Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Featured Galleries: August 7, 2006 Local Friday By Robert Plain Ashland Daily Tidings Amelia Wirts | Daily Tidings Fredric Berger of Talent looks at the magnetic vases at the Ashland Art Works at First Friday on August 4. It was a warm but comfortable mid-summer Friday night in downtown Ashland, and the streets were filled with ... locals??? That's right, locals. Though the conventional wisdom might say Ashland would have been overrun with vacationers on an August Friday night, a number of local residents will brave the downtown, even during tourist season to participate in the First Friday Art Walk. "We see a lot of locals during First Friday," John Laughlin, one of the owners of the Water Street Cafe, an outdoor coffee bar on the Plaza. "The tourists are kind of an add-on." At Louie's Bar and Grill, on the plaza saloon, bartender Deena Branson said business is split between tourists and locals on First Fridays. "Some people I recognize and some people I don't," she said. The First Friday Art Walk is a city-wide party held on the first Friday of each month. Most local art galleries and many local businesses open their doors, show off their wares and serve up free snacks and wine. Stephanie Nord and Aiden Jones, both of Ashland, say they arrange for a baby sitter at least a couple of times a year so they can enjoy the Ashland ambiance. "We're getting out amongst the wonderful environment tonight," Nord said, as she hugged Jones. He added, "It's Friday in Ashland. It's a great place to enjoy the food, drinks and enjoy the sunset." The art galleries — from East Main to Oak to "B" Streets — were all busy with both locals and tourists alike. Residents like the art walk, some say, because it gives them a chance to catch up with old friends and find out what has been happening in Ashland as of late. Some local Ashlanders came out on this Friday night specifically to express themselves. And some, such as Drake Scott, Aletha Nowitzky and Thomas Thatcher, did so in a way that could only be done in Ashland. The trio decided to enjoy First Friday in the nude, as is their legal right to do so in Ashland, so long as they are not downtown or in a public park. "This is walking art," Nowitzky said. "People should be able to be naked in the sun. There shouldn't be a law against it, and there isn't." The nudists said police approached them to say they received a complaint about their appearance. "I have just as much right to complain about you being dressed as you do about me being naked," Thatcher said. "I did it because I love being nude. It's enjoyable to be free." The nude group was seen around Ashland for several hours on Friday night. Though they said the nude group was the exception to a Friday night rather than the rule, Ashland Police said Friday nights are typically more busy dealing with locals than with tourists. "I don't know that tourists bring any problems with them," said Sgt. Malcus Williams, of APD. "Of course they do up the population." Most police calls, Williams said, involve activity that could occur on any night of the week, such as barking dogs and noise complaints. Of course, he added, Friday's bring a number of complaints about people, both tourists and locals alike, of being too intoxicated to care for themselves. But, he said, both Saturday nights and Thursday nights tend to busier nights for APD than are Fridays. Richard and Joyce Stanley, who have lived in Ashland for 20 years, still come out for an occasional First Friday during tourist season. "It's really nice," Richard Stanley said, as he and his wife perused the menu of Amuse restaurant on First Street. "It feels like a parade." Stephanie Nord and Aiden Jones of Ashland watch as sculptor Jack Langford chisels away at his marble piece at Ashland Art Works at First Friday in Ashland, Friday August 4. Amelia Wirts | Daily Tidings Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x. 226 or [email protected] Current Comments: Just when some locals are considering spendng more time downtown, some idiots are always ready to see that most of them won't come down again, most certainly not with their families. They think their terrific right of free expression outweighs common sense to consider other people. They don't have to be nude to show they are buttheads. Art? NOT! Lester Ingber - Ashland OR - August 8th, 8:46 AM It might not be technically a "crime" to the liberal media when a bunch of lowlifes terrorize Ordinary Citizens with these virtual molestation techniques, but has anybody thought about how these actions Embolden the terrorists? I didn't think so. Farquaar Zorb - Ashland, Oregon - August 8th, 11:08 AM Aletha!!! Mark Nowitzky - North Hills, CA - August 9th, 4:30 PM Aletha, I am proud of you! I am glad that I am your sister-in-law! Amy Nowitzky - North Hills, CA 91343 - August 9th, 11:37 PM Aletha: You're always living life on the edge...Keep up the good work! Tom Nowitzky - Morgan Hill, CA - August 10th, 10:38 AM As a tourist I very much enjoyed the local artwork and galleries in Ashland. However, in looking at the picture of Stephanie Nord and Aiden Jones admiring sculptor Jack Langford's exquisite work, I couldn't help but think that even the finest work by the powerful Michelangelo would pale in comparison to the natural understated beauty of Stephanie Nord. Now if only Aletha could have been included in the picture - of course Mr. Green would forbid that! Kirk Evenson - Sioux Falls, South Dakota - August 10th, 11:00 PM Try that in Los Angeles. I have the police on speed dial :) Eric Glassman ( [email protected] ) - Winnetka, CA - August 20th, 4:15 AM Naked people should be held accountable. We sould all have the police on speed dial. Eric, you sir, are an inspiration to our backwards community. [email protected] - Ashland - August 23rd, 11:16 AM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us