Southern Oregon Living: Oregon: Ashland

Me and My Attitude!  There's something really cool about hanging out with your attitude... especially when your attitude is your best buddy.  Me and my attitude are pals.  We go everywhere together.  Sometimes we're up and sometimes we're down, but we always know we can rely on one another for support.

For the most part, we're pretty upbeat and enjoy one another's company.  When either of us get out of line, one gives the other a good swift kick in the butt.  And when we're on top of our game, we high five each other and celebrate over a double fudge chocolate cheesecake and a hot mocha (which makes us both happy).

Sometimes, my attitude needs a little adjustment.  When that happens, we're usually reminded that a smile and a soft spoken word can really make a difference.  Change your attitude and you change your circumstance... that's what we like to think.  Fortunately, me and my attitude agree on most things.  

There's no love-hate relationship between us.  Me and my attitude play nicely in the sandbox of life together.  We're truly the best of friends, committed colleagues, bosom buddies and kindred spirits.  Here's to kickin it with me and my attitude... may the sun rise up to greet us and the wind be upon our backs! 

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference" ~ Winston Churchill

Talk To The Hand... I'm Not Listening!  I'm certain we've all been in situations where we tried making a point to someone and we felt like we were talking to the hand.  Silence is a form of communication, but many 'salespeople' often miss the signals.  Not this gal.

In anticipation of a difficult negotiation, and knowing I would most likely be talking to the hand, I examined (ahead of time) what my response would be to such resistance.  I considered (ahead of time) how badly I wanted to make the deal happen.  I weighed (ahead of time) my losses.  I was clearly prepared to face the hand.

Mental preparedness is critical in any negotiation.  Asking yourself the 'what-ifs' (ahead of time) is the crux to being prepared.  Being able to read the signs of communication are also important.  Yacking your lips, when someone isn't listening, is like casting wisdom to the wind... unless you're clearly not saying anything of value.  Then, silence is golden (and speaks volumes).

Yesterday, I walked away from the hand (knowing ahead of time) that I was going to say the following:   'I respect your decision and thank you!'  There was no whining, no wrangling, no blabbering... just a simple answer to the hand and it felt good.  Knowing who you are, and what you bring to the table is invaluable.  Knowing it (ahead of time) is priceless!

Accepting Self-Limiting Beliefs... Must We?  I've always wanted to play the piano.  I even bought a 100 year old piano and took lessons in my 20's.  Then, life happened and the dream slowly faded.

I've always loved to dance and I especially love salsa music.  Every evening, I entertain myself by dancing around my house to some cool tunes from my iPod. I've thought about teaching a class and inspiring others to shake some bootie, but the thought of organizing it overwhelms me, given my current business and civic responsibilities.

I've never drank... not for any particular reason, other than I don't really fancy the taste of alcohol (or perhaps I've never found my drink of choice).  However, I've thought about visiting some local vineyards and experimenting a little.  I just need a kick in the butt to motivate me to do it.

I recently bought a Quickbooks program and decided I was going to do my own payroll.  The program has sat in the box on my desk for weeks and is yet to be loaded on my computer.   

I love to learn new things, but the reality is, they take time.  I know I possess a wide array of talents and I can do anything I set my mind to... but is it really feasible to think we can accomplish everything that occupies our brain?  I hate to say no to some of my dreams, because in some small sort of way, it's like accepting defeat.  May it never be!

Perhaps it's just a case of poor planning and lack of organization.  Just the sound of those words make me cringe!  I suppose I see myself more as a creator, inventor and dreamer.  Execution is clearly my downfall.  And perhaps my Libran tendency is to over-analyze and procrastinate in the quest for balance.  Whatever the case, I won't allow myself to accept the self-limiting beliefs that sometimes spin in my head. 

Are voices wreaking havoc in your brain?  Accepting Self-Limiting Beliefs... Must We?

Ashland Oregon is Like a Dream... You'll Never Want to Leave!  At least that is what the Washington Post had to say about Ashland Oregon.  Located in the beautiful Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon just off Interstate 5, Ashland Oregon was chosen as one of the Thousand Places to Visit Before You Die in the best selling travel guide and named the #2 small arts town in America.  The Rogue River, Crater Lake National Park, the surrounding mountains, old-growth forests, and vineyards - in the sunny part of the state - are just some of the attractions to this small town.  Ashland Oregon is also home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which is acclaimed as one of the top five regional theaters in the country by Time magazine.

Outside Magazine named Ashland Oregon one of the top ten small towns in the U.S. saying "Ashland (pop. 23,000) is an anomaly: It's got the Northwest's first-rate recreation (you can bike or trail-run right from town and the nearby kayaking is incredible) and culture (famous Shakespeare Festival) but not the rain (196 days of sunshine annually).  And with its Napa-style vineyards, this border town is a bit Cali, in a good way."

How to get to Ashland Oregon:

Air Travel

Ashland has it's own municipal airport, charters and private aircraft may utilize, Ashland Muni-sumner Parker Field. Ashland Municipal Airport, is a public airport located two miles (3.2 km) east of the city of Ashland in Jackson County.

There is a larger airport located just off Interstate 5 in Medford, approximately 18 miles away, the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport.  Click here for a list of airlines that fly into Medford, Oregon.

Road Travel

Ashland is easy to get to by driving; it's right on Interstate 5, the major north-south route through western California, Oregon, and Washington. Ashland is just north of the Oregon-California border.

Mileage

• Portland to Ashland - 285 miles
• San Francisco to Ashland - 380 miles
• Seattle to Ashland - 460 miles
• Boise to Ashland - 510 miles

Before making the trek to Ashland Oregon, it is wise to check mountain pass conditions during winter road trips.  The Siskiyou Summit can be a little treacherous in winter months.  

Train Travel
The Nearest Amtrack Train Station is located in Klamath Falls.
Other Nearby stations: Bend, Eugene

Bus Service
Rogue Valley Transportation District
200 Front Street
Medford, OR 97501
541-779-2877
RVTD bus system provides regular bus service on weekdays (routes and schedules available from the RVTD web site). There is no bus service available on weekends.

Taxi Service & Shuttle
Ashland Taxi: 541-890-8080
Cascade Airport Shuttle: 541-488-1998
Yellow Cab: 541-482-3065

Greyhound Bus Lines
220 S Front St.
Medford, OR 97501
541-779-2103
Fares and Schedule info: 800-231-2222
Baggage: 541-773-1894
Greyhound Package Express: 541-773-1894
Greyhound Charter: 800-454-2487
Click here for more Greyhound station information

Get Your Chocolate Fix Today in Southern Oregon!  Feeling a little chocolate craving coming on?  Well, today is your lucky day in Southern Oregon.  Two chocolatey events are taking place today; The 6th Annual Oregon Chocolate Festival at the Ashland Springs Hotel in Ashland Oregon, and the Cocoa Loco Chocolate Tasting Event at Harry & David in Medford Oregon.

Both events are sure to get those chocolate taste buds going.  From assorted chocolate truffles, chocolate brownies (my fav), chocolate fondue, chocolate dipped strawberries, to yummy chocolate cocoa.  It's chocolate lover's dream today in Southern Oregon.  You can get your chocolate fix today!  

Don't waste time diddle daddling on household chores or mowing the lawn, as both of these Southern Oregon events end today at 4pm.  So, get your chocolate fix now!  See you there!

From one Chocolate Lover to another!

Ann Curry will deliver Southern Oregon University Commencement Address.  Ann Curry, a news anchor for NBC, began her humble beginnings in Southern Oregon.  Curry graduated from Ashland High School and the University of Oregon.  She also worked for NBC affiliates in Medford and Portland Oregon before moving to Los Angeles to report for KCBS-TV.  Since then, Ann Curry's journalism accomplishments range from doing the NBC News, The Today Show, and Dateline NBC.

During her 30 years in the journalism industry, Curry has won three Emmy Awards for news reporting, certificates of excellence from The Associated Press, and additional honors for reporting from the NAACP.  Curry recently funded the Ann Curry Scholarship for the School of Journalism and Communication Broadcasting Students at the University of Oregon.

Southern Oregon University commencement ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on June 5, 2010, at the Mountain Arena on campus at Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Blvd. in Ashland Oregon.

Colbie Caillat Performs in Ashland Oregon.  Colbie Caillat has been the quintessential California girl.  Her idea of a good time is hanging out with her friends at a beach bonfire or hopping in the car listening to tunes while driving up the Pacific Coast Highway.

On "Coco," her Universal Republic debut, the songs mirror Caillat's low-key, refreshing style.  Armed with her acoustic guitar and her dusky vocals, she evokes the same gentle, yet spirited style of her musical influences John Mayer, Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill and The Weepies.

Befitting the organic style of her music, Caillat's fan base has grown by word of mouth, one person at a time.  Last year, she began posting her songs on her Myspace.com; tunes like "Bubbly," a delightful confection about romance, and "Tailor Made," Caillat's joyful message to her sister over seeing her sibling find the perfect mate.

Colbie Caillat will perform her bubbly songs on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 8:00 PM, at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak Street in Ashland, Oregon.  See ya there :)

Southern Oregon University - Ashland Oregon.  Southern Oregon University's enrollment has exceeded record levels this winter this term.  The 5,644 students attending classes during the term that started Jan. 4 is the highest number for any winter term and the second highest number of students Southern Oregon University has ever had.  

Southern Oregon University President Mary Cullinan said that their strong enrollment numbers were the result of "good planning, sustained effort, and many people working together to attract students and help them be successful."

Southern Oregon University is located in Ashland Oregon.