Celebrating 30 Years at Patricia Sprague Real Estate

Patricia Sprague Real Estate officially opened for business in Ashland in 1985, seven years after co-owner Patricia Sprague received her real estate license. She had moved to Ashland in 1974 from Los Gatos, California.

"I fell in love with Ashland the first time I saw it," Patricia said. "It was full of art and interesting people. I have always found people intriguing, which led me into sales. Before real estate I owned a clothing store. I got my real estate license in 1977 and opened my own office in 1985. We have been in this location at 99 North Main since 1987."

Patricia's husband and co-owner of the business, David Sprague, was a surveyor and forest engineer before beginning his real estate career.

"I moved here from San Francisco in 1970, and Patricia and I met in 1975," he said. "We got married in 1979, and I joined the office in 1989. We have been blessed with amazing brokers, some who have been with us for over twenty years. Their integrity and professionalism meet the highest of standards, and they are part of our family."

For Patricia, real estate was a perfect fit. "I was always interested in people, homes, decorating, etc.," she said. "I realized how important buying and selling a home is, and wanted to be of service. Here at the office, we all strive to make it a win-win for all parties on a transaction. There are so many wonderful agents to work with here in Ashland. I consider many of them personal friends."

David loves the small town feel of Ashland. "I remember how great the change was from the big city when I saw a young girl riding her horse in the street here," he said. "Ashland has evolved into a town rich with culture and arts. Patricia and I have raised four wonderful children, and three of them are licensed Realtors now. It's funny because as they were growing up we couldn't even discuss real estate at the dinner table."

Clients of Patricia Sprague Real Estate can expect honest and friendly relationships. "We hold high ethical standards for our office and we use the latest technology," Patricia said. "We have a comfortable and friendly downtown office with our own parking lot. Some of our agents started out as clients and many of them have become very close friends."

The phone number is 541-482-2905. The website is SpragueRealEstate.com, and you can like them on Facebook. —C.H.

Spiritual Growth at Unity in Ashland

Sometimes the answers we seek for spiritual growth and healing are as close as our own back yard. That's what an ever-growing number of people in Ashland have found at Unity in Ashland.

Founded in 1987, Unity in Ashland describes itself as a "welcoming, thriving spiritual community dedicated to the healing of people and the earth. We teach and practice truths from all the world's great religions—Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Sufism, Native American traditions, Hinduism, New Thought, and more," says Kathy Garrett Canape, Unity in Ashland's President. "We are healing our world, one person at a time, beginning with ourselves individually."

Rev. Norma J. Burton, M.Div., has served as senior minister of Unity in Ashland for the past 11 years. Beyond formal training that led to a PhD from the Graduate Theological Union at U.C. Berkeley, she lived and studied with indigenous healers of Central and South America. When her Huichol (indigenous Native Mexican) mentor granted her the right to share lineage teachings with others, she formulated the "Journey to Completion" model, combining Native American tradition and Jungian psychology, which she has taught all over the world. Unity offers "Journey to Completion" classes to those who are interested.

Unity's weekly Sunday service combines thought-provoking sermons with beautiful music and spiritual exercises such as guided meditations, chanting and creative rituals.

A Prayer Circle meets Monday evenings to support prayer requests and to deepen prayer life.
Unity also offers an innovative children's program based on the curriculum "Golden Threads of Truth," which teaches appreciation and respect for all the great religions of the world. Lessons are taught on Sunday mornings and are appropriate to each child's age and development level.

"We aim to shape the heart, nourish character, liberate the spirit, and affirm the wondrous potential of each unique and precious child," says Francie Parr, the teacher.

The community extends its healing beliefs and practices to the earth and environment. Unity plans to build an Earth Temple and Eco Village community and is searching for the right land in the Ashland area for the project. The Earth Temple will house Unity's spiritual programs, host sacred dance and drumming classes, and serve as the space for spiritual education of children and adults.

Anyone interested in learning more about Unity in Ashland is invited to attend services, held every Sunday from 10:30am to noon at The Havurah, 185 N. Mountain Ave, in Ashland.

For more info, call 541-482-6288. Website: unityashland.com. You can also like them on Facebook. —M.S.

New Chef at Kobe

Billy Harto, owner of Kobe Modern Japanese Cuisine recently celebrated the restaurant's eight-year anniversary. The popular restaurant located downstairs at 96 N. Main sits on the banks of Ashland Creek in Lloyd Haines' Shasta Building.

"I'd run into Lloyd back in the day, and he asked me to see his new building that was being built," Billy said. "I told him I was trying to scale back, and he asked me if I were going to do something, what would it be? I said I'd put in a restaurant featuring modern Japanese cuisine, something that isn't available in Ashland."

And so Kobe was born, along with a Sushi Bar and Sake Bar.

And what exactly is modern Japanese cuisine? "It takes traditional Japanese cooking to another level by blending it with other styles and flavors," Billy said. "You can do a lot of different things like using Ceviche from Spain and grilled carpaccio, which is a Mediterranean dish. You mix all these different styles and flavors with traditional Japanese cooking, and it is very exciting and delicious."

Billy was also proud to announce that Kobe has hired a new chef, Kenji Pakiser from Portland, who brings eight years of experience.

"I came to Kobe to help further my career in the food industry," Kenji said. "I want to learn from others with experience and help me learn things about myself as a person in a new environment."

Kenji also wants to add his personal style to the menu. "Being half Japanese, I've always been exposed to Japanese food," he said. "When I turned 15, I began working in Japanese kitchens because I loved it. Working in and out of the food industry helped me realize I enjoy making sushi in particular. The simplicity yet beauty of the end product is always satisfying."

For more information or reservations, the phone number is 541-488-8058. The webpage is kobeashland.com, and you can also like them on Facebook.
—C.H.

Get Your Marijuana at Siskiyou Medical Supply

If your last encounter with pot was back in college and you've been thinking of getting reacquainted, you might want to visit Siskiyou Medical Supply, located inside Puff's Smokeshop at 1796 Ashland Street.

Today's marijuana choices are far more extensive, and many of them don't involve rolling papers. Choosing the right product takes some guidance.

That's where Michael and Heather Welch, Siskiyou Medical Supply's owners, come in. They can walk you through the maze of medical and recreational marijuana options available.

Siskiyou Medical Supply is a full-service dispensary that offers marijuana for medical as well as for recreational use. Michael and his wife, Heather, who've owned Puff's for the past 15 years, pride themselves on a shop that is clean, friendly and professional.

"We offer a large variety of marijuana products for all different needs and desires," Michael said. "That includes smokeable options as well as a selection of concentrates and marijuana-infused food and drink products."

Heather agreed. "Everything is well-organized with staff who are knowledgeable and helpful," she said. "We are well past the days of Cheech and Chong style business practices. All our products are tested and labeled according to state guidelines."

Michael and Heather opened the dispensary as a "natural offshoot" of their successful smoke shop business. They like offering customers one stop shopping for their medical or recreational pot needs.

Whether you are looking for relief for a medical condition or just want to enjoy marijuana in your home, Siskiyou Medical Supply's knowledgeable staff can help take the mystery out of your purchase, offering advice on what to try and what to expect.

Many customers might be surprised to learn that there is a lot more to marijuana these days than getting high.

"Marijuana-infused topicals and salves have really grown in popularity because of how effective they are for things like arthritis and fibromyalgia," Michael says. "New products are constantly coming in and being developed, so this is a very exciting time."

Both Michael and Heather are long-time Southern Oregon residents and attended SOU. They now live in Medford with their two children, and love the area for its beauty and access to outdoor activities. After years of serving customers at Puff's, the Welches are happy to provide local customers with a high-quality product that can enhance their lives and improve their health.

"Oregon has long been known for producing some of the best marijuana in the world," says Michael. "All the products we offer are as locally sourced as possible. We try to keep prices fair and provide a lot of variety to meet a multitude of needs."

For more info, call 541-488-78621 or go to siskiyoumedicalsupply.com. You can also like them on Facebook.
—M.S.