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 […]
Jacksonville Physical Therapy is excited to announce the addition of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Amanda Falkena to their clinic.
“We are honored to have Amanda join us,” says Lynn Reordan, co-owner of JPT. “Amanda’s skills address pre and post-operative pelvic surgery interventions, pelvic pain, incontinence, and pregnancy/post-partum issues, among others. Our purpose in adding Amanda to […]
Ah, February, when the sound of Cupid’s arrows come whistling past our ears reminding us another Valentine’s Day looms. Large retailers waste no time loading up the aisles with a plethora of predictable plush bears and heart-shaped chocolate boxes. It’s the official once-a-year opportunity to show our sweetheart how much they mean to us. We’d […]
It’s February and I was thinking about sexy, sultry recipes I could share because that’s what we do in February, right? Heart shaped meatloaf and platters of oysters are pretty obvious by now. Instead. I present a silky French concoction that to me is simple decadence on […]
If you have looked at the news recently, forecasts for the real estate market suggest that things could be very different in 2023 compared to what we became used to the past several years. The biggest change has to do with the overall pace of the real estate […]
As we closed out 2022 and look forward to 2023, I feel excitement for Jacksonville. 2022 saw so many varied projects in our city begin, reach completion, or require further research or work. 2023 brings new goals and fresh enthusiasm to our Council to start the New […]
Ah, Masterpiece Theatre.
Since 1971, this British-produced television program has sustained us unlettered American slobs (no offense) with weekly servings of fascinating drama. Initially, Masterpiece Theatre aired adaptations of classic novels and historical biographies. Then one happy day they added compelling mysteries and police procedurals into the mix.
These newcomers proved so […]
“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ~ Rumi
I have a shelf on my bookcase fairly devoted to the subject of finding one’s purpose. I sought this elusive, holy grail for longer than I care to admit. […]
The short-term rental industry (STR) has brought a new experience for guests. No longer confined to staying at a motel or hotel, guests can now choose to stay in a chateau, cabin, cottage, treehouse, house, barn, boat, tiny home, or yurt. They can choose to be on a beach, […]
Happy 2023, friends! The days are starting to get longer, and we’re officially beginning our sprint into the 2023 Britt season. There’s so much happening behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. We will be announcing the Britt Festival Orchestra season on February […]
MEDFORD, OR — The Good Vibes Summer Tour 2023, with California reggae band Rebelution comes to the Britt stage August 27, along with Britt favorite, Iration, plus The Expendables, Passafire, and DJ Mackle. This will be Rebelution’s eighth appearance at Britt. Founded in Isla Vista, CA, Rebelution has followed their instincts since the release of […]
MEDFORD, OR — Britt is excited to announce that Pink Martini featuring China Forbes will perform during Best of Britt, an annual summer fundraising event benefiting Britt Education & Engagement and other Britt programs, on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Support your Britt Music & Arts Festival by joining us at Best of Britt, our annual fundraising […]
Another Victorian Christmas has spread its joyous blanket over the old town. Businesses are dressed for the occasion, while merchants and restaurateurs are eager to welcome us inside to highlight their food and finery. Shopping in cozy Jacksonville is as much a part of tradition as decorating the tree. Giving brings joy, so let’s start […]
Owners of the iconic Jacksonville Inn are proving themselves capable caretakers as they move forward in distinction, with due respect for the history there. Recent changes have brought a complete refresh to the wine shop/bar, pouring all of the delicious wines we’ve come to know and love, with plans to invite visiting wineries to offer […]
When I create appetizers, I’m a big believer in the less is more principle. I like to find a hero ingredient and go from there. This year I’m embracing asparagus. It’s colorful, festive, delicious… and easy!
Cheesy Asparagus Roll-Ups
24-pieces fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
1 loaf white bread
2 […]
We’ve spent much of 2022 working off the fiscal and monetary excesses of the pandemic economy; excessive amounts of cash creation coupled with excessive lengths of time with suppressed interest rates. These mistakes led to excessive purchases of speculative asset classes such as cryptocurrencies (even dogecoin had its […]
With the winter solstice and our many beautiful midwinter holidays approaching, it’s a quiet time on the Britt hill. We take this time to think about the park. These winter months are essential for reviving our lovely lawn, taking on facilities projects, and dreaming of the future.
I believe […]
The Holiday Celebrations are now in full swing in Jacksonville. I would like to extend Seasons Greetings to you and your families. I hope you will have a chance to enjoy some of the many holiday activities Jacksonville is known for. The Chamber of Commerce has […]
The other morning, I sat in the pre-dawn darkness on my porch, wrapped up against the cold, staring at the stars. I listened to invisible raccoons running through the trees, saw the inky outline of the branches bending under their weight. I heard the soft clopping of deer hooves, and […]
Being that we’re comfortably relaxed into the gentle flow of Jacksonville living, the most pressing responsibility we encounter each month is the content of this column. “What the heck should we write about this time,” one of us will start. “We could take in a movie,” comes an oft-repeated […]
On Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the entrance to the Britt Festival, a fawn was mauled by a dog running off leash. While I was not there until after the actual attack, a woman called 911 and a courageous man apparently attempted to stop the mauling by using a […]
DURING VICTORIAN TIMES, Christmas meant quality time and traditions shared with friends and family. Heavily influenced by England’s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, we trimmed the Christmas tree together, prepared and feasted on goose or turkey and other goodies, sang carols around the piano, played parlor games, and exchanged gifts—no one was to be left […]
It is early October as I write, and the weather is sublime. The light is low and the leaves just beginning to change. I love autumn, yet this beautiful season always elicits a soft sort of sadness in me, a feeling I can only call melancholy.
I am, by nature, a melancholy […]
I’m not gonna lie, French Onion Soup remains my absolute favorite meal. Often when I go to a fancy restaurant I order this lovely concoction as my main course. This recipe is a bit boozy. Just be sure to cook off the alcohol or the flavors won’t […]
Whether you’ve found the perfect home or are still in the early stages of the home buying process, it’s important for you to know that the down payment will not be your only out-of-pocket cost. Knowing what expenses to expect can help you plan accordingly.
Closing costs are fees […]
The Britt summer concert season has ended. From the outside, it might seem that we’ve gone into hibernation. But these winter months are far from fallow—Britt Education & Engagement continues at full speed, focusing on school residencies.
Residencies serve our school kids all year. In October, Britt presented an education […]
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 quickly realized that our […]
After a devastating fire on September 26, a long-time restaurant, Las Palmas, was rendered unusable. It was by chance that the fire occurred when no one was in the building. Two neighboring businesses were also impacted with smoke damage, causing the inventory of Country Quilts and Trotting […]
MEDFORD, OR — In its first full season since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit Britt Music & Arts Festival declares its 60th Anniversary season a giant success. Britt thanks its patrons, members, business partners, media partners, artists, and fans for coming together to […]
City elections for the Office of Councilor or Mayor can be confusing to understand. This legal process can be puzzling, especially if you have moved to Jacksonville from a different city or state. As a resident, what should you expect to see during an election? What is […]