More than 200 people turned out Thursday for the ninth Community Peace Meal and Thanksgiving Celebration at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, according to organizers Jason and Vanessa Houk of Southern Oregon Jobs with Justice, which does the Peace Meal every Thursday and Friday in Lithia Park near the bandshell at 3:30 p.m., rain or shine.
Last March the Ashland Community Food Bank saw a 140% spike in demand. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, benefits were reduced and many COVID protection programs such as eviction protection ended. Now, it takes about 60,000 pounds of food every month to feed those directly “shopping” at the food bank, but also to restock little satellite pantries around Ashland, such as at the library and at the Ashland Senior Center.
Ashland residents in need will have a few places to look for the festive food and companionship that defines the Thanksgiving holiday. Those who want to offer their help can volunteer or donate in a few places.
Featured in the September/October issue of TeaTime magazine with an abundance of photos over a seven-page spread were Ashland’s Chozu Bath & Tea Gardens, Dobrá Tea, and Lovejoy’s Tea Room.
Local organizers are planning an inaugural post-Burning Man meetup in Southern Oregon this Saturday, Nov. 2, at Lithia Park in Ashland. The free event is open to all, even if you’ve never been to the popular festival in northwest Nevada.
Tickets are on sale for Empty Bowls, a traditional Peace House fundraiser that supports free Ashland dinner programs, including Uncle Foods Diner, Food Angels, and Jobs with Justice Peace Meals. The annual supper will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in Wesley Hall at Ashland’s First United Methodist Church.
Southern Oregon University will celebrate its seventh annual Indigenous Peoples Day over two days on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, complete with a grand entry, Indigenous artisan market and various tribal speakers in addition to remarks by SOU President Rick Bailey.
The Bear Creek Salmon Festival returned to Ashland’s North Mountain Park Nature Center on Saturday, Oct. 12. Now in its 17th year, the festival celebrates the seasonal cycle of Pacific northwest salmon species, environmental stewardship and community.
Southern Oregon University’s Food Pantry received its largest donation to date this week: a total of 1,200 cans of vegan soup from organic food company Amy’s Kitchen, which operates a manufacturing plant in nearby White City. The donated food — 50 cases each of Amy’s Indian Golden Lentil and Alphabet soup — will be added to the food pantry’s inventory throughout the 2024-25 academic year.
A new free breakfast and lunch program at Ashland schools got off to a slow start but is now offering meals to more than half the K-12 students. Ashland qualifies to offer the free meal program because it has a childhood poverty rate that exceeds 50%, based on federal guidelines.
It’s not a question of if water rates will go up, it’s a question of how much. Ashland City Council reviewed a study of the finances of its water system with an eye for how much rates will need to rise in the face of various coming changes during its Monday evening study session.
When you are not ready to adopt a dog but you miss dogginess, fostering is the perfect solution. And for folks who might want to take a smaller step than fostering, there is the Field Trip program: Take a foster dog for the day, or maybe just a hike.
A budget crisis didn’t stop Ashland schools Superintendent Joseph Hattrick Monday night from vowing to turn a fiscal corner within a few years with the community’s help. He spoke Monday night before an audience of about 50 parents and school staff at Ashland High School’s Mountain Avenue Theatre during the first of four public outreach sessions this week.
The sun shone on a frosty Lincoln Field early Tuesday morning as members of Ashland School Board met virtually by Zoom in a special board session to set the price value range of the 4.12 acres at a range of $1.745 million and $2.25 million, based on an appraisal of the property and compared with Medford prices.
City Corner: The Homeless Services Assessment Report … evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the current homeless response system. It identifies the most pressing needs and suggests potential opportunities for improvement.
The city of Ashland has opened a comment window seeking public input on the potential to allocate portions of federally awarded funds to renovations at 2200 Ashland St., according to a release from the city. The city of Ashland could reallocate $112,112 to support renovations at the 2200 Ashland St., such as the installation of a sprinkler system, fire egress modifications, laundry shower and additional restrooms, the release said.
(It’s free)
