Jackson Free Press

Monday, Aug. 2

6 p.m., We Are Africa 2010 Road Tour at Afrika Book Cafe (404 Mitchell Ave.). African Ancestry will do a special seminar on tracing your roots with a DNA test. Free admission, $225 DNA test kit; visit We are Africa's website.

Tuesday, Aug. 3

10 a.m., Story Time Tuesday at Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). A local celebrity comes to the zoo to read an animal story to kids. After story time, the kids get to do a related craft project or have an animal encounter. Free with paid admission; call 601-352-2580.

6 p.m., Financial Education Seminar at 3000 Fondren Building (3000 Old Canton Road), in suite 550. Hosted by CredAbility, the seminar will be led by certified budget and credit counselors. Free; call 601-969-6431.

6:30 p.m., National Night Out at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), in the Bailey Ave. parking lot. Residents will gather as part of a national campaign to fight neighborhood crime. Free; call 601-982-8467.

Wednesday, Aug. 4

Noon, "History Is Lunch" at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). Historian Timothy B. Smith talks about his new book "Mississippi in the Civil War: The Home Front," the most recently published volume in the Heritage of Mississippi series. Free; call 601-576-6850.

Thursday, Aug. 5

8 a.m., Jackson Public Schools Breakfast at Northwest Middle School (7020 Medgar Evers Blvd.). JPS Superintendent Dr. Lonnie J. Edwards invites faith-based institutions to partner with Jackson Public Schools. Participants pecific ways to make a positive difference in the lives of JPS students. Call 601-960-8935.

10 a.m., Back-To-School Open House at Mississippi Telco Federal Credit Union (409 Riverwind Drive, Pearl). Come for free school supplies, register to win an iPod Touch and meet Mississippi's first Young and Free spokesperson, Sarah Dale Simpkins. Free; call 601-664-2085.

6 p.m., Town Hall Meeting on Medical Debt at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at center stage. The Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities is the sponsor. Call 601-982-8467.

6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Call 601-960-0001.

Friday, Aug. 6

9 a.m., Friday Forum at Koinonia Coffee House (136 S. Adams St., Suite C). The presenter will be Susan Womack, executive director of Parents for Public Schools. Free; e-mail [e-mail missing].

6 p.m., Miss Mississippi Reception at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1152 Lakeland Drive). Sarah Beth James will talk about why she chose organ and tissue donation as her platform for Miss Mississippi and the upcoming Miss America pageant. Light appetizers will be served. Free; call 601-933-1000.

Saturday, Aug. 7

7 a.m., Fondren Cleanup. The Fondren Association of Businesses is asking for help beginning at the fork at Old Canton and North State to accomplish tasks such as street cleanup, sign post upgrades, trash pick up, weed eradication and more. Please bring rakes, shovels, gloves, small tools and other necessary items. Call 601-981-6925.

8 a.m., Jackson Audubon Society Monthly Bird Walk at LeFleur's Bluff State Park, Mayes Lake (115 Lakeland Terrace). An experienced Audubon Society member will lead the walk. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and a snack. Call ahead if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars. An adult must accompany children under 15. Free, $3 car entrance fee; call 601-956-7444.

9 a.m., NACA Homeownership Seminar at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The class will be held in the Community Meeting Room. Free; call 601-922-4008.

Sunday, Aug. 8

3 p.m., Back-to-School Open House at Bethlehem Center (920 N. Blair St.). The center provides affordable child care, after-school care and free income-tax preparation. Free; call 601-355-0224.

Through Aug. 15

FORMCities Call for Design Proposals at Jackson Community Design Center (509 E. Capitol St.). Mississippi State University's Jackson Community Design Center (JCDC) will host a design competition and symposium focused on the inherent challenges and immense potential for socioeconomic and environmental reconciliation by addressing barriers created by an urban divide. FORMCities calls for design proposals to address the negative impacts of urban forms and transportation thoroughfares that have created visual, physical and psychological barriers along the lines of race, income and class. Student and professional teams may enter, and the deadline is August 15. Prizes will be awarded in November. $60 professional teams, $35 student teams; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Through Aug. 31

Project Redirectory Recycling Program. The telephone book recycling project ends August 31. Bins are located throughout the metro Jackson area, and you can schedule a pickup from your business if you have 50 books or more. Contact Keep Jackson Beautiful for a list of locations. Books may also be dropped off at Recycling Services (3010 N. Mill Street). Call 601-366-4842.

Center for Cultural Interchange Call for Hosting Families. CCI needs to place 1,000 foreign exchange students from more than 40 countries around the world for the 2010-2011 school year. All of the students to be placed are 15-18 years old and are proficient in English. The application deadline is Aug. 31. Call 800-634-4771.

Through Dec. 24

Farmers Market at Old Fannin Road Farmers Market (1307 Old Fannin Road, Brandon). Homegrown produce is for sale Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and noon-6 p.m. Sunday until Christmas Eve. Call 601-919-1690.

Ongoing

Medical Mall Moment Report at WOAD 1300 AM. Find out about the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation's current activities every second Friday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Call-ins to 601-995-1400 are welcome. You can send your questions and comments in advance to [e-mail missing] or call the office for more information. The broadcast is also available on jacksonmedicalmall.org. Call 601-982-8467.

Greater Belhaven Market at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Buy some fresh produce or other food or gift items. The market is open every Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission; call 601-506-2848 or 601-354-6573.

Farmers Market, at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Shop the Mississippi Farmers Market for fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables from Mississippi farmers, specialty foods, and crafts from local artisans. The market is open every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 601-354-6573.

Cancer Rehab Classes at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Activity Room of the Hederman Cancer Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. The class helps cancer patients enhance cardiovascular strength, endurance and improve immune system and bone density. It helps to increase overall strength and stamina, decrease fatigue, weight loss and improve digestion. Registration is required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

Farmers Market, at Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project's Farmers Market (2548 Livingston Road). Buy from a wide selection of fresh produce provided by participating local farmers. Market hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Tuesday and Fridays, and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Free admission; call 601-951-9273.

You Have the Mic at Afrika Book Cafe (404 Mitchell Ave.). The open political forum for discussing Jackson's current issues is hosted by Othor Cain and Mista Main of Hot 97.7 FM on Mondays from 6-8 p.m. E-mail [e-mail missing].