Film: theCOtoberfest 2015
We had a blast last year at theCO's first annual celebration of theCOtoberfest—but what is it exactly? Check out this video by Kevin Adelsberger highlighting the best of last year's event, and join us this weekend for an even better time!
theCOtoberfest begins with the Pop-Up Art Gallery on Friday, October 21, at 5:00 p.m.. Saturday events last 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Click here to learn more, and make sure to invite your friends to the Facebook event.
Kevin Adelsberger and his wife Renae moved to Jackson for college (proud Union alumni) and have stayed every since. Jackson has since taken hold of Kevin’s heart, and he looks forward to continuing to grow with the city. Kevin opened Adelsberger Marketing in 2014 and saw working with Our Jackson Home as a way that he could serve the city he loves. Kevin and Renae are members of First Baptist Church and volunteer with the youth group there and with Madison County CASA.
Our Jackson Home began in 2014. That same year, I finally graduated college after changing my major from Journalism to Graphic Design and I took a job as a barista downtown. Everything was new and my head was full of dreams and fears that made every moment and conversation feel important.
It was late, and the ferry felt cool in the summer’s evening breeze. We were only a week into my summer in Istanbul, but in our short time learning basic Turkish, navigating public transit, and hopping between Asia and Europe the way I do now between Highland and the Bypass, we felt like naturals. The warm glow of the nearest café’s neon sign welcomed us to the European shore where the five of us girls were staying for the week, and we didn’t need much convincing to stop in for a late-night dinner of pasta and whatever scrumptious-looking mystery pastry the shelf held.
The baby carrier weighs heavy on my forearm as I knock on the door of the Pflasterers’ century-old home. It’s Valentine’s Day, and it just so happened that the family had some free time to sit down with me to discuss their most recent creative endeavor, Mariposa Pictures. In a few short hours, we’ll switch places as the five of them trek over to my home to watch our baby while my husband and I go out for our first official date night in our five months as new parents.
It’s a late Easter this year, which thankfully means for better weather for celebrations! Make sure to get outside now that spring has sprung, and bring a neighbor to these awesome community events.
Is there a better time of year to get out and enjoy the weather than October? Sure, there’s always fall break, Halloween, and a few good Saturday morning races, but don’t forget the local beer, fashion shows, and some dog-friendly fun! Check out Katie Howerton’s five top events for this month.
We have loved following along with Jackson Downtown Development Corporation's "People of Downtown" series on Facebook and Instagram, and this week, we were lucky enough to have our own Editor-in-Chief Katie Howerton featured. Read a little more of her story below and find out why downtown Jackson is such an important part of Our Jackson Home's mission.
Never ever in a million years would I have guessed that I would be a small business owner living in Jackson, Tennessee. I am one of the most shy people you will ever meet. That ambitious entrepreneur spirit is in me, but growing up, it wasn’t readily apparent, even to me. My husband, on the other hand, always knew he would work for himself and probably stay here in Jackson. Both of our grandparents owned their own businesses, and their examples shaped our lives. When I think of Jackson, I think of my family.
August is here, which means school is back in session and the weather may be a bit better—right? Either way, Jackson still has some awesome events to keep you and the family entertained as we say goodbye to summer, from golfing and hacking to contemporary music and old movies. Check out what you should be at this month.
It's officially summer, and that means that you're looking for events for the family even more than usual. Thankfully, June is full of family competitions, live music, and ways to keep both you and the kids learning all summer long. Check out what you've gotta be at this month.
If you told the twenty-year-old me that I would eventually live in Jackson, Tennessee, he would have died laughing. I wasn't even sure I would be living in Tennessee period. Twenty-year-old me was an M1-A1 Abrahms Tank System Specialist (tank mechanic, y'all, I was a tank mechanic) that had dreams of completing a twenty-year career and retiring. And then after my retirement, I would launch some sort of startup with the security of a nice, fat check to fall back on if things didn't work out. Twenty-year-old me was married to the first of two ex-wives and had no kids.
With Easter kicking off the month, April is bound to be full of spring fun, from a few special chances for you to get outside with the fam and plenty of local music opps, too. And don't forget to be at our 6th edition of A Night of Storytelling on the 13th, too!
"How many miles away is Sonic?" I stared, dumbfounded, as they told me the nearest Sonic was ten miles out of town. Kevin patted my leg reassuringly. "Well, you'll learn to enjoy the drive." We were newlyweds and newly graduated, interviewing for a Residence Life Director position for Kevin in Middle-of-Nowhere-Close-to-Sonic, Kentucky. They chose another candidate, and our lives forever shifted, allowing us to keep the roots we had been cultivating in Jackson during our stay here as college students.
February may not be everyone's favorite month to get out and about, but it does hold Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, and lots of cozy indoor events! Check out what Jackson has going on as we wrap up winter with entertainment, inspiration, and even some exotic animals.
Something unique is happening in Jackson: a space dedicated to handmade pieces by a collective of artists, many of whom are local to the area, where people can feel a connection to the items they purchase. While micro-retailing has seen a boon in large metropolitan areas across the country, Jackson now has its own venture in theLOCAL, a collection of small shops curated by local entrepreneurs in downtown Jackson.
Today may just be another Christmas morning for you, but for us, it's our third birthday! In honor of this special milestone in Our Jackson Home's history, here's a video by our own Kevin Adelsberger created for the Jackson Chamber's Women in Business event from earlier this month that highlights our mission and just how much we've grown in three years.
Ordinary guys don’t spend too much time thinking about the best escape route out of a restaurant or a home or out of town. And while most people I know aren’t worried about the trackability of their IP addresses or burner phones or whether or not they’ve been recorded on too many security cameras in public, that’s not the case for Lee Wilson. But then again, Lee isn’t exactly having an ordinary moment.
We had a blast last year at theCO's first annual celebration of theCOtoberfest—but what is it exactly? Check out this video by Kevin Adelsberger highlighting the best of last year's event, and join us this weekend for an even better time!
Our first annual celebration of 731Day was a blast, and we're so glad that our old friend Trevor Masterson captured so many of its best moments on video. Check out this recap of some of this awesome day, and start getting ready for next year!
It seems quite contradictory to write a piece on why people should stay in Jackson on the eve of our move to Nashville. After eight years of choosing to stay, the decision to leave didn’t come easily, and I certainly put up a fight. However, I had to come to terms with the fact that sometimes a dream is for a season, and it’s okay for dreams to develop towards other places. You don’t have to abandon a sense of “place” once you move.
Hannah Russell is a Marketing Assistant at Lane College and freelance photographer in Jackson, focusing her creative efforts primarily in portrait and studio photography. As a recent graduate of Union University’s art program, she is continually discovering how to transform the everyday person into the most interesting of subjects through her attention to composition and form. “Photography for me is kind of like an adventure. It’s a very curious and exploratory activity; a search for the best composition."
With spring upon us and workshop season now in sight, there is much to look forward to at theCO in addition to the constant buzzing that is brought about from our weekly meetups and get-togethers. In anticipation of next week’s gathering, A.M. Creative, we recall gleanings from February’s edition of the event which took on a new look, as the meetup tailored for artisans and patrons moved from the traditional early morning convening to an afternoon lunch hour that proved to be exceedingly popular.
A new form of entertainment is catching fire all across America, and it involves teams of players willingly locking themselves into rooms before solving a series of themed puzzles and riddles in order to get out. It’s an immersive and interactive experience that is scratching an itch that most didn’t know they had, one that is resulting in a fever for novel problem solving and adventure.
Christopher Nadaskay is the University Professor of Art at Union University and an artist focusing primarily on mixed-media, using a variety of materials and textures in his exploration of cultural critiques and societal legacies. As a self-proclaimed science-fiction fan, Nadaskay often incorporates aspects of the genre’s futuristic musings into his conviction-fueled paintings and sculptures.
In light of tomorrow's A.M. Creative gathering at theCO—a monthly group meet-up organized for (and by) makers, dreamers, and those who appreciate stories of inspiration to share about what they are creating and to encourage others to come alongside them—we recall September’s event with the illustrious Lendon Noe and her anecdotes on a couple of exciting future projects, the ever-important role of artists’ civic responsibilities, and more.
Jackson is home to a community of phenomenal people and growing social appeal. While our weeks can seem mundane and leave us jaded, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize, express creativity, and simply relax. I've compiled a list that I hope will enhance our weekly routines to create shared memories with friends and family as we together enjoy Jackson.
Hey, West Tennessee! Guess what? theCO is officially one year old, and we’re celebrating with Birthday Week! It has been an outstanding year for all of our members and their businesses. To begin, I’d like to first introduce myself. My name is Dan Drogosh, and I am the Media and Facilities Manager here at theCO. I work really hard to keep things running efficiently. I also take the time to get to know each and every member to ensure that they receive the full benefit of their membership.
On Friday we got to visit with the great folks at theCO. They are doing some amazing work, so here's a peek into the space they provide for members and visitors. Become a member! OJH will be bringing a podcast and article telling more about theCO in the next couple of days.