I have been reflecting lately on how many interesting activities we, and our visitors, enjoy in Jacksonville. My most recent thoughts of appreciation are of our partners: the Britt Music Festival, the Jacksonville Boosters, and our many Jacksonville volunteers who make many of these activities possible.
Britt’s latest […]
Forty-two.
Yes, it’s the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything. But more importantly, it’s the number of years since we first met Indiana Jones—archaeologist/professor/badass, with a bullwhip at his side and a well-worn fedora on his head.
Over the years, we’ve watched him battle his way through hostile natives, fascistic […]
Our saga of William T’Vault (or Tevault, or Teevault, depending on his current persona) is drawing to a close. An individual who regularly reinvented himself, we’ve traced T’Vault through legal and political careers in Indiana, Arkansas, and Oregon; a marriage to the supposed “granddaughter” of Daniel Boone; a jail break following […]
Easy Recipes from the Pot Rack – July 2023
So here we are with two serious questions; is a marionberry kinda like a blackberry (yes), and is a buckle the same thing as a cobbler (no). Bottom line on the berry question, not all blackberries are marionberries, but all marionberries are a type of blackberry. You […]
My son, Aidan, has been planning on attending the local university this fall. It’s been a long journey of many disappointments this past year, as my regular readers will recall. But just when we were settling into this next chapter, Aidan received an email. The arts conservatory on the East coast […]
I previously helped clients with the purchase of their first home. As a part of the due diligence process, I went into the planning department to inquire about permits on the property and any long-range plans for the area. I was told that the vacant lots next to […]
The housing market in the US and locally has been on an interesting journey, experiencing a large drop in demand, a limited supply of homes for sale, and a quick run-up of mortgage rates. The result has been somewhat predictable but not without a few major surprises.
Home Sales—The result […]
Asset allocation—it’s a term you may have come across in conversations with financial advisors, CPAs, estate attorneys, or while watching business news channels. But what exactly does it mean, and why is it important for your investments? This month let’s go back to basics and talk about portfolio construction.
At […]
This article is not written by a robot. At least, not yet. But we’ve all heard about the coming “artificial intelligence” revolution. ChatGPT, the language model now owned by Microsoft, has in just a matter of a few months exceeded 100 million users. But, unlike social media (which makes […]
“The Fed will keep raising rates until something breaks!” is an often-repeated Wall Street axiom. Well, this past quarter when Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failed, something broke. But can it be fixed?
The stress in the banking sector is not entirely surprising. Nearly all of us are aware that our […]
The song, “Summertime” by George Gershwin, written for the opera Porgy and Bess, reminds me of long, lazy summer days and nights. The line “summer time and the living is easy” might be written as “summertime and the living is busy” here in Jacksonville. With an influx […]
It’s been nine months since we parted company with William Green Hamilton T’Vault, aka TeVault or TeeVault, but that hasn’t prevented him from getting in trouble or reinventing himself. We’ll encourage you to go online and read the first two installments in the September and October 2022 editions of the Review.
In […]
(In which your Unfettered Critics attempt to convince Our Readers that meteorology can be a form of entertainment.)
“Sure hope it doesn’t rain on Ringo,” we recently took to saying. Our concerns weren’t so much for our favorite drummer as for ourselves. Sir Ringo would stay dry on the covered Britt […]
Britt is well underway, and there’s lots of updates on the hill! We’re composting our food waste this year, and at the end of the season all that compost will be used to fertilize our gardens and lawn. We have amazing food trucks to complement our longtime concessions vendor, […]
Easy Recipes from the Pot Rack – June 2023
This is a super easy recipe with very simple ingredients but… you can’t do it right until you’ve mastered the art of searing a large sea scallop. So pay attention!
Ingredients
12 large sea scallops (about 1-1.5 lbs) pssst… I buy 14 in case I screw a couple up.
Salt […]
You remember M.A.S.H., right? That viewer favorite ran for eleven seasons, an unusually long run, as most shows at the time said goodbye after six or seven seasons. Eleven wasn’t the record, of course—Gunsmoke had survived a then-unprecedented twenty seasons—but producers and marketing execs took note anyway. And today, a […]
“I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.” ~John O’Donahue
The following is a bit personal: more personal, even, than I normally am, which is quite a bit. But, after 13 years writing this column, I’m taking some liberties and honestly, vulnerable is […]
After you have entered escrow, you will receive a “preliminary title report” from the title company. Most of you are probably wondering: What is this, and why do I need it? The title report is the title company’s agreement to issue a title insurance policy for the property […]
Our rental company manages over 40 nightly and monthly furnished rentals in Jacksonville that are filled with guests from out of the area. Whether they are staying here for one night or for one month, they invariably ask, “What is there to do in Jacksonville?” After years of answering […]
It’s the beginning of summer and there’s a lot of activity in our little city. School will adjourn for the summer in a few days. Our children will be out and about, as will tourists and local folks, enjoying our beautiful weather. Please be aware that Jacksonville […]
Britt kicks off this month, and we start with a sprint! I hope by now you’ve heard about our neighborhood kick-off party on June 8: an admission-free concert for YOU, our fabulous neighbors. We’re calling it, “The Hill is Where the Heart Is,” and we’ll have three terrific local […]
Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Jacksonville, OR: Teddy Abrams, the widely-acclaimed music director of the Britt Festival Orchestra has announced his departure at the end of the 2023 season in July.
Abrams first joined the Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) in 2013 as Music Director and this summer marks his 10th season with the orchestra. In those 10 years, […]
There’s a new, intimate gathering spot in town. Perfect for a light nosh and cocktail with friends, it’s Courtney Christiansen’s SuraTini. Sura is Thai for “crafted alcohol” and tini means “right here.”
Courtney’s path to fruition has been a rocky one. “It’s a long story. Kind of a roller coaster. I signed my lease right before […]
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce has cooked up another delightful inaugural event for the merry month of May. Celebrate spring with the “Parade of Inns: A Walking Tour of the Charming Inns of Jacksonville,” on Sunday, May 21, from 1-5pm. Ticketholders can enjoy a self-guided walking tour of five of Jacksonville’s prominent historic inns plus […]
There are a few things everyone needs in their culinary wheelhouse. Good soup is one of them. The other is a basic Frittata. Why, because both are a terrific way to clean out your fridge and create something absolutely delicious. For breakfast, lunch or dinner… a frittata […]
If you are in the market to buy a home, a home appraisal is likely going to be an important part of the process, especially if you are getting a loan. An appraisal is a process where a licensed real estate appraiser determines what they believe to be […]
We’d been waiting for Britt’s last season announcement to finalize our summer plans. As soon as the announcement hit, we received emails from friends and family. The first one said, “Ringo Starr at Britt, really?” And, “Is Diana Ross really coming to Britt, and Train is my favorite band.” […]
As we cross seasons, I see a lot more folks out enjoying our spring weather. It is time to come out of hibernation and enjoy all Jacksonville has to offer. Where better to enjoy meals, shopping, scenery, education, entertainment, and community involvement than right here in Jacksonville? […]
FAR OUT! The Britt Festival has announced the entirety of their 2023 schedule, and, as expected, it’s a gas! Which is to say, it’s funky, and fab, and outtasight! We certainly dig it.
But then, we are—and we say this proudly—Boomers. Never thought that word would become synonymous with senior citizens, […]
Sumer is icumen in – lhude sing cuccu!
Groweth sed and bloweth med in springth wude nu.
Do you know this 13th century song? As the daughter of two music teachers, I grew up with so many weird, wonderful songs, and this one—about the music of cuckoos singing, meadows blooming, and […]
People often ask me what I like and dislike about being Mayor. I find I love many aspects of being the Mayor of Jacksonville. I have the opportunity to meet and get to know many of the people who live here. The element that can be difficult […]
When we think of cake with a touch of liquor in it, our minds might conjure up a rum cake. Last May I featured a Margarita cake which may have been my most viewed recipe. Today, I present Grand Marnier cake. Why? Because it’s delicious! And do […]
Happy April y’all!
It’s actually March and snowing as I write this, but I’m not buying into the deception. I can see the maple outside my office window covered in snug little buds. Spring is right around the 34º corner and I am in spring cleaning hyperdrive: scouring […]
Purchasing a home or a piece of land may be one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Knowing what land uses are allowed (and those that are not) is one of the most important things to do as part of your due diligence prior to purchasing the […]
Why do people go to the movies?
Prior to 2020, you probably would have answered, “For the experience of being entertained amidst a crowd of presumably like-minded individuals who will laugh or cry or gasp at the same time I do. And for the popcorn.”
These days, it’s more like: “I have […]
Southern Oregon is surrounded by three major mountain ranges—The Cascades, Siskiyous, and Coast Range, offering some of the best hiking in the United States. There are hiking trails out your back door such as the Jacksonville Woodlands, Jacksonville’s Forest Park, Ashland Watershed and Roxy Ann’s Prescott Park, that you […]
It has been a while since putting pen to paper for the Review. I have not stopped writing but since a good deal of what is on my mind makes some uncomfortable, out of respect for my old friend, Whit the publisher, who gets the brunt of the blow-back, […]
As you read this, we’re on the threshold of announcing our full lineup for the season—or, if you’re like me and you’re reading your Jacksonville Review over coffee on the weekend, you’ve already seen our big news. I’m pinching myself about this season’s roster—it’s a great one.
But as I […]
“Pelvic floor physical therapy is very exciting and rewarding,” says Amanda Falkena, specialist at Jacksonville Physical Therapy. I met with Amanda to learn about the emerging field of pelvic floor health and the fresh hope that physical therapy offers.
Amanda is dedicated to using her training to tackle common issues that plague both men and women—challenges […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce the first installment of Britt Presents music & comedy concerts for the 2023 summer season. The first of two season announcements, this group of shows features a wide array of musical artists, including first-time-to-Britt country artists Kelsea Ballerini and Elle King, plus returning artists Diana […]
Easy Recipes from the Pot Rack – March 2023
Spring is just around the corner so I decided to give you something SPRINGY. Vietnamese Spring Rolls are one of those things you see in restaurants and think “I could never make that!” But I’m here to tell you, you can. Easy peasy lemon squeezy recipe that […]
The swallows have returned, and spring bulbs pop with color. Wildflowers pepper the woodland trails, and the general feelings of restlessness and excitement can only be blamed on spring fever, a tolerable malady. Spring is here at last—a time to celebrate life and the creative flow.
Saturday, March 18, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is bringing […]
“Catch the vigorous horse of your mind.” ~Zen saying
I used to ride a wonderful horse named Sampari, or Sam for short. Sammy was an Arabian, which means that Sammy liked to bolt. If a bird startled him, or the wind blew, or a fly went by, he would react. He could […]
That’s the question on everyone’s minds lately, as a recent decline in mortgage rates has convinced some buyers to start looking again. But there are a few other factors that may keep buyers out of the market.
Redfin recently stated that mortgage applications are up 28% from early November. […]
The middle of winter is always a good time to plan ahead and most of us love to think of travel or garden projects. Recently, I participated in a discussion of another area that requires some planning.
One of the most important areas to prepare for is something […]
The Inflation Reduction Act is the most ambitious legislation ever enacted in the US to combat climate change. Among other things, it will invest $369 billion encouraging businesses and individuals to cut carbon emissions through a series of tax credits. If you are a homeowner, you should read this […]
What makes a good investor? There is no single answer to that question. Some people would say that “luck” is the best course of action, while (similarly) others might say “timing.” We would agree! These definitely are keys to success, but unfortunately they are not something that we can […]
We’re only weeks away from spring, and I’m desperate for flowers, sun, and the return of outdoor events and meals. Luckily, as you’re reading this, our Britt team is putting the finishing touches on our March show announcement—a true harbinger of the summer to come!
Long ago and far away, as we cheerfully informed friends that we’d purchased a home in distant Jacksonville, Oregon, a few surprised us by responding with a curious familiarity. “I once spent a whole day exploring the Jacksonville Cemetery,” recalled a dear friend in New Mexico. And from our tax […]
MEDFORD, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2023 season, anchoring Oregon’s Britt Music and Arts Festival with three weeks of exciting open-air programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director […]