After a two-week closure while staff were under a mandatory quarantine followed by two weeks of curbside only service, the Jackson-Madison County Library will reopen its doors to the public in a limited capacity beginning August 3, 2020.

The Main Library will offer curbside services only between the hours of 9 am to noon Monday through Friday. The public will be able to enter the building to browse for materials or use the computer lab from noon until 6 pm Monday through Thursday and noon until 5 pm on Friday. On Saturday, the Main Library will only offer curbside services from 9 am until 5 pm. The North Branch will only offer curbside services only during its regular operating hours of 9 am until 6 pm Monday through Friday.

To ensure the safety of patrons and staff, patrons must enter the Main Library from the College Street side of the building. Every guest must wear a face covering and will undergo a health screening. During this time, a limited number of computers will be available. There will be no seating for reading or studying.

“We have certainly experienced a number of challenges this summer, including a two-week closure after two of our team members tested positive for COVID19,” said Dinah Harris, library director. “As a community gathering place, our primary concern has been to protect the health of our patrons and our staff. Our morning curbside services will provide an extra measure of protection for those who are not comfortable coming into our space, while limiting our capacity, requiring face coverings, and screening patrons at the door in the afternoon will protect those who need to come inside.”

Continued Harris, “We have also implemented a plan to divide our staff into separate work teams to limit their interaction with each other. Our hope is that if we have another staff member test positive in the future, we will not have to completely close our doors. We greatly appreciate the community’s support and patience, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back.”

The Jackson-Madison County Library is located at 433 E. Lafayette St. in downtown Jackson and the North Branch is located at 8 Stonebridge Blvd next to China Pan Buffet. For more information, contact the Library at 731-425-8600, visit the Library’s Facebook page or its website at JMCLibrary.org.

• Get to work on your personal physical wellness by going for a run at Liberty Park.
  • 24 Channing Way, Jackson, TN 38305
• Join a fitness group like the newest one around, Hub City Fitness, for the physical and social aspects.
  • https://www.facebook.com/hubcityfitnessarrow/

• Take a stroll through Cypress Grove (pictured above) to get in touch with nature and focus on physical and environmental wellness. 
  • 866 Airways Blvd, Jackson, TN 38301
• There are so many benefits to spending a day of pampering at Jackson Massage & Day Spa. This can improve your physical, emotional, and mental health.  
  • https://www.jacksonmassageanddayspa.com/

• Get your friends together for a game night at Hub City Brewing (pictured above) for a little socializing. 
  • https://www.drinkhubcity.com/
• Improve your mental and spiritual wellness by getting a thought provoking new book at Light Trap Books. 
  • https://www.facebook.com/lighttrapbooks/
• Croquet anyone?
  • https://www.jacksoncroquetclub.com/
• Pick up a new sport and make some new friends at the Pickleball courts. This is the perfect opportunity to work on physical and social aspects.  
  • https://www.places2play.org/search?q=jackson%2C+tn&submit=Search

Watch Jackson Chamber's August video news! Look for new chamber members, event updates, groundbreakings and find out more about Gwen's Quality Care with Gwen Newton in our Member Connection interview.

Look for these upcoming events from Jackson Chamber:

(Aug 1st, 8 p.m.)

Look for more information on the Virtual Forums that compliment this movie series as we partner with United Way of West Tennessee and Our Jackson Home.

Jackson Young Professionals features Matt Marshall with Phillip DuVentre in an honest conversation about race, diversity, inclusion, and equity as we Celebrate Diversity with this Zoom event.

(Aug 5th, 2-3 p.m.)

And, watch the chamber’s social media, website and jacksonforwardtogether.com for information on Spark, Spark Plugs, Women in Business and all of our events.

New Members:

We welcome these new chamber members:

EXIT Realty Blues City - Paya Delk

Cypress Insurance Partners

Fast Pace Health

And Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers

Member Connection:

Interview with Gwen’s Quality Care.

Groundbreakings:

We recently celebrated these groundbreakings with the Jackson-Madison County School System for Jackson Central Merry High School and Madison Academic Magnet High School to be located on the campus of the University of Memphis - Lambuth.

For the past 30 years, the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation has held the Annual Charity Gala, raising more than $200,000 annually for the Ayers Children’s Medical Center and the Kirkland Cancer Center.

At the July 23 meeting of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees meeting, the group decided that the Gala scheduled for November 14 will not take place. “In the interest of the safety for our community, we have decided not to hold our Annual Charity Gala. With increased numbers of people in our communities testing positive, we did not want to risk spreading the virus because of our event,” stated Bill White, board chair.

The Annual Charity Gala is held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center each year with attendance of more than 600. Each year the gala brings in chefs, entertainment, and celebrities from all over the country. Local leaders are honored for their impactful service to our community with the Jackson Awards and a Tennessean is honored each year with the Tigrett Award.

Annually, Jim Norton transforms the Carl Perkins Civic Center into an amazing venue for the night. “Coordinating food with an amazing décor, we turn the room into an elegant get-away for the evening,” stated Norton.

“The Gala has been the largest fundraiser for the Foundation for decades. Hundreds of guests join us for a special night. It is sad that we cannot host the event, but we have the health of our community in mind,” stated Frank McMeen, President of the Foundation.

Now, more than ever before, our healthcare system is in need of your support. Between the suspension of non-essential services earlier this year and the costs associated with preparing for and caring for COVID-19 patients, our system has experienced multi-million dollar financial losses. It is more imperative than ever for the financial support generated from the annual charity Gala to be there.

While the Charity Gala is not being held, the Foundation is accepting donations to Ayers Children’s Medical Center and Kirkland Cancer Center to help offset the loss of funds generated by the event. Contributions can be mailed to The Foundation, 620 Skyline Drive, Jackson, TN 38301 or made on line at WTHFoundation.org.

The Foundation is in its 36th year of serving the Jackson area. With six chapters located in Bolivar, Camden, Humboldt, Martin, Milan, and Trenton, each chapter has a board to work to meet needs in their communities.

For more information on this press release, contact Frank McMeen at Frank.McMeen@wth.org or 731-984-2143.

The Foundation is a public foundation governed by a self-sustaining board, meaning that board members select their successors to the board. Now beginning its 36th year of operation, the Foundation is a gift to the community from West Tennessee Healthcare to promote charitable giving.

To learn more about the Foundation, its team, or the many ways it serves the community, visit WTHFoundation.org or email Frank McMeen.

On average, 130 Americans die every day from overdose, which is NOT acceptable. Spero Health was designed to meet the growing need felt by communities across the country and bring solutions where people need them. Its team is committed to help restore what communities have lost in the wake of this epidemic.

Spero Health, Inc., offers comprehensive addiction treatment services, bringing all tools needed for long-term recovery under one roof. It is an integrated healthcare services organization specializing in local and affordable outpatient care for individuals suffering from substance use disorder with a mission to “Save Lives, Instill Hope, and Restore Relationships.” The organization utilizes an innovative evidenced-based integrated care model that combines both physical and behavioral healthcare services under one roof to treat the whole patient.

This integrated care model combines physician services (including medication assisted treatment), behavioral health counseling, recovery support services, medication management and patient and family education. Its community-based approach to treatment allows patients to continue working and caring for their families as they overcome addiction.

Based in Nashville, Spero Health opened its doors in Jackson, Tennessee around two years ago at 172 W. University Parkway, Suite. A. It operates more than 35 freestanding outpatient clinics located throughout Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. Providing care for more than 7,000 patients each month, Spero is one of the largest office-based opioid treatment providers in the country and is in network with Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans.

During Covid-19, Spero Health is open and committed to putting patients first and providing uninterrupted access to care for all patients while we navigate the outbreak of the Coronavirus. The company is following CDC guidelines and taking proactive steps to protect its patients and teammates. Spero is accepting new patients at all of its clinics, and offering telehealth services.

For additional information, go to Spero Health’s website or call 731-201-5590.

Personnel Placements, LLC (PPL), headquartered in Jackson, TN with locations across the Southeast, is giving away a 2019 Nissan Rogue to a qualified PPL employee.

“At PPL, we currently have numerous job openings,” said Ben Ferguson, President of Personnel Placements, LLC. “We want to do our part to get as many people in the area working as possible, especially right now. What better way to do that than to offer a new car to go along with a new job?”

All current and new employees of PPL will be eligible to win the vehicle, as long as they meet the minimum requirements in the rules of the contest.

Amy Scarbrough, Executive Vice-President of PPL, also mentioned, “We realize that while some people need jobs, everyone knows someone who needs a job. That’s why we’ve decided to also give away $500 to someone who helps us spread the word about the car giveaway!”

For those who are already happily employed elsewhere, you can share the word about PPL’s car giveaway via social media and earn entries to win $500.

To apply for a job visit PPLStaffing.com. Once you are matched with one of PPL’s current clients and meet the minimum requirements found in the rules, you will be registered to win!

If you are ready to share the word about this contest, visit NewJobNewRide.com and you’ll be eligible to win the $500 gift card! You can also find all rules and requirements for both contests on this page.

PPL is a full service, competent, and professional staffing agency. They handle the needs of Fortune 500 companies as well as local small businesses. Their commitment to employees, customers, and professionals continues to drive their success. The PPL difference comes from management’s response to customer needs by customizing programs to find the right people right now. As a large employer, they strive to give a “hometown” feel by having their ownership and management involved with local decisions. Clients and associates alike know that they are not just another number, but an appreciated part of the team. For more information, visit PPLStaffing.com.

The City of Jackson, TN is receiving sealed bids on City Hall roof repair. Bids are subject to the conditions specified in this document, until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 in the Purchasing Department at City Hall and then publicly opened, for furnishing the following supplies and/or services to be delivered in accordance with the following instructions:

See the Addendum added on 7-29-20.

See Addenda Number Two added August 6, 2020.

Deliver Product/Service to: City Hall, 101 E. Main Jackson, TN Mail or Deliver the Sealed Bid clearly marked: City Hall Roof Bid to: City Hall, 115 E. Main, Suite 202, Jackson, TN 38301 Attn: Purchasing

The City of Jackson is rebidding and will receive sealed bids for 7 Pillars Monument project until 10:30 am. Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Prebid meeting at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Shirlene Mercer Park. Information must be obtained from WOLD HFR, 113. North Liberty for $25 per set.

Bids must be mailed or delivered to City Hall, 115 E. Main St., Suite 202, Jackson, TN 38301 Attn: Purchasing. Bonds and State Contractors License will be required if project is over $25,000.

The City reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids/proposals. The City of Jackson is an Equal Opportunity Title VI employer.

Gwendolynn Currie-Newton, founder and CEO of Gwen's Quality Care.

Gwen's Quality Care in Jackson, Tennessee, offers specialized care for your loved ones. With over 30 years of experience in home health and companion care experience, Founder and CEO Gwendolynn Currie-Newton has a great love and spirit of caring for others.

"I started the business because I had compassion for special populations of people who needed quality care and professional service," says Currie-Newton. "I love helping and servicing my community and my clients."

When it comes to caring for your loved one, you want to know they are in good hands. Gwen's delivers the best with a group of highly qualified independent contractors dedicated to professional home care services. "You will not find a more compassionate and caring person that Gwendolynn," says Ken Mareston of Jackson. "She is highly competent as she strives for perfection. As a fine Christian believer, I feel her strong faith has molded her devotion in caring for others."

Mareston says his wife and sweetheart of over 65 years was diagnosed with dementia several years ago. He cared for her for five years until he needed help. After using other caregivers, he learned of Gwen and her team. Gwen took personal charge, caring for her, as if "she was a small child of her own." He couldn't have asked for a more professional, competent team for those two years.

Even though Gwen's Quality Care has been in business only a few years, with Gwendolynn's deep-rooted history in the home health business, it has earned an excellent reputation in this short time frame. It is uniquely known for the quality of care, professionalism, and compassion in serving others.

For more information on Gwen's Quality Care, or to become a new client, go to the website. Visit Gwen's at 620 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 302 in Jackson, Tennessee or call 731-616-6911.