BOOM Jackson: Spring 2011

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Dress to Impress ... at Work, pp 71-76 // A Temple, Bombed, p 16 Hungry Chef Seeks Exotic Asian, pp 55-58 // Parade Madness, pp 79, 82

FREE // spring 2011

Local Menu Guide, starts p 39

THEIR OFFICE IS COOLER THANYOURS

pp 63-69

PURPOSE-DRIVEN BUSINESS

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS pp 28-31

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Spring 2011

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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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Spring 2011

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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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Buy Online at www.CarterDiamonds.com Exclusively at

Downtown Jackson Corner of High & State Phone: 601-354-3549 6

Spring 2011

New Location in Vicksburg 3412 Pemberton Boulevard Phone: 601-631-0700

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“As long as Mississippians continue to get mired down in the same old way things have been done, we’re never going to get any better.”— Felder Rushing

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The Boss Queen Speaks

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JXN: HAPS IN THE CITY

Salute the courage of the Freedom Riders on their 50th anniversary.

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Light at the End of High Street

The bitter and the sweet collide at Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center.

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A Horse Is a Horse

Meet Willow Potts, the little white horse living in her little Fondren barn.

16 Sacred Synagogue

Beth Israel rose from the ashes of hatred as a shining example of tikkun olam.

WORKING FOR CHANGE … AND PROFIT Social entrepreneurs teach us how to balance profits and social change.

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Northern Lights

The Renaissance at Colony Parkway is more local than you might think.

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Ask Felder

Growing a garden doesn’t have to include a tiller, shovel and spade. Got a pot?

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MENU GUIDE

Good food, good folks, good libations.

(Paid advertising section.)

Jill Conner Browne talks to Julie Skipper about Zippity Doo Dah’s debut in Fondren.

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MELODIES: SUNDAY’S AND JACKSON’S BEST

The gentleman of gospel, Dathan Thigpen, spreads good news through song.

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Jazz Trio Swing

Allison Jenkins fronts two bands with two different styles and does so with grace.

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Who’s Your Paddy?

St. Patrick’s Day has a whole new meaning because of Malcolm White.

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ARTS: Creatives Get Creative

The world is artist Shambé Jones’ canvas.

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Tom Ramsey takes readers on an exotic Asian restaurant tour of a lifetime.

Jamie Nash has created a niche of her own with her unique jewelry.

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Looking for something to do over the next three months? We’ve got options.

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Revolutionary Road

New Stage Theatre has grown from a radical sanctuary into Mississippi’s theater.

RESIDENT TOURIST

Artists of a Feather

EVENTS LISTINGS

Development Starts and Stops

The Power of Good Food

Seeing green will be a lot easier. Other city projects, however, might make you blue.

Chefs Steven D’Angelo and David Ferris dish about … well, you know.

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Portable toilets are big business for a woman with a nose for success.

If you’re not working at this office, your office just might be a snooze. Plus, how to get in the cool game.

Who owns Jackson? Posh Boutique owner Keisha Marie Alexander, of course.

BIZ: SCENT OF MONEY

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Bomgar’s Magic Box

Inside the techno-genius mind of young entrepreneur Joel Bomgar.

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Too Cheap to Be True?

Are the Groupons of the world good for your business? Some facts to consider.

COOLEST OFFICE IN JXN

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Work Wear

Dress the part, and impress the boss, with spring pieces for work for him and her.

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DO-GOODERS: SAINTS

The hip pastor of Bellwether Church makes worship accessible for all.

HER LOCAL LIST

Associate Editor Natalie A. Collier Art Director Kristin Brenemen Editorial Writers

Quita Black // Charlotte Blom Jesse Crow // Bryan Flynn // Carl Gibson Garrad Lee // Lance Lomax // Adam Lynch Lacey McLaughlin // Anita Modak-Truran Langston Moore // Ronni Mott // Andy Muchin Casey Purvis // Tom Ramsey // Ward Schaefer Julie Skipper // Katie Stewart Jackie Warren-Tatum

Listings Editor // Latasha Willis Cartoonist // Chris Zuga Interns

Brittany Kilgore // J. Ashley Nolen Holly Perkins // Dorian Randall // Dylan Watson

Photography Cover // Christina Cannon Photographers

William Patrick Butler // Christina Cannon Natalie A. Collier // Tate Nations Amile Wilson

Graphic Design Lydia Chadwick // Holly Harlan Andrea Thomas Sales Advertising Director // Kimberly Griffin

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ast summer, the Mississippi Opera side street near quaint downtown Ridgeland asked me to be a “celebrity” danc- with locally owned shops and restaurants.

I came away from the experience with er in its “Dance With the Stars” fundraiser. Rather flippantly I said, a more expansive view toward greater “Sure. As long as I can Jackson. I’m still a Jacklearn to tango.” son girl first and will fight

The lovely Mississippi for this city as I need to.

But I gradually have tired Opera Director Elizabeth of city-v.-suburbs division, Buyan (featured in winter and I crave more unity as BOOM) e-mailed that my we rebuild the capital city teacher would be Jim Freinto greater glory than chette at Applause Dance she’s ever known.

Factory (pictured with me, There are smart, proright) in Ridgeland. Ridgeland!? I had to drive to Ridgegressive, creative people land a few times a week? in Jackson and in our sub You see, I don’t get urbs. Many started their own businesses, and we on the interstate often. I Donna Ladd should support all of our live and work in Fondren Editor in Chief, own.

That also means that and commute nine-tenths BOOM Jackson people in our bedroom of a mile each way. I often communities need to recgo to west Jackson, north Jackson, south Jackson, but truth is, I don’t ognize and appreciate the sleeping giant of get out into “the metro” very often. I love a city that is starting to wake up and beJackson, and since we started our first come a place where the creative, entreprepublication (the Jackson Free Press) near- neurial spirit can and will flourish.

I urge each of you to spend money in ly a decade ago, I’ve worked pretty hard to help reverse harmful attitudes toward Jackson, especially at locally owned businessthe city proper. (And, boy, were they bad es, as well as with hard-working locals in our back then.) suburbs. Let’s work together to make Jackson

So a commute to Ridgeland seemed the next great American city for residents of daunting. But no one was more surprised the city proper, our metro neighbors, the state than I was when I started to like going: The and our visitors. Boom times are within our locally owned dance studio is on a residential reach, friends. Grab hold and be proud. jenny snow mcneil

boomjackson.com

Editor in Chief Donna Ladd

The Awakening

Account Executives

Ashley Jackson // Adam Perry

contributors

Marketing // Shannon Barbour Bookkeeper // Montroe Headd Publisher Todd Stauffer CONTACT US Letters to the Editor: editor@boomjackson.com Queries: natalie@boomjackson.com Ad Sales: ads@boomjackson.com BOOM Jackson P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, MS 39296 p 601.362.6121 f 601.510.9019

Would you like copies of BOOM Jackson for recruiting, welcome packets or other corporate, institutional or educational uses? Call Adam Perry at 601.362.6121 x18.

BOOM Jackson is a publication of Jackson Free Press, Inc. BOOM Jackson focuses on the urban experience in Jackson, Miss., emphasizing entrepreneurship, economic growth and city life. © 2011 Jackson Free Press Inc.

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Spring 2011

Garrad Lee

is working on his master’s in history at Jackson State University. He grew up in south Jackson but now lives in Belhaven with his wife, dog and cat.

Natalie A. Collier

is from Starkville and graduated from Millsaps. Wearing 5-inch stilettos, she’s diminutive at 6’1”. She styled the fashion and office shoots, and much more.

Lacey McLaughlin

is a Florida native who now lives in Belhaven. The smart, natural blonde loves visual and performing arts and enjoys riding her bike around Jackson.

Cover photo of T. Steven Davis and Robert W. Hoyt Jr. of Canizaro Cawthon Davis by Christina Cannon.

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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

courtesy mississippi sovereignty commission

smith robertson p 12 // fondren stables p 14 // secret jxn: temple bombing p 16 revolutionary theater p 18 // progress p. 20 // biz starts p 23

Police arrested Freedom Riders (from left) Ruby Doris Smith, Charles Butler and Meryle Joy Reagon in Jackson June 2, 1961, for integrating the bus terminal. It was the fourth Freedom Ride between May and September 1961.

All Aboard!

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// by Dylan Watson

n 1960, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Boynton v. Virginia that segregation on public transportation was unconstitutional. But civil rights activists didn’t believe that the new law would be enforced.

They were courageous enough to test the law for themselves.

On May 5, 1961, an interracial group of 13 activists (seven black, six white) set out from Washington, D.C., on a Greyhound and a Trailways bus to put the new ruling to the test; they called their journey the Freedom Ride. They planned to ride the buses throughout the Deep South—through Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, ending with a rally in New Orleans.

The first leg of their journey was relatively uneventful. While they were in Atlanta, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed concern over their safety when they got to Alabama, however.

The Riders soon discovered that Dr. King’s concerns were not un

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

warranted. An angry mob attacked and firebombed one of the buses outside Anniston, Ala., and another mob attacked and beat the Riders upon their arrival in Birmingham. Refusing to surrender to the injustice of segregation, they rode on. When they reached the terminal in Jackson, on May 24, 1961, police arrested them.

Hearing about the violence and arrests, hundreds of other activists around the country joined the Freedom Ride movement.

In addition to desegregating the public interstate bus system, the Riders inspired many activists in the North and the South to get involved at the local level, demand the right to vote and ultimately bring an end to Jim Crow segregation laws.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Freedom Ride.

Information about local events and the Freedom Rider 50th anniversary reunion in May is available at www.jfp.ms/2011/rides/.

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JXN // past & present William Patrick Butler

The Bitter and the Sweet

Pam Junior, director of the Smith Robertson Museum, says visitors can find more than historical artifacts at the museum. They can leave with a sense of pride.

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rive west on High Street, and the stoplight at North Lamar Street will always turn red. While waiting for the light to turn green, take a moment and look ahead, slightly to your left, to the diamondshaped window. The glare from the window is like a lighthouse beacon letting you know the road will curve.

Instead of taking the bend, go straight about 200 feet up Dr. Jessie Mosley Drive and enter the fenced parking lot of Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center. It’s a historic jewel in the heart of Jackson.

Beyond French front doors and the handmade bricks of 1909, you’ll find a lobby that is open and alive with images and sounds of times gone by, and a staff that is “engulfed in what we do,” Pam Junior, the director of the museum, says. “We make every effort to balance the bitter with the sweet aspects of history, which is the most honest way to teach and learn.”

Walk into the school from which “Black Boy” author Richard Wright graduated in 1925, and a Shona queen statue by Zimbabwean master craftsmen greets you. Samuel Bryan donated the piece, fashioned from one solid verdite stone, in 2006. To the right, along the walls, are framed portraits of past principals of the school, and beneath them are rows of desks, dating back to 1912. Look left, and there stands a bronze statue of Richard Wright by Harold Dorsey.

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Spring 2011

Opened in 1894, Smith Robertson was Jackson’s first African American public school.

Black Jacksonians affectionately referred to it as the “mother school,” because it represented a formal educational starting point for the community.

Originally constructed as a two-story wood structure, the building burned down in 1909 but was reconstructed that same year.

That time, however, builders made it a brick structure. Twenty years later, administrators added on to the structure because of the need for more classrooms. Contractors introduced an Art Deco façade (one of Mississippi’s first), adding aesthetic merit and significance to the building.

For 42 years, the building served as a school.

Then in 1971, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, closing the school, along with eight others. The court’s order had integrated the Jackson Public Schools.

The school stood unused for 13 years. Dr. Jessie Mosley and Dr. Alferdteen Harrison proposed converting it into a museum honoring African Americans and their artistic contributions.

“When I look into the mirror, I see my mother, and then my grandmother, and my great grandmother,” Junior says. For her, the school is like that mirror.

“We need to go back to who we were … filled with integrity, dignity and pride,” Junior says. “The goal is to come out of the tour different

// by Jeffrey Yentz than when (you) arrived. Many leave with tears in their eyes because they just never knew.”

Smith Robertson was born a slave in 1847 on a Fayette, Ala., plantation. He is said to have migrated to Jackson in 1874, where he quickly became a successful barber and a respected citizen.

After years of barbershop debates with his Ward 2 clientele, Smith became Jackson’s first African American alderman. He held office from 1893 until his death in 1899.

In a hallway, folk art highlights crafts including Leon “Peck” Clark’s basket making, Otha Turner’s cane pipes, James “Son” Thomas’ Yazoo River-clay skulls and Pecolia Warner’s quilts. On the second floor, “Wailing Woman,” a sobering exhibit, stands proudly. The 10-foot-tall wood sculpture, carved from a tree, is of a naked female slave standing on an auction block.

“Field to Factory,” a Smithsonian Institution-loaned exhibit, chronicles blacks’ early 20thcentury migration from the rural south to the industrialized north that dramatically changed Mississippi’s culture and work force. Historians estimate more than 65,000 African Americans took part in this great exodus to large cities such as Chicago, Detroit and New York City.

Besides the local artifacts and exhibits, including a Farish Street barbershop with original chairs and a shoeshine stand, Junior and staff are preparing to introduce other aspects to the museum, like the Richard Wright Research Library and the Medgar Evers Gallery, which will highlight the Civil Rights Movement.

The display will have two themes. One explores icons. These people, Junior says, are those who may not want to take up a cause but cannot shy away from it. This exhibit will reflect Evers’ journey and the Civil Rights Movement after his assassination. The other part of the gallery will be “porch stories” that recount the tales of ancestors through recorded oral histories from elder members of the Jackson community.

Smith Robertson Museum (528 Bloom St., 601.960.1457) is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Northward

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earn more about the Great Black Migration from the south to northern cities like Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit in Nicholas Lemann’s book “The Promised Land” (Vintage, 1992, $16.95) or Isabel Wilkerson’s “The Warmth of Other Suns” (Random House, 2010, $30). boomjackson.com

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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JXN // city limits // by Ward Schaefer

william patrick butler

Fondren Stables

Don and Becky Potts have had their miniature horse, Willow, who lives in a tiny barn in the couple’s Fondren yard, since 2009.

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on and Becky Potts have lived in Fondren since 1989, but they still carry the same sensibility that led them to spend seven years living without electricity in a log cabin outside Brandon. They’ve adapted a self-sufficient lifestyle to fit the dimensions of city life, right down to their livestock.

For nearly 10 years, Fondren residents have known the couple not only for Don’s successful real-estate efforts—Jackson Free Press

readers have named him Best Real Estate Agent two years in a row—but also for the succession of miniature horses the couple has kept. Bred for working in coal mines, miniature horses can live up to 30 years and are strong enough to pull carts with a human rider.

The couple bought their first horse, Little River, as a gift for their youngest daughter, Cedar.

Before they could adopt Little River, Becky had to secure permits from both the city and the state

Savannah Berry

Hands On

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Spring 2011

// by Edgar A. Gonzáles

gle-dimensioned façade, stands like a force to be reckoned with on the corner of West Capitol and West Monument. Two clearly distinct sectors of the edifice complement each other by contrasting width and height, perpetuating different styles throughout the structure while maintaining the overall cohesiveness of the building’s ornamentation.

I imagine this building resurrected as a dual-function tribute to the state’s musical heritage, housing a performing arts center in one sector and a Mississippi music history exhibition in the other. With all the musical genius Jackson has to offer, it’s time we establish permanent testimony to our blues and jazz heritage. The temple is just the place to house such a phenomenon.

The Masonic Temple hovers in limbo just

waiting for its next function.

Edgar A. Gonzáles graduated with a bachelor’s in architecture from Mississippi State University in 2008.

An empty Masonic Lodge temple stands on the corner of West Monument and West Capitol streets.

What could it become?

Edgar A. Gonzáles

f I could lay my hands on one building in Jackson, it would be the majestic and imposing Masonic Temple at the corner of West Capitol and Monument streets. Suspended in the seldom-frequented downtown edges, the iconic lodge lies neglected and overlooked by the entrepreneurs who seek to develop in Jackson’s city center. This building offers the luxury of space and retro-fied novelty that will, in just a few years, be caught in the juxtaposing forces of west Jackson and downtown in the fluorescent merging of the two.

It’s only a matter of time before this building is swept up in the construction lust that consumes re-emergent historic districts.

The pilaster entrance, with a looming sin-

Department of Health that allowed them to keep a horse on the property.

To accommodate the horse, they commissioned a scaled-down barn from a neighborhood carpenter. Built with wood salvaged from an antique barn, the 16-by-12-foot space has electric lights and a separate grooming area, stall and tack room. The barn has the feel of a child’s clubhouse, and Cedar slept there alongside Little River when the 6-month-old horse first arrived in 2001. Over the years, the family has decorated the space with horse-related artwork and antiques picked up at flea markets and on family trips.

Little River died unexpectedly in 2009 after suffering a dislocated hip. Though they were not ready to replace her, Don and Becky soon made room for a new horse, Willow, when they learned she had been rescued from a brood mare herd in Texas.

Adopted when she was 3 years old, Willow is accustomed to sleeping in open pastures and often trades the shelter of her barn for a dogwood tree in the Potts’ yard. Still, the new horse has settled in well with the Potts’ motley assortment of cats and dogs, who have their own miniature door to the miniature barn.

“I love to come out here when it’s warm and a rainy night, because all the animals come in,” Becky says. “We just hang out. And at night when the light’s on, it’s really neat for the neighbors who walk by and see the barn lit up.”

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JXN // secret jackson // by Andy Muchin

American Jewish Archives

Up From the Ashes

Rabbi Perry Nussbaum stands amid the devastation after Ku Klux Klan members bombed the local Jewish temple, Beth Israel Congregation, in 1967. They also bombed his home.

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oon after Ku Klux Klan members bombed a prominent Atlanta synagogue in 1958, Rabbi Perry Nussbaum of Jackson wrote an article, “It Can Happen Here,” for the local synagogue bulletin. Though some local Jews disagreed with Nussbaum, his warning proved correct. Twice.

On a quiet November 1967 night in Jackson, businessman Lou Shornick and his family were asleep at home. Suddenly, something awakened the family, he says.

Half a mile away, a KKK bomb had blown a gaping hole in the Fondren-area house of the rabbi and his wife, Arene. The uninjured couple was photographed emerging through the blown-out front wall picking glass shards from their hair.

“We heard and felt the blast,” Bette Shornick, Lou’s daughter, then 10 years old, says. “It was divine intervention that they were not hurt.”

“It was shocking to try to wrap your mind around what was happening. I knew a little bit about what was going on,” Bette continues. “I 16

Spring 2011

remember walking through the rubble when the temple was bombed.”

“The temple” is Beth Israel Congregation, Jackson’s Jewish synagogue. On Sept. 18 of that year, a KKK bomb had detonated along a side wall of Beth Israel’s brand new building at 5315 Old Canton Road, where it still stands.

“The explosion ... knocked out concrete blocks. It destroyed the library, part of the office and roof, and what’s now the foyer,” Lou Shornick says.

But not a statue of Moses that stood in the bombed-out area. “It was standing under the skylight, Bette says. “I remember when I saw it. The rubble was all around it. Yet it was untouched, except for a water mark on the base.”

“God was looking at what we were doing and what they were doing,” her father says.

The congregation quickly ordered repairs, continuing to use the building in the meantime.

Neither Shornick recalls ever feeling afraid to enter the synagogue in the years since

the bombing. Even as a little girl, when Bette heard of the two bombings, “I knew it was the KKK” that was responsible, she says. She remembers seeing Klan members standing in full regalia at the intersection of Northside Drive and North Frontage Road, trying to raise money from passers-by.

To this day, the temple’s bombers’ identities remain unknown.

But why would KKK Mississippi Imperial Grand Wizard Sam Bowers Jr. order attacks on Jackson’s lone synagogue and its rabbi? Nussbaum blamed it on local anti-Semitism, according to historian Rabbi Gary Zola, but most Beth Israel congregants attributed the violence to Nussbaum’s anti-segregationist activism.

The rabbi became active in interfaith and civil-rights efforts soon after his 1954 arrival in Jackson. When he learned that rabbis were excluded from the Protestant-only Jackson Ministerial Association, he co-founded the Jackson Interfaith Fellowship.

Nussbaum aided imprisoned Freedom Riders in 1961. Five years later, he instituted annual “Clergy Institutes” to which he invited local black ministers. At the dedication of the thennew synagogue on Old Canton Road in 1967, both black and white ministers participated. He opened the synagogue to African American organizations’ meetings.

In response to the bombing, the new interfaith, interracial Greater Jackson Clergy Alliance organized a Walk of Penance. Meanwhile, Jews throughout the state began to raise $50,000 to help the FBI secure Klan infiltrators, Lou Shornick recalls. The effort helped prevent the bombing of a Jewish-owned home in Meridian following the 1968 bombing of the synagogue there.

“The FBI set a trap over there. Thomas Tarrants, who was the bomber, took a schoolteacher with him from Jackson. They were ready to set the bomb when the FBI came out of hiding.

There was an exchange of gunfire. The teacher, Kathy Ainsworth, was killed in the crossfire.”

Tarrants was wounded, arrested, tried and sentenced to prison.

At Beth Israel, the rebuilt eastern wall, which took the brunt of the explosion, blends with the rest of the synagogue. Beth Israel doesn’t overtly acknowledge the bombing, but then, why would congregants want to commemorate a violent attack? Besides, they have their own vivid memories a frightening time not long ago when the Klan attacked Jackson’s Jewish community. boomjackson.com

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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JXN // thespianism courtesy New Stage Theater

Who’s Afraid of New Stage?

You never know who might step into the spotlight at New Stage. In October 2009, the production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” starred guest actor Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin (standing) as Big Daddy with James Thompson playing the role of Brick.

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Francine Thomas Reynolds, current artistic director of New Stage, says.

Hatched during the Civil Rights Movement, Jackson’s Little Theatre was a “membership organization,” and all members had a say in what was performed—or not. New Stage founders craved more openness.

“We wanted something that would open its doors to everyone, regardless of race, creed, et cetera—something a little more sophisticated,” New Stage founding board member James K. Child says. “At the time, the Little Theatre was not admitting any blacks. It’s not condemnatory; that’s the way it was. And we understood that. If they wanted to continue to keep it segregated, they could do that, but we wanted to open the doors to anyone.”

In fact, when Little Theatre wanted to combine forces with New Stage in the late ’70s, New Stage rebuked the request. Author Eudora Welty, who was a board member at New Stage and involved with organizing fundraisers such as the “second-talent night” (where actors came and showed off their other talents), spoke firmly against it. Child remembers Welty saying, “We don’t want to lose our autonomy, honesty and integrity.”

New Stage’s founding frontwoman Jane Reid-Petty helped foot the bills in the beginning, starting with a trip to New York City to scout for a director. She found Ivan Rider, the theater’s first artistic director. Eventually, New Stage gained so much popularity, it outgrew its original theater. In 1978, it took over the mortgage on the building that once housed the Little Theatre at 1100 Carlisle St. in Belhaven. It has 364 refurbished seats, thanks to fundraising in 2010, and some pews from the original church on Gallatin.

A typical season includes nine main stage performances, an annual children’s production and “A Christmas Carol”—with an African American scrooge. Shows include a benefit performance as well as six “unframed” shows and the Eudora Welty series, for which the theater receives 1,200 to 2,000 submissions from places as far away as England and Australia.

Also, within the variety of workshops, charity and additional programming, New Stage offers in-house and touring arts and education programs for elementary through high-school students. This year, as part of a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts called American Communities, with matching funds from companies and organizations, New Stage performed Shakespeare’s “The Twelfth Night” at Jackson Academy Feb. 11.

A non-profit organization, New Stage operates on an annual budget of less than $1 million—from contributions, fundraising or earned income.

Ticket sales comprise about 40 to 50 percent of the budget, in addition to subscriptions, classes and touring. Other parts of funding come from several grants, including from the Mississippi Arts Commission, and a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and sponsorships.

Though theaters are experiencing a subscription decline across the country, Managing Director Dawn Buck says, New Stage’s subscriptions are the highest they’ve ever been, hovering at about 2,000.

“We went from being the dirty theater across town to what we are now.

We wanted to do honest plays,” Child says.

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t was so bitterly cold that January night in 1966 (about 12 degrees), most of the audience seated on the pillowed pews of the old church evacuated after the first act. But some say the controversial nature of New Stage Theatre’s first play, Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” is the reason for the exodus, and rocky attendance rates thereafter. Jackson, Miss., had not seen drama quite like this.

New Stage opened in 1966 in the adapted church, with 150 seats, at the corner of Gallatin and Hooker streets in Jackson after breaking from the segregationist Little Theatre. “I think it’s amazing New Stage opened with ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’; it was integrated in the beginning,”

// by Charlotte Blom

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

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FIND FAITH. FIND FAMILY. FIND YOUR FUTURE.

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JXN // progress // by Adam Lynch and Lacey McLaughlin

courtesy Mississippi Museum of Art

Fits and Starts

The Mississippi Museum of Art will soon add an art garden to its grounds— which will create a public space for everything from yoga to picnics.

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evelopment around the city continues on an uneven pace this year, with some projects moving forward faster than others.

MMA Art Garden

When The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art opens in August, it will add an innovative green space to downtown from the west side of Thalia Maria Hall to Lamar Street.

Jackson artist Fletcher Cox is designing a proscenium arch to frame the performance stage in the garden, which broke ground in December. Hattiesburg artist Martha Ferris is creating a mosaic installation for the children’s fountain, and artist Jennifer Torres is providing a temporary installation of 6-foot-high metal boats. Within Robert Poore’s landscape design, you’ll find painter Jason Bouldin’s collection of native Mississippi plants from artists’ gardens.

The garden will host outdoor events and provide the community with a public space for picnics and recreation. Planned events include “Downtown All Day: Arts Festival in the Garden,” Sunday gospel lunches, outdoor film viewings, yoga, “Dog Day Sundays” and live radio shows of Felder Rushing’s “Gestalt Gardener.”

To accommodate larger crowds and employees, the proposed plan also adds 95 parking spaces in the area.

Mississippi Museum of Art trustee Mayo Flynt, who oversees fundraising, said the total cost of the 1.2-acre garden is $5 million. The museum has received $2,950,000 for the garden from state and federal grants and $1,249,000 20

Spring 2011

from private donations. He said the museum is currently seeking $751,000 in donations, and is offering sponsorship and naming opportunities for various aspects of the garden.

Capitol Green Delayed

Malcolm Shepherd, development director at Full Spectrum Mississippi, said the proposed Old Capitol Green mixed-use development bounded by Pearl, Jefferson, Tombigbee and Commerce streets continues to experience delays due to funding issues.

Originally contemplating federal Gulf Opportunity zone funds, Shepherd indicated that Full Spectrum is seeking to fund a $28 million state-of-the-art automated garage and a cooling tower through an industrial revenue bond program offered through the Mississippi Finance Corp.

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority said last August that it would work with Full Spectrum to hammer out a bond plan to finance construction of the garage and tower that promises a slew of independent construction projects in the district.

Shepherd said Full Spectrum also plans to build a $60 million, 10-story office building and a $40 million eight-story residential building; however, he was unwilling to commit to a groundbreaking date for the project.

Baptist Pushing into Restaurants

Baptist Health Systems will break ground this year on a five-story, mixed-use building in

Belhaven, a development that will ultimately affect some nearby businesses.

The 130,000-square-foot facility will house four floors of medical offices and a ground floor of retail on the North State Street site currently occupied by KFC. Baptist spokesman Robby Channell said that a start date for construction would likely depend on the relocation of Keifer’s Restaurant. Baptist is in final negotiations to purchase the Keifer’s property, and the restaurant is considering a move nearby.

“With the purchase of the Keifer’s property, which is not finalized, yet, the plan is to wait until they’ve opened in their new location,” Channell said in January.

Channell said he was unsure whether KFC or the Pizza Shack would become tenants of the new building. Pizza Shack co-owner Mike Parker said recently that The Pizza Shack is opening a second location in the Colonial Heights Shopping Center on Old Canton Road and would like to find a new Belhaven location.

B.B. King’s This Summer?

Farish Street developer David Watkins, who was behind the renovation of the King Edward Hotel and the Standard Life Building, said the B.B. King Blues Club will open this year in the Farish Street Entertainment District.

“We’re still on target for opening B.B. King’s this summer,” said Watkins, whose company Watkins Development LLC had originally slated the opening for last year, but extended the opening due to the economy.

“We’re not upset. We’re not at all discouraged. Clearly, I would rather have had the whole street busy with tenants, but we’re not going to have sloppy development. We’re not going to take shortcuts and have regrets a year from now,” Watkins said.

Watkins added that development is nearly 70 percent complete on the first block of the district, which ends at Amite Street.

The developer said Farish Street Entertainment District venues like the B.B. King Blues Club will need to generate $1 million a year in revenue to “fit into the mix” of businesses he foresees for the district.

Beethoven’s is another club that could open in the district this year. Jackson entertainment businessman Chip Matthews, who owns club Fire in downtown Jackson, said he is working with Watkins Development LLC to hammer out a lease agreement for a location at the corner of Farish and West Griffith streets. boomjackson.com

Metrocenter Rebirth

By July, the city of Jackson plans to move some of its administrative offices into the former Belk department store in the Metrocenter Mall on Highway 80. The Jackson City Council voted to authorize negotiations with the owners of the 60,000-square-foot space to relocate some city offices from their current locations in the Jackson Medical Mall and in the Atmos building on West Capitol Street.

Last year, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. proposed moving the city’s Personnel Department, the Jackson Police Department’s Precinct 2, the city’s public-access channel, and the city’s water and sewer administrative offices to the mall. The order the council passed Feb. 7, however, also includes the Department of Human and Cultural Services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and a risk-management division of the city’s legal department in the relocation.

Retro Metro LLC, another Watkins project, wants to charge the city $8.12 per square foot for a monthly rent that will not exceed $40,583. The city now pays $10.85 per square foot for space at the Jackson Medical Mall. Retro Metro also offered to spend $2.5 million to build out the space to accommodate the city.

“We intend to get the city moving in by July 1,” said Watkins Development Vice President Jason Goree, who added that the negotiations still underway with the city concern the length of the lease, rather than the price.

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Hopes for South Jackson

Jackson Square Promenade Property Manager Kenneth Johnson said he has big plans for the Jackson Square Outlet Mall on Terry Road near Kroger. He says he is close to signing deals with a mixture of new tenants for more than 230,000 square feet of empty space in the outlet mall, he said.

Potential tenants, Johnson said, could include a clothing store, an entertainment venue, an “upscale” bar and grill, and a 24-hour day care and entertainment facility on par with Pearl’s former Planet Rock. Johnson also wants to add a roller rink, which he hopes will contain two skate floors, a coffee shop and a café.

Johnson said he is also speaking with a Jackson businessman to open a dinner and movie theater, similar in scope to the Cinema Grill chain in Colorado.

Get breaking business news at jfpdaily.com.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

21

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Spring 2011

For information on these properties and many more, call us at 601-982-8455 or visit us on the web at nixtann.com for a free MLS Search. boomjackson.com

BIZ

// by Charlotte Blom

william patrick butler

Smells Like Money

Gotta Go Toilets owner Lauren McGraw doesn’t discriminate; if it smells like money to her, it makes sense.

A

t an equipment trade show in New Orleans 14 years ago, Lauren McGraw, then a sales manager for Ameristar Casino, got bored and wandered away from her (now ex-)husband.

When she saw the portable toilets, she says inspiration hit her. She only knew of three other porta-potty companies in the Jackson area— two national and one local. McGraw thought there was room for another.

Against what the husband and his family, who “didn’t want to be in the crap business,” advised, McGraw followed her hunch. She bought 126 portable toilets and one truck and went into business with just one employee (a truck driver), aside from herself. Gotta Go Toilets hit a full flush in July 1997 when it rented out all 126 the first month.

This immediate boom took place with hardly any advertising in the beginning; even the phone book for the year had already been published. Publicity spread, McGraw says, mostly by word of mouth. Over time, the all-femalemanaged business created catchy slogans every two years, like “When duty calls”; “Number one & number two business”; “We want your stink Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

ing business”; and “We’ll take your crap.” They printed them on T-shirts to send with thank-you notes to customers. People loved the marketing ploy, and kids started calling to ask where they could get their own shirts.

The idea of unpleasant smells doesn’t bother her, either. McGraw says when people inquire about working with the stinky stuff, she replies: “It smells like money to me.”

Gotta Go covers special events like weddings, tailgate parties and disaster work, and has among its inventory “decorative” portapotties. (Think hot-pink and sports teamthemed johns.) It also offers hand-washing stations, baby-changing stations and handicapped accessible stalls.

But business doesn’t stop there for McGraw. She has branched out to other business ventures and owns the first-ever liquor store in Flora, an inflatable bounce-house business called McGraw Gotta Jump, and she does other contracted jobs, as well.

Success in business boils down, she says, to industries that fill needs everyone has: grocery stores, funeral homes and bathrooms.

The business owner traces her vending

savvy back to her early days as a Girl Scout, saying sales is still her favorite part of the job.

Because she anticipates needs and deals well with most anybody, clients claim if anyone has a degree in “portajohnology,” it’s McGraw.

Now, though, McGraw is CEO of the largest female-owned portable toilet company in the southeast. Her entrepreneurial empire, including all her businesses, equals 16 employees, 10 trucks and 2,000 porta-potties; she serves nine counties and grosses more than $2 million annually.

She is often focused on the management side of the business, but it’s also important to her to fill holes. Instead of saying what you don’t have, she says, see it as an opportunity.

“[Y]ou don’t have to be the smartest person,” she says. “Just fill the need and don’t take some things too seriously.”

If anyone knows what they’re talking about, McGraw does. Innovation and willingness to try anything new is what McGraw attributes her business success.

“Tenacity pays off,” the savvy businesswoman says. “Never give up; don’t be scared to step out and take a chance.”

23

BIZ // tech genius

by J. Ashley Nolen

No Ordinary Side Hustle

24

Spring 2011

Amile Wilson

“T

he bigger thing is not what has already been done, but wow, look at what’s yet to be done,” says Joel Bomgar as he demonstrates his business philosophy to Bomgar Corp. employees. He is holding two clear, acrylic cylinders containing numerous BB pellets. One cylinder is almost full, while one is close to empty. The one holding the most pellets represents the market available to Bomgar and his employees, while the smaller collection of BBs represents the market Bomgar Corp. has already reached. The visual encourages employees to keep looking ahead and stay on task.

Bomgar, a 31-year-old Jackson native, is the founder and CEO of Bomgar Corp., based in Ridgeland. After being home-schooled, serving in the Mississippi Air National Guard for six years, then graduating first in his class with a bachelor’s degree in business from then-Belhaven College in 2003, Bomgar worked as a computer engineer for Business Communications Inc. in Jackson.

When he offered technical advice over the telephone, he was constantly frustrated, never knowing exactly what the other person’s monitor was showing. He found it even more eco-unfriendly and costly to drive his 1979 Buick LeSabre around to correct problems himself. He knew he couldn’t be the only annoyed tech guy in the world.

This aggravation spurred Bomgar to develop a product that solved these issues by allowing technical supporters to see, virtually, the screens of devices they are troubleshooting. With the Bomgar Box, a person in Bangladesh can log on to the Internet and correct an issue on a computer in Alaska.

In 2003, Bomgar built a simple website in Microsoft Word containing no links but displaying his phone number to advertise his then-$500 product. He bought a $7 domain name and put the simple page up.

Over the next two and a half months, 50 people called him about his invention. Bomgar

At only 31 years old, Joel Bomgar is internationally successful for his Bomgar Box, a tech-support tool that he calls the “Cadillac of the market.” realized his creation could be more than just a side project.

The Bomgar Box is a wide-functioning product that allows connection to five major operating systems: Windows, Macintosh, Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Linux. Some people believe Bomgar Corp. offers technical support. They don’t. They offer a product to simplify the jobs of technical supporters. Their orange box is the best, Bomgar says.

“We’re the Cadillac of the market. If you need a Cadillac, it’s a bit more expensive, but wow, it’s good!” he says.

Technical support gurus have even made “Bomgar” their own verb. As in, “Can you just bomgar in and fix my computer?”

Two months after he graduated college, the entrepreneur sold his first Bomgar Box. He hired two guys he knew from college, and the company matured almost immediately. The company earned $100,000 in revenue in 2003 and finished 2010 with annual revenues of $32 million.

By 2008, Inc. Magazine ranked Bomgar

Corp. as the sixth fastest-growing private computer and electronic company in the U.S.

While the product sells itself, Bomgar Corp. takes building a strong business to the next level. The company requires all employees to meet their 14 core values—including honesty, respect for each other and the exercise of self-control.

The company has a diverse employee group with individuals from a multitude of backgrounds and faiths.

Bomgar attributes his success to his own faith, in fact. The words “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain,” hang in a frame on his office wall.

God, he says, has blessed him and his business. “The more money we make, the more resources we have to give away to causes like supporting missionaries overseas,” he says.

Ultimately, Bomgar would like to see more BBs in the reached-market cylinder.

With 5,000 customers in 52 countries, he’s well on his way.

boomjackson.com

BIZ // leadership

by Donna Ladd

Think Different

A

n “iconoclast” is, by definition, a person who destroys icons. That is, it is someone who does something that others say can’t be done.

Think Dr. King, Gandhi, Steve Jobs. Neuroscientist Gregory Berns says they swayed opinion by knowing how to literally get someone’s brain to function differently than it’s used to.

In his book, “Iconoclast: A Neuroscientist Reveals How to Think Differently” (Harvard Business Press, 2008, $29.95), Berns teaches how best to persuade others—whether new customers or followers of your movement.

The main challenge to new ideas is, of course, fear. But the antidote is fun: Look at and do things you’ve never done before. Travel to new cultures. Stimulate yourself visually to widen your imagination and provide the “strength to tear down conventional thinking” (which may

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

be as simple as convincing someone to buy your tool or as daunting as fighting xenophobia).

Think of someone rotely (dis)believing a person of a political party, or refusing to believe marketing can help business. Berns says stimuli creates new categories in the brain that reject this automatic thinking that destroys creativity.

Focus is key to re-programming neural networks: “attention changes perception,” Berns writes. Then, we can actually see things in ways our brains wouldn’t allow before. Cool, huh?

Iconoclasm isn’t all games, though. We must tackle fear of what Dr. King called the “pain of a new idea.”

Too often, Berns explains, people engage in a “pernicious form of conformity”—they go along with the crowd, even if they’re wrong (think: Nazis or the Klan). The brain will literally make you conform if you’re not careful and create a “herd

effect”—anathema for a would-be iconoclast.

The answer is to form diverse groups, or boards, and include at least one person willing to see things differently. One non-conformist can literally help others’ brains consider a different way. In the boardroom, Berns says, never seek unanimous approval from a committee, and be careful about having people vote out loud and, thus, follow the herd who already spoke up.

Berns cautions iconoclasts to put aside fear—of not making enough money or of failure—and always focus on positive goals. If fear permeates your business, it’s hard to defeat.

Iconoclasts must, must build diverse networks, Berns warns, including those who don’t already share your views. To persuade, you must be familiar and work toward a positive reputation, even among those predisposed to disagree with you. Shrink your world, he writes, and not just by online social networks.

People must see and know your face. Familiarity breeds trust. And trust brings success, whether in social movements or business deals.

25

BIZ // daily deals

by Valerie Wells

Let’s Make a … Steal?

O

“I do worry about it being such a great deal and ... about the client base,” she says.

A Groupon deal hurt Jessie Burke, a café owner in Portland, Ore. Part of what made her experience a loss were “bully” consumers who didn’t follow coupon rules and who “argued with you about it with disgusted looks on their faces, or who tipped based on what they owed,” Burke writes on the Posie’s Bakery and Cafe blog, a post that went viral in recent months.

“After three months of Groupons coming through the door, I started to see the results really hurting us financially. There came a time when we literally could not make payroll be-

cause at that point in time we had lost nearly $8,000 with our Groupon campaign.”

A detailed e-mail list of local consumers can help businesses more than mega-coupon sites, says Nate Schmidt, who took an e-mail list of 4,000 known foodies in the Birmingham, Ala., area and turned it into the hyperlocal BirminghamMenus.com. Schmidt, 36, also started BIGBham.com, to offer local daily deals.

“The people best suited to run deals of the day are locals. They know the people in the city, they know the businesses,” he says. “The question is, ‘how do you do it best?’”

He started Deal Co-op (www.dealcoop.com) to help communities run deals with e-mail lists they already have. He works with various clients, from small moms’ groups to publications in Seattle and Cincinnati. While publishers often ask him how to incorporate a truly hyperlocal deal

The Pros • Lots of new customers through the door.

• Can bring quick cash, particularly for high-margin items (food, drinks, services).

• Results are easy to measure.

• May get a social-media bump as folks “like” you for giving deals.

• Deal strategies often bring more women customers; they use coupons more often.

The Cons • You’re lucky if you break even on the deal.

• You might get overwhelmed with deal-seekers in a short span, affecting cash flow.

• Your customers’ contact info goes to huge companies based elsewhere, not to you.

• May well cheapen your brand, or lead to an expectation of regular deals and deep discounts.

• Deal-seekers don’t always tip … or come back.

26

Spring 2011

file photo

ver the winter, two mega “deal-of-theday” companies bombarded Jacksonarea businesses with promises of new customers and lots of exposure.

Chicago-based Groupon began offering Jackson deals in November. Living Social, based in Washington, D.C., followed in January with coupons to local spas, photography studios and restaurants. Both international companies use “hyperlocal” marketing at a neighborhood level—a popular term for corporations that try to compete for dollars in local markets.

Here’s how it works with Groupon: An area restaurant offers a great deal: a $20 meal for only $10. The online customer, who gets an e-mail alerting them to the offer, buys this deal online through the Groupon site. If the site sells 10 coupons, Groupon splits that $100 with the restaurant, which receives $50, and now has $200 worth of product or services to fulfill.

Some businesses can lose money with these kinds of deals, while others are factoring it into the cost of marketing.

It’s too soon to tell for Scotta Brady, 37, owner of Butterfly Yoga. She ran a Groupon deal in January to attract new customers. Only three people had redeemed coupons by the end of the month.

Two were regulars, and one a previous customer.

“I need more time to see how it works,” she says.

Joy McClellan, 30, who just started a photography business in Fondren, saw Groupon as an easy way to promote her business. She contacted the company in early December and on Feb. 1, it made her the Jackson deal of the day. She offered a $100 family photo session for only $39. The 61 percent discount is steep; most Groupon offers are for 50 percent off. For every session McClellan books, Groupon makes $19.50. She will make about $20 for each of the 30 “$100” bookings sold.

“The way I set it up is customers get one digital image, and they can buy more,” she says.

McClellan had no advertising budget, she said, so potential exposure to thousands of Jackson-area Groupon subscribers appealed to her.

site with existing advertising sales, he advises them not to worry about ties-ins but to go for it now while the trend is popular.

Susan Marquez, a writer who lives in Madison, subscribes to both Groupon and Living Social. Although she enjoys getting the daily offers in her e-mail, she hasn’t bought anything.

“I just haven’t seen anything yet that I must have,” she says. “I have been waiting for months for Groupon to get here, because my sister in Nashville uses it all the time and brags about the great deals she’s gotten.”

Marquez has bought local daily deals from the online Radio Shopping Show on WJQS, too.

“A friend told me about it, and I have already purchased several discount coupons for restaurants, coffee at Sneaky Beans and even gutter cleaning. My husband and I ate a $30 lunch at Blue Rooster in Flora last Monday for $8.”

Radio stations in at least five cities use the same format for the show and related website.

Headquarters for The Radio Shopping Show Inc. are in Longmont, Colo.

Like any marketing tool, businesses should think carefully about advantages and disadvantages of a daily-deal service. Kevin Eklund, a blogger at ToMuse.com, says daily-deal services can be tempting because of the immediacy of getting new customers through the door with few upfront costs and measurable results.

But watch out for pitfalls, he writes in his post, “Top 10 Reasons Businesses Shouldn’t Use Daily Deal Sites Like Groupon To Advertise Locally.” For instance, honoring the deals can be costly, especially when the business only gets 25 percent of the revenue they would normally get from a walk-in customer.

A common concern about services such as Groupon is that they dilute—or cheapen—a company’s brand. They often attract the kind of customers who only look for deals. Once the deal is over, that customer may just move on to the next great buy. And, it can be disconcerting, Eklund writes, to be overwhelmed with customers in a short window of time if the business isn’t prepared to handle the volume of deal seekers.

In addition, such services do not tend to drive traffic to a business’ website the way targeted marketing, especially online ads, can. And Groupon-type services will not share customers’ contact or e-mail addresses with the business.

Thus, the marketing bump may be short-lived.

The upshot? Tread carefully into daily-deal services, especially those not run locally. What looks too good to be true may well be. boomjackson.com

BIZ // advice

by Ward Schaefer

From Nest to Success

T

hree out of every 10 new businesses close within two years. After four years, only 44 percent remain open. The odds for entrepreneurs are weak, but a business can improve its chances by getting advice.

Historically, for instance, about 87 percent of companies that graduate from business incubators are still in business five years later.

In its original form, the business incubator was an actual building that housed and nurtured entrepreneurs during the most vulnerable stages of their projects, like a hospital incubator. In fact, Joseph Mancuso—who founded the first business incubator, the Batavia Industrial Center, in Batavia, N.Y.—coined the term after baby chicks began scampering around the floors of the center’s location in an old manufacturing plant.

Most incubators are run by non-profit organizations that provide new entrepreneurs with shared office and meeting space, technology and computer resources, and some degree of technical advice and guidance. In return, entrepreneurs usually pay a low rent for office space and resources. Incubators can also counsel entrepreneurs on business strategies and connect them with potential investors and other funding sources.

Venture Incubator, a project backed by Downtown Jackson Partners, uses the classic business incubator model. The organization accepts product- and service-based companies and staff work with entrepreneurs to set goals for graduating from the incubator.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

Wes Holsapple, Venture Incubator’s executive director, says his group helps businesses establish and work toward a set of tangible goals. Those goals could range from a target revenue amount to a new accounting system.

“The relationship is really important,” Holsapple says. “We begin to establish that relationship before they actually even come in to the Incubator. We try to say, ‘Why don’t we try this for 90 days.’ (Then) we get a feel about whether they were open to coaching or not.”

Once in, most businesses stay with the incubator between one and three years. Clients get office space and access to shared equipment. Incubator staff meet with entrepreneurs quarterly to review their progress, but Holsapple aims to be a more consistent influence.

“My role is to get them to invite me to hold them accountable,” he says.

Two other centers work with a more specialized clientele. The Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University offers services like videoconferencing to technology-focused

companies. JSU’s Small Business Development Center, operated by the U.S. Small Business Administration, offers a resource library, business counseling and workshops. Unlike a business incubator, though, the SBDC works with new and veteran business owners alike.

The Jackson Business Accelerator Collaborative offers yet another version of incubators. The JBAC, a project of Jackson-based New Horizon Ministries, does not invest directly in companies, but it connects business owners and entrepreneurs with resources to grow their companies. It also provides clients with professional advice from lawyers and accountants to give businesses a stronger foundation for growth.

Where2Incubate Venture Incubator, 200 S. Lamar St., Suite S-1000, ventureincubator.org, 601.906.4868 Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University, 1230 Raymond Road, 601.979.1246, msecenter.com Small Business Development Center of Jackson State University, 1230 Raymond Road, jsums.edu/business/sbdc, 601.979.2795 Jackson Business Accelerator Collaboration of New Horizon Ministries, 1770 Ellis Ave., jacksonbusiness.net, 601.540.5415

27

// by Lacey McLaughlin and Casey Purvis

28

Spring 2011

Community leaders come here to network and collaborate. The atmosphere is warm and inviting—anyone can express their opinions, and many often do, especially at Friday Forum.

Tate k. Nations

At the crossroads of west Jackson and downtown, cars stream into the parking lot of an inviting yellow house with a large patio. Inside, owner Lee Harper and her staff dutifully pour espresso shots and deliver homemade breakfast sandwiches to about 50 people—several standing shoulder-to-shoulder along Koinonia Coffee House’s neutral walls. At this morning’s Friday Forum, Kristi Hendrix, executive director of Midtown Partners, tells the audience about efforts to revitalize Jackson’s midtown neighborhood with the addition of a welfare service and counseling center. The new center is part of the organization’s overall goal to serve three generations of the neighborhood’s residents.

After her talk, Dr. John Perkins, founder of the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development, applauds the Midtown Partners for focusing on a small quadrant of the city, rather than spreading themselves too thin.

He says urban planners should use the midtown model in west and south Jackson as well.

“One of the things you said that was so very important is that you set boundaries that are comprehensive and manageable,” Perkins tells Hendrix. “We are talking now in terms of west Jackson. … We have to break it into manageable neighborhoods. That is the answer.”

When the discussion comes to a close, Jackson Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jonathan Lee thanks Hendrix for coming.

“The whole rationale behind the forum is how can we inform and effect change in our communities,” Lee says to the presenter.

“Hats off to you for taking Midtown to new heights, and I hope that somebody here is inspired to do the same thing in west Jackson, south Jackson or wherever they may be from.”

Lee then encourages the audience to contribute to a tip jar for Koinonia’s employees.

At Harper’s coffee house, you hear more than the customary “Here’s your coffee, ma’am.

Have a nice day.” It’s a place of transformative conversations, and the exchange of ideas.

Lee Harper sells coffee and social change at Koinonia Coffee House.

A Hand Up

Dr. William “Bill” Cooley rightfully bears the title of “father” of the Friday Forum. When Koinonia opened three years ago, he noticed an empty parking lot each time he drove by. To help save the coffee house, he helped facilitate a weekly forum for business owners and community members, not only to increase foot traffic and sales, but to also increase its social capital and community impact. The Jackson Chamber of Commerce now sponsors the event.

“The value of Friday Forum is the fact that

it is a fantastic networking opportunity for diversity and different ideas that have a great impact,” Cooley says.

Cooley, the founder of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship and the West Jackson Leadership Academy, believes a business should not solely measure success by profit but by its the social and community impact. But when asked what it specifically means to be a social entrepreneur, Cooley pauses. “Everyone has their own philosophy; it’s not really one thing,” he says.

The businessman does agree on a few basic tenets: Social entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs thrive on risk and innovation. Social entrepreneurs, however, use business practices to meet higher goals such as advancing wealth, education or well-being of a population or community.

In his book, “How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas” (Oxford University Press, 2007, $15.95), David Bornstein defines social entrepreneurship as transformative forces: “people with new ideas to address major problems, who are relentless in the pursuit of their visions, people who simply will not take no for an answer.”

Bornstein doesn’t believe just anyone can be a social entrepreneur—it takes someone with foresight, vision and determination. Social entrepreneurs must be willing to: self-correct and adapt when plans go awry; share credit for ideas and work; break free from established structures, such as government and institutional organizations; have strong ethical discipline; be satisfied with working behind the scenes; and have the ability to work in various disciplines.

Cooley doesn’t believe in throwing money at problems. He says had he given Koinonia a loan when the business was struggling, money alone wouldn’t have saved it. He believes giving time and supporting innovation are the key ingredients for effecting change. The retired businessman mentors young men and consults Jackson business and nonprofit leaders through the see page 30 ¥ boomjackson.com

Mr. Langford’s Neighborhood Amile wilson

// by Jesse Crow

Robert Langford serves as executive director of Operation Shoestring.

O

peration Shoestring caters to some of a child’s most important developmental needs—creative, athletic and academic. The hallways of the building look like galleries filled with children’s artwork. The walls of colorful workrooms are brightly decorated, and some rooms contain bookcases that stretch the length and height of the wall, encouraging learning beyond a student’s homework.

In the gym, kids hone their basketball skills and run around with obvious joy.

For the past 43 years, Operation Shoestring has been involved with the children and families on the southern end of Jackson’s Bailey Avenue.

“Our work is essentially focused on teaching children and inspiring families so that all Jackson rises together,” says Executive Director Robert Langford. ”

The organization provides after-school, weekend and summer programs to the children of Lanier High School and its feeder pattern—Galloway and Brown Elementary schools, Rowan Middle and Lanier High schools—and their families.

Operation Shoestring also

focuses on developing real-world skills with a youth employment program for Lanier students who learn valuable work-ethic lessons at local businesses over the summer.

The organization provides communication and parenting classes to encourage family members to be engaged and empowering in the lives of the children around them.

Langford believes Operation Shoestring is just one piece of the neighborhood revitalization that has taken place over the past 43 years.

“It’s a tough thing to measure, but we’ve been here for almost four and a half decades, and we’ve seen, particularly in the past decade, that there’s been more community investment in our focus area,” Langford says. “... [W]e’ve been working steadfastly with the neighborhood and other folks to bring attention to a neighborhood a lot of people didn’t really care about.”

A more tangible change is improved test scores and grades from children Operation Shoestring has worked with.

Operation Shoestring’s work continues to grow. About 450 families attended family and communication classes last year, and elementary school children receiving after-school arts instruction increased from 75 to 125 students. The number of children attending summer programs more than quadrupled, from 75 to 350 students.

Operation Shoestring has many ways to get involved— from tutoring children after school, to providing breakfast at the summer programs or donating art supplies or books from the Jackson Public School reading list.

Check out their website, www.operationshoestring.org, to find out how to plug in.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

29

How to Be a

Social Entrepreneur Tips from David Bornstein

More info: davidbornstein.com

30

Spring 2011

Center for Social Entrepreneurship. He recently helped a group of teenage boys develop a business plan for mowing lawns and taught them basic business principles. Cooley wants to see all of Jackson prosper—especially west Jackson—and tries to align everything he does with that core belief.

Harper admits that growing her business during a tough economy, in an area with few retail options, has been a struggle, but the coffee shop’s strong community focus has helped her business survive. In addition to hosting Friday Forum, Harper often donates or leases out space to community groups and churches for events.

“If it hadn’t been for Friday Forum and people sharing the vision of this place, understanding that it was more than just a business and a coffee house, and really latching on to that, we would have closed a long time ago,” Harper says.

“We wouldn’t have survived.”

Building From the Inside Out

Duvall Decker Architects’ building in Fondren is a renovated formerly windowless OB/GYN office that Roy Decker and his wife, Anne Marie Decker, opened 12 years ago. The firm specializes in public projects such as schools and buildings like the Mississippi Library Commission.

Roy Decker, who was previously a professor at Mississippi State University, says he also started his firm to educate young architects and interns.

The façade of the office has ceiling-to-floor windows interspaced with coated panels, placing State Street in full view. The Deckers believe architecture should go beyond the structure of one building—architects have a direct role in transforming the character and integrity of a neighborhood.

The firm is currently overseeing a series of affordable-housing developments in Jackson’s North Midtown neighborhood—between Millsaps College and Mill Street. The houses are in stark contrast to typical housing projects; they have carports, private yards and solar panels that could reduce electricity bills by 25 percent. The development also includes walking trails, making it easier for residents to be physically fit.

Duvall Decker’s goal in constructing the project is not only to transform the aesthetics of the neighborhood, but also to create upward mobility for low-income residents and evoke a sense of ownership and pride in their neighborhood.

“When we went in and started talking to residents, we found that Midtown residents were trapped in an economic cycle that was hurting them,” Roy Decker says. “We saw that the success of a master plan had little to do with development and making projects.”

The Deckers envision Jackson turning into

an urban mecca over the next several decades that reaches its full potential with sustainable infrastructure and amenities that support artists, business owners and families. The firm approaches each project with that in mind. The couple has watched several firms close their doors during the recession, and they believe their own firm is thriving because of its social-impact focus.

“In the old business model, profit was the measure of success,” Roy Decker says. “But maybe a narrow perspective is not so good for businesses; maybe a broad perspective in which people are concerned with social welfare and environmental quality and economic viability of residents in a neighborhood is even better.”

The Deckers also believe the type of projects they do—and succeed at—has helped build the reputation of their firm. The firm has received three more projects in the neighborhood since beginning the Midtown development.

For many business owners who work hard for profits, the notion of social entrepreneurship can seem daunting. But while a charitable focus may take away from the bottom line, it often has a larger return in the long run.

“The common misconception is if you expand your interest and energy to solve more problems as well as your own business investments, then you have to give up profit to do that,” Roy Decker says. “But if you expand the capacity of those whom you serve, they will hire you in the future. … Today’s market expects quick turn around and profits, but if you wait a few years, it has a greater return.”

Amile Wilson

• Inquire. Ask yourself what the primary motivation is for building your organization. How is that different from a typical for-profit model?

• Motivate employees or volunteers by emphasizing their role in creating change. It’s important to remain focused on the big picture. You must work to assure those helping you that they are making a difference and connected to a higher cause than just profit.

• Set benchmarks. Social entrepreneurs can’t solely rely on spreadsheets and numbers to determine success. Instead, find ways to measure your social capital. How many households has your organization brought out of poverty? Find out what you want to change and find a way to measure that.

• Collaborate. Instead of overlapping with existing services, find ways to share resources, skills and talent and work for a common goal.

• A little competition is good. Strive to be the best in your field by offering innovative and creative solutions to help your cause and be successful.

Beyond Profit, from page 29

Time to be creative at Operation Shoestring. boomjackson.com

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

courtesy chandler griffin

Rich Diversity of Entrepreneurs

Bornstein, who uses the term “citizen sector” to describe people, nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations that effect change, writes that this sector resembles a “market economy of social ideas characterized by a rich diversity of grassroots institutions and energetic entrepreneurs.” He says that in the past, the citizen sector has been insulated from the kind of competition for-profit businesses face, but in today’s world, nonprofits must use innovation to be successful.

The nonprofit Operation Shoestring is dedicated to improving the lives of economically disadvantaged children in Jackson by effecting, and measuring, systematic change. The organization provides after-school programs and parenting classes, and uses dropout-prevention strategies to keep kids in school. Starting with the youngest children in Pre-K, Operation Shoestring provides direct support services such as counseling, tutoring and life skills training until the children are high school seniors.

But unlike many charities, Operation Shoestring employs marketing and business strategies to create a sustainable and efficient organization. The organization differs from other forms of social entrepreneurship because making a profit is not a goal, but having a business mindset is crucial for its success and growth.

“In order to run these programs, we have to approach this by having good management practices,” Executive Director Robert Langford says. “It’s not just about doing good work.

Its using logistics to effect change.”

Shoestring measures its program’s success by keeping track of student’s grades, test scores and graduation rates. By collaborating with other area nonprofits, Operation Shoestring strives to expand its community outreach and strengthen existing services instead of overlapping them.

Just like a business, marketing is equally important. The organization sends out regular emails and uses social networking sites like Facebook to spread its message and connect donors and community members to the mission. A Jan. 14 e-mail Langford sent out includes a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the last paragraph from his final public address. “At Shoestring, we are trying to fulfill the vision Dr. King had for our nation. We work to bring people of different backgrounds, races and creeds together so that all of Jackson rises,” Langford wrote.

In a tough economy with donations stagnating, many nonprofits must find ways to be selfsustaining. Phil Reed, the ministry president of Voice of Calvary Ministries, an organization that

Chandler Griffin (right) wants to help the needy learn to create wealth. revitalizes homes and neighborhoods primarily in west Jackson, is taking steps to make his organization self funding.

“I realized that we were going to have to generate our own income in the future,” he says.

“The philanthropic pie is not increasing.”

Voice of Calvary Ministries is seeking proposals to develop property it owns, like the United Methodist Church on Capitol Street.

Reed has three requirements for the property: It must complement development already happening downtown, generate income for Voice of Calvary and put property back on the city’s tax roll.

While plans are still preliminary, Reed says the old church could be renovated for apartments or retail space. He says he hopes the profits generated will decrease the number of grants and donations the nonprofit currently depends on.

“If we can add this property back on the market and generate property tax for the city, it will help us become a good civic partner,” he says.

Following Your Heart

Jackson native Chandler Griffin, 35, remembers when his artist dad told him if he wanted to be an artist, he needed to get used to the idea that he might not be rich, but that he’d be happy, as long as he followed his heart.

After graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design where he majored in filmmaking, Griffin traveled to countries around the world documenting others’ lives. In 2005, he founded Barefoot Workshops, a nonprofit that teaches documentary storytelling to individuals and non-governmental organizations. He holds workshops in the Mississippi Delta, South Africa, India, Australia and the West Bank in Israel.

Though Griffin splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, he is dedicated to hosting

two workshops a year in the Delta to teach attendees about the state’s culture, preserve Delta stories and stimulate the local economy.

While Griffin excels as a filmmaker and businessman, his real strength is bringing people together to support a bigger cause. He is also the founder of “A River Blue,” a vocational and training rehabilitation center for refugees in Northern Uganda. A 2005 trip to Uganda significantly affected Griffin when he visited camps for people displaced by the Lord’s Resistance Army and its civil war with the national government.

The camp had a dilapidated building with 20 sewing machines. He wanted to help.

Griffin documented the conditions of the camp and pulled together $100,000 from donors to renovate the space. The center now provides 27 young people with jobs as well as classes in agriculture and basic English. He is currently developing solutions to make “A River Blue” self-sustaining by teaching participants business skills and developing sources of income to sustain the center. Griffin admits that he had to expand his skills to learn about nonprofit management and fundraising.

“There is a current model where so many countries look at us for money. I want to make sure that in three years, the organization doesn’t need me, so I’m trying to come up with solutions for financial resources,” he says.

Griffin acknowledges that it’s equally important to make change in our own backyards so long as we find an outlet for our passion.

“Whether it’s about helping people find the resources that they need or helping create jobs and income, there are so many things you can do,” he says. “We should always be in a position where we should be open to learning something new. That’s how you give back.”

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BIZ // retail courtesy The Mattiace Company

Northern Lights

by Langston Moore

Andrew Mattiace, president and founder of The Mattiace Company, has found success with Renaissance at Colony Parkway in Ridgeland

I

t’s as if Andrew Mattiace is mayor of his own little town. At the 400,000-plus square-foot Renaissance at Colony Park, he faces traffic issues, trash removal, visitors (sometimes up to 10,000 a day), more than 600 employees, fountains to maintain and mall events to promote and coordinate.

The entrepreneur opened the upscale shopping center in spring 2008, just months before the financial meltdown in October.

“We had no history to gauge our growth in ’08,” Mattiace says. But it’s working. “In 2009, Renaissance had growth of 2 percent, and it followed up that year with about a 10 percent growth in 2010.”

A life-long Jacksonian and St. Joseph and Belhaven University graduate, Mattiace started The Mattiace Company in the early 1980s.

He says he loves for the Jackson market, his passion for “the deal” and the desire to bring new businesses to Mississippi have motivated Mattiace and partners to purchase more than 2 million square feet of commercial property.

Renaissance is now one of the brightest gems in their portfolio.

Located just north of the city at Interstate 55 and Old Agency Road in Ridgeland, the open-air center with Mediterranean and European-inspired architecture acts as its own

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

billboard for commuters and travelers.

Mattiace admits that putting the Renaissance pieces together didn’t happen quickly.

“It really was about a five-year process. We had a core group of what we call junior anchor stores to sign on with us first,” Mattiace says.

The open-air shopping mall is not the first in the area and is a concept Mattiace knew would be successful.

“We discovered before we started the project there was a void in high-end retail that central Mississippi was missing, and this area has the affluence to attract those type retailers. Add the mixture of an outdoor venue with curb appeal, and keeping the intimacy of the shopping experience attracts the current generation and beyond,” he says enthusiastically.

Mattiace credits part of Renaissance’s success to its retail mix. “It is important to be able to have every retail category represented. From Asian to deli, from accessories to ice cream, and from men’s to women’s fashions,” Mattiace says.

One can find locally owned shopping options, as well as an Apple store, Sephora and Anthropologie. In fact, one of two Material

Girls boutiques, named Best Locally Owned Business and Best Boutique by Jackson Free Press readers this year, is in Renaissance.

That is not always the case at shopping malls. “We are big into local,” Mattiace says, “and we strive to maintain 30 to 40 percent in local merchant participation.”

Working with local companies to plan and build Renaissance was also crucial. Mattiace Company’s local partners include Dean and Dean/Associates Architects, Barksdale Management Group, H.C. Bailey Company and Neil Schaffer Engineering Firm.

More than a retail shopping experience, Renaissance also offers visitors seasonal events such as concerts, fashion shows, classic car shows and even events to bring awareness to rescuing abused animals.

The Renaissance development has earned numerous awards and accolades, including the Outstanding Green Development Award from the Mississippi Urban Forest Council and the Mississippi Forestry Commission and first-place win in the 2008 Decorative & Durable Designs Concrete Pavement Awards Precast category.

Shop Local

R

enaissance is not only home to nationally and regionally recognized chains, but locally owned businesses, too. Below is a list of those stores. To see a complete listing of all Renaissance tenants, visit its website at renaissanceatcolonypark.com.

Angie’s, 601.605.134; Aqua the Day Spa, 601.898.9024; BankPlus (based in Mississippi), 601.607.8000; Barnette’s Salon, 601.898.9024; BellaChes, 601.605.2239; Cadre’ The Fine Art of Framing, 601.856.5606; Cellular South, 877.CSOUTH1; Hearron Fine Gifts, 601.856.8982; Jolly Orthodontics, 601.605.2400; Judith Lee’s, 601.856.5289; Lemon Meringue, 601.853.2611; Material Girls, 601.605.1605; Mint the Restaurant, 601.898.MINT; Oswego Jewelers, 601.856.3250; Pink Bombshell, 601.853.0775; Red Square, 601.853.8960; Ridgeland Visitors Center, 601.605.5252; SleepStore by Miskelly, 601.898.1994; Southern Breeze Art Gallery, 601.607.4147; Traditional Jewelers, 601.898.3999; Vintage Wine Market, 601.605.9199.

35

Slow Gardener

F

ollowing his retirement from his fulltime position as a horticulture professor at Mississippi State University, Felder Rushing took on eight part-time jobs. His busy schedule is full of engagements with radio, newspaper, magazines, books, lectures and classes at Millsaps.

Though one of his degrees is in horticulture, or plant production, Rushing considers himself a garden communicator. His master’s in education enhances his interest in helping people improve the quality of their lives.

Rushing’s goal is to encourage people to savor each day and enjoy what they do. Gardening is simply a place to start.

What’s a good starting place for someone who’s never gardened before?

Get a nice-sized pot, put some potting soil in it. Put three or four plants in there—at least one of which you can eat. Even if you don’t know how to cook, if you have an oregano plant, you can snip just a handful of leaves off of it and put it in store-bought Ragu spaghetti sauce.

36

Spring 2011

courtesy Felder Rushing

BIZ // horticulture // by Katie Stewart

You don’t have to have an 80-foot row of tomatoes to be a gardener. All you need is one basil in a pot.

What do you see as the future of gardening in Mississippi?

It’s pretty clear that the way gardeners have been growing things—in long, skinny rows—is not for most people. Most people grow a few things just for a hobby. The real trend is toward people growing a few flowers, a few vegetables, and a few herbs in containers or a small raised bed.

A lot of what I do for a living is deconstruct horticulture. You don’t have to prune a rose a certain way. You don’t have to plant tomatoes in a row. You don’t have to mow your grass and kill all the weeds. ... If you have fun, you can do it, you can share it, and other people want to pick up on it. If it’s a bunch of rules, most people go back to staring at their iPad.

What do you love about your work?

What I enjoy more than anything is seeing somebody do something different and be suc-

Felder Rushing says his anyone-cando-it approach to gardening is a way to deconstruct horticulture. cessful. Frank Zappa said, “Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” As long as Mississippians continue to get mired down in the same old way things have always been done, we’re never going to get any better.

Growing a few flowers and a few vegetables and a few herbs, and sharing them with your neighbors in a way that they can do it themselves without being horticulturalists, that’s success.

Felder Rushing is currently working on a new book called “Slow Gardening,” to be released in the spring. Visit him at www.felderrushing.net and www.slowgardening.net.

boomjackson.com

BIZ // produce

Story and photo by Katie Stewart

At the Market: Economics and Environment

O

n a typical Saturday in March, the Mississippi Farmer’s Market is filled with vendors selling fresh produce, homecanned goods and handmade crafts.

Consumers can interact with the farmer who grew the food that will make its way to their table, and farmers and craftsmen can get a fair price for their goods without middlemen.

Farmer’s markets are growing in popularity each year, as the movement toward healthy, homegrown food gains attention. Since 1994, the number of farmer’s markets nationwide has increased dramatically from 1,755 markets. In 2010, 6,132 farmer’s markets were open across the country, a number that grew 16 percent from 2009.

For farmers, who often must sell produce at wholesale to grocery stores and distribution companies, markets provide better margins. “Farmers have another avenue to market their crops,” says Andy Prosser, director of marketing at the Mississippi Farmer’s Market, which only charges a $10 per stall, per day fee and no profit-sharing.

Farmer’s markets generate more than $1 billion in yearly sales, and 25 percent of the merchants exclusively sell their products there. Livingston Springs Farm, a Madison farm that sells shares of grass-fed beef and lamb, ben-

efits tremendously from the farmer’s market. Owner Lisa Kuiper says 90 percent of the farm’s business comes from farmer’s market customers.

“If it wasn’t for the farmer’s market, I don’t think we’d be in business right now,” Kuiper says.

Consumers also benefit from the farmer’s market. You can personally meet each farmer, and the produce, of course, is fresh and local. Prosser notes the personal aspect of the markets is popular. “People want to know who grew their food,” he says.

Farmers often harvest supermarket produce before it is ripe, reducing its nutritional value. At a farmer’s market, however, farmers sell produce at the peak of ripeness.

Occasionally, small farmers do not label foods “organic” because of the long USDA certification process, but if you talk to them, you will find that many do not use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Farmer’s markets support the local economy and often provide fresh produce to communities that struggle to access healthy food.

The farmer’s market is gentle on the environment. Typically, supermarket fruits and vegetables are transported across the U.S. or even from other countries, costing us in fuel, manpower and environmental strain. Not only does

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

Claude Jones’ booth at the Mississippi Farmer’s Market features local honey and homemade jams, cakes and cookies. locally grown produce taste better and provide more nutrition, it cuts back on ecological consequences.

Jacksonians have access to several farmer’s markets. The Mississippi Farmer’s Market is located downtown at 929 High St., where you’ll find produce, can reserve grass-fed beef, enjoy goat’s milk, and purchase handmade goods for the home and kitchen. The market is open each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with more days added as the season progresses.

Fresh food and handmade goods are available at the monthly Market in Fondren starting March 26. The Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project Farmer’s Market, next to the Jackson Medical Mall, opens in mid-April on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Farmer’s

Market Shopping Tips • Go early to get the best selection.

• Go late to get the best deals.

• Be green, be ready: Bring your own bags.

• Take cash in small bills.

• Know what’s in season, and plan your meals before going to the market.

• Ask the farmers questions. That’s what they’re for.

37

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JU LIKADA PASTA RAJUN CAJUN PASTA … 8.99 PARMESAN CHICKEN ALFREDO … 8.99 BULL’S PHILLY PASTA … 8.99

FOR THE MINI MUGS (12 and under please) KAYLA’S CHICKEN BASKET … 4.59 EMMA’S GRILLED CHEESE … 4.59 BISHOP’S BURGER … 4.59 HAILEY P’S EGG SANDWICH … 4.59

SIDES & MORE SIDES Beer battered French fries, onions rings, and grilled or steamed fresh veggies … 1.95 Mabel’s mashed potatoes … 2.25 Load ‘em up for .50

4245 Lakeland Drive in Flowood, MS 39232 | 601-932-4031 More info. on our award-winning gourmet burgers & sandwiches at www.mugshotsgrillandbar.com Jackson Menu Guide

M41

Voted Best Pizza 2009-2011 Best of Jackson

SPECIALTY PIZZAS

Chicken Curry Delight - creamy homemade curry, smoked gouda, mozzarella, curried chicken, fire roasted red peppers. Pineapple on request.

Double Cheeseburger - double seasoned beef aged cheddar cheese sauce, sliced American cheese, shredded cheddar, pickles and onions.

Cajun Joe - Spicy andoullie sausage, seasoned chicken, green and red peppers, onions.

Turkey Club - Turkey, smoked bacon, fresh tomatoes, honey mustard tomato sauce.

Supreme - Pepperoni, beef, sausage, green pepper, mushroom, ham, onion, black olive, bacon.

Carnivore - Pepperoni, ham, sausage, beef, bacon.

Veggie Deluxe - Mushrooms, tomato, green pepper onion, green & black olive.

Hawaiian - Extra Canadian bacon, extra pineapple and extra cheese.

BBQ Pork - BBQ sauce, pulled pork BBQ Chicken - BBQ sauce, pulled chicken.

Shrimp Alfredo - Alfredo sauce, shrimp, tomato.

Spinach Alfredo - Alfredo sauce, spinach, tomato.

Chicken Alfredo - Chicken, alfredo sauce, tomato.

Chicken Fajita - Chicken, green peppers, diced tomato, picante sauce, red onion, mozzarella, Monterrey jack.

Three Cheese - Cheddar, provolone, mozzarella.

Thai Chicken - Thai peanut sauce, provolone, mozzarella, seasoned chicken, green peppers, onions & carrots.

The Greek - Feta, mozzarella, black olives, gyro meat. Onions & artichoke hearts on request.

Mexican Fiesta - Picante sauce, Monterrey jack, cheddar, seasoned beef, green onions and dice tomatoes. Black olives upon request.

Margarita - Fresh garlic, roma tomatoes & basil on a special crust.. (Traditional Italian Pizza) Chicken Cordon Bleu - Seasoned chicken breast homemade mustard pizza sauce, swiss, mozzarella honey ham & diced tomatoes Andy’s Buffalo Ranch Chicken - Homemade buffalo sauce, swiss, mozzarella, marinated buffalo chicken & bacon

Small

Medium $16.00

$21.50

Large

BUFFALO WINGS

$7.15

$14.50

$19.50

SUBS all served with Pickle and Potato Chips

$7.65

$7.65

$15.25

$21.50

$6.90

$13.00

$18.50

$7.65

$16.25

$22.00

$7.50 $6.75

$15.00 $14.00

$20.50 $19.00

$6.90

$14.00

$19.00

$6.90 $7.15 $7.99 $7.65 $7.65 $7.65

$13.50 $14.50 $17.75 $14.25 $14.25 $15.50

$18.75 $19.50 $22.00 $19.00 $19.00 $20.00

$6.50 $7.65

$13.00 $15.50

$17.25 $21.50

$7.65

$15.00

$20.00

$7.65

$15.50

$21.00

$7.65

$14.25

$19.00

$7.65

$15.50

$21.50

$7.65

$15.50

$21.50

BUILD YOUR OWN PIZZA

Small - $5.50 Medium - $10.75 Large - $15.25 Toppings: Pepperoni, salami, beef, Italian sausage, ham, bacon, Canadian bacon, anchovies, green peppers, roma tomatoes, tomatoes, pineapple, mushrooms, black olives, green olives, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos

Small - $1.00

Medium - $1.50

Large - $2.25

Premium Toppings: Grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, spinach, gyro meat, meatballs, feta, mozzarella, smoked gouda, provolone, cheddar, Swiss, Monterrey jack cheeses.

Small - $1.50

Medium - $2.00

Large - $2.50

Add Shrimp to Any Pizza! We don’t believe in wimpy toppings at the Pizza Shack.

When you add Srump to a Large Pizza, you’re getting over a pound of shrimp for your money!

Small - $3.99

Medium - $6.99

6

Flavors: Southwest Garlic Ranch, Garlic Parmesan $4.50 Lemon Pepper, Traditional BBQ, Honey Mustard, BBQ, Traditional Hot, Fire Starter, Teriyaki, Spicy Thai

12

$10.25

Italian Submarine - Genoa salami, mortadella, procuitto, ham, red onion, lettuce, tomato, provolone, oil & vinegar, salt & pepper.

Banana pepper on request.

Philly Cheese Steak - Chopped steak, bell pepper, onion, provolone .

Meatball - Meatballs, marinara, provolone topped w/ oregano, basil & Parmesan. Onions & mushrooms on request.

Roast Beef Dip - Roast Beef, Au Jus. Choice of cheese.

Italian Sausage - Italian rope sausage, marinara sauce, provolone, onion, roasted red peppers, green peppers, topped w/ parmesan, basil & oregano.

ON A BUN add choice of cheese - .50¢ Joe’s Sloppy Joe -Fresh seasoned ground beef, homemade sloppy Joe sauce on a toasted bun. Pickles on request.

BBQ Pulled Pork - Pulled pork w/ BBQ sauce.

BBQ Pulled Chicken - Pulled chicken w/ BBQ sauce.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken - Pulled buffalo chicken, creamy ranch & swiss.

Fresh BBQ Chicken - w/savory BBQ sauce, bacon, swiss cheese $7.25 Lettuce and tomato on request.

24

$15.50

$7.65 $7.65 $7.15 $7.45 $7.65

$6.75 $6.90 $6.90 $7.15

DELI SANDWICHES on White, Wheat, Sourdough or Marble Rye.

Smoked Turkey - Smoked turkey, swiss, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

Turkey Club - Smoked turkey, swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato & mayo.

Roast Beef - Roast beef, cheddar or swiss, lettuce, tomato, mayo, & Dijon mustard.

Ham - Smoked ham, choice of cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo, & honey mustard.

Vegetarian - Tomato, cucumber, onions, green peppers, olive oil & vinegar. Choice of cheese on request.

Ultimate - Turkey, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, choice of cheese, honey mustard & mayo.

Chicken Salad - Homemade chicken salad, iceberg lettuce, tomato.

BLT - Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes & basil mayo.

SALADS

Asian Chicken Salad - Marinated chicken, iceberg lettuce, roasted red peppers, green and red cabbage, julienne carrots, crispy noodles, toasted sesame seeds and Asian ginger dressing.

Chef - Iceberg, romaine, ham, egg, provolone, turkey, cherry tomato.

Antipasto - Ham, pepperoni, salami, prosciutto, mozzarella, provolone, romaine, iceberg, red onion, roma tomato.

Garden - Iceberg, carrots, cherry tomato, cucumber.

Caesar - Romaine, Parmesan, croutons, caesar dressing.

Chicken Caesar - Romaine, Parmesan, croutons, chicken, caesar dressing.

Chicken Salad - Homemade chicken salad over iceberg lettuce w/ cherry tomatoes, bacon bits & choice of cheese.

Side Salad - your choice of Garden or Caesar

$7.45 $7.65 $7.65 $6.90 $6.90 $8.00 $7.65 $6.50 $8.00 $6.75 $8.00 $5.25 $6.00 $8.00 $7.75 $2.75

Dressings - Ranch, Blue Cheese, Italian, Honey Mustard, Thousand Island, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Fat Free Ranch, Asian Sesame Seed Ginger

SIDES

Bread Sticks $2.50 Cheese Sticks $5.00

Large - $7.99

1220 N. State Street (across from Baptist Medical Center) 5046 Parkway Drive • Colonial Mart Shopping Center (behind Great Harvest Bread Company off Old Canton Road) Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:00am-10:00pm • Sunday 12:00-9:00pm • www.ThePizzaShackJackson.com M42

Spring 2011

jxnmenus.com

Jackson Menu Guide

M43

“

”

Steaks, Seafood and Irish Favorites!

PUB GRUB

cheese sticks chips & dip loaded steak fries veggie quesadilla

7.00 6.00 8.00 7.00

chicken sandwich 9.00 chicken, bacon, & swiss 10.00

FROM THE POND w/ side salad & bread

fish n chips 11.00 panko shrimp 14.00 shrimp n grits 13.00 catfish julie 12.00 citrus pepper salmon 15.00

beefy nachos 8.00 firecracker shrimp 11.00 fried pickles 6.00 cornbread fritters 3.00 irish boxty 6.00

FRESH SALADS chicken & walnut 9.00 steak fajita 10.00 chicken ceasar 9.00

SANDWICHES reuben blarney burger o’patty melt turkey club

9.00 8.00 9.00 9.00

smothered chicken 12.00 celtic chicken 13.00

Pacific Wrap Chicken Club Wrap Steak Wrap Chicken Caesar Wrap Santa Fe Wrap Ty’s Southwestern Wrap The Bullfrog Spectacular Chicken Sandwich The Firebelly Chicken Salad Sandwich

chicken tenders I.F. sirloin dublin ribeye flaming yawn strip n shrimp

11.00 14.00 23.00 22.00 20.00

w/ side salad & bread

pasta con broccoli shrimp scampi pollo rose seafood fettucine

Grilled Shish Kabobs Chicken Tender Platter Chicken On A Stick Country Fried Steak Catfish Platter Shrimp Platter Chicken Fried Chicken Asian Steak Sticks

TADPOLE MENU: Chicken Tenders Grilled Cheese Corn Dog Popcorn Shrimp Cheese Quesadilla

DESSERTS: Bread Pudding Mini Sundae Bourbon Pecan Pie Brownie Sensation Mammaw Cooper’s Buttermilk Pie

PASTA

11.00 16.00 14.00 18.00

SOUPS & STUFF: PO’ BOYS: Philly French Dip Froggy Cheese Steak Shrimp/Crawish Po’ Boy The Po’ Boy Classic Sausage Po’ Boy

- LIVE MUS I C E VE RY WE E K E N D -

Soup & Salad Soup of the Day Red Beans ‘N Rice Seafood Gumbo Froghead Chili

121 Clinton Center Drive in Clinton

507 Springridge Road in Clinton, MS

Hours: Sun-Th 11a-9p, F-Sat 11a-10p 601-924-0725 | thefrogheadgrill.com

601-488-4185 | www.theirishfrog.com Spring 2011

PLATTER & ENTREES:

WRAPS & SANDWICHES:

Restaurant Hours: M-Th 11a-2p, 5p-9p F & Sat 11a-2p, 5p-10p | Sun 11a-3p

M44

Hamburger in Paradise Jalapeno Mama Bacon Mushroom Swiss Burger Hurricane Burger Chili Cheese Burger Texas Hold ‘Em

Bayou Salad Cajun Shrimp Caesar Chef Salad Black n’ Bleu Spicy Black n’ Bleu “Already Famous” Chicken Salad

w/ side salad & bread

OUTTA THE CROCK irish stew 9.00 shepherd’s pie 8.00 chicken pot pie 10.00 tomato & crab bisque

8.00

BURGERS:

Famous FrogHead Bread Chili Cheese Fries Sausage Queso Dip Homemade Cheese Sticks Jumbo Hot Wings Chicken Quesadilla Crawfish Quesadilla Chicken Nachos Fried Mushrooms Fried Pickles Cajun Popcorn Steak Nacho Quesadilla

SALADS:

OFF THE GRILL fried green tomatoes 9.00

APPETIZERS:

jxnmenus.com

PATIO SEATING - PRIVATE DRIVE-IN DINING ROOM LARGE WINE LIST - CATERING SERVICES

DINNER MENU (sample menu) Monday - Saturday, 5:30pm - Until Starters

Crispy Fried Lobster Skewers tortilla salad with a basil vinaigrette & finished with a tomato & chipotle coulis Pan Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras lightly smoked on sourdough toast points with duroc pork lardons Bbq Fried Oysters Warm Brie With Apple Slaw Breadless Jumbo Lump Crab Cake topped with a charred tomato lemon butter Walker’s Tamales fresh pico de gallo, chipotle sour cream & sweet corn sauce Portobello Fries with spicy horseradish comeback dressing Flash Fried Calamari Tossed In Jalapeno, Garlic & Ginger With A Hot & Sour Dipping Sauce

Salads

Asian Three Way spicy seaweed, squid salad, & thai chili crusted tuna with crispy wontons Endive & Apple Salad arugula, blue cheese, spiced pecans & red onion with a sweet onion vinaigrette Roasted Beets & Grilled Butternut Squash Salad spinach, duroc lardons, crispy shallots & alabama goat cheese w/balsamic vinaigrette Walker’s House baby field greens, sweet peppers & crumbled blue cheese in a creamy garlic peppercorn dressing Classic Caesar whole hearts of romaine, shaved parmesan & garlicky crostini B.l.t. Wedge iceberg wedge, applewood smoked bacon, tomato, red onion & blue cheese in creamy buttermilk dressing Dinner Reservations Welcome.

Walkers Also Serves Lunch Monday Through Friday.

Main Courses

Wood-grilled 16oz New York Strip roasted beet farro & grilled asparagus in a pomegranate red wine sauce Honey Glazed Whole Roasted Duck with grilled sweet potato pomme frites and thin beans in cherry-madeira wine sauce Braised Osso Buco freerange veal with “Original Grit Girl” polenta, thyme roasted brussels sprouts in a natural braising jus Stuffed Quail stuffed with foie gras & wild mushroom, on white truffle risotto & roasted brussels sprouts with a madeira wine sauce Grilled Grouper topped with a crispy shiitake mushroom & red onion salad on forbidden black rice in thai coconut curry broth Everything Crusted #1 Tuna on spicy cheese grits with a chipotle glaze topped with a tomato relish Oven-roasted seabass on wild mushroom-applewood smoked bacon-fingerling potato hash & crispy leeks Crab, Artichoke & Parmesan Crusted “Gigged” Flounder on sautéed spinach with a charred tomato lemon butter Pan Seared Jumbo “Dry Packed” sea scallops on sweet pea & sweet crab risotto topped with a truffled asaparagus salad and sweet corn sauce Sauteed Shrimp & Sweet Potato Gnocchi with duroc lardons & sage lemon butter Redfish Anna With Lump Crab Meat garlic mash & thin beans topped with a charred tomato lemon butter Wood Grilled 8 Oz. Hereford Filet with baconcheddar mash, sautéed asparagus & crispy onions in a red wine sauce Veal & Jumbo Lump Crab Piccata on white truffle risotto with sautéed asparagus in a caper lemon butter

3016 NORTH STATE ST • FONDREN DISTRICT 601.982.2633 • WALKERSDRIVEIN.COM

Dinner Menu

MONDAY - SATURDAY, 5PM - UNTIL

first bites

Tamales with a sweet corn sauce, fresh pico de gallo and a chipotlelime sour cream “Breadless” Jumbo Lump Crab Cake w/grain mustard-lemon butter Shrimp “Corn Dogs” hand-battered and served with a grain mustard-mango ketchup Fried Green Tomato Napoleon with crawfish tails and a grain mustard-lemon butter Portobello Fries with a spicy horseradish comeback Slow Roasted Duroc Pork Belly with Original Grit Girl cheese grits and a sweet onion marmalade with aged balsamic vinegar

pizzas

Not your typical pizza - ours are chargrilled over an open wood grill and finished in the oven.

Florida Rock Shrimp & Fried Green Tomato with Wright Dairy truffled cheese, fresh mozzarella, and Duroc bacon lardons on a charred tomato sauce

Spicy Thai with fresh mozzarella, roasted pork, and cilantro-siracha slaw on a crunchy peanut sauce The Greek with artichoke hearts, Greek olives, caramelized red onions, and feta cheese on a Romesco sauce

salads

The House chopped iceberg and romaine, sweet peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, and Alabama goat cheese crumbles in a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette 463 Caesar romaine lettuce and garlic croutons tossed in a basilCaesar dressing Tart Apple & Arugula Salad with endive, blue cheese, candied pecans, and shaved red onions tossed in a sweet onion dressing The Wedge iceberg lettuce with oven-dried tomatoes, Duroc bacon lardons, feta cheese, and crispy croutons topped with a house-made buttermilk ranch lunch served mon. - fri. bar open all day

big plates

Redfish 463 with sauteed crabmeat, garlic mash, and thin beans with a charred tomatolemon butter Wood Grilled Shrimp on Original Grit Girl Cheese Grits with a red & green tomato chutney and fried okra with lemon-butter Coriander Crusted Tuna with Original Grit Girl cheese grits and cucumber salsa Teriyaki-Apricot Glazed Grilled Salmon over sesame spinach, shiitake mushroom with soy lemon butter U-10 Jumbo Dry-Pack Scallops on shrimp & feta risotto with grape tomato & artichoke salad with chive lemon-butter The “Original” Honey-Rosemary Fried Chicken all natural airline chicken breast in a honey-rosemary glaze with Original Grit Girl cheese grits and thin beans Pan-Roasted Pekin Duck Breast with beet-scented farro, wilted spinach, Black Mission fig compote and house-made duck sauce “Big Boy” Duroc Pork Chop wood-grilled 16 oz. porterhouse chop with a chipotle glaze, braised fresh greens and Original Grit Girl cheese grits with house-made apple sauce and jumbo onion ring TM

Southern Pecan Braised Beef Short Ribs in natural jus with horseradish mash and broccolini Hereford Filet wood-grilled 8 oz. beef filet in a red wine demiglace with redskin mash and fresh asparagus Hereford Ribeye wood-grilled 18 oz. ribeye with truffled mash, broccolini and a red wine sauce Super Kobe Burger 12 oz. Wagyu beef with applewood-smoked bacon, Provolone, lettuce and tomato, Dijon mustard and mayo topped with crispy onions Veal Meatloaf all natural veal with wild mushroom gravy, garlic mash, fresh asparagus, and crispy shoestring onions reservations welcome private dining & catering

121A COLONY CROSSING • MADISON, MS 601.707.7684 • LOCAL463.COM

Walker’s Drive-In is owned and operated by Derek & Jennifer Emerson.

Local 463 is owned & operated by Derek & Jennifer Emerson and Dave Blumenthal.

Jackson Menu Guide

M45

M46

Spring 2011

jxnmenus.com

Steak • Seafood • Pasta

Happy Hour

5-6 Half Off Cocktails & Beer Appetizers, Zuppa & Insalata Bruschetta - Diced tomatoes and basil with a slice of buffalo mozzarella on toasted bread.

Calamari - Slices of calamari fried and served with marinara sauce Antipasto - Provolone cheese, Italian meats, and variety of vegetables on a bed of lettuce surrounding a cup of creamy Italian dressing.

New Orleans BBQ Shrimp - Eight fresh gulf shrimp in a worchershire and butter sauce.

Cerami’s Stuffed Mushrooms - Four large mushrooms stuffed with our tasty melt-in yourmouth filling ~ topped with our chefs basil cream sauce.

Fried Mozzerella - Italian mozzerella cheese breaded in italian breadcrumbs and fried golden brown served with side of marinara Salad Wagon - Crisp mixed greens, fresh gorgonzola cheese, marinated onions, olive salad and creamy Italian or Italian Vinaigrette dressing.

Caesar Salad - Romaine mixed greens tossed in parmesan cheese and homemade Caesar dressing. Add Chicken or Shrimp Soup of the Day - Chef ’s Choice Soup and Salad - Cup of soup of the day and salad wagon

Pastas Baked Lasagna - Heavenly layers of pasta, beef, cheeses and spices.

Pasta Primavera - Sauteed seasonal vegetables served over linguini pasta Eggplant Parmigiano - Fresh breaded Eggplant served with Linguini pasta, topped with Cerami’s tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Cannelloni Florentine - Cheese, beef, and spinach stuffed in two homemade pasta crepes topped with alfredo sauce. One of our specialties!!!

Manicotti - Two homemade pasta crepes stuffed with blend of cheeses and spices topped with Cerami’s tomato meat sauce.

Early Bird Specials

$9.95 Tues - Thurs 5:30 - 6:30

Tortellini Alfredo - Spinach tortellini covered with creamy alfredo sauce.

Linguini with Garlic and butter Angel Hair and Pesto Add variety to your dish: Four Shrimp, Link of Italian Sausage, Chicken or Meatballs Substitute pasta for seasonal veggies

Carne & Pollo

(meat & poultry) AJ’s Spaghetti & Meatballs - Classic Spaghetti pasta with Cerami’s homemade meatballs Blackened Salmon - Our signature blackened salmon served with pesto cream sauce and delicate angel hair pasta 8 oz Filet with Pasta and Vegetables - Classic filet cooked to order with seasonal vegetables.

Veal Parmigiano - Breaded veal topped with mozzarella and Cerami’s tomato sauce over linguini pasta Veal Picatta - Breaded veal with a lemon & garlic butter sauce with capers and mushrooms with a side of angel hair pasta Chicken Parmigiano - Breaded chicken topped with mozzarella and Cerami’s tomato sauce over linguini pasta Chicken Picatta - Breaded chicken with a lemon & garlic butter sauce with capers and mushrooms with a side of angel hair pasta Chicken Alfredo - Breaded chicken on the side of linguini pasta and our creamy alfredo sauce.

Seared Tuna - Delicate tuna cooked to perfection with pesto cream sauce and angel hair pasta

Pesce (seafood)

Shrimp Cerami - Fresh shrimp sautéed in white wine cream sauce topped with capers, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms on top of angel hair pasta.

Cajun Pasta - Blackened tilapia & crawfish in a cajun cream sauce on top of angel hair pasta.

Desserts

Tiramisu - Layers of imported mascarpone cheese and lady finger trifle delicately soaked in espresso with a hint of liqueur.

Italian Canoli - Italian pastry shell stuffed with sweet cheese filling and miniature chocolate chips Spumoni - Three Flavors of creamy ice cream: Cherry, Pistachio, and Chocolate Crème Brulee Cheesecake - Creamy vanilla custard cheesecake topped with a delicious caramel crust topping.

Italian Cream Cake - Homemade - moist cream cake with pecans and coconut. Finished with a decadent airy icing mixed with more pecans.

Serenity’s Chocolate, Vanilla or Strawberry Ice Cream

Lunch Hours:

Dinner Hours:

Fri. & Sun. 11am-2pm

Tues. - Sat. 5pm-9pm

SUNDAY BRUNCH 11am-2pm

We also accommodate... Corporate meetings...Birthdays...Rehearsal dinners...Catering, and much more.

Linguini with Clam Sauce - Lots of open shell clams on top of linguini topped with a butter clam sauce and parmesan cheese. That’s Amore!!!

Shrimp Scampi - Succulent fresh shrimp sautéed in a garlic butter sauce served over linguini pasta Shrimp or Calamari Diablo - Fresh Shrimp or calamari with a spicy tomato sauce on linguini pasta.

www.ceramis.net *Menu Subject to Change.

5417 Lakeland Drive ~ 601-919-2829 ~ Flowood, MS 39232

Jackson Menu Guide

M47

Opens at 4pm Wednesday-Friday and 6pm on Saturday Entertainment starts at 8pm Wednesday-Thursday and 9pm Friday-Saturday

119 South President Street Jackson, Mississippi 601.352.2322 Home of the blues, jazz, bluegrass music, and something or ’nother.

(a very high-class pig stand)

BBQ Plates

TASTE WHAT WE’RE KNOWN FOR or something a little spicy Try our signature dishes BRUSCHETTA

Roma tomatoes, spring onions, basil, garlic, balsamic vinaigrette and French bread with mozzarella cheese

CAESAR SALAD

Crisp romaine hearts with garlic, croutons and parmesan.

Add grilled chicken or shrimp

SEAFOOD GUMBO

Made fresh with a rich, dark roux & homemade shrimp stock, served hot over rice

PORTOBELLO FRIES

Lightly breaded and sliced portobello mushrooms served with a Creole dressing

REJABIAN’S GRILLED CHEESE Made with prosciutto ham and pepper jack cheese on French bread, topped with a pimiento-stuffed green olive, makes the perfect late night snack

SOFTSHELL 119

A softshell crab sauteed in our house seasoning and brown butter served on a slice of toasted French bread, topped with a poached egg and served with choron sauce

FRIED CRAWFISH TAILS

Seasoned crawfish tail deep fried and served with a Creole dipping sauce

SAUTÉED CRAB FINGERS

Sautéed in brown butter and blackening seasoning, served with French bread

UNDERGROUND WINGS

Four whole wings tossed in a citrus honey garlic sauce or poblano chili barbecue.

With ranch or blue cheese

BEEF EMPANADAS

Spicy beef with black beans and pepperjack cheese rolled in pastry dough and deep fried, served with malted cheese and salsa verde

CRAB QUESADILLA

Jumbo lump crabmeat with red & yellow bell peppers and pepper Jack cheese, served with a red pepper aioli

(All plates are served with your choice of two of our delicious sides: garden salad, slaw, potato salad, American fries, baked beans or Brunswick stew, cool months only, and Texas toast)

SEARED SASHIMI-STYLE TUNA

BBQ pork shoulder (smoked with hickory wood for 12 hours, then pulled and lightly chopped)

Spice-rubbed tuna steak lightly seared, sliced thin with sweet sesame dressing

BBQ beef brisket (smoked with hickory wood for 12 hours, then pulled and lightly chopped)

SMOKED TUNA DIP

Made to order smoked sashimi tuna. A hint of spice served with toasted French bread

St. Louis style ribs (slow smoked with hickory wood and hand rubbed with our dry rub or served wet when basted with our mild bbq sauce) Half slab Whole slab (enough for two people and served with your choice of four of our sides)

CRAB DIP

Backfin crabmeat topped with parmesan cheese, served warm with toasted French bread

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE BARBECUED SHRIMP

Half smoked chicken (served dry or wet when basted with our mild bbq sauce)

Shell-on large Gulf shrimp braised in homemade Creole barbecue sauce. Served hot with French bread for dipping

Queenie’s half chicken (smoked and hand rubbed with our dry rub) BBQ chicken (pulled off the bone of our smoked chicken and lightly chopped)

ORANGE GARLIC SHRIMP

Large Gulf shrimp sautéed in an orange marmalade and minced garlic glaze, served with grilled baguette

Combination plate (served with 1/2 chicken of your choice and 1/2 slab of ribs, wet or dry and four sides of your choice; enough for two)

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Thick-sliced fried green tomatoes, topped with hollandaise sauce. Add lump crabmeat

Special Sandwich Platter Choice of smoked chicken, pork, beef, ham, turkey or hamburger and two of our sides

FISH TACO MARKET PRICE

Flash fried in beer batter, served in a tortilla with hoisin aioli slaw & horseradish, guacamole and Pico de Gallo

Salads

CHEF Salad, mixed greens, tomato, egg, swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, and your choice of ham and turkey, smoked chicken, pork, or beef w/ your choice of dressing (ranch, comeback, blue cheese, honey mustard, raspberry vinegarette, or oil & vinegar)

THREE CHEESE AND CRAB STUFFED PORK LOIN

Seasoned roasted pork loin roulade filled with ricotta, parmesan and romano cheeses and sliced thin, topped with jumbo lump crab and rosemary beurre blanc

Small CHEF

Po-Boys

JUMBO LUMP CRABCAKE

Po-Boy Choice of pork, beef, chicken, ham, or turkey and one of our sides* (Dressed with lettuce, tomato and mayo)

Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cake sautéed and served with a roasted red pepper aioli

Club Po-Boy Smoked ham and turkey grilled with melted cheddar and swiss cheese and choice of one of our sides (dressed with lettuce, tomato and our special comeback dressing)

FILET OF BEEF ON GRILLED FLATBREAD

Beef filet marinated and grilled, served on grilled flatbread and topped with sun-dried tomato chutney

Sausage Po-Boy Smoked pork susage dressed with grilled onions, bell peppers and mustard, and one of our sides*

LOLLIPOP LAMB CHOPS

Three lamb “lollipops” panseared with rosemary and garlic, served with a mint yogurt sauce for dipping

Thoroughly cooking beef, eggs, lamb, pork, poultry or shellfish reduces risk of foodborne illness.

People with certain health conditions may be at higher risk if food is consumed raw/undercooked.

M48

Spring 2011

Here’s the Beef Po-Boy Smoked beef brisket, sliced thin, piled high and topped with melted swiss cheese and caramelized onions, then dressed with lettuce, tomato, and sweet mustard; includes choice of one of our sides Add your choice of cheese to any Po-Boy

Sandwiches

(All sandwiches may be served on a regular bun, wheat bun, rye bread or Texas toast) Your choice of cheese, American, Swiss or cheddar may be added to any sandwich

Smoked chicken (pulled and lightly chopped then topped with slaw relish) Smoked pork shoulder (pulled and lightly chopped then topped with slaw relish) Smoked beef brisket (pulled and lightly chopped then topped with slaw relish) Smoked ham (grilled and served with lettuce, tomato &mayo) Smoked turkey breast (grilled and served with lettuce, tomato and mayo) Loaded hamburger (served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions, mayo and mustard) Loaded double hamburger (served w/ lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions, mayo and mustard) Grilled cheese (your choice of cheeses) GINNY PIG, our signature sandwich (smoked ham grilled with Swiss and cheddar cheeses and served on grilled garlic toast with lettuce, tomato and our special comeback dressing) The ultimate club sandwich, (smoked ham and turkey grilled with swiss and cheddar cheeses on garlic toast and served with lettuce, tomato and our special comeback dressing)

Dessert

(All of our desserts are prepared right here in our kitchen)

Our famous Hershey Bar pie Lemon pie

Pecan pie Heated and served a la mode Coconut cake

Carrot cake Heated and served a la mode

1856 Main St. • Madison 601.853.8538

jxnmenus.com

“1st Place Best Wings 2009-2011” Best of Jackson Awards

JACKSON RIDGELAND JACKSON CLINTON (601) 969-6400 (601) 605-0504 (601) 969-0606 (601) 924-2423 952 N. State St. 398 Hwy 51 N 1430 Ellis Ave. 1001 Hamptead Blvd.

Order online - www.wingstop.com

COMBO MEALS

Wing Combo Meals are sauced and tossed and served up with Specialty Dip, Fries, and Beverage.

REGULAR WINGS 10 PIECE (1 flavor).............$8.99 BONELESS STRIPS 3 PIECE (1 flavor)...............$6.99 5 PIECE (1 flavor)...............$8.99

INDIVIDUAL WINGS

REGULAR & BONELESS WINGS 10 PIECE (up to 2 flavors) .....................................................$6.59 20 PIECE (up to 2 flavors) ....................................................$12.99 35 PIECE (up to 3 flavors) ....................................................$21.99 50 PIECE (up to 4 flavors) ...................................................$29.99 75 PIECE (up to 4 flavors) ..................................................$44.99 100 PIECE (up to 4 flavors) ................................................. .$59.49 BONELESS STRIPS 4 PIECE (1 flavor)..............$4.99 7 PIECE (2 flavors)............$7.99 16 PIECE (2 flavors).......$18.59 24 PIECE (3 flavors).....$26.59 32 PIECE (3 flavors)......$33.59 WING FLAVORS

ATOMIC, CAJUN, ORIGINAL HOT, MILD, TERIYAKI, HICKORY SMOKED BBQ, LEMON PEPER, GARLIC PARMESAN, HAWAIIAN Sauced and Tossed in your favorite flavor!

ICE COLD BEVERAGES ICED TEA/SODA 20 oz. $1.69 32 oz. $1.99 BEER Domestic $2.75 Import $3.00

FAMILY PACKS

Complete meals for large orders. Packs the perfect size to feed family, small gatherings and large parties.

REGULAR WINGS 35 PIECE (Up to 3 flavors) ......... ......................................................$25.99 Includes: 35 Wings, Large Fresh Cut Seasoned Fries, 2 Regular Specialty Dips, 1 Order Crisp

Veggie Sticks. Serves 3-5 50 PIECE (Up to 4 flavors) ......... ......................................................$37.99 Includes: 50 Wings, Large Fresh Cut Seasoned Fries, Large Side, 4 Regular Specialty Dips, 2 Orders Crisp Veggie Sticks.

Serves 4-6.

BONELESS STRIPS 16 PIECE (Up to 3 flavors) ......................................................$23.99 Includes: 16 Strips, Large Fresh Cut Seasoned Fries, Large Sides, 3 Regular Specialty Dips, 1 Order Crisp Veggie Sticks.

Serves 3-5.

24 PIECE (Up to 3 flavors) ......................................................$33.99 Includes: 24 Strips, Large Fresh Cut Seasoned Fries, Large Side, 4 Regular Specialty Dips, 2 Order Crisp Veggie Sticks.

Serves 4-6.

Stop by between 11am & 4pm M - F to check out our expanded lunch menu!

Appetizers

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Burgers

with fries. Sweet potato fries $.75 extra. House salad for $1.

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Kids HOMEMADE SIDES

FRESH CUT SEASONED FRIES Regular.........................................$1.59 Large............................................$2.59 CREAMY COLE SLAW Regular.........................................$1.79 Pound...........................................$3.29 HOT CHEESE SAUCE.............$1.59 POTATO SALAD Regular.........................................$1.79 Pound...........................................$3.29 CRISP VEGGIE STICKS Celery & Carrots...................$0.89 BOURBON BAKED BEANS Regular.........................................$1.79 Large............................................$3.29 SPECIALTY DIPS Creamy Ranch, Chunky Bleu Cheese or Honey Mustard.

Great for wings (fries too).

Single Serving.........................$0.59 Large............................................$3.29 DINNER ROLLS Each..............................................$0.35 Half Dozen.................................$1.79

Jackson Menu Guide

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Desserts Sandwiches

with fries. Sweet potato fries $.75 extra. House salad for $1.

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1855 Lakeland Drive in Jackson 601-364-9411 | POETS2.NET

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Add meat on your salad for 3.00 Add feta on your salad for 1.00

Appetizers

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Appetizers

Bruschetta .....................11.95 3.99 4.99 4.99 4.99 5.49 5.49 5.49 3.75 3.99 5.49

1.95 2.00 1.95 1.65 1.65 1.65

Spicy Cheese Fritters ........8.95 Grilled Mushrooms with Garlic Bread ..............................7.95 Spinach & Artichoke Dip ...8.95 Meatball & Olive Salad ......7.95 Garlic Loaf & Red Sauce ....3.95 Tortellini in Chicken or Tomato Broth ...............................5.95

Shrimp Scampi ...............15.95 Shrimp Marinara .............15.95

Angel Hair Soup in Tomato or Chicken Broth .................. 4.95

Veal Parmesan ................ 17.95

Entrees

Grilled Chicken & Angel Hair ..................................... 13.95

Prepared Fresh Daily

Grilled Chicken & Eggplant ..................................... 14.95

Spaghetti with Meatballs ..................Sm 10.95/ Lg 12.95

Veal Scaloppine .............. 17.95

Tortellini Soup ............... 13.95

Spaghetti with Sausage

Fratesiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice 8oz Filet..25.95

..................Sm 11.95/ Lg 14.95

Fratesiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice 14oz Ribeye ......................................25.95

Ravioli ........Sm 10.95/Lg 17.95 Beef Lasagna ..................12.95

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Rigatoni Supreme ...........14.95 Vegetable Lasagna ..........11.95 Veggie Pasta ...................12.95 Seafood Lasagna .............16.95 Ricotta Stuffed Shells .....18.95 Cannelloni ..................... 14.95 Chicken Parmesan ...........12.95 Eggplant Parmesan ......... 11.95 Fettuccine Alfredo ..........11.95 Shrimp Alfredo ...............15.95 Chicken Alfredo ..............14.95

Desserts

Tiramisu ..........................7.95 Canoli ..............................6.95 Blackberry Cobbler & Icecream ........................................5.95 Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Amore Chocolate Cake ........................................7.95

A True Taste of Italy

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910 Lake Harbour Dr. Ridgeland | 601-956-2929 Open Monday thru Saturday 5 pm - until M50

Spring 2011

jxnmenus.com

Jackson’s Best BBQ JFP’s Best of Jackson

2003 • 2006 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011

Sandwiches

Extra Fixins

BBQ Chicken (chopped w/ slaw relish) Garlic Bread ............................. .85 ..................................................... 4.95 Brunswick Stew w/ homemade BBQ Pork (chopped w/ slaw relish) cornbread: 1/2 pint - 4.95, pint - 8.25, ..................................................... 4.95 1/2 gallon - 26.40, gallon - 49.50 BBQ Beef (chopped w/ slaw relish) Assorted Potato Chips ........... .95 ..................................................... 5.25 Onion Rings ............................ 3.55 Smoked Ham (lettuce, tomato & mayo) Fries (fresh cut taters) ................. 3.25 ..................................................... 5.75 Regular or Sweet Potato with cheese ................................ 6.95 Small Garden Salad .............. 3.85 Smoked Turkey (lettuce, tomato & mayo) (Come Back, Ranch, or Raspberry ..................................................... 5.75 Vinaigrette) with cheese ................................ 6.95 Chef Salad ............................. 10.75 Hamburger ............................. 4.35 (topped with cheddar and swiss (lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard, cheese, boiled egg, smoked chicken or pickles & onion) with cheese ....... 5.50 smoked ham & turkey, with a choice Double Hamburger ............... 5.45 of Come Back, Ranch or Raspberry with cheese ................................. 7.25 Vinaigrette) Po-Boys your choice of Pork, Chicken, Beef, Ham or Turkey (lettuce, tomato, mayo & Ruffles) ........................... 9.50 with cheese ............................... 10.75

Tater Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, BBQ Sauce: single - 2.25, 1/2 pint - 2.95, pint - 4.59, 1/2 gallon - 16.80, gallon - 29.95

Grilled Cheese ........................ 3.75 extra cheese ................................ 1.25

Homemade Pies

Special Sandwich Platter ...... 8.55 (BBQ Chicken, Pork, Beef, Ham, Hamburger, or Turkey Sandwiches.

Choice of two fixins: garden salad, slaw, tater salad, home fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings or baked beans)

BBQ Plates Choice of 2 of our delicious fixins: garden salad, slaw, tater salad, home fries or baked beans and Texas toast!

BBQ Pork (chopped) ............. 11.75

Lemon or Pecan ..................... 4.35 Hershey Bar ............................ 4.95 Carrot Cake ............................. 4.50 Coconut Cake .......................... 4.95

We also sell Whole Pies!

Party Packs Serves 10 Adults .................. 44.95 (2lb. pork or beef or 2 whole chickens; 2 pints beans, 2 pints slaw & 6 slices of Texas toast or 10 buns)

BBQ Beef (chopped) .............. 12.25

1/2 Party Pack ....................... 23.75 Pork Ribs (wet or dry) Rib Party Pack (serves 4) ....... 52.15 1/2 slab ..................................... 14.95 (2 slabs ribs, 1 pint beans, 1 pint slaw, 1 whole slab ................................ 25.95 pint potato salad, 4 slices of Texas toast) BBQ Chicken (1/2 cluck) .......... 11.95 Combination (1/2 cluck, 1/2 slab) . .................................................. 22.75

We sell BBQ Pork, Beef, Ribs, Chicken, Ham & Turkey by the pound.

Ask About Our Catering!

T Prize winning author, Eudora Welty, lived just around the corner until she was age 16. She frequented the store often and wrote a short story about it.

The store was converted into a restaurant/bar in 1973.

In 2008, under new ownership with some renovations, it was renamed “Ole Tavern On George Street”.

We have captured the essence of the South’s unique culinary flair and good ole fashioned home cooking inspired by the local fares of Jackson and New Orleans.

Cuisine ranges from Fried Green Tomatoes and Pimento Cheese Fritters to Seared Tuna Sandwich, Portabella Burger, and King George Burger to Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice, Fried Catfish and Country Fried Steak.

Our night life includes: Tues.-Open Mic, Wed.-Karaoke, Thurs.-Ladies Night with D.J., Fri./Sat.- a variety of live music from locals and bands around the country,

416 George Street Jackson, MS 39202 601-960-2700 www.oletavern.com myspace/oletavern (Call 601-960-2705 for Catering and Private Parties)

Restaurant: Mon.-Fri., 11a.m.-10p.m.

Sat., 4p.m.-10p.m.

Happy Hours: Mon.-Sat., 4p.m.-7p.m.

Bar Hours: Mon.-Fri., 11a.m.-2a.m.

Sat.,-4p.m.-2a.m.

Jackson Menu Guide

M51

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Nachos Burgers Soups Salads Hot wings Pasta and much more

Lunch is served weekdays from 11am - 2pm www.fjonescorner.com

appetizers and starters Fried Gritz 6 Fried Pickles 5 Onion Rings 6 Fried Mushrooms 6 Fried Combo 8 Chili Pie 5

sandwiches and baskets The F�n Burger 8 The F�n Chicken 9 The F�n Crab Burger 10 Pulled Pork Sandwich 8 Chicken Finger Basket 8 Fish Finger Basket 8

desserts

3PECIALS Happy Hour

4-7 everyday .50 off bottle beer 2 for 1 all liquor drinks

10pm-midnight 2 for 1 everything except pichers and bottles of wine

Seasonal cakes Chocolate chip blondie brownie 3

sides

drinks

sweet/unsweet salad 2 tea 2 fresh cut potato coffee 1 fries 2 (free refills on tea fresh cut sweet & coffee) potato fries 2 sodas/bottled cole slaw 2 water 2

daily pasta & salad specials

AVAILABLE MONDAY - FRIDAY House Beans and Rice 8 Frank�s Fettucine Alfredo chicken 8 shrimp 11 MONDAY Frank�s Fettucine Alfredo chicken 8 shrimp 11 Corner Club Salad chicken 8 shrimp 11 TUESDAY Momma�s Chicken Florentine 8 Fresh Spinach Salad 8

6270 Old Canton Rd, Jackson

601-978-1839

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WEDNESDAY Pasta Picatta chicken 8 shrimp 11 Corner Club Salad chicken 8 shrimp 11 THURSDAY Mean Marsala 8 Caeser Salad chicken 8 shrimp 11 FRIDAY Shrimp and Gritz 10 Crab Cake Salad 10

M52

Spring 2011

Kitchen Open Late ‘Til 2 a.m. - Seven Days a Week

Your house for all Boxing, UFC and WWE Events Starting Lineup (Starters) Shrimp & Pork Egg Rolls 7.99 Cajun Spinach and Crawfi sh Dip 7.99 Last Call Quesadilla 5.99 Chili Cheese Fries 6.99 Jalapeno Poppers 7.99 South Western Chicken Egg Rolls 7.99

Kick-off (Signature Wings)

Bad-to-the-Bone Pork Wings 7.99 Bone-In Wings - 7 for $6.99, 21 for 17.99, 50 for $39.99 Boneless Wings - 10 for $6.99, 25 for $16.99, 50 for $30.99 Signature Sauces - Fire, Hot, Mild, BBQ, Southwest Chipotle, Sweet Red Chili, Asian, All-Star, Bourbon

Touchdown (Burgers & Sandwiches)

Heinz 57 Burger 6.99 Patty Melt 7.99 Jalapeño Burger $7.99 Philly Cheese Steak $8.99 Turkey Burger $6.99 Chili Burger $7.99 Shrimp Po-boy $7.99 Cajun Chicken Sandwich 7.99 Cordon Bleu chicken Sandwich 8.99

MVP (Nachos)

The Classic Nachos 8.99 French Fries Nachos 9.99 Bacon Cheddar Nachos 9.99 Chili Cheese Nachos 9.99

Wildcard (Salads)

Garden Salad $5.99 (add-ons avail.)

Chef Salad $7.99 Blackened Catfi sh Salad $9.99 Taco Salad $7.99

Hall of Fame

(Specialties & Platters) Hardwood smoked Ribs Full Rack 16.99 Half 11.99 Chicken Tender Platter 8.99 country Fried Steak Platter 8.99 Sampler Platter 11.99 Pork Chop Platter 9.99 Catfish Platter 9.99 * Above is just a sample of our full menu. Prices, specials, menu selection and hours subject to change.

www.lastcallsportsgrill.com 1428 Old Square Rd in Jackson 601.713.2700 jxnmenus.com

Bring Your Own Wine!

Mediterranean Cuisine

HIGH DOLLAR DISHES •Live Music •Daily Food Specials & Nightly Drink Specials •Happy Hour 2 - 6 pm & 8:30 pm to close

at Down-Home Prices 6954 Old Canton Rd. in Ridgeland, MS

6720 Old Canton Rd. | 601-812-6862 Visit us on Facebook

601-956-5040 Open 11am - 2pm and 5pm - 10pm for dinner

4654 McWillie Dr. Jackson, MS Open Mon-Sat, 10AM - 9PM

-Wood Fired Brick Oven Pizzas-Hookahs on a Beautiful Patio-Great Beer Selection1896 Main Street, Ste A in Madison 601-853-0876 • mezzams.com

M-Th 11-2, 4:30-9 • F-Sat 11-2, 4:30-10

Eslava’s Grille Seafood, Steaks and Pasta

AWARD-WINNING BURGER MENU Authentic Indian Cuisine

Made with beef or turkey on wheat or white. Dressed w/ ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, lemon pepper & lettuce, tomato & onion.

- COOL AL’S CLASSIC - CHILI CHEESE BURGER - DELUXE BURGER - JALAPENO BURGER - ONION BURGER - COOL AL’S CLASSIC DOUBLE - COOL DELL’S - JALAPENO ONION BURGER - SINBAD’S BBQ BACON - MONEY NETTE’S MUSHROOM - VEGGIE BURGERS - ASSORTED WINGS + Order of our fresh-cut fries or our sweet potato fries!

Located at 3716 I-55 N Jackson, MS in the old Last Call location 601-487-8370

Jackson Menu Guide

OPEN LATE

Fri & Sat: 10AM - Midnight Sun: 11AM - 5PM NOW SERVING BEER!

FREE WiFi

Danilo Eslava Caceres Executive Chef/GM

2481 Lakeland Dr Flowood, MS 39232

601-932-4070 tel 601-933-1077 fax M53

Home Cookin’ - Hot Lunches - Game Room - Cold Beer

Lunch Specials: $7.98 +Tax Plate lunches come with a roll/cornbread & tea.

MONDAY: Chicken & Dumplings w/ salad or Hamburger Steak w/ rice & gravy, purple hull peas & cabbage

TUESDAY: Beef Tips or Meatloaf with rice & gravy or mashed potatoes, fried okra & lima beans

WEDNESDAY: Fried, BBQ or Smoked Chicken or Beef

Liver w/ Onions, mashed potatoes, turnip greens, & black eyed peas THURSDAY: Roast Beef w/ mashed potatoes, green beans, & salad FRIDAY: Country Fried Steak w/ rice & gravy, field peas w/ snaps & corn SATURDAY: Red Beans & Rice w/ sausage or Meaty Spaghetti w/ salad SUNDAY: Fried Chicken or Fried Pork Chops w/ mac & cheese or mashed potatoes, okra & greens

RIBS - $15/slab $7.50/half slab

Locations in

Ridgeland, Jackson, and Madison

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We smoke lrg. amounts of meat. Prior notic required.

Offering Homemade items Coleslaw, Potato Salad & BBQ Sauce

Full bar, live music, now open on Sunday!

601-362-6388

1410 Old Square Road • Jackson

VASILIOS AUTHENTIC GREEK DINING

• Fresh Seafood Daily • Gyros, Greek Salads, And Appetizers • Daily Lunch Specials

CARRYOUT AVAILABLE

MON-FRI 11A-2P,5-10P SAT 5-10P

828 HWY 51, MADISON • 601.853.0028 M54

Spring 2011

jxnmenus.com

BITES //

resident tourist

Story and photos by

Tom Ramsey

Asian, If You Dare

W

hen I was in high school (before cell phones and the interwebs and back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), my knowledge of Asia was three-fold. First was Tom’s Kitchen, a fantastic Chinese restaurant in Vicksburg that the Tom family had run for generations; secondly, a few chapters in my geography and history textbooks that mainly dealt with Genghis Khan; and lastly was the rock super-group Asia (featuring former members of Yes, King Crimson, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer) pumping out the hits like “Heat of the Moment” and “Wildest Dreams.” That was pretty much it.

During the late ’80s and early ’90s, the whole world seemed to take notice of Asian culture, food, art and business acumen. We heard talk of Japan taking over the U.S. economy, and people were sporting T-shirts with Japanese characters that they believed to say “strength,” “peace,” “love” or other simplistic ideals. (In reality, some of them said “still wets the bed” or “I stink.”)

Fast-forward 20 years, and, like many things that seemed so foreign and exotic in my youth, Asia is no longer such a mystery.

Even Japanese game shows and cartoons have become mainstream. Sushi is sold alongside fried chicken in the grocery store, and my kids look upon edamame in the same “no big deal” way that I used to view Pringles.

The only downside to this familiarity is that with widespread acceptance comes homogenization. Go to a “Chinese” restaurant, and you are as likely to see pizza and fried cheese sticks as you are General Tso’s chicken and moo goo gai pan. In so many of these feedtrough joints, the accent is on quantity and, therefore, quality and authenticity are sacrificed to the gods of expandable waistbands.

My quest for this quarter of the Resident Tourist was to go beyond the shiny, cornstarch-laden buffets and put some exotic back into Asian food. I sought to ferret out the dishes that you had to think about before ordering and the restaurants that specialize in regional Asian cooking from far-flung corners of the world—places where butchers sell every part of the animal, and the cooks aren’t afraid to

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

Try an orange and a smile like Resident Tourist Tom Ramsey (left), his son Zak and chef-friend Brian Cartenuto (right) on their visit to Ding How in Ridgeland. get heavy-handed with exotic spices. Out with deep-fried egg roll; in with tripe pho!

‘Should I bathe in that or eat out of it?’

My friend Kevin Kantor, a lover of all things Asian, joined me for lunch at Sai Gon Vietnamese Restaurant (2640 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601.420.4848), and we quickly ordered our favorites. The spring rolls are a must here. They are perfectly uniform, light and fresh. The sweet, brown peanut sauce that accompanies them is good enough to eat on its own. Our pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) arrived in bowls the size of most sinks. I like mine with tripe, soft tendon, meatballs and raw beef on the side, but there are plenty of choices for the less adventurous eaters. Kevin’s noodles and ingredients were the same as mine, but he opted for the hot and spicy broth. As usual, the service was lightning quick, and everyone in the place looked happy.

If you are new to the idea and concept of pho, it’s pretty simple. You get a giant bowl of steaming-hot broth filled with Vietnamese

noodles, your choice of meats and a side plate of bean sprouts, cilantro and sliced hot peppers. You can add as much of the side ingredients as you like, and you kind of alternate between slurping up the noodles with chopsticks and drinking the broth from a wide Asian soup spoon. It tastes so good that you just can’t contemplate how healthy it is.

Sai Gon was the perfect way to start our Asian adventure.

Moveable Stick and Bear in the Dreaming

The following evening, I had a meeting with Rachel Hicks and Andrew Canter about the food for their upcoming wedding reception. You might remember them from my first installment of Resident Tourist last summer.

They were the couple who spent the weekend with us shopping, dining and drinking our way through the capital city. Our mission that weekend was to convince Andrew to relocate here from the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Our plan worked. He not only decided to move to Jackson, but he popped the question 55

BITES // resident tourist

Ding How’s chicken feet and pork dumplings aren’t the only delights visitors get if they go on Saturdays and Sundays. The restaurant also offers dim sum, small Cantonese gifts. to Rachel as well. The happy couple will be wed in the spring, and Jackson will gain another great attorney with a big heart and deep sense of giving back to the community.

But I digress. As our meeting and discussion over the chic options of cupcakes and a hot-dog station at their wedding drew to a close, I asked if they would join us once again on a culinary mission. They agreed, and we all trekked over to Mr. Chen’s (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601.978.1865), Jackson’s newest Asian market and restaurant, inside the Oriental Market next to Big Lots.

This is not your typical chop-suey palace.

When you walk in the door of Mr. Chen’s, you see that the space is enormous. Most of the building is a market filled with all the mysterious and delicious Asian products you can imagine.

Rows of soft drinks, aisles of noodles and sacks of rice are piled high along the walls. There are bins of fresh produce as tame as green onions and as exotic as dragon fruit.

In one box marked “meat,” I found a whole duck, feathers and all. Along a portion of the south wall are fish tanks filled with live crabs, lobster and fish, topped with ice bins holding grouper, squid and flounder. You don’t pick up even a hint of fishiness. This place is spotless.

In one front corner of the building, you’ll find the restaurant. We were escorted to a large table with a lazy Susan in the middle, which suited our dinner plans perfectly. Our waitress greeted us with a smile and asked if this was our first time dining with them. Learning that we were newbies, she offered to help us choose our meal and informed us that most of the seafood came from the tanks and the ice bins in the market.

The five of us decided to just fill up the table and sample our way around the menu.

While the rest of the group read over the five pages of delights, I spotted a dish that my friend and local bon vivant Arthur Jones had 56

Spring 2011

suggested: basil pig feet. When I ordered it, our waitress did a double take and asked, “Are you sure?” I assured her that I was no stranger to any number of pig parts, and she wrote the order on her pad, still shaking her head.

Soon our order—chicken lo mein, sizzling rice soup, Mongolian beef, sesame chicken, whole fried fish, wonton soup and more—filled the table. It’s refreshing when you don’t need soy sauce or anything else to make food enjoyable. You could tell that care and pride went into every single dish. Of particular note were the pig feet and the whole fish.

It took a little convincing, but everyone sampled the feet, and no one complained.

When done properly, these parts, generally ignored or used as flavorings in vegetables or stocks, are delicious in their own right. The thick skin and fatty meat cook down and present you with a succulent cut of porky goodness.

The intense pork flavor manifests itself in each chewy bite as you work around the bones. It may not look pretty, but it sure gets the job done, with the basil adding a bright note to the intense savory taste of the meat.

If the pig feet were all about in-your-face pigginess, the fish was a perfect foil of nuanced and delicate flavors. To do this dish right, the chef at the wok must constantly splash hot oil onto the top of the fish while it cooks. This gives each fish two distinct flavors and textures. The bottom side of the fish fries in the oil alongside the ginger and the vegetables, presenting a soft, almost stewed texture and intense flavors. The top side of the fish, though, remains very crisp, and the flavors are much more delicate since none of the vegetables or seasoning were in direct contact with the flesh while cooking.

Evidently, the man at this wok knew his craft. The fish was a shining example of just how good Chinese food can be when prepared correctly from fresh ingredients. The only other place in Jackson where I’ve had this dish done correctly is Ding How, but we’ll get to that in a little while.

After dinner we went back to exploring the market. Kitty was amused at the translation of rolling pin to “moveable stick,” and I simply had to purchase a coffee mug with a picture of a teddy bear in pajamas captioned with “Bear in the Dreaming.” I found a wok for 30-something dollars that was big enough to cook a small person (not that I advocate cannibalism; I’m just sayin’ it was big enough). With full bellies and a busy workday to follow, Kitty and the crew eventually convinced me to stop shopping for cooking utensils and good-luck cats and head home.

Old Name, Whole New Game

For our last stop on the Asian Grand Tour, we had to wait until the weekend. I thought, “What better opportunity to treat Kitty to a date night than when the BOOM editors are picking up the tab?” With no kids and no private chef gigs on Saturday night, my only concern was RESIDENT TOURIST, see page 58

Mr. Chen’s in the new Oriental Market offers many authentic options, including pig feet (in foreground). And you can pick up some “moveable sticks” while you’re there.

boomjackson.com

Everything you need for spring celebrations...

Always Drink Responsibly

Northeast Jackson’s Largest Showroom Free Gift Wrapping • Gift Certificates Friendly Knowledgeable Staff Glasses To Loan • Case Discounts Quick Chilling Service available at

(Next door to McDade’s Market Extra) Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. • Maywood Mart Shopping Center 1220 E. Northside Dr. • 601-366-5676 • www.mcdadeswineandspirits.com

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

57

BITES // resident tourist how to slip my own message into Kitty’s fortune-cookie that would read, “The man across the table from you is really hot stuff.” I never figured that out, but the food proved to be enough to make my bride swoon (she may deny it, but there was definitely swooning going on).

Saturday and Sunday are the only days when Ding How (6955 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601.956.1717) offers dim sum, the little presents of culinary joy dreamed up as a way to satisfy weary Cantonese merchants traveling along the Silk Road. Today, in major cities, weary workers of all stripes line up to partake in eating little, inexpensive dishes freshly prepared with skill and speed, and presented in bamboo or metal steamers. In the busiest dim sum parlors, waiters parade around the dining room with steam carts, and patrons just point at what they want each time a different cart passes by a table.

At one of my favorite spots in Manhattan’s Chinatown, the dishes are all priced the same, and the waiters just count your steamers to calculate your bill. Ding How’s offerings are individually priced, but the dishes are just as varied and fresh. Kitty, being gluten intolerant, was worried about how to order, but our waiter was knowledgeable and eager to guide her through myriad choices.

The meal was exquisite, but there was a problem. The camera quit working. Fresh batteries weren’t the answer. We tried that. We attempted to take pictures with our Blackberries, but they were just too grainy and dull. So our date night/working dinner ended up being a real date night after all. Suffice it to say, the food Saturday night was delicious and beautiful, especially the fish hot pot with its thick layer of chili oil and perfectly poached freshwater fish. You’ll just have to trust us on this one.

How did we resolve this problem? Easy, peasy, one-two-threesy. ... We just went back again on Sunday with a new camera. This time we took along chef Brian Cartenuto and our youngest son, Zak, who was as excited about the “Japanese Sprite” with the glass marble stopper as Brian was about the dim sum.

The owner welcomed us back and was quite curious about the big fancy, professional camera that I pulled out with the arrival of every little steamer, but as long as we smiled with each bite, she grew more at ease. I can’t begin to remember everything we ate, with countless steamers filled with little rice flour dumplings encasing pork, fish, shrimp and vegetables. We had little presents wrapped in leaves and big balls of steamed pastry filled with stewed pork and bean sauce, fried balls of 58

Spring 2011

from page 56

squid that resembled hush puppies, and little fried balls of dough with honey and sesame seeds. We enjoyed braised beef with turnips and star anise that had just the right amount of licorice flavor without being obtuse.

Everyone except Zak enjoyed the chicken feet. He just couldn’t wrap his 10-year-old mind around the concept of noshing on the fleshy little footsies of the bird that he associated with fried “nuggets.”

If you’ve never had chicken feet, and you are squirming around in your seat right now, take a deep breath and go with it: 1.3 billion Chinese diners can’t all be wrong.

You won’t find a whole lot of meat on a chicken foot, but you’ll find flavor. It’s almost like a warm spoonful of chicken JELL-O, but more chewy and chickeny and topped with spicy black bean sauce. Zak may need some

therapy after watching us devour a double order, but he’ll grow out of his trauma and join us one day in our chicken-foot carnage.

We ended the meal with a recommendation from our waiter: water chestnut cakes.

They weren’t so much “cakes” in the “Let them eat cake!” sense of the word. More like “cakes” as you would describe bars of soap. They actually looked a lot like gold bars of Neutrogena.

These little bricks of semi-sweet gelatin hit the spot, and we returned home with wide smiles and nap-inducing full bellies. Our fortune cookies might as well have said, “You will meet a cool pillow soon.”¢ Tom Ramsey is a chef, food writer, caterer and cooking instructor. You can learn more about him than you ever thought you needed to know at www.tomramsey.com. And if he ever finishes his book, you can learn even more.

Kevin Kantor digs in to his bowl of pho with chopsticks (and an Asian soup spoon) at Sai Gon, which offers delicious Vietnamese options galore.

Best of Jackson 2011, Food & Drink Best Restaurant: Walker’s Drive-In 3016 N. State St., 601.982.2633; Best New Restaurant, Best Chef, Most Innovative Menu, Best Cocktails: Parlor Market 115 W. Capitol St., 601.373.9841; Best Steak: Tico’s Steak House 1536 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601.956.1030; Best Wine List/Selection: Bravo! Italian Restaurant & Bar 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601.982.8111; Best Seafood: AJ’s Seafood Grille 361 Township Ave., Ridgeland, 601.856.2844; Best Burger: Burgers & Blues 1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601.899.0038; Best French Fries: Stamps Superburger 1801 Dalton St., 601.352.4555; Best Veggie Burger: Cool Al’s 4654 McWillie Drive, 601.713.3020; Best Vegetarian Options: High Noon Café 2807 Old Canton Road, 601.366.1513; Best Asian (not Chinese): Pan-Asia 720 Harbor Pointe Crossing, Ridgeland, 601.956.2958; Best Falafel: Aladdin 730 Lakeland Drive, 601.366.6033;

163 Ridgeway, Suite E, Flowood, 601.992.7340; Best Mediterranean/Greek and Best Outdoor Dining: Keifer’s 705 Poplar Blvd, 601.355.6825; 120 N. Congress St., 601.353.4976; Best Chinese: Ichiban Sushi and Chinese Buffet 359 Ridgeway, Flowood, 601.919.8879; Best Sushi: Nagoya Japanese Restaurant 6351 Interstate 55, Suite 131, 601.977.8881; Best Italian, Best Place for Dessert: Amerigo Restaurant 6592 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601.977.0563; Best Taqueria: Taqueria La Guadalupe 6537 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601.206.7776; Best Pizza: The Pizza Shack 1220 N. State St., 601.352.2001; Best Take-Out: OEC Japanese Express Multiple locations, 201 E. Layfair Drive, Suite 200, Flowood, 601.932.3588; Best Mexican/Latin Restaurant, Best Margaritas: La Cazuela 1401 E. Fortification St., 601.353.3014; Best Kids’ Menu, Best Place for Ice Cream: Sal & Mookie’s New York Style Pizza and Ice Cream Joint 565

Taylor St., 601.368.1919; Best Donuts: Scurlock’s Donut Shop and Eatery 125 S. Congress St., Suite 106, 601.326.8520; Best Brunch/Sit-down Breakfast, Best Place to Buy Cakes, Best Plate Lunch: Primos Café 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601.936.3398; 515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601.898.3600; Best Buffet, Best Soul Food: Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ 480 Magnolia St., Madison, 601.856.4407; Best Bakery, Best Breakfast on the Run: Broad Street Baking Company 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601.362.2900; Best BBQ: Hickory Pit 1491 Canton Mart Road, 601.956.7079; Best Ribs: E&L Barbeque 1111 Bailey Ave., 601.355.5035; Best Beer Selection, Bottled; Best Beer Section, Draft: The Bulldog 6111 Ridgewood Road, 601.978.3502; Best Fried Fish: Cock of the Walk 141 Madison Landing Circle, Ridgeland, 601.856.5500; Best Fried Chicken: Two Sisters’ Kitchen 707 N. Congress St., 601.353.1180

Find links to current and past winners at bestofjackson.com boomjackson.com

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2 Oz. Sence Rose Nectar (Chilled) 1/2 Oz. Stirrings Triple Sec Cristalino Cava or Sparkling Wine

Glass: Champagne Flute Tools: Pint Glass and Strainer Combine chilled Sence Rose Nectar and Stirrings Triple Sec in a pint glass with ice cubes.

Stir gently & strain into a chilled champagne flute then top with Cristalino Cava. If desired, garnish with twist of orange or rose petal.

Please Drink Responsibly.

1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ste. 1010 Ridgeland MS 39157 | 601.605.9199

next to Fresh Market at The Renaissance at Colony Park

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

59

BITES // eavesdropping

Food’s Got the Power

// by Natalie A. Collier

BOOM: Does your body get addicted to bad food?

Ferris: That documentary called “Supersize Me”—the guy eats (McDonald’s) every single day for a month, and then his body rejects it. I don’t think it’s an addiction; I just think it’s something fast and affordable.

D’Angelo: Define addiction at that level. I mean, are you addicted to convenience? Being lazy?

Ferris: It’s more of an obsession than addiction.

D’Angelo: When I was a kid, that was kind of when the fast-food thing started happening...

People got away from cooking when both spouses started working a lot.

Ferris: I grew up not really eating fast food. My dad worked, and my mom was a stay-at-home mom, and everything I ate, she made. It may not have been the healthiest stuff, but it was good.

D’Angelo: Put a burger next to a burger, and …

Ferris: If you go to the store and see a shiny tomato, that thing has been waxed since the day it was grown until it was harvested. Also, McDonald’s can cook a burger, but put it next to one from Nick’s or … let’s say it’s 90 percent lean and 10 percent fat, and it’s got a better bun on there, an organic tomato on there and organic arugula on there. It’s going to be a 10 times better-tasting and healthier burger than your McDonald’s burger.

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William Patrick Butler

I

f you’ve ever wondered what chefs talk about when no one else is listening, here’s your chance to find out.

New Orleans native Steven D’Angelo, 39, the head chef at Nick’s in Fondren and the Mermaid Café in Madison, is a “chef’s chef” whose influences are as unique as his accent. He’s worked for a Yugoslavian chef with a French background, and a stint at Broussard’s in his hometown. And he’s worked for celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, helping him open two restaurants.

Chef David Ferris, 34, has his own culinary journey. Most recently, he’s gone from doing fine dining at a restaurant in Madison to introducing tapas to Jackson’s restaurant scene at Babalu Tacos & Tapas in Fondren.

While the chefs still kept some secrets (we never could get them to tell the worst thing that’s ever happened in their kitchens; they both just looked at one another and laughed), they shared a little about hamburgers, food politics and the importance of home cooking. Listen in.

Chefs Steven D’Angelo (left) and David Ferris exchange thoughts at Babalu about restaurants, the culinary industry and how food brings people together.

BOOM: You guys really like your burgers.

Ferris: Yeah. Really fun gourmet burgers. ...

I tend to think cooking my own burger in the backyard may be the best. Same with steak. I’m sure you’d say the same.

D’Angelo: Yeah, you got your little grinder, you know. For me, I … know exactly what’s in there to make the burger. … I love cooking at home. I do it every time I get a chance to.

Ferris: I dig it, man—cooking out Saturday night.

I’ll wake up that morning thinking about it ...

BOOM: Y’all don’t get tired of cooking?

D’Angelo: No, no, no. I love eating.

Ferris: When my wife is cooking, I’ll walk behind her and say, “You need to do this, or don’t forget this.” (I get) an automatic stare-down (from her), like, “You’re in deep crap for telling me what to do.”

D’Angelo: Yeah, (my wife) will not let me in the kitchen, or my daughter who has become quite the saucier.

BOOM: Would you consider doing “Top Chef”?

Ferris: I’ve had knives thrown at me; I’ve had pans thrown at me; but I don’t think I would do “Top Chef.” ... I’m not out to prove anything.

BOOM: Is throwing pots and pans common?

Ferris: Back in the day it was, but this field has gotten way too big with TV and celebrities. … I started out at the dish pan. I think anyone who

is where they are right now—most of the people have started by doing the grunt work.

D’Angelo: He mentioned the cooking shows and the competition side of it ... Traditionally, it’s years of burns and cuts and slices. The scenarios that create pressure, if you don’t perform right now, there is going to be a chain reaction for the next seven-and-a-half hours that you’re not going to be able to deal with. I’ve always found it as a positive pressure. (I) thrive in that positive pressure.

Ferris: If you don’t set yourself up for success, it could be a complete disaster. It’s almost like you’re driving down the interstate, and you see a car going around a curve, and they put their brakes on, and what’s going to happen? The next 100 cars in line are going to break, break, break, break ... It’s just a chain reaction.

D’Angelo: I’ve always used a football analogy.

You’re only as good as your last game, and the team matters. If you don’t have a coach back there who’s familiar with those strategies, what happens when—it’s just knowing all the nuances. … You want to be that person for your cooks.

Ferris: You gotta let the food speak for itself.

D’Angelo: I’m Italian. How do you shut a bunch of Italians up? You put some good food on the table. That’s powerful stuff.

Ferris: Food is powerful. It’s one of the few things that brings a family together. boomjackson.com

Bringing The Community Together: Promoting Racial Harmony and Facilitating Understanding

2011 Friendship Ball Saturday, March 5, 2011, 6:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Hal and Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Big Roomâ&#x20AC;?

200 South Commerce Street, downtown Jackson $20 ticket; proceeds beneďŹ t charitable causes

March, April and May Luncheons Second Wednesday each month

Jackson 2000 invites you to lunch with us and learn from provocative speakers at the Mississippi Arts Center

2011 Summer Social

Members, prospective members and the general public are invited to visit with the board of directors and special guests at our summer social. Learn more about our mission and how you can be involved!

More information: www.jackson2000.org

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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

61

BOOM JACKSON PROMOTION

Eat, Drink, Shop

Friends gather to admire hand-made jewelry at circa.

A fashionista discovers more reasons to love shoes at Shoe Bar @Pieces.

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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

The amazing deals put a smile on a shopperโ s face at Incense.

69

Jackson’s Coolest Offices

by Natalie A. Collier Photos by Christina Cannon

T

he walls are white; fluorescent lights glare constantly like a sun that never sets; tiny cubicles are lined with graycolored carpet-like fabric; and the big black clock’s solidly stiff hour and minute hands skulk slowly in a circular motion along the time piece’s stark white face, teasing lookers-on. Hope it doesn’t, but this very well may describe your office space and may help explain why you find yourself melancholy or unusually tired, despite working a job you actually like.

Unless, that is, you work at one of the coolest offices in the Jackson metro area.

Canizaro Cawthon Davis’ full kitchen.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

More Offices, see page 64

63

With the panoramic windows that look out to South President Street and the hallways filled with memorabilia and one-of-a-kind artwork, Canizaro Cawthon Davisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eclectically designed office is inviting, inspiring and ingenious.

Coolest Office: Canizaro Cawthon Davis

BOOM Jackson put out a call to Jackson companies proud of their work spaces, and a number of you responded. We saw offices where each associate not only had his or her own space but private bathrooms, offices with decks that overlooked creeks, clever and efficient space use, brightly colored walls and rooms with toys and gadgets for when employees need to de-stress. There were yoga mats for meditating, skylights for natural lighting and an aluminumcorrugated wall of client logos.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an average day for persons between the ages of 25 and 54 include 8.7 hours of work, 64

Spring 2011

7.7 of sleeping, 2.6 hours doing leisure activities and a combined total of 5 hours on everything else, like cleaning, eating and caring for others.

If the average American spends most of his or her time at work, it makes sense that we would put significant energy into our work spaces. The architecture firm of Canizaro Cawthon Davis has done just that. There is not a single un-cool thing about the office.

Around every corner, the designerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intention is clear: create an aesthetically pleasing space where people want to be that nods to the past, embraces the present and where successful projects for the fuboomjackson.com

Contractors kept any detail they could from the Canizaro Cawthon Davis building’s previous lives. Masonic symbols still top one of the front doors (top right), and the billboard from SN & Thomas Sons hangs outside the men’s room (bottom right).

ture are only a tomorrow away. Architects, of all people, need that.

CCD’s office on South President Street used to belong to SN Thomas & Sons, a retailer. Also, members of a Masonic Lodge once held their meetings in the building.

The team kept all of this in mind when they moved into their new space in 1999. There’s an homage to the department store in one of the architecture firm’s hallways—the last billboard that hung before contractors converted the building; the original door to the Masonic Lodge still hangs on its hinges. And the fireplaces?

They’re still there, too.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

Then there’s the modern sensibility and details that make the office über cool. A rooftop deck—fire pit and all—overlooks part of downtown. The kitchen is an invitation to community with its wideopen space, large range and cook space, and table for six. (Canizaro is Italian and likes to cook pasta for the staff, though he’s no longer involved with the day-to-day operations of the firm.) Library shelves, lined with books about architecture and design, pique the curiosity of even the blueprint ignorant.

For these reasons and more, architects James T. Canizaro, Danny Cawthon and Steve Davis have the coolest office in town.

More Cool Offices, see page 66

65

The Hip to Be Square Award: Duvall Decker

The Hip to Be Square Award solidly belongs to the Duvall Decker architecture firm in Fondren, once home to Dr. Helen Barnes’ OB/GYN medical practice.

The budget-conscious redesign of Roy and Anne Marie Decker’s space affirms to clients that the architects aren’t only looking to make a buck, but they get the most bang for one. Every inch of space is used efficiently, and some of the edifice’s walls are made of classic wood shipping pallets. The wood is exceptionally sturdy—as it has to be—and inexpensive. ¢

Architects Roy and Anne Marie Decker chose wooden pallets for the lobby walls of their office (top left). A former professor, Roy Decker says chalkboards are essential for him in the conference room. The Deckers share a large office with his space (pictured bottom right) on the north facing State Street, and Anne Marie’s workspace on the south. Other architects at Duvall Decker share an open work space with skylight ceilings (bottom left).

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Spring 2011

More Offices, see page 68 boomjackson.com

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

67

COURTESY ELIZABETH CRISLER

The Live Out Loud Award: Liquid Creative

Get Your Fun On

Is your office dull as a gray doorstop? Boring? Whiny? You can change it. Really.

Here are some tips to bring some life and color to your office space:

1 2

Paint the walls vivid colors. Better yet, have a pizza-and-beer painting party and invite the staff. Let them graffiti the kitchen while they’re at it.

Collect toys. Yes, toys. Go to N.U.T.S. and buy a bunch of wind-up toys. Pick up some Etch-A-Sketches. Invest in a ping-pong table. S/he who dies with the most toys wins. And your employees’ tots will dig you and your toy box.

ABOVE: With bold colors throughout, Liquid Creative wins the Live Out Loud Award. The attic provides work space for designers, and the lobby salutes their clients and awards they’ve won.

BELOW: From the gargantuan green screen to the den where designers’ creative juices flow, Mad Genius employees are some of the most animated bunch of folks ever. Really. They even have Pajama Day. That’s why they win the Spirit Award.

The Spirit Award: Mad Genius

3

Can’t afford fancy dinners for your employees? Reward them in fun ways.

At the JFP-BOOM, we give the Kick-Ass Award to the management’s choice for Employee of the Month and the Falcon Award to the staff’s choice. Both are trophies from N.U.T.S. (we go there a lot) that cost less than a buck a piece and pass from employee to employee. Each winner of the Falcon has added something—glitter, Mardi Gras beads, a nun finger puppet—to it for years now.

4 5

Buy a sheet of gold stars and use them. Gen Y employees, especially, love them. Of course, they also dig free beer. Which brings us to …

Make cocktails (and mocktails) for your staff now and then. After a business success (for us, a big issue or a new issue of BOOM Jackson) we pop corks, sip sangria or imbibe some of our editor’s rather famous margaritas, if she does say so herself. And she makes cocktails every year at the holiday party.

6

Speaking of, thou must, must, must have a kick-ass holiday party. We didn’t say expensive. We borrow somebody’s cool loft or house each year, bring in great food and drink, and play the nastiest, dirtiest Santa you’ve ever seen, and have an ugly sweater contest. Potluck is cool, too, if bosses bring the booze.

7

Cool offices don’t mean that people can slack. Employees should help set their own structure and schedule and then stick to it so creativity has space to flourish as the team gets the work done. Work hard, play hard, rinse, repeat.

8 9 10

Encourage staff to clean up their messes. Try a quarterly Most Impressive Contest and give gift certificates to the coolest (and neatest) office spaces.

You don’t have to waste time to laugh a lot. Be like “West Wing” and move at a fast pace, having fun as you go. An energetic work ethic is contagious.

Hire high-energy, positive employees. Likewise, let the grumpy chick with the constant hangover go be someone else’s pain in the butt. Fun offices are filled with positive people; talent doesn’t help if it brings misery with it.

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COURTESY SUSANNE ARNETT

boomjackson.com

COURTESY RAMEY AGENCY

The Ramey Agency has a fabulous Uncommon Goods cardboard deer.

#CoolOffices @rameyagency cardboard deer heads make #cooloffices. @jcskipp Space to kick back in after hours (see, e.g., Ramey rooftop).

Our expertise is understanding yours.

@merenor Wall space you can fill with posters, imagery, doodads, colors, patterns and photos. @jcskipp Entryway or common space that in some way inspires and reminds you of common goal/why you’re there. @claythornton66 working from home is the best! @theREALmeredith when your boss doesn’t mind if you tweet all day. @JacksonUncorked duh, wine, and a certified sommelier to pour it. @ErinTherapy An office that is in your home! @shemeika Cool PEOPLE make a #CoolOffice & it doesn’t hurt that I have a flat screen & a couch in mine! @sehoy13 Cool people, open doors, windows that work, plants, cool people. @KatieMcClendon for me, I’d just love an office with a window and my own thermostat.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

Dress to

Impress photos by Christina Cannon

by Natalie A. Collier

o, image isn’t everything. But the truth still stands that first impressions are lasting ones.

One of the best ways to make a positive impact is to dress like you mean business when you’re handling your business. It’s not necessary to be suited and booted every time you darken the door of your office, of course, unless that’s required.

It is essential, however, that, no matter what you’re wearing, you look pulled together.

This spring, as ruffles and lace and pastels (for men and women) make their comeback, do BOOM Jackson and your boss a favor: Save the khakis and polo shirts for casual Friday. If then.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

On Laurel Donahoo: Silk ruffle-front blouse, $272 Textured blazer, $498 Textured skirt, $248 All from Treehouse Boutique Shoes and jewelry, model’s own

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Spring Forward Pink ruffle shoulder bag, $89, Libby Story

Black silk cowl neck shell with zipper back, $137.50, Henry Torrence

Jade, turquoise, ribbon and rhinestone necklace, $228, Stella and Dot

Mauve suede wedge, $375, Shoe Bar at Pieces

Red suede peep-toe slingback, $90, Shoe Bar at Pieces

Pinstriped linen blazer, $79, Libby Story

Sheer rayon shell with ruffle, $68, Libby Story

Print shirtdress with tie, $66.95, Material Girls

Women’s oxford, $84, Wilai

Cream miniskirt with mini-pleats, $42.95, Material Girls

Black flat-front pants, $216, Treehouse Boutique

Floral print sheer blouse, $65, Henry Torrence Floral print v-neck dress, $58, Libby Story

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

Great Fashion Is Never Out of Style

WWW.REPEATSTREET.NET Ridgeland Location 626 Ridgewood Road 601-605-9393 Starkville Location 823b Hwy 12 W 662-324-2641 Follow Us @RepeatSt @Repeat Street Metro Jackson

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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Go Ahead, Shine

On Phillip Rollins: Black loafer, $198 Gray pinstripe suit, from $795 Pink polka-dot tie, $75 Lavender striped shirt, from $79.95 All from Kincadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine Clothing

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

Textured vest, $225, Great Scott

Blue button-front shirt, $205, Henry Torrence

Cognac penny loafers, $295, Great Scott

Purple print and striped tie, $150, Henry Torrence

Navy silk pocket square with print, $50, Great Scott Paisley print tie, $135, Rogue and Good Company CufďŹ&#x201A;ink, $115, Rogue and Good Company

Wool and silk trousers, $350, Great Scott

Plaid sports shirt shirt, $165, Rogue and Good Company

Plaid sportcoat, $1,595, Henry Torrence Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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Scarves for Success Dress for Success scarf, $30 The limited-edition “Something to Share” Echo Design-brand scarf can not only complement many an outfit, with its subtle matches-justabout-anything colors, but it’s also a way to support and empower women who are entering or re-entering the workforce. For every scarf customers purchase, $20 goes directly to Dress for Success.

To purchase, visit the organization’s website at dressforsuccess.org or contact Dress for Success Metro Jackson at 601.985.9888.

Where2Shop

Great Scott, 4400 Old Canton Rd., 601.984.3500; Henry Torrence, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 205 B, 646.922.8463; Kincade’s Fine Clothing, 126 W. Jackson St., Suite 2B, Ridgeland, 601.898.0513; Libby Story, 120 W. Jackson Blvd., Ridgeland, 601.717.3300; Material Girls, 182 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601.992.4533; Shoe Bar at Pieces, 425 Mitchell Ave., 601.939.5203; Rogue and Good Company, 4450 Interstate 55 N, Suite A, 601.362.6383; Stella & Dot, stelladot.com/donna, 601.940.8880; Treehouse Boutqiue, 3008 N. State St., 601.982.3433, Wilai, 2906 N. State Suite, Suite 103, 601.366.9955

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

Best of

BOOM JACKSON PROMOTION

: recap

2011

On Jan. 30, 2011, Jackson Free Press took the old Coca-Cola plant on Highway 80 by storm in a reimagining of Andy Warhol’s Factory. More than 1,000 guests filled the industrial, urban space for an event that honored the Best of Jackson, as voted by our readers. With an array of food from more than 30 area restaurants, music spun by DJ Phingaprint and a surprise flash mob courtesy of Belhaven University Dance Department, the party truly showcased all the amazing things Jackson has to offer—including a crowd ready to dance well into the night.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the party a success: The Plant on 80, Gil Sidi, Greater Jackson Arts Council, Capital City Beverages, Kats Wine and Spirits, Fresh Cut Catering and Floral, Duling Hall, Entergy, Very Special Arts, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and the City of Jackson, Davaine Lighting, ND Audio, Belhaven University Dance Department, and FIGMENT Jackson.

See more party photos at www.jfp.ms/boj11.

Photos by Meredith Norwood

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

77

Do-Gooders

Think Global, Tend Local

// by Holly Perkins

78

Spring 2011

William Patrick Butler

W

atching a movie and listening to a rock band might not sound like a typical Sunday morning worship service, but for John Hugh Tate and the worshippers at Bellwether Church, it is.

“When you walk in, you might think it looks like a concert,” Tate says. The self-proclaimed movie buff often uses films to portray his Sunday message and employs a band for the music ministry. “Some might describe it as a rock band that plays traditional hymns,” he adds.

The “come-as-you-are” church is easy­going. You might see a teenager in a T-shirt and jeans or an elderly man in a suit and tie, both rocking out to the hymns. But when it’s time for the sermon, there’s no doubt that Tate is serious. His passion for preaching is clear, but this wasn’t always the way Tate envisioned his life.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1997 with a bachelor’s in English and French, Tate, now 35, started out in politics.

“I was always interested in politics and loved the idea of public service, so I applied for an internship with Thad Cochran,” he says.

Tate admits that while living in D.C. he didn’t attend church regularly but did begin to attend Friday Bible study luncheons held by U.S. Senate Chaplain Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie. Inspired, Tate decided to attend Harvard University Seminary, where he met his future wife, Linda, now 34. The two married in 2004, the same year he received his master’s degree in divinity. Today, they have two sons: Jack, 3, and Logan, 1.

Even while he was attending seminary, Tate wasn’t sure he wanted to be a pastor until he met Richard Hogue, a Harvard Divinity school grad and pastor, and Peter Gomes, acclaimed minister and seminary professor of Christian morals.

Gomes’ sermons moved Tate, and he shadowed Hogue, watching how he aided in the spiritual growth of others. “I began to think about the good work that pastors do—preaching, serving and mentoring—and felt called to it,” Tate says.

Tate decided to work as a pastor, and had his pick of where to live. The New Albany, Miss., native had lived in Oxford, Miss., Boston, Mass., and Washington, D.C. He lived in France for a year, and won a Rotary Ambassadorial Fellowship in 2000, which allowed him to study in Brisbane, Australia. Linda was from Los Angeles.

Still, the couple decided to move to Jackson.

“I felt God was leading me back (to Mississippi) because I knew there were a lot of needs,

John Hugh Tate serves as the pastor of Bellwether Church, which meets each Sunday in northeast Jackson and has offices in Fondren. and I had a lot of relationships. I felt like I could do the most good here,” Tate says.

Soon after arriving in Jackson, Tate began to talk to mentors, including Bryan Collier, a hometown friend and pastor at The Orchard church in Tupelo. He and Linda felt called to start a new United Methodist church in Jackson, and the opportunity presented itself three years ago.

Bellwether was born.

Opposed to the name at first, Tate researched the word and found it was an “indicator of future development; leader; and a sheep leading the flock.” That same day, he read the Bible passage where Jesus asked Peter to “lead his sheep” and realized the name perfectly suited the church he envisioned.

“John 10:16 says: ‘There are others not of this fold, and Jesus said I must go to them, they will hear my voice, and they will be one flock with one shepherd.’ So it tells us there are always other people in need. A big focus of our church is that there are others out there, and it’s not about us. It’s always about that other person that’s in need or just needs a sense of peace or purpose. ... I think a lot of churches can be insular—very focused on them—and that’s a danger, so we try to have an external focus,” Tate says.

The minister’s focus extends globally, too.

A map of the world is dotted with red push-pins, representing the countries Tate has visited;

green push-pins represent countries he hopes to visit, including Malawi, India, Russia and South Africa. Tate says his heart is in global missions, including Bellwether’s partnership with missions in Honduras. He has taken four short-term mission trips there already.

But Bellwether is also working to improve the lives of Jacksonians. Tate serves as a chaplain at Jackson Academy, and in 2009, Bellwether won Stewpot’s Congregation of the Year award for volunteer work, including support of HeARTworks, a weekly art program held at Stewpot for homeless people, which was co-founded by a member of Bellwether, Jamie Randle.

Bellwether holds its Sunday church services at the Jackson Academy Performing Arts Center, but its group meetings and classes are held at the office in Fondren. “I like having a foot in both of those worlds,” the minister says. “What I want to do is try to bring both of those worlds together, because they’re different even though it’s close.”

Tate hopes to combine the different communities in which Bellwether lives, Northeast Jackson and Fondren. “My vision for a church is to be very diverse, socioeconomically, so we can have a presence and worship together,” he says. “... We want to be a church that can be a family and do good for this community.”

Visit bellwetherchurch.org for more information on Bellwether United Methodist Church. boomjackson.com

Do-Gooders // royalty

Jo yn Tom

Jill Conner Browne, the Sweet Potato Queen herself, hosts the Zippity Doo Dah Parade Festival Weekend March 24-26 in Fondren.

t

Zippity Yay

A

new kid’s in town—the Zippity Doo Dah Parade and Festival Weekend, March 24-26, in Fondren. Along with events in Fondren on Friday and a carnival on Saturday, a parade on Saturday at dusk features thousands of Queens (of the Sweet Potato variety), marching bands, and mini-floats (decorated golf carts). Parade founder, bestselling author and Boss Queen Jill Conner Browne sat down with BOOM Jackson to talk about the parade … and the dangers of sequins.

Q: What is the concept behind Zippity Doo Dah and the weekend?

A: For some time, Jeff Good had wanted to expand the Sal & Mookie’s annual carnival. The

// by Julie Skipper

Sweet Potato Queens and our Million Queens March had been a part of the Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade for 28 years, but we really wanted to be able to focus more on being a four-day convention/fundraiser for the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, and not slow down the St. Paddy’s parade. So this was a great opportunity.

Q: On the subject of hair ...

A: Yes, wigs are important because I have four hairs. ... Through the years, we’ve had lots of wigs—beehives, blonde, raven—the year we were Elvis, we had black beehives. But ever since we got the red ones, that’s been it. The red is my favorite.

Q: Why the name?

A: It has a special meaning in Queendom. In one of my books, I talk about your Zippity Doo Dah moment. It’s an emancipation song, and everybody has a Zippity Doo Dah story. So even though it may sound like a silly lighthearted song, it really has a spiritual meaning. It’s the only thing that the parade could be called.

Q: The Zippity Doo Dah Parade is at night. So … sequins and LED lights?

A: Absolutely. There will be no fewer sequins.

The combination of sequins and lights should be blinding. They even make some that you can put in your hair.

Q: I have to ask: How much do the Queens’ T&A weigh? Are you exhausted by the end of the parade?

A: We are very happy with the ones we wear now. They’re made out of air-conditioning foam and are light and super-comfortable. The old outfits that the Wannabes wear are fiberfill and really heavy. By the end of the day, it’s pulling on your neck; they really suffer.

The lowest-ranking Wannabees who have to wear the original outfits that look like swimsuits are the worst off. Those are made out of sequins that go all the way around the armholes and legholes, so not only are they eaten alive by sequins, but they risk being naked at a moment’s notice because the outfits are so old that they’re hanging together by a thread.

Q: What are looking forward to this year?

A: Being with the Queens has been more fun every year since 1982. It’s amazing to see so many people from all around the world come here to Jackson to dress up funny and walk down the street—20 women are coming from Indonesia; 13 of them are repeat participants. I look forward to the camaraderie and support that the Queens give each other, and to hearing their stories, because it’s something that is bigger than any of us individually.

Q: Any advice for Wannabes?

A: Just come, dress up, participate.

The Zippity Doo Dah parade starts at dusk on March 26. Line-up starts at 4 p.m. for minifloats and 5:30 p.m. for Million Queens March participants. For details on the weekend’s festivities, visit www.zippitydoodahparade.com.

Where We Dress You From The Shoe Up OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM-6PM | 425 MITCHELL AVE. | 601-939-5203

William Hawkins Photography

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

79

MELODIES // good news // by Garrad Lee

Courtesy Brown Public Relations

He Believes

Dathan Thigpen is no stranger to the gospel spotlight; his career started when he was 8 years old, singing with the Mississippi Children’s Choir.

D

athan Thigpen is the gospel music world’s renaissance man.

Not only is he the minister of music and worship leader at Word of Faith Christian Center in Jackson, he also teaches broadcast communications at Jackson State University, all the while traveling around the country on the weekends to share his music and ministry.

It all started with the Mississippi Children’s Choir—the “junior” choir of the widely known Mississippi Mass Choir—in 1988, for the then-8-year-old singer. That was the year the children’s choir released its first recording, “Child of the King.” His uncle, David R. Curry Jr., is the choir’s co-founder and musical director, and his mother, Dorcus Curry Thigpen, is the director.

“It’s a family deal,” Thigpen, 30, says. “Being with the choir gave me a good traditional background.” And he has been singing gospel ever since.

“I always considered myself a small, independent artist,” says Thigpen, just voted Best Gospel Artist—once again—by Jackson Free Press readers.

Independent, that is, until producers chose him to try out alongside of hundreds of initial competitors, to appear on BET’s “Sunday 80

Spring 2011

Best”—an “American Idol”-esque competition for gospel singers. Thigpen made it to the final 20 and ended up finishing sixth overall.

“I took some flak from my friends, for sure,” Thigpen says of his decision to compete on the show. “But I figured it would be a good boost to my career, and I had nothing to lose.”

The results of national television exposure have been staggering.

“It launched me into the eyes of people that would have otherwise taken me much longer to reach. It boosted me to the next level, and I am busy every weekend because of the show,” he says. “I even got recognized by a waitress at Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles. That takes some getting used to.”

Ultimately, the exposure from the show has allowed Thigpen to expand the most important aspect of his mission: his ministry.

“I don’t want to push myself; I want to offer myself,” he says. “As a result, people begin loving what you have to offer and respect the gift.

The more people you reach with music, the more you reach with the ministry. It’s all about finding ways to expand it to enrich more people.”

One of the people Thigpen reached was Kim Burrell, internationally acclaimed gospel singer and “Sunday Best” mentor. “People I was a fan of became new fans of mine,” Thigpen says.

Burrell, who honored Whitney Houston last year at the “BET Awards” with a rousing rendition of “I Believe in You and Me,” eagerly accepted an opportunity to perform with Thigpen in 2009 at the Jackson Convention Center.

“It was amazing,” Thigpen says.

The result of that concert is “Get Up Vol. 2,” a live concert recording scheduled for a DVD and CD release in May. The recording features Thigpen’s backing choir and band, Holy Nation, that dates back to his days as an undergraduate at Jackson State. And, following the family theme he established earlier in his career, he and his brother Donovan own and operate Dominium Entertainment and collaborated to write many of the songs included on the recording.

Like any renaissance man, Thigpen is always thinking ahead of ways to expand his mission. “I would like to eventually get into acting,” he says. “There is more to Dathan Thigpen than just singing.”

He has been getting his acting feet wet since his days in drama productions at Jackson State, and he was featured in a PSA commercial for the state of Mississippi.

“We’re just trying to build an empire,” Thigpen says.

Even considering all of the ways that his career has moved forward and the new areas in which his ministry has expanded over the past year, Thigpen points to something far more meaningful in his life as the highlight of the year. This past summer, he and his wife, Arian, welcomed their first child into the world, Noah Maxwell.

“It was interesting timing, with my career booming, to have a child,” he says. “To juggle it all is a challenge. But we’re making it happen. It’s all worth it.”

“Blues are the songs of despair, but gospel songs are the songs of hope.”

— Mahalia Jackson, gospel legend boomjackson.com

MELODIES // gypsy tunes

How did you become the lead singer of two bands?

I have known Swing de Paris’ guitarist David Keary for years. In 2007, I sang live with them for a ballet David choreographed, and that led to a few additional songs along the way.

They are some of the greatest musicians I have ever met.

Wooden Finger is the rock band I started with my husband, Matthew Magee.

What is your song-writing process?

What inspires you?

One-third of jazz trio Swing de Paris and member of the rock band Wooden Finger, Allison Jenkins is a cross-genre singer.

When I write alone, I sit down at the piano and let my hands find something on their own, then I start working melodically with that.

Sometimes something comes to me while I’m sleeping or even biking.

I am inspired by just about anything. A song can be snatched from literally anywhere and fleshed out in any number of ways.

What do you do and listen to when you are not performing or writing?

Who are your major influences?

Do you have a hidden talent?

Musicians such as Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Ute Lemper.

I am pretty good at impressions, and I have a secret desire to one day voice a cartoon character.

What song would be the theme song of your career?

“Grace” by Jeff Buckley. Music is a hard lover to love truly. Once you commit, you sign on for a lot of heartache, struggle, insecurity. ... To be able to write and sing how you feel and have one person get it makes it worth all the “grace” it takes to suck up those bad moments.

What are your hopes and dreams as a singer and for the bands?

As a singer and as a band, I want to continue to grow and change and embrace whatever comes rocking my way. I want to get better, learn more, create more and reach more.

I teach voice and piano. I love to cook and read. Right now, I am listening to a great deal of vinyl from Mussorgsky to The Black Keys. I love the live sound of it and the delicious crackle and spits the records make.

If you could have lunch with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?

It’s a tie between Jeff Buckley and Nina Simone. They were both such amazing talents, and so complicated. I feel I could learn a lot from both.

Ebony and Ivory

C

ome in your best casual attire and share in hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar at Jackson 2000’s Friendship Ball 2011 on Saturday, March 5, at 7 p.m. downtown at Hal & Mal’s (200 S. Commerce St.).

Former Jackson Mayor Russell Davis, former Alcorn State University president Walter Washington and several others founded the organization in 1989 to promote racial harmony in Jackson.

Lee Unger, Jackson 2000’s cochairman, says the Friendship Ball started in 1993 to provide a social atmosphere for discussion between Jackson’s diverse racial and ethnic communities with the intention of also supporting various charities.

“The ball is an avenue to bring people of different races and ethnicities together to really just have an evening of camaraderie and fun,” Unger says.

Jackson 2000 will honor two people for contributions to racial equality and harmony in the state: business owners Lee Harper of Koinonia Coffee House and Jeff Good of Mangia Bene restaurants. All proceeds from this year’s ball will benefit Parents for Public Schools and Operations Shoestring.

These Days with Jewel Bass will perform. Tickets are $20 per person; $10 with a student ID. For more information, visit www.jackson2000.org or e-mail co-chairman Todd Stauffer at todd@jacksonfreepress.com.

COURTESY JEWEL BASS

A

llison Jenkins is a “gypsy” of sorts, a nomad of musical style. The singersongwriter seamlessly drifts back and forth from jazz to rock, wooing listeners with each note and lyric she leaves behind. The lead vocalist of the Jackson jazz trio Swing De Paris and the rock band Wooden Finger, Jenkins talked with BOOM Jackson about how she found herself entrenched in what she describes as a “mysterious magical art.”

// by Quita Blackwell

COURTESY ALLISON JENKINS

Graceful Magic

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

I play with Swing de Paris on a fairly regular basis at Underground 119, Hal & Mal’s and the Parker House.

Visit Wooden Finger at www.woodenfinger. com or www.myspace.com/woodenfinger and Swing de Paris at myspace.com/swingdeparis.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

TINY THING FITS DOWN HERE (<100 words + pic)

Jewel Bass of These Days with Jewel Bass performs at Friendship Ball 2011 on Saturday, March 5, at Hal & Mal’s.

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DEBAUCHERY // madness

Leading the Parade

T

Q: How early do you start planning for the parade?

A: The parade is so personal to me that it’s a constant process; I’m already working on next year, which will be the 30th anniversary. Even if I wanted to not think about it, people come up to me all the time and want to talk about it, so I’m reminded on a weekly basis that it exists and people expect it to happen. Typically, the first of the year is my self-imposed deadline to have a theme and the bulk of the details in place.

Q: This year’s theme is “Hey, Hey, the Blues is Alright.”

What’s behind that?

Q: How has the parade evolved through the years?

A: I recently discovered some YouTube footage from a WLBT story on the parade its first year. It was a great reminder of how many things have remained the same, and how 82

Spring 2011

Q: Have you ever been sick on parade day?

A: I’ve come really close to missing one, but never have. But I know that the show would go on regardless.

People still expect to see certain things every year: the O’Tuxers, the Rude Boys, the Pinstripe Brass Band, but the parade has a life of its own and I give it great girth, and there’s so much that goes on that I have to think that if any of us were gone, we wouldn’t be missed.

The show goes on March 19 at 1 p.m. Plan to join Malcolm and all the krewes in downtown Jackson to celebrate this annual tradition. Get more information at halandmals.com/parade.

Who’s Your

Paddy?

• St. Patrick died March 17, 461 CE (scholars aren’t exactly sure about the year), in Kilpatrick, Ireland.

• Though St. Patrick was not Irish (he was a British Celt), St. Patrick’s Day honors him as the patron saint of Ireland.

• When St. Patrick was 16, Irish marauders captured and held him captive for six years.

• St. Patrick is lauded as one of the few persons responsible for Christianity being esteemed in his home country. He is referred to as the Apostle of Ireland in the Catholic church.

• St. Patrick penned both “The Confessio” and “Epistola ad Coroticum” about his life.

boomjackson.com

Will Scrit

A: We thought it would be cool to celebrate our state’s rich musical heritage. I’m excited to see what comes out of the collective Jackson psyche in the floats—maybe instead of it being an all-green parade, it’ll be a part-blue parade.

I expect to see everything from Blue Man Group themes to Blue Hawaii.

many have changed. Now there’s a bring your kids, and leave with 5K, the children’s parade and fes- a bag full of goodies for free. It’s tival, a pet parade (benefiting Mis- very democratic and diverse, alsissippi Animal Rescue League), ways welcoming any and all. And the street dance and brass band it has a great sense of humor—we concert. ... The cool thing is to see poke fun at ourselves, each other, layer after layer of homecomings, and everything. That’s the comtailgates, family and class reunions, mon denominator. krewe reunions and groups that Q: You march meet in the at the front same place with the every year. It’s O’Tux Socibeyond anyety. Tell me a thing I might bit about that have imagkrewe. ined. A newer A: It started trend is that as a joke, retailgating has ally. We wear become more tuxedoes beformalized, cause in New with spectators Orleans, on grabbing their St. Patrick’s spot on Friday Day and St. at noon and litJoseph’s Day, erally camping Malcolm White, head of the original O’Tux Society, will lead his 29th there are paout in downMal’s St. Paddy’s Parade in 2011. rades in the town Jackson French Quarfor much of the ter where guys put on tuxes with weekend. sashes and hand out flowers for kisses. ... It started as an all-male Q: The parade has such a group, but we now have several broad and longstanding female members, kids of original appeal, across generations O’Tuxers, and multiple generaand to such a diverse crowd. tions of O’Tuxers. We see each What is the “it” factor that other once a year; we don’t meet or makes this happen?

A: It’s because the original idea be- plan. We just come to Hal & Mal’s hind the parade was just that—to before the parade, help each other create something reflective of the get dressed, and off we go. culture and community and that was uniquely Jackson and looked Q: What’s it like walking like Jackson. It’s loosely based down Capitol Street and on the traditions of St. Patrick’s having thousands of people Day, but it’s not Irish, or Catholic. yelling at you, grabbing for a I called it “St. Paddy’s” because carnation? it’s a fun, irreverent look toward A: It’s surreal … and also a little spring. To me, it’s like the Rites frightening. It’s overwhelming beof Spring, celebrating its arrival cause everyone knows my name and who (Jackson) are and what since it’s in the parade’s name. we look like. I’ve always said it’s But in the moments I’m not overthe “people’s parade.” You don’t whelmed, it just blows me away. have to be a member of a group or For someone who creates events pay to come. Anybody who wants for an occupation, it’s incredibly to can be in it. And you can come, gratifying to see.

Courtesy Malcolm White

his year marks the 29th Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade celebrating Jackson and the arrival of spring. Since its birth as a rush-hour, traffic-stopping pub crawl, the parade has grown into a downtown “people’s parade” attracting tens of thousands and raising money for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital.

BOOM Jackson chatted with parade founder, O’Tux Society marcher and all-around fun guy Malcolm White to get the downand-dirty on what makes the parade such a beloved Jackson tradition.

// by Julie Skipper

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Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

83

ARTS // brother // by J. Ashley Nolen

Amile Wilson

Flames and Fabrics

Artist Shambé Jones has independently mastered the artistry of woodburning, using skills he learned in Africa.

T

he room is full of all shapes and sizes of wood. The art produced in Shambé Jones’ studio clearly is not limited to paintings. Large designs start out small here.

Jones, 37, is a medium-height man, at most, with long dreadlocks that cover almost the entire length of his back. The artist signs his work “Brother Shambé” to distinguish himself from other artists, he says.

The truth is, though, there is little chance of him being mistook; there aren’t many artists who do quite what Jones does the way he does: woodburning.

Originally from Champaign, Ill., Jones grew up in a family that supported the arts, although music was their forte. His, secretly, was visual art.

“We thought we were the next Jackson 5,” he says.

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Spring 2011

The middle child of five— he has three brothers and one sister—Jones followed his two older brothers to Jackson on a music scholarship to Hinds Community College. After Hinds, he attended Alcorn State University, where he took his first college art class.

During that course, Jones’ art became a passion, not just a hobby. Since Alcorn State did not offer an art degree, he transferred to Jackson State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts in 2002.

Jones participated in an exchange program that allowed him to spend the summer of 1999 in Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, where he learned sculpting, basket weaving, brass casting and ceramics.

After Jones returned to the U.S., the skills he learned and the culture he absorbed in Africa permeated his artwork. Needing to

save as much money as possible when he came back, the ingenious artist decided he would buy fabric and treat it like canvas, spreading it wide and attaching it to the wood. The fabrics usually contain vibrant colors that bleed through into his finished product.

While Jones still paints, he is known for his woodburning creations. He uses scrap birch wood to create pieces by lightly sketching designs on the wood, then burning small indentions using a handheld flaming device. Dark burnt spots take up to 10 seconds to create.

Jones’ woodburning journey isn’t an academically guided one.

While Jones was picking up art supplies he needed for a college class project, he happened across woodburning tools. He purchased them and taught himself.

After accidentally burning

himself a few times, Jones became comfortable with the process.

Jones usually creates portraits of celebrities, although several pieces feature himself and his family.

He also created a memorable circular piece, a portrait of Michael Jackson as a child.

Unlike other artists who wanted to capture the musician postmortem, Jones began the piece before Jackson’s death, and was halfway done with the project when he heard the news.

Jones says the way he felt while working on the piece before Jackson died was totally different than when he completed the second half. “Remembering his life gave me good energy to work with,” Jones says.

The artist has another piece featuring hip-hop artist Lil Wayne and his numerous tattoos. The picture shows the Louisiana native standing in front of Hurricane Katrina destruction. It is clear that Jones’ penchant for the symbolic runs deep.

Jones dreams of one day being a full-time artist, but for the past seven years, he has worked at the Nissan plant in Canton, building Titans and Armadas.

He emphasizes that he knows the importance of hard work and doing what it takes to provide for himself and his family.

He and his wife, Nicole, have two boys, Cazembé, 10, and Zion, 19 months.

This year, Jones plans to travel more outside Mississippi to expose his art to the country and hopes to design enough material to host his own solo art show.

“My main gratification comes when art is displayed at events and receives positive comments,” he says. “I like for people to be blown away.”

boomjackson.com

Amile Wilson

A Star is Born

Jamie Nash designs unique feather jewelry and expects to expand her line in 2011.

I

t all started with ducks. As a little girl, Jamie Nash would go visit her grandmother, Jessie Nash, in Memphis. When Nash was in third grade, she and her grandmother, who loved art and design, visited Chickasaw Gardens to paint portraits of ducks. Though Nash admits her own duck drawing was “very bad,” it did not curb her appetite for crafting. It made her hungry to

discover more ways to be expressive.

Now Nash, a 25-year-old Madison native, designs and handcrafts jewelry, proving with every piece that the smallest details make the boldest statements. Her funky jewelry line, called Jamie Nash Designs w/a Dash of Beck, includes accessories such as lapel pins, hat pins and her signature feather earrings. She picks the feathers, which range from goose to peacock to ostrich, from bird farms around the state. Nash conceptualizes each piece for the client who ordered it.

“My earrings are for someone who wants to be bold but in a sexy, funky and exotic kind of way,” Nash says, “(They’re) definitely for a girl who has her own personal style and never follows the rules.”

Even when she was young, Nash made her own rules. “I started to draw the clothes that I wanted to wear, and my mom helped me make them,” she says.

The designer majored in painting and minored in crafts at Delta State University. While there, people took notice of the accessories she wore when she was at school, visiting home and even, if she felt inspired, while she was out for cocktails.

// by Quita Blackwell

It was a chance meeting with local boutique buyer Becki Cummings Hicks while Nash was working her part-time job at Wraps, the restaurant, that her accessories collection went from side hustle to business venture.

“(Becki) came in for a to-go order,” Nash recalls. “I noticed a beautiful feather earring she was wearing. I told her that I made feather earrings. We talked, and she told me what she did at Shoe Bar at Pieces. She asked me to bring my earrings to the store to display and sell.”

The emerging designer’s clientele has grown since her Shoe Bar debut.

By this summer, Nash and her feathers will fly high at music festivals around the state.

And she intends to offer in-store customers even more with hair accessories.

The jewelry maker credits her mother and late father for encouraging her to pursue her passion. As she develops her love for all things artsy, more and more people are discovering and rocking the “Nash look.”

“A friend of mine was in Los Angeles wearing one of my earrings and texted about the compliments that she was getting out there,” Nash says.

“She said, ‘I guess you are a star now.’”

Boston. New York. Jackson? // by Lacey McLaughlin

redith

NT, a xhibit, to its set up

and this part of Jackson,” he says. “What we do at FIGMENT can be a catalyst for development.”

FIGMENT differs in many ways from a typical arts festival. The entire exhibition is free—meaning there is no commerce, goods to purchase or fees to participate.

Unlike a traditional art exhibit, the event encourages community participation through activities like interactive performances, games, activities and workshops.

Any creative means of expression you can imagine is possible at FIGMENT.

The festival’s success depends on community involvement, and a steering committee is currently seeking volunteers and artists interested in contributing to the weekend. Interested participants can submit a project, sign up to volunteer or donate art at jackson.figmentproject.org.

Project proposals are due April 15.

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

courtesy figment

J

ackson’s art scene is about to get a huge boost. What has been a free, familyfriendly participatory arts event in New York and Boston is coming to Jackson’s old Coca-Cola plant May 14 and 15.

FIGMENT started on New York City’s Governors Island in 2007 with about 1,000 participants and grew into a multi-day event in 2010 that brought more than 30,000 participants to New York and Boston.

The Jackson Community Design Center asked FIGMENT Executive Director David Koren to partner with them to bring the event to the city. Koren, who attended the Jackson Free Press’s Best of Jackson party in the space on Jan. 30, said the old industrial plant is a great location for the event.

“What I am most excited about is how we are going to see FIGMENT have the potential to help kick off the plant as a new arts center and revitalize Highway 80

gment

Children took advantage of the climbable FIGMENT art in New York City the summer of 2010.

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Events // parades

1

Art Exhibit (through April 2), opens at Southside Gallery (150 Courthouse Square, Oxford). See paintings by William Gay and Claude Wilkinson. Free admission; call 662-234-9090.

3

Fondren After 5, 5-8 p.m. This monthly event showcases the local shops, galleries and restaurants of the Fondren neighborhood. Also held April 7 and May 5. Free; call 601-981-9606.

Coming in like a lion.

Leaving like a lamb.

“Tristan und Isolde,” 2 p.m., at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). The opera film is based on a medieval love story. $16; call 601-960-2300.

”The Princess and the Pea” 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Jackson Academy (4908 Ridgewood Road). The Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet performs in the Performing Arts Center. $18-$25; call 601-853-4508.

Cellular South Howell and Gillom Trophy Presentations, 11:30 a.m., at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1152 Lakeland Drive). $35; call 800-280FAME. Collaborative Arts Concert, 7:30 p.m., at Belhaven University Center

“The Light in the Piazza” 7:30 p.m., at Belhaven University (1500 Peachtree St.), in the Blackbox Theatre.

Reserved tickets are available. Free; call 601-965-7044.

American Guild of Organists Choral-Organ Festival, 7:30 p.m., at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.). Free, donations welcome; call 601-974-1422.

Jackson 2000 Friendship Ball, 7 p.m., at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.). Honors Lee Harper and Jeff Good for racial reconciliation efforts. Cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and music by These Days with Jewel Bass. Proceeds benefit Operation Shoestring and Parents for Public Schools. $20, $10 students; call 601-362-6121, ext. 17.

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for the Arts Concert Hall (835 Riverside Drive). Free; call 601-965-7044.

12

Zoo Day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Live music, crafts and more. $8, $5 children 2-12, $7.20 seniors; call 601-352-2580.

Rebellion and Relics: The Civil War in Mississippi, 10 a.m., at the Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). Enjoy presentations on artifacts and historic sites. Free; call 601-576-6920.

18-20

Jackson Garden & Patio Show, at the Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.).

See exhibits and attend seminars. Presenters include HGTV’s Erica Glasener. $8 per day, children 10 and under free; call 601-919-8111.

Zippity Doo Dah, in Fondren.

Enjoy Fondren After 5 Homecoming on 24th and shop with the Queens the 25th.

March 26 events include the Fondren Market at 8 a.m., the Running of the Vixens at 10 a.m., a carnival at 10:30 a.m., a gospel tent at noon and the Zippity Doo Dah Parade at 6:30 p.m. featuring the Sweet Potato Queens. Call 601-981-9606.

25

Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Freedom Riders through June 12, at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). In the exhibit by journalist/photographer Eric Etheridge, 328 mugshots are displayed alongside 15 recent portraits of Freedom Riders. Free; call 601-960-1515.

Mike Epps and Friends, 7 p.m., at the Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.).

The comedy show headlined by actor/comedian Mike Epps includes an appearance by Sheryl Underwood. $35.50-$44.50; call 800-745-3000.

27

Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade,

1 p.m., in downtown Jackson. The annual Mardi Gras-style parade begins on the corner of State and Court streets. Call 601-948-0888.

Food/Wine Pairing Class, 5 p.m., at Viking Cooking School (1107 Highland Colony Parkway).

Pair a five-course menu with Napa Valley wines. $89; call 601-898-8345.

23-26

Mississippi Hall of Fame Portrait Unveiling, 2 p.m., at the Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). A portrait of noted Mississippi author Richard Wright is presented to the Hall of Fame. Free; call 601-576-6920.

31

Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement Conference, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). The theme of the four-day conference is “Too Much Reform and Not Enough Change.”

The registration deadline is March 16. $100, $25 college students, $10 high school students; call 601-979-1515 or 601-918-7809.

CLAUDE WILKINSON-COURTESY WIL COOK:FALLING LIGHT; FILE PHOTO; HUBERT WORLEY; VARNADO RACK; JACKSON ZOO; WWW.PURCELLSARTILLERY.COM; JOSEPH ALBERT; ERICA GLASENER FACEBOOK; COURTESY “BREACH OF PEACE”; VIKING COOKING SCHOOL; JILL CONNER BROWN; MIKE EPPS; CARL VAN VECHTEN; PUPPET ARTS THEATER

march

24th Annual Puppetry Jam through April 1, at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive). The Puppet Arts Theatre and the Paul Mesner Puppets perform.

Shows are from 9 a.m.noon. $6 adults, $5 children; call 601-977-9840.

JACKSON AREA EVENTS UPDATED DAILY AT JFPEVENTS.COM.

POST YOUR OWN EVENTS OR SEND INFO TO EVENTS@BOOMJACKSON.COM

boomjackson.com

22

Events // spring

ALLAN INNMAN - MOTORMOUTH - COURTESY WIL COOK; MS ORCHESTRA; CENTURY RIDE RESERVOIR CYCLIST; BLAYLOCK FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY; POWER APAC; KIDFEST; ARTS EATS AND BEATS; GATHERING ON THE GREEN; COURTESY SUMATI THOMAS; PHHIL MARTIN; FILE PHOTOS

april

Crossroads Film Festival through April 3, at Malco Grandview (221 Grandview Blvd., Madison). Enjoy independent films, music and workshops. Ticket prices TBA; e-mail coord@ crossroadsfilmfestival.com.

Renaissance Fine Arts Festival through April 3, at The Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The juried two-day festival includes art exhibits, music and children’s activities. Free; call 800-468-6078.

5

Art Exhibit through April 30, at Southside Gallery (150 Courthouse Square, Oxford).

See paintings by Charlie Buckley and Allan Innman. Free admission; call 662234-9090.

American Guild of Organists Concert, 7:30 p.m., at Tougaloo College, Woodworth Chapel (500 W. County Line Road, Tougaloo). Vocalist Rebecca Wascoe and organist Len Bobo perform selections composed by Bobo. Free; e-mail gag1391@aol.com.

“April comes like an idiot babbling and spewing flowers” —Edna St. Vincent Millay

Earth Day: Party for the Planet, 10 a.m., at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Learn about the earth and what you can do to protect it through games and activities. $8, $5 children 212, $7.20 seniors; members and babies free; call 601-352-2580.

Natchez Trace Century Ride, 7:30 a.m., at Old Trace Park (Post Road, Ridgeland).

Ride 25-100 miles on the parkway. $35 before March 31, then $45; visit racesonline.com. *”The Barber of Seville,” 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The opera follows the escapades of Figaro, the town’s premier barber and matchmaking expert. $25$60; call 601-960-2300.

10-30 Power APAC Student Exhibit, at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). See artwork from students in grades 4-12 in the Visual Arts program. The opening reception is April 10 at 1 p.m.

Free; call 601-960-1557.

KidFest! April 15-17 and 22-23, at Freedom Ridge Park (235 W. School St., Ridgeland). Enjoy big-top acts, a children’s activity tent, music, food and rides.

Hours are noon-6:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturday. $8 in advance, $10 at the gate, children 2 and under free; call 800-468-6078.

Creative Arts Festival through April 9, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). The theme of the two-day event is the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. Free; call 601-979-3935.

Arts, Eats and Beats, 5 p.m., in Fondren.

Fondren’s spring arts celebration will showcase Jackson’s best in art, antiques, gifts, apparel, interior design, furniture, food and music. Free; call 601-981-9606.

through April 17, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, (370 Old Agency Road, Ridgeland). Free admission; call 601-927-2318.

Mississippi UFO Conference 2011, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Presenters expound on past and present research. $5; e-mail patfrascogna@frascolaw.com.

Farish Flourish, 5 p.m., at Farish Street Park. The Farish Main Street Project hosts the event in celebration of Earth Day. Come for poetry, acoustic music, an art competition, information on becoming earth-friendly, healthy foods and more.

Free admission; call 601-291-7381.

23

An Evening of Hope, 5 p.m., at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Enjoy food, an auction and music.

Ticket price TBA; call 601-969-6015.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Animals, 7-9 a.m., at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Enjoy a buffet and a tour with animal-care staff. $9, $7 children 2-12, $8.20 seniors; call 601-352-2580.

Magnolia Roller Vixens Roller Derby, 7 p.m., at the Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). The team takes on the Hub City Derby Dames. $15, $12 in advance, $5 children; call 601-376-9122.

Ask for More Arts Exhibit through April 30, at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Student works from 28 Jackson schools and local artists. Free; call 601-969-6015, ext. 301.

20-21 ”A Chorus Line,” at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). Performances of the longest-running American Broadway musical, shows are at 7:30 p.m. nightly. $27.35-$70.95; call 601-981-1847.

25

First Commercial Bank/Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Golf Tournament April 25, 12:30 p.m., at Reunion Golf and Country Club (880 Mannsdale Road, Madison). Event includes tee gift, meals and door prizes. $1,600 team of five plus celebrity; call 601-982-8264.

30

“Carmina Burana,” 7:30 p.m., at Ridgeland High School (586 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland). The Mississippi Chorus sings the poems set to music by Carl Orff in 1935. $20; call 601-278-3351.

JACKSON AREA EVENTS UPDATED DAILY AT JFPEVENTS.COM.

POST YOUR OWN EVENTS OR SEND INFO TO EVENTS@BOOMJACKSON.COM

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

87

Events // maypoles

Art Exhibit through May 31, at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). See paintings

by Jeanette Jarmon, artist-inresidence at the Baptist Healthplex in Clinton. Free; call 601-960-1557.

Ballet Mississippi Spring Performance, 3 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The concert includes classical works such as “Sleeping Beauty, Act III” and features returning guest artists Nicole Graniero and International Ballet Competition medalist Mikhail Illyin from the American Ballet Theatre. Students from the IBC-USA’s CityDance program will also perform. Tickets price TBA; call 601-960-1560.

Children’s Day, 10 a.m., at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Hear the legend of Kintaro, learn about calligraphy, make crafts and experience the animation of Hayao Miyazaki. $3-$5; call 601-960-1515.

ZooBrew, 6 p.m., at Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Enjoy beer and wine samplings, specialty food, music and other activities. For ages 21 and older. Ticket price TBA; call 601-352-2580, ext. 228.

Train Day at the Zoo, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.).

Celebrate with train activities and 50 percent off rides. $8, $5 children 2-12, $7.20 seniors, members and babies free; call 601-352-2580.

Camp Kandu, 9:30 a.m., at Twin Lakes Conference Center (155 Milner Road, Florence). The biannual event provides educational and recreational activities for children with diabetes and their friends and families. Space is limited; registration is required. Free for kids with diabetes; call 601-957-7878.

FIGMENT Art Festival through May 15, at Old Cola-Cola Plant (1421 Highway 80 W.). Hosted by the nonprofit organization Action Arts League and the Greater Jackson Arts Council, attendees are encouraged to bring art or create art onsite, including interactive exhibits. Free; visit figmentproject.org.

Blondes vs. Brunettes, 2 p.m., at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). Two teams of women, divided to reflect the age-old rivalry between blondes and brunettes, compete in a powder-puff football game. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. $25; e-mail elizabethm hamilton@hotmail.com.

Chocolate Affair, 7 p.m., at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center (1302 Adams St., Vicksburg), in the auditorium. Enjoy desserts, drinks and more. Tickets sold in advance. $30, $20; call 601-6312997.

Pepsi Pops 30th Anniversary Gala, 7:30 p.m., at Old Trace Park (Post Road, Ridgeland). The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performs classics, show tunes and marches, followed by fireworks. $15, $12 in advance; call 601-960-1565.

Mississippi Freedom 50th May 22-26, at the Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). The event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Rides during the Civil Rights Movement. Ticket price TBA; call 601979-3935.

“Amazing Butterflies” through May 8, at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The exhibit, created by the Natural History Museum in London, invites you to shrink down into the undergrowth to become one of the most extraordinary creatures on earth. $5, $4 seniors, $3 children ages 5-18, $1 children ages 3-4; call 601-354-7303.

Magnolia Roller Vixens Roller Derby, 7 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). The team competes against the Torpedo Bay Roller Derby. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Season passes available. $12 in advance, $15 at the door, $5 children; call 601-376-9122.

Kyoto Views: The Art of Randy Hayes through July 17, at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Hayes incorporates an array of imagery from East and West, often borrowing from traditional Japanese printmaking aesthetics and combining layers of images in oil on photographs. Admission includes access to the Orient Expressed exhibit. $12, $10 seniors, $6 students; call 601-960-1515.

Farmers’ Market through Dec. 17, at the Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Shop for fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables from Mississippi farmers, specialty foods, and crafts from local artisans, including the Greater Belhaven Market.

Open Satur­days from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. During the peak growing season, hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 601-354-6573.

Jackson area events updated daily at jfpevents.com.

Post your own events or send info to events@boomjackson.com

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Spring 2011

boomjackson.com

Jeanette Jarmon; Wores-The Iris Flowers; xxxxx; Pepsi Pops; file photo; Lindsay Buckley; Magnolia roller vixens; Pim van Tend; Apothecary at Night

may

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MY LOCAL LIST

11

Electrifying Elements

Posh Boutique owner { Keisha Marie Alexander } is a little bit sweet, a little edgy and a whole lot of fun. From Ridgeland to Brandon to Jackson, Keisha takes in all the metro has to offer and does it with a touch of posh.

1. Posh Boutique (4312 N. State St., 601.364.2244) The jewelry is awesome, and the store accommodates the plus-size diva. The clothes are always pretty, in style, unique and affordable.

2. Underground 119 (119 S. President St., 601.352.2322) For a great, eclectic atmosphere, 119 is the place. I can always count on great music, food and wine. It’s my go-to place, especially when friends are visiting from out of town.

3. Fannin Lanes (1145 Old Fannin Road, Brandon, 601.919.8001) Fun for the kids, but get there early.

Lanes fill up quickly. There’s nothing like hitting a “STRIKE!” to shut up the haters.

4. Street Toys Customs (825 S. West St., 601.969.0044) Every diva should have a great collision shop on speed dial. Whether my vehicle needs body work or a shiny red paint job, Street Toys Customs is the spot. Check them out, and tell Walt I sent you.

5. Sway Dance and Fitness (801 S. Wheatley, Ridgeland, 601.487.6116 or 601.946.7075) Working out is so not my passion, but if you can make it fun, flirty, and I’m getting fit, then you’ve got me hooked.

Get in shape and learn how to seduce your lover!

6. Glo (2951 Old Canton Road, 601.368.9755) Home is my refuge. And when I want modern, contemporary fun pieces for my home, I look nowhere else but Glo in Fondren. Even when I’m broke, I just go in to look at the new pieces Anthony Ritter has. It gives me something to save for.

7. Old Capitol Inn (226 N. State St., 601.359.9000) Everyone deserves a vacation, right? Consider taking a mini-getaway weekend right here. Pack a small bag and check into the Old Capitol Inn honeymoon suite. It’s loft style with plush beds and a whirlpool tub. Check in and turn off your phone.

8. Julep Restaurant (1305 Northside Drive, #105, 601.362.1411) After being a mother, a student, girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend and entrepreneur, a woman like me simply needs a cocktail. Brad Regan at Julep has the magic shaker to cure my too-much-to-too-many-people woes. I’m thinking about a Washington Apple Martini now.

9. Pan Asia (720 Harbour Pointe Crossing, Ridgeland, 601.956.2958) I love redfish, and I love sushi. When you put the two together, you have Pan Asia’s redfish roll. Don’t skip the lettuce wraps.

They’re divine. Sit in front of the waterfall wall: “Hello, peace.”

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William Patrick Butler

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10. Aqua the Day Spa (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601.898.9123) I do love to pamper myself, and I adore the couple’s massage room at Aqua.

11. nomiSpa at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601.948.3429) My name is Keisha, and I’m a member of Acrylic Users Anonymous—the program I joined when I hooked up with nail tech Kila Milner at nomiSpa. She hasn’t failed me, yet. Her mani/pedi, hands down—no pun intended—are what your nails are craving.

They’ll be healthier for it.

boomjackson.com

Work. Live. Play. Prosper.

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