My View – March 2020

As we head full speed into another glorious Southern Oregon spring, the air is abuzz with energy and optimism. With daylight increasing daily and Jacksonville awakening from its winter nap, town is offering up interesting seasonal events and activities for all to enjoy…read about them here!

Each month, we strive to bring you the best of what Jacksonville’s art, culinary, wine, music and event scenes offers locals and visitors. This March, I was taken with our cover painting by Joan Brown, a member of Jacksonville’s Art Presence group. Her piece and many others may be viewed now at the gallery’s month-long show that you’ll learn about on page 29.

Headed outdoors? In his monthly “Trail Talk” column, Clayton Gillette provides his hiking picks on page 27 that will make you want to lace up your hiking shoes and hit the trails.

For those awaiting the opening of the Britt Festival popular music season, Executive Director Donna Briggs’ piece describes what it takes to book top-notch acts on the Hill and what Mike S. does behind the scenes to make it happen. Also take note of several top names like Tanya Tucker, and perennial faves Pink Martini and Michael Franti, returning to the stage this summer…learn how to score seats on page 31.

In our ever-popular series, “Sensational Seniors” by Mike McClain, get to know Steve Carlson, and discover how he landed in Jacksonville after an impressive Hollywood acting career. (And… just for the record, had it not been for Steve, I would never have landed this gig as Publisher of the Review!)

This issue also contains timely stories about the local business scene. For a first course, join me in congratulating Chef Paul at C-Street Bistro on ten awesome years of operating one of our cherished eateries. Speaking of eateries, in Peggy Dover’s article, “What’s Cooking,” on page 5 , learn more about Chef Paul, and the changing of the guard at the Mustard Seed Café, where longtime owner Jeannie Inman has passed her spatula and apron to trusted employees Trevor and Jessie and is now embarking on a new career in real estate.

Finally, if you’ve ever dreamed of owning and operating a wonderful shop and joining the retail world, two iconic businesses are now for sale—Pot Rack and Scheffel’s Toys. Read more about these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities on page 7.

As spring returns, join me in being grateful for everything served up in Our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!