This fall has been an exciting time in Jacksonville. In the midst of it all, it’s also election season and the Review sponsored the City Council Candidate Forum, which drew a full house of interested voters! Thanks to Carolyn Kingsnorth for doing an outstanding job of moderating the forum. After 8:00pm on Election Day, you’ll find the results of the council race (and lots of other great, local content) online at JacksonvilleReview.com and on our Facebook page.

This edition highlights some of the best wine pairings, holiday gifts and entertainment options found in Jacksonville and the valley. Find our special Holiday Food & Wine Pairing feature, by Kate Nolte, a down-to-earth wine blogger/enthusiast with a passion for local wines on page 39. Kate’s piece examines which local wines will make your Thanksgiving meal extra special. And in December, she’ll feature other vintages that’ll compliment your Christmas fare! For an up-close look into some of our best local wineries, be sure to hit the Applegate Valley Wine Trail for their annual fall UnCorked Barrel Tour on November 23rd. Please find more information on this must-attend event on page 38.

I’d like to welcome Jacksonville’s own Lee Greene as our newest contributor, bringing us his monthly take on the performing arts scene, published on page 23. Between print issues on our website and Facebook page, Lee will post previews and reviews of performing arts options in the Rogue Valley, keeping you abreast on what’s on-stage at the Craterian Theater, SOU Performing Arts Center, Rogue Opera, Camelot Theater, Randall Theater and other venues.

This month, jump-start your holiday shopping with our 2014 Holiday Gift Guide on pages 2 & 3. It’s chock-full of holiday gift ideas—all found right here in Jacksonville from our local merchants. For a fun online stroll through town, see and share our 2014 “Shop Local” video—it’s on our website and Facebook page… produced by our favorite media guy and new dad, Joe Camarlinghi!

I wish you all the best this holiday season in our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!