v13n38 3rd Grade Tests on Trial

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vol. 13 no. 38

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ALL STADIUM SEATING Listings for Fri. 5/29– Thurs. 6/4 San Andreas PG13 3-D San Andreas Aloha

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Tomorrowland PG Poltergeist(2015)

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JACKSONIAN JERRELL JONES

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ip-hop has been part of Jackson native and rapper Jerrell Jones’ culture since he was born. Jones, known to fans as Jrell Rainman, began listening to the genre when rappers such as Nas and Shades of Gray were at the peak of their popularity in the ’90s. He also became infatuated with words. “Words can be powerful—how (they) can hurt, how (they) can heal,â€? Jones says. Jones’ music is often centered on real-life topics. He says that many contemporary artists fall short of the honesty that he heard from his favorite rappers when he was younger. “A lot that’s going on the industry right now, I feel that it lacks that,â€? he says. “I want to bring back (that) sound to the music industry.â€? One way Jones is doing that is to highlight people’s ordinary, day-to-day struggles. “If you’re working a 9-to-5 (job), trying to make ends meet, and you feel like nobody has your back, I want to be that inspirator in your ear that (says), ‘Keep moving; stay strong. God’s got you. Everything is a passover.’ If you’re taking that test, and you’re only a couple of points away, and you failed ‌ and now you want to just give up ‌ I want to just be that inspirator, that motivator to keep you going,â€? he says. Jones, 27, has received a number of accolades and recognitions, including a nomination for New York music production company Forbes Music Inc.’s 2014 Artist of the Year. His single, “Dope Status,â€? which features Florida rapper Papa Duck, reached No. 1 on the IBFU

CONTENTS

Radio Live-XM independent hip-hop station chart in January 2014. Jones released his debut single, “Never Forget,â€? under music-industry promotion company, Inner-G Promotions, which he owns with Brandon Hardwell and Eddie Pugh IV, a former senior vice president of black music at Columbia Records. But Jones doesn’t intend to be a one-trick pony. He is studying public relations at Holmes Community College and plans to transfer to Jackson State University when he completes his studies at the community college. He wants to earn a bachelor’s degree in public relations. “It adds to my rĂŠsumĂŠ, and it also aligns with the career path and choice that I plan on pursuing, which is my music,â€? he says. “Also, it teaches me to market myself correctly and to market others correctly.â€? His education also helps his work with his clothing company, Grind Heavy Academy. Jones, Hardwell and Pugh launched the brand in August 2014. The line includes T-shirts, backpacks, and snapback and fitted hats with the Grind Heavy logo. Right now, the clothing is only available for direct purchase, but Jones, Hardwell and Pugh are in the process of finding local vendors to sell their products. “It means, ‘Without faith or work ethic, your works are dead,’â€? Jones says of the clothing line’s name. Visit inner-gpromotions.com for more information. —Amber Helsel

Photo illustration by Kristin Brenemen

9 Clerks

Vikki Mumford and Cedric Morgan both want to be the Hinds County circuit clerk. Meet them both.

27 Tommy Ray at the ‘Crossroads’ “While (‘Crossroads’) passes over plenty of familiar territory, Ray’s confident vocals and defined musical style, along with solid studio work, made for a pleasant journey.� —Micah Smith, “A Closer Look at ‘Crossroads’�

30 Saints: Get the Kicker Right The New Orleans Saints cut kicker Shayne Graham, which coincided with a NFL rule change regarding extra points.

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4 ....................... PUBLISHER’S NOTE 6 ............................................ TALKS 12 ................................ EDITORIAL 13 .................................... OPINION 14 ............................ COVER STORY 20 ......................................... FOOD 22 .......................................... ARTS 24 ....................................... 8 DAYS 25 ...................................... EVENTS 27 ....................................... MUSIC 27 ....................... MUSIC LISTINGS 28 ..................................... SPORTS 31 .................................... PUZZLES 33 ....................................... ASTRO

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MAY 27 - JUNE 2 , 2015 | VOL. 13 NO. 38

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PUBLISHER’S note

by Todd Stauffer, Publisher

Congrats to Staff and Freelancers: It’s Award Season!

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pring weather, barbecue and canned beer on ice mean a little something extra at the Jackson Free Press in the month of May, because it’s also the annual announcement era for a few of the key journalism award contests that we are a part of every year. This particular May has been a banner month for us, with seven awards from the Green Eyeshades, which the Southeastern chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presents, and we’re finalists for four awards from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, which represents city and regional news media throughout North America. So, first of all, cheers to our staff and freelancers who got their names called this year. Donna Ladd and R.L. Nave lead a list of great contributors to these award-winning pieces, not the least of whom is former editor-turned-freelancer Ronni Mott, who once again helped lead the team for a first place in Public Service from SPJ for her coverage of the Michelle Byrom case. Her in-depth coverage led to the reversal of Byrom’s conviction and the ordering of a new trial in spring 2014. (While we don’t know the order of winners yet in the AAN awards, Ronni and the team are also a finalist for Public Service in those awards for that same series.) Ronni has a history of winning awards on pieces that tell the under-reported story of domestic violence in Mississippi; her story “Did She Have to Die?� received similar honors from AAN back in 2009, and she’s worked this beat hard in an effort to bring greater awareness to the issues of domestic violence and women’s rights in Mississippi. Two other important themes emerged in the JFP’s award-winning coverage: campaign transparency and LGBT issues. Here at the Jackson Free Press, we’ve been proudly reporting on LGBT issues

since our founding, and it used to be lonely out here. Now, as some progress has been made and some other push-back has been fended off (or at least defended against), it seems that a much larger team of writers and reporters deserve credit for the coverage in 2014 that won first place in the special General Reporting category for R.L. Nave, Haley Ferretti and Anna Wolfe. Many people agree that LGBT issues

It takes a great deal of effort and focus to do this kind of often-unpopular work. are the civil-rights issue of our era (along with, of course, all the other civil rights issues that haven’t yet been completely worked out—looking at you, Ferguson PD), so it’s with a great deal of satisfaction that we’re able to say the JFP leads on this issue in this state. Indeed, the AAN award, which is in a special category for LGBT and Gender Equality issues, will celebrate the work of many additional contributors to our pages last year—in addition to R.L, Donna, Haley and Anna— including Trip Burns, Dustin Cardon, Zack Orsborn, former intern-turned Hollywood actor Kit Williamson, and LGBT rights activists Eddie Outlaw and Joce Pritchett (a

plaintiff in Mississippi’s same-sex lawsuit), both of whom contributed powerful columns about their lives with their same-sex spouses in the state. The next issue? The fabulous finances of Mississippi political races—first place in Politics Reporting from the Green Eyeshade awards went to Donna, R.L. and Anna for their coverage of Elections and PAC Transparency in 2014. While many people have joined us on some other key issues in Jackson and Mississippi, this one still seems to elude most of the other media. How come it’s so important to know who is funding our candidates? Because if you don’t cover this stuff, and, believe me, it’s the truth that people in powerful places really don’t want it covered, then you just get even more of the special interests writing their own ticket in the Capitol or City Hall. I appreciate the largely thankless service that our editorial team does on campaign financing and open records in this state, angering people in all parties, and I’m glad to see both SPJ and AAN recognize them for their fight for transparency. This next one might surprise you: Donna Ladd and R.L. Nave are both winners. Big time. Plus, they get awards for what they do! (See what I did there?) R.L. gets the third-place nod from SPJ for his on-the-ground coverage of Ferguson in a special cover story he wrote last year about the town where his grandmother lives, the second-place award for his coverage of jails and juveniles in Mississippi (another critically important beat), and he shared first-place honors with Donna on their editorial writing on corruption, transparency and school choice. Donna took her perennial first place in Serious Commentary from the Green Eyeshades (by my count she’s now won that award seven years in a row) for her editor’s notes, this year focused on race, LGBT rights,

women’s rights and domestic violence. (She’s also a finalist in the AAN category Political Columns for similar pieces.) What Donna has to say doesn’t make her popular with everyone who reads it, and there are certainly forces out there that would like people to hear less of what she has to say. But it’s pretty tough, at this juncture, to question whether or not she’s good at saying it. My hope is that you will congratulate our staffers and freelancers when you see them, and recognize that it takes a great deal of effort and focus to do this kind of oftenunpopular work—something we’re all proud to be a part of and that you, hopefully, enjoy reading and feel makes a difference. It makes me particularly happy and humble to work with such a talented crew of folks year in and year out at the Jackson Free Press, as we cement our reputation in the southeast and nationally as the little paper that wins all those darned awards. We couldn’t do it without a dedicated staff of people who don’t win enough awards in my opinion—sales and marketing, bookkeeper and office management, distribution, art and photography—but who nonetheless make it possible for us to put out an excellent product every week. And, of course, we wouldn’t be here without readers like you and the advertisers who make it all work. I haven’t yet won an award for saying this—at least not this year— but I’m going to plug away at it anyway ‌ don’t forget to Think Local First! (Speaking of awards, the checks have all been written for Chef Week; see the winners on Page 35.) Shop and dine with locally owned, locally managed businesses that employ our citizens, give back to this community, reinvest their wealth in greater Jackson and work hard to make this a great place to live. As a rare locally owned media outlet, we stand with them every day.

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CONTRIBUTORS

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R.L. Nave, native Missourian and news editor, roots for St. Louis (and the Mizzou Tigers)— and for Jackson. Send him news tips at rlnave@jackson freepress.com or call him at 601-362-6121 ext. 12. He wrote a news story.

Assistant Editor Amber Helsel just wants a trampoline park for her birthday. She’s been watching a lot of superhero shows lately, so don’t be surprised if she thinks she’s one, too. She wrote a food story.

LaTonya Miller is a freelance writer who is passionate about music, photography and all things positive. You can visit her anytime at her second home, online at etudelife.com. She wrote an arts story.

Music Listings Editor Tommy Burton is keeping the dream alive, one record at a time. He can usually be seen with a pair of headphones on. He compiled the music listings. Send gig info to music@jackson freepress.com.

Art Director Kristin Brenemen is an otaku with a penchant for dystopianism. She’s been pouring all her creative energy into cosplay lately. Bee, Pizzazz and Pam are almost ready! At night, she fights crime. She designed much of the issue.

Staff photographer Imani Khayyam is an art lover and a native of Jackson. He loves to be behind the camera and capture the true essence of his subjects. He took photos for the issue.

Marketing Consultant Brandi Stodard is a Baton Rouge transplant who loves Ole Miss football, which is constantly breaking all preconceived notions. She has a passion for networking, promoting and connecting local businesses.

Bookkeeper Melanie Collins is a mother of three, and now a grandmother of two. In what little spare time she has, she enjoys cooking, playing piano and gardening.

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Saturday, May 23 More than 1,000 people attend a public viewing for B.B. King in Las Vegas ahead of his Mississippi funeral. ‌ Sixtytwo percent of Irish voters vote “Yesâ€? on amending the constitution to legalize gay marriage in the world’s first national vote on the issue.

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Sunday, May 24 Thousands of bikers salute military veterans and members of the military missing in action at the Rolling Thunder “Ride for Freedom� in Washington, D.C.

6

Monday, May 25 President Obama salutes Americans who died in battle as part of a Memorial Day event in an amphitheater on the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. Tuesday, May 26 Iraq announces the launch of a major military operation to drive the Islamic State from the western Anbar province. Get breaking news at jfpdaily.com.

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ishia Powell, the city’s public-works the 1-percent sales tax and Mayor Tony YarThe repair plan is broken up into four director, is in a 10-foot hole. ber administration’s first-year infrastructure pieces: drainage, bridges, streets and roads With her hair pulled back into master plan. and water-line improvements. Because of one of her signature ponytails and wearing gray boot-cut slacks, fluorescent safety vest and a hard hat, Powell uses a shovel to dig around the mouth of a busted sewer pipe parallel to the train tracks near Bullard Street at Ford Avenue. A crew of about 10 men will replace the collapsed section of concrete pipe with 350 feet of turquoise-colored PVC. “Be careful, we’ll have to replace you,â€? one of the crew members shouts down to his boss, Powell, which draws chuckles from her and the other workers standing around the trench. Later, Powell, who allowed a Jackson Free Press reporter to /MWLME 4S[IPP PIEVRW LS[ XS GPIER Ă&#x;PXIVW EX XLI GMX]ÂłW ]IEV SPH . , *I[IPP ;EXIV 8VIEXQIRX 4PERX JVSQ 8IVVERGI &]VH XLI TPERXÂłW STIVEXMSRW QEREKIV 0EXIV XLEX HE] WLI shadow her for part of the day, said EPWS LIPTIH VITEMV E FVSOIR WI[IV PMRI VIWYVJEGI E WXVIIX QST Ă SSVW ERH TVSGIWW [EXIV it was exhilarating to witness and TE]QIRXW EPP XEWOW XLEX JEPP YRHIV LIV HMVIGXMSR EW TYFPMG [SVOW HMVIGXSV be part of the camaraderie between workers in one of the city’s largest departments by total employees. Reminiscent of scenes where a comIn early May, a special commission disagreement among commissioners over mander-in-chief visits troops in a conflict approved a year’s worth of spending after parts of the overall plan, the city will spend zone, Powell spent the morning touring fa- a couple hours of spirited debate—and at $13 million in cash that the state Departcilities and meeting with workers under her times sniping between Powell and Commis- ment of Revenue has collected since the command. The site visits capped off Nation- sioner Pete Perry, a Republican operative and spring of 2014. al Public Works Week and served to rally the lobbyist—in what is known to city insiders The sales-tax money is only a small troops ahead of the city council’s consider- as the year-one CIP (which stands for com- part of the more than $700 million shortation in the coming weeks of spending from prehensive infrastructure plan). fall for infrastructure upgrades, and

Bad Luck Chuck

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hile Sen. Thad Cochran was getting married (again), Charles C. Johnson, the blogger who blew into Mississippi last year to cover the Senate primary between Cochran and Chris McDaniel, was getting kicked off Twitter. Again. This time, the offense was trying to raise money to “take out� a prominent black activist, although Johnson maintains that it was not a death threat. Johnson, who lives in California, pops up in just about every national story with the potential to polarize America, including the death of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Jessica Chambers here in Mississippi. To say that the Twitterverse was pleased would be an understatement. Here are some the best tweets about Johnson’s downfall.

Found out #ChuckCJohnson has been eradicated from Twitter right before bed. Sweet dreams! —@LisaDib1 I ran across #ChuckCJohnson during the Jessica Chambers murder. The outlandish baseless claims and rumor mongering do more harm than good —@aceyrob

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Friday, May 22 The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration orders Plains All American Pipeline, the company whose pipeline spilled thousands of gallons of oil across a California coastline, to remove the damaged section of pipe, test it and empty the remainder of the line before the company can restart it.

by R.L. Nave

TW ITT

Thursday, May 21 The national president of the Boy Scouts of America, Robert Gates, says that the organization’s ban on participation by openly gay adults is no longer sustainable, and calls for change in order to avert potentially destructive legal battles. ‌ Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby says all six officers charged in the police-custody death of Freddie Gray have been indicted by a grand jury.

On the Road, Through the Water and Underground with Kishia Powell

R.L. NAVE

Wednesday, May 20 The U.S. Justice Department announces that JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Barclays and The Royal Bank of Scotland will pay more than $5 billion in fines for criminally manipulating the global currency market going back to 2007. ‌ Indonesia and Malaysia agree to provide temporary shelter to thousands of migrants believed to be stranded at sea, but appeal for international help, saying the crisis is global, not regional.

#ChuckCJohnson has been permanently banned from @twitter. And with that, Internet just became a little less ratchet. —@Delo_Taylor

Private eyes. They’re watching you. They see your every move #ChuckCJohnson —@Occupocalypse These #ChuckCJohnson fanboys don’t seem to understand that free speech is a right, possessing a Twitter account is not a right. — @Occupocalypse #ChuckCJohnson is suspended! Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences, Chuckles. — @jamrockstar

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Water Worries Water is the linchpin, the root of and answer to a lot of the city’s fiscal woes. Jackson’s Water and Sewer Business Administration, which collects more than $70 million a year from individual homeowners and businesses as well as other government entities, might be the largest and most profitable municipally owned utility in the state. Yet, the enterprise isn’t the cash cow it once was. Over the years, the city and the number of people paying into has shrunk as age and Mother Nature have degraded an underground network of water and sewer pipes bigger than those of St. Louis, Mo., and Powell’s former home of Baltimore. The water pipes are in such bad shape that the city estimates 40 percent of the water it treats leaks out before it has any hope of spilling out of a faucet, where it can be collected as revenue. Powell’s trip to the J.H. Fewell Water Treatment Plant early Friday brought those challenges into sharp focus. Built in 1914,

the plant pulls in water from the Pearl River and can process 30 million gallons of water per day, although plant officials said output usually hovers around 9 mgd. In addition to old age, the plant is suffering from a shortage of operations staff, whose jobs include adding and constantly monitoring of turbidity (cloudiness) levels and balances of chemicals like aluminate sulfate and lime, testing the water and keeping 28 filters clean. Powell helps backwash, or clean, one of the filters, which requires her wrestle open a series of heavy, cast-iron levers on a contraption that looks like it belongs in an alchemist’s laboratory. Powell jokes that she’s used to working in newer plants that perform the same process with the push of a button; another city plant, O.B. Curtis, has more upto-date technology. Plant officials told Powell that calculating the average cost to treat water on a millions-of-gallons-a-day basis is difficult because the Pearl River is “flashy,� meaning the

levels of pollutants vary wildly. “It’s really based on whatever Mother Nature throws at us,� plant Operations Manager Terrance Byrd told Powell. No one mentioned the fact that it is Jackson’s dumping of millions of gallons of untreated sewage into the Pearl River that drew a federal lawsuit and put the City under a more than $400 million consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, another problem the 1-percent sales tax money is being marshaled to address. Finding just the right mix of city money, 1-cent tax funds, and state and government assistance to dig Jackson out of its hole and appease citizens will require Powell, Yarber and other city officials to walk a tightrope. Yarber said at a press conference last week that the city is considering “strategies that cause us to have resiliency so that we’re doing the same things in 15 years, so that we’re not having the same conversations about the same streets and the same water issues 15 years from now.�

frappe

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St. Alexis Episcopal Church

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the vast majority of it won’t go toward the most visible symbol of needed groundwork—fixing the pothole. And considering that most of the burden will fall to short-staffed and poorly paid city work crews, it’s no wonder that Powell spent the day glad-handing and taking selfies with her employees. In short, Powell’s job, for which she is the highest-paid person in Jackson government, is to help change the mindset of a whole city that a filled pothole is the end-allbe-all of good infrastructure management. At the start of the public-works week, which included a parade of new trucks through downtown, Powell told reporters after a press conference that there’s no federal money for plugging up potholes. “But when you start to address the pipes underneath, and you’re dealing with utility cuts, and you can demonstrate that your streets are being torn up because of utility failures, then you can start trying to get the assistance that you need,� Powell said.

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7

Featuring Southern Komfort Brass Band

June 4th 7-10 p.m. Duling Hall

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DISH | candidate

Vikki Mumford: ‘Preserving Our History’ by Zachary Oren Smith

When I first pursued this office, they were not doing e-filing and all of that. My plan is to take it to the next level. They still manually do criminal cases. There is a certain point, I’m sure, that you could do criminal matters. I’ll make sure everything is electronic. Then I want to maintain the files better. I want to have an off-site facility to store all the files

role as circuit clerk?

Just when we started in the district court, we had 1,400 cases, and that is just not human! The average caseload is like 350 nationwide. The cases weren’t really managed well here in the district court; I mean, there had not been a pleading for a year, yearand-a-half. Right off, we probably dismissed 150 cases, just by looking through them and

COURTESY VIKKI MUMFORD

What made you want to be the circuit clerk for Hinds County?

Because of my background with the district court. I wanted to go to the Mississippi (College) School of Law, but they stopped offering courses at night. I had a pretty good job as a court administrator, and I had a family to raise with my husband. I decided, “This is a pretty good job. I will just stay right here and make a career out of this, and then the next step up would be circuit clerk.� I went as high as I could in district court, so I want to be circuit clerk to make a difference.

From the surgeon?

Yes, that was kind of interesting. Seeing a beautiful woman—still beautiful, but she didn’t think she was because she had lost her dimple. Tell me a little about how you are different from the other candidates in this race?

Tell me about your experience coming to the clerk’s office.

Well actually, when I came to the court I came in at the bottom level, as an intake person. And then (I was the) deputy clerk who handles all the papers in the office, including the civil and criminal filings, bankruptcies, issues summons and subpoena, works on jury summonses and material. Then I was promoted to court administrator. Of course, I started in the (The United States District Court for the) Northern District of Mississippi, and then when another judge—when a better judge—came on here, he interviewed me and hired me. I started working as a court administrator. Judge Henry Wingate liked me because I had a lot of prior knowledge, and I knew how everything worked so I was the experienced one on the team. If elected, what would you do to modernize the office?

we got assigned this case in Hattiesburg, so we stayed in Hattiesburg for six months. We went in the fall, and I was thinking, “My kid better not graduate from high school before I get out of here.� That was 1993, and every Monday we would go to Hattiesburg. It was a hassle. That was the most challenging part of my job, those six months in Hattiesburg. A case that really stands out: This girl, she was a movie star, and she wanted her mandible (jawbone) changed. She said that she wasn’t symmetrical. So they went on the inside of her chin and altered her mandible, but in the process, she lost her dimple, and her dimple was just like her signature. In addition, when they conducted the surgery, they had to go back in and she had an 18month-old baby, and the baby would just play with her face and hit it. It got to the point where she could no longer hold her baby because her face was so sore, and she complained all the time. Her marriage was even ruined by her having this operation. That trial probably lasted two weeks, and they had X-rays that went in and would see some kind of cutting. Even at closing arguments they came up with this weird X-ray that swayed the case. The lady got maybe $100,000 because she had lost her dimple.

Vikki Mumford is making another run for Hinds County Circuit Clerk.

so they will be well-maintained, and accessible upon demand because we cannot relive our history, and certain documents have to be kept away from moisture; otherwise, they may become unusable. Looking back over your careers in public service, are there any incidents that really stand out to you as preparing you to step into this

managing them because I had the skills to do that from working in Clarksdale. We (made) sure the case didn’t just sit there, so we dismissed those cases, and then we got down to the rest. There were a lot of difficult cases for the judge too. The savings-and-loans going bankrupt, and all kinds of stuff going on. We plowed through those, but those took a long time. The most outstanding case we had was one that lasted six months, and

My experience is different. It’s unique because I’ve worked in a district court, and I have worked in every facet of that office, even finances—paying the jury and everything. I understand every facet of the office, and I could bring a fresh, new, solid vision to that office because of my experience with the district court. What we did was standardized across the nation. If I left Jackson and went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they would still be doing the same thing, and on the first day I would just have to know where things were in the office, and we could still function. I think our operation was a little bit higher than that of state courts. Therefore, I think that I can raise this office up with premier customer service, maintaining documents better and making sure everything is electronic, which will eliminate errors and increase efficiency. Comment and see more candidate interviews at www.jfp.ms/2015elections.

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ummer was just beginning in 1969, as Vikki Mumford her childhood friends listened to Diana Ross on the radio. Mumford, who was set to start college the following the fall, said her life has been neither calm nor lazy since then. After she graduated from Alcorn State with a degree in political science in 1973, Mumford went to work as a paralegal for the Legal Service Corporation. “I always wanted to be around the legal world, so I enjoyed the typing of complaints and pleadings,� Mumford said. Because of her performance, an interview with the U.S. District Court landed her a job with them the same day. She eventually rose to the position of district manager, and finished a master’s degree in public policy and administration at Jackson State University in 1998. Mumford, 63, and her husband, Alexander, have three adult sons, one of whom, Gerald, is a municipal judge in Jackson. Mumford talked to the Jackson Free Press about why she is running for Hinds County circuit clerk for a third time.

9

DISH | candidate

Cedric Morgan: ‘Citizen-Friendly’ by R.L. Nave

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IMANI KHAYYAM

edric Morgan grew up near the Pilgrim Rest community, in rural Leake County, in a family of farmers. So naturally, when he won an academic scholarship to Jackson State University in 1983, he decided to study computer science. Since finishing his computer-science degree in 1987, Morgan, 51, has worked in information technology for a number of state agencies, including the Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State, which oversees elections. There, he worked closely with the state’s circuit clerks, who are in charge of voter registration, to maintain voter rolls. In other words, to make sure there were no dead people voting (it was common back then, he says, but rare these days). Now, Morgan wants to bring his tech savvy and management skills and become the next Hinds County circuit clerk. If elected, Morgan said he wants to streamline the county’s e-filing system for civil lawsuits and revive an unenforced state law that requires clerks to personally visit high schools in their district and register high-school seniors. Morgan and his wife, Karen, have one daughter named Jessica and live in Clinton.

10

If Hinds County has a system with all the bells and whistles, wouldn’t it cause problems in talking to other systems with fewer bells?

The technology is there now where that is not a major issue. There are interfaces that can be built for a variety of platforms. For example, Apples talk to Microsoft products. So it’s not an issue as it was in the past. The key is project management. Project management involves making sure you have a time frame for the product—and

Would you be looking to bring someone in?

Not necessarily. I believe in training, and we have all kinds of universities and colleges in the area. Training is available to provide project management training that’s needed—sometimes just three or four days will help you successfully manage some projects. Even in existing employees. If you provide them the proper training and tools, then they always rise to your expectations in most cases. You’ve obviously done the IT thing, but customer service is another big part of the job.

We talked a lot on the technical side. That was just over half of my career. The other half has been (in) management and supervision. Even in the technical realm, you still have to be customer-service oriented because really, in IT, we are just a business that is providing a service. Also, in the (Jackson) city clerk’s position I held ‌ When were you City clerk?

That was Harvey Johnson’s second term, and I worked through Frank Melton’s What would your Day term as well. That’s about customer ser1 priorities be? vice. That was the interface for citizens of My consistent message is that I want Jackson to have access to city government, to go in and do an assessment ‌ a SWOT to have access to city council. We provided analysis, essentially: the strengths, the weakadministrative support to the seven counCedric Morgan considers himself a techie with a customer-service touch—just nesses, the opportunities—that’s where your cil members, we provided support to the the combination of skills needed to be the Hinds County circuit clerk. solutions come in—and, of course, look at mayor’s office and the other city departany threats. ments. As far as customer service, I’ve been well trained in it. Throughout my service in How do you think the technology upgrades I’m oversimplifying here—knowing what resources are state government, I was afforded the opportunity to through are going at the circuit clerk’s office? needed, and you have contingencies. It’s important for the state personnel board. I also completed the Stennis InstiSince I’ve been campaigning for this office, I’ve been project management, but it’s also important for vendor tute of Government at Mississippi State. I think I have a very speaking with stakeholders-attorneys who work on a day-to- management as well. It’s important that you have a back- rare combination of experience that you (won’t) find in most day basis with the circuit clerk’s office, and many of them ground and knowledge to save the county some money political candidates in having the technical background and are not happy with the system. What I want to do when I’m in many cases. Most vendors are about selling you goods, the government management background as well. elected to the office of the circuit clerk is to do an assessment whether you need them or not. You have to have solid to see if it’s the application itself. As you know, when (new) background for what’s needed for a project and make sure What needs to happen to change the thinking of agencies about access to public records? versions of software come out, there are always revisions and, you’re very efficient with taxpayers’ dollars. of course, it’s important that you get input (from users). And Government has been streamlined because of budgetI know that the Administrative Office of Courts is receptive The problems you mentioned—is that because ary issues. However, that does not excuse being not able to to that—that’s just good, solid project management. respond to a public-records request. I believe in the sunshine Hinds County didn’t buy the right equipment, or law. I believe government should be open and transparent. is it a project management issue in your view? What specifically are people unhappy about? ‌ I think it does come from the top, and it means having Specifically, some feel that it’s not user-friendly. It’s not It really comes down in my mind to good solid proj- a leader in place with that mindset, understanding that we very intuitive like a lot of applications that we’re used to ect management. ‌ There’s a testing phase to implemen- want the citizens to be informed. We don’t want to release any working with, on the Apples, the Macs, etc. I can recall that tation and, during the testing phase, there’s an opportu- confidential information. However, with public information I recently had my nieces visiting ... and it’s just amazing how nity for end-user feedback to the developer. And that de- we have to make our best effort to produce that timely. they’re able to accomplish (with computers) what they’re try- veloper takes that into account and does some tweaking Access is such an ambiguous term. There’s some ing to do, just because it’s intuitive . ‌ to address those issues. space between $1 per page for copies and, One of the challenges that they are also facing is when understanding budget constraints, not charging the current circuit clerk (Barbara Dunn, who is not running Does there need to be a dedicated anything. But where do you find a fair midpoint? again) was fined by the (Mississippi) Supreme Court. In the project manager in the clerk’s office? judicial system, when one of the parties in a civil suit files There definitely needs to be project manager, and I My commitment is to be open and fair. I want to make information regarding that case, all the other attorneys in- think it’s more important when the circuit clerk has the sure that we assess what it costs to produce a document. It’s volved in that case should be notified. And there have been leadership role for that project. probably not $1, maybe it’s less. But (I will do) an actual assome instances (under Dunn’s clerkship) where some of the Of course, the circuit clerk cannot do everything by sessment to see what the costs are where the intent is not deter other parties weren’t notified. Of course, the clock is ticking, themselves. It’s a team effort, but you have to gave the to someone from being able to obtain some public informaand that can be detrimental to justice. And from my limited staff with the skill sets. You don’t have to be an official tion. It’s fair to the taxpayer also that the cost is covered, but information, it just appeared to be a technical issue. project manager, but you have to have that skill set. not above what it costs to produce it.

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r. Announcement: “Ghetto Science Public Television welcomes its viewers to the premiere of the ‘Hustle Family Shark Tank’ reality television show, featuring panelists from the Hustle family: ĂŠ UĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂŒÂ…iÀÊ Ă•ĂƒĂŒÂ?i]ĂŠ>ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ€iiĂŒÂ‡ĂœÂˆĂƒiĂŠiÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iÂŤĂ€i˜iĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂ…Ă•ĂƒĂŒÂ?iĂƒĂŠÂˆVi‡ cold Juicy Juice refreshments and creator of the Compensatory Investment Request Support Group, a popular small street business start-up association in the Ghetto Science Community. ĂŠ UĂŠ Ă•Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂź/ii‡/ii½ĂŠ Ă•ĂƒĂŒÂ?i]ĂŠ>ĂŠĂƒiÂ?vÂ‡ĂŒ>Ă•}Â…ĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜Â‡ĂŒiV…˜œÂ?Âœ}ÞÊ}Ă•Ă€Ă•ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ several international certifications in computer technology, programming, repair and more. She is also a social-media marketing specialist. ĂŠ UĂŠ Ă€i>ĂŒĂŠ Ă€>˜``>``Þʟ ˆ}ĂŠ œ˜iĂž½ĂŠ Ă•ĂƒĂŒÂ?i\ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ?œ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠwĂŠÂ˜>˜Vˆ>Â?ĂŠiĂ?ÂŤiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ adviser at the Let Me Hold Five Dollars National Bank. This distinguished panel of experts will evaluate and negotiate collaborative investment proposals from up-and-coming Ghetto Science Community entrepreneurs. Our first entrepreneur is Chef Fat Meat with his Mobile Meat Treats Barbecue Grill.â€? Chef Fat Meat: “Greetings, Hustle family. I need your assistance to provide youth and adults with entrepreneurial and earning opportunities, enable poor people on welfare to afford and enjoy top-of-the-line grilled meats, veggies and seafood, and enhance the level of collaboration and cooperation between empathetic community vendors and the Ghetto Science Community. “I hope the Hustle family will support my idea of the Mobile Meat Treats Barbecue Grill, nicknamed the Poor People’s Food Truck. Can you smell the possibilities?â€? Great Granddaddy “Big Moneyâ€? Hustle: “Chef Fat Meat, the Hustle family smells success, and we’re starving like Marvin. Let’s close the deal by sampling some of your delicious grilled food.â€?

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°&ORMER !RKANSAS 'OV -IKE (UCKABEE DEFENDING *OSH $UGGAR A MAN WHO RECENTLY ADMITTED TO SEXUALLY ASSAULTING CHILDREN WHEN $UGGAR WAS A TEEN

Why It Stinks: Huckabee showed no such compassion for Mike Brown, a black teen Huckabee said was killed for behaving like a thug. As reasons for his critique, Huckabee cited video footage purportedly of Brown pushing a store owner, which even if true could fall into the same category of youthful indiscretion as Duggar’s alleged molestation of young girls. Of course, Huckabee is absolutely right about the lack of maturity in young people’s decision-making. It’s just hard to reconcile his compassion for Duggar with his rebuke of Brown. And it is impossible, given that Huckabee is again running for president, to ignore the hypocrisy of a man who wants to be the nation’s chief enforcer of laws.

Better Education, Less Crime

A

popularly cited statistic involves private corrections companies pouring over third-grade reading scores in a given jurisdiction to project how many prison beds will be needed in a decade, when those illiterate third graders go off track and run afoul of the law. The nation’s largest private-prison operators have roundly denied the claim as false, an urban legend that won’t go away. Like all urban legends, the statement’s resiliency lies in the suspicion that some part of it might be true. Even around here, we’ve heard elected and law-enforcement officials warn citizens that the little tyke you see scooting along the street today might very well be the young thug who tries to carjack you in 10 years. The sentiment is wellmeaning, though misplaced: Start showing kids you care early in their lives, and maybe they won’t rob you when they get big. Some of that thinking drove the passage of Gov. Phil Bryant’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act, which requires kids to show a mastery of basic reading skills before going on to next grade. In Bryant’s mind, socially promoted young people might find themselves struggling in later grades, drop out of school and turn to a life of crime. Of course, the social stigma of holding kids back might also turn them off school and put them on the same bad track. In either case, what’s true is that investing in children while they’re young and at their most eager is vitally important.

After another scathing report about the condition and operation of the Hinds County jail, county supervisors are again wringing their hands about where to find the money to build a brand new facility. Maybe the county needs a jail, and maybe it doesn’t. But it would be futile to spend, by some estimates, upwards of $50 million on a facility to warehouse people awaiting trial without seriously rethinking our approach to imprisonment. First, we should have a serious discussion about how to keep kids out of jail to begin with, which includes rethinking policing and schooldiscipline policies that criminalize normal youth behavior. It also includes adequate funding of public schools, as well as Bryant’s own thirdgrade gate testing, on which the Legislature balked when it came to funding. After all, even our conservative tea-party governor believes education is important to curbing crime, so this approach should draw bipartisan support. We also need to start talking about what happens in the jails themselves. Iron bars and more guards might help some sleep better at night, but in Mississippi and many other states, funding has all but vanished for educational and workforce training programs in correctional facilities. If jail is not to be the “college of criminality,� any talk of putting money into jails needs to include educational programming aimed at lowering recidivism. If we don’t rethink these things, then we can’t honestly profess to care about our children or our community.

Email letters and opinion to letters@jacksonfreepress.com, fax to 601-510-9019 or mail to 125 South Congress St., Suite 1324, Jackson, Mississippi 39201. Include daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity, as well as factchecked.

JOE ATKINS B.B. King’s Universal Language

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O

XFORD—Blues music may be singing the “No Future Tomorrowâ€? blues once B.B. King hangs up his guitar for good, Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer warned back in 2004. Speaking at a “Blues Todayâ€? symposium in Oxford, Iglauer, whose Chicagobased company recorded Hound Dog Taylor and other greats, called bluesman B.B. King the music’s standard-bearer. “Sooner or later, he’s going to be forced to retire. He’s an icon. When he does, that blues is history. ‌ I’m very scared about the future,â€? he said. To keep the music alive, Iglauer said, blues musicians must be “nurturedâ€? to be able to connect with contemporary audiences. “If we don’t nurture the young musicians, we are talking about a museum,â€? he said. King, who died May 14 at the age of 89, got his nurturing from folks like his cousin, country blues artist Bukka White, and the music he heard along Beale Street in Memphis back in the 1940s. “I’m a self-taught man,â€? King told an audience in Oxford during that same blues symposium. “Every time I’d hear something, I’d learn a little more about it, and I’d play it. It’s like learning a language,â€? he said. In an interview I had with the Mississippi-born blues great that same year, he said he was optimistic about the genre’s future. “There is a young guy, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Keb Mo, Corey Harris. They don’t play what I play. I don’t play like Bukka did. I wish I could. What I’m trying to say is that each generation brings about their own musicians.â€? King was right. Compare the clean, soul-rending notes from his guitar, Lucille, on “Three O’Clock Bluesâ€? to the raw chords you hear on Bukka White’s “Parchman Farm Bluesâ€? in the 1940s or Charley Patton’s “Pea Vine Bluesâ€? in the 1920s. King’s lineage may be more evident in Blind Willie Johnson’s 1927 classic “Dark Was The Night,â€? in which Johnson’s bottleneck echoes every emotion-filled moan. It’s all blues, just different kinds of blues—different generations of musicians with something to say to an audience that knows exactly what the musicians mean. You can see the nurturing Iglauer called for in places like the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, where young local musicians get training that allows them to tap into their region’s rich cul-

tural legacy. The upcoming young blues prodigy Christone “Kingfishâ€? Ingram is a product of that training. The blues grew out of a South haunted by poverty, isolation, racial oppression, old-time religion and intolerant, oligarchical rule. It was the music of poor people, a kind of rebellion against those crushing forces. It’s the same with poor people’s music everywhere in the world— flamenco in Spain, fado in Portugal, tango in Argentina. The music crosses racial and even class lines, however. Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf liked to listen to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio. Bluegrass and country greats Bill Monroe, Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams all learned from the blues. To some, the genre lost much of its poignancy when it left the backwater South and went commercial in Chicago. In the 1930s, Mississippian Robert Johnson’s blues laments about “hellhound on my trailâ€? and “me and the devil ‌ walking side by sideâ€? were existential cries of anguish. By the 1960s, Texas guitarist Lightnin’ Hopkins once complained, practically every Chicago blues song was about a woman. In many ways, B.B. King straddled those different eras of blues. From learning at the knee of Bukka White to singing duos with Eric Clapton, he was a part of the blues’ evolution from the music that W.C. Handy heard at the Tutwiler train station back in 1903 to what The Rolling Stones were singing in the 1960s and beyond. That’s why he was, in Iglauer’s words, “an ideal spokesman for his music.â€? “I think one of the things about the blues is truth,â€? King told me in 2004. “It’s truth without a lot of makeup. If we hear Frank Sinatra, he paints a beautiful picture. He sings about a girl in a beautiful meadow. He finally tells her he loves her. That makes the picture. In the blues, the guy doesn’t know all these beautiful lines. The blues singer just says, ‘Baby, I love you!’â€? That’s a universal language, and people are going to want to hear those who speak it well for a long time, whether the words are about hellhounds, lost love, or loneliness and an empty bed at three o’clock in the morning. Joe Atkins is a veteran journalist, columnist and professor of journalism at the University of Mississippi. He can be reached at jbatkins@olemiss.edu.

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Tests on Trial As Mississippi delivers bad news to thousands of third-graders, stressed-out parents say there must be a better way by Nick Chiles, The Hechinger Report

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14

out later on. The argument is personal to the governor, who recalls the many benefits he derived from being held back when he was a struggling reader in third grade.

more,� she said. “These kids here at Marshall don’t even all have books in the classroom. The difference between what Marshall has and what they have down the road is com-

provide a mechanism to enforce that right.� Supporters of Initiative 42 say the Legislature added 42A in an attempt to confuse voters. Many parents believe better-funded NICK CHILES

C

ARROLLTON, Miss.— In the weeks leading up to Mississippi’s new thirdgrade literacy test this past April, Zanysha Amos, age 9, was a bundle of anxiety. She couldn’t eat; she couldn’t sleep. Ever-present worry furrowed her little brow. When Zanysha sat down in front of the computer screen to answer the 50 questions on the statewide test, she knew that she could be held back if her score wasn’t deemed adequate. The thought was too painful to bear: another year in the same grade, a year older than everybody else, going over the same stuff for 10 agonizing months? Her mother said Zanysha also had a nagging question she needed answered: What was the point of the As and Bs she pushed herself to get on her report cards, of coming home every day after school and unfailingly diving into her homework, if an uninspired performance on a two-hour test could wipe away a year’s worth of effort? “She told me, if she was studying and doing good work during the school year, then she shouldn’t have to pass a test to go to the next grade,� said her mother, Ztearreyo Amos, an assistant teacher at Zanysha’s school in this north central town just off U.S. Highway 82. Amos had a hard time arguing with her daughter’s logic. Zanysha’s questions illustrate the worries that many parents and educators in Mississippi have expressed since Gov. Phil Bryant signed legislation two years ago that declared third-graders could not be promoted without passing a test to prove they were adequate readers. Is such a high-stakes trial appropriate for 8- and 9-year-olds, so tenderly lacking in emotional maturity? Aren’t they too young to confront two make-or-break hours on a single test that could keep them from moving up a grade with their classmates? Bryant believes he is doing the children of Mississippi a favor. He reasons students have little chance of academic success if they can’t read by fourth grade and predicts such students run a much higher risk of dropping

Carroll County Superintendent Billy Joe Ferguson’s district had a 19 percent failure rate on the third-grade reading test.

Yet, in a state that has historically come up dramatically short in adequate funding for schools, popular sentiment among parents isn’t with the governor. Per-pupil spending here is always among the lowest in the nation, while students are some of the poorest in the U.S. In recent interviews, more than a dozen Mississippi parents and educators said they believe Bryant’s plan is particularly unfair and will punish 9-year-olds for the results of decades of funding shortfalls. ‘Just not fair’ A system of school funding under which districts in richer areas receive more funding than districts in poor areas compounds the problem. Karen King, whose son Trey is a third-grader at Marshall Elementary School in Carrollton, said she is stunned by how many more resources children have at a better-funded school about 30 miles down the road, where she teaches sixth grade. “Those kids have access to so much

pletely unrealistic. And it’s just not fair.� In 1997 the state Legislature established a formula—the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP)—for determining how much money is required to adequately fund public schools. In the past 18 years, Mississippi’s public schools have only been adequately funded twice. The shortfall since 2009 has totaled more than $1.5 billion. Bryant’s initiative comes at a time when state voters will have a chance to demand better financing of the state’s school system via a constitutional amendment. Voters in November will be asked to choose between two competing ballot initiatives. Initiative 42 mandates that the state Legislature increase funding for Mississippi schools over the next seven years to reach the level deemed adequate, with the courts enforcing the mandate. The Legislature added an additional initiative, 42A, to the ballot. It will ask voters to decide if the Legislature should establish and support effective public schools, “but not

schools will lead to better test scores. The Parents’ Campaign Research and Education Fund collected numbers that show statewide reading scores for fourth-graders rose in 2008, a year after the Legislature fully funded schools in 2007. Kids get bad news On May 7, the Mississippi Board of Education decided what the passing score would be for the reading test third-grade students took in April, and schools began the delicate task of delivering bad news to thousands of parents and students. Statewide, 14.83 percent of third graders—5,612 students—failed to reach the minimum score needed for entrance into fourth grade on the first test. Those 5,612 students took the test again May 18 to 22, and the computer notified them immediately whether they passed or not, said Patrice Guilfoyle, communications director for the Mississippi Department of Education.

reading and adequate funding to implement those requirements.� Another key difference between Florida and Mississippi, as West notes, is that Florida allowed an exemption from retention based on a student’s portfolio of work—and that in the first six years of the program slightly more than half of the students who failed the test received an exemption. Mississippi allows exemptions: specialeducation students, students still learning

School sign outside Marshall Elementary in Carroll County, Miss., which is desperately in need of funding.

their peers who just barely surpassed the cutoff score over the next few years, though the difference between the groups eventually disappeared in later grades. But there are at least two key differences between Florida and Mississippi. Florida pumped about $1 billion into the education system to boost literacy in the early grades, including placing a literacy coach in every school, while Mississippi thus far has added less than $25 million—though Bryant has pointed out that Florida only put in $10 million in the program’s first year. For Mississippi, the money meant less than 100 literacy coaches for the state’s 426 elementary schools. Bryant has been defensive when asked why the effort was so small. “We knew we couldn’t put reading coaches in every school,� he said. “The question is, ‘Why do we put a reading coach into schools? Are the teachers we have now not prepared to teach children to read?’� Though Bryant seemed to dismiss the necessity of reading coaches, the bill he signed in 2013 mandates intensive reading instruction and support for students who repeat the third grade, including smaller classes and a “high-performing teacher� with a demonstrated record of student improvement in reading. In the Florida study, author West noted that test-based promotion policies are most likely to be successful “if they are accompanied by specific requirements that retained students be provided with additional, research-based instruction in

“The children have to have books to read, so that’s what I have to do. I have book glue, I have tape. I can get two or three more years out of them before I have to order some more.�—Librarian Ruby Burkhead, Marshall Elementary School.

English and those who have already been retained once. Yet the state doesn’t give educators any discretion in promoting a student based on his or her portfolio of work—totally removing the classroom teacher, who knows the student best, from the equation. That’s an enormous difference in the eyes of students and parents. Many of Mississippi’s poor districts, like Carroll County, struggle to get enough books for every student. Educators wonder where the cash-strapped districts will find the money to hire the additional teachers needed to reduce class sizes, as the governor’s legislation mandates. And where will the districts find these “high performing� teachers, especially if there is no extra money to entice them?

Does retention help or hurt? For the past three decades, states have been using standardized tests to make a whole lot of extremely important decisions about teachers and students. Which teachers are inadequate? Which teachers are exceptional? Which students should be placed in remedial settings? Which students should be primed for long-term success? The answers generally come from the student’s standardized test scores. There are now 14 states that require third-graders to pass a statewide reading exam to be promoted to fourth grade. But eight of these states accept a portfolio exemption or allow the child’s teacher or principal to overrule the results of the test. West’s Florida study notwithstanding, education experts such as Stanford University professor Linda Darling-Hammond, a nationally recognized expert in education policy, claim that retention does more harm than good. Darling-Hammond said that 30 years of research have told us precisely what will happen in Mississippi: The increased focus on reading in the early grades will lead to a negligible increase in reading test scores in the first few years of the program, but in the long term, the dropout rate will increase as those third-graders who were held back become further disconnected from school. “We have had dozens and dozens of studies on this topic,� Darling-Hammond said. “The findings are about as consistent as any findings are in education research: The use of testing is counterproductive, it does not improve achievement over the long run, but it does dramatically increase dropout rates. Almost every place that has put this kind of policy in place since the 1970s has eventually found it counterproductive and has eliminated the policy. Unfortunately, policy makers often are not aware of the research, and they come along years later and reintroduce the same policies that were done away with previously because of negative consequences and lack of success.� Examples of the studies Darling-Hammond refers to are not hard to find. For instance, a 2005 report from the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University found that grade retention can increase the risk of dropping out by 20 percent to 50 percent. Supporters of Bryant’s approach point to their own studies, which indicate that students are much more likely to drop out if they are unable to read by fourth grade. Nicole Webb, communications director for the governor, said that Mississippi’s Literacy Based Promotion Act was developed “in close coordination with a host of national and in-state education experts and advocates.� If districts really want to meet the needs of third-graders, Darling-Hammond said, they would pass struggling readers along to fourth grade and connect them with a PRUH 7(67,1* VHH SDJH

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The Florida model Many education experts look at Mississippi and claim its academic failures are directly connected to a dilemma with which America has long struggled: how to educate the poor. To Gov. Bryant, the answer is to get tough with the little ones and impose what might seem like severe sanctions if they don’t measure up. The governor views the get-tough policy as an act of compassion, linking it nostalgically to the extra help and caring instruction he received when he was held back, and noting that holding the line now will help students in the long run. Bryant’s case had a happy ending: His fourth-grade teacher discovered his reading difficulties were a result of dyslexia, and with additional help, the young Bryant was able to overcome his disability. “Repeating the third grade was the best thing that could have happened to me,� the

governor said in February 2015, according to media reports—though in 2012 he had recounted that being retained was a “difficult, horrible experience.� Bryant said he modeled Mississippi’s third-grade gate after the success of a similar program in Florida, the 2003 brain-child of former Gov. Jeb Bush. A 2012 report by Martin West of the Harvard Graduate School of Education revealed that Florida third-graders who were retained actually outperformed

NICK CHILES

Those who failed a second time will be scheduled to attend summer school starting in June and will get a final chance to pass the test in late June or early July. If they fail a third time, they’ll have to repeat third grade. Some districts said they would also invite students who barely passed the test to attend summer school, so they will be better positioned to do well in fourth grade. The state Department of Education stressed that the cutoff score on the test, referred to as the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment, indicates the point at which a student has acquired the minimum reading skills needed to learn properly in fourth grade. When the scores were first delivered, the failure rate—as everyone expected— was much higher in high-poverty districts, where many children start school behind and stay behind. In Greenville, a district abutting the Mississippi River in the heart of the Delta, in which nearly all the students at the elementary schools qualify for free or reducedprice lunch, the overall failure rate was 37 percent—with several schools showing rates over 40 percent and one school, Webb Elementary, over 50 percent. Goodman Pickens Elementary School in Central Mississippi’s Holmes County saw a whopping failure rate of 59 percent, while two other Holmes County schools had failure rates of 46 and 52 percent. Holmes County has a median income of $22,325 and the lowest life expectancy of any county in the United States, largely due to its abnormally high obesity rates. Jackson—the state’s largest city with 30,000 public-school students and 34 elementary schools—had a failure rate of 28 percent. And at Carroll County’s Marshall Elementary, where Zanysha attends school and where more than 90 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the failure rate was 19 percent—far lower than Carroll County officials had anticipated. The day the scores came out was a good one for Zanysha Amos and her mother, despite their many questions and concerns. Zanysha passed.

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TESTING IURP SDJH

What districts already knew Parents and teachers argue that not only does the test punish kids who are al-

would love to have a literacy coach,� said Ferguson, who made headlines in 2009 when he decided to retire early and start taking his pension although he continued to run the district. Ferguson’s “retirement� saved the district about $100,000 a year for his salary and benefits. Without Ferguson’s move, the district was in danger of being unable to meet its expenses. Ferguson now earns a salary of just $18,000, which he mainly uses for travel and expenses. In the district he runs, most of the buses are 15 years old, the elementary school’s 25-

Librarian Ruby Burkhead has worked at Marshall Elementary for 19 years.

pense and stress of an additional state test, the district didn’t find out anything it didn’t already know. So what purpose did the test serve? “The teachers in that classroom give tests all the time,� said Ferguson, 67, who—except for four years—has been Carroll County’s superintendent since 1996. “They work with the kids, and they pretty well know that you’re going to have some who won’t pass to the next grade with or without a test because they couldn’t do the work. Maybe they’re a little slow, need a little more time, maybe the kid didn’t apply himself. Sometimes you can have a split home. You can have so many things happen in a child’s life that could impact that one test. Hopefully, with the makeup test, you can filter that out. But to me it’s just needlessly spending a lot of money.� Ferguson said his $10 million district budget has been cut every year since 2009, when the recession devastated everyone, setting the district back a total of about $3.5 million, money that was desperately needed to help students reach their potential “Teacher assistants, literacy coaches— things like that I don’t have money for. I

year-old roof could give out at any moment, and aging window units are used to cool the elementary school because it doesn’t have central air. The walls are cracking so much in one first-grade classroom that it’s possible to see through them to the outside. In addition, the elementary school of 500 students has no assistant principal, no guidance counselor and only a handful of assistant teachers, who all the early-grade classrooms share. When schools are strong and wellfunded, a child struggling with reading in first grade is more likely to be put on a conveyor built of special services and interventions—reading coaches, reading recovery specialists, tutors, mentors—so that the child is proficient by the time he or she reaches third grade. At poorly funded schools like Marshall, a child is often left to struggle alone, with very few of these needed interventions. So by the time a test comes at the end of third grade, the student is already far behind. Rana Mitchell, Ferguson’s assistant superintendent, said if the state is going to hold back students who can’t read, it should be done in first grade when students are still trying to acquire the skills.

`I have book glue’ To see a picture of scarcity and deprivation, walk into the library at Marshall Elementary, where librarian Ruby Burkhead has set aside a special drawer in her desk for her book-repair materials. Burkhead said she received just $900 this year to buy new books for the library. Anyone who has spent an hour in Barnes & Noble book shopping with one child knows how painful on the wallet it can be. Nine hundred dollars doesn’t come close to getting the job done for 500 children. In a state focusing on early reading skills, Burkhead’s library is ground zero—the place where fledgling readers can discover the world of books and become skilled and enthusiastic readers. Since she can’t buy new books, Burkhead has taught herself how to be a book restorer. “That’s what I do on Saturdays—I come in here and repair my books,� she said. “The children have to have books to read, so that’s what I have to do. I have book glue, I have tape. I can get two or three more years out of them before I have to order some more.� Trey’s bad day On a recent spring day, Karen King stood in the main office at Marshall with her shoulders slumped. The school’s principal, Fletcher Harges, had just told her that her son Trey had not passed the third-grade test. After all the sleepless nights and upset stomachs, he still got bad news. “The morning of the test was actually the worst part. He was nauseated, sick, because he had to take the test,� King said. “It was terrible, one of the worst feelings I ever felt in my life, because there was nothing I could do about it. It’s something he has to do. Mr. Harges just told me he is going to have to retake it. Thinking of him going through all of that again just sucks.� Since Trey is already in special education because of learning disabilities and has already been held back once, he will likely receive an exemption and be promoted to the fourth grade anyway. But the damage has already been done. “He’s overcome a lot of his issues, but what does this do to him long term?� his mother asked. “To his self-esteem, his social development, everything? Even if he does pull through it, I think it has had negative effects on him.� King paused and looked out the window. “There must be a better way to assess children’s knowledge than put them through this kind of stress,� she said. “It’s just absolutely not fair.� This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.

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Who gets held back? Disturbingly, the pain that a retention policy inflicts is not shared equally. “The majority of the kids retained we know will be poor and largely African American, and also new immigrants, because that’s happening everywhere else,� said Robert Schaeffer, public education director of the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (also known as FairTest), the advocacy group that has long fought against the widespread use of standardized tests. “Schools should do better, but they can’t do magic. When you have kids coming to school years behind at the starting line because of poverty, because their parents aren’t educated, because they don’t speak English, it’s ludicrous to expect them to catch up by third grade without lots of extra help.� In Mississippi, many children start school at a disadvantage. Until recently, Mississippi was the only state in the south without a publicly funded pre-K program. The program that exists now is tiny: just 6 percent of 4-year-olds in Mississippi attend a state-funded program. By comparison, Florida provides pre-K to more than 74 percent of its 4-year-olds. A reported two-thirds of students in Mississippi start kindergarten unprepared.

ready disadvantaged, but it also doesn’t provide teachers with any new information about their students. Billy Joe Ferguson, Carroll County’s outspoken longtime superintendent, said when he dug into the scores, he saw that the 13 third-graders from his district’s only elementary school (Marshall Elementary, where Zanysha Amos goes to school) who fell below the cutoff score were all students his teachers had long ago identified as struggling readers who would likely have difficulty doing fourth-grade work. In other words, after all the time, ex-

NICK CHILES

teacher trained in a program like Reading Recovery, which has been reliably shown to improve the skills of youngsters who find reading difficult. Critics might describe Darling-Hammond’s suggestions as “social promotion,� protecting students’ self-esteem by moving them along to the next grade, even if they aren’t academically ready. But Darling-Hammond says the dichotomy is a false one. “People often present this as if there are only two choices—choice one is hold the kids back, and the other is socially promote them without any additional resources or strategies,� Darling-Hammond said. “But the third way, the right response, is one in which you identify the resources they must have and ensure they are getting them immediately. They also should look at whether if you sit them down with a book, can they read? Because a lot of kids perform poorly on multiple-choice standardized tests who actually know the material if you present it in a more authentic way.� Darling-Hammond and others also point out that grade retention is extremely expensive, a fact that cannot be ignored in cash-strapped Mississippi. Holding a child back adds an entire year of instruction for that child to the budget. “Most of the other responses to help kids who are behind cost significantly less than that,� Darling-Hammond added.

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LIFE&STYLE | food

How to Not Waste Food

Easy Tacos Chicken

by Amber Helsel

AMBER HELSEL

I

’m really good at wasting food. I go to the grocery store and drop a fairly decent sum of money on healthy groceries, and then, somehow, I find a reason not to eat any of it. I go out to eat, or I wait so long to cook that it goes bad. But about a month ago, I had a revelation. One day, I had a really bad craving for wings. It happens about once a week, and for the brief period of time that Sonic Drive-In had boneless wings, I’d go and get those—definitely not the most healthy habit, but they were cheap, and I just really needed them. I think what I find most appealing about the dish is its diversity. Each flavor transports you to a different place, whether it be Korea (my personal favorite) or the Deep South or just a bar with really good wings. As I was thinking about what to do about my dilemma, I remembered the time I made peanut butter-and-jelly wings. They were good. And I thought to myself, why not just cook a huge batch of regular wings and toss them in a different sauce each time I eat them? I know exactly what’s going into my food, frankly, homemade tastes better, and it’s not that boring. You just buy a pack of chicken wings from the store (I do frozen ones), toss them in seasoned flour and bake them. Toss them in a sauce, and there you go. You can even put celery on the side like you’d get them at a bar or restaurant. That, to me, is one of the most satisfying parts of the meal. This idea can actually translate to a lot of things. The last time I did this, I decided that, instead of wings, I’d do Asian

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tacos. They’re simple, portable and have endless possibilities. I bought some chicken tenders, tossed them in rice-wine vinegar, soy sauce, and some seasonings, placed them on a greased pan and cooked them in the oven for about 20 minutes. I also bought some chopped red cabbage and carrots, and then sliced some green onions to make a simple slaw. For the tacos, I just chopped up the chicken, tossed it in a Korean barbecue sauce or Asian chili sauce, or even Sriracha when I was feeling really adventurous, put the chicken in a small corn tortilla, added the slaw and voila—an easy weeknight meal that took me years to discover.

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Line a large baking pan with foil and coat it with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the flour, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper in a large bowl and mix. Toss the wings in it and place about 12-24 on the pan, ensuring that none are touching. Refrigerate the wings uncovered for 30 minutes.

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About halfway through refrigeration, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. After 30 minutes, put the pan in the oven and cook for 45 to 55 minutes. About halfway through cooking time, take the wings out of the oven, and, using a pair of tongs, flip them over so the other side can cook. The wings are done when the juices run clear. Once they finish, let them cool on a wire rack. Then, toss them in your sauce and eat. It’s actually fairly easy to make your own sauces. At its most basic level, a buffalo sauce is just hot sauce and butter, and barbecue sauces, even Asian ones, are fairly easy to make.

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1 corn tortilla £É{ĂŠVĂ•ÂŤĂŠĂƒÂ?>Ăœ 1 chicken tender £É{ĂŠVĂ•ÂŤĂŠĂƒĂœiiĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ€i>Â˜ĂŠL>Ă€LiVĂ•i]ĂŠ/Â…>ÂˆĂŠÂŤi>Â˜Ă•ĂŒĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ ÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠÂœĂ€ÂˆiÂ˜ĂŒ>Â?ĂŠĂƒ>Ă•Vi

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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking pan with foil and grease it with non-stick cooking spray. Toss the chicken in the vinegar, soy sauce and seasonings. Place the chicken tenders on the pan, ensuring none are touching. My pan holds about 12-14. Cook them for about 20 minutes, or until the meat in the middle is white. While the chicken is cooking, chop the green onions, cabbage and carrots (I usually buy my cabbage and carrots already chopped) and toss them in a large bowl. Once the chicken is done cooking, let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. To make the taco, chop a chicken tender and place it in a small bowl with 1/4 cup slaw. Toss the mixture in a sauce of your choice and then place into a corn tortilla.

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8 DAYS p 24 | MUSIC p 27 | SPORTS pp 28-30

Ain’t Nothing But the Birthplace of the Blues by LaTonya Miller

T

he South is the birthplace of the blues, and Public Broadcasting Station’s “Blues Road Trip� describes the Mississippi Delta as the genre’s emo-

and moves musically through the Mississippi Delta, ending up in Chicago. Because the blues evolution also influenced country music, that link plays out on stage, too.

songs showing the evolution of the genre, and Taylor, along with director Randal Myler, artist, actor, singer and composer “Mississippi� Charles Bevel, singer/songwriter and actress Lita Gaithers, and actor Danny Wheetman wrote the script. The Denver Center Theatre Company originally produced the revue; then the Crossroads Theatre Company, with the San Diego Repertory and Alabama Shakespeare Festival, presented it for the first time in New York at the New Victory

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22

tional heart. So, inherently, a certain amount of pressure goes along with producing a musical revue about the blues in the Magnolia State. New Stage Theatre is gearing up to tackle that tough number this month. “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues� is a melding of music that culminates in what we now identify as the blues. Peppy Biddy, director of New Stage’s revue, describes the show as “part concert, (part) chronological telling of the history of the blues.� The revue begins with African chants, which are the essential roots of blues music,

“The fact that (“It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Bluesâ€?) has a lot of ties to Mississippi gives us an obligation to work even harder on it,â€? Biddy says. â€œâ€Ś You can’t get away with anything inauthentic.â€? That, coupled with the fact that the revue made it to Broadway in 1999 and earned four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, pushes the stakes even higher. “Yeah, well, there’s always that,â€? Biddy says with a laugh. Actor, singer and songwriter Ron Taylor’s original idea for the revue was to perform

COURTESY NEW STAGE THEATRE

Sharon Miles, Kimberly Morgan Myles and Mandy Kate Myers star in New Stage Theatre’s production of “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues,� which runs from May 26 to June 7.

Theater. Crossroads, the San Diego Repertory and Alabama Shakespeare Festival, in association with the Lincoln Center Theater, produced the play at the Vivian Beaumont. In its Broadway iteration, seven performers cover around 35 songs within two hours, all to the accompaniment of a six-piece band. Of the original show’s writers, Taylor, Bevel and Wheetman were also part of the Broadway show, along with actors Gretha Boston and Carter Calvert, singer Eloise Laws, and jazz singer, songwriter and actor Gregory Porter.

As a jukebox musical revue, “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues� is not plot driven. Most of the dialogue serves to inform the audience where the music has been and where it’s going. For New Stage, it means that the production relies heavily on the vocal chops of its seven performers to successfully deliver more than 35 songs over two acts. And it has no character roles as you might expect in a traditional book musical. Instead, the performers go by their own names. New Stage cast three Jackson actors— James Martin, Kimberly Morgan Myles and Mandy Kate Myers—and also Sharon Miles from Hattiesburg. A New York casting call brought three more to the stage: Chris Blisset, Randall Holloway and Tony Perry. Musical director Sheilah Walker—the musical director for “Ain’t Misbehaven� at New Stage 11 years ago who also has Broadway and London theater credits—and the cast put a lot of stock in thorough preparation. Miles, who sings “Someone Else Is Steppin’ In� and “I Put a Spell On You,� among other tunes, puts it this way: “The more you practice it, as opposed to shying away from it, the more you can stretch the vocal cords, and it really does help. So by the time the show opens, you will have worked that muscle enough so that you’re mentally not getting in the way (and) that you can actually hit that note comfortably.� Among other songs the audience will hear are Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight,� Peggy Lee’s “Fever,� and a Roy Hawkins tune that B.B. King made famous: �The Thrill is Gone.� The revue also includes the Don Gibson song “I Can’t Stop Loving You,� which was a hit for Ray Charles, Billie Holiday’s “ Strange Fruit,� Muddy Waters’ “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man� and Robert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen.� “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues� runs May 26 through June 7 at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533). The play begins at 7:30 p.m., May 27-30 and June 2-6. Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. on May 30 and June 7. Tickets are $28 general admission and $22 for students and seniors. For more information, visit newstagetheatre.com.

VISIT THE NEWEST EXHIBIT AT THE SOUTHEAST’S BEST ATTRACTION!

OPENING WEEKEND

S OPEN 0 MAY 3 ON VIEW MAY 29 – AUGUST 30, 2015

THERE’S A LITTLE WOLF IN EVERY DOG THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE TRAVELING EXHIBITION EVER CREATED TO EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF DOGS Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks’ Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive Jackson, MS ‡ ZZZ PVQDWXUDOVFLHQFH RUJ This project sponsored in part by the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau

Hinds Community College will honor current and past service members and their families with

Saturday, June 6 10 am – 2 pm The Muse Center, Rankin Campus

MISSISSIPPI MUSEUM of ART Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students. FREE children 5 and under,

ADMISSION IS ALWAYS FREE FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GEORGE WARDLAW AND MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP VISIT WWW.MSMUSEUMART.ORG 380 SOUTH LAMAR STREET JACKSON,MISSISSIPPI 39201 601.960.1515 1.866.VIEWART @MSMUSEUMART

Free hamburgers, children’s activities & door prizes Education and other support services +,1'6&& ‡ hub.hindscc.edu/militaryday Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Debra Mays-Jackson, Vice President for the Utica and Vicksburg-Warren Campuses and Administrative Services, 34175 Hwy. 18, Utica, MS 39175; 601.885.7002.

Support for George Wardlaw, A Life in Art: Works from 1954 to 2014 is provided by The Bernice Flowers Hederman Fund and through the Meyer and Genevieve Falk Endowment Fund for Culture and Arts of the George Wardlaw (born 1927), Seeding (detail), 1969. acrylic on canvas. 96 x 48 in. Copyright Š the artist.

GEORGE WARDLAW: RECENT WORKS

Also on view at Fischer Galleries 736 President Street Downtown Jackson

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Military Appreciation Day

23

THURSDAY 5/28

FRIDAY 5/29

SATURDAY 5/30

The May Opening Reception II is at Fischer Galleries.

Art Is Word: A Hissy and Prissy Event is at Offbeat.

Old School Throwdown is at One Block East.

BEST BETS MAY. 27 JUNE 3, 2015

“It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues� is 7:30 p.m. at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The production is a retrospective of classic blues songs. Additional shows May 2830, 7:30 p.m., May 31, 2 p.m., June 2-6, 7:30 p.m., and June 7, 2 p.m. $28, $22 students; call 601-948-3533, ext. 222; newstagetheatre.com.

XKWAKU ALSTON

WEDNESDAY 5/27

R&B vocalist Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band fame performs Saturday, May 30, at the Mississippi Coliseum.

THURSDAY 5/28

GEOFF HANSEN

The “Capture the Spirit of Ramadan� International Exhibition opens 10 a.m. at the International Museum of Muslim Cultures (Arts Center of Mississippi, 201 E. Pascagoula St.). The exhibit includes photographs from more than 3,500 photographers from more than 60 countries. Show hangs through July 31. $5, $3 seniors and children, free on Wednesdays; call 601-960-0440; email ealturk@bellsouth.net; muslimmuseum.org.

and the fashion and hair show is at 7 p.m. $25, $40 VIP; call 601-506-7545; email lacesbylexi@gmail.com or thomasbydesign@comcast.net; lacesbylexi.com.

SATURDAY 5/30

Art Is Word: The Art of Storytelling is 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Gallery1 (One University Place, 1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 4). Includes the Writing for Performance Workshop with playwright and poet Lashunda Thomas from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (registration required), a Q&A with filmmaker Thabi Moyo from 2-5 p.m. and open mic at 6 p.m. Free; call 404536-1793; email inspire.ajackson@gmail.com; follow Inspire BY MICAH SMITH Jackson on Facebook. ‌ Gin Class 101 is 3 p.m. at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar JACKSONFREEPRESS.COM (Highland Village, 4500 InterFAX: 601-510-9019 state 55 N.). RSVP. $35 per perDAILY UPDATES AT son; call 982-8111; email jeffg@ JFPEVENTS.COM bravobuzz.com; bravobuzz.com. ‌ The Forever Charlie Tour is 7 p.m. at the Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). Performers include Charlie Wilson, Kem and Joe. Doors open at 6 p.m. $47.5-$85; call 800-745-3000.

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EVENTS@

24

Author Jeffrey Lent signs copies and reads from his new novel, “A Slant of Light,� Tuesday, June 2, at Lemuria Books.

FRIDAY 5/29

A Midsummer’s Eve Fashion Extravaganza & Hair Explosion is 6 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Laces by Lexi and Thomas by Design are the presenters, and Selena Johnson of Lifetime’s “Bring It� is the host. The red carpet event is at 6 p.m.,

SUNDAY 5/31

The Dream Cult Homecoming Dance is 7 p.m. at Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave.). The Jackson-based indie-rock band celebrates its return from a national tour with a special homecoming dance featuring awkward dance photos and a king and queen selection. Performers include Dream Cult, Light Beam Rider, Living Together and DJ Stepdad. $5; email dreamcultband@gmail.com; offbeatjxn.com.

MONDAY 6/1

The Margaret Walker Centennial Lecture is 10 a.m. at the Charles Tisdale Library (807 E. Northside Drive). Poet and performer Katrina Byrd hosts “Jubilee for My People: Writing Workshop for Children.� This event includes a performance reading of Margaret Walker’s works. Free; call 601-366-0021.

TUESDAY 6/2

Author Jeffery Lent signs copies of his book, “A Slant of Light,â€? at 5 p.m. at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202). Jeffery Lent signs books. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $27 book; call 601-366-7619; email info@ lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com. ‌ “Murder in Tightsâ€? Dinner Theater is 7 p.m. at Mint (Renaissance, 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 5002, Ridgeland). Mississippi Murder Mysteries presents the family-friendly show set in a senior day care center for superheroes. Includes a threecourse dinner. RSVP. $47; call 601-850-2318; email fringedinnertheatre@gmail.com; fringedinnertheatre.com.

WEDNESDAY 6/3

The Filling Station Cooking Class is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Farmer’s Table Cooking School (Town of Livingston, 129 Mannsdale Road, Madison). Recipes include barbecue pork sandwiches, potato chips and ice cream sandwiches. Registration required. $59; call 601-506-6821; farmerstableinlivingston.com. ‌ History Is Lunch is noon at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Author Janice Tracy discusses her book, “Mississippi Moonshine Politics.â€? Sales and signing to follow. Free; call 601-576-6998; mdah.state.ms.us.

*&0 30/.3/2%$

34!'% 3#2%%.

Write to Change the World June 6, at Jackson Free Press (125 S. Congress St., Suite 1324). Learn to write sparkling stories that can change your life and the world in Donna Ladd’s nonfiction classes. Meets six Saturdays 12:30-3 p.m. Classes recorded if you need to miss. $350 ($280 if you mention this lising), includes snacks, materials; call 362-6121 ext. 15; email class@writing tochange.com; writingtochange.com.

“It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues� May 27-30, 7:30 p.m., May 31, 2 p.m., June 2-6, 7:30 p.m., June 7, 2 p.m., at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The production is a retrospective of classic blues songs. $28, $22 students; call 601-9483533, ext. 222; newstagetheatre.com.

#/--5.)49 Mississippi State Conference NAACP State Meeting and Mother of the Year Luncheon May 30, 10 a.m., at College Hill M.B. Church (1600 Florence Ave.). The luncheon immediately follows. Free meeting, $15 luncheon; call 601-353-8452; email info@msnaacp.org. Big Hat Brunch May 30, noon-2 p.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Southern Voices and The Fabulous Life Ministries are the presenters, and Tambra Cherie of HOT 97.7 FM is the host. Dr. Johnetta McSwain is the guest speaker. Akami Graham and the Purple Diamonds perform. The event is a fundraiser for Camp Fabulous. $50, $100 VIP; call 601-500-3106; campfabulous.com. Two Rivers Gala and Tougaloo Honors May 30, 7 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). The theme is “Celebrating Women of Distinction.� Honorees include bank executive Veranda Dickens, jazz artist Cassandra Wilson, attorney Martha Bergmark and Irigrid Saunders Jones of the Coca-Cola Foundation. Chante Moore and Howard Hewitt perform. $200; call 601-977-7871; tougaloo.edu.

+)$3 Girls That Wear Crowns May 30, noon-3 p.m., at Restoration Christian Church (328 Boling St.). The character-building workshop for girls ages 9-17 includes entertainment, guest speakers, a fashion show, vendors and refreshments. Free; call 826-7243; email kenisha_mason@saksinc.com. Know to Grow Saturdays, 10 a.m. through Aug. 22, at Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Highland Drive). In the Literacy Garden. Children and their families listen to a story and participate in a garden activity. Held Saturdays through Aug. 22. Included with admission ($10, free for children under 12 months and members); call 601-981-5469; mississippichildrensmuseum.com.

&//$ $2).+ Firkin Friday May 29, 5-8 p.m., at Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201). Enjoy a signature beer from Yazoo Brewery. Beer for sale; call 601-982-2899; saltinerestaurant.com. Gin Class 101 May 30, 3 p.m., at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar (Highland Village, 4500 Interstate 55 N.). Chris Robertson is the facilitator. RSVP. $35 per person; call 601-982-8111; email jeffg@bravobuzz.com; bravobuzz.com.

Art Is Word: A Hissy and Prissy Premiere May 29, 8-11 p.m., at Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave.). Includes presentations from the Color Pencil Comix Collective, a screening of the film “Letters from a Transient� and music from Victoria Cross. Free; call 404-536-1793; email inspire.jackson@ gmail.com; follow Inspire Jackson on Facebook.

#/.#%243 &%34)6!,3 Little Texas May 29, 8 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The country band is known for songs such as “God Blessed Texas.� $25 in advance, $30 at the door; call 601-292-7121; email jordan@ardenland.net; dulinghall.com. Old School Throwdown May 30, 9 p.m., at One Block East (642 Tombigbee St.). This year’s deejays include Jayce Powell, Charles Faulk, Scott Swanner, Andy Haynes and Darryl Mowers. $10; call 601-944-0203; oneblockeast.com.

,)4%2!29 3)'.).'3 Events at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202) UĂŠÂş ĂŠ-Â?>Â˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ ˆ}Â…ĂŒÂť June 2, 5 p.m. Jeffery Lent signs books. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $27 book; call 601-366-7619; email info@lemuriabooks. com; lemuriabooks.com. UĂŠÂş,ˆ`ˆ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â?Ă•iĂŠ ÂœĂŒÂ…Âť June 3, 5 p.m. Bill Hancock signs books. Reading at 5:30 p.m. $17.95 book; call 601-366-7619; email info@ lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com.

#2%!4)6% #,!33%3 Art Is Word: The Art of Storytelling May 30, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m., at Gallery1 (One University Place, 1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 4). Performance writing workshop from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (registration required), filmmaking Q&A from 2-5 p.m. and open mic at 6 p.m. Free; call 404536-1793; email inspire.ajackson@gmail.com.

%8()")4 /0%.).'3 May Opening Reception II May 28, 5-8 p.m., at Fischer Galleries (Dickies Building, 736 S. President St., fourth floor). See George Wardlaw’s abstracts. Free; call 291-9115; fischergalleries.com.

Music Writing

Opening of George Wardlaw, A Life in Art: Works from 1954 to 2014 May 29, 10 a.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). See 34 of the Mississippi native’s contemporary works in the Barksdale Galleries through Aug. 30. $10, $8 seniors, $5 students, free for ages 0-5 and members; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

Interested in interviewing musicians, reviewing albums and networking within Jackson’s music community? The Jackson Free Press is looking for freelance writers interested in covering the city’s music scene.

Check jfpevents.com for updates and more listings, or to add your own events online. You can also email event details to events@jacksonfreepress.com to be added to the calendar. The deadline is noon the Wednesday prior to the week of publication.

Please e-mail inquiries to micah@jacksonfreepress.com

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11th Annual JFP Chick Ball July 18, at Hal & Mal’s (200 S. Commerce St.). The annual event to combat domestic violence includes food, door prizes, a silent auction, poetry and live music. Currently seeking sponsors, auction donations and volunteers now. Stay tuned for updates. Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence. For ages 18 and up. $5; call 601-362-6121 ext. 16; email natalie@jacksonfree press.com; jfpchickball.com.

“It’s Time for a Change� May 28, 7 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The Tabernacle of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church Urgency Project is the host. Recording artist Lannie Spann McBride and Pastor Kathy McFadden star in the musical. $15; call 800-745-3000.

25

Daily 4-7pm HAPPY HOURAll Drinks Including Wine

$2 Domestic & 2 For 1 On

Call To Book your Private Party! Wednesday 5/27

Saturday 5/30

Karaoke

w/DJ Stache @ 9pm

THE WHISKEY BARRELS

Thursday 5/28

Monday 6/1

Ladies Night

w/ DJ Glenn Rogers LADIES DRINK FREE! 9pm - Close

Friday 5/29

DJ REIGN

Pub Quiz

w/Daniel Keys @ 8pm

Tuesday 6/2

BYO G

(Bring Your Own Guitar) w/ Adam Goreline

4pm-2am 6 0 1 - 9 6 0 - 2 7 0 0 1 m-2am Sat 4pm Open Mon-Fri 11a orge St, Jackson, MS facebook.com/Ole Tavern 416 Ge

Best of Jackson Winner 2012-2014

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LIVE MUSIC Every Thursday -Saturday

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DIVERSIONS | music

MUSIC | live

A Closer Look at ‘Crossroads’

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randon, Miss., singer-songwriter Tommy Ray and I have crossed paths on more than a few occasions, usually with me catching the tail end of his sets at Bonny Blair’s Irish Pub openmic nights. But his debut EP, “Crossroads,� released March 21, was my first real interaction with his pop-infused country tunes. While the album passes over plenty of familiar territory, Ray’s confident vocals and defined musical style, along with solid studio work, made for a pleasant journey. As with a proper Mississippi introduction, the customary “Where are you from?� usually comes at the front end of a conversation. Ray keeps that rule of southern etiquette intact with the opening track, “Zama,� named after the small town in Attala County where he grew up. The opener also foreshadows what listeners can expect from the five-song EP. Your personal feelings toward homegrown ballads will likely determine whether you’ll stick with “Crossroads� throughout its 16-minute runtime. Many of the songs are clearly a product of their location, complete with imagery of dirt roads, croaking frogs and cornbread. Deeper themes and lyrical nuances are mostly absent, but even a lyrics purist can see that isn’t the point here. Where Ray excels is in knowledge of his voice. Like Glenn Campbell or Johnny Cash, Ray knows where his vocals are strongest and doesn’t stray far from that spot. He also has the ability to sell the words he sings, a rare find on a first release. Ray’s husky singing is one of the more instantly likeable elements on “Crossroads.� He doesn’t drown listeners in a southern drawl like some country artists, which makes it an easier listen for fans of other genres. And you can certainly expect other genres here. Though Ray’s music falls under the umbrella of country, his influences vary. Musically, “Zama� and “Angel� are along similar softrock lines, while the title track and “Passing of the Storm,� steer into Jimmy Buffett territory. These make for an interesting contrast to the alternative-rock closer, “Escape.�

It’s easy to see that Ray wanted “Crossroads� to feel diverse, and through that, he avoids many of the major pitfalls that hit first-time releases, such as holding only one key, tempo or style on sustain over the course of an album. But closer observation reveals one area for Ray to be aware of his next time around: lyrical delivery. Sure, words don’t always matter, but the way in which an artist presents them makes a world of difference. Without digging too deep into music theory, every song on “Crossroads� is in 4/4 time signature, also called “common time,� and almost every verse and chorus carries the same lyrical pattern: rest, quarter note, quarter note, quarter note. On paper, that doesn’t sound like much, but in practice, it makes “Crossroads� feel monotonous at times. The good news is that a songwriter simply being aware of that problem is usually enough to fix it. One of the EP’s most commendable features is the quality that Ray and producer and multi-instrumentalist Jimm Mosher achieved at Hit Music Studios in Spencer, N.C. Every instrument on “Crossroads� has a crisp, natural sound, from the clean keys of “Zama� to the opening lead-guitar riff of the title track. It’s impressive that these songs can fit right alongside hits from bands like The Eagles and Jackson Browne, feeling classic but not aged. The presence of organs and clean guitars goes a long way toward that, as well. At the same time, it was a wise decision to have his acoustic guitar and vocals front and center, since Ray is a solo artist at heart. As far as first studio projects go, Ray’s “Crossroads� is a win overall, indicating a few areas that need attention and offering plenty of solid ground to build on. It’s like driving a vintage truck down a country road. There are some small scratches that need buffing out later and a few minor parts that could always use some tinkering, but for fans of the classics, “Crossroads� is a ride that might be worth taking. For more information or to order a copy of “Crossroads,� visit tommy-ray-music.com.

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by Jon Wiener

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Mississippians love their baseball. Ole Miss baseball (8,489) ranked No. 2 nationally in average attendance, Mississippi State University (7,897) ranked No. 5 and Southern Miss checked in at No. 18 (2,793). Tiger nation turns out. Jackson State football finished the 2014 season ranked No. 12 in average attendance (14,276) among NCAA Division I FCS programs. The SWAC was the No. 1 FCS conference in average attendance. Big hire in high school football: Starkville High School has hired legendary Mississippi coach Ricky Woods to take over its football program. Woods was the architect of the South Panola High School dynasty. Belhaven University freshman women’s tennis player Anne Marie Kimball received the NAIA AllAmerican Honorable Mention, the first All-American selection in program history. Get ready for the NBA Finals and a likely LeBron JamesStephen Curry showdown. The can’t-miss superstar show starts Thursday, June 4, on ABC. Catch the NCAA Women’s College World Series May 28June 2 on the ESPN networks. Watch five SEC teams in the field for one of the most exciting events in women’s sports. Tennis takes the major stage at Roland Garros in Paris for the French Open from now through June 7 on ESPN2 and NBC. Watch the stars on the backdrop of the famous red-clay courts. The New Orleans Saints’ Organized Training Activities (OTAs) are scheduled for May 2628, June 2-4 and June 8-11.

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le Miss baseball’s run to the College World Series semifinals last summer was a breakthrough for 14-year head coach Mike Bianco. It was his first trip to Omaha, Neb.—the annual site of the CWS—after years of coming up short in the NCAA tournament. But if last season removed the oversized monkey from Bianco’s back, this year proved his overall worth to the Ole Miss program. No one expected much of the Rebels this season. SEC coaches picked them to finish sixth out of seven in the West. That’s what happens when you lose the Ferriss Trophy winner, a Johnny Bench Award finalist, your Friday night ace, a total of six starters and eight MLB draft picks from a 46-19 club. For most college baseball programs, that’s the forecast for a sinking ship. Bianco not only kept it afloat but also steered it on a successful voyage to yet another NCAA regional port. This year marked the program’s 13th NCAA trip in 15 seasons under Bianco and was one of his best jobs at the controls. The Rebels went 30-26 against the No. 1 ranked schedule in the country, according to college sports tracker WarrenNolan. com. They finished 15-14 in the cutthroat SEC and fourth in the Western division, two spots above the coaches’ picks and one of just six teams above .500 in the league. On Monday, May 25, the NCAA selection committee rewarded the Rebels with a solid No. 2 seed in the four-team regional in Los Angeles, which No. 1 overall seed University of California, Los Angeles will host. It’s no jackpot, but it is a sizable return when you consider Bianco’s hand. Reliable starter Sam Smith was one of the few mainstays from last season who returned to Oxford; unfortunately, his stuff didn’t. Smith went 2-5 with a 6.41 ERA, forcing Bianco to mix-and-match his Sunday starter. Christian Trent pitched respectably as the ace but lost six games (7-6), compared to 9-0 a season ago. Pitching wins in baseball, and the Rebels finished 13 out of 14 in the SEC in team ERA. They didn’t hit much either

as a young lineup struggled to replace the big veteran bats of a season ago. The Rebels ranked 10th in the league in batting average and eighth in runs scored. With those numbers, it’s a wonder the team won a series, let alone two, over No. 1 ranked teams University of Florida and

championship in 2013. The Rebels just don’t have enough firepower. But the best team doesn’t always emerge from the game’s fickle fray. Look no further than Jackson State University’s shocking upset over No. 6 overall seed and regional host the University of Louisiana at JOSHUA MCCOY OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Get your baseball fix. The Mississippi Braves return to Trustmark Park for a 10-game homestand May 27 to June 5. Ole Miss baseball will make its 20th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Rebels are the No. 2 seed in the Los Angeles regional that includes No. 1 UCLA, No. 3 Maryland and No. 4 Cal-State Bakersfield. Ole Miss plays Maryland Friday, May 29, 6 p.m. on ESPN3.

This year marked Ole Miss’ 13th NCAA tournament trip in 15 seasons under Mike Bianco’s direction.

Vanderbilt University, and 15 total SEC games. The answer lies in Bianco’s consistent command. He’s the consummate baseball manager who lives by the grind. The bigger the stakes or more difficult the situation, the more he trusts in the process. That approach enabled the Rebels to scratch out enough wins week by week to stay afloat while never playing great baseball. They lost five SEC series but were never swept, and finally got hot late in the season. Ironically, that same approach is partly the reason for Bianco’s shortcomings in big postseason games. Sometimes, it takes more than method; it takes an ability to seize the moment. But it paid dividends this regular season when the Rebels could have come away with empty pockets. Can the Rebels make another postseason run? It’s not likely. They’ll have to get through a UCLA program that is firing on all cylinders again after winning the national

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Lafayette in this round last year. Bianco’s plight may be the better example. The Rebels have lost regionals with superior teams and experienced the reverse last year in beating Louisiana-Lafayette to clinch the breakthrough CWS birth. In the double-elimination four-team format of the NCAA regionals, anything can happen. There’s an element of randomness unique to baseball that rears its decisive head every year around this time. Championships are the final judgment, but getting and staying in the mix is an equal part of the ledger. Last year’s magical run bought Bianco an armored-truck worth of equity with an Ole Miss fan base, not to mention media, that had continually speculated on his contract status under the auspices of the Omaha drought. But the fact that we’re talking about the Rebels’ chances in a NCAA regional again a year later proves why the school kept paying market value for Bianco’s leadership in the first place and will do so for years to come. Jon Wiener is the host and producer of “Home Cookin’� on ESPN 105.9 FM The Zone. He has a bachelor’s degree in English and master’s degree in broadcast journalism.

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he quiet time of the NFL offseason Orleans finishes with trips to Houston, means you sometimes miss stories, Tampa Bay and Atlanta. The only other unless they concern another player potential bad weather game is an Octobeing arrested. But last week, two ber 11 trip to Philadelphia. interesting things happened: First, the NFL moved extra points from being snapped from the two-yard line to the 15yard line, and second, the New Orleans Saints cut kicker Shayne Graham. Now, extra points in the NFL will be between 32 or 33 yards, depending how the kicker lines up, instead of a 20-yard kick. Also, the extra point is a live play, meaning if the defense blocks an extra point, it can return it back to the opposite end zone for two points. The idea behind the rule change was to add some drama to the game. Extra point atThe New Orleans Saints cut kicker Shayne Graham, tempts had become which coincided with a NFL rule change regarding nearly automatic for a extra points. long time in the NFL, so if teams want to go for two points, the ball will still be at the Of course, the Saints shouldn’t have two-yard line. any problems kicking at home in the dome, The Saints deciding to part ways with and four of their road games are in domes. place kicker Graham about the same time The outdoor ones at Carolina, Philadelphia, of the rule change was a surprising move Washington and Tampa Bay add a degree of for the team. That leaves them with two difficulty for a new kicker. unproven kickers on the roster: Zach The team will need the winner of the Hocker and Dustin Hopkins. Neither has Hocker-Hopkins competition to make the kicked in a regular season game. new extra point automatic again. I have a Graham stumbled at the end of last feeling some teams will miss the playoff season, finishing two for four in field goal because of a missed extra point or two next attempts last December and made 19 out of season. Lets hope it isn’t the Saints who 22 field goal attempts over the season. Even miss the playoffs after they change from with the slump, the Saints had resigned Gra- a veteran kicker to two unknown kickers. ham as a free agent. New Orleans needs to get things right to The new kicking change should re- make the most of the last couple of chamally show up when the weather starts to pionship years still available with quarterturn bad in the later part of the season. back Drew Brees. Here’s some good news for New Orleans Saints fans, though: The team doesn’t Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports. play a potential bad weather game after a com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/ Nov. 15 trip to Washington. jfpsports. After the Washington game, New

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