Document text
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 Emergency services He beat the odds Providence's 23rd Festival of Trees opens to public this weekend Since You Asked: Precinct numbering system proves baffling Get Up & Go: Dec. 4 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Nurse sentenced after running over boyfriend Promotions announced at local fire departments Applegate man charged with sexually abusing girl over 18-month period Police looking for homeless man who attacked two others with a crowbar Politics and Elections GMO labeling votes recounted under careful watch in Jackson County Kent Bush: First Amendment doesn’t mean what you think it means East Medford's the charm Pot, GMOs unite south Jackson County Buckley again named Ways and Means Committee co-chairman Education Medford school administrators get pay boost Students put their hearts into AIDS event Kitzhaber calls for early education spending in budget proposal Medford leans toward three-quarter-day kindergarten Building audits will help district save energy, and money Environment County calls for local control of federal lands Most dredging banned under new proposed guidelines Hawks use I-5 as hunting ground Curbing urban runoff in Gold Hill Mt. View Estates' fill, riprap work lacked county permit State News Grand jury: Officers justified in S. Ore. shooting Forest Service: Thin 100K acres of Oregon forest Oregon doctor heads to Ebola zone Prosecutor: Detective to plead guilty to forgery University of Oregon teaching assistants strike Nation - World Grand jury won't indict Ferguson cop in shooting Obituaries Delene Yvonne Pauley Guest Betty Jean Bradetich Slate Catharine Carson Sotzing Cynthia �Cyna� Ann Death Notices Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories Panthers pick up big win Panthers skate past Comets Payton II leads Oregon St. over MVSU Duke rises to occasion, downs Wisconsin 76ers avoid worst start in history Varsity 541 College Sports Payton II leads Oregon St. over MVSU Duke rises to occasion, downs Wisconsin Oregon romps past NAIA Concordia Familiar Foes Missouri knows to watch out for Cooper Pro Sports 76ers avoid worst start in history Cowboys look to bounce back against Bears 2015 European Tour season opens in Sun City Durant back, but Thunder falls Aldridge's helping hand propels Blazers Community Sports Keeping Fit: Runners need to do more than run to stay in shape RESULTS/STANDINGS LOCAL EVENTS Business Latest Stories More sales, but no change in residential housing median price People in Business, Dec. 3 Blog: Mobile shopping continues to make inroads Blog: Thoughts from an analyst who is bullish on Lithia Investors' focus shifts to local, small ventures Real Estate News More sales, but no change in residential housing median price 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, Dec. 3 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 Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 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 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Our View: Cheers and jeers Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon Dana Milbank: Obama has already won the immigration fight Matthew Mangino: U.S. Supreme Court takes on Facebook threats Editorials Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: Stay flexible on kindergarten hours Our View: Waiting for someone else to step up Our View: What's in a name? Not that much, really Other Views: Klamath Basin agreement deserves approval Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Dec. 4 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 3 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 2 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 1 Letters to the Editor, Nov. 30 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon 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 Lifestyle Latest stories Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Marketta Gregory: The stories of our faith Religion news: Animal sacrifice at Nepal festival continues, despite protests Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Food 'Amazing' Soup Roxy Ann winemaker has roots in Napa Valley Community blog: Post-holiday soups easy on the budget, waistline Food for Thought: Sugar cookies offer holiday nostalgia Kitchen Call: A change from turkey leftovers Home and Garden Troubleshoot common water boiler problems Dear Monty: Ten helpful home-listing tips Home Help: Luxurious upgrades don’t have to break the bank 9 ways to green your gift wrap Dear Monty: How to find a good real estate attorney Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Say it like you mean it Community blog: Guiltless Holidays Better for our Health HealthStyle: Develop an attitude of gratitude Health Watch: Fuel up on carbs before workouts Health insurance enrollment help available 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 Madi-Stiles A New Song Rogers-Horn New Arrivals ACCESS receives $50,000 donation from Wells Fargo Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall SOU presents all-percussion concert Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Brunch at Loft Brasserie Theater Bedford Falls comes to life at Randall Camelot presents 'Fiddler on the Roof' 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 Music SOU presents all-percussion concert 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 Community Events Soroptimist holiday home tour features four houses this weekend Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists 2014 Providence Festival of Trees A grand illumination at the Commons Lighting up memories Dining Brunch at Loft Brasserie The Bohemian Club Thanksgiving comes early at Taprock Word of Mouth: Brunch at Brothers' Restaurant Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon ... Medford school administrators get pay boost ... Our View: Cheers and jeers ... Guest Opinion: It's time Oregon put a price on carbon ... Medford school administrators get pay boost ... 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501