🌱 Why Ashland’s beloved Rotary ice rink is staying dark this winter

Hi Ashland! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Ashland’s beloved Rotary ice rink is staying dark this winter
• How a national Courage Award could expand Ashland’s Community Peace Meal
• How did visitors quietly raise $36,000 for Ashland’s Japanese Garden?

Also on today's calendar: Alquimistas Live @ Armory Lounge and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Ashland Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Ashland.

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 57 and low of 40 degrees.
• Friday: Sunny much of the time, temps: high: 60, low: 42.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high of 67 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink will not open for the 2025-26 season (kdrv.com) — Ashland’s Rotary Centennial Ice Rink will stay closed for the entire 2025–26 season because a new permanent canopy structure hasn’t yet cleared state building and safety reviews. Parks officials say they’re disappointed but focused on meeting code requirements, and have hired a local engineer so the rink can reopen once the permanent permit is finally secured.
   

2. Ashland's Vanessa Houk, Peace Meal Founder, Receives Courage Award, One Of 12 National Honorees (theashlandchronicle.com) — Ashland resident Vanessa Houk, founder of the Community Peace Meal, has been named one of just 12 national Courage Award honorees, bringing $25,000 to support her work with hungry and unhoused neighbors. She plans to expand services with a free clothing closet and continue pushing for warm indoor space for community meals, as demand from struggling and older residents grows across Jackson County.
   

3. Ashland Parks Foundation Receives $36,000 For Japanese Garden (theashlandchronicle.com) — Ashland’s Japanese Garden in Lithia Park has brought in $36,000 in visitor donations this year, helping support its maintenance without charging admission. The Ashland Parks Foundation also raised nearly $145,000 for projects like the Butler-Perozzi Fountain restoration, pickleball, and other park programs, providing crucial support as the city faces ongoing budget challenges.
   

4. OSAA reclassification could push Ashland High School into tougher 5A league - Ashland News - Community-Supported, NonProfit News (ashland.news) — Ashland High School is poised to move from 4A to a tougher 5A league, likely facing schools with larger rosters, more resources, and longer travel. Local officials and parents helped block an even more demanding 5A/6A hybrid, but school leaders still argue 4A remains the best competitive fit as OSAA prepares its final decision on Dec. 15.
   

📸 Around Ashland

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Ashland

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 12

• LWV Holiday Stock Up Weekend #2 — Long Walk Vineyard | Ashland, Oregon - Winery
  Long Walk Vineyard, 1800 N Valley View Rd, Ashland
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 12

• Alquimistas Live @ Armory Lounge
  Historic Ashland Armory , 208 Oak St , Ashland
  4:00 pm
• All-Ability Gaming Socials (Ashland)
  Ashland Senior Center , 1699 Homes Ave , Ashland
  5:30 pm
• STEAM Social
  ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum , 1500 E Main St , Ashland
  6:00 pm
• 38th Dickens’ Feast
  Winchester Inn , 35 S 2nd St , Ashland
  6:15 pm
• Completely Improvised Holiday Classic 12/12, 12/13, & 12/14
  Bellview Grange , 1050 Tolman Creek Rd , Ashland
  7:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• Lithia Artisans Market – Sunday 10-5
  Lithia Artisans Market , 20 Calle Guanajuato , Ashland
  10:00 am
• Grocery Democracy
  Ashland Food Co-Op , 237 N 1st St , Ashland
  12:00 pm

📣 Ashland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Read Play Talk, 0-5 YRS
  Ruch Meeting Room (Full Room A B Side), Ruch Library
  10:30 am
• Eagle Point Friends of the Library Open Cupboards Book Sale
  Meeting Room, Eagle Point Library
  12:30 pm
• Paws to Read: K9 Reading Buddies, All Ages
  Meeting Room, Eagle Point Library
  3:30 pm
• Game Day, 11 - 18 YRS
  Butte Falls Library
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• CHIPOTLE posted a job opening for Kitchen Leader in Ashland. Apply here.
• Papa Murphy's Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Crew Member in Ashland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ashland here.

Ok Ashland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook