Issue 96 - March 7, 2007

From Your Director ...

Last week I had my port removed. Most of you know that I have been undergoing cancer treatment for the past year. For those of you who don't know, a port is a device that is placed in your chest, the same concept as a pacemaker, that allows chemo drugs, etc. to be administered without invading a new vein every time. It is pretty neat how it works, and makes a real rough time a lot easier. I call this a milestone, as it is an indication that the doctors feel I won't be needing any more treatments.

On Friday, Hal Crocker announced after almost a year of negotiations that Starbucks had signed on the dotted line to open a store in the beautiful New Southern Hotel building on East Baltimore Street. Now, I call that a milestone, too. At first, as the downtown watchkeeper, I struggled with whether a "mom and pop" shop was more in tune with the unique mantra of our downtown streetscape. Thirty seconds later, I had an epiphany that a Starbucks was just what we needed. As Mayor Farmer said to me when I discussed it with him, "Starbucks is a WOW Factor," and he is so right.

A national chain such as Starbucks has sustaining power, the ability to prevail. They can weather the storm, so to speak. Starbucks has the ability to attract and sustain the downtown traffic. Once these visitors come downtown I can hear them say, "Wow! I didn't know it was so busy and active downtown. Wow! I didn't know it was so well lighted downtown. Wow! I didn't know I would feel so safe downtown. Wow! I didn't know how far the downtown had come, and how much there was to do."

There are several milestones that will be taking place this year, a lot of projects are in the works. The "Wow Factor" will be kicking in, and the many milestones will come to be. Be sure to stop downtown soon and share in the happenings. You'll be glad you did!!!

Genealogical Society to meet at the Library

The Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8th, at the Program Center of the Jackson-Madison County Library.

Henry Harrison will highlight the history of the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame.

Mr. Harrison is the founder, owner and curator of the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, 105 North Church Street. For more information you can call 989.7487.

Library to host Author

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On Tuesday, March 13th, the Jackson-Madison County Library, 433 East Lafayette Street, will be hosting Author Al Price at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Price will discuss his novel "Ethereal" and will share remarks of his experiences in getting his book published.

For more information you can call 427.8600.

Jackson Symphony shares talent with Jackson

The Jackson Symphony will perform classical selections inspired by love, nature and passion in its sixth concert of the season. Philadelphia Orchestra's concertmaster, David Kim, will be featured in a performance of Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto in D Major."

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m., March 10th at the Carl Perkins Civic Center, 400 South Highland Avenue. Other works to be performed include Liszt's "Les Preludes" and "Tapiola" by Sibelius.

Kim, an internationally renowned violinist will offer a master's class from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., March 9th at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 309 East Baltimore. Five local students have been selected to perform for the class. This event is free and the public is invited.

The concert is sponsored by Yellow Book U.S.A. and the Friends of St. Mary's. It is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information you can call 427.6440.

Interworks to present Microsoft Across America Truck

The Microsoft Across America Mobile Event Experience is coming to Jackson from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8th at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, 197 Auditorium Street.

The state-of-the-art truck will be loaded with business technology from Microsoft, Cisco, HP and Intel. Businesses can have a hands on experience helping to make smart technology decisions in productivity, profitability and growth, testing innovative solutions.

Microsoft team members and representatives from Interworks will be on site demonstrating Microsoft's business solutions and conducting informal seminars and live demonstrations. Refreshments will be served. For more information you can call 660.5656.

"Color of Music " at Civic Center March 9th and 10th

Artwork from the Jackson Symphony's award-winning "The Color of Music" program will be on display in the lobby of the Civic Center on Friday, March 9th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday, March 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Approximately 7,000 children from West Tennessee were instructed to create colorful artwork while listening to classical music.

A concert, "Time and Time Again" will take place on Friday the 9th at 11:30 a.m. All seats will be general admission.

An Awards Ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday the 10th.

For more information you can call 427.6440.