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From Jackson to Broadway
Kit Williamson, is a young Jackson native pursuing acting in New York City. Williamson attended St. Andrews before leaving for Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding school in Michigan. Williamson is now a sophomore at Fordham University, majoring in acting and playwriting and interned for the JFP for two summers. This interview came on the eve of his first Broadway role as an understudy in "Talk Radio," a Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by Eric Bogosian, based on the life of a radio shock-jock. Since then, however, Williamson is now co-starring as Spike, the protagonist's sound engineer.
White Noise
From the four pages of acknowledgements to chapters like "Why I'm a Virgin" and "Who Will Stand Up for Old People," Ben Ferguson's first book "It's My America Too" (William Morrow, 2004, $23.95) seems more concerned with impressing those aforementioned "old people" than providing a voice for a largely un-categorized generation. At no point does Ferguson drop the pretense of being a good little Southern boy to address his generationhe's too busy pandering to the grownups. He uses words like "whippersnapper" and "youngblood" to describe people his age. He opens every chapter with giant, grayscale American flag clip art. It is almost inconceivable that someone Ben Ferguson's age could be this comically out of touch with, well, people his age.
Gloria Williamson
A former Democratic state senator from Philadelphia, Miss., Gloria Williamson has devoted countless hours over the last 10 years to improving the status of women in Mississippi.
New Artistic Ground
Some people think that you have to live in a place like New York City to break new artistic ground. The upcoming Fondren Theatre Workshop (FTW) presentation features four dramatic works by local playwrights—all performed by local actors. It may not be in New York City, but it does break new artistic ground. The variety of drama, comedy, themes and styles promises a wonderful mix of intelligent, entertaining theater. The staged readings of the plays will take place at The House of Brews Coffee House at The Artery, 3220 N. State St., July 14-17.
Bracelets for Cervical Cancer
Here's a novel idea: make your own cute little bracelet and fight against cervical cancer at the same time!
DOJ Not Pursuing Bribery Charges Against Stevens
An attorney handling the appeal of Paul Minor noted a sharp contrast between how the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted Minor and how it is chasing Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens. While the DOJ prosecuted Minor on corruption chargeswithout the necessity of proving quid pro quothey have chosen not to pursue those same charges against Stevens, who is Republican.
Sculpting the Gourd
I have carved pumpkins since I was a child. As kids, my sister and I carved the typical triangles and jagged mouth for a traditional jack-o'-lantern. A few years in a row, we painted the outside of the pumpkin instead of carving it, in hopes of preserving the fruit a bit longer. Then I discovered these wonderful things called carving kits. I purchased one at Target, and for just two or three bucks I got several patterns and some tools for carving: a couple of tiny saws, some hole-punching tools and a scooper.
State Behaving Badly
More than 30 years after Mississippi's incarceration system was declared unconstitutional in the landmark case Gates v Collier, the Mississippi Department of Corrections is again being accused of subjecting its prison inmates to unauthorized mistreatment, prompting the ACLU to announce the formation of its first Prison and Jail Accountability Project.
She Got the Power
Women are definitely doing it for themselves as Nov. 2 draws closer. Despite resistance by the governor's office, Mississippi Women for John Kerry pulled together a crowd of about 200 women (and men, including former Gov. William Winter) to rally in the capitol rotunda on Aug. 26 at 11:30 a.m. The rally was held on the 84th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.
Hurricane Season is Here
Officials say Mississippi would be ready if a Category 3 hurricane was headed toward the Mississippi Gulf Coast and due to make landfall in 18 hours.
Millsaps Grads Win ‘Quiz Me,' Get Debate Tickets
[Verbatim] After correctly answering 106 questions during a quiz bowl competition, two Millsaps grads have received two highly coveted tickets to the first presidential debate on Friday.
KOOL Ploy
The company that makes KOOL cigarettes is deviously trying to entice young people of the hip-hop generation into the trap of consuming tobacco, a group that fosters healthy habits in the black community charges. KOOL, owned by Brown & Williamson (of "The Insider" film notoriety), is sponsoring a hip-hop DJ competition called KOOL Mixx 2004 in cities throughout the U.S. The idea is that local undiscovered DJs can display their talents in hopes of realizing their dreams of being in the music industry. The company claims to "understand the vibrant world of the trend setting, multicultural smoker," it says in press materials.
Cheap Smokes, Empty Bellies
Legislative failures this year included the death of HB 247, which would have raised the tax on cigarettes and reduced the sales tax on Groceries. That bill died after Barbour told Appropriations Chairman Tommy Robertson to kill the bill, despite outcry from health advocacy groups and polls revealing the bill's popularity.
[McLaughlin] A Woman's Role
Over the weekend, I ended up at the last place I would have thought I'd spend a Sunday afternoon: the Premier Bridal Show at Jackson Convention Center. I filled in as a writer, and accompanied freelance photographer Meredith Norwood for the event's bridal fashion show.
Emergency Kit
Are you heading out to the 30th Annual St. Paddy's Parade this Saturday? Here are a few items you might want to bring:
Kit Davis Barksdale
Relaxed in her office chair at the Mustard Seed, a smiling Kit Barksdale points to a unique painting created by a Mustard Seed artist, also known as a "Seedster."
Tribute to Slain Men Hits Roadblock
At the request of the Philadelphia Coalition, Sen. Gloria Williamson, D-Philadelphia, introduced Senate Bill 2961, which would name Mississippi Hwy. 19 from Philadelphia to Lauderdale County the "Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner Memorial Highway" after the trio that was kidnapped and killed by Klansmen just off that highway on June 21, 1964. However, it looks as though the bill will never be voted on thanks to Sen. Billy Hewes III, R-Gulfport, the chairman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.
Your Rx Kit
Nothing is worse than being sick, but being sick your first time away from home can be particularly rough. Grab a container with a lid and fill it with these must-have items. Keep it nearby in your dorm, and you'll be ready to hit the books (or the parties) again in no time.
Lightnin' Fast
I first saw the Juke Joint Duo in 2007 in Clarksdale at My Brother Sports Bar, a dim, smoky dive bar nestled on 3rd Street just around the corner from Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club. The scant floor space in the front of building was barely enough to fit Cedric Burnside's simple drum kit, Lightnin' Malcolm's bulky frame and safe passage through the front door.
I Made Up My Mind, Again
The past two weeks have been crazy: work, essays to write, babysitting, sinusitis... you name it, I had it. Yet, somewhere in the midst of that, I remembered that on my list of wellness goals, I said that I was going to take up a new hobby. After thinking about what I really enjoy, I have two possible contenders - learning to play the guitar and crocheting. I have always wanted to learn to play the instrument, and I have had piano lessons before, but I would like to take a crack at strumming some tunes and learning a few cool licks to impress my friends and family. Maybe if I learn to play well enough, I could play for my church on Sundays. As far as crocheting goes, I kept putting off the idea until I saw this cool scarf that James Anderson, the Scarvin' Artist, brought to the office as a gift for Donna, the editor-in-chief. The scarf is a beautiful wine color, and the yarn is as soft as cotton candy. I want to make one of those, or at least 12 to give out as Christmas presents. I guess I'll take a trip to the craft store and see what kind of starter kits they have.
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