Using VB.NET 2010

Here is the issue I'm having:

I have a GridView with LinkButtons in Template fields.
Under the GridView I have a Panel that is hidden via CSS ( ie: display:none; ).
I have JQuery onclick event for the LinkButton; so when it's clicked the Panel slides into View under the GridView.

I'm using a class as the JQuery selector to target the LinkButton.
Here is the problem: The Panel will open but then disappear because of the PostBack of the page from the LinkButton.

Code:
<style type="text/css">
.hideMe{display:none;}
</style>

<script type="text/javascript">
    $(document).ready(function () {

        $("._EditLinkButton").click(function () {
            if ($("._panel1").is(":hidden")) {
                $("._panel1").show("fast");
            } else {
                $("._panel1").slideUp();
            }
        });
    });
</script>



<asp:GridView ID="GridView1" runat="server" AutoGenerateColumns="false">
<Columns>
<asp:BoundField DataField="Guid" HeaderText="Guid" />
<asp:BoundField DataField="FirstName" HeaderText="Guid" />
<asp:BoundField DataField="LastName" HeaderText="Guid" />
<asp:TemplateField>
<ItemTemplate>
<asp:LinkButton ID="EditLinkButton" runat="server" CommandName="EditMe" CommandArgument="EditMe" Text="EditMe"  CssClass="_EditLinkButton"/>
</ItemTemplate>
</asp:TemplateField>
<asp:ButtonField ButtonType="Link" Text="ButtonField" />
</Columns>
</asp:GridView>
<br />
<br />

<asp:Panel ID="Panel1" runat="server" GroupingText="Testing Panel" CssClass="_panel1 hideMe">
GUID:<asp:TextBox ID="GuidTB" runat="server" ></asp:TextBox>
FirstName:<asp:TextBox ID="FirstNameTB" runat="server" ></asp:TextBox>
LastName:<asp:TextBox ID="LastNameTB" runat="server" ></asp:TextBox>
</asp:Panel>

How is one to get around the PostBack of some asp.net server controls when using JQuery ?