Melissa McMillan’s Sammich Brings Chicago to Ashland

I just got back from a 4-day golf trip to Tahoe with some college buddies. Two of them are confirmed Chicago Cubs' fans, and they converted me to the cause. Now that I'm following the Cubbies, I need to start hanging out at Sammich (424 Bridge Street) more often.
Owner Melissa McMillan is originally from Texas but spent most of her life in Chicago. "I'm a huge Chicago sports fan," Melissa said. "You either love the Cubs or Sox, and I love the Cubs. My dogs are named Cubby and Wrigley. I have four brothers who all come in and out of town and work at the shop."
Melissa has been working in restaurants since she was a kid. "I've always enjoyed talking to people and selling," she said. "For this restaurant, Chicago food and style was my motivation. I used to go to two different sandwich shops as a kid. One of them was the Hoagie Hut for the Chicago cheesesteak. It left a smell on your fingers you could never forget. I was always searching for a place that could leave that memory. I couldn't find it, so I made it."
High quality food and consistency is important to the whole crew at Sammich.
"You can expect a sandwich made from scratch," Melissa said. "Almost everything is made in house, and all of our ingredients are from the Northwest. We buy a lot of food from Fry Family Farm, and La Baguette makes all of our bread. Our house-made pastrami is brined, smoked and steamed in house. It takes us six days to make and is the best on the West Coast."
Not only that, but they make their own bacon, the turkey is brined and roasted in house, the roast beef is roasted and sliced every day, and the tuna is Oregon Coast albacore that is fileted, poached, and crumbled to make tuna salad. Oh, and the entire menu can be gluten free; they do call-in orders and delivery; and catering is also available.
The décor and atmosphere at Sammich will remind you of Chicago. "We will treat you like family here, but if you walk in with Green Bay Packers gear, we'll hand you a cheese grater," Melissa said with a smile on her face. "And don't ever ask for ketchup on your Chicago Italian Beef unless you want to get the baseball bat :) Between the wizards in the kitchen and me, we create daily specials that we post daily on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter."
The wizards include Big Bobby Aiello, David Georgeson, Shane Hardin and Keitley Jacobberger. The "kitchen ninja" is Jasmine Santo, the manager is Misty Santos, and Chris Hart is "the best utility man on the planet." Handling social media and promotions is Summer.
For more info, the phone number is 541-708-6055. C.H.

An Art Lover's Dream: Hanson Howard Gallery

Finding one place that features the work of the region's finest artists is an art lover's dream. For 35 years, Judy Howard has been making that dream come true by bringing the work of many of the Pacific Northwest's most talented contemporary artists to her Hanson Howard Gallery.
Judy represents more than 40 artists from around the Pacific Northwest, individuals she selects for their compelling and unique styles. Their works range from painting and mixed media compositions to sculpture, ceramic and metalwork.
Hanson Howard Gallery (89 Oak Street) is Ashland's oldest gallery, dating back to 1979. "Oldest" in this case refers to its longevity, not its attitude—the beautiful, light-filled contemporary space in downtown Ashland is anything but stodgy.
"The general flavor of the gallery includes a sense of whimsy, upbeat and positive attitudes," Judy says. "Having been in the gallery business for 36 years, I've seen a lot of evolution in the Ashland gallery scene. Originally we sold mostly two-dimensional art. Over the years, the blending of arts and crafts has opened up variations using all media in new creative ways to express ideas. We now sell as much or more three-dimensional art."
The gallery's exhibits change monthly, with each artist's distinctive style transforming the space. Lovers of art are sure to find something, says Judy, that will be "inspirational, challenging, irresistible and so collectable that it must go home with them."
Judy brought a wealth of experience to creating the gallery, including her own talent as an artist, years of teaching art in the Medford schools, and 12 years as State Arts Commissioner, a role that gave her connections to artists and galleries throughout the region. But by her own admission, some aspects of running the gallery have been a work in progress.
"I had no business experience prior to opening the gallery, so I'm always learning on the job," she says. She uses a consignment model that has worked successfully for her, and for her artists. "Several of the artists have been with me for many years."
Although she is now sole owner, Judy credits five business partners with helping build the gallery's reputation over the years. Retired partner Barbara Tupper remains a close friend. "Working with Judy was a privilege and a joy," Barbara says. "The success of the gallery has as much to do with Judy as a person as to the great art."
And Judy's husband, Steven Dewey, also plays a key role. "My wonderful husband might be called the maintenance manager, as he is always there cheering me on."
For more info, the phone number is 541-488- 2562 or www.hansonhowardgallery.com. You can also like them on Facebook. —M.S.

Creative and Functional Landscapes from Bear Claw

It seems that Juan Meraz has always loved playing in the dirt. As a teenager growing up in the Rogue Valley, he worked on a landscaping crew, then eventually followed his heart down the garden path to start his own landscape business in 1995. All told, Juan has spent 26 years turning rocks and mud into beautiful garden spaces.
In those early days, Juan used a "claw" to break up the hard, compacted soil left after home builders finished their construction, which gave rise to his company's name.
Today, Bear Claw Landscape Services is a full-service design/build landscape company. Juan uses his extensive knowledge of the area's climate, topography and native plants to create what he calls "creative and functional landscapes suited to our four sharp seasons, the variety of soils and the micro-climates here in the Rogue Valley."
Bear Claw's services range from landscape design and planting to installation of walks, patios and retaining walls.
This year, well-known landcape designer Jane Hardgrove joined the Bear Claw crew. She and Juan had first worked together on a landscape project nearly 20 years ago. They found that they enjoyed a "well-balanced and effective working relationship," says Jane, which combined her artistic designs and vision with Juan's skill in bringing that vision to life.
"We both love to create beautiful and functional spaces outside," Juan says. Jane, who is also a professional artist, does the design and consultation for the company. Jane and Juan recently decided to merge their companies in order to create a more cohesive experience for their clients.
Bear Claw is not a "one size fits all" business. Each job is based on what the client is looking for and what makes sense for them, says Juan. Jane adds that the experience of creating a functional and satisfying solution for clients begins with listening.
"When a client calls, we meet on-site and listen to their needs and desires," she says. "If a design is needed, then a price is set and we move forward with a drafted plan. The drafted plan helps the client visualize the possibilities for the project."
Those possibilities are guided by Juan's extensive knowledge of what will bring the best, most rewarding results. "We go over the plan and make any changes needed," he says. "We then bid all or part of that plan, set a start date and the fun begins."
For a complete list of Bear Claw's services, go to: www.bearclawlandscape.com. The phone number is 541-944-5891. —M.S.

Give Your Skin Some Love at PURE Advanced Skincare

Your skin is your body's largest organ and one of its hardest working—protecting bones, muscles and other vital parts as well as acting as a barrier to daily assaults by the environment. So it deserves a little TLC, especially the skin of the face, which is thinner and largely exposed to the elements.
PURE Advanced Skincare is the ideal way to give your skin the love and thanks it deserves for taking such good care of you. The full service skincare studio in Ashland is owned by Kristin Mazzei, a graduate of Imani Institute of Cosmetology in Ashland and a licensed aesthetician.
"I have always gravitated toward the beauty and healthcare industries," Kristin says, "and being an aesthetician is the perfect intersection of both for me. I love helping my clients meet their skincare needs and concerns."
An alumna of Southern Oregon University and a decade-long resident of the Rogue Valley, Kristin is well acquainted with the effects that abundant sunshine and an outdoor lifestyle can have on skin. She has chosen to use products from the Physicians Care Alliance (PCA Skin) at PURE, and offers a selection of the products for clients to purchase for home use.
"PCA Skin has been an industry leader for more than two decades, developing results-oriented skin care products backed by science," Kristin says.
Using PCA's pure and organic products is essential to PURE's approach and their results, Kristin believes. The salon's signature facial is tailored to each client's individual needs.
To combat the effects of aging, Kristin recommends her PURE age-defying facial, which includes LED therapy for building collagen, reducing fine lines and repairing sun damage. The facial uses products that include vitamins A, E, C, and peptides, "all powerful ant-aging antioxidants," Kristin said. For added pampering, all facials include facial massage and arm and leg moisturizing treatments.
Pure also offers diamond-tip microdermabrasion, which gently removes dirt and other debris from the skin's surface, promotes even skin tone and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles.
PURE's peels are popular—and effective. Kristin says two favorites are their lightening and brightening peel and the Ultra Peel, formulated for mature skin. "We also offer a peel for highly sensitive skin and one that treats breakout or acne-prone skin," she said.
PURE also offers waxing, rejuvenating moisture treatments, and eyelash extensions. No matter what you are looking for, Kristin says, at PURE you will find a "beautiful and relaxing environment. Clients will enjoy their experience and leave feeling relaxed, with their skin glowing and rejuvenated."
Find a full listing of PURE's services at www.pureadvancedskincare.com, and you can like them on Facebook. They are located at 1875 Hwy 99, Suite 2. For more info, call 541.414.8122. —M.S.