v9n31 - Local Biz Jxn

2

April 13 - April 19, 2011

Everything you need for a moment like this...

Think PLAN is a four-letter word?

Well, stop it.

Donna Ladd is an experienced strategic planner and problem solver who can help your business or nonprofit “workshop� solutions and a long-range action plan.

Specialties: Big-picture planning, social media, workplace diversity, understanding Generation Y, telling your story

Only half the price.

www.halfoffdepot.com/jackson

Past Clients: Leadership Jackson, Young Professionals Alliance, Young Leaders in Philanthropy

donna@boomjackson.com or call 601.966.0834; reasonable rates.

NOT ENOUGH ZING IN YOUR ZANG?

jacksonfreepress.com

THEN GET A BITE TO DRINK!

3

April 13 - 19, 2011

Raffle for 1 month of unlimited yoga!

4

April 13 - 19, 2011

jacksonian

VOL.

9 N O . 31

contents

Museum To Be Lawmakers approved funds for a civil-rights museum in Jackson.

Now comes the hard part, again.

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY; AMILE WILSON;AMILE WILSON; KEITH ALLISON

XXX

7

Cover photograph of Mitchell Moore

by Andy Culpepper

10

THIS ISSUE: JPD Too Slow?

One Jacksonian raises Cain over what she characterizes as JPD’s glacial response to her case.

........ Editor’s Note .............. Slowpoke ...................... Talks ................ Editorial .................. Stiggers ...................... Zuga ................ Opinion ............. Diversions .................... Books ................... 8 Days ............ JFP Events .................... Music ...... Music Listings .................... Sports ...................... Astro ...................... Food ...... FLY Shopping

darrell “doc” cousins Darrell “Doc” Cousins doesn’t care about making a few extra dollars. All he sees is a pair of brown leather boots in need of some polish. “Care for a shine?” he asks in the middle of our interview.

He goes about the act with the precision of a painter. The polish and waxes are his paints, and his rag and blow dryer his paintbrushes.

With the motto, “When you look good, you feel good,” Cousins opened The Shoe Shine Doctor and Company in Jackson about a year ago. Cousins’ main location is the Shops and Parking at Jackson Place, and he can also be found at the Marriott Hotel and the Jackson Convention Center.

Cousins, 55, spent 25 years in California and five years in Las Vegas, where he opened several shoeshine parlors. While in California, he got a job at NBC Studios after shoe shiner Floyd Jackson retired. There, Cousins shined shoes for hosts and contestants on game shows, soap operas and various talk shows.

“You’ve got to be a special person to go and to represent NBC Studios and be able to approach different stars who needed a shoeshine,” he says.

He finds the conversations with his customers rewarding.

“I love shining shoes and being able to meet people. I have a lot of famous faces on my wall,” Cousins says, pointing proudly to the photos of him with his customers.

Cousins has had the pleasure of working with B.B. King, Clint Eastwood, Jay Leno, Whitney Houston and many others.

One of his trademarks is using a blow dryer to melt in the wax and rejuvenate the leather. “I have a passion for it,” he says. “I love seeing the leather come back. That’s why I call myself the shoeshine doctor.”

Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Cousins has been in the business for 43 years. He learned the trade when his father started a shoeshine company after retiring from a steel mill.

“I love shining shoes, and now I’m able to give it away,” Cousins says. He is the only shoeshiner offering free shines in Jackson, although he accepts donations.

Cousins believes that after one shoeshine, customers will return and even bring drop-offs, for which he charges $7. When not working, Cousins enjoys playing the xylophone and sewing.

Cousins made his way to Tupelo in 1999 and quickly earned popularity. He was featured in the National Inquirer for his quality shoeshines. He made the move to Jackson a year ago after the Tupelo economy started going downhill and Parkway Leasing requested his service.

“I’m trying to grow and do better for myself. Jackson is a great place to live,” Cousins says. “I saw that Jackson was growing and wanted to be part of it.”

— Briana Robinson

14 Jackson Biz Starting a small business is a risky venture. Meet some intrepid entrepreneurs who make it work.

38 Age Just a Number Do high schoolers have the maturity to make it in the pros?

Age may not be the best predictor.

jacksonfreepress.com

6 6 7 12 12 12 13 27 29 31 32 35 36 38 39 40 46

5

editor’snote

Lacey McLaughlin News editor Lacey McLaughlin is a Florida native who enjoys riding her bike around Jackson.

She is always on the hunt for news tips. E-mail news tips to her at Lacey@jacksonfreepress.com or call 601.362.6121 x. 22. She wrote the cover story.

Andy Culpepper Freelance photographer Andy Culpepper has an ever-changing array of techniques and styles.

He photographs weddings, music videos and model shoots. See his work at photogenicforever.com.

He took the cover photograph and photos for the cover story.

Briana Robinson Briana Robinson is a former JFP editorial intern and is originally from New Orleans. She graduated from St. Andrew’s and now attends Millsaps College. She enjoys dancing, taking pictures and listening to sweet music. She wrote the Jacksonian.

ShaWanda Jacome Assistant to the editor ShaWanda Jacome is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and a Christ follower. She is learning to “be still and to let God be God” (Psalm 46:10). She coordinated the [Fly] shopping page.

Andrea Thomas Advertising designer Andrea Thomas is a native of Ridgeland and is a recent Antonelli College graduate. She loves to sing, dance and write poetry in her free time. She designed ads and helped lay out pages for this issue.

Charlotte Blom Charlotte Blom lives in Hattiesburg. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she balances between introversion and extroversion. Her penchant for discovering beautiful, bizarre things sometimes overrides practicality. She wrote an arts feature.

Crawford Grabowski A veteran public school teacher who recently earned her masters, Crawford Grabowski is discovering the joy and sleep deprivation of being a new parent. She lives with her husband, Jim, daughter, Daise, and too many damn cats.

She wrote a food feature.

April 13 - 19, 2011

Korey Harrion

6

Web producer Korey Harrion is a saxophonist who runs a small computer-repair business. He enjoys reading, writing and playing music, origami and playing video games. He loves animals, especially dogs.

by Donna Ladd, Editor-in-Chief

Fresh and Local, Every Day

O

ne night a few weeks ago, Todd and I left the office at our too-usual time of 8 or 9 p.m. We ran through McDade’s to pick up dinner supplies.

As we pulled up to the traffic light at Duling and North State, I saw a purple glow outside my right eye. “Ooooo,” I squealed. “The sushi place must be testing its lights!” Like many Jacksonians, I have been counting the months waiting for Fatsumo to open within walking distance of our home and office.

Then I looked ahead, and I could see the new Campbell’s Bakery crew painting its interior, prepping for their opening a few days later right in the middle of one of the city’s most authentic-looking strips of local businesses. (And, yes, I now have cannoli within walking distance; who needs New York City?)

I’d already watched the Petra Café crew out my office window for weeks work long days renovating the old Jerusalem Café, dragging their exhausted selves away late at night.

It is impossible for me to overstate how much I just adore this kind of local, hardworking, roll-up-the-sleeves commerce. I loved getting up back in my Manhattan days, walking to get a bagel and newspaper, watching the deli owners hose down the sidewalks and arrange the flower bouquets. There is nothing more authentic than a community of small business owners who believe in their wares and their customers and their community. I’m crazy about hard, passionate work, and little is harder than being an entrepreneur. Trust me.

To me, this is exactly what free enterprise looks like (and smells like when you’re lucky enough to work next to a bakery or a Petra).

We hear a lot about “rebranding” lately.

But in those conversations, I seldom hear mention of the need to actively and darn near militaristically support “the little man” (as singer Alan Jackson called local business owners in his tribute that makes me, yes, tear up every time I hear it. I’m a sentimental locavore).

Folks, our local businesses are the heart and freakin’ soul of our city, and our metro, and they are the foundation that any sustainable renaissance will rise upon. Not only do they—we—spend a larger percentage of our expense budget on other local vendors, helping create more jobs, but local businesses are what makes a place “cool.”

Quick, think of a city you love to visit that is filled with one cookie-cutter chain or development after another? Now picture the truly cool cities and all those quirky locally owned businesses that create the authenticity and sense of place that makes you want to go back, or steal their ideas for Jackson.

A few years back, we attended a newspaper convention at the convention center in Philadelphia, Pa. On breaks, I couldn’t wait to get out of that monstrosity and explore the city.

I wasn’t trolling for another Gap; I was looking for the nearby Reading Terminal Market (slogan: Fresh & Local, Every Day), filled with the little guys of Philadelphia: vendor after vendor selling local flavor. Progress and “place” is all

about the little man (and woman).

It is time that we talk and act and spend local every chance we get. If we truly care about our city’s future and the kind of authenticity that is going to (a) keep people here, (b) lure others here to live and invest, and (c) become a tourist magnet, we must keep our local fixation front of mind at all times. We have immense creative talent here. We don’t need to outsource our design or most anything else.

Right here in the metro, we have local bookstores and health stores and boutiques and consignment shops and sign makers and corporate swag dealers and cannoli makers and sushi chefs and falafel folders and interior designers and florists and office-supply stores and much more. If we’re really worried about investment in our community—and the cost of losing it—we must tend our own local gardens first. We must re-invest our pennies and dollars every chance we can, and in whatever ways we can afford, right here at home.

And I mean in the Jackson metropolitan area. We must start sinking or swimming together as a metro. We have delightful local restaurants and locally owned services and shops in Jackson and in our bedroom communities.

It’s time to end goofy word wars—hey, I’ve done it—that try to make us choose between spending inside or outside the city limits.

That is thinking tiny. None of us has to choose. I can eat dinner at Fatsumo (which I did last Friday, amid the purple glow; yum), and I can drive out to RideSouth in Brandon to rent a fun “trike” (which we did for Mal’s St. Paddy’s parade). Folks who live in the suburbs can pop into E&L for barbecue before heading home to the reservoir, and then stop at Mimi’s for breakfast on the way in to work.

I was thrilled to see a tweet from Richard

Florida (the “Creative Class” expert) this week showing that a national business publisher had ranked Jackson as the 27th city “most conducive to the creation and development of small businesses.” I sent out my own breaking tweet to a community that, yes, hungrily gobbles every bit of small business progress that we throw y’all. Why? Because you get this local thing.

Yes, Austin is No. 1 (of course), but Portland, Ore., came in 28th, right behind us. But get this: The survey ranked the “100 metropolitan areas”—precisely because a city is only as good as its “metro,” and vice versa. Imagine: Not every metro fights like starved chickens in a city-v.-burbs cage. Many understand that our fortunes are linked. (Try telling suburbanites around Austin that they need to talk down their city, or avoid shopping there, to somehow make themselves look better. Riggght.)

Another report shows that boomers are returning to cities as their kids leave the nest.

David Lynn wrote in Retail Traffic Magazine (told you I’m a local-business geek) that they are seeking “smaller, more manageable living quarters in vibrant, entertainment-driven environments.” This trend is helped along by rising transportation costs and a “general preference for mixed-use communities.”

As a result, retail strategies are changing to meet their needs, as well as appeal to all the young creatives and professionals who are moving in droves to cities or “close-in neighborhoods” across the U.S. (up 26 percent since 2000, according to CEOS for Cities).

Just how are the retail strategies changing?

Guess. (Hint: the words “local” and “authentic” are in the answer somewhere.)

Donna Ladd is also the editor-in-chief of BOOM Jackson magazine (@boomjackson on Twitter). The next issue hits the streets June 1.

Now Comes the Hard Part, Again Capitol Museum and the proposed Museum of Mississippi History. Holmes said the civilrights museum, though, would likely need its own outside fundraising authority. “(Fundraising) cannot be totally under the auspices of the department, to talk about COURTESY MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY

M

ississippi’s lawmakers may have approved $20 million in bonds for a state civil-rights museum last week, but the project still has major hurdles to clear before becoming a reality. Chief among those is a private fundraising effort, the same thing that doomed an earlier incarnation of the project.

Legislators approved H.B. 1463 earlier this month at the behest of Gov. Haley Barbour. The bill authorizes $20 million in state bonds for a civil-rights museum in downtown Jackson and another $18 million for an adjacent state history museum, with the funds for both also meant to cover the cost of a shared parking garage.

For the civil-rights museum, however, the bill specifies that the Mississippi Department of Archives and History can only spend bond funds on pre-planning and construction.

Funds for acquiring and stocking the museum with artifacts will be harder to come by.

The bill specifies that the state cannot issue any bonds to fund artifact acquisition until MDAH provides proof that an equal amount of private, local or federal funds are available. To meet that matching requirement, MDAH likely will need the help of a private fundraising campaign, said Hank Holmes, the agency’s director.

The new history museum already has a private benefactor in place: Since 2005, the Foundation for Mississippi History has raised funds for the Eudora Welty House, the Old

While a private foundation already exists to raise funds for a state history museum (pictured), a proposed civil-rights museum needs a new outside fundraiser.

that kind of money that we probably will need for the match,” Holmes said.

“I am in hopes that there will be a civilrights museum foundation established also.

We need the outside assistance of those kinds of groups to raise the money.”

The need for private fundraising stalled the previous effort to build a civil-rights museum. Barbour first appointed a commission to oversee the proposed facility in 2006. That effort foundered after the commission awarded the museum site to Tougaloo College, how-

by Ward Schaefer ever. When Barbour restarted the effort this year in his annual state-of-the-state address, he asked legislators to fund a museum specifically in downtown Jackson near North and Amite streets and adjacent to the planned state-history museum.

After Barbour’s announcement, Tougaloo President Beverly Wade Hogan released an incendiary statement suggesting that the governor was responsible for letting the project die by not appointing a non-profit board to oversee fundraising for construction.

“Following the action by the commission and acceptance by the governor, the governor was to appoint a board of directors that would form a non-profit organization to organize the construction, funding and operation of the museum,” Hogan said. “To my knowledge, this part of the process has not been fulfilled.”

Holmes said that he hopes that artifact donations will minimize the cost of filling each museum with exhibits.

“We have always depended on donations of artifacts,” Holmes said. “We have very rarely had any funds to purchase anything. We’re hoping that that philanthropic spirit will continue, and people will want their artifacts to be housed in the museums.”

Construction should begin within two years, Holmes said. The Department of Finance and Administration oversees all state buildings and would select an architectural firm to design each facility.

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

The Business Wish List No, this isn’t a list of stuff we wish we had for our business. It’s a list of businesses (or business-related items) we wish we had so we could buy more stuff locally. Got it? Good!

Taco trucks A comic book shop in Jackson (no offense) Vespa shop Movie theater Organic burrito shop Quirky gay-run card and gift shop Non-proselytizing taxi service Sidewalks on both sides of the streets Local, all-night breakfast place Full-time music venue in Fondren Personal concierge service Diners that deliver Local “zip-car” micro-rentals Bike rentals Canoe rentals Cupcake airstream Segway rentals Newsstands Ethiopian food

KAREN SAYERS

pursuing

“A lot of our state leaders are coming from Rankin County, and Rankin County is looking at pursuing these buildings. They want the Department of Public Safety and the state Tax Commission.” —Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell about the need for the Jackson to work hard to retain state agencies inside the city limits.

Wednesday, April 6 Gov. Haley Barbour signs a $422.8 million bond bill to pay for more than 100 economic development projects including road improvements and projects for state agencies and universities. … The Associated Press obtains a letter that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi wrote to President Barack Obama asking him to stop the unjust war in Libya and wishing him luck in the next election.

Thursday, April 7 The Mississippi Senate votes to end the 2011 legislative session without approving new redistricting maps that would have redrawn House and Senate districts and ended a federal lawsuit the NAACP filed in March.

Friday, April 7 President Barack Obama and congressional leaders reach a late-night agreement to cut about $38 billion in federal spending preventing a government shutdown. …

Police capture 122 people suspected of gang and drug activity in the Mississippi Delta with the help of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Saturday, April 8 Gov. Haley Barbour travels to Greenville, S.C., to speak at the Greenville GOP Convention and the Spartanburg GOP Convention. … BP announces that the company has purchased part of Cat Island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. … About 100 people gather at Fondren Park on Dunbar Street for its grand opening.

Sunday, April 9 Ole Miss defeats Georgia 12-7 during the final game of a three-game Southeastern Conference series.

Monday, April 11 The Two Lakes Foundation proposes to partner with the Levee board in its pursuit of a smaller lake plan that does not flood portions of Mayes Lake. … Jackson City Council approves a $1.8 million contract with energy management company Johnson Controls.

Tuesday, April 12 The Mississippi Small Business Administration announces that its office has set a lending record of 460 loans for this fiscal year totaling $198.5 million for Mississippi businesses. … Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is hospitalized in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Get breaking news at jfpdaily.com.

jacksonfreepress.com

news, culture & irreverence

This week, The Business Journals ranked the Jackson metropolitan area as the 27th best business climate in the nation. Jackson fell from its previous spot of No. 24 in 2010, but made a significant increase from its rank of No. 67 in 2009. (Portland, Ore., is No. 28.)

Developer David Watkins offers Metrocenter, delays ‘Strip’ razing. p 11

7

legislativetalk

by Adam Lynch

Redistricting Goes to Court

T APPELLATE COURT PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER BEVERLY PETTIGREW KRAFT

he courts likely will decide Mississippi’s redistricting maps after the state Senate voted to end the session last week without adopting a new redistricting map.

After passing a flurry of appropriations bills ahead of the deadline, legislators remained

U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves recused himself from an NAACP suit against the state over redistricting because he was an NAACP member.

in session last week primarily to decide on new redistricting maps. When senators voted to close the session last Thursday, April 7, however, they essentially left the redistricting matter to the courts. That is, unless Gov. Haley Barbour calls for a special session to specifically take up the House and Senate maps.

House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, said Senate leaders refused to let the full Senate consider a proposal that would have redrawn House and Senate districts and ended a federal lawsuit the NAACP filed in March.

“By refusing to consider the joint resolution approved by the House, the Senate is knowingly forcing the taxpayers of this state to pay for two legislative elections and hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal expenses, all in the name of hoping to achieve a partisan advantage in the upcoming campaigns,” McCoy said.

The NAACP filed its lawsuit last month in federal court, asking a judge to impose new

redistricting maps upon the state. President Derrick Johnson said the current districts are no longer constitutional because of population shifts the 2010 Census uncovered. Senate and House districts must contain an evenly distributed population between themselves.

The House and Senate must each approve the map from the opposite chamber, but the Senate refused to pass the House plan three times. Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican running for governor, says the House plan does not create enough GOP districts to reflect growth in the state’s conservative areas.

The NAACP, meanwhile, complains that a House and Senate substitute plan submitted by Republicans does not contain enough black-majority districts to reflect the state’s significant black population. Blacks, however, tend to vote Democratic.

Last week marked the Senate’s third refusal to approve the House plan. Senate Rules Committee Chairman Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport, told reporters that the House did not submit the maps correctly when it submitted them as a joint resolution—a stance also adopted by House Republicans such as Rep. Greg Snowden of Meridian.

Rep. Bobby Moak, D-Bogue Chitto, said there was nothing improper about the resolution the House sent to the Senate. “If both chambers agree to vote on that resolution, then it is jointly agreed to by both parties. Hewes is looking for a reason not to allow the senators to get an up or down vote on the issue,” he said.

The court is having a hard time holding the redistricting hot potato. U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves, a NAACP member, recused himself from presiding over the case Monday. He also resigned from the NAACP at the same time. This happened mere weeks after U.S. District Court Judge Dan Jordan recused himself from the case because of a relative running in a legislative race this year. Judge Tom Lee is now presiding over NAACP v. Haley Barbour, et al.

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

Changing the Lobbying Game

C April 13 - 19, 2011

FILE PHOTO

ities will have a more difficult time pulling down federal money in Congress’ continuing war on earmarks.

Jackson lobbyist John Waits, of Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group Winston and Strawn LLP. said Congress’ new behavior is a game-changer in terms of delivering the goods for Jackson and any other city in the state, however.

Waits said the anti-earmark environment in Washington had made getting money for the city more difficult.

The anti-earmark crusade sank a massive federal appropriations om-

8

by Adam Lynch

nibus bill during the lame-duck session, costing Jackson $5 million for projects such as the renovation of Fortification Street, he said.

“It’s a new environment requiring you to meet these new challenges, but there are alternative ways to seek funding, be it more emphasis on competitive grants or other kinds of federal funding through states,” Waits said.

“Money that would have gone to earmarks will now be going to competitive grants in particular agencies, and some of those agencies want to spend that money for their own purposes and not through competitive grant programs.”

statetalk

by Adam Lynch

House Polarizing, Report Card Says /HJLVODWLYH 5HSRUW &DUG 6DPSOHU

1DPH

7RZQ

%XWOHU $OEHUW %XWOHU .HOYLQ &DUPLFKDHO 9LGHW &KDVVDQLRO /\GLD 'DZNLQV 'HEELH 'HDULQJ %RE 'LFNHUVRQ 7RPP\ )LOOLQJDQH -RH\

3RUW *LEVRQ ' 0DJQROLD ' 0HULGLDQ 5 :LQRQD 5 3DVV&KULVWLDQ ' 1DWFKH] ' :D\QHVERUR ' 6XPUDOO 5

3DUW\ %LOOV $ % & ' ( ) *

R R R

R

*UDGH

$ $ ) ) $ $ ) )

COURTESY RIMS BARBER

³*RRG 9RWHV´ %DG 9RWHV 1RW 9RWLQJ R

$ 6 )25 $PHQG WR VWULNH VXLWV DJDLQVW ORFDO JRYœWV ² ORVW % 6 )25 RSHQ PHHWLQJV SHQDOWLHV ² SDVVHG & 6 $JDLQVW UHVWULFWLQJ YRWHU DVVLVWDQFH ² SDVVHG ' 6 $JDLQVW VWULSSLQJ VWDWH HPSOR\HHV RI ULJKWV ² SDVVHG ( + $JDLQVW $PHQG FXWWLQJ . IXQGLQJ ² ORVW ) -5 $JDLQVW $PHQG IRU %U\DQW 6HQ GLVW SODQ ² ORVW * 6&5 )25 $PHQG WR SURWHFW UHWLUHPHQW SODQ ² ORVW 9RWHV DUH QRW EDVHG RQ D ³\HD´ RU ³QD\´ VWDWXV $ OHJLVODWRU FRXOG YRWH WR RSSRVH D UHJUHVVLYH ELOO DQG JHW D ³JRRG YRWH´ FODVVLILFDWLRQ

tance, and get a “good vote� classification.

Senators and House members may vote a variety of ways on the bills, earning them an in-between score of C, B, or D. Barber noted last year that the Senate scale consisted mostly of an extreme collection of As and Fs, with little variance, while the House report card contained a wider scale of Bs, Cs and Ds. That’s not the case this year. While the Senate remains as polarized as it was last year, the House is gravitating toward the same divided stance with a series of As and Fs, and little else. Most politicians either completely supported all bills or utterly rejected them all.

They rarely supported or rejected just a few.

Mostly, he said, it was all or nothing. “My guess is that the answer is called (Gov.) Haley Barbour,� Barber said. “There’s always been this kind of pattern, but not as stark as it is this year. (Barbour’s) got a big war chest out there, and he’s been known to say, ‘If you don’t vote with me, I’ll find a candidate to run against you who will.’�

Many legislators, Barber added, do not personally advocate comparably extremist notions while in private company. “Some of these legislators are really nice

guys when they’re out by themselves,� Barber said. “I’ve have really intelligent conversation one-on-one with some of them over a cup of coffee or in their office, but then they get in a group, and they just go to hell.�

Rep. Greg Snowden, R-Meridian, said he noticed the polarization in the House, as indicated by the Business and Industry Political Education Committee legislative scorecard. “I think that when you have a House that elected a speaker by such a close vote, you’ll have pretty stark dividing lines,� Snowden said. “That doesn’t mean there are not gray areas in the way people think, but we don’t have a ‘maybe’ on our voting board. It’s either green or red.�

Snowden said the governor was not the source of the partisanship in the House. “Partisanship in the House has more been our doing, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing,� Snowden said. “When I first got here, it was a go-along, get-along kind of system where you scratch my back, and I scratch yours. But now, with the two-party system, if you have an R or D by your name (voters) expect it to mean something in Jackson, and that’s caused some friction.�

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

69,500

adults in the Jackson metro read us in print or online.

Our multimedia promotion offers aggressive rates on a combination of print, web and JFP Daily advertising.

For more information, call 601-362-6121 x11 or write ads@jacksonfreepress.com!

jacksonfreepress.com

T

he Mississippi House of Representatives is becoming as politically polarized as the Mississippi Senate, says political and community activist Rims Barber.

Barber released a 2011 political report card grading legislators based on their votes for up to 10 progressive bills that writhed their way through the 2011 legislative session before it adjourned this month.

Barber, a minister who came to the state in 1964 at the request of the National Council of Churches to help with civil-rights work during the historic Freedom Summer campaign, regularly advocates for a variety of progressive issues at the State Capitol.

His annual report card classifies legislators based on their support or opposition to certain bills. His Senate report-card findings stem from votes on bills like SB 2179, which, if it had passed, mandated that local and state law enforcement demand proof of residency from people police suspect of being undocumented residents.

Another bill is SB 2289, which transfers financial penalties for open-meeting violations to individual violators rather than the public body the violator represents. Barber also includes SB 2570, which removes state employees from the protection of the state personnel board for two years and classifies employees as “non-state service� personnel.

Barber said he had to be picky in selecting bills. Both chambers tend to vote unanimously or nearly unanimously on the vast majority of bills that hit their floors. “These are bills that didn’t pass 120-tonothing,� Barber said. “I look for vote splits, because 120-tonothing doesn’t tell us anything.�

Controversial bills, he said, tend to be civil- and human-rights bills and amendments, including education, and workers’ and voters’ rights issues.

The grading scale ranges from “A� to “F,� with an “A� representing a favorable vote for the legislation and an “F� for an unfavorable vote. Votes are not based on a “yeas� or “nays.�

A legislator can vote to oppose a regressive bill, such as SB 2055, which restricts voter assis-

9

Best Salon & Best Hair Stylist

crimetalk

- 2010 & 2011 Best of Jackson -

by Adam Lynch

JPD Too Slow on Theft?

O

601-397-6398

10

afternoon.”

By Wednesday, Parker, a University of Mississippi law student, had visited numerous merchants and asked for video of suspects who had used the card at the time and date specified by the credit-card companies.

She said most merchants were not helpful.

“Many of them delete their film after three days or seven days,” Parker said. She turned over every purchase time and date AMILE WILSON

April 13 - 19, 2011

1935 Lakeland Dr. 601.397.6398

n Monday, March 14, Jackson resident Torri Parker and her boyfriend returned to her car parked at Parham Bridges Park after a workout there and discovered the passenger-side window knocked out and her purse missing from the vehicle. So began a spring break spent doing her own detective work.

Parker immediately called the police to report the theft. The responding officer gave her a card containing her case number and a contact number for follow-up.

On Tuesday, she spent part of the day calling credit-card companies, she said, to get lists of merchants who used her stolen credit cards.

By Wednesday, March 16, she still had not heard anything and went to JPD’s Precinct 4 offices and threatened to call the mayor on the department’s lack of progress.

So far, Parker said, police have made no arrests in the crime, and she remains angry that a detective did not appear to have taken her case until she approached the Precinct 4 commander March 16. Parker said her detective, Jaye Coleman, told her he’d taken the case “30 minutes” after her rant at Precinct 4.

“When I went to meet with that detective 20 minutes after talking with (Deputy Chief Brent) Winstead, he told me that he’d just got my information 30 minutes prior.

It’s pretty obvious to me that when I made my commotion that’s how the case was assigned,” Parker said.

Winstead disputes Parker’s characterization. “She’s not accurate about that at all. The case occurred on the 14th. We received the case on the 15th, sometime in the middle part of the day. The investigator was assigned the case that afternoon of the 15th, and he got in contact with us the next morning on the 16th,” Winstead said.

Winstead said the detective had reviewed the case “that morning,” but that he had been out of town the day before his meeting with Parker, and had been “following up on another case in Louisiana that

Jacksonian Torri Parker said she has done more work on her credit-card theft case than Jackson police officers have.

to her detective that Wednesday, she said, and continued follow-up with her detective on merchant conversations throughout the course of the week. On Thursday, Parker said her detective had made a few rounds visiting merchants to try to collect video footage. Winstead said it was to no avail.

Winstead said the merchants the investigator contacted during the course of Parker’s investigation had no useful footage available.

“The stores that said they had it when she talked to them, they say they didn’t have it when we talked to them. I don’t know exactly where the communication breakdown was as far as that goes,” Winstead said.

But Parker said her detective moved too slowly to gather film footage on his own before the evidence was gone on Thursday.

“A lot of (merchants) told me straight up that they don’t keep it long—like three

days—and if (police) don’t get it within three days they won’t get it,” she said.

Winstead refused JFP access to Parker’s detective, and would not confirm that Coleman is the detective on the case. He said that the department “followed proper procedure.” Police, he added, don’t talk directly to banks and credit-card agencies to ascertain locations of post-theft use of the cards, unless the crime victim gives them the information. For this reason, he suggested that any crime victim provide information on post-theft transactions to an investigator as soon as possible.

JPD spokeswoman Colendula Green said the process takes time. “A lot of people want fast results, but there’s a process that we have to go through. A report had to be written, and once it’s processed and in the system it has to be assigned to the detective,” Green said.“But (Parker) was taken care of.”

Madison Police Department Master Sergeant Kevin Newman said that the Madison Police Department also does not contact merchants directly to gather video data on stolen cards unless the victim hands investigators the date and time of the fraud.

However, Newman said Madison police will wrest film footage of a customer committing fraud within 24 hours, if necessary.

“If there’s a manager on duty, sometimes, we can get it in a couple of hours, but never more than 24 hours. If we need something right away, the merchants are pretty good at getting us what we need. If we know that they’ve used it at the store we’ll act immediately,” Newman said.

“We have a lot of time up here to look into things, so if something happens we throw our resources at it.”

City Spokesman Chris Mims told the Jackson Free Press that persons wishing to lodge a complaint against police policy or police officers can call Police Chief Rebecca Coleman at 601-960-1217 or file an Internal Affairs Report investigation by calling 601-960-1674.

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

developmenttalk

by Adam Lynch

Put It in the Mall

Watkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree said the under-used Metrocenter Mall is a good location for the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Ben Allen complained that the taxpayerfunded 190,000-square-foot building at its proposed Lakeland Drive location would be “more expensive than any building constructed by the private sector,” including Parkway Properties’ recently constructed Pinnacle office building, Allen wrote on DJP’s blog.

Kirby said the department needs to relocate from its present facility on Springridge Road in Raymond, a few miles from the Metrocenter. He said that facility recently suffered a dangerous gas leak and also costs the state $900,000 a year to lease.

Fondren Strip Safe for Now

by Lacey McLaughlin

COURTESY DAVID WATKINS

Whitney Place partner Jason Watkins said he and his father, David Watkins, are reconsidering replacing a strip of Fondren businesses with a mixed-use development.

D

avid Watkins’ plans to replace a 1938 strip of Fondren businesses on North State Street with his Whitney Place development are on hold after more than 300 residents signed a petition against demolition of the strip.

“With the petition and some feedback we have gotten, we have agreed to basically keep an open mind to other plans before we moved forward,” Jason Watkins, a partner in the development with his father, said last week.

“We haven’t pushed our plans any further.”

Watkins added that the developers were keeping an “open mind” about the strip.

Attorney Arin Clark Adkins, one of the founders of “Save Our Strip,” a group trying to preserve the buildings and that started the petition in January, said residents are satisfied with the developer’s reconsideration.

She added that the developers are asking architects to produce alternative designs for consideration.

“The hope is that a redesign can be planned that is not cost prohibitive,” Adkins said.

“I think the financing is still an issue of what’s been proposed and what’s ultimately going to be developed. The thought is: If it’s not cost prohibitive, then they will consider a redesign.”

The originally proposed $80 million development would replace the existing buildings on State Street from Mitchell Avenue to Hartfield Street with eight acres of retail shops, apartments, a boutique hotel, and green space for concerts and festivals. Watkins said in October that the buildings had significant structural damage, and that preserving the buildings wasn’t an economically viable option.

He added that construction could begin as early as fall 2011.

“We like the initial plans; however, we are open to reconsidering plans if what we saw was a proper use of the space in terms of density for the area and the area behind the existing strip,” Jason Watkins said.

The new facility, wherever it is, has to meet specific standards.

“Not just any building will work because of the work flow and the paper flow,” Kirby said.

He added that the issue is now out of the hands of the Mississippi Legislature, leaving the state Department of Finance to make the final decision. He said the $3 million bond bill does not restrict the potential site to the Lakeland Drive area.

“Nothing is in stone by any means,” Kirby said. “We’ll see what they decide at DFA.” Whitwell said developers and city leaders need to work aggressively to prevent government agencies from relocating out of the city.

“A lot of our state leaders are coming from Rankin County, and Rankin County is looking at pursuing these buildings,” Whitwell said.

“They want the Department of Public Safety and the state tax commission.”

Kirby, a Pearl resident, said he had tried to move the Department of Revenue to Rankin County last year, but that the Democrat-controlled House rejected the bill because House members wanted the facility in Jackson.

Goree said Watkins Development would not be a sore loser if the DFA went with a different location, as long as the department moved to a private development similar to the mall.

“If (other Jackson developers) were able to offer them something better, we as a company would be fine. But ultimately we want it done by the private sector,” Goree said.

“If you’re building something that’s not a museum, it needs to be done by the private sector because it’s cheaper.”

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

jacksonfreepress.com

velopment. They consider the state of Mississippi a bad neighbor after construction of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services center at 3771 Eastwood Drive. “(After construction) they did not prove themselves to be a good partner with the neighborhood because they have not replaced any trees to rebuild the buffer. That, in itself, left a bad taste in the mouth of the people who live in that area,” Whitwell told the Jackson Free Press.

Whitwell said other locations in Jackson would better serve as the department’s new location.

“There are a number of downtown sites that could be retrofitted and leased, as well as other sites such as the Metrocenter, that I think would allow the tax commission to relocate to nicer, more cost-effective places (that) would be better for the metro,” Whitwell said.

Goree said the mall space can easily accommodate the department for “significantly less” than $50 million. The space is already modernized and energy-efficient.

He said the arrangement would also generate taxes for the city by encouraging a built-in customer base for mall merchants and by not adding to the city’s tax-exempt state-owned property. A new state-owned facility on Lakeland Drive would create another drain on the city, which already suffers from more than 30 percent of its property owned by untaxed state agencies or non-profits, he said.

Downtown Jackson Partners President

WARD SCHAEFER

W

atkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree is promoting the Metrocenter Mall as the potential new home for the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

“We thought our building would work because it wouldn’t be a big adjustment for the current employees and the people that normally make business there, and the mall has easy access in and out,” Goree said.

Watkins Development leases out the first floor of the mall’s former Belk department store to the city of Jackson’s water and sewer department and other city agencies.

Goree said Belk’s second floor is empty, however, and could easily accommodate, with only minor build-out, the Department of Revenue’s need for 180,000 to 200,000 square-feet of space.

David Watkins, Watkins Development LLC chief executive officer, was one of several city developers and representatives, including former Mayor Kane Ditto and developer Ted Duckworth, who protested a legislative bond bill setting aside $50 million for construction of a new 190,000square-foot building for the department at the corner of Lakeland Drive and Ridgewood Road.

Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, reduced the bond bill to provide $3 million for a study to find a new home for the department. Critics such as Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell say the state should not build a 190,000-square-foot facility at the Lakeland Drive location because residents abutting the land will not welcome the de-

11

jfp op/ed

opining, grousing & pontificating

EDITORIAL

Let the Private Sector Work

J

ackson developers are pushing for the state government to move the Mississippi Department of Revenue into privately owned property somewhere in Jackson, and we can’t blame them.

Sen. Dean Kirby, R-Pearl, says the department’s current headquarters in Raymond is aging and dangerous. The problem, however, is that state leaders appear to want the headquarters in a new state-owned building near Lakeland Drive. Ward 1 Councilman Quentin Whitwell and Jackson former councilman and Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen say Kirby and his crew initially pushed for a $50 million bond bill funding construction of the Lakeland facility. Kirby said as much himself, giving us a reasonable gauge on what this new building could conceivably cost taxpayers in these days of steep budget cuts.

Remember the fight over $20 million last month in K-12 education funds, and the battle over a $55 million museum complex in downtown Jackson? These were big issues, yet the Senate nearly passed $50 million in new debt to fund a brand new building near residents that Whitwell says don’t really want to see any new state-owned development in their back yards.

Developers David Watkins, Ted Duckworth and others say they already have facilities sitting in Jackson that could either accommodate the department already, or soon could with only minimal build-out.

Watkins, in particular, wants to lease property in the Metrocenter Mall to the department. Watkins Development LLC Vice President Jason Goree said they’re willing to offer the state a 20-year lease-to-own deal, which can handle the kind of space a government agency needs, for considerably less than $50 million.

The city of Jackson is already moving some of its administrative offices into the same mall. This healthy recycling should continue.

In addition, Goree said facilities at the mall meet strict safety standards and are already energy efficient and up-to-date. The location offers a quick connection to Interstates 20 and 220, and will generate revenue at the neighboring mall shops that will be happy to sell state workers their lunch and other products.

Imagine being a state worker who gets to hoof it through the air-conditioned mall interior to Sears to take care of Christmas shopping right after work. After 20 years, the state could own the property, depending upon the lease deal.

This set-up offers the added plus of being privately owned property, at least for a few decades, which will not create another government-owned revenue sink inside the city of Jackson. We already have enough of those with more than a quarter of city property untaxable.

KEN STIGGERS

Operation ‘Cover Your Butt’

April 13 - 19, 2011

B

12

oneQweesha Jones: “It’s another special edition television broadcast of ‘Qweesha Live and Direct.’ My special guest is Smokey ‘Robinson’ McBride, beloved congressman of the Ghetto Science Community, district 707-1/2. He is here to talk about the Ghetto Science Team’s ‘Operation Cover Your Butt When Crap Hits the Fan’—aka the ‘Government Shutdown Backup Plan.’

“Congressman, last week, the government was like a falling cat able to land on its feet in a nick of time. Whew! A lot of folks were glad that the government avoided a shutdown. You and the Ghetto Science Team’s Government Task Force had plan weeks before the shutdown. Tell the viewers about it.”

Smokey ‘Robinson’ McBride: “Qweesha, the government task force and I do our best to understand the complexities of our world, country, community and society. The winds of change just keep blowing our minds. Nevertheless, we work hard to anticipate catastrophic events. This is why we developed ‘Operation Cover Your Butt When Crap Hits the Fan Government Shutdown Plan.’ I want to assure residents of the Ghetto Science Community that when the government goes kaput we will have your back and pick up the slack. Finances, health care, transportation, housing, food, etc. will remain intact. I’m proud to have a team of great minds capable of making up a government shutdown backup plan for the ghetto science community.”

BoneQwesha Jones: “Looks like you’ve been reading Aesop’s Fable, ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper.’ He would be proud of you.”

Smokey ‘Robinson’ McBride: “Thanks, Qweesha.”

Political Drama

T

KAMIKAZE

he federal government was able to avert shutdown. Whether or not you actually believed it would happen, it stands to reason that all of us should take pause at how close a shutdown actually came. About an hour before the deadline, lawmakers finally agreed on a compromise. This raises the timeless query on whether the true needs of the people sometimes get lost in partisan politics.

A shutdown would have meant hundreds of thousands of federal workers would have been sent home. National Parks and federal agencies would have closed, and our military personnel would have been working for free. In the end, they were able to agree on nearly $80 million in cuts below what President Obama had proposed.

As this drama unfolded before our eyes, Democrats and Republicans made like two cliques on opposite ends of the playground, each trying to convince us that their side was the “righteous” one, that their position was the one best for America.

Republicans say they want to work with the President. They want a health-care bill, they want more jobs, they want clean air. But they want to do it by leaving money in the hands of business owners and hoping it trickles down to the rest of us. They want to severely cut programs that assist the less fortunate of us to sustain, primarily education.

With only moments left before the deadline, the Repubs dug in on Planned Parenthood, saying they won’t fund abortions, despite the abundance of information to the contrary. We danced shamefully close to the Smithsonian closing its doors because Rep. John Kyl erroneously stated that abortion makes up 90 percent of Planned Parenthood’s services. Another Republican said that PP existed to “help kill black babies before they come into the world.”

Come again? We’re not going to fix what’s

ailing America by resting the blame solely on the backs of this country’s blue-collar workers, poor and disenfranchised.

Let’s be clear: Democrats cannot absolve themselves of blame, either. When they had a large majority in Congress, they failed to pass a budget. Any good card player knows one thing: When you’ve got a hand full of spades you don’t waste time holding them. With a prime opportunity in play, Dems should have been trying to get the agenda instead of trying to simply keep their seats. Party leaders felt they had a better chance of getting elected if they didn’t do anything “controversial.” We all know how that turned out mid-term don’t we?

Dems elected to kick that “budget can” down the road, and that decision almost led us to a government shutdown.

Then there’s the Tea Party, which, like them or not, has an agenda and makes decisions based only on that agenda. They pushed Republican compadres into a corner where they couldn’t compromise. Now that they have, some Tea Party members say they will get rid of Speaker John Boehner in the next election.

For you and me, it seems “politics as usual” has become the “politics of conflict.” One side is spending so much time trying to figure out how to “one up” the other that nothing gets done. And the trail it leaves is a tragic one: kids going to school in failing school districts, with parents who are part of the stifling unemployment numbers, preventing them from having viable health insurance.

The cycle continues because we allow the twoparty system to dominate—two sides that profit from telling us why something “can’t” happen instead of working on the reasons it can. If we, as voters, don’t get a clue, we’ll continue to fall for this ruse.

Email letters to letters@jacksonfreepress.com, fax to 601-510-9019 or mail to P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, Miss., 39296. Include daytime phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

NEIL POLEN

Learning from Austin

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Ronni Mott News Editor Lacey McLaughlin Assistant Editor Valerie Wells Senior Reporter Adam Lynch Reporter Ward Schaefer Events Editor Latasha Willis Music Listings Editor Natalie Long Assistant to the Editor ShaWanda Jacome Style Editor Natalie Collier Stylist Meredith Sullivan Writers Quita Bride, Lisa Fontaine Bynum, David Dennis Jr., Scott Dennis, Bryan Flynn, Carl Gibson, Brandi Herrera, Garrad Lee, Lance Lomax, Anita Modak-Truran, Larry Morrisey, Chris Nolen, Robin O’Bryant, Casey Purvis,Tom Ramsey, Doctor S, Ken Stiggers, Jackie Warren Tatum, Byron Wilkes Editorial Interns Laney Lenox, Dylan Watson Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Kristin Brenemen Advertising Designer Andrea Thomas Graphic Designer Holly Harlan Production Designer Latasha Willis Editorial Cartoonist Chris Zuga Photographers Christina Cannon, Jert-rutha Crawford,Tate K. Nations Charles A. Smith, Jerrick Smith, Amile Wilson, William Patrick Butler

SALES AND OPERATIONS Sales Director Kimberly Griffin Account Executive Randi Ashley Jackson Account Executive and Distribution Manager Adam Perry Events and Marketing Coordinator Shannon Barbour Accounting Montroe Headd Distribution Lynny Bradshaw, Cade Crook, Clint Dear, Linda Hamilton, Matt Heindl, Aimee Lovell, Steve Pate, Jim Poff, Jennifer Smith

ONLINE Web Producer Korey Harrion Web Intern Megan Stewart

CONTACT US: Letters letters@jacksonfreepress.com Editorial editor@jacksonfreepress.com Releases releases@jacksonfreepress.com Queries editor@jacksonfreepress.com Listings events@jacksonfreepress.com Advertising ads@jacksonfreepress.com Publisher todd@jacksonfreepress.com News tips news@jacksonfreepress.com Internships interns@jacksonfreepress.com

Jackson Free Press P.O. Box 5067, Jackson, Miss., 39296 Editorial (601) 362-6121 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 newsweekly, with 17,000 copies distributed in and around the Jackson metropolitan area every Wednesday. The Jackson Free Press is free for pick-up by readers; one copy per person, please.

First-class subscriptions are available for $100 per year for postage and handling.

The Jackson Free Press welcomes thoughtful opinions. The views expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the publisher or management of Jackson Free Press Inc. Š Copyright 2011 Jackson Free Press Inc. All Rights Reserved.

"TTPDJBUJPO PG "MUFSOBUJWF /FXTXFFLMJFT

T

thought to myself.

However nostalgic or naive that statement may seem, the point remains. A city that feels active, energetic and healthy feeds itself. The identity a city creates becomes a cycle of positive or negative energy that permeates everyday life.

Spending time in Austin, one gets the sense that “quality of life� isn’t simply a marketing tagline or an effect of isolated renewal projects, but rather a primary driving force of the public and private sectors of Austin.

And while it’s easy to criticize and blame city officials for all that ails our city, I saw firsthand in Austin it’s the collective power of the people who demand action from their elected officials that make a city better, not the other way around.

The results are clear. From expansive bike routes and “pedicabs� (a large fleet of bicycle taxis sanctioned by the city), to numerous green spaces and eco-focused planning initiatives, Austin has a clear identity. The city made investments years ago in cultural and physical infrastructure that are now bearing fruit at an unprecedented scale. Visitors come from all over the world to experience the richness of Austin’s culture and the energy of its nightlife.

While numerous urban-renewal projects are underway in Jackson and commendable progress has been made, we still often find ourselves in a position of “catching up� to other cities that progressed on similar issues years ago. Jackson, however, has an opportunity to seize on its potential and push forward in a way that changes the minds of those not only in our own suburbs, but the nation. A city that was once plagued with poverty, crime, and negative perceptions can become a thriving center for culture and entertainment. The stereotype of Mississippi as a backward, intellectually inhibited place ironically provides us with great potential: No one expects us to succeed.

As a volunteer helping organize the upcoming FIGMENT arts festival (May 1415), I constantly get peppered with questions from those wanting to know how we were able to convince FIGMENT, a nationally recognized festival once only held in New York and Boston, to come to Jackson. The answer is simple: We didn’t let external and internal stereotypes tell us what we could and couldn’t do. The endless negativity and bad press our city receives can one day be the catalyst that springboards Jackson onto the national map.

If Austin teaches us anything it’s this: Lead, don’t follow.

Neil Polen is an intern architect with the Jackson Community Design Center.

“This is how a city should feel,�

I thought to myself.

(OME #LEANING

GL[LHGLYDVFOHDQLQJVHUYLFH FRP

!CRES $OWN

PR 21/< 1HDU *URZLQJ (O 3DVR 7H[DV QG VDIHVW 8 6 &LW\ 2ZQHU )LQDQFLQJ 1R &UHGLW &KHFNV 0RQH\ %DFN *XDUDQWHH )5(( &RORU %URFKXUH ZZZ VXQVHWUDQFKHV FRP

")' "EAUTIFUL !: ,AND

PRQWK GRZQ LQWHUHVW JROI FRXUVH QD WLRQDO SDUNV KRXU IURP 7XFVRQ ,QWÂśO DLUSRUW *XDUDQ WHHG Âż QDQFLQJ QR FUHGLW FKHFNV 3UH UHFRUGHG PVJ FRGH ZZZ VXQVLWHVODQGUXVK FRP

02%'.!.4 #/.3)$%2).' !$/04)/.

7DON ZLWK FDULQJ DJHQF\ VSHFLDOL]LQJ LQ PDWFKLQJ %LUWKPRWKHUV ZLWK )DPLOLHV QDWLRQZLGH /,9,1* (;3(16(6 3$,' &DOO $EE\ÂśV 2QH 7UXH *LIW $GRSWLRQV

0AID )N !DVANCE

0DNH D :HHN PDLOLQJ EURFKXUHV IURP KRPH *XDUDQWHHG ,QFRPH )5(( 6XSSOLHV 1R H[SHULHQFH UHTXLUHG 6WDUW ,PPHGLDWHO\ ZZZ KRPHPDLOHUSURJUDP QHW

()'( 3#(//, $)0,/-!

*UDGXDWH LQ MXVW ZHHNV )5(( %URFKXUH &DOO 12: ([W ZZZ FRQWLQHQWDODFDGHP\ FRP

!,, !2%!3 2//--!4%3 #/-

%URZVH KXQGUHGV RI RQOLQH OLVWLQJV ZLWK SKRWRV DQG PDSV )LQG \RXU URRPPDWH ZLWK D FOLFN RI WKH PRXVH 9LVLW KWWS ZZZ 5RRPPDWHV FRP

(%,0 7!.4%$

([WUD ,QFRPH $VVHPEOLQJ &' FDVHV IURP +RPH 1R ([SHULHQFH 1HFHVVDU\ &DOO RXU /LYH 2SHUDWRUV 1RZ (;7 KWWS ZZZ HDV\ZRUN JUHDWSD\ FRP

'!). .!4)/.!, %80/352%

5HDFK RYHU PLOOLRQ \RXQJ HGXFDWHG UHDGHUV IRU RQO\ E\ DGYHUWLVLQJ LQ ZHHNO\ QHZVSDSHUV OLNH WKLV RQH &DOO -DVRQ DW 7KLV LV QRW D MRE RIIHU

jacksonfreepress.com

Editor in Chief Donna Ladd Publisher Todd Stauffer

he status of Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decline or boom, depending on your perspective, is an ever-present source of debate and discussion among the metro areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s residents. The latest U.S. Census data, however, seem to have re-ignited strong feelings of many on both sides of the proverbial fence to a level unseen for quite some time.

While I sat at my desk scanning news articles and message boards on the subject, I found myself struggling to frame my opinion in a way that bridges these divides. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a fervent supporter of our cities and their potential, but I also understand the concerns of those who eventually relent to the suburbs. With talking points raging on local blogs, I thought of my recent trip to Austin, Texas, for the annual South by Southwest festival, and how a few days in one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest-growing cities had helped shape my own perspective on these difficult and complex issues.

Austin is a hub for technology, culture and entertainment. Its edgy lifestyle and progressive politics are in many ways a middle finger to a state painted a deep shade of red. My interest, however, has nothing to do with political leanings or fashion, but in a quality of life that appeals to those across demographic and socioeconomic spectrums.

Attending SXSW was a chance for me to get out of my Jackson bubble for a week and visit a city that endlessly inspires those who advocate for better, more sustainable cities. As a young designer, periodically visiting cities with a more dynamic sensibility to architecture and urban planning is necessary, not only for my own sanity, but as a source of inspiration and knowledge to help guide my work as a researcher with the Jackson Community Design Center.

What I found in Austin was not simply a utopia of â&#x20AC;&#x153;hipsterdomâ&#x20AC;? or progressive politics, but a glimpse into a place where residents, young and old, take pride in their town through their commitment to quality of life. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this unique combination of bigcity density and small-town community that has made Austin one of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastestgrowing destinations for living, entertainment and tourism.

Attending a music festival on the scale of SXSW can seem like a job more than a vacation, but I still managed to take in all that this energetic city has to offer.

One evening as I was walking through downtown and across the Congress Avenue bridge, I felt perfectly positioned to experience all of Austin at once: the droves of young people franticly trying to get from one musical act to the next; cyclists and motorists jockeying through rush-hour traffic; and folks lounging on the riverfront parks below. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is how a city should feel,â&#x20AC;? I

13

Taking A

Chance

Pride and Peril of Doing Business in Jackson

by Lacey McLaughlin

Mitchell Moore reopened Campbell’s Bakery March 23. He had been saving for years to open his own business.

ANDY CULPEPPER

W

April 13 - 19, 2011

hen Mitchell Moore was 4 years old, his parents gave him an Easy-Bake oven for Christmas and changed his life. He was fascinated by the way batter could turn into a smooth, fluffy cake and would spend hours perfecting his creations. The 38year-old has been baking ever since.

In 1996 Moore started working as a pastry chef at Nick’s Restaurant, then located on Lakeland Drive.

Moore left Jackson to work on a film set in Los Angeles in 2002, but came back in 2005 and worked a few jobs before he got an itch to go into business for himself. Because his specialty was cheesecake, he decided that if he could get local 14 restaurants to buy his cheesecakes directly, instead of from

distributors, then he would start a business in Jackson.

He decided to take his product to his former employer, Nick’s. When owner Nick Apostle sampled Moore’s cheesecake, he was impressed.

“It tastes better than what we are selling, and it costs less,” Apostle told him in 2007. “It’s a win-win.”

As orders started coming in, Moore realized he had a problem. He needed a commercial kitchen with a mixer and larger ovens to fill all the orders. That’s when Apostle made him a deal he couldn’t refuse: If Moore made desserts for Apostle’s new restaurant, Mermaid Café in Madison, then he could use the kitchen to operate his own business.

As word spread about Moore’s cheesecakes, demand grew. Not just restaurants were buying from him, but people wanted his cakes for holidays and birthdays. He started look-

ing for places to operate his own bakery, but nothing fit his budget. Almost two years after he started his position as pastry chef for Mermaid Café, his friend Jim Burwell, owner of Mimi’s Family and Friends in Fondren, called him. Campbell’s Bakery in Fondren was closing. Was he interested in opening it back up?

In a matter of days Moore formed an LLC and signed the lease to the building. A month later, on March 23, he opened the doors to his own business.

Supporting Small Businesses Making the decision to open a business isn’t one to take lightly. Forty percent of all new businesses close within their first year, writes Michael Gerber in his seminal business book “The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t

AARON PHILLIPS

approval based on the promise of an applicant’s business plan and the type of service provided.

If the U.S. House of Representatives had been successful, the city would have lost about $1 million from its CDBG budget, which Johnson says would have hurt the city’s development. In addition to the business grants, CDBG funds also help the city provide infrastructure repairs, park and home improvements to moderate and low-income areas, and 20 nonprofit organizations in the city.

“All funds for these programs would have to be reflected in this major cut,” Johnson said. “Some of the programs probably wouldn’t survive. Not only would we have problems funding the economic-development aspects of our CDBG program, we would have problems funding other aspects as well.”

The budget deal that President Barack Obama and Congressional leaders struck April 8 cuts just 11 percent of funds from the national CDBG budget. City spokesman Chris Mims said he did not yet know how those cuts will impact Jackson.

Making His Own Way It’s March 21, and Moore is a week behind his scheduled opening date for the new Campbell’s Bakery. As he gets ready to open his store, Moore is still working as a pastry chef at Mermaid Café until the restaurant fills his position. The night before, he got home at 2 a.m. and woke up at 6 a.m. to prepare Campbell’s for opening. Working 14-hour days has become standard these days.

Now, with a payroll and rent to make, Moore is eager to open, but shows few signs of stress. With the help of his wife, Natalie, and community members, Moore has transformed the interior of the bakery, which has been a Fondren staple since the 1950s. When he got word that the contractors who had started the renovations were behind schedule, Moore put out a call to the community and family members. They showed up in droves to help him open.

His wife, who works full time as a dental hygienist, has been helping him on her off hours.

The walls now have a fresh coat of light-blue paint and new baseboards. Moore has added a cake-decorating room with windows where colorful cookie cutters hang on hooks.

Bright green and orange chests that Moore bought from N.U.T.S. serves as the bakery’s front counters next to new pastry cases. Moore will soon hang paintings from Jackson artists such as Josh Hailey on the walls.

“We wanted it to be shabby chic with mixed-matched plates and mugs to make it feel homey and welcoming,” Natalie Moore says as she preps the front of the store for more painting.

At 7 p.m., Moore is perfecting a coconut cake. “I’ve never made one of these before,” he says as he puts icing on the four-layer cake.

The bakery came equipped with ovens, a mixer, two freezers, a mop sink and a walk-in fridge. The tricky part has been learning how to operate the ovens that are almost as old as Moore. The deck ovens open like drawers and once served as pizza ovens in an old Shakey’s Pizza location now occupied

by Fondren Guitars nearby.

Ron Chane, owner of Swell-O-Phonic, stops in to say hello to his new business neighbor, and Moore points to the

Chris Paige, owner of Custom Cuts & Styles, received a $12,000 small-business grant from the city of Jackson to expand his business.

floor of the oven to show how it slants. Moore spent the better part of his work day using a jack to move the large ovens so that his cakes would turn out even.

“You should have just tilted it even more, so the cakes would be tilted,” Chane, who designed T-shirts for Campbell’s’, jokes. “It kind of makes it weird, just like Fondren.

You could call it Crooked Cakes in Fondren.”

“You’re the idea man,” Moore says, pointing to Chane.

For years, Moore had been saving money to start his business because he did not want to begin by taking out a loan and being in debt. He partnered with former Campbell’s owner Robert Lewis, who still owns the equipment.

Despite his savings, Moore never thought he would be able to have such a well-equipped bakery.

Moore admits that he underestimated what it would take to actually open a business, but says he should have known better. His father, Delton Moore, who once owned a pharmacy in south Jackson, gave his son three pieces of advice about opening a business: “It’s going to take twice as long as you think, and it’s going to cost twice as much.

“And finally,” he said, pausing, “you are not the exception to the rule.”

Moore wipes the sweat off his brow and laughs.

“I still thought I was the exception,” he says. “I had it all planned out. I had a list of things I would do every day to open on time. … I thought I could do all this work all myself.”

Moore’s father and his mother, Peggy, show up with Chinese take-out. After the family sits down for a meal at the cake-decorating table, they roll up their sleeves and paint furniture until late that evening.

Taking a Chance, see page 16

jacksonfreepress.com

Work and What to Do About It,” (Harper Collins, 1995, $18.99). The “E” stands for entrepreneur.

The city of Jackson approved 1,280 business licenses in 2010. As many chain stores and restaurants have moved to the suburbs, Jackson has become an attractive community for small, independent business owners.

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. said the city has expedited the process of issuing business permits since he first took office in 2009. For example, the city has issued about 70 business licenses per month from December 2010 to February 2011, Johnson said. Jackson has also been able to expand its funding for small-business grants through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant program.

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives proposed cutting CDBG funds by 62 percent—the largest cut to the program in its 41-year history. The program was designed to help municipalities shore up community services as well as economic development. To receive CDBG funds, cities must show that their programs benefit low-and moderate-income residents, prevent or eliminate blight or meet an urgent need in the community.

“We are providing a service that the community needs,” said city of Jackson Economic Development Acting Deputy Director Mike Davis, who oversees the program. “It is very rewarding to know that as the result of these funds, over 200 jobs have been created.”

The city offers three types of grants: the Storefront Improvement Grant; the Small Business Development Grant; and the Special Economic Development Grant. The city of Jackson awards the grants through an application process, and business owners must match 25 percent of the federal funds awarded.

In 2004, during his second term, Johnson established the Small Business Development Grant Program to provide business owners with operational and technological equipment upgrades such as computers, copiers and cash registers.

In 2010, the city expanded the grant program to include the Special Economic Development Grant. Businesses that make at least $1.5 million in facility improvements and create at least 30 full-time jobs are eligible for grants under this program. One business to receive a grant was Vowell’s Marketplace, a grocery store in south Jackson on the site of an old Kroger, which is expected to bring 50 new jobs and $10 million in sales to the city.

Last year, 35 small businesses benefited from Jackson’s grant programs. The city issued 24 small-business grants totaling $295,499; 10 Storefront Improvements Grants totaling $89,9330.60; and one Special Business Development Grant for $50,000.

“The funding we receive from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program is vitally important in keeping these grant programs going,” Johnson said in a January statement in response to Congress’ plan to cut the program. “We implore federal decision makers to look at the jobs we have been able to create and save at the local level, as well as the success of the small businesses that have benefitted from this program. The numbers speak for themselves.”

Davis said that his department reviews the applications and recommends the grants to the Jackson City Council’s

15

Taking a Chance, from page 15

After a Mississippi Department of Health inspector gives Campbell’s the seal of approval, Moore opens his doors March 23. But nothing could have prepared him for what happens as soon as he turns on his storefront sign.

The night before, a reporter from WAPT-TV had stopped by the store while Moore was preparing to open, and interviewed him about reopening the historic bakery. His TV appearance helped get the word out, and a steady stream of customers fill the interior of the bakery on opening day.

Several customers and Fondren business owners who walk through the door exclaim how happy they are that the bakery has signs of new life. Moore, who showed up at 2 a.m. to bake, greets customers while refreshing the pastry case as his wife runs the cash register. By 2 p.m. Moore has run out of petit fours and cheesecakes and is on the verge of running out of cake pops, small bite-sized pieces of cake on sticks.

“We expected this,” he says. “But we just didn’t have enough time to prep.”

Gerber, author of “E Myth Revisited,” would say that Moore is in his infancy stage of business in which the work can consume a person, though they do it with a smile.

The majority of small business owners start their business so they can be their own boss and do what they love, but despite their hard work many businesses still fail. Business owners must take on three personalities to be successful, Gerber writes: the technician who enjoys working and getting the day-to-day operations done; the entrepreneur who is the visionary and the dreamer; and the manager who focuses on planning and putting things in order.

Instead of evenly dividing those roles, most small-business owners are only 10 percent entrepreneur, 20 percent manager and about 70 percent technician.

“You’re not only doing the work you know how to do, but the work you don’t know how to do as well,” Gerber writes. “You’re not only making it, but you’re also buying it, selling it and shipping it. During infancy, you’re a master juggler, keeping all the balls in the air.”

But when those balls fall, which they inevitably will, Gerber says, that’s when a business must transition to adolescence, or it will fail.

“To be a technician is simply insufficient to the task of building a great small business,” Gerber writes. “Being consumed by the tactical work on the business … leads to one thing: a complicated, frustrating and eventually demeaning job.”

April 13 - 19, 2011

Transitioning Out of Infancy One year ago, Chris Paige opened Custom Cuts and Styles, a barbershop in south Jackson on Terry Road, with one hair-cutting station and a handful of loyal clients. Today, he has three full-time barbers, six cutting stations and a styling room for women.

The afternoon of March 30, Paige wraps up a long day of setting appointments, cutting hair and managing his business.

A sign that reads “no profanity no cussing zone” hangs next to a 42-inch flat-screen television and his 2011 Jackson Free Press “Best of Jackson” award for Best Rising Entrepreneur.

The 32-year-old Jackson native opened the shop to help revive south Jackson’s business community. After he opened, he applied for a storefront improvement grant.

With the $12,000 the city awarded him, he got a 75 percent refund on equipment such as styling stations, the television, shampoo bottles and chairs. The grant is only 16 eligible for equipment purchases.

After working a full day, Paige heads to the Academy of Hair Design where he teaches barbering four nights a week.

Paige recently received approval for another grant through BankPlus, which he will use to purchase a sign, and office furniture and equipment, including a computer.

After working in various barbershops for 12 years, Paige took out a small business loan so he could open his shop.

He went door-to-door with flyers in the neighborhoods that surround his business to attract new clients.

ANDY CULPEPPER

The ‘E-Myth’

Natalie Moore helps run Campbell’s Bakery during her off hours from her job as a dental hygienist.

Paige says the city’s support helped him transition and expand his business. He is now eyeing a possible location for a second future barbershop.

With an unstable economy, Paige said he has had to work hard to keep up his client base and is always looking to improve his services—which are somewhat recession-proof, but not entirely. “(Customers) come and see you depending on if they have a job or not,” Paige said. “With the economy down, I did see a decline in my customers. Not because they didn’t want to come, but because they couldn’t come. You can’t just be comfortable with the customers that you have; you have to always try and get new ones in.”

As businesses grow and change, they must learn to adapt and mature, Gerber points out. A mature company is founded on a broader perspective. Instead of leaving decisions up to chance, a business successfully grows by knowing where it is and where it needs to be.

Cities such as Little Rock, Birmingham and Baton Rouge have created business incubators to help entrepreneurs transition through the various stages of owning a business. An incubator essentially is a hub where entrepreneurs rent space, and receive resources and business-growth assistance from professionals.

In the fall of 2010, Downtown Jackson Partners provided start-up funds for Jackson to start a business incubator. Wes Holsapple, president and CEO of Jackson’s Venture Incubator, said last year that his goal was to serve at least 30 local businesses by the end of the second quarter through its different levels of membership, which allow clients to only

lease an office, or use the organization for training, development and networking.

The incubator hosted a private tour April 5 at its new location at the City Centre on Lamar Street, after unexpectedly having to leave its location in the Regions Building.

Hertz Investment Group, the owner of the Regions building, had donated space to Venture Incubator since October.

The group announced March 25 that the state Personnel Board and a division of the Department of Finance and Administration signed leases for more than 50,000 square feet of space. At the event, several new clients mingle in a small space in the center of its new office. The incubator will host an official open house this summer.

Holsapple, who selects the clients, says the incubator is still growing and hasn’t yet taken hold like other cities.

But he hopes that his clients’ success will create momentum for future business owners. The new clients, who are in the process of moving in, are at various stages in their businesses’ growth but still need the support and structure of an incubator.

Emerge Memphis, an incubator in Memphis, Tenn., has been a successful model for helping entrepreneurs meet their goals. Emerge Memphis President Gwin Scott says that incubators must set benchmarks and measure their clients’ success to play a prominent role in a city’s business growth.

Scott says Emerge Memphis delivered 12,000 consulting hours to its clients last year and reviewed 500 business plans.

“The average company in here grew by 35 percent in revenues last year,” he said. “These are metrics that we want to make sure we are continuing to promote. This is time we are spending with companies, and holding them accountable and challenging them to do what they say they are going to do.”

Working with the Giants When California developer Jesse Wright purchased the 34-acre Jackson Square Shopping Center at Terry Road and Interstate 55 last February, the shopping center, which had fallen victim to urban blight, looked like a war zone. The shells of former businesses were filled with trash and the homeless, who took shelter in the space, had started fires to keep warm.

The shopping center’s decline started in the 1980s and continued into the 1990s when its anchor store, Zayre’s Department Store, closed its doors. When Zayre’s closed, Johnson says the other stores “scattered like ants.”

“Call it white flight or urban decline, but when taxpayers left the city—white or middle-class citizens—they no longer had interest to come back and keep up with properties,” Johnson said.

The shopping strip needed massive renovations, but Wright and property manager Kenneth Johnson were determined to revive it.

Today, the shopping center is hardly recognizable from its former self. The developer installed exterior lights and air conditioning units, and brought the strip mall back to life.

Johnson has big plans for the center. Inside the property’s leasing office, Johnson points to a map, which shows that its south building is 90 percent leased. The shopping center now houses Ward 7 City Councilman Tony Yarber’s P.H.A.T. Church, a sobriety center, clothing stores and a bingo hall.

Johnson recently signed leases for two more clothing stores, a day-care center and a hair salon.

The north building appears desolate at the moment, Taking a Chance, see page 18

SHOPKEEP

Shopkeeper: Cecil Taylor

Mississippi Farmer’s Market on High Street, open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. To place an order directly, call 601-845-0767 or 601-927-4651.

Jesse Gallagher Sarah J Griff Howard Lori Carpenter Scroggins Ginger Rankin Brock Freeman

JERTRUTHA CRAWFORD

M

ention “farmer’s market,” and thoughts of fresh fruits and vegetables mingled with farm-raised eggs and honey spring to mind. These days, however, markets welcome other local vendors who want to sell their wares, from handmade jewelry to photographs to pine needle baskets.

Cecil Taylor, 58, is the front man for the booth-shop known affectionately as Papaw’s Crafts, or in some circles, Papaw’s Woodworks. The name is derived from his grandchildren’s term of endearment coupled with his specialty: woodcraft in all shapes and sizes. His grandchildren, whom he watches during the day, have nicknames of their own: Grasshopper, Half-pint and Little Bear.

Born June 8, 1952, in Carmack, Taylor and his 11 brothers and sisters moved around quite a bit with their mother and father who farmed all over Mississippi, finally settling in Byram. It was his father who initially taught him about woodworking and carpentry, and it was a skill that he would have to turn to later in life.

“I was in commercial heating and cooling for 36 years,” Taylor says. “The first residential job I tried to do in an unfinished house, I fell down a flight of stairs and broke just about every bone in my body—wrists, back, cracked ribs, and now I even have artificial knees. The doctor told me I couldn’t even get on a riding lawnmower again, or I would be paralyzed from the waist down.”

Taylor went back to work anyway, he says, until the pain got too great, at which point he turned to woodworking.

“I like what I do now,” he says. “It’s like putting together big puzzles. Anything I see in a magazine I can make in my workshop. I have a lot of tinkerers in my family; four of my brothers are auto mechanics—tinkerers and highway patrolmen.”

Papaw’s Crafts began when a man clearing out the woods around his house brought Taylor some of the timber.

He also reclaims wood and tin from his friends’ dilapidated barns and cypress from old, abandoned antebellum homes in the Delta. “The pitted cypress you find in the older buildings really makes for good work,” he says.

The craftsman’s best sellers are his birdhouses. “I tried painting some of the birdhouses I make, but those didn’t sell very well. For some reason, people really enjoy the rustic look.

Taylor’s best-seller is birdhouses, but he also makes jewelry boxes, wooden gavels and hammers, cedar chests, coffee tables, and marshmallow guns for children. For sports fans, he offers servings trays, footstools and college cut-outs.

The tin on the roofs is thicker, and it’s a lot harder to find.”

Taylor doesn’t stop at birdhouses, though.

He makes jewelry boxes, wooden gavels and hammers; for the children, he crafts whirligigs, push-ducks and marshmallow guns; for sports fanatics he sells serving trays, footstools and college cutouts, with Ole Miss and Mississippi State his top-sellers. His larger items include cedar chests, coffee tables and larger birdhouses, and he also takes custom orders.

“I can usually finish a cedar chest in a week,” he says.

“The birdhouses usually take about five hours altogether to put together.”

Taylor is now working to expand his market into higher-end goods, including clocks. Although clocks take a bit more time to make because of the small pieces, Taylor enjoys it. “I still like tinkering,”

Now a Paul Mitchell signature salon.

775 Lake Harbour Drive #H in Ridgeland 601.856.4330 | fax: 601.856.4505

Pawpaw’s Crafts joined the vendor line-up at the Mississippi Farmer’s Market on High Street three years ago, and that’s where Taylor mainly sells his goods. He will sometimes make an appearance at a local craft show, and occasionally he sets up shop at the Clinton Farmer’s Market (which is open once a month) in the summertime, but only to sell his homegrown tomatoes and corn (even though his grandchildren would love to see him make biscuits full-time).

All other open-market times you’ll find him at his High Street booth, talking to customers about his birdhouses and telling the short but epic stories that go with them. You might also find his work at locally owned businesses around the Jackson area such as Huttos.

Taylor plans on staying involved with the farmer’s markets “as long as the good Lord lets me,” he says.

jacksonfreepress.com

Papaw’s Crafts

by Amanda Kittrell

17

COURTESY KENNETH JOHNSON

Taking a Chance, from page 16

When California developer Jesse Wright purchased the Jackson Square Shopping Center last winter, the buildings needed major renovation.Today, the south building is 90 percent leased.

but Johnson recently signed leases to bring in a blues and jazz lounge, a hair salon and an upscale nightclub—all locally owned.

But Johnson is most excited about plans for an events space and movie theater to move into the 20,000-squarefoot space next month. Johnson said that the independent owner, who declined an interview, is renovating the center’s former movie theater space to create a dinner theater to show movies and live plays, and provide a venue where bands can perform.

“There is a lot taking place in south Jackson. A few years ago, we weren’t a focus. But now I think we have raised enough noise and held the mayor to a standard of focusing on other areas for development besides downtown,” Johnson said. “He made that his campaign promise, and he is certainly trying to live up to that.”

Johnson has also been steadily working to secure a grocery store in the shopping center to move into the large 40,000-square-foot space that Jitney Jungle previously occupied in the north building. So far, he says, the extent of renovations needed have been a detractor for grocery stores that he has tried to bring in.

As more businesses move into the center, Johnson hopes that the increase of traffic and revenue will attract a larger chain store to serve as an anchor. Eventually, he wants to renovate the strip’s blue awnings and brick facades to create an appealing outlet mall, similar in appearance to the Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland. In 2007, Ridgeland approved tax increment financing for developers to build the Renaissance, which is home to several high-end chains such

as Anthropologie, J. Crew and Banana Republic.

“If you look at the area now, we don’t have population (or) income to support a development like the Renaissance.

So we aren’t going to see Ann Taylor Loft or Ralph Lauren open stores here. When this area comes back—and I’m not saying ‘if,’ I’m saying ‘when’—our goal is to become an outlet mall,” Johnson says.

“Right now, we need tenants that will thrive here and cater to the population—which is low-to-middle income,” he adds. “If we can get an anchor store to draw populations, a number of local tenants will thrive as a result.”

Johnson says that when it comes to making the decision on what types of stores to lease space to, the strip wants to support local businesses. But in the end, they have to adapt to changes.

“We want to completely tear up this façade, dice larger buildings into small stores, and we have a plan to build apartments on top of the stores,” he says. “… We want to create the Renaissance (at Highland Colony Park) of south Jackson.

We would want to have a façade that would match them. If these businesses can keep up with this, they can stay.”

Johnson added, however, that he wants to replicate the exterior of Ridgeland’s Renaissance, and not push small business owners out with high-end stores, even though the rent could increase with the addition of corporate stores.

“It needs to have a local feel and a local vibe to reflect the area,” he says. “… I don’t want to create too many cookiecutter stores, because I believe locally owned stores can provide the same services with a smile on their face.”

For retail developers, creating options for small-business

owners to set up shop can be a challenge. Because of the millions of dollars it takes to complete a development, banks like to see tentative agreements with well-known chain and corporate stores.

“A lot of times, these mega banks want to see corporate chains in contracts because they believe that’s a sign of stability,” says Jeff Milchen, co-founder and outreach director of the American Independent Business Alliance, based in Boulder, Colo., with affiliates all across the United States. “More and more today, that’s less of an indicator, but there isn’t a valid reason for that. But that’s an issue for developers—there are financiers who want to see big corporate names on the table.”

Fondren currently does not have a single corporate anchor store, but its business community is flourishing. In the last month, Salsa Mississippi, a dance studio, has moved to the center of Fondren. A sushi restaurant opened its doors, a new consignment store opened in Duling School, and the Fondren Art Gallery expanded. A new clothing store will soon open in the former Orange Peel space, after the popular consignment store moved to a larger space a few blocks away on Mitchell Avenue.

David Waugh, president of the Fondren Association of Businesses, says his organization supports an anchor store moving into the area, but adds that it’s important to find a corporate store that fits into Fondren and won’t compete with existing business owners.

“Historically, if you have some of the chain stores on the smaller scale—not big-box stores—they can provide a draw to get people into smaller locally owned stores. We are trying to figure out how that mix works,” Waugh says.

For instance, Waugh says, a chain fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s would not work because it would compete with Rooster’s. But the advantage of a chain is that they bring stability into a business district because a chain can sustain itself through a business’ inevitable first-year revenue loss.

“The chains have financing and capital to get through the first few years,” he says. “The first year, you won’t make any money at all. The second year, you have to pay back what you lost. It’s not until the third year that you make a profit.”

Milchen echoed Waugh’s assessment, adding that if there is a balance, chain stores and small businesses can mutually benefit—but it takes developers, business owners and city leaders to make sure that balance is occurring.

Taking a Chance, see page 19 >>

Biz Book Shelf

April 13 - 19, 2011

“Poke the Box” by Seth Godin (The Domino Project, 2011, $12.99) A manifesto about being willing to take risks and “poke” around to make things happen.

18

“Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink (Riverhead Hardcover, 2009, $26.95) Pink shares his discoveries on the things that actually motivate people: a deeply human need to direct our own lives, a need to learn and create new things, and a desire to do better by ourselves and our world.

“Zen Habits Handbook for Life” by Leo Babauta (The Editorium, 2011, $12.95) Tips from the blog, including: how to simplify life; how to be productive with less stress; and how to achieve your dreams.

“Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time” by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz (Crown Business, 1st edition, 2005, $26) This book is not about networking. It is about connecting and building genuine relationships based on generosity and respect. It has become a JFP standby.

“Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter” by Liz Wiseman and Greg Mckeown (HarperBusiness, 2010, $25.99) A leadership philosophy that teaches you how to be a leader who inspires and cultivates your employees.

“Rework” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (Crown Business, 2010, $22) A handbook that offers a new approach to success in business. For example: Work less and have fewer meetings.

“Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh (Business Plus, 2010, $23.99) Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, shares how to create a positive corporate environment where employees are happy and productive.

“Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age” by Juana Bordas (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2007, $21.95) This book explores principles for working within a multicultural society and diverse populations, taken from various traditions.

COURTESY MITCHELL MOORE

“I think they can live and compete, to some degree, with each other without a problem if there is sufficient consideration given to trying to first fill the needs of what a local business can provide and then looking at other options,” Milchen says. “If there are unmet desires in that shopping area, where no local prospect can be identified, it’s OK to look at outside companies as a secondary option, not a primary one.”

Mitchell Moore’s passion for baking started when he received an Easy-Bake Oven for Christmas at the age of 4.

But we just keep selling out—the people just go crazy for it.

It’s a problem, but a good problem to have.”

In the past week, Moore has hired two cashiers and two additional bakers. He has plans to hire two part-time cake decorators. While he has always enjoyed baking, he is determined not to get trapped in the kitchen. He wants to be more than a baker; he wants to be a business owner.

Even though the past two weeks have been hard, they have also been some of the most memorable and adrenaline-filled

times of Moore’s life. He admits he could not have opened without the help of his friends and family, and the support he’s gotten from the community has been overwhelming.

“People have said thank you, not just for reopening because they can have cookies, but these people grew up with Campbell’s for 50 years, and they don’t want to see it gone,” he says.

“Now it has a chance.”

Comment at www.jfp.ms.

jacksonfreepress.com

Hard Lessons Learned During his first few weeks in business, Moore learned some lessons about how difficult it can be to run his own bakery. Because he opened the bakery on a minimal budget, he has to wait for the cash to flow before he could hire more help.

Although he had hired a full-time baker, and his wife helped run the cash register, Moore was essentially trying to do all the work himself while the customers were not letting up.

Moore arrives to work at 2 a.m. Wednesday, April 6, to begin baking for the day, and he works nonstop until Thursday at 11 p.m. On Wednesday evening, after making about 60 petit fours for an order due the next morning, he realizes an ingredient has gone bad. He has no choice but to start over on the entire order.

“To make petit fours, you have to bake a cake, slice it and let the icing dry. You can’t do it quickly,” he says. “It’s an hours-and-hours-long process, (and) the people were coming in at 10 a.m. to pick it up.”

Moore works a 48-hour shift before he goes home to crash, only to do it all over again. No matter how much he bakes, he can’t seem to keep up with his customers’ demands.

“I have to work through the night. In the first 15 days of being open, I have pulled four all-nighters,” he says. “We keep baking more. I don’t keep making the same mistake.

19

LOCAL BUSINESS FOCUS

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

The Rogue and 4450: A Jackson Fixure and A Fashionable Addition

April 13 - April 19, 2011

“

20

My wife and I bought the business in August of 2005. I had always wanted to own a small business and being from Jackson, there was no better small business than The Rogue,” said Luke Abney, owner of the Rogue and 4450 with his wife, Alison.

“The Rogue is a Jackson mainstay, a fixture in the community, and a business that I have a passion about in men’s clothing,” Luke said.

The men’s clothier offers something for every man, whether you are going to the golf course, the office, a football game, or having dinner with friends.

From suits to sportswear to casual wear, the Abneys have sought to put together a store where you can find exactly what you are looking for.

They offer brands such as Robert Talbott, Southern Tide, Joseph Abboud, Peter Millar, Eton of Sweden, and Robert Graham. They also offer The Rogue Brand neckwear and khaki trousers.

The Rogue carries clothing for boys as well, such as wool and cotton khaki pants, soft cotton button down shirts, long sleeve shirts, and Peter Millar knit shirts.

“Our main goal when we purchased The Rogue was to enhance and add value to the retail experience by offering unsurpassed service, a uniquely warm environment, to give back to the community and to build trusting relationships with customers and friends that The Rogue has done business with for 40 years—and continue those into the next generation,” Luke said.

The Abneys’ focus on the quality and experience of their staff. “One of the keys is the fact that our staff, which we feel is the best in the business, has over 200 years of experience at The Rogue and have worked with many generations of Rogue customers,” Luke said.

The Rogue strives to make the customer’s experience a unique one. One of the special offerings of The Rogue is that a customer may call the store and have clothing pulled from

the racks — and even pay over the phone. All the customer has to do is pick the items up from the store. The Rogue also offers a dynamic website at therogue.com, where customers can learn more about the business, see the brands, check out new arrivals and keep up with the business on its blog.

The Abneys have pushed out into social media, offering regular updates on Facebook along with an e-mail newsletter that customers can subscribe to and learn more about upcoming sales and additions to the inventory.

Offers and partnerships are creative—a recent offer would net you some college baseball tickets when you shop in the store.

“Our business has evolved and changed over the last few years with a broader selection of merchandise as well as updating the interior and fixtures of the store,” Luke said.

The Abneys point to the history of the Rogue as one reason they were interested in purchasing the store; but history is also a strong reason why The Rogue’s customers keep returning year after year.

“Many of our customers have been shopping at The Rogue since we were located at The Capri Theatre,” Luke said. “They have grown with The Rogue in the clothing they wear and depend on us to update them with new styles and trends.”

“Our customer has introduced their family to our store

4450 I-55 North Jackson, MS 39211 601-362-6386 therogue.com

and now we work with many generations of their family,” he continued.

Challenges? There are some, although the strong customer base sustains them.

“We are no different than many other small, local businesses. We all have challenging issues, but we handle them and move forward,” he said.

Forty Four Fifty: A Taste of the Big City in Jackson Forty Four Fifty opened in September of 2008. When Harold’s left the building that houses the Rogue in 2007, the Abneys knew that they had a great opportunity to open a new store. Their employees— those with the impressive fash-

4450 I-55 North Jackson, MS 39211 601-366-3687 www.facebook.com/FortyFourFifty

ion pedigrees—were also interested in the concept of the type store they were opening.

“Our main idea in opening Forty Four Fifty was to make it like no other store in town.

We wanted it to have a feel from New York, Dallas—just a cool boutique that was different than what you see in town,” Luke told us.

Part of that success meant building the right team. “As we began the transformation of the old space into Forty Four Fifty, we were fortunate to have Kim McMullan, Natalie Abernethy, and Margie McGee join us in helping design the new space, selection of new vendors, and many other facets to opening our new store,” Luke said.

The Abneys’ mission is very similar at Forty Four Fifty to The Rogue: deliver outstanding customer service with the best selection of women’s fashion.

“Our greatest asset is the employees we have on our team.

The current staff has over 100 years of retail experience either as buyers, managers, or selling on the floor. Without them, we could not have the success we have had as a new business at Forty Four Fifty,” Luke said.

LOCAL BUSINESS FOCUS

Greg and Kathy McDade met— and fell in love—while they were both working for a large grocery store chain in Arkansas; Greg was district manager in the Little Rock division and Kathy was the corporate deli director.

Both of them had worked their way up from bagging and checking, with continued success leading to the “corner office.” But corporate life wasn’t quite for them; once together, they decided to make a change.

“We wanted to find a store we could call a true ‘neighborhood store’,” came in handy the next year, 2005, Kathy McDade said. “After looking in when Winn-Dixie was forced to Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, file bankruptcy and the McDades we found the old Sunflower store acquired their third store, the historic here in Jackson. We felt it had the “Jitney 14” location on Fortification greatest potential to become what we Street. Less than a year later, in 2006, wanted.” the McDades opened their fourth In1996,theypurchasedtheformer store in historic Westland Plaza, an Sunflower grocery that served as an area that was underserved by grocery anchor of Maywood Mart in Northeast stores after the Winn-Dixie exodus.

Jackson. But the renovation was a In 2007, the McDades realized tough one—30-year-old cases were an upgrade to their original vision replaced, new front-end equipment in Maywood; the McDade’s Market installed and every department had “Extra” was born, featuring gourmet to be updated. It wasn’t until 1998 that items, organic produce and extra the name change was official—it was specialty offerings. In 2010, they now McDade’s Market. The McDades doubled the size of their McDade’s felt like they’d realized their original Wine and Spirits showroom, giving vision. them an opportunity to expand their “We had to work long hours to selection to include some of the make the store the true neighborhood state’s most esoteric and interesting store it is today,” Mrs. McDade said. brands.

“It’s worth it, though, when a customer Mrs. McDade says that their walks up to you and says ‘We customers are their lifeblood, making appreciate you and we are so glad it all possible with support and you’re here.’ encouragement. The McDades have “With one store under their belt, maintained their commitment to each the McDades found that success— oftheirneighborhoods,offeringquality and new challenges—continued to meats, fresh produce and services present themselves. In 2000, when that vary from in-store bakeries and space came open next to McDade’s lunch counters to expansive beer Market, the couple opened McDade’s coolers and full-service delis.

Wine and Spirits.

Most important, though, is “We wanted to have some say in personal service. what went next to the grocery store Mrs. McDade tells how she we’d worked so hard to build,” Kathy shops her own store like anyone else said. “We wanted something that would (after all, she’s not going to the would be a natural tie-in.” competition!), but even when she’s In 2004, the McDades were in “customer mode” she can’t help again faced with a challenge and an but stop any confused looking fellow opportunity. The Winn-Dixie chain customers and point them in the right of grocery stores was restructuring direction. and looking to sell stores to avoid “I don’t usually tell them I’m bankruptcy. The McDades purchased ‘Mrs. McDade’,” she says with a very the Woodland energetic laugh Hills/Fondren while making “air Winn-Dixie quotes” with her and began a fingers. renovation that “ T h e y would lead to just think I’m their second some sort of McDade’s Market crazy-helpful 653 Duling Avenue, Jackson • (601) 366-5273 1200 East Northside Drive • (601) 366-8486 location. lady shopping 904 East Fortification Street • (601) 355-9668 The experalong with them 2526 Robinson Road • (601) 353-0089 ience gained in on a Saturday www.mcdadesmarkets.com that acquisition morning!”

Yogurt Brings the Sweet Life Paul and Nicole Martin had a fabulous first date over sushi. To continue the night, they tried to think of a sweet, healthy dessert treat—and realized they couldn’t think of anywhere to go.

While the date was still a success—the couple was married within a year—after two years, they still hadn’t found a fun place to enjoy a healthy dessert.

“We decided to take matters into our own hands and open up a selfserve yogurt shop for the community to enjoy. This type of concept is so fun because the flavor combinations are active cultures. That means that the virtually endless,” said Paul. sweet treat not only taste good, it’s “We opened in August of 2010 but also good for your tummy. the process started at the beginning Sweet Tree Yogurt’s unique name of the year with a cool idea—and a lot is grounded in the couple’s faith. of prayer! It took months of research “While singing a hymn about the and development... more than we Old Rugged Cross, the expected, but the reward Lord revealed the name to was so much fun.” us.

The cross of Calvary The long hours of where Christ died for our researchpaidoff.Theyogurt sins is the sweetest tree of shop boasts high-quality all.

His grace and love is ingredients and toppings the sweetest gift and the in addition to wonderful name was clear from that customer service. They are 772 Lake Harbour Drive #5 Ridgeland, MS 39157 point forward,” Paul said. especially proud to serve (601) 707-5491 frozen yogurt with live and www.sweettreeyogurt.com

Over 50 Years of Green Started in 1960 by Billy Martinson, Green Oak Garden Center & Florist is a second-generation, family-run business which is owned by Mr. Martinson’s daughter, Karen McKie, and her husband, Maur. Karen, who was born the year the shop was opened, has literally grown up in the flower business.

Together, Karen and Maur have taken a Garden Center and Florist that had once been an old gas station and built a thriving business which has grown to include a Gift shop, Landscape Installation and Maintenance, Interiorscaping, Seasonal Color Rotation, and Christmascaping.

“Of all the services Green Oak reduce the levels of carbon dioxide and offers,” Mr. McKie commented. airborne dust,” he continued.

“Interior-scaping is probably the But,asidefromalloftheirlandscaping most unusual. specially today with and interiorscaping services, Green Oak a lot of emphasis placed on ‘Green’ continues to provide customers with the building. Green Oak designs, installs, best of plant material and floral design. and maintains plants in commercial “We have an ever-increasing client buildings to provide a ‘greener’ work- base who send weekly, or monthly flower ing environment. A lot of arrangements. I know it’s people don’t realize all the hard to believe, but there benefits of having plants are still folks out there who in their office,” Mr. McKie want to say ‘thanks’ with said. something other than an “Besides adding to the email,” McKie joked. welcoming atmosphere “And, Green Oak is and helping to lower stress here to help them go that levels, plants are natural extra mile!”

5009 Old Canton Road Jackson, MS 39211 air purifiers which help to (601) 956-5017 www.greenoakflorist.com

jacksonfreepress.com

Growing … One Neighborhood at a Time

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

21

LOCAL BUSINESS FOCUS

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

Made With Love

Jack of All Trades, Master of Many ABE DARPER

For Robin DeVos Owen, owner of Cookin’ Up a Storm, cooking has always been a passion.

“Years ago when I owned a janitorial business, I would cook to relieve stress. That’s really where it all began. I come from a family of entrepreneurs and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

For years, she looked at different locations, considered different concepts and examined a lot of kitchen equipment. But it didn’t “click” until 2010, when she found the store she wanted to open. After years of preparation, it took three months to open the store in July of into a wonderful service for her customlast year. ers—delicious home-cooked meals that “My goal is to provide people with are fast, easy and healthy. great food that keeps them coming Cookin’ Up a Storm provides real back,” Owen said. “I also strive to find meals for families that don’t have the gourmet specialty foods that are unique time or energy to cook—just grab and and taste good. I am really trying to let go. The shop also offers gourmet food my customers dictate what we sell. If items from around Mississippi, along they love it and come back for more we with kitchen and household gifts to make know we are doing something right.” your time spent in the kitchen and at the Owen named the store in part for dinner that much more special. her son, Storm, and she has very high And she caters! Owen said caterexpectations for herself. “My sister re- ing is one of her favorite challenges: “We minds me often of how far I have come love being creative with the menu and in a short amount of time. It is can come up with whatever a daily balancing act. I am so theme someone gives us.” fortunate to have great emIf you enjoy eating as much ployees who I learn from evas Owen enjoys cooking, ery day.” then you’re in for a treat.

Owen’s philosophy is a “It is what I love to get up simple one—do one thing, and do every day!” Owen 601-957-1166 and do it well. She’s turned said.

Canton Mart Square that philosophy and passion Jackson, MS

April 13 - 19, 2011

Living a Hero’s Dream

22

Jay Long is a lifelong collector of comics and toys.

After studying business and earning a Master’s in Criminal Justice, he decided it was time to combine his educational background with his passion and open a totally new popculture outlet for comics, toys, pop culture art, and collectibles.

“When I graduated in 2005, I went to work as a part-time instructor for Hinds Community College and over the next year started contemplating opening my own business,” Long said.

“During the summer of 2006, after lots of consideration and discussions with friends and family I decided that central Mississippi needed a really great comics and pop-culture retail store, so made the leap into retail and never looked back.”

Long, along with Vice President of Retail Dale Griffin and Vice President of Production Joshua Powell, believes

passionately in their “Dream Big” mission.

“We want to provide the local area with the very best service, fantastic products, and a fun environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to come and share ideas and be a part of a community,” Long said.

“We also expanded in 2009 to include film/video production.”

There is one thing that Long doesn’t love about his business.

“I don’t like paperwork. I’d rather be marketing the business, talking with my customers or looking for the next great comic book or collectible.

Paperwork is a necessary evil.”

Ron Chane, the man known to most people around town as simply “Chane,” started his first T-shirt business on a whim.

“I had a $150 and I wanted to see if I could double my money,” said Chane.

He currently owns and operates three stores in Fondren, although his friends and customers know that could change at any minute. Studio Chane is his screenprint shop; Swell-O-Phonic sells T-shirts, exclusive sneakers and skateboards; Wiliai is a women’s boutique.

And while he’s owned a swirl of other shops—in a variety of locations touching almost every development in the neighborhood—he actually ended up in Fondren by happenstance.

“When I first moved to Fondren, in 1998, I was actually passing through.

“My customer base started out as I was selling shirts to a store call teens and twenties. But over the last Shakedown, which was next door to two years I can’t say I really have a core Cups (Espresso Cafe),” said Chane. “I customer,” Chane said. “With the growth was actually not even living in the city of the Jackson series (of T-shirts), if you at the time. I was living in Pensacola have a heartbeat— you’re my customer.

Beach and I’d come through on one of I have 80-year-olds coming in the my promotional tours. I stopped through store.”

Jackson and he told me that the Chinese Chane is always looking to expand restaurant next to him was closing down. what he started so many years ago— It felt right. I signed a lease that week. and has, with his base in Fondren and Though the posts in three cities. recession has affected “I’m just glad to still the pioneering Fondren be here,” he said. “I’d entrepreneur, he says really like to expand the last two years what we’ve already have been notable for started in New York, 2906 North State Street, broadening the range London, Boston… and Jackson, MS 39216 of diversity of his Jackson.”

(601) 981-3547 customers.

Keeping Flowood Funky Many of us dream of opening our own business; living free of the shackles of working for “The Man.” In 2004, Steve Brown threw down the gauntlet. Using money he had been saving for years, Steve invested in himself and opened Shaggy’s Far- Outlet.

“I was very lucky that we had a great response from the beginning,” Brown said.

“I never had to borrow a dime.”

Along with a little luck, Brown also earned his keep by working 7 days a week for his first three years in business. “It was pretty brutal for those first few years,” Brown said.

“But, once the business grew, I was able to hire some help and actually take a day off.”

Over the years, Brown has es- crowd looking for concert T-shirts.” tablished Shaggy’s as a destination Diversity has undoubtedly been location for all things Counter-Cul- a key in Brown’s success, but ask ture. him, and he’ll tell you that the most “We have an incredibly diverse important aspect of Shaggy’ succustomer base,” Brown said. cess is their family-friendly atmo“I have people from 16 to 60 in sphere. here to buy incense, there are peo“We try to keep things low-key ple who come and let everyone in to buy ‘60shave fun in the style clothing for shop. I left the theme parties, negative vibes 5417 Lakeland Drive and, of course, with my last ‘real’ Flowood, MS I’ve got a regular job!”

(601) 919-3470

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

Six Days a Week of Savory

Getting Good at Change

Barbecue is in Monique and Melvin Davis’ blood. The parents of six, originally from Washington DC, opened Lumpkin’s Bar-B-Que in July of 2007 continuing a family tradition that started over 40 years ago.

“Since my family had been in the BBQ business for years, it seemed a natural fit,” said Monique Davis. “We moved to Jackson because of the small town feel, reasonable real estate and the slower pace of life.”

The rest, as they say, is history. Six days a week the Davises serve up savory barbecue with all the traditional fixings buffet style.

“Our food tastes good and it’s good for you. We prepare it fresh daily. We don’t load our vegetables down with fat. We before the recession started to effect look for the best cuts of meat. If we won’t dining out. Still, the family is committed serve it to our family, we won’t serve it to Jackson’s renaissance. The Davises regularly host an array of community our customers,” said Melvin.

Along the way they’ve learned a thing events.

“We’ve opened our doors for theator two about southern eating habits. “In rical productions, movie screenings my family, we have dressing once a year. and community meetings,” That’s at Thanks-giving. Here Monique said. dressing is a staple.” said “We want to be a part Melvin. “We learned that of revitalizing this underearly on and now we serve it served part of jackson. regularly.”

Our goal is to serve the Besides learning new community with a healthier culinary habits there are alternative, and provide a other challenges. The south 182 Raymond Road forum for people to meet, side location feels like a trek Jackson, MS learn, and talk to each 601-373-7707 to some metro residents and other.” lumpkinsbbq@comcast.net they opened for business just

Professional Staffing Group, LLC, founded by Jane Sander-Waugh and Elizabeth Robinson, succeeds through constant change and growth.

The company was started in 1994 as Legal Resources, Inc., focusing exclusively on the staffing and IT litigation support needs of the legal industry. In 2006, when the local legal market evaporated with the economic downturn, it was time to re-invent themselves. They shifted fo- ding the company in the “change” that is cus to healthcare and IT, changed their Fondren’s renaissance and growth.

Quoting Bob Dylan, Jane said: “You name, and began providing a level of better start swimming or you will sink like a service that differentiated them from local stone...the times they are a’changing.” temporary and placement agencies.

PSG is so good at change because But rather than settling in to the traditional recruiting-firm model, Jane and Eliz- change—and risk—is what they help abeth continued to observe the changes their clients manage and their candidates occurring with technology and the needs navigate. PSG fills an important role as a their clients were expressing. What has consultant and partner when companies emerged for them is a business model grow, or when institutional clients set up focused on a creative work culture and a new projects or build departments.

In order to better help their clients with commitment to truly “being local.”

Sanders-Waugh, aside from being a change they have brought more diversity Fondren business co-owner, is also an to their team, adding HR, banking, accountactress who works often with Fondren ing and engineering experience. PSG conTheatre Workshop, while Robinson is a tinues to invest in technology so that they beloved glass artist with her own shop can offer flexible, affordable turn-key work in the Fondren Corner building. They’ve solutions, including HR “anytime” advisory support, RPO (recruitment process outbeen a part of the change sourcing), project staffing that Fondren represents and management. Along for years. David Waugh with PSG’s niche staffing — Jane’s husband — is services, they continue to president of the Fondren 2906 N State St # 330 provide temp, temp-to-hire, Jackson, MS Association of Business(601) 981-1658 direct hire, and search. es (FAB), further embed-

For the Love of Art

Art for Everyday Life

Vicksburg’s Art and Soul keeps things fresh by blending hot trends, everyday function, and a little vintage. A hands-on owner, Regina Gailani’s nine year old whimsical boutique fosters unleashed creativity with contributions from numerous local and USA artists.

An artist herself, Regina designs one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, produces original Mardi Gras masks, creates wall crosses with vintage jewelry, and embellishes like a fiend.

The original concept for Art and Soul focused on beads and handmade jewelry—where first-time beaders could learn from established designers.

Featured in numerous Miss Mississip“There’s nothing more satisfying than watching a first-time beader blossom pi, Miss America, and Miss USA pagwith confidence after just a few bead- eants, Regina’s designs focus on handing classes,” says Regina. “A lot of our cut stones, quality crystals, precious beaders are now making and selling metals, and pearls of every shape and their own jewelry.” Commenting for his size (although many customers favor her bedridden wife, Mr. Willie shared “My original designs with vintage pieces).

“I love everything that Regina made wife is a new person after learning how for me. It was the best part of winning to bead from Regina.” said Miss Mississippi,” When Art and Soul Miss Mississippi 2009, expanded to include Anna Tadlock. gift and home items, ReFor Art and Soul, gina also progressed the best part of its creto earn the title “Official 1312 Washington St ative journey has just Vicksburg, MS Jewelry Designer for (601) 629-6201 started.

Miss Mississippi.”

Circa literally means “about,” generally referring to time. When you hear that something is “circa 1900,” it means it was made or built around that year.

A couple of hundred years ago, If someone needed a chair—or clothing, or plates, or fragrances—they, or someone in their community, built it.

That idea helped form the mission behind circa. Urban Artisan Living, say owners Michele and Craig Escude. Their vision: to bring together the individual artistry of years ago and the modern vibe of today. Thus, each piece at circa. is literally made by the hands of others.

“Many of our artisans are from right pillows, ink pens, and cufflinks. here in the Jackson metro area, while A special treat is their own Artisan others are from all across the country. All Scent Bar, where you can have any of of them are American,” Michele said. their line of lotions, bath gel, shaving “When you buy from circa., you are products, cologne, room diffusers and supporting individual fellow citizens, other products custom-scented with one one at a time, with each piece you buy. of their 30 different scents.

And you’re supporting your community.

Oh, and artisan doesn’t mean And you’re becoming the owner of a expensive. Their scent bar lines start at unique, hand-made piece item that you’ll $4.50; their jewelry, under $10; scarves cherish.” at $18 … you get the picture.

Because of the local ownership and The store also hosts “Jazz Night! artisan focus, circa. is a fabulous place Live at circa.” on the last Fridays of each to find the perfect gift month where you’ll hear for every occasion—for live jazz in circa.’s cool, everyone. Circa. has urban atmosphere. jewelry, clothing, furniture, Stop by today—and artwork, tableware, artisan make circa. your very food, scarves, lamps, 2771 Old Canton Rd. own.

www.artandsoulofthesouth.com

Jackson, MS 601.362.8484 www.circaliving.com

jacksonfreepress.com

LOCAL BUSINESS FOCUS

23

LOCAL BUSINESS FOCUS

April 13 - 19, 2011

Drive-In Style, Local Flair

24

Derek Emerson was born in California, the son of a professional photographer, with whom he traveled the world, experiencing all types of food.

As a child, he spent summers with his grandparents in Mississippi; he moved to Mississippi as a teen.

After working in the kitchens of Brick Oven and BRAVO! restaurant (where he met his future business partner, David Blumenthal), Derek attended culinary school in Memphis.

After school he moved to Atlanta, where he soon took the Executive Sous Chef position at Dick & Harry’s. gredients possible. Why? Because During his time there, Dick & Harry’s the best quality stuff doesn’t require as was voted “Best New Restaurant” by much done to it. Keep it simple,” he said. “Of course, we go to all corners Atlanta Magazine.

Jennifer Emerson, a Brandon na- of the earth sometimes to get those tive, has the restaurant business in her wonderful ingredients!”

Pushing the culinary envelope, blood. For 45 years, her favorite aunt Derek was a 2008 semi-finalist for the and uncle owned the Belmont Café, a prestigious James Beard Award for beloved downtown Jackson eatery.

As a child, she was entertained Best Chef: South.

Under Derek’s keen eye, Walker’s by their quirky stories about politicians Drive-In has become a local favorand patrons; throughout high school and college, Jennifer earned extra ite recognized in local and national money waiting tables at some of Jack- publications; it’s even expanded to a second building, upstairs and down, son’s finest restaurants.

After three years in Chattanooga for overflow dinner crowds and private managing The Southside Grill, Jen- events.

Blumenthal, raised in Mississippi nifer returned to Jackson, working at BRAVO! and Broad Street Bakery from an early age, had his first restau(where she also met and worked with rant job as a dishwasher. By 18, he Blumenthal) before landing at Schim- was waiting tables at the legendary Jackson restaurant, Sundancer. After mel’s Fine Dining.

After six years in Atlanta, Derek attending college at the University of also returned to Mississippi to become California, he spent nearly 2 years in Executive Chef at a new restaurant… San Francisco, waiting tables and abSchimmel’s. It was there that Derek sorbing as much as he could about and Jennifer worked together and be- food and wine.

He returned to Mississippi to came friends.

“I thought he was funny, but he’s complete his education at Ole Miss. In not somebody I thought I would date,” 1994, he teamed up with his brother, Jennifer joked. “He’s loud and outgo- Dan and partner, Jeff Good to open ing. I liked the quiet type. But, some- one of Jackson’s most popular restaurants, BRAVO!. how, he wore off on me.”

David followed this initial success A few years later, the two decided to take on the challenge of their own by opening Broad Street Baking Comrestaurant when a friend told them the pany in 1998. After ‘retiring’ from the historic Jackson landmark, Walker’s restaurant business in 1999, David Drive-In, was quietly up for sale. They started a medical imaging company.

Derek, Jennifer and David joined forces to purchase Walker’s… all remained friends through the signing the final paperwork on Sepyears. When David approached Derek tember 11, 2011.

Jennifer says they struggled at and Jennifer about opening a restaufirst; with minimal startup funds, they rant together, the idea gained new moliterally had to make enough in food mentum and after an extensive search, sales to cover their first payroll within Local 463 found its home in Madison, days of taking ownership. But those offering another “local” opportunity to enjoy great food, early months also drink and a wondertaught her that any ful, contemporary business owner has DRIVE-IN dining experience to be willing to do any3016 N State St with friends. thing in their business Jackson, MS Derek sums up their — including washing 601-982-2633 work: “Our goal is to dishes or cleaning make people happy... floors. and when you see Derek brought a people eating what strong vision of “sim121A Colony Crossing you’ve made and plicity” to Walker’s Madison, MS they’re happy — that’s food: “Use the fresh601-707-7684 a great thing!” est and the best in-

PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

Welcomes Nadine Zekam, MD, to its practice.

Dr. Nadine Zekam is a Board Certified OB-GYN physician and a member of multiple medical societies around the world. She was listed among the top Gynecologist and Obstetrician in the United States in 2008 and 2009 by the Consumer Research Council of America. She is fluent in several languages including French and Spanish.

After earning her Medical Degree in Paris, France, Dr. Zekam successfully completed her Residency at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She then practiced in Laurel, Miss., as Chief of the OB-GYN Department of Family Health Center while she served as Chairman of the OB-GYN Department at South Central Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Zekam served as Medical Director at OB-GYN Associates before recently joining Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center at its Jackson Medical Mall location.

For appointments call

Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center 601-709-5160 | 601-362-5321 ext. 222

Give Mom the gift of writing.

Register her now for

Shut Up and Write!

HAPPY HOUR M-F 4p-7p

$1 off domestic bottles, well drinks and house wines

(You can come, too.)

6-week series beginning May 7, 10 am-12:30 pm Meets every other Saturday. $150; $75 deposit to hold spot.

Get on list for future classes. class@jacksonfreepress.com 601.362.6121 ext.16 | Spots limited Ask to be on class mailing list!

All for only

$7.98

Gift certificates available, starting at $25.

WEDNESDAY 4/13

Chad Wesley

(Acoustic Aleternative) THURSDAY 4/14

Legacy with Mairtin de Cogain (Traditional Irish) FRIDAY 4/15

The Electric Co. (Rythym & Blues)

SATURDAY 4/16

Seth Libbey (Blues)

SUNDAY 4/17

Celi with the Jackson Irish Dancers MONDAY 4/18

Karaoke w/ Matt Open Mic with A Guy Named George

jacksonfreepress.com

TUESDAY 4/19

25

Mexico’s premium beer is a rich, full-flavored pilsner beer with a slightly sweet, well-balanced taste, light hop character and crisp finish.

Jackson’s neighborhood bar for over 30 years.

Thur, April 14

Ladies Night

Ladies drink free from 9-12 Karaoke with Kokomo Joe $3 Red Bull and Vodka $3 Shot of the Day $5 Budweiser pitchers

Fri, April 15

April 13 - 19, 2011

Jarekus Singleton Band $3 Well drinks $3 Shot of the Day $5 Coors Light pitchers

26

Sat, April 16

Jarekus Singleton Band $4 Red Bull and Vodka $3 Shot of the Day $5 Bud Light Pitchers

Capital City Beverages M I S S I S S I P P I ’ S C O M P L E T E B E E R S O U RC E distributed by

Ask for this beer at stores and restaurants in Central Mississippi.

Can’t find these beers? Call 601-956-2224 for more information.

Come Check-Out Twitter Tuesdays!

Drink and Food Specials!

1855 Lakeland Drive Jackson, MS 39216 | Ph: 601-364-9411 F: 601-364-9462

BOOKS p 29 |8 DAYS p 31| MUSIC p 35| SPORTS p 38

by Charlotte Blom

AMILE WILSON

Integrating Nature

Gayle McCarty incorporates nature into art as does her son Lee McCarty. Their work in mixed-media and sculpture is on display at the Mississippi Library Commission through April 29.

When Lee was in the second grade—a memory he doesn’t really recall—he chomped at the bit to try weaving. Gayle says his first cardboard-loom enterprise, maroon and black with embedded sticks, as an “amazing piece.”

To Lee’s dismay, his weaving hung in Gayle’s office at Hinds Community College where she worked as an instructor, department chairwoman, gallery director and district director of permanent collections for a total of 25 years.

Lee and his brother, Davis, immersed themselves in art at home and exhibitions. “They either had to hate it or love it,” Gayle says.

Lee rejected art in his teen years. But the family definitely shared a love for the outdoors. Later, the boys rented pastures to ride in, and Lee spent time exploring in western states. They also skied, fished and hunted.

“There’s nothing quite like watching (nature) at 5 o’clock in the morning from a deer stand … and the woods just come alive. It’s really exciting and inspiring, and it’s something I think that I’ve carried with me,” Lee says.

Lee, like his mother, works many forms of the natural world into his non-functional platters.

For the pure “pursuit of knowledge,” Lee majored in philosophy at the University of Southern Mississippi. Then, at a fateful New Year’s Eve party on the cusp of 2004, he boasted to a cute girl named Sarah, a former student of Gayle’s, about being able to throw any of the pottery on display at that party.

Since he’d “shot his mouth off,” he had to make good on the promise. He ended up marrying Sarah in 2006.

Lee actually took a ceramics class or two in his undergrad days at Hinds. He found making ceramics simple and enjoyable.

“If you’re not thinking about stuff, it’s really, really easy. But now that I think about it, it’s incredibly difficult,” Lee says.

Access to supplies wasn’t hard, though. Gayle had a wheel,

and a ceramics supply store was nearby in Raymond. In his living room, Lee began throwing clay to cope with a dissatisfying job. He soon switched fields and now works toward a master of fine arts degree with an emphasis on ceramics at the University of Mississippi.

Gayle first incorporated skeletal matter into her art when she encountered an armadillo shell in the woods.

“Like jewels!” she says. Since then, she has used a variety of animals, including “gifts” from students (sometimes in the form of road kill she could smell before arriving at her office door), the contents of a taxidermist’s freezer and other natural objects. In contrast, she also uses industrial material such as roofing felt—partly as a protest against the high cost of artist supplies—as well as paint and copper.

Her work has transitioned from functional to nonfunctional weaving, and to pottery, sculpture and painting.

Ultimately, she has woven it all into what she calls “mindscapes.”

Layered with metaphor, “mindscapes” span landscapes, gender, relationships and emotions. “Who is She?” features the female goddess and centers around a handmade book with that title. In it, Gayle explores herself and the larger question of feminine roles, responsibilities and ideals.

For Gayle and Lee, the apple, as it were, rests contentedly under the tree.

In a classic proud-parenting scenario, Gayle won’t part with Lee’s first weaving or his first wonky-handled mug.

“Everything about that cup is bad, but she loves it,” Lee says.

Gayle and Lee McCarty’s mixed-media and pottery exhibit continues through April 29 at the Mississippi Library Commission (3881 Eastwood Drive), from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday. For details, call 601-432-4056, or 27 visit www.mlc.lib.ms. jacksonfreepress.com

S

he composed poetry on the backs of horses. He was a “wannabe cowboy.” Sticks, rocks, earth and animals integrate the livelihood of mother Gayle and son Lee McCarty, . Neither could conceive of existence that doesn’t include being active in nature and working with their hands. Gayle, a mixed-media artist, and Lee, a ceramics artist, spin wilderness into their work. But as children, neither of the two, who share an exhibition at the Mississippi Library Commission this month, thought they could shape anything more than mud piles.

Gayle’s father influenced her and her two sons—Lee and Davis—with the horses and mules he used to plow his three gardens. Creekside at the age of 5 or 6, Gayle would “mine clay,” making sets of “dishes” and “food.”

“I grew up spending most of my waking time outdoors: playing games, inventing things,” Gayle says.

“My love of nature has always been a powerful force in anything I have ever done.”

In 1968, Gayle accompanied her husband Michael, a painter, to Mexico. While he pursued his master’s of fine arts at Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Gayle tried to play the “normal housewife.” With no TV, and minimal knowledge of Spanish, the radio didn’t entertain her.

“I felt isolated, and needed more than just boiling water and going to the market,” Gayle says. She signed up for a weaving course at the Instituto. For Gayle, it was love at first loom.

Her hands were finally at work.

In 1970, back home in Mississippi, with her Mexican-built floor loom and deep impressions of Mexican colors and yarn, she and Michael lived off their art. Eventually Michael taught art at Delta State University, and Gayle took more classes.

“First time I sat out on the potter’s wheel and threw a pot, I think I was transformed there. I loved the feel of the clay. It just seemed magical, and it was so much faster than weaving. I became a potter,” Gayle says.

Southern Hand Crafted, Small Batch Spirits, ... made for friends by friends

Born and Raised in the South

April 13 - 19, 2011

Always Drink Responsibly

28

(Next door to McDades Market Extra) Mon. - Sat., 10 am - 9 pm • Maywood Mart Shopping Center 1220 E. Northside Dr. • 601-366-5676 • www.mcdadeswineandspirits.com

DIVERSIONS|books

by Charlotte Blom

S

COURTESY ANCHOR BOOKS

moke clears to reveal Barcelona, Spain, in the early 1900s, the city’s heart pulsing with unrest under the fiery shadows of a black-andred cobwebbed sky. Or at least this is the pulpy-fictitious mood Carlos Ruiz Zafón sets, by repeatedly conjuring those colors and ominous symbolism, in “The Angel’s Game” (Anchor Books, 2009; paperback 2010, $15.95). It makes for a savory read.

The story is about a writer, and Zafón refers often to other novels, including Dickens’ classic “Great Expectations” and the idea of an idyllic life. Protagonist David Martín tells us his harrowing story, recalling his love of writing from childhood (and later, a deep love for his Underwood typewriter).

“At school I learned to write long before the other children. Where my school friends saw notches of ink on incomprehensible pages, I saw light, streets, and people,” Martin says.

Martín leads us through his development from an early age under the broken wing of his abusive and bibliophobic father, a cleaning man in the local newspaper, The Voice of Industry, to his entrance into the world of writing through that same newspaper after his father dies, to his advancement into penning crime novels.

“The Angel’s Game” is an intricate mystery involving violence and murder, lust for notoriety, money and (fear not, romance-lovers) some major amorous agonizing, too. Zafón’s elegant, prosaic style walks us in and around Barcelona, from seedy alley visits to mansions, and everything in between, including newspaper offices and police stations. It also shows us the inner depths of a mentally crumbling writer who, though heartbroken, continues to pine for his single love fixation, ringing slightly of a Gabriel García Marquez character, and on the brink of death, realizes the life of a novelist is not exactly how he envisioned it.

Then, at a calamitous crossroad, Martín receives an irresistible offer: “Dear David, life is filled with great expectations.

When you are ready to make yours come true, get in touch with me. I’ll be waiting.

Your friend and reader, A.C.” Andreas Corelli may be the devil in disguise. He is always clad in a fine black suit with a red silk tie and a silver angel pinned to his lapel. This stranger slowly, cryptically courts Martín with hand-written, wax-sealed letters until finally, Martín accepts. He agrees to anonymously author

a commissioned book, thanks to a large sum of money, but discovers that he does not agree with the tenets of the book.

Corelli reminds Martín, “I pay you very well, which is the only real form of flattery in this whorish world.”

As Martín begins to unravel clues about his new publisher and the hidden past of a book, “Lux Aeterna,” that he picked up in a place called Cemetery of Forgotten Books, he also begins to disintegrate. Eventually, he can no longer look at himself in the mirror.

Martín’s saving grace—a place where his humanity remains intact—is in his relationship with his assistant, a young aspiring writer named Isabella.

It’s a relationship that he was initially reluctant to engage in. His persevering admiration for a local bookseller named Sempere, his relationship with his former mentor, Senor Vidal (though his regard for Vidal wanes over the course of the book), and a few other good deeds along his journey, possibly keep his heart from turning wholly black. This was a nice touch, as it revealed not just a man struggling with deep scars of loss and the turmoil of confusion his circumstances caused, but of the prevailing truth that even the darkest, dualistic spirit can still flicker with luminescence.

“The Angel’s Game” darkly underscores the vanity of a writer, professional writing’s entanglement with success, jealousy of peers, money and how seductive— yet, sometimes perilous—a bankrolled book deal can be. Yet Martín can’t part with his writing despite his inner torment.

“There was nothing in those pages that deserved anything better than to be burned, and yet they were still flesh of my flesh and I couldn’t find the courage to destroy them,” he says.

“The Angel’s Game” is engaging, regardless of how dark, dreary or dreadful the twisty path. Zafón calls into question identity, what it means to survive and/or demise as a writer, and the “soul” of book, as well as religion and morality. It is a wellwoven tale of doom.

At the end, I was left with the thought that the book was all one long nightmare of the life of a fiction writer, overwrought with haunting memories of torched love or success never attained.

I thought, too, that Corelli may not actually be the devil—as “The Angel’s Way” alludes—but that it was the writer, Martín, the whole time, and perhaps, a little bit of Zafón himself.

jacksonfreepress.com

Vanity of a Writer

29

30

April 13 - 19, 2011

BEST BETS April 13 - 20, 2011

by Latasha Willis events@jacksonfreepress.com Fax: 601-510-9019 Daily updates at jfpevents.com

MAT SZWAJKOS

The Jackson 2000 luncheon at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.) is at 11:45 a.m. $12; email bevelyn_branch@att.net to RSVP. … Author Jeff Giambrone and publisher Hap Owen speak during History Is Lunch at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.) at noon. Bring a lunch; call 601-576-6998. …

Martha Hall Foose signs copies of “A Southerly Course” at Lemuria Books (202 Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N.) at 5 p.m.; reading at 5:30 p.m. $32.50 book; call 601-366-7619. … “A Soldier’s Play” at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.) is at 7:30 p.m. and runs through April 17. $25, $22 seniors/ students; call 601-948-3533. … Dreamz JXN hosts Wasted Wednesday. … Snazz is at Regency Hotel.

FRIDAY 4/15

JFP editor-in-chief Donna Ladd is one of six honorees at the Fannie Lou Hamer Humanitarian Awards Luncheon at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.) at 11:30 a.m. in the New Student Union, Ballroom A. $35, $250 table of eight; call 601-979-1562 or 601-979-1563. … daniel johnson gives a gallery talk at Millsaps College, Lewis Art Gallery (1701 N. State St.) at 2 p.m. Free; call 601-4977454. … Jazz Over Jackson at University Club (210 E. Capitol St, #2200) at 6 p.m. includes hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and music by “Tiger” Rogers. Wear business-casual attire. Free; call 601-969-4011, ext. 235 to RSVP. … Operation Shoestring’s Spring Fling at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) is at 7 p.m. $20; call 601-353-6336. … See the films “Cold Weather” and “Carancho” at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.) at 7 p.m. April 15-16. $7 per film; visit msfilm.org. … The CD release party for Mr. Kid and the Brothers Fox is at Hal & Mal’s in the Red Room.

SATURDAY 4/16

The Mississippi UFO Conference at the Jackson Convention Complex is at 10 a.m. $5-$15; email pat@msufo.com. … The Harlem Globetrotters are at Jackson State University, Williams Athletics and Assembly Center at 2 p.m. $16; call 800-745-3000. … An Evening of Hope with Nicole Marquez at the Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.) is at 7 p.m.; Rhonda Richmond performs. $50 call 601-969-6015. … The Rip the Cypher dance showcase at North Midtown Arts Center is at 7 p.m. $5; visit facebook.com/ripthecypher. … The Magnolia Roller Vixens take on the Southern Misfits at the Jackson Convention Complex is at 7 p.m. $12 in advance, $15 at the door, $5 children; call 601-376-9122. … The Rise Above for Youth dinner and silent auction at 7 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, Fowler Hall (3921 Oakridge Drive) includes music by FIDES. $20; call 601-922-4968. …

Suite 106 hosts Back to Basics: Live Band Edition with PyInfamous and 5th Child at 10:30 p.m. $5, $3 with Rip the Cypher admission; visit back2basics jackson.blogspot.com.

Electro-jazz cellist Dana Leong performs at noon April 20 at Jackson State University.

Jesse Robinson performs at Lumpkin’s BBQ (182 Raymond Road) during lunch. … Jerrod Partridge’s “Southern Gothic” exhibit at Nunnery’s at Gallery 119 (119 S. President St.) hangs through April 30. Free; call 601-969-4091. … Arts, Eats and Beats in Fondren is from 5-8 p.m. and includes the Golden Egg-stravaganza. Free; call 601-981-9606. … The artist reception for Donna Davis and Sarah McTaggert at circa.

Urban Artist Living (2771 Old Canton Road) is at 7 p.m.

Free; call 601-362-8484. … Nashville Songwriters Night at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.) at 7 p.m. includes music by Billy Montana, Steve Dean and Don Poythress. $25 advance tickets only; call 601-668-9640. … Tommy and Tammy perform at Cups in Fondren at 7 p.m. … Will and Linda are at Que Sera. … Regency Hotel has karaoke.

Knight Bruce plays during Sophia’s 11 a.m. brunch. …

Raphael Semmes performs at Char’s jazz brunch at 11:30 a.m. … See the opera film “Il Trittico” at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.) at 2 p.m. $16; call 601-9602300. … The Jackson Irish Dancers’ Mostly Monthly Ceili at Fenian’s is at 2 p.m. Free. … The Freedom Riders exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) hangs through June 12. Free; call 601-960-1515. … Larry Brewer is at Kristos. … Cultural Expressions has open-mic poetry.

MONDAY 4/18

The Mississippi Celebrates Architecture exhibit at Jackson Municipal Art Gallery (839 N. State St.) hangs through April 30. Free; email joe@aiamississippi.org. …

Fire has music by All That Remains, with Hail the Villain, Nonpoint and Surrender the Fall at 6 p.m. $15. … Morrison Brothers Music hosts Acoustic Open-mic Night at Burgers and Blues at 7 p.m. Free; call 601-668-9968.

TUESDAY 4/19

Expressions of the Orient at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.) at 5:30 p.m. in Trustmark Grand Hall includes a lecture, hors’ d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Free; call 601960-1515. … Open-mic at Fenian’s and Ole Tavern.

WEDNESDAY 4/20

Dana Leong performs at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.) in the Student Center at noon. Free; call 601-979-6940. … The musical “A Chorus Line” at Thalia Mara Hall is tonight and tomorrow, with shows at 7:30 p.m. $27.35 and up; call 800-745-3000.

More events and details at jfpevents.com.

Tommy and Tammy perform at 7 p.m. April 14 at Cups in Fondren.

CHARLES SMITH

THURSDAY 4/14

SUNDAY 4/17

jacksonfreepress.com

WEDNESDAY 4/13

31

jfpevents

6A0=3E84F A M A LC O T H E AT R E

JFP-SPONSORED EVENTS Radio JFP on WLEZ ongoing, at WLEZ 100.1 FM and wlezfm.com. Join Donna Ladd and Todd Stauffer every Thursday from noon-1 p.m., where they discuss vital issues and play local music. JFP sports writer Bryan Flynn also gives commentary at 12:45 p.m. Listen to podcasts of all shows at jfp radio.com. Free; call 601-362-6121, ext. 17.

South of Walmart in Madison

ALL STADIUM SEATING Movie listings for Friday, April 15th thru Thursday, April 21st Rio 3-D

G

Your Highness R

Rio (non 3-D)

G

HOP

Scream 4

R

Source Code PG13

Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 PG13 The Conspirator PG13 Arthur Soul Surfer Hanna

PG13 PG PG13

Insidious

Arts, Eats and Beats April 14, 5 p.m. Fondren’s spring arts celebration showcasesJackson’s best in art, antiques, gifts, apparel, interior design, furniture, food. Music by the Sofa Kings. Participating stores will hide eggs with prizes. Free; call 601-981-9606.

PG

Spring Fling April 15, 7 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). Enjoy Southern food and drinks, music by The Chill and admission to the Freedom Riders exhibit. Proceeds benefit Operation Shoestring. $20; call 601-353-6336.

PG13

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules PG Limitless The Lincoln Lawyer

PG13 R

Get Today’s News

TODAY

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

(Daily News & Events Updates Via E-mail)

DAILY BARGAINS UNTIL 6PM

Sign up at JFPDaily.com

Online Tickets, Birthday Parties, Group & Corporate Events @ www.malco.com

Movieline: 355-9311

An Evening of Hope with Nicole Marquez April 16, 7 p.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). The event includes hors d’oeuvres, a signature drink, a cash bar, an art auction and music

by Rhonda Richmond. Proceeds benefit the Ask for More Arts initiative, sponsored by Parents for Public Schools. $50; call 601-969-6015.

Magnolia Roller Vixens Roller Derby April 16, 7 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). The team takes on the Southern Misfits. Doors open at 6 p.m. $50 season passes are available ($20 for children). $12 in advance, $15 at the door, $5 children; call 601-376-9122.

Mississippi Happening ongoing. Guaqueta Productions hosts the broadcast featuring a musician. Get free podcasts at mississippihappening.com.

COMMUNITY Jackson 2000 Luncheon April 13, 11:45 a.m., at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.).

“Youth in Our Community - Reconciled or Racist?”

Speakers include representatives from Youth Leadership Jackson, the Young People’s Project, Young Life and the William Winter Center for Racial Reconciliation. RSVP. $12; e-mail bevelyn_branch@att.net.

“History Is Lunch” April 13, noon, at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). Author Jeff Giambrone and publisher Hap Owen discuss their book, “An Illustrated Guide to the Vicksburg Campaign and National Military Park.” Bring a lunch. Free; call 601-576-6998.

Juke Joint Festival April 14-17, in downtown Clarksdale. The annual blues festival and fair includes live music and craft demonstrations. Free daytime events, $10 wristband for nighttime venues; call 662-624-5992.

Adult Computer Class April 14, 10 a.m., at Pearl Public Library (2416 Old Brandon Road, Pearl).

Learn to use search engines on the Internet. Free; call 601-932-2562.

Get Through the Smoke Screen: Lung Cancer Prevention April 14, 11:45 a.m., at Baptist Health Systems, Madison Campus (401 Baptist Drive, Madison), in the Community Room. Get latest updates on lung-cancer prevention and diagnosis.

Lunch included; registration required. Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

April 13 - 19, 2011

National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Group April 14, 7 p.m., at St. Dominic Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive), in the St. Catherine Room. Support group for those with an adult relative with a mental illness. Free; call 601-899-9058.

32

Education Forum April 14, 6:30 p.m., at Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center (528 Bloom St.). “A Growing Decline of Black Males in Post-Secondary Institutions: An Educational Conundrum.” Speakers include Alfred Rankin Jr., Marcus Chanay, Albert Sykes and Nikisha Ware.

The event is part of JSU’s Medgar Evers/Ella Baker Civil Rights Lecture Series. Free; call 601-979-1563.

New Vibrations Network Gathering April 14, 6:30 p.m., at Unitarian Universalist Church (4866 N. State St.). Bring business cards to share. Call newvibrations2003@hotmail.com.

Tiger Fest Weekend April 15-16. April 15, the Rick Comegy Golf Tournament at LeFleur’s Bluff Golf Course (1205 Lakeland Drive) begins with breakfast at 7:30 a.m., a shotgun start at 8:45 a.m., and is a three-person scramble format ($75 per person, $225 per team; call 601-983-9490). April 16, the fest continues at 8 a.m. at JSU’s football practice field on Walter Payton Drive, including football games, a kids’ play zone, live music by Sonic Boom of the South and the J-Settes, and a JSU-Alcorn baseball game. Lawn chairs and blankets welcome; no alcohol allowed. Proceeds go to JSU’s athletics department. $10, $25 tailgaters, $50 RVs, free for JSU students with ID, $5 play zone; 601-362-0866.

Underage Drinking Prevention Rally April 15, 9 a.m., at Smith Park (302 Amite St.). Mississippi Underage Drinking Prevention Coalition of Hinds County offers refreshments, speakers and music.

Call 601-979-1079 or 601-979-2094.

Researching Your Mississippi Roots April 15, 10 a.m., at G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library (103 Winners Circle, Flowood). The Mississippi Department of Archives and History gives genealogical research tips. Free; call 601-919-1911.

Bagwell Antiques Show and Sale April 15-17, at Mississippi Trade Mart (1200 Mississippi St.).

Antique sale features regional collectors and dealers.

Hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. April 15-16 and noon-5 p.m. April 17. $5; call 662-231-9654.

Events at Baptist Medical Center (1225 N. State St.). Free; call 601-948-6262 or 800-948-6262.

• Ow! My Feet Hurt! April 15, 11:45 a.m., in the Baptist for Women Conference Center.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jamey Burrow gives tips on blending fashion and foot health. Lunch provided; registration required.

• Pink Ribbon Party: Breast Cancer Support Group April 18, 5:30 p.m., in Hederman Cancer Center. Clinical dietitian Brittany Hammons talks about understanding your nutrition needs while managing breast cancer. Registration required.

KidFest! April 15-17, at Freedom Ridge Park (235 W. School St., Ridgeland). The family event includes big-top acts, a children’s activity tent, music, food, animated characters and rides. Hours are noon-6:30 p.m. April 15 and 17, and 9 a.m.6:30 p.m. April 16. $8 in advance, $10 at the gate, children under 2 free; call 800-468-6078.

Strike Out to Prevent Sexual Violence April 15, 7 p.m., at Paradise Lanes (820 Cooper Road, # 2).

The Rape Crisis Center sponsors the bowling event for middle- and high-school youth. $10 for two hours of bowling and shoes; call 601-366-0750.

Student Leadership Summit April 16, 8 a.m., at Tougaloo College (500 W. County Line Road, Tougaloo). The event includes workshops and panel discussions. Kevin Powell is the featured speaker.

Registration includes breakfast and lunch. $35 college students, $25 high school students; call 601977-4493 or 314-363-1240.

Jackson Public Schools Job Fair April 16, 8:30 a.m., at Cardozo Middle School (3180 McDowell Road Ext.). JPS seeks prospective teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria employees and maintenance workers. Call 601-960-8745.

Education Forum April 16, 8:15 a.m., at Callaway High School (601 Beasley Rd.). Topics include MCT 2 and subject-area testing, the role of parents and dropout prevention. RSVP. Call 601-987-3535 or 601-979-3939.

Mississippi UFO Conference 2011: From Roswell to Rendlesham April 16, 10 a.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Presenters at the academic event will expound on past and present research, specifically on the 1947 UFO crash in Roswell, N.M., and the 1980 sightings at

Don’t Go Around Breaking Young Girls’ Hearts

G

COURTESY TALK DANCE

iselle’s heart is so broken, after she dies from the pain of it, she haunts her lover with a vengeance. Stephen Wynne, founder and artistic director of TALK Dance Company, presents the classic ballet, “Giselle,” Friday. Wynne chose to have three dancers in the lead role to depict Giselle’s different sides: the trusting girl, the suspicious lover and the jealous ghost. In a scene with vengeful female spirits dancing, Wynne choreographs a fashion show. This post-modern ballet starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 15, in the Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center at Belhaven University. A question-and-answer session follows. Tickets are $15. For information, call 601-965-7026.

—Valerie Wells

Leadership-Personal Development and Life Skills Seminar Series April 18, 6:30 p.m., at Operation Shoestring (1711 Bailey Ave.). Operation Shoestring and Kuumba Promos host seminars on first and third Tuesdays introducing leadership and life management skills to youth. Enrollment is required.

Free; call 601-353-3663 or 601-957-2969.

FARMERS’ MARKETS Byram Farmers Market (20 Willow Creek Lane, Byram), through Oct. 29. The market is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Products include fresh produce, wildflower honey, roasted peanuts, jams, jellies, birdhouses, baskets and gourds for crafting. Call 601-373-4545.

Mississippi Farmers Market (929 High St.), through Dec. 17. Shop for fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, specialty foods, and crafts from local artisans, including the Greater Belhaven Market.

The market is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Call 601-354-6573.

Jackson Roadmap to Health Equity Project’s Farmers’ Market (2548 Livingston Road) through Dec. 17. Buy fresh produce from farmers. WIC vouchers accepted. Chefs give cooking demonstrations with WIC products. Hours are 9-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Free admission; call 601-987-6783.

Old Fannin Road Farmers’ Market (1307 Old Fannin Road, Brandon), through Dec. 24. Farmers sell produce Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Call 601-919-1690.

STAGE AND SCREEN “A Soldier’s Play” through April 17, at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The mystery-thriller tracks a 1944 murder investigation at Fort Neal, a segregated army camp in Louisiana. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $25, $22 seniors/students; call 601-948-3533.

“Bye Bye Birdie” through April 17, at Black Rose Community Theatre (103 Black St., Brandon). The musical is about the escapades of an Elvis-like rock ‘n’ roll star. Show times are 7:30 p.m. ThursdaySaturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $15, $10 seniors/students; call 601-825-1293.

“Annie Get Your Gun” April 14-16, at Jackson Academy (4908 Ridgewood Road). Shows are at 7 p.m. nightly. Admission TBA; call 601-364-5416.

Events at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.).

• Art House Cinema Downtown April 15-16, Films include “Cold Weather” at 7 p.m. and “Carancho” at 8:55 p.m. Popcorn and beverages served. $7 per film; visit msfilm.org.

• “II Trittico” April 17, 2 p.m., at Russell C. Davis Planetarium (201 E. Pascagoula St.). Mississippi Opera and the Mississippi Film Institute present the La Scala opera film. $16; call 601-960-2300.

“Giselle” April 15-16, at Belhaven University, Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center (1500 Peachtree St.). TALK Dance Company presents a contemporary version of the classic ballet. $15, $10 students; write info@talkdance.org.

Harlem Globetrotters April 16, 2 p.m., at Jackson State University, Williams Athletics and Assembly Center (1400 John R. Lynch St.). Basketball team uses slapstick antics. Tickets available through Ticketmaster. $16; call 800-745-3000.

Rip the Cypher April 16, 7 p.m., at North Midtown Arts Center (121 Millsaps Ave.). Phaze 1 Dance Crew hosts all-ages dance showcase, including dance battles. Doors open at 6 p.m., registration ends at 6:30 p.m. $5; call 720-320-2269.

MUSIC Tommy and Tammy April 14, 7 p.m., at Cups in Fondren (2757 Old Canton Road). The acoustic duo performs popular songs from the 1950s and beyond. Free; e-mail 601-362-7422.

Nashville Songwriters Night April 14, 7 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). Steve Dean, Billy Montana and Don Poythress sing. Jason Turner & Brighton open. Advance tickets only. Tickets available at Boots & More. $25; call 601-668-9640.

Millsaps Singers Concert April 15, 7:30 p.m., at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.). In the recital hall. Timothy Coker directs the 65-voice choir premiering a Sam Jones composition in memory of Jon Alvin “Pop” King.

Free, donations welcome; call 601-974-1426.

Mississippi Opry Spring Show April 16, 6 p.m., at Pearl Community Room (2420 Old Brandon Road). Performers include Harmony & Grits and Polkville City Limits. Refreshments sold. $10, children free; call 601-331-6672.

Back to Basics: Live Band Edition April 16, 10:30 p.m., at Suite 106 (106 Wilmington St.).

Performers include PyInfamous, 5th Child, James Crow and Pentatonic Chronic. Doors open at 9 p.m. $5, $3 with Rip the Cypher admission; visit back2basicsjackson.blogspot.com.

Acoustic Open-mic Night April 18, 7 p.m., at Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road).

Acoustic acts sing cover and original songs as part of Morrison Brothers Music’s Monday Musical Madness. Free; call 601-668-9968.

LITERARY AND SIGNINGS Events at Afrika Book Cafe (404 Mitchell Ave.).

Free admission, book prices vary; email afrikabookcafe@gmail.com.

• Brothas, Books and Brew April 15, 5 p.m. Held on first and third Fridays, men discuss a chosen book and topics such as politics, religion and family. Beverages will be sold. Buy the book.

• Watoto Story Time April 16, 11:30 a.m. Children listen to a story and participate in activities.

More EVENTS, see page 34

jacksonfreepress.com

RAF Bentwaters in the Rendlesham Forest near Ipswich, England. $5-$15; e-mail pat@msufo.com.

33

jfpevents

from page 33

• Sista Speak April 16, 4 p.m. On first and third Saturdays, discuss women’s issues. Buy the book and register. Free wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Events at Lemuria Books (202 Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N.). Call 601-366-7619.

• “A Southerly Course: Recipes and Stories from Close to Home” April 13, 5 p.m. Martha Hall Foose signs copies of her book; reading at 5:30 p.m. $32.50 book.

• “Southern Kitchen” April 14, 5 p.m. Sara Foster signs copies of her book; reading at 5:30 p.m. $35 book.

• “Witness to Roswell” April 15, 5 p.m. Thomas Carey signs copies of his book. $16.99 book.

• “Seeds” April 19, 5 p.m. Richard Horan signs copies of his book. $14.99 book.

Book Clubs Unite April 16, 1 p.m., at Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St.). Featured authors include Sheila Lipsey, Tina Brooks McKinney and Sandra Lott. Free; email savvybooks@yahoo.com.

CREATIVE CLASSES Events at ArtWorks Studios (160 W. Government St., Brandon). Call 601-499-5278.

• Adult Introduction to Painting April 13, 7 p.m.

The four-week class is from 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Supplies included; teens welcome. $125.

• Kids’ Clay Sculpture Class April 14, 5:30 p.m.

The four-week class for grades K-5 is from 5:307 p.m. Thursdays. Supplies included. $100.

• Adult Clay Class April 14, 7 p.m. The four-week class meets Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. Supplies included. Teens are welcome. $135.

Free Beginner Clogging Lesson April 14, 5:30 p.m., at Dance Unlimited Studio (6787 S. Siwell Road, Byram). Mississippi Explosion Clogging Crew offers the class. Free; call 769-610-4304.

How Not to Be a Starving Artist April 16, 9 a.m., at Millsaps College (1701 N. State St.). Develop a plan for making a living with art. Tracie JamesWade instructs. $50, $10 materials fee; call 601-974-1130.

EXHIBITS AND OPENINGS FIGMENT Art Festival Call for Entries. FIGMENT, a free, interactive arts event, seeks artists for the May 14-15 festival at The Plant (1424 Highway 80 W.). Sculpture, performance, music, workshops,

games, experiences, two-dimensional works and sitespecific pieces sought. Deadline for submissions is April 15. Free; call 601-960-1557 or 646-391-4729.

Artist Reception April 14, 5 p.m., at circa. Urban Artisan Living (2771 Old Canton Road). See glass works by Donna Davis and paintings by Sarah McTaggart. Free; call 601-362-8484.

Gallery Talk and Reception April 15, 2 p.m., at Millsaps College: Lewis Art Gallery (1701 N. State St.). Millsaps College senior Daniel Johnson unveils his new interactive art exhibit, “The Westinghouse Refrigerator Project.” Free; call 601-497-7454.

Arts on the Green April 16-17, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, North Campus (370 Old Agency Road, Ridgeland), at Lake Sherwood Wise. Art workshops, live music, food, shopping and a children’s carnival. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 16 and noon-5 p.m. April 17. Free admission; prices vary for specific events; call 601-927-2318.

Ask for More Arts Exhibit April 17-30, at Arts Center of Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St.). JPS students collaborated with artists for this show. Free; call 601-969-6015, ext. 301.

Asian History Celebration April 18-20, at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). In the Student Center, Legacy Dining Area. See the traveling exhibit “The Great Wall of China: An Infinite Structure” and enjoy music by electro-jazz cellist Dana Leong April 20 at noon. Call 601-979-6940.

Tour of Butler Snow’s Art Collection April 19, 6 p.m., at Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens and Cannada (1020 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland).

Artists William Dunlap and Glenray Tutor lead the tour. Wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres included.

Limit of 30 guests; RSVP. $125; call 601-960-1515.

Expressions of the Orient April 19, 5:30 p.m., at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.).

After hors d’oeuvres, Petra ten-Doesschate Chu explores chinoiserie and Japonisme through James Ensor’s painting “Still Life with Chinoiserie.” Free admission; call 601-960-1515.

Check jfpevents.com for updates and more listings. To add an event, email all details (phone number, start and end date, and time, street address, cost, URL, etc.) to events@jacksonfreepress.com or fax to 601510-9019. The deadline is noon the Thursday prior to the week of publication. Or add the event online yourself; check out jfpevents.com for instructions.

BE THE CHANGE Fannie Lou Hamer Humanitarian Awards Luncheon April 15, 11:30 a.m., at Jackson State University Student Center Ballroom (1400 Lynch St.). In Ballroom A. Monica Galloway, JFP Editor-in-Chief Donna Ladd, Dorie Ladner, Jerry Mitchell, Brad Pigott and Hollis Watkins will he honored for their service and leadership. $35, $250 table of eight; call 601-979-1562 or 601-979-1563.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure April 16, 7 a.m., in downtown Jackson. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the races start at 8:30 a.m. Online registration at komencentralms.org is available through April 14. Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a breast cancer education and research foundation. $30 5K or one-mile run/walk, $20 kids’ run, $35 virtual walker; call 601-932-3999.

Planting Healthy Seeds and Deeds April 16, 8:30 a.m., on the corner of Medgar Evers Blvd. and W. Northside Drive near the BP station. Jackson Inner-City Gardeners plant an organic vegetable spring garden. The project is part of Global Youth Service Day. Bring gloves, shovels and rakes. E-mail tre. roberts@jiggarden.org.

April 13 - 19, 2011

Traffick Jam Walkathon April 16, 9 a.m., at Fondren Park (Northview Drive and Dunbar St.). Participants ask 10 people for a dollar per mile walked with a goal of 10 miles and $100. The 10 miles can be split up among a team. Post-walk rally and concert is at 7 p.m. at Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St.) with music by Jonezetta, Johnny Bertram and the Golden Bicycles, and Room 25. Proceeds benefit the Hard Places Community and their work against child sex trafficking in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. Donations welcome; e-mail drewmellon@gmail.com.

34

Rise Above for Youth Dinner and Silent Auction April 16, 7 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Church (3921 Oakridge Dr.). In Fowler Hall. Come for food, music by FIDES, a silent auction and a raffle.

Proceeds benefit Rise Above for Youth, which serves youth and young adults age 14-24 exiting foster care, juvenile justice and homelessness, and works to empower them to achieve successful futures. $20; call 601-922-4968.

Pages of Promise Book Drive through April 29, at United Way (843 N. President St.). Donate books needed for the Jackson Public Schools summer reading program. Visit myunitedway.com for a list of books. Call 601-948-4725.

DIVERSIONS|music

by Natalie Long

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Bogart That Gig, My Friend

Thursday, April 14th

COURTESY SALIVA

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to help other musicians out, then fine, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. No one said it was mandatory. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let your lack of self-confidence in your art bring down others because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re worried someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to bogart your gig.

Saliva plays at Fire April 15.

B

ack in the fall, a musician friend of mine asked me to give him my contacts for different venues locally and statewide so that he could try to get some gigs. Long before I became the music listings editor for the JFP, I was already honing my chops at booking and promoting shows for Clinton and me (weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had almost 100 gigs since we started last March). Being the sweet soul that I am (but with a switchblade), I gave him all my contacts. And, of course, he swore that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d share his contacts with me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in this together, Nat,â&#x20AC;? he told me, and I believed him. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now performing at the places that were on the list of contacts I gave him, and doing quite well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve yet to get any contacts from him, however, because â&#x20AC;&#x153;heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too busy,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;lost my numberâ&#x20AC;? or some other lame-ass excuse.

So much for trying to help someone.

Being in the music world, I know that I have some stiff competition, even in a big â&#x20AC;&#x153;smallâ&#x20AC;? town like Jackson. And maybe I did the wrong thing by sharing my contacts, but I was trying to help. I try to help every musician from all over, and I will continue to help musicians in any way I can. I cannot reiterate enough how important it is that we, as artists, really do need to stick together and help each other out as much as possible.

As The Wicked Gentlemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cameron Compton says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A musician never quits paying their dues.â&#x20AC;? Share contacts with others musician. Sit in with different bands. Talk up your musician friends to bar and restaurant owners. You never know when they might want to book both of your bands at their venue on the same night.

Be open to learning new things and even asking for help from other musicians. If you

Singular Sensation

What a fab music week! Wednesdays are karaoke and ladies nights for several locations, and the bluegrass duo Bill and Temperance play at Underground 119 at 8 p.m.

Thursday night Duling Auditorium hosts Nashville Songwriters Night, with Billy Montana, Steve Dean and Don Poythress at 7 p.m. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale starts Thursday, with 100 acts to commemorate 100 years of Robert Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s influence on music. Check out the lineup at www.jukejointfestival.com.

Friday night, Memphis natives Saliva bring their southern-roots rock to Fire, and Mr. Kidd and the Brothers Fox have their CD release party at Hal and Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, with Mark Roemer and Spacewolf performing. Scott Albert Johnson plays in the restaurant. My friends The Shatto Boys (ask them how they got their band name) pick and grin at Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Otis Lotus plays at Pelican Cove, and Back 40 rocks it out at Reed Pierceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to swing by Dreamz for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Feel My Face Fridayâ&#x20AC;? to start the weekend off right.

Saturday night, Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hosts Zoogma, and check out Sneaky Beans for its concert Traffick Jam, featuring Jonezetta, Johnny Bertram & The Golden Bicycles, and Room 24 at 7 p.m.

And please support good friend (and living angel) Nicole Marquez at her event at the Mississippi Arts Center, â&#x20AC;&#x153;An Evening of Hope,â&#x20AC;? featuring Rhonda Richmond at 7 p.m. Saturday. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;all this week. Please stop and say hello!

amazinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lazy Boi Band

10PM NO COVER UNTIL Midnight $5 Cover after midnight

Friday, april 14th & SATURDAY, April 15th

sherman lee dillion (Friday blues Lunch)

sherman lee dillion & the ms sound 10PM NO COVER UNTIL Midnight $10 Cover after midnight

LIVE MUSIC DURING LUNCH

MON - FRI, 11AM - 2PM OPEN LATE - SECURITY PROVIDED

8/19A=<ÂşA @3/: @=19 AB/B7=<

BVS ;]`\W\U E]]RÂşa $bV 0W`bVROg >O`bg

/^`WZ &bV Ob 4W`S TSObc`W\U

1]ZR 3Ug^b 1S\b`OZ O\R 9]^SY

by Lacey McLaughlin

PHIL MARTIN

I

f you were around during the â&#x20AC;&#x2122;80s, chances are you remember spandex, tube socks and a limber group of big-haired dancers from â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Chorus Line.â&#x20AC;?

The show, which is the longest-running Broadway show produced in the United States, tells the story of a group of 19 dancers who sing, jump, kick and shimmy their hearts out to get a part in a Broadway production. The show won nine Tony Awards and the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. In 1985, director Richard Attenborough adapted the production for a movie of the same name, staring Michael Douglas as Zach, the director.

The production weaves the dancersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stories into their audition performances. In â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the Ballet,â&#x20AC;? aging dancer Sheila Bryant reveals that ballet was her escape from an unhappy childhood. The character Paul San Marco is a gay Puerto Rican who wrestles with his sexuality in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love.â&#x20AC;? And, in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dance: Ten; Looks: Three,â&#x20AC;?

Val Clark tells about what it took for her to get a part, finally.

In the end only eight dancers make the cut, but everyone

Jesseâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Guitarâ&#x20AC;? Smith (blues Lunch)

The Broadway musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Chorus Lineâ&#x20AC;? is at Thalia Mara Hall April 20 and 21.

joins together in the finale singing the famous song â&#x20AC;&#x153;One.â&#x20AC;?

See â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Chorus Lineâ&#x20AC;? at 7:30 p.m., April 20 and 21, at Thalia Mara Hall (225 E. Pascagoula St.). Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.

B=>B3< A=<5A B67A E339

4== 4756B3@AÂľ @]^S

! " # $ % & '

A719>C>>73AÂľ@W^bWRS A33B63@Âľ1]c\b`g A]\U @7A3 /5/7<AB 6SZ^ 7a =\ BVS EOg >/>/ @=/16 0c`\ A7F /;Âľ:WSa ]T bVS 0SOcbWTcZ >S]^ZS B6@33 2/GA 5@/13 :]ab W\ G]c 6=::GE==2 C<23/2 6SO` ;S <]e /@B =4 2G7<5 2WS B`gW\U G3/@A 4Wf ;S

jacksonfreepress.com

Natalieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes

35

livemusic APRIL 13 - WEDNESDAY

LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR ALL SHOWS 10PM UNLESS NOTED WEDNESDAY

4/13

LADIES NIGHT

LADIES PAY $5, DRINK FREE FRIDAY

4/15

Weekly Lunch Specials

Open for dinner Sat. 4-10pm thursday

APRIL 14

LADIES NIGHT LADIES DRINK FREE

WELLS & PONIES 9PM-2AM

friday

APRIL 15

OH NO OH MY W/ OLD RED STARS

CHURCH KEYS SATURDAY

4/16

saturday

APRIL 16

AMALGAMATION monday

APRIL 18

PUB QUIZ

2-for-1 Drafts tuesday

APRIL 19

OPEN MIC

with Cody Cox

ZOOGMA

*DOLLAR BEER*

KARAOKE

w/ KJ STACHE

SUNDAY

4/17

MONDAY

4/18

OPEN MIC JAM TUESDAY

4/19

MATTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LATE NIGHT KARAOKE

$2 MARGARITAS $1 HIGHLIFE & PBR WEDNESDAY

4/20

LADIES NIGHT

April 13 - 19, 2011

LADIES PAY $5, DRINK FREE

36

SATURDAY

4/23

GUNBOAT 214 S. STATE ST. â&#x20AC;¢ 601.354.9712 DOWNTOWN JACKSON WWW.MARTINSLOUNGE.NET

wednesday

APRIL 20

KARAOKE thursday

APRIL 21

LADIES NIGHT LADIES DRINK FREE

WELLS & PONIES 9PM-2AM

friday

APRIL 22

VAGABOND SWING saturday

APRIL 23

LIGHTNIN MALCOLM BAND FREE WiFi

Open Mon-Sat, Kitchen open Mon-Fri 11 am-10 pm & Sat 4-10 pm

0XVLF OLVWLQJV DUH GXH QRRQ 0RQGD\ WR EH LQFOXGHG LQ SULQW DQG RQOLQH OLVWLQJV PXVLF#MDFNVRQIUHHSUHVV FRP

5HHG 3LHUFH¶V "ACK )HQLDQ¶V 3HATTO "OYS ) -RQHV &RUQHU *ASON "AILEY EOXHV %UDG\¶V 2ICHARD ,EE $AVIS OXQFK

3RS¶V 6DORRQ 3OUTHBOUND 2OH 7DYHUQ ,ADIES .IGHT 3HOLFDQ &RYH /TIS ,OTUS 3RHWV ,, $* 0HINGAPRINT %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV 4HE (ANCOCK +DO DQG 0DO¶V 7HIT 7YNTERS #O 3RS¶V 6DORRQ +ARAOKE ,ULVK )URJ 2EED 3MITH 'UHDP] -;1 7ASTED 7EDNESDAYS 8QGHUJURXQG !LEX 2OSS 5HJHQF\ 3NAZZ #ADILLAC "LUES #$ 2ELEASE %XIIDOR :LOG :LQJV ,ARRY "REWER 0ARTY EOXHV

)HQLDQ¶V #HAD 7ESLEY 0DUWLQ¶V 4HE #HURCH +EYS S P %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV *ESSE ±'UITAR² &DQWRQ !RTS IN THE 3QUARE ,ARRY 3MITH "REWER S P ,ULVK )URJ 2ALPH -ILLER -XOHS¶V *ACOB ,IPKING 3RS¶V 6DORRQ +ARAOKE &ODUNVGDOH -ISSISSIPPI´S *UKE 2OJD¶V ,ADIES .IGHT W (UNTER *OINT &ESTIVAL #ELEBRATING 'IBSON S P !CTS IN 9EARS #$ RELEASE 8QGHUJURXQG "ILL PARTY AT #AT (EAD FOR "ROKE 4EMPERANCE (UNGRY 2ECORDS S P FDWKHDG 3DUNHU +RXVH 3COTT !LBERT EL] *OHNSON 9HUL]RQ 0XVLF &HQWHU DW 2DN 0RXQWDLQ %LUPLQJKDP 7IDESPREAD 0ANIC TH APRIL 14 - THURSDAY !NNIVERSARY 4OUR W #HARLIE ) -RQHV &RUQHU *ESSE ±'UITAR² $ANIELS "AND 3MITH EOXHV OXQFK !MAZIN´ ,AZY "OI "AND S P D P IUHH *ROGHQ 0RRQ &DVLQR 3KLODGHOSKLD 4IM -C'RAW WLOO PLGQLJKW DIWHU /XPSNLQV %DUEHTXH *ESSE 2OBINSON APRIL 16 - SATURDAY 5HJHQF\ +RWHO +ARAOKE S P IUHH ) -RQHV &RUQHU 3HERMAN ,EE 2OH 7DYHUQ ,ADIES .IGHT $ILLON 4HE -3 3OUND S P 'XOLQJ +DOO $XGLWRULXP .ASHVILLE D P IUHH WLOO PLGQLJKW DIWHU 3ONGWRITERS .IGHT "ILLY &XOWXUDO ([SUHVVLRQV 'OSPOETRY -ONTANA 3TEVE $EAN $ON %UDG\¶V %DU DQG *ULOO +ARAOKE 0OYTHRESS S P 0DUWLQ¶V :OOGMA S P 4XH 6HUD 7ILL AND ,INDA 3HDUO &RPPXQLW\ 5RRP 3HDUO +DO DQG 0DO¶V &EARLESS &OUR -3 /PRY (ARMONY 'RITS

%UDG\¶V 2ICHARD ,EE $AVIS 0OLKVILLE #ITY ,IMITS S P S P FKLOGUHQ IUHH )LW]JHUDOG¶V ,ARRY "REWER S P 5HHG 3LHUFH¶V "ACK %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV *EFF .ORWOOD 6QHDN\ %HDQV 4RAFFICK *AM IURP 6&

*ONEZETTA *OHNNY "ERTRAM *HRUJLD %OXH (UNTER 'IBSON 4HE 'OLDEN "ICYCLES 2OOM 8QGHUJURXQG *IMMY *ARRATT S P 4OM &ITZPATRICK MD]]

+DO DQG 0DO¶V 2UBBER 3OUL &XSV )RQGUHQ 4OMMY AND 4AMMY %HDWOHV 7ULEXWH EDQG 55 ,UCKY S P (AND "LUES "AND UHVW

3DUNHU +RXVH #HRIS 'ILL 4HE )HQLDQ¶V $OUG &RANK 3OLE 3HAKERS 0F%¶V &ULKERSON 0ACE S P )RQGUHQ !RTS %ATS AND "EATS 3RS¶V 6DORRQ !UTUMN 2ISIN S P &KHURNHH ,QQ 'OOD 0APER 06 0XVHXP RI $UW -3 3YMPHONY S P /RCHESTRA #OMPOSERS &ORUM $UWV &HQWHU RI 06 !N %VENING OF S P IUHH (OPE WITH .ICOLE -ARQUEZ A 8QLYHUVLW\ &OXE 9OUNG %XECUTIVE BENEFIT FOR !SK FOR -ORE !RTS

3OCIETY´S *AZZ /VER *ACKSON FEAT 2HONDA 2ICHMOND 4IGER 2OGERS S P IUHH S P H[W 6XLWH "ACK TO "ASICS ,IVE &ODUNVGDOH -ISSISSIPPI´S *UKE "AND %DITION *OINT &ESTIVAL #ELEBRATING 8QGHUJURXQG 3ANDY #ARROLL !CTS IN 9EARS W *IMBO "ESSIE "LUES "AND 0HPSKLV -ATHUS !LVIN ±9OUNGBLOOD² EOXHV

(ART FODUNVGDOHQRZ RUJ %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV *AMBEAUX "IGG "AND 6W -DPHV (SLVFRSDO &KXUFK 2ISE APRIL 15 - FRIDAY !BOVE 9OUTH &UNDRAISER ) -RQHV &RUQHU 3HERMAN ,EE $ILLON &)$%3 S P VKHOOH\# EOXHV OXQFK 3HERMAN ,EE $ILLON ULVHDERYH \RXWK RUJ 4HE -3 3OUND S P D P 3HOLFDQ &RYH *ASON 4URNER IUHH WLOO PLGQLJKW DIWHU 4XHHQ RI +HDUWV +ENNY (OLLYWOOD (O 3RWULOOR %UDQGRQ %MMA 7YNTERS +DO 0DO¶V 3COTT !LBERT *OHNSON 3KLOLS¶V RQ WKH 5H] 3HADZ OF 'REY UHVW -R +ID 4HE "ROTHERS &ODUNVGDOH -ISSISSIPPI *UKE &OX #$ RELEASE PARTY W -ARK *OINT &ESTIVAL D P XQWLO -ARK 2OEMER 3PACEWOLF 55

MXNHMRLQWIHVWLYDO FRP 0DUWLQL /RXQJH 5HJHQF\ -ARTINI 9LFNVEXUJ &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU ST &RIDAYS S P IUHH !NNUAL !LCORN 3TATE 5NIVERSITY )LUH 3ALIVA W 2EV 4HEORY

*AZZ &ESTIVAL S P IUHH %MPHATIC AND 3EVEN $AY 3ONNET

068 5LOH\ &HQWHU 0HULGLDQ +%- S P PVXULOH\FHQWHU FRP

APRIL 17 - SUNDAY &XOWXUDO ([SUHVVLRQV /PEN -IC 0OETRY .IGHT 7R0DUD¶V -IKE AND -ARTY´S *AM 3ESSION 6RSKLD¶V )DLUYLHZ ,QQ +NIGHT "RUCE D P EUXQFK

.LQJ (GZDUG +RWHO (OWARD *ONES *AZZ D P EUXQFK

)LW]JHUDOG¶V !NDY (ARDWICK EUXQFK D P &KDU 2APHAEL 3EMMES MD]] EUXQFK D P S P .ULVWRV ,ARRY "REWER )HQLDQ¶V -ONTHLY #EILI W *ACKSON )RISH $ANCERS S P %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV 3HAUN 0ATTERSON

APRIL 18 - MONDAY +DO DQG 0DO¶V #ENTRAL -3 "LUES 3OCIETY S P 0DUWLQ¶V /PEN -IC &REE *AM )HQLDQ¶V +ARAOKE ,ULVK )URJ +ARAOKE W +OKOMO *OE )LUH !LL THAT 2EMAINS W (AIL THE 6ILLIAN .ONPOINT 3URRENDER THE &ALL S P 0LQW *ASON 4URNER %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV -ONDAY -USICAL -ADNESS !COUSTIC *AM

APRIL 19 - TUESDAY ) -RQHV &RUQHU 6IRGIL "RAWLEY EOXHV OXQFK

0LVV 0XVHXP RI $UW -USIC IN THE #ITY S P IUHH +DO DQG 0DO¶V 0UB 1UIZ )HQLDQ¶V /PEN -IC 2OH 7DYHUQ /PEN -IC %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV *ESSE ±'UITAR² 3MITH ,ULVK )URJ +ARAOKE FOR +IDS W +OKOMO *OE )LW]JHUDOG¶V (UNTER 2ICK

APRIL 20 - WEDNESDAY ) -RQHV &RUQHU .ORMAN #LARK EOXHV OXQFK

2OH 7DYHUQ ,ADIES .IGHT 3RHWV ,, $* 0HINGAPRINT 3RS¶V 6DORRQ +ARAOKE 'UHDP] -;1 7ASTED 7EDNESDAYS 5HJHQF\ 3NAZZ <DFKW &OXE ,ARRY "REWER %XUJHUV DQG %OXHV *ESSE ±'UITAR² 3MITH ,ULVK )URJ 2ALPH -ILLER 2OJD¶V ,ADIES .IGHT W (UNTER 'IBSON 8QGHUJURXQG 3OL $RIVEN 4RAIN &KDU *ASON 4URNER 3DUNHU +RXVH %MMA 7YNTERS 4RIO S P 6HQG PXVLF OLVWLQJV WR 1DWDOLH /RQJ DW PXVLF#MDFNVRQIUHHSUHVV FRP RU ID[ WR E\ QRRQ 0RQGD\ IRU LQFOXVLRQ LQ WKH QH[W LVVXH 0XVLF OLVWLQJV PXVW EH UHFHLYHG E\ WKH )ULGD\ EHIRUH WKH QHZ LVVXH WR EH FRQVLGHUHG IRU 'D\V SLFNV

3UGARLAND ± 7XVFDORRVD $PSKLWKHDWHU 7XVFDORRVD $OD 7IDESPREAD 0ANIC 4HE #HARLIE $ANIELS "AND "IG 'IGANTIC ± 9HUL]RQ :LUHOHVV 0XVLF &HQWHU %LUPLQJKDP $OD (OUSE OF "LUES 'OSPEL "RUNCH ± +RXVH RI %OXHV 1HZ 2UOHDQV

+EYS +Z\ : LQ 0HWURFHQ WHU -DFNVRQ !LAMO 4HEATRE 1 )DULVK 6W -DFN VRQ !LLEY #ATS : 3HDFH 6W &DQWRQ

!LUMNI (OUSE 3PORTS 'RILL +Z\ 5LGJHODQG !MERISTAR #ASINO "OTTLENECK "LUES "AR :DVKLQJWRQ 6W 9LFNVEXUJ

"EAU 2IVAGE #ASINO %HDFK %OYG %LOR[L "ELHAVEN 5NIVERSITY #ENTER FOR THE !RTS 5LYHUVLGH 'U -DFNVRQ

"LACK $IAMOND , 1 -DFNVRQ

"OTTOMS 5P 1RUWKYLHZ 'U -DFN VRQ "UFFALO 7ILD 7INGS /DNH +DUERXU 'U 5LGJHODQG "RADY´S "AR AND 'RILL 2OG &DQWRQ 5G 5LGJHODQG "URGERS AND "LUES ( &RXQW\ /LQH 5G 5LGJHODQG #APRI 0IX 4HEATRE 1 6WDWH 6W -DFNVRQ #ENTER 3TAGE 2OG &DQWRQ 5G 5LGJHODQG #ENTRAL #ITY #OMPLEX :RRGURZ :LO VRQ 'U -DFNVRQ #ERAMI´S +LJKZD\ )ORZRRG

#HAR 2ESTAURANT , +LJKODQG 9LOODJH -DFNVRQ #HEROKEE )NN 2OG 6TXDUH 5G -DFN VRQ #LUB +Z\ &DQWRQ

#LUB -ETRO 2ELOADED +LJKZD\ :HVW -DFNVRQ #LUB /´(ARA 0RQWLFHOOR 6W +D]OH KXUVW #ONGRESS 3TREET "AR 'RILL 1 &RQJUHVV 6W -DFNVRQ 4HE #OMMONS 'ALLERY 1 &RQJUHVV 6W -DFNRVQ #OUPLES %NTERTAINMENT #ENTER %\UG 'ULYH -DFNVRQ #RAWDAD (OLE /DNHODQG 'U -DFN VRQ #RICKETT´S ,OUNGE +Z\ :HVW -DFNVRQ #ROSSROADS "AR ,OUNGE /LY LQJVWRQ 5G -DFNVRQ EOXHV

#ULTURAL %XPRESSIONS 0LOOVDSV $YH -DFNVRQ QHR VRXO KLS KRS

#UPS IN &ONDREN 2OG &DQWRQ 5RDG -DFNVRQ DFRXVWLF SRS

#UPS IN THE 1UARTER /DNHODQG 'U -DFNVRQ $AVIDSON´S #ORNER -ARKET : &HQWHU 6W &DQWRQ SRS URFN

$EBO´S 5D\PRQG 5RDG -DFNVRQ

$IAMOND *ACK´S #ASINO :DVKLQJ WRQ 6WUHHW 9LFNVEXUJ $ICK AND *ANE´S : &DSLWRO 6W -DFN VRQ $IXIE $IAMOND :DVKLQJWRQ 6WUHHW 9LFNVEXUJ $REAMZ *XN :HVW &DSLWRO 6WUHHW -DFNVRQ %LECTRIC #OWBOY 5LGJHZRRG 5G -DFNVRQ FRXQWU\ URFN GDQFH

%XECUTIVE 0LACE %DLOH\ $YH -DFN VRQ & *ONES #ORNER 1 )DULVK 6W -DFN VRQ &ENIAN´S ( )RUWLILFDWLRQ 6WUHHW -DFN VRQ URFN ,ULVK IRON

&IRE &RPPHUFH 6W -DFNVRQ URFN GDQFH GM

&INAL $ESTINATION 5RELQVRQ 5G ([W -DFNVRQ SRS URFN EOXHV

&ITZGERALD´S -ARTINI "AR ( &RXQW\ /LQH 5RDG -DFNVRQ &LOOD´S "AR AND 'RILL %DLOH\ $YH -DFNVRQ &OOTLOOSE "AR AND 'RILL +Z\ :HVW -DFNVRQ &REELON´S "AR !ND 'ROOVE 1 0LOO 6W -DFNVRQ KLS KRS

7KH -)3 PXVLF OLVWLQJV DUH GHGLFDWHG WR IRXQGLQJ PXVLF OLVWLQJV HGLWRU +HUPDQ 6QHOO ZKR SDVVHG DZD\ LQ &UEGO -EXICAN #ANTINA 6 6WDWH 6W -DFNVRQ &USION #OFFEEHOUSE +LJKODQG &RORQ\ 3DUNZD\ 5LGJHODQG 'OLD 3TRIKE #ASINO &DVLQR &HQWHU 'ULYH 5RELQVRQYLOOH 'RAND #ASINO "ILOXI %HDFK %RXOH YDUG %LOR[L 'RAND #ASINO 4UNICA 2OG +LJKZD\ 1RUWK 5RELQVRQYLOOH *5$1' 4HE 'REEN 2OOM %RXQGV 6W -DFN VRQ 'ROUND :ERO "LUES #LUB %OXHV $OOH\ &ODUNVGDOH (AL -AL´S 6 &RPPHUFH 6W -DFN VRQ SRS URFN EOXHV

(AMP´S 0LACE : 1RUWKVLGH 'U -DFNVRQ GDQFH GM

(ARD 2OCK "ILOXI %HDFK %OYG %LOR[L 52&.

(AT #ANE ( 0F'RZHOO 5G -DFN VRQ (AUTm 0IG 0DLQ 6W 0DGLVRQ

(ERE 7E 'O !GAIN 7HUU\ 5RDG -DFNVRQ (ORIZON #ASINO -ULBERRY ,OUNGE 0XOEHUU\ 6W 9LFNVEXUJ

(ORSESHOE "AR +Z\ :HVW -DFN VRQ (ORSESHOE #ASINO 7XQLFD 4HE (UNT #LUB (OOLV $YH -DFNVRQ

(UNTINGTON 'RILLE ( &RXQW\ /LQH 5G -DFNVRQ 4HE )RISH &ROG R 6SULQJULGJH 5G &OLQWRQ *#´S 1RUWK 0DUW 3OD]D -DFNVRQ

*ACKSON #ONVENTION #OMPLEX ( 3DVFDJRXOD 6W -DFNVRQ *ULEP 2ESTAURANT AND "AR +LJKODQG 9LOODJH -DFNVRQ +ATHRYN´S 3TEAKS AND 3EAFOOD 2OG &DQWRQ 5RDG 5LGJHODQG

+ING %DWARD (OTEL : &DSLWRO 6W -DFNVRQ +NOKERS 3PORTS #AFE &OLQWRQ %OYG -DFNVRQ +OINONIA #OFFEE (OUSE 6 $GDPV 6W 6XLWH & -DFNVRQ +RISTOS 0DGLVRQ $YH 0DGLVRQ

,A2AE´S 3DUFHO 'U -DFNVRQ

,AST #ALL 3PORTS 'RILL 2OG 6TXDUH 5RDG -DFNVRQ ,EVEL ( &DSLWRO 6W -DFNVRQ 4HE ,IBRARY "AR 'RILL 6 WK 6W 2[IRUG 4HE ,OFT $ :DVKLQJWRQ 6W 9LFNV EXUJ 4HE ,YRIC /XFORD 9DQ %XUHQ $YH 2[IRUG -AIN %VENT 3PORTS "AR 'RILL +Z\ :HVW -DFNVRQ -ANDA´S 0UB &OD\ 6WUHHW 9LFNVEXUJ

-ARTIN´S ,OUNGE 6 6WDWH 6W -DFN VRQ URFN MDP EOXHV

-ARTINI 2OOM *UH\PRQW $YH -DFN VRQ -C"´S 2ESTAURANT /DNH +DUERU 'U 5LGJHODQG SRS URFN

-ELLOW -USHROOM 'RJZRRG %OYG )ORZRRG -ISSISSIPPI !CADEMY OF !NCIENT -USIC 0DJQROLD (GZDUGV -ISSISSIPPI #OLISEUM 0LVVLVVLSSL 6W -DFNVRQ -ISSISSIPPI /PERA 3 2 %R[ -DFN VRQ 0623(5$ -ISSISSIPPI /PRY 2OG %UDQGRQ 5G %UDQGRQ -ISSISSIPPI 3YMPHONY /RCHESTRA ( 3DVFDJRXOD 6W -DFNVRQ

-ISSISSIPPI 6ETERANS -EMORIAL 3TADIUM 1 6WDWH 6W -DFNVRQ -ONTE´S 3TEAK AND 3EAFOOD /DNH ODQG 'U -DFNVRQ -UGSHOTS /DNHODQG 'U -DFNVRQ

.ORTH -IDTOWN !RTS #ENTER 0LOO VDSV $YH -DFNVRQ

/KASIONS (OOLV $YHQXH -DFNVRQ

/LE 4AVERN ON 'EORGE 3TREET *HRUJH 6W -DFNVRQ /LGA´S , 1RUWK -DFNVRQ SLDQR

/NE "LU 7ALL 1 6WDWH 6W -DFNVRQ

4HE 0ARKER (OUSE 6 ( 0DGLVRQ 'ULYH 2OGH 7RZQH 5LGJHODQG

0EACHES 2ESTAURANT 1 )DULVK 6W -DFNVRQ 0ELICAN #OVE $ +DUERUZDON 'U 5LGJHODQG 0HILIP´S ON THE 2EZ 0DGLVRQ /DQG LQJ &LU 5LGJHODQG 0IG %AR 3ALOON :HLVHQEHUJHU 5G *OXFNVWDGW 0IG 7ILLIES :DVKLQJWRQ 6W 9LFNV EXUJ 0OETS )) /DNHODQG 'U 0OOL (ALL , 1RUWK )URQWDJH 5G -DFNVRQ 0OP´S 3ALOON *DOODWLQ 6W -DFNVRQ FRXQWU\

4HE 0UB +Z\ 5LGJHODQG

4HE 1UARTER "ISTRO 0IANO "AR /DNHODQG 'U -DFNVRQ 1UE 3ERA 3ERA 1 6WDWH 6W -DFN VRQ 1UEEN OF (EARTS 0DUWLQ /XWKHU .LQJ 'U -DFNVRQ 2EED 0IERCE´S 6LZHOO 5G %\UDP

2EGENCY (OTEL 2ESTAURANT "AR *UH\PRQW $YH -DFNVRQ 2* "ARREL 1 8QLRQ 2OBERTS 7ALTHALL (OTEL ( &DSLWRO 6W -DFNVRQ 3AL AND -OOKIE´S 7D\ORU 6W

3AM´S ,OUNGE , 1 )URQWDJH 5G -DFNVRQ 3AM´S 4OWN #ASINO &DVLQR 6WULS %OYG 5RELQVRQYLOOH 3CROOGE´S 5LGJHZRRG 5G -DFNVRQ

3HUCKERS ON THE 2ESERVOIR &RQHV WRJD 5G 5LGJHODQG 3ILVER 3TAR #ASINO +Z\ :HVW &KRF WDZ 3IPPI #ITI /LYLQJVWRQ 5G -DFNVRQ /*%7 FOXE

3NEAKY "EANS 1 6WDWH 6W -DFN VRQ 3OOP´S 4HE 5LTIMATE &RXQWU\ &OXE 'U -DFNVRQ EOXHV

3OULSHINE 0IZZA 2OG )DQQLQ 5G %UDQGRQ 3OULSHINE 0IZZA +LJKODQG &RORQ\ 3DUNZD\ 5LGJHODQG 3PORTSMAN´S ,ODGE ( 1RUWKVLGH 'U DW , -DFNVRQ 3TONE 0ONY /YSTER "AR &RPPHUFLDO 3DUNZD\ &DQWRQ 3UITE :LOPLQJWRQ 6W -DFNVRQ

4HALIA -ARA (ALL ( 3DVFDJRXOD 6W -DFNVRQ 4HIRSTY (IPPO 0DLQ 6W +DWWLHVEXUJ

4IME /UT 3PORTS "AR 2OG &DQWRQ 5G -DFNVRQ 4O-ARA´S +Z\ :HVW -DFNVRQ SRS URFN

4OP .OTCH 3PORTS "AR &XOOH\ 'U -DFNVRQ 4WO 2IVERS 2ESTAURANT : 3HDFH 6W &DQWRQ EOXHV

4WO 3ISTERS +ITCHEN 1 &RQJUHVV 6W -DFNVRQ 5NDER THE "OARDWALK 7HUU\ 5G -DFNVRQ 5NDERGROUND 6 3UHVLGHQW 6W -DFNVRQ 6&7 0OST 6XQUD\ 'ULYH -DFN VRQ 6ICKSBURG #ONVENTION #ENTER 0XO EHUU\ 6WUHHW 9LFNVEXUJ 7ALKER´S $RIVE )N 1 6WDWH 6W -DFNVRQ MD]] SRS IRON

7HISTLE 3TOP #ORNER #AFE 1 5DJV GDOH $YH +D]OHKXUVW 7IRED %XPRESSO #AFE 1 6WDWH 6W

saturday, April 16

Val McKnight and the

Powerhouse Band

Wednesday, April 13th

blues music | 9pm

BILL & TEMPERANCE

(Bluegrass) 8-11, No Cover Thursday, April 14th

JIMMY JARRATT & TOM FITZPATRICK (Jazz) 8-11, No Cover Friday, April 15th

ALEX ROSS & CADILLAC BLUES CD RELEASE PARTY (Blues) 9-1, $10 Cover

Saturday, April 16th

LIVE MUSIC

9-1, $10 Cover Wednesday, April 20th

SOL DRIVEN TRAIN

THURSDAY - April 14 LADIES NIGHT DRINK FREE 9-11PM FRIDAY - APRIL 15

Southbound

(Americana) 9-11, No Cover Thursday, April 21st

BILL PERRY TRIO

(Jazz) 8-11, No Cover Friday, April 22nd

LOS PAPIS

(Latin Jazz) 9-1, $10 Cover

Saturday, April 23rd & SATURDAY - April 16

Autumn Risin SUNDAY - APRIL 17 OPEN MIC JAM 7-11 MONDAY - APRIL 18

BAR OPEN

TUESDAY - APRIL 19

POOL LEAGUE NIGHT WEDNESDAY - APRIL 20 MIKE MOTT KARAOKE 2636 S. Gallatin Jackson, MS 39204

601-961-4747

www.myspace.com/popsaroundthecorner

JESSE ROBINSON

(Blues) 9-1, $10 Cover 119 S. President Street 601.352.2322 www.Underground119.com

jacksonfreepress.com

venuelist

37

DIVERSIONS|sports

by Bryan Flynn

PULL FOR RONALD MCDONALD DailyHOUSE LunchCHARITIES Specials - $9 The McDonald house is a temporary “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals.

Order a canned beverage.

Give the tab to your server.

Help a child in need.

BUDLITE, MILLERLITE, BUDWEISER, COORSLITE

Daily Lunch Specials $9

Happy Hour Everyday 4pm-7pm

LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR Sunday - Thursday 10pm - 12am

2-FOR-1, YOU CALL IT!

601.978.1839

6270 Old Canton Rd. Jackson, MS 39211

LUNCH SPECIALS EVERY DAY starting at $7.95

VOTED BEST SPORTS BAR AND BEST JUKEBOX! - BEST OF JACKSON 2011 -

WED. APRIL 13 LADIES NIGHT & KARAOKE

THUR. APRIL 14 BUDWEISER GAME NIGHT PRIZES & SWAG

SAT. APRIL 16

GUNTER CHEATUM BEER BUCKET SPECIAL BEER BUCKET SPECIAL

CELEBRATING OUR 6TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEK!

MON. APRIL 18 IN-DA-BIZ NITE

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

JACKPOT TRIVIA

DRINK SPECIALS ALL WEEK TO CELEBRATE!

SUN. APRIL 17 NBA BASKETBALL

+ 1/2 OFF BLOODY MARYS

April 13 - 19, 2011

2-FOR-1 SPECIAL TUES. APRIL 19

38

F

ans of fall and winter sports might enjoy the current NFL and NBA seasons, but next year that all could come to an end. Both leagues face potential lockouts after the current seasons end.

The NFL collective bargaining agreement has garnered most of the headlines, as football is this country’s most popular sport.

The NBA has mostly gained headlines with LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach. But like the NFL Players Association, the NBA Players Association seems ready for a prolonged fight with management.

One curious change the NBAPA is pushing is the end of the age limit to enter the NBA draft. Below is the current rule.

Article X. Section 1 (b) (i): The player (A) is or will be at least 19 years of age during the calendar year in which the Draft is held, and … at least one (1) NBA Season has elapsed since the player’s graduation from high school (or, if the player did not graduate from high school, since the graduation of the class with which the player would have graduated had he graduated from high school).

If the NBAPA has its way, a rule change will once again allow high-school players to jump straight into the pros. This could affect current players in Mississippi.

Before the rule was changed in 2005, four players from Mississippi took advantage of no age restriction. Those players were Jonathan Bender, Picayune Memorial High School; Travis Outlaw, Starkville High School; Al Jefferson, Prentiss High School; and most recently Monta Ellis, Lanier High School.

Many argue over why high school players should not be allowed to jump straight into the pros. One argument for the rule change was that high-school players were not ready for the pro game physically and mentally. Of the four players drafted from high school from Mississippi only one, Bender, is currently not on a NBA roster.

Those not familiar with the NBA might ask why Bender is the only player on this list not still in the pros. Injuries to his knees derailed what many thought would be a promising NBA career.

In fact, NBA teams drafted 38 players from high school and 34 of those players are American born. Of those 34 players, as of right now only six are not currently in the NBA. That answers the question “are the players physically mature enough to play in the pros?” As far as the mental aspect goes, anyone who follows sports closely will notice that with or without college, pro athletes make mindboggling decisions.

I believe that outside influences suppress the mental maturity of athletes in all sports.

Many athletes are not punished for boorish behavior when they are younger, and this entitlement lasts all through their pro career.

Players taken out of high school such as LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett have made few public mistakes. Overall, these players have been mature and professional in the truest sense of the word

KEITH ALLISON

Is Age the Problem?

Doctor S sez: If you go to the Grove Bowl at Ole Miss, for God’s sake don’t Tweet. They will throw your ass out.

On the other hand, it might not be all bad.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14 MLB baseball, Florida and Atlanta (6 p.m., Atlanta, Fox Sports South, 930 AM): The Braves tangle with the Fish in an NL East rivalry.

Monta Ellis was the last Mississippi player to take advantage of no age limits in the NBA.

The only visible “victim” before the age rule was the college game. Since the best players were leaving for the NBA, many felt the college game had lost some of its luster.

Many believed that big-time players deciding on the NBA draft instead of college upset universities that could make financial gains from these players. One example is Mississippi State, which missed out on Bender and Ellis.

Now with the age rule, the term “one and done players” is used to describe a player who is only using college to wait out the age requirement. These players are quick to jump into the draft as soon as their freshman year of college has ended.

The thing the NBAPA and the NFLPA should look at is the startling number of players who are broke after their careers are over. A 2009 Sports Illustrated story pointed out that 60 percent of NBA players go broke five years after retirement, and 78 percent of NFL players are broke two years after retirement.

Mississippi’s own Deuce McAllister even suffered this fate. It is estimated that McAllister made $70 million in earnings, yet he filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2009.

Having a degree makes it easier for an athlete to go into the job market after his or her playing days are over, but age limits should not stop them from earning the most from their talents while they are young and at the peak of their earning potential.

More should be done to educate players on how to protect their money so they can afford to retire after their playing careers end.

Only mega athletes such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and John Elway have the ability to walk away from the game financially secure.

Other athletes such as Charles Barkley, Dan Marino and Phil Simms turned successful careers into media jobs after their playing days were over. While no rumors were confirmed, ESPN reported that money is why Brett Favre has continued his playing career.

The bottom line: Age restrictions are not the problem. The problem is not preparing these players who become millionaires at such a young age to realize that their life does not end after the cheering stops.

Follow Bryan Flynn on Twitter @jfpsports.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 College baseball, Alcorn State and Jackson State (6 p.m., Jackson): Tiger Fest begins with a battle between the two top teams in the SWAC East. … Mississippi State and Arkansas (7 p.m., Fayetteville, SportSouth, 105.9 FM): The shaky Bulldogs head into the hills to take on the Razorbacks who are coming in off a sweep.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 College football, Jackson State spring football game (11 a.m., JSU’s Walter Payton Center practice field): Fans can get a first look at the 2011 Tigers in the BlueWhite Game. Bring your lawn chairs. …

Ole Miss spring game (1 p.m., Oxford, CSS): The Rebels wrap up spring practice with the Grove Bowl. At least Ole Miss will win one game in 2011.

SUNDAY, APRIL 17 College baseball, Kentucky and Ole Miss (1:30 p.m., Oxford, 97.3 FM): If the Rebels aren’t poised to sweep their series with the Wildcats, then UM baseball has a big problem.

MONDAY, APRIL 18 Southern League baseball, Mississippi and Birmingham (7 p.m., Birmingham, Ala., 103.9 FM): The M-Braves open a series with the Barons in Steel City. Go see the Vulcan statue, fellas.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 College baseball, Mississippi State and Ole Miss (6:30 p.m., Pearl, CSS, 105.9 FM, 97.3 FM): The Bulldogs and Rebels battle for the Governor’s Cup at Trustmark Park. Start hating early and avoid the rush. … Mississippi College and Belhaven (6 p.m., Smith-Wills Stadium, Jackson, tinyurl.com/6z9du2k); The Blazers and Choctaws meet in the final game of the Cowboy Maloney Series.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 College baseball, Southern Miss vs.

LSU (7 p.m., New Orleans, 620 AM): The Golden Eagles and Tigers have both slumped recently. Both badly need to win this game at Zephyr Field.

The Slate is compiled by Doctor S, who is still trying to figure out how Russell Brand won the Masters and Charl Schwartzel became America’s biggest movie star. Or is it the other way around? Get it straight at JFP Sports on www.jacksonfreepress.com.

!2)%3 -ARCH !PRIL

:KHQ KH ZDV \HDUV ROG DFWRU &KDUOLH 6KHHQ JRW D KHUQLD IURP \HOOLQJ WRR PXFK DQG WRR ORXG , GH¿ QLWHO\ GRQ¶W HQFRXUDJH \RX WR EH OLNH WKDW +RZHYHU , GR WKLQN LW¶V DQ H[FHOOHQW WLPH WR WXQH LQ WR WKH H[WUDYDJDQW HPRWLRQV WKDW ¿ UVW PDGH DQ DSSHDUDQFH ZKHQ \RX ZHUH YHU\ \RXQJ DQG WKDW KDYH FRQWLQXHG WR EH D VRXUFH RI OLJKW DQG KHDW IRU \RX HYHU VLQFH 0D\EH ULJKWHRXV DQJHU LV RQH RI WKRVH YLWDOL]LQJ HPRWLRQV EXW WKHUH PXVW EH RWKHUV DV ZHOO²FUD]\ ORQJLQJ IHURFLRXV MR\ LQVDWLDEOH FXULRVLW\ SUL PDO ODXJKWHU *HW LQ WRXFK ZLWK WKHP LQYLWH WKHP WR PDNH DQ DSSHDUDQFH DQG UHYHDO WKH VSHFL¿ F PDJLF WKH\ KDYH WR JLYH \RX ULJKW QRZ

4!5253 !PRIL -AY

³'HDU 5RE /DVW -DQXDU\ \RX SUHGLFWHG WKDW PLJKW EH WKH EHVW \HDU HYHU IRU XV EXOOV WR FRPPXQH ZLWK WKH LQYLVLEOH UHDOPV DQG JHW FORVHU WR WKH 6RXUFH RI $OO /LIH $QG , KDYH EHHQ HQMR\LQJ WKH PRVW DPD]LQJ GUHDPV HYHU ,¶YH KDG VHYHUDO VWURQJ WHOHSDWKLF H[SHUL HQFHV DQG KDYH HYHQ KDG FRQYHUVDWLRQV ZLWK WKH VSLULW RI P\ GHDG JUDQGPRWKHU %XW WKDW *RG FKDUDFWHU UHPDLQV DFKLQJO\ HOXVLYH &DQ¶W , MXVW KDYH D IDFH WR IDFH FKDW ZLWK KLV RU KHU 5R\DO +LJKQHVV" ²,PSDWLHQW 7DXUXV ´ 'HDU 7DXUXV 7KH FRPLQJ ZHHNV ZLOO EH RQH RI WKH SRWHQWLDOO\ EHVW WLPHV LQ \RXU OLIH WR JHW XS FORVH DQG SHUVRQDO ZLWK WKH 'LYLQH :RZ )RU EHVW UHVXOWV HPSW\ \RXU PLQG RI ZKDW WKDW ZRXOG EH OLNH

'%-).) -AY *UNE

, ZDV UHDGLQJ DERXW KRZ IDQWDV\ ZULWHU 7HUU\ 3UDWFK HWW PDGH KLV RZQ VZRUG XVLQJ ³WKXQGHUEROW LURQ´ IURP D PHWHRULWH ,W PDGH PH WKLQN KRZ WKDW ZRXOG EH DQ H[FHOOHQW WKLQJ IRU \RX WR GR 1RW WKDW \RX ZLOO QHHG LW WR ¿ JKW RII GUDJRQV RU OLWHUDO EDG JX\V 5DWKHU , VXVSHFW WKDW FUHDWLQJ \RXU RZQ VZRUG IURP D PHWHRULWH ZRXOG VWUHQJWKHQ DQG WRQH \RXU PHQWDO WRXJKQHVV ,W ZRXOG LQVSLUH \RX WR FXW DZD\ WULYLDO ZLVKHV DQG VRXO VXFNLQJ LQÃ&#x20AC; XHQFHV WKDW PD\ VHHP LQWHUHVWLQJ EXW DUHQ¶W UHDOO\ ,W PLJKW HYHQ OHDG \RX WR URXVH LQ \RXUVHOI WKH ]HDO RI D NQLJKW RQ D QREOH TXHVW²MXVW LQ WLPH IRU WKH DUULYDO RI DQ LQYLWDWLRQ WR JR RQ D QREOH TXHVW

#!.#%2 *UNE *ULY

2YHU WKH \HDUV , KDYH RQ VHYHUDO RFFDVLRQV VWRRG DW D KLJK ZD\ H[LW UDPS ZLWK D KDQGPDGH FDUGERDUG VLJQ WKDW UHDGV ³, ORYH WR KHOS , QHHG WR JLYH SOHDVH WDNH VRPH PRQH\ ´ , Ã&#x20AC; DVK D ZDG RI ELOOV DQG RIIHU D IHZ GROODUV WR GULYHUV ZKRVH FXULRVLW\ LPSHOV WKHP WR VWRS DQG HQJDJH PH ,¶YH DOZD\V EHHQ VXUSULVHG DW KRZ PDQ\ SHRSOH KHVLWDWH WR DF FHSW P\ JLIW 6RPH DVVXPH , KDYH D KLGGHQ DJHQGD RWKHUV WKLQN ,¶P FUD]\ 6RPH DUH HYHQ DQJU\ DQG VKRXW WKLQJV OLNH ³*R KRPH \RX IUHDN ´ ,I D FRPSDUDEOH H[SHULHQFH FRPHV \RXU ZD\ DQ\WLPH VRRQ &DQFHULDQ , XUJH \RX WR ORZHU \RXU VXVSLFLRQV &RQVLGHU WKH SRVVLELOLW\ WKDW D EOHVVLQJ LV EHLQJ RIIHUHG WR \RX ZLWK QR VWULQJV DWWDFKHG

,%/ *ULY !UG

³1HDUO\ DOO PHQ FDQ VWDQG DGYHUVLW\ ´ $EUDKDP /LQFROQ VDLG ³EXW LI \RX ZDQW WR WHVW D PDQ¶V FKDUDFWHU JLYH KLP SRZHU ´ $FFRUGLQJ WR P\ DQDO\VLV RI WKH DVWURORJLFDO RPHQV WKDW WKRXJKW ZLOO KDYH H[WUD PHDQLQJ IRU \RX LQ WKH FRPLQJ ZHHNV 6R IDU LQ \RX KDYH JRWWHQ SDVV LQJ JUDGHV RQ WKH WHVWV WKDW DGYHUVLW\ KDV EURXJKW \RX %XW QRZ FRPH WKH WULFNLHU WULDOV DQG WULEXODWLRQV :LOO \RXU LQWHJULW\ DQG LPSHFFDELOLW\ VWDQG XS VWURQJ LQ WKH IDFH RI \RXU ZD[LQJ FORXW DQG LQÃ&#x20AC; XHQFH"

6)2'/ !UG 3EPT

,W ZRXOG EH D JRRG ZHHN IRU \RX WR DVVHPEOH D ELJ SLOH RI ROG 79V \RX ERXJKW IRU HDFK DW D WKULIW VWRUH DQG UXQ RYHU WKHP ZLWK D EXOOGR]HU ,W ZRXOG DOVR EH D IDYRU DEOH WLPH WR VWDUW D EOD]LQJ ¿ UH LQ D ¿ UHSODFH DQG WKURZ

LQ WKH SKRWRV RI DOO WKH VXSSRVHGO\ DWWUDFWLYH SHRSOH \RX XVHG WR EH LQIDWXDWHG ZLWK HYHQ WKRXJK \RX QRZ UHDOL]H WKDW WKH\ ZHUH XQZRUWK\ RI \RXU VPDUW ORYH ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV 9LUJR LW LV D SHUIHFW PRPHQW WR GHVWUR\ V\PEROV RI WKLQJV WKDW KDYH GUDLQHG \RXU HQHUJ\ DQG KHOG \RX EDFN 7KHUH¶V DQ H[FHOOHQW FKDQFH WKLV ZLOO SURYLGH D MROW RI GHOLYHUDQFH WKDW ZLOO SULPH IXUWKHU OLEHUDWLRQV LQ WKH FRPLQJ ZHHNV

D WDQJHULQH FORXG DW GXVN" $UH \RX VNLOOHG DW JLYLQJ JLIWV WKDW VXUSULVH DQG GHOLJKW RWKHUV" :KHQ \RXU KHDUW LVQ¶W VXUH ZKDW LW IHHOV GR \RX VLQJ VRQJV WKDW KHOS \RX WUDQVFHQG WKH QHHG IRU FHUWDLQW\" +DYH \RX OHDUQHG ZKDW \RXU ERG\ QHHGV WR IHHO KHDOWK\" 'R \RX NQRZ DQ\ MRNHV \RX FRXOG WHOO WR HDVH WKH SDVVLQJ RI D G\LQJ HOGHU" +DYH \RX HYHU NLVVHG D KRO\ DQLPDO RU D FUD]\ ZLVH SHUVRQ RU D PDJLF VWRQH"

,)"2! 3EPT /CT

#!02)#/2. $EC *AN

7KH VW\OH RI GDQFH NQRZQ DV WKH VDPED VHHPV WR KDYH LWV RULJLQV LQ WKH VHPED DQ ROG $QJRODQ GDQFH LQ ZKLFK SDUWQHUV UXE WKHLU QDYHOV WRJHWKHU ,Q WKH $IULFDQ .LPEXQ GX ODQJXDJH VHPED DOVR PHDQV ³SOHDVLQJ HQFKDQWLQJ ´ DQG LQ WKH .LNRQJR WRQJXH LW GHQRWHV ³KRQRULQJ UHYHU LQJ ´ ,Q DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK WKH DVWURORJLFDO RPHQV , LQYLWH \RX /LEUDV WR EULQJ WKH VSLULW RI VHPED WR \RXU OLIH 8VH \RXU LPDJLQDWLRQ DV \RX GUHDP XS ZD\V WR LQIXVH \RXU LQWLPDWH H[FKDQJHV ZLWK EHOO\ WR EHOO\ UHYHUHQFH DQG HQFKDQWPHQW %H VHUSHQWLQH DQG ZRUVKLSIXO %H ZLOG DQG VXEOLPH %HVWRZ \RXU UHVSHFWIXO FDUH ZLWK DOO \RXU VOLQN\ ZLOHV XQIXUOHG

3#/20)/ /CT .OV

,Q WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV WKHUH LV D JHRJUDSKLF DQRPDO\ , ZDQW WR FDOO \RXU DWWHQWLRQ WR D YROFDQLF LVODQG LQ D ODNH WKDW¶V RQ D YROFDQLF LVODQG LQ D ODNH WKDW¶V RQ DQ LVODQG &DQ \RX SLFWXUH WKDW" 9XOFDQ 3RLQW LV DQ LVODQG LQ &UDWHU /DNH DQG &UDWHU /DNH LV RQ 9ROFDQR ,VODQG DQG 9ROFDQR ,VODQG LV LQ /DNH 7DDO DQG /DNH 7DDO LV RQ WKH LVODQG RI /X]RQ ,W¶V FRQIXVLQJ²MXVW DV \RXU FXUUHQWO\ FRQYROXWHG VWDWH LV SHUSOH[LQJ ERWK WR \RX DQG WKRVH DURXQG \RX <RX FRXOG EH DSWO\ GHVFULEHG DV ¿ HU\ HDUWK ZLWKLQ FRRO ZDWHU ZLWKLQ ¿ HU\ HDUWK ZLWKLQ FRRO ZDWHU ZLWKLQ ¿ HU\ HDUWK :KHWKHU WKDW ZLOO EH D SUREOHP , GRQ¶W NQRZ \HW $UH \RX 2. ZLWK FRQWDLQLQJ VR PXFK SDUDGR["

3!')44!2)53 .OV $EC

)RU WKH 1DYDMR WKH TXDOLW\ RI \RXU OLIH LVQ¶W PHDVXUHG E\ \RXU ZHDOWK RU VWDWXV EXW E\ ZKHWKHU \RX ³ZDON LQ EHDXW\ ´ ,W¶V DQ H[FHOOHQW WLPH DVWURORJLFDOO\ VSHDNLQJ IRU \RX WR HYDOXDWH \RXUVHOI IURP WKDW SHUVSHFWLYH 'R \RX VWRS WR DGPLUH D Ã&#x20AC; RFN RI VSDUURZV VZLUOLQJ WRZDUG

³+H ZKR ZDQWV WR GR JRRG NQRFNV DW WKH JDWH ´ %HQJDOL SRHW 5DELQGUDQDWK 7DJRUH VD\V LQ RQH RI KLV ³6WUD\ %LUG´ SRHPV ZKLOH ³KH ZKR ORYHV ¿ QGV WKH JDWH RSHQ ´ , DJUHH FRPSOHWHO\ 7KDW¶V ZK\ , DGYLVH \RX DV \RX JHW UHDG\ WR KHDG RII WR \RXU QH[W DVVLJQPHQW QRW WR EH EXUQLQJ ZLWK D QR QRQVHQVH LQWHQWLRQ WR ¿ [ WKLQJV 5DWKHU EH Ã&#x20AC; RZLQJ ZLWK WKH GHVLUH WR RIIHU ZKDWHYHU JLIWV DQG EOHVVLQJV DUH PRVW QHHGHG

!15!2)53 *AN &EB

³2QFH EUHDG EHFRPHV WRDVW LW FDQ QHYHU EHFRPH EUHDG DJDLQ ´ , VDZ WKDW SLHFH RI ZLVGRP VFUDZOHG RQ WKH ZDOO RI D FDIH¶V UHVWURRP WRGD\ , LPPHGLDWHO\ WKRXJKW RI \RX 0HWDSKRULFDOO\ VSHDNLQJ \RX¶UH WKLQNLQJ DERXW GURSSLQJ VRPH VOLFHV LQ WKH WRDVWHU HYHQ WKRXJK \RX¶UH QRW DFWX DOO\ UHDG\ WR HDW \HW ,I LW ZHUH XS WR PH \RX ZRXOG ZDLW D ZKLOH EHIRUH WUDQVIRUPLQJ WKH EUHDG LQWR WRDVW²XQWLO \RXU KXQJHU JRW UDWFKHWHG XS WR D KLJKHU OHYHO 7KH SUREOHP LV LI \RX PDNH WKH WRDVW QRZ LW¶OO EH XQDSSHWL] LQJ E\ WKH WLPH \RXU DSSHWLWH UHDFKHV LWV RSWLPXP OHYHOV 7KDW¶V ZK\ , VXJJHVW \RX SXW WKH EUHDG EDFN LQ WKH EDJ )RU WKH PRPHQW UHIUDLQ IURP WRDVWLQJ

0)3#%3 &EB -ARCH

'RQ¶W WU\ VR KDUG 3LVFHV *LYH XS WKH VWUXJJOH $V VRRQ DV \RX UHDOO\ UHOD[ \RXU VXEFRQVFLRXV PLQG ZLOO SURYLGH \RX ZLWK VLPSOH JUDFHIXO VXJJHVWLRQV DERXW KRZ WR RXWZLW WKH ULGGOH 1RWLFH , MXVW VDLG \RX ZLOO EH DEOH WR ³RXWZLW WKH ULGGOH ´ , GLGQ¶W VD\ \RX ZLOO ³VROYH WKH ULGGOH ´ %LJ GLIIHUHQFH 2XWZLWWLQJ WKH ULGGOH PHDQV \RX ZRQ¶W KDYH WR VROYH LW EHFDXVH \RX ZLOO QR ORQJHU DOORZ LW WR GH¿ QH WKH TXHVWLRQV \RX¶UH DVNLQJ RU WKH DQVZHUV \RX¶UH VHHNLQJ

&RPSDUH WKH SHUVRQ \RX DUH QRZ ZLWK WKH SHUVRQ \RX ZHUH WZR \HDUV DJR 0DNH D OLVW RI WKH WKUHH PRVW LPSRUWDQW GLIIHUHQFHV 7HVWLI\ DW )UHHZLOODVWURORJ\ FRP

/DVW :HHN·V $QVZHUV

%< 0$77 -21(6

$OWN

5ROOV 5R\FH¶V SDUHQW FRPSDQ\ (HULH (GJDU 5HFRYHUV IURP D QLJKW RQ WKH WRZQ )RUZDUGHG LWHP BBB &DUWD &DSLWDO BBB FUHGLW FDUG FRPSDQ\

0RUH LQ QHHG RI PDVVDJH 5RJHU ZKR OHIW ³$W WKH 0RYLHV´ $FWRU 'HORQ .QLJKW BBB PHGLD FRPSDQ\ SXUFKDVHG E\ 0F&ODWFK\ LQ

6WDULQJ ZLWK DQ HYLO EHDULQJ 0LQXWH ³:HHNHQG (GLWLRQ´ QHWZRUN ±4HAT #ERTAIN #HEMISTRY² ZDWFK ZKHUH \RX GULQN ³BBB EH DZHVRPH ´ *S ZLWK VKHOWHUV /HWWHUV RQ 6RYLHW URFNHWV .LQJ LQ &DQFXQ !CROSS BBB $OWR &$ 7URSLFDO V 5RELQ :LOOLDPV 6RPH JDV VWDWLRQV 3ODFH WR EHOO\ XS WR FRPHG\ 0HORGLF RIIVKRRW RI SXQN URFN 5RQ EHKLQG WKH 3RFNHW )LVKHUPDQ 7UR\¶V EXGG\ RQ ³&RPPXQLW\´ 3LUDWH VODQJLO\ 'LQHU VWDSOH 7ULSO\ 079¶V 90$ VWDWXHWWH 1HLJKERU RI *UHHFH DEEU .DQVDV 6WDWH¶V DOO WLPH ZLQQLQJHVW 'R VRPHWKLQJ DV D IDYRU ³$GGDPV )DPLO\´ FRXVLQ ZRPHQ¶V EDVNHWEDOO FRDFK ,W ZDV ELJ IRU HYHU\RQH WR KDYH ³7KDU BBB EORZV ´ ³&KLOGUHQ BBB /HVVHU *RG´ RQH LQ WKH V 0DNHV D PLVWDNH (DU UHODWHG SUH¿ [ 6HZLQJ PDFKLQH IRRW SHGDO 4XHVWLRQ DERXW D UXPRU 0LVVLOH VWRUDJH EXLOGLQJ BBB (VXUDQFH FDUWRRQ VS\ LQ 79 &KLOO\ 2UHJRQ VHQDWRU ZKR UHVLJQHG DGV

³7KH 'XNHV RI +D]]DUG´ VSLQRII LQ RYHU VH[XDO KDUDVVPHQW $FWUHVV 1LFROOHWWH +DQGV RQ WKH WDEOH FKDUJHV 7UDLQLQJ VXEMHFW IRU D GRZQ IRU K\GURJHQ DEEU 9LNLQJ DFKLHYHPHQWV IRU VKRUW 7KH\¶UH SDLUHG XS LQ VFLHQFH $V ZHOO %HKLQG FORVHG GRRUV FODVVHV ³, /RYH <RX BBB /HDVW , /LNH <RX ´ 6DQ /XLV BBB &DOLIRUQLD +RQGXUDV KRPH )UDQFR ,WDOLDQ FKHHVH %RPEVKHOO ,W PD\ EH KDUG WR IROORZ &RFNDPDPLH :KDW WKLV JULG LV GHFLGHGO\ QRW

³+RQL VRLW TXL PDO \ BBB´ 6SRWW\ EUHDNRXWV )DPLO\ V\PERO ³BBB GDLV\ ´ &DUWV IRU KDXOLQJ 2UJ ZKRVH ¿ UVW FKDPSV ZHUH WKH +RXVWRQ 2LOHUV $ZHVRPH DW RQH WLPH 6HH DFURVV

3& NH\ Â&#x2039; -RQHVLQ¶ &URVVZRUGV ,QF HGLWRU#MRQHVLQFURVVZRUGV FRP

)RU DQVZHUV WR WKLV SX]]OH FDOO FHQWV SHU PLQXWH 0XVW EH 2U WR ELOO WR \RXU FUHGLW FDUG FDOO 5HIHU HQFH SX]]OH

3

%< 0$77 -21(6

9 8

6

2 6

8 2

4

/DVW :HHN·V $QVZHUV

7 9 6 5 4

8 ±3TEPPING 3TONE 3UDOKU²

6

9 3

5

(DFK FLUFOHG VTXDUH LQ WKLV VXGRNX LV WKH VDPH QXPEHU RI VWHSV DZD\ IURP DQRWKHU FLUFOHG VTXDUH ZLWK WKH VDPH GLJLW LQ LW DV WKH GLJLW LQ WKRVH WZR FLUFOHG VTXDUHV )RU H[DPSOH D FLUFOHG VTXDUH ZLWK D LQ LW ZLOO KDYH DQRWKHU FLUFOHG VTXDUH ZLWK D LQ LW H[DFWO\ VWHSV DZD\ &RQYHUVHO\ D VTXDUH WKDW LV QRW FLUFOHG ZLOO QRW KDYH DQRWKHU RFFXUUHQFH RI LWV GLJLW WKDW PDQ\ VWHSV DZD\ $ VWHS LV D PRYH LQWR D KRUL]RQWDOO\ RU YHUWLFDOO\ QHLJKERULQJ VTXDUH GLDJRQDOO\ GRHVQ¶W FRXQW 1RWH WKDW QRQH RI WKH FLUFOHG VTXDUHV FRQWDLQV WKH GLJLW EHFDXVH WKDW ZRXOG UHTXLUH D VHFRQG LQ WKH VDPH URZ RU FROXPQ $OVR QRWH WKDW WKH QXPEHU RI VWHSV LQ D SDWK EHWZHHQ WZR VTXDUHV LV FRXQWHG DV WKH VPDOOHVW QXPEHU RI VWHSV UHTXLUHG WR WUDYHO EHWZHHQ WKRVH WZR VTXDUHV :KHQ \RX¶UH GRQH DV LQ D VWDQGDUG 6XGRNX HDFK URZ FROXPQ DQG [ ER[ ZLOO FRQWDLQ WKH GLJLWV H[DFWO\ RQH WLPH 'RQ¶W EH VFDUHG \RX FDQ GR LW 2U FDQ \RX " SV\FKRVXGRNX#KRWPDLO FRP

jacksonfreepress.com

EXW EDE\ VDIH SODVWLFV DUH

3LFNV DSDUW D VHQWHQFH :KHUH PDG YLOODLQV JHW ORFNHG DZD\ /LNH WKH NLG ZKR UDUHO\ JHWV KDQG PH GRZQV 3UH¿ [ EHIRUH WRSLDQ ³$QG PDQ\ PRUH´

39

dining

by Crawford Grabowski

If You Can Read…

April 13 - 19, 2011

40

Moore won Mississippi Magazine’s “Best Salad Recipe” with this one in 2008.

CRAWFORD GRABOWSKI

O

ne of my nieces, who wishes to remain anonymous for reasons that will soon become clear, started showing up at family functions with amazing homemade pies. I admit that I was skeptical of her baking at first. This is the niece who recently caught her kitchen on fire while making French fries; she claims she just forgot she left the stove on. This is the niece who, while intelligent, when asked if what she cooked was homemade, said: “I make homemade spaghetti sauce. Wait, what do you mean by homemade? Is Prego considered homemade?

I open the jar and pour it into the pot. That means it’s homemade, right?”

When The Niece first began baking for the family, I think we were all simply excited to see her make that transition from teenager to adult. Once we tasted her chocolate chess pie, however, that changed into excitement for the dessert itself. The pie has just the right amount of sweetness and gooeyness without being too rich. It’s not so chocolaty that you can’t taste the pecans; the flavor balance is just right. So now, The Niece’s presence is no longer required at family events—as long as she sends her baked goods.

The Niece finally shared her secret—a new cookbook, “At the Table with Friends and Moore” (shop.friendsand moore.com, 2010, $24.95) by Sheila Hall Moore. Moore’s recipes range from simple to elaborate, with a focus on southern cuisine. As she puts it, most recipes contain “not unfamiliar ingredients but they have a little twist.” Moore, a self-taught cook, began her own catering company, Friends and Moore, 16 years ago.

Writing a cookbook was just a “natural” progression of her cooking and collecting recipes over the years. Many of the recipes in her book originated with family members, including her grandmother and her mother-in-law. Moore believes sharing their recipes has provided “a good legacy.”

The biggest hit at my house, other than the chocolate chess pie, has been her chicken fried steak. Because I’m a vegetarian who cooks by tasting, cooking meat is frequently still a challenge for me even with directions. Moore’s straightforward recipe allowed me to finally make red meat my husband was excited to eat. It turned out golden brown and crispy, a stark contrast to the somewhat soggy, brownish slabs I’ve previously tried to pass off as the same meal.

This dish, along with The Niece’s newfound baking abilities, prove that if you can read you can cook, particularly if you have a good cookbook to follow.

Find Moore’s “At the Table with Friends and Moore” at Forget-Me-Not (745 Highway 49 S., Richland, 601-936-1589), O How Cute Gift Market (200 Riverwind Drive, Pearl, 601939-5082) and on Moore’s website, friendsandmoore.com.

SPRING MIX LETTUCE WITH SWEET PAPRIKA VINAIGRETTE 1 bag spring mix 1/2 stick butter 1 cup pecans, chopped 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced 1 package ramen noodles, crushed (discard flavor packet) 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Melt butter; add nuts and ramen noodles, cook over low heat until lightly toasted; set aside. Place greens on plate; top with cranberries and apples.

Drizzle sweet paprika vinaigrette (recipe below) over salad when ready to serve, and top with nut mixture.

Sheila Hall Moore’s recipe for chicken fried steak comes out golden brown and crispy.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

1/4 teaspoon salt 1-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 4 4-ounce cube steaks 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper 1 sleeve crackers, crushed 4-3/4 cup milk, divided 2 large eggs 1-1/4 cup flour, divided 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 3-1/2 cups peanut oil 2 teaspoons salt, divided

Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over steaks.

Set aside.

Combine cracker crumbs, 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper. Whisk together 3/4 cup milk and eggs.

Dredge steaks in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker crumbs again.

Pour oil into a 12-inch skillet; heat to 360. (Do not use a nonstick skillet.) Fry steaks 10 minutes. Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown.

Place steaks on a cookie sheet. Keep warm in a 225 degree oven.

Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 4 cups milk. Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with steaks.

SWEET PAPRIKA VINAIGRETTE

2-1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon minced onion or onion juice 2-1/2 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 teaspoon celery seed

Mix all ingredients, except oil, in a pint fruit jar; heat in microwave on high for 45 seconds; put lid on jar and shake until sugar dissolves; add oil and shake vigorously until thick and well blended.

CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE

1-1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 small can evaporated milk 2 eggs 1/2 cup melted butter 1/2 cup pecans 3 tablespoons cocoa 1 pie crust

Put all ingredients in a blender except pecans and mix well. Add pecans and chop.

Place in pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Garnish with whipped cream (or whipped topping) and chocolate shavings.

FROM OUR ROASTERY, TO YOUR CUP. voted best coffeeshop in jackson 2003-2010

5A44 FX 5X

Good Paper Saturday, April 16 9:00pm | $5 Cover

4654 McWillie Dr., Jackson|Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10AM-9PM Friday & Saturday 10AM-12AM, Sunday 11AM-5PM

2003-2011, Best of Jackson

707 N Congress St., Jackson | 601-353-1180 Open 11am-2pm, Sunday thru Friday

f you’ve driven down Old Canton Road recently, you might have noticed the new kid in town: Petra Café. Nestled in the old Jerusalem Café spot, Petra adds a whole new element of food and fun in Fondren. Driving by on Old Canton, you can tell something is new. With a totally remodeled exterior, including a new deck for outdoor dining, there is a new venue for nightlife in Fondren.

They may be from Clinton. They may serve similar cuisine as the former tenant. But, you are in for something truly spectacular. Petra is a whole new animal in the food scene in Jackson.

Owner and principal chef, Ayman Albataineh, came to the United States from Jordan in 2007. A lawyer by trade, Albataineh Ayman Al Bataineh came to the country to pursue a greater passion: food. Trained in Athens, Syria, and South Africa, Albataineh’s take on Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine is anything but ordinary. Using only the finest imported spices and top-quality meats and vegetables, eating at Petra is akin to experiencing an “oasis of flavor.” Nothing on the extensive menu is premade; everything served is made from scratch, using the most authentic recipes learned from world travels to far reaches of the globe.

It may surprise some that, when asked about his top three dishes, Albataineh replies, “The burger, of course!” Made from filet and shoulder meat, the Petra gourmet burger is a strong contender for best burger in Jackson. With secret spices brimming from every juicy bite, the burger is complete with a buttered, toasted bun and fresh-cut, home-style fries. Give the lunch buffet a try and sample some of the recipes that make Petra a true gem in Fondren. For just $9.99, you can try Greek Moussaka, oven baked Kafta, and lamb shank, not to mention Middle Eastern favorites such as hummus, baba ghanouj, and tabouli. All this, served with a side of superior Middle Eastern hospitality, where the customer is always right and leaves happy and full.

Just walking in the doors, one notices that this isn’t your average Middle Eastern joint.

Completely remolded and painted, Petra is sparkling clean with an all-Middle Eastern kitchen staff who were not only trained in this cuisine, but were raised on it. That, to Albataineh, is the difference. “Petra is truly authentic. From our food to the way we treat the customer. It’s how we were taught to do.” Petra will give you a reason to look forward to Mondays with their “Mediterranean Monday” promotion on Twitter. Follow @PetraCafeMS or visit www.petracafe. net for promotions, menu descriptions and a schedule of fun and events.

It’s not just the food and the tremendous service that makes Petra so unique, it’s the atmosphere and entertainment offered that separates Petra from the rest. With an authentic Belly Dancer performing on Saturday nights to ethnic musicians serenading you at dinner, Petra is Fondren’s newest nightspot as well. Open till midnight, Petra will never turn anyone away, even right before closing time.

So if you’re ready to take a mystical journey to a true oasis in the city, visit Petra Café, located at 2741 Old Canton Road.

jacksonfreepress.com

I

PA I D A DV E RT I S E M E N T

41

SUNDAY BRUNCH

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

A Metro-Area Tradition Since 1977

Lunch: Fri. & Sun. | 11am-2pm Dinner: Tues. -Sat. | 5pm-9pm

601-919-2829 5417 Lakeland Drive ~ Flowood, MS 39232

Eslava’s Grille

Paid listyour yourrestaurant.r restaurant.r Paid advertising advertising section. section. Call Call 601-362-6121 601-362-6121 x11 x1 totolist

STEAK, SEAFOOD & FINE DINING

Crab’s (6954 Old Canton Rd., Ridgeland, 601-956-5040) Crab’s Seafood Shack offers a wide variety of southern favorites such as fried catfish and boiled shrimp. Full bar complete with multiple televisions for all of your favorite sporting events.

Eslava’s Grille (2481 Lakeland Drive, 601-932-4070) Danny Eslava’s namesake feature Latin-influenced dishes like ceviche in addition to pastas, steaks, salads and other signature seafood dishes.

Rocky’s (1046 Warrington Road, Vicksburg 601-634-0100) Enjoy choice steaks, fresh seafood, great salads, hearty sandwiches and much more in the “polished casual” dining room. Open 24/7 in the Riverwalk Casino.

Parker House (104 South East Madison Drive, Ridgeland 601-856-0043) European and Creole take on traditional Southern ingredients. Crawfish, oysters, crab and steaks dominate, with creative option like Crab Mac ‘n Cheese, Oysters Rockefeller and Duck Jezebel.

BARBEQUE

Seafood, Steaks and Pasta

By popular demand, we have added Shrimp Scampi to our menu!

%*/&+BDLTPO

Thanks For Voting Us BEST FRENCH FRIES IN JACKSON!

Hickory Pit Barbeque (1491 Canton Mart Rd. 601-956-7079) The “Best Butts in Town” features BBQ chicken, beef and pork sandwiches along with burgers and po’boys.

Haute Pig (1856 Main Street, 601-853-8538) A “very high class pig stand,” Haute Pig offers Madison diners BBQ plates, sandwiches, po-boys, salads, and their famous Hershey bar pie.

Lumpkins BBQ (182 Raymond Rd. Jackson 866-906-0942) Specializing in smoked barbeque, Lumpkin’s offers all your favorites for on-site family dining or for catered events, including reunions, office events, annivesaries, weddings and more.

COFFEE HOUSES

Jackson

Danilo Eslava Caceres, Executive Chef/GM 2481 Lakeland Drive Flowood, MS 39232

601-932-4070 tel 601-933-1077 fax

Byram

1801 Dalton Street (601) 352-4555

5752 Terry Road (601) 376-0081

Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

VASILIOS

W

i r e d

re

a sso C

.. |  H M

s

M-F -, - S - C A

p

f

E

• Fresh Seafood Daily

e

AUTHENTIC GREEK DINING

2acZ] "'eY @aV_ Re ) R ^ CRTV W`c eYV 4fcV

he Best Bar(a very high-class pig stand)

April 13 - 19, 2011

treet Madi110 - (601)

42

?

g i p e h t d ou trie

Have y

Come Try the Best Bar-B-Que In Madison 856 Main Street • Madison, MS • 601.853.8538

Cups Espresso Café (Multiple Locations, www.cupsespressocafe.com) Jackson’s local group of coffeehouses offer high-end Arabica beans, a wide variety of espresso drinks. Wi-fi.

Wired Espresso Café (115 N State St 601-500-7800) This downtown coffeehouse is a true gathering place, featuring great coffee and a selection of breakfast, lunch and pastry items. Wi-fi.

PIZZA

The Pizza Shack (1220 N State St. 601-352-2001) 2009 and 2010 and 2011’s winner of Best Pizza offers the perfect pizza-and-a-beer joint.

Creative pizza options abound along with sandwiches, wings, salads and even BBQ. Sal & Mookie’s (565 Taylor St. 601-368-1919) Pizzas of all kinds plus pasta, eggplant parmesan and the local favorite: fried ravioli. Best Kid’s Menu & Best Ice Cream in the 2011 Best of Jackson. Plus, Pi(e) Lounge in front offers great drinks... and a grown-up vibe.

ITALIAN

BRAVO! (4500 Interstate 55 N., Jackson, 601-982-8111) Wood-fired pizzas, vegetarian fare, plus creative pastas, beef, and seafood specials. Award-winning wine list, Jackson’s see-and-be-seen casual/upscale dining.

Cerami’s (5417 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-919-28298) Southern-style Italian cuisine features their signature Shrimp Cerami (white wine sauce, capers artichokes) along with veal, tilapia, crawfish, chicken and pasta dishes. Now with liquor license!

Fratesi’s (910 Lake Harbour, Ridgeland, 601-956-2929) “Authentic, homey, unpretentious” that’s how the regulars describe Fratesi’s, a staple in Jackson for years, offering great Italian favorites with loving care. The tiramisu is a must-have!

MEDITERRANEAN/GREEK/INDIAN

Petra Café (2741 Old Canton Road, 601-925-0016) Mediterranean and Lebanese Cuisine. Everything from Stuffed Grape Leaves, to Spinach Pie, Shrimp Kabobs, Greek Salads, Hummus and more. Now Open in Fondren!

Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive 601-366-6033) Delicious authentic dishes including lamb dishes, hummus, falafel, kababs, shwarma and much more. Consistent award winner, great for takeout or for long evenings with friends.

Bombay Bistro (3716 I-55 N - 601-487-8370) Bombay Bistro is Jackson’s newest source for authentic, tasty Indian food. Their lunch buffet runs everyday and features an assortment of Kebobs, Kurries, and Naan for only $7.99. Dinner options abound, with fresh ingredients, authentic spices and big-city flair.

Kristos (971 Madison Ave @ Hwy 51, Madison, 601-605-2266) Home of the famous Greek meatball! Hummus, falafel, dolmas, pita sandwiches, salads, plus seasoned curly fries (or sweet potato fries) and amazing desserts.

Mezza (1896 Main St., Suite A, Madison 601-853-0876) Mediterranean cuisine and wood fired brick oven pizzas. Come experience the beautiful patio, Hookahs, and delicious food. Beer is offered and you are welcome to bring your own wine.

Vasilios (828 Hwy 51 in Madison 601-853-0028) Authentic Greek dining featuring fresh seafood daily along with gyros, greek salads, appetizers and signature Mediterranean desserts. Their redfish is a standout, earning rave reviews.

TA C O S M AKE YOU SM A RT

Paid advertising section.

%*/&+BDLTPO

BARS, PUBS & BURGERS Bradyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar and Grill (6720 Old Canton Rd., Ridgeland, 601-812-6862) Everything youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect from a bar and grill, from classic pub fare to their Krispy Sweet Pepper Chicken.

Burgers, seafood baskets, salads, steaks and lunch specials. And, ladies get one free Apple Martini or Cosmo during Bradyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thursday Ladies Night!

Cherokee Inn (960 Briarfield Rd. 601-362-6388) Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Hole in the Wall,â&#x20AC;? has a great jukebox, great bar and a great burger. Plate lunches, cheesy fries and tons more, including a full bar and friendly favorites.

Cool Alâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (4654 McWillie, 601-713-3020) A Best of Jackson fixture, Cool Alâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s signature stacked, messy, decadent, creative burgers defy adjectives. And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the fries!

Fenianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub (901 E. Fortification St. 601-948-0055) Classic Irish pub featuring a menu of traditional food, pub sandwiches and beers such as Guinness and Harp on tap.

Stamps Superburgers (1801 Dalton Street 601-352-4555) Huge burgers will keep you full until the next day! The homestyle fries are always fresh.

Hal and Malâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (200 S. Commerce St. 601-948-0888) Pub favorites meet Gulf Coast and Cajun specialties like red beans and rice, the Oyster Platter or each dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blackboard special.

Best of Jackson winner for Live Music Venue for multiple years running.

Last Call (3716 I-55 N. Frontage Road 601-713-2700) Burgers, sandwiches and poboys, plus sports-bar appetizers and specialities. Pay-per-view sporting events, live bands.

Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant and Lounge (214 South State Street 601-354-9712) Lunch specials, pub appetizers (jalapeno poppers, cheezsticks, fried pickles) or order from the full menu of po-boys and entrees. Full bar, massive beer selection and live music most nights.

Time Out Sports CafĂŠ (6720 Old Canton Road 601-978-1839) 14 TVs, 1 projector and two big-screens. Daily $9 lunch specials, pub-style appetizers, burgers, seafood and catfish po-boys, salads, and hot entrees including fish, steak and pasta.

Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St. 601-960-2700) Pub food with a southern flair: beer-battered onion rings, chicken & sausage gumbo, salads, sandwiches and weekly lunch specials. Plus, happy hour 4-7pm Monday through Friday.

Poets Two (1855 Lakeland Drive, Suite H-10, 601-364-9411) Pub fare at its finest.

Crabcake minis, fried dills, wings, poppers, ultimate fries, sandwiches, po-boys, pasta entrees and steak. The signature burgers come in bison, kobe, beef or turkey!

Sportsmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lodge (1120 E Northside Dr. in Maywood Mart 601-366-5441) Voted Best Sports Bar in 2010, Sportmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint with plenty of gut-pleasing sandwiches, fried seafood baskets, sandwiches and specialty appetizers.

Underground 119 (119 South President St. 601-352-2322) Jumbo lump crabcakes, crab quesadillas, beef tenderloin parfaits, orange-garlic shrimp, even â&#x20AC;&#x153;lollipopâ&#x20AC;? lamb chops.

Add a full bar and mix in great music. Opens 4 p.m.-until, Wed-Sat. Wing Stop (952 North State Street, 601-969-6400) Saucing and tossing wings in a choice of nine flavors, Wingstop wings are made with care and served up piping hot. Every order is made fresh to order; check out the fresh cut seasoned fries!

MARGARITAS M AKE YOU

SEXY check out our Daily Drink Specials!

BAR/PATIO OPEN â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;TIL 11:00 pm FRI-SAT

ASIAN

Pan Asia (720 Harbor Pines Dr, Ridgeland 601-956-2958) Beautiful ambiance in this popular Ridgeland eatery accompanies signature asian fusion dishes and build-your-own stirfrys using fresh ingredients and great sauces.

SOUTHERN CUISINE

Two Sisters Kitchen (707 N. Congress St. 601-353-1180) 2010 Best of Jackson winner for fried chicken offers a sumptious buffet of your choice of veggies, a salad bar, iced tea & one of three homemade desserts. Lunch only. Mon-Friday, Sun.

BAKERY

Broad Street Bakery (4465 Interstate 55 N. 601-362-2900) Hot breakfast,coffee espresso drinks, fresh breads and pastries, gourmet deli sandwiches, quiches, soups, pizzas and dessert.

Primos Cafe (2323 Lakeland 601-936-3398/ 515 Lake Harbour 601-898-3400) A Jackson institution featuring a full breakfast, blue-plate specials, catfish, burgers, prime rib, oysters, po-boys and wraps. Save room for something from their famous bakery!

For Heavenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cakes (4950 Old Canton Road 601-991-2253) Cakes and cupcakes for all occasions including weddings, parties, catered events.

Beagle Bagel (4500 I-55 North, Suite 145, Highland Village 769-251-1892) Mmmm... Bagels. Fresh bagels in tons of different styles with a variety of toppings including cream cheese, lox, eggs, cheese, meats and or as full sandwiches for lunch. Paninis, wraps and much more!

MEDITERRANEAN GRILL LSO 7E A R CATE

6ISIT ALADDININJACKSON COM

6ISIT OUR 'R OCE 3TORE N RY EXT DOOR

jacksonfreepress.com

VEGETARIAN

High Noon CafĂŠ (2807 Old Canton Road in Rainbow Plaza 601-366-1513) Fresh, gourmet, tasty and healthy defines the lunch options at Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own strict vegetarian (and very-vegan-friendly) restaurant. $INE IN OR 4AKE /UT 6XQ 7KXUV DP SP )UL DQG 6DW DP SP

7% $%,)6%2

)RQGUHQ %HOKDYHQ 80& DUHD

,AKELAND $R *ACKSON -3 7HO RU )D[

2IDGE 7AY 3TE % &LOWOOD -3 7HO )D[

43

NATURAL GROCERY

Ryalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Goat Milk Tylertown --No antiobitics or hormones -100% goat milk --Pasturized on their own farm

Beelicous Natural Handamde Honey Soap

Hattiesburg and Lmberton -Made from pure honey direct from the hives -Family Owned

www.thepizzashackjackson.com

<2 :=1/B7=< =>3<7<5 A==< Beetree Meadows Metro Jackson -Over 70 Hives in the metro area.

-Never heat treated

April 13 - 19, 2011

-Bees never treated with antibiotics

44

Colonial Mart Shopping Center Off Old Canton Rd Behind Great Harvest Bread Co. 5046 Parkway Drive

!! WINNER !!

BEST PIZZA IN JACKSON 2009 - 2011

Dine-In / Carry-Out

Mon - Thur: 11am-10pm Fri - Sat: 11am-11pm Sun: 11am - 9pm

601-352-2001 1220 N. State St.

(across from Baptist Medical Center)

CATERING AVAILABLE

45

jacksonfreepress.com

Work at Home Clinic

O

ne of the greatest advantages to working from home is the opportunity to fully customize your home office to reflect your style. Gone are the days of corporate-office gray cubicles or cinder-block white walls.

“Skip the institutional-looking furniture and integrate with the decor of the room,” says Melinda Ritz, set decorator for the NBC hit comedy “Will and Grace,” which ran from 1998-2006, in an 1 Room sprays, $13.95 each, The Pine Cone 2 “Home” placard, $14.95, The Pine Cone 3 Copper-colored “Fleur de lis” trash can and tissue box, $23, The Pine Cone 4 Pet photo frames, $9.95 and $14.95, Diva Dog 5 “Cherokee Drive Inn” oil on canvas (8 x 10) by Jacqueline Ellens, $290, Southern Breeze Gallery 6 “Walker’s Drive-In” oil on canvas

by Jacqueline Ellens, price varies by commission, Southern Breeze Gallery 7 Mary Elizabeth chair, $940 and Bargello waves pillow (16 x 16), $125, SummerHouse 8 Bone letters, $27 each, SummerHouse 9 Jonathan Adler paper weights, $38 each, SummerHouse 10 “Blue Bird” natural marble coasters (set of 4), $12.99, The Rusty Wing

iVillage.com interview. “Trade a chair with casters for a beautiful side chair that is comfortable, but matches the rest of the room.”

Surround yourself with beautiful and meaningful things that speak to you on a personal level to keep your creative juices flowing while working from home. Hey, you won’t have a corporate schmuck coming around to tell you take it down.

3

1

2 4

5 6

8 7

9 Where2Shop:

10

Diva Dog (1109 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite H, Ridgeland, 601-856-1616); The Pine Cone (Maywood Mart, 1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 220, 601-713-1421); The Rusty Wing (www.etsy.com/shop/TheRustyWing); Southern Breeze Gallery (Renaissance at Colony Park, 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 5005, Ridgeland, 601-607-4147); SummerHouse (1109 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-853-4445)

SHOPPING SPECIALS Fusion Coffeehouse (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-856-6001) Now serving authentic Italian-made gelato.

Flavors rotate daily.

Send sale info to fly@jacksonfreepress.com.

The Mill Store (831 E Peace St., Canton, 601-859-9354) Spruce up your yard and save. Mexican and glazed pottery up to 25 percent off. Wrought iron, concrete statuary and home décor 15 percent off. Sale ends May 31.

Paul Anthony’s Butcher Market (Highland Village, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 100, 601-981-7559) Get your crawfish boil on with fresh live crawfish on weekends and by order.

WINK Fashions (111 Colony Crossing, Suite 270, Madison, 601-898-4643) Prom is just around the corner; don’t be the last to buy a dress. Check out cute frocks, long and short, at WINK.

April 13 - 19, 2011

Followell Fotography (304 Jefferson St., Clinton, 601-488-4423) Head outside for a spring family photo, make your appointment today.

by ShaWanda Jacome

46

Check out flyjfp.com for information about other sales around the city, trends and various things fly people should know.

Full-service salon dedicated to providing great customer service.

We offer excellent services using products of the highest quality.

Our mission is to promote healthy hair at an affordable price!

Stylist Needed Call and schedule an appointment.

1775 Lelia Drive, Ste F | 601-982-7772

#DRS N

398 Hwy. 51 • Ridgeland, MS (601) 853-3299 • www.villagebeads.com

Intern at the JFP Silly Billy’s consignment shop

Thank you for voting us as one of the Best Salons in Jackson!

We offer foils, Greatlengths Hair Extensions and Brazilian Blowouts.

5352 Lakeland Dr ste100B | 601 992-7980

Hone your skills, gain valuable experience and college credit* by interningwith the Jackson Free Press. You set your hours, and attend free training workshops.

We currently have openings in the following areas: • Editorial/News • Photography • Cultural/Music Writing • Fashion/Style

• Arts/Writing Editing

• Internet • Graphic Design • Communications: Marketing/Events/PR

Interested? Send an e-mail to interns@jacksonfreepress.com, telling us why you want to intern with us and whatmakes you the ideal candidate. *College credit available to currently enrolled college students in select disciplines.

Now open in the Duling Building

622 Duling Ave Suite 205 B 601-672-6693 601-665-3820

Fashion Boutique

:Qc 2MXX 2M_TU[Z_ M^Q -^^UbUZS 0MUXe

Get it in black and white 3931 Hanging Moss Road in Jackson 601-397-6133 | Tues.- Sat. 11am-7pm

jacksonfreepress.com

Buy local and give a handmade gift

E +@BJRNM

47

%NCUUKHKGFU RCIG

File Ch. 7 & 13 Bankruptcy for $900 + Federal Filing Fee! Just $400 Down Flexible Payment Plans Available

Security Cameras â&#x20AC;˘ Attendant On Duty Drop Off Service â&#x20AC;˘ Free Wi-Fi

1046 Greymont Ave. (behind La Cazuela) CALL US AT 601-397-6223!

Neil B. Snead

Jobs: Teaching & Marketing Call Now!

Aď?´ď?´ď?Żď?˛ď?Žď?Ľď?š ď&#x153;Ś Cď?Żď?ľď?Žď?łď?Ľď?Źď?Żď?˛ Aď?´ Lď?Ąď?ˇ Jackson â&#x20AC;˘ (601) 316-7147 FREE BACKGROUND INFO. AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

The Empty Hamper â&#x20AC;&#x153;Prompt, Personal Serviceâ&#x20AC;?

washed, dried & folded Mon. - Thurs. â&#x20AC;˘ 8am - 6pm

Located in Fondren Corner 2906 N. State St. â&#x20AC;˘ (601) 982-9728

www.segwaygroup.com Hal Jeanes Jim Meng