Ashland Independent Film Festival — ‘Best of The Fests’

The Ashland Independent Film Festival will present a double-feature as the next installment in its virtual film series in honor of Black History Month. “Through The Night,” available Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19-21, is an intimate portrait of an African-American couple who provide a 24-hour daycare service for children of hard-working, underpaid parents. “17 Blocks,” showing Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19-28, captures the daily lives of the Durant family, in collaboration with filmmaker and journalist Davy Rothbart, beginning in

1999 and spanning two decades, in one of America’s most dangerous neighborhoods — just 17 blocks behind the U.S. Capitol. The films will screen on AIFF’s Eventive film channel. Tickets are $10 for “Through the Night,” and $12 for “17 Blocks.” For further information and to purchase virtual tickets, see ashlandfilm.org.

Historic Jacksonville Virtual Tour

Three text-based virtual tours of Jacksonville’s historic past, “Walk Through Jacksonville History,” “Beekman Bank Nuggets,” and “Mrs. Beekman Invites You to Call,” can be viewed at historicjacksonville.org. New material is added weekly. For further information, call 541-245-3650 or email at info@historicjacksonville.org.

Gold Hill Book Club

The Gold Hill Library Book Club for adults 18 and older will meet at 3 p.m. the third Friday of each month, via Zoom. On Friday, Feb. 19, the book to be discussed will be “Afterlife” by Julia Alvarez. Books are available for pickup one month before the meeting date. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-855-1994.

Teen Random Fandom

Teens are invited to meet to take a deep dive into a variety of pop culture topics at 12:30 p.m. the third Saturday of each month, via Zoom. On Saturday, Feb. 20, the focus will be on the many love stories of author Kasie West in honor of Valentine’s Day. Join in for games, discussion and silliness. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-774-8679.

Tween Book Club

This readers club for tweens will meet at 3 p.m. the third Saturday of each month, via Zoom. On Saturday, Feb. 20, the book to be discussed will be “Out of the Easy” by Ruta Septys. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-774-8679.

Author talk — Jacqueline Woodson

The Jackson County Library System will host an author talk with Jacqueline Woodson at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, via Zoom. Woodson is the author of the “Rogue Reads” program selections “Red at the Bone,” “If You Come Softly,” “Brown Girl Dreaming” and “The Day You Begin.” She is a four-time Newbery Honor winner, a four-time National Book Award finalist, a two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and a 2020 MacArthur Genius Grant winner. This program is part of JCLS’ “Rogue Reads” program. Admission to the talk is free; registration is required. To register or further details, see jcls.org and click on Programs & Events and then JCLS Calendar or call 541-774-8679.

Kids Open Mic

Kids can share their poems, stories or other writings during a virtual open mic night at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, via Zoom. This program is part of JCLS’ “Rogue Reads” program. To register or further details, see jcls.org and click on Programs & Events and then JCLS Calendar or call 541-774-8679.

Brain Books Discussion Group

The adult reading group will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month via Zoom. On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the book to be discussed will be “Injustices: The Supreme Court’s History of Comforting the Comfortable and Afflicting the Afflicted ” by Ian Millhiser To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-774-8679.

Rogue Valley Genealogical Society — ‘The Southern Illinois Quilt Puzzle’

Guest speaker Barbara MacMillen will present “The Southern Illinois Quilt Puzzle” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, via Zoom. The Southern Illinois quilt puzzle began by purchasing a sampler album quilt on eBay, which contained 30 quilt blocks, each with a name or initials, and one with a date. MacMillen will talk about her discoveries during her quest to find out who the people were and their relationships. Admission is $10; registration is required. To register, see rvgslibrary.org/FormPage.asp?FormID=18. Once you’ve completed your registration, you will receive an email the day before the presentation with the meeting’s Zoom link. For questions, call 541-512-2340, or email at reception@rvgslibrary.org.

Southern Oregon Climate Action Now

The climate action group will host a general meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. The program will feature Michael Hoch, sustainability and parks coordinator for the city of Talent, and Karen Chase, Southern Oregon outreach manager with the Energy Trust of Oregon, discussing how cities and the ETO can help residents build back greener and more resilient in preparation for the inevitable next fire event. To register for the virtual meeting, or for more information, see socan.eco.

Rogue Valley Genealogical Society — genealogy presentation

Guest speaker Rich Miles will present “Researching Your Ancestors in FamilySearch,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, via Zoom. Miles will explore how to search for records on FamilySearch.org and other resources it offers. Admission is $20; registration is required. To register, see rvgslibrary.org/FormPage.asp?FormID=10. Once you’ve completed your registration, you will receive an email the day before the presentation with the meeting’s Zoom link. For questions, call 541-512-2340 or email at reception@rvgslibrary.org.

Kid’s Winter Craft Time

Jacksonville resident, crafter and seamstress Sandy Metwally will present “Crafting a Winter Wonderland Scene,” to teach children ages 8 to 10 how to use simple materials and techniques to create a nighttime winter scene of tree trunks in the snow at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, via Zoom. Admission is $5, and registration required. Attendees must register no later than Tuesday, Feb. 23, to receive the Zoom access information. Kits with all needed materials will be provided; information regarding pickup of kits will be available following registration. To register, see jacksonvillecommunitycenter.org/eventer or call 541-702-2585.

Teen Trivia

Teens can join in a live game of general knowledge trivia using Zoom and the Kahoot platform at 4 p.m. the last Wednesday of every month (Feb. 24). Log into the Zoom meeting to see the questions and respond on the Kahoot app or website. You don’t need an account to play, just the app and the game PIN, which we will be provided during the Zoom meeting. This quiz will contain 70 questions on a variety of subjects, and the winner will get to choose a free book. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-774-8679.

Mighty Medford Improvers

The local comedy improvisational group will host a free improvisational comedy practice from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays (Feb. 25), via Zoom. All levels of experience are welcome. Sessions are facilitated by Thomas Hartmann, who trained with Second City Chicago. For more information and to attend, email forinfoman44@gmail.com.

Sportsmen’s & Outdoor Recreation Show

The 21st annual Sportsmen’s and Outdoor Recreation Show will be held virtually this year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Friday through Thursday,

Feb. 26 to March 4. The online show will feature exhibitors, attractions, vendors and presentations representing the breadth of the outdoor recreation industry — from boating, camping, fishing and hunting to RVing, ATVing, cycling and kayaking. There also will be prizes and giveaways. Admission to all content is free. For further information, including a schedule of showtimes, see exposureshows.com/our-shows/medford.html, find Exposureshows on Facebook or email at exposure@roadrunner.com.

Books at Noon

This readers’ group discusses various books and offer suggestions for new reads at noon the first Tuesday (March 2) of each month, via Zoom. To register, see jcls.libcal.com or for more info call 541-535-7090.

Eagle Point Friends Book Club

Discuss suggested books with this reader’s group at 2 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month, via Zoom. The book to be discussed on Tuesday, March 2, will be “I Was Anastasia,” by Ariel Lawhon. To register and reserve a copy of the book of the month, see jcls.libcal.com or call 541-826-3313.

Windows in Time — local history lecture

As part of the “Windows in Time” lecture series, Carolyn Kingsnorth, president of Historic Jacksonville, Inc., will present “Jacksonville’s German-Speaking Settlers” at noon Wednesday, March 6, via Zoom. If you were walking the streets of Jacksonville during the second half of the 19th century, German would have been the second language that you heard spoken. Kingsnorth will talk about how the discovery of gold in late December of 1851 and immigrants from what is now Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, helped to shape the culture and scope of local life in Jacksonville. Admission is free, registration is required. To register, see jcls.libcal.com/calendar/jcls_event/mar-2021 or call 541-774-8679. The program will be recorded for later viewing on JCLS’ YouTube channel.

Oregon Chocolate Festival

The 17th annual Oregon Chocolate Festival will be held virtually this year, Friday through Sunday, March 5-7 (times to be announced). Look for pairing presentations by local chocolatiers, Rogue Creamery, and wine experts, along with demonstrations, educational sessions, discussions featuring chocolatiers and chefs, and more. Virtual tickets are $15. See oregonchocolatefestival.com for the festival schedule and ticket reservations.

Queer Coffee House

The social group for LGBTQ+ communities and their allies meets from 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday (March 6) of each month via Zoom. Ashland Librarian Elanna Erhardt will facilitate group introductions, LGBTQ+ current events, a queer book talk and a roundtable discussion. To register, see jcls.libcal.com. For further information, email at EErhardt@jcls.org.