Friday, March 31
IS Rap Poetry? by Junior
Watching and listening to a rap video the other day I began to wonder since
Just in time for April and National Poetry Month, one of our contributing writers, Junior, has posed an interesting question that I'm sure will spark some interesting discussion. It should …
Thursday, March 30
I've been waiting on this.
This just came off the wire.
I've been waiting to see this headline for three months.
Marshand Crisler: The Man Watching the Mayor (2006)
The office of Jackson Council President Marshand Crisler bears the signs of a harsh duality. Crisler carries himself with a clean, pressed lookin startling contrast to the reporter sitting across …
C. A. Webb's Interview with Tyler Perry
Here is the link to my interview with Tyler Perry that appears in the Clarion Ledger's weekend section today.
Wednesday, March 29
Abortion 'Ban' DOA
After weeks of sending abortion-rights supporters into a furious tizzy, a bill to ban the procedure in Mississippi flittered away into impotence as it passed its March 27 deadline for …
Home, Bittersweet Home
Mary Johnson was a resident of Rose Street back when Rose Street looked very different from how it looks now. In many ways, the story of Johnson is the story …
Melton: Please Stop Lawsuit
This Tuesday, Mayor Frank Melton filed an emergency petition to appeal a ruling by Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Robert Bailey in striking his defense in a defamation lawsuit filed …
Fulfilling The Mission
When I got involved with the Crossroads Film Society, I didn't know much about non-profits or arts societies—my face was too often buried in a computer screen to get involved …
Crossroads Film Festival 2006: Everybody Has A Story
If there's anything a true Mississippian loves, it's a good story. This weekend, we get to enjoy many stories on film during the 7th Annual Crossroads Film Festival, taking place …
Tech Trouble In Texas
"Sometimes, you don't know what you've got until you look at it with new eyes," says Oxford native Stephen Merris. Merris, who once helped NASA map the face of planets, …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
College basketball, NIT championship (6 p.m., ESPN): Two teams will play to decide who's No. 66 in the nation.
Jacktown: Mixin' It Up
Hello boys and girls, it's been more than a few minutes since we last crossed paths. But I promise you will be hearing from me more regularly again.
Roy Adkins: The Rewards of Texture
Rebekah Potter asks local photographer Roy Adkins about the state of the art, technology and that seventh circle of hell, wedding photos.
Under The Southern Sun
A hands-on cooking class titled "Under the Tuscan Sun"—me? Sure, why not? I'd be fine. I wouldn't make a fool out of myself. Would I? Not if I could get …
BeerTalk: The Belgians Are Coming!
Belgian beers are renowned around the world for their excellent quality, complexity and taste, as well as their rich history and the sheer variety of brands and styles available. While …
The Working Man's Scientology
It's time for "Understanding Ghetto Scientology" with main elder and founder "Cool Daddy" Jim:
That Motley Crue Girl
About three months ago, my best friend called me with one of her fabulous ideas. These ideas come at least twice a year and previously involved both a foray into …
Titties On Trial
Attorneys for a topless bar argued in federal court this week that the city of Jackson illegally closed Babes in early March. Local attorney Chris Ganner and Tampa, Fla., attorney …
Another Nod To Big Tobacco
Former tobacco lobbyist Gov. Haley Barbour announced March 27 that he was vetoing a bill to provide $20 million a year to The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, an anti-smoking …
Education STILL Underfunded
Lawmakers did the political equivalent of a high-five March 26 when they reached a deal on the state's $4.5 billion budget.
Katy Smith
Katy Smith blinks in the afternoon sunlight of a bright spring day and says, "I love downtown Jackson. I think it's really beautiful, and people don't appreciate it."
"MARRIAGE IS FOR WHITE PEOPLE"
Article by Joy Jones at Washingtonpost.com---
'I grew up in a time when two-parent families were still the norm, in both black and white America. Then, as an adult, I saw divorce become more commonplace, then …
Tuesday, March 28
House Concurrent Resolution 114 To Resurrect Bills
[verbatim] House Concurrent Resolution 114
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE OF CERTAIN BILLS THAT DIED IN CONFERENCE.
Clarion-Ledger Whining About ‘Tort Reform' ... Again
Gov. Haley Barbour's media partner in "tort reform" is now whining about Mississippi's position on the U.S. Chamber's state legal climate ranking, now asking the question they should have asked …
Monday, March 27
Abortion Ban Attempt Dies in Conference
More details as they develop ...
Tonight, the 8 p.m. bill deadline came and went at the Mississippi Legislature without an agreement out of conference. Thus, the abortion ban bill died.
Barbour Vetoes ‘Partnership' Bill
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 1115 -March 27, 2006-
I am returning House Bill 1115: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-403, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS IN THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND LAW; TO AMEND SECTION …
Chili Peppers 2 CD Set to Drop May 9
Jupiter and the other Mars.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will unleash a two-CD set, STADIUM ARCADIUM (Warner Bros.), on May 9, 2006. The collection will contain 28 songs divided between two discs, one dubbed
Saturday, March 25
ARTICLE: Breast cancer deaths higher among black woman: study
Why, why, why...It ain't fair, I tell ya!
...minority women with early-stage breast cancer had double the risk of white women of failing to receive radiation, chemotherapy or hormonal therapy following breast cancer surgery.
Online Support Group for Boomerangers
For all the adults who live with their parents, we could use a virtual hug now and then.
Kennedy Administration Begins At Ole Miss
Ole Miss introduced Andy Kennedy as its 20th men's basketball coach on Wednesday. The good news is a native Mississippian has a job at a school in one of the …
Friday, March 24
The Best In Sports in The Next 6 Days
Friday, March 24
College baseball, Mississippi State at LSU* (6:30 p.m. Baton Rouge, La., 620 AM): The last-place Tigers host the first-place Bulldogs for an SEC West showdown.
Let's Give The Children More Drugs
As a social worker working with mentally ill children, I am no stranger to the medicating of them. But, this NYT piece regarding the side effects of stimulant medication really …
Thursday, March 23
Breaking: Ole Miss Hires Kennedy
Ole Miss hired Andy Kennedy as its basketball coach on Thursday night, athletic director Pete Boone told the Associated Press.
New Orleans Saints to Play in Jackson in August
[verbatim] For the second time in as many years, the New Orleans Saints are bringing NFL football to Mississippi, playing the Indianapolis Colts at Jackson's Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on …
Helen Thomas
In a column that follows up on Ms. Thomas' much-discussed questioning of Bush at his press conference earlier this week. During the press conference, it became clear that Bush couldn't …
Wednesday, March 22
JFP Lounge Thursday Night!
Come on out and join us at the monthly JFP Lounge Thursday night, March 23, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. in the Oyster Bar at Hal & Mal's. Just a …
The King Gets Another Reprieve
In the nick of time, the Mississippi Senate approved an amendment this week that would provide a $2 million interest-free loan to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority to fund environmental cleanup …
WLBT Sold; Melton Era Ends
Last month, Raycom Media completed its acquisition of 15 stations formerly owned by Liberty Corp., including Jackson's own WLBT. In August 2005, Raycom, one of the national's largest broadcasters based …
Shooting Blanks
"I've made a lot of enemies from that abortion bill, but I'm tired of Republicans beating the hell out of Democrats over that issue."
It's Just That Serious
Fontaine, self-proclaimed "narrator for the streets," lays down all of his vocals to tracks produced by E (also his manager) and Benz of the Queen Boyz, in a studio inside …
More of a Murky Gray
Now, I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I pretty much called this one. I'm sorry, but any game that calls the "Guns the main characters" probably isn't …
Let Me Eat Cake
My Mammaw, my Momma's momma, is not a cook. She never enjoyed it, so when she was in her mid-70s, she figured she had better things to do with her …
Petite Sirah Is No Wimp
There has been a long debate about the origin of Petite Sirah, a somewhat obscure grape varietal. It was once said to be related to the great Rhone varietal, Syrah. …
A Pimp's Revenge
I couldn't help but smile as I watched Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia accept their Oscar this month for Best Original Song. Not because they didn't deserve it. Oh …
The Sensual Environmentalist
Clubb Chicken Wing's ghetto science, folklore and music lecture series presents renowned ghetto environmentalist and former member of the Rent Party Disco Band, Dr. Tidwell "Too Funky Feets" Jackson:
Pro-Business Smoke Out
Much has been written about the regional bidding war for the new Kia auto plant—a war in which Georgia defeated Mississippi, and Alabama was never really a competitor. But as …
AG: Hands Off the Judges
Mayor Frank Melton called a March 10 press conference to announce the arrest of two municipal court clerks charged with conspiracy to destroy criminal records. At the same conference, Melton …
Link Lost in 'Illegal' Limbo
The Mississippi Link is suing Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and City Council members who voted against a recent veto override. Last month, the council failed to override a veto from …
Civil Rights to Actually Be Taught
Gov. Haley Barbour likely shocked his staunchest supporters when he announced a bill authorizing public schools to add civil rights and human rights to the public-school curriculum in all grades. …
Diocese Settles with 'Alleged Victims'
After many years of pain, suffering and litigation, 19 victims of priest sexual abuse are seeing some degree of closure in their fight with the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.
'Where Barbour's Loyalties Really Lie'
On March 15, Gov. Haley Barbour vetoed a second tax reform bill that would have raised the cigarette tax to $1 per pack and cut the state's 7 percent sales …
Reversing This Injustice
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, visited the campus of Jackson State University Tuesday to speak on an upcoming April 1 march across the Crescent City …
Oleta Fitzgerald
Oleta Fitzgerald, 58, is a tiny woman with a big office. Perfectly coiffed in a tweed business suit, she arises from her desk when I arrive and gracefully extends her …
Tuesday, March 21
Stanford's Troubled Tree
The Stanford Tree mascot is in trouble again, Deadspin reports. Last month the Tree was ejected from a men's basketball game for showing up drunk and later fired. On Sunday, …
Death to Dildos
I am posting this link to a Dan Abrams "Sidebar" about Mississippi making sex toys illegal.
And The Howell Goes To ...
Jackson State's Trey Johnson, Delta State's Jasper Johnson and Mississippi State's Charles Rhodes are the three finalists for the Bailey Howell Trophy, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum …
Lady Rebs In WNIT
The Ole Miss women's basketball team will play at Pittsburgh on Wednesday (6 p.m.) in the second round of the WNIT. The Lady Rebels won at Kansas, 78-76, last Sunday …
Who said pot dealers aren't creative?
The Smoking Gun is carrying an article concerning the busting of a "pot ring" in California
This is just for entertainment.
Are we getting the boot camp thing yet?
I found this article concerning the death of a Florida boy at one of the state's boot camps. Surveillance cameras show the boy was beaten to death by staff at …
Monday, March 20
Dogs Climb To No. 1
Mississippi State, the only undefeated team left in NCAA Division I baseball, is ranked No. 1 in this week's Baseball America poll. The Bulldogs are 15-0, the best start in …
Ole Miss' Final Four
The Clarion-Ledger reports that Ole Miss has named its finalists for men's basketball coach. Three of them were on Doctor S' list: John Pelphrey of South Alabama, Mick Cronin of …
Sunday, March 19
We Won't See If We Don't Look
The New York Times today present a "grim portrait" of the prisoner abuse committed by the U.S. in a secret unit in Iraq:
The Real Reason for the Iraq Invasion? Guess.
According to a New York Times book review, Kevin Phillips' new book, "American Theocracy," warns not only about the dangerous policies of the current administration—but of the American trends that …
Mary Johnson: Where's My House?
The Clarion-Ledger had a good story yesterday about Mary Johnson, to whom Frank Melton promised a new house if she would tear down her old one. The problem, of course, …
Saturday, March 18
Friday, March 17
Open Chick Thread: Let ‘Er Rip!
This one's for whatever chick-related item is on your mind. And, yes, guys (or, at the least the ones who respect chicks) can post here, too. (Tom?)
Why the D.L. is D.U.M.B.
Her views are her own. The column for the April issue is a thought-provoking one, to say the least.
Wanted to pass on this link to one of my old friends that writes an opinion column for my new zine, CONVERSATIONS. She is Kendall Walker, a 35 year old …
Help Wanted In Oxford
Since Ole Miss is looking for a new basketball coach, consider the NCAA Tournament as a series of auditions in which UM AD Pete Boone gets to watch potential candidates. …
Shop, Girl: Oooo, Raspberry Purses!
OK, grrls, here's your open thread for shopping this week. One can't talk about politics and philosophy all the time, you know.
Thursday, March 16
‘My Mama's In the Jackson Free Press'
I just found the coolest posting ever on the blog of our new writer, Tiffany Fitch. The whole thing is delightful—and love her props to Rebekah's cover—but nothing beats this …
JFP Debuts New Chick Blog
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Announcing our brand-new Chick Blog, a fun and serious collection of writings and blogs by and about women. You won't just find stories about lip gloss here, but you'll find …
Charly Takes You Inside Mal's St. Paddy's Parade
p://www.jacksonfreepress.com/images/site_images/v4issue26/spq.jpg" align=right>by Lynette Hanson
The theme of the 2006 Mal's St. Paddy's Parade is "Cat in a (Chef's) Hat," in honor of the parade's grand marshall, Jackson native and Iron Chef Cat Cora. Since …
Melton Polling High in First JFP/16-WAPT Poll
A March 12 telephone poll of 763 registered Jackson voters conducted by ZATA-3 Consulting in Washington, D.C., found that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton gets an excellent grade from 42 percent …
Jackson Catholic Sexual Abuse Cases Settled
Today, attorneys announced that 19 plaintiffs suing the Catholic Diocese for past sexual abuse have settled with the church. The PDF of the announcement is posted here.
FBI Presents DA with Report on Emmett Till
The Associated Press is reporting:
The long awaited report into the 1955 killing of Emmett Till concludes no federal charges will be filed in the case, but District Attorney Joyce L. Chiles will make the …
[Chick] Confessions of A Wannabe Wannabe
This column was published in March 2005. We bring it back forward in honor of St. Paddy's Day 2006—also known as The Chick Invasion. Enjoy.
Stiff Punishment
I found this article on the AAN site. It is an "Open Letter to Mississippians" written as an opinion column in the Memphis Flyer.
Wednesday, March 15
St. Paddy's & SPQ Photos in JFP Galleries!
All, be sure to check out the JFP Galleries for several packages of photos of last year's St. Paddy's madness in Jackson. We'll be out and about again this year …
Barbour Vetoes Tobacco-Grocery Tax Bill
Following is Gov. Haley Barbour's statement today vetoing the popular effort to raise the tax on cigarettes and lower the tax on on groceries. Note that he is repeating his …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
College basketball, NCAA Tournament (11 a.m., Ch. 12): The best part of the men's college basketball season begins. It doesn't matter who's playing, you know you will watch.
The Temple of Wilco
It is surprisingly easy to talk to Wilco's Pat Sansone. Perhaps Sansone, who is from Meridian, Miss., has never lost the gentle ease and hospitality of Southern conversation, despite the …
Chicks We Love
It takes only 10 minutes of talking to Dr. Nirupa Mohandas to hear about her love life and dating experiences. As a native of India, Nirupa's open-minded parents still expected …
Chick-Dom
I caught sight of her face through a strip of glass. Happiness covered her from eyes to smile, and I swallowed around the lump in my throat. We were all …
Barbour Aborts Building Takeover
While under scrutiny from the Jackson Free Press and other government officials, Gov. Haley Barbour is backing off his expensive idea of moving his and other offices into the Sillers …
‘It's You, Sweetie'
An excerpt from "The Sweet Potato Queens' Wedding Planner/Divorce Guide," Random House, 2005
The Choices Chicks Make
I spoke to a roomful of young chicks recently. We were all packed into the charming old depot in Forest, Miss., some 40 miles from where I grew up in …
[Greggs] Steel Magnolia
I am a woman. I write about it all the time. The dating, the shoes, the makeup, the irrational bouts of temper and the complicated decisions. I often get teased …
[Chick] Quack! Quack!
It all started in October, when I became the Hunchback of Noter Damn. After my back went wonky while doing laundry, MRI results showed Degenerative Disk Disease, and there's not …
[Stiggers] Toot That Honky Horn
Broadcasting live from Lil' Ray-Ray's rigged satellite dish television network studio and home entertainment center, it's the Brotha Hustle TV Moment.
Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Graphic courtesy of The Mellman Group
The Mississippi Legislature made a second attempt at tax reform this year, with the House's approval of Senate Bill 3084 on a 79 to 41 vote. The bill is an …
Creaming the Bad Guys
On March 10, Mayor Frank Melton called a press conference to thank the U.S. Attorney and the FBI for helping Jackson "clean up corruption" that Melton called "systemic" in the …
Meet and Greet scheduled for Wednesday, 03/22/06 to discuss METROCENTER PROJECT and zine CONVERSATIO
South Hills Library (next to Key Elementary)
Free refreshments * Networking * Discussion about the store SHADOW PLAY that will open in the Metrocenter in April as well as the new arts and entertainment zine CONVERSATIONS
Cecilia Reese Bullock
Every time I'm in the presence of Cecilia Reese Bullock, a construction-company owner and real-estate mogul, some guy tries to pick her up. At least one. Usually more.
Pixes "Doolittle" Book Out
"Doolittle is, on one hand, among the most violent pop albums ever recorded, if not in body count then in the starkness of its calamities. It features rape, mutilation of …
Tuesday, March 14
EVERYONE BOYCOTT FORD: THEY SUPPORT GAYS!
Okay, I didn't say this, but there are alot of people that are.
http://www.boycottford.com says the following:
Monday, March 13
Pill of Religious Satire on South Park too hard for Issac Hayes to Swallow
Hayes, who has played the ladies' man/school cook in the animated Comedy Central satire since 1997, said in a statement Monday that he feels a line has been crossed.
My Contribution to St. Patrick's Day
C'mon, you know you wanna see it...
In my Patriotic Twist line of T-shirts, I came up with the idea of making an Irish version of the American flag. Go
Dems Target Abortion Rights
In a move calculated to force a showdown on abortion rights in the state, the Mississippi Legislature declared war on Roe v. Wade last week after Rep. Steve Holland, chairman …
Sunday, March 12
Generals Telling Truth About ‘Dash to Baghdad'
As Iraq teeters on a civil war the U.S. cannot control, the New York Times has an in-depth story about what happened with generals who protested the U.S.' initial rush …
Fireman Goes Federal
Former Mobile Command Capt. Sidney Johnson filed an EEOC complaint against the city last week, citing suspicious demotions and transfers in the Jackson Fire Department.
Saturday, March 11
Ledger Scrutinizes Melton's Bahamas Trip
It's great to see The Clarion-Ledger follow up our tip from last Friday about Melton and his two bodyguards flying to the Bahamas. This is the way local media should …
‘I Will Cream You Personally'
Looks like we left the press conference too soon yesterday! The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today that Mayor Frank Melton threatened one of their reporters:
Friday, March 10
Melton: Police Taking Over Court Services; No Crime Stats to Media
UPDATE March 16, 2006: This is now a full transcript of the mayor's press conference, addressing many issues—from crime stats to his pursuit of the Wood Street Players.
Envelopes "Demon"
How does one describe Envelopes? To start, there's the geography: a band that has lived – separately and together – in Northern York (that's in England), Paris, Malmo and Stockholm, …
Thursday, March 9
Bush Helps the Gautier Family Rebuild
And did I mention condescending?
This is so incredibly offensive.
Trent Dabbs Sophomore CD Hits March 28
TRENT DABBS SOPHOMORE ALBUM 'WHAT'S GOLDEN ABOVE GROUND' SET FOR MARCH 28th U.S. RELEASE. "Nashville's singer/songwriter makes golden on sophomore album…Trent Dabbs strikes a balance of honesty and polish that …
Why Diane Dorce' is a Woman Who Rules
Out of all the women I have interviewed this year, I have to say that my time with Diane Dorce' was the highlight thus far.
The Other N-Word
Did you know there was more than one?
What word am I referring to? Well, it's one that is quite common in the black community, and many black women in particular are offended by it. The word: nappy.
Crime Perception Affects Citizens' Physical Fitness
A U.S. study done on Jackson, MS and two other towns in North Carolina showed a relationship between "their perception of crime in their neighborhood, and their view of crime …
Wednesday, March 8
ARTICLE: Sun Belt, suburbs get more diverse
The influx of immigrants and people moving to the Sun Belt and Western mountain states from other parts of the USA is rearranging the ethnic tapestry of urban centers in …
Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer
Could there possibly be a connection? The possibility of this is under further study.
QUIZ: How Stressed Are You?
I think it is a good idea to do a mental self-examination once in a while. Let's start here, shall we?
Bill Minor Rips Sid Salter, The Chipper, et al
Columnist Bill Minor rips the Ledge's Sid Salter a well-deserved new one over his playing into the partisan Mississippi-vs.-Louisiana rhetoric. This has been one of the toughest political games to …
Testimony of Gov. Haley Barbour about Katrina - March 7
Testimony of Governor Haley Barbour to U. S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
Thank you for this opportunity to join you today to discuss the worst natural disaster in our nation's history, Hurricane Katrina. First, we in Mississippi greatly need and genuinely appreciate …
The Best In Sports In 7 Days
College basketball, Jackson State vs. Alabama State (10 a.m., Birmingham, Ala., 1400 AM): The Tigers will have to get up early to beat the Hornets in the first round of …
Music: Hooked On Fuzz
Hudson Bell's latest album "When the Sun Is the Moon" (Monitor Records) is a sprawling, fuzzed-out, majestic mess of American pop. With most of the songs barreling well past the …
Music: Turning Tricks
Eric Stracener knew he wanted to make his second CD different from his first. For Stracener's long-time fans, and the new ones, the new ground broken in "The Trickbag" is …
BoozeTalk: Amber Vanilla
In the 1840s, "Bourbon" was just a riverside county in Kentucky. Something set the place apart, though: the spirit it sent out of port. So distinct was this amber-hued hooch …
March Out To Eat
Metro area restaurants wait to wait upon you, at indoor and outdoor tables as spring approaches. Since you might like to try something new as you take your mind off …
ArtTalk: All In A Day's Work
Renting out sailboats and kayaks. Caddying golf. Delivering burritos on a bicycle. Clam farming. Wildfire fighting. They may not be career paths in and of themselves, but they are all …
‘Iron Wrapped In Cotton'
Whatever you call it—T'ai Chi Ch'uan or Taijiquan (Supreme Ultimate Fist), T'ai Chi, Tai Chi, or Taiji—it's still an internal Chinese martial art that comes in many flavors, each with …
State Democrats Undemocratic?
Last month, the Mississippi Democratic Party filed suit with the federal district court in Greenville charging that the state's open primaries violate voting rights. Mississippi Democratic Communications Director Sam Hall …
The City vs. The Titty
The Jackson City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday not to renew the business license of nude-bar owner Gilbert Paige, who owns Centerfolds and Girls of Paradise.
Gordon Kills Home Nursing Bill
Sen. Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, squashed a House bill that would have provided senior citizens and the disabled more access to home-care nursing.
Call Him Irresponsible
Mayor Frank Melton's stated desire to take a leave of absence from his job as mayor to become a vigilante lawman and "bring in" a former gang member and alleged …
[Stiggers] Home, Sweet Double-Wide Home
Pookie: "Tonight on the Pookie Economic Report, Brother John-John, property management specialist, building contractor and token Caucasian member of the Ghetto Science Team, shares his vision of housing poor folk …
[Greggs] Quitters Never Win
I am a smoker. For 10 years I've been a smoker. I smoke, and I love it. At last count, I've tried to quit six times. Each time I've exponentially …
Lott, Cochran Introduce Bill for Offshore Gulf Drilling
[verbatim statement] A bill to direct revenues to Mississippi and other Gulf states, generated by the expansion of deepwater oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, was introduced …
debut issue of the CONVERSATIONS zine to be released March 25th
I'm pleased to announce that the debut issue of CONVERSATIONS will be released out of Jackson, MS later this month. Subscriptions are available as well as advertising opportunities.
Internationally Known Poet/Recording Artist Tim'm West Prepares for Visit to Jackson
The man. The poetry. The music. The mission.
Internationally known spoken word artist and musician Tim'm West will be talking about his journey as a member of the creative community in his exclusive interview with MS artist/author C. …
What's In A Gang?
The brutality of gang life makes for popular entertainment on movie screens across America. Riddling a wall or restaurant with bullet holes from automatic gunfire kicks the pulse into overdrive.
Kim Wade
Kim Wade, a boisterous conservative, reclines in the cramped studio of WJNT. The witty and outspoken Wade is probably best known in the Jackson area for his weekday talk show, …
Tuesday, March 7
Legendary Filmmaker Gordan Parks Dies at 93
"Nothing came easy," Parks wrote in his autobiography. "I was just born with a need to explore every tool shop of my mind."
Pack Up and Get Out!
Video still courtesy of WAPT-TV 16
What a week. As our last issue went to press, Mayor Frank Melton was in the middle of a tantrum about alleged "Wood Street Gang" associate Vidal Sullivan going free …
Mississippians to Protest Abortion Bill TODAY
[verbatim] Alright! Tuesday, March 7, 2006 @ 2:00-3:30 all activists who are outraged with the latest attempts to ban ALL abortions in MS, join us at the MS state capitol …
Rebels Without A Pause
It's almost spring in Oxford, the time of year when a scholarship athlete's fancy turns to ... drinking. Two Ole Miss athletes were arrested for charges including public drunkeness, The …
Monday, March 6
Mississippi ACLU Outraged at ‘Irresponsible' Abortion Bill
ACLU OUTRAGED IN THE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Jackson, MS-- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of MS is outraged by the recent vote of the Mississippi House of Representatives to ban abortions in the state. Not only …
Does Parental Notification Reduce Abortion?
Not really, a New York Times analysis has found:
Clarion-Ledger's Jackson Circulation: 22,000
This is so deliciously educational that it deserves its own blog entry. In an article today about the city's legal-ad controversy, The Clarion-Ledger admits that out of its total circulation …
Sunday, March 5
Barnes Speaks; Why Won't Ole Miss?
Ole Miss lost to LSU 55-52 on Saturday at Baton Rouge. Afterward, Rebels basketballl coach Rod Barnes spoke to the press for the first time since Ole Miss announced a …
Saturday, March 4
Not All Flops Come From Hollywood
With the Oscars coming up on Sunday night (insert your favorite "Brokeback Mountain" joke here), it's time to recognize some of the greatest actors in sports: those guys in the …
Choctaws Advance
Mississippi College defeated Maryville (Mo.) 88-58 on Friday night in the D-3 tournament at Clinton. But the Choctaws aren't finished with Maryville yet. On Saturday night, MC plays Maryville (Tenn.) …
Friday, March 3
Breaking: Ole Miss' Rod Barnes Fired
When Doctor S says you're going to be fired, call the moving company. On Friday, Ole Miss announced that basketball coach Rod Barnes would not be back next season. (Did …
The Colonel's Future
The Daily Mississippian, the Ole Miss student newspaper, has spent the past week debating the future of Colonel Reb. The DM has a poll that asks, "Do you think Colonel …
Is Vidal Sullivan Back on the Streets?
Where in @#$% Is Vidal Sullivan?
We've gotten a report that Mr. Melton and Chief Anderson have released Mr. Sullivan, and that he is free again. We have not confirmed this report with a second source, …
Police Chief Accused of Denying Gay Man CPR
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 3) - A McDowell County police chief was accused in a federal lawsuit Thursday of stopping a would-be rescuer from performing CPR on a gay heart attack …
Hiphop Exhibit Prepares for the Smithsonian
NEW YORK (Feb. 28) - For nearly three decades, hip-hop relics such as vinyl records, turntables, microphones and boom boxes have collected dust in boxes and attics.On Tuesday, owners of …
Thursday, March 2
So Long, Rod
Rod Barnes' days at Ole Miss are numbered. Rick Cleveland wrote Barnes' obituary on Thursday in The Clarion-Ledger. The Rebels started 13-3, but they fell to 14-14 with Wednesday night's …
Breaking: Vidal Sullivan Turns Self In
WJTV is reporting that Vidal Sullivan has turned himself in to police and is being held at "an undisclosed location."
Wednesday, March 1
Tape: Bush, Chertoff Warned *Before* Katrina
So much for passing the buck:
In dramatic and sometimes agonizing terms, federal disaster officials warned President Bush and his homeland security chief before Hurricane Katrina struck that the storm could breach levees, put lives at …
The River Runs Through It
Most everyone is familiar with the names of the big wine regions in California: Napa, Sonoma, Central Coast, etc., but what about the smaller AVAs (Approved Viticultural Areas)? Within Sonoma …
High On The Hog
I've eaten bar-b-que all over the world, and with the exception of some I had in Utah, none of it tasted bad. Bar-b-que starts at good no matter what and …
Making Noise For New Orleans
W hen the levees broke in New Orleans, flooding the cradle of American music, Fats Domino ignored calls for evacuation. Days later, he was declared missing, along with thousands of …
It Starts With A Melody
Anyone who doubts the vitality and sophistication of local music should listen to the Romance of Plants, the band Jonathan McLeran formed.
Now Is The Time
Time spent in San Francisco with the likes of Maria Muldaur and Los Lobos sounds like just the right inspiration for a musical career. Add in the perspiration of working …
Let The Truth Be Told
Donnie Money and MS Mafia are making a comeback on the local hip-hop scene with their new album entitled, "Let the Truth be Told." At the age of 33, Donnie …
The Power And The Glory
Concert choir is to Carnegie Hall as rock band is to Madison Square Garden. Carnegie Hall sounds just right to the 30-plus members of Alcorn State University's internationally known concert …
Artists To Watch
<b>Skipp Coon</b>
You gotta love the new mayor of Jackson. No, not that one. Skipp Coon, born Joecephus Martin, calls himself "the mayor of Jackson," and even raps about the current mayor …
A Spendin' They Will Go
On Feb. 28, four Jackson City Council members voted 4-3 to allow the city of Jackson to pay for the relocation of about 21 families left in the near squalor …
The Problem With Music?
There's this band. They're pretty ordinary, but they're also pretty good, so they've attracted some attention. They're signed to an "independent" label owned by a distribution company, and they owe …
With A Little Help From My Friends
My childhood was filled with strains of country—Hank Williams Sr. and Jr., Merle Haggard, Tammy and George, Porter and Dolly, Mel Tillis. Actually, I did know the music of one …
DIYs For The Up And Coming
<b>DIY: How (and Why) To Copyright Your Music</b>
Although laws have changed, and now you are not absolutely required to register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office, it is still a very good idea to do so. …
[Kamikaze] Local Music Stands Up
Well, we've come to another music issue. I'm sure this one will prove to be bigger than the last. Each one in the future will be bigger than the one …
[Stiggers] You'll Never Take Aunt Tee-Tee Alive
"Dear Diary: I'm not happy when I go to my mailbox. I receive lots of bad news in the form of energy bills. I'm retired and live on a fixed …
[Johnson] Shop And Save The World
In an ever-expanding society, it is easy to feel powerless toward the social ills looming across the globe. Despite wide-spread voter apathy and legions of lock-step bureaucrats pandering to lobbyists, …
Invitation To Ride
Here in Jackson last fall, Rebecca and I hosted friends of ours, a couple who were Katrina evacuees from New Orleans. Britt, a realtor, stayed with us for a week …
Fight or Flight
The 1st Annual Conference of the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement takes place March 2-5 at the JSU E Center on Raymond Road. Organized around the theme "The …
$500 Million Just Ain't Enough
The New York Times reported on Friday about the wave of lawsuits in Mississippi and Louisiana over contracts for debris removal. In her piece, "After Hurricanes Comes Tempest Over Cleanup," …
Art, Not an Actress, Is the Answer
Ever seen the 1995 movie starring Michelle Pfeiffer "Dangerous Minds?" If you have, do you remember how the students walked into a virtual war zone for school and initially worked …
911 Victory for Jackson?
For weeks, Hinds County and the city of Jackson have been at odds with one another over county supervisors' recent decision to adopt the recommendations of the county E-911 Commission.
Stripping Licenses Stripped?
The City Council said at a Feb. 28 appeal hearing that it will decide in five working days if the revocation of licenses for three Jackson businesses will hold.
Melton: ‘I May Step Aside'
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said this week that he is considering taking a leave of absence from his job as mayor of the city to "bring in" a man who …
Santore Bracey
Imagine having the chance to hand out glossy posters, topped by the words: "Flawless Entertainment Presents" … and emblazoned with photos of yourself. That's just what Santore Bracey, 24, gets …
Is B!tch the new N!gga?
Since we are celebrating "Women Rule" this month--- where women have made great strides---, I think it's important to answer this question: Is a woman ever being called a B!TCH …
