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 […]
SPRINGTIME IN THE CEMETERY—What an unusual winter we’ve had so far. After some initial rain, it turned cold and dry and, as we write this column in early February, there appears to be little wet weather yet to come. Still, when the occasional fog lifts and the sun […]
FLOODING IS one of the most common and expensive natural hazards in Oregon. Rivers, coastal areas, and even seasonal drainages can place properties at risk. For property owners, understanding floodplain insurance requirements is essential; especially when a property is located within a mapped floodplain.
A floodplain is an area […]
THE Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Historic Jacksonville, Inc. once again proudly celebrate Women’s History Month in our historic landmark town.
As I continue to learn, Jacksonville has an amazing group of women entrepreneurs, City Leaders and dedicated Volunteers that continue to bring their unique businesses, personalities, and desires to serve and […]
BY THE TIME the sun crept over the fir-dark hills around Jacksonville, the town was already awake in its own quiet way. A rooster argued with the morning. The creak of a pump handle carried from a yard on California Street. At the livery stable, the blacksmith struck iron and set […]
IN MY non-working hours, I make a lot of mediocre art. I live alone and catch myself singing ridiculous songs aloud several times a day. I recently discovered oil pastels (which are essentially fancy crayons), and have been making joyful, ridiculous drawings of birds, flowers, and blocks of color […]
THERE’S A LOT OF NEW ART at the gallery this month, including our Guest Artist exhibition as we welcome talented young artists from North Medford High and feature one of our Member Artist’s photography…and some fun classes. Come check out all the fresh goings-on at […]
ONE OF OUR cable boxes recently stopped functioning. So the cable company promised to dispatch “Someone” to perform an “analysis.”
We thought the Someone simply would replace the box. A no-brainer, right? But after inspecting the numerous cables that over the decades had been dangled from the poles, dragged across the […]
TAKING LONG DRIVES through the Rogue Valley and beyond is a favorite pastime for my family. Mention the words “road trip” and we are literally on the road soon. Recently, while we have been out and about, the fields and valleys have been alive […]
AS TRAIL PEOPLE, we are wont to point out that trails are as organic as the hillsides and canyons they traverse, climb, descend, and generally meander through. No more permanent in the great scheme of things, ephemeral as mayflies, it may seem, but a lifeline for critters traveling to and fro […]
WHEN SELLING a home, first impressions are everything. Buyers often form an opinion within seconds of stepping through the front door, or even before, based on online photos. Home staging is the process of preparing and presenting a property to appeal to the widest possible pool of buyers. […]
THIS PAST YEAR was one of transformation. Perhaps the biggest change occurred in the political realm, with President Trump pursuing a policy agenda unlike any in the past century. Tariffs dominated headlines, until they didn’t. The government shutdown dominated headlines, until it did not. Investors able to be comfortable […]
ONCE AGAIN, we had an amazing Holiday Season here in our Historic Landmark Town of Jacksonville. The December events including the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Father Christmas, Holiday Parade and Holiday Trolley Light Tours all had record attendance. Thanks to the many individuals and groups that make these events such a success. […]
HAPPY 2026, friends! Britt announcements are well underway, and the excitement around this year’s summer season is palpable. Our programs team, led by Chief Program Officer Mike Sturgill, always works hard to ensure that Britt has something for every palate, and I think they’re really outdoing themselves this year. […]
WE MIGHT HAVE suspected from the movie’s title.
It could’ve been named “Sweet Caroline,” or “Play Me,” or “Beautiful Noise,” or, for crying out loud, “The Story of My Life.” But it wasn’t. It’s titled Song Sung Blue. See the gentle yet obvious foreshadowing?
Those of you who follow this column likely […]
FOLLOWING a successful Studio Sale in January, February at Art Presence promises a schedule full of exciting activities. We are delighted to announce that San Francisco Bay Area artist Kevin Yeh will be our first guest artist, in collaboration with SOCCA’s Lunar New Year celebration. In addition to […]
WELCOME TO 2026… we hope you enjoyed the holiday season!
We begin by highlighting some key accomplishments of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery from the year just passed, with thanks to all those whose efforts made them possible:
History Programs:
HELLO TO A NEW YEAR! For such a small city, we have a lot going on. Each fall, Jeff Alvis, our City Administrator, and I, sit down to discuss the accomplishments of the prior year, along with our priorities, biggest challenges, and plans for the upcoming year. […]
FOR ALL OF US who enjoy taking part in the Friends of the Cemetery’s spring and fall clean up events, October’s Fall Cemetery Clean Up brought both good news and bad news. The bad news was the arrival of an “atmospheric river” overhead that brought heavy wind and […]
EUROPE IS FAMOUS for its rich history, its architecture, as well as its beautiful squares, inviting cafes, cathedrals and statues. I recently returned from an extended trip to Spain, where their central plazas and public squares play a vital role as they are typically the […]
“The only goal for man is beauty, and beauty is found only in harmony, and this harmony of nature is a dazzling complexity” ~ Tony Hillerman, Dance Hall of the Dead
HERE, THEN, is that which draws us back to the wild places again and again. Here, then, is […]
ON MOST THURSDAYS for the past decade, Scout Troop 17 has met on the Bigham Knoll Campus. Cutler has a long history with this troop—both Matt and Erich Patten achieved their ranks of Eagle from Troop 17 in the 1990’s; Matt’s two sons earned Eagles from […]