'Tis the season to treat others and many Jackson area businesses, churches, schools and organizations take that concept literally by hosting Christmas open houses featuring elaborate buffets and comfort foods that appeal to kids.

To show their appreciation of customers, JBHM Architects hosted an Open House on Dec. 6 that Richard McNeel said was anticipated by clients as well as staff members.

"We are so thankful at this time of year, and we enjoy hosting our clients so they can meet members of our staff that they may speak with regularly over the phone but have not met in person," said McNeel, partner in charge of the Jackson office. "It gives them a chance to interact with and get to know us in a less formal way."

The catered menu at JBHM's included smoked salmon, pork tenderloin, an antipasto platter, jambalaya, Vidalia onion dip with pita chips and a large assortment of desserts and beverages ranging from wine to wassail.

According to communications coordinator Michelle Lafleur, each of the firm's five offices host events for customers in varying ways throughout the year.

- Northeast Ledger, December 12, 2007

TUPELO - The American Institute of Architects Design for Aging Review (DFAR) recently selected JBHM Architects' design of the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo for publication in DFAR 9, as well as for a traveling exhibit.

DFAR is a biannual competition, which showcases facilities that improve quality of life for the aging while exhibiting innovation in their design and execution. There are four award categories: buildings; planning; concept design; and, research/post occupancy evaluations. Sanctuary Hospice House was entered in the building category, and it is one of 36 projects selected to be showcased in the traveling exhibit and the publication DFAR 9.

The exhibit will appear in several locations from 2007-2009. It was recently featured at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging annual meeting, and the American Institute Convention in Boston will also highlight the exhibit.

- Mississippi Business Journal, December 10, 2007

Northsiders could see a mess when they drive through downtown Jackson next year.

Work on the Old Capitol Green is slated to begin in early 2008. Developers are hammering out the final details with state officials to acquire the land needed to make the project a reality.

Once completed, officials say the project will be a shot in the arm to Jackson's tourism industry and mean a boost in sales and property tax revenue for the city. Officials say the project would likely take between eight and 10 years to complete.

Pre-construction work on the project began in earnest about a year and a half ago.

About 18 months ago, Full Spectrum engaged in a dialogue with the state to obtain the land, said JBHM partner Richard McNeel. A year ago, the group made a formal announcement that they were heading up the project in the parking lot at Hal and Mal's on State Street.

In the last year, he said, engineers have worked to identify issues related to infrastructure, like storm water drainage and utilities, and the property acquisition.

Recently, architects and developers hosted a daylong eco charrette downtown. He described the event as an intense brainstorming session in which stakeholders involved with the project discussed how it could be made to be sustainable and environmentally friendly.

A report on the planning session showed those present set goals and strategies for energy and transportation, water management and for creating a livable, unique community. "It's a pretty challenging, but exciting thing," McNeel Said.

Once completed, the project will include 4,500 dwelling units, like hotel rooms and apartments, office spaces and cultural centers.

- Northside Sun, November 22, 2007

PASCAGOULA - Supervisors took the first step Monday to a new county services complex by approving a contract with JBHM Architects for the building's design. The county wants to build a 60,000-square-foot, $12-million facility south of the courthouse. Those plans tool a hit recently when FEMA decided not to play for flood mitigation efforts on the complex.

The county has $8 million in state grants for the complex.

"This will get the project off the ground," Supervisor John McKay said.

"We may have to scale back," said Tim Broussard, president of the Board of Supervisors. "The dollar amount that we have for the project is an issue and will drive the design."

Broussard said he hopes groundbreaking on the new

facility can be done as early as the first quarter in 2008.

Supervisors want the building to house the county's most-used departments, such as the tax collector's office, the planning department and the tax assessor's office.

"We want the departments with the highest foot traffic in one place," Broussard said. "We want it where every possible destination someone might have a need for with county services is in one place."

In addition to making it easier for county residents to go to one building for all their needs, Broussard said the complex will increase the professional appearance of the county to visitors. Currently, most of the departments the services complex will house are located in older offices in the courthouse or in temporary offices at the fairgrounds.

"We don't show well professionally, and some of that is due to Katrina," Broussard said. "We can do a good job presenting Jackson County services to the public. This is something that needs to be done. The employees need something better and public deserves something better."

- The Mississippi Press, November 6, 2007