An art show is slated for Friday evening in Ashland featuring the paintings of 10 artists who hiked into the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to capture the scenes before them on canvas. 

The show is held in cooperation with KS Wild, Rogue Riverkeeper and Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, in celebration of the monument’s 25th anniversary. The paintings are for sale, with a portion of the purchase price going to the friends group, a non-profit that promotes awareness of the monument’s biological diversity, landscape and cultural history. 

The event, hosted at KS Wild offices, is set for 5-7 p.m. at 562 A St., Ashland. Local wine and light refreshments will be available 

Learn about the economic future of the Applegate Valley 

Join the Wellington Wildlands Council and A Greater Applegate on Friday near Ruch for a presentation and discussion about climate change and the economic future of the Applegate Valley. 

The event follows an economic study of the valley conducted last year in cooperation with the University of Oregon. Natural resource economist Ernie Niemi will discuss economic costs of climate change on children, the elderly, households and communities. View the study at bit.ly/3SaxtIt. 

Friday’s event is slated for 6-8 p.m. at the Applegate Valley Fire District training building, 1095 Upper Applegate Road. Refreshments will be provided, including desserts by Pennington’s. 

Take a family-friendly bike ride in Ashland 

Join Streets for Everyone and the Ashland Climate Cooperative for an hour-long family-friendly bicycle ride that begins and ends at The Plaza, 6 N. Main St., in downtown Ashland. 

The rides are held on the first Friday of the month. It’s suggested that beginner riders ride on the back of an adult’s bike. For more information, visit ashlandclimate.org. 

Master Gardeners host spring garden fair 

The Jackson County Master Gardener Association is scheduled to hold its spring garden fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the Mace Building at the Jackson County Expo & Fairgrounds. 

Forty vendors are expected. Children’s activities are planned. Native plants will be for sale. Entry is $5. 

For more information, visit jacksoncountymga.org or call 541-776-7371. 

Annual household waste drop-off event slated 

Rogue Disposal & Recycling is hosting an annual household hazardous waste drop-off event from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at 8001 Table Rock Road, White City. 

Cost is $5 for up to a cubic yard of household waste, such as drain cleaners, weed killers, bleach, batteries and bug killer. 

A cubic yard equals six 32-gallon trash cans. Costs go up for amounts more than a cubic yard. Waste must be in containers that are five gallons or smaller. Lines can be long, so getting there early might be best. 

Acceptable items include household cleaners, pesticides, insecticides, swimming pool chemicals, weed killers not currently approved for use, paint remover, wood preservatives, light ballasts, alkaline or rechargeable batteries and thermostats. 

No paint is allowed, but may be recycled at local paint outlets. Other prohibited items include fluorescent light tubes, medical/biological waste, asbestos, propane tanks, antifreeze, explosives, radioactive materials, ammunition and fire extinguishers. 

Businesses may bring waste on Friday, by appointment. Call 541-779-4161. A similar household waste event is slated for June 7 at Southern Oregon Sanitation in Grants Pass. 

More information is available at roguedisposal.com or sosanitation.com. 

Japanese Garden hosts Children’s Day 

Children’s Day at the Japanese Garden in Ashland’s Lithia Park is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, with games and activities planned. 

The free event honors “Kodomo no Hi,” a Japanese holiday that celebrates the happiness and individuality of children. Windsocks symbolizing strength and growth will be raised. There will be interactive stations with traditional Japanese toys and cultural activities. 

For more information, visit bit.ly/3Yjyhyi or contact Ashland Parks and Recreation at 541-488-5340. 

Other upcoming activities promoted by Ashland Parks and Recreation include free guided walks through Lithia Park every Saturday through September. Meet at 10 a.m. near the park entrance, across from the Plaza. The walks cover history, flora and fauna and last about 90 minutes. 

Also slated is Rogue Valley Bird Day from 8 a.m. to noon on May 10 at the North Mountain Park Nature Center, 620 N. Mountain Ave. in Ashland. The event will include exhibits, tours and all-ages activities. There will be bird-calling and “name-that-bird” contests at 11 a.m. 

‘Paint Out” set for Pompadour Bluff 

Artist Sarah F. Burns is slated to show visitors to Pompadour Bluff near Ashland her favorite strategies for creating artwork outdoors. 

The event, slated for May 7, is geared toward artists with some experience, but all are welcome. Bring your own painting or sketching supplies. 

Before painting, visitors may tour the bluff on a guided hike. 

The event, hosted by the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy, is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the hike at 10 a.m. and paint out at noon. Sign up at bit.ly/433F9T3. Contact or conservancy at 541-482-3069. 

Cities publish summer activity guides 

The cities of Medford, Ashland and Central Point have published summer 2025 activities guides that include events, classes, outings and other activities. 

View Medford’s guide at playmedford.com, Ashland’s guide at bit.ly/3Yjyhyi and Central Point’s guide at bit.ly/42giLWN. 

Send us news about your upcoming event 

Want to publicize your upcoming outdoors event for free? Send details to writer Shaun Hall at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com. Submissions about upcoming events are encouraged. 

Shaun Hall is a freelance writer living in Grants Pass. Reach him at 541-761-6726 or shaunmichaelhall@gmail.com.