Categories
FEATURED IT'S FREE! OUTDOOR FUN!

Railroad Park Opens for the Season

City of Medford Railroad Park Opens for the Season
Opening day for Medford Railroad Park is Sunday, April 8th, 2018! Dozens of volunteers have been working hard to bring you an even more special park! Ride diesel trains and a motor car, view unique model railroad layouts and the Hogwarts Express, ride Thomas and Percy, tour historical railroad equipment and more. Bring the whole family, pack a lunch or eat at the Park. It’s fun for all ages.
Medford Garden Railroaders. See a G-scale logging railroad, trolley barn and lines, and seaport areas, including five water features! A separate Thomas and Friends garden railway will especially please the youngest railroad lovers, and the Hogwarts layout, added for Harry Potter fans, is designed so that tweens can run the Hogwarts Express train by remote control. New this year “Butterfly Garden” with over 150 plants designed to attract butterflies, bats & Osprey.

 

Rogue Valley Model Railroad Club. Ten HO scale trains, engines whining and horns blaring, operate across hundreds of scale miles of track, through working signals and crossing gates at the Highway 99 railroad crossing, between Medford and Klamath Falls, on the Pacific and Eastern Railroad, including the heavily forested climb out of Keno along the Klamath River. Children can help operate trains on a special HO layout.
The Southern Oregon Live Steamers. 2018 is their 37th year of offering free train rides to the public. Pulled by a variety of locomotives on almost two miles of track, each exciting train ride takes about nine minutes to go over and through all the tunnels, bridges and hills. The park favorite for the very young is the Thomas and Friends loop encircling the large Garden Railroad layout, with Thomas and Percy leading special trains built for small kids only.
The Southern Oregon Railway Historical Society. Tour restored 1910 and 1942 cabooses and a 1959 flanger (a type of snowplow), and view restoration work under way on Medco 4 ─ a local 1925 steam locomotive. Ride the motor car, visit the Museum, and the “Learning Caboose.”
The Railroad Park is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month from April through October. The park is operated by volunteers, and admission and parking are free. No tax monies are used in the operation of this park. All four clubs rely on the generosity of the public for donations to help offset the various costs involved in maintaining and expanding this one-of-a-kind Northwest attraction. This popular attraction is a unique collaboration between the City of Medford Parks and Recreation Department, the Medford Fire Department, and the four volunteer-based clubs.
The Railroad Park is located adjacent to Fire Station No. 4 at the intersection of Table Rock Road and Berrydale Avenue in Medford, just a few blocks north of the Rogue Valley Mall.
Note: Parking is limited. We encourage visitors to carpool or use public transport when possible.
Categories
HEALTH LET'S EAT! Uncategorized

TRUE JUICE: First Restaurant in Grants Pass to Earn Blue Zones® Approved Status

On September 9, 2016, True Juice opened its doors on “D” Street, and became Grants Pass’s first dedicated all-organic Juice & Smoothie Bar… and business has been booming ever since. Now, True Juice has also earned the prestigious position of being the first Blue Zones Approved restaurant in the Rogue Valley!

 

The Blue Zones Project®  launched in Grants Pass  in January , and nationally it is helping transform communities across the U.S. into areas where making  healthy choices is easier and people live longer with a higher quality of life. The mission of the Blue Zones Project® and True Juice seemed like a match made in heaven.  Through a multi-month process True Juice submitted recipes, policies, menus, restaurant protocols – and even personal Crew employee commitments- for review to Blue Zones® Grants Pass; and in mid-March, they received word congratulating them on their official well-deserved Blue Zones®- Approved status.

 

Local owners, Jacob and Karen Austin, started out as regular home-juicers and Certified Integrative Health Coaches who saw the need for an all-organic restaurant/Juicery option in Grants Pass back in 2015. Their vision was to open a plant-based, organic Family-style juice bar which also served smoothies, smoothie bowls, food and treats, with many gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free options to meet the needs of those with food allergies, sensitivities and other health concerns/preferences. Believing  that business could be a tool to create positive change, Karen and Jake jumped in to invest in the health and happiness of their southern Oregon customers and community while hoping to inspire other individuals and companies to do the same.

 

Today True Juice creates delicious and nutritious recipes using produce from a network of local organic farms including Pennington Farms, Howard Family Orchards, Promiseland Farm, and others. Their menu has expanded beyond juice, smoothies and smoothie bowls to also include sandwiches, soup, chili, quiche, gluten-free baked goods, chocolate treats, banana parfaits, Multi-Day Juice Cleanse Packages,  Quinoa Bowls, wraps (both turkey and vegetarian), snow cones, house-made Nut Mylks, Wellness Shots, cold brew coffee, teas and a whole array of Kombuchas, fruit and snacks… all organic, much of it local and/or house-made, and all of it delicious AND Nutritious. Additional fun facts are that they give their daily juice pulp to local organic livestock, and all of their to-go cups, straws, containers, and utensils are compostable.

 

If you haven’t already, drop in to True Juice and relax with green juice or coffee in their artistic, upcycled atmosphere, or take  your family in to enjoy a delicious lunch, prafait or smoothie bowl. True Juice is located at 126 NW D Street in Historic Downtown Grants Pass at 124 NW D St.
They are open M-F:  9-5… and Saturdays from 10-2.
541-441-4541
www.truejuiceorganic.com

 

 

Categories
FEATURED LET'S EAT!

Wolferman’s- Guinness World Record

On April 10, 2018 Wolferman’s baked the ~World’s Largest Cinnamon Roll~ right here at Harry & David in Medford, Oregon.

A special oven was created to bake the 1149.7 pound roll and it had to be moved by forklift to be weighed.

And yes!  Wolferman’s broke the record. But there are certain rules that apply to complete the process to hold the official title.

The roll must be consumed in the community and YOU can be part of making this happen!                                 ~History in the making with yummy perks~

Wolferman’s Serving Up Record-Breaking Cinnamon Roll at the                                      65th Annual Pear Blossom Festival
Attendees can Treat their Taste Buds to a Bite of the World’s Largest Cinnamon Roll and Help Support those in Need.
 Wolferman’s, a renowned purveyor of specialty baked goods within the Harry & David assortment.
Wolferman’s was recently awarded the Guinness World Records™ title for baking the Largest Cinnamon Roll – and now they’re inviting community members to share a taste of their title at Medford’s annual Pear Blossom Festival!
Wolferman’s will serve-up their super-spiral of dough for just $2 at the festival’s “Pear A Fare” event, which celebrates the Rogue Valleys artisan foods, unique flavors and outstanding chefs. Proceeds from cinnamon roll sales will be donated to the Teresa McCormick Center, a local community resource dedicated to providing education, assistance and connection for those in need.
When:                  The Pear A Fare: Friday, April 13: 3 pm – 10 pm
                                                                     Saturday, April 14: 10 am – 5 pm
Where:                Commons Park Blocks – Downtown Medford
                                312 E 4th St. Medford, OR 97501
*Wolferman’s tent located across from the Pear A Fare tent in “Pear Blossom Park.”
 Why:                     Spring has sprung, and it’s time to celebrate all that’s blooming this season, while giving back to the local community. This includes the opportunity to taste a piece of cinnamon roll history for just $2, with proceeds benefiting the Teresa McCormick Center.
 Photo Opps:       Wolferman’s World’s Largest Cinnamon Roll; fans enjoying samples; community members partaking in festival activities.
Social Media:    All media are encouraged to engage with Wolferman’s on social media, tagging @wolfermans and using #BigIsHowWeRoll.
Contact:
Erin McMenomy; (541-864-3090); [email protected]   
Accomplished...http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-cinnamon-roll
Categories
BIRTHDAY PARTY GUIDE

Birthday Party Guide

Our Southern Oregon Birthday Party Guide advertisers are here to answer your questions   when you are planning your special party.

Where to have a kids Party:……………………..

 

 

 

 

Americas Best Kids and Court House Family Fitness. ABK offers multiple birthday party activities to choose from for all ages! Your child’s birthday party with ABK is sure to be their best party yet! Medford. Book your party today. 541-245-0432. ABKFUN.com/BIRTHDAYS

 

 

 

 
Pottery, Canvas & Stone. Your place to paint! Paint your own pottery, canvas & stone! From piggy banks and mugs to framable works of art, this is your place to be an artist! Did I mention we have Chocolate?  Grants Pass.  541-295-8819.  facebook.com/Pottery-Canvas-Stone

 

 

 

 

 

Le Cirque Centre is home to the Rogue Valley’s premiere circus academy offering Birthday parties for kids of all ages. Ashland. 415-706-9535. socircus.org/

 

 

 

 

 

Escape Ashland is Southern Oregon’s unique escape games located in beautiful and historic downtown offering private Escape Adventures & Birthday Celebrations. Special discounts for Birthday Groups of 7 to 8 players. 541-613-6488. escapeashland.com. 

 

 

 

ScienceWorks Museum in Ashland. scienceworksmuseum.org 

 

 

 

KidZone.  Inside Club Northwest in Grants Pass.   http://clubnw.com/kidzone.php

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                   

 
 
Art4Joy in Medford. Have a fun Birthday creating art. art4joycp.com/

 

 

The RRRink.  Ice Skating Rink in Medford.  therrrink.com 

 

 

 

 

Rogue Aquatics.  Indoor swimming pool party location in Central Point. rogueaquatics.com

 

 

 

Rogue Rock Gym.  Indoor Rock climbing gym in Medford.  roguerockgym.com

 

 

 

Santo Community Center in Medford offers Birthday Party packages for ages walking to 12 years old.  ci.medford.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=4010

 

 

 

 

 

 

KC-97 Fuel Tanker.    Have your party inside a historic Boeing KC-97 at the Medford Airport.     jacksoncountyor.org/airport/Amenities/KC-97/FuelTanker 

 

Birthday Party Entertainment:……………………

 

 

Anna’s Party Works.   Balloon animals, bounce houses, puppet shows, face painting and more. Annaspartyworks.com

 

 
 
BugsRUs.                      John Jackson offers portable zoos providing safe and educational  preserved specimens and Live safe, touchable insects. bugsrus.org

 

 

 

 

Get ready for some unicorn fun!                  jeniferjoy.com/             on facebook facebook.com/jenuwinplaytime/

 

 Boutique Body Art. Fast, Safe and cheerful Face Painting plus Internationally Certified Natural Henna Artist for you parties! 541-801-8301.   BoutiqueBodyArt.com 

 

Birthday Cakes:………………………………………..

 

 

 

 
                                                                                                                               
Munchin Moo Crew. Bringing smiles & creating memories with cakes, cookies & custom deco.  541-415-5138.  munchinmoocrew.com 

 

Categories
COMMUNITY

Drugrehab.com

Drugrehab.com is an online information center dedicated to those battling addiction and mental health issues. Their goal is to equip families with the necessary tools and resources to guide them on the road to recovery. You can access the Oregon resource here: https://www.drugrehab.com/oregon/ or call 877-695-5395

Categories
COMMUNITY

211info Connects People with Resources

Did you know that information on local health and social services is now accessible by calling 211? Just like calling 911 for an emergency, people can call 211 to identify, navigate, and connect with the local resources they need.
The statewide nonprofit 211info is part of the nationwide 211 phone system. Staff are available to answer calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact can also be made by emailing [email protected], texting your zip code to 898211, visiting 211info.org, or using the mobile app.
The program lists over 35,000 services varying from assistance programs to recreational activities, according to Carrie Prechtel, Community Engagement Coordinator for Jackson and Josephine Counties. Food, energy assistance, shelter, health, and dental assistance are among the top needs in Southern Oregon.
A caller gives the 211info information specialist their zip code and that’s the only information actually required. It is the caller’s choice to proceed with more personal information. After a short discussion of what the caller is looking for, 211info will refer the caller to a number of local agencies that can help and explain about the suggested services.
Staff at 211 also screen callers for qualification for programs. For example, if someone calls in about help with their energy bill, the staff might ask if they have enough food to eat and if they might need assistance with SNAP (food stamps). They will also inform them of any documents or paperwork that would be helpful to bring with them to their appointment. All information is anonymous and confidential, and there are bilingual staff ready to help.
Expanded services in Oregon include a 24/7 hotline for foster parents, giving them help and support with their foster children, and child care referrals, during extended hours including weekends, for anybody looking for any type of child care services.
For more information, go online to 211info.org — or call 211.

 

Categories
Uncategorized

Meadowlark Comic Con – Saturday, May 12th 2018

May 12, 2018

Meadowlark Comic Con, a full-scale pop culture and comic convention, comes to Ramada Medford Hotel and Convention Center and brings an array of celebrity guests from different genres of entertainment.

Rogue Valley fans will have a rare opportunity to meet Mindy Sterling, known for her role as Frau Farbissina on Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Austin Powers in Goldmember and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Mindy Sterling’s film and television credits also include Friends, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Justice League Unlimited, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Robot Chicken, Desperate Housewives, iCarly, The Legend of Korra, Minions, Voltron, and her Emmy-nominated performances in Con Man and Secs and Execs.

Mindy Sterling will be joined by Keone Young, who has hundreds of on-screen and voice over credits to his name including Men in Black 3, Crank, Crank: High Voltage, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Wars Rebels, Kaijudo: Rise of The Duel Masters, Sons of Anarchy, True Blood, Naruto: Shippûden, G.I. Joe: Renegades, Deadwood , G.I. Joe and Transformers.

Anime fans will be treated to meet and greet with Joe Ochman, who gave his voice to characters in Gundam Origins, Mobile Suit Gundam F91, Patlabor 2 The Movie, Cowboy Bebop, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, The Little Polar Bear, Digimon: Digital Monsters, Naruto, Duel Master, Bleach, Pokemon Origins,  and Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo.

Also appearing at Meadowlark Comic Con are Alison MacInnis (Pink Ranger) and Sasha Craig (Yellow Ranger) from Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, as well as Jackey Neyman Jones who starred in the cult classic that many label as the ‘worst movie ever made’ — Manos: The Hands of Fate.

No convention is a comic con without professional Marvel and DC artists, and Meadowlark Comic Con has their comic book aficionados covered: Chris Marrinan who worked on classic titles like Excalibur, Wonder Woman, Nova, Doctor Strange, and Matt Haley whose credits include The Defenders, Superman, Wonder Woman ’77, will be at the show to meet their fans, sign autographs and do sketches and commissions.

Attendees will also be able to shop from various exhibitors and creators, play video games, meet local cosplayers and fan groups, attend celebrity guest panels, and compete in a cosplay contest for a trophy and a cash prize.

Show open 10 am – 5 pm at Ramada Medford Hotel and Convention Center Saturday, May 12th, 2018. All ages are welcome.

Tickets available online at www.meadowlarkcomiccon.com (adult 12+ $10, kids 5-12 $5, kids under 5 y.o. free) or at the door (adult 13+ $15, kids 5-12 $8, kids under 5 y.o. free).

Categories
COMMUNITY

Ashland Emergency Food Bank

Serving the community

Since 1972, Ashland Emergency Food Bank (AEFB) has provided food to residents of Ashland, Talent and surrounding rural communities. Each month, 500-600 families representing approximately 1,500 individuals come to us for food. Our customers include the unemployed and under-employed, the working poor, students, seniors and homeless. About twenty five percent are children under the age of 18.

Your support matters

AEFB is supported by a coalition of faith-based organizations, along with the community at large. Church members, school children, local residents and neighborhood businesses donate food to us directly and volunteer their labor. Ashland Food Project’s green bag collections comprise about a forty percent of our total contributions.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we are able to provide each individual or family who visits us with enough groceries to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for two to three days.

http://ashlandemergencyfoodbank.org/

541-488-9544

Categories
COMMUNITY Uncategorized

ACCESS Building Community

ACCESS Builds Community

We provide food, housing, warmth and other essential services to Jackson County’s low income children, families, seniors and people with disabilities.

As the Community Action Agency of Jackson County, OREGON, ACCESS has been helping Jackson County residents break the cycle of poverty since 1976. With a focus on education, ACCESS helps people through economic crisis by guiding them through changes in habits to help them become self-sustaining. ACCESS currently serves local residents through 15 programs designed to address problems from one-time emergencies to longer-term issues.

541-779-691

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Categories
COMMUNITY PARENTING PREGNANCY/ BIRTH

Women, Infants and Children WIC – Jackson County

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a free nutrition education program that helps families identify healthy nutrition choices that work for them.

Why WIC?
WIC debit

Women on WIC eat a healthier diet, have healthier babies and receive early prenatal care.

Infants born to WIC mothers weigh more and have improved growth and development rates.

Children on WIC eat foods with more iron and vitamin C, and visit their doctors regularly.

Eligibility

You are eligible for WIC if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • Live in Oregon
  • Are a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old
  • Have a nutritional need
  • Have a household income that meets the current income guidelines.

*Fathers, grandparents, foster parents or other guardians may apply for WIC for their children.

541-774-8203

http://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/public-health/women-infants-and-children