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Behind the Traditions

So, while a lot of the wedding traditions we see today make for moving wedding ceremonies, plenty of them have a history that may make a modern bride think twice.

Vigil Gives Mom Peace, Not Justice

Almost three months have passed since Quardious Thomas was shot and killed in northwest Jackson's Lakeover subdivision for allegedly trying to steal a car.

UN to Tackle Collapsing Central African Republic

The U.N. Security Council is set to vote on a resolution Thursday aimed at helping end near-anarchy in the violence-wracked Central African Republic, which it says is threatening stability in the volatile region and beyond.

10 Local Stories of the Week

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.

Lumumba: Chamber Won't 'Betray' City on Tax Commission

Mayor Chokwe Lumumba brushed off concerns from Jackson City Council members at Monday's work session about the 1-percent sales tax, which Jacksonians would have to pass by referendum.

[Jacktown] Hip-Hop High Society, by Alphonso Mayfield

I should call this the good and the bad issue because there are several Jackson artists who have benefited from good fortune and several that have suffered from some severe mishaps affecting the game lately. One of the biggest headline-grabbers has been Crooked Lettaz alumni Kamikaze. Of course, he threw his album pre-release party (if someone knows what exactly a pre-release party is please e-mail me and let me know) Saturday, Jan. 31, at Freelons. The city's hip-hop high society attended in full mass. The party came on the heels of a recent rumor in industry circles of Kamikaze signing to SRC/Universal. That is the same label as his former rhyme partner David Banner. Keep your eyes open for this situation.

No Fallen Angel, by Alphonso Mayfield

The world of hip-hop is a male-dominated jungle where the fiercest competitors survive by the ferocity of their lyrical acumen. Meaning that they eat off their words. Many female artists find themselves playing a game of career cat-and-mouse, being forced to fit into one of several stereotypes. MC Rachel James of Jackson is determined to not only survive in this jungle but to reign through her lyrical ability.

Seeing the Light? Challenging ‘Compassionate Conservatism'

Ala. Gov. Riley is causing serious discussion and though by arguing that the Bible supports raising state taxes to care for the poor. He is arguing for--drum roll-- a progressive tax system. The New York Times reports: "If Governor Riley's tax plan becomes law — the voters still need to ratify it in September — it will be a major victory for poor people, a rare thing in the current political climate. But win or lose, Alabama's tax-reform crusade is posing a pointed question to the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family and other groups that seek to import Christian values into national policy: If Jesus were active in politics today, wouldn't he be lobbying for the poor? ... Alabama's tax system has long been brutally weighted against the least fortunate. The state income tax kicks in for families that earn as little a $4,600, when even Mississippi starts at over $19,000. Alabama also relies heavily on its sales tax, which runs as high as 11 percent and applies even to groceries and infant formula. The upshot is wildly regressive: Alabamians with incomes under $13,000 pay 10.9 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes, while those who make over $229,000 pay just 4.1 percent. ... Governor Riley's plan, which would bring in $1.2 billion in desperately needed revenue, takes aim at these inequalities. It would raise the income threshold at which families of four start paying taxes to more than $17,000. It would scrap the federal income tax deduction and increase exemptions for dependent children. And it would sharply roll back the current-use exemption, a change that could cost companies like Weyerhaeuser and Boise Cascade, which own hundreds of thousands of acres, millions in taxes. Governor Riley says that money is too tight to lift the sales tax on groceries this time, but that he intends to work for that later." For more info, see Riley's Web site. National Review fires back.

Why run this letter???

[Music] A Psychedelic Education

My Education, the San Angelo, Texas, mystics, have been spreading their cosmic vibrations from Canada to South by Southwest since 1999, and they land at Hal & Mal's on Thursday, July 27. Their sound is a beautiful and dark journey through a psychedelic sunset, with pretty melodies and swirling sounds. You'll hear many influences in these lush soundscapes: '80s ambient, krautrock, jazz fusion and psychedelic rock. My Education consists of Scott Telles on bass, Chris Haxstie on guitar, Sean Seagler on drums, James Alexander on viola, Kirk Laktas on piano, Brian Purington on guitar and Sarah Norris on vibraphone.

Game Changer

Women's college basketball is rightfully gaining attention these days. Last season, the women's national championship game between Texas A&M and Notre Dame was much more exciting than the men's title game.

Don't Catch It!

No doubt, stress lowers your resistance. But there are things you can do to stay healthy while everyone around you is bleary-eyed and runny-nosed. Here are some basics, old and new, from the most recent research:

Mississippi Home-Cooked Opry by Lynette Hanson

June 10, 2004—Mix five parts Harmony & Grits with four parts Heavenly Heritage and four parts Pearl Quartet. Blend in two of the Smiths—Wayne and Amanda. Add crowd to taste. Place in the Pearl Community Room right beside the Pearl City Hall. Be sure to start at 6:30 p.m. on June 12. Throw in $7.50 for the adults. Now you're ready for the Mississippi Gospel and Bluegrass Opry.

Funkin' It Back, by JC Patterson

Ready for some down-and-dirty brass funk, courtesy of the Big Easy's most popular brass band? Ready to dance 'til you drop, to funk like there's no tomorrow? The Rebirth is coming back to Jackson—at Soulshine Pizza next door to Hal & Mal's— for a show that promises to be an event. For more than 20 years, The Rebirth Brass Band has taken the traditional New Orleans brass-band sound and given it their own funky flavoring. No doubt inspired by their predecessors, The Dirty Dozen, The Rebirth has marinated in the flavor of the streets with a no-holds-barred attitude and a krewe of musicians as energetic as they are talented.

[Music] The Love Doctors

Once upon a time, heartthrobs made up groups such as New Edition, Jodeci, and Boyz II Men. They sang ballads that made lovers swoon by appreciating every asset, every touch and every breath. But, those days are long gone. R&B has recently taken an aggressive turn, leaving almost nothing to the imagination.

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