Jackson Free Press

Tuesday, Dec. 15

6 p.m. Jackson City Council Meeting at Jackson City Hall (200 S. President St.). The City Council holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-1033.

Wednesday, Dec. 16

2 p.m., First Steps at University of Mississippi Small Business Development Center, Lafayette Co. (B 19 Jeanette Phillips Drive, University), in the physical plant training room. This seminar outlines the basic steps to starting a business. Topics include: regulations such as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline for a business plan and other resources to assist in starting a business. The speaker is James Carden. Free with online registration required; visit http://www.mssbdc.com.

4:30 p.m., Jackson Public Schools Board Oath-of-office ceremony and meeting, at Jackson Public Schools (621 S. State St.). The Board of Trustees will honor new and outgoing board members at a 4:30 p.m. reception prior to the board's regular meeting at 6 p.m.; open to the public. Free; call 601-960-8700.

6 p.m., Batson Home Away From Home Holiday Social at Hal & Mal's (200 Commerce St.). Join the Jackson Free Press to celebrate the holidays with food and fellowship in support of the Batson Home Away From Home Program, a new initiative benefiting the long-term and rehab patients of the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children as well as their families. $10 or $5-$10 worth of donated items or gift cards; visit batsonhomeawayfromhome.webs.com for list of needed items.

6 p.m., "Talk Radio" Auditions at Professional Staffing Group (Fondren Corner, 2906 N. State St., Suite 330). The show will be directed by Cory Drake, with tentative performance dates of Feb. 11-14 and Feb. 18-21. Auditions will be via cold readings from the play script. The role of "Spike" is a non-speaking role, but he/she will be required to actually run certain technical aspects of the play, including light and sound, while on stage. Adult actors with strong voiceover skills who are adept at creating and performing in different character voices are especially needed. Free; call 601-982-2217 or 601-573-1251.

Thursday, Dec. 17

10 a.m., State Personnel Board Meeting at Robert G. Clark Building (301 N. Lamar St.). The board will meet in suite 102. Free; call 601-359-1406.

10 a.m., State Institutions of Higher Learning Meeting at the Universities Center (3825 Ridgewood Road). The Board of Trustees will meet in the IHL Board Room for their regular monthly meeting. Free; call 601-432-6647.

5:30 p.m., Groundbreaking Ceremony at Blackburn Middle School (1311 W. Pearl St.). Construction on the new school will begin in January. Activities will be held in the auditorium. Free; call 601-960-5329.

5:30 p.m., "Develop a Business Plan" at the Innovation Center (1636 Popps Ferry Road, Suite 100, Biloxi). Learn how to take this important first step in starting a business. Free with online registration required; call 662-915-5001; visit http://www.mssbdc.com.

Friday, Dec. 18

7:30 a.m., Rankin County Chamber of Commerce Meeting at Bud's Express (3271 Highway 18 Cove, Brandon). Breakfast will be served. Free; call 601-825-2268.

9:30 a.m., James Ivory Homeless Persons' Memorial Day Observance at Stewpot Community Services (1100 W. Capitol St.). Homeless persons, homeless service providers and advocates will gather in the sanctuary to remember homeless persons who have died during the year and to call attention to the many issues of homelessness. The event will also include music, a dramatic recitation and a memorial drumming session. Free, call 601-351-8523.

10 a.m., Christmas Festival at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). Activities occurring throughout the day include a vendor fair, holiday parade, adopt-a-fence display competition and holiday fashion show. Free; call 601-982-8467.

Events at Mississippi College (200 Capitol St., Clinton). Call 601-925-3000.
• 1:30 p.m., Nursing Pinning and Commencement Exercise. The ceremony takes place in Provine Chapel.
• 7 p.m., General Commencement Exercises. The ceremony honors new graduates in the A.E. Wood Coliseum.

3 p.m., American Heart Association Prize Drawing at Metrocenter Mall (3645 Highway 80 W.). The names of the customers who donate to the American Heart Association before 3 p.m. will be placed in a drawing. Prizes include a Playstation 3, iPod Touch, digital camera and a GPS. Donations welcome; call 601-354-7800.

Saturday, Dec. 19

7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Applebee's (2390 Lakeland Drive, Flowood).Tickets are available from Flowood Kiwanis members, Northwest Rankin Key Club members, or Jan Robertson. $5; call 601-420-7777.

10 a.m., Senior Adult Computer Class at St. Dominic's Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive), in the St. Dominic's Centre. Learn about advanced computer techniques. Registration required. $25; call 601-200-6698.

11 a.m., "Stay @ Home" Fundraiser at Belk, Dogwood Festival (150 Dogwood Blvd.). Holiday shoppers will have the opportunity to cuddle up in a cozy Cypress robe while getting pampered at mini-manicure and massage stations. Cypress and Belk will donate a portion of every purchase to The Pajama Program, a not-for-profit organization that provides pajamas and books to children in need. Call 601-919-5000.

Noon, Christmas Celebration Toy Drive at Taco Bell (330 W. Northside Dr.). 97.7 FM and 90.1 FM will broadcast live. Bring unwrapped toys or monetary donations until 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Jackson Police Department. Donations welcome; call 601-960-0495.

8 p.m., National History Day Workshop for Teachers at the African American Military History Museum (305 E. 6th St., Hattiesburg). Presented by the Southern Miss Department of History, the National History Day and Social Studies Curriculum workshop will help social studies teachers learn the difference between primary and secondary historical sources, as well as understand the value of National History Day as a classroom tool. The registration deadline is Dec. 1. $20 for continuing education credit; call 228-214-3360.

9 p.m., 5th Annual Tacky Christmas Party at Hal and Mal's (200 Commerce St.). Come wearing your tackiest Christmas outfit. Magnolia Speech School is the benefactor for this event. $20; call 601-213-7490.