V14n12 Drowning in Water Bills

vol. 14 no. 12

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BILLS, BILLS, BILLS Del[cX[h (+ # :[Y[cX[h '" (&'+ ZW_bo d[mi Wj `\f$ci

A New Farish B I L L S , B I L L S , B I L L S Street Plan Nave, p 9

B I L L S , B I L L S , B I L L S Refugees: WWJD? Maxwell, McLemore, pp 12-13

B I L L S , B I L L S , B I L L S To the Ballet Skipper, p 24

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DROWNING IN WATER BILLS Nave, pp 15-20

MILLSAPS COLLEGE

COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT Winter 2016 | www.millsaps.edu/conted | 601-974-1130 Course

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Arts and Crafts Beginning Calligraphy Beginning Photography Bob Ross Painting: Oceanscape Botanical Drawing: Capturing Nature in Art Exciting and New Guide to Portrait Drawing Intro to Mosaics Intermediate Mosaics Knitting a Vest Knitting a Sock Loop 2 Loop Easy Crochet Paint & Antique Furniture like a Pro Furniture Refinishing Advanced Furniture Antiquing Oil Painting Pottery/ Sculpture Viking Knit Watercolor Painting

Betsy Greener Ron Blaylock Michael Hughes Dain Hayes Keisi Ward Teresa Haygood Teresa Haygood Donna Peyton Donna Peyton Regina Powell Latresa Enns Latresa Enns Latresa Enns Thomas C. Morrison Thomas C. Morrison Laura Tarbutton Laurel Schoolar

Dance Introduction to Latin Dancing Irish Céilí Dancing

Mike & Lisa Day Margaret Cupples

Health and Fitness Boxers Rebellion Hybrid Kickboxing Tai Chi Yoga for Everyone

Jeremy Gordon Mike Chadwick Sally Holly

Heritage and History Mississippi in the Civil War Belhaven: A Brief Architectural History Jackson Houses by Hays Town Jackson’s North State Street: An Architectural History Mississippi’s Plantation Houses The Architect of Jackson’s Old Capitol: William Nichols and his work in Mississippi’s Capitol City and Beyond

Jeff Giambrone Todd Sanders Todd Sanders Todd Sanders Todd Sanders Todd Sanders

Language and Literature To Tell the Truth: Creative Nonfiction Writing and Selling Short Stories

Ellen Ann Fentress John Floyd

Money and Business Basics of Investing Becoming a Better Board Volunteer Board Service 101 Exploring Entrepreneurship Fundraising Ethics Developing Your Own Fashion Line: Start to Finish Introduction to Social Media and Content Strategy Leadership and Team Building: How to Inspire Others through Leadership Power Communication for Executives

Mark Maxwell Joe Donovan Joe Donovan Joe Donovan Joe Donovan Shon Simmons Sophie Wolf Jennifer Smith Linda Berry

Music Adult Group Piano for Beginners Beginning Guitar Beginning Harmonica The Mojo Triangle

Christy Turner Jimmy Turner Scott Albert Johnson James Dickerson

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Personal Development

2

Jump Starting Your Career with Volunteerism Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Understanding Your Dreams Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift of Intuition Pursuing Peace of Mind Communicating to Connect with Others

Jean Farish Kathy Woodliff Karen Mori Bonner Duann Kier Duann Kier Duann Kier

Special Offerings “Big Easy” Photo Tour and Workshop ACT Test Prep Course Backyard Astronomy Beginning Magic Common Crimes and Misdemeanors Dance for Parkinson’s French Wines and Culture Garden Design 2016 The Topic of Religion - Great Books Study

Mark Howell & John Wise Leonard Blanton Jim Waltman Robert Day Bruce McKinley Krista Bower & Phoebe Pearigen Patsy Ricks & Ellen Steeby Rick Griffin Ray Kimble

IMANI KHAYYAM

JACKSONIAN MELANIE VAIL FULLER

W

hen she first started practicing yoga in 2004, Melanie Vail Fuller says she didn’t see herself becoming a yoga instructor.

For her, it was a way to cope with tragic circumstances. Her brother, Matthew Vail, died in a motorcycle accident in 2000.

“I was lost and heartsick for many years,” she says. “While vacationing, a girlfriend invited me to a yoga class. I immediately knew that yoga was going to be something special to me.

I had never experienced an exercise form that nurtured the heart, mind, body and spirit.”

She says that during the final relaxation in that class (“savasana,” or what she likes to call “adult nap time”), she started crying.

At that moment, she realized that yoga was going to become a part of her life. She says she came back to Jackson to find a thriving yoga community and family. She met Tara Blumenthal, who owns Tara Yoga. “We were students at the same time,” Fuller says. “She chose a more accelerated route. … I think we both found that yoga was something that we wanted to explore, and she decided to become a teacher much sooner than I did. Tara and I were soul sisters in mutual loss. When you’ve experienced that kind of loss, it takes another person to understand,” she says. Blumenthal had lost both of her parents earlier in life.

In 2014, Blumenthal told Fuller that she should become an instructor through Tara Yoga’s certified teacher training course. Fuller

CONTENTS

wasn’t sure at first, but she says that she and Blumenthal talked it through. “I trusted her enough that she saw something in me that I could be a vessel for the teaching,” Fuller says. “ … I trusted her enough to walk the path.”

They started the process in May 2014, and after a 200-hour curriculum that included lecture, practice and lessons in areas such as philosophy, fundamentals and anatomy, and teaching practice, she earned a RYT-200 instructor certification with Yoga Alliance, a nonprofit organization that represents yoga teachers, schools and studios, this year.

Fuller, a Hinds County native, received her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1999. She began working for the Mississippi State Department of Health in 2002, where she is now a quality improvement coordinator.

In that position, she ensures that the department’s programs provide good customer service and that they are performing as efficiently and effectively as possible. Her husband, Shane Fuller, works for the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services.

She says that because her brother was a daredevil, she likes to do things that would make him proud, such as jumping out of airplanes, climbing mountains … becoming a yoga instructor. He’s also the reason she keeps the name Vail. “Because my brother is not here to carry his name, I carry it for him,” she says.

—Amber Helsel

cover design by Kristin Brenemen, photos by Imani Khayyam

6 Ài`Ê1«

Student leaders at Jackson State University are organizing against sexual violence.

28 The JAGged Edge

Read about Nashville-based band The JAG before their Nov. 25 performance at Duling Hall.

30 Ê ÌÌiÀÃÜiiÌÊ/ > Ã} Û } “We all pull strength from each other when we are together.”

—Bryan Flynn, “Being Thankful”

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4 ............................. EDITOR’S NOTE 6 ............................................ TALKS 12 ................................ EDITORIAL 13 .................................... OPINION 15 ............................ COVER STORY 22 ......................................... FOOD 24 ................... GIRL ABOUT TOWN 25 ....................................... 8 DAYS 27 ...................................... EVENTS 28 .......................................... ARTS 28 ....................................... MUSIC 29 ....................... MUSIC LISTINGS 30 ..................................... SPORTS 31 .................................... PUZZLES 33 ....................................... ASTRO

FLICKR/STACY SPENSLEY; TIM DUGGAN; IMANI KHAYYAM

NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 1, 2015 | VOL. 14 NO. 12

3

EDITOR’S note

by Donna Ladd, Editor-in-Chief

A Girl Strikes Back

I

was astounded to read in a recent Associated Press story that Mississippi House of Representatives Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, refers to fellow legislators exclusively as “men.” He likes to warn his conservative followers that only Republicans can set “the agenda” in Mississippi. “Your man, because he’s a Democrat, is not a part of that conversation,” he often repeats.

After he used the “your man” line to the media, an AP reporter asked Gunn, “What about the women?”

“Man or woman,” Gunn said. “Whatever. I should have said, ‘the member.’” He added, “I didn’t mean to not include the girls,” he said.

“The women?” AP responded.

“They like when I call them girls,” he said, “cause they think they’re younger.”

Yuck, yuck, yuck.

Of course, how would he know if the female legislators in his House like that label or not; it’s not like they’re likely to challenge their speaker who has power over them. That makes it textbook sexism.

I reposted the AP story on my Facebook page, with one remark attached, “Then there’s this good ole boy.” (See what I did there: girl, boy? Words are my playmate.)

A day or so later, I saw my post on Jim Prince’s page. Prince is a newspaper editor and publisher, both of the Madison County Journal and the Neshoba Democrat in my hometown. He is also the immediate past president of the Mississippi Press Association, the same organization that won’t allow this newspaper to join as a voting member because we’re free-distribution. They ban us even though their members distribute lots of free papers and magazines, including The Northside Sun, whose publisher, Wyatt Emmerich, was a recent MPA president.

The MPA board is all white men, except for one white woman, making it look more like the Mississippi press of old rather

than reflect the citizenry of the state with the highest percentage of African Americans.

They remain mired in traditions of the past, including the “paid” rule that a newspaper must be, supposedly, bought from a box or by subscription in order to be a member—a requirement many modern press associations in the U.S. have abandoned. Some of the best media outlets in the country are free to consumers, especially this century.

Boys will be boys, even in the 21st century.

But this column isn’t about the MPA, as dinosaur as it might be. When Prince saw my six-word remark about Gunn, he took umbrage. He reposted it, starting out, “The middle class is being left behind and the libs are whining about another manufactured war on women. What about education reform and jobs that would move our state forward?” Because, you know, we girls can’t hold more than one big ole thought at a time. Then, Jackson came up, too, because, you know, wink-wink. “Does anyone other than a handful of liberals in Jackson actually believe this garbage that Philip Gunn and the Republicans are waging war against women?” (A lot of the women who voted against Personhood and for birth-control pills and in-vitro fertilization and making their own health-care decisions certainly do.)

Then, I was a communist who wants to ignore terrorism abroad, while using Gunn’s remarks as a diversionary tactic. “I mean this is the same ole bile, nothing more than a

diversion, a product of their anger because voters are rejecting their socialist-marxist notions of governance left and right. Europe is on fire. Create a diversion!” Prince wrote.

Next, Prince really popped off a dud: “This demonization over women is ‘punishment’ for the Speaker’s suggestion the state flag be changed out of Christian love. There is absolutely no way the Republicans are getting credit for that kind of advancement.”

What? I guess the publisher didn’t stop to actually look at what I, and this paper, have written about both Gunn and Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention, praising them for their admirable Christian arguments that the state flag should change.

It was too much fun to falsely accuse me of being anti-Christian to actually factcheck his accusations, which were patently false.

In comments, Prince said I called myself a “victimized feminist,” which I would never say because I don’t allow myself to be or feel “victimized,” although I’m a proud feminist, as are many men I know, including my partner Todd. Prince said I called him a “communist” because I called out his “communist rhetoric.” Again … not things I said.

He’s supposed to be a newspaper editor.

Boys will be boys, even in 2015.

As a journalist, I find Prince’s quick jump to defend a public servant for insulting a whole gender astonishing. His misrepresentation of what someone actually says, in order to make her look bad, is shocking for someone who knows that “opinion” doesn’t include making up “facts” about someone. It is very sad that leaders of the state’s press association would stoop to such depths because another newspaper editor takes a position against sexism that they don’t agree with.

If a newspaperman wants to defend Gunn, because you’re big buddies or something—“aw, Ladd, you know he was joking!”—do that, but how do dumb personal attacks for my “boy” word play help

move his argument forward? Sure, it might tickle the Facebook frat house for the feeble attempt to stick it to the feminist, but should that be a grown man’s primary goal? Or, should a media executive try to add to the public discourse in a meaningful way?

The saddest part about such poo-flinging is how destructive it is to civic dialogue and others’ willingness to speak up. If you, heaven forbid, call out an elected official for insulting an entire gender, then all hell shall rain down upon ye. And if you’re a woman who speaks up in our state, they’ll pile on twice as much, hoping it silences you.

Here’s the thing: I’m just not personally insulted when someone pulls my pigtails on the playground. I’m an outspoken progressive newspaperwoman in Mississippi: I’ve been called every name possible, every part of my body made fun of on blogs where the bad boys refuse to use real names, and all kinds of goofball online stunts like people sending fraudulent emails under my name.

I’m used to it. But the point is bigger than me and my Teflon response to childish insults. It’s about all the other women and men who hear these things, especially younger people who are trying to find a place in our state and community, who might want to challenge the status quo, who would like to speak out without being pummeled by fools trying to squelch diverse opinion.

It’s heartbreaking to watch people like Prince—who is from my hometown, where the “Christian soldiers” of the Klan killed “communists” Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner—trot out the same old tropes used for decades to squelch any dissent to racism and hatred of “the other.” It’s one thing to disagree: It’s another to pile on every cliché insult, and some falsehoods to boot.

It’s nasty, and people in the news business know better than to make stuff up. Most importantly, they should be better role models at how to discuss and debate like adults.

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CONTRIBUTORS

4

Imani Khayyam

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Arielle Dreher

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Staff Photographer Imani Khayyam is an art lover and a native of Jackson. He loves to be behind the camera and capture the true essence of his subjects. He took photos for the cover and many in the issue.

Art Director Kristin Brenemen is an otaku with a penchant for dystopianism. She plans on celebrating her birth week by attending JXN Con and catching the opening screening of Star Wars:TFA . She designed much of the issue.

News Editor R.L. Nave is a native Missourian who roots for St. Louis—and for Jackson.

Send him news tips at rlnave@ jacksonfreepress.com. He wrote the cover story and pieces about Farish Street and Jackson’s crime rates.

News Reporter Arielle Dreher is working on finding some new hobbies and adopting an otter from the Jackson Zoo. Email her story ideas at arielle@jacksonfreepress.com. She wrote stories about JSU’s Feminist Majority and Provine High School.

Assistant Editor Amber Helsel enjoys music, art, food and food-related art. She can school you in a round of obscure Harry Potter trivia.

She wrote the Jacksonian and a food story about a recent “Stäge” pop-up dinner.

Music Editor Micah Smith is a fan of all things “nerd.” He is married to a great lady, has two dog-children named Kirby and Zelda, and plays in the band Empty Atlas. He compiled the music listings and wrote an arts story about Big House Books.

Freelance writer Danie Matthews is a Mississippi College graduate. She’s a fan of conscious hip-hop, neo-soul and classic R&B, and hopes to one day become a full-time music writer. She wrote a music story about The JAG.

Sales and Marketing Consultant Myron Cathey is from Senatobia. He is a graduate of Jackson State University and enjoys traveling, music and spending time with family and friends.

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5

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Wednesday, November 18 Paris police raid an apartment where the mastermind of last week’s terror attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, is hiding.

Abaaoud and his cousin are killed in the raid, and seven others are arrested.

Thursday, November 19 Most nations along Europe’s refugee corridor abruptly shut their borders to those not coming from war-torn countries such as Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq. ‌ The House approves GOP legislation requiring the FBI to conduct background checks on all Syrian and Iraqi refugees entering the U.S. by a veto-proof 289-137 margin.

Friday, November 20 Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Ted Cruz all condemn Donald Trump’s call for requiring Muslims in the U.S. to register in a national database. ‌ Rep. Blaine “Boâ€?

Eaton, D-Taylorsville, wins a tiebreaker in the race for the District 79 House seat over Republican challenger Mark Tullos by drawing a box that holds a green straw out of a bag.

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Saturday, November 21 Millsaps College senior Ericka M. Wheeler becomes the first African American woman from Mississippi to be named a Rhodes Scholar. ‌ A federal indictment charges a St. Martin woman named Yeon Sook “Jackieâ€? Hwang with bringing people to Mississippi to work as prostitutes and holding others against their will.

6

Sunday, November 22 The National Alliance of Black School Educators names Cedrick Gray of Jackson Public Schools as its superintendent of the year at the organization’s annual conference in Washington. ‌ Republican Donald Trump refuses to rule out an independent bid for president in 2016 and digs in on creating a database to track Muslims in the U.S. Monday, November 23 Belgian police launch raids in the capital and beyond in a hunt for Salah Abdeslam, a fugitive suspect in the Paris terror attacks. ‌ British Prime Minister David Cameron begins plans for the Royal Air Force to start hitting Islamic State targets in Syria.

Get breaking news at jfpdaily.com.

JSU Students Stand Up to Sexual Violence

by Arielle Dreher

D

uring her freshman year at Jackson State University in 2011, a close friend of Arekia S. Bennett was gang-raped on campus.

As a result, Bennett started looking around and realized no students were actively advocating against campus sexual assault and starting conversations about solutions and ways to prevent it moving forward. “It’s about starting a dialogue about the situation,� Bennett told the Jackson Free Press. “It’s about accountability.�

Now a senior, Bennett decided to raise that awareness herself, starting a group called GIRL, the JSU Feminist Majority chapter that is taking to the streets on campus, demanding more safety and awareness about risk female students face.

Earlier this year, Bennett joined Patrice Hudson, the leader of the campus Generation Action (Planned Parenthood) chapter, and Natalie Nicholson, who started Essence of a Lady Tiger this year, too.

The three groups organized a rally on Oct. 16 and are calling on changes for their campus in policy and open conversation about how to bring change going forward.

Both Bennett and Patrice Hudson point to a need for more feminist groups at HBCUs. The Generation Action group started its work on and off campus, Hudson said—even before her group even got its official paperwork. “We started into the legislative session in 2015—we got to lobby and meet the people that work for us in the government and hold them accountable,� she said.

Both young women, with the support of Planned Parenthood and Feminist Majority, are working on new policy language to make procedural action more specific for victims who do report assaults. Ultimately, Bennett and Hudson both want the campus culture to change and their peers to recognize what sexual violence is and how women should be treated and respected.

“We are trying to show them that we are serious, and this isn’t a game to us.� ‘Yes means Yes, and No Means No!’ A group of about 30 women and a few men filled the JSU Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza on Oct. 16, an unusually warm and sunny afternoon in mid-October, chanting ““Whatever we wear, wherever we go, yes means yes, and no means no!�

Bennett said the rally was to inform not only the administration but also students. “Our peers (need to) know why we did what we did and why certain things and be-

Alternative Methods for Settling Political Contests

haviors aren’t acceptable, along with policymaking with our administration to make sure that everyone feels safe,� Bennett said.

The group marched down the plaza and into an alley between dorm buildings, the spot of a recent unreported sexual assault, student organizers say.

The chants grew quiet as the group paused for a moment of silence to respect the victim who was reportedly assaulted at the location. News of the assault spread virally through GroupMe chat among certain students, but the victim chose not to report the crime, student organizers said.

When students do report incidents to the JSU Department of Public Safety, those incidents are posted on the crime log online—which details the offense, time and location but does not disclose personal details of victims. An annual report catalogues all reported campus crime for a school year.

The most recent report indicated that one forcible sex offense was reported in 2014. Eight domestic-violence charges and five stalking charges were filed in 2014 on JSU’s main campus.

The group continued to march and chant to the JSU Department of Public Safety building where a handful of student leaders met with school officials and publicsafety officers to express their concern with the campus’ zero-tolerance policy.

JSU’s zero-tolerance policy states that “violence, threats, harassment, intimidation and other disruptive behavior by members of the University community or visitors will not be tolerated.�

Do the ninja course at High Heaven in Flowood. The first person to finish wins.

Joust.

by JFP Staff

Draw straws—oh wait, never mind.

If voting didn’t exist, what other ways could you settle political contests?

Here are a few ideas a bit more fun than drawing straws.

One word: Duel.

See who can climb to the top of the Mississippi State Capitol first.

Play a board game. Suggested: Risk or Battleship.

Race to find the most chairs that aren’t broken in the capitol pressroom.

Have a modeling contest during Jackson Fashion Week.

See who can run the longest in the Mississippi Blues Marathon without prior training.

Stomp the Rotunda: Democratic and Republican dance crews battle it out for bragging rights and to rekindle long-lost loves.

Have a contest to see who hates President Obama more.

Play a game of HORSE.

Fried food eating contest.

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The behaviors listed include fighting, hazing, verbal and written statements, sexual assault, and gestures of threats or physical harm. Punishment for any of these actions is suspension and removal from premises, and possible “disciplinary action, criminal penalties, or both, in accordance with University procedures.�

Hudson said she and other student leaders presented their demands—not requests—to campus officials that day, asking that the zero-tolerance policy be stricter and more specific.

the Title IX office will be notified and an internal university investigation conducted. A student doesn’t have to press criminal charges to have an internal investigation done. An internal investigation could result in expulsion or at least suspension for students the judiciary committee finds guilty of sexual misconduct. “We had to clarify that it accounts for sexual assault and domestic violence as well,�

Patrice Hudson said.

A Title IX investigation could result in referral for a university judiciary hear-

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administration, access to rape kits, and mandatory sexual assault training for everyone including faculty, staff and students.

How JSU Responds Now Thomas Hudson, Title IX coordinator at JSU and no relation to Patrice Hudson, said all faculty and staff are required to take an online training in sexual misconduct. Undergraduate students also must take a similar type of training in their new student orientation, he said. But student leaders are asking for more than thatâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they want to ensure IMANI KHAYYAM

Students rally on Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza Oct. 16, to bring awareness to sexual violence on the Jackson State campus.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The real reason why I was doing it (marching) is our voices arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heard,â&#x20AC;? Patrice Hudson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are trying to show them that we are serious, and this isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a game to us, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re real victims.â&#x20AC;?

Currently, when a student reports a rape or assault to the campus Department of Public Safety, a criminal investigation begins.

If the student reports the assault or rape to the Title IX office or any campus official,

ing where the accused perpetrator could be punished under the â&#x20AC;&#x153;zero toleranceâ&#x20AC;? policy which could mean suspension, removal from campus or expulsionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;depending on that hearingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s result.

At the October meeting, student leaders asked that campus security be visible to everyone at all areas at all times, for the student government association to support all engagements with student groups and the

that graduate and transfer students are also required to take the training as well as campus safety officers and all faculty.

Students who wish to report a sexual assault or rape can report to the Title IX Office, the Department of Public Safety or to any faculty member at the university. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The role of our office is to internally investigate those matters,â&#x20AC;? Thomas Hudson said.

Students can report incidents to the Title IX office at any time. The Title IX office forwards internal investigations up to the judiciary committees of the university for hearings if necessary. Hudson said while he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put a numerical figure on the increase of JSU students reporting incidents, he said more students are coming forward and talking about their experiences, regardless of whether they report the incident formally.

If victims want to prosecute their perpetrator, the best route is to report the incident to the campus safety department, seek medical services immediately and hold on to physical evidence.

JSU students who want to have a rape kit done after an assault are referred off-campus to the University of Mississippi Medical Center or St. Dominicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital because they can provide the â&#x20AC;&#x153;best possible services for students,â&#x20AC;? Thomas Hudson said.

The universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health center is not equipped to do complete sexual-assault exams but does contraception and morningafter pills to students, but Bennett and Patrice Hudson want the student health center to offer rape kits and full services. Mississippi State sends students to a local hospital as well, while the University of Mississippi offers exams at their student health center.

Mr. Hudson said the Title IX office is seeing more students come forward and voice input on these issues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are doing even more outreach with our students and having them work with us to continue the conversation and highlight these issues,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Comment at jfp.ms. Email Arielle Dreher at arielle@jacksonfreepress.com

Provine: Academics, Behavior â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Go Up Togetherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

P

rincipal Laketia Marshall-Thomas believes that good behavior at Provine High School is about getting creative.

The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mascot, the Rams, is also an acronym that represents school-wide expectations in Responsibility, Achievement, Motivation and Safety. RAMS expectations are posted throughout the school with specific rules depending on location.

In the hallway, for example, the Responsibility rules for students include: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walk in an orderly manner on right side of hallâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Keep noise level to a minimum.â&#x20AC;?

Behavioral expectations are posted all over the school and explain rules for every area of Provine in the classroom, hallway,

bus, cafeteria and even bathroom.

RAMS is Provineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s implementation of the positive behavior interventions and supports, or PBIS, a district-wide behavioral framework used to track student behavior in JPS schools and in districts nationally.

Following the broadcast of several disturbing videosâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one showed a student pushing a teacher down stairsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in JPS high schools, the school district held a press conference on Monday, Nov. 16, to address the public concern for safety and discipline in local high schools.

Dr. Freddrick Murray, the chief academic officer of high schools, said then that scenes portrayed in videos were the excep-

tion and not the rule in JPS schools. PBIS is not about punishment, Murray said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Discipline is about teaching, not about punishment, so thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the approach that we take with PBIS,â&#x20AC;? Murray told the Jackson Free Press.

Marshall-Thomas said she attributes Provineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lowered number of discipline issues, since she started as principal in 2010, to PBIS. The RAMS system includes incentives for students to behave appropriately.

Each Provine student has a RAM card with 10 hole punches. The game is simple: Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get 10 punches, and you qualify for school assemblies and events with free snacks. Students who fill their cards must sit in a class-

room during assembly time and listen to a lesson on behavior insteadâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;every nine weeks, students get new cards and a chance to start over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always try to do something to reward students who are meeting expectations,â&#x20AC;? Marshall-Thomas said.

Students receive punches for disturbances that continue after they have been warned once. Marshall-Thomas said the staff do not administer punches frivolously, but at the same time, teachers have the power to punch cards themselves, giving them more PRUH SURYLQH VHH SDJH

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by Arielle Dreher

7

TALK | education

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8

sons, there are fewer stops in the lesson; then more material can be covered,” MarshallThomas said.

“It’s about changing the culture.”

Training for PBIS is ongoing, as well as IMANI KHAYYAM

control over their classroom environment.

A PBIS team made up of school administrators, teachers and students meet twice a month to evaluate discipline data and see what locations and times have the most disturbances.

When classrooms were rowdy after lunchtime, Provine transitioned to quiet lunches, where students could talk to neighbors but not yell across the room.

In their latest evaluations, the PBIS team found that morning transition times were rowdy, especially in the hallway. Now teachers stand in the hallways, students walk to the right side of the hallway, and if necessary, teachers do lock-outs, where they lock doors as soon as class starts. Students who are late must go to detention.

On paper, the expectations might seem stiff, but Marshall-Thomas said that as long as students know the expectations from the get-go, the PBIS system really works.

“We have PBIS lessons we teach at the beginning of the school year—we did them every day for about two weeks where we taught expected behaviors,” Marshall-Thomas said. “We actually had a lesson where we demonstrated how you walk to the cafeteria

and walk to the buses.”

Research shows that making expectations clear can help eliminate problems or confusion, and it’s working at Provine. In her five years as principal, Marshall-Thomas has

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seen her graduation rate go up significantly— it was 51 percent when she came on board in 2010; by 2014, 65.6 percent, Mississippi Department of Education data show.

“Academics and behavior go up together. If you have fewer interruptions during les-

crisis-prevention intervention trainings for teachers in the district. JPS also implemented its own restraint-and-seclusion policy in February that details specific protocols for when and how it is appropriate for teachers to use restraint or seclusion on students.

Dr. Margrit Wallace, the executive director of student academic and behavioral support at JPS, said PBIS is an overall framework for JPS to follow, but how schools implement the three-tiered system is up to the school administrators. The tiers represent student levels of behavior—tier one being a student displaying positive behavior and tier three a student “in crisis,” Wallace said.

“We do universal screening of behavior for characteristics of being ‘at risk’ and having difficulty with problem solving, conflict resolution, social and emotional skills, and then we provide support,” Wallace said.

Teachers also track student behavior ratings. Tier two and three students must have either a behavior contract or a plan to help them fix and correct habitual behavioral infractions. Marshall-Thomas said about 2 percent of her students have behavioral plans requiring them to meet with a school counselor every week. About 5 percent of Provine students have a behavioral contract.

Teachers evaluate tier 2 and 3 students at bi-monthly meetings, and when students improve over time, the contract is lifted.

“It’s about incentives, expectations, and procedures and routines,” Marshall-Thomas said. “Those things will make the biggest difference in your school.”

Comment at jfp.ms. Email reporter Arielle Dreher at arielle@jacksonfreepress.com.

TALK | city

Who is Farish Street’s Latest Would-Be Developer?

T

stated that the City intended to purchase 17 properties on Farish Street with HUD community-development block grant, or CDBG, funds to restore the historic street into an entertainment district.

The City then transferred ownership of those properties to the JRA, a quasiindependent arm of City government.

million 122-home development, as well as being the financier of a $2.4-million mixed-use redevelopment project and numerous other projects.

A search of the Colorado secretary of state’s website returns no results for LCS Land Development—the company name on Smith’s LinkedIn account. Smith is IMANI KHAYYAM

he people of Jackson have been here before: an out-of-towner breezes through trumpeting promises to restore the once-mighty Farish Street to its rightful place among the great entertainment districts of yore.

Leroy C. Smith is the latest of these—but who is he? Smith, president and chief executive officer at LCS Land Development LLC, said in a statement that he represents a group of Denver, Colo.-based investors ready to pump $100 million into the Farish Street Entertainment District; the group would inject $25 million of the overall investment in the first 18 months.

The offer came to light during recent court proceedings and through an order from Hinds County Chancellor Dewayne Thomas, who has been refereeing the circular firing squad of lawsuits between Jackson Redevelopment Authority and developer David Watkins. Thomas’ order, issued Nov. 10, directs JRA to listen to what Watkins has to say.

“Being advised that the development plan represents a possible avenue of settlement of this complex and costly litigation, this Court finds that presentation to the (JRA) Board would be in the interest of justice and equity and would be in the best interests of the parties, the residents of the City of Jackson, and the general public,” Thomas wrote.

Watkins referred questions to one of his attorneys, Lance Stevens, who expects to facilitate a meeting with JRA and called Smith’s proposal a “no brainer.” Stevens provided the Jackson Free Press with a statement from Smith, who did not respond to messages seeking comment: “We believe that Jackson has enormous potential. We have carefully studied various projects and proposals in and around Jackson. Our study and selection process has led us to focus on the Farish Street Entertainment District as our first project. The Farish Street project will be a catalyst for a new wave of economic development for the city.”

To sweeten the deal, Smith also offered to kick in $1.6 million for the City of Jackson to repay the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In 1997, under the mayoral administration of Kane Ditto, a memorandum-ofunderstanding between the City and JRA

McKinley Alexander, chairman of the Jackson Redevelopment Authority’s board of commissioners, said he would abide by a judge’s order and hear a presentation from developer David Watkins that could untangle the Farish Street project.

In September 2014, federal monitors demanded repayment of those funds, writing in a letter to Jackson officials: “It has been more than 16 years since the (City) began acquiring … property, and it remains unclear whether or not the activity will ever meet a national objective.”

Additional plans include Smith acquiring the Atmos Building in west Jackson to help pay JRA’s legal fees and as part of a longer-term strategy to develop west Jackson and parts of downtown.

On his LinkedIn profile, Smith touts 35 years of residential and commercial development experience, which includes working on the redevelopment of Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood. Once known as the “Harlem of the West,” Five Points has long been a center of African American and Latino life in Colorado’s capital city. Smith’s LinkedIn resumé lists him as the developer of a nine-townhouse development and a $25-

listed as the registered agent for another Denver company, LCS Developers LLC, but records indicate the company has been delinquent since May 2006. The trade name for another company—LCS Communications, a division of LCS Developers—also expired as of October 2007. Colorado records do show Smith as the registered agent for LCSLAND Development LLC, formed Nov. 12, 2015—two days after Chancellor Thomas ordered the meeting between Watkins and JRA to hear Smith’s proposal.

Leroy C. Smith, whose listed address is a Jackson office building at 932 North State St., is an officer for a company called Mississippi Interlock LLC. Other officers of the company include Robert C. Foxx of Fort Collins, Colo.; Money Powell Jr. of Utica, Miss.; and Marjorie D. Hunn, whose Jackson address matches Smith’s. The exterior gate to the office building on North State

Street, which also served as Mayor Tony Yarber’s campaign headquarters during the 2014 special election, was padlocked last week.

JRA briefly discussed the judge’s order during its regular meeting Nov. 18.

Chairman McKinley Alexander, an associate professor of economics and finance at Jackson State, said he would follow the judge’s order and schedule a time for Watkins to make a presentation. But Alexander refused to acknowledge the validity of a draft memorandum of understanding, or MOU, between JRA and Smith’s LCS Land Development.

The MOU, which first surfaced on a local blog, is dated Sept. 22 and spells out Smith’s offer. Under the terms, JRA would transfer the Farish Street properties it owns to Watkins Development, who would reconvey the property to LCS. LCS would provide Watkins Development $1.6 million to give to JRA to pay back HUD even though the responsibility for repaying the HUD grants is the City of Jackson’s.

Earlier this year, after the City discussed a three-year payment plan to pay HUD, JRA offered to pay it so that Farish Street would not remain in limbo for another three years; the City has not responded to JRA’s offer.

As part of the deal, LCS also asked JRA to dismiss its lawsuit to expunge liens Watkins placed on the Farish Street buildings for which he held the master lease until September 2013.

The MOU also asked JRA and the City to provide $25 million of the financing. “The financing provided by the JRA, including any benchmarks or timeless, shall be on terms and conditions at least as favorable as the financing provided for the development of the Iron Horse Grill and the Westin Hotel,” the MOU states.

In addition, LCS would ask JRA’s help in applying for New Market Tax Credits, state historic tax credits, tourism tax rebates and other financing instruments.

Alexander, the JRA chairman, told the Jackson Free Press that, despite the court order, he had no timeline on scheduling the Watkins meeting.

Comment at www.jfp.ms. Email R.L. Nave at rlnave@jacksonfreepress.com.

Read more about Farish Street drama at jfp.ms/watkins.

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by R.L. Nave

9

TALK | law

Jackson Crime Falling Despite ‘Senseless’ Killings

by R.L. Nave

trol and investigative divisions in making a quick arrest of James around 7 p.m. After his arrest, JPD officials say they had a busier

crime-statistics meeting at headquarters.

Overall, major crimes in Jackson continue to go down. Total major crimes have IMANI KHAYYAM

M

ajor crime is down compared to last year even as the Jackson Police Department dealt with several high-profile homicides and other crimes last week.

First, on Nov. 18, an auto-parts store manager named Broderick Smith was killed during an armed robbery on Livingston Road. The suspects fled on foot, police say.

The next day, JPD arrested 22-yearold Zehulum James, a junior at Jackson State University majoring in civil engineering, in connection with a shooting spree in which he allegedly killed two women and fired shots into a bus.

Police say James shot a woman named Kristy Lynn Mitchell, a Missouri native, in the parking lot of a hotel on County Line Road. They say he shot another woman, Suzanne Hogan of New York, at a gas station near Watkins Drive and Beasley Road the same night.

Chief Lee Vance said the Nov. 18 shootings appear to be random and that investigators do not believe James targeted women. James is also a suspect in three other shootings, at a city bus and in two occupied dwellings.

Vance applauded the work of the pa-

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than usual night of responding to calls for service.

“While it was a very sad incident, I can truly say I was very satisfied with our response,” Vance said at last week’s weekly

fallen almost 16 percent compared to last year, down to 6,542 crimes through 2015 from 7,774 in the same period last year.

Violent crime has seen a 4.2 percent dip from last year, with rapes being the only

category experiencing an increase of 10.3 percent—118 from 107 in 2014, statistics show. In addition, all of the city’s four police precincts are experiencing a decline, the steepest taking place in Precinct 4, which covers the northeast portion of the city.

Other accomplishments JPD touted included the demolition of more than 100 neglected houses around the city. Since Mayor Tony Yarber moved the code enforcement unit under the auspices of JPD to give inspectors more authority, Vance said the department has saved the City $421,000 by using inmate labor instead of public-works crews to demolish problem structures.

In addition, JPD reports that the backlog of calls to the 311 system for requesting City services (e.g. leaky fire hydrants, nuisance properties) has been cut by 50 percent.

Last week JPD partnered with the U.S. Southern District Attorney’s Office to host a “Law Enforcement and the Transgender Community” training for JPD staff to gain tools necessary to interact with members of the transgender community in their work.

Comment at www.jfp.ms. Email R.L. Nave at rlnave@jacksonfreepress.com.

Roberta Kaplan: ‘Someone is Responsible’

by Arielle Dreher

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IMANI KHAYYAM

“W

e were told not no, but hell no,” Donna Phillips said of the chances of her partner adopting their daughter after the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationally. Phillips is one of the plaintiffs in the case challenging Mississippi’s adoption ban before the southern Mississippi U.S. district court.

No defendant wants to take responsibility for Mississippi’s same-sex adoption ban. On Nov. 6, several witnesses took the stand in a federal courtroom for the first hearing in four Mississippi same-sex couples’ challenge to the state’s adoption ban.

Lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the case, Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan, said she cannot recall hearing such consistent testimony from witnesses over and over again.

Kaplan called to the stand members of three of the same-sex couples who are plaintiffs in the case to share their stories of discrimination or difficulties in adopt10 ing their own children in the state.

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“Ultimately, we win these cases because people tell their stories, and I can’t

think of a better way for them to tell their stories,” Kaplan told the Jackson Free Press.

The case, Campaign for Southern Equality v. MDHS, challenges the statute in Mississippi’s constitution that bans same-sex couples from adopting children in the state.

Kaplan said that by the end of the hearing it was clear that the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services was responsible for upholding the ban because that department conducts home studies for prospective adoptive parents and regulates fostercare practices.

“MDHS needs to clarify for everyone in Mississippi, so it’s not a guessing game, and there’s no confusion that gay couples are now fully entitled to adopt in Mississippi despite the language of the statute,” Kaplan said.

Two of the couples who are plaintiffs in the case want the adoption ban lifted so that both parents can finally and officially

become the legal parent of children they are already raising. Other couples want to adopt children, but have been held up because private social work groups will not conduct home studies for fear of retaliation from MDHS for disregarding the adoption ban.

Kaplan said she believes that Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, who heard the case, understood MDHS’ role in the adoption process. If MDHS is forced to clarify in its department that same-sex adoption is allowed and that companies who conduct home studies won’t be punished for conducting them in same-sex family households, she said, her plaintiffs and other same-sex couples in the state will be able to adopt without problems.

“If that’s the way this ends up, we won’t have any issues,” Kaplan said.

Judge Jordan had not handed down an opinion in this case by press time.

Comment at jfp.ms/lgbt. Email Arielle Dreher at arielle@jacksonfreepress.com.

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11

Refugees: What Would Jesus Do?

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or what its worth: What I am about to write is after a lot of prayer, and I am ashamed to say a lot of struggle. And, yes, who am I to think what I would write about this would make a dimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of difference in the first place? Probably none at all.

Where in the teachings of Jesus does it say that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine for Christians to turn their backs on people who have been mercilessly driven from their homes and have no food or shelter and ask it of us? I understand that a small percentage may be here to do us harm, and hopefully they will be rooted out in screening, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only to quote the obvious. After rebuking them on the left hand, and they ask why, The King (Jesus) replies, Matthew 25; 42-43 â&#x20AC;&#x153;For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not.... verse 45: Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.â&#x20AC;?

Do we only hear Jesus when he tells us what we want to hear? I know that this may lose me friends, good friends whom I cherish, but to see the Bible Belt so uniformly react as they have is disturbing. Can those of us who believe in Jesus and love Jesus when we search our heart of hearts â&#x20AC;Ś can we, past all the noise and the rhetoric, can we ultimately look at the naked truth of Christ, and can we honestly say that this is what Jesus would have wanted us to do?

After World War II, the U.S. insisted that the Nazis be tried. The world concurred, and those people who were so obviously guilty were given a trial because we said it was the right thing to do. I feel like our current moral crisis over Syrian refugees defines who we are as a nation every bit as much as those trials did then. No, we probably donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do enough to feed the poor and homeless that we already have, and yes, we must do more to accommodate all of the disenfranchised in this country.

And yes, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it sad that it takes something like this to even address the issue? But it is what it is, and this is an opportunity to address all those things in the broad daylight so that we are forced to take the mask away on who we say we are to expose, not just to the world, but more importantly to ourselves who we really are. And it is up to all of us ever after to live with that.

Actor and director John Maxwell founded the nonprofit, Fish Tale Group, which is dedicated to revitalizing interest in the Bible through original dramas.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was a stranger, and ye took me not inâ&#x20AC;?

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Why it stinks: On Nov. 20, Rep. Bo Eaton, D-Taylorsville, held on to his House seat by doing no more than picking a straw out of bag. As antiquated as the method is, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actually state law and, therefore, Bryant was obliged to follow it. Butâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to borrow a phrase from the Church Ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it interesting that Bryant chose to follow this law even though he disagrees with it, while he and other GOP leaders wantonly flout other state laws they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like?

If only Bryant and the Legislature followed the same principle when it comes to funding schools or protecting abortions rights in the state.

12

City Must Increase Subcontracting Transparency

U

nder the City of Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $91-million contract with Siemens for a water-system overhaul and sewer repairs, at least six firms hold subcontracts with Siemens.

Garrett ECI.IV is a program-management consulting firm to oversee quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for Siemens. The City never hired a program manager to protect its interests; instead, several public-works employees have attempted to fill this role. iVision IT Consultants is a subcontractor responsible for the customer care and billing system of the water contract. The James Covington-owned firm worked in tandem with another subcontractor, Origin Consulting LLC, which was based in Atlanta before the company relocated to Las Vegas.

Jackson-based M.A.C. Consulting LLC is one of the subcontractors installing 65,000 new water meters. The other is Pedal Valves Inc., headquartered in Luling, La. Brilliant Minds Public Relations has produced marketing and promotional materials related to the water-meter installation project, including public-service ads.

Since the city council authorized then-Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. to sign the contract in late 2012, current and former city officials have conceded that the rollout has, at times, gone less than smoothly.

The problem for citizens and the officials elected to oversee the spending of tax money is that when things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go smoothly, as Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote points out (see this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover story), itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to know whom to hold accountable. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also difficult to know whether tax

funds are being used efficiently.

This transparency problem has also come to light with other big-ticket contracts the City has negotiated as well. For example, take the stillunresolved matter of a sludge-hauling contract totaling between $13 million and $15 million and that relies on the so-called prime contractor to hire local firms as subcontractors.

In theory, the primes are responsible for the work of their subs, but the City has little recourse if a subcontractor appears to be dropping the ball.

Perhaps the City could sue, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the politically delicate issue of the City dragging a locally owned firm that hires local workers into court.

A better solution would be for the City to craft its contracts in a way that adds transparency to the process, to structure the agreements so that all contractors, whether prime or sub, can be called to the mat if need be. This should include requiring contractors to disclose the subcontractors it hires and how much each is paid, as well as provide all documentation between the City, the prime contractors and the sub-contractors.

Transparency of this kind would not only help citizens have peace of mind of where their tax dollars are going, but could also increase competition among firms looking to do business with Jackson, which would drive ultimately down costs.

Jackson citizens should demand that the mayor and city council work together immediately to draft a policy and codify it with an ordinance to increase transparency for both contracting and subcontracting.

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Editor-in-Chief Donna Ladd Publisher Todd Stauffer EDITORIAL News Editor R.L. Nave Assistant Editor Amber Helsel Reporter Arielle Dreher Business Reporting Fellow Scott Prather JFP Daily Editor Dustin Cardon Music Editor Micah Smith Events Listings Editor Latasha Willis Editorial Assistants Maya Miller, Adria Walker Writers Bryan Flynn, Brian Gordon, Shameka Hamilton, Genevieve Legacy, LaTonya Miller, Jordan Morrow, Greg Pigott, Julie Skipper, Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Kristin Brenemen Advertising Designer Zilpha Young Staff Photographer Imani Khayyam Contributing Photographer Tate K. Nations ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director Kimberly Griffin Sales and Marketing Consultant Myron Cathey Sales Assistant Mary Osborne BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS Distribution Manager Richard Laswell Distribution Raymond Carmeans, Clint Dear, Michael McDonald, Ruby Parks Bookkeeper Melanie Collins Assistant to the CEO Inga-Lill Sjostrom Operations Consultant David Joseph ONLINE Web Editor Dustin Cardon Web Designer Montroe Headd

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B

iblical doctrine teaches that Jesus Christ, in the New Testament, established a foundation for Christians to live by. One of the fundamental components of that foundation includes helping those less fortunate. When they require assistance, Christians are highly encouraged to abet in any way possible.

Of course, those deemed less fortunate can, at times, fall into the realm of subjectivity. However, subjectivity can be thrown out the window when it comes to Syrian refugees. Because of a civil war waged by President/mass murderer Bashar al-Assad (who looks more like an insurance salesman) on his own people, millions of people have had to flee Syria based on fear of persecution.

As that region of the world deals with crisis after crisis, which includes heinous terrorist acts by ISIS, Syrian refugees desperately need assistance, both short and long term.

Much-needed relief can come in the form of the U.S. opening her arms, as she has done for virtually all of us, as our ancestry is made up of those who immigrated here, both voluntarily and involuntary, except, of course, for the Native Americans.

One would assume that the U.S., with Mississippi as the epicenter of the Bible Belt, would have arms wide open toward the Syrian refugees, while the band Creed ironically plays â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arms Wide Openâ&#x20AC;? in the background.

Unfortunately, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who identifies as Christian, has chosen to join a large number of state governors, most of whom also Republican â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christ followingâ&#x20AC;? folk, in pledging to refuse Syrian refugees should the federal government send them to states like Mississippi.

The governors assert they are responding to heightened concerns that terrorists might use the refugees as cover to sneak across borders. The reasoning for this response stems from an Associated Press report last week in which authorities stated that a Syrian passport was found near one of the attackers on Friday. The Paris prosecutorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; office also said that fingerprints from the attacker match those of an individual who passed through Greece in October.

The strategy of exclusivity from political leaders like Gov. Phil Bryant can be described as discriminatory, unrealistic, asinine and very non-Christ-like. Sure, we all want to minimize terrorist threats as much as possible, but spewing hateful political speech such as refugees being disallowed to enter oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s state or that they would need to take a â&#x20AC;&#x153;religious testâ&#x20AC;? doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t minimize the threat.

In fact, it creates hate, which is the founda-

tion of both global and domestic terrorism.

If the United States were to refuse innocent refugees looking for relief, including women, the elderly and small children, our moral bankruptcy would soon follow.

Policy-wise, our immigration-vetting process is one of the more rigorous, if not the most in the world, especially since the 9/11 attacks. The Obama administration has already spoken out against this idiotic political rhetoric, stating that it takes 18 to 24 months to clear a refugee for entry, following vetting by the U.S. intelligence community and other agencies, as well as biometrics.

Governors like Phil Bryant, as well as certain presidential candidates like Donald Trump, are clearly trying to conjure fear in the form of political speech rather than focus on national security.

But letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s push policy aside for a second, because I know brainstorming policy matters isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly the strongest attribute for a lot of the politicians mentioned above. Instead, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ask the simple question of â&#x20AC;&#x153;What would Jesus do?â&#x20AC;? Or, WWJD. We must remember that one of the fundamental building blocks of Christianity is to help those who are less fortunate than oneself. Providing a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of people facing mass persecution would fall in the realm of helping those less fortunate, correct?

So, if that is established, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Gov. Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first and only reaction be to welcome Syrian refugees to the great state of Mississippi? A state filled with devout Christians, including its governor?

Unfortunately, that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to be the case as Bryant, along with a slew of other â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christ-lovingâ&#x20AC;? political leaders, have more or less stated they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give a damn about what Jesus would do in this situation.

Fortunately, this is a federal matter, and state governors, including Bryant, have no power to refuse Syrian refugees. Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rhetoric is clearly a political ploy.

However, political rhetoric turns into propaganda, propaganda turns into fear, fear turns into hatred, and hatred turns into discrimination. I hope the American people, Christians and non-Christians alike, ignore the Phil Bryants of the world and simply ask ourselves, WWJD? Leslie B. McLemore II is a Jackson native, now in Washington, D.C. He is a proud graduate of Jackson State University, North Carolina Central University School of Law (J.D.) and American University Washington College of Law (LL.M.).

Gov. Phil Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rhetoric is clearly a political ploy.

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BILLS, BILLS, BILLS Jackson Residents Confused by New Water Systems

by R.L. Nave

IMANI KHAYYAM

plaints that have poured into the city over the past year in which a bureaucratic and morass compounded the initial problemâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in Manoginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case, an inexplicable one-month jump in her water bill.

Since she first started calling the WSBA to get the bill fixed, Manogin said late fees have caused the amount due to balloon by more than $50. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay $214, how am I going to pay $267?â&#x20AC;? she said.

Roots of the Billing Snag For well over a year, problems with City of Jackson water bills have been a mainstay of local television news reports and the source of frustration for hundreds, if not thousands, of Jacksonians. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My life has been turned upside down, inside out with water bills as if we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough issues already.

My phone is ringing all day longâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;water bills,â&#x20AC;? Ward 4 Councilman Deâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keither Stamps told the Jackson Free Press.

The first set of issues arose shortly after the City started replacing residential water meters as a part of the $91 million Siemens contract (see jfp.ms/siemens) in 2014. In the early going, many of the problems could be traced back to the training of the meter installers working for two subcontractors, M.A.C. Construction and Luling, La.-based Pedal Valve.

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udging by the number of told the man that the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in-person bill Those were the easy questions. They paint-stained overalls and payment system is only set up to accept got harder. tired faces in the Smith cash and checks. (Customers can pay with Consider the case of Teresa Jamison, Robertson Museum audi- a debit or credit online for a $3.50 fee). To whose home off West Woodrow Wilson torium, many people who the second questioner, she said the pay- Avenue was vacant for many years and attended Mayor had leaky pipes that resulted in Tony Yarberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a $10,000 water bill from the recent towncity. She wants to re-occupy the hall meeting home, and says a plumber has came directly from work to press fixed the leak, but she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the mayor and his administration have $10,000 to turn the water on what the heck is going on with back on. their water bills.

Powell said Jamison must Some asked straightforward provide proof that a plumber questions. One barrel-chested, fixed the problem before a bill middle-aged man just wanted adjustment could be made. to know why he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use a debit Many more people said card to pay his bill at the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s they havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t received a water bill Water and Sewer Business Adsince August, when the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ministration inside the Metronew billing system went live. center. Another man asked why And many, many people reportit can be so difficult to reach a ed bills that doubled or tripled call-center representative to ask for no apparent reason. about a billing problem but Jo Ann Manogin, who so easy get in touch with a rep lives off Medgar Evers BouleAt a Nov. 16 town hall, Kishia Powell, the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when paying a bill. vard, said she lives alone and director of public works, detailed a number of reasons Jackson Public Works Diworks during the day, and her that water customers may receive an unusually high water bill, many of which are related to a new billing rector Kishia Powell, wearing the bill still shot up to $214 for one W]WXIQ 3JĂ&#x; GMEPW EVI XV]MRK XS [SVO SYX XLI FYKW same indigo dress shirt that othmonth of usage. As Powell ater city employees had donned tempted to offer potential explafor the event, answered those nations, Manogin cut her off. questionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even though the customers ment system is run through a third-party â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look, lady, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even be at home,â&#x20AC;? frequently seemed dissatisfied with her vendor, Paymentus. The WSBA only has she snapped. explanations. six people answering questions about bills, Manogin is a good case study for Answering the first question, Powell while Paymentus has its own staff. many of the hundreds of billing com-

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W AT ER BILLS F R O M PA G E 1 5 the City estimating bills for a couple of months based on customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; usage history. The Oracle-based system is designed

most performance contracts donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require full upfront payment-for-services, was pitched as a way for Jackson to increase

to be able to calculate average daily usage based on a 30-day period. If customers didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have their meters read in the month before the billing-system changeover, officials say, the system couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t accurately

If you DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T HAVE a new meter:

If you HAVE a new meter:

1. A leak on the property 2. Leak(s) in the internal house plumbing 3. Impact from the 2013 rate increase

1. Leaks on the property side 2. Leak(s) in the internal house plumbing 3. Impact from the 2013 rate increase 4. Increased accuracy of water flowing through the meter 5. A gallon meter may be present (billing consumption would be significantly higher than normal on the order of 600 percent)

-ORDue in part to worker shortages, you may have not have had your meter read within 30 days before the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new billing system went live, which caused an inaccurate bill estimate.

Processing of your bill was delayed after the implementation of the new billing system, and the delayed bill reflects several months of usage.

In each case, you may request a review of the bill. Call Customer Service at 601960-2000 to report a leak or if you have further questions. Fax repair statements to 601-960-1130. Please add your name, address, water/sewer account, and a brief explanation of what was repaired number on the fax.

SOURCE: CITY OF JACKSON

been billed for two months on a onemonth bill. When that happens, WSBA employees must manually process those bills, including clearing out errors from the software.

In some cases, customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; account information didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t migrate to the new system, so a bill might not be generated for several monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;then several monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; charges show up all at once.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what seems to be have happened to Ward 5 resident Paul Johnson, who said he hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t received a bill since August. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I cringe to think what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll look like,â&#x20AC;? Johnson said during the town hall.

In addition, Powell said the billing system expects customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meters to be read within three days of their billing date, but worker shortages sometimes makes that difficult, officials say; if no one reads the meter, the software is programmed to estimate a bill. After successive months of estimated bills, the system will no longer estimate and will require an actual reading, Powell said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To sum it all up, the transition to the new billing system just has not gone as we planned and, essentially, it is because we are going to a new way of doing business, from an old way of doing business,â&#x20AC;?

Powell told the audience.

Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Responsible for Billing Problems?

That â&#x20AC;&#x153;new way of doing businessâ&#x20AC;? started with the $91-million Siemens contract Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. signed in late 2012. The contract, which Siemens calls a â&#x20AC;&#x153;performance contractâ&#x20AC;? although

revenues while modernizing parts of its water infrastructure.

The Siemens deal calls for replacing 64,998 water meters with new, high-tech, ostensibly more accurate meters that require less hands-on maintenance. All together, the water meters and software overhaul cost taxpayers $65 millionâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; approximately $1,000 for every meterâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; while the rest of the contract, $26 million, was earmarked for updating water and sewer-treatment facilities and sewer lines.

Of that sum, $11.3 million was set aside for the new customer care and billing system. Local businessman James Covingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iVision IT Consultants was the subcontractor put in charge of the software upgrades, and Covington, in turn, brought in Las Vegas-based Origin Consulting LLC for the integration and implementation of the Oracle-based billing system. Earlier this year, Origin moved its corporate headquarters from Atlanta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The system is doing what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supposed to do. The issue is that you have to get accurate reads. When you get accurate reads, you solve your problem. You have to have accurate data to get accurate bills,â&#x20AC;?

Covington told the Jackson Free Press in a telephone interview.

Pamela Glanvill, the president of Origin Consulting who made a presentation to the Jackson City Council last year, did not return calls and emails seeking comment by press time.

Willie Bell, who served as publicworks director under the late Mayor

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City of Jackson water customers lined the walls of the Smith Robertson Museum on Nov. 16 seeking answers to problems [MXL [EXIV FMPPW ERH XS ZIRX XLIMV JVYWXVEXMSRW EX .EGOWSR SJĂ&#x;GMEPW EFSYX XLI QMPPMSR GSRXVEGX [MXL 7MIQIRW JSV [EXIV system upgrades. They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all leave satisifed with the answers they got.

Reasons for Unusually High Water Bills

IMANI KHA YY AM

calculate two monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of average daily usage.

As a result, some customers have

IMANI KHAYYAM

Mitch King, of Jackson-based Garrett ECI.IV, which provides quality assurance and quality control on Siemensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behalf, told the City in December 2014: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The vast majority of the installers we have, they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t doing this 18 months ago. We have a few installers in the bunch that are considered â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that travel with the group that does this all the time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the vast majority of our installers are people from Jackson,â&#x20AC;? he continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re learning a new trade, and anytime you bring in new people to work on a project, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a learning curve.â&#x20AC;?

A second wave of customer consternation, which city officials maintain is unrelated to the mechanical meters, has set in since August. That is when the new water billing systemâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a key component of the Siemens contract and the $123 million in savings the deal was supposed to net for the City and residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;went into service. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going from bimonthly to monthly (billing) and operationally, resource-wise, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to make some adjustments and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re) still trying to concentrate on getting the most accurate bills we can out,â&#x20AC;? Powell said, Mayor Tony Yarber sitting by her side.

The roots of the billing snags are manifold, she explained. First, the transition to the new billing system relies on

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W AT ER BILLS F R O M PA G E 1 7 my water bill,” he said.

Stacey Aldridge was also tired of waiting. On Oct. 20, Aldridge, who also lives in Fondren, said she got a bill that claimed a payment of $62 was past due even though she’d paid it. Receipt in hand, she called the water department to get it straightened out and to make sure that her water wouldn’t be shut off.

It was a formality. The scrupulously organized Aldridge had her receipts and her previous confirmation numbers from the online bill-pay system, so she didn’t expect much of a hassle.

“I had heard there were problems, but when I called and heard that were 45 calls ahead of me, I was shocked. After two hours, I had to hang up and do my job,” Aldridge said.

Before hanging up, she took a screenshot of her phone’s screen showing how long she had been on hold and tweeted it to Yarber, who responded that he agreed that she waited too long and directed Aldridge to members of his staff. Two days later, the mayor’s office emailed Aldridge saying the issue was resolved.

“The customer-service experience was kind of bad because I never talked to anyone who worked for the water department. But I guess my customer-service experience with the mayor was good,” Aldridge said.

ued shutting off water to homes where bills were delinquent before the new system came online, however.

In addition, Yarber said he’s moving additional staff to the WSBA call center

Jo Ann Manogin attended a recent town hall Mayor Tony Yarber hosted about water-bill complaints. Because she lives alone and works during the day, Manogin doesn’t believe her $214 bill is accurate. In the meantime, late fees are mounting.

IMANI KHAYYAM

to help with the high call volumes and wait times to work with customers on bill adjustments; any late fees incurred will also be part of the those adjustments, the Moratorium on Water Shut-Offs mayor’s office said.

While the city sorts out the issues Stamps, the councilman, said he is fielding as many as 25 calls per day from customers across the Nice, But No Follow-Up city and is working with the Even before the online City’s legal department to draft billing system came into play, an ordinance that would codify residents reported problems. a moratorium on water shut-offs Last November, after Fondren for customers who make goodresident Andrew Neely received faith efforts to pay their water a new meter, he saw a steady upbills. His office advises residents tick in his water bill, from $130 who feel sticker-shock when seeevery other month to about ing a high bill to pay what they $240 every other month. think they owe and submit an At one point, he even faxed appeal to the WSBA; the council a receipt for plumbing materials also is considering using council he bought to fix his toilet just members to hear customer-serin case it was contributing to his vice appeals, either by forming bill spike. an ad hoc committee or through “I was on the phone with the rarely used Government Opthem a lot—every six weeks or erations Committee. so,” he said.

Doing so, Stamps believes, Neighbors lodged similar will give the Yarber administraTeresa Jamison’s $10,000 water bill was the not the VIWYPX SJ E WSJX[EVI KPMXGL 2S[ XLEX WLI LEW ß\IH E complaints on the online Nexttion some breathing room to fix leak in her home, she wants to move back in and is door neighborhood network, the problems. asking the City for help. so Neely gathered 40 pages of After the town hall, Yarcomplaints and sent them to ber told the Jackson Free Press a Yarber aide, who no longer that water-bill estimates were works for the City. Sanders was polite, with the billing system, Yarber admin- intended to go on for just two or three Neely said, but he never followed up with istration officials say a moratorium is billing cycles, but it is now likely to take Sanders on the complaints. in effect on shutting off water service to longer even though the City is collecting “I frankly got a little tired of trying to homes that have seen excessive bills in and analyzing data from the new residen20 figure it all out and just wrote a check for the past months. The City will contin- tial meters. Ûi LiÀÊÓxÊ Ê iVi LiÀÊ£]ÊÓä£xÊÊUÊÊ v«° Ã

Yarber said his staff has not met formally to discuss the billing-system problems with the subcontractors—Covington’s iVision or Origin Consulting— because the ultimate responsibility to IMANI KHAYYAM

Chokwe Lumumba, signed off on proceeding with the Siemens contract in the summer of 2013. He told the Jackson Free Press in a recent interview that one of the early challenges for the water-meter project was figuring out where to place the antennas that pick up usage data from individual meters in the ground and transmit that information back to headquarters.

Public-works officials briefly considered putting antennas on utility poles, but because Entergy owns them, the liability issues in the case of downed pole would have been tough to work out, Bell said.

Fire hydrants were out of the question because they’re too low to the ground.

“You can’t do that because a kid comes by it, and it becomes a target for a football or baseball,” Bell said.

The temporary fix involved sending meter readers around with handheld devices to read each meter from a publicworks truck.

The meter installation work, which started in north Jackson and snaked southward, was steady until last February when public-works crews discovered some homes with had new meters calibrated to read gallons instead of cubic feet, which could cause a 600-percent spike in water bills.

With 31,000 meters installed, Yarber and Powell halted that project for four months and required Siemens to submit a corrective action plan. Currently, the City estimates that 50,000 total new meters have been installed.

address problems lies with the prime contractor, Siemens.

Amanda Naiman, a spokeswoman for Siemens, told the Jackson Free Press in a emailed statement: “While it is not unusual when implementing this type of system upgrade to go through a transitionary period when bills are estimated, there have been some challenges, including missing or inaccurate data from the old billing system.”

Siemens, she said, is working with the City to “adjust the estimation process as needed to ensure as smooth of a transition as possible.”

Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote said he’s frustrated that it seems to be taking too long figure out the right path.

“Part of that frustration is (that) I can’t put my finger on where the responsibility (lies)—whether it’s … in the water billing department or if it’s the software and the Siemens people. For me, as a councilman, the priority is to get the system up and running. The trouble when you bring in third-party contractors—there were other contractors involved—then you can’t hold people accountable,” Foote said.

“We need to work on clearer lines of authority and accountability and that includes our outside vendors,” Foote added. “We’re not directly in the chain of command, so it’s a challenge for the city council, but we still have to provide oversight.”

Contact R.L. Nave at rlnave@jacksonfreepress.com. Read more about Jackson’s water woes at jfp.ms/Siemens.

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The Beginning Stäge

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find at New Orleans street vendors late at night.

For the fish course, Ramsey served a mirliton, which is a pear-shaped vegetable, with shrimp and a cream-based sauce made with Herbsaint, an anise-flavored liquor produced by Sazerac Company and originally made in New Orleans.

The fowl course was a chicken clemençeau ravioli.

The best dish of the night, for me, was the “Fat Harry’s” chili-cheese fries. Fat Harry’s is a go-to college bar in New Orleans.

These weren’t standard chili-cheese fries. For the potato part, Ramsey served fried whipped potatoes with chili, flank steak and Wisconsin cheddar. It was like eating a combination of chili-cheese fries and mashed potatoes, and it tasted like the best comfort food in the world.

For dessert, Ramsey served calas and bread pudding, which was an excellent ending for the dinner. The dish was a fried dumpling with rice pudding on the inside, powdered sugar over the top and a rum-based sauce.

Most of the guests didn’t eat food on dishes or drink their drinks in glasses, though some did (it was BYOWG, bring-your-own-wine-glass). Ramsey served the courses on black paper boats, and each table had a roll of paper towels to go around. Though the food was elevated, the atmosphere was casual. Ramsey and his team encouraged guests to sit with people they didn’t know.

“If you’re sitting with someone you know, you’re doing it wrong,” they said. All through the night, chatter interchanged with silence as guests savored their food.

The next Stäge pop-up event is Dec. 5 at Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427). It will feature modern interpretations of steakhouse classics. For more information, visit stagepopup.com.

AMBER HELSEL

in October. “I’ve enjoyed the support of the community and my customers, but it’s time for me to take it easy for a while and see what I want to do next.”

The next step turned out to be continuing Stäge, but instead of just staying in Jackson, he wants to take his pop-up dinner across the United States, with the first few stops in Atlanta, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La. “I love pop-ups because running a fine-dining restaurant is a really hard job, especially in a

by Amber Helsel small space,” Ramsey told the JFP. “I really love mingling and getting to know my guests, but I don’t like the everyday grind. Popups let me entertain people and get paid for it without the grind of it.”

Stäge’s tagline is “celebrate the now, reject permanence,” and in a way, the chandelier Ramsey will take with him to all events symbolizes that. Instead of being made of fragile glass, it is comprised of durable plastic and even folds up so he can travel with it.

For the Nov. 7 event at Brent’s, Ramsey focused his dishes on New Orleans dishes that have an Asian flair.

For the amuse bouche, he served New Orleans-Vietnamese fusion in the form of a fried oyster, mache (spinach purée) and a sesame crema on a scallion pancake. It was a play on oysters Rockefeller.

Instead of the shell, the dish had the Vietnamese pancake.

For the soup, Ramsey served Mache (spinach purée), a fried oyster, sesame crema and a scallion yaka mein, a New Orleans streetpancake made up the amuse boucle at the pop-up Stäge dinner. food soup usually served outside of bars. It’s also called “Old Sober” because it’s thought to be a hangt Brent’s Drugs on the night of Nov. 7, a chanover cure. delier hung on the ledge of the mirror on the While the origins of the dish are unclear, many berestaurant’s back wall, the light reflecting off the lieve that it was Chinese workers introduced it when they glass. relocated to the city from south Louisiana plantations.

It was the first thing many people noticed as they Chinese immigrants came to Louisiana in the midtrickled in to the Jackson staple, some going to The 1800s to work the railroads and sugar plantations. When Apothecary in the back and some attending Tom Ram- they found the work unsuitable, the Chinese population sey’s “Stäge” pop-up dinner, which he has been doing relocated to South Liberty near the Chinese Mission. since October.

Eventually, they created New Orleans’ own Chinatown, When Ramsey chose not to renew the lease for his though most would ultimately relocate to the suburbs. downtown restaurant, La Finestra, in October, he decidInstead of the standard beef broth, Ramsey made ed to take his next step in the culinary world. one out of pork trotter and turkey necks, and added col“(La Finestra) had a great two-year run, but all lard greens and pork belly to the soup. He served it in a things must change,” Ramsey told the Jackson Free Press Styrofoam cup reminiscent of the yaka mein you might

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The soup course was mache (spinach purée), a fried oyster, sesame crema and a scallion pancake.

Order Your ey Smoked Turk day! and Pies To (Turkeys should be ordered 3 days in advance and are market price.)

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LIFE&STYLE | girl about town

by Julie Skipper

24

AMERICAN/SOUTHERN CUISINE Basil’s (2906 N State St #104, Jackson, 601-982-2100) Paninis pizza, pasta, soups and salads. They’ve got it all on the menu.

Broad Street Bakery (4465 Interstate 55 N. 601-362-2900) Hot breakfast, coffee drinks, fresh breads & pastries, gourmet deli sandwiches.

The Feathered Cow (4760 I-55 North 769-233-8366) Simple and homemade equal quality and freshness every time. You never leave The Cow hungry!

Primos Cafe (2323 Lakeland 601-936-3398/ 515 Lake Harbour 601-898-3400) A Jackson institution for breakfast, blue-plates, catfish, burgers, prime rib, oysters, po-boys & wraps. Famous bakery!

Rooster’s (2906 N State St, Jackson, 601-982-2001) You haven’t had a burger until you’ve had a Rooster’s burger. Pair it with their seasoned fries and you’re in heaven.

Two Sisters Kitchen (707 N. Congress St. 601-353-1180) Lunch. Mon-Fri, Sun. PIZZA Sal & Mookie’s (565 Taylor St. 601-368-1919) Pizzas of all kinds plus pasta, eggplant Parmesan, fried ravioli & ice cream for the kids!

Mellow Mushroom (275 Dogwood Blvd, Flowood, 601-992-7499) More than just great pizza and beer. Open Monday - Friday 11-10 and Saturday 11-11.

ITALIAN BRAVO! (4500 Interstate 55 N., Jackson, 601-982-8111) Award-winning wine list, Jackson’s see-and-be-seen casual/upscale dining.

Fratesi’s (910 Lake Harbour, Ridgeland, 601-956-2929) Fratesi’s has been a staple in Jackson for years, offering great Italian favorites with loving care. The tiramisu is a must-have!

La Finestra (120 N Congress St #3, Jackson, 601-345-8735) Chef Tom Ramsey’s downtown Jackson hot-spot offers authentic Italian cuisine in cozy, inviting environment.

STEAK, SEAFOOD & FINE DINING The Islander Seafood and Oyster House (1220 E Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441) Oyster bar, seafood, gumbo, po’boys, crawfish and plenty of Gulf Coast delights in a laid-back Buffet-style atmosphere.

The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 North State St. #100 601-398-4562) Transforms the essence of Mediterranean food and southern classics.

The Penguin (1100 John R Lynch Street, 769-251-5222) Fine dining at its best.

Rocky’s (1046 Warrington Road, Vicksburg 601-634-0100) Enjoy choice steaks, fresh seafood, great salads, hearty sandwiches.

Sal and Phil’s Seafood (6600 Old Canton Rd, Ridgeland 601-957-1188) Great Seafood, Poboys, Lunch Specials, Boiled Seafood, Full Bar, Happy Hour Specials Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Avenue 601-982-2899) Creative seafood classics. One of Jackson’s Best New Restaurants.

MEDITERRANEAN/GREEK Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive 601-366-6033) Delicious authentic dishes including lamb dishes, hummus, falafel, kababs, shwarma.

Vasilios Greek Cusine (828 Hwy 51, Madison 601-853-0028) Authentic greek cuisine since 1994, specializing in gyros, greek salads, baklava cheesecake & fresh daily seafood.

Zeek’s House of Gyros (132 Lakeland Heights Suite P, Flowood 601.992.9498) Jackson’s Newest Greek Restaurant, offering authentic gyros, hummus, and wide selection of craft beers.

BARBEQUE Chimneyville (970 High St, Jackson 601-354-4665 www.chimneyville.com) Family style barbeque restaurant and catering service in the heart of downtown Jackson.

Hickory Pit Barbecue (1491 Canton Mart Rd. 601-956-7079) The “Best Butts in Town” features BBQ chicken, beef and pork along with burgers and po’boys.

Pig and Pint (3139 N State St, Jackson, 601-326-6070) Serving up competition style barbecue along with one of the of best beer selections in metro.

COFFEE HOUSES Cups Espresso Café (Multiple Locations, www.cupsespressocafe.com) Jackson’s local group of coffeehouses offer a wide variety of espresso drinks. Wi-fi.

BARS, PUBS & BURGERS Bonny Blair’s (1149 Old Fannin Rd 769-251-0692) Traditional Irish pub food and live entertainment. Open 11am daily.

Burgers and Blues (1060 E. County Line Rd. 601-899-0038) Best Burger of 2013, plus live music and entertainment!

Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St. 601-948-0055) Classic Irish pub featuring a menu of traditional food, pub sandwiches & Irish beers on tap.

Hal and Mal’s (200 S. Commerce St. 601-948-0888) Pub favorites meet Gulf Coast and Cajun specialties like red beans and rice, the Oyster Platter or daily specials.

ISH Grill & Bar (5105 I 55 N Frontage Rd. 769-257-5204) Jackson’s newest hot spot offering classic foods and cocktails in a refined and elegant atmosphere.

Legends Grill (5352 Lakeland Dr. 601-919-1165) Your neighborhood Sports Bar and Grill.

Martin’s Restaurant and Lounge (214 South State Street 601-354-9712) Lunch specials, pub appetizers or order from the full menu of po-boys and entrees. Full bar, beer selection.

Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St. 601-960-2700) Pub food with a southern flair: beer-battered onion rings, chicken & sausage gumbo, salads, sandwiches.

One Block East ( 642 Tombigbee St. 601-944-0203) Burger joint and dive bar located in downtown Jackson. Great music, tasty beverages and Bad Ass Burgers is what we do.

Underground 119 (119 South President St. 601-352-2322) Upscale Southern cuisine, gumbo, red beans and rice, fried green tomatoes, grilled or fried shrimp, catfish, kitchen open with full menu till 1 am on Friday and Saturday night.

ASIAN AND INDIAN Fusion Japanese and Thai Cuisine (1002 Treetops Blvd, Flowood 601-664-7588/1030-A Hwy 51, Madison 601-790-7999) Specializing in fresh Japanese and Thai cuisine, an extensive menu features everything from curries to fresh sushi.

Ichiban Chinese (359 Ridge Way - Dogwood Promenade, Flowood 601-919-8879) Asian food with subtle and surprising flavors from all across the Far East!

Surin of Thailand (3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, Jackson 601-981-3205) Jackson’s Newest Authentic Thai & Sushi Bar with 26 signature martini’s and extensive wine list.

VEGETARIAN High Noon Café (2807 Old Canton Road in Rainbow Plaza 601-366-1513) Jackson’s own strict vegetarian (and very-vegan-friendly) restaurant adjacent to Rainbow Whole Foods.

Here’s to the Ballet

I

t’s been five years since the Oscar gauntlet of Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan,” but I’ve nonetheless remained a bit fascinated with the world of ballet and dancers.

I took dance from the time I was 4 years old through my senior year of high school, but I never attained the level of anything beyond our annual recitals. So maybe some of my fascination is just sheer awe at the ability, the training and the discipline of it all, coupled with, let’s be honest, jealousy that I could never leap like that.

I recently watched the documentary,

much more accessible; the event was a social and showcase at an affordable price point ($10) in a familiar, casual venue with snacks and a bar. Sign me up!

After some time to mix and mingle, the showcase started. It included performance of four numbers, highlighting shows to come this season. The first featured a medley of music (including some Lady Gaga, even) and contemporary choreography from guest choreographer Mikhail Ilyin. Next up were two numbers of Irish-influenced dance to music by Pete JULIE SKIPPER

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Paid advertising section. Call 601-362-6121 x11 to list your restaurant

Ballet Mississippi held its event, “First Moves,” at Duling Hall on Thursday, Oct. 8, to show Jacksonians what’s in store for the company in the 2015-2016 season.

“Ballet 422,” which follows Justin Peck, the 25-year-old choreographer tasked with crafting a new ballet for the New York City Ballet’s 2013 season (the 422 in the film’s title is because the piece will be the company’s 422nd ballet). Peck is a seasoned dancer but new to choreography, and the film captivated me with its peek into both the nuts-and-bolts work and the drama of the creative process.

I also eagerly anticipated the premiere of STARZ network’s limited series, “Flesh and Bone.” The New York Times described it as “Black Swan” meets “Showgirls” had me ready for some great campiness. And it was.

While recapping the first episode to a friend, I remembered that here in town, we have awesome opportunities to enjoy ballet performances—and perhaps create in my head, at least, some dramatic back stories.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, Ballet Mississippi hosted an event at Duling Hall called “First Moves.” It was a great chance to see what’s in store for the ballet’s 2015-2016 season. I’ll admit that the ballet is one of those cultural things that I’m really glad we have here in Jackson, but to which I’ve never gotten season tickets, or even been to a performance of other than the school’s recital. But with “First Moves,” it became

Huttlinger’s piece, “McGuire’s Landing.”

Ballet Mississippi Artistic and Executive Director David Keary shared with the audience that he first came across this music as part of his classical guitar studies and felt it would be perfect as a ballet. I have to say he was right.

The showcase ended with “The Waltz of the Snowflakes” from “The Nutcracker,” which Ballet Mississippi will perform at Thalia Mara Hall from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6.

One of the most exciting parts of the evening to me, though, was a teaser that didn’t include an actual preview.

Keary announced that on Feb. 6, the ballet will perform with singer-songwriter Claire Holley at Duling Hall. Holley has composed some music specifically for ballet, and the company will dance to those pieces. She’ll also perform some of her original numbers that the audience may already know. That collaboration should be really fun and interesting and not what you typically think of as a traditional ballet.

To circle back to my movie frameof-reference, it kind of reminds me of the dance to “The Way You Make Me Feel” in the movie “Center Stage.” And that makes me happy. So here’s to some dancing … even if it’s drama-free.

FRIDAY 11/27

SATURDAY 11/28

TUESDAY 12/1

The Classic Connection—Black Friday Edition is at South Street Live.

“The Merger IV” ASU/JSU Alumni Celebration is at Union Station.

Capturing Mississippi’s “Wildlife on Feathers and Film” reception is at the Mississippi Library Commission.

BEST BETS NOV. 25 DEC. 2, 2015

CRAWFORD MORGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

MONDAY 11/30

Jackson Touchdown Club Meeting: Most Valuable Senior Night is at 6 p.m. at River Hills Club (3600 Ridgewood Road). The awards program features top seniors from all 10 Mississippi collegiate programs. $30 non-members; call 601-506-3186; jacksontouchdownclub.com.

TUESDAY 12/1 (Left to right) Joe Shirley, David Shirley and John Shirley of New Orleans-based indie-rock band Cardinal Sons perform Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Martin’s Restaurant & Bar.

THURSDAY 11/26

Turkey Day 8K is at 7 a.m. at Fleet Feet Sports (Trace Station, 500 Highway 51 N., Suite Z, Ridgeland). Includes a run/walk and a quarter-mile kids’ run. Awards given. The

BY MICAH SMITH annual race is a fundraiser for the Ridgeland Multipurpose Trails. Registration required.

JACKSONFREEPRESS.COM $20 through Aug. 31, $30 Sept.

FAX: 601-510-9019 1-Nov. 10, $40 after; call 601DAILY UPDATES AT 899-9696; fleetfeetjackson.com.

JFPEVENTS.COM … Thanksgiving at Center Stage is at 7 p.m. at Center Stage (1625 E. County Line Road, Suite 410). Includes music from Karen Brown and Mike Rob, and catering from Andrew Lee. $15; call 601-624-8992; find the event on Facebook.

EVENTS@

FRIDAY 11/27

Local illustrator and MPB radio host Marshall Ramsey signs copies of his book, “Chainsaws and Casseroles,” at 4:30 p.m. at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, Interstate 55 N., Suite 202). $24.95 book; call 601-366-7619; email info@lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com. …

The Barbers Reunion Show is at 8 p.m. at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The musical trio formed in Jackson in the late 1980s reunites to perform some of their “zen blues cabaret” songs. BARK also performs. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10 in advance, $15 at the door, $3 surcharge for patrons under 21; call 601-292-7121; email arden@ ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

SATURDAY 11/28

North Pole Down South is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Town of Livingston (Highway 463 and Highway 22, Madison). Includes pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, a s’mores station, a free wine tasting, a tree lighting and merchant discounts. Free; call 601-898-0212; thetownoflivingston.com. … The Midtown Holiday Studio Tours are from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in midtown. Guests tour more than 10 warehouses showcasing art, music and products made in midtown from businesses such as TurnUp Studios, Red Squared Productions, Pearl River Glass Studio, Offbeat and more.

Free admission; madeinmidtownjxn.com.

SUNDAY 11/29

The Juvenators and Friends Benefit Jam is from 3 to 8 p.m. at The Hideaway (5100 Interstate 55 N.). The fundraiser for bassist George Vance, who is battling cancer, includes music, a potluck dinner and a raffle. Bring a food dish to share. Admission free, donations welcome; … Martin Barre performs at 8 p.m. at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The guitarist is a member of the band Jethro Tull.

Doors open at 7 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; call 601-292-7121; email arden@ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

(Left to right) Brothers Jay and Roderick Red of Red Squared Productions, along with other local business owners, open their doors for the Midtown Holiday Studio Tours on Saturday, Nov. 28.

WEDNESDAY 12/2

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Cardinal Sons performs at 10 p.m. at Martin’s Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St.). The New Orleans-based indie-rock band is on tour to promote its most recent release, “The Echo Choir” EP. Rooster Blues also performs. Admission TBA; call 601-354-9712; ryboltproductions@comcast. net; martinslounge.net.

COURTESY RED SQUARED PRODUCTIONS

WEDNESDAY 11/25

Music in the City and the Lighting of the Bethlehem Tree are at 5:15 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) in Trustmark Grand Hall. Enjoy a cash bar at 5:15 p.m., and the tree lighting, seasonal music and carols from the St. Andrew’s Cathedral Parish Choir at 5:45 p.m.

Free, donations welcome; call 960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

The TeamJXN Holiday Social is at 5:30 p.m. at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Free; teamjxn.com. … The Shape Note Singing Workshop is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive). Learn to sing American folk hymns in four-part harmony. Free; call 601-953-1094; email derstinetodd@yahoo.com; christianharmony.org. 25

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Artist: Sammy Long Photographer: Roy Adkins

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Turkey Day 8K Nov. 26, 7 a.m., at Fleet Feet Sports (Trace Station, 500 Highway 51 N., Suite Z, Ridgeland). Includes a run/walk and a quarter-mile kids’ run. The race is a fundraiser for the Ridgeland Multipurpose Trails.

Registration required. $40; call 601-899-9696; fleetfeetjackson.com.

Events at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.)

The Classic Connection—Black Friday Edition Nov. 27, 9 p.m., at South Street Live (110 E. South St.). The annual event in celebration of the football matchup between Jackson State University and Alcorn State University includes performances by DJ Twilight and DJ Java. $10 in advance, $25 VIP access, $180 VIP section and bottle service; call 601-624-7706; eventbrite.com.

U The Barbers Reunion Show Nov. 27, 8 p.m.

The musical trio formed in Jackson in the late 1980s reunites to performs. BARK also performs. $10 in advance, $15 at the door, $3 surcharge for under 21; call 601-292-7121; email arden@ ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

North Pole Down South Nov. 28, 10 a.m.6 p.m., at Town of Livingston (Highway 463 and Highway 22, Madison). Includes pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, a s’mores station, a free wine tasting, a tree lighting and discounts. Free; call 601-898-0212; thetownoflivingston.com.

Midtown Holiday Studio Tours Nov. 28, 3-8 p.m., in midtown. Guests tour more than 10 warehouses showcasing art, music and products made in midtown from businesses such as TurnUp Studios, Red Squared Productions, Pearl River Glass Studio, Offbeat and more. Free admission; madeinmidtownjxn.com.

Opening of Christmas at the Governor’s Mansion Dec. 1, 9:30-11 a.m., at Governor’s Mansion (300 E. Capitol St.). See traditional holiday decorations using seasonal greenery. Free guided tours offered Tuesday-Friday from 9:30-11 a.m. on the half-hour. Available through Dec. 18. Groups of 10 or more must RSVP. Free; call 601-359-6421.

Events at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) U Museum Store Holiday Open House Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Shop for unique holiday gifts, and enjoy refreshments. Museum members receive a 10-percent discount. Free; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

U Opening of Bethlehem Tree: Younger Foundation Crèche Collection Dec. 1, 10 a.m. In Trustmark Grand Hall. The installation includes more than 150 rare 18th-century figures. Free; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

UÊMusic in the City and Lighting of the Bethlehem Tree Dec. 1, 5:15 p.m. In Trustmark Grand Hall. Enjoy a cash bar at 5:15 p.m., and the tree lighting, seasonal music and carols from the St. Andrew’s Cathedral Parish Choir at 5:45 p.m.

Free; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

TeamJXN Holiday Social Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.).

Jackson supporters and those with an interest in developing the local economy meet for a social gathering. Includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Free; teamjxn.com.

30/243 7%,,.%33 Jackson State University Football Game and Senior Day Nov. 28, 2 p.m., at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (2531 N. State St.).

Jackson State University take on Alcorn State University. $25, $35 reserved, $50 box seats, season tickets available, additional fees apply for parking and tailgating; call 601-979-2420; jsutigers.com.

Jackson Touchdown Club Meeting: Most Valuable Senior Night Nov. 30, 6 p.m., at River Hills Club (3600 Ridgewood Road). The awards program features top seniors from all 10 Mississippi collegiate programs. $30 non-members; call 601506-3186; jacksontouchdownclub.com.

UÊThe JAG Nov. 25, 9 p.m. The indie rock band from Nashville has three band members who are Jackson natives. Young Buffalo and Light Beam Rider also perform. $7 in advance, $10 at the door, $3 surcharge for under 21; call 877-9876487; email arden@ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

UÊMartin Barre Nov. 29, 8 p.m. The guitarist is a member of the band Jethro Tull. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; call 601-292-7121; email arden@ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

U Andy McKee Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. The internationally known guitarist performs to promote his latest album, “Joyland.” $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $3 surcharge for under 21; call 601-2927121; email arden@ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

Thanksgiving at Center Stage Nov. 26, 7 p.m., at Center Stage (1625 E. County Line Road, Suite 410). Performers include Karen Brown and Mike Rob, and Andrew Lee provides catering. $15; call 601-624-8992; find the event on Facebook.

Light the Night 2015 Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m., at Jackson Revival Center, Terry Road Campus (4655 Terry Road). The annual fall festival includes car and bike shows, space jumps, horse rides, a cooking competition, live music and entertainment. Free; call 601-948-1874.

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BEST Y OGA S TUDIO | B EST

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NEW POUND CLASSES WITH KRISTIN MILLER Tuesday and Thursday at 5:15 pm. 10 Classes for $60 or $10 Drop-In Fee

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Thursday

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Tuesday 12 – 1 pm: Level 1 5:15 – 5:45pm Pound 30 6 – 7:15 pm: Level 1

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,)4%2!29 3)'.).'3 Events at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202) UÊ“Chainsaws and Casseroles” Nov. 27, 4:30 p.m.

Illustrator and MPB radio host Marshall Ramsey signs books. $24.95 book; call 366-7619; email info@lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com.

U “A Tapestry of Red & Blue: Ole Miss Sports 1945-1970—An Oral History” Dec. 1, 5 p.m.

Editor Al Povall signs books. $29.95 book; call 601-366-7619; email info@lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com.

%8()")4 /0%.).'3 Opening of Holidays at the Old Capitol Museum Dec. 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). Enjoy the festive 19thcentury holiday decor and the special Holiday Scavenger Hunt through Dec. 31. Free; call 601576-6920; email info@oldcapitolmuseum.com.

VSA Mississippi Art Exhibit Opening Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). In the main galleries. The exhibit includes artwork from Mississippians with disabilities. Show hangs through Jan. 15. Free; call 601-960-1557.

Exhibit Reception for Capturing Mississippi’s Wildlife on Feathers and Film Dec. 1, 5-7 p.m., at Mississippi Library Commission (Education and Research Center, 3881 Eastwood Drive). See works from wildlife photographer Joe Mac Hudspeth Jr. and painter Carolyn Wright. Show hangs through Dec. 29. Free; call 601-432-4111.

Check jfpevents.com for updates and more listings, or to add your own events online. You can also email event details to events@jacksonfreepress.com to be added to the calendar. The deadline is noon the Wednesday prior to the week of publication.

Interested in interviewing musicians, reviewing albums and networking within Jackson’s music community?

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COURTESY BIG HOUSE BOOKS

nder most circumstances, one would be correct in and match it with their requests. After completing the log in the team’s sustaining goal of $450 per month will allow them assuming that life-changing movements don’t begin March, the group began the logistics work: applying for non- to send out 100 packages each month with about three to five with a puppet show. Then, there’s the team at Big profit status, calculating the financial needs and determining books in each package. “The prisoners, at least reading their House Books, a Jackson nonprofit that grants book what they would be allowed to send, as Mississippi prohibits letters, are extremely appreciative,” Parsons says. “We really requests for inmates across the state of Mississippi. enjoy going through them because it’s everything Organizers Kelli Gann, Olivia Coté and Katy they look forward to. So it’s tough that they’ve been Morgan, who are all public school teachers, and waiting this long for these to come.”

Shelby Parsons trace the origin of Big House to It’s a service more important than many people a local performance from Carrboro, N.C.-based know, the team says. Whereas a prison library is troupe The Mysterious Rabbit Puppet Army in seen as a privilege that can be taken away as punishDecember 2014. In conjunction with Chapel Hill, ment, the books an inmate can keep in his or her N.C. nonprofit Prison Books Collective, the show cell are personal items. These can improve the odds explained the history and problems of mass incaronce someone is out of prison, as well. ceration. At the end of the act, there was a catch.

“There are some people who want legal mate“They had been filling requests from prisonrials to know their rights, and there are some people ers who needed books in Mississippi, and they were who want to learn a skill,” Gann says. “A ton of (Left to right) Katy Morgan, Olivia Coté, Kelli Gann, Shelby Parsons no longer able to do it because of the volume,” Parpeople have requested GED materials. A lot of and Kelsey Kitch created Big House Books to provide Mississippi sons says. “So they were hoping for someone start a people are trying to make themselves better, trying inmates with literature for both education and entertainment. group in Mississippi to take care of that request.” to get it to where, when they are released, they have She, Gann, Coté and Morgan, along with more knowledge than when they came in.” about five other people, offered to lend a hand, but as it be- things like hardback and spiral-bound books. Luckily, they While the main objective is simply to get books to incame obvious that launching the project wouldn’t be a simple found that a smaller team was an asset during that stage. mates as soon as possible, Big House Books’ ambition is ultiundertaking, the number of volunteers declined. Kelsey “When we were having these meetings with a lot of peo- mately to inspire a greater change in the prison system.

Kitch, who hadn’t attended the performance, joined the ple, we were like, ‘This is going to be really hard,’” Parsons “We don’t want to just forget about the people who are group about a month after its initial meeting. “Olivia Coté says. “Now that it’s just a few people who work really well in prison,” Parsons says. “We don’t think that’s an appropriate was like, ‘Hey, we’re recording all the requests of these prison- together, it’s helped us find a direction and go with it instead way to deal with people who do something that’s considered ers,’ because we inherited 600 requests from prisoners across of getting lost in the possibilities.” wrong. ... It really doesn’t help anyone. It’s just easier, and it’s the state, so we were just logging what prison they were at, In September, Big House started taking book donations profit-motivated. We think that prison reform is a big idea, what they were requesting and things like that,” Kitch says. and launched a fundraising campaign, asking for $800 to and this is only one piece of that we can kind of touch on.

The five of them started meeting at Cups Espresso Café assist with renting a P.O. box and central space for storing But it’s also just a personal way to do it.” in Fondren every Sunday to log the inmates’ information books, and met its goal in only a few days. Going forward, For more information, find Big House Books on Facebook.

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by Danie Matthews necessarily artists, but they’re great songwriters, for sure,” King says.

TIM DUGGAN

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hen Nashville, Tenn.-based band The JAG independently released its sophomore album, “Pondermental Wonderment in Hypocricity,” on Oct. 23, the band created quite a stir among fans, many of whom were curious as to what exactly the album was about. The eight-song record’s title alone attracts attention, but for the quintet of psychedelic rockers, it’s not just about standing out from the crowd. It’s also about being their true selves and delivering a message.

“The album is not about anything specifically; it’s about different things,” bassist Gant O’Brien says. “We aren’t big fans of the industry here (in Nashville), and we decided to make that known through the attitude of the album.”

Although the band members currently live in Nashville, four of the five musicians— O’Brien, singer-guitarist Aaron Tyler King, lead guitarist Joe Regan and percussionist Nick Vallas—grew up here in Jackson. Early ’90s shoegaze music inspired them to write their own songs.

“I grew up listening to Nick Cave, 28 Leonard Cohen and others. Those are not

The JAG’s Edge

(Left to right) Nick Vallas, Joe Regan, Scott Harper, Gant O’Brien and Aaron Tyler King of The JAG perform Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Duling Hall.

O’Brien says both he and King began playing instruments at age 12, and they were fortunate to decide at an early age that music would be their career.

“We’ve been listening to music all of our lives, and eventually, you decide if that’s

what you want to do,” he says.

King, Regan and O’Brien began playing music together in the early 2000s before deciding to move to Nashville to pursue their music full-time in 2011. Drummer Scott Harper a short time later, and Vallas joined in 2014. The musicians performed together as The JAG for the first time when Nashville pop-rock group The Gills invited them to join the bill at a house party in Antioch, Tenn. One of the biggest moments for the band came in the form of a 2012 tour with popular rock act Grace Potter and The Nocturnals.

“She kind of helped us get a foothold in Nashville,” O’Brien says of Potter.

Producer Andrija Tokic, who owns Nashville recording studio The Bomb Shelter and is best known for his work on the Alabama Shakes’ “Boys & Girls,” was also a catalyst for The JAG’s success in the city thus far. O’Brien credits Tokic for helping elevate the band’s stature by producing “Pondermental Wonderment in Hypocricity.”

The members of The JAG say they operate on a broad musical spectrum musically, ranging from ’60s psychedelic rock to early

’80s funk. King says they derive a lot of that approach to songwriting from the bands that they grew up listening to and whatever current favorites they come across.

“We love a variety of sounds,” he says.

“That, in itself, is a lot of influence for us.”

O’Brien and King say they occasionally find themselves with limited resources due to the financial strains that come with pursuing music as a career, but they understand that this part of the process. When the opportunity presents itself, The JAG will be ready to bring its music heard across the world.

“We would like to teach people something,” King says. “It would be great for our music to be heard worldwide. We want people to not just receive us but, essentially, learn and gain something from us. If not learn, at least we want them to experience it. Our music is an experience.”

The JAG performs at 9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave., 601-292-7121). Admission is $10 at the door or $7 in advance at ardenland.net. “Pondermental Wonderment in Hypocricity” is available on iTunes, Soundcloud and Spotify. For more information, visit jagjagjag.com.

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29

DIVERSIONS | jfp sports the best in sports over the next seven days

SLATE

by Bryan Flynn

It’s Egg Bowl week in our state. A player from Mississippi State or the University of Mississippi will have a chance to gain immortality in BulldogRebel lore by making a big play on Saturday.

Being Thankful

E

ach Thanksgiving, we gather with family, or with friends who have become family. While food may be one of the reasons for this, Thanksgiving has a deeper meaning than just overeating.

In between dinner and football, we have time to talk, laugh and tell stories of years past. We fellowship

er around my grandmother’s table, and we will have more than just a moment of remembrance for those who will not sit down to eat with us. It will be a strange new world as we go through the holiday season and into the new year without them.

Yet, even with this great sadness weighing on me, I am thankful for

me just how much two people can really love each other. It is just one of the many lessons they passed on to my siblings and me.

I’m thankful for my daughter, Molly. She impresses me each day with how much she has learned. Her confidence allows her to have no fear as she grows, learns and explores the world around FLICKR/STACY SPENSLEY

THURSDAY, NOV 26 NFL (7:30-11 p.m., NBC): If you’re not in a turkey-induced coma, try to stay awake for one of the oldest rivalries in NFL history as the Chicago Bears travel to the Green Bay Packers.

FRIDAY, NOV 27 College football (11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., ABC or ESPN2): The Houston Cougars try to stay undefeated as they push for a New Year’s six bowl against the Navy Midshipmen.

SATURDAY, NOV 28 College football (11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., FSN): Southern Miss plays for a spot in the C-USA title game against Louisiana Tech. … College football (6-10 p.m., ESPN2): Mississippi State and UM battle it out for state bragging rights and the Golden Egg.

MONDAY, NOV 30 College basketball (6-8 p.m., Big Ten Network): The Alcorn State Braves face a tough test against perennial college basketball power the Indiana Hoosiers.

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TUESDAY, DEC 1 College basketball (8:30-11 p.m., ESPN): Two of the top teams in the country will be worth staying up for as thirdranked Maryland takes on top-ranked North Carolina.

30

WEDNESDAY, DEC 2 College basketball (7-9 p.m., SECN): Mississippi State will try to learn some defense as they face SWAC foe Texas Southern.

It has been 32 years since the wind made one of the biggest plays in Egg Bowl history.

When MSU tried to kick a game-winning 24-yard field goal the wind blew the ball backward in what is known as the “Immaculate Deflection.” The Rebels won 24-23.

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

and remind ourselves of all that we have to be thankful for.

This year will be different for my family. Two weeks before Thanksgiving, my mother suddenly became ill and passed away. After losing our father nearly three years ago, my mother’s death was shocking and devastating. My brothers, sisters and I were hit with the knowledge that life as we knew it had changed forever.

My family is by no means perfect. We have made our mistakes and fought. But we were close to our parents, who did the best they could to raise us in a loving household and give us everything we needed.

This will be the first holiday season that our mother and father will not be there. Thursday will be the first time we won’t have that familiar comfort, smile or love that greeted us on this yearly get-together.

But even in sadness, we will gath-

many things in my life.

I’m thankful for my wife, Lacey, who has been a source of strength and comfort. Her love has made this new COURTESY BRYAN FLYNN

SUNDAY, NOV 29 NFL (12-3 p.m., Fox): The New Orleans Saints are playing for draft position at this point but could spoil the Houston Texans’ AFC South title hopes with a win.

This Thanksgiving, remember that the holiday is about more than just food and football.

Jerry and Sherrie Flynn

world easier to navigate because she was beside me.

Thanks to my parents, I have learned how much work goes into a successful marriage. They also showed

her. My daughter’s hugs and love always come when I need them the most.

Finally, I’m thankful for my family, my grandmother, uncles, aunts, and especially my brothers and sisters. We all pull strength from each other when we are together.

This Thanksgiving will be one of stories and sadness, but some of that sadness will be abated by all of us coming together. Mainly this Thanksgiving will be one of loving each other.

As all of you sit down with your family and friends to eat and then watch the games, remember that we will all disagree and fight, and even talk smack in long-running sports rivalries.

But let each other know that you love and care about one another.

I have learned the past three years that there is no guarantee that the people you dine with this Thanksgiving will be there next year. Do not miss or waste this chance to forgive, forget and love each other.

Happy Thanksgiving.

30/243 &!#4 /& 4(% 7%%+ The Miami Dolphins are the only team other than the Dallas Cowboys to win a Thanksgiving Day game and the Super Bowl in the same season. They did it in 1973 when they beat the Cowboys 14-7 and then won Super Bowl VIII over the Minnesota Vikings.

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33

wellness

Fighting Cancer One Pound at a Time

By Kevin E. Woods, M.D., M.P.H.

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R.L. Nave NEWS EDI TO R

with JFP since November 2011 HOMETOWN: University City, Missouri Graduated from the University of Missouri (M-I-Z) in 2000

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Joined Team JFP in November 2011, News Editor since Oct 2013

34

LIKES: Reading long-form journalism, listening to podcasts and drinking coffee Sunday mornings on his back porch.

FAVORITE DISH: Lasagna, because “real G’s move in silence.”

HAS TWO SIBLINGS: Gabrielle and Joshua, both at Mizzou.

and seeds. For the most part, individuals should avoid sweetened beverages, refined grains such as pasta and white bread, and fried foods or foods made with butter or shortening.

The second step is to increase physical activity, which should include a combination of aerobic and strengthening exercises. Adults should strive for 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise a week, and those looking to lose weight should aim FLICKR/COBBLUCAS

JFP Staff Spotlight

ith the holiday season beginning, it’s time to start thinking about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding the diet and exercise pitfalls that come after the most wonderful time of the year. Getting one’s weight in check before the holiday season may be especially important, as a study found that a person’s weight going into the season has a large impact on how much their weight increases.

In the study, researchers found that overweight individuals gained nearly five times as much weight as the general population between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Unfortunately, the issue is more serious than having trouble fitting back into that favorite pair of jeans.

While many people are aware that being overweight can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, few may realize that it increases the risk of some forms of cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2007, 4 percent of cancer cases in men and 7 percent of cancer cases in women were related to obesity.

The American Cancer Society points to a clear link to weight issues and numerous types of cancers such as breast (in women past menopause), colon and rectum, endometrium (lining of the uterus), esophagus, kidney and pancreas. It is also believed that in some cases, an increased risk of cancers of the gallbladder, liver, cervix, ovaries, more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma exists.

Current projections estimate that by 2030, the U.S. will see about 500,000 additional cases of cancer due to individuals being overweight or obese. However, the good news is that growing evidence shows that weight loss may reduce that risk.

The medical community generally determines healthy weight ranges by dividing a person’s weight with their height in order to determine their body mass index. A BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is considered obese. Individuals can easily access these tables online or ask their physician to calculate this number during their next visit.

Because weight gain is the result of consuming more calories than the body burns, the first step to controlling and maintaining a healthy weight is to examine one’s diet. The U.S. dietary guidelines recommend eating nutrient-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and legumes, nuts

Eating healthy foods such as more fruits and vegetables in the holiday season can help lower the risk for certain types of cancer.

for five hours of moderate activity such as walking a week. At least two days a week of strengthening exercises will also help to burn more calories, reduce injury and maintain bone strength.

Whether making dietary changes or increasing physical activity, start with manageable changes. Any diet or exercise program that is unsustainable for the long term will ultimately prove ineffective.

For some, it’s equally important to examine the mental or emotional aspects that may lead to being overweight or obese.

Talking to a counselor or health-care professional about the emotional triggers that could lead to overeating or doing stress-relieving exercises such as yoga or meditation are extremely successful in helping people manage and control their weight.

So, before this holiday season gets the better of your waistline, start to examine these lifestyle choices today. You don’t need to wait until the new year to make changes that will improve your health and help to ensure that you and your family will enjoy more holidays to come.

Kevin Woods, MD, M.P.H., is the chief of interventional endoscopy, gastroenterology and nutrition at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Newnan, Ga.

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