Art and Music and All-Terrain Contrivances and Flowers, etc...

           Ashland is truly a haven for artists, with over a dozen galleries, two large art cooperatives and an art museum, all open year round and showcasing everything from jewelry and fabric wall hangings, wooden sculpture and tile mosaics, oils and blown glass,  classes as diverse as watercolor, mosaic, weaving, knitting, tile painting, fabric painting, hat making, ceramics and nearly any other creative form imaginable.  As summer arrives art begins to flow out of doors, appearing alongside the river on weekends, in street fairs and the walkways of art collectives, farmers markets, and even in open houses and backyards.  Neighbors of ours hold an annual art event each June, called "Art for the Home and Garden" featuring enchanting garden art and metal sculpture, pottery, ceramic art, purses -- a variety of  professional design in two gardens and homes open for the weekend. 

            As the summer art season opened this first weekend of June,  it also offered First Friday Artwalk (a monthly event greatly enhanced when warm weather and tourists begin to arrive);  music streaming on many streets along with open galleries, wine tasting and snacks; 7 or 8 theater stage offerings (always available here); performances of the charming play "Mulan"  in an aerial acrobatic form produced by Le Cirque Centre, a petite derivation of the famed Cirque du Soleil; a performance of Broadway music at a  local church; a singing rock concert by the Jefferson State Choral Coalition; the opening of a week-long Medford beerfest kicked off by a Beers, Burgers and Bluegrass celebration at Hanley Farm;  and the celebration of the opening of the Britt Music Festival, a grand outdoor summer-long series of musical events held in Jacksonville, about 40 minutes out of town. Also an option, several  venues with live bands -- including Irish Pubs, wineries and the Elks. There were many people  of all persuasions on the streets having a good time, running into friends. Street musicians included guitars and a didgeridoo!

            In Jacksonville on Saturday some of the charms of the Britt Summer Celebration included a street lined with antique cars, chalk artists, a strawberry social, great bands, and a free drawing to win $500 to spend in local shops. Here are a few images:

            I found the most intriguing exhibit there to be the kinetic sculptures (shown below). This relatively new hobby for people who want to put pedal-to-the-metal using their own pumping power involves creating human-powered amphibian all-terrain vehicles (yes, sand and mud and water) to compete in kinetic sculpture races in various towns in Oregon (and beyond -- the challenge apparently originated in Ferndale, CA, when Hobart Brown modified his son's tricycle and the idea mushroomed into huge bikes, and migrated to several states). No one is allowed an engine or even a push, although rumor is that rules are made to be broken.  Much of the fun is in the innovation and artistic flair, with a muscle-driven machine. They are racing works of art. The larger one below has 80" wheels and seats four drivers. If you want to know the when and where of races in Oregon check out ptkineticrace.org, cyclorama.net, davincidays.org/races or just google kinetic sculpture races and you will find a lot of you-tube film clips to peruse. One I liked was Kinetic Grand Championship Part 1.

            As if all of this was not too much choice already for one weekend, there were two major garden show events, one in Ashland, an annual garden tour sponsored by the AAUW, and another tour to support charities in Central Point and Medford.  These draw enthusiastic gardeners (or wannanbes) who want to see the best designs and use of plants for the area, enjoy the beauty of the hills and yards, decide if they want water features, and figure just what it is the deer will not eat!  The Assn. of University Women (AAUW) is a major presence in Ashland, with over 140 members, numerous clubs, and community-wide fundraisers for local charities. The garden tour is a major project of theirs, always including lemonade and cookies and lots of good advice.

            So goes a typical summer weekend -- one really has to work to become bored in this town!
            Below are some Ashland gardens from the garden tour, all lovely living works of art. Did you know there is a scaled replica of the Trevi fountain in the acreage of a beautiful Ashland mansion built in the style of a 17th century Normandy chateau? Tours like this always have surprises. This estate also boasts a vineyard, cherry orchard, vegetable garden, passive solar and water well.  Other homes on the tour featured flowers, gardens, walkways, drought resistant plants, and a charming greenhouse. Some of the photos are from the large community gardens shared by residents of the Mountain Meadows retirement community.

Flea Market Adventures

      Today was Flea Market Day at the Medford Armory, a monthly event where folks gather to sell a bit of everything.  There is nothing I need from the flea market, until I see it, nothing I thought about needing before I arrived.  This is a large market with treasures ranging from baseball cards and marbles, dolls to dogs, to Elvis posters, indian jewelry, Japanese wall hangings, old china and flatware, beer mugs, bikes, dragons,  Polynesian gods, guns, crocheted baby clothes, DVD's , clocks -- things you never thought of wanting but have fun considering.  I enjoy wandering in markets like this for several reasons.

•             It's fun to discover something my mother owned like a meat grinder I used for grinding bread for dressing on holidays (no such thing as instant dressing or even pre-made breadcrumbs when I was a kid!), or a metal toy cash register I once played store with, or rhinestone jewelry and tiaras like I once wore to proms. It brings back memories of "ancient" times, and  reminds me of family events long past.
•            It's fun to see things I have never seen before like carved wooden horses 4 feet high, tiny wooden doll carriages, iron tools without a modern purpose. It's an adventure in history.

•             It's fun to find a bargain, even when it is something you never thought to need. Today my bargain was a great  $20 set of  strong binoculars with a leather case. Another time it was a beautiful $15 crystal cake tray. Another time it was a collection of large and lovely seashells. Who knows what will appear?

Here are some photos of the Medford Armory Flea Market. The next one is July 28th.

Writers Who Gather in Ashland

I spent Saturday at a southern Oregon Williamette Writers gathering learning about the eMedia Publishing Revolution!  Julie Fast (www.JulieFast.com) an expert speaker on publishing and media, and the author of seven books related to bipolar disorder, presented a mind-blowing variety of new social  media that writers must  use if they hope to promote their books -- blogs, newsletters, podcasts, tele-seminars,  HARO (Help a Reporter Out), virtual book tours, e-newsletters, MP3s, Facebook, YouTube, and more.  She also covered Kindle, Lulu, and the variety of e-publishing options that offer a bit more income for the writer than the traditional approach of finding an agent/publisher, which gains prestige but rarely a good income.  Writers today have to be expert web navigators, or hire others who do it for them.  Who knows how they find the time and still produce books and other content for their fans?

The Williamette Writers meet monthly in the council chambers of a little town called Central Point, and are affiliated with a larger Williamette Writers of Oregon that is headquartered in Portland.  Many published authors are part of the group, all willing to share advice and encouragement to others.  It is one of several writers organization in Oregon.

Ashland alone has over 80 authors, and will be holding an annual Ashland Book and Author Festival from 10 to 5 on June 22 at Oregon State University. (info at libraryevents@sou.edu or hanlib.sou.edu/bookfest) If you are a writer you can find everything from play-writing classes to poetry slams along with over 100 book clubs here in town. There are two new bookstores, one used book store, one new and used store, and one free book store just in Ashland, with more options down the road in Medford. I have heard OSU is also hosting a writers conference this summer -- details yet to come!

I guess its the weary four-month winter that keeps all this reading and writing going, because from my perspective the other seasons are just to beautiful to stay indoors.

A Taste of Chinese Wisdom

One of the charms of Ashland is that someone is always inviting you to meet unique creative or spiritual individuals who are passing through town, so educational or experiential programs, lectures, new or ancient spiritual practices, or uplifting and fun musical events often arise unexpectedly and there is always an opportunity to learn something new. Recently for me it was an opportunity to meet a Taoist philosopher and teacher, Li Siming, who is traveling through the US from Wudang Mountain , China.

Li Siming, also known as Derek, speaks impeccable English as he holds an engineering degree from MIT and lived in the states for eight years. His style of teaching is remarkably clear. After returning home to China he became attracted to Qigong, Buddhism and Taoism, and took a year off of work to go to the mystical mountains of Wudang, to meditate and study.  While there his life perspective shifted dramatically, and he stayed to master the energy and meditation practices and deep wisdom of  the ancient Chinese masters.  Today he teaches in China and hopes to teach in the US as well.

Derek gave a talk to a small group in a local home that encompassed a brief overview of Taoism -- the history in China, the practices of Qigong and the philosophy of living and expanding awareness that is the foundation of this ancient teaching,   He made the invitation to inner realization very appealing, with his own peaceful presence, warmth and wisdom.  You can learn more about him on his website www.lisiming.com or on Facebook at lisiming.com or on Linkedin at

Derek LI.

Sweet Experiences

Moving Art as Cinema

Many creative and passionate people live in Ashland, and often this leads to unique events promoted by a single artist, actor, musician or film-lover.  Last night we went to the Meese Auditorium in the art building at Southern Oregon University to see a range of 15 or 20 short experimental animated films, produced between 1935 and 2012. A local film collector offered the event, free to all. These are not your Disney-type productions, but are more intriguing to watch because of their range of image, the mystery of wondering how they were filmed, and the impressionistic mating of music and image.  Among the subjects was an old IBM animation formed of moving atoms,  a charming 1935 German animated shadow story about a birdman made with images cut on thin tin,  a weird city of malformed cats in "Cat City" with many variations, (such as no legs, or multiple heads), a mesmerizing movement of  kaleidoscope  images  based on the mathematically created Mandelbrot Cactus or Square, and thousands of sliding collages with a life journey attached.  Some of the films were like a moving modern art (think Picasso) on steroids, merged with music.  Others had a tale implied, but not explicit.  One film was done entirely by hand painting on film instead of using a camera.  What is interesting to me about viewing events so out of my normal experience is seeing the great diversity of passions followed by fellow humans.  We each follow unique patterns and drives. William James wrote about "The Varieties of Spiritual Experience", which are clearly correlated with the  immense varieties of human expression. There is vitality in broadening the mind to explore unfamiliar territories, and enjoying the diversity of human creativity.

Sweet Indulgences

The Harry and David store is one of the unique treats near Ashland, and this Memorial weekend included a special event with free wine-tasting, sweets  and sauces to taste, and lively music.  This company, located a few miles north of Ashland in Medford, was founded in the Rogue Valley  3 generations ago, to pack and mail pears and dried fruits around the country.  Today it is no longer just a family business, but it features wines and beers, jellies, sauces, coffees and teas, local produce, glutin free breads and pizzas, chocolates and a completely addictive popcorn and chocolate mix called Moose Munch.  In the old days there were free bins of candies and nuts to taste.  Today the samples are less generous, except for special events like this weekend, but it is just as well because it is a place that widens your waistline as it lightens your wallet.  It is a fun indulgence, and factory tours are available for $5 (interesting and sweet but not as adventurous as Willy Wonka!)  I find the unique local foods, like Rogue pear, cranberry and Pinot Noir Jam, or Watermelon mint tea, Apricot Ale,  dark chocolate covered peanut butter filled pretzels, sweet peach pepper jelly or pears dipped in melted  truffles hard to resist and easy to store in the pantry for special moments. Living here and joining their club brings coupons and discounts to make the indulgences a bit more affordable. Fancy gift assortments abound on holidays -- maybe you've received one.

We stop in often for a dollop of coffee, in a petite paper cup, always  free, and a piece of whatever is being passed around that day. But we rarely get away without buying something.  It was always a fun tourist stop but just as sweet for locals who might be passing through Medford.  Below are a couple of pictures of the temptations that you'll find.

We ran into a crowd at a new Togos sandwich place near Harry and Davids, opened only 2 weeks ago.  We were told a major  kids soccer tournament nearby was the reason for the overflow of customers,  usually a rare sight in Medford.  We noticed three baseball fields filled with kids as well. Spring is certainly bursting forth in Oregon, even when the weather is still a bit cool.

        Here is a bit of the scene at Harry and David, with all of its temptations 

Beyond a Vacation

                                 The stream that runs through beautiful Lithia Park in Ashland

After 20 years of vacationing in this Camelot-like town on the edge of southern Oregon, my husband and I moved here in 2005. We loved the vacation advantages of this small town -- the possibility of seeing 11 plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, having fun  at the Cabaret dinner theater, where we watched comedy/music performances in a re-visioned  old church, walking along the river in the miles-long bountiful Lithia Park, and shopping in the cute and touristy shops.

Knowing we already loved the town, and the house overlooking it that we bought, we retired and  moved here with only a slight questioning -- what would the people be like? How would it feel to live in Oregon after a lifetime in Northern California? Could we tolerate a "small" town of 20,000 after living in Northern California for 40 years?

Today I still feel "on vacation" most of the time, and feel I have opened an amazing treasure trove of creative, stimulating and spiritual options by moving to this small and endearing Oregon town, and the purpose of this blog is to pass on the good news to others who may be considering the move, or  have already settled here and wonder what to do next.  It's possible to find a problem here, but newspapers do that job well, and it's also possible to find some complaints. I'll cover a few of those in time. But in a world with so much struggle it is comforting to find a place where one can retire and relax, as well as find ample opportunity for entertainment, friendship, and outdoor enjoyments, along with intellectual and  spiritual growth. I love exploring, and bringing people together, so this blog is aimed at all of you who live here, want to live here, or want to fantasize about living here.

It is great to be around other retired people, in an environment  that includes the fresh faces  and activities of  younger families.  So I will share what is happening here -- the changing facades in and around Ashland as businesses and seasons come and go, service  clubs and social groups arise and fall, music and  theater groups pass through or emerge, and describe many other varieties of enrichment available in the environs  of southern Oregon.  This may include such things as  wineries (over 400 in Oregon) , breweries, dancing, great food, rivers, ziplines,  rowing, silent auctions, volunteer endeavors, spiritual centers and communities,  authors, city-wide yard sales, college courses, clubs (everything from Newcomers to Hospice and hundreds in between), etc. -- everything you may have wanted to know but didn't know who to ask.

I hope to answer questions about what to do, how to get involved, and where to get help if you need it. If you have questions send them along and I will focus on your area of interest. If you want to tell others about your own organization, event, or favorite place send me the information. 

Views from a deck into the town of Ashland, with the Ashland Springs Hotel in the center -- Because it is in the hills, many homes in Ashland have wonderful views, all unique. Others have spectacular gardens.

Here I have gathered together a few of the unique expressions of community in

Ashland

YOU PROBABLY LIVE IN ASHLAND IF.....

You go to the hardware store for free popcorn

You go to the plumbing supply store for free peanuts

You go to the rock store for free rocks

You go to the recycling center for free shoes

You go to a book exchange for free books

You go to a coffee stand for free dog treats

You go to the art galleries for free wine and cheese on 1st Friday

You go to the yogurt shop to play pool

You can be entertained for free in summer months by outdoor performances, 6 nights out of  7

You can go to the humane society and play with the animals

You are sometimes accosted by free-range poets  on the street who will recite to you

You can learn five different kinds of meditation in one week

You are still in newcomers because you think its fun although you have lived here over  seven years

Your house is monitored for free by a police volunteer every day you are on vacation

You go to silent auction fund raisers about once a month

You can belong to 100 book clubs

You know a grandmother with a new tattoo

You go to professional theater on Tuesdays for cheap rush tickets

You enjoy Shakespeare when you never thought you would

You go to the park to watch ballet

You have seen find hula Dancers on the grass, a bass player on the walkway, guitar players by the steam, deer in the flowers, people fencing on the stages, meditators on the lawns, and instantaneous rock art appearing in the park'

You have eaten a chicken dinner in the park with at least 200 people

You know a secret swimming hole with a rope swing

You know where to catch steelhead and bass somewhere not too far away

You know at least 10 to 20 artists , actors and authors

You volunteer at a professional or regional theater

You have seen musicians from many cultures performing in town

You enjoy standing in the rain for the local film festival -- maybe you or your kid has even made a movie for the locals event

Your friends (or you) are managing the lines at the film festival, and  the doors at live theaters and music festivals.

You can gone to a synagogue to hear a Brazilian Buddhist, a Unity minister, ethnic  musicians from exotic places you never heard of  before, progressive new-age speakers, and even a Rabbi

There is a high likelihood your minister is a woman

You are taking courses for credit at the university and you are 90 years old

You have found four computer clubs and nowhere in town to buy a computer (except the college bookstore)

You go to a church to hear a band

You go the park to hear a band

You go to wineries to hear a band

You go to art galleries to drink wine and hear a musician

You go to a barbecue dive to hear a jazz society

You go to an Irish pub to hear the fiddling society

You go to the college to hear any kind of music

You go to high school plays and ballgames even when you know no one in high school, because they are just that much fun

The college students act (on the stage) like professionals

You know how stage sets and costumes are made

You can hike a different trail every week for a year

You know where to golf and get a hot dog for $7

You take classes in belly dancing, qigong, yoga, bird watching, sustainability, Indian cooking, winemaking , pilates, and go rowing at the lake and you are over 60

You go to the elks to play dominoes and Mah Jong and poker and watch Bad Films in the basement

If you are an Elk you always have a place to park

If you're a Lion you barbecue lots of chicken and restore benches in the park

You've noticed that every week someone new writes a column about peace for the newspaper

You can have your own radio program

You get free gardening water, and walk your dog by a stream called a TID ditch through the hills of town

You have your own ski resort

You would personally shore up the river if it flooded because everyone does

You know where to get free books any time on any subject

You belong to three or more potluck groups

If the store doesn't have what you need at a price you can afford they will probably tell you where to go to get it

If you know the secret times and menus, you can get locals prices at some restaurants

You meet the farmers on Tuesday and store up on organic  produce

You see people hugging in the grocery store, in the park, at the farmers market, etc. etc.

Your hospital let's you use aroma therapy

When you drive slow, people wait for you, figuring you are a lost tourist or just old

(anyway the speed limit is generally 25 mph)

You can't buy new furniture in town but there is plenty of wine

You can do yoga nearly 24/7

You have gone to a chamber meeting and find out that 80 % of the chamber of commerce members do massage, psychic readings, yoga and alternative health care

Your neighbor might have free range chickens or turkeys who wander down the street

The deer believe you grow flowers just for them

You once met a group of deer sauntering as a family through town

You have seen a bear on the street or found a bear in your apple tree, and it is only mildly disturbing.

When you are gone very long from home a deer had babies in your back yard

You notice most of the people wandering the town look happy

You and your kids dress in costume for the Halloween parade

You can't buy new furniture but you can always buy a costume

Every season is magical to the extent you sometimes hear in your head the old songlines " If I ever left you it could not be in summer, or as spring, or fall or winter"

You know someone who is a living statue

A naked woman on a bike once rode through town and got so little attention she left

People tell you they came through town once and couldn't leave

You can get a Japanese bath, a Thai massage, an Indian lunch, see a pow wow and

a British play, and  have a Vietnamese dinner all in one day.

You are limited in where to buy a cell phone but you do know where to buy old records in town or rent a Segway

You may ride a bike to work supplied by your employer

If you own a house you probably bought it for the view or the garden, or maybe for the neighbors

You occasionally over hear someone saying this is like living In Heaven

You don't really want to go on vacation because you feel you are already on one