v8n23 - In Dat Number

Vol. 8 | No. 23 // February 18 - 24, 2010

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In That

Number A PHOTO ESSAY

DAVID RAE MORRIS, PP 18 - 23

Barbour’s Prison Rhetoric

Slow Cook This

Schaefer, pp 6 - 7

Kittrell, p 32

LADD & LYNCH ON FLOOD CONTROL, PP 14 - 17

2

February 18 - 24, 2010

jacksonian

Stephanie Lacy is soft spoken and petite. When this single mother and student talks about her daughter—her butterfly— her face lights up with wisdom seldom seen in a 26 year old. Everything about her is soft and nurturing. Her brown eyes are patient as she explains the meaning of her art.

Her art is anything but soft. In one work, “The Breath of God,” brightness radiates from the canvas. Soft curving lines and bold colors tell the story of a young mother contemplating a choice.

On picture after picture, I realize that beneath the soft exterior is vision and boldness. Her talent is unmistakable, her story one of growth and survival.

Two years ago, Lacy was pregnant and diagnosed with hypertension and preeclampsia. At 28 weeks into her pregnancy, Lacy suffered a stroke and woke up to a daughter.

“I thought I was going to have a little more time to get used to being someone’s mother,” she says with a chuckle.

She tells me that as a precocious child, she would often walk around her house in the dark and try to find her way around, almost as if she was preparing herself for something.

Three days after her first stroke, Lacy suffered a second, and this time she was blind. A new mother with a daughter in an

COURTESY STEPHANIE LACY

stephanie lacy incubator, this artist had to rely on others to take the first pictures of her baby.

“All I could think was: ‘Man I want to paint. I wonder if I could just get a brush and try to paint something,’” Lacy says.

She never did, though, and after two and a half months, her sight came back.

With graduation from Jackson State University looming on the horizon, Lacy has started to focus on how she can help bring art to a community at a time when art programs are gone. She believes that it is important for artists to come together and volunteer to bring art to the children, going into the schools and showing the children that they have options.

“True artists have the passion, and there will come a time when we will have to volunteer and do things. If we want to get things going, then we will have to do volunteer workshops.” Lacy says.

As vice president of the Jackson State University Art Club, Lacy sees that one of the ways to bring art into the community is working on a public mural project.

The club has plans to paint murals in Jackson between now and May. In the meantime, you can view this Canton artist’s work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from March 11 through April 16 in the M.E. Robinson building at Jackson State University. All student exhibitions are free and open to the public. —Eileen Eady

Cover photograph by David Rae Morris Febr uar y 18 - 24, 2 0 1 0

VOL.

8 NO. 23

18

25

28

Days with the King

43-Year Celebration

Pop & Lock It

Art and Obsession

The King Edward represents more than just another downtown building. It’s a rallying point for Jackson.

We offer readers one last hurrah for the New Orleans Saints and their city. Can you say, “Who Dat”?

“Groovaloo” explodes on the Thalia Mara Hall stage with spoken word, hip-hop music and unique dance moves.

You’ll find it, along with passion, in “Swan Thieves.”

Author Elizabeth Kostova talks to the JFP.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 4 Editor’s Note 25 Arts

4 Slow Poke 26 JFP Events

6 Talk 28 Books

11 Slate

12 Zuga

29 Music

12 Stiggers

30 Music Listings

12 Editorial 32 Food

24 8 Days 37 Astro

TOM BECK; DAVID RAE MORRIS; COURTESY LEVI WALKER; COURTESY LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

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jacksonfreepress.com

contents

3

editor’snote

David Rae Morris Photographer David Rae Morris is a long-time resident of New Orleans. He and his partner, Susanne Dietzel, and their daughter, Uma Rae Morris Dietzel, also live in Ohio. He photographed the NOLA photo essay, including the cover.

Adam Lynch Award-winning senior reporter Adam Lynch is a Winona native and graduate of Jackson State. He and his wife live in North Jackson.

E-mail tips to adam@ jacksonfreepress.com, or call him at 601-362-6121, ext. 8. He wrote several news stories.

Ward Schaefer JFP reporter Ward Schaefer came to Mississippi to teach middle school, and is now a journalist. His hometown of Chevy Chase, Md., was not named for the actor. He is slowly learning to play banjo. He wrote several news stories.

Pamela Hosey Freelance writer Pamela Hosey is originally from West Point, Miss.

She loves to write, read James Patterson novels and spend time with her family. She wrote the book dish.

Amanda Kittrell Freelance writer Amanda Kittrell is a Jackson native with nearperfect comedic timing. She loves big hair and puppy breath, and is honored to write for the JFP. She wrote the food piece.

Kimberly Griffin Advertising coordinator Kimberly Griffin is a Jackson native who likes yoga, supporting locally owned businesses and traveling.

In her spare time she plots how she can become Michelle Obama’s water holder.

Randi Ashley Jackson Account manager Randi Ashley Jackson is a Brandon/reservoir area native. She loves organic gardening and her goldfish GillBert. She strives to be the next Food Network star chef, if only in her own mind. She manages JFP sales accounts.

February 18 - 24, 2010

Adam Perry

4

Account executive Adam Perry is a local musician who lives in Flowood where he, his wife and daughter are herded through life by two supreme beings posing as unruly house-cats. He manages JFP distribution and sales accounts.

by Ronni Mott, Managing Editor

The Year of the Tiger

M

an, oh man, do I have a lot to learn.

About three weeks ago, I took on the job of managing editor for the JFP. It didn’t take long for me to accept the job after editor-in-chief Donna Ladd offered it to me. It feels right. This is something I can do.

My life has always been filled with challenges; it’s the way I like it, always pushing the edges, coming around the curve sideways on two wheels, and hitting the brakes just in time to avoid catastrophe. That may be more than Donna wants to know about me, but then, we’ve been working together for going on four years, so I think she’s got a clue. Chaos follows me around like the little dirt cloud follows Pig Pen in Charles’ Schultz “Peanuts,” always ready to engulf me.

Give me a job where I can learn something new, and I am as happy as that proverbial pig in … mud.

So, here I am again at a new beginning, with a boatload of responsibility and a million little details to remember. My biggest responsibility, though, is to remember what brought me here to begin with.

I moved to Jackson from Washington, D.C., in 1997. Beyond moving into my fourth career at 40, I was met with much that I never expected. Many of my new colleagues were immediately suspicious that I wasn’t a member of a formal religion. They thought my progressive politics were crazy. And their opinion about my “misspent” youth, marching against Vietnam and for women’s rights?

Let’s just say small talk took on an inordinate importance. It’s a wonder my tongue isn’t several inches shorter from biting it so often.

This opinionated broad wasn’t a good fit in the corporate meeting room, and after nine years of pain, my, um, invitation to leave was long overdue. Meanwhile, finding the JFP felt like a breath of fresh air. Finally, I found people who not only thought like me, they didn’t have any qualms being vocal about it.

So I started career number five: newspaper intern, writer, photographer, part-time editor and journalist. Man, oh man, did I have a lot to learn. But I dived in, taking classes, reading books and practicing. A lot.

Somewhere since, I managed to start a yoga practice and become a teacher—career number six. At the JFP I have interviewed fascinating people, from famous authors and actors to not-so-famous religious leaders and just a ton of other folks, all interesting in their own right, each with a marvelous story to tell.

I’ve also been humbled to make a difference in the course of a few lives.

So here I am again at the precipice of a new beginning. When I look back over my life, I’ve rarely taken an easy path, and the JFP is no exception.

The whys of taking on another new adventure are easy. First and foremost, it’s an honor to be part of something whose very reason for being is to effect change in the world for the better. The JFP has given me another

opportunity to join the fray for social justice, to raise the hood on the issues of the day, to be a staunch and vocal advocate for those whose voices often lack the forum to be heard.

More than all of that, though, is the challenge of being a beginner again, to walk into an established job and bring a new point of view and a new energy to bear.

Truth is, every day each one of us has that opportunity, regardless of how long we’ve been on the job. That’s the challenge that keeps life from becoming stale and boring. I wish I could say I’m really, really good at meeting the challenge. I’m not—at least not any better than most. I’m much better at starting things than maintaining them with energy. And I’m perfectly dreadful at letting things go when I’ve failed, when things have outlived their usefulness or when people have left my life.

Life is change, though, all of the time.

And working toward life balance includes finding a way to roll with those changes from moment to moment. Crafting new beginnings requires changing; maintaining an enterprise like the JFP requires changing constantly to remain relevant; and endings, letting go of outdated worldviews or the need to be right, requires changing.

This past Feb. 14, while the western world celebrated Valentine’s Day, the eastern world celebrated the Asian New Year, beginning the year 4708, ushering in the year of the Metal or White Tiger. Tiger years in the 12-year Asian cycle are typically years of massive upheaval and great social change. Adding the element of metal means that those changes will be coming sharp and fast.

Will you keep up? Are you ready to embrace change like never before?

Consider the alterative. Resisting change

requires just as much energy as changing, but without the possibility of a better outcome.

Resisting change causes a lot of suffering.

I’m renewing my commitment to change today, renewing my commitment to meet the future with courage, resolve and an open mind, renewing my commitment to justice— a gauntlet I picked up nearly 40 years ago.

I extend an invitation to each of you to tell your stories, or to help us tell them. I want to know what it was like growing up and living as an African American, Asian or Latino in Mississippi. I want to hear the experiences of being a man or woman, gay, lesbian, transgender or bi-sexual. I want to understand what it means to be Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Baptist or atheist in Mississippi.

Tantric yoga philosophy suggests that we are all manifestations of the divine on earth, put here so that the divine can experience mortality—joy and pain, love and hate, taste, touch and smell. It suggests that the divine, which exists fully in all of us, is the single source of everything. I don’t know if that’s true. What little I do know suggests that the world’s people have much more in common than they have differences, and those differences pale in comparison to the similarities.

All of us want peace; all of us want the best for our children; all of us want to love and be loved, make a difference, be healthy.

It’s through the telling of our stories that we find the vital connections of our lives, the connections and conversations that allow us to remember the big truths about what it takes to live happy, fulfilling lives. Together, we can ride on that dynamic white tiger’s back to achieve our dreams.

Man, oh man, do I have a lot to learn.

How about you? Will we learn together?

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news, culture & irreverence

Thursday February 11 Gov. Haley Barbour signs House Bill 512, requiring a prescription for medicines containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine. … U.S. and Afghan forces prepare for the biggest offensive of the nine-year war by sealing escape routes in the Taliban stronghold of Marjah.

Friday February 12 At President Obama’s health summit, the White House extends formal invitations to skeptical Republicans to defuse criticism that the event is more politics than substance. … Many Jackson metro-area schools and businesses close as the largest amount of snowfall in 50 years covers the area.

Saturday February 13 Mississippi HeARTs Against AIDS hosts its 18th annual benefit at Hal & Mal’s restaurant, raising money for the care and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.

Sunday February 14 Vicksburg teenager Derrick Stamps Jr. is fatally shot at the Exxon Jubilee Store in Vicksburg. … Mississippi State women’s basketball team defeats Ole Miss 73-54.

February 18 - 24, 2010

Monday February 15 Democratic U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh announces he will not seek re-election, setting off alarms within the Democratic Party over the future of mid-term elections. …

Toyota Motor Corp. executives say the company may offer incentives or increase the length of its warranties as it tries to recover from safety-related recalls.

6

Tuesday February 16 Toyota Motor Corp. announces the company will slow production at assembly plants in Texas and Kentucky while it deals with a massive U.S. recall. … After giving away part of his family’s property bordering the Two Lakes development footprint in response to ethics questions, Jackson businessman Leland Speed asks fellow Levee Board members to provide a list of gifts they have received from vendors and contractors doing business with the levee board.

Sunshine, Please p. 8

Behind Barbour’s Prison Rhetoric COURTESY MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Wednesday February 10 Former Texas Rep. Charlie Wilson, portrayed in the film “Charlie Wilson’s War”

by Tom Hanks, dies at 76 from cardiac arrest. … The Mississippi Senate votes 39-2 to pass a bill that would cut lawmakers’ pay by 10 percent.

Snow, though rare in the state, is part of Mississippi tradition. Blazon-Flexible Flyer Inc. in West Point, Miss., produces the Flexible Flyer snow sled, which experts proclaim to be the best in the United States.

be let out of prison: 3,400 to 4,000 convicts, who are not approved for parole, have not gone through pre-release preparation or training and for whom there are very, very few jobs,” Barbour said in his State of the State. “I cannot believe anyone watching this speech on TV or hearing it on the radio would vote to turn 3,400 to 4,000 convicts loose onto civil society, onto the public.”

State legislators appear ready to test Barbour’s claim, though. House lawmakers Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps says that have passed a bill that would future budget cuts will force the release of inmates use state reserves to restore unprepared for public life. some of the existing budget cuts, but left the full cut to Corrections intact.

A similar Senate proposal o hear Gov. Haley Barbour tell it, if he only restored $4 million of Corrections’ total doesn’t get his way, the state’s fiscal crisis $29 million cut. could force thousands of felons out of On Feb. 5, Barbour repeated his warnjail and into communities. Since his ing, during an announcement of another Jan. 13 State of the State address, Barbour 0.5 percent budget cut across all eligible state has repeatedly called for greater authority to agencies.

Barbour admonished the House for cut state agency budgets at his discretion. The ignoring the state prison system. The governor threat of convicted criminals on the streets has has already pledged $16 million to Corrections provided Barbour a rhetorical trump card in from the $87 million in discretionary funds budget negotiations. he received from the federal stimulus pack“An 8.1 percent cut (to Corrections) age.

If necessary, he would plug further holes would require 3,400 to 4,000 convicts to

T

by Ward Schaefer

in the Corrections budget himself, he said.

“The Legislature, in my opinion, should pay out of state funds a significant part of what’s required to not turn loose a bunch of felons,” Barbour said. “If the House chooses to spend nothing on that because they think I’ll spend it, then I think that’s very irresponsible—not irresponsible because, at the end of the day, I’m going to turn loose 4,000 convicts. I’m not, regardless of what they do. But they’re taking away contingency funds (for) when the Legislature is not in session and we have a shortfall.”

Barbour’s dire words about releasing felons obscures an important fact, though: Mississippi’s prison system has actually led the nation in reforming its sentencing laws specifically to allow earlier release dates for some prisoners.

In 2008 state legislators passed a number of bills that did away with Mississippi’s “truth-in-sentencing” provision for nonviolent offenders. Passed in the mid-1990s, the truth-in-sentencing laws required all prisoners to serve at least 85 percent of their sentences.

As a result, the state’s incarceration rate more than doubled between 1994 and 2008. The 2008 reforms made 4,500 nonviolent offenders who had already served 25 percent of their sentences immediately eligible for parole.

“Mississippi probably stands alone as the PRISONS, see page 7

TTUB

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“I was astounded by how so many people could work together to kill something as useful as flood control,” Rep. Bill Denny, R-Jackson, on the 1990s efforts to kill various flood-control efforts.

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PRISONS, from page 6

state that has actually eliminated its truth-insentencing statute and returned to where it was originally, for these offenders,” said Jim Austin, president of the JFA Institute, a corrections research group.

In a recent study of the 2008 reforms, Austin found no evidence that the earlier release requirements had harmed public safety.

Through August 2009, the state had released almost 3,100 prisoners under the new guidelines. Of those, only 121 returned to prison, and only 5 were arrested for new crimes; the others had their parole revoked for technical violations. That rate of 5 per 3,100, or 0.2 percent, is far below the national recidivism rate of 10.4 percent for the first year after release.

“The ’08 change is one of the most dramatic reforms in the country in the past few years,” said Adam Gelb, director of the Pew Center on the States’ Public Safety Performance Project. “There’s a reluctance to say Mississippi is somehow leading the nation in terms of its approach to this problem when the governor is currently saying, ‘You can’t do something like this,’ but the fact of the matter

is it was a dramatic change, and it seems to be working very well.”

State Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps acknowledged the success of the 2008 reforms. The state’s current inmate population is 1,400 below last year’s numbers, he said. As of Jan. 29, the state had 21,300 prisoners, of which 7,868 were imprisoned for nonviolent offenses and 4,170 were first-time nonviolent offenders. Still, Epps said, the earlier release requirements will not help the Department of Corrections absorb this year’s budget cuts.

Epps also confirmed that any inmates released because of budget cuts would not receive life and job skills training.

Nevertheless, the state’s past efforts at sentencing reform are proof that releasing more prisoners earlier does not necessarily endanger communities. A factor in the success of the 2008 reforms was the state Parole Board’s new model for evaluating the risk of each potential parolee, according to Gelb.

“Mississippi is helping show other states that if you do take a hard look at who’s behind the walls, there is a way that you can cut the enormous cost to taxpayers without jeopardizing public safety,” Gelb said.

by Ward Schaefer BRYANT HAWKINS

H

Join us. For our city. For our children.

For our future.

Founding Chapter, Parents for Public Schools, 1989

Hinds Pushes Bonds for Sleep Inn, Valley Title inds County Supervisors approved using federal stimulus bonds for two private development projects today. Supervisors approved a motion to provide $2 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds to the Jackson-based LEAD Group, LLC, which is constructing a Sleep Inn on Gallatin Street in downtown Jackson.

The board also voted to provide $1.76 million from the same bond fund as an incentive to develop the Mississippi Valley Title building.

No developer has committed to buying the building, however, and the county is running out of time to allocate its Recovery Zone Bonds. Gov. Haley Barbour informed supervisors roughly three weeks ago that they had until April 1 to allocate the bonds, or would risk losing them to the Mississippi Development Authority.

Only one project, the Sleep Inn, was on the meeting agenda. Supervisor Doug Anderson raised the possibility of using bonds for the Mississippi Valley Title building, whose purchase several years ago he supported as part of a failed plan to build a $14 million parking garage in downtown Jackson.

Anderson suggested that the county devote $2.5 million to the Mississippi Valley Title building and only $1.2 million to the Sleep Inn. “I think that this is an opportunity for us to rid ourselves of a white elephant: the Mississippi Valley Title Building,” Anderson said. “We’re not ever going to get rid of that building unless we do this.”

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

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

200 N. Congress, Suite 500, Jackson, MS 39201

www.ppsjackson.org

Supervisor Doug Anderson pressed his colleagues to provide bonds as an incentive for developing the Mississippi Valley Title building.

Blake Wallace, director of the Hinds County Economic Development District, told supervisors that the promise of bonds would likely not make the project more attractive to developers, however.

“I’ve been involved with the (Mississippi Valley Title Building) for a long time, and I’ve been told that the reason a developer will not do that project is because they first have to buy the building and then they have to put another $2.5 million to $3 million in it,” Wallace said. “I don’t see that dynamic changing just because you put $2.5 million in bonds on the table.

They’re still in the same situation. That funding source is there, but they still have to pay them back.”

After approving Graham’s request for $2 million for the Sleep Inn, the board voted 3-2 in favor of providing $1.76 millon in bonds for the Valley Title building’s development. The incentive is contingent on finding a buyer within 45 days. Graham and Supervisor Phil Fisher voted against the measure.

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by Adam Lynch and Ward Schaefer

THOMAS BECK

Speed Gives Up Some Land; Turns Tables

1935 Lakeland Dr. 601.906.2253

Leland Speed wants to turn the ethics mirror back on the Levee Board.

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he word “ethics” was at least as prominent as “flooding” during the last two Monday meetings of the Rankin Hinds Pearl River Levee Board in Flowood, with members exchanging veiled and not-so-veiled ethics charges. By the Feb. 15 meeting, one member had given away part of his property due to ethics charges and then called on other members to reveal gifts and conflicts of interests.

The fracas started Monday, Feb. 8, when a majority of the Levee Board voted to send a letter to the state Legislature protesting an effort by Rep. Mary Coleman, D-Jackson, to enlarge the board in order to get a membership more friendly to the controversial Two Lakes project, which the board rejected in December to break a flood-control gridlock and move ahead with strengthening levees. The legislation died in the House of Representatives later in the week.

Jackson businessman and Two Lakes of Mississippi Foundation donor Leland Speed was the only member who voted against sending the letter. In response, Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads waved a copy of the Jackson Free Press that had reported on land holdings

by Speed and other Two Lakes proponents that could go up in value under that plan.

“Mr. Speed, I think that you’re in the middle of an ethics violation sitting on this board and making decisions that could have personal gain for you in the future,” Rhoads told Speed. “I think if you own property that can be benefitted by any kind of flood protection, then that’s an ethics violation.” Rhoads and other members told the JFP in January

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that Speed had not disclosed the property.

Speed replied that he would donate a portion of the property, owned by his mother’s estate. The next day, he sent a letter to the Ethics Commission requesting an opinion on whether it was unethical for him to sit on the Levee Board without disclosing that he owned property affected by Two Lakes.

On Wednesday Speed told the Jackson Free Press that he had donated the land between Eastover and Lakeland Drive to a Clinton, Miss.-based college; thus he would no longer need an Ethics ruling because the issue was “moot.” “I have a 25 percent interest in a four-acre, flooding piece of ground, and I’m giving it to Mississippi College,” Speed said of the property. “I don’t want any question of any kind about my motives.”

Rhoads told the Jackson Free Press in January that Speed had told him that he was the largest contributor to the Two Lakes of Mississippi Foundation.

“That is not (true),” Speed said. “I don’t know where that came from. I have no idea who is (the largest contributor).” Speed said that he had contributed to the foundation but could not remember the amount of his contribution. “I contribute to a lot of things in Jackson,” Speed said.

The foundation’s form 990 says that the foundation “helped fund the engineering, feasibility, economic and environmental studies of the Two Lake Plan.” Its 2001 form 990 indicated that it initially raised close to $300,000 for the effort, and “devotes a nominal amount of time and funds ... to provide the names of public officials who may be in a position to review or adopt legislation regarding a flood plan for the Mississippi to the public.”

As of its 2009 filing, the board’s directors and offices were Sam Begley, Dr. Samuel White Jr., Joe Lauderdale, David Russell of McGowan Working Partners and Delbert Hoseman II. Speed’s name does not appear.

On Feb. 15, the Monday after Speed gave up some of his family’s estate, he introduced a motion demanding that all board members submit information to the board secretary identifying any land that board members own

that would be affected by the decisions of the board. The motion also demands that members submit a list of gifts and gratuities, such as money or work, received from vendors or contractors doing business with the board. The gifts do not include campaign contributions, which must be filed with the state.

By Feb. 15, Speed was passionate about the need for sunshine on the Levee Board. “I think the public has every reason to look to us to be forthright in every decision we make,” Speed said. “This is the largest public-service facility investment ever envisioned in central Mississippi, and I think the people are expecting an enhanced level of accountability.”

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. responded that the people were expecting the board to decide on some form of flood control, and said the decision to expand the levees was the closest the board has ever come to delivering flood control for the Jackson area.

“What I see now instead is a lot of infighting,” Johnson said in response to Speed’s motion.

Speed said that standards at the State Ethics Commission are not strict enough to identify gratuities such as work that vendors may volunteer to do for board members, or trips that vendors may choose to finance--gifts that could amount to more than $10,000.

“Are you suggesting that there are some other means of people receiving gratuities on this board?” Johnson asked. “That people are taking gifts of $10,000 or more?”

“It’s been going on since time began,” Speed answered. “The public wants to know if they are or aren’t. I don’t see the problem with this.”

Speed would not offer examples of such gratuities to the board. Board members Brad Rogers of Pearl, Mark Scarborough of Richland, Chairman Billy Orr and Speed voted to approve the motion, while members Harvey Johnson Jr., Gary Rhoads and Socrates Garrett abstained from the vote.

Speed’s talks with the Ethics Commission about his ethics question informed him that state law does not provide enough details on donations and gratuities that board members may be receiving from vendors, he said.

ADAM LYNCH

powertalk

by Adam Lynch

PSC to Rule on Kemper County in May Power needed to move away from the volatile natural gas market by concentrating on coal plants, which use a fuel source less subject to market swings.

“Natural gas is the most volatile commodity we can use,” Topazi said, adding that new Environmental Protection Agency findings on greenhouse gases would likely drive the company to either close down its coal plant on the coast or invest about $1 billion to upgrade it to a cleaner-burning facility.

A U.S. Department of Energy report, “Annual Energy Outlook 2009,” which offers projected natural gas prices extending into 2030, predicts natural gas prices to be comparatively stable. The report estimates that 2030 crude oil prices, in both the highest and lowest cost projections, to be between $50 and $200 per barrel. The same report predicts natural gas produced by the lower 48 states to average in price between $8.70 and $9.62 per million British Petroleum Units in its most expensive and least expensive projections.

The Department of Energy assigns a relatively stable price to natural gas, in part because it projects the U.S. contains “nearly 70 years of domestic consumption at 2007 levels.”

Mississippi Sierra Club Director Louie Miller, a staunch opponent of the Kemper County plant, claims “coal will never be clean”

and argues that ratepayers can’t expect rate increases to fund the construction of the plant.

Mi s s i s s i p p i Power wants to finance the building Mississippi residents gathered to protest a new coal-burning of the $2.4 billion power plant in Kemper County during the Public Service plant through a Commission’s hearings this month. combination of grants and rate increases, rather than investing Mississippi Power said that the company money up front. But Miller warns that the would be unable to build the plant without construction of Entergy Mississippi’s $3 bil- the PSC’s permission to charge customers to lion Grand Gulf Nuclear Power plant raised finance the plant. customers’ rates an average of 50 percent over Attorneys for Mississippi Power conthe course of two decades—and that Entergy firmed that one credit agency has expressed had a larger customer base through which to concern about Mississippi Power’s current rating. They also confirmed that “it would be distribute those rate increases.

Independent power providers like a concern for all three credit rating agencies” KGen, which owns the modern natural gas if the company built the plant without the plant on Beasley Road in Jackson, argued that PSC’s permission to pre-charge customers. gas prices are reasonably stable despite flucThe PSC has the ability to say ‘no,’ to the tuations at the onset of the 2008 economic plant in more than one way. Commissioners, recession. They say dominant companies like for example, could endorse the need for the Mississippi Power have refused to fully utilize plant and embrace the concept, but refuse their widely available natural gas plants, and to allow Mississippi Power to fully fund its instead seek to build costly experiments like construction on the backs of ratepayers—efthe Kemper County facility, which would fectively killing the project.

Contact the PSC at 601-961-5450. turn more profit for the company.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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ostalgia mixed with fine dining makes the King Edward Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn Jackson/ Downtown – formerly the historic King Edward Hotel – the place to be seen and experience great Southern cooking with big city flare.

Andrew Soliz, Director of Food and Beverage for HRI Lodging, Inc., says, “Our chef Christopher Banks is very creative and being from Jackson, he has an inside track to classic Mississippi cuisine.

Andrew Soliz He also brings experience on presentation and the importance of seasonings from his restaurant experience in Atlanta.”

Fresh seafood from the Gulf Coast, fresh ingredients and a menu with a Southern attitude are what bring people back after their first dining experience. The King Edward Grill offers a sense of tradition, with many dining customers bringing in their wedding photos from the 1930s when the King Edward Hotel was in its heyday.

“The King Edward Grill is a place where everyone wants to be seen because of the history, but once they are here the food speaks for itself,” says Soliz. “The portions are large and quality is exceptional. The value is tremendous, and we have people coming back regularly to try all the items on the menu.”

Tomatoes Bartholomew under the appetizer listing is a delicious way to start your meal: fried green tomatoes are topped with hollandaise, Asiago cheese, blackened crawfish and green onions. Order a classic Shrimp & Grits as an entrée: fried baby shrimp with a splash of Cajun cream on a bed of cheddar-corn grits garnished with green onions. The Black and Blue Scallops are a winner too: pan-seared scallops topped with a spicy corn relish served with cheddar-corn grits.

You will be greeted warmly; there’s always a smile on the employees faces, and Soliz stresses the importance of customer service. The employees are well-versed on the history of the historic King Edward Hotel and take pride in being on the opening team of a historic Jackson hotel that’s been closed for over 40 years.

If you decide to stay overnight, room service is provided from the King Edward Grill.

Events can be catered in the 8,000 square feet of meeting space as well.

Visit historic architecture and enjoy fine dining. Hours: Breakfast 6 - 10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon. - Fri.. Dinner from 5 - 10 p.m. Saturday brunch is 6 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sunday brunch is 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. with live jazz. Call 601-969-8500 for more info. or visit them at 235 W. Capitol Street in downtown Jackson.

jacksonfreepress.com

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he Mississippi Public Service Commission will deliver a decision on a proposed $2.4 billion coal plant in Kemper County in May. Mississippi Power Company filed a certificate of public convenience with the PSC last year asking for permission to begin setting aside 48,000 square acres of Kemper County for lignite coal-mining and the construction of a 582-megawatt lignite coal-burning plant using as-of-yet unimplemented technology.

The commission responded with a series of hearings. Phase 1, conducted between Oct. 5 and Oct. 9 last year, resulted in the commission finding a growing need for more electrical capacity in the state, and an order establishing a bidding process for resource options.

Phase 2, conducted earlier this month, addressed the Kemper IGCC project and why the company chose a $2.4 billion coal plant over cheaper alternatives such as home weatherization, government financing incentives, cost recovery, risk calculation and rate increases to customers.

The company says that it needs to balance the volatile natural gas market with a plant that burns a more economically stable fuel, like coal. Anthony Topazi, president and CEO of Mississippi Power, told the commission during a Feb. 1 statement that Mississippi

9

Legislature: Week 6

by Ward Schaefer

KENYA HUDSON

Bills Target Jackson Development, Infrastructure state’s Department of Finance and Administration to sell or lease the property.

“A lot of people feel that the negotiations were stymied by having the office of the secretary of state involved,” said Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson.

The secretary of state’s office was less inclined to sell the property than to lease it, Duckworth told the Jackson Free Press.

“They’re used to dealing with 16th Section land—property that they intend to own in perpetuity,” Duckworth said. “We’re not supportive of leasing the property.”

State Sen. John Horhn and other Jackson legislators have had Horhn also limited success in passing items on the city’s agenda. sponsored a bill reauthorizing the sale of some state-owned property in downtown n the sixth week of its session, the MissisJackson for the Old Capitol Green developsippi Legislature passed a number of bills ment.

The Senate passed that bill unanimousrelevant to the city of Jackson.

Both the House and Senate have ly, giving the state until July 1 of this year to passed bills that would allow the lease or sale finalize the sale of property between Jefferson, of the old Mississippi School for the Blind Commerce, Pearl and Tombigbee streets to property north of Eastover Drive and east of Full Spectrum New York, the project’s lead Interstate 55. The House bill, sponsored by developer.

Horhn had less luck with another proRep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, passed Feb. posal that would have transferred to state 8, while the Senate version, authored by Sen. control sections of U.S. Highways 49 and 51 Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, passed unanithat the city of Jackson currently maintains. mously Feb. 10.

That bill died in committee.

Jackson developer Ted Duckworth was The Senate unanimously approved a in negotiations last year with Secretary of State similar proposal for sections of state highways Delbert Hosemann to lease the property for a in Sunfl ower and Pontotoc Counties Feb. 8, $150 million mixed-use project to be called however.

Sen. Willie Simmons, D-Cleveland, the District at Eastover. Those negotiations sponsored that measure, which would turn have not progressed, however, and both the the highway sections over to the state for Senate and House bills would circumvent maintenance.

Horhn said that Jackson’s legisHosemann’s office by directly authorizing the

February 18 - 24, 2010

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lators will try again on their highway request when Simmons’ bill goes to a conference committee after approval by the House.

“We plan to make the case and get our language put in conference,” Horhn said.

Jackson’s legislative agenda fared better in the House, which passed two items on the city’s wish list last week. Rep. Credell Calhoun, D-Jackson, sponsored both measures. The first, House Bill 1153, would allow school districts in large cities like Jackson to expand their boards to accommodate one member from each of the city’s wards. Currently, the Jackson Public Schools board has five members appointed by the mayor. While board members do not officially represent each of the city’s seven wards, the mayor takes recommendations for appointments from city council members on a rotating basis, meaning that, at any time, two wards in the city are without representation on the board.

Calhoun’s second bill, House Bill 1412, passed the House by a 108-10 vote Feb. 11.

The bill would allow cities to assess the costs of maintaining abandoned or dilapidated properties to the property owner’s taxes. Under current law, Jackson can only recover the cost of maintaining those properties by placing a lien on the property, which it can recoup when the property is sold.

Jackson legislators in the House also recently introduced a bill aimed at helping the city improve its water and sewer infrastructure, whose poor condition became especially apparent during a rash of water main breaks in January. The proposal, House Bill 1611, authorizes the state to issue general obligation bonds for repairs and improvements to its water lines. The measure must first win approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. Gov. Haley Barbour is unlikely to give the bill his blessing though, Horhn said.

“We’re getting signals already from the Governor that he finds that mechanism unacceptable,” Horhn said. “I just ran into him, and we had a conversation about it. He feels it opens a can of worms for the state, where other parts of the state would try to make the same justification as the capital city.”

Doctor S sez: If the Big Three men’s basketball teams don’t start playing better, they won’t be playing for much longer this season.

THURSDAY, FEB. 18 Men’s college basketball, Vanderbilt at Ole Miss (6 p.m., Oxford, ESPNU, 97.3 FM): Ole Miss’ NCAA hopes are hanging by a string. Will Vandy bring the scissors?

FRIDAY, FEB. 19 College basketball, Colorado College at Millsaps (women, 6 p.m., and men, 8 p.m., Jackson): It’s Purple Haze vs. Colorado Kool-Aid at the Hangar, the JFP’s unofficial choice for Jackson’s Best College Venue.

SATURDAY, FEB. 20 Men’s college basketball, Florida at Ole Miss (11 a.m., Oxford, Ch. 12, 97.3 FM): Remember back when Florida won back-to-back NCAA titles? The Gators aren’t that good, but they’re still pretty good. … Mississippi State at LSU (3 p.m., Baton Rouge, La., Ch. 12, 105.9 FM, 103.9 FM): The Bulldogs are up and down; the Tigers are just down.

SUNDAY, FEB. 21 College basketball, Austin at Millsaps (women, 1 p.m., and men, 3 p.m.,

Jackson): The Majors and Majorettes aim to mangle the Marsupials in an SCAC doubleheader.

MONDAY, FEB. 22 Winter Olympics (7 p.m., Ch. 3): It’s time for a pairs figure skating final, so this might be a good time to tune in.

TUESDAY, FEB. 23 College baseball, Millsaps at Belhaven (4 p.m., Smith-Wills Stadium, Jackson): The Majors and Blazers meet in the latest installment of the Winter Classic, the Maloney Trophy Series.

W. KESSLER LTD. presents THE BEST OF BROADWAY MONDAY and TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22 and 23 7:30 PM THALIA MARA HALL ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 24 Men’s college basketball, Auburn at Ole Miss (7 p.m., Oxford, Ch. 12, 97.3 M): The Tigers are dangerous, but probably not dangerous enough to win in Oxford. … Alabama at Mississippi State (8 p.m., CSS, 105.9 FM): The Bulldogs are hungry for revenge against the Crimson Tide.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who digs those tight pants the Canadian snowboarders wear. Tighten up at JFP Sports at www.jacksonfreepress.com.

KIRTAN CONCERT

FEBRUARY 26, 7-9PM $12 in advance, $16 at door At the LemuriaBooks.com Building

- No Spandex Required! March 7 - 28, 1:30 to 3pm 4-Week Series / $60 Intro-level series of classes designed for men.

Each week we’ll explore the practice of yoga as it applies to daily living.

3025 North State Street - Fondren District - 601.594.2313

To Register - www.butterflyyoga.net or call Scotta

"Hands-down one of the best dance performances I have ever seen. I took my 8-year-old who was absolutely spellbound.”

“The dancing and stunts are outstanding and creative, but the stories make it memorable... and moving, as a lot of the original performers are still playing themselves."

"Such a powerful performance, very electrifying! Beautifully choreographed routines paired with strong storyline that was both compelling and inspiring.

Definitely one of the best dance performances I have ever seen.”

jacksonfreepress.com

BROGA “yoga for bros”

11

jfp op/ed

opining, grousing & pontificating

EDITORIAL

Magnanimous Mississippi?

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ov. Haley Barbour has grown inordinately fond of hauling out the phrase, “not business as usual,” just before he announces new budget cuts. Not satisfied to parcel out cuts even-handedly, Barbour regularly trots out his other “solution” of giving him carte-blanche power to slash and burn Mississippi services.

Barbour’s solutions make him a superstar on the national Republican stage, where sound bites about “smaller government,” “family values” and “fiscal responsibility” capture hopes, if not reality.

Barbour and Republicans of all stripes would have us believe that they will reduce the size of government by starving it out of existence. Government is the problem and not the solution, according to party rhetoric.

Maybe, though, it’s not government in general, but in specific that is at the heart of our problems. Americans, including Mississippians, have been the beneficiaries of a permanent war economy since World War II. The last 60 years have brought enormous wealth to some, while nearly all citizens enjoyed at least some fallout from being a world super-power: scientific and medical advances, cheap oil, manufacturing booms, suburban sprawl and non-stop economic growth.

But big rips have appeared in the emperor’s frayed clothes. And as much as we hate to deal with reality, Americans may be slowly waking up from the soma drug of unearned and unsustainable affluence.

American kids graduating from high school unable to read should wake us up. Coming to grips with the fact that our food is nutritionally empty, while still being able to fill miles of grocery store shelves should be part of the wake-up call. Unemployment figures rocketing off the charts while Wall Street continues to hand out million-dollar bonuses might.

America has been living in an economic dream world, and rather than making us magnanimous and compassionate, it’s made us fearful, small and more selfish. We have the best medicine, but refuse to allow tens of millions of our citizens to experience it. We have the most up-to-date technology, but have allowed our schools to fail our children. Scientists can tell us every nutrient necessary to build a perfect body, but our store shelves are filled with cheap corn by-products that make us sick and fat.

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time to come to grips with the fact that free lunches really don’t exist. Maybe we can’t have it all without actually paying for it.

Mississippi needs to raise revenues, not just slash services. It’s past time to set the right priorities and make the hard decisions, even if it means a little less coin in our pockets.

KEN STIGGERS

Sweet Music of Hope

February 18 - 24, 2010

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oneqweesha Jones: “Hair Did University presents the Ghetto Science Team Job Counseling Sessions, where unemployed workers from the Ghetto Science community come to the Madame C.J. Walker Student Union for counseling and training twice a month. The purpose of the sessions is to encourage finding work in a struggling economy. Today’s guest speaker is Melody ‘Maker’ McBride, church organist for the Vegetarian Church International, and founder of the ‘Lord, Have Mercy! I Have a Job’ Center.”

Melody ‘Maker’ McBride: “Unemployed workers face the music of joblessness, dancing and shuffling to the beat of layoffs, buyouts and firings.

Sour notes of doubt, fear and anxiety disturb their souls. And like Marvin Gaye sang, ‘It makes them wanna holler and throw up their hands.’

“Allow me to bring you the sweet music of hope. As Corporate C.E.O.’s get richer and the economy slowly improves, let the ‘Lord, Have Mercy! I Have a Job’ Center put you back on the employment scene. My expert staff of job-search and training counselors will work closely with you.

Pretty soon you’ll sing a different tune, like that jazz group called the Black Byrds singing: ‘Happy music makes you feel good all the time and takes the trouble off your mind!’

“Let the happy music of employment in the fields of janitorial, food service, security, transportation, computer technology, nursing or medical billing bring some joy to your soul and relieve the stress from your troubled mind. Lord, have mercy! I have a job!”

KAMIKAZE

Give a Damn

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emember Haiti. In whatever you do this week, respect the fragile nature of life. Remember Katrina. This week embrace the positive things around you. Recognize the blessings you’ve been given. Know that in a fleeting moment all that you know can be taken away from you. It can indeed happen to you.

I’ve taken weeks to process what happened in Haiti. For years, I’ve been struggling to wrap my brain around what happened on the Mississippi Coast and in New Orleans post-Katrina. I’ve gone from feelings of anger, deep sadness, to concern, to confusion and then back to anger—anger at those who urged us not to help Haiti, anger at those who made light of another’s plight. The selfishness and arrogance that others have accused us of having seemed to manifest itself in the hours after the earthquake.

What if those people influenced others to turn away from the tube? What if Rush Limbaugh or Bubba the Love Sponge had used their platforms to make folks believe that the “Help Haiti” activists were scammers? I’ve felt helpless wondering if there was something I could do to really help the victims of natural disasters, which have no social class, no race, gender, or political affiliation. Tragedies are the one time that cities or countries are actually united. Everyone feels pain. Everyone experiences loss. It’s easy for us to watch those images on TV or the Web and feel numb. What could I do to make a sizable impact?

Despite my best efforts to slowly move away from the hip-hop stage, I know that one thing I can do is entertain the people. One thing I’m sure I can do is rally the troops in concert behind a cause. If it takes me getting on the stage again to have my loyal fans assemble in one venue to remember Haiti, so be it.

Mississippi artist Rob Gold—who had created

the organization Hip Hop for Humanity several months back—saw the tragedy in Haiti as the opportune time to unite this state’s biggest artists. I watched with pride as he conducted two other donation drives last month. I’ve always talked about artists’ responsibility to their community, and Gold was living it. So it was a no-brainer when he called and asked me to grace a stage on Sunday, Feb. 21, for his biggest push to date to raise money for the victims in Haiti. So for one night, I will join Skipp Coon, PyInfamous and several others who have graced the pages of Jackson Free Press (a sponsor) to perform on one stage. Admission is simply a $5 donation to Haiti relief, and representatives from the Salvation Army will personally be on hand to collect all monies. Tougaloo College, SippHop.com, and the MAP Coalition have joined as co-sponsors as well.

I’m officially putting out a challenge to everyone reading this column. I’m calling all of you out. Whether you’re a regular reader of the JFP, my column or a fan of my music. Whether you’re black, white, Republican, Democrat, young or old. This is not about any one of us individually but about the world family that we all are a part of. If you have yet to support any relief effort, I challenge you to show up this Sunday. Be a part of something bigger than yourself. If you’re on Facebook, send out invites to your friends. Change your profile picture. If you’re a big “tweeter,” change your avatar to the Haiti benefit flyer. If but for one day and for a few hours, give a damn. And give back.

And that’s the truth ... sho-nuff.

The Hip Hop for Humanity Concert for Haiti Relief is Sunday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at Dreamz Jxn, 426 Capital St. For more info, call Rob Gold at 601-5197016 or Martin White at 769-233-3469.

E-mail letters to letters@jacksonfreepress.com, fax to 601-510-9019, or mail to P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, Miss., 39296. Include daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

CHRIS NOLEN

Two Nights with King Edward

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Ronni Mott News Editor Lacey McLaughlin Senior Reporter Adam Lynch Reporter Ward Schaefer Events Editor Latasha Willis Music Listings Editor Herman Snell Assistant to the Editor ShaWanda Jacome Writers Andi Agnew, Lisa Fontaine Bynum, Rob Hamilton, Carl Gibson, Deirdra Harris Glover, Anita Modak-Truran,Will Morgan, Larry Morrisey, Chris Nolen,Tom Ramsey, Doctor S, Ken Stiggers, Valerie Wells, Byron Wilkes, John Yargo Editorial Interns Will Caves, Jesse Crow, Eileen Eady, Ashley Hill, Kalissia Veal Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Editorial Designer Kristin Brenemen Advertising Designer Lydia Chadwick Production Designer Christi Vivar Editorial Cartoonist Chris Zuga Photographers Tom Beck, Pat Butler, Josh Hailey, Kenya Hudson, Kate Medley, Meredith Norwood, Lizzie Wright Design Intern Ayatti Hatcher Founding Art Director Jimmy Mumford

ONLINE Web Designer Vincent Falconi Web Producer Korey Harrion

SALES AND OPERATIONS Sales Coordinator Kimberly Griffin Account Executive Randi Ashley Jackson Account Executive and Distribution Manager Adam Perry Accounting Montroe Headd Distribution Mike Gaddis, Matt Heindl, Brook Jones, George Lovell Jr., Steve Pate, James Redd, Maxx Renfroe Founding Ad Director Stephen Barnette

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

Jackson Free Press P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, Miss., 39296 Editorial (601) 362-6121 Sales (601) 362-6121 Fax (601) 510-9019 Daily updates at jacksonfreepress.com

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The Jackson Free Press welcomes thoughtful opinions. The views expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the publisher or management of Jackson Free Press Inc. © Copyright 2010 Jackson Free Press Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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rior to 2009, the most interesting thing I heard about The King Edward Hotel was this: “One time, I threw a toilet off of the roof,” a friend of mine said, chuckling while bellied up to the bar at Hal & Mal’s. It seemed everyone had a story about playing around in the bones of the old man, tales of clandestine feats of youth, possibly illegal activities, and the lifestyles of the destitute. And through the laughs about stumbling upon homeless enclaves or dead animals, there was always an underlying sadness.

Held aloft miraculously by the condemnable structure underneath, the rusty letters of the name proclaimed a regal past. I imagined standing on top of the building, as would one of those letters, surveying the ragged edifices of Capitol and Farish streets below. It seemed, to me, a kingdom of blight: Here stands Edward, master of all he surveyed.

My original experience with the King Edward was in late 2001. I was interviewing for a position at a Jackson ad agency, and was doing a little recon work to see what manner of trouble I could get myself into. I clearly remember seeing that sign and imagining the exciting things on the streets below. My mind raced of adventures in a city worthy of literary detail, where a young man could wander the avenues from one vibrant venue to another, the wet pavement reflecting neon and music back into the atmosphere. Maybe like-minded youth would join in the journey, new friendships forged in urban night. What I found underneath that sign was dust and fear.

My heart was broken.

The only thing that separates one city from another is what lies downtown. Otherwise, you are talking strip-malls, big box stores and corporate casual dining: the great yawn that of urban living in America. I make downtown my first destination when visiting a new city. If there is a heart and soul, that’s where I find it.

In Jackson, I found the King Edward, a cancerous shell that seemed to be a microcosm of the entire downtown area at that time. The capital city seemed like an ancient Redwood tree, thriving on the periphery, but dead at the core. I wondered: “Is this it?”

I took that job, though, and soon plugged into the community, finding places like Hal & Mal’s and The Musiquarium to fill my needs.

Over the next few years, I’d come to love the city and its people. So varied and beautiful, the friends I made would become some of the best of my life. Jackson began to feel like home.

As I traveled, I still found the bustling downtown hearts of business and culture in other cities attractive. The inevitable comparison with Jackson would creep into my mind, almost always leaving me wanting. But Jackson has a way of endearing itself to you, and I could never bring myself to leave. I bought a house in Belhaven and settled in.

Jackson had no shortage of gifted, generous people who were willing to give of themselves to bring about change—investors, business owners, creatives, journalists, politi-

cians—all dreamers, and all would play a part. They volunteered, gave their work away, shopped locally, did whatever they could to be a part of some sort of Renaissance here.

And after a while, there was hope to be had. The Convention Complex was being planned, Farish Street seemed to be on the verge of revitalization, new festivals and venues were popping up. Rumors flew of groups willing to step in with money and influence to get the major work done. In short, seeds of life were planted all around, and in the last couple of years, those seeds have finally borne fruit.

There is no greater example of this sea change than the startling transformation of what was once the very symbol of its decay: the King Edward. And on Feb. 5, my journey with the old man would come full circle.

As I had decided to make Jackson my home, I had also made advertising a career, and the annual milestone event for the Jackson advertising market is the ADDY award show put on by the American Ad Federation’s local chapter. I was delighted to find that this year, it would be held in the elegant ballrooms of the King Edward’s second floor.

Here I was in the heart of the building that was, only a short time ago, a place of shame, now living and pulsing with excitement. The people around me, mostly from counties other than Hinds, strolled about the well-appointed walkways, not in fear, but with comfort and excitement. The arched ceilings of the ballroom caressed the atmosphere with a sophisticated, yet unpretentious touch, the live music reflecting off of its beveled surfaces.

Through the second story’s balcony, you could hear laughter and stories echo from the packed bar below. These echoes, coming from many attendees who were openly skeptical about the event taking place downtown, confirmed the story line of the night: “What an amazing venue this was for a celebration.”

A cynic might point out that the hotel is merely one building renovated among many still decaying around it. Or they might declare that it is merely a Hilton Garden Inn. But these folks were missing the point. The building is more than a hotel; it is a rallying point.

It is proof that our city’s deepest aesthetic scar could become a center of pride. It shows people who might have vacated to parts north that they might come back to the heart of the city if given reason to. It is another domino to fall in a series that could potentially change the face of Jackson’s downtown to what I’ve hoped for—not just a city with soul, but a city with a strong heart, providing what only a downtown area can: a place unique and separate from the banality that is suburban sprawl.

On this night, the city had a vibrant heart again. On this night, the dust and fear were swept aside as music and neon reflected from the wet asphalt below those grand letters.

Chris Nolen is an art director and writer living in Belhaven. He blogs at noleofantastico.com.

MOVIE LISTINGS FOR THE WEEK OF Friday, Feb. 19th - Thursday, Feb. 25th Shutter Island The Young Victoria

R

When In Rome PG13

PG

The Tooth Fairy PG

Valentine’s Day PG

The Book of Eli R

The Wolfman

It’s Complicated

R

R Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief PG Dear John

PG13

From Paris With Love R Edge of Darkness R

Nine

PG13

Avatar 3-D PG13 The Blind Side PG13 Earn points towards FREE concessions and movie tickets!

Join the SILVER SCREEN REWARDS

www.mississippihappening.com

Visit our website for weekly updates about new and upcoming MS artists Videos, Interviews, Photos, Announcements, Reviews, and Our Monthly Podcast Mississippi Happening is open for content submissions by: Photographers, videographers, journalists, and musicians (content must be about MS Music, Arts, and Culture)

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Editor in Chief Donna Ladd Publisher Todd Stauffer

13

pearl river talk

part 2 in a series

Plan B? Flood Control, Beyond Lakes and Levees

F

February 18 - 24, 2010

An Old Plan, Revisited The Corps had considered other alternatives before its 1996 levees plan. In 1984, the Corps had recommended the construction of a dry dam in the vicinity of Shoccoe, Miss., about nine miles east of Canton, as the most comprehensive flood-control option for the Pearl. A Corps report, dated March 17, 1986, said the total cost of the Shoccoe dam would be $80.1 million, with an estimated federal cost of $56 million and an estimated non-federal cost of $24 million. In November 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Water Resources Development Act, which included authorization for the Shoccoe Dry Dam. The project called for the combined construction of a roadway crossing the Pearl River and a floodwater detention and storage facility in east central Leake County, as well as a levee system in the south part of Carthage, which would extend a levee system on the south side of Highway 16, in Leake County. The project would also include drainage structures and bridge modifications to expand storm water conduits under Mississippi highway 35, south of Carthage, to reduce backwater influences for areas upstream of the highway. An early Corps feasibility study warned that other structures “may be necessary to alleviate unforeseen flooding” in the Leake County area as a result of the construction of Shoccoe Dry Dam, as well as unaddressed costs of channel improvements on the upstream river.

The price tag for Shoccoe, while incomplete, was still considerably less than the cost of levee expansion in downstream Jackson, and a monumental cost difference compared 14 to impounding the Pearl. But the Corps dis-

covered the project was “unimplementable from a local interest standpoint,” due to opposition from upstream and downstream interest groups—including Two Lakes advocates and environmentalists they love to hate.

Mississippi Sierra Club Director Louie Miller was a particularly noisy opponent of the idea. “The proposal was all about moving Jackson’s flooding problem 30 miles north THOMAS HEAD

lood-control options for the Pearl River seem limited as Jackson-area residents compare the ungainly design of the levee plan designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1996 with the $1.4 billion cost of a lake-development plan.

The Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District approved the $206 million levee plan in December as the Corps threatened to pull the federal government’s $133 million contribution to flood control along the Pearl if the Levee Board did not take action. The levee plan has been a virtually unchanged, and extremely unattractive, option since 1996, but has languished as the Levee Board has grappled with, and finally accepted, the massive legal, environmental and cost hurdles surrounding an idyllic-sounding Two Lakes plan that supporters promise will turn Jackson into a “Little Venice.”

When the Levee Board voted to pursue levees, it took the controversial and costly development plan off the table. The effect of that decision has been to finally shine a bright light on a levees plan not updated significantly since the Corps developed it in 1996.

Local residents now face a quagmire.

Being that both the lakes and the levees plans have immense drawbacks, is there a plan B?

Richland Mayor Mark Scarborough voted with the majority for a levee plan

of Jackson, but the dam was never going to alleviate flooding in Jackson. It would only protect about 8 percent of the structures that flooded in Jackson. Instead of having eight feet of water in their house, they would only have about three or four feet of water in their house. The whole thing was a crock from the beginning,” said Miller, who entered the drama surrounding Shoccoe in 1986 as a blueberry farmer with his own self-interest: his fields, near Carthage, were destined to go underwater under the plan.

“The whole plan was also prohibitively expensive and would not pass cost-benefit ratio. The Corps did what the Corps normally does: Whatever they say it costs, double it and cut in half whatever benefits they’re trying to sell you,” Miller added.

Corps information reveals that the Shoccoe operation did contain numerous costs unbound by the original $81 million price tag.

The dry dam project requires the construction of a combination earth and mechanical embankment that would only close its gates and act like a dam at the onset of floodwater barreling down from the Pearl River’s northern territory, creating a temporary shallow lake.

The natural design of the countryside complicated the project, however. The lowland character of the majority of land in Mississippi makes it comparable to the swampy plain of Louisiana. This overall flatness of the Pearl River Basin explains the overly winding pattern of the Pearl River, and just as equally explains the snaky curves of the Mississippi River. That unimaginative flatness, while great for growing cypress trees, means any dam engineer looking to build in the area must devise a plan that devours huge swathes of acreage

in order to contain volume. Shoccoe was no exception: The lake, when expanded to its full 58,000-acre potential during a flood, would create a liquid monstrosity 1.5 times the size of the Barnett Reservoir, however temporary.

The Corps would have to relocate at least 10 miles of the Natchez Trace parkway, according to critics, which otherwise would be periodically inundated. Highway 25 would also need a six-mile bridge, because part of the structure would be underwater when the dam was activated. The Corps never completed the final feasibility report on Shoccoe, so critics and Corps alike never got the chance to fully agree upon the additional cost of moving the roadways. Some estimates predicted at least an extra $24 million.

To make matters worse, the Corps demanded stiff requirements from people residing in the substantial territory of the temporary lake, and the subsequent demands of affected residents hiked costs significantly.

“The Corps said, ‘We’ll pay you 20 cents on the dollar for a flood easement, but in the meantime, any structures on your property for human habitation would have to be removed at your expense,’” Miller said. “Anybody versed in eminent-domain proceedings said they’re taking away the economic value of your property. Your property can’t be used for anything else but a flood pool. So they’re going to have to buy the title to your property.

That increased the price tag by about another $100 million.”

Shoccoe also embodied many of the same environmental setbacks as McGowan’s lakes plan—the ones the Sierra Club says will lock up Two Lakes in court for 50 years. The ringed sawback turtle and the yellow-blotched sawback turtle require long periods of sitting on logs, soaking up the sun’s heat. Logs and bramble fit for holding a turtle don’t come easily on the placid expanse of a lake surface, however, but going onshore to bask means being subject to predators in the area, like raccoons and wild dogs.

Opponents to the Shoccoe issue beat back the local cost share of the project. It’s a tactic that would likely work just as well against the proposed levee system—but would also work against any attempt to create another Shoccoe-type project even further up the river. The area even higher up in the Pearl River’s tributaries is just as flat, and would require a large amount of acreage to produce a retention lake workable for the city of Jackson.

The same costs would remain an issue.

The Shoccoe Dam idea died in 1987, when the Mississippi Legislature voted down legislation authorizing the Pearl River Basin Development District to serve as the local sponsor for the project.

Move The Problem Despite problems with both lakes and levees, any desperate grasp for a new Shoccoe or similar retention lake (or multiple retention lakes in different spots along the Pearl)

will likely hit the same barriers that decapitated the last Shoccoe, according to legislators well-versed in attempts at flood control. The Mississippi Legislature refused to fund Shoccoe in the end, even with Shoccoe advocate Dick Hall acting as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and prominent developer Leland Speed (today an advocate of McGowan’s lakes plan) offering to sell floodplain property to the Shoccoe endeavor.

Rep. Bill Denny, R-Jackson, predicted that warring municipalities are unlikely to ever work together to fund any worthy floodcontrol project.

“Legislators tried to put flood control together in the 1990s when we tried to fund levees and Shoccoe, and I was astounded by how so many people could work together to kill something as useful as flood control,” Denny told the Jackson Free Press last December. “We’ve got a dense population in Jackson staring flood damage comparable to 1979 right in the face, but then we got people out in the sticks fighting against flood control in Jackson just so they can protect the grazing pasture for a few cows. The whole thing made me sick to watch.”

The Most Obvious Option At least one other option exists, however controversial—one that is downright stupid in its simplicity, according to Larry Larson, executive director of the Association for State Floodplain Managers: Don’t build, or buy, in the flood zone.

“The most desirable option for dealing with flood control is to avoid the high-risk area,” Larson said. “If you have the lands available, you should develop where it makes the most sense, and last time I checked, Mississippi wasn’t exactly short of space. You’ll still have development, but it’s becomes a question of where it makes the most sense. Put it in a high-risk area, and you’ve got a big loss. The community might have had a short-term gain on taxes but a big term loss on damages.”

After billions of dollars of nationwide levee development, the idea of moving people out of flood zones, or acquisition relocation, is a relatively novel approach. In fact, the nation engaged in very little acquisition relocation until a spate of expensive floods in 1993.

The year 1992 was one of the most expensive years in the nation’s history in terms of water damage. Flood and hurricane costs surpassed $30 billion, with 46 presidentialdeclared disasters in fiscal year 1992. The flood insurance claims for just three of the major events that year included $145 million for Hurricane Andrew’s work in Florida and Louisiana and another $30 million for Hurricane Iniki’s damage in Hawaii.

President Bill Clinton responded in 1993 by signing the Hazard Mitigation and Relocation Assistance Act, an amendment to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which assists states and local governments in implementing long-

XXXX

by Adam Lynch

term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster declaration. Sometimes that mitigation entails helping residents get away from their water problem once and for all by financing relocation efforts.

After the 1993 floods, FEMA focused on post-disaster acquisition and relocation, and since that time the agency has acquired and removed about 35,000 structures out of flood plains. The process is fairly simple, if daunting. After a community is flooded, FEMA and the local district compile applications for candidates for relocation for the state. Upon state approval, the home-owner qualifies to collect the full appraised value of their home, with 75 percent of cost sharing coming from the federal government and the state and flood control district covering the other 25 percent.

The program is voluntary, and not likely to be initially popular, but Jackson residents most affected by the potential rising waters of the Pearl have the most to gain in tax savings, as does the federal government, which spends huge amounts of money through the National Flood Insurance Program to insure floodprone homes and businesses—for the same people it would help relocate.

The Harris County Flood Control District, of Texas, touts the success of its buyout program in the aftermath of Hurricane Rita.

An owner of a Harris County house that had four claims under the National Flood Insurance Program totaling $232,000, sold his home through a buy-out program for a total cost of $191,000, including the $160,000 acquisition cost and an additional $31,000 in discretionary costs. FEMA calculated the total avoided damages from repeated flood insurance coverage of the home to be $589,000.

“Our position is that the beauty of picking structures out of high-risk areas is you have no ongoing high maintenance costs,” Larson said. “It’s not like a levee, which you have to operate and maintain continuously. The problem with levees right now is that now we have to go back and look at them, and we’re finding more and more that they’re not adequate.

Many communities have not maintained their levees, so FEMA says it’s not adequate unless you bring it up to speed, and we can’t count it as protection, so we’ll have to map the area behind the levee as floodplain.”

The Rankin-Hinds Levee Board is up against its own certification issues regarding the levees. FEMA announced in 2007 that it would be modernizing flood maps around the city of Jackson. If FEMA does not certify the levees, the new flood map will reflect the inundation of the massive 1979 flood, placing into flood zones many houses that had never flooded prior to the 1979 inundation, and raising the price of home insurance of the affected homes. It could even prevent home insurance coverage in some locations.

The city asked the Corps to inspect the levees in an effort to facilitate a decision. The agency will issue an analysis of the levees this year, which will affect FEMA’s decision to either certify or de-certify the levees.

A Little Bit of Both The Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District would likely be the local district responsible for orchestrating buyout or home-relocation applications with the state and federal government. The District’s contribution to the 25 percent investment in the buy-out would still have to be financed through some form of district expansion, similar in scope to the expansion required to fund either a $206 million levee project or a $1.4 billion lake project. The buy-out program could be the least expensive plan, although the Levee Board has not yet completed a feasibility study on the estimated price of a full-scale acquisition relocation effort.

Levee Board member Mark Scarborough, mayor of Richland, said a complete buy-out would be too expensive, even with the federal government’s 75 percent contribution.

“We’ve taken some of the costs associated with the levee system, and it all still comes down to cost,” Scarborough said. “We’ve considered buy-out options, but they’d still exceed the $206 million cost of the levee.”

The Levee Board would not likely support a wholesale buy-out due to the impracticality of relocating important downtown businesses and government buildings. The city’s emergency center of operations on Gallatin Street, for example, took on water in 1979 and had to be moved to higher ground. Rather than a complete buy-out option, local taxpayers could consider a combination of more

modestly expanded levees with some home buy-outs along the more vulnerable areas.

Jackson leaders, after all, have busily approved considerable development in floodprone areas, even following the 1979 disaster when it seemed remarkable to build in some of those areas. Combination efforts can work, however. Larson pointed to an example in Napa Valley, Calif., saying the city and district could make do with a mixture of smaller, cheaper levees and some relocation efforts.

“They got flooded regularly in downtown Napa, so the Corps said, ‘we’ll build a big-ass levee right on the back of the river.’ They went to Congress, and they put the money in the budget, but then the community rose up and said they didn’t want that because they wanted to relate to the river, not be cut off from it.

They ended up building the levee, but they moved it back some blocks from the river. Yes, some people did have to move back from the river, but they got to set back the levees, which made them smaller and less costly. Then they kept the wetlands open, which helped store water in future floods.”

Byram resident Tom Pullen, a former biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, says the 1996 levee plan bottlenecks the river in every spot save the area encompassing the Jackson fairgrounds. Under the 1996 plan, levees beat through both parks and backyards, cutting residents out of their homes, business owners out of their offices and some wetlands away from the river, producing stagnant water and even more stagnant attitudes.

“I would like to see the levee a little fur-

ther back from the river,” Pullen said. “The way it is now, it cuts off some wetland areas and squeezes the river so that it has to deliver a high volume of water through two very high levees at times of flood.”

Monticello Mayor Dave Nichols expressed concern that the pinched river would deliver a bigger payload of floodwater down to the shores of his town at a faster pace, possibly increasing the threat of erosion.

Larson argues that a modified levee plan set further away from the river, along with voluntary removal of the more vulnerable residents in North Jackson and other spots outside the downtown area, could allow for smaller levees. The further you set your levees from the river, after all, the higher the land gets, and the freedom of the water to spread out in the reclaimed wetland areas north of the city means less pressure on existing levees.

Scarborough said the Levee Board hopes to cut as much cost as possible and would consider combination designs potentially reducing the size of the levees. “Before everything’s finalized, we’ll look at every conceivable possibility, and one could include a combination of buyouts and other things,” Scarborough said.

Larson said Jackson need to move quickly. The development of more and more watersheds over recent decades helps produce ever-bigger floods because of expanding impervious surfaces and more water run-off. And storms are getting more intense. “The sad fact is Jackson will probably be one of the cities recalculating its own estimates again soon. It’s probably not a matter of ‘if’ anymore.”

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part 2 in a series severe flooding situations, the reservoir manager can minimize downstream flooding by

by Adam Lynch and Donna Ladd storing water and controlling the reservoir’s discharge rate. This function is limited, however, as the reservoir was not designed as a levels in order to accommodate an incoming flood control project, and no procedures exist rush of water comparable to the 1979 Easter to guide flood mitigation efforts.”

The GAO blamed the flood in part on flood when the Pearl crested at 43.3 feet, the construction of the reservoir, along with 6 feet above any previous crest.

The federal government is not likely to a spate of over-confident building in floodgo along with the Two Lakes requirement for prone land, saying that too many people bethe reservoir to become a “flood control lake.” lieved the myth that the reservoir could help A December 1979 report by the General Ac- significantly with flooding: “The project, accounting Office report, the nonpartisan cording to a federally funded study, provided research arm of Congress, emphasizes that the Jackson residents with a false sense of security reservoir “was designed essentially as a water concerning future flooding. Consequently, supply and recreation facility” that can only more and more people built their homes and businesses in the flood plain.” offer flood help in dire emergencies.

The Corps largely based its choice for McGowan’s plan relies on using the reservoir continually for flood control, however. levees and against lakes on the amount of enIt would require dropping the reservoir at vironmental mitigation required of flooding least a foot several times a year and four feet a cypress-tree-laden wetland filed with flora and fauna that enjoy federal protection— to catch overflow during floods. issues that create a sizable weapon in any environmentalist’s legal arsenal to tie a lake project up in court for many years.

The Corps told the Levee Front, from left: Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads, Pearl Mayor Brad Rogers and Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. Board that environmental mitigation Both the GAO and reservoir officials issues represented so overwhelming a barwarn that is not realistic because the average rier in any flood-control plan that the agency depth is only about 10 feet. “The limitations could not support the lakes plan so long as of the reservoir haven’t changed,” Pearl River any plan offering less environmental barriers Valley Water Supply District General Man- presented itself. ager Benny French said in January.

But Two Lakes of Mississippi Founda- … And With Levees The fall of the lakes plan does not mean tion reports make the rejection personal—directing ire at French and the reservoir district, the Levee Board is thrilled with the levee plan. as well as Corps officials, for not getting But it was time to stop wrangling over a plan behind the plan to incorporate the reservoir unlikely to ever happen, some members say.

“We’ve been fighting over this for years, into the Two Lakes strategy. The foundation maintains that the GAO findings against res- and we still don’t have a means for flood control. It’s time to do something. That river ervoir flood control are wrong.

The GAO reported that efforts to use hasn’t gotten any less prone to flood since the reservoir to offset overflow were not co- 1979,” Flowood Mayor Gary Rhoads said.

Rep. Mary Coleman, D-Jackson, who ordinated between agencies during the 1979 flood, adding to the flood’s severity. “During sat in on the board’s contentious 2009 vote to

approve the Corps levees-only plan, not only wants the lakes plan, but says that Rankin County’s dominant presence on the board is steering the preference toward levees. She submitted a legislative bill this year seeking to change the make-up of the board in favor of Hinds County and Two Lakes—a bill that died on the House calendar last week.

“You need to look at the amount of money that’s been spent over the past few years, and we still don’t have a plan,” she said, echoing Rhoads’ frustration, if not his argument. “Levees don’t work. New Orleans is proof enough of that. Rankin County controls the board, but it was mostly Jackson that got flooded in 1979, not Rankin County.”

Others, though, point out that the Corps’ foot-dragging on levee improvement led to the severity of Katrina destruction in New Orleans. Sandy Rosenthal, founder and executive director of levees.org, says Katrina revealed decades of waning support for levee maintenance and upgrades—which came at a severe cost. “The failure of the federally engineered levees was 40 years in the making,” Rosenthal stated. “The Army Corps squandered hundreds of millions of dollars on a levee system they knew by their own calculations was inadequate.”

Rosenthal mocked Coleman’s statement: “If you’re going to say levees don’t work, you might as well say elevators don’t work, or bridges don’t work.”

Pitted against pretty Two Lakes renderings, demonizing the levees is not difficult, especially with businesses, residents and many officials complaining that it is the city of Jackson, not Rankin County, that must sacrifice the brunt of prime developed land in order to house the levees. The Jackson Free Press detailed arguments against levees last issue: They would require businesses to move out of the flood plain, and they are ugly.

The most passionate argument against them, however, seems to be that people aren’t going to fund improved flood-control measures, unless they get some sort of economicdevelopment lagniappe for their investment.

It may be dangerous thinking, but it makes the job of the Levee Board even more difficult. “Taxpayers need to have something to show for their investment,” Rhoads said.

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W

hen famed New Urbanist Andre Duany came to Jackson to examine creative solutions to both flooding and economic-development options, he didn’t get excited about the Two Lakes development plan developed by geologist and oilman John McGowan.

In fact, Duany threw the cold water of reality on what McGowan calls his “dream,” saying he likes projects that can actually be completed in his lifetime.

That sentiment sums up most objective attitudes toward Two Lakes: It sounds great, but is unlikely to ever happen..

Even though the Levee Board officially rejected the plan in December by voting to pursue levees, Two Lakes proponents say they will continue to fight for the construction of a roughly 7,000-acre impoundment that developers promise will allay flooding, as well as create miles of top-priced waterfront property (and higher property taxes) for landowners in and near the Two Lakes footprint.

The Lakes plan’s most lethal flaw is that $1 billion-plus price tag that could easily tack more than 10 mills in taxes upon all property within the range of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District should locals vote to expand it. McGowan promises the price will be under $400 million and paid for by property taxes and bonds imposed locally. Many experts shake their heads at his low estimate, considering the immense environmental mitigation that the federal government would require, and the difficulty in raising that kind of money for possible economic development years down the road.

McGowan’s dream also depends on the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District allowing more water to flow into the Ross Barnett Reservoir dam during floods. It’s a shaky reliance, though, considering the mechanical limitations of the reservoir, which averages a depth of only 10 feet along most of its 30,000-acre surface area. The District would likely have to drop the level of the relatively low-volume lake below manageable

COURTESY U.S. CORPS OF ENGINEERS

The Problems With Lakes …

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who helped rebuild hope in the city, organized beads prior to a parade honoring the Super Bowl Champions Saints in downtown New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2010.

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New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton held the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a parade honoring the Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints in downtown New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2010. Thousands of fans turned out along the parade route in a city that knows how to throw a parade.

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New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush (right, #25) horsed around with teammate Heath Evans (left, #44) during the Feb. 9 Saints parade.

Navy AC-2 Matthew Culp put on his hat after it was signed by Saints players prior to the start of a parade honoring the Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints in downtown New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2010.

Flags with Saints colors and the fleur de lis flew at a parade honoring the Super Bowl Champions in downtown New Orleans on Feb. 9.The Saints, due in part to their help to the city after Katrina, may be the next America’s Team.

New Orleans Saints fans filled the French Quarter on Feb. 7, prior to Super Bowl XLIV.

Saints fans Dee, Carol and Cindy put on their game faces outside Vaughan’s Lounge in New Orleans prior to watching Super Bowl XLIV. Cindy Wood held the ashes of her late father, Malbon Wood, for good luck while watching Super Bowl XLIV at Vaughan’s Lounge in the Bywater neighborhood on Feb. 7, 2010.

New Orleans Saints fans begged for beads in front of the Louisiana Superdome during the Feb. 9 parade.The dome is about to undergo upgrades and will be the site of the 2013 Super Bowl.

New Orleans Saints fans celebrated on Bourbon Street on Feb. 7, 2010, after the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 to win their first title.

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New Orleans Saints fans rejoiced at the end of Super Bowl XLIV at Vaughan’s Lounge in the Bywater neighborhood in New Orleans.

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New Orleans Saints fans marched in a spontaneous second-line parade after the Super Bowl on Feb. 7, 2010.

Big Chris took it all in outside Vaughan’s Lounge in New Orleans prior to watching Super Bowl XLIV.

A New Orleans Saints fan dressed as “Breesus,” a play off quarterback Drew Brees’ name, as he celebrated on Bourbon Street after the Super Bowl win.

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BEST BETS February 18 - 25

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

SATURDAY 2/20

The Fondren crime prevention seminar in the community room of the Jackson Police Department, Precinct 4 (4436 N. State St., 2nd Floor) will begin at 5:30 p.m. Free; call 601-981-1658. … The Magnolia Film Festival at Hollywood Premier Cinemas (101 Hollywood Blvd., Starkville) from Feb. 18-20 starts at 7 p.m. each night with another show at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20. $10 per session; call 662-323-5501 after 4 p.m. … The play “Talk Radio” at Mad Genius (279 Perkins St., Ridgeland) begins at 8 p.m. Encore shows on Feb. 19-21 and Feb. 25-27. $13, $10 students; call 601-982-2217. … The North Mississippi Allstars perform at the Lyric Theatre (1006 Van Buren Ave., Oxford) at 8 p.m. $15, $30; call 662-2345333. … Karaoke at Castaways (6 p.m.), Regency Hotel (7 p.m.) and Poets II (10 p.m.). Free.

The Mustard Seed Ladies Auxiliary is hosting a High Tea at Fairview Inn (734 Fair St.) at 2 p.m. $50 adults, $35 children; call 601-605-9900 or 601-992-3556. …

Support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by attending Wild Pursuit for the Cure at the Country Club of Jackson (343 St. Andrews Drive). $100 individuals, $75 couples, $1000 tables; call 601-956-7447. … Karaoke at Petra Café (104 W. Leake St., Clinton) at 8 p.m. Free; call 601-925-0016. … Don’t miss Winston Audio, The Weeks and Death on Two Wheels at Ole Tavern at 8 p.m. $5. …

Laugh until it hurts during the Royal Comedy Tour with Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Don “D.C.” Curry and George Willborn at the Jackson Convention Complex (255 E. Pascagoula St.) at 8 p.m. $44.25, $53.50; call 601-9602321. … Play adult versions of classic games like Monopoly, Uno, Life and musical chairs during “Game Night: Party Like a Youngster” at Schimmel’s at 9 p.m. $5; e-mail jbentertainmentgroup@gmail.com.

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THURSDAY 2/18

SUNDAY 2/21 Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba and author/ poet Sonia Sanchez will speak during the “No Sell Out!” memorial program for Malcolm X at Word and Worship Church (6286 Hanging Moss Road) at 3 p.m. Sanchez will sign copies of her books at 2 p.m. Free with book for sale; call 601-353-5566. … Be inspired by the sounds of the Soweto Gospel Choir at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts (100 University Ave., Oxford) at 3 p.m. $25; call 662-915-2787. …Practice your Irish jig at the Mostly Monthly Ceili at Fenian’s from 2-4 p.m. Free.

Also John Spillane performs from 4-9 p.m. $15. … Acoustic artist Keb’ Mo’ gives a concert at MSU Riley Center (2200 5th St., Meridian) at 6 p.m. $38, $44; call 601-6962200. … Support a good cause by attending the Hip Hop for Humanity Benefit Concert for Haiti at Dreamz Jxn, which starts at 6 p.m. $5; call 601-519-7016 or 601-3833083. … Open mic-poetry at Cultural Expressions at 8 p.m. $5.

Sonia Sanchez (pictured) and Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba and will speak at the Malcolm X memorial program on Feb. 21.

February 18 - 24, 2010

Smokey the Bear and Woodsy Owl are part of the “Home Sweet Home” interactive exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Hours are 8 a.m.5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m.

Sunday. $3-$5, free for members and children under 3; call 601-354-7303. … Local teen bands Goodwhether and The Da Vincis give a benefit concert for Haiti at Christ United Methodist Church (6000 Old Canton Road) at 8 p.m. $8; call 601-826-3734. … Go see Hunter Gibson and The Gators at Shucker’s from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $5. … Seth Libbey and the Liberals play country blues at Underground 119 from 8 p.m.midnight. $10. … The country band Crossin Dixon rocks the 24 house at Fire at 10 p.m. No cover.

Sherman Lee Dillon performs during the blues lunch at F. Jones Corner at noon. Free. … See the world’s best hip-hop dancers pop, lock and breakdance in “Groovaloo” at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.) at 7:30 p.m. An encore performance on Feb. 23 also starts at 7:30 p.m. $15 and up; call 601-981-1847. … Hunter Gibson and Rick Moreira perform at Fitzgerald’s from 8 p.m.-midnight.

Free. … Open mic at Martin’s at 10 p.m. Free.

TUESDAY 2/23 Get a free short stack of pancakes between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. during National Pancake Day at the International House of Pancakes at 2700 Greenway Drive or 474 Briarwood Drive. While you’re there, donate to the Children’s Miracle Network. Visit ihoppancakeday.com. … Karaoke at McB’s at 7 p.m. Free. … Open mic at Café 101 at 7 p.m. $5.

WEDNESDAY 2/24 The V-Day Steering Committee meets at Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St.) at 6 p.m. to discuss plans for “Vagina Monologues” on March 25-26. Women and men are encouraged to participate. Call 601-362-6121, ext. 11. … Vick Allen sings at the Steam Room Grille from 6-9 p.m. Free. …

Karaoke at The Auditorium from 9 p.m.-midnight. Free.

THURSDAY 2/25 A LGBT youth support-group meeting for ages 14-24 at Rise Above for Youth (121 E. State St., Ridgeland) starts at 6:30 p.m. Free; call 601-922-4968. … The D’lo Trio plays at the Cherokee Inn at 7:30 p.m. Free. … Catch Jackie Bell, Norman Clark and Smoke Stack Lightning at 930 Blues Cafe at 8 p.m. $5.

More events and details at jfpevents.com.

Brad Bishop, Jimmy Quinn and Danny Dauphin perform in the play “Talk Radio,” opening Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. at Mad Genius in Ridgeland.

COURTESY DIANA HOWELL

FRIDAY 2/19

MONDAY 2/22

arts

by Katrina Byrd

Give yourself the gift of health.

Bust a Move COURTESY LEVI WALKER

Walk-In Weight Loss

Bradley Rapier, creator of “Grovaloo,” will perform with a cast of 14 dancers at Thalia Mara Hall Monday, Feb. 22, and Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

D

octors told Steven Stanton he would never walk again.

They certainly never thought the 42-year-old dance instructor would ever dance again after he was caught in gang crossfire at a Vancouver nightclub in 2003.

The bullet hit his lower spine. Paralyzed temporarily from the waist down, Stanton dances with a cane today, but he dances.

“Groovaloo,” coming to Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson Feb. 22, binds 10 dancers’ true stories of abuse, low self-esteem and poverty with their dances. “These are our stories,” Bradley Rapier, creator of the Broadway show, says about his troupe. LockN’Key (played by Keeley Kaukimoce) came from a strict Christian home in Texas. Kid Rainen (played by Luis Rosado) came from a home with a strict father figure.

Rapier, who plays the role of Shooz, grew up in the small town of Calgary, Alberta, in a culture of rock ‘n’ roll and country music. By age 12, he says he was “the boy who could move.” He excelled in academics and athletics; he skied and played hockey.

“I always like to move,” Rapier says.

The youngest child in his family, Rapier’s early goal was to become a doctor like his father. All of that changed when Sun Ice, a clothing company, offered StreetScape—the dance troupe that he was performing with at the time—a marketing contract. Rapier announced to his dad that he wanted to dance, and he left college behind, much to his father’s disappointment.

“I couldn’t just concentrate on keeping others happy,” Rapier says. He admits that he was afraid, though. “All I knew was school and academics.”

Dance had captivated Rapier, however.

Struggling to mold his career in Canada and in Los Angeles, his need to be surrounded by dancers led him to organize the Groovaloos in 1999.

The core idea for the “Groovaloo” stage show occurred to Rapier when he was designing hip-hop dance instructional DVDs featuring his dance troupe. As a bonus he interviewed each dancer and asked just one

question: “Why are you here?” Listening to those interviews, Rapier realized that the stories were about each dancer’s struggle. They were powerful stories and clear illustrations of how dance had reshaped each dancer’s life, just like his own.

After Rapier shared the stories with the Groovaloos, they agreed that their love for dance is what brought them together as a family. The heartache, the struggles and the inspiration found in those stories framed the show, which brings more than just choreography to the stage.

The show catapults the dancer’s narratives into a powerful, inspirational story using layers of spoken word, hip-hop music and a unique style of dance to create a dynamic display of choreographed movements that “explodes the laws of physics,” according a Los Angeles Times review.

“Groovaloo are those moments in your life when you feel you don’t have anything to offer but you keep moving on,” Rapier says.

The show is a collaborative effort between Rapier, director Danny Cistone and the Groovaloos. Under Cistone’s direction, the 14-member cast has designed a dance show that puts a new face on hip hop. The show possesses diversity, passion and a soulfulness that goes well beyond the roughnecks and gangsta-ho images people often associate with the genre. Rapier also says that combining popping and locking moves brought individual power to the dances.

“Our initial goal was to give people a glimpse into the art form, but it has grown to be a quest to dispel some of the myths and stereotypes of hip hop,” Rapier says. “Hip hop is a beautiful art form.”

Through the agile dancers who can twist their bodies into unimaginable positions, “Groovaloo” shows that these characters are real people with real trials and tribulations.

And that, according to Rapier, is the core of hip hop. “It’s real and not gratuitous,” he says.

See “Groovaloo” at Thalia Mara Hall Monday, Feb. 22, and Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $56.50. For online ticket purchases and to see a short promotional video, go to www.kesslerbroadway.com.

For more info, call 601-981-1847.

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“Life isn’t always choreographed. Sometimes you have to freestyle.” —Groovaloo

25

“T h e Par t y With A Purpose”

THE 2010 FRIENDSHIP BALL

Please join us for

THE 2010 FRIENDSHIP BALL Saturday, March 6 7 p.m. - Until at Hal & Mal’s 200 S Commerce Street Honorees: Reverend Duncan Gray and Dr. Aaron Shirley Benefiting: 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc., MS Youth Media Project and Parents for Public Schools of Jackson

Tickets: $20 per person, $10 for students

Music by These Days with Jewel Bass Hors d’oeuvres - Cash Bar - Casual Attire

jfpevents JFP SPONSORED EVENTS “Talk Radio” Feb. 18-27, at Mad Genius Inc. (formerly Eyevox) (279 S. Perkins St., Ridgeland). In the play by Eric Bogosian, a controversial Dallas talk show host faces challenges from many directions after discovering that his radio show will be aired nationwide. Show dates are Feb. 18-21 and Feb. 2527, starting at 8 p.m. each night. Cory Drake is the director. The play is rated PG-13. $13 adults, $10 students; call 601-982-2217.

Hip Hop for Humanity Benefit Concert for Haiti Feb. 21, 6 p.m., at Dreamz (426 W. Capitol St.).

Performers include Rob Gold, Skipp Coon, PyInfamous, Miz Smurff, Stunna Mane, Lil T and Kamikaze. Proceeds benefit the Haiti relief effort. The Salvation Army will collect monies and donated items. $5; call 601-519-7016 or 601-383-3083.

Jackson 2000 Friendship Ball March 6, 6 p.m., at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St.). This year’s honorees are Dr. Aaron Shirley and Rev. Duncan Gray. Hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and music by These Days with Jewel Bass. All proceeds benefit the Mississippi Youth Media Project (YMP), 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc. and Parents for Public Schools of Jackson. Buy your tickets from YMP students or the Jackson Free Press. Call 601-362-6121, ext. 16, or send an e-mail to assistant@jacksonfreepress.com to buy tickets. $20, $10; call 601-362-6121, 17 for more information.

COMMUNITY LGBT Parents Playgroup Meeting Feb. 18, 6 p.m., at Gattitown (772 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland). The group’s first play date is a chance to fellowship, eat pizza and play games. $3.99$6.99 buffet, kids 3 and under free; $0.99-$1.49 drinks; call 601-559-6133 after 6 p.m.

Precinct 3 COPS Meeting Feb. 18, 6 p.m., at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 3 (3925 W. Northside Drive). These monthly meetings are forums designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Call 601-960-0003.

THIS WEEK COMMUNITY

GROOVALOO Thalia Mara Hall, February 22nd, 23rd, 7:30pm 601-981-1847, www.ticketmaster.com www.kesslerbroadway.com

CULTURE

THE LEGACY OF TIMBUKTU: WONDERS OF THE WRITTEN WORD EXHIBITION International Museum of Muslim Culture 601-960-0440, www.muslimmuseum.org

MUSIC

SETH LIBBY Underground 119, February 19th, 9pm, $10.00 601-352-2322, www.underground119.com

DINING

LAMAR RESTAURANT February 18 - 24, 2010

Stop by the Lamar Restaurant for the Grilled Tilapia or the Country Fried Steak.

26

Visit www.downtown-jackson.com for a complete calendar.

Call 601-353-9800 for calendar information.

Homebuyers Workshop Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Blvd.).

Sponsored by Mississippi Home of Your Own, which empowers people with disabilities to become homeowners through grants and support systems.

Residents with and without disabilities in Hinds County and surrounding counties are invited to attend. Free; call 601-432-6876 or 866-883-4474.

Childhood Obesity Seminar Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m., at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Baptist for Women Conference Center. Bring your child to this fun, family-friendly morning of learning how to eat right, get moving, and get healthy.

Speakers include Dr. Julia Sherwood, Dr. April Ulmer and chef Luis Bruno. $5 per child; call 601948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

Child ID Kit Giveaway Feb. 20, 10 a.m., at Circle Lodge No. 638 (5474 Old Canton Road, Madison). Representatives of the Mississippi Child Identification Program (MS CHIP) will be offering free child ID kits for children ages 17 and younger.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free; call 601-270-5027.

Jackson Zoo Job Fair Feb. 20, noon-4 p.m., at Livingston Park (150 Livingston Park Drive), in the Community Center (west of the zoo admission gate). Seasonal and part-time positions are available.

Applicants must be at least 17 years old and have valid identification. Free; call 601-352-2580.

Events at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.).

• Taste of the U Feb. 20, 7 p.m., in the Thad Cochran Center. This annual cooking competition among the staff members of University of Mississippi Medical Center honors Chancellor Dan Jones and Lydia Jones. $25 adults, $15 students, $5 children ; call 601-984-5695.

• SafeHeart Screenings Feb. 23-24, 8 a.m., in the Community Room. SafeHeart Health Screens of Hattiesburg will do five ultrasound and EKG screenings. Call to register or come early. $129, free for those who qualify; call 601-450-5483 or 866-548-3006.

“No Sell Out!” Memorial Program for Malcolm X Feb. 21, 3 p.m., at Word and Worship (6286 Hanging Moss Road). Speakers include Ward 2 Councilman Chokwe Lumumba and author and poet Sonia Sanchez. Sanchez will sign copies of her book at 2 p.m. Call 601-353-5566.

Artist Awards Ceremony Feb. 21, 2 p.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.).

Awards will be given in several categories. Refreshments will be served. Free; call 601-960-1500.

Events at Jackson State University (1400 Lynch St.).

• Black History Month Program Feb. 23, noon, at Ayer Hall, in the Rod Paige Reading Room.

The theme is “I, Too Sing America: The Piney Woods School and the Push for Industrial Arts Education.” Call 601-979-2460.

• Public Policy Toastmasters Club 8689 Meeting through May 26. The group meets Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Sampson Library auditorium on the second floor. Improve your communication skills and become a better speaker and leader. Membership required. Call for details on membership dues at 601-918-8523.

23rd Annual Higher Education Appreciation Day — Working for Academic Excellence (HEADWAE) Feb. 24, 11:45 a.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Seventy outstanding Mississippi students and faculty members will receive special recognition from the Mississippi Legislature. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Hank Bounds is the keynote speaker. Call 601-432-6647.

“History Is Lunch” Feb. 24, noon, at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Ellen Wilds discusses her book “Far From Home: The Diary Of Lt. William H. Peel, 1863-1865.” Bring your own lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6850.

“Black History: Road to the Vote” through Feb. 25, at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). This program offered to school groups provides a glimpse of African American history in Mississippi, specifically relating to the struggle for voting rights. Sessions are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reservations are required. Free; call 601-576-6920.

“Voices from the Past” through Feb. 26, at Manship House (420 E. Fortification St.).

Students in grades 3-5 experience the history of their African American ancestors through hands-on activities and a special tour. Call 601-961-4724 for more information.

Jackson Area NOW Used Book Fundraiser through Feb. 27. Donate your gently used books, CDs or DVDs for an upcoming fundraiser tentatively set for Feb. 27. The sale location is to be determined. Donations welcome; e-mail stacey@nowms.org.

MUSIC “A Night of Jazz” Feb. 18, 6 p.m., at Jackson State University e-Center (1230 Raymond Road). The Murrah Jazz Band presents a program featuring dinner, jazz, and special guest performances. $20; call 601-969-6602.

Black History Concert Feb. 21, 1:30 p.m., at Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church (1638 Clinton-Raymond Road, Clinton). The theme of the concert is “Black History, Today and Tomorrow.” The featured guests are Elder Osborne Turner and Franklin Turner. Free; call 601-488-4513.

Events at Belhaven Univeristy (1500 Peachtree St.).

• “The Importance of Being Earnest” Feb. 1827, in the Blackbox Theatre. In the play, two men attempt to woo two young ladies who both believe they are destined to love a man called Earnest. Show dates and times are Feb. 18, 19 and 24-26 at 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. A reception will be held on Feb. 18 after the show. $10, $5 seniors and students, free for Belhaven faculty/staff; call 601-965-7026.

• “A Stone’s Throw” Feb. 23, 6 p.m., in the McCravey-Triplett Student Center. The short film is about the desire of Mississippi parents, teachers, pastors and students to have more public school options. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant will speak. Free; call 601-969-1300.

• Mississippi Improv Alliance Winter Wednesdays Feb. 24, 7 p.m., in the Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center. Enjoy three improvisation movements directed by the Belhaven dancers and music by Jamie Weems, daniel johnson and others. Free; call 601-497-7454.

Dinner and a Movie Feb. 19, 7 p.m., at Rainbow Whole Foods Co-operative Grocery (2807 Old Canton Road), in Rainbow Plaza. The movie of the night is “The Yes Men Fix the World.” Advance tickets are available at the customer service desk. $15, $13 members; call 601-366-1602.

Jim Henson Movie Series Feb. 20, 6 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). This month’s feature is “The Dark Crystal.” $5 Museum members, $7 non-members, $3 1-5 year olds; call 601-960-1515.

Groovaloo Feb. 22-23, at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The winners of the NBC show “International Superstars of Dance” will perform from 7:30-10 p.m. each night. $15 and up; call 601-981-1847.

CREATIVE CLASSES YogaFit Foundations Workshop Feb. 19, 5 p.m., at Body Benefits (Odyssey North Shopping Center, 731 Pear Orchard Road, Suite 30, Ridgeland).

Learn the history of yoga, different yoga styles and the essence of YogaFit. A cheese and wine social will be held after class. $60; call 601-991-9904.

Belly Dance Class ongoing, at Lumpkin’s Restaurant (182 Raymond Road). The class is held every Saturday. Monique Davis is the instructor. $5; call 601-373-7707.

Stringing Class ongoing, at Dream Beads (605 Duling Ave.). This class is offered every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Free; call 601-664-0411.

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

• “Seasoned in the South: Recipes from Crook’s Corner and from Home” Feb. 18, 5 p.m. Bill Smith signs copies of his book. $14.95 book.

• “Letter to My Daughter” Feb. 23, 5 p.m.

George Bishop signs copies of his book. $20 book.

• “Leaving Gee’s Bend” Feb. 23, 5 p.m. Irene Latham signs copies of her book. Reading of the book at 5:30 p.m. $16.99 book.

Events at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl).

• “If Only I Had Known” Feb. 18, 6 p.m. Dr. William Dodson will sign copies of his book. $25 book; call 601-932-2562.

• All Writers Workshop Feb. 23, 6 p.m. The workshop will focus on inspiration, tips, exercises, and member critique. Margie Culbertson is the instructor. Free; call 601-985-8011.

“Write Your Way Through: Become A Published Author” Feb. 20, 9 a.m., at Tougaloo College (500 W. County Line Road, Tougaloo), in Holmes Hall.

The seminar is for anyone who has thought about becoming a published author. Online registration is required. $100; visit jlkingpublishing.com.

“Stonewall Jackson’s Black Sunday School” Feb. 20. Rickey Pittman signs copies of his book at two locations. $16.99 book; call 504-368-1175, ext. 315.

• 11 a.m., at Borders (100 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood).

• 2 p.m., at Barnes & Noble (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 3008, Ridgeland).

GALLERIES Annual Belhaven Student Exhibition Feb. 20March 22, at Belhaven University, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center (1500 Peachtree St.). See drawings, paintings, photography, sculptures, and mixed media in many styles. The opening reception on Feb. 20 from 2-4 p.m. includes live music by Uncle Mac and the Jackson Jug Revival. Free; call 601-965-7026.

Art Contest through March 15, at Fondren Art Gallery (601 Duling St.). The juried contest is open to those 18 and older with cash prizes for the first and second place winners. The finalists’ submissions will be on display during Arts, Eats, and Beats in April.

Free; call 601-981-9222.

VDAY 2010 THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

MARCH 25 at 7PM and MARCH 26 at 9PM

AT HAL & MAL’S RED ROOM DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: “WHAT I WANT MY WORDS TO DO TO YOU” MARCH 26 AT 7PM AT HAL & MAL’S RED ROOM Proceeds will benefit The Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Women’s Fund SPACE LIMITED! EARLY BIRD TICKETS - $20 FOR PLAY & FILM SCREENING, $15 FOR PLAY ONLY

crossroads film society

EXHIBITS AND OPENINGS Events at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sundays.

• Jim Henson’s Fantastic World through March 14. This exhibition presents original drawings, cartoons, puppets and movie props. $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students; call 601-960-1515.

• Power APAC Exhibit of Scholastics through April 18. Artwork by gold and silver key winners of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards are on display. Free; call 601-960-5300.

“Mound Bayou: The Promise Land, 1887-2010” through April 30, at Smith Robertson Museum (528 Bloom St.). See photographs related to the history of the town. Museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday-Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. $4.50 adults, $3 seniors, $1.50 children under 18; call 601-960-1457.

JFPTICKETS.com or call: 601.362.6121 ext. 11

Fondren Theatre Workshop presents

TALK RADIO

BE THE CHANGE Wild Pursuit for the Cure 2010 Feb. 20, 7 p.m., at Country Club of Jackson (345 Saint Andrews Drive). The black-tie event includes wild game cuisine, a cocktail buffet, live and silent auctions, and music by The Chill. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. $100 individuals, $75 couples, $1000 tables; call 601-956-7447.

Goodwill Art Show Feb. 21, 2 p.m. at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.).

Over 200 artists with disabilities will showcase and be awarded for their artwork, including watercolor, drawing and sculpture. Free; call 601-960-1557.

National Pancake Day Feb. 23, at all International House of Pancakes locations. IHOP restaurants are giving away a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to all of their guests from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. In return, IHOP is asking for donations to the Children’s Miracle Network. $1 and $5 “Miracle Balloons” are also available for purchase and will be on display. Online donations are also being accepted. Donations welcome; visit ihoppancakeday.com.

Directed by Cory Drake Featuring Danny Dauphin as Barry Champlain with Brad Bishop, Keri Horn, John Howell, Beth Kander, Jimmy Quinn, Tony Sanford, Alison Stafford, Wayne Thomas, Kimberlee Wolfson and James Wood

Thursday - Sunday, Feb. 18, 19, 20 & 21 and Thursday - Saturday, Feb. 25, 26 & 27 All performances @ 8pm at Mad Genius Inc. (formerly Eyevox) Located at 279 Perkins Street in Ridgeland, MS $13 Adults/$10 Students - Cash & Visa/MC accepted Rated PG-13 for adult themes & mild profanity Info: (601) 982-2217 or fondrentheatre@hotmail.com

jacksonfreepress.com

STAGE AND SCREEN

27

bookdish

by Pamela Hosey

Passion, Obsession and Art

I

February 18 - 24, 2010

COURTESY LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

n “Swan Thieves” (Little, Brown and Company, 2010, $26.99), author Elizabeth Kostova combines art, obsession, passion and the great lengths people will go to defend their loves.

Kostova immediately grabs our attention when Robert Oliver, a painter, attacks a painting hanging in the National Gallery of Art. When Oliver refuses to talk to his psychiatrist, Dr. Andrew Marlow, Marlow is forced to probe into his patient’s personal life, unraveling the mystery of the 18th century letters Oliver carries and the identity of the beautiful woman Oliver paints over and over.

Marlow discovers that Oliver isn’t an average patient. Like his patient is obsessed with the woman on his canvases, Marlow becomes obsessed with Oliver. He travels to North Carolina to meet Oliver’s ex-wife, Kate, and to Washington, D.C., where he meets his mistress, Mary. In France, Marlow discovers a scandal connecting Oliver to 19th century French Impressionists. Eventually, Marlow discovers the surprising identity of the woman on Robert’s canvas, and he finds love from an unlikely source.

Kostova, author of the ground breaking 2005 novel “The Historian,” impresses once again with “Swan Thieves,” as she switches effortlessly between time periods and the multiple narrative threads of her characters.

Kostova spoke by phone during a break on her book tour.

28

H

ow did you develop these characters?

As with a lot of characters, they are a mix of real and fiction, but (they are) mainly fictional. As I look into each one, I see some qualities of people I’ve known and usually more than one person. Sometimes, I think one of the really enjoyable parts of writing fiction is that sometimes you feel as if a certain character surprises you. They walk on stage and want to be heard, and there were a lot of characters like that.

Y

ou mention a lot of art and art detail in this book. Are you an artist?

I wish I can say that I’m a painter. I really admire painters, and I love painting and art history. I was really fortunate working on this book because I know quite a few painters personally, either professional (artists) or very serious amateurs. Some of them let me interview them or watch them paint, either in the studio or landscape paint. I asked them lots of questions about why they chose a particular work, how they prepared their paints, and how they pick a scene or view around them.

I also went and watched a very good painting instructor during a studio class, which was also helpful with the paint instruction detail in the book.

T

he Impressionists are the main art focus in the book. Are they your favorite artists?

I have been interested in the Impressionists for a long time. Like Andrew Marlow, the narrative character, I was burned out on Impressionists for a while because you see them everywhere—like note cards, tote bags and even um-

brellas, for example. There is a difference when standing in front of a real Impressionist painting and see the texture of the paint; and the brushwork is incredible. After seeing this, I came to appreciate Impressionists in a new way, especially the incredible view of nature it gives us.

H

ow long did it take to write “Swan Thieves”?

I worked on this one for about four years. Actually, that felt really fast to me. It took 10 years to write “The Historian.”

D

o you feel as if there is a lack of art appreciation today?

I think that’s a difficult question. I think we have learned to appreciate new art forms such as popular films, and I think that we don’t experience painting like we used to. Before television and computers, paintings were sometimes the only visual views of other places that people had.

There is something wonderfully restful about going to an art museum: You go in there, and you’re quiet and focused, simply just looking at one painting.

W

hat do you expect readers to take away from “Swan Thieves”?

I hope that readers will come away from it with a new or increased passion for art and color, and thinking (about) what art—painting in particular—can bring into our lives.

Elizabeth Kostova will sign and read from “Swan Thieves” at Lemuria Books, Wednesday, Feb. 17, starting at 5 p.m.

music

FILE PHOTO

Coon, PyInfamous, Miz Smurff, Stunna Mane and Lil T, with deejays Finesse, Phingaprint, DJ GeorgeChuck, Aziatikk Blakk, ScrapDirty and DJ Young Venom. Call 601-519-7016 for more details.

Every Thursday you can catch harmonica legend Fingers Taylor, with Mark Whittington at Soulshine Pizza from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for free in the Township shopping center on HighPyInfamous is one of the performers at the land Colony Parkway in “Hip-Hop for Haiti” relief concert this Sunday.

Ridgeland.

Catch the JFP 2010 t’s not too late to end your work- Best Musician (as voted by readers) week with a laugh. Tickets are still Scott Albert Johnson and friends at available for comedian and country Hal & Mal’s this Friday night, 9 p.m. music singer Rodney Carrington Roots/blues/jukeman “the SAJ” plays a at Thalia Mara Hall this Thursday at mean harp, and I have been taunting 7 p.m. Tickets range from $43 to $48 him to head over to Soulshine on a and are available at the box office or a Thursday night to cut heads with FinTicketmaster outlets. Hit him up at gers. Stay tuned to see if my persistence rodneycarrington.com to sample his pays off. comedic tunes.

You can catch Scott again next This weekend offers several shows Friday, Feb. 26 at Underground 119 for your auditory pleasure. Blues diva and next Saturday, Feb. 27 for the and pianist Eden Brent makes her huge Hal & Mal’s 25th Anniversary long-awaited return to Jacktown when Blowout. Virtually every one of the loshe performs at Underground 119 this cal groups that have helped put Hal & Saturday night at 9 p.m. $10 cover. Mal’s on the map during the last quarCheck her out at edenbrent.com and ter-century will be there to celebrate on iTunes. the anniversary, from the Vernon The alternative rock ‘n’ roll show Brothers to all manner of blues, blueof the week is at Ole Tavern this Sat- grass, jazz, R&B and roots rock. urday night, with local favorites The Be sure to mark your calendar for Weeks, Winston Audio and Death next Friday, Feb. 26, for the return of on Two Wheels. Atlanta-based Win- Tim Lee and The Used Goods from ston Audio is sure to win over the back in ’80s W.C. Don’s days. If you onslaught of Weeks fans, and any fan were a college/garage-rock fan in Jackof post-grunge alternative rock like the son back then, you will remember Tim Foo Fighters or Soundgarden will dig Lee from seminal favorites The Windthis kick-a** triple bill. Hear them at breakers as well as The Used Goods. winstonaudio.com and myspace.com/ Now based in Knoxville, garage theweeks. roots-rockers Tim Lee 3 and The Used Hip-Hop for Humanity, the Goods will perform at North Midtown MAP Coalition and Tougaloo Col- Arts Center (formerly One to One Stulege are sponsoring a “Hip-Hop for dios) on Millsaps Avenue next Friday, Haiti” Relief Concert this Sunday, 9:30 p.m., visit timleethree.com.

Feb. 21, 6 p.m. at the new Dreamz Also next Friday, catch New OrJxn club at 426 Capitol St., one block leans indie/alt. rockers Rotary Downs from the King Edward Hotel, $5. All at Martin’s and Metallica tribute band proceeds and donated items benefit Battery at Fire. Southern alt. rock fathe Salvation Army and go directly vorites Sister Hazel will return to Fire toward Haiti relief efforts. On deck to next Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 p.m. $15 perform are: Kamikaze, Gold, Skipp ——Herman Snell

I

BANDS/DJS FOR HIRE Disc Jockey (DJ) Service Professional DJ - 20 Years Experience - Holiday Parties/Weddings/Birthdays/Private Parties, Lights/Fog/Etc available, Photography Services Available, Live Band Availble (601) 850-4380

GEAR Marching Baritone/Euphonium Wanted to purchase: Used marching B-flat baritone or marching euphonium. Very reasonable price. Good condition!

Call: 769-232-2415 Bach stradivarius trombone Bach Stradivarius professional trombone w/ F -rotary valve, Excellent condition. Dynamic tonal quality. $1,600.00 Call:- 769 232 2415 Bass gear Quality professional gear. Swr Silverado combo.

350 watts RMS. $400. New aoustic 200 watt bass head $200. Two Swr 1 15’ and horn cabinets $250 ea. Loud and Clean Sold seperately or together.

(601) 214-4412 Professional Sound Engineers Need sound equipment or just a couple of engineers at your next event call Daniel 601.488.0436 any venue large or small anywhere in the south.

Complete PA Huge carvin pa for sale, all accessories, cables, processors, mics, stands, lights, amps, etc. Over $20,000 in gear to sell for best offers. Equipment is in as new condition. (225) 341-9391 Guitar Gear - Must Sell!!

Vox AD120VTH Valvetronix Stereo Head $400, 1x12 and 2x12 cabinets- $80-$125. (601) 540-1739 Need extra sound?

Need sound or just an engineer at your next event call Daniel 601.488.0436 or Mike 601.291.9713.

1 - 1604vlz 1 - pmp-5000 - powered mixer 10 - b1520 pro - speaker cabinets 6 - b1800x pro - sub cabinets 4 - f1520 pro - monitor cabinets 5 - ep1500 - power amps 2 - ep2500 - power amps 1 - 266xl - compressor limiter 2 - s - 3-way crossover 2 - ew165g2 e865 - wireless mics 6 - pr99 - mics.

Lighting also available: 6 - Scanners 12 - Par Cans 1- Lazer

MISCELLANEOUS Need A Few Good Musicians Interested in helping to set up music non-profit organization (centered around the blues) for disadvantaged youths in the jackson metropolitan area?

If so, i am looking to talk to you. Need musicians who can teach everything from banjo, guitar, dobro, mandolin, fiddle, accordion, harmonica, piano, etc., Etc. Come be a part of this great project! (601) 924-0210.

MUSICIANS AVAILABLE Drummer Available Mature/seasoned drummer available. Have played everything from country to Christian Contemporary. Would like to join existing band or form new one with seasoned musicians ONLY...no beginners please! Would like to play classic rock, blues and/or contemporary. Call if interested.

(601) 613-5835

Looking to Start Band I am a bass player new in town and am looking to start a band in the Jackson area. I need a guitarist, drummer and lead vocals. No specific genre is preferred, but the band will be based on rock and metal (no death or black metal). I’ve played in several bands and played out hundreds of times and am able to get gigs. If interested or for more info please call Chris @ 386-365-2944 Drummer Available 41 Year old drummer looking to play with existing group or start one. Great love for the instrument and really want to put something together for fun and profit (gigs 1-3 month). Rock, classic rock, pop, jazz, and swing. Good chops and attitude, no ego, just want to play. Call bill @ 601-955-7924 or e-mail at wricha2796@aol. Com. (601) 955-7924 Female Vocalist Seeking Band I am a 16-year-old female vocalist seeking a synthpop or rock band. Ages of band members preferrably 25 years or younger due to parental objections. Contact by email at freezepopforever10 29@hotmail.com.

Old Drummer Available!

DRUMMER AVAILABLE: Most recently, I have played with The Veterans of Foreign Bars band.

Interested in playing Blues, Funk, Soul, maybe Country. I am an older guy and settled in for the duration. I would be interested in a steady band, fill-in, and, possibly, a new start-up. Let me hear: mcdrum89@yahoo.com or call 601-832-0831 Musician Available 25 Years experience playing Drums, Guitar & Bass.

Recently relocated to Jackson from Memphis, TN. All genres of music. Contact Tim at 601-665-5976.

Or email: reeves@cgdsl.net Serious inquires only.

Drummer Looking For Band I’m an experienced drummer looking to form/join a band. I have mostly played metal, but I am open to rock/hard rock/metal, etc. Call Dave at (769) 226-0845.

MUSICIANS WANTED Bass player needed Looking for bass player to join weekend band.

Classic Rock, Classic R&B, a little blues and a little country. (601) 856-3107 Deathcore guitarists Metal band looking for 2 exp’d guitarists. Influences include WhiteChapel, Carnifex, Opeth, etc.

Call David for more info (601) 201-3815 Metal Singer & Bassist Wanted AnnX is looking for a Experienced Energetic METAL Vocalist and a Bass Player to play shows and write new material. (601) 383-4851 New band Experienced bass player/vocal and sound engineer/keyboard are forming a rock band. We are seeking experienced musicians to join. +30 age preferred. Open to music from 1960’s to current day. Must own equipment and no illegal habits.

Call Charles at (601) 898-1628 or Gary at (601) 850-4380 Become our Next Instructor Major Scales Studio is accepting applications for a classical or rock or jazz guitar teacher. Must have professional appearance. Please email your resume to Majorscales@aol.com.

Cellist Needed For Album/tour Cellist needed for my album and possibly to tour shortly after. I am signed with South City Records. I need to start recording ASAP! Must be reliable and dedicated. Please contact me at scorpiano31@gmail.com Drummer/Bassist needed - Metal We are in need of a drummer and a bassist. Experience in metal (death, black, etc.) is preffered, but not completely necessary. Call Buddy at (601)5025647. Thanks for reading. -Buddy

Looking for band mates? Wanting to sell your gear? Advertise here for free! Visit JFP Classifieds.com. If you are interested in sponsoring the Musicians Exchange call JFP Sales at 601-362-6121

jacksonfreepress.com

BANDS WANTED vocalist looking for band im a rock vocalist looking for a band in need of a lead singer please call at any time my name is shane (601) 940-0510

29

livemusic 8

around S A Lthe O Ocorner N

Country and Rock Music OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - 4 P.M. ‘TIL

HAPPY HOUR 5-7, MON -THURS

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

COLT FORD COMING APRIL 2 TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 17

Karaoke w/ Mike Mott

ALL SHOWS 10PM UNLESS NOTED WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 18

DYLAN MOSS

2/17

LADIES NIGHT

LADIES NIGHT (FREE DRAFT CUP 9-11) FRI. & SAT. - FEBRUARY 19 & 20

WILLY WAGGS

LADIES DRINK ALL YOU CAN 8PM-12AM FOR $5 - NO COVER THURSDAY

2/18

OPEN ‘TIL 2AM FRIDAY

2/19

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 14

2 FOR 1 DOMESTICS

ALVIN

MONDAY - FEBRUARY 15

YOUNGBLOOD

2 FOR 1 DOMESTICS TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 16

POOL LEAGUE NIGHT 2636 S. Gallatin Jackson, MS 39204

601-961-4747 www.myspace.com/popsaroundthecorner

SATURDAY

2/20

PRIORITY MALES W/ SPECIAL GUEST SUNDAY

2/21

KARAOKE MONDAY

2/22

OPEN MIC JAM TUESDAY

2/23

MATT’S LATE NIGHT KARAOKE $2 MARGARITAS $1 HIGHLIFE & PBR

February 18 - 24, 2010

WEDNESDAY

30

2/24

LADIES NIGHT LADIES DRINK ALL YOU CAN 8PM-12AM FOR $5 - NO COVER 214 S. STATE ST. • 601.354.9712 DOWNTOWN JACKSON WWW.MARTINSLOUNGE.NET

TOPTEN SONGS THIS WEEK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

CAVO - Crash PUDDLE OF MUDD - Spaceship SLIPKNOT - Snuff CHEVELLE - Letter From A Thief ALICE IN CHAINS - Your Decision MUDVAYNE - Scream With Me SHINEDOWN - If You Only Knew FIVER FINGER DEATH PUNCH - Walk Away JANUS - Eyesore BREAKING BENJAMIN - Give Me A Sign (Forever and Ever)

FEB. 17, WEDNESDAY F. Jones Corner - Sherman Lee Dillon (blues lunch) free Jxn Coliseum/Dixie National Rodeo - Lady Antebellum Underground 119 - Bill & Temperance (Bluegrass) 8-11 p.m. free Pelican Cove - Karaoke Contest 6-10 p.m.

Steam Room Grille - Akami Graham & Key of G (R&B) 6:30-9 p.m.

Shucker’s - Thomas James 7:30-11:30 p.m. free Kathryn’s - Larry Brewer 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Ole Tavern - Karaoke The Auditorium - Karaoke 9-12 a.m.

Footloose - Karaoke 8-12 a.m. free Regency Hotel - Snazz myspace.com/snazzband2 Fitzgerald’s - Rainmakers 8-12 a.m.

Alumni House - Shaun Patterson 7-10 p.m.

Electric Cowboy - Karaoke McB’s - Houseband 7 p.m. free Eli’s Treehouse, V’burg - Karaoke 8 p.m.

FEB. 18, THURSDAY F. Jones Corner - Sherman Lee Dillon (blues lunch) free Thalia Mara Hall - Rodney Carrington 8 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s - Ronnie Dennis Underground 119 - Howard Jones Jazz Group (Dixieland) 8-11 p.m. free Shucker’s - Welch & McCann 7:30-11:30 p.m. free Soulshine, Township - Mark Whittington & Jay Wadsworth 6:30-9:30 p.m. free 930 Blues Cafe - Jackie Bell, Norman Clark & Smoke Stack Lightning 8 p.m. $5 Pop’s Saloon - Dylan Moss Footloose - Karaoke 8-12 a.m.

The Auditorium - Larry Brewer (classic rock) 7:30-9 p.m.

Cherokee Inn - D’lo Trio (Americana) Regency Hotel - Karaoke 7 p.m.

Poets II - Karaoke 10 p.m.

Last Call - Shaun Patterson 9-1 a.m.

Castaways - Karaoke 6-10 p.m.

Electric Cowboy - DJ Cadillac 9 p.m.

McB’s - Karaoke 7 p.m. free Two River’s, Canton - Hunter Gibson & Rick Moreira 7-10 p.m. free Union St. Books, Canton - Writers Night w/Shane & Frazier 7-9 p.m.

Eli’s Treehouse, V’burg - Karaoke 8 p.m.

FEB. 19, FRIDAY Thalia Mara Hall - I Can’t Stop Loving You 8 p.m.

Ole Tavern - Dova Grove w/ The Peoples Sam’s Lounge - Misunderstood Superheroes 10 p.m.

Hal & Mal’s Red Room - Natalie Kirk & Co. Hal & Mal’s Restaurant - Scott Albert Johnson (roots/juke) 9 p.m.

Martin’s - Alvin Youngblood Hart (blues) 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/ alvinyoungbloodhart F. Jones Corner - Sherman Lee Dillon (brunch) free; Jesse Robinson’s 500lb. Blues Band 11:30-4 a.m. $5

2/18 2/19 2/20 2/20 2/24 2/25

Fire - Crossin’ Dixon 10 p.m. myspace.com/crossindixon Shucker’s - Hunter Gibson & The Gators 8-1 a.m. $5 The Auditorium - Big Juv Brawley 7:30-9 p.m.

Underground 119 - Seth Libbey (country blues) 9-12 a.m. $10 Soulshine, Township - Barry Leach (jazz) 8 p.m. free Soulshine, Old Fannin - Patrick McClary 6:45 p.m. free 930 Blues Cafe - Blues/Jazz 5:30-8 p.m.; Jackie Bell, Dr. D 9 p.m. $10 Sam’s Lounge - Misunderstood Superheros 10 p.m.

Pop’s Saloon - Willy Waggs McB’s - Home Remedy 8-11:30 p.m. free Schimmel’s - Dr. D (blues) 6-9 p.m. free Electric Cowboy - DJ Terry 9 p.m.

Haute Pig - Shaun Patterson 6:30-9 p.m.

Regency Hotel - Sideswiped (S.C.) Pelican Cove - Alana & Co. 6-10 p.m.

Time Out - Rainmakers (classic rock) 9-12 a.m.

Footloose - Karaoke 9-1 a.m. free Dick & Jane’s - Show Night/DJ Allen 9 p.m. $6; 18+ $10 Cultural Expressions - Reggae/HipHop/Old School Night 9 p.m. $5 Reed Pierce’s - Snazz 9-1 a.m.

Ameristar, V’burg - The Ugli Stick 8 p.m.

Bottling Co., H’burg - Red Hill City, Furrows 10 p.m.

FEB. 20, SATURDAY Thalia Mara Hall - I Can’t Stop Loving You 8 p.m.

Fire - 12 Stones (rock) 9 p.m.

Ole Tavern - Winston Audio 8 p.m.; The Weeks, Death on Two Wheels (indie rock) 10 p.m. myspace.com/winstonaudio Martin’s - Priority Males 10 p.m. www.myspace.com/ theprioritymales Hal & Mal’s Restaurant - The Xtremez Underground 119 - Eden Brent (blues) 9-12 a.m. $10 F. Jones Corner - The Jarekus Singleton Band 11:30-4 a.m. $5 Poets II - Rainmakers (classic rock) 9-1 a.m. www.rainmakersband.com Pop’s Saloon - Willy Waggs 930 Blues Cafe - Blues/Jazz 5:30-8 p.m.; Jackie Bell, Dr. D 9 p.m. $10 Shucker’s - Mike & Marty 3-7 p.m. free; Hunter Gibson & The Gators 8-1 a.m. $5 McB’s - Buie, Hamman & Porter 7:30-11:30 p.m. free Cultural Expressions - Kamikaze & Yardboy (hip-hop/Soul) 9 p.m. $5 The Auditorium - Shaun Patterson 7:30-9 p.m.

Sam’s Lounge - Thee Hypnotic Chickens, Bowl of Hot Grits 10:30 p.m.

Pelican Cove - Jedi Clampett Duo 6-10 p.m.

Electric Cowboy - DJ Terry 9 p.m.

Dick & Jane’s - House Party/DJ Allen 9 p.m. $6; 18+ $10

N. Miss. Allstars - Lyric, Oxford Blondie - I.P. Casino, Biloxi Drivin’ N Cryin’ - I.P. Casino, Biloxi Merle Haggard - Horseshoe Casino, Tunica Tegan & Sara - Tipitina’s, N.O. Dark Star Orchestra - Lyric, Oxford

Regency Hotel - Sideswiped (S.C.) Club Clarion - DJ Koinonia Coffee - Gospoetry 8-12 p.m. $5 Reed Pierce’s - Back 40 9-1 a.m.

Ameristar, V’burg - The Ugli Stick 8 p.m.

Silverstar, Choctaw - Clint Black (country) 8 p.m. 866-44PEARL

FEB. 21, SUNDAY Dreamz Jxn, 426 Capitol St. - HipHop 4 Haiti Relief: Kamikaze, Gold, Skipp Coon, PyInfamous, Miz Smurff, Stunna Mane, Lil T, DJ Finesse, DJ Phingaprint, DJ GeorgeChuck, Aziatikk Blakk, ScrapDirty, DJ Young Venom 6 p.m. $5, 601-519-7016 MSU Riley Center, Meridian - Keb’ Mo’ (acoustic) 6 p.m., 601-696-2200 St. Andrew’s Cathedral - Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra 3 p.m.

Fenian’s - Ceili Irish Dance 2-5 p.m. free; John Spillane (Celtic/Irish Folk) 7 p.m. $15 johnspillane.com King Edward Hotel - Howard Jones Trio (jazz brunch) 11-2 p.m.

Warehouse - Mike & Marty Open Jam Session 6-10 p.m. free Fitzgerald’s - Andy Hardwick (brunch) 11-2 p.m.

Sophia’s, Fairview Inn - Knight Bruce 11 a.m. (brunch) Shucker’s - Jon & Amanda 3-7 p.m. free The Hill - Open Blues Jam 6-11 p.m.

Footloose - Karaoke 7-11 p.m. free Cultural Expressions - Open Mic Poetry 8 p.m. $5

FEB. 22, MONDAY Thalia Mara Hall - Keesler Broadway presents Groovaloo 7:30 p.m., 601981-1847; kesslerbroadway.com Hal & Mal’s Restaurant - Central Miss.

Blues Society Jam 8-11 p.m. $5 F. Jones Corner - Sherman Lee Dillon (blues lunch) Martin’s - Open Mic 10 p.m. free Fenian’s - Karaoke 8-1 a.m.

Fitzgerald’s - Hunter Gibson & Rick Moreira 8-12 a.m. free Dreamz - Marley Mondays/DJ 6 p.m.

FEB. 23, TUESDAY F. Jones Corner - Sherman Lee Dillon (blues lunch) free Thalia Mara Hall - Keesler Broadway presents Groovaloo 7:30 p.m., 601-981-1847; kesslerbroadway.com Hal & Mal’s Restaurant - Pub Quiz 8 p.m.

Fenian’s - Open Mic 9 p.m.

Martin’s - Karaoke Shucker’s - The Extremez 7:30-11:30 p.m. free AJ’s Seafood - Hunter Gibson 6:30-10 p.m. free Fitzgerald’s - Rainmaker’s 8-12 a.m.

Ole Tavern - Open Mic Time Out - Open Mic 8 p.m.

McB’s - Karaoke 7 p.m. free Cafe 101, 101 South St - Open Mic (blues/poetry) 7 p.m. $5, 601353-0434 Final Destination - Open Mic

venuelist Wednesday, February 17th Freelon’s Bar And Groove 440 N. Mill St., Jackson, 601-353-5357 (hip-hop) Fusion Coffeehouse Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601-856-6001 Garfield’s Restaurant & Pub 6340 Ridgewood Court, Jackson, 601-977-9920 Gold Strike Casino 1010 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, 888-245-7529 Grand Casino Biloxi 280 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, 228-436-2946 Grand Casino Tunica 13615 Old Highway 61 North, Robinsonville, 800-39-GRAND The Green Room 444 Bounds St., Jackson, 601-713-3444 Ground Zero Blues Club 0 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, 662-621-9009 Grownfolks’s Lounge 4030 Medgar Evers Blvd, Jackson, 601-362-6008 Hal & Mal’s 200 S. Commerce St., Jackson, 601-948-0888 (pop/rock/blues) Hamp’s Place 3028 W. Northside Dr., Jackson, 601-981-4110 (dance/dj) Hard Rock Biloxi 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 228-374-ROCK Hat & Cane 1115 E. McDowell Rd., Jackson, 601-352-0411 Hauté Pig 1856 Main St., Madison, 601853-8538 Here We Go Again 3002 Terry Road, Jackson, 601-373-1520 The Hill Restaurant 2555 Valley St., Jackson, 601-373-7768 Horizon Casino Mulberry Lounge 1310 Mulberry St., Vicksburg, 800-843-2343 Horseshoe Bar 5049 Hwy 80 West, Jackson, 601-922-6191 Horseshoe Casino Tunica, 800-303-7463 The Hunt Club 1525 Ellis Ave., Jackson, 601-944-1150 Huntington Grille 1001 E. County Line Rd., Jackson, 601-957-1515 The Ice House 515 S. Railroad Blvd., McComb, 601-684-0285 (pop/rock) JC’s 425 North Mart Plaza, Jackson, 601-362-3108 James Meredith Lounge 217 Griffith St. 601-969-3222 Julep Restaurant and Bar 105 Highland Village, Jackson, 601-362-1411 Kathryn’s Steaks and Seafood 6800 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland. 601-956-2803 Koinonia Coffee House 136 S. Adam St., Suite C, Jackson, 601-960-3008 LaRae’s 210 Parcel Dr., Jackson, 601-944-0660 Last Call Sports Grill 1428 Old Square Road, Jackson, 601-713-2700 The Library Bar & Grill 120 S. 11th St., Oxford, 662-234-1411 The Loft 1306 A. Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-629-6188 The Lyric Oxford 1006 Van Buren Ave., Oxford. 662-234-5333 Main Event Sports Bar & Grill 4659 Hwy 80 West, Jackson, 601-922-9987 Manda’s Pub 614 Clay Street, Vicksburg, 601-638-6607 Martin’s Lounge 214 S. State St., Jackson, 601-354-9712 (rock/jam/blues) McB’s Restaurant 815 Lake Harbor Dr., Ridgeland, 601-956-8362 (pop/rock) Mellow Mushroom 275 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood, 601-992-7499 Mississippi Academy of Ancient Music 103 Magnolia, Edwards, 601-977-7736 Mississippi Coliseum 1207 Mississippi St., Jackson, 601-353-0603 Mississippi Opera P.O. Box 1551, Jackson, 877-MSOPERA, 601-960-2300 Mississippi Opry 2420 Old Brandon Rd., Brandon, 601-331-6672 Mississippi Symphony Orchestra 201 East Pascagoula St., Jackson, 800-898-5050 Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium 2531 N. State St., Jackson, 601-354-6021 Monte’s Steak and Seafood 1855 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, 601-362-8182 Mugshots 1855 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, 601-713-0383 North Jackson Pockets 109 Culley Dr., Jackson, 601- 362-4939 Okasions 1766 Ellis Avenue, Jackson, 601-373-4037 Old Venice Pizza Co. 1428 Old Square Rd., Jackson, 601-366-6872 Ole Tavern on George Street 416 George St., Jackson, 601-960-2700

Olga’s 4760 I-55 North, Jackson, 601-366-1366 (piano) One to One Studio 121 Millsaps Ave., in the Millsaps Arts District, Jackson One Blue Wall 2906 N State St., Jackson, 601-713-1224 Peaches Restaurant 327 N. Farish St., Jackson, 601-354-9267 Pelican Cove 3999A Harborwalk Dr., Ridgeland, 601-605-1865 Pig Ear Saloon 160 Weisenberger Rd., Gluckstadt, 601-898-8090 Pig Willies 1416 Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-634-6872 Pool Hall 3716 I-55 North Frontage Rd., Jackson, 601-713-2708 Pop’s Saloon 2636 Gallatin St., Jackson, 601-961-4747 (country) Proud Larry’s 211 S. Lamar Blvd., Oxford, 662-236-0050 The Pub Hwy. 51, Ridgeland, 601-898-2225 The Quarter Bistro & Piano Bar 1855 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, 601-362-4900 Que Sera Sera 2801 N. State St., Jackson, 601-981-2520 Red Room 200 S. Commerce St., Jackson (Hal & Mal’s), 601-948-0888 (rock/alt.)

Reed Pierce’s 6791 Siwell Rd., Byram, 601-376-0777, 601-376-4677 Regency Hotel Restaurant & Bar 420 Greymont Ave., Jackson, 601-969-2141 Rick’s Cafe 318 Hwy 82 East, #B, Starkville, 662-324-7425 RJ Barrel 111 N. Union 601-667-3518 Sal and Mookie’s 565 Taylor St. 601368-1919 Sam’s Lounge 5035 I-55 N. Frontage Rd., Jackson, 601-983-2526 Sam’s Town Casino 1477 Casino Strip Blvd., Robinsonville, 800-456-0711 Schimmel’s Fine Dining 2615 N. State St., Jackson, 601-981-7077 Scrooge’s 5829 Ridgewood Rd., Jackson, 601-206-1211 Shuckers on the Reservoir 116 Conestoga Rd., Ridgeland, 601-853-0105 Silver Star Casino Hwy. 16 West, Choctaw, 800-557-0711 Soop’s The Ultimate 1205 Country Club Dr., Jackson, 601-922-1402 (blues) Soulshine Pizza 1139 Old Fannin Rd., Brandon, 601-919-2000 Soulshine Pizza 1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601-856-8646 Sportsman’s Lodge 1220 E. Northside Dr. at I-55, Jackson, 601-366-5441 Steam Room Grille 5402 Interstate-55 Frontage Road. 601-899-8588 Stone Pony Oyster Bar 116 Commercial Parkway, Canton, 601-859-0801 Super Chikan’s Place 235 Yazoo Ave., Clarksdale, 662-627-7008 Thalia Mara Hall 255 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson, 601-960-1535 Thirsty Hippo 211 Main St., Hattiesburg, 601-583-9188 (indie/alt.rock/jam/world) Time Out Sports Bar 6270 Old Canton Rd., 601-978-1839 Touch Night Club 105 E. Capitol St., Jackson, 601-969-1110 Two Rivers Restaurant 1537 W. Peace St., Canton, 601-859-9979 (blues) Two Sisters Kitchen 707 N. Congress St. 601-353-1180 Two Stick 1107 Jackson Ave., Oxford, 662-236-6639 Tye’s 120 N. Congress St., Jackson, 601949-3434 Under the Boardwalk 2560 Terry Rd., Jackson, 601-371-7332 (country/ classic rock) Underground 119 119 S. President St. 601352-2322 VB’s Premier Sports Bar 1060 County Line Rd., Ridgland, 601-572-3989 VFW Post 9832 4610 Sunray Drive, Jackson, 601-982-9925 Vicksburg Convention Center 1600 Mulberry Street, Vicksburg, 866-822-6338 Walker’s Drive-In 3016 N. State St., Jackson, 601-982-2633 (jazz/pop/folk) The Warehouse 9347 Hwy 18 West, Jackson, 601-502-8580 (pop/rock) Wired Expresso Cafe 115 N. State St. 601-500-7800

Ladies’ Night w/ Snazz 8:30 pm - Guys’ Cover $5

BUY 1 GET 1 WELLS Thursday, February 18th

Bike Night w/ Krazy Karaoke

Weekly Lunch Specials

7:00 pm - No Cover

$2 MARGARITAS! Friday & Saturday, February 19th & 20th

Parking now on side of building

Open for dinner Sat. 4-10pm thursday FEBRUARY 18 SIDESWIPED 8:30 pm - $5 cover Exquisite Dining at

The Rio Grande Restaurant

LADIES NIGHT with MR. NICK! LADIES DRINK FREE WELLS & PONIES 9PM-2AM

friday FEBRUARY 19

Dova Grove w/ The Peoples

400 Greymont Ave., Jackson 601-969-2141 www.regencyjackson.com

- LODG EFES T CRAWF ISH BOIL

MARCH 6 - PARKING LOT PARTY lunch specials $7.95 - includes tea & dessert

Smoke-free lunch

weekdays 11am-3pm

WED. LADIES NIGHT & KARAOKE

BEST SPORTS BAR -Best of Jackson 2010

THURS. $1.50 BEER (BUD, BUD LIGHT, BUD SELECT & ULTRA)

saturday FEBRUARY 20

WINSTON AUDIO w/ The Weeks & Death on Two Wheels tuesday FEBRUARY 23

FRI.

HE’S BACK!

CLAY CALDWELL 9:30PM - 1:30AM NO COVER CHARGE

COLLEGE NIGHT BRING STUDENT ID

SAT.

NCAA

BASKETBALL

MON. S.I.N. NIGHT TUES. JACKPOT TRIVIA

OPEN MIC with Cody Cox *DOLLAR BEER*

wednesday FEBRUARY 24

Kick Ass Karaoke WITH KJ JOOSY

$2 DOMESTICS

$3 SUNDAY, BLOODY MARYS & MIMOSAS ONLY THURSDAY 2-FOR-1 MONDAYS, $1.50 PINTS ON

FREE WiFi Open Mon-Sat, Kitchen open Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm & Sat 4-10 pm

jacksonfreepress.com

61 South - Rainbow Casino 1380 Warrenton Rd., Vicksburg, 800-503-3777 88 Keys 3645 Hwy. 80 W in Metrocenter, Jackson, 601-352-7342 930 Blues Cafe 930 N. Congress St., Jackson, 601-948-3344 Alamo Theatre 333 N. Farish St, Jackson, 601-352-3365 Alley Cats 165 W. Peace St., Canton, 601-855-2225 Alumni House Sports Grill 574 Hwy. 50, Ridgeland, 601-855-2225 America Legion Post 1 3900 W. Northside Dr., Jackson, 601-605-9903 Ameristar Casino, Bottleneck Blues Bar 4146 Washington St., Vicksburg, 800-700-7770 Beau Rivage Casino 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, 800-566-7469 Belhaven College Center for the Arts 835 Riverside Dr, Jackson, 601-968-5930 Bennie’s Boom Boom Room 142 Front St., Hattiesburg, 601-408-6040 Borrello’s 1306 Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-638-0169 Buffalo Wild Wings 808 Lake Harbour Dr., Ridgeland, 601-856-0789 Capri-Pix Theatre 3021 N. State St., Jackson, 601-981-9606 Castaways 135 Madison Landing Circle, Ridgeland, 601-856-1680 (pop/rock) Central City Complex 609 Woodrow Wilson Dr., Jackson, 601-352-9075 Cerami’s 5417 Highway 25, Flowood, 601-919-2829 Char Restaurant 4500 I-55, Highland Village, Jackson, 601-956-9562 Cherokee Inn 1410 Old Square Rd., Jackson, 601-362-6388 Club 43 Hwy 43, Canton, 601-654-3419, 601-859-0512 Club City Lights 200 N. Mill St., Jackson, 601-353-0059 Club O’Hara 364 Monticello St., Hazlehurst, 601-894-5674 Club Total 342 N. Gallatin St., Jackson, 601-714-5992 The Commons Gallery 719 N. Congress St., 601-352-3399 Couples Entertainment Center 4511 Byrd Drive, Jackson, 601-923-9977 Crawdad Hole 1150 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, 601-982-9299 Crickett’s Lounge 4370 Hwy 80 West, Jackson, 601-922-0500 Crossroads Bar & Lounge 3040 Livingston Rd., Jackson, 601-984-3755 (blues) Cultural Expressions 147 Millsaps Ave., Jackson, 601-665-0815 (neosoul/hip-hop) Cups in Fondren 2757 Old Canton Road, Jackson, 601-362-7422 (acoustic/pop) Cups in the Quarter 1855 Lakeland Dr., Jackson, 601-981-9088 Davidson’s Corner Market 108 W. Center St., Canton, 601-855-2268 (pop/rock) Debo’s 180 Raymond Road, Jackson, 601-346-8283 Diamond Jack’s Casino 3990 Washington Street, Vicksburg, 1-877-711-0677 Dick & Jane’s 206 Capitol St., Jackson, 601-944-0123 (dance/alternative) Dixie Diamond 1306 Washington Street, Vicksburg, 601-638-6297 Dollar Bills Dance Saloon 103 A Street, Meridian, 601-693-5300 Edison Walthall Hotel 225 E. Capitol St., Jackson, 601-948-6161 Electric Cowboy 6107 Ridgewood Rd., Jackson, 601-899-5333 (country/ rock/dance) Executive Place 2440 Bailey Ave., Jackson, 601-987-4014 F. Jones Corner 303 N. Farish St. 601983-1148 Fenian’s 901 E. Fortification Street, Jackson, 601-948-0055 (rock/Irish/folk) Fire 209 Commerce St., Jackson, 601592-1000 (rock/dance/dj) Final Destination 5428 Robinson Rd. Ext., Jackson, (pop/rock/blues) Fitzgerald’s Martini Bar 1001 E. County Line Road, Jackson, 601-957-2800 Flood’s Bar and Grill 2460 Bailey Ave., Jackson, 601-713-4094 Footloose Bar and Grill 4661 Hwy 80 West, Jackson, 601-922-9944

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dining

by Amanda Kittrell AMANDA KITTRELL

We Do It All!

Nice and Slow

T

TWO FREE DRAFT BEER MUGS When you buy any menu item over $8 after 8pm every Fri. and Sat.

Watch all games for the NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN Game Plan, and the NFL Channel here!

Hot Lunches and Dinners, Catering, Meals-To-Go, Rent-A-Chef, Gourmet Foods

14 TVs - 1 projector screen - 2 big screens

Daily Lunch Specials - $9 Happy Hour Hour Everyday Everyday 4-7 4-7 Happy LIVE MUSIC Every Tues. thru Sat. LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR Sun. thru Thurs. 10pm - 12am Two-for-One, YOU CALL IT! “BADGE SPECIAL” Military, Fire, Police, & Emergency Personnel 2-for-1 drinks all day, everyday!

For catering, 601-978-7878 5050 I-55 N Jackson, MS www.foodiesjackson.com

601.978.1839 6270 Old Canton Rd. Jackson, MS 39211

Come see Why We Were Voted One Of Jackson’s Best Mediterranean Restaurants

hat’s it; I’ve had it. Today is not the day.

I’ve been tied up in staff meetings all day. I attempted to leave five minutes early before all the other worker drones clocked out and got caught up in a seemingly endless conversation. I merged onto the interstate and almost got mowed-down by a dump truck. I stepped in a giant puddle exiting my car. I approached the house wondering what shredded-paper wonderland my terriers have left for me in rebellion for leaving them.

I turn the knob and hold my breath.

I am greeted by the warm, comforting smell of something fine cooking.

My poor misunderstood slow cooker; no one gives it a fair rap. Oh, but if moderns only knew of the culinary wonders that awaits them, that would surely turn some heads. So why are you so easily brushed off?

One speculation is fear. Many of us remember the slow cookers of our youth, tucked snugly away in our great-aunt’s kitchen corner, gathering dust; just another massive stew pot that took up way too much counter space.

Today’s slow cookers are bright and shiny apparatuses, most with digital timers, that come in every fashionable color imaginable.

There are more than a few books on slow cooking today, and you can make just about anything in them with a little preparation— from breakfasts, to side dishes and entrees and even desserts.

Below are some helpful tips on caring for your slow cooker and two recipes sure to help you breathe easier at the end of a hectic day.

PORK CHOPS WITH STUFFING Serves 6-8 people Mediterranean & Lebanese Cuisine

Lunch starting at just $6 .99

February 18 - 24, 2010

Hours of Operation: Everyday 11am-until

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Best Butts In Town! since 1980

601-956-7079

1491 Canton Mart Rd. • Jackson

8 pork loin chops, 1/2-inch thick or smaller 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 6-ounce package of herbed stuffing 1 cup dried cranberries 1 cup walnuts 1 large Red Delicious apple, peeled, cored and diced 1/4 cup dried minced onions, re-hydrated with 1/4 cup water 1 cup chicken broth 4 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Pre-heat the oil in a skillet over high heat until shimmering, then brown the pork chops on both sides.

Remove from heat and set aside.

In a separate bowl, combine all other ingredients and mix thoroughly.

In your slow cooker, place half of the stuffing mixture in the bottom and smooth it out. Place the browned pork chops on top, and cover with the remaining stuffing mixture.

Cover, and cook on high for three to four hours, or until inserted fork goes easily through the meat.

Serve with green beans almandine.

Caring for Your Slow Cooker Never add cold water to a heated slow cooker. Doing so will result in cracking the insert (possibly shattering it), and the clayware will have to be replaced (in addition to ruining your meal).

If at all possible, use slow cooker liners, making clean up quick. Purchase liners from any major retailer; find them by the tin foil and sandwich bags.

If you choose to forego the liner, soak only the clayware insert in warm soapy water until leftover food particles dislodge. Do not submerge the entire unit or use harsh abrasives to scrape the insert.

SAVORY CHICKENWITH ROOT VEGETABLES Serves 4-6 people 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon each of the following: black pepper, dry sage, parsley flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cumin 4 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided 1 small yellow onion, diced 3 ribs celery, chopped 1 clove elephant garlic, minced 1 chicken, no more than 5 pounds, giblets removed

Mix salt and seasonings together in bowl and set aside.

Melt two tablespoons butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions, celery, garlic and two tablespoons of seasoning mixture. Turn heat to low and sweat vegetables, making sure not to caramelize them.

In another bowl, mix the remaining two tablespoons of butter with two tablespoons of the seasoning mixture.

Rinse and thoroughly pat-dry chicken. Separate the chicken skin from the top of the breast and place one tablespoon of buttered seasoning on each side, making sure to massage into the meat. Fold skin back down.

Once simmering vegetables are tender and fragrant, remove from heat and allow them to cool to the touch.

Pour directly into the chicken’s cavity.

Situate chicken centrally in slow cooker and cover.

Cook on low for at least six hours.

Chicken will be ready when juices run clear.

Telephone:

601-665-4952

Paid advertising advertising section. section. Call Call 601-362-6121 601-362-6121 x11 x1 totolist Paid listyour yourrestaurant.r restaurant.r

For the sizzling taste of real hickory smoke barbeque -

Petra Cafe (104 West Leake Street, Clinton 601-925-0016) Enjoy Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine in the charm of Olde Towne Clinton. Stuffed grape leaves, spinach pie, shrimp kabobs, greek salads, hummus and more. Lunch and dinner served seven days a week.

ASIAN OEC (Ridgeland 601-853-4188 and Madison 601-853-8288) Dine in or take out Japanese-style hibachi orders, friend rice, salads or sushi. Hibachi options range from veggies to jumbo shrimp. And it ain’t Japanese in Mississippi without the crawfish roll, right?

Tokyo Express (5050 I-55N 601-957-1558 and 900 E County Line 601-899-8838) Lunch or dinner hibachi orders (chicken, shrimp, steak, scallops) and cooked sushi rolls (snow crab, philly, crawfish, dynamite, titanic) along with fried rice and appetizer.

THIS IS THE PLACE! B.B.Q., Blues, Beer, Beef & Pork Ribs Saturday & Friday Night Blues Band Coming Soon!

Lunch & Dinner Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11a.m. to 8p.m.

Friday & Saturday 11a.m. to 10p.m.

932 Lynch Street in Jackson (Across from the JSU Baseball Field)

Italian Done Right.

Remember you can buy our lasagna by the pan!

910 Lake Harbour Dr. Ridgeland | 601-956-2929 Monday - Saturday | 5 - until

STIX (109 Marketplace Lane off Lakeland Dr Flowood 601-420-4058) Enjoy the quick-handed, knife-wielding chefs at the flaming teppanyaki grill; artful presentations of sushi; the pungent seasonings and spicy flavors of regional Chinese cuisines.

Nagoya (6351 I-55 North #131 @ Target Shopping Ctr. 601-977-8881) Nagoya gets high marks for its delicious-and-affordable sushi offerings, tasty lunch specials and high-flying hibachi room with satisfying flavors for the whole family.

Ichiban (153 Ridge Drive, Ste 105F 601-919-0097 & 359 Ridgeway 601-919-8879) Voted “Best Chinese” in 2010, cuisine styles at Ichiban actually range from Chinese to Japanese, including hibachi, sushi made fresh with seafood from the Coast, and a crowd-pleasing all-youcan-eat buffet. Two locations in Flowood, Grill at 153 Ridge and Buffet at 359 Ridgeway.

COFFEE HOUSES Cups Espresso Café (Multiple Locations, www.cupsespressocafe.com) Jackson’s local chain of coffeehouses offer high-end Arabica beans, a wide variety of espresso drinks, fresh brewed coffee and a selection of pastries and baked goods. Free wi-fi!

Wired Espresso Café (115 N State St 601-500-7800) This downtown coffeehouse across from the Old Capitol focuses on being a true gathering place, featuring great coffee and a selection of breakfast, lunch and pastry items. Free wi-fi.

LUNCH: MON.-FRI., 10AM-2PM See Us Come kfast! a e r For B

7AM -10AM

“Best Take Out” winner Best of Jackson 2010

168 W. Griffith St. • Sterling Towers Across from MC School of Law

601-352-2364 • Fax: 601-352-2365 Hours: Monday - Friday 7am - 4pm

BAKERY Broad Street (4465 Interstate 55 N. 601-362-2900) Hot breakfast, coffee espresso drinks, fresh breads and pastries, gourmet deli sandwiches, quiches, soups, pizzas, pastas and dessert. A “see and be seen” Jackson institution!

Crazy Cat Bakers (Highland Village Suite #173 601-362-7448 & Fondren Corner Bldg) The amazing lunch sandwiches include: Meatloaf Panini, Mediterranean Vegetarian, Rotisserie Chicken to gourmet pimento cheese. The outlandish desserts are: to die for. Now open in the Fondren Corner Building on North State Street.

ITALIAN

Serving: H OT P ASTA D ISHE G RILLED F ISH P ANINI S ANDWICH

En

from the Belhaven bakery

Basilʼs Belhaven (904 E. Fortification, Jackson, 601-352-2002) The signature Paninis are complimented by great Italian offerings such as spaghetti and meatball, tomato basil soup, cookies and cupcakes. Dinner menu includes fresh tilapia, shrimp and risotto, seafood pasta, generous salads—and don’t forget the crab cakes. Party menu includes a “panini pie.” BYOB.

Mon. - Thurs., 11am - 8:30pm | Fri. & Sat. 11am - 9pm 904B E. Fortification St. - English Village

Call Us: 601-352-2002

BRAVO! (4500 Interstate 55 N., Jackson, 601-982-8111) Wood-fired pizzas, vegetarian fare, plus creative pastas, beef, and seafood specials. Wonderful atmosphere and service. Voted Best Wine Selection and Best Chef in 2009, Bravo! walks away with tons of awards every year.

Ceramiʼs (5417 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-919-28298) Southern-style Italian cuisine features their signature Shrimp Cerami (white wine sauce, capers artichokes) along with veal, tilapia, crawfish, chicken and pasta dishes. Now with liquor license!

“Authentic, homey, unpretentious” that’s how the regulars describe Fratesi’s, a staple in Jackson for years, offering great Italian favorites with loving care. The tiramisu is a must-have!

BARBEQUE

2003-2010, Best of Jackson

Hickory Pit Barbeque (1491 Canton Mart Rd. 601-956-7079) The “Best Butts in Town” features BBQ chicken, beef and pork sandwiches along with burgers and po’boys. Wet or dry pork ribs, chopped pork or beef, and all the sides.

DINE LOCAL, see pg. 34

707 N. Congress Street Downtown Jackson • (601) 353-1180 Open 11am-2pm, Sunday thru Friday

jacksonfreepress.com

Fratesiʼs (910 Lake Harbour, Ridgeland, 601-956-2929)

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Paid advertising section.

Lumpkins BBQ (182 Raymond Rd. Jackson 866-906-0942) s

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BAKERS Now with TWO locations to better serve you

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still need help paying off our student loans

Rib Shack B.B.Q. & Seafood (932 J.R. Lynch Street, Jackson, 601-665-4952) Hickory-smoked BBQ beef or pork ribs, BBQ chicken, giant chopped BBQ beef or pork sandwiches. Fried catfish, pan trout, fried shrimp, po boys. Tues-Thurs (11-8pm) Fri-Sat (11-10pm).

BARS, PUBS & BURGERS

(

NEW! FONDREN CORNER | 11AM - 2PM HIGHLAND VILLAGE | 10AM - 6PM 601.362.7448 • CRAZYCATBAKERS.COM

THANK YOU FOR THE BEST OF JACKSON AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Home-Cooking T BUFFE- Friday

$8 Monday & only $10 Sunday

“HOME OF THE BEST BRISKET IN JACKSON” HOURS: Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm 182 Raymond Rd. | Jackson, MS 39204 Telephone: 601-373-7707 lumpkinsbbq@comcast.net

Express Tokyo Fresh • Sushi • Fast

Sushi & Habchi

DAILY HAPPY HOUR 2-5 Free beverage with the $5 purchase DINE IN OR CARRY OUT

“Now Dats Italian”

5050 I55 N Ste. D Jackson (Located in Deville Plaza) PHONE 601.957.1558 FAX 601.957.1368

Specializing in smoked barbeque, Lumpkin’s offers all your favorites for on-site family dining or for catered events, including reunions, office events, annivesaries, weddings and more.

A metro-area tradition since 1977 Dinner Hours: Lunch Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm

Tues-Thurs 5pm-9pm Fri & Sat 5pm-10pm

601-919-2829 5417 Lakeland Drive ~ Flowood, MS 39232

Alumni House (574 Hwy 51 Ridgeland 601-605-9903, 110 Bass Pro, Pearl, 601-896-0253) Good bar food, big portions and burgers (with “blackened” as an option) known for their sweet buns. Televisions throughout, even small tubes at your table. Po-boys, quesadillas; good stuff!

Fenianʼs Pub (901 E. Fortification St. 601-948-0055) Classic Irish pub featuring a menu of traditional food, pub sandwiches and beers including Guinness and Harp on tap. Free live music most nights; Irish/Celtic bands on Thursdays.

Cool Alʼs (4654 McWillie, 601-713-3020) A standard in Best of Jackson, Al’s stacked, messy, decadent, creative burgers defy adjectives.

Or try pineapple chicken, smoked sausage...or the nationally recognized veggie burger.

Fitzgeralds at the Hilton (1001 East County Line Road, 601-957-2800) Bar favorites with a Gulf Coast twist like Gumbo Ya Ya, Shrimp Cocktail and Pelahatchie artisan sausage and cheese antipasto. Plus grilled oysters, tournedos of beef, chicken pontabla and of course the fried stuff—oysters, catfish, shrimp, seafood or chicken. Did we mention the bar?

Hal and Malʼs (200 S. Commerce St. 601-948-0888) Pub favorites meet Gulf Coast and Cajun specialties like red beans and rice, the Oyster Platter or each day’s blackboard special. Repeat winner of Best of Jackson’s “Best Place for Live Music.”

Last Call (3716 I-55 N. Frontage Road 601-713-2700) Burgers, sandwiches and po-boys, plus sports-bar appetizers and specialities. Try chili cheese fries, chicken nachos or the shrimp & pork eggrolls. Pay-per-view sporting events, live bands.

Martinʼs Restaurant and Lounge (214 South State Street 601-354-9712) Lunch specials, pub appetizers (jalapeno poppers, cheezsticks, fried pickles) or order from the full menu of po-boys and entrees. Full bar, massive beer selection and live music most nights.

Ole Tavern (416 George St. 601-960-2700) Pub food with a southern flair: beer-battered union rings, chicken & sausage gumbo, salads, sandwiches and weekly lunch specials. Plus, happy hour 4-7pm Monday through Friday.

Shuckerʼs Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland 601-853-0105) Serious about oysters? Try ‘em on the half shell, deep-fried, charred from the oven or baked in champagne. Plus po-boys, pub favorites, burgers, mufalettas, pizza, seafood and steaks!

Sportsmanʼs Lodge (1120 E Northside Dr in Maywood Mart 601-366-5441) Voted Best Sports Bar, Sportman’s doesn’t disappoint with plenty of gut-pleasing sandwiches, and fried seafood baskets. Try the award-winning wings in Buffalo, Thai or Jerk sauces!

The Regency (400 Greymont Ave. 601-969-2141) Reasonably priced buffet Monday through Friday featuring all your favorites. Daily happy hour, live bands and regular specials.

Time Out Sports Café (6720 Old Canton Road 601-978-1839) 14 TVs, 1 projector and two big-screens. Daily $9 lunch specials, pub-style appetizers, burgers, seafood and catfish po-boys, salads, and hot entrees including fish, steak and pasta.

Pelican Cove Grill (3999A Harbor Walk Drive 601-605-1865) Great rez view! Shrimp and seafood appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches, plus po-boys, catfish baskets, and dinners from the grill including mahi-mahi and reggae ribs.

Underground 119 (119 South President St. 601-352-2322) Jumbo lump crabcakes, crab quesadillas, beef tenderloin parfaits, orange-garlic shrimp, even “lollipop” lamb chops. Add a full bar and mix in great music. Opens 4 p.m.-until, Wed-Sat.

February 18 - 24, 2010

SOUTHERN CUISINE

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The Auditorium (622 Duling Ave. 601-982-0002) Sweet Potato Crawfish Cakes, shrimp & grits, fried green tomatos, creole seafood pasta, catfish, shrimp and combo platters, Mississippi cavier salad, babyback ribs with sweet potato fries and cole slaw. Even a veggie plate! Full bar, movie nights and music on the Peavey Stage.

Julep (1305 East Northside Drive, Highland Village, 601-362-1411) Tons of Best of Jackson awards, delicious Southern fusion dishes like award-winning fried chicken, shrimp and grits, blackened tuna and butter bean hummus. Brunch, lunch, dinner and late night.

Primos Cafe (515 Lake Harbour 601-898-3400 and 2323 Lakeland 601-936-3398) A Jackson institution featuring a full breakfast (with grits and biscuits), blue plate specials, catfish, burgers, prime rib, oysters, po-boys and wraps. Save room for something from the bakery.

Sunioraʼs Sidewalk Cafe (200 South Lamar Street 601-355-1955) Homecooking, soul food, buffet and pizza for lunch in downtown Jackson. Soup and salad bar every day, plus daily lunch specials. “Mama’s in the kitchen!” Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm.

Paid advertising section.

Sugarʼs Place (168 W Griffith St 601-352-2364) Hot breakfast and weekday lunch: catfish, pantrout, fried chicken wings, blue plates, red beans & rice, pork chops, chicken & dumplings, burgers, po-boys...does your grandma cook like this?

The Strawberry Café (107 Depot Drive, Madison, 601-856-3822) Full table service, lunch and dinner. Crab and crawfish appetizers, salads, fresh seafood, pastas, “surf and turf” and more. Veggie options. Desserts include cheesecake, Madison Mud and strawberry shortcake from scratch!

Two Sisters Kitchen (707 N. Congress St. 601-353-1180) Best of Jackson winner for fried chicken (year after year after year) offers a sumptious buffet of your choice of 6-8 veggies, a salad bar, iced tea & one of three homemade desserts. Lunch only.

M-F 11-2, Sun. 10:30-2.

FINE DINING Huntington Grille at the Hilton (1001 East County Line Road 601--957-1515) Chef Luis Bruno offers fresh Gulf seafood, unique game dishes and succulent steaks alongside an expansive wine selection; multiple honors from Best of Jackson, Wine Specator and others.

Schimmelʼs (2615 N. State St. 601-981-7077) Creative southern fusion dishes at attractive prices make the atmosphere that mush more enticing. New appetizer menu, “Martini Night Football” and others bar specials for football season!

Steam Room Grille (5402 I-55 North 601--899-8588) Great seafood featuring steamed lobster, crab, shrimp and combo patters. Grilled specialities include shrimp, steaks, and kabobs. Fresh fish fried seafood, lunch menu, catering, live music.

MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive 601-366-6033) Distinct, casual elegant dining. Delicious authentic dishes, made from scratch, including lamb dishes, hummus, falafel, kababs, shwarma and much more. Consistent award winner, great for takeout or for long evenings with friends.

Jerusalem Café (2741 Old Canton Road 601-321-8797) Yes, it’s a hookah bar in Jackson, which also happens to have a great Meditterean menu, including falafel, lamb shank, feta salad, kabob, spinach pie, grape leaves and baba ghanouj.

PIZZA The Pizza Shack (1220 N State St. 601-352-2001) 2009’s winner of Best Pizza offers the perfect pizza-and-a-beer joint. Creative pizza options abound (“Cajun Joe, anyone?”), along with sandwiches, wings, salads and even BBQ. Sal & Mookieʼs (565 Taylor St. 601-368-1919) Pizzas of all kinds plus pasta, eggplant parmesan and the local favorite: fried ravioli. Voted Best Chef, Best Kid’s Menu and Best Ice Cream in the 2009 Best of Jackson reader poll.

CARRIBBEAN Taste of the Island (436 E. Capitol, Downtown, 601-360-5900) Jerk chicken or ribs, curry chicken or shrimp, oxtails, snapper or goat, plus bok choy, steamed cabbage and Jamaican Greens, Carry out, counter seating or delivery available. 11a-7p.

VEGETARIAN High Noon Café (2807 Old Canton Road in Rainbow Plaza 601-366-1513) Fresh, gourmet, tasty and healthy defines the lunch and brunch options at Jackson’s vegetarian (and vegan-friendly) restaurant. Wonderful desserts!

Reflections on the Old Thoughts on the New

free wireless internet Photo courtesy of a proud mom

jacksonfreepress.com

Thank you for entering our doors over the past year

35

corkscrew Hours: 11 AM Until - 7 days a week 116 Conestoga Rd, Ridgeland, MS

601-853-0105 W W W. S H U C K E R S R E Z . C O M

$8.99

FEBRUARY 18TH THURSDAY 7:30PM - 11:30 NO COVER––– WELCH MCCANN

NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS!

FEBRUARY 19TH FRIDAY

HUNTER GIBSON & 8PM – 1AM $5 COVER–––––– THE GATORS

Dinner Entrees Served All Day!

FEBRUARY 20TH SATURDAY 3PM – 7PM NO COVER ––––– MIKE & MARTY 8PM – 1AM $5 COVER ––––– GIBSON & GATORS

Beef Boxty- $10.99

FEBRUARY 21ST SUNDAY

Tender beef stuffed potato pancake

3PM – 7PM NO COVER ––––– JON & AMANDA

FEBRUARY 23RD TUESDAY

Irish Stew- $8.49

7:30PM – 11:30PM NO COVER THE EXTREMEZ

Traditional lamb stew

FEBRUARY 24TH WEDNESDAY 7:30PM – 11:30PM NO COVER DOUBLESHOTZ

Shepherd’s Pie$9.99

Better than Mom’s

Brian Jones (Acoustic Rock)

Jim Flanagan

6 PM – 10 PM / NO COVER

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 17

FRIDAY 2/19

K AR AOKE WITH CORY DR AKE 9:00 P.M.

FRIDAY 2/19

(Rock)

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18

SATURDAY 2/20

L ARRY BREWER 7:30 P.M. AND EDDIE COTTON ! 9:18 P.M.

3 Hail Mary Jane

Bofus

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 19

Brunch 11am-3pm

VIRGIL BR AWLE Y 7:30 P.M. AND EDDIE COTTON ! 9:18 P.M.

Ceili 2-5pm JOHN SPILLANE CONCERT 4-9pm

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 SHAUN PATTERSON 7:30 P.M. AND EDDIE COTTON ! 9:18 P.M.

$15 Cover MONDAY 2/22

Karaoke w/ Matt

HAPPY HOUR

TUESDAY 2/23

MONDAY – FRIDAY NOON – 7 PM

Open Mic w/ Seth Libbey

5PM – 10 PM / $$$

RIBEYE STEAK DINNER WEDNESDAY 2/24 6 PM – 10 PM / NO COVER

(Acoustic Rock) SUNDAY 2/21

February 18 - 24, 2010

WEDNESDAY 2/17

THIS WEEK,S LINE UP

KOKOMO JOE’S KARAOKE CONTEST

(Irish Folk)

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7:30PM – 11:30PM NO COVER RYTHMN MASTERS

Pelican Cove Grill

WEDNESDAY 2/17

THURSDAY 2/18

FEBRUARY 25TH THURSDAY

4800 I-55 N, SUITE 32 JACKSON 601-981-1333

2 for 1 Domestics & Wells 622 Duling Ave. Jackson, MS

601-982-0002

KOKOMO JOE’S KARAOKE CONTEST

KARAOKE CONTEST WEDNESDAYS 6-10PM **CASH PRIZES**

NEW MENU!

Remember: CRAWFISH coming in March!

Ribeye Steak Special Friday Nights 5pm to 10pm

PELICAN COVE GRILL 3999A HARBORWALK DRIVE RIDGELAND, MS. 39157 601-605-1865

BY MATT JONES

ISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Historians trace the origin of Poland as a nation to the year 966. It mostly thrived for hundreds of years, but was extinguished in 1795, when three imperialistic invaders—Russia, Prussia and Austria—claimed different parts of it as their own.

Throughout the 19th century, when there was no Poland, the Poles fought to restore self-rule. Their dream came true on November 11, 1918, when Poland once again became an independent nation. I regard the phase you’re now in, Pisces, as having certain similarities to the state of the Polish people in October 1918.

Congratulations in advance for the imminent return of your sovereignty.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

I personally don’t believe we’re living in the worst of times, although I know many people who do. While there are indeed reasons to despair, our current state of affairs is actually in many ways quite glorious.

And our struggles are puny compared to those of the generation that lived through the two World Wars and the Great Depression. Having said that, I think it’s fine to believe that civilization is in a terrible mess if it motivates you to shed all your trivial distractions and inessential wishes so as to dedicate yourself to living an exciting, generous life that’s rich with love and meaning. Now is a prime time for you, Aries, to dedicate yourself to such a path.

I need a break from watching you work your psyche to the bone. At least for now, I’m not willing to indulge you in your inclination to do your duty so exhaustively that you suffer. And as much as I admire your drive to get things perfect, I cannot in good conscience encourage you to do that, either. It is therefore with a sense of relief that I counsel you to take at least a week off from the behavior I described. Instead, try playful, messy experiments that are in service to your own needs. Be a freewheeling explorer, a wandering improviser.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Throughout 2010, you’re most likely to be consistently in the right place at the right time if you cultivate an amused skepticism toward what’s in vogue. In fact, I suspect that only one trend will be of any use to you at all. You heard me correctly, Taurus: Of all the fashionable obsessions that may tempt you, just one will be in sweet alignment with your authentic needs. And guess what? Right now happens to be the perfect moment to get hooked up with it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) When I was lead vocalist in the band Tao Chemical, I sang a tune whose chorus went as follows: “I want the truth / the whole truth / nothing but the truth / I want the truth / Don’t beat around the bush.” Shortly after we started performing the song, my girlfriend broke up with me. And she felt free—given what I proclaimed in those lyrics—to share with me every excruciating detail about her new relationship. It was painful and I felt tempted to forswear the song and never utter those brave words again. But I was ultimately glad I didn’t weaken. To this day, I prefer knowing the full facts. Now I’m recommending to you, Gemini, that you pledge yourself to the same intention in the coming weeks. It should be much easier for you than it initially was for me. Most of the truths rushing in will be interesting and enlivening, with just a little angst mixed in.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) “Jane Austen was the spinster daughter of a clergyman who led an uneventful life,” wrote Geoffrey Wheatcroft in The Guardian. “She just happened to write half a dozen flawless masterpieces, which came perfectly formed, not from experience but from imagination.”

Most of us don’t have anything close to the inconceivably potent imagination that Austen possessed. But I believe 2010 will be a year when you can access at least a portion of that wondrous capacity. You’ll be able to fantasize about vast possibilities in exquisite detail. You will have great skill at smashing your way free of limiting expectations through the power of your expansive vision. And the coming weeks will be a time when it should all kick into high gear.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) “Whatever gets in the way of the work,” wrote poet Jason Shinder, “is the work.” His counsel will serve as a good reminder for you if you meet with obstacles in the coming days. If you ever catch yourself thinking, “Damn! I’d be making such good progress if it weren’t for these inconvenient complications,” consider the possibility that the inconvenient complications aren’t distractions, but rather crucial clues; they’re not pains in the assets, but medicinal prods that point the way to the “real” opportunities.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Have you ever watched the TV show “The Office”? If so, you may remember when Darryl from the warehouse was going out with customer service rep Kelly. “You need to access your uncrazy side,” he told her at a turning point in their relationship. “Otherwise, maybe this thing has run its course.” I’d like to invite you to do the same, Scorpio: Tap into, draw up to the surface and abundantly express your uncrazy side. I predict that you will have a whole lot of fun if you do, thereby proving that you don’t need to be marinating in chaos and torment in order to experience high adventure.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) The game you’ve been enmeshed in has reached a sticking point, or soon will. I recommend that you call for a suspension of action. If that’s not possible, hide from the other players for a while, or jokingly tell them you have to excuse yourself because it’s time for your regular bout of cleansing escapism. Then, during the break, scour your brain free of clutter so you can gain a more dispassionate view of your own strategy. I also suggest that you seek the advice of a smart and impartial observer. If all goes well, you’ll be able to return to the fray refreshed within ten days.

9 Prefix meaning “ear” 10 Present at birth 11 Typical do for young male anime characters 12 Notable times 13 Heady candy?

19 Quaking-in-one’s-boots feeling 21 Leary’s drug 24 “The Heart of Dixie” 25 Enemy territory study 26 “I Kissed a Girl” singer Perry 30 Low choral part 31 Schrute Farms vegetable 32 Base for some casseroles 33 Actor Bana 34 Sound of some whistles or whines 35 Certain lymphocyte 39 Lofty poems 40 Bob Marley classic 43 Chuck overboard 46 Just plain stupid 49 Cardio locale 51 “That’s too hard to believe...”

— this week: 2006-2007. 52 “Habanera” composer 53 FDR veep John ___ Garner 54 Tinker with 44 Big man on campus?

55 Laundry piles 45 Deck full of cups and wands 56 Giga- times 1000 47 Dull pain 58 Course figure 48 “Slippery” tree 59 End of many languages 49 Infantrymen, for short 60 “My Life in Ruins” actress 50 One of The Forbidden Planet’s Vardalos “Best of the Year” movies of 2006 61 Manning scores: abbr.

56 DVR brand introduced in 2000 57 “That’s freakin’ amazing!” ©2009 Jonesin’ Crosswords 58 Buzznet’s #1 choice of “Top 10 (editor@jonesincrosswords.com) Bearded Musicians of 2007” For answers to this puzzle, call: 162 ___ pedis (athlete’s foot) 900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute.

63 Lawn dart path Must be 18+. Or to bill to 64 Line to the audience your credit card, call: 1-800-65565 Open a toothpaste tube 6548. Reference puzzle #0448.

66 “Go team!” cheer 67 Beermaking need 68 Cheats before Christmas?

Last Week’s Answers

“Best of the Decade, Part 4” Across 1 San Francisco’s Fisherman’s ___ 6 Shore bird 11 Oktoberfest mo.

14 Boston-based New York Times correspondent Sara 15 “...___ man with seven wives...”

16 Pubescent start?

17 Heroic way to introduce oneself 18 His “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” was on Publishers Weekly’s Best Fiction of 2007 list 20 British “domestic goddess” Lawson 22 Torah repositories 23 Group whose album “St. Elsewhere” was #2 on Spin Magazine’s 40 Best Albums of 2006 27 Kid-___ (G-rated Blockbuster rentals) 28 Broadway actress Salonga 29 “Call me Ishmael” speaker 32 Tiny titter 35 Diplomat’s skill 36 NASCAR driver Earnhardt 37 Mentalist Geller 38 Rolling Stone’s pick for #1 song of 2007, by Jay-Z 41 Suffix for Wisconsin 42 Near

Down 1 Clear (out), as a sponge 2 Guys getting ___ the groin (usual funny YouTube fare) 3 Onetime Commodore computer 4 Put on ice 5 More like lace 6 Part of some Muslim women’s attire 7 Ostrich relative 8 “What EEZ IT, man?” yeller

BY MATT JONES

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Being scrupulously ethical can be taxing and time-consuming. It involves high levels of ongoing self-examination, which many people are too selfish and lazy to bother with. On the upside, pursuing a path with integrity ultimately reduces one’s suffering. It also attracts the kind of assistance that is most likely to aid and abet one’s quest for liberation. As a bonus, it makes it unlikely that one will be a cockroach in one’s next incarnation. I’m bringing this up, Capricorn, because I’m sensing that you’re about to be tempted to be less than your best self. Please don’t succumb.

Last Week’s Answers

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) “The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable,” said renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith. If that’s true, I’m doubling the damage to my dignity by using astrological analysis to make an economic forecast in this horoscope. But that’s OK. My job is to report the raw truth as I see it, not worry about my reputation or social status. And the raw truth as I see it is that you are more likely than all the other signs of the zodiac to prosper in 2010, even if the economy as a whole continues to limp along.

The next four weeks will be an ideal time to launch a master plan to take advantage of this potential.

Are you a candidate for pronoia, the idea that the universe is fundamentally friendly?

Check here: http://bit.ly/WhatisPronoia.

“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.

Only lowercase, unhyphenated words are allowed in kaidoku, so you wonít see anything like STOCKHOLM or LONGLOST in here (but you might see AFGHAN, since it has an uncapitalized meaning, too). Now stop wasting my precious time and SOLVE!!

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Of all the symbols in the world, the swastika is the most horrendous. As the logo for Hitler’s Nazi movement, it will forever smack of evil. But it didn’t used to be that way. In many cultures throughout history, from the Greeks to the Hindus to the Native Americans, the swastika was a representation of the sun’s path across the sky and was regarded as highly auspicious, even a good luck charm. Can you think of a more modest equivalent of this phenomenon in your own life, Leo? A formerly wonderful thing that got spoiled somewhere along the way? The coming weeks will be a good time to determine whether you could redeem and rehabilitate it.

37

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