Following the discovery of bags of sand with notes linking to antisemitic websites Monday outside homes in Ashland, Phoenix, Medford and Central Point, one Ashland rabbi is responding with optimism as he looks ahead to planning Hanukkah festivities.
Plastic baggies holding sand and a hate-speech message ended up on doorsteps throughout Phoenix, Medford, Ashland and Central Point late Sunday or early Monday, according to a Facebook post Monday by the Ashland Police Department.
About 100 people gathered on Sunday afternoon on the Ashland Plaza to hear city of Ashland and Medford representatives, along with area rabbis, talk about the increase in incidents of antisemitism and what can be done about it.
Representatives from the cities of Ashland and Medford are expected to join rabbis from local synagogues on the Ashland Plaza on Sunday afternoon to mark the beginning of Antisemitism Awareness Week, according to a news release issued by Temple Emek Shalom of Ashland.
Celtic Evensong and Holy Communion Service, including readings, poetry and music, at Trinity Episcopal Church starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at 44 N. Second St., Ashland. The theme for October is “Radiant Gleanings.
Oregon is in the throes of a full-blown housing crisis, facing a current deficit of 140,000 units. “Our Affordable Housing Challenge” is the topic of a free public discussion from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library.
Brent Thompson: In our hunt for presents, hopefully we don’t forget that stores in Ashland’s downtown core and parts of Ashland Street (aka Highway 66) offer crafts, books, comics, shoes, plants, baked goods, chocolate, new and used clothes, kitchen items, games, antiques, pet supplies, art supplies, collectibles, and many other things.
Reader Photo: The internationally recognized chamber music ensemble the American Brass Quintet (ABQ), visited Ashland last week, giving a master class at the South Medford High School on Friday afternoon, and performing holiday music for all Ashland from The Brickroom’s outdoor balcony on Friday night.
The city of Ashland will install 22 public electric vehicle chargers in the coming year thanks to funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation — and Ashland residents are also eligible to apply for grants to help fund other installations.
An 11-day trip to Japan by a local arborist will lead to continuation and expansion in Oregon of the Peace Tree initiative — planting of seedlings from trees that survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb attack. The genesis of the project was in the Rogue Valley.
A first reading of the city’s camping ordinance to dictate where and for how long those experiencing homelessness can camp in Ashland is on the agenda for the Tuesday council business meeting.
(It’s free)
