Getting Things Done with Planning Consultant Mark Knox

When former Ashland Assistant Planner Mark Knox and his wife paid a visit to his wife's family in 1993 in Corvallis, his mother-in-law nudged him to apply for a job opening in Ashland.

"It appeared to be too soon, as I was advancing in my career in the Sacramento area," Mark said. "But when we got back from that trip, the best possible thing happened ... we were robbed. The rest is history and within two months we had moved to Ashland where I started as an Assistant Planner."

Improving Your Smile with Dr. James R. Benson

At Ashland Dental Associates (1144 Iowa Street), Dr. James R. Benson, DDS, has been enjoying his life's work in Ashland for the last 44 years. After receiving his dental degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, he moved to Seattle for an internship and realized he wanted to stay in the Pacific Northwest.
"My wife and I consider ourselves lucky to have discovered Ashland," Dr. Benson said. "Everything about this special community was to our liking, and in 1970 Denise and I, and our three children, moved here and opened my dental practice. I also consider myself fortunate to have chosen dentistry as my profession because it is the perfect medium for me to express who I am. Every day I have the opportunity to make someone's life better."

The Latest News at Ashland Alternative Health

Over at Ashland Alternative Health, owner Alex Rogers is celebrating his sixth year in business. AAH is a doctor's office located at 180 Clear Creek Drive that specializes in providing Oregon Medical Marijuana (OMMP) cards.

"Our knowledge-able, friendly staff and team of doctors are waiting to assist you," Alex said. "If you quality for a card, it is your right to have one. Over 50,000 patients in Oregon have achieved a better quality of life with medical marijuana. At our office, people can expect top-end professional service while being treated with the utmost respect and care."
Alex has been coming to Ashland since 1994 to visit his sister Paige, who did a stint with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. "I'm originally from Minneapolis and moved permanently to Ashland in 1998 when my parents retired here," he said. "I spent eight years in Europe and moved back here for good in 2006."

Wicklund Veterinary Care

Jennifer Wicklund grew up wanting to be a veterinarian, as do many young girls. But in college, that dream got away from her and she took up the study of geology. "This led me to working in the field of paleontology for a short time and having the experience of a lifetime digging dinosaur bones in the deserts of Wyoming!" Jennifer said.
After growing up in Medford, Wicklund spent 16 years in Minnesota, and after a conversation with a long-lost relative, decided to pursue veterinary studies as a second career. "Upon graduation from veterinary school in 2007, I moved back to Medford to be closer to my family and start private veterinary practice at Best Friends Animal Hospital in Talent," Jennifer said.

Great Organic Chocolate at Dagoba

Dagoba Organic Chocolate is one of the most nationally well-known companies based in Ashland (1105 Benson Way on the south end of town off Crowson Road). The company was founded in Boulder, Colorado, in 2001 by Frederick Schilling, who changed the chocolate industry by creating delicious organic chocolate that was sustainably sourced and packaged.
The company moved to the Rogue Valley in 2003 and has been at its present location since 2004. Dagoba Chocolate was the first company to introduce delightful combinations of essential oils, fruits, nuts and herbs into chocolate.