Applegate winners (again!) at
Smoked Salmon Festival
Applegater Winter 2017
3
BY PAUL TIPTON
Pleasant fall weather
was the order of the day at
this year’s Southern Oregon
Smoked Salmon Festival on
September 23, held as before
at Medford’s Pear Blossom
Park. This year a panel of five
judges chose first-, second-,
and third-place winners, and
event attendees voted for the
People’s Choice Award.
Once again, the Applegate
was well represented in the
winners’ list. Mike Gervais,
from the Upper Applegate,
who won first place in
2016, was given the People’s
Choice Award. In the judged
competition, Luke Grimm,
of Portland, won top honors (after placing
in previous contests). Second place was
awarded to Cyn Torp and the Applegate
Country Club in Applegate, while third
place went to Todd Wolgamot of Central
Point. Congratulations to all of them! (The
author didn’t even place, but had a good
time anyhow.)
Only nine contestants took up the
challenge this year, making it necessary
for the tasting public to get there early to
sample the offerings. As usual, though, a
large crowd came out for the event, and
the tastings were supplemented by smoked
salmon from several local vendors. Adult
beverages flowed, live music resounded,
the sun shone, and there was plenty of
smoked salmon to sample. Who could
ask for more?
Cyn Torp, owner of Applegate Country Club,
displays her winnings for placing second
in this year’s Smoked Salmon Festival.
The festival, of course, is a major
fundraiser for the Maslow Project of
Jackson and Josephine Counties, which
supports homeless youth in our area in
a variety of ways, making sure their basic
needs are met. Thanks to the support of
a large number of sponsors, as well as the
contestants, who provided the best smoked
salmon possible, the group raised nearly
$28,000 at this year’s event.
Fans of smoked salmon should consider
firing up their smokers and entering next
year or simply come out to taste the best
smoked salmon around while supporting
a valuable nonprofit organization doing
good things for kids who need help.
Paul Tipton
541-846-7501
ptipton@frontier.com
WANTED
Ad representative for Josephine County.
•
Existing book; generous commissions.
Great for retired or self-employed person.
Must know Excel and be able to meet deadlines.
Email gater@applegater.org.
•••BIZ bits•••
Gentle Heart Animal Advocacy. A new local nonprofit organization, Gentle Heart
was founded by RiverSong Sanctuary helper Chris Fifield “to be a support system and
advocate for all animals in our community and region.” Chris says cats are the species
especially at risk. Through donations by the community, Gentle Heart Animal Advocacy
helps to create multiple animal sanctuary spaces and foster homes, coordinates and
provides spaying and neutering of feral cat populations, and helps pay for emergency
medical care for animals. To donate, go to gentleheartanimaladvocacy.org/donate. For
other ways to help, call Chris at 541-450-1669. 3600 Cedar Flat Road, Williams •
gentleheartanimaladvocacy.org.
• • •
Onyx Restaurant. Nestled in the carriage house of the Nunan Estate in Jacksonville,
Onyx Restaurant offers an eclectic menu, with classics like burgers and steaks, as well as
some creative Asian-influenced dishes like shrimp pad Thai
and fried rice. There are small, medium, and large plates
with a variety of flavors sure to please any palate. Chef and
owner Mario Chavez, a veteran of the southern Oregon
food scene, has worked all over the valley, including at a
restaurant that used to be in the Nunan Estate. The elegant
location made such an impression on Mario that when it
was time to open his own restaurant he chose the Nunan
Estate. Onyx has an open kitchen, surrounded by the onyx
counter for which the restaurant is named. Diners can watch
the magic of their meal being cooked, sit in the beautiful bar
or dining room, or take in spectacular views from the patio.
We were delighted with our meals and can’t wait to return for another Onyx experience.
Tuesdays - Saturdays, 4 to 9 pm • 635 N Oregon Street, Jacksonville • 541-702-2700
• onyxjvilleor.wixsite.com/onyx.
BizBits highlights businesses new to the area, holding special events, or offering new products. If you are a
business owner, let us know when you move into the area or to a different location, hold a special event, expand
your business, or mark a milestone. Email Shelley Manning at manningshelley@icloud.com.
Community
website update
We are making progress! Our plan is to have the Applegate
Valley Connect (AVC) website completely functional at the end of
January 2018. In the meantime, visit applegateconnect.org to see
what we’ve done so far. You can also do the following right now:
• Register and log in.
• Post your events on the calendar.
• Add your information to the directory of local businesses
and service organizations.
Here are some additional features that will be available in early
2018:
• Community projects. Learn about projects of interest to
the public and submit your own community projects.
• News and Stories. Read about local organizations and
submit your organization’s news and stories.
The intent of this new community website is to become the
primary connection and source of information about what’s going
on, where you can find services, and who’s doing what throughout
the Applegate Valley.
Thank you to The Ford Family Foundation and Community
Systems, LLC, for their ongoing support of this project.
If you have any questions or would like more information,
please email gater@applegater.org.
Note: Effective December 1, 2017, the Applegater’s calendar of events
will be transferred to the calendar on AVC. The Applegater’s Facebook
page will be accessible through the AVC website too.
Rebel Heart Books. Rebel Heart Books brings the dream of
owning a bookstore to fruition for proprietor Eileen Bobeck.
A writer and former ER doctor, Eileen finds excitement
as a business owner, without the life-and-death drama of
the emergency room. The inviting environment of Rebel
Heart Books beckons you in from California Street. Peruse
interesting selections or special order almost anything. Check
out their website for special events like book readings and book
clubs. Open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. 157 W California
Street, Jacksonville • 541-702-2665 • rebelheartbooks.com.
• • •
Suzanne E. Sky, L.Ac., MTOM . Suzanne is expanding her Ashland-based acupuncture
and Chinese medicine practice to offer her services several days a week at Jacksonville
Chinese Medicine. Practicing since 1989, Suzanne integrates gentle acupuncture with
nutritional and herbal medicine to support wellness and healing from stress, injury,
and pain. Some of her specialties are women’s health, digestive issues, mental and
emotional issues, supportive cancer care, and healthy aging. Voted one of Ashland’s
best acupuncturists since 2004. 235 W Main Street, Jacksonville • 541-887-7742 •
ashlandacup.com. (See Suzanne’s ad on page 16.)
• • •
Time Machine Records and Boutique. Time Machine Records and Boutique
specializes in vinyl records of every genre, from
underground to classics. Owner Jessie Ostreicher
not only buys and sells record collections but he also
stocks his shop with vintage clothing, art, and other
interesting creations by local artists. In addition, Time
Machine Records hosts special events like live music.
And, because the Speakeasy Taproom and Wine Bar
share the same building, event attendees can even enjoy
a cold beer or glass of wine. Check out their new stock
and upcoming events on Facebook at Facebook.com/
Timemachinevinyl. Open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 12 to
6 pm • 208 NW 6th Street, Grants Pass • 541-292-
8186 • timemachinerecords.com.