The City of Jackson will partner with the Jackson Arts Council to prominently display student art, grades K – 8, on the 3rd floor of City Hall. “Mayor’s Collection of Masterpieces” was launched in Spring 2021 to encourage student art creation and celebrate student artwork in Jackson and Madison County. The Jackson Arts Council will work with schools in Jackson and Madison County regarding art specifications and acquire submissions. “Earth Day” will be the theme for the Spring 2022 children’s art gallery. Students grades K – 8 are welcome to submit both 2-D and 3-D artwork. “The Jackson Arts Council is such an asset to our community,” said Mayor Scott Conger. “We’re thrilled for this opportunity to partner with them to showcase students’ Earth Day artwork here at city hall.”

Earth Day Art Show - 2022

Deadline to submit art is April 4th. Art can be delivered to City Hall lobby during business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, now through April 4th. Top three winners and the Mayor’s Choice will be recognized during the Meet the Artists Preview Reception on April 19th, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the 3rd floor of City Hall. Contact Lizzie Emmons for additional details at emmons.jacksonartscouncil@gmail.com. If you are interested in learning more about public art initiatives, visit jacksontn.gov under the mayor’s office section. The City of Jackson is accepting applications for part-time positions for the 2022 Season at the West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex. The Sportsplex is hiring groundskeepers, concessions cooks and workers, janitors and gatekeepers. Most of the work will be on weekends during baseball and softball tournaments. Depending on the position, the job could begin as early as Feb. 22, last until Oct. 30, and be 25 to 40 hours a week. All positions start at a minimum of $9.53 or more per hour depending on the specific position and the applicant’s experience level. Applications can be downloaded from the Career Opportunities tab under the city’s Human Resources website at jacksontn.gov or can be picked up and returned at the City of Jackson’s Human Resources Department, 127 E. Main St., Suite 303. For more information, call 731-425-8267. The West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex, 250 BancorpSouth Parkway, has 24 weekends of baseball and softball scheduled in 2022, beginning March 10. For more information about the Sportsplex, visit jacksonsportsplex.com. Leaders Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative based in Jackson, TN. Leaders was established in 1957 by a group of Jackson educators and has grown to over 60,000 members and nine branches across West TN. As one of the largest and most stable credit unions in the nation, Leaders exists to serve the needs of its members and lead the way on their behalf. Leaders is unique from other financial institutions because they are member-owned, which means they exist to serve the needs of the consumers who own accounts at (or shares of) Leaders Credit Union. The founding members established the credit union under the name “Jackson Madison County Teachers Credit Union.” In 1983, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital Employees’ Credit Union voted to merge with the credit union, and in 1996 our name was changed to “Leaders Credit Union” to reflect our expanded membership base. Leaders has led the way as the community’s Financial Champion for over 60 years and offers full-service banking, including savings and checking accounts, home and auto loans, business and investment services, and financial wellness resources to help its members move forward on their financial journey. Leaders is consistently ranked as a top credit union based on industry and member feedback regarding their member service and its financial strength and stability. Leaders has been voted Best Place to Bank and ranked in the top Credit Unions to work for in the country. Leaders Credit Union formed Leaders Education Foundation in 2019 to unite with community members, local organizations, and businesses to give forward to students and teachers in its community. In addition to serving educators, Leaders Credit Union supports various non-profits and organizations throughout the community. The goal through community involvement is to help increase the financial literacy of West Tennesseans. “We appreciate and love our Jackson community because this community created us and has sustained us for over 60 years of service. Jackson is a vibrant, warm, and ever-evolving community,” noted Todd Swims, president and CEO. “The financial needs of our members change with our community, and we are honored to lead the way as our community’s financial champions with products and services that reflect our changing environment and advances in technology.” Becoming a member of Leaders Credit Union is easy. See how you may qualify and apply online in just three easy steps at leaderscu.com or visit a location in West Tennessee. There are branches in Jackson, Milan, Union City, Memphis, and Dyersburg. Leaders is an Equal Housing Lender and is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. For more information about Leaders Credit Union, visit their website or contact Leaders at marketing@leaderscu.com.

National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD), powered by U.S. Travel Association, encourages Americans to plan their vacation days for the entire year at the start of the year. After nearly two years of pandemic stress and fatigue, NPVD is an opportunity for Americans to look ahead to brighter days and make plans for getaways or vacations over the coming months. Planning is the key to taking time off and traveling. A new study from Destination Analysts, commissioned by U.S. Travel Association, reveals that Americans who plan out their paid time off take more time off to travel, but one-quarter (24%) of American households don’t take this simple step.

National Plan for Vacation Day comes at a time when American workers report feeling extreme levels of burnout. According to Destination Analysts, more than two-thirds (68%) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13% are extremely burned out.

“The research reflects what so many have known for quite a while—that the stresses of the past year can, at least in part, be lifted by thinking about and planning time away to recharge and experience something new,” said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. “There are real benefits to getting vacation plans on the calendar at the start of the year which include the happiness associated with travel and committing to take off all the time that is earned for a well-deserved break.”

Data also shows that while vacation is essential to Americans’ mental health and well-being, it is also a crucial benefit for American workers. Nearly 70% of U.S. workers agree that their ability to take vacations is an important factor in keeping them in the workforce. In fact, paid time off is the second most important employee benefit an employer could offer after health insurance benefits.

“Americans say it is important to use their paid time off to travel. Vacation gives us a chance to recharge and reconnect with family and friends, as well as explore more of our beautiful, diverse country,” added Dow. Visit Jackson TN is joining thousands of organizations across the country to celebrate National Plan for Vacation Day and encourage Americans to take some much-needed time off.

Jackson and Madison County students are invited to participate in the Bicentennial Creative Expressions Contest, which includes an essay contest, poetry contest, and art contest, beginning September 7 and ending October 29.  Students can be in public, private, or homeschool, but they must attend a school based in Madison County. Age requirements range from kindergarten through college. Students will be divided into grade bands for each of the contests.  Each school will select one school winner from each grade band.  Those winners’ essays, poems, or art pieces will then be judged by a panel of judges to determine overall winners in each contest for each grade band.  School-level winners in each contest for each grade band will receive a commemorative Bicentennial Certificate.  The overall winners in each contest for each grade band will receive monetary rewards for first, second, and third place.  Those awards are:  $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place. The school-level winners’ submissions must be dropped off at either Madison County Public Library - Main (downtown Jackson) or North (Stonebridge Blvd) - no later than November 1, 2021.  Whitney Norwood at wnorwood@madisoncountytn.gov is the contact person at the Public Library.  If those locations aren’t convenient, please contact Ken Newman at knewman@uu.edu to arrange for pick-up. On February 8, 2022, a special awards presentation will be held at The NED at 6 p.m., to showcase the winners and award the prizes.  The overall winning essay, poem, and art piece for each grade band will be placed in the bicentennial time capsule to be buried in June 2022. The Bicentennial Creative Expressions contest is sponsored by Leaders Education Foundation, which is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Jackson, Tenn.  Since 2019, Foundation members, donors, and sponsors have been fulfilling their Mission of Making Lives Better, Together.  The Foundation meets its Mission through scholarships, grants, and financial literacy resources that provide educational opportunities and promote lifelong learning for students, teachers, and our community. “We are thrilled to help bring the Bicentennial Creative Expressions Contest to all students in Jackson and Madison County,” noted Leigh Anne Bentley, president of Leaders Education Foundation.  “We cannot wait until the February 8th awards presentations where we will see the creativity of these students and have the opportunity to celebrate them.” To learn more and to become involved with the Foundation, visit www.leadersgives.org or visit the Leaders Education Foundation's Facebook.   Details for each of the contests: Essay The overall theme for the contest is “Jackson-Madison County:  Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”  More specific writing prompts are designated for each of the below grade bands. Grades 3-5:  The prompt is “Imagine you were a student your age when the City of Jackson and Madison County were founded in 1821-22.  Tell a story about what your life would have been like during that time.”  (approximately 200 words) (A narrative rubric will be used to score the essays.) Grades 6-8:  The prompt is “The year is 2072 when the City of Jackson and Madison County celebrate their 250th anniversaries.  Write an essay describing what you think Jackson and Madison County will look like in 50 years.”  (approximately 500 words) (An informational/explanatory rubric will be used to score the essays.) Grades 9-12:  The prompt is “As a part of the celebration of the City of Jackson and Madison County’s Bicentennial, items will be chosen to be placed in a time capsule to be opened in 2072 at their 250th anniversary celebration.  What three items would you choose to place in this capsule to best represent Jackson and Madison County?  Write an essay that convinces the Time Capsule Committee to include these three items.”  (approximately 750 words) (An opinion rubric will be used to score the essays.) College:  The prompt is “You have chosen to attend college in Jackson, Tennessee.  Write an essay encouraging other students to choose a college in Jackson by pointing out Jackson’s historical significance, what Jackson currently offers, and what Jackson will offer in the future.”  (approximately 1,000 words) (An expository rubric will be used to score the essays.) Poetry The theme for the poetry contest is “Jackson-Madison County:  Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”  The following grade bands will be used: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, and College. Students may choose a poetry technique of their choice but must adhere to the maximum of 100 words.  (A poetry rubric will be used to score the poems.) Art The theme for the art contest is “Jackson-Madison County:  Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.”  The following grade bands will be used: Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, and College. Guidelines: Sizes: Criteria for Judging:   For more information visit jacksonmadison200.com or email celebrate@jacksonmadison200.com. The West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex in Jackson, TN is pleased to release their Tournament Schedule for the Spring of 2022.  All travel baseball tournaments will continue to be sanctioned with USSSA. “We are thrilled to be the premier USSSA complex in the state and the region,” said Jason Compton, Sportsplex Director of Operations. “We are looking forward to continuing the positive momentum from our fall season where we saw more teams and more people in the complex since the Fall of 2011.” “Our 2022 schedule is the best yet as we have scheduled events on 16 weekends from March through June highlighted by a May Select Super NIT, multiple USSSA World Series Qualifiers, Double Points Weekends, and the Odd Age Group West Tennessee State Tournament,” said Ryan Blake, Sportsplex Tournament Director. “In addition to travel Baseball, we will once again be hosting travel softball, a middle school baseball tournament, and the annual Sarah Beth Whitehead High School Softball Tournament.” 2022 West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex Schedule March 10-12, 2022   Middle School Baseball Tournament  & Travel Softball Tournament March 16-19, 2022   Sarah Beth Whitehead High School Softball Tournament March 18-20, 2022  USSSA Baseball March Madness (AA/OPEN) 9u – 15u March 25-27, 2022  USSSA Baseball Blast (Free Team Entry Fee) (AA/OPEN) 7u – 15u April 1-3, 2022          USSSA Baseball April Powers Global WS Qualifier with DOUBLE POINTS (AA/OPEN) 7u – 15u April 8-9, 2022         USSSA Baseball Throwdown (AA/OPEN) 9u – 15u  & Travel Softball Tournament April 22-24, 2022    USSSA Baseball Mid-South Slamfest (AA/OPEN) 7u – 15u April 29-May 1, 2022  USSSA Baseball Sportsplex Spring Championships Global WS Qualifier with Double Points (AA/OPEN) 7u –15u May 6-8, 2022          USSSA Baseball Mother’s Day Weekend Classic (Free Team Entry Fee) (AA/AAA) 9u – 15u  & Travel Softball Tournament May 13-15, 2022      USSSA Baseball Ayers Children’s Medical Center Classic Global WS Qualifier (AA/OPEN) 7u – 15u May 20-22, 2022      USSSA Baseball Mid-South Select Super NIT (All Divisions) 7u – 15u May 27-29, 2022      USSSA Baseball Terry Moore Memorial Tournament Global WS Qualifier (AA/OPEN) 7u – 15u June 3-5, 2022         USSSA Baseball June Thunder (AA/OPEN) 9u – 15u  & Travel Softball Tournament June 10-12, 2022     USSSA Baseball Sportsplex Slugfest (All Divisions) 7u – 15u June 17-19, 2022     USSSA Baseball Summer Smash Global WS Qualifier (AA/OPEN) 7u – 15u June 24-26, 2022     USSSA Baseball West Tennessee State Championships (AA/AAA) Odd Ages The Sportsplex will release a schedule for July through October in the early Spring. To register for any of these events, please visit the Sportsplex’s website at jacksonsportsplex.com or contact Ryan Blake at 731-425-8237 or rblake@jacksontn.gov Call The Sportsplex to book your practices on one of our immaculate fields as well.  Since August of 2020, The Sportsplex has hosted over 250 practices and would love to have your team as well. The West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex, operated by the City of Jackson, TN, is one of the Southeast’s premier youth baseball/softball facilities. Located in the heart of West Tennessee and easily accessible by major highways, the Sportsplex is almost midway between Nashville and Memphis at Exit 85 on Interstate 40. With 17 lighted and immaculately groomed fields sitting on 70 acres, we offer the perfect location for teams from any region.  We look forward to hosting you and your team in the very near future.
Tennessee Songwriters Week is a statewide competition to support songwriters and music venues. 20 songwriters will share their best original music and compete to advance to the Semi Finals at Lafayette's Music Room on Feb. 22 and the chance to perform at the Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, in March. The songwriters will be judged by peers in the music industry.
The Carnegie featuring the Tennessee Legends of Music Museum will host one of the Qualifying Round competitions on February 12.
To compete contact Visit Jackson, TN at 731-425-8333 (beginning 1/13/22) and provide your name, email and phone number and social media handles. The 20 songwriters will be confirmed with their performance time on February 7, 2022.
Select songwriters from the official qualifying rounds will perform during one of the six Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases in the following cities: Franklin, Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Gatlinburg and Johnson City. Finalists from the showcases (six total, 1 from each showcase) will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their original songs on the historic stage at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville March 20, 2022. They also receive additional prizes, including a one-year membership to NSAI and branded commemorative guitar.
Tennessee Songwriters Week will take place Feb. 20-26, 2022, and the mission is to inspire travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions, and venues.
Tennessee Songwriters Week supports music venues, generates awareness of songwriters’ contributions to Tennessee, celebrates the foundation of the craft with live performances at stage across the stage, recognizes legendary songwriters and paves the way for present and future artists in all seven genres of music home to Tennessee.
The Jackson-Madison County Bicentennial Committee is commissioning two 4 ft. x 12 ft. oil paintings to honor the history of Jackson and Madison County. Interested artists are asked to submit a proposal to create a realistic depiction of the 200-year heritage of Jackson and Madison County and the promise of a new century of accomplishment.    
“The artist chosen for this project will have a permanent exhibit in one of the most historical and prestigious buildings in Madison County,” said Bicentennial Chairman Elaine Christian. “This painting will not only represent our history for the past two centuries but will represent our community for generations to come.”The custom-sized oil paintings can be created on canvas, canvas board or panel and framed for installation on the East and West walls in the north foyer of the Madison County Courthouse located at 100 E. Main Street in Jackson, Tennessee.     Artists will need to communicate historical milestones, spirit and diversity of the people in Jackson and Madison County.Proposal bidding selection criteria and expectations can be found in the Request for Proposal (RFP) located at jacksontn.gov and jacksonmadison200.com.For questions or information regarding the project budget and materials, or to request pictures, videos or rough measurements of the space, contact Wanda Stanfill by phone at (731) 425-8318 or by email at wstanfill@jacksontn.gov.   The Bicentennial Commission is seeking additional sponsors for this permanent legacy project. If an individual or their company is interested in learning more, please reach out to the Bicentennial Commission at celebrate@jacksonmadison200.com or by calling at Elaine Christian at (731) 234-1862 or Anita Kay Archer at (731) 267-5072. Sponsors will be recognized at the artist reception and unveiling in the spring of 2023.
Happy snow day from Visit Jackson TN! We're doing our best to keep you updated on businesses' hours today. Here's what we know right now. If you know of other restaurants that have announced their hours, open or closed, send us an email at mcoffman@jacksontn.com or send us a message on Facebook! We'll update this list as we find out more.   Local Restaurants   Coffee & Desserts Multi-platinum selling and award-winning artist, Travis Tritt, will hit the road in 2022 for his solo acoustic tour, An Evening with Travis Tritt. An Evening with Travis Tritt is an up-close and personal event punctuated by Tritt sharing personal stories and anecdotes about his life and musical influences. Kicking off on Jan 13, fans will have the opportunity to experience this special evening featuring him in an intimate solo-acoustic setting where his powerful voice and his guitar are the subjects of the spotlight. Tritt will perform some of his biggest hits, including “Anymore,” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” “It’s A Great Day to Be Alive,” and “Best of Intentions,” along with songs off his new album, Set In Stone. The Grand Ole Opry member will bring his award-winning songs to life and leave the audience with a memorable experience.

Jackson, TN tickets Info

Jan 13                          Jackson, TN – Carl Perkins Civic Center Jan 15                          Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre Jan 17-18                    Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere Jan 19                          Tiffin, OH – The Ritz Theatre Jan 22                          Myrtle Beach, SC – The Carolina Opry Jan 23                          Virginia Beach, VA – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Feb 11                         Baton Rouge, LA – L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Feb 12                         Waco, TX – Waco Hippodrome Theater Feb 13                         Beaumont, TX – Jefferson Theatre* Feb 16                         Spartanburg, SC – Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Feb 18-19                    Mt. Vernon, KY – Renfro Valley Entertainment Center Feb 20                         Zainesville, OH – Secrest Auditorium Feb 23                         Fort Wayne, IN – The Embassy* Feb 25                         Jackson, MI – Michigan Theater Feb 26                         Lorain, OH – Lorain Palace Theater* Feb 27                         Wilkes Barre, PA – F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts *on sale Nov 12 Tickets for various shows will be available for pre-sale starting Nov. 3 and public on-sale starts Nov. 5. To purchase tickets or for more information on Travis Tritt’s remaining 2021 tour dates, forthcoming 2022 tour dates and more, please visit https://travistritt.com/tour/. Travis Tritt is coming off his most recent album release, Set In Stone; his first original full-length studio album in more than a decade. Released through Big Noise Music Group and produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, The Highwomen, Sturgill Simpson), the album features 11 new songs, 8 of which were co-written by Tritt. Seven of his albums are certified platinum or higher and have led Tritt to amass more than 30 million in career album sales, two GRAMMY® Awards, and four CMA Awards. Travis Tritt’s albums, seven of which are certified platinum or higher, have led him to amass more than 30 million in career album sales, two GRAMMY® Awards, four CMA Awards, including the CMA Horizon Award (now known as the New Artist Award); a Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist, an invitation to become a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry and a devoted fan base that has filled venues coast-to-coast. He is also dubbed one of “The Class of ‘89,” which includes Country music superstars Garth Brooks, Clint Black, and Alan Jackson, who dominated the charts in the ‘90s. Among his eleven studio albums and numerous charted singles are five number ones and 20 Top 10 hits, including “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “Can I Trust You with My Heart,” “Foolish Pride,” “Best of Intentions,” “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” “Here’s A Quarter,” “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” and more. Tritt continues to sell-out shows to his devoted fan base, which has filled venues for years. This solo tour is no different, bringing Tritt’s authenticity and country music coast-to-coast.  Tritt is booked by Reliant Talent Agency, relianttalent.com. For more information, please visit https://travistritt.com/ and follow Travis Tritt on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.