AND THERE WE WERE, knee-deep in bear and moose scat, mixed into the soft shale where the swollen stream ran underfoot. For some reason, this section of the legendary Iditarod Trail wasn’t as romantic as the books had made it out to be. Black spruce and birch roots, exposed by the […]
SOUTHERN OREGON’S fire-prone environment raises questions about the role of flammable plants in spreading wildfires. Examples of highly-flammable plants include ornamental juniper, Leyland cypress, Italian cypress, rosemary, arborvitae, eucalyptus, and some ornamental grasses. Care should be taken to not place highly flammable plants adjacent to […]
AS SUMMER gives way to the first golden edges of fall, Jacksonville enters a season that feels tailor made for reflection, celebration, and community pride. The past few months have been nothing short of extraordinary, and September promises to carry that momentum forward with events that highlight our history, our flavors, […]
IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE that Britt’s 2026 season is coming to an end this month. It’s been a glorious summer, and there are still a handful of shows remaining, plus a couple of special events.
Pink Martini kicks off September. Listening to Pink Martini always makes me feel like I’m […]
AS SUMMER turns to fall, we have a lot of exciting events to share with you, from perky pastels to fantastic fluid art, and our popular annual Y’art Sale. Mark your calendar for fun…
Y’art Sale Returns September 19th!—Last year’s annual Y’art Sale fundraiser was such […]
THIS HAS BEEN another hot and dry summer that we are ready to let go of. I’m happy to see September and look forward to cooler fall weather. As we start the countdown to the end of fire season, I am grateful to have […]
OUR HISTORY SATURDAY presentation for July, “Fire! The History of Fires in Pioneer Jacksonville” featured sisters and popular History Saturday presenters, Ireland and Roan Reed, who got everyone’s attention immediately by beginning their talk with a pop quiz!
We soon learned that Jacksonville’s five major fires between 1867 and 1888 were largely […]
EXCURSIONS to our local Motion Picture Palace have, for us, become much less alluring these days. There’s nothing wrong with the venue per se (although our increasingly vintage bodies prefer the comfy home sofa and the boob-tube). But if we’re being honest about it, a pair of […]
CYCLE OREGON is rolling into Jacksonville this August, and our little town is about to shine in a very big way. As riders crest the hills and glide into the valley, they’ll discover what we already know—Jacksonville is at its best in late summer—alive with music, history, hospitality, and that unmistakable […]
WILDFIRE SAFETY has become an increasingly important consideration for homeowners across Oregon, especially in Southern Oregon where dry summers, steep terrain, and large areas of forest create elevated fire risk. While homeowners cannot control the weather, they can take meaningful steps to reduce the likelihood […]
WE HAVE AN EPIC AUGUST planned for you at Britt! Every season is a little bit different—the rhythm of booking shows means we can never really predict when we’ll see our busiest month of the season, and this year, August takes the cake with thirteen shows running the gamut […]
THINGS ARE getting wonderfully “sketchy” this August! We’re celebrating the art of the moment with the Urban Sketchers on our Guest Artist wall and highlighting the vibrant works of our Member Artist spotlight. Whether you’re looking to admire our beautiful gallery or dive into a […]
THE TERM “prognostication” refers to predicting, forecasting, or prophesizing events in the future.
Well, we don’t do that. We suck at that.
But just for you, Dear Readers (because we have to blame somebody), we’ve invested hours burrowing through Hollywood’s dusky Marketing Underworld looking for movies that studios hope […]
JUNE’S HISTORY SATURDAY presentation by Pam Smith and Lynn Ransford explored the fascinating history of two of the seven sections of the Jacksonville Cemetery: the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent (German) Order of Red Men. In costume as Amelia Schmitt and Hanoria Cimborsky, the ladies traced the Order […]
THE HOT, DRY DAYS of summer are upon Southern Oregon. As I write this column, we are not experiencing a water shortage, and we are not in imminent danger of a fire devastating Jacksonville. However, thoughts of drought and fire are always on our […]
COYOTE WAS GOING THERE, making tracks, making tracks… We continued along the trail less traveled, hopping the occasional log, pushing through the overgrown brush, because we understood that there were sights to see, birds to hear, and fragrant early summer blooms to smell. Somewhere, back there, behind us, were our shoeprints, […]
AS WE REACH the midpoint of 2026, Southern Oregon’s real estate market has continued its transition toward a more balanced environment. Following several years of rapid appreciation, limited inventory, and strong competition, the first half of 2026 has brought a slower market yet greater stability […]
JACKSONVILLE is gearing up for one of the most joyful, heritage-rich celebrations we’ve hosted in years—the Jacksonville Jubilee, happening Saturday, July 11, 2026, in the heart of our historic downtown. This one day summer festival brings together everything people love about Jacksonville: history, music, community, and a little bit of magic. […]
EVERY BRITT SEASON is different, and this year our calendar is heavily stacked in late July and August—and that means lots of opportunity for you to catch some amazing shows in the coming weeks! I always love pitching a few of my personal must-sees to you, […]
THE NATION IS TURNING 250, and we’re throwing an epic celebration of Rogue Valley art to match! Kick-off your holiday with a bang at our July 4th opening reception. From stunning galleries to hands-on workshops, Art Presence is the place to be this month. Dive […]
WE OFTEN USE THIS COLUMN to tell you what’s coming up, so that we can manipulate you into considering it.
But not this time. This time we’re going to tell you that you’ve already missed it. And, also that you haven’t. (This will become less paradoxical in a few paragraphs. We […]
FOLLOWING a much needed and successful Cemetery Cleanup on May 2, the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery (FOJHC) hosted our first History Saturday talk and tour of the season, one week later on May 9: “The German-Speaking Settlers of Pioneer Jacksonville.” Presented by Carolyn Kingsnorth and Steve Corelis on a beautiful […]
HELLO EVERYONE! As you might have noticed, I have been absent from my desk in City Hall since February 23rd. After postponing it for longer than I should have, I recently had a very successful spinal surgery. I’m happily back in my office again. I want to […]
SUMMER IS UPON US, and our intrepid Jacksonville Woodlands and Forest Park volunteer trail crews are happy to present our trail-using public with well-maintained trails for their hiking, running, and biking pleasure. For that matter, just simple rambles in the woods, along shaded stream beds and up across ridges through the […]
JEFF KLOETZEL’S CROSSROADS came in 2009. After two decades in Hawaii, where he’d worked in real estate and established himself as a go-to guitar player in the tight-knit island’s music scene, he’d chucked it all—“I packed everything up, gave notice at my job, gave notice to […]
SOUTHERN OREGON’S RENTAL MARKET has been undergoing a transition. After several years of rapid rent growth and historically low vacancy rates following the COVID housing surge, landlords across Jackson County are now facing a much different environment. Rents are leveling out, vacancies are lasting longer, […]
JUNE AT BRITT is all about the Britt Festival Orchestra, and this year is a banner season: we’re welcoming the BFO’s fifth-ever Music Director, Norman Huynh! Norman rose to the top of an extraordinary list of candidates and finalists, and we feel so lucky to be welcoming him to […]
JACKSONVILLE IS stepping into June with the full charm, color, and character that only a true three-trolley town can offer. Our trolleys have become more than transportation—they are part of the Jacksonville experience, weaving together our history, our wine country, and our year round celebrations in a way that feels uniquely […]
DIVE INTO A WORLD of creativity this June! Whether you’re a fan of breathtaking photography, looking for unique gifts, or ready to get your hands dirty with new skills, we have something spectacular waiting for you. Here’s what’s happening at your favorite local gallery.
Ultimate Summer […]
LAST MONTH, I highlighted the recent accomplishments of our Police Department and its strong commitment to community policing. This month, the focus turns to the Jacksonville Fire Department and the many programs and services it provides to educate residents and enhance safety throughout our community as we enter fire season. The […]
WE OFFER A SINCERE “THANK-YOU” to the many volunteers who attended our Pre-Memorial Day Community Cemetery Cleanup on May 2nd. Besides helping keep the cemetery neat and attractive, these cleanups help to reduce fire danger particularly in drought years like this one. We also appreciate the work of Cemetery Sexton, Rick […]
IN 1985, when Sally Field received her “Best Actress” Academy Award statuette for the film Places in the Heart, she turned her tear-filled eyes to the Hollywood audience and said, “I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!”
How could we not?
Field […]
LATE SPRING finds trails in prime condition for some welcome time in the woods. Our disappointing winter season left little residual snow, so high country trails will be accessible much earlier than normal. We can even expect mosquitoes will be out and about early, and in great numbers, before hot summer […]
IN 2025, the Oregon Legislature passed Oregon House Bill 3940, a major funding measure designed to stabilize wildfire prevention, response, and recovery efforts statewide. For rural property owners in Southern Oregon, the bill has real implications.
While HB 3940 does not directly raise property tax rates, it changes how […]
RECENTLY we found ourselves intrigued by the title of a novel: Murder Your Employer. We’ve notably been employer-less for well over a decade, so we figured we could expose ourselves to this intriguing tale without developing the temptation to emulate it. Thus, we ordered a hard-copy from […]
GO WILD this May at Art Presence! Our gallery is transforming into a vibrant sanctuary for creatures great and small. From our stunning Guest Artist wall to our celebrated Member Artist of the Month, you’ll find beasts of all kinds on the prowl. Plus, dive […]
JACKSONVILLE IS CELEBRATING May with a lineup of activities highlighting its charm, culture, and natural beauty. The month features events for Mother’s Day, local music & arts, romantic getaways, Oregon Wine Month, and expanded Wine Trolley and Historic Tours.
Jacksonville’s historic district comes alive with floral displays, outdoor dining, and family-friendly experiences. […]
I’LL BE HONEST. Most days I’m just trying to get dinner on the table, keep the kids somewhat on schedule, and maybe enjoy a glass of wine at the end of it.
I know what I like. I just don’t spend a lot of time thinking about “why.”
So, I […]
SPRING IN SOUTHERN OREGON is a magical season when longer, warmer days awaken the landscape. It is the perfect time to experience the region’s natural beauty and welcoming communities.
Drive Through Miles of Pear Blossoms—As orchards emerge from their winter dormancy, pear and peach trees transform the landscape into waves of […]
AT A RECENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, members of the public stepped forward to praise our Jacksonville Police Department. It is hard to imagine that not that long ago we were looking at the possibility of losing our department entirely and entering into a contract with Jackson County sheriffs. What a difference […]
WE BEGIN with a sincere “thank-you” to the many volunteers who attended our Spring Community Cemetery Cleanup Day on March 21st. It was a beautiful morning to be out and about, and some fifty volunteers with rakes, weed whackers, and mowers of all sizes filled the City trailer […]
“IT’S ALWAYS BEEN in my personality that I’m super entrepreneurial and motivated,” says Sharaya Summers. This is apparent to anyone who’s watched her bring life into the old wine shop at the Jacksonville Inn, but also to anyone who’s followed her path in music.
A sixth-generation native of the Rogue […]
OREGON CONTINUES to face a housing shortage, and politicians are increasingly focused on policies that can help communities create more housing opportunities. One of the most recent efforts is HB 4035, passed during the 2026 legislative session. The measure modifies earlier housing legislation and expands tools available to […]
PERHAPS YOU SHOULD think of these columns as loosely-connected chapters of a slowly-emerging magnum opus.
In our previous installment, you may recall, we recommended that you stream the latest season of the Netflix series Bridgerton, a great high-society show that we’ve noted previously. We also nudged you toward […]
THE JACKSONVILLE CHAMBER of Commerce is proud to reflect on its recent accomplishments, community collaborations, and local event support, which have elevated Jacksonville as a premier destination in Southern Oregon. Record-breaking attendance at Holiday events, Lunar New Year Celebration and the Citywide Chili Cook-off showcased the community’s spirit and charm. The […]
GET READY for exciting adventures in our main and gift galleries, as well as our classroom this month. The main gallery returns with an exceptional Guest Artist and one of our outstanding Member Artists. We’re also offering some fun hands-on workshops designed to spark your […]
IN NEXT MONTH’S column we’ll have news of our Spring Clean-up (March 21), which began the process of readying the cemetery for recurring FOJHC programs starting in May: History Saturday in the Cemetery (May 9), and Marker Cleaning Workshops (May 16).
And before those programs begin, our Pre-Memorial Day […]
AS THIS ISSUE of the Review goes to print, we’re only days away from our final Britt announcement of the 2026 season! I’m so excited about this year’s lineup. We’re bringing in tons of new bands in addition to some of our most beloved returning acts, representing a broad […]
SUCH AN INTERESTING winter season. In general, temperatures stayed above average, though a few frigid nights were experienced. Rainfall was sorely missed after such a promising start, and little snow materialized. After the past couple of years with heavy, lingering snow making travel at higher elevations a bit more challenging, it […]
AS THE SPRING SEASON rolls around in our local woodland areas, we find ourselves eager to get out to enjoy the trails. How lucky we are to live where trails abound in all directions, and where the climate is mild enough to enjoy them year-round. As the daylight hours extend further […]