JANUARY 24, 2025, JACKSONVILLE, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2025 season, with three weeks of exciting outdoor programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon, June 12 – 28, 2025. Under the leadership of four guest conductors, Damon Gupton (June 12-13); Chia-Hsuan Lin (June 15-18); Roberto Kalb (June 21-23); and Normal Huynh (June 26-28) […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — December 9, 2024 —Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce four extraordinary guest conductors who will lead the Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) during the 2025 classical season. Chia-Hsuan Lin, Roberto Kalb, and Norman Huynh will each conduct two performances during the festival’s renowned three-week classical series in June 2025. Damon Gupton […]
WINTER IN SOUTHERN OREGON is the time to enjoy holiday celebrations, skiing on snow-covered mountains, ice fishing on frozen alpine lakes, storm watching on the wild coastline or sipping wine by a warm fire. In addition to Victorian Christmas here in Jacksonville, Southern Oregon provides winter activities for everyone…here […]
I hear so many stories of the magical alignment of circumstance that brings people here and am grateful for the gift of my own instant soul recognition of Jacksonville as “home.” Common threads that weave through these stories are immediate visual delight, the profound sense of belonging once the decision […]
BUYING A HOME is a significant investment and the process of purchasing a home is filled with both stress and excitement. Once you enter into escrow on your dream home, it’s easy to focus on the more visible aspects such as the layout, location, and overall aesthetics. […]
The cold weather has set in and it’s time to light the fire and enjoy simple meals that fill us with superb nutrition and love. This clean and pleasing recipe is so satisfying, you’ll make it many times before spring arrives. The origins of this dish […]
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. A good financial advisor helps you plant that tree.” ~Warren Buffett
FOR OVER 10 YEARS, we have used this space to discuss a variety of money issues. From market updates, tax changes, political events, […]
HISTORIC JACKSONVILLE, INC. is in the holiday spirit, which does tend to include some holiday spirits, so stories of beer, whiskey, and early Jacksonville saloons is the subject of this month’s Pioneer Profile. Gold rush Jacksonville became known as “saloon city,” reputedly having as many as 36 saloons. Keep in […]
INTRODUCING the force behind the Chamber is an absolute honor and the most important part of the first, official, written introduction in my role as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Brian Dunn, President and visionary of the Wine Trolley and Jacksonville Holiday Trolley Lights Tour is the owner of […]
“’TIS THE SEASON” at the Southern Oregon Historical Society’s Hanley Farm and we’re inviting you to join us in celebrating!
WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP—Once you’ve finished your post-Thanksgiving “Black Friday” shopping, head over to Hanley Farm on Saturday, November 30. From 11am to 3pm, we will be offering our annual wreath-making […]
AFTER A BUSY YEAR here at City Hall and in Jacksonville, it’s time to say goodbye to 2024. Our fall season was spectacular, and we are feeling the relief of fire season being over for the year. As so often happens in the Rogue Valley, it […]
RECENTLY we were drifting through Art Presence admiring an exhibit of locally-crafted artwork, when a woman looked up from a chair in a corner and calmly stated, “I’m waiting to see what you say about Wolfs.”
Really.
Let us step back for a moment. We always enjoy encountering you, Dear Readers, […]
Tuesday, September 3, 2024: Britt Music & Arts Festival is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the historic U.S. Hotel building, a landmark in downtown Jacksonville, Oregon. This significant purchase underscores Britt’s ongoing commitment to preserving local heritage while enhancing cultural and artistic experiences for the community.
The U.S. Hotel building, constructed in 1880, has been […]
IT’S MY FAVORITE MONTH OF THE YEAR, and a perfect time to take stock of the many fortunes and blessings of 2024. Another Britt season has come and gone, and I’m grateful for the fabulous time we had with all of you on the Hill! Our live summer shows […]
AN INCREASINGLY COMMON TV TROPE has ripened into our favorite TV trope.
We hope that provocative sentence has prompted you to ask two questions. #1: What the heck is a trope? and #2: What favorite TV trope is that?
To answer your first question, a trope is an overused device, or stereotype. […]
AS WE NEAR THE END OF 2024, we are starting to wind down the year and enjoy the fall. We are looking forward to the holiday season and all that entails for us individually. Our election year is finally over, thank goodness, and we have a head […]
SO FAR IN 2024, the S&P 500 has hit a new all-time high 44 times. And even though California Street is a long-way from Wall Street, at Cutler we have a great deal of gratitude for this extended bull market. After all, stock ownership in the US has never […]
LIVING IN THE COUNTRY is a dream for many. If you have not purchased or lived on rural property, there are many unique considerations to be aware of. When buying in a city or town, it is generally easier to determine allowed uses of the property, boundaries, and […]
Oh my goodness I can’t think of a yummier treat on a fall day then a tasty apple fritter! These little bites are easy and fun and make a great snack for the kiddo’s or a respectable dessert served with a side of vanilla ice cream. Easier […]
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE MOST about Southern Oregon is its four distinct seasons. I can’t say I have a favorite, but I do have favorite activities for each. Fall is the season of crisp, cool weather. The season when pumpkins and squash are harvested, ciders are brewed, and […]
In this time filled with elections and the uncertainty that accompanies the season, I am deeply grateful for the stability of life in our historic landmark town. To feel gratitude for and confidence in the leadership of our city government and throughout our community feels like a privilege.
Our mayor and city […]
Monday, October 7, 2024: Britt Music and Arts Festival is excited to announce a special discount for students in the community. The Britt season typically lasts from June to September, but the 2024 season is wrapping up a little later than usual with the final concert happening on October 14 featuring soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka […]
How many of you out there have a memory that revolves around homemade cabbage rolls? I sure do! My Grandma and I would roll them together every fall when I was just a wee kid. I love the slightly sweet (thanks to the brown sugar) and slightly […]
TREES IN JACKSONVILLE are protected after reaching a certain size; these trees are considered “Resource” trees, defined as any tree with a circumference equal to or greater than 12 inches diameter at breast height. There are also protection standards for multi-stem trees and the topping of any live […]
WHAT WANTS TO HAPPEN?
I frequently pose this question to clients who have come to the end of something but aren’t sure what’s next. “What wants to happen?” takes you out of your head and into your intuition, into an awareness of the subtle energies that are always flowing. When we align […]
AS I SIT DOWN TO WRITE MY COLUMN this month, I’m feeling very optimistic. There is a feeling of excitement in the air that I’m trying to put my finger on. I believe I’m feeling the changes in the weather. We are starting to feel the crisp […]
WE ADMIT IT. We’ve spent the summer complaining too much about the weather. You’ve probably wondered when the heck your Unfettered Critters would get back to their primary gig: complaining about—no, no, critiquing! —Entertainment. Yeah. We wondered, too. We’ve missed it. So, what’s been stopping us?
Well, we’ve had an unwelcome […]
IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, you’ve heard or read a fair bit from me about the acquisition of the United States Hotel building. What I’ve yet to share, though, is how that building purchase fits within the greater context of our vision for Britt in its next chapter: the […]
WITH THIS MONTH’S ISSUE being all about Health and Wellness in Jacksonville, it seemed like a perfect time to talk about Wellness Travel, which is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after vacation styles—and it’s not hard to understand why.
Imagine trading in the usual hustle and bustle of popular tourist […]
Imagine taking all the bounty from your garden and putting it in one delicious and complete dish? I think that’s just summer in your tummy! This one pan dish can be a used as a luscious side or grab a nice locally sourced loaf of sourdough and […]
A LOVELY, PHILOSOPHICAL CONVERSATION with a friend today got me thinking about the idea of receiving and being received. I never felt very received when I was growing up, not by my family and not by my peers. I was and am extremely sensitive, a deep thinker, and an even deeper […]
BUYING A HOME is one of the largest financial transactions most people will undertake. As I explained in last month’s article, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reached a settlement agreement in March which took effect August 17, 2024, and will impact anyone buying or selling a home.
The […]
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~Benjamin Franklin
WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HEALTH, we often hear the importance of regular check-ups, balanced diets, and exercise routines. But what about our financial health? Just like our physical well-being, our financial health requires regular attention and care. […]
“There are places I’ll remember, all my life,
though some have changed. Some forever, not for better.
Some have gone and some remain.”
~John Lennon, “In My Life.”
WE’VE COME TO THE CONCLUSION that Jacksonville is the center of the universe. Or at least our universe. We love the fact that—assuming you […]
For a tiny town, Jacksonville’s access to a spectrum of wellness resources is extraordinary. This September issue is a testament to many wonderful factors, opportunities and insights that contribute to our unique and optimal environment for well-being at any age.
While the natural beauty, temperate climate, and the extensive trail system just […]
SUMMER IS WINDING DOWN, and with it our annual shows on the Britt hill. There are still a handful of amazing concerts this month—plus one extra-special show on October 14!—and it’s been a pleasure to spend summer with all of you in our beautiful concert hall under the stars!
People […]
EARLY FALL IN JACKSONVILLE means school is back in session—making this a good time to be aware of our younger citizens, as they walk and bike to school. Remember, some of them are too short for you to see, especially if you drive a big SUV or […]
WHEN I MOVED HERE over 20 years ago, what attracted me was the beauty of the mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes. The plentiful outdoor activities allowed me to focus on my passion for hiking, kayaking, biking, rafting and living outdoors.
As I’ve aged, I find myself with the added focus of […]
CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK is the “Gem of the Cascades” and a marvel that can be explored in a single day with a well-planned itinerary. The lake is considered the cleanest large body of water in the world; its water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color. There […]
When photographer Martina Patella suggested “the dog days of summer” as the theme for the August cover, the assignment inspired me to curate a celebration of the dogs of Jacksonville.
As we shared photos of the sweetest faces and stories from dog owners who were full of adoration and affection, Review publisher, […]
This is the season when Jacksonville’s quaint authenticity is elevated to an even higher level of charm by the sights and sounds of two trolleys.
The tried-and-true Narrated History Trolley is a delightful ride around town through key architectural landmarks. This family-friendly activity is a mandatory assignment for every local and a […]
LIVING ON CALIFORNIA STREET, we have a front row seat to the signs of summer. As the days become longer and warmer, we notice how the sidewalks are filling with tourists, wine tasters, shoppers and locals enjoying the town. Rebel Heart Books has a bank of windows open to the […]
THE RECENT NAR SETTLEMENT has been a hot topic in the media, triggering discussions about potential changes in the real estate market. Considerable misinformation has been reported, which has created confusion over what will happen in the real estate industry.
In this article, I will go over the two […]
“TO INFINITY, AND BEYOND!” In the Toy Story movies, Buzz Lightyear believes he can set a course to infinity. Buzz, of course, is a “space explorer” misplaced here on Earth with a cast of misfit toys. Perhaps Buzz is also an investor in NVIDIA. After all, the stock price […]
WE KICKED OFF JULY with our annual Mayor’s 4th of July Hot Dog Picnic! This event was started in 2017 by former Mayor Paul Becker, as a way to thank the folks in Jacksonville for their continued support of the city. I have continued the tradition for […]
Other than my dog Ina, I have three favorite dogs that I absolutely love – to eat. Hot Dogs! Each of these dogs has a unique origin story as well as tried and true toppings. Lets dig in!
The Chicago Dog
Origin: The World’s Fair in 1883 kicked-off a […]
IT’S HIGH SUMMER on the hill, and we’re having such fun already. We’ve enjoyed the fabulous Britt Festival Orchestra; welcomed legends like Willie Nelson and Ziggy Marley; enjoyed belly laughs with cast members from Whose Line Is It Anyway; and so much more. Despite extraordinarily hot weather, we’ve danced […]
TRAVELING is one of life’s greatest pleasures, offering us the chance to explore new cultures, savor exotic cuisines, and create important memories that really do last a lifetime. But while you and/or your travel agent are busy planning your dream vacation, there’s one crucial aspect you shouldn’t overlook: travel insurance. […]
BACK IN THOSE HEADY DAYS when groups like The Doobie Brothers and Three Dog Night were but burgeoning hopefuls, one of us Unfettered types harbored similar rock ‘n’ roll proclivities, and wrote a lyric that went: Everybody talks about the weather/But nobody does nothin’ about it (cha, cha, cha). The […]
This winter, when the Board of Directors revised the Chamber of Commerce’s mission statement, “vibrant” was an elusive aspiration during particularly dismal days for many of our businesses. The 2024 shoulder season felt distinctly discouraging and that period of time was darkened by the cloudy overwhelm of entrepreneurship.
Flash forward to the […]