Jackson Free Press

I'm what you call a ProJack. I steadfastly support anything in Jackson—community, music and business. If you operate or reside firmly within this city's borders, I pray for your success. I urge my fellow Jacksonians to do the same. Our success or failure depends on each of us spending our hard-earned dollars with those who can help Jackson flourish. No other time can this be more prevalent than during the holidays. The time when most of us go broke in order to spread some holiday cheer.

If you survived Black Friday and Cyber Monday with your sanity (and wallet/purse) intact, I commend you. But I also hope you took it as an opportunity to patronize local businesses. Black Friday is considered to be the busiest shopping day of the year. Folks line up before dawn to take advantage of great sales. They go mad! And they would have to be crazy if they're willing to sacrifice valuable sleep for $5 off a Snuggie.

We've all been conditioned to shop at Walmart and Target. Quite frankly, you just about have to sometimes. But just imagine what it would do for our city if that frenzy were channeled into spending with local vendors. Not chains claiming they're local, but real, homegrown businesses.

Sure, it may require a little more research or take a little more driving around town. No, it may not be the most convenient thing to do, but in the long run, it pumps much needed financial life into a growing city.

When shopping for that special gift for the wife or that special dish that all the kids like, ask yourself: Are you sure you couldn't find it at a local vendor?

Take the time this season to do a little searching. Open up a phone book or go online and see if you can find someone here locally that can get that special gift or food item for you. If they don't, request that they order it. Drop them a line or offer a comment or two that might help them draw other shoppers in. Have a holiday drink at Tye's or Pi(e) Lounge at Sal & Mookies. Eat a meal at Peaches or Schimmel's. Get pastries from Scurlock's. Go to one of the shops in Fondren. Give it a try, and let the love extend into the New Year. Make it a habit and spread the word on to other fellow consumers. Money spent in Jackson is money well spent.

With that said, my other passion is our kids. Particularly those who won't have the same holiday as most of us. A few days from now, Leadership Jackson's Team Supreme, the Jackson Progressives, the Jackson Free Press and Hal & Mals are joining forces to help the young patients at Blair E. Batson's children's hospital. Batson's "Home Away From Home" event takes places Wednesday, Dec. 16, and hopes to collect money and items for kids and families visiting their loved ones. Donations such as children's clothing, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, gift cards and phone cards are encouraged. You'll be able to eat, drink, and be merry with entertainment by DJ Phingaprint and stylings of the Jason Turner Band. But most importantly, you'll be helping a Jackson mainstay as it continues to help kids battle their ailments.

Simply put. Giving feels good. Giving back locally feels even better.

And that's the truth ... sho-nuff.

Previous Comments

ID

153996

Comment

Thanks for the shout out kaz. Lord knows right now WE NEED IT!!!!

Author

tye d.

Date

2009-12-04T10:20:56-06:00

ID

154013

Comment

This is a great column, Kaze. It's so great to have you on the vocal-local wagon. ;-) Who else is with us this holiday season? And remember "local" doesn't have to be expensive; you can buy crafts at the farmer's markets or head to the open house at the Mustard Seed tomorrow!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-12-04T16:44:07-06:00

ID

154021

Comment

Kaze, good job as usual. So glad to see you spending your energy on such good measures instead of that crap music you used to do. Sorry, I meant rap music. I loved the details of the story of you and Queen getting together. I learned you are soft, though. A real player wouldn't have asked for her hand in marriage, but would have demanded or commanded it. Had you gone hard you wouldn't have had to wait as long. Yet I'm not sho she's the one to try that with. Send in your card. Go Jackson! The next time I need something from WalMarts I'll drive to jackson instead of going around the corner in Ridgeland and Madison. Just trying to do my part.

Author

Walt

Date

2009-12-04T17:57:37-06:00