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The Animals We Love

Little River For years now, Todd and I have delightfully referred to the delightful creature as just "Don Potts' horse." And Little River is definitely a miniature horse, and most certainly not a "pony." Now that we've moved to Fondren, my morning walking routes are planned around visits to Little River, as I've learned the horse is called. And I even got special permission from mom Becky to give Little River a wedge of organic apple from Rainbow divided into thirds at certain times. Let's just say that Little River isn't quite as stand-offish anymore to Big Donna.

Why the D.L. is D.U.M.B.

Her views are her own. The column for the April issue is a thought-provoking one, to say the least.

Wanted to pass on this link to one of my old friends that writes an opinion column for my new zine, CONVERSATIONS. She is Kendall Walker, a 35 year old woman who lives in Jackson, MS who has an opinion on everything.

Will More Cops Help?

Leslie McLemore is anxious to see the police chief's plan for fighting crime. This isn't the first time the council has been impatient. The same council—or at least four of them—kept the heat on former JPD Chief Robert Moore until he produced his Five Points Plan months after coming to the department. The council is getting jumpy after nearly two years waiting for a plan this time, however, and what the chief has offered so far centers around the construction of a misdemeanor jail and a focus on retaining officers by paying them better—even as the mayor has not presented a plan to pay them more.

Where The Pavement Begins

On a recent Tuesday a bunch of folk gathered for a cookout outside John Lawrence's place. It was kind of like the stoop cookouts we used to have when I lived at Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. John had a grill and tons of hamburgers, hotdogs, Bocas, all sorts of chips, sodas, beer. His guests—some from the Ironworks Building, others from the Dickies Building near the downtown post office, others of us who love downtown in spirit—came to the Downtown Neighborhood Association's first gathering outside the Hal & Mal's complex; John has a loft upstairs.

Choosing Between ‘Life' and ‘Choice'

Since Roe v. Wade made abortion legal in this country 32 years ago on Jan. 22, 1973, there has been a civil war between those who agree with the ruling and those who don't. Now abortion-rights groups are finding new ways to combat the many approaches that anti-abortion groups have used to erode abortion rights in recent years, especially in southern states like Mississippi where support of the right hasn't been as loud.

A Journey of Bones

During her largely improvised closing argument, federal prosecutor Paige Fitzgerald stumbled upon one of the most poetic moments in the James Ford Seale federal kidnapping trial.

Snark

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann's office sent out a bizarro, mistake-riddled press release this week that, ultimately, seemed to avoid taking a position on what to do about "felon voting." The release complained that of the "50,000 criminals which are incarcerated at our expense," "only 12,000 are prohibited from voting." It then added: "Meaning, 38,000 felons are allowed to vote on state officials as well as the judges and district attorney's (sic) who sent them to prison. The release said that the following are not allowed to vote currently: "criminals convicted of murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, false pretense, purgery, forgery, embezzlement or bigotry." Bigotry? Purgery?

Debate Highlights Party Loyalties

Photos by Adam Lynch

Republican State Auditor Phil Bryant and Democratic Rep. Jamie Franks sparred before a modest crowd of about 200 at Biloxi's Saenger Theater last Wednesday. The event was more a locked-down forum than a debate, with no chance for rebuttal. With only eight harmless questions, the candidates avoided touchy topics like commitment to the governor or the $55 million beef plant fiasco.

One of Mississippi's Best-Kept Secrets for Artists

I had to buckle down and do it this week. It was time-consuming and a bit intimidating, but I finally got it done. What? The application for the MS Arts Commission Artist Roster.

WAPT's Fondren T-Shirt ‘Controversy'

WAPT aired an interesting piece yesterday, which implied that Swell-O-Phonic's T-shirts are causing controversy. The piece highlights the T-shirt slogans such as "Brandon, We Ain't Pearl Dammit," and "Don't make me go South Jackson on You."

The Weekly Jerry Update Part Deux

So, this week Jerry thinks we should be able to hurt gay people and get away with it.

He is actively lobbying against a hate crime bill that would give homosexuals recourse if they are the victim of a crime related solely to their sexual orientation.

Earth to Northside Sun, Ledger, etc.: Stop Making Sh*t Up

It is simply remarkable to watch the media in Jackson that lost their mayoral endorsement go to the same tired, *false* well so quickly after Harvey Johnson Jr. won back the mayor's race in a landslide. Today's Northside Sun editorial starts out with this: "One reason we suspect Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson lost four years ago was his claim that crime was a perception rather than a reality."

Casino Near Farish Street?

A card-carrying Republican on a local blog that shall remain unnamed had what I think is a pretty clever idea: Why not campaign to end restrictions on casino locales? They generate great business for other southern cities. And to take the idea a step further: A casino near the proposed Farish Street Entertainment District would bring actual traffic to the businesses there, guaranteeing their viability. (Of course, the businesses themselves may generate traffic--but a casino would guarantee traffic in a way that other entertainment venues seldom can.)

The Sound of History Dying

Goodman County - Self Titled - A Review and Farewell

Southern cities have their own brand of soggy desperation. Particularly the small ones. There is a hunger for something more than the immediate surroundings provide, and those with an inclination for satisfaction can get restless. The low-rent apartments can get powerfully small, and we take to the streets with intent of making good on these yearnings. But small cities being what they are, entertainment isn't necessarily had, so much as it is found. Some people find it in creative collaboration. The coming together of minds like a joining of hands and thunderous noise ensues, echoing through those apartment buildings and taverns, carried by the viscous southern air. Tattoo ink and Jameson give it a unique bouquet. A siren song for the southern yearn.

Marchers Seek Equality

A demonstration for gay equality is underway in Jackson this morning. Participants met in the Fondren district and plan to travel to the state Capitol in Fondren's March for Gay Equality.

Sharing Food

I love to eat. I like old favorites and new culinary adventures, but it's not just the eating I enjoy: It's the sharing. Something special happens when you sit down with family and friends—or even strangers—to share a meal. At that moment, you have a commonality through food, regardless of age, race or gender.

You Give Me Fever

After traversing the Mississippi Delta on a quest to find the grail of the hot tamale world, I worried I'd overextended myself; so much spice in such a short time may have blown my gustatory circuits. In truth, I came back with a deeper appreciation of barbeque, the blues and the flavors that inspired the evolution of our state's unique tamales.

Local Eats Sampler

Some of Jackson's favorite restaurants may have been around for more than 50 years, but the food scene here is constantly growing. In the last six months, we have gained several dining options in and near downtown, some cuisines that are new to Jackson and, of course, more great southern food.

Salsa Mississippi

A rich wooden floor, mirrored walls and flashy dance-club lights turn an ordinary parlor into a place of extra--ordinary possibility at La Salsa Dance Club and Studio in Fondren. Anything seems possible with the right attitude.

Magic Times Three

Because Feb. 14 is rapidly approaching, I was told that in writing this food piece I could "garnish with edible underwear or something," which I confess wasn't even the slightest bit tempting. So this is the Valentine's Day issue, but this isn't a Valentine's Day meal. Which is to say that you can certainly make it on Valentine's Day, and it will be delicious and romantic and all those other wonderful things, but it takes less than half an hour to make, it doesn't have a red theme, and it's just as good to eat by yourself on a Wednesday night as it is to eat with someone special on everyone's (least) favorite, high-pressure holiday.

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