Jackson Free Press

Now that the 7th annual (really!) Best of Jackson season has ended, and the party a sweet memory, here's what all of us can do next. We need to vow to honor "the best" in our community—the best local businesses, the best community figures, the best non-profits and charitable activities, and efforts toward progress—every single day. Hundreds of you (we're guessing around 800) turned out Sunday night to celebrate the best at The Auditorium without needing to spend a dime (except on tips), so here's the JFP's challenge of how you can pay us back, so to speak: Take, say, $20 you might have spent on a cover charge and a drink and put it toward something that matters this week. Donate to one of our local non-profits, or go buy some school supplies and drop them off here at the JFP office for high-school journalism teachers (they really need white paper and dry-erase markers and jump-drives, for instance). Or, volunteer your time. Or, go to Jackpedia and post about how other people can get involved in your efforts. And, vitally, vow to shop local first and more often in locally owned businesses. For instance, go to Rainbow and McDade's for groceries and first and fill in items you can't get elsewhere. Go to locally owned restaurants. Shop local boutiques, consignment stores, and thrift shops first. Honor your hard-working local entrepreneurs and unsung heroes. It all matters, and you can make a difference every single day in easy ways.

See all Best of Jackson winners since 2003 here for great local ideas.
Find and post ways to make a difference locally here on Jackpedia.

Join the Lounge List to meet news friends locally and hear about great events.

Thanks, everyone! And here's to a great year in Jackson.

Previous Commentsshow

Folks, one more thing. As always happens with the Best of Jackson issue, the print edition was running out by the weekend in much of the metro, and now many of the racks are bone-dry with none left to refresh them. But, don't dispair if ou missed it: You can click here to read about all the winners.

DonnaLadd

Jan 27 2009