On Email and More! – by Mayor Paul Becker

A Few Minutes with the Mayor – April 2015

As you know, this column seldom devotes attention to affairs outside of Jacksonville; numerous other news and opinion outlets exist for such information. However, reports on the national level about Hillary Clinton’s emails prompted me to join in the conversation, so please bear […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:08-07:00March 29th, 2015|A Few Minutes with the Mayor, Featured Stories|Comments Off on On Email and More! – by Mayor Paul Becker

Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, April 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

Cemetery Marker Cleaning and Workshops Resume on April 18, 2015—Join us for a fun and worthwhile volunteer project helping clean grave markers in our Pioneer Cemetery. This will be our third year offering these workshops with our trained volunteers helping to clean and preserve the markers. In 2013 and 2014, volunteers cleaned 244 markers, which […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:08-07:00March 29th, 2015|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News|Comments Off on Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, April 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

Artifacts 6: Animal Bones – by Kyle Crebbin

Digging Jacksonville – April 2015

In 2013, the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA) excavated a burned house in what was formerly Jacksonville’s Chinese Quarter. Thousands of bones, or faunal remains, from a variety of animals were recovered in the dig. All artifacts can tell us something unique about their time and place in history […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:09-07:00March 29th, 2015|Digging Jacksonville, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Artifacts 6: Animal Bones – by Kyle Crebbin

“Oregon’s Main Street” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – April 2015

With spring and summer vacations looming, some of you will be driving over the Siskiyous to visit family and friends in California; others may be looking forward to guests making the trip in reverse. Possible weather and traffic issues aside, drivers and passengers will be experiencing the luxury of riding on […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:09-07:00March 29th, 2015|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|Comments Off on “Oregon’s Main Street” – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Lessons from Hanley Farm Farmers – by Emma Abby

Focus on Hanley Farm – April 2015

This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Elizabeth Worcester of Daisy Creek Farm. Now in their 4th season of leading the agricultural activities at Hanley Farm, we learned more about no-till agriculture and what we can expect to see at the Farm this season.

What is no-till agriculture?—No-Till […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:09-07:00March 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on Lessons from Hanley Farm Farmers – by Emma Abby

State of the Art Presence, April 2015 – by Hannah West

Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #2: “Arts improve academic performance. Students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, and lower dropout rates—benefits reaped by students regardless of socioeconomic status. Students with 4 years of arts or music […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:09-07:00March 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, State of Art Presence|Comments Off on State of the Art Presence, April 2015 – by Hannah West

Crossing the Final Frontier – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

The Unfettered Critic – April 2015

Two men with irrevocably intertwined lives passed away at the end of February: a world-famous actor, beloved by millions; and a highly successful producer, well known in Hollywood, less familiar to people outside of entertainment circles.

The actor was Leonard Nimoy. He entered the business in l951, performing onstage and onscreen, […]

By |2015-03-31T08:05:37-07:00March 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, News Flow, The Unfettered Critic|Comments Off on Crossing the Final Frontier – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

Duo Project Play the Hollywood Bowl in a Medford Warehouse – by Lee Greene

Have you ever had one of those eerie, exhilarating experiences of feeling “unstuck” in time and space, like the characters in a Kurt Vonnegut novel (e.g., Slaughterhouse-Five, The Sirens of Titan, Cat’s Cradle, etc.)? That’s what it was like attending my first concert at the Artistic Piano Gallery showroom on Biddle Rd. in Medford, a […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:10-07:00March 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Performing Arts|Comments Off on Duo Project Play the Hollywood Bowl in a Medford Warehouse – by Lee Greene

News From Britt Hill, April 2015 – by Donna Briggs

It is my pleasure to devote this column to introducing and welcoming Kay Hilton, Britt’s new Director of Education and Engagement. With 18 years of experience at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as the Music Coordinator, she comes to Britt with an extensive background in performing arts and education. Kay is knowledgeable and passionate about music, […]

By |2015-03-27T16:15:24-07:00March 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on News From Britt Hill, April 2015 – by Donna Briggs

Star Livia Genise and Camelot Theatre Deliver An Exceptional “Sunset Boulevard”

The musical, Sunset Boulevard has a checkered history. Various productions of the musical have received very mixed reviews. When it’s been good, it’s very, very good, and when it’s not, it’s landed like a thud. The musical owes its roots to the 1950 film by Billy Wilder that tells the story of the relationship between […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:11-07:00March 24th, 2015|Featured Stories, Performing Arts|1 Comment

“Impressions” – by Hannah West

State of the Art Presence Art Center – March 2015

Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #3: “Arts strengthen the economy. In 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the arts and culture sector represents 3.25% of the nation’s GDP—a larger share of the […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, State of Art Presence|Comments Off on “Impressions” – by Hannah West

Guides to the Jacksonville Parks Trails

Trail Talk – March 2015

Learning how to get around in the Jacksonville Woodlands and the Forest Park trail systems can be challenging to first-time visitors. Even returning hikers and mountain bikers enjoying these diversified natural areas can get confused in the myriad of trails. After all, there are 15 miles of trails on […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Trail Talk|Comments Off on Guides to the Jacksonville Parks Trails

Trust – by Louise Lavergne

Joyfull Living – March 2015

Trust is one of the most important ingredients in any relationship. It takes courage, time and effort to build trust. When we trust someone we can let go of fear and doubt. We get a comforting feeling in our bones that this person is true, honest and real. This allows us […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Joyfull Living|Comments Off on Trust – by Louise Lavergne

Earth House Crazy – by Michael Kell

A Cup of Conversation – March 2015

I remember the day Mary’s obstetrician told us the baby was transverse lie breach (hugging mamma high and tight sideways) though we still had time. The due day was a few weeks out and there was no sign of an early delivery, not to worry! Leaving the office, however, […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Cup of Conversation, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Earth House Crazy – by Michael Kell

Little (Tao) House on the Prairie – by Kate Ingram, M.A.

Soul Matters – March 2015

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 many times and when the television series came out, I was glued to it. I recently got to revisit those halcyon days on […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Soul Matters|Comments Off on Little (Tao) House on the Prairie – by Kate Ingram, M.A.

What’s Trending – by Joelle Graves

Speaking of Antiquing – March 2015

My friend Charlotte, in New York keeps me abreast of the latest decorating news. We are both lovers of mixing old and new. A new dress with a vintage pin—a vintage dress with a new scarf…an Ikea dining table with flow blue—a mahogany table with stark white. My daughter paired […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Speaking of Antiquing|Comments Off on What’s Trending – by Joelle Graves

The Accidental Landlord – by Graham Farran

Let’s Talk Real Estate – March 2015

If you unexpectedly find yourself with a home to rent, you’re what we call an accidental landlord. You never really planned on owning rental property, but maybe you’re facing a job transfer or recently inherited a piece of property. The local real estate market has rebounded nicely and homes […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:15-07:00February 27th, 2015|Featured Stories, Let's Talk Real Estate|Comments Off on The Accidental Landlord – by Graham Farran

Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, March 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

Cemetery Clean-Up Day is Saturday, March 14, 9:00am-Noon—Be sure to mark your calendars and join us, the Jacksonville Boosters and other community organizations for a few hours of work cleaning-up the cemetery grounds. Bring gloves to wear, leaf rakes, gas-operated blowers, pruning shears, brooms, eye and ear protection, and help us clean-up winter debris. We […]

By |2015-02-27T11:50:49-08:00February 26th, 2015|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News|Comments Off on Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, March 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

Spring Comes to the Farm – by Emma Abby

Focus on Hanley Farm – March 2015

Our days are finally feeling longer as spring begins to show herself at the Farm. The field of daffodils greets us under the front walnut trees and green buds abound. The Volunteer Garden is actively taking shape as we tenderly care for over 200 heritage plants that were recently […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:16-07:00February 26th, 2015|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on Spring Comes to the Farm – by Emma Abby

Jeremiah Nunan – An Irish Success Story – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – March 2015

Since March 17th celebrates St. Patrick and all things Irish, it seems appropriate for this month’s Pioneer Profiles to feature Jeremiah Nunan, one of Jacksonville’s Irish pioneers. Most people associate Nunan’s name with his elaborate Queen Anne style home on North Oregon Street, one of the town’s most photographed historic landmarks. […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:16-07:00February 26th, 2015|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|5 Comments

Epic Season Coming to the Britt Classical Stage – by Donna Briggs

News from Britt Hill – March 2015

At the February 5th Classical Festival Announcement, Music Director Teddy Abrams promised an “epic season,” and after hearing about it, we believe him! Not only is Teddy’s enthusiasm infectious, his programming is diverse, bold and inspiring. The 2015 Britt Classical Festival lineup is already generating an energetic buzz around […]

By |2015-02-27T11:49:03-08:00February 26th, 2015|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on Epic Season Coming to the Britt Classical Stage – by Donna Briggs

Look what they’ve done to my song – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

The Unfettered Critic – March 2015

British singer/songwriter Sam Smith is either a very lucky guy…or not quite so.

Smith reached the top of the charts last year with his soulful composition, “Stay With Me.” Then, just a few weeks ago at the 2015 Grammy Awards, the tune was named both “Song of the Year” and “Record […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:16-07:00February 26th, 2015|Featured Stories, The Unfettered Critic|Comments Off on Look what they’ve done to my song – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

Ashland Independent Film Festival Hosts an Oscar Winner! – by Lee Greene

As practically everyone is aware, Sunday, February 22, 2015 was the night of the Academy Award ceremony and broadcast from Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre where this year’s Oscar winners were announced. Locally, the event was celebrated in a big way by the Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF) which filled the Historic Ashland Armory with a black […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:17-07:00February 23rd, 2015|Featured Stories, Performing Arts|Comments Off on Ashland Independent Film Festival Hosts an Oscar Winner! – by Lee Greene

Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, February 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

Our Volunteer Efforts are Noticed and Appreciated—Thanks to all of our wonderful and dedicated volunteers, 2014 was another very busy and productive year for the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery. We received a number of very generous year-end donations that will help support some major projects that are being considered for the New Year. With […]

By |2015-02-22T10:38:58-08:00February 22nd, 2015|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News|1 Comment

New Monarch Waystation at the Farm! – by Emma Abby

Focus on Hanley Farm – February 2015

During these normally quiet months of winter, a special new garden is developing at Hanley Farm. In response to the alarming population crash of the iconic monarch butterfly throughout North America over the last ten years, a small group of concerned local citizens began establishing Monarch Waystations throughout the […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:17-07:00February 22nd, 2015|Featured Stories, Focus on Hanley Farm|Comments Off on New Monarch Waystation at the Farm! – by Emma Abby

Repertory Singers Take Audience on a Trip Through the Seasons of Life

On Sunday, February 8, 2015, the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, under the direction of Dr. Paul French, took their audience at the SOU Music Recital Hall in Ashland on a musical journey reflecting on the seasons of life in The Passing of Time concert. I’ve written about Dr. French in these pages before (“His is […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:17-07:00February 10th, 2015|Featured Stories, Performing Arts|Comments Off on Repertory Singers Take Audience on a Trip Through the Seasons of Life

Balance for Health and Happiness – by Louise Lavergne

Joyfull Living – February 2015
Seeing all the hearts around this month can be a great reminder to check in with your emotional heart and evaluate how you feel about your life. As I am writing this article, I just heard on the news that studies show that a happy heart is more likely to be […]

By |2015-02-08T11:45:13-08:00January 23rd, 2015|Featured Stories, Joyfull Living|Comments Off on Balance for Health and Happiness – by Louise Lavergne

Fraternity of Marriage – by Michael Kell

A Cup of Conversation – February 2015

After twenty-five years of marital bliss, I’ve come to understand a great many more things about life, love, and the beautiful reality of imperfection called marriage. Some things can’t be taught in the classroom, only learned on the job. We raise our kids with the best of intentions especially […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:20-07:00January 23rd, 2015|Cup of Conversation, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Fraternity of Marriage – by Michael Kell

Heart and Soul – by Kate Ingram, M.A.

Soul Matters – February 2015

I don’t mean to burst anyone’s romantic bubble, but I thought a little education about the heart and the origins of Valentine’s Day might be of interest. An alternative, if you will, to the commercial sentimentality foisted upon us February 14 by Hallmark, Inc.

The modern, mid-month celebration of Valentine’s Day morphed […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:20-07:00January 23rd, 2015|Featured Stories, Soul Matters|Comments Off on Heart and Soul – by Kate Ingram, M.A.

In Love with Salt Cellars – by Margaret Barnes

Speaking of Antiquing – February 2015

One thing I’ve been collecting lately is tiny, multi- functional, elegant, practical, universal, and easy to afford—my growing collection of Salt Cellars, also known as salts, open dips, open salts, salt dish, or master salt.

The individual cellar would have typically been sterling silver, […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:20-07:00January 23rd, 2015|Featured Stories, Speaking of Antiquing|1 Comment

Home prices increased 8% in 2014. What’s to come in 2015?

Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 2015

2014 Recap—2014 was a good year for the U.S. economy with 3 million jobs added and the unemployment rate dropping to 5.6%, the lowest level since June 2008. We also saw declining gasoline prices and natural gas prices in most of the Midwest and East Coast, all combined with […]

By |2015-02-08T11:50:41-08:00January 23rd, 2015|Featured Stories, Let's Talk Real Estate|Comments Off on Home prices increased 8% in 2014. What’s to come in 2015?

Not-So-Idle Thoughts – by Mayor Paul Becker

A Few Minutes with the Mayor, February 2015

Before beginning this first column of the year, I wish to thank the editor/ publisher of this newspaper who approached me four years ago with the offer to write my own column, promising to allow me total freedom to write whatever I felt like. Now I ask you, […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:20-07:00January 22nd, 2015|A Few Minutes with the Mayor, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Not-So-Idle Thoughts – by Mayor Paul Becker

Gin Lin – Prominent Mine Boss, Contract Labor Broker, and Businessman – by Carolyn Kingsnorth

Pioneer Profiles – February 2015

As Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year this month, we should not lose sight of the original “welcome” given Chinese immigrants when they first arrived in Oregon in the 1850s.

Jackson County greeted the Chinese with a $2-per month Chinese mining tax levied in 1857 and doubled in 1858, and Oregon included a […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:21-07:00January 22nd, 2015|Featured Stories, Pioneer Profiles|2 Comments

with a little help from their (female) friends. . . – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

The Unfettered Critic – February 2015

The movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid opens with this line on the screen: “Most of what follows is true.” While the main characters actually existed, their story’s timeframe has been truncated for convenience, and, some characters, for dramatic convenience, are consolidations of several actual people. Such is the […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:21-07:00January 22nd, 2015|Featured Stories, The Unfettered Critic|Comments Off on with a little help from their (female) friends. . . – by Paula & Terry Erdmann

News From Britt Hill, February 2015 – by Donna Briggs

As we enter the New Year, Britt welcomes Jacksonville’s three newest City Council members: Ken Gregg, Brad Bennington and Jim Lewis. As volunteers, the City Council works tirelessly with the city’s administrative staff and citizens to provide a framework for the ongoing operations of the City. As I have participated in many proceedings over the […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:21-07:00January 22nd, 2015|Featured Stories, News From Britt Hill|Comments Off on News From Britt Hill, February 2015 – by Donna Briggs

Weed Impacts on the Big Stage – by Bob Budesa

The Weed Wrangler – February 2015

When most of us think of weed control, it’s usually in the context of our own yard, or neighborhood, and that’s not unexpected. After all, weeds are primarily what keep us from achieving the look and feel we try to portrait with our landscaping.

Let’s switch gears […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:21-07:00January 21st, 2015|Featured Stories|Comments Off on Weed Impacts on the Big Stage – by Bob Budesa

Family Views, February 2015 – by Courtney Zimmerman

Love is a messy ordeal. The stomach bug is roaring through our house as I write this, and you all know how ugly that can be. Ugly. So here we are mopping-up messes off the floor at five in the morning, and sometimes it’s easy to wonder what in the world we signed […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:21-07:00January 21st, 2015|Family Views, Featured Stories|Comments Off on Family Views, February 2015 – by Courtney Zimmerman

An Enchanting House Concert

Imagine, if you can, a large country estate, isolated, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and agrarian fields. Having a great room, with a vaulted ceiling and walls lined with original paintings, able to hold over 50 seated guests, and of course, featuring a classic baby grand piano. A venue much like the chamber room of a […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:22-07:00January 12th, 2015|Featured Stories, Performing Arts|3 Comments

Night Vision – by Kate Ingram, MA

Soul Matters – December 2014/January 2015

The other morning I sat in the pre-dawn darkness on my porch, wrapped up against the cold, staring at the stars with their piercing, distant magnificence. I listened to invisible raccoons running through the trees, saw the inky outline of the branches bending under their weight. I heard the soft […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:24-07:00December 24th, 2014|Featured Stories, Soul Matters|Comments Off on Night Vision – by Kate Ingram, MA

Our Valley, Poised for Growth – by Graham Farran

Let’s Talk Real Estate – December 2014/January 2015

Since the financial crash of 2007, Southern Oregon has suffered high unemployment and little growth; but that all seems to be changing. We have been watching quietly as new homes are being built, businesses continue to move-in and acres and acres of grapes are planted.

Home Building and Commercial […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:24-07:00December 24th, 2014|Featured Stories, Let's Talk Real Estate|Comments Off on Our Valley, Poised for Growth – by Graham Farran

The Power of Peace

Joyfull Living – December 2014/January 2015

The holidays are a busy time and after all the stress, events and parties are over, we face the end of another year. Some people get a little down about all the things that never got accomplished and the realization that all the energy spent on external “fixes” didn’t magically […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:25-07:00December 13th, 2014|Featured Stories, Joyfull Living|Comments Off on The Power of Peace

Unstoppable Force Makes Intangible Concept Real and the Result is Spectacular!

On Saturday, November 15, a Gala Celebration Concert and reception were held, commemorating the opening of the new Oregon Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University. It’s a grand sounding institution, but don’t go searching around Ashland’s Southern Oregon University campus looking for a new building with that name etched on it – because […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:25-07:00December 9th, 2014|Featured Stories, Performing Arts|1 Comment

Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, Dec 2014/Jan 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

As we enter the winter months, our outdoor activities and work slows down, although we continue to clean-up the cemetery grounds, pick-up downed limbs and branches and clean-up debris to keep the cemetery neat and tidy and safe for all visitors. We’ll keep the Interpretive Panels clean and the Interpretive Center open and brochure boxes […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:27-07:00November 25th, 2014|Featured Stories, Historic Cemetery News, Now|Comments Off on Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery News, Dec 2014/Jan 2015 – by Dirk Siedlecki

The Adolescent Christmas List – by Michelle Hensman

Family Views – December 2014/January 2015

We sat in a sea of fragmented red, green and gold wrapping paper. My husband and I were content with our coffee as we watched our children explore all the little gifts they missed as they tore through their stockings. After the adrenaline rush of the gift giving and receiving […]

By |2014-12-14T12:28:45-08:00November 24th, 2014|Family Views, Featured Stories|Comments Off on The Adolescent Christmas List – by Michelle Hensman

“I bring you good news…” – by Michael Kell

A Cup of Conversation – December 2014/January 2015

“I bring you good news which shall bring great joy to all people…”

Mary wasn’t dreaming when the words hit the woman-child like a thunderbolt. She could not be pregnant because she had never been with a boy that way. The only thing more surreal than the idea of […]

By |2016-11-30T14:14:35-08:00November 24th, 2014|Cup of Conversation, Featured Stories|Comments Off on “I bring you good news…” – by Michael Kell

Holiday Decorating – by Carmen Whitlock

Making Your House Your Home – December 2014/January 2015

Having just spent almost a month in France and Italy, I can definitely say that I have a new appreciation for opulent decorating and also for simple decorating. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it?

Let me explain. The beauty and magnificence of the many gorgeous, over-the-top castles, palaces, churches, duomos, […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:28-07:00November 24th, 2014|Featured Stories, Making Your House Your Home|Comments Off on Holiday Decorating – by Carmen Whitlock

A Christmas Holiday Gift to All – by Mayor Paul Becker

A Few Minutes with the Mayor -December 2014/January 2015

‘Tis the season of Christmas! (Yes, we can still call it that despite all who would have it otherwise.) Christmas is upon us, as well as the end of another year, and it’s been a very busy year for this mayor!

As I wanted to do something special […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:28-07:00November 24th, 2014|A Few Minutes with the Mayor, Featured Stories|Comments Off on A Christmas Holiday Gift to All – by Mayor Paul Becker

“Small Treasures” Exhibit Continues – by Hannah West

State of the Art Presence Art Center – December 2014/January 2015

Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts, Reason #5: “Arts drive tourism. Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek-out authentic cultural experiences. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that the percentage of international travelers, including museum […]

By |2020-09-30T14:18:28-07:00November 24th, 2014|Featured Stories, State of Art Presence|Comments Off on “Small Treasures” Exhibit Continues – by Hannah West
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