Whitman Parker is Owner and Publisher of Jacksonville Review and Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazines. 
I RARELY USE THESE PAGES to share my thoughts on national politics, opting instead to focus on very local issues that impact us as a town. However, I’m diverging a bit here due to a text message I received on election night from a close Jacksonville friend. Dating […]
PLEASE JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING Donna Bowen for Mayor and Steve Casaleggio, Andrea Thompson, and John Jorgenson for City Council. Every two years, we elect a slate of volunteers to represent the best interests of our citizenry. This year we are fortunate to have a slate of highly-qualified citizens running for […]
OUR THEME THIS month is “wellness,” a topic I know we value as a community—one that ranks as a top reason most of us choose to live here. For certain, life in a small town has its pluses and minuses. On the positive side, supporting the quest for good mental and […]
THIS MONTH, we’re celebrating and having some fun with our canine friends in town. All month, check our Instagram and Facebook where you’ll find photos of the four-legged friends who make Jacksonville extra special!
On a political note, please see Mayor Donna Bowen’s column on […]
ON JUNE 8, more than 100 friends gathered in the Jacksonville Cemetery at the Sexton’s tool shed for a marker dedication ceremony to honor Dirk Siedlecki, who passed away in 2023. The ceremony was officiated by Eric Rogers, current president of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery. As Eric noted, in […]
AS WE STEP into the vibrant month of June, it offers a packed schedule of events and opportunities to get out and enjoy our beloved Jacksonville and its surroundings. With summer in full swing, there’s no shortage of places to explore, celebrate, and make memories with friends!
First and foremost, awaiting us […]
I WANT TO REMIND OUR READERS about the importance of dining and shopping locally in our charming town. Supporting our local businesses isn’t just about convenience or preference; it’s about nurturing our community and bolstering our local economy.
When you choose to dine at our local restaurants or shop at our small […]
City Council, March 5—City Recorder Angela Watson opened the meeting by swearing in our newest Firefighter, Kellen Kerrigan. Kellen, 21, is a Rogue Valley native, who boasts deep roots in the area alongside his twin brother and older sister. He graduated from Crater High School in […]
THIS MONTH, I’m looking forward to putting in some extra time on our woodland trails as our annual wildflower season bursts forth. From my view, a great way to spend time and get exercise is out on the trails spotting wildflowers—and there are plenty to spot including the world-famous […]
THIS VERY SPECIAL ISSUE of the Review is dedicated to two wonderful groups of women who are making Jacksonville a better place to live—they are women making history today and hail from the volunteer, non-profit and business community. It’s my hope that tomorrow’s leaders will look back […]
THE RESULTS OF THE CITY’S annual budget audit were presented, (see city website jacksonvilleor.us for a full-length copy) revealing a healthy financial status. As summed up at the meeting, the city received the highest ranking available for fiscal management.
The report also stated, FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS:
The assets of the City […]
I CAN’T THINK OF A BETTER WAY to ring in 2024 than with the Lunar New Year celebration on February 17, from 10am-3pm, on Britt Hill. Thanks to Jeresa Hren’s team at the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA), Britt Festivals, and some generous sponsors, (including the Review), Lunar […]
I hope you’ll join me in reveling in the magic of the holiday season as captured on our inspiring cover. Thanks to Amy Kranenburg at Happy Alpaca Toy Store, it was created to put a smile on your face and remind us that the holidays are […]
Part of what makes Jacksonville “Jacksonville” is having a relationship with town employees—office staff, public works, firemen…and cops. Over the last year, Jacksonville’s Police Department, under Chief Dave Towe, has been operating on a skeleton crew with 2.5 patrol officers and the chief. Reasons cited for a lack of police staffing […]
This month, our cover story on Firewise leader Linda Davis comes as Jacksonville once again finds itself in the path of wildfires surrounding the Rogue Valley. Because of Linda and her dedication to making Jacksonville a safer place to live, more and more of us are aware of what we can […]
Successful municipalities run on tight budgets…something our city staff and council have mastered due to our small tax base. At its April 13 Budget Committee meeting, staff presented their 3-year budget projections in advance of the first formal budget meeting on May 11. (If needed, follow-up meetings will be held on […]
On the heels of this winter’s weather, it’s a pleasure to see signs of spring in the air… and in the garden. Luckily for us, there are lots of fun events this April to reinvigorate us and get us out and about.
In this […]
When I heard the news that Dirk Siedlecki had passed away, a piece of my heart broke. Dirk was one of “those” guys—one you admire right off the bat and like more and more as the years go on. For 15 years, I was lucky to chat with Dirk several times […]
A slew of regional changes has caught everyone’s attention recently, blowing up social media and sounding the alarm as to the future of our community. Here in town, the new owners of the Jacksonville Inn announced the closure of the restaurant… after purchasing the business less than two years ago. Perhaps […]
It’s the most wonderful time of year in town—having counted our blessings at Thanksgiving, it’s time to celebrate Victorian Christmas with a long list of must-do community activities and events. In this two-month holiday issue, you’ll find information on everything from the Tree Lighting ceremony to the annual Christmas Parade […]
If you haven’t yet returned your mail-in ballot, I’d like to remind you that I have endorsed three candidates for Jacksonville City Council: Ken Gregg, Andy Hellenthal and Ryan Hess. As I stated in my October column, all have previous Jacksonville-based civic […]
Having covered City Council races since 2008, I’m familiar with what makes a good candidate and ultimately an effective councilor. This time around, I encourage you to vote for Ken Gregg, Andy Hellenthal and Ryan Hess. Please read their Candidate Statements on pages 12-14 and Mayor Donna Bowen’s monthly column on […]
This month, I wanted to circle back around and touch base on a few perennial topics that are always on my mind. During the first week of June, town will see an influx of visitors as the Britt Festival season kicks off, setting the stage for another amazing season of popular […]
This year’s Oregon Wine Experience (OWE) will be held from August 17-21…and it has a new home! Stephen Gambee, an owner/partner of Stage Pass, and Andrea Reeder, Vice President and Executive Director of Asante Foundation, sat down with the Review to share this exciting news. This year, the Oregon Wine Experience will be held at […]
There are so many locals who rejoice in telling me that spring is their favorite time of year…it’s really no wonder since the practically perfect weather makes getting out and about a breeze. As it warms up and the hours of sunlight increase, many of us are upping the number of […]
I’m deviating from my normal column to bring you the latest news from the Jacksonville business community. At this writing, more than a dozen local businesses are shifting focus, owners and locations—here they are, in no particular order in Our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!
Kubli Haus—After a major renovation by Kathleen […]
I started off 2022 unlike any other year with a phone call from an Urgent Care physician to inform me, “You’ve tested positive for COVID!” As you know, I don’t publish a January issue and generally head out of town to recharge my solar batteries. As such, I was hanging out […]
My View – December 2021/January 2022
For nearly 15 years, I’ve used this column to highlight members of our community for their unending volunteer service. This month, I’d like to get a little closer to home, a little more personal in expressing my thanks to friends and neighbors who’ve been there for my wife, Jo and […]
All of a sudden, November is here and we find ourselves at the beginning of the holiday season—a good time to take stock of how grateful we are for our community and the positive lifestyle it offers. Every day here in Jacksonville, we are the recipients of gifts from volunteers—the ones […]
Okay, not THAT kind of centerfold…it’s one that might save your life in case of a major natural disaster such as wildland fire, forest fire or earthquake. The full-sized, color-coded Evacuation Map on page 17 is designed as a pull-out for you to keep in case of […]
With deference to the great Yogi Berra and in today’s parlance, it sure seems as if we’ve “been there done that” when it comes to this pandemic. Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water, the Delta variant emerged, exploded, and then wiped out any hope […]
As town reemerges from isolation in the wake of the pandemic, every masked and unmasked person I bump into basically has the same thing to say: “It’s nice to be out and about again…visiting my friends and sharing my life with others!” Indeed, it’s the sharing of experiences that makes life […]
Pandemic or no pandemic, you’ve got to love April—a month that marks the end of winter and the start of spring and summer. For me, there’s never been anything better than getting outdoors and hitting my favorite woodland trail with the sunshine on my shoulders (shout out to John Denver!) I […]
It was one year ago this March that the unthinkable happened…the mandated shutdown of normal life due to the pandemic—and life has never been, or will be, the same.
Reflecting on the past twelve months, it’s somewhat of a miracle that I am penning this column—had it not been for a “moon-shot” […]
With 2020 mercifully in the rearview mirror, I have high hopes for the new year and feel Jacksonville will emerge from the pandemic a better place. As more of us line-up to get our COVID-19 vaccine shots, we come closer to seeing light at the end of the tunnel—and closer to […]
Where were you when you heard that President Kennedy had been shot? How about the day Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon? Do you remember the day the Space Shuttle exploded? Were you at work or at home when you watched terrorists flying hijacked airplanes into the Twin Towers […]
I’m pleased to present this month’s issue with a special section on the 2020 Jacksonville City Council race. With so much news coverage on COVID-19, the devastating fires, economic challenges, national politics and other not-so-pleasant topics, it’s refreshing for a change to be able to endorse an entire slate of candidates…this […]
Congratulations to Mayor Paul Becker, who just received the Oregon Mayor’s Association “Leadership Award” for a medium-sized city. Dating back to 1993, the award recognizes the invaluable contributions made by mayors throughout Oregon and is presented at the annual OMA Summer Conference. This year, Mayor Becker was recognized for his considerable […]
In last month’s column, “Cautiously Optimistic,” I was admittedly nervous about the “reopening” of our local economy and wasn’t sure if the good news on the Covid-19 front would last very long. Fast-forward to another column and I find myself adrift in the same boat—call it “Cautiously Optimistic 2.0.” At this […]
After a two-month print hiatus, it’s great to get back to semi-normal life with this “recovery/re-HOPE-ening” issue. Like you, the corona virus has changed my life and nothing will ever be the same. At this writing, state officials have “unlocked” Jackson County under a Phase One “reopening” of our economy—at the […]
Due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis and the havoc it’s created, I’ve opted to publish the Jacksonville Review as a digital-only issue this month. If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re on our website or you’re one of our 10,500+ Facebook friends! This virus-induced issue is being produced […]
As we head full speed into another glorious Southern Oregon spring, the air is abuzz with energy and optimism. With daylight increasing daily and Jacksonville awakening from its winter nap, town is offering up interesting seasonal events and activities for all to enjoy…read about them here!
Each month, we strive to bring […]
My View – February 2020
It’s such a pleasure to live in a town that knows how to celebrate the little things in life and throw a party and a parade to commemorate its cultural heritage! This month, please join me in thanking our friends at the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA) for sponsoring and […]
As I write this column, the holidays are fast-approaching and our little town is being decked-out for the festivities. Before we know it, the lights and garland will be lit and hung, the giant tree on California Street will be aglow and Father Christmas will be greeting kids of all […]
When one thinks of November, the Thanksgiving holiday and “counting one’s blessings” is always in the mix. For me, this makes it a good time of year to publicly thank our community leaders and take stock of what we have here. For those of us fortunate enough to live in and […]
The most rewarding aspect of publishing the Review is meeting and working with extraordinary people who make this community special. On a daily basis, I work with our contributors and civic leaders who pen articles about the events and people that impact us all. As editor, my mission has always been […]
Although it’s early in the discussion/negotiation phase, I’m supportive of Britt Festivals’ idea to relocate its corporate offices to the upper floor of New City Hall. Please note that I was one of several community members who formed the non-profit “Jacksonville Heritage Society” nearly ten years ago. Our mission […]
This week my phone rang off the hook with questions from concerned citizens…all seeking my view on hemp farms and all wondering if Jacksonville was about to be surrounded. Here’s my take on the matter…for now.
With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, industrial […]
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been looking up a lot lately, checking the skies for signs of smoke… with your fingers crossed behind your back! With “fires” literally being a hot topic and on everyone’s mind, you get what I’m talking about. Like me, you’re surely hoping […]
This summer, as you take in the ambiance and charm of Jacksonville, be sure and thank the countless volunteers that make this such a special town. A case in point is on the Brill Hill, where you’ll find the Britt Society Volunteers and others taking on all […]