What began as a single Crock-Pot of chili at Railroad Park has grown into a weekly community meal serving dozens in Ashland’s library. Last week, Lisa Ebony spoke about the power of “Building Short Bridges” — local acts, such as sharing food, that foster connection across social divides.
Storefronts across the Rogue Valley now display signs reading “no warrant, no entry” as more businesses train to become “Fourth Amendment workplaces” in response to increased federal immigration enforcement. Started by the Medford-based nonprofit Coalición Fortaleza, the social justice group is educating workers about their rights, alleviating fear, and equipping communities for potential ICE activity.
Mary Bergstrom recently completed 50 years as an aerobics instructor and more at the Ashland Family YMCA. About 100 of her student fans and spouses came to pay their respects on Sunday, Feb. 1, at a festive party in her honor in Studio 1 — recently renamed Bergstrom Studio 1 — the very large classroom where she teaches low impact aerobics.
A new event from All.Together.Now, “Building Short Bridges: Start Where You Are,” will help participants translate their passions into concrete actions. The gathering is set to take place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, in the Gresham Room at Ashland Public Library.
The Talent-based Siskiyou Mountain Club is recruiting workers for its summer Wilderness Corps Crew, a program that sends interns deep into regional wilderness areas for up to two weeks at a time to restore disappearing trails.
A group of volunteers returned to Ashland’s historic Pioneer Hall this month, serving food and providing warmth for anyone in need at 3:30 p.m. Thursdays until April.
As energy costs for heating a home peak in winter months amid a recent increase in city electric rates, a local nonprofit continues to provide energy assistance while the city of Ashland launches a free Home Energy Score program. Local nonprofit ACCESS will offer energy assistance on an appointment basis from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Ashland Senior Center to help low-income renters and homeowners manage energy costs and pay utility bills.
The Ashland Tudor Guild will present “Fabric of the Festival: A Shakespearean Costume Fashion Show” Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Bellview Grange. Proceeds will benefit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The event will feature costumes from OSF productions, live narration, and a VIP wine reception before the show.
The Ashland Family YMCA pool opened Tuesday, Jan. 20, after being closed since mid-November for repairs.
As home prices in Ashland outpace local incomes, a panel of housing developers, economists and public officials will gather Sunday, Jan. 25, to discuss the city’s shortage of attainable housing and explore options for moving projects forward.
Oregon state Sen. Jeff Golden announced in a news release Friday, Feb. 13, he plans to retire at the end of his current term and will withdraw his filing for reelection.
A joint Ashland City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission meeting Wednesday took a look at governance confusion, project missteps, and looming budget concerns as the city pauses its search for a new parks director.
Herbert Rothschild: I hope Congress renames Dulles International Airport for Trump. Then, after Trump has receded into infamy, Congress can rename the airport for someone far more deserving than either he or the Dulles brothers.
For the first time since the pandemic, four of Oregon’s most dedicated community choirs will come together Sunday in Ashland to sing their hearts out for peace.
A Democrat, Isabella Lee Tibbetts, is challenging incumbent Colleen Roberts for her seat on the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Upcoming deadlines for the primary election include a Feb. 27 deadline for any county/city/district ballot titles; a March 3 deadline for any incumbents to declare their bids for reelection; a March 10 deadline for all “other than elected incumbent” candidates to file; and a March 19 deadline for county/city/district measures to be filed.
During a wide-ranging campus conversation on Friday, Feb. 6, Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey said he planned to have discussions with the Governor’s Office, including about the possibility of asking for a one-time, estimated $15 million payment from the state of Oregon to SOU to help “bridge” the campus financially to the summer of 2027.
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