Events of Monday, September 11, 2023

Spirit of America Blood Drive.  Give blood in their honor on September 11. Be a Beacon of Hope.  American 1 Event Center, 128 W. Ganson St., Jackson.  The Jackson Fire Department will be at the blood drive handing out fire prevention materials. There will also be a Jackson fire truck on site for residents to tour.  Versiti remembers the heroes of 9/11: the emergency responders, healthcare workers, and 2,977 Americans who lost their lives on that tragic day, September 11, 2001. We also remember the patriotic blood donors who stepped up, rolled up their sleeves, and gave blood for their fellow Americans in the days and weeks that followed – the true spirit of America! This year, as we reflect upon this historic event, we ask you to stand up for your fellow Americans again. As thanks for saving local lives, if you donate blood at a donor center or community blood drive on Sept. 11, 2023, you will receive a special commemorative T-shirt (“Give blood in their honor, be a Beacon of Hope”), while supplies last, as a token of our gratitude.  Make your appointment online here.  Versiti Blood Center of Michigan.  866-642-5663.  donate.mi@versiti.org

Jackson College Astronomical Observatory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.  5 PM.  Jackson College invites the community to join in a rescheduled ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Astronomical Observatory on Central Campus, at 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, 2023.  The previously scheduled ceremony on Aug. 14 was canceled due to rain. This short ceremony will include remarks about the new project, the cutting of the ribbon to open the facility, and some light refreshments.

Light up the Falls to #NEVERFORGET.  8 PM to 10 PM.  Come join us as we light the Cascades Red, White & Blue to honor those lost on the 22nd Anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001 attack on our Country. We invite you to honor, remember, and pay tribute to our Military Servicemembers and first Responders lost then and those who continue to serve us.   Join us for a Patriotic Light show and music montage, starting around 9 pm (depending on darkness). Come and climb the stairs of the Cascades in honor of those who made that climb into and out of the Trade Center 22 years ago! Come pay respects in our Memorial Tent and learn how we continue to #NEVERFORGET and #DOGOOD.  FREE ADMISSION!!! If you are a First Responder, we encourage you to come and wear your gear! Proudly brought to you by Tunnel to Towers Jackson, The Jackson County Parks Department and The Cascades!

Jackson College Film Series: “Casablanca”.  7:15 PM.  The Jackson College Film Series returns with a classic, “Casablanca”.  ’Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), who owns a nightclub in Casablanca, discovers his old flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) is in town with her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid). Laszlo is a famed rebel, and with Germans on his tail, Ilsa knows Rick can help them get out of the country.  Doors open at 7:00 PM. Film starts at 7:15 PM. Admission is $5.

Jackson Festival for the Arts.  Final Day!  Today at 4 PM to 7 PM at Horace Blackman Park.  Vendor booths, live music at 5 PM with  “369”, live original theatre at 6 PM on the TRUE Community City Stage (“Interventions” by Greg Lam) and Monster Box Improv at 6:30 PM.  The Festival closing party and Monster Box Improv begins at 7 PM at Ironbark Brewing Company, 2610 Kibby Road.  Complete details here.