Top 10
Aron Johnson
1. Swell-O-Phonic (2906 N. State St., Suite 103, 601-981-3547, chane.com) I personally patron this store for its diverse selection of shoes and graphic tees. 2. The Bean (2914 N. State St., 769-5725752, facebook.com/thebeanjxn) This shop serves great coffee in a neat and historic building. 3. OffBeat (151 Wesley Ave., 601-3769404, offbeatjxn.com) OffBeat is an excellent place for local art pieces and vinyl records.
4. The Game Store (Flowood Antique Flea Market, 1325 Flowood Drive, Flowood, 601-953-5914, flowoodantiquefleamarket. com) The vendor likely has the largest selection of classic consoles and video games in the metro area, that I’ve seen anyway. 5. Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) I have frequented this pub for the food, beer and weekly open mic many a time. 6. Ole Tavern (416 George St., 601-9602700, oletavern.com) Ole Tavern is always
my suggestion when asked for the best club in the area. 7. The Warp Zone (393 Crossgates Blvd., Suite C, Brandon; 601-706-4764; facebook.com/TheWarpZoneArcade) The owner is a true lover of video games, and the arcade has a tasteful gaming selection. 8. Cerami’s Italian Restaurant (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I, Flowood; 601-9192829; ceramisitalian.com) From my experience, Cerami’s has some of the best and most authentic Italian food in the area.
9. The Jungle Exotic Pets (1998 Highway 49, Florence, 601-933-0299, facebook. com) This pet store possesses an impressive assortment of exotic pets and a staff with the expertise to help customers with specific questions.
10. Sal and Mookie’s (565 Taylor St., 601368-1919, salandmookies.com) In addition to a great atmosphere, Sal and Mookie’s creates my favorite pizza in the metro.
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Guild of Mississippi (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland). The organization promoting Mississippi’s artisans and craftspeople presents an exhibit of handmade quilts. Free event; call 601-856-7546; email tomeka@mscrafts.org; find it on Facebook.
CREATIVE CLASSES Winter Wonder Snow Family Jan. 7, 6-8 p.m., at The Stompin Grounds (310 Airport Road, Pearl). The Pearl arts and crafts business offers the class teaching participants to make a “family” of three snowmen for display on porch or hearth. All materials included in class fee. $35 fee; call 601-487-8081; email thestompingrounds@ yahoo.com; find it on Facebook. DIY Doormat Class Jan. 9, 1-3 p.m., at The Stompin Grounds (310 Airport Road, Pearl). The local crafts market offers the class teaching participants to design and create their own custom 24-by-16-inch doormat. Different fonts, colors, and sayings are available from which to choose. All supplies included in class fee. $45 fee; call 601-487-8081; email thestompingrounds@ yahoo.com; find it on Facebook. Blythe Doll Customization Panel Jan. 12, 8-9 a.m., at Blythe Doll House (3630 Saint Clair St.). The monthly creativity workshop allows attendees to learn how to customize Blythe dolls, which are known for their wide eyes and capacity for personalization. The group shares information with each other and guests regarding topics such as sewing doll clothes, photographing unique dolls and more. Free
admission; call 662-598-8115; email info@ thisisblythe.com; thisisblythe.com. Seasonal Vintage Trucks Jan. 12, Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-noon, at Twin Oaks Crafts (745 Highway 49 S., Richland). The Richland arts and crafts store hosts the class teaching participants to make a beginner’s level seasonal home décor piece. Led by instructor Lawana Ainsworth. Reservations required. $25 class fee, $20 kit fee; call 769-572-5253; email twinoakscrafts20@ gmail.com; find it on Facebook. Textured Angel Wings Painting Class Jan. 12, 6-8 p.m., at The Stompin Grounds (310 Airport Road, Pearl). The Pearl arts and crafts business offers the class teaching participants to paint a set of textured angel wings. The class is led by instructor Jamie Thompson. Registration fee includes all supplies. $35; call 601-487-80 Furniture Painting 101 Jan. 14, 6-8 p.m., at The Stompin Grounds (310 Airport Road, Pearl). The Pearl arts and crafts business hosts the class teaching participants to paint their own furniture. Participants learn surface prep, techniques for distressing furniture, wax finish application, and more. All supplies are provided. $30 class fee; call 601-487-8081; email thestompingrounds@yahoo.com; find it on Facebook.
PROFESSIONAL & BIZ Graphic Design: Yes, You Canva 1 Jan. 7, 10-11:30 a.m., Virtual (alliancems.org). The nonprofit organization hosts the introduction to the free online program Canva. Participants
learn the basics of the program’s interface, as well as how to create simple, balanced graphic design for use in digital and print materials. No experience necessary. Free online event; call 601-968-0061; email connect@alliancems.org; find it on Facebook. Accredited Event Designer Workshop Jan. 18, 4 p.m., at Embassy Suites Jackson - North/ Ridgeland (200 Township Place, Ridgeland). The IWED offers the four-day workshop teaches participants to professionally design and execute weddings and other events. $2,995 for four-day workshop, $2,795 if paying in full; call 800-504-7615; email info@iwedglobal.com; find it on Facebook.
BE THE CHANGE The Lost Cajun Blood Drive Jan. 8, 11 a.m., at The Lost Cajun (6745 S. Siwell Road, Byram). The Byram restaurant hosts the blood drive. Participants receive free beignets or fried pickles after donating. Free event; call 769-257-6644; find it on Facebook. Clean Up Day Jan. 9, 8 a.m.-noon, at Buddy Butts Park (6180 N. McRaven Road, Clinton). Members of the Friends of Mississippi River Basin Model organization gather monthly at the site of the full-scale model of the Mississippi River to clean up the area and keep the model from falling into further disrepair. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn equipment such as mowers, chainsaws, weed eaters and brooms. Volunteers of all ages welcome—jobs available
for everyone. FMRBM provides gloves and water. Free to volunteer; email friendsofmrbm@ gmail.com; find it on Facebook. YMCA Polar Bear Plunge: Freeze for the Feed Jan. 9, 10 a.m., at Reservoir YMCA (6023 Lakeshore Park, Flowood). The local organization of YMCAs hosts the fundraiser supporting their programs that provide children facing food insecurity with healthy meals and snacks. Participants take the plunge into the Reservoir YMCA pool. A no-jump option is available for an additional $10 fee. $25 registration fee, $10 addition fee for no-jump option.; call 601-3264713; email reservoiryexec@metroymcams.org; find it on Facebook. Transplant Education Class for Potential Live Donors Jan. 13, 7 p.m., Virtual (WebEx). University Transplant offers the donor education class for persons interested in becoming a live transplant donor. Those interested dial 1-415655-0001 to join the meeting. Meeting number (access code) is 177 286 7591, meeting password is pCVxXB72hA6. Free; call 601-984-5065; find it on Facebook.
January 6 - 19, 2021 • jfp.ms
EVENTS
Aron Johnson has lived in the Jackson metro for the last 18 years. As someone who enjoys sampling unique food establishments and attending art-centric events, he is happy to see that Jackson has no shortages of either option and that those areas seem to be continually growing in the city through the years.
courtesy Swell-O-Phonic; Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash; Acacia Clark; courtesy The Game Store; courtesy Fenians Pub; courtesy Ole Tarvern; courtesy Warp Zone; courtesy Cerami’s Italian Restaurant; courtesy The Jungle Exotic Pets; file photo
LOCAL LIST
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. 17
