Jackson Free Press

Tom Ramsey Prepares a New Pizzeria for Jackson

Not even a year after opening Italian restaurant La Finestra in the Plaza Building (120 N. Congress St.) downtown, local chef Tom Ramsey is already preparing to bring another new restaurant to Jackson, this time a traditional pizzeria.

La Finestra Pizzeria will serve homemade pizzas by the slice at lunch and by the whole pie at dinner. The pizzeria will feature a full bar and be decorated with images of famous Italian baseball players.

Ramsey's newest restaurant will be directly across from La Finestra in the Plaza Building in a space that currently houses Basil's, which will close in July. When La Finestra Pizzeria opens, Ramsey will change La Finestra's name to La Finestra Trattoria. Ramsey is aiming for an October opening date. Menu details and prices for La Finestra Pizzeria are still to be determined.

Marriott Brings the Courtyard to Pearl

Courtyard by Marriott is rolling out its innovative lobby and room design in Pearl with a new building that will feature Wi-Fi and a variety of seating zones ideal for pop-up meetings and social gatherings.

The 105-room Courtyard Jackson Airport/Pearl (415 Riverwind Drive, Pearl) is scheduled to open on Friday, June 27. Each room features plush bedding, a functional workspace, spacious bathrooms, a separate seating area and complimentary in-room high-speed Internet.

The hotel will operate as a Marriott franchise. Shriji Pearl, LLC owns the building and Southern Hospitality Services, LLC of Flowood will manage it. Rates begin at $139 per night.

The hotel features flexible seating options, ranging from a communal table to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, or a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area.

Courtyard will also feature The Bistro, which will offer casual, flexible seating. The Bistro's menu will have healthy options for breakfast, and light evening fare that includes snacks, cocktails, wine and beer. Guests will also be able to order freshly brewed Starbucks coffee. The hotel also has The Market, a 24-hour shop for snacks, beverages and assorted sundries such as toothpaste.

The hotel's lobby features a GoBoard, which presents local information, maps, weather and headline news. The GoBoard features mobile integration, which allows guests to send directions from the GoBoard directly to their smartphones. Guests can also touch the screen for immediate access to detailed flight information for local airports, popular entertainment and local event information, and walking directions.

The four-story hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa, fitness center and guest laundry facility, and it offers 1,200 square feet of meeting space to accommodate functions for groups with up to 85 people.

For more information or to make reservations, call the Courtyard Jackson Airport/Pearl at 601-914-6666 or call the Courtyard toll-free number at 800-321-2211. Follow the Courtyard on Twitter or Facebook, and visit courtyard.com.

Dale Carnegie Training Management Seminar

On Tuesday, July 22, Dale Carnegie Training is bringing a one-day management-training seminar titled "Step Up to Leadership" to Jackson.

The course is open to all business owners, project leaders, managers and supervisors who want to maximize their leadership skills. Topics include:

· Communicating Across Generations

· Time Management & Priority Setting

· Creating a Sense of Direction for Your Team

· Conflict Resolution—Lead by Example

· Delegation & Accountability

· Team Building & Employee Motivation

· Visioning & Planning

· Change Management

· Reduce Workplace Negativity

"Step Up to Leadership" is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the McGowan Building at the Holmes Community College Ridgeland campus. The seminar costs $199 per participant, and group rates are available.

For more information, call 888-437-1066 or email [email protected]. Enroll online at http://mississippi.dalecarnegie.com.

UPDATE: La Finestra did not take over the Basil's space for its pizzeria. Tom Ramsey said it ultimately never materialized. Basil's downtown location is still open. On Oct. 8, 2015, La Finestra announced that it's closing after Oct. 18, 2015.