v17n10 - 2018's Most Intriguing and 2019 Legislative Preview

JAC K S O N

VOL 17 NO. 10 // JANUARY 9 - 22, 2019 // SUBSCRIBE FREE FOR BREAKING NEWS AT JFPDAILY.COM

FREE PRESS MAGAZINE THE CITY’S SMART NEWS AND CULTURE RESOURCE

2018’s Most Intriguing pp 15-16

#MSLeg Is Back Preview, Pittman, pp 12-13

Gratitude and Thanks Through Adversity Ward, p 10

From Farm to Table Willis, p 18

Orchestrating ‘Harry Potter’ Smith, p 22

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January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

cultural progress of our region.

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YMCA 800 E. River Place, Jackson

Kris Wilson

contents January 9 - 22, 2019 Vol. 17 No. 10

ON THE COVER Cindy Hyde-Smith photo

by Ashton Pittman

4 Editor’s Note 6 Talks

6 Mother-Daughter Legacy courtesy Kris Wilson

A retired judge passes the gavel to her daughter in the Hinds County Chancery Court.

10 opinion 12 Legistlative Preview 16 Most Influential

JACKSONIAN

18 food & Drink 20 sPORTS involved in working with students on art,” Wilson says. “My studio classes are my favorite both because drawing and design is a great deal of fun and because it’s so exciting to watch students get it and succeed, and then become excited about succeeding. It’s a great ‘ahha’ moment when it clicks, and they realize what they can do. I see them in a place where I used to be, thinking that I couldn’t do it, but then realizing that it isn’t impossible.”

Wilson says he has always enjoyed art since he first took classes on it in high school, where art teacher Marshall Polson first encouraged him to pursue the craft. While Wilson initially considered pursuing psychology or graphic design at MSU instead, he changed his mind after taking a drawing class with then-assistant professor James Davis, who convinced him to change his major to drawing in fall 2007 after showing him some of his own art and inviting Wilson to assist him with some pieces he created.

“Today, I love living in the Jackson metro and being part of the art scene here because of how accessible it is,” Wilson says.

“Everyone I meet here is amazing as an artist, and I never feel like I’m meeting a stranger.”

Wilson and his wife, Margaret Wilson, have been married since 2013. They have a 3-year-old daughter named Julia and a 1-year-old son named John.

—Dustin Cardon

22 Orchestrating Magic Go behind the scenes of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra’s performance of music from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

23 music listings 24 Puzzles 25 astro 25 Classifieds

26 DIY Lotion Want to practice selfcare this year? Check out this tutorial.

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

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ris Wilson, a Canton resident and an art instructor at Holmes Community College’s Ridgeland and Goodman campuses, sees his art as a way to get people to slow down and rethink how they view imagery.

“Ordinarily we consume imagery so fast, we grade it and rate it, we decide to keep it or throw it away, and it’s so easy to do,” Wilson says. “The paintings I make are meant to be intentionally problematic and tough to assess. The form and colors communicate in a way that plays with your expectation of what you want to see. It encourages you to look long and hard, and slowly digest the image rather than immediately consume it.”

Wilson, 29, graduated from Madison Central High School and enrolled at Mississippi State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in painting in 2011. He later received a master’s degree in fine arts from New Mexico State University in 2015.

After graduating from NMSU, Wilson returned to Canton and applied for a part-time position as an art teacher at Holmes Community College in 2015. He started out as an adjunct professor for an art appreciation course and later began teaching two art classes per semester, including drawing and art history. Holmes hired him as a full-time fine arts professor in summer 2018.

“I decided to teach at Holmes because I knew I’d love to get

18 events

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editor’s note

by Micah Smith, Music Editor

T

he other day at church, our pastor brought up the idea of New Year’s resolutions.

Then, he asked everyone in the congregation to swap theirs with a seat buddy or two, and strangely enough, that might be the loudest I’ve ever heard that sanctuary get. And I’m the sound guy, so you know good and well that I’ve played some heavy music on that sound system before. I mean, you know, just for testing purposes, of course.

People seemed genuinely enthused about their goals or maybe a touch embarrassed, in some cases, judging by the smattering of nervous laughter, and the room was filled with smiling faces and cheerful chatter. But that moment acted as a friendly—but again, pretty darn loud—reminder for me that I hadn’t come up with a resolution.

I don’t know if it is just that part of my brain is being obstinate like, “Nope, it’s 2018 until I say otherwise,” but the idea that 2019 is already well upon us has yet to

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

I want to get better about what I’m bettering.

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click with me. My wife and I even attended a New Year’s Eve party, watched Carson Daly somehow still be on TV, and puzzled at Jennifer Lopez dancing in an oversized men’s suit shirt for some reason. If that doesn’t scream “Happy New Year,” then I don’t know what does.

But there I was on a Sunday morning, almost a week into 2019, thinking, “Huh. I guess I should come up with a resolution.”

Luckily for me, the Internet is a thing, so that afternoon, I was able to get a few ideas on where to start from every last-minute idea man’s best friend, Google.

In one article I found from smallbusiness and startup magazine Inc., writer Peter Economy—that is his actual name; I checked—says that about 60 percent of people make resolutions each year, but

only about 8 percent of those are successful. Worse still, more than half of the 2,000 people surveyed said they failed their past resolutions before Jan. 31 of that year.

That in itself may not be too surprising, but what I did find a little strange is that, when you look at the list of the top resolutions for 2019, almost all of them were focused entirely on self.

The top three categories centered on personal fitness goals, with more than half of those surveyed saying that they wanted to diet or eat healthier, exercise more and lose weight, among other resolutions.

Underneath that, you had financial and career categories, including saving more money and finding a new job; betterment categories like learning a new skill or hobby, and reading more; and what I might call the “kicking your vices” categories, with many people looking to drink less alcohol and stop smoking.

All of these are good things, of course, and I understand that most people see a New Year’s resolution as an opportunity for self-improvement, with an emphasis on “self.” In fact, I would throw myself in with the folks who want to exercise more and lose weight.

At the same time, I will admit that I was a little disheartened reading Inc.’s article. The only really positive external resolution was in 10th place, the bottom of the list: “spend more time with family and friends.” Again, that is a great goal, but with that at only 13 percent, it just made me wonder what fell short of the top 10.

How many people said that they wanted to volunteer more? How many people said that they would like to give more to a charity they care deeply about? How many people said they wanted to come up with a

File Photo / Imani Khayyam

Resolve to Make a Difference, Support Local

Instead of centering my New Year’s resolution on things that just benefit me, I decided to focus on shopping and eating locally as often as possible to help bolster the Jackson businesses I want to support, such as Offbeat in midtown.

new way to help beautify their city, get involved with a community garden, or take part in a local program for people in need? I just have to believe the number wasn’t zero.

In 2019, I’m going to exercise more, I’m going to lose weight, and I’m going to just generally try to be adapt a more active lifestyle, as tough as that can be with a full-time desk job. But while I’m committed to those goals, I decided that I want those to be a given, not my resolutions.

For many people, a new year is a time for personal reflection, so since I was late to the resolution game anyway, I took a moment to think about what I could be doing better to help my community.

Especially during the nonsensical busyness of the holidays, I will fully admit that I went the easy route on too many occasions. For one, I went to a nearby chain store to pick up gifts instead of traveling

contributors

Ashton Pittman

Brinda Willis

Zilpha Young

State reporter Ashton Pittman is from Hattiesburg, Miss. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied journalism and political science. He previewed the upcoming legislation session.

Brinda Fuller Willis often plays tricks on people with her identical twin. She’ll go anywhere to hear the blues, and she is a real farmer’s daughter. She wrote about Nick Wallace Culinary.

Zilpha Young is an ad designer by day, painter, illustrator, seamstress and freelance designer by night. Check out her design portfolio at zilphacreates.com.

She designed ads for the issue and wrote the DIY.

just 10 minutes further to shop locally. I also grabbed coffee at a Starbucks just because it was attached to that store, when I could have waited half an hour and gotten a much, much tastier beverage since I was heading toward Jackson anyway. And God help me, I shopped on Amazon.

Feel free to judge me. I’m judging myself. It’s incredibly stupid that I couldn’t be bothered to drive a little further or to pay maybe a dollar more if that so I could support businesses that I love and am rooting for. Instead of spending money locally, where it can stay in the Jackson metro area and do much more for our community, I got lazy.

I know that some people will be reading this and saying, “So what? Most people do that.” But that’s where the resolution aspect of this all comes in. Most people fail their resolutions, too—92 percent, remember? Most people make up their minds to do something every year and can’t get around to it. I don’t want to be most people.

If a new year is an opportunity to be better, then I want to get better about what I’m bettering. Instead of just checking the box of, “Yeah, I’ll exercise more in 2019,” I’m setting that as the base level.

My higher ambition will be to support Jackson businesses at every chance I get, not just come next holiday season but throughout the year.

Like I said, I know I’m late to the resolutions game, but maybe a few people will join me in this. I think resolutions will start meaning a whole lot more when we all choose things that make a difference for more than ourselves.

has just the thing to warm your spirits.

Jeffrey Gibson (Mississippi Band Choctaw/ Cherokee), I PUT A SPELL ON YOU, 2015. Repurposed punching bag, glass beads, artificial sinew, and steel; 40 × 14 × 14 in.

Collection of the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Museum purchase, 2015.11.1. Image courtesy of Jeffrey Gibson Studio and Roberts Projects, Los Angeles, California. Photograph by Peter Mauney.

FINAL MONTH TO VIEW!

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Performed for the closing gathering for the exhibition Jeffrey Gibson: Like A Hammer, Choctaw singer-songwriter Samantha Crain’s music echoes Gibson’s own work that draws upon traditional native visual practices to create something new that resonates in contemporary life.

Parking and concert seating is first-come, first-served.

JEFFREY GIBSON: LIKE A HAMMER IS ORGANIZED BY THE DENVER ART MUSEUM. THIS EXHIBITION IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY THE w it h suppor t f rom

MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM of ART 380 S. LAMAR ST. | DOWNTOWN JACKSON | MSMUSEUMART.ORG

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

JANUARY 26 | NOON

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news,

storytelling & re, ir tu

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“When we hand students a diploma, it’s too late to ask them what they want to do with the rest of their lives.

We have to connect our schools and businesses today so we can better prepare our workforce of tomorrow.”

@jxnfreepress

@jacksonfreepress

@jxnfreepress

—Sec. of State Delbert Hosemann on building a better workforce.

ce eren rev

Wise Women: A Mother-Daughter Judicial Legacy Continues

by Ko Bragg

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

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Ko Bragg

R

etired Judge Patricia Wise, who served as a Hinds County Chancery Court judge for nearly 30 years up until 2018, feared she would be too nervous to deliver the closing remarks at her daughter’s swearing-in ceremony. So, she asked Senior Circuit Court Judge Tomie Green to do it instead. Wise passed the gavel to her daughter, Crystal Wise Martin, on Jan. 2. at an elaborate investiture ceremony that featured a serenade from an opera singer and a chilling tribute from a young, professional violinist.

Throughout the event, Wise sat at the front of the courtroom, where lawyers typically sit when presenting a case, except she faced the crowd.

She frequently nudged her glasses toward the bridge of her nose as she dabbed the corners of her eyes.

Martin had come a long way to get to this moment and continue the legacy her mother began three decades ago.

“I just can’t express it in words,” Martin told the Jackson Free Press. “I feel as though I have a huge responsibility to the people who came before me. I know that they made tremendous sacrifice in order for me to have an opportunity to be here today.”

Martin takes the bench as one of 40 new judges ushering in a breath of fresh air to courtrooms statewide.

The decor in courtroom 3 was a reminder of just how far Mississippi benches have come. Portraits of grayhaired white men lined the wooden walls in the room where Martin was took her oath in the company of the master of ceremonies, Judge Denise Owens, who came to the chancery bench with Wise in 1989; Tiffany Grove, who officially joined the chancery court hours after Martin; and Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Dewayne Thomas. Three women and one man now comprise the chancery court.

Martin said her mother’s plight

Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Patricia Wise (left) retired after nearly 30 years on the bench, clearing the way for her daughter, newly elected Judge Crystal Wise Martin, (right) to continue her legacy.

expanded her dreams. She recalled the 1989 swearing-in ceremony of Wise and Judge Denise Owens to the chancery

New Year’s Resolutions

by JFP Staff

I

t’s January 2019, and many people are hard at work on their new year’s resolutions. Here are some of ours.

court. Back then, Martin was a self-described nerdy, quiet girl in Jackson Public Schools who loved math.

“At that point in time, I had no idea that an African American woman could be sworn in as a judge,” Martin

Start a “Go Fill Me” fundraiser for City potholes.

Refrain from reporting on politicians’ high school years unless there’s a fun video of them dancing like AOC. Eat at every local restaurant in Jackson this year.

Keep publishing more “fake (see: real) news.”

Throw the best Best of Jackson party at the end of this month.

Drink more coffee.

Support Jackson.

RIVER WOES On Jan. 4, the City of Jackson announced that the Pearl River would crest to 33 feet by Jan. 5, causing minor flooding in Jackson, and Madison and Rankin counties.

STEPHEN WILSON

ASHTON PITTMAN

IMANI KHAYYAM / FILE PHOTO

VANCE WANTS TO BE SHERIFF Former Jackson Police Department Chief Lee Vance has filed to run in the 2019 Hinds County sheriff’s race.

IMANI KHAYYAM

HERE COME THE (NEW) JUDGES On Dec. 27, Senior Circuit Judge Tomie Green and Circuit Court Judge Winston Kidd swore in three newcomers to the bench: Former Hinds County District Attorney Eleanor Faye Peterson; outgoing Mississippi Rep. Adrienne Wooten, D-Jackson; and Johnnie McDaniels, the former executive director of Henley-Young Juvenile Detention Center. This is the first entirely African American bench in the Hinds County Circuit Court.

CLOSE THE BORDER? On Dec. 31, Gov. Phil Bryant cheered on President Trump’s efforts to shut down the border between U.S. and Mexico, despite the fact that it would threaten $2.5 billion in trade and millions of jobs in Mississippi.

JUDGES said in her remarks after taking the oath for the first time.

‘Crystal Is Selfless’ At first, Martin was not preparing for a life in the courthouse. At Spelman College and Georgia Tech, she studied chemistry and chemical engineering. But at the last minute, bending to her deep spiritual senses during the mid 1990s, she applied to law school and got in. In 1998, she graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law as a licensed attorney with a winning case secured.

“Judge Martin is uniquely suited by background, experience and temperament for the role of the judiciary,” said Patricia Bennett, dean of the Mississippi College School of Law. Martin’s career took her from several law firms to various jobs with Hinds County such as attorney for the board

of supervisors and assistant county prosecutor.

She returned to private practice as she faced devastating personal loss. In the spring of 2014, her husband, Precious Martin, also an attorney with an eponymous law firm in Jackson, died in an ATV accident. Martin and his son Daniel were riding on a 4-wheeler near their home in Ridgeland, Miss., when he flipped the vehicle.

Without a helmet, Precious hit his head and was pronounced dead at the scene, suffering from blunt-force trauma.

His son survived the crash with non-lifethreatening injuries.

As she grieved, Martin took over her husband’s law firm, Precious Martin and Associates, to carry on his spirit if for no other reason.

“I hope that my life story helps to encourage other people, as a whole, but

women in particular, that anything is possible,” she said.

At her ceremony, Martin’s staff presented her with a brass-framed photo with a gavel inserted behind the glass.

They wiped away tears as they unveiled the gift, relishing a bittersweet moment.

Around the time of Precious Martin’s untimely death, Rafael Green found out he was able to shed his title of paralegal and officially become a lawyer. Green said Precious Martin offered him a job two days before he died. Green was uncertain about his future and that of a law firm he loved until Crystal stepped in to take over as the “glue,” as Green put it.

“Crystal changed that uncertainty to comfort,” Green said. “In that moment I was shown something about Crystal that I grew to learn was just Crystal: Crystal is selfless.” more JUDGES p 8

NO INCENTIVE On Jan. 2, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann released results of a December 2018 study that showed that 45 percent of businesses in Mississippi do not offer employees any incentives such as health and retirement benefits.

MOST VIRAL STORIES AT JFP.MS: 1. “Bryant Urges Trump to Close Border, Threatening 40,800 Mississippi Jobs” by Ashton Pittman 2. “New York-Style Deli to Open in Jackson” by Amber Helsel 3. “FEC Filings: Hyde-Smith Returned Racist’s Donation, But Not $50,000 to Corporations” by Ashton Pittman 4. “Bennie Thompson Blames ‘Radical’ Trump Border Policies for Child Deaths” by Ashton Pittman 5. “OPINION: Time to Give Mississippians Access to Medical Marijuana” by Getty Israel

MOST VIRAL EVENTS AT JFPEVENTS.COM: 1. HRC Mississippi Connect Happy Hour, Jan. 10 2. “Liverpool Legends,” Jan. 10 3. Jackson Indie Music Week, Jan. 13-20 4. “How to Use Your Tax Refund to Invest—Funding Your Dreams,” Jan. 15, 22, 29 5. Museum After Hours | Express Yourself, Jan. 17

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

J-Map

S ub s c r i b e f re e at j f p d a i l y. c o m fo r b re a k i n g n e w s .

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state

City Wants State’s Help Recouping Funds

by Ko Bragg

Helping Jackson’s Bottom Line

City officials hope lawmakers at the Capitol will consider tweaking laws to help improve Jackson’s bottom line.

Despite severing ties with Siemens Inc., offering payment plans to indigent customers and beginning water shutoffs, the City’s efforts are not raking in cash quick enough to fill the $10 mil-

lion to $20 million hole in water-andsewer billing and collections.

While Jackson officials want to remain compassionate to residents facing hard times, they have less patience with those who have not paid a bill in two years or more. In November, the publicworks department began shutting off water to customers who did not make payments in 2017 or 2018. Of the 782 households that received warning letters, the City remotely disconnected 44 percent of them.

By the end of the month, only 1 percent of customers had paid in full, and 17 percent were on payment plans.

These initial shutoffs led to just $178,581.54 in collections in November—less than 1 percent of the millions of dollars the City needs to stay afloat.

Public Works Director Bob Miller said shut-offs would ramp up in 2019, after the holiday season subsided.

State law does not allow the City to forgive, adjust, release or extinguish indebtedness for any reason, leaving Jackson unable to take uncollectible bills off the books. This becomes a particular issue when the City cannot find an account in the system, or when a person moves away permanently, dies or truly cannot pay.

“There are instances where the customer is disproportionately impoverished or in need, and qualifies for an adjustment, release or extinguishment pursuant to an established social-welfare program of the City,” city council

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

judges, from p 7

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Not ‘I-Hate-Men’ Type

After the ceremony, Martin was on her feet another hour or so, taking so many photos with friends and family that she asked someone to fetch her tennis shoes to exchange with her high-heeled peep-toe pumps. After a while, her four kids came into the small courtroom to take family photos. Daniel hung around, and, as he tried to interject as she spoke with the Jackson Free Press, she shot him a silent warning look that only moms can, and he quickly swallowed his words.

In her remarks, Martin had thanked her kids for their patience as she campaigned and continued to pursue a career, even if that meant other relatives had to step in, or that the kids had to cook dinner for the household, including their mother.

Wise had to make similar sacrifices. She said her

Delreco Harris

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or three months out of the year, lawmakers descend on the capital city to craft the laws of the state.

As they hunker down in metroarea hotels and frequent local eateries during the 2019 legislative session, Jackson officials are hoping legislators will show some love to their city in the Capitol chambers by supporting its legislative agenda.

Jackson City Council Vice President Virgi Lindsay of Ward 2 chairs the City’s legislative committee. After meeting with department heads, city lobbyist Quincy Mukoro and lawmakers, she is confident about Jackson’s asks, which she described as good and reasonable.

But the sole woman on the council is also a realist: Lindsay knows that although Jackson desperately needs legislative assistance with recouping uncollected funds, the 2019 session might be fairly stagnant.

“It’s an election year,” Lindsay told the Jackson Free Press. “I don’t know what will stick or what won’t stick at the Legislature, but I am hopeful that we can get them all through this year.”

Jackson City Council Vice President Virgi Lindsay of Ward 2 is confident about the City’s wish list for the 2019 Legislative Session.

husband, Mark, whom she and others referred to as the “Other Wise,” had to step up in various ways when she

I want young women especially to know they can be and do anything they can imagine and beyond became a judge: preparing dinner, watching the children and combing hair.

“When Judge Owens and I took the bench, they

thought it was going to become a feminist, I-hate-men type of organization,” Wise told the Jackson Free Press.

“Actually, it turned out to be the opposite, because she and I both had strong husbands who didn’t define our roles as male-female responsibilities that they were able to do things that were non-traditional.”

As Judge Martin picks up the gavel to oversee family matters of all types, among other cases, she hopes that young women and girls feel motivated by the Wise women’s legacy.

“I think sometimes in our society, especially as females, we can feel that our roles are limited by what society brings forth,” she said. “I want young women especially to know that they can be and do anything that they can imagine and beyond.”

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

state

documents in support of this legislation read. “The inability to make adjustments under the aforementioned circumstances has created an undue burden on the customers and the utilities that serve them.”

Miller said he drafted proposed legislation based on an approach Louisiana adopted under his tenure.

“We want to make sure everybody is paying their fair share. But what we don’t want to do is have something out there that doesn’t reflect the reality of what we can collect and what they can pay.” He added that he wants this legislation to give Jackson and cities like it the authority to manage accounts receivable like a business would.

The City also supports a bill before the 116th U.S. Congress that would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a low-income sewer and water-assistance pilot program.

The Low-income Sewer and Water Assistance Program would specifically give grants to cities under consent decree, such as Jackson, to help residents meet their water and sewer bills. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, introduced the bill last session, but the House did not enact it.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., is also on the legislation.

In order to collect outstanding municipal-court fines, the City is asking the 2019 Legislature to give permission for municipalities to collect debts from state income-tax refunds. To sweeten the deal, the legislation would allow the State to take 5 percent of any recouped fines and fees.

“The City of Jackson (strongly) urges the Mississippi Legislature to support and pass legislation to allow

municipalities to submit debts owed to them and the State to the Mississippi Department of Revenue for collection through a setoff against income tax refunds owed to the debtor,” a city resolution reads.

Legally Tackling Blight

Since Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba took office, he has not been shy about his desire to eradicate dilapidated property within the city limits. His strategic plan promises to eliminate 25 percent of blight in the city by 2021.

Toward the end of 2017, the City of Jackson announced that it had identified partners required to secure $4 million in funding from the Mississippi Home Corporation’s “Blight Elimination Program.”

They are Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area, Jackson Housing Authority and Chicago-based Karry L. Young Development LLC.

The program draws funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury set aside under the “Hardest Hit Fund Program,” designed to provide financial assistance to families in states where the housingmarket crash had the greatest impact.

However, Director of Planning and Development Mukesh Kumar said none of that money has been put to use yet because the partners are having a hard time obtaining the titles to the blighted properties in the queue for demolition.

Kumar said every property has to go through administrative review and has to have city a council order attached in order to be demolished. Not to mention, that doesn’t stop some property owners from raising values

2019 Hinds County Sheriff Candidates Imani Khayyam / /File Photo

(as of Jan. 7 at 12:30 p.m.)

Victor Mason (incumbent) Retired JPD Police Chief Lee Vance Richard Spooner, a former/ retired Hinds County deputy sheriff.

Les Tannehill, former JPD officer and Hinds County deputy sheriff

Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason will run for a second term with two pending lawsuits against him.

Donald Rhodes, a staff officer with the Mississippi Department of Corrections

on the blighted grounds, putting them out of reach.

Time is of the essence as the MHC funds run out at the end of 2020, and Kumar hopes the 2019 Legislature will help the City expedite this process in the future by giving municipalities the authority to establish land banks.

The State can authorize these “quasigovernmental entities” to acquire, hold, sell, manage and develop tax-foreclosed

for a very long time in the State of Mississippi,” Lindsay said in an interview. “I think that is so critical and so important. And I really hope that that can get some traction and get approved this year.”

Land banks have been huge in battling blight in Detroit, for example, where as of February 2017, the Detroit Land Bank Authority controlled nearly 100,000 parcels of land and employed

and blighted property.

“If we had a land bank today, we probably would have been able to use by now at least $6 million worth of that money invested in blight elimination,” he said at a November legislative committee meeting.

“Instead, we’re still working with the first round. I can’t impress how important enough how important that legislation is—it doesn’t cost anyone anything.”

If approved, the City would likely develop a land-bank authority with Hinds County, appointing leadership and creating the structure of the landbank authority that could acquire titles to blighted and abandoned properties much more swiftly. They can also help with “title scrubbing” or clearing a property’s liens and back taxes.

Land banks would also help keep track of abandoned properties, something the City is not currently doing well. Kumar said he has no idea how many blighted properties exist citywide, and council documents supporting this legislation estimate about 4,000.

“We have needed (land banks)

100 people, the Detroit Free Press reported. This land bank was also able to sell empty plots of land to adjoining property owners and auction homes below market value.

Lindsay also hopes the Legislature will give municipalities the authority to establish special local improvement districts and to allow a tax to generate funds to accompanying neighborhood associations for community enhancement and enrichment. This would give cities more ways to cure blight, revive parks and lift quality of life with more resources.

“The community improvement district legislation we’ve been trying to get through for several years now,” she told the Jackson Free Press. “It would really help neighborhoods empower themselves and make improvements in their neighborhoods.”

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. Email comments and tips to her at ko@jacksonfreepress.com.

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

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Robbie WaRd

Gratitude and Thanks in a Year of Arrest, Jail, Losing Income, Byline

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

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so common to people living in poverty.

I give thanks for friends who reached out to me to make sure I remembered my ability to recover from much worse. I remain indebted to a credit line of friends I probably don’t deserve but who still support me, helping me keep perspective.

I give thanks for the chance during

ness. I’ve tried to live in the present moment while working toward my next chapter.

I give thanks for reaching a point where it feels good to be me again. I am also grateful for life’s not-always-gentle reminders. It reminded me of people facing hunger, people arrested, jailed, jobless and not sure where to turn. It has reminded me

Photo by Steve halama on UnSPlaSh

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y employer in Mississippi prodded me in June to leave my job as a journalist in my hometown after police in a nearby city arrested and jailed me for a crime I did not commit. After I resurfaced in Washington, D.C., with few contacts, giving thanks and gratitude still feels much easier than I anticipated. Recent events have reminded me I have more reasons to give thanks than I may ever realize.

My past and present experiences convince me to feel thankful for the lessons learned and promise of redemption, a theme that has resonated for much of my life. My experience in jail and leaving my journalism job caused me to reflect on previous times, forcing me to sharpen my tenacity and will to find something better, to find reason to live. My mother’s death and other setbacks in life come to mind.

I fought this year for my reputation as it stood trial in a Hattiesburg, Miss., courtroom. I applied reporting skills of research, data analysis, public-records requests, critical thinking and belief in myself to defend myself. The public defender representing me in court, who did not know who he represented until the day before my trial was scheduled, said he wished he could hire me after witnessing my work.

The judge acquitted me of the charge (DUI first offense), but I still didn’t have a paycheck. Still, I’m thankful for those setbacks since I would not have discovered what I now call my daily life. I’m thankful to tutor kids who struggle for a chance at success in a world of unequal opportunity.

I’m thankful for the chance to acknowledge that much worse has happened to people who also committed no crime.

In my work as a journalist, I have written about poverty and spent time with people living in it. My current situation has immersed me deeper into the poverty experience. I stood in line a few months ago inside a Department of Human Services office, and applied for and received an EBT card, or food stamps. I debated whether to apply for it but decided to proceed, in part because of my initial thoughts of shame I’ve associated with food stamps. No one should go hungry in this country or any other if resources are available.

I stood in the long line surrounded by people trying to do the best they could with extremely limited resources. I was one of them. Standing among the poorest in our society, I felt thankful for the experience, the chance to go through the process

Editor-in-Chief and CEO Donna Ladd Publisher & President Todd Stauffer Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin Art Director Kristin Brenemen Managing Editor Amber Helsel EDITORIAL City Reporter Ko Bragg State Reporter Ashton Pittman Associate Editor Micah Smith JFP Daily Editor Dustin Cardon Writers Brynn Corbello, Richard Coupe, Bryan Flynn, Mike McDonald, Greg Pigott, Abigail Walker, Brinda Fuller Willis, Jenna Gibson, Jessica Noxolo Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Advertising Designer Zilpha Young Contributing Photographers Delreco Harris, Imani Khayyam, Ashton Pittman ADVERTISING SALES Digital Marketing Specialist Meghan Garner Sales and Marketing Coordinator Andrea Dilworth BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS Distribution Manager Ken Steere Distribution Damien Fairconetue, Ruby Parks, Eddie Williams

“My past and present experiences convince me to feel thankful for the lessons learned and promise of redemption, a theme that has resonated for much of my life.”

my struggle to strengthen connections, including with my father, a man with whom I’ve had an estranged relationship for many years. Despite our past, he bailed me out of jail. Like a country song, my dad pawned a gun to get his son out of jail. For one of the first times I recall, I felt like he believed in me. He and a few remarkable friends watched in the courtroom as I defended myself in a system not known for easily handing out “not guilty” verdicts.

I find simple pleasures in my new city, activities like riding my bicycle along historic areas and thinking about the ideals of this country, while also reflecting on my personal and professional values. I have felt at times like I had lost everything.

Fortunately, a mentor told me the only way I’d lose everything is if I believed I had and reminded me of my professional accomplishments. He also shared how he recovered after losing his career when I decided to make a personal ethical decision.

I’m thankful for his support and wisdom.

This year has reminded me that wealth comes in many forms beyond numbers in a bank account and expensive purchases. I’ve learned so much during this season of loss, learned to let go of hurt, anger and bitter-

of those who can’t see a future with them in it. I’ve learned people who go without today can be you and me in a different time and place.

I’ve remembered life offers a finite amount of time to make our mark in this world, that we can learn from so many experiences and people if we’re open to the lessons.

After experiencing previously foreign struggles, I’ve also remembered how much I love writing, storytelling and producing meaningful journalism. Losing my byline this year hurt more than I want to admit.

I have already started reaching out for opportunities to return full-time to journalism or other fields where I can make a positive impact and welcome suggestions, recommendations and opportunities.

I look forward to learning what the future has in store for me and certainly give thanks if it involves making a meaningful difference.

Robbie S. Ward has a master’s in public policy and administration from Mississippi State University.

This column does not necessarily reflect the views of the JFP.

ONLINE Web Editor Dustin Cardon Web Designer Montroe Headd CONTACT US: Letters letters@jacksonfreepress.com Editorial editor@jacksonfreepress.com Queries submissions@jacksonfreepress.com Listings events@jacksonfreepress.com Advertising ads@jacksonfreepress.com Publisher todd@jacksonfreepress.com News tips news@jacksonfreepress.com Fashion style@jacksonfreepress.com Jackson Free Press 125 South Congress Street, Suite 1324 Jackson, Mississippi 39201 Editorial (601) 362-6121 Sales (601) 362-6121 Fax (601) 510-9019 Daily updates at jacksonfreepress.com The Jackson Free Press is the city’s awardwinning, locally owned news magazine, reaching over 35,000 readers per issue via more than 600 distribution locations in the Jackson metro area—and an average of over 35,000 visitors per week at www.jacksonfreepress. com. The Jackson Free Press is free for pick-up by readers; one copy per person, please. First-class subscriptions are available for $100 per year for postage and handling. The views expressed in this magazine and at jacksonfreepress.com are not necessarily those of the publisher or management of Jackson Free Press Inc. © Copyright 2018-2019 Jackson Free Press Inc. All Rights Reserved

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.

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Saturday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

11

Ashton Pittman

Election-Year Lawmaking: What Will Happen?

by Ashton Pittman

With 2019 being an election year, Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, says to expect a fairly uneventful session.

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

“L 12

et tell you, some of you may have a beautiful fan,” Republican Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant told the crowd gathered before him at the Neshoba County Fair last August, holding up a paper fan with various numbers printed on it. “Now this is a fan that has the truth on it.”

Bryant was incensed. Earlier, Democratic Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood had stood at the same podium and discussed Mississippi’s dismal national rankings in things like health care, poverty and education. Republicans such as Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Hood said, would try to tell voters everything was just fine.

“You’re going to hear a lot of that yapping over the next few days, how low unemployment is” and “how great things are,” Hood had said. “You know about statistics and lies and damned lies.

You’ll hear a lot of that.”

Standing before the crowd, Bryant

waved the fan, touting Mississippi’s 4.7 percent unemployment rate. That was a big drop from 9.4 percent when he took office and Mississippi was still reeling from the Great Recession, Bryant boasted.

Republicans have reason to emphasize the good: For the first time in a long time, they expect to face a strong Democratic contender in this year’s governor’s race with Hood, who announced a run in October, and that’s likely to shape how they approach the Legislature this year.

Conventional wisdom says not to expect the Legislature to do too much in 2019 because it’s an election year.

“You’re not going to see a lot of aggressive moves one way or the other,” State Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, told the Jackson Free Press on Jan. 3.

The conservative Republican said he “wouldn’t anticipate any controversial legislation” and expects a “fairly uneventful session” in which legislators will “focus on their home districts” and shy away from “controversial legislation.”

Legislators will save that for 2020, he said, because they “know people have short memories and try to push more in the first year.”

Still, legislators could tackle some issues that are broadly popular and have bipartisan support that could be a boon to them in November’s elections. One possibility, though, could prove controversial among Republicans.

‘Philcare’: Expanding Medicaid?

After President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, then-Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant went to war against the law he derisively refers to as “Obamacare,” teaming up with Sen. McDaniel in hopes of getting it struck down.

Though that effort failed, and Mississippians of certain income levels now have access to subsidized insurance through the ACA’s federal marketplace, the Supreme Court ruled that states could choose whether or not to accept federal funds to expand Medicaid.

Once he became governor and was eager to defy Obama at every turn,

Bryant in 2013 turned down more than $400 billion in yearly federal funds to expand the program.

That decision denied health-care access to 300,000 Mississippians whose income is too high to qualify for regular Medicaid, but not high enough to qualify for federal subsidies. It has also been devastating for rural hospitals in poor areas that rely on Medicaid reimbursements, with five closing in the five years since.

Other rural hospitals, including the only one in Clarksdale, are perilously close to shuttering. While issues such as population decline contributed to some of these closures, research published in the journal Health Affairs found that rural hospitals in states that refused Medicaid Expansion were six times more likely to close than rural hospitals in states that did not.

In a statement on Jan. 4, Sen. Derrick Simmons, chairman of the Mississippi Senate Democratic caucus, said Medicaid expansion would be a priority Democrats would push in the

Ashton Pittman

At the Neshoba County Fair last August, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant waved a fan that touted economic improvement under his watch.

Director Drew Snyder fueled suspicions that Bryant and Republican lawmakers may be considering their own version of Medicaid expansion to kneecap Hood’s central campaign issue.

“Looking forward to expanding @MSMedicaid’s horizons in 2019,”

tangible, too: Of those who gained coverage in the first year of the expansion, nearly 50,000 people began outpatient mental-health treatment; almost 20,000 began treatment for substance abuse; 7,000 were newly diagnosed and treated for diabetes; 338 women who gained

insurance through expansion were diagnosed with breast cancer; and 285 people were diagnosed with and treated for colon cancer.

“You look next door in Louisiana.

They provided health care to their working poor, and their hospitals aren’t fail-

and steal it, I’m going to be really mad at you. But you probably don’t need to be in prison for the next 20 years.”

Mississippi still has the fourth-highest incarceration rate in the nation, and data from the Vera Institute show that the number incarcerated rose 1.3 percent

Mississippi House Rep. Jeramey Anderson, D-Moss Point, urged the Legislature to work to pass meaningful legislation in 2019, instead of playing it safe because it is an election year.

ing,” Baria told the Jackson Free Press.

Bryant may or may not be seriously considering Medicaid expansion—or “Philcare”—this legislative session, but whether he does or not, it will certainly be an issue heading into November’s state races.

Criminal Justice Reform

Last year, Bryant vetoed a criminaljustice reform package that included provisions aimed at helping opioid addicts. Bryant opposed the bill because of a provision that would have required the Mississippi Department of Corrections to factor in poverty for those on probation or supervision before assessing monthly fees.

In the past, Bryant, who has a history in law enforcement, has not been known as a supporter of criminal-justice reform generally, and has emphasized tough-on-crime and pro-capital punishment stances.

When President Trump endorsed and signed a national criminaljustice reform package late last year, though, Bryant’s tone on criminaljustice reform shifted.

“If you break in my house, I’m really mad at you,” Bryant said at the Mississippi Summit on Criminal Justice Reform on Dec. 11. “If you break in my car

from 2016 to 2017.

“Our criminal-justice system needs more revamping so our jail populations are reduced and taxpayers’ dollars are saved and reinvested,” Simmons said. “Non-violent and low-level offenders should be rehabilitated, and released back into society with dignity and respect.”

Bryant has developed a reputation in the first two years of the Trump presidency for signing onto just about everything Trump does. If he really has had a change of heart about criminal justice reform, he could push for the Legislature to take the issue up again in 2019. Baria hopes he will.

The Democratic leader said he has already filed a bill that would restore voting rights to any person who has completed their sentence. Criminal-justice reform, he said, is one of the key topics his party plans to focus on.

“We’re going to work across the aisle to get some things done, and it’s going to be directed at trying to reduce the populations of incarcerated persons in our state, properly addressing the problems of bail, and things like fines and fees,” Baria said.

more PREVIEW, p 14

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

Snyder, whom Bryant appointed last year, tweeted.

Democratic House Minority Leader David Baria, a longtime advocate for Medicaid expansion, said that if Bryant is willing to do something “to help Mississippi’s working poor,” he will find willing partners on the Democratic side of the aisle.

“I don’t care if you call it Philcare— it’s just a name,” the Democratic leader from Bay St. Louis told the Jackson Free Press on Jan. 4. “But we need to get serious about providing health care to our working poor who don’t have any health insurance and about helping our rural hospitals—many of which are failing.

And the other aspect we’re talking about here would be job creation. It’s been estimated that we could create 8,000 or 9,000 jobs if we would simply accept our tax dollars back.”

Baria pointed to Louisiana as an example of the success of Medicaid expansion.

After that state replaced an antiexpansion Republican governor with Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, the state expanded Medicaid in 2016.

A year in, a report from Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Health Department found, expansion had saved the state $317 million and created 19,000 new jobs, even as more than 470,000 people gained health coverage—100,000 more than anticipated.

The impact on people’s lives was

Ashton Pittman

2019 session that reconvened Jan. 8.

“Rural residents need access to hospitals closer to home,” Simmons said.

“Rural hospitals are closing, and vital services are being discontinued because Medicaid expansion was rejected in our state. Legislative Democrats have supported Medicaid expansion since 2011.”

Democrats are in the minority in both houses and would need Republican support to move legislation on Medicaid expansion, but in his quest for the governorship, Hood has already signaled his intention to make Medicaid expansion a central issue in the campaign.

“We had an emergency room here in Houston my whole life, and now that emergency room is closed,” Hood said at his campaign announcement. “In 1940, we had better emergency health care in rural Mississippi than we have right now.

That’s insane.”

The issue could be popular for Hood, who is likely to do battle with Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves in November if both win their party’s nominations. A Millsaps-Chism Strategies poll last April found that 52 percent of Mississippians support expanding Medicaid, with just 36 percent opposed.

Last month, the governor’s office denied reports that Bryant and Republicans in the Legislature were “trying to figure out how to expand Medicaid without calling it expansion,” as a source told Politico. But a curious tweet on Jan. 1 from Mississippi Executive Medicaid

13

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2019 Legislative Preview from page 13

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Teacher Pay Mississippi teachers made $44,659 on average during the 2016-2017 school year, Mississippi Department of Education figures show. That puts the state last nationwide in teacher pay, behind states like Oklahoma and West Virginia, where teachers have recently gone on strike to protest low pay.

With adjustments for cost of living, though, Mississippi rises to 37th place, an NPR analysis found; that puts Mississippi slightly ahead of Oklahoma, which rises to 40th, and West Virginia, which rises to 43rd.

Bryant is asking lawmakers for $50 million to fund a 3-percent pay increase for teachers over the next two years. Even if the Legislature approves that request, an Associated Press analysis found, it would still leave Mississippi in last place, with salaries increasing an average of $1,580 between now and 2020.

When Mississippi last raised salaries for teachers in 2014, salaries increased by $2,500 for each teacher over a twoyear-period.

Baria suggested including a pay for other state employees. “It’s really noncontroversial, but I think you’re going to see a push to give teachers and perhaps other state employees or a pay raise,” he said. “If there’s a rub, it’s whether both get a pay raise and how much.”

Simmons blasted Republicans for not doing more on education in other areas. “In recent years, we have fought to get every dime we could for

public education while our Republican counterparts created special programs and scholarships designed to siphon every dollar they can away from public schools,” he said. “We want public tax dollars going to public schools.”

Last year, Republicans unsuccessfully pushed a proposal that would have vastly expanded the use of school vouchers, redirecting tax dollars from public education to private schools under the banner of “school choice.” It is not a new strategy. The State of Mississippi provided vouchers to white parents who enrolled children at segregation academies in the 1960s and ’70s.

Democrats also cited election reform, “economic justice” like equal pay for equal work for women, and infrastructure as issues they will push in the new legislative session.

Though McDaniel doubts there will be much appetite for legislators in either party to “rock the boat” this year, Mississippi House Rep. Jeramey Anderson, D-Moss Point, urged his colleagues to pass meaningful legislation, anyway.

“Our constituents SHOULDN’T HAVE TO WAIT on an election year to see their lawmakers work for them,” he tweeted on the Friday before the legislative session kickoff. “They SHOULDN’T HAVE TO WAIT on an election to see a proactive and productive Legislature.”

Follow Ashton Pittman on Twitter @ashtonpittman. Email him story tips to ashton@jacksonfreepress.com.

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UPCOMING

15

2018I

The Most Intriguing OF

Robert langford and Operation Shoestring

The two better-known foodies in the Jackson metro area are probably Rachel Phuong Le and Alivia AshburnTownsend, admins for #tricountyfoodies and also members of other groups such as Jackson Foodies.

Le is “food’s biggest fan” and is constantly searching for new things to try, and Ashburn-Townsend is a Jackson chef and foodie who has been on the scene for a long time.

Both have a passion for local food and restaurants, and love to introduce Jackson-metro residents to new cuisine and restaurant options.

Last year, the women announced they are now joining Jackson’s restaurant scene as vendors for Cultivation Food Hall, bringing new cuisine with them. Le will open poké restaurant Poké Stop, and Ashburn-Townsend will bring New York deli flair to Jackson in Ariella’s NY Delicatessen.

Be on the look out for news about Cultivation Food Hall on Facebook.

—Amber Helsel

operation shoestring

Tristan Duplichain; Alexis Carter

If you haven’t heard, Operation Shoestring Executive Director Robert Langford and the education nonprofit were up to a lot in 2018. Not only did the organization celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018; it has also been renovating its space on Bailey Avenue since October.

Langford, who has been the executive director since 1997, oversees programs such as family communication and parenting classes; athletic summer camps; a food pantry and a set of after-

school and summer programs called Project Rise.

Operation Shoestring launched the Rise to the Future 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign in November 2018 to help children and families.

The goals are to create a safe and interactive learning environment, better recreational spaces, outfit academic, community and administrative spaces, upgrade playgrounds and green spaces, make improvements on HVAC, electrical and lighting systems, and more. The campaign will also help create an Educational Strategic Investment Fund to help meet community needs.

—Dustin Cardon

William and Deborah Bynum

William and Deborah Bynum, president and first lady of Jackson State University, respectively, have had a busy year of raising money and launching new programs to support JSU’s students and the Jackson community.

William was sworn in as the college’s 11th president on

Arielle Dreher; JCourtesy JSU

Rachel Phuong Le and Alivia Ashburn-Townsend

f you’re glad to see 2019 finally here, you’re not alone in that sentiment. The last year was a crazy and draining one, to say the least, but crazy often means that intriguing people came out of the woodwork. Here are some of the people whom we found the most interesting, for better or worse.

Oct. 11, 2018. At a dinner celebrating his inauguration, he raised $305,000 from donors to put toward student scholarships. On Oct. 17, Deborah raised $25,000 through her own inaugural scholarship luncheon at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

In summer 2018, Bynum also challenged JSU alumni to raise $5 million over two years as part of the National Alumni Association’s Millions of Eyes on Excellence Fundraising Campaign. He also took part in a technology roundtable on workforce development and training in February.

Deborah held a ribbon-cutting for her Tiger Food Pantry in October. She also started a clothing closet called the Tiger Career Closet, implemented a campus recycling program, and led JSU students and alumni through downtown Jackson in the American Heart Association’s Metro Jackson Heart Walk in November.

—Dustin Cardon

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

16

Rukia Lumumba, an attorney, the daughter of former Mayor Chokwe Lumumba and the sister of the current mayor, is intriguing on many fronts. That includes her deep work to get out the vote this fall, helping black candidate Mike Espy come closer to a U.S. Senate seat than any Democrat since 1982.

But it’s her determination to bring “credible messenger” violence prevention to Jackson, and her outreach to unexpected team members, that makes her intriguing to us. Before she returned from New York City to live in her hometown of Jackson, Lumumba was deeply involved with the effort to transform former criminals into credible messengers and “violence interrupters” based on the renowned cureviolence.org model.

The idea is to find people who have served time and now want to help others avoid the same path. Train them.

Have them interact with others at high risk of committing violence, or even “interrupt” a potential act before it takes place. They can reach people the police and others cannot.

For her initial team, Lumumba chose Terun Moore, a black man who served 19 years for killing a man in a robbery when he was a teenager. She also chose Benny Ivey, a former white-gang leader and meth addict in Rankin County. Ivey, who grew up robbing houses in south Jackson and was in prison multiple times over two decades, was first profiled locally in the Jackson Free Press. The three also work with JPD Assistant Chief Ricky Robinson.

The team got good news in December—a $150,000 seed grant from FWD.us, an organization funded by technology giants. Moore and Ivey will be the first messengers trained using the funds. Read more at jfp.ms/interrupters.

—Donna Ladd

Donna Ladd

Rukia Lumumba, TERUn moore, benny ivey and JPD Assistant chief ricky ROBINSON

From left: JPD Assistant Chief Ricky Robinson, attorney Rukia Lumumba, and reformed criminals Terun Moore and Benny Ivey wait in City Hall to explain Jackson’s new credible-messenger strategy. Moore and Ivey will be the first trained.

Dear Silas

Between name changes, new albums, viral hits and record deals, 2018 was a full year for Jackson native Silas Stapleton III, whom fans know as hip-hop artist Dear Silas.

In October, he released “The Last Cherry Blossom,” a followup to his successful 2016 album, “The Day I Died,” which itself had a viral hit in the song “Gullah Gullah Island.” While “Cherry Blossom” has done well overall—every track has already reached quintuple digits on Spotify—it was likely the single, “Skrr Skrr,” that turned heads in high places.

“Skrr Skrr” has garnered more than 1.2 million streams on Spotify thus far, with its skyrocketing popularity due in part to its

courtesy daniel johnson

Kiese Laymon

From releasing his critically acclaimed memoir, “Heavy,” to receiving an honor from the City and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Jackson native Kiese Laymon had a busy 2018. His memoir follows his path of “growing up a hard-headed black son to a complicated and brilliant black mother in Jackson, Mississippi,” as he describes the opus on his website.

Laymon has also been on a journey that recently led him back to his home state. Laymon left Jackson after getting kicked out of Millsaps College at the age of 19. He came back three years ago, and currently serves as the Ottilie Schillig Professor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Mississippi. In his remarks after receiving a proclamation from the mayor in October, Laymon said the current leadership with a mission to make Mississippi’s capital the most radical city in the world offers a proud talking point during his travels.

“Everywhere I go in this nation, and in this world, everybody is asking me about Jackson and about Antar and about our city,” Laymon said of the mayor in October. “I hope we can continue to artfully, critically assess our City, and I hope we continue to love our own.”

—Ko Bragg

use in a meme featuring the 1990s cartoon “Dexter’s Laboratory,” edited to include the song.

Stapleton’s management team at OurGlass Media Group announced in December that they had penned a deal with RCA Records and Sony Music Entertainment to re-release “The Last Cherry Blossom” this coming February.

It will be interesting to see how major-label backing affects the album’s reach, but it is worth noting that Stapleton’s “Cherry Blossom” has already made an impact solely with a homegrown squad of Jacksonians behind it, including manager Brad “Kamikaze” Franklin, producer Darrin “Flywalker” Givens, engineer Shell Enns and lawyer Jeffrey Graves.

—Micah Smith

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

The moment Gov. Phil Bryant appointed Cindy Hyde-Smith to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacancy, she became the first Mississippi woman to serve in Congress. While she had flown under the radar as secretary of agriculture, the cattle farmer from Brookhaven stoked plenty of intrigue during her race to be elected to the seat.

Her bizarre, seemingly off-the-cuff comment at a campaign stop in Tupelo first drew national attention. “If he invited me to a public hanging, I’d be on the front row,” she said of a rancher there. The video, revealed by Lamar White of the Bayou Brief, drew reporters from across the world to Mississippi, asking why a senator from the state that historically had the most lynchings of African Americans would so cavalierly invoke the specter of the state’s deadly past.

Hyde-Smith, who was running against former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, who is black, said it was just an “expression of regard.” She refused to comment further, and at a debate, she offered a half-hearted apology and blamed Espy for “twisting” her words.

Her refusal to discuss the “public hanging” remark led the Jackson Free Press, with the help of a tipster, to uncover her high school yearbook. She attended a segregation academy that opened in 1970 to allow white parents to avoid sending their children to school with black children after a Supreme Court ruling mandated integration. Photos show Hyde-Smith posing with her fellow cheerleaders and a mascot dressed as a colonel and holding a Confederate flag.

The night she was elected, her campaign’s official Twitter account tweeted out attacks on the Jackson Free reporter who broke the story, along with White and others. “Y’all find @CindyHydeSmith’s middle school yearbook yet?” a tweet with the hashtag “#FakeNewsGotBurned” read. Though she beat Espy, she won by the narrowest margin of any GOP U.S. Senate candidate in Mississippi since 1982.

—Ashton Pittman

If you aren’t in politics or the media industry, you may not know much about what goes on at the Mississippi Capitol, or even what you can do there. daniel johnson, who owns creative consulting firm Significant Developments (and does not capitalize his name), began to change that last year with his new initiative, curious citizens, last year. The program, which he launched in summer 2018, aims to let people explore the Capitol and the activities within it. curious citizens hosts orientations each month, and once people complete orientation, they receive a pin to wear at the Capitol on their adventures.

On Jan. 8, the opening day of the legislative session as this issue hits the streets, johnson is hosting the curious citizens Capitol See, where participants can learn valuable information such as where to request important documents, how to reserve space at the Capitol and how to search the Legislative Resource Library.

As part of other initiatives with Significant Developments, johnson also hosted the “Aging Artists Exhibition,” which displayed paintings accompanied by stories from senior citizens in Jackson community centers, Significant Saturdays at Offbeat (the third Saturday of each month) and more.

For more information, find Significant Developments on Facebook.

—Amber Helsel

Justin Hardiman

Cindy Hyde-Smith

daniel johnson

Ko Bragg

Two Jacksonians, Nashlie Sephus and Ivan Walker, helped make the image capture feature in the Amazon app possible.

The original idea was to create a tool that would allow people to take pictures of automotive parts and to identify them easier. Amazon acquired Partpic in 2016, and Sephus and Walker joined the business in Atlanta.

But what’s most intriguing for Jackson isn’t necessarily the technology. It’s Sephus’ organization, The Bean Path. When she left for college, she had the idea to bring back what she learned about the technology world to Mississippi. In fall 2018, she did just that when she launched The Bean Path, which has the initiatives of bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and technology, exposing youth to coding and engineering, and awarding scholarships and grants to those who are interested in technology or grassroots organizations to help with needs such as new laptops. For more information, visit thebeanpath.org.

—Amber Helsel

Ashton Pittman

courtesy Nashlie Sephus and Ivan Walker

Nashlie Sephus and Ivan Walker

17

aTo Do Listd

Looking for something great to do in Jackson? Visit JFPEVENTS.COM for more.

COMMUNITY History Is Lunch Jan. 9, noon-1 p.m., at Two Mississippi Museums (222 North St.). In Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium. Frederick L. Briuer presents on the topic “The 300th Anniversary of Vicksburg’s Fort St. Pierre.” Free; mdah.ms.gov.

The Release Experience Fashion Show—Model Call Jan. 12, 2:30-4:30 p.m., at Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center (528 Bloom St.).

FOOD & DRINK

Jackson salon owner LaVuntae Lashley presents the second annual The Release Experience Fashion Show. Diavonti Pope of Nashville, Tenn., hosts the call for male and female models. Participants are encouraged to wear blue denim jeans, fitted t-shirts and black shoes, and bring a photo of themselves. Free admission; email trefs2k19@ gmail.com; find it on Facebook.

Girls’ Night Out Jan. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at The South Warehouse (627 E. Silas Brown St.). The

THURSDAY 1/10 Liverpool Legends performs at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The Beatles tribute band features four musicians and actors whom Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, selected to portray the iconic rock-and-roll group. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $49-$64; ticketmaster.com.

COURTESY LIVERPOOL LEGENDS

The Nick Wallace Way

by Brinda Fuller Willis

T

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

COURTESY NICK WALLACE CULINARY

hough “farm-to-table” is a popular food and restaurant concept these days, it competitor in the kitchen and in the business arena of the food industry,” Wallace says. informed much of Jackson chef Nick Wallace’s culinary background. He grew up On Dec. 11, 2018, he made his third appearance on “Chopped,” taking on three on a farm near Edwards, Miss., where his family produced most of the food they other tournament runner-ups before falling in the entree round. Last year, he also particiate. He started cooking as a child in the kitchen with his grandmothers, Queen pated in Northpark’s “Taste for the Space” culinary competition.

Morris and Lennel Donald. In 1999, he received an associate degree in food and beverDespite his busy schedule, the chef has continued his work with Nick Wallace age management from Hinds Community College.

Culinary, offering services such as cooking demonWallace worked at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant from strations, live game cooking and butchery, along with 2001 to 2003, when he became the first African Americatering for private affairs, birthday parties, farm-tocan executive chef at the downtown Jackson Marriott Hotable experiences, public speaking and his most retel. He worked there until 2008 when he was named the cent venture, “From My Hands to Your Kitchen,” in executive chef at the Hilton Jackson. in 2010, he started which Wallace cooks meals in a person’s home kitchen. working at the King Edward Hotel.

In addition, NWC works with local farmers as It was in 2013 that Wallace began his time as the they venture to become organic-certified. executive chef at the Palette Cafe for the Mississippi “The process and costs involved in becoming certiMuseum of Art. After a year there, he decided to start his fied as an organic farmer is difficult for small farmers to own business, Nick Wallace Culinary, and in 2017, he achieve, and the certification system works against them, formally announced that he would leave his post at the even though some farmers are already producing ormuseum to put more focus on that. ganic products but can’t meet the stringent certification “I wanted to work with local farmers more and requirements,” the chef says. have solid connection with the people who worked the Another area of Wallace’s NWC efforts is working farms producing the food and are responsible for what with young people, educating them about healthy foods ends up on the table here in Mississippi,” he says. that are produced in their community and promoting the Over the course of his career, Wallace has won eradication of food deserts, or places where nutritious and many awards for his cooking and participated in numerfresh foods are not as accessible. ous competitions. In 2013, he was invited to cook at the Recently, Wallace spoke to students, teachers and James Beard Foundation in New York City for the third parents at McAdams High School in rural Attala County Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change, and has served about the need to grow fresh vegetables for their own as a chef at the James Beard House on six occasions, with consumption, which is a part of NWC’s public speaking two dinners each in 2015, 2016 and 2017. educational services.

Wallace also frequently worked special events with “Speaking to young people is a passion for me beSoul City Hospitality, a company he helped co-found but cause I feel I can get kids interested in the farm-to-table The past few years have seen Jackson chef Nick is no longer part of, from 2014 to 2017 for business ownprocess of how food arrives in grocery stores, to their home Wallace enter the worlds of entrepreneurship, TV cooking competitions, and soon, cookbook literature. ers and nonprofit agencies, developing menus for dinner kitchens and finally on their dinner plates,” he says. parties, galas and award ceremonies.

In the midst of his other projects, Wallace also In fall 2017, he won part two of the “Alton’s Challenge” tournament on Food penned a deal for his debut cookbook, “Rooted: A Modern Mississippian Map to Network TV show “Chopped,” successfully following up his 2014 spot on the show American Home Cooking,” which University Press of Mississippi is publishing.

“Cutthroat Kitchen.” While he ultimately did not win the grand finale episode, his The book will focus on his farm roots, his early experiences in the kitchen, foodways “Chopped” round victory placed him on the national culinary stage while also putting throughout the state of Mississippi, his journey as a formally trained chef, and his experithe spotlight on Mississippi and southern food culture. ences as a “Chopped” champion and entrepreneur.

“After the ‘Chopped’ competition, I really (understood) that I (had to) become a For more information about Nick Wallace Culinary, visit nickwallaceculinary.com.

18

Offsite & Onsite

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Saturday, January 12

Steve forbert WITH GRAYSON CAPPS

folk rocker from meridian behind the hit “romeo’s tune� and decades of great music!

Tuesday, January 29

Wednesday 1/9

New Bourbon Street Jazz Band Dining Room - 6pm - Free

Thursday 1/10

D’Lo Trio Dining Room - 7pm - Free

Friday 1/11

Bill, Temperance & Jeff Dining Room - 7pm - Free

Saturday 1/12

Singer Songwriter Night FREE Tickets at: jimweek2019.eventbrite.com

Monday 1/14

Central MS Blues Society presents:

Blue Monday Dining Room - 7 - 11pm

$3 Members $5 Non-Members

Tuesday 1/15

Dinner Drinks & Jazz with Raphael Semmes and Friends Dining Room - 6pm

Wednesday 1/16 Jackson Indie Music Week Presents:

Blender

Saturday, February 2

THE SEDONAS / EMPTY ATLAS STONEWALLS / THE WOODLAND

it’s a four-band night with some INCREDIBLE local and touring acts!

Friday, February 8

Featuring:

THE VEGABONDS

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Dolla Black

WITH CODY ROGERS

ďŹ ve-piece crew blending americana and good ol’ rock and roll

Friday, February 22

6-10pm | Tickets: jimweek2019.eventbrite.com

Friday 1/18 Jackson Indie Music Week Presents:

POP! Showcase

JUICE

seven-piece boston band combining elements of r&b, rock, and hip-hop

Saturday, February 23

george winston

grammy award-winning pianist returns for an evening of rural fulk piano greatness

Featuring: ÂœĂžĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ UĂŠ Ă•`ĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ 7Ă€Âˆ}Â…ĂŒ

Tuesday, March 5

jared & the mill

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6-10pm | Tickets: jimweek2019.eventbrite.com

Saturday 1/19

WITH CHIEF WHITE LIGHTNING

arizona indie rockers touring in support of their new album “this story is no longer available�

Friday, March 8

>VÂŽĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ĂžÂŤĂƒÂˆiĂƒ Dining Room - 6pm - Free

Sunday 1/20

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BILLY STRINGS

bluegrass prodigy and folk rocker billy strings is bringing it to duling!

Tuesday, March 19

MOUNTAIN MAN

widely acclaimed a capella female folk trio featuring amelia meath of sylvan esso

Friday, March 22

BRENT COBB

Central MS Blues Society presents:

Blue Monday

WITH ADAM HOOD

rising star in the country scene brings the sucker for a good time tour to jackson!

Friday, April 5

Dining Room - 7 - 11pm $3 Members $5 Non-Members

Tuesday 1/22

Dinner Drinks & Jazz with Raphael Semmes and Friends Dining Room - 6pm

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1/23 New Bourbon Street Jazz Band 1/24 D’Lo Trio 1/25 Barry Leach 1/26 Delta State Music Industry Night

oregon quintet combining rock, bluegrass, and folk for a night of jam goodness

1/26 Vittles, Vino & Vinyl w/ DJ Sandpaper 1/28 CMBS presents Blue Monday 1/29 Dinner, Drinks & Jazz w/ Raphael Semmes & Friends

visit halandmals.com for a full menu and concert schedule 601.948.0888

200 s. Commerce St.

jonathan mcreynolds

rising gospel star brings the #makemoreroomtour to jackson!

Saturday, April 6

MANDOLIN ORANGE

north carolina folk duo bringing a killer show to mississippi - tickets going fast!

Wednesday, April 10

JENNY LEWIS

former lead singer of rilo kiley and indie rock icon touring in support of new album out in 2019

just announced!

Thursday, May 16

JERMAINE “FUNNYMAINE� JOHNSON

hilarious alabama comedian and die-hard football fan performs two shows in jackson!

Get on the Hip Ship COMPLETE SHOW LISTINGS & TICKETS

• dulinghall.com

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

Ă•ĂƒÂˆVÉ Ă›iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒ

FRUITION

WITH DANIEL RODRIGUEZ OF ELEPHANT REVIVAL

19

S L AT E

the best in sports over the next two weeks

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

Former MSU quarterback Dak Prescott was impressive in his first playoff win with the Dallas Cowboys. He made big throws and runs to help defeat Seattle, setting up a special postseason for the former Bulldog.

THURSDAY, JAN. 10

Women’s college basketball (8 p.m., SECN): Georgia v. MSU FRIDAY, JAN. 11

Documentary (11 p.m., SECN): “SEC Storied: Sweet Solution” SATURDAY, JAN. 12

NFL (7:15 p.m., FOX): Dallas Cowboys v. St. Louis Rams SUNDAY, JAN. 13

NFL (3:40 p.m., FOX): Philadelphia Eagles v. New Orleans Saints MONDAY, JAN. 14

Women’s college basketball (6 p.m., SECN): MSU v. Auburn TUESDAY, JAN. 15

Men’s college basketball (8 p.m., SECN): Louisiana State v.

University of Mississippi WEDNESDAY, JAN. 16

Tennis (8 p.m., ESPN2): Australian Open Second Round THURSDAY, JAN. 17

Men’s college basketball (7 p.m., FS1): Michigan State University v.

University of Nebraska FRIDAY, JAN. 18

NBA (7 p.m., ESPN): San Antonio Spurs v. Minnesota Timberwolves SATURDAY, JAN. 19

Men’s college basketball (7:30 p.m., SECN): Mississippi State University v. Vanderbilt SUNDAY, JAN. 20

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

NFL (2:05 p.m., FOX): NFC Championship ... NFL (5:40 p.m., CBS): AFC Championship

20

MONDAY, JAN. 21

Men’s college basketball (6 p.m., ESPNU): Jackson State University v. Texas Southern TUESDAY, JAN. 22

Men’s college basketball (6 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2): MSU v. Kentucky WEDNESDAY, JAN. 23

Men’s college basketball (6 p.m., CBS Sports): VCU v. Rhode Island

aTo Do Listd

Looking for something great to do in Jackson?

Visit JFPEVENTS.COM for more.

FRIDAY 1/11 Jerry Lee Lewis performs at 8 p.m. at the Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road) in the ballroom.

The Louisiana-native singer-songwriter and pianist is best known for hit songs such as “Great Balls of Fire,” “Boogie Woogie Piano,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and more. The concert is a fundraiser for Richard Spooner’s campaign for sheriff. Doors open at 7 p.m. $75-$250; call 877-987-6487; ardenland.net.

women’s event features an onstage interview with “The Bachelorette” contestant Jason Tartick with appetizers. VIP tickets also include a meetand-greet and a flower arrangement workshop.

Free registration by Dec. 26, $25 after, $50 VIP; eventbrite.com.

Events at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.) • A Brief Architectural History of Woodland Hills Jan. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Todd Sanders is the instructor. The class examines the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Jackson. $40; call 601-974-1000; millsaps.edu.

• “Reel” Mississippi Jan. 15, 7 p.m. In Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex. Mississippi Film Office Director Nina Parikh moderates a panel featuring former directors Walterine Odom, Sen. John Horhn and Ward Emling, who will discuss the history of filmmaking in the state. $10; millsaps.edu.

• Fondren: A Brief Architectural History Jan. 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Todd Sanders is the instructor. The class examines the Fondren neighborhood of Jackson, from its original status as “Asylum Heights” to its current revival. $40; call 601-974-1000; millsaps.edu.

The Right Way to Start a 501(c)(3) Nonprofits Jan. 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Mississippi Center for Nonprofits (201 W. Capitol St., Suite 700). The workshop provides the legal and practical steps to organize and secure state and federal approval to operate as a tax-exempt organization. Per Person; call 601-968-0061 ext. 15; email jeffery@ msnonprofits.org; msnonprofits.org.

Military, Veterans, Spouses & Dependents Job Fair Jan. 17, 9 a.m.-noon, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). In the Thad Cochran Center. The Jackson VA Regional Office and Mississippi Public Broadcasting host the event featuring a variety of career opportunities for current and former military personnel and their families. Free admission; find it on Facebook.

“For My People” Awards Jan. 18, 11:45 a.m., at Jackson State University (1400 J.R. Lynch St.).

In the JSU Student Center Ballroom. The 24th annual awards luncheon recognizes select individuals and organizations for their contributions to African American history and culture. Honorees include Lottie Joiner, Charlie Braxton, Grace Sweet, Benjamin Bradley and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. $20 per person; call 601979-3935; email mwa@jsums.edu; jsums.edu.

“Redefining Black Manhood” Symposium Jan. 20, 3:30-5 p.m., at Afrikan Art Gallery (800 N. Farish St.). The REAL Learning Institute, Free the Land Initiative and RBG Coalition present the symposium series on reshaping the image of African American men. The events will take place on the third Sunday of each month.

For all ages. Free admission; call 769-572-7441; find it on Facebook.

MLK Poetry Night: “Where Do We Go From Here?” Jan. 21, 6-8 p.m., at Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (222 North St., Suite 2205).

The event features music and poetry honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Pamela Junior, Thabi Moyo and 5th Child are the hosts.

Free; mcrm.mdah.ms.gov.

KIDS Events at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.)

• Visiting Artist: Emily Simmons Jan. 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Emily Simmons leads children in creating a found-object architecture project.

SUNDAY 1/13 The Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Smith-Wills Stadium (1200 Lakeland Drive).

The national baseball tryout features workouts, recruiting opportunities and skill evaluations for

Hoot & Holler Family Creation Lab Jan. 13, 2-3:30 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). A museum educator leads families with children ages 6-10 in an art project taking inspiration from a different artist each month. $10 per child; msmuseumart.org.

Gaming in the ‘Park Jan. 19, 1-4 p.m., at Northpark (1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland). The first installment of the gaming series at Northpark features an opportunity to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch. Free admission; eventbrite.com.

FOOD & DRINK Liberty Luncheon Jan. 17, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at River Hills Club (3600 Ridgewood Road). The luncheon features a discussion of free speech on college campuses with guest speakers Shelby Emmett, director of the Center to Protect Free Speech at ALEC, and Zack Pruitt, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom. RSVP. $15 per person; eventbrite.com.

Doe’s Eat Place Cooking School Jan. 19, 7-9 p.m., at Doe’s Eat Place (15 Jackson Circle, Florence). Chef Will Abraham teaches participants to make a selection of culinary dishes.

Reservations required. $50 per person; call 601891-4266; find it on Facebook.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Blues Brunch Jan. 20, 11 a.m., at Iron Horse Grill (320 W. Pearl St.). The brunch event features live music from blues artist Danny Ray. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

“Music Tour of the Capital” Pub Crawl Jan. 20, 3-5 p.m., at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.). Jackson Indie Music Week and More Than a Tourist present the city tour and pub crawl highlighting various music venues and bars in Jackson. $25 admission; jxnindiemusic.com.

Lunazul Tequila Dinner Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m., at Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland). Participants can enjoy a four-course Mexican dinner featuring cocktail pairings with Lunazul tequila from Jalisco, Mexico. Limited seating. $58 per person or $40 for food only plus tax and gratuity; call 601-7077950; ridgeland.sombramexicankitchen.com.

SPORTS & WELLNESS CLIPART

middle-school athletes ages 11-14 starting at 9 a.m. and high-school athletes ages 14-18 starting at 1 p.m. Some players will be selected for Under Armour’s College PREP program. $99 tryout, $249 interactive videos, $399 College PREP; baseballfactory.com.

Workshops take place at 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Included with admission ($10 per person); mschildrensmuseum.org.

• Storytelling Festival Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The festival allows children to learn about Mississippi storytellers from the past and hear from the current generation. Includes special activities, performers and guests. Included with admission ($10 per person); call 601981-5469; mschildrensmuseum.org.

Under Armour Baseball Factory National Tryout Jan. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Smith-Wills Stadium (1200 Lakeland Drive). The national baseball tryout features workouts, recruiting opportunities and skill evaluations for middleschool athletes ages 11-14 starting at 9 a.m. and high-school athletes ages 14-18 starting at 1 p.m. Some players will be selected for Under Armour’s College PREP program. $99 tryout, $249 interactive videos, $399 College PREP; baseballfactory.com.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Jan. 18-19, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 19, 1:30 p.m., at Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). The monster truck event features real-life versions of several iconic jumps and stunts from the Hot Wheels toy line, including the fire-breathing Megasaurus. $15-$25; ticketmaster.com.

Mississippi Living Healthy Expo Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at Clyde Muse Center (Hinds Community College, 515 Country Place Pkwy., Pearl). The family-friendly health and wellness trade show features vendors, educational talks, live demonstrations, door prizes and more. Free admission; eventbrite.com.

Looking for something great to do in Jackson?

Visit JFPEVENTS.COM for more.

TUESDAY 1/15 Author Mesha Maren signs copies of her book, “Sugar Run,” at 5 p.m. at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202).

Reading at 5:30 p.m. $26.95 book; call 601-366-7619; lemuriabooks.com.

FILEPHOTO

STAGE & SCREEN “#CanYouHearMeNow?” Dinner Theater Jan. 12, 7-9 p.m., at Sombra Mexican Kitchen (111 Market St., Flowood). The Detectives present the comedic dinner theater show with a three-course meal. Seating and cocktail hour at 6 p.m. $39 per person plus tax and gratuity; call 601-291-7444; thedetectives.biz.

“Haunted” Dinner Theater Jan. 14, 7-9 p.m., at Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N.).

The Detectives present the comedic dinner theater show with a three-course meal. Seating and cocktail hour at 6 p.m. $49 per person plus tax and gratuity; call 601-291-7444; thedetectives.biz.

“The Mixer” Dinner TheaterJan. 17, 7-9 p.m., at Doe’s Eat Place (15 Jackson Circle, Florence).

The Detectives present the comedic dinner theater show with a three-course meal. Seating and cocktail hour at 6 p.m. $60 per person plus tax and gratuity; call 601-291-7444; thedetectives.biz. “#CanYouHearMeNow?” Dinner Theater Jan. 19, 7-9 p.m., at Anjou Restaurant (361 Township Ave., Ridgeland). The Detectives present the comedic dinner theater show with a three-course meal. Seating and cocktail hour at 6 p.m. $50 per person plus tax and gratuity; call 601-291-7444; thedetectives.biz.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Short Film & Music Video Showcase Jan. 20, 3 p.m., at AND Gallery (133 Millsaps Ave.). The event features screenings of music videos and short films in a variety of genres. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

CONCERTS & FESTIVALS Events at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.) • Liverpool Legends Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. The Beatles tribute band features four musicians and actors whom Louise Harrison, sister of the late George Harrison, selected to portray the iconic rock-and-roll group. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $49-$64; ticketmaster.com.

• Black Jacket Symphony Presents: Queen’s “A Night at the Opera” Jan. 12, 8 p.m.

The band of veteran musicians performs the songs from British rock band Queen’s 1975 album, “A Night at the Opera,” with guest singer Marc Martel, who contributed vocals to Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Doors open at 7 p.m. $25-$35; ardenland.net.

• “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Concert Jan. 19, 8 p.m., Jan. 20, 2 p.m.

The event includes a screening of the first entry in the popular fantasy film series with a live symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ award-winning score. $60-$115; jacksonbroadway.com.

Jerry Lee Lewis Jan. 11, 8 p.m., at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). In the ballroom. The Louisiana-native singer-songwriter and pianist is best known for hit songs such as “Great Balls of Fire,” “Boogie Woogie Piano,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and more. The concert is a fundraiser for Richard Spooner’s campaign for sheriff. Doors open at 7 p.m. $75-$250; ardenland.net.

Events at Lucky Town Brewing Company (1710 N. Mill St.) • Sippin’ Saturday Jan. 12, 1-6 p.m. The concert series features experimental psychedelicrock band Shady Dirt. Includes brewery tours, games, beer for sale and more. For all ages.

Free admission; find it on Facebook.

• Jackson Indie Music Week Kickoff Party Jan. 13, 6 p.m. The launch event for the music festival features performances from Vitamin Cea, Codetta South and Josias. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Chamber II: Mozart by Candlelight Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m., at Belhaven University Center for the Arts (835 Riverside Drive). The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents the concert

WEDNESDAY 1/16 The Jackson Indie Music Week Blender is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.) and 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Martin’s Downtown (214 S. State St.). The mixed-genre showcase features performances at Hal &

COURTESY DOLLA BLACK

Mal’s and Martin’s Downtown.

Dolla Black, New JXN, Empty Atlas, James Virgodo and Koolkid Ridge perform at Hal & Mal’s, and Spacewolf, Slangston Hughes, Pink Palaces, TDotVDot and Jasiel Ace perform at Martin’s. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

featuring a performance of popular pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart amidst hundreds of candles. $22; msorchestra.com.

Events at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.) • Steve Forbert Jan. 12, 8 p.m. The Meridian, Miss.-native singer-songwriter’s latest album is “The Magic Tree.” Doors open at 7 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 day of show; ardenland.net.

• Jackson ICON Awards + R&B Showcase Jan. 17, 6-11 p.m. The awards show takes place in conjunction with Indie Music Week and features performances from SIKA, Sonny Dumarsais, Aisha RaQuel, Brotha Josh & the Quickness and Krystal Gem. $45 all-event pass, $10 awards show; jxnindiemusic.com.

• Cabaret at Duling Hall: “Unforgettable” Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. David Walker and Latisha Hamilton perform for the Mississippi Opera’s concert celebrating the centennial of Nat King Cole. Doors open at 6 p.m. $25; msopera.org.

Events at Martin’s Downtown (214 S. State St.) • Mike Dillon Jan. 12, 10 p.m. The San Antonio-native vibraphonist, vocalist and rock artist has performed with acts such as Les Claypool’s Fancy Band, Ani DiFranco and Galactic.

a panel of industry experts. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Rock Showcase Jan. 14, 6-10 p.m., at CS’s Restaurant (1359 N. West St.). The showcase features rock artists Burt Byler, Phantom Mile, Stonewalls and the Jason Daniels Band. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Events at Urban Foxes • Jackson Indie Music Week: “Women in Music” Jan. 15, 6-7 p.m. The panel discussion features guest speakers discussing their experiences as women in entertainment. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

• Jackson Indie Music Week: Many Moons— All Women Showcase Jan. 15, 7:30-10 p.m.

The event features music from Flowerchile, Yung Jewelz and Brynn Corbello. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Jackson Indie Music Week: HYPE! Jan. 15, 8-11 p.m., at Underground 119 (119 S. President St.). The hip-hop showcase features performances from Timaal Bradford, DevMaccc, Jo’De Boy, Sean Elliot and King Drastic. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

THURSDAY 1/17 Museum After Hours: “Express Yourself” is at 5:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.).

The monthly pop-up art event features a display with wearable self-expression; an art lab with jewelry, mask and cape makFILE PHOTO ing; “Art Ramble” with Mr. Bill; a game night with ping-pong, UNO, spades, Jenga, checkers and more. Food for sale.

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

Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission TBA; call 601-354-9712; martinsdowntownjxn.com.

• Ward Davis Jan. 18, 10 p.m. The Monticello, Ark.-native alternative-country artist’s latest EP is titled “Asunder.” Doors open at 9 p.m. $20 per person; martinsdowntownjxn.com.

• The Stolen Faces Jan. 19, 10 p.m. The Nashville, Tenn.-based Grateful Dead tribute band performs. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission TBA; martinsdowntownjxn.com.

• Magic Beans & Kitchen Dwellers Jan. 22, 9 p.m. Magic Beans is a psychedelic funk act from Boulder, Colo., and Kitchen Dwellers is a psychedelic bluegrass band from Bozeman, Mont. Doors open at 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 at the door; martinsdowntownjxn.com.

Events at Kundi Compound (3220 N. State St.) • Jackson Indie Music Week: “Engineering & Producing, Pt. 1” Jan. 14, 5 p.m. The event features a discussion of recording engineering and production techniques with guest Shell Enns of Crown Studios. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

• Jackson Indie Music Week: “Music in Media” Jan. 19, noon. The event features a discussion of how artists can make the best use of media sources with Justin Ivey of HipHopDX.com, Micah Smith of the Jackson Free Press and VIBE writer Mark Braboy. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

• Jackson Indie Music Week: “Do the Knowledge” Jan. 19, 5 p.m. The event features a discussion of the music industry with

Jackson Indie Music Week: “Tech in Music & Beyond” Jan. 16, noon-2 p.m., at The Iron Horse Grill (320 W. Pearl St.). The panel discussion focuses on how artists, management teams, record labels and others in the industry can use technology in promoting music, brand and more. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Blender Jan. 16, 6-11:30 p.m., at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.) and Martin’s Downtown (214 S. State St.).

The mixed-genre showcase features performances at Hal & Mal’s and Martin’s Downtown.

Dolla Black, New JXN, Empty Atlas, James Virgodo and Koolkid Ridge perform at Hal & Mal’s from 6-10 p.m., and Spacewolf, Slangston Hughes, Pink Palaces, TDotVDot and Jasiel Ace perform at Martin’s from 7-11:30 p.m. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Smokehouse Entertainment Presents... Jan. 16, 9 p.m., at One Block East (642 Tombigbee St.). The showcase features Remidee, Shawty 4’8”, MJ the God, Beezie 601, Scottie Pimpen, Lee SC, Chord Ross and Mookey Montana. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Singer-Songwriter Showcase Jan. 17, 7 p.m., at Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St.). The showcase features artists The Hero and a Monster, Drew McKercher and Eric Woods. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

aTo Do Listd

21

MUSIC

The Magical Music of Harry Potter

F

aTo Do Listd Jackson Indie Music Week: Artists in the Studio Jan. 18, 5-6 p.m., at Crown Studios. The event features a discussion of how artists can get the most out of studio time with Crown Studios owner Shell Enns. RSVP for address. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

Jackson Indie Music Week: POP! Jan. 18, 6-10 p.m., at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.).

The pop-music showcase features artists Joy Kate, Krystal Gem and Judson Wright. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

22

Jackson Indie Music Week: Fusion @ Fenian’s Jan. 18, 8 p.m.-midnight, at Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St.). The mixed-genre showcase features artists such as EL.i.BE, Betsy Berryhill, DBL Take and Cooper Deniro. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

Events at Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave.) • Jackson Indie Music Week: The Beat Sale Jan. 19, 2-4 p.m. The event features local producers showcasing some of the beats they have for sale to artists. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

• Jackson Indie Music Week: Re:Rap Jan. 19, 6-11 p.m. The hip-hop showcase

Secrets,” the second film in the popular fantasy franchise, for a screening from entertainment company CineConcerts.

That opened the door for him to serve as guest conductor for the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, who will be performing for two showings of “Harry Potter

says. “You think about a giant 40-foot screen, and you think about a full 80- to 90-piece orchestra right there. … The film was made 17 years ago, but it’s like we are bringing it to life where it’s truly happening right now when you hear the music live. It’s a very visceral sensory experience.” courtesy Cineconcerts

or Ron Spigelman, there is just as much magic in a conductor’s baton as the wand of any witch or wizard.

“Music, in my opinion,” he says, “is the true third dimension in film.”

The Australia native is an honors graduate from the Royal Academy of Music in London who has served as a conductor with orchestras around the world since the early 1990s.

While some of his musical peers are most drawn to classical compositions, Spigelman says that he has always had a passion for the music of movies.

“Even though I’m a classically trained conductor, my very first memory of playing trumpet, which was the instrument I studied, the very first tune I played that I can remember was the theme to ‘Star Wars,’” he says. “That was way back in the late ’70s, you know, and so it’s been with me my whole life.”

Around 1994, he began conducting live music for film screenings in Australia before moving to the United States, where he continued to seek out those types of performances. Over the years, he has conducted orchestras for screenings of movies such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Fantasia,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Star Wars” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

In November 2018, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, where Spigelman is the pops guest conductor, performed the music of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of

by Micah Smith

The Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, with special guest conductor Ron Spigelman, will perform the music of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” live during a screening of the film on Jan. 19-20 at Thalia Mara Hall.

and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Even for hardcore Potter-heads who have seen the 2001 film many times over, the concert will provide something new, Spigelman says.

“It’s sort of a spectacular event,” he

On top of being a Harry Potter fan—he’s a Gryffindor, if you were wondering—Spigelman says he has long been a fan of John Williams and that “Sorcerer’s Stone” shows the composer’s understanding of how to meld character and music

to create memorable moments.

Whereas the score in “Chamber of Secrets” follows the film’s darker story, “Sorcerer’s Stone” is often charming and bright because the characters and audiences are discovering this magical world for the first time.

“The highlights all start in that first film,” he says, “because those are the characters you grow with the whole way.”

A little-known fact, Spigelman says, is that Williams wrote “Hedwig’s Theme,” which has become the most iconic song from the film, before seeing any footage, simply going off a description.

“You wouldn’t know it when you hear it,” he says. “It’s like, ‘Oh, that’s it.’ You hear it, and you see the owl flying.”

In the case of the Harry Potter movies, the music goes a long way in bringing viewers into author J.K. Rowling’s “wizarding world.” Amp that level of immersion up 10 times when you hear the music live, Spigelman says.

“I’ve done many of these films and done many films,” he says. “Every single time, it gives me chills to do it this way.

“I just love it.”

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Concert is 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20, at Thalia Mara Hall (225 E. Pascagoula St.).

Ticket prices range from $50 to $115 on ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit jacksonbroadway.com.

Looking for something great to do in Jackson? Visit JFPEVENTS.COM for more. features Touya Modi, Gios4Ma, D.as.F, Quanstar, Big Zay Mack and DUFF. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

The Power of Radio Jan. 19, 2-10 p.m., at Freelon’s Da Groove (440 N. Mill St.). The event is designed to provide Mississippi musicians with proven techniques for building a career in the industry. Guest speakers include Stan Branson of WJMI, Kwasi Kwa of WRBJ, Romero Hartfield of R&R Records, Butch Hartfield of Epic Records and more. $25 in advance, $40 at the door; find it on Facebook.

Jackson Indie Music Week: Southern Soul Showcase Jan. 19, 10 p.m., at Johnny T’s Bistro & Blues (538 N. Farish St.). The R&B, blues and soul showcase features Stevie J Blues, Adrena, Mark A, Dia Grover and Anissa Hampton. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass; jxnindiemusic.com.

LITERARY SIGNINGS Events at Lemuria Books (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202) • “Sugar Run” Jan. 15, 5 p.m. Mesha Maren signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $26.95 book; lemuriabooks.com.

• “Bluff City: The Secret Life of Photographer Ernest Withers” Jan. 16, 5 p.m. Preston Lauterbach signs copies. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $27.95 book; lemuriabooks.com.

History Is Lunch Jan. 16, noon-1 p.m., at Two Mississippi Museums (222 North St.). In Neilsen Auditorium. John W. Bailey presents on “A History of NASA Stennis Space Center.” Book sales and signing to follow. Free; mdah.ms.gov.

ARTS & EXHIBITS Events at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) • Museum After Hours | Express Yourself Jan. 17, 5:30-8 p.m. The monthly pop-up art event features a display with wearable selfexpression; an art lab with jewelry, mask and cape making; “Art Ramble” with Mr. Bill; a game night; and more. Food for sale. Free admission; msmuseumart.org.

• Gallery Talk Jan. 18, 11:30 a.m.-noon. The ongoing event series features a discussion of a single work or pairing of works in the museum with curators, art educators, local artists or scholars. Free admission; msmuseumart.org.

• “Like a Hammer” Silent Party Jan. 19, 8-11 p.m. The silent art experience takes place in conjunction with Jackson Indie Music Week and the Jeffrey Gibson exhibit, “Like a Hammer.” Includes a playlist of music curated for the exhibit. Refreshments included. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass; msmuseumart.org.

BE THE CHANGE JDRF Hope Gala: Keys to a Cure Jan. 19, 6-11:30 p.m., at The Westin Jackson (407 S. Congress St.). JDRF Mississippi hosts the fundraising gala for type 1 diabetes research featuring a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and an afterparty with refreshments and a dueling piano performance. Register

by Jan. 10. $200 per person; find it on Facebook.

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.

Drew McKercher

WEDNESDAY 1/9 1908 Provisions - Bill Ellison 6:30 p.m.

Alumni House - Gena Steele 5:30-8:15 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Jonathan Alexander 7-11 p.m.

Drago’s - Larry Brewer 6-9 p.m.

Fitzgerald’s - Doug Hurd 7-11 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - New Bourbon Street Jazz Band 6-9 p.m. free Kathryn’s - Gator Trio 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Robin Blakeney 6 p.m.

Shucker’s - Keys vs. Strings 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 1/10 1908 Provisions - Hunter Gibson 6:30-9 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Ron Etheridge 7-11 p.m.

Drago’s - Barry Leach 6-9 p.m.

F. Jones - Maya Kyles & the F. Jones Challenge Band 10 p.m. $5 Georgia Blue, Flowood - Nathan Logan Georgia Blue, Madison - Aaron Coker Hal & Mal’s - D’Lo Trio 7-10 p.m.

Iron Horse - Seth Power 6 p.m.

Hilton Jackson - Jerry Lee Lewis 8 p.m. $75-$250 Iron Horse - Bernard Jenkins 9 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Chris Gill & the Sole Shakers 7-10:30 p.m.

Martin’s - Midnight Revel 10 p.m.

McClain - Robert Jones Pelican Cove - Stace & Cassie 6 p.m.

Table 100 - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Saturday 1/12 Ameristar, Vicksburg - Fortag 8 p.m.

Beechwood, Vicksburg - Just Cauz 10 p.m.

Belhaven Center for the Arts - MS Symphony Orchestra’s “Mozart by Candlelight” 7:30-10 p.m. $22 Blue Sky Studios - Taylor Leonhardt w/ Katie Heckel 7 p.m. $10 Bonny Blair’s - Proximity 8 p.m.midnight $5 Cerami’s - Ron Sennett 6 p.m. free Char - Bill Clark 6 p.m.

Doe’s Eat Place, Florence - Ralph Miller 6-9 p.m.

Duling Hall - Steve Forbert 8 p.m. $20 advance $25 door Georgia Blue, Flowood - Brandon Greer

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

The Hideaway - Sunday Jam 4-8 p.m. free Iron Horse - Tiger Rogers 11:30 a.m.2:30 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Lucky Hand Blues Band 6 p.m.

Lucky Town - “JIM Week Kickoff Party” feat. Vitamin Cea, Codetta South & Josias 6-9 p.m. $45 allevent pass $20 day pass Pelican Cove - Cucho & Carlos noon-4 p.m.; Acoustic Crossroads 5-9 p.m.

Table 100 - Raphael Semmes Trio 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dan Michael Colbert 6-9 p.m.

Wellington’s - Andy Hardwick 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Monday 1/14 Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

CS’s - “JIM Week Rock Showcase” feat. Burt Byler, Phantom Mile, Stonewalls & Jason Daniels Band 6-10 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass Hal & Mal’s - Central MS Blues Society 7 p.m. $5 Kathryn’s - Stace & Cassie 6:30 p.m.

Table 100 - Andrew Pates 6 p.m.

Delreco Harris

Tuesday 1/15

Krystal Gem Kathryn’s - Sid Thompson & DoubleShotz 6:30 p.m.

McClain - Joseph LaSalla Pelican Cove - Larry Brewer 6 p.m.

Shucker’s - Keys vs. Strings 7:30 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - Liverpool Legends 7:30 p.m. $49-$64

Friday 1/11 1908 Provisions - Ronnie McGee 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Ameristar, Vicksburg - Fortag 8 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Chasin’ Dixie 8 p.m.midnight $5 Doe’s Eat Place, Florence - Jacob Lipking 7-9 p.m.

Drago’s - Ralph Miller 6-9 p.m.

Georgia Blue, Flowood - Aaron Coker Georgia Blue, Madison - Shaun Patterson Hal & Mal’s - Bill & Temperance w/ Jeff Perkins 7-10 p.m. free

Hal & Mal’s - “Singer-Songwriter Night” feat. Jordan Shotts, Blake Thomas, Sophie Smith & Micah Smith 7-10 p.m. free Iron Horse - Chris Gill & the Sole Shakers 9 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Jay Wadsworth 7 p.m.

Martin’s - Mike Dillon Band 10 p.m.

McClain - Doug Hurd Pearl Community Center - MS Opry feat. Bill & Temperance w/ Jeff Perkins 6-9 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Chris Gill 6-10 p.m.

South Street Live - Robert Kimbrough 8 p.m.

Table 100 - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - Black Jacket Symphony presents Queen’s “A Night at the Opera” feat. Marc Martel 8 p.m. $25-$35

Sunday 1/13 1908 Provisions - Knight Bruce 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Open Jam 7-11 p.m.

Drago’s - Shaun Patterson 6-9 p.m.

Fenian’s - Open Mic 9 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Road Hogs 6:30 p.m.

Underground 119 - “JIM Week: HYPE!” feat. Sean Elliott, King Drastic, DevMaccc, Timaal Bradford & Jo’De Boy 8-11 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass Urban Foxes - “JIM Week: Many Moons” feat. Honesty, Flowerchile, Brynn Corbello & Yung Jewelz 7:30-10 p.m. $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass

WEDNESDAY 1/16 1908 Provisions - Dan Gibson 6:30-9 p.m.

Alumni House - Jerry Brooks & Jack Beal 5:30-8:15 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - ‘70s Night feat. The American Band 7-11 p.m.

Drago’s - Chris Gill 6-9 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - “JIM Week Blender” feat. James Virgodo, Koolkid Ridge, New JXN, Empty Atlas & Dolla Black 6-10 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass Kathryn’s - Larry Brewer & Doug Hurd 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Martin’s - “JIM Week Blender” feat.

Jasiel Ace, TdotVdot, Pink Palaces, Slangston Hughes & Spacewolf 7-11 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass One Block East - “JIM Week: Smokehouse Ent. Presents” feat.

Beezie, Scottie Pimpen, Shawty 4’8”, Chord Ross & more 9 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass

Pelican Cove - Hunter Gibson & Rick Moreira 6-10 p.m.

THURSDAY 1/17 1908 Provisions - Chuck Bryan 6:30-9 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Rob P & Dirty D 7-11 p.m.

Cerami’s - Larry Brewer 6-9 p.m.

Drago’s - Hunter Gibson 6-9 p.m.

Duling Hall - “JIM Week: ICON Awards and R&B Showcase” feat.

Sonny Dumarsais, Aisha RaQuel, Brotha Josh & the Quickness, SIKA & Krystal Gem 6-11 p.m. $10, $20 day pass, $45 all-event pass F. Jones - Maya Kyles & the F. Jones Challenge Band 10 p.m. $5 Iron Horse - Steve Chester 6 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Gena Steele & Buzz Pickens 6:30-9:30 p.m.

McClain - Doug Hurd Pelican Cove - Robert King 6-10 p.m.

Sneaky Beans - “JIM Week SingerSongwriter Showcase” feat. Eric Woods, Drew McKercher & The Hero and a Monster 7-9 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass

FRIDAY 1/18 1908 Provisions - Andrew Pates 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Ameristar, Vicksburg - Allison Collins Band 8 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Steele Heart 8 p.m.-midnight $5 Center Stage - Mike Rob & Jerome Chism 9 p.m. $15 Drago’s - Greenfish 7-10 p.m.

Fenian’s - “JIM Week: Fusion at Fenian’s” feat. El Karnwie-Tuah, Betsy Berryhill, Cooper Deniro & DBL Take 8 p.m.-midnight $45 allevent pass, $20 day pass Fitzgerald’s - Jonathan Alexander 7-11 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - “JIM Week: POP!” feat. Joy Kate, Judson Wright & Krystal Gem 6-10 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass Iron Horse - Mark Doyle & Mr. Bud 9 p.m.

Kathryn’s - Acoustic Crossroads 7-10:30 p.m.

Martin’s - Ward Davis 10 p.m. $20 McB’s - Ninety to Nothing 7:30 p.m.

McClain - Chris Gill Pelican Cove - Jason Turner 6-10 p.m.

Shucker’s - Larry Brewer & Doug Hurd 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY 1/19 Ameristar, Vicksburg - Allison Collins Band 8 p.m.

Bonny Blair’s - Ronnie McGee Band 8 p.m.-midnight $5 Doe’s Eat Place, Florence - Jimmy Turner & Matthew Magee 6-9 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - Jackson Gypsies 7-10 p.m. free Iron Horse - King Edward 9 p.m.

Johnny T’s - “JIM Week: Southern Soul Showcase” feat. Adrena,

Mark A., G-Rover & Anissa Hampton 7 p.m.-midnight $45 allevent pass $20 day pass Kathryn’s - Travelin’ Jane 7-10:30 p.m.

Martin’s - The Stolen Faces 10 p.m.

McClain - Barry Leach Offbeat - “JIM Week: The Beat Sale” 2-4 p.m.; “Re:Rap” Showcase feat.

DUFF, Touya Modi, Gios4Ma, D.as.F, Quanstar & Big Zay Mack 6-11 p.m. $45 all-event pass $20 day pass Pelican Cove - Keys vs. Strings 6-10 p.m.

South Street Live - Eddie Cotton 7 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Concert 8 p.m. $50-$115

SUNDAY 1/20 1908 Provisions - Knight Bruce 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

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

Hal & Mal’s - J.W. Teller w/ Drew Danburry 8-11 p.m.

The Hideaway - Sunday Jam 4-8 p.m. free Iron Horse - “JIM Week: Blues Brunch” 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass Kathryn’s - The Rubiks 6-9 p.m.

Kundi Compound - “JIM Week Wrap Party” feat. Newscast 8 p.m. $45 all-event pass, $20 day pass Pelican Cove - Jonathan Alexander noon-4 p.m.; Larry Brewer & Doug Hurd 5-9 p.m.

Table 100 - Raphael Semmes Trio 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dan Michael Colbert 6-9 p.m.

Thalia Mara Hall - “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Concert 2 p.m. $50-$115 Wellington’s - Andy Hardwick 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

MONDAY 1/21 Char - Tommie Vaughn 6 p.m.

Duling Hall - MS Opera’s “Unforgettable—The Nat King Cole Centennial” 7:30 p.m. $25 Hal & Mal’s - Central MS Blues Society 7 p.m. $5 Kathryn’s - Joseph LaSalla 6:30 p.m.

Table 100 - Andrew Pates 6 p.m.

TUESDAY 1/22 Bonny Blair’s - Open Jam feat. Sonny Brooks 7-11 p.m.

Drago’s - Simpatico 6-9 p.m.

Fenian’s - Open Mic 9 p.m.

Fitzgerald’s - Skip MacDonald 7-11 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - Raphael Semmes & Friends 6-9 p.m. free Kathryn’s - Two for the Road 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Martin’s - Magic Beans & Kitchen Dwellers 9 p.m. $10 advance $12 door Table 100 - Chalmers Davis 6 p.m.

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

1/9 - 1/22

See more music at jfp.ms/musiclistings.

To be included in print, email listings to music@jacksonfreepress.com.

Spacewolf

23

“Alien, the Sequel� —actually, do call it a comeback.

BY MATT JONES

52 Ocean liner’s route 54 Ultravox frontman Midge 55 1980s Secretary of State Alexander 58 “Automatic for the People� group 59 Trivia magazine started in 2001 63 Org. that’s (supposed to be) concerned with pollution 66 Patient waiter 67 “Helps stop gas before it starts� product 68 “Neither fish ___ fowl�

69 Light bite 70 First two words of some political yard signs 71 TV alien with a reboot announced in August 2018 (as found in the long answers)

36 One generating a lot of interest 37 Charge for a spot 40 Capital of Chad 41 Pulitzer-winning San Francisco columnist Herb 42 Sydney suburb, or a California-based car-sharing rental company 43 A.F.L. merger partner 44 Running in neutral 45 Tests the depths 46 Entice 47 Meeting outline 51 Different ending?

53 Pyromaniac’s crime 56 “One ___ land ...�

57 Show with Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester 60 Private eye, informally 61 ___ in “Oscar�

62 ___-Caps (movie candy) 64 D.C. sort 65 Dog noise Š2018 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com)

Last Week’s Answers

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 #896.

Down

Across

1 CNN chief White House correspondent Acosta 4 Disinterested 9 Ax handles 14 ___ pro nobis 15 Grammar concern 16 ___ the side of caution 17 “Humbug!� preceder 18 Harry’s kin 20 Honey ___ (Post cereal, as renamed in 2018) 22 1990s Wink Martindale game show that paid off contestants’ obligations 23 Cable company alternative to streaming, for short

24 Italian race car 28 Levy 30 St. George’s state 31 Difficult responsibility 34 More sick, in old hip-hop slang, or ... more sick, in general 35 Long-running role-playing video game franchise 38 Take to the skies 39 Place to go play 40 ATM maker bought by AT&T in 1991 43 Dress code loosening 45 Without toppings 48 Suffix after tera- or peta49 Provided party music 50 Bela of horror films

1 Interview goal 2 Science writer Flatow 3 Reddish-brown wood 4 Blew up 5 Bear, to Bernal 6 Parker Jr. of the “Ghostbusters� theme song 7 “Zounds!�

8 Remove, to a proofreader 9 Antagonist in “The Year Without a Santa Claus�

10 Sleeve tattoo locale 11 Waste time frolicking, old-style 12 “I’ve got nothing ___�

13 “The Late Late Show� host before Kilborn, Ferguson, and Corden 19 Gp. once headed by Mueller and Comey 21 “That’s funny�

24 Overly muscular 25 Monopoly purchase (abbr.)

26 Some meat alternatives 27 Location of a nursery rhyme’s three men 29 It’s not what the P stands for in TP (unless the T is “two�?)

32 Retract, as regrettable words 33 One way to walk tall?

BY MATT JONES Last Week’s Answers

“Kaidoku�

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

Come out enjoy classic funk and soul!

Friday, Jan. 18 7-10pm

January 9 - 22, 2019 • jfp.ms

0RINT AND $IGITAL -ARKETING 2EPRESENTATIVE

24

Great food and great music.

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1005 E. County Line Road, Jackson, MS Call For Reservations: (601) 957-1515

Mon. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sat. 11 am - 10 pm | Sun. 11 am - 8 pm

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

In 1984, singer-songwriter John Fogerty released a new album whose lead single was “The Old Man Down the Road.” It sold well. But trouble arose soon afterward when Fogerty’s former record company sued him in court, claiming he stole the idea for “The Old Man Down the Road” from “Run Through the Jungle.” That was a tune Fogerty himself had written and recorded in 1970 while playing with the band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The legal process took a while, but he was ultimately vindicated. No, the courts declared, he didn’t plagiarize himself, even though there were some similarities between the two songs. In this spirit, I authorize you to borrow from a good thing you did in the past as you create a new good thing in the future.

There’ll be no hell to pay if you engage in a bit of self-plagiarism.

Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” is a collection of fables that take place in India. Three movies have been made based on it. All of them portray the giant talking snake named Kaa as an adversary to the hero Mowgli. But in Kipling’s original stories, Kaa is a benevolent ally and teacher. I bring this to your attention to provide context for a certain situation in your life. Is there an influence with a metaphorical resemblance to Kaa: misinterpreted by some people, but actually quite supportive and nourishing to you?

If so, I suggest you intensify your appreciation for it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

Virginia Woolf thought that her Piscean lover Vita SackvilleWest was a decent writer, but a bit too fluid and effortless.

Self-expression was so natural to Sackville-West that she didn’t work hard enough to hone her craft and discipline her flow. In a letter, Woolf wrote, “I think there are odder, deeper, more angular thoughts in your mind than you have yet let come out.” I invite you to meditate on the possibility that Woolf’s advice might be useful in 2019. Is there anything in your skill set that comes so easily that you haven’t fully ripened it? If so, develop it with more focused intention.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

Computer-generated special effects used in the 1993 film “Jurassic Park” may seem modest to us now. But at the time they were revolutionary. Inspired by the new possibilities revealed, filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas and Peter Jackson launched new projects they had previously thought to be beyond their ability to create. In 2019, I urge you to go in quest of your personal equivalent of “Jurassic Park”’s pioneering breakthroughs. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you may be able to find help and resources that enable you to get more serious about seemingly unfeasible or impractical dreams.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

I’m a big proponent of authenticity. I almost always advise you to be yourself with bold candor and unapologetic panache. Speak the truth about your deepest values and clearest perceptions. Be an expert about what really moves you, and devote yourself passionately to your relationships with what really moves you. But there is one exception to this approach. Sometimes it’s wise to employ the “fake it until you make it” strategy: to pretend you are what you want to be with such conviction that you ultimately become what you want to be. I suspect now is one of those times for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

The students’ dining hall at Michigan State University serves gobs of mayonnaise. But in late 2016, a problem arose when 1,250 gallons of the stuff became rancid. Rather than simply throw it away, the school’s sustainability officer came up with a brilliant solution: load it into a machine called an anaerobic digester, which turns biodegradable waste into energy. Problem solved! The transformed rot provided electricity for parts of the campus. I recommend you regard this story as a metaphor for your own use. Is there anything in your life that has begun to decay or lose its usefulness? If so, can you convert it into a source of power?

CANCER (June 21-July 22):

If you grow vegetables, fruits and grains on an acre of land, you can feed 12 people. If you use that acre to raise meatproducing animals, you’ll feed at most four people. But to produce the meat, you’ll need at least four times more water and 20 times more electric power than you would if you grew the plants. I offer this as a useful metaphor for you to

consider in the coming months. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you should prioritize efficiency and value. What will provide you with the most bang for your bucks? What’s the wisest use of your resources?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

Modern kids don’t spend much time playing outside.

They have fun in natural environments only half as often as their parents did while growing up. In fact, the average child spends less time in the open air than prison inmates. And today’s unjailed adults get even less exposure to the elements. But I hope you will avoid that fate in 2019. According to my astrological estimates, you need to allocate more than the usual amount of time to feeling the sun and wind and sky. Not just because it’s key to your physical health, but also because many of your best ideas and decisions are likely to emerge while you’re outdoors.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

NASA landed its robotic explorer Opportunity on Mars in January 2004. The craft’s mission, which was supposed to last for 92 days, began by taking photos and collecting soil samples. More than 14 years later, the hardy machine was still in operation, continuing to send data back to Earth. It far outlived its designed lifespan. I foresee you being able to generate a comparable marvel in 2019, Virgo: a stalwart resource or influence or situation that will have more staying power than you could imagine. What could it be?

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

In 1557, Welsh mathematician Robert Recorde invented the equals sign: =. Historical records don’t tell us when he was born, so we don’t know his astrological sign.

But I’m guessing he was a Libra. Is there any tribe more skillful at finding correlations, establishing equivalencies and creating reciprocity? In all the zodiac, who is best at crafting righteous proportions and uniting apparent opposites? Who is the genius of balance? In the coming months, my friend, I suspect you will be even more adept at these fine arts than you usually are.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

There’s a modest, one-story office building at 1209 North Orange Street in Wilmington, Del. More than 285,000 businesses from all over the U.S. claim it as their address. Why? Because the state of Delaware has advantageous tax laws that enable those businesses to save massive amounts of money. Other buildings in Delaware house thousands of additional corporations. It’s all legal.

No one gets in trouble for it. I bring this to your attention in the hope of inspiring you to hunt for comparable situations: ethical loopholes and workarounds that will provide you with extra benefits and advantages.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

People in the Solomon Islands buy many goods and services with regular currency, but also use other symbols of worth to pay for important cultural events like staging weddings and settling disputes and expressing apologies. These alternate forms of currency include the teeth of flying foxes, which are the local species of bat.

In that spirit, and in accordance with current astrological omens, I’d love to see you expand your sense of what constitutes your wealth. In addition to material possessions and funds in the bank, what else makes you valuable? In what other ways do you measure your potency, your vitality, your merit? It’s a favorable time to take inventory.

Homework: I’ve gathered all of the long-term, big-picture horoscopes I wrote for you: https://bit.ly/YourGloriousStory2019

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DO-IT-YOURSELF

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ZILPHA YOUNG

by Zilpha Young

Materials 1/4 cup almond oil (could also use jojoba or any oil that is liquid at room temperature) 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup beeswax pellets 1/4 cup shea butter A few drops of lemon and mint essential oils (optional)

----------Directions ----------

H

ere is a simple lotion recipe to help get you through this cold, dry season (since I’m told we can’t just sleep until March.) The secret that makes it so light and spreadable is that it’s whipped. It may take a little while, but it’s definitely worth the effort. I made a lemon and mint version to give out to coworkers over the holidays, but you can customize it endlessly to suit your own taste.

Fill a saucepan between one-third and half-full with water and place on the stove on medium-low heat. Put almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax and Shea butter in a heat-safe glass bowl or jar, and place that in or over the water. Let the oils melt, stirring occasionally. When the mixture is completely melted, remove from heat and pour into a mixing bowl. If you’re using essential oils, add them now. Let the mixture cool for a little while until the color lightens slightly. (You can throw it in the fridge for a few minutes to speed this up.) When the oils are slightly cool but still runny, begin mixing with an electric hand mixer on high. Mix until lotion is fluffy and almost white in color, 10-15 minutes. Spoon into a resealable container of your choice (I used 4-ounce canning jars) and enjoy or share with a friend.

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