This summer has been a particularly fecund one for birds in my world. We’ve been surrounded by nests of blue jays, robins, and spotted towhees (which I call grackles—I can’t tell you why, but I like the name quite a lot). The bird babies are fledging now, which is a perfect, […]
There’s no feeling quite like the hot summer air cooling as the sun sets behind the madrones and ponderosa pines. Friends, both longtime and new, laugh and chatter until the applause swells to welcome an artist to the stage. We experience the music together, accompanied by crickets and birds […]
Cole Porter had it right. It’s too darn hot… to sup, fill the cup, or engage in any of the usual (ahem) shenanigans with your honey during this hot, hot, hot summer.
Our suggestion: boost the air conditioning, and stream, baby, stream—on the web, that is. Whether it’s a movie you […]
In last month’s Jacksonville Review, I wrote about Senate Bill 762, which makes extensive changes to Oregon wildfire policy, affecting how the state responds to wildfires and potentially requiring property owners make modifications to their property in order to lower their wildfire risk. The draft Wildfire Risk Maps […]
Say goodbye to the days of a “sellers’ market” and hello to a new, more balanced real estate market. 2022 has been quite the year; the US gross domestic product contracted in the first and second quarters, the stock market has been tumbling, inflation is stubbornly high, the Federal […]
Let’s take a break from all the debate about inflation and recession to provide some real hard hitting investment advice relating to one of history’s greatest storytellers—Aesop. Aesop was born in 620 BC, and storytelling in Ancient Greece was likely not the most lucrative career. But Aesop had a […]
One of the most talked about topics over the past month has been Senate Bill (SB) 762. What is it? What does it mean? How does it affect my property? What should I do? Many Jacksonville property owners were shocked to receive form notices from the Oregon […]
August 15, 2022— Jacksonville Mayor Donna Bowen sent the following statement out today regarding funding cuts to the Chamber of Commerce. It reads as follows:
What Went Into The Jacksonville City Council’s Decision To Change The Amount Of Funding We Give For The Visitors Information Center?
After looking at the amount of money paid to the Visitors Information […]
Coctel De Camerones! Mexico’s delicious invention where you can eat chilled shrimp with a spoon! Seriously one of my favorite Mexican dishes and I especially love it in the heat of summer. It’s like eating a chilled Gazpacho but better. There are many recipes out there that […]
One of the most important bills passed by the 2021 Oregon legislature was Senate Bill 762, which makes extensive changes to Oregon wildfire policy, affecting how the state responds to wildfires and potentially requiring property owners make modifications to their property to lower their wildfire risk.
Unlike before, where […]
A recession is not “officially” determined by two straight quarters of negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) readings, but that definition has been used for so long that is has become accepted as fact. And after one of the worst starts to the year in history for stocks, the debate […]
We are not currently experiencing a water shortage, but it is a situation we hear a lot about and discuss amongst ourselves. The hot, dry conditions of fire season bring thoughts of drought too close to home. Why is it important to know about drought and how […]
Prior to 1859, individuals seeking the opportunity, riches, and promise of the Oregon Territory were literally leaving the United States. They were also leaving behind their former lives, providing them with a chance to reinvent themselves.
This “reinventing process” might even include a name change; it appears to have occurred often enough […]
We thought it would be easy. We’d drive to the theater, watch Elvis, and write a review. We already knew so much about the legendary singer, we figured we could write a worthy column even without seeing the movie. The title, after all, is “Elvis,” so it’s about Elvis—right?
Well, as […]
I love the performing arts. This isn’t a secret—I chose it for my career! I think the arts have so much to teach us: how to feel, how to express ourselves, how to engage our creativity in joyful ways.
The arts can also teach us how to exist alongside other […]
The taste of summer for me always includes juicy tomatoes and fresh cut herbs from the garden, especially basil. This savory pie is light and delicious and perfect for a summer luncheon or supper and you can serve this fella both warm and cold. Make it ahead […]
Recent data shows home sales have slowed as higher mortgage rates and still-rising home prices have made purchasing a home no longer attainable for some buyers. All eyes are now on indicators of supply and demand to see whether those conditions will last. Several data points can help […]
After first quarter US Gross Domestic Product shrank 1.5%, and with second quarter GDP trending toward 0%, recession concerns are appropriately on investors’ minds. A recession is typically defined as “two quarters of negative growth,” and whether or not the US officially meets these numbers—unofficially, things sure feel that […]
In this long period of uncertainty over the last few years, I often hear about the worry and anxiety people feel about the future. In today’s world, it can be hard to find hope. It is difficult to know how to find the resolve to make positive […]
When we left the “George and Gracie show” last month, George Merritt had his divorce; Grace Wick Merritt had $30 a month in alimony and custody of three cats.
To bring readers up to speed, George was the only grandson of Jacksonville pioneer icon Jane McCully. He had been raised by his […]
It’s easy to forget that the Britt Music & Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. On concert nights, the thriving energy looks like any other major concert venue, and we’re proud of our professionalism. At the same time, our mission is to create a sense of discovery and […]
As Realtors in Southern Oregon for over 20 years, we have met hundreds of families moving into our area from out of state. We quickly become their “go-to” for advice on where to go, what to do, and how to enjoy our great outdoors. We realized that our job […]
If you’re in need of a fresh idea for salmon tonight, give this tasty dish a chance. It’s a gorgeous little bowl of goodness that is so simple AND flavorful, you’ll be revisiting it all season long. Makes 4 bowls.
Ingredients:
16 oz piece of skinless salmon […]
As I write this, Mother’s Day is here, and as you are reading this, my son, Aidan, will be a newly-minted, high school graduate, tentatively stepping into the beginning practicum of becoming an adult. It’s a passage I’ve anticipated and wished to forestall since his arrival on a meltingly hot summer […]
“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.
This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several […]
Your credit score determines a lot more than the loans you can get and the interest rate you pay. Landlords use credit scores to decide who they will rent to. Insurers use them to set premiums for auto and homeowners’ coverage. Credit scores determine who gets the best […]
There are a lot of free tools out there to help with financial planning. Most real estate websites will have a mortgage calculator. With rising mortgage rates, knowing what is affordable is essential for a prospective homebuyer. Another common tool asks, “Have You Saved Enough for Retirement?” If you’ve […]
On behalf of the Jacksonville Review and its readers, we would like to sincerely thank Pam Sasseen for her 10+ years of bringing us “Focus on the Farm.” From day one, Pam has been an ardent supporter of Hanley Farm and the Hanley House and has played a major […]
Bonnie Raitt is coming back to the Britt stage. YAY!
Bonnie first “broke” into the public eye with her 1989 album, Nick of Time. It won three Grammy Awards, and is among the few CDs that never get re-alphabetized into our overstuffed library of the things. But before that heady experience, […]
As Realtors in Southern Oregon for over 20 years, we have met hundreds of families moving into our area from out of state. We quickly become their “go-to” for advice on restaurants, shopping, where to go, and what to do. We realized that our job was not just selling […]
As I sit at the Mayor’s desk in City Hall, some of the duties that I am responsible for honoring are routine and even boring. Tasks that have to be done over and over, as Mayor, are just part of the job. Thankfully, there are also plenty […]
“Merritt Divorce Case Testimony Thrills J’ville” read the 1924 Medford Mail Tribune headline.
June may be a traditional time for weddings and all the accompanying pageantry, but there’s nothing like a juicy divorce to set neighborhood tongues wagging!
The Merritt divorce even gained statewide attention. Gossipy charges and counter charges included profanity, bad […]
There’s excitement at the box office, and the daily hum of activity can mean only one thing: It’s time to welcome you back to the pavilion for another summer of music making. In particular for this month’s column, I’d love to highlight a Night at the Orchestra!
You’ve probably noticed […]
SOHS Hanley Farm’s Heritage Plant Sale ends May 1, 11am to 3pm—this is the last opportunity to select from drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, sun, shade, herbs, native and pollinator-friendly choices.
The Society is changing with the times with a new website, https://sohs.org/. Our new look has been in the works since May […]
So, you’re invited to a Cinco de Mayo party and you’re not sure what to bring that is festive, fun AND unique. I give you cake! Not just any cake, but a slightly boozy concoction that looks stunning and tastes so refreshing.
Ingredients
For the cake:
5 room temperature […]
As a young girl I loved the Little House book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which chronicled her life growing up in the 1860s. I read the books innumerable times and when the television series came out, I was glued to it.
I had the pleasure of revisiting those books with my […]
U.S. home prices hit an all-time high in 2021, but those price increases are expected to slow in 2022 due to a number of economic factors. One of the biggest factors is how rising interest rates will impact the housing market. This used to be a pretty easy […]
Over the years, we have been fortunate to see world-class performances at the Britt Festival: Smokey Robinson, Steve Martin, Moody Blues, Doobie Brothers, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Kenny Loggins, Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant, ZZ Top, Judy Collins, Earth, Wind & Fire, Three Dog Night, Huey Lewis, Heart, […]
Yield curves are supposed to slope upward. For example, if you loaned your neighbor $1000 for a day, you’d probably ask for $1000 tomorrow. But, if the loan were for a year, perhaps you’d ask for $1100. How much would you ask for if the loan was for 30-years? […]
It’s that time of year again. We are all gearing up for summer and of paramount importance, it’s time to consider what summer will bring in the way of fire and smoke. This is a good opportunity to review the City of Jacksonville Emergency Evacuation Checklist and […]
The Jacksonville Boosters Club and the City are exploring a project that would refurbish one of Jacksonville’s Historic Landmarks, the “Gold First Found Here” marker on Applegate Street where it crosses Daisy Creek just after it branches off South 3rd. The original marker was placed there in 1932 by the Jacksonville […]
“Downton Abbey! Have you heard it’s coming back?”
A voice called from across the street, not far from Jacksonville’s historic downtown. We looked around, and realized it belonged to a neighbor whom we hadn’t seen for two mask-obscured years. We recalled that she was a Review reader familiar with our humble […]
It’s a pleasure to write my first column as Britt Music & Arts Festival’s new President and CEO, starting May 1. I’m pinching myself; I can’t believe I’ve been given the opportunity to steward this gem of Southern Oregon in its next chapter. And, of course, I’m arriving just […]
MEDFORD, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival is excited to announce several more concerts for the 60th Anniversary Britt Presents season, adding more music and comedy performances to the previously announced lineup. This is the final announcement for the 2022 Britt Presents season, bringing the total number of concerts to 28. The announcement introduces […]
Spring is here and my palate is dreaming of lighter fare with a nice balance of acid and fat. So this year I decided to not do the big leg of lamb on Easter Sunday and instead do a lite and full of flavor version of lamb […]
Since 1991, Transportation Planning Rules have set transportation planning requirements for all Oregon cities and counties. It has become clear over the last decade that Oregon’s existing rules are not sufficient to meet Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets.
On March 10, 2020, Governor Kate Brown issued Executive Order 20-04, directing […]
Just as spring arrives, just as the pandemic recedes and life begins to look a bit brighter, Vladimir Putin.
Seriously? Two insane years of Covid, massive political and social upheaval, The Great Resignation, spiraling inflation, and now a globally destabilizing war in Europe. Toss in personal life struggles and […]
Cutler has long been a supporter of the Boy Scouts. We provide volunteer hours, financial support, and have kids enrolled in the program. And, if there’s one thing that Scouting has taught us, it’s that you should always “Be Prepared.” This has been the Scouts’ motto since the organization […]
It seems like everything is more expensive than last year: food, cars, clothes, furniture, and gas which is getting dangerously close to $5 a gallon. But few year-over-year price increases compare to what’s happened to the housing market. The medium price of a home in Jackson County has ballooned […]
On April 6, from 6pm to 8:30pm, the Southern Oregon Historical Society presents “Spring SOHS Forward!” a fundraiser to publicly launch the $1.2 million Event Center capital project. Sponsors will cover dinner expenses, so proceeds from all ticket sales (tickets are $100/each) and auction sales will go directly to […]