Whitman Parker is Owner and Publisher of Jacksonville Review and Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazines. 
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 […]
It’s hard to believe this is the final issue of 2014…I’m wondering where the year has gone! I’d like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and express my sincere thanks to our readers, contributors and advertisers for helping make this our best year ever! As with every issue, my Production […]
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 […]
This is City Council election season in Jacksonville—ballots for the November, 2014 General Election will be mailed-out by Jackson County Elections Division on October 17.
Mark your calendars for October 16, from 6:00–7:30pm, when the Jacksonville Review will host a “Meet the Candidates Forum” at the Naversen Room at the Library—Jacksonville voters […]
Wow, What a Summer!—Several people/groups deserve our thanks for helping make this a fun and interesting summer: Donna Briggs and her team at Britt Festivals for an outstanding season, Maestro Teddy Abrams whose non-stop energy and enthusiasm reignited the Britt Classical Festival and helped set attendance records, Angela Warren, Britt’s Director of Performing Arts, the […]
On a bright Friday morning in early May, I was standing in-line alongside Joelle Graves surrounded by others waiting to get inside a local estate sale. This time, it was the estate of Marjorie Edens, one of Jacksonville’s most beloved residents who had recently passed away, years before her time.
Bumping […]
Although I could fill this page with commentary related to Jacksonville politics, I thought I’d give it a rest for a month and talk about something far more interesting and fun—the Britt Classical Season, now in full-swing.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to a few friends for their vision, leadership and contributions to our community—Mel & Brooke Ashland, Rob Buerk, Steve Casaleggio and Donna Briggs.
Rob Buerk & Steve Casaleggio
In the […]
If you’re considering running for one of 3 open seats in the November, 2014 election, NOW is the time to get started ...
On June 23, Jacksonville Mayor Paul Becker issued a proclamation regarding the use of “sandwich board” signs...
On June 23, Mayor Paul Becker issued a “proclamation,” effectively permitting downtown business owners...
A 10-ton piece of Jacksonville history came rolling home on Saturday, June 14, when the Rogue River Valley Railroad...
Jacksonville was THE place to be on June 7, 2014, as hundreds packed the streets for a day of fun at the annual Taste of Summer festival.
Each summer Rogue Valley families open their homes and their hearts to music. Begun in 1963, the Britt Classical Festival host family...
Watch this video from FiveOn5 dated, June 5, 2014 - with Carolyn Kingsnorth of Historic...
An army of 70+ volunteers from the Britt Society descended on Britt Hill on June 8 for a day-long project...
Now in its fourth year, the Jacksonville Farmers Market has become a hit with locals who appreciate the freshest farm...
It’s now “summer in the city” as the pace of our small town life picks-up and town bustles with events and activities galore! From the Taste of Summer Celebration, incredible Britt concerts on the Hill, the Historic Home and Garden Tour, to our charming Farmers Market and so much more, this is high season and our time in the sun.
On Friday, May 30, members of the Jackson County Search and Rescue Team will be...
Can you feel the buzz in the air…the energy as our micro-town emerges from its winter slumber? This month and all summer long, there are so many events and positive things happening—thanks to great people who are making a difference.
Starting in May, anyone interested in history is in for a treat as multiple seasonal events […]
On March 18, the City Council formally voted to move Jacksonville’s city offices to the Historic Courthouse. Although I still believe that city offices are not the highest and best use of the building, I’m now on-board and look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve talked about the incredible volunteers making Jacksonville a wonderful place to live. At the Review, I’m fond of saying, “the ‘V’ in Jacksonville is for “volunteer!” On February 18, I was thrilled when Mayor Paul Becker presented Dirk Siedlecki with the 2013 “Person of the Year” award.
Welcome to the Year of the Horse! As we’ve been doing for nearly six years now, this issue of the Review is packed with news and information on what’s happening in our little corner of the world...
I’d like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and express my sincere thanks for making 2013 another wonderful year here at the Review!
Not long ago, I wrote a column decrying the use of social media, going so far as to say...
On September 20, I attended a seminar at Medford City Hall on earthquake preparedness...
This month, the Review celebrates our local merchants and the local grape harvest with features and articles on both topics.
As Summer gives way to Fall, I’m looking forward to cooler days and hoping for blue skies overhead. This summer was unusual with extreme bursts of heat coupled with smoke-filled skies from nearby forest fires—both put a damper on all sorts of outdoor activities and commerce. For many local businesses, the economic consequence of reduced […]
The Question of the Courthouse…My Opinion by Jacksonville Review Publisher Whitman Parker.
This month, I thought I’d give-up my column space to focus on one of my favorite Jacksonville volunteers, Dirk Siedlecki.
Thank you Jacksonville! It’s hard to believe this July 2013 issue marks my 5-year anniversary as Publisher of the Review...
It’s finally here…summer, that is!