Whitman Parker is Owner and Publisher of Jacksonville Review and Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazines. 
With wildflowers in full bloom and the weather warming up, April is one of the nicest months in Jacksonville to get out and discover something new—on foot. Yes, I said on foot.
Sure, it’s a nice experience to drive through our historic town in a car and marvel at the historic buildings […]
My View – March 2019
When it comes to fun and interesting things to do in Jacksonville, the month of March certainly comes in like a lion…and remains that way!
To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring a day-long event, “Celebrate the Shamrock,” on Saturday, March 16. Thanks to participating merchant-members […]
Happy 2019—the Chinese New Year of the Pig! This month, we celebrate Jacksonville’s Chinese heritage with another sensational Chinese New Year celebration on February 9. Our good friends at the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association, led by Jacksonville local Jeresa Hren, have another full day of festivities in-store for the entire […]
For this citizen-publisher, Christmas came early on November 6 at the very moment the Jackson County Elections Commission released the vote count on the meals tax. Thankfully, the ballot measure was rejected by a massive 2-1 margin, sparing our restaurants and retailers the agony of losing local customers and their […]
I’m pleased to bring you the Review’s first-ever “gratitude issue”—a celebration to showcase many of the incredible organizations that make Jacksonville such a unique and wonderful place to call home. Having worked for the bulk of the summer and fall to help defeat the meals tax ballot measure, I’m thrilled to […]
“I live in Rogue River and visit JV often. I love South Stage Cellars and the shopping. If this meals tax gets passed, I will no longer come to this darling town.”
“My friends and I visit Jacksonville often and dine there regularly. Eating out has already begun stretching my limited […]
I’m pleased to announce that three outstanding citizens have applied to run for three open City Council seats. At press time just days before the filing deadline, the candidates are current HARC Chair Donna Bowen and City Council incumbents Ken Gregg and Jim Lewis. In the October Review, learn more about […]
My View – July 2018
I’m honored to have been publishing the Review for ten years! Admittedly, I’m a bit puzzled as to where the last decade went and how time seems to be speeding up, but that’s a topic for a future column.
Back in July 2008, my wife, Jo and I were new to the […]
Editor’s Note: The following analysis and editorial is presented by publisher Whitman Parker regarding a 5% Meals Tax proposal. Please note that he invited the proponents of this measure to answer questions numerous times, but they declined the opportunity. The Jacksonville Review believes that a meals tax is ill-advised and urges Jacksonville citizens to NOT […]
This month, join me in celebrating life in Jacksonville with our main feature about our favorite local, family-owned and operated restaurants. For the past three months, our Unfettered Critics, Terry and Paula Erdmann, have been conducting interviews (and enjoying some fine fare) while compiling this delicious feature. In my view, the […]
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the annual travel and tourism conference sponsored by our good friends at Travel Southern Oregon. TSO is the local arm of Travel Oregon, dedicated to marketing “Oregon” as a destination to the entire planet. During the day-long event, attendees were treated to a number […]
If last year is any indication, 2018 will be a very interesting and active year in Jacksonville! To help you better navigate the year ahead, we’ve made a few changes to our layout and design, including a fresher look and new index pages.
To start off the year, our good friends at […]
I’m most grateful for the opportunity to fill in for your publisher, Mr. Parker, who allowed me a chance to let you in on a little secret! As you may have guessed, I’ve been around the world a few times, having spent lots of time in big towns and small towns—maybe not […]
On a recent car ride home from the coast, my wife, Jo and I passed much of the time talking about how grateful we are to live in Jacksonville and how fortunate we are to be surrounded by a caring community. As you know, we own and operate several businesses that […]
With Halloween upon us, I thought I’d share a scary story. It starts with a clap of thunder and a flash of light in the sky…this story ends depending upon how you want it to end. In this case, I’m not talking about one of the stories you’ll encounter on this year’s Jacksonville Haunted Trolley […]
There are so many reasons why fall has become my favorite time of year including cooler weather on the heels of blistering summer heat, the changing scenery as trees transition in color, bumper harvests from my backyard garden and nearby farms, the annual grape harvest and crush at area vineyards, and […]
My View – August 2017
For me, August is a special time of year in Jacksonville when two favorite events take center stage—the orchestral season on Britt Hill and the Oregon Wine Experience celebration at the Bigham Knoll campus.
If you’re anything like me, you get a thrill out of watching 100+ classical musicians descend on town […]
Nine years to this day, I penned my first editor’s column in the July 2008 Jacksonville Review. That was 100 issues ago just days after my wife, Jo, and I purchased the Review from Carolyn Kingsnorth. After taking the reins, we had big shoes to fill and got to work bringing […]
I get lots of visitors here at the Review office on California Street….today was no different. Having an accessible, in-town office is one of the things that keeps me grounded and close to the action, enabling me to stay in the know. Several times a week, folks from all walks of […]
April showers bring May flowers,” then Jacksonville should look like a flower shop as soon as the sun comes out and stays out. After what can only be described as an “unusual” winter and early spring, I think we all deserve a serious dose of sunshine and dry air!
When it comes […]
On the heels of the Oscar’s, I considered penning a feel-good Hollywood script about an idyllic small town that would make a hit movie. The plot started like this: Against all odds, a group of volunteer visionaries raises a ton of money to preserve 320 acres of woodlands from bulldozers and […]
Just before press deadline, I bumped into a longtime Review columnist who admitted, “I’m struggling…all I have is writers block and I’m not sure about writing my column this month!” After a nice chat, I discovered that I too had caught the dreaded writers block “bug.” The chat also left little […]
Happy Chinese New Year, Jacksonville! On the Chinese zodiac chart, 2017 is the “Year of the Rooster.” In this issue, you’ll find a full schedule of the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association Chinese New Year celebration on pages 38-39. With a dedicated team of volunteers, SOCCA will once again bring us […]
I’d like to wish you Happy Holidays and post-election peace! Here at “Review HQ,” the last few months have been nothing short of exhilarating and exhausting, making the prospect of slowing down a bit to enjoy holiday festivities even better this year. This is our December/January offering, the one time […]
In my last column, I presented the case for re-electing Mayor Paul Becker, a candidate with vision, leadership and proven results. As you know, I’ve attended nearly every council meeting, where I’ve personally witnessed both mayoral candidates in action. Having chosen to stay positive in this election and avoid […]
For reasons outlined here, I wholeheartedly endorse Mayor Becker and ask that you join me in re-electing him. In this election cycle, the mayor’s seat and three council seats are open. On the Council side, incumbents Criss Garcia and David Jesser, along with Steve Casaleggio are running unopposed—all are excellent candidates. […]
The Jackson County Courthouse which stands proudly at 206 N. 5th Street was constructed in 1883-1884 and served as the seat of county government until 1927. The two-story building is a wood frame structure made of brick and stone, constructed on the former site of Jacksonville’s Masonic Lodge. The building is in the “Italianate,” style, […]
This month, let me get right to the point—please join me in voting YES on two ballot measures to ban marijuana shops in the city limits. On page 18, you’ll find excerpted copies of the measures as they will appear on your November General Election ballot. I can’t understate the importance […]
A new upscale housing development at the entrance to historic Jacksonville now presents a unique opportunity for those interested in living within the environs of a vineyard setting. The Vineyards at Stage Pass project represents a vision by Stephen Gambee, CEO of Stage Pass Development, Inc. to create […]
Unless you’re living under a rock, you can’t help but notice this is “political” season in America! In the coming weeks, the mass media barrage will be in full-force as candidates vying for national, state and local offices hijack the airwaves and internet to convince us to vote “their way.”
Here in […]
In April, 2016, Rogue Valley residents Ken Snelling, Terry Rasmussen and Bill Anderberg, teamed-up to participate in the Face of America Ride, one of the largest annual non-competitive bicycle rides in the nation. With more than 600 riders, including nearly 135 injured veterans, the event draws and inspires thousands more participants, spectators and supporters.
In 2017, […]
Welcome to summer in the city…make that summer in the small town! Now that the Britt concert season is in full-swing and town is hopping with locals and visitors out and about, this is a great time of year to enjoy all that Jacksonville… and the Rogue Valley has to offer.
From […]
The city’s delay to expand its Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) has resulted in an unintended consequence with a marijuana farm being established just east of the city limits. This photo, taken the week of April 20, shows a fence being erected around a one-acre section of a larger, 30-acre parcel of […]
This month, our pages are overflowing with “what-to-do” hiking articles that will guide you to the best trail systems in Southern Oregon. Located in our own backyard and within minutes of town, we are literally surrounded by hiking trails, managed and maintained by the Jacksonville Woodlands Association, Forest Park Trails Association, […]
At its first meeting this year, the Jacksonville Budget Committee sounded the alarm about financial stress our public safety program faces in future budget years. For now, town finances are fine, but may not be be so fine starting in 2018. To gather public input, the City Council has scheduled a […]
When expressing My View, it’s always penned with a deliberate “end in-mind,” intent that what’s expressed will make a difference and possibly shape public policy. On that note, I’d like to share my thoughts on a matter of utmost importance that will impact Jacksonville’s future—marijuana.
On January 5 at its first meeting […]
Landon Moir of Jacksonville is a thoughtful young man who gives us reason to have faith in future generations. Following the family tradition, the 15-year-old freshman at Cascade Christian High School, is working on his Eagle Scout project—the creation of a community prayer and meditation pathway on the grounds of Jacksonville Presbyterian Church.
As the year comes to a close, I’d like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Looking back on 2015, I must admit it’s been a very productive, interesting, mostly fun and very busy year. On a sadder note, it’s also been a year that saw the […]
For 2015, it’s my sincere privilege to name and honor Rob Buerk and Steve Casaleggio as the Review’s Volunteers of the Year! Rob and Steve are driving forces behind the continued success of the Jacksonville Boosters Club and formed the leadership team that oversaw the restoration of the Peter Britt Gardens. In addition to club […]
As fall colors abound, much of our attention now turns toward celebrating the holidays, making this a good time to express my gratitude for those who make the Jacksonville Review possible. With an incredible team of volunteer contributors, Andrea and I are able to produce a magazine reflective of everyday life […]
Up until a few minutes ago, as I was channel-surfing to find the Oregon Ducks game on television, I thought this column was in the can. Not so fast, I said to myself as coverage of the Chilean earthquake appeared on-screen. Had I not seen the coverage, this column would have […]
At times, living and working in a small town brings unusual challenges that end-up producing extraordinary and unexpected results.
Reflecting back to early 2008, Jacksonville was stuck in the grips of a national economic recession that was taking a toll on businesses, large and small. It was the same year I took […]
As a publisher, I spend a fair amount of my time out and about walking and talking with locals and visitors – getting a feel for things on the ground is a part of my job and something I enjoy. Discussion topics run the gamut from family affairs to politics and […]
This year marks a milestone for Jacksonville Presbyterian Church as Pastor Larry Jung celebrated 30 years leading the church.
I just sat down to pen this column on a sunny Saturday morning, one day before the Summer Solstice. The weather is perfect so the office door is wide open, allowing the sights and sounds of Jacksonville to flood-in. Just now, I caught a glimpse of two 18-wheelers cruising by— not the normal gravel or […]
After sitting through the first meeting of “budget season,” it occurred to me that living in Jacksonville is a “bargain.” Please don’t get me wrong; I don’t like paying taxes any more than the next guy and certainly expect public employees to take their duties seriously by never wasting public money.
However, […]
It’s the time of year when the pages of the Review and our online calendars are filling-up with fun things to do as fast as our local wineries are running their bottling lines. With summer upon us, there’s a host of not-to-be-missed events and activities you’ll read about in this issue.
This […]
I’m at my desk typing this column—on a perfect spring day—thinking I should be taking a long walk on one of the Jacksonville Woodlands trails instead! It’s one of those days when it’s a shame to be indoors when there’s so much to see and do outside.
As I strolled into work […]
Last month, I had a 5-day “hall pass” to get out of town with my wife, Jo. Our trip to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show was primarily a jewelry buying trip for Jo’s in-town shop, but since I have family in Arizona, it also provided a […]
When I met Daniel and Matthew Root early on a November Saturday morning to interview them for this piece, I was immediately impressed with their demeanor and attitude…these guys didn’t possess the usual “teenage” vibe I run across all the time. Instead, I found myself face-to-face with two young men who looked me in the […]