Jackson Free Press Volume 19 Issue 17 by Jackson Free Press Magazine

JAC K S O N

VOL 19 NO. 17 // JUNE 30 - AUGUST 3, 2021 // SUBSCRIBE FREE FOR BREAKING NEWS AT JFPDAILY.COM

FREE PRESS MAGAZINE REPORTING TRUTH TO POWER IN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 2002

‘Infrastructure as Service,’ Solution to Jackson Water Billing Problems?

Summer Food, Fun & Travel pp 18 - 20, 26

Crown, pp 6-8

Best of Jackson: Home Services 2021 Hathorn, pp 12-14

FREE CELEBRATING 18 YEARS OF THE JFP

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JACKSONIAN

contents

of the month

June 30 - August 3, 2021 Vol. 19 No. 17

Laura Lillard

ON THE COVER Roche Jefferson Photo by Shaye Smith

4 Publisher’s Note 6 Talks 10 Opinion 12 BOJ Home Services 18 Summer food

22 D.O.N.O. Vegas

courtesy Laura Lillard

Music artist Kevin McGhee relays his journey as a Mississippi-born musician and prepares for new album.

“I feel like it’s a way to give back and beautify the neighborhoods in Jackson,” Lillard says. “It just makes me feel good to be able to do that.” Beyond gardening, Lillard’s volunteer work extends further into nature through her volunteer work with another group, the Mississippi Master Naturalists, with whom she has spent the last three years studying the patterns of wildlife captured on trail cameras in collaboration with the Lincoln Zoo in Chicago. After Lillard analyzes the film, she passes the information along to the zoo to be part of national data about the impact of humans on wildlife. “This is important to me because, as a lifelong environmentalist, I want to do whatever I can to ensure that the earth continues to be healthy,” Lillard says. “On a neighborhood level, I want to do what I can to beautify the neighborhood and experience nature.” Lillard hopes that her work will help her community become more environmentally cautious, tend their yards, and develop a stronger interest in planting flowers and trees. “It helps all of us,” Lillard says. “It helps the quality of the air we breathe, and it helps the way the neighborhoods look.” —Olivia Mars

A group of tutors endeavors to teach English as a second language to students both domestic and abroad.

24 Progress

26 Magnolia Brews Anyone considering a beersampling roadtrip need look no further for a place to start to learn of Mississippi’s craft-beer offerings.

28 best bets 30 Puzzle 30 Sorensen 31 astro 31 Classifieds

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f you spot a cereus flower in your neighborhood, chances are that Laura Lillard has been there. This night-blooming succulent has since become a favorite of Lillard’s after she developed a passion toward gardening following her move to Mississippi at 10 years old. Her grandmother lived nearby, and Lillard quickly inherited her green thumb as they spent time tending plants together. “She’s the one who would have me come over and help her with her flowers and plants,” Lillard says. “That’s where I first developed an interest, while growing up in Vicksburg.” Lillard went on to earn a political-science degree in 1979 from Millsaps College, but her love of gardening never left her even as she started her career in human resources. She remained in Jackson and, after retiring, decided she had the time to pursue her lifelong interest. She began volunteering 11 years ago to share her knowledge with her neighbors. “I love the outdoors, wildlife, and plants—anything to do with the outdoors,” Lillard says. “Gardening helps me feel like I can give back to the community,” She started her volunteer work with the Metro Master Gardeners, for whom she helps run the group’s annual plant sale. The planning starts six months prior to the event when Lillard and her fellow master gardeners begin to propagate plants to later sell.

23 Beyond English

publisher’s note

by Todd Stauffer, Publisher

ere at the midpoint of 2021, I feel hopeful. Yes, I wish more people would get vaccinated against COVID-19—and, yes, there’s a disturbing variant that could affect the unvaccinated and their loved ones harshly. But things are opening up for those of us who have been vaccinated—and I’m excited. Donna Ladd and I have been driving all around the state throughout the pandemic. We’ve seen more of the Magnolia State in the past year than we’d seen in the previous 20 years. I’ll be honest—a lot of this state is in shambles. It’s striking to see the poverty all along the highways and in the crumbling downtowns and town centers. The rings of suburban prosperity around those towns—out near the newest WallyWorlds and “upscale” Dollar General Markets—are often right around the corner from where the defiant, low-slung,

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Taking down the flag and statues is table stakes.

aluminum-clad segregation academies squat in every county we’ve visited. Here on the first anniversary of the old flag coming down, driving Mississippi reminds you of all of the integration work that white Mississippians have yet even to attempt. Taking down the flag and statues is just table stakes. But, the trips have been cathartic and educational for us, and a good way to get out of pandemic shelter at the house and home offices. Now, we’re even talking about travel outside the state again. As you’ll see in this issue, there’s finally a lot to do inside and outside of Jackson again. In our calendar, you’ll see more concerts, events, museums, and other venues opening up and welcoming us in. And—spoiler alert!—this month, we’re rolling out an all-new events calendar at J JPEvents.com as we gear up toward postpandemic R&R in the Jackson metro. If you’re looking to take a trip yourself—but closer to home—Nate Schumann offers a Mississippi Breweries roundup this issue looking at all the fine beer you can sample here in the Magnolia State. This issue also offers our Best of Jackson 2021 Household Services winners, allowing you to celebrate and learn more

about the folks who help us with construction, roofing, HVAC, cleaning and so much more here in the Jackson metro. As we’re allowing more folks into our homes again, you can call up some of the best that Jackson has to offer and sign them up for a little home improvement! Speaking of awards, this month marks the nomination ballot for Best of Jackson’s Lawyers and Law Firms for 2021. Visit vote.bestofjackson.com now to nominate your favorite lawyers and law firms in a variety of categories. Those who get the most nominations will move on to the Finalist ballot next month, so let the campaigning begin now! And still speaking of awards, June was a great month for the Jackson Free Press, as our staff’s work in 2020 won five awards in the Diamond Awards (Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists, covering six contiguous states). The staff also got six nods in the Green Eyeshade Awards, covering 11 states in the southeastern U.S. Nick Judin, now a state reporter for the Mississippi Free Press, won first place in four different categories in the Green Eyeshade Awards, including the Public Service in Non-Daily Journalism award for his body of work on the pandemic in Mississippi. He also won for Feature Writing, Politics and Disaster Coverage. In the Diamond Awards, Nick won second place for non-daily Breaking News and Ongoing Coverage, both for his COVID-19 work. City Reporter Kayode Crown won first place for his explanatory reporting (non-daily) on the science and perils of road paving here in the Diamond Awards and third place in Outstanding New Journalist, an honor that the SPJ awards across all sizes and types of media.

tatiana rodriguez on unsplash

On Hope, Travel and Award-Winning Journalism Teams

Drinking cold craft beers across Mississippi is one way to get out again.

“The amount of detail Kayode Crown puts into his stories is impressive,” the Diamond Award judges wrote. “That exemplifies a passion for reporting and writing that easily connects with readers. Plus, there’s always context provided about what impact a story has on the community. These important traits are evident now and will be well-used in the future.” He also won second place in Courts & the Law Reporting (non-daily) for his work on policing mental health and public safety. Founding Editor Donna Ladd won first place for Commentary (print and online) in the Diamond Award and first place in the Green Eyeshades for Serious Commentary (non-daily) for her Editor’s Notes on Covid leadership and facing racism. Meanwhile, former JFP staffers at the Mississippi Free Press (the nonprofit news outlet Donna and Kimberly Griffin started in March 2020) did so well in the Diamond Awards that the press release opened

contributors

Taylor McKay Hathorn Taylor McKay Hathorn, an alumna of Mississippi College’s English program, enjoys binging TV shows, watching the sun set over the Mississippi River and tweeting her opinions @_youaremore_. She wrote features for the Best of Jackson package.

Kayode Crown

Dustin Cardon

City Reporter Kayode Crown recently came to Mississippi from Nigeria where he earned a post-graduate diploma in Journalism and was a journalist for 10 years. He likes rock music and has fallen in love with the beautiful landscapes in Jackson. He wrote the talk on water billing.

Web Editor Dustin Cardon is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. He enjoys reading fantasy novels and wants to write them himself one day. He wrote the business and progress roundups.

up with them as the biggest winner. The MFP team won the Robert S. McCord Freedom of Information Award for their work on the University of Mississippi email series, and Ashton Pittman won Diamond Journalist of the Year. Former JFP writer Aliyah Veal won first place in the Arts & Culture Writing and Health, Science and Environment Writing and third place in Business Writing, all in the print/online division. In the Green Eyeshades, she won first place for Business Writing online. The MFP team won first place in public service for their statewide voting-access project. In all, it’s 11 nods for the Jackson Free Press and 18 for the Mississippi Free Press across both contests. Congrats to all the winners, including others in Mississippi and throughout the Southeast. We’re proud of the entire team holding down the fort at the Jackson Free Press as Donna has shifted to the MFP, from Managing Editor Nate Schumann to Art Director Zilpha Young; Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin (now part-time here) to Online Editor Dustin Cardon; Reporting Fellow Julian Mills to Distribution Coordinator Ken Steere. And a special shoutout to Editorial Assistant Shaye Smith, who has been heavily involved in the aforementioned calendar revamp, and Content Specialist Amber Cliett, who does excellent work for our JFP Digital Services clients in social media and online. Be safe, first and foremost, but if you’re vaxxed up, July should prove to be a fantastic time for reconnecting with one another and the world. See you out there! Email Publisher Todd Stauffer at todd@jacksonfreepress.com.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Requirements Are you an early childhood educator who wants to help children get the best possible start in school and life? Hinds County Human Resource Agency has exciting career opportunities for teachers to provide a quality education to children in a safe, nurturing, fun and engaging environment. Youmust have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field and pass all background checks.

Become a Head Start TEACHER!

•Small classsizes •Every classroom has a teacher assistant •Strong parent participation •Excellent insurance benefits •Opportunities to gain certifications •Reimbursement for college courses and advanced degrees •Competitive pay

Teachers Are Also Family Teacherstake part in sit-down family-style meals with their students. During mealtime, they discuss the foods they eat and talk about the events of the day to encourage the development of social and emotional skills.

Apply at hchra.jobs.net

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Why Head Start?

news,

storytelling & re, ir tu

cu l

TALK JXN

“I predict that once we finally get this done, and it’s working properly, that there will be research papers done on this because I think that this is going to be a model that other cities can use as well.” —Virgi Lindsayon the concept of public-private partnership to resolve the water billing problem in the city.

@jxnfreepress

@jacksonfreepress

@jxnfreepress

ce eren rev

Rescuing Human Trafficking Victims in Mississippi by Kayode Crown

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

kayode crown

hat started as an Instagram connection ended with one human-trafficking survivor becoming hooked on drugs and a victim of sex trafficking. The unnamed woman was the first to share her story in a video released by the Pearl-based nonprofit Mississippi Center for Violence Prevention when it announced a doubling of its accommodation space for humantrafficking survivors and their children on Thursday, June 24. “I met a guy. I met him on Instagram, and we talked for a little bit. He made me believe that he was going to take care of me, that he cared that we were going to be OK. I got hooked on drugs. He would crush it up, and he would put it in orange juice and tequila and give it to me. And I would go to the track (an area of town known for prostitution activity), and I would work all night,” the survivor shared in the YouTube Video posted in February 2020, which also included two other survivors sharing their stories after receiving help from The Tower. “The ladies themselves wanted to share their story and image, but not their names at this time,” Center for Violence Prevention Executive Associate Rebekah Olson told the Jackson Free Press in a statement on Monday, June 28. Executive Director Sandy Middleton explained at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, held Thursday, in Pearl City Hall, that meeting potential traffickers on social media is common. It was a virtual event to keep the location of The Tower private. “Because so many of our kids spend all their time on their telephones, (they) are connected to them all the time, and so they make themselves a big target for traffickers,” Middleton said. “A victim may look like a 15- or 16-year-old girl who posts one time on Facebook that she’s mad at her mama and hates her mama. And somebody may be right there to say, ‘come, go to a party.’ And that may be step one to recruiting her into trafficking.” Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and House of Representatives

Mississippi Center for Violence Prevention Executive Director Sandy Middleton addressed the press at the end of the virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony of the expansion of The Tower facility to house victims of sex trafficking in Mississippi.

Speaker Philip Gunn gave speeches at the event, and both urged continued support for the program. “Everyone has stepped up to make a difference for these individuals,” Fitch said. “We do want to be the state that says, ‘you’re not coming in for human trafficking

here, we’re not going to allow it.’” “And they are victims, and you know, many times they don’t know. They’ve been so brainwashed; the power has overcome them, (and) they don’t know they can walk out of those hotel rooms,” the attorney general continued. “They don’t know that

they can trust our law enforcement because they think, ‘oh, it’s just another one of those arrest warrants.’ They don’t understand that we’re there to love them, support them and empower them.” “(The Tower) gives them the skill sets, the preparation to go back into

Public Pool Summer Schedule

he City of Jackson recently announced the reopening of public swimming pools. The pools will be open on a rotating schedule from 2 p.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Due to a limited number of lifeguards, the city will have a different pool open each day through July 30. Admission is $2 for children age 17 and under and $3 for visitors age 18 and above. As the city is able to hire more lifeguards, it will add additional days to the schedule, a release from the city says. Certified lifeguards or those interested in getting certification and working with the City of Jackson this summer can call Deputy Director Abram Muhammad at 601-960-0716. The pool schedule is subject to change. Visit the City of Jackson website, jacksonms.gov for the most current schedule.

The current schedule is printed below. Kingston Frazier Memorial Splash Pad (Presidential Hills Park II, 3971 N. Flag Chapel Road): Monday-Friday, 2-5p.m.; Saturday 1-5 p.m. VA Legion Pool (4500 Officer Thomas Catchings Drive): Monday-Saturday, 2-5 p.m McDowell Pool (2855 Oak Forest): Saturday, 2-5 p.m. New Horizon Ministries on Terry Road and Soul City Church on Mill Street will also offer pool services, but they will provide their own respective pool schedules.

human trafficking kayode crown

Mississippi House of Representatives Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, discussed the issue of human and sexual trafficking at a Center for Violence Prevention event in Pearl, Miss. The center is increasing space where survivors can get help.

‘I Didn’t Really Think I Was a Victim’ The first unnamed victim in the YouTube video said that she did not initially recognize that she was being used. “I didn’t really think that I was a victim because I felt like I chose him, and I chose to be with him. I didn’t think I was a victim until I wanted to leave, and he beat me up to where I just promised that I wouldn’t leave,” she shared. The woman explained that she eventually escaped from her trafficker in Texas and went to a Gulfport, Miss., shelter, where she came in contact with The Tower, where victims can stay for up to two years and benefit from different programs and therapies, including working with horses, yoga, individual therapy, dealing with addiction and helping reunite with a safe family environment. Middleton explained that The Tower helped more than 150 victims in the past calendar year. “It’s not a cookie-cutter approach; every person that we encounter has different needs. And so sometimes they need a little, and then they’re recovered, and they’re ready to go back to live their lives,” she told the Jackson Free Press. “Or they’ve been suffering from complex trauma, and they need a lot, in which case they may stay with us for two years.” Signs of Human Trafficking Fitch said the signs to look for in those trafficked include avoiding social interaction. “We’ve rescued 20 victims just across Mississippi in the last few weeks,” she said. “Many times, you see these vic-

tims, maybe it is in a convenience store or in a nail salon, and they’re being held by the arm, they don’t make contact with you; they look down; they know that they cannot have any cell phone or any type of communication. “Many times, they’re dirty; they’re just being moved from car to car,” the attorney general added. “So when you see victims and young girls, and they won’t make eye contact, they look like they are uncomfortable, we take that tip a hundred times over because that might save that young girl’s life.” “We don’t always win all the time. Some of them go right back because it is such tremendous brainwashing. It is heartwrenching to see them go back, but we’re going to keep going after maybe we get them to stay, but the majority of them are so thrilled to be back with their families, their loved ones, and to get to start over; it’s a new chance,” Fitch added. Middleton said that people should use the human trafficking hotline 888373-7888 to report suspected incidents of sex trafficking. “And there are law enforcement officers and actually our own staff who receive tips that come in from the National Human Trafficking Hotline,” she said. The executive director said human trafficking is very lucrative. “[I]n order to traffic drugs, and guns, you always have to have a new supply, but in order to traffic people, you can use that same little girl and sell her 10, 15, 20 times a night. And obviously, you don’t have to go get another person.” “And so, because it’s so lucrative, that’s one of the reasons that it’s such a growing problem around the country and around

Solutions for Trafficking Speaker Gunn urged participants at the program to continue efforts to combat human trafficking and support survivors. “The reality is that human trafficking still exists. We don’t need to rest, ladies and gentlemen; we need to recognize it’s still happening. It’s still happening in this town, it’s happening in towns all around the state of Mississippi, and we don’t need to stop,” Gunn said. The House speaker explained that the passage of HB 571, in 2019 and HB 1559 in 2020 helped to strengthen support for victims of human trafficking. “’These two pieces of legislation (we) think are transforming the landscape and the human trafficking here in Mississippi,” he said. Center for Violence Prevention Board President Mike Byers explained in a video presentation at the Thursday ceremony that the center helped draft those bills that provide for law enforcement training to identify and assist victims and form rapid-assessment teams to respond to child victims. He said that The Tower is the only shelter for victims of human trafficking in Mississippi. “[It] not only provides a safe physical location for these individuals, but also a comprehensive program of trauma-informed therapy, behavioral health services, educational life skills and vocational training,” Byers said. “And all of this is done with the intent that these individuals will successfully re-enter society and live a normal life. This new shelter is the centerpiece of this program because unless the victim is physically safe from their traffickers, they cannot take the other steps necessary on their road to recovery from complex trauma and exploitation.” In a June 22 statement, the Center said it facilitates Certified Advocates who respond statewide to help suspected human-trafficking victims. “The Tower Rapid Response Team responds in person across the state to law enforcement, hospital, and medical personnel, shelter, courts, and other safe locations to screen individuals and screen victims with immediate services,” the statement said. “Adult victims have the opportunity to consider The Tower and other specialized programs throughout the country.” Some Family Members Traffick Own Children Fitch and Middleton drew atten-

tion to the big role family members play in human trafficking and that it is not just a cross-border problem. “Half of those traffic victims are done so by family members,” Fitch said. “And we all know how alarming it is for a family to traffic their own children.” Middleton said some of the sex trafficking by family members is due to drug addiction. “We do see a lot of what we call familial human trafficking, where maybe, the mother is a drug addict, and so she doesn’t have any money, and so she’s got a 15-year-old daughter, and so she’ll trade sex with her daughter for drugs, and that’s trafficking. So we see a lot of that,” Middleton explained. “Then, there are also situations where there are economic issues where maybe kayode crown

society, new jobs, new areas, and that’s key.”

the world,” Middleton added.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch described the signs that can indicate someone is being trafficked.

mom can’t pay the bills. We’ve seen cases where daughters were forced to go have sex with different people in the neighborhood or whatever, so they could pay their light bills and keep the heat out.” Another of the women in the YouTube video lent credence to this by relating the story of what she went through at the hands of her father. “My dad, when he needed to pay the bills, he would send me to a friend of his, and then things would go on, and our light bill would be paid, or there’d be groceries. At 6 months old was the first time (this happened). And they finally removed me from the home at 11,” she said. Email story tips to city/county reporter Kayode Crown at kayode@jacksonfreepress. com. You can follow him on Twitter at @kayodecrown.

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TALK JXN

infrastructure

A New Model to Solve Water Billing Problem? by Kayode Crown

“This case involves a massive fraud orchestrated by Siemens under the guise of an energy performance contract promising $120 million in guaranteed savings for the City,” the City’s 2019 lawsuit alleged. “More than half of the 60,000 water meters were installed incorrectly, causing delays in the project and chronic, ongoing problems with accurately measuring and billing for water usage by the City’s customers.” “The billing system has caused many customers to receive inexplicably high bills that do not reflect their actual water usage,” it added. “In other instances, customers may receive no bill based on months of

have faith that when they get a bill, that it’s the correct bill.” Leaving Siemens Behind The City now is seeking to put the Siemens morass behind it. Sustainability Partners Inc. will finance the procurement and set up hardware to run the new metering system as an infrastructure-as-a- service model. There are 62,000 meters overall; 4,400 are commercial and the rest residential. The City will change all of them. After the rollout, rather than shelling out millions of dollars upfront, considering what happened with the Siemens contract, city of jackson

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epartment of Public Works Deputy Director Carla Dazet gave an abysmal picture of the state of water billing in the capital city at the May 20, 2021, Jackson City Council Meeting. “We don’t know if people are getting water and don’t have an account,” she said. “The (billing) tools don’t work right now. They just really don’t; it doesn’t work. We can’t truly see what’s going on in the field with the software because the exchange files don’t work. They don’t reflect.” “Sometimes it’ll send data, and sometimes it won’t,” she added of the billing system. “We’ve recently discovered we might get one day’s worth of data in an entire month.” Dazet said the plan to fix the problem includes a comprehensive investigation of all properties in Jackson. Former Public Works Director Robert Miller recruited Dazet from Waggoner Engineering in October 2018 where she was in charge of government relations, marketing and business development. “Mr. Miller asked me if I would come over and help him review some processes and take a look at what was failing over here, if I could help out,” Dazet told the Jackson Free Press in her office on June 15. “Honestly, what made me come is interest in helping the system itself in general. I wanted to pitch in and see what I could do to fix the situation with the city.” As it stands, the water and sewer administration makes enough money to maintain itself but generates nothing extra to provide resources to upgrade the system. Dazet said she hopes that the various improvements in the system will reverse this trend. “The system itself is going to get a steady flow of operating money,” she said in anticipation. “We (in the water-sewer business administration division) operate, and we pay for our expenses, but (Public Works Director) Charles Williams has no money to go do any improvements. And so then he’s battling the elements without any ability to do what he needs to do.” ‘A Complicated Problem’ The City of Jackson is looking forward to October 2022 to get a new water-billing system running for everyone to hopefully lay the ghost of the botched Siemens billing system to rest. The Siemens contract resulted in an unprecedented loss of revenue to the tune of $20 million yearly.

Jackson Public Works Department Deputy Director Carla Dazet told the Jackson Free Press on June 15, 2021, that replacing the city’s water meters will start with a pilot to see how it works.

purported water usage.” Siemens denied wrongdoing and settled the case in 2020. In a city council meeting in November, Chief of Staff Safiya Omari elaborated on the problem, calling it “a very complex system of issues that we’ve had to address “It was meter installation, meters installed improperly; it was software that was designed specifically for Jackson that we had no backup for, it was at the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system, whether the technology stuff on the top of the meter is actually being read by other pieces that need to read it and then transfer it to the billing system,” Omari said. “It’s a complicated problem.” She said the solution is in phases, first moving the data to the cloud from onsite servers and, second, getting the commercial meter. The third phase will focus on the residential meters “so that our residents can

the City will pay $5.51 per meter monthly. Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said at a special city council meeting on May 20 that the charge will not increase residents’ costs. “There’s a $7 charge that is presently added to almost all of our residents’ (bills), and almost all of our residents get hit with that amount,” the mayor said. Eliminating that charge, he said, would ensure that residents will gain about $2. Sustainability Partners’ Jason Hewitt mentioned the cost-saving feature of his proposed system. “We do believe that there will be an increase in revenue for the City,” he said. “In putting the system in place, over a period of 25 years, adjusted for inflation, you’re talking about approximately $375 million in recovered revenue that the City is going to enjoy moving forward.” Hewitt said his company is putting up the capital for installing the new meters and is responsible for keeping it operational.

He explained that the City will not pay the “rent” for any meter that is not functioning. When all meters are installed and operating, the City will pay an average of $421,803 monthly, according to documents Hewitt presented to the city council that day. “We pay per month for the meter instead of owning the meter,” Dazet of the City said on June 15. “They’re going to pay for and also maintain them.” She explained that the installation will begin with a pilot program. “If the mayor says he doesn’t like it, it doesn’t work. We’re not going to go with that plan.” ‘This Is a Big Deal’ The new meters will cost about $19 million overall, the installation is about $8.6 million, and software implementation is $6,998,000, totaling $36,767,008. But the City will ultimately not pay a penny from its pocket in the infrastructure-asa-service model. It is a far cry from the $90 million the City paid for the Siemens contract that ended up as a court case. “This is a turnkey solution. There are many partners and vendors involved in it, and we’ve basically distilled all of those costs into a per-meter, per-month price so that it’s easy to understand and easy to track,” Hewitt said. The eventual cost includes the Oracle software upgrades contracted to Mystic s, project management, training for the billing department. “When items break and fail, which they will, Sustainability Partners and its contractors will change out those items, will fix those items, and there are no additional costs to the City,” Hewitt explained in May. The City will get the Kamstrup water meter, Hewitt said. Utility Metering Solutions will do the installation. “So you’re going from something that has many points of failure to a single contained device. It also offers acoustic leak detection, which is actually on the distribution side. So it will provide the ability to pinpoint leaks in order for the City to address those before they become bursts,” Hewitt told the city council. “But if you look at it moving forward, we’re predicting October 2022, that date, or hopefully prior, we will have replaced the system in its entirety.” “So you got ineffective meters that aren’t measuring the water that goes through, and then you will also have distribution leaks that are in place in which it’s just leaking into the ground,” he

INFRASTRUCTURE

‘Service As Infrastructure’ Hewitt listed the benefits of his firm’s provision of the meters to the City as service. They include “annual calibration, annual testing of meters, making sure the system functions and meets the city’s needs, and that it’s based on some of the best, if not the best technology available to the City in the world,” he said. “There is no markup by Sustainability Partners on the products and services.” “When items break and fail, which they will, Sustainability Partners and its contractors will change out those items, will fix those items, and there’s no additional cost to the city.” WaterWorld.com reported that Advanced Metering Infrastructure is steps above an AMR—automatic meter reading—system, which is an improvement over manual meter reading. “Prior to the introduction of automatic meter reading, water utilities had to do everything by hand,” it said. “With AMR came the opportunity to utilize technology to reduce costs and improve productivity.” Advanced Metering Infrastructure is even more innovative and offers more operational efficiency. AMI reads meters in real-time, rather than monthly with AMR, and will detect leaks faster when the available information indicates that water usage has been suspiciously continuous for one or more hours at a facility. AMI also enables fast detection of system leaks rather than waiting for pipes to burst. In addition, advances in the AMI system means customers will be able to monitor their usage online. “An AMI network also offers the potential to go beyond metering, putting additional sensors into the network, such

as distribution leak sensors, some remote shut-offs, and some pressure and water quality sensors,” Waterworld.com said in the 2016 article. Digital Self-Service Ahead Carla Dazet explained on June 15 that the ability to detect leaks on time will prevent the development of potholes on the street. “If you can detect leaks under streets, you can prevent potholes. If this leak-detection system does work, we will be proactive in finding these voids before they become big sinkholes in the middle of the road, because you’ll hear it.” “And one thing that we’re doing in this new software exchange is we’re creating a digital self-service platform, so customers will be able to start their own service, stop service, move service, credit card, pay online all from like an iPad or their cell phone,” Dazet continued. “What this does is gives the customer the opportunity to take ownership of a lot of the problems that we have here with data, and they can manage their account and have more confidence that what we send out will be correct.” The strategy will also come with the ability to put oneself on a payment plan and even move service between houses. Dazet said in the June 15 interview that the City will introduce water billing digital self-service in August. “So you will have digital alerts, emails, texts, so you could sign up. So if your water spikes, you can get a text message, or if you miss your bill, it’ll text you,” she said. But, Questions Remain A portfolio manager with a multibillion dollar water and energy technology company, who preferred to be unnamed because he is speaking in his individual capacity, said the City needs to get more specifics from Sustainability Partners about its guarantees for the project. “If I’m really pitching something like infrastructure as a service or meter as a service, what that really should mean is that the hardware is a small portion of what I’m doing; the data management is a large portion of what I’m doing,” he said by phone on Friday, June 25. “So if you take it simply like, OK, I’m going to provide computers as a service from Hewlett-Packard (technology company), the value comes in the software and what you get from that software, not just hardware. The hardware is a means to an end.” He posited that Sustainability Partners should explain what it will do to help the City better understand its water distribution system to make better decisions.

“Besides paying for the meter, what are the outcomes I should expect from that meter? … Do I get better leak analysis? Do I get a better understanding of pressure in the system? Where is that knowledge; who is that knowledge then disseminated to? Or are you just saying I can give it to ‘Sally’ at the water departDELRICO HARRIS

added. “The other problem with that is you don’t know where those leaks are, right until there’s a burst and a pool of water. So this system really will address those types of things as well and enable the City to pinpoint and identify where leaks are before they turn into bursts.” Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay at the meeting said she had studied such a public-private partnership program and is excited that the City is executing such a program. “This is an important day, and this is a big deal. And I am very excited that we are at this point. And I’m grateful that we’re going to have a way now to measure and pay attention to these leaks,” she said. “I predict that once we finally get this done and it’s working properly, that there will be research papers done on this because I think that this is going to be a model that other cities can use as well.”

Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay says she is impressed with the concept of public-private partnership to resolve the water billing problem.

ment who really may not know what to do with them?” he explained further. The portfolio manager leaned on the issue of staffing. “Who is actually going to really manage the network (and) who is going to deliver the data coming out as a service?” he asked. “Who is going to deliver that in a way that we either, whether it’s municipality or council, can actually make decisions based on that data.” Dazet said that the problem of staff ability was an Achilles heel of Jackson’s doomed Siemens contract. “You have a lot of the ladies here that used to run the legacy system; when they gave them the new Siemens system, they didn’t have any process changes. They use paper; they still did everything the old way,” Dazet said in the June 15 interview. “So what we’re doing is we’re taking the new system, and we’re going to design a reworked organization around the new system with the staff, and whoever can do it can do it. And whoever can’t, we’ll have to, you know, find some people that understand the technology and can read it.” Importance of Leak Sensors The portfolio manager also questioned Hewitt’s assertion that the meter “offers acoustic leak detection,” wondering if they are going to provide such a system in the package or “are they just putting meters?” “There are acoustic leak detectors, and those are put in between every three to four

houses to figure out if there is a leak (in the area); you look at that and say, OK, I can isolate a leak,” he said. “(But) saying I offer leak detection that can be integrated into my meter does not necessarily mean I’m putting a leak detection system in.” The Jackson Free Press reported in February about 61-year-old Barbara Tadley, a businesswoman forced out of town because her hotel facility ran up enormous bills after the installation of the Siemens meter. Government officials told her the hotel was leaking water, but repeated examination revealed no such thing. She left town with nearly $200,000 in unpaid water bills, saying she planned to file for bankruptcy. “So that’s why when you don’t have things like leak detectors, what are you getting for data?” the marketing executive added in the June 25 interview. “You’re getting for data that the meter was perhaps not reading the amount of the bill, but you’re not getting any data that (will help) you learn anything about your distribution system.” He explained that it’s like getting an alarm system in the house that covers the doors. “That same system can accommodate window sensors,” he added, “But that doesn’t mean that you bought the packet that says we’re going to put window sensors around 24 windows in your house.” “It (just) means that if you want to do it, you can do it,” he added. “Without a leak sensor, you’re getting data and (wondering), ‘hey, is this accurately reading your bill or my bill?’” Email story tips to city/county reporter Kayode Crown at kayode@jacksonfreepress. com. You can follow him on Twitter at @kayodecrown. MOST VIRAL STORIES AT JFP.MS: 1. “Violence in the City: Victims’ Families Seek Closure, Police Respect” by Kayode Crown 2. “Mother Died in Madison County Jail After Pot Arrest, Family Sues for Negligence” by Kayode Crown 3. “Hattie’s Chicken and Waffles, Fondren Live and Lap of Love” by Dustin Cardon 4. “EDITOR’S NOTE: Mississippi, Stop Stacking the Deck. Listen to Your Constituents.” by Nate Schumann 5. “Jackson Water: City Plans Lead Testing of Every Line, Debt Forgiveness” by Kayode Crown

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

TALK JXN

Se’lika Maria Sweet

he Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson is an outdoor venue originally built in 1950 and later expanded in 1980. Fit for the finest of athletes, the huge facility presently has a seating capacity of 60,492. The Jackson State University Tigers have owned the stadium since Gov. Haley Barbour signed the bill on July 1, 2011, bequeathing it to the Tigers from the Department of Finance and Business. This is the 10-year anniversary of the flagship university acquiring ownership of the stadium. The matchup between Mississippi universities that yielded the current record for attendance at the Veterans Memorial Stadium Record was Mississippi Valley State University versus Alcorn State University on Nov. 7, 1984, with 64,308 fans in attendance. At this point in the season, the Mississippi Valley Delta Devils were 7-0 and Alcorn University Braves 6-0. Veteran San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice boasts a number of gameplay records, such as a single game with 294 yards and five touchdown catches against Kentucky, showcasing his talent as a senior. He lost that Sunday to Alcorn with his team, the Devils, scoring 28 to the Braves’ 42. This game has been referred to as one

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

The team has access to healthcare, which can be a gamechanger.

of the most significant ballgames in not only in Southwestern Athletic Conference history but in football history as a whole. In April 2021 state lawmakers allocated $250,000 for a feasibility study regarding the possibility of the Tigers building their own stadium. The distance between this Historically Black University and the Veterans Memorial Stadium is four miles. Having lived in Birmingham, Ala., I find it impressive how the University of Alabama sprawls across downtown, making it easy to walk miles across campus in the urban area. The city of Oxford, home of the University of Mississippi, is centered around the school. When you pass through

courtesy jackson state university

To Maintain a Legacy or Start Afresh? Questions Surround Veterans Memorial Stadium’s Fate

Publisher & President Todd Stauffer Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin Managing Editor Nate Schumann Art Director Zilpha Young Online & JFPDaily.com Editor Dustin Cardon REPORTERS AND WRITERS City Reporter Kayode Crown Reporting Fellow Julian Mills Contributing Writers Dustin Cardon, Bryan Flynn, Taylor McKay Hathorn, Jenna Gibson, Tunga Otis, Richard Coupe,Torsheta Jackson, Michele D. Baker, Mike McDonald, Kyle Hamrick EDITORS AND OPERATIONS Founding Editor Donna Ladd Editorial Assistant Shaye Smith Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Graphic Designer Kristin Brenemen Contributing Photographers Seyma Bayram, Acacia Clark, Nick Judin, Imani Khayyam, Ashton Pittman, Brandon Smith

In April of this year, state lawmakers have proposed the possibility of Jackson State University building a new stadium to replace the Veterans Memorial Stadium, which the Historically Black University has owned for a decade.

Tuscaloosa, Ala., you are in Roll Tide country throughout the drive along Interstate 20 from Jackson going east. “I’ve been to all of the HBCUs, and even though that stadium is a hand-medown, it is the best in all of SWAC,” a friend who is an alumnus of JSU told me. Another buddy stated: “A new stadium at the Metrocenter has ample parking, great access, and will revitalize west Jackson. It is close enough to campus to run buses for students and charge campus parking. So much upside it’s ridiculous.” Even my aging mother wonders whether such a change would be warranted, positing, “Shouldn’t the stadium be on the campus like other schools? That’s a hard one. Where would you build it? There are so many questions you have to ask.” Football is a contact sport. In addition to the ever-present risk of life-threatening injuries, our recent COVID-19 experience suggests a facility big enough to maintain social distancing is important. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the only hospital in the Magnolia State designated as a Level-1 trauma center, and with the stadium across the street, the team has access to health care, which can be a game-changer. Many have expressed concern over UMMC not having the room it needs to expand. In 2013, the construction crew ran

into a roadblock while building. At the site where the Mississippi State Asylum operated from 1855 to 1935, research would reveal that bodies were buried on a hill where the crews were digging. Since this discovery, expansion of the massive health-care facility, including its parking needs, has been limited to moving toward I-55, but there is no more room to do so. Razing of the stadium, however, would give ample space for expansion. At present, I cast my vote toward keeping the stadium where it is because four miles is not too far from the main campus, parking is sufficient, and the space is sizable enough to accommodate fans. However, I recognize that if there are players like Jerry Rice, Steve McNair and Walter Payton, 60,000 or more spectators will come regardless of the location. Where do you stand on where Tiger fans fill the stands? Se’lika Maria Sweet is a family physician and writer who published “The Bitter Southerner” and “Kings River Life.” She is an eighth-generation Mississippian who enjoys researching and writing about regional history and who is currently writing a history of Flint Goodridge Hospital in New Orleans. This column does not necessarily reflect the views of the JFP.

SALES, ONLINE & DIGITAL SERVICES Content Specialist Amber Cliett Marketing Consultant Chris Rudd Web Designer Montroe Headd Let’s Talk Jackson Editor Kourtney Moncure DISTRIBUTION Distribution Coordinator Ken Steere Distribution Team Yvonne Champion, Ruby Parks, Eddie Williams TALK TO US: Letters letters@jacksonfreepress.com Editorial editor@jacksonfreepress.com Queries submissions@jacksonfreepress.com Listings events@jacksonfreepress.com Advertising ads@jacksonfreepress.com Publisher todd@jacksonfreepress.com News tips news@jacksonfreepress.com

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Editorial and Sales (601) 362-6121 Fax (601) 510-9019 Daily updates at jacksonfreepress.com The Jackson Free Press is the city’s award-winning, locally owned news magazine, reaching more than 35,000 readers per issue via more than 600 distribution locations in the Jackson metro area—and an average of over 35,000 visitors per week at www.jacksonfreepress. com. The Jackson Free Press is free for pick-up by readers; one copy per person, please. First-class subscriptions are available to “gold level” and higher members of the JFP VIP Club (jfp.ms/vip). The views expressed in this magazine and at jacksonfreepress.com are not necessarily those of the publisher or management of Jackson Free Press Inc. © Copyright 2021 Jackson Free Press Inc.

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BEST OF JACKSON // Home Services

Best of Jackson: Home Services 2021

ven the best of homes and office spaces sometimes need touching up in one form or another. To help you determine who you decide to call when such situations arise, the Jackson Free Press readers chose the best hardworking service providers of various vital home needs. Read below to review this year’s Best of Jackson: Home Services selections.

Best Heating and Air Conditioning Service and Best Plumber/Plumbing Service: Environment Masters

Best Contractor and Best Roofers/Roofing Company: Watkins Construction & Roofing

(168 E. Porter St., 601-228-3227, environmentmasters.com)

(1072 High St.; 218 N. Wheatley St., Suite C, Ridgeland; 601-966-8233; watkinsconstructioninc.com)

Best Roofers/Roofing Company Finalists: Blue Line Construction and Roofing (513 Liberty Road, Suite 3B, Flowood; 601-398-0355; bluelineconstructionms.com) / KCB Builders (232 Market St., Suite 248, Flowood; 601-573-1079; facebook.com/kcbbuilders) / Old School Roofing (601-842-4705) / Pro Shield (601-559-1758, pro-shieldroofs.com) / Ready 2 Roof (1888 Main St., Suite 159, Madison; 601-401-6226; ready2roof.com)

courtesy environment masters

Best Contractor Finalists: Home Repair Solutions (3343 Lanell Lane, Pearl, 601-9888780, facebook.com/HomerepairsolutionsPearlMS) / KCB Builders - Keith Brown (176 Lake Mannsdale Drive, Madison, 601-573-1079, kcp-builders-llc.business.site) / Mr. Flippen’s Fixin Hands (601-455-4424, facebook.com/flippenjames123) / Precision Tile By Design (601-850-0341, facebook.com/Precisiontilebyadam)

courtesy watkins construction & roofing

Watkins Construction and Roofing has brought home a Best of Jackson accolade for the third year in a row, and owner Michael Dier attributes their consistent recognition to what he calls the “amazing company culture,” saying, “There’s high integrity and a lot of trust. We demand so much out of (our staff), and they always step up to the plate and knock it out of the park.” He isn’t the only person who has noticed his crew’s commitment to their work, as Watkins Construction and Roofing was recently placed on the Inc. 5000 2020 list, which lauds the fastest-growing private companies in the country. The business is also one of the only Mississippi firms to be designated as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Roofing Contractor, which places the Corning seal of approval on all of its jobs. The Watkins staff applies this knowledge to a variety of jobs, as the company offers residential roofing for single-family homes and commercial roofing for apartment-style housing and businesses. Watkins is also equipped to upgrade existing roofs, with a roof shingle gallery available online for customer perusal, along with a number of Velux skylighting options. —Taylor McKay Hathorn

Service Manager Ben Nalty says he isn’t satisfied if one of his service technicians goes out to a job and returns to the office merely having fixed a problem with a customer’s HVAC or plumbing system. “My top priority for every customer is that every time they come into contact with one of our technicians, they have a thorough understanding of the issues and get a real teaching benefit from my technicians going out,” Nalty says. “It sets our customers up for making the right decisions.” Environment Masters’ customers have a wide array of choices, too, as the Jackson-based company offers pipe inspections, sump pump and thermostat installations and duct repair. The business also is equipped to handle more extensive jobs, including emergency plumbing needs and full-scale HVAC replacements. —Taylor McKay Hathorn Best Heating and Air Conditioning Service Finalists: Bufkin Mechanical (601-898-8100, bufkinmechanical.com) / Climate Masters (2620 Highway 468, Pearl, 601-939-9090, climatemastersms.com) / Dent Air Conditioning (250 Highpoint Drive, Ridgeland, 601-463-5683, dentairconditioning.com) / Modern Air (5243 Greenway Drive Extension, 601-202-5968, mymodernair.com) Best Plumber/Plumbing Service Finalists: Brad Rodgers Plumbing & Gas (616 Ridgewood Road, Ridgeland, 601-856-0367, facebook.com/BradRodgersPlumbing) / Buford Plumbing (5625 Highway 18 W., 601-372-7676, bufordplumbing.net) / Roeder’s Plumbing (Pearl, 601-983-8392, roedersplumbing.com) / Bufkin Mechanical (601898-8100, bufkinmechanical.com) / Wade’s Maintenance (9498 Highway 13 S., Morton, 662-528-0447, facebook.com/wadesmaintenanceservices) / Wright Plumbing, Inc. (North Jackson/Madison County, 601-898-3223; Rankin County, 601-925-1553; Clinton/South Jackson, 601-925-1707; wrightplumbinginc.com)

Best Tree Service: Southern Tree Services June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Southern Tree Services makes it as simple as possible to book one of its free estimates for diseased, overgrown or damaged trees, as the company manages its reservation system through a social media platform that many of its customers use already—Facebook. The Vicksburg-based company uses its 20 years of experience to assist them in diagnosing tree troubles and then providing a solution, such as trimming, pruning and preventive maintenance. The business is also unafraid to take on more extensive jobs, such as full-scale tree removals—which they herald as affordable—and lot-clearing for those hoping to build a home or start a business. The Culkin Road staple also maintains a 24-hour emergency service for trees felled by storms or other natural disasters. They

also offer a post-storm clean-up service for its customers, many of whom are well-acquainted with the sudden squalls that occur along the banks of the Mississippi River. —Taylor McKay Hathorn Finalists: Barone’s Tree Pros (2494 Highway 471A, Brandon, 601-345-8090, baronestreepros.com) / Couch Tree Service (2929 Highway 468, Pearl, 601-939-7335, couchtree.com) / Greenlee Tree Service (601-291-9926, facebook.com/greenleetreeservice) / Kip’s Tree Services (7025 Highway 25, Brandon, 601-829-3748) / Lee’s Tree Service (601-759-0746, facebook. com/leestreeservice) / SDJ Tree Service (601-665-7153, sdjtreeservicems.com)

Photo by Alexander Jonathan on Unsplash

(2400 McFarland Road, Raymond, 601-857-0061)

NEXT UP:

LEGAL

Nominations Ballot: June 30 - July 11 Vote for the best: Best Local Lawyer • Best Defense Attorney Best Personal Injury Attorney • Best Tax Attorney Best Bankruptcy Attorney • Best Family Law Attorney Best Estate Planning Attorney • Best Real Estate Attorney

Vote online at vote.bestofjackson.com

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Best Business & Startup Attorney • Best Local Law Firm

BEST OF JACKSON // Home Services Best Gardening Center: Lakeland Yard and Garden

Best Local House Cleaner/Service: AllPro Cleaning

(4210 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-939-7304, lakelandyardandgarden.com)

(665 S. Pear Orchard Road, Suite 525, Ridgeland; 601-874-3755; allprocleaningms.com)

Best Local Pest Control: Magnolia Exterminating

Best Local Pool Service: Kemp’s Pool Service

(Terry/Byram., 601-371-3388; Brandon/Pearl, 601-825-8900; North/Reservoir, 601-956-7819; Madison/Ridgeland, 601-853-2709; magnoliapest.com)

(507 Springridge Road, Suite B, Clinton; 601-4213232; facebook.com/KempsPoolService)

When owner Charlie Harrell returned to his home in Jackson, Miss., after a stint with the Air Force in Korea, he applied for a position at several pest control companies. “They wanted to hire me because of my experience,” Harrell reflects. “But the only opening they had was in Columbus, and that ended that.” Committed to his hometown, he opened Magnolia Exterminating Company in 1972, and the company has been providing pest-control services to the metro area ever since, which Harrell says is a simple matter of a company living up to its mission statement. “Our mission is not just to kill bugs but to help people stay healthy,” he says. “We keep people from getting sick from bugs.” Tony Horton In addition to this pledge to keep pesky insects out of homes and businesses, Magnolia Exterminating also offers free inspections for concerned homeowners and damage-repair warranties for homes that have suffered termite damage, along with an array of plans to prevent termites from returning (or from setting up camp, if a homeowner has been lucky enough to avoid an infestation). —Taylor McKay Hathorn

David Kemp, owner of Kemp’s Pool Service, says that his company has had a very straightforward recipe for success throughout its 11 years of business: keeping the customers happy. “It’s the most important aspect of our business,” he reflects. “We do what we say we’re going to do, and we don’t cut corners.” This commitment to customer satisfaction is a year-round objective, as Kemp’s Pool Service and its meticulously trained staff help clients maintain their pools throughout all four seasons. “Probably 90% of our pools stay open year-round. It’s (the clients’) backyard, so they want to keep it looking nice all year,” Kemp observes. The Clinton-based business helps customers reach that goal, with Kemp’s offering leak detection and the installation of pool liners and multi-speed pumps. The company also hosts regular “Pool Schools,” which are intended to empower customers to care for their backyard oases on their own. Kemp’s Pool Service seeks to enhance the summer fun of water-lovers with other goods as well, selling a variety of pool toys and inflatables at its Springridge Road storefront, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. From March to September, the company is also open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday. —Taylor McKay Hathorn

Finalists: Abel’s Premiere Pest (Flora, 601-874-1187, abelspremierpests.com) / Diversified Pest (1281 Raymond Bolton Road, Raymond, 601-856-8141; diversifiedpest.com) / Graduate Pest Control - 956 BUGS (321 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-956-2847) / Integrated Pest Control (199 McCarty Road, 601-372-1812, integratedpestms.net) / Stutts Pest Control (690 Pearl Park Plaza, Pearl, 601-420-0035, stuttspestcontrol.com)

Finalists: Bob’s Pool Service (5014 Highway 80 E., Pearl, 601-939-3388; 310-A Highway 51 N., Ridgeland, 601-605-0308; bobspoolserviceinc.com) / CPS (3766 Interstate 55 S. Frontage Road, 601-372-0500; 120 Beaver Creek Drive, Ridgeland, 601-605-0500; cpspoolsandspas.com) / Dennis Edwards - Dennis’ Pool Services (110 Hampton Hills Blvd., Canton, 601-906-1899)

courtesy kemp’s pool service

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Finalists: Dust Busters (2007 Old Town Place, Brandon, 601-557-0033, acleanhomeishealthyliving.com) / Foster’s Cleaning and Moving (Brandon, 769-487-1190, fosterscleaningandmoving.com) / Marvelous Maids of Mississippi Cleaning Service (406 N. Bierdeman Road, Pearl, 601-631-4330, facebook.com/MarvelousMaidsMS) / Olga’s Maids (Ridgeland, 601-566-7763,facebook.com/Olgasmaid.MS) / Pace Cleaning (601-813-2357, facebook.com/Pacecleaningsllc)

courtesy AllPro Cleaning

AllPro Clean will quite literally walk on rooftops to guarantee customer satisfaction, as seen when the company recently donned superhero costumes and washed a number of rooftop windows at Children’s of Mississippi on the campus of UMMC in order to entertain its young patients during COVID—while still giving the skylights a thorough cleaning. “It’s probably something we’ll end up doing every year,” co-owner Jake Dull remarks. “We have a great team, so we do a lot of things most people wouldn’t.” This commitment to the cleanliness within the Jackson community began 15 years ago, with Dull and his wife, Jamie, both remarking that they saw a need in the community and began AllPro to try to meet it. Now, the company has expanded to provide interior and exterior cleaning for both commercial and new construction sites. The business also offers cleaning services for new construction sites, putting their special shine on local homes and storefronts before they open to the public. “The service keeps our customers coming back,” Jamie Dull concludes. “We’re professional, honest and dependable.” —Taylor McKay Hathorn

Finalists: Callaway’s Yard and Garden (259 Calhoun Station Parkway, Madison, 601859-5444, callawaysyardandgarden.com) / Green Oak (5009 Old Canton Road; 601956-5022; 1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite E, Ridgeland; 601-707-9440; greenoakms.com) / Hutto’s (1320 Ellis Ave., 601-973-2277, huttos.net) / Martinson’s Garden Works (650 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-856-3078, martinsonsms.com)

Shaye Smith

acacia clark

Over the 41 years since its grand opening in 1980, Lakeland Yard and Garden has expanded to encompass 17 acres, making it the largest retail nursery in the state. The business, however, is not content to rest on its four-decade reputation, instead electing to foster relationships with fledgling and avid gardeners across the metro area, hosting events to empower local lawncare enthusiasts to help their dreams of lush gardens and well-manicured flowerbeds become a reality. The Lakeland Drive nursery also strives to educate its employees, encouraging staff members to attend Nurserymen certification programs and to take Master Gardener classes. These professional-development opportunities make the lawncare hub’s personnel able to better assist their customers, which store manager Craig Mayo cites as the business’ number-one goal. “We want a knowledgeable staff and a friendly staff, and we want to go the extra mile,” Mayo says. Lakeland Yard and Garden tries to ensure customer satisfaction even when customers are unable to visit their storefront, offering a “Home and Garden Showplace” template to help customers envision what a big garden renovation might look like before electing to undertake it. —Taylor McKay Hathorn

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food&drink

Jefferson’s Grill:

Barbecue Advice from an Old-School Pitmaster shaye smith

by Nate Schumann

hen Jackson native Roche Jefferson was studying political science at Hinds Community College in Raymond and later at Tougaloo College, the Lanier High School graduate expected to break into the governmental-affairs field as an elected official But, as he says, “Life has different paths for different people.” Instead, Jefferson entered the food industry around nine years ago, working as a manager for two years before opening his own restaurant and catering service, Jefferson’s Grill. The barbecue establishment originally opened in Byram but has since changed location a handful of times before settling into its current station on Old Canton Road. Recently, Jefferson spoke with the Jackson Free Press on how he started his business and offered some tips that others lighting up their grills this summer can implement in their own cooking.

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Tell me about the journey you went through to become a cook and start your business. I got into barbecue back when I worked full-time for Hinds Community College in Raymond in student housing. The department would always tailgate at home games, and they would let us do it on the field, on the track. That’s when I developed many of my barbecuing tricks and trades, so to say. We’d be out there with everybody eating, and I remember telling one of my student workers, “You know, I think these may be good enough to sell.” Eventually, probably three years later, I opened Jefferson’s Grill (in August 2014).

Beyond the practice you had preparing it at home games, were there other reasons why you wanted to focus on barbecue cuisine for your restaurant? Barbecue is one of my favorite forms of food. Once I got into it, I realized how much I enjoyed it. … It worked for us, worked for me, and we just stuck with it. Do you have any grilling tips that you live by? One of the things I would always encourage people to do first and foremost is to purchase quality meat. The quality of your meat plays a big role in the quality of your product. That’s one thing I like to brag on: At Jefferson’s Grill, we use top-grade prod-

Growing up, Roche Jefferson enjoyed watching his grandmother and mother cook and has since opened his own barbecue business, Jefferson’s Grill, which currently resides within a Velero station on Old Canton Road.

ucts. (For example), even though they are very expensive right now, we use baby-back ribs. They’re our number-one seller. Second of all, for the people who are using charcoal or wood, I would say that you gotta be sure you’re able to control your fire. That plays a very, very huge part in the texture and the overall flavor of the meat. You gotta be able to get the right temperatures. My pit may be different from your pit, so you have to understand your equipment and what you’re working with. What are some easy mistakes people make while barbecuing, and how can people avoid them? The most obvious mistake I’ve seen people make that I’ve observed is the overuse of lighter fluid, propane gas and similar accelerants. Sometimes, people cook meat too fast, which rushes the outcome of your product. Oftentimes, you gauge the doneness of meat by the color. When people cook the food too quickly, the outside appears done, but the inside isn’t there yet. A lot of the time, the outside will look beautiful, but when you bite into it and actually eat it, you can tell it’s been cooked too fast because the meat is not as tender as it should be.

Sometimes you’ll see someone go out in the backyard and take a liter or gallon of lighter fluid and think they’re supposed to use it all just because they have it. You can tell because it’ll be like you’re fighting a fire sometimes. Once you get the grill lit and you have the greases and juices from the meat falling, it becomes easier for the grill to flame up real quick, so you have to be careful. Additionally, when it comes to grilling, just by natural course the grill can become hotter in some spots than it is in other spots, so one of the best things to do is to always identify your hotspots so that you can pay a little bit more attention to them so that you don’t end up burning your food. How does Jefferson’s Grill cook its meat? We old-school barbecue meat. I’ve studied the industry in our area. A lot of people have gone to using propane smokers where you don’t have to use a lot of charcoal or wood, and I understand why they do it because it does make the job easier. But we are old-school. We don’t boil our meat before we do anything with it; we clean our meat, we season our meat with our special rub, and we put it on the

grill. Now the way we do it, I’ll admit, is much more difficult—it’s a whole lot more work—but we do it the way it’s been done for a long time. Do you have any preferred beverages to drink with barbecue? I have seen across the South a beer and barbecue concept being developed. I do not drink alcohol myself, but I will tell you that in my opinion, especially when you’ve been outside, that there’s nothing like some good ole lemonade. I think of barbecue as heavier food, so something light like fruit juice or lemonade feels like the way to go. Did you have anything else you wanted to say about you or your business? Southern barbecue is a good food industry to be in, and the support in this area is really strong. We’re proud to be one of the leaders in the barbecue scene in Jackson and especially in the gas-station setup as a leader in gas-station food. We’re really proud of that. To learn more about Jefferson’s Grill (5612 Old Canton Road, inside Velero), call 601-738-6164 or find the business on Facebook.

food&drink

2021 Metro Restaurant Debuts by Dustin Cardon

A’HA Donuts & More Madison resident Frank Phann held a grand opening for his new donut shop, A’HA Donuts & More (3086 Highway 80 W., Pearl), in Pearl on Friday, May 7, following a soft opening in January 2021. The shop is located inside a building that formerly housed Planet Donut, which a friend of Phann’s owned. Phann renovated the building’s kitchen so that A’HA could be more than just a donut shop, he says. In addition to fresh-baked donuts all day, A’HA offers items such as wagyu or surf and turf burgers, extreme A’HA chicken biscuits and gravy, po-boys, hot wings, Philly cheese steak, chicken sandwiches, fried rice with chicken, beef or shrimp, weekly rotating breakfast specials and more. “’A’HA’ means ‘food’ in my home country of Cambodia, and I chose the name both for that and because I want people coming here to have their own ‘aha’ moment whenever they try the food,” Phann says. “I have had a passion for food for a long time, and I knew that people in Pearl would love to have quality donuts and burgers without having to drive all the way out to somewhere like Madison for them. I want people craving that kind of thing to be able to come to us.” For more information, call 601-9322175 or visit the restaurant’s Facebook page. Coco’s Multi-Culti at Cultivation Food Hall Madison resident Cloe Sumrall courtesy dogmud tavern

Dogmud Tavern, a sister company of Certifiable Studios in Ridgeland, allows customers to play board and video games while they dine and drink.

opened a fusion restaurant called Coco’s Multi-Culti in Cultivation Food Hall in Jackson on Monday, May 17. The menu at Coco’s includes loaded hummus, miso ramen bowls, polish dogs, Thai coconut soup, pork belly BLTs, shrimp rolls, turkey and pear paninis, blueberry grilled cheese, smoked salmon courtesy A’HA Donuts & More

Dogmud Tavern Opens in Ridgeland Jesse Labbé and Rick Moore, cofounders of local creative studio and boardgame developer Certifiable Studios, opened a sister business called Dogmud Tavern in Ridgeland in April. Dogmud Tavern’s interior features decorative artwork from the studio’s various gaming properties, including “Endangered Orphans,” “Who Goes There?,” “Stuffed” and “D6,” most of which Labbe designed. The pub serves its own custommade namesake brew “Dogmud,” a dark lager which is available on draft. Other available draft beers include Colsons, Sopro Suzy B, Abita Andygator, Yuengling and Destihl Key Lime Go. The pub offers more than two dozen other beers in either cans or bottles. Visitors can play board games from Certifiable Studios as well as games such as Catan, Splendor, Ticket to Ride, Betrayal at House on the Hill and more at gaming tables that double as dining tables. A full list of Dogmud’s available board games is available in the Games tab of the business’ website, dogmudtavern.com. Dogmud Tavern also features gaming consoles that allow guests to play a number of one- and two-player NES and SNES games, such as Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros. 3, Galaga, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong Country, Star Fox and other 8-bit and 16-bit video games. The lounging area also showcases free-to-play arcade machines with fighting games. Each Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.,

Dogmud Tavern hosts Trivia Night at the Tavern. Entry costs $5 per person. Winners receive cash prizes, and drink specials are held throughout the weekly event. Dogmud Tavern (681 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland) is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information, call 601-4994932 or visit dogmudtavern.com.

A’HA Donuts & More offers a full menu of food options beyond donuts.

toast and more. “I’ve loved working with food ever since my grandparents would let me join them in the kitchen as a kid, and I even have my own garden for growing fresh food and seasonal items,” Sumrall says. “I’ve been following Cultivation Food Hall ever since it opened and wanted to bring something to it that had a southern flair along with flavors you might not ordinarily find in restaurants here.” Sumrall previously served as a member of the management team for Cultivation and worked as a cook at the food hall’s Americana and Yo Mama’s restaurants. Coco’s Multi-Culti is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. For more information, call 601-487-5196 or visit cultivationfoodhall.com/cocos. Lost Pizza and El Potro at Outlets of Mississippi Two new food vendors, Lost Pizza and El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill, opened inside the food court at the Outlets of Mississippi in early June. Lost Pizza offers fresh-ingredient pizza, Mississippi Delta hot tamales, chicken wings, craft bottled beers and more. Missis-

sippi Magazine has voted the establishment as “Best Pizza in Mississippi” for six years in a row. El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill offers authentic Mexican dishes such as fajitas, taco salads, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas and more. The restaurant’s owners have been in business in Mississippi since 1995. For store hours and other information, visit outletsofms.com/brands. District Donuts Coming to Belhaven The Belhaven Town Center recently announced that New Orleans-based District Donuts Sliders Brew will take over the space that formerly housed Campbell’s Craft Donuts during summer 2021. In addition to scratch-made donuts, District Donuts offers sandwiches made from locally sourced ingredients and smallbatch roasted coffee.The Jackson restaurant will be the seventh district location, with others in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Las Vegas. District Donuts’ new location is at the corner of Manship and North Jefferson streets in Belhaven.The restaurant will include indoor dining and outdoor patio seating. The Belhaven Town Center is currently renovating the space ahead of District’s arrival, which is set for mid-July. For more information on the Belhaven Town Center, visit belhaventowncenter. com. For more information on District Donuts, visit districtdonuts.com. Hattie’s Chicken and Waffles Opens in Jackson Carlton Brown, a Jackson-born resident of Houston, Texas, plans to open a new restaurant in south Jackson called Hattie’s Chicken and Waffles, LLC (1675 University Blvd.) by July 23. Brown named the restaurant in honor of his grandmother, Hattie McCullough, who passed away in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to chicken and waffles, the menu at Hattie’s will include chicken sandwiches and chicken tenders in original or Nashville Hot flavors, fries, greens, macaroni and cheese, honey rolls and Rap Snacks chips. The restaurant will have a patio as well as a drive-thru and curbside service. For more information, call 601-2607403. Know of a restaurant that opened in 2021 that isn’t included on this list? Email dustin@jacksonfreepress.com with the tips!

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

or a number of Jacksonians, the new year motivated them to make some changes in 2021, namely in the local food industry. Since January, the metro has welcomed new restaurants presenting foodstuffs from varying culinary backgrounds. Now that 2021 is halfway over, let’s take a look at some of the selections now available to our food scene.

food&drink

Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Own ‘Fit to Eat’ Aires Nationally on Create TV by Michele d. baker

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Mississippi public broadcasting

“F

it to Eat,” an original program created by Mississippi Public Broadcasting, is now officially part of the Create® TV channel’s lineup, airing nationwide on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central Standard Time. The show started in 2012 to help combat the state’s obesity and health problems at a time when 68.6% of Mississippians were overweight or obese. Chef Rob Stinson, a Gulf Coast restaurateur, has hosted the program since it began and over the last 10 years, “Fit to Eat” has really hit its stride. Each half-hour episode offers a balanced menu of a starch, meat and vegetable and as Stinson says, this flavorful food will fool you. “We’ve been conditioned to think that healthy food is tasteless, but often the opposite is true,” he says. “I always make the food visually appealing, and I teach viewers how to get great depth of flavor from fresh, local ingredients.” Stinson also provides tips on making food healthier through simple substitutions (“use this, not that”) and by avoiding white sugar, salt and wheat flour. “It’s Dr. Rick deShazo’s anti-white diet,” he jokes. “There are lots of alternatives available, and because we use rice flour and other thickeners instead of wheat, it also means most of the recipes are gluten-free.” The show focuses on using local ingredients available at any grocery store to prepare healthy recipes that Mississippians could prepare without much difficulty. “So many products come from Mississippi, I was amazed,” Stinson explains. “Vardaman is the world’s leading producer

Chef Rob Stinson has hosted MPB’s “Fit to Eat” program for a decade and now shares his expertise with the rest of the United States on Create TV.

of sweet potatoes, and Mississippi is a leading producer of seafood for the entire USA, although you don’t realize because the packaging doesn’t say ‘Made in Mississippi.’” Registered dietitian Rebecca Turner often joins the chef and gives insights into the medical and nutritional benefits of foods. “I’m a busy mom of two, so I understand what it’s like to try and incorporate these ideas into a busy lifestyle,” Turner says. “My role on the show is to give families the quick

tips and make Rob’s recipes accessible, no matter your cooking style or your level of cooking skill. Rob shines in being able to make delicious dishes, and I’m here for the everyday cook. I can help you shop a little healthier and easily add more servings of fruits and veggies to your family’s meals.” Many episodes also contain Down on the Farm segments, where Stinson visits a dairy, a sweet potato farmer or other grassroots producers. Delbert Hosemann

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and Tate Reeves, among other well-known Mississippians, have also appeared as guests on the show and have chopped, sizzled and served the meals. “In addition to cooking, we discuss current events to keep the show relevant,” Stinson says. “Having another MPB program air nationwide on Create® TV is a win for Mississippi,” John Gibson, MPB Director of Television, says. “This program gives Mississippi national exposure and showcases healthier choices of what to cook and how to cook it. It shows Mississippi in a positive light.” The DIY shows on Create® TV— the premier channel for how-to programming—include viewers’ favorite public television series, and specials on cooking and food, travel, home improvements and gardening, arts and crafts, fitness and other lifestyle interests. These programs come from American Public Television, the National Educational Telecommunications Association, Public Broadcasting Service, and a handful of local public television stations across the country including two shows from Jackson’s own Mississippi Public Broadcasting: “Fit to Eat” and “Mississippi Roads.” Create® TV will air a curated selection of “Fit to Eat” episodes, and all past shows—and all recipes—are available on MPBOnline.org/ television/fit-to-eat. Visit CreateTV.com/ locate to find your local station. Michele D. Baker lives in Belhaven in a restored 1920s bungalow with two cats and too many books. She enjoys world travel, reading and listening to public radio. Learn more at MicheleDBaker.com.

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music

Rapper D.O.N.O Vegas Brings Bright Lights, Big City to Jackson

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Joe Ellis

evin McGhee vividly remembers standing outside the Tinseltown movie theaters in Pearl, Miss. The bright lights caught his attention. They reminded him of Las Vegas, where the glaring lights of the city skyline interrupted the darkness of the desert. The concept spoke to him. “When you are coming into Vegas, you are coming through the desert, and it’s dark,” McGhee says. “It’s a long, dark ride, but then when you get to Vegas you see all these lights and all this personality in the middle of nowhere. That’s how I felt about myself in relation to being from Mississippi. Nobody would expect to run into me as an artist here in Mississippi” McGhee became known as “Young Vegas” but would later change his stage name to D.O.N.O. Vegas as a nod to his group of friends whom he hopes to bring onto the music scene as well. “D.O.N.O was my crew who was going to Jackson State and Mississippi State. We would meet up on the weekends,” McGhee says. “I changed it because a couple of my friends wanted to do music. I was like, ‘If I change my name to D.O.N.O and the label is D.O.N.O, it doesn’t matter when they come out (because) they will have a head start on everyone else in the city.’ Every time someone mentions my name, they mention my whole team.” Vegas learned to play both the piano and the drums as an adolescent. By high school, he had become well-known in his circle for his ability to rap. In 2013, he moved to Chicago under the influence of Chicago based producer Paris Beullerwhere he built relationships with artists and producers and learned about the music business. In 2015, Vegas was able to use his connection with Beuller to secure an opening spot on a show that headlined Lil Durk. However, after five years, the pressure of that success brought him back to Mississippi. “Everybody is kind of familiar with the pressure of failing, but nobody really calculates that there is pressure from being successful. Once I moved to Chicago, and I was living how I wanted to live, and the money was good, it was other stuff that turned into problems—like not being able to see my family or not being able to see my kids every day.” The popularity that his music found

by Torsheta Jackson

Kevin McGhee, who goes by the stage name D.O.N.O. Vegas, released “No Excuses” last summer during the pandemic. The album has since become his most popular release, and he hopes to create a spiritual successor to the album with his upcoming “Stil No Excuses,” which he plans to release this summer.

up north followed him back to the South. He released his most popular album, “No Excuses,” last summer. The album quickly gained momentum and within six months had been streamed more than 1 million times on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and SoundCloud combined. Presently, the 32-year-old has been preparing his next album “Still No Excuses” as a follow-up to its predecessor. Influenced by Tupac Shakur’s renowned “Dear Mama,” Vegas wrote the track “Forever Indebted” as a tribute to mothers. Another single, “Master P,” contains

metaphorical comparisons between Vegas and the Louisianan music mogul’s journey through the music industry. He also drew influences from Jacksonians and his conversations and experiences with them. For example, Vegas wrote “Critics” after a conversation with a former classmate at a local gas station. The song discusses the situations and experiences that affect him and hinder his ability to make music. “I remember running into this girl that I went to Blackburn Middle School with, and I hadn’t seen her in like 10 years.

We were doing a lot of catching up … and she was talking about how artists in Jackson look to Jackson too much for support,” McGhee says. “She basically was saying that all the critics don’t know what we go through or what we came from so we can’t really value their opinion. Directly after we had that conversation, I went into the studio and made the song ‘Critics.’” “Still No Excuses” will release this summer on all streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify. To learn more about D.O.N.O. Vegas, find the music artist on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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Beyond English Provides More than Language Lessons

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In 2018, Xiwei “Aaron” Wu and his wife, Langshan Song, both natives of China who learned English as a second language, founded Beyond English as a way to help students in China, Japan and the Jackson metro better learn English— with the assistance of native English speakers who are TESOL- or ESL-certified and work as tutors for the program.

Students of Other Languages or English as a Second Language. Kellogg began working as a tutor with Beyond English during her sophomore year of college. Initially, she taught group adult sessions to students in China. The classes covered the general aspects of writing, refining vocabulary and developing writing fluency. She learned as much from

her students as she taught them. “I think it’s very beneficial because it partners young English teachers … with students in China, with vastly different backgrounds, cultures and languages. There is as much for the tutor to get out of it as the student,” Kellogg, who now assists American students who are developing personal statements, says of her experience as a tutor.

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“On the other side of that the student gets to talk to someone who is again of (a) vastly different culture, a different background— and English is their first language, so they get the help from a native speaker.” Parker, who began working with Beyond English in 2019, is responsible for training new tutors. She also teaches phonics, alphabets, sentence construction and foundational English skills to elementaryaged students in the United States as well as a discussion course for adults in China and the United States who are interested in improving their conversational English. She believes that the individualized attention that her students receive is a major benefit. “Each kid gets their own unique plan and their own unique lesson, and the adults that I teach (get) the same,” Parker says. Song hopes to soon expand the company’s offerings to include more math courses and a foreign language. She is also hoping to attract more students from the local area for help in reading comprehension, writing and other language areas. The couple believes that Beyond English provides much more than languagelearning services. “We offer more than just English as the learning subject, but more: Math and (soon) Chinese,” Song said in a follow-up email. “In addition, we believe in students’ potential. Sometimes they just need a great teacher to motivate and guide them with love, patience and effective learning tactics. Our teachers don’t just teach them to learn the subjects, but they also teach learners different skill sets, like analytical skills, interpersonal skills, writing skills and beyond.” To learn more, call 769-226-4513 or visit mybeyondenglish.com.

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June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

hen Xiwei “Aaron” Wu had the idea to create an online tutoring service for students who wanted to learn English, he had firsthand knowledge of how necessary the service would be. He and his wife, Lingshan Song, were both natives of China and had learned English as a second language. The two wanted to provide a place for natives of other countries to have an opportunity to learn the language from effective native teachers. Song, who works at Mississippi College as the assistant director of the Writing Center and teaches English composition, recruited tutors, and the couple founded Beyond English in 2018. “When we first started, our intention was to help second-language learners to learn English, but in the back of our mind, we knew that we could offer more in the future,” Song says. The program initially only offered online English classes to students in China and Japan. However, as the couple recognized the need for quality English language tutors, they expanded their services to American students. Beyond English now also provides virtual one-on-one tutoring in Language Arts and Math to K-12 students for native students, professional editing services and consultations for students creating personal statements, and admissions or scholarship essay assistance for college and graduate school applicants. Beyond English currently employs eight tutors including Casey Kellogg, Kaylyn Welch, Savannah Parker, Elizabeth Gibson, Elaine Everett, Joel Purvis and Koty Trammel. All tutors have bachelor’s degrees and are certified in Teaching English to

brittany davis

by torsheta Jackson

progress

Jackson Mid-Year Progress Report by Dustin Cardon With 2021 already halfway behind us, let’s review some of the openings, expansions, nonprofit initiatives and updates that the metro area has seen since January.

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Mississippi Coding Campus Mississippi Coding Academies and DSC Training Academy launched a new coding campus in South Jackson at 3906 I-55 South Frontage Road, which opened on Thursday, April 8. MCA’s downtown and South Jackson sites will be linked virtually, with senior and junior instructors moving between them, a release from the academy says. MCA offers an 11-month program that emulates a working environment with instruction and coding five days per week. Coders become full-stack coders while learning skills for the corporate workforce. Mississippi Coding Academies is nonprofit, and the program is tuition-free for students. The new South Jackson campus is part

For more information, call 601-3515858 or visit mscoding.org Baptist: Pearl Primary Care Baptist Medical Group held a ribboncutting ceremony for the opening of Baptist Medical Group-Pearl Primary Care, its sixth physician office in Rankin County, on Tuesday, April 27.

pointments, online scheduling and virtual visits are available. Patients at all Baptist Medical Group clinics can also receive specialist care, physical therapy and medical services through Mississippi Baptist Medical Center. For more information, call 855-7338863 or visit baptistmedicalclinic.org. Jackson Zoo Reopens to the Public

Mississippi Public Broadcasting released “Fertile Ground,” a documentary that touches on Jackson’s status as a “food desert,” in June.

son sites over the summer,” Richard Sun, director of the Jackson Mississippi Coding Academies facility says. “The new site is going to be a workforce training facility specialized in coding to train large numbers of people in South Jackson to have productive jobs. Willie Jones, the owner of DSC Training Academy, has done great work in getting women into driving jobs, and now we’ll be able to provide instructors and a curriculum to add onto the services she can offer in order to go beyond the usual work they do there.”

Drew Dempsey

Kingston Frazier Memorial Splash Pad The City of Jackson Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a ribboncutting and dedication ceremony for the Kingston Frazier Memorial Splash Pad, a miniature water park for children in Jackson, on Friday, April 2. The splash pad is named for Kingston Frazier, a 6-year-old boy whom three Jackson teenagers kidnapped and later murdered after stealing the vehicle Frazier was sleeping in from the Interstate 55 N. Kroger parking lot while his mother, Ebony Archie, ran inside for necessities. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Councilwoman Angelique Lee, elder Larry Williamson Sr. of Faith Community Outreach Church, District 2 Supervisor David Archie, Presidential Hills Homeowners Association President Wade Brown, City of Jackson Public Works Director Ison Harris, Ebony Archie and William Frazier Jr. attended the dedication ceremony. The Kingston Frazier Memorial Splash Pad is located in Presidential Hills Park II at 3971 N. Flag Chapel Road. The City plans to later erect a memorial plaque honoring the lives of other young people lost in the Jackson community on the site.

of DSC Training Academy’s 4,300-squarefoot complex and includes two kitchens, a lounge and meeting spaces. The facility is also WiFi-enabled and accessible for those with disabilities. “We’re partnering with DSC Training Academy to train computer software coders onsite, the plan being to train 80 coders split between our downtown and South Jack-

The clinic offers comprehensive care for chronic, urgent and acute-care medical conditions for patients age 6 and up, including routine checkups, preventive care, wellness exams, physicals, vaccinations and treatment for injuries and illnesses, a release from Baptist Medical Group says. Instead of a traditional waiting room, the Pearl clinic has a self-rooming feature that allows patients to go straight to an exam room after check-in. Lab and X-ray services are available onsite with results ready before patients leave. Same-day ap-

Due to a number of its intensive repair and renovation projects nearing completion, the Jackson Zoo reopened to the public in early May. Current zoo hours have changed to Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets will be available for reservation or purchase online the Monday before, and all daily admissions will end at 2:45 p.m. The zoo is still following Centers for Disease Control mask and social distancing guidelines, which requires that park guest capacity be limited to 500 visitors per day. For more information, you can visit jacksonzoo.org. Animal Emergency & Referral Center Expansion The Animal Emergency & Referral Center in Flowood, a satellite clinic of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, began a planned expansion with an official groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, May 19. The $5.6 million, 14,000-square-foot addition will include increased clinical space for staff and students to render emergency and referral services, as well as space for a future residential area for students. The facility will also contain a conference room for teaching and outreach programs for the local veterinary community. Bradford A. Jones with Machado Patano Design Group in Biloxi is the design professional for the facility, and Madisonbased ARCON Group is the general contractor. AERC’s animal rehabilitation center, currently located in a leased space a few blocks away, will move onsite through the project, a release from MSU says. AERC will remain fully functional during the construction, with no anticipated interruption of service to referring veterinarians or clients

cludes a $5,000 donation with a chance to double the amount to $10,000, which will directly benefit Shower Power MS. On May 26, the story of IPS and Shower Power went up on the official Make More Happen microsite agentgiving.com/Insurance-Protection-Specialists, allowing the nonprofit a chance to earn the additional $5,000 if the featured story receives at least 500 shares to social media and comments on their story. The $10,000 donation will go toward

Howard D. Catchings Golf Driving Range and Putting Green Jackson State University Development Foundation board member Howard D. Catchings recently announced that he is opening a new golf driving range and putting green that will cater specifically to youth in the Mississippi Delta town of Lambert, in partnership with its twin city Marks. Catchings, an insurance magnate and JSU alum, is sponsoring a launch event for the course on Saturday, June 19, at 11 a.m., in honor of Juneteenth, which is also

stephen wilson

After completing a large portion of repair and renovation projects, the Jackson Zoo reopened in early May.

MPB Fertile Ground Documentary “Fertile Ground,” a documentary on the City of Jackson’s ongoing struggles as a “food desert,” premiered on Mississippi Public Broadcasting TV in June. The documentary covers challenges Jackson residents face in finding healthy food options and policy failures that limit access to grocery stores and fresh food, as well as interviews with farmers, food activists and city leaders. The documentary is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, which former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg launched in partnership with Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba in 2018. As part of the project, Bloomberg donated $1 million to Jackson to fund public art installations throughout the city, as well as performance art, a podcast series and a roadmap to improve the city’s food policies. The Fertile Ground documentary is also part of a larger initiative called “Fertile Ground: Inspiring Dialogue About Food Access”, which uses public art as a medium to inspire dialogue about food access in Jackson, a release from Visit Mississippi says. For more information about the Fertile Ground project, visit fertilegroundjxn. com. To view a trailer for the Fertile Ground documentary, visit fertilegroundjxn.com/ the-film.

his birthday. The town of Lambert will be the proprietor of the Howard D. Catchings Golf Driving Range and Putting Green, and Catchings is the benefactor. Residents of Lambert and Marks are

MCM is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. MCM in Jackson and the MCM satellite location in Meridian will also be open for Magic Mondays courtesy mississippi childrens museum

Shower Power MS Make More Happen Award Insurance Protection Specialists, a Mississippi-based independent insurance agency, recently earned a 2021 Make More Happen Award from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for its volunteer work with Shower Power MS, a Jackson-based nonprofit that offers mobile showering services to people experiencing homelessness. Members of Insurance Protection Services have curated and delivered hygiene packs to Shower Power, hosted clothing drives and supported the nonprofit with monetary donations. During the COVID19 pandemic, which prevented IPS agents from physically visiting Shower Power, the organization instead sponsored a clothing drive and contributed funds to help clients stay in hotels during extreme weather. The Make More Happen Award in-

expanding Shower Power’s ministry and improving its warehouse, and will go toward Project Hope, a housing initiative to provide shelter for clients. Throughout 2021, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select 34 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award, donating up to $340,000 to the nonprofits they support. Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit, along with photos of a project they worked on. For more information, visit https:// www.ips-ms.com/ or https://showerpower. ms/.

The Mississippi Children’s Museum opened its “WonderBox” exhibit on Friday, June 18. The exhibit focuses on STEAM subjects and interactive installments.

currently working on developing the driving range and putting green for the facility and plan to develop a full 18-hole golf course, a release from JSU says. Schoolchildren will have free, controlled access to the golf facilities, while others will have to pay. City Begins Construction on New Fire Station The City of Jackson held a ribboncutting ceremony on Monday, June 14, for a new fire station—Fire Station #20— which is under construction to replace an older building that is falling into disrepair along Medgar Evers Boulevard. The new building, which is scheduled for completion by 2022, will feature a safe room to protect people during inclement weather and a full building generator to ensure that the facility will not lose power during an emergency. Wonderbox at Mississippi Children’s Museum The Mississippi Children’s Museum opened a new exhibit titled “WonderBox” on Friday, June 18. WonderBox is a 1,500square-foot makerspace exhibit that focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. WonderBox features technological elements such as a 3D printer and pens, robotics and circuitry, as well as activities using simple, strategically incorporated objects. Key features include Illumination Station, which is a giant Lite Brite, as well as a station to build a custom flying machine called The Craft and launch it across the museum’s ceiling. The exhibit also contains interactive components to allow visitors to test out the creations they make.

from July 5 through Aug. 2. General admission tickets are $10 and are available online or at the door. For more information, visit mschildrensmusuem.org. Northtown Pharmacy Opening Dr. Andrew Clark, a Jackson native who has practiced as a pharmacist for 15 years, opened his own pharmacy called Northtown Pharmacy (6220 Old Canton Road) in northeast Jackson on June 1. Northtown Pharmacy offers prescription filling, immunizations, CBD oil products, medication synchronization services, diabetes management services, long-term care, nutritional services, over the counter products and more. Clark received his bachelor degree in biology from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Mississippi. He received his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Tennessee. Prior to opening his own business, he worked as a pharmacist at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson as well as at the Jackson Walmart and Walgreens. “Pharmacies are a unique part of healthcare services,” Clark says about his industry. “What I enjoy about it is that you get to see patients more often and see the direct benefits you are providing while working with the public.” The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 601-665-4694 or visit northtownpharmacy.com. Send city, business and nonprofit news tips to dustin@jacksonfreepress.com.

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

or CVM students undergoing training. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2022. For more information on AERC, visit vetmed.msstate.edu/clinics-locations/ emergency-referral-center.

TOURISM&TRAVEL

Mississippi Brewery Road Map by Nate Schumann

eer connoisseurs know that little helps beat the Mississippi summer heat better than sipping a cold brew. Fortunately, the Magnolia State harbors more than a dozen locally owned breweries that supply Mississippians and travelers alike with a variety of stouts, sours and everything in-between. Bicentennial Beer Company/ LD’s BeerRun (5006 Parkway Drive, Suite B, Jackson; 769-208-8686; bicentennialbeer.com) As a Beer Judge Certified Professional, Chris Edwards has consistently brewed beer for 13 years. Since early 2020, Edwards’ Bicentennial Beer Company has supplied LD’s BeerRun with its craft beers.

Fertile Ground Beer Co. (Coming soon to Belhaven Town Center, Jackson, fertilegroundbeer.com) Set to open later this year, Fertile Ground sets out to create a “third space” environment, intended to serve as a communal space of sorts for guests to socialize while enjoying a few drinks.

1817 Brewery (Okolona, 662-3055907, facebook.com/1817brewery)

Earlier this year, the company that markets itself as North Mississippi’s first brewery debuted the 1817 Brewery Mobile, a refrigerated vehicle the business can use to deliver its products to areas beyond Okolona.

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

Chandeleur Island Brewing Company (2711 14th St., Gulfport, 228-701-9985, chandeleurbrew.com)

Gulfport natives Cammack Roberds and Cain Roberds founded their company in December 2013, which they named in honor of the Chandeleur Islands found near the coast of Mississippi.

Colludium Brewing Company (2108 W. 4th St., Hattiesburg, 601402-7194, colludiumbrewing.com) Colludium, which Marcus and Christine Cooper founded in Marucs’ hometown of Hattiesburg, offers 100 board games that guests are invited to play at the brewpub.

Southern Prohibition Brewing Company (301 Mobile St., Hattiesburg, 601-602-4871, soprobrewing.com) “So Pro,” as locals call it, offers curbside pickup on canned beers and other merch and sells many of its brews on tap for those who want to sit-in to sip a cold one. The Porter Public House (201 W. Pine St., Hattiesburg, 601-3369373, theporterpub.com) In addition to its brews, The Porter showcases a full menu of pub food fare, including all-day breakfast, sandwiches, desserts such as cookie dough egg rolls, and more.

Craft Advisory Brewing (1314 Government St., Ocean Springs, 228-334-5000, craftadvisorybrewing. com) Doubling as a bistro, Craft Advisory offers both a weekday and weekend menu, as well as a loyalty program, wherein customers earn one point for each dollar they spend.

Fort Bayou Brewing Company (6616 Rose Farm Road, Ocean Springs, 228-641-4616, facebook.com/ fortbayoubrewingcompany) The micro brewery sells its craft beers at The Cypress Taphouse, a restaurant whose menu includes a number of fried, grilled and smoked dishes, among other items.

10.

Key City Brewing Company/ Cottonwood Public House (1309 Washington St., Vicksburg, 601501-7712, keycitybeer; 1311 Washington St., Vicksburg, 601-501-7712, cottonwoodpub.com) In 2018, Zach and Kaitlyn Erikson founded Key City after being inspired by Belgian brewing traditions they witnessed on their honeymoon. Vicksburg restaurant Cottonwood Public House sells their brews.

to sip on one of more than 100 beers while dining on a brick-oven pizza.

12.

Macon Brewing Company/ Puff Belly’s Brewery Pizza and Grill (478-200-1199; 3179 Mallett Road, D’Iberville, 228-967-7611, see puffbellys.com) Established in 2018, Macon Brewing Company sells its craft beers through Puff Belly’s, a restaurant specializing in pizza, burgers, kabobs and other grilled food items.

13.

Mayhew Junction Brewing Company (106 Eckford Drive, Starkville, 662-546-0510, mayhewjunction.com)

craft beers that her husband Frank Miller created since he discovered a passion for brewing while stationed in Asheville, N.C.

15.

Threefoot Brewing (517 23rd Ave., Meridian, see threefootbrewing.com) Threefoot Brewing distributes its two craft beers—The Local Brown and Imperial Honey—through Mitchell Distributing Company.

Co-founders Derek and Jean Irby named their brewery after the Crossroads at Mayhew, a place where college students would often go to drink and socialize during a time when Starkville outlawed alcohol.

Fly Llama Brewing (186 Bohn St., Biloxi, 228-207-7757, see ﬂyllamabrewing.com)

16.

Lazy Magnolia Brewery (7030 Roscoe-Turner Road, Kiln, 228-467-2727, lazymagnolia.com)

Natchez Brewing Company (207 High St., Natchez, 769355-2225, natchezbrew.com)

14.

“When glasses rise, llamas fly,” so goes the slogan that founder David Reese coined for his brewery. Fly Llama sells both craft beer and hard seltzers at its Biloxi location.

Serving its beers since 2005, the packaging brewery invites customers onto The Porch

Lisa Miller founded and owns Natchez Brewing Company, which uses recipes for

Send food and drink story tips to nate@jacksonfreepress.com

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The annual Balloon Glow and hot-air balloon race will also include live music, children’s activities and vendors.

EVENTS@

JACKSONFREEPRESS.COM DAILY UPDATES AT JFPEVENTS.COM

FRIDAY 7/2

PHOTO BY RAGLAND ON UNSPLASH

Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest begins at 6 a.m. at Canton Courthouse Square and Canton Multipurpose Center (501 Soldiers Colony Road, Canton) and continues at 5 p.m. at Northpark Mall (1200 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland). Canton Tourism presents the weekend of family events built around hotair ballooning. Thursday evening opens with a launch party with balloons on the courthouse square. Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster provides music. The annual competitive balloon race begins on Friday morning at the Canton Multipurpose Center. On Friday evening, Northpark Mall hosts an Independence Day-themed balloon glow event that includes food vendors; music entertainment from Dialogue, The Blues Boyz and The Victory Belles; a children’s play area; and a firework show at

SATURDAY 7/3

Brandon Independence Day Celebration and Car Show is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Brandon Amphitheater (8190 Rock Way, Brandon). The City of Brandon holds its community Independence Day celebration featuring a car show, food trucks, space jumps, a live DJ and a fireworks show. Car show entry fee is $15 advance, $20 day-of. Pre-register for the car show at the email address provided. Free admission, vendors’ prices vary; call 601-825-5021; email lfarrar@brandonms.org; brandonms.org.

SUNDAY 7/4

Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza: An Evening of Red, White and Blues begins 5 p.m. at Traceway Park (328 Cynthia Road, Clinton). The city of Clinton holds its annual Fourth of July celebration. Clinton natives Eddie Cotton and Jarekus Singleton provide musical entertainment. The event also includes a kids’ fun zone with inflatables, games and entertainment; food and drinks; and a fireworks show. Gates open at 4 p.m. Attendees may bring tents, coolers and chairs. Traceway Park is a smoke- and alcohol-free facility. Free admission, vendor prices vary; call 601-924-5474; email mjones@clintonms. org; find it on Facebook.

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

THURSDAY 7/8

Families can pick up school supplies at the Back to School Summer Bash by pre-registering while supplies last.

9:15 p.m. Saturday’s event features a bike ride, a run, fireworks and more at the Canton Multipurpose Center. Additional dates: July 1, 6-9 p.m., July 3, 7 a.m. at Canton Courthouse Square and Canton Multipurpose Center. Free admission to events, $5 admission to children’s play area at Northpark, vendors’ prices vary; call 601-8591307; email jana@cantontourism or lauren.chamblee@ridgelandms.org.

Curator Talk: Call and Response with Rujeko Hockley begins 6 p.m. at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Rujeko Hockley, assistant curator at the Whitney Museum of American Art, discusses the work on exhibit in “Betye Saar: Call and Response” and the ways in which artists can reframe narratives, open spaces and use art to build deep relationships with community. The presentation is available to view via Zoom and will be screened in the Trustmark Grand Hall. Participants may attend virtually or inperson. Registration is required. Cash bar

PHOTO BY ZHIFEI ZHOU ON UNSPLASH; DUSTIN CARDON; KRISTIN BRENEMEN

BEST BETS THURSDAY 7/8

Each Thursday this July, the Eudora Welty House offers readings of animalthemed children’s books, as well as kids activities.

SATURDAY 7/17

The River City Toy Fest showcases toys, collectibles and cosplay at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation.

PHOTO BY BRYCE BOEHLER ON UNSPLASH

Events Calendar July 2021

BY SHAYE SMITH

the Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd.). The Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners host the annual fundraising event that includes music, specialty drinks and food from several of Jackson’s popular food trucks. $55 ticket, host and sponsorship opportunities available; call 601-981-5469; email maryfrances@mcm. ms; mschildrensmuseum.org.

SATURDAY 7/24

available at Trustmark Grand Hall screening. Free event, drink prices vary; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.

Back to School Summer Bash is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Muscadine Park (714 2nd St., Pelahatchie). Ever Reaching Community Outreach, also known as ERCO, holds the end-of-summer event providing backpacks and school supplies to students, as well as a party that includes bounce houses, face painting, games and other activities. Because supplies are limited, pre-registration is required. Free event, free school supplies while they last; call 601-665-5720; find it on Facebook.

SATURDAY 7/10

FRIDAY 7/30

FRIDAY 7/23

The Jackson Department of Parks and Recreation screens a family film at Smith Wills Stadum’s parking lot at 6:30 p.m.

18th Annual Mississippi Black Rodeo & Southern Soul Live begins 7:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Coliseum (1207 Mississippi St.). The Real Cowboy Association presents the yearly rodeo event spotlighting African American cowboys and cowgirls competing in riding, roping and racing events. The concert featuring seven soul music acts immediately follows the rodeo on Friday night. Tickets may be purchased for either night separately, or an all-access ticket may be purchased to include both nights’ programs. Additional date: July 9. Southern Soul Live tickets are $35 pre-sale, $45 at the door; rodeo tickets are $18 presale, $25 at the door; $65 for an all-access, two-night ticket; call 903-235-3355; find it on Facebook.

SATURDAY 7/17

Neon Night is from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at

Science at Sunset is from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The museum hosts an evening of science demonstrations, trivia and games for the whole family. $6 adults, $4 kids ages 3 and up, free for museum members; call 601-5766000; email nicole.smith@mmns.ms.gov; mdwfp.com.

SUNDAY 8/1

Eddie Griffin’s show begins 7:30 p.m. at Chuckles Comedy House (6479 Ridgewood Court Drive). The actor and comedian performs at the Jackson comedy club. Two-purchase minimum at all shows. No refunds or exchanges. Additional dates: July 30-31, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. $42.50 general admission, $65 VIP; call 769-2575467; jackson.chucklescomedyhouse.com. Send info: events@jacksonfreepress.com.

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Last Week’s Answers 44 Wallach of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” 45 Green-skinned melonlike fruit 46 Take in some tea 47 Hall & Oates hit with the refrain “Oh, here she comes” 50 “Hamilton” creator ___-Manuel Miranda 52 Diner staple 53 Corner shapes 55 Be skeptical 59 Pasture noise 60 Spicy plant that hangs low on the stem? 62 Goya’s gold 63 Like some projections 64 “At Last” singer ___ James 65 Spruce juice? 66 Like some bread or beer 67 “And I ___” (recent meme phrase, and this puzzle’s theme)

BY MATT JONES

Down “And I ...” --my mistake, that caught me off guard. Across

June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

1 Tasseled hat 4 Iranian money 10 Distress message 13 Hardcore 15 Type of doll for revenge seekers 16 Mummy king discovered in 1922 17 The place at the mall to buy supplements and chickens? 19 Tokyo-born Grammy winner 20 “___: Battle Angel” (2019 film) 21 Overly formal letter opener 22 Florida resort city, for short

23 “Cathy” exclamation 25 Adopts, perhaps 27 Possum foot 30 1978 Nobel Peace Prize co-winner Sadat 32 Carson Daly’s former MTV show 33 One, in Rome 34 “New Look” couturier 35 Z-lister 38 Talk over? 40 Place to display titles 41 Plays a ukulele 42 Apply blacktop 43 Down for a few days

1 Bean favored by Hannibal Lecter 2 CBS psychological drama that debuted Sept. 2019 3 Baked pasta dish 4 506, in Roman numerals 5 Accelerator particles 6 Close companion? 7 Devotee 8 Bird perch 9 Absorb, with “up” 10 Designer Vuitton on the front porch? 11 Pound piece 12 Mink’s cousin 14 Numbers to be crunched 18 Nut in Hawaiian gift shops 22 Backyard party, briefly 24 Makes a scarf 26 Like some clearance sales

27 Dad jokes may depend on them 28 Sci. course 29 Slimy stuff in a rabbit’s home? 31 Melancholy 35 Like some military forces 36 Kosher eatery 37 Restaurant review app 39 Board game insert 40 Place for an X 42 Places for cones 45 Jai alai ball 47 Inbox buildup

48 Phobia prefix 49 Brief and pithy 51 “Get that scary thing away from me” 54 Altercation 56 “It’s all ___ you!” 57 O’Rourke in the 2019 Democratic Debates 58 Golf course obstacle 60 “You’re Never Weird on the Internet (AlFor answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 most)” author Felicia cents per minute. Must be 18+. Or to bill to your credit 61 Toilet paper layer card, call: 1-800 655-6548. Reference puzzle #955

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CANCER (June 21-July 22):

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said that when our rational minds are working at their best, they inspire us to cultivate our most interesting and enlivening passions. They also de-emphasize and suppress any energy-draining passions that might have a hold on us. I’m hoping you will take full advantage of this in the coming weeks, Cancerian. You will generate good fortune and sweet breakthroughs as you highlight desires that uplift you and downgrade desires that diminish you.

Columnist Linda Weltner says that there’s a dual purpose to cleaning your home, rearranging the furniture, adding new art to the walls, and doting on your potted plants. Taking good care of your environment is a primary way of taking good care of yourself. She writes, “The home upon which we have lavished so much attention is the embodiment of our own self love.” I invite you to make that your inspirational meditation for the next two weeks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):

“For peace of mind, I will lie about any thing at any time,” said author Amy Hempel. Hmmmm. I’m the opposite. To cultivate peace of mind, I try to speak and live the truth as much as I can. Lying makes me nervous. It also seems to make me dumber. It forces me to keep close track of my fibs so I can be sure to stick to my same deceitful story when the subject comes up later. What about you, Taurus? For your peace of mind, do you prefer to rely on dishonesty or honesty? I’m hoping that for the next four weeks, you will favor the latter. Cultivating judicious candor will heal you and boost your intelligence.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):

In her essay about education, “Don’t Overthink It,” philosopher Agnes Callard reminds us, “No matter how much we increase our investment at the front end—perfecting our minds with thinking classes, long ruminations, novelreading, and moral algebra—we cannot spare ourselves the agony of learning by doing.” That will be a key theme for you in the next four weeks, dear Gemini. You will need to make abundant use of empiricism: pursuing knowledge through direct experience, using your powers of observation and a willingness to experiment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):

Leo author Wendell Berry suggests, “It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.” Although there’s wisdom in that formulation, I don’t think it’s true a majority of the time. Far more often we are fed by the strong, clear intuitions that emerge from our secret depths—from the sacred gut feelings that give us accurate guidance about what to do and where to go. But I do suspect that right now may be one of those phases when Berry’s notion is true for you, Leo. What do you think?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

In 1750, more than 250 years after Columbus first visited the New World, Native Americans were still a majority of the continent’s population. But between 1776 and now, the United States government stole 1.5 billion acres of land from its original owners—25 times the size of the United Kingdom. Here’s another sad fact: Between 1778 and 1871, America’s federal administrations signed over 500 treaties with indigenous tribes—and broke every one of them. The possibility that these sins will eventually be remedied is very small. I bring them up only to serve as possible metaphors for your personal life. Is there anything you have unfairly gained from others? Is there anything others have unfairly gained from you? The next six months will be prime time to seek atonement and correction.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

Libran Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh advises you and me and everyone else to “seek the spiritual in every ordinary thing that you do every day.” You have to work at it a bit, he says; you must have it as your firm intention. But it’s not really hard to do. “Sweeping the floor, watering the vegetables, and washing the dishes become holy and sacred if mindfulness is there,” he adds. I think you Libras will have a special knack for this fun activity in the coming weeks.

(Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a series of “Mindfulness Essentials” books that includes How to Eat, How to Walk, How to Relax, and How to Connect. I invite you to come up with your own such instructions.)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

My unexpected interpretation of the current astrological omens suggests that you will be wise to go naked as much as possible in the coming weeks. Being skyclad, as the pagans say, will be healing for you. You will awaken dormant feelings that will help you see the world with enhanced understanding. The love that you experience for yourself will soften one of your hard edges, and increase your appreciation for all the magic that your life is blessed with. One important caveat: Of course, don’t impose your nakedness on anyone who doesn’t want to witness it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

If you analyzed the best-selling songs as measured by Billboard magazine, you’d think we were in the midst of a dangerous decline in population. The vast majority of those popular tunes feature lyrics with reproductive themes. It’s as if there’s some abject fear that humans aren’t going to make enough babies, and need to be constantly cajoled and incited to engage in love-making. But I don’t think you Sagittarians, whatever your sexual preference, will need any of that nagging in the coming days. Your Eros Quotient should be higher than it has been in a while.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Donna Tartt, born under the sign of Capricorn, writes, “Beauty is rarely soft or consolatory. Quite the contrary. Genuine beauty is always quite alarming.” In my view, that’s an unwarranted generalization. It may sometimes be true, but is often not. Genuine beauty may also be elegant, lyrical, inspiring, healing, and ennobling. Having said that, I will speculate that the beauty you encounter in the near future may indeed be disruptive or jolting, but mostly because it has the potential to remind you of what you’re missing—and motivate you to go after what you’ve been missing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

On July 21, 1969, Aquarian astronaut Buzz Aldrin was the second human to walk on the moon. It happened during a spectacular astrological aspect, when transiting Jupiter and Uranus in Libra were trine to Aldrin’s natal Sun in Aquarius. But after this heroic event, following his return to earth, he found it hard to get his bearings again. He took a job as a car salesman, but had no talent for it. In six months, he didn’t sell a single car. Later, however, he found satisfaction as an advocate for space exploration, and he developed technology to make future trips to Mars more efficient. I hope that if you are now involved in any activity that resembles Aldrin’s stint as a car salesman—that is, a task you’re not skilled at and don’t like—you will spend the coming weeks making plans to escape to more engaging pursuits.

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

Astronomers say the Big Bang birthed the universe 13.8 billion years ago. But a star 190 light years away from Earth contradicts that theory. Its age seems to be 14.5 billion years, older than the universe itself. Its scientific name is HD 140283, but it’s informally referred to as Methuselah, named after the Biblical character who lived till age 969. Sometimes, like now, you remind me of that star. You seem to be an impossibly old soul—like you’ve been around so many thousands of lifetimes that, you, too, predate the Big Bang. But guess what: It’s time to take a break from that aspect of your destiny. In the next two weeks, you have cosmic permission to explore the mysteries of playful innocence. Be young and blithe and curious. Treasure your inner child.

Homework. Send your suggestions about how I might be able to Serve you better. Newsletter@freewillastrology.com

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June 30 - August 3, 2021 • jfp.ms

ARIES (March 21-April 19):

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