Images Vicksburg, MS: 2010 by Journal Communications

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI

CORNERSTONE OF CULTURE

Diverse classes and events foster community

CONCERNED ABOUT CONSERVATION

River Field Institute inspires stewardship

Downtown Turnaround

Renovations restore city’s vibrant spirit

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PICTURE PERFECT

We’ve added even more of our prize-winning photography to the online gallery. To see these photos, click on Photo Gallery.

RELOCATION

Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

FACTS & STATS

Go online to learn even more about: Schools

• Health care

• Utilities

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• Taxes

• Images Vicksburg is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce 2020 Mission 66 • Vicksburg, MS 39180 Phone: (601) 636-1012 • Fax: (601) 636-4422 www.vicksburgchamber.org

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Painting the Town

Along the riverfront in Vicksburg is a stunning, 32-panel mural project that reflects the city’s past, present and future roles in American history, commerce, culture, religion and technology. Designed and painted on 12-by-20-foot panels of the flood wall by artist Robert Dafford, the murals are the centerpiece of a vibrant waterfront that includes a children’s park, playground and landscaping. The project was fully endorsed by the city of Vicksburg and all major economic and historical development organizations, and it was made possible by donations from dozens of businesses, organizations and individuals. Check out all the murals at www.riverfrontmurals.com

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Get a glimpse of Vicksburg’s riverfront murals and the Art Park at Catﬁsh Row in our quick videos. Visit imagesvicksburg.com

Managing the Mississippi

From building lakes to managing water levels, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Vicksburg District does it all, including overseeing seven major river basins. The district is responsible for about 800 miles of commercially navigable streams and rivers, including 278 miles of the mighty Mississippi River. Established in 1873, the Corps is one of the oldest employers in Vicksburg, and it’s one of the Corps’ largest civil works entities. Visit www.mvk.usace.army.mil for more information.

Ring It Up

Vicksburg is home to a multitude of great places to shop, including a host of one-of-a-kind shops in the vibrant, historic downtown area. One of the city’s popular shopping destinations is Pemberton Square Mall, which features Belk, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Wilcox Theatre 4, Garfield’s Restaurant and specialty shops. Outlets at Vicksburg shopping center is another big draw, with more than 20 big-name retailers in one convenient location.

A Tradition of Excellence

The Miss Mississippi pageant is a Vicksburg tradition that brings throngs of visitors and attention to the city each year. This Emmy Award-winning production features gifted and beautiful contestants who vie for the Miss Mississippi title, scholarships and the opportunity to compete for the Miss America crown in Atlantic City. Behind-the-scenes personalities include many talented volunteers and entertainers who come together to make this incredible program come to life. For more information, visit www.missmississippipageant.com

Higher-Education Options

Hinds Community College and Alcorn State University offer a wealth of opportunities for higher education and workforce training.

HCC is headquartered in Raymond and has a branch in Vicksburg. Founded in 1917, it is the largest community college in the state, with more than 10,700 students.

Alcorn State is in Claiborne County, halfway between Vicksburg and Natchez. Founded in 1871, the university was the nation’s first state-supported institution for the higher education of African-Americans.

Additionally, academic credit and graduate degrees can be earned through the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Graduate Institute.

Created in 1986, the institute is an association of universities (Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University and Texas A&M) and ERDC.

Tee Time

Golfers in Vicksburg have two excellent courses from which to choose – the private Vicksburg Country Club and the public Clear Creek Golf Course.

Vicksburg Country Club offers an 18-hole course measuring 6,059 yards from the longest tees for a par of 70. Built on rolling terrain, the fairways are tight and slightly undulating, and the small greens putt true. Water hazards –creeks and ponds – come into play on several holes.

The 18-hole Clear Creek Golf Course spans 6,601 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. The facility also includes a driving range and tennis courts in a beautiful location. Visit www.clearcreekgolfcourse.net for more information.

Fast Facts

Vicksburg is known as the Red Carpet City of the South for its hospitality.

Riverfront Park is a popular family destination, with walking trails, picnic tables and grills, and, of course, a lovely view of the river.

The city is home to the world’s longestrunning melodrama, Gold in the Hills.

Vicksburg is one of only 21 Certified Retirement Communities in the state.

Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894 in Vicksburg. Some of these prized early bottles are on display in the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum.

Capturing Character Through Art

Artist H.C. Porter lives and works in downtown Vicksburg, where she has a gallery that features her distinctive works. Porter, a Jackson native, moved to Vicksburg following Hurricane Katrina, and she has created a traveling exhibition of 81 works that tells the story of storm survivors’ spirit and tenacity. To create her works, Porter starts with a black-and-white photograph, makes a silkscreen of the positive image and then applies Prismacolor pencils and acrylic paint on top of the image. The result is colorful, powerful artwork charged with the emotion of her characters and their unique experiences. Visit www.hcporter.com for more information.

Vicksburg At A Glance

POPULATION

Vicksburg: 26,407, Warren County: 49,644

LOCATION

Vicksburg, the only city in Warren County, is in west-central Mississippi at the confluence of the Mississippi River and Yazoo River, and on Interstate 20 at the midpoint between Dallas and Atlanta. The city is 40 miles west of the state capital of Jackson.

BEGINNINGS

First settled by the French, who built Fort Saint-Pierre in 1719, Vicksburg was incorporated in 1825 and named for Newitt Vick, a conscientious objector of the American Revolution.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce 2020 Mission 66 Vicksburg, MS 39180

Phone: (601) 636-1012, Fax: (601) 636-4422 www.vicksburgchamber.org

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Vicksburg

Take a virtual tour of Vicksburg, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers, at imagesvicksburg.com

Turnaround Downtown

RENOVATIONS RESTORE CITY’S VIBRANT SPIRIT

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER

When Laura and Troy Weeks visited relatives in Vicksburg several years ago, the charming Southern town felt like home. They soon uprooted their busy lives in Virginia Beach and replanted themselves in Vicksburg.

“We had visited downtown Vicksburg both before and after it was revitalized, and after the revitalization we considered moving here,” Laura Weeks says. “Vicksburg’s previous mayor really overhauled the city’s image and focused heavily on the downtown area, turning it into a desirable place to work and live.”

The couple wanted to completely change their lifestyle.

“We were both driving 40 minutes to get to work in Virginia Beach, and we felt like we lived in our cars,” Weeks recalls. “We were happy to give up that traffic and move to a smaller community that’s supportive of locally owned businesses.”

In 2006, the couple bought a historic 1800s Washington Street building and turned the downstairs into Lorelei Books, a quaint book shop that regularly hosts open houses for local teachers and

Tom Pharr, a designer of the Sears Luxury Quarters Apartments and Condominiums Right: Inside one of the newly renovated Sears apartments

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See an interview with Tom Pharr, who helped execute design work on condominiums in the renovated Sears Roebuck Building downtown, in our quick video. Visit imagesvicksburg.com

The rebirth of downtown Vicksburg has prompted a new wave of people who want to live downtown.

author events. They turned the upstairs of the building into a loft-style apartment that became their home.

“I love being close to work – now I go down 22 steps instead of sitting in traffic for 40 minutes,” Weeks says.

The Weeks aren’t the only ones who’ve invested in downtown Vicksburg in recent years. Downtown has seen a complete turnaround since the 1970s and ’80s. The first revitalization efforts began in 1984 with the establishment of the Vicksburg Main Street Program.

“Proponents of downtown Vicksburg had their work cut out for them,” says Kim Hopkins, executive director of the Vicksburg Main Street Program. “Downtown Vicksburg was really struggling from suburban flight to the large malls and super stores.”

In 2003, the city of Vicksburg invested $7 million in downtown with a renewal plan that included attractive brick streets, turn-of-the-century lamp posts, new sidewalks, landscaping, tables, chairs, benches, hanging flower baskets and the River Stage Plaza parking lot with restroom facilities. Two years later, the $2.8 million Art Park at Catfish Row that included a children’s splash fountain was completed downtown.

“Across the street, 32 murals have been painted on the flood wall that portray a timeline history of Vicksburg,” Hopkins says. “The Main Street marketing slogan is ‘Downtown Vicksburg ... Where Everything’s Waiting for You!’ There’s an exceptional mix of specialty retail shops, art galleries, restaurants, sports bars, coffee shops and antique shops.”

The rebirth of downtown Vicksburg has prompted a new wave of people who want to live downtown. Since 2003, more than 25 upper-level apartments have been occupied above retail businesses, and developers are turning other historic buildings into high-end condos and apartments. The Sears Luxury Quarters Apartments and Condominiums is located in a remodeled, historic Sears Roebuck building. The mixed-use development has retail space on the bottom floor and condominiums on the second and third floors.

The nine condos have two bedrooms and two baths and average 1,000-1,500 square feet each, with one two-story unit encompassing 1,750 square feet and offering a great view of the Mississippi River.

David Lum Architecture and

Tom Pharr of Anchuca Historic Mansion and Inn executed the design work on the project, and they went to great lengths to preserve the building’s aesthetic appeal. The units sport their original hardwood floors, and the original interior brick walls are exposed in each unit. The project also includes a fitness center and a common area clubroom for tenants and unit owners.

The Valley Building is a renovated 1909 dry goods store that houses 20 fully furnished apartments for longor short-term leasing.

“The building has a lot of warmth and character, with big beautiful windows and great views of the river and downtown,” says Tracye Prewitt, director of operations for The Valley Building. “We kept the original floors, brickwork, beams and pipes. When it first opened in 1912, it was the largest dry goods store of its kind from New Orleans to Memphis.”

The Valley Building opened in August 2009.

“We get calls every day from people wanting to check us out,” Prewitt says. “People love it because they can walk to downtown restaurants, stores, the library and anything they need.”

Above: The Juke Joint in downtown Vicksburg is a new restaurant with a laid-back vibe. Left: Lorelei Books is owned by Laura and Troy Weeks, a couple who relocated to Vicksburg a few years ago and live above their store downtown.

Cornerstone

of Culture

DIVERSE CLASSES AND EVENTS PROMOTE COMMUNITY, CREATIVITY

STORY BY CAROL COWAN

When it comes to opportunities for cultural, artistic and educational enrichment, the Southern Cultural Heritage Center delivers. Its diverse roster of programs offers something for just about every member of the Vicksburg community, with classes and workshops on painting, ballet, knitting, photography, ballroom dancing, scrapbooking, gardening, Irish step-dancing, public speaking, quilting, barbershop quartet singing, creative writing and more. There are classes suitable for every age group, from kids to senior citizens. And for a special evening out, folks can also attend concerts, lectures, plays and other events hosted by SCHC.

New Director, New Direction

Past efforts of a dedicated Board of Directors and staff members set the stage for new Director Annette Kirklin to take the Southern Cultural Heritage Center to new heights –and she has it soaring. When Kirklin came on the scene in 2008, her energy and enthusiasm for seeking out new programs and people to lead them brought an explosion of growth to the center’s offerings. Participation has mushroomed as well.

“Now, the whole family can enjoy every part of these

Annette Kirklin, director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, has fostered the center’s growth.

buildings because of what we offer,” Kirklin says. “Getting people here and getting them involved is the whole point. We want to be able to say, ‘You don’t like this? OK. Well, how about that or that?’ And now we can do that.”

One hugely successful idea is Classics in the Courtyard, an outdoor Friday lunch-hour concert series held throughout the month of October each year. The featured music is classic in some way – classic pop, classic rock, jazz standards and the like – and the performers are local. The event uses local caterers, as well.

Historic and Architectural Significance

Housed in the former St. Francis Xavier Convent and Academy, the center also preserves important physical landmarks. Its five buildings comprise one of the most architecturally and historically significant city blocks in downtown Vicksburg. The structures represent a chronology of American architectural history that spans from 1830 to 1955: the Cobb House (circa 1830), the Sisters of Mercy Convent (1868), the Auditorium (1885), the Academy Building (1937) and the O’Beirne Gymnasium (1955). The Southern Cultural Heritage Center is a designated Mississippi Landmark, and the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The architecture alone draws visitors for tours – available by appointment – and the buildings also contain spaces that are popular to rent for weddings and events. Inside the various structures, historical exhibits are on display, such as one detailing the Civil Rights Movement in Vicksburg. The restored Cobb House, the oldest building on the premises, is an affiliate of the Mississippi Museum of Art.

A Cultured Appeal

The nonprofit cultural center is supported by grants, sponsorships, program fees and private donations. One of its chief supporters, major Warren County employer Ergon, Inc., considers SCHC an essential element of the quality of life that appeals to its company’s professional employees.

“Our company has a large employee base of professionals in Warren County,” says Lee Lampton, Ergon’s president of operations. “It’s important to have cultural facilities to attract top management people to the area. The center has excellent cultural offerings that a number of our employees participate in and really enjoy. That’s the primary reason we support it.”

For more information about classes, events, membership programs and volunteer opportunities, visit www.southernculture.org

Clockwise from top: Students work with clay as part of an after-school program; the sold-out, four-day Elizabeth Blaylock Oil and Acrylics workshop; line dancing lessons; student artwork at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center

One-of-a-Kind Fare With Flair

ELEGANT RESTAURANTS WITH INNOVATIVE CUISINE KEEP DINERS COMING BACK

Have you tasted the honey-ginger filet mignon or the Tuscan bruschetta?

If not, head over to Café Anchuca, an elegant and popular restaurant housed in the historic Anchuca mansion. This venerable structure is one of the most majestic antebellum homes in all of Vicksburg, and these days the landmark mansion is also a well-known bed-and-breakfast.

The café inside the mansion began in 2004 with once-a-month Saturday night dining, but now the quaint restaurant hosts dinner every Thursday-Saturday, and lunch every Thursday-Sunday.

“We offer our customers good Southern cuisine prepared in a thoughtful way,” says Tom Pharr, co-owner of Café Anchuca along with executive chef Chris Brinkley. “We serve fresh, fine food prepared by five top cooks. We don’t have much freezer space on site, so nothing we prepare has ingredients more than a day or two old. Freshness in our dining selections is what we are all about.”

The café has already become so renowned that customer requests prompted management to publish a cookbook in November 2009.

“We put together A Taste of Anchuca with plenty of unusual recipes that chef Chris Brinkley and his staff have perfected,” Pharr says. “I especially like the Mississippi farm-raised catfish entrée that is seasoned with a creole herb rub and topped with

a Florentine sauce. It’s amazing.”

Café Anchuca is just one of many one-of-a-kind restaurants in Vicksburg. Another favorite is Roca Restaurant & Bar, which is located inside Vicksburg Country Club but is open to the public. Its tasty menu selections include crabcrusted Atlantic salmon over rice pilaf with mustard remoulade and garlic sauteed green beans, pecan-fried softshell crab over andouille dirty rice with a roasted red pepper cream

sauce – and desserts such as white chocolate bread pudding and baked apple tart with vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle and cinnamon sugar crisp.

Also unique to Vicksburg is Main Street Market, a restaurant that has become very popular in its short history. Its menu features several Cajun dishes such as andouille po’boys, jambalaya, crawfish pie, dark chicken stew, wild duck and turtle soup, and chicken gumbo.

Café Anchuca is housed in Vicksburg’s historic Anchuca mansion. Left: Salmon salad is a popular selection at Café Anchuca.

PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

Celebrating a Milestone in Style

PLANNING FOR THE SIEGE OF VICKSBURG’S ANNIVERSARY IS ALREADY IN THE WORKS

One of the most epic battles of the Civil War – one that lasted 47 days – will be commemorated in 2013 on its 150th anniversary.

The Siege of Vicksburg will officially mark its sesquicentennial on July 2, 2013, exactly 150 years after Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant accepted the surrender of the Confederate army on July 2, 1853. There will be a July 2 commemoration in 2013 and several observances for months prior to then.

Vicksburg is already working to get the word out.

“The organization of such a huge tourism event takes a long time to plan, and we will start working toward it beginning in 2011,” says Bill Seratt, executive director of the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It starts with contacting cream-of-the-crop national travel writers to alert them about everything that will take place.”

Seratt says activities will be planned at several historic sites throughout Vicksburg, including Anchuca, Martha Vick House and The Old Court House Museum.

“A key element will be showcasing what the women and children of Vicksburg had to endure during the brutal siege,” he says. “There was little food to eat, and bombs and gunfire were constantly going off. Many women and children were forced to live in hot, bug-infested caves rather than face the dangers of living in their homes.”

Several of the 2013 activities will occur at Vicksburg National Military Park. Besides its historic significance to the Civil War, Vicksburg National Military Park has also been referred to as “an art park of the world,” since its monuments collectively create one of the largest groups of significant commemorative military art in the United States.

“The 2013 commemoration day will be incredible and so will all the activities scheduled throughout the year and before,” Seratt says. “We will soon start working on the national –and international – promotion of this amazing event.”

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Giving for the Good

Our country is in good hands if these young people play a big part in America’s future.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps is a 17-year-old organization that encourages young citizens to volunteer for the good of communities. In September 2009, AmeriCorps NCCC established a Southern region office in Vicksburg.

Young people ages 18-24 commit to 10 months of community service duty in areas such as public safety, disaster response, recovery and rebuilding, and urban and rural development. For example, one 12-member team from Vicksburg was assigned to Louisville, Ky., in 2009 to work on disaster relief from flooding.

“Our Vicksburg regional headquarters oversees 11 Southern states, and we have 160 corps members at our campus,” says Erika Roberts, community relations specialist for AmeriCorps NCCC. “The young people reside here for 10 consecutive months except to go home during the Christmas holidays. But after initial training, they really don’t spend much time on

campus. They travel throughout the Southern region to work on civicminded service programs.”

Roberts says corps members receive free room and board, a small living allowance, a food allowance, uniforms and free travel.

“It is an opportunity for them to make a difference in their young lives, setting the stage for them to learn the value of service in their community,” she says. “After completion of the program, they earn an education award they can use to pay for tuition at a fouryear university, community college or vocational college, or to pay on existing student loans.”

The Vicksburg campus is headquartered in the former All Saints Episcopal School, which corps members helped renovate.

“Our NCCC members are organized into teams of 10-12 individuals who might construct homes, mentor children, develop trails in state parks, or help tornado victims,” Roberts says. “These are fine young people doing some truly worthwhile work.”

ANTONY BOSHIER

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, Vicksburg’s premier corporate address Vicksburg’s #1 choice in corporate housing

Concerned About Conservation

Conversation is all about conservation at the Mississippi River Field Institute.

The institute was formed in Vicksburg in June 2009 as a collaboration between the National Audubon Society and Tara Wildlife, an 18,000acre preserve in Vicksburg that sits right along the Mississippi River. The central goal of the institute is to inspire a greater stewardship ethic for the river system.

“The National Audubon Society has an interest in preservation along the entire Mississippi, from Minnesota to the Louisiana delta,” says G. Reid Bishop, director of the Mississippi River Field Institute. “This is one of the most important conservation projects in North America right now, and we here in Vicksburg are proud to be part of it.”

management,” Bishop says. “Our goal is to inspire others to take action in their own communities.”

Bishop says it’s important for the institute to be affiliated with Audubon, which is known for exceptional science programming and well-thought-out conservation goals.

“The past 100 years of management of the Mississippi has affected the river’s life-giving elements, so we are interested in rebuilding wetlands, encouraging more sustainable water management, and supporting reforestation projects,” he says. “If birds are doing well along the Mississippi, then habitats will support other wildlife. Our goal is to help make the river as healthy as possible for wildlife and people.”

The Field Institute is headquartered at Audubon’s Lower Mississippi River Program office in Vicksburg as well as at the nearby Tara Wildlife preserve.

“A big part of what we do is educational, providing a year-round series of programs for all ages on the subjects of river ecology and conservation

Bishop is working with Delta State University, the Lower Delta Partnership, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, and other partners to develop educational programs.

“The conservation word is getting out,” he says. “Now, more action will soon follow to improve overall natural habitats along the mighty Mississippi.”

The Mississippi River Field Institute provides a year-round series of programs for all ages on the subjects of river ecology and conservation management.

Festivals Foster Community Spirit

Vicksburg is a welcoming and funloving community that offers an array of festivals for people of all ages. Those events are a big reason why Vicksburg has earned a reputation as The Red Carpet City of the South.

The festive year of activities kicks off in the middle of February with an annual Vicksburg Mardi Gras Ball in the Southern Cultural Heritage Auditorium. The ball features top-level live musical entertainment, and it follows an annual Mardi Gras Parade that starts on Washington Street in the downtown district.

One of the most popular celebrations in the city each year is Riverfest, which is known for its musical concerts on the streets of downtown Vicksburg. Riverfest takes place each April on a Friday night and continues the following Saturday and Saturday night.

The city also hosts an annual Chamber Music Festival each April, with world-class musicians performing throughout the month. The chamber

music concerts are scheduled at a variety of Vicksburg’s historic locations.

A Juneteenth Heritage Celebration, the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery, is held on the second or third Saturday in June. Also in June is a Civil War Living History re-enactment at Vicksburg National Military Park and Cemetery.

In October, a Historic Downtown Fall Festival features a weekend of

old-fashioned family fun on the bluffs, complete with arts and crafts, food, live entertainment and children’s activities. In December, a Confederate Christmas Ball takes place at the Old Courthouse Museum.

Other activities that draw the community together each year include a Fourth of July Extravaganza and Tapestry, Vicksburg’s spring tour of homes.

– Stories by Kevin Litwin

Building for Tomorrow, One Child at a Time

Jackpot the Hitting

GAMING INDUSTRY ENERGIZES CITY’S CULTURE, ECONOMY

STORY BY JEANNIE NAUJECK

Vicksburg’s charming atmosphere and rich history have been enchanting tourists for decades.

But this city by the river is also home to five casinos that attract thousands of visitors seeking fun, excitement and a chance at a big jackpot.

The casino business has been a boon to Vicksburg residents for some 15 years, bringing in more entertainment and dining options, creating a stable source of jobs and filling the city’s coffers with money that goes to improve schools, roads and public works.

Since the early 1990s, when Warren County voted for gaming, Vicksburg’s city budget has increased from about $8 million to $30 million, says Wayne Mansfield, executive director of the Vicksburg-Warren County Economic Development Foundation.

“It’s allowed the city to do a lot more with infrastructure and services,” he says.

That tripling of city revenues has stayed consistent, even during hard times. After Hurricane Katrina damaged Gulf Coast casinos in 2005, gaming enthusiasts brought their dollars to Vicksburg, spiking revenues.

And revenues continued to rise in 2008 from the previous year despite a

global recession. As of August 2009, the city had collected $6.5 million for the year to date, Warren County had received $2.7 million, and the school system had received $735,000. All numbers were up from the same time period in 2008.

Vicksburg’s five casinos pay a 3.2 percent revenue tax to the state of Mississippi. That money is then divided among the city, which gets 65 percent, the county, which gets 25 percent, and the school system, which receives 10 percent. Gaming companies also pay a second, smaller revenue tax to the city and county based on population size, and they pay an annual fee to the city of $150 per gaming device.

The county uses its share for onetime capital expenditures such as bridge and road repairs. The city, with half a million dollars coming into its coffers consistently each month, depends on casino taxes as a regular source of revenue. Because of that consistency, Vicksburg residents enjoy low village tax rates with no need for increases, Mansfield says.

The casinos also diversify the

economy by providing stable employment for about 2,500 people, contributing to a county unemployment rate that is consistently lower than the state average.

Warren County has a labor force of about 24,000 people and about 30,000 jobs, meaning anyone who wants a job can almost certainly get one.

The other major industries are manufacturing, which employs about 4,000 people, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, whose three area units employ about 3,500. Manufacturing cutbacks in 2008 were cushioned by the casino industry, Mansfield says.

Vicksburg’s five casinos include Ameristar, Horizon, Diamond Jack’s, Rainbow and Riverwalk.

The oldest and largest, Ameristar employs 850 people, making it not only the largest casino but one of Warren County’s largest single employers. Ameristar completed a $100 million renovation in September 2008, adding a 1,000 space parking garage, two new restaurants, a live poker room and expanded casino space.

National entertainers, including

Jewel, Trace Adkins, Blues Traveler and comedy acts, headline at the Bottleneck Blues Bar and Casino Cabaret. And Ameristar has three restaurants, including Bourbon’s steak house and Bella’s, a new, upscale deli.

Giving back through dollars and volunteer hours is a priority for Ameristar, the longest-running casino under the same owner, says spokeswoman Bess Averett.

“We pride ourselves on being a good community partner,” she says.

In fall 2008, the new entrant to the Vicksburg market opened. Riverwalk is a spacious riverside hotel and casino with stunning views from its rooms, a waterside sculpture garden and walkway, two restaurants, entertainment, and a meeting and conference center.

No one’s likely to complain.

Mansfield says the casinos have truly incorporated themselves into the community, contributing significant amounts of money to charity, culture and historic preservation.

“For Vicksburg-Warren County, the casinos have been quite a success story,” Mansfield says.

STAFF PHOTO

Scorecard

$440,166

$16,980 Retail

$260,511

Accommodations

1,955

Total number of firms

Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

SHAPE UP SISTERS

Biz: Women’s health club

Buzz: Shape Up Sisters is a new style of health club designed specifically for women who don’t feel comfortable in a traditional gym environment. Women at Shape Up Sisters work out with a combination of resistance machines and cardiovascular stations set up in intervals, and they get a great workout suited to their fitness levels – all in a comfortable environment. www.shapeupsisters.com

RACHEAL’S PHOTOGRAPHY

Biz: Wedding and portrait photography

Buzz: Based in Vicksburg, Racheal and Eddie Hollowell are the seasoned creative team that makes up Racheal’s Photography. With wedding day coverage that is “extensive, but not intrusive,” their pictures capture the vibrant details and fleeting moments. Couples are left with images that elegantly narrate the story of their wedding day. www.rachealsphotography.com

THE ORIGINAL PARADISE POOLS & SPAS

Biz: Pools, spas, chemicals and accessories

Buzz: The Original Paradise Pools & Spas has been installing swimming pools, offering pool services, and handling spas and hot tubs in the central Mississippi area since 1981. Spa models are on display in the showroom. www.paradisepoolsvb.com

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS

Biz: Automotive aftermarket parts

Buzz: Advance Auto Parts is a leader in the automotive aftermarket industry. The company has more than 75 years of experience selling quality, affordable parts. Advance Auto Parts has more than 3,400 stores and more than 49,000 knowledgeable team members who can help customers find the right part. www.advanceautoparts.com

ANDERSON-TULLY CO. (ATCO)

Biz: Producer of hardwood products

Buzz: Based in Vicksburg, ATCO is a global company that owns and manages more than 300,000 acres of forestland in seven states along the Mississippi River. Founded in 1889 as a vegetable crate manufacturer, ATCO has grown to include three manufacturing sites. www.andersontully.com

Good News for Members

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GETS NEW WEB SITE, ADDS MEMBER BENEFITS

There is strength in numbers, so the saying goes. And so says the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, which believes every business in the community should be a chamber member.

Considering the many benefits of membership, there’s really no good reason not to be.

New Chamber Web Site

One of the chamber’s most important recent accomplishments is the December 2009 unveiling of its new Web site, www.vicksburgchamber.org.

Created by Journal Communications, Inc., the streamlined new site is designed to attract new businesses and residents, recruit members to the chamber, and keep members up to

date on local initiatives.

The new site makes the chamber’s online membership directory more user-friendly by allowing members to log on to their own listings to update information and post hot deals, events and job listings at no additional cost.

Networking Works

Chamber-sponsored networking events are fun and fruitful. Monthly luncheons bring members together to exchange ideas and hear speakers on topics of community interest. Biscuits and Business is a morning networking event for early birds, and Business After Hours events expose members to one another’s places of business in a relaxed social setting.

The brand-new Vicksburg Young Professional Group is generating interest among members under 40.

The chamber’s Retirement Development program also is attracting new retirees to the area and retaining those who retire from local careers.

No- and low-cost training seminars take place frequently, and ribboncuttings and grand openings provide yet another avenue for the chamber to support new, relocating and expanding member businesses.

Community Involvement

Sponsored by the chamber, Engineering Expo will take place in June 2010 to highlight the accomplishments of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the region, while encouraging and supporting local companies that do business with the Corps.

A Better Bottom Line

The chamber offers business development seminars, business referrals, networking events, Web site listings, updates on important issues, marquee advertising and more.

It is also working to engage more effectively with political decisionmakers and to keep members informed about key business legislation. – Carol Cowan

VICKSBURG

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

GOVERNMENT OFFICES

Vicksburg City Hall 1401 Walnut St. Vicksburg, MS 39180 (601) 801-3411

Warren County Government 1009 Cherry St. Vicksburg, MS 39180 (601) 636-4415 www.co.warren.ms.us

Mississippi Economic Development Authority 501 N. West St. Jackson, MS 39201 (601) 359-3449 www.mississippi.org

Jackson Evers

International Airport

100 International Drive, #300 Jackson, MS 39208 (601) 939-5631

www.jmaa.com (located about 56 miles from Vicksburg)

Port of Vicksburg www.vicksburgedf.org

Vicksburg Municipal Airport 5855 Highway 61 S. Vicksburg, MS 39180 (601) 636-4925 www.airnav.com

NROUTE Transit 2501 Halls Ferry Road Vicksburg, MS 39180 (601) 636-1053

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

Warren County Port Commission (601) 631-0555

www.vicksburgedf.org

Vicksburg - Warren County Chamber of Commerce 2020 Mission 66 Vicksburg, MS 39180 (601) 636-1012

www.vicksburgchamber.org

Greater Jackson Alliance P.O. Box 3318 Jackson, MS 39207-3318 (601) 948-3111

www.metrojacksoneda.com

Setting a Higher Standard

VICKSBURG-WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT UPGRADES STUDENTS TO SCHOLARS

The grades are in: The Vicksburg-Warren County School District consistently produces superior students, athletes and artists. The schools offer more Advanced Placement classes than almost any other system in Mississippi. Their marching and concert bands have won superior ratings in state contests. Their choirs have performed at Disney World and Carnegie Hall. And in 2009, district high school students won nearly $2 million in academic, athletic and arts scholarships.

The 9,000 students in the Vicksburg-Warren School District are going places and – thanks to strong community and business support – there’s no limit on their achievements.

“We are very fortunate to have a community that supports us,” says Assistant Superintendent Debra Hullum. “I can’t think of an initiative the residents haven’t been behind.”

That includes the Mississippi Scholars Program, which was implemented in 2007-2008 to prepare and motivate tomorrow’s workers and innovators.

Beginning in eighth grade, students who choose to participate enter into a rigorous curriculum that includes economics, foreign language and required courses in math and science. Over their high school career, Mississippi Scholars must maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, achieve 95 percent attendance and devote time to community service.

“We encourage them to take hard courses, not just the easy way out,” Hullum says.

The local business community has also embraced the program’s mission. As part of the program, business leaders invest time with students, emphasizing the correlation between education, career advancement and financial reward.

They start by talking with eighth graders about the challenges facing them in a global economy, says Bryan Pratt, director of information technology for Ameristar casino and chairman of the chamber of commerce’s education committee.

“We tell them they’ll compete for jobs with workers from around the world,” Pratt says. “If our local community doesn’t have skilled workers, companies won’t invest here. We want them to understand their years in high school and college have the most impact on their future standard of living.”

The Vicksburg-Warren County School District is one of about 65 in the state to offer the Mississippi Scholars Program, which began in Mississippi in 2003 and has since graduated more than 11,000 scholars.

Pratt says enthusiasm in the business community is high, with up to 30 people serving on the chamber’s education committee, and many businesses, including Ameristar, helping fund scholarships for students in the Mississippi Scholars Program. – Jeannie Naujeck

ANTONY BOSHIER

Students Addie Shaw Buckner, right, and Jimmy Hill work on computers at Beechwood Elementary School.

Managing the

Mississippi

A closer look at a major employer

Stroll the sidewalks of historic downtown Vicksburg and talk with residents of this Southern city on the east bank of the Mississippi River, and you’re sure to meet people who work for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers –or they know someone who does.

The Corps is a Vicksburg institution and one of the city’s largest employers. Thousands of residents in the region have built their careers with the Corps, and professionals who move to Vicksburg to join the Corps are welcomed warmly by a community that appreciates its many contributions to Vicksburg’s vitality.

What Is the Corps?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers includes about 34,000 soldiers and

civilians who are dedicated to building and maintaining America’s infrastructure and military facilities at home and abroad where service members train, work and live. Using their engineering expertise, Corps members maintain navigable waterways while ensuring environmental protection – a core mission that’s particularly critical to the Vicksburg District.

“Billions and billions and billions of dollars and millions of tons of material move past the city of Vicksburg every year on the Mississippi River,” says Frank Worley, the Vicksburg District’s chief of public affairs.

A major priority of the Vicksburg District’s massive water-resources

program is to help ensure reliable and safe navigation on the mighty Mississippi, which is the “aorta” of the U.S. economy.

“If you lost the Mississippi River,” Worley says, “you would have a major economic catastrophe – the likes of which we’ve never seen as a nation because it impacts so many things.”

A District Snapshot

The boundaries of the Corps’ Vicksburg District are the Pearl River to the east in Mississippi, the Red River to the west in Louisiana, north toward Little Rock and Memphis, and south to the border of Louisiana and Mississippi – including the Pearl River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Vicksburg District is one of the Corps’ busiest. With 68,000 square miles, it is the second largest of six districts in the Mississippi Valley Division, which stretches along the Mississippi River from the Canadian border to the Gulf. The city of Vicksburg is the district’s home, and home to its higher headquarters, the Mississippi Valley Division and the Mississippi River Commission. Also located in town is the Corps’ Engineer Research and Development Center.

“In so many other locations, if you want to move up, you have to move on,” Worley says. “Here, you can track your whole career in one city because you have these three great organizations side by side by side.”

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District headquarters building

TThen and Now The Vicksburg District:

ry to imagine the devastation of America’s deep South in the years immediately following the Civil War. Along with burned-out plantations, river and stream flow was disrupted, and once-navigable waterways were clogged with collapsed bridges and trestles, wrecks and overgrown vegetation.

Enter Capt. William Henry Harrison Benyaurd, who opened the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of Western Rivers in Monroe, La., in 1873. Benyaurd’s charge was to survey and remove navigational hazards in the Yazoo River in Mississippi and the Ouachita River in Louisiana. He moved the office to Vicksburg and opened anew on Aug. 18, 1873, which is now celebrated as the official Founder’s Day of the District. More than 1,000 people work here today.

Just six years after Benyaurd set up that Louisiana field office, the U.S. Congress created the Mississippi River Commission to direct all work on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The act called for a seven-member commission appointed by the president of the United States and required that the commission include three Corps officers, with one to serve as the commission president. That same act directed the Corps to do all the work needed to maintain the river’s navigation.

Then came the unprecedented 1927 flood, when the Mississippi River burst through 145 levees and flooded 27,000 square miles. At some locations, the river was 80 miles wide and flowed with the force of Niagara Falls. The flood killed 246 people in seven states and caused about $400 million in damages – nearly $5 billion in today’s dollars.

In the aftermath, Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1928, which gave the Corps the mission to reduce flood damage along the river. The Corps team rolled up their sleeves, took a lead cleanup role and tackled the

nation’s most expansive flood risk reduction program to date. The Mississippi River Commission moved its headquarters to downtown Vicksburg in 1929, and Vicksburg’s position was sealed as the hub of Mississippi River decision-making and work coordination. Through the years, Vicksburg District projects have included the following:

• Mississippi. The projects took fewer than 10 years during the 1950s.

The design and construction of four major lakes in

• the 1973 flood on the Mississippi, Red and Yazoo rivers, the Corps redesigned and is raising levees.

Levee design, construction and maintenance. After

• which was designed in the 1980s and built from scratch in the 1990s.

The Red River’s five locks and dams navigation system,

• district wide, thanks to mitigation efforts.

Thousands of environmentally sensitive acres protected

Those efforts at flood risk reduction on the Mississippi River have saved the taxpayers billions of dollars.

U.S.

It’s All About the

Water

Vicksburg District’s varied missions share a common goal

While much of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ mission is related to water management, that mission is paramount for the Vicksburg District. It’s easy to see why.

Within the 68,000-square-mile district are seven major river basins, including 278 miles of the Mississippi River. The district is also responsible for about 800 miles of commercially navigable streams and rivers, including the Ouachita-Black system, the Pearl, the Red and the Yazoo rivers.

“If we do our job right, you don’t hear about us,” says Frank Worley, the Vicksburg District’s chief of public affairs.

The men and women of the Vicksburg District are up to the challenge, with 10 distinct missions identified.

Navigation: For the stretch of the Mississippi River within the Vicksburg District’s boundaries, the mission is clear: to maintain a 300-foot-wide by 9-foot-deep navigation channel to ensure barges can traverse the river. In many places, that’s not much of a problem. Then there are other areas where dredging is a necessity. Some riverbanks need revetment – a facing of stone or concrete – to stabilize the shoreline and prevent erosion. A welldone revetment encourages biological growth – microbes and algae that attach to the concrete and contribute to the health of the river.

Flood Damage Risk Reduction: Once simply called flood control, this mission was the result of the massive 1927 flood, which exposed the weaknesses inherent in a system of uncoordinated levees built and maintained locally. In the nearly 100 intervening years, the mainline Mississippi River levees under the Corps of Engineers’ control have not failed. It’s estimated they have saved $356 billion in potential flood damage. The Vicksburg District handles flood-control projects on several other rivers, too.

Hydropower: The three Vicksburg District lakes in Arkansas (DeGray, Greeson and Ouachita) each have hydropower plants attached to their dams. The Vicksburg District became involved in hydroelectric generation in 1950 with the construction of Narrows Dam on Lake Greeson in Arkansas. It was only the fifth Corps power plant in the nation. Blakely Mountain Dam on Lake Ouachita followed in 1956, and DeGray Dam became the third in 1972. In recent years, the three plants have produced up to 360 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to supply the needs of almost 40,000 homes. The power produced represents about 577,000 barrels of oil or 144,000 tons of coal.

Recreation: A steward of the lands and waters within its projects, the Corps is a top outdoor recreation

provider in the nation. Camping, boating, angling, hunting, swimming, picnicking and a myriad of other activities are available at the Vicksburg District’s 10 lakes and numerous rivers and streams. District recreation areas host 30 million visitors annually and return $1 billion in economic benefits to local communities.

Water Supply: In the midst of a flood, it’s difficult to believe that water is a limited resource. Yet, only a fraction of the world’s water is economically available. In the Mississippi River Delta, groundwater supplies are declining. That’s why, more than a quarter of a century ago, the U.S. Congress instructed the Vicksburg District to assume a leadership role in the region for water-resource research, feasibility studies and management.

Environmental Stewardship: The National Environmental Policy Act sets up the process of mitigation, which means that if a project is expected to damage the environment, protected land is set aside to compensate. The Corps’ job is to negotiate and oversee that mitigation. For the Vicksburg District, it’s all about resource management and protecting the Mississippi River Delta’s environmental treasures – from meandering streams to towering pine forests.

Regulatory: Who’s in charge of issuing permits involving wetlands

and navigable waters? No, it’s not the federal Environmental Protection Agency. It’s the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “We are the front line in issuing permits, where the rubber meets the roads,” Worley says. When it comes to environmentally sensitive areas, wetlands top the list. The Corps is charged with ensuring compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which requires permits for the discharge of dredged or fill materials into U.S. waters. Public notice and public hearings are critical to the permitting process.

Emergency Operations:

When a hurricane bears down on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the Vicksburg District assumes the primary

responsibility for responding, working under the umbrella of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“FEMA assigns the missions and signs the checks, so to speak, and then they divide their mission responsibilities among a number of agencies,” Worley explains. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Vicksburg District led recovery, removing debris and providing temporary roofing, housing and public structures. The Vicksburg District is also designated to take the lead for the Memphis, Tenn., area in the event of an earthquake.

Overseas Contingency Operations: As America fights the global war on terror, hundreds of Corps civilians and military personnel are at

work in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several activated Army Reservists and civilians from the Vicksburg District are at work in other countries, building schools, rebuilding the oil system, rebuilding water systems and saving wetlands.

Hurricane Storm Damage Risk Reduction: In support of the New Orleans District, Vicksburg District personnel are helping rebuild levees and negotiate contracts. The Vicksburg District has taken the lead in Plaquemines Parrish, raising and improving the strength of hurricane levees. The Corps prides itself on teamwork, with one district supporting another. The Vicksburg District’s support of its sister district to the south is a prime example.

The William James is the newest Corps of Engineers motor vessel in the Vicksburg District fleet.

U.S. Army Corps

VFind a Career With the Vicksburg District

Options range from engineers to foresters

icksburg is known as “the city of engineers” for good reason: The Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calls this riverfront community home. Engineers of many stripes – but particularly civil engineers – are employed by the Corps and view their work as an opportunity to give back to America. A humbling sense of responsibility accompanies a Corps career, considering its impact on the public. But engineering is just one of many professional opportunities in the Vicksburg District.

The Corps is a highly competitive employer with an impressive benefits package. Richard Murdock, director of human resources for the Corps’ Mississippi Valley Division, says health coverage is available from a variety of carriers, and retirement benefits include an annuity option and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan.

“That plan allows employees to put aside money, similar to a 401(k), each paycheck and build their account. They have five different options, from more conservative funds like government treasuries to more adventurous options

for younger people to participate in the stock market and small stocks. Another option is bonds.”

The beauty of the TSP is that the government matches 5 percent of employees’ contributions.

Below is a sampling of the career fields enjoyed by professionals in the Vicksburg District:

Engineer: Imagine the gratification of an engineer who designs a project and then is intimately involved with seeing that idea become reality. That’s what Corps engineers experience. From levees and dams to bridges, ports, hydroelectric plants, water and wastewater systems, drainage structures, landscape treatments, and traffic-control systems, the projects of Corps engineers are demanding and rewarding. During fiscal year 2009, the Vicksburg District hired 92 engineers, and the goal is to hire 100 more during fiscal year 2010.

Project Manager: Many engineers work their way up the ladder to the position of project manager, but being

The sun rises at Enid Dam in Mississippi. The Vicksburg District manages four lakes in Mississippi and five in neighboring states.

Engineers of many stripes view their work as an opportunity to give back to America.

an engineer isn’t a job requirement. Overseeing a massive Corps project is a massive responsibility, and the job requires the ability to coordinate work details, schedule activities, manage a budget, supervise workers and interface with the public, customers and potential customers. Project managers make decisions – and make them fast.

Contract Specialist: With duties predominantly related to the Vicksburg District’s construction projects, contract specialists keep the ball rolling by advertising, opening and awarding bids after ensuring that only contractors eligible to apply are put to work. Most contract specialists have a business administration background, but they hone their skills once they become a member of the Corps team. “It’s a unique skill that we’re in short supply of,” Murdock says.

Attorney: The Vicksburg District’s Office of Counsel has lawyers untangling legal red tape related to payments for contractors who work on the Hurricane Katrina clean up in New Orleans; who dissect permit applications from a developer whose project may impact a wetland; who represent management in labor disputes; and who ensure the District’s proper compliance with Freedom of Information requests. No matter an attorney’s legal interests, the Corps most likely has legal challenges to match.

EEO Specialist: A Corps hallmark is ensuring equal employment opportunities for all, and it’s the job of an EEO specialist to make that happen. Working in concert with human resources professionals, EEO specialists ensure that the Vicksburg District’s workforce is diverse and that no discriminatory practices exist.

Accountant: Vicksburg District accountants handle funding for all projects, in addition to budgets and a three-state annual payroll of $30 million. The District owns, operates and maintains $2.3 billion in real property and project lands, with costs associated with the District’s workload averaging more than $200 million annually.

Public Affairs: When you hear or read about the Vicksburg District, it’s safe to assume that a public affairs officer had something to do with it. Answering civilian and military media inquiries, coordinating publication production, guiding senior leaders on communication strategy, training the top brass to effectively tell the Corps’ story and disseminating information via the Internet are just a few of the many duties of a public affairs officer.

Administrative: Without the Vicksburg District’s administrative support team, correspondence and scheduling would halt, and the phones would ring and ring. “They ensure that everybody has what they need to do their jobs. They’re the heart of the organization,” says Pat Hemphill, a Vicksburg District strategic planning manager.

Administrative support personnel are spread throughout the District’s numerous divisions, and they include secretaries, assistants and technicians.

Security: The District’s security personnel are responsible for lands, facilities and structures, and the safety of personnel and visitors. Most have a background in law enforcement. The force also handles personnel security clearances and local background searches.

Park Ranger: Thanks to Vicksburg District park rangers, the number of drownings at recreational areas dropped 80 percent during the 2009 season. Rangers patrol the properties, coordinate events such as water-safety seminars, and sponsor boat races and hunts for young people and those who are physically challenged. The park rangers are the face of the Corps to recreational visitors.

Biologist: Taking over some of the duties previously performed by park rangers, scientifically trained biologists are on the ground checking habitat, monitoring water quality and ensuring wetlands health. “We’re looking for professional people to come into our organizations and be land managers more in line with the environmental issues of the day,” Murdock says. “We’re looking for forward-thinking, idea-oriented individuals.”

Forester: Foresters are critical members of the Vicksburg District’s environmental team who work to ensure that trees are free of disease and that timber resources are appropriately managed.

Fleet Operations: Some people are born for careers on the water, and the Corps is a natural fit – particularly in Vicksburg, where the District operates a fleet of vessels unique to its missions. For example, mat sinking units lay a concrete or stone revetment on riverbanks to prevent erosion, and giant dredges clear the way for navigation. Following these massive workhorses are quarter boats, which are housing units resembling floating hotels for the personnel working on the projects. Ship captains, river pilots and master towboat operators are just some of the folks who take to the water on behalf of the Corps’ Vicksburg District.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District

How To Contact Us

Important Numbers To Know

Interested in a job with the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers? Call (601) 631-5859 for information on vacancies, the status of a job or your application, or to inquire about the necessary qualifications for a position. Another option is to visit www.usajobs.opm.gov. The “opm” stands for Office of Personnel Management. Just type “Vicksburg” into the search box, click “Run Search,” and Corps opportunities with the Vicksburg District will pop right up. Below is more contact information. You can also search for jobs just with the army at www.cpol.army.mil

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Vicksburg District 4155 E. Clay St. Vicksburg, MS 39183

www.mvk.usace.army.mil

(601) 631-5000 or (601) 631-5972

General inquiries

Public Affairs Office (601) 631-5972 (601) 631-5412

Community Support (601) 631-5223

Tours, speakers, volunteers

Corps Wetland Permits (601) 631-5289

Apply, ask questions or report violations

Contracting & Bids (601) 631-7706

Vendors, status of bids, specs

Map sales and navigation charts (601) 631-5042

Historical questions & research (601) 634-7023

Mississippi River History Center

Real estate issues (601) 631-5220

Corps impacts to your property

Historical photographs (601) 631-5021

Environmental (601) 631-5410

Lake Ouachita (501) 767-2101

Lake Greeson (870) 285-2151

DeGray Lake (870) 246-5501

Sardis Lake (662) 563-4531

Arkabutla Lake (662) 562-6261

Enid Lake (662) 563-4571

Grenada Lake (662) 226-5911

Bayou Bodcau (318) 322-6391

JBJ Waterway (318) 322-6391

Ouachita-Black Rivers (318) 322-6391

Outdoor Adventure Abounds

RUNNING, CANOEING, CLAY SHOOTS AND FESTIVALS KEEP RESIDENTS ON THE MOVE

Whether by foot, bike, boat or flight, outdoor enthusiasts can find plenty to do in Warren County, and Vicksburg boasts a year-round calendar of exciting sporting activities for participants and spectators alike.

Each fall, the Mighty Mississippi provides the backdrop for the Over the River Run, a five-mile run and racewalk across the Old Mississippi River Bridge. Now more than 20 years old, the race is becoming increasingly more popular each year, attracting more than 600 runners and walkers in 2009.

“It takes a village to organize the race,” says Annette Kirklin, executive director of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, which puts on the event with the help of 165 volunteers.

“The event was paid for before the first entry came in,” Kirklin said. “The community really comes together to support it.”

Vicksburg also hosts the 10K and 5K Run Thru History race, one of the state’s largest competitive running and walking events, on the first Saturday in March. Celebrating its 31st year in 2009, the race begins in the historic Vicksburg National Military Park and attracts more than 1,000 runners each year.

A different kind of sporting event is the annual Guns of Vicksburg Sporting Clay Shoot held in August. The shoot is sanctioned by the National Sporting Clay Association.

In 2009, the shoot moved to Tara Wildlife, an 18,000-acre private wildlife preserve at Eagle Lake, which also has lodging for out-of-town guests, about 30 minutes north of Vicksburg.

Financial advisor Wayne Pratt prefers to relax by paddling along the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and he reports seeing blue herons, huge turtles, pelicans, pairs of nesting bald eagles and alligators around beautiful Lake Centennial, one mile west of the Vicksburg waterfront.

“You can put in at the riverfront, and within 15 to 20 minutes you can work your way into the riverbed, and it’s like

you’re in the Everglades,” he says.

Pratt organizes the annual spring BluzCruz Marathon, a 22-mile canoe and kayak race along the Mississippi River. BluzCruz started out with just a handful of paddlers and now brings in about 60, hailing from as far as Florida, Nevada and Pennsylvania.

The event is held each spring during Riverfest, the annual April festival that features an arts and crafts show, diverse food booths and live music from headliners like country singers Aaron Tippin and Andy Griggs. Townspeople gather around the waterfront to welcome the athletes.

“Paddling is a great release,” Pratt says. “There is so much to see around Vicksburg.”

– Jeannie Naujeck

Kayaking in the BluzCruz Marathon

State of the Heart

RIVER REGION INVESTS IN TOP DIAGNOSING TECHNOLOGY

With cardiovascular disease now accounting for more than a third of all deaths in Mississippi, heart health has become a top priority.

Fortunately, Vicksburg area residents have top-of-the-line care available just minutes away at River Region Medical Center, a full-service, 372-bed community hospital on Highway 61 N.

Not only does The Heart Center at River Region offer expert cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, but its Outpatient Diagnostic Imaging Center features a 64-slice CT scanner, one of the most efficient new technologies in diagnosing cardiovascular abnormalities and the first in the region.

When someone is experiencing cardiovascular distress, speed counts.

Computerized tomography (CT) scanners work by rotating X-ray detectors around the body to provide pictures of the body’s organs and structures, including bones, blood vessels and the spinal cord, allowing physicians to identify causes of blockages, tumors, impeded blood flow and more ailments.

But the 64-slice CT scanner has four times as many detectors as previous generations of scanners, providing a faster, more comfortable patient experience and higher resolution images that help physicians make accurate diagnoses. First introduced in the United States in 2005, it has become a leading tool in cardiology practices nationwide to identify clogged arteries and patients at cardiovascular risk.

In a single rotation, the 64-slice scanner creates 64 highresolution anatomical images as thin as a credit card. Combined,

these images form a three-dimensional view of the patient’s anatomy. From these images, physicians can view blockages in the coronary arteries, as well as the motion and pumping action of a patient’s heart with greater accuracy and detail.

It’s also a faster, more efficient way of identifying patients’ health and risk factors, says Vance Reynolds, CEO of River Region Health System.

The machine captures images of an organ in a second and can perform a whole body trauma scan in 10 seconds, more than twice as fast as a conventional CT scanner.

“The 64-slice CT scan is patient-friendly,” Reynolds says. “Fast scans can help reduce patient stress and anxiety.”

Using the machine, physicians can capture images of the whole heart and coronary arteries (the cardiac “tree”) in just five heartbeats – providing clearer images of cardiovascular anatomy and a shorter time that patients must hold their breath, which allows more sick and elderly patients to benefit from the scan.

The machine enables rapid imaging of blood vessels in the brain, allowing River Region physicians to determine the best course of treatment while reducing the number of exams a patient may need to undergo. That’s especially important when rapid treatment is necessary, as in the case of a heart attack or stroke.

River Region knows that a patient’s health can change in a heartbeat. And that’s why The Heart Center’s motto is “Expert care a heartbeat from home.” – Jeannie Naujeck

Heart of the Arts

VICKSBURG ART ASSOCIATION IS A CREATIVE RESOURCE

The Warren County creative community includes talented artists working in a diverse range of media, from photography to watercolors to glass.

The common thread: the Vicksburg Art Association, the pre-eminent regional group promoting the arts for more than 40 years and a resource for the entire creative community.

The all-volunteer institution, comprised of artists and those who appreciate art, began in 1964 as the Vicksburg Art Associates. Since 1970, VAA has been headquartered in the Old Constitution Firehouse, a historic

downtown building that was remodeled from a city storage facility into a gallery that hosts three art shows each year and is adding a permanent collection comprised of works that have been left to it, says co-president Jean Blue, a celebrated local painter and the VAA’s longest-running member.

It’s where the VAA’s 225 members gather for workshops and exhibitions and to hear speakers throughout the year.

“I think Vicksburg has always been a mecca for artists,” Blue says. “It has a very nurturing community of people who love art.”

The Firehouse is a designated Mississippi landmark and is believed to be the most intact Victorian fire station in the state. A 40th anniversary art show depicting scenes of the firehouse kicked off the 2009 season, and the gallery hosts spring and fall shows, including its long-running annual Mississippi Exhibition and art competition.

When not hosting a show, the firehouse is abuzz with plans for workshops for adults and children, and speakers, including artists in all media, discussing their talent and techniques. In the summer, the Firehouse “Summer Studio” opens up one day a week to adult artists who want to work independently but in a communal setting. Outstanding works from the summer studio are displayed when the fall season begins.

Vicksburg’s other galleries include The Attic Gallery, Mississippi’s oldest independent art gallery with two floors of exhibit space featuring Southern folk and contemporary art; Sun Catchers and Janet Akers Studio; H.C. Porter Gallery, featuring works by the Southern photographer who captured the effects of Hurricane Katrina in 9,000 photos; and River Bend Galleries, featuring watercolors, photography, oils, pottery, jewelry and pencil drawings.

Water scenes and the music that still reverberate along the Mississippi “blues trail” seem to inspire Mississippi artists, says Blue, who grew up in Oxford and taught art before moving to Vicksburg.

“That’s the gift of the artist – to see something unusual in the ordinary,” she says. “I’m sure every Southern state has stories to tell, but we seem to have more than the average, in music and art, written and visually.”

“Vicksburg has character and characters,” she says. “I don’t know if that goes along with river towns, but it seems to.”

Visit http://vaa.blogspot.com for a calendar of events for the Vicksburg Art Association. – Jeannie Naujeck

Night Song by Mark Bleakley is one of many works on display at the Old Constitution Firehouse in Vicksburg.

ANTONY BOSHIER

Community Profile

Mississippi has short winters and long, humid summers. Summer temperatures vary little from one part of the state to another. Because of the temperate influence of the Gulf of Mexico, however, the southern coast is much warmer than the northern part of the state during the winter.

35 F

January Low Temperature

59 F January High Temperature

71 F July Low Temperature

92 F July High Temperature

our

Anchuca www.anchuca.com

Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District www.muk.usace.army.mil

BancorpSouth www.bancorpsouthonline.com Big Sky Court

Blackburn Motor Company www.blackburnmotor.com

Diamond Jacks www.diamondjacks.com

VICKSBURG

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

Vicksburg is a thriving, modern community with amazing architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, rich history and year-round recreational activities.

EDUCATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Vicksburg–Warren School District is one of eight Mississippi school districts to receive the SchoolMatch What Parents Want award. The district offers innovative programs and produces many National Merit Scholars who go on to study at major colleges and universities. The area also offers quality private, Catholic and higher education options. Visit www.vwsd.k12.ms.us for more information.

MEDICAL SERVICES OVERVIEW

Vicksburg’s River Region Medical Center is the largest single hospital project ever constructed in the state. The hospital features a state-ofthe-art emergency facility and offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient services.

HOUSING

$139,000

Average Home Price

12.96% Home Turnover Percentage