Jackson Free Press

Monday, June 6

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 the sponsorship of events that fall in line with their mission. Open to the public. Call 601-497-7454.

Tuesday, June 7

9:30 a.m., "Are you Ready to Buy a Home?" Workshop, at Jackson Housing Authority (2747 Livingston Road). The class gives an overview of the homebuying process, helping potential buyer decide if homeownership is right for them and if they can afford to buy a home. Free; call 601-362-0885.

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. Afterwards, the kids get to do a related craft project or have an animal encounter. Free with paid admission; call 601-352-2580.

4:30 p.m., Small Business Administration Loan Clinic, at Regions Plaza (210 E. Capitol St.), in the SBA Conference Room on the 10th floor. Learn about the variety of SBA products used to guaranty loans, and approved and participating lenders in the area. Space is limited; registration required. Free; call 601-965-4378, ext. 11.

5:30 p.m., Jackson Public School Board Meeting, at Jackson Public Schools (621 S. State St.). The JPS School Board meets for its discipline session, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-8700.

Wednesday, June 8

8 a.m., Mississippi Alliance for Economic Inclusion Small Business Conference, at Mississippi e-Center (1230 Raymond Road). The theme is "Accessing Opportunities for Growth." Registration is at 7:30 a.m. Topics include marketing, credit, financing and preventing theft. Dr. William Cooley is the keynote speaker. Lunch included. $35; call 601-979-2029.

Net Worth Financial Literacy Program June 8-Aug. 3, at United Way (843 N. President St.). The program for middle and high-school students covers topics such as banking and finance, investing, building a savings account, using credit wisely and balancing a checkbook. The group meets Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Registration required. Free; call 601-948-4725.

Noon, "History Is Lunch," at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Richard Nolan shares his photographs of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Bring a lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6998.

Noon, MIRA Advocacy Meeting, at Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance (MIRA) (612 N. State St.), in the conference room. Attorney Nayantara Mehta from the Alliance for Justice discusses policy advocacy for 501(c)(3) organizations. Bring lunch. Free; call 601-968-5182.

Thursday, June 9

Statewide Nonprofit Management Conference, June 9-10, at King Edward Hotel (235 W. Capitol St.). The Mississippi Center for Nonprofits is the host, and the theme is "Succeeding in a New Economy." Topics include technology and social media, leadership and board governance, fundraising, grantwriting, and volunteer management and consulting. David Thompson, director of public policy at the National Council of Nonprofits, speaks on national trends in public policy. $199, $149 members; call 601-968-0061.

Summer Reading Program,at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl). Activities include book reviews, storytelling, crafts, games and presentations by special guests. The session for kids are Thursdays at 6 p.m. June 9-July 14. The session for teens are Mondays at 6 p.m. June 6-July 11. The sessions for adults is June 2-July 12; times vary. Free; call 601-932-2562.

Heifer International Program, 2 p.m., at Madison Public Library (994 Madison Ave., Madison), and 4:30 p.m., at Ridgeland Public Library (397 Highway 51, Ridgeland). Listen to stories and watch a DVD about Heifer International, an organization that provides animals as a source of income to children and families in poverty. Free; call 601-856-4536.

48th Annual Medgar Evers Homecoming June 9-11. The event is in honor of the late civil rights leader Medgar Evers. June 9, the gospel memorial show at Friendship Church (2948 Bailey Ave.) is from 6-9 p.m., and gubernatorial candidate Bill Luckett is the guest speaker. June 10, the homecoming banquet at Greater Mount Calvary Church (1400 Robinson St.) is at 7 p.m., and radio talk show host Rip Daniels is the guest speaker. June 11, the parade at Freedom Corner (Medgar Evers Blvd. and Martin Luther King Drive) is at 10 a.m. with WLBT's Howard Ballou as grand marshal and an appearance by Universoul Circus, and the blues concert is at 5 p.m. at The Room (421 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.) with Dr. D, Dennis Fountain, Walt Love, Lebrado, Lina, Chick Willis, Pat Brown, Rev. Joe A. Washington and Denise LaSalle; doors open at 4 p.m. Free gospel show, $50 banquet, $40 blues show; call 601-948-5835.

6 p.m., Precinct 2 COPS Meeting, 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 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, June 10

9 a.m., Friday Forum, at Koinonia Coffee House (136 S. Adams St., Suite C). The speaker is to be announced. Free; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Mississippi Association of Coaches All-star Softball Games June 10-11, at Newton County High School (16255 Highway 503, Decatur). At Mack Fanning Field. The slow pitch games are on June 10 at 5:30 p.m., and the fast pitch games are on June 11 at 10 a.m. $5 per day; call 601-924-3020.

Through June 10

Battlefield Youth Baseball League Registration, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting registration from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays through June 10. League divisions are for ages 9-12 and 13-15. A copy of a birth certificate and a photo are required. Limit of 15 players per team. $10; call 601-960-0471.

Saturday, June 11

8 a.m., Roll Off Dumpster Day. The City of Jackson's Solid Waste Division is encouraging citizens of Jackson to participate by taking tree limbs, other yard debris, and household items to one of their designated locations until 3 p.m. Residents may bring all household furniture and appliances for disposal. However, tires, chemicals and gas tanks are not accepted. Free; call 601-960-0000 for locations.

8:30 a.m., Super Sitters Babysitting Class, at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.). The class is recommended for ages 11-15 and teaches essential babysitting skills. The fee includes books, a boxed lunch and a snack. Registration required. $45; call 601-968-1712.

9 a.m., Homebuyers Workshop, at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Blvd.). Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) is the sponsor. 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.

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. Lunch provided. Please RSVP. Free; call 877-892-2577.

Monday, June 13

Nature Day Camp June 13-July 1, at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). Children learn about trees, wildlife and other aspects of nature from 9 a.m.-noon weekdays. Session I for children entering second and third grades is June 13-17, Session II for children entering fourth and fifth grades is June 20-24, and Session III for children entering sixth through eighth grades is June 27-July 1. Registration required. Receive a $2 discount for each additional child enrolled. $60, $50 members; call 601- 926-1104.

Camp WILD, Grades K-1 June 13-16, at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Campers participate in indoor and outdoor activities that focus on Mississippi's ecosystems, and learn about the identification, collection, and conservation of indigenous species. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon. $140, $115 members; call 601-354-7303.

Business Workshop for Teens June 13-17, at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). Teens in grades 9-12 will learn how to safely and effectively use online social media sites and other tools to market a service or product-based business. Register by June 6. $125; call 601-974-1130.

Levee Board Meeting June 13, 10 a.m., at Flowood City Hall (2101 Airport Road, Flowood). Members of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl Flood and Drainage Control District will have their monthly meeting. Call 601-939-4243.

Through June 16

Disability Rights Mississippi Fundraising Raffle, at Disability Rights Mississippi (Regions Plaza, 210 E. Capitol St., Suite 600). Prizes include gift certificates, artwork and vacations. Winners do not have to be present at the June 16 drawing. $5, $20 for five entries; call 601-968-0600.

Project WET Teacher Workshop Registration, at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Teachers of all subjects and grade levels are welcome to participate in the hands-on workshop in water education held June 24. Participants can earn .6 CEU credits from Mississippi College. $15 workshop, $10 CEU credits; call 601-354-7303.

Through June 30

May Madness Membership Drive, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). Pay your JSU National Alumni Association membership dues, upgrade your current life membership level or buy a legacy brick, and enter a drawing for an Apple iPad 2. $50 dues, $125 legacy brick; call 601-979-2281.

Through July 2

Call for Charity Garage Sale Donations, at Salsa Mississippi Studio and Club (605 Duling Ave.). Gently-used items such as clothes, books, kitchen items, furniture and lawn equipment are welcome. Drop off donations during a scheduled class or call to schedule a pick-up. The garage sale is July 2 from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds benefit Bethel Junior Center, a orphanage in Tanzania, and Mountain Child, a children's home in Nepal for children from remote mountain villages. Donations welcome; call 601-213-6355.

Through July 3

Summer Reading Workshops, through July 3. Designed to help students and their parents with JPS mandatory summer reading assignments, United Way's workshops are held throughout the summer at area libraries. Workshops are offered for every grade. Go to myunitedway.com or dial 211 for a schedule and locations. Volunteers needed. Call 601-948-4725.

Through July 15

JPS Summer Feeding Program. The JPS Food Service Department serves meals to youth ages 18 and younger at 11 a.m. weekdays, excluding July 4, at 13 JPS schools. Free; call 601-960-8911 for a list of locations.

Through July 28

Summer Feeding Program, at Kingdom Faith Ministry (1036 S. McRaven Road). The program for youth ages 18 and younger includes breakfast at 8 a.m. and lunch at 11 a.m. on weekdays, excluding June 10 and July 4. Free; call 601-922-1155.

Through Aug. 30

Jackson Inner-city Gardeners Call for Volunteers. JIG needs volunteers to help maintain plots and harvest vegetables. The produce will be donated to help feed the homeless and elderly and will be sold to the community at affordable prices. The garden is at the corner of W. Northside Drive and Medgar Evers Blvd. beside the BP gas station. Volunteers can help Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 -11 a.m. JIG sells produce at the garden Saturdays from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Call 601-924-3539.

Through Oct. 29

Farmers Market, at Byram Farmers Market (20 Willow Creek Lane, Byram). The market is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. until Oct. 29. Products include fresh produce, wildflower honey, roasted peanuts, jams, jellies, birdhouses, and baskets and gourds for crafting. Call 601-373-4545.

Through Nov. 5

NAMIWalks Registration, at NAMI Mississippi (411 Briarwood Drive, Suite 401). NAMIWalks is an annual walk to raise funds for NAMI Mississippi, a local branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy for consumers of mental health services and their family members. Visit namims.org to join an existing team, form a new team, walk as an individual or become a sponsor. Each team member who raises at least $100 will receive a T-shirt. Donations welcome; call 601-899-9058.

Through Nov. 16

Nature Nuts Preschool Program, at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). The nature discovery program is for children ages 2-5. Sessions are held on third Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. Registration required. Receive a $2 discount for each additional child. $8 per session, $5 members; call 601-926-1104.

Through Dec. 17

Farmers Market, at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Shop for fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables from Mississippi farmers, specialty foods, and crafts from local artisans, including the Greater Belhaven Market. The market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. During the peak-growing season, hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 601-354-6573.

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

Venture Incubator Talk and Tour Open House, at Venture Incubator (City Centre Building, 200 S. Lamar St., South Tower, 10th floor). Potential or current small business owners, and professionals interested in mentoring small business owners are welcome to meet with Wes Holsapple, president and CEO, and tour the facilities on Mondays from 5-6 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. Refreshments served. Free; call 601-414-0140.

Jackson 2000 Study Circles Program. The program includes six two-hour sessions of dialogue and problem-solving to encourage racial harmony and community involvement. Jackson 2000 is looking for participants from all walks of life to sign up, and sessions will be scheduled soon. E-mail [e-mail missing].

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 1 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.

Business Plan Workshops, at New Horizon Church International (Renaissance South, 1770 Ellis Ave.). Get hands-on, individualized or small-group assistance to develop your customized business plan. Sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-noon or 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., and first and third Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointment required. Call 601-371-1390, 601-371-1296 or 601-371-1427.

Tutoring Sessions and Peer-to-peer Study Groups, at Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road), in the Community Room. Sessions are every other Saturday from 9-11:30 a.m.; call to confirm dates. Students in grades 8-12 and GED students are welcome to get help with research projects, state subject areas tests, English, science, history and math. School supplies and snacks provided. Free; call 601-948-4725 or 601-372-1621.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Group, at St. Dominic Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive), in the St. Catherine Room. NAMI Mississippi offers a support group for family members who have an adult relative with a mental illness on second Thursdays at 7 p.m. Free; call 601-899-9058.

Programs on WMPR 90.1 FM and wmpr901.com.
• Women for Progress Radio Broadcast. Dorothy Stewart and Willie Jones host the program on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. Topics include education, economics and politics. Call 601-918-5137.
• Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. Show. Every Friday from noon-12:30 p.m., Jackson mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. discusses activities, issues and other newsworthy items that are occurring in the city of Jackson. Call 601-960-1084.

CARA Recycling Program, at Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) (960 N. Flag Chapel Road). Mississippi's largest no-kill animal shelter is earning cash for operating expenses by participating in the FundingFactory Recycling Program. They are collecting empty laser or toner cartridges and used cell phones from the community and sending the waste products to FundingFactory in exchange for cash. Donations welcome; e-mail [e-mail missing].