Green GoldThe search for jade's source in the Americas took on the air of mystery when evidence of forgotten, ancient and highly sophisticated civilizations emerged from the equatorial jungles. Where did it come from?
Worst and Best Films of 20112011 was an incredibly fascinating year in cinema. America's two finest directors, Martin Scorsese and Stephen Spielberg, elevated children's cinema with efforts that far outshone Hollywood's apparent monopoly ruled by Pixar and Disney.
Poignant, Comic Gift"The Descendants" bubbles to the top of critic lists and Golden Globe nominations. The film goes against the current of behemoth blockbusters; it defies the prevailing philosophy of franchising prior successes, recycling and repackaging old stories under new names.
The Holiday PlaylistDefining when the holiday season begins gets more complicated every year. A growing number of retailers pull out the Christmas garlands and ornamentation around Halloween. Black Friday and cyberspace Monday overshadow the annual homage to pilgrims and turkey feasts. Not …
Documenting MississippiPhotographer Suzi Altman didn't glance back when she left New York City after years working for prestigious news outlets such as the Associated Press and Rolling Stone magazine. When she moved to Mississippi 12 years ago, the Delta made her …
Making a PlaceAuthor Lalita Tademy describes Mississippian Lynne Bryant's debut novel "Catfish Alley" (New American Library, 2011, $14) as being "In the tradition of 'The Help,'" by Kathryn Stockett. True, both Mississippi authors have white women as central characters and black women …
With Friends Like ThisWhen I read the subtitle of this book—"Blues Tourism and the Mississippi Delta"—I thought it looked to be a winner. A book that offers pointers on blues promotion is greatly needed.
Malcolm WhiteMalcolm White just won a top honor from the Mississippi Art Education Association for promoting visual arts in the state. White, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, received the Prism Award for supporting arts education programs.
‘We Eat Ham and Jam ... a Lot'Fans of the comedy classic film, "Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail," will appreciate the humor and re-imagined history of the Broadway hit "Spamalot." Fans of Broadway shows will enjoy the inside jokes and pokes at the …
Millsaps Brings in Literary CelebritiesEach semester, Millsaps College, with the help of assistant professor of English Steve Kistulentz, brings award-winning authors to campus for craft talks, lectures and public readings. Kistulentz curates the Millsaps Visiting Writers Series and is also an award-winning poet and …
Nostalgia as ArtA maker of wooden toys and a children's book illustrator team up for a new exhibit at the Mississippi Library Commission (3881 Eastwood Drive, 601-432-4111).
Wearing Art You LoveWearing art is becoming a mantra of sorts at circa. Urban Artisan Living (2771 Old Canton Road, 601-362-8484). The shop with the odd name often has trunk shows with designers, jewelers and craftsmen.
Inflated Sense of SelfWhen I first saw Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell's "The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement", I think I actually groaned.
Giving Miss EudoraIf you're a Mississippian, and you love great literature, you love Eudora Welty. So why not spread some Miss Eudora love to those on your holiday list?
'We're A Miracle'As a professional ballerina, Kathy Thibodeaux began to pray about her career and her future when she became a Christian in 1979. "Should I keep dancing? Do I give up dancing?" She wondered. At that point, she says, no one …