Ellington

Tuesday, June 14

10 a.m., Career, College and Job Expo, at New Horizon Church International (Renaissance South) (1770 Ellis Ave.). Job seekers and those seeking educational opportunities are welcome to meet with job and college recruiters to discuss their options. Lunch provided. Free; call 601-540-5415.

10 a.m., Jackson City Council Meeting, at Jackson City Hall (200 S. President St.). The Jackson City Council holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-1033.

10:30 a.m., Supplier and Contractor Opportunity Meeting, at Mississippi e-Center (1230 Raymond Road), in the California Room of the Jackson State University Small Business Development Center. Learn more about becoming a supplier or contractor for United Water Services. Lunch provided. Please RSVP. Call 601-372-3439.

Events at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.).
• 11 a.m., Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women Meeting, in room 271. In addition to regular business, the Commission discusses an upcoming conference. Call 601-201-7142.
• 1 p.m., Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development Workshop, in suite 1000 in the SBA conference room. Learn about programs designed to enhance federal and non-federal procurement opportunities, and programs that provide capital, surety bonding, and business counseling. Space limited. Free; call 601-965-4378, ext. 10 or 11.

11 a.m., Subcontractor Qualifying Meeting, at Sleep Inn (209 S. Gallatin St.), in the conference room. Ameresco, an energy services company, is looking for suppliers and local contractors who can provide services in areas related to the installation of water meters, and services regarding wastewater treatment and sewer maintenance. Call 601-540-5415.

11:30 a.m., Mississippi Technology Alliance Discovery Luncheon, at Ruth's Chris Steak House (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 6001, Ridgeland). Speakers include MTA president and CEO Tony Jeff, and Doug Gurley, state director of the Mississippi Small Business Development Center. Registration required. $25; call 601-960-3610.

Bilingual Story Time 2 p.m., at Madison Public Library (994 Madison Ave., Madison), and 4:30 p.m., at Ridgeland Public Library (397 Highway 51, Ridgeland). Listen to interactive stories and songs told in English with Spanish words introduced. Free; call 601-856-4536.

"Promoting Financial Health in the Community" Workshop June 14-15, at Jackson Housing Authority (2747 Livingston Road). Sessions are from 6-8 p.m. and include "Understanding My Credit Score" June 14 and "How to Obtain a Mortgage Loan" June 15. Free; call 601-362-0885.

6 p.m., Silver and Gold Reception, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), in the Community Room. The Jackson-Hinds chapter of the JSU National Alumni Association honors its new members. Free; call 601-954-4662.

Wednesday, June 15

Business Owner Workshops June 15-25, at Jackson Community Design Center (509 E. Capitol St.) unless otherwise indicated. The Jackson Business Accelerator Collaboration is sponsoring a series of business workshops for prospective, new and current business owners. Free; call 601-540-5415.
• June 15, 7:30-9 a.m., Merdith Corley presents "How a Business Ministry Could Benefit Your Church" (held at University Club, 210 E. Capitol St., Suite 2200).
• June 16, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Richard Speights presents "Are You Ready? An Insider's Guide To Doing Business With Corporations and Government."
• June 17, 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Dominic DeLeo presents "Real World Professional Development."
• June 18, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Ashanti Smith presents "Four Steps to Getting Grants for Your Non-profit," and Darryl Jenkins presents "Setting Up a Community Business Network Survey."
• June 22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Dominic DeLeo presents "Practical Skills for the Hardworking Business Owner," "Real-world Professional Development" and "Hiring, Firing and Supervising a Staff."
• June 25, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., to be announced.

9 a.m., Rankin County Board of Supervisors Meeting, at Rankin County Government Offices (211 E. Government St., Brandon), in the board room. The board holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Call 601-825-1475.

Speak Now: Memories of the Civil Rights Era June 15-18, at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). The public is invited to share their experiences of the Freedom Rides and the civil rights era. Staff members will record participants' accounts for inclusion in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History collection. Sessions are 10 a.m. 4 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Reservations are preferred but not required. Call 601-576-6838.

Noon, "History Is Lunch," at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). In the House Chamber. David Preziosi, director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, talks about the ten most endangered historic sites of 2011. Bring lunch; coffee and water provided. Free; call 601-576-6998.

Thursday, June 16

9 a.m., State Institutions of Higher Learning Meeting, at Mississippi Valley State University (1200 Highway 82 E., Itta Bena), in the W.A. Butts Social Science Building Auditorium. The Board of Trustees holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Call 601-432-6333.

9 a.m., Hinds County Board of Supervisors, at Chancery Court (316 S. President St.). The board holds its work session. Call 601-968-6501.

Noon, "Entrepreneur's Spotlight: Maintaining Business Success" Web Chat. The Small Business Administration hosts the event. Small business owner Kathleen Devlin shares her achievements and provides helpful insights on the successes and challenges of entrepreneurship. Questions may be submitted in advance. Visit web.sba.gov/livemeeting/public/dsp_meeting_view.cfm?meetngid=21.

Through June 16

Disability Rights Mississippi Fundraising Raffle, at Disability Rights Mississippi (Regions Plaza, 210 E. Capitol St., Suite 600). Prizes include gift certificates, artwork and vacations. Winners do not have to be present at the June 16 drawing. $5, $20 for five entries; call 601-968-0600.

Project WET Teacher Workshop Registration, at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Teachers of all subjects and grade levels are welcome to participate in the hands-on workshop in water education held June 24. Participants can earn .6 CEU credits from Mississippi College. $15 workshop, $10 CEU credits; call 601-354-7303.

Friday, June 17

9 a.m., Friday Forum, at Koinonia Coffee House (136 S. Adams St., Suite C). The speaker is to be announced. Free; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Noon, Brown Bag Luncheon, at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl). WLBT's Walt Grayson is the speaker. Bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert provided. Free; call 601-932-3535.

Saturday, June 18

10 a.m., Reptile Day at the Zoo, at Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Enjoy special keeper chats and docent animal encounters with the zoo's reptile friends. $9, $8.20 seniors, $6 children ages 2-12, members/babies free; call 601-352-2580.

10 a.m., Swing 4 Knowledge Golf Classic, at Jackson Municipal Golf Course (3200 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). Mo Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Arrington Family and Cosmetic Dentistry are the title sponsors. Proceeds benefit Cade Chapel Church's scholarship fund for graduating JPS seniors. $75, $300 team of four; call 601-366-5463.

Monday, June 19

National Conference on Civil Rights June 19-21, at Pearl River Resort and Hilton Garden Inn (Highway 16 W., Choctaw). The theme is "Rise, Advocate, Educate and Cooperate: Lessons From the Civil Rights Movement." Speakers include Beasley Denson, the chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, educator and activist Dr. Leslie McLemore, content editor Nichelle Smith and Philadelphia mayor James Young. $200, $75 June 20 or June 21 only, free for high school students; visit civilrightsconference.com.

Through June 30

May Madness Membership Drive, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). Pay your JSU National Alumni Association membership dues, upgrade your current life membership level or buy a legacy brick, and enter a drawing for an Apple iPad 2. $50 dues, $125 legacy brick; call 601-979-2281.

Through July 2

Call for Charity Garage Sale Donations, at Salsa Mississippi Studio and Club (605 Duling Ave.). Gently-used items such as clothes, books, kitchen items, furniture and lawn equipment are welcome. Drop off donations during a scheduled class or call to schedule a pick-up. The garage sale is July 2 from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Bethel Junior Center, a orphanage in Tanzania, and Mountain Child, a children's home in Nepal for children from remote mountain villages. Donations welcome; call 601-213-6355.

Through July 3

Summer Reading Workshops, through July 3. Designed to help students and their parents with JPS mandatory summer reading assignments, United Way's workshops are held throughout the summer at area libraries. Workshops are offered for every grade. Go to myunitedway.com or dial 211 for a schedule and locations. Volunteers needed. Call 601-948-4725.

Through July 15

JPS Summer Feeding Program. The JPS Food Service Department serves meals to youth ages 18 and younger at 11 a.m. weekdays, excluding July 4, at 13 JPS schools. Free; call 601-960-8911 for a list of locations.

Through July 28

Summer Feeding Program, at Kingdom Faith Ministry (1036 S. McRaven Road). The program for youth ages 18 and younger includes breakfast at 8 a.m. and lunch at 11 a.m. on weekdays, excluding June 10 and July 4. Free; call 601-922-1155.

Through Aug. 30

Jackson Inner-city Gardeners Call for Volunteers. JIG needs volunteers to help maintain plots and harvest vegetables. The produce will be donated to help feed the homeless and elderly and will be sold to the community at affordable prices. The garden is at the corner of W. Northside Drive and Medgar Evers Blvd. beside the BP gas station. Volunteers can help Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 -11 a.m. JIG sells produce at the garden Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Call 601-924-3539.

Through Oct. 29

Farmers' Market, at Byram Farmers Market (20 Willow Creek Lane, Byram). The market is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. until Oct. 29. Products include fresh produce, wildflower honey, roasted peanuts, jams, jellies, birdhouses, and baskets and gourds for crafting. Call 601-373-4545.

Through Nov. 5

NAMIWalks Registration, at NAMI Mississippi (411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 401). NAMIWalks is an annual walk to raise funds for NAMI Mississippi, a local branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy for consumers of mental health services and their family members. Visit namims.org to join an existing team, form a new team, walk as an individual or become a sponsor. Each team member who raises at least $100 will receive a T-shirt. Donations welcome; call 601-899-9058.

Through Nov. 16

Nature Nuts Preschool Program, at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). The nature discovery program is for children ages 2-5. Sessions are held on third Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. Registration required. Receive a $2 discount for each additional child. $8 per session, $5 members; call 601-926-1104.

Through Dec. 17

Farmers Market, at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Shop for fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables from Mississippi farmers, specialty foods, and crafts from local artisans, including the Greater Belhaven Market. The market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. During the peak-growing season, hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 601-354-6573.

Through Dec. 24

Farmers Market, at Old Fannin Road Farmers' Market (1307 Old Fannin Road, Brandon). Homegrown produce is for sale Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and noon-6 p.m. Sunday until Christmas Eve. Call 601-919-1690.

Ongoing

Adopt-a-Park Program Registration, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at the Department of Parks and Recreation. Organizations and businesses are encouraged to sign up to help maintain Jackson parks and trails by picking up litter, landscaping and painting. Call 601-960-0471.

Venture Incubator Talk and Tour Open House, at Venture Incubator (City Centre Building, 200 S. Lamar St., South Tower, 10th floor). Potential or current small business owners, and professionals interested in mentoring small business owners are welcome to meet with Wes Holsapple, president and CEO, and tour the facilities on Mondays from 5-6 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. Refreshments served. Free; call 601-414-0140.

Jackson 2000 Study Circles Program. The program includes six two-hour sessions of dialogue and problem-solving to encourage racial harmony and community involvement. Jackson 2000 is looking for participants from all walks of life to sign up, and sessions will be scheduled soon. E-mail [e-mail missing].

Jackson Public Schools Call for Volunteers. Jackson Public Schools is seeking volunteers from the community to be mentors for seniors enrolled in the Advanced Seminar: Employability Skills course. Call 601-960-8310.

Medical Mall Moment Report at WOAD 1300 AM. Find out about the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation's current activities every second Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Call-ins to 601-995-1400 are welcome. Send your questions and comments in advance to [e-mail missing] or call the office for more information. The broadcast is also available on jacksonmedicalmall.org. Call 601-982-8467.

Cancer Rehab Classes at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Activity Room of the Hederman Cancer Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. The class helps cancer patients enhance cardiovascular strength, endurance, their immune system and bone density. It helps to increase overall strength and stamina, decrease fatigue and weight loss, and improve digestion. Registration is required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

Weekly Storytime at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl). Each Tuesday, Baby Bookworms Storytime for children ages birth-36 months is at 9:30 a.m., and Preschool Storytime for children ages 3-6 is at 10:30 a.m. The event includes stories, rhymes, music and a puppet show on the last Tuesday of the month. Free; call 601-932-2562.

Youth Women's Cycling Group. Get fit while participating in a fun, recreational environment Saturdays at 10 a.m. The club is for young girls ages 13-17. Free; call 601-559-5577.

Mississippi River Master Naturalist Program, at Southern Cultural Heritage Center (1302 Adams St., Vicksburg). The program is open to anyone ages 18 and up and covers a broad range of naturalist education topics including the hydrology, ecology, habitats, plants, insects, fishes and birds of the Mississippi River. The course of study can be completed in as few as 10 weeks or as long as 1 year depending on the participant's schedule. The cost covers membership in the National Audubon Society and books for the course. The program can be taken for college or CEU credits through several regional colleges. Additional costs will apply. $350; call 601-661-6189.

Business Plan Workshops, at New Horizon Church International (Renaissance South, 1770 Ellis Ave.). Get hands-on, individualized or small-group assistance to develop your customized business plan. Sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-noon or 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., and first and third Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointment required. Call 601-371-1390, 601-371-1296 or 601-371-1427.

Tutoring Sessions and Peer-to-peer Study Groups, at Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road), in the Community Room. Sessions are every other Saturday from 9-11:30 a.m.; call to confirm dates. Students in grades 8-12 and GED students are welcome to get help with research projects, state subject areas tests, English, science, history and math. School supplies and snacks provided. Free; call 601-948-4725 or 601-372-1621.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Group, at St. Dominic Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive), in the St. Catherine Room. NAMI Mississippi offers a support group for family members who have an adult relative with a mental illness on second Thursdays at 7 p.m. Free; call 601-899-9058.

Programs on WMPR 90.1 FM and wmpr901.com.
• Women for Progress Radio Broadcast. Dorothy Stewart and Willie Jones host the program on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Topics include education, economics and politics. Call 601-918-5137.
• Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. Show. Every Friday from noon-12:30 p.m., Jackson mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. discusses activities, issues and other newsworthy items that are occurring in the city of Jackson. Call 601-960-1084.

CARA Recycling Program, at Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) (960 N. Flag Chapel Road). Mississippi's largest no-kill animal shelter is earning cash for operating expenses by participating in the FundingFactory Recycling Program. They are collecting empty laser or toner cartridges and used cellphones from the community and sending the waste products to FundingFactory in exchange for cash. Donations welcome; email [e-mail missing].