Yet again, the downtown trick-or-treating tradition remains strong in Grants Pass. Small mom and pop shops, businesses, and stores all come together to make Halloween a fun, family-friendly, community-building event. Children, parents, high school students, and sometimes pets get dressed up in costumes. Crowds of people walk down 6th Street and Main Street to trick-or-treat at the small stores. Some businesses decorate their buildings festively, and the pumpkin bear returns to its earned spot on a corner street. There are also multiple locations around Grants Pass that host trunk-or-treating events. Trunks are decorated in creative themes, and people are able to play fun games to win candy. Grants Pass is the perfect way to spend Halloween day with its historical downtown, autumn trees, and community activities.

​I know we have all been waiting for this moment, for your favorite coffee shop to drop its new drinks just in time. Fall is right around the corner, so everyone has been obsessed with pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Whether it is in a pastry or drink, it really does complete the autumn aesthetic. Starbucks released a Tiramisu Latte, a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a Pumpkin Chai Latte, Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, a Pecan Crunch Oat-Milk Latte, and a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin. Human Bean announced its Butter Pecan Cold Foam Cold Brew, Pumpkin Snowy, Pumpkin Java Chip, Pumpkin Patch, and Pumpkin Smoothie. Wow, these shops are really obsessed with pumpkin this year. Some locally made cafes and drink stands have also joined the seasonal trend. Dutch Bros is the most popular drink stand home to GP. Their seasonal menu consists of a Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Breve, Cookie Butter Chai, and Candied Cherry Rebel. These flavors are in multiple other drinks, as well. Now that everyone knows about what autumn drinks to get this fall, it is the perfect reason to go off campus at lunch.  

The largest rainforest that still remains in the Americas spans multiple Mesoamerican countries. It is home to multiple unique, endangered species that are only found through rare sightings. Multiple vivid Mayan communities have made the Mayan rainforest their home, as well, living among the blooming vegetation, tropical environment, and diversity of life.

​Humans are known for the destruction and harmful activities that are done to the Earth. Multiple techniques like deforestation, logging, and slash/burn agriculture have contributed to the loss of biodiversity in the Mayan Forest. Recently, an agreement between Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize was signed to protect and preserve the Mayan Forest. Global Conservation, a nonprofit media organization, gleefully reports, “ This now united front between all three countries is a testament to Global Conservation’s hard work.” This agreement confirms that from now on that, the governments of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize will put forth fundamental efforts in order to conserve the Mayan forest and everything it contains.

The 111-year-old steam-powered SS Medina has had an extensive history of traveling the world. Travels include transporting goods, assisting in World War ll efforts, transporting passengers, a missionary ship, and a floating library. Renamed MV Duolus, the cruise sailed past over 100 countries and over 360,000 nautical miles. That is only a summation of all the great stories this ship has acquired over the years. Duolus’s career on the ocean finally came to an end, dry docked in Singapore. Eric Saw, a 74-year-old businessman in Singapore, took an interest in the ship, and ended up investing 18 million dollars. Instead of wasting away, the cruise was repurposed into an opulent hotel called Doulos Phos Ship Hotel on land in Bitan, Indonesia. Indonesia is a tropical island that is known for its pristine beaches, scenery, and exceptional hotels. CNN reports that Saw claims it was a ¨calling from god” which reflects on Saw’s Christian beliefs. It is astonishing that Eric Saw decided to give MV Doulos a purpose and transform this ship into a historical site, where the cruise ship's history and stories come alive.