Current news from the Jacksonville Review
MEDFORD, OR — In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) in 2022 and in recognition of Teddy Abrams being honored with Musical America’s 2022 Composer of the Year Award, Britt Music and Arts Festival will establish a $500,000 Britt Festival Orchestra Fund. The fund will be used to support the […]
Like many of you I had many reasons to approach this Christmas season with angst and disappointment, especially given the ravages of Covid-19 and a United States divided like we have not seen since the Civil War (why it was called civil, I will never know). What changed all of this for me and renewed […]
OCTOBER 27th, 2021-JACKSONVILLE, OR—THE JACKSONVILLE INN is pleased to announce the appointment of John Blevins as Head Chef of the iconic Rogue Valley restaurant. Blevins will oversee kitchen operations for new owners, ADLO RESTAURANTS, LLC, a partnership of local Rogue Valley residents Corey and Amy Donovan, Jeremy and Randee Leever, Shaun and Crissie Olson and […]
Trails in valley bottoms are buried in yellow maple leaves. Streams are coming to life after a long, hot summer. It’s truly a wonderful time of year to be in Forest Park. This fall, we’re sharing the park with a family of black bears, as I discovered during a close encounter with them last week […]
“This is a life-changing course. It helped me move from … paralysis to empowerment and to action.” Thus commented a recent graduate of SOCAN’s Master Climate Protector course.
Declining snowpack and summer rainfall, ongoing western drought, increasing wildfire risk. Are these dastardly Hallowe’en tricks from Mother Nature or are we the culprit? If you would like […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—Experience a Victorian Christmas this holiday season at the historic Beekman House Museum, located at 470 E. California Street in Jacksonville, Oregon. This early 1870s residence, home to Jacksonville’s wealthiest pioneer family, is decorated for a 19th Century Christmas celebration, and you’re invited to visit. Between 12 noon and 3 p.m. every Saturday and […]
McKee Bridge Historical Society will once again dress up McKee Bridge with greenery, garland and glistening lights to celebrate the 2021 holidays. Star Ranger Station and the 1936 community kitchen at the picnic grounds will be decorated and lighted too. Everyone is invited to visit from December 17 through New Year’s Day and enjoy the […]
Every year, dozens of caring businesses participate in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Toy Drive program to brighten the lives of families here in the Rogue Valley. Last year, the Salvation Army partnered with the Jackson County Toys for Tots and provided gifts for over 3400 local children. This year, more businesses will participate in […]
“This is a life-changing course. It helped me move from … paralysis to empowerment and to action.” Thus commented a recent graduate of SOCAN’s Master Climate Protector course.
Declining snowpack and summer rainfall, ongoing western drought, increasing wildfire risk. Are these dastardly Hallowe’en tricks from Mother Nature or are we the culprit? If you would like […]
December is a special time of year in Jacksonville as the town decorates and lights up for the holiday season. The Jacksonville Garden Club is happy to announce that the annual Holiday Greens Sale will be back in its traditional spot in the alcove next to the Post Office on Friday, December 3, from 10:00am-3:00pm. […]
Over the years, the City of Jacksonville’s Development Code was revised multiple times by multiple authors to reflect the changing of the community. However, with so many incremental changes, the Code became complicated and burdensome, and in some cases, contained conflicting or inconsistent requirements. The City started […]
The Jacksonville Garden Club is preparing to bring some holiday cheer to our homes and businesses! Early in December, creative members will be making beautiful wreaths, table arrangements, entry baskets, and swags, featuring fresh natural greens and cones, holly, bows, candles and festive decorations. Customers who have purchased these lovely greens in the past know […]
For many, the wreath is a symbol of eternity, an unending circle of life, growth, and everlasting life. Traditionally, we post wreaths on our front doors as an invitation to family and friends to join in our holiday festivities. This year, as in years past, SOHS Hanley Farm invites […]
Graduates of the Southern Oregon Climate Action Now Master Climate Protector (MCP) course are certified when they turn their understanding about climate science into action by promoting understanding in the community or promoting real greenhouse gas reductions.
SOCAN’s November Monthly General Meeting will be devoted to an evening of inspiration as three MCP graduates who have […]
MEDFORD, OR — The Britt Festival Orchestra (BFO) is excited to announce two new changes as it prepares for the 60th anniversary of the Britt Music & Arts Festival in 2022. Britt announces that a new General Manager of the BFO has been hired. And, the BFO is moving its storied and popular orchestral music […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR – October 2021 – Pioneer Village will be holding a ceremony and birthday party for Helen Hein who will be turning 102 years old. The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce will be in attendance on Thursday October 21st at 10:30AM for a special ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of the new Hein building on […]
Jacksonville’s Everest Smith has spent 11 years as a member of Boy Scout Troop 5. “I can easily say it has been the highlight of my childhood and teenage years. I have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Scouting.” Readers of the Review know that this award does not come easily—the […]
“We planned for the baby and the business, but we really did not plan for the pandemic.” Trevor and Jessie Driskell’s long held dream was to take over the Mustard Seed Café—to run their own business. On March 1, 2020, that dream came true. Soon after, the world changed. Jessie shares their story.
“It was bad […]
Musical America announced today that Teddy Abrams—the galvanizing conductor now in his eighth season as Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra—has been named Conductor of the Year for 2022. Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher congratulated […]
Creative animal lovers have been making the most of staying indoors during this summer’s extreme heat, smoke and COVID precautions. These generous souls have produced and donated an incredible array of artisanal items for Friends of the Animal Shelter’s Howl-O-Ween and Holidays […]
Despite pandemic and wildfires, the 2021 Britt Season comes to a successful close.
MEDFORD, OR — Overcoming multiple challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and several weeks of wildfire smoke in the region, the Britt Music & Arts Festival has completed an outstanding season filled with amazing music and artists. Britt thanks its patrons, members, business […]
UPDATE, OCTOBER 15, 2021 – Slightly over $3,200 was raised for the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery at the October 9, auction held at Belita Space during Jacksonville’s Art Walk. Our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Chris Anderson for creating his beautiful and artistic bowls and for supporting our organization. Thank […]
Life can be electrifying! One of the most effective actions individuals can take to address the climate crisis is to electrify their lives as much as possible. While this is very effective, even if our electricity is produced in a fossil fuel-powered generation facility, it is even more effective if our electricity is generated by […]
In cooperation with the Oregon Health Authority, the City of Jacksonville will facilitate a series of COVID-19 vaccine clinics at Jacksonville New City Hall, 206 N 5th Street, Second Floor Assembly Room (ADA Accessible). ANYONE MAY PARTICIPATE for a first or second vaccine. Your name and birth date are all that is required. […]
A pair of treasured, historic Jacksonville inns are now welcoming guests with new owners. The McCully House and the (Judge) Touvelle House are open for business, and everyone’s working behind the scenes to pamper and impress weary travelers. I dropped in recently to discover how they arrived at this momentous juncture and hear their plans.
The […]
MEDFORD, OR — The Britt Music and Arts Festival’s Board of Directors is announcing the planned retirement of Donna Briggs, President and CEO of Britt Music and Arts Festival, effective December 31, 2021. Briggs informed the Board leadership of her intentions to retire earlier this year.
Former Board Chair, Mike Burrill Jr., stated that “Briggs started […]
The Jacksonville business community is a vital part of the fabric of town and makes it unique and a contributing part of our quality of life. There are many changes happening this month—some a result of the pandemic, some a result of natural life changes and some for pure economic reasons. Below is a summation […]
AUGUST 25, 2021-JACKSONVILLE, OR – JACKSONVILLE INN is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Mailley as the General Manager of the iconic Rogue Valley restaurant. Mailley will oversee restaurant operations for new owners, ADLO RESTAURANTS, LLC, a partnership of local Rogue Valley residents Corey and Amy Donovan, Jeremy and Randee Leever, Shaun and Crissie […]
Local columnist and features writer, Peggy Dover, is pleased to announce the release of her novel titled Stone Revival, set in post-WWII England.
All aboard for a visit to the rail village of Rakefoot Crossing, a most unlikely location for espionage, kidnapping, and deception.
Glory Stone is content with her life as a country vet’s wife and […]
JERICHO, N.Y., Sept. 7, 2021 – 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS) has announced plans to hire more than 10,000 team members nationwide for seasonal positions across its gourmet foods and gifting brands to […]
(Salem, OR) – The Oregon Water Resources Department is asking Oregonians who rely on wells for their water use to report their dry wells or low producing wells online. Visit our Dry Well webpage at www.oregon.gov/owrd/drywell and click on the link to report your dry well.
Reported information helps the Department understand changes in aquifers […]
Medford, Ore., September 3, 2021 — Following her four-chair-turn appearance on NBC’s popular singing competition “The Voice,” DANCIN Vineyards & Winery will present two performances by Chicago-based blues & soul singer/songwriter Katie Kadan on September 15 and 16 at 5:30 pm.
In-person seating was limited to DANCIN wine club members […]
On Saturday, September 18, from 3-7pm, 2021, Todd Lovett and Leslee Parr will host a showing of their artistic collaboration, “Off the Charts,” at the Artist and Gardener shop at 130 South 3rd Street, Jacksonville. The public is invited.
Leslee Parr, PhD, Professor Emeritus, San Jose State University: I have always believed that scientists and artists […]
Join the Jacksonville-Applegate Rotary Club for their Rotary Poker Run on Friday & Saturday, September 17 & 18, 2021, 1-7pm. Winners will be announced at Rotary BBQ, Sunday, September 19, 1-3pm, at Rellik Winery. Players will purchase a scorecard at participating Jacksonville wineries (no purchase required). At the last winery, players will make the best […]
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that in the book industry, romance is the genre of hope. I’m often asked what makes a romance and I can say one thing for sure, it absolutely has to have what’s known as an HEA, a Happily Ever After. Peril, conflict, miscommunication, and pain can all be tolerated if […]
“It’s been a great experience.” Lorraine Akin welcomed me inside and began sharing about her great little fashion boutique, Jacksonville Company, located at 155 California Street. As the third woman owner, Lorraine assumed ownership of Jacksonville Company in 1998. Long-time residents may recall it as Jacksonville Shoes. “It’s evolved over the years,” Lorraine said. “Originally […]
On June 22, Jacksonville residents, Herstle and Kelly Jones, founders of Jones & Associates Premier Financial Solutions, awarded Miranda Gillaspie with a gift of paying her mortgage for the next 12 months—the gift was a part of the firm’s annual Jones Cares program.
At the time, Miranda Gillaspie was a stranger to the Jones family—they met […]
Join the Jacksonville Rotary Club for a fun winery Poker Run on September 17, 18 & 19. Players will purchase a scorecard at participating Jacksonville wineries (no purchase required). At the last winery, players will make the best five-card hand they can according to standard poker hand ranking and turn the card in to be […]
In mid-July, a volunteer crew spent the day plowing a 30-acre field that was overgrown with tall grass and weeds—the parcel abuts Royal Mobile Estates to the north. Not only was the patch of ground an eyesore, it was a fire hazard that’s now been mitigated with a fire line. With a generous donation of […]
Landscaping Against Your Home—An easy way to create defensible space around your home is to remove weeds, brush, and other invasive vegetation and debris. Use noncombustible rock mulch around your home in place of standard mulch. Trim grass and flowers to 4” or less and maintain all summer. Trim touching or overhanging tree branches to […]
JACKSON COUNTY OREGON — Jackson County Emergency Management launched a layer to the existing Everbridge mass notification system that allows individuals to receive all Citizen Alert Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation alerts issued in Jackson County by Emergency Management and City jurisdictions.
“We are very excited to add this to our mix of alerts. This […]
JACKSONVILLE, OR—Beginning in August 2021, Historic Jacksonville, Inc. will again be opening the oldest bank in the Pacific Northwest to the public! Scheduled “banking hours” are 11am to 3 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, from August 7 through September 5, 2021. The 1863 C.C. Beekman Bank Museum is located at 110 W. California Street in Jacksonville.
The […]
Long-time restaurateurs Colin and Monique Cox are back. As the former owners of The Honeysuckle Café, they closed their doors in 2020 after six successful years of operation. The couple said, “We just could not survive on To-Go business alone and after much consideration, and missing our loyal customers, decided to get back to doing […]
In Psychology Today, Dr. Steve Albrecht says that for his money, “ice cream wins the prize as the snack food that brings the most joy. Feeling blue? Go to your local ice cream shop and get a scoop.”
The feeling of delivering joy through fun and delicious ice cream and other treats is what drives Violets […]
Historic Jacksonville and its abundance of wineries once again will serve as the scenic backdrop for the annual Oregon Wine Experience. As people from across the country and around the world travel to our beautiful hamlet for the event, vintners will present their signature wines and chefs will prepare their culinary delights.
“Everyone who attends or […]
JULY, 14, 2021, MEDFORD, OR — Britt Music & Arts Festival invites everyone to “Come Together” for more concerts during the 2021 Britt Presents season, offering more musical variety and a comedy act. This is the final announcement for the 2021 Britt Presents season, bringing the total number of concerts to 17. The announcement introduces […]
The Jacksonville City Council has identified emergency preparedness for wildfire as a key focus this year. The Council is working on several steps including revision of the Emergency Operations Plan, a review of the Britt Evacuation Plan and the development of a set of emergency protocols including exit routes, warning […]
On Saturday, June 5, 2021, a newly-constructed suspension bridge below the reservoir in Forest Park was officially named the “Tony Hess Bridge,” in honor of its long-standing champion. Back in 2003, Tony Hess headed up an ad-hoc group of volunteers to work with the City Council to transform 1800 acres of city-owned land into a […]
Local Jacksonville residents, Mike and Laurie Thornton, working with the Jacksonville City Council and the Jacksonville Boosters Club are sponsoring a demonstration-site event focusing on the removal of blackberries and other invasive plants. The event will take place on Saturday, July 17, from 8:00-10:00 AM with work on the creek bed across from the Jacksonville […]
Due to extreme wildfire risks, fireworks are now banned on private and public property in Jacksonville.
Please see the below resolution passed on 6/29 by the City Council.
RESOLUTION NO. 2021-007
A RESOLUTION DECLARING CRITICAL FIRE DANGER AND PROHIBITING ANY FIREWORKS DURING 2021 JULY FOURTH HOLIDAY IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE
WHEREAS, the City Council of the […]