Jackson Free Press

Super Bowl XLIV Tickets Auction at Jackson Touchdown Club Web site. The two tickets (eBay item number 250569896007) have a face value of $800 each. Proceeds benefit the Gene May Scholarship Fund. Minimum bid of $1600; call 601-506-3186 or 601-953-6813.

1 p.m., Commission on Mississippi Education Structure Meeting at the Mississippi State Capitol (400 High St.), in room 216. The commission will discuss the consolidation of school districts. Call 601-359-1336.

3 p.m., USM Nursing Program Information Session at the University of Southern Mississippi (1000 Highway 19 N., Meridian). The session is for participants in the masters, Ph.D. and DNP programs in the USM School of Nursing. Call 601-553-3463.

6 p.m., Progress Listening Outreach Seminar at Northpark Mall (1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland), in the Belk special events room. Learn more about EnListen, a training program that improves listening skills for children with autism, Asperger's syndrome and other developmental issues. Participants who sign up receive a free listening evaluation. Another session will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 2. Call 601-987-3000.

Tuesday, Feb. 2

5:30 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. Call 601-960-8700.

7:30 a.m., Annual Legislative Appreciation Breakfast at Galloway United Methodist Church (305 N. Congress St.). Mississippi State Hospital and Department of Mental Health employees will gather to honor and thank state legislators for their continued support. Free; call 601-351-8018.

9 a.m., "Groundhog Day" at the Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St.). Come celebrate and observe Groundhog Day with Zoey the prairie dog, who will predict the rest of this year's season. $4-$6, kids 2 and under free; call 601-352-2580.

9 a.m., "Black History: Road to the Vote" Feb. 2-25, at the Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). This program provides a glimpse of African-American history in Mississippi, specifically relating to the struggle for voting rights to school groups. Sessions are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reservations are required. Free; call 601-576-6920.

10 a.m., Free Tax Counseling and Filing Feb 2-April 13, at Willie Morris Library (4912 Old Canton Road). AARP volunteers will complete electronic filings from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free; call 601-987-8181.

1 p.m., Free Tax Counseling and Filing Feb 2-April 15, at Clinton Public Library (111 Clinton Blvd., Clinton). AARP volunteers will complete electronic filings Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free; call 601-924-5684.

11:30 a.m., Mission Mississippi 10th Annual Governor's Prayer Luncheon at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Speakers include Bishop Ronnie Crudup of New Horizon Church International and Dr. Stan Buckley of First Baptist Church of Jackson. $35; call 601-353-6477.

6 p.m., Financial Education Seminar at 3000 Fondren Building (3000 Old Canton Road), in suite 550. Hosted by Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Jackson, the seminar will be led by certified budget and credit counselors. This month's topic is why advance loans and anticipated tax refunds should be avoided. Free; call 601-969-6431.

6 p.m., "Dressing Professionally Within Your Budget" Seminar at Ridgeland Library (397 Highway 51, Ridgeland). Cassandra Hawkins-Wilson gives advice on how to dress for an interview and how to shop for clothes. Free; call 601-856-4536.

6 p.m., Grant Writing for Artists and Arts Organizations at Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center (1600 Government St., Ocean Springs). Mississippi Arts Commission staff will present an overview of the agency's grant programs and other services, followed by an in-depth discussion on how to prepare an application for the agency's upcoming annual grant deadline on March 1. First-time applicants are especially encouraged to attend. Free; call 601-359-6030.

6:30 p.m., Carbon Footprint Reduction Workshop: Greening Your Home at Rainbow Green Services (2807 Old Canton Rd.). Learn about maintaining your home in an environmentally friendly way. $15; call 601-987-0002.

Wednesday, Feb. 3

10 a.m., Free Tax Counseling and Filing Feb 3-April 14, at the Margaret Walker Alexander Library (2525 Robinson Road). AARP volunteers will complete electronic filings on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free; call 601-354-8911.

11:45 a.m., Parents for Public Schools Lunch Bunch at the Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Children's Defense Fund will present crucial information about the Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline Campaign. $5; call 601-969-6015.

Noon, "History Is Lunch" at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Millsaps history professor Kristen Oertel discusses her book, "Bleeding Borders: Race, Gender, and Violence in Pre-Civil War Kansas" and cites Mississippi parallels. Bring your own lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6850.

5 p.m., Women's Fund Membership Meet and Greet at Sal & Mookie's (565 Taylor St.). Get the opportunity to learn more about the grant-making and advocacy organization. Free; call 601-326-0700.

5 p.m., House of Worship Crime Prevention Seminar at the jackson Police Training Academy (3000 St. Charles St.). As part of the Jackson Police Department's Church Watch program, the department will discuss crime prevention strategies for places of worship. Free; call 601-238-3612.

5:30 p.m., Public Policy Toastmasters Club 8689 Meeting at Jackson State University (1400 Lynch St.), in the Sampson Library auditorium on the second floor. Improve your communication skills and become a better speaker and leader. Membership required. Call for details on membership dues, 601-918-8523.

Thursday, Feb. 4

9 a.m., "Voices from the Past" Feb 4-26, at the Manship House (420 E. Fortification St.). Students in grades 3-5 experience the history of their African-American ancestors through hands-on activities and a special tour. Call for more information; call 601-961-4724.

3 p.m., USM Nursing Program Information Session at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast (730 East Beach Blvd., Biloxi). The session is for participants in the masters, Ph.D. and DNP programs in the USM School of Nursing. Call 228-865-4517.

4:30 p.m., Liberty Bank Grand Opening at Liberty Bank and Trust Company (2325 Livingston Road). Celebrate the opening of the new branch with Champagne, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment. Liberty Bank and Trust Company is the only African American-owned bank in the state of Mississippi and the third largest African American-owned bank in the United States. Free; call 601-278-9275.

5 p.m., Fondren After 5 in Fondren. This monthly event showcases the local shops, galleries and restaurants of the Fondren neighborhood. Free; call 601-981-9606.

6 p.m., Grant Writing for Artists and Arts Organizations at the Flowood Library (103 Winners Circle, Flowood). Mississippi Arts Commission staff will present an overview of the agency's grant programs and other services, followed by an in-depth discussion on how to prepare an application for the agency's upcoming annual grant deadline March 1. First-time applicants are especially encouraged to attend. Free; call 601-359-6030.

6 p.m., "Are You Acquainted with Fabulous Fondren?" at St. Luke's United Methodist Church (621 Duling Ave.). During Fondren After 5, Alison Davis, director of the Fondren Renaissance Association, and David Waugh, president of the Fondren Association of Businesses, will expound on what Fondren has to offer. Free; call 601-362-6381.

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

6:30 p.m., Bridal Nerves Seminar at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Baptist for Women Conference Center. Join OB/GYNs of the Woman's Clinic and OB-GYN Associates for girl talk and answers from the experts in this class just for brides-to-be. Registration is required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

6:30 p.m., "Why Should We Have Health-Care Reform?" at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at center stage. Part of the Medgar Evers/Ella Baker Civil Rights Lecture Series, panelists will discuss the necessity of healthcare reform. Free; call 601-979-1562.

Friday, Feb. 5

7:30 a.m., Community Shred Day at Home Depot - North Jackson (6325 Interstate 55 N.). The purpose of the event is to promote consumer protection and awareness of identity theft. Limit of five bags per person; no businesses please. Free; call 601-359-3279.

11:30 a.m., Millsaps 2010 Howorth Lecture Featuring Artist Julia Fenton at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.), in room AC 215. Atlanta-based sculptor and Millsaps graduate Julia Fenton discusses her work, which explores gender roles, ritual, and the body with materials as unlikely as milk and honey. Free; e-mail [e-mail missing].

3 p.m., Hildman Psychology Colloquium at the University of Southern Mississippi, Thad Cochran Center (118 College Dr., Hattiesburg), in ballroom III. Dr. Alan Bellack, professor and director of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland's School of Medicine, will present "Recovery and Evidence-Based Practice in Schizophrenia." Continuing education units will be available for licensed psychologists. Free; call 601-266-4177.

Saturday, Feb. 6

7 a.m., Heart Day 2010 at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in the Baptist Cardiovascular Center. Receive screenings valued at more than $300: an electrocardiogram (EKG); a blood chemistry profile, a triglyceride and cholesterol testing; a cardiac risk analysis; and a stroke/hypertension screening. Twelve-hour fasting and registration is required. $25; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

8 a.m., Jackson Audubon Society Monthly Bird Walk at LeFleur's Bluff State Park, Mayes Lake (115 Lakeland Terrace). The walk will be led by an experienced Audubon Society member. Free admission, $3 car entrance fee; call 601-956-7444.

6 p.m., Doors of Hope Gala at Hope Hollow Ministries (910-A Catlett Road, Canton). Doors that were taken down around the facility and painted by local artists will be on display. Proceeds will go toward building an indoor sensory gym and a lift. $50; call 601-668-0092.

7 p.m., Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi's Bacchus Ball at the Country Club of Jackson (345 Saint Andrews Dr.). Enjoy a Creole cocktail buffet, live and silent auctions, and music by 14 Karat Gold. Seats are limited. $125 seated reservations, $250 unseated reservations; call 601-957-7878 or 877-DFM-CURE.

7 p.m., USM Nursing Program Information Session at University of Southern Mississippi (118 College St., Hattiesburg). The session is for participants in the masters, Ph.D. and DNP programs in the USM School of Nursing. Call 601-266-5457.

7 p.m., Hearts of Gold Gala and Draw Down at the Capital Club (125 S. Congress St., Suite 19). The evening's festivities will include heavy hors d'oeuvres, dancing to the sounds of Mo Money and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Junior Civic League of Clinton. $40, $80 couples; call 601-941-2287.

Through Feb. 21

Dixie National Rodeo and Livestock Show at Mississippi State Fair Grounds (1207 Mississippi St). The month-long event includes horse and livestock shows, and a rodeo from Feb. 11-17. $16, $20, $24 for rodeo, free livestock shows; call 601-961-4000.