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 […]
Thursday, July 11, 2024: Britt Music and Arts Festival is proud to announce a special initiative to recognize and express gratitude to our region’s courageous firefighters who play an integral role in protecting our community. As a gesture of appreciation, Britt is offering two complimentary tickets to each firefighter for one of the following upcoming […]
SUMMER IS UPON US and the best way to enjoy it is to head outdoors to soak up the long, warm days and nights. Get your shorts, sandals, sunscreen and sunglasses on, uncover your boats and boards, and enjoy our favorite 10 Summer Outdoor Activities.
Outdoor Music—At the heart of Jacksonville […]
I AM WRITING IN OPPOSITION of the proposed 2 shotgun lot partitions that would fragment this Historic Touvelle property at 455 N. Oregon St.
The Frank Touvelle House and its entirety is an Historic Icon located on a specifically important corner of the entrance to the Jacksonville Cemetery, both playing a meaningful role in our “NATIONAL […]
Britt Season!
Just entered the start of Britt Season!
It suddenly occurs
We’ve written not one word…
About it!
Britt Season!
Say it loud and there’s music playing.
Say it soft and…and…well, there’s music playing then, too.
OKAY, MOVING ON. It’s late—July already. That beautiful stage on the hill has been sweetly resonant for weeks, with the Britt […]
IMAGINE JETTING OFF to your dream destination without paying a dime for flights or hotel stays. Sounds too good to be true? Think again! With the right airline and hotel credit cards, you can turn those daydreams into reality. These cards offer a variety of rewards, from free flights and […]
Straight up I’m going to be honest and admit I borrowed this recipe from King Arthur Baking Company because it’s perfectly great and perfectly easy. I’ve used this recipe for years and it never fails. Plus, you can doll it up like I’ve done by adding edible […]
AS A PARENT of a 15-year-old, learning to drive has been an adventure. Recently, when we were sitting in traffic I said to my daughter, “If traffic makes you upset, just remember that you are part of the problem!” It is often helpful to think of our individual impact […]
THE BRITT SEASON is well underway, and I hope you’ve joined us for an event or two (or more)! Highlights for me already have included our neighborhood kickoff party, The Hill is Where the Heart Is; witnessing two amazing conductors leading the orchestra; and of course, the magical experience […]
June 20, 2024
Dear Editor,
As the Postmaster of Jacksonville, Oregon I am writing to express the unwavering commitment of our postal staff to serving our wonderful community. With the 4th of July approaching, a time when we celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedoms we cherish, it is also a fitting moment to reflect on the […]
MY FAMILY AND I just came back from a fantastic European trip where we explored Germany, Switzerland, and France. Although we adored the City of Light, the highlight of our journey was the 8 days leading up to Paris. During this time, we ventured out of our comfort zone, rented […]
JUST THE OTHER DAY, one of us was saying that he’d like to see a good caper movie, like The Sting, or Ocean’s Eleven. Something with a lot of action that raises adrenalin levels and makes you think. Coincidentally, Netflix sent us an ad boasting about a bunch of “action-packed […]
Summer dining is a wonderful time of year with fresh ingredients easily available. For me, it’s a time to combine ingredients that just work when they’re together. I often give more thought to my side dishes than I do the main course. Here are three favs that […]
I RECENTLY HAD A BIRTHDAY. A big one. An “oof” one. Birthdays are a mini, private New Year’s event; you tend to review the past and think about your dreams for the future. In my contemplations leading up to the day, I discovered, to my chagrin and unhappiness, that my future […]
THERE ARE FEW HOMEOWNERS that would be willing to purchase a home without homeowner’s insurance. However, there is a growing number of homeowners in Oregon who are facing higher annual premiums or have had their policies canceled when they came up for renewal, with some insurers no longer […]
CUTLER ADVISES OVER 2000 INDIVIDUALS. As you can imagine, we have clients across the political spectrum. And they are all worried about the election. Democrats are worried about Trump, Republicans are worried about Biden, and Independents are worried about both of them! As we get asked on a daily […]
LIVING IN SOUTHERN OREGON means we get to enjoy all four seasons. However, our summer season can be a cause for worry, with the danger of wildfires. Summer thunderstorms, wind, warmer temperatures, and carelessness, are the main causes of fire in our area. We aim to help […]
WITH THE PENDING SALE OF JACKSONVILLE’S U.S. HOTEL, a cornerstone of the town’s National Historic Landmark District and the first building to undergo major restoration in the 1960s, it seems appropriate to revisit the 19th Century larger-than-life character most associated with this 1880 landmark—Madame Jeanne DeRoboam Laugier Guilfoyle Holt.
Born in Bordeaux, […]
FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS, Britt’s board and staff have been working behind the scenes on our new strategic plan, outlining all our big dreams for the next five years. After 8 months of drafts and revisions, the plan was unanimously approved last month, and we’re thrilled to start […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival has announced its full line up for the 2024 season, and all shows are now on sale to the general public. Shows newly added to this final general public on-sale include legendary hip-hop duo Atmosphere, folk artists Ray LaMontagne & Gregory Alan Isakov, and award winning soul […]
THE EXCITEMENT for the coming season at the Britt Festivals continues to grow. To add to the already extraordinary events, the festival has added “Art at the Britt.” During the Classical Season, eight Fine Artists will display their art in the lower Britt Garden area prior to the concerts and during […]
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the second-annual Parade of Inns on Sunday, May 19, from 1:00-5:00pm. Six beautiful historic Jacksonville inns have graciously agreed to participate: Jacksonville Inn, Kubli Haus, Magnolia Hotel, McCully House Inn, Orth House Inn and TouVelle House Bed and Breakfast.
This event invites ticket holders to […]
Lemon anything is a personal favorite of mine. Now, mix a little lemon with mascarpone and whipping cream and I am swooning. If you are looking for a decadent and delicious spring recipe that you can make in advance… look no further. Please note, this is a […]
I REALLY ENJOY talking to people who are new to Jacksonville or just in town for a weekend vacation. Frequently, they ask me about a good place to eat. Here are a few suggestions for Jacksonville restaurants that are owned and operated by locals who pour their heart and soul […]
IT’S NOT AS THOUGH our TV is always on.
Granted, it’s active most evenings, as we watch a movie, or a favored weekly program.
But during the daytime…
Okay, okay—it’s on then too—providing comforting background noise to our daily activities, like waves slapping a pristine shore, or soft breezes rustling leaves of forest […]
ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S recent debut of “Icon of the Seas” —the biggest ship in the world—inspired me to write about one of my favorite topics this month: cruising!
As many of you may know, a cruise can be an amazing vacation option, offering many benefits that cater to both seasoned travelers and […]
IF YOU’RE LOOKING to talk with someone about concerns in your life, it can be hard to know what to look for. The options are daunting. Should you find a counselor? Coach? Psychologist? All those letters after the names are like alphabet soup. What do they even mean?
Let’s break this down […]
SELLER FINANCING can be a useful tool when mortgage loans are difficult to qualify for or when interest rates are high. This alternative type of loan may help sellers move their home faster and get a considerable return. Buyers can benefit with typically less rigid qualifying requirements, sometimes […]
SPRING IS IN THE AIR, and this is a time when investors often say “Should I sell in May and go away?” There are always concerns bubbling to the surface for investors, but ultimately staying committed to your investment strategy has generally proven to be the most prudent strategy. […]
SOME THOUGHT-PROVOKING agenda items were on a lengthy City Council Meeting, held on April 2, 2024. I felt this Council meeting showed the City Council, and the audience members who spoke that night, at their best. Reasoned, measured, and respectful comments were offered by all.
The first item […]
IT’S A SPRING SYMPHONY in the woodlands surrounding Jacksonville. The string section—Douglas firs, Ponderosa Pines, flowering big leaf maples, and the majestic madrones—swells around us with a fresh wash of greenery. Oregon grapes, hazelnuts, wild roses, snowberry sword ferns, miner’s lettuce, and white flowering buck brush comprise the lush […]
April welcomes back the much-anticipated arrival of spring and delivers vibrancy of color and possibility. Artist and Gardener, on the corner of Main and 3rd Street similarly welcomes all seasons and visitors with a delightful display of colorful local art, a wide range of tastefully-curated gifts and an absolutely lovely hidden […]
Monday, April 8, 2024, JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce the next slate of 12 Britt Presents shows for the 2024 summer season. With more announcements to come, this group of shows features a wide array […]
This handy make-ahead recipe works as a delicious brunch item or if you’re looking for an easy supper, you can simply add some shredded chicken to the party. This is even more scrumptious if you put it together the day before you bake it. For all of […]
JUST ABOUT ANYONE will tell you that there is not enough housing in Oregon, which drives up the price of everything. Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek has said addressing that problem is a big priority for her, and now, the Oregon Legislature is delivering.
In January 2023, Governor Kotek issued […]
I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT the era of last-minute travel deals as a cost-effective option is pretty much over. In today’s travel landscape, booking in advance is a smarter strategy to grab better deals and ensure you get the vacation you really want.
Whether planning a cruise, booking a hotel, […]
AS YOU THINK ABOUT planning your retirement expenses, Medicare plays an essential role. This US government healthcare plan, established in 1965, serves as the insurance plan for over 65 million Americans. Medicare can be very confusing, with significant penalties for missed deadlines. For those who have not yet signed […]
THE HISTORIC TOWN OF JACKSONVILLE has become the undisputed leader of the Music Scene in Southern Oregon. This tiny town established the birth of the Southern Oregon music scene with the Britt Festival, but today, live music can be heard in establishments all over town and at the wineries and […]
“APRIL IS THE CRUELEST MONTH,” T.S. Elliot wrote in The Waste Land. He was right, at least about the month’s first day, abused as “April Fool’s Day.” We’re not big fans of the all-too-common practice of jokers attempting to draw attention to themselves by playing foolish pranks upon any and […]
ON A RECENT TRIP to the southwest, I realized that post-COVID, I had forgotten how much I missed traveling. I love exploring new places, visiting old favorites, enjoying the wonderful cuisine of different areas, and having adventures I don’t normally experience at home. I was amazed by […]
BRITT IS ONLY DAYS AWAY from its final announcements and presale. I love this time of year—not least because I can finally stop keeping the amazing secrets of our lineup! The work that happens behind the scenes to book a Britt season starts around a year in advance, so […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce the next slate of six Britt Presents shows for the 2024 summer season. While there are more announcements to come, this group of shows features a wide array of musical artists, including first-time-to-Britt country artists Chris Young and Randy Houser, Jamaican reggae […]
Jacksonville has so much to celebrate and so many wonderful individuals to honor during Women’s History Month.
Historically, small towns are defined by the culture of their Main Street. Jacksonville’s California Street is so much more than the center of our historic landmark town. It is so much more than our visual […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) announces its 2024 season, with three weeks of exciting outdoor programming in historic Jacksonville, Oregon, June 13 – 29, 2024. Under the leadership of Artistic Advisor Peter Bay and Guest Conductor Alexandra Arrieche, the Orchestra’s 62nd season highlights film music alongside beloved classical favorites. The season features […]
The topic of the hour this month has been the wild turkeys in Jacksonville. A number of residents have complained bitterly about the turkeys on social media; specifically, that Jacksonville has too many of them; residents feed the turkeys, and they are becoming nuisances and more aggressive. Of course, there are many people, like myself, […]
CARTOONIST DAVID SIPRESS NAILED IT with his recent illustration in the The New Yorker, titled “Two Baby Boomers Watch the Grammys.”
Two old geezers (Hey, that’s us!) sit on a sofa in front of their telly, watching the festivities. The individual thought bubbles above their heads read, “Who?” “Who?” “Who?” And […]
I was chatting with a friend in my shop recently about Easter dinner ideas and he mentioned lamb and how intimidating it is to prepare. Huh? It is? I’m here to tell you there is nothing easier or more elegant than a gorgeous rack of lamb. And […]
WHETHER YOU’RE THINKING OF SELLING in the next six months or a few years down the road, remodeling with return on your investment in mind is a smart financial move. Few investments recoup more than 100% of their cost, but collectively, there are several inexpensive home improvements that […]