Current news from the Jacksonville Review
The Chamber is making staffing changes at the Visitor Information Center (VIC) to direct more resources to marketing while still serving the needs of our local visitors. As stewards of 50% of the Transient Room Tax it is appropriate to re-align resources with today’s needs.
Travelers and visitors access information about Jacksonville much differently now. Our […]
Chef Kristen Lyon (on left) is no stranger to local foodies. The 36-year-old chef and entrepreneur first emerged on the local food scene, making a name for herself working at the McCully House.
“When I moved to Ruch ten years ago, it introduced me to the extensive range of locally-sourced food products available right here in […]
This month, March 2015, catch an interesting artistic display of carved wood pieces and some of the tools of the trade in the lobby display cases at the Jacksonville Library. Many of the items featured were carved by Jacksonville carver Harvey Bower.
Just as an […]
At its March 3, 2015 meeting, the City Council took historic action when it voted to approve three key contracts for Phase I in the renovation of the historic courthouse into city offices. The Review is pleased to announce that firms chosen are local firms! Kistler, Small & White Architects was awarded the contract for […]
This summer, beginning on July 26, about 100 musicians will descend on Jacksonville. They’re all members of some of the country’s leading orchestras and come to town to be part of the annual three-week-long Britt Classical Festival. Many of them stay here in Jacksonville, where 41 local families open their hearts and homes to them […]
Friends, families, and those who live and play in the Applegate Valley are invited to an Open House hosted by volunteers from the Jacksonville/Applegate Valley Cohort of the Ford Institute Leadership Program to learn about the exciting plans for an Enchanted Turtle Habitat playscape at beautiful Cantrall Buckley Park.
We have been planning and designing for […]
Since when, you might wonder, is the Symphony in the business of predicting the weather? Well, it’s NOT really. What the Rogue Valley Symphony was up to, specifically at their Season Preview event at the Ashland Springs Hotel on a balmy Sunday afternoon in late February, is providing a glimpse of what’s in store for […]
This week, several large, dead and/or diseased fir trees were removed from areas surrounding the Sarah Zigler Trailhead in the Jacksonville Woodlands Trail system. Following tree falling incidents last year, City Administrator Jeff Alvis undertook a tree health assessment and identified trees that were deemed hazardous to public safety and arranged for their removal. One […]
At 2 pm on Thursday, February 26, Mayor Paul Becker and others gathered at City Hall to open and review 4 contractor bids for the seismic upgrade portion of the historic courthouse renovation. Bids were made by Batzer Construction ($298,600), Taylor Site Development ($357,900), The Ausland Group ($221,150), and Vitus Construction ($308,992).
After announcing the bids, […]
Mary Lillian Probert, affectionately known by all as the “Worm Lady,” passed away on January 10th at the age of 85. Mary, a longtime town resident, was preceded in death by her mother, Katie Lillian “Lil” Kezer,” also a longtime resident of Jacksonville. Mary and “Lil” were best known for the sale of their worms […]
Come help with a “de-vine intervention” in the Jacksonville Woodlands on Saturday March 21, 9:30am-12pm– where we will remove invasive English ivy from the forest. We will save trees from death-by-ivy and protect woodland flowers and shrubs. Meet at the parking lot on Jackson Creek just outside of Jacksonville; snacks and gloves will be supplied. […]
Farms from around the country are celebrating National CSA Sign-Up Day on February 28. The day encourages food consumers to buy a share of their local farm’s harvest for the 2015 season, a buying model known as Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA. In the Rogue Valley, seven farms are offering CSA programs this year. For […]
Britt Festival just announced their 2015 Britt Classical Programs! Tickets go on sale to both members and non-members on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 9am. Get your tickets at brittfest.org!
Friday, July 31 – 8 p.m.
ABRAMS: Visceral
SCRIABIN: Poem of Ecstasy
ORFF: Carmina Burana
Guest Artists: Hugh Russell, baritone; Celena Shafer, soprano; Javier Abreu, tenor, Southern Oregon […]
In late February, Jacksonville again takes center stage of the Southern Oregon music scene when the South Stage Cellars Rising Stars music competition returns to town—at Redmen’s Hall. The five Saturdays of fun starts-off with four semi-final rounds on February 28, March 7, March 14 and March 21. The final round will be held on […]
Aspiring singers and songwriters are encouraged to sing their hearts out on February 27 as Pony Espresso Coffee Shop and Café hosts the next in a series of open mic nights. Held in conjunction with the Southern Oregon Songwriters, Open Mic Nights are every 4th Friday from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm in Jacksonville at […]
The inaugural Winter Concert Series in the Bigham Knoll ballroom rocks on with more local talent performing in February. On Saturday nights, treat yourself to the sounds of The Fret Drifters on Feb. 14, the Evening Shades on Feb. 21 and 221 Fly on Feb. 28. Hilary Kemmling of Bigham Knoll notes, “We really love […]
Applegate Valley’s premier community-run park is getting a make-over! The Greater Applegate Community Development Corporation (GACDC) is beginning a drive to raise funds to rehabilitate the park’s well-used 40-year-old playground. Over $50,000 will be needed. Parents, kids, private foundations, Jackson County Parks, businesses, non-profits, artists, and residents from the local area are all getting-in on […]
In mid-January, the vacant lot next to the Global Cache/Picos building underwent a major transformation when it was converted into a charming park. The project was made possible thanks to the generosity of GC building owners Walt Keller and Robin Ford. Global Cache, which occupies the upper floor of the building, employs 20 locals—it’s a […]
During classes there will also be a sandbox, treasure hunt, and some kid friendly activities (children are still under parents supervision) as well as hot coffee and refreshments.
*denotes kid friendly class, bring your […]
The remodeling is complete on Jacksonville’s famous toy store – Scheffel’s Toys & More! Owners Linda & Bill Graham invite you to drop-in and check-out the newly-designed interior featuring an incredible line of toys, puzzles, dolls, books and more. Bill & Linda, along with their wonderful general contractor Bruce Silva and super-duper painter Jim Adair […]
Here Comes Mr. Jordan, our film for February is a delightful romance-comedy fantasy with a perfect cast. Starring Robert Montgomery, Evelyn Keyes, Claude Rains, and Edward Everett Horton, the film was so successful it was remade three times. This original version is regarded as the best, and rightfully so.
You may remember Evelyn as Scarlett’s younger […]
January marked the four-year anniversary of the fabulous floral studio known as Penny and Lulu. To celebrate their budding success, owners Susie Penwell and Carol Lowenberg have moved their retail studio from its original warehouse to 18 Stewart Avenue—the vintage ivy-covered brick building on the northwest side of the Highway 99/Stewart Avenue intersection pictured here.
The […]
Valley View Winery proudly presents The Grand View Artists and their newest paintings featuring a very special artist guest: Stefan Baumann, PBS TV star of “The Grand View: America’s National Parks Through the Eyes of an Artist” on Saturday, February 7th from 1-4pm.
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the festivities which will feature:
Presented by Rogue Valley Street Rods, the 2015 Southern Oregon Rod & Custom Show takes place February 14 and 15, 2015 in four buildings at The Expo at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Entrance fee is $8 for adults 13 and over, $2 for kids six to 12, […]
MEDFORD, OR – At 11 AM February 21 more than 400 people will take turns plunging into the chilly outdoor pool at Medford’s Jackson Aquatic Center. It’s the state-wide annual Oregon Law Enforcement Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Oregon (SOOR) presented by Fred Meyer. Participants will raise […]
From Mail Tribune
Posted Jan. 20, 2015 @ 11:24 am
Britt Festivals has announced one act for its 2015 season, nearly three months before the full list is released.
Iconic parody songwriter Weird Al Yankovic will take to the Jacksonville venue’s stage Sept. 2 as part of his Mandatory World Tour, according to a news release from Britt.
Yankovic […]
The old U. S. Hotel may, indeed, have condition problems, as identified in the front page article by Tony Boom on the old brick lady and her structural issues as alleged by concerned citizen Larry Smith in the Wednesday, January 14 issue of the Medford Tribune. They are not likely unique to the hotel, however.
By Tony Boom
for the Mail Tribune
Posted Jan. 13, 2015 @ 5:51 pm
Updated Jan 13, 2015 at 9:56 PM
A local history buff says the iconic Jacksonville building is in trouble, but others disagree
JACKSONVILLE — Mortar slowly washing away from bricks at the U.S. Hotel has history buff Larry Smith worried about the future of one of […]
The OSU-Jackson County Master Gardeners™ will host three classes in February from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays at the OSU Extension Service Auditorium, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point. The cost of the classes is $15 each; it’s free for certified Master Gardeners. The classes are also eligible for MG recertification. There will be outdoor […]
We're seeking Jackson County residents and business representatives to keep our programs growing strong. Master Recyclers cultivate awareness and motivate others to prevent waste in Jackson County.
Britt is now accepting applications for two summer programs: the returning String Quartet Academy, and the pre-concert music series on Britt’s Performance Garden stage.
By Tony Boom
for the Mail Tribune
Posted Jan. 7, 2015 @ 5:36 pm
After nearly two hours of testimony, deliberation and debate on definitions for structures, driveways, shoulders, foundations and roadways, the City Council ruled Tuesday that Britt Festivals’ new parking lot on First Street is in compliance with city development codes.
Oregon’s Land Use Board of Appeals […]
The Rogue Gallery honors longtime Rogue Valley artist Elaine A. Witteveen in an exhibit of her paintings in acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media. Elaine celebrates the joyous beauty and mystery of life in rich, abstract paintings.
Approximately 40 paintings Elaine Witteveen has produced in the last twenty years will be displayed. A few of the paintings […]
January’s film, Modern Times, is a comedy… but one with a dagger pointed straight into the heart of our industrial society. Only Charlie Chaplin could play a soul, who’s struggling to live free in a machine age that is binding him to endless repetition, in a job where workers are reduced to machines. This is […]
That a music competition of this caliber could happen in a small, historic town like Jacksonville, Oregon is a testament to the phenomenal commitment to the musical arts in the greater Rogue Valley. This coming February, 2015, twelve of the most expressive, passionate and talented local musicians from Southern Oregon will vie for winning season […]
One book at a time, one child at a time, books make a difference. Every time a child is given a book, from birth to age 19, a door is opened. Give a baby a board book and she discovers the concept of a book: an object with pages to turn, pictures to look at, […]
Thiis is the time of year the Jacksonville Woodlands Association wraps-up our projects and plans our workload for next year, which is just around the corner!
That being said, I thought I’d throw the ‘suggestion box’ out to you, the trail users. If you have ideas for improvements, or maintenance issues […]
A major milestone has recently been met by the Southern Oregon Historical Society. After 27 years of effort by various SOHS staff members, the Snavely collection ( Native American human remains and associated grave goods from the Little Applegate River) have been returned to Robert Kentta, Cultural Resources Program Representative for the Confederated Tribes of […]
We are most fortunate to live in Jacksonville—a community where volunteerism is a way of life. This year, the Review is honored to name two outstanding citizens as 2014 Volunteers of the Year—Jeanena Whitewilson and Carolyn Kingsnorth. On any given day, Jacksonville residents and visitors benefit by their volunteerism and contributions to the community. Please […]
Don and Debbie Tollefson just opened a new Applegate Valley Realty branch office in Jacksonville at 935 N. 5th Street, next to the gas station near the east entrance to town. Their first office opened in the Applegate Valley in 2010 in the former Eve’s Café building and in 2013, the couple opened their Murphy […]
Historic Jacksonville, Inc. will celebrate the Victorian Christmas Boxing Day tradition on Saturday and Sunday, December 27 and 28, when all Victorian Christmas tours of Jacksonville’s historic Beekman House will be $2 per person with a canned good donation for ACCESS. If visitors pay full price ($5 for adults, $3 for seniors or students), all […]
Christmas dinner in our family consists of Prime Rib with horseradish sauce and Au jus, potatoes, mixed vegetables and Yorkshire pudding with gravy… YUM. If you’ve never tried Yorkshire pudding, it’s not an actual pudding, it’s a savory soft bread kind of a roll made from batter consisting of eggs, flour and milk…it’s hard to […]
Horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers on street corners, complimentary cider and meeting Father Christmas, three weekends in December!
The ART’clectic Local Artisans group currently has fourteen participating members, several of whom are also members of the Art Presence Gallery in Jacksonville. This December, the group will present their first Victorian Christmas “Pop-Up” event on Fridays from 4:00-8:00pm and Saturday & Sundays from 10:00am-6:00pm on December 5,6,7, 12,13,14 and 19,20,21 at the IOOF Hall […]
Every day through Christmas, kids of all ages are encouraged to mail a letter to Santa and help another kid in the process. Santa’s Mailbox will be on the porch outside Eleglance Home Décor at 110 N. 5th Street during normal business hours.
Eleglance owner Carmen Whitlock will transport the letters to the Post Office and […]
Experience a Victorian Christmas this holiday season at the historic Beekman House. This 1873 residence is decorated for a 19th Century Christmas celebration, and you’re invited to visit!
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 […]
Last year, more than 40 businesses in Jackson County participated in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Toy Drive Program that brightened the lives of more than 800 families here in the Rogue Valley.
Thanks to your generousity, children in our commuintiy who might have gone without holiday gifts received them! This year, please join the Brodie […]
The annual ACCESS Senior Shoebox Project has kicked off and will be accepting wrapped shoeboxes filled with a variety of fun and usable items until December 5, 2014. The purpose of this project is to bring some good cheer and extra special attention to Jackson County seniors, people with disabilities or shut-ins during the holiday […]