Jackson Free Press

Monday, Jan. 17
5:30 p.m., Blue Bird Bash Volunteer Roundup at Sal & Mookie's (565 Taylor St.). Get information on volunteering in the Fondren Zippity Doo Dah Parade in March. Light snacks provided. E-mail [e-mail missing].

Tuesday, Jan. 18
11 a.m., Blood Pressure Checks for Seniors at Madonna Manor Retirement Center (550 Houston Ave.). 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 provide blood pressure checks and glaucoma awareness information to qualifying individuals aged 55 or older living within the Jackson city limits. Free; call 601-960-0335.

1 p.m., Small Business Administration Webinar The topic is "Starting Fresh - Assessing Risk & Threats to Your Business in 2011." Agility CEO Bob Boyd and business continuity planner Mark Norton are the presenters. Registration required. Free; register here.

5:30 p.m., Jackson Public Schools 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.

6 p.m., Grant Writing for Artists and Arts Organizations at Mississippi Craft Center (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland). Mississippi Arts Commission staff presents 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 of March 1. First-time applicants are encouraged to attend. Free; call 601-359-6030.

6:30 p.m., Leadership/Personal Development and Life Skills Seminar Series through May 24, at Operation Shoestring (1711 Bailey Ave.). Operation Shoestring and Kuumba Promos host the seminars on first and third Tuesdays during the school year. The series is intended to introduce leadership and life management skills to local youth. Enrollment is required. Free; call 601-353-3663 or 601-957-2969.

7 p.m., 22nd Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Convocation at Jackson State University, Rose E. McCoy Auditorium (1400 John R. Lynch St.). The program includes poetry readings by Amber Rose Johnson and John Eze Uzodinma, and a performance by the Mississippi Mass Choir. Free; call 601-979-2735.

7 p.m., The Stories Behind Southern Food at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.). Amy Evans Streeter, oral historian for Southern Foodways Alliance, will show two short documentaries: "Smokes and Ears" about Jackson's Big Apple Inn on Farish Street, and "Rolling Tamales on M.L.K.," and talk about her trips to pig lots in Cajun Country and oyster skiffs in Apalachicola Bay. The program is part of the Millsaps Arts and Lecture Series. $10; call 601-974-1130.

Wednesday, Jan. 19
8:30 a.m., Export Finance and Incoterms Seminar at Mississippi World Trade Center (175 E. Capitol St., Suite 255). The seminar introduces key provisions in the new edition of Incoterms 2010, the internationally recognized standard for in contracts for the sale and shipment of goods. Participants will receive a free copy of the Incoterms 2010 reference guide, a $60 value. $75; call 601-353-0909.

State Institutions of Higher Learning Meetings Jan. 19-20, at University of Mississippi Medical Center (2500 N. State St.). In the IHL Room. Jan. 19, the Board of Trustees meets at 9 a.m. Jan. 20, the board meets at 3 p.m. The Budget, Finance and Audit Committee will meet after the Jan. 20 session. Open to the public. Call 601-432-6647.

10:30 a.m., Blood Pressure Checks for Seniors at Golden Key Multi-purpose Senior Center (3450 Albermarle Road). 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 provide blood pressure checks and glaucoma awareness information to qualifying individuals aged 55 or older living within the Jackson city limits. Free; call 601-960-0335.

11:45 a.m., Minimally Invasive Lower Back Surgery Seminar at Baptist Health Systems, Madison Campus (401 Baptist Drive, Madison), in the Community Room. Low back pain that causes tingling, numbness or weakness in the legs may be a symptom of injury or disease of the spine. Find out about treatment options with neurosurgeon Dr. W. Lynn Stringer. Registration is required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

Noon, "History Is Lunch" at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Historian Walter G. Howell talks about dueling, including the most celebrated duel of Clinton, Mississippi. Bring a lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6850.

Thursday, Jan. 20
8:30 a.m., Business and Economic Development Forum at University of Southern Mississippi (118 College St., Hattiesburg), at the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. Speakers include Todd Greene of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, R. Scott Graham of Highland Associates, Dr. Lance Nail, dean of the College of Business at Southern Miss, and Whit Hughes, deputy director of the Mississippi Development Authority. $45 before Jan. 18, $55 after; call 601-266-5989.

10 a.m., Mississippi Health Awareness Day at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The day is geared towards promoting healthy living and disease prevention. Activities include health screenings, workshops, seminars, and other preventative health activities. The "March from Obesity" at 9 a.m. from the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (2531 N. State St.) to the medical mall precedes the event. Free; call 601-487-8269 or 601-982-8467.

6 p.m., Precinct 3 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 3 (3925 W. Northside Drive). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Call 601-960-0003.

Friday, Jan. 21
Noon, National Migration Week Festival at Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive). Catholic Charities is the sponsor. The event includes food from around the world, country displays and cultural performances. An international beer tasting with live music is from 4-8 p.m. Free admission, $10 beer tasting; call 601-948-2635.

6:30 p.m., World Revolution 2011 at Making Jesus Real Church (422 Riverwind Drive, Pearl). Revolution for Life and Youth Against Crime is the host. The event is designed to provide a platform for local youth to voice their issues and brainstorm to develop innovative, effective strategies to solve community issues. The opening concert, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., is open to all ages. The youth session and rally, Jan. 22 at 9 a.m., is for youth ages 11 and up. Free; call 601-291-0204.

Saturday, Jan. 22
8 a.m., Heart Beats of Jackson Health Fair at Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.). Meet with area physicians and medical personnel, and have screenings for cardiovascular disease. The fair includes nutrition and healthy-living workshops, and guest speakers. Appointments for a free screening will be available to the first 350 individuals who call the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership office. Free; call 601-948-7575.

8 a.m., Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi's 32nd Annual Super Conference at Marriott Hotel (200 E. Amite St.). The patient education event is for individuals with diabetes and their family, friends and health-care providers. Speakers include Dr. Ann Albright, Chef Luis Bruno and Dr. Herman Taylor. Group discounts are available. Cost includes all sessions and lunch. Space is limited. $25, $40 for two, $10 children 12 and under; call 601-957-7878 or 877-DFM-CURE.

9 a.m., Statewide Black History Celebration. The 9 a.m. program at Jackson State University, Rose E. McCoy Auditorium (1400 John R. Lynch St.) includes a keynote address by former Governor William Winter and performances by local artists such as Ballet Magnificat!, the Jim Hill High School Choir and the Mississippi School of the Arts Chorale. The International African Ball at 7 p.m. at the Jackson Convention Comples (105 E. Pascagoiula St.) includes dinner, music by saxophonist Dr. Russell Thomas and recognition of key persons and places. The honoree of the night is Dr. Alferdteen Harrison. Tickets available at BeBop, the Coliseum Box Office and New Horizons Bookstore. Free 9 a.m. program, $50 ball; call 601-813-5045.

9 a.m., Homebuyers Workshop at Yazoo Library Association (310 N. Main St., Yazoo City), in the conference room. 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 Yazoo and surrounding counties are invited to attend. Free; call 866-883-4474.

Sunday, Jan. 23
Noon, The Premier Bridal Show: Weddings & Celebrations at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Mississippi's top wedding professionals will be available for consultations. The event includes door prizes, a New York-style fashion show and samples. $22 in advance, $25 at the door; call 601-957-1050.

Through Jan. 28
Friendship Ball Honoree Call for Nominations. Jackson 2000 is seeking nominations for Friendship Ball honorees for 2011. Individuals nominated must be involved in building bridges among races in the community and must promote racial harmony in their personal and professional lives. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 28. E-mail [e-mail missing].

Through Jan. 31
"Snow Happy for our Patrons!" Contest at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl). Come inside and guess the number of snowflakes on display in the library. The person who guesses the exact number, or comes the closest, wins a prize. Call 601-932-2562.

"Roof, Repair and Refresh" Project. Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson needs your votes for Pepsi's Refresh Grant. HFH/MJ is in the running for a $250,000 grant to "Roof, Repair and Refresh" the homes of Mississippi's low-income families. The grant will go toward critical home repairs for 50 inner-city households and will provide continued resources for the families. Vote online at refresheverything.com/habitatmetrojackson or send a text message of 104866 to 73774. Voting ends Jan. 31, and you may vote once a day.

Ongoing

Jackson Public Schools Call for Volunteers. Jackson Public Schools is seeking volunteers from the community to be mentors for high school 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.



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 [email protected].



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.