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The Unofficial SPQ Glossary

Visualize the Sweet Potato Queens—smiling women throwing beads from a queenly float wearing costumes covered in green and pink sequins, spangles, and fringe; long, curling, glossy red hair; sparkling tiaras; and pink majorette boots during the Zippity Doo Dah Parade.

Christine ‘Chrissy' Wilson

Mississippi has no bigger cheerleader when discussing the art, history and culture of Mississippi than Christine "Chrissy" Wilson. She has edited many of the markers on the Mississippi Freedom Trail commemorating the state's civil-rights heritage as well as the Mississippi Blues Trail and the Country Music Trail markers.

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Michael Byrd

Michael Byrd and his family moved to the Philippines after he became disabled and retired from his career as a nuclear engineer in 2008. Shortly after, Byrd and his wife were in a car wreck, and she needed surgery.

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William VanDevender

Native Jacksonian William VanDevender grew up outdoors, hunting and fishing whenever he got the chance. But after graduating from the University of Virginia in 2008, he found a job that took him away from his first love.

Recession Hurt Some More Than Others

During the recent recession, men and African Americans saw the steepest decline in median wages, a new report says, while women made gains, and wages for whites stayed about the same.

D. I.Y. Valentine

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to get crafty for your loved ones. Sure, store-bought Valentines can be cute, but there's nothing quite like getting something personalized and handmade.

CityBeat: From Docket Breakdown to State Champs

Some Jackson City Council members continue to miss work sessions. The Council holds the sessions the day before regular meetings to work out details and prepare for the agenda of the following day's meeting.

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Films and Fast Girls

I tend to adhere to the rule that if you're old enough to have experienced a trend the first time, you shouldn't wear it the second time around. Case in point: This season's colored denim trend sends me straight back memories of fifth grade and an awesome pair of salmon-colored Guess jeans that I loved.

Primary Polls Open Today

Both Democratic and Republican candidates are hoping for decisive wins in today's primary elections.

John Hugh Tate

"I'm a very pro-Jackson guy," John Hugh Tate says. "I love the history, the diversity and the artistic community. It is such a green city, just aesthetically beautiful."

Michael Thomas

Giving minority-owned businesses contracts with large organizations helps the minority-owned businesses find more jobs and grow Jackson's business community, said Michael Thomas, vice president of finance and operations at Jackson State University.

Rick Cleveland

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum lost the only executive director in its history when Michael Rubenstein passed away in early December. Since the museum opened July 4, 1996, Rubenstein was the guiding hand and public face of the hall. Finding another person as passionate about Mississippi's sports history was the top priority in naming a new executive director.

[Girl About Town] Of Sushi and Marathons

I don't think of myself as a particularly athletic individual, but a few years ago, I started running—as in a fitness activity, not because someone was chasing me. It even got to the point where I ran the inaugural Mississippi Blues Marathon in 2008.

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Sharp-Dressed Men

Wedding day fashion trends have changed through the years, not only for brides but also for grooms and groomsmen. Previously, a groom's attire stayed cookie-cutter safe, but now men are making bold new statements. These days, men are turning heads along with their brides.

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City v. Cab Drivers: Stop Trash Talk

Two Jackson City Council members said they will not approve a $1 increase in taxi-cab fares unless mandatory training is implemented for drivers.

Personhood Wants Another Vote

Personhood may be dead in the Mississippi Legislature, but supporters of last fall's ballot initiative to define embryos as human beings are stepping up their efforts to put another personhood amendment before voters.

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Mayor: Cuts Could Hurt City

Federal cuts to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program could hurt several areas of Jackson, from small businesses to sewage lines to services for victims of domestic violence.

The Single's Valentine's Day Survival Guide

If you're single this Valentine's Day, you probably haven't bought into the hype. Still, Valentine's Day can be trying for the more sentimental singles out there. You're alone in a world (seemingly) full of (seemingly) happy couples. So, how will you get through the day without battling the nausea induced by sweetness overload?

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Team of the Day: Mississippi Brilla

Premier Development League soccer team Mississippi Brilla has introduced a group of local talent for the upcoming season. The Brilla have signed four standout local players from the metro area.

Plunge Forward

It'll take a year to read Scott Ginsberg's newest book, "Ideas Are Free, Execution Is Priceless". By design. It's one of those motivational books with a suggestion a day for a year. I love these books because they're so easy to dig into it.