Judge: Entergy Overcharged Customers
Read the ruling (PDF)
A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission judge ruled last week that Entergy Corporation has been selling overpriced energy to Mississippi customers.
New Bistro; Grants
Parveen Kapoor, a native of Delhi, India, came to Jackson seven years ago after a stint managing restaurants in Japan. He worked at Spice Avenue as a manager for over a year before leaving to open his own Quizno's franchise on Old Fannin Road in Brandon.
Anton Gunn
A common question people ask U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Anton Gunn is how to sort through the misinformation surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
I ran!
Picture it, November 2010, the day before Thanksgiving. While others were trying on their eating pants and doing jaw exercises to maximize chewing, I was making a list of life changes that would start immediately. I decided to give up meat and booze, hit the gym 4 times a week, and go back to yoga. So far things have been great. Two weeks ago I ran 2 miles in one session for the first time since I was 16. Granted I wasn't able to use the stairs or go without using a walker for a few days, but I did it. Going to yoga (with the magnificent Ronni Mott leading the class) helped with the pain. I swear I was two inches taller and breathing deeper after that class. I've kept up with my previous promises, I take a little time each day to read a few pages, splurged on delicious new hair products, danced with my house mate last night to Wham's "Last Christmas" (my fave song in the world!), and got all A's in both Psychology and Sociology including 100% on all term papers. This road to wellness has proven to be a fantastic journey, let's just hope I don't run out of gas before the next stop.
Mississippi Launches Broadband Website
A new state website provides Mississippians information about broadband technology and allows them to test the speed of their Internet service. The site also provides information about various state initiatives to improve access to broadband.
That Tired, Rundown Feeling
The past few weeks have been incredibly busy, so I have been losing a lot of sleep. Combined with sinusitis and an iffy diet, I am currently a shell of my former self. I have been concocting all kinds of schemes to get more sleep, everything from renting a hotel room and taking the phone off the hook to parking my car in a remote area just to rest my eyes for a couple of hours. I have scarfed down more coffee than usual, and I even bought an energy drink, which I keep forgetting to put in my purse because sleep deprivation has negatively affected my short-term memory. I've heard that not getting enough sleep can lead to weight gain, car wrecks and so on. I've nodded behind the wheel a couple of times already, so I have got to get more rest somehow. My best option would be to spend Christmas Eve unconscious, and although I dread waiting until then for sweet slumber, I guess I must do what I have to do to minimally function until that glorious day when I can rest and look forward to seeing the six bags under each eye disappear for good.
Corps Will Consider Lake Plan
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Senior Project Manager Gary Walker assured the local levee board this morning that the Corps will consider a smaller, one-lake plan in an upcoming feasibility study.
Council to Vote on Bluntson Investigation
The Jackson City Council is set to decide tomorrow whether to launch an investigation of Council President Frank Bluntson's use of city employees to campaign for his daughter-in-law, who lost a bid for Madison County Court judge Nov. 2.
Community Events and Public Meetings
Gifts and Supplies Drive, at Genesis & Light Center (350 N. Mart Plaza). Genesis & Light Center is seeking gift donations for children who participate in their educational assistance/mentoring program as well as supplies for their organization. Please contact the office for a list of requested items. The deadline for donations is Dec. 13; call 601-362-6736.
Daniel MacGregor
If you see Daniel MacGregor around Jackson carrying a painting of a red skyline, don't be surprised if he asks you to hold it while he takes your photograph.
What's All the Fuss About Top Tax Rates Going Up?
The national conversation on our fiscal health for the past few months has been about whether to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for households with incomes over $250,000, or to allow them to expire on December 31st. To my amazement, lost in all this controversy and discussion has been any mention of what this would really mean for high-income people in the context of historical tax rates.
Budgeting this Holiday
Focused on my financial and mental wellness this season, I have a plan for holiday shopping this Christmas. An actual plan that I will follow to completion so that I can be more relaxed during all of the activities this time of the year brings our way. See, I'm the type that usually waits until the last minute to do all of my holiday shopping and then splurges on gifts that had no real thought put into them. The first thing I have to remember this year is: I can't buy a gift for everyone! This one I have to keep repeating to myself over and over. I would love to really; I thoroughly enjoy gift giving and making people happy. But there is always something you can make them (just ask Martha Stewart) or something you can write in a card that came from the heart that they will appreciate just as much as something store bought. Step two: Make a list. I let my husband tell me approximately how much we'll be able to spend on everyone. Kids come first. Then immediate family. We make a table with the person's name we want to buy for, a budgeted amount to spend on that person, a gift idea and then a column for the amount actually spent after we find the gift. I'm also trying to budget in all of the extras like cards, wrapping paper, postage & shipping. This really allows me to focus on everyone's gift and be mindful of the budget. Step three, STAY AWAY FROM THE STORE! This one is almost impossible. I'm trying to do most of my shopping online. I've been somewhat successful at this. I think it takes more time to shop online because of all of the navigating through certain sites that are poorly organized or are too organized, and of course quite a few gifts I've tried to order were out of stock online but available in the store. So, I will have to make at least one or two trips to the toy store. I plan on doing this during the week when the stores aren't as busy and I will meditate for at least 30 minutes beforehand. If you've been shopping on a Saturday lately, you know what I'm talking about. I don't want to walk out of the store ready to scream and the traffic is horrible. There is nothing about last minute Christmas shopping that is pleasant. And finally, step four: Enjoy the holiday! After the shopping and wrapping and cooking, I will take time to sit down with my family and enjoy the time that we have to spend with each other.
Mississippi United Concert for A Cause: Clothing and Toy Drive. WE NEED YOU!
On SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19th. Mississippi United Presents: The TeamSipp GenerationNxt CONCERT FOR A CAUSE at DreamzJxn(426 Capital). The event will bring several area organizations together for the cause of giving back to those less fortunate during the holiday season. Concertgoers are asked to bring any clothing or toy items to Dreamz on Dec. 19th which will in turn be given to our friends at Gateway Mission. Not only will you be giving to a great cause but you will be entertained by some of the state's hottest talent who have donated their performances for the cause.
Financial Wellness
I'm really awful about letting go of ideas and things that no longer serve me. Once upon a time, I pulled down a fat little corporate paycheck. It was great while it lasted, but these days, that is not my reality.
Tax Cuts Will Cost More Than Stimulus
Take one from column A and one from column B. That seems to be the strategy for the divisive issues of unemployment benefits vs. the Bush-era tax cuts. Republicans, in line with their well-entrenched obstructionist strategy of the past two years, made it clear that no legislation would get through the lame-duck session without first extending tax cuts for the wealthy.
Former Melton Home Reopens, Owner Defends Plans
The former home of the late Mayor Frank E. Melton and the young men he invited to live with him there exhibits little evidence still of Melton's presence except for the "Bottom Line" basement game room with a red pool table, a glass-fronted cabinet filled with liquor bottles, and a small shrine to Melton sitting amid Christmas lights and holiday greenery. To the left on the shrine shelf sits an undated United Minority Media Association Inc. "Development Award" presented to "Frank E. Melton, President, TV-3 Inc., Jackson, Mississippi" for "National Youth Management." To the right is a framed printout of cartoonist Marshall Ramsey's goodbye cartoon to Melton, along with Melton's city business card and his Jackson Police Department ID signed by then-Chief Shirlene Anderson.
Johnny DuPree
Johnny DuPree wants to take Mississippi from last to first place in national rankings. DuPree, 57, the mayor of Hattiesburg, was the guest speaker today at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce's Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House. DuPree is touring the state before filing formal qualifying papers to be a candidate for the Mississippi governor's race in 2011.
It's the Weekend: Bundle Up
It may be cold outside, but that shouldn't stop you from having an eventful weekend.Tonight, put on your mittens and helmets and meet the Jackson Bike Advocates at Rainbow Grocery (2807 Old Canton Road) for their monthly community bike ride. The five-mile ride makes a loop though Belhaven and downtown at a slow, conversational pace. If you're in the mood for some holiday cheer, head to "Carols by Candlelight" at First Baptist Church of Jackson (431 N. State St.) to see the First Baptist Jackson Sanctuary Choir, Orchestra and Drama Department perform. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are free, and available until 6:15 p.m. when the doors open to non-ticket holders. For more information, call 601-949-1926. Afterwards, head downtown at 9 p.m. for a screening of the film "Howl" at the Art House Cinema located inside the Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Tickets are $9; for more information, visit http://www.msfilm.org. For more entertainment options, check out the JFP Events Calendar.
Chamber Forms Health-Care Division
The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership is placing a priority on the metro's medical industry expansion by forming a new health-care initiatives division.