Realtime posts by Whitman Parker, Publisher of the Jacksonville Review
I just sat down to pen this column on a sunny Saturday morning, one day before the Summer Solstice. The weather is perfect so the office door is wide open, allowing the sights and sounds of Jacksonville to flood-in. Just now, I caught a glimpse of two 18-wheelers cruising by— not the normal gravel or […]
After sitting through the first meeting of “budget season,” it occurred to me that living in Jacksonville is a “bargain.” Please don’t get me wrong; I don’t like paying taxes any more than the next guy and certainly expect public employees to take their duties seriously by never wasting public money.
However, […]
It’s the time of year when the pages of the Review and our online calendars are filling-up with fun things to do as fast as our local wineries are running their bottling lines. With summer upon us, there’s a host of not-to-be-missed events and activities you’ll read about in this issue.
This […]
I’m at my desk typing this column—on a perfect spring day—thinking I should be taking a long walk on one of the Jacksonville Woodlands trails instead! It’s one of those days when it’s a shame to be indoors when there’s so much to see and do outside.
As I strolled into work […]
Last month, I had a 5-day “hall pass” to get out of town with my wife, Jo. Our trip to the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show was primarily a jewelry buying trip for Jo’s in-town shop, but since I have family in Arizona, it also provided a […]
This year, our City Council must weigh the importance of and address several challenges including the Courthouse, the Jacksonville Dam, the need for a new Fire Station and updating the Comprehensive Plan and Urban Growth Boundary.
On the Courthouse: the decision to move city offices into the historic building is seen by […]
It’s hard to believe this is the final issue of 2014…I’m wondering where the year has gone! I’d like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and express my sincere thanks to our readers, contributors and advertisers for helping make this our best year ever! As with every issue, my Production […]
This fall has been an exciting time in Jacksonville. In the midst of it all, it’s also election season and the Review sponsored the City Council Candidate Forum, which drew a full house of interested voters! Thanks to Carolyn Kingsnorth for doing an outstanding job of moderating the forum. After 8:00pm on Election Day, you’ll […]
This is City Council election season in Jacksonville—ballots for the November, 2014 General Election will be mailed-out by Jackson County Elections Division on October 17.
Mark your calendars for October 16, from 6:00–7:30pm, when the Jacksonville Review will host a “Meet the Candidates Forum” at the Naversen Room at the Library—Jacksonville voters […]
Wow, What a Summer!—Several people/groups deserve our thanks for helping make this a fun and interesting summer: Donna Briggs and her team at Britt Festivals for an outstanding season, Maestro Teddy Abrams whose non-stop energy and enthusiasm reignited the Britt Classical Festival and helped set attendance records, Angela Warren, Britt’s Director of Performing Arts, the […]
Although I could fill this page with commentary related to Jacksonville politics, I thought I’d give it a rest for a month and talk about something far more interesting and fun—the Britt Classical Season, now in full-swing.
I’d like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to a few friends for their vision, leadership and contributions to our community—Mel & Brooke Ashland, Rob Buerk, Steve Casaleggio and Donna Briggs.
Rob Buerk & Steve Casaleggio
In the […]
It’s now “summer in the city” as the pace of our small town life picks-up and town bustles with events and activities galore! From the Taste of Summer Celebration, incredible Britt concerts on the Hill, the Historic Home and Garden Tour, to our charming Farmers Market and so much more, this is high season and our time in the sun.
Can you feel the buzz in the air…the energy as our micro-town emerges from its winter slumber? This month and all summer long, there are so many events and positive things happening—thanks to great people who are making a difference.
Starting in May, anyone interested in history is in for a treat as multiple seasonal events […]
On March 18, the City Council formally voted to move Jacksonville’s city offices to the Historic Courthouse. Although I still believe that city offices are not the highest and best use of the building, I’m now on-board and look forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve talked about the incredible volunteers making Jacksonville a wonderful place to live. At the Review, I’m fond of saying, “the ‘V’ in Jacksonville is for “volunteer!” On February 18, I was thrilled when Mayor Paul Becker presented Dirk Siedlecki with the 2013 “Person of the Year” award.
Welcome to the Year of the Horse! As we’ve been doing for nearly six years now, this issue of the Review is packed with news and information on what’s happening in our little corner of the world...
I’d like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and express my sincere thanks for making 2013 another wonderful year here at the Review!
Not long ago, I wrote a column decrying the use of social media, going so far as to say...
On September 20, I attended a seminar at Medford City Hall on earthquake preparedness...
This month, the Review celebrates our local merchants and the local grape harvest with features and articles on both topics.
As Summer gives way to Fall, I’m looking forward to cooler days and hoping for blue skies overhead. This summer was unusual with extreme bursts of heat coupled with smoke-filled skies from nearby forest fires—both put a damper on all sorts of outdoor activities and commerce. For many local businesses, the economic consequence of reduced […]
The Question of the Courthouse…My Opinion by Jacksonville Review Publisher Whitman Parker.
This month, I thought I’d give-up my column space to focus on one of my favorite Jacksonville volunteers, Dirk Siedlecki.
Thank you Jacksonville! It’s hard to believe this July 2013 issue marks my 5-year anniversary as Publisher of the Review...
It’s finally here…summer, that is!
It’s hard to imagine pioneer-vintner Peter Britt dreamed that Jacksonville would be considered the “heart of Southern Oregon wine country”
MyView – April 2013
Within an hour or so, I will have completed this column which is always my final task before the newest issue of the Review is sent to Valley Web, our printer. Although I’m stuck behind my desk for the time being, I know it’s worth it because my next “tasks” will be […]
Here’s hoping March comes in like a lamb and leaves like one, too! If you’re like me, your weather patience has worn thin and you’re wishing for warmer days, brighter skies and that the groundhog was right and spring will come early.
I want to take a moment and thank the bosses at the Boosters Club […]
The other day, a reader and I were discussing the Review’s increasing focus on the arts in Jacksonville...
As I mentioned last month, as a town resident, I’m dedicated to advocating for causes that improve Jacksonville’s quality of life...
“My View” is written with great consideration and not as flippant remarks...
On City Council, EXPERIENCE Counts
A Changing Review & Change of Leadership
Classical music lovers and wine fans: Jacksonville takes center stage this month...
Regular readers know that I place a high value on supporting LOCAL businesses...
An old-fashioned community picnic is in the works...
May will be a busy month, and the kiosk is in!
I needed a dedicated helper like John...
Recently, I posted a photo on Facebook of my soon-to-be-replaced laptop that drew dozens of comments about the agony of adapting to new technology. Today, this column is being typed on a lightning-fast new laptop, with enough muscle to run the world from Oregon and […]
Digital Kiosk Coming Soon to the Beekman Bank...
February in Jacksonville means it’s time to celebrate Chinese New Year. On the Chinese zodiac calendar, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, considered to be the luckiest of years! In Chinese astrology, the dragon is especially revered and represents a symbol of power, superiority and wisdom. Those born in dragon years are thought to […]
On Tuesday, December 8, the City Council voted 5-2 in favor of entering formal negotiations with the Motorcycle Riders Association on a proposed land swap in the city’s 1800 acre watershed. If successful, a closing would likely occur in mid to late 2013, assuming the […]
The Review looks back at “Jacksonville 2011” in words and pictures with several “year in review” articles and photos...
My View on Council meetings...
It was an event-filled Summer...
The importance of shopping locally...
Wine has deep roots in Jacksonville, dating back to the early 1860’s when pioneer-photographer Peter Britt planted...
This July marks my third anniversary as Publisher of the Jacksonville Review...
Summer is finally here – along with a jam-packed June and a seasonal smorgasbord of things to do in and around Jacksonville!