Beach Street is not by the sand or even near the beach.
Named after Ashland pioneer Henry Beach Carter, it is near Southern Oregon University, where thousands of students – and their teacher/mentors – share (with Beach Street residents and the community) inspiring music, art, sports and learning.
To the north, Beach Street ends at
Siskiyou Boulevard and
Ashland High School,
where young actors, athletes and adults
are shaped and forged.
To the south, Beach Street ends at the
Siskiyou Mountain range,
where mountain hikers and mountain bikers
find a paradise to explore.
Actors, doctors, students, families, business people and more all share Beach Street with deer, bears, raccoons, turkeys and massive trees full of squirrels and jays.
C’mon everybody, don’t delay. We want to claim our spot on the parade route before the excitement explodes like fireworks.
Heads tilt as the low-flying jets zoom overhead. Heads swivel as friends, neighbors and local celebrities pass by, and all this before the parade even begins.
I laugh to hear my friend mutter “only in Ashland” as the parade flows by with grass-skirted hula dancers, followed by kilt-wearing bag pipers, followed by the Jewish temple Klezmer band, followed by Jesus carrying his large wooden cross.
The young ones are wide-eyed for unicycles and stilt-walkers, ever-alert to leap for incoming candy.
We admire classic old cars and wild art cars, we cheer young gymnasts back-flipping their way down Main Street, we clap along with the enthusiastic, tie-dye clad Ashland Middle School band.
After the parade, we gather as a community in Lithia Park to hear the entire Declaration of Independence, to remember why we celebrate this day.
Walking in Friday evening 6pm, The patio seating is packed, The inside seating is packed, Beer and conversations are flowing.
It’s a tap beer kind of place. I’m not a tap beer kind of guy — but I don’t give up. It’s a pulled pork kind of place. I’m not a pulled pork kind of guy — but I don’t give up. They have nachos — small and large, and I am a nachos kind of guy.
I am sitting here eating the messiest, tastiest, most-fun-to-eat nachos I have ever had.
Even the small basket is overflowing with a messy, tasty, Yes — even nutritious — combination of chips smothered with cheese and beans and tomatoes and guacamole and cabbage and jalapeños and secret sauce;
And the line of people all (well, almost all) half my age ordering their Friday evening beer on tap never ceases as I eat and read and write this poem.
This week I stopped by Noble Coffee Roasting on 4th Street in the Railroad District for the first time in a couple of years. I am not a coffee drinker, so I don’t “haunt” the many excellent coffee shops and roasters in town.
I used to play tennis with Jared, the founder of Noble Coffee, back in the day when he had time to play tennis (back before teenage children and a growing business). Serendipity: I entered when Jared and his wife/co-owner Carolyn were both at work in the shop and had a moment to speak with me. I was inspired to write this poem as I sipped and savored.
Note: I am working on articles about Holly Street, Pennsylvania Avenue and A Street, so look for more street scenes soon.
Noble Coffee Roasting
Youngers with laptops are tapping.
Elders with journals are writing.
Coffee is brewing…hiss…pour…smile.
Accompanying the savory sips,
I see a room filled with lively conversing,
Hard work and quiet contemplation.
Now, one step back:
The Probat roaster looks regal
In its place of honor behind glass;
Without it, the “Joe” wouldn’t have its “Mo”
And the awards for Noble wouldn’t Flow.
Now, two steps back:
I see walls filled with coffee bean photos,
Coffee processing photos,
Colombia, Bolivia, Honduras, Costa Rica.
Now, three steps back:
The people behind the beans look out at me
From their own places of honor.
These are the farmers owner Jared knows,
Cares about, and supports
With his dollars and his recognition.
I look back at a Tolima, Colombia coffee grower,
Almost life-size on the wall beside me,
Holding a big blue bucket
Of ripe red cherries.
Coffee cherries? Really?
Coffee cherries bring a new twist to Noble:
The coffee caffeine buzz is LOW.
The antioxidant health boost is HIGH.
So Jared’s creativity, his entrepreneurial spirit,
And his caring for coffee growers
All kick into gear, mingle, merge and make
A refreshing, healthy, brand new, carbonated
Coffee cherry beverage: Noble Tonic.
This morning I am also in the Flow, so
Even before I sit down by the big blue bucket photo,
Even before I get educated about coffee cherries,
Owner-wife Carolyn offers me a taste of “Noble Tonic,”
And its light refreshing goodness gives me a smile.
Despite having entered Coffee Heaven,
Despite being surrounded by odors of Coffee Beans
And photos of Coffee Beans
And tables filled with Coffee Lovers,
I order a Masala Chai.
My Masala Chai at Noble Coffee Roasting
To my surprise,
Carolyn treats me to my very own
Latte art heart
In my cup of Chai.
Enough writing.
It’s time for me to slow down, sip and savor.
Tolima, Colombia coffee grower with a bucket of coffee cherries (Photo at Noble Coffee Roasting)
Following the theme of Ashland history from my previous post about 4th of July parades 100 years ago and more, here is more recent history. Here is a poem about a favorite Ashland restaurant for 30+ years, that sadly is no more. (Fuzzy photo of Geppetto’s front in the old days)
Geppetto’s Restaurant (1977 – 2011)
Your reputation precedes you
And brought me to your door –
Yes, the first door I entered
The day I first arrived in Ashland –
I entered to enjoy the “world famous eggplant burger,”
And I return for it again and again
Best eggplant burgers
Best parade wontons
Best wait-staff tattoos
Most unusual friendly wait-staff
Most stunning madrone wood sculpture
On the back room wall
Definitely an Ashland restaurant institution…
Where I feel right at home
(Written on my check: EPBgro, translated as eggplant burger with grilled onions – $6.75)
