Issue 149 - March 12, 2008

From Your Director ...

Downtown is a great place for businesses to grow and thrive. This is evidenced by last week’s Pinnacle Award winners, three of which are located in downtown Jackson. The most coveted distinction, the Cornerstone Award, went to TLM Associates Inc. This successful architectural and engineering firm made the decision to relocate their
office to downtown Jackson in 2001. Since then, they have continued to grow and are now in the process of renovating another downtown building in order to expand their offices.

Two of the Pinnacle Awards for Service went to downtown businesses who literally “weathered the storm” when downtown was hit by the tornado in 2003. Both of these companies had to reestablish their businesses after the tornado and chose to continue their commitment to downtown Jackson. Hart Freeland Roberts, Inc., a full-service architectural and engineering design firm, won the Pinnacle in the service category for companies with 1-14 employees. Aeneas Internet and Telephone, a telecommunications provider, won the Pinnacle in the service category for companies with 15-49 employees.

Each of these companies is a perfect example of what downtown Jackson needs; a successful business that makes a commitment to revitalize a unique building and ultimately bring talent and passion to downtown Jackson. We congratulate them for their business excellence and thank them for calling downtown Jackson home. Did you know there are incentives available for making an investment in downtown Jackson? If you are interested in finding out more about establishing a business downtown, contact Jackson Downtown Development Corporation.

Welcome to the future of Downtown Jackson ... one we can invent together!

Adventures in Learning

First United Methodist Church Senior Adult Ministry welcomes the Jackson State Community College vocal group INNOVATIONS, under the direction of Karen Dale, to perform during the March Adventures in Learning program. luncheon is $6.00 per person.  RSVP by 3/10/08.

Friday, March 14
11:00 a.m.
First United Methodist Church
200 South Church Street

For more information call 422.4002

Library Scavenger Hunt

Need a challenge during spring break?  Pick up a scavenger hunt application to complete in the library. 

Open for all children in kindergarten through 5th grade.

Monday, March 17 - Thursday, March 20   
                                        9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 21                9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Jackson-Madison County Library
433 East Lafayette Street

For more information call 425.8600.

Enjoy the New Horizons 2008 exhibit, featuring college artwork utilizing various art forms Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The event is free and open to the public and runs March 5 – April 30. Mark your calendar for the Reception held Thursday, March 20.

Thursday, March 20
6:30 p.m.  to 8:00 p.m.
Ned R. McWherter West Tennessee Cultural Arts Center
314 East Main Street

For more information call 425.8395.

Flip Dancers

Dancing their way through the United States, the Flip Dancers will visit and perform at the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame.  Help us welcome the group from Baltimore, Maryland to Jackson.  Donations of $15.00 per couple are requested.

Friday, March 21
7:00 p.m.
Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame
105 North Church Street

For more information call 427.6262.

B for Business

What's the latest business buzz?  Find out at this monthly networking opportunity for small businesses that is co-sponsored by the Chamber's West Tennessee Business Resource Center and First Tennessee Bank.  March's topic “What You Didn’t Hear Could Cost You Money,” is presented by Kirk Newcom, WBBJ-TV.

Thursday, March 27
7:45 a.m.
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce
197 Auditorium Street

For more information call 427.7900.

Alice in Wonderland

For 25 years Ballet Arts has been bringing West Tennessee the highest quality performances combining the skills of professional and amateur dancers from all over the world.  Join Ballet Arts for their production of Alice in Wonderland based on Lewis Carroll’s original story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Saw There.  Tickets range from $15 to $27.

Saturday, March 29    7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 30       2:00 p.m.
Carl Perkins Civic Center
400 South Highland Avenue

For tickets or more information call 668.3240.