V16n21 - Best of Jackson 2018

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF THE JFP

VOL. 16 NO. 21

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JACKSONIAN MONIQUE EALEY LINDSAY MCMURTRAY

M

ississippi Children’s Museum Outreach Coordinator Monique Ealey sees the facility as a resource for families and educators around the state, so for her, it’s important that the museum has outreach programming. She says the programs give some children opportunities they may not get otherwise.

Ealey, a Jackson native, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Jackson State University in 2005, and a master’s degree in rehabilitative counseling from JSU in 2007. She also received a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2017.

At the beginning of her time with civil-service organization Americorps in 2000, the program placed her at Stewpot Community Services.

“I just really, really found my passion there working with children that most people either write off as bad, or people just kind of forget about them because of the areas that they live in,” she says.

Prior to the museum hiring her in 2016, she says the position of outreach coordinator did not exist, and MCM was able to hire for that position through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

“It was just very much so aligned with my personal mission to serve children in

CONTENTS

under-served communities, so it was just a really good fit to be able to provide the educational component and travel outside of the walls of the museum or a classroom,” Ealey says.

MCM’s outreach programming includes professional development for teachers, literacy outreach in Jackson and the Mississippi Delta, and more. Some of the programs include “Fit for Fun,” where Ealey does a story time with children and then has a physical activity session; and the seven-week program Planting the Seeds to Read, where children come with their parents to the museum, and receive dinner, and then do literacy sessions.

While the museum does literacy lessons, the parents go into sessions to talk about issues such as how to help children with homework and dealing with children who may have disorders such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder.

Ealey says she likes working with children because she is giving back, and helping shape and mold future leaders.

“I feel like I play a very instrumental role in shaping the people that will one day lead our state,” she says.

On Monday, Jan. 29, Ealey will become Mississippi Children’s Museum’s assistant director of programs.

—Amber Helsel

cover logo and illustration by Justin Ransburg

6 ........................... TALKS 10 .................. EDITORIAL 11 ..................... OPINION 14 ....................... PEOPLE 20 ... COMMUNITY & CULTURE 24 .......... FOOD & DRINK 34 .... NIGHTLIFE & MUSIC 14 .......... URBAN LIVING

6 Inside New Ed Formula Bill

The House passed a new education funding formula by 12 votes last week, with the majority of Democrats voting against it.

7 Suing Siemens?

The Jackson City Council voted to sue Siemens, but the mayor gets the final say.

54 ........................ 8 DAYS 55 ....................... EVENTS 55 ...................... SPORTS 56 ....... MUSIC LISTINGS 58 ..................... PUZZLES 59 ........................ ASTRO 59 .............. CLASSIFIEDS

55 This Week in Sports

Check out this issue’s Slate to know what to watch in the sports arena.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

4 .... PUBLISHER’S NOTE

FILE PHOTO; STEPHEN WILSON; STEPHEN WILSON

JANUARY 24 - 30, 2018 | VOL. 16 NO. 21

3

PUBLISHER’s note

by Todd Stauffer, Publisher

Celebrating Local Urban Warriors for 16 Years Now

I

n the first-ever full issue of the Jackson Free Press in October 2002, we had a Best of Jackson ballot, with plans to reveal the winners the following January— just as we do to this day, 16 Best of Jackson ballots and celebrations in.

The reason we put a ballot in the first issue of the JFP is that we felt that Jackson, at that time, didn’t celebrate itself enough— particularly its food, music, arts, local business and local people. We launched the JFP so that it could help build Jackson pride, tell the stories of its arts and culture communities, give voice to creative professionals, and help a variety of “scenes” get to know each other better.

Fast forward to 2018, and we know that the Best of Jackson reader poll has had a real impact on the community—we see it every day on billboards, in TV ads, hear it on the radio and all over social media, as well on the walls of local businesses.

We’re proud to offer a fully readerpowered poll that represents the best people, places and businesses that metro Jackson has to offer. We’ve refined the process over the years—we now have a nominations ballot, which is a write-in ballot by readers, and a finalists ballot, where the top nominees, called finalists, compete to be the winner in their category for the year.

Thousands of folks in metro Jackson have spoken, and the results are here in this issue for your reference. Please congratulate the finalists and winners, and if you see a business in these pages you haven’t patronized, give them a shot!

“Best of Jackson” (which we’ve trademarked in Mississippi) is so popular that we’ve been paid the ultimate compliment— The Clarion-Ledger has shamelessly tried to copy us in the past few years with their

“Best of 2016” and “Best of 2017” contests after decades of running a newspaper here for decades without honoring the “best” of the capital city until we came along.

Ah … corporate media at its finest.

Some things never change!

Fortunately, many other things have changed. Over the past few years, we’ve seen changes such as the explosion of development in Fondren, improvements in downtown Jackson, and many “urban warriors”

The Best of Jackson reader poll has had a real impact locally. working to make a difference in south and west Jackson. (Our Best of Jackson party this year, in south Jackson, pays homage to the “urban warriors” who provide jobs, entrepreneurship, support, organization and leadership to improve the core of Jackson.)

A number of great examples of progress and sources of pride this year are The Art Lofts on Capitol Street, the improvements to Smith Park, the spark that’s been lit at the Innovation Hub (State Street between Amite and Capitol) and, of course, the opening of the Mississippi History Museum and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museums in downtown Jackson.

We had friends in from Detroit a few

weeks ago, and I was very excited to take them Fine & Dandy in the District at Eastover. That entire development provides me, personally, with a lot of hope for Jackson.

All-new construction right on the interstate, offering visible progress in Jackson. Mixeduse spaces, great restaurants and retail, attractive apartments, a good hotel, high-end offices and a very real sense that—yes—we can have nice things in Jackson.

I applaud Ted Duckworth and the group that put that arduous project together—they really deserve kudos for a job well done over a long period of time, and right here in the capital city.

Looking at this year’s finalists, I’m thrilled to see some new (and familiar) names in the service categories and to see all of the restaurants that make up a remarkable foodie scene that was nowhere near as robust when we started out. While we had some fantastic options in 2002, the Jackson of 2018 offers a foodie paradise with no lack of options for a date night or an evening out with friends.

I’m also proud to note that Best of Jackson continues to be a celebration of local businesses and service providers, and I remind you (particularly in this age of Amazon) that shopping with these local businesses is the best investment you can make in your city or the region. Local business owners build wealth that stays in the community, pays other people, fills tax coffers, and supports other businesses and service providers. Whenever you can, support your local community and locally owned businesses with your dollars!

A lot of people have been working very hard to put this issue together—and the big party that goes with it each year— so I wanted to quickly give a shout-out to

the staff. Lead by Managing Editor Amber Helsel and Art Director Kristin Brenemen, the team of Best of Jackson writers and editors includes Music Editor Micah Smith, Events Editor Rebecca Hester, ad designer Zilpha Young photographer Stephen Wilson and intern ShaCamree Gowdy. (Of course, none of it would happen without Donna Ladd at the helm and the news team—Arielle Dreher, Ko Bragg and Dustin Cardon—keeping the city’s best news coverage flowing throughout!)

As for the party, a special shout-out to JFP co-founder Stephen Barnette and his Davaine Lighting, along with Alpha Tent and Event; DJ Phingaprint; all the restaurants that are participating; the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department for security; Capital City Beverages; La Terre Cellars; Republic National Distribution Company, McDade’s Wine and Spirits and, this year, Ronnie Crudup Jr. and the staff at New Horizon Event Center. We’re thrilled to thank Inga Sjostrom and Rebecca Hester (again) for overseeing a lot of the party prep, along with Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin, and restaurant outreach handled by account managers Meghan Graham and Stephen Wright.

(While I’m calling names, a quick plug for Cassandra Acker, who has started with the JFP as our sales assistant. You may also see her at TeamJXN events, as she’s the executive coordinator for that group as well.)

If you’re a finalist and you haven’t RSVP’ed for the party yet, please get a hold of us ASAP—see the ad on page 60 with contact information. We look forward to seeing you Sunday if you’ve RSVP’ed and seeing you all year as we enjoy the best that Jackson has to offer! Watch bestofjackson. com for winner info in the near future.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

contributors

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Amber Helsel

Micah Smith

Lashanda Phillips

Rebecca Hester

ShaCamree Gowdy

Dustin Cardon

Arielle Dreher

Ko Bragg

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 coordinated this issue.

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 wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

Freelance writer Lashanda Phillips is a graduate of Jackson State University. She is the third oldest of seven children.

She wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

Events Editor Rebecca Hester recently moved to the Jackson area, and loves Alabama football, Boston Celtics basketball, the outdoors, music, dogs and volunteering as much as humanly possible. She wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

Editorial intern ShaCamree Gowdy recently turned “I’m not on the red carpet yet, but I’ve started writing my speech just in case,” into her life’s motto. She wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

Web Editor Dustin Cardon is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He enjoys reading fantasy novels and wants to write them himself one day. He wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

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 proposed education funding formula.

City Reporter Ko Bragg is a Philadelphia, Miss., transplant who recently completed her master’s in journalism. She loves traveling and has been to 25 countries to date. She covered a possible Siemens lawsuit in this issue.

5

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

“We have been as patient, I think, as we can possibly be with this Siemens situation.”

@jxnfreepress

Breaking down the House’s educationfunding option pp 6-8

— Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes during the city council’s discussion of suing the company.

@jacksonfreepress

@jxnfreepress

Thursday, January 18

Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason writes a memo to his employees calling out “dissenters” in his office and saying they need to get on board with his leadership or “get out of my way.”

Friday, January 19

Jackson Director of Public Works Bob Miller announces in a press conference at City Hall that 210 city water mains broke since the beginning of the year, including 54 this week alone.

Saturday, January 20

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators nationwide gather for the Women’s March in support of female empowerment and to denounce Donald Trump’s views on immigration, abortion, LGBT rights and women’s rights on the anniversary of his inauguration.

Sunday, January 21

The Women’s March continues with global demonstrations for equality, justice and an end to sexual harassment, culminating in a Las Vegas rally to launch an effort to register 1 million voters and target swing states in the 2018 U.S. midterm elections.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Monday, January 22

The City of Jackson delivers water to more than 20 JPS schools with no or inadequate water pressure in order to keep JPS students in school after seven missed days due to frozen and broken pipes.

6

Tuesday, January 23

Jess Dickinson, director of Mississippi’s Department of Child Protective Services, tells lawmakers that the agency is about $44 million short of what it needs for the final five months of the budget year.

Get breaking news at jfpdaily.com.

What’s in ‘UPS’ Ed Formula, What’s Not?

by Arielle Dreher

T

he Mississippi House Education Chairman, Rep. Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, repeatedly told House members that the Mississippi Adequate Education Program is too complicated to understand and not reliable for school districts last week.

“I do not want to pretend to understand it,” Bennett said when answering questions about MAEP last week.

The new Republican funding formula proposal, called the Mississippi Uniform Per Student Funding Formula, or the “UPS” formula for short, at full funding and implementation calls for nearly $200 million less than MAEP currently does. MAEP has only been fully funded twice, and in the current fiscal year is underfunded by well over $400 million.

Authors of MAEP argue that the formula is only unreliable because it is not fully funded. Sen. Hob Bryan, D-Amory, points out that MAEP is designed to inform lawmakers how much money “adequate” school districts actually need to operate.

“(MAEP) provides an objective amount of money that the public schools need ... to operate the programs and to educate the students that they are being required to provide (education for),” Bryan said last week. “The fact that the Legislature doesn’t fund it does not change the fact that that’s how much money they need.”

When pressed on the loss in hundreds of millions of dollars for full funding in the

Stephen Wilson

Wednesday, January 17

The Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees votes to begin the search for a new superintendent, starting with issuing a request for proposals to hire a consultant to assist in the search.

Rep. Bryant Clark, D-Pickens, argued that House Speaker Philip Gunn’s new funding formula proposal is not equitable during debate on Jan. 17.

formula, Bennett told reporters that MAEP was “unrealistic,” pointing out that one of the two years when MAEP was funded was only when the federal government covered Mississippi’s Medicaid costs after Katrina, freeing up enough money to fund MAEP fully.

Realistic or not, the UPS formula could become the new reality for Mississippi school districts. Here’s what is in the bill and what was left out.

What’s Inside House Bill 957 Weights: The UPS plan scraps the formula prescribed in MAEP to calculate the base

student cost every four years, using inflation measures. Rep. Bryant Clark, D-Pickens, noted this in debate on Wednesday.

“There’s nothing in this bill that will ensure that this body will come back at any time in the future and make an adjustment to the base student cost,” he said.

Bennett agreed that the base student amount will need to re-evaluated and committed to looking at it.

“I can guarantee you that I will look at it,” Bennett said.

Instead, UPS sets a base amount at $4,800 per student and adds weights for each student based on needs; that includes high-school students, low-income

by JFP Staff This issue really is one of the best of the JFP’s 52 a year, but we wanted to give a small space to lament about some of the worst parts of 2017.

Worst Infrastructure Problem: Jackson Pipes In an unusual plot twist, potholes lost their crown to Jackson’s deeper issue: its water system. The city’s pipes were so ill-prepared for climate change that they literally froze, thawed, burst and repeated that cycle for weeks leading to portapotties and sack lunches at schools and frustrated homeowners everywhere.

Worst Street for Potholes: Mill Street This award could obviously go out to several of our most-loved and most welltraveled streets in Jackson (looking at you State Street). Mill Street wins this year because we are tired of driving through Midtown only to realize that a literal freight train is going faster due to the care required to navigate the potholes.

Worst Piece of Legislation Passed by #msleg: Tie Between “HOPE Act” and Anti-Sanctuary Bill Lawmakers passed several questionable pieces of legislation in 2017, but two stand out for their egregious nature. The “HOPE” Act that obviously has the opposite effect of hope, as it is designed to kick people of the state’s Medicaid and other socialwelfare programs under the guise of rooting out fraud.

Senate Bill 2710 makes it illegal in state law for a city or municipality to declare themselves a “sanctuary city” for immigrants. The legislation is a piece of red meat for Trump-ers statewide and encourages local law enforcement officers to act like ICE agents.

Worst Public Official: District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith The Hinds County district attorney cannot stay out of headlines, and 2017 proved no different. The state’s case against Smith led to a “not guilty” sentence, but now he faces domestic-violence charges in Rankin County, his trial there is set to begin Jan. 29. But as always, he’s attempting to get the case thrown out, so TBD on that one. Meantime, criminal cases are perpetually delayed.

Worst President of the United States If this isn’t obvious, we’ve got nothing to add.

“I think what you’re going to see is a formula that is predictable, which is what superintendents have been asking for, understandable, everyone can understand it, and it will just provide a more dependable and reliable stream of revenue for our schools.”

— House Speaker Philip Gunn on education funding formula proposal

“Just filed to run for Congress. Ready to take my message of common-sense conservatism to the voters of District 3.”

— Sen. Sally Doty, R-Brookhaven, on Twitter, announcing her run for Rep. Gregg Harper’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

City of Jackson Wants to Sue Siemens

by Ko Bragg

Stephen Wilson

and English language learners, special education and students in rural districts. Highschool students get a higher base amount, starting at $6,240. Those additional funds are supposed to be used for college and career programs from AP courses to vocational-tech programs.

The weight for low-income students is currently based on districts that receive free and reduced lunch from the federal government. That number is not an accurate measure of students in poverty, however, because the Food and Drug Administration

contract,” required a large amount of money to be paid to the company before the work was complete.

Past city councils have avoided taking legal action against Siemens to date even as the issue has unearthed contracting controversies. In 2016, under former Mayor Tony Yarber, the council passed an ordinance requiring the disclosure of all parties involved in a contract from the ma-

Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester Jr. said the city council needs mayor’s approval to sue Siemens.

jor contractor. It also requires that the prime contractor pay all contractors within five business days.

But there’s still the unsettled reality of $3,000 water bills going out to customers after bills have accumulated sometimes for months. As last week’s meeting, Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes sought to authorize the City to hire outside legal counsel to bring a lawsuit against Siemens to “recoup the $90 million paid for the water meters” and put that money back into the pipes and water in-

now allows districts with just 40 percent of their students in poverty to count their whole district as free and reduced lunch.

The proposed formula uses Census poverty rates instead, but some Democrats pointed out during debate that data are often underreported and will also not discount all of the students in the school district zone that attend private schools, lowering some districts’ poverty rates, despite their high number of low-income students.

“I have been having conversations with the Census folks and what we’re find-

frastructure. He tried the same action in 2016.

“We have been as patient, I think, as we can possibly be with this Siemens situation,” Stokes said.

The City’s attorneys had an issue with Stokes’ item— all Interim City Attorney James Anderson would say in open session was that his office did not find Stokes’ motion “legally sufficient.” Ward 4 Councilman De’Keither Stamps said he was up for discussing it in an executive session, but also highlighted the inconsistency as the council did not go into an executive session to discuss hiring outside lawyers to negotiate the consent decree, despite him urging them to.

The council finally went into executive session and returned having taken no action. They worked on several amendments of the item until the attorneys gave the Council the legal clearance to vote on it.

Ultimately with a vote of 3-2, the Council voted to pass the item without an amount they hoped to recoup and Stokes’ language about how to use the money. Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay and Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester Jr. were not in the room, and Council President Charles Tillman of Ward 5 and Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote opposed it.

Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said his administration would not take an official position at this moment. He did, however, campaign on the need to sue Siemens.

To get to the point, this vote will not immediately launch the City into a lawsuit against Siemens, unless the mayor wants to act on the Council’s wishes. This vote, however, still shows Lumumba that should he choose to sue Siemens, the council would likely support those efforts.

“What happened last week is really more of a message to the mayor that a majority of city council supports suing Siemens,” Priester said in an interview after the meeting.

“So as (Lumumba) goes forward, it’s in his power as mayor now to use the fact that the City Council is on record wanting to sue Siemens to try to push for a positive resolution.”

Email city reporter Ko Bragg at ko@jacksonfreepress.com.

ing is that a large amount of people are not counted,” Rep. John Hines, D-Greenville, said on the House floor last week. He offered an amendment to keep the low-income weight at the free and reduced lunch number that MAEP currently uses.

The “UPS” formula uses the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimate, which vary widely from district to district.

For example, 2016 SAIPE poverty rates show the Clinton School District at 17.9 percent, while Hinds County School District is at 16.2 percent and Jackson Pub-

lic Schools is at 35 percent.

English-language learners are counted based on a district’s evaluation if a student is entitled to bilingual services under federal law. Gifted students receive a weight in this formula, and these students are singled out in every district in the state. They account for only 7 percent of students, EdBuild’s report shows. Special-education students will receive funds through tiered weights, depending on their needs. For example, a more FORMULA see page 8

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

T

he last Jackson City Council meeting was eventful to say the least—a good trade for sitting on the hard wooden benches in the chambers for nearly five hours. Some items at the Jan. 18 meeting were swift and easy to comprehend like hiring a new lawyer to renegotiate the consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency over the dumping of sewage into the Pearl River.

The council voted to retain Susan Richardson and the Law Firm of Kilpatrick, Townsend and Stockton because of the firm’s track record with negotiating federal consent decrees.

Another lawsuit is also moving forward, leading the council to vote to authorize the Office of the City Attorney to retain experts for litigation in a wrongful-death claim Nanette Mallard brought against the City in March 2017 on behalf of her son, Jamaal Mallard.

After Jamaal was arrested at home and booked on Oct. 11, 2015, he allegedly suffered from injuries that were untreated. About three-and-a-half hours after he was booked, a guard found him dead. The City and others named in the lawsuit deny all charges.

But other agenda items dragged on, like the debate over bringing a lawsuit against Siemens Industry Inc. over its controversial contract to oversee new water meters in Jackson, which grew more convoluted by the second.

The City’s water-meter issues stem back to the 2012 contract with Siemens that came about when the council during Mayor Harvey Johnson’s era gave Siemens the authorization to audit the city’s water system and evaluate the need for a new electronic water-meter system.

By July 22, 2013, Siemens had completed the audit and appeared again before the council for final approval of a $91-million contract to revamp the water system—especially its broken billing that had led to millions of dollars of losses in revenue over many years.

Siemens has continually passed the blame back to the City for the myriad of problems that have resulted from the contract, which, despite being sold as a “performance

7

TALK | state

FORMULA from page 7

student who is deaf receives a 170-percent weight at Tier 3, while a student with a developmental delay receives a 60-percent weight at Tier 1. Students in districts with fewer than four students per square mile receive more funds as a “sparse” district.

Average Daily Membership: The shift

Accountability, Transparency: House Bill 957 directs

Rep. Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, was not amenable to any of the 17 amendments Democrats proposed to the new formula.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

the Mississippi Department of Education to study how much money a school district must provide for education funding. MDE must edit its accounting manual so school districts report data-based on the new weights in the UPS formula.

The department must develop a fiscal transparency system that is public and enables districts to compare funds and use of funds to other peer districts. MDE is also directed to create a financial rating model that rates the financial health of districts.

8

Stephen Wilson

to average daily membership, which counts student enrollment several times a year, is a change that many lawmakers wanted to make to MAEP. School districts advocated for this change in MAEP long before EdBuild came to town because counting enrollment would give a more accurate picture of how many students are in a district, instead of counting attendance on a specific day of each year.

The UPS formula involves the state auditor to ensure that districts are reporting accurate numbers, and if districts report numbers wildly different than the auditor finds, they will be funded based on the auditor’s count, not their own.

diem for travel expenses and meetings. His amendment to remove the language lost.

The UPS bill also creates a special-education committee to evaluate whether the weights set in the new formula are correct.

The State Board of Education must create the committee, which in turn, must prepare a report by December 2018 for the legislative education and appropriations committees. The state superintendent is supposed to create an early-learning continuum study committee to look at expanding pre-kindergarten statewide and possibly funding it through the new formula.

That committee is also required to submit a report before December 2018.

Committees: House Bill 957 creates three committees. The first committee is made entirely of lawmakers to evaluate the state accreditation standards and consider cutting certain regulations for the state’s highest-performing districts and highest academic growth districts.

MDE is required to submit a report to this committee about the accreditation standards, particularly in regards to studentteacher ratios and teacher salaries.

Rep. Clark objected to a part of the bill that allows lawmakers to collect a per

Implementation: The UPS formula is scheduled to phase in over the next seven fiscal years. The State Board of Education and the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board must evaluate the formula before 2021. The legislation includes two years of a “hold harmless” period for school districts that are going to lose funding under the new proposal.

Thirty-five districts will receive fewer funds than they are this year from MAEP when the UPS formula is fully funded in approximated amounts ranging from $8,000 for Philadelphia schools to more than $2 million for Moss Point schools.

Chairman Bennett repeatedly stressed that the bill will not go into effect for two years, giving lawmakers time to address several concerns from the low-income poverty rate measure to the 27 Percent Rule. When challenged on things that could use fixing, he said, “that’s why it’s not going into effect for two years.” He asked the House to pass a “clean” bill, rejecting all 17 of the Democratic amendments.

HB 957 does not address the rest of the state’s 143 school districts that could eventually gain funds in the new proposal, implying that districts slotted to receive more could begin receiving more as early as this July—depending on how much the Legislature chooses to appropriate. School districts that lose students will continue to lose funds, however, as they do currently under MAEP. If and when fully funded, UPS will provide nearly $200 million less to schools than MAEP would fully funded.

What Is Left Out of HB 957: Speaker

Gunn left out two key components of EdBuild’s recommendations, which Democrats argued on the House floor last week make the new proposed formula inequitable. EdBuild recommended that the state eliminate a rule, written into MAEP, that requires districts to only contribute 27 percent of the total cost to fund their schools.

This rule is inequitable because the required minimum amount of millage per school district, 28 mills, produces a drastically different number depending on a school district’s property values.

Property-wealthy school districts get to keep the rest of the 28-mill levy, despite being able to pay way more into their total school funding than other districts. Pascagoula School District benefits the most from this rule, keeping more than $17 million in funds in fiscal-year 2017, data from EdBuild’s recommendations show. The rule hurts property-poor school districts throughout the state while essentially giving a tax break to school districts and communities that can afford to foot more of the bill to fund their schools than they are.

House Minority Whip David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, introduced an amendment to phase out the rule.

“If we don’t do something on the 27 percent rule now, how likely is it that we will come back and ever do anything?” he said. “… Folks this is your chance to do equity right here.”

Chairman Bennett pointed out earlier in debate that at full implementation, UPS will be a $164-million increase for low-income children in the state.

Democrats felt that the bill lacked eq-

Most viral stories at jfp.ms:

1. “Percy King of the Jackson Zoo Killed in Double Homicide” by JFP Staff 2. “Reps. John Lewis, Bennie Thompson to Attend Grand Celebration of Mississippi Civil Rights Museum” by Donna Ladd 3. “Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason to Employees: ‘Get Out of My Way’” by Ko Bragg 4. “Percy King” by Ronni Mott 5. “Rosie L.T.P. Johnson ‘Loved All Things Jackson’”

by Ko Bragg

uity in other ways, however.

“The most important thing about any funding formula in Mississippi is the equity,” Rep. Clark said on the floor. “… The reason that we have MAEP is not because this body was jumping up and down to fund education. It was the threat of a lawsuit and that formula had to have equity.”

Eliminating the rule would generate nearly $120 million in state revenue that could be rolled into a new formula, the EdBuild recommendations show.

The “27 Percent Rule” stayed in HB 957, however, and Gunn committed to looking at the measure during the two-year study period but said he believed eliminating the rule might lead to districts having to raise taxes.

Rep. Jarvis Dortch, D-Jackson, asked how not eliminating the 27 Percent Rule was equitable. “One of the things (EdBuild) pointed out was that a district like Madison County was being subsidized by the state, to the tune of $13 million, that we were providing them with too much money and now with this plan, we’re going to provide them with an additional $1 million in state funding—is that not buying us a federal lawsuit?” Dortch asked.

Bennett said anyone can file a lawsuit but that taking away the “27 Percent Rule” would hurt several districts. “I think it’s (too) drastic of a cut to penalize a community that have worked to build the economy in their town, and now all of a sudden we’re going to penalize them,” he said. “I do think it needs to be looked at ....”

EdBuild also suggests allowing districts to raise their millage cap of 55 mills, which is currently written into state law. The cap, EdBuild noted in their recommendations, “is one important mechanism for ensuring equity in a state formula, because it prevents the tax burden in districts from rising too much in relation to other districts’ tax rates,” it can also mean in years with cuts to education funding from the state, a district could “be left with no choice but to cut important programs or positions.”

The new formula proposal is now in the Senate and has not been referred to a committee for consideration by press time.

Email arielle@jacksonfreepress.com.

Most viral events at jfpevents.com:

1. “Shopkins Live! Shop It Up!” Jan. 24 2. Kombucha 101: Brewing, Flavoring, Bottling,” Jan. 24 3. “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” screening, Jan. 25 4. 2018 Mississippi Blues Marathon, Jan. 27 5. Best of Jackson, Jan. 28 Find more events at jfpevents.com.

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$/9.5/9.Ü*!#+4/.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

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Be an Urban Warrior in and for Jackson

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egardless of how you feel about politics at a national level, we all love seeing Jackson grow and improve. The one thing many people don’t realize is that we can all be urban warriors for our city. Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of learning the ways of the urban fight from Jackson’s finest. Here are a few tips to become the city’s next Wonder Woman, Black Panther or Aquaman.

Listen. The best way to learn about the city is directly from its people.

Jacksonians have some amazing knowledge to share and stories to tell. Have you heard about what Farish Street used to be like? Have you heard the ups and downs of bringing it back to life? In order to gather all of this knowledge, we must listen to those who lived it—our greatest resource. Take time to go to a city council meeting and hear locals speak up in favor or against issues that matter most to them. Attend a rally at the Capitol building.

Show up to 1 Million Cups and hear the latest entrepreneurial pitch. Just by listening, you can begin to find things that interest you in the city.

Explore somewhere new. An urban warrior must know the lay of the land, always taking the opportunity to find a new hot spot, local hidden gem or a space to activate. Jackson is a very large city in terms of land mass—roughly the size of Tampa, Fla., Salt Lake City, Utah, or Fresno, Calif. By driving around the city, I have discovered more about it than any map, website or Facebook newsfeed could ever show me. Explorations in Jackson have taken me to a hidden sandy shore, a Hindu Temple, a beautiful library and even some of my favorite spots to eat. Take a Saturday afternoon and explore that part of Jackson that you’ve never been to before.

Take notes. Every urban warrior is a good note-taker. And I mean literal note-taker. Grab a Moleskine at Lemuria Books or Field Notes at Buffalo Peak Outfitters along with your favorite pen and get to jotting. Feel free to sketch images, doodle, highlight keywords, insert bumper stickers and personalize however you like. These notes will help you keep track of the ideas you have, lessons you learn and people you interact with. Beyond physical note-taking, make sure you analyze everything happening around you in the city. Observe an event and ask yourself: “What did I like or dislike about this event? In what ways was the event successful or unsuccessful? How would I do this differently?”

Through this process, we can continually set the bar higher for ourselves and for our city.

Find something you are passionate about and fight for it. Passion drives an urban warrior’s every move. Networking is easiest when you can connect with people on a cause. Setting aside professional ambition to relate over something that is deeper and aimed at creating a greater good will draw people in to help you fight. Organizations such as Team JXN, 1 Million Cups and Leadership Greater Jackson allow people to learn how to plug into the city and take leadership roles in movements happening all over Jackson.

Share. Word-of-mouth is an important tool for urban warriors. Creating something that is worth talking about generates success. We must share what we are learning and doing with everyone in our lives. Sharing our experiences at museums, restaurants, local stores and with local causes will get others excited about the change that is happening in Jackson. Most importantly, as we share our experiences, we are telling the story of the city’s renaissance ourselves—and that is the most powerful force as we get further into 2018. So, grab your tools. Strap on some boots. Gather your fellow warriors and start charting a new path to make more of the Best of Jackson.

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

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We all love seeing Jackson grow and improve.

Time to Work Across Aisle on Ed Funding

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fter lawmakers went home in April 2017, there were no public meetings, hearings or presentations to offer clues as to whether the Republican supermajority planned to use all, part, some or none of EdBuild’s suggested changes to the state’s education funding formula.

The 2017 legislative session proved a rewrite would not be as simple as adopting Edbuild’s full plan because a bill never appeared. Instead, House Speaker Philip Gunn dropped a bill on a Thursday this session, had it passed out of committee by Tuesday and forced a vote by Wednesday—giving lawmakers who had not seen the legislation less than a week to study and check with their school districts.

New House Education Chairman Richard Bennett, R-Long Beach, rejected all amendments Democrats tried to make to the formula. His defense was that during the two-year “hold harmless” period, they would examine options not now in the legislation. This is not how public policy should work—“pass bills now, revise later” is not good legislative practice. It is sloppy and prone to error.

Gunn should know better. Pushing an education funding formula re-write that will affect not just school districts but outcomes for children for decades deserves plenty of public comment, input and scrutiny. The two-year review period should have started in April 2017—not after a bill was

passed, with the possibility of no amendments in the future. They should have held public hearings on Edbuild over the last year, but no. Some Republicans voted against the measure, likely to keep their seats in 2019, but the bone thrown to party defectors is not enough to appease the thousands of Mississippians who House Bill 957 will affect.

Most of EdBuild’s recommendations—taken as a whole—are sound. How children in poverty are counted based on potentially unreliable Census data needs study, but overall giving districts funding based on the types of students they educate is sound.

Throwing out some of EdBuild’s suggestions and then deferring amendments and potential fixes to a two-year period, which includes an election year, is a likely charade. Lawmakers must take a more responsible approach to funding education—if in fact, they still care about public education.

Most Mississippi kids attend public schools.

This really is a “once-in-a-generation” change, and lawmakers should treat it that way. Both “sides” must work together toward a formula that works for all districts—not try to keep wealthy districts happy. Gunn must lead on this by listening. The next generation deserves a funding formula that has their best interests at heart. Republicans have yet to even attempt to show a good-faith effort to put kids’ needs first in their re-write efforts. Now is the time.

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.

CORRECTION: In Vol. 16, issue 20, the Eight Days page incorrectly listed the location for Family Fun Science Night as the Mississippi Children’s Museum instead of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. The Jackson Free Press apologizes for this error.

Joe Atkins

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Amber Helsel State Reporter Arielle Dreher City Reporter Ko Bragg JFP Daily Editor Dustin Cardon Music Editor Micah Smith Events Editor Rebecca Hester Features and Social Media Intern ShaCamree Gowdy Writers Brynn Corbello, Richard Coupe, Bryan Flynn,William Kelly III, Mike McDonald, Greg Pigott, Julie Skipper, Abigail Walker Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris

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O

XFORD—Rigoberto Salas, his Ross explained it succinctly: The program wife and their five children, all of “dumped so much bad corn in Mexico Batesville, were elated last March that millions … abandoned their homes when a Homeland Security court and headed north.” in Jena, La., agreed to cancel an order that Even Trump recognizes that NAFTA would have deported Salas back to his na- was a bad deal, but he fails to make the tive Mexico. Still, he was held in detention connection to the hard-working migrants pending a federal appeal. who had to leave behind home, extended

Eight months later, the Immigration family and culture to make a livelihood for Board of Appeals reversed the court deci- their loved ones. sion and ordered him to be deported due “There are forces that crush the spirit to his lack of documentation. He has lived of people on the move,” Father Michael in the U.S. since 1992. His children, ages 3 McAndrew wrote in his book “Migrant to 14, grew up here.

Faith.” The Greenwood Despite testimony based Catholic priest has that “two of his daughworked with migrant ters are suffering from workers for decades. depression, his son suf“There is the separation fers from learning disfrom loved ones. There abilities and is in special are feelings of guilt when education classes, and the migrant is unable to his youngest daughter is be present with a parent having nightmares and or relative when they are waking up screaming at ill or dying.” Then there night,” the Board of Apare those torn from their peals decided the chilfamilies and forced to redren “will be cared for turn after building a new and supported” by their life here for years. mother even though she Seven days after the is also undocumented. Father Michael McAndrew birth of his third child The Salas family has apin March 2017, Miguel pealed this decision.

Torres of Batesville found himself in the

The Salas family is one of many in custody of federal immigration officers Mississippi and the U.S. caught in the and soon deported from the land he had madness of the immigration debate and called home for 15 years. Martin Duron of politicians’ failure to pass real and meaning- Greenwood, father of five, was a prospering ful reform to a broken system. As nation- businessman in irrigation-systems manally syndicated columnist Michael Reagan, agement and on the parish council of his son of the former president, wrote recently, church in April 2017 when Immigration these families have become “a bargaining and Customs Enforcement arrested him. chip” in the battles between Republicans, He and his family left for Mexico in June.

Democrats and President Trump.

ICE arrests have increased 40 percent

Trump owes his presidency in part under Trump. Last year judges rejected to his demagoguery of the immigrant is- 60 percent of those seeking asylum in the sue. He has ordered the end to Deferred United States. Often those returning to Action for Childhood Arrivals, the pro- Mexico do so in great danger. Deportees gram that provides some protection to are “prime targets for crime, since they (are) undocumented children. presumed to have money,” writes Sarah

Like Trump, Gov. Phil Bryant occu- Stillman in a recent article on the issue in pies the state’s highest office in part because the New Yorker. of his own anti-immigrant blusterings, “Why do Americans hate Mexicans?” including a highly questioned claim that a young Mexican named Samantha asked migrant workers cost the state $25 million Father McAndrew during a 2007 sabbatia year (where’s the thanks for rebuilding the cal in Mexico. “It was a question filled with Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina?). pain and simply not understanding the an Migrant workers came to the United imosity of so many Americans,” he said. It’s States in droves after the North American a question that shouldn’t have to be asked.

Free Trade Agreement was signed in 1994.

Joe Atkins is a veteran journalist, columCountless numbers farmed small plots or nist and professor of journalism at the Uniheld other jobs that NAFTA destroyed. versity of Mississippi. This column does not The legendary independent journalist John necessarily reflect the views of the JFP. Joe Atkins

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January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

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

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January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Sexiest Male Bartender; Best Server/Waitperson: Jamie Moss (Fenian’s Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com)

STEPHEN WILSON

If you walk into Fenian’s Pub on a crowded night, you might see a blur behind the bar. That’s the Flash.

Just kidding. It’s Jamie Moss, who has been at Fenian’s for a decade now. Moss, who has bartended for a total of 19 years, says that he loves interacting with the customers and has regulars today whose parents he served years ago.

His favorite drinks to make include an old fashioned and an Irish coffee, but he also enjoys creating someone a cocktail based on their favorite ingredients. His ultimate goal is to make everybody that comes to Fenian’s feel good, he says.

It is obvious to anyone who has interacted with Moss that he is good at what he does— one reason that he racked up not only the Sexiest Male Bartender award but also Best Server/ Waitperson in this year’s Best of Jackson.

—Arielle Dreher Sexiest Male Bartender finalists: Andrew Luckett (WonderLust, 3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003) / Cameron Lowery (Saltine Restaurant, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Jeremy Loving (Lou’s Full-Serv, 904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359, lousfullserv.com) / Kevin Tiner (Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 6001, ruthschris.com) Best Server/Waitperson finalists: Amado Felipe (Saltine Restaurant, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Jules Preston (Keifer’s, 710 Poplar Blvd., 601355-6825, keifers.net) / Michelle Corban (Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, 970 Highland Colony Pkwy., Ridgeland, 601-354-6600, biaggis.com) / Ryne Morrow (Ole Tavern on George Street, 416 George St., 601-960-2700, oletavern.com)

We here at the Jackson Free Press like to keep our focus on local: local people, local business, local food— you get the idea. There’s nothing to us more local than Best of Jackson. We’re officially in our 16th award season. Here is who you voted as the best local people, places, food and more.

Best Local Business Owner; Best Urban Warrior: Jeff Good

JUSTIN RANSBURG

(Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group, 3317 N. State St., 601-982-4443)

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Best Local Business Owner finalists Byron Knight (Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601487-6349) / Christopher Lockhart (Capital City Kayaks, 601-953-7615, capitalcitykayaks. com) / Kayla Jones (Spray Tans by Kayla, 504 N. Bierdeman Road, Pearl, 769-972-1138) / Phillip Rollins (Offbeat, 151 Wesley Ave., 601-376-9404, offbeatjxn.com) Best Urban Warrior finalists: Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin / Ron Chane / Sean Cupit / Bridget Archer

Best Dressed: Nikki Gallagher Nikki Gallagher, 2018’s Best Dressed winner, describes her style as eclectic.

“I don’t like to be boxed in,” she says. “Some days, I’m bohemian; some days, I’m more edgy.”

The almost-30-year-old from Jackson says that while she doesn’t have a particular style icon, she tends to draw inspiration from decades, rather than people.

“I’ve always loved the ’60s and ’70s,” she says, “and of course, I’m loving the current ’90s trend because that’s the decade I grew up in.”

However, Gallagher says that her mother also played a big role in inspiring her to develop her own style.

“She really instilled in me a love of fashion,” she says. “And she let me play around and make my own choices.”

Gallagher, who works at Ritz Salon, says her fashion philosophy is the same one she applies to hair styling: “If you’re comfortable in something, you’ll look fabulous.”

—Abigail Walker Finalists: Jimmy Wilson / Lynsie Armstrong / Tiffany Jefferson

STEPHEN WILSON

STEPHEN WILSON

Jeff Good says that he is serious about Jackson. “I am an unapologetic supporter of the city; I show up and show out for (Jackson) whenever I can,” he says.

As a co-owner of Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group and a founding member of Soul City Hospitality, Good has helped launch some of the most popular restaurants in Jackson, including Sal & Mookies New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint and Broad Street Baking Company, while working to make a difference here.

While he loves the city, Good, who has won the Urban Warrior title four times running, says that it is not without its problems.

“We live in a city that is remarkable, but one in great need,” he says. “Each of us must work harder to improve our city so that it can reach its potential.”

—R.H.Coupe

Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Barber: Blake Stevens

Best Teacher: Jessica Pace

(Noble Barber, 1065 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite F, Ridgeland, 601-856-6665, noblebarber.com)

COURTESY JESSICA PACE

STEPHEN WILSON

Blake Stevens, 2018’s Best Barber winner, likes to combine the old and the new when it comes to cutting hair.

“I focus most of my time doing … traditional and modern haircuts (with) old-school barber techniques,” he says.

At Noble Barber, Stevens offers a variety of services, including straight-razor shaves, buzzcuts, styling, and shaping for hair and beards.

Prior to graduating from Hinds Community College with a technical degree in barbering in 2007, Stevens would cut hair on the side while in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. He left the Marines in 2011.

“I was always good at it, and my (paternal) grandparents were barbers, so I guess it was in my blood,” he says.

In September 2017, Stevens began working at Noble Barber, where he says he felt at home because of its “old-school barber feel.” He encourages those who want to enter the field to never stop learning.

—Lashanda Phillips

(Florence Middle School, rcsd.ms)

Voters’ choice for this year’s Best Teacher, Jessica Pace, says she tries to get to know her students on a personal level.

“It’s important to build a strong relationship and a level of trust with them,” she says. “I know I’m their teacher, but I like for them to know I’m here for them no matter what.”

Pace, 29, graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She started teaching at Florence Middle School in 2014 with a specialty in seventh-grade math. In the past, she has taught English, social studies and science.

“Seeing (students) succeed and truly grasp and understand what I’m teaching, so they can teach it to someone else, is really one of the most rewarding parts of it all,” she says.

—ShaCamree Gowdy Finalists: Nicole Gatlin (Pearl Junior High School, pearl.k12.ms.us) / Olivia Coté (Murrah High School, Jackson.k12.ms.us) / Rashida Warren (McWillie Elementary School, jackson. k12.ms.us) / Tarasa Brierly-Harp (Murrah High School, Jackson.k12.ms.us)

The 2018 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in south Jackson.

Invitation only! If you are a finalist or winner and need to RSVP, please call Kimberly @ 601-362-6121 x11 by Friday at 3 p.m.

Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

Finalists: Christian Favorite (Hunterphillips Salon, 151 E. Metro Pkwy., Suite 49, 601-5191399) / Emily Blocker (Fondren Barber Shop, 2943 Old Canton Road, 601-826-0707) / Lanis Noble (Noble Barber, 1065 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite F, Ridgeland, 601-8566665) / Tony Yelverton (Yelverton Barber Salon, 901 Highway 51, Madison, 601-856-0015)

Best New Chef: Chaz Lindsay

(Parlor Market, 115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090, parlormarket.com)

PAUL WOLF/FIND IT IN FONDREN®

COURTESY NICK WALLACE

Finalists: Alex Eaton (The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, 1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562) / Chaz Lindsay (Parlor Market, 115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090) / Dan Blumenthal (BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111) / Derek Emerson (Walker’s Drive-In, 3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633; CAET Wine Bar, 3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169; Local 463 Urban Kitchen, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 5002, Ridgeland, 601-707-7684; Parlor Market, 115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090)

Chaz Lindsay, this year’s Best New Chef winner, has quickly built a name for himself in the Jackson restaurant scene in a relatively short amount of time.

The Jackson native graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., in 2011. He worked at various New York restaurants and then spent six months cooking in Italy before returning home in 2016 to work at Table 100.

Lindsay accepted a position as the executive chef of Parlor Market in fall 2017.

Since joining the team at Parlor Market, he has introduced several new menu items including his pasta Romano, which has crushed tomatoes, pancetta, red-pepper flakes, salt, pepper, cheese and olive oil.

Lindsay, who also owns Belhaven Pasta Company, told the Jackson Free Press in January that one of his big focuses for Parlor Market was creating a fresh pasta menu.

“I’m truly humbled and flattered by all my customers’ support in naming me for this honor,” he says of his nomination. “All I can say is thank you, and come have dinner at Parlor Market.”

—Mike McDonald

Finalists: Hunter Evans (Lou’s Full-Serv, 904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359) / Meredith Pittman (CAET Wine Bar, 3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169) / Stephen Kruger (Barrelhouse, 3009 N. State St., 769-216-3167)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Chef: Nick Wallace (Nick Wallace Culinary) Food should have a story, and if it does not, you should not eat it, Nick Wallace, this year’s winner for Best Chef, says.

The Edwards, Miss., native says he likes to blend French techniques with his Mississippi farm origins, having first learned to cook from his grandmothers, Lennel Donald and Queen Morris.

“If you believe in food, you should be invested in slow cooking,” he says. “You need to put time into your food. It’s about ... getting your apron dirty and getting your kitchen dirty.”

He became the executive chef at the Palette Café at the Mississippi Museum of Art in 2013 and stepped down in late 2017. Last year, he also won Food Network’s “Chopped: Alton’s Challenge” in October and earned a spot on the “Best Chefs America” list.

—R.H.Coupe

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Best Facialist/Esthetician: April Epps

Best Hair Stylist: Hannah Roland

(Adeline Martin Salon & Spa, 637 Highway 51 N., Suite B Ridgeland, 601-707-5218, adelinemartinsalon.com)

Finalists: Chelsea Thaw (Bella Skin Studio, 200 Park Circle Drive, Suite 4, Flowood, 601983-6780) / Emily Miraglia (AQUA the Day Spa, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-9123, aquathedayspa.com) / Kristin Bomar (Cole Facial Clinic & Skin Care, 1030 N. Flowood Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-933-2004, colefacialclinic.com) / Lacey Green Clark (The Wellness Spa, 5419 Highway 25, Suite R, Flowood, 601-479-5392, thewellnessspa.center)

Finalists: Anna Regan Owens (LIV the salon, 160 W. Government St., Brandon, 601-814-8731) / Bethany Allen (Barnette’s Salon, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 201, 601362-9550) / Leondria Brown (Artisan Hair Company, 400 A Cynthia St., Clinton, 844-3212426) / Madeleine Barnette (Barnette’s Salon, 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 8000, Ridgeland, 601-898-4646,) / Tanesha Jefferson (Barnette’s Salon, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 201, 601-362-9550)

Best Fitness Trainer: Paul Lacoste

(Paul Lacoste Sports, 601-398-0950, paullacoste.com)

Best Visual Artist winner Wyatt Waters says that his love affair with painting dates back to his childhood in Florence, Miss.

“We had just moved into a house with rough floors, holes and stains and the like,” he says. “My mother was working on the house and encouraged me to touch it up a bit with spatter painting, and that’s what I did.”

Waters moved on to other mediums such as charcoal and pastel. He began to explore watercolor while working on his bachelor’s degree in art with an emphasis on painting and drawing at Mississippi College. He later got a master’s degree in fine art at the same institution.

He is most known for painting on location in and around Jackson and Mississippi, but has also painted in countries such as Italy and France. While Jacksonians can see his work at his studio in Clinton, they can also often catch his work on items such as mugs, T-shirts, prints and calendars. You can also catch him painting at live events such as WellsFest Art Night each fall.

—Mike McDonald

This year’s winner for Best Fitness Trainer, Paul Lacoste, can push you to reach that New Year’s resolution of losing a few pounds or getting in shape.

Lacoste, a former professional football player, has been helping Mississippians meet their health and fitness goals since he moved his fitness training business to Jackson in 2003. His business has 12-week boot camps in the Madison and Jackson area.

His popular Fit 4 Series offers a variety of eight- to 12-week programs designed to help people who work in specific occupations, with options such as Fit 4 Change for politicians, Fit 4 Preaching, Fit 4 Medicine and Fit 4 Teaching.

—Lashanda Phillips

Finalists: Justin Ransburg (instagram.com/ransburgart) / Melissa Bryant Burns (instagram.com/hallway.house) / Michele Campbell (instagram.com/michele_bryant_ campbell) / William Goodman (williamgoodmanart.com) To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

COURTESY PAUL LACOSTE

(Wyatt Waters Gallery, 307 Jefferson St., Clinton, 601-925-8115, wyattwaters.com)

IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Jackson Visual Artist: Wyatt Waters

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Hannah Roland says that, at first, she did not consider becoming a hair stylist after graduating from the Mississippi Institute of Aesthetics, Nails and Cosmetology in 2012.

Instead, she focused on makeup due to her attraction to the art, but in August 2016, she became a receptionist at Static A Salon in Madison. The job inspired her to begin cutting hair.

“What motivates me is seeing how far I can go and not being scared to take chances,” the 25-year-old says.

Roland says that she is preparing to transfer to LIV the salon in Brandon later this month. She is also a member of the Tracy Branch Agency and also freelances as a makeup artist for weddings when not styling hair.

During her free time, Roland says she enjoys traveling and volunteering at animal shelters, where she walks dogs and works to promotes rescue and pet adoption.

—Lashanda Phillips

STEPHEN WILSON

COURTESY APRIL EPPS

In 2016, freelance makeup artist April Epps decided to also become a licensed esthetician to promote healthy skin.

“Skin, in general, became my passion because if you have good skin, you can have good makeup,” the Jackson native says.

In addition to working at the Adeline Martin Salon and Spa in Ridgeland, where she provides facials and full body waxing, Epps is signed with the Tracy Branch Agency and has operated her own makeup business, A. Renee Makeup Artistry, since 2015.

She says that her clients are the best part of her job.

“I enjoy talking to people,” Epps says. “I enjoy the fact that they entrust me with the biggest organ on their body, which is their skin.”

—Lashanda Phillips

(Static A Salon, 219 Garden Park Drive, Suite 200A, Madison, 601-853-0054)

Finalists: Hollye Henderson (CrossFit JXN, 1434 Old Square Road, 601-861-4244, crossfitjxn.com) / Leslie Johnson (Hinds Community College Raymond Campus, hindscc.edu) / Misti Garner (Get Fit with Misti, Sole Studio, 1576 Old Fannin Road, Flowood, 601-504-3601getfitwithmisti.com) / Sean Cupit (Crossfit 601, 113 W. Railroad St., Ridgeland, 601-941-8904, crossfit601.com)

Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Bartender: Trevor Palmer

Best Massage Therapist: Lacey Green Clark

(Pop’s Saloon, 2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747)

(The Wellness Spa, 5419 Highway 25, Suite R, Flowood, 601-479-5392, thewellnessspa.center)

COURTESY TREVOR PALMER

Lacey Green Clark’s favorite part of being a massage therapist is being able to help every person that she can.

“The Lord kind of led me in this direction, and I feel very honored to be able to work with people and try to help them through touch,” she says.

She received her massage-therapy certification from the Mississippi School of Therapeutic Massage in 2008 and started working as a massage therapist in Carthage, Miss.

She accepted a position at The Wellness Spa in Flowood in 2015. The business offers a variety of services, including prenatal massage, body scrubs, wraps and hot stone massages.

Clark, who is also certified as a medical massage therapist, says that she does not have a favorite type of message therapy because each person is different.

“It keeps me sharp,” she says. “ … I really don’t have one I like the most because each person is different. Each massage is going to be different, so it keeps me challenged.”

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Cameron Lowery (Saltine Restaurant, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Jamie Moss (Fenian’s Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Jenifer Simcox (Fondren Public, 2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589, fondrenpublic.com) / Jeremy Loving (Lou’s Full-Serv, 904B E. Fortification St., 601-4876359, lousfullserv.com)

Finalists: April Mattern (Body Balance LLC, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 245, 662312-1522) / Chasidy Criswell (Gentle Haven Massage, 2160 Main St., Suite B, Madison, 318-436-8361, gentlehavenmassage.com) / Courtney Mansell (Licensed Massage Therapist) / Tiffany Melton (Warehouse Gym & Massage, 4435 Mangum Drive, Suite B, Flowood, 601-317-1788)

Best Nail Technician: Victoria Walker

Best Photographer: Charlotte Stringer

This year’s winner for Best Nail Technician, Victoria Walker, has more than 20 years of experience in nail care.

She graduated from Warson Woods College of Cosmetology in St. Louis, Mo., in 1996 and worked at Nail Gallery in Fondren from 2005 to 2013 when the business closed. She opened her business, Cuticles Nail Studio, in June 2014.

“I love doing nails. I like meeting new people,” she says.

Walker, who says she is passionate about healthy nails, provides a variety of services, including manicures, shellac, dip-powder nails and pedicures. For those interested in the profession, Walker believes the challenges involved are worth the effort.

“I encourage people to do nails because I think it’s very rewarding,” she says.

—Lashanda Phillips

Best Photographer winner Charlotte Stringer says she was dissatisfied with the children’s photography many big-box retailers offered, so when her first son was 1 year old, she decided to try her hand at it.

She began teaching herself photography through reading the camera’s manual, picking up tips and making a lot of errors, she says. After her family and friends told her how much they loved her work, she began offering her services to others. Fifteen years later, she is now the sole operator of Charlotte Stringer Photography.

“My favorite part of my job is capturing the memories and enforcing the ‘buy prints’ rule,” she says. As a newborn and wedding photographer, she says that she believes having physical prints on hand will be invaluable to her clients in the future, compared to electronic copies.

When she’s not making people smile, Stringer enjoys spending time with her family and often takes family vacations to Disney World.

—Lashanda Phillips

(Charlotte Stringer Photography, 601-209-7267, charlottestringerphotography.com)

COURTESY CHARLOTTE STRINGER

STEPHEN WILSON

Finalists: Melody Ellis (Melody Ellis Photography, 769-257-9449, melodyellis photography@yahoo.com) / Ron Blaylock (Blaylock Fine Art Photography, 601-506-6624, blaylockphoto.com) / Sharon Coker (Sharon Coker Photography, 601-906-6630, sharoncoker.com) / Tristan Duplichain (Tristan Duplichain Photography LLC, 601-9463708, tristanduplichain.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

(Cuticles Nail Studio, 2947 Old Canton Road, 601-366-6999)

Finalists: Beth Evans (SMoak Salon, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 206, 601-982-5313, smoaksalon.com) / Kendra Reid (Spoiled Rotten @ Suite 16 Nail Spa, 151 E. Metro Pkwy., Suite 16, 601-750-3654) / Keri Hemba (Keri the RED Designs, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 245, 601-331-1563, vagaro.com/kerithered) / Nancy Tat (Nancy’s Nail Spa, 4954 Old Canton Road, 769-208-8806)

STEPHEN WILSON

This year’s winner for Best Bartender, Trevor Palmer, has been part of the Jackson nightlife scene for 25 years, serving as a bartender at Electric Cowboy, Club Fire, Club Magoo’s and plenty more. He currently works at Pop’s Saloon, where he has been for three years.

“I’ve been at every major nightclub in the city that you can think of,” he says. “They’ve all closed over the years, and now Pop’s is one of Jackson’s last nightclubs. Pop’s has kept going because it has great clientele and live music, not to mention a dance floor that can’t be stopped.”

Palmer said his secret is knowing how to bring a smile to anyone who walks up to his bar.

“I’m a good listener, always fun to be around and always bring the party to the party,” he says. “The thing I love most is helping people connect and meet new people, along with the thousands of concoctions I’ve made along the way.”

—Dustin Cardon

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Best Public Figure: Chokwe Antar Lumumba

Best Makeup Artist: Kayla Jones (Tracy Branch Agency, tracybranch.com)

Makeup is not just about women making their faces prettier; it can also help women feel better about themselves.

Kayla Jones, who says she paints faces and hearts, has been working as a fulltime makeup artist since 2015.

“I love bringing confidence to other women—being able to give them a positive inner feeling as well as giving them a beautiful outer appearance,” the Star, Miss., native says. The self-taught artist has worked at Estée Lauder in Dillard’s and MAC in Belk at Northpark Mall.

In 2017, she opened Spray Tans by Kayla in Pearl and also signed with the Tracy Branch Agency as a makeup artist. Her services include makeovers, and in-person makeup consultations, as well as special effects, bridal and boudoir makeup. She plans to attend school this year to expand her beautifying services.

—Lashanda Phillips

MELODY ELLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

STEPHEN WILSON

After a landslide victory during the 2017 mayoral election, this year’s winner for Best Public Figure, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, became the mayor of Jackson.

As a child, Lumumba, who is the son of late civil-rights activist and Jackson mayor Chokwe Lumumba, spent time in Detroit and Brooklyn, and moved here around the age of 5.

Social and political activism were a part of his childhood. His father would entertain clients and talk to members of the community at home about a variety of topics.

After his father’s death in 2014, Chokwe A. Lumumba decided to run for mayor in 2015, ultimately losing to Tony Yarber. Two years later, Lumumba ran for the office again and won the 2017 election, becoming the youngest mayor in Jackson’s history at age 34.

His vision is to make Jackson “the most radical city on the planet,” and his office has spent its first season pledging progress on issues such as economic development and crime prevention —Mike McDonald

Finalists: Amanda Taylor (MAC Cosmetics, Belk, Northpark Mall, 1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland) / Christine Cody (Tracy Branch Agency, tracybranch.com) / Hannah Roland (Tracy Branch Agency, tracybranch.com) / Olivia Preston (Tracy Branch Agency, tracybranch.com)

Finalists: Jeff Good / Marshall Ramsey / Phil Bryant / Walt Grayson

Best Professor: Robert Luckett

Best Barista: Joey Tannehill

Finalists: Blakely Fox Fender (Millsaps College, 1701 N. State St., millsaps.edu) / Garrad Lee (Hinds Community College Jackson Academic/Technical Center, 3925 Sunset Drive, 601366-1405, hindscc.edu) / Kurt Thaw (Millsaps College, 1701 N. State St., millsaps.edu) / Paula Rodriguez (Hinds Community College Raymond campus, 608 Hinds Blvd., Raymond, 601-857-5261, hindscc.edu)

With almost 18 years of experience, Joey Tannehill, voters’ choice for 2018’s Best Barista, is one of the most practiced coffee crafters in Jackson.

He has worked at nearly every Cups Espresso Café and helped create one of the company’s signature drinks, the Blondie. Customers can find him at the St. Dominic Hospital location when he’s not touring with his band, Pop Fiction.

When he started as a barista, Tannehill says he made use of bottle tricks that he learned from a fellow employee, who was also a bartender. He enjoys joking with customers but says the most important thing is to treat them like people, not orders to fill.

“I think one of the biggest things in the service industry that makes people like bartenders or baristas or anybody is whenever you address them not with the normal service script,” he says. “… I think most people like to be addressed as a person.”

—Micah Smith

COCURTESY JOEY TANNEHILL

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Robert Luckett, whom voters selected as 2018’s Best Professor, has been teaching at Jackson State University for nine years.

“I love teaching on a college level.

To be able to study, research and teach without censorship is something that’s really important to me,” he says.

Luckett graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1999 and originally intended to pursue law school.

After some time off and a mentor pushing him toward graduate school, he enrolled at the University of Georgia in 2001. He earned his doctorate degree in history eight years later.

The Jackson native returned home to teach at Jackson State in 2009. Some of the courses that he teaches include public history, oral history and his specialties, African American history and Civil Rights Movement history.

“It’s amazing to get to do the kind of work that I do as a civil-rights historian in Mississippi,” he says.

—Lashanda Phillips

(Cups at St. Dominic, 969 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-0707, cupsespressocafe.com) COURTESY ROBERT LUCKETT

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

(Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch St., jsums.edu)

Finalists: Ben Ford (Deep South Pops, 1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174; 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 173, 601-398-0623) / Cody Cox (Cups Espresso Café in Fondren, 2757 Old Canton Road, 601-362-7422) / Jordan Henry (Cups Espresso Café in Fondren, 2757 Old Canton Road, 601-362-7422) / Justin Nowland (Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349) / Katie Patterson (Deep South Pops, 1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174; 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 173, 601-398-0623)

To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

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Best Radio Station; Best Radio Personality or Team: WYOY, Nate & Bender

Best Dance Group: Ballet Magnificat!

(5406 Interstate 55 N., 601-977-1001, balletmagnificat.com)

Best Radio Personality or Team finalists: Felder Rushing (MPB 91.3, mpbonline.org) / Rick and Kim (Miss 103, 102.9, miss103.com) / Scott & Traci (US 96.3, us963.com) / Tambra Cherie (97.7 The Beat of the Capital, thebeatofthecapital.com)

Best Community Garden/Nature Attraction: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

(2148 Riverside Drive, 601-576-6000, museum.mdwfp.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

In the 1920s, the State of Mississippi did not have mechanisms in place to preserve the state’s natural world, from its wildlife populations to the native plants. Thanks to one woman, Fannye Cook, the state now not only has a gaming and fishing commission, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, but it also has a place dedicated to educating the population on the state’s natural world: the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. The museum has exhibits on the state’s wildlife such as waterfowl, endangered species and terrestrial habitats, along with aquariums, nature trails and 2,500 square feet of temporary exhibit space.

In “Conservation Quest,” the next temporary exhibit, guests can learn about energy, and what it is, where it comes from, how we use it and why we should use it wisely. The exhibit runs from Saturday, Jan. 27, to Sunday, April 29. MMNS is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit mdwfp.com/museum.

—Amber Helsel

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Finalists: Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton, 601-926-1104, clintonnaturecenter.org) / Mynelle Gardens (4736 Clinton Blvd., 601-960-1894) / LeFleur’s Bluff State Park (3315 Lakeland Terrace, 601-9873923, mdwfp.state.ms.us) / The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org)

COURTESY Y101

Best Radio Station finalists: WMPN (MPB 91.3, mpbonline.org) / WJMI (99 Jams, 99.7, wjmi.com) / WMSI (Miss 103, 102.9, miss103.com) / WUSJ (US 96.3, us963.com)

COURTESY BALLET MAGNIFICAT!

(Y101, 101.7, y101.com)

Nate West and Chris Bender of Y101 won Best Radio Personality or Team and Best Radio Station, respectively—and consider themselves “brothers from another mother.” The stars of the “Morning Showgram with Nate & Bender” have known each other for 14 years and have been working together on the “Morning Showgram” for the last few months.

“I think longevity has something to do with it, and the tenure of the on-air staff,” Bender says. “I also believe it has something to do with the current music industry, because it draws people to the station.”

“And not to mention how funny Bender is,” Nate adds. “I think we’re a lot alike, and our attitudes about both the radio and life in general help us feed off of one another.”

The “Morning Showgram” airs Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. For more information, visit y101.com.

—ShaCamree Gowdy

In Jackson’s dance world, Best Dance Group Ballet Magnificat! is one of the most well-known companies. Ballet Magnificat!, which gets its name from the Latin phrase “to magnify him,” is a Jackson-based Christian ballet company that Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux founded in 1986. The group has performed all over the United States and around the world.

Keith is a former child actor who played “Little Ricky” on “I Love Lucy” and Johnny Paul on The Andy Griffith Show. Kathy entered the international dance scene by winning a silver medal at the USA International Ballet Competition in 1982. She later became one of the first contracted dancers for the Jackson Ballet Company.

Ballet Magnificat! established its own School of the Arts in 1989, which offers dance classes for all ages and currently has 300 students enrolled. The company also provides a dance curriculum at Belhaven University.

—Dustin Cardon Finalists: Ballet Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St., Suite 106, 601-960-1560, balletms. com) / Dancing Dolls (The Dollhouse Dance Factory, 1410 Ellis Ave., 601-969-4000, dollhousedancefactory.com) / Montage Theatre of Dance (Hinds Community College, hindscc.edu) / Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet (110 Homestead Drive, Madison, 601-853-4508, msmetroballet.com) The 2017 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in south Jackson.

Invitation only! If you are a finalist or winner and need to RSVP, please call Kimberly @ 601-362-6121 x11 by Friday at 3 p.m.

Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

Best Public Forum or Speaker Series: Millsaps College Arts & Lecture Series (Millsaps.edu)

Learning should never stop, and with programs such as the winner for Best Public Forum or Speaker Series, Millsaps College Arts & Lecture Series, it doesn’t have to. Millsaps alumni and volunteers established the Arts & Lecture Series in the mid-1960s as part of a larger community outreach program. The conferences bring together local lecturers, performers, writers, and other artists to discuss topics such as music, literature, current events, history and more. Funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts support the program.

Recent lectures have explored the works of Mississippi author William Faulkner, the importance of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) subjects, Mississippi musicians, poets and writers, and more.

All events in the Arts & Lecture Series take place in the Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex Recital Hall at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Tickets for each program are $10, and season tickets are also available. For more information, visit millsaps.edu.

—Dustin Cardon Finalists: Friday Forum (136 S. Adams St, 601-960-3008, koinoniacoffee housejackson.com) / TEDxJackson (tedxjackson.com) / History is Lunch (Mississippi Department of Archives and History, mdah.state.ms.us) / Ideas on Tap (Mississippi Humanities Council, mshumanities.org)

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Visit www.mississippimigrainecenter.com or call (601)366-0855 for an appointment.

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January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

T WO Handy L OCATIONS in Metro Jackson.

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Local Live Theater/Theatrical Group: New Stage Theatre

Best Stage Play: “A Christmas Story” (New Stage Theatre, 1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com)

(1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com)

New Stage Theatre has been a mainstay in Jackson’s theater world since Jane Reid Petty and others founded it in 1965. The theater produced its first season in the winter of 1966 in a church at the corner of Gallatin and Hooker streets. New Stage moved to its present site on Carlisle Street in 1978.

Each year, the theater brings contemporary and classic productions to Jackson. During its current season, New Stage has performed plays such as “And Then There Were None,” adapted from the Agatha Christie classic, and Disney’s “Beauty & The Beast” on an extended run.

Other programming includes “The Eudora Welty New Plays Series,” which features eight contemporary plays about Mississippi or written by Mississippians. “Unframed at New Stage” presents contemporary, edgy material that New Stage normally does not produce on the main stage.

For more information, visit newstagetheatre.com.

—Rebecca Hester Finalists Black Rose Theatre Company (103 Black St., Brandon, 601-825-1293) / Center Players Community Theatre (madisoncenterplayers.org) / Fondren Theatre Workshop (fondrentheatreworkshop.com) / MADDRAMA (Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch St., jsums.edu)

Director Turner Crumbley of New Stage Theatre brought a Christmas classic to the capital city when he hosted a production of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s “A Christmas Story: The Musical” in late December 2016. Crumbley put together an ensemble cast that included David Spencer, Cannon Bosarge, Frances Bordlee, Wyatt Roberson, Daniel Hines, Collin Gray, Willis Thigpen and more.

“A Christmas Story: The Musical” is based on director Bob Clark’s 1983 classic holiday film “A Christmas Story” about Ralphie Parker and his quest to get an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle for Christmas.

Pasek and Paul, the songwriting duo behind “Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Greatest Showman” and the 2017 Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning “La La Land,” created the musical in 2009.

—Dustin Cardon Finalists: “And Then There Were None” (New Stage Theatre, 1100 Carlisle St., 601-9483533, newstagetheatre.com) / “Million Dollar Quartet” (New Stage Theatre, 1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com) / “Sordid Lives” (Fondren Theatre Workshop, fondren theatreworkshop.com) / “The Dance of the Princess and the Frog” (Montage Theatre of Dance, Hinds Community College, hindscc.edu)

Best Local Podcast: Let’s Talk Jackson (letstalkjackson.com)

(1085 Luckney Road, Brandon, 601-992-3556, mustardseedinc.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

COURTESY THE MUSTARD SEED, INC.

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Best Nonprofit winner The Mustard Seed, which was founded in 1981, dedicates itself to meeting spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of adults with developmental disabilities. Its name comes from the Bible verse, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.”

Mustard Seed’s clients, called “Seedsters,” participate in different activities such as hand bell choir, art activities and more. The nonprofit has two residential homes on campus that house 10 women and eight men.

The organization also has a gift shop on campus, where clients sell mugs, ornaments and more. Proceeds help fund the organization’s programming and accounts for 20 percent of The Mustard Seed’s annual income. The gift shop is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and every second Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, visit mustardseedinc.org.

—Rebecca Hester Finalists: Cheshire Abbey (cheshireabbey@gmail.com) / Community Animal Rescue & Adoption (960 N. Flag Chapel Road, 601-922-7575, carams. org) / Good Samaritan Center (114 Millsaps Ave., goodsamaritancenter.org) / Junior League of Jackson (805 Riverside Drive, 601-948-2357) / Stewpot Community Services (1100 W. Capitol St., 601-353-2759, stewpot.org)

To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

Finalists Country Squire Radio (countrysquireradio.com) / Made in Mississippi (madeinmspodcasting.com) / Reality Breached (realitybreached.com) / Token Talk (soundcloud.com/tokentalk)

Best Arts Organization: Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org)

In the years since Best of Jackson launched, the Mississippi Museum of Art has won or been a finalist in categories, partially because of its dedication to engaging the community in art. These days, MMA might look a little different. In August 2017, the museum took down “The Mississippi Story” exhibit to make way for the bicentennial exhibit “Picturing Mississippi, 1817-2017: Land of Plenty, Pain, and Promise,” which features art from 100 artists over the past 200 years.

The museum itself closed to the public to undergo renovations, including ones to The Museum Café and The Museum Store. Around December, MMA also announced its Center for Art & Public Exchange, which seeks to create community dialogue through art.

The museum is back in action now, and has a full slate of events this year, from classes to monthly events to CAPE events and more. For more information, visit msmuseumart.org.

—Amber Helsel Finalists: Greater Jackson Arts Council (201 E. Pascagoula St., 601-960-1557) / Montage Theatre of Dance (Hinds Community College, hindscc.edu) / New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com)

STEPHEN WILSON

Best Nonprofit Organization: The Mustard Seed, Inc.

Those who have been here long enough know that we that the state and city has a vibrant, creative community. Luckily, we have outlets such as podcast Let’s Talk Jackson to help showcase that talent.

Host Beau York and others such as Chellese Hall have interviewed people such as artist Adrienne Domnick, artist and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) advocate Anik Kurkjian, photographer Imani Beau York (left) and Chellese Hall Khayyam, and lawyer and beer-law ad- (right) are two of the hosts for vocate Matthew McLaughlin about their podcast Let’s Talk Jackson, which lives, work and more. The podcast airs airs each Monday. each Monday.

For more information, visit podasterynetwork.com.

—Amber Helsel

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January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

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Best Happy Hour; Best Place for Cocktails; Best Margarita; Best Mexican/Latin; Best Restaurant; Best Veggie Burger; Best Place for a First Date: Babalu Tapas & Tacos

Best Hangover Food; Best Local French Fries; Best Outdoor Dining: Keifer’s (120 N. Congress St., 601-353-49756; 705 Poplar Blvd., 601-355-6825, keifers.net)

(622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, eatbabalu.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

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Gibson St., Raymond, 601-5269070) / Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950; 111 Market St., Flowood, 601-215-5445, sombramexicankitchen.com) /

Best Place for Cocktails finalists: Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769-216-3167, barrelhousems. com) / BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517, apothecaryjackson.com)

Best Mexican/Latin finalists: Cinco De Mayo (880 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-957-1882, cincode-mayo-ms.com) / Green Ghost Tacos (1290 E. County Line Road, 601-957-7436, greenghosttacos. com) / Papitos Mexican Restaurant and Grill (multiple locations, papitosmexicanrestaurant.com) / Picante’s Mexican Grill (960 N. State St., 601-398-1344; 132 Port Gibson St., Raymond, 601-5269070) / Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950; 111 Market St., Flowood, 601-2155445, sombramexicankitchen.com)

Best Margarita finalists: Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769216-3167, barrelhousems.com) / Cinco De Mayo (880 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-9571882, cinco-de-mayo-ms.com) / Picante’s Mexican Grill (960 N. State St., 601-398-1344; 132 Port

Best Restaurant finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-9569562, charrestaurant.com) / Lou’s Full-Serv (904B E. Fortification St.,

TRIP BURNS / FILE PHOTO

Best Happy Hour finalists: Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769-2163167, barrelhousems.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar. com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-9822899, saltinerestaurant.com) The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601398-4562, themanshipjackson.com)

If you’re obsessed with French fries, you know that Keifer’s is where it’s at. Not only do the restaurant’s fries make great hangover food, but they also can make a whole meal if you go.

The most popular menu item is likely the cottage fries, literally a potato sliced and fried up. These potatoes need no more than your favorite dipping sauce (if you’re not getting the feta dressing, are you even living?). Keifer’s uses a savory, not-too-muchbut-just-enough seasoning on its French fries that is addictive.

of the tequila. On Mondays, Babalu’s margaritas are only $5 all day. If you can’t make Monday, then at least set that date time for Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The trick to a first date at Babalu is that you can just start there for drinks or apps before hitting up another restaurant for dinner, if things go well. Or if there’s no chemistry, you can easily call it a night after margaritas and guacamole because, let’s be honest, that can be a meal, too. The beauty of a tapas restaurant is, ultimately, that you can just keep ordering food until you’re full.

—Arielle Dreher TRIP BURNS / FILE PHOTO

Tacos are having a social-media moment and taking up real estate on your Instagram feed. This is in large part because they are plain delicious. Babalu knows a thing or 12 about tacos, and if you don’t believe me, try their Taco Tuesday, where every taco on the menu is a mere $2.

Babalu’s taco menu includes ones such as redfish or carnitas (pulled pork) or carne de cerdo (pork belly). Babalu’s menu goes deeper than tacos, likely leading to the southern-owned chain’s multiple BOJ wins this year. Two popular items are the guacamole and Mexican street corn. For the vegetarians and vegans out there, Babalu offers several side items that can make a meal. They also have a veggie taco, so you can participate on Tuesdays.

Babalu’s best-known vegetarian option, however, is the black-bean burger, which now has back-to-back BOJ wins.

Dating in Jackson can get rough; however, Babalu was voted Best Place for a First Date again this year, so that’s a pretty safe bet for a good first date. There are reasons for this. First, there’s the margarita menu, with ones such as the Baba-rita, which has Patron silver tequila, agave nectar, freshsqueezed sour mix, POM juice and triple sec; and the Champarita, which has sparkling wine in place

601-487-6359, lousfullserv.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562, themanshipjackson.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com) Best Veggie Burger finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz. com) / High Noon Café (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602 ext.

3, rainbowcoop.org) / Local 463 Urban Kitchen (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 5002, Ridgeland, 601-707-7684, local463.com) / Majestic Burger (1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601-707-0093) Best Place for a First Date finalists: Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769216-3167, barrelhousems.com) / BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601398-4562, themanshipjackson.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., walkersdrivein.com)

If you opt out of cottage fries, the curly fries, which are available at the downtown location, are also award-winning. The rest of the Keifer’s menu is composed of an array of pita wraps that will please almost everyone you decide to go out to eat with, from falafel to quarter-pound hamburger kebobs, and more.

Keifer’s is a great spot to rendezvous the morning after a wild night with friends. However, if the hangover is really rough, you can always get your wrap and fries to go. In any season but winter, Keifer’s on Poplar Avenue is a good place to kick back with a pitcher of beer with friends, nomming on fries. The location’s wraparound porch is definitely worthy of the Best of Jackson Outdoor Dining nod. On the weekend and during lunch in warmer months, it can be difficult to get a table outside. Downtown location has good outdoor dining, too.

—Arielle Dreher Best Hangover Food finalists: Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601366-3427) / Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Rooster’s Restaurant (2906 N. State St., 601982-2001, roostersfondren.com) / The Feathered Cow (1040 Spillway Circle, Suite A 5, Brandon, 601-605-0414, featheredcow.com) Best Local French Fries finalists Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769-216-3167, barrelhousems.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / Rooster’s Restaurant (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001, roostersfondren.com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / The Feathered Cow (1040 Spillway Circle, Suite A 5, Brandon, 601-605-0414, featheredcow.com) Best Outdoor Dining finalists: Babalu Tapas & Tacos (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, eatbabalu.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkers drivein.com) / The Pig & Pint (3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com)

Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Local Fried Chicken; Best Lunch Counter or Buffet; Best Soul Food: Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ & BBQ

Best Place for Hummus; Best Vegetarian Options: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill

Best Local Fried Chicken finalists: Fannin Mart Restaurant (5419 Highway 25, Flowood, 601-992-0411; 160 Weisenberger Road, Madison, 769-300-2493; fanninmart.com) / Local 463 Urban Kitchen (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 5002, Ridgeland, 601-707-7684, local463.com) / Primos Café (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-936-3398; primoscafe.com) / Rooster’s Restaurant (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001, roostersfondren.com)

Best Place for Hummus finalists: Athenos Greek and Lebanese Café (111 Colony Crossing Way, Madison, 601-605-1400, athenoscafe.com / Babalu Tapas & Tacos (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, eatbabalu.com) / Keifer’s (120 N. Congress St., 601-353-49756; 705 Poplar Blvd., 601-355-6825, keifers.net) / Krilakis (207 W. Jackson St., Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-790-9463; krilakis.com) / Zeek’z House of Gyros (currently closed) Best Vegetarian Options finalists: Babalu Tapas & Tacos (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, eatbabalu.com) / Crossroads Café (398 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601790-7141) / BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / High Noon Café (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602 ext. 3, rainbowcoop.org)

Best Lunch Counter or Buffet finalists: Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427) / McDade’s Markets (Multiple locations, mcdadesmarkets.com) / Primos Café (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-9363398; primoscafe.com) / The Country Kitchen (219 County Line Road, 601-991-1056) Best Soul Food finalists: Bully’s Restaurant (3118 Livingston Road, 601-362-0484) / Gloria’s Family Restaurant LLC (2855 Bailey Ave., 601-362-0009) / Sugar’s Place (168 W. Griffith St., 601-352-2364, sugarsdowntown.com) / The Country Kitchen (219 County Line Road, 601-991-1056)

Best Meal Under $10; Best Place to Buy Beer: McDade’s Markets (Multiple locations, mcdadesmarkets.com)

TRIP BURNS / FILE PHOTO

Best Pub Quiz/Trivia Night finalists: Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., 601-948-0888, halandmals.com) / Library Lounge (Fairview Inn, 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / Lost Pizza Co. (multiple location, lostpizza.com)

Best Meal Under $10 finalists: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-3666033, aladdininjackson.com) / Basil’s (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601-982-2100; 120 N. Congress St., Suite L1, 601-944-9888) / Surin of Thailand (3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, 601-981-3205) / The Trace Grill (574 Highway 51, Suite F, Ridgeland, 601-853-1014, thetracegrill.com)

Best Barbecue finalists: E&L Barbeque (1111 Bailey Ave., 601-355-5035) / Hickory Pit (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-7079, hickorypitms.com) / Little Willie’s BBQ (115 Village Square, Suite G, Brandon, 601-992-6328; 3015 Highway 80 E., 601-397-6698; littlewilliesbarbecue.com) / Sylvester’s MS Style BBQ (9434 Highway 18, Raymond, 601-346-8000)

Best Place to Buy Beer finalists: Hops & Habanas (2771 Old Canton Road, 769-5724631; 123 Grandview Blvd., Madison, Suite N, 601-853-7449; hopsandhabanas.com) / LD’s Beer Run (5006 Parkway Drive, 769-208-8686) / Lucky Town Brewing Company (1710 N. Mill St., 601-790-0142, luckytownbrewing.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

(3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com)

When looking for a meal under $10, especially during lunch, a grocery store can sometimes be the best option. McDade’s is no exception to this. While the store itself is stocked with everything to make a cheap lunch, from bread to tortillas to peanut butter and jelly, and more, each McDade’s also has an affordably priced lunch counter.

Every day of the week, you can find menu items at the lunch counter such as fried or baked chicken, and vegetable soup, but the lunch bar also has items for specific days of the week such as fried pork chops, spaghetti with meatballs and broccoli and rice casserole. Each location’s lunch menu varies. McDade’s also has a deli, bakery, a meat counter and produce, so whatever kind of meal you want to make for under $10, you’ll probably find it there. Also, as the winner for Best Place to Buy Beer should, the grocery store also has an extensive selection of beer, with everything from craft beers such as Lucky Town Brewing Company to imported beers such as Guinness.

—Amber Helsel

FILE PHOTO

Best Pub Quiz/Trivia Night; Best Barbecue: The Pig & Pint Drive by The Pig & Pint on a Monday night (trivia night), and you probably won’t find a spot to park or sit at if you don’t plan ahead. The restaurant’s patio, which is full of long tables, forces unlikely allies to team up during trivia or brings out squads of folks to compete for gift cards.

If trivia isn’t your thing, the restaurant was also voted Best Barbecue this year. From brisket to pulled pork, you will not be disappointed. The restaurant only uses charcoal and wood-burning smokers to cook their meat. They also know a thing or two about sauce, and the options, Carolina mustard sauce and Mississippi “sweet” barbecue, sit on every table in the restaurant.

For more information, visit pigandpint.com.

—Arielle Dreher

FILE PHOTO

(730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com)

Tucked away in Fondren, Aladdin is a Mediterranean restaurant where vegetarians can eat without having to do mental gymnastics to find suitable options. The menu includes vegetarian dishes such as falafel (a fried mixture of ground chickpeas, onion and parsley). It also offers a popular sautéed vegetarian plate with a mix of squash, zucchini, carrots, celery and mushrooms, sautéed in olive oil and garlic. It is served over basmati rice, and topped with feta cheese; and more.

Aladdin is also known for its hummus. It’s a smoothly blended dip made of tahini paste, lemon and pureed chick peas, and topped with a jalapeño pesto, olive oil and sumac. It comes alongside the vegetarian plate, or you can order it as a side with any meal you choose.

—Ko Bragg

COURTESY MAMA HAMIL’S

(751 Highway 51, Madison, 601-856-4407, hamils.com)

Mama Hamil’s has been part of the Jackson metro area’s food scene ever since the restaurant opened in 1977. Its first location was a small cabin only big enough for 60 people, but these days, the restaurant can accommodate up to 300 people.

The menu includes soul-food classics such as turnip greens, barbecue beans, black-eyed peas, smoked chicken, fried catfish, chicken and dumplings, barbecue ribs, meat loaf, collard greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, pulled pork and more; however, if you’re going to Mama Hamil’s make sure you try the fried chicken (it is the winner for Best Local Fried Chicken, after all).

—Dustin Cardon

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Place to Get Coffee; Best College Student Hangout: Cups Espresso Café

Best Seafood; Best Place for Oysters: Half Shell Oyster House

(Multiple locations; cupsespressocafe.com)

Best College Student Hangout finalists: Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174; 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 173, 601-398-0623) / Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055) / Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700)

Best Breakfast; Best Place for Dessert: Primos Café

(515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-936-3398; primoscafe.com)

Best Seafood finalists: Drago’s Seafood Restaurant (1005 E. County Line Road, 601-957-1515, dragosrestaurant.com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com) / Walker’s DriveIn (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com) Best Place for Oysters finalists: Drago’s Seafood Restaurant (1005 E. County Line Road, 601-957-1515, dragosrestaurant.com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Shucker’s Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com)

Best Breakfast finalists: Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427) / Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900) / Jo’s Diner (241 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-988-9000) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

(320 W. Pearl St., 601-398-0151, theironhorsegrill.com)

Best Thai Restaurant winner Surin of Thailand is an example of a restaurant that has not been here long but still made a mark on Jackson’s culinary scene.

The restaurant’s menu includes Thai cuisine mainstays such as coconut soup, but it is also has bounty of Thai curries such ones with chicken and shrimp, noodle dishes such as spicy beef noodles, appetizers such as pot stickers with red curry, and a number of Thai-inspired entrees such as Thai sea bass with coconut-lemongrasscilantro sauce, lime juice and Thai spices.

If you want a drink with your meal, Surin has cocktails such as a martini made with a lychee fruit puree, and a Mississippi sipper, with has Tito’s vodka, St. Germaine, grapefruit juice and club soda.

For more information, visit surinofthailand.com.

—Malcolm Morrow Finalists: Fusion Japanese & Thai Cuisine (1002 Treetops Boulevard, Flowood, 601-664-7588; 1030 Highway 51, Madison, 601-790-7999; fusionjackson.com) / Thai Tasty (5050 Parkway Drive, Suite 7, 601-540-2534) / Thai Time (1405 Old Square Road, 601-982-9991)

Best Brunch: The Iron Horse Grill

Over the last few years, brunch has become a trend. Jackson restaurants such as The Iron Horse Grill have taken notice of the meal’s popularity and have implemented a brunch menu. However, Iron Horse doesn’t just have a menu: Each Sunday, the restaurant’s chefs operate waffle and omelet stations. During brunch, you go to either station, request what you want and can watch the chef make it. Toppings for waffles include maple syrup, blueberries, cherries, pecans and whipped cream; and omelet toppings include sausage, bacon, mushrooms, bell peppers and green onions. If you like music, Iron Horse normally has someone performing during brunch, and the “Mississippi Experience” museum is also upstairs.

The Iron Horse Grill is open on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit theironhorsegrill.com.

COURTESY THE IRON HORSE GRILL

Best Thai Restaurant: Surin of Thailand

(3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, 601-981-3205)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Half Shell Oyster house has served the Gulf south region oysters and seafood for almost 10 years, with locations in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida. The Gulf Coast Restaurant Group, which owns Half Shell, opened the Flowood location in September 2015.

“The customer favorite is the oyster sampler, which includes the four different types of oysters we make, the oysters Orleans, the oysters Bienville, our charbroiled oysters, and the oysters Rockefeller,” Flowood manager Curren Mirando says.

Mirando says the restaurant’s red fish Orleans, a blackened piece of red fish with sautéed shrimp and the Orleans sauce, and the crab-and-shrimp dip are also popular items.

Half Shell also serves non-seafood items such as burgers and sandwiches, soups and salads, steak, chicken and pasta.

“We have a big menu but we’re trying out new things,” Mirando says.

—Seth Reeks

Breakfast lovers rejoice: While most restaurants may stop serving breakfast around 10:30 a.m., Primos Cafe serves its breakfast menu all day. The menu includes dishes such as the breakfast wrap, or scrambled eggs, onions, peppers and cheese wrapped in an herb tortilla; buttermilk pancakes; and omelets with a choice of ham, tomato, cheese, peppers and more. Primos also has a renowned bakery, with desserts such as three-layer cakes in flavors such as caramel and Italian cream; desserts such as fudge squares and petit fours; and more.

For more information, visit primoscafe.com.

—Amber Helsel

Best Place for Dessert finalists: Amerigo (6592 Old Canton Road, 601-977-0563; 155 Market St., Flowood, 601-992-1550) / Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562) / La Brioche Patisserie (2906 N. State St., 601-988-2299) / Lou’s Full-Serv (904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359)

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(115 Laurel Park Cove, Suite 105, Flowood, 769257-7586, halfshelloysterhouse.com)

COURTESY HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE

Best Place to Get Coffee finalists: Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174; 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 173, 601-398-0623) / Fusion Coffeehouse (1111 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-856-6001) / Mocha Mugs (multiple locations, mochamugs.com) / Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

TATE K NATIONS / FILE PHOTO

Cups Espresso Cafe is a staple of the Jackson coffee scene. “We have so many locations, and that means so many ways the reputation could go South, but as a whole it’s always very positive” Cody Cox, manager of the Cups in Fondren, says.

Cups’ coffee drinks include the famed blondie, which has caramel and white chocolate, and the caramel-filled Capitol Street latte. Cups also has seasonal coffee brews, variations of espresso, noncoffee drinks such as tea and hot chocolate, and more. The coffee shops are also an ideal place to study or work on your next big project.

—Seth Reeks

Finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562, charrestaurant.com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202, tableonehundred.com)

Thank you from Jender Foods for the Best of Jackson 2018 nominations for our family of restaurants!

CAET

3016 North State Street, Jackson | 601.982.2633

3100 North State Street, 102, Jackson | 601.321.9169

Best Local Fine Dining Best Outdoor Dining Best Plate Lunch Best Restaurant Best Seafood Best Steak Best Chef Derek Emerson

Best Happy Hour Best Place for Cocktails Best Local French Fries Best Outdoor Dining Best Wine List Best Place to Book a Party or Shower Craig Noone “Rock It Out” Chef Award

Local 463

Parlor Market

1000 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland | 601.707.7684

115 W Capitol St, Jackson | 601.360.0090

Best Local Fried Chicken Best Local Veggie Burger

Best Italian Food

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Walker’s Drive-In

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Chinese Food; Best Sushi/ Japanese: Ichiban Chinese Buffet; Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi

Best Bakery: Campbell’s Bakery

(3013 N. State St., 601-362-4628; 123 Jones St., Madison, 769-300-2790; campbellsbakery.ms)

Brother and sister duo Kam and Ling Ngai opened Ichiban Chinese Buffet and Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi in 2006 to create an upscale dining and buffet experience However, instead of focusing on one culinary tradition, they went in two directions.

“Chinese and Japanese seemed a good choice, something customers around here would like,” he says.

The Pearl locations opened in 2015.

The menu at Ichiban Chinese Buffet, which is a two-time consecutive winner of Best Chinese, includes dishes such as General Tso’s chicken, coconut shrimp, egg drop soup; fruits such as orange, honeydew melon and kiwi; cakes such as cream puffs and black forest cake; a Blue Bell ice cream bar; and more.

COURTESY ICHIBAN HIBACHI & SUSHI

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Over on the hibachi and sushi side of Ichiban, the sushi menu includes dishes such as seafood tofu soup for two, with shrimp, crab and scallops; appetizers such as egg roll, pork roll or shu-mai (steamed or fried shrimp dumpling); sashimi; cucumber, spicy shrimp and spicy crab sushi rolls, and specialty ones such as the spider roll with soft-shell crab, lettuce, avocado, cucumber, fish roe and eel sauce. For hibachi, guests can choose from vegetable, chicken, scallops and more, and the menu also includes noodles and lobster sides.

For more information, visit ichibanbuffetms. com or ichibangrillms.com.

—Mike McDonald and Jan M. Richardson

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Best Chinese Food finalists: China Café (160 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-919-1388) / Hunan Wok Carry Out (6556 Old Canton Road, 601-956-8988) / Mr. Chen’s Restaurant (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601978-1865) / Wok 2 Go (1030 E. Peace St., Canton, 601-859-0076) Best Sushi/Japanese finalists: Bonsai Japanese Steakhouse (1925 Lakeland Drive, 601-981-0606; 102 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, 601-924-4448; bonsaijxn.com) / Edo Japanese Restaurant (5834 Ridgewood Road, Suite C, 601-899-8518) / Nagoya Japanese Sushi Bar (6351 Interstate 55 N., Suite 131, 601-977-8881; 111 Colony Crossing, Suite 380, Madison, 601-856-5678) / Sakura Bana (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 11, 601-982-3035, sakurabanajackson.com) / Sushi Village (398 Highway 51, Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-898-9688)

One of Jackson’s best bakeries, Campbell’s Bakery, is also one of Jackson’s oldest. Louis Campbell started the bakery in 1962. After ownership changed hands a few times over the years, Mitchell Moore bought Campbell’s in 2011, and has being making pastries, cakes and other baked goods for Jacksonians since. Moore even opened a new Campbell’s location in 2016.

Campbell’s Bakery serves everything from cakes to cheesecakes to pies to cookies, brownies, teacakes, petit fours and more. For anyone who needs a custom cake, the bakery can do ones themed around film franchises such as “Star Wars” or creative options such as unicorn-themed cakes, and more.

—Brynn Corbello Finalists: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900) / La Brioche Patisserie (2906 N. State St., 601-988-2299) / Primos Café (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-936-3398) / Sugar Magnolia Takery (5417 Highway 25, Suite F, Flowood, 601-992-8110)

Best Plate Lunch: Georgia Blue

Best Food Truck/Mobile Vendor: One Guy Steak and Chicken

(111 Colony Way, Suite 130, Madison, 601-898-3330; 223 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-1900; georgiablue.net)

With locations around the state, and in the Jackson metro area, Georgia Blue has made a mark on the food scene.

Of course, one of the things the restaurant is known for is its blue-plate lunch, which the restaurant serves Sunday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and homestyle dinners from 4 p.m. to close Monday through Thursday.

The blue-plate menu includes dishes such as country-fried steak and gravy on Monday, fried chicken on Sunday and fried catfish on Friday, along with macaroni and cheese, fried okra and black-eyed peas as sides.

If you want a drink to go with your blue-plate special, Georgia Blue has an extensive bar, but it has something else of note: its own vodka and bourbon. The restaurant also has New York-style cheesecake that its bakery in Brookhaven, The Georgia Blue Bakery, makes.

For more information, visit georgiablue.net.

—Seth Reeks Finalists: McDade’s Markets (Multiple locations, mcdadesmarkets.com) / Primos Café (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-936-3398; primoscafe.com) / The Trace Grill (574 Highway 51, Suite F, Ridgeland, 601-853-1014, thetracegrill.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com)

(1494 Old Fannin Road, 601-5035908, oneguysteakchicken.com)

With more than 25 years in the food industry under his belt, chef Kendrick M. Gordon, a native of the Mississippi Delta and head chef and owner of One Guy Steak and Chicken, is showing Mississippi that food trucks and fine dining can pair well together.

His black, orange and red food truck is probably a familiar sight to those who often drive down Old Fannin Road. One Guy serves a ribeye sandwich with applewood smoked bacon, smoked gouda cheese and fries; grilled filet mignon with leek mashed potatoes with a tarragon cream sauce; vegetarian dishes such as a fried pita with spinach, red onion, gouda cheese, OneGuy sauce; bourbon, Cajun, battered and crispy fries; and more.

One Guy is open Monday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and also Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., though lunch hours may vary.

—Brynn Corbello Finalists: LurnyD’s Grille (601-906-9480, lurnydsgrille. com) / Chunky Dunks Sweets Truck (601-506-5951) / Small Time Hot Dogs (662-753-9702, smalltimehotdogs.com) / Green Ghost Tacos (1290 E. County Line Road, 601-957-7436, greenghosttacos.com)

Best Doughnuts: Donut Palace (multiple locations)

If you have lived in the metro area for a while, chances are you’ve had doughnuts from Donut Palace. The business seems to be everywhere: Brandon, Flowood, Ridgeland and more.

The business’ options include jelly-filled doughnuts, glazed ones, doughnut holes, eclairs, old-fashioned turnovers, breakfast croissants and more. If you want something a little more savory, Donut Palace also has choices such as ham-and-cheese croissants, sausage biscuits and more. For those who want the perfect drink to go with their doughnuts, the business also has choices such as coffee, milk, juice or sodas.

For more information, find Donut Palace on Facebook.

—Rebecca Hester Finalists: Daylight Donuts (5036 Parkway Drive, 769-572-7733, daylightdonuts.com) / Monroe’s Donuts and Bakery (multiple locations, monroesdonutsandbakery.com) / Pillow Donuts (1679 Old Fannin Road, Suite, D, Flowood, 601992-6040; 707 Beau Pre Drive, Ridgeland, 601-790-9697) / V-Donuts (6745 Siwell Road, Suite 211, Byram, 601-4876246, vdonuts.blogspot.com)

COURTESY CAMPBELL’S BAKERY

(multiple locations, ichibanbuffetms. com, ichibangrillms.com)

Thanks for Your Support and For Making us Finalists In...

Best Place for Cocktails Best Brunch Best Italian Food Best Local Fine Dining Best Restaurant

Best Vegetarian Options Best Veggie Burger Best Wine List Best Place for a First Date

Best Bakery Best Breakfast Best Sandwich Place

Best Place for Pizza

JEFF GOOD Best Local Business Owner Best Public Figure Best Urban Warrior

DAN BLUMENTHAL Best Chef

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Caterer Best Locally Owned Business

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Gumbo: Gumbo Girl

Best Local Burger: Stamps Super Burgers

Opening a gumbo restaurant is not what Marilyn Kithuka, owner of Gumbo Girl in south Jackson, planned to do with her life, she says.

“We just celebrated two years here, so I guess God’s telling me it’s what I’m supposed to do,” she says.

Kithuka made gumbo for the first time in 1999, when she used a Zatarain’s mix. Her family loved it, and later on, she began making her gumbo from scratch. She decided not to open a storefront right away, instead opting to sell gumbo as a caterer. In late 2015, she and husband James Kithuka opened their business in south Jackson.

Kithuka says her gumbo, which includes ones such as chicken and sausage, vegetarian, seafood, and surf-and-turf, has attracted customers from all over the world.

The menu also has items such as turkey necks, seafood platters, street tacos and burgers. Gumbo Girl is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

–ShaCamree Gowdy

Best Burger winner Stamps Super Burgers is tucked in the neighborhood surrounding Jackson State University. The building blends into the surrounding houses, which may make it hard to spot at first, but the smoke from the grill billows into the street, calling in everyone.

The restaurant’s large menu includes burgers such as the famed 12-ounce Super Burger (also called the Stamps Burger), the Super Turkey Burger; and more.

The menu also includes dishes such as wings in four flavors—Buffalo, lemon pepper, sweet and spicy, and old fashioned—salads such as a grilled chicken salad with lettuce, cheese, sweet red onions, cucumbers, radishes and pickles; and more.

For more information, find the business on Facebook.

—Seth Reeks

(5681 Highway 18 W., 601-790-0486, gumbogirl.com)

Finalists: Babalu Tapas & Tacos (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, eatbabalu.com) / Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038, burgers blues.com) / The Feathered Cow (1040 Spillway Circle, Suite A 5, Brandon, 601-605-0414, featheredcow.com) / Mugshots Grill & Bar (4245 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-932-4031; 879 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-978-1972; mugshotsgrillandbar.com) / Rooster’s Restaurant (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001, roostersfondren.com)

Best Steak: Shapley’s

Best Italian: Amerigo

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

(6592 Old Canton Road, 601-9770563; 155 Market St., Flowood, 601-992-1550; amerigo.net)

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Amerigo is a perennial favorite for Best Italian. The restaurant, which opened in Ridgeland around 30 years ago and now has a location in Flowood, offers appetizers including shrimp bisque and oven-roasted artichoke cheese dip. Popular pastas include oven-roasted lasagna and spaghetti. The menu also has glutenfree options such as Caesar salad and cedar-roasted redfish. Both locations offer brunch, including a crab-cake Benedict, and a breakfast panini with scrambled eggs, country ham, bacon and Fontina cheese. Diners also love Ameriga’s generous dessert.

For more information, visit amerigo.net or find the restaurants on Facebook.

—Rebecca Hester Finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Cerami’s Italian Restaurant (5417 Highway 25, Suite I, Flowood, 601-919-2829, ceramisitalian.com) / Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090, parlormarket.com) / Fratesi’s Authentic Italian Cuisine (910 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-956-2929, fratesis.com)

Best Wine List (at a restaurant): CAET Wine Bar

(3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601321-9169, caetwinebar.com)

CAET Wine Bar in Fondren is a top choice for trying new options. CAET offers 30 by-the-glass wine selections each night. CAET (pronounced “Kate”) uses a winepreservation system called Napa Technology that allows it to offer so many top-quality options. “We try to show a lot of variety and have something for everyone, and I do believe we have accomplished that,” Executive Chef Meredith Pittman says.

Choose a variety of large and small nibbles, including one of the best charcuterie boards in the city.

—ShaCamree Gowdy Finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com) / Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202, tableonehundred.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562, themanshipjackson.com)

(868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601957-3753, shapleysrestaurant.com)

If you’re looking for a great steak in the metro, Shapley’s is your place. The restaurant opened in 1985; current owners Julie and Scott Koestler bought it in 1998.

Shapley’s uses cuts such as filet mignon, ribeye, New York strip, and Porterhouse or T-bone. Guests can top their cuts with toppings including sauteed mushrooms with garlic, wine and herbs, and sautéed jumbo lump crab meat topped with a cream sauce. The restaurant even has its own all-purpose seasoning that diners can buy in the restaurant.

The menu includes appetizers such as fried crab claws and Hudson Valley fois gras pan-seared over a wild mushroom ragout and a port reduction. Popular alternatives to steak include grilled tuna steak and jumbo fried shrimp.

—Rebecca Hester Finalists: Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562, charrestaurant.com) / ELY’s Restaurant & Bar (115 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, Suite 2E, Ridgeland, 601-605-6359, elysrestaurant.com) / Tico’s Steak House (1536 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-1030, ticossteakhouse.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com)

Best Local Crawfish: The Crawdad Hole (1150 Lakeland Drive, 601-982-9299)

On the outside, The Crawdad Hole appears to have come to Jackson from the bayous of south Louisiana.

The inside has baseball memorabilia, rock-and-roll records, and country music posters.

The business has served its Cajun dishes to Jackson since 1995.

“It started off in an old beer barn on 25, then it moved (to a space near Smith Wills Stadium),” Managing Partner Scott Wesson says. “… We just do our thing and people seem to like it.”

The Crawdad Hole offers several Cajun favorites such as boiled shrimp, seafood gumbo and boiled crawfish.

For more information, visit thecrawdadhole.com. —Seth Reeks Finalists: Mudbugs (1299 Old Fannin Road, Brandon, 601-992-5225; 151 W. Government St., Suite D, Brandon, 601706-4751; mudbugscrawfish.com) / Sal & Phil’s Seafood & Lounge (6600 Old Canton Road, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601957-1188) / T’Beaux’s Crawfish and Catering (941 Highway 80 W., Clinton, 601-926-4793; 5752-B Terry Road, Byram, 769-230-3855; tbeauxs.com) / The Crawfish Hut (6956 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-3474)

COURTESY STAMPS SUPER BURGERS

COURTESY GUMBO GIRL

Finalists: Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562, charrestaurant.com) / Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., 601-948-0888, halandmals. com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant. com) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com)

(1801 Dalton St., 601-352-4555)

T Best ohanks for f Jac kson the Votes !

In 2018,

Local Products and Gifts

Party Trays Available for Order (call ahead)

Fresh Local Produce for Grilling and Tailgating

Best Beer Selection in Jackson

USDA and Black Canyon Angus Choice Beef

Hot Deli for Breakfast and Lunch

Plan Ahead...

Big T he

Game is right around the cor

ner !

Maywood Mart

1220 E. Northside Dr. 601-366-8486 Shopping Center Fondren 601-366-5273

Westland Plaza

2526 Robinson Rd. 601-353-0089

Belhaven English Village

904 E. Fortification St. 601-355-9668

MAYWOOD MART 1220 E. Northside Dr. • 601-366-5676 www.mcdadeswineandspirits.com Please Drink Responsibly

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Woodland Hills

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Local Fine Dining: Walker’s Drive-In

Best New Restaurant: Barrelhouse

When it opened, this year’s winner for Best Local Fine Dining, Walker’s Drive-In was a literal drive-in restaurant. It is in the same location, but these days, it’s not so much a drive-in as it is a destination for fine dining.

The dinner menu includes dishes such as Niman Ranch pork belly with a buttermilkherb biscuit, a soft poached egg and apple jam; main courses such as a wood-grilled 16-ounce prime strip steak with truffle fries, spinach, blue cheese butter and a red-wine reduction, and more.

For those who want to dine fancy during lunch, the appetizer menu includes fried green tomatoes with spicy crawfish and charred lemon butter and more. No matter what time of day you decide to eat at Walker’s, though, you can always sit on the patio, look at the mural on the wall and people-watch in Fondren.

—Amber Helsel

Barrelhouse has only been open since early 2017, but it has still made foodie waves in Jackson, now winning the 2018 award for Best New Restaurant.

The bar’s appetizer menu includes buffalo cauliflower with a Grit Girl cornmeal crust, celery and bleu cheese, and tuna poké nachos with Ahi tuna, avocado, seaweed salad, sesame seeds, wonton chips, a Hawaiian sauce and a spicy aioli.

Its entrees include the country Cuban with braised pulled pork, country ham, fried pickles, white cheddar, praline mustard on a Gil’s Bread hoagie, and fries; and more.

Barrelhouse extensive bar includes draft and bottled beers, wine, bourbon- and whiskey-based cocktails, and more. The business has social hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information, visit barrelhousems.com.

—Brynn Corbello

Best Place for Pizza: Pizza Shack

(925 E. Fortification St., 601-352-2001; 219 Garden Park Drive, Madison, 601-856-8600; The Bank by Pizza Shack, 200 W. Leake St., Clinton, 601-708-1708; pizzashackpizza.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO

Best Place for Pizza winner Pizza Shack has been serving Jacksonians since 2005, but the restaurant has undergone some changes over the last few years.

Now, it has locations in Jackson, Madison, and Clinton with one called The Bank by Pizza Shack.

While one of the local favorites is the carnivore (pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage, beef and bacon), Pizza Shack’s menu also includes pizzas such as the veggie deluxe with mushrooms, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and green and black olives; and the chicken curry delight with curry, smoked gouda, mozzarella, curry chicken, bell peppers, onions and fire-roasted red peppers. The sandwich menu also includes the Philly cheesesteak and more. For more information, find the business on Facebook.

—Seth Reeks

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Finalists: Lost Pizza Co. (multiple locations, lostpizza.com) / Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919, salandmookies.com) / Soulshine Pizza Factory (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1, Ridgeland, 601-856-8646; 5352 Highway 25, Suite 1100, Flowood, 601-919-2000) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562, themanshipjackson.com)

Finalists: Bacchus in Madison (121 Colony Crossing Way A, Madison, 601-707-5733, bacchusmadison. com) /Cantina Laredo (200 District Blvd., 601-982-7061, cantinalaredo.com) / Estelle Wine Bar & Bistro (The Westin Jackson, 407 S. Congress St., 769-235-8400, estellejackson.com) / Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen (587 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-853-1110, yiayiasgreekkitchen.net)

Best Place for Healthy Food: High Noon Café, Rainbow Natural Grocery Cooperative (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602, rainbowcoop.org)

If you’re looking for a healthy place to eat and shop, try Best Place for Health Food High Noon Café and Rainbow Natural Grocery Cooperative. High Noon has been one of Jackson’s only vegetarian and vegan restaurants for the last 35 years, and Rainbow is the only locally owned organic grocery store. Its menu includes dishes such as the popular seaside cakes, quesadillas, soups and more. Just a few steps away, Rainbow Natural Grocery Cooperative has all the organic groceries, hair-care products, supplements and buy-by-weight grains, beans, spices you could want.

Regular membership to Rainbow is free, and benefits include special discounts. A shareholder membership has a one-time $75 fee.

For more information, visit rainbowcoop.org.

—Jan M. Richardson Finalists: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com) / Crossroads Café (398 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-790-7141) / freshii (748 MacKenzie Lane, Flowood, 601-718-0020; 1250 Eastover Drive; freshii.com/us)

Best Sandwich Place: Room Service

(4659 McWillie Drive, 601-362-4617; 1010 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 104, 601-707-3600)

Hays Thompson has been serving up popular sandwiches and salads through Room Service in Jackson since he began delivering them door-to-door in 1986. Now, the catering business has grown to include pick-up, delivery and sit-down eating at two locations. “We’ve grown from three employees to 36,” Thompson says. “We opened our second location in the Renaissance about six years ago.”

The menu at Room Service, which has 38 sandwich and 35 salad options, is made up of recipes passed down from Thompson’s grandmother, and ones from his own creative instinct. It includes sandwiches such as chicken salad with grapes and pecans, the Big (ham, turkey, roast beef and bacon), and the Texan (spicy roast beef, Swiss, tomato and lettuce). Thompson’s personal favorite is the Uptown— grilled chicken, blue cheese, pecans, craisins and more, on honey wheat bread.

For more information, visit roomservicejackson.com.

—Abigail Walker Finalists: Basil’s (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601-982-2100; 120 N. Congress St., Suite L1, 601-944-9888) / Beagle Bagel (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 145, 769-251-1892; 100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601856-4377; thebeaglebagelcafe.com) / Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601362-2900, broadstbakery.com) / Steve’s (125 S. Congress St., 601-969-1119; 200 S. Lamar St., 601-714-5683; stevesdowntown.com)

AMBER HELSEL / FILE PHOTO

Finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562, charrestaurant.com) / Shapley’s (868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601957-3753, shapleysrestaurant.com) / Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202, tableonehundred.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601398-4562, themanshipjackson.com)

COURTESY BARRELHOUSE

(3009 N. State St., 769-216-3167, barrelhousems.com)

COURTESY WALKER’S DRIVE-IN

(3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com)

Thank you for voting us a Best Burger finalist!

Thank You We’re so grateful and honored by your continued support.

Join us for happy hour.

Monday-Friday 3-7 16oz Domestics $2 27oz Domestics $3 Well Drinks Served as Doubles Saturday and Sunday 2 for 1 Mimosas and Bloody Marys

6 2 2 D U L I N G AV E .

|

601-366-5757

|

E AT B A B A L U. C O M

www.pizzashackms.com 601-352-2001 925 East Fortification St., Jackson, Mississippi 39212

To show our appreciation bring in this ad and receive

15% off your order.

EXP 2/24/18

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

The team at Pizza Shack thanks you for voting us a finalist in the Best Pizza category for Best of Jackson!

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Best Place to Drink Cheap; Best Open-Mic Night; Best Service-Industry Hangout: Fenian’s Pub

Best Beer Selection (Restaurant); Best Place to Watch the Game: The Bulldog

The Bulldog’s general manager, Valerie Alexander, says the restaurant and bar valued variety in its beer taps and bottle options even before that was easy.

“We’ve been here since 2007 at The Bulldog with 62 taps, and back then, we didn’t really have as big of a selection as we get now in the state,” she says. “Now that we have the opportunity to get things that we’ve never been able to get before, our forte is rotating our taps and keeping new stuff in stock.”

Along with Best Beer Selection (Restaurant), this is The Bulldog’s first year to win Best Place to Watch the Game since 2013, but Alexander has an easy answer for why Jacksonians would choose the business for that category.

“Probably just because we have a ridiculous number of televisions,” she says with a laugh.

The Bulldog has TVs throughout the bar and plays game audio through its main sound system, and the number of excited fans who come out for sporting events makes for a fun atmosphere, as Best of Jackson voters clearly know.

—Micah Smith

Best Place to Drink Cheap finalists: Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-2162589, fondrenpublic.com) / Martin’s Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinsbar39201.com) / Pop’s Saloon (2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747) / Sam’s Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526)

Best Beer Selection (Restaurant) finalists: Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769-216-3167, barrelhousems.com) / Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589, fondren public.com) / Saltine Restaurant (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltine restaurant.com) / The Pig & Pint (3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com)

Best Open-Mic Night finalists: Offbeat Comedy Open-Mic (Offbeat, 151 Wesley Ave., 601376-9404, offbeatjxn.com) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700, oletavern.com) / Synergy Nights at The Med Bar & Grill (1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-0082)

Best Place to Watch the Game finalists: 4th & Goal Sports Café (5100 Interstate 55 N., 769208-8283, 4thgoal.com) / Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845, capitol grillofjackson.com) / Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589, fondren public.com) / Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700) / The Feathered Cow (1040 Spillway Circle, Suite A5, Brandon, 601-605-0414, featheredcow.com)

Best Service-Industry Hangout finalists: Kemistry Sports Bar & Hookah Lounge (3716 Frontage Road N., 601-713-1500) / Sam’s Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526) / The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517, apothecaryjackson.com) / WonderLust (3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003)

Best Bar: Fondren Public

(2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589, fondrenpublic.com)

Best Blues Artist/Group: Chris Gill

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

COURTESY CHRIS GILL

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Finalists: Dexter Allen (dexterallen.com) / Grady Champion / Jesse Robinson / Scott Albert Johnson (scottalbertjohnson.com) / Stevie J Blues

Fondren Public, voters’ choice for 2018’s Best Bar, opened in September 2013 when a group of local investors decided to get together and create a place centered on the idea of community.

Brad Dreher, Fondren Public’s general manager, says that beyond its staff, one of the best things about the bar is its atmosphere. The bar creates an environment where Jacksonians and young professionals from around the metro area can interact and socialize the old-fashioned way, he says.

“I think we’re a fun place to hang out and get together with friends and have a good time,” Dreher says. “Jackson has a ton of great bars, so we’re honored to even be in this category. We appreciate everything Jackson has to offer, and it’s great that others feel the same way (about Fondren Public).”

—ShaCamree Gowdy Finalists: Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Library Lounge (Fairview Inn, 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / Martin’s Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinsbar39201.com) / The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517, apothecaryjackson.com) / WonderLust (3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003)

TRIP BURNS / FILE PHOTO

(chrisgillmusic.com)

After being a finalist in the past two Best of Jackson competitions, musician Chris Gill has taken the title of 2018’s Best Blues Artist/Group.

The Birmingham, Ala., transplant has been playing blues music for about 30 years, and performs in the Jackson metro area as a solo artist, member of duo D’Mar & Gill, and as frontman for the Sole Shakers and the Mississippi Boogie Krewe. He and the latter group recently represented Mississippi in the 2018 International Blues Challenge, making it to the semifinals.

“I fell in love with the blues the first time I heard it,” Gill says. “It moved something deep in my soul, and I knew playing the blues was what I’d do the rest of my life. I’m grateful that the people of Jackson voted for me. It feels good when the people at home say, ‘Yeah.’”

—Brinda Fuller Willis

COURTESY THE BULLDOG

(6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com)

IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO

(901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com)

Fenian’s Pub is always a crowd favorite in many categories, but it has the longest history with three titles in particular. The bar has won Best Place to Drink Cheap for the past four years, Best Service-Industry Hangout for the past two years, and Best Open-Mic Night for a whopping eight years running.

Fenian’s three titles this year often go hand in hand, as the bar is always open late and its long-running open-mic night provides something fun and free to do, whether you’re just coming to kick back or participate. The bar offers 32 varieties of Irish whiskeys, along with plenty of beer and signature cocktail options. Fenian’s kitchen also stays open until midnight Monday through Saturday and until 11 p.m. on Sundays, making it a go-to spot for folks who get off work late.

“People can come and always expect to have a good time,” Ryan Cassell, Fenian’s general manager and chef, says. “It’s a place where people from around town can hang out and enjoy, and we do a happy-hour discount for (service-industry workers) if they come in anytime after 10 p.m.”

—ShaCamree Gowdy

Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Club DJ: DJ T Money

Best Country Artist/Group: Jason Miller Band

Walter Murphy III, whom fans know as DJ MMM or DJ T Money, has been spinning since the age of 15.

With more than 16 years of experience, he knows how to rock a crowd. He has toured with Lil Wayne, deejayed for major college sporting events and become a go-to deejay for the fraternities and sororities on college campuses across the country. This is his first year to win the Best Club DJ title in Best of Jackson.

Murphy often begins his events with a prayer giving thanks, which he says both puts him in the right frame of mind and gives him energy for the show ahead.

“I haven’t worked a job in 15 years,” he says. “… When you love what you do, it’s a gift, not a job.” —Shameka Hayes-Hamilton

Best Country Artist/Group is always a competitive category in Best of Jackson, and Jason Miller, vocalist for the Jason Miller Band, says he knows that well. Jacksonians selected the group, which has members in the metro area and around Mississippi, for a third consecutive year.

Miller says he credits the award in part to the band’s love of interacting with fans and to the passion of his band mates, drummer Nathan Spears, multi-instrumentalist Topher Brown, bassist Anthony Daniels, and guitarists Jamie Bright and John Andy Bowen.

“I know how passionate each and every one of them are about what they do, and they do it well,” Miller says. “I think that just bleeds out through our shows.”

The band is currently touring regionally while working on music for an album, which he says they hope to record later this year.

—Micah Smith

(themoneyteam601.com)

(reverbnation.com/jmillermusic)

COURTESY JASON MILLER BAND

STEPHEN WILSON

Finalists: DJ Glenn Rogers / DJ Money Hungry (myspace.com/demrealchitownboyz) / DJ Phingaprint (pointblankdjs.com) / DJ Taboo (digitaldjpool.com/mitchtaboo)

Finalists: Burnham Road (artistecard.com/burnhamroad) / Chasin’ Dixie (601-946-2103) / Young Valley (youngvalleymusic.com)

Best Gospel Artist/Group: The Mississippi Mass Choir

(662-822-9856)

It is a safe bet that no other winners in this year’s Best of Jackson received a proclamation from the city of Murfreesboro, Tenn., in 2017, but that’s the kind of recognition the Mississippi Mass Choir has brought to Jackson and to the state as a whole for three decades. This is the choir’s third time in a row to win Best Gospel Artist/Group.

Frank Williams, a member of gospel act The Jackson Southernaires, first formed the group in the late 1980s while he worked for the gospel division of Malaco Records. Since then, the Mississippi Mass Choir has performed around the country and internationally on many occasions. The choir has also made numerous television appearances, including spots on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and ABC sitcom “black-ish” in 2017 alone.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Anderson UMC Sanctuary Choir (Anderson United Methodist Church, 6205 Hanging Moss Road, 601-982-3997, andersonum.org) / Benjamin Cone III & Worship / Jason Gibson & Destiny Project (destiny_ project@hotmail.com) / The Williams Brothers Gospel (414-699-8357)

COURTESY PEYTON WOFFORD

Finalists: Burnham Road (artistecard.com/burnhamroad) / Hunter Gibson & the Gators (hunterandthegators.com) / Pop Fiction (601-260-5806)

(mmcsingers@gmail.com)

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI MASS CHOIR

COURTESY ACOUSTIC CROSSROADS

After three consecutive years as a finalist, local act Acoustic Crossroads received the most votes for 2018’s Best Cover Band title.

Guitarist Sonny Brooks first formed the group as a duo in Leland, Miss., in 2008. He moved to Jackson in 2014 and has since built the band into a five-piece act, which now includes guitarist Rick Moreira, drummer David Cummings, saxophonist Kevin Lewis and bassist Eddie Ingram, all of whom also provide vocals. Singer Chris Link also sits in with the band on occasion.

Brooks says the band covers a variety of music from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond, with songs from The Eagles, America, Bob Seger, Peter Frampton and Prince, to name a few.

“I try to be very picky with the songs I choose and take people back in time for them to actually remember what they were doing, where they were at when they heard these songs, and touch people with them,” Brooks says.

—Micah Smith

Best Singer: Zach Lovett

(Young Valley, youngvalleymusic.com)

Best Singer is a difficult category to stand out in—triply so when you are in a band with three lead vocalists. This year, voters selected Zach Lovett of Jackson country band Young Valley for the award.

“That really kind of blew me off my feet,” he says of his nomination. “I’ve never really thought of myself like a singer. I always thought that writing was more a strength of mine, … so it was really humbling to be picked for that one. It’s like if I was picked for Best Dancer.”

Lovett says he hopes this means that listeners are connecting with the emotions of the music.

Fans will hear him sing alongside brother Dylan Lovett and Spencer Thomas when Young Valley releases its self-titled album this April.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Chris Link / Keontrea Thomas / Kerry Thomas (artistecard.com/kerrythomasmusic) / Krystal Gem

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Cover Band: Acoustic Crossroads

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Hip-Hop Artist/Group: Silas

Best Jazz Artist/Group: The Vamps

It is no wonder that Jackson rapper Silas Stapleton, known to fans simply as Silas, has won the Best Hip-hop Artist or Group title for three years running.

His first time to win came in 2016 shortly after his single “Gullah Gullah Island” began earning national attention, and his next came a year later after fans were well acquainted with his album, “The Day I Died.” It’s not just his career that has flourished over the past few years, though.

“Hip-hop is in a better state than it has been in a long time,” Stapleton says. “There are lots of good artists and good music being made. … It’s OK to be yourself—that’s the message I try to deliver in my music.”

On break from tour as of late December 2017, he is currently working on music for a follow-up album.

—Shameka Hayes-Hamilton

It is fitting that Jacksonians voted The Vamps as this year’s Best Jazz Artist/ Group, given that 2018 is also the ensemble’s 20th anniversary. These days, the band, which includes guitarist Barry Leach, vocalist-percussionist Adib Sabir, drummer Denny Burkes, bassist-keyboardist Bob Piecyzk, trumpeter Terry Miller, and saxophone players Kevin Lewis and Todd Bobo, plays more private events than club shows. However, Burkes says that only makes it a more special experience when they do share the stage together.

“The Vamps have always been a really free and easy spirit,” he says. “We’ve really only rehearsed together two or three times in the years we’ve been together, and when we get together, it’s more like a party. The seven of us are friends seeing each other, and I think people pick up on that.”

In addition to the band’s annual Dec. 22 Duling Hall performance, The Vamps are hoping to schedule an anniversary show in February at Martin’s Restaurant & Bar, the first venue to host the group 20 years ago.

—Micah Smith

(dear-silas.com)

Best Musician: Jason Turner

Best Karaoke DJ: Angela Pittman

This year’s winner for Best Karaoke DJ is also one of the longest-running names in the field. Angela Pittman, who also won the title in 2017, has been hosting karaoke events for about 25 years.

“I love music, and I’ve been in music my whole life, but karaoke is about letting someone else have the opportunity to shine for a moment,” she says. “The singers I have, they feel like they’re on ‘American Idol’ or something when they’re on there, you know? It’s special to them, so it’s special to me.”

Today, Pittman’s business, Krazy Karaoke, hosts weekly events across the Jackson metro area, Mondays through Wednesdays at Burgers & Blues in Ridgeland, Wednesdays at Bill’s Creole and Steak Depot in Flora, Thursdays at T’Beaux’s Crawfish & Catering in Pocahontas, and Fridays at Route 471 in Brandon.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Cory Drake / DJ Stache (djstachegst@ gmail.com) / Matt Collette (Karaoke with Matt Collette)

COURTESY DULING HALL

Finalists: Chad Wesley (Chad Wesley Band, chadwesley band.com) / Hunter Gibson (Hunter Gibson & the Gators, huntergibson.com) / Lynlee Healing Webb (Phantom Mile) / Raphael Semmes

(622 Duling Ave., 601-292-7121, dulinghall.com) COURTESY ANGELA PITTMAN

Not much has changed for singer-songwriter Jason Turner since he last took the Best Musician title in 2017.

That’s not to say things have been quiet for the acoustic rocker, who has maintained a busy slate of solo and fullband performances around the state.

In recent months, the Jason Turner Band, which also includes Dan Joyner on bass and Chris Crawford on drums, has been putting the finishing touches on a new EP. Turner plans to release it in early 2018 before moving on to his eighth full-length.

He says even being a finalist for the Best Musician category was a surprise—one that he chalks it up in part to name recognition after performing in the Jackson area for nearly 20 years.

“What I’ve learned is that we have as much talent as anywhere else,” he says. “… I think the only thing we’re lacking is that we need more support from people, and even the bands supporting each other would be great.”

—Micah Smith

COURTESY JASON TURNER

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Live Music Venue: Duling Hall

(Krazy Karaoke)

Jacksonians have voted Duling Hall as the city’s Best Live Music Venue for a fourth consecutive year, but that legacy is not the only reason for its winning streak.

In 2017, Arden Barnett and his team at Ardenland continued to bring in international touring acts, including Dawes, Robert Earl Keen, Cindy Wilson and Pokey LaFarge, while also providing a space for special events from Mississippi artists, such as Ben Ford and Sam Mooney. However, the venue also expanded on its offerings, with more variety in the types of entertainment.

Jackson residents were able to see hip-hop artists Curren$y and Isaiah Rashad, indie-pop bands The JAG and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, reggae group The Wailers and a cappella act Street Corner Symphony, among many others, all at the same venue. Not bad for an old schoolhouse.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., 601-9480888, halandmals.com) / Martin’s Restaurant & Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinsbar39201.com) / Spacecamp (3002 N. Mill St., spacecampjxn.com) / The Hideaway (5100 Interstate 55 N., 601-291-4759, thehideawayms.com) / Underground 119 (119 S. President St., 601-944-0907, underground119.com)

IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO

Finalists: Jessie Primer III (reverbnation.com/jessieprimeriii) / Pam Confer (Jazz Beautiful) / Raphael Semmes / Vibe Doctors Jazz Project (thevibedoctors@gmail.com)

(Jason Turner Band, jasonturnerband.com)

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STEPHEN WILSON

Finalists: 5th Child (5thchildmusic.com) / Coke Bumaye

(thevamps.com)

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Sexiest Female Bartender: Courtney Boykin

Best R&B Artist/Group: Mike Rob and the 601 Band

Courtney Boykin, this year’s winner for Sexiest Female Bartender, says that she has always liked the idea of bartending.

Before starting at Ole Tavern on George Street six years ago, she bartended at restaurants such as Logan’s Roadhouse and Mugshots Grill & Bar in Flowood.

While she doesn’t have a particular favorite drink to make, Boykin says she likes when customers tell her what they normally drink and trust her to make something that they will enjoy.

A vital part of bartending for her is to treat first-time customers like she has known them for a long time, Boykin says, so that even new faces can feel like regulars.

“Always try to make a new friend every day,” she says. “… And there are always, always, always opportunities to learn.”

—Amber Helsel

In Best of Jackson, it is rare to see someone win without having been a finalist for the past few years, but that is exactly what happened with 2018’s Best R&B Artist/Group, Mike Rob and the 601 Band.

Since forming in 2009, the group has performed classic and contemporary R&B hits all around the region.

Today, the lineup includes vocalists Mike Robinson and Tiffiany Haywood, drummer Frank White, bassist Sky Chambers, keyboardist and background vocalist Kevin Culver, guitarist Jeremy McCoy, saxophonist Bobby Conner, and trumpeter Richard Beverly.

Robinson says that being mentioned among Jackson’s R&B greats is humbling.

“Me and the 601 go out and do what we do week after week, and the applause is there after we finish, but it’s good to know that the music touches the people after they leave the club,” he says.

—Brinda Fuller Willis

(Ole Tavern on George Street, 416 George St., 601-960-2700, oletavern.com)

(mikerobandthe601band.com)

Best Place to Play Pool: The Green Room

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

The Green Room is the closest thing to a true dynasty that you’ll find in Best of Jackson. The last time that the pool hall lost the award for Best Place to Play Pool was way back in 2005 when W.C. Don’s took the title. Even then, it got its share of appreciation.

In that year’s Best of Jackson issue, the late, great JFP Events Editor Herman Snell wrote, “The Green Room, second-best place to shoot pool, is more of an upscale locale that hosts tournaments. If you’re interested in going pro as a pool-shooter, then the Green Room is the place to start around here.”

More than a decade later, that sentiment still rings true. In addition to being a popular local spot for bar food, the Green Room is a favorite haunt of serious pool players looking to up their game.

—Micah Smith Finalists: One Block East (642 Tombigbee St., 601-9440203, oneblockeast.com) / Pop’s Saloon (2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747) / Sam’s Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601983-2526) / Shucker’s Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com)

(116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601853-0105, shuckersontherez.com)

Shucker’s Oyster Bar in Ridgeland tends to be a fixture in several Best of Jackson categories each year but none more frequently than Best Place to Dance. Voters have given that title to the restaurant and bar for the third year in a row.

One of the reasons that Shucker’s is a perpetual competitor for the award is that its multiple stages offer different types of live music in the same space, often in a single evening.

Most nights of the week, it is a safe bet for getting your dance on, whether you want to head-bang to big, boisterous rock acts such as Hairicane or Spank the Monkey, or slow dance on the deck to acoustic tunes from artists such as Chad Perry or Josh Journeay.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Bee Hall (Hinds Community College Raymond campus, 608 Hinds Blvd., Raymond, 601-857-5261, hindscc.edu) / F. Jones Corner (303 N. Farish St., 601-983-1148, fjonescorner. com) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700, oletavern.com) / WonderLust (3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003)

To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

Best Rock Artist/Group: Stonewalls (stonewallsmusic.com)

CORINTHIAN WASHINGTON

TRIP BURNS / FILE PHOTO

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Finalists: Clouds & Crayons (cloudsandcrayons.band) / JPride (jpride.bandcamp.com) / Kerry Thomas (artistecard.com/kerrythomasmusic)

Best Place to Dance: Shucker’s Oyster Bar

(444 Bounds St., 601-713-3444)

XXX

COURTESY COURTNEY BOYKIN

Finalists: Jenifer Simcox (Fondren Public, 765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589, fondren public.com) / Kirby Coutch (Fenian’s Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenians pub.com) / Kreé Blackwell (WonderLust, 3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003) / Kristen Thompson (Lou’s Full-Serv, 904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359, lousfullserv.com)

The members of rock act Stonewalls have been performing in Jackson since around 2014, but guitarist Zac Clarke says he attributes their first win for Best Rock Artist/Group in part to their fun atmosphere onstage and their work over the last year.

Clarke says that he, vocalist Matthew Simonton, keyboardist John David Harrison, drummer Mitchell Phillips and bassist J.W. Herring played more shows than ever in 2017, slowing down recently to work on new music. They plan to record a follow-up to their 2016 EP, “Change the Subject,” in spring of this year.

“We’re kind of getting a little more alternative, I’d like to say,” Clarke says. “I’m not going to say we’re getting away from the blues-iness because that’s always going to be a part of it, but we’re definitely heading in a little more of a hard-rock kind of direction.”

—Micah Smith Finalists: Bad Magic (badmagic420.bandcamp.com) / Dream Cult (wearedreamcult.com) / Framing the Red (framing thered.com) / Young Valley (youngvalleymusic.com)

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Thank You For Voting Us a Finalist

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Best Day Spa; Best Nail Salon: Aqua the Day Spa

Best Museum; Best Kid’s Hangout; Best Tourist Attraction: Mississippi Children’s Museum

(1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-9123, aquathedayspa.com)

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Museum finalists: Eudora Welty House and Garden (1119 Pinehurst St., 601-353-7762, eudoraweltyhouse.com) / Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org) / Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive, 601-576-6000, museum. mdwfp.com) / Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center (528 Bloom St., 601-960-1457)

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Best Kid’s Hangout finalists: High Heaven Trampoline Park (2280 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 769-208-3008, highheaven.us) / Kids Court at Highland Village (4500 Interstate 55 N., 601-982-5861, highland villagems.com) / Party Safari (5324 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601992-5111, partysafari.us) / Winner’s Circle Park (100 Winners Circle, Flowood, 601-992-4440, cityofflowood.com) Best Tourist Attraction finalists: Fondren (fondren.org) / Mississippi State Capitol (400 High St., 601-359-1114, legislature.ms.gov) / Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St., 601-576-6920, oldcapitolmuseum.com) / The Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St., 601-352-2580)

Best Day Spa finalists: Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge (118 W. Jackson St., Suite 2-B, Ridgeland, 601-707-5656, drenchdayspa.com) / The Skin District (2629 Courthouse Circle, Suite B, Flowood, 601-981-7546, theskindistrict.com) / Soul Spa (Westin Jackson, 407 S. Congress St., 769-235-8401, soulspajackson.com) Best Nail Salon finalists: Cuticles Nail Studio (2947 Old Canton Road, 601-366-6999) / Kevin’s Nail Spa (655 Lake Harbour Drive, Suite 600, Ridgeland, 601-427-5211) / Le Nails (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 390, 601-366-3069) / Serenity Nail Spa, LLC (101 Lexington Drive, Madison, 601-707-7430)

Best Place to Book a Party or Shower; Best Place to Get Married: Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com)

If someone told you the best place to book a party, host a shower or even tie the knot was inside a 1908 colonial mansion turned boutique hotel, would you believe them? If you’re in Jackson, you have the opportunity to see for yourself.

The Fairview Inn in historic Belhaven has developed a reputation for being a central hub for pivotal life events, corporate events and casual hangouts alike, with the restaurant 1908 Provisions and the Library Lounge also on the grounds.

Brides who have married there have praised Fairview for its aesthetic, its food and its staff on the website The Knot.

Even if you’re getting hitched or hosting a party in the hot summer months, the outdoor space is enclosed with trees that create a welcome shady space in the Mississippi sun. But even the indoor spaces boast timeless décor that will leave just about patrons happier than when they entered.

—Ko Bragg

COURTESY FAIRVIEW INN

The human brain never stops learning, and for children, it is especially vital that they begin to learn about the world from an early age. Luckily for parents and kids alike, places like the Mississippi Children’s Museum put learning in a playful context.

This year, voters selected MCM as Best Kids’ Hangout, Best Museum and Best Tourist Attraction.

The museum’s website says MCM’s mission is “to provide unparalleled experiences that ignite a thirst for discovery, knowledge and learning in all children.” Visitors can learn about a variety of topics, including the state’s geography and natural landscape, how a combustion engine works, the way that the human body operates and more, all in one location. The museum also puts a focus on literacy education, with exhibits such as the Literacy Garden and the “Wild About Reading” gallery.

In addition to its ongoing exhibits, MCM also brings in traveling attractions, including the recent “Journey to the North Pole,” and hosts special events, such as the Storytelling Festival earlier this month and the upcoming “Ignite the Night” fundraiser, where adults get to take over the museum for a night of music, dancing and drinks.

The museum also features programming such as the monthly “Question It? Discover It!” series, where kids can learn about different healthy habits through fun activities. Each month, the museum also hosts a visiting artist, including dancer Kathryn Wilson for January and writer Robert Chapman for February, to help children learn about and get involved with the arts.

—Amber Helsel

With AQUA the Day Spa’s numerous services and products, and knowledgeable staff, it’s easy to see why Jacksonians again voted it Best Day Spa. And thanks to its manicure and pedicure services, the business also won Best Nail Salon this year.

The spa offers skin care and facial treatments for both men and women, and anti-aging facial treatments such as the Hydra Facial, which cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates the skin, and extracts dead skin. The spa also offers lip and neck treatments, and a collagen eye mask; Swedish and therapeutic massage therapies; hair removal for the face, legs, arms and more; and manicure and pedicure services.

AQUA is open Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit aquathedayspa.com.

—Amber Helsel

COURTESY AQUA THE DAY SPA

(2145 Museum Blvd., 601-981-5469, mschildrensmuseum.org)

Best Place to Book a Party or Shower finalists: CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-3219169, caetwinebar.com) / Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174; 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 173, 601-398-0623; deepsouthpops.com) / Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202, tableonehundred.com) / The South Warehouse (627 E. Silas Brown St., 601-939-4518) Best Place to Get Married finalists: Bridlewood of Madison (3024 Highway 22, Madison, 601-7074024, thebarnatbridlewood.com) / McClain Lodge (314 Clark Creek Road, Brandon, 601-829-1101, mcclain.ms) / The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601-366-5552, fondren.org) / The Ivy Venue (1170 Luckney Road, Flowood, 601-906-5499, theivyvenueflowood.com) / The South Warehouse (627 E. Silas Brown St., 601-939-4518)

Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Annual Event: Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival

Best Animal Shelter: Community Animal Rescue & Adoption

(March, halsstpaddysparade.com)

Finalists: Bright Lights Belhaven Nights (August, info@greaterbelhaven.com) / Jacktoberfest (October, jacktoberfest.com) / Jackson Music Awards (July, jmaainc.com) / Mistletoe Marketplace (November, mistletoemarketplace.com) / Zoo Brew (April, jacksonzoo.org)

Best Barbershop: Fondren Barber Shop

If you’re an art lover who has not been inside Fondren Art Gallery’s new location, you are missing out. The space is filled ceiling to floor with artwork, from the framing area downstairs to the gallery upstairs to even the parking lot, with all of its different art pieces and studios.

Fondren Art Gallery has work from artists in all manor of mediums, including watercolor paintings from Darryl Anderson, oil paintings from Cleta Ellington, drawings from Jeffrey Yentz, and international artists such as abstract artist Cheng Jinlu.

The gallery not only represents current artists but also trains up-and-coming creatives. Owner Richard McKey teaches art lessons for adults for $60, and children can register for an art lesson with Holly Wigman for $40.

—Amber Helsel

Even with huge competition in the Best Barbershop category, Fondren Barber Shop claimed the title for a fourth year in a row.

“We kind of noticed the trend happening where men were giving themselves permission to treat themselves better than they used to,” Eddie Outlaw, who opened the business with husband Justin McPherson in 2013, says. “We saw that happening, and we’re glad that the men of the metro area are happy with it and taking advantage of it.”

Outlaw says that he hopes Jacksonians voted for Fondren Barber Shop because of its commitment to elevating the barbershop experience, with one of the biggest focuses being customer service. “It starts at the front of the house and goes all the way through to their stylist and the way they’re treated,” he says.

—Micah Smith

Best Beauty Shop/Salon: Barnette’s Salon

(2943 Old Canton Road, 601-826-0707)

Finalists: ACEY Custom Hair Design (3015 N. State St., 601937-7754) / The Barbershop at Great Scott (4400 Old Canton Road, Suite 100, 601-984-3500, greatscott.resurva.com) / Custom Cuts & Styles (2445 Terry Road, 601-321-9292) / Maurice’s Barber Shop (multiple locations) / Noble Barber (1065 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite F, Ridgeland, 601-8566665, noblebarber.com)

COURTESY FONDREN BARBER SHOP

RICHARD MCKEY

Finalists: AND Gallery (133 Millsaps Ave., 601-3515075, andgallery.org) / Brown’s Fine Art and Framing (630 Fondren Place, 601-982-4844, brownsfineart. com) / Fischer Galleries (736 S. President St., fourth floor, 601-291-9115, fischergalleries.com) / Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave., 601-376-9404, offbeatjxn.com) / Southern Breeze Gallery (500 Highway 51, 601-6074147, southernbreeze.net)

(4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 201, 769-230-4648; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-4646; 4400 Old Canton Road, 601-362-4040; barnettessalon.com)

Barnette’s Salon may have downsized a bit last year, closing its Highland Bluff shop to focus on its locations at Banner Hall and Renaissance at Colony Park, but that didn’t stop the business from winning Best Beauty Shop/Salon for a third consecutive year.

General Manager Richard Gray, who has been with Barnette’s for two years, says that people keep coming back to the salons because their stylists go above and beyond for clients, whether they come in for a simple cut, coloring or specialty services.

“We have wonderful employees that are just easy to get along with. They’re motivated and well-trained, and the customers we have are just fantastic people,” he says. “Everybody seems to enjoy coming to work, simply because of the customers.”

—Micah Smith

COURTESY BARNETTE’S SALON

Best Art Gallery: Fondren Art Gallery (3242 N. State St., 601-981-9222, fondrenartgallery.com)

FILE PHOTO

Finalists: Animal Rescue Fund of Mississippi (395 W. Mayes St., 769-216-3414) / Cheshire Abbey (cheshireabbey@gmail.com) / The Madison Ark (madisonark.org) / Webster Animal Shelter (525 Post Oak Road, Madison, 601-605-4729)

FILE PHOTO

Community Animal Rescue & Adoption is one of several three-time winners in 2018, but even among these, it is unique. Voters have selected it as the Jackson metro area’s “Best Animal Shelter” every year since the Jackson Free Press added the category in 2016.

CARA is a no-kill shelter that relies on volunteers workers, volunteer board members and part-time employees, along with money from fundraising events and private donations, to care for an average of 300 dogs and 120 cats.

The shelter’s main focus may be helping critters find caring families, but CARA also provides resources for current pet owners and those looking to adopt, including and online booklets filled with helpful training tips and Bree’s Bark Park, a 1.68-acre off-leash dog park located next to CARA on Flag Chapel Road.

—Micah Smith

If you have lived in Jackson for awhile, chances are good that you’ve heard of or attended the annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival.

In the early 1980s, Hal & Mal’s co-owner and current Mississippi Arts Commission Executive Director Malcolm White and his friends strolled up Capitol Street dressed like characters from Tennessee Williams plays.

White’s goal was to start a parade that was unique to Jackson, so on that day, he created one combining elements St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras celebrations.

The parade, which was once called Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival, was renamed as Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival in 2016 in memory of his late brother Hal White.

The parade will fall on St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, this year, and the theme will be “Artfully Alive at 35,” celebrating the 35th year of the event.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Artisan Hair Company (400 A Cynthia St., Clinton, 844-321-2426, artisanhaircopmany.com) / LIV the salon (160 W. Government St., 601-814-8731) / SMoak Salon (622 Duling Ave., Suite 206, 601-982-5313, smoaksalon.com) / Watercolor Salon (115 W. Jackson St., Suite 1H, 601-6054448, watercolorsalon.com) / William Wallace Salon (2939 Old Canton Road, 601-982-8300)

To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

(960 N. Flag Chapel Road, 601-922-7575, carams.org)

41

Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Caterer: Fresh Cut Catering & Floral

Best Dance Studio: Salsa Mississippi Club & Studio

Many people who have planned events in Jackson are probably familiar with Wendy Putt’s work. Her company, Fresh Cut Catering & Floral, is often a local go-to for event planning because she and her team can do basically everything: floral arrangements, decorating and food service.

Fresh Cut has catered events such as weddings, birthday parties, Team Jackson luncheons, Mistletoe Marketplace, corporate events, fundraisers and more.

She also owns venues The Railroad District and The South Warehouse, so using those is even more convenient because you have a built-in decorator, caterer and flower arranger (you may have even attended a couple of Best of Jackson parties at her venues). Putt also recently opened the Nissan Cafe by Fresh Cut at Two Mississippi Museums.

—Mike McDonald

After three consecutive years as a finalist, Salsa Mississippi won the title of 2018’s Best Dance Studio, but the business’ Best of Jackson history goes back much further. Sujan and Sarah Ghimire founded Salsa Mississippi in 2006, and the studio was the first to win Best Place for Dance Lessons, the precursor to Best Dance Studio, when the category was created in 2010.

While Salsa Mississippi is still one of the city’s premier spots for salsa, Bachata and ballroom dancing lessons, it is also a hub for other physical-fitness practices.

Jacksonians can visit the Fondren studio to take lessons for Zumba, hip-hop dance, tai chi, yoga and hybrid kickboxing, with the guest instructors and workshops for dances such as tap, Zouk and more.

—Micah Smith

(605 Duling Ave., 601-213-6355, salsamississippi.com)

(108 Cypress Cove, Flowood, 601-939-4518, freshcutcateringandfloral.com)

Best Fitness Center: Baptist Healthplex

(717 Manship St., 601-968-1766, mbhs.org; 102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-925-7900, healthplexclinton.com; Healthplex Performance Center, 501 Baptist Drive, Madison, 601-856-7757, healthplexperformance.com; mbhs.org)

Longtime Best Fitness Center contender Baptist Healthplex has been a mainstay of the Jackson metro area since Baptist Hospital opened its first location in Jackson in 1989.

“We pride ourselves on a family atmosphere and a comfortable environment that is both friendly and uncrowded,” Baptist Healthplex Interim Director Tony James says. “It’s not just about fitness but the social aspect, as well.”

The facility offers personal training, group exercise, aquatic exercise classes and small group training for three or more people. Group exercise courses include yoga, Pilates, body sculpting, dance aerobics, abdominal classes and senior fitness classes.

—Dustin Cardon Finalists: Crossfit 601 (113 W. Railroad St., 601-941-8904, crossfit601.com) / Focus Fit (5709 Highway 80, Pearl, 601-591-7487, focusfitms.com) / Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi (400 Lindale St., Clinton, 601-924-5812; 690 Liberty Road, Flowood, 601664-1955; 6023 Lakeshore Park, Brandon, 601-992-9118; metroymcams.org) / The Club (multiple locations, theclubms.com)

Best Flower Shop: Greenbrook Flowers Inc.

(705 N. State St., 601-957-1951, greenbrookflowers.com)

Few of 2018’s Best of Jackson winners have as long of a winning streak as Greenbrook Flowers, which voters have selected as the Best Flower Shop for 12 years running. For an even shorter list, look for establishments that have served the city as long as Greenbrook has.

The florist is now in its fifth generation of ownership and celebrated its 100th year in operation in 2017.

Things haven’t been “business as usual” for Greenbrook over the past century, though. Today, the shop is a 24-hour floral service that lets customers to purchase a variety of plants, flowers and gourmet baskets online or over the phone at any time. The store is also part of the international Florists’ Transworld Delivery network, letting patrons access FTD-exclusive products without losing the personal quality that Greenbrook is known for.

—Micah Smith Finalists: A Daisy A Day (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 194, 601-982-4438, adaisyadayjackson.com) / Mostly Martha’s Florist and Gifts (353 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-956-1474, mostlymarthas florist.com) / The Prickly Hippie (470-337-7167, pricklyhippie@gmail.com, pricklyhippie.com) / Whitley’s Flowers (740 Lakeland Drive, 601-362-8844, whitleysflowers.com)

COURTESY GREENBROOK FLOWERS INC.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Category We Left Off: Best Realtor I may be the son of a Realtor, but I was still surprised to see that Jacksonians voted the profession as this year’s Best Category We Left Off. At least, I was until I thought about it.

My mom’s experience in the field over the years has shown me just how much work goes into finding someone the right place to live, with plenty of research and careful planning put into every purchase.

In one sense, Realtors are also a gateway for people to enjoy every other category in Best of Jackson, from restaurants to entertainment to quality educators. The best Realtors can help their clients find not just a house in Jackson but a real home, a starting point to plug in and find community here in the capital city.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Best Event Planner / Best Florist / Best LGBT Hangout / Best Yoga Teacher

COURTESY BAPTIST HEALTHPLEX

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FILE PHOTO

COURTESY FRESH CUT CATERING & FLORAL

Finalists: 4Top Catering (4500 Interstate 55 N., 601-942-4999, 4topcatering.com) / Ashley Steele-Ramage (Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ & BBQ, 751 Highway 51, Madison, 601-856-4407, hamils.com) / Babalu Tapas & Tacos (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, eatbabalu.com) / Mangia Bene Catering (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900, mangiabene-catering.com)

Finalists: Applause Dance Factory (242 W. Stephens St., Ridgeland, 601-228-3270, danceatapplause. com) / Dance Works Studio (1104 E. Northside Drive, Clinton 601-720-1885, dwsms.com) / Studio K (801 S. Wheatley St., Suite A, Ridgeland, 769-251-1506) / Xpress Dance Company (2160 Main St., Suite D, Madison, 601-853-0826; 155 W. Government St., 601-954-6268; xdance.net)

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Kids’ Event: Boo at the Zoo

Best Liquor/Wine Store: Fondren Cellars

Jacksonians selected Boo at the Zoo, the Jackson Zoo’s two-night Halloween festival, as 2018’s Best Kids’ Event for a third year in a row.

The zoo has hosted the event for more than a decade and expanded on its offerings over the years.

Now, Boo at the Zoo features more than 22 vendors passing out candy and treats for children, a live deejay, a magician, the “Monster Mash” dance party, a parade of costumes, a “Howl Like a Wolf” contest and a chance to learn about the nightlife of animals at the zoo.

“The reason it is so popular is that it offers safe environment for trickor-treating and added entertainment,” Toni Francis, the zoo’s event coordinator, says. “We even have the education department out greeting guests with animals from snakes to owls and other creepy-crawly animals for a hands-on learning experience.”

—Rebecca Hester

For some people, Fondren Cellars may seem a little overwhelming. The business, which opened in 2011, is stocked floor to ceiling with liquors, wines and other spirits. Thankfully, the store also has knowledgeable employees to point you in the right direction.

Whatever your need, whether it be something from across the world, such as sake from Japan, or something closer to home, like Cathead Vodka, you will likely be able to find something to fit your tastes on Fondren Cellars’ shelves.

For the wine lovers, the business has Wine Wednesdays, during which the shop’s entire inventory of wine is 10 percent off, and a “Smart Buy” rack for those who want to choose a good wine but don’t have a lot of time.

Fondren Cellars also has items for bars such as bitters, mixers and ready-made cocktails, and free glassware for private events. The business can even help its patrons plan events such as engagement parties, private wine or spirit tastings, and mixology classes. —Amber Helsel

(October, jacksonzoo.org)

(633 Duling Ave., 769-216-2323)

Best Local Bank/Credit Union: BankPlus

(Honda, 802 Harding St., 855-9434433; Subaru/Volvo, 740 Larson St., 888-859-4918, paulmoak.com)

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Best Local Dealer for a New or Used Car is a relatively new category in Best of Jackson, but Paul Moak Automotive has been a finalist every year since the Jackson Free Press added the category in 2016. This is Paul Moak’s first year to win the award.

One of the reasons that voters keep coming back to the family of car dealerships is the variety it offers. Customers find styles ranging from hybrids to sports cars, but the Paul Moak brand also specializes in three different makes: Subaru, Volvo and Honda.

Each of the company’s dealerships also holds four stars or better on car-dealership review website DealerRater.com, with Paul Moak Honda having won Dealer of the Year and the Consumer Satisfaction Award three years in a row.

—Micah Smith

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Finalists: Bob Boyte Honda (2188 Highway 18, Brandon, 601-591-5000, bobboytehonda.com) / Gray-Daniels Auto Family (multiple locations, graydaniels.com) / Herrin-Gear Automotive Group (multiple locations, herringear.com) / Patty Peck Honda (555 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland, 601-957-3400, pattypeckhonda.com)

To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

Best Local Jeweler/Jewelry Store: Jackson Jewelers

(multiple locations, BankPlus.net)

COURTESY BANKPLUS

Best Local Dealer for a New or Used Car: Paul Moak Automotive

COURTESY FONDREN CELLARS

COURTESY BOO AT THE ZOO

Finalists: Dr. Seuss’ Silly Birthday Celebration (February, mschildrensmuseum.org) / NatureFEST! (April, mdwfp.com) / Touch A Truck Jackson (April, touchatruckjackson.com) / WellsFest (September, wellschurch.org)

Finalists: Briarwood Wine and Spirits (4949 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5108, briarwoodwine andspirits.com) / Corkscrew Fine Wine and Spirits (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 32B, 601-981-1333) / Kats Wine & Spirits (921 E. Fortification St., 601-983-5287, katswine.com) / McDade’s Wine & Spirits (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 320, 601-366-5676, mcdadeswineandspirits.com) / Wine & Spirits in the Quarter (1855 Lakeland Drive, Suite A10, 601-366-6644, drinkinman.com)

Banking local can often be the best way to go. Luckily, the Jackson metro area has Mississippi-based options such as two-time Best Local Bank/Credit Union winner BankPlus. The business launched in 1909 as Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Belzoni, Miss. CB&T established offices in Central Mississippi and the Delta before it became BankPlus in September 1994 following a merger with Southeast Mississippi Bank in Quitman. Today, BankPlus has 57 offices in 33 Mississippi communities.

Along with banking amenities such as check and savings accounts, money market accounts and more, BankPlus also gives back.

It created the BankPlus Affordable Housing Program in early 2002 to help local residents become homeowners, and it assists nonprofit organizations that provide affordable housing. The company also participates in an Adopt-a-School program, which provides additional resources for local schools, and takes part in the American Bankers Association Education Foundation’s annual National Teach Children to Save Day, for which Bankplus agents teach children about the importance of saving money.

—Dustin Cardon Finalists: BancorpSouth (multiple locations, bancorpsouth.com) / Hope Credit Union (multiple locations, hopecu.org) / First Commercial Bank (1300 Meadowbrook Road, 601-709-7777; 1076 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 150, Ridgeland, 601-790-2789; firstcommercialbk.com) / Magnolia Federal Credit Union (multiple locations, magfedcu.org) / Trustmark (multiple locations, trustmark.com)

(253 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-9921700, jacksonjewelersinc.com)

Whether you are buying a piece of jewelry for yourself or picking something out for a loved one, it is best to know what you are getting yourself into. Fortunately, this year’s winner for Best Local Jeweler/Jewelry Store, Jackson Jewelers, is all about making sure their customers make the best choice.

Best friends Ron Muffuletto and John Winstead founded the business in 1981; however, these days, Muffuletto and his son Paul Muffuletto run the business as a full-service jewelry store. Jackson Jewelers carries one of the largest selections of loose gems and a variety of engagement rings. The business has pieces from Allison Kaufman, Benchmark and many other designers, but it can also perform services such as custom design, jewelry and watch repair, pearl stringing and engraving.

Jackson Jewelers isn’t just about selling jewelry, though. The business wants to educate its customers. The store’s website has resources to teach customers about everything from gem quality to jewelery care, but the business also has a certified gemologist on hand.

—Amber Helsel Finalists: Albriton’s (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 184, 601-982-4020, albritons.com) / Beckham Jewelry (120 District Blvd., Suite D110, 601-665-4642, beckhamjewelry.com) / Juniker Jewelry Co. (1485 Highland Colony Pkwy., Madison, 601-366-3754, junikerjewelry.com) / Newton’s Fine Jewelry (5417 Highway 25, Suite N, Flowood, 601-919-8747)

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Local Men’s Clothing Store: Buffalo Peak Outfitters

Mississippi turned 200 years old in 2017, and to commemorate the bicentennial, two new museums opened in the capital. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum was one of the two institutions to open in December—and it does not disappoint.

Myrlie Evers-Williams, a civilrights veteran and widow of Medgar Evers, witnessed many atrocities of white supremacy and racism in Jackson in the Jim Crow and Civil Rights Eras.

She said in December that she came out of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum a changed person.

“I felt the pain all over again,” she said. “I felt the hope all over again. I felt the determination all over again, and I came out renewed.”

If that’s not enough to convince you that the museum is this year’s Best New Addition to Jackson, then maybe Jackson is not for you.

—Arielle Dreher

Best Local Women’s Clothing Store: Material Girls

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Material Girls, 2018’s Best Local Women’s Clothing Store, has been “setting the standard since OH-Four,” the shop’s Instagram bio reads. When Whitney Giordano Foster opened her first store, she was still a senior in college. She majored in fashion merchandising with a minor in marketing at the University of Southern Mississippi.

When she began putting her education to use, she only had a few clothing racks in the store, and she sold home decor and gifts.

Foster turned that small shop into a Mississippi stronghold with locations in Flowood, Ridgeland, Oxford and Hattiesburg, in addition to its online store.

Today, Material Girls sends buyers to showrooms and markets across the nation to add more on-trend pieces to its stock of clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.

—Ko Bragg Finalists: DSquared (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 151; 256 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood; 601-9929885, shopd2clothing.com) / Libby Story (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 5003, Ridgeland, 601-717-3300, libbystory.com) / Maison Weiss (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 109, 601-981-4621, maisonweiss.com) / Treehouse Boutique (3000 N. State St., 601-982-3433, treehouse.boutique@ gmail.com)

Finalists: Barrelhouse (3009 N. State St., 769-216-3167, barrelhousems.com) / Jax-Zen Float (155 Wesley Ave., 601-691-1697, jax-zenfloat.com) / The District at Eastover (1250 Eastover Drive, 601-914-0800, thedistrictateastover.com) / The Westin Jackson (407 S. Congress St., 601968-8200, westinjackson.com)

Best Locally Owned Business: Sneaky Beans

Best Local Festival: Fondren After 5

(2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

(first Thursday, fondren.org)

COURTESY SNEAKY BEANS

(734 McKenzie Lane, Flowood, 601992-4533; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 7005, 601-6051605; shopmaterialgirls.com)

STEPHEN WILSON

Best Local Men’s Clothing Store is always a competitive category, and yet, for a three years running, voters have selected Buffalo Peak Outfitters for the title. Cody McCain, the store’s marketing director, says he attributes that in part to the store’s commitment to quality products.

“We’ve been in business for 31 years now, and I think that definitely speaks to us staying relevant to people,” he says. “(It’s about) just constantly providing stuff that people really like and also providing good-quality stuff. It doesn’t just tear up quickly. It lasts a while, and people know that it does.”

McCain says that Patagonia clothing and insulated items were popular purchases in 2017, and the store is also putting a focus on up-and-coming brands such as Howler Brothers and United By Blue for 2018.

—Micah Smith

COURTESY BUFFALO PEAK OUTFITTERS

(222 North St., Suite 2205, 601-576-6800, mscivilrightsmuseum.com)

Finalists: Great Scott (4400 Old Canton Road, Suite 101, 601-984-3500, greatscott.net) / Kinkade’s Fine Clothing (120 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-898-0513, kinkadesfc. com) / The Landing (111 Colony Crossing Way, Suite 250, 601-707-7505, thelanding socialshop.com) / The Rogue (4450 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-6383, therogue.com)

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Best New Addition: Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

(4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 115, 601-366-2557, buffalopeak.net)

Sneaky Beans is a lot like the most comfortable sweater you own. It is cozy, warm and despite wearing it all the darn time, never gets old.

The business is a home away from home for many in the area. The coffee shop is literally in a house, of course, so that helps, but there is more to it than that. Depending on what mood you are in or who you are with, there is probably a room in Sneaky Beans for you. If it is 5 p.m., you can grab a beer with a pal and kick it on the porch (sometimes complete with music). If you have five hours of reading to do, you can slide into a side room in a big comfy chair.

If you’re working on a group project, the back room has plenty of space.

However, it’s not just about the coffee, beer and comfy surroundings.

Ever since owner Byron Knight started the business in 2009, it has become a staple in the community, especially for Fondren residents. The business even sponsors the State Street Concert Series for Fondren After 5.

—Arielle Dreher Finalists: Capital City Kayaks (601-953-7615, capitalcitykayaks.com) / Dance Works Studio (1104 W. Mississippi Ave., Terry, 601-720-1885, dwsms.com) / Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave., 601-376-9404, offbeatjxn.com) / Mangia Bene Restaurant Management Group (3317 N. State St., 601-982-4443) / The Country Squire (1855 Lakeland Drive, Suite B10, 601-362-2233, thecountrysquireonline.com)

Fondren After 5, this year’s winner for Best Local Festival, has taken different forms over the last few years, but one thing has remained true: It’s always been a way to bring the community together around local arts, food and culture.

In March 2017, Studio Chane owner Ron Chane, who had organized the monthly street festival since 2015, announced that he would be stepping down, but the Fondren Renaissance Foundation helped to restructure the event and keep the momentum going.

Last year, a rotating lineup of presenters hosted anchor events, such as the State Street Concert Series, “Jackson Indie Music Week Presents” and FRF’s own Fondren Unwrapped.

Starting in March, Jacksonians can once again enjoy the lively atmosphere of Fondren After 5.

—Amber Helsel Finalists: Bright Lights Belhaven Nights (August, info@greaterbelhaven.com) / Farish Street Heritage Festival (September, farishstreetheritagefestival.com) / Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival (March, halsstpaddysparade.com) / Jacktoberfest (October, jacktoberfest.com) / WellsFest (September, wellschurch.org)

BRINGING FORWARD THE PAST: ART, IDENTITY, AND THE AMERICAN SOUTH

FINALIST FOR :

Best Museum Best Kid’s Hangout Best Place to Buy Kid’s Clothes/Toys

Best Tourist Attraction Best Place to Work

Friday, February 16, 2018 + Saturday, February 17, 2018

The Mississippi Museum of Art and the Center for Art & Public Exchange present an interdisciplinary symposium that brings together artists, curators, scholars, and the public to explore issues related to identity, race, indigeneity, trauma, and memory. Using the bicentennial exhibition Picturing Mississippi, 1817-2017: Land of Plenty, Pain, and Promise as a lens through which to consider historical conceptions of Mississippi, as well as the larger South, this symposium will engage artists and scholars who are translating this history into new, multi-dimensional narratives and who are helping to chart a new path forward.

us a final ist!

Thank you fo r mak in g

This event is free to the public; registration is required.

REGISTER AT MSMUSEUMART.ORG MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM of ART | 380 SOUTH LAMAR STREET | JACKSON, MS 39201 | 601.960.1515

www.mschildrensmuseum.org • 601.981.5469 • Jackson, MS This project is partially funded through a grant by Visit Jackson.

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Attend the

Grand Celebration and Gala at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

AT MDWFP’s

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Feb. 23-24

Natural Science

Honoring Reps. John Lewis and Bennie Thompson

JANUARY 26 - APRIL 29, 2018

(More honorees to be announced)

• Find ways to save with light bulbs, electricity, and recycling

• Take the interactive green challenge

• Explore solar, wind, and hydropower

• Check out the latest energy-saving inventions and learn about the future of energy

• Connect circuits to power up lights, radios, and fans

Info, tickets, how to donate: friendsofmississippicivilrights.org Twitter: @civilrights_MS

• See how much electricity you use

learn more at MDWFP.com/museum Conservation Quest ® was created by Stepping Stones Museum for Children

Presented by Friends of Mississippi Rights Inc. Group and event not affiliated with the Two Mississippi Museums

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

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Are you a finalist? Didn’t get your party invitation? Email kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601-362-6121 x11

Best Place to Get Your Car Fixed: Capitol Body Shop

Best Place to Buy Antiques: The Flea Market, Mississippi’s Trade Place

The past few Best of Jackson competitions have been a whirlwind for Capitol Body Shop. After back-to-back victories in 2015 and 2016, the veteran collision-repair enterprise fell shy of a finalist spot in 2017. This year, Capitol Body is back as the Best Place to Get Your Car Fixed.

The family-owned body shop has been serving Jackson since Chad White first founded the business in 1963. Since then, Capitol Body has opened additional locations in Flowood, Ridgeland and Byram, and expanded upon its services and equipment arsenal. Employees can replace customers’ windshields, fix their brakes, change their oil and apply a new paint job in one location, no matter the make or model of the vehicle.

—Micah Smith

There’s no telling what you might find at The Flea Market.

The business is in a 65,000square-foot warehouse off Flowood Drive, making it one of the largest flea markets in the Jackson metro area.

On Saturdays and Sundays, you can check out more than 150 booths that sell everything large and small, whether you’re looking for collectibles or comic books, furniture, paintings, vintage radios and everything in between.

For larger items, The Flea Market has a space for salvage items in the back.

There, you can find old wood, signs, doors and more. For more information, visit flowoodantiquefleamarket.com or find the business on Facebook.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Barnett’s Body Shop (multiple locations, barnettsbodyshop.com) / Freeman’s Auto Repair (847 S. State St., 601-948-3358) / Graves and Stoddard Inc. (722 Highway 80 E., Flowood, 601-939-3662) / Tony’s Tire & Automotive (5138 N. State St., 601-981-2414)

Finalists: Antique Mall of the South (367 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-853-4000) / Interiors Market (659 Duling Ave., 601-981-6020) / Old House Depot (639 Monroe St., 601-592-6200, oldhousedepot.com) / Repeat Street (242 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-6059123, repeatstreet.net)

(multiple locations, capitolbodyshop.com)

Leap Frog Children’s Consignment & More has taken the title of Best Place to Buy Kids’ Clothes or Toys for the second time in the 2010s since winning in 2016.

Owner Mary Ann Chaney says she opened Leap Frog in 2001 when she saw a need for a consignment shop in Madison. The store provides consignment and brand-new products for newborns to teenagers, with boutique clothing and accessories, toys for all ages, furniture such as swings and beds, and more. Leap Frog also offers monogramming and appliqué on backpacks, lunch boxes and other items that can be found in store.

“We have everything that parents may need to get them through the first several years,” Chaney says, “and we wouldn’t be here without our great customers, so we want to provide them with what they need.”

—Rebecca Hester

There are plenty of places to find clothes, accessories, decorative pieces and food in the Jackson metro area, but few have all of the above under one roof—or should we say roofs?

With locations in Brandon, Pearl, Flowood and Madison, O! How Cute Boutique & Gifts, this year’s winner for Best Place to Buy Unique Gifts, is just about as close as one can get to a one-stop shop.

Customers can purchase home décor such as candles and ceramics; fashion choices including shoes, dresses, T-shirts and purses; and food items like jams, jerky and glazes.

O! How Cute also features some local and Mississippi-made artwork and crafts for those looking to grab a one-of-a-kind selection, whatever the occasion.

—Micah Smith

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

COURTESY LEAP FROG CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT AND MORE

Finalists: Bows & Arrows (182 Promenade Blvd., 601-9929966, little-bows-arrows.myshopify.com) / Helen’s Young Ages (4750 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-0317, helensyoungages.com) / Louis LeFleur’s Trading Post (Mississippi Children’s Museum, 2145 Museum Blvd., 601-709-2603, mschildrensmuseum.org) / Row 10 (1107 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 105, Ridgeland, 601-707-5846, row10baby.com)

(multiple locations, 844-7429120, shopohc.com)

Finalists: Apple Annie’s Gift Shop (1896 Main Street, Suite D, Madison, 601-853-8911; 152 Grants Ferry Road, Brandon, 601-992-9925; shopappleannies.com) / Bliss Gift and Home (4465 Interstate 55 N., 601-326-3337) / Brock’s Beauty & Gift Apothecary (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 300, 601-366-9343, watercolor salon.com) / Fair Trade Green (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-987-0002, fairtradegreen.com) / The Prickly Hippie (470-337-7167, pricklyhippie@ gmail.com, pricklyhippie.com)

Best Place to Work: University of Mississippi Medical Center

(2500 N. State St., 601-984-1000, umc.edu) FILE PHOTO

Best Place to Buy Unique Gifts: O! How Cute Boutique & Gifts

COURTESY THE FLEA MARKET

COURTESY CAPITOL BODY SHOP

Best Place to Buy Kids’ Clothes or Toys: Leap Frog Children’s Consignment and More (104 Village Blvd., Madison, 601-8980727, leapfrogmadison.com)

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(1325 Flowood Drive, Flowood, 601-953-5914)

With 10,000 employees, it would be easy for those working for the University of Mississippi Medical Center to feel like faces in a crowd, and yet for three years in a row, it has won Best Place to Work.

For Paula Henderson, that wasn’t surprising. She moved here from Maryland to become UMMC’s chief human resources officer about six weeks ago because the company’s shared goals of improving the state through quality education and health care resonated with her. In her time with UMMC, she says that she has noticed how engaged and committed its employees are.

“They love what they get when they come to work, and what do they get?” she asks. “They get extreme employee satisfaction because they’re doing something good for their community and something great for the larger state of Mississippi.”

—Micah Smith Finalists: Cole Facial Clinic & Skin Care (1030 N. Flowood Drive, Suite A, Flowood, 601-933-2004, colefacialclinic.com) / Hinds Community College (hindscc.edu) / Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd., 601-981-5469, mschildrensmuseum.org) / St. Dominic Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive, 601-200-2000, stdom.com)

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ONE OF THE BEST Congratulations to our finalist: Best Fitness Center /Gym: Baptist Healthplex Jackson

www.mbhs.org

January 24 - 30, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ jfp.ms

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US

49 The Following Is Not For Print/For Information Only Placement: Jackson Free Press. 01/2018. 4.375â&#x20AC;? x 11.25â&#x20AC;?. Commissioned by Diane Martin.

Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor: Electric Dagger Tattoo

Best Thrift/Consignment Shop: Repeat Street

Electric Dagger Tattoo in Fondren has been mixing big-city tattooing skills with southern charm for the past five years. This is the business’ fourth consecutive year to win the title of Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor.

“What makes our shop unique is the way we treat customers, our skill set and the dedication we put into our craft—buying books, studying and traveling to bigger cities to stay on top of trends,” owner and artist Jason Thomas says. “Jackson didn’t have an envelope-pushing shop, and I felt I owed it to Jackson to stay here, and bring talents here rather than move to a larger city.”

Even those who aren’t sure about body ink might consider a quick visit to Electric Dagger to see the gallery-worthy artwork of Thomas and the shop’s other tattoo artists, “Iron Mike” Richardson and Mallory Kay. —Shameka Hayes-Hamilton

When thrift-store shopping, it’s often best to have a large volume of items to choose from, so you can find what you need— even if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

For one of the largest collections of items, visit Repeat Street, Jacksonians’ vote for Best Thrift/ Consignment Shop for seven years running.

When you walk into the Ridgeland shop, you’ll see salvage items on the porch, and the 17,000-square-foot interior has large pieces of furniture, shoes, clothing, records, accessories and everything in between.

On top of the choices within the store, Repeat Street is a sister location to another finalist in the category, Orange Peel in Fondren, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for at one store, you can always try the other.

—Amber Helsel

Finalists: Black Lotus Tattoo Shop (420 N. Bierdeman Road, Pearl, 601-933-1120) / Hard Rocs Tattoo & Piercing (1149 Old Fannin Road, Brandon, 769-251-5363) / House of Pain Custom Tattoos (22 Holiday Rambler Lane, Suite 300, Byram, 601-321-9040) / Squench’s Tattoos, Ltd. (3780 Interstate 55 S., 601-372-2800, squenchstattoos.com)

Best Veterinarian/Vet Clinic: Briarwood Animal Hospital

Finalists: City Thrift (5465 Interstate 55 N., Suite C, 601-345-1833, buythrift.com) / Goodwill Industries International, Inc (multiple locations, goodwill.org) / N.U.T.S. (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-7458) / Orange Peel Resale (422 Mitchell Ave., 601-364-9977) / Private Collection (101B Village Blvd., Madison, 601-607-6004)

Best Reason to Live in Jackson: Fondren

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

50

Finalists: All Creatures Animal Care Center (262 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, 601856-5333, allcreaturesanimalcarecenter.com) / Animal Medical Center (995 S. Frontage Road, 601-354-3622, animalmedicalcenter ofjackson.com) / Hometown Veterinary Service (1010 Depot Drive, Brandon, 601-8251697) / North State Animal and Bird Hospital (5208 N. State St., 601-982-8261, northstate animalhospital.com)

(joyflowyoga.com)

FILE PHOTO

(1471 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-5030)

Jacksonians have voted Briarwood Animal Hospital as the Best Veterinarian/ Veterinary Clinic for a third year in a row, and for Dr. John Ray, who has been with the Briarwood since 1984, part of that dynasty comes from the hospital’s history of serving the area.

“For one, the clinic has been here since 1960, so it’s kind of a Jackson institution,” he says. “It was started by Dr. Hugh Ward back in 1960 and has grown over the years.

We’re a multi-doctor practice now and try to offer state-of-the-art veterinary care.”

All five of Briarwood’s doctors work to further their education and make sure they have the most up-to-date techniques and equipment each year, Ray says, but more than that, he hopes that the community voted for Briarwood because its employees are compassionate about the pets they treat.

—Micah Smith

Best Yoga Studio: Joyflow Yoga

(fondren.org)

For a third consecutive year, voters have selected Fondren as the Best Reason to Live in Jackson.

While there are plenty of amazing places in the capital, the neighborhood has long been a major draw for visitors and locals alike.

Fondren offers a little something for everyone while still being uniquely “Jackson.” In a single day, a Fondrenite can shop at a local grocer, see local music, purchase local art, and get food or drinks at a locally owned restaurant, all without getting in a car—a tough feat almost anywhere else in the state of Mississippi.

As with many of the city’s coolest places, though, Fondren is more than the sum of its parts. It’s also an exemplar of the other contenders in this category—community, hospitality, great food and great people.

—Micah Smith Finalists: Community / Food / Hospitality / People

Often, Best of Jackson winners only have their best guess for why voters chose them. Debi Lewis of Joyflow Yoga, this year’s Best Yoga Studio, has a pretty good idea.

After 28 years of teaching yoga, she has been able to touch a lot of lives, she says. Lewis first got into yoga because of neck and back pain and depression, so for her, the practice has always been more spiritual than trendy fitness option.

“So I’m not a big ‘Instagram chick,’ in other words,” she says with a laugh. “I’m not going to show off my backbend for you.”

Joyflow’s location in Ridgeland closed in 2017, but Lewis continues teaching classes at Fitness Plus in Jackson and Connections Pilates in Madison, while also leading teacher training courses around the state.

“I want to help people really make lasting changes in their lives that aren’t just physical,” she says.

—Micah Smith Finalists: M Theory Yoga (118 W. Jackson St., Suite C, Ridgeland, 601-790-7402, mtheoryyoga.com) / StudiOm Yoga (665 Duling Ave., 601-209-6325, studiomyoga ofms.com) Tara Yoga (200 Park Circle, Suite 4, Flowood, 601-720-2337, tara-yoga.net)

The 2018 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in south Jackson. Invitation only! If you are a finalist or winner and need to RSVP, please call Kimberly @ 601-362-6121 x11 by Friday at 3 p.m.

Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

COURTESY REPEAT STREET

(242 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-605-9123, repeatstreet.net) IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO

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JFPmenus.com

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

AMERICAN/SOUTHERN CUISINE Eddie & Rubyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Snack Bar 7BMMFZ 4U +BDLTPO t

Eddie & Rubyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Snack Bar is one of the original fish houses that still serve their original homemade batter recipe.

Thanks for making us a Finalist:

Best Oysters Best Seafood

Come enjoy fantastic New Orleans cuisine, a full bar and live entertainment at home of the Original Charbroiled Oyster!

www.dragosjackson.com

Gumbo Girl )XZ 8 +BDLTPO t The best Gumbo and Cajun specialties in town for your events, special occasions or just lunch and dinner.

The Iron Horse Grill 8 1FBSM 4U +BDLTPO t The smell of charcoal greets you, the music carries you inside.

Lillieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant )XZ & $MJOUPO t .FUSPDFOUFS .BMM 'PPE $PVSU +BDLTPO t Home cooking for lunch and dinner in two locations at an outstanding price.

The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen / 4UBUF 4U +BDLTPO t The Manship transforms the essence of Mediterranean food while maintaining a southern flair.

Motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen /FBM 4U $MJOUPO t Just like Momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cooking. Visit Clintonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest home style restaurant with various options daily.

1005 E. County Line Road, Jackson, MS (601) 957-1515

PIZZA

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Mon. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sat. 11 am - 10 pm | Sun. 11 am - 8 pm

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Apps, sandwiches, salads, and beer options awaits you too!

BARBEQUE

16th Annual

E & L Barbeque #BJMFZ "WF +BDLTPO t

Serving BBQ to Jackson for over 25 years, we smoke every rib, tip and link and top it with our award winning BBQ sauce!

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Are you a Best of Jackson Finalist?

January 24 - 30, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ jfp.ms

Then Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Invited To the Best of Jackson Party!

52

For tickets and information, contact Kimberly Griffin at kimberly@jacksonfreepress.com 601.362.6121 ext.11

Winner of Best of Jackson 2016 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best BBQ.â&#x20AC;? Serving competition-style BBQ and a great beer selection.

MEDITERRANEAN/GREEK

Aladdin Mediterranean Grill -BLFMBOE %S +BDLTPO t Delicious authentic dishes including lamb dishes, hummus, falafel, kababs, shwarma.

STEAK & SEAFOOD

Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seafood Restaurant & $PVOUZ -JOF 3PBE +BDLTPO t Dragoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offers authentic New Orleans-themed seafood dishes, including their famous Charbroiled Oysters and fresh live Maine lobsters.

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Eslavaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grille Seafood, Steaks and Pasta

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HEALTHY

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

BARS, PUBS & BURGERS

Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub & 'PSUJm DBUJPO 4U +BDLTPO t

Classic Irish pub featuring a menu of traditional food, pub sandwiches & Irish beers on tap.

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Thank you JFP readers for voting us finalist in over FIVE categories including,

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Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to join us Monday-Friday 3-7 for Happy Hour and our daily Blue Plate Lunch Specials from 11am-3pm.

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Hal and Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4 $PNNFSDF 4U +BDLTPO t Pub favorites meet Gulf Coast and Cajun specialties like red beans and rice, the Oyster Platter or daily specials.

Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant and Lounge 4PVUI 4UBUF 4U +BDLTPO t Lunch specials, pub appetizers or order from the full menu of po-boys and entrees. Full bar, beer selection.

Brandonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new dine in and carry out Japanese & Thai Express.

Fusion Japanese and Thai Cuisine 5SFFUPQT #MWE 'MPXPPE t " )XZ .BEJTPO t Specializing in fresh Japanese and Thai cuisine, our extensive menu features everything from curries to fresh sushi.

Surin of Thailand 0ME $BOUPO 3E +BDLTPO t Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Newest Authentic Thai & Sushi Bar with 26 signature martiniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and extensive wine list.

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53

FRIDAY 1/26

SATURDAY 1/27

TUESDAY 1/30

“Thieves Like Us” screens at the Mississippi Museum of Art.

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s “Elgar’s Enigma” is at Thalia Mara Hall.

The Babylonstoren Wine & Tapas Tasting is at Seafood R’evolution in Ridgeland.

BEST BETS Jan. 24 - 31, 2018

Atlanta rock band Royal Thunder performs at CS’s Restaurant on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2018 continues at 7 p.m. at Malco Grandview Cinema (221 Grandview Blvd., Madison). The festival includes screenings of the films “1945,” “The Testament,” “The Women’s Balcony” and “On the Map.” Additional dates: Jan. 25-28, 7 p.m. $50 adult festival pass, $25 student festival pass, $10 singleevent admission; jewishcinemams.com.

Jim Hubbard

WEDNESDAY 1/24

THURSDAY 1/25

courtesy Karlous Miller / facebook

“O Brother, Where Art Thou?” screens at 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.).

The Coen brothers’ comedy screens as part of the “Moving Images in Mississippi” bicentennial film series. Includes a panel discussion. Free; msmuseumart.org. … Royal Thunder performs at 8 p.m. at CS’s Restaurant (1359 N. West St.). The Atlanta-native rock band’s latest album is titled “Wick.” Backwoods Payback and Bad Magic also perform.

Admission TBA; find it on Facebook.

from more than 20 designers, boutiques and vendors, with more than 60 models. 35-$40; call 601-345-8205; find it on Facebook. … “Steal Away” is at 7:30 p.m. at Warehouse Theatre (1000 Monroe St.). The farce is about church ladies who raise funds to send

by Rebecca Hester young black women to college by robbing a bank. The production is part of the Unframed at New Stage jacksonfreepress.com Theatre series. Recommended for teens and above. Additional dates: Fax: 601-510-9019 Jan. 27-28, Feb. 1-2, 7:30 p.m.

Daily updates at $10; find it on Facebook. jfpevents.com

1/29 events@ MONDAY

Steve Yarbrough signs copies of “The Unmade World”

SATURDAY 1/27

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

and nominees for the Best of Jackson competition. Includes live entertainment, dancing, food from local restaurants, adult beverages and more. For ages 21 and up. Invitation only; call 601-362-6121; bestofjackson.com.

Oxford, Miss.-born comedian Karlous Miller performs for the “Them Wild Boyz” Comedy Show on Saturday, Jan. 27, at The Hideaway.

FRIDAY 1/26

Rock the Runway 2018 is from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Gary with Da Tea from the Rickey Smiley Morning 54 Show and Tambra Cherie are the hosts. Includes fashion

The 2018 Mississippi Blues Marathon is from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The benefit race includes a run/walk marathon, half marathon and “Quarter Note” quarter marathon. Includes live music before, after and throughout the race. $50-$100; find it on Facebook. … The “Them Wild Boyz” Comedy Show is from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at The Hideaway (5100 Interstate 55 N. Frontage Road). Stand-up comedians Karlous Miller and Chico Bean perform. $25 in advance, $30 at the door; eventbrite.com.

SUNDAY 1/28

The Best of Jackson Party is at 6 p.m. at the New Horizon International Event Center (1770 Ellis Ave.).

The Jackson Free Press’ annual party celebrates the winners

at 5 p.m. at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202). Reading at 5:30 p.m. $18 book; call 601-366-7619; lemuriabooks.com. … The Southern Prohibition Beer Dinner is at 6 p.m. at Sal & Mookie’s (565 Taylor St.). The meal includes a five-course dinner with beer pairings. $60, $30 for food only; call 601-368-1919; email jaredr@salandmookies.com; salandmookies.com.

TUESDAY 1/30

The “Uncork & Unfork” dinner is at 6:30 p.m. at Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood). Chef Payton Warren prepares a four-course meal paired with Chardonnay and red wines from California’s Shafer Vineyards. $129; call 601-420-4202; tableonehundred.com.

WEDNESDAY 1/31

History Is Lunch is from noon to 1 p.m. at Two Mississippi Museums (222 North St.) in Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium. Libby Hartfield and Cathy Shropsire discuss “Fannye Cook: Mississippi’s Pioneering Conservationist.”

Free admission; mdah.ms.gov.

SPORTS & WELLNESS

Best of Jackson Party Jan. 28, 6 p.m., at New Horizon International Event Center (1770 Ellis Ave.). The Jackson Free Press’ annual party celebrates winners and finalists for the Best of Jackson competition. Surprise entertainment, dancing, food from local restaurants, adult beverages and more. For ages 21+. Invitation only; finalists call 601-362-6121 x. 16; bestofjackson.com.

2018 Mississippi Blues Marathon Jan. 27, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The 10th annual benefit race includes a run/walk marathon, half marathon and “Quarter Note” quarter marathon. Includes live music before, after and throughout the race.

A portion of the proceeds goes to the Mississippi Blues Commission Musician’s Benevolent Fund. $50-$100; email info@msbluesmarathon.com; msbluesmarathon.com.

COMMUNITY Events at Two Mississippi Museums (222 North St.) • History Is Lunch Jan. 24, noon-1 p.m. In Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium. Guest speaker Heather Wilcox presents on the topic “Mount Olive: Preserving and Restoring a Historic Cemetery.” Free admission; mdah.ms.gov.

• History Is Lunch Jan. 31, noon-1 p.m. In Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium. Libby Hartfield and Cathy Shropsire discuss “Fannye Cook: Mississippi’s Pioneering Conservationist.” Free admission; mdah.ms.gov.

Martha McDonald: Performance & Artistic Practice Jan. 26, 1-2:30 p.m., at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). The speaker is Pittsburgh performance artist Martha McDonald.

Free; call 601-974-1061; find it on Facebook.

Rock the Runway 2018 Jan. 26, 7-10:30 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Gary with Da Tea and Tambra Cherie are the hosts. Includes fashion from more than 20 designers, boutiques and vendors, with more than 60 models. 35-$40; call 601-345-8205; thebeatofthecapital.com.

SLATE

Visiting Artist: Kathryn Wilson Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.). Kathryn Wilson hosts the ballet workshop to expand guest’s knowledge of classical dance vocabulary, coordination, musicality, strength and more. $10; call 601-709-8354; mschildrensmuseum.org.

FOOD & DRINK Events at Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Ridgeland) • A Robert Burns Supper Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m.

The five-course Scottish dinner features Scotch whisky pairings with each dish. Reservations required. $99; seafoodrevolution.com.

• Babylonstoren Wine & Tapas Tasting Jan. 30, 6 p.m. Wine master Charl Coetzee presents tapas with various wine pairings. Reservations required. $60; seafoodrevolution.com.

Southern Prohibition Beer Dinner Jan. 29, 6 p.m., at Sal & Mookie’s (565 Taylor St.). The meal includes a five-course dinner with beer pairings. $60 per person, $30 per person for food only; call 601-368-1919; email jaredr@salandmookies.com; salandmookies.com.

Uncork & Unfork Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m., at Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood). Chef Payton Warren prepares a four-course meal paired with Chardonnay and red wines from California’s Shafer Vineyards. $129; call 601-420-4202; tableonehundred.com.

“Steal Away” Jan. 26-28, Feb. 1-2, 7:30 p.m., at Warehouse Theatre (1000 Monroe St.). The farce is about church ladies who raise funds to send women to college by robbing a bank. For teens and up. $10; find it on Facebook.

the best in sports over the next seven days

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

Super Bowl LII will be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX between the Eagles and Patriots. Many of the mainstays are gone except for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

THURSDAY, JAN. 25

College basketball (6-8 p.m., SECN+): The UM women’s team hits the road to face a top-10 Tennessee squad. …

College basketball (7:30-9:30 p.m., SECN): The No. 2 MSU women face Florida at home.

FRIDAY, JAN. 26

NFL (6-7 p.m., ESPN2): Catch up with a rerun of “Pro Bowl Skills Showdown” from the night before to see the best players in the NFL compete in various challenges.

SATURDAY, JAN. 27

KIDS

sissippi” bicentennial film series. Includes a panel discussion. Free; msmuseumart.org.

• “Thieves Like Us” Screening Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m. The 1974 Robert Altman gangster movie screens as part of the “Moving Images in Mississippi” bicentennial film series. Includes a panel discussion. Free; msmuseumart.org.

College basketball (1-3 p.m., ESPN2): The UM men’s team steps out of conference to face Texas. … College football (1:30-5 p.m., NFLN): Tune in for the Senior Bowl. … College basketball (7:30-9:30 p.m., SECN): The MSU men’s team hosts Missouri.

SUNDAY, JAN. 28

College basketball (1-3 p.m., ESPNU): The UM women’s team hosts MSU in a major rivalry showdown. … NFL

STAGE & SCREEN Shopkins Live! Shop it Up! Jan. 24, 6:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The interactive musical stage show features characters from the popular grocery-themed toy series. $15-$100; shopkinslive.com.

Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2018 Jan. 24-28, 7 p.m., at Malco Grandview Cinema (221 Grandview Blvd., Madison). The festival includes the films “1945,” “The Testament,” “The Women’s Balcony” and “On the Map.” $50 adult festival pass, $25 student festival pass, $10 single-film admission; jewishcinemams.com.

Events at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) • “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Screening Jan. 25, 6:30 p.m. The Coen brothers’ comedy screens as part of the “Moving Images in Mis-

(1:30-5 p.m., ABC): Tune in for the 2018 Pro Bowl to catch your favorite players who are not in the Super Bowl.

MONDAY, JAN. 29

NFL (7-10 p.m., ESPN2): Get ready for Super Bowl LII with the SportsCenter special “Super Bowl Opening Night,” which breaks down all the stories as both teams arrive in Minnesota.

TUESDAY, JAN. 30

College basketball (8-10 p.m., SECN): The UM men host a currently top-25ranked Auburn in what could be résumé-building win for the postseason.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 31

College basketball (7:30-9:30 p.m., SECN): The MSU men’s team hits the road to try to build a shot at the postseason against South Carolina.

No matter whether you love or hate the Patriots, you have to admit that Brady and Belichick going to an eighth Super Bowl is an achievement. “Eat, sleep, go to the Super Bowl, and repeat,” should be the New England mantra.

Events at The Hideaway (5100 Interstate 55 N. Frontage Road) • “Girls Night Out: The Show” Jan. 26, 8-11 p.m. The touring male revue show from Las Vegas features dancers from around the country. $19.95-$34.95; find it on Facebook.

• Them Wild Boyz Comedy Show Jan. 27, 8-10:30 p.m. Stand-up comedians Karlous Miller and Chico Bean of MTV’s “Wild ‘N Out” and “The 85 South Show” perform. $25 in advance, $30 at the door; eventbrite.com.

CONCERTS & FESTIVALS Events at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.) • Stoop Kids + Little Stranger Jan. 26, 8 p.m.

Stoop Kids is a genre-fusing rock and psychedelic band from New Orleans, La., and Little Stranger is a hip-hop duo from Charleston,

S.C. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10; call 877987-6487; ardenland.net.

• Elizabeth Cook Jan. 27, 8 p.m. The Nashville country singer’s latest album is titled “Exodus of Venus.” Doors open at 7 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door; call 877-987-6487; ardenland.net.

Bravo III: Elgar’s Enigma Jan. 27, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performs a concert featuring satire, soundscapes and instrumental dialogue. $25-$67; msorchestra.com.

Cody Rogers Album Release Party Jan. 27, 8:30-11:30 p.m., at Spacecamp (3002 N. Mill St.). The Jackson alternative-country artist’s album is titled “My Heart Is the Most Lonesome Rodeo.” El Obo and Schaefer Llana also perform. $7; find it on Facebook.

LITERARY SIGNINGS Events at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202) • “Fire Sermon” Jan. 25, 5 p.m. Jamie Quatro signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $24 book; call 601-366-7619; lemuriabooks.com.

• “The Unmade World” Jan. 29, 5 p.m. Steve Yarbrough signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $18 book; lemuriabooks.com.

• “King Zeno” Jan. 30, 5 p.m. Nathaniel Rich signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $28 book; call 601-366-7619; lemuriabooks.com.

CREATIVE CLASSES Kombucha 101: Brewing, Flavoring, Bottling Jan. 24, 5 p.m., at The Hatch (126 Keener Ave.).

Participants learn how to make and bottle kombucha at home, while also learning about different cocktail ideas. $42.63; find it on Facebook.

EXHIBIT OPENINGS Gallery Talk—Sam Gilliam’s “Red April” Jan. 24, 11:30 a.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Elizabeth Abston leads the discussion of Sam Gilliam’s painting “Red April,” which the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. inspired. Free admission; msmuseumart.org.

Conservation Quest Exhibit Opening Jan. 27, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The new exhibit teaches visitors about energy, how we use it, where it comes from and the importance of conservation. $6 for adults, $4 for ages 3-18, $5 for seniors; call 601-576-6000; mdwfp.com.

BE THE CHANGE Metro Jackson Heart Ball Jan. 26, 6 p.m., at Country Club of Jackson (345 St. Andrews Drive).The black-tie event is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and includes live music, food, drinks, auctions and more. $250; call 601-321-1215; email jordan.walker@ heart.org; heart.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.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

JFP-SPONSORED

55

SHINE

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

Jan. 24 - Wednesday Alumni House - Jerry Brooks 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Drago’s - Johnny Barranco 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - New Bourbon Street Jazz Band free Kathryn’s - Gator Trio 6:30 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Sid Thompson 6 p.m.

Shucker’s - Sonny Brooks 7:30 p.m. free Table 100 - Andy Henderson 6 p.m.

by Larry Brewer.

Available now at cdbaby, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and any live performance.

Jan. 25 - Thursday

www.larrybrewer.biz A W A R D

W I N N I N G

Bonny Blair’s - Josh Journeay 7-11 p.m.

Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

CS’s - Royal Thunder w/ Backwoods Payback & Bad Magic 8 p.m.

Drago’s - Johnny Barranco 5:30-8:30 p.m.

F. Jones Corner - Raul Valinti & the F. Jones Challenge Band 10 p.m. $5 Fenian’s - Ariel Blackwell 9 p.m.

Georgia Blue, Flowood - Brandon Greer Georgia Blue, Madison - Jason Turner Hal & Mal’s - D’lo Trio 7-10 p.m. free Iron Horse Grill - Seth Power 6 p.m.

Kathryn’s - The Sole Shakers 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Chris Gill 6 p.m.

Shucker’s - Lovin Ledbetter 7:30 p.m. free Table 100 - Andrew Pates 6 p.m.

Underground 119 - Stephanie Luckett 7-10:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 - Friday

April 12 - 15, 2018

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

Films & music videos, after-parties and an Awards Brunch

56

Locations in Greater Jackson, including Malco Grandview in Madison and Iron Horse Grill in downtown Jackson.

crossroadsfilmfestival.com

Ameristar Bottleneck Blues Bar, Vicksburg - NuCorp 8 p.m.

Bacchus - Larry Brewer 6-9 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Jason Turner 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Cerami’s - Doug Bishop & James Bailey 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Char - Ronnie Brown 6 p.m.

Drago’s - Jason Turner Band 7-10 p.m.

Duling Hall - Stoop Kids & Little Stranger 8 p.m. $10 F. Jones Corner - jj Thames & the Violet Revolt midnight $10 Georgia Blue, Flowood - Chad Wesley Georgia Blue, Madison - Shaun Patterson Hal & Mal’s - Singer-Songwriter Festival 7-10 p.m. free Iron Horse Grill - Davis Coen 9 p.m.

Jackson Marriott - Robert Kimbrough Sr. 1-2:15 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Acoustic Crossroads 7-10:30 p.m.

Martin’s - Gunboat 10 p.m.

The Med - “Sexy Serenades” feat.

Cooper Deniro 8 p.m.-midnight $10 advance $15 door

Offbeat - “Jujutsu, Vibes & Anime” feat. 5th Child, FLYWLKR, gloglogadget & Young Venom 8 p.m. $5 Pelican Cove - Barry Leach 6 p.m.

Pop’s Saloon - Just Cauz 10 p.m.

Shucker’s - Sonny Duo 5:30 p.m.; Hairicane 8 p.m. $5; Billy Mandlia 10 p.m.

Soulshine, Flowood - Dylan Moss & Jordan Brewer 7-10 p.m.

Soulshine, Ridgeland - Steve Chester 7-10 p.m.

Table 100 - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Underground 119 - Fred T & the Band 6-8 p.m.; Lady A 9 p.m.

WonderLust - DJ Taboo 8 p.m.2 a.m.

Jan. 27 - Saturday Ameristar Bottleneck Blues Bar, Vicksburg - NuCorp 8 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Sid Thompson & DoubleShotz 7:30-11:30 p.m.

Cathead - “Snackin’ Saturday” feat. Gabi Jones 3-6 p.m. free Char - Bill Clark 6 p.m.

Drago’s - Hunter Gibson 6-9 p.m.

Duling Hall - Elizabeth Cook 8 p.m. $15 advance $20 door Courtesy flywlkr

MUSIC | live

The new album,

Spacecamp - Cody Rogers Album Release Party w/ El Obo & Schaefer Llana 8 p.m.midnight $7 Table 100 - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - MS Symphony Orchestra’s “Elgar’s Enigma” 7:30-9:30 p.m. $23-$65 Underground 119 - Jamell Richardson 9 p.m.

WonderLust - Drag Performance & Dance Party feat. DJ Taboo 8 p.m.-3 a.m. free before 10 p.m.

Jan. 28 - Sunday 1908 Provisions - Knight Bruce 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Anjou - David Keary 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m.

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

The Hideaway - Sunday Jam 4-8 p.m. free Kathryn’s - Sid Thompson & DoubleShotz 6-9 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Keys vs. Strings 4 p.m.; Hunter Gibson & Ronnie Brown 5 p.m.

Shucker’s - Acoustic Crossroads 3:30 p.m.

Table 100 - Raphael Semmes Trio 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Ronnie Brown 6-9 p.m.

Wellington’s - Andy Hardwick 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Jan. 29 - Monday FLYWLKR F. Jones Corner - Big Money Mel & Small Change Wayne 10 p.m. $1; Sherman Lee Dillon & the MS Sound midnight $10 Fenian’s - Blind Dog Otis 10 p.m.

Georgia Blue, Flowood - May Day Georgia Blue, Madison - Skip MacDonald Hal & Mal’s - Cary Hudson 7-10 p.m. free The Hideaway - “Them Wild Boyz” Comedy Show feat. Karlous Miller & Chico Bean 8 p.m. $25 & up Iron Horse Grill - Shy & Bill HowlN-Madd Perry 9 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Travelin’ Jane 7-10:30 p.m.

Lucky’s - “Up in Smoke” feat.

DJ Murph 2 Cold 5 p.m. $5 before 11 p.m.

Martin’s - Backup Planet 10 p.m. $10 MS College - Attaché Alumni Dinner Theater feat. Shelly Fairchild, Heath Calvert & Brittany Wagner 7 p.m. $45 MS Museum of Art - Robert Kimbrough Sr. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Stace & Cassie 6 p.m.

Pop’s Saloon - Melodie Rooker & the Loud Boyz 9 p.m.

Shucker’s - Steele Heart 3:30 p.m.; Hairicane 8 p.m. $5; Todd Smith 10 p.m.

Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - Central MS Blues Society (rest) 7 p.m. $5 Kathryn’s - Joseph LaSalla 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Table 100 - Andrew Pates 6 p.m.

Jan. 30 - Tuesday Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Drago’s - Johnny Barranco 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Fenian’s - Open Mic 9 p.m. free Fitzgerald’s - Joseph LaSalla 7-11 p.m.

Hilton Jackson - Ridgeland’s “Jammin’ at the Hall” feat.

Louis Armstrong Society Jazz Band 6-9 p.m.

Kathryn’s - The Jackson Gypsies 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Last Call Sports Grill - Top-Shelf Tuesdays feat. DJ Spoon 9 p.m.

Offbeat - Open Mic 8 p.m. free Pelican Cove - Open Jam 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Table 100 - Chalmers Davis 6 p.m.

Jan. 31 - Wednesday Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Larry Brewer & Doug Hurd 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Robert King 6-10 p.m.

Shucker’s - Sonny Brooks 7:30 p.m.

Table 100 - Andy Henderson 6 p.m.

COMING UP

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Friday, February 9

WHITEY MORGAN SHANNON McNALLY outlaw country to the core!

Saturday, February 10

SHOVELS & ROPE LOW TICKET WARNING

Tuesday, February 13

UPCOMING: _________________________

Friday, February 16

2/3 Delta Music Industry Showcase 2/5 Blue Monday 2/8 D’Lo Trio 2/9 Iretta Sanders & Johnny T 2/10 Wolf Trap 2/12 Blue Monday 2/14 New Bourbon Street Jazz Band 2/15 Thomas Lovett of Young Valley 2/17 Jason Turner 2/19 Blue Monday 2/22 D’Lo Trio 2/26 Blue Monday 2/28 New Bourbon Street Jazz Band _________________________ HOUSE VODKA

Visit HalandMals.com for a full menu and event schedule www.underground119.com 119 S. President St. Jackson

Saturday, February 3

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Saturday, January 27

SATURDAY 1/27

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January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

WEDNESDAY 1/24

57

Last Week’s Answers 44 Latent 47 Reznor’s band, initially 48 Pickled vegetable 49 Fin. neighbor 50 Scale on a review site that determines if movies are “Certified Fresh” 53 Amateur broadcaster’s equipment, once 55 Treat table salt, in a way 56 Sherlock Hemlock’s catchphrase on “Sesame Street” 57 Shady tree 58 Grade that’s passing, but not by much 59 1040 IDs 60 Go slaloming 61 Collect together

BY MATT JONES

34 Gossip sessions, slangily 35 BoJack of an animated Netflix series 36 Lymphatic mass near a tonsil 37 Some stuffed animals 41 Part of the eye with rods and cones 42 Ramona’s sister, in Beverly Cleary books 43 Put emphasis on 45 Flight info, briefly 46 Computer network terminals

47 “The Book of Henry” actress Watts 48 Make shadowy 51 Cereal partner 52 Home of Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Cans,” for short 54 Some city map lines, for short ©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 #861.

Down

“You’re the Toppings” —get a pizza the action.

Across

1 Put on ___ of paint 6 Carmaker based in Munich 9 Former world power, for short 13 It’s formed by small droplets and shows white rings (unlike its colorful rainy counterpart) 15 “Go team!” cheer 16 Part of some organs 17 As an example 18 Party table item 20 Peace offering 22 Dir. opposite of WSW 23 Get up (get on up!)

24 Lout 25 “Just a sec” 27 Homer Simpson exclamation 28 Scone topper 29 August, in Avignon 30 Frolicked 33 Mary, Queen of ___ 34 Kitchen gadgets that really shred 37 Faker than fake 38 Gadget 39 Bygone Italian money 40 According to 41 Marshawn Lynch and Emmitt Smith, e.g.

1 Be able to buy 2 “Gangsta’s Paradise” rapper 3 Monstrous, like Shrek 4 None of the ___ 5 Subdue, with “down” 6 “___ City” (Comedy Central series) 7 ‘Til Tuesday bassist/singer Aimee 8 Question of choice 9 Network merged into the CW in 2006 10 Sneaky way into a building 11 Racecar mishaps 12 Feels contrite 14 Monitor-topping recorders 19 “What have we here?”

21 Increased, with “up” 26 Tied, in a way 28 Baby kangaroo 30 “Same Kind of Different As Me” actress Zellweger 31 I strain?

32 “End of discussion” 33 Touchtone keypad button

BY MATT JONES Last Week’s Answers

“Sum Sudoku”

Put one digit from 1-9 in each square of this Sudoku so that the following three conditions are met: 1) each row, column and 3x3 box (as marked off by heavy lines in the grid) contains the digits 1-9 exactly one time; 2) no digit is repeated within any of the areas marked off by dotted lines; and 3) the sums of the numbers in each area marked off by dotted lines total the little number given in each of those areas. Now do what I tell you— solve!! psychosudoku@gmail.com

HIGH FIVE

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A limited time breakfast blend to kick-start your day.

C U P S E S P R E S S O C A F E.C O M

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

What do you like about St. Alexis?

58

Treat your sweetheart to a night out and the best latin food in town with our

DATE NIGHT SPECIAL! Enjoy an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert to share!

All for $30

Monday-Wednesday Nights at Eslava’s Grille Dinner Hours: 5pm-10pm

2481 Lakeland Drive Flowood | 601.932.4070

Troy & Ann Louise Woodson & Cash Eubanks say

“It’s a place where all are welcomed and all are loved.”

650 E.South Street • Jackson 601.944.0415 Weekly Services Sunday 10am • Saturday 5:30pm

All are welcome here!

St. Alexis

Episcopal Church

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

The pawpaw is a tasty fruit that blends the flavors of mango, banana and melon. But you rarely find it in grocery stores. One reason is that the fruit ripens very fast after being picked. Another is that the pollination process is complicated. In response to these issues, a plant scientist named Neal Peterson has been trying to breed the pawpaw to be more commercially viable. Because of his work, cultivated crops have finally begun showing up at some farmers’ markets. I’d like to see you undertake metaphorically similar labors in 2018, Aquarius. I think you’ll have good luck at developing rough potentials into more mature forms of expression. You’ll have skill at turning unruly raw materials into more useful resources. Now is a great time to begin.

An iceberg is a huge chunk of ice that has cracked away from a glacier and drifted off into the open sea. Only 9 percent of it is visible above the waterline. The underwater part, which is most of the iceberg, is basically invisible.

You can’t know much about it just by looking at the top.

This is an apt metaphor for life itself. Most everyone and everything we encounter is 91 percent mysterious or hidden or inaccessible to our conscious understanding. That’s the weird news, Pisces. The good news is that during the next three weeks, you will have an unprecedented ability to get better acquainted with the other 91 percent of anything or anyone you choose to explore.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

Anders Haugen competed for the U.S. as a ski jumper in the 1924 Winter Olympics. Although he was an accomplished athlete who had previously set a world record for distance, he won no medals at the games. But wait! Fifty years later, a sports historian discovered that there had a been a scoring mistake back in 1924. In fact, Haugen had done well enough to win the bronze medal. The mistake was rectified, and he finally got his long-postponed award.

I foresee a comparable development happening in your life, Aries. Recognition or appreciation you deserved to have received some time ago will finally come your way.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

In 1899, Sobhuza II became King of Swaziland even though he was less than 5 months old. He kept his job for the next 82 years, and along the way managed to play an important role when his nation gained independence from the colonial rule of the United Kingdom. These days you may feel a bit like Sobhuza did when he was still in diapers, Taurus: not sufficiently prepared or mature for the greater responsibilities that are coming your way. But just as he received competent help in his early years from his uncle and grandmother, I suspect you’ll receive the support you’ll need to ripen.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

In my ideal world, dancing and singing wouldn’t be luxuries practiced primarily by professionals. They would be regular occurrences in our daily routines. We’d dance and sing whenever we needed a break from the numbing trance.

We’d whirl and hum to pass the time. We would greet each other with an interpretative movement and a little tune.

In schools, dance and song would be a standard part of the curriculum—as important as math and history. That’s my utopian dream, Gemini. What’s yours? In accordance with the astrological omens, I urge you to identify the soul medicine you’d love to incorporate into your everyday regimen. Then go ahead and incorporate it! It’s time for you to get more aggressive about creating the world you want to live in.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):

Psychology pioneer Carl Jung believed that most of our big problems can never be fully solved. And that’s actually a good thing. Working on them keeps us lively, in a state of constant transformation. It ensures we don’t stagnate. I generally agree with Jung’s high opinion of our problems. We should indeed be grateful for the way they impel us to grow.

However, I think that’s irrelevant for you right now. Why? Because you have an unprecedented opportunity to solve and graduate from a major long-running problem. So no, don’t be grateful for it. Get rid of it. Say goodbye to it forever.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

Between now and March 21, you will be invited, encouraged and pushed to deepen your understanding of intimate

relationships. You will have the chance to learn much, much more about how to create the kind of togetherness that both comforts and inspires you. Will you take advantage of this eight-week opportunity? I hope so. You may imagine that you have more pressing matters to attend to. But the fact is that cultivating your relationship skills would transform you in ways that would best serve those other pressing matters.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

In December, mass protests broke out in Mashhad, Iran’s second-largest city. Why? The economy had been gradually worsening. Inflation was slowly but surely exacting a toll.

Unemployment was increasing. But one of the immediate triggers for the uprising was a 40-percent hike in the price of eggs. It focused the Iranian people’s collective angst and galvanized a dramatic response. I’m predicting a comparable sequence in your personal future, Virgo. A specific irritant will emerge, motivating you to stop putting up with trends that have been subtly bothering you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

In the late 1980s, Budweiser used a bull terrier to promote its Bud Light beer in commercials. The dog, who became mega-famous, was presented as a rich macho party animal named Spuds MacKenzie. The ad campaign was successful, boosting sales 20 percent. But the truth was that the actor playing Spuds was a female dog whose owners called her Evie. To earn money, the poor creature, who was born under the sign of Libra, was forced to assume a false identity. To honor Evie’s memory, and in alignment with current astrological omens, I urge you human Libras to strip away any layers of false identity you’ve been pressured to acquire. Be your Real Self—to the max.

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

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

The giant panda is a bear native to China. In the wild, its diet is 99 percent bamboo. But bamboo is not an energyrich food, which means the creature has to compensate by consuming 20 to 30 pounds of the stuff every day. Because it’s so busy gathering its sustenance, the panda doesn’t have time to do much socializing. I mention this, Scorpio, because I want to offer up the panda as your anti-power animal for the coming weeks. According to my reading of the astrological omens, you should have a diversified approach to getting your needs met -- not just in regards to food, but in every other way as well. Variety is not just the spice of life; it’s the essence.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

You’re the star of the “movie” that endlessly unfolds in your imagination. There may be a number of other lead actors and actresses, but few, if any, have your luster and stature. You also have a supporting cast, as well as a full complement of extras. To generate all the adventure you need, your story needs a lot of dramatis personae. In the coming weeks, I suggest that you be alert for certain minor characters who are primed to start playing a bigger role in your narrative. Consider the possibility of inviting them to say and do more to advance the plot.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Thirty-five miles per hour is typically the highest speed attained by the U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.

That’s not very fast. On the other hand, each ship’s engine generates 190 megawatts, enough to provide the energy needs of 140,000 houses, and can go more than 20 years without refueling. If you don’t mind, I’m going to compare you to one of those aircraft carriers during the next four weeks. You may not be moving fast, but you will have maximum stamina and power.

Homework: Imagine that you’re still alive in 2090. What’s your life like? Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

January 24 - 30, 2018 • jfp.ms

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

BULLE TIN BOARD: Classifieds As low as $25!

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16th Annual Fondren’s Newest Nail Salon

Thank You! Best of Jackson 2018 Finalist

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