Jackson Free Press

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 April 11, at Ridgeland Public Library (397 Highway 51, Ridgeland), from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays. Call 601-856-4536.
• Through April 11, at Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road), from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays. Call 601-372-1621.
• Through April 12, at Willie Morris Library (4912 Old Canton Road), on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Call 601-987-8181.
• Through April 14, at Quisenberry Library (605 E. Northside Drive, Clinton), from 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 601-924-5684.

Sports League Registrations, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The Department of Parks and Recreation is registering individuals from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Call 601-960-0471.
• Adult Summer Softball League Registration through April 4. There is a limit of 20 players per team. $350 per team.
• Girls' Softball League Registration through April 29. A birth certificate and recent photo are required. $10 per player.
• Slammin' Jammin' Youth Basketball League Registration through April 22. Youth ages 8-17 may participate. A birth certificate and recent photo are required. $10 per player.
• Hershey's Track and Field Youth Program Registration through May 10. Youth ages 9-14 may participate. A birth certificate and recent photo are required. Free.

Monday, March 28

10 a.m., Synthia Saint James Lecture, at Tougaloo College, Woodworth Chapel (500 W. County Line Road, Tougaloo). The speaker is an award-winning artist whose works appear on more than 70 book covers. She will sell books and artwork and will sign books. Free; call 601-977-7870.

11:30 a.m., Lunch & Learn, at Viking Cooking School (Township at Colony Park, 1107 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). Representatives from Lightheart, Sanders and Associates will give tips on maintaining a successful business. Seating is limited. Free; call 601-898-2727.

7 p.m., Taste of Mississippi, at Highland Village (4500 I-55 North). Dozens of Mississippi chefs and fine restaurateurs will share their culinary favorites. A silent auction and live music are included. Proceeds benefit Stewpot Community Services. $65 in advance, $80 at the door; call 601-353-2759.

Tuesday, March 29,

11:30 a.m., Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi Luncheon, , at Mississippi Craft Center (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland). The guild will honor volunteers at the annual event. The luncheon will feature four local florists in an "Iron Florist" competition in which they finish a timed event. Attendees will judge their arrangements, and a crowd favorite will be named. Four arrangements will be raffled off. $10; call 601-856-7546.

Wednesday, March 30,

Noon, "History Is Lunch," at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Teresa Nicholas talks about her memoir of growing up in Yazoo City, "Buryin' Daddy: Putting My Lebanese, Catholic, Southern Baptist Childhood to Rest." Bring a lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6998.

6 p.m., JROTC Review Ceremony, at Hughes Field (Ellis Ave. and Oakmont Drive). More than 1,100 cadets in the Jackson Public Schools' JROTC program will participate. Outstanding students and others in the program will be honored for their scholastic achievements and showcase their teamwork and leadership. Free; call 601-960-8935.

Thursday, March 31

8 a.m., Urban League of Greater Jackson Golf Tournament, at Lake Caroline Golf Club (118 Caroline Club Circle). On-site registration is at 8 a.m., and the shotgun start is at 9 a.m. The 18-hole tournament is a four-person scramble format. Prizes will be given to first, second and third place winners. $125, $400 team of four, $700 team of four and hole sponsor; call 601-720-6835 or 601-941-0993.

6 p.m., Minority Business Network Meeting, at Eudora Welty Library (300 N. State St.), in the Community Meeting Room. The event is a networking opportunity for small and minority business owners, future entrepreneurs and small business advocates. Bring brochures and business cards. The first five people or companies to RSVP can give a three-minute presentation. Free; call 601-750-2367 or 601-316-5092.

6 p.m., Art for the Park, at Laurel Street Park (1841 Laurel St.). The fundraiser features music by Swing de Paris, hors d'oeuvres and beverages, and a silent auction of local art. Park fence pickets will be for sale for $50 each. Proceeds go to renovations at the front of the park. $40; visit greaterbelhaven.com.

6 p.m., The Art of Life: Expotential 2011, at Mississippi Craft Center (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland). The fundraiser showcases established Mississippi artisans with significant disabilities. The art show includes a silent auction, refreshments, raffles, artwork for sale and live entertainment. Proceeds benefit LIFE of Mississippi. $15, $25 for two; call 601-201-6735.

Friday, April 1

8 a.m., Business E-Waste Day, at Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.). Bring any unwanted electronics such as computers, computer components, radios, televisions, copiers, fax machines, VCRs, DVD players, desk phones, cell phones and smoke alarms. $1 per monitor, $10 per TV, free disposal for other items; call 601-948-7575, ext. 230.

Criminal Justice Reform Conference April 1-2, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.), in the Liberal Arts Center. The theme is "Women In Prison." Speakers include Asha Bandele, Joyce Ann Brown and Louis Armstrong. The event includes a march, rally and town hall meeting in support of a full pardon for the Scott sisters at 10 a.m. April 1 that begins at Farish Street Park and continues to the Mississippi State Capitol (400 High St.). Free; call 601-354-3408.

Through April 1

Community Foundation of Greater Jackson Call for Grant Proposals, at Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (525 E. Capitol St., Suite 5B). The Community Foundation of Greater Jackson is accepting applications through April 1. Nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, churches and schools are eligible to apply for their programs located in Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties. An application and guidelines are available at cfgj.org. Call 601-974-6044.

Saturday, April 2

8 a.m., Business Expo, at Mississippi e-Center (1230 Raymond Road). Entrepreneurs will lead training sessions, and participants will have access to procurement opportunities and funding for small businesses. Registration required. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security and the U.S. Department of Labor sponsor the event through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Free; call 601-366-8301.

9 a.m., Community Health Fair, at Neighborhood Christian Center (417 West Ash St.). The fair includes health screenings for adults and information about health professions for children. Free; call 601-352-9049.

9 a.m., Community Health Symposium,at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.), at the College of Business. The event includes health screenings and information about asthma, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. Free; call 601-317-1908.

10 a.m., Walk & Roll, at Methodist Specialty Care Center (1 Layfair Drive, #500). Walk or roll 1-3 miles in honor of a past stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury patient helped by Methodist Rehabilitation Center. Proceeds benefit the Wilson Research Foundation. Donations welcome; call 601-364-3598.

Through April 2

Million Dollar Golf Shoot-out Call for Qualifiers. Amateur golfers may sign up to compete in a shot contest in which they will attempt to hit a hole-in-one from a distance of 165 yards. Sign up at Quality Inn & Suites (400 Greymont Ave.) or Arby's (1260 High St.) by April 2. The shoot-out is April 23 at the Sonny Guy Golf Course at 10 a.m. Proceeds benefit CPR for Education, which gives scholarships to high school students. $100 one ball, $175 two balls, $200 three balls; call 504-400-3477.

Sunday, April 3

10 a.m., Financial Peace University Preview, at The Church Triumphant (Odyssey North, 731 S. Pear Orchard Road, Suite 43, Ridgeland). The event is a sneak peek of the 13-week course taught by Dave Ramsey through a DVD series and additional materials. Classes begin April 26 and are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Free preview, $99.51 registration; call 601-977-0007.

Through April 3

Humanities Festival Week, at Tougaloo College (500 W. County Line Road, Tougaloo). The theme is "The Power of the Arts and Letters." Cultural events will take place at several locations on campus, including a poetry slam and music faculty recital March 28, an opera workshop and art exhibit March 30, a music students' recital March 31 and International Day, which includes the play "Crimes of the Heart" April 1. Free; call 601-977-7870.

Through May 2

Library Registration Assistance Awards, at Mississippi Library Commission (3881 Eastwood Drive). In spring 2011, the Mississippi Library Commission will offer Registration Assistance Awards to library support staff applying for certification in the American Library Association's Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) Program. Applications are available at mlc.lib.ms.us. The submission deadline is May 2. Recipients will be selected by random drawing May 6. Free; call 601-432-4498.

Through May 31

Summer Camp Open Enrollment, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). Kids Kollege is now accepting applications for the Classic Summer Camp and the CDF Freedom Schools Summer Program, which will take place in June and July. Participants can take educational classes in math, science, and reading as well as recreational courses in sports, dance, and art. Children ages 5-17 are eligible. Call the office for fees at 601-979-1142.

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 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

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.

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.