Speaking of holiday shopping, if you’re still bemoaning the loss of Savannah Faire, you’ll be happy to hear that the G Street Marketplace has opened at 137 SW G (on Historic G Street, across from Caveman Plaza). The brainchild of Susie Shirley, the marketplace offers 28 booths filled with hand-crafted and repurposed items to choose from.

Not only is the Grants Pass Grower’s Market celebrating a successful 36th year in operation, but they have evolved into one of the largest growers’ market in all of Oregon. Operated by the Southern Oregon Growers Association, a 501c3 nonprofit, the market’s hallmark of success is the fresh, local produce and farm-direct products like eggs, cheeses, organic beef, honey and seasonal fruit.

We can only hope that the Kindle phase has peaked because there’s still nothing like the feel and intimacy of a good book. Cozying up to the fire with a glass of wine and opening “that electronic device emitting electromagnetic rays” just doesn’t sound very romantic.

And that’s where My Bookstore, located at 914 Rogue River Highway, comes in handy. The store contains over 60,000 used books with every subject imaginable, and they have an exchange policy that allows up to $2 off any book.

There’s a reason why Women’s Health Center of Southern Oregon was selected as “one of the top 100 best companies in Oregon” by Oregon Business magazine in 2016. The Center, which opened its doors in October 1998, is a unique blend of the state-of-the-art, best-practice medicine you might find in a major metropolitan area and the personalized attention you expect in your own community.

At Thrive Wellness (1550 Nebraska Avenue), owner Virginia Kramer has been in the fitness industry for decades with a “passion for helping others live a healthier lifestyle and experience a greater level of well-being.” She moved to Grants Pass in 1977 from Southern California and began as a volunteer exercise instructor at a local church in 1985.

“Wanting to offer a safe and effective class, I became certified by the American Council on Exercise as a group exercise instructor, and later as a personal trainer and health coach,” Virginia said. “In 2008, along with Erin Houk, we founded Thrive Wellness as a quality fitness and weight loss center with a strong focus on personalized service.”