With the economy being what it has been lately, more and more families in the Rogue Valley are finding it necessary to reach out for help in order to meet their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter for their family. Most people living here in Southern Oregon know to go (or refer) to ACCESS, Inc. for help with these needs, from low-income families, to our Senior Citizens in need, to people with disabilities leaving them unable to work. In 2005, Rotary First Harvest came to Medford and joined forces with ACCESS Inc. working a plot of land provided by Southern Oregon University so they can provide fresh produce through a collaborative of community groups and individuals which include local Rotary Group members, Southern Oregon University students, Job Council and many others.        ... 12/16/2008

It's that time again, time for a favorite winter event, the annual Medford Winter Light Festival that is held in Vogel Plaza in Downtown Medford Oregon. Last night's crowd was awed by the beautiful tree, wonderful music provided by the North Medford High School Band and South Medford High School Choir. It was a beautiful, clear, cold night for this event that included music, booths and the arrival of Santa himself. A special treat for this year's event was the fake snow falling on Vogel Plaza. But one of our favorite things about going to events like the Medford Winter Light Festival is bumping in to friends and collegues also out enjoying the spirit of the season. See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com 12/06/2008

There is an ecclectic not your typical pizzeria in town here in Medford Oregon. Have you been to Kaleidoscope Pizzeria? What a great choice for lunch or dinner, and conveniently located across from one of our busiest shopping areas on Crater Lake Blvd. Owned by a family transplanted from Alaska, they put a new spin on this pizzeria that just works. Voted as not only the best Pizza in the Medford Mail Tribune Readers' Choice awards, but as having Southern Oregon's favorite wait staff in Seth Haynes, if you haven't been to Kaleidoscope Pizzeria, you are missing a treat. For more information about hours and take out: Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub3084 Crater Lake HighwayMedford(541)779-7787www.kaleidoscopepizza.com See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loan... 11/02/2008

Last night, my family and I went to the Original Roadhouse Grill for dinner. This casual, fun restaurant was just the ticket to fill a craving for some mesquite grilled fare. Peanut shells on the floor, open dining room filled with parties of people celebrating an event or enjoying the atmosphere, we weren't alone...AND we happened to be there for Kids Eat Free night, which was an added bonus.  We all enjoyed our steaks, ribs and shrimp with various side dishes very much, and the ice cream sundae we shared for dessert has us rolling out of there in contentment when we were done. They can fill up pretty quickly, so you may want to call ahead for reservations if you have a large group. Original Roadhouse Grill2699 W. Main StreetMedford, OR 97501 (Just West of Ross Lane)(541)776-3050 See y... 10/22/2008

When we have a taste for delicious Italian food in a casual family atmosphere, we head down past the Big Black Bird on West Main to Rosario's Italian Restaurant in Medford. Indoor dining and patio dining, whatever floats your boat. Or phone in a To Go order and take a fantastic Calzone and a bottle of wine with you to your Britt Festival Concert under the stars.   We happened to go to Rosario's tonight, and enjoyed a couple of glasses of Wooldridge Il Carino Rosso with our Mostaccioli, Spaghetti Alla Scoglio and Wood Fired Pepperoni Pizza, topping it off with some Spumoni Ice Cream. Yum!                                           Check out it out for yourself!   Rosario's Italian Restaurant 2221 West Main St. Medford, OR 97501 (541)773-2230   See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortg... 09/12/2008

08/07/2008

08/07/2008

08/07/2008

08/07/2008

This family owned and operated wine shoppe and bar located next to the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Downtown Medford is just the place to go for Oregon wines, appetizers and friendly service. It is a favorite stop of mine when meeting friends after work or on my way to or from a performance at the theater. Cork's has a winemaker/vintner night every first Wednesday and blind tasting every Third Friday coinciding with the Downtown Medford Third Friday Art Walk. Come on down to Corksat 235 Theater Alley just off Central and Main in Downtown Medford. You'll be glad you did! See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com 08/01/2008

You'll find many locals winding down after work with friends or enjoying a great steak at Porter's, a voted a 2006 Reader's Choice favorite in the Mail Tribune for several categories. This historic train station is a great place to dine, enjoy cocktails, even hold small company celebrations as we have done. And, as I discovered last year, it is one of the few restaurants located in Downtown Medford that are open on Mondays!   See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com 07/29/2008

These big city transplants were thrilled to find out about Bambu, a Pan Fusian, Asian restaurant and wine bar located in South East Medford. On date night, my husband and I love to go out for dinner to try different types of ethnic foods. Bambu is a real find! We've worked our way through their entire menu of pan asian cuisine, and enjoyed every dish with many of the wonderful Southern Oregon wines they serve. Even with a change of ownership since we first started dining there in 2004, they have the same superb chef. Head to this restaurant located in the Larson Creek Shopping Center at 970 N. Phoenix Road in Medford Oregon for a wonderfully unique dining experience. See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com 07/23/2008

This past weekend, the weather was wonderful for the BBQ and Cake celebration at Table Rock Fellowship in Medford Oregon. After the 8:15, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. services on Sunday, the church had delicious fixin's waiting for everyone to enjoy. Pastor Ron was in "rare" form, reminding us to head out to the food after service.     This church's origins are in a "small first gathering" in a park in Central Point, a gathering that Pastor Tom hoped would have a good showing, but brought over 200 people to its first gathering. It wasn't long before services were held in the auditorium at Crater High School in Central Point Oregon. Then, the current church campus was built. Today, over 3,000 people attend services here each week. There are great programs available for kids, from toddlers on up t... 07/21/2008

Ricardo Linnell, director and team member of the up and coming Portland dance company Hurricane Tumbau, gave salsa music appreciation/dance lessons at The Dance Factory in Medford Oregon. With the input of John Gronberg, founder of Mambo Rico, the popular Ashland Oregon Salsa Dance Band, this dazzling duo had our heads spinning with lots of great information about the various instruments commonly heard in salsa music. This Salsa Workshop was wonderful!   Ricardo helped us pick out two key elements in Salsa dance music, two Claves. Those of us who find ourselves not feeling quite right with the music while dancing can now pick out these distinctive beats and find our feet again. Keep your fingers crossed there will be less toe bruising for some of Southern Oregon's newest Salsa Dancers. ... 07/20/2008

There is a familiar landmark in Medford Oregon that many are familiar with. Like Lower and Upper Table Rocks or The Rogue Valley Manor, Roxy Ann is a distinguishing feature in our Rogue Valley landscape. Living on the Southwest slope of RoxyAnn, we know this park well. Prescott Park is a popular hiking/ walking/ riding destination for our neighborhood residents, the residents in the other neighborhoods of East Medford Hills, as well as people throughout the Rogue Valley. You'll need to keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes in the summertime here, though, and do a "tick check" after your hike/ride. The views out over Southern Oregon from Roxy Ann Peak are stunning, and make the chance of encountering these dilemmas so worth the risk.     See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Co... 07/15/2008

Mambo Rico, an Ashland Oregon Salsa Band, was the band playing for the Summer Concert in Bear Creek Park in Medford Oregon this past Sunday. This was the first concert our family has been in town for, and it was a LOT of fun! The music Mambo Rico played was great, and although this is a fairly large sized band, they left half the stage open and available to the many fabulous dancers who were enjoying themselves so much.      My husband and I had our first Salsa Dancing Lesson last week, and weren't brave enough to get up on stage and show our stuff just yet. A few more of these fabulous lessons from John Gronberg (Bass Player and founder of Mambo Rico) through the Dance Factory, and we'll be joining the crowd on stage. See you out there! Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Qu... 07/14/2008

  3031 Clear View Single Family House 3 bedrooms 2 full/0 partial baths Description   This wonderful home offers 1415 sq.ft., 3 bedrooms, and two full baths with a nice open floor plan. Large plant shelves in the living room and a large bay window to bring in the natural light. This home is wired for surround sound and was remodeled in 2006. New Carpet and paint throughout with all new interior doors and crown molding. Master bath has a walk in closet jetted tub and French doors that open out to your own private area. The backyard has a deck for your hot tub, an in ground dough boy pool with deck and an outside kitchen and bar. Perfect for entertaining. DON'T PASS THIS ONE UP!!       06/23/2008

06/19/2008

06/18/2008

Have you been savings your pennies to buy a home, and your Piggy Bank is filled up and ready to go? I couldn't believe the number of homes that Krista Bolf shows are currently available for sale for under $200,000 in Medford, Oregon.  Students who have been attending the HUD approved "ABC's of Homebuying" course that Southern Oregon Housing Resource Center puts on in order to arm themselves with the knowledge to prepare themselves for homeownership have soooo wanted to have this opportunity to find something in their price range. This is EXCITING news for first time home buyers in Southern Oregon wanting to buy a home they can afford!    If you or someone you know is a first time home buyer who has been waiting for this opportunity to buy, Krista found 116 Homes for sale for under $200,... 05/06/2008