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Spring has Sprung!

SophiaPalos — 2011-04-22T15:20:03-07:00

News from the Garden

Everything is "springing up"!

And if April showers bring May flowers we are in for a glorious show!

A soft green canopy spreads across the trees, fruit trees and Tulip Magnolia burst into bloom. Bulbs abound: daffodil, tulips, and hyacinth. Hellebore have been blooming since February: sweet smelling Daphne, Viburnum, stately Rhododendron, Azalea, intoxicating Lilac buds, Pansies, Violets, and well-to-do English Daisies-this place is truly, truly a paradise. I wander through the herb garden to find "Tra-La" herbs and veggies.

From the Birds We Have a Symphony of Song!

Junco, Titmouse, Towhee, Downy and Acorn Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Common Flicker, Blue and Green Heron, Jays, Robins, Turkey Vultures, Chickadee, House and Gold Finch, and Hummingbirds throng the air. I await the return of Swallows and Orioles. Meanwhile, the Squirrels are running everywhere-they're so friendly-they'll come within a yard without a bat of the eye! The Turtles and Koi in the pond enjoy the sun in true and dozy laziness, slowly soaking up the rays while our resident Duck couple survey their kingdom watchfully. Could ducklings be around the corner? Oh we hope, hope, hope so!

Wine Dine & Discover Weekend

Duane — 2011-02-22T08:22:05-08:00

Imagine enjoying 4 of the Northwest's best wineries and 3 of Ashland's finest restaurants in a in a weekend of wine, food and fun at Ashland's Lithia Springs.

King Estates Winery, Brandborg Winery, Willamette Winery will provide their great award winning wines to be paired with food from three of Ashland's great restaurants, Chateaulin, Tees and Beasy's on the Creek, for three days of great wines, foods and fun. For all the details, Go Here.

Super Bowl at the Springs this year

Duane — 2011-01-23T20:38:55-08:00

Come join us on Super Bowl Sunday, just for the game or stay over after the game. Or make it a Weekend Getaway. With all our rooms half price, what are you waiting for?

During the game there will be Chips, Dips, Salsa, and Pop Corn. as well as Cheryl's famous Spaghetti with her "Throw it all in pot Italian Meat Sauce". There will be plenty of great Garlic Bread and her "You won't believe it's Vegetarian Chili". Top it off with Pasta and Potato Salads, Marinated Meat Balls, all included in the $15 per person price of admission.

There will be no host beverages with two micro brews and premium local wines, and Mrs O'Malley's Winter Spiced Wine Click Here for Details Limited availability, book early and don't be disappointed.

Come for the day, night or week.

Valentines Getaway

Duane — 2011-01-23T20:16:47-08:00

Book early and make sure Cupid knows where you'll be on Valentines Day this year. If you can't make it one Valentines, our package is available anytime in February. It's jammed packed with value added features and is one of the beat packages we've ever offered. Book early and be sure to get the date you want.

Take advantage of our New Room Service Spa. You thought Room Service was great for dining in, try the ultimate luxury, 6 different massages, all by "Room Service". No more going to a day spa or walking to an on-site spa. Now, you can have it all in the privacy of your own cottage or suites. (Unfortunately you must book a cottage or suite as the rooms just aren't large enough.) For the Details of the 2 Day Valentines Package Details for a 1 Day Valentines Package

Discover Weekends

Duane — 2011-01-23T19:56:07-08:00

Lithia Springs brings you another in the series of:

Wine, Dine and Discover Weekends
March 11th, 12th and 13th

Enjoy the best wines of the Willamette, Umpqua and Rogue Appellations, paired with the food of 3 of Ashland's finest restaurants. Add wine tasting at 3 local wineries, and presentations from our featured wineries. Don't miss this event, put on by our new Events Coordinator, Porscha! And watch for more great events coming in the future events.

We only have room for 24 couples for the exclusive event. Click Here for Details

Bring in the New Year in Ashland this year

Duane — 2010-12-01T15:09:34-08:00

How about an old fashion New Years this year. Reflect back on all the happenings of the past year, and count those blessing you had hidden in with all the rest. Maybe this is a good year to remember what is really important, and let go of all the rest.

In the Package will be everything needed to start the New Year out right. Take a look your self.

Winter Getaways

Duane — 2010-12-01T14:28:30-08:00

Is this the year you choose to spend one of the Winter Holidays with just the two of you, like it all started out. Well this is the year. We have a great Traditional Christmas package prepared for you. Great Ashland Getaways

The Ski Area is open, and we have discounted lift tickets at just $32, and there is rarely any lines when you ski at Mt. Ashland. Or, maybe it's ice skating this year. Lithia Park is the place.

The 3 theaters which are open all are getting good reviews. Do a little shopping for really unique gifts from Ashland's Unique Shops, take in a theater production and maybe taste a little wine. The Christmas Spirit is sure to settle in someone where along the line.

Meet the Artist, this man is good!

Duane — 2010-12-01T14:16:58-08:00

Daniel Verner will be hosted by the Gallery at Lithia Springs for the December 3rd, First Friday Artwalk. His show will continue until the end of December, 2010. While visiting world class museums, Daniel consciously observed most viewers took a 3-5 second glance per painting. He says "I wanted to slow the viewer down because of my complexity of the detail, or unusual subject" to make a viewer say, "What's going on?" This self-taught artist commands the attention of the viewer to linger and discover all aspects of his masterful works. From still life to portraiture, you will discover a unique quality of this signature collection. Artist reception will be First Friday, December 3rd from 5-7:30pm. Thor Polson will be joining in on the piano for a very special evening!

Announcing a New "Room Service Spa" at Lithia Springs

Duane — 2010-11-21T13:48:37-08:00

Most of you know the luxury of enjoying a private evening in your hotel room, with dinner by Room Service. Now, you can experience the ultimate luxury, that of of Spa Treatments, ala "Room Service".

After much experimenting, we are finally ready to announce our new "Room Service Spa" service at Lithia Hot Springs. No more getting in your robe and walking to the spa, or even going downtown for your spa treatments. Now, at Lithia Springs you can choose from 5 spa treatments brought right to the comfort and convenience of your cottage or suite. (Sorry, this service is only available in our cottages and suites, due to requirements).

Now, you can soak in a hot mineral bath before or after you massage, or both, and never leave you room. Or, both of you can enjoy getting your treatments together and swapping places; soak a while and enjoy a massage for a while.

Finding Unique Christmas Gifts Can be Pleasure This Year.

Duane — 2010-11-21T12:24:12-08:00

Are you looking for those one of a kind gifts to give at Christmas this year? To find one of a kind gifts, usually you have to find one of the kind stores, and Ashland has more one of a kind shops than most anyplace. And if you can't find it in Ashland, Jacksonville also has a dozen or more unique shops including Sheffield's Toy Store. If you think Toys R us is toys, you aren't over 30 years old. Sheffield's is what toy stores use to be, filled with toys for any age, from all over the world.

So, come enjoy a relaxing Ashland Getaway and do your shopping early. Enjoy your favorite restaurant, perhaps see the new production at the Oregon Cabaret theater. Taste some local wine.

This year, relax and enjoy yourself while you do your Christmas Shopping, and have the most unique gifts under the tree. Plus you go home rested and relaxed and ready for the holidays.

Or, you might just stay for and old Fashion Christmas at the Inn.

"There is still Room at the Inn" . . . . . . for Thanksgiving at least!.

Duane — 2010-11-21T12:08:17-08:00

We still have a few Thanksgiving packages left. So, if you don't have plans and want to experience an old fashion Thanksgiving, call us today at 800 482 1728. It's a two day package beginning with dinner Wednesday evening at my favorite romantic hideaway, Arbor House. There you will order any of their handcrafted entrees, your choice. I guarantee this will be a unique experience, unlike any place you have ever experienced. Turkey one of my favorite restaurants.

The next morning, it's a gourmet breakfast by Cheryl, followed in the afternoon with an old fashion Turkey Dinner, with Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and all th football games on the Flat Screen in O'Malley's. .

Come join the Lithia Springs Family for Thanksgiving!.

. . .

This Christmas Give Them a Gift Certificate for Time Away!

Duane — 2010-11-14T21:05:55-08:00

Buy them a Gift Certificate for a stay at Ashland's Lithia Springs and then come with them and make sure it's a gift they will always remember!

Gift Certificates are available in any amount or for a particular room, cottage or suite, or you can pick the date now. Or, better yet, this Christmas you can buy them one of our "Rekindle the Spirit" Getaway Packages. Click Here

Come Enjoy the Current Show at the Cabaret Theater

Duane — 2010-11-14T19:27:33-08:00

This season the Cabaret Theater presents "The Wizard of Panto-Land" a take off one the Wizard of Oz. It promises to be a great way to get into the holiday mood. So, be sure to get your tickets early as good dates always go early, and the Cabaret is almost always sold out through out it's off season runs. Click Here for more Info.

There is Still Space at the Thanksgiving Table

Duane — 2010-11-14T19:15:58-08:00

If you still haven't firmed up plans for Thanksgiving, we still have some room left. but don't wait or you may to eat take-out in your room!

Cheryl is planning another Golden Brown Turkey and all the traditional trimmings. So, give us a call at 800 482 71284 and we'll save the wish bone for you. Click Here for more info.

A Margarita By My Friends, For My Friends.

Duane — 2010-11-12T20:16:06-08:00

Ramiro Padilla, and his wife Beatrice are coming up on the second anniversary of the fulfillment of their American Dream; that of moving their already successful Mexican restaurant into their own new building.

Ramiro is a regular Horatio Alger story. The 7th child of a of a poor Mexican family who loved to listen to his father tell of America and working in the lettuce field of California, where everyone was rich. Ramiro began to dream a dream of his own as a poor boy in Mexico, that of coming to American himself, some day.

Ramiro dropped out of school in the fifth grade to become a plumber's apprentice, wanting to help earn money for the family. By age 14 he was a plumber and by age 19 he left plumbing forever, and walked across the border to find his fortune in America.

He worked for several years in the lettuce fields for Dole Corporation, working in the evenings in a Mexican restaurant, to learn English. He became a citizen during these years and eventually had a chance to take over a failing Mexican Restaurant in Ashland, for just assuming the debt against it.

The rest is history, but his dream wasn't yet over. Someday, he wanted to a good Mexican wife, with old fashion Mexican values, and he dreamed of a new building for his small restaurant.

The first one was easy, he simply went home to Mexico where he grew up and married Beatrice. And then two years ago, he moved in the new El Tapito. Located on the north side of Ashland, it's just a few hundred yards from Lithia Springs.

Now Ramiro and Beatrice are about to celebrate the second anniversary of being in their new Restaurant. And, they would like to invite you to share their good fortune. So, next time you go by Lithia Springs, we have a Margarita Card which will add a free Margarita with you lunch or dinner. It's their way of celebrating their anniversary, and to show off their new restaurant.

And, some way, if I know Ramiro, he's not done. I don't know what he is dreaming of now, but we need a whole lot more people like Ramie making new jobs in America today. I am proud to call Ramiro and Beatrice my friends.

Lunch in Downtown Across from Lithia Park in Downtown Ashland.

Duane — 2010-11-12T19:21:58-08:00

Dee and Barb Selby (old Friends for longer then we all three care to admit.) pick me up at the Inn and took me to lunch today. It was the best kind of lunch, their idea, they picked my up, and I got to pick where we went. And, it wasn't even my birthday.

So, I hadn't been to "Sesame", new to Ashland about a year ago, and across from the park. It is operated by the same people who bring you Pasta Piatti, a successful Italian restaurant in downtown Ashland.

My may calamari was superb and the Undon Soup had more lobster than I could eat, but I did. For those who haven't tried Sesame, the decor is light and airy. with a fresh contemporary Asian Look. The staff was friendly as always, but today they seemed a little short handed. Ah, the joys of the restaurant business. A great place to have a light lunch. Or a heavy one, also.

Whoops

Duane — 2010-11-06T21:19:06-07:00

I did it. Some way blog on "All Things Ashland" was eaten by internet worms. But, not to worry I had a back up copy, but it all has to be cut and pasted back into the blog. So, check back in a few days. In the mean time, here is a $100 Gift Certificate good toward a stay at Lithia Hot Springs Inn & Gardens of Ashland, complements of Chester the Inn Cat for my foul up. . Click here to to print yours

Actually we do it because we know if you stay here once, you come back again and again. To see our web site and find out all about the inn, Click Here.

The Fate of Chester

Duane — 2010-11-05T13:08:48-07:00

Chester was no spring chicken. Having reached his 15th year, we knew the time was coming.

I haven't said much about it unless asked, because it has been hard for me. But that time came about 2 months ago and Chester went to live with my daughter, her husband and my three grandchildren on their small farm just outside of Jacksonville, Oregon.

He was older than any of my grandchildren and they always adored him. When they heard that Chester was having "accidents" whenever the crowds got too pressing at the inn, they begged to have him come live out his life with them on their little farm. They love animals and Chester has always seem to have a special bond with them, and he seems to love his new arrangement. And best of all, he hasn't had an "accident" since he moved. In fact, when I visit he is so busy being pampered by my daughter and the kids, he has little time for me. I should hope I am so well cared for when I get "put out to pasture".

I am posting a video about "What I learned from my Cat Chester" on YouTube, hopefully tonight, and I will be sending a link by email in the next couple of days. Watch for it.