Month: August 2019 | Page 9

Surprise Mural Kicks Off Bright Walls Preview

August 19, 2019

Artists Justin Suarez and Sarah Rutherford view their progress while taking a break Monday evening. Photos by Bart Hawley, JTV. The Bright Walls Mural Festival held a preview ceremony today at Bucky Harris Park and introduced the first two Bright Walls artists participating this year. Justin Suarez and Sarah Rutherford arrived in Jackson over the weekend to begin their work on a “preview mural” on The Blake Building, adjacent to Bucky Harris Park. The event today was designed to thank partners and Patronicity donors, serving as an unofficial kickoff to the Bright Walls Mural Festival season. Bright Walls begins on September 5 and runs through September 10, 2019 in Downtown Jackson. Bright Walls co-chairs Clay McAndrews and Jacque Austin introduced the two artists who most recently have been featured at Color the Creek, Battle Creek’s mural event. Both Suarez and Rutherford are from Rochester, NY and paint as a team and individually. These two artists were announced earlier this summer as part of the roster of talent. They agreed to come in early to paint a preview mural. The building being painted, The Blake Building, was also a surprise as it was not on the list of previously announced wall…

Jackson Parks & Recreation Department Launches Online Survey

August 19, 2019

Jackson residents have an opportunity to participate in a survey that will help officials shape the City’s parks and recreation offerings in the coming years. The City of Jackson Parks and Recreation Department is starting the process of revising its Master Plan. The first step in that process is surveying the public on parks and recreation usage, and what programs or park activities they’d like to see in Jackson. Residents are encouraged to fill out a short online survey by clicking on this highlighted web link. Parks and Recreation Director Kelli Hoover says past surveys have helped her department better understand what the public wants to see in Jackson. “New recreation activities such as a disc golf course and more pedestrian trails were identified as offerings residents wanted in our previous survey. In recent years, we’ve seen both of those requests come to fruition in Jackson. This survey is a great way for us to understand how we can improve our parks system for everyone in the City,” Hoover said. Web links to the survey are also available on the City’s website, cityofjackson.org, and on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Stephen Castle Named New Jackson Interfaith Shelter CEO

August 19, 2019

The Board of Directors of the Jackson Interfaith Shelter has appointed Stephen Castle as the new Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Director of the Jackson Interfaith Shelter. Board President Phil Morgan said, "The Board of Directors, staff and community are excited to have Stephen Castle help us in the battle against homelessness and hunger in Jackson. Steve's caring nature, strong leadership skills, dedication to serving others, along with his great personality; will greatly broaden the horizons of the Interfaith Shelter and the people that we serve. We are blessed." Steve has served the Jackson community for many years, initially as a teacher at Jackson's Paragon Charter Academy and the past 10 years at Spring Arbor University where he also received his undergraduate and masters degrees. Beyond his duties within the Student Development and Advancement offices of Spring Arbor University, Steve was an adjunct instructor leading cross cultural study trips to Uganda and Zambia, Africa as well as courses and service opportunities focused on poverty related issues in Detroit and Hamtramck. Prior to returning to the Jackson area following his graduation from college Steve, and his wife Heather, served as United States Peace Corps Volunteers for 2 years in Zambia. While…