Jackson Free Press

On Jan. 17, (Martin Luther King Day), trees will be planted in the Farish Street District to honor local blues, jazz and rock musicians who donated their time to play at a benefit for the environment and urban forestry. A free public workshop on the topics of "How to plant a tree" and "The right tree for the right place" will be included at the North Midtown Community Center at 215 McTyre Avenue from 9AM until Noon on Monday, January 17.

Some of the musical honorees include: Jesse Robinson, Chris Gill, Scott Albert Johnson, Virgil Brawley, Sherman Lee Dillon, Eden Brent, G.G. Hines, DayBreakDown, Paul Ott, Lisa Palmer, and Sergio Fernandez. We also will be honoring, as our special guest, Mississippi blues legend Sam Myers. Jesse Robinson and Scott Albert Johnson will play on Farish Street after the event, and will likely be joined by special guests as well.

The 2004 Earth Day benefit was held to provide artists, musicians and local citizens an opportunity to plant trees in their community in honor of someone special. A tree also will be planted in memory of James V. Walker, former Clarion Ledger reporter and avid supporter of community trees.

The children and parents from the North Midtown Community Development Corporation will assist with planting the trees on Martin Luther King Day as well as pass out free trees to local homeowners between 10:00 A.M until Noon.

Since July 2004 , over 134,000 trees have been planted nationwide by people who are planting trees in memory of loved ones and trees in celebration of anniversaries, birthdays, and special events!
We thank you for the purer air. We thank you for the cleaner water. And we thank you for caring enough to give a gift that will have lasting impact on this and future generations. Trees provide a multitude of benefits that can improve economics, health and social standards. More and more communities throughout Mississippi are recognizing these value of trees.

Each year Earth Day Releaf and Rhythms is held on Earth Day, April the 22. In 2005 the event will be held in Ridgeland at the Reservoir Park from 7:00 -10:00 P.M. Event sponsored by the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, US Forest Service and the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

For more information on how you can plant a tree contact the Mississippi Urban Forest Council, Donna Yowell at 601-856-1660 or [e-mail missing]