Jackson Free Press

Community Blood Drives. The Mississippi Blood Services Donor Coach will be in the parking lot. Donors must be at least 17 (16 with signed parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and have valid ID. All donors will receive a T-shirt and be registered for a chance to win a 2011 Ford Fiesta. Donations welcome; call 800-817-7449.

• Feb. 9, 9 a.m., at Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (515 E. Amite St.).
• Feb. 13, 9 a.m., at Cade Chapel M.B. Church (1000 W. Ridgeway St.).

Blood Pressure Checks for Seniors. The City of Jackson's Department of Human and Cultural Services and the staff of St. Dominic Health Service's Care-A-Van outreach program will provide blood pressure checks and fall prevention information to qualifying individuals ages 55 or older living within the Jackson city limits. Free; call 601-960-0335.
• Feb. 9, 10:30 a.m., at Golden Key Multi-purpose Senior Center (3450 Albermarle Road).
• Feb. 10, 11 a.m., at Tougaloo Multi-Purpose Senior Citizens Center (318 Vine St.).

Free Tax Counseling and Filing. IRS/AIM or AARP volunteers will do electronic filing. Bring all necessary documents. Joint filers must come together. Free.
• Through March 26, at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Blvd.), Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 601-982-2867.
• Feb. 1-April 12, at Willie Morris Library (4912 Old Canton Road), Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 601-987-8181.
• Feb. 1-April 14, at Quisenberry Library (605 E. Northside Drive, Clinton), Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m. Call 601-924-5684.
• Feb. 2-23, at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl), Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Call 601-932-2562.
• Feb. 7-April 11, at Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road), Mondays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 601-372-1621.

Monday, Feb. 7

6 p.m., Jackson Arts Collective Monthly Meeting at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.). Every first Monday, the Collective Steering Committee meets to discuss business of the previous month and listen to local artist proposals for sponsorship of events that fall in line with its mission. Open to the public. Call 601-497-7454.

Tuesday, Feb. 8

"Black History: Road to the Vote" Feb. 8-24, at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). This program, offered to school groups, provides a glimpse of African American history in Mississippi and the struggle for voting rights. Sessions are at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reservations are required. Free; call 601-576-6920.

1 p.m., SBA 8(a) Business Development Workshop at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.), in suite 1000 in the SBA conference room. Learn about programs designed to enhance federal and non-federal procurement opportunities for small businesses. In addition, those present will learn of programs that provide capital, surety bonding and business counseling to small businesses. Space is limited. Free; call 601-965-4378, ext. 13, 14 or 19.

Wednesday, Feb. 9

Mississippi Urban Forest Council Conference Feb. 9-10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The theme is "Sustainable Choices for Today, Planting for Tomorrow." The keynote speaker is conservation planner Randall Arendt. Seating is limited; registration required. $25 and up, $15 students; call 601-672-0755.

10 a.m., Women in Sports Day at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive). School groups will be tested for flexibility, body mass index, endurance and strength, and will participate in aerobics. Well-known female sports figures and others will speak on the positive influence and strong impact sports have played in their lives. Call 601-982-8264.

11:30 a.m., Jackson 2000 Luncheon at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Freedom Rider Hank Thomas is the guest speaker. Please RSVP. $12; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Noon, "History Is Lunch," at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Freedom Rider Fred D. M. Clark Sr. of Jackson will share memories of his experiences. Bring a lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6850.

Thursday, Feb. 10

10 a.m., Black History Week at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive). School groups will hear from former professional athletes and coaches who have continued to make contributions in their community since their playing and coaching days. Among the speakers will be Walter Reed, W.C. Gorden, Eddie Payton, Leon Seals, Ben Williams and many more. Contact the museum for specifics. Call 601-982-8264.

11:45 am., Drawing from Your Strengths: Fight Skin Cancer at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), at Baptist for Women. Political cartoonist and melanoma survivor Marshall Ramsey is the guest speaker. Drs. Kenneth Barraza and Grace Shumaker provide updates on early detection and treatment. Registration is required. $5 optional lunch; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

6 p.m., Precinct 2 COPS Meeting Feb. 10, at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 2 (711 W. Capitol St.). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Call 601-960-0002.

6:30-8 p.m., New Vibrations Network Gathering at Unitarian Universalist Church (4866 N. State St.). The mixer is held every second Thursday. Bring business cards and brochures to share with others. Call [e-mail missing].

Friday, Feb. 11

11 a.m., Parent/Guardian Education Advocacy Trainings at Lumpkin's BBQ (182 Raymond Road). Sessions are held the second Saturday of each month, and the topic varies. This month's topic is "Conflict in School: Barrier or Opportunity?" Lunch provided. Please RSVP. Free; call 877-892-2577.

"The Right Way to Start a Nonprofit" Workshop Feb. 11-12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at Mississippi Center for Nonprofits (921 N. President St., Suite C). Learn how to get state and federal approval, the requirements for registering, completing the IRS application and how to legally solicit funds in Mississippi. Paperwork for establishing the nonprofit organization will also be completed. $249; call 601-968-0061.

Through Feb. 11

Adult 3-On-3 Basketball League Registration at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting registration for the upcoming season. Interested individuals can fill out registration forms from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The deadline for registration is Feb. 11. There is a limit of seven players per team. $200 per team; call 601-960-0471.

Saturday, Feb. 12

9 a.m., Homebuyers Workshop at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Blvd.). Sponsored by Mississippi Home of Your Own. HOYO empowers people with disabilities to become homeowners through grants and support systems. Residents with and without disabilities in Hinds and surrounding counties are invited to attend. Free; call 601-432-6876 or 866-883-4474.

Communication Workshops at Southern Cultural Heritage Center (1302 Adams St., Vicksburg). Frank Worley is the presenter. The workshops include "Basic Media Relations" Feb. 12, "Risk and Crisis Communications" Feb. 19 and "Media and Community Relations for Small Business" Feb. 26. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. per session. Space is limited and reservations are required. SCHF members can register at a discounted rate. $95 per workshop, $240 series; call 601-631-2997.

5 p.m., Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star Soccer Games at Clinton High School (401 Arrow Drive, Clinton), at Arrow Field. The girls' game is at 5 p.m., and the boys' game is at 7 p.m. $5, free for MAC members and immediate family; call 601-924-3020.

Sunday, Feb. 13

11 a.m., SOUPer Bowl XIV at Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive), in Sparkman Auditorium. Buy soup and help The Salvation Army fund its feeding program. Soup can be purchased in a regular bowl or in a Gail Pittman bowl for an additional cost. $25; call 601-982-4881.

Through Feb. 16

Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo at Mississippi State Fairgrounds (1207 Mississippi St.). The 46th annual event includes horse shows and livestock competitions leading up to the Dixie National Rodeo Feb. 10-16. The rodeo includes clowns, bullfighters, barrel racers, bull doggers and ropers all competing in various events. The entertainment lineup includes Easton Corbin, Little Big Town, Marty Stuart, Bellamy Brothers, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins and Craig Morgan. $15 and up, free livestock shows; call 601-961-4000.

Through Feb. 18

Women's Spring Basketball League Registration at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting registration for the upcoming season. Interested individuals can fill out registration forms from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The deadline for registration is Feb. 18. There is a limit of 12 players per team. $325 per team; call 601-960-0471.

Through Feb. 27

Jackson State University Alumni Association Membership Drive at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). The Jackson-Hinds chapter is currently seeking new members to join the association. $25 membership; e-mail [email protected].

Through Feb. 28 

"So In Love" Contest at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road). During the month of February, submit an entry form with the title or author of your favorite book and be entered into a prize drawing. For adults only. Call 601-932-2562.

Through March 1

Congressional Research Awards Call for Applicants. The Dirksen Congressional Center invites applications for grants to fund research on congressional leadership and the U.S. Congress. Political scientists, historians, biographers, scholars of public administration or American studies, and journalists are eligible. Only proposals submitted at dirksencenter.org/CRAForm/form.html will be accepted, and the deadline is March 1. E-mail [e-mail missing].

Ongoing

Jackson Public Schools Call for Volunteers. Jackson Public Schools is seeking volunteers from the community to be mentors for seniors enrolled in the Advanced Seminar: Employability Skills course. Call 601-960-8310.

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. 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.

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, their immune system and bone density. It helps to increase overall strength and stamina, decrease fatigue and weight loss, and improve digestion. Registration is required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

Weekly Storytime at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl). Each Tuesday, Baby Bookworms Storytime for children ages birth-36 months is at 9:30 a.m., and Preschool Storytime for children ages 3-6 is at 10:30 a.m. The event includes stories, rhymes, music and a puppet show on the last Tuesday of the month. Free; call 601-932-2562.

Youth Women's Cycling Group. Get fit while participating in a fun, recreational environment Saturdays at 10 a.m. The club is for young girls ages 13-17. Free; call 601-559-5577.

Mississippi River Master Naturalist Program at Southern Cultural Heritage Center (1302 Adams St., Vicksburg). The program is open to anyone ages 18 and up, and covers a broad range of naturalist education topics including the hydrology, ecology, habitats, plants, insects, fishes and birds of the Mississippi River. The course of study can be completed in as few as 10 weeks or as long as one year depending on the participant's schedule. The cost covers membership in the National Audubon Society and books for the course. The program can be taken for college or CEU credits through several regional colleges. Additional costs will apply. $350; call 601-661-6189.