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Alliances of the Little Guys

Jeff Milchen doesn't like big boxes. In 1997, Milchen noticed with alarm that large chain stores were rapidly displacing the locally owned, independent stores that gave Boulder, Colo., its character.

The Cost of Not Shopping Local

Jacksonians were bummed to discover last week that the city plans to raise water fees by 13 percent and sewer fees by 6 percent to shore up the city's budget after a drop in sales-tax revenue.

[Letter To The Editor] Payday Loans Needed

Every American adult has experience in financial management. But despite the fact that we all manage our personal finances and make decisions every day about how to spend, save and invest, many of us remain baffled by the complicated systems behind our dollars.

Arena Study; Blues Joint Opens

Supporters of a proposed downtown sports and entertainment arena will host a fundraiser and information session this evening at the Jackson Convention Complex. In 2009, a steering committee of business leaders contracted consulting firm Populous Sports to conduct an arena feasibility study for downtown Jackson.

Fairview Hearing, UMMC Research

The city's Planning Board will hold a hearing Wednesday, Nov. 17, on a permit application that would allow the Fairview Inn to apply for a permit to operate a public restaurant. The bed-and-breakfast located on North State Street includes a restaurant, Sophia's, that was open to the public from 2003 to 2009. Last year, the Mississippi Supreme Court granted a legal challenge to the restaurant by four neighbors who argued that the city's permit for the restaurant constituted illegal "spot zoning." In July, the City Council approved amendments to city ordinances that created a zoning category for historic houses with a bed-and-breakfast and public restaurant. Next week's hearing is on the inn's application for a use permit under the new amendment.

Development Roundup: JRA Eyes Farish, Delays on Arena

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority's Oct. 27 board meeting saw few major steps forward but many hints at future projects.

Convention Hotel Waits on Financing

It's been a little over a month since the Jackson Redevelopment Authority passed a resolution to issue up to $95 million in bonds for the proposed convention center hotel complex, but the project's developers are still trying to get a financial structure in place for the development to move forward.

Design Competition; New Jobs; Biz Workshops

Mississippi State University's Jackson Community Design Center hosts "FORMcities: Urban/Divide Design Competition and Symposium" Nov. 4 through Nov. 6 in downtown Jackson. During the design competition, participants will select a site in Jackson and create a model of what that site could look like in 2100 using drawings, text and a plan for implementation. While the deadline has already passed to participate in the design competition, the public can register for the three-day event online.

Nandy's Candy: Land of the Sweet

From the moment you walk in the door, bags of candy greet you. Behind wooden candy cases are assortments of green, yellow and pink candy jars, and as many chocolates as one person can imagine. American truffles, caramel and pecan treats, caramel popcorn, mint ice and English toffee are just some of the sweets you'll find in Nandy's Candy.

Melanie's: The Sweet Story

The smell of freshly baked cookies hits you as you walk in. To your left are biscotti; to your right are muffins, cupcakes and lemon squares. Directly in front stands a lady whose fancy gold earrings pale next to her big smile and hot-pink polka-dotted apron.

Obesity, Restaurant News

Leading lawmakers, medical researchers and health-care professionals will convene on Jackson Nov. 9 through Nov. 11 for the Global Obesity Summit 2010. Sponsored by the the University of the Mississippi Medical Center and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership, the event is part of an effort by UMMC to develop a international-caliber research center dedicated to studying and treating obesity, the Center for Obesity, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Research.

Mississippi Lacks Data on Minority Contracts

Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, said the state has no means of determining adequate minority participation in public contracts.

Downtown Bodega Opening; King Edward Wins Award

The recently opened Standard Life building will soon have a New York-style grocery store and deli. Gwin Wyatt and her husband, Frank, decided to open the store after her daughter, Brooke Wyatt-Kuhne, moved into the King Edward Hotel while serving as the artistic director of International Ballet Competition in Jackson this summer.

State to Address Minority Business Participation

The state Legislative Joint Study Committee on Minority Business Participation in Public Contracts, Professional Services and Public Works will meet at 2 p.m. at the Capitol today.

Big Fair Numbers, Medical Mall Groundbreaking, Creative Class Conference

The Mississippi State Fair is attracting much larger crowds than it did last year, when rain kept attendance low. An estimated 307,052 people attended the fair through Monday, according to the state Fair Commission. Attendance through the weekend was almost 100,000 above last year's numbers.

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