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Confessions of an ex-Martha Wannabe

I once was a Martha Stewart wannabe. Sparkling holiday decorations on slick magazine pages danced in my head like sugar plums. I would envision trimming every corner of my house with ribbons, garland and twinkling lights. As my Martha self, I struck out on missions to make the most wonderful adornments and embellishments angels could behold.

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Southern League baseball, Chattanooga at Mississippi (7 p.m., Pearl, 1590 AM): The M-Braves and Lookouts wrap up their series at the TeePee.

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

College football, Delta State at Valdosta State (7 p.m., Valdosta, Ga., CSS/930 AM): Valdosta won the D-II national title last year, and these two are among the favorites to win it all this year.

The Best In Sports In 7 Days

Pro baseball, Carolina at Mississippi (7 p.m., Pearl, 930 AM): The M-Braves hope to gig the Mudcats at Trustmark Park.

Shop Local

The Small Business Association encourages Americans to shop at small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, is part of an effort to get people to support community businesses on the year's biggest shopping weekend.

Ro Sanchez

Ronel "Ro" Sanchez, 32, is nothing short of a movie buff. Seated on the couch near the front door of Video Café, he takes a look around at the vintage movie posters that line the store's walls. "I always loved movies" he says. "Movies can change your mood for the entire day."

[Greggs] You're Already There

This week I've been wistful. I don't know exactly when this mood came about, but I know that it has definitely been affecting my behavior. This mood might have lent itself to listening to Michael Buble's song "Home" on repeat 437 times.

Thinking ‘Locals' First

It's hard to believe Mal's St. Paddy's Parade—and the attendant celebrations both downtown and elsewhere—are already upon us. It doesn't seem like it's been long enough since the Great Snowman Contest of February, even if daylight savings time is here.

Second Best Ideas

I vividly remember the day when Ward 1 City Councilman Ben Allen bounded into my office at the Jackson Free Press. During the Frank Melton mayoral administration, it wasn't unusual for Allen to pop by; we didn't agree on everything and fought like banshees on the Internet from time to time, but we were on the same page when it came to some of the crazy coming out of city hall. We found common ground on the need for Jackson, and particularly downtown, to get its groove back.

A Candid Candidacy

After Sen. John McCain announced he would not attend the presidential debate last week until a bailout deal was reached, many people, including the two nominees, began throwing around the phrase "The next president of the United States will have to" more and more frequently.

It's Fruitcake Weather! RIP: Marie Rudisill

Click below and pay no attention to the dark-haired yankee. Bless his heart; Jay Leno did NOT understand the greatness that was Marie Rudisill. Notice he calls her the character from "The Christmas Story." She is NOT the Bumpess Dogs you nimrod! She's Marie Rudisill, aunt to Truman Capote and rumored the distant cousin in "A Christmas MEMORY"; she and Truman both also have storied appearances in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."

[BeerTalk] Beyond Cheap Brews

Most students tend to stop at the suitcases of beer and seldom venture into the possibilities that are out there for the thrifty (but not necessarily cheap) spender who seeks a pleasurable taste and a memorable experience. Bringing a higher-quality beer to a social gathering will not only impress friends but may also take the party up a notch.

Learning to Win

Near the end of August every year, I start getting jittery. Yes, I'm ready for cooler temperatures. I also like being a Libra and having an October birthday--the big 5-0 this time!--and I love the crispness and smell of Autumn air. Football weather, I call it, just like my daddy did.

[Ladd] The Prosperity of Living

Here in Jackson something really special is happening. People are joining hands to face down the naysayers and forge a new future for our city. We're putting our pennies together and investing locally. None of us is perfect, but we know that we are very strong when we put aside differences and work together for the city and her people.

Melton Draws Attention of A.G.

Attorney General Jim Hood told the Jackson Free Press that he has not opened a formal investigation into any possible lawbreaking by Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, despite headlines in the April 14 Clarion-Ledger reading: "Hood Probing Mayor's Method."

Defense Cannot Use Prostitute Allegation Against Bodyguard

See JFP Melton Blog/Archive here.

Federal District Judge Dan Jordan ruled this morning that defense attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton and former bodyguard Michael Recio cannot use allegations of sexual misconduct by former bodyguard Marcus Wright to impugn his testimony or character during the civil rights trial in downtown Jackson. The judge ruled that defense attorneys could only ask "generic" questions about whether prosecutors convinced Wright to testify by threatening to make public the 2005 allegations that he had sex with two transsexual prostitutes.

Costs Mounting for Levees, Lake Plans

Legislators say the chances of the Mississippi Legislature approving funding to build levees in Jackson and surrounding counties are slim, especially since it has taken so long to reach consensus on how to mitigate flooding along the Pearl River.

Site for ‘Mississippi Renewal Forum'

Keep an eye on the plans of Gov. Haley Barbour's "Mississippi Renewal Forum" on this Web site. The front page states:

Fran's Creole Girls

When I was a child in the 1950s, white middle class society pitied childless women. They had few options for a productive life outside of motherhood. The husband of a childless woman was well tended, though. That's all the poor woman had to do.

Got Books? Got Gifts!

Who doesn't love a fresh read full of pristine pages begging to get all dirty and dog-eared? Whether to satisfy your mass-market junkie of a brother or cannon-faithful auntie, there are books to satisfy everyone on your list. There are even books for the people in your family who claim they don't like books. So get over to the bookstore and pick up one of these fabulous book finds.