Salame Opens on the Plaza

One of the newest restaurants to open in Ashland is Salame, located at 47 N. Main, which opened its doors last May. Owner Anna Hogan has been involved in cooking and restaurants her whole life, starting at the age of three.
"Yes, age three, and I have pictures to prove it," Anna said. "I'm in the kitchen with my mom stirring the béarnaise, or at my grandmother's house setting up for a dinner party. I fell in love with cooking and service in New York, and put myself through college at Chico State waiting tables."
In 2004 Anna moved to the Rogue Valley to be near her family, who are Jacksonville natives. She spent time on the ranch in the Applegate where her cousins grew up, and gained an appreciation for the hard work that goes into farm-raised beef and farm-fresh vegetables, which has become a way of life for her uncle, Larry Hogan.
In Ashland, Anna took the reigns at Kobe, and as manager there, the fantasy of opening her own place began to gel. She loved the idea of a comfortable place for people to have a nibble or a full meal.
When a restaurant space became available on the Plaza, she threw herself into restoring it to its former glory. Renovations took five months, in which time a century's worth of sub-flooring and linoleum were ripped up to expose the hard wood.
"Salame is a comfortable, urban-rustic restaurant featuring New American Cuisine," Anna said. "Some favorites include the Swedish meatballs, which are Hogan family favorites that I've been perfecting since age five. The asparagus bruschetta with brie and truffle oil offer a delightful marriage of flavors."
The menu at Salame offers a variety of fare to please a number of discerning palates. The Oregonian described Salame's charcuterie selection as "deeply flavored and generously arrayed," and small plates including bruschetta highlight local ingredients and delightful flavor combinations. Vegetarians need not despair—half the menu is vegetarian, and 95% is or can be made gluten free. Whatever the dietary restriction, Chef Anna Hogan is more than happy to accommodate.
Salame sells wine and beer at retail prices if you'd like a bottle to go. T-shirts, also for sale, are all original one-of-a-kind by local designer Ariel Will. Photography by Anna's cousin Melani Bess Hogan, highlights the rustic beauty of Southern Oregon.
For more info, the phone number is 541-708-5881 or go to salameashland.com.
s wearing huge glasses with wide frames that made me look like Uncle Junior on the Sopranos. They were all the rage at the time, but I eventually switched to a sleeker, more modern look. I find it interesting that those styles are coming back today; I should have kept those old frames!

Glass Frames and More at Clearlight Optical

In photos from 25 years ago, I was wearing huge glasses with wide frames that made me look like Uncle Junior on the Sopranos. They were all the rage at the time, but I eventually switched to a sleeker, more modern look. I find it interesting that those styles are coming back today; I should have kept those old frames!
At Clearlight Optical Company, located at 462 A Street, owner Christopher Toughill can fit you with any style you wish. "We have new unused stock eyewear frames going back nearly to the American Revolution, and everything in between, from cat eyes to FBI glasses to Harry Potter Frames," said Christopher, who is celebrating forty years in Ophthalmic Optics. "Our showroom displays a rich heritage of Western eyewear."
Christopher moved to Ashland from Santa Cruz seven years ago to visit and stayed "because of the intensively creative and forward-thinking culture" he found here. He started in optics in 1973, and in the 1980s owned "Specs Appeal" optical stores in southern California. In the 1990s he became a software engineer and developed "Pro-Fit" expert contact lens fitting systems.
"I began developing a vintage, antique, and custom eyewear business in 1999," he said. "The business went online in 2003, and I opened a retail store in 2007. Clearlight Optical is a good choice for eyeglass and sunglass wearers who want frames and lenses uniquely suited to them. We open a whole world of shapes, sizes, and colors, beyond any selection found in a modern optical store."
The store offers one of the largest vintage frame selections in the U.S., paired with custom lab work designed to handle special needs. "We operate in a family atmosphere," Christopher said, "taking the time to give personal and expert attention. It's fun, too, just to come and look at funky optics on display from the last 200 years. In that way, we function much as a museum. Our lab offers custom solutions for progressive lenses, as well as polarized, transitions lenses, and higher prescriptions."
The company also caters to the film and TV industries every year. "You can see our eyewear at the box office in The Butler and in Robert DeNiro's The Family," Christopher said. "We did all the eyewear for Boardwalk Empire and also for the upcoming Stephen Spielberg and Coen Brothers' movies. We have made eyewear for dozens of stars in Hollywood. We're very grateful that they seek us out here in Ashland."
For more info, the phone number is 541-708-EYES (3937).

Stop Smoking and More with Renée Miereanu

When Renée Miereanu, founder of The Breathe Center, was in her own therapy years ago, she was fascinated by the relatively rapid ways that she healed from the various modalities she experienced. "So I began to study advanced, clinical hypnotherapy and counseling methods," Renée said.
Her studies soon brought her to the Professional Associates in Clinical Hypnosis, Education and Research Foundation of the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. There, she focused on the therapeutic work of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. She also studied extensively with such famous names as David Cheek M.D., William O'Hanlin, Ph.D., Eleanor Field, Ph.D., Anjali Hill, and Shelia Rossi, Ph. D.
Renee began her private practice in Hawaii in 1981 and continued it in Seattle, Washington. "I came here four years ago to do a workshop and loved the Rogue Valley," Renée said. "I knew immediately it was home."
Utilizing self-hypnosis training, guided meditation, cognitive and transpersonal techniques combined with personal counseling, she creates customized approaches for each individual client to transform their problems into strengths.
At The Breathe Center, Renée specializes in smoking cessation, weight control, sports performance, stress management, insomnia prevention, anger management, eating habits, developing self confidence and self-esteem, sports and theatrical performance, and much more.
"My broad-based eclectic approach in-cludes the use of Clinical Hypnotherapy and Eric-sonian hypnosis, Neuro-Linguistic Program-ming (NLP), Interactive Guided Imagery, Behavioral Modification, Inner Parts Dialogue Therapy, and Self-hypnosis Training," Renée explained.
Renée is the creator of the Breathe® smoking cessation method and the guided imagery CDs I Love Myself All Ways and Always, Meeting The Little Smoker and It Is Done.
"We all have access to vast inner resources that can be utilized to transform our problems into strengths," Renée said. "It is my contention that unconditional love of Self is the true door to positive shifts. Supporting my clients, family and friends to produce resolute changes is one of the greatest joys of my life."
Renée is also a happiness coach. "I can assist you to become happy for absolutely no reason at all!" Renée said. "Thank you so much for reading about my work. I look forward to your calls to create a happier, healthier life for yourself."
To learn more about The Breathe Center, please call 541-778-4380 or visit smokingends.com.

Professional Hair Styling with Linda Hood

Hair stylist Linda Hood, who moved to Ashland from Portland in 1999, is an independent contractor now working at Victoria's Salon, 240 E. Hersey, Suite 12.
"As a career, the beauty business intrigued me for the art and science blended with a social aspect," Linda said. "Over the years the business has offered me many different opportunities, including owning my own salons, teaching, stage and television work."
Linda began her career in Portland after completing both beauty and barbering schools. "I have attended many continuing education classes over the years to keep me inspired and current with style trends and techniques," she said.
According to Linda, clients should expect to enjoy their hair styling experience. "Good communication is the key to achieving the look and ease of maintenance of a hairstyle for both men and women," she said. "Creating a design or color that pleases you is my goal, and I offer tips to help you achieve the look at home."
Linda carries a full retail line of L'Anza hair care products for home maintenance. "I can also offer recommendations for shampoo, conditioners and styling products specific to your needs," she said. "The color line I use is also from L'Anza, and I find it is a long-lasting color that leaves your hair shiny and in good condition."
Victoria's Salon offers a pleasant space where clients feel welcomed. All of the technicians are independent contractors and offer varying schedules. Linda usually works Tuesday through Friday and takes evening appointments if needed.
"I would also like to thank all my friends and clients for voting for me as 'Favorite Hair Stylist' in the Sneak Preview's annual 'Best of Ashland,'" Linda said.
To contact Linda, call 541-488-5934.