Realtime posts by Whitman Parker, Publisher of the Jacksonville Review
WITH THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY approaching, we reflect on what makes Jacksonville such a special place to live, work, and gather. One thing is clear—our community thrives because of people who care. Beyond our historic buildings, beautiful trails, charming shops, and welcoming streets, it is the generosity of our neighbors and the […]
HERE IN TOWN, our history is not confined to museum walls—we’re surrounded by it every day—in historic buildings, old streets, familiar landmarks and even stories passed down from one generation to the next. Our history helps define who we are, where we came from and what makes our community unique. The […]
IF YOU PASSED BY Jacksonville’s Old City Hall recently, did you feel like you were being watched? If so, did you turn and look…and realize that people were observing you? How did they get inside? Are they ghosts?
Did curiosity win? Did you peer inside the front doors? If so, what […]
A FEW YEARS AGO, Jacksonville faced a difficult decision about the future of our local law enforcement. When faced with the possibility of replacing our police department with contracted county sheriff’s services, the community response was immediate and overwhelming. Residents and business owners affirmed they valued having a local police […]
WHERE’S THE MUSEUM? People have been asking that question ever since the Southern Oregon Historical Society was forced to close its Jacksonville museum in 2010 due to loss of county funding. Well, by the end of summer, Jacksonville will have an answer!
You may not realize it, but Jacksonville has had […]
THIS JUNE, you’ll find events for everyone in the family at every turn. As the temperature heats up outside, a plethora of events awaits in our historic landmark town.
At the top of the list, June 3 marks the kickoff of the Britt Music Festival with Bonnie Raitt playing to a sold-out […]
IT’S MAY… and that means it’s trolley season in our historic landmark town. For decades, Jacksonville’s iconic trolley has been a familiar site in the warmer months. But did you know the Chamber of Commerce now operates three trolleys and that a fourth is rumored to be in the works? The […]
AS WINTER BECOMES SPRING in Jacksonville, something magical begins to happen—the air softens, the light lingers a little longer each evening, and town slowly awakens. Spring here is not just a change of season, it’s an invitation to get outside.
After months of cozy indoor routines, spring urges us back outdoors. The […]
IN A RECENT flurry of Facebook posts, many of us have seen questions about the City ‘s plans regarding a proposed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) amendment. It’s clear from this energy that we all share a deep investment in Jacksonville’s future. To provide some clarity, here is some basic information […]
WITH THE PROMISE of spring approaching, we eagerly await a celebration rooted in thousands of years of tradition: the Lunar New Year Celebration on February 21. This year, the Lunar New Year begins on February 17 and ushers in the Year of the Horse, a zodiac sign associated with vitality, independence, […]
As I reflect on 2025, I’m filled with immense gratitude for the unwavering support of the Jacksonville community. This year has been a testament to the strength of our town—made possible by the collective efforts of our advertising clients, dedicated volunteers, and volunteer columnists who contribute their time […]
AS THE SCENT of woodsmoke mingles with autumn colors and the promise of Thanksgiving feasts, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary pleasure of calling Jacksonville home. Gratitude seems to come naturally here—it’s a part of the rhythm of small-town life as seen in the smiles exchanged on the streets and […]
During the week of September 10, I received news that Lifeline Computer Solutions, the new owner of the building that’s housed Picos Worldwide on California Street for 21 years, notified the business to vacate the property by year end. The reason: Lifeline is moving its corporate offices into the building—legal under […]
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS about living in Jacksonville is that you never really face life alone. Our little town has a way of wrapping its arms around people—especially when neighbors step up to help each other. This issue is dedicated to my dear friend, Frank De Luca, who spent his life teaching us to […]
WILDFIRE SEASON in the Jacksonville area can be unpredictable and devastating. As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, preparation becomes paramount. You’ve heard this mantra before, I know. If you currently don’t have a Go Bag, get one as soon as possible. It’s one of the most important steps […]
LOCALS KNOW that one of the greatest pleasures in life is calling Jacksonville home. Nested at the edge of the Rogue Valley, our little town manages to strike a rare and beautiful balance—steeped in history yet vibrantly alive with culture, creativity, and community. Our town may be small in geographical size, […]
Police Chief Towe to Retire—Police Chief David Towe announced his retirement in a social media post on May 7, saying in part, “May 8th will mark my 34th anniversary with the city of Jacksonville. This seems like a great time to say thank you to all the citizens of this […]
PRIOR TO RUNNING MY PUBLISHING EMPIRE, I was an enterprising sales professional—a job I started fresh out of college that made me one of the youngest in the office for years and years. Early on, I received advice from older, more experienced people, whether I asked for it or not. One […]
THIS MONTH, I’m honored to bring you another issue of the Review that tells the true story of what it’s like to live in Jacksonville. The story begins on our cover, with a photo of Mayor Donna Bowen, who presented Belita Palu-ay and Mike McClain with the 2024 Citizen of the […]
THIS MONTH, I am proud to publish a new column by Mike McClain, dubbed “Vital Volunteers,” wherein Mike will bring us an up-close-and-personal perspective on the many volunteers and non-profit groups that make Jacksonville thrive.
As we know, Jacksonville is a small town with a big heart, and we are well-known for […]
IT’S ALWAYS FUN TO CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, so once again, I invite you to join our friends at SOCCA, the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association, for Lunar New Year in Jacksonville. This year is The Year of the Snake, and the festivities happen the day after Valentine’s Day, on […]
I RARELY USE THESE PAGES to share my thoughts on national politics, opting instead to focus on very local issues that impact us as a town. However, I’m diverging a bit here due to a text message I received on election night from a close Jacksonville friend. Dating […]
MY WIFE, KANDEE, and I attended the Britt Festival annual meeting on September 30 which included the election of new members to the Board of Directors and a “State of Britt” presentation by Britt CEO, Abby McKee. The highlight for me was an outline for the renovation of the US […]
PLEASE JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING Donna Bowen for Mayor and Steve Casaleggio, Andrea Thompson, and John Jorgenson for City Council. Every two years, we elect a slate of volunteers to represent the best interests of our citizenry. This year we are fortunate to have a slate of highly-qualified citizens running for […]
OUR THEME THIS month is “wellness,” a topic I know we value as a community—one that ranks as a top reason most of us choose to live here. For certain, life in a small town has its pluses and minuses. On the positive side, supporting the quest for good mental and […]
THIS MONTH, we’re celebrating and having some fun with our canine friends in town. All month, check our Instagram and Facebook where you’ll find photos of the four-legged friends who make Jacksonville extra special!
On a political note, please see Mayor Donna Bowen’s column on […]
ON JUNE 8, more than 100 friends gathered in the Jacksonville Cemetery at the Sexton’s tool shed for a marker dedication ceremony to honor Dirk Siedlecki, who passed away in 2023. The ceremony was officiated by Eric Rogers, current president of the Friends of Jacksonville’s Historic Cemetery. As Eric noted, in […]
AS WE STEP into the vibrant month of June, it offers a packed schedule of events and opportunities to get out and enjoy our beloved Jacksonville and its surroundings. With summer in full swing, there’s no shortage of places to explore, celebrate, and make memories with friends!
First and foremost, awaiting us […]
I WANT TO REMIND OUR READERS about the importance of dining and shopping locally in our charming town. Supporting our local businesses isn’t just about convenience or preference; it’s about nurturing our community and bolstering our local economy.
When you choose to dine at our local restaurants or shop at our small […]
THIS MONTH, I’m looking forward to putting in some extra time on our woodland trails as our annual wildflower season bursts forth. From my view, a great way to spend time and get exercise is out on the trails spotting wildflowers—and there are plenty to spot including the world-famous […]
THIS VERY SPECIAL ISSUE of the Review is dedicated to two wonderful groups of women who are making Jacksonville a better place to live—they are women making history today and hail from the volunteer, non-profit and business community. It’s my hope that tomorrow’s leaders will look back […]
I CAN’T THINK OF A BETTER WAY to ring in 2024 than with the Lunar New Year celebration on February 17, from 10am-3pm, on Britt Hill. Thanks to Jeresa Hren’s team at the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association (SOCCA), Britt Festivals, and some generous sponsors, (including the Review), Lunar […]
I hope you’ll join me in reveling in the magic of the holiday season as captured on our inspiring cover. Thanks to Amy Kranenburg at Happy Alpaca Toy Store, it was created to put a smile on your face and remind us that the holidays are […]
Part of what makes Jacksonville “Jacksonville” is having a relationship with town employees—office staff, public works, firemen…and cops. Over the last year, Jacksonville’s Police Department, under Chief Dave Towe, has been operating on a skeleton crew with 2.5 patrol officers and the chief. Reasons cited for a lack of police staffing […]
This month, our cover story on Firewise leader Linda Davis comes as Jacksonville once again finds itself in the path of wildfires surrounding the Rogue Valley. Because of Linda and her dedication to making Jacksonville a safer place to live, more and more of us are aware of what we can […]
I’ll tell you what freedom is to me: no fear. ~ Nina Simone
Since I opened Rebel Heart Books six years ago, I have occasionally been subject to a certain kind of inquiry. Some people come into the bookstore and peruse the shelves before asking, “Do you have a […]
After reading the recent article from Dave Doi in the Jacksonville Review, we, the neighbors of Pheasant Meadow, would like to share our perspective on the pickleball courts.
Dave Doi asks what reason the city has to reduce the courts. Here are six:
Protocol. Pheasant Meadow Park is a designated neighborhood city […]
The Mayor and City Council are again facing the pickleball controversy in our town. In March, they voted to prohibit pickleball on Sunday and to limit the hours of play on the other days. This compromise did not placate the small group of neighbors; it only strengthened their resolve to […]
Successful municipalities run on tight budgets…something our city staff and council have mastered due to our small tax base. At its April 13 Budget Committee meeting, staff presented their 3-year budget projections in advance of the first formal budget meeting on May 11. (If needed, follow-up meetings will be held on […]
On the heels of this winter’s weather, it’s a pleasure to see signs of spring in the air… and in the garden. Luckily for us, there are lots of fun events this April to reinvigorate us and get us out and about.
In this […]
When I heard the news that Dirk Siedlecki had passed away, a piece of my heart broke. Dirk was one of “those” guys—one you admire right off the bat and like more and more as the years go on. For 15 years, I was lucky to chat with Dirk several times […]
A slew of regional changes has caught everyone’s attention recently, blowing up social media and sounding the alarm as to the future of our community. Here in town, the new owners of the Jacksonville Inn announced the closure of the restaurant… after purchasing the business less than two years ago. Perhaps […]
It’s the most wonderful time of year in town—having counted our blessings at Thanksgiving, it’s time to celebrate Victorian Christmas with a long list of must-do community activities and events. In this two-month holiday issue, you’ll find information on everything from the Tree Lighting ceremony to the annual Christmas Parade […]
If you haven’t yet returned your mail-in ballot, I’d like to remind you that I have endorsed three candidates for Jacksonville City Council: Ken Gregg, Andy Hellenthal and Ryan Hess. As I stated in my October column, all have previous Jacksonville-based civic […]
Having covered City Council races since 2008, I’m familiar with what makes a good candidate and ultimately an effective councilor. This time around, I encourage you to vote for Ken Gregg, Andy Hellenthal and Ryan Hess. Please read their Candidate Statements on pages 12-14 and Mayor Donna Bowen’s monthly column on […]
On August 8, 2022, the community was devastated by the news that Jacksonville City Councilor Jim Lewis had unexpectedly passed away. For many of us, Jim was a mentor, a rock, a friend, a model citizen and the embodiment of a gentleman. In his honor, we are re-running Mike McClain’s “Sensational […]
If you ask residents what they enjoy most about living in our city, the answers are pleasantly varied. Some cite the small-town atmosphere or the presence of the Woodlands Trails system. Others cite Britt’s offering of world-class concerts or the proximity to area wineries. There are many reasons for Jacksonville’s broad […]
This month, I wanted to circle back around and touch base on a few perennial topics that are always on my mind. During the first week of June, town will see an influx of visitors as the Britt Festival season kicks off, setting the stage for another amazing season of popular […]
There’s such positive energy in the air right now as Jacksonville gears up for our seasonal influx of visitors and high season kicks into full gear. I love it when the streets are teeming with visitors, eagerly soaking up our history and small-town ambiance. If I had a dollar […]
There are so many locals who rejoice in telling me that spring is their favorite time of year…it’s really no wonder since the practically perfect weather makes getting out and about a breeze. As it warms up and the hours of sunlight increase, many of us are upping the number of […]