Events

Spring Arbor University hosts two dedication ceremonies in recognition of two completed projects: The “Concept in Action” mural and the Coffman Center for Academic Innovation. The mural by world-renowned artist and alumnus Rick Herter will be dedicated on Thursday, May 14, at 3 p.m. outside of the Willow room in the Student Life Center. The Coffman Center will be dedicated on Friday, May 15, at 12:30 p.m. The dedication ceremony will be held in the lobby on the lower level of the Student Life Center. Following the ceremony, guests can tour the room and view demonstrations. Both events are free and open to the public. Herter completed the mural over the course of a few months after picking the visual elements that best represent Spring Arbor University. “I walked around campus in July [2014] and selected a few images that encompass the Spring Arbor University Concept and core values,” said Herter. “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to create this painting for the institution that has meant so much to me.” The mural spans three walls with the most prominent scene on a two-story wall within the Student Life Center, with more of the mural flowing on a wrap-around…

ALBION, MI - Michigan Week is celebrated annually the second week in May. Communities throughout the state explore and celebrate their local history and resources through their participation in this week-long event.  This year, Albion is participating in Michigan Week through a series of events and activities that observe and acknowledge the merits and resourcefulness of our community. In Albion, we decided to call this celebration "Albion Week", in recognition of the people, the businesses, and the social interactions that enable our community to succeed.  For example, did you know T-ball was invented in Albion? Come and watch kids play T-Ball on Saturday, May 16th at Victory Park (and relive a bit of your own childhood). How about Mother's Day? Did you know that was invented here too? Join Jim Seidl at the Gardner House for a History of Mother's Day on Wednesday May 20th. And, did you know Albion stands at the hub of three major hiking and biking trails that crisscross the mid-west? These trails are the Iron-Belle Trail, the Great Lake-to-Lake Trail, and the North Country Trail. We will celebrate our "trail history" by picking up our bikes and taking a bicycle ride around town on Saturday May…

Jackson College will host commencement exercises for graduates at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9 in the Harold Sheffer Music Hall, Potter Center, on Central Campus. Students completing their graduation requirements in fall 2014, winter or spring 2015 are invited to participate in commencement. Jackson College has about 650 students who are eligible to graduate, and expects about 200-250 to participate in the ceremony. The program will include comments from President Dr. Daniel J. Phelan, presentation of the Dr. Ethelene Jones Crockett Distinguished Alumni Award to John Crist, the Distinguished Service Award to Pastor Frank Hampton, and comments from class representative, graduate Yurisvel Estrada. Crist is president and chief executive officer of CP Federal Credit Union, is active in the community serving numerous service organizations, and is an alumnus of Jackson Community College. Hampton is pastor of Jackson’s Church of God, leading an active ministry and serving his community. He also received a 2008 Martin Luther King Medal of Service Award from Jackson College. Estrada is graduating with an associate degree in business administration and plans to continue her studies at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Business in the fall. She has been a Student Ambassador, resident assistant for Campus View…

Registration Open With winter finally behind us (fingers crossed!), it's time to get outside and enjoy the warmer weather.  Smart Commuting is a great way to get that body moving after a long cold winter!  Each summer, hundreds of people in Jackson are walking, biking and riding transit during Smart Commute - a community wide celebration encouraging everyone to try a healthier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly way to get to their destination.  Calling All Commuters Whether you're going to work, running errands, or enjoying a fun, family outing; leave your car at home, get active and challenge yourself to find a greener and healthier alternative.  As an individual commuter,  team member or Corporate Challenge competitor, Smart Commute will show you how much fun getting to your destination can be and participation is easy:  Register yourself or a team today! (The first 500 people get a cool t-shirt) Join the Corporate Challenge for some friendly competition Enjoy walking, biking & riding public transportation this summer (May-August)  Participate in fun Smart Commute and partner events (we've got some great ones planned!) Achieve your goals by tracking your activity! Join us on the third Friday of each month for some of our most popular Smart Commute events as well as some fantastic new ones!  Save these dates to your calendar…

The TCA Big Band & VocalAires will present an exciting afternoon tribute concert entitled Mancini & More!, Sunday, May 17th at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. The 4 p.m. concert will feature some of the most recognized music in the world - from The Days of Wine and Roses to The Pink Panther, from Moon River to Baby Elephant Walk, Henry Mancini remains one of America’s greatest and most prolific composers of all time. Over the course of 5 decades, Henry Mancini was nominated for 72 Grammys, winning 20; was nominated for 18 Academy Awards, winning 4; won 1 Golden Globe Award; and was nominated for 2 Emmy Awards. Though his works include 90+ albums, and transcends all genres, encompassing big band, classical, jazz and pop, he is perhaps best known for his musical contributions in film and television, scoring such movies as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Pink Panther, The Glenn Miller Story, Charade, Hatari!, and Victor/Victoria, as well as television series and themes for Peter Gunn, Mr. Lucky, Newhart, What’s Happening!, Remington Steele, and the NBC Mystery Movie, which included shows such as MacMillan and Wife, McCloud, and Columbo. The “… & More!” portion of the concert includes…

Coach Tony Dungy is Jackson’s favorite sports legend, an accomplished athlete, a Super Bowl winning coach, and a respected and recognized sports commentator. But, more importantly, Tony Dungy is a committed husband and father. It’s his life experience of marriage and family, detailed in the best-selling bookUncommon Marriage, co-authored with his wife Lauren, which he'll share with attendees at a special MMJ evening event April 24th. “Marriage Matters Jackson is thrilled to host Tony Dungy,” exclaims Shelby Raines, MMJ Executive Director. “He's a local hero, a national sports figure, and an overall good guy and class act!” Tony and Lauren Dungy have known the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They fell in love, built a family, and made sports history when Tony became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Yet they’ve also gone through difficult, relationship-testing setbacks, including job loss and devastating personal tragedy. In a culture where it seems harder and harder to make marriage last, the Dungys found a way to stay strong. In Uncommon Marriage, the couple share how they grow together, and reveal what they’ve learned so far about being a good husband and wife, getting through loss,…

Local artists, designers, and fashionistas are busy placing the final touches on their one-of-a-kind creations for the Tecumseh Center for the Arts Junk to Funk! eco fashion show on Friday, April 17, 2015. With a silent auction and Fashion Wars rounding out the evening, this annual fundraiser is filled with food, fashion, and plenty of fun.   The eco-fashion show will feature wearable art created from recycled items or repurposed clothing. Garments may also be auctioned (if the creator agrees) to raise additional funds for the Tecumseh Center for the Arts fundraiser, Junk to Funk! Unique and creative doesn’t even begin to describe the distinctive and eco friendly garments that have already been submitted. Some of the entries include: Asian Persuasion, crafted completely from chop sticks and chop stick wrappers; Memphis Blue, created solely from tissue paper and sheet music, and Black and White and Red All Over made from - you guessed it - newspaper and 230 milk jug caps. These and other wearable creations will be judged by a panel of design professionals and Junk to Funk! attendees. Highlighted again this year is Fashion Wars. Teams of stylists must race the clock to outfit a model using cast-off…

Be a part of history and help the Jackson County Rose Festival re-instate the Jackson Rose Festival Fun Run. Walk or run the festivals original parade route just before our 57 annual rose Parade. Over 10,000 people will be lining the streets to cheer you on! Come and join the fun. Registration will take place from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Walk/Run begins at 11:30am for walkers and 12:00 pm for runners. See you at the finish line! Prizes and Awards: Medals for men and women 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners. 1st place winners will ride in the Parade. Registration and details can be found here: Eventbrite Registration Page