Ellington

6 p.m., You Have the Mic at Afrika Book Cafe (404 Mitchell Ave.). The open political forum for discussing Jackson's current issues is hosted by Othor Cain and Mista Main of Hot 97.7 FM on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. E-mail [e-mail missing].

Tuesday, Aug. 17

11 a.m., Blood Pressure Checks for Seniors at Madonna Manor Retirement Center (550 Houston Ave.). The City of Jackson's Department of Human and Cultural Services and the staff of St. Dominic Health Service's Care-A-Van outreach program provide blood pressure checks and information about cataracts to qualifying individuals aged 55 or older living within the city limits of Jackson. Free; call 601-960-0335.

11:45 a.m., Knee Replacement at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Baptist for Women Conference Center. Join orthopedic surgeons Dr. Jeff Almand and Dr. Trevor Pickering to learn how the latest technology is making partial or total knee replacement surgery more precise. Registration is required. $5 optional lunch; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

5:30 p.m., Jackson Public School Board Meeting at Jackson Public Schools (621 S. State St.). The JPS School Board meets for its regular session, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-8700.

6 p.m., Mayor's Community-Wide Ward 1 Meeting at Christ United Methodist Church (6000 Old Canton Road). The meetings provide opportunities for residents to find out about projects that are occurring in their ward, to obtain information on city job opportunities and to learn about a host of city programs that are available. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security's WIN Center Mobile Job Unit will also be on hand. Call 601-960-2378.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

10 a.m., State Institutions of Higher Learning Meeting at Universities Center (3825 Ridgewood Road). The Board of Trustees meets in the IHL Board Room for its regular monthly meeting. Call 601-432-6647.

11 a.m., Blood Pressure Checks for Seniors at Golden Key Multi-purpose Senior Center (3450 Albermarle Road). The City of Jackson's Department of Human and Cultural Services and the staff of St. Dominic Health Service's Care-A-Van outreach program provide blood pressure checks and information about cataracts to qualifying individuals aged 55 or older living within the city limits of Jackson. Free; call 601-960-0335.

Thursday, Aug. 19

11:30 a.m., Young Leaders in Philanthropy Lunch and Learn at United Way (843 N. President St.), in the conference room. Presented by the Children's Defense Fund, this session provides information on the Cradle to Prison Pipeline Campaign. $10 lunch or bring your own; e-mail [e-mail missing].

11:45 a.m., Getting a Handle on Menopause and Osteoporosis at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Baptist for Women Conference Center. Dr. Holland Addison and Dr. Thomas Wiley are the presenters. The event is part of the "Timeless Transformations for Women" seminar series. Registration is required. $5 optional lunch; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

6 p.m., State Senate Elections Committee Hearing at University of Mississippi, Fulton Chapel (1920 University Circle, Oxford). A series of public meetings across the state will culminate in mid-March with the passage of a legislative redistricting plan. The Legislature is required to redraw boundaries of the districts of its 174 members before the next round of state elections in 2011. Visit the Poten & Partners Web site.

6 p.m., Precinct 3 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 3 (3925 W. Northside Drive). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Call 601-960-0003.

Friday, Aug. 20

Borders Benefit Day Aug. 20-21, at Borders (100 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood). Present a voucher as you check out and the Mustard Seed will receive 20 percent of your purchase. Store hours are 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Vouchers are available at the checkout counter, at Mustard Seed's Web site and in the Mustard Seed Gift Shop (1085 Luckney Road, Flowood). Call 601-992-3556.

Through Aug. 20

City of Jackson - AmeriCorps Capital City Rebuild Program at Jackson City Hall (200 S. President St.). The program encourages young adults to get involved in the community. Activities include mentoring and tutoring children, providing assistance to senior citizens and landscaping city parks. The program is from Sept. 1, 2010 to Aug. 31, 2011. Volunteers must be 18 and older and may receive benefits such as a monthly stipend, free dental and health insurance, and an educational award upon completion of 1700 hours. The deadline to apply is Aug. 20. Call 601-960-0335 or 601-960-6575.

Saturday, Aug. 21

9 a.m., Homebuyers Workshop at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Blvd.). Sponsored by Mississippi Home of Your Own. HOYO empowers people with disabilities to become homeowners through grants and support systems. Residents with and without disabilities in Hinds County and surrounding counties are invited to attend. Free; call 601-432-6876 or 866-883-4474.

9 a.m., Dancercize for the Heart at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at center stage. The Jackson Heart Study sponsors the event. Call 601-982-8467.

9 a.m., Olde Towne Market, in downtown Clinton. Vendors sell everything from fresh produce to unique handmade crafts on the brick streets of Olde Towne Clinton. Free admission; e-mail [e-mail missing].

10 a.m., Blood Drive at Cathedral AME Zion Church (428 W. Northside Drive). The Mississippi Blood Services donor coach will be in the church parking lot. Donors must be at least 17 years old and 110 pounds. Please bring ID. All donors will receive a T-shirt. Call 601-368-2656.

10:30 a.m., Calendar Girl Cotillion Brunch at Anderson United Methodist Church (6205 Hanging Moss Road). The Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is looking for interested young ladies and their parents to attend and receive information about the 2010 Miss Calendar Girl Cotillion. Free; call 601-665-9243.

Noon, ACLU of Mississippi Annual Membership Meeting at Cabot Lodge Millsaps (2375 N. State St.). The event's guest speaker will be Dahlia Ward, ACLU national state strategist, who will discuss the ACLU's fight to stop ballot initiatives across the country that are threatening individual freedoms. Lunch will be served. $20, free for members; call 601-354-3408.

3 p.m., Transgender Support Group of Mississippi at A Brave New Day (Fondren Corner, 2906 N. State St.). The meeting will be on the second floor. Call 601-321-4922.

Through Aug. 31

Project Redirectory Recycling Program. Telephone book recycling bins are located throughout the metro Jackson area, and you can schedule a pickup from your business if you have 50 books or more. Contact Keep Jackson Beautiful for a list of locations. Books may also be dropped off at Recycling Services (3010 N. Mill Street). Call 601-366-4842.

Center for Cultural Interchange Call for Hosting Families. CCI needs to place 1,000 foreign exchange students from more than 40 countries around the world for the 2010-2011 school year. All of the students to be placed are 15-18 years old and are proficient in English. The application deadline is Aug. 31. Call 800-634-4771.

Through Sept. 3

Youth Flag Football Registration at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). Youth ages 9-14 may participate. Interested individuals can fill out registration forms from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. The deadline for registration is Sept. 3. Call 601-960-0471.

Through Sept. 14

NFL Youth Punt, Pass and Kick Competition Registration at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The competition is divided into four separate age divisions: 8-9 years old; 10-11 years old; 12-13 years old; and 14-15 years old. During registration, proof of age will be required. Registration forms may be filled out from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free; call 601-960-0471.

Through Dec. 18

Greater Belhaven Market at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Buy local fresh produce or other food or gift items. The market is open every Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission; call 601-506-2848 or 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.

Through Feb. 28

Jackson State University Alumni Association Membership Drive. The Jackson-Hinds chapter is currently seeking new members to join the association. $25 membership; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Ongoing

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. You can send your questions and comments in advance to [e-mail missing] or call the office for more information. The broadcast is also available on Jackson Medical Mall's Web site. 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.

Ask for More Arts Call for Artists. Ask for More Arts is currently seeking artists to work with children in grades K-5 in the Jackson Public Schools district. Parents for Public Schools of Jackson is the convening partner. Call 601-969-6015.

Farmers' Market, at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Shop the Mississippi Farmers Market for fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables from Mississippi farmers, specialty foods, and crafts from local artisans. The market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 601-354-6573.

Farmers' Market, at Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project's Farmers' Market (2548 Livingston Road). Buy from a wide selection of fresh produce provided by participating local farmers. Market hours are noon-6 p.m. on Fridays, and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Free admission; call 601-987-6783.