Wellness

The Ripple Effect of Gratitude

Article by Rise Therapeutic Services We often think of gratitude as something personal—a simple "thank you" or a quiet moment of appreciation. But gratitude has a much bigger impact than we usually realize. Research shows that when we express genuine appreciation, it doesn't just make someone feel good in the moment; it can create a chain reaction that spreads far beyond that interaction. On an individual level, practicing gratitude activates areas of the brain associated with dopamine and...

Arts + Culture

The Lost Art of Listening

Why you should go to a sound bath. Seriously. Article by Michelle Karlebach, Founder of Sentinel Sound Meditation | Photography by Hailey Ryan A gong rises and splinters into space as the room around you slowly disappears. A chime retrieves a long-lost memory and, with it, a sudden rush of joy. Sounds appear, transform and fade before you have time to hold onto them. And then there is the silence in between. Imagine an uninterrupted hour. No one needs you. There is nowhere else you need to...

Health + Wellness

More Than a Smile

How one dental practice is making a difference beyond the chair Article by Abby Snethen | Photography by Hailey Ryan What makes a smile truly beautiful? Some say perfection, others, uniqueness. For the dentists at New Smiles Dental, it’s confidence. A smile brightens the eyes, can light up a room, and most importantly, can change the way a person sees themselves. For Dr. Nathan Doyel and Dr. Ben Aanderud, that ability to change a life is something they never take for granted. New Smiles...

Local Services

Answering The Call

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue are more than just first responders Article by Abby Snethen | Photography by Steven Paul Firefighters are there when we need them most, responding to emergencies and helping keep our community safe. But at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Station 34, serving the community goes far beyond answering calls. It means building relationships, showing up for local events, supporting one another and treating the people they serve like family.  Michael Sherman, the...

Shopping

Ride Redefined

The bicycle hasn't changed its purpose. An e-bike simply changes what's possible. Article by Shauna ONeal, E-Bike Central For generations, the bicycle has been wonderfully simple: two wheels, pedals and your own power. E-bikes haven't replaced that experience - they've expanded it. The biggest difference is exactly what the name suggests: an electric bike adds a motor and battery to assist you while you ride. You still pedal, steer and choose how much effort you want to contribute. Turn the...

Finance + Legal Services

Money Matters

The Best Things at This Table Are Passed Down Article by Nathan Oeming, NW Advisory Look around the table this month and notice what is actually there. The stuffing recipe came from your grandmother, who got it from hers. The pie crust technique took three generations to perfect. The serving dish has survived four moves and more than one near miss on the kitchen floor. Nobody at the table invented any of it this year. Someone received it, took care of it, and handed it forward. That is worth...

Finance + Legal Services

The View From 25 Years Out

Faith, Patience and DisciplineOctober 2026Last month the country marked twenty-five years since September 11, 2001. Most of us can still name the room we were standing in when the news came. Few days in American life have been burned in that deeply.What people tend to forget is that the attacks did not land on a calm market. They landed in the middle of a long, grinding collapse. To understand what 9/11 meant for investors, you have to see the whole stretch around it.The 929 DaysFrom March 24...

Food + Beverage

Eat Your Way to Better Blood Pressure

Small food choices can make a meaningful difference for your heart and kidneys Article by Marilia Campos, MD Optima Kidney Care When people hear “high blood pressure,” they often think medication first. But what we eat every day can have a surprisingly powerful effect on blood pressure—and, in turn, on the health of our heart and kidneys. One of the best places to start is sodium. For most adults, a good goal is to stay below 2,300 mg of sodium per day—about the amount of sodium in one...

Finance + Legal Services

Money Matters

Low and Slow Article by Nathan Oeming The best meals in my life were never fast. A brisket that spends twelve hours in the smoker. A pot of soup that simmers all afternoon. Bread that rises overnight. Whatever the dish, the pattern holds time does the work, and the cook's job is mostly to resist the urge to interfere. The financial industry sells microwave cooking. The hot stock, the timely trade, the asset class of the month. It looks like action, and action feels like progress. But wealth...

Food + Beverage

An Afternoon Steeped in Serenity

Doja Tea Lounge offers afternoon tea, finger foods, and a new sense of connection Article by Abby Snethen | Photography by Brian Simcoe Afternoon tea used to be considered a luxury past-time for upper class members in England, where people would sit down between the times of lunch and dinner, indulge in tea and finger foods, and converse about their lives and local happenings. Doja Tea’s has brought this luxury to Tualatin and Portland to not only serve tea, but to create an accessible place...