Jackson Free Press

Monday, Nov. 30

4 p.m., Jackson City Council work session at Jackson City Hall (200 S. President St.). Call 601-960-1033.

6 p.m., LGBT Parenting Group at Safe Harbor Family Church (2147 Henry Hill Dr.). Dinner will be provided. Free; call 601-559-6133.

Tuesday, Dec. 1

8:30 a.m., World AIDS Day observance at the Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). Community partners will be working together for the prevention of and treatment for HIV disease. Free; call 601-594-3318.

10 a.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.

5 p.m., Jackson Public School Board Meeting, at Jackson Public Schools (621 S. State St.). The JPS School Board meets for its regular session, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-8700.

5 p.m., public hearing on the Proposed Kemper IGCC Coal Plant at Kemper County High School (429 Philadelphia Road, Ocean Springs). Open House 5-7 p.m.; Public Comment starts at 7 p.m. Voice your opinion regarding the possible environmental impact of the proposed plant. Free; call 601-948-8631.

6 p.m., World AIDS Day, evening observance at Anderson United Methodist Church (6205 Hanging Moss Road). The keynote speaker is former Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders; performance by the Mississippi Mass Choir. Free; call 601-594-3318.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

1 p.m., Graduation Rate Task Force meets at Universities Center, IHL Board Room (3825 Ridgewood Road). The task force will hear from several subcommittees and discuss key findings on graduation rates in the state's public four-year and two-year postsecondary institutions. Call 601-432-6891.

6 p.m., shop with the Doc at Wal-Mart (5520 Highway 80 E., Pearl). This fundraiser benefits children from limited income families who are burn victims. Each child will be given a gift card to spend on whatever they wish. The event is sponsored by the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association. $150 to sponsor one child; call 601-540-2995.

Thursday, Dec. 3

4th Annual SCLC & MIRA Unity Conference, Dec. 3-5, at Cabot Lodge Millsaps (2375 N. State St.). This year's theme is "Building Bridges Through Diversity: One Goal, One Vision, United Power." Special guests include David Bacon, James Meredith and Gilbert Padilla. $25 registration fee; visit http://unity09.yourmira.org.

10 a.m., UMC Blood Drive at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (2500 N. State St.). Donate blood and save a life. Mississippi Blood Services will be taking donations at the Student Union. Please bring ID. Call 888-902-5663.

4 p.m., American Solutions Town Hall Meeting with Newt Gingrich at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). The topic will be creating jobs and improving the economy. The meeting will be in the recital hall.

5:30 p.m., Habitat Metro Jackson Homeowner Application Meeting at the Jackson Medical Mall in the Community Room (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The meeting will give potential homeowners with low incomes an opportunity to learn more about the Habitat for Humanity program. Free; call 601-353-6060.

Friday, Dec. 4

9:30 a.m., Racial Reconciliation Conference, Dec. 4 and 5, at St. James Episcopal Church (3921 Oakridge Dr.). The theme is "Reconciliation Practices: Coexisting with God." The conference will address issues of ongoing concern in the Episcopal Church and the larger world regarding the challenge of finding effective ways for us as Christians to live, work, and worship in our diverse populations. Presenters include Dr. Anita George of Starkville and Rev. Carol Spencer of Jackson. Register online at http://www.dioms.org/digital_faith/events/332. $45; call 601-948-5954.

Saturday, Dec. 5

11 a.m., "Stay @ Home" Fundraiser at Belk, Dogwood Festival (150 Dogwood Boulevard). 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.

8 p.m., National History Day Workshop for Teachers at the African American Military History Museum (305 E. 6th Street, 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.