Ellington

6 p.m., Jackson Arts Collective Monthly Meeting, at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.). Every first Monday, the Collective Steering Committee meets to discuss business of the previous month and listen to local artist proposals for the sponsorship of events that fall in line with their mission. Open to the public. Call 601-497-7454.

Through May 2

Library Registration Assistance Awards, at Mississippi Library Commission (3881 Eastwood Drive). In spring 2011, the Mississippi Library Commission will offer Registration Assistance Awards to library support staff applying for certification in the American Library Association's Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program. Applications are available at mlc.lib.ms.us. The submission deadline is May 2. Recipients will be selected by random drawing May 6. Free; call 601-432-4498.

Tuesday, May 3

10 a.m., Story Time Tuesday, at Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). A local celebrity comes to the zoo to read an animal story. Afterwards, the kids get to do a related craft project or have an animal encounter. Free with paid admission; call 601-352-2580.

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.

Noon, "Restoring Mississippi Delta Habitats" Lecture, at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Dr. Andy Peck explains how planting more than 390,000 trees will benefit more than 900 acres of Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge land. $6, $5 seniors, $4 children 3-18, members and babies free; call 601-354-7303.

4:30 p.m., Small Business Administration Loan Clinic, at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.), in the SBA Conference Room on the 10th floor. Learn about the variety of SBA products used to guaranty loans, and approved and participating lenders in the area. Space is limited; registration required. Free; call 601-965-4378, ext. 11.

5:30 p.m., Jackson Public School Board Meeting May 3, 5:30 p.m., at Jackson Public Schools (621 S. State St.). The JPS School Board meets for its discipline session, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-8700.

5:30 p.m., Sheriff Malcolm McMillin's Campaign Kick-off, at Hal & Mal's (200 Commerce St.). Meet the sheriff, and enjoy music and other activities.

6 p.m. Small Business Financing Seminar, at Hinds Community College, Utica Campus (34175 Highway 18, Utica), at the Business Incubator Center. Get tips on locating resources for your small business. Please RSVP. Free; call 601-885-7137.

6:30 p.m., Leadership/Personal Development and Life Skills Seminar Series, at Operation Shoestring (1711 Bailey Ave.). Operation Shoestring and Kuumba Promos host the seminars on first and third Tuesdays during the school year. The series is intended to introduce leadership and life management skills to local youth. Enrollment is required. Free; call 601-353-3663 or 601-957-2969.

Wednesday, May 4

11:30 a.m., Capital Area Human Resource Association Meeting, at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). Beverly Smallwood speaks on the topic "Working with the Working Wounded: How to Help Troubled Employees Regain Productivity." Please RSVP. $15; visit cahra.shrm.org.

11:30 a.m., Young Leaders in Philanthropy Advisory Council Meeting, at United Way (843 N. President St.). Council members and the YLP Executive Board meet monthly to strategically discuss upcoming YLP activities and other community engagement initiatives. Lunch served; RSVP required. Email [e-mail missing].

Noon, "History Is Lunch," William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Mezzo-soprano Lester Senter Wilson will present "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat and Other Songs From the Collection of Mrs. Jefferson Davis." Bring a lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6850.

5:30 p.m., Small Business Success Seminar, at Venture Incubator (City Centre Building, 200 S. Lamar St., 10th floor, south tower). The program for business owners and entrepreneurs provides information on how business incubators can help grow small businesses. RSVP. Call 601-906-4868.

Thursday, May 5

10 a.m., NAMIWalks Information Meeting, at Madison County Cultural Center for the Arts (2109 Main St., Madison). Learn about the fundraiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in November and how to get involved. Refreshments provided. Call 601-899-9058.

Friday, May 6

8 a.m., Chick-fil-A Leadercast, at Broadmoor Baptist Church (531 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison). Speakers, authors and leaders known around the world motivate and share words of wisdom via telecast. Participants include Robin Roberts, Dave Ramsey and Suzy Welch. Lunch included. $59; visit broadmoor.org/leadercast.

9 a.m., Go Red for Women, at Country Club of Jackson (345 Saint Andrews Drive). The American Heart Association is the host. The event includes a silent auction, health screenings, lunch, sessions with health experts and a fashion show. $75; call 601-321-1211.

Tougaloo College Alumni Weekend May 6-8, at Tougaloo College (500 W. County Line Road, Tougaloo). May 6, the Gathering on the Green at 5 p.m. includes a concert. May 7, the annual alumni meeting is at 9, the luncheon is at noon, the tennis match is at 2 p.m. and the ribbon cutting of the Bennie G. Thompson Academic and Civil Rights Research Center is at 3 p.m. The alumni banquet at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road) is at 7 p.m. May 8, the baccalaureate service is at 8 a.m. with Dr. Samuel Boyd as the guest, and the commencement is at 10 a.m. with U.S. congressman John Lewis as the guest speaker. $30 luncheon, $45 banquet, other activities free; call 601-977-7836 or 601-977-7871.

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Fight with Fire - Fight for a Cure, at Smith Park (302 Amite St.). Members of the Jackson Fire Department host a benefit lunch for firefighter and cancer survivor Diane Carter. $6 plate, donations welcome; call 601-850-9187 or 601-750-7017.

Saturday, May 7

8 a.m., Dress for Success Power Walk, at Courthouse Racquet and Fitness Club, Northeast (46 Northtown Drive). Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit Dress for Success Metro Jackson. Visit dfspowerwalk.org/jackson to register, form a team or be a virtual walker. $20-$30; e-mail [e-mail missing].

8 a.m., Jackson Audubon Society Family Bird Walk, at Mayes Lake at LeFleur's Bluff (115 Lakeland Terrace). An experienced Audubon Society member will lead the walk. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and a snack. Call ahead if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars. Adults must accompany children under 15. Free, $3 car entrance fee; call 601-956-7444.

9 a.m., Train Day at the Zoo, at Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Celebrate with train activities and 50 percent off rides. $8, $5 children 2-12, $7.20 seniors, members and babies free; call 601-352-2580.

9 a.m., Museum to Market Trail Clean-up Day, in Belhaven. The Jackson Bike Advocates, Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation, Jackson Chamber of Commerce and Bike Walk Mississippi will clean the proposed Museum to Market Multi-use Trail. Bring work gloves and meet at the corner of Moody St. and Greymont Ave. E-mail [e-mail missing].

Honoring Your Own Uniqueness: A Wellness Weekend for Women and Girls May 7-8, at Biodynamic Farm (900 Williams Road, Pickens). Francis Flowers and Herbs Farm is the host. Presenters include life coach Joyce Brown, permaculture expert Lorraine Cahill and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner Dottie Prestel. Lunch and snacks included. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please RSVP. Free; call 662-834-2238.

10 a.m., Geocaching Workshop, at Ridgeland Public Library (397 Highway 51, Ridgeland). Ellen Crosby and Allan Nolan will show what you need, what to look for and how to get started on your own adventure. Free; call 601-856-4536.

Noon, Voter Awareness Rally and March, at Laurel Police Department (317 S. Magnolia St., Laurel). The march to promote voter registration an awareness of constitutional rights begins in the parking lot and ends at the Jones County Courthouse (415 N. 5th Ave., Laurel). Call 601-797-9007.

4 p.m., Kentucky Derby Day, at Providence Hill Farm (2600 Carsley Road). Enjoy heavy appetizers and drinks, music by the Jackson All Star Band, equestrian demonstrations, a silent auction and watching the Kentucky Derby on a widescreen television. Attendees are encouraged to wear Kentucky Derby attire. Proceeds benefit the University of Mississippi Medical Center Transplant Guild. $50; call 601-978-0271.

7 p.m., Derby for Dystrophy, at Congress Street Bar & Grill (120 N. Congress St.). The Kentucky Derby-style social includes a silent auction, refreshments and music by Patrick Harkins. Proceeds benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. $45; call 601-939-3454.

Sunday, May 8

9 a.m., Mother's Appreciation Day, at Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Bring your mother to the zoo, and she will get a free all-day pass. $9, $6 children ages 2-12, $8.20 seniors; members/babies free; call 601-352-2580.

Monday, May 9

8 a.m., Oral Cancer Screenings, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), in the Oral Oncology Clinic, located inside the UMHC Cancer Institute at the Thad Cochran Center. Doctors perform full oral exams until 5 p.m. and may refer patients to head and neck specialists for follow-up. By appointment only. Free; call 601-815-1181.

10 a.m., Levee Board Meeting, at Flowood City Hall (2101 Airport Road, Flowood). Members of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl Flood and Drainage Control District will have their monthly meeting. Call 601-939-4243.

Through May 10

Hershey's Track and Field Youth Program Registration, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting registration for the upcoming season from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Youth ages 9-14 may participate. A birth certificate and a recent photo are required. The deadline is May 10. Free; call 601-960-0471.

Through May 20

MARL Summer Camp Enrollment, at Mississippi Animal Rescue League (5221 Greenway Drive Ext.). Campers will help take care of shelter animals and have discussions will animal experts and staff. A T-shirt and a snack are included. Sessions are June 7-10 and June 14-17 from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with a 13-child limit per session. Register by May 20. $125; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Through May 27

Generation E Contest. Entergy Mississippi will award $25,000 in grants to nonprofits, schools and municipalities in the utility's 45-county service area for eco-friendly projects. Apply by May 27. Visit entergy.com/our_community/Grant_Guidelines.aspx.

Through May 31

Summer Camp Open Enrollment, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). Kids Kollege is now accepting applications for the Classic Summer Camp and the CDF Freedom Schools Summer Program, which will take place in June and July. Participants can take educational classes in math, science, and reading as well as recreational courses in sports, dance, and art. Children ages 5-17 are eligible. Call the office for fees at 601-979-1142.

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 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


Jackson 2000 Study Circles Program, at University of Mississippi (100 University Ave.). 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].