Jackson Free Press

Monday, June 27

2 p.m., Storytelling with Autumn MorningStar, at Ridgeland Public Library (397 Highway 51, Ridgeland). MorningStar is a Native American magician and storyteller. Free; call 601-856-4536.

Survival Spanish June 27-July 25, at Lingofest Language Center (7048 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland). Learn basic conversational Spanish from 7-9 p.m. Mondays, excluding July 4. $98, $30 materials; call 601-500-7700.

Tuesday, June 28

10:30 a.m., Mississippi Main Street Association Awards Luncheon, at Old Capitol Inn (226 N State St.). MMSA members receive awards in several categories. A silent auction takes place before the luncheon, and auction proceeds benefit the Charles O. Beasley Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to a Main Street manager. $40; call 601-944-0113.

6 p.m., Jackson City Council Meeting, at Jackson City Hall (200 S. President St.). The Jackson City Council holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-960-1033.

6:30 p.m., An Evening in the Garden, at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl). Enjoy a guided tour of the library's new Learning Garden and gardening activities. Refreshments served. Call 601-932-2562.

Wednesday, June 29

10 a.m., Senior Toning Class, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at Center Stage. Seniors have an opportunity to get in shape and have fun while doing it. Tougaloo College is the sponsor. Free; call 601-977-6137.

Noon, "History Is Lunch," at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Sportswriter Rick Cleveland and baseball legend Boo Ferriss talk about baseball and Cleveland's biography of Ferriss, "Boo: A Life in Baseball, Well Lived." Bring lunch; coffee and water provided. Free; call 601-576-6998.

Thursday, June 30

6 p.m., Robinson-Watson Book Company Honors Program, at Mississippi e-Center (1230 Raymond Road). The reception is at 6 p.m., and dinner is at 7 p.m. The event is an opportunity to network with and honor area businesses and individuals. U.S. congressman Bennie Thompson is the guest speaker. Reserved tables for 10 guests available. $30; call 601-622-3728.

6:30 p.m., LGBT Support Group for Youth/Young Adults, at A Brave New Day (Fondren Corner, 2906 N. State St., Suite 204). Rise Above for Youth welcomes youth and young adults age 14-24 to connect with others in the community and to share experiences and resources. The meeting is held the last Thursday of each month. Free; call 601-922-4968.

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.

Friday, July 1

Women's Fund of Mississippi Call for Grant Applications July 1-Aug. 3, at Women's Fund of Mississippi (Plaza Building, 120 N. Congress St., Suite 903). The Women's Fund will make grants to programs that aim to create economic security for women in Mississippi. Eligible applicants must be non-profits with 501(c)(3) status. Interested applicants should call the office to brainstorm the project concept before formally submitting a concept brief. August 3 is the deadline for concept brief submissions. Call 601-326-0701.

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.

Monday, July 4

7:30 a.m., Watermelon Classic, at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive). The annual race includes a 5K run, a 5K walk, a one-mile wellness run and a Tot Trot for children ages 3 and under. Watermelon served after the race. Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Register by July 1. $20 5K, $15 one-mile by June 24; $25, $18 after, free Tot Trot; call 601-982-8264.

Through July 8

Viking Classic Drawing. 12 winners receive prizes such as appliances, cooking classes and a travel package. Tickets must be purchased by July 8 to qualify for the July 17 drawing. Net proceeds benefit Blair E. Batson Hospital. $50 ticket; call 601-898-4653.

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.

Mental Health Research Conference Call for Abstracts. The theme is "Innovative Mental Health Services: Building Relationships and Strengthening Diverse Communities." Social workers, mental health professionals and students may participate. Abstracts must be 500 words or less, double-spaced and submitted in Microsoft Word by July 15. Accepted presentations will be published in conference proceedings for the Oct. 6-7 event. E-mail [e-mail missing].

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. 1

Adult Summer Library Program Drawing. The Mississippi Library Commission will select winners from among participants ages 21 and older of the Adult Summer Library Programs at participating public library systems. Prizes from eight casinos range from $100-$430 and include free stays at the hotels, meals and spa services. Registrations dates and times vary for each library. The drawing is held Aug. 1. Call 601-432-4056.

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 Sept. 25

Jackson Square Farmers Market, at Jackson Square Promenade (2460 Terry Road). Vendors sell food, clothing, crafts and other items in the parking lot. Hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Free admission, $5-$10 vendor fee; call 601-372-7157.

Through Oct. 29

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

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

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

Adopt-a-Park Program Registration, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at the Department of Parks and Recreation. Organizations and businesses are encouraged to sign up to help maintain Jackson parks and trails by picking up litter, landscaping and painting. Call 601-960-0471.

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 cellphones from the community and sending the waste products to FundingFactory in exchange for cash. Donations welcome; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Adopt-a-Park Program Registration, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), at the Department of Parks and Recreation. Organizations and businesses are encouraged to sign up to help maintain Jackson parks and trails by picking up litter, landscaping and painting. Call 601-960-0471.