Issue 80 - November 15, 2006

From Your Director ...

On Monday, I attended Jackson Energy Authority's Press Conference announcing the appointment of Danny Wheeler as President and Chief Executive Officer of JEA effective the first of the year. He will succeed John Williams, who held the post for years.

JEA is one of the largest employers downtown, with a staff of over 400. The positive impact JEA has on the entire city is phenomenal. Their customer service policy on all levels is an example to all of us, and they provide great service each and every day. JEA has not been afraid to "get out of the box" to provide the new technology and procedures benefiting us all.

With that being said, the announcement brings peace of mind that the leadership and philosophy for JEA will not change; it will be business as usual and the transition will be seamless. Welcome Mr. Wheeler and we look forward to working with you toward a better community - It is a pleasure to have such partners - Our best wishes go out to you.

Annual Christmas Parade Scheduled for December 4th

The Annual Jackson-Madison County Christmas Parade will be held Monday, December 4th, beginning at 6:45 p.m. The parade begins at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, heads north on Church Street to Chester Street, and then west to Shannon Street at Main Street and then east to Royal Street and back to the Civic Center.

The deadline for applications for the Parade is November 15th. The Parade theme this year is "Christmas Memories," and the event is something very special. It is a great way to get into the Holiday Spirit.

For more information you can call 664.7358.

17th Annual Farm Toy Show to Take Place

On Friday and Saturday, November 17th and 18th, at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park, 800 South Highland Avenue, the 17th Annual West Tennessee Farm Toy Show will take place. Hours on Friday will be from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You won't want to miss this wonderful assembly of farm toys.

Admission is $4.00 per person, with children under eight admitted free.

For more information you can call 784.5440.

Documentary on Paper Clips Will Take Place at the Library

In conjunction with "Living On", the touring portrait collection from the Tennessee Holocaust Commission which will be at Lambuth University through December 9th, a prize-winning documentary about the Paper Clips Project created by middle school students in Whitwell, TN, will be shown in the Program Center at the Jackson/Madison County Library on Saturday, November 18th, at 2:30 p.m. Following the showing of the film, Ronny Carr, a student who participated in the project will be on hand to answer questions.

"Paper Clips" is the inspiring film that captures how students responded to lessons about the Holocaust with a promise to honor those lost by collecting one paper clip for each individual exterminated by the Nazis. The results are a memorial rail car filled with eleven million paper clips representing victims of the Holocaust. It stands permanently in their schoolyard.

For more information you can call 425.8600.

Artopia to Open it's Doors on November 17th

Friday the 17th is a very special day for downtown Jackson. Artopia, located in the Neely House (formerly Murphy Hotel) at 575 South Royal Street, will open its doors for the first time. Artopia will eventually be home to twenty-two specialty shops with a sit down restaurant called "Candela", owned and operated by Chef Alberto Perez. Chef Alberto will serve lunch on the 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The restaurant will also be open Thursday through Saturday for dinner from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.

There are presently eleven spaces filled with unique specialty shops that you will want to frequent, especially with the holidays approaching. Hours will be Mon-Wed 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Thur-Sat 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Hal Crocker, owner of the building has done a superb job with the restoration of the building itself, which is listed on the historic register. You need to see the detail that went into the renovation of the structure, that only accentuates the individual shops. For more information you can call 554-2929.

Window of Hope Gala to Benefit Boys & Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Jackson-Madison County will present the First Annual Windows of Hope Gala on December 1st at 7:00 p.m., at the Aeneas Building, located at 300 N. Cumberland Street in downtown Jackson. The theme for the evening is "Windows to the World: Celebrating Diversity." The cost to attend is $75 per person. Guests will enjoy food representing different cultures and entertainment will be provided by the popular group Magi.

The purpose of the gala is to create awareness about the Boys and Girls Club Annual Windows to the World fundraiser. All the proceeds from the event will go to the Boys and Girls Club.

Reservations must be made by November 24, 2006. For additional information you can call 423.0627.

Ballet Arts, Inc. Hosts Champagne and Sugar Plums Dessert Reception

The community is invited to attend a Champagne and Sugar Plums Dessert Reception benefiting Ballet Arts, Inc., a nonprofit corporation promoting the Art of Ballet. The reception will take place on Saturday, November 25th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Aeneas Internet and telephone Building, 300 North Cumberland Street, in downtown Jackson.

The forty-plus company members from Ballet Arts, Inc. of Jackson will be present at the reception. They will be performing in the 25th Anniversary Nutcracker production to take place December 8th, 9th, and 10th at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

Light desserts and champagne will be served. Admission is $50 per person. Cocktail attire is appropriate.

For more information you can call 668.7353.