Jackson Free Press

Introduction to SCORE. Learn more about a nonprofit that helps small businesses grow and succeed. Free; call 601-540-5415.
• May 16, 2 p.m., and May 17, 9 a.m., at New Horizon Church International (Renaissance South, 1770 Ellis Ave.), in the Jackson Business Main Conference Room.
• May 17, 3 p.m., at Mississippi e-Center (1230 Raymond Road), in the California Room.
• May 18, 7:30 a.m., at University Club (210 E. Capitol St., Suite 2200). Breakfast provided for registrants.

Monday, May 16

5:30 p.m., Small Business Success Seminar, at Venture Incubator (City Centre Building, 200 S. Lamar St., 10th floor, south tower). The program for business owners and entrepreneurs provides information on how business incubators can help grow small businesses. Please RSVP. Call 601-906-4868.
5:30 p.m., Breast Cancer Support Group, at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in Hederman Cancer Center. The topic is "Why Exercise During Cancer Treatment?" with physical therapist Ginger Stover. Registration required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

Tuesday, May 17

Mississippi Business and Procurement Opportunities Conference May 17-18, at Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center (2350 Beach Blvd., Biloxi). The conference is designed to build partnerships between private business, government purchasing at all levels, defense contractors, commercial corporations and gaming properties. Workshops are held May 17 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and the trade fair is from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. May 18. $100 private business, $75 government agency, $35 trade show only; visit mississippi.org/mptap.
11 a.m., Learning How to Relax, at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.), in Hederman Cancer Center. In the seminar for cancer patients and caregivers, certified massage therapist Barbie Lyn teaches relaxation techniques including massage, breathing and the use of soft music. Registration required Free, $5 optional lunch; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.
5:30 p.m., Jackson Public School 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., 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.

Wednesday, May 18

Nature Nuts Preschool Program May 18-Nov 16, 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.
11:45 a.m., Stroke: Prevention and Warning Signs, at Baptist Healthplex, Clinton (102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton). Join neurologist Dr. Keith Jones to learn about prevention, warning signs and what to do if a stroke occurs. Registration 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 Vince Venturini presents "The History of South Jackson, 1845-1975." Bring lunch; coffee/water provided. Free; call 601-576-6998.
7 p.m., Tanzania Benefit Concert, at The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace (719 N. Congress St.). Performers include the Strange Pilgrims and Front Porch Dance. Proceeds go toward a mission trip to Tanzania. $7; call 601-352-3399.

Thursday, May 19

8:30 a.m., State Institutions of Higher Learning Meeting, at Universities Center (3825 Ridgewood Road), in the IHL Board Room. The Board of Trustees holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Call 601-432-6647.
9:30 a.m., Hinds Behavioral Health Services Open House, at Hinds Behavioral Health Services (3450 Highway 80 W.). The clinic celebrates its 40th anniversary. Call 601-321-2400.
4 p.m., Phones, PCs & More Anniversary Sale and Reception, at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.), in the Thad Cochran Center on the first floor. The business celebrates its one-year anniversary with discounts and free refreshments. Call 601-812-5754.

Friday, May 20

Noon, Summer Reading Training, at Enochs Parent Resource Center (101 Near St.). The workshop for program providers gives strategies for incorporating JPS summer reading books into an existing program and encouraging children to read. Lunch provided. Free; call 601-948-4725.
4 p.m., Math Bash, at Brinkley Middle School (3535 Albermarle Road). The Young People's Project hosts the mixer, which is an introduction to aspects of the organization such as math literacy, media literacy, policy and advocacy. Refreshments served. Free; call 601-987-0013.
8 p.m., BeanSprout Benefit Comedy Show, at Jackson State University: Rose E. McCoy Auditorium (1400 Lynch St.). Performs include Eddie Griffin ("Malcolm and Eddie," "Undercover Brother"), Michael Blackson, Antoine Blackman and Kwame Siegel. Doors open at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit BeanSprout, an organization that helps spinal cord injury victims. Tickets available at BeBop. $65 floor and box, $45 balcony; call 601-291-3647.

Through May 20

MARL Summer Camp Enrollment, at Mississippi Animal Rescue League (5221 Greenway Drive Ext.). Campers will help take care of shelter animals and have discussions will animal experts and staff. A T-shirt and a snack are included. Sessions are June 7-10 and June 14-17 from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. with a 13-child limit per session. Register by May 20. $125; e-mail [e-mail missing].

Saturday, May 21

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.
8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Farmers Market Grand Opening, at Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project's Farmers' Market (2548 Livingston Road). The event includes food, a DJ, a space jump, body fat analyses, Zumba classes and blood pressure testing. Free; call 601-987-6783.
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. Free; call 601-366-8301.

Sunday, May 22

2 p.m., Raindrops to Rainbows: Helping Children Cope During Difficult Times, at Mississippi Children's Museum (2145 Highland Drive). Therapists, psychologists and other mental health professionals will provide displays on topics such as depression, ADHD, bullying and building self-esteem. Hands-on activities include story time, puppet shows and arts activities. Free with paid admission; call 601-981-5469 or 877-793-KIDS.

Through May 27

Generation E Contest. Entergy Mississippi will award $25,000 in grants to nonprofits, schools and municipalities in the utility's 45-county service area for eco-friendly projects. Apply by May 27. Visit entergy.com/our_community/Grant_Guidelines.aspx.

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.

Free Mental Health Screenings For Adults, at Hinds Behavioral Health Services (3450 Highway 80 W.). The clinic offers the service in honor of National Mental Health Month. Free; call 601-321-2400.

Teacher Professional Development Workshop Call for Applicants, at University of Mississippi Medical Center (2500 N. State St.). Applications are being accepted for two one-week biotechnology-focused workshops. The programs, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will be held June 13-17 and June 27-July 1. Middle and high school science teachers are encouraged to apply. Call 601-815-1269.

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 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 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 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].