Medford, OR

Last weekend, my husband and I recently tried a new Thai restaurant, but it wasn't to our tastes. Do you ever get your taste buds set for a specific restaurant's flavors and cooking styles and then forever compare the dishes you try from other restaurants to your favorite one? I managed to break the mold, though, when it came to my favorite Thai foods. Thai Thani's in Redondo Beach California used to be the Thai restaurant all others were compared to, and most really didn't bring the same sense of satisfaction. But, thank goodness, we found Bambu in Medford who no longer has me longing for a restaurant that is 800 miles away! I discovered Thai Thani in 1984, and they are still there after all these years!

Repost from 7/23/2008:

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.

Update 1/19/2009 - this restaurant remains one of our absolute favorite restaurants here in the Rogue Valley, in Southern Oregon. Now, I am challenged to try some of our favorite dishes at home, but end up going back because why not be served?

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

On special occasions, and sometimes just because we love the atmosphere so much, you'll find us dining at Shoji's in Medford Oregon. Shoji's is a Japanese Teppanyaki style dining experience like no other I have experienced - and this restaurant style is one my family chooses frequently. For my fellow California transplants, it is like Benihana's- only with flinging egg shells and a TON of rice!

The Early Bird Special is until 6PM every day, which we've taken advantage of many times, not only getting us in before the crowds and seated quickly, but we double the meat portion. If we're not feeling glutinous, we go home with two-three more meals each! The chef's are a lot of fun, trying their jokes out on us.

Good food, good conversation and good fun!

If you haven't been to Shoji's, check them out! They're in the Black Oak Center at 2640-C Barnett Rd, across from the Rogue Valley Medical Center. They're worth the wait if you hit them at their peak dining times, but reservations are recommended.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR / CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Grateful every day for having been brought to this amazingly beautiful place we live, the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. I hope I never take one of these amazing sunrises for granted. Or sunsets. Or starry nights. Or snow falling. Or Spring blossoms. Or Fall leaves.

Karen Cooper - OR / CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

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.

ACCESS Inc.'s food share program works with area grocery stores and restaurants collecting food that is distributed through 20 local food pantries, plus they have referred overflow to Tablerock Fellowship's Pantry who also helps to provide clothing and toys to those in need. The Tablerock Fellowship Pantry has been located in a storefront location just down the street from the church campus which is in North Medford/Central Point at 3610 N. Pacific Hwy.

Seeing a great increase in need, Tablerock Fellowship has made the decision to expand the Pantry by relocating it on to their site, and building a larger building to accommodate the Pantry and those it serves. By doing this, they'll also be able to increase their capacity - not only the number of people that can be served in the community, but the number of hours the Pantry will be open which is presently open Wednesdays 12-3 and Saturdays 12-2 p.m.

If you would like to help out with this expansion to meet the needs of our community members in need by donating your time, food goods, or money donations for the Tablerock Pantry, or to bring your skilled construction abilities to help build this building, please contact Tablerock Fellowship at (541)245-2612 Monday-Thursday 8:30-3:30.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

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