Historic Preservation awards; Public Art recognitions; Walking tour
2024-05-18 10:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Railroad Park, 785 A Street, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Saturday, May 18 event at Railroad Park Gazebo.
10:30 am: Welcome by Historic Preservation committee Chair, Beverly Hovenkamp. Remarks by Mayor Tonya Graham.
10:45 am: Presentation of the 2024 Historic Preservation awards.
11:00 am: Celebration of five new Railroad District historic sidewalk medallions, including remarks by Public Arts committee Chair Ken Engelund. Staff and volunteers who helped steward creation of the new artworks will be recognized. This completes Phase 1 of Marking Ashland Places, a long-term heritage tourism project.
11:30 am: Ribbon Cutting ceremony by the Chamber of Commerce.
11:45 am: Walking tour to visit the five historic medallions. The tour, with history stories about each site by Peter Finkle of WalkAshland, will cover less than one mile and last about one hour.

Central Point Woodcarvers
2024-05-18 11:30 - 15:00 | Woodcarving, 123 N St, Central Point, OR, 97502, United States
The Central Point Woodcarvers carving group meets from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays at the Central Point Senior Resource Center, 123 N. Second St., Central Point.
There is a fee of $10 per month, or $55 a year if paid annually.
We teach and share ideas for beginners, novices, and intermediate woodcarvers. The various members do several styles of woodcarving. Recommended beginning tool sets are available for purchase. Please call Ron Chappell 541-944-4535 for more information.

Bike Social + Skillshare
2024-05-18 12:00 - 14:00 | Gil’s Tap House, 175 N Pioneer St, Ashland, 97520
Join us for free, hands-on basic bike maintenance skills taught by an experienced mechanic. Perfect for beginners! Bring your bike and learn some tuning techniques, receive a free safety check, and socialize with other riders.

Bill Saltzstein Art Show and Wine
2024-05-18 13:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-19 13:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-23 13:00 - 18:00, 2024-05-24 13:00 - 18:00 | Resistance Wine Company, 322 N Pioneer St, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Art by Ashland artist Bill Saltzstein will be available for purchase 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Resistance wine. (Saltzstein will not be on site.)
Bill is an Electrical Engineer by training, and photography has long been a part of life to exercise his ‘right-brain’. He is a landscape and architecture photographer living in Ashland, and has completed several self-published books of photography and works with several nonprofit organizations to contribute images for their marketing and media needs.
About the Work: The images hanging in the show were taken during a workshop in Loften, Norway in March 2024. Thirteen images will be shown and are available for purchase.

Join Us for Our 11th Annual Party Extravaganza!
2024-05-18 15:00 - 21:00 | Sammich Ashland, 424 Bridge St., Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Come one, come all to our biggest bash of the year! We’re celebrating 11 incredible years of memories, laughter, and good times, and we want YOU to be a part of it. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 18th, and get ready for an unforgettable day filled with fun, food, and fantastic entertainment.

Event Highlights:
Live Music by Robbie DaCosta. Get ready to groove to the beats of the talented Robbie DaCosta from 4 to 7 p.m. He’ll have you dancing all night long!

Specials
Indulge in mouthwatering delights with our special offers:

$11 Burgers: Juicy, delicious, and only $11 each!

$11 Pulled Pork: Tender, flavorful, and an absolute steal at $11!

Cold Drinks
Quench your thirst with our refreshing selection of cold drinks, we’ve got you covered!

Games Galore Test your skills and compete for awesome prizes in our Cornhole Challenge: Prizes: $25 gift card for second place, $100 gift card for the grand champion!

Location: Sammich424 Bridge Street, Ashland, Oregon
Don’t miss out on the party of the year! Bring your friends, bring your family, and let’s make memories together. See you there!

May Contra Dance
2024-05-18 19:00 - 22:30 | The Grove, 1195 E Main St, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Contradancing is fun, easy to learn and great exercise. There’s a lesson at 7:00 pm to get you started.
NO EXPERIENCE OR PARTNER NECESSARY (gender free)
Beginners lesson 7:00 pm
Dance: 7:30 – 10:30 pm with break / snacks
Admission:
Sliding scale $12 – $20 ($8 for college students with ID); free for high school age & younger

Sunday Service: In the Company of Men
2024-05-19 10:30 - 11:30 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 87 4th Street, Ashland, 87 4th Street, Ashland, OR, 97520
RVUUF has four men’s groups. The oldest formed 23 years ago and the newest in the past year.
These groups provide support and comradery. This intimacy nurtures self-reflection and personal growth. Representatives of these groups will share about the men who modeled “what it means to be a man,” why the group is important to them, and the difficulty some men have adapting from dominance to equality in their relationships with women.
“The measure of a man is in the lives he’s touched.”–Ernie Banks
Attend in person or watch live or recorded on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@roguevalleyunitarianuniver8871

South Mountain Friends Meeting
2024-05-19 11:00 - 12:30 | South Mountain Friends Meeting, 543 S. Mountain Ave., Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
South Mountain Friends Meeting meeting for worship held 11 a.m. Sundays at 543 S. Mountain Avenue, Ashland.
All are welcome. Activities for children provided. With any questions, call David Runkel at 541-210-0031 or email at davidrunkelor@gmail.com

Central Point Family Bike Day
2024-05-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Coquette Bakery, 245 N Front St, Central Point, OR 97502, Central Point, 97502
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., stop by for free bike safety swag, some free, hands-on instruction to help you adjust and maintain your ride, and socialize with other riders in your community.
At 1 p.m., we’ll convene for a brief safety lesson and then make a short loop bike ride as a group. Helmets required. Sponsored by Coquette Bakery and Rogue Creamery; enjoy discounts from each during the event!

Creative Environmental Writing Workshop with Cassie Premo Steele and Midge Raymond
2024-05-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Do you love nature and want to write about it? Have you ever wondered how to turn your passion for the environment into creative writing that is effective and emotionally compelling?
Join us for a generative writing workshop and discussion with two environmental authors and writing teachers. The workshop will address different genres of writing from journaling to fiction, and participants will have the opportunity to generate new writing or work on existing projects in a safe and supportive way.
After the workshop, participants will be able to ask questions and engage in a lively discussion about the important connections between environmental awareness and contemporary literature.
Books will be available for purchase and signing after the workshop.
Advance registration is recommended to guarantee your seat.

Creative Environmental Writing Workshop
2024-05-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Ashland Public Library, Gresham Room, 410 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Ashland Creek Press is hosting a Creative Environmental Writing Workshop with Earth Joy Writing author Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D., in conversation with Ashland Creek Press publisher Midge Raymond at the Ashland Public Library on Sunday, May 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.
This workshop is for all who love nature and want to write about it, and is designed to help participants turn their passion for the environment into creative writing that is effective and emotionally compelling.
This generative writing workshop and discussion will be led by authors Cassie Premo Steele and Midge Raymond. Participants will explore different genres of writing, from journaling to fiction, and will have the opportunity to generate new writing or to work on existing projects in a safe and supportive way. After the workshop will be the opportunity to engage in a lively discussion about the important connections between environmental awareness and contemporary literature.
Cassie Premo Steele, Ph.D., is an accomplished American writer celebrated for her profound contributions to literature and ecofeminism. Her acclaimed works, including Earth Joy Writing and her novel Beaver Girl, reveal her deep-rooted connection to the natural world and her commitment to inspiring change. Her website is www.cassiepremosteele.com.
Midge Raymond is the author of the novels Floreana (forthcoming in 2025) and My Last Continent and the award-winning short-story collection Forgetting English, and she is co-author, with John Yunker, of the environmental mystery Devils Island (forthcoming in September 2024). Her website is www.midgeraymond.com.
WHERE: Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, Oregon
WHO: Cassie Premo Steele, PhD & Midge Raymond
WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 1-3 p.m.
INFO & REGISTRATION: https://jcls.libcal.com/event/11947579

Rogue Valley Peace Choir Spring Concert
2024-05-19 15:00 - 17:00 | First United Methodist Church Ashland, 175 N Main Street, Ashland, 97520
Rogue Valley Peace Choir, now in its 21st year, comprises more than 50 voices from across the valley, directed by Rob Griswell-Lowry and accompanied by Mikiko Petruccelli.
The mission of the choir is to promote peace, social justice and the well-being of our planet. This is the final public concert of the season for the choir, and the performance will include its full repertoire of uplifting and thought-provoking songs. Some pieces are new takes on familiar and well-loved songs, some will simply delight, and still others may shift our perspective on the state of our society or the world in an inspiring way. Visit http://RogueValleyPeaceChoir.org for more information.

Publish and Perish? Galileo’s Dilemma
2024-05-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Jefferson Center, 208 Oak St. No. 1, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Today Galileo is justly celebrated as a champion of experiment and observation. He vindicated Copernicus’s view of the heliocentric solar system, but he had to confront the Catholic Church’s anti-Copernican views. Short readings from Bertold Brecht’s play “The Life of Galileo” portray the conflict of his forceful advocacy of observation with more pragmatic concerns.
In between, we will consider implications of Galileo’s approach to science and truth, his relationship with the Catholic Church, and his influence on modern intellectual and cultural life. Barry Kraft, Jefferson center member, local actor, and Shakespeare scholar, will join us for the discussion, and direct the play reading.
The event is part of the Salon series of The Jefferson Center, a Rogue Valley non-profit focused on critical thinking, using secular humanist values to understand and engage with issues important to our community. See http://www.thejeffcenter.org for more details on this and other events.

Ashland’s Chinese community presentation – late 1800s to early 1900s
2024-05-19 17:00 - 18:30 | Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Sunday, May 19 event at the Ashland Library, in the Gresham Room.
5:00 pm: Chelsea Rose, Director of the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology, will speak on the topic “The Wah Chung and Company: How a small store helped Ashland’s early Chinese community outfox a racist immigration system.”
5:45 pm: Peter Finkle of WalkAshland will tell stories, both humorous and sad, about Ashland’s Chinese community in the early 1900s.
There will be some time for questions from the audience. (This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the Library.)
Historic Preservation Week is proudly sponsored by the City of Ashland, Advisory Committees for Historic Preservation and Public Arts, Ashland Chamber of Commerce, SOU Laboratory of Anthropology and Walk Ashland.

Intermediate Tai Chi for Older Adults
2024-05-20 09:30 - 10:45 | The Grove, 1195 E Main St, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Tai Chi is a moving meditation that strengthens bones and muscles, improves balance and increases flexibility. Qi Gong, the movement of energy through the body, is also incorporated.
Pre-registration required: ashland.or.us/register or 541.488.5342.

Gentle Yoga for Older Adults
2024-05-20 10:30 - 11:30 | Ashland Senior Center, 1699 Homes Avenue, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
The focus of this one-hour hatha yoga class is to increase strength, flexibility and balance while simultaneously alleviating stress and fatigue. Additional benefits of regular yoga practice include an overall sense of well-being and an increase in self-awareness and self-acceptance. Participants must be aware of their own capabilities in order to participate safely. Ability to get up and down from the floor is required. Each class will conclude with deep relaxation. Ages 50 & up.
$20 per month-long session ($5/class)

Line dancing for older adults
2024-05-20 13:00 - 14:30 | The Grove, 1195 E Main St, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Get active through dance! Line Dance is a choreographed dance in which participants line up in rows and follow a repeated sequence of steps to music. It is a great way to keep your brain on its toes!
Line dancing enhances balance, provides fitness and strength and improves mental acuity through complex movement. No partner is required. Pre-registration required: ashland.or.us/register or 541-488-5342.

Rogue Valley Men’s Circle Fire Ceremony
2024-05-20 18:30 - 20:30 | Lithia Park, Winburn Way, Ashland, OR, 97520
Weekly: A weekly Men’s Circle Fire Ceremony on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30 pm around the fire at the Island Fire Pit in scenic Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon.
What could be more natural than gathering around the fire and talking about the challenges of being a man and/or assuming masculine roles in our current culture?
Ceremony: This Men’s Circle is conducted as a shamanic ceremony to establish connection and community. It is compatible with any religious and spiritual beliefs. We offer intentions, smudge with sage, and release things into the fire. A weekly theme such as “confidence” or “purpose” is introduced.
Talking Stick and Fire Ceremony: A talking stick is passed to speak your truth on this topic and things coming up in your life. The Men’s Circle will be conducted as a fire ceremony as long as we are allowed to build fires this year. After this time, a new form of ceremony will be considered to continue the Men’s Circle.
Inclusive: This ceremony is for anyone looking to awaken and integrate dynamic masculine energy and roles. This includes all gender identities and sexual orientations.
Drug and alcohol-free: This form of ceremony does not utilize plant medicine or psychedelics. Please do not be under the influence of any drugs or alcohol during this ceremony.
Age: This ceremony is for ages 18 and older.
Facilitator: This ceremony is conducted by Michael Hoffman, LCSW. He is a licensed psychotherapist and spiritual coach. He trained with a spiritual teacher/shaman for 22 years and offered psychotherapy and relationship counseling for the past 28 years. Michael’s role and responsibility as the facilitator is to ensure that the ceremony is emotionally safe. Judgment and criticism will be stopped. He will also encourage you to venture deeper into your dynamic masculine energy.
Directions: The ceremony is at the Island Fire Pit in Ashland’s scenic Lithia Park. It is just south (away from downtown) of the Parks Office between the Cotton Memorial and Hillside on a small island in Ashland Creek. There is a parking area off Granite St.
You can just show up or register at https://www.naturalwayofbeing.com/rogue-valley-men’s-circle-ceremony. You can also get more information on this webpage.
Cost: The suggested donation is $15 per circle. You can pay at the ceremony with cash or Venmo. You can pay online with a credit card, debit card, or HSA credit card by registering at the above web address.
Questions: Feel free to call Michael Hoffman at 541-639-6246 with questions or concerns. Hope to see you there!

The Sacred Cell with author Diane Tegtmeier and Circle Culture Tools for Cooperative Work with author Lauren Oliver
2024-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Bloomsbury Books, 290 E. Main St., Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Join two friends, Lauren Oliver and Diane Tegtmeier, who have just published two books that they discovered carry complementary messages. Dr. Oliver’s book, Circle Culture: Tools for Cooperative Work, exemplifies the principles Diane Tegtmeier describes in The Sacred Cell: What Nature Teaches Us About Relationships.
Come to hear them read and discuss how their books offer co-creative approaches to healthy relationships that follow Nature’s principles to activate a paradigm shift toward our collective well-being. If you struggle in relationships and long to work with others to co-create solutions to the challenges we face, this event is for you.

Cozy Crafts & Parallel Play at the Ashland Library
2024-05-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
Do you enjoy being around creative people but not so much the social aspects of a crafting group? Come down to the Gresham Room to work on your own latest creative endeavor, with no pressure to interact and be social.
Don’t have a project at this time? No problem! We will also have supplies and instructions available for you to try your hand at something new. We hope to see you there!
Best for ages 16 and up.

Healthy Living with Safe Tech by Kelly Marcotolli with Lindsay Marilyn
2024-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library, 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, 97520
Understanding how to use technology in a modern world is easy! Discover tricks and hacks that will allow you to stay connected with loved ones while staying healthy and balanced in the process.
Knowing that your cell phone comes with a warning to not hold it next to your brain is the first step and recognizing the habits of overuse and misuse will be keys to your greater well-being. Learning how to adapt your digital devices for safer usage will be the primary focus of our workshop. Join Kelly Marcotulli and Lindsay Marilyn as they take you on a deep dive into the safe use of technology in your home, work, car and social settings.
Kelly Marcotolli is a Certified Pilates teacher and a life-long teacher and learner. In her realization of her own sensitivity/reactivity to electromagnetic fields, she has years of research and discovery under her belt. She has 30+ years in formal educational settings. She is a founding member and Executive Director of Oregon for Safer Technology, a non-profit that helps people understand the benefits of safer tech.
Lindsay Marilyn is a NANP Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Certified HeartMath Healthcare Professional with a Master’s of Science in Education. Prior to her career in public education and natural health care, Lindsay worked as a technology instructor for ten years. She taught Local Area Network engineering courses on the installation and operation of office automation hardware and software products. Lindsay is also a Board member of Oregon for Safer Technology.
FREE ADMISSION – 1757 Ashland St., Ashland, OR. One mile west of I-5 Exit 14

Wednesday Open Meditation
2024-05-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Kagyu Sukha Choling, 109 Clear Creek Drive, Ashland, 97520
Each Wednesday from noon to 1:00 pm, the KSC Sanctuary will be open to all for meditation.
We invite you to come and meditate quietly in your own way.

Southern Oregon Law Day Conference
2024-05-23 09:00 - 15:00 | Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd, Ashland, OR, 97520
Join us for Jackson County’s inaugural Law Day, hosted by the Civics Learning Project in collaboration with the SOU Criminology Club. This engaging event will take place on May 23rd at Southern Oregon University, bringing together students, educators, and legal professionals to explore the theme “Voices of Democracy.”
Law Day is designed to deepen understanding of legal, social, and political issues while providing high school students with a unique opportunity to explore careers in and around the law. Attendees will enjoy a variety of activities including workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by a diverse group of speakers from various backgrounds.
Don’t miss this chance to engage with community leaders and gain insights into the democratic processes and legal systems that shape our society. Whether you’re a student interested in law, a teacher looking for enriching experiences, or a community member eager to learn more about civic engagement, Law Day promises to be an educational and inspiring event. For questions or more information, please reach out to the event organizer, Timaree Joe, at tjoe@civicslearning.org.

City of Ashland Housing and Human Services Committee meeting
2024-05-23 16:00 - 18:00 | Community Development building, 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
The City of Ashland’s monthly Housing and Human Services Committee meeting.

Nina St Pierre discusses her memoir – Love is a Burning Thing
2024-05-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Bloomsbury Books, 290 E. Main St., Ashland, OR, 97520, United States
A riveting memoir about a daughter’s investigation into the wirings of her loving, unpredictable mother: a woman who lived her life in pursuit of the divine, and who started two big fires, decades apart.
Ten years before Nina was born, her mother lit herself on fire in a dual suicide attempt. During her recovery in the burn-unit, a nurse initiated her into Transcendental Meditation. From that day on, her mother’s pain became intertwined with the pursuit of enlightenment.
Growing up, Nina longed for a normal life; instead, she and her brother were at the whims of their mother, who chased ascension up and down the state of California, swapping out spiritual practices as often as apartments. When they finally settled at the foot of a mountain–reputed to be cosmic–in Northern California, Nina hoped life would stabilize. But after another fire, and a tragic fallout, she was forced to confront the shadow side of her mother’s mystical narratives. With obsessive dedication, Nina began to knit together the truth that would eventually release her.
In Love Is a Burning Thing, Nina interrogates what happens to those undiagnosed and unseen. This is a transfixing, moving portrait of a mother-daughter relationship that also examines mental health, stigma, poverty, and gender–and the role that spirituality plays within each. Nina’s writing skirts the mystical, untangles it, and ultimately illuminates it with brilliance.

"Declare the Good News"! Convention
2024-05-24 09:20 - 16:55 | Oregon State Fairgounds & Exposition Center, 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR, 97301, United States
One of the largest convention organizations in the world returns to Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center in Salem, OR with a much-anticipated motivational program to comfort and encourage the public.
In a world where bad news endlessly streams on social media, TV and radio, Jehovah’s Witnesses will present their 2024 “Declare the Good News!” convention series, beginning the weekend of May 24, 2024. The free, three-day live event is expected to draw more than 14,000 attendees to the city over the course of 4 weekends – fueling the city’s economy with local spending at stores, hotels and restaurants.
The “Declare the Good News”! convention will present Bible-based videos, discourses and interviews on topics such as…
• Why Do We Need Good news?
• Use Good News to Defeat Bad News
• Why We Don’t Fear Bad News
Saturday features a baptism of candidates from surrounding communities, while a two-part video feature will captivate the audience on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This is a free event and open to the public.

2024 Rogue World Music Festival Percussion Workshop
2024-05-24 16:00 - 17:30 | Pear Blossom Park, 32 E. Fourth St., Medford, OR, 97501, United States
A sleeper-hit of the festival every year, this event is a must-attend for novices and experts alike. All are welcome to learn and immerse themselves in a culturally-specific percussion practice. The best part? No drums are needed!
THIS year, we present the percussive practice of Gumboot Dancing – a form of body percussion and dance from South Africa, originating as a symbol of unification and resistance to oppression during Apartheid and an enduring expression of hope & solidarity. Taught by John Mambira.
