In the heart of Southern Oregon, Medford emerges as a dynamic hub that beautifully blends nature's grandeur with a thriving cultural scene. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Rogue Valley, life in Medford is infused with an ever-present connection to the great outdoors. This charming city invites you to explore its scenic hiking trails, lush vineyards, and picturesque parks that provide endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation.
Beyond its natural allure, Medford is a bustling center of art and entertainment. The vibrant downtown area is alive with
energy, offering an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and galleries that reveal the city's creative spirit. Medford's culture is diverse and inclusive. With events such as the annual Pear Blossom Festival and the popular Art in Bloom, residents and visitors alike find themselves immersed in a calendar full of enriching activities.
Medford is also known for its proximity to premium wineries,
Medford, Oregon
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Hello Medford, Oregon • Fall Issue |5
Medford, Oregon
making it a haven for wine enthusiasts eager to savor some of Oregon's finest creations. The sense of community here is palpable, with friendly locals welcoming newcomers with open arms and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing all their city has to
offer.
Choosing Medford means embracing a lifestyle that harmonizes convenience and comfort with the wonders of a serene natural setting and a lively, evolving social scene.
Medford, Oregon: A Vibrant Tapestry of Nature and Culture
In the heart of Southern Oregon, Medford emerges as a dynamic hub that beautifully blends nature's grandeur with a thriving cultural scene. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Rogue Valley, life in Medford is infused with an ever-present connection to the great outdoors. This charming city invites you to explore its scenic hiking trails, lush vineyards, and picturesque parks that provide endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation.
Beyond its natural allure, Medford is a bustling center of art and entertainment. The vibrant downtown area is alive with energy, offering an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and galleries that reveal the city's creative spirit. Medford's culture is diverse and inclusive. With events such as the annual Pear Blossom Festival and the popular Art in Bloom, residents and visitors alike find themselves immersed in a calendar full of enriching activities.
Medford is also known for its proximity to premium wineries, making it a haven for wine enthusiasts eager to savor some of Oregon's finest creations. The sense of community here is palpable, with friendly locals welcoming newcomers with open arms and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing all their city has to offer.
Choosing Medford means embracing a lifestyle that harmonizes convenience and comfort with the wonders of a serene natural setting and a lively, evolving social scene.
FEATURED STORY
Box Culverts for Infrastructure Projects
by Scott Stavig
Managing water safely and effectively is one of the most important challenges in infrastructure planning. Roads, railways, and pedestrian pathways all depend on reliable systems that can handle water flow without damaging the surrounding environment. Precast concrete box culverts have become one of the most trusted solutions for this challenge. They are designed to move water efficiently while supporting the weight of vehicles, trains, and foot traffic above. Their versatility makes them a dependable option for projects of all sizes.Box culverts provide both structural
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Scott Stavig
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scott Stavig is the General Manager of Rogue Valley Precast LLC, a precast concrete company based in White City, Oregon. Since the company’s incorporation in 2018, he has overseen its growth into a trusted provider of durable infrastructure products, including bridges, box culverts, manholes, vaults, and custom precast elements, serving communities across Oregon, Washington, Northern California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Under Scott’s leadership, Rogue Valley Precast has emp...
strength and long-term protection against erosion.Unlike round pipes, which are common for smaller drainage needs, box culverts are rectangular in shape. This allows them to handle a higher capacity of water flow in certain conditions. They are especially useful in areas where streams, stormwater, or seasonal runoff must pass beneath a roadway or railway. Because they can be manufactured in a wide range of sizes and configurations, engineers can design solutions tailored to the unique demands of each site. Smaller box culverts might be used for simple drainage channels, while larger designs are capable of
Hello Medford, Oregon • Fall Issue |7
Box Culverts for Infrastructure Projects
Managing water safely and effectively is one of the most important challenges in infrastructure planning. Roads, railways, and pedestrian pathways all depend on reliable systems that can handle water flow without damaging the surrounding environment. Precast concrete box culverts have become one of the most trusted solutions for this challenge. They are designed to move water efficiently while supporting the weight of vehicles, trains, and foot traffic above. Their versatility makes them a dependable option for projects of all sizes. Box culverts provide both structural strength and long-term protection against erosion. Unlike round pipes, which are common for smaller drainage needs, box culverts are rectangular in shape. This allows them to handle a higher capacity of water flow in certain conditions. They are especially useful in areas where streams, stormwater, or seasonal runoff must pass beneath a roadway or railway. Because they can be manufactured in a wide range of sizes and configurations, engineers can design solutions tailored to the unique demands of each site. Smaller box culverts might be used for simple drainage channels, while larger designs are capable of managing creek crossings or significant storm events. The advantages of precast construction play a major role in the success of box culverts. Since each unit is produced in a controlled environment, quality and consistency are carefully monitored. The concrete is cured properly, ensuring long-term strength and resistance to wear. Once delivered to the site, installation moves quickly, reducing the time roads or pathways need to be closed. For municipalities and contractors, this speed often translates to lower overall project costs and fewer disruptions to the public. Durability is a defining benefit. Precast box culverts are engineered to withstand not only the weight of vehicles and trains above, but also the natural forces of water and soil pressure around them. They provide long service life even in demanding environments, which helps reduce future maintenance needs. In addition, their design helps prevent erosion around the structure, protecting both the infrastructure and the surrounding land. Choosing the right box culvert for a project depends on several important factors. Engineers must consider the soil type, which influences how the structure will be supported underground. Expected flow rates are also critical, since underestimating water volume can lead to flooding or damage during heavy storms. Site conditions, including elevation changes and the presence of other utilities, also affect design decisions. By addressing these details early in the planning process, project teams can select the most effective culvert and avoid costly adjustments later. Box culverts are also adaptable for environmental needs. In some cases, they are designed with natural streambeds inside to allow fish and other wildlife to pass through, helping preserve local ecosystems. This ability to balance infrastructure demands with environmental considerations is one reason box culverts are often chosen for public works projects that cross natural waterways. The reliability of box culverts has made them a standard in infrastructure development. Communities benefit from their ability to handle water flow safely, while engineers and contractors value their efficiency and performance. Whether the project involves a rural roadway or a major railway crossing, precast box culverts provide the combination of strength, adaptability, and long-term durability that today’s infrastructure demands.
Box culvertsprovide both structural strengthand long-term protection againsterosion.
managing creek crossings or significant storm events.The advantages of precast construction play a major role in the success of box culverts. Since each unit is produced in a controlled environment, quality and consistency are carefully monitored. The concrete is cured properly, ensuring long-term strength and resistance to wear. Once delivered to the site, installation moves quickly, reducing the time roads or pathways need to be closed. For municipalities and contractors...
Tax Efficiency in Retirement Withdrawals
In retirement, particularly for residents of Medford, tax planning becomes an essential component of maintaining financial stability. While much attention is given to investment strategy during working years, the distribution phase demands equal, if not greater, precision. Drawing income in a
tax-efficient manner can help extend the value of one’s retirement savings and reduce the likelihood of avoidable tax burdens over time.Tax efficiency in this context involves coordinating withdrawals among three primary categories of accounts: tax-deferred, tax-free, and taxable. Each carries
8 | HelloMedford, Oregon • Fall Issue
Tax Efficiency in Retirement Withdrawals
In retirement, particularly for residents of Medford, tax planning becomes an essential component of maintaining financial stability. While much attention is given to investment strategy during working years, the distribution phase demands equal, if not greater, precision. Drawing income in a tax-efficient manner can help extend the value of one’s retirement savings and reduce the likelihood of avoidable tax burdens over time. Tax efficiency in this context involves coordinating withdrawals among three primary categories of accounts: tax-deferred, tax-free, and taxable. Each carries distinct implications for how withdrawals are taxed and how those taxes interact with other sources of income. For example, withdrawals from traditional IRAs or 401(k)s are considered ordinary income and may elevate a retiree’s taxable income in a given year. In turn, this can affect the taxation of Social Security benefits and the cost of Medicare premiums. The sequence and timing of withdrawals can substantially influence the total taxes paid across the span of retirement. By contrast, Roth accounts generally allow for tax-free distributions, provided certain conditions are met. These accounts can serve as valuable tools for managing income levels in higher-tax years or mitigating the impact of required minimum distributions once they begin. Meanwhile, taxable brokerage accounts offer access to capital gains treatment, which often results in lower tax liability, particularly for long-held assets. An informed strategy may involve blending withdrawals from different account types to remain within targeted tax brackets. For instance, modest withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts combined with tax-free income from Roth accounts can preserve flexibility while minimizing spikes in taxable income. Planning should also account for thresholds where additional income triggers higher taxation of Social Security or increased Medicare surcharges. In addition, retirees may benefit from periodic tax projections to assess the longer-term impact of their withdrawal approach. This helps identify opportunities for strategic adjustments, such as Roth conversions, asset repositioning, or timing the sale of appreciated investments. Though tax rules may change, the underlying principle remains: withdrawal decisions should be made with a comprehensive view of one’s financial and tax position.
Disclaimer: Bright Lake Wealth Management is a state registered investment adviser in the state of California and Oregon. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Form ADV Part 2A can be obtained by visiting https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and searching for our firm name. ADV Form 2B is available upon request. The information contained in this post is general in nature and for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as investment advice or as a recommendation of any particular strategy or investment product.
Ted Thatcher
benefits and the cost of Medicare premiums.The sequence and timing of withdrawals can substantially influence the total taxes paid across the span of retirement.By contrast, Roth accounts generally allow for tax-free distributions, provided certain conditions are met. These accounts can serve as valuable tools for managing income levels in higher-tax years or mitigating the impact of required minimum distributions once they begin. Meanwhile, taxable brokerage accounts offer access to capital gains treatment, which often results in lower tax liability, particularly for long-held assets.An informed strategy may involve blending...
distinct implications for how withdrawals are taxed and how those taxes interact with other sources of income. For example, withdrawals from traditional IRAs or 401(k)s are considered ordinary income and may elevate a retiree’s taxable income in a given year. In turn, this can affect the taxation of Social Security
The sequence and timing of withdrawals can substantially influence the total taxes paid across the span of retirement.
About the Author
Ted grew up on a family farm in the Midwest, surrounded by cousins and adventure. Today, he leads a team that helps clients plan for retirement across five financial pillars. With a focus on personalized, tax-efficient strategies, Ted empowers people to fully enjoy their retirement years with confidence and clarity.
