Peace and Tranquility at Rose Yoga

Like many people, Janet Langley found Iyengar Yoga because of a sports injury. And just like many others, she was so inspired by the different approach to yoga that allowed her, even with a temporary injury, to excel that she stuck with it.
Janet was living in Santa Barbara at the time. Her family began migrating to Ashland in the 1980s, and she loved it, hoping to relocate.

Animal Medical Hospital Turns 55

At Animal Medical Hospital (1525 Hwy 99 N), they're celebrating their 55th year in business. Dr. Leo Van Dijk opened the hospital in 1958 in downtown Ashland and moved to its present location on Highway 99 in 1966.
When Leo retired in 1988, he sold the business to Scott Knox, D.V.M. Joining the staff in 1992 was Dr. LeAnn Ahlbrecht, while Dr. Tiffany Graeber came to the practice in 2001. In 2002 they opened a brand new facility in the same location.
"I grew up just north of Eugene in a small farming community with a close family friend who was the James Herriot of the Valley, caring for all types of creatures day and night," Scott said. "Due to his influence and my love of animals, I ultimately graduated from C.S.U. Veterinary Medical School in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 1985."

Umi Sushi Opens on the Plaza

There was a major change at a Plaza restaurant last December. Hana Sushi, which had been located at 29 N. Main for three years, was sold to Kjae Nam, who remodeled the interior and changed the name to Umi Sushi.
"I have lived in Jackson County for ten years, and before that was involved in the restaurant business in Portland for ten years," Kjae said. "My family is in the restaurant business, so I grew up in the industry. Throughout my career, I have been involved in all aspects of the industry. I also helped start many of the Benihana restaurants throughout the U.S."

Homemade Pasta at Wiley’s World

Three years ago Bill and Gretchen Boylan both had day jobs until they found out that their next-door neighbors were selling Wiley's World Pasta Shoppe and Eatery, located at 1606 Ashland Street.

"Bill has been a firefighter/engineer for Jackson County Fire District 5 for 23 years, and I was substitute teaching when this opportunity to move on to Wiley's came up," Gretchen said. "When the owners decided to sell, we jokingly said we should take it over.

Quality Car Repair and Sales at Henry’s Automotive

Henry's Automotive, located at 4586 S. Pacific Highway in Phoenix, will be celebrating 22 years in business this June. It was in 1991 that Henry Oprawski and his wife Grazyna decided to leave the big city life of L.A. for Ashland.

"We were tired of the big city," Grazyna said. "We had always loved Ashland and its culture, so we decided to move our business up here and call it home."

Joining them in the business was Slawek Krolak, who is married to Grazyna's sister Elizabeth. Slawek had been an engineer in his native Poland, and the Oprawskis convinced him to relocate to southern Oregon.