Samantha's Portfolio

Samantha is a freelance feature writer and blogger sharing stories of people, brands, and organizations who make a difference in their world.  

She covers lifestyle topics that touch on our daily lives, including food, wellness, health, science, and consumer technology. 

Currently based in Corvallis, OR. 

Latest Articles

The 100 Collection™ •

Sunshine, Mimosas, and Brunch: Six Tasty Brunch Spots in San Diego, CA | The 100 Collection™

There’s something special that happens when you combine a relaxing brunch with sunny Southern California weather. In San Diego, it’s patio weather every day. That means you can enjoy brunch in San Diego after a morning bike ride or before an afternoon at the beach. Wherever your visit to San Diego takes you, chances are you are close to one of the best brunch spots in San Diego.
The Corvallis Advocate •

The Science of Taste and Smell & the Covid-19 Connection

What can your sense of taste and smell tell you about your health? The answers may surprise you.   
OSU Food Science Professor Juyun Lim studies how people experience taste, smell, and other related chemosensory stimuli. Her research focuses “primarily on understanding how human taste and smell work and the role of underlying human taste and smell perception and the role of human sensory perception in food preference,” she said.   
Like many scientists at Oregon State University and beyond, the...
The Corvallis Advocate •

OSU Wins Grant to Research Environmental Impact on Health

Oregon State University was awarded $5.9 million grant from the National Institutes For Environmental Health Sciences to research the impact of environmental chemical exposure on human health.  
According to OSU, The researchers at Pacific Northwest Center for Translational Environmental Health Research will provide stakeholders with scientific research. Stakeholders may include health care providers, pharmaceutical firms, regulatory agencies, and more.  
This OSU-based center is funded by a fiv...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Increase in Corvallis Burglaries Prompts Reminders from CPD

The Corvallis Police Department reported an increase in car prowls and burglaries in Spring 2020 compared to Spring 2019.   
“We have compared March, April and May for 2020 to the same time period in 2019, and we found a 68 percent increase in burglaries and a 49 percent increase in car prowls,” said Lt. Joel Goodwin.   
According to the CPD, there were 69 home or business burglaries in March, April, and May of 2020 compared to 41 in the previous year. Reported car prowls reached 213 during the...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Increase in Corvallis Burglaries Prompts Reminders from CPD

The Corvallis Police Department reported an increase in car prowls and burglaries in Spring 2020 compared to Spring 2019.   
“We have compared March, April and May for 2020 to the same time period in 2019, and we found a 68 percent increase in burglaries and a 49 percent increase in car prowls,” said Lt. Joel Goodwin.   
According to the CPD, there were 69 home or business burglaries in March, April, and May of 2020 compared to 41 in the previous year. Reported car prowls reached 213 during the...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Seasonal Oregon Seafood Guide & Recipe

Usually when people think of eating seasonally, fresh produce comes to mind. Oregon-caught seafood also varies with the seasons, and local experts from Oregon State Sea Grant and Pacifica Seafood Market offer these tips on how to include seasonal seafood into your diet.  
Oregon Sea Grant and the state of Oregon launched their “Eat Oregon Seafood” campaign to give local fishers a boost during the current pandemic.   
Although food processing facilities like Pacific Seafood in Newport have had em...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Health & Economy: The Eat Oregon Seafood Initiative

The #EatOregonSeafood initiative is intended to give the coastal seafood economies a boost as they recover from restaurant closures and other issues related to COVID-19.   
A rich source of lean protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B-12 and D, iron, and minerals like zinc and iodine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that non-vegetarian adults consume two, four-ounce servings of seafood per week.   
Amanda J. Gladics, Assistant Professor of Practice at Coastal Fisheries Extensio...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Oregon’s New Inclusive Plan for LGBTQ+ Students

The Oregon Department of Education recently released a plan intended to create schools that are “safe, inclusive, and welcoming” for students of all gender identities and sexual orientations.   
The 49-page “LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan” addresses the needed training for Oregon educators, equitable access to activities, facilities and the curriculum.   
“Oregon has been a national leader in protecting the civil rights for LGBTQ2SIA+ youth,” said ODE Director Colt Gill in a press release. “It...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Bigfoot Wants You to Believe in Fire Safety

The Corvallis Fire Department enlisted Bigfoot to help promote fire safety awareness this summer. Every Wednesday through August, Bigfoot and Fire Prevention Officers from the Corvallis Fire Department will hang out in a public outdoor space in Corvallis to share information on fire safety and offer educational material and prizes. 
Fire Safety Promotion and Contest 
Around noon on Wednesdays, the City of Corvallis posts visual clues to the latest Bigfoot sighting on their Facebook, Twitter, and...
The Corvallis Advocate •

OSU Native American Flute Instructor Wins Global Music Award

Oregon State University instructor and musician Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach won a Global Music Awards Odyssey Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music. Reibach was recognized for his contributions in Native American flute playing.  
“You may be wondering why we chose to honor Jan Michael Looking Wolf with Global Music Awards’ most important award of the year,” announced the Global Music Awards. “Jan’s talent, creativity, quality of his work and generous contributions to other musicians are u...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Bard in the Quad Brings the Bard to Your Yard

“Bard in the Quad” returns for its fifteenth season, but for 2020 the outdoor performances are cancelled due to COVID-19. Instead Oregon State University’s (OSU) University Theatre presents a “Bard in Your Yard” audio production of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. The audio drama is available to download starting Aug. 14.   
“Macbeth is really the perfect kind of play to create this really intriguing, immersive experience using a lot of sound,” said Director Elizabeth Helman, who is also a...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Interview: City Councilor Ed Junkins Talks Values & Race

Corvallis City Councilor Ed Junkins is at the nexus of some of today’s biggest issues as a physician, educator and  parent. Having devoted decades to community service through his practice in pediatric emergency medicine and service on the Corvallis School Board, Junkins became a member of the Corvallis City Council in Jan. 2019 and will serve until Dec. 2020.  
Familiar with Corvallis through his wife Elisabeth Guenther’s family, Junkins and his family moved here eight years ago when he became...
The Corvallis Advocate •

The World’s Last Blockbuster Offers Retro Movie Sleepover 

For three nights this September, the world’s last Blockbuster video is renting their store through Airbnb. The store is located in Bend, Oregon and the sleepover is limited to local households. 
“Although Bend is best known for its pristine forests and majestic mountain views, the Blockbuster store is another source of pride in town. The crisp (and yes, rainy) Pacific Northwest weather is the perfect setting to curl up with a classic movie and relive ‘90s memories,” according to the Airbnb listi...
The Corvallis Advocate •

New Interim Director for Benton County

The Benton County Health Department announced they appointed Suzanne Hoffman as their new interim Health Department Director starting October 1, 2020. Her appointment is set for two years.   
Hoffman brings decades of experience to the table, according to the health department’s announcement. She previously worked at the Oregon Health Authority for five years in different roles including Chief Operating Officer, Public Health Officer, and Interim Agency Director. She also served as Vice Presiden...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Oregonians Face Longer Waits for Concealed Carry

Oregonians filing for concealed carry permits may face months of wait-time, according to a recent report by KOIN. Gun safety trainers say they are seeing more demand for safety skills courses in Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties.   
“I was doing maybe one or two classes a week at the beginning of everything,” said Bryan Mumford, CEO and lead instructor of PDX Arsenal. “I’m doing three or four now.”  
Mumford said he believes uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and d...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Birth Announcement: New Baby Orca off Coast

This weekend, the orca known as “Tahlequah” J35 gave birth to an apparently healthy calf. The mother and calf were  seen free swimming together off the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  
Some may recall that in 2018 “Tahlequah” captured worldwide attention as she dragged her deceased calf for 17 days and 1000 miles. Her “Tour of Grief” made international news and sparked conversations on the mortality of orcas.   
On September 6, the Center for Whale Research posted the following announcement on Twitter...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Intense Wildfires Likely Result of Climate Change

The conditions leading to intense smoke and wildfire may be a harbinger of things to come, according to researchers with the National Weather Service, Oregon State University, and the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.   
There is a weather pattern known as the “the Chetco Effect” or “the Brooking Effect” in which cool air drops into and passes through Chetco Canyon and then warms up. This causes the hot winds to speed up as they move towards the coast. During Labor Day weekend, a similar...
The Corvallis Advocate •

Benton County Enlists Sam Sasquatch to Explain Ranked Choice Voting

This November, Benton County voters will participate in “Ranked Choice Voting” when electing Benton County Commissioners. Since Ranked Choice Voting will debut this coming election, the county enlisted the help of Sam Sasquatch to teach voters how it works using the Benton Better Ballot website.  
“Ranked voting is easy,” said cartoon mascot Sam. “Instead of selecting just one candidate, you can select and rank your top three!”  
The website features a short video demonstrating how the process w...
The Corvallis Advocate •

James Cassidy: From Pop Culture to Agriculture 

OSU instructor James Cassidy wants you to start seeing soil. This human frequently reminds people that all culture comes from agriculture. We all start with and eventually return to soil.  
“Every molecule, every atom in your body has been through the soil, billions of times and the fact that you’re not soil this moment is a temporary condition,” Cassidy said. “I mean, it’s all about soil.”  
Cassidy is a familiar site on the OSU campus and the Corvallis Community with his signature fedora hats...
The 100 Collection™ •

Elevated Experiences: Five Rooftop Restaurants in Washington D.C.

If you want to get to know Washington, D.C., visit one of the city’s rooftop bars or restaurants. Rooftop restaurants in Washington, D.C. offer a birds-eye view of the city’s marble monuments and buildings. Thanks to the “1910 Federal Height of Buildings Act,” most of D.C.’s commercial buildings can’t be taller than 130 feet high, leaving clear views of the landmarks from most rooftops.If you enjoy your meal with a view, a rooftop restaurant in D.C is a great choice.
Trade Ready •

How IKEA's inflatable furniture flop teaches us the value of rigorous product testing - Trade Ready

Even the best ideas can lead to failure if the team doesn’t test the idea in the real world. For decades, people have furnished their homes with IKEA products because of the brand’s reputation for affordable, practical, yet stylish products.
Brand loyalty is high since IKEA delivers what its customers expect. Despite IKEA’s track record, its team occasionally makes mistakes. In the late 1990s, a failed foray into inflatable furnishing exposed how sometimes an innovative idea isn’t enough.
The 100 Collection™ •

Beaches, Biking, and Nature: Your Weekend Itinerary to Hilton Head | The 100 Collection™

Hilton Head Island offers miles of white-sand beaches, maritime forests, and well-preserved natural landscapes. Try this weekend itinerary in Hilton Head to get you started planning your vacation.The island has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Many find that shoulder seasons like spring and fall are ideal times to visit since the temperatures are pleasant, and crowds are a little lighter.
The 100 Collection™ •

Beaches, Biking, and Nature: Your Weekend Itinerary to Hilton Head | The 100 Collection™

Hilton Head Island offers miles of white-sand beaches, maritime forests, and well-preserved natural landscapes. Try this weekend itinerary in Hilton Head to get you started planning your vacation.The island has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Many find that shoulder seasons like spring and fall are ideal times to visit since the temperatures are pleasant, and crowds are a little lighter. It’s an easy drive from Savannah, or you could fly in via Hilton Head Island...
The One Hundred Collection •

6 Stunning Beachfront Rentals in Destin, FL | The 100 Collection™

If you enjoy the sea, Destin offers emerald waters and white sand. Staying at a beachfront rental in Destin is a special experience, whether you enjoy paddle boarding, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach.People also actually often refer to Destin as “the luckiest fishing village” since people find so much success fishing in the area. Anglers may charter sea fishing boats to see if they benefit from a little of Destin’s luck.
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