Why higher-income housing remains scarce in Arcata

Southern Oregon's best free concerts and arts events this summer

A large crowd sits on blankets and lawn chairs during a free outdoor concert at Shastice Park in Mount Shasta. Mountains and a colorful sunset are visible behind the audience. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ba79fe9/2147483647/strip/false/crop/860x624+0+0/resize/728x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa8%2Fb8%2F461818cf4edea705f727c0cf0d79%2Fmt-shasta-summer-concert-series.png] Audience members gather at Shastice Park for a free Concerts in the Park performance in Mount Shasta. (Courtesy of Mount Shasta Concert Series / Instagram) Summer arts season is underway across Southern Oregon and Northern California, with communities offering dozens of free and low-cost ways to experience live music, public art and local culture. Every month on the Jefferson Exchange, JPR arts reporter Vanessa Finney and Open Air host Dave Jackson highlight the performances, exhibitions and festivals they think are worth your time. This month's recommendations range from outdoor concerts and interactive mural projects to folk traditions and nationally touring musicians making stops in the region. Many of the events are free, something Jackson said makes them especially appealing at a time when many people are watching their budgets. "It is a good time to have free or inexpensive things going on," Jackson said. "When I look at my bank account, I'm thankful." Whether you're looking for an evening of live music, a chance to watch artists at work or an opportunity to explore a new community, these are some of their top picks for June. FREE CONCERTS AROUND SOUTHERN OREGON MUSIC IN THE PARK Free | Summer evenings | Riverside Park, Grants Pass Music in the Park [https://business.grantspasschamber.org/events/details/concerts-in-the-park-2026-57652] returns to Riverside Park with performances by local and regional artists, including Southern rock, funk and Irish folk punk. Jackson recommends catching the John Doe Boys, a high-energy band that blends Irish folk with punk. "They're really a fun show, really high-energy," Jackson said. People watch a band perform on the Music on the Half Shell stage in Stewart Park in Roseburg. Audience members wearing Music on the Half Shell T-shirts stand in the foreground as purple stage lights illuminate the outdoor concert. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/feec6ec/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2189x1643+0+0/resize/703x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F98%2F67%2F774c264a4c30bc4b627d5826e444%2Fmusic-on-the-half-shell.jpg] Audience members gather in Stewart Park in Roseburg for a Music on the Half Shell concert. The free summer series features nationally touring and regional musicians.( Courtesy of Music on the Half Shell) MUSIC ON THE HALF SHELL Free | Tuesdays | Stewart Park, Roseburg Music on the Half Shell [https://halfshell.org/] brings nationally touring performers to Stewart Park throughout the summer, along with local food vendors and family-friendly activities. Among Jackson's recommendations are blues guitarist Jackie Venson, Afrobeat band Jujuba and Portland's MarchFourth Marching Band. RIVERBEND LIVE Free | Fridays | Riverbend Park, Winston Riverbend Live [https://riverbendlive.org/]combines outdoor concerts with cowboy poetry, Western music and youth theater performances. The series concludes with the Riverbend Live Youth Theater's production of "Into the Woods." MOUNT SHASTA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Free | Sundays | Shastice Park, Mount Shasta Concerts [https://www.mtshastaconcerts.org/] return to Shastice Park with free performances throughout the summer. Jackson is particularly excited about 19-year-old guitarist Bella Rayne [https://www.bella-rayne.com/], who has begun performing with members of the extended Grateful Dead family. "I feel like in the coming years she's really going to blossom even more," he said. SUMMER SOUNDS Free | Evenings throughout the summer | Lithia Park, Ashland Ashland's summer concert series continues through Epic Ashland [https://www.epicashland.com/]and the Ashland Folk Collective [https://www.ashlandfolkcollective.com/], featuring regional bands, touring acts and food vendors throughout the season. WATCH MURALS COME TO LIFE MURAL FEST Free | June 20-21 | ScienceWorks Plaza, Ashland Rather than simply viewing finished artwork, visitors can watch regional muralists paint [https://www.scienceworksmuseum.org/mural-fest] throughout the weekend as this year's festival explores the theme "Belonging." Finney said seeing the creative process unfold is what makes the event special. "If you've never seen live painting, there's nothing like it," Finney said. "Everybody's part of this creative spirit." Artist Monica Deatherage stands in front of her colorful floral mural, Klamath in Bloom, in downtown Klamath Falls. The mural features butterfly wings designed for visitors to pose in front of as part of the Wings Walk public art trail. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ccb249f/2147483647/strip/false/crop/750x529+0+0/resize/749x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F84%2Ff6%2F7adc404b4dbd84d306c695b5075a%2Fklamath-falls-wing-walk.png]Artist Monica Deatherage poses in front of her mural, Klamath in Bloom, in downtown Klamath Falls. The interactive mural is one of three new installations featured in the city's Wings Walk public art trail.( Courtesy of Healthy Klamath) WINGS WALK Free | June 18 | Downtown Klamath Falls Three new murals with interactive wing designs have joined Klamath Falls' public art trail [https://www.healthyklamath.com/wingswalkcollective], and the city is inviting visitors to photograph themselves at each stop during the Wings Walk Challenge and post them using the hashtage #iheartkfalls. It's a fun way for families and visitors to explore downtown while discovering local artwork. "You take photos with the wings," Finney said. "You might be standing in front of them, like you're an angel." EXPLORE MEDFORD'S THIRD FRIDAY THIRD FRIDAY MARKET Free | June 19, 4-8 p.m. | Vogel Plaza, Medford Third Friday [https://downtownmedford.org/events/third-friday-medford/] is one of Finney's favorite ways to reconnect with the community. The market features live music by the Brian Oliver Trio alongside local artists, makers and food vendors. Jackson said Oliver is worth seeing, whether he's performing or supporting other musicians. "He's a really skilled guitar player and a good vocalist," Jackson said. WALLRIDE Free | June 19 | Rogue Galery and Art Center, Medford If you're interested in art that blends creativity and action sports, the Rogue Gallery and Art Center's Wall Ride [https://roguegallery.org/home/exhibitions/main-gallery/]exhibition features painted skateboard decks, reclaimed skateboard art, live painting and skateboarding demonstrations. Finney said Third Friday is about more than the individual events. "It's worth zeroing in on sometimes because there's really a lot of fun things going on," Finney said. "It gets back to connecting with your community." Cassandra Lewis (pictured) and Southern Oregon-based bassist Emily Turner will perform live in the JPR studio on June 19, ahead of their live music set at Medford's Copper Plank that evening. She facetiously describes her music as “Dolly Parton on acid. Janis Joplin on Jesus.” [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/aa8bb9e/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1280x864+0+0/resize/782x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F14%2F3e%2F868abc1e4eb1b2226c93843f2665%2Fcassandra-lewis-singer.png]Cassandra Lewis (pictured) and Southern Oregon-based bassist Emily Turner will perform live in the JPR studio on June 19, ahead of their live music set at Medford's Copper Plank that evening. She facetiously describes her music as “Dolly Parton on acid. Janis Joplin on Jesus.”(Cassandra Lewis ) MUSICAL EXPERIENCES PEG TOOTH BOW SAW JAMBOREE Donation-based | June 19-21 | Jackson Wellsprings, Ashland Even if you've never heard shape-note singing or tried contra dancing, this gathering welcomes [https://www.facebook.com/WellSpringsAshland/photos/we-are-happy-to-share-with-you-the-next-peg-tooth-bow-saw-dance-a-day-and-a-half/1845855520158477/] newcomers alongside experienced musicians. The weekend includes folk sessions, square dancing, campfire music and community meals. "I was curious myself as a singer," Finney said about shape-note singing. "I thought I would go check that out." CASSANDRA LEWIS Ticketed | June 19 | Copper Plank, Medford Jackson describes Cassandra Lewis [https://www.cassandralewismusic.com/] as one of the more distinctive touring artists coming through Southern Oregon this month. Before her evening concert at the Copper Plank [https://www.thecopperplank.com/], she'll perform a live session at JPR. "She jokingly refers to her music as Dolly Parton on acid or Janis Joplin on Jesus," Jackson said. Jefferson Exchange host Mike Green finishes another episode of JX Arts with Dave Jackson, JPR's music curator and host of Open Air, and Vanessa Finney, JPR arts reporter and host of the podcasts, My Better Half and The Creative Way. JPR associate producer and engineer, Kara Everitt is in the control booth. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d01e77b/2147483647/strip/false/crop/4096x1676+0+0/resize/792x324!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F11%2F0c%2F397a0e664e3d8ccff30a071cb863%2F06162026-jx-arts-mike-dave-vanessa.jpg]Jefferson Exchange host Mike Green finishes another episode of JX Arts with Dave Jackson, JPR's music curator and host of Open Air, and Vanessa Finney, JPR arts reporter and host of the podcasts, My Better Half and The Creative Way. JPR associate producer and engineer, Kara Everitt is in the control booth. (JPR Senior Producer Natalie Golay) GUESTS * Vanessa Finney, JPR arts reporter, host of My Better Half and The Creative Way * Dave Jackson, JPR music curator, host of Open Air

Why higher-income housing remains scarce in Arcata

A freeway separates the university from the rest of downtown in the City of Arcata. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8932e9c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F85%2Fb2%2F0f3d64924a50bbb6cbda0660e0d1%2Farcata.jpeg] A freeway separates the university from the rest of downtown in the City of Arcata.( Cal Poly Humboldt) Arcata has fallen short of building enough housing for higher-income residents, according to the state's Regional Housing Needs Allocation [https://www.hcd.ca.gov/rhna], which sets housing production targets for cities every eight years. David Loya, the city's community development director, said Arcata has generally met its housing goals but has consistently lagged in the above-moderate income category. While the city has made significant progress meeting state housing targets for lower-income residents, officials say the shortage of market-rate housing has become an economic development challenge. They say the lack of homes makes it harder to recruit and retain physicians, university faculty and other professionals, even as Arcata works to encourage new development. According to Arcata's annual element progress report covering 2019 through 2027, the city has met its housing allocation for almost all levels, except for one low-income unit and 116 above-moderate income units Loya said several factors make higher-income housing difficult to build. "Housing in general in California is just really hard to make pencil," he said. He said grants have helped finance affordable housing developments, but similar funding is not available for market-rate projects. "There are no grants programs for above moderate-income housing," Loya said. "It's just left to the market." Limited land is another challenge. Arcata is bordered by forests, pastureland and Humboldt Bay. "You would think, 'Well, you can just annex and start building new housing tracts out there if you wanted to,'" he said. "We certainly could, but that kind of runs against the grain of our environmental values." Construction costs also remain a significant obstacle, even for housing that would sell at a higher price point. "The cost of materials, the cost of labor, the cost of land doesn't jibe with the income rates of the folks that live in our area, so it's just a really hard sector to build for," he said. Loya said state building codes also add to development costs. "[A] perfect example of that is all new housing now needs to have solar panels installed [https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/energy-code-support-center/solar] at the initial build," he said. "Which is a great idea for energy resiliency, but it does make the cost of the housing more expensive." Much of the city's single-family housing has been converted into rental housing for students attending Cal Poly Humboldt, Loya said, going back to the 1980s and 1990s. "We're trying to reverse basically decades and decades of policy that led to the challenge that we're experiencing now," he said. The shortage of higher-income housing affects more than homebuyers, Loya said. Employers struggle to recruit professionals, including physicians and university faculty. "Obtaining any kind of medical services is really a challenge. In part, that challenge is exacerbated because we can't attract and retain physicians," he said. "Not having higher-income housing is a detriment to our residents because of those follow-on impacts." Loya said the city has tried to give developers more flexibility to incentivize building. "We've tried to eliminate requirements that could be costly to developers," he said. "We've eliminated any kind of parking requirements in the city of Arcata." Now, Loya said, the city will work to market itself to developers. "The onus is on us to find ways to produce that kind of housing and to make more options available," he said.

Why higher-income housing remains scarce in Arcata

A freeway separates the university from the rest of downtown in the City of Arcata. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8932e9c/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1000x667+0+0/resize/792x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F85%2Fb2%2F0f3d64924a50bbb6cbda0660e0d1%2Farcata.jpeg] A freeway separates the university from the rest of downtown in the City of Arcata.( Cal Poly Humboldt) Arcata has fallen short of building enough housing for higher-income residents, according to the state's Regional Housing Needs Allocation [https://www.hcd.ca.gov/rhna], which sets housing production targets for cities every eight years. David Loya, the city's community development director, said Arcata has generally met its housing goals but has consistently lagged in the above-moderate income category. While the city has made significant progress meeting state housing targets for lower-income residents, officials say the shortage of market-rate housing has become an economic development challenge. They say the lack of homes makes it harder to recruit and retain physicians, university faculty and other professionals, even as Arcata works to encourage new development. According to Arcata's annual element progress report covering 2019 through 2027, the city has met its housing allocation for almost all levels, except for one low-income unit and 116 above-moderate income units Loya said several factors make higher-income housing difficult to build. "Housing in general in California is just really hard to make pencil," he said. He said grants have helped finance affordable housing developments, but similar funding is not available for market-rate projects. "There are no grants programs for above moderate-income housing," Loya said. "It's just left to the market." Limited land is another challenge. Arcata is bordered by forests, pastureland and Humboldt Bay. "You would think, 'Well, you can just annex and start building new housing tracts out there if you wanted to,'" he said. "We certainly could, but that kind of runs against the grain of our environmental values." A middle aged man with gray hair and a goatee is standing outside wearing a button-up shirt, jacket, and tie. There are trees behind him. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8f7ad19/2147483647/strip/false/crop/2353x2049+0+0/resize/606x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa7%2F60%2F567b69a1441caad636b66fc16813%2Fheadshot-david-web.jpg]Arcata Community Development Director David Loya(OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA / Courtesy) Construction costs also remain a significant obstacle, even for housing that would sell at a higher price point. "The cost of materials, the cost of labor, the cost of land doesn't jibe with the income rates of the folks that live in our area, so it's just a really hard sector to build for," he said. Loya said state building codes also add to development costs. "[A] perfect example of that is all new housing now needs to have solar panels installed [https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/energy-code-support-center/solar] at the initial build," he said. "Which is a great idea for energy resiliency, but it does make the cost of the housing more expensive." Much of the city's single-family housing has been converted into rental housing for students attending Cal Poly Humboldt, Loya said, going back to the 1980s and 1990s. "We're trying to reverse basically decades and decades of policy that led to the challenge that we're experiencing now," he said. The shortage of higher-income housing affects more than homebuyers, Loya said. Employers struggle to recruit professionals, including physicians and university faculty. "Obtaining any kind of medical services is really a challenge. In part, that challenge is exacerbated because we can't attract and retain physicians," he said. "Not having higher-income housing is a detriment to our residents because of those follow-on impacts." Loya said the city has tried to give developers more flexibility to incentivize building. "We've tried to eliminate requirements that could be costly to developers," he said. "We've eliminated any kind of parking requirements in the city of Arcata." Now, Loya said, the city will work to market itself to developers. "The onus is on us to find ways to produce that kind of housing and to make more options available," he said.

Ashland author's unlikely path to publishing began after retirement

"Unknown & Other Stories" is the latest book by Ashland-based author Barry Vitcov. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/847b4be/2147483647/strip/false/crop/1920x1080+0+0/resize/792x446!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2F6c%2F3be7edbe41cd85edf4aebdc0a6db%2Funtitled-january-06-2026-at-11-50-01-1.png]Unknown & Other Stories is the latest book by Ashland-based author Barry Vitcov.(https://finishinglinepress.com/?s=vitcov ) Barry Vitkov spent 45 years in education as a middle school English teacher, school administrator and adjunct professor. He began writing poetry as a teenager, and his father famously carried his poems in his wallet to share with clients. But the demands of an academic career pulled him away from writing. It wasn't until retirement that he returned to his creative roots, launching a prolific second act that has produced six books in less than a decade. Vitkov's publishing career began almost by accident. After retiring, he started writing poetry and short stories again. At 70, a friend encouraged him to submit a manuscript to a small press. "For me, publishing wasn't about having another career," Vitkov said. "It was just about publishing a book and saying I did it." Unlike many writers, Vitkov doesn't follow a strict routine. "I'm not a disciplined writer," he said. "I write in spurts." He often finds inspiration when he's bored or while attending theater performances in Ashland, where he carries a notepad to capture ideas. Vitkov described his creative process as a "strange kind of journey." His work, including the novella "The Boy with Six Fingers" and his latest collection, "Unknown and Other Stories," explores themes of individuality and the line between reality and imagination. He said maturity means accepting both the uniqueness of others and your own. His interest in magical realism has occasionally overlapped with real life. While writing the word "thunder" during a storm, lightning struck a house across the street. "My goodness! I have such power as a writer," he recalled joking before calling the fire department. Now 79 and preparing to publish his seventh book, Vitkov said he continues to write for the satisfaction of the work rather than financial success. Asked what motivates him if not money, he answered: "Pure ego." GUEST * Barry Vitcov [https://ashland.news/ashland-author-barry-vitcov-explores-reality-and-imagination-in-new-story-collection/], retired educator, author, poet

Beyond timber: Mayor Fred Fry’s vision for a research and tourism haven in Powers, Oregon

A view of downtown Powers, Oregon, with homes and businesses at the base of forested Coast Range hills that have long supported the area's timber industry. [https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a7eed5/2147483647/strip/false/crop/3134x2351+0+0/resize/704x528!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fda%2Fd1%2Fa5a127944ec69ac0b0d84fb94c10%2Fpowers-oregon-skyline2.JPG] The city of Powers, Oregon, sits in the Coast Range, where leaders are looking to diversify the local economy beyond timber through tourism, environmental restoration and scientific research.(Tedder / Wikimedia) Powers, Oregon [https://traveloregon.com/places-to-go/cities/powers/], long defined by its logging industry, is looking to diversify its economy through tourism, environmental restoration and scientific research. Mayor Fred Fry, serving his first term, said the city is adapting as the timber industry continues to change. "Timber's taken us as far as it can take us," Fry said. He said tourism is already growing, driven in part by the city's mild summer weather, the south fork of the Coquille River and nearby campgrounds. Fry's long-term vision includes creating a research center focused on archaeology, biology and geology. He hopes partnerships with Oregon State University and the Coquille Tribe could bring graduate students to study what he describes as the region's rich natural and cultural resources. "If we had a research institute, we thought we could maybe provide a service that costs way less and be able to respond sooner" to archaeological needs on public lands, Fry said. Environmental restoration is another priority. Fry said restoring salmon runs could strengthen the local economy by attracting anglers and other visitors. Despite its changing economy, Powers continues to celebrate its logging heritage. The town's high school teams are known as the Cruisers, named for timber cruisers, the forestry workers who survey and assess timber before it is harvested. Residents also gather each Fourth of July for the annual White Cedar Days celebration. GUEST * Fred Fry, mayor, Powers, Oregon