Jackson Free Press

I find myself, every year, getting in a certain mood around the holiday season. Yes, there are fattening goodies in the JFP break room—every single day—which will hopefully also put me in the mood to hit the YMCA more often.

There's the warm glow of the computer screen as we compress our deadlines and try to take Christmas Eve off.

And, yes, the gifts and family and music and decorations and football and time off are all wonderful. Ho. Ho. Ho.

I'm sure Orley's got all that covered.

In this case, however, what I'm talking about is how the holidays also happen to be the "season" when we count the Best of Jackson ballots. That's what puts me in that certain mood. The mood translates as something like "Shop Local!"

It's a real pleasure to count the ballots and watch the march of local names, ideas, people and places. These are people who work hard all year to ply their trade, provide a service, run a store, or feed and water us all.

It's tough to run a local business anywhere. But sometimes it can feel particularly daunting when you've got Cowboy Frank running Jackson's budget into the ground while the news fills up with stories of daring and danger about the city in which you love, live and try to till the earth for a living.

Fortunately, while there's no snow swirling in the air, there's some fun energy here in the last few weeks of the year that should translate into good things for Jackson in 2008. Of course I'm not talking about the mayor, and I'm not even talking about "Sherr-ief."

What I'm talking about is a changing attitude that's based on a combination of three different forces.

First, I'm talking about progress. On my way from home to work every day I see the Duling Building in Fondren going up … and I can't wait. It gives me hope and gets me excited and makes me think about how much more there is to look forward to in Jackson. All you have to do is look around on an ARTmix night in Fondren and see the constant march of improvements to know that anything is possible when Jacksonians decide to do something.

Second, I'm talking about excellence. The Best of Jackson season reminds me of all the great restaurants and nightspots and retailers and service providers this town has to offer, and seeing all the votes cast for these local businesses reminds me of how many people there are in Jackson who are working hard to do what they do well. Each year we see more votes in each of the categories—and that translates into a sincere congratulations from our readers to business that are doing things well.

Third, I'm talking about pride of place. Recently I've had the opportunity to sit in on some meetings that are bringing together diverse groups of professionals, business people and creatives in an effort to get serious about the discussion of where Jackson is headed and how we're going to take it there. I've had a chance to be in the room with people arguing about Farish Street, City With Soul, Downtown development, JSU's future—people are having these discussions not because they are without hope, but because they're seeing a ray of sunshine burst out from the clouds.

I think that if there's anything that the ineptitude of the Melton administration will end up teaching us, it's this: We have to build Jackson ourselves.

Ben Allen, the inimitable former councilman and current executive director of Downtown Jackson Partners, has taken to saying, "Things don't happen because of government, they happen in spite of government." He usually gets some funny looks when he says it, but he's got a point, or at least a good start to one.

I'm a believer in good government. I think it's particularly possible on the municipal level in cities like Jackson, because the problems don't have to be divisive and partisan. The goals are to generate economic growth, educate children, create jobs and build quality of life for all citizens.

But that good government will only really come about once we've taken matters into our own hands as citizens ... and consumers. It's a little like global warming. The solution isn't about finding a superhero to solve our problems; it's about making everyday decisions that, taken together, result in big changes.

Here's the first one. Head out to local retailers for the rest of your holiday shopping—or stop into a local establishment to buy a gift certificate. (Guys—check out the last-minute gift guide for woman-sanctioned suggestions from the JFP staff. It starts on page 20.)

Second, if you do end up at a Big Box, check its location. Shop and dine in Jackson this holiday season. Let's get this engine of commerce and culture primed with holiday tax dollars for the coming year. Even if you're a Madison or Rankin denizen, spend some money in Jackson. It's like public radio. There's something in Jackson for everybody, and it's worth paying for.

And third—just get out! (See the Lounge Blog for ideas.) We need people in the restaurants, clubs, theaters, museums, walking districts and shops. Spread a little cheer locally and see if it doesn't come back to you—in spades—as a more prosperous community in the coming New Year.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Think Global, Shop Local. Go Saints!