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Red-Washed Origins
Feb. 14 hasn't always been celebrated with flowers, over-decorated chocolate boxes and cards filled with fuzzy sentiments. It's a day steeped in gory pagan ritual, with an executed priest as its patron saint.
AmeriCorps Week Promotes Community Service
This week is AmeriCorps Week, a national effort designed to raise awareness of the AmeriCorps national community service program.
The Iconic Coach
When I think of NFL head coaches, several names come to mind. Depending on your age, you might think of Bill Belichick, Sean Payton or if you are younger, Mike Tomlin.
Love, Cinema Style
Whether at home or at the theater, nothing is more enjoyable with a loved one like a movie.
Parades and Passion
Living in downtown Jackson is fantastic all year long but it is even more wonderful on what is one of the best weekends of the year. I speak, of course, of Mal's St. Paddy's Parade weekend. This year marked the parade's 30th anniversary, so I knew I'd be in for lots of nostalgia.
deborah Rae Wright
deborah Rae Wright, who doesn't capitalize her first name, has lived in an early 20th-century home on west Jackson's Grand Avenue for 11 years. The 59-year-old lives with her current companion, a well-behaved cairn terrier (think Toto) named Zach, whom she rescued a few years ago.
Shopkeep: The Everyday Gourmet
As you browse the wares at The Everyday Gourmet on County Line Road, certain details will immediately grab your attention--like the dangling spoon and fork chandelier, and the sweet, outdoorsy scent from candles and wood products.
Brenda Wilder
This month, Brenda Wilder, assistant professor of music at Tougaloo College, will present her research project, "The Effects of Music for Mental, Emotional and Physical Healing of Residents on the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf Coasts Following Hurricane Katrina," at the Hawaii University International Conference on Arts and Humanities.
A Glimpse at History
Having just had to sell one of my children to pay for entry into the Insectarium in New Orleans, I'm all about a free museum, and we are blessed to have a good one right here in Jackson. The Old Capitol Museum, located at the intersection of Capitol and State streets downtown, is well worth visiting on a regular basis.
A Wish List for DV Legislation
With all the new faces in the Mississippi Legislature this year, advocates for new and strengthened laws to protect victims of domestic violence are being non-committal about the specific legislation they plan to introduce during this year's session.
Abortion Foes Push New Restrictions
With personhood legislation finally out of the spotlight, lawmakers are taking aim at smaller anti-abortion issues, like placing new restrictions on abortion providers.
Smart? Not Really
Growing up with eager readers, Sumrall native David McRaney flocked to the art of storytelling. McRaney, 34, works by day as director of new media at WDAM, but in his spare time is an avid blogger and published author.
Zach Bird
Murrah High School might not be known for its baseball program, but the Mustangs have a pitcher who is grabbing attention from media and scouts. Senior right-handed pitcher Zach Bird was named one of the top 20 players in Mississippi by ESPN. Perfectgame.org named Bird an Honorable Mention Underclassman High School All-American as a junior.
What Happened to Winter?
It seems that winter almost completely passed us by this year, which means our local stores still have stock. Lucky for us, most fall and winter merchandise is marked down, making now a perfect time to scoop up some basics for next year. While I was out around town, I found some excellent things that will be great to work into next winter's wardrobe.
Personhood Redux
Just three months after voters turned down a Personhood Initiative, at least one legislator is trying to get it back on the ballot.
Jackson to MDOT: Take Back Roads
The city of Jackson has not been able to afford the maintenance on its roads for years. With government budgets facing cuts across the board, Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., the City Council and state Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, are trying an old approach to an old problem.
Three Plead Guilty to Felony Hate Crimes
The federal government used the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, passed in Oct., 2009, for the first time Thursday in a case where the defendants actions resulted in a victim's death.
‘I Was There'
Turning 12 is hard enough for a girl. Old friends start acting weird, especially the slightly older ones starting high school. You can try to hold on to the magic of childhood during a carefree summer, but reality might have other plans. To turn 12 in the 1960s in segregated Mississippi only could have added to the confusion of adolescence.
Watkins to Remodel Pix-Capri
Developer Jason Watkins has signed a contract to purchase the Pix-Capri Theatre in Fondren, a deal he said will be finalized "in the near future."
‘Grunge was an Adjective'
"Grunge" is a term that reminds some folks of youth and the first tastes of music considered "alternative." Maybe flannel comes to mind, that infamous Mudhoney EP cover or the first time you ever saw Chris Cornell. It takes me back to being a kid watching Kurt Cobain sing "Heart-Shaped Box" on MTV.