Story
Music
The Victories of Chris Knight
Americana-country singer Chris Knight comes from a family of storytellers and what he calls "colorful people" from his home in rural Kentucky.
Story
Iraqi Parliament to Meet in Step to Form New Govt
Iraq's vice president called on parliament to convene on Tuesday, taking the first step toward forming a new government to present a united front against a rapidly advancing Sunni insurgency …
Story
Wellness
Overhydrating Uncommon But Dangerous
A football freak accident puzzled Jackson's community when doctors attributed a Jackson Prep student's death to a sodium imbalance, one that can occur due to over-hydration.
Story
Gay Marriage Hopes Dashed After US Justice's Order
Same-sex couples who lined up to get married in Idaho and made plans to obtain wedding licenses in Las Vegas had their hopes dashed Wednesday after a U.S. Supreme Court …
Story
College
Ole Miss Faces Aggies They've Never Beaten, Crowd Expected to Top 100,000
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — No. 3 Mississippi didn't spend long celebrating its big win over Alabama. Not with No. 14 Texas A&M up next, a team the Rebels have …
Story
City & County
Jackson City Attorney Abruptly Replaced with Tougaloo Professor
Amid churning rumors that Jackson City Attorney Sharon Gipson had been let go, the City announced her termination and Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's replacement in one fell swoop on Dec. …
Story
Education
Black History Month at MSU, JSU Alum to Direct Stennis Center, and Cookbooks for a Cause at USM
Mississippi State University has announced four events that will be part of its Black History Month celebrations in February.
Entry
10th JFP Chick Ball to Honor Decade of 'Chicks We Love,' Local Heroes, Combatting Violence
By Donna LaddThe Jackson Free Press and the Center for Violence Prevention are proud to announce the 10th Annual JFP Chick Ball on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at the Arts Center of Mississippi in downtown Jackson at 201 E. Pascagoula St. This year's special JFP Chick Ball is moving to the Arts Center for this year's special gala, which will celebrate a decade of preventing domestic abuse, protecting families, and empowering women to lift themselves and their families up after experiencing abuse.
This year, at 8 p.m. the JFP Chick Ball will honor three heroes who embody the event's motto of "prevent, protect, empower": Abuse survivor Sarah Reynolds, state Sen. Sally Doty, who helped create the state Office Against Interpersonal Violence, and the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy, for their work against sex trafficking in the state. The JFP is also honoring a decade of Chicks We Love at the event.
Past JFP Chick Ball events, all at Hal & Mal's in Jackson, have resulted in the purchase of a new mini-van for client transportation, the launch of the Batterer's Intervention Program, and legal assistance for victims. Proceeds from the 2013 Chick Ball were used in addressing an emerging issue in our area—human trafficking, which is also known as modern-day slavery.
This year's JFP Chick Ball is honoring and supporting all the work of the Center for Violence Prevention and its efforts to save and improve lives of families in central Mississippi. "Domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking occurrences continue to rise in the Central Mississippi area, as we are hearing almost daily about another woman or child whose life has been negatively impacted by it," Sandy Middleton, executive director of the Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl, says. "These interpersonal crimes cross all social-economic, racial and cultural boundaries, meaning they can affect any of us or our children."
JFP Editor-in-Chief Donna Ladd launched the event a decade as a way to give Jackson-area adults of all ages and income brackets a way to help fight the abuse epidemic, which strikes all communities. She also wanted it to be fun, creative and a celebration of female performers.
"The Chick Ball has always cost $5 to get in. I purposefully designed it to welcome all who want to come. And chicks must be prominent in all performances! That, of course, means it's a very popular event for our arm candy as well; men are some of our best donors, supporters and dancers!"
The JFP Chick Ball has become a fashion fete as well, with all kinds of dress welcome—from jeans to bling. The Diva of Bling (her) and Best Arm Candy (him) take home prizes from local businesses every year.
The event's silent auction is one of a kind, with hundreds of gifts, pieces of art and gift certificates from local businesses and artists donated each year. The JFP is accepting auction donations through Thursday, July 17 (at 125 S. Congress St., #1324), during normal business hours.
"One of …
Story
We Need A Mayor, Not A Daddy
It is going to be painfully ironic—and useless—if the recent murder spate is the factor that finally gets the Jackson media to start questioning Mayor Frank Melton. Unless proven otherwise, …
Story
Business
Independent Business Week: Taking a Slice of the Pie
The American Independent Business Alliance says on its website that shopping local helps build community, shapes a neighborhood's character, gives people access to expertise on a product; and creates a …
Story
Cover
The Recording Conundrum
Leroy Jones Jr., the owner of recording studio Sonic Signature, has lived in Jackson his whole life and has produced music for a large amount of that time.
Story
Cover
Drill, Baby, Drill: The Reality of the McCain-Palin Plan
Republican presidential nominee John McCain has a shiny new vice presidential candidate but an old idea for dealing with the nation's gas crisis.
Story
Will the Next Josh Hailey Stand Up?
I remember the first time I saw Josh Hailey. I was covering the City of Ridgeland Chamber of Commerce banquet for the Madison County Journal in 2009. At this suburban …
Story
Resolve to Win
As a personal trainer and exercise instructor, I see lots of folks every day who want to lose weight. Especially at this time of year, it's the No. 1 goal …
Story
JPS Hearing Reveals Edwards' Failure to Communicate
Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Lonnie Edwards has consistently failed to communicate about major issues facing the district, JPS Board President Kisiah Nolan testified today. Nolan was the board's first witness …
Story
Melton Claims No ‘Evil Motive'
In a new motion filed in federal court (PDF) late today, Mayor Frank Melton claims that prosecutors must show that he had "evil motive" when he allegedly directed and helped …
Story
Council OKs Budget, No Pay Raises
The Jackson City Council voted to approve the city's 2010 budget Monday with a five-to-two vote, with only minor changes in the $359.5 million package. The budget, only rejected by …
Story
[Publisher's Note] Kudos for Team JFP
It's a big week at the Jackson Free Press. First, we sadly (for us) and happily (for her) bid farewell to Lynette Hanson, copy chief, as she leaves Mississippi, Jackson …
Story
Nightmare Election Scenarios Worry Both Parties
Here in a county that knows a thing or two about Election Day meltdowns, both parties are fretting over what might go seriously wrong before, during or just after the …
Story
Informant: NYPD Paid Me to 'Bait' Muslims
A paid informant for the New York Police Department's intelligence unit was under orders to "bait" Muslims into saying incriminating things as he lived a double life, snapping pictures inside …
