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[Tucker] The Mean Season
Well, I guess it's official: The Mean Season is upon us.
The Defense Wears Black
"Do I have anything to wear?" I wondered. It's not an uncommon quandary I face, but this time, it wasn't in preparation for a night out or special event.
O' Me, O' My, O' Tux
I hate to admit it, but I've been marching with a krewe for about 15 years, and I've never taken the time to learn its origin story. So when my editor shot me a note to ask if I would do a short piece on the O'Tux Society, I took it as an excuse to bother our Fearless Leader Malcolm White with questions I've always been too embarrassed to ask. I mean, if I'm a member, I should know this stuff already, right?
[Lynette's Note] My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Men fascinate me, and have for, oh, I'd say almost the entire 57 years I've been on this spinning orb. Men are deftly driving behemoth trains and trucks, fixing failed computers, making music on guitars and saxophones and turntables, frying fish and jalapenos, grilling steaks and pork tenderloins, coaching teams of youngsters, writing books, kneading bread or shaping burgers, wielding a chef's knife or brush or a computer program or a camera or a potter's wheel or a hammer in the name of creativity—loving and working for their families, friends, their cities and towns—all while expounding and enlightening and entertaining and enlivening.
Road Trip Destinations
If you're planning a day trip from Jackson, consider yourself lucky: The state capital sits at the crossroad of two major interstate highways, making it easy to get to nearby cities, north, south, east or west. Here are a few points of interest to help you make a decision.
Angela Graves
It's obvious—Angela Graves is 6 feet tall with a megawatt smile book-ended by deep dimples. It's not obvious, unless you're standing outside her classroom listening, that she's one of the lucky ones. Eyes sparkling, Graves will tell anyone she's right where she should be—teaching eighth graders at a middle school—the Ramp Up reading literacy program at Morrison Academic Advancement Center, where I am the librarian. She has been at Morrison all five years that she's been a certified teacher.
Sheila Bedi
On Nov. 29, Sheila Bedi testified before the Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence in Baltimore, Md.
Another Storm Brewin'
David Baria says he's one of the lucky ones. That's a bit hard to fathom. After evacuating from Bay St. Louis with his wife, three children and their pets to family in Pascagoula, he returned the morning after the storm to see what was left, working through the maze of roads, around debris and then walking down the railroad track to get to his home.
The Fajita King
On rare occasions during my childhood, my family ventured to "Los Amigos," the one and only Mexican restaurant in our town. For a Mexican restaurant located in the Montana Rockies, at least 1,000 miles from the Mexican border, it wasn't too bad. It was always cool inside and a little damp. The smooth red pottery walls and the almost overwhelming green foliage made it seem exotic.
Motorcar Man
If you've lived in the metro area for at least six months, then more than likely you've seen local singer/songwriter Larry Brewer's name pop up frequently in the JFP's music listings.
What I Did on My Summer Vacation
Sure, summer is not officially over. In fact, it is nowhere near being over in any real sense of the word. As those of us who have spent sizeable amounts of time in Mississippi know, our relief will not come until October—if we're lucky.
Jackson Is Learning, Yarber Says
Jackson has been "teetering between lucky and learning" for the last 20 years, Ward 6 Councilman Tony Yarber said at Friday Forum this morning. The city has problems, but is learning how to turn pockets of success into models for the whole city, Yarber said.
Second Line Time
The festivities for the St. Paddy's Parade don't start with the parades on Saturday. Friday night is the second annual Marching MALfunction & Second Line Stomp.
Tell Me the Truth, JoAnne
Q. I've been hearing a lot about crime on the evening news. Should I consider moving out of Jackson to raise my children? – Running Scared
One Fine Fruit
It goes without saying that the banana, fleeting as it may be in its perfection, is one fine fruit. For Americans, it's raw fruit numero uno as well as our favorite smell, according to a recent survey. Produce expert Tony Tantillo, syndicated as the "Fresh Grocer" in major TV markets across the country, says that the average American eats 29 pounds of bananas each year. If the average banana were to weigh, say 4 ounces, that's 116 bananas, or two bananas plus a bite every week, give or take.
A Second Chance
When Hinds County animal-control officers pick up a dog, they take it to a temporary shelter at the county Penal Farm in Raymond. The county shelter houses between 700 and 1,000 dogs a year. After a week, most make their way to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League where, more often than not, they are euthanized. A lucky few earn a spot in the county's special program.
Happy Easter and Earth Day!
Today, celebrate the planet and Good Friday. If you're lucky enough to have the day off, grab the kids and head to the Jackson Zoo for the annual Party for the Planet. The fun started at 10 a.m., but it should be a great day. Admission is $8, $5 children 2-12, $7.20 seniors, members and babies free; call 601-352-2580. Later, stop by Farish Street Park for the free Farish Flourish starting at 5 p.m. and includes poetry, music and healthy food in honor of Earth Day. Call 601-291-7381. In the mood for some indoor entertainment? The Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.) is screening indie films "Another Harvest Moon" and "Peep World" tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. $7 per film. Begin your search for the best in Jackson events on the JFP Best Bets page.
[Purvis] Do Unto Others
I am fortunate I haven't had to resort to drastic measures to stay afloat. I know others aren't so lucky.
It's the Weekend
Despite Mercury being in retrograde (with its attendant communication, transportation and technical hijinks), you'll find plenty to do in and around Jacktown this weekend. If you're lucky enough to have the day off, head to Jackson State (1400 John R. Lynch St.) for the free Creative Arts Festival that begins at 1 p.m. The festival continues tomorrow, with featured luminaries like Sonia Sanchez and Amiri Baraka. Call 601-979-3935 for information. If you can't make the festival, Sanchez and Baraka read their poems and sign books at Afrika Book Cafe (404 Mitchell Ave.) at 6 p.m. Email [e-mail missing] for info. If you're in the mood for drama, we've been hearing good things about the New Stage Theatre production of "A Soldier's Play." Call 601-948-3531, or visit newstagetheatre.com for times and ticket information. Where's the best place to start when you're looking for things to do and places to go? The JFP Best Bets page, of course.
Dawgs: Good or Great?
Amazing Sports debuts this issue and will be in every issue of the JFP. For daily (more or less) updates, see Doctor S' Amazing Sports Blog.