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Slow Progress On Pre-K

Early-childhood education in Mississippi is the big engine that couldn't: Despite reams of documentation showing its economic and educational benefits, pre-kindergarten has not attracted the political support—and public funding—in Mississippi it has in many neighboring states.

Choctaw Sun Warriors Look to Australia

The Mississippi Band of Choctaws kicked serious sun-lovin' butt this past month after taking home the overall championship in the 15th Hunt-Winston Solar Car Challenge for high-school teams.

Favorite JFP Moments

"Pro-white" congressional candidate Jim Giles told reporter Ayana Taylor in 2004 that Richard Barrett "no more represents the working-class white man than you do, Ayana."

New Challenges

Carolyn Meyers doesn't look much like her predecessor at Jackson State University, Ronald Mason, on paper or in person. The tall, arguably aloof Mason was not a researcher by training, having received his bachelor's and law degrees from Columbia University.

111th Congress Sworn In, Burris Left Out

Amid controversy over the Ill. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, Mississippi's congressmen were sworn in to the 111th Congress today. Freshman Republican representative Gregg Harper joins Democrats Bennie Thompson, Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, who won his first full term in November. Roland Burris, embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to take Obama's place, was blocked from taking the seat.

Ain't Easy Being Green

Lifelong Mississippian and local folk musician Sherman Lee Dillon made history on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 27, when he filed a statement of intent and announced his candidacy for governor, becoming the first person in Mississippi to run for public office on the Green Party ticket. However, instead of spending the night previous to his big announcement schmoozing with potential donors or hunkered down in campaign headquarters, Sherman Lee and his band, the Tuff Nutts, entertained a crowd at Hal & Mal's, as they often do. Except for a brief, private interview, no public mention was made of Dillon's political aspirations. Even as his campaign manager Landon Huey sipped a non-libation near the stage and wrote out a speech by hand, Dillon went on about the business of giving his fans what they came for…good music.

Nader Wants to Be 'POTUS'; Barbour Sez Dems 'Nervous'

AP reports: "Nader's decision was greeted with a chorus of condemnation from Democrats, longtime friends and former supporters who blame him for Al Gore's loss four years ago. They suggested that Nader would not pull close to the 2.7 percent of the vote he won before without the backing of an established party and some of his past supporters."

Barr Praises House for Rejecting Wall Street Bailout

[Verbatim] Atlanta, GA – "Few people thought it could be done, but members of Congress listened to the people rather than the establishment to vote down the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street," notes Bob Barr, the Libertarian Party presidential nominee. "Their courageous action gives us a chance to start over. Our starting point should not be a government bailout. It should be a market work-out," says Barr. "The bailout package was flawed from front to back, starting with its price tag," Barr explains, noting that a Treasury Department spokesman admitted to Forbes.com that the data was 'not based on any particular data point.'

Literary Photographer: A Snapshot of Natasha Trethewey

Natasha Trethewey, the Mississippi and national poet laureate, speaks and reads passages from her new book "Thrall" at Jackson State University Sept. 20.

Fitness Reawakening

It's an oft-quoted statistic that Mississippi is the most obese state and has been for a while. But in the capital city, at least, folks are working together to get healthier.

Remembering Linda

I met Linda Dendy Watts three years ago at Hal & Mal's when friends gathered there to host a benefit for her.

Unsafe at Any Speed

A Zogby/MSNBC study has uncovered some pretty surprising stuff about American sexual mores.

A Colorless World

I'm still steamed about Bill Bennett's idiotic comment, and his continuing failure to offer a credible apology for it. Yes, his political career is over; yes, his status as a public intellectual (if he ever had any) is questionable; but I don't really care if he suffers. I want him to make it right.

Kerry, Dems to Campaign in Mississippi

I'm happy to see the national Democratic Party taking Mississippi seriously. It's so insulting when national media, politicos or anyone else assume that all of our minds are already made up, or that we all think and vote alike (Barbour won just 52 percent of the vote in November, after all, and in an election where many people thought the candidates were near just alike; imagine the possibilities if voters believe they have a real choice). And those assumptions are self-perpetuating. The Clarion-Ledger reports: "With Mississippi's primary over, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's campaign is mobilizing in the state. The senator does not necessarily need the South to win, however. Nor is it likely he will see any of Mississippi's six electoral votes from a state that has not voted for a Democratic president since Jimmy Carter in 1976. But Democrats here say Kerry's campaign, if nothing else, will be an opportunity to strengthen their party in the state and promote their philosophies in the months leading to Election Day on Nov. 2."

2007 Friendship Ball Honorees Announced

Jackson 2000, a racial reconcilation organization, has announced that the 2007 Friendship Ball honors are Harvey Johnson Jr. and Cora Norman. The Friendship Ball will be March 3 at Hal & Mal's. More details soon.

Weekend Events

As you gear up for one of the most anticipated weekends in Jackson, don't forget to pick up this week's JFP issue to guide you through the Mal's St. Patty's Parade and events. Tonight, grab a feather boa and your dancing shoes and head to the King Edward Hotel at 5 p.m. for the Marching Malfunctions Second Line Stomp and Street Dance. The New Orleans-style second line will leave hotel at 7 p.m. and end at Hal & Mal's for an outdoor concert with performances by The Bailey Brothers, The Legendary House Rockers, Super Chikan blues band and the Jackson Allstar Brass Band. Then head to Fire to see The Molly Ringwalds perform, or the Basement at Fire/Fuego to see the Shamrock-a-Shimmy-Burlesque Show. For the weekend's hottest picks, visit the JFP's Best Bets page.

What's Happening this Weekend

If you're stumped for a family-friendly Halloween event, check out Halloween Happenings, which lists no less than nine area events for family fun. Sweet and Safe provides guidelines for keeping the little ones safe, too.

The Young & the Faithful

As diverse as Jackson is, you can also find a plethora of levels of spirituality. Here are a few of some of the well-known.

Creating The Music for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a day for partners to share their love for one another. Some people prepare romantic evenings at home by candlelight or plan a night on the town with dinner at a favorite restaurant. Others write love letters and poems, or craft handmade gifts and cards.

What Can You Do?

When your daughter, best friend or co-worker becomes a victim of abuse, you have the opportunity to make a difference.

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