Ellington

Monday, June 24

6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., New Foundation Toastmasters Club at Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University (1230 Raymond Road) in the Nebraska Room. Practice impromptu speaking, active listening, evaluation and leadership skills. Call for information on membership dues; call 601-918-5164 or 601-896-4400; email [email protected] or [email protected]; find "NewFoundation Valeria Brown" on Facebook.

Tuesday, June 25

noon-1 p.m., "Guess Who's Talking Now" Toastmasters Club at Woolfolk Building (501 N. West St.) in the conference room on the first floor. Improve your communication skills, and become a better speaker and leader. Membership required. Free to visitors; call 601-359-6653 or 601-359-2573.

5:15 p.m., Public Policy Toastmasters Club at Universities Center (3825 Ridgewood Road) in the computer lab. Improve your communication skills, and become a better speaker and leader. Membership required. Call for details on membership dues; call 601-540-8472 or 601-432-6277.

6 p.m., Jackson City Council Meeting June 25, at Jackson City Hall (219 S. President St.). Open to the public. Free; call 601-960-1064; jacksonms.gov.

Wednesday, June 26

11 a.m.-2 p.m., Artifact and Collectible Identification Program at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). The MDAH staff is on hand to review and assist in identifying documents and objects of historical value. Free; call 601-576-6850.

noon, History Is Lunch at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Filmmaker Wilma Mosley-Clopton presents her film "In Spite of it All: The Ollye Brown Shirley Story." Free; call 601-576-6998.

Noon-1 p.m., Lunch and Learn Series at Mississippi Center for Nonprofits (201 W. Capitol St.). The topic is "Advancing Your Cause Through Lobbying." Lunch included; registration required. $15, members free; call 601-968-0061; msnonprofits.org.

6 p.m., Mississippi 4-H Horse Championship at Kirk Fordice Equine Center (1207 Mississippi St.). Youth compete for a chance to go on to the Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championship held in July in West Monroe, La. Free; call 662-325-3515; msucares.com/4h_youth.

7 p.m.-8 p.m., Bokwa Fitness Classes at Dance Unlimited Studio, Byram (6787 S. Siwell Road, Suite A, Byram). Join Certified Bokwa Instructor, Paula Eure, for a hour full of fun. $5 per class; call 601-209-7566; bokwafitness.com.

6 p.m.-7 p.m., Downtown Jackson Toastmasters at Plaza Building (120 N. Congress St.). Learn to communicate better in front of groups and with peers. Meetings are Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. on the 12th floor in the Common Room. Call for membership information. Free; call 601-940-5247; email [email protected]; http://1275010.toastmastersclubs.org/.

Thursday, June 27

9 a.m., COMSTAT Meeting at Jackson Police Department Headquarters (327 E. Pascagoula St.). The JPD shares the latest Jackson crime statistics at the biweekly meeting. Open to the public. Free; call 601-960-1375; jacksonms.gov.

11 a.m.-1 p.m., 7 p.m.-9 p.m., Red, White and Jackson at Smith Park (Yazoo Street) and Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). Enjoy a free hot dog lunch and music from Dexter Allen at Smith Park from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and children's activities, food vendors, music from several artists and fireworks on the grounds of the Old Capitol Museum and War Memorial from 7-9 p.m. Free; call 601-948-7575.

5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Women for Progress Live Radio Broadcast at WMPR 90.1 FM and wmpr901.com . Dorothy Stewart and Willie Jones host the program. Topics include education, economics and politics. Call-ins welcome at 601-948-5950. Free; call 601-918-5137.

5:30 p.m., Precinct 4 COPS Meeting at Redeemer Church (640 E. Northside Drive). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0004.

Friday, June 28

8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Fatherhood Awareness Conference at Mississippi e-Center at Jackson State University (1230 Raymond Road)The fathers-only session is from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and the session for fathers and mothers is from 1-3 p.m. Special guests include Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and actor Tommy Ford ("Martin"). Lunch included. RSVP. Free; call 601-359-4861; email [email protected].

noon, "Putt It Forward" Golf Tournament at Bay Pointe Country Club (800 Bay Pointe Drive, Brandon). Lunch is at noon, and the shotgun start is at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit ARF of Mississippi. Registration required. $125 per player; call 601-951-0929; find "Putt It Forward" on Facebook.

4 p.m., JPS School Board Budget Meeting Jackson Public Schools (621 S. State St.) in the board room. The Board of Trustees' budget adoption for the 2013-2014 school year is open to the public. Free; call 601-960-8700; jackson.k12.ms.us.

6 p.m., Community Bike Ride at Rainbow Natural Grocery Cooperative (2807 Old Canton Road). Bikers ride to a different destination on the last Friday of each month. Jackson Bike Advocates is the sponsor. Free; call 366-1602; email [email protected]; find Jackson Bike Advocates on Facebook.

Saturday, June 29

8 a.m., Saturday Morning Weekly Walk at Parham Bridges Park (5055 Old Canton Road). Dr. Timothy Quinn hosts the walk to promote wellness. Walkers should park on Ridgewood Road next to the playground. Free; call 601-487-6482.

8 a.m., Gridiron Gals Ladies Football Clinic at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (2531 N. State St.). Women learn football basics such as lingo, player positions and safety information. Lunch included. Registration required. $25; call 601-979 - 2295; jsutigers.com.

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Homebuyer Education Class at Jackson Housing Authority Homeownership Center (256 E. Fortification St.). Topics include personal finances, home inspections and the role of lenders and real estate agents. Registration required. The class is required to qualify for a Jackson Housing Authority loan. Free; call 601-398-0446.

9 a.m.-11 a.m., Clothing Giveaway at Sheppard Brothers Park (1355 Hattiesburg St.). The Greater Is He Outreach Ministry is the host. Gently-used clothing and shoes for adults and children available. Donations welcome. Free; call 769-257-8494.

10 a.m., Vacation Bible Splash at Duling Green (Duling Avenue and Old Canton Road). Includes water slides, food and activities. Bring a lawn chair and a towel. Free; call 601-981-9606.

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mississippi Law Enforcement Employment Expo at Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.). The Governor's Job Fair Network is the host. Several agencies seek applicants for available positions such as police departments, the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the FBI. Free; call 601-321-6122; jobfairs.ms.gov.

10 a.m.-3 p.m., We Are the Cure Conference: Preventing and Reversing Diabetes at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.).The speaker is scholar and clinical researcher Dr. Neal Barnard. The reception with vendor booths is from 10-11 a.m., and the lecture and book signing is from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. $25 in advance, $30 at the door (cash only); tickets also sold at Rainbow Grocery (see Jason); call 601-487-6894; pathway2wellness.org.

5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Mbongi: Seeking SOULutions and Community-level Healing at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.) in the Community Meeting Room. Attendees meet to discuss ways to resolve community problems in Jackson. RSVP. Free admission, $2 donation for food; call 601-918-5075 or 601-608-8327.

6 p.m., Mississippi Central State Troopers Coalition 40th Anniversary Celebration at M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge (1072 John R. Lynch St.). Social hour is at 6 p.m., and the banquet is at 7 p.m. Honorees include Walter Crosby, Lewis Younger, Richard Williams, Shirlene Anderson and Doris Holt. $40, $400 table of 10; call 601-353-8452; email [email protected].

2 p.m.-4 p.m., Waterfest at Old Trace Park (Post Road, Ridgeland). The purpose of the event is to celebrate and protect the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Includes interactive exhibits, craft booths, food vendors, animals, music and fireworks. Free admission; call 601-853-2011; rezonate-ms.org.

2 p.m.-10 p.m., Independence Day Celebrationat Old Trace Park (Post Road, Ridgeland) and Lakeshore Park (Lakeshore Drive, Brandon) . Includes food vendors, music from Steze Azar and the Chill, children's activities, a classic car show, an air show, a boat parade and fireworks. Waterfest is from 2-6 p.m at Old Trace Park, and the focus is protecting the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Free admission; call 601-605-6880 or 601-605-6898; email [email protected] or [email protected]; barnettreservoirfoundation.org.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Sick and Tired, and Seeking SOULutions at Afrikan Arts and Culture Studio (612 N. Farish St.). Our Community Against Racism hosts the forum on second Saturdays. The focus of the monthly forum is to provide African-centered cultural enrichment and work toward racial equality. Refreshments served. Free; call 601-979-1413 or 601-918-5075.

4 p.m.-9 p.m., "Quarter Moon in June" Progressive and Jam Band Rock Benefit at Hal & Mal's (200 Commerce St.) in the Red Room and the Big Room. Performers include M.O.S.S., Slychosis, Ceci Whitehurst, Filter the Noise and Memphis band Mind. Proceeds benefit Prevent Child Abuse Mississippi and Gulf Restoration Network. For ages 18 and up. $7; call 601-310-7067; email [email protected].

6:30 p.m., Capital City Roller Girls Roller Derby Game at Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.). The team takes on the NSRD Lethal Ladies. $12, children under 12 free, $50 vendors; call 601-383-4885; email [email protected] or [email protected]; find Capital City Roller Girls on Facebook.

7 p.m., Magnolia Roller Vixens Roller Derby: "Independence Slay" at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). The team takes on the Hub City Derby Dames of Hattiesburg. Doors open at 6 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 at the door, $5 children; call 960-2321; email [email protected]; magnoliarollervixens.com.

Sunday, June 30

3 p.m., Ultimate Frisbee Pickup Game at Chastain Middle School (4650 Manhattan Road). The sport is played with teams of seven who score by catching and throwing a disc toward an end zone. Free; call 987-3550; mississippiultimate.blogspot.com.

Ongoing

Governor's Arts Awards Call for Nominations through June 28, at Mississippi Arts Commission (Woolfolk Building, 501 N. West St., Suite 1101A). The Mississippi Arts Commission seeks nominees who have contributed to the arts in Mississippi. The deadline for nominations is June 28, and the winner is announced February 2014. Free; call 601-359-6031; arts.ms.gov.

Senior Aides Program The city of Jackson offers the part-time job program to low-income seniors ages 55 and up. Receive assistance in finding a job during the training process. Applicants must have state ID, a Social Security card, proof of income and a utility bill. Free; call 601-960-0335.

Mississippi Youth Hip Hop Summit and Parent/Advocate Conference Call for Volunteers through July 20. Volunteers ages 19 and up with youth that are not participating in the summit are welcome. The conferences are July 20-21 at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). Free; call 601-354-3408, ext. 104; email [email protected]; tinyurl.com/2013MSYouthHHSVolunteerReg.

Summer Feeding Program through July 12, at participating JPS schools . The Food Service Department of the Jackson Public School District offers lunch on weekdays to youth ages 18 and under, excluding July 5. Free; call 601-960-8911 for a list of schools; jackson.k12.ms.us.