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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Winter Lights Festival kicks off tonight in Medford Train lovers: head down to Medford Armory today Public meetings, Dec. 1-5, 2014 'One spark of enthusiasm' has ignited town's can-do attitude Emergency services Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Wrap Up, Nov. 28 Former Central Point residents accused of abusing their adopted children Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree Politics and Elections Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Granlund cartoon: GOP wrecking balls Ballot measures played little role in mobilizing voters in state Senate race 'Euphoria' over pot initiative Education Homelessness is growing problem for Medford students Les AuCoin recommended for SOU board Good news for SOU: Enrollment's up Mom gives school lobby a makeover Crater students present play about Thoreau's night in jail Environment Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit Birders sought for bird counts Grow 'em before you plant 'em State News Bill would tighten limits on license plate readers UO teaching assistants prepared to strike Growers cheer higher Christmas tree prices Police dog fired for poor performance Turkey's great escape foils Thanksgiving plans Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Earle Morgan Swift Jr. Death Notices Lue K. Woolstenhulme Mary "Janet" Kimmons In Appreciation Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Grizzlies snap Blazers’ streak Spurs win second straight without Popovich Kaminsky, Badgers kings of Atlantis Green light Chalmers leads Australian Open; McIlroy shares second Varsity 541 College Sports Kaminsky, Badgers kings of Atlantis Green light No. 12 Arizona takes Pac-12 South Western Kentucky edges No. 19 Marshall — 67-66 — in OT Texas A&M fires defensive coordinator Pro Sports Grizzlies snap Blazers’ streak Spurs win second straight without Popovich Chalmers leads Australian Open; McIlroy shares second Ray Rice wins appeal; suspension vacated Sherman’s big night leads Seattle past 49ers again Community Sports RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories Blog: 'Twas the 12 Days of Deals... Asante expands cardiac center Jackson County sees workforce and job growth Regional hotels and motels outperformed statewide marks in October Incorrect labeling prompts Kroger ice cream recall Real Estate News Dear Monty: Violation of HOA rules creates conflict Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Financial webinars offered for veterans and their families Home prices rise across Jackson County People In Business People in Business, Nov. 18 People in Business, Nov. 8 Transportation Allegiant Air will resume Medford-Phoenix service May 22 Medford airport passenger counts sky high in October Erickson reports third quarter profit Agriculture Farmers file suit over GMO crop ban Lawsuit seeks to overturn Jackson County's GMO ban or net $4.2 million for farms Latest count shows Measure 92 supporters narrowing deficit Opinion Latest Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Granlund cartoon: Holiday boxes Kent Bush: Ferguson case shows racism belief system still reinforced Maddocks: Republicans claim president overstepped his constitutional powers in pardoning turkeys Amy Gehrt: Justice is not color-blind Editorials Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Our View: Cheers (too thankful for a jeer this week) Our View: Day of abundance, season of sharing Another View: Logging still has a place in Oregon Our View: Lawsuit reopens the GMO debate Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Nov. 28 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 27 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 26 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 24 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 23 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Are we the preferred path to global devastation? Guest Opinion: Fight for the rights of independent voters will continue Guest Opinion: 'Natural' not necessarily better for forest management Guest Opinion: County voters rebuffed judicial appointment process Fix health care reform, don't scrap it Lifestyle Latest stories Barry Lewis: When in America, do as the Romans do Frank Talk: It was all just a dream Facing Extinction Looking Up: Orion, a starry friend, returns Fishing through readers' stream of consciousness Food Community blog: In soup or salad, savor pumpkin with leeks Be a gravy-making star on Thanksgiving Food for Thought: Add new twists on Thanksgiving favorites Community blog: Feast on this blog's Thanksgiving recipes, tips Kitchen Call: Both sides of the kiddie table Home and Garden 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Home Help: Quick tips for getting your home ready for the holidays Mortgage insurance: Your questions answered Home Help: Spruce up your home with quick DIY painting projects Health Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available Community blog: Appreciating Clouds: Year-Round Gratitude Community blog: A Little Toilet Talk 'Tis the season to be jolly Hiking Biking Faith Religion news: Pope aims to expedite sex abuse rulings Religion news: Seattle-based mega-church dissolves Religion Briefs 'Walk the talk' Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Wedding: Rogers-Horn Century Club Wedding: Tomlinson-Nowak Local farmers need more products in grocery stores Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Brunch at Loft Brasserie 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas Theater OCT's holiday show is a wonderful play New 'Alice' has some for kids ... and adults 'It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre 'Red Noses' a romp through slapstick and pathos SOU presents 'The Drunken City' Music Shae Johnson releases 'Can You Feel the Music' Jeff Kloetzel releases 'Long Time Coming' A new guitar slinger in town Peter Chianca: Top 40 songs even a dad could love The Farr Side: Different artists, common songs Community Events 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas New exhibits highlight Third Fridays Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Blue Toba is a cultural experience Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Homemade bomb found inside stolen car after arrest of fleeing transient ... Police gain a clue in pumpkin smashing spree ... Neglect leads list of adult care facility failings ... Jacksonville's Victorian Christmas The town's Victorian Christmas celebration kicks off Nov. 29 New activities and attractions will christen the next era of Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas Celebration. By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 27, 2014 @ 10:57 am By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 27, 2014 @ 10:57 am » Social News New activities and attractions will christen the next era of Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas Celebration. Lighting the city’s Christmas tree a weekend earlier than in previous years “expands the season,” says organizer Tim Balfour. The revelry will run for five consecutive weekends, starting Saturday, Nov. 29, with some of Jacksonville’s exhibits and historical properties remaining open for tours the weekend after Christmas, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28. “It is sort of a small-town Christmas story,” says Balfour, president of the board of directors for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Like all classic stories, this one has its timeless characters: Father Christmas with elves in tow, Town Crier Larry Smith and carolers in period costume. These populate Jacksonville’s nostalgic backdrop that calls to mind such iconic holiday films as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” says Balfour. “It’s kind of that magical effect,” he says. Daylight will furnish the overall effect this year for Jacksonville’s beloved Christmas parade, which makes a circuit of Main, Oregon and California streets. Event organizers moved the parade from evening hours to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec., 6. The change is intended to encourage more families with young children to attend and to improve visibility of the spectacle and even parade participants’ comfort with warmer temperatures, says Balfour. “Then the families could stay around and take advantage of all the other activities.” Horse-drawn wagon rides, free apple cider and visits with Father Christmas constitute the “core” activities of Victorian Christmas, primarily offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., says Balfour. In another innovation for 2014, the jolly old elf will receive children in Jacksonville’s circa-1883 courthouse, 206 N. Fifth St. “Father Christmas is a huge hit,” says Balfour, adding that the actor gets special permission from his employer to grow his beard for the role and brings along his own grandchildren in the guise of elves. “The way he interacts with the kids is priceless.” Father Christmas presides over both the tree-lighting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov., 29, and the following weekend’s parade. Last year, nearly 300 people witnessed the tree’s illumination, says Balfour. Once the “gorgeous blue spruce” is alight and the crowd has joined in traditional carols, Father Christmas will adjourn to an alcove behind the historical Beekman House, 425 E. California St., for photos, rather than remain at the tree-ceremony site, says Balfour. “Watching the little kids’ eyes light up … was just a pleasure,” says Balfour of last year’s meet-and-greet with Santa Claus. The next weekend, Father Christmas will hold court in a small room with a restored fireplace inside the Historic Jackson County Courthouse. The foyer of the stately building is an ideal waiting area, says Balfour. Just as the historic courthouse is becoming more of a community gathering place, Victorian Christmas is becoming a community-driven rather than merchant-driven endeavor, says Balfour. For the first time in the event’s decades-long history, the Chamber appealed to Jacksonville residents’ enthusiasm for the celebration and solicited community donations to support it, he says. Whether depositing spare change in collection boxes or signing checks for $100, residents of Jacksonville and surrounding areas came forward with $2,000 to offset the budget of $14,000 for Victorian Christmas, says Balfour. “It was very well received,” he says. “We were building on an incredibly strong foundation.”   SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Saturday, Nov. 29 4:30 to 7 p.m. — Free coffee, hot chocolate, tea, popcorn and candy canes at Odd Fellows Hall, 175 S. Oregon St. 5 to 7 p.m. — Merchant open house, downtown 5:30 p.m. — Christmas tree-lighting and community caroling, downtown Saturday, Dec. 6 8 to 10 a.m. — Breadfast burritos at Odd Fellows Hall, 175 S. Oregon St. 10 to 11 a.m. — Christmas parade, downtown 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Lunch will be available at Odd Fellows Hall, 175 S. Oregon St. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Father Christmas, 206 N. Fifth St. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, town crier and free hot cider; downtown 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Beekman House holiday tours, 425 E. California St., and historic St. Joseph’s Rectory open house, 210 N. Fourth St. Noon to 3 p.m. — “Small Treasures” art exhibit opening reception, 216 N. Fifth St. Sundays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Lunch will be available at Odd Fellows Hall, 175 S. Oregon St. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Father Christmas, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, town crier and free hot cider 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Beekman House holiday tours and historic St. Joseph’s Rectory open house 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — “Small Treasures” art exhibit Saturday, Dec. 13 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Lunch will be available at Odd Fellows Hall, 175 S. Oregon St. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Father Christmas, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, town crier and free hot cider 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Beekman House holiday tours and historic St. Joseph’s Rectory open house 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — “Small Treasures” art exhibit 2 p.m. — Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon chamber music concert, First Presbyterian Church, 425 Middle St. Saturday, Dec. 20 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Lunch will be available at Odd Fellows Hall, 175 S. Oregon St. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Father Christmas, horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, town crier and free hot cider 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Beekman House holiday tours and historic St. Joseph’s Rectory open house 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — “Small Treasures” art exhibit Saturday, Dec. 27 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Beekman House holiday tours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — “Small Treasures” art exhibit Sunday, Dec. 28 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Beekman House holiday tours and historic St. Joseph’s Rectory open house 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — “Small Treasures” art exhibit Reach freelance writer Sarah Lemon at [email protected]. By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Sarah Lemon for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 27, 2014 @ 10:57 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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