v10n22 - The Love Issue: Find It, Cherish It, Keep It Alive

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February 8 - 14, 2012

February 8 - 14, 2012

jacksonian

VOL.

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contents COURTESY LOUISIANA CAPITAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

VIRGINIA SCHREIBER

6 Best Defense Hart Turner is guilty of murder, but he’s also mentally ill. Should that keep him from execution?

COURTESY APPLE

Cover design by Kristin Brenemen Cover image by saynothingstock

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THIS ISSUE: It’s Personal

Will the iPad replace your personal computer? Maybe. Our tech guru weighs in on the possibility.

DALE MANNING

thomas g. harris fore moving to Jackson in the late 1990s.

Harris started his company, HCH Holdings, in 2001 with his brother and a good friend. His partners have since died, and Harris is now the sole owner of the store. Most of his customers are married or long-term partners who come in together.

Romantic Adventures offers military and police discounts.

Mississippi law bans the sale of sex toys, but not the possession of them. “You can possess them all day long,” he says.

The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2008 overturned a similar ban in Texas. Since then, the law hasn’t bothered Harris. His lawyer advised him to have each customer become a member. He has 150,000 members now.

“I have got quite a few celebrity signatures,” Harris said.

Harris is conservative on many issues, liberal on others. “The common thread is (that) I object to the government telling me how to live my life,” he says.

He thinks much of the state lives under a dark cloud of pain, suffering, denial and hardship. Getting rid of negative energy is part of the reason he stays.

“I love Mississippi. The people are as good as anywhere you are going to find,” he says. “The strongest energy in the world is love.”

—Valerie Wells

32 Cowboys and Drums The Dixie National Rodeo kicks off with Chris Cagle. Murph Caciedo lays down rhythms for Spacewolf and others.

38 Time Warp Some Jackson restaurants have been around longer than you have. Plus, dining out on Valentine’s Day.

jacksonfreepress.com

One Sunday before Christmas, a packed bus from an out-of-town Missionary Baptist Church pulled into the parking lot of Romantic Adventures on U.S. Highway 80. The traveling Sunday school disembarked to buy dirty Santa gifts. This isn’t the oddest thing owner Thomas G. Harris has seen.

Romantic Adventures sells lingerie, adult videos and contraception. The biggest sellers, however, are gadgets. “By gadgets, we mean sex toys,” Harris says. A popular item this month is a single, romantic rose that looks innocent enough in its cute plastic form. It is also a personal massager.

Valentine’s Day is Harris’ Christmas.

He will see more business now than any other time of the year. It’s an emotion-driven business, but that’s not always enough in a tough economy.

“I thought it would be a recession-proof business, but it’s not,” Harris said. “When everything nosedived, we went with it.”

Harris, 68, is an Eagle Scout, an Air Force veteran and an engineer. He’s a lifelong member of the NRA, a 1972 Mississippi State University graduate and a former president of the Columbus Host Lions Club. He races Corvettes and has a much younger girlfriend.

Harris is also a prostate cancer survivor who studies tantric yoga. He was born in California, grew up in Vicksburg and worked as an engineer in Columbus, Miss., for 20 years be-

KRISTEN LEY

4 ..............Editor’s Note 4 ................... Slowpoke 6 .......................... Talks 10 ........................ Tech 12 ................... Editorial 12 ..................... Stiggers 13 ................. Opinion 26 .................. Hitched 28 .............. Diversions 29 ........................ Film 30 .................... 8 Days 31 ............. JFP Events 32 ...................... Music 33 ......... Music Listing 35 ................ Astrology 36 ..................... Sports 38 ....................... Food 42 ......... Fly Shopping

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Briana Robinson Deputy Editor Briana Robinson is a 2010 graduate of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Her hobbies include photography, ballet and ballroom dancing. She is a sophomore at Millsaps College.

She helped coordinate the Love features.

Kristin Brenemen Art Director Kristin Brenemen is an otaku with a penchant for dystopianism. She can’t decide if she should cosplay as Rarity or one of Inspector Spacetime’s Associates. She designed the cover and many pages in this issue.

Shameka Hayes-Hamilton Shameka Hayes-Hamilton is a mother of four who loves reading, writing, and all kinds of music. Originally from Simpson County (Mendenhall), she has dreams of becoming a best-selling novelist. She wrote Hitched.

Casey Purvis Casey Purvis is a Fondrenite who loves planting flowers and watching birds in her backyard.

She is owned by Phoebe, a 9year-old Lhasa apso. She works as a nurse in one of the local hospitals in her spare time. She wrote Love features.

Deirdre Danahar Deirdre M. Danahar is a personal coach who helps people with complex lives focus on what matters most. She owns InMotion Consulting and Coaching LLC, based in Jackson. Visit her website at inmotioncc.com. She wrote a Love feature.

Hannah Jones Hannah Jones is a junior English major at the University of Southern Mississippi where she is managing editor of The Student Printz. She loves Woody Allen movies and sarcasm. Follow her @hb_jonez. She wrote a culture feature.

Diandra Hosey Diandra Hosey played women’s basketball at Jones County Junior College and Mississippi College.

She received her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law. She is an associate with the law offices of Matt Greenbaum.

She wrote a sports feature.

February 8 - 14, 2012

Erica Sutton

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Design intern Erica Sutton is a senior graphic-design major at Mississippi College. She enjoys design as well as photography.

Aspiring DJ, she can’t find the drop. She worked on design in this issue.

editor’snote

by Donna Ladd, Editor-in-Chief

Aloha, Jackson

W

hen we boarded our plane in Dallas bound to Honolulu in January, I’d had only had two hours’ sleep.

Inevitably, I tossed and turned in anticipation of getting up at 4 a.m.—and then traveling for more than 12 hours. So when I saw the large man I would have to share my other arm rest with, I grimaced.

The man, in military fatigues, quickly jumped to his feet to help me put my bags up above. Once we were settled into our seats, he leaned over with a mini-bottle of Maker’s Mark in his right hand, offering it to us.

“I don’t drink, and people keep giving me things,” he said with a grin. We took it, even though we don’t drink it, either. (Yes, I thought of Gov. Barbour, who apparently does.)

As our seatmate got busy figuring out where to put all those legs, I examined his patches out of the corner of my eye. I wondered what that black-and-white flag, pinned to his sleeve, meant. When he pulled out a blue Snuggie and started poking his arms and legs into it, I couldn’t help but snicker.

That was his opening. “This thing is great,” he said. “Someone sent it to me in Afghanistan. It’s great for long plane rides.”

As he talked, people were boarding, many of them patting him on the shoulder and thanking him for his service. One of the flight attendants gave him a sandwich, and he offered it to us. We told him we don’t eat meat, so he gave it to people across the aisle.

Turned out he was an Army infantry captain, headed home after a tour in Afghanistan, and he was near giddy over the chance to see his wife and 2-month-old little girl. He’s from Ohio, but is stationed in Hawaii. As soon as the plane’s captain let him, he flipped out in iPad, set it up on his tray table and showed off every possible photo of his wife and daughter.

He showed us their apartment, their furniture, the baby bed, the stencils his wife did for the walls. We saw the big-screen TV, and the bookcases, and the bathroom.

After the photos, I asked him about the pinned-on patch on his sleeve. It represented his company in Afghanistan he said, quietly.

About 20 minutes into the flight movie, I poked Todd. Our new buddy was covered by blue fleece, was wearing a huge puffy eye mask over his eyes, and had headphones protruding from his ears. His blond head was dropped forward, and he was napping. I smiled.

Todd and I were already blessed to be on this trip—headed to a paradise we’d never visited, with all our expenses paid by a group that wanted us to help brainstorm ideas for racial reconciliation. In Hawaii, we joined a remarkable group of people to talk about issues that matter so much—and as white folks, we were in the minority in our group and in Hawaii.

Our first session was opened with remarks by a dynamic young Hawaii native who filled us in on the history of the islands, including the tough colonization by the United States that has challenged natives for so long. She talked about how the U.S. military “occupies”

20 percent of Oahu, where we were. She addressed the poverty that the oppressed communities struggled with; she didn’t sugarcoat anything, and none of us wanted her to.

But we were there for reconciliation, not for what one of the participants called “frozen anger.” As she talked, it was easy to draw parallels with our situation back at home where we face and try to overcome the consequences of our history on a daily basis, not to mention build bridges with others to try to overcome them. I thought of the importance of discerning between institutional problems and individuals who mean well, especially in such a politically divisive country and world.

I got to know the young woman, Dawn, during the next several days. She, like the others at this gathering, wasn’t about getting stuck in that “frozen anger”; we all believed in acknowledging historic issues and then using their lessons to get past it. And she appreciates life as much as we do.

While in Hawaii, I became obsessed with all the tropical fruit I’d never seen. So she would stop at the fruit stand and get me some—like the red, fuzzy rambutan with little soft tendrils—and bring it to the hotel. She pointed out those fabulous spurts on the top of the whales when we toured the island. She took us to a beach where two huge sea turtles were dug into the sand (surrounded by guards).

She had us meet next to the bay while a wonderfully diverse group of teenagers practiced rowing in those long outrigger canoes.

She told me that the pink cake that melted in my mouth like cotton candy was a guava chiffon. (I recommend it). She explained why my potato salad was purple at the buffet before the Polynesian hula and fire dancing.

All along the way, Dawn talked about the highlights of her home state, along with the challenges. She is one of the most life-loving people I’ve ever met, and also one of the most informed about real history. She is engaged, and she is working to make her postage stamp of the world a better place for its people.

During our weekend tour of the island— with five of us crammed into a convertible—I told her and others about the Air Force captain I’d met on the plane. He was one of the most loving strangers I’d ever met, I told them.

I wondered if he was always that way—or if being away from his loved ones had made him more that way. I suspect both were true.

On our last day, Todd and I went for a driving tour of the island using a detailed itinerary Dawn had emailed us early that morning. As we drove along gorgeous coastline near the “blowhole” (look it up), I thought of the captain again; he had been the first person to use that strange word to me.

As we’d prepared to land in Honolulu, the captain was bursting with excitement to see his wife and baby. But, first, he had to tell us all about the island he’d grown to call home.

He pointed out the window so we could see the mountains, telling us what we were seeing (from Diamond Head to the U.S.S. Arizona) and giving us instructions on where to drive (the same route Dawn would choose later).

When we landed, he bounded out of his seat and said goodbye. A few seconds later, we saw him coming back down the aisle against the traffic. He reached out his hand. “I want you to have these,” he said, handing us two of his Army-green infantry patches. Then he ran off to say “aloha” to his girls.

“Aloha” means “love,” you know.

Romance by Sea

Valentine’s Night

Tuesday, February 14th with Guest Chef Keith Kornfeld

Amuse Bouche

Entrée

Chili Prawns, Crunchy Wonton “Hot Pink” Pickled Red Onion Relish Or

“From The Heart” Thai Red Curry Lobster Dumplings, Apple Eggplant, Coconut, Basil

“Sizzling” Wok Fired Wild Mushrooms, Crispy

Rice Flour Tartlet, Thai Basil (Vegetarian)

Appetizer Flashed Fried Cod “Embraced” by Fragrant

Leaves, Toasted Sesame-Sweet Soy Glaze Or Broiled Oysters on the Half Shell “Seduced” with Lemongrass Cream, Caviar and Fried Shallots Or Steamed Vegetable Dumplings “Allure” Black Soy Rice Vinegar (Vegetarian)

Or “Steamy” Asian Bouillabaisse, Prawns, Mussels, Crabmeat, Scallops, Sake Or

“Luscious” Paneer Butter Masala Makhani,

Tomato, Spices (Vegetarian)

Dessert “Silky Smooth” Ruby Red Chestnuts, Coconut Ice Cream Or Dark Chocolate “Love” Soufflé, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

$50 per person or $80 per couple enjoy Live Music & Complimentary Champagne

jacksonfreepress.com

Make your reservations today by calling (601) 956-2958.

720 Harbour Pt. Crossing • Ridgeland, MS • www.pan-asia.com • Only our special menu will be served for dinner on Valentine’s Night.

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news, culture & irreverence

Thursday, Feb. 2 Robert Moxley, attorney for former governor’s mansion trusty Joseph Ozment, says that he is prepared to fight for Ozment’s freedom if he decides he wants to thwart his summons and stay in Wyoming. ‌ Federal Reserve boss Ben Bernanke defends the Fed’s decision to keep interest rates at record lows for the next three years.

Friday, Feb. 3 Attorneys for Edwin Hart Turner ask the state Supreme Court to stay Turner’s execution. ‌ The Susan G. Komen Foundation reverses a decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood. ‌ National unemployment falls to 8.3 percent.

Saturday, Feb. 4 NCAA basketball’s No. 22-ranked Mississippi State beats Auburn 91-88. ‌ Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney wins the Nevada Republican presidential caucus.

Sunday, Feb. 5 A high-speed chase that began in Ridgeland with two shoplifters ends in Flowood, resulting in the death of a Rankin County woman. ‌ The New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots 21-17 to win Super Bowl XLVI.

February 8 - 14, 2012

Monday, Feb. 6 A federal judge temporarily halts the execution of Edwin Hart Turner, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 8. ‌ The United States withdraws all embassy staff from Syria amid growing violence.

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Tuesday, Feb. 7 The Mississippi House Judiciary A Committee forwards the Sunshine Act— which allows various state boards, commissions and agencies to hire outside counsel where conflicts of interest with the state attorney general arise—to the House floor. ‌ President Barack Obama nominates Lt. General Janet C. Wolfenbarger for the rank of general, making her the highest-ranking woman in the Air Force’s history.

Get daily news updates at jfpdaily.com.

Valentine’s Day is the third largest holiday in terms of spending, following Christmas and Thanksgiving. Americans spent $17.6 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2010.

Mentally Ill Man Gets Stay

E

dwin Hart Turner and his buddy Paul Murrell Stewart had been drinking beer and smoking pot, according to court records, when they “decided to rob someplace� the morning of Dec. 12, 1995. Eddie Brooks, 37, worked as a clerk at the Mims Turkey Village Truck Stop on U.S. Highway 82 in Greenwood where the masked pair hit first. Turner shot Brooks in the chest, and after neither Stewart nor Turner could open the register with firepower or brute force, Turner shot Brooks again at point-blank range in the face, killing him.

It wasn’t long before Turner and Stewart showed up at Mims One Stop. Stewart went into the store to rob it. Turner, meanwhile, confronted Everett Curry, 38, outside, where he was pumping gas. Court records say Curry pleaded for his life, but Turner shot him in the head, murdering him.

When sheriff’s deputies arrested the two men, Stewart confessed and, in a plea agreement, received two life sentences. A Forrest County jury sent Turner to death row.

Those are the facts of the case, but they’re far from the whole story. James Craig, Turner’s attorney at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center in New Orleans, has presented a mountain of evidence showing Turner suffered from life-long, hereditary and debilitating mental illness to appeals courts in Mississippi and to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington,

by Ronni Mott money. What Turner did have that morning was a history of mental problems: two failed suicide attempts, a half-dozen stays in hospitals and mental institutions, and years of mental and physical abuse. One psychiatrist reviewing his health records opined that Turner’s shooting both men in the head is not an accident given his own disfigurement.

Turner began showing signs of mental problems as an adolescent. His father, for whom Turner was named, died in a freakish accident when he reportedly fired a gun into a dynamite shack to kill a snake, blowing himself up. Evidence suggests it was suicide. His grandmother and great-grandmother were in and out of mental hospitals. Both Turner’s parents were alcoholics and frequently fought violently. His mother, Ladonna, has attempted suicide twice.

After his father’s death, Ladonna refused to let the 12-year-old boy grieve, threatening to hit Turner if he cried at his daddy’s funeral.

Later, the boy saw a TV news report showing police putting pieces of his father’s body into garbage bags. “He ran out of the room screaming,� records state.

Ladonna’s drinking got worse, as did her abuse of her sons (Turner has a younger brother, Trent), and Turner’s mental health nosedived. On April 13, 1991, Turner attempted suicide for the first time. The weapon he chose

COURTESY LOUISIANA CAPITAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

Wednesday, Feb. 1 The Mississippi Supreme Court takes over the case involving Attorney General Jim Hood’s legal challenges to ex-Gov. Haley Barbour’s pardons. ‌ U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says that the United States expects to withdraw combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of next year. ‌ Facebook Inc. announces an initial public offering to sell stock in the company.

Sen. John Polk, RHattiesburg, wants to test Medicaid recipients for drugs. p9

Edwin Hart Turner’s photo shows the injuries he inflicted in a botched suicide attempt, visible even after several surgeries.

Mississippi had scheduled Turner’s execution for Feb. 8. It is now delayed until Feb. 20 for an independent psychiatric review.

D.C., so far, to no avail. Monday, Judge Carlton Reeves of the Federal Court for the Southern District of Mississippi issued a temporary restraining order to allow for an independent psychiatric evaluation of Turner, pushing the execution date from Feb. 8 to Feb. 20.

Until Dec. 12, 1995, Turner had no criminal history. The robberies have no clear explanation; records show he didn’t need the

STAY, see page 7

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news, culture & irreverence

STAY, from page 6

FILE PHOTO

disability,� she stated in a January affidavit.

Schwartz-Watts also saw evidence of undiagfor his death, a rifle, slipped. Instead of killing nosed and untreated neurological damage. him, the bullet ripped through the lower half A psychologist in private practice in of his face, inflicting massive damage.

Louisiana, Dr. Marc Zimmerman agrees with Four months later, St. Joseph Hospital Schwarz-Watts’ findings. “I believe that (Turndischarged the permanently disfigured 18- er) likely suffers from a bipolar disorder or posyear-old with a prognosis of “fair to poor.� sible schizoaffective disorder,� he states in his Turner began draping a affidavit and concludes towel around his mutilated that Turner was suffering face when he was in public. from a “Prozac triggered Over the next few years, mania� the night of the records show another five shootings. hospital stays for psychiConcurring with the othatric and substance issues, er doctors about Turner’s increasingly erratic behavmental illness, psychiatrist ior and, in 1995, a second Dr. Marc Webb, who suicide attempt. This time, practices in Ridgeland, Turner slit his wrists. states that the psychiatrist The Mississippi State testifying about Turner’s Hospital at Whitfield’s dismental health at his trial, charged him with a Prozac Dr. Rodrigo Galvez, prescription Oct. 23, 1995. “painted a picture of Mr. About six weeks later, Turner that was nearly opTurner and Stewart went posite from the diagnosis out “to rob someplace.� suggested by the totality of Hart Turner as a young man.

Hart Turner doesn’t the diagnostic facts.� He deny that he murdered adds that “the medications Brooks and Curry, and Turner’s lawyers aren’t given to Mr. Turner (Prozac) had the effect of looking for a pass. Their purpose is to keep the exacerbating—in the extreme—his disconneedle out of his arm, reducing his sentence to nection from reality.� life without parole.

The courts have held that men and Craig filed for a temporary restraining women with severe mental problems should order in federal court to allow an independent be exempt from executions; however, the syspsychiatric exam. Until Monday, MDOC re- tem has never formalized the practice. Craig peatedly and successfully blocked the request, is part of a multi-discipline professional group Craig says, calling the denials “mind bog- seeking to change that. Mississippi is out of gling.� He is also filing a stay of execution with step with the national consensus against exthe U.S. Supreme Court and an application ecuting severely mentally ill convicts, he says. for clemency to Gov. Phil Bryant. “One of the things I like about the South Like most attorneys, Craig understands is the general consensus that religion and spirithat a governor’s pardoning power is essential tual values matter,� says Craig, who is origito the judicial process when used judiciously. nally from California. “The power itself is a good thing,� he said. “The day is going to come when the Craig sees all of these actions as temporary. South surprises the nation, and is the heart Ultimately, he wants to be able show a court where the death penalty will end,� he added. evidence of Turner’s mental illness not preju- “I hope Mr. Turner is not executed, but if he diced by his Whitfield doctors’ self interests. is, I hope people will really look at themselves Dr. Donna Marie Schwartz-Watts, se- and our state and our communities in the mirnior psychiatrist at the Bryan Psychiatric Hos- ror and ask, ‘Does this really fit?’� pital in Columbia, S.C., is one of three experts To contact the governor’s office in support of who have examined Turner’s medical records. Edwin Hart Turner’s application for clemency, “There is no serious doubt that Mr. Turner call 601-359-3150 or email camp.murphy@ suffers from an inherited mental disorder or governor.ms.gov. Comment at www.jfp.ms.

Unemployment Down Again

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jacksonfreepress.com

by Dustin Cardon

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Legislature: Week 5

By R.L. Nave

Fight the Power AMILE WILSON

Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, sponsored two bills lawmakers debated this week. The Child Protection Act requires certain people to report child sex abuse, while the Sunshine Act lets state agencies hire their own counsel.

W

February 8 - 14, 2012

hen something called the Child Rape Protection Act passes by a margin of 106 votes to 9, you’d think that discussion would be minimal. That wasn’t the case last week when House lawmakers spent more than four hours locking horns over the proposal, sponsored by Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, in its first floor debate of the session.

The act calls for mandatory reporting of sex crimes against children by health-care workers, clergy members, law-enforcement officers, film and photographic processors, teachers and child-care providers.

It also creates a civil penalty for helping a minor get an abortion. In cases where girls under age 14 have abortions, doctors will be required to keep a DNA sample from the fetus to determine who the father is.

Democrats called the bill ambiguous.

House Minority Leader Bobby Moak, D-

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Bogue Chitto, said the bill as it’s written could have unintended consequences. For example, a pharmacist who doesn’t call the police after observing a minor buying condoms or a parent who fails to report a consensual sexual relationship their teenager is having with another teen each could be charged with a crime, he said. “The premise (of the act) is to protect children—no one is against that. But the legislation is poorly written,� Moak told the Jackson Free Press this week.

Speaking at the Capital Club Monday, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said “appropriate changes� would be made to the bill when it goes to the Senate. He pointed out that he listed protecting children and tightening regulations on abortions as two of his legislative priorities, which he outlined over the course of the week. In addition to the child protection law, Reeves proposed consolidating school districts in Sunflower County

to save on the cost of administrators, issuing less bond debt and letting state agencies share services with each other.

Expanding state agencies’ powers came up again Tuesday when the House Judiciary A Committee took up a bill that empowers state agencies, boards and commissions to hire their own attorneys if an agency director believes a conflict of interest exists with the attorney general, who typically represents the state in legal matters. Dubbed the Sunshine Act, the bill also requires legal services contracts over $100,000 to be forwarded to the Personal Service Contract Review Board for publication online. “This clarifies the process and sheds some light on it,� Rep. Trey Lamar, R-Senatobia, said. A lot of Democrats, however, believe the bill’s sole purpose is to punish Attorney General Jim Hood for thumbing his nose at powerful Republicans and large corporations, and to roll back his powers.

Since Hood took office in 2004, he has sued cigarette maker J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., petroleum giant BP over its Gulf oil-spill-claims process and large insurers in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. More recently, Hood challenged the legality of pardons and commutations former Gov. Haley Barbour made before leaving office.

The Supreme Court will review the case at a hearing Thursday, Feb. 9.

He declined to comment about the lawsuit, saying he did not want justices to think he was trying the case in the media.

Hood called the provision to let agencies hire their own lawyers “ludicrous.�

Although he acknowledged that the bill wouldn’t preclude him from pursuing matters he thinks are in the state’s interest, he’s concerned the state about situations arising from the state having attorneys on opposite sides of a case. “You can’t have the state fighting itself,� Hood said. “The state should speak with one voice.�

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

(OUSE "ILLS OF .OTE HB 30—Provide for a spring season for squirrel hunting.

HB 36—Require applicants for gubernatorial pardon to give notice to district attorney to hold a public hearing.

HB 57—Prohibit elected official from changing political party affiliation during term of office.

HB 77—Require school districts to adopt policy and educate students on dating violence.

HB 80—Require health-insurance coverage for hearing aids for dependent children.

HB 84—Permit making of homemade beer for domestic or household use only.

HB 101—Allow parents with bona fide belief that immunizations will harm children to be exempt from immunization requirements.

HB 111—Indictment of elected officials results in suspension without pay, and conviction results in removal.

HB 120—Create offense for attempted murder.

HB 126—Create the offense of failure to report the death or disappearance of a child.

HB 137—Criminalize sextortion (using a cell phone to exploit children under age 18).

HB 138—Require testing of Medicaid applicants and recipients for illegal drugs.

HB 152—Authorize year-round hunting of wild hogs with proper permit or license.

HB 181—Clarify that wagering on certain athletic events is unlawful.

Follow legislation online and watch live feeds from the Capitol at billstatus.ls.state. ms.us.

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capitoltalk

by Elizabeth Waibel

Want Medicaid? Ditch the Vanity Plate

Sen. Merle Flowers wants to prevent Medicaid recipients from getting distinctive license plates—one of several restrictions some lawmakers want to put on public assistance.

Polk said the program would help people with drug problems, potentially using “tough love” by taking people off public assistance, and would probably pay for itself.

Rep. Jessica Upshaw, R-Diamondhead, introduced a bill Tuesday with similar drug-testing requirements for Medicaid recipients and applicants. Unlike the other bills, Upshaw’s measure would target only Medicaid, and would apply to applicants and recipients as young as 13 years old.

Anyone who tests positive for drugs would be ineligible to receive benefits for at least 90 days. Upshaw was not available for comment at press time.

Roy Mitchell, executive director of the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program, said he has been monitoring some legislators’ efforts to require drug testing.

“It’s just a continuation (of) a theme in the Legislature and the Mississippi gov-

ernment that somehow there are certain members of our society that are not deserving of health care,” he said.

“We create these barriers (to aid) in our society where the need is the greatest. … Underlying that, we have to presume that there is a school of thought in the Legislature that there are Mississippians who don’t deserve health care and, therefore, don’t deserve to live.”

While Mitchell said he doesn’t know the lawmakers’ motivations for proposing more restrictions on Medicaid, drug testing and legal challenges won’t come cheap.

“If they’re looking at administrative efficiency, that’s not there with this bill they’re proposing,” he said. “… This is not by any means efficient, effective public-health policy.”

Polk also co-authored Collins’ bill to require public-assistance recipients to serve at least 20 hours of community service per week. Polk says some of the details will have to be addressed in committee, such as whether a person has a job but is still on some form of public assistance, but that the bill is a “broad blueprint.”

“People on assistance are receiving help from taxpayers. Most of those taxpayers are working to a point that they can’t offer community service like they wish they could sometimes,” he said. “… You get a wonderful feeling (from serving the community), and I think sometimes those who have made public assistance a way of life don’t have the self-esteem and the feeling of accomplishment … from helping others as they’ve been helped.”

Polk also said getting people out and working in the community could teach them skills to find a job, such as transitioning from serving in a soup kitchen to working in a restaurant.

Other legislators have targeted specific programs. Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Southaven, wants to prevent Medicaid recipients from getting distinctive license plates.

“An automobile license plate is a privilege, just like your driver’s license is a

privilege,” he said. Most specialty tags cost about $30 to $50.

“If you’re on welfare, you ought to spend that money on medicine or food,” Flowers said.

“If the taxpayers are picking up the tab for your health-care costs and/or your welfare benefits, you ought to be responsible enough to spend our money wisely.”

Flowers’ bill would require the Division of Medicaid and the State Tax Commission to develop a computer program to determine whether license-plate applicants are Medicaid recipients, although he still says the benefits of the program would outweigh the costs of developing it.

“We sent a man to the moon in the ’60s,” he said. “Surely we can figure out a computer program that is low-cost, … simple and effective at preventing Medicaid recipients and welfare recipients from getting a vanity license plate.”

Flowers has also introduced a bill that would require the Division of Medicaid to redetermine recipients’ eligibility at least once every six months. Right now, Medicaid recipients are eligible for a year at a time. Although staff would have to verify eligibility more frequently for some people, Flowers said the measure should ultimately save money by taking people off Medicaid if they find a job before a full year is up.

Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, has introduced a bill to require Medicaid recipients to submit to random nicotine testing.

If they test positive, people would have to participate in a tobacco-cessation program or lose their eligibility to receive Medicaid benefits for a year. He pointed to information from Smokefree Air Mississippi, which shows that tobacco-related diseases cost the state $264 million each year in direct Medicaid costs.

Medicaid currently serves 711,000 Mississippians.

McDaniel also introduced a bill to require agencies to verify that public-benefits applicants are in the United States legally.

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

Jesse Gallagher Griff Howard Lori Carpenter Scroggins Ginger Rankin Brock Freeman PAUL MITCHELL SIGNATURE SALON NOW CARRYING PAUL MITCHELL AWAPUHI

jacksonfreepress.com

“Cost is not the issue,” Polk said. “I actually feel like if we run it for two or three years and we find that drug use is very, very minimal, we’ll have proved that everything is fine.”

COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

W

ithin the past few weeks, legislators have rolled out bills to put extra requirements and tests on public-assistance benefits, from wide-ranging drug and nicotine tests to specifications regarding license plates.

At least three state lawmakers have introduced bills to require people who receive some forms of government assistance to submit to random drug testing.

Sen. John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, authored one of the bills, and co-authored another with Sen. Nancy Collins, R-Tupelo.

Polk said constituents in his district wanted to see if public-assistance recipients were breaking the law by using illegal drugs. If most jobs require drug testing, he said, it’s only fair that people who benefit from his tax dollars get tested, too.

Polk does not know how much it would cost to drug test everyone receiving public assistance, though he said the state could use prescreening tests that only cost about $2 per test. If people need further testing after prescreening, they would get a drug test that costs $15 to $30, he said.

In July, following similar proposals, the Mississippi Economic Policy Center estimated that drug testing Mississippians receiving unemployment insurance, at $25 per test, would cost more than $4 million.

Other states have found that similar drug-testing requirements do not pay off in the long run. In Michigan in 2003, a federal court struck down a mandatory drugtesting requirement for welfare recipients, saying it violated the Constitution’s protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

In Florida, a judge blocked a similar law last year. The Miami Herald reported that of the 7,000 people who applied for welfare while the law was in effect, 32 tested positive for drugs, mostly marijuana.

Another 1,600 people refused to take the test, forfeiting their benefits, though they are not required to say why they refused the test. The report concluded that it is unclear whether the state saved money through the testing program.

775 Lake Harbour Drive #H in Ridgeland 601.856.4330 | fax: 601.856.4505

9

The iPad v. Laptop Debate

E\ 6DP +DOO

COURTESY APPLE

my Mac, I rarely open Microsoft products.

In fact, I rarely, if ever, open Word. I still use Excel, however, from time to time.

On the iPad, Pages is serviceable. Numbers, however, is great. It doesn’t have the higher functions of Excel, but it has the necessary functions I need. The design approach is superb, and grouping and segmenting data is easier.

Céilí and Workshop with Patrick O’Dea

Sunday, February 19th at Fenian’s Céilí (Irish social dancing) 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Free. Donations accepted.

Beginner-friendly and fun for all ages.

Sean-nós (old-style) Solo Dancing Workshop 5:00 - 6:30 PM

$15 per person, $10 for members of Jackson Irish Dancers and CHS for intermediate/advanced dancers To join our e-mail list or for more information:

601.592.9914

maggie@jacksonirishdancers.org

Lunch Specials are listed daily at

www.stevestown.com

Can the iPad replace your laptop? Maybe. It depends on the apps.

A

hard-drive crash that forced me to reinstall the operating system on my 4year-old MacBook interrupted work on this week’s column.

My original column was looking at the iPad as a personal computer, a topic that gained some attention earlier this month after a noted tech columnist (who is a faithful Windows user) proclaimed the iPad the new, and perhaps first, truly personal computer.

The debate that ensued centered around all the things an iPad cannot do. Most of it came down to programming, graphic design and running certain apps.

My take is simple: The iPad is not meant to replace the personal computer for everyone, but it certainly is more than capable of being a standalone machine for many. My recent laptop issues forced me to consider this for a day, so I decided to share how the iPad works for me as a personal computer.

Email The iPad is my main email machine. I can triage my inbox in record time on the iPad. It also helps me to keep responses tighter because I’m naturally not going to type as much on an iPad keyboard as a regular keyboard.

Read Whether books or news feeds, the iPad is my main reading machine. I follow more than 100 news feeds, read four different newspapers, four magazines, always

have at least two books going and have even come back to reading comics. The best Bible I’ve ever owned—the English Standard Version—is an app on the iPad, and it is beautiful! All my reading materials reside on my iPad. Write While I don’t do a lot of writing on my iPad, I do some. I’ve got a Bluetooth keyboard that I carry with me. The plethora of great writing apps for the iPad helps tremendously.

Social Media My iPhone is my main Twitter machine, but the iPad is a close second. Ditto for Facebook. Developers first designed the native apps for both for the iPad and then scaled them for the iPhone. It made the apps much nicer than the original iPhone versions.

File Management Using Dropbox and GoodReader apps, I can pretty much manage files on the iPad much like I do on my laptop. I keep most of my active files in Dropbox, so they are accessible anywhere. GoodReader is also my go-to app for handling PDFs. It allows me to highlight and take notes.

Pages and Numbers These two apps are Apple’s answer to Microsoft Word and Excel, respectively. On

Getting Into Workflowy

February 8 - 14, 2012

Awesomeness served fresh daily.

10

125 South Congress St. Capital Towers T: 601.969.1119 F: 601.969.7058 Follow us on facebook

I

am loving Workflowy.com right now, the oddly named, completely free outlining tool that will surprise you. Its simplicity is deceiving. It’s sort of like a wiki meets the outlining tool in Word, but if you’re anything like me, you may find you get hooked on Workflowy as a straightforward—dare I say, lazy?—solution to effectively handle your tasks, projects, even your assignments back and forth with co-workers and employees.

Workflowy is based on multi-level

outlines, where each sub-item can become its own outline, and each outline can become its own page, which you can then print, share with others, mark items “complete” and so on.

Workflowy reformats for phones and tablets, but there’s still some work to be done, particularly on collaboration and sharing tools.

Still, I suggest you spend a minute or two with the intro video on their site— you may find yourself as hooked as I am!

—Todd Stauffer

Brainstorming I use outlines and mind maps all the time for new projects. I don’t do these on my Mac; I do them on the iPad. OmniOutliner is my go-to outliner app. For mind maps, I use iThoughtsHD. Both are spectacular.

Fun Stuff Netflix, Hulu, podcasts, iTunes, comics, even a remote for my Apple TV—they all get a good workout on my iPad. OmniFocus This is the big one, my most-used app. It’s my outboard brain. For anyone who adheres to David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” approach to productivity and task management, OmniFocus is a must have. It’s not cheap, but it is worth every penny.

This is where I track every project I have. The only time I fail to do something is either when: (a) I don’t put it into OmniFocus; or (b) I go more than a day without checking OmniFocus.

Of course, some things I can’t do on the iPad or can’t do as well. For instance, I sell books and collectibles online as a hobby. I use barcode scanners and a label printer that require a Mac. I also do web development, and that requires a Mac. Writing, too, is faster for me on a Mac. At the end of the day, if I was forced to choose between an iPad or a laptop, I’d have to go with the laptop. For me, the iPad is not yet the first truly personal computer. My MacBook holds that title.

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

Public schools do more than educate children. They measure a city’s pride. They reflect community. They predict the social and economic well-being of a city’s future.

For 20 years, Parents for Public Schools of Jackson has worked to keep our public schools strong, to empower parents as leaders for positive change, and to engage community support of our public schools.

Join us. For our city. For our children.

For our future.

Founding Chapter, Parents for Public Schools, 1989 200 N. Congress, Suite 500, Jackson, MS 39201

www.ppsjackson.org PA I D A DV E RT I S E M E N T

jacksonfreepress.com

“A

ll right, Popeye’s here,” Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle shouts in the 1971 classic movie French Connection. The movie, starring Gene Hackman— about a pair of New York City police officers in the Narcotics Bureau who stumble onto a drug smuggling job with a French connection—was a favorite with Al Copeland. So much so that he named his restaurant Popeye’s Mighty Good Fried Chicken in Arabi, Louisiana, in 1972.

The concept was “chicken on the run,” a mild fried chicken recipe sure to please the masses. However, as Copeland soon discovered with lackluster sales, Popeyes would have to spice up their recipe to impress the flavor-seeking New Orleanians.

Popeyes is the second-largest “quick-service chicken restaurant group,” with more than 1,800 restaurants in over 40 states and over 21 countries worldwide including Turkey, Bahrain, and Japan.

Popeyes serves up chicken like a seasoned pro, but don’t be mistaken, this isn’t any ordinary chicken joint. With other Cajun specialties like Red Beans and Rice, Popcorn Shrimp, and Catfish, Popeyes has you covered.

Don’t leave your chicken lonely on the plate! Make sure you add some delicious, Southern sides to your order. Cajun fries, mashed potatoes with Cajun-style gravy, and Cajun rice (just to name a few) will complete your Cajun feast.

Just like their chicken is prepared using a special blend of spices, Popeyes fresh-brewed Cane Sweet Tea is made from a premium blend of orange pekoe and pekoe black teas straight from the Far East.

So whether you’re looking for a chicken or a true Cajun feast, make your one stop your only stop at Popeyes.

11

jfp op/ed

opining, grousing & pontificating

EDITORIAL

Stop the Injustice of ‘Justice’

N

othing brings the inequality and foibles of our justice system into stark relief like an upcoming execution. As lawyers battle over last-minute efforts to save a human life, it’s impossible not to weigh one man’s sentence of death against others who receive lesser sentences—or even pardons—for equivalent crimes.

In Mississippi, as in every other state in the land, justice is unequally meted out. Whether a murderer gets a sentence of several years, life or the death penalty is dependent on many factors: Can he or she put the blame on someone else and cut a deal with the prosecution? Can the perpetrator afford a top-of-the-line attorney, or will he depending on an overworked or inexperienced public defender? Is the defendant able to assist with her defense, or is she mentally unable to grasp the significance of her decisions? Will he or she plead guilty because lawyers offer no other option?

After the verdict comes in, in today’s legal climate, it’s not enough to show that an attorney or judge made errors in a case to make a successful appeal. The errors must be so egregious that, as one attorney recently told us, “you have to beat them by two touchdowns.”

Convicts in Mississippi, like most states, can appeal to the governor for clemency, such as a reduction in sentence or outright pardon. Because the fact of innocence alone is not enough to warrant granting an appeal, the governor’s powers of clemency is a crucial part of the judicial process. In some cases, it is the last and only option a defendant has left.

Regardless of whether someone can prove he or she has not received a fair trial, an execution makes the entire argument moot. Once the doctor puts the lethal drugs into a convict’s veins, the option of reprieve is off the table.

That’s why, in 2003, Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentence of all 167 of that state’s death row prisoners. “Our capital system is haunted by the demon of error—error in determining guilt, and error in determining who among the guilty deserves to die,” Ryan said in a speech.

Lawyers are trained to be right. They are trained to advocate for their client regardless of guilt or innocence or the righteousness of their prosecutions.

Innocent people like Cedric Willis pay the price of overzealous prosecutors who can’t deal with losing. (Willis spent 12 years behind bars for a murder he didn’t commit.)

Perhaps, people die because the legal system can’t come to grips with a judicial system that is, at its core, more concerned with minutiae than actual issues of what’s right, wrong or fair. Lawyers, judges and juries are fallible. The sooner we acknowledge that, the sooner we can begin to fix our broken justice system.

Speak out for Edwin Hart Turner’s clemency (see page 6) by calling Gov. Phil Bryant’s office at 601-359-3150.

KEN STIGGERS

In Return for a Dollar

B

February 8 - 14, 2012

rother Hustle: “Welcome, fellow hustlers, to the first Compensatory Investment Request Support Group Meeting of 2012. I look forward to a great year for our group. Since the coming of the Great Recession, the rise of the Occupy Movement and Mitt Romney’s comment regarding not being worried about the poor, more people have joined the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group. Last year, when homes were foreclosed on and food supplies ran out, many of the new poor (aka middle class) attended our meetings. Then came droves of laid-off workers who joined our group to express their frustrations. And today the unemployed, underemployed and parttime deejays have joined our support group.

“The purpose of the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group is to provide a forum for new and established street entrepreneurs. Sometimes the group participants discuss various problems and issues when conducting a compensatory investment request. We also hold continuing education seminars, like the very popular ‘Dollar for a Product Sales Pitch Seminar’ and ‘How to Raise Money While Shopping for Groceries.’ Aunt Tee Tee Hustle also provides computer-literacy training classes.

“We are proud and honored to receive product donations from members of the Ghetto Science Team Business Community Association. Now, aspiring street entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to apply one of the core principles of the Compensatory Investment Request System: Provide the potential investor a product in return for a dollar. Also, remember to add your monetary love 12 offering to the Compensatory Investment Request Fund.”

CHATTER

Join the conversation at www.jfp.ms.

Chatter from Kamikaze: ‘I’m No Token’ “The business community is about profit, that’s it. In order to get profit, you have to have paying customers for whatever you are selling. In Mississippi, most of the paying customers will be white, depending on the product.

“In order for people to part ways with their money, they have to feel comfortable. The history and image of black people in this state automatically puts us at a disadvantage in the marketplace. You have to appeal to the customers’ comfort zone. If the customer is a white person whose only knowledge of black people was gained from news reports and media depictions, that trust will be slow in coming, and you would have to appear in an ‘acceptable’ image to them. How do we combat this?”

—Reynaldo Bryant “What I’ve found is that Renaldo is right.

The dominant culture has defined those behaviors, and thus, elite black folk have taken it on as gospel. Expounding the same views. I’m an entrepreneur, I eat what I kill, but part of that came from not liking the ‘box’ that corporate America put you in. But sacrificing that belief for the greater good of the city I love proved detrimental to me and my brand—unfortunately, of course.

“I like to think because I’m not defined either way that I’m being a catalyst. That I will draw more who think like me out into the open, but alas....

“How can a black man be professional and ‘down’ in JACKSON? Good question.”

—Kamikaze

“Kaze, please yourself and take care of your family. If you can do both of those things, you have won the race of life. You will make enemies and have critics no matter what you do. In fact, if you don’t do anything at all, some people will call you a lazy piece of crap.

“You decide who you are and what you’re about. Don’t worry much about what others say.

Dance to your own song; march to your own beat. It’s the dance and march you know.

“When you reach out to others, if you choose to, do that your way, too. Listen to others you trust and honor, because no man is an island or is all-knowing, but do your own thing by use of your own intellect and perceptions. The almighty made us all different. No one knows everything. Do your thing and find peace, joy and happiness.”

—Walt “I’d be lying if I said that after several years of convos, whispers, snide comments and jokes that I haven’t been worn down. But today I committed myself to digging deeper into this controversial issue. Could make a good book. I want to conduct some interviews, do some research etc.

“We’ve got so many different personalities amongst black folks, it’s unfortunate that some can’t respect variety. In as much as we scream for diversity and acceptance in the larger society, we’ve become guilty of possibly forcing a monolithic view for ourselves.”

—Kamikaze

Email letters to letters@jacksonfreepress.com, fax to 601-510-9019 or mail to P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, Miss., 39296.

Include daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, as well as factchecked.

A More Perfect Union Editor-in-Chief Donna Ladd Publisher Todd Stauffer

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Ronni Mott Assistant Editor Valerie Wells Reporters R.L. Nave, Elizabeth Waibel Events Editor Latasha Willis Deputy Editor Briana Robinson Copy Editor Dustin Cardon Music Listings Editor Natalie Long Fashion Stylist Meredith Sullivan Writers Torsheta Bowen, Quita Bride, Marika Cackett, Scott Dennis, Bryan Flynn, Brandi Herrera, Diandra Hosey, Pamela Hosey, Robyn Jackson, Garrad Lee, Natalie Long, Larry Morrisey, Robin O’Bryant, Eddie Outlaw, Julie Skipper, Ken Stiggers, Rebecca Wright Editorial Interns Elyane Alexander, Tam Curley, Brittany Kilgore, Whitney Menogan, Dylan Watson Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Kristin Brenemen Advertising Designer Andrea Thomas Production Designer Latasha Willis Graphic Designer Holly Harlan Graphic Design Interns Eric Bennett, Erica Sutton Editorial Cartoonist Mike Day Staff Photographer Virginia Schreiber Photographers William Patrick Butler, Christina Cannon,Tate K. Nations, Jerrick Smith, Amile Wilson

SALES AND OPERATIONS Sales Director Kimberly Griffin Account Executives Amanda Beach, Adam Perry Sales Assistant Marissa Lucas Distribution Manager Matt Heindl Events Coordinator Shannon Barbour Bookkeeper Montroe Headd Distribution Avery Cahee, Raymond Carmeans, Jeff Cooper, Mik Davis, Clint Dear, Richard Laswell Sales Interns Morgan Bares, Samantha Towers

ONLINE Web Developer Matt Heindl Web Editor Dustin Cardon Web Producer Korey Harrion

CONTACT US: Letters letters@jacksonfreepress.com Editorial editor@jacksonfreepress.com Releases releases@jacksonfreepress.com Queries editor@jacksonfreepress.com Listings events@jacksonfreepress.com Advertising ads@jacksonfreepress.com Publisher todd@jacksonfreepress.com News tips news@jacksonfreepress.com Internships interns@jacksonfreepress.com Fashion style@jacksonfreepress.com

Jackson Free Press P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, Miss., 39296 Editorial (601) 362-6121 Sales (601) 362-6121 Fax (601) 510-9019 Daily updates at jacksonfreepress.com The Jackson Free Press is the city’s award-winning, locally owned newsweekly, with 17,000 copies distributed in and around the Jackson metropolitan area every Wednesday. The Jackson Free Press is free for pick-up by readers; one copy per person, please. Firstclass subscriptions are available for $100 per year for postage and handling.

The Jackson Free Press welcomes thoughtful opinions. The views expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the publisher or management of Jackson Free Press Inc. Š Copyright 2012 Jackson Free Press Inc. All Rights Reserved

"TTPDJBUJPO PG "MUFSOBUJWF /FXTXFFLMJFT

K

nee-deep in coiffing clients for the holiday season, I was snatched from my robotic motions of cutting hair by a little good news. A client, Michelle Dawson, informed me that the Mississippi Youth State Legislature passed a bill last year recognizing same-sex unions from other states.

I was already sitting, as is my habit while cutting hair (it staves off varicose veins), so I poked my head around hers and glared like a lemur, “Ma’am?!� I implored. “Yes!� she said excitedly, and then went on to explain that her son, Mark Dawson, participated in the mock legislative session.

She added that two Madison Central students drafted the bill, and the “governor,�

Jared Powell, signed it into law. Not the real governor, mind you, but another teenager from our state. Afterward, as she told her son how proud she was of him, he shrugged it off as “the right thing to do,� adding, “It doesn’t really count, since it was make-believe.�

I understand his ambivalent attitude but, Lord knows, that’s not the point. These kids come from all over our state, and the same kids will flood the voting booths in the coming years. They’ll bring with them more tolerant and accepting views on social issues that are not mired down by religious ideology. Change will come—even in the state that seems slowest to change—and that makes me even more hopeful.

If you had asked me four years ago if I thought Justin and I would ever get married, I’d have told you no. Until two weeks ago, my biggest fear was that the “something old�

I wear on my wedding day will be my Life Alert, and Justin’s “something new� will be his hip replacement. And while I understand why some couples have “commitment� ceremonies (which hold no legal weight whatsoever), Justin and I agreed that this sort of union was no more important than a beer fanatic marrying his Kegerator. What’s the point without the legal protections extended to “traditional� unions?

I consoled myself with the fact that politicians are being forced to openly debate the subject of gay marriage as a wedge issue, and that usually forces change. I never believed I’d see same-sex unions recognized in Mississippi in my lifetime. But now, I’m certain I will.

As I worked that afternoon, I allowed myself to tune out the drone of hair dryers and the siren calls from the tins of cheese straws, and I began imagining my own wedding celebration. On the occasions Justin and I have discussed the matter, he’s leaned toward the Barbie dream wedding complete with Bridezilla meltdowns and chocolate-fountain tomfooleries. That’s not for me.

It wouldn’t be a “churchy� kind of affair, so we’d have no need for elaborate ceremony.

There would be no Vera Wang (Hush!) or a spectacle of a wedding cake. No screaming flower girls or cousins with hurt feelings.

I began to envision a sort of Golden Globe affair, where friends and family are dressed to the nines and twirl down a red carpet right past a velvet rope holding back throngs of religious right-wingers and Westboro Baptist Church protesters. Once inside the glorious event space, none other than Sir Elton John will greet guests’ ears as he tickles the ivories, as shirtless Abercrombie and Fitch models serve flutes of bubbly.

Cocktail hour will be ending as emcee Neil Patrick Harris steps out. He immediately tears into a musical bit about the highlights of our romance.

(Honestly, that queen will do anything for a paycheck.) After a few jokes and acknowledging key members in attendance—such as Liza Minnelli, Rosie and The Indigo Girls—he directs folks to find their places for dinner.

As guests seat themselves, an audiovisual presentation begins. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, it tells the stories of our lives and all that we’ve accomplished together. There isn’t a dry eye in the house as heavily Photoshopped images of our lives float across the IMAX screen. The presentation ends, and out strolls Ellen DeGeneres.

Earlier that day, Ellen explains, Justin and I had gone to the justice of the peace and entered into a civil union. “You all are unknowingly at their reception!� she exclaims, as the crowd leaps to its feet cheering.

Then she toasts us and our future together as the delicate sounds of crystal clinks sweep the room in waves. We name a charity in lieu of gifts, but secretly I expect no less than a half-dozen KitchenAid mixers in the coming days. The evening is filled with congratulatory hugs and dancing, as Madonna runs through her greatest hits.

Good stuff, right? It would be a reception and celebration the likes of which most have never seen. I didn’t have the luxury of growing up with dreams of my wedding—like so many little girls do. But change is coming, and I’d hate to have to settle for Lady Gaga, so the saving starts now.

The best part is knowing that—once we’ve moved away from being just a wedge issue—Justin and I will truly be accepted as a part of this more perfect union we’ve been working toward, just like the rest of America.

And, well, won’t that be grand?

Eddie Outlaw is co-owner of the William Wallace Salon in Fondren and spends most of his time trying not to embarrass his sweet Delta mother on eddieoutlaw.com.

Change will come—even in the state that seems slowest to change.

Revealing Heaven On Earth 8:30 a.m.

A Service of Word and Table 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School for all ages 11:00 a.m.

Worship Service Live Streaming at www.gallowayumc.org Televised on WAPT Children’s Church Ages 4-Kindegarten Nursery Available Ages 6 weeks-3 years

305 North Congress Street Jackson, MS 601-353-9691 English 601-362-3464 Spanish www.gallowayumc.org

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jacksonfreepress.com

EDDIE OUTLAW

13

Ah, romance! It’s an emotion that has inspired symphonies, poetry and monstrous, fluffy pink teddy bears. As Valentine’s Day nears, here’s some advice for people playing the dating game, longtime couples looking to renew their romance and singles drowning in aisles of red flowers and pink bows. Be our valentine, Jackson?

FILE PHOTO

No Sex in This City

Artists, musicians and writers may not always provide for you, but they can be passionate.

A

February 8 - 14, 2012

few years ago, I went on a journey to find my Mr. Right by going on 100 dates in a year. I blogged about each date, with plans to write a best seller and have Drew Barrymore play me in the blockbuster movie that I just knew would come to fruition. I had a fan base full of all types of people—gay men and women, straight men and women, married folks and the singles who all felt my angst when a really good prospect flew the coop. They also shared my excitement when I would date someone who seemed to be the cheese to my macaroni.

We even had my 100th date party with Fearless Four and my closest friends and fans to celebrate my benevolent quest for heterosexual companionship. I did have my share of winners. I met one of my best friends on this journey in finding love, and for that I’m extremely grateful (love you much, Padre!).

My dates were quite interesting. One guy really wanted to impress me by sending me a video of him masturbating (with his parents’ Olan Mills church directory picture in the background). Another guy told me he had four DUIs in just under a year. One man was married (I soon found out and ran like hell and told his wife), and one paid for our meal with a slew of coupons, even before couponing was cool. One guy, when I was sick with fever, asked me if he could come over and have sex with me because he likes it when a girl has a fever, he says, and I quote, “because it’s so hot DOWN THERE.�

My favorite reply while I was on Match.com (it really should be renamed MISMatch.com) was “Well, I’m White, 14 6’-2� tall, and 240 pounds. Full gray beard, though. It was

by Natalie Long brown before I got shot. Ouch.� One night at a local gay bar with my Deacons/Sweet Pickle Bus members, I got a note from a guy that said: “Hey, I’m in town for a few days. Here’s my number. AND I AM NOT GAY!�

I’ve also learned to give potential ex-boyfriends/future restraining-order recipients the gay aptitude test to make sure I wouldn’t ruin a perfectly good wedding dress by marrying someone with one foot in the closet.

However, in the year of excessive dating, I did manage to fall in heavy like with a guy from the Pine Belt, but tales of infidelity and his inability to let the past with his ex-girlfriend go ruined us.

Soon after that union busted up like an ax to firewood, I fell hard for a Lincoln County boy and was even looking at wedding rings, making wedding plans and trying to move to where he lived in Louisiana. When I refused to move due to not finding a job, his quick-to-anger mentality and jealousy reared its neck. We broke up, and I literally thought I was going to die of a broken heart.

Adding salt to the wound, he came to visit me on the night before Christmas Eve. He ran out on two of our bar tabs in the city, then left me crying in my street as he sped off, calling me every name in the book. It took me awhile to forgive him for his actions, but I did, and was able to PTFO (press the f*** on.)

While I don’t regret trying to find Mr. Right, my quest wasn’t the smartest thing to do. The onslaught of rejection and trying to fit each guy to suit my needs was draining, to say the least. I put each guy on a pedestal and immediately fell in heavy like when they did a slightly nice gesture toward me. I’m not a whore by any means, but my heart sure is. A year of rejection plus the years of dating losers and bad boys made me realize that I have never been in a healthy relationship.

Last year, I decided to quit looking for Mr. Right. Just plumb said to hell with it. It took the pressure off trying to find true love, and while I didn’t find it, the fellas I did go out with were guys I’m still friends with to this day. I had no quota to meet, no self-appointed pressure to go out on every date a guy asked me out to, and no stream of countless rejections from guys. I’m learning now to be happy with what I do have and

.ATALIE´S 4IPS ON $ATING

not concentrate on finding my soulmate. I count my blessings for all the wonderful opportunities I have in life.

The secret to knowing you have it all is when you quit looking at what you thought it was supposed to look like. And if my Prince Charming comes along, that’s great. If he doesn’t, I’m OK with that. Instead of finding love from just one person, I see love every day from my friends, family and at my job. I hope 2012 will make you see that love is everywhere. You just have to find it in the little things.

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“What if, what if Life’s the sweetheart?” — Willa Cather

Red-Washed Origins

for the Roman Army. To ensure a steady crop of loyal soldiers, he simply made it illegal for young men to marry. Valentine, sympathetic to the plight of young lovers, would perform clandestine marriage ceremonies. When Claudius II learned of Valentine’s activities, he ordered his execution. The Catholic Church recognizes two Valentines executed by Claudius II on Feb. 14 of different years, and has canonized both Valentines as martyrs. Pope Gelasius I combined St. Valentine’s Day and Lupercalia in the 5th century A.D., in part to honor the martyrs and also to purge the pagan rituals associated with Lupercalia.

About the same time Romans celebrated St. Valentine’s Day, the Normans had their The ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia in February own celebration, Galatin’s Day. The translation with bloody sacrifices and fertility rituals. In later centuries, the for “galatin” is “lover of women.” Because the Roman fertility holiday merged with the Catholic Saint Valentine’s Day. words “galatin” and “Valentine” sound similar, the two may have ended up being used interchangeably, gifts. By the end of the 18th century, printed cards had reand traditions may have merged. placed handwritten notes. In America, Esther A. Howland By the 17th century, ritual had given way to expres- is credited with selling the first mass-produced commercial sions of affection in the form of handwritten notes or small valentines in 1850.

FILE PHOTO

FILE PHOTO

The Single’s Valentine’s Day Survival Guide

If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, there’s no need to sit at home and mope or punch your co-worker’s giant stuffed teddy bear in the face (as tempting as that may be).

A

h, Valentine’s Day! Offices everywhere are inundated with a flood of floral arrangements, balloons and fuzzy, stuffed animals. Singles everywhere are looking on forlornly as their attached co-workers, friends and frenemies (gasp!) are hauling in the Valentine loot by the truckloads. Yes, we’re stifling tears of loneliness as they …

Wait! Hold up! Let’s rewind this article that’s starting to read like I plagiarized it from one of those ’80s-era romantic comedies that usually ends with a marriage proposal. This article ain’t it! After all, Feb. 14 is just a day. It’s not even a day we get to be off work. That means all your office buddies who got flower arrangements that required a dedicated moving van and three muscle-bound men to transport them are going to have to tackle the logistics of getting those behemoths home without soaking the pas-

senger seats of their cars if they have to slam on the brakes.

I’ve been there, trying to drive and keep a water-filled vase from toppling over. It was such a miserable experience that I imposed a “no flowers delivered to work” policy.

If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, you probably haven’t bought into the hype. Still, Valentine’s Day can be trying for the more sentimental singles out there. You’re alone in a world (seemingly) full of (seemingly) happy couples. So, how will you get through the day without battling the nausea induced by sweetness overload? Here are some ideas to help you navigate the melodrama and cross the threshold to Feb. 15 unscathed.

• Aim that cupid’s bow at the mirror. Be smitten with yourself first. Take an inventory of all the great qualities you possess, and give yourself some affirmation.

• Do something nice just for you. Book the facial.

Sign up for that class you’ve wanted to take. Get those shoes you’ve been drooling over for three months, but never acted on because they’re not practical. Who cares today?

Not you!

• Give a valentine to someone who’s important to you. Send them a message letting them know they’re appreciated and thought of. Valentine’s Day is a day to express your affection and regard. Romantic involvement doesn’t have to be a requirement.

• Kill frenemies with kindness. No matter how content we are, we are all eventually going to run into those people. You know who they are. They’re the people who only call you when (a) they want you to do something for them or (b) they want to remind you how awesome their lives are and what a loser you are in comparison. Remember, bragging and one-upmanship often mask deeper insecurities. Don’t get sucked in when a frenemy calls to say: “My husband is soooo thoughtful! He bought me a Mercedes convertible for Valentine’s Day and booked us a

by Casey Purvis trip to Tahiti! So … what did you get?” Tell her how happy you are for her and mean it. Envy is a destructive emotion that has no legitimate place in our lives. Envy adds nothing to our lives and robs us of the ability to appreciate our own shining moments.

• Make a date with friends. Go check out that restaurant you’ve been dying to try. Have dinner with some company you enjoy.

• If painting the town pink doesn’t appeal to you, stay in and read that novel you haven’t had the chance to dive into. Let a good box of truffles keep you company. You can resume that exercise program tomorrow. The gym and the yoga mat will stay right where you left them.

• Avoid the “Why are all my friends happily attached/married while I’m still single/divorced” trap. Making judgments about yourself in relation to your peers is a losing proposition for you. If you look around, you can always find someone who appears to have everything you want for yourself. Making comparisons is never a good idea, because we’re all different. In spite of what Hollywood attempts to assert, there is no perfect life.

There is no ideal experience or perfect relationship. And we shouldn’t strive to fit any mold other than the one we fashion for ourselves. If that means you’re single at this time in your life, accept it and embrace the potential singlehood holds for you in this present moment.

• Got kids? Embrace your inner child. Take your kids on an outing to the zoo, a museum, a skating rink. Don’t just stand on the sidelines and watch. Participate with them and have fun.

jacksonfreepress.com

F

eb. 14 hasn’t always been celebrated with flowers, over-decorated chocolate boxes and cards filled with fuzzy sentiments. It’s a day steeped in gory pagan ritual, with an executed priest as its patron saint.

In ancient Rome, February was recognized as the beginning of spring. Spring was a time of cleansing and focusing on fertility. The ancient Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia as a fertility ceremony from Feb. 13 through Feb. 15. Men sacrificed a goat for fertility and a dog for purification. The men cut the goat’s hide into strips and dipped them in sacrificial blood. The women then lined up to be slapped with the bloody hides to increase their fertility. This festival culminated in a lottery in which every single man drew a woman’s name from a large urn and paired off with that woman for the duration of the year.

These unions often resulted in marriage. If a particular pairing didn’t work out, the dissatisfied couple had the next Lupercalia feast to look forward to.

Multiple legends exist regarding Valentine’s Day’s namesake. According to one legend, a priest by the name of Valentine secretly married young couples in defiance of Emperor Claudius II’s edict banning marriage for young men. Claudius II believed single men made better soldiers

by Casey Purvis

With a little imagination, Valentine’s Day can be truly painless for the unattached. It’s just a day with a title and some commercial appeal. So make it your day. Chocolates get eaten (if they’re good). Flowers wilt and dry out. The 15 memories we make in our lives are what last.

Divine, Delicious, Decadent COURTESY HOLLY CLEGG

jury’s out on whether it actually has any aphrodisiac qualities. Doctors have discovered that chocolate contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that releases “feel good” endorphins in the body, but some studies have concluded that it doesn’t affect the brain in any way. Chocolate can, however, contain caffeine, which is a stimulant.

One could also consider alcohol an aphrodisiac because it relaxes the body and loosens inhibitions.

Cookbook author Holly Clegg of These sweet treats contain two aphrodisiacs—chocolate and nuts.

Baton Rouge, La., included a chapter on aphrodisiacs in her saucy “Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any he table is set, candles are lit, and music is playing softly Age” cookbook (Holly Clegg Publicain the background. It’s Valentine’s Day, time for a ro- tions, 2010, $24.95), even though she’s not convinced these mantic dinner for two. But what’s on the menu? foods have any real romantic effect.

You might want to start with an appetizer of oysters “Well, it was rumored that Casanova ate 50 oysters a day in the half shell, serve some asparagus or carrots with the main to boost his libido,” Clegg told the Jackson Free Press. “And, course and finish with a chocolate dessert, all consumed with a ‘hot foods’ generate a physiological response like when you get liberal amount of alcohol. excited, so there may be a medical reason why these foods are Some consider all of these foods, and many more, to be aphrodisiacs … and they sure can’t hurt. Of course, I always aphrodisiacs because of their sexually suggestive shapes. Asparagus, carrots and bananas have a phallic shape, while figs and dates could resemble both male and female reproductive CARAMEL PECAN CANDIES From Holly Clegg’s “Trim & Terrific: Too Hot in the Kitchen: organs and are fertility symbols. Eggs and caviar are symbolic Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age,” used by permission. of the reproductive system.

The word “aphrodisiac” comes from Aphrodite, the 1 (14-ounce) package caramels, unwrapped Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, 2 tablespoons skim milk many foods and drinks have developed a reputation for mak2 cups pecans, chopped ing sex pleasurable or more attainable, although there is little 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet scientific evidence to prove that the alleged results were due chocolate chips to anything besides the placebo effect, or the belief that these erotically shaped foods would be effective.

In a microwave-safe dish, combine caramels and People have long considered oysters an aphrodisiac bemilk and microwave one minute. Stir and microwave cause they somewhat resemble the female sex organ. They are another minute, or until melted. Stir in pecans and drop also full of zinc, which controls progesterone levels and can tablespoonfuls onto wax paper-covered baking sheets. Let have a positive effect on the libido. Zinc deficiency can cause stand until firm. impotence in men.

Microwave chocolate in microwave-safe bowl one Nuts are also rich in zinc, and the scent of some nuts can minute or until melted, stirring once. Dip top of caramel cause arousal in women. This is why almond extract is used in candies into melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip. everything from cookies to perfumes. Gingko nuts are used in Place on wax paper and allow the candies to get firm.

Chinese herbal medicine to increase libido.

Makes 30 candies.

People often think of chocolate as a romantic treat, but the

February 8 - 14, 2012

T

16

by Robyn Jackson believe in it when it involves spicing things up in the kitchen.

I definitely had fun with this chapter, and my husband of 32 years and I sure ate well as I tested all these luscious recipes.

Love is in the air in February, so what better way to add sizzle than in your kitchen?”

If you’re preparing a romantic meal to get your sweetheart in the mood for love, Clegg advises using recipes you are comfortable with, and maybe one with a little extra flair. “Don’t stress about every recipe being special,” she said.

But what’s the harm in serving a few aphrodisiacs for a romantic meal? It might only be food for thought, but imagine the pillow talk those oysters will inspire.

OYSTERS AND ANGEL HAIR

From Holly Clegg’s “Trim & Terrific: Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age,” used by permission.

12 ounces angel hair pasta 1 (16-ounce) container small oysters 1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced 1 bunch green onions, chopped 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped A pinch of sugar 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped and reconstituted 3/4 cup fat-free chicken broth Salt and pepper to taste Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Drain oysters and toss bread crumbs and oysters together in a resealable plastic bag or bowl.

In a large nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, cook oysters over medium heat until browned.

Remove to plate.

In the same pan, heat olive oil and sauté mushrooms, green onions, garlic and parsley, scraping bottom of pan to get bits, for about three minutes. Add tomatoes and sugar, cooking until tender. Add sun-dried tomatoes and broth and bring to boil for another five minutes. Toss in pasta with the mixture. Season to taste. Top the pasta with the oysters and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serves 2-4 people.

BRIANA ROBINSON

incurring harm. Like tempering steel or hardening off plants to toughen them up, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re made of strong stuff when tested, provided that the testing comes with the intention of cultivating something more, something sincere and honest. When this happens, it is more likely that no attribute, opportunity or skill is wasted, overlooked

It takes more than flowers to create a good, lasting relationship.

or underutilized. All parties involved grow as a result. These bona fide relationships are strong foundations upon which we can build sustaining lives. They provide a foundation for us to be brave enough to make the most of rich qualities with which we have been endowed. From this, community is fostered, and we create possibilities to support the greater good for all parties.

Love drives you to mastery. You work to learn everything about that person or to know all the nuances of a particular job.

by Deirdre Danahar You put in the hours, no matter how many are needed to fully know, because you are prompted to remain engaged long enough to experiment, take risks and learn.

Love disappoints when nothing seems to go right between you and your sweetheart or when a project seems to drag on forever. Love can create a chasm between vision and reality. Inevitably, what you end up with is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;failureâ&#x20AC;? compared to your idealized original vision. But that is not a bad thing, because we cannot have what is unattainable in reality.

However, if you remain loyal to a good idea or nurturing relationship, you create something that is sustaining and nearly has a life force of its own. Love also pulls you through hard times, especially when the lure of a shiny new idea beckons.

Love provides for reconciliation. Staying focused on the intrinsic rewards of your relationship or your work gives you the ability to stay motivated for the means of your efforts rather than by the ends. When you love, you continually find ways to reengage despite the distance between your impossible heady visions that come with infatuation and the reality of loving.

Love is brave. Take, for example, this anecdote about a client of mine. She received a thank-you gift, a generous gift certificate to a spa, for her years of service on a board. She appreciated the thoughtful gift, but she simply does not enjoy spas. Instead of being disappointed and resentful, she saw it as an opportunity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People need to know me better, and I need to allow that (to happen). I am going to be more authentic to let people know me and really get to know others. Yes, I am risking exposure to criticism, but the reward more than outweighs the risk of criticism. The joy you miss by not doing this is great.â&#x20AC;?

Now she trusts herself enough to be open and love more, wisely.

,OVE #INEMA 3TYLE E\ -HVVH &URZ

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jacksonfreepress.com

T

o love is to care deeply enough about an idea to see it come into being, whether that idea is a romance with another person, writing a novel or starting a business. Love sparks your desire to learn all you can about that someone or something. It is what keeps us engaged during difficult times. Love can lead to disappointments and joys. It requires two oppositional forces in a person: the vulnerability of openness and the protection of strength.

Vulnerability and strength are two sides of one coin, and each requires courage. From vulnerability comes strength if approached with an honest, open conscience, a clear heart, and the resolve to persevere through disappointments and successes. An authentic, lasting relationship that has give and take is built from honesty, trust and support. To be honest requires a certain amount of showing your soft underbelly, to test if you and your ideas will be supported. Will you click with this person?

Is there viability in this notion, this business or personal relationship?

Human instinct tells us to shelter, to protect the tender parts of ourselves from harm. Protecting ourselves from harmful intentions is wise. This instinct can also be a roadblock to fully embracing the possibilities within the world. Readiness to share (a part of oneself, a piece of writing or a new skill) is vital, and hesitation to do so is natural. But an ungrounded or unproductive fear that perpetually keeps you in a state of â&#x20AC;&#x153;as soon as,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;if onlyâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;yes, butâ&#x20AC;? leaves little room for love. Ask yourself: Is this fear real, or is it an idea worth exploring and testing? Can you build enough trust in yourself, in the other person or in the situation to imagine an idea coming into being?

Trust, of course, comes over time when you consistently (in most cases, incrementally) expose your soft side without

COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES

Vulnerability and Strength

17

Thank you JFP readers for voting Ticoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as

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He Said, She Said (E 3AID ³3TAY !WHILE´ by Ben Garrott the cookbook. Or, at least I thought.

Despite being such a positive word to throw around, the actual transitive act of being “romantic” is hard to pin down. I think all beginning courters attempt to schmooze, wine, dine and beg, but are those acts considered “romantic,” begging notwithstanding? I happen to think that true romantic acts aren’t that easy.

We’ve been bombarded with ads for flowers, candy and gifts, leading up to the Christmas of Romance: Valentine’s Day. We’re told that the time is now to show our loved ones that we care by providing them with various products and romantic sundries; we might also receive some quite thoughtful products and sundries ourselves.

We’ll do it, and it’ll be fine. While I’ve fulfilled my Valentine’s Day duties regularly, I’ve found that true acts of romance are something quite different every time but always have an undertone of comfort and familiarity. There might be dinner, music and a rose or

3HE 3AID ³&UNNY AND 3WEET´

W

hen I was first contacted regarding writing about romance, my very first thought was: “What the hell do I know about romance? I’m married.” If I can bother with wiping the eye boogers and the drool off my mouth before I roll over and demand coffee in the morning, I’m a goddess.

If I’m actually wearing clean pajamas?

Hell, that’s sassy. I think in this respect, one’s idea of “romance” varies greatly throughout life.

When I met my husband, I was already 30 and more than a tiny bit jaded toward the intentions of grown men in the dating scene. I think because of this, wooing me was a wee bit harder than wooing most normal women.

It’s also complicated by the fact that I’m a fairly pragmatic person. If you show up underneath my window spouting poetry, I will ask about the state of the flowerbeds as you are leaving. I will also vomit a little in my mouth. I prefer funny and sweet, and well, that’s how he won me.

On our first date, I shared with

two, but there might just be a pot of soup that you both love. It’s quite flexible that way.

I am married to a beautiful, smart, funny and caring woman, so I must have done something right. Right? Socalled “romantic” acts are something we men plan and daydream about, but how do we respond when given the opportunity? Romance to me means comfort, because at its core a romantic act must be one thing: thoughtful.

It’s proof of a voluntary journey you’re on. It’s understanding the amount of mayonnaise someone likes on their sandwich, or that someone loathes mayonnaise with the strength of 1,000 aiolis. It’s evidence that you listen. It’s an offering to show that you appreciate someone. Sometimes, those acts are exciting and Hollywood-esque. Sometimes, they’re not.

In my world, romance has meant using a blow dryer to thaw a frozen pipe under our house, but it has also meant, “Take your shoes off. Stay awhile.”

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my now-husband that I was planning to move to Jackson. I actually lived in a suburb at the time and was desperately planning my escape into the city. Two days after I informed him of my plan, he showed up with a wrapped present in honor of my impending move. It was a gun. And as he gave it to me, he said, “I figured if you’re going to be moving to Jackson …” and we both shared the most delicious, romantic laugh.

It really didn’t matter that the gun was wooden and shot rubber bands.

That gun sits on my desk five years later and reminds me of a man who showed up at my house before our second official date to give me a gun because he cared so much about me. That’s romance, folks. At least, that’s my particular flavor. And that’s all you’ve really got to find—your flavor.

Last month, for our three-year wedding anniversary, I got a car battery.

Do any of you know what year anniversary covers batteries? Because I was told that you are supposed to get leather your third year. And I’m sure I could come up with several things that need

to be covered with leather in our house.

But on that day, what I really needed was a car battery. I also needed a man to put that car battery in the car (and I got him, too!). Like I said, one’s idea of romance does change over time.

I think what I’m trying to say is that I can’t tell you what romance is. I have no idea what romance looks like for you. You’ll know when you’ve found your flavor, whatever that flavor may be. It’ll make you laugh and make your face warm. It’ll make you put wooden guns on your desk and shoot rubber bands across the room. It’ll make you cuss soundly, and sleep even more so.

But at the end of the day, when you are searching for just what you need to make everything OK, sometimes it may be a man holding roses.

But sometimes, it’s just a man holding a car battery.

jacksonfreepress.com

T

hanks, John Cusack. Rob Lowe.

LL Cool J. Any guy who can play a guitar. Even you, Nicolas Cage. Thanks for raising the bar on the normal guys. The guys who had it good, no boom boxes required. Following your lead, springing for a brown-bag special at Sonic would never be confused with romance again.

Growing up, I learned that romantic acts had to involve soundtracks and keytars that had to be dramatic and perfect. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Even now, though, trying to be romantic can make me … nervous.

It’s balancing a gift, a box of chocolates and a dozen roses while sautéing shrimp for the special, romantic shrimp pasta dish that neither looked nor tasted like the picture in

Tranforming Changing Being

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D.I.Y. Valentine

by Jesse Crow

V

alentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is the perfect time to get crafty for your loved ones. Sure, store-bought Valentines can be cute, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing quite like getting something personalized and handmade.

My freshman year of college, my roommate and I had a Valentine-making party, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made my own ever since. This Valentine D.I.Y. is a throwback to grade school pop-up cards and can be made in minutes with whatever supplies you have in your home.

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2nd Place

25

For the Love of Greek and Sports

To Jump or Not?

by Shameka Hayes-Hamilton

KIRAN JONNALAGADDA

CHAO PHOTOGRAPHY

by Shameka Hayes-Hamilton

Jumping the broom is an old tradition symbolizing the union between two people.

February 8 - 14, 2012

I

26

f you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve probably heard of it. Tyler Perry’s comedy, “Jumping the Broom,” tells of two families of different social and economic backgrounds united for a wedding.

Among other disagreements, one of the key arguments is whether the couple will jump the broom, a practice where the bride and groom literally jump over a usually decorated broom while holding hands, after the ceremony. The groom’s family says it’s a tradition, passed down for generations, while the bride’s wealthier family says the practice is outdated and only serves as a reminder of slavery.

The family of the film’s bride had it about right. While jumping the broom is a well-known practice in the African American community, it does have a stigma from slavery days.

There is some debate about the origin of the practice of couples jumping the broom. In Africa, Europe and the United States, couples practice the custom that dates back as far as the 1700s to the Asante people of Ghana. In the West African Asante custom, the broom held spiritual meaning, signifying sweeping away past wrongs or removing evil spirits. It also served to show the bride’s willingness to clean the courtyard of the new home she joined.

In Southwest England, Wales and in border areas between Scotland and England, some couples verbally agreed to marry without exchanging legal contracts.

Others jumped the broom at their threshold to make their union “official” and create new households.

In the African American community, the custom has mixed reviews. During the days of slavery, marriage between slaves was not legally recognized because marriage was a civil contract, and the country didn’t recognize slaves as citizens. Jumping the broom, always done before witnesses, served as an open declaration of settling down.

After the Civil War, former slaves were legally recognized as citizens and were able to be married, so the practice was largely abandoned. A small number of African Americans continue to practice the custom, but the majority rejects it because it is a reminder of slavery.

Ultimately, like any other wedding tradition, jumping the broom should not become a source for conflict during the wedding-planning stage. Every couple is different. If you find the practice is outdated, do not feel forced or obligated to use it.

Nick Fowler and Cari Taylor are set to wed April 28, 2012, in a traditional Greek Orthodox marriage ceremony.

A

lmost immediately after meeting Cari Taylor and Nickolas Fowler, I could feel the love between the two of them. The two complement each other naturally. Their laughter and witty banter would eventually have anyone who spoke with them for more than a moment finding him or herself joining right in.

The pair first met in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina.

Taylor, a Long Beach native, was running through the pouring rain to her dorm from a hurricane party on the Millsaps College campus when she saw a friend from the Coast.

“It was pouring out, but I stopped to see how his family was doing. He introduced me to Nick, but we really didn’t have a conversation.” Taylor said. Nickolas Fowler, a Jackson native, also attended Millsaps.

The two didn’t speak again until the next semester when they found themselves in the same genetics class. Because they were both in relationships, they kept their conversations short and polite, but friendly. After college graduation, they remained in contact. After both became single, they had a group date with several friends. “(It) was us, a couple, and another guy and girl. The couple left early, and since the other guy and girl knew they wouldn’t be starting a relationship, they focused on trying to hook us up,” Taylor said.

A few weeks later, Taylor and Fowler got together with a group of his friends for more than eight hours of March Madness basketball, which became their first “real” date. Both love sports, particularly the New Orleans Saints.

“That’s when I knew she was special,” Fowler said. “She fit in so well with my friends; plus, I couldn’t see myself with anyone who didn’t love sports.” It was after that date that the two became inseparable.

Fowler decided to take a creative approach to proposing,

and it happened when Taylor least expected it. “I was scheduled to attend a former boss’ going-away party that afternoon, and Nick couldn’t go because he had to get a haircut and help his aunt move furniture,” Taylor said. Since she had a long day and didn’t have Nick by her side, Taylor decided to stay a little longer with a friend at the restaurant where the party was held. She texted Fowler to let him know.

Panicked that his plans were going south, Fowler immediately texted back to tell her that he was really in the mood for sushi and asked if she would rather eat with him at home. When Taylor seemed reluctant, he name-dropped Pan-Asia, one of her favorite restaurants, and she agreed.

During dinner, Taylor was in a state over her bad day. She was oblivious to what was going on around her. In the middle of her cry-fest, Fowler pointed out that there were fortune cookies inside the takeout bag.

“I thought that was strange, considering Pan-Asia doesn’t serve them,” Taylor said. However, she loves fortune cookies, and, looking for any ray of sunshine she could find, she grabbed a cookie. She chose a fortune that read, “Will you marry me?” Taylor threw it down, exclaiming “Well, that’s a sucky fortune!” To her, the universe was being extra mean on an already bad day by taunting her with a marriage proposal. When she finally looked up, she found Fowler beside her on one knee, declaring his love for her and urging her to open the second fortune cookie—his backup—that also read, “Will you marry me?”

Taylor just repeated “Are you kidding?” and “Are you for real?” several times.

Finally, Fowler presented his future bride with a beautiful ring. As champagne flowed, they made phone calls and, of course, changed their Facebook statuses.

So what makes this couple special? What makes them believe their marriage will last? “We’re friends first,” Taylor said. “We have fun together, and we complement each other nicely.” For example, she loves to cook but hates washing dishes, and Nick is, by his own admission, obsessive about cleanliness.

She currently works for the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits as the assistant director of community relations, handling things such as fundraising and communications. He is employed with the Veterans Business Administration as a service representative where he helps determine what supporter veterans will get.

The pair will wed April 28, 2012, at the Holy Trinity St. John Greek Orthodox Church (5725 Pear Orchard Road, 601355-6325) in a traditional Greek Orthodox marriage ceremony.

The highlights of the ceremony are the Service of Betrothal, which is the blessing and exchanging of rings, and the Service of Crowning that includes prayers and the crowning—a ritual where the priest crowns the couple while offering a blessing. It also include scripture readings, offering of the common cup and the dance of Isaiah, where the priest leads the bride and groom around the altar three times to symbolize their first steps together as man and wife following in the path of the gospel.

At the conclusion of the prayers, the priest joins the hands of the bride and groom. The couple holds hands until the end of the service to symbolize the union and the oneness of the couple. The ’50s and ’60s-inspired reception takes place at The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601366-5552) in a beautiful outdoor setting.

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FILM p 29 | 8 DAYS p 30 | MUSIC p 32 | SPORTS p 36

Smart? Not Really

by Hannah Jones COURTESY DAVID MCRANEY

rial from the blog that has been updated, revised and added to.

The other half is completely new material.

The book came out of the blog. I really didn’t plan on (the blog posts) being these long, literary 20-page essays, but the more I wrote and the more feedback I got, the longer they got. I started taking it more seriously. Then, I tried to attribute sources and do real research. The reason it became a book was because it got so popular at a certain point that I had agents and publishing houses asking me if I was interested in publishing a book.

Author David McRaney has enjoyed success with his first book and just sold his second.

G

February 8 - 14, 2012

rowing up with eager readers, Sumrall native David McRaney flocked to the art of storytelling. McRaney, 34, works by day as director of new media at WDAM, but in his spare time is an avid blogger and published author.

Since its October release, “You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You’re Deluding Yourself” (Gotham, 2011, $22.50) has caught attention from national media and critics.

McRaney presents scientific facts in an entertaining package. He poses the assumptions we all make, such as why we have brand loyalty or why we put off decisions. He takes these common notions we don’t talk about and debunks them with studies, research and academic balloon-popping.

26 It’s not a self-help book, but his essays

are reassuring and not quite as cynical as the book’s title might sound.

When did you become a writer?

I grew up with a father who had a giant collection of science-fiction and fantasy books.

My mom was a big romance-novel reader. We had a computer with a word processor, and I started writing in my teens. When I was 14, I wrote a really bad science-fiction novel. In college, I began to develop those skills. I thought I was going to be a psychologist, but I ended up writing instead. That gratification of seeing your name on a byline and people hating you based on your opinions and your writing powers got me over into journalism.

Does the book feature any new material your blog didn’t?

It’s about half and half. Half is mate-

Did similar blog-to-book success in the publishing world inspire you?

I’m lucky. I ended up with Gotham, a division of Penguin. I may be on the tail end of this period in book publishing where there’s a lot of blog-to-books going on. My agent helped get Christian Lander’s book out there, so I’m in that brat pack of blog-into-book people. I was more inspired by the narrow-topic blog like “Stuff White People Like” and “Texts from Last Night.” I would have never thought (my blog) could make it as a book, but it just so happens that that’s the club I’m in now.

Of all the theories in your book, which are the most important?

I mainly talk about biases, heuristics and fallacies, but the biases are the most important.

The confirmation bias is the most useful of all.

When you go out searching for new knowledge, you tend to focus on things that confirm your beliefs. It determines what news channels you watch, what books you buy and what blogs you visit. Even though I don’t have a lot of descriptive advice in the book or blog, the things that will help change your day-to-day behavior are definitely the biases.

What were your misconceptions about publishing a book?

I did all of this from Hattiesburg, the entire thing. I’ve never met my agent, the publishers or the editors. I have a marketing team of four or five people that I’ve never met.

What’s weird is that this is a total virtual experience. Writing the book, getting popular, doing the promotion and editing were all done from Hattiesburg. I had an idea that I would be flying to New York and that I’d be doing a book tour around the country, but the whole process is virtual now. It’s awesome, because people can be from Hattiesburg and get a book in every store in the country.

The book got rave reviews from Psychology Today.

It’s very unexpected. I try to make the writing good first. Science writing is very dry. It can be difficult to connect to. My goal is to make it to where you, as an individual, can have a personal connection to the material and that it’s interesting and fun. What makes the blog so successful is that people love to share the posts. The blog gets between 30,000 and 150,000 hits per day. It’s been really interesting to become a member of the “blogerati” where I can send an email and get an (immediate) response.

If you write about psychology and things that everyone experiences, then everyone is interested in reading it.

What obstacles have you faced?

The biggest obstacle is striking while the iron is hot—deciding what should go from the blog to the book and finding time to write while having a full-time job. Everything I write is better than the last. It took a year for the book to come out after I finished writing it. I’ve learned a whole lot about writing, reading and the interview process. It has really honed my abilities as a writer and as a reader. The labor of writing the book was nothing in comparison to the marketing and promotion of it, which is constantly hitting Facebook and Twitter and making YouTube videos. The weird thing about modern publishing is finding someone who can build their own audience and who can market themselves. Those are the people who get book deals, people who understand the ecosystem of sharing, getting yourself out there and rising above the noise.

What are your future projects?

There’s a podcast starting this year for “You Are Not So Smart.” We’re pushing forward with putting out more content on the blog. I’m in talks with some producers in turning it into a television show, and I’ve already submitted a book proposal to Penguin for a second book.

Since this interview, McRaney sold his second book. See his blog at youarenotsosmart.com.

by Anita Modak-Truran

Oxford Film Festival 2012 COURTESY HOLY ROLLERS

together on the Mississippi Bar’s Intellectual Property Section, and I can personally attest that Molly is a moving force in the state.

In a free moment, Molly and I caught up on the 2012 festival: What is your goal for this year’s film festival?

The hope for this year’s festival is that we can celebrate successful new partnerships with both a music festival and the Mid-South Intellectual Property Institute.

We are excited to have new and great films, and we are looking forward to hosting filmmakers, journalists, musicians, attorneys and film fans from all over the country.

The documentary film “Holy Rollers” is one of many screening at the Oxford Film Festival this month.

T

he Oxford Film Festival follows closely on the heels of the Sundance Film Festival, which, in my book, officially launched the 2012 independent film season. Two weeks ago, Sundance founder Robert Redford reassured filmmakers that the Sundance family has still “got their backs,” but he cautioned that it’s a hard road to sell a film.

“Deal with the reality,” Redford said.

“Enjoy (the festival) while it’s here, but enjoy it like Cinderella at the ball.”

Like Sundance, the Oxford Film Festival, which starts Thursday and ends Sunday, provides a fairy-tale experience for filmmakers. (I cherish my memories of screening “Belles & Whistles” at the first Oxford Film Festival, back in 2003). The nostalgic charm of the Oxford square, the literary appeal of William Faulkner and John Grisham—which seems to pervade the tree-lined streets and surround Square Books—and the grandeur of Ole Miss converge to provide a movie-perfect setting for a festival on the cinematic arts.

With only a few days before filmmakers arrive in Oxford, Executive Director Molly Fergusson rushed to complete last-minute festival preparations. Molly is a dynamic combination of lawyer, film producer, community promoter and mega organizer. She worked to organize the first Oxford Film Festival, joined the festival as a co-director in 2004 and became executive director in 2010.

Before moving to Oxford, Molly lived in Wilmington, N.C., where she worked with an independent film producer on documentary and commercial projects.

She is an attorney who teaches legal writing and contract drafting at the University of Mississippi Law School. Molly and I serve

How has the festival changed from past years?

The festival is different every year because of the films we screen and the filmmakers and guests that attend. Because we have bigger audiences each year, we have added more volunteers to the year-round task of putting on the festival. This is the second year that the festival has produced its own community film, and we look forward to making more films in the future.

What movies are you really excited about? (This was my trick question).

I am a documentary fan, so I generally lean toward those. This year, like most years, we have a strong documentary category. I am looking forward to the screening of “Happy,” “This is What Love in Action Looks Like,” “Patriot Guard Riders” and “Holy Rollers.” I am also excited about our secret screenings this year, one of which, “Holiday Road,” received a lot of buzz at Slamdance. Our narratives, both short and feature, animation, Mississippi films—really all of it!

So what are the basic stats on the festival?

We are screening approximately 75 films in nine different categories. We have two world premieres—“Perfection” and “The 59 Team”—several regional premieres and many Mississippi premieres.

What are the top 10 things to do at the festival? After all, I want to squeeze them all in.

1. See movies. 2. Meet filmmakers. 3.

Attend and learn from the panels. 4. Enjoy the music. 5. Eat lots of delicious food from Oxford’s great restaurants. 6. Repeat 1-5.

With Molly’s top 10 things to do in hand, I plan on being Cinderella at the ball. May the indie films roll you into the Oxford Film Festival for a great time.

Festival line-up and schedule are online at oxfordfilmfest.com.

6A0=3E84F A M A LC O T H E AT R E

South of Walmart in Madison

ALL STADIUM SEATING Listings for Fri. Feb. 10- Thurs. Feb. 16 2012 3-D Journey 2 PG Journey 2 (non 3-D) Safe House

PG R

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close PG13 Red Tails

PG13

PG13

3-D Underworld: Awakening R

3-D Star Wars: Episode I PG

3-D Beauty And The Beast G

Big Miracle

Joyful Noise PG13

The Vow

Chronicle

PG PG13

The Woman In Black PG13 The Grey

R

Man On A Ledge PG13 One For The Money PG13 The Iron Lady PG13

Contraband

R

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol PG13 The Descendants R

Sneak preview Tue. 2/14 This Means War PG13 7:10pm

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE DAILY BARGAINS UNTIL 6PM

Online Tickets, Birthday Parties, Group & Corporate Events @ www.malco.com

Movieline: 355-9311

Mississippi Arts Center Saturday, February 18 2012 9:00 - 11:30 The Arts Center of Mississippi

SUN SALUTATIONS

Benefitting The Center for Violence Prevention + FREE TRAINING SESSIONS! No experience necessary Information on classes below

Saturday, February 11, 9:30pm Wednesday, February 15, 10:00am 408 Monroe St., Clinton, 601-624-6356

Thursday, February 16 • 5:30pm 665 Duling Ave., Jackson, 601-209-6325

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Saturday, February 11, 12:30pm 7048 Old Canton Rd., Jackson, 601-613-4317

Yoga for Non-Violence | mscvp.org

29

BEST BETS February 8 - 15, 2012

by Latasha Willis events@jacksonfreepress.com Fax: 601-510-9019 Daily updates at jfpevents.com

WEDNESDAY 2/8

COURTESY PAUL FAYARD

Susan McClamroch of Tougaloo College speaks during the Jackson 2000 luncheon at 11:45 a.m. at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). $12; email bevelyn_ branch@att.net. … Mississippi Humanities Council project specialist David Morgan speaks during History Is Lunch at noon at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Bring lunch; call 601-576-6998. …

M.L. Harrell’s art exhibit at Cups on County Line (1070 E. County Line Road) hangs through Feb. 28. Free, artwork for sale; call 601-956-4711. … See Sharon Williams’ fiber exhibit at the Mississippi Craft Center (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland) through Feb. 29. Free; call 601-856-7546. … Jesse “Guitar” Smith is at Burgers and Blues. … Bourbon St. has karaoke. … Dreamz JXN hosts Wasted Wednesday.

FRIDAY 2/10

WAPT general manager Stuart Kellogg speaks at Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House. Free; email nmcnamee@ greaterjacksonpartnership.com. … Clarinetist James Sclater and pianist Angie Willoughby perform at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (205 W. Main St., Raymond). Free; call 601-857-2994 or 601-857-8041. … Bloodbird, ¡Los Buddies!, and Frank and the Meltones perform at the Jeremy Polk Benefit Concert at 7 p.m. at North Midtown Arts Center. $10. … Lightnin’ Malcolm performs at 7 p.m. at the Blue Front Cafe. $10. … The Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball is at 7 p.m. at The Castle of Raymond (1479 Pine Hill Drive, Raymond). Kolective Rhythm and Tawanna Shunte perform. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $160 table of eight; call 601922-0100. … The Valentine Sweetheart Gala is at 8 p.m. at Union Train Station (300 W. Capitol St.). Christopher Williams performs. Singles: $65 in advance, $75 at the door; couples: $125 in advance, $135 at the door; call 601-209-8181 or 601-826-3969. … Luckenbach plays at McB’s. … Trademark performs at Reed Pierce’s. … Snazz is at Shucker’s.

SATURDAY 2/11

The opera simulcast of “Götterdämmerung” airs at 11 a.m. at Tinseltown (411 Riverwind Drive, Pearl). $22, $20 seniors, $15 children; call 601-936-5856. … The Mississippi Pulp Con kicks off at noon at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.) and includes MissiHIPPY’s Black Hearts Ball at 9 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door; call 601-397-6292; visit mspulpcon.com. … The Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS Benefit is at 6 p.m. at Hal & Mal’s. $30 in advance, $35 at the door; call 601-750-5883. … The Ignite the Night Gala is at 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Highland Drive). Adults only. $100; call 601981-5469 or 877-793-KIDS. … The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents “Pops II: Your Song: The Music of Elton John” at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall. $15 and up; call 601960-1565. … The play “Shh! Please Don’t Tell” is at 8 p.m. at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.) at McCoy Auditorium. $35; call 800-745-3000. … Mingo Fishtrap performs at 9 p.m. at Duling Hall. $10 in advance, $12 at the door; call 601-291-7121 or 800-745-3000. … Electric See Paul Fayard’s painting at the Self-Portrait Art Show at Fischer Galleries Feb. 9 at 5 p.m.

February 8 - 14, 2012

30

The Self-Portrait Art Show at Fischer Galleries (3100 N. State St.) is at 5 p.m. Free; call 601-291-9115. … The artist reception for Jean Seymour is at 5 p.m. at Nunnery’s at Gallery 119 (119 S. President St.). Free; call 601-969-4091. …

The Oxford Film Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. at Malco Oxford Studio Cinema (1111 Jackson Ave. W., Oxford) and runs through Feb. 12. Visit oxfordfilmfest.com. … The quartet New York Polyphony performs at 7:30 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church (3921 Oakridge Drive). $20, $5 students; call 601-594-5584. … Akami Graham and the Key of G perform during Centric Thursday at Dreamz JXN. … Snazz plays during Ladies Night/Men Are Pigs Night at Bourbon St. … The Denton Hatcher Band plays at Martin’s.

SUNDAY 2/12

Art House Cinema Downtown at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium features the films “Adriana Lecouvreur” at 2 p.m. ($16) and “Take Shelter” at 5 p.m. ($7). Visit msfilm. org. … The Detectives present the dinner theater “Dying to Be Married” at 5 p.m. at Sway’s Bistro (1139 Old Fannin Road, Suite M, Brandon). $42.50; call 601-992-2450. … Get ’Em Gutta, Lyrickz, Yung Slim and more perform during the Generation NXT Indie Concert Series at Dreamz JXN at 6 p.m. …

Mississippi Murder Mystery presents the dinner theater “Monster Bash” at 6 p.m. at Kathryn’s. $42; call 601-291-7444.

MONDAY 2/13

Author Stephanie McAfee signs copies of “Diary of a Mad Fat Girl” at 5 p.m. at Lemuria Books (202 Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N.); reading at 5:30 p.m. Call 601-366-7619.

TUESDAY 2/14

See the world’s largest map of Asia from 9 a.m.noon at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive); hangs through Feb. 23. $4-$6, children under 3 and members free; call 601-576-6000. …

Robert Grayson performs during the “Love Will Keep Us Together” Broadway cabaret at 7:30 p.m. at Underground 119. $15, food for sale; call 601-960-2300.

WEDNESDAY 2/15

Author C.T.M. Cooper speaks during History Is Lunch at noon at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Bring lunch; call 601-576-6998. … Scott Chism and the Better alf play at Hal & Mal’s.

More at jfpevents.com and jfp.ms/musicvenues.

Eric Owns and Hans-Peter König star in the simulcast of the opera “Götterdämmerung” at Tinseltown Feb. 11 at 11 a.m.

KEN HOWARD/METROPOLITAN OPERA

THURSDAY 2/9

Mudd performs at Martin’s. … Shooting Out the Lights and Wooden Finger play at Ole Tavern.

jfpevents Jackson 2000 Luncheon Feb. 8, 11:45 a.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.).

Answer black history trivia questions for prizes.

Susan McClamroch of Tougaloo College presents information about the “Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow” exhibit at the school. RSVP. $12; email bevelyn_branch@att.net.

Ignite the Night Gala Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m., at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Highland Drive).

The adults-only event features themed food in each gallery, cocktails and child-inspired activities. $100; 1920s theme if you feel like dressing up! Call 601981-5469 or 877-793-KIDS. Yoga for Non-violence - 108 Sun Salutations Feb. 18, 9 a.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). All levels of ability and endurance are welcome. Proceeds benefit the Center for Violence Prevention. $25, donations welcome; call 601-500-0337 or 601-932-4198.

HOLIDAY Valentine Sweetheart Gala Feb. 10, 8 p.m., at Union Train Station (300 W. Capitol St.). Christopher Williams performs. Wear elegant attire. Singles: $65 in advance, $75 at the door; couples: $125 in advance, $135 at the door; call 601-209-8181 or 601-826-3969.

New Vineyard Church Valentine Gala Feb. 11, 7 p.m., at Holiday Inn, Trustmark Park (110 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl). Wear 1970’s attire to the annual event. Refreshments served. $20, $40 couple; call 601-624-8756.

“Romance by Sea” Valentine’s Dinner Feb. 14, 5 p.m., at Pan-Asia (720 Harbor Point Crossing, Ridgeland). Guest chef Keith Kornfeld prepares a signature four-course meal. Live music and Champagne included. Reservations required. $50, $80 couple; call 601-956-2958.

Valentine’s Day Matchmaker Run Feb. 14, 6 p.m., at Fleet Feet Sports (Trace Station, 500 Highway 51 N., Ridgeland). Enjoy a three-mile run and refreshments. Free; call 601-899-9696.

COMMUNITY New Vibrations Network Gathering Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m., at Unitarian Universalist Church (4866 N. State St.). Bring business cards and brochures. Email newvibrations2003@hotmail.com.

Urban Forestry and Green Infrastructure Conference Feb. 7-8, 9 a.m. 4 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive).

Registration required. $95, $75 members, $25 students, $20 awards program; call 601-672-0755.

“History Is Lunch” Feb. 8, noon, at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Mississippi Humanities Council project specialist David Morgan presents “Jimmie Rodgers and Will Rogers.” Bring lunch; coffee and water provided. Free; call 601-576-6998.

Mississippi Addictions Conference Feb. 9-11, at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). The conference is for health-care workers, counselors, law enforcement and clergy members. $100 and up, $50 and up for one day; call 601-261-9899 or 601-516-0382.

Precinct 2 COPS Meeting Feb. 9, 6 p.m., at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 2 (711 W. Capitol St.). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues. Call 601-960-0002.

Dixie National Rodeo Feb. 9-15, at Mississippi State Fairgrounds (1207 Mississippi St.). The rodeo includes clowns, bullfighters, barrel racers and ropers. The entertainment lineup includes Rodney Atkins, Chris Cagle, Lee Brice, George Jones, Jerrod Niemann, the Eli Young Band and Jake Owen. $15-$23, free livestock shows; call 601-961-4000.

Starting a Nonprofit: The Complete Guide to Getting Your 501(c)(3) Feb. 10, 9 a.m., at Mississippi Center for Nonprofits (201 W. Capitol St., Suite 700). Learn the guidelines for registering a tax-exempt organization. $179, $89 members; call 601-968-0061.

Startup Weekend Jackson Feb. 10-12, at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.), in Leggett Center. Collaborate with designers and developers to create a web or mobile application for a potential business. $75 by Feb. 9, $99 after, $25 Feb. 10 only; visit jackson.startupweekend.org.

Native Plant and Rose Sale Feb. 11, 8 a.m., at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). Purchase native shrubs and trees, and antique roses. Call 601-926-1104.

“Keep Your Head Up: Being Black and Christian in 21st-century Mississippi” Feb. 11, 8:30 a.m., at Mount Helm Baptist Church (300 E. Church St.). Speakers include Dr. Anthony Bradley of The King’s College and Pastor C.J. Rhodes. Free; call 601-353-3981.

BE THE CHANGE Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball Feb. 10, 7 p.m., at The Castle of Raymond (1479 Pine Hill Drive, Raymond). The event is in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Enjoy a cash bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and door prizes. Kolective Rhythm and Tawanna Shunte perform. Wear semi-formal attire and a mask. Proceeds benefit Building Bridges. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $160 table of eight; call 601-922-0100.

Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS Benefit Feb. 11, 6 p.m., at Hal & Mal’s (200 S. Commerce St.). The benefit includes live and silent art auctions, music and local cuisine. $30 in advance, $35 at the door; call 601-750-5883.

“Putting Our Voices Together” Monthly Fellowship Feb. 12, 3 p.m., at Integrative Health and Wellness Center (6204 N. State St.). Butterflies by Grace Defined by Faith hosts the session, and the topic is “Sharing Our Love to Undress Domestic Violence.” Bring toiletries to donate to local shelters. Free, donations welcome; call 601-953-5747.

American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Training Feb. 25, 2:30 p.m., at American Cancer Society (1380 Livingston Lane). ACS seeks volunteers to drive patients to treatments. Call 601-362-8874.

Oxford). Includes indie-film screenings, panels, concerts and an awards ceremony. $8-$30, $6.50-$25 students; call 877-560-3456.

Parent and Youth Conference Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m., at Zion Travelers MB Church (925 W. Pearl St.).

Topics include substance abuse, suicide, bullying, sex, domestic abuse and dropout prevention. Free; call 601-953-5747.

Fondren Theatre Workshop’s 10-Minute Play Project Feb. 11, 7 p.m., at Broadmeadow United Methodist Church (4419 Broadmeadow Drive).

Enjoy short plays that teams of writers, directors and actors had 24 hours to create. $5; email howelljd@aol.com.

Quarterly Youth Leadership Meeting - Central Region Feb. 11, 10 a.m., at Lumpkin’s BBQ (182 Raymond Road). Youth ages 10-18 learn about civil liberties, help draft the Mississippi Student Bill of Rights and plan the next Youth Hip-hop Summit. Free; call 601.354.3408.

“Götterdämmerung” Feb. 11, 11 a.m., at Tinseltown (411 Riverwind Drive, Pearl). The Metropolitan Opera presents the simulcast of the Richard Wagner opera. $22, $20 seniors, $15 children; call 601-936-5856.

FirstLove Youth Alliance Meeting Feb. 11, 10 a.m., at God’s Refuge Christian Fellowship Center/Church (1931 Boling St.). Youth ages 11-18 learn about leadership and responsibility. Free; visit firstloveya.eventbrite.com to register.

Mississippi Pulp Con Feb. 11, noon, at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). The annual event is a showcase of talent in genres such as comic art, pop art and pulp literature. Alia Thabit gives a dance workshop from 3-6 p.m. ($45). MissiHippy hosts the Black Hearts Ball at 9 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door; call 601-397-6292.

Mississippi Association of Coaches All-star Soccer Games Feb. 11, 4 p.m., at Arrow Field (401 Arrow Dr). The girls’ soccer game is at 4 p.m., and the boys’ soccer game is at 6 p.m. $5, members free; call 601-924-3020.

Father-Daughter Dance Feb. 11, at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Girls in fifth grade and under attend at 5 p.m. ($25).

Girls in sixth grade and up attend at 6:30 p.m. ($50). Call 702-376-0208.

W.I.N.E. (Women Inquiring, Networking and Engaging) Meeting Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m., at the home of deborah Rae Wright (135 Grand Ave.).

Bring wine or a snack. RSVP. Email winejackson@ gmail.com.

WELLNESS Fleet Feet’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Feb. 11, 7 a.m., at Fleet Feet Sports (Trace Station, 500 Highway 51 N., Ridgeland). Enjoy a run/walk and breakfast. Free; call 601-899-9696.

Deep Opening Kripalu Yoga Feb. 11, 2 p.m., at Courthouse Racquet and Fitness Club, Northeast (46 Northtown Drive). To register, mail payments to Jean Powers, 3046 Tidewater Circle, Madison, MS 39110. $40 in advance, $45 at the door; email jeanpowersyoga@aol.com.

STAGE AND SCREEN Oxford Film Festival Feb. 9-12, at Malco Oxford Studio Cinema (1111 Jackson Ave. West) and Lyric Theatre (1006 Van Buren Ave.,

“Shh! Please Don’t Tell” Feb. 11, 8 p.m., at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.), at Rose E. McCoy Auditorium. Donald Gray’s stage play about lies and secrets stars Clifton Powell, Tamika Scott, William Jackson, Paul Porter and Katalba Fuqua. $35; call 800-745-3000.

Art House Cinema Downtown Feb. 12, at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Films include the opera “Adriana Lecouvreur” at 2 p.m. ($16) and “Take Shelter” at 5 p.m. ($7). Popcorn and beverages sold. Visit msfilm.org.

“Dying to Be Married” Dinner Theatre Feb. 12, 5 p.m., at Sway’s Bistro (1139 Old Fannin Road, Suite M). Mississippi Murder Mysteries performs.

RSVP. $42.50; call 601-992-2450.

“Monster Bash” Dinner Theatre. The Detectives Mystery Dinner Theatre presents the interactive comedy. RSVP. Call 201-291-7444.

• Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at Kathryn’s (6800 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland). $42.

• Feb. 14, 7 p.m., at Kismet’s Restaurant (315 Crossgates Blvd. Suite G, Brandon). $39.

MUSIC New York Polyphony Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Church (3921 Oakridge Drive). The quartet sings medieval and Renaissance music. $20, $5 students; call 601-594-5584.

Events at Belhaven University Center for the Arts Concert Hall (835 Riverside Drive).

• Preston Chamber Music Series: An Evening of Diamonds Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Guitarist Pablo Garibay performs. $10, $5 seniors and students; call 601-974-6494.

• Sylvia Hong and Michael Rector - Piano Duo Concert Feb. 11, 2 p.m. Free; call 301-437-1245.

Pops II: Your Song: The Music of Elton John Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performs with John Meilleur, John Regan and Jeans ‘n’ Classics. $15 and up; call 601-960-1565.

Mingo Fishtrap Feb. 11, 9 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). For ages 18 and up. $10 in advance, $12 at the door; call 601-291-7121 or 800-745-3000.

“Love Will Keep Us Together” Broadway Cabaret Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.). Robert Grayson performs as part of the Mississippi Opera’s Opera Underground series. $15, food for sale; call 601-960-2300.

LITERARY AND SIGNINGS Events at Lemuria Books (202 Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N.). Call 601-366-7619.

• “Still and Yet” Feb. 9, 5 p.m. Leslie Criss signs books; reading at 5:30 p.m. $17 book.

• Lemuria Story Time Feb. 11, 11 a.m. Listen to Felicia Bond’s “Big Hugs, Little Hugs” and make Valentine’s Day cards. Free.

• “Beaucoup Arlo and Janis” Feb. 11, 1 p.m.

Jimmy Johnson signs books. $24.95 book.

• “Diary of a Mad Fat Girl” Feb. 13, 5 p.m.

Stephanie McAfee signs books; reading at 5:30 p.m. $15 book.

“Married to Sin: A Memoir” Feb. 12, 1 p.m., at Cathedral AME Zion Church (428 W. Northside Drive). Darlene D. Collier and Meredith McGee sign books. $12.62 book; call 601-706-4656.

EXHIBITS AND OPENINGS Jean Seymour’s Artist Reception Feb. 9, 5 p.m., at Nunnery’s at Gallery 119 (119 S. President St.).

Free; call 601-969-4091.

Self-Portrait Art Show Feb. 9, 5 p.m., at Fischer Galleries (3100 N. State St., Suite 101). Free; call 601-291-9115.

Student Invitational Art Exhibition Feb. 11, 2 p.m., at Belhaven University (1500 Peachtree St.), at Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center. Free; call 601-965-7044.

Events at Millsaps College, Lewis Art Gallery (Ford Academic Complex, 1701 N. State St.). Free; call 601-974-1762.

• Sue Carrie Drummond Honors Art Show through Feb. 11. The art talk is Feb. 10 at 3 p.m.

• “I Am Not There” Art Exhibit through March 23. The art talk is Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.

Lena Horne Tribute Youth Poetry and Art Exhibit through Feb. 18, at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). The opening reception is Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. Free; call 601-238-3303.

“Tranquility” Art Exhibit through Feb. 27, at Mississippi Library Commission (3881 Eastwood Drive). See Richard McKey and Casey Parsons’ artwork. The opening reception is Feb. 9 from 5-7 p.m. Free; call 601-432-4056.

Check jfpevents.com for updates and more listings. To add an event, email all details (phone number, start and end date, and time, street address, cost, URL, etc.) to events@jacksonfreepress.com or fax to 601510-9019. The deadline is noon the Thursday prior to the week of publication. Or add the event online yourself; check out jfpevents.com for instructions.

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31

Rodeo Songs

DALE MANNING

DIVERSIONS|music

by Jacob Fuller

I

n 2008, Chris Cagle left Nashville and the country music business. He spent the next couple of years building Big Horse Ranch in Marietta, Okla., from the ground up while starting a family.

Now, Cagle is back on the road promoting his upcoming, as-yet unnamed album, due out in April. It will be the singersongwriter’s fifth studio release and his first for the Bigger Picture Group label. The album’s first single, “Got My Country On,” has climbed the Billboard Country Singles chart since September.

Cagle takes that momentum to the stage at the Mississippi Coliseum Feb. 10 during the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo. A man who’s only happy with a guitar in his hands or his feet in stirrups, Cagle should fit right in at the fairgrounds this weekend.

How is the tour going?

It’s good. It’s really kind of just started, man. We haven’t had anything to really tour about in a long time. We have a new single out in the radio that’s doing really well. The song is top 30 now.

Hopefully we’ll have a good showing. We’ve got a lot of belief in this record and in this song.

Natalie’s Notes

Where did music play a part in your life when you were away from it professionally?

It didn’t. When I got away from it, I got away from it. I put it down. I didn’t even listen to the radio much. I had to find me again. This business is tough, man. If you’re soft hearted or big hearted or naive, you completely get taken advantage of, and I did. And it made me a different person. I’m excited about that new person. I’m still me—I still got a big heart and I still love people—but nobody’s going to get me this time.

You mention AC/DC and Lynyrd Skynyrd as influences. Do you have to consciously keep a balance of country and rock in your music?

Nope, I don’t do that at all. If I do that, then I’m lying to you. I write a song, and if the song makes the record, it makes the record. It come out of me so it’s got to be somewhere in between country and rock ’n’ roll. And that’s it.

When I was on Capitol Records, I had to be real careful with it. There are a lot of songs that I had on hold that I didn’t get to sing because of what they thought I should be. And it sucked. I’m in a position now where I’m not going to sit and sing a song that I don’t 100 percent believe is me, or especially just because I want to make some president of a record label

Chris Cagle doesn’t just sing cowboy songs, he’s a rodeo guy who rides cutting horses.

happy and try to get him to like me. So, I’m in a position now where everything that goes on my record, I will hold my chin up—especially if it comes from me as a writer.

Do you get excited about playing rodeos?

Oh yeah. I love Dixie National. We’ve played down there before, and I’ve always enjoyed it. I enjoy getting out and going and looking through the show barns at the horses and the pigs and all the steers and things like that. It’s just always a ball to go walking around. I’d rather walk around with a smoked turkey leg looking at livestock than be in an amusement park.

See Chris Cagle Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Visit mdac.ms.gov.

The Man Behind The Music

by Natalie Long

M

February 8 - 14, 2012

COURTESY MURPH CACIEDO

urph Caciedo is one face you Led Zeppelin songs. When he mastered might not recognize in public. them, his dad would buy him more equipThis semi-shy, talented and friend- ment. His parents still come to some of ly guy, while unknown to most his shows.

Jacksonians, is arguably the hardest-working Goolash was Caciedo’s first band, musician in the city. He started some of the founded early in high school. Another highbest bands in Jackson school band, Kitty and still plays drums, Foil, followed. His sings and writes songs first gigging band was for four bands.

Probable Cause. When I caught up with that band took breaks, Caciedo recently at he would have to go Fenian’s Pub (901 E. outside because of the Fortification St., 601patrons’ debaucherous 948-0055). I clumacts and the fact he sily spilled my drink was still a teenager. all over the table. But He graduated from as a good drummer bar cover band to start does, Caciedo quickly the punk band Storms cleaned up my mess for St. Louis with Brad without even missing Walker and Josh Little. a beat.

Caciedo also played “Are you OK?” with Jackson punkers One of the best drummers in Jackson has a sweet side. he asked.

The Tuff Luvs. The This nice guy’s band was together for history is steeped in eight years, released music. His parents were both musical and two albums and had Universal Records’ inencouraging, and when he turned 7, he terest, but never saw its big break come to began to play the drums. Growing up in a fruition. military family, he honed his chops in TaCaciedo’s sixth band, Redneck Trucker, coma and Seattle, Wash., before his dad up- featured Sam Smith, Lenny Bradshaw and rooted the family and moved them closer to Mike Dollar. The band turned up and tuned his mother in Pearl. At age 15, he received out, playing a mix of southern rock, punk his first drum kit and has been playing ever and grunge. Caciedo drummed for friend since. Caciedo credits his dad for pushing and singer Eric Luttrell’s band, NOx, and he him to learn different Black Sabbath and also managed to squeeze in some drumming

32

time with The Pates Family for two years.

He also played with Luttrell’s short-lived 1990s tribute band, Dixieattle.

“People still want to hear ’80s music.

They still want to hear Poison and Warrant,” Caciedo says.

Two years ago at a New Orleans Saints football party, Caciedo ran into another local-music badass, bassist Don Hawkins of Roosevelt Noise. The two hit it off immediately, and along with Roosevelt Noise’s Drew McKercher, formed Spacewolf, which has become one of Jackson’s most sought-after rock bands. Spacewolf will put out an album in 2012.

Caciedo’s 11th band, Frank and the Meltones, was created during a raucous practice session between Spacewolf and Los Buddies, neighbors in the Midtown Arts District. Caciedo moseyed over to Los Buddies’ practice to say hello, and they asked him to sing. It was Caciedo’s first rock-singer role, and he says he was “terrified” the first few times he sang to eager fans. Drums had always been his security blanket. He has overcome his stage fright since. Caciedo says it’s his friends who always saw his potential of being the frontman, and he’s getting used to vocalizing things he never could say.

Guillermo is Caciedo’s newest band, with veteran rockers Kurt Thomas and Josh Little. This punk trio looks forward to an album release some time this year. Caciedo has gotten so comfortable with being a band’s frontman, he has started another hardcore rock band with Spacewolf members and JD

Burns (formerly of Deltagun and now with Coffin Breath) called Hinges, and they too are releasing an album in 2012.

While Caciedo has many band practices and recording sessions this year, he’s seen plenty of recording time with Lizz Strowd, Caroline Crawford and Misha Hercules, as well as playing on the Skate Mississippi compilation album in 2011.

Caciedo is also making a name for himself collegiately. His friend Daniel Guaqueta, a drummer and musician, works at Belhaven University. Guaqueta asked Caciedo to play percussion for Belhaven’s dance department, making his hobby a full-time career. When he plays percussion for dance students, he makes each drum note “a part of the dance,” he says. Caciedo teaches private drumming lessons at his studio.

He says his family drives him to be successful, even his younger brother, Corey, who has autism and lives with his parents.

“I want to do the best I can, because I want my little brother to be provided for one day and to have the best care possible,” Caciedo says.

He shared this philosophical gem while we chatted at Fenian’s: “Music is like golf: Out there, it’s just you and the ball.”

When you’re in the mood for awesome music and want to meet a solid, friendly drummer who works hard to promote the music, come hear one of Caciedo’s bands.

Spacewolf is performing at Martin’s Feb. 17 with Bloodbird. Follow any of the bands on MySpace or Facebook.

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LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR ALL SHOWS 10PM UNLESS NOTED

WEDNESDAY

02/08

CATHEAD VODKAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LIVE KARAOKE

LADIES NIGHT

GUYS PAY $5, LADIES ENTER & DRINK FREE CATHEAD VODKA 9-10PM THURSDAY

02/09

DENTON

THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY 2/08 New Bourbon St. Jazz Band (DR)

THURSDAY 2/09 Ben Lewis (DR)

FRIDAY 2/10 Barry Leach Trio (DR)

SATURDAY 2/11 HeARTS against Aids

HATCHER Coming Soon

BAND

FRIDAY

02/10

SAT 2.18: Time to Move (RR) TUE 2.21: James McMurtry (RR) THU 2.23: Chris Knight SAT 3.03: Friendship Ball SAT 2.10: Yarn (RR) WED 3.14 - 3.17: St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Festivities ... Stay Tuned!!!

MOON TAXI

SATURDAY

02/11

ELECTRIC

MUDD

WEDNESDAY

02/15

CATHEAD VODKAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LIVE KARAOKE

LADIES NIGHT

GUYS PAY $5, LADIES ENTER & DRINK FREE CATHEAD VODKA 9-10PM

SAT 3.17 - 3.30: Anniversary of Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St. Patrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Parade!!

Monday-Thursday

Blue Plate Lunch with corn bread and tea or coffee

$8

25

As well as the usual favorites!

Seafood Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Burgers, Fried Pickles, Onion Rings and Homemade Soups made daily.

$4.00 Happy Hour Well Drinks!

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Forget To Stop By Our

visit HalandMals.com for a full menu and concert schedule

Serving Lunch 11-2!

200 S. Commerce St. Downtown Jackson, Mississippi

214 S. STATE ST. â&#x20AC;¢ 601.354.9712

* Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com

MID DAY CAFE DOWNTOWN JACKSON

WWW.MARTINSLOUNGE.NET

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33

Weekly Lunch Specials

Trademark February 10 & 11 | 9:00pm

NOW OPEN ON TUESDAYS Wednesday,February 8th

CROOKED CREEK

(Americana) 8-11, No Cover

Thursday, February 9th

TIGER ROGERS & LEAGUE OF JAZZMEN (Jazz) 8-11, No Cover

Friday, February 10th

CYRIL NEVILLE

(Funk) 9-1, $5 Cover before 8:30 $10 Cover after 8:30

Saturday, February 11th

Open for dinner Sat. 4-10pm Thursday

February 9

LADIES NIGHT

w/ DJ Stache

LADIES ENTER & DRINK FREE WELLS & PONIES 9PM-2AM Friday February 10

Thomas Johnson & the people Saturday

LOS PAPIS

(Jazz) 9-1, $5 Cover before 8:30 $10 Cover after 8:30

Tuesday, February 14th

OPERA UNDERGROUND (Opera) 6-11, $15 Cover

Wednesday,February 15th

Shooting Out The Lights

(Folk) 8-11, No Cover

Thursday, February 16th

ANDY HARDWICK TRIO (Jazz) 8-11, No Cover

Friday, February 17th

BLUE MOTHER TUPELO

(Blues) 9-1, $5 Cover before 8:30 $10 Cover after 8:30

February 8 - 14, 2012

Saturday, February 18th

34

LUCKY HAND BLUES BAND

(Blues) 9-1, $5 Cover before 8:30 $10 Cover after 8:30

119 S. President Street 601.352.2322 www.Underground119.com

• $3 Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas Every Saturday & Sunday until 6pm 6791 Siwell Rd. Byram, MS • 601.376.0777 www.reedpierces.com

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PUB QUIZ 2-for-1 Drafts Tuesday

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February 14

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February 15

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Open Mon-Sat, Restaurant open Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm & Sat 4-10 pm

601-960-2700

facebook.com/Ole Tavern

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35

by Diandra Hosey

by Bryan Flynn

THURSDAY, FEB. 9 College basketball (6-8 p.m. ESPN): Ole Miss is looking to sweep MSU in this two-game basketball series. Both teams could use a win to look better for the NCAA selection committee.

FRIDAY, FEB. 10 NBA (7-9:30 p.m. ESPN): The Los Angeles Lakers travel cross-country to take on the New York Knicks.

SATURDAY, FEB 11 College basketball (4-6 p.m. CSS): USM looks to strengthen their position for the big dance with a win over visiting Central Florida.

SUNDAY, FEB. 12 NBA (2:30-5 p.m. ABC): The aging big three of the Boston Celtics try to reassert themselves at the top of the Eastern Conference at home against the young Chicago Bulls.

MONDAY, FEB. 13 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s college basketball (6-8 p.m.

ESPN 2): This top-10 showdown between Kentucky and Tennessee in womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basketball is worth the watch.

TUESDAY, FEB. 14 College basketball (7-9 p.m. ESPNU): If you have to watch sports on Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day on the U, you can see Mississippi State take on LSU in Starkville.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15 NHL (6:30-9:30 p.m. NBCSN): The defending Stanley Cup champions Boston Bruins travel to Canada to face the Montreal Canadians.

Speaking of Willie Roaf, I remember his rookie year with the Saints. In a game New Orleans was getting blown out in, Roaf gave up his first NFL sack. He cried on the sideline, and it showed how much he cared about not just winning but doing his job.

Congratulations again to Roaf on making it to Canton, Ohio.

Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/jfpsports.

Cheerleading: A Sport?

S

ome girls dream of being movie stars. tive cheerleading,â&#x20AC;? and is popular locally and counter-productive to the overall mission Lexi Worsham dreams of cheerleading. and nationally. and goals of the emerging sports for women As a member of the Mississippi Competitive cheer teams are similar program,â&#x20AC;? the NCAA said.

Cheerleading Academy Outlaws, a to sideline cheer squads except that their It requested additional data (including competitive cheerleading squad, Lexi is living routines are more athletic and aerobatic. participation numbers, diversity of opportuher dream. She is merely an eight-grader; how- Whereas â&#x20AC;&#x153;sideline cheerleaders primarily nities, specific injury data and risks, growth in ever, even at the young age of 14, she is confi- work to entertain audiences â&#x20AC;Ś competitive youth sport format) and 10 letters of commitdent in her passion to cheer and in her status as cheer teams strictly engage in sport,â&#x20AC;? the ment from member institutions that sponsor an athlete. When she learned of a recent court Biedeger decision states. or intend to sponsor the sport. decision ruling that cheerleadDavid Hanbery is the ing is not a sport, Lexiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion founder of Deep South Cheer for cheering took center stage. and Dance in Ridgeland, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a sport!â&#x20AC;? she excompany that hosts cheer claimed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We practice just as and dance competitions and hard as football players. ... All events throughout the souththe people who say it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a sport east. Using NASCAR as an have never tried it.â&#x20AC;? example, Hanbery says that it In Biediger v. Quinnipiac is difficult to classify a sport, University, the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volbut agrees that cheerleading is leyball team sued the university an athletic event. under Title IX of the Education â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the university level, Amendments of 1972 after the the athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary role is school eliminated the sport from to be entertainment for the its athletic program to institute crowd, but for teams that accompetitive cheerleading. Title tually compete, it is a sport,â&#x20AC;?

IX â&#x20AC;&#x153;prohibits discrimination on he said, adding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When cheerAthletes on the Mississippi Cheerleading Academy Outlaws the basis of sex in education proleaders go to camp, they comcheerleading team strike a pose at the Deep South Cheer and Dance Championship. Pictured, from left to right, are Francis Huff, grams and activities.â&#x20AC;? pete against each other, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olivia Connart, Grace Stringer, Lexi Worsham and Alma Chambliss.

Ruling in favor of the vola big deal. So, since they comleyball team, the court held that pete, yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sport.â&#x20AC;? competitive cheerleading is an Hanbery believes that athletic undertaking but does not qualify as The men and women who make up competitive cheerleading needs to be more a varsity sport. It is â&#x20AC;&#x153;too underdeveloped and competitive cheer teams do not consider structured to develop to the point where it disorganizedâ&#x20AC;? to be considered a â&#x20AC;&#x153;genuine themselves entertainers. They are athletic com- will satisfy the Department of Education varsity athletic participationâ&#x20AC;? opportunity for petitors. But despite the hard work, agility and and the NCAA requirements. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There needs women, according to the ruling, which was strength involved in competitive cheerleading, to be a governing bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a nonprofit orgalargely based on the fact that the NCAA has legally, it is still not regarded as a sport. nizationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in charge, because the NCAA not found competitive cheerleading to be a Two associations exist for competitive does not have the money to do it,â&#x20AC;? he says. varsity sport. cheerleading: the National Collegiate Acâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Right now, cheerleading is run by indusBefore it considers any sport a varsity robatics and Tumbling Association, affili- try and large companies who profit from it. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sport, the NCAA first requires it to be an ated with USA Gymnastics; and STUNT of hard to develop it because so many different â&#x20AC;&#x153;emerging sport,â&#x20AC;? a classification â&#x20AC;&#x153;intended USA Cheer. To the average viewer, they may people are creating different rules. â&#x20AC;Ś Coaches to provide additional athletics opportuni- appear the same. USA Cheer, however, em- and participants are going to have get involved ties to female student athletes,â&#x20AC;? the NCAA phasizes its desire to remain in the traditional and take it over to create standard rules.â&#x20AC;? states on its website. Being classified as an cheerleading community, while NCATA foHanbery is optimistic about competiemerging sport allows institutions to use the cuses on the acrobatics and tumbling aspect tive cheerleadingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eventually, unisport to help meet NCAA minimum sports- of the sport. versally, it will be classified as a sport,â&#x20AC;? he sponsorship requirements and minimum In 2010, both groups applied for says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cheerleading is huge and growing financial-aid awards.

NCAA emerging-sport status. In response, all over the world. Within the next decade, Today, cheerleading goes beyond side- the NCAA requested that the groups col- it will shift from being a sideline group of line entertainment at football games. It laborate and submit one proposal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[T]wo people, to a major, competitive sport like has expanded into a genre called â&#x20AC;&#x153;competi- similar, competing concepts are confusing gymnastics and ice skating.â&#x20AC;?

DIANDRA HOSEY

NFL hall-of-fame voters got one thing right this year: electing New Orleans Saints former offensive tackle Willie Roaf to the hall.

February 8 - 14, 2012

Bryanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rant â&#x20AC;˘ Time to Make History

36

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Mediterranean Fish & Grill presents

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Special Tuesday February 14 Appetizer, Entree, Dessert & Two Glasses of Wine

$50

Eddie Cotton

Friday & Saturday â&#x20AC;˘ 9:00pm with King Edward Sunday â&#x20AC;˘ 6:00pm

Free

*E Q M P ] ) R X I V X E M R Q I R X ' I R X I V

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Special

DJ Venom Friday, February 10

&Y] 3RI +IX 3RI *VII SR 7TIGMEPX] ,SYWI (VMROW

SJJ *SSH

The Flamethrowers

'SYTPIW 3RP]

1SRHE] (SQIWXMGW

Saturday, February 11

8YIWHE] Â&#x2026; ;MRKW (VMRO 7TIGMEPW

6550 Old Canton Rd, Ridgeland, Ms medfishgrill.com â&#x20AC;˘ 601--956-0082

;IHRIWHE] JSV (SQIWXMG &IIVW 8LYVWHE] 'SPPIKI 2MKLX

Happy Hour Everyday 4p-7p

Late Night Happy Hour Sun - Thur, 10p - 12a

Daily Lunch Specials â&#x20AC;˘ Feb. 06 - 10

Includes: Dessert, Iced Tea, & tax. Take Out Orders are welcomed.

Mon | Chicken Alfredo or Meatloaf Pie Tue | Peppersteak over Rice or Shrimp Scampi Wed | Smoked Pork Loin or Country Fried Steak Thu | Ham & Asparagus Lasagna or Chicken Bowtie Pasta Fri | Catfish Parmesan or Beef Brisket

601.978.1839

6270 Old Canton Rd. Jackson, MS 39211

&S[PMRK *VII 2SR %PGSLSPMG (VMROW [MXL 'SPPIKI -(

â&#x20AC;˘ Dinner: 5-10 Tuesday-Saturday â&#x20AC;˘ Thursday Night: Ladies Night & Karaoke in The Jazz Bar (Thu - Sat)

*VMHE] JSV 1EVKEVMXEW

â&#x20AC;˘ Happy Hour in The Jazz Bar Tuesday - Friday 4-7pm 2 -4 -1 Wells, Calls, & Domestics, PLUS $5 appetizers To book a private party please call

7EXYVHE] JSV 1EVXMRMW

JSV ;IPPW 'PSWI

601-487-8710 824 S. State St. Jackson, MS www.clubmagoos.com

3JJIV )RHW 1428 Old Square Road in Jackson 601.713.2700 lastcallsportsgrill.com

$3 Valentiniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Wednesday - February 8

WED. FEB 8 LADIES NIGHT & KARAOKE

ROCK KARAOKE

WITH MATT COLLETTE

Thursday - February 9

THURS. FEB 9 BUD LIGHT NIGHT! $2 LONGNECKS & $2 PINTS

Ladies Night: Ladies Drink Free Country Karaoke

Friday - February 10

dry county Saturday - February 11

LUNCH SPECIALS EVERYDAY $7.95 1 MEAT 3 VEGGIES INCLUDES BREAD & A FRESH BAKED COOKIE

SAT. FEB 11 $5 SHOTS! MON. FEB 13 IN-DA-BIZ NITE

2-FOR-1 SPECIAL TUES. FEB 14

JACKPOT TRIVIA THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US AS

Dry county Sunday - February 12 9 Ball Tournament 601-961-4747

www.myspace.com/popsaroundthecorner

BEST SPORTS BAR

3PH 7UYEVI 6SEH Â&#x2C6; .EGOWSR 17 Â&#x2C6; LXXT WXVMOI IRXIVXEMRQIRX RIX

Grab ya beads and come on out!

Bourbon St. in the Quarter (Formely Poets) 1855 Lakeland Drive Jackson, MS

601.987.0808

Friday & Saturday, February 10 & 11 Doug Franks, Triple Threat (formerly with Steve Ray Vaughn) also playing Greg â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fingersâ&#x20AC;? Taylor (formerly of Jimmy Buffettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coral Reefer Band) 9pm | $5 Cover

Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Night Live in Concert

Crossin Dixon $10 | $15 per couple

Miss 103 & Bud Light presents Live in Concert

Jeff Bates

February 16

Tickets on sale now $20 in advance $25 at the door

Lunch 11am - 2pm â&#x20AC;˘ Mon-Fri New Orleans Lunch: Poâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;boys,Burgers, Philly Cheesesteaks & appetizers.

Every Wednesday: Karaoke | 7:00pm | $1 Drafts | $2 Margaritas Every Thursday: Ladies Night & Men are Pigs Night featuring Snazz Ladies Get In Free | Ladies Win Prizes $2.50 Coors Light Bottle

jacksonfreepress.com

$10 Daily Lunch Specials

37

DINING|food

by Casey Purvis

CASEY PURVIS

The Mayflower CafĂŠ is one of several Jackson restaurants that has stood the test of time to become a local landmark.

the green vinyl booths. Everything is informal and comfortably worn. It has changed little since my college days; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m delighted that the booths are still green.

I adore the Mayflower, too. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s walking distance from the Elite. This restaurant is also bereft of contemporary dĂŠcor.

The paint is flaking on the sign out front as it should be.

The Mayflower, too, boasts a comeback dressing that is drinkable from the bottle. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only eaten here on a few occa-

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sions; if I ate here more often, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d weigh a lot more. The food is simple and well prepared. There is no frou-frou. The stuffed flounder is memorableâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as good as any Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had on the Coast.

In fact, Mayflowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specialty is seafood. People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come for the dĂŠcor or the atmosphere; they come to eat. The staff greets everyone warmly, and the service is impeccable. I am planning another trip soon. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been too long.

What is it about these old staid fixtures that keep sucking us in? A negative word uttered against these places in our presence can provoke a fight. For me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about continuity in a world that seems to be getting crazier and less consistent with each passing day. Politicians let me down on a regular basis. The stock market tanks at inopportune times.

Conflicts arise at home and overseas. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen my purchasing power dwindle. Many of us wonder if our jobs will fall victim to layoffs in this volatile economy. Yet, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m comforted by the idea that the same restaurants Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve enjoyed since I was old enough to drive are still standing and still serving the same dishes, prepared the same way theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always prepared them.

Though Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve only named three restaurants, there are so many more old restaurants I love. The Cherokee Inn (1410 Old Square Road, 601-362-6388) serves a burger worth singing for. Primos CafĂŠ and Bake Shop (2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-3398; 515 Lake Harbor Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600) is still turning out covetable caramel cakes and petit fours in its current locations. I could go on and on.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll always try a new restaurant, but eventually, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go home to my favorite old places. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the old friends who warmly welcome me back, no matter how long Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been away.

I came of age inside the walls of those staid institutions, perusing the menus for the house specials, exchanging pleasantries with wait staff who could put me to shame with their multitasking skills. In a surreal world, where so many bow in homage to transience, these restaurantsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;some with peeling paint and fading vinylâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;demand that we give the past our nod of respect. In return, they gift us with a sense of history and permanence.

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CASEY PURVIS

CASEY PURVIS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;H

ail! Hail! The gangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all heeere! What the heck do we care? What the heck do we care?â&#x20AC;? I smile thinking about where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve heard that tune so many times over the yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;comfortably ensconced in a vinyl booth at Crechaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (3107 U.S. Highway 80 W., 601355-1840), taking in the jukebox, the furniture that looks as if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been there for decades (and probably has), the recessed redneon lighting along the ceiling. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to say Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tried most everything on the menu, but I usually order the stuffed flounder or stuffed shrimp. I just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get past those two items. They are too consistently good for me to stray.

Nothing about this little Jackson restaurant is average. The perfect baked potato exists, and you will find it right here. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been tempted to drink the comeback dressing straight from the bottle rather than wait politely for the salad to arrive at the table. The staff never meets a stranger here. These people know their restaurant, their food and their customer base.

Drive east from Crechaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, take the State Street exit and meander downtown to Capitol Street for two more venerable Jackson fixtures: the Elite Restaurant (141 E. Capitol St., 601352-5606) and the Mayflower CafĂŠ (123 W. Capitol St., 601355-4122). The Elite is dear to my heart for the hamburger steak smothered in onions, the enchiladas and the rolls. When I was working in an office in my college days, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d sometimes make a trip to the Elite. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d get there by 11 a.m. If we got there later, we risked blowing our entire lunch hour waiting for a table. It was just that busy.

Let me paint you a picture: Walk through the door, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re immediately confronted with emerald-green vinyl booths bordering the walls, aging waitresses in black polyester whipping out the entrees and dinner rolls and a pleasant gentleman who quietly escorts you to a booth or table, whichever is available. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always loved

KRISTEN LEY

Time Warp on a Platter

5A44 FX 5X

February 11

Otis Lotus

Join Us For Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Special Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Menu

9:00pm | $5.00 Cover

Opening at 4:30

-Best Of Jackson 20121st: Best Hangover Food in Jackson

Best of Jackson 2008 - 2011

2nd: Best Place to Shoot Pool & Best Place to Drink Cheap 3rd: Best Dive Bar â&#x20AC;˘ Good Showing: Best Plate Lunch, Best Red Beans & Rice, & Best Jukebox

601-362-6388

1410 Old Square Road â&#x20AC;˘ Jackson

Wings Philly Cheesesteak Gourmet Burgers:

Turkey, Veggie & Beef

Lunch: Sun. | 11am-2pm Dinner: Tues. -Sat. | 5pm-9pm

601-919-2829

5417 Lakeland Drive ~ Flowood, MS 39232

4654 McWillie Dr., Jackson|Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10AM-9PM Friday & Saturday 10AM-10PM, Sunday CLOSED

Treat your loved one to a

$8.99

1 Meat, 3 Veggies, Bread and Drink

live music february 8 - 14

Thank You

2 Appetizers, 2 EntreĂŠs, and 2 Desserts

For Again Voting Us The Best Fried Chicken

$50

We appreciate each of you.

-Best of Jackson 2012-

wed | feb 08 Jessie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guitarâ&#x20AC;&#x153; Smith 5:30-9:30p

707 N Congress St., Jackson | 601-353-1180 Open 11am-2pm, Sunday thru Friday

thu | feb 09 Open 5:30-9:30p fri | feb 10 Amazinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lazy Boi Band 6:30-10:30p

7KDL DQG -DSDQHVH )RRG OLNH -DFNVRQ¡V 1HYHU ([SHULHQFHG

sat | feb 11 Bailey Brothers 6:30-10:30p

12: 23(1

sun | feb 12 Richard McCain 6:30-9:30p mon | feb 13 Karaoke tue | feb 14 Jesse â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guitarâ&#x20AC;? Smith 5:30-9:30p

1060 E County Line Rd. in Ridgeland Open Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-Midnight | 601-899-0038

And, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget our

Early Bird Special

M-Th from 5-7

Danilo Eslava Caceres Executive Chef/GM 2481 Lakeland Dr Flowood, MS 39232

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

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009

Best Butts In Town!

since 1980

601-956-7079

1491 Canton Mart Rd. â&#x20AC;˘ Jackson

jacksonfreepress.com

New Blue Plate Special

Romantic Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dinner

39

Crowd dancing to DJ Phingaprint

Julie Skipper: Girl About Town rockin’ out!

The crowd partying away!

Anderson United Methodist Choir

Sergio Fernandez, Adib Sabir, and Johnny Hubbard

DJ Phingaprint getting started.

Cool Water Cafe and Catering’s oysters Patty Peck car and valet outside of King Edward

Party-goers getting down!

Pizza Shack’s endless buffet The Best Dressed winner Sandra Day-Gowdy.

In costume & in line for great food

The elegant entryway of King Edward

Crowd listens to DJ Phingaprint’s tunes

Mingling before awards

February 8 - 14, 2012

Photos by Virginia Schriber

40

“Best of Jackson” is a trademark of Jackson Free Press, Inc.

On Jan. 29, 2012, the Jackson Free Press celebrated the 10th Annual Best of Jackson at the King Edward Hotel. More than 1,000 guests joined in the festivities, sampling food from 39 local restaurants, indulging in a special cocktail provided by Cathead Vodka, listening to the sweet jazz of Adib Sabir and congratulating the winners in 175 categories that comprise the Best of Jackson.

Sondra Bell and the choir from Anderson United Methodist Church serenaded the crowd at the doors to the Cat’s Meow, presented by Hotel & Restaurant Supply. Thanks to Davaine Lighting and DJ Phingaprint, the King Edward’s ballroom was transformed into party central. After the awards were handed out, guests danced into the night.

A Very Special Thanks to: •Babalu •Parlor Market •Primos •Lumpkins Barbecue •Table 100 •Burgers & Blues •Cool Al’s •Wing Stop

•Bourbon Street in the Quarter •Two Sisters Kitchen •Campbell’s Bakery •Pan-Asia •Cool Water Catering •Underground 119

•Cerami’s •Hickory Pit •Scurlock’s •Amerigo •Char •Sombra •Aladdin •Mezza

•Abeba •Fatsumo •Bravo •Sal & Mookie’s •Broadstreet •Olga’s •Corner Bakery •Pizza Shack

•The Penguin •Wing Station •Ciao Bella •Sportsman’s Lodge •Petra Cafe •Ole Tavern •King Edward Restaurant

“Best of Jackson” is a trademark of Jackson Free Press, Inc.

jacksonfreepress.com

Nat Duncan • Shannon Barbour • Marissa Lucas • Duane Smith • Samantha Towers

41

I Believe in Love

by Meredith W. Sullivan

V

alentine’s Day often gets a bad rap. Some think it’s too sappy, and others think it should be called “Singles Appreciation Day.” Regardless of whether you’re in a relationship, I believe Valentine’s Day is a day to acknowledge love—love for yourself, love for your family and friends, love for your significant other and love for life! Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all.

Nixon Watch in Rose Gold, 4450, $175

Couples Massages, SpaBeca, $150 for 60 minutes

You Are So Loved Card, Little Things Studio, $4

Vintage Silver and Gold Heart Earrings, The Green Room, $20

Red Tassle Wedges, Material Girls, $39.95

La Marca Prosecco, Fondren Cellars, $14.99

Coffee Date, Sneaky Beans, two medium coffees $2.18 each

NARS Lip Lacquer in Hot Wired, CoatTails, $24

Valentine’s Cookies, Broad Street Bakery and Café, $2.65 each

Jean Baptist 1717 Body Lotion, 4450, $34

Jon Hart Leather Money Clip, Fresh Ink, $29 plus $8 to add a name or monogram

Where2Shop:

4450, 4450 Interstate 55 N., 601-366-3687; Broad Street Bakery and Café, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900; CoatTails, 111 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-853-1313; Fondren Cellars, 633 Duling Ave., 769-216-2323; Fresh Ink, 4500 Interstate 55 N., 601-982-0235; The Green Room, 3026 N. State St., 601-981-9320; Little Things Studio, Yazoo City, etsy.com; Material Girls, 182 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-992-4533; Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-4887-6349; SpaBeca,

357 Towne Center Blvd., Suite 101, Ridgeland, 601-977-8401

SHOPPING SPECIALS Lipstick Lounge (304 Mitchell Ave., 601-366-4000) Buy tickets before the end of the month for the Monthly Shoe Extravaganza and be entered to win a free pair of shoes. The next drawing is March 1.

Sanctuary Body Spa (340 Township Ave., Suite 200, Ridgeland, 601-7902222) Like the spa’s Facebook page and get 20 percent off a manicure when you make an appointment before Feb. 13.

Mimi’s Family and Friends (3139 N. State St., 601-366-6111) Bring a bottle of champagne and Mimi’s will provide the orange juice. Toast the owners and staff, and wish them the best in their next endeavor.

circa. Urban Artisan Living (2771 Old Canton Road, 601-362-8484) Joy Light’s limited-edition lace collection, featuring one-of-a-kind vintage lace and ribbon cuffs and accessories, is on display until Feb. 28.

February 8 - 14, 2012

The Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, 601-856-7546) Come watch Janice Clark work with leather. Maybe you’ll even find something special for the man or woman in your life.

Send sale info to fly@jacksonfreepress.com.

42

Check out flyjfp.com for information about other sales around the city, trends and various things fly people should know.

TROLLBEADS

Valentine’s Day Event February 10-14

FREE • Gift of one Trollbead with the purchase of any three Trollbeads.

• Sterling silver bracelet with the purchase of a decorative clasp.

Highland Village 601.981.4311

ZZ Z

Plato’s Closet in Ridgeland has tons of gently used brand name jeans, tees, tanks, hoodies and shoes to fill your closet at up 70% off regular retail.

Don’t forget - we pay $$$ on the spot for your gently used apparel and accessories - Check us out today!

Thank you for voting Sun Gallery as a finalist for

Best Tanning Salon in Best of Jackson 2012!

1260 East County Line Road Ridgeland, MS 39157 | 601.487.8207 platosclosetridgeland.com

Valentine’s Day Tuesday February 14 ORDER EARLY!

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It’s never too early to start getting ready for SUMMER! •Open 7 days a week at both locations

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