Saturday, May 31
EDITORIAL: Unite Against Crime
May 28, 2003--Crime is up just about everywhere. That's not an excuse. It's just a fact. In 2002, crime was up 7.2% in Ventura County, Calif., for instance, long considered …
Thursday, May 29
"A Night at the Ballpark" with MS. Roads and MS. Outdoors
Don't miss MEB's night at the ballpark on June 5! Gates open at 6 pm. Game time is 7:05.
Come out to the ballpark and meet Mississippi Outdoors and Mississippi Roads hosts Walt Grayson, Melvin Tingle, Karen Jones, Patrick Smith and John Sullivan, Thursday, June 5 at Smith Wills …
Coming On Home
Expatriates return, work for change
Four years ago this week I was languishing at a picnic table in front of tent No. 11 in an area called Boy's Town in the majestic Yosemite Valley. I …
The Proposition, by Judy Jacobs
When I heard James Taylor was coming to the Pyramid in Memphis on Friday, May 23, I snapped up two tickets. I got great seats on the floor. Well, two …
Pat Fordice
Whereas, Pat Fordice is a good Southern lady. In the documentary "Belles and Whistles" screened at the 2002 Crossroads Film Festival, former first lady Fordice says
Tough Questions for Mitch Tyner
The uncut version.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mitch Tyner answers tough questions about his Davidian quest for the state's top office, if liberals can love God, and whether or not he's a closet Democrat.
DRIVE: ‘Ion: Say It With Me'
Every week our car-shopping adventure starts out pretty much the same. We have the best of intentions, planning a Car Driving Day soon after the most recent JFP has been …
GARDENS: Don't Throw It, Grow It
For my first adventure as a recycling Jacksonian, I went all out. Everything got tossed in the bin: egg cartons, cup lids, Styrofoam take-out containers, various bottles, milk jugs, aluminum …
Wednesday, May 28
A Tale of Four Buffets
As one who always aspired to the ruling class, I seldom found myself at odds with the rules I would one day be destined to enforce. On the rare occasions …
Goodbye, Cherokee
It's two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon and cars are whizzing by the Cherokee Inn on North State Street. The neon Budweiser sign says that today's blue-plate special is beef tips …
Truth in Barbecue
One of my favorite college professors, Lee Rackstraw of Booneville, once told me, "If a restaurant doesn't have enough respect for the art of smoking meat to advertise EITHER proper …
Tuesday, May 27
Stumble, Then Walk
What happens when you bring prominent civil rights leaders, religious leaders, teachers, historians, musicians and students together in Jackson? On Saturday morning May 3, 2003, at Mikhail's Restaurant many were …
Hopelessly Devoted to You
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
Goodbye, Sweet Ladies
Two beautiful women are about to leave Jackson—and leave a huge void in the creative community here. One of them introduced me to the other of them; without them, the …
Premature Prognostication?
Proving it's never too early to think about college football, the Birmingham News has released its 57th annual preseason poll of Southeastern Conference sports information directors. The short version: Auburn …
Sens Return
Fresh off a road trip to Texas during which they won four straight games and seven of eight overall, the Jackson Senators open a six-game homestand on Tuesday night at …
Monday, May 26
Play (Postseason) Ball!
It's been a great season for Mississippi's Big 3 Division I baseball teams. Two of them, Southern Miss and Mississippi State, will host regionals, while Ole Miss will play in …
Friday, May 23
Egg Ball in Hoover, Ala.
Mississippi State and Ole Miss played an instant classic on Thursday night in the first round of the SEC Tournament. The Bulldogs finally won 5-4 on Thomas Berkery's homer in …
Thursday, May 22
My House Is Greener Than Yours
Mississippi 2020 and Habitat for Humanity are seeking groups and individual volunteers to work Saturdays starting June 21 (skipping the July 4 weekend) throughout the summer. Volunteers must be fairly …
Women's Shelter Needs Energetic Bodies and Supplies
Supplies are also needed:
Energetic bodies are needed to get a lot done in a short time. Saturday, May 31, is the work day for Stewpot's newest women's shelter: FLOWERS HOUSE. We need worker …
Tuesday, May 20
Monday, May 19
Cover
Tough Questions for David Banner
"God I know that we pimp, God I know that we wrong, God I know I should talk about more in all of my songs, I know these kids are …
OPINION: The Sky Is Not Falling
Crime has once again become the dominant topic of local public interest. It is a volatile issue and, therefore, is occasionally treated by the media, the public, and some politicians …
A Sweet Tribute
Columbia honored the late Walter Payton, the small town's favorite son and one of the all-time greatest football players (in the NFL and at Jackson State) with the unveiling of …
Sunday, May 18
Eagles Strike Gold
Congratulations to the Southern Miss baseball team for winning its first Conference USA championship. The Golden Eagles will be the No. 1 seed at this week's C-USA Tournament in New …
Thursday, May 15
Maimed and Tamed, by Palmer Houchins
I was maimed by rock and roll.
Nonetheless, I have always been enthralled by the spectacle of live music. There was a mystifying sense of power and community contained therein. While my particular tastes and understanding of …
Bringing the Map to Mississippi
Imagine standing under intense studio lights in a bikini, posing for a Sports Illustrated photographer—that is how it must feel to be one of the artists who competed for a …
Busting Out of Jail, by David McCarty
Ten years after Elvis died, Bob Dylan said that when he first heard the King's first single "That's All Right" as a kid, it "was like busting out of jail." …
LADD: Let the Music Play
I've never understood folks who listen to only one type of music. That's kind of like eating McDonald's for every meal; how can one live that way? I could have …
M.U.G.A.B.E.E.
Carlton Turner leads me upstairs to the V.I.P. room of The Forum where he is the public relations director. His older (by 13 months) brother Maurice waits for the interview …
Wednesday, May 14
Sens At Home
Dr. S apologizes for letting the Jackson Senators' home opener slip up on him without putting somethng on the Sportsblog. Well, it's still not too late to talk about their …
Bright Lights, Big Music
There is just something about watching a band on the Uptown stage of Jubilee! Jam with the sun hitting the Old Capitol right ahead of you and people sitting on …
Championship Weekend in Clinton
Mississippi College will play host to a historic NCAA Division III baseball regional starting on Thursday. It's MC's first trip to the NCAA tournament in almost 50 years. And it's …
Cover
Tough Questions for David Banner
A Jackson rap star talks frankly about young criminals and crime hysteria in Jackson.
Tuesday, May 13
TALK: 2nd Amendment Tort Reform
Right before Congress adjourned for Easter, Rep Chip Pickering (R-3rd District) was getting busy, doing his part to spread the "tort reform" revolution. His staff happily released a statement saying …
TALK: State Pops Up on Gaydar
In the wake of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum's remarks this past week that some critics feel equate homosexuality with bigamy and incest, a Mississippi state senator has come out against …
SPANN: Invisible Woman
Black clothing is the choice du jour to disguise excess weight. The blackness of night can camouflage all sorts of "down low" activities. But I didn't realize that black could …
Radical Crime-Fighting: What is Community Policing?
Police Chief Robert Moore could be the only man in the city who knows what "community policing" really means—and just how hard it could be to implement in Jackson. Yet, …
Saturday, May 10
MAMAS WHO THINK: Primal Worry
I started worrying seven years ago. Constant worry—about my health, my diet, my energy, my exercise, my toothpaste, my hair color, everything. I was pregnant, and therefore worried. Pregnancy snuck …
MAMAS WHO THINK: We're Not ‘Broken'
Maybe it is the historian in me or rampant narcissism, but I examine my life through my daughter's eyes 30 years from now. For instance, when she is 36 (my …
Sam's Job Sucks
Take Mama to a play this weekend! See Loungeblog above for how to get half-price tickets, courtesy of the Jackson Free Press.
TALK: Top 10 Things Mamas Regret at the End of the Day
1. Saying "I'll be right back, I've got to go tee tee" to my husband's childless co-workers at dinner.
MAMAS WHO THINK: Back When I Was Cool
No one would know it by looking at me now, but I used to be kind of cool. At least I used to think that I was. I would fly …
Tuesday, May 6
Watching the Watchdogs
Former TV sportscaster Rick Whitlow seems like an incredibly nice person. He did not, however, impress me as a criminology expert when we met April 24 to talk about his …
Monday, May 5
This Fish Is Watching You
She's posed in a lime green beach chair wearing a hot pink net dress. She wears pearls, and on her head is a crown. A scepter graces her lap. Your …
La Fiebre Del Baile
Early evening at the BellSouth building in downtown Jackson, the streets are quiet and bare, except for a security guard and a window washer. In the spacious lobby the sound …
Sunday, May 4
COPS meets Sportscenter
http://badjocks.com/
Is your favorite player or coach breaking the law or just plain acting dumb? Read all about it at Bad Jocks, a site that's a Smoking Gun for the sports …
Thursday, May 1
Hunting the Jackal
The NCAA might have finally caught up with Mississippi State coach Jackie Sherrill. Allegations surfaced this week that an MSU assistant paid for summer school classes for a Brandon recruit …
Janice Jordan
My mom and I are sitting on her balcony outside her apartment in Belhaven Heights. She's lounging in a plastic deck chair, wearing a white Mexican wedding dress and sipping …
A Dream Forgotten
The author of "Her Dream of Dreams: The Rise and Triumph of Madam C.J. Walker" will sign at Lemuria Books 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. She will also sign …
MAMAS WHO COOK: Baby Bon Vivant
I never sought to rear a fancy-pants food snob. I just wanted to dish up nutritive nosh for my sweet patootie progeny so she could avoid living large with health …
VIDEO: Michael Moore Targets America
At this moment, writer, producer and director Michael Moore is possibly the most controversial figure in entertainment. His tirade at the Oscars made news across the country and made Susan …
BOOK: C Is for Catfish
"M is for Magnolia," (2003, $17.95) written by Michael Shoulders and illustrated by Rick Anderson of Clinton, is the 23rd children's book in the "Discover America State by State" series …
