ASHLAND SAFETY

Ashland Police Department

Monday 12:53 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a fraudulent personal check in the first block of North Main Street. The case is under investigation.

Monday 1:30 p.m. — Police received a report of possible child abuse in the Ashland area.

Monday 3:20 p.m. — A known juvenile was cited for shoplifting in the 1600 block of Ashland Street. He was released to his mother.

Monday 7:02 p.m. — Police responded to a report of stalking in the 1300 block of Quincy Street. The case is under investigation.

Monday 9:32 p.m. — Police responded to a hit-and-run report in the 300 block of Luna Vista Street.

Ashland Fire & Rescue

Monday 8:42 a.m. — AFR responded to steam, vapor, fog or dust thought to be smoke on South Mountain Avenue and Siskiyou Boulevard.

Monday 9:58 a.m. — AFR responded to a motor vehicle accident with injuries in the 2700 block of East Main Street.

Monday 11:37 a.m. — AFR responded to an emergency medical services call in the 300 block of Meadow Drive.

Monday 12:13 p.m. — AFR responded to an emergency medical services call in the 300 block of Skycrest Drive.

Monday 12:21 p.m. — AFR responded to an emergency medical services call in the 500 block of YMCA Way.

Monday 6:56 p.m. — AFR responded to an emergency medical services call on Siskiyou Boulevard and Palm Avenue.

Monday 11:00 p.m. — AFR responded to an emergency medical services call in the 1000 block of Beswick Way.

Monday 6:19 a.m. — AFR responded to an emergency medical services call in the 300 block of Mountain View Drive.

Food Bank

The Ashland Emergency Food Bank this week is in need of:

Cereal

The food bank is at 2200 Ashland St., P.O. Box 3578. Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and the first Saturday of each month. Call 488-9544.

TICKETS

Thursday, Dec. 3, Secret Garden, 8 p.m., preview, many

Friday, Dec. 4, Secret Garden, 8 p.m., opening, sold out

Saturday, Dec. 5, Secret Garden, 8 p.m., many

Sunday, Dec. 6, Secret Garden, 2 p.m., matinee, sold out

Wednesday, Dec. 9, Secret Garden, 8 p.m., pay what you can

For tickets, call 535-5250.

Events

Intro to Zen meditation

Wednesday, Dec. 2 is beginners' night at the Ashland Zen Center, 740 Tolman Creek Road. Teachers Jintei Harold Little and Etsudo Patty Krahl will offer an introduction to Zen Buddhism and meditation at 7 p.m. A donation is requested, but no one is turned away. Call 552-1175.

Clean Water Act discussion

On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m., the Rogue Riverkeeper program of the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center is hosting a primer on the Clean Water Act at the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. This free event will outline the framework of this federal law and provide a brief overview of the Rogue Riverkeeper program, including monitoring of the Clean Water Act, mining oversight and the Liquefied Natural Gas proposal in southwest Oregon. Visit www.kswild.org/rogueriverkeeper.

Wisdom Seekers

On Thursday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m., Rabbi David Zaslow will speak on the technological innovations developed in Israel in the past few decades and the innovation that is uniquely promoted by Israeli-Jewish culture. The event takes place at Havurah Shir Hadash, 185 N. Mountain Ave. A brown bag lunch will be at 12:30 p.m., and tea and cookieswill be served. All are welcome to attend.

Transition Town Ashland

Transition Town Ashland invites the public to their next introduction meeting to learn about the community-based movement to create a sustainable future, on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m., at Peace House, 543 S. Mountain, just above Southern Oregon University. The group hosts these introduction meetings on the First Thursday of every month. To learn more, visit www.transitiontownashland.org.

WILPF meeting

The monthly meeting of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library. This will be a regular business meeting and is open to all who are interested in peace, freedom and justice. Simple refreshments will be available. Call 482-9286.

First Friday performance

On Friday, Dec. 4 at 9 p.m., there will be an aerial silks performance at the Black Sheep from the Curtain Climbers Aerial Dance Company. Admission is free, and minors are welcome until 11 p.m.

Book and gift sale

The Friends of the Talent Library will hold a gently used holiday book and gift sale on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Talent Branch Library, 101 Home St. Call 535-4163.

Tribute to light

To celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the discovery of electric light, the Rogue Valley Metaphysical Library will host "Light! — A Tribute to the Miracle of Electric Lighting," an exhibit of unusual selections from the lightbulb collection of RVML's Director Jordan Pease. The exhibit opens First Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., and will be on display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through December. RVML is located at 258 A St. For more information, call 552-9119 or see www.rvml.org.

'Souper' fundraiser

Pasta Piatti will again sponsor a "souper" fundraiser for the Ashland Peace Wall on First Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the plaza. A chef will be serving hot turkey chili and freshly baked cornbread for a suggested donation of $5 per bowl (children under 12 are free). Receipts fund the Peace Wall, a community art work located in front of the library. Two mosaic panels have been installed, but $17,000 is needed to complete the remaining six. For more information, call 482-1802.

Musicians Swap Meet

The 12th annual Musicians Swap Meet will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Bellview Grange Hall, 1040 Tolman Creek Road. Attendees will be able to buy, sell or trade new, used and vintage music gear. Admission is $1, and kids 12 and under are free. For more information, call 482-4830 or e-mail cabinfeversound@yahoo.com.

Abundance Swap

The Eighth Annual Ashland Abundance Swap — an alternative to the conventional holiday shopping — will take place at the Historic Ashland Armory from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. The process is simple: participants bring up to five items from home that are in good condition and would make good gifts. Do not purchase items for this event, as it aims to circulate what people already have. People can display their offerings, find and select the offerings of others, and visit with each other in the process. For more information, visit www.abundanceswap.org before attending.

— Staff reports

Giving Tree

The Ashland Library Children's Department invites the community to hang new gloves, mittens, scarves, hats and even socks on the Giving Tree at the Ashland Branch Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd., until Saturday, Dec. 5. A Giving Tree is a tree that offers gifts to those who need them. This year, the gifts will be presented to all of the children attending Ashland's two Head Start programs. These programs serve approximately 150 children.

The library will again host a special gifting event to Head Start with the assistance of several Ashland High School Advanced Spanish-class students, who will read storybooks, and the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, who will provide healthy snacks. The children range in sizes and ages, so any size or style of gift will be appreciated. For more information, call 774-6995.

Youth art contest

Soroptimist International of Ashland invites girls and boys in grades K-12 to enter the "Live Your Dream" Art Contest, with entries mailed by Dec. 4 to Peggy Cossolius, 395 Ashland Loop Road, Ashland, OR 97520.

Entrants will draw a picture of a living woman who inspires them, and in 50 words or less, they will write why she inspires them. Local winners will receive recognition at Soroptimist International Ashland's March meeting. All entries will also be sent to the national competition, where national winners will receive $100 for themselves and their schools. Visit www.soroptimistrv.org/siashland.html for rules and entry form.

Planning meeting

There will be a meeting of the Ashland Planning Commission at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8 in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St. The public is invited to attend.

Conservation Forum

On Dec. 17 at noon at the Ashland Community Center, the conservation forum will feature Pepper Trail, a noted local ornithologist. Trail will share the work accomplished to set aside over 23,000 acres of land as wilderness in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and how this project benefits the region.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit LandConserve.org, email info@landconserve.org or call 482-3069.

Bizarre bazaar

MAda Shell Gallery will hold a "Holiday Bizarre Bazaar," a craft fair featuring 10 local artisans and artists with unique and unusual handmade gifts, music and other entertainment. There will also be a hands-on craft table for children and adults. MAda Shell Gallery is located on the Ashland plaza at 27 Main St. No. 7. The bazaar will be open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. through Dec. 19 as well as from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 20 to Dec. 23. For more information e-mail amyfolk@yahoo.com or call 324-9036.

Nature Story Time

The Northwest Nature Shop offers a weekly nature story time for children of all ages every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Northwest Nature Shop, 154 Oak St. For information call 482-3241. Free.

Senior Savour

Senior Savour, a drop-in gathering at the Talent Community Center on Main Street, is taking place every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 2010. The group aims to create a comely atmosphere for an active program of games, knitting, tea and cookies, poetry, birthday month celebrations, guest speakers/entertainers and more. For more information, call Jill Iles 535-9827.

Scrabble Club

The Ashland Scrabble Club meets at The Beanery, 1602 Ashland St., Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. All levels of expertise. Call Travis at 227-9633 or travischaney@jeffnet.org.

— Staff reports

ongoing:

Senior Savour

Senior Savour, a drop-in gathering at the Talent Community Center on Main Street, is taking place every Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 2010. The group aims to create a comely atmosphere for an active program of games, knitting, tea and cookies, poetry, birthday month celebrations, guest speakers/entertainers and more. For more information, call Jill Iles 535-9827.

A Sufi Evening

People are invited to join Ashland Sufi Heart Circle for group practices in the lineage of Hazrat Inayat Khan and Murshid Samuel L. Lewis, the first Thursday of every month, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Hidden Springs Wellness Center, 1651 Siskiyou Blvd. $10 suggested donation. For more information see www.ashlandsufi.com or call Khalil at 482-4902.

Nature Story Time

The Northwest Nature Shop offers a weekly nature story time for children of all ages every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Northwest Nature Shop, 154 Oak St. For information call 482-3241. Free.

Alzheimer's support

The Alzheimer's Association support groups meets the second Sunday of each month at 4 p.m. at Ashland Community Hospital, 280 Maple St., conference room 2. For more information, contact Sheila Ettlich at 488-0962.

"Getting Started: Alzheimer's Resources and Planning Ahead" is held the third Wednesday of every month from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Ashland Public Library. For more information, call 774-9348.

Scrabble Club

The Ashland Scrabble Club meets at The Beanery, 1602 Ashland St., Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. All levels of expertise. Call Travis at 227-9633 or travischaney@jeffnet.org.

No wheels, no meals.

Food and Friends are in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals in Rogue River, Jacksonville and Central Point. Volunteers are also needed to help out at meal sites.

Food and Friends and its volunteers work hard to assure that hundreds of homebound seniors are provided one hot meal daily, Monday through Friday.

Volunteers usually commit to one day a week, 9:30 a.m. to noon. To volunteer please call Paula Seitz at 734-9505.

for summer:

Farmers markets

Purchase fresh, locally grown fruit, produce and plants with the addition of a new Saturday Market downtown.

The new market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at First Street and Lithia Way every Saturday through October.

Other markets are open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Ashland Armory and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Medford Armory on South PacificHighway just south of Stewart from mid-March through Nov. 20.

Saturday artisans market

Every Saturday this summer Jackson Wellsprings will host a Saturday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring local artisans, live music, local produce, handcrafts, imports, jewelry, collectibles, food, a sauna, hot springs and swimming. Sellers can get a space for $10 each. For more information, call 482-3776 or e-mail info@jacksonwellsprings.com.

Growers market

The Rogue Valley Growers and Crafters Market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Ashland Armory (corner of East Main and Wightman) and every Thursday at the Medford Armory (on South Pacific Highway just south of Stewart) through Nov. 13.