Hello, friends! Everyone at VIP Jackson wants to send you well wishes and let you know that our readers and clients, our employees and this community are our top priorities. Our publishers made the difficult decision to pause on an April issue until this challenging season is behind us. In observance of the newest social distancing recommendations by President Trump, our current plan is to release a May issue at the beginning of the month.
Read MoreOver the coming weeks, our favorite restaurants, hotels, shops, salons, theaters, markets and other hardworking Jackson, TN businesses are going to see a decline in visitors.
Read MoreThe Lights Camera Fashion 2020 was a resounding success at the Carl Perkins Civic Center! 48 Junior and Senior High School girls participated in walking the runway. This runway show is the only one of its kind in the area, and scholarships will be awarded to the winners. The girls had been practicing and preparing for this special opportunity for months.
Read MoreRay Washington was born and raised in Hopewell, Virginia. He has been married to Sonya for 31 years, and they have three children: Ebony, Deseray and Jabriel, and two grandchildren.
Read MoreThe Jackson Symphony League Crystal Ball was held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center on the 25th of January. The featured band was “One Man Band” from Nashville. There was an extensive silent auction, and during dinner there was a live auction featuring a diamond necklace and a 7-day stay in a coastal resort in Mexico.
Read MoreEntertaining At Home presents gatherings in the homes of leading tastemakers from the worlds of interior design, architecture, culinary arts, and society who show readers how to entertain with flair and finesse. Curated by Ronda Carman, she reminds us that “this is not meant to be a volume on how to entertain properly, but rather a glimpse of real people at home nurturing friends and family. It is my hope that it is as much aspirational as it is inspirational.” Each page is full of successful strategies and a myriad of ideas for delighting family and friends, with the hosts offering their personal viewpoint and providing behind-the-scenes details that go into creating memorable occasions.
Read MoreThe Jackson Fairgrounds was illuminated with blue on Saturday night, January 11 in honor of the 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Ball hosted by 731 Crime Stoppers. Members and supporters of local law enforcement got dressed up in their formalwear and enjoyed a special night out to benefit Crime Stoppers. Guests of the ball enjoyed an evening of food, entertainment and dancing, and they had the opportunity to applaud some outstanding members of law enforcement and the community who received special awards for their hard work.
Read MoreAndrea Hudgins, a native of Trezevant, Tennessee and a graduate of West Carroll High School, has worked in community development during the past 18 years in Jackson. She graduated with a Masters of Social Work from Union University in 2011 and a Bachelor of Social Work in 2006.
Read MoreFrom a small beginning, a vision of Ronnie & Susan Morris has become a giant that has arisen to generate funding for JDRF. This national organization was created to fight Type 1 Diabetes. T1D is an autoimmune disease requiring constant intervention and currently isn’t curable or preventable. Raj Midjah, West Tennessee Board President, and Executive Director Russ and Karen Ellis thanked everyone for their support.
The 4th Black Tie & Boxing benefitting JDRE-Type 1 diabetes brought in thirteen bouts, consisting of young youth wrestling, boxing exhibitions, kickboxing of men and women’s bouts and MMA bouts at 125# -135# - 150# - 155# -170# - 180# , with the 170# MMA Main Title bout.
It was love at first sight when I visited the River Inn of Harbor Town in downtown Memphis in May 2008!
The inn is located in the picturesque community of Harbor Town on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Designed by the award-winning architectural firm of Looney Ricks Kiss, a firm known for “creating and preserving that small-town feel,” the River Inn is a 28-room boutique hotel that opened its doors on October 29, 2008. The $9 million 32,000-square-foot hotel is located between two buildings at Harbor Town Square and Harbor Town Circle.
Read MoreHabitat for Humanity held its annual Dream Builders Gala on New Years Eve downtown at the New Southern Hotel. The Gala is becoming a tradition for many in Jackson as a way to have a great time ringing in the new year while supporting a wonderful cause. Guests enjoyed an evening with dinner, live music, games, a live auction and a champagne toast to the new year.
Read MoreThe STAR Center was bustling with people and the sounds of great music at the annual Boots, Bands & Bingo fundraiser hosted by the Jackson Service League. Event attendees on November 8 had a great time playing bingo, listening to entertaining music, and bidding on quality items at a silent auction.
Read MoreDave Bratcher is a native of Jackson, TN where he, his wife, Julie, and their two children, Gracie, 11, and Bennett, 8, reside. He serves as the President of The STAR Center whose mission is to help any person with any disability realize their potential. This includes taking what some view as a liability and turn it into their greatest asset. The STAR Center was awarded the Non-Profit of the Year in 2008 and 2015. Additionally, The STAR Center was recognized nationally as one of the top 50 Best Non-Profits to Work For in 2017 and 2018.
Read MoreThe Dancing with the Stars 2019 fundraiser for the STAR Center, sponsored by Leaders Credit Union, was held at the Jackson Fairgrounds. This year 900 plus people reserved tables! This event was like a Broadway production with a centered raised stage, four-sided screen above the dance floor, and tables covering 95% of the floor for the guests.
Read MoreThe American Cancer Society’s 25th annual “Runway for a Cure” was held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center on Oct. 1. Eighteen stores participated in this year’s event! Many beautiful outfits were displayed at the runway event giving great outfit ideas to attendees! The Real Men Wear Pink group came out strong for this year’s event, too! The show opened with a Patti Lewis Memorial Presentation. Lewis lived a life which today encourages other women who face the same diagnosis. Dr. Donald R. Lewis spoke to the audience about her determined will to live her life.
Read MoreThe highly anticipated The Last Hotel is now open in the historic former International Shoe Building at 1501 Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis. Designed to fascinate and captivate the curious traveler, The Last Hotel promises delightful discoveries at every turn that celebrate the very best St. Louis has to offer.
Read MoreChris Tomlin—15-time Dove Award winner, Grammy Winner and one billion digital radio stream artist! Tomlin spoke of his dad giving him a guitar and telling him to listen to Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. As a teenager, opportunities kept coming to him to use his voice, and one summer he sang at a week-long youth camp.
Read MoreI could see the fire for helping people light up in Amanda Barlow Leitch’s eyes when she recalled one of the moments that had touched her the most, one of the moments that stands out for why she does what she does on a daily basis. She recalled the day she was sitting in her office and received a phone call from a woman. The woman spoke quickly and her voice was tired. She wanted to “have a conversation with someone.” Leitch met that with, “Of course. Could you come to the office to talk?”
Read MoreChonda Pierce was the guest speaker for the 2019 RIFA’s Canstruction. Keli McAlister was the emcee for the night, guiding the program with her professional presentation. Casey Jones Village’s Old Country Store Provisions Catering service performed to the highest level as the main floor and extension area were full of tables. The attendance for this worthy event was amazing, not only filling the main floor, but the balcony.
Read MoreHomes throughout Midtown Jackson will put guests in the Christmas holiday spirit during the Lambuth Area Neighborhood Association (L.A.N.A.) annual Holiday Home Tour Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8.
“This year will mark the 27th anniversary of the popular home tour,” said Frank McMeen, president of L.A.N.A.
Read MoreIt is where I am from, it has provided a great life, and it’s my family’s history and its future!
I strive and work every day to make Jackson and rural West Tennessee a better place to live.
I remember PoFolks Restaurant and want to start a petition to bring it back! And if that’s not Jackson enough, then it’s because I’m proud to build homes in a community that values hard work, relationships, and doing things the right way.
Jackson is engrained in me. One can seek out a place to live where they are comfortable, but it is special when you live in a place that fulfills you. Yes, family heritage, family friends, business success, and one’s faith can be fulfilling, but the Jackson community is special. Jackson provides all the elements for me that make life good.
I want Jackson to be visionary and strategic. I have always, and will be, FOR Jackson in all ways possible to make Jackson better. It is going to take a team effort to accomplish all of the opportunities before us, and no doubt it will take vision and change. Our community is ready to take Jackson to the next level, and I look forward to seeing it happen!
I believe in building better — homes, businesses, and relationships — right here in the community that built me.
Because I don’t just live here, I have a passion for seeing Jackson become the very best it can be.
Since I moved to Jackson 47 years ago this town has offered our family life-long friendships, career opportunities, and the desire to continue to grow with our community as a wonderful place to call HOME.
I believe in where we’re headed. Whether it’s helping our airport grow, supporting small businesses, or just being a good neighbor, I’m proud to be part of Jackson’s story. This city is taking off, and I’m glad to be on board. (Couldn’t resist the airport puns.)
I absolutely love this community. My family, my friends, my education, and my career are all rooted in this great community, and I only foresee it just getting better and better with time. We have so much to be grateful for to be able to call this place our home!
This is where I can make the greatest difference, where collaboration thrives, and where a brighter future for our children is not just a hope, but a shared reality we are actively building together. #winning
...this city has shaped me, inspired me, and given me the opportunity to serve and grow alongside an amazing community.
I am Jackson because I have aimed to improve both myself and the West Tennessee community.
Jackson is my home and always has been. I was born here. My parents and all of my grandparents are buried here. I spent my formative years here, my professional career here, and now my retirement years here. Jackson has changed so much and it has changed for the better. Many people choose to relocate to Jackson because of everything it has to offer. I consider myself fortunate to have been born here, and I firmly believe that Jackson’s best days are still ahead.
After living for the last 21 years and being in business for the last 20 years I’m proud to run Jackson’s version of “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name and genuinely cares. I firmly believe in the trajectory of our town, and the opportunity that Jackson offers is rare -- to be on the cusp of extraordinary growth and opportunity. I’m proud to be a Jacksonian and rabid Rams fan.
Jackson is a representation of who I want to be. It is a city that opens its doors to people from other places and embraces them as one of their own. I hope that is how I have lived my life. No matter where I am, the people and the experience make or break the deal. I am a product of my family, and I hope to maintain the small-town feel that I experienced all those years ago when I stepped onto the campus of Lambuth University.
I am a product of the genuinely kind people who live here. Jackson has given me the opportunity to practice medicine that I never imagined possible. Hopefully I am making a positive impact on a community that I love.
In this one unique location, mountains meet music…art meets adventure...culture meets cuisine…and no one meets a stranger. The walkability of downtown allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, experience a destination served up with genuine hospitality.
On Sunday night, May 19 The Jackson Symphony continued the popular Symphony on the Move concerts in the lovely Vann Gardens neighborhood. Many gathered on the lawn to listen to the beautiful music by members of the Jackson Symphony.
Other Jacksonians in my generation and I are a bridge: remembering what we loved about growing up in this town and helping transform it into a place our kids and grandkids will be proud of. I am part of the Jackson that was, the Jackson that is now, and the Jackson we will create together.
On June 6 hundreds of participants gathered at the Farmers’ Market in downtown Jackson for the Heaven’s Cradle Twilight Run and Downtown Rendezvous. The Twilight Run is a special occasion to honor and remember the children of bereaved families and is Heaven’s Cradle’s largest fundraiser.
I AM JACKSON because… I believe in Jackson and the surrounding area, and I am excited to see continued growth in our community. I am blessed to be in a professional role that allows me to not only enjoy living in this community, but also to serve in ways to help improve it. To see Jackson and the surrounding areas thrive throughout the years, and to help make sure this growth and development continues is a beautiful thing!
The First Ladies Luncheon was held Thursday, April 18, at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The event, presented by United Way of West Tennessee, has become a favorite tradition in Jackson and West Tennessee. Table sponsors had the opportunity to create unique tablescapes.
VIP Jackson Magazine
Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
I AM JACKSON because…
No matter where life or my career has taken me, this has always been home. My family’s roots here run deep, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and give back to the community that has meant so much to us.