complex...

Concerns surrounding the novel coronavirus are growing globally, and service industry workers and small businesses are taking a big hit. Though many restaurants and retailers have closed their doors or dining rooms to help stop the spread of the virus, there are still ways you can support local while staying safe. Consider these tips to contribute to Valley businesses during the coronavirus crisis. Buy gift cards. Help your favorite local businesses stay afloat by purchasing...