V16n03 - 15th Anniversary Issue

JPS Takeover Rundown

Dreher, pp 6-7

| This Week in Food News

Cardon, p 22

| Meet the Avett Brothers

vol. 16 no. 3

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September 20 - 26, 2017

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15 th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE

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September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

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JACKSONIAN Lilli Evans Bass courtesy Lilli Evans Bass

L

illi Evans Bass says that Jackson is and always will be home for her.

That’s why, even after receiving her law degree at the University of Mississippi in 2008, she decided to come home to practice law.

She started her own firm, Brown, Bass & Jeter, PLLC, with Katrina Brown and LaToya Jeter in August 2015.

Evans Bass, now 33, says she pursued a law degree at first because it would open up future career possibilities. With that degree she says she could become a judge, politician, banker, or of course, a lawyer.

“I knew it wasn’t pinning me down to one thing in life, that I would have options,” she says.

So far, Evans Bass has seen success as a lawyer. She is the current president of the Magnolia Bar Association and was appointed as the Yazoo City municipal judge in 2014.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tougaloo College in 2005 and her law degree at UM three years later, she started working as a clerk for former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice George Carlson. She then went to work at civil-defense law firm Currie, Johnson & Myers, where she and her current law partner Brown were the only two African American attorneys, she says.

contents

“We would go to these minority events or diversity-type seminars, and we’d talk to other people from corporations or people we’d like to do work for, (and) they would always talk to us about diversity policies,” Evans Bass says. “We would always run into these minority- and women-owned firms from other states, and we were like, ‘You know, we might have more opportunities on our own.’”

Female-owned and -led law firms are less common around Jackson and around Mississippi as a whole, but Evans Bass says she and her partners decided to take the leap of faith, anyway.

“Clients we would like to develop a relationship with (would say) they really want a women-owned or minority-owned firm (to work with), and we all have the experience now,” she says. “(We thought) ‘If we don’t do it now, we’re never going to do it.

Our kids will get older.’ So we just did it.”

Evans Bass says it was important to her to keep the firm in Jackson (it is on Lelia Drive off Lakeland Drive). She loves the city because she can see and has seen its growth. “I see the future,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to live and work in Jackson.”

She lives in Jackson with her daughter, Lorin, who is 5 years old, and husband, Ervin “E.J.” Bass.

—Arielle Dreher

Left to right, top to bottom: Chellese Hall, John Maxwell, Lynda Hasberry, Georgia Fyke Nesbitt, Felandus Thames, Kazuaki Shiota, Nina Parikh, Bilal Qizilbash, June Hardwick, Mac McKeigney, and Felicia BrownWilliams (Maxwell, Hasberry, Fyke Nesbitt, Thames, Parikh, Hardwick and McKeigney first JFP cover in 2002.

Photos courtesy or by Imani Khayyam; Felandus Thames photo by James Patterson

6 ............................ Talks 12 ................... editorial 13 ...................... opinion 16 ............ Cover Story 22 ........... food & Drink 24 ......................... 8 Days 25 ........................ Events

6 JPS Takeover: What’s Next?

The governor still has to sign the “emergency” resolution, but how did we get here?

22 Gains, Losses, Upgrades Two restaurants closed, one opened and one added new menu items.

25 ....................... sports 26 .......................... music 27 ........ music listings 28 ...................... Puzzles 29 ......................... astro 29 ............... Classifieds

26 The Avett Brothers in JXN

“When you came to a show, it would ... be just a big party with banjos, guitars, rock-and-roll, and everything.”

—Seth Avett, “The Avett Brothers: Learning from ‘Sadness’”

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

4 ..... PUBLISHER’S Note

Crackerfarm; Imani Khayyam; Arielle Dreher

September 20 - 26, 2017 | Vol. 16 No. 3

3

PUBLISHER’S note

by Todd Stauffer, Publisher

Celebrating 15 Years in the DIY City

T

he Jackson Free Press is 15 years old. It’s still sinking in a little. No, it doesn’t seem like “yesterday” to me when we started the JFP—because it’s been a long road, and sometimes a tough one. When you set out to create a locally owned, locally proud small media outlet in a town filled with corporate TV, radio and newspaper competitors—and your goal is to offer a voice for progress from the capital city in the sea of “red” that is Mississippi— it is not always going to be easy sledding.

But we decided Jackson (and Mississippi) could use this voice, and we had some sense of how we’d go about it. So we decided to do it ourselves. DIY. JFP has had four different offices, three web platforms, two logos, quite a few smart-phone apps that we don’t support anymore (although I’ve got my eye on another …) and, once upon a time, two office cats with many temporary feline boarders.

In all that time, I’m proud to say that the JFP has one publisher. Me. (I’m pretty sure The Clarion-Ledger has had six publishers in that time … that they’ve admitted to.) We’ve also had one editor in 15 years, Donna Ladd, who has won approximately eleventy million awards with her staff in that timeframe. (Give or take.)

But perhaps just as amazing to me in the JFP’s continued existence is the idea that creative, messy, get-involved Jackson is still here. (Not that “they” aren’t coming for us—and our airports and our schools.)

It’s fantastic that so many creative, progressive, professional, engaged Jacksonians are still here—doin’ what they do.

And we’ve made a lot of progress in this city. Compared to 15 years ago, we’ve got an outstanding foodie scene here; the music scene is pumping and blowing;

you’ve got public art, events in the “square” and tons of folks supporting these efforts.

How about the developments? The King Edward and Standard Life are residential/hotel and retail. The Art Lofts open soon. The Meridian in Fondren is a year old. The District at Eastover is a full-blown concern with a restaurant that had an hourlong wait last Friday (and more to come).

This year Jackson will open the first publicly funded Civil Rights Museum in

Get off the sidelines and get involved in the solution. the nation, welcoming, we hope, tens of thousands of new visitors to downtown Jackson each year.

Across the street from it, a new “innovation hub” is taking shape on State Street, with Coalesce (home of our local “1 Million Cups” on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.), Innovate Mississippi, Podastery/Satchel and soon a new nonprofit coding academy for motivated high-school grads.

And there are like nine hotels planned for Fondren. (I’m kidding. A little.)

A few weeks ago, the Greater Jackson Arts Council—which is a key driver of awesome public art and placemaking for Jackson—brought Yancey Strickler, CEO of Kickstarter, for an inspirational luncheon keynote at the new Westin Hotel down-

town. I left that talk (and a community “talkback” with Strickler) with this crystallizing thought—Jackson is the “DIY City.”

Back in the day, the Jackson Free Press called ourselves an “alternative newsweekly,” in part because there was an industry of such papers (we’re still a member of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia) and in part because we wanted to make it clear that we were an alternative to the corporate media that dominated at that time.

The Clarion-Ledger was busy marketing its coverage to the white-and-economic-flight crowd in the suburbs, and local TV kept us apprised every time the police scanner went off, at least in Jackson.

Our initial business plan pointed out how music and entertainment coverage in the C-L at that time generally sent people outside of Jackson for their recommendations. We wanted to do something about the way Jacksonians felt about themselves, how they were portrayed and how free the progressive thinkers among them felt to express themselves—which was not much.

Donna and I don’t focus much on the “alternative” part anymore, working instead to be Jackson’s best news source, period, on local and state issues and entertainment.

As our team has pushed deeper and deeper into digital publication, the JFP offers not just our “newsweekly” in print, but also free daily news (jfpdaily.com), as well as Jackson’s most comprehensive music and events calendar (jfpevents.com).

And we’ve got a quarterly magazine, BOOM Jackson, that’s pushing 10 years old (boomjackson.com), championing innovation, local grit and entrepreneurship.

Our focus at the Jackson Free Press (in print and at jfp.ms) continues to offer serious, in-depth coverage of local issues, with

a focus on the solutions, not just the problems. Our readers deserve thoughtful coverage; too often, the “news” is simply about the most tragic or painful thing happening at the moment. At the JFP (and with Donna at the helm), we work very hard to spend a good deal of time on “how do we fix it?” space instead of just “who do we blame?”

This week I helped host the MakeJXN “shark tank” event put on by TeamJXN and sponsored by Fuse.Cloud. It was, once again, an opportunity to hear four great ideas for improving the quality of life in Jackson that are being put on by local folks trying to make a difference, knowing that the city and its citizens have fewer resources to devote to this issues.

It was another reminder of that DIY spirit to solve problems in Jackson—something we can all get out and support.

So, as we enter the 16th year of JFP’s DIY existence, I’d like to shout out a few trends—tech startups, fantastic food, urban residential, open-air markets, local businesses getting organized—and invite you to “DIY” along with us. Join a group—I’d recommend TeamJXN (teamjxn.com) for starters—then grab a JFP and get out to a local business, restaurant or venue, and have a good time.

Tomorrow, get up with the goal of making a difference in the DIY City. Be intentional. Get off the sidelines and get involved in the solution. It’s in your selfinterest to make Jackson a better place to live; it is up to you.

Today’s Jackson—the most “radical” city in the country—may just be the best place in America to do it.

Todd Stauffer is the president and publisher of the Jackson Free Press. Send him ideas at todd@jacksonfreepress.com.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

CONTRIBUTORS

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Amber Helsel

Donna Ladd

William H. Kelly III

Arielle Dreher

Imani Khayyam

Micah Smith

Zilpha Young

Meghan Garner

Managing Editor Amber Helsel is a Gemini, feminist, writer, artist and otaku. She loves travelling, petting cats, hoarding craft supplies and more.

Email story ideas to amber@ jacksonfreepress.com. She wrote the cover story.

JFP Editor, CEO and co-founder Donna Ladd is a graduate of Mississippi State and Columbia j-school. As a huge Dak Prescott fan, she is adjusting to her new allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys. She takes a trip down a 15-year memory lane.

City Reporter William H. Kelly III is a student at Jackson State University and is originally from Houston, Texas.

Send him city news tips at william@jacksonfreepress.com.

He interviewed new Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks.

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 about the potential Jackson Public Schools takeover.

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 lots of photos for the issue and kept everyone smiling as always

Music Editor Micah Smith is married to a great lady, has two dog-children named Kirby and Zelda, and plays in the band Empty Atlas. Send gig info to music@jacksonfreepress.com.

He interviewed Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers.

Zilpha Young is an ad designer by day, painter, illustrator, seamstress and freelance designer by night. Check out her design portfolio at zilphacreates.com. She designed ads for the issue and was trés chic every single day.

Digital Marketing Strategist Meghan Garner avoids crowds and is most often spotted hiding behind a dry martini. She works to help local businesses thrive through JFP’s website building, content marketing, SEO and digital creative services.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

6 PM

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“What’s going on in midtown, you can’t imagine it happening if there weren’t artists and creative people over there working all day every day. … The way that those efforts are helping shape neighborhoods is exciting.”

—Betsy Bradley on Jackson’s creative community

Wednesday, September 13

The Mississippi School Accreditation Commission votes that the state Board of Education and Gov. Phil Bryant should declare an emergency in the Jackson Public Schools district. …

The Supreme Court rules to allow the Trump administration to maintain its restrictive policy against refugees.

Friday, September 15

U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber rules that Attorney General Jeff Sessions can’t follow through with his threat to withhold public safety grant money to Chicago and other socalled sanctuary cities for refusing to impose tough new immigration policies.

Saturday, September 16

Protests in St. Louis turn violent after a small group of demonstrators refuse to disperse following a peaceful march earlier in the day against Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson’s Friday acquittal of white former police officer Jason Stockley in the 2011 death of a black man named Anthony Lamar Smith, who Stockley fatally shot after a highspeed chase.

Sunday, September 17

“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Veep” and “Saturday Night Live” win top series honors at the Emmy Awards.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

Monday, September 18

Thirty-five people take the oath of citizenship at a naturalization ceremony at Northwest Jackson IB Middle School in honor of Constitution Day.

6

Tuesday, September 19

At the U.N. General Assembly, Donald Trump threatens “total destruction” of North Korea if it does not abandon its drive toward nuclear weapons. ... Jackson attorney Dorsey Carson files a federal lawsuit against the state’s top education officers over the proposed state takeover of JPS.

Get breaking news at jfpdaily.com.

JPS Takeover: What’s Next?

by Arielle Dreher

J

ackson Public Schools started the week of Sept. 11 facing a possible takeover and ended with its fate in Gov. Phil Bryant’s hands. The governor, who cut funding to Mississippi public schools earlier this year, must now decide whether or not the district is indeed in an “extreme emergency.” If it is, per Bryant, the State will take control of the secondlargest district in the state.

Sitting in the old Central High School building that closed in downtown Jackson just a few years after forced integration, both the Commission on School Accreditation and the Mississippi Board of Education voted last week to declare that an “extreme emergency” jeopardizes the safety, security and educational interest of JPS students enrolled in the majority-black district. If the governor signs the Board’s resolution, he will abolish the school district, dissolve the current school board and install a new interim superintendent—Dr. Margie Pulley—whom the board approved in its meeting Sept. 14 with the current JPS interim superintendent in the room.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said last week that he had met with State Superintendent Carey Wright about JPS and explained the efforts the City is willing to take to move the school system forward.

Lumumba told #OurJPS supporters last week that the district being under a full investigative audit while working on a corrective action plan was “unprecedented.”

The mayor alleged “nefarious intent” on behalf of MDE and the attempt to take over the school district. Wright never addressed reporters last week, even after the dust settled, instead sending her chief accountability officer and board chairwoman

“Our board acts on recommendations from the state superintendent and the leadership team, so that was the recommendation,” Aultman told reporters last Wednesday. “And this was treated just like any other recommendation for an employee of Arielle Dreher

Thursday, September 14

The Mississippi Board of Education sends a resolution calling for a state takeover of Jackson Public Schools to Gov. Phil Bryant for approval.

Councilman Aaron Banks is enjoying his new gig. p8

Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustee members and supporters look on as the Mississippi Board of Education Chairwoman Paula Vanderford announces the decision to declare JPS in an “extreme emergency” situation on Sept. 14.

to speak to reporters after the vote.

Chairwoman Rosemary Aultman said the state board had the interests of the children in mind when they declared an emergency. Aultman said the board was urged from above to hire Pulley on that day.

the department or a contract employee.”

The board had not publicly announced Pulley as a possible candidate in open session or mentioned that it was considering a new superintendent, however, until they came out of executive session and

You can’t work at the JFP if...

1. Your No. 1 enemy is pizza.

8. You hate toys.

2. You hate otters, cats and bears, oh my. Stuffed, of course.

9. You don’t believe in the voting process.

3. Birthdays (and cakes) aren’t your thing.

4. You hate it when newsprint gets on your hands.

5. You’re generally a grouch and have a bad attitude.

6. You think climate change is fake and the earth is flat.

7. You side with Delores Umbridge.

10. You don’t believe in a work-play balance.

11. You’re afraid of talking to people or calling them.

12. You don’t believe being the change.

13. You don’t dig hard work.

14. You don’t want to change your world.

15. You hate Jacktown. Goodbye.

“Every child in Mississippi and every child in the nation where a state provides public education, they have dueprocess rights in that education.”

— Sen. Sollie Norwood, D-Jackson, to reporters last week, discussing the impending takeover and issues in JPS.

—Jackson Attorney Dorsey Carson on why he filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 30 JPS Parents to block the state takeover.

announced their decision in front of JPS’ interim superintendent, Freddrick Murray.

sippi Board of Education will govern the district—dissolving the JPS Board of Trustees and taking away the City’s control.

The mayor now appoints schoolboard members, and city council members vote to approve each member. Each schoolboard member represents a different ward of the city. The current board is still three members shy after losing four members earlier this year. Former JPS board President Beneta Burt’s term ended in June, and three other members vacated their positions before their terms expired to pursue other opportunities. Mayor Lumumba had not filled those three positions yet, which both state bodies discussed last week.

“How many board members are there at Jackson Public Schools?” Commission Imani Khayyam

How We Got Here

JPS was on probation in recent years— for the first part of former superintendent Cedrick Gray’s tenure. When Gray walked on the job, JPS was on probation for not providing adequate special education for students with behavioral and emotional disorders. By 2014, the district had its accreditation back, but its academic performance rating did not budge.

During Gray’s tenure, the district maintained a “D” rating through 2015.

While not moving quickly, things were hopeful. When MDE conducted a limited audit of JPS in April 2016, however, that hope started to fade. The audit revealed that JPS was in violation of 22 of the 32 accreditation policies, and the Commission on School Accreditation voted the district back to probation status in August.

At that time, the concerns of MDE officials focused on safety—from late buses to absent resource officers.

In the meeting when JPS went back on probation, the commission also approved a full investigative audit of the district, which MDE did not finish and release until Aug. 31, 2017, a year later.

In the meantime, the district worked to fix what the limited audit had found with corrective action plans. The district’s first submitted plans were rejected on Nov. 10, less than two weeks after Gray offered his resignation in a swift exit on Nov. 1.

In the meantime, the JPS board named Freddrick Murray interim superintendent immediately, while it decided what to do.

MDE finally approved JPS’ amended corrective action plans in mid-December.

The JPS board debated conducting a superintendent search—either state or nationwide—but could not come to an agreement. With the Christmas vacation over, and school started up again, the JPS Board voted to postpone any search or request for proposals from search groups.

They left Murray at the helm in February, as the district continued to work on its correction active plan, or CAP.

JPS administrators contracted with the Bailey Education Group in April to ensure implementation of the district’s corrective action plans. The $107,500 contract was supposed to ensure implementation of the district’s CAP. The CAP administrator

from Bailey was required to outline the process and timeline for the plan as well as provide weekly status reports to the interim superintendent, the contract shows.

In the Aug. 24 JPS School Board meeting, Dr. William Merritt told board members that the district was 90 percent complete on the CAP. A week later, MDE dropped a 680-page audit report, saying the district was out of compliance with 24 of the 32 process standards and that administrators were to report to the Commission on School Accreditation’s meeting scheduled to be held in two weeks on Sept. 14.

JPS administrators brought binders full of rebuttals to the audit, and during their presentation time to both the commission and the board last week, they refut-

Paula Vanderford, chief accountability officer at MDE, told the Mississippi Board of Education that both audits of JPS—one completed in April 2016, the other in August 2017—revealed similar deficiencies in the school district.

ed parts of MDE’s report and presentation where their data differed.

Murray maintained that while the district had work to do and faced challenges, it was not in an “emergency” situation.

“What we’ve done in seven months is probably more than what was done in seven years,” he told the commission last week.

Ultimately, MDE and JPS disagreed on graduation numbers and which facilities still needed emergency plans, but the discrepancies in data did not seem to matter to the state bodies.

‘Loss of Local Control’

Nothing changes in the district for now, and it is up to Gov. Bryant to sign the State Board of Education’s resolution. If he does, Dr. Pulley takes over, and the Missis-

on School Accreditation member Eddie Prather asked on Sept. 13.

Murray told him there were enough members for a quorum and that Mayor Lumumba was working to fill the board.

When he tried to defer to the mayor to fully answer the question, MDE’s lawyer objected, citing the commission policy that only school-district officials, board members and their counsel can speak during hearings.

JPS attorney JoAnne Shepherd made sure to tell the Commission that the other three district board member vacancies were due to resignations.

Republicans pushed and passed a “Districts of Transformation” law in the statehouse this past session, which sets up the procedure JPS will now follow if taken over. It will have to maintain a “C” grade

for five consecutive years before returning to local control, unless the state board determines the district is eligible sooner.

MDE attorney Erin Meyer told the state board Sept. 14.

While JPS would lose local control if Bryant signs the state board’s resolution, technically, the district is still on probation and has not lost its accreditation—yet. The Commission on School Accreditation can vote on the accreditation at its October meeting, MDE Chief Accountability Officer Paula Vanderford said last week.

If the district’s accreditation is withdrawn, Vanderford said extracurricular activities would stay in place for at least a year. “From the day of the withdrawal of accreditation, (the policy) allows the district a period of one year to resolve the deficiencies before it has any impact on extracurricular activities. And after one year, it could reduce the extracurricular activities to 50 percent, but that’s not until the one-year period has lapsed,” the Rankin County resident said.

After a year, the district would be able to participate in no more than half of the regular season of any interscholastic activity including all sports teams, speech and debate, choral music and band. Cheerleading, drill and dance squads, band and choral music, and speech and debate teams would be able to participate in district or state contests, but not be eligible to receive ratings. After a year, the Office of Accreditation would pre-approve all schedules and participation in extracurricular activities, and no teams would be eligible for tournaments, post-season participation—unless MDE decides otherwise.

International Baccalaureate is not considered an extracurricular activity, MDE Communications Director Patrice Guilfoyle said, and it would be treated as an instructional program.

If JPS loses its accreditation, parents could also apply for transfers to different accredited school districts, which those district school boards must approve.

Jackson attorney Dorsey Carson, whose daughter attends McWillie Elementary in JPS, did not wait. Carson and 29 other parents sued Wright, Aultman and Heather Westerfield, the chairwoman of the Commission on School Accreditation on Monday, asking the federal court for an emergency petition for a temporary and permanent injunction on the takeover.

Read more at jfp.ms/jpstakeover.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

“Yes, we’ve got some challenges, but I guarantee you that you can go to any school in any school district, and you can find these very same challenges.”

7

TALK | city

Aaron Banks: New Kid on the Ward 6 Block

by William H. Kelly III

A

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

How is it to work with the new mayor so far?

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Well, I see my position as a council person may be somewhat different than how others may have traditionally viewed it. I understand the legislative authority, that we are checks and balances, and we help set the appropriation, or set the budget, or approve the budget for this mayor.

However, I understand that the people … supported him because of the vision he had. So, I am of the opinion that we need to give the mayor the space and the room to implement what he sees is necessary that will get this city on the right track.

Now, that does not mean that I’m OK with waste. That does not mean that I’m OK with fraud. That does not mean that I’m OK with any type of abuse. That does not mean that I’m OK with just frivolous spending. We gone put a check on it. And it has to make sense. When you look at him wanting to pay Dr. (Robert) Blaine what I feel is a worthy salary ($111, 538 a year), we have to keep in mind that the previous ad-

ministration didn’t pay the previous CAO at a CAO’s level. He was paid at a director’s level. I think that’s why this council approved it—because we have to get him the space and the room to implement what he feels is best. Now, if things don’t work out, then that’s another discussion.

So, I raised that issue in the council meeting this week because I think Jackson has fallen victim to a lot of instances just like that. Where you have certain people that are making decisions in the room and then they get into the general public and act like nobody knows what happened.

Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks ran on the platform “South Jackson Matters,” which his predecessor and former Council President Tyrone Hendrix inspired.

Bio Info:

Family: Wife: Latona Banks.

Children: Tariana Furlough, 19; Briana Banks, 15; Kaylyn Banks, 13; Caleb Banks, 7 Education: Forest Hill High School, 1995; Certification in Christian Counseling through Liberty University, 2007; Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science at Walden University, 2015 Employment: Pastor at Glory Empowerment Center; Vision Strategies, LLC

Are you more of a vocal councilman or an observer?

As time progressed and as I got my feet really settled with it, then I began to become more verbal. Not only that, I began to look at research and find issues.

For example, our zoo board, that we give a generous amount of money to— they’ve been meeting, and their meetings are not open to the public. And nobody knew that. So, I have a problem personally when we give (a requested) $1.5 million of our money to a board to help run the zoo, and they do not allow the public to (attend) the meetings. I think that anything that’s government-oriented ought to be open to the public and as transparent as can be.

Imani Khayyam

lthough new Ward 6 Councilman Aaron Banks is a new kid on the City Hall block, he is not new to Jackson. He served as a crime prevention officer for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, a constituent services representative under Mayor Chokwe Lumumba Sr., a city clerk under Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. and as deputy chief administrative officer of quality of life under Mayor Tony Yarber for eight months.

Banks, 39, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Barron Banks, a Presbyterian pastor from Tchula, Miss., and Patricia Banks, an educator and Jackson native. He graduated from Forest Hill High School and attended Jackson State University. Around his junior year, he traveled to colleges such as Alcorn State University and University of Southern Mississippi to host Bible studies.

Banks left JSU and took some prerequisite courses for pastoral studies at Wesley Bible College. He was certified as a Christian counselor by the American Association of Christian Counselors in 2007. After the birth of his third child, he continued his education online at Walden University and received a bachelor’s degree in political science. He began working on a master’s in public administration and public policy but decided to postpone his studies, due to time constraints from the 2017 election season.

He talked to the JFP about the new mayor, the city budget, crime and more.

What feedback are you getting in your ward?

Coming in, my focus was really going to be on blighted and dilapidated properties. I wanted to attack that head-on and be very aggressive. I was meeting with (Ward 2 Councilman Melvin) Priester so that we can work out a payment in lieu of taxes until we can address some of those issues.

But it’s like as soon as we got in, issues of crime started just happening just like that … . It really hit home and got personal for me because I have a church member, Tyler. Tyler’s 11, and he was with his brother, and they saw a friend … . He tried to rob them. They got into a tussle, and he ended up shooting the older brother in the foot, and he took off in the car with the younger brother in the backseat and the other one in the backseat, and they jumped out the vehicle. Luckily they were over there by Wingfield (High School), and the first house that he knocked on was actually a

Most viral stories at jfp.ms:

1. “Attorney, JPS Parent Files Federal Lawsuit to Block State Takeover of School District”

by Arielle Dreher 2. “JPS ‘Takeover’ Looms as Commission Declares ‘Extreme Emergency’ in District” by Arielle Dreher 3. “JSU Getting New Band Director, Career Closet, Food Bank, Recycling; Walking Path Coming for MUW” by Dustin Cardon 4. “Two Inmates, Including Murderer, Escape Mississippi Prison,” Associated Press

police officer… . When all that started happening, I had to take a turn in my priorities, and I said, ‘We’ve got to be serious about addressing crime.”

What is the council doing to respond to crime and blight?

The first thing we did was approve the budget ($366,186,588), which gives the mayor the authority to do what’s necessary with public safety. Chief (Lee) Vance said that what he needed was to be able to increase the amount of officers that he had on the street, which would increase the amount of officers per beat (and) per shift.

In Ward 6, our biggest asset is our community. It’s the property the people have abandoned, and we have a lot of blighted and dilapidated properties. And not just individual properties but business properties. And so, our aim is to continue to partner with faith-based community churches, nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity, that are doing good work in south Jackson to rehab a lot of those houses and areas in my ward that could look like a war zone.

Both Councilmen Priester and (Charles) Tillman said good things about you and (new Ward 7 Councilwoman) Virgi Lindsay.

Sometimes I second-guess if I’m gone speak out on something because I don’t know if I know everything that needs to be known. So, I appreciate people like Priester who’s well versed on what’s been going on.

He turns to us and says, “So I want y’all to understand as newer council …” that helps me get a bigger grasp of what’s going on.

If I was to classify, I would say Priester is the brains of the council. I would say that Ashby Foote (Ward 1) is somewhat of the reason(er) of the council. (Ward 3’s Kenneth) Stokes is like the German Shepherd of the council, and (Ward 5’s De’Keither) Stamps is like the bulldog of the council.

And Virgi is like the big sister (and) mother of the council. And I don’t know, I guess I’m just there.

5. “State Board Sends JPS Takeover to Governor for Stamp of Approval” by Arielle Dreher

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11

Doing It Ourselves in (and for) Jackson

O

n Sept. 7, I made a quick stop by the Significant Futures Exchange at Fondren After 5 to snag a hilarious City of Jackson Public Works Department lapel pin. In the journey from my truck to the event, I helped a few newcomers figure out where to go and what to do for the evening. At the space, I met three new friends: Garrad and Catherine Lee, and daniel johnson. Garrad and I chatted about the pin series they are creating, and then I met Catherine, who has just become an ASPA-certified planner, something for which I am currently pursuing a master’s degree for at Jackson State University. I couldn’t stay long, but the conversation was clearly the beginning of something greater in the future.

Friday morning, my alarm went off, and by 7:25 a.m., I was out the door of my house in Belhaven—the same house my mother grew up in— hurrying down Interstate 55 to the Development Academy, where I was meeting Ronnie Crudup Jr. and a few men who gather and pray for each other each Friday morning.

After the prayer meeting, I shifted into TeamJXN gear. (For those who do not know about TeamJXN, we are a group of people committed to pursuing and championing positive initiatives for Jackson.) I met with our coordinator, Cassandra, at Coalesce coworking space in the Jackson innovation hub along State Street. A few doors down, Innovate Mississippi, Podastery and several other creative innovators have moved in and ignited a growth of creativity that began with people such as Kristen Ley with Thimblepress and Matthew McLaughlin investing in the space.

After that, it was time to head to Smith Park, where I was running Food Truck Friday as a part of my role as project specialist for the Greater Jackson Arts Council. Since Food Truck Friday’s inception, it has grown to host about 1,000 patrons, half a dozen artists and 10 fantastic food trucks.

I include those stories to lay out some of the amazing ways in which our city is not only diverse, but rich in human capital. Several people I know have recently referred to Jackson as a do-it-yourself city. But maybe it’s more of a D.I.O. city—do-it-ourselves. I like to think that people in Jackson watched that weird video of Shia LaBeouf screaming and took it to heart.

The amazing Jacksonians I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know over the course of my life are the people who have decided to “Just. Do. It.” Whether its Anik Kurkjian and the Mississippi Light Festival, Donna Ladd and her Mississippi Youth Media Project, or Bilal Qizilbash with his cancer research and Draw a Smile Foundation, people are doing great things in this city every day.

Recently, I have decided to encourage every person who is working hard to do something new and fresh here. It can be exhausting doing good things in Jackson, but a few words of encouragement go a long way to those who put in hours upon hours of effort into these projects. They deserve affirmation that what they do is important. I believe that this is where we as a city can start. Start with encouragement and support. That can mean volunteering, making connections with more supporters, spreading information, or most importantly, supporting people financially.

The incredible human capital in Jackson is something that we should capitalize on. If we set out to learn something new every day from someone we normally would not talk to, our city would be an unstoppable force.

What will you learn today, and how will you apply that to making your city a better place to live?

J. David Lewis is the vice chairman of the board for TeamJXN and a project specialist at the Greater Jackson Arts Council.

12 September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

They deserve affirmation that what they do is important.

A State Takeover is Not the Solution for JPS

T

he looming state takeover of Jackson Public Schools is full of myriad problems, from the State’ of Mississippi’s less-than-stellar track record of previous takeovers to a lack of transparency and collaboration on the part of Mississippi Department of Education officials.

Eleven of the 16 school districts the State has taken over received a “D” or “F” grade in the 2016 accountability rankings. Only one of those districts has a grade higher than a “C”: Scott County School District received a “B.”

In the State’s previous takeovers, school districts had far fewer students than JPS has. Tunica County School District, where the suggested replacement interim superintendent, Margie Pulley, was most recently, has 2,095 students compared to 25,000+ here. To assume, as The Clarion-Ledger did in their endorsement of the takeover, that “size should not matter” is too simplistic. Size totally matters. JPS is the second-largest in the state, with 58 schools.

Does MDE have the capacity to take over a district the size of JPS? No. It took MDE a full year to complete an investigative audit of JPS, and unless it plans on keeping the majority of the current administrative staff, they will face the challenge of hiring a workforce to run a district like JPS. Plus, many teachers will likely flee the district.

Additionally, Pulley’s experience in turning around other districts is on a much smaller scale.

If the State bases success on academic performance alone, it will likely take more than a decade to pull more than 25,000 students to a “C” level perfor-

mance due, in part, to Jackson’s broader, systemic problems with poverty, which the new mayoral administration and council publicly acknowledge.

Fixing Jackson’s schools—as well as crime— means working to reverse poverty. This is why local control is essential for JPS and for improving academic performance. When students show up tired, traumatized and hungry, learning is a lesser priority. Additionally, the potential for cuts to sports and other extracurricular activities would diminish efforts to keep young people engaged and in school.

If home environments are not stable, but school is, sometimes a sports team can mean the difference between staying in school and dropping out.

If last week taught State education officials anything, it was that Jackson has people power, and the ability to mobilize parents and advocates to loudly oppose what they see as a detrimental decision for our children. While the state of affairs at JPS is far from peachy, Interim Superintendent Freddrick Murray has made good on several district-wide changes this year: the reorganization in feeder patterns and structure, 14 new principals and a revamped Code of Conduct with less leeway for unfair punishment for students.

Whether or not those top-level changes trickle down by the fall term’s end or even the end of the school year will speak volumes about his ability to lead. In the meantime, a new mayor will fill the school board. Give Jackson a chance to fix its schools by addressing the system and city as a whole.

Read more at jfp.ms/jpstakeover.

Email letters and opinion to letters@jacksonfreepress.com, fax to 601-510-9019 or mail to 125 South Congress St., Suite 1324, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. Include daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, as well as factchecked.

Donna Ladd

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Amber Helsel State Reporter Arielle Dreher City Reporter William Kelly III JFP Daily Editor Dustin Cardon Music Editor Micah Smith Events and Social Media Intern ShaCamree Gowdy Writers Ko Bragg, Brynn Corbello, Richard Coupe, Bryan Flynn, Mike McDonald, Greg Pigott, Julie Skipper,Abigail Walker Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Kristin Brenemen Advertising Designer Zilpha Young Staff Photographer Imani Khayyam ADVERTISING SALES Digital Marketing Specialist Meghan Garner Sales and Marketing Consultant Stephen Wright Sales Assistant DeShae Chambers BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS Distribution Manager Richard Laswell Distribution Raymond Carmeans, Clint Dear, Ruby Parks,Tommy Smith Assistant to the CEO Inga-Lill Sjostrom ONLINE Web Editor Dustin Cardon Web Designer Montroe Headd CONTACT US: Letters letters@jacksonfreepress.com Editorial editor@jacksonfreepress.com Queries submissions@jacksonfreepress.com Listings events@jacksonfreepress.com Advertising ads@jacksonfreepress.com Publisher todd@jacksonfreepress.com News tips news@jacksonfreepress.com Fashion style@jacksonfreepress.com Jackson Free Press 125 South Congress Street, Suite 1324 Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Editorial (601) 362-6121 Sales (601) 362-6121 Fax (601) 510-9019 Daily updates at jacksonfreepress.com

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T

Jackson Free Press’ official birthday is Sept. 22, my late badass mother’s birthday. She was illiterate, but loved to tell stories and encouraged me to say whatever I needed to say—so it was only appropriate to start the JFP on the day she would have turned 78.

I didn’t move home in 2001 to start a paper. It was three months before 9/11; Todd and I had tons of freelance work; I had a fellowship about unequal treatment of young people of color; and I wanted to write a book. Mississippi was a cheap home base. Plus, I had visited Jackson while on spring break from Columbia to research my master’s project, and had met the great and inspiring Dick Molpus. He had stayed all this time in Mississippi, he told me, to “fight the worthy scrap” for his home state.

Suddenly, after 18 years in exile, I wanted to fight that scrap, too. We arrived two months after Mississippians voted to keep that damn flag flying, and after 9/11 decided to finally put down roots. All the while, I met people from all over Jackson who didn’t know each other, and I wanted them all to have a progressive meeting of the minds—a forum for ideas not often shared here. Big thinking. Optimism. Tough love. Hope. Love of Jackson.

Real history. Evidence-based solutions.

I’ve been thinking about the earlier years: Here is a sampling of my most vivid memories of the last 15 years.

Stephen Barnette telling us “I’ll sell ads” after months of us talking about how Jackson needed a real, diverse, locally owned newspaper.

Our visiting journalist friend Amy Haimerl reading a passage out loud about the Civil Rights Movement newspaper, the Mississippi Free Press, and us immediately knowing the name of this one.

After working all night, the power went out at 6 a.m. before the PDFs were shipped (we were poor). Stephen disappearing defiantly and the power suddenly came back on. “Send ’em,” he said.

Todd not sleeping after the fifth issue with Trent Lott wearing a rebel-flag tie on the cover, and then the Iraq War myths cover the week Bush started that bad war.

Todd didn’t know if our young paper could survive it and had put every penny he had into this paper. But he didn’t stop us, and we’re still here thanks pretty much solely to him. He soon adopted our motto: “Do the

right thing and wait.

The woman in the elevator at the Mississippi Capitol telling me she wanted to “hug your neck” for publishing “positive” stuff about young people in Jackson

Assistant Editor Casey Parks and her girlfriend sleeping on the floor of the JFP in Fondren in the aftermath of Katrina because we had power. Casey got up and went to report on people staying at the Mississippi Coliseum.

Then-Police Chief Shirlene Anderson wash the dishes at Frank Melton’s house after he served his bodyguards, photographer Jaro Vacek, defense attorney Robert Shuler Smith, various young and me baked chicken and rice before the Mobile Command Center ride-along on the eve of the Batman Donelson trial.

Interviewing Batman in a studio behind a house in west Jackson with photographer Renee Reedy.

The week we went weekly on the 50th anniversary of Brown v.

Board of Education with a collage of old racist newspaper clippings by artist Anthony DiFatta on the cover.

A certain out-of-state road trip someone dubbed the Tubman Tour as we looked for truths that I may tell y’all about in my book someday. Maybe.

The glorious day Kimberly Griffin walked into our office 10 years ago to become a part-time paper deliver driver. Same for the days that then-interns Amber Helsel, Kristin Brenemen, Dustin Cardon and Zilpha Young entered the JFP universe.

Hearing that DA Faye Peterson was ordering that the young men leave Frank Melton’s house after his arrest. He was never a certified foster parent and was often drunk around those young people.

The day The Clarion-Ledger quietly picked up all its TDN boxes after the JFP and other local publications banded together to stop their corporate takeover of our distribution spots. (Google TDN and Clarion-Ledger for the details.)

Listening as James Ford Seale’s defense attorneys (one a friend) unsuccessfully fought to keep my work out of the trial.

Every single one of the JFP Chick Balls (hopefully returning soon).

The day we moved on up into the 13th floor of Capital Towers downtown and no longer had to go to the bathroom outside and down the hall.

Read more at jfp.ms/jfp15.

Do the right thing and wait.

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Editor-in-Chief and CEO Donna Ladd Publisher Todd Stauffer Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin

The JFP at 15: Raising Hell, Having Fun

13

15 years

by Amber Helsel

W

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

When Mike Peters was looking to buy Fondren Corner, he says the building was completely abandoned. A bank in Miami had foreclosed on it, so it had sat vacant for almost four years.

“We kind of just made a ridiculous offer to the lender, and the next thing we knew, they said, ‘We’ll take it,’” he says.

Near the end of renovations for Fondren Corner, which opened in 2004, Peters 14 set his sights on renovating the nearby Dul-

ing School, which reopened as the multiuse Fondren Point building around 2007.

Peters says that he had noticed signs of economic progress in the Fondren area.

Residential areas such as Woodland Hills were improving; Nejam Properties bought what is now known as Fondren Village; a few years ago, Peters Realty sold the property where Cups Espresso Café in Fondren is located, and the new owners brought in Fondren Public and expanded the Cups space. A new generation of artists were

(Left to right, top to bottom) Tahirah AbuBakr, John Maxwell, Lynda Hasberry, Georgia Fyke Nesbitt, Felandus Thames, Jiro Tanaka, Nina Parikh, William Dickerson-Waheed, June Hardwick, Mac McKeigney and Marcia Weaver on the Sept. 22, 2002, preview issue.

coming onto the city’s art scene.

In 2003, artist Ginger Williams-Cook taught studio art at Camp Windhover in Crystal Springs, Miss., where she met artist Josh Hailey, who was teaching ceramics at the camp. On a 24-hour break, she and Hailey took a road trip to Jackson, where Williams-Cook met Jason “Twiggy” Lott and William Goodman.

“We immediately clicked, and talked about art, and talked about how that’s all we wanted to do was be artists,” she says.

Williams-Cook says that at the time, Goodman was living in Belhaven but was preparing to move into Fondren Corner, which was in mid-construction at that time. She began to collaborate with Goodman, Hailey and Lott, including on largescale canvases for Fondren Corner’s new apartment tenants, art for the tables and walls at Rooster’s, and the first mural at Walker’s Drive-in. Williams-Cook moved back to Jackson in 2004 and got a studio in Fondren Corner.

“It was just this really cool community of people that valued each other’s talents, and services and so you really felt the sense of community,” she says now.

That same year, Hailey moved there, and other artists and creatives such as videographer Jason Marlow began to move in.

“We just had this hub … of different artists,” Williams-Cook says.

A college professor had told her that she didn’t necessarily have to go to L.A. or New York to make art. “Go wherever you find a creative pulse,” he told her.

Fondren was where she found the creative pulse, she says, and the prominence of the neighborhood’s art scene served as one catalyst to build the city’s art scene as a whole.

daniel Johnson, who does not capitalize his name, says the biggest difference in the creative community between 13 to 15 years ago and now is that audiences are connecting better. Back then, he says, audiences from hip-hop shows would not necessarily attend rock shows, and people who went to art galleries would not also go to dance performances. But today, businesses like Offbeat create space for many of the creative communities in Jackson, he says.

Mississippi Museum of Art Director Betsy Bradley says she has seen pockets of activity over the 30 years that she has been

involved in the arts community. Now, though, the pockets have become more integrated into Jackson’s economic and neighborhood development.

“What’s going on in midtown, you can’t imagine it happening if there weren’t artists and creative people over there working all day every day,” she says. “… The way that those efforts are helping shape neighborhoods is exciting.”

More Entrepreneurs Now

Funmi “Queen” Franklin, who owns business incubator the Kundi Compound in midtown with her husband, Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin, has noticed a rise in JackImani khayyam

Fondren’s Revival

02, 0 2 e c n i ed S ad g e n h a A h l C l i t s S What Is What Ha

jimmy mumford, charles a. smith

hen this newspaper started 15 years ago this week, promising a rising creative class in Jackson on its cover, the capital city was a different place that nearly everyone said they wanted to leave. Jackson was the butt of suburban jokes, and its champions were always on the defensive. Not fun.

Two of the largest buildings in what is now Jackson’s hottest neighborhood, Fondren Corner and Duling School, were empty. The Dickies building in downtown Jackson was vacant. The King Edward Hotel and the Standard Life building were shells of what they used to be. The Mississippi Museum of Art was in a much smaller space, the Art Garden was a parking lot, Jackson State University wasn’t yet renovated, and midtown, south and west Jackson had seen far better days.

Over the years, city leaders and developers have entertained and flirted with a lot of development projects and ideas—some good and some bad, some that never happened, some that are still in the works— that have transformed the city into the both beautiful and blighted one that it is today.

Here is a look at what’s changed and what still needs work.

s ’ n o s k c Ja e s l u P e v i t a e r C

Mike Peters

sonians becoming entrepreneurs, and also the growth of the progressive and creative demographics in Jackson.

“People are very involved in state and national politics, and there seems just to be an overall blanket of care that maybe hadn’t been as prevalent before,” she says. “ … It seems like the driving force to see change has grown over the last couple of years, maybe 10 years, and it seems to be going forward in years. People seem to just care a little bit more.”

She says that more people are also cre-

ating more businesses, these days, it’s not so much brick-and-mortar; its people tapping into their talents and building on them.

“There is a network and movement going on to support and encourage that in the city,” she says.

Brad says that he has seen the creative and artistic scenes blossom not just in a traJulian Rankin

ditional creative sense, but also in that they have become economic drivers in the city.

“Our arts and our creative community now is one such that it is drawing people into the city,” he says.

One thing he has seen change is the comedy scene, which local comedienne Rita Brent says is why she has been able to have a successful career as an entertainer.

“From my perspective as an entertainer, the city is growing,” she says.

Downtown: Down , Up

Fifteen years ago, the King Edward Hotel was still decaying after 30 years of

house just north of Siwell Road right outside the city limits. Fifteen to 20 years ago, he would go to the Living Room Coffee House & Grainery Cafe on Capitol Street across from the bus station, nestled in a business strip with The Library and the Midnight Sun.

“That little strip between Mill Street and Gallatin Street was kind of the nightlife that I knew of in downtown Jackson,” he says. “Stephen Barnette (a co-founder of the Jackson Free Press) was hosting raves in the back of the Living Room in the Starplex Amphitheater; Chane’s store was there.”

Eighteen years ago, he says the Java Parlor opened up on the other end of Capitol Street, and Downbeat Grooves & Gear Ellen Rodgers Johnson

Nick Wallace

being left vacant, and the picturesque Standard Life building only housed the Jackson Police Department, with most of the rest of the space unused.

That year, HRI Properties approached David Watkins about turning the King Edward into a luxury hotel. The company received a $2-million loan from the Mississippi Development Authority to do selective demolition, test the building’s structural integrity and remove the asbestos that had accumulated. It got another $3.5 million in a community-development block grant for furniture, fixtures and equipment, and then tax credits and private investments for the rest of the funds.

After $90 million in renovations, the King Edward reopened as a 186-room Hilton Garden Inn and a luxury apartment complex in 2009 with many locals just walking into the lobby and staring in disbelief at a transformation many said would never happen. Then, Watkins set his sights on the Standard Life building, and nine months later, it reopened with 76 apartments and 2,671 square feet of retail space.

Ironically, it was around the time of the King Edward and Standard Life renovations and Fondren’s Renaissance that downtown slowly began to lose businesses.

“You had like, four or five major, major Jackson businesses leave downtown,” Peters says. That included Butler Snow, HORNE CPA & Business Advisors and Cellular South (now known as CSpire). “All of that happened over the course of (about) 24 to 36 months, and it just really … damaged downtown,” he says.

daniel johnson moved to Jackson from Houston, Texas, when he was 13 to a

Most Impactful Stories Many JFP stories and investigations had significant impacts on the community. Here are our favorites in no particular order.

• 1964 Murders of Henry Dee and Charles Moore (jfp.ms/deemoore) • Cedric Willis Comes Home (jfp.ms/cedric) • The Mysteries and Trials of Frank Melton (jfp.ms/melton): • Two Lakes Coverage (jfp.ms/pearlriver) • Michelle Byrom’s Second Chance (jfp.ms/byrom) • Focus: Domestic Abuse (jfp.ms/abuse) • HB1523 and LGBT Rights in Mississippi: (jfp.ms/hb1523) • Mississippi Defeats Personhood (jfp.ms/personhood) • Following the PAC Money (jfp.ms/sunshine) • The Real Haley Barbour (jfp.ms/barbour) • Shattering Confederate Myths See the work at jfp.ms/slavery.

• Preventing Violence (jfp.ms/preventingviolence)

Ginger Williams-Cook

opened east of the King Edward.

“You had this Capitol Street thing kind of happening, where you might actually walk from one end of the other in downtown in the course of an evening,” he says.

These days, the nightlife scene is much less active. “I walked a group from the King Edward to (Underground) 119 back in May, and they were from all over the nation, and couldn’t believe how dark it was,” johnson says. more 15 YEARS, see page 16

When the JFP launched in September 2002 …

Amber Helsel

• A Democrat was still governor (Gov. Ronnie Musgrove), and the Senate and House were ruled by two different parties.

• Older millennials were just old enough to drink.

• No one had ever done a Best of Jackson contest.

• Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. was mayor.

• You could still go to The Dock at the reservoir and Crystal’s Lounge on Lynch Street.

• George W. Bush was president, and it was politically incorrect to criticize him.

• No other local media had blogs or story commenting. (We were the first.)

• The U.S. was about to attack Iraq because a bunch of Saudis attacked the Pentagon and the World Trade Center the year before.

• Facebook was still just for the kids.

• The King Edward Hotel was a burnedout husk. So was Iron Horse Grill.

• Oscars and Emmys were still #sowhite, and iPhones hadn’t helped #BlackLivesMatter, yet.

• Fondren Corner was the Wildlife and Fisheries building.

• We still had the James O. Eastland Federal Courthouse.

• Two words: Enron and Worldcom.

• The Clarion-Ledger was much bigger and thicker.

• You could still have a drink with Cotton at the Edison-Walthall Hotel.

• People still thought there would be two lakes and resorty islands along the Pearl River.

• The old money still dined at Dennery’s.

• The Ledger still thought KKK killer/ kidnapper James Ford Seale was dead.

• People wore cargo pants un-ironically.

• Local media sensationalized crime worse than they do now. (Seriously.)

• Jackson State hadn’t finished its facelift, yet.

• Jackson hadn’t suffered both airport and JPS takeover efforts.

• “Jackpot Justice” was a meme for limiting lawsuits.

• Everybody was worried about Generation X.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers were Super Bowl champs.

• You could still smoke in every damn restaurant in town.

• No media here had probably ever used the words “southern strategy.”

• Politicians still openly campaigned to racist Council of Conservative Citizens members.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

• The Sweet Potato Queens still had a Ball at Hal & Mal’s.

15

Ahead, from p 15 g in k o Lo , ck a B g in k o Lo opments. In 2014, Gov. Phil Bryant and then-Mayor Chokwe Lumumba approved the 88-home affordable housing development, Helm Place, which lines streets west courtesy rita brent

However, restaurants, both chains and locally owned ones, now populate the area, and earlier this year, a candy store, Sugar Ray’s Sweet Shop, opened across from the King Edward Hotel in 2016, and a convenience store named Downtown Snack Shop opened in 2016 across from what used to house concert venue Big Sleepy’s.

After Big Sleepy’s closed on Jan. 1, Cowboy’s Saloon later took its place.

A little ways from the King Edward, the Capitol Art Lofts, which BlackWhite Development proposed in 2013, is poised to open this month. The Westin Hotel on Congress Street opened in August.

“(Downtown) is just now, in my opinion, finding their way kind of back out of the bottom and starting to rise back slowly again,” Peters says. “They’ve got a ways to go, but they’re coming back.”

Rita Brent

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

What Hasn’t

courtesy daniel johnson

of Greenwood Cemetery on West Street.

Oxford, Miss.-based developer Chartre Fate of Farish Street?

Consulitng is planning to expand the com One dark spot on downtown’s slow munity to 70 additional homes, but develrise is the fact that though people have opment has stalled because the company needs approval from the Jackson talked about revitalizing FarHistoric Preservation Commisish Street, the city’s historic black business district that sion to move forward. declined after integration, the

The housing expansion has area remains much the same. been under fire because it could Changed:

In the 1990s, the Jackpotentially change the historic Mississippi son Redevelopment Authorneighborhood.

Flag ity brought in Performa, a company known for reDirty politics developing Beale Street in Making Master Haley Barbour’s Plans Memphis, to manage Farish lobbying for Street’s development. After Midtown has long experiforeign nations. years of nothing happening, enced fits and starts, but it has Most local Watkins Development purbeen on the rise over the last crime coverage chased the project in 2008 15 years. Community organifor $425,000 and took on zation Midtown Partners first Corruption Performa’s $1.5-million debt. formed as the North Midtown (except for In July of that year, then-Gov. Development Corporation in the faces) Haley Barbour signed a bill 1995 to socially and economito grant special permission cally revitalize the neighborfor businesses on Farish Street hood, which was a prominent to serve alcohol.

African American neighbor In November 2011, developer David hood in its heyday.

Watkins received an $8-million bond from About 10 years ago, NMCDC the City to finance more renovations, and launched a master-planning process with in December 2012, he failed to close on Duvall Decker Architects. historic tax credits to complete work on Duvall Decker’s research in the master four venues on the block between Amite plan shows that when the planning process and Griffith streets. In September 2013, began, the neighborhood had 30 busiJRA cancelled the lease agreement with the nesses, three churches, seven educational Farish Street Group for breach of contract. facilities, two parks, six nonprofits and two In 2015, the U.S. Housing and Urban De- major institutions—Millsaps College and velopment department demanded that the Baptist Hospital.

Architect Roy Decker says Duvall City pay back $1.5 million in grants that it Decker has worked in neighborhoods in used to secure some of the properties.

Though Farish Street development Jackson that have been affected by suburhas stalled, the area has seen other devel- ban flight for the last 20 years.

16

“That’s been ongoing since the ’70s, and neighborhoods have suffered. There’s been more and more abandoned properties, higher crime; there’s been derelict buildings, and so neighborhoods have been suffering in Jackson,” he says.

Prior to Duvall Decker getting involved, Decker says that the neighborhood had built 200 Habitat for Humanity Houses, so people were getting into good housing and out of poverty. But property values were still dropping, the neighborhood still had crime and drug problems, and people were still abandoning properties.

“That master plan was an effort to think about urban redevelopment, innercity redevelopment, in a different way,” he says. “Rather than draw a picture of a nostalgic, new version of what used to be there, our approach was, ‘Well, let’s find out what’s valuable here; let’s found out who lives here; let’s find out what the stories are and what the stakeholders really are; and let’s also study the economy of the land.’”

As a neighborhood becomes more and more vacant, he says, property values drop, and that means home and business owners cannot borrow money, and a person could end up owing more than the value of the house, trapping them in the mortgage. He says the midtown master plan was a way to change the way developers think about urban planning besides just providing more single-family housing, and to try to strategically intervene in the neighborhood and increase the density.

daniel johnson and Amber Johnson

The research identified five strategic initiatives that would improve midtown: housing, health, making midtown a mixeduse neighborhood, improving safety and security, and ecological planning, including a diverse, energy-efficient neighborhood and addressing flood-control needs.

Mayoral candidates we’ve endorsed:

• Harvey Johnson Jr. over Frank Melton (twice) • No endorsement: Chokwe Lumumba Sr. vs. Jonathan Lee • Chokwe Antar Lumumba (twice)

After the completion of the master plan, NMCDC and Good Sam became one entity—Midtown Partners. The neighborhood began partnering with Millsaps College’s Else School of Management on projects such as business incubators The Hatch and The Hangar, and getting businesses such as Lucky Town Brewing Company into the neighborhood.

Midtown Partners has also rolled out projects such as Midtown Public charter school and Decker says Midtown Partners is working on a plan to expand the parks and schoolyards by Brown Elementary School and Rowan Middle School. The neighborhood now has 42 more houses, including sustainably built housing and renovations to existing housing, and midtown also has a health center.

The plan, Decker says, was to encourage growth so homeowners could begin borrowing money and fix their houses or buy the lots next to them, and get new homeowners in the neighborhood. He says that has happened in the last year.

While artists such as Josh Hailey have had residencies at The Hatch, three food businesses—Sweet & Sauer, Mississippi Cold Drip Coffee & Tea Co. and FEAST Specialty Foods—currently occupy the space. The Hangar is home to businesses such as Kamie’s Creations, The Reclaimed Miles and Red Squared Productions.

Over the last few years, businesses like comic-book shop Offbeat, wellness- and creativity-centered business Jax-Zen, and exhibition space AND Gallery have opened in midtown.

Duvall Decker applied the strategy in the midtown master plan to the west Jackson master plan, spending about a year talking to residents and neighborhood associations and community institutions and stakeholders and develop a grassroots initiative and understanding.

Decker says that the plan in west Jackson is newer, completed about a year and a half ago, so it has not had as much time to mature into projects. However, Decker says that Jackson State University is using it to more 15 YEARS, see page 18

SYNERGIZED BY THE

THE WAILERS WITH

MUSEUM DISTRICT

DULING HALL | THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5

m s s c i e n c e f e s t. o r g 8/23/17 10:17 AM

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JFP Sept 2017 MCM 4.5x5.875.indd 1

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Ahead, from p 16 Looking Back, Looking

Most Viral and Viewed Stories

T

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

With JSU Goes Jackson

Margaret Walker Center Director Robert Luckett lived in Jackson until the second grade, when his family moved to Rankin County. He left the area in 1995.

In 2009, he returned to be a history profes-

Jeff Good

also the primary source of education for black teachers in Jackson Public Schools, the role of Jackson State in the city of Jackson is a high one.”

The changes included new housing and campus expansion. One University Place, which is at the corner of Dalton and Lynch Streets and is the largest private development in west Jackson in 30 years, opened in 2010. Along with apartments, the building also houses businesses such as Gallery1, which has had art exhibits that featured the likes of artists such as funk legend George Clinton.

In 2012, the campus’ welcome center opened. JSU also opened a satellite campus in Madison. In 2014, the university adopted EKO the Sumatran tiger at the Jackson Zoo as a way to help the zoo increase its membership. The arch in front of the exhibit at the zoo has been painted blue and white.

Medical Booms

Though areas of the city such as downtown began to decline economically 15 years ago, the city’s health-care industry began to thrive. The Jackson Medical Mall began renovations in 1996 and opened its first clinic in 1997. Now it is home to health-care services, University of Mississippi Medical Center offices, retail shops

and commercial services, and more. a cULTURE CORRIDOR

“The Jackson Medical Mall, over the Earlier this year, colorful lights and past 15 years, has become a stable entity light-centered exhibits took over downtown’s “culture corridor”—the that really is a model nationwide intersection of Pascagoula and for what you can do with largeLamar streets where the Mississcale empty architecture,” johnsippi Museum of Art, Arts Censon says. “… Now they’re at a ter of Mississippi, Thalia Mara point where they’re expanding Hall, Russell C. Davis Planetarbeyond traditional medical serMiss S, Spit ium and Jackson Convention vices and their mission of holistic McGee, Deucy Complex sit. The first annual wellness that includes housing Prichard, Willie Mississippi Light Festival created and economic empowerment.”

Hoyt, King chaos, but in a good way.

In 2016, the mall held a Edward, Ernie,

Children and adults grand opening for the East VilJack, Frodo stood around an area where a lage Estates, which is comprised woman performed scientific of 44 single-family townhomes demonstrations that consisted of that low-income residents can lease for 15 years, in the Prosperity Street mostly blowing things up; models in neon and Homestead Heights community. After body paint glowed as they danced in the the 15 years is up, they have the oppor- windows of the Jackson Convention Comtunity to buy the houses at $50,000 fully plex; people trailed around the arts center, financed. The medical mall also opened re- looking at all the different lights and exhibits and taking selfies; graffiti art danced on tail space Woodrow Wilson Place in 2016.

UMMC has also expanded its services the back of the building; and light exhibits and campus. In 2003, the hospital began its covered the Art Garden.

The event even created a rare traffic first telehealth project with three pilot hos- pitals. UMMC’s Center for Telehealth now jam in downtown Jackson.

The museum also hosts Third has locations across Mississippi and offers care in areas such as radiology, dermatology Thursday each month, bringing in food trucks, artists, local people and more for and pediatric services.

In 2014, the hospital opened the exhibits, movie screenings, music, food Memory Impairment and Neurodegenera- and fellowship.

Fifteen years ago, events like the tive Dementia Center, which is dedicated to discovering treatments and cures for light festival and Third Thursday probAlzheimer’s disease and related forms of ably would not have been possible. The art museum had been in the arts center space for 24 years, and museum Director Betsy Bradley said it had outgrown that space.

“We had the upstairs gallery, and the atrium, and all of our staff was over there,” she says. “… We needed more exhibition space, we needed more storage space, we needed more state of the art technology in terms of climate control and security and things like that.”

The museum began looking at the different options, including looking at spaces outside of downtown Jackson and even Funmi “Queen” Franklin (left) and Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin (right) contemplating building a new space from the ground up. After the initiative for the convention center passed in 2004, Bradley says that they knew that it would want to dementia, and the University Physicians remain part of the cultural complex and Pavilion. This year, the hospital started its strengthen Jackson’s attractiveness.

The building where the art museum is UNACARE Health Clinic in midtown.

The medical center is currently one now was vacant. The city, which owns the of the largest employers in the state of Mis- building, had used it for exhibitions, office sissippi with more than 10,000 part- and spaces and temporary courtrooms, so the full-time employees. UMMC currently museum decided to look into renovating represents 10 percent of the Jackson metro the space for a new art museum. It took area economy and 2 percent of the state’s $15 million to renovate the building and economy. another $5 million to create the Art Gar-

Cats of the JFP Past:

Imani Khayyam

18

secure grants in community-development projects, and neighborhood organizations have been contacting Duvall Decker to understand some of the data better.

“We see good things coming out of that, too,” he says.

sor at JSU and to take his position at the Margaret Walker Center, and for the first time as an adult, he was going to live in the city. He says that the day he went on campus for his job interview, JSU’s transformation blew him away.

“It was great to see what Jackson State had evolved into and to be coming into a new part of the future Jackson State,” he says. “I knew very well that as Jackson State went so did the city of Jackson, as one of the largest employers, as the primary educator of particularly black Jacksonians but Imani Khayyam

he JFP has gotten hundreds of thousands of page views for our top-viewed stories since we started tracking a decade or so ago. The biggest one was last year, thanks to Gov. Phil Bryant, and most were enterprise stories that we worked hard to do well and be the first to reveal. Others show the international interest in Jackson’s “Dancing Dolls” and local support of the city’s best restaurants. Read at jfp.ms/virals.

1. Feb. 24, 2016: “Mississippi Governor Declares April ‘Confederate Heritage Month,’ No Slavery Mention”

by Donna Ladd 2. April 26, 2010: “School Cuts Gay Student Photo from Yearbook” by Adam Lynch 3. Oct. 19, 2011: “The Poverty-Crime Connection” by Lacey McLaughlin 4. April 29, 2015: “Sunjai Williams” by Genevieve Legacy 5. March 29, 2014: “An Innocent Woman? Michelle Byrom vs. Mississippi” by Ronni Mott 6. March 7, 2014: “Dianna Williams”

by Kalissia Veal 7. Nov. 5, 2014: “Mr. Opinionated: Bill Maher Skewers the Right and the Left” by Ronni Mott 8. Jan. 22, 2014: “Best of Jackson 2014: Food & Drink” by Staff and Freelancers 9. June 27, 2012: “A Mississippi Tea Party Chat” Interview by R.L. Nave, Viral video by Virginia Schreiber 10. April 11, 2016: “Mississippi Writers Opposing Anti-LGBT Law” by John Grisham, Ralph Eubanks, Greg Iles, Kathryn Stockett, Kiese Laymon, and other Mississippi writers 11. May 20, 2015: “High Heaven Trampoline Park” by Amber Helsel 12. April 28, 2009: “Arlen Specter to join the Wu-Tang Clan”

by Bryan Doyle 13. Sept. 26, 2012: “Assault Rifles: Only at Walmart” by R.L. Nave 14. June 23, 2015: “Confederates Speak: Yes, We Fought the Civil War Over Slavery” by Donna Ladd 15. June 15, 2009: “God and Abstinence” by Kate Royals

Since Thalia Mara’s reopening in 2014, the venue has hosted events such as the USA

The Foodie Scene

In the last 15 years, Jackson has significantly upped its foodie game, with new, mostly locally owned restaurants frequently coming and going.

In 1994, Jeff Good and Dan Blumenthal opened BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar. In 1998, the duo opened Broad Street Baking Company, and in 2007, they opened Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint.

Good and Blumenthal have been in the business since the early ’90s so they’ve been able to watch the food scene grow and change.

“The food scene (today) is vibrant,” Good says. “A lot of young talent across the board has started to develop, and I’m very excited that so many have been able to gain capital to open their own concepts and bring their talents to market.”

Over the years, he says, people have been concerned that the development has been mainly in northeast Jackson and the suburbs, but he has also seen the south and west Jackson food scenes grow.

Asked the reason for the push toward locally owned restaurants, Good points toward the upward trend in restaurant development over the last decade. People are eating out more, so there’s a higher demand for restaurants, he says. While Jackson has followed that trend, he says, we’re also a relational city and enjoying knowing business owners.

“The rise of the independents in our community comes from a willing and accepting populace,” Good says. “Jackson is not a city of transients. We’re not a city that has a myriad of corporate offices, and people are coming and going and following their career paths, and they do their three to five years, and they’re out.”

It’s a different area than places such as south Florida or metropolitan Texas.

“We’re a hometown, and we like hometown heroes,” Good says.

Mississippi Museum of Art Culinary Director and The Palette Café Executive Chef Nick Wallace says the food scene de-

Ronnie Crudup Jr.

veloped from people developing their palates and also competition.

“That has pretty much changed where we are from the last decade,” he says.

He says that Mississippi is becoming a food state.

“I think we all are seeing food a little bit differently and knowing how important food is,” he says. “I think we had a delay of people not knowing where their roots came Meghan Garner, Digital Marketing Specialist, 8 months.

Texas A&M University

Donna Ladd, Co-founder, Editor-in-chief and CEO, 15 years. Mississippi State, Columbia University

Zilpha Young, Design Intern to Advertising Designer, 4 years.

Delta State University

Todd Stauffer, Co-founder, President and Publisher, 15 years. Texas A&M University

Richard Laswell, Driver to Distribution Manager, 4 years, Belleville College, Illinois

Kimberly Griffin, from parttime distribution to Associate Publisher, 10 years. Mississippi University for Women

Micah Smith, Editorial Assistant to Music Editor, 3.5 years. Mississippi College

Kristin Brenemen, Design Intern to Art Director, 9 years. University of Southern Mississippi

Inga-Lil Sjostrom, Assistant to the CEO, 2.5 years. Östra Gymnasiet, Umea, Sweden

ShaCamree Gowdy, Features/ Social Media Intern, 1 month.

Mississippi State University

Imani Khayyam, Staff Photographer, 2.5 years.

Tougaloo College

Ko Bragg, Reporter (starting in October).

Spelman College, Columbia University

Amber Helsel, Editorial Intern to Managing Editor, 4 years.

University of Mississippi

Arielle Dreher, State Reporter, 2+ years. Azusa Pacific University, Columbia University.

The JFP also did deep, award-winning work on several topics that did not change the problem due to politics. We wished it had. Here are examples: • Phony Voter ID Crisis: jfp.ms/voterid • The Myths of the Iraq War: jfp.ms/ iraqmyths • Hoodwinked by ‘Tort Reform’: jfp.ms/tortreform

from, then all of the sudden in the last decade, you hear about … farm-to-table.”

He says that people lost that connection to food, but now we are back on track and headed straight up.

“I think that goes from the Delta, that goes all the way to the Oxford area, and to the city of Jackson as well,” he says.

What Needs to Change

TODAY’S JFP STAFF

Dustin Cardon, Editorial Intern to Web/Daily Editor, 6 years. University of Southern Mississippi

Work We Wished Had Worked Then

William Kelly III, Intern to City Reporter, 4 months.

Jackson State University DeShae Chambers, Sales Assistant, 2 months.

Tougaloo College Stephen Wright, Sales & Marketing Consultant, 1 month.

University of Mississippi

Contractors: Distribution: Raymond Carmeans, Clint Dear, Ruby Parks, Tommy Smith.

Web Design: Montroe Headd

Former Ward 6 City Councilman Tyrone Hendrix, who was born and raised in Jackson and whose parents met at JSU, says that though the city has changed for the better in some ways, in other ways, it’s remained the same.

“I think we’re still dealing with a lot of the same issues that we have been fighting and for and advocating for since (2002),” he says. That includes fighting for public-school funding, improving infrastructure, and attracting and retaining businesses in the area.

However, Hendrix believes that Jackson is a stronger community than back then, “probably because … the things that we’re fighting for have caused us to come together,” he says.

One example, he says, is how the community has come together during the state’s recent move to take over Jackson Public Schools.

“Hopefully we’ll continue to be stronger,” he says.

New Horizon Ministries Executive Director and former mayoral candidate Ronnie Crudup Jr. echoes the sentiment.

“With the issues we’ve had around the JPS takeover, I’ve been very encouraged to see a lot of the community partners come together around this one particular point,” he says. “I’m hoping that we can use this momentum to work on other things together around Jackson.”

As someone who has been in the south Jackson community for about 22 years, he says that he has watched the area change in many ways in the last two decades, including the flipped demographics. Once, it was

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

File Photo/ Virginia Schrieber

Betsy Bradley

International Ballet Competition, the Experience Hendrix tour and more.

Imani Khayyam

den, which, back then, was just a parking lot. Bradley says that museum management felt that the garden could be a connecting space between the arts center, art museum and Thalia Mara Hall, and it would also add a green space to downtown Jackson.

“We felt like this was kind of a gift we could give to downtown and to the city,” Bradley says. “It also served as a kind of beautiful, interesting way to approach the museum.”

In 2007, the Mississippi Museum of Art moved to its new space, and in 2011, the museum completed the Art Garden.

In 2009, the Jackson Convention Complex opened. Beginning in 2013, Thalia Mara Hall received $5 million in renovation, including getting updating the HVAC unit, new chairs, carpet, restroom renovations and better compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

more 15 YEARS, see page 20 19

Ahead, from p 19 g in k o Lo , ck a B g in k o Lo a neighborhood that was 90 percent white, but now it’s 90 percent black, he says, and the change in the housing stock. Ten to 15 years ago, he says, the houses in south Jackson were more expensive, but now the prices have dropped.

He says that while areas such as Fondren and Belhaven have flourished, neighborhoods such as south Jackson have deteriorated. For example, Metrocenter Mall is not the same, though businesses such as Next Level Entertainment are working to revitalize the mall, which also houses some City offices.

IMANI KHAYYAM

Maranda Joiner

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

openly open to this stuff, too,” he says.

Jackson also still has to deal with the repercussions of the Civil Rights Movement and social justice.

Over the last few years, the city of Jackson has shown that it is willing to address those issues, from local organizations such as Dialogue Jackson hosting dialogue circles to address issues of race and inequity to the night the Jackson City Council unanimously passed a resolution against House Bill 1523, an intersectional statement that might not have happened in Jackson 15 years ago when the JFP initially took flack from some in Jackson for featuring gay and lesbian couples in the newspaper.

Since Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba took office in July, everyone is looking to the new administration to see how they will make Jackson better.

“I’m really attracted to Mayor Lumumba, his economic take on kind of an all-of-the-above strategy that includes traditional … developers but also looking at cooperative business models,” johnson says.

Currently, Rita Brent is working on a documentary about the hidden gems and jewels in Jackson, and says that through that, she has been able to discover pieces of the city.

She says that it was through her work on the documentary that she got to take a tour of the Medgar Evers home, the Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center, and AND Gallery, which two local artists, Adrienne Domnick and Tyler Tadlock, own.

“When it comes to the city, all you hear is coverage of crime, which is important ... but I think a good balance would be helpful to change the narrative and the image of the city,” Brent says.

The comic says that one of the ways people are working to change the narrative of Jackson is through social media with the hashtags #wearejackson and #goodthingsjackson. She says that it is impactful when people see good things in Jackson.

It sure beats focusing on the negative.

And that is probably the biggest change now—some still bash Jackson, but the center of gravity for the Jackson metro is now back exactly where it belongs: right in the middle of the capital city.

Post what has changed in 15 years, and what needs to at jfp.ms/wearejxn.

AMBER HELSEL

“Things never stay the same,” Crudup says. “They should change, but we always hope that they can change for the better and not the worse. So far, we just haven’t seen the best things in Jackson yet.”

One way to tackle our issues, he says, is for everyone to come together and come up with a plan for Jackson, from the north to the south side. “We need to have a full plan of what goes where,” he says. johnson says he would like to see more development in south Jackson. While the rest of the city has developed, that neighborhood has remained mostly stagnant.

A dwindling population and changing racial makeup mean that a lot of development has moved out of south and west Jackson, though west Jackson is slowly seeing improvements. But johnson says that the community of south Jackson is still vibrant. For example, community members still go to the tennis courts on McDowell Road and give free lessons to kids every Saturday, he says.

“It’s still an active, thriving community of people,” he says.

However, development dollars have pulled out of south Jackson. “(South Jackson is) still in need of anchor businesses and enough popula20 tion,” johnson says. “It’s not like it’s empty.

They’ve got a threshold population that I think support local business, and there’s some there, but … I’d love to see some more dollars down there.”

Brad Franklin says that over the years, Jacksonians have becoming more civically engaged, and the younger generation is now a group that questions, challenges and stands up against injustices. However, there’s a political hierarchy needs to continue to change, he says.

“We still have some of the same faces; we still have some of the same names; we still have some of the same ideologies that existed 15 years ago, and it’s making it difficult for Jackson to be able to turn the page because their ideology is old, and it’s outdated,” Franklin says. “It’s time now for a new generation, and a new thought process, a new younger, modern, more updated thought process to take a hold politically around here.”

Maranda Joiner, the public-relations specialist for My Brother’s Keeper, says that in the last few years, the morale and support for one another have shifted. The city has organizations that are extremely supportive of things that are happening in Jackson, she says, but a lot of that tends to happen in silos.

“What I would like to see happen with the city is that feeling that I get when I’m with my individual groups of friends or organizations to happen as a whole in the city and for that to be seen outside of the city,” she says.

Wallace points to another issue in Jackson: Our food scene is on the rise, but we are being more segregated when it comes to food.

“You don’t really have a mixed bag, like a truly mixed back of different cuisines,” he says. “South (Jackson) looks like south.

Some of your northeast parts look like northeast, and west looks like west. I would love to see Jackson bring all those things together and everybody work together.

“The cultures and all are shying away from each other, versus I think that it looks even better, and it comes off the right way because everybody equally wins when everybody is in a mixed bag kind of situation.”

Wallace says that a way to change this would be different organizations having open business meetings. “People have to be

Fun, creative ways critics went after us: 1. By posting insults of Donna’s (and the woman DA’s) butt size on online ballots.

2. Hitting “share” under articles and cussing out the attorney general and others pretending to be Donna.

3. Making up a long, detailed story about Donna the “c*nt” disrupting a domestic-abuse event.

5. Posting a drawing of Donna whipping Todd on a “parody” site.

6. Starting @notdonnaladd on Twitter and getting immediately suspended after chatter about Donna, Todd, Rachel Maddow and something about S&M. 7. Spreading rumors that we are funded by (a) Castro, (b) Soros, (c) Rupert Murdoch, (d) vast left-wing conspirators.

8. Linking a friend’s little girl’s picture on our cover to a photo of genital warts.

9. Flipping us off in the Cups parking lot.

10. Yelling across Hal & Mal’s that he would run us “out of business in six months!” (Frank Melton in 2006) 11. Throwing a pen at staff members at a Best of Jackson party.

12. Texting a Clarion-Ledger reporter that “Donna Ladd is hatin.. She wish she could be as good as you. She has printed false, slanderous things about me and my family. If it weren’t for my family, her newspaper wouldn’t exist.”

(Hinds DA in 2016 per trial transcript)

Names Critics Have Called Donna Ladd: Scalawag Fondrazon Madame deLadd Journalistic Sl*t Hippie Commie

Websites + social sites formed in response to JFP: 1. jacksonfreakpress.net 2. Jackson Jambalaya 3. Downtown Jackson Trash 4. @notdonnaladd on Twitter 5. Jackson False Press (Facebook)

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21

LIFE&STYLE | food&drink

Restaurants Come, Go, Upgrade

by Dustin Cardon

shrimp or jumbo shrimp by the pound; shrimp or crab seafood salad; barbecue, mild or crazy hot wings in multiple sizes; and more. Steamerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information, call 601-665-5374.

chile Relleno, chalupas, chile-cheese fries or tamales for $5.99; an enchilada or taco combo, and huevos rancheros or a burrito bowl for $6.99; and a chimichanga or burrito combo, and chopped steak and a tortilla club wrap for $7.99.

The restaurants have also introduced a quick lunch menu that features soup and salad, soup and tacos al carbon, a mini taco salad with grilled chicken and skirt steak, and a $9 daily special menu, which has Navajo chicken on Monday, brisket on Tuesday, chimichurri skirt steak on Wednesday, green chile chicken casserole on Thursday and fried catfish on Friday.

The new lunch menu is available daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both locations.

Sombra in Flowood also introduced its new Fiesta Hour, which features $1.50 draft beers, $2 domestic beers, $2.50 import and craft beers, $4 house margaritas and $5 house wines. Fiesta Hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday through Monday.

Sombra Upgrades Menu

Sombra Mexican Kitchen (111 Market St., Flowood; 140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland) recently added new lunch and drink specials to their menus.

The new lunch menu at both restaurants includes

For more information, find the businesses on Facebook or visit sombramexicankitchen.com.

See more food news at jfp.ms/food and send business tips to dustin@jacksonfreepress.com.

Imani Khayyam

After Heritage Hospitality Group announced plans to build a 125-room Homewood Suites Hotel on State Street, Green Ghost Tacos in Fondren closed its doors on Sunday, Sept. 10. Heritage plans to demolish the Green Ghost building and several others this month as part of the construction project.

Cesar Torres; his mother, Yolanda Coronado; and his brother, Oswaldo Sanchez, opened the Fondren location in 2016 in the space that once housed Que Sera Sera. A Green Ghost Facebook post says that the owners plan to relocate in Fondren by January 2018.

The Ridgeland Green Ghost Tacos (1290 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland) is still open.

The Feathered Cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jackson location closed on Sept. 16 so Glenn Foods, which includes Roosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Basilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, could focus on business expansion and branding, a Facebook post says. Glenn Foods opened the original location in 2014 and then a second location on the reservoir in April 2017 (1070 Spillway Circle, Brandon).

That location will remain open, and the Facebook post said that Feathered Cow would add some of its menu items to Roosterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Basilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

On Sept. 8, Steamerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shrimp & Crab Market (2530 Robinson Road) opened inside a former KFC location at the Westland Plaza Shopping Center. The restaurantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s menu includes snow crab, king crab, and

Sombra Mexican Kitchen recently added lunch and drink specials to its menu.

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September 20 - 26, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ jfp.ms

MEDITERRANEAN/GREEK

23

THURSDAY 9/21

SATURDAY 9/23

TUESDAY 9/26

Dwight Yoakam performs at Brandon City Hall.

The BankPlus International Gumbo Festival is at Smith Park.

Jesmyn Ward signs copies of “Sing, Unburied, Sing” at Lemuria Books.

BEST BETS Sept.

20 - 27, 2017

“And Then There Were None” is at 7:30 p.m. at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The Agatha Christie murder mystery is about 10 strangers who are summoned to a remote island. Recommended for ages 12 and up. Additional dates: Sept. 21-23, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24, 2 p.m. $35 admission; call 601-948-3533; newstagetheare.com.

Courtesy Mississippi Children’s Museum

WEDNESDAY 9/20

Mississippi Science Fest takes place at the four museums in the LeFleur Museum District simultaneously on Saturday, Sept. 23.

THURSDAY 9/21

Sterling Photography

Museum After Hours: “People of Earth” is at 5:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). This “Third Thursday” installment features block prints from Guy Stricklin and portraits from Chris Harsch.

Also includes a ‘sipp-Sourced menu from chef Nick Wallace, a cash bar, live music, a film screening and more. Free admission; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

(5100 Interstate 55 N.). The R&B singer, songwriter and producer performs. Sammie also performs. $27.50 admission, $47.50 VIP admission; find it on Facebook.

SATURDAY 9/23

Mississippi Science Fest is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive), Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.), Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive) and Mississippi Agriculby Micah Smith ture & Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive). Includes activities, speakers and exhibits on scijacksonfreepress.com ence, technology, engineering Fax: 601-510-9019 and mathematics. $10 (includes Daily updates at admission to all museums); msjfpevents.com sciencefest.org. … Deana Carter performs at 6 p.m. in the Town of Livingston (129 Mannsdale Road, Madison). The Grammy-nominated country singer performs. Gates open at 5 p.m. Includes beer and wine garden. $20 in advance, $30 at the gate, free for ages 10 and under; showclix.com.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

events@

Florida-native R&B artist Sammie performs as part of Tank’s “The Savage Tour” at The Hideaway on Friday, Sept. 22.

FRIDAY 9/22

Fred Haise delivers the Mississippi Science Fest keynote speech at 6 p.m. at the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive). The Biloxinative Apollo 13 astronaut speaks on topics such as leadership, perseverance and the importance of control in communication. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free; sbljxn.live. …

24 Tank: “The Savage Tour” is at 8 p.m. at The Hideaway

SUNDAY 9/24

“An Evening of Irish Music” is at 7 p.m. at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St.). The Celtic Heritage Society presents a concert featuring traditional Irish museum from U.K. trio Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell and Patrick Doocey. Cocktail hour at 6 p.m. $20; celticfestms.org.

MONDAY 9/25

The Trustmark Children’s Hospital Pro-Am Golf Tournament is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Country Club of Jackson (345 St. Andrews Drive), Annandale Golf Club (100 Annandale Drive, Madison) and Reunion Golf & Country Club (150 Greensward Drive, Madison).

Five-person teams pair with professional golfers for the shamble-format tournament, which takes place simultaneously at three courses around the metro area. Proceeds go to Friends of Children’s Hospital. $1,500 five-person team with pro; call 601-936-0034; foch.org.

TUESDAY 9/26

The Racial Reconciliation Celebration is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Features events geared toward racial reconciliation and education on how Mississippians can work together to create a more unified state. $150; email grace@ missionmississippi.org; missionmississippi.org.

WEDNESDAY 9/27

“The Glass Menagerie” is at 7:30 p.m. at the Belhaven University Center for the Arts (835 Riverside Drive) in Barber Auditorium. The Tennessee Williams-penned play is about Tom, who invites a high-school acquaintance over for dinner as a potential suitor for his sister, Laura. Additional dates: Sept. 28-30, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 30, 2 p.m. $10 admission, $5 for seniors and students, free for Belhaven students; find it on Facebook.

Fall Dialogue Circles Sept. 23-24, 9 a.m.-noon, at Mississippi Youth Media Project (125 S. Congress St., Suite 1330). Dialogue Jackson hosts the discussion groups for people from diverse backgrounds to interact and discuss a variety of social issues. Two series available with three sessions in each. Contact for more information. Free; email todd@jacksonfreepress.com; jackson2000.org.

Mississippi Science Fest Sept. 23, 10 a.m.4 p.m., at LeFleur Museum District. The event takes place simultaneously at the four museums in the LeFleur Museum District. Includes activities, speakers and exhibits to teach visitors about science, technology, engineering and math. $10 ticket (includes all museums); mssciencefest.org.

COMMUNITY Leadership: The Law of Creativity Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St.). The American Advertising Federation hosts the luncheon with speaker Nikisha S. Ware, a business coach and vlogger. RSVP. $30 per person, free for AAF members; aafjackson.org.

Events at Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive) • Sandbox Live at Science Fest: AgTech Hackathon Sept. 22-23, 3 p.m. Teams of developers, designers and coders work to tackle issues facing the modern agriculture industry on Sept. 22, and a panel of judges determines a winning team through a pitch competition on Sept. 23. Includes music, food and drink vendors, and more. Free for spectators; sbljxn.live.

• Sandbox Live at Science Fest: Fred Haise Sept. 22, 6 p.m. In Sparkman Auditorium.

The Biloxi-native Apollo 13 astronaut speaks on topics such as leadership, perseverance and the importance of control in communication.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Free; sbljxn.live.

KIDS “Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Surprise” Sept. 26, 6 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The stage show features favorite characters from the beloved children’s TV show “Peppa Pig.” VIP packages include party gifts, a “pink carpet” meet and greet, snacks, after-show and a party concierge. $18.50-$123; call 601-9601537; peppapigliveus.com.

FOOD & DRINK Mississippi Craft Brewers Conference Sept. 21, 4-6 p.m., Sept. 22, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., at Lucky Town Brewing Company (1710 N. Mill St.).

The conference features speakers and panels on topics such as financing, quality control and technology in the craft-beer industry. Includes snack and coffee breaks, and a craft beer and food pairing event with chef Jesse Houston of Fine & Dandy. Reception at Iron Horse Grill on Sept. 21. $25 admission; msbrewersguild.org.

A Night in Little Italy Sept. 23, 6-11 p.m., at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St.). The pop-up dinner features a cocktail hour, a four-course Italian dinner, and music from Victoria Fortenberry and Wade Preston. $29 for show only, $79 for dinner and show; call 601-948-3429; yelp.com.

“Meet & Mingle” Wine Tasting Sept. 24, 4 p.m., at Lemuria Books (4465 Interstate 55 N.). In the Dot Com Building. Cameron Ashmead of Elderton Wines shares the story of his family’s vineyard in Australia and shares five selections. $35; email lesleytmc@comcast.net.

French Wine Tasting Sept. 26, 6 p.m., at Anjou Restaurant (361 Township Ave., Ridgeland). Participants sample four French wines paired with a cheese plate. A wine representative will be on hand to answer questions about the selections. $20; call 901-707-0587; anjourestaurant.net.

SLATE

STAGE & SCREEN “And Then There Were None” Sept. 20-23, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24, 2 p.m., at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The Agatha Christie mystery is about 10 strangers who are summoned to a remote island. $35; newstagetheare.com.

Seussical the Musical Sept. 21-23, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24, 2 p.m., at Black Rose Theatre (103 Black St., Brandon). The musical is based on the works of Dr. Seuss. $15 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and military; blackrosetheatre.org.

the best in sports over the next seven days

by Bryan Flynn, follow at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports

No team in the nation made a bigger statement last week than Mississippi State University, which dominated LSU for a 37-7 victory that put the entire Southeastern Conference on notice.

Thursday, Sept. 21

NFL (7:25-11 p.m., NFLN): Two rebuilding teams face off on Thursday Night Football, as the San Francisco 49ers host the Los Angeles Rams.

Friday, Sept. 22

Soccer (1:30-4 p.m., ESPN3): For those with a free Friday afternoon, tune in for a sold-out match between Swindon Town and the Forest Green Rovers, the underdogs of English Football League Two. Saturday, Sept. 23

College football (6-9:30 p.m., ESPN): No. 17 Mississippi State travels to the No. 11 University of Georgia in a battle that could have major ramifications in the SEC East and West races.

Monday, Sept. 25

NFL (7:30-11 p.m., ESPN): After a tough loss to the Denver Broncos, the Dallas Cowboys get to stay out west this week to face the Arizona Cardinals.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

MLB (6-9:30 p.m., ESPN): With the end of regular-season play fast approaching, tune in for an MLB PostSeason Impact Game that will have implications for the playoffs. Teams still to be announced.

NFL (noon-3:30 p.m., FOX): The New Orleans Saints get back on the road, looking to avoid a 0-3 start against their division rival, the Carolina Panthers.

SPORTS & WELLNESS

CONCERTS & FESTIVALS

Ovarian Cycle Jackson Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m.3 p.m., at The Club at the Township (340 Township Ave., Ridgeland). The outdoor stationary bike event raises money for ovarian cancer. Participants can ride solo or with a team. Survivors ride free. $50; email email newkscares@ newks.com; support.ocrfa.org.

Trustmark Children’s Hospital Pro-Am Golf Tournament Sept. 25, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Country Club of Jackson (345 St. Andrews Drive), Annandale Golf Club (100 Annandale Drive, Madison) and Reunion Golf & Country Club (150 Greensward Drive, Madison). Five-person teams pair with professional golfers for the shamble-format tournament. Proceeds go to Friends of Children’s Hospital. $1,500 five-person team with pro; call 601-936-0034; foch.org.

BankPlus International Gumbo Festival Sept.

23, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., at Smith Park (302 Amite St.). Includes a gumbo cook-off, music from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Amanda Shaw, Southern Avenue and Bill & Temperance, and more. $10 advance, $15 at gate; jacksongumbo.com.

Deana Carter Sept. 23, 6 p.m., at Town of Livingston (129 Mannsdale Road, Madison). The Grammy Award-winning country singer performs. $20 in advance, $30 at the gate, free for ages 10 and under; find it on Facebook.

An Evening of Irish Music Sept. 24, 7 p.m., at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St.). The Celtic Heritage Society presents a concert featuring music from U.K. trio Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell and Patrick Doocey. $20; celticfestms.org.

LITERARY & SIGnINGS Events at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202) • Epic Reads! Sept. 20, 5 p.m. Features authors Kendare Blake, Katharine McGee and Jessie Ann Foley. Free admission; lemuriabooks.com.

• “We Believed We Were Immortal” Sept. 21, 5 p.m. Kathleen Wickham signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $29.95 book; call 601-3667619; lemuriabooks.com.

• “Goodnight, I Love You” Sept. 25, 5 p.m.

Jene Ray Barranco signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $22 book; lemuriabooks.com.

• “Sing, Unburied, Sing” Sept. 26, 5 p.m.

Jesmyn Ward signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $26 book; lemuriabooks.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 27

College basketball (7-8 p.m., ESPN2): “SEC Storied: The Rebel” looks at former UM basketball great Johnny Neumann, who was one of the top scorers in franchise history.

Mississippi State University gets a chance to make a second statement this week against the University of Georgia.

A win in this game could vault the Bulldogs into the top 10.

Sunday, Sept. 24

performing music from James Taylor and Carole King. $18-$52; msorchestra.com.

Symphony at Sunset Sept. 21, 7-9 p.m., at The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road). The annual outdoor Mississippi Symphony Orchestra concert honors former Gov. William Winter and Elise Winter. Free; fondren.org.

City Hall Live: Dwight Yoakam Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m., at Brandon City Hall (1000 Municipal Drive, Brandon). The Grammy Award-winning country artist performs. The Steel Woods also perform. $45-$175; ardenland.net.

Events at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.) • The Avett Brothers Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m. The folk rock band performs. Langhorne Slim also performs. $25-$85.50; ardenland.net.

• You’ve Got a Friend Sept. 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra concert features Kirsti Manna and Jonathan Birchfield

EXHIBIT OPENINGS Museum After Hours: People of Earth Sept. 21, 5:30 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Features an exhibit artwork from Guy Stricklin and Chris Harsch. Also includes a ‘sipp-Sourced pop-up food menu, music, a film screening and more. Free; msmuseumart.org.

WellsFest Art Night Sept. 26, 5:30-9:30 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The fundraiser features an art auction, music, food and more.

Preview party at 5:30 p.m., and live auction at 7 p.m. Free admission; find it on Facebook.

BE THE CHANGE Mississippi Science Fest: Discovery Night Sept.

23, 6-9 p.m., at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.). The family-friendly fundraiser features a silent auction, buffet, adult beverages, adult game-day lounge and more. $25 per adult, $10 per child; mschildrensmuseum.org.

Racial Reconciliation Celebration Sept. 26, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Features events geared toward racial reconciliation and education on how Mississippians can work together to create a more unified state. $150; missionmississippi.org.

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.

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

JFP-SPONSORED

25

DIVERSIONS | music

The Avett Brothers: Learning from ‘Sadness’

by Micah Smith

COMING UP

_________________________

WEDNESDAY 9/20

TWISTED GRASS Dining Room - Free

Book Signing + Launch Party Jene Ray Barronco’s

Good Night, I love You Saxophonist Patrick Lamb, These Days, Andy Hardwick & more!

6-9:30PM - $15 _________________________

THURSDAY 9/21

STONEWALLS

Dining Room - Free _________________________

FRIDAY 9/22

BARRY LEACH Dining Room - Free _________________________

SATURDAY 9/23

ANDY TANAS

Dining Room - Free _________________________

MONDAY 9/25

CENTRAL MS BLUES SOCIETY PRESENTS:

BLUE MONDAY Dining Room - 7 - 10pm

$3 Members $5 Non-Members _________________________

TUESDAY 9/26

DINNER, DRINKS & JAZZ W/ RAPHAEL SEMMES Dining Room - 6-9pm - Free

MS Humanities Council:

IDEAS ON TAP

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

Red Room - Free _________________________ UPCOMING: _________________________

26

9/27 New Bourbon Street Jazz Band 9/28 D’Lo Trio 9/28 HRC Mississippi Equality DRAG BINGO NIGHT 9/28 Will & Grace Premier Watch Party 9/29 ZZQ’s | ART SOUP 9/30 Seth Powers the Part Timer _________________________ OFFICIAL

HOUSE VODKA

Visit HalandMals.com for a full menu and event schedule

601.948.0888 200 S. Commerce St. Downtown Jackson, MS

After a year since the release of “True Sadness,” how do you feel that record has affected the band?

Well, let’s see. I think, overall, the journey kind of continues. That record, just like each one before it, sort of stair-stepping down, it felt like a development, a step forward, which feels good, you know? You’re right. Over a year, that feels like a reasonable time to take inventory on what it actually means, and some of the experimentation on it has definitely opened some doors since then on the considerations.

I don’t know that it’s opened the door for us to make a record that sounds like Nine Inch Nails, though that would be awesome, or some other super-hard left turn, but it definitely has sort of broadened the horizon aesthetically as far as what might be possible and what might be the thing to find the greatest path for a song.

Do you feel like the songs lent themselves to that experimentation, or was it something you set out to do?

Yeah, I think it was something we set out to do, but it’s a weird thing. Scott and I, the natural ebb and flow, the natural sort of journey that we’re on, almost without fail, when we start meeting up with Rick (Rubin, who has produced the past four

Avett Brothers albums,) and start calling, having conversations, emailing and what not, it’s always that he’s been thinking about something similar. Just his capacity for accommodating and for opening some doors and making some things possible, it’s unreasonably good.

But at some of his urging and some

Hotel’s “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea,” (for instance)—that’s just for you and the record. It’s not for the greater community, and it’s not for the celebratory masses or the fad masses or whatever. It’s just for you.

Then, if you come to one of our shows, there is no loneliness. [Laughs] I can’t believe I’ve never said this before, Crackerfarm

Barranco Books & Blues

F

ans of The Avett Brothers might not have expected to find the band in such high spirits based on the title of their ninth album, “True Sadness.”

While the record itself isn’t short on somber moments, it represented a broader step in the North Carolina folk-rock band’s sound, one that Seth Avett says has him excited for what comes next.

Siblings and lead vocalists Seth and Scott Avett formed The Avett Brothers in the early 2000s, later bringing in bassist Bob Crawford and cellist Joe Kwon as core members. In more recent years, they added regular touring members, including drummer Mike Marsh, violin player Tania Elizabeth, and pianist and bassist Paul Defiglia, who left in August of this year.

With its release on June 24, 2016, “True Sadness” scored two 2017 Grammy Award nominations and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 despite being the band’s most experimental record to date.

The Jackson Free Press recently caught up with Seth over the phone to look past the numbers and discuss what “True Sadness” really meant for The Avett Brothers.

The Avett Brothers, a Grammy Award-nominated folk-rock and Americana band from North Carolina, perform Thursday, Sept. 21, at Thalia Mara Hall.

of his responding to what we were saying, from the top, we did set out for some of that exploratory experience.

Rick, he’s a good guy to have on your side because of his experience with variety and his experience with music that’s been made with non-acoustic instruments, in terms of hip-hop and what not. He’s got some great tools as far as working with engineers who really know how to find the sound you’re looking for.

I feel like you could have taken any of our records, all the way back to “Country Was,” (the band’s 2002 debut album), and approached the recording process in a similar fashion. It’s just, at that time, our heads weren’t ready.

Despite it being more exploratory, a lot of fans and critics latched onto “True Sadness.” What’s it like to see people respond to it that way?

It’s kind of hard to say because, and you and I probably have the same thing happen, in that your relationship to a record is a super personal, one-on-one thing.

If you lay in your bedroom, put headphones on and listen to whatever—Neutral Milk

but it’s just dawning on me. For you to be lonely at one of our shows, you’ve got to have some super heavy stuff happening in your life—and most of us do have heavy stuff happening in our lives, but still, at our shows, a bigger thing happens and a very connecting thing happens.

I don’t know. It’s a weird thing, and I can’t say for sure, but it seems possible that if we put a record out that sounded like Nine Inch Nails or Portishead, or something completely made up of synth and drum machines, when you came to a show, it would still be just a big party with banjos, guitars, rock-and-roll, and everything.

I kind of look at (records and shows) as two different entities. They do intersect sometimes, but the record is more a thing to connect with when we’re not together, but when we are together, it seems like there’s no alienation.

The Avett Brothers perform at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). Langhorne Slim also performs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $85.50. For more information, visit theavettbrothers.com.

Music listings are due noon Monday to be included in print and online listings: music@jacksonfreepress.com.

Alumni House - Jonathan Alexander 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Johnny Barranco 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Hal & Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Twisted Grass 6-9 p.m. free; Patrick Lamb, These Days, Andy Hardwick & more 6 p.m. $15 Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Gator Trio 6:30 p.m.

Old Capitol Inn, Rooftop - Shaun Patterson 6 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Richard Lee Davis 6 p.m.

Shuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Lovin Ledbetter 7:30 p.m. free Table 100 - Andy Henderson 6 p.m.

SEPT. 21 - THURSDAY Bonny Blairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Phil & Trace 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Capitol Grill - Jesse Robinson & Friends 7:30-10:30 p.m.

The Cedars - Symphony at Sunset 7-9 p.m. free Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

City Hall, Brandon - Dwight Yoakam w/ The Steel Woods 7:30 p.m. $45-$175 Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Johnny Barranco 5:30-8:30 p.m.

F. Jones Corner - Raul Valinti & the F. Jones Challenge Band 10 p.m. $5 Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Spirits of the House 10 p.m.

Georgia Blue, Flowood - Aaron Coker Georgia Blue, Madison - John Causey Hal & Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Stonewalls 6 p.m.

Iron Horse - Liona Gabel 6 p.m.

Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - GreenďŹ sh 6:30 p.m.

Kemistry - DJ Airbrush 9 p.m.

Old Capitol Inn, Rooftop - Jonathan Alexander 6 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Josh Journeay 6 p.m.

Shuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Acoustic Crossroads 7:30 p.m. free Table 100 - Andrew Pates 6 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - The Avett Brothers w/ Langhorne Slim 7:30 p.m. $42.50-$85.50 Underground 119 - Jonte Mayon 7-10:30 p.m.

SEPT. 22 - FRIDAY Bonny Blairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Sid Thompson & DoubleShotz 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Joseph LaSalla 6-9 p.m.

F. Jones Corner - Smokestack Lightninâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; midnight $10 Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Phil & Trace 10 p.m.

Georgia Blue, Flowood - Shaun Patterson Georgia Blue, Madison - Chad Wesley Hal & Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Barry Leach 6 p.m.

The Hideaway - Tank w/ Sammie 8 p.m. $27.50-$47.50

Iron Horse - Bernard Jenkins 9 p.m.

Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Acoustic Crossroads 7-10:30 p.m. free Kemistry - DJ T-Money 9 p.m.

Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Tesheva 10 p.m.

MS Museum of Art - Cody Cox 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Offbeat - Double Take w/ Jared Andrews 8 p.m. $5 Old Capitol Inn, Rooftop - Dan Confait 6 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Stace & Cassie 6 p.m.

Popâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Saloon - Just Cauz 9 p.m.

Shuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Larry Brewer & Doug Hurd 5:30 p.m.; Ian Faith 8 p.m. $5; Noize Below 10 p.m.

Soulshine, Ridgeland - Casey Phillips 7-10 p.m.

Table 100 - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Underground 119 - Chris Gill 8:30 p.m.

SEPT. 23 - SATURDAY Bonny Blairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Chasinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Dixie 7:3011:30 p.m. free Char - Bill Clark 6 p.m.

Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Barry Leach 6-9 p.m.

Jonathan BirchďŹ eld 7:30 p.m. $18-$52 Town of Livingston - Deana Carter w/ Southern Halo & Arabella 6 p.m. $20 advance $30 gate Underground 119 - John Nemeth 9 p.m.

SEPT. 24 - SUNDAY 1908 Provisions - Knight Bruce 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Char - Big Easy Three 11 a.m.; Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Fairview Inn - Kevin Crawford, Colin Farrell & Patrick Doocey 7 p.m. $20 The Hideaway - Sunday Jam 4-8 p.m. free Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Jay & the Roundup Band 6-9 p.m. free Pelican Cove - Andrew Pates noon; Larry Brewer 5 p.m.

Shuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Acoustic Crossroads 3:30 p.m. free Table 100 - Raphael Semmes Trio 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dan Michael Colbert 6-9 p.m.

Wellingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Andy Hardwick 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

SEPT. 25 - MONDAY Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Hal & Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Central MS Blues Society (rest) 7 p.m. $5 Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Barry Leach 6:30-9:30 p.m. free Pelican Cove - Robert King 6 p.m.

Table 100 - Andrew Pates 6 p.m.

Deana Carter

F. Jones Corner - Big Money Mel & Small Change Wayne 10 p.m. $1; Mark Massey midnight $10 Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Jason Daniels 10 p.m.

Georgia Blue, Flowood - Skip & Mike Georgia Blue, Madison - Larry Brewer Hal & Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Andy Tanas 7 p.m.

The Hideaway - Jason Miller Band 9 p.m.

Iron Horse - Bridget Kelly 9 p.m.

Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Fade2Blue 7 p.m. free Kemistry - DJ Trigga MOTS 9 p.m.

Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Zoogma 10 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Ronnie McGee Trio 2 p.m.; Georgetown 6 p.m.

Shuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Andrew Pates 3:30 p.m.; Ian Faith 8 p.m. $5; Ron Etheridge 10 p.m.

Smith Park - International Gumbo Fest feat. Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Amanda Shaw, Southern Avenue w/ Bill & Temperance 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $10 advance $15 gate Table 100 - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - MS Symphony Orchestra w/ Kirsti Manna &

SEPT. 26 - TUESDAY Bonny Blairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Don Grant 7:30-11:30 p.m. free Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Hunter Gibson 6-9 p.m.

Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Open Mic 9 p.m.

Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Andrew Pates 6:30-9:30 p.m. free Pelican Cove - Jonathan Alexander 6 p.m.

Table 100 - Chalmers Davis 6 p.m.

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SEPT. 27 - WEDNESDAY Alumni House - Pearl Jamz 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Johnny Barranco 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Fitzgeraldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Johnny Crocker 7:30-11 p.m.

Hal & Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - New Bourbon Street Jazz Band 8 p.m. free Kathrynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Larry Brewer & Doug Hurd 6:30-9:30 p.m. free Old Capitol Inn, Rooftop - Lee Herrington 6 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Acoustic Crossroads Duo 6 p.m.

Shuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - Silverado Band 7:30 p.m. free Table 100 - Andy Henderson 6 p.m.

9/21 - Chris Robinson Brotherhood - The Lyric, Oxford 9/26 - Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - River Center Theatre, Baton Rouge 9/27 - Band of Horses - Varsity Theatre, Baton Rouge

Call or email to learn more: 601-362-6121 ex18 meghan@jacksonfreepress.com

September 20 - 26, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ jfp.ms

SEPT. 20 - WEDNESDAY

COURTESY DEANA CARTER

MUSIC | live

27

Last Week’s Answers 48 Silly fool 49 Beijing skyline feature 53 1991 Wimbledon winner Michael 54 The days of Caesar, colloquially 57 “Eggs ___ style” 58 Toning targets 59 Menace in many a classic B movie 62 “Sister, Sister” sister 63 “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down ___” 64 “The Chew” regular Mario 65 D.A., for one 66 APO mail recipients 67 Malmo’s home

BY MATT JONES

37 1945 meeting place for Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt 38 Article accompanier, often 39 It only requires one to ride 42 “Do ___ Diddy Diddy” (1964 #1 hit) 43 Cloud layers 44 Cheesy 45 Points toward 47 One small sip 49 “Ten Summoner’s Tales” singer 50 Dolphins’ habitat?

51 Exeunt ___ (Shakespearean stage

direction) 52 Figure out 55 Many a charitable gp.

56 Some members of the fam 60 “Aw, hell ___!”

61 Altoids container ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)

For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800 655-6548. Reference puzzle #842.

Down

“Going Against” —it’s the big con.

Across

1 “Just Putting It Out There” comedian Nancherla 7 Org. associated with the John Tesh song “Roundball Rock” 10 Diamond headgear 13 Mandrill relative 14 Cartman’s first name 16 Record collector’s platters 17 The economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, to economists 19 Ecol. watchdog (we can hope) 20 Bering or Messina, for short

21 Greedy person’s mantra 23 “Glengarry Glen Ross” dramatist 25 “Hold ___ your hat!”

26 City in Utah County, Utah 27 Escapes artfully 29 Bottomless pit 30 “Tic ___ Dough” (TV game show) 31 Reason to write your name on your food, maybe 36 Uptempo song by The Cure 40 Spray can contents 41 Opp. of SSE 43 Bathroom unit 46 And others, in citations

1 D.A.’s group 2 Do some House work?

3 Over the top 4 Had a big laugh 5 Parisian negative 6 Against (which appears amidst the five long Across answers) 7 “The Walking Dead” villain 8 Spiner who played Data 9 ___-surface missile 10 Author Beverly who created Ramona and Beezus 11 Food you’re asked how you like?

12 Source of the line “The meek shall inherit the earth” 15 CBS procedural that ran for 15 seasons 18 “Letters from ___ Jima” (2006 film) 22 Maguire who played Spidey 23 Held a session 24 Old Toyota compact model 28 Ride an updraft 29 Alamogordo experiments, for short 32 “Bed-in for Peace” activist 33 Geog. high points 34 “Ay, dios ___!”

35 Empowered

BY MATT JONES Last Week’s Answers

“Kaidoku”

Each of the 26 letters of the alphabet is represented in this grid by a number between 1 and 26. Using letter frequency, word-pattern recognition, and the numbers as your guides, fill in the grid with well-known English words (HINT: since a Q is always followed by a U, try hunting down the Q first). Only lowercase, unhyphenated words are allowed in kaidoku, so you won’t see anything like STOCKHOLM or LONG-LOST in here (but you might see AFGHAN, since it has an uncapitalized meaning, too). Now stop wasting my precious time and SOLVE! psychosudoku@gmail.com

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September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

What do you like about St. Alexis?

28

Don’t miss the hottest date night in town:

Latin Saturdays at Eslava’s!

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5pm to 2am every Saturday

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650 E.South Street • Jackson • 601.454.5716 Sunday Service: 10:00am

St. Alexis

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BULLE TIN BOARD: Classifieds As low as $25!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

The poet E.E. Cummings said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be nobody-but-yourselfâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody elseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.â&#x20AC;? On the other hand, naturalist and writer Henry David Thoreau declared that â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are constantly invited to be who we are,â&#x20AC;? to become â&#x20AC;&#x153;something worthy and noble.â&#x20AC;? So which of these two views is correct? Is fate aligned against us, working hard to prevent us from knowing and showing our authentic self? Or is fate forever conspiring in our behalf, seducing us to master our fullest expression? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a final, definitive answer, but I can tell you this, Libra: In the coming months, Thoreauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view will be your predominant truth.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you do your best, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re depending to a large extent on your unconscious, because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re waiting for the thing you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of.â&#x20AC;? So said Scorpio director Mike Nichols in describing his process of making films. Now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m conveying this idea to you just in time for the beginning of a phase I call â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eruptions from Your Unconscious.â&#x20AC;? In the coming weeks, you will be ripe to receive and make good use of messages from the depths of your psyche. At any other time, these simmering bits of brilliance might remain below the threshold of your awareness, but for the foreseeable future theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be bursting through and making themselves available to be plucked.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Author Barbara Ehrenreich has done extensive research on the annals of partying. She says modern historians are astounded by the prodigious amount of time that medieval Europeans spent having fun together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People feasted, drank, and danced for days on end,â&#x20AC;? she writes.

Seventeenth-century Spaniards celebrated festivals five months of each year. In 16th-century France, peasants devoted an average of one day out of every four to â&#x20AC;&#x153;carnival revelry.â&#x20AC;? In accordance with current astrological omens, you Sagittarians are authorized to match those levels of conviviality in the coming weeks.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Kittens made French Emperor Napoleon III lose his composure. He shook and screamed around them. Butterflies scare actress Nicole Kidman. My friend Allie is frightened by photos of Donald Trump. As for me, I have an unnatural fear of watching reality TV. What about you, Capricorn? Are you susceptible to any odd anxieties or nervous fantasies that provoke agitation? If so, the coming weeks will be a perfect time to overcome them. Why? Because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be host to an unprecedented slow-motion outbreak of courage that you can use to free yourself from long-standing worries.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The brain is wider than the sky,â&#x20AC;? wrote Emily Dickinson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The brain is deeper than the sea.â&#x20AC;? I hope you cultivate a vivid awareness of those truths in the coming days, Aquarius. In order to accomplish the improbable tasks you have ahead of you, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to unleash your imagination, allowing it to bloom to its full power so it can encompass vast expanses and delve down into hidden abysses. Try this visualization exercise: Picture yourself bigger than the planet Earth, holding it tenderly in your hands.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

I got an email from a fan of Piscean singer Rihanna. He complained that my horoscopes rarely mention celebrities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People love astrological predictions about big stars,â&#x20AC;? he wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your problem? Are you too â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;culturedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to give us what we the people really want? Get off your high horse and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; yourself to writing about our heroes. You could start with the lovely, talented and very rich Rihanna.â&#x20AC;?

I told Rihannaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fan that my advice for mega-stars is sometimes different from what it is for average folks. For Piscean mega-stars like Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Ellen Page and Bryan Cranston, for example, the coming weeks will be a time to lay low, chill out and recharge. But non-famous Pisceans will have prime opportunities to boost their reputation, expand their reach and wield a stronger-than-usual influence in the domains they frequent.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

Psychologists say most people need a scapegoatâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a personification of wickedness and ignorance onto which

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

If the weather turns bad or your allies get sad or the news of the world grows even crazier, you will thrive. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not exaggerating or flattering you. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly when events threaten to demoralize you that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have maximum power to redouble your fortitude and effectiveness. Developments that other people regard as daunting will trigger breakthroughs for you. Your alliesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confusion will mobilize you to manifest your unique visions of what it takes to live a good life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If at first you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried,â&#x20AC;? declared comedian Steven Wright. My Great Uncle Ned had a different perspective. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If at first you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t succeed,â&#x20AC;? he told me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;redefine the meaning of success.â&#x20AC;? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a fan of Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice, but Nedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s counsel has served me well. I recommend you try it out, Gemini. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another bit of folk wisdom that might be helpful. Psychotherapist Dick Olney said that what a good therapist does is help her clients wake up from the delusion that they are the image they have of themselves.

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Post an ad, call 601-362-6121, ext. 11 or fax to 601-510-9019.

Deadline: Mondays at Noon.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):

What is home? The poet Elizabeth Corn pondered that question. She then told her lover that home was â&#x20AC;&#x153;the stars on the tip of your tongue, the flowers sprouting from your mouth, the roots entwined in the gaps between your fingers, the ocean echoing inside of your ribcage.â&#x20AC;? I offer this as inspiration, Cancerian, since now is a perfect time to dream up your own poetic testimonial about home. What experiences make you love yourself best? What situations bring out your most natural exuberance? What influences feel like gifts and blessings? Those are all clues to the beloved riddle â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is home?â&#x20AC;?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re most likely to thrive if you weave together a variety of styles and methods. The coming weeks will be a highly miscellaneous time, and you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to get stuck in any single persona or approach. As an example of how to proceed, I invite you to borrow from both the thoughtful wisdom of the ancient Greek poet Homer and the silly wisdom of the cartoon character Homer Simpson. First, the poet: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we learn, we must daily unlearn something which it has cost us no small labor and anxiety to acquire.â&#x20AC;? Now hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Homer Simpson: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every time I learn something new, it pushes out something old.â&#x20AC;?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

Filmmakers often have test audiences evaluate their products before releasing it to the masses. If a lot of viewers express a particular critique, the filmmaker may make changes, even cutting out certain scenes or altering the ending. You might want to try a similar tack in the coming weeks, Virgo.

Solicit feedback on the new projects and trends youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working onâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;not just from anyone, of course, but rather from smart people who respect you. And be sure theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not inclined to tell you only what you want to hear. Get yourself in the mood to treasure honesty and objectivity.

Homework: Imagine what your life would be like if you licked your worst fear.

Describe this new world to me. Truthrooster@gmail.com

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September 20 - 26, 2017 â&#x20AC;˘ jfp.ms

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

they can project the unacknowledged darkness in their own hearts. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the bad news. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the good news: The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to neutralize that reflex and at least partially divest yourself of the need for scapegoats. How? The first thing to do is identify your own darkness with courageous clarity. Get to know it better.

Converse with it. Negotiate with it. The more conscientiously you deal with that shadowy stuff within you, the less likely youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be to demonize other people.

SERVICES

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Mississippi Federal Credit Union 2500 North State Street, Jackson, (601) 351-9200 For over 50 years, Mississippi Federal Credit Union has successfully served its members.

------------------- FOOD/DRINK/GIFTS ------------------Beckham Jewelry

4800 N Hwy 55 #35, Jackson, (601)665-4642 With over 20 years experience Beckham Jewelry, manufactures, repairs and services all types of jewelry. Many repairs can be done the same day! They also offer full-service watch and clock repair.

Nandy’s Candy Maywood Mart, 1220 E Northside Dr #380, Jackson, (601)362-9553 Small batch confections do more than satisfy a sweet tooth, they foster fond traditions and strong relationships. Plus, enjoy sno-balls, gifts for any occasion and more!

McDade’s Wine Maywood Mart, 1220 E Northside Dr #320, Jackson, (601)366-5676 McDade’s Wine and Spirits offers Northeast Jackson’s largest showroom of fine wine and spirits. Visit to learn about the latest offerings and get professional tips from the friendly staff!

-------------------- ENTERTAINMENT -----------------------

The Headache Center

Ardenland

2906 North State St. Suite 207, Jackson, (601) 292-7121 Jackson’s premiere music promoter with concerts around the Metro

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

including at Duling Hall in Fondren. www.ardenland.net

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Mississippi Museum of Art 380 South Lamar St. Jackson, (601) 960-1515 MMA strives to be a fountainhead attracting people from all walks

CAET Wine Bar contact us: todd@jacksonfreepress.com (publisher) meghan@jacksonfreepress.com (digital marketing specialist) www.jfpsites.com

to discuss the issues and glories of the past and present, while continuing to inspire progress in the future.

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Dr, Jackson, (601) 576-6000 Stop by the museum and enjoy their 300-acre natural landscape, an open-air amphitheater, along with 2.5 miles of nature trails. Inside, meet over 200 living species in the 100,000 gallon aquarium network.

DENTAL Insurance Physicians Mutual Insurance Company

A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve If you’re over 50, you can get coverage for about $1 a day* Keep your own dentist! NO networks to worry about No wait for preventive care and no deductibles – you could get a checkup tomorrow

Coverage for over 350 procedures – including cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns…even dentures NO annual or lifetime cap on the cash benefits you can receive

OYSTERS

THURSDAY

9/21

ON THE HALF SHELL 5-9 P.M.

FRIDAY

9/22

TESHEVA 10 P.M.

SATURDAY

9/23

ZOOGMA 10 P.M.

MONDAY

FREE Information Kit

$5 APPETIZERS

www.dental50plus.com/jack

-Pool Is Cool-

We’re still #1!

Best Place to Play Pool INDUSTRY HAPPY HOUR Daily 11pm -2am

DAILY 12pm BEER- 7pm SPECIALS

POOL LEAGUE Mon - Fri Night

For more information on advertising call 601-362-6121 x17

okay, they’re only a three piece, but they make some big damn noise

Saturday, September 30

DRINK SPECIALS "52'%23 s 7).'3 s &5,, "!2 GATED PARKING BIG SCREEN TV’S LEAGUE AND TEAM PLAY B EGINNERS TO A DVANCED I NSTRUCTORS A VAILABLE

444 Bounds St. Jackson MS

601-718-7665

TUESDAY

9/26

SHRIMP BOIL

KARAOKE

UPCOMING SHOWS 9/28 - Cordovas 9/29 - The Ron Holloway Band 9/30 - Southern Komfort Brass Band 10/6 - Motel Radio w/Shake It Like A Caveman 10/7 - Space Jesus “Morphed Tour” 10/11 - Keychain w/ Special Guest 10/13 - The Interstellar Boys 10/14 - Roots of a Rebellion 10/15 - the Magic Beans 10/27 - Andrew Duhon Trio 10/28 - Halloween Bash w/ Backup Planet 11/3 - The Nth Power w/ Ghost Note 11/10 - Shooter Jennings WWW.MARTINSLOUNGE.NET

214 S. STATE ST. DOWNTOWN JACKSON

601.354.9712

CHRIS KNIGHT

country rocker bringing the heat to duling

Monday, October 2 RAINBOW KITTEN SURPRISE no rainbows. no kittens. yes good music.

Wednesday, October 4 J RODDY WALSTON & THE BUSINESS make it your business to come rock out at this show!

Thursday, October 5 THE WAILERS bob marley’s legendary reggae band is gonna get jackson moving with decades of hits!

Saturday, October 7 SHELLY FAIRCHILD jackson country rocker returns home for a great night at duling

JX//RX COMPLETE SHOW LISTINGS & TICKETS

dulinghall.com

September 20 - 26, 2017 • jfp.ms

E TH G

O RO M

E RE N

Best of Jackson 2017

Up-to-date, comprehensive and more mobile-friendly than ever!

REV. PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND

(Dine in Only)

*Individual plan.

Product not available in MN, MT, NH, RI, VT, WA. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of thistype. Contact us for complete details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY;call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN) 6096C MB16-NM001Gc

The JFP Events Calendar at jfpevents.com

9/25

OPEN MIC NIGHT

1-800-910-4773

Friday, September 29

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Live Music Every Thurs, Fri & Sat Night!

NOW TAKING TAILGATING ORDERS!

Thurs Sept 21 - Jonté Mayon

Fr i Se pt 2 2 - C h r is G i l l

Sat Sept 23 - John Nemeth www.underground119.com 119 S. President St. Jackson

ndy l a c h s Fre rame a c & applesapples

Maywood Mart t Jackson, MS t nandyscandy.com Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. t 601.362.9553

We make buying and wearing scrubs a great experience!

Come see our great selections today!

505 Springridge Rd. Ste B, Clinton

(6 01 )708-5 2 35

Facebook ScrubHub Clinton Instagram @scrubhubclinton

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2SHQ VHYHQ GD\V D ZHHN 1030-A Hwy 51 • Madison Behind the McDonalds in Madison Station

601.790.7999

1002 Treetops Blvd • Flowood Behind the Applebee’s on Lakeland

601.664.7588

Do You Get the JFP Daily?

- Exclusive Invite to the Best of Jackson Party!

- Headlines - Events and Music - Special Offers - Ticket Giveaways

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Cigar Night at The Country Squire

Live Music & Giveaways September 22, 7pm - Until

Our Lounge is now open until 8pm Mon-Sat www.thecountrysquireonline.com