Saturday, December 31
My New Year's Resolutions for 2006
My New Years Resolutions are:
Click here to get your New Years Resolutions at JokesUnlimited.com
New Year's Twosome
It's a toss up—go out or stay in to celebrate New Year's Eve? Pair Shrimp Fettucine with your favorite Pinot Grigio, an unoaked Chardonnay or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc …
PINK FLOYD "PULSE" DVD Drops Jan. 17
On Tuesday, January 17, 2006, Pink Floyd will release their much anticipated DVD, PULSE, on Columbia Records. This landmark release, captures the last Pink Floyd Division Bell tour in 1994, …
Melton Resolves (Again) to Implode King Edward
Mayor Frank Melton laid out his immediate resolutions Friday afternoon:
Head's Political Prognostications for 2006
2006 is going to be a really big year for politics--city, state, and national. Here's my take on what to expect.
Friday, December 30
Look! It's the dude fron the doughnut commercials - what's-his-name!
Did anyone know that the name of the actor in the Dunkin Donuts was the late Michael Vale? Unless you're one of the nastalgic types who get a kick out …
ARTICLE: Fitness Industry Woos Black Consumers
Thanks to this title, I now have that Jeffery Osborne song in my head now: "And ya WOO WOO WOO, and ya WOO WOO WOO..." (That's also a clue to …
Sweden: New Pants "Hate Christians."
This AP article was highly entertaining to me. Mainly because Sweden comes off as being the Twilight Zone version of the United States.
Thursday, December 29
Give It Up, Mr. Interception
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, aka Mr. Interception, talked the other day. Some interpreted his whining as a signal that Sunday's game will be his last in the NFL. …
Wednesday, December 28
Miss Keke
Growing up gospel—that's Miss KeKe, aka the Queen of Mississippi's "Fokus." This 25-year-old Jackson native says her faith in God and hard work brought her to where she is today. …
2005 Year In Review, Part One: The First Six Months
No doubt about it, 2005 was the best of times, and the worst of times in Mississippi. We end the year sorrowful about our state's massive losses due to a …
What To Do This New Year's Eve in Jackson
Traditionally New Year's Eve means a celebration with family and friends. Here's the lowdown about your favorite spots around town. Our advice is to call right away for reservations.
The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times
Last year began on a high note for the Jackson Free Press, and it's closing on a high note—with our readership at an all-time high, our position as the city's …
[BoozeTalk] DIY: Make Twists For Fifty
Even ugly people look refined when they're holding martinis with bright yellow twists on their rims. While Champagne is a must for your New Year's toast, most people don't want …
[Stiggers] The Spooks Outside Yo' Door
The following is an excerpt from the script, "The Spooks outside Yo' Door" by Kunta "Rasheed X" Toby:
‘Twin Lakes' All Over Again
Almost 60 years ago, flood waters utterly inundanted the city of Jackson, swelling up out of Town Creek, which is now contained and flowing under the Hood building. Then, in …
Anderson Goes Down ‘Perception' Road
After weeks of holding out on crime statistics, Jackson Police Chief Shirlene Anderson handed over two-week-old COMSTAT reports to city council members at the Dec. 20 council meeting. Anderson's initial …
Felons Are (Back) In
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, who refused to sit next to a "convicted felon" at a campaign forum back in April, is now a fan of granting second chances. Melton did …
[Greggs] Ali G's Magnificent 2006 Predictions
Last year on New Year's, I made a resolution against resolutions. My logic for this decision was knowing that if I truly wanted to change something about myself, I could …
[Kamikaze] The CNN Of The Streets
Over the years hip-hop music has been effective in uncovering many truths. The L.A.-based group NWA shined a bright light on rampant police brutality in songs like "F_*ck the Police." …
The Best 10 Movies of 2005
This was a great year for movies in terms of quality, though 2005 will probably be remembered by the film industry for its hugely disappointing box office grosses (it marks …
[Music] Random Acts Of Chaos
Three misconceptions must be cleared up about Champagne Heights: They do not like Champagne, they are not influenced by Radiohead, and they are not from Rhode Island. So what is …
Tuesday, December 27
Break Out The Sparklers
It has toasted new marriages. It has christened ships before their maiden voyages. It has been raised in honor of those no longer with us. And year after year, it …
City Ends Precinct-by-Precinct Crime Stats
Not that it made the front page as any story about the previous administration and crime stats used to, but The Clarion-Ledger has a story today about how the new …
Monday, December 26
Internet Gambling: Illegal But Profitable
What grabbed my attention was this:
The New York Times has an interesting piece on Internet gambling that I thought would spark interest. Who knew? Even online poker appears to be illegal -- I'm not sure …
From Kicking Ass To Hooking Bass
Former bodyguard Robin Babb has given up her career of threat assessment for the world of competitive fishing. Feel free to submit your own joke here:
Call Him Mr. Interception
Is this the end for Brett Favre? The Green Bay quarterback threw four interceptions in the Packers' 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. And, for the second straight …
Sunday, December 25
Not-So-Classic Classic
They played the Magnolia Gridiron All-Star Classic on Saturday, before an announced crowd of 100. The I-A seniors team beat the I-AA seniors team 10-7. Everybody said they had a …
Grisham: Silent Nights on the Gulf Coast
This may be the best thing John Grisham has ever written, today in the New York Times. This is the last section, but read the whole thing:
Merry Christmas!
My blog is usually pretty serious, so here are a few random stocking stuffers to throw my karma back into balance...
Saturday, December 24
ABC's "Monday Night Football" ... Good Riddance
From The Mighty MJD: "The last 'Monday Night Football' game ever on ABC will likely turn into a 3-hour self-congratulatory pat-on-the-back for ABC. And I can't begrudge ABC for that; …
Silent Smoot
From Provine High to Hinds CC to Mississippi State to the Washington Redskins to the Minnesota Vikings, defensive back Fred Smoot has left a trail of words. Smoot loves to …
Friday, December 23
He Sees You When You're Sleeping, He Knows When You're Awake
Whether you've borrowed Mao Tse-tung's Little Red Book from the library or like to hang out at gay-themed events, the Bush administration wants to know about it.
Have a Wonderful Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah
The Jackson Free Press wishes you and yours a loving, safe and peaceful holiday. Look for our next issue out on schedule on Dec. 28, 2005—our New Year's issue and …
Christmas on the Coast
I have just finished wrapping the last present and laying it on the ever growing pile in the corner. There is only a "pile" because I have no tree. I …
Clarion-Ledger: ‘Melton Should Know Better'
The Clarion-Ledger is upset at Mayor Frank Melton's latest controversial move. In an editorial today, they take him to task for trying to give former City Councilman, and convicted felon, …
Thursday, December 22
Do Not Take Revenge, My Friends
Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I …
Wednesday, December 21
Chassity Dykes
This is what you'll likely hear seconds after you step into Chassity Dykes' consignment shot, Nu 2 U.
Loving Thy Neighbor
Last week, the day after the JFP's first "Race, Religion & Society" panel discussion, I looked at two e-mails within a couple hours of each other. The first, from a …
[Stiggers] The Night Before Kwanzaa
Welcome to a Ghetto Science Christmas with the Fifth Alternate Financially Challenged and Concerned Citizens Community Choir, directed by Auntie Church Hat. Here's a song from their first Christmas CD …
No. 14, December 22-28
<b><u>Boot Camps Won't Work</b></u>
I have to give the mayor credit for identifying a problem and then attempting to deal with it, even if it is in the mode of Don Quixote slaying windmill …
[Beertalk] A Rogue Among Beers
One of the best choices for a diverse selection of excellent micro-brewed beer is Rogue. In 1988, three guys looking to try their hand at making great beer created Rogue …
A Goodie Is A Goodie
Over the almost eight-year-long span that my family spent on the road, we never had a chimney for Santa. Being well-loved, wide-eyed and innocent of grown-up concerns like how late …
God's Gift
Imagine being ripped from your culture like a sheet of paper. There is no way to defend yourself; you do not have time to collect your weapons. There is no …
Crossing The Mighty River: Race, Religion and Mississippi
At the climax of the 11 o' clock church service at Galloway Methodist church, the Rev. Ross Olivier assumes the pulpit to deliver his sermon. Olivier's polished demeanor gives no …
Mayor, Chief Downplay Crime Stats
Jackson City Council President Marshand Crisler spoke out last week against the city police department's tight lips regarding crime figures, in contrast to Former Police Chief Robert Moore, who provided …
Rev. Paul Jones
The white double doors of the home of Paul Jones, 63 opened and revealed a man with a welcoming smile, his red hair glowing golden from the Christmas tree lit …
Mass Firings and A Merry Christmas
Twelve days before Christmas, Jackson employees suddenly received a mass e-mail from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security stating that they were "registered with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security" …
Dancing Like It's 1984
Developers say the city may have put a project to fund renovations at the dilapidated King Edward Hotel at risk by lingering too long on an application for a HUD …
Kwanzaa's coming up
I was excited to see that Yahoo! Avatars had a few Kwanzaa backgrounds.
At least this is something I don't have to keep sending feedback for. I've asked for dreadlocks and for them to move the Afro out of the Halloween section, but …
Tuesday, December 20
Pennsylvania Judge Rules: Intelligent Design is Not Science
The Dover "monkey trial" (discussed in a previous blog entry here) ended exactly as it should have: With a ruling that defends the scientific method from those who would push …
Saturday, December 17
Biloxi Sun-Herald: 'Do Not Forsake Us'
They ask that we remember...That we care.
Let us not forget those that have no home.
Friday, December 16
Times-Picayune: Congress ‘Dishonest and Mean-spirited'
Here's part of the Times-Picayune piece:
The Times-Picayune is running a powerful editorial, trying to correct public misconceptions and rumors about the realities on the ground in New Orleans. This desperate plea for truth is similar …
JFP Night for "Santaland Diaries" TONIGHT at New Stage
Join the Jackson Free Press Friday, Dec. 16, for a special showing of "The Santaland Diaries" at New Stage Theater. You don't want to miss the hilarious and irreverent one-man …
Thursday, December 15
Pope Benedict's Moral Compass
In the Vatican's rush to scapegoat all gay priests for the clergy abuse scandal, it has not just disparaged many innocent men. It has also ignored the many female victims …
Wednesday, December 14
The Human Extinction Movement
I wish I were kidding about this. Boy, I REALLY wish I were kidding about this.
There are actually people out there who believe that the best way to protect endangered species is for humans to stop reproducing and die off. Don't believe me, huh? Click
Fair and Balanced
This is interesting.
Wandering into a tunnel to escape the heat at the Mayan site of San Bartolo in Guatemala, archaeologist William Saturno had no inkling that he was about to rewrite the …
David Rop
Coach David Rop, 28, may seem soft-spoken and gentle, but his fierce dedication to cross-country is anything but mild. A native of Eldoret, Kenya, Rop moved to Jackson in 1995 …
House of Spirits
Making a holiday shopping list can be pretty stressful. Fret not: Wine and spirits are the perfect gift for all of your 21 and older loved ones. I guess it …
[Casey's Note] Leaving My Heart In Jackson
When I first saw the Jackson Free Press, something sparked. I had given up hope for local weeklies, but the cover—a grid-like spread of a variety of Jackson folks—called to …
DIY: Build A Gingerbread House
Irwin and Missy Koenig's Cakes & More in Byram might be a tiny place, but the goodies baked in the kitchen come out big in flavor no matter whether you're …
[Stiggers] Finding Philmo
It's time to take your mind on an adventure with Readin' Rain-Bro! Join him as he shares with us a Christmas holiday story.
[Greggs] Hear Me Roar
The other day I was reading a news brief about Heidi Fleiss opening the first all-male brothel in Nevada. It has all the other cathouse owners in the state, the …
*Artist In Residence: Rebekah Potter
In the most fortuitous of natural developments, Rebekah Potter's height sealed her fate as an artist. "I wanted to be a horsejockey," the 31-year-old woman says. "But I grew too …
[Fleming] Goodbye, My Friend
In the early spring of 1993, I had a serious decision to make. One choice was to become a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps, having served six …
Melton's Honeymoon, Part VI: The Mayor and The Police
Mayor Frank Melton swept into the city's mayor office July 4 with a badge and a side arm, determined to take a bite out of crime. During that time, he's …
Frustrating Democracy
If information wants to be free, it cannot be happy with the administration of Mayor Frank Melton. Since the mayor took office in July, the Jackson Free Press has made …
Clarion-Ledger: A ‘Moral Contract' With Melton?
Rarely mentioned in the ongoing lawsuit between Mayor Frank Melton and former Lt. Col. Robert Pierce is the role of The Clarion-Ledger.
Unions: Watch Your Politicians
In 1948, America stepped out of a world war with an economy still glowing from the explosive heat and an emerging middle class that promised great things for the world. …
Monday, December 12
Hate Crime: It's Worse Than We Thought
According to the FBI's most recent National Crime Victimization Survey, generally regarded as the most accurate national crime report, a crime is between 19 and 31 times more likely to …
U.S. Supreme Court to Review Texas Redistricting Scheme
AP is reporting today:
Saturday, December 10
Nigerian Plane Crash: Something's not right
Scores of innocent children just lost their lives today in a plane crash, and I am livid.
PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (AP) - A Nigerian jetliner filled with schoolchildren going home for Christmas crashed Saturday while landing during a lightning storm in a delta oil port.
Death of Richard Pryor: The World Will Miss Him
I remember years ago when my dad had a record of "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip". My older sister decided to play it, and I heard some words …
Going-Away Dance Party for Casey TONIGHT
The Jackson Free Press is sending Casey Parks off to grad school with style in the Red Room with a "Please Don't Go" Going-Away Dance Party. Starts at 9 p.m., …
Merry Freakin' Christmas
I saw this letter to the editor in the CL today about the origins of Christmas. There was some debate about certain retailers using the phrase "Merry Christmas" in their …
Thursday, December 8
Local Blues Musician Loses Everything in Fire
Virgil Brawley (of the Juvenators) and his wife lost everything in a fire this morning that destroyed their Belhaven Heights home and its contents, including a very large collection of …
Wednesday, December 7
[Kamikaze] A Simple Plan
The equation seems simple. In order for society to create productive adults, it must first nurture them as children. Young people are the foundation of our future. Some will be …
My So-Called Holiday Column
They say that during the holidays, you're supposed to stop and consider what you're thankful for. (OK, this is starting out cheesy, I know. Work with me here.) Combine that …
[Stiggers] Tale Of Two Nations
We interrupt Oprah's Lexus from Texas Luxury Car Giveaway show to bring you a special holiday message from Rudy McBride, C.E.O. of the Let Me Hold Five Dollars National Bank.
[Berger] Merle Haggard, Redneck Renegade
Why don't we liberate these United States
Patti Carr Black
Patti Carr Black's Belhaven living room appears almost square, with built-in, wall-size bookshelves directly across from the front door. A quarter of the way down, surrounded by a portion of …
Diary of An Actor
Turner Crumbley is spending this season balancing two shows. He starts his nights as that narrator in "A Christmas Carol" then moves to the late-night one-man show "Santaland Diaries," written …
[BoozeTalk] The Water of Life
Nothing else holds the promise of single malt scotch. Aromatic peat and heather rise from the golden liquor, which has waited in a cask for more than a decade to …
Let Them Eat Oreos
Last Christmas a friend asked me to help him put together a swing set for Santa to deliver for his daughter. I reminded my friend that I am mechanically challenged. …
Melton To UMC: No Thanks
The University Medical Center is a state-of-the-art facility that has undergone more than $335 million in new construction and renovations over the last 10 years. Now the university can throw …
Melton's Honeymoon, Part V: Seven Degrees of Separation
Like any governmental body that has to share power, the Jackson City Council is a forum of individuals who can rarely accomplish goals without forming some kind of alliance on …
Two Men And A River
To look at 23-year-old Josh Evans, a Jackson native and Jackson Academy graduate, is to look at an artist, an intellectual, a man with scruffy stubble who fits in well …
Ellen Reddy
While Ellen Reddy describes flaws in Mississippi's youth justice system, an 11-year-old draws corpulent cars and squiggly skeleton keys on a large easel pad in a conference room at the …
Truant ‘Sweeps' Obscure Progress
After a setback last Tuesday, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton went through with a campaign promise to attack the Jackson Public School drop-out rate and get school-age children off the street. …
Just Rewards
Christmas came early for Thomas Moore when Mississippi religious leaders agreed to offer a reward for tips about the 1964 murders of his brother and his friend.
Lott, Cochran: $20 Million Approved for Katrina Recovery
[verbatim statement] WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Hancock and Jackson counties were granted more than $20 million to restore public infrastructure and remove debris as the Hurricane Katrina recovery continues, U.S. …
How The West Was Won
A Review of "Gun"
This is my third review of a Western game, and the last for a while. Scout's honor. But "Gun" is such a fun game, building on the successes and failures …
Monday, December 5
Saving Lives: One Month of Torture At A Time
I saw the title of this article and just laughed and laughed...
Holiday Arts Mixer TONIGHT
As a board member of the Greater Jackson Arts Council (formerly the Arts Alliance), I'd like to personally invite each of you to tonight's Holiday Arts Mixer at the old …
Sunday, December 4
Seattle's Former Top Cop Says End Drug War
In an op ed this weekend in the Seattle Times (and, it seems, the LA Times, since he's bylined as "Special to the Los Angeles Times"), Norm Stamper, former chief …
Saturday, December 3
Franz Ferdinand DVD
Franz Ferdinand release DVD bursting with exclusive new footage. Need a little more Franz in your life? To the excitement of fans and critics alike, today Franz Ferdinand release a …
Friday, December 2
Thursday, December 1
More Allies Pulling Out of Iraqi War
AP is reporting:
Two of America's allies in Iraq are withdrawing forces this month and a half-dozen others are debating possible pullouts or reductions, increasing pressure on Washington as calls mount to bring …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
Thursday, Dec. 1
College football, MAC championship, Akron vs. Northern Illinois (6:30 p.m., ESPN): Who vs. who in Detroit. For college football addicts only.
No. 11, December 1-7
<b><u>Give Wal-Mart A Break</b></u>
Y'all should give Wal-Mart a break. I love Wal-Mart on Highway 18. The people who work there are friendly and very helpful. The range of goods is low to moderate. …
