Doing Good: Health Help for Kids
The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program estimates that 120,000 Mississippi children have no health insurance, even though three-quarters qualify for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. A new outreach project aims to remedy the state's low enrollment in those federal programs for low-income, uninsured families.
Ray Mabus
Describing Navy Secretary Ray Mabus as a "son of the Gulf," last week, President Barack Obama appointed Mabus, former governor of Mississippi, to oversee economic and environmental recovery for the Gulf Coast from the oil spill.
Community Events and Public Meetings
5 p.m., America Reads-Mississippi Member Recruitment, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.), at the Sally M. Barksdale Educational Resource Center. ARM members tutor full-time during the school day, before and after school, over breaks and in the summer. Members support school and community efforts to increase parental and community support and involvement, recruit volunteers and attend monthly training to gain skills necessary to meet service obligations. Members who successfully complete 1,700 hours in one year will receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award worth $5,350, which can be used to attend college and/or pay off current qualified student loans. Call 601-979-1474.
Feinberg: Emergency Payments a Priority
Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday, Kenneth Feinberg, appointed by President Barack Obama to administer BP's $20 billion escrow account for claims against the oil giant, said his immediate goal is to pay initial "emergency" payments to victims of the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf. Those payments, he said will not affect victims' ability to file future claims, reports The Wall Street Journal:
Barbour Welcomes BP Escrow Manager
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour praised Kenneth Feinberg today, for his ability to oversee a $20 billion escrow fund that BP agreed to set up to compensate Gulf State victims filing claims for losses due to the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Housing Authority, Medical Mall Make Homes Affordable
In an effort to rebuild local communities, The Jackson Medical Mall and Jackson Housing Authority are working to bring high-quality, affordable housing to Jackson residents.
Dancing, Dining, Music and More
If you haven't been to the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition, the competition continues through June 27. Saturday features a brunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Jackson Marriott. Tickets are $10 pus tax and tip and an advanced reservation is required. Call 601-355-9853 to RSVP. The second round of the competition starts Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall, with performances Sunday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, June 20, The Belhaven Center for Performing Arts presents the Edward Stierle Contemporary Showcase at 2 p.m., featuring performances by 25 dancers who weren't selected for the semifinals of the competition, with special guest performance from artist Brooklyn Mack. Tickets are $5 and all proceeds from the event benefit the Dancers Responding to AIDS program. Call 601-973-9249 for ticket information.
Brooke Wyatt Kuhne
When she was a young girl, Brooke Wyatt Kuhne says she was one of the USA International Ballet Competition's biggest fans but she never thought her passion for the arts would someday lead her to becoming the competition's artistic administrator.
The Whole Hog
James Villas, along with Laurie Colwin, was an early icon of mine in the field of food writing. His Villas at Table (1998) was a long-time companion. As a matter of fact, his essay on sardines in that work inspired me to submit my first column to Donna Ladd. (As I remember, it was about oysters, but I'm certainly in a position to be corrected.)
Grant to Help Victims of Domestic and Sexual Assault
Victims of domestic violence can now receive extra legal assistance, counseling and protection thanks to a $157,950.00 grant awarded to the Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety awarded the center with the one-year grant during a press conference at the Capital yesterday.
Sierra Club Takes Kemper Plant to Court
The Mississippi Sierra Club filed a lawsuit today in Harrison County Chancery court challenging a decision by two Mississippi Public Service Commissioners to reverse an earlier PSC decision capping expenses of a new $2.9 billion coal-burning power plant in Kemper County.
Jackson's Recovery Top 20 In Nation
Despite suffering its worst recession in three decades, Jackson's economy is recovering faster than many U.S. cities. Jackson was one of only 10 metropolitan areas in the country--almost all of them in the South--to experience positive job growth in the last quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010, according to a report issued yesterday by the Brookings Institution.
Buck Abbey
Buck Abbey says he coined the phrase "green laws" in the '70s, although he did not know what a White Pine tree was before going to college. As a matter of fact, he happened upon landscape architecture and urban design by flipping through a Michigan State University catalogue and randomly opening to a page.
Wreckers Causing Burglaries
Read this week's crime report (PDF)
Toyota to Restart Blue Springs
Gov. Haley Barbour announced this morning that Toyota is moving forward to complete its Blue Springs plant in north Mississippi. Current plans call for the first cars to roll off the assembly lines in fall 2011.
Hanging out with Dad
When I was a little girl, I remember taking my bright neon bubble paint and going up to my father's bedroom before one Father's Day, where I took out his favorite red polo shirt. I knew he liked fishing and watching television, so I drew a huge TV on the front of his shirt with a man fishing.
Father's Day
The proud papa is a guy who has snapshots of his kids in his wallet where his money used to be. Humorous to some, true for others. This year, give your father a gift thoughtfully chosen for him, based on his personality or hobbies. Head on over to This week's JFP Issuu and check out the deals!
Water Water Everywhere
It was still daylight on a nice afternoon last April. I was busy, hungry and tired when my emotions got the better of me, and I drove into a fast food restaurant to eat before going home. The sandwich tasted a little odd, but I decided it was my imagination—probably just the spices.
Linnie Gordon and Charlie T. Hubbard
Linnie Gordon and Charlie T. Hubbard believe in patience and letting things happen as they may. In their case, patience and time proved to be a gift.
[He Drank, She Drank] Vol. 8, No. 40
He Drank, She Drank
A guy and a girl walk into a bar... No, not like that! These two liquor-loving socialites review some of their favorite drinks and favorite recipes.