The holidays often evoke more stress than gratitude, and this year promises to be a bit “extra” with Covid fears and vaccine wars added to the usual familial fracas. I hope this classic—read with cocktail in hand—will help you brave the onslaught.
It’s November, time for Thanksgiving gatherings and the annual viewing […]
We did it! Against all odds—COVID-19, smoke, fires, lower revenue, and staff shortages; Britt’s community came together and prevailed. From my perspective, the biggest payoff was seeing the joy of the performers getting back on stage and the audiences being there to experience it. To […]
That’s the late summer/early fall mantra for so many of us as we venture out for time on the trails. The cool, moist air that heralds the onset of our damp, foggy winters is still but a dream—but a dream worth having. To consider that we once wished for those dark […]
Eighteen months ago, I began this column by saying, “Are you as tired of hearing and reading about this horrid virus as I am?”
Little did I imagine.
Here it is, another fall in masks; another season of uncertainty on multiple levels. I am beyond sick and tired of this horrid virus. But […]
Purchasing a home and going through the mortgage loan process can seem daunting, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. A home purchase is one of the biggest investments you will make, so it helps to know what is happening at each stage of the process, so you […]
With October and November upon us, I’m feeling hope and a sense of moving forward to a season of renewal.
Hopefully, we will see the last of wildfires and smoke. Hopefully too, children are back in school and happily occupied in academics, social development, sports and other extracurricular […]
Despite the heat, including a week’s worth of triple-digit temperatures, along with smoke from the wildfires, our volunteers managed to contribute 153 hours of volunteer labor during the month of August 2021. These hours were dedicated to grounds maintenance, cleaning of headstones and monuments, and restoration work. Not included is the time that our Adopt-A-Block […]
Born August 1, 1830, in Netsall, Canton Glaurus, Switzerland, Kaspar Kubli, was the first of his Swiss family to immigrate to America. He laid a foundation upon which later generations built successes in politics, business, and ranching in Oregon.
Kubli, initially deemed by his family as a “prodigal son,” arrived in the […]
If this easy one pot dish could have a region to call it’s own, it would be the Rogue Valley. The flavors scream Autumn in Oregon and the presentation is just gorgeous… (and a tad quirky). I prefer this dish be made with dark meat (thighs and […]
Trade magazine Publisher’s Weekly reports that book sales are climbing for the second year. This news can be traced directly to the pandammit. Statistics show that people have remembered that nothing’s more comforting than a good book.
But with thousands of new books being published, how does one choose? We want […]
The 8th Annual October Imaginarium is open! This year’s theme, Reality or Illusion? has resulted in a wonderful collection of artwork depicting Autumn, Halloween, and imaginative ideas building upon the theme. The exhibition opened on Friday, September 17, and continues through Halloween. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-5pm and Sundays from 10-5pm. […]
A few articles ago, we identified inflation as something to keep an eye on. And sure enough, inflation has been putting on a show! Housing prices in Jackson County were up almost 25% in the 12-months ending in last May. The median house price in Jacksonville is now over […]
For years, we have helped retirees find their perfect home in Jacksonville and surrounding areas. It’s very enjoyable seeing their excitement as we share with them all about our beautiful town and Southern Oregon. Most of them have come from out of state so there is lots of education […]
2021 has been a special year for the Southern Oregon Historical Society! In celebration of our 75th anniversary, we’ve held several public events, including last month’s dinner at EdenVale Winery. Thank you for celebrating with us, and special thanks to EdenVale Winery, Travel Medford, First Interstate Bank, Rogue Valley […]
Returning to the familiar footpaths of one’s local environment after forays far and wide creates a certain deja’ vu. To return to a familiar stomping ground while the temperatures persist in the triple digits, just like the day you left, yields a feeling far more poignant than any “been there, done […]
This is a story about surrender.
In the spring of 2002, I was a newly re-married, very happy doctoral student halfway through the Depth Psychology program at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Once a month I would travel from San Francisco for a long weekend of in-person classes. A Ph.D. was a long-time dream […]
On June 23, the Governor signed Senate Bill 391 into law. SB 391 allows an owner of a parcel at least two acres in size in an area zoned rural residential to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on that parcel, provided there is already a single-family dwelling […]
For over 50 years the name Helms was synonymous with the Table Rock Billiard Saloon, first that of Herman Helms, then that of his son Ed. However, when a 24-year-old Johann Herman von Helms arrived in Jacksonville in 1856, three years after immigrating from Holstein, Germany, it was not the Table […]
What a difference dedicated volunteers can make when they decide to focus on one area and give it 100%. Jim and Judy Finses have been volunteering in the cemetery since late last winter and early spring. They introduced themselves one day when I was picking-up downed branches and limbs in the Odd Fellow section and […]
Summer has passed so quickly, especially at Hanley Farm where we held several “firsts” at the farm, including “Summer Thursdays.” Other programs included Shakespeare Garden tours, a mini-Heritage Plant Sale, a Hanley Fashion Show, Family Heritage Fairs, a Siskiyou Violins concert, Ice Cream Socials, a Crafts Fair, and more.
UPDATE […]
I recently took a continuing education class all about Going Green, something I didn’t know much about, so I was surprised by what I learned and how much each of us can impact our environment. It was a great class with information worth sharing.
It’s surprising that focus on our […]
This month, I would like to give you some information on a program available for historic structures in Jacksonville that is currently in process. Many of you may be unaware of the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which is under the aegis of the Historic Architectural Review Commission […]
A friendly black Lab named Jo, short for Jolene, greeted me as the office ambassador. I’d come to chat with Dr. Tami Rogers of Jacksonville Veterinary Hospital, and learn something about the woman behind the practice. Jo is her fur baby.
I wondered if Dr. Rogers had been one of those kids who rescued birds or […]
This past month, I completed a “bucket list” item—climbing Mt. Rainier. It took months of training, and all 14,411 feet were challenging, but it was also immensely rewarding. And at times terrifying. There were also a few lessons for a financial advisor along the way!
The final day began with […]
It began at the beginning. Literally.
You’re aware that John Wayne was born Marion Morrison, right? And that Marilyn Monroe’s birth name was Norma Jeane Mortenson until she changed it to Baker until she changed it again. Changing names has been movie star practice for so long that we’re not surprised […]
It’s been an incredible summer so far with two amazing Britt Festival Orchestra experiences—the world premiere of Brush: Music in the Woodlands and Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK. We’ve also “Come Together” for seven concerts in our Britt Presents series so far. It’s hard to believe kids are already back in […]
Raising chickens in urban areas has become a popular pastime for many families. Some people want to produce eggs or meat to save money, live more sustainably, or simply know where their food comes from; others like to keep “fancy” or special breeds of chickens. Some people have […]
UPDATE 08/13/21 – August 14 History Saturday in the Cemetery is CANCELED due to smoke and heat.
A total of 150:30 hours of volunteer labor was contributed in June, which included grounds clean-up, marker cleaning, restoration work and other general maintenance items.
This does not include all the hours that our Adopt-A-Block volunteers put in caring for […]
One of the more impressive monuments in Jacksonville’s Pioneer Cemetery—a towering obelisk engraved with Masonic ruler and compass, Odd Fellows linked circles, and a hand pointing upwards to indicate a heavenly reward—is that of John (Johannes) Bilger. Carved from imported Italian marble, the monument and surrounding masonry work shouts “success!” Indeed, […]
We’re excited to announce that acoustic guitarist and solo vocalist Nick Garrett-Powell will perform at Hanley Farm’s August “Picnic at the Porch” concert, delighting us with a collection of acoustic music and extraordinary vocals. Bring a picnic, find a nice spot under the trees or on the lawns, and […]
Paul Cezanne, a Master during the Post-Impressionism era, said, “With an apple I will astonish Paris.” His beautiful still lifes did exactly that, and they continue to astonish around the world today. Not every artist has that lofty goal. The need to make art is what motivates them, but there is no question that […]
A Few Minutes with the Mayor – August 2021
I hope you’re having a wonderful summer and enjoying the freedom of Oregon being open after the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s an update on what’s happening in Jacksonville and what your City Council has been up to.
Budget—At the June 1, City Council meeting, your Council approved resolution R2021-002—Adopting […]
Last year, U.S. home sales and prices soared at their fastest pace in 14 years. On a local level, we’ve seen unprecedented demand and low inventory and soaring prices. Over the last 12 months, Jackson County existing home prices increased by almost 27% and Josephine County saw prices jump […]
We watched a movie at a theater for the first time in eighteen months.
Really.
And yes, it felt like a big deal, because post-vaccinations, with the pandammit looking a little less fearsome, we felt an itch to go where we didn’t have to pop our own corn. Hollywood, finally, was releasing […]
Nothing beats the adrenaline and the exhilaration of sitting on our beautiful hill, enjoying an amazing live performance. Or the rush of discovery that comes with witnessing the birth of a newcomer who you know will become a massive star—like Brandi Carlile before she made it big. Spanning eras […]
Pop Quiz: Do you have a tendency to any of the following?
If you answered none of the above, you are either A) not being very honest with yourself, or B) you are a highly evolved being who has come to this planet […]
Summer is upon us, and it’s a time to get out and explore farther afield. Trails in our local wilderness areas have opened as the snowpack has melted, and though winter storms may have created blowdown over many of the trails, intrepid hikers should still be able to get through to […]
There is a mantra I saw written on a whiteboard in a yoga class one day which changed my life. It really did. It’s so simple and so important that I adopted it as one of my Core Principles for Living; it’s that big. Are you ready?
AWARENESS + NON-JUDGMENT = TRANSFORMATION
I […]
Walking through our sweet town of Jacksonville, there was a cute little cottage that caught my eye. After many months of discussion with the owner, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and start our own business. We purchased that cottage property, and as of writing […]
Southern Oregon, as well as most of the nation, is experiencing record high home sales which is causing record-low inventory and record-high prices. One would think that all properties on the market are faring well, but it always goes back to supply and demand—and not all properties are in […]
Inflation is on everyone’s mind these days. Looking at Google Trends data, May searches for “Inflation” reached the highest level since Google began tracking, nearly double the number of searches as recently as last fall. Should investors be scared of inflation? What should we be doing to position portfolios […]
After a non-existent 2020 season, due to COVID-19, Britt Music and Arts Festival has worked hard to provide programs for 2021. Recently your Mayor, City Administrator and staff, City Planner, and City Fire Chief, along with Britt President and CEO, Donna Briggs, met for a pre-season conference […]
Hanley Farm welcomes Nick Garrett-Powell’s return at the summer’s first “Cars Under the Stars Drive-In Concert,”on July 1, 6:30-8:30pm (gates open at 5:45pm). A celebrated local acoustic guitarist and soloist, Nick’s music ranges from classics to contemporary. Tickets are $55/per car and includes two glasses of wine and unlimited […]
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our volunteers who did so much in preparing the cemetery grounds for the Memorial Day holiday. The grounds looked neat and tidy with flowers and flags marking this special day of remembrance for the 410 known Veterans who rest in our cemetery. Our new […]
Did you know that Jacksonville was the first West Coast group of buildings added to the National Historic Register? In 1967 it was one of eight initial towns designated as a National Historic Landmark City by the U.S. National Park Service. Over 100 historic structures were identified as comprising Jacksonville’s National […]
Something’s in the air. Something soothing, as opposed to the scary silence that’s surrounded us for far too long.
Voices can be heard on the street, unmuffled by masks. We hear hellos. Hellos from friends we haven’t seen in a while. Hellos from friends we’re meeting for the first time.
We may […]
Winslow Homer said, “The life I have chosen gives me my full hours of enjoyment for the balance of my life, the sun will not rise or set without my notice and thanks.” Truly the life of an artist, using the shadows created by the sun at every angle to allow for the joy of […]
By the time this issue of the Jacksonville Review hits the stands, the state of Oregon will have reached the 70% vaccine benchmark. This is great news for our state’s economy and cultural wellbeing. It’s time to celebrate!
This year, our philosophy has been to focus on ways the BFO […]
Our Woodlands have seen an explosion of visitors since COVID. These warming days of spring and summer are indeed a popular time to be out and gathering out-of-doors and does carry less risk of exposure than indoor activities.
Research published last summer by the European Forest Institute in Bonn found that visits […]
As real estate inventory has declined and buyer demand increased, multiple offers have become common—we are in a seller’s market. This means there are more buyers than homes available for sale. As a buyer, it can be harder to get your offer accepted, even if you write a […]