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. 

Longer Feature and News Articles

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.
The Corvallis Advocate •

Sky Rights: Union Leader Sara Nelson

Corvallis native Sara Nelson is a force to be reckoned with. A rising star of the U.S. labor movement, she garnered national attention after using her AFL-CIO award acceptance speech as a call to action, urging all union members to unite to fight the previous federal government shutdown. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders even publicly thanked Nelson and her union, for motivating congress to end the 35-day shutdown.

As International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, Nelson s
The Corvallis Advocate •

Gadusol: Safer Sunscreen for Fish & Humans

Every summer, ocean lovers face the sunscreen dilemma. Fully protective sunscreen helps prevent sunburn and skin cancer, yet some popular sunscreen ingredients may harm marine life and the environment. Gadusol Laboratories is a Corvallis-based startup that hopes to offer a nature-inspired solution to the sunscreen dilemma by developing new sun protection alternatives based on a naturally occurring compound, called gadusol, found in marine organisms which provides UVB protection to the organisms.
The Corvallis Advocate •

Corvallis' Growth Pressures Neighborhood

In the last month, a camp of 23 unhoused individuals emerged at a church on West Hills Road. Five of these individuals are now housed, as the church and social service agencies partnered together. Conversely, this area along West Hills Road, east of 53rd Street, is a mix of rural residential properties with islands of small suburban neighborhoods — and residents are concernd, not only about the camp, but also about the growth of the city, as a tree farm site is being proposed for a 2,000 unit ho

Short News Articles

The Corvallis Advocate •

Caesar the No Drama Llama Joins BLM Marches, Here’s What Happened

On June 2, Caesar the No Drama Llama went viral again after he and his owner Larry McCool joined the Portland march and “die-in” in memory of George Floyd, and in honor of Black Lives Matter.

Caesar and McCool marched two and a half miles with participants, joined in a moment of silence and die-in on the Burnside Bridge, and attended the Pioneer Courthouse Square protest. The featured photograph shows Ceasar with protestors during the “die in” on the Burnside Bridge.
The Corvallis Advocate •

Oregon Researchers Discover New Ways to Date Historic Earthquakes

Researchers at Portland State University and the University of Oregon developed a technique that may result in more accurate dating of historic earthquakes.

The work was published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, and offers a possible solution to a frequent problem that happens when using radiocarbon dating to determine the past fault activity.

The research abstract states, “Age constraints developed from detrital charcoal are compared with absolute dates from dendrochr
The Corvallis Advocate •

City Offers Street Space to Downtown Restaurants and Retailers

Soon, Corvallis restaurants may have more outdoor dining space thanks to a new program the City of Corvallis is rolling out – and retailers can also participate.

Approved restaurants and retailers will temporarily expand into adjacent on-street parking spaces to provide more outdoor dining, seating, or shopping spaces. The temporary business right-of-way use runs from application approval until September 30, 2020. Businesses may apply for the permit free of charge through the Public Works Depar
The Corvallis Advocate •

Nectar Creek Meadery's Last Day, Saturday

Nectar Creek Meadery has announced they will be closing for good, and they are inviting the public for one last visit.

On Saturday, October 5 they will hold a final celebration at their Philomath taphouse from opening at 11 am through closing time around 10 pm. Throughout the weekend they will also hold a mead sale in the taproom.

The award-winning meadery announced the closure on October 1.

Brothers Phillip and Nick Lorenz founded the business in 2012. In 2015, they swept the session mead ca
The Corvallis Advocate •

Downtown Library Home to New Maker Space

The Corvallis Benton County Public Library has launched a maker space in their downtown Corvallis branch. The newly constructed space will be the home for programs where participants of all ages engage in hands-on activities exploring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Using low-tech crafting techniques blended with technology, the makers create items ranging from fun to functional.

“The only limit is the imagination. This space offers the public an opportunity to create a
The Corvallis Advocate •

Coronavirus Emerges in Oregon: Updates, Tips and Resources

The Oregon Health Authority confirmed the state’s first presumptive case of Novel Coronavirus on Friday afternoon February 28. Earlier that morning Governor Kate Brown announced the formation a Coronavirus Response Team to coordinate responses to COVID-19.

“Our first concern is for this individual, to make sure they’re being cared for and is able to recover,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen. “Our next priority is finding out who this individual had contact with and make sure they know about the

Aggregate or Summary Articles

Mashed •

Why José Andrés Wants You To Eat More Invasive Lionfish - Mashed

Chef, television personality, and activist José Andrés is known for using his platform to effect change. And this extends to his menu: He wants people to eat edible invasive species like lionfish to help restore balance in the marine ecosystem.

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, lionfish are revered for their beauty. They are also venomous and can become dangerous when they live in areas where they have few natural predators or competitors.
Mashed •

The Problem With Eating Black-Headed Gull Eggs - Mashed

Black-headed gull eggs can sell for over $10 each, making them some of the most expensive eggs in the world. Fans prize this type of egg for its distinctive speckled shell, creamy texture, and vividly orange-hued yolk. You can find them just a couple of weeks each year in the U.K.'s posh restaurants, gentleman's clubs, and high-end grocery retailers. They're slightly larger than a pheasant's egg and are commonly served boiled so the diner can admire the shell's pattern.
Mashed •

Here's What Happened To Kodiak Cakes After Shark Tank - Mashed

Here's What Happened To Kodiak Cakes After Shark Tank Pancakes are a delicious breakfast and brunch staple, but often we find them unsatisfying once the initial sugar buzz wears off. Kodiak Cakes aimed to offer an alternative, using whole grains and added protein that may keep you satisfied for longer. Starting as a family business, co-founder Joel Clark and his older brother sold their mother's whole grain pancake mix out of their red wagon when Clark was just eight years old (per the brand).
Mashed •

The French Baguette Is Now Under Cultural Protection By The U.N. - Mashed

The French Baguette Is Now Under Cultural Protection By The U.N.

When you think of French cuisine, you may think of rich buttery sauces, posh pastries, and elegant meals. Or perhaps you think of a warm, freshly baked baguette. There's just something about biting into the delightfully crisp crust to get to that soft fluffy center. And now, the art of making a quality baguette has attained special status alongside other globally recognized cultural arts and traditions.
MUO •

How to Buy Audiobooks on Spotify

Spotify wants to be your one-stop platform for listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks. On September 20, 2022, the service rolled out a new audiobook feature for users in the US, with plans to expand to listeners worldwide.

Audiobooks are a departure from your usual Spotify experience. Instead of ad-supported or subscription-based streaming, you purchase individual audiobooks to stream through the app. Over 300,000 titles are available, including best sellers across genres.

Spotify curate
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 •

Florence Opens Exploding Whale Memorial Park

The city of Florence recently unveiled the “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” on the north side of the Siuslaw River. The peculiar name commemorates a historic event.

In 1970, a deceased 45 foot, eight ton whale washed ashore near Florence. The Oregon Department of Transportation used 20 cases of dynamite to blow it up.

According to KATU, the city sought input from community members through a “Name the Park” contest and “Exploding Whale Memorial Park” was the winner.

The new park offers views of
The Corvallis Advocate •

State Bans Dispersed Camping in Response to Waste Accumulation

The Oregon Department of Forestry announced that they banned dispersed camping starting Monday, May 11 due to problems managing the trash and human waste left behind by campers. They anticipate continuing the ban for several weeks, until they have the extra resources to clean the area and “make them safe for public use again.”

“We have strived to continue to allow as much access to Oregon’s state forests as possible while ensuring everyone’s safety, including our staff,” State Forester Peter Da
The Corvallis Advocate •

Governor Details Plans to Reopen Oregon

Governor Kate Brown says “You Are The Key” to reopening Oregon. On May 1, she announced the state’s reopening plan involves a partnership with six Oregon hospitals and Oregon Health Sciences University to ramp up testing and contact tracing throughout the state.

“In March, I issued Oregon’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” order,” said Brown. “I know it was just a month ago but holy smokes it feels like much longer than that!”

Brown emphasized the need for science and data-driven strategies to reopen O
The Corvallis Advocate •

Oregon Guide Prioritizes Who Gets Care in a Crisis

A recent social media leak brought to light a chilling conversation that may be happening in hospitals throughout the world. What if social distancing efforts don’t flatten the curve and the need for urgent care far exceeds a community hospital’s capacity?

The “Oregon Crisis Care Guide” was created years ago and offers guidance to hospital teams to use in the event of a natural disaster like an earthquake or a pandemic. In some ways, the strategies bear similarities to those debated on Twitter