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Business News In and Around Jackson

Last Friday, Aug. 21, the James Meredith Lounge opened in the Farish Historic Street District at 217 Griffith St. Civil-rights legend James Meredith owns the lounge, which his niece, Meredith McGee manages.. The lounge is open Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., with poetry readings both nights from 8 to 9 p.m Patrons can bring their own alcoholic beverages and food. There is no cover charge, but the age requirement is 25 and older for the lounge, and 21 and older for those reading poetry.

Johnny Bertram

With the Tuesday release of "Sing your Song," musician Johnny Bertram dished out a seven-song prelude to a full-length album scheduled to debut later this year.

Customers Rallying to Support Schimmel's

Even though Schimmel's Restaurant owner Jay Schimmel declared bankruptcy this week, he says he is optimistic and sees it as an opportunity to restructure and reorganize the Fondren restaurant. "There are four kinds of bankruptcy, and we are reorganizing," Schimmel told the Jackson Free Press. "We feel good about handling our tax situation and being open for another 10 years. This allows us to refocus and carry on with business as usual."

Paul E. Winfield

Vicksburg Mayor Paul E. Winfield was one of 18 mayors in the country to participate in the Cities of Service Inaugural Summit last week in an effort to engage citizens in community service initiatives and to provide a platform to address community challenges.

Serendipity Art Show and Auction Today

Twenty years ago patients at the Mississippi State Hospital held their first art exhibit, displaying their paintings, ceramics, drawings and mixed-media work. Continuing that tradition, the 20th annual Serendipity art exhibit takes place today.

State Sued over ‘Abstinence'

In an effort to stop taxpayers from funding religious events, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in federal court last week against the Mississippi Department of Human Services for promoting religion at its annual abstinence-only-until-marriage summit this year.

Les Range

With the state unemployment rate at 10.5 percent, Les Range, newly appointed executive director of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, has his work cut out for him.

Jackson Schools Complete Renovations

Nearly three years after the Jackson Public School District passed a $150 million bond issue for a capital improvement program to aid deteriorating infrastructure and overcrowding, renovations are complete at two Jackson elementary schools.

Vashti Muse

When Angela Hite met Vashti Muse 20 years ago while dancing for Hinds Community College Hi-Steppers, she received encouragement and support from Muse to continue dancing.

Martha Bergmark

When Martha Bergmark left a turbulent Mississippi in the 1960s, she had no plans to return. But at the top of a successful law career in Washington, D.C., she decided to return to her home state and improve the lives of others.

Erica Haskell

From her experiences in countries as far away as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Erica Haskell has gained a deep understanding of music and how it relates to politics and culture. This fall she joined the Tougaloo College music department as a visiting faculty member where she will be teaching an introduction to music course.

Edwards Denies Influence on Book Purchases

Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards spent nearly an hour at a press conference yesterday sharing the story that inspired him to write a book, but skirted around specific questions on how his former school district purchased and used that book.

Donations Sought to Repair Family's Home

Real Estate Solutions Managing Broker Willis Finley is seeking donations from the community to help a Jackson family in need of home repairs and heat.

Young Philanthropists Host Baby Shower

"Labor of Love," the area's largest baby shower, will take place tomorrow, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Schimmel's Restaurant (2615 N. State St.), providing an opportunity for interested young people to learn more about getting involved in the community.

Rep. Bennie Thompson

Opening up a forum for civil discussion and debate, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's Second Congressional District addressed questions to more than 300 people last night on proposals for health-care reform. Standing shoulder- to-shoulder in Jackson's M.W. Stringer Grand Lodge, some attendees held signs supporting universal health care while others used handouts to fan themselves from the heat.

Focus on Women's Equality Day

Today, National Women's Equality Day commemorates the 89th anniversary of women's suffrage, the day that women gained the right to vote in the U.S. While women have reached several milestones since then, research shows that there is still much progress to be made.

Madison: Gated City?

Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler's recent strategy to keep outsiders from attending a city festival is consistent with the city's history of enforcing strict neighborhood covenants and zoning regulations that restrict rental properties in the city.

JATRAN Cuts: A Long Time Coming?

Kin Palmer staggered out of Jackson City Hall the evening of Dec. 20 visibly angry and frustrated as he joined other JATRAN riders to load the city buses that had transported them to a public hearing regarding cuts to the city's bus system. He balled up his fist as he predicted what would happen when city residents could not get to work anymore.

Constitution Man

Bill Marcy is a history buff and cites articles of the Constitution when making his case for the role of government. The Chicago native will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi's second congressional district this November.

Edwards' Book Sales OK Under State Law

The controversy surrounding Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards, whose former Georgia school district spent $16,169 on copies of his book, isn't relevant under existing state law, Mississippi Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Hood said Monday.