Ashland Parks & Recreation Commissioners are holding a special meeting Wednesday evening to fill a vacant commissioner’s seat. The seven applicants include former commissioners Stefani Seffinger and Julian Bell.
In 1915 at the San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exhibition, Ashland civic leaders Gwin Butler and Domingo Perozzi purchased a large marble fountain created by noted Florentine sculptor Antonio Frilli and donated it to the city of Ashland. Ashland Parks Foundation launched a campaign on July 4 to raise $800,000 to restore and preserve the park’s centerpiece.
Southern Oregon University instructor Leslie Eldridge has been appointed interim director of Ashland Parks and Recreation starting full time on Aug. 21. Eldridge, a member of the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission, was appointed by the commission last week to fill the vacancy left by Michael Black, who resigned July 14.
About 150 people attended the Juneteenth “Crystallizing Our Call” Celebration Picnic at Ashland Creek Park on Sunday. The three-hour outdoor community event served as celebration of Father’s Day as well as Juneteenth, and also as the official fundraising launch for the permanent public art installation, “Ancestor’s Future: Crystallizing our Call,” a sculpture slated for installation at the park.
One of the missing pieces of the new Ashland Japanese Garden in Lithia Park was put in place Tuesday as seven large koi were brought to Ashland by Jeff Mangin. His family gifted more than $1.3 million to create an authentic Japanese garden for the people of Ashland.
The Siskiyou Mountain Club has released detailed topographic maps for the region’s Kalmiopsis and Siskiyou wilderness areas. A new map for the Siskiyou Wilderness hasn’t been released since 2008, and the last new one for the Kalmiopsis came out in 1988.
Measure 15-214 asks Ashland voters to amend the city’s food and beverage tax: “Shall the ordinance be amended to dedicate revenues to city parks, open space, recreation and senior service purposes?” Measure 15-214, to be voted on in the May 16 special election, would allow for more of the funds to be spent on parks and not be limited to capital improvements.
A day devoted to learning about birds that might live in your own backyard will be held 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 13, at the North Mountain Park Nature Center. 620 N. Mountain Ave., Ashland, according to a news release.
The Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission has concerns about a new budgeting strategy that would manage parks funding through the city’s general fund instead of a separate account.
Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument officials are accepting applications for the annual Artist-In-Residence program through April 17. Selected artists receive a residency at the monument during the early summer months, where they will spend time creating art while surrounded by the monument’s natural beauty.
Obituary: Margaret McCartney died Dec. 4 at 83. Memorial services are planned for 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 N. 2nd St., Ashland.
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has announced plans to offer free opioid overdose reversal kits to middle and high schools throughout the state. Ashland Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove shared his support for the increase in availability of Narcan, the brand name for a device that delivers naloxone, to Oregon schools, including in Ashland.
With local rescue groups still overflowing with cats and kittens, those wishing to bring home a new family member for the holidays will have opportunities to do so on two upcoming December weekends. On Saturday, Dec. 9, Ashland-based Friends of the Animals (formerly Friends of the Animal Shelter) will partner with Feral Cat Advocacy (FCA), Melly Cat Rescue, and Hero Tails Animal Sanctuary for a Feline Fair at the Rogue Valley Mall.
Dozens of area residents ushered in a spirited first night of Hanukkah on Thursday, gathering on the Ashland Plaza late Thursday afternoon to light the first flames on the menorah.
Charles “Al” Huth: We can expand our potential to build true knowledge by altering what we spend time focusing on in our daily lives. In short, search for the Truth.
Herbert Rothschild: Apparently, Kissinger insisted on recording practically every word he said. His aides later commented that he needed to keep track of which lie he told to whom.
(It’s free)
