Canton's City of Lights
Christmas in Canton is an annual, month-long Victorian-style extravaganza. Make time to visit the "City of Lights," to get into the holiday spirit with a ride on the carousel, an antique car or a buggy ride. The event, which lasts through Thursday, Dec. 23, features attractions for all ages.
A Mostly Nice List of Mostly Offbeat Holiday Films
"Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas" (1977)—Jim Henson had the Christmas season covered with "The Muppet Christmas Carol," but this little tale is perhaps the most overlooked gem in Henson's treasure trove. The tale of an otter mother and son and his jug band buddies as they all struggle to make some spending money for Christmas debuted in 1977. I remember watching this with my younger siblings and enjoying it immensely, especially the bands' rival at the talent show: the intimidating Alice Cooper-styled Riverbottom Nightmare Band. The special is filled with memorable songs that are uplifting and sweet without being saccharine. This was also the first time Henson filmed his creations in wide-angle and full-character shots; previously Muppets were almost exclusively shot from the waist-up. If you haven't seen it in years, or if you have children who have never seen it, this is the perfect time to settle in at the edge of Frogtown for a bittersweet modern holiday classic.
Soccer Tournament for Baby Pierce
Leah Helms left the soccer field after watching her oldest child's victory in a soccer tournament at 10 p.m. on a Sunday night. The next day she was in labor.
APAC's Impact: Shining Bright
As a boy in a school uniform gets off the bus on tree-lined Riverside Drive early one fall morning, faculty and staff inside the Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex School prepare for a busy day. The boy carries a large white cello case behind him on his way to the front door.
Punchlines and Paranoia
Cause for rejoice and revelry is here at last, for the faithful and neophyte alike.
Make a Joyful Noise
Christmas is the season of giving (or re-gifting, for some), and musicians all over the state are playing Santa Claus, using their talents to help others during the holiday season. Many musicians play at assorted charity events during the Christmas season to pay it forward.
Lace, Cake and Gowns
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. I know. I've been there. My husband and I ended up scratching the big wedding, and instead, took 20 family and friends to the beach in Santa Barbara.
Scrooge Hits the Stage
The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will visit New Stage Theatre during the annual production of the heartwarming Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol."
Hometown Heroes
Like a proud parent showing off a scrapbook of your child's accolades, "Mississippians" (Nautilus Printing, 2010, $45) is a collection of photographs and vignettes of notable individuals from the state of Mississippi.
Watkins Wants to Buy Metrocenter
Watkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree said the company, which already owns a closed anchor-store space in Metrocenter Mall, now wants to buy the entire structure.
The Fuzzy Math of Arenas
Talk of a proposed entertainment arena in downtown Jackson has been largely devoid of hard figures, by necessity. Arena supporters are still cobbling together the private money to pay for a feasibility study. As of Dec. 3, the downtown arena "steering committee" had raised $65,915 of the $80,000 it hopes to raise for the study before the end of the year. The study would inject some rough cost estimates into discussions of the proposal.
Steve Kistulentz
On a warm and cloudy day in November, professor Steve Kistulentz sits calmly at a table at Millsaps College. He smiles and tilts his head slightly as he remembers the events that brought him to Jackson.
Mississippi Ranked Unhealthiest State
Mississippi remains the unhealthiest state for the ninth year straight, according to America's Health Rankings released yesterday.
Wicker To Introduce ‘States' Rights' Bill
U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said he intends to undermine a federal health-care reform law President Barack Obama signed this year by introducing a bill this week allowing state officials to challenge federal regulations.
[Balko] The Continuing Saga of Steven Hayne
Last week the Mississippi Supreme Court granted a new trial to Cory Maye, who is serving a life sentence for shooting and killing Prentiss, Miss., police officer Ron Jones during a botched drug raid on Maye's apartment. One of the key prosecution witnesses in Maye's case was Steven Hayne, an overworked, ethically dubious medical examiner who performed the overwhelming majority of criminal autopsies in Mississippi for two decades, from the late 1980s until 2008. Although last week's ruling did not address Hayne's work, it presents an opportunity to consider recent developments in Mississippi's slow evolution toward a more competent death investigation system.
Baptist Eyes Expansion; New Boutique
Baptist Health Systems is in talks with owners of Keifer's Restaurant to purchase the Belhaven eatery's site on Poplar Boulevard. Baptist spokesman Robby Channell said that the move, while not finalized, is part of the hospital's plans to construct a five-story mixed-use office building nearby on the site of the KFC at North State and Manship streets, which it owns.
Scott Crawford
Scott Crawford believes that visualizing a dream is the first step to making it happen. That concept inspired him to design his ideal city of Jackson with LEGO blocks.
Boys and Girls Club to Close Again?
Boys & Girls Club of Central Mississippi President and CEO Billy Redd said his organization is planning to close three area facilities for the second time in two years because of a lack of long-term funding.
Supes Address Emergency-Tech Delays
Hinds County emergency responders may have to wait another six months before technology that traces the location of cell phone 911 calls is available. Gaps in communication are to blame for the county's delay in implementing the technology, Blake Wallace, executive director of the county's Economic Development District, told the county Board of Supervisors today.
BP Claims Ignoring Fishing and Casino Workers?
Despite the fact that Gov. Haley Barbour announced last week that the BP has paid $181 million in Mississippi oil spill claims as of Dec. 1, Mississippi Gulf Coast fishing industry representative Linda St. Martin claims the oil company and the federal government aren't working hard enough to repair the lives of the fishing industries and casino affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.