Prestigious Retinal Eye Center & Macular Research Institute in Ashland

When Dr. William S. Rodden opened the Retina & Vitreous Center of Southern Oregon in Ashland (246 Catalina Drive) in 1992, it was the first retinal practice in the entire region. "Prior to that, patients traveled to Portland or San Francisco to see a retina specialist," Dr. Rodden said.
Dr. Rodden developed the vitreoretinal service for the operating theater at Ashland Community Hospital, which, to this day, is the only surgery center used by the retina surgeons in southern Oregon. In 2002 he opened a fully functioning satellite office in Grants Pass (1019 NE 7th) to alleviate the travel burden on patients living further to the north.
In 2008 he was joined by Dr. Christine R. Gonzales, who had been an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and retinal fellowship director at UCLA, where she published over fifty research papers and lectured at international and national conferences. She completed medical school at UC San Francisco and her vitreoretinal fellowship at UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute.
Dr. Rodden completed medical school at the Medical College of Virginia, with three years of retina fellowships in San Francisco and OHSU in Portland. "After completing my fellowship training, I saw a unique opportunity to bring retinal expertise to an underserved area," he said. "I recognized the potential of the region as it was rapidly becoming a center for excellence in medicine, with the retinal subspecialty as a missing piece."
At the Retina & Vitreous Center, they specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple ocular diseases, including macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusive diseases, and diabetic retinopathy. They also offer surgical subspecialization for retinal detachment repair and pathologies of the macula. And Dr. Gonzales continues to bring an academic approach to the practice, introducing many innovative national studies, including phase 1 and 2 FDA studies, to the community.
The Retina & Vitreous Center provides full service to patients who come from a radius of up to 150 miles. "We offer a full examination, diagnostics, and treatment on the same day if an office-based technique is required or in a very short period of time if surgery is needed," Dr. Rodden said.
"Our stellar quality staff, including the technicians, billers and photographers, is well versed in retinal diseases and has an excellent rapport with the patients who are often very nervous about blinding conditions and highly technical treatments," said Dr. Gonzales.
Dr. Rodden agreed. "Many of the staff also have special certifications and expertise in order to be part of the national studies," he said.
Much of the Retina & Vitreous Center's business is by referral from general ophthalmologists and optometrists. Both doctors commented that "we are very fortunate to be associated with some of the finest ocular professionals in the country. We greatly appreciate their excellent work and support."
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 541-956-6471. You can visit their website at retinaandvitreous.com.

Caldera Expands Its Operations

The newest restaurant in Ashland is Caldera Brewery & Restaurant, located at 590 Clover Lane on the other side of the I-5 exit 14. For anyone who might be confused, its sister restaurant, the Caldera Tap House, is located downtown at 31 Water Street.
For owner Jim Mills, expanding the restaurant to a bigger, more accommodating facility south of town was a logical extension of his business plan, since the brewery itself had been located on Clover Lane for years.
"I started home brewing when I was 19 years old," said Jim, who moved to Ashland in 1989 to finish college. "I worked at the Rogue Brewery downtown (where the Caldera Tap House is now) while going to college at SOSC. I was cooking and bartending and started washing kegs for free to learn commercial brewing. I was eventually hired on as a brewer's assistant and became head brewer in 1995 for a little over a year while working on the Caldera business plan."
Caldera Brewing Company was established in 1996, and for the first eight years it was draft beer only. In 2005 it became the first brewery on the West Coast to brew and can its own beer, starting with a Pale Ale and then an IPA, followed in 2008 by Ashland Amber. Today, the Brewery and Restaurant on Clover Lane has 29 Caldera beers on tap, and the Tap House has twenty.
"We are totally dedicated and determined to produce uncompromised quality craft beers by balancing premium malted barley, fresh whole flower hops, and natural carbonation," Jim said. "By using whole flower hops, we are able to create a cleaner beer."
Caldera beers feature year-round brews like Dry Hop Orange, Pale Ale, Ashland Amber and Mogli (editor's note: I tasted this at Caldera just like week, and it was like drinking a port or a dessert wine; I highly recommend it). There are also seasonal brews like Helles Lager, Roasted Hatch Chili Beer and Coconut Chocolate Porter.
"We are into sustainable business practices, which is why we prefer to use cans," Jim said. "They are accepted in locations where bottles have long been banned, like lakes and rivers. They also are lighter to carry, do not break as easily and are 100% recyclable."
The restaurant on Clover Lane has become an immediate hit, with a menu featuring appetizers, artisan pizzas, breads, desserts, entrees, pastas, salads, sauces, soups and stocks all made from scratch by Chef Maggie Trujillo and staff. And for those who miss bartender Frank Dalziel, he's now the restaurant manager.
"We strive to use locally sourced organic ingredients whenever possible," Jim said. "Our flours are grown in Oregon and Idaho, and our cheeses come from family farms."
The hours at the restaurant are 11am-11pm daily. The Caldera Tap House opens daily at 2pm. The phone number at the Restaurant is 541-482-HOPS, and at the Tap House it's 541-482-PINT.

Great Customer Service at imortgage

Mirroring the ever-changing real estate market and mortgage industries, there have been a few changes at imortgage lately. Loan consultant Michael Sallee joined senior loan consultant Linda Fitzgerald in October. Their production assistants, who do a lot of the behind-the-scenes paperwork, are Michael's wife Jennifer and Rhiannon Woodruff.
Founded in 1999, imortgage grew from the concept a creating a premier builder-based mortgage banking company to a consumer-friendly system that provides a vast array of mortgage products with cutting edge, cost effective technology.
The Ashland office is located at 344 E. Main Street.
"We offer great rates, fast closings and outstanding customer service," Linda said. "In today's market, home financing requires a company with a proven track record, financial strength and integrity. Our unwavering commitment to excellence in these three key areas has earned us a reputation as one of the most well respected companies in the industry."
Rhiannon agreed, "Our focus is on customer satisfaction, with every loan we close, we are dedicated to continue to innovate, adapt, and improve to better serve our clients."
Michael, who has 16 years experience in the mortgage industry, is thrilled to be with imortgage.
"Our goal is to deliver a combination of competitive rates, fast closings and amazing customer service," he said. "Many people are drawn in by below-market rates and fees offered by long distance lenders, often online. Most Realtors and Escrow officers can share stories in which home buyers choose this route and end up being disappointed."
Michael and Jennifer have lived in Ashland since their college days at SOU and moved back in 1997 after a 3-year stint in Portland. They are now raising two middle school-age daughters here.
Linda grew up locally, graduated from SOU and raised a daughter in Ashland.
Rhiannon grew up in Yreka and made her way to the Rogue Valley in 2008. She lives in Central Point with her husband two kids.
For more information, the phone number is 541-708-4000. Their website: imortgage.com.

Staying Fit at Rogue Valley Fitness Training

The health care crisis in this country could be solved tomorrow if everyone concentrated on staying healthy by eating the right foods and/or supplements, eliminating risky lifestyles, controlling their stress levels and ... getting the right amount of exercise.
And when it comes to that, Michael Sotos of Rogue Valley Fitness Training wants to help. "All new clients are required to have a fitness assessment where I take body measurements, analyze movement, test their cardio, and do some basic strength testing," Michael said. "I use the results to come up with a personalized strength and conditioning program that takes into account the client's goals. I also add the exercises that can help them improve their movement."
Michael grew up in Ashland and attended the U of O. He worked at a counseling agency in Eugene doing billing and payroll but wanted to do something more.
"Throughout my life, I had been connected with people in health care and the fitness industry," he said. "So I left my job in Eugene and returned to Ashland to create a fitness business. I think people thought I was crazy, but I couldn't be happier."
In 2004 Michael obtained a certification from the American Council of Exercise as a certified personal trainer. From there, Rogue Valley Fitness was born.
"Since then, I have acquired many more certifications, including several advanced ones," Michael said. "I also joined a race management company, Rogue Valley Race Group, which was created by my friend Chad Wikander. I like to pursue endurance sports, and my son is a blossoming runner and triathlete. This summer was the beginning of a fierce rivalry between us. It's all in good fun, and we push each other to run our best."
Rogue Valley Fitness offers functional training programs that focus on training movement, and not just isolating muscles.
"I specialize in helping clients move better," Michael said. "I work with a wide range of clients, including people with weight loss goals, athletes, and youth. At our training sessions, we work on skills and techniques in balancing, crawling, climbing, lifting/carrying, jumping, running, and throwing/catching. This is known as practical fitness, which we were often good at as children. Many of us lost touch with abilities as we got older."
Michael also teaches self-defense techniques, group fitness classes, and endurance training services. He is certified through USA Track and Field and USA Triathlon.
For more information, the phone number is 541-301-4124. Rogue Valley Fitness Training is located at 302 E. Hersey, #14. Their website: roguevalleyfit.com.