Whitman Parker is Owner and Publisher of Jacksonville Review and Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazines. 
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 […]
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 […]