Three Houses DividedIt was as if State Rep. Charles Young, D-Meridian, had conjured it all up: this meeting, for the first time, of Mississippi's three houses of education: K-12, Community and Junior Colleges, and Universities. The day before this Feb. 19 meeting, …
[City Buzz] A Time to Speak<b>A TIME TO SPEAK:</b> Due to it being the 40th anniversary of Freedom Summer, 2004 seems to be the year of activism in the state of Mississippi. In fact, at a Feb. 24 press conference in the National Press Club …
Jobie MartinIn the library at Morrison Academic Advancement Center, where he substitute-teaches, Jobie Martin's delivery is as graceful, his timing as sharp, his voice as mellifluous as when he was hosting James Brown, Joe Louis and Mahalia Jackson in the 1970s, …
Gov. Barbour, Do More Than 'Hope'Read last issue's "No Deposit, No Return", the story that helped set off the education firestorm against the governor the week after it came out.
[Stauffer] Movin' On Up<i>Read about the JFP's exciting moves—from moving into new offices in Fondren to hiring a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter.</i>
[Stiggers] Denials Without ConfessionsNetwork affiliates, Other Brotha/Funkee Finger Productions present "Denials without Confessions," a fresh, exciting and controversial soap opera for this spring. Here is a rough promotion/synopsis of first episode: Supa producer, TV talk-show host, herbal Viagra distributor, root doctor and investigative …
[Ask JoAnne] Because I Said SoA. It's column time again, and I have not received any bona fide questions to answer lately. (It's not difficult, by the way, to have your questions qualify as bona fide.) But I'm nothing, if not serious about my duty, …
A Monumental MessAn old man sits in a shower of sunlight staring straight ahead. It is hard to tell his age; he could be 60 or 80. He is abnormally quiet. An old lady sits with her back to her fellow residents, …
Vasti, Proud and Strong, by Scott BarrettaFeb. 26, 2004—Guitarist, songwriter and producer Vasti Jackson may well be the busiest musician in Mississippi. In the last several years, the Hattiesburg resident has appeared in several feature films, a documentary and a TV show, co-produced a Grammy-nominated album, …
Amen, Smoke , by Charlie BraxtonFeb. 26, 2004—Whoever coined the phrase "where there's smoke, there's fire" must have been a fan of Jackson-based rapper Smoke D. When Smoke hits the microphone, he spits nothing but blazing lyrics filled with a burning truth that ignites your …
Six to Watch, by Palmer HouchinsWant to make it big in the music industry, but discouraged because you're from a small city like Jackson? Don't despair; here are six who are breaking out.
Temple for Talent, by Eric StracenerSince the heyday of recording on Farish Street passed, the only local label with any real national name recognition has been Malaco Records, which has continued with a steady output of high-quality R&B and soul from the label and its …
The Alamo Lives On, by Scott BarrettaThe spirit of Farish Street in the '50s and '60s is evoked at the Alamo Theatre on the third Friday of each month when The Musicians take the stage for the Jazz, Blues, and More concert series, now in its …
Young and Restless, by David ChiltonTwo years ago I went to an all-ages show at Musiquarium. As I entered Banner Hall, I heard this massive buzz from upstairs. My jaw dropped when I entered MQ, because there were well over a hundred kids packed in …