Straight up I’m going to be honest and admit I borrowed this recipe from King Arthur Baking Company because it’s perfectly great and perfectly easy. I’ve used this recipe for years and it never fails. Plus, you can doll it up like I’ve done by adding edible […]
AS A PARENT of a 15-year-old, learning to drive has been an adventure. Recently, when we were sitting in traffic I said to my daughter, “If traffic makes you upset, just remember that you are part of the problem!” It is often helpful to think of our individual impact […]
OUR BUSY MAY schedule got off to a rainy start with the cancellation of the Pre-Memorial Day Cemetery Clean-Up due to unusually cold weather and nearly an inch of unexpected rainfall! Fortunately, members of the cemetery team from Jacksonville Public Works had been mowing the paths and open spaces in anticipation […]
THERE IS A LOT HAPPENING at Art Presence in July with a fresh Guest Artist and Member Artist of the Month, plus a talk about Ginger Rogers’ Crazy Quilt, Messy Hands, a block printing class, and a special exhibition of envelope art. Phew! Come visit […]
THE BRITT SEASON is well underway, and I hope you’ve joined us for an event or two (or more)! Highlights for me already have included our neighborhood kickoff party, The Hill is Where the Heart Is; witnessing two amazing conductors leading the orchestra; and of course, the magical experience […]
MY FAMILY AND I just came back from a fantastic European trip where we explored Germany, Switzerland, and France. Although we adored the City of Light, the highlight of our journey was the 8 days leading up to Paris. During this time, we ventured out of our comfort zone, rented […]
JUST THE OTHER DAY, one of us was saying that he’d like to see a good caper movie, like The Sting, or Ocean’s Eleven. Something with a lot of action that raises adrenalin levels and makes you think. Coincidentally, Netflix sent us an ad boasting about a bunch of “action-packed […]
PERHAPS IT’S NOT SO COMMON, or at times it appears to be absent altogether. And yet, we’d expect adults to be mindful of others. So how is it that in the quiet halls of our surrounding forests, we are wise to watch for those without integrity to follow a few guidelines […]
Summer dining is a wonderful time of year with fresh ingredients easily available. For me, it’s a time to combine ingredients that just work when they’re together. I often give more thought to my side dishes than I do the main course. Here are three favs that […]
I RECENTLY HAD A BIRTHDAY. A big one. An “oof” one. Birthdays are a mini, private New Year’s event; you tend to review the past and think about your dreams for the future. In my contemplations leading up to the day, I discovered, to my chagrin and unhappiness, that my future […]
THERE ARE FEW HOMEOWNERS that would be willing to purchase a home without homeowner’s insurance. However, there is a growing number of homeowners in Oregon who are facing higher annual premiums or have had their policies canceled when they came up for renewal, with some insurers no longer […]
CUTLER ADVISES OVER 2000 INDIVIDUALS. As you can imagine, we have clients across the political spectrum. And they are all worried about the election. Democrats are worried about Trump, Republicans are worried about Biden, and Independents are worried about both of them! As we get asked on a daily […]
LIVING IN SOUTHERN OREGON means we get to enjoy all four seasons. However, our summer season can be a cause for worry, with the danger of wildfires. Summer thunderstorms, wind, warmer temperatures, and carelessness, are the main causes of fire in our area. We aim to help […]
ON A RAINY MORNING IN APRIL, Cemetery Sexton Rick Shields, together with members of the Friends board and the Jacksonville Public Works Department staff, placed a monument in the cemetery commemorating the life and work of Dirk Siedlecki, late founder of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery and long-time President of […]
WITH THE PENDING SALE OF JACKSONVILLE’S U.S. HOTEL, a cornerstone of the town’s National Historic Landmark District and the first building to undergo major restoration in the 1960s, it seems appropriate to revisit the 19th Century larger-than-life character most associated with this 1880 landmark—Madame Jeanne DeRoboam Laugier Guilfoyle Holt.
Born in Bordeaux, […]
FOR THE LAST 18 MONTHS, Britt’s board and staff have been working behind the scenes on our new strategic plan, outlining all our big dreams for the next five years. After 8 months of drafts and revisions, the plan was unanimously approved last month, and we’re thrilled to start […]
TEMPERATURES RISE in June, and Art Presence is heating up right along with the weather! We have lots of creative activities happening throughout June: a special exhibition of envelope art, book readings, hands-on classes, as well as new Guest and Member artists…
June Guest Artist: Catie […]
Lemon anything is a personal favorite of mine. Now, mix a little lemon with mascarpone and whipping cream and I am swooning. If you are looking for a decadent and delicious spring recipe that you can make in advance… look no further. Please note, this is a […]
I REALLY ENJOY talking to people who are new to Jacksonville or just in town for a weekend vacation. Frequently, they ask me about a good place to eat. Here are a few suggestions for Jacksonville restaurants that are owned and operated by locals who pour their heart and soul […]
IT’S NOT AS THOUGH our TV is always on.
Granted, it’s active most evenings, as we watch a movie, or a favored weekly program.
But during the daytime…
Okay, okay—it’s on then too—providing comforting background noise to our daily activities, like waves slapping a pristine shore, or soft breezes rustling leaves of forest […]
WARM SUNNY DAYS followed by cool cloudy ones. Dusty trails one day and sloppy mud the next. Springtime is fully embracing our local woodlands. Just a blink of an eye from the impassable tangles of the late winter snowstorm, through the brilliant hillside displays of floral brilliance, and now into the […]
ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S recent debut of “Icon of the Seas” —the biggest ship in the world—inspired me to write about one of my favorite topics this month: cruising!
As many of you may know, a cruise can be an amazing vacation option, offering many benefits that cater to both seasoned travelers and […]
IF YOU’RE LOOKING to talk with someone about concerns in your life, it can be hard to know what to look for. The options are daunting. Should you find a counselor? Coach? Psychologist? All those letters after the names are like alphabet soup. What do they even mean?
Let’s break this down […]
SELLER FINANCING can be a useful tool when mortgage loans are difficult to qualify for or when interest rates are high. This alternative type of loan may help sellers move their home faster and get a considerable return. Buyers can benefit with typically less rigid qualifying requirements, sometimes […]
SPRING IS IN THE AIR, and this is a time when investors often say “Should I sell in May and go away?” There are always concerns bubbling to the surface for investors, but ultimately staying committed to your investment strategy has generally proven to be the most prudent strategy. […]
WITH “APRIL SHOWERS” behind us, it’s time for “May flowers” and the beginning of a busy season of outdoor events at Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery! Our recurring History Saturday in the Cemetery and Marker Cleaning Workshop programs, plus the annual Pre-Memorial Day Community Cemetery Clean-up and Flags for our Veterans events make […]
SOME THOUGHT-PROVOKING agenda items were on a lengthy City Council Meeting, held on April 2, 2024. I felt this Council meeting showed the City Council, and the audience members who spoke that night, at their best. Reasoned, measured, and respectful comments were offered by all.
The first item […]
ART PRESENCE IS DELIGHTED to present a special collection that captures the historic soul of Jacksonville. Our latest exhibition is a selective showcase, featuring pieces chosen from a wide array of local artists, each bringing their unique perspective.
During the open call held in March, any artist within the […]
IT’S A SPRING SYMPHONY in the woodlands surrounding Jacksonville. The string section—Douglas firs, Ponderosa Pines, flowering big leaf maples, and the majestic madrones—swells around us with a fresh wash of greenery. Oregon grapes, hazelnuts, wild roses, snowberry sword ferns, miner’s lettuce, and white flowering buck brush comprise the lush […]
April welcomes back the much-anticipated arrival of spring and delivers vibrancy of color and possibility. Artist and Gardener, on the corner of Main and 3rd Street similarly welcomes all seasons and visitors with a delightful display of colorful local art, a wide range of tastefully-curated gifts and an absolutely lovely hidden […]
“THE ONE WHO PLANTS TREES, knowing he will never sit in their shade, has begun to understand the meaning of life.” (author unknown) We take this to heart because of recent feedback about fuels reduction on city-owned land. Some concerns that were raised include the spread of invasive weeds, potential erosion, […]
This handy make-ahead recipe works as a delicious brunch item or if you’re looking for an easy supper, you can simply add some shredded chicken to the party. This is even more scrumptious if you put it together the day before you bake it. For all of […]
JUST ABOUT ANYONE will tell you that there is not enough housing in Oregon, which drives up the price of everything. Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek has said addressing that problem is a big priority for her, and now, the Oregon Legislature is delivering.
In January 2023, Governor Kotek issued […]
I HATE TO SAY IT, BUT the era of last-minute travel deals as a cost-effective option is pretty much over. In today’s travel landscape, booking in advance is a smarter strategy to grab better deals and ensure you get the vacation you really want.
Whether planning a cruise, booking a hotel, […]
AS YOU THINK ABOUT planning your retirement expenses, Medicare plays an essential role. This US government healthcare plan, established in 1965, serves as the insurance plan for over 65 million Americans. Medicare can be very confusing, with significant penalties for missed deadlines. For those who have not yet signed […]
THE HISTORIC TOWN OF JACKSONVILLE has become the undisputed leader of the Music Scene in Southern Oregon. This tiny town established the birth of the Southern Oregon music scene with the Britt Festival, but today, live music can be heard in establishments all over town and at the wineries and […]
“APRIL IS THE CRUELEST MONTH,” T.S. Elliot wrote in The Waste Land. He was right, at least about the month’s first day, abused as “April Fool’s Day.” We’re not big fans of the all-too-common practice of jokers attempting to draw attention to themselves by playing foolish pranks upon any and […]
APRIL IS A QUIET MONTH in the cemetery but also one of anticipation and transition from the cold of winter to the blooms of spring and, eventually, the warmth and long days of summer. By the time you read this, we will hopefully have completed our first Community […]
ON A RECENT TRIP to the southwest, I realized that post-COVID, I had forgotten how much I missed traveling. I love exploring new places, visiting old favorites, enjoying the wonderful cuisine of different areas, and having adventures I don’t normally experience at home. I was amazed by […]
April Guest Artist: Andre Satie – Tiny Pictures and More—April showers bring local painter and former Member Artist Andre Satie to the Art Presence Gallery with a retrospective of her career. She loves creating “Teeny Tiny Paintings” and works at larger sizes, presenting a unique […]
BRITT IS ONLY DAYS AWAY from its final announcements and presale. I love this time of year—not least because I can finally stop keeping the amazing secrets of our lineup! The work that happens behind the scenes to book a Britt season starts around a year in advance, so […]
CARTOONIST DAVID SIPRESS NAILED IT with his recent illustration in the The New Yorker, titled “Two Baby Boomers Watch the Grammys.”
Two old geezers (Hey, that’s us!) sit on a sofa in front of their telly, watching the festivities. The individual thought bubbles above their heads read, “Who?” “Who?” “Who?” And […]
SPRING IS IN THE AIR and winter’s wandering thoughts of last year’s memorable hikes will soon to be replaced by the new stories our wandering feet will create along nearby trails. As the wildflowers burst forth to share the stage with the rambunctious chorus of so many spring birdsongs, one would […]
I was chatting with a friend in my shop recently about Easter dinner ideas and he mentioned lamb and how intimidating it is to prepare. Huh? It is? I’m here to tell you there is nothing easier or more elegant than a gorgeous rack of lamb. And […]
WHETHER YOU’RE THINKING OF SELLING in the next six months or a few years down the road, remodeling with return on your investment in mind is a smart financial move. Few investments recoup more than 100% of their cost, but collectively, there are several inexpensive home improvements that […]
2023 IS NOW BEHIND US and what a year it was. Jackson County saw the lowest number of homes sold since 2014. Will 2024 be different? Will home sales continue to drop, or will 2024 be the beginning of the Real Estate Recovery?
Jackson County saw a total of 2,650 […]
DURING PUBLIC COMMENT at the February 6 City Council meeting, Belita Palu-ay announced that she had been appointed as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and will be working with Julie Baker who will run the Visitor Information Center. Belita will also continue in her role as Associate Editor […]
IF THERE IS ONE THING that keeps our clients up at night, it is the question, “What will my health care costs be in retirement?” Of course, the answer to this question depends on the health and longevity of each individual client, but we can use actuarial estimates to […]
JANUARY 14, 2024, brought a well-received event to Jacksonville, in the form of Chamber Music when Jacksonville Oregon Friends of Classical Music presented the first of three world-class winter chamber music performances scheduled this year. It was former Mayor Paul Becker’s dream to bring musical performances to […]
THE CROCUS ARE POPPING and life is beginning to return to nature as we reflect through our featured artists this month. Both artists focus deeply on nature and its workings through amazing digital compositions and paintings. Get out and enjoy the beautiful days when they happen and stop […]