The Organic Approach to Skin at Posh Organics

What we put on our bodies is just as important as what we put into our bodies; your skin can absorb as much as 80 percent of the products you use on your face or body. So it makes sense that the products you use—cosmetics included—should be as pure as possible. That's the philosophy behind Posh Organics Skin Care & Spa, located at 253 E. Main.
"It's important to use organic, paraben-free, chemical-free products derived from natural alternatives that are good for our skin," says Jeanne Walcher, owner of Posh Organics. "It really does make a difference, not only in our health, but also in our skin's beauty."
Jeanne bought the former Pure Alchemy and re-opened the store as Posh Organics in February 2015. After a longtime career as a physical therapist in California, she brings an appreciation for wellness, use of healthy natural ingredients and a commitment to customer service to her new venture.
She moved to Ashland with her family in 2003. A few years ago, she and her daughter, Alicia Croft, a graduate of Ashland High School and OSU, began looking for a retail opportunity that allowed them to blend their love of organic products and health-centered beauty. The result is Posh Organics.
They made physical improvements to the space and expanded the selection of organic cosmetics. The mother-daughter team prides themselves on their service and selection of top-quality, organic beauty products.
"Posh Organics is both a retail store and organic skin care spa," Jeanne says. "Our premier skin care line is Éminence, a natural, chemical-free, organic skin care system from Hungary that's been recognized as the 'best of the best' in the beauty industry."
Their exceptional staff offers services for men and women alike, including facials and waxing.
"Our aestheticians understand the different beauty needs of different age groups and skin types," says Alicia. "Our head aesthetician has more 10 years of experience and expertise in skin care, makeup, and waxing and has been nominated for best aesthetician in Ashland."
Posh Organics' commitment to a healthy, organic approach is evidenced in the company's eco-friendly certification. "We are excelling in maintaining environmentally friendly practices and upholding organic standards," says Jeanne. "For every product purchased, Éminence plants a tree. To date they have planted more than 3 million trees in 19 developing countries throughout the world, of which 5,000 are attributable to purchases made in our Ashland store."
The phone number at Posh Organics is 541-488-4418. You can also see them at poshorganicsashland.com and on Facebook. —M.S.

Exciting Changes at Boulevard Coffee

There are some exciting things happening at Boulevard Coffee and the Stratford Inn at 555 Siskiyou Boulevard. First, the entire coffeehouse will be getting a remodel, and there will be a Grand Reopening celebration on Friday, October 2, from 9-10am and again from 5:30-7pm.
Owners Josh and Allison Hamik welcome everyone to enjoy the new surroundings. "Customers can expect to see a more contemporary yet inviting look and feel," Allison said. "And just as exciting, we will be showcasing cuisine from a different accomplished chef every month, making our business a truly unique culinary destination."
Josh and Allison moved to Ashland right after graduating from Washington State University in 1996. They took over the family business, the Stratford Inn. They now have four kids, all of whom are heavily active participants in the Ashland community.
"We love building a business that gives us the opportunity to create a strong connection to the community," Josh said. "In addition, it provides a welcoming place for out-of-town guests to gather."
Along with Boulevard Coffee, Josh and Allison have started two other businesses—Stratford Inn Cleaners and Passport2 (web development and design). In the works is a very unique and beautiful event lounge that will replace the rarely-used pool and the outdoor seating space.
It's the "chef of the month" program, though, that has everyone excited. The coffeehouse has always offered pre-made food, but that game is being transformed completely. The Hamiks plan to enlist the aid of local chefs and caterers each month to showcase delicious, local, and organic dishes.
First up in October is Chef Alexandra Hannah, who began catering private events at age 19.
"It was a private dinner party for twelve, and I remember thinking, 'Wow, they just paid me $500 to do what I love to do,' " Alexandra said. "I worked for another company for 25 years before going solely into my own catering business. The first year was kind of scary, especially in southern California."
In May 2002, Alexandra and her family moved to southern Oregon, where she worked at a variety of restaurants and opened her own establishments in Grants Pass and Medford. Catering, though, is still her primary focus.
"I received offers to work in Portland and Seattle, but I didn't really want to move," she said. "I've roamed around enough so that I just want Ashland to be home, which is why this Boulevard Coffee opportunity appealed to me. I can just go in, give my food, they can taste it, and the word gets further out there, and my business grows to where I need it to be."
Chef Alexandra will be present at the Grand Reopening on October 2. The public is invited to taste samples of her gourmet cuisine while enjoying a complimentary coffee drink.
For more information, the phone number is 541-482-0456 or at Boulevard-Coffee.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter. —C.H.

AlleNorth—Making Property Management Easier

If you are thinking of investing in a Southern Oregon property but wondering how you'll ever manage it, Gina and Scott Allen of AlleNorth Properties, LLC (340 A Street, Suite 6) can put your mind at ease.
AlleNorth offers custom property management services tailored to clients big and small. Whether you need someone to look after a vacation home or want help running a multi-unit commercial property, Scott and Gina will handle it with ease, dependability and responsiveness.
"Our vision is simple," says Scott, who started the company with Gina in 2007. "We provide the customer with the highest possible operating income, and protect the value of the investment. We build professional relationships with owners as well as tenants. We care about the owner's property, the tenant's comfort, and the success of the rental."
The Allens started AlleNorth after years of experience managing restaurants and other facilities. They saw that good management requires attention to detail, reliability and a willingness to tailor services to a client's needs. Those qualities form the foundation of AlleNorth, says Gina.
"We are a full service property management company," she said. "We will screen tenants, develop leases, collect rents, offer round-the-clock maintenance, and handle financial matters."
But not every client needs such extensive services. "So we can personalize property management plans around each customer's needs and goals."
A sampling of AlleNorth's services include evaluations for clients who want to rent their properties; home services when clients are at another home or traveling; and tenant placement for property owners who want to manage their own properties, but need assistance finding tenants.
Gina and Scott have deep roots in Oregon. They grew up in the state, met and married in Portland, but chose Ashland when it came time to start their company. They've built strong connections to resources throughout the region and know the market trends here. Gina also has a real estate license and works as a broker in the area.
Their "make it easy for the client" approach has resulted in steady growth, and they recently added David Meesenburg to the AlleNorth staff. David brings expertise in technology, loan processing, and customer service to the company.
Taking the complication out of property management has been the key to AlleNorth's growth and success, Scott believes.
"We love to be helpful," he said. "This is not an easy business, but if we can make anything easier for an owner or a resident, we will do our best."
For more info, call 541-201-8881 or go to www.allenorth.com. —M.S.

Welcome to Ashland, Amelia Bueche, DO

Ashland residents are fortunate to have the expertise of Amelia Bueche, DO, join our community of talented medical practitioners this month.
Dr. Bueche (pronounced Bee-Kee) will begin practicing at Clear Creek Healing Arts in September, with a focus on "promoting wellness consistent with the tenets of osteopathy." Osteopathy, or osteopathic medicine, teaches that the body's structure and function are interrelated, and that the body is capable of self-regulation and self-healing.
Osteopathic physicians are trained to provide the same medical care as MDs, but they receive additional training in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). OMT is hands-on treatment focused on removing restrictions in the body that may interfere with its inherent capacity to achieve health.
Dr. Bueche is a specialist, board-certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. She graduated from Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007 and completed her residency in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in 2010. It was during post-graduate training that she pursued Pediatric Biodynamics courses with Dr. Jim Jealous in Ashland.
From her first visit, Dr. Bueche felt a strong affinity for Ashland. When the opportunity came to relocate here, she didn't hesitate.
"I am excited to join the Ashland community with my husband, daughter and two sons, and I look forward to dedicating my time and focus to patient care," she says.
Dr. Bueche does not provide primary care, but will work closely with patients' referring physicians. She excels in evaluating and treating a wide range of conditions in patients ranging in age from newborns to the elderly.
Some of the conditions in which she specializes include headaches; back, neck and joint pain; asthma; abdominal pain; constipation; sleep disturbances; fussiness or feeding difficulty in babies; plagiocephaly (flat spot on head); growing pains.
Whatever a patient's age or symptoms, Dr. Bueche's treatment respects the close interplay of body, mind and spirit in restoring and preserving good health.
"Since my early days in medical school, I have appreciated the opportunity afforded by osteopathic manipulative treatment to engage with the mind, body and soul to enhance health and create meaningful change in the lives of patients," she says.
When not practicing medicine, Dr. Bueche is a triathlete, competing for Team USA in the Long Course World Championships this year in Sweden. She is mother to a nearly 2-year-old daughter and sons ages 8 and 5 who will be joining the Waldorf community. She and her husband, Lebeau Potgieter, look forward to building relationships in the Ashland community.
To reach Dr. Bueche, call 541-482-8314 or visit thisosteopathiclife.com. —M.S.

Transformations at Abbey Carpet and Floor

The floor is truly the foundation of every room, and choosing the right floor can transform a space from ho-hum to knockout. But the choices can be overwhelming if you don't have experts to guide you.
You'll find those experts at Abbey Carpet and Floor (1668 Siskiyou Blvd.), Ashland's only full-service flooring business. Abbey Carpet and Floor—also known as Carpet Mart—has been providing beautiful floors to families and businesses in southern Oregon for nearly 25 years.
Owner Eric Austad started the company in 1991. He left a waning baseball career to find a business "with longevity" and one that would allow him lots of interesting interactions with people.
"Helping businesses or individuals find the best flooring choice at the best price for their space seemed like a path that could provide some interesting opportunities," Eric says.
Those opportunities have grown as Austad built his business around service, making the selection and installation of new flooring or carpet as easy as possible.
"It has to be a good experience for customers or we've missed the mark," he says. "We use all of our resources to find the best solutions. Every aspect of a flooring project is taken into consideration: selection, design, pricing and installation. We want the process to feel as if the customer's home, office or property is our own."
The company's steady growth has meant adding staff. Fellow baseball colleague Dan Leary joined Eric as co-owner in 2006. Nola O'Hara, a lifelong Ashland resident, adds her expertise in decor and interior design. And John Hauschild is the company's wool and area rug specialist. Both Nola and John bring experience as former business owners and know the importance of keeping customers satisfied.
Eric has certainly built a business and a team that achieves the longevity he was looking for in a business. As for interesting interactions with people, he says, "Every day brings a new face, challenge or unexpected experience."
One such experience happened while visiting a client's home to take measurements for flooring. He noticed a painting on the wall that looked familiar.
"Sure enough, it was one that my mother, an accomplished artist, had created back in the mid-1940's and that I had not seen in over 30 years," he said. "The client had picked it up at a local estate sale. It was an amazing circle of events. The client was very gracious, and now my mother's painting hangs proudly on my wall at home."
For more info, call 541-488-3453 or go to abbeycarpet.com. —M.S.