NOVEMBER has traditionally been a month for celebrating and giving thanks for the fall harvest and other blessings of the year. As Mayor, one thing I have been reflecting on is how thankful I am for the accomplishments that the city has achieved this year. None of […]
JACKSONVILLE’S DOWNTOWN is special because it feels alive. People stroll along California Street and see shops, cafés, and restaurants through big windows. The historic buildings are charming, but what makes them vibrant is what’s happening at street level.
The City already protects its historic architecture through zoning rules, design […]
DEAR PUBLISHER PARKER, Citizens of Jacksonville, and all the ships at sea,
As you know, we traditionally think of this column as a two-fisted (well, four-fisted, if you’re going to be picky about it) effort. For seventeen-odd (and some even odder) years, we’ve endeavored to enhance our little corner of this […]
ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE MOST about Southern Oregon is its four distinct seasons. While I can’t say I have a single favorite, I do have go-to activities for each. Fall is all about crisp air, colorful leaves, pumpkin harvests, cider brewing, and the comfort of a warm fire. […]
AS I SAT AT MY DESK over Labor Day weekend, to write my column for the October issue, I thought about how difficult it was to generate any enthusiasm writing about Fall activities with temperatures close to 100°. By the time this issue of the Jacksonville Review […]
THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX marks the transition from summer to fall, a time of preparation and forward planning. For Jacksonville’s Chamber of Commerce, this seasonal shift mirrors our own focus as we look ahead to the holidays, Victorian Christmas, and the beginning of a new year.
Over the summer, the Chamber’s efforts were […]
FROM TIME TO TIME, the entertainment industry hits upon a brilliant notion and begins to churn out product along those brilliant lines. Lots of product. Until eventually it runs out of fresh twists and begins to eat itself.
Or so it seems.
Recently, the television arm of the biz has stumbled, face […]
JACKSONVILLE HAS BEEN BUSY in 2025 updating its land use rules and city codes. These changes affect how people build, remodel, and plan for the future. Some updates deal with safety, like floodplains and wildfire risk. Others prepare the city for long-term growth through boundary planning and housing […]
ONE OF THE JOYS of living in Jacksonville is the sense of steadiness you feel walking down California Street. The historic buildings, the brick sidewalks, the same courthouse tower that’s stood for more than a century—time moves a little slower here. For many residents, that’s part of our town’s […]
LOOKING FOR A SPOT in Jacksonville that’s cozy, welcoming, and consistently open—even on a Monday? Look no further than The Wine Lounge at Jacksonville Inn, located at 175 E. California Street, Jacksonville, OR 97530. Whether you’re a longtime local, here for a weekend getaway, or enjoying a staycation […]
OUR FAVORITE RIVER to kayak is the Wood River, located about 90 minutes from Jacksonville in Klamath County. Nestled amid the pine-fringed slopes of the southern Cascades, the Wood River is an aquatic gem. Stretching just 18 miles from its headwaters to Agency Lake, this spring-fed waterway offers paddlers a […]
OREGON’S SHORTAGE of available homes, especially affordable homes, results from decades of building too little housing, which has led to a multitude of problems: a growing homeless population, unaffordable rents and Oregon median home prices over $500,000.
According to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, the state needs about […]
THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT (“OBBBA”) was signed into law on July 4th. There’s a lot to digest in this bill, which means it will certainly have an impact on households, small businesses, and our retirement plans right here in the Rogue Valley. Let’s break down some of […]
FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, Dr. Douglas Naversen has called Jacksonville home—a place where he’s built a thriving dermatology clinic, run countless miles, and built meaningful connections. You may have been fortunate enough to speak with Dr. Naversen, who has many stories to share about his life, or maybe […]
THROUGH OUR amazing powers of anticipatory perception, Dear Readers, we already detect you muttering, “Hey, Critics—haven’t you talked about television food shows before?”
Well, yes. But in our defense, please note that we’ve only mentioned food shows in passing while filling column inches about other stuff. We’ll be more specific this […]
THE PURCHASE AND RENOVATION of the historic U.S. Hotel by the BRITT Music & Arts Festival organization has seen great local interest and much conjecture. In the coming months, you will see the changes that accompany the renovation of a historic building. These will take form in […]
AS BRITT PREPARES to wrap up for the season, community is on my mind. For the last several months, we’ve welcomed tens of thousands of patrons to over 40 concerts and events, representing a wide demographic of ages, backgrounds, and interests. On nights when the stars shine and the […]
AS THE SUMMER ROLLS ON, the Chamber of Commerce continues to focus on promoting our unique, historic town to the Rogue Valley and throughout the Pacific Northwest using social media and our new website. Our marketing and advertising focuses on Jacksonville as a destination with “must-do activities” when visiting Southern Oregon. […]
I KNOW I usually write about wineries—but I had to take a detour to talk about Churro Rush, because this charming little spot in downtown Jacksonville absolutely deserves the spotlight. It may not be nestled among vineyards, but don’t worry—your glass won’t go empty. They serve wine, cider, […]
THIS SUMMER marks the last opportunity for visitors to descend to Crater Lake’s shoreline via the Cleetwood Cove Trail—the park’s only route to the water—before a major multi-year rehabilitation effort begins.
Since opening in 1960, the 1.1-mile Cleetwood Cove Trail—the only legal access to the water—has suffered from decades of wear […]
As music director, Huynh will serve as principal conductor of the BFO’s summer season, shape long-term artistic planning, and help expand the orchestra’s reach and relevance across Southern Oregon and beyond.
Jacksonville, OR – Wednesday, August 6, 2025: The Britt Music & Arts Festival announced today that American conductor Norman Huynh will become the fifth music […]
THE WILD AND SCENIC ROGUE RIVER is one of the most iconic waterways in the U.S. Designated in 1968 as one of the original eight under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, it remains protected and free-flowing, known for its stunning scenery, rich history, and abundant recreation.
The […]
Tuesday, July 22, 2025: Britt is proud to announce its second year of a special initiative to recognize and express gratitude to our region’s courageous firefighters/other fire personnel who play an integral role in protecting our community. As a gesture of appreciation, Britt is offering discounted Lawn tickets to the following upcoming shows: Dirtwire on […]
Do you like classic cars? Then mark your calendar for Saturday, August 2, 2025, when the Southern Oregon Historical Society will be displaying “Cars through History,” between 10am and 3pm, at SOHS Hanley Farm, located at 1053 Hanley Road in Central Point, just outside of Jacksonville.
This is not just another car show! Fifty cars will […]
IN A PAST LIFE, I was very active in the Arts Council of a small Northern California city. When asked why I was so involved, it was easy to answer. Art is an expression of life! Art is all around us, sometimes we don’t even notice it, […]
AUGUST IS UPON US, and with it 15 Britt shows and our fundraising gala to support the US Hotel capital campaign. It’s a big month! As always, there’s truly something for everyone this month, but there are a few highlights I want to share.
The August 8 show, Waxahatchee, is […]
THE PROTECTION of historic buildings is important to save history for future generations. Experiencing a space where history happened is crucial for fostering the shared connection that builds a stronger community.
Jacksonville is one of the best-preserved historic towns on the West Coast, designated as a National Historic Landmark […]
OREGON IS a phenomenal place to live. The quality of life in Southern Oregon and the community of the people who live here are both amazing. Oregon, however, is not a great place to die! Oregon is one of just a handful of states (16 states and Washington DC) […]
Summer is in its crescendo here in Jacksonville. The harmony between the magic of Britt and the timeless charm of our landmark town swells with vibrant energy. There is a happy synergy bringing residents and visitors into shared celebration.
The impressive line up of 15 Britt shows this August provides countless opportunities […]
AS DEDICATED Entertainment Geeks, we’ve reviewed movies, music, plays, weather, books, dogs, and, of course, TV. It seems the only topic we haven’t appraised is TV commercials.
Until now.
The commercials that (unfortunately) stick with us the most come from Big Pharma, possibly because they shell out Big Bucks to create jingles […]
WE’RE GETTING to that time of year when the sunshine lingers a little longer and the valley is buzzing with weekend guests, family visits, Britt concerts and impromptu adventures. And if you’re looking for that perfect spot to unwind with a glass of wine, host out-of-town friends, or […]
Step outside anywhere in Jacksonville and you’re likely to hear live music drifting through our historic streets. Our charming landmark town has earned its reputation as a musical haven, where world-class performances and intimate acoustic sessions create the perfect soundtrack to both everyday life and special occasions.
July brings the crown jewel […]
As spring transitions into summer across our beautiful Rogue Valley, Jacksonville’s 2025 Trolley Season rolls into full swing. Our cherished trolleys connect visitors and locals with the unique ambiance that only Jacksonville can provide during these perfect June days.
This season is the perfect opportunity to thank Brian Dunn for his service […]
AS MORE BUYERS consider rural properties for privacy and a slower pace of life, some encounter a common but unfamiliar feature: the private well. Unlike municipal water systems, private wells are managed by the homeowner—and that means buyers need to be proactive when it comes to understanding water […]
NEARLY ALL the businesses operating in Jacksonville are small businesses. That’s not unique—in fact there are over 33 million small businesses in the U.S. that employ roughly 60 million people (and account for 99% of the firms in the country!). Many business owners pour everything into their business and […]
ONE OF THE (possibly weird) things I adore about running arts organizations is flyby problem-solving. I often joke that we should gather arts administrators together, open a couple bottles of wine, and set out some of the world’s “unsolvable” problems. My bet is that at least one of them […]
THE JACKSONVILLE MASONIC LODGE, aka, Warren Lodge #10, is the oldest continuous fraternal organization in Jacksonville. As such, the lodge is intricately tied to the early history of Jacksonville. Many of the early settlers in Jacksonville had been members of a Masonic lodge before arriving and wished to continue this association. […]
THE PANDAMMIT OF 2020 changed the world of entertainment. It was a tedious period, during which we stopped visiting Places and Events that we’d long relished: Restaurants. Movie theaters. Music festivals. Backyard barbecues. Family gatherings. And, of course:
OSF: The renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival located a mere half-gallon of gasoline down […]
THE MONTH OF JULY in Jacksonville is always eventful. Our town is filled with visitors, annual activities, and school kids have been out and about for almost a month. The temperature keeps climbing, and fire season is upon us.
A favorite town activity is our Annual Mayor’s Hot […]
OUR WARM, SUNNY WEATHER has brought on our usual spring fever, enticing us to enjoy the pleasant outdoor activities available in Jacksonville. Folks are using our city parks, Jacksonville Woodlands, trails, dog park, skate park, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. It also seems to […]
Monday, June 16, 2025: Britt announces an update to its upcoming Britt Festival Orchestra concert, Lin Conducts Brahms & Korngold, taking place on Wednesday, June 18 at 8 PM at the Britt Pavilion. Violinist Blake Pouliot will now perform as the featured soloist, stepping in for William Hagen, who is unable to appear due to […]
EVEN BEFORE THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES last January, more homeowners were having difficulty finding insurance or facing extremely high costs. Homeowners across the country have been receiving non-renewal notices from their insurers, sending them scrambling to find new policies, usually at a much higher premium.
In Oregon, […]
WITH SUMMER’S ARRIVAL, things are ramping up here in Jacksonville! The Britt Festival is in full swing, and California Street will be lined with tourists. But even as life gets a little busy, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan ahead—especially when it comes to retirement. One tool we work […]
WE’RE GETTING TO THAT TIME of year when the Britt Festival is about to kick off—which means it’s prime time to discover the best spots in town for a drink or bite before the show. If you have kids (or not), The Miners’ Bazaar is a hidden gem […]
ANOTHER SEASON BEGINS this month, and I couldn’t be more excited! There’s a lot to look forward to, starting with The Hill is Where the Heart Is annual kickoff party on June 6. As always, this admission-free event is not only our thanks to you, our neighbors, but is […]
YOU, DEAR READER, have little reason to concern yourselves with the whims that flutter aimlessly through your Unfettered Critics’ brains at those rare moments when they’re not engrossed in pictures moving across a screen, big or small. Nevertheless, we’re audaciously going to pretend that you are interested, […]
COVID-19 WAS CHALLENGING, including the tragic deaths of so many people, the basic shutting down of our nation’s economy, and the two-year loss of education for our school kids. Also, hard hit by the pandemic were service clubs, and the Jacksonville Lions Club was no exception. Long-time member Jim Davidian relates, […]
Friday, April 11, 2025: Britt is delighted to share a number of exciting announcements with the community regarding this summer’s events. The time has come for Britt to release its final official list of shows for the 2025 summer season! This installment brings the summer season to a whopping 37 (29 Britt Live concerts and […]
AS THE SPRING SUN warms the landscape, the hills of Southern Oregon begin a quiet transformation. Oak trees unfurl their vibrant lime-green leaves, and the forest floor awakens in a dazzling display of wildflowers. By mid-April, the ground is carpeted with color—bright blue hound’s tongue, delicate purple shooting stars, white […]
Wednesday, April 30, 2025: Britt, Southern Oregon’s premier venue for live music and arts, announced its new brand and website this morning. Following a year of work with local community members, staff, board, and UK-based design firm Fiasco Design, Britt unveiled its brand new logo and website ahead of its 2025 season. The logo features […]