Actor Gary Coleman Dead at 42
From CNN:
McCoy, Bryant Announce Dueling Oil Spill Panels
Two newly-created committees of state legislators will begin hearings on the Gulf oil spill as early as next week. Yesterday morning, House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, announced the formation of a special House committee to monitor the response to the disaster, which has surpassed the Exxon Valdez as the largest spill in U.S. history. Later the same day, Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant announced the formation of a Senate committee for a similar purpose.
Council Renames Metro Parkway
A portion the Jackson Metro Parkway between Terry Road and Eastview Street has been renamed after prominent African American physician and civil rights activist Dr. Robert Smith. The Jackson City Council members approved renaming the street in a 5-to-0 vote this morning.
Roller Derby Returns to Jackson
The Magnolia Roller Vixens, Jackson's roller derby squad, are a group of women who blended aggressive athleticism, strategy, and teamwork as they practice.
Kathy Elam
Balloon artist Kathy Elam believes that all it takes is a balloon and a smile to brighten someone's day.
What to do this Memorial Day Weekend
Before the sun goes down today, check out the Mississippi Watercolor Society exhibit at The Cedars, which is open until 4 p.m., or the Mustard Seed art exhibit at the Mississippi Arts Commission, open until 5 p.m. today. The "Six Over 64.9" exhibit at Gallery 119 closes Monday, so you may want to stop by and view the artwork there while you have a chance. Call the gallery to make an appointment. Visit the JFP Gallery Listings or the Exhibits and Openings page for more options.
It's Official: Gulf Disaster Bigger than Valdez
If anyone had any doubts before, new government estimates confirmed yesterday that the oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico surpasses the 11 million gallons dumped into Alaska's Prince William Sound in March 1989, when the Exxon Valdez tanker ran aground. The Sun Herald reports that new estimates from two teams of scientists say the leak in the Gulf is spewing between 504,000 and upwards of a million gallons a day, which means that between 18 million and 39 million gallons have spewed into the ocean to date.
Wellness Project: Week 1
I've come to the conclusion that instead of the five goals I listed, I should have just had one goal: improve my short-term memory. Why? Because I keep forgetting my goals! My brain is on auto-pilot most days, thinking about obligations for work, school or church, so two or three days will go by before I realize that I haven't done something. I think that I may have to post a checklist on my mirror to remind me of what I am supposed to be doing. I'm distracted on a regular basis, so I hope I don't overlook the checklist! Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can help myself remember to stick to my goals?
Workaholic Needs To Schedule Regular Exercise
For the past few months I've been loving the time spent either on the elliptical at the gym or on the bicycle that I've recently dusted off, adjusted a bit and started riding around the neighborhood. After an hour or so of cardio mixed with hard work for my leg muscles, I'm ready to enjoy a long, quiet evening and a good nights sleep. There's only one problem -- I generally only get that exercise one (sometimes two) nights per week!
Sun-Herald Unhappy With Threats From Guv's Staff
Sounds like the governor's staff is getting on the wrong side of Gulf Coast media, and it'll be interesting to see if (a.) this is a trend and (b.) how his handling of the current crisis affects his political future. The governor, who is (too generously) heralded for his "handling" of Katrina in Mississippi, may be stepping in it a bit as he tries to dance and chew gum at the same time while grabbing facetime during the tragedy in the Gulf.
Crime Stats Show Education's Power, JPD Chiefs Say
Read this week's COMSTAT report
Convention Hotel Developers Pay County Taxes
TCI-MS, formed to develop the Capital City Center and a Convention Center hotel on four blocks of Pascagoula Street, paid its overdue property taxes this week.
Marilyn Blackledge
Mississippi Food Network's Director of Development Marilyn Blackledge has had to work hard to raise additional funds this year after the organization's member agencies reported a 30 percent increase in demand for food across the state. Blackledge raises money to keep more than 100,000 people in central Mississippi from going hungry every month.
The Invisible Woman
Youth Media Project
I've lived with this woman for quite a while now. She showed me how to care, allowed me to be different, and appreciate the little things, but I hated her. I hated the way she looked. How she let people treat her. How lumpy she was. I loved spending my down time fantasizing about leaving her, often equating my level of happiness with the distance away. But something happened. I wasn't paying attention and it happened. I was falling in love. I became more intrigued at how this woman treated the people she loved and I discovered how beautiful she really was.
The Rapper's Double Consciousness
Youth Media Project
It would be hard to describe the moment when I fell in love with Hip-Hop, for it would be like trying to explain when I fell in love with my people. Hip-Hop has indirectly been a part of me before birth. It is a present that was predestined for me. Hip-Hop is a culture and an intricate part of my heritage. It has influenced many aspects of my life. Hip-Hop, with its intoxicating lyrics, has started a movement, developed material culture, and charismas that have produced a generation of people. This hip-hop generation has been a voice for the youth, and me.
How to Know If You Are Alive
Youth Media Project
One simply can't exist and expect to be alive. Just as one may feel passion and expect there to be love also, that is not always the case. Sand put into a sieve simply falls out. To be alive you don't even have to act in the name of goodness or peace, you can be a terrible person out to corrupt. But please, for the love of humanity, act! Passive people have killed more human beings than Hitler, King Herod and the like ever did, because what do those people care? They're not even alive anyway.
A Response to an Article from The Clarion Ledger [Constance/Itawamba Co.]
Youth Media Project
All Mississippi needs is more negative media coverage, and here it is. People already think, all around the world, that Mississippi is full of closed-minded individuals whose main goal in life is to keep the state as conservative as possible.
Prom Night Madness!
Youth Media Project
When I think of prom, I think of all the teen movies and books that I have been exposed to. They always have such a great time at prom. They dance and prom king and queen are announced and everybody get's all excited because they thought it would be that other girl who has the really pretty hair and nice make-up, but instead it was actually the one that hardly anyone ever notices and they ask whether it was a cruel joke gone good or what?! Nonetheless, my proms have been none of this. Entertaining? Yes. Outstanding? Not at all.
Hmm…I Got to Thinking, And…
Youth Media Project
I can't believe I missed the date. Since April 4, it has been two full years since that Friday in 10th grade when we drove home and discovered that a tree had smashed into our house. Our house. Well, not really our house since it was temporary for us, but still.
Passion: It's an End Within Itself!
Youth Media Project
For those of you, who are still in high school or a freshman in college trying to figure out what your major will be: let it be whatever interest you. And when you leave college and are trying to figure out what you want to do in life let it be something you are passionate about and not about the money. Don't get me wrong, be entrepreneurs, and make as much money you can. Just let it [money] be a medium of exchange, and your passion be the end within itself.