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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Siskiyou Singers performed their 2014 holiday season concert on December 12, 13 & 14 under the direction of Mark Reppert, at the SOU Music Recital Hall in Ashland.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
“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 […]
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, […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
It’s one of the most unnerving scenes in cinema history. A woman sneaks into the room where her husband has been writing his novel. She peeks at the sheet of paper in his typewriter and starts reading: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” She reads […]
On Friday evening, November 14, the Oregon Center for the Arts’ Tutunov Piano Series presented for its second concert of the season, pianist extraordinaire, Francesco Nicolosi, to a packed house at the SOU Music Recital Hall in Ashland. Nicolosi, 59 years old, born in Catania Italy and centered in Naples, is perhaps the most distinguished […]
See plans for Phase 1 of the General Construction Plan for seismic upgrades and more of the $1.1 million Jacksonville Courthouse project to convert the historic building into city offices.
Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays, not just because so many people love a turkey dinner but because we feel the joy of gathering with loved ones. We intuitively know the importance of giving thanks. Through all the hustle and bustle of travel, preparing and cooking, stress often gets […]
As winter approaches and the days get shorter, a perfect way to brighten your landscape is by adding a low voltage (LV) lighting system.
Though outdoor lighting is also very practical for security reasons, it’s also a great way to create an ambience that enhances your property and creates definition. By […]
I enjoy observing and learning from parents of all ages and stages. I’m fascinated as I study the unique ways they organize, educate, and inspire their families. After years of doing this, I’ve identified some distinct stages of parenting and some very clear difference between rookie and veteran moms you may […]
“Sometimes I go about in pity for myself, and all the while a great wind is bearing me across the sky.” ~Ojibwa saying
It all began with Madame Stacy at the Sunday Farmer’s Market. Sitting inside the Full Moon Woo tent, I stared at the […]
We’ve been asked why we don’t include restaurant reviews in our ramblings on all things “entertainment.” The simple answer is that we know better. The servers and chefs of Jacksonville’s dozen eating establishments are almost like family—and we wouldn’t want to create sibling rivalries by touting the efforts of one over another. Acclaimed food critic […]
He doesn’t make a big noise in this town. Maybe you’ve seen him riding his recumbent bike, or playing his banjo, or sipping coffee at Pony Espresso. Maybe you go to church with him. He is just one of those friendly guys you see around town. But Fred von […]
Traditional Holiday Dinners evoke many emotions because of the traditions we try to keep, the family members we celebrate with, the family members who are missed or missing, the friends we include, and the items we employ to create the desired effect at the dining table.
Many of us begin our […]
At the moment, I can only wait patiently and repeat my heart-felt goodbyes to my 91 year old mom as she lies in a semi coma on her 10th day of hospice. Although I am so sad to lose my mother, I am at the same time so grateful for the time I have had […]
The following scenario has not happened, but with all things possible is certainly worth contemplating…
It took months, but the sale of the old courthouse to the We Operate Efficiently Corporation finally went through. WOE had worked at obtaining the building even before the citizens of Jacksonville became […]
During the excavation of the Chinese Quarter by the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology (SOULA) in the Fall of 2013, a multitude of fascinating items were uncovered that can shed light on the experiences of Chinese immigrants living in Jacksonville during the late nineteenth century. Among the most curious of […]
On Sunday, Oct. 26, the audience at the Bright Orb of Harmony Concert at the SOU Recital Hall in Ashland were ushered into the musically rich world of Dr. Paul French, Director of the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers. It is a world that is substantially richer and more expansive musically than that of virtually anyone […]
In the November print issue of the Jacksonville Review, I describe the Rogue Valley as a “cornucopia of performing arts” for the volume and variety of performing arts events available. That point has been validated over the last two weeks, by the wide variety of available concerts which I have been able to enjoy and […]
Contemporary autumn gardens are greatly brightened by the sundry colors of cultivated chrysanthemums (C. X morifolium); however, their name comes from the Greek words ‘chrysos’ (gold) and ‘anthos’ (flower) because native species in China were just yellow. For a time, only the nobility in Old China were allowed to grow the sacred chrysanthemum, and the […]
“No tree, it is said, can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.” C.G. Jung
I don’t know if it’s the time of year, phase of life, or just my peculiar vantage point, but almost everyone I know is going through some serious suffering. I’m not talking about the […]
October 4th starts a retrograde cycle for the planet Mercury that will last until the 24th. Retrograde is when a planet slows down, stops and appears to move backwards. This is an illusion caused by the Earth passing the slower moving outer planets. This can affect us in different ways depending […]
Having had a background in Fundraising and Major Gifts, I quickly became acquainted with the process of Estate Planning. When meeting with donors, I’d inevitably discover a household full of treasured purchases, either bought by the residents or inherited. Oftentimes, parents would ask me how to plan ahead and who […]
We are four weeks into the school year. The wave of emotions that came with those first weeks are now fading into a sea of monotony, and we are getting into the groove of schedules and carpools. The teachers are teaching and kids are learning; meanwhile, parents are making sure the […]
Jacksonville is a wonderful place to enjoy fall colors! If you’ve lived here very long, you’ve probably identified your favorite tree for fall color, whether in your own yard or somewhere in town.
This month, we’ll have a show that lasts several weeks thanks to the large variety of deciduous trees […]
The real estate market in Jackson County continues its recovery this year with the median price of a home increasing by 15% from $195,000 in January, 2014 to $225,000 in August, 2014. The number of homes sold this year is about on par with last year with an average […]
Tree Removal—In late August and early September, several people commented about trees that had been cut-down within the cemetery grounds. To explain, there were a number of dead madrone trees and a couple of diseased pines the City had removed. While it’s sad to lose trees, occasional removal is an important factor in providing safety […]
This month I’m taking a break from the ongoing series of stories about 19th Century life in Jacksonville to pay tribute to a special person—Georgia Curran Scott Lind. On August 20, 2014, Jacksonville lost this 20th Century pioneer three weeks short of her 96th birthday. Georgia experienced almost all of the […]
Over the past few years, you could barely throw a rock without hitting a shovel-wielding, orange vested archaeologist in downtown Jacksonville. Many of the same factors that served to preserve the beautiful buildings that make up our National Historic Landmark, also protected the significant archaeological resources beneath our streets, sidewalks, and […]
The Britt season has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean our need for live music has ended. We love live music. In fact, as Woody Allen explained in (Terry’s favorite movie), Annie Hall, “Love is too weak a word.” Well, Woody invented some new ones for us: We […]
I am dedicating this entire column to the Britt Society, the unsung heroes of Britt Festivals. Did you know that the Britt Society is a separate non-profit 501c3 organization with their own Board of Directors and membership made up of 300 fantastic and active people? Established in 1964, its […]
The sweet-faced woman behind the counter turns to you and smiles a friendly welcome. This is Joelle Manning Graves, proprietor of Sterling Creek Antiques, located in the historic Orth Building on South Oregon Street in Jacksonville. Her kindly vibe and deep wealth of knowledge about the things she sells […]
With Oktoberfest beginning later this month, it seems an appropriate time to celebrate Southern Oregon’s pioneer community of German-speaking settlers. Although comprising only a quarter of the Rogue Valley’s population, first and second-generation immigrants from what are now Germany, Switzerland, and Austria were the dominant ethnic element, contributing significantly to the tenor and scope of […]
Prior to moving to Southern Oregon in 2002, I had just sold eBusiness Design, a web development company that specialized in helping large companies use the internet to market, improve customer service, distribute their product directly to consumers or just to inform their customers. When I arrived in Southern […]
By the time you read this, school will be back in session and I will be doing the happy dance, back in my bliss, working on the next book. But today it is early August, and I am trying to write while entertaining/mollifying/feeding my lovely children without benefit of an entertaining […]
Now there’s a word that can strike fear into the hearts and minds of otherwise stout-hearted men and women. How many times have we all heard someone say, “I wish they’d stop changing things all the time,” or “Why do we need to change… I like things […]
The Unfettered Critic – September 2014
Watching TV has never been so easy. Or so hard.
Remember when three networks—CBS, NBC and ABC—scheduled our viewing for us? Today we download favorite shows to “devices” like smart phones, tablets, computers and (insert new tech here!) in order to view them whenever we want. Now dozens of cable networks, […]