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JACKSONIAN J.B. LAWRENCE

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or many in the music industry, Jackson is in a unique position. Besides being between major touring destinations, such as Atlanta, Dallas, Memphis and New Orleans, it also has a fairly tight-knit music community. That’s what brought Clinton native and photographer J.B. Lawrence back to Jackson about a year and a half ago. Lawrence, 35, was born in Amory, Miss., and lived in Clinton from age 11 to 16. He moved around a little bit, living in Texas for about four years and New York City for nine years. He bought a Super 8 video camera in 2006, which he says was his first foray into the world of photography. He decided to stay in the visual-arts world when he moved to Maine in 2008 to attend the University of Maine at Augusta, where he received his associate’s degree in photography in 2011. Music has always played a role in his life; he sang in church choir as a child and comes from a family with music backgrounds. So he realized that he wanted to work in the music industry after graduating. “I was always drawn to music,â€? he says. â€œâ€Ś I was like, ‘Well, I’m not a vocalist.’ I did sing a little bit, but I’ve never had much of a facility for an instrument or anything. I did some writing of lyrics, but it wasn’t ever anything that I thought was going to take me that far. So I was like, ‘Well, how can I combine my love of music and love of the music industry with my love for photography?’â€?

CONTENTS

While in Maine, he worked as a freelance photographer and video journalist for publications such as Sun Journal in Lewiston and was the chief videographer for the University of Maine at Augusta. “I never did one music assignment (there), which was interesting,â€? he says. â€œâ€Ś My thing was is that I spent six years doing things that didn’t make me happy, when I wanted to be doing something that would set me apart and get me into the music industry.â€? When he came back to Jackson, he decided it was time to reinvent himself. He chose to exclusively do music photography, including promotional shoots, concert photography and even a few music videos. In the last nine months of being in the business, he’s photographed about 40 bands and recently completed his fifth music video, Steele Heart’s “The Music Inside.â€? His portfolio includes work with Guilty Pleasure, Jason Miller Band, Oh, Jeremiah! and Burnham Road. Most nights, Lawrence is out photographing bands at venues such as The Hideaway. Though he mostly works with acts from the Jackson area, he has also shot national acts such as the Charlie Daniels Band, Theory of a Deadman and Will Hoge. He says the best part about coming back to Jackson is the hospitality and the sense of camaraderie. For him, music photography is providing a service to the community, and he says people seem to be appreciative of it. —Amber Helsel

14th Annual Best of Jackson™

11 Rally Round the (New) Flag

Several options for changing Mississippi’s controversial state flag are now on the table. The question now becomes whether state leaders will take action or will the people decide.

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Who USM hires as its next head football coach can make or break the team.

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4 ....................... PUBLISHER’S NOTE 6 ............................................ TALKS 12 ................................ EDITORIAL 13 .................................... OPINION 15 ..... BEST OF JACKSON - PEOPLE 23 .............................. COMMUNITY 26 ................. NIGHTLIFE & MUSIC 35 .......................... FOOD & DRINK 33 ....................... MUSIC LISTINGS 46 .......................... URBAN LIVING 60 ....................................... 8 DAYS 61 ...................................... EVENTS 63 ..................................... SPORTS 64 .................................... PUZZLES 65 ....................................... ASTRO

USM ATHLETICS; COURTESY QUEEN FRANKLIN; IMANI KHAYYAM

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2016 | VOL. 14 NO. 21

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PUBLISHER’S note

by Todd Stauffer, Publisher

Reminding Ourselves How Great Jackson Is

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uring the month of January, we at the Jackson Free Press get an opportunity to be steeped in excellence. We’re talking to, writing about, taking photos of and presenting to the public the best—and frequently, the most unique—offerings that this area has to offer its residents and visitors. It’s worth a moment of reflection to think about how far we’ve come in the 14 years that the JFP has asked readers who and what they think constitute the “best.� When we started Best of Jackson back in 2002 (with a ballot in the first issue we printed and distributed), the King Edward was an empty shell. Fondren Corner was an abandoned Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries building; Duling Hall was a closed school; JSU was a small campus somewhat cut off from the rest of the city; the Jackson Convention Center was on the drawing board without a clear funding mechanism; the Mississippi Children’s Museum might not even have been a twinkle in the Junior League of Jackson’s eyes yet; and the Mississippi Museum of Art was in the building that now houses the Arts Center of Mississippi, surrounded by parking lots instead of a beautiful garden space. In 2016, we now often talk about wonderful and recent landmarks—like the King Edward, Fondren, the Art Garden at MMA, the Lefleur Museum District, JSU’s expansion into downtown. On that front, we have a lot of to appreciate in Jackson. I’m excited to see the live music programmed by local clubs and restaurants, and at Duling Hall and Thalia Mara. Traveling Broadway shows are back in downtown. Jackson is teeming with wonderful restaurants—just as more unique offerings are popping up in the suburbs— particularly, according to our readers, some new standouts in Ridgeland and Flowood. Something else that’s going on right

now in Jackson is some ‌ fretting. The City signed a massive “performanceâ€? contract with Siemens to address water problems, and yet those problems persist in a big way, including problems with the water system the contract effort was supposed to help fix. We passed a 1-percent sales tax to improve infrastructure, but change has been slow coming, with many of us focused on our weeks- or months-old potholes and water bubbling up from underneath. We

Seize the opportunity to be steeped in excellence. routinely hear stories of destroyed tires and busted axles from dedicated Jacksonians. Many of us are still disappointed by a take-no-prisoners political campaign against fully funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program and finally getting some of our more challenged schools the fair funding they need to address the educational needs of all our children. Beyond helping families and children, public-education support is key to the strength of the city and state—from public safety to economic development to a strong workforce. And while we’re right to focus on these items—and to do everything we can to fix them and encourage responsible leadership—I did want to offer another perspective during Best of Jackson season. We’ve got a great city, populated by great people. Excellent food, music, drinks, venues—even

festivals and concerts. Good, solid, important local businesses, including some real standouts that do a much better job than the chain stores at serving local customers and increasing our quality of life. Plus, we’re building. The latest proposals and projects include mixed-used buildings, new Fondren apartments and hotels, The District at Eastover, growth in Highland Village, new residence halls at Jackson State, new housing hear Mt. Helm church and the Jackson Medical Mall, and much more. Think about this: New Orleans has crappy streets. This fall I drove around those streets in our little Miata; after a few days, it could barely get back to Jackson because it was so out of alignment. But if you frequent New Orleans, you probably don’t focus on the streets; you focus on the food and music and fun and wonderful people. That realization got me thinking that focusing that way on Jackson’s positives can go a long way. That’s one of the reasons that I’ve gotten involved in TeamJXN (teamjxn.com), an organization that has grown out of a committee of Downtown Jackson Partners to become its own nonprofit organization. The group continues the work of Ben Allen, John Gomez and Emily Damiens at DJP to bring together local folks interested in Jackson development to learn more and rally them toward progress. Now with Executive Director Laura Johns and both a board of directors and an advisory board in place, TeamJXN is promoting progress on two key projects this year—the Museum to Market Trail and the redevelopment of Smith Park downtown. Both these projects are important placemaking efforts that will improve quality of life for Jackson residents. I invite you to get involved with us; visit the website to become an individual or corporate member. In the meantime, I’m honored to thank the JFP staff members who continue to keep the Best of Jackson train on its tracks—peo-

ple who embody a positive spirit and a love for Jackson and the work we do for it. Amber Helsel has helmed the Best of Jackson effort again this year with tons of help from Micah Smith and freelancers including Genevieve Legacy, LaShanda Phillips, Jessica Smith, Zachary Oren Smith, and Danie Matthews; Kristin Brenemen designed the issue; Zilpha Young designed the ads and many other special sections; both created the Best of Jackson certificates for the finalists and winners. Imani Khayyam took photos all over the city of winners and wrote up some of them as well. Maya Miller is on top of the socialmedia promotion and party planning; Mary Osborne has been coordinating the sales and event planning; Inga Sjostrom is organizing most everything else; Myron Cathey and Kimberly Griffin have sold the ads to make it all possible; and Dustin Cardon is getting it all on the website for your digital consumption. Richard Laswell and his team of drivers will get this heavy issue on the streets this week. R.L. Nave, Adria Walker, Sierra Mannie, Arielle Dreher and Melanie Collins, all in their own way, assisted with Best of Jackson and kept the company clicking along, all under the direction of Donna Ladd. We also want to thank the sponsors for Best of Jackson week and the award ceremony—Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Patty Peck Honda, Lagunitas, Capital City Beverages, Davaine Lighting, Duane Smith and Servitude, Stephens Printing, Cathead Vodka, Kats Wine & Spirits, and Wendy Putt at Fresh Cut Catering—for all their help this week (and One Block East for hosting the after-party Sunday night). This is a great week for our city, and filled with a positive spirit worth holding on to year-round. Get out there and enjoy everything this place we call home has to offer! Todd Stauffer is president and publisher of the Jackson Free Press.

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CONTRIBUTORS

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Music Editor Micah Smith is married to a great lady, has two dogchildren named Kirby and Zelda, and plays in the band Empty Atlas. Send gig info to music@ jacksonfreepress.com. He wrote Best of Jackson blurbs and helped coordinate the issue.

Assistant Editor Amber Helsel graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2011. Her life is one long string of short jokes ... because she’s short. She wrote Best of Jackson blurbs and helped coordinate the issue.

Freelance writer Danie Matthews is Mississippi College graduate. She’s a fan of conscious hip-hop, neo-soul, and classic R&B, and hopes to one day become a full-time music writer. She wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

Freelance writer Genevieve Legacy is an artist, writer and community development consultant. She works at Hope Enterprise Corporation and lives in Brandon with her husband and youngest son. She wrote Best of Jackson blurbs.

Staff Photographer Imani Khayyam is an art lover and a native of Jackson. He loves to be behind the camera and capture the true essence of his subjects. He wrote Best of Jackson blurbs and took many photos of winners.

News Editor R.L. Nave roots for Jackson and for St. Louis, although not the Rams, who are dead to him. Send him news tips at rlnave@jackson freepress.com. He wrote about tax credits for development projects.

News Reporter Arielle Dreher is working on finding some new hobbies and adopting an otter from the Jackson Zoo. Email her story ideas at arielle@jackson freepress.com. She wrote about potential reproductivehealth issues.

Ad Designer Zilpha Young has dabbled in every medium she could get her hands on, from blacksmithing to crocheting. To see some of her extracurricular work (and lots of cephalopods) check out zilphatastic. tumblr.com.

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Wednesday, January 20 Gov. Phil Bryant announces 1.5 percent budget cuts for many state agencies citing a tax collections shortfall.

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Thursday, January 21 The Mississippi Board of Education recognizes Hinds County School District and Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District and unanimously adopts a series of minor changes to the state’s academic standards.

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Saturday, January 23 Ammon Bundy, the leader of an armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge in Oregon, holds a ceremony for ranchers to renounce federal ownership of public land and tear up their federal grazing contracts after refusing to speak with federal authorities.

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Sunday, January 24 The International Olympic Committee institutes guidelines allowing transgender athletes to compete in the Olympics and other events without undergoing sex reassignment surgery.

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Monday, January 25 A Houston grand jury investigating undercover footage of Planned Parenthood finds no wrongdoing by the abortion provider and instead indicts antiabortion activists from the Center for Medical Progress involved in making the videos with a felony for tampering with a governmental record and a misdemeanor count for purchasing human organs. Tuesday, January 26 State Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, files a bill asking lawmakers to take an up or down vote to keep or change the Mississippi state flag. ... Pope Francis meets with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and holds a discussion on the recent nuclear accord and Iran’s role in the region, especially in combating terrorism. Get breaking news at jfpdaily.com.

hush-hush development in rural Hinds County will likely get a boost from local and Mississippi taxpayers. Speaking at Koinonia Coffee House on Jan. 22, Pieter Teeuwissen, attorney for

documents with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers because the site would affect more than 115 acres of wetlands. Those plans called for a 5.2-million-square-foot industrial building and operations space on 640 acres of what was 16th-section land

IMANI KHAYYAM

Friday, January 22 Gov. Phil Bryant sets the special election to fill a state Senate seat in District 25 for March 8, with a possible runoff set for March 29. ... The Kansas Court of Appeals refuses to allow the state’s firstin-the-nation ban on a common secondtrimester abortion method to take effect, saying that the Kansas Constitution protects abortion rights independent of the U.S. Constitution.

by R.L. Nave

Gov. Phil Bryant got the ball rolling on a 5.2-million-square-foot manufacturing facility for Hinds County last year. As the unveiling of the super-secretive project RIEVW SJĂ&#x;GMEPW I\TIGX PSGEP ERH WXEXI XE\ FVIEOW XS LIPT XLI TVSNIGX

the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, said the proposed “megasite� is likely to draw tax incentives from state lawmakers, although he declined to offer specifics. “If we land this megasite, it’ll be the most important thing to happen in this county in 20 years,� Teeuwissen said. Gov. Phil Bryant’s office had to file

in an unincorporated area of the county. On Jan. 18, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors voted to rezone 264 acres to increase the buffer zone between the site of a yet-to-be-unveiled facility and homes. State and economic-development officials say they signed non-disclosure

agreements barring them from disclosing the names of companies looking at the site, which is being marketed around the world. The only thing most people who know anything about the project will say is that it is similar in scale to Nissan’s Canton manufacturing facility—which is 1 million square feet smaller than the proposed Hinds County megasite, on Norrell Road—which suggests that the winning project is likely a facility to manufacture cars or automotive accessories. The megasite is also akin to Nissan for another reason—because of the likelihood it will receive a handsome tax-break deal. Laura Hipp, a spokeswoman for Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, said the lieutenant governor’s office does not comment on economic-development projects. Messages left at the offices of Speaker Philip Gunn, whose Clinton district is near the site of the proposed development, Gov. Phil Bryant and the Mississippi Development Authority—all of whom would take part in the crafting of an incentive package for a large-scale project— were not returned by press time. Mississippi’s taxpayers have directly invested $377.8 million worth of incentives in Nissan’s 3.5-million-square-foot facility in Madison County. That sum includes $363 million paid up front to help Nissan with construction costs. In 2011, the state gave Nissan anothPRUH 0(*$6,7( VHH SDJH

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City Roundup: Focus on Uber, Open Records by R.L. Nave

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er $7.3 million for infrastructure-related expenses to move the Frontier pickup and Xterra sport-utility models to Mississippi from Smyrna, Tenn. Then, in June 2012, state officials announced another major expansion for which the state would kick in another $7.5 million, growing the plant to 4.2 million square feet on 1,034 acres. In 2013, the Legislature gave another $330 million in tax breaks to Yokohama Tires for a facility in West Point. The next year, Mississippi offered Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. $20 million over three years.

dinance keeps the registration fee (Priester said Mobile, Ala., levies the same fee against Uber), but removes the provision to require the companies to submit driver rosters to the city. Under the plan, the transportationnetwork companies would apply to the City for a license. That license would require the

and drop off at the airport and officials there have said they were also open to relaxing some of its restrictions if the city council passes new regulations. “Since Uber makes such a big deal out of the fact that this is a private car—it’s not a taxi—then let’s make them follow the rules IMANI KHAYYAM

hen it comes to regulating Uber—and other transportation network companies that might follow—the Jackson City Council is walking a pencil-thin line. “I have drafted a set of proposals that meet the safety things that I think are most important and don’t result in us being the city council that chased Uber out of town,� City Council President Melvin Priester Jr. told council colleagues Monday. Priester presented a new round of proposals to the city council’s Rules Committee on Jan. 25. In summer 2015, after Uber had been in the Jackson market about a year, the city council started drafting regulations for companies like Uber, which calls itself a ride-sharing mobile application, to address concerns of traditional cab companies that said lack of regulations put their businesses at a competitive disadvantage. However, Uber threatened to pull out of the market when the company objected to the first set of proposed rules. That ordinance would have required companies to go through an application process; report driver “requirements� including age, physical examinations and background checks; and set insurance standards. The City would maintain the right to revoke a permit or suspend drivers. That ordinance also would have required the companies to pay a $5,000 registration fee as well as a $2,500 annual fee. Priester’s amended version of the or-

Ward 2 Councilman Melvin Priester Jr. rolled out a new ordinance to regulate transportation-network companies like Uber.

companies to perform background checks on its drivers; the City would then perform periodic audits of the companies’ records. Tyra Dean, who owns Jackson-based Deluxe Cab Co. and represents taxi companies in town, said she opposed many of the proposed changes, including not requiring a roster of drivers. “If something happens, without a roster, how will we know who picked up and dropped off?� she asked committee members. Priester stressed that his goal was to make the playing field even for both cabs and Uber, including at the Jackson airport, where companies like Uber are not allowed to pick passengers up. The draft ordinance would allow Uber to pick up

for private cars. If a taxi gets to be in a certain place, and Uber doesn’t want to be treated like taxis, then Uber shouldn’t get one of the few benefits that taxi drivers get,� Priester said at the meeting. The Rules Committee passed the ordinance on to the full council for consideration at the Feb. 9 meeting.

The deals have sometimes come under fire from budget watchdogs who say that Mississippi cannot afford to give away tax breaks to corporations. Corey Wiggins, executive director of the Hope Policy Institute, said although Hinds County and Mississippi need to create good jobs, state officials looking at tax incentives should also consider how diverting money from the state’s general fund affects other government programs, such as public education funding, worker training and health care. Additionally, Wiggins said legislation that paves the way for new incentives should include a fiscal note that explains how the breaks will affect the state budget

as well as a way for holding the companies accountable for the jobs they promise to create in order to get the incentives. “Whatever metrics are in place, someone has to make sure those metrics are being met,� Wiggins said. Teeuwissen said Hinds County officials learned from some of the mistakes of the Nissan project, which used eminent domain to take some of the land for the factory, in developing the megasite. “We didn’t take land,� he said. “We rezoned without pissing off anybody.� Plus, Teeuwissen said the megasite will come with 1,000 guaranteed jobs with an average salary of $40,000 per year—which he said has the potential to

Opening Up Open Records After months of planning, the Jackson city clerk’s office will launch a new online system for access to public information starting Feb. 1. The City hopes Woodridge, Ill.-based GovQA will streamline the sometimes confounding process of obtaining public records.

The clerk’s office serves as the clearinghouse for most public information, including campaign-finance records and voting information for municipal elections. In addition, citizens wanting copies of public documents from other city agencies must submit a formal open-records request with the clerk’s office, which sends the queries to the appropriate department. GovQA allows users to submit an open-records request, then track it online to determine where any hangups—and possible violations of public-records laws—might be taking place. Users will also be able to pay for the records online. “The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is to ensure the highest level of transparency for the citizens, and this system will allow our office and all City departments to be more accountable to public service,� City Clerk Kristi Moore said in a press release announcing the launch. In December, the City also approved an agreement with Seattle-based Socrata for its months-in-the-works open-data portal. Jackson does not have to pay for the service for one year; after that, the City will be responsible for a maintenance fee. The portal is part of a $42 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative called What Works Cities. That system will work in tandem with another system called OpenGov, a government budget-tracking system. OpenGov will cost the City approximately $21,000 per year. Another layer of oversight will be the City’s open-data governance committee, which will perform regular checks to make sure departments are uploading the necessary documents, including executed contracts. GovQA will be accessible through the City’s main website. Email R.L. Nave at rlnave@jacksonfree press.com. Comment at www.jfp.ms. improve the quality of life throughout Hinds County, the state’s largest. “That means folks who don’t have a decent education can still get a decent job,� Teeuwissen said. Comment at www.jfp.ms. Email R.L. Nave at rlnave@jacksonfreepress.com.

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TALK | state

The Rough Road to Reproductive Health Care by Arielle Dreher

Pitting Abortion Against ‘Black Lives Matter’ Meeke Addison believes that life begins at inception.

in the 2016 Mississippi legislative session. Marcela Howell, executive director of In Her Own Voice, is on the other side of the “targeting� meme and believes that abortion opponents are wrong to co-opt a serious movement—Black Lives Matter—that highlights police brutality against black men and women, and the lack of indictments that often results. Her organization fights for black women to have access to reproductive health care throughout the country FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

Maternal, Reproductive Health Care At Risk Brown-Williams said her organization is usually on defense in legislative battles in Mississippi. Planned Parenthood only operates one clinic in the state—which does not offer abortion as a service. Instead, the Hattiesburg health clinic provides reproductive health services from cancer screenings to contraceptives. Brown-Williams said the clinic just received a grant so their already low-cost services are even cheaper. Even though the clinic does not perform abortions, BrownWilliams said the organization still defends a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion in Mississippi. “We spend a lot of time in the (legislative) session making sure ... services remain safe and legal,� BrownWilliams said. “Not having an abortion clinic and not having access to abortion services within our state borders is unacceptable.� Planned Parenthood does not just advocate for abortion rights at the capitol, though. Brown-Williams said the organization is pushing for legislation to expand all reproductive health care access for women including maternity care and pregnancy services. On Jan. 20, the Mississippi Department of Health announced it is closing nine of its county health department clinics due to “a very limited number of people using their services.� In a press release, the department said it will cease to enroll any new maternity patients because those patients have options under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Managed Care. If a woman does not have access to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Hattiesburg or the Jackson Women’s Health Organization (which is expanding its reproductive-health options for women), a health department office has been a common choice. Women will call Planned Parenthood asking for services, Brown-Williams said,

because the waiting lists for reproductive-health appointments at county health departments are weeks long. “Generally, health-care services are difficult to access in Mississippi,� Brown-Williams said. “People think it’s really easy to access birth control, but it’s not as easy as you might think.�

No matter what happens with the U.S. Supreme Court and the effort to close the Jackson Women’s Health Organization (pictured), groups like Planned Parenthood, whose Hattiesburg clinic does not perform abortions, plan to defend women’s access to not only abortion but every kind of reproductive care from GSRXVEGITXMSR XS 78( ERH GERGIV WGVIIRMRK -XÂłW RSX ER IEW] Ă&#x;KLX MR 1MWWMWWMTTM XLSYKL

A spokeswoman for the conservative American Family Association and talk-show host of one of AFA’s radio shows, Addison says that Planned Parenthood purposely targeted “black and brown neighborhoods� in the placement of clinics around the U.S. Echoing a popular argument among people who oppose both abortion and Planned Parenthood, Addison said that more than 70 percent of Planned Parenthood clinics are set up in minority neighborhoods. She bases that assertion on a study by a group called Life Dynamics—published on the site lifenews.com—on the topic. “I think that when you say ‘Black Lives Matter,’ that all black lives have to matter,� Addison said. However, a Guttmacher Institute study that used the same 2010 Census data found that six in 10 abortion providers were located in neighborhoods that were majority white. The Washington Post also analyzed the Life Dynamics study, concluding that only 110 of almost 800 Planned Parenthood locations are in areas where the African American population exceeds 25 percent of the overall population. Mississippi has the highest percentage of African American residents in the country, but Addison said the Tupelo-based American Family Association, which supported the failed Personhood amendment in Mississippi, is not currently planning to push for any new legislation

(targeting the South), both literally and financially. In Her Own Voice submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Whole Women’s Health v. Cole—which the court did take up and will hear arguments for in March—discussing the impact on women if the court rules against the Texas women’s health clinic. “The Supreme Court gave every woman a right to abortion—what we’re saying is low-income women, predominantly black women, don’t have the right to access that,� she said. Howell said the cost of abortions is often too high for women who already have families and children they have to care for; she said she’s heard of women selling some of their things to afford an abortion because they ultimately cannot afford or do not want another child. In 2016, Howell is watching for more Hyde-like amendments, riders often attached to health-care legislation in Congress to bar using federal funds to pay for abortion unless the pregnancy arises from incest, rape or to save the life of the mother. Ultimately, Howell said, it’s about a woman’s right to make her own decision. “Members of Congress don’t have the right to deny women health-care access, nor do state legislators have the right to do that,� she said. Email reporter Arielle Dreher at arielle@jacksonfree press.com. Comment at jfp.ms/abortion.

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will work to make Mississippi the safest state in America for unborn children.� The chilling promise of the state’s highestranking official, Gov. Phil Bryant, during his inauguration for another term rang loud and clear over the capitol steps in early January. The question, of course, is what more can Mississippi do—legally—to regulate or eliminate abortion practices in the state? The Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, now 43 years old, not only made abortion legal but also made it a woman’s right. The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet picked up the state’s appeal of the Jackson Women’s Health Organization’s admitting-privileges lawsuit. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the clinic that closing JWHO, the only abortion provider left in the state, would infringe on a woman’s right to a safe and legal abortion—guaranteed in the Roe v. Wade decision—because it would remove accessibility. Regardless of the state’s appeal of the JWHO case, the fight for reproductive health in Mississippi will continue in the Mississippi Legislature, as organizations including Planned Parenthood plan to defend women’s access to not only abortion but every kind of reproductive care from contraception to STD and cancer screening. “Safe, legal abortion must remain available to women in this state,� Felicia Brown-Williams, director of public policy for Planned Parenthood Southeast said.

9

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LEGISLATURE: Week 3

A GOP Supermajority, Slavery and an Embattled Flag by Arielle Dreher

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IMANI KHAYYAM

nly a day after Martin Luther King It turns out that drawing the longer straw into these proceedings with the outcome House chamber. “In politics you live by Jr. Day, Mississippi flag supporters isn’t always enough to settle a tied elec- already known,â€? Coleman told the Jack- the sword, you die by the sword. You live converged on the capitol in down- tion outcome, and the House voted 67 to son Free Press after the committee passed by the code, you die by the code, and town Jackson to send lawmakers a 49 to unseat Eaton after three and a half Baker’s resolution. when a man makes a deal in my mind, a message: Don’t meddle with the state flag. hours of back-and-forth between Baker “Going into it, I had hoped that these deal’s a deal.â€? The main event organizers, the Magnolia and Democratic attorneys. proceedings would be fair and impartial, Eaton’s family sat in the left gallery, as State Heritage Campaign and the Dixie AlliThe House relied on the special elec- but what I’ve seen today is the law actually the longtime representative got emotionance, support Initiative 58, one of three bal- tion committee’s report and testimony turned on its head where we can disen- al in what turned out to be his farewell lot initiatives on file in the Mississippi secre- from Baker that five of the affidavit bal- franchise voters for partisan purposes—I speech. Tullos and his lawyer sat in the tary of state’s office that seek to make opposite gallery, and at times Tulthe current state flag permanent by los would use his phone to capture changing the state constitution. the action down below. Ray Shores, who lives in Ya“I will survive any political zoo County and is a member of death cast upon me,â€? Eaton said the Dixie Alliance, said he and flag before leaving the floor to regain supporters have challenged House his composure. Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton, He left to a standing ovation to a debate on the issue. Gunn was from both Republican and Demothe first prominent Republican in cratic representatives alike. the state to call for the flag to come No argument—even saying down last summer, which did not that disenfranchising five voters bode well with flag supporters who violated the Help America Vote call Gunn’s statements “left-leanAct—could save Eaton. House ingâ€? on the website mydixie.org. Democrats expressed visible frusShores said the people of Mistration as the Republican Party sissippi voted to keep the state flag gained a supermajority and a road just recently. “Fourteen years isn’t to pass any legislation it desires. that long of a time, so people still The Mississippi chapter of feel like the flag should remain,â€? he the NAACP released a statement said. “I can’t find hardly anybody following the House vote that said that wants to change the flag.â€? the House vote corrupted the elecHe would not have to look tion process. “Today’s vote in the 7IZIVEP TVS WXEXI Ă EK SVKERM^EXMSRW MRGPYHMRK XLI 1EKRSPME 7XEXI ,IVMXEKI 'EQTEMKR ERH farther than Jackson where the House of Representatives is a gross XLI (M\MI %PPMERGI LIPH E VEPP] SYXWMHI XLI GETMXSP SR .ER XS °WEZI XLI WXEXI Ă EK Âą “1 Flag for Allâ€? campaign began. interpretation of Mississippi ElecSharon Brown filed Initiative 55, tion law and seems to violate Secwhich asks that all references to the tion 2 of the Voting Rights Act,â€? Confederacy be taken off the state flag. lots should have been disqualified because had hoped for something better.â€? the statement said. Brown’s campaign rallied at the capitol voters violated a part of Mississippi law The committee’s resolution reached Eaton cannot take any federal action last October. Some rumors about flag leg- that requires voters to notify their county the wrong legal conclusion, Coleman to get his seat back, and now the only posislation circulated before the session be- clerk if they move more than 30 days be- said. She feared the wide-ranging impli- sible way the results could change would gan, but the governor has said he intends fore an election. cation for the voters in Mississippi using be for one of the five voters filed a lawsuit to leave it to the will of the people. After two days of testimony from affidavit ballots. Coleman believes that under federal voting laws. But that could Still, on Jan. 26, state Sen. John “five or sixâ€? witnesses, the House special the committee did not apply election law take a long time and might not produce Horhn introduced a bill to redesign the election committee voted 4-1 to disqual- correctly, especially because an attorney results since state legislative bodies reserve state flag by 2017, when Mississippi cel- ify five of the affidavit ballots counted in for the secretary of state, Kim Turner, the power to seat their own members. ebrates its 200th birthday. the District 79 race, which was decided had testified that the affidavit ballots were A day after Eaton lost his seat, SecInside the capitol, Rep. Willie Per- in November by drawing straws, as state counted correctly. retary of State Delbert Hosemann ankins, D-Perkins, sponsored a bill that law requires. By disqualifying five votes, Coleman seemed to know, like Eaton nounced several proposed revisions in would apologize for Mississippi’s role in the race was not technically a tie because, did, that the committee’s vote was the Mississippi’s election law. Several changes slavery. The bill was referred to the House Baker said, even if the remaining four green light needed for the majority Re- will apply to pre-Election Day voting Rules Committee, but not ruled on by the votes were for Eaton, Mark Tullos, the publican House to unseat the Democrat. including a 21-day no-excuse period for end of the week. Perkins’ bill states that Republican challenger, would have won Eaton’s speech in the midst of the three- citizens to cast their ballot before Election “an apology for centuries of brutal dehu- by one vote. hour-plus session that afternoon sounded Day in county courthouses. His new rule manization and injustices cannot erase Tullos had disputed the election the much like a swan song, despite his fellow will eliminate the need for in-person abthe past, but admission of the wrongs can day before the straw-drawing, leading Democrats defending him (and voters’ sentee voting. speed racial healing and reconciliation.â€? House Speaker Gunn to appoint a com- rights) with 10-minute arguments. Rep. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, mittee to resolve the election contest. Rep. Eaton, who has served in the House asked that the House adjourn in memoNot Without Reprimand Linda Coleman, D-Mound Bayou, the of Representatives since 1996, knew he ry of Hosemann’s new rules on Jan. 21. The typically chatty Mississippi only Democrat on the committee, voted was at the mercy of the majority in the Democrats might be outnumbered by House of Representatives was eerily silent against the resolution that she says she had House, and he expressed regret that Tullos one more now, but they’re not going to on Wednesday, Jan. 20, when Rep. Mark no input in creating. Coleman said Baker did not live up to the agreement of the remain silent. Baker, R-Brandon, presented the report came with the resolution on Wednesday straw-drawing and its outcome. Email legislative reporter Arielle Dreher recommending that the House unseat morning already completed. “I hope that you would understand at arielle@jacksonfreepress.com. Comment Rep. Bo Eaton, D-Taylorsville. “It appears that we may have gone my legacy,â€? Eaton told the deathly silent at jfp.ms/msleg. 11

ANDERS FERRINGTON Why I Love My City

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his entire column could have been a list of events and places, no descriptions. Just a list of all the festivals, the amazing cultural events and the deep history in our city. These make up the fabric of our city, but in and of themselves, they are not what makes Jackson so livable. Next, my thoughts went to food. Again, it could be a list of hidden gems: soul-food shops; new and exciting ethnic fair; the young chefs and entrepreneurs bringing new dishes and concepts from fine white tablecloths to mobile goodness; the city’s great, established restaurants; or the best gas-station food around. But food isn’t the thing that makes Jackson so livable, but it is close. The people and their passion about the entire experience here are what makes the vibrant Jackson food scene so special for me. The people and their passions as a whole is what makes Jackson a city with soul and a city full of passion. This is obvious by a passing glance, and more keenly noticed with deeper looks. One has to only look at the political passions. Be it activists marching on the capital, rallies for and against various causes, blogs calling for change or demeaning concerns, passions abound. Whether the cause is one I deeply believe in, vehemently oppose or even one I personally consider trivial, one cannot deny our capital city holds many deeply concerned and invested citizens. Look also to our music. If you cannot find a good performance somewhere any day of the week, you simply are not looking. We have passionate musicians, too many to list, who spend their days and nights pouring out their souls. Less seen and noticed, these same musicians donate countless hours to fundraisers or community gatherings. It is not just the artist showing their passion and drive, it is also the people behind them. It’s the two brothers decades ago who decided to open a bar and have some rock ‘n’ roll, the older promoters on the scene who have brought in every imaginable genre and act and young blood reinventing our city as a musical destination. Passion flows from them and pumps more life into our city. The people and their passions also improve our city for all. It is activists like Scott Crawford who work tirelessly for their causes, all to improve the life of Jacksonians and all Mississippians. It is the artists creating works for and about our city; the rescue groups like Cheshire Abbey and others spending their time and risking their safety to save animals; those who spend their days at committee meetings to engage their local and state governments; and Stewpot and other charities feeding our hungry, reading to children, clothing those without. While this could be a list of great businesses, volunteers and artists who do such great work to make life beautiful here, the passion of the people is evident at a more personal and quiet level. Just a few of these people doing their good deeds without fanfare include: the couple who every week picks up trash on their running route to keep a high school cleaner; the happily anonymous man who spends his days researching our history to bring mostly unknown important historical facts about Jackson to life; the various small businesses whose owners not only sponsor events, but make quiet and needed donations of time and effort to various causes; the business owner who makes sure an employee has an appliance or other repair work when a catastrophic expense unexpectedly hits; and the many I know personally who make sure someone downtown will not be hungry at lunch, with a delivery of a plate to those in need. Everyone reading this column knows one person or 50 in Jackson who do not seek attention for their good deeds and drive. That is the passion of Jackson. Feel the passion and desire to grow as a city and more so as a community. You can find it in the neighborhood meetings in west Jackson, at the coffee-shop debates in Fondren, the various newly creative boards and projects bringing citizens in to address issues facing our city, and the front porches where we gather to discuss and improve our city. Let the passion and drive of the people of Jackson sweep you up. Get involved, live fully in Jackson, feel the passion. Anders Ferrington is a native Mississippian and proud to be transplanted to Jackson over a decade ago. He has his own law practice, Anders Ferrington PLLC.

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Get involved, live fully in Jackson, feel the passion.

12

Give Jackson Your Best to Solve Its Problems

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e’ll admit that living in Jackson can be frustrating. Even though reports of major crimes have dropped precipitously over the past few years, Jacksonians understandably experience heartburn with every news story, often sensationalistic, about violent crime in the capital city. Despite the fact that infrastructure has plagued Jackson and cities for decades, deepening potholes and boil-water notices become fodder for socialmedia conversations and frequent punch lines. Departing businesses—both beloved local spots and convenient national chains—can leave us suffering feelings of rejection. We’re a progressive city, but big-idea change seems elusive when politics prevails when it comes to providing barebones education funding and health-care access. Then, there is the case of nowex Democratic Rep. Bo Eaton, who prevailed in an election, and legally, only to be unseated by the House Republican leadership thirsty for the power to ram their desired legislation through the chamber without input from anybody else, other than their campaign donors, of course. If Republicans are willing to so brazenly ensure their own supermajority, Jackson should definitely steady itself for a nasty fight over control of the airport, its wastewater system and whatever other assets they’ve got their eyes on. These could be reasons to be glum. We see them as opportunities for the elected leaders, musicians, visual artists, activists, civic leaders and busi-

ness owners celebrated in this 14th Annual Best of Jackson issue to seize to innovate and come up with solutions for these challenges. For Jackson to continue building on its successes, we’ll look to the dynamic individuals nominated in categories such as best local Democrat, Republican and Urban Warrior, as well as the amazing nonprofit organizations recognized for their work in the arts and public service. The city’s new chefs working at the newest restaurants, along with all the cool, new bars, increasing options for pub quiz, and our always thriving live music scene are welcome and needed respites for the hardworking people of Jackson. The best way to fight decay, real and perceived, is to keep making Jackson the kind of place where Jacksonians, suburbanites and visitors from all over Mississippi—and beyond— want to visit and, hopefully, live. When Jackson increases in population, so do tax collections that can go to fixing potholes, water pipes and water billing problems. It also means building political strength to fight brute attempts by the state to pilfer Jackson’s valuables. It’s our view that Jackson’s troubles bring out the best in its people. We’ve seen it firsthand in the 13.5 years of this paper. Our readers also know it, as evidenced by the response to this year’s Best of Jackson contest (see pages 15-58). We invite you to not only read about the this year’s bests, but to also offer your best (skills, knowledge, creativity, etc.) to Jackson and its people.

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

FUNMI “QUEEN� FRANKLIN Jacktown: I Call It My Hometown

EDITORIAL News Editor R.L. Nave Assistant Editor Amber Helsel Reporter Arielle Dreher Education Reporting Fellow Sierra Mannie JFP Daily Editor Dustin Cardon Music Editor Micah Smith Events Listings Editor Latasha Willis Editorial Assistants Maya Miller, Adria Walker Writers Bryan Flynn, Genevieve Legacy, Danie Matthews, LaTonya Miller, Greg Pigott, Julie Skipper Consulting Editor JoAnne Prichard Morris ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Kristin Brenemen Advertising Designer Zilpha Young Staff Photographer Imani Khayyam ADVERTISING SALES Advertising Director Kimberly Griffin Sales and Marketing Consultant Myron Cathey Sales Assistant Mary Osborne BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS Distribution Manager Richard Laswell Distribution Raymond Carmeans, Clint Dear, Michael McDonald, Ruby Parks Bookkeeper Melanie Collins Assistant to the CEO Inga-Lill Sjostrom Operations Consultant David Joseph ONLINE Web Editor Dustin Cardon Web Designer Montroe Headd

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The Jackson Free Press is the city’s awardwinning, locally owned newsweekly, reaching over 35,000 readers per week via more than 600 distribution locations in the Jackson metro area— and an average of over 35,000 visitors per week at www.jacksonfreepress.com. The Jackson Free Press is free for pick-up by readers; one copy per person, please. First-class subscriptions are available 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 2016 Jackson Free Press Inc. All Rights Reserved

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ecently riding down the streets of Jackson, or Jacktown, as many refer to it, I started thinking over the work done in my hometown recently. People complain about us quite a bit. Our neighboring cities speak negatively about our elected officials and even us as citizens from time to time. Many people outside the city have little confidence in Jackson as the capital of Mississippi. They don’t really even trust us with the airport, it seems. Pride in the city has been shifty for years. But I have seen a movement among Jacksonians recently. There is growth in all areas, whether people want to admit it or not. Jackson is not the same city it was 10 years ago. The progressives and creatives are finding their place now. We are finally giving up on the notion of making our city a “Part 2� to some other capital city. That’s not what we’ve ever wanted. We want Jackson to be Jackson. We want to create our own lane and make people come to us for what we have to offer, not because they can’t get to New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta or Memphis. Come to Jackson because here you will find that which is unique to our little area. Come to Jackson for great live music and original sounds. Come to Jackson for great art and museums. Come to Jackson for hospitality and fellowship. Come to Jackson for a nice hotel stay with great food like your grandma used to make. It’s always been a mistake to think that if we pattern ourselves after that which has already been done, it’ll be easier. We see how that worked on Farish Street. It’s still there, mostly vacant. It is still there waiting for someone to teach us how to be what we once originated there. That’s crazy. If F. Jones Corner can do it, others in this city can do it just as well. It’s great to see that the forward thinkers are finally beginning to catch their breaks. We recently had the first Jackson Independent Music Week. Many city residents and visitors showed up for events all week long. Businesses were able to pull in customers who had never been there before and will now patronize these establishments regularly. It was an opportunity not only to build our nightlife and bring exposure to the businesses in our hometown but also a grand chance to showcase

talent from right here in our city. That’s all great, and we should work to do more of that in Jackson. But the one thing JIMW also helped dispel is the idea that people of all races here can’t come together and celebrate each other. We did. While the love of music brought out many, it was the love of our city that pulled this event together and brought even more people out. We are not the same as the cities around us, and we don’t have to be in order to build this “destination location� I keep hearing about. As soon as we allow people who love this city and their 2SHQ VHYHQ GD\V D ZHHN craft to do what they ( /^` ‹ 4HKPZVU know and love, we win.

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We simply have no interest in the Jackson of years past. We’ve

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2010 album, “Pianos in the Dark.� ( & $+0 ! + ',&+ !* $ ** + & 1- 0 )* '$ & + '.& ) !* you decide if you should

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ear after year, the Jackson Free Press asks you—our amazing readership—to put your collective foot down and choose the greatest people, places, events and entertainment in our funk-filled hometown for the Best of Jackson awards. Of

IMANI KHAYYAM

For Molly Brantley of Cups Espresso CafĂŠ in Fondren, earning the title of Jackson’s “Best Baristaâ€? isn’t just about making a great cup of coffee. “I’m generally pretty cheerful when I’m in there, but I’m also a very real person,â€? she says. “I have a tendency to wear my heart on my sleeve, and I think a lot of people appreciate that. They don’t just get a phony smile. If they get a smile from me, they know it means something.â€? Brantley has worked at Cups for about three and a half years and says she’s gotten pretty good at getting to know customers and their orders. As for perfecting her drink-making game, she says it’s about asking one important question: “Would I want to drink this?â€? —Micah Smith Finalists: Bryson Hatfield (Deep South Pops, 1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174, deep southpops.com) / Cody Cox (Cups Espresso CafĂŠ Fondren, 2757 Old Canton Road, 601-362-7422, cupsespressocafe.com) / Caitlin McNally (Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349, sneakybeans.com) / Kevin Smith (Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349, sneakybeans.com)

in categories such as Food & Drink, Music & Nightlife and Community. While these are by no means the only options worthy of our appreciation and acknowledgement, these fantastic finalists and winners are your choices for 2016’s Best of Jackson. Thank you.

Best Bartender: Mark Leopold

Saltine Oyster Bar, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899, saltinerestaurant.com

IMANI KHAYYAM

Best Barista: Molly Brantley

Cups Espresso CafĂŠ Fondren, 2757 Old Canton Road, 601-362-7422, cupsespressocafe.com

course, that isn’t easy because Jackson has an incredible level of cool across the board. But the hard part is over! Now, all that’s left to do is enjoy, and support, the fruits of your labor. Within this issue, you’ll find plenty of fresh faces and long-time favorites

Mark Leopold, this year’s winner for Best Bartender, has mastered the art of “drinking one’s way to professionalism� in the classiest of ways. The Syracuse, N.Y., native also has a master’s degree in fisheries from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, but for now, he enjoys tending bar at Saltine, working close to something he’s passionate about: beer. Leopold learned how to bartend from his experience making himself drinks and learning on the fly. He has been working at Saltine’s bar since it opened in 2014, and now he’s comfortable behind the bar. Leopold said he’s met some of his closest friends in Jacktown from working with or serving them at work. Leopold really enjoys changing out Saltine’s 30 taps, rotating the beer inventory and stocking them with a lot of local beers. Someday, Leopold wants to open his own brewery. “This experience has laid the groundwork for me to do that,� he says. —Arielle Dreher

Finalists: Ashley Lewis (The Bulldog, 6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldogjackson.draftfreak.com) / Jamie Moss (Fenian’s Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Luke Greenlee (South Street Live, 110 E. South St.) / Natalie Long (The Pig & Pint, 3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com) / Perry Davis (Downtown Marriott, 200 E. Amite St., 601-969-5100, marriott.com)

Best Fitness Trainer: Paul Lacoste

TATE K NATIONS

Finalists: Brandi Derrick (Baptist Healthplex at Mississippi College, 102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-925-7900, mbhs.org) / Brittany Horton (The Club at Township, 340 Township Ave., Ridgeland, 601-856-0668) / Cam Woodall (Baptist HealthplexJackson, 717 Manship St., 601-968-1766, mbhs.org) / Marvin Williams (Quest Fitness, 1693 Lakeover Road, 601-982-7360) / Misti Garner (Get Fit with Misti, 123 Old Fannin Road, Flowood, getfitwithmisti.com)

Best Dressed: Amanda Powell Amanda Powell, whom Jacksonians voted as Best Dressed for a second year, describes her style as “modern boho,� mixing vintage and current aesthetics. She says her style depends on how she feels when she gets up in the morning. Powell, 29, is the owner of Plush Salon, which she opened a year ago. She gains inspiration for her style from fashion blogs and other sites such as Pinterest, Styled Avenue, and model and blogger Cara Loren Van Brocklin. Powell says that it’s important that she keeps up with trends not only in fashion but also in hair styles. That, she says, takes some committed research. “It’s an honor to have people nominate me because this is what I do,� Powell says. “Every night, when I get home, I get on my iPad and look for fashion and hair inspiration, trying to get the latest and greatest.� —Imani Khayyam

IMANI KHAYYAM

It’s a new year, and if you are like me, you’ve already taken on and given up several workout programs. This year, Jackson has chosen Paul Lacoste as the city’s Best Fitness Trainer to help you reach those goals you keep neglecting. Lacoste’s workouts are the inheritance of years spent in the NFL, CFL, XFL and at Mississippi State University pushing past the goal line. With 20 years of fitness experience, Lacoste has taken it upon himself to help coach Mississippi through its obesity epidemic. Because he believes that it takes healthy leadership to lead healthy people, he started boot camps for legislators (Fit 4 Change), clergy members (Fit 4 Preaching), and also Fit 4 Teaching, which trains educators during the summer. “They come back because they know (I offer) the ultimate full-body workout,� he says. “When people want results, they come to us.� —Zachary Oren Smith

Finalists: Jimmy Wilson / Nikki Henry / Michele McGee / Tiffany Jefferson

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Paul Lacoste Sports, 601-398-0950, paullacoste.com

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Best Chef: Derek Emerson

Walker’s Drive-In, 3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com

It’s hard to imagine the State Street storefront without this year’s “Best Local Business Owner,� Byron Knight of Sneaky Beans, but his coffeehouse almost didn’t happen. In 2006, Knight wasn’t sure that he’d come back to Jackson, having just earned his bachelor’s degree in music production at Middle Tennessee State University and received job offers from studios in Atlanta and Charleston, S.C. But then, while Knight, real-estate developer Mike Peters and his son Sam Peters were talking and brought up how cool Fondren was becoming, they agreed it needed something to do after 5 p.m. Knight suggested a coffee shop, and two years later, he opened Sneaky Beans. While people can still anticipate the same chill atmosphere and hot coffee, Knight says he has big plans for Sneaky Beans in 2016, including a complete renovation of its counter and workspace and a fifth installment of the State Street Concert Series. —Micah Smith

Multi-year Best Chef winner Derek Emerson has been adding to the local culinary scene ever since getting his start at BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar fresh out of culinary school. Now, Emerson is the owner of three successful restaurants in the Jackson metro area: Walker’s Drive-in and CAET Wine Bar in Jackson and Local 463 Urban Kitchen in Madison. While Emerson grew up in Beverly Hills, Calif., he first connected to Mississippi by spending summers with his grandparents in Meridian. He has been a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award for the best chef in the South on multiple occasions, most recently in 2014. Emerson’s successful restaurants have made him a household name in Jackson, as Walker’s Drive-In quickly went from being a local favorite (voters named it Best Restaurant once again this year) to being covered in numerous culinary publications nationwide. —Imani Khayyam

ANDREW DUNAWAY

Finalists Alex Eaton (The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, 1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562) / Frank Signa (Signa’s Grille, 680 Highway 51, Suite E., Ridgeland, 601-853-0266) / Jesse Houston (Saltine Oyster Bar, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601982-2899) / Nick Wallace (The Palette CafĂŠ at the Mississippi Museum of Art, 380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org) / Tom Ramsey (La Finestra, now closed; Stäge, stagepopup.com)

Finalists: Cathy Joyner (Bliss, 4465 Interstate 55 N., 601-326-3337, blissgiftandhome. com) / Jeff Good (Mangia Bene, 3317 N. State St., 601-982-4443) / Phillip Rollins (Offbeat, 151 Wesley Ave., offbeatjxn.com) / Ron Chane (Swell-o-Phonic, 2906 N. State St., Suite 103, 601-366-9955; Studio Chane Screenprinting, 3206 N. State St., 601-362-3547; The Wonder Lab, 2906 N. State St. Suite B8, 601-720-2426, chane. com, thewonderlab.city) / Stephanie Barnes (Lacru Salon, 5352 Lakeland Drive, Suite 2000, Flowood, 601-992-7980)

Best Hair Stylist: Emily Blocker

IMANI KHAYYAM

Fondren Barber Shop, 2939 Old Canton Road, Jackson, 601-826-0707

Best Massage Therapist: Martha Hooey

Baptist Healthplex-Jackson, 717 Manship St., 601-968-1766; Baptist Healthplex at Mississippi College, 102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-925-7900; mbhs.org

IMANI KHAYYAM

If one of your resolutions for 2016 is to be more relaxed, this year’s winner for Best Massage Therapist, Martha Hooey, can help. A graduate of the Mississippi School of Therapeutic Massage, Hooey has been a licensed massage therapist since 2006 and has worked at the Baptist Healthplex locations in Jackson and Clinton since 2008, while also serving as the events and development specialist for Baptist Health Systems. When not at work, Hooey continues to further her training. She completed a one-month internship with the Beijing Massage Hospital in China in 2011, the same year she earned a master’s degree in business management from Belhaven University, and in 2013, she was one of 12 therapists in the country selected for a massage-therapy internship at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. —LaShanda Phillips Finalists: April Mattern (Skin by MD, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 245, 601-2120955) / Matthew Haynes (Blue Skyz Still Waters, 4460 Highway 80 W., 601-3834747) / Rhonda Burton (Living Essentials Wellness)

For men who are looking for a hair stylist that can suit their needs, Emily Blocker at Fondren Barber Shop can help. With one quick look though her Instagram page, people can see how skillful she is at transforming her Jackson-based clientele. “My favorite thing about what I do is seeing how happy people are whenever I’m done,� the Utica, Miss., native says. Blocker graduated from Hinds Community College in 2012 with a barbering degree and started working in the William Wallace Salon after graduation. When Fondren Barber Shop opened in 2013, Blocker welcomed customers into her chair. Her services include men’s haircuts, straight-razor neck shaves and beard trims. —LaShanda Phillips Finalists: Nikki Henry (Ritz Salon, 574 Highway 51 N., Suite H, Ridgeland, 601-856-4330) / Olivia Herring Barrett (LIV the studio at Sola Salon Studios, 151 East Metro Parkway, Suite 203, Flowood, 601-303-0083, solasalonstudios.com) / Sonia Cummings (Hair By Sonia, 121 Southpointe Drive, Suite D, Byram, 601-372-2324, hairbysoniasalon.com) / Tiffany Jacobs (Studio J Salon, Sola Salon Studios, 151 East Metro Parkway, Flowood, 601-212-9130)

The 2016 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in downtown -DFNVRQ ,QYLWDWLRQ RQO\ ,I \RX DUH D ¿ QDOLVW RU ZLQQHU DQG QHHG WR RSVP, please call Mary @ 601-362-6121 x18 by Friday at 3 p.m.! Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

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COURTESY BYRON KNIGHT

Best Local Business Owner: Byron Knight

Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349, sneakybeans.com

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THANK YOU FOR VOTING US ONE OF THE BEST Congratulations to our finalists: Best Fitness Center/Gym: Baptist Healthplex Best Fitness Trainer: Baptist HealthplexClinton Brandi Derrick Best Fitness Trainer: Baptist HealthplexJackson Cam Woodall Best Massage Therapist: Martha Howell Hooey

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Best New Chef: Payton Warren

Best Photographer: Allison Muirhead

Self-taught photographer Allison Muirhead discovered a love for photography as a child, taking pictures with a pocket-sized Kodak Instamatic. Muirhead, who has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Mississippi, was an athletic trainer and teacher for seven years and did photography on the side until 2001 when she officially went into business. Family and relationship portraits, commercial headshots and Muirhead’s “first love�— newborn and children photography—are all part of her 40-plus-hour-per-week occupation. Taking photos that look natural and spontaneous is her forte, one of the reasons that Jacksonians voted her as this year’s Best Photographer. “Making a connection with the photographer is important,� Muirhead says. “I sit down and play with kids before I take out my camera so they won’t be afraid of me when I take the pictures. That’s why I get the expressions.� —Genevieve Legacy

Finalists: Charlotte Stringer (Charlotte Stringer Photography, charlottestringerphotography.com) / Robby Followell (followell | fotography, 601-488-4423, followellfotography.com) / Sharon Coker (Sharon Coker Photography, 425 Mitchell Ave., 601-398-1345, sharoncoker.com) / Tristan Duplichain (Tristan Duplichain Photography, tdphotodesigns.com)

Best Local Republican: Gov. Phil Bryant

In recent speech to the Mississippi House and Senate, Mayor Tony Yarber addressed the false perception that many state government officials hold that Jackson has somehow gotten off course, assuring them that the capital city is in the process of righting its ship. Yarber said: “The city of Jackson is vibrant. The city of Jackson is prosperous. The city of Jackson is yours.� Now, it’s up to Yarber, winner of 2016’s Best Local Democrat category, to make sure that lawmakers don’t take his statement literally. Yarber is at the helm during a time when pirates are poised to pillage some of Jackson’s most valuable assets, including our municipal airport. In the meantime, he must also fight the scourge of potholes, busted water pipes and a statewide economic recovery that lags behind the rest of the nation. This award may be a vote of confidence that he is well-suited to take on these challenges. —R.L. Nave

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is all about protection—not so much of the comprehensive-sex-ed variety, but of gun owners, law-abiding citizens, veterans, and unborn and neglected children. In fact, Bryant used the word “protection,� in one tense or another, seven times in his Jan. 12 inaugural speech, promising to protect 2nd Amendment rights, the civil rights of fetuses, and children who are abandoned and hurting. Later, Bryant said protecting Mississippians from terrorism is his first and most important responsibility. It was unclear from that speech how Bryant feels about protecting schoolkids from the effects of poorly funded schools or protecting the nation’s unhealthiest citizens by expanding health-care access, but maybe he’ll tell us this term. We can only presume that Bryant affirmed his intent to protect these citizens in his State of the State address, which he delivered Jan. 26, after this issue went to press. —R.L. Nave

Finalists: David Blount / Dorsey Carson / Jarvis Dortch / Melvin Priester Jr.

IMANI KHAYYAM

Best Local Democrat: Tony Yarber

Finalists: Andy Taggart / Nic Lott / Tate Reeves / TJ Harvey

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Finalists: Andrew Allen (Saltine Oyster Bar, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-9822899, saltinerestaurant.com) / Connor Mize (La Finestra, now closed) / Frank Signa (Signa’s Grille, 680 Highway 51, Suite E., Ridgeland, 601-853-0266) / Hunter Evans (Lou’s Full-Serv, 904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359, lousfullserv.com)

Allison Muirhead Photography, 601-856-9814, allimphoto.com

ALLISON MUIRHEAD

With a calling to the kitchen that dates back to making food with his mother, Payton Warren, Jacksonians’ choice as this year’s Best New Chef, is a self-proclaimed “kitchen mercenary,� seeking out the biggest challenges that he could possibly tackle in the culinary world. In 2004, Warren got his big break as sous chef at Julep Restaurant. He went on to help open Biaggi’s Italiano Ristorante in 2007 and led the kitchen at Broad Street Baking Company from 2009 to 2011, when he joined the staff at Table 100 as the chef de cuisine. In 2014, Warren met Rick Tramonto, who told him about his plans to open a Jackson location for Seafood R’evolution and invited him to join the team.Today, Warren can be found spending long hours in the upscale seafood eatery’s kitchen, seeing to his own high standards for the restaurant. “You see, there aren’t a lot of chefs that specialize in what I do. I like to get things moving,� he says. —Zachary Oren Smith

IMANI KHAYYAM

IMANI KHAYYAM

Seafood R’evolution, 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com

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Best Urban Warrior: Jeff Good Most people in Jackson will recognize the name Jeff Good; he has scored Best of Jackson wins in many different categories, categories including Best Visionary and Best Local Business Owner, over the years. He’s best known as the coowner of Mangia Bene Catering, Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint, Broad Street Baking Company and BRAVO! Italian Restaurant & Bar However, it’s his commitment to effecting positive change in the community that caused Jacksonians to name him Best Urban Warrior for a third consecutive year. Good has served on numerous boards such as Vision 2022, Jackson State Development Foundation and the Millsaps Else School of Management, emceed charitable functions, such as Dress for Success, Southern Christian Services and March of Dimes, and vocally supported local political initiatives, including the 1 percent sales tax initiative and the Convention Center initiative. He and his wife, Debbie Good, have also restored and rented numerous homes in the Fondren area. They have twin daughters, Carly and Alex. “Jackson is small enough to get things done and big enough to matter,� Good says. “There is no ‘they.’ ‘They’ is ‘we.’� —Shameka Hayes

IMANI KHAYYAM

COURTESY BARBIE BASSETT

Best Public Figure: Barbie Bassett Barbie Bassett, whom Jacksonians voted as this year’s Best Public Figure, might be best known for her television presence and meteorological gravitas, but she also has many other talents: opera singer, ventriloquist, pianist, model and author. Her on-screen talent for weather forecasting first brought her to the channel WTVC in Chattanooga, Tenn., and later to WAPT in Jackson as the morning meteorologist. These days, Bassett works as a meteorologist for WLBT. However, she also keeps a pretty full schedule outside her weather watching. Bassett is currently writing her third book, teaches a Sunday school class at Colonial Heights Baptist Church and a course at Mississippi College, serves on eight different board of directors for numerous organizations in and out of the meteorology field, and homeschools her three children—Grace, Will Christian and Lilly Faith. As an accomplished Mississippian, she will continue to make her presence known in a variety of ways. —Mike McDonald Finalists: Jeff Good / Melvin Priester Jr. / Phil Bryant / Ron Chane / Tony Yarber

Finalists: Brad Franklin / Nick Wallace / Phillip Rollins / Ron Chane

Best Jackson Visual Artist: Wyatt Waters

Best Server/Waitperson: Christy Chambers

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IMANI KHAYYAM

“Driven to paint� has multiple meanings for watercolor artist Wyatt Waters, winner of this year’s Best Jackson Visual Artist category. An open-air painter who works on location throughout the state, Waters spends a fair amount of time driving around, painting scenes that inspire, no matter the weather. “My subjects have everything to do with where I am at the moment,� Waters said. “If it’s freezing, I’m painting; if it’s raining, I’m painting; if it’s burning hot, I’m painting.� Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Waters has a keen eye for interesting subject matter. On a recent trip to Quitman, Miss., scouting illustrations for his fourth cookbook with chef Robert St. John, a horse tied up at a rural gas station drew his attention. “I love Mississippi,� he said. “Sometimes you get a view of what we were—I wish you were here to see it.� —Genevieve Legacy

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Finalists: Ellen Langford (ellenlangford.com) / Ginger Williams-Cook (gingerwilliams.tumblr.com) / Jerrod Partridge (jerrodpartridge.com) / Tony Davenport (tonydavenportimages.com) / William Goodman (enhancedmixture.net)

COURTESY CHRISTY CHAMBERS

Wyatt Waters Gallery, 307 Jefferson St., Clinton, 601-925-8115

Soulshine Pizza Factory, 5352 Highway 25, Suite 1100, Flowood, 601-919-2000

It’s a good sign when waitress and daytime bartender Christy Chambers’ coworkers at Soulshine Pizza in Flowood erupted with cheers at the news that she was a finalist for this year’s Best Server/ Waitperson in the 2016 Best of Jackson contest. Chambers has worked at the restaurant for two years, and for just as long, customers have praised her positivity. “I just try to make everybody’s day better,� she says. “Even if people come in and have a bad attitude, I try to be positive and at least make their lunch break or whatever better, maybe brighten their day a little bit.� Chambers says that one of her favorite things about being a server is forming friendships with her fellow waitstaff, who she says are like a family. When not at work at Soulshine, she is spending time with her other family—her 6-month-old son, Nathaniel. —Micah Smith Finalists: Janis Boersma (Local 463 Urban Kitchen, 121 Colony Crossing Way, Suite A, Madison, 601-707-7684, local463.com) / Joshua Rushing (Seafood R’evolution, 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafood revolution.com) / Natalie Long (The Pig & Pint, 3139 N. State St., 601-3266070, pigandpint.com) / Ryne Morrow (Fenian’s Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com)

Thank you! Nominated for

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Thank You Metro Jackson For Voting Us a Finalist

Best New Restaurant Best Seafood Best of Jackson 2016

WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHERYL KEY HOSTED BY NARDO

1005 E. County Line Road, Jackson, MS (601) 957-1515 Mon. – Sat. 11 am - 10 pm | Sun. 11 am - 8 pm

Best Radio Personality or Team; Best Radio Station: Carson and Bender, Y101

Best Local Live Theater/Theatrical Group: New Stage Theatre

1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com

In fall of last year, New Stage Theatre celebrated the beginning of its 50th season. This year, it won the Best Local Live Theatre/Theatrical Group category for Best of Jackson, as it has many times over the years. While Jackson has plenty of great theater organizations, New Stage is the only professional theater in Mississippi. Jane Reid Petty chartered New Stage as a nonprofit organization in 1965. Its first season was in the winter and spring of 1966. The theater’s first home was in an adapted church at the corner of Gallatin and Hooker streets. New Stage produced 13 seasons until it moved to its location in Belhaven. The 12,000-square-foot structure includes the Meyer Crystal Auditorium and the Jimmy Hewes Room. The theater’s complex is called the Jane Reid Petty Theatre Center in honor of Petty. The theater started its current season off with a production of Mississippi native Beth Henley’s “Crimes of the Heartâ€? and continued the season with productions such as “A Time to Kill,â€? “A Christmas Carolâ€? and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,â€? which runs Jan. 26-Feb. 7. If you like more risquĂŠ theater pieces, New Stage’s “Unframed Seriesâ€? shows many plays that explore topics such as sexuality, suicide and relationships. —Amber Helsel

Best Radio Personality or Team Finalists Bo Bounds (ESPN’s The Zone 105.9) / Nate West (US 96.3) / Rick and Kim (Miss 103, 102.9) / Scott & Traci (US 96.3)

Finalists: Black Rose Theatre (103 Black St., Brandon, 601-825-1293) / Fondren Theatre Workshop (fondrentheatreworkshop.com) / MADDRAMA (Jackson State University, 1400 John R. Lynch St., jsums.edu) / The Center Players Community Theatre (madisoncenterplayers.org)

Best Arts Organization: Mississippi Museum of Art 380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

COURTESY Y101

y101.com

As a Top-40 format station that bills itself as Jackson’s No. 1 hit-music station, this year’s winner for Best Radio Station is like a comfort-food buffet for the ears. The Y101 meal starts off with its popular morning show, “The Morning Showgram with Carson and Bender.� Given that the show has only featured hosts Carson Case and Chris Bender since October 2015, it speaks volumes that Jacksonians selected the duo as 2016’s Best Radio Personality or Team. However, this isn’t the first time that they’ve teamed up. “We started working together (at Y101.7) about eight years ago, and then Bender thought the grass was greener somewhere else,� Case says with a laugh. “It was actually burnt, discolored and not growing well,� Bender adds. While Case stayed on and manned daytime hours over the years, Bender left in 2009 to work at stations in Reno, Nev., and Austin, Texas. (left to right) Cami Marlowe, Chris Bender and After the previous morn- Carson Case ing host, Tim Murphy, left, Bender returned to spin hits and match wits with Case and their New Zealand-native compatriot, Cami Marlowe, who joined the station in September. “We just live our lives on the radio. That’s what we do,� Case says. — Micah Smith and R.L. Nave

Best Radio Station Finalists WJLV (K-Love, 94.7 FM) / WJMI (99 Jamz) / WMPN (MPB/NPR 91.3) / WMSI (Miss 103) / WSTZ (Z106)

1100 W. Capitol St., 601-353-2759, stewpot.org

Representatives from seven multi-denominational churches in Jackson, including St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Calvary Baptist Church, came together in 1981 to discuss the numerous requests from downtown’s poor and homeless for food and assistance. The outcome was the creation of Stewpot, which Jacksonians chose as this year’s Best Nonprofit Organization. The original location was on West Capitol Street in an old gas station, which still stands today. When Central Presbyterian Church on that street closed its doors in 1992, the Presbytery of Mississippi entered into an agreement to donate the property to Stewpot. In honor of the church, that property is now called the Central Urban Ministry Center. Ever since its beginning, the organization has been providing assistance to Jackson’s downtrodden, from a clothing closet to a food pantry to day shelter to assistance with finding work. With its many ministries, Stewpot helps around 650 people each year. With the many things it does in uplifting the community, its no wonder the organization has won Best of Jackson awards for many years. —Amber Helsel Finalists: Cheshire Abbey (cheshireabbey@gmail.com) / Community Animal Rescue & Adoption (960 N. Flag Chapel Road, 601-922-7575, carams.org) / Junior League of Jackson (805 Riverside Drive, 601-948-2357) / Operation Shoestring (1711 Bailey Ave., 601-353-6336, operationshoestring.org) / The Good Samaritan Center (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-6276, goodsamaritancenter.org)

Jacksonians have selected the Mississippi Museum of Art for a number of Best of Jackson categories over years, but the museum has been on a Best Arts Organization streak for at least five years running. Since it began as the Mississippi Art Association, an offshoot of the 1911 state fair, a devoted community of artists and patrons has spurred the MMA to greater achievements, including a National Medal for Museum Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2010 and the opening of new additions, such as the Art Garden, a regular finalist for Best Community Garden/Nature Attraction since it opened in 2011. Community remains at the heart of the museum’s mission. With 29 affiliate organizations throughout the state, the MMA strives to increase engagement with the visual arts through traveling exhibitions, a growing permanent collection and special projects such as the C3 Community Art Series, which invites locals to participate in the creative process. —Genevieve Legacy Finalists: Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi (950 Rice Road, 601-856-7546, craftsmensguildofms.org) / Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (201 E. Pascagoula St., 601-960-1565, msorchestra.com) / Montage Theatre of Dance (Hinds Community College, hindscc.edu) / New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com)

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23

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for your votes, Jackson!

24

Best Public Forum or Speaker Series: Millsaps Arts and Lecture Series

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Millsaps College’s Arts & Lecture Series began in 1967 as a form of outreach to the college’s community, after then-President Benjamin Graves envisioned the college as a sort of gift to the community. Now the oldest continuing program of its kind in the city, this year, the series began Season XLVIII, which began Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015, program, “Katrina—Ten Years Later: Annual Ross Moore History Lecture� through its April 26 program, “An Overview of the Recording Industry in Jackson, Mississippi.� Over the past 48 years, lecturers and performers have included Eudora Welty, The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats and chef Cat Cora, among others. The Millsaps Arts & Lectures Series is different from other series because of the $10 tickets and the variety of programs. Current director Nola Gibson has served in her role for the last decade. In that time, the only thing that has changed are the number of programs offered—growing from six to 10. —Adria Walker Finalists A Conversation about Community (Operation Shoestring, 1711 Bailey Ave., 601-353-6336) / Friday Forum (Koinonia Coffee House, 136 S. Adams St, 601-9603008, koinoniacoffeehousejackson.com) / History is Lunch (Mississippi Department of Archives and History, mdah.state.ms.us) / TEDxJackson (November, tedxjackson.com)

Best Community Garden/Nature Attraction: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science 2148 Riverside Drive, 601-576-6000, museum.mdwfp.com

COURTESY BALLET MAGNIFICAT!

5406 Interstate 55 N., 601-977-1001, balletmagnificat.com

IMANI KHAYYAM

Religious ministry takes many forms. The company members of Ballet Magnificat! wish to bring Christian gospel teachings to a wide range of people through “dance, dance/drama and personal witness.� Their Alpha and Omega companies have recently toured works like “Snow Queen,� “Stratagem,� and “Face to Face� for the Jackson area. In February, Ballet Magnificat! is back on the road. The group will perform in Albuquerque, N.M., and then participate in a workshop Phoenix, Ariz. And those are the only first two stops for the intrepid dance group. Through accountability between themselves and their religious community, the company members strive for excellence in the intersection of their art and spirituality. —Zachary Oren Smith Finalists Ballet Mississippi (201 E. Pascagoula St., Suite 106, 601-960-1560) / Dancing Dolls (The Dollhouse Dance Factory, 1410 Ellis Ave., 601-969-4000, dollhousedancefactory.com) / Front Porch Dance (frontporchdance.org) / Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet (110 Homestead Drive, Madison, 601-853-4508, msmetroballet.com) / Montage Theatre of Dance (Hinds Community College, hindscc.edu)

Best Stage Play: “A Christmas Carol�

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jacksonians’ choice for the Best Community Garden/Nature Attraction, has a little bit of nature for everyone, including aquariums, dinosaur fossils and models, conservation exhibits, and its plant-life-filled walking trails. The museum, which was established in 1932, has been located on the Lefleur’s Bluff State Park grounds since 2000. Before then, it was located downtown on Jefferson Street for about 30 years. “To be in the middle of Jackson and being able to connect with nature in the middle of the city in a facility that’s affordable and as well as being able to learn is really cool,� Assistant Director Angel Rohnke says. The museum also brings in exhibits from all over the country, and it rotates them every six months. The most recent, “Wolf to Woof,� focused on the evolution of dogs. Rohnke says that the museum chooses exhibits based on its mission to provide attractions that families can have fun with and learn from. The newest traveling exhibit, “Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies,� opened Jan. 23. —Imani Khayyam Finalists The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601960-1515, msmuseumart.org) / Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton, 601-926-1104, clintonnaturecenter.org) / Mynelle Gardens (4736 Clinton Blvd., 601-960-1894) / The Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St., 601-352-2580)

If you’re rich in money but poor in spirit, be careful—the ghosts of past, present and future may be paying you a visit. Charles Dickens’ famous novella, “A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas,� known to most as “A Christmas Carol,� was published in 1843. Since its first publication date, the story has gained a special place in Christmas canon and been developed in a variety of forms, including multiple movies, musicals and other media. It’s a tale that reveals the true spirit of Christmas and is loved by many, so it’s no wonder that it New Stage Theatre’s production of the story has won Best Stage Play three years in a row. For many years, New Stage has performed its own biannual adaptation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,� most recently in December 2015. The play tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy tax collector who is notorious for “bah-humbugging� his way through the holidays. Over the course of the story, the ghosts of past, present and future journey with him through painful losses in his life and reveal to him the joy of Christmas Day. —Amber Helsel Finalists: “A Time to Kill� (New Stage Theatre, 1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com) / “Aladdin’s Dance� (Montage Theatre of Dance at Hinds Community College, hindscc.edu) / “Crimes of the Heart� (New Stage Theatre, 1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com) / “The Rocky Horror Show� (Fondren Theatre Workshop, fondrentheatreworkshop.com)

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New Stage Theatre, 1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3533, newstagetheatre.com

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Best Cover Band; Best Jazz Band: Southern Komfort Brass Band

Best Rock Artist/Band; Best Singer: Jason Turner, Jason Turner Band

If there’s one thing that the people of Jackson love, it’s a good time with an excellent live band. When the weekend rolls around, we just want to pull out our best dance moves, and while the live-music variety is plentiful in the city, voters once again showed their love for Jackson’s “instant party� jazz act Southern Komfort Brass Band, delivering its third consecutive wins for both the Best Cover Band and Best Jazz Artist or Band categories. Since the band formed in 2010, Jacksonians have fallen in love with Southern Komfort’s clever takes on cover songs at their performances at festivals, parades and many of the best venues around the city (including leading a second line at last year’s Best of Jackson party). While the nine-piece band plays plenty of classic jazz favorites and original tunes, Southern Komfort is also known for applying its signature New Orleans sound to tracks from other genres, such as Pharrell Williams’ “Happy,� James Brown’s “I Feel Good� and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.� —Jessica Smith

Singer-songwriter Jason Turner has continually found local and regional success, whether he’s playing at concert venues or coffee shops, solo or with a band. After several Best of Jackson wins in consecutive years, Jacksonians selected Turner as this year’s Best Rock Artist/Band and Best Singer. Turner began his career at age 15 after listening to punk and grunge music. He first performed at the Jubilee Jam in 1997 and eventually moved to Nashville to pursue his music in 2004. In 2008, he decided to return home and has been playing music full time ever since. “I like to travel around the region, just far enough where I can go home if I need to,� Turner says. “I’m a musician but a father first. Being able to support (and spend time with) my family is one of the biggest benefits to this career.� Turner plans to release his latest album, “Reset,� within the next few months and says this is the most excited he’s been about a recording project yet. —Mike McDonald

jasonturnerband.com

COURTESY JASON TURNER

DANE CARNEY

Best Rock Artist/Band Finalists Aaron Coker Band (reverbnation.com/aaroncoker) / Dream Cult (dreamcult.bandcamp.com) / Stonewalls / Storage 24 (bandmix.com/storage24) / Young Valley

Best Cover Band Finalists Acoustic Crossroads / Hunter Gibson and the Gators (huntergibson.com) / Shadz of Grey / U.S Best Jazz Band Finalists Barry Leach (barryleach.com) / Lisa Palmer / Pam Confer / Raphael Semmes / Vibe Doctors Jazz Project

Best Singer Finalists Aaron Coker (reverbnation.com/aaroncoker) / Akami Graham (artistecard.com/akamigraham) / Chris Link / Hunter Gibson (huntergibson.com) / Jj Thames

Best Open Mic Night; Best Place to Drink Cheap: Fenian’s Pub

Best Live Music Venue; Best Place to Book a Party or Shower: Duling Hall

901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com

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26

622 Duling Ave., 601-292-7121, dulinghall.com

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

TATE K NATIONS

Voters have delivered a Best of Jackson hat trick with a third back-to-back Best Open Mic Night victory for Fenian’s Pub. It’s also the beloved bar’s second consecutive year to win the Best Place to Drink Cheap, and few categories go together quite as well as those. With a daily happy hour offering $1 off everything from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m., performers have time to gather a little liquid courage before grabbing some open-mic time on a Tuesday night. While Fenian’s attracts plenty of musicians, the bar also welcomes comedians and entertainers of all types to its bar-side stage. For those who’d rather wait to make their mark on open-mic audiences, Fenian’s other drink specials—including discounts on single-liquor drinks and beer, Pint Nights on Thursdays and Fridays, the “Guns and Hoses� discount for Jackson police officers, EMTs, and firemen, and $1 drinks for service-industry employees from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Thursday—might give you enough incentive to stop by. —Micah Smith

Walking into an empty Duling Hall, it’s possible to get a glimpse of what Jackson’s entertainment-seekers see in the space, which is a renovated school from the 1920s. There’s about 6,000 square feet of dance floor, which holds about 400 partygoers, a topof-the-line sound and lighting system, and a bar to keep the beer flowing. However, if you step into one of the many energy-filled events from Ardenland owner Arden Barnett, who rents the property, you’ll find out why Jacksonians chose Duling Hall as the Best Live Music Venue and Best Place to Book a Party or Shower for the second year running. Barnett is known for bringing in all types of nationally known entertainers, from comedian W. Kamau Bell to folk favorite Iron & Wine, and he says patrons can expect even bigger events in 2016. He also had a few thoughts on why locals honor the venue regularly. “One, we don’t book sh*t bands, and two, the bands love coming to play Duling. They keep coming back, and they tell other bands,� he says. “People in Jackson know good music.� —Micah Smith

Best Open-Mic Night Finalists McB’s Bar & Grill (815 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-956-8362) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) / One Block East (642 Tombigbee St., 601-9440203, oneblockeast.com) / Synergy Nights at Mediterranean Fish and Grill (6550 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-0082)

Best Live Music Venue Finalists Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., 601-948-0888, halandmals.com) / Martin’s Restaurant & Lounge (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinslounge.net) / South Street Live (110 E. South St.) / The Hideaway (5100 Interstate 55 N., 769-208-8283) / Underground 119 (now closed, underground119.com)

Best Place to Drink Cheap Finalists Martin’s Restaurant & Lounge (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinslounge.net) / One Block East (642 Tombigbee St., 601-944-0203, oneblockeast.com) / Sam’s Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526) / Shucker’s Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com)

Place to Book a Party or Shower Finalists Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / Pump It Up (1576 Old Fannin Road, Suite P, Brandon, 601-992-5866, pumpitupparty.com) / The Bulldog (6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com) / The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601-366-5552) / The South Warehouse (627 E. Silas Brown St., 601-939-4518)

Thanks for your Votes!

FINALIST BEST WINE/LIQUOR STORE Best of Jackson 2015

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Best Bar: Fondren Public

Best Blues Artist/Band: Bobby Rush

2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589

bobbyrushbluesman.com

COURTESY BOBBY RUSH

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

To be good, a bar should have a couple of things—chief among them, a great drink selection and good people. Fondren Public, Jacksonians’ choice for 2016’s Best Bar, certainly has both. In addition to its heavier options, the bar has 24 beers on tap, with selections from breweries such as Southern Prohibition Brewing, New Belgium Brewing Company and Lucky Town Brewing Co. Fondren Public also has a fully stocked food menu that features dishes such as Public Chips, which have pulled pork, melted queso, pickled okra and red onions. If the drinks and food aren’t enough, the outdoor deck offers cornhole, shuffleboard and bocce ball, a game similar to lawn bowling. Most nights of the week, though, you’ll find a crowd enjoying all of the above. —Amber Helsel

Most anyone who follows the local blues scene knows that the Best Blues Artist or Band category is as competitive as ever. Mississippi is the birthplace of music, and blues is its chief export. For a second year running, voters let it be known that Bobby Rush is Jackson’s bluesman of choice. While he’s a native of Homer, La., Rush is a lover of the capital city and has played all over Jackson. The “Year of Bobby Rush� began in 2014 with his Grammy nomination for best blues album and kept rolling through 2015, when he performed on “The Tonight Show� and was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. When the harmonica-playing, guitar-picking icon isn’t performing, he’s sharing his knowledge with the next generation of Jackson blues artists. —Jessica Smith

Finalists Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Martin’s Restaurant & Lounge (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinslounge.net) / Shucker’s Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) / The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs (655 Dulng Ave., 769-257-3517, apothecaryjackson.com)

Finalists Chris Gill (chrisgillmusic.com) / Jarekus Singleton (jarekussingleton.com) / Jesse Robinson (jesseguitarrobinson.com) / Scott Albert Johnson (scottalbert johnson.com)

Best Club DJ: DJ Young Venom

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Finalists DJ Phingaprint / DJ Rozz (reverbnation.com/djrozz) / DJ Taboo (digitaldjpool.com/Mitchtaboo) / DJ URI

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Best Country Artist/Band: Jason Miller Band reverbnation.com/jmillermusic

COURTESY JASON MILLER BAND

Growing up, this year’s Best Club DJ, Phillip Rollins, known to fans as DJ Young Venom, knew that he wanted to pursue deejaying at an early age. As a student at Madison Central High School, he would often see its influence firsthand at school functions. “Going to school dances and being able to see how the deejay could control the crowd kind of set the tone for me,� he says. “It wasn’t really a power thing. I just enjoyed seeing how the music made people happy.� These days, when he isn’t working the ones and twos at a party, Rollins is at his business, Offbeat—though he’s often on the turntables there, too. Rollins expects to do a lot more traveling this year and hopes to pass the torch down to an up-andcoming deejay. “I can DJ forever, but if I don’t give anyone else the opportunity to come up and shine, then that defeats the whole purpose,� he says. —Danie Matthews

A Best Country Artist or Band win has been a long time coming for the Jason Miller Band. Miller, the group’s jovial vocalist, performed for local fans for more than a decade with various bands, including Crossin’ Dixon, even before forming his eponymous band in 2012. Now, the Jason Miller Band, which features drummer Nathan Spears, keyboardist Topher Brown, and guitarists John Andy Bowen and Jamie Bright, performs covers and original music all across the Southeast. The group is also preparing to record its first album. “We were all really honored by (the Best of Jackson nomination) because, to us, that means a lot,� Miller says. “That means we’re doing our job. The cool thing is that we get paid for doing something we love. Any time you can be paid for something you love, that’s a bonus.� —Micah Smith Finalists Burnham Road (artistecard.com/burnhamroad) / Jason Turner Band (jasonturnerband.com) / South of 20 / Young Valley

COMING UP

WEDNESDAY

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NEW BOURBON STREET JAZZ BAND Restaurant - 6 - 8:30 pm

Pub Quiz

WITH

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JASON DANIELS FRIDAY

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HAPPY HOUR Tuesday - Friday 5 pm - 7 pm 1/2 off drink menu.... 2 for 1 shots

BILL

SHAKESPEARE SATURDAY

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We’re still #1!

Finalist Best Place to Play Pool Best of Jackson 2016

INDUSTRY HAPPY HOUR Daily

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DAILY 12pm

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 â€¨â€Š7pm BEER SPECIALS

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We appreciate your votes and support! Thank you for making us finalists in: Best College Student Hangout LGBT Hangout Open Mic Night Place to Drink Cheap Best of Jackson 2016

WEDNESDAY 1/27

THURSDAY 1/28

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Friday, February 12

FRIDAY 1/29

Tuesday, February 9

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SATURDAY 1/30 Restaurant Open as Usual

MONDAY 2/1 CENTRAL MS BLUES SOCIETY PRESENTS:

BLUE MONDAY Restaurant - 7pm - $5

TUESDAY 2/2

PUB QUIZ with Jimmy Quinn Restaurant - 7:30pm - $2 to Play

WEDNESDAY 2/3

JAMIE WEEMS & MARK ROEMER Restaurant - 5 - 8 pm

UPCOMING

Saturday, February 6: Enough Said Event & DJ Rozz Present: Neon Kiss Glow Party doors at 9pm

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Thank you for nominating us! Finalist: Best New Bar Best New Restaurant

NEVER A COVER!

29

THE AWARD WINNING

CROSSROADS FILM FESTIVAL

MARCH 31 – APRIL 3, 2016

WWW.CROSSROADSFILMFESTIVAL.COM 1800 N State St, Jackson, MS 39202 Visit us everyday from 6 am - 9 pm 601-398-2174 | www.deepsouthpops.com

New  Stage  Theatre        presents

Edward Albee’s .0/%": 'SJFE (SFFO 5PNBUP # - 5 4"-"%

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30

            Directed  by Â

Francine  Thomas  Reynolds

January  26  -­  February  7,  2016 For  tickets:  601-­948-­3531 or  newstagetheatre.com

Sponsored  by

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?� is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

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Best Gospel Artist/Group: The Mississippi Mass Choir

Best Jukebox: Ole Tavern on George Street

The Mississippi Mass Choir, this year’s “Best Gospel Artist/Group,� has ministered to people in more than 40 states and six different countries through music since forming in 1988. The choir has won numerous awards over the past two decades, including four 1989 Stellar Awards—Choir of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artist and Best Gospel Video—and Billboard’s Gospel Artist of the Year in 1992. Hit songs such as “It’s Good to Know Jesus� and “Call Him Up� also opened doors for the Mississippi Mass Choir to make a history in 1996 as the first gospel group to perform at the Acropolis of Athens, an ancient citadel located in Greece. With the group’s latest album, “Declaration of Dependence,� which hit stores in June 2014, the Mississippi Mass Choir may be approaching even more milestones in the near future. —Danie Matthews

Finalists CS’s (1359 West St., 601-969-9482) / JC’s Construction (425 N. Mart Plaza, 601-362-3108) / One Block East (642 Tombigbee St., 601-944-0203) / Sam’s Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526)

Best Hip-Hop Artist/Group: SilaS COURTESY SILAS

COURTESY MISSISSIPI MASS CHOIR

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

416 George St., 601-960-2700

Most nights of the week, the Ole Tavern on George Street offers plenty of entertainment: pub quizzes, karaoke, deejays, live music and a ladies night. But in those rare instances when patrons have dead air on their hands, they turn to the two-story bar’s own unsung hero—the jukebox. For a second year, voters chose Ole Tavern’s Internet music player as Jackson’s Best Jukebox. Whether they’re craving recent hip-hop hits or would rather put their dollars toward some oldfaithful classic rock, the bar’s upstairs jukebox can instantly jolt some life into the party and fill the dance floor. If you aren’t sure what tune to turn on, no need to worry. The jukebox’s online features keep you informed on its latest additions. —Micah Smith

Finalists Ben Ford / Dathan Thigpen / Laurie Walker Hall

COURTESY DJ STACHE

For Casey Hardigree, known to fans as DJ Stache, karaoke is all about a love of music. He began hosting karaoke nights at Ole Tavern on George Street in 2010, where he can still be found every Wednesday. He has since built a loyal following, leading to Jackson voting him as this year’s Best Karaoke DJ. “Music is a common interest with everyone, so people will hear a song, and it will mean something different to them,� he says. “It may be the same song every week, but it’s always a different emotion behind it.� Hardigree says one thing that makes him unique is his interest in showmanship and commitment to making a good time. “It can be the worst song in the world—but as long as at least one person is getting into it, (it works),� he says.

Jackson native Silas Stapleton III, this year’s Best Hip-Hop Artist/Group, wants his music, which he releases as “SilaS,� to be both situational and timeless, helping people now or 20 years in the future. In part, music is also how he copes, he says. Even changing his name from his original stage moniker, Trey Parker, was a way to deal with years of doubt and insecurity . Friends and colleagues expected him to act contrary to the image he wanted for his music, including his upcoming album, “The Day I Die,� which comes out Feb. 16. “Telling the truth and being yourself are very important,� Stapleton says. “For a while, I tried comedy and, after receiving much needed advice from a friend, (I) quit telling jokes on stage, focused more on music and changed my image to fit my style. The music has always stayed the same.� —Mike McDonald Finalists 5th Child (5thchildmusic.bandcamp.com) / Coke Bumaye (cokebumaye. bandcamp.com) / Hollywood Luck (1stupluck.bandcamp.com) / Skipp Coon (tibbit.bandcamp.com)

—Danie Matthews Finalists Angela Pittman (Krazy Karaoke) / Cory Drake / Matt Collette

The 2016 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in downtown -DFNVRQ ,QYLWDWLRQ RQO\ ,I \RX DUH D ¿ QDOLVW RU ZLQQHU DQG QHHG WR RSVP, please call Mary @ 601-362-6121 x18 by Friday at 3 p.m.! Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

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Best Karaoke DJ: Casey Hardigree (DJ Stache)

31

Best LGBT Hangout: WonderLust

Best New Bar: South Street Live

If you’re looking for the most “Vegas� bar in Jackson, this year’s Best LGBT Hangout, is a great contender. WonderLust, an 18-and-over club, is open on Friday and Saturday nights and is what owner Jesse Pandolfo calls a combination of sleek, sexy vibes and cleanliness. She opened the club Sept. 19, 2015, and worried that only a small group of friends would show on opening night. She was wrong. More than 400 people attended its launch party. “We ended up having a huge party, and it really took off,� she says. The club plays a variety of music, from EDM music to hip-hop, and there’s a drag show every Saturday. Pandolfo says she wants WonderLust to be a place where people can be free to talk to whomever and dance however they please. “We are like the Planet Fitness of nightclubs,� Pandolfo says. “No judgment.� —Arielle Dreher

Countless Jacksonians have already partied in the green, yellow, and blue lights of South Street Live, their choice for 2016’s Best New Bar. Formerly called Club 110, South Street Live rebranded and changed management in May 2015 and sought to deliver a wider array of features, from beverages to entertainment offerings. Thus far, the venue has brought in performers such as Flo Rida, Natalie La Rose and Plies. Not only does South Street have a full kitchen and state-of-the-art sound and light systems, but it’s also one of the largest bars in Jackson, holding up to 2,500 people. Drink options include from “anything and everything,� bartender Luke Greenlee says, and specials include Fireball Fridays and Ladies Night every Saturday, where women enjoy free drinks until 11 p.m. Owner Colten Pigott says one of South Street Live’s main focuses is to ensure that visitors have an upscale nightlife experience each time they walk through the door. —Danie Matthews

Finalists Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / JC’s Construction (425 N. Mart Plaza, 601-362-3108) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

Best Place to Play Pool: The Green Room 444 Bounds St., 601-713-3444

If you walk into The Green Room on any given day, the look on patrons’ faces positioned over pool tables and the laughter filling the hall might tell you why Jacksonians selected it as the Best Place to Play Pool for more than five years running. Since 1997, The Green Room has remained one of the premier pool halls in the Jackson metro area. The Green Room, which is adorned with unique dÊcor, including its signature animal heads, serves up bar-favorite food and drinks and conducts regular tournaments for pool enthusiasts with the opportunity to win cash prizes. For manager Dwight Anderson, it’s the overall atmosphere, from its top-of-theline equipment to its friendly staff, that keeps customers coming back to The Green Room. —Danie Matthews

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COURTESY HUNTER GIBSON

Finalists One Block East (642 Tombigbee St., 601-944-0203, oneblockeast.com) / Pop’s Saloon (2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747) / Reed Pierce’s (6791 Siwell Road, Byram, 601-376-0777, reedpierces.com) / Sam’s Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601983-2526) / Shucker’s Oyster Bar (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com)

32

110 E. South St.

COURTESY SOUTH STREET LIVE

3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003

Finalists Big Sleepy’s (208 W. Capitol St., 601-863-9516) / ISH Grill & Bar (5105 Interstate 55 N., 769-257-5204) / Johnny T’s Bistro & Bar (538 N. Farish St., 601-954-1323) / WonderLust (3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003)

Best Place to Dance: Shucker’s Oyster Bar

116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com

After two consecutive years as a finalist in the category, Shucker’s Oyster Bar in Ridgeland nabbed the award for the Best Place to Dance in 2016. While Jackson has a strong stable of other dancing destinations, Shucker’s pushed ahead of the herd this year with its commitment to promoting fresh and fun live music. Throughout the week, Shucker’s brings in full bands and solo acts to perform everything from current country chart-toppers to tried-and-true ’80s classics. Perhaps best of all, most of the musical offerings are cover-free and take place on the restaurant’s deck. Even if your two feet are of the left variety, you can still catch local acts from around the Jackson metro area, such as Jason Turner, Hairicane, Bikini Frankenstein and Acoustic Crossroads. —Micah Smith Finalists F. Jones Corner (303 N. Farish St., 601-983-1148, fjonescorner.com) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) / The Hideaway (5100 Interstate 55 N., 769-208-8283) / WonderLust (3911 Northview Drive, 337-378-9003)

Best Musician: Hunter Gibson huntergibson.com

If there’s one thing Jackson has no shortage of, it’s talented musical entertainers, but each year, voters have to narrow it down to the best musician. Luckily, with longtime favorites such as pianist Hunter Gibson in the mix, the task gets a little easier. Gibson has performed for Mississippi audiences since 1982, and his band, Hunter & the Gators, has played together since 1991. Thus far, he has released three original albums and two live albums, but Jacksonians know him best for cover sets at venues such as Kathryn’s Steakhouse and Fitzgerald’s, where he mixes renditions of classic songs and recent hits from artists such as Ed Sheeran and Maroon 5. “When I started out, I was basically just playing songs I wanted to play. Now, we’re catering to what the audience wants to hear,â€? Gibson says. â€œâ€Ś You can come in and expect to hear anything from Frank Sinatra to Usher and everything in between.â€? —Micah Smith Finalists Adam Williams / Andrew Pates / Jason Turner (jasonturnerband.com) / Kerry Thomas / Scott Albert Johnson (scottalbertjohnson.com)

To see past winners, visit bestofjackson.com.

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Beer, Wine, Liquor, Mixers | Glass and Stemware Bar Equipment | Professional Bartending Teams Licensed by MS. ABC and Insured for Events

601.398.0151 | theironhorsegrill.com

Interested in interviewing musicians, reviewing albums and networking within Jackson’s music community?

THANK YOU

FOR VOTING US FINALIST

The Jackson Free Press is looking for

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interested in covering the city’s music scene.

BEST BURGER BEST FRENCH FRIES BEST VEGGIE BURGER BEST OUTDOOR DINING BEST OF JACKSON 2016

Please e-mail inquiries to

micah@jacksonfreepress.com ERVIEWS!!!

MUSIC_INT

CHECK THE JFP MUSIC LISTINGS FOR OUR LINEUP 1060

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601-­‐899-­‐0038 WWW.BURGERSBLUES.COM

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33

Best Pub Quiz/Trivia Night: Hal & Mal’s

Sexiest Female Bartender: Ashley Lewis

The Bulldog, 6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com

Jackson has plenty of bartenders whose attentiveness merits a handsome gratuity. But The Bulldog bartender Ashley Lewis, winner of Sexiest Female Bartender for three years running, is on a whole other level of customer-service appreciation. In December, for example, one of her customers threw a private party at a local bar on one of its closed days to celebrate Lewis’ 32nd birthday. “All my customers are awesome and try to do things to let me know,� Lewis says. Her own awesomeness—and reasons for her enthusiastic fan base—is evident from the shenanigans she engages in, such as summertime watergun fights and her decision once to affix googly eyes to random items around the restaurant. “We definitely put on a show,� she says. She thinks she’s at her best when the north Jackson bar is busiest, but she likes to unwind with a beer and a shot with members of her local service-industry family. “We’re a tight-knit group,� Lewis says. —R.L. Nave

FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BUYRNS

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

200 Commerce St., 601-948-0888, halandmals.com

If you’ve been to Tuesday night pub quiz at Hal & Mal’s recently, you’ve probably noticed a few changes. For one, former host Erin Bronson left the quiz game last spring, and Jonathan Webb and Taylor White took over. The pub quiz was renamed Bar Smarts last fall, and John Lindsey and Thomas Zuga began hosting. As of Dec. 8, comedian Jimmy Quinn is the new host. Regardless of the changes, Hal & Mal’s long-running pub quiz, which is this year’s Best Pub Quiz, remains a fun weeknight activity. Teams pay $2 per person and answer questions on topics such as movies, music, history, sports and holidays. The competition can get heated at times, but it’s all in good fun. Occasionally, you may even catch the Jackson Free Press staff playing. —Amber Helsel Finalists Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845, capitolgrill ofjackson.com) / Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Library Lounge (Fairview Inn, 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) / The Pig & Pint (3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com)

Best R&B Artist/Band: Time to Move Band

Finalists Angie Grace Weed (Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano, 970 Highland Colony Parkway, 601-354-6600) / Emylee A. Ingram (The Hideaway, 5100 Interstate 55 N., 769208-8283) / Hali Sappington (Local 463 Urban Kitchen, 121 Colony Crossing Way, Suite A, Madison, 601-707-7684) / Kodie Mann (Sam’s Lounge, 5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526)

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COURTESY TIME TO MOVE

Jacksonians selected perennial party-bringers Time to Move Band as this year’s Best R&B Artist or Band. Since bassist John Parker formed the group in 2004, Time to

34

Sexiest Male Bartender: Eli Juren

Saltine Oyster Bar, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899

Finalists Akami Graham / AJC / Jj Thames / Kerry Thomas

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IMANI KHAYYAM

Move has performed at nearly every variety of venue and event throughout the South— clubs, casinos, festivals, private functions, and, of course, plenty of JFP Chick Balls. While primarily an R&B outfit, Time to Move, which also features keyboardist Benjamin Bradley, drummer Eric Cager, guitarist CJ Robson, Jr., and vocalists Mary Jackson and Tim Jackson, prides itself on flexibility. The band also plays funk, dance, pop and blues covers. “We’ve spent a lot of time rehearsing to put together a fine set, and we appreciate everyone that voted for us,� Bradley says. “We look forward to continuing to provide good music.� —Shameka Hayes

Eli Juren’s alter ego comes to life behind the counter at Saltine Oyster Bar. The 22-year-old bartender says he’s a low-key and extremely quiet person outside of work, but while serving drinks, he is free to socialize and embrace his outgoing side. His friendliness might be the key to his win this year as Jackson’s Sexiest Male Bartender. His shy smile and cool tattoos don’t hurt, either. Juren, an Austin, Texas native, has been in Jackson for more than two years and said he prefers Jackson to his bigger Texas hometown. “It is a nice little change of pace moving here,� he says. He started as a server at Saltine a year ago, but eventually, he moved to bar staff, which he says fits his relaxed personality better. —Arielle Dreher Finalists Blake MacDonald (The Bulldog, 6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-9783502) / Jamie Moss (Fenian’s Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055) / Luke Greenlee (South Street Live, 110 E. South St.) / Perry Davis (Downtown Marriott, 200 E. Amite St., 601-969-5100)

Best Happy Hour; Best Place for Cocktails; Best Margarita; Best Mexican/Latin; Best Outdoor Dining; Best Place for a First Date: Babalu Tacos & Tapas 622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757, babalutacos.com

Best Place for Cocktails Finalists

If you’ve ever been in Babalu on a Friday night, Saturday night or any night really, you know the place is abuzz with a weird sort of energy: the kind that makes you want to be a part of it—even if it’s a 45-minute wait. The thing is, from cocktails to tacos, there’s a lot worth waiting for. On Mondays, you actually don’t have to wait to enjoy discounted cocktails. Babalu has mastered the alliteration that boosted margaritas to more than specialoccasion cocktails: Margarita Monday. The restaurant serves $5 margaritas all day long on Mondays, and if that isn’t enough to get you through the door, Tuesdays are Taco Tuesdays at Babalu, which translates to $2 per taco. The restaurant prides itself on fresh ingredients in drinks and entrees alike. The bar doesn’t have soda guns; the bartenders use canned soda, organic tonic water and in-house fruit-infused tequila. For tacos, Babalu offers blue-corn tortillas, fresh pico de gallo and your choice of seven to eight meats. The Baba Burger is one of the most popular menu options. Community coordinator and events manager Lindsey Miller says Babalu stands out because customers are encouraged to order different items and share around the table. At Babalu, the food comes out when it’s ready—not all at once, so sharing is a good idea anyway if you’re hungry. Another favorite feature at Babalu is the coveted patio tables, which provide a change of pace from the sometimes-loud dining room. Lounge sofas are perfect areas for meet-ups, and long tables enable larger groups to all sit together. The patio is often full in the summer, but Miller says it’s still a popular choice in wintertime. Babalu’s high energy largely comes from the great team that works there, she says. At Babalu, she says, “you know what to expect: for it to be busy but to get taken care of. ‌ Consistency is key.â€? As a staple and multi-category winner, Babalu has proved its consistency and presence as a reliable staple in the Jacktown restaurant rotation for Jackson Free Press readers once again. —Arielle Dreher

BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / Library Lounge (Fairview Inn, 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs (655 Dulng Ave., 769-257-3517, apothecaryjackson.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

Best Margarita Finalists

Jaco’s Tacos (318 S. State St., 601-961-7001, jacostacos.net) / La Cazuela (1401 E. Fortification St., 601-353-3014) / Las Margaritas (1625 E. County Line Road, Suite 120, 601-957-7672) / Papitos Mexican Restaurant and Grill (173 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-919-0448; 6376 Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-6654632) / Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950, sombramexicankitchen.com) Mexican/Latin Finalists

CafÊ OlÊ (2752 N. State St., 769- 524-3627) / El Sombrero (multiple locations) / Jaco’s Tacos (318 S. State St., 601-961-7001) / Papitos Mexican Restaurant and Grill (173 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-919-0448; 6376 Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-665-4632) / Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950, sombramexicankitchen.com) Outdoor Dining Finalists

Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-8990038, burgersblues.com) / Keifer’s (120 N. Congress St., 601-353-49756; 710 Poplar Blvd., 601-355-6825, keifers.net) / The Pig & Pint (3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601982-2633, walkersdrivein.com)

Place for a First Date Finalists

BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601982-2633, walkersdrivein.com) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899) / Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202, tableonehundred.com)

Best Happy Hour Finalists

Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845, capitolgrillofjackson. com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899 / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

Best Hangover Food; Place for Gyro; Place for Hummus: Keifer’s

FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

Like Icarus of Greek mythology, who despite his father’s warnings couldn’t resist flying too close to the sun, most mortals traveling near Keifer’s are unable to resist the restaurant’s tantalizing lure. In the first year for Best of Jackson categories recognizing achievement in gyro and hummus greatness, perhaps it’s not surprising that Keifer’s would come out victorious, despite some tough competition around the metro. And with science instructing us that filling one’s belly is the best way to stave off the effects of a night spent chugging spirits, Keifer’s could have just as easily won honors for best hangover-prevention food. The restaurant offers substantial portions of just about everything on its menu, including the aforementioned gyro (both the beef-lamb mixture and chicken varieties, and many more), which are also conveniently wrapped for pre-gaming on the go. Another good menu item for fighting the hangover blues are Keifer’s sliced-whole-potato cottage fries. —R.L. Nave

Best Hangover Food Finalists Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427) / Rooster’s (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001, glennfoods.com) / Soulshine Pizza Factory (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1, Ridgeland, 601-856-8646, 5352 Highway 25, Suite 1100, Flowood, 601-919-2000) / The Pizza Shack (925 E. Fortification St., 601-352-2001; 114 Byram Business Center Drive, 769-233-8875; 219 Garden Park Drive, 601-856-8600; thepizzashackjackson.com) Best Place for Hummus Finalists Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033) / Babalu Tacos & Tapas (622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757) / Kristos Amerigreek Dining (971 Madison Ave., Madison, 601-605-2266) / Mediterranean Fish and Grill (6550 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-0082) / Zeek’z House of Gyros (132 Lakeland Heights, Suite P, Flowood, 601-992-9498) Best Place for a Gyro Finalists Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com) / Krilakis (207 W. Jackson St., Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-790-9463; krilakis.com) / Kristos Amerigreek Dining (971 Madison Ave., Madison, 601-605-2266) / Zeek’z House of Gyros (132 Lakeland Heights, Suite P, Flowood, 601-992-9498, zeekzhouseofgyros.com)

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120 N. Congress St., 601-353-49756; 710 Poplar Blvd., 601-355-6825, keifers.net

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Thank you for making us finalists in:

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3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, Jackson | (601)981-3205 Like us on Facebook! www.surinofthailand.com

Best Brunch; Best Wine List/Selection: Table 100

Best Breakfast; Best Place for Dessert: Primos CafĂŠ

It can be tricky to do music and food. Sometimes, if the acoustics aren’t just right, the music can be so loud that you have to shout just to have a conversation with the person seated next to you at the table. Table 100 has figured out how to do that well with its piano bar and Sunday jazz brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. At brunch, the restaurant serves dishes such as Gulf shrimp and grits; Gulf blue-crab claws; buttermilk fried chicken; Angus prime rib; Table 100’s signature eggs Benedict, which comes with a buttermilk biscuit, pulled pork, smoked eggs and a smoked tomato barbecue Hollandaise sauce; traditional eggs Benedict; and Gulf crab-cake Florentine. Table 100 boasts many red and white wines, such as a Riff pinot grigio and Pennywise cabernet. Wines by the glass range from $6 to $13.50. White and red wine flights are also available for $10 and $12, respectively. —R.L. Nave Best Brunch Finalists BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111) / Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562) / Fairview Inn/1908 Provisions (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com) Best Wine List/Selection Finalists BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-9828111, bravobuzz.com) / CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169, caetwinebar.com) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-3398; primoscafe.com

Primos CafĂŠ nabbed a second year as Jackson’s Best Breakfast and Best Place for Dessert despite the stiff competition in both categories. The classic diner-style eatery has been one of Mississippi’s best stops for both baked goods and a balanced breakfast since Greeceborn baker Angelo “Popsâ€? Primos opened the business in the 1920s. Primos’ Ridgeland and Flowood locations offer all-day breakfast items, including buttermilk pancakes, made-to-order omelets, oatmeal and English muffins, which can be paired with a cup of French vanilla coffee. Then, once diners have downed their biscuits, eggs and bacon, they can step over to the bakery counter and see what sweets Primos has to offer. The restaurant has plenty of dessert options, whether you’re just grabbing a gingerbread man or pecan crunch cookie for the road or picking up a three-layer caramel cake to go. —Micah Smith

FILE PHOTO/TRIP BURNS

COURTESY TABLE 100

100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202

Best Breakfast Finalists Beagle Bagel (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 145, 769-251-1892; 898 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-956-1773; 100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601-856-4377; thebeaglebagelcafe.com) / Brent’s Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427) / Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900, broadstbakery.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562) Best Place for Dessert Finalists Amerigo Italian Restaurant (6592 Old Canton Road, 601-977-0563; 155 Market St., Flowood, 601-992-1550; amerigo.net) / BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-3982174, deepsouthpops.com) / La Brioche (2906 N. State St., 601-988-2299, labriochems.com) / Lou’s Full-Serv (904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359, lousfullserv.com)

Best Bakery; Best Sandwich Place: Broad Street Baking Company

Best Sandwich Place Finalists Basil’s (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601-982-2100; 120 N. Congress St., Suite L1, 601-9449888) / Beagle Bagel (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 145, 769-251-1892; 898 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-956-1773; 100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601-856-4377) / Room Service (4659 McWillie Drive, 601-362-4617; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 104, 601707-3600) / Signa’s Grille (680 Highway 51, Suite E., Ridgeland, 601-853-0266)

multiple locations; cupsespressocafe.com

Cody Cox, the general manager of Cups Espresso CafÊ’s Fondren location, who has been with the company for almost a decade, believes the business owes its continuing success to Jackson. “If the city hadn’t supported us, we wouldn’t be here—we wouldn’t have survived Starbucks and Seattle Drip and all of that throughout the years,â€? he says. “I don’t ever want anybody to lose sight of the fact that if the city hadn’t supported us, we wouldn’t still be here.â€? Since its opening in 1993, the company has expanded both in the number of company stores and in the number of franchise stores. Cox believes Cups’ coffee sourcing, the fact that it roasts the beans in house and the multiple locations are what sets the business apart from other coffee shops. —Adria Walker

Best College Student Hangout Finalists Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174, deepsouthpops.com) / Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com) / Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589) / Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349) Place to Get Coffee Finalists Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174) / Fusion Coffeehouse (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601-856-6001) / Mocha Mugs (multiple locations, mochamugs.com) / Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

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Best Bakery Finalists Campbell’s Bakery (3013 N. State St., 601-362-4628, campbellsbakery.ms) / La Brioche (2906 N. State St., 601-988-2299, labriochems.com) / Meme’s Brick Street Bakery (104 W. Leake St., Clinton, 601-278-0635) / Primos CafÊ (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-3398; primoscafe.com) / Sugar Magnolia Takery (5417 Highway 25, Flowood, 601-992-8110)

Best College Student Hangout; Best Place to Get Coffee: Cups Espresso CafĂŠ

TATE K NATIONS

COURTESY BROAD STREET

4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900, broadstbakery.com

Broad Street Baking Company, winner for Best Bakery and Best Sandwich Place, is gearing up for what it hopes to be a banner year for its award-winning king cakes, with a goal of selling 3,500 during this year’s season, which runs from Jan. 6 to Fat Tuesday on Feb. 9. The bakery also plans to celebrate Mardi Gras this year with specials such as almond cream cheese and jalapeĂąo cheddar crawfish king cakes; sugar cookies; and gluten-sensitive mini king cakes. Sandwich lovers have plenty of other options at Broad Street, as well, including the signature turkey sandwich with basil mayonnaise and its tomato basil grilled cheese. “Really, any sandwich on focaccia bread is the best sandwich, that’s what we tell any customer that asks,â€? Broad Street Manager Michael Thomas says. —Dustin Cardon

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Best Place to Watch the Game; Best Local Burger; Best Local French Fries: Burgers & Blues 1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038, burgersblues.com

Best Place for Healthy Food; Best Vegetarian Options: Rainbow Co-Op

restaurant with a bar, so you don’t have to be ashamed to bring your kids here,� Sahler says. “Bring your family or bring your friends, have a beer, have a burger, watch the game or listen to some music in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.� —Dustin Cardon FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

Once again, Burgers & Blues has taken home top honors for its burgers and game-watching experience in Best of Jackson, although it also brought home the gold for its fries this year. Owner and operator Steven Sahler promises his customers that, going into 2016, the restaurant is just getting started, with plenty of contests, menu items and more on the way in the coming months. “We’ve been open almost six years and have been nominated for best burger for most of those years, and we appreciate all of the support our guests have given us,� Sahler says. The staff at Burgers & Blues handpatties the restaurant’s burgers every day, and all the ingredients, down to the special seasoning that goes on them, is always fresh as well. Those looking to watch the game can do so on any of the restaurant’s 22 50-inch televisions, even on the large outdoor patio. “We’re not a bar; we’re a

Best Place to Watch the Game Finalists 4th & Goal Sports CafÊ (5100 Interstate 55 N., 769-208-8283) / Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845, capitolgrillofjackson.com) / Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589) / The Alumni House (110 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl, 601-939-5238, alumnihouse pearl.com) / The Bulldog (6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com) Best Local Burger Finalists Babalu Tacos & Tapas (622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757, babalutacos.com) / Cool Al’s (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-713-3020) / Mugshots Grill & Bar (4245 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-932-4031; 879 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-978-1972; mugshotsgrill andbar.com) / Rooster’s (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001, glennfoods.com) / Stamps Super Burgers (1801 Dalton St., 601-352-4555) Best Local French Fries Finalists CAET Wine Bar (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 601-321-9169) / Cool Al’s (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-713-3020) / The Feathered Cow (4760 Interstate 55 N., 769-233-8366) / Rooster’s (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899)

Best Soul Food; Best Lunch Buffet: Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ & BBQ 751 Highway 51, Madison, 601-856-4407, hamils.com

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Being a vegetarian or even just eating healthy isn’t always easy. You have to deal with a culture that, for many years, has led a conveniencefood lifestyle, and as a vegetarian, sometimes you don’t have many options. Either way, it helps to have somewhere that understands. Whether you’ve decided to take animal products out of your diet or are just looking for a healthier place to shop locally, Rainbow Co-Op is a good option. It has been a staple in the community for many years, and it stocks everything from organic spices and teas to pour-your-own flours, beans and more to produce to healthy snack foods. Along with groceries, Rainbow also has organic beauty products such as moisturizers and shampoos and conditioners. If you just want a healthy restaurant to eat at, vegetarian and vegan restaurant High Noon CafÊ is located inside Rainbow Plaza. While it has many options, some of its specials include nacho salad, High Noon burgers, pizza and its famed seaside cakes. Over the years, Jackson Free Press readers have voted for both Rainbow Co-op and High Noon for Best of Jackson categories such as best place for healthy food and best vegetarian options. With their variety of healthy products, it’s no wonder they continue to win year after year. —Amber Helsel Best Place for Healthy Food Finalists Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com) / High Noon CafÊ (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602, rainbowcoop.org) / Beagle Bagel (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 145, 769-251-1892; 898 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-9561773; 100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601-856-4377; thebeaglebagelcafe.com) / Mediterranean Fish and Grill (6550 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-0082) Best Vegetarian Options Finalists Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com) / BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / High Noon CafÊ (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602, rainbowcoop.org) / Thai Tasty (5050 Parkway Drive, Suite 7, 601-540-2534)

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

FILE PHOTO / TRIP BURNS

2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602, rainbowcoop.org

Starting in a small cabin only big enough for 60 people in 1977, Mama Hamil’s grew into a Jackson staple that has come to be a representation of soul food for many local diners. Owner Bob Hamil, who is part of the fourth generation of Hamils to own the restaurant, expanded the locale in 2007 with seating for 300 and the addition of a lunch buffet. With a menu that includes turnip greens, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, pulled pork, fried catfish, smoked chicken, and more, it’s not hard to see why the restaurant has taken home awards and mentions in Best of Jackson for years. And for dessert, you can’t miss out on southern favorites such as bread pudding and peach cobbler. Mama Hamil’s is open for lunch Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for dinner Thursday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. —Dustin Cardon Best Soul Food Finalists Bully’s Restaurant (3118 Livingston Road, 601-362-0484) / Gloria’s Carryout (972 Mayes St., 601-362-0009) / Georgia Blue (111 Colony Way, Suite 130, Madison, 601-898-3330; 223 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-1900; georgiablue.net) / Two Sisters’ Kitchen (707 N. Congress St., 601-353-1180) Lunch Buffet Finalists Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi (153 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-8879; 433 Riverwind Drive, Pearl, 601-706-2833) / Spice Avenue (4711 Interstate 55 N., 601-982-0890) / Thai House (1405 Old Square Road, 601-982-9991) / Two Sisters’ Kitchen (707 N. Congress St., 601-353-1180)

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LAND MEETS SEA MEETS HEAVEN.

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@TicosSteakhouse www.TicosSteakhouse.com 601-956-1030 1536 E County Line Rd, Ridgeland, MS 39157

Best New Restaurant; Best Seafood: Half Shell Oyster House

Best Local Fried Chicken: Two Sisters’ Kitchen 707 N. Congress St., 601-353-1180

115 Laurel Park Cove, Suite 105, Flowood, 769-257-7586, halfshelloysterhouse.com

COURTESY HALF SHELL OYSTER HOUSE

This year, the awards for Best New Restaurant and Best Seafood go to a new player on the scene: Half Shell Oyster House. With its murals and jazz music, the restaurant transports guests to a night in the French Quarter. “We want people feeling right at home when they walk in here,â€? Jordan Carlson, a manager at Half Shell, says. For a customer’s first time dining there, Carlson recommends the Big Easy surf and turf, a 6-ounce steak served on a homemade crab cake with a drizzle of BĂŠarnaise sauce and a crumble of lump crab meat. With eight locations occupying Mississippi, Alabama and even one Florida, Half Shelf is making its mark on southern seafood. “We are happy with our success,â€? Carlson says, “and we look forward to sharing our food with more people.â€? —Zachary Oren Smith

While consistently making its appearance in Best of Jackson each year, it’s important to remember that the fried chicken at Two Sisters’ Kitchen has also made appearances nationally on Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nationâ€? and on blogs such as foodandwine.com. To make the chicken, the restaurant’s owner and founder, Diann Irving Alford, begins by removing the skin from fresh cuts of chicken. Without the skin, Two Sisters’ chicken is less greasy and is able to better absorb their secret spices. After about 12 minutes in the fryer, it comes right out to the buffet, golden brown and ready to soothe the soul. When people ask her about changing up her chicken, she responds, “If people can’t count on Two Sisters’, who can they count on?â€? —Zachary Oren Smith Finalists Primos CafĂŠ (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-936-3398; primoscafe.com) / Rooster’s (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001, glennfoods.com) / Mama Hamil’s Southern Cookin’ & BBQ (751 Highway 51, Madison, 601-856-4407; hamils.com) / McDade’s Markets (Multiple locations, mcdadesmarkets.com)

Best Beer Selection: The Bulldog

Best Barbecue: The Pig & Pint

3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070, pigandpint.com

FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

If you think about it, barbecue is an international language. St. Louis, Mo. has its dry rub. Memphis has its sauce. Countries such as South Korea have their own styles all together. Mississippi barbecue tends to blend many of the southern types, so it’s no surprise that the food style is fairly easy to come by anywhere in the state. But new names in barbecue are adding modern twists on Mississippi barbecue. The Pig & Pint has only been open for a couple of years, but it’s managed to win Best of Jackson categories for the last two years. Since it opened in 2014, the restaurant has set itself apart from many barbecue places. While it has classics such as ribs and barbecue plates, it also has dishes such as barbecue nachos, tacos and fries. The restaurant also added Memphis-style wings to the menu late last year. Other dishes include pork-belly corn dogs, which come with a seasonal beer mustard and smoked tomato-ginger jam, and fried boudin balls, which come with house B&B pickles in addition to the condiments. —Amber Helsel

Finalists / Chimneyville Smokehouse (970 High St., 601-354-4665, chimneyville.com) / E&L Barbeque (1111 Bailey Ave., 601-355-5035) / Hickory Pit (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-7079) / Sylvester’s MS Style BBQ (9143 Highway 18, Raymond, 601-346-8000) / Tay’s Barbecue (119 Colony Crossing Way, Suite 860, Madison, 601-853-0706)

Finalists Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589) / Hops & Habanas (2771 Old Canton Road, 769-572-4631; 123 Grandview Blvd., Suite N, Madison, 601-853-7449) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899) / The Pig & Pint (3139 N. State St., 601-326-6070)

Best Sushi/Japanese: Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi

153 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-8879; 433 Riverwind Drive, Pearl, 601-706-2833

Most people can’t afford to travel 6,758 miles to Japan to enjoy the innovative and interesting cuisine. Luckily, Ichiban Hibachi & Sushi in Flowood offers an easier and more affordable way to try unique Japanese dishes such as yellowtail with jalapeĂąos or an eel roll with avocado. For the non-sushi eaters, Ichiban has hibachi, which traditionally means “fire bowl,â€? where chefs fry up noodles or rice, vegetables and meat of your choosing. If you’re lucky, you might get a show. Ichiban is open for lunch with specials starting at $9 or an evening out with a full bar of fine wines and spirits. For more information, visit ichibangrillms.com. —Maya Miller Finalists Crazy Ninja Rock-N-Roll Sushi & Hibachi (2560 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-420-4058) / Edo Japanese Cuisine (5834 Ridgewood Road, Suite C, 601-899-8518) / Little Tokyo (876 Avery Blvd., Ridgeland, 601-991-3800) / Nagoya (6351 Interstate 55 N., Suite 131, 601-977-8881; 111 Colony Crossing, Suite 380, Madison, 601-856-5678) / Sakura Bana (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 11, 601-982-3035, sakurabanajackson.com)

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Best Seafood Finalists Drago’s Seafood Restaurant (Hilton Jackson, 1005 East County Line Road, 601-9571515, dragosrestaurant.com) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601982-2899) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Parkway., Suite 9015, 601853-3474) / Sal & Phil’s Po’Boy (6600 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-957-1188) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com)

The tap lineup at The Bulldog can be a tad intimidating for non-beer drinkers, and heavenly magic for beer connoisseurs—but whichever end of the beer spectrum you find yourself on, rest assured that the bar has you covered. Since opening in 2007, The Bulldog in Jackson wanted one thing: to be one of the beer experts in Jacktown. Mission accomplished. General Manager Valerie Alexander is meticulous in her upkeep of 62 beer taps, checking them on a day-to-day basis, cleaning the lines weekly and, most importantly, rotating the beer selection regularly. If you aren’t into anything on tap (unlikely, but let’s pretend), you could try one of the 60 bottled beers available. Not sure you’ll like your adventurous choice? The staff at the Bulldog let you try a beer before you commit to a full glass. So what’s the secret to keeping their beer selection so fresh? “I’m OCD with my tap wall,� Alexander says. Beer lovers rejoice. —Arielle Dreher

IMANI KHAYYAM

Best New Restaurant Finalists Drago’s Seafood Restaurant (Hilton Jackson, 1005 East County Line Road, 601957-1515) / Johnny T’s Bistro & Bar (538 N. Farish St., 601-954-1323) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9015, 601-853-3474) / Surin of Thailand (3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, 601-981-3205) / Zeek’z House of Gyros (132 Lakeland Heights, Suite P, Flowood, 601-992-9498, zeekzhouseofgyros.com)

6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com

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Yes! St. Paddy’s Day

is just around the corner! Visit HalandMals.com for a full menu and concert schedule

601.948.0888 200 S. Commerce St. Downtown Jackson,MS

Best Local Doughnuts: Donut Palace

Best Meal Under $10: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill

Like barbecue, doughnuts may seem like a universal language. Many people probably remember the times when someone would bring a dozen of the desserts in, whether they were glazed, chocolate-covered or ones such as bear claws. Donut Palace is one of those shops you can find pretty easily in the metro area. Most cities around here have at least one. The shops’ menus include items such as glazed doughnuts in vanilla, maple or chocolate flavors (you can even get them with sprinkles), ĂŠclairs such as chocolate Bavarian or a plain long John; jellyfilled doughnuts such as Bavarian crème, raspberry or Boston crème; or pastries such as apple turnovers or cinnamon rolls. Donut Palace sells out pretty quickly, so if you want donuts, you have to act fast. —Amber Helsel

If you’re looking for a great meal under $10, Jackson has a few options. One is Aladdin Mediterranean Grill. A Best of Jackson favorite for many years, Aladdin has been around since 2004. Owner Yoseph Ali decided to start the business when he saw the need for more restaurant options in the city. The menu includes appetizers such as fried kibby, which is two loaves of spiced ground beef and pine nuts encrusted in a sirloin cracked-wheat shell and deep-fried and served with a tzeki sauce, for $4.50; the chicken shawarma, which is marinated strips of chicken with tzeki sauce, romaine lettuce and tomatoes, for $5.99; and a Greek salad with feta cheese, black olives and Italian dressing for $5.49. Of course, if you want something a little pricier, the restaurant has dishes such as the chicken tecka and lamb kebab plates. Aladdin also has desserts including baklava and Aladdin’s chicken nuggets for children. If you’re looking for Mediterranean ingredients, the restaurant has a grocery store behind the restaurant. —Amber Helsel

multiple locations

Best Gumbo: Que Sera Sera 2801 N. State St., 601-981-2520

Finalists Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562, charrestaurant.com) / Hal & Mal’s (200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888, halandmals.com) / Seafood R’evolution (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 9015, 601-853-3474, seafoodrevolution.com) / T’Beaux’s Crawfish and Catering (941 Highway 80 E., Clinton, 601-831-7778; 5252-B Terry Road, Byram, 769-230-3855; 5649-C Highway 25, Flowood, 601-326-2723; tbeauxs.com)

Best Italian: Amerigo Italian Restaurant

6592 Old Canton Road, 601-977-0563; 155 Market St., 601-992-1550; amerigo.net

Service and quality are at the heart of long-time Best of Jackson contender Amerigo, with both traditional and modern favorites such as the restaurant’s most popular dish, chicken margarite, which is an angel-hair pasta with flame-grilled chicken breast, mozzarella, basil and an Italian cream sauce. Staples such as hand-tossed pizzas, threecheese tortellini and a large wine list also keep the customers coming back. The restaurant opened a new location in Flowood on Jan. 18, which features a private dining room with space for 60 people. Starting in March, Amerigo will also start catering to businesses, corporate events and weddings soon. —Dustin Cardon Finalists BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Cerami’s Italian Restaurant (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I, Flowood, 601-919-2829, ceramis.net) / Fratesi’s Italian Cuisine (910 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-956-2929) / Rossini (207 W. Jackson St., Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-856-9696, rossiniridgeland.com)

FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

Some people may say that if you get gumbo from any place than the French Quarter in New Orleans, it can’t be amazing. This is not true for Jackson. Local restaurant Que Sera Sera has mastered Cajun cuisine, and Jacksonians have yet again named its gumbo as a winner in this year’s Best of Jackson competition. Boo Noble opened Que Sera Sera 22 years ago in Fondren. To create the restaurant’s signature dish, Noble altered a recipe from the Duggan family of the Duggan Seafood Company. The gumbo is made from scratch with various seasonings, and shrimp, crab, crawfish, oysters, sausage, celery and okra. You can find comfort that it is at an affordable price, as are other selections on the menu. Whether customers want to sit inside, on the patio or order their gumbo for takeout, they can enjoy the famous Louisiana dish right here in Jackson. —Guy King

Finalists Basil’s (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601-982-2100; 120 N. Congress St., Suite L1, 601-944-9888) / CafÊ OlÊ (2752 N. State St., 769- 524-3627) / Picante’s Mexican Grill (960 N. State St., 601-398-1344) / Surin of Thailand (3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, 601-981-3205) / Zeek’z House of Gyros (132 Lakeland Heights, Suite P, Flowood, 601992-9498, zeekzhouseofgyros.com)

Best Local Pizza: The Pizza Shack

925 E. Fortification St., 601-352-2001; 114 Byram Business Center Drive, 769233-8875; 219 Garden Park Drive, 601-856-8600; thepizzashackjackson.com

The Pizza Shack has been taking home top honors for its pizza for many years, and with new developments on the way, such as a weekly kids’ night, pizza by the slice, and new menu items such as calzones, the pizzeria shows no signs of slowing down. “I’d say the key to all our success is training people the right way, to really be up to the customers’ standards,� Tony Hollins, the general manager at The Pizza Shack on Fortification Street, says. “We reached into Madison and Byram in 2015, and I want to see the company grow even more this year. I want to be able to provide more jobs as we grow and to provide even more product and payback to all the customers who have supported us.� —Dustin Cardon Finalists Lost Pizza Co. (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 230, 769-243-7478; 500 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 769-300-3116; 1392 W. Government St., Brandon, 601-8245515; lostpizza.com) / Miller’s Uptown (810 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-9571377) / Sal & Mookie’s New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919, salandmookies.com) / Soulshine Pizza Factory (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1, Ridgeland, 601-856-8646, 5352 Highway 25, Suite 1100, Flowood, 601-919-2000) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

Best Plate Lunch: Georgia Blue

111 Colony Way, Suite 130, Madison, 601-898-3330; 223 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-1900; georgiablue.net

With the closing of the Cherokee Inn last year, other restaurants had to fill in for its classic blue-plate lunch. In this year’s Best of Jackson contest, Georgia Blue has edged out the competition. In the tradition of the blue-plate lunch, Georgia Blue serves a different special each day. They include meatloaf, pot roast, chicken and dumplings, hamburger steak, and fried catfish. But all these pale in the presence of the restaurant’s Sunday prime rib. Make sure you come early because the lunch rush tends to leave them nothing but drippings. —Zachary Oren Smith Finalists McDade’s Markets (multiple locations, mcdadesmarkets.com) / Primos CafÊ (515 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-9363398; primoscafe.com) / The Trace Grill (574 Highway 51, Suite F, Ridgeland, 601-853-1014, thetracegrill.com) / Walker’s Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com)

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Finalists Daylight Donuts (5036 Parkway Drive, 767-572-7733, daylightdonuts.com) / Monroe’s Donuts and Bakery (multiple locations, monroesdonutsandbakery.com) / Pillow Donuts (1679 Old Fannin Road, Flowood, 601-992-6040; 707 Beau Pre Drive, Ridgeland, 601-790-9697)

FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com

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Best Restaurant: Walker’s Drive-In

Best Thai Restaurant: Thai House

Back in 1948, Walker’s Drive-In operated as an actual drive-in establishment, serving food in a casual atmosphere. Seventy years later, the restaurant, which has grown over the years, continues to serve from the original location, albeit with a different menu and customer base. The menu includes dishes such as fried green tomatoes with spicy crawfish and a charred tomato-lemon butter; Walker’s tamales, which have a sweet-corn sauce, black-eyed-pea hoppin’ John, pico de gallo and chipotle sour cream; and grilled redfish, which has basil aioli, Applewood smoked bacon, red onions, cheddar, lettuce and tomatoes Like the changing times, Walker’s tries to adapt with current trends but still maintaining the reasons the restaurant has stayed so successful for so long. “To hear we are nominated for a Best of Jackson award does not go unnoticed here,� says Effie Hubanks, Walker’s general manager. “We pride ourselves on purchasing seasonal produce from across Mississippi, which totals anywhere from 40 to 50 percent of our total produce volume. We like to think we’re a Fondren staple and intend to keep it that way for many years to come.� —Mike McDonald

With new restaurant options opening everywhere, it can be hard for the old guard to keep their hold. But the laid-back and full-flavored Thai House has kept its place as a Jackson favorite for Thai-style curries, noodles and fried rice. Though not the cheapest one out there, customers keep coming back to the Thai House because of the variety and quality of food that people have come to expect. In fact, the only real problem that can be associated with the Thai House is how you decide on a plate when each menu entry reads as tasty as the last. To help with this problem, the restaurant’s beef larb is not to be missed. Order it double Thai hot if you think you have what it takes. —Zachary Oren Smith

3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com

Finalists Babalu Tacos & Tapas (622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757, babalutacos.com) / BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com) / Lou’s Full-Serv (904B E. Fortification St., 601-487-6359, lousfull serv.com) / The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-3984562) / Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Ave., Suite 201, 601-982-2899)

COURTESY THAI HOUSE

1405 Old Square Road, 601-982-9991

Finalists Fusion Japanese & Thai Cuisine (1002 Treetops Boulevard, Flowood, 601-664-7588) / Surin of Thailand (3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, 601-981-3205) / Thai Tasty (5050 Parkway Drive, Suite 7, 601-540-2534)

Best Take-out: OEC Japanese Express Multiple locations

Best Steak: Shapley’s

868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601-957-3753, shapleysrestaurant.com

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For 30 years, Shapley’s has been a fine-dining institution for the Jackson foodie crowd. Though the restaurant has managed to rack up accolades for their wine and a reputation for table service, Jacksonians voted Shapley’s as Best Steaks in this year’s Best of Jackson contest. Whether you’re looking for a deeply marbled rib eye or prefer a leaner filet mignon, the chefs at Shapley’s prepare each cut with the attention required of beef masterpiece. And as if they couldn’t stand on their own, customers can request bacon-wrapped shrimp, sautÊed mushrooms, scallops, jumbo lump crab meat and baby artichoke hearts. Whether you are a steak-lover looking for a primo-plate or an omnivore looking to treat yourself, Shapley’s provides a tender, juicy hunk of heaven. —Zachary Oren Smith

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Finalists Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562) / Ely’s Restaurant & Bar (115 W. Jackson St., Suite 2E, Ridgeland, 601-605-6359) / Kathryn’s Steakhouse (6800 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-2803) / Tico’s Steak House (1536 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-1030, ticossteakhouse.com)

You may notice a food & drink category has been left off. Due to editorial error, one food truck was left off of the food-truck category on the Finalist ballot. In the interest of fairness, the Jackson Free Press has decided to do Best Food Truck as a standalone ballot in the spring of 2016. Keep an eye out for it in the coming weeks!

While the metro area still doesn’t have many places that do takeout for delivery, we have the next best thing: restaurants such as OEC Japanese Express. It’s one of those places in the area that you can find almost anywhere, and it’s cheap and easy. The menu has items such as sushi rolls that include California and shrimp tempura. You can also get hibachi orders including shrimp, scallops, or vegetables, which come with fried rice, carrots and a salad during dinner hours. OEC also has dishes such as edamame, Japanese egg rolls, squid salad and miso soup. And of course, you can’t forget the familiar pink sauce bottle that every table gets. For more information, find OEC Japanese Express on Facebook. —Amber Helsel Finalists Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com) / Best Wok Chinese Restaurant (225 Meadowbrook Road, 601-368-9555) / Mr. Chen’s Restaurant (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601-978-1865) / Wok 2 Go (1030 E. Peace St., Canton)

Best Veggie Burger: Majestic Burger

1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601-707-0093

A good veggie burger should have more than a little bit of that healthy element to let you know that you’re eating what you ordered. But it should also be good enough that it’s almost better than eating the real thing. If you’re looking for a good veggie burger, places such as Majestic Kitchen are a good choice. The restaurant has a full menu that includes items such as fish tacos, salads and sandwiches, but it also has a vegan and veggie burger. Both have mushrooms, onion, red bell peppers, corn and black beans. The veggie burger contains milk and cheese, while the vegan burger has a wheat-flour base. The restaurant has the option to build your own burger, with white, wheat and sweet sourdough bread; American, mozzarella, provolone or pepper jack cheese; and toppings including lettuce and spinach, and premium toppings such as avocado, jalapenos or sautÊed mushrooms. Whether you’re staying away from animal products or just trying to eat a little healthier, Majestic Kitchen is a good option. —Amber Helsel Finalists Babalu Tacos & Tapas (622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757, babalutacos.com) / Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038, burgersblues.com) / Cool Al’s (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-713-3020) / High Noon CafÊ (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602, rainbowcoop.org) / Local 463 Urban Kitchen (121 Colony Crossing Way, Suite A, Madison, 601-707-7684, local463.com)

JFPmenus.com Paid advertising section. Call 601-362-6121 x11 to list your restaurant

AMERICAN/SOUTHERN CUISINE

Basil’s (2906 N State St #104, Jackson, 601-982-2100) Paninis pizza, pasta, soups and salads. They’ve got it all on the menu. Broad Street Bakery (4465 Interstate 55 N. 601-362-2900) Hot breakfast, coffee drinks, fresh breads & pastries, gourmet deli sandwiches. The Feathered Cow (4760 I-55 North 769-233-8366) Simple and homemade equal quality and freshness every time. You never leave The Cow hungry! The Iron Horse Grill (320 W Pearl St, Jackson, 601-398-0151) The smell of charcoal greets you, the music carries you inside. Primos Cafe (2323 Lakeland 601-936-3398/ 515 Lake Harbour 601-898-3400) A Jackson institution for breakfast, blue-plates, catfish, burgers, prime rib, oysters, po-boys & wraps. Famous bakery! Rooster’s (2906 N State St, Jackson, 601-982-2001) You haven’t had a burger until you’ve had a Rooster’s burger. Pair it with their seasoned fries and you’re in heaven. Two Sisters Kitchen (707 N. Congress St. 601-353-1180) Lunch. Mon-Fri, Sun.

BREAKFAST

PIZZA

Sal & Mookie’s (565 Taylor St. 601-368-1919) Pizzas of all kinds plus pasta, eggplant Parmesan, fried ravioli & ice cream for the kids! Mellow Mushroom (275 Dogwood Blvd, Flowood, 601-992-7499) More than just great pizza and beer. Open Monday - Friday 11-10 and Saturday 11-11.

ITALIAN

BRAVO! (4500 Interstate 55 N., Jackson, 601-982-8111) Award-winning wine list, Jackson’s see-and-be-seen casual/upscale dining. Fratesi’s (910 Lake Harbour, Ridgeland, 601-956-2929) Fratesi’s has been a staple in Jackson for years, offering great Italian favorites with loving care. The tiramisu is a must-have!

STEAK, SEAFOOD & FINE DINING

Eslava’s Grille 2481 (Lakeland Dr, Flowood, 601-932-4070) Seafood, Steaks and Pastas The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 North State St. #100 601-398-4562) Transforms the essence of Mediterranean food and southern classics. The Penguin (1100 John R Lynch Street, 769-251-5222) Fine dining at its best. Rocky’s (1046 Warrington Road, Vicksburg 601-634-0100) Enjoy choice steaks, fresh seafood, great salads, hearty sandwiches. Sal and Phil’s Seafood (6600 Old Canton Rd, Ridgeland 601-957-1188) Great Seafood, Poboys, Lunch Specials, Boiled Seafood, Full Bar, Happy Hour Specials Saltine Oyster Bar (622 Duling Avenue 601-982-2899) Creative seafood classics. One of Jackson’s Best New Restaurants.

MEDITERRANEAN/GREEK

Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive 601-366-6033) Delicious authentic dishes including lamb dishes, hummus, falafel, kababs, shwarma. Zeek’s House of Gyros (132 Lakeland Heights Suite P, Flowood 601.992.9498) Jackson’s Newest Greek Restaurant, offering authentic gyros, hummus, and wide selection of craft beers.

BARBEQUE

Join us for these and other upcoming events!

Chimneyville (970 High St, Jackson 601-354-4665 www.chimneyville.com) Family style barbeque restaurant and catering service in the heart of downtown Jackson. Hickory Pit Barbecue (1491 Canton Mart Rd. 601-956-7079) The “Best Butts in Town� features BBQ chicken, beef and pork along with burgers and po’boys. Pig and Pint (3139 N State St, Jackson, 601-326-6070) Serving up competition style barbecue along with one of the of best beer selections in metro.

COFFEE HOUSES

Cups Espresso CafÊ (Multiple Locations, www.cupsespressocafe.com) Jackson’s local group of coffeehouses offer a wide variety of espresso drinks. Wi-fi.

ASIAN AND INDIAN Fusion Japanese and Thai Cuisine (1002 Treetops Blvd, Flowood 601-664-7588/1030-A Hwy 51, Madison 601-790-7999) Specializing in fresh Japanese and Thai cuisine, an extensive menu features everything from curries to fresh sushi. Surin of Thailand (3000 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, Jackson 601-981-3205) Jackson’s Newest Authentic Thai & Sushi Bar with 26 signature martini’s and extensive wine list.

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BARS, PUBS & BURGERS

4th & Goal Sports Cafe (North, 5100 I-55 Frontage Rd 769-208-8283) Handcrafted food made from the best ingredients. Burgers and Blues (1060 E. County Line Rd. 601-899-0038) Best Burger of 2013, plus live music and entertainment! Fenian’s Pub (901 E. Fortification St. 601-948-0055) Classic Irish pub featuring a menu of traditional food, pub sandwiches & Irish beers on tap. Hal and Mal’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 daily specials. ISH Grill & Bar (5105 I 55 N Frontage Rd. 769-257-5204) Jackson’s newest hot spot offering classic foods and cocktails in a refined and elegant atmosphere. Legends Grill (5352 Lakeland Dr. 601-919-1165) Your neighborhood Sports Bar and Grill. Martin’s Restaurant and Lounge (214 South State Street 601-354-9712) Lunch specials, pub appetizers or order from the full menu of po-boys and entrees. Full bar, beer selection. 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. One Block East ( 642 Tombigbee St. 601-944-0203) Burger joint and dive bar located in downtown Jackson. Great music, tasty beverages and Bad Ass Burgers is what we do.

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1/15/16 10:15 AM

Best Locally Owned Business; Best Men’s &ORWKLQJ 6WRUH %XIIDOR 3HDN 2XW¿ WWHUV

Best Museum; Best Tourist Attraction: Mississippi Children’s Museum

2145 Museum Blvd., 601-981-5469, mississippichildrensmuseum.com IMANI KHAYYAM

4500 Interstate 55 N., 601-366-2557, buffalopeak.net

COURTESY BUFFALO PEAK OUTFITERS

When owner Bobby McCain opened Buffalo Peak Outfitters, this year’s Best Locally Owned Business and Best Men’s Clothing Store, about 29 years ago, it catered mostly to Mississippi’s adventurous set. Customers gearing up for going outdoors can still find those products, such as YETI coolers and The North Face outerwear, but the store has also gained new customers with its lifestyle clothing options from companies such as Southern Marsh and Southern Shirt Company. Each member of the McCain family works at Buffalo Peak, including son Cody McCain, the store’s marketing director. Cody’s hobby—photography—has become a part of the business’ branding; he takes everything from product shots to nature scenes for social media. For him, the Best of Jackson wins show that Buffalo Peak’s customers appreciate the work they put into serving the community. “We have a history of treating people well in our store and try to make every person’s experience in the store an awesome one,â€? Cody McCain says. â€œâ€Ś That, and just having (products) that people here really love having, buying and wearing definitely contributes.â€? —Micah Smith

Best Locally Owned Business Finalists Bliss Gift and Home (4465 Interstate 55 N., 601-326-3337, blissgiftandhome.com) / Deep South Pops (1800 N. State St., 601-398-2174, deepsouthpops.com) / Mangia Bene (3317 N. State St., 601-982-4443) / Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave., offbeatjxn.com) / Studio Chane/Swello-Phonic (Swell-o-Phonic, 2906 N. State St., Suite 103, 601-366-9955; Studio Chane Screenprinting, 3206 N. State St., 601-362-3547; chane.com) Best Men’s Clothing Store Finalists Great Scott (4400 Old Canton Road, Suite 100, 601-984-3500, greatscott.net) / Kinkade’s Fine Clothing (120 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-898-0513, kinkadesfc.com) / Red Square Clothing Company (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 103A, 601398-3403; 1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 9004, 601-853-8960; redsquare clothingco.com) / The Rogue (4450 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-6383, therogue.com)

Best Animal Shelter: Community Animal Rescue & Adoption

Over the hill on Museum Boulevard sits one of Jackson’s most creative spaces for kids and kids at heart, the Mississippi Children’s Museum. It offers a different approach to hands-on learning, including underground tunnels with a bubbling volcano and the Literary Garden with interactive mushrooms that promote reading. Director of External Affairs Maurine Jackson says the main goal of the museum is to create a safe space where children can play while they learn. “One of the wonderful things about children’s museums is that they are places where children get to be children,� she says. “Children learn so much in early childhood especially, so having an informal learning environment like a children’s museum gives children an opportunity to learn about all kinds of things in the time that makes a huge amount of difference developmentally.� This May, the museum will phase in a new exhibit called “Thomas and Friends: Explore the Rails,� based off the popular children’s character, Thomas the Tank Engine. —Maya Miller Best Museum Finalists Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive, 601-432-4500) / Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) / Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Dr., 601-576-6000) / Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center (528 Bloom St., 601-960-1457) Best Tourist Attraction Finalists Fondren (fondren.org) / Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-9601515, msmuseumart.org) / Old Capitol Museum (100 N. State St., 601-576-6920, mdah.state.ms.us) / The Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St., 601-352-2580)

960 N. Flag Chapel Road, 601-922-7575, carams.org

The customers of Kaye Lee, who owns Finishing Touch Alterations, often say, “The best place to shop is shopping your closet.� She has provided her alteration services to the Jackson area for 33 years. Lee’s motto for her company is “responsibility, keep the promise (and) keep the quality.� Lee credits God for the opportunity to make her business successful and believes she is using her talents to benefit her customers. From Target to Saks Fifth Avenue, Lee can transform any clothing. “I find the best fitting for each individual,� Lee says. Her favorite part of what she does is redesigning something someone already owns into something new. —Emerald Alexis Ware

Finalists Animal Rescue Fund of Mississippi (395 W. Mayes St., 769-216-3414) / Cheshire Abbey (cheshireabbey@gmail.com) / The Madison Animal Rescue Kennel (madisonark.org) / Mississippi Animal Rescue League (5221 Greenway Drive Ext., 601-969-1631, msarl.org) / Webster Animal Shelter (525 Post Oak Road, Madison, 601-605-4729)

Finalists Golden Touch Alterations (5355 Executive Place, 601-362-6790) / Perfect Fit Alterations (538 Mitchell Ave., 601-362-7829; 1431 Canton Mart Road, Suite 20, 601-991-0673; 1431 Canton Mart Road, 601-991-3050) / Sew Simple (600 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-856-3581) / Tailored To You (175 Grandview Blvd., Madison, 601-992-1373)

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COURTESY CARA

Almost nothing in this world is better than having a furry friend, and almost nothing is better than adopting one, as opposed to buying one. Community Animal Rescue & Adoption, also known as CARA, is one of the area’s local no-kill shelters. It houses an average of 300 dogs and 120 cats. If you’re out and about on the weekends, you may encounter the adoption events the organization does with businesses such as Hollywood Feed and PetSmart in Flowood and Madison, PetCo in Madison, and PetSense in Brandon. For those who aren’t able to adopt a pet but still want to have a dog friend, CARA has an adopt-a-leash program. It also has a dog park at its location on Flag Chapel Road. —Amber Helsel

46

Best Place for Alterations: Finishing Touch Alterations 4551 Office Park Drive, 601-362-5288

We are so fortunate to be part of a community with such great people, places and things...

the BEST OF PEOPLE... the BEST OF PLACES... How lucky we are to be counted among those considered to be...

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Want The Best Deal On TV & Internet?

Congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners from Dan Blumenthal, Jeff Good, and all the employees at Broad Street, BRAVO!, Sal & Mookie’s, and Mangia Bene!

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48

1005 E. County Line Road, Jackson, MS | (601) 957-1515 Mon. – Sat. 11 am - 10 pm | Sun. 11 am - 8 pm

Best Art Gallery: Fondren Art Gallery

Best Local Bank or Credit Union: BankPlus

3030 N. State St., 601-981-9222, fondrenartgallery.com

Finalists Brown’s Fine Art (630 Fondren Place, 601-982-4844, brownsfineart.com) / Fischer Galleries (736 S. President St., 4th floor, 601-291-9115, fischergalleries.com) / Southern Breeze Gallery (500 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-607-4147, southern breeze.net) / View Gallery (1491 Canton Mart Road, Suite 7, 601-487-6477)

various locations, BankPlus.net

Jacksonians’ choice for this year’s Best Bank or Credit Union, BankPlus, has a long history of serving Mississippians. It was founded in 1909 as Citizens Bank & Trust Company in Belzoni, Miss. CB&T became BankPlus in September 1994, when it merged with Southeast Mississippi Bank in Quitman, Miss. Today, the company has about 60 offices in 34 Mississippi communities and more than $2.5 billion in total assets. BankPlus can help most banking needs, including personal checking and savings, loans and equity lines, brokerage services, and online and mobile banking. The company also has resources for businesses such as business checking accounts, loans, cash management services and payroll solutions. Many of the branches also have 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. drive-thrus. —Dustin Cardon

COURTESY BANKPLUS

COURTESY FONDREN ART GALLERY

Driving along North State Street north of the Fondren business district, one cannot help but notice a colorful sculpture of President Obama’s head. The piece belongs to Richard McKey, a painter and sculptor, who owns Fondren Art Gallery. The art gallery has paintings and prints of multiple genres from many number of artists across Jackson, Mississippi, and the nation such as Darryl Anderson and Kelli Berry. “I first started painting ‌ about (20) years ago,â€? McKey says. “Seven years ago, I decided Fondren needed an art gallery where I could display not only my own work, but the work of other artists. Many times people will just walk in and ask for their art to be displayed. I almost always agree to do so.â€? Paintings are displayed and priced to fit the Jackson market. “Watching someone come in and instantly have a connection to a painting or sculpture is fantastic,â€? McKey says. “You can see the sentimental attachment form right away.â€? Fondren Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday. —Mike McDonald

Finalists Bancorp South (various locations, bancorpsouth.com) / Community Bank (multiple locations, communitybank.net) / Hope Credit Union (multiple locations, hopecu.org) / Trustmark (multiple locations, trustmark.com) / Magnolia Federal Credit Union (multiple locations, magfedcu.org)

Best Barber Shop: Fondren Barber Shop 2939 Old Canton Road, 601-826-0707

Finalists Antique Mall of the South (367 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-853-4000) / Interior Spaces (5060 Interstate 55 N., Suite B, 601-956-4199, interiorspacesms.com) / Old House Depot (639 Monroe St., 601-592-6200, oldhousedepot.com) / Repeat Street (242 Highway 51 N., Ridgeland, 601-605-9393, repeatstreet.net)

March, malstpaddysparade.com

If you want to see a real celebration in the city, just attend Jackson’s annual Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade. People from all over the metro area and the state, maybe even the nation, get together to watch as parade floats, marching krewes and other groups go down city streets. Last year’s theme was “Bringing Home the Grammyphone� and featured Grand Marshal Bobby Rush. Many of the floats honored Mississippi’s deep music roots, and the parade also celebrated Mississippi Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Miss. This year’s parade theme is “Hal-lelu-Y’all,� which celebrates the late Hal White’s legacy. The parade is also now called Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival. —Amber Helsel Finalists Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights (August, greaterbelhaven.com) / Jacktoberfest (October, jacktoberfest.com) / Mistletoe Marketplace/Mistletoe Marketplace Preview Gala (November, mistletoemarketplace.com) / Wellsfest (September, wellschurch.org) / Zoo Brew (April, jacksonzoo.org)

IMANI KHAYYAM

Best Annual Event: Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade

Finalists ACEY Custom Hair Design (3015 N. State St., 601-362-0326) / Custom Cuts and Styles (2445 Terry Road, 601-321-9292) / Maurice’s Barber Shop (1220 E. Northside Drive, 601-362-2343) / Rock’s Barber & Style (710 Magnolia St., 601-790-9216)

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1325 Flowood Drive, Flowood, 601-953-5914

The Flea Market, Mississippi’s Trade Place has made the Best of Jackson list for the fifth time in a row, and with the vast selection the 60,000-square-foot market offers, it’s not hard to see why. The market hosts vendors from all over the Jackson metro and beyond, selling everything from antique furniture, baseball cards, collectible coins, clocks, and radios to handmade birdhouses, jewelry, clothing and more. “You can find anything for anybody’s taste here, from kids to adults,� owner David Murrell says. “We’re the only flea market (in the state with this set-up), so this is the place to come any time for a great volume of vendors and items to choose from.� —Dustin Cardon

FILE PHOTO/ VIRGINIA SCHREIBER

Best Place to Buy Antiques: The Flea Market, Mississippi’s Trade Place

After noticing a resurgence in mainstream barbering culture, couple Eddie Outlaw and Justin McPherson decided to open Fondren Barber Shop in November 2013. When Outlaw went to barbering school nearly two decades ago, he says that the barbing culture wasn’t as popular as it is now. Besides, he and his husband believed men would prefer a shop tailored to them rather than the more female vibe at their popular William Wallace Salon a few doors away. Fondren Barber Shop combines traditional barber-shop services with more modern ones for men, including cuts and shaves, beard trims and even eyebrow waxing. “I think that we’re offering more of an upscale environment,� Outlaw says. “It gives men permission to treat themselves. A lot of guys aren’t comfortable in a salon environment, so they kind of like getting that extra special treatment in a place that’s comfortable for them.� —Adria Walker

49

Best Beauty Shop or Salon: Barnette’s Salon

Best Caterer: Fresh Cut Catering & Floral/Wendy Putt

4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 201-601-362-9550; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-4646; barnettessalon.com

108 Cypress Cove, Flowood, 601-939-4518, freshcutcateringandfloral.com

Wendy Putt, owner of Fresh Cut Catering & Floral, which Jacksonians chose as 2016’s Best Caterer, says the secret to her success since she first opened her business in 1990 really isn’t a secret at all. “Care about one customer at a time and make sure everything you do reflects that customer’s personality—it’s really as simple as that,� Putt says. “Not to mention, our staff are like best friends and family. We’re probably together more than we are with our own families.� Fresh Cut offers event styling, full-service catering, floral arrangements, specialty linens and a wide variety of plateware and serving pieces, all in service of making each client’s event successful. —Dustin Cardon

This year’s winner for Best Beauty Shop or Salon, Barnette’s Salon, has been putting smiles on people’s faces and stylish cuts on their heads since it opened in December 1985. Owner Ralph Barnette has been a stylist since 1975 and says he finds it even more enjoyable now. He and his talented team offer coloring and cutting services and keratin treatments at two locations, not including his latest addition, Barnette’s Dry Bar, a blow-dry bar off Old Canton Road. The salon has been recognized several times in Elle Magazine’s Top 100 Salons, most recently in 2014. “We have good customers who are naturally beautiful,� he says. “There are a lot of talented hair dressers in the state, and I’m glad to be a part of that.� —LaShanda Phillips

Finalists Babalu Tacos & Tapas (622 Duling Ave., 601-366-5757, babalutacos.com) / Cosmopolitan Catering by Macy (2947 Old Canton Road, 601-720-3989) / Mangia Bene Catering/Aven Whittington (Broad Street Baking Company, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 769-230-8219, mangiabenems.com)

Finalists Lacru Salon (5352 Lakeland Drive, Suite 2000, Flowood, 601-992-7980) / Ritz Salon (574 Highway 51 N., Suite H, Ridgeland, 601-856-4330) / Smoak Salon (622 Duling Ave., Suite 206, 601-982-5313) / Studio J Salon (Sola Salon Studios, 151 East Metro Pkwy., Flowood, 601-212-9130) / William Wallace Salon (2939 Old Canton Road, 601-982-8300)

Best Local Dealer for a New or Used Car: Herrin-Gear Automotive Group multiple locations, herringear.com

FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

Part of what makes Material Girls to trendy is the research the team puts into the latest trends. Owner Whitney Giordano Foster and staff, including Jennifer Gray Walker, a manager at the company’s headquarters, work diligently to select new merchandise. The boutique has four locations in Flowood, Ridgeland, Oxford and Hattiesburg, in addition to its online store. It specializes in women’s clothes and accessories from vendors primarily based in Los Angeles, though much of the jewelry comes from Mississippi makers. The decade-old chain serves women of all ages, and while the stylists follow national trends, they also keep the “Material Girls� look, too, which includes bright colors, fun, fringe and tassels. —Arielle Dreher

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Finalists Blithe & Vine (2943 Old Canton Road, Suite E, 601-426-3322, blitheandvine. com) / Libby Story (1000 Highland Colony Pkwy., Suite 5003, Ridgeland, 601-7173300, libbystory.com) / MiGi’s Boutique (144 Market St., Flowood, 601-919-8203) / Treehouse Boutique (3000 N. State St., 601-982-3433)

50

The 2016 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in downtown -DFNVRQ ,QYLWDWLRQ RQO\ ,I \RX DUH D ¿ QDOLVW RU ZLQQHU DQG QHHG WR RSVP, please call Mary @ 601-362-6121 x18 by Friday at 3 p.m.! Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

COURTESY HERRIN-GEAR

Best Boutique: Material Girls

734 McKenzie Lane, 601-992-4533, Flowood; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 7005, 601-605-1605; shopmaterialgirls.com

For Best of Jackson voters, Herrin-Gear Automotive Group’s massive inventory was the key to winning the title of this year’s Best Local Dealer for a New or Used Car. Herrin-Gear’s website says it is the “metro area’s only locally owned and operated franchise (that) continues to operate under the ownership and management� of the family that founded the business. The company has operated in Jackson for almost half a century. With nearly every variety of new and used vehicles available from manufacturers such as BMW, Chevrolet, Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota, and Scion, Herrin-Gear is a local go-to for many people looking for a car in the capital city. —Zachary Oren Smith Finalists Bob Boyte Honda (2188 Highway 18, Brandon, 877-722-6983, bobboytehonda.com) / Mazda of Ridgeland (1860 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-896-9800, rmazda.com) / Patty Peck Honda (555 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland, 601-957-3400, pattypeckhonda.com) / Paul Moak Honda/Subaru/Volvo (Honda, 802 Harding St.; Subaru/Volvo, 740 Larson St.; paulmoak.com)

Best Category We Left Off: Teacher Left off the list but not out of our hearts is the category for the best of the noble folks that Jackson parents trust with their kids in loco parentis all year long: teachers. Teachers are crucial players in the task of helping develop young people into well-rounded and, hopefully, well-educated individuals. How much they get paid to do it, however, is in the hands of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program and the Mississippi Legislature, from whom we can probably expect interesting legislative changes this year regarding financing Mississippi education in the aftermath of the failure of Initiative 42 to require full funding of MAEP. Whatever the Legislature decides, we do know that the role of education is priceless, and though the category isn’t present, our appreciation for those who make it possible is. —Sierra Mannie Finalists Makeup Artist / Realtor / Producer / Crawfish

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University Wellness Center has been nominated Best of Jackson for 2016. Come see why. dĹ˝ ĹŻÄžÄ‚ĆŒĹś žŽĆŒÄž Ä‚Ä?ŽƾĆš ŽƾĆŒ ĨÄ‚Ä?Ĺ?ĹŻĹ?Ć&#x;ÄžĆ? ĂŜĚ Ä‚ĹŻĹŻ Ç Äž ŽčÄžĆŒÍ• Ç€Ĺ?Ć?Ĺ?Ćš ƾžžÄ?Ç ÄžĹŻĹŻĹśÄžĆ?Ć?͘Ä?ŽžÍ˜ Z E KE  |  ώϹϹ DÄ‚ĆŒ >LJŜ ĆŒĹ?ǀĞ͕ ĆŒÄ‚ĹśÄšŽŜÍ• D^ ϯϾϏϰώ KtEdKtE  |  ϭϏϏ Ä‚Ć?Ćš ĂƉĹ?ĆšŽů ^ĆšĆŒÄžÄžĆšÍ• ^ĆľĹ?ƚĞ ϭϏϳ͕ :Ä‚Ä?ĹŹĆ?ŽŜÍ• D^ ϯϾώϏϭ D /^KE  |  ϭϏώώ ,Ĺ?Ĺ?ĹšÇ Ä‚Ç‡ Ϲϭ EĹ˝ĆŒĆšĹšÍ• DÄ‚ÄšĹ?Ć?ŽŜÍ• D^ ϯϾϭϭϏ &Ĺ˝ĆŒĹľÄžĆŒĹŻÇ‡ ŽƾĆŒĆšĹšŽƾĆ?Äž ZÄ‚Ä?ƋƾĞƚ ĂŜĚ &Ĺ?ƚŜĞĆ?Ć? Í´ ĹśĹ˝Ç hĹśĹ?Ç€ÄžĆŒĆ?Ĺ?ƚLJ tĞůůŜĞĆ?Ć? ÄžĹśĆšÄžĆŒ ĹŻĹ˝Ä?Ä‚Ć&#x;ŽŜĆ?͘

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6

Owner/Pastry Chef Campbell’s Bakery PRESENTS

PRIME TIME

Rewind

7Zhi 7V`Zgn Best of Jackson 2016

3013 N State St. Jackson 601-362-4628

Fundraiser for the Mississippi Children’s Museum

SATURDAY, FEB 20, 2016 ÂĽ 7:00 PM 6

123 Jones St. Madison 769-300-2790

www.mschildrensmuseum.com

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Thank You For Nominating Us

51

Best Place to Get Your Car Fixed: Capitol Body Shop

Best Dance Studio: Ballet Mississippi

201 E. Pascagoula St., Suite 106, 601-960-1560, balletms.com

No matter how old your car is, it almost always needs some kind of repair, whether it’s something as simple as an oil change or as complicated as fixing a leak under the engine. Best of Jackson winner Capitol Body Shop can help you with your repair needs. The business, which Chad White and now his son, Doug White, have owned and operated since 1963, has grown into a top auto-repair shop on both the state and national level. The Whites pride their business on their core values of honesty, integrity, quality work and customer service. Capitol Body Shop has locations in Jackson, Byram, Flowood and Ridgeland, all offering collision and mechanical services on all makes and models of vehicles and a written warranty on all repairs. The shops also offer a complimentary shuttle service for customers. —Dustin Cardon

After securing a spot as a finalist in Best of Jackson for several years in the past, Ballet Mississippi has claimed the title of the city’s Best Dance Studio for 2016. Since 1964, Ballet Mississippi has offered training in the art form of ballet, establishing itself as Jackson’s first ballet company. With one location downtown and another in Madison, Ballet Mississippi offers daily classes in ballet for a variety of ages and skill levels, from tiny tots to experienced adults. Ballet Mississippi holds performances throughout the year, occasionally collaborating with the Mississippi Opera for productions such as “Carmen.� Ballet Mississippi also has two major performances yearly— “The Nutcracker� and its Spring Gala Performance. This year’s Spring Gala, “Let the Music Dance,� which takes place Feb. 6 at Duling Hall, features Mississippiborn singer-songwriter Claire Holley. —Maya Miller

JULIE SKIPPER

Multiple locations

Finalists Car Care Clinic (multiple locations, carcareclinicjetlube.com) / Freeman’s Auto Repair (847 S. State St., 601-948-3358) / Graves and Stoddard Inc. (722 Highway 80 E., Flowood, 601-939-3662) / Tony’s Tire & Automotive (5138 N. State St., 601-981-2414)

Best Reason to Live in Jackson: Fondren

Finalists Lindsey Claire Dance Company (4149 S. Siwell Road, 601-3983786, lcdanceco.com) / Salsa Mississippi (605 Duling Ave., 601-213-6355, salsamississippi.com) / The Dollhouse Dance Factory (1410 Ellis Ave., 601-9694000, dollhousedancefactory.com) / Xpress Dance Company (2160 Main St., Suite D, Madison, 601-853-0826; 155 W. Government St., 601-954-6268; xdance.net)

fondren.org

Ask anyone to make a list of great things about our hip hometown, and Fondren is sure to show up. It’s no surprise that locals also voted the art and business district as this year’s Best Reason to Live in Jackson. The area—previously called Asylum Heights and Jackson’s first suburb—features some of the city’s best locally owned bars, boutiques, businesses, restaurants, and coffee shops, many of which also won 2016 Best of Jackson awards. You can make a new friend at Fondren Public, grab a bite at Babalu Tacos & Tapas, dance to whatever dynamite band is playing Duling Hall, and if you don’t want the night to end, grab a coffee at Cups Espresso CafÊ, all without stepping foot out of Fondren. It isn’t the only perk of Jackson life, but it sure is a plus. —Micah Smith

Best Place for Unique Gifts: Apple Annie’s Gift Shop 1896 Main Street, Suite D, Madison, 601-853-8911; 152 Grants Ferry Road, Brandon, 601-992-9925; shopappleannies.com

Best Day Spa: AQUA The Day Spa

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FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-9123, aquathedayspa.com

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Self-care is healthy to practice, and what better way to do that than to spend some time at the spa? AQUA the Day Spa has won the “Best Day Spa� category in Best of Jackson for more than 10 years running. The entire establishment exudes relaxation, from its neutral color palette to the many products it sells in its lobby store, including aromatics and nail polish. Open Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., AQUA offers a variety of services, including facial treatments such as hydra facials and men’s facials, massage therapy, body treatments, such as hydration wraps, hand and foot treatments, waxing and hair removal, and even eyelash extensions. —Amber Helsel Finalists Drench Day Spa (118 W. Jackson St., Suite 2-B, Ridgeland, 601-707-5656, drenchdayspa.com) / Sanctuary Body Spa of St. Dominic’s (340 Township Ave., Suite 200, Ridgeland, 601-790-2222) / The Skin District (2629 Courthouse Circle, Suite B, Flowood, 601-981-7546, theskindistrict.com)

COURTESY APPLE ANNIES

Finalists Community / Culture / Food / The People

Etta B pottery and raincoats and tumblers, oh my! Customers can find all that and more at Apple Annie’s Gift Shop, this year’s winner for Best Place for Unique Gifts.� Shoppers can browse a selection that is both distinctive and trendy in search of fun gifts for family and friends. Apple Annie’s Gift Shop, which has locations in Madison and Brandon, also sells clothing, accessories and other products in keeping with current southern style, from Lily Pulitzer planners to Ginger Snaps jewelry. And for those who want to introduce a friend to an interesting new meal or snack, Apple Annie’s also sells edible items, such as artichoke parmesan dip mix, bacon cheddar dip mix, chocolate cheesecake cheeseball mix and parmesan peppercorn dip mix. —Adria Walker Finalists Bliss Gift and Home (4465 Interstate 55 N., 601-326-3337, blissgiftandhome.com) / O! How Cute Gift Market (304 E. Government St., Brandon, 601-8255080; 200 Riverwind Drive, Pearl, 601-939-5082; 200 Bass Pro Drive, Pearl, Suite 407, 769-208-8644) / The Museum Store at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org) / The Pine Cone (5056 Interstate 55 N., 601-713-1421)

The 2016 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in downtown -DFNVRQ ,QYLWDWLRQ RQO\ ,I \RX DUH D ¿ QDOLVW RU ZLQQHU DQG QHHG WR RSVP, please call Mary @ 601-362-6121 x18 by Friday at 3 p.m.! Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

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bone density and increase strength. This doesn’t take a lot of grunting and sweating though. With just small doses of pressure, Osteostrong customers frequently see their strength increase from session to session. Scientific studies support the idea that maximum loading leads to improvements in bone density and muscle mass. If you do suffer from osteoporosis, then we absolutely recommend you visit Osteostrong in Brandon for your free sessions. But it’s also recommended for people with back pain and athletes—tennis players, skiers, team sports—anyone looking for the edge that can come from muscle and bone density. Osteostrong Brandon offers 2 FREE sessions, just call 662-645-1869. Or visit osteostrongbrandonms.com to learn more.

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Best Non-Profit in Jackson

We appreciate your support! 2016 will be our best year yet. S TEWPOT COMMUNITY S ER VICES, INC. METRO JACKSON’S INTER-FAITH MINISTR Y 1100 WEST CAPITOL S TREET, JACKSON, MS 39203

601-353-2759

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Thank You for voting us 2016 finalists:

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PETER MILLAR ROBERT TALBOTT DAVID DONAHUE ZANELLA CORNELIANI MARTIN DINGMAN WOLVERINE BILLY REID LEDBURY AG JOE’S JEANS MAGNANNI RODD

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Celebrating our 49th year of business in 2016. 4450 I-55 N. JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI (601) 362-6383 WWW.THEROGUE.COM

AND GUNN TRUE GRIT DUCK HEAD SALENCE VK NAGRANI

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Jackson’s oldest men’s specialty store.

PETER MILLAR ROBERT TALBOTT DAVID DONAHUE ZANELLA CORNELIANI MARTIN DINGMAN WOLVERINE BILLY REID LEDBURY AG JOE’S JEANS MAGNANNI RODD

AND GUNN TRUE GRIT DUCK HEAD SALENCE VK NAGRANI

' & % & $ & # " " ! " ! & " # 242 Hwy 51, Ridgeland | 601.605.9393 Facebook: Repeat Street Metro Jackson Twitter: @RepeatSt www.repeatstreet.net

M ARCH2016- A PRIL

Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Coolest Offices This issue of BOOM Jackson celebrates the Best Places to Work (courtesy of the Best of Jackson 2016 reader poll) and takes a look at a number of innovative initiatives in the Jackson area. Also, advice on how to be more entrepreneurial in your own life! Plus... Bites, Arts, Melodies & Calendars.

Reserve Your Ad Today! Deadline: 2/5/16

601-362-6121 x11 or x17 todd@jacksonfreepress.com

Presents

dance Featuring Claire Holley

February 6 | DULING HALL balletms.com JFP BEST OF 16 MCM 4.5x5.875.indd 1

1/22/16 4:52 PM

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let the music

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Best Flower Shop: Greenbrook Flowers Inc. 705 N. State St., 601-957-1951, greenbrookflowers.com COURTESY GREENBROOK FLOWERS

Greenbrook Flowers has served Jackson with a smile since first opening in 1917, a policy that continued after the store passed to its fifth-generation owner, Janet Jacobs, in 2008. The shop, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers sameday delivery of fresh flowers that can be ordered 24 hours a day via telephone or fax. In 1994, former owner Brook Jacobs Sr. also began Good Neighbor Day, which is now nationally celebrated in September, to promote friendship. Greenbrook gives out dozens of flowers with only one stipulation: People may keep only one of the roses and must give the other 11 away. As Greenbrook has won Best Florist in Jackson for the last nine years, its customers and community certainly seem to share the shop’s giving mood. —Adria Walker Finalists A Daisy a Day (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 194, 601-982-4438) / Drake’s Designs, Florists & Gifts Inc. (1491 Canton Mart Road, Suite 8, 601-957-6983) / Green Oak Florist (5009 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5017; 1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite E, Ridgeland, 601-707-9440; greenoakflorist.com) / Whitley’s Flowers (740 Lakeland Drive, 601-362-8844, whitleysflowers.com)

Best Liquor/Wine Store: Kats Wine & Spirits

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FILE PHOTO/ KATHLEEN MORRISON MITCHEL

921 E. Fortification St., 601-983-5287, katswine.com

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“Do you know what you want? Hurry!� A dark-haired clerk is playfully instructing a shopper at Kats Wine & Spirits, which Jacksonians chose as 2016’s Best Liquor/Wine Store. It’s a Saturday night, five minutes before 10 p.m., when state law requires package liquor stores to close. The decisive customer grabs a box of cabernet sauvignon, heaves it onto the counter and hands over his credit card for the clerk to swipe through an iPad card reader. The clerk’s sense of urgency leads the patron to believe that if the transaction is not complete before the clock strikes 10, an underground siren activates a squadron of Mississippi liquor-control special forces. But of course, in reality, the Kats staff just wants to provide a superior customer-service experience—even if it is 9:55 p.m. —R.L. Nave Finalists Briarwood Wine and Spirits (4949 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5108, briarwoodwineandspirits.com) / Corkscrew Fine Wine and Spirits (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 32B, 601-981-1333) / Fondren Cellars (633 Duling Ave., 769216-2323) / McDade’s Wine and Spirits (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 320, 601-366-5676, mcdadeswineandspirits.com) / Wine and Sprits in the Quarter (1855 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6644, drinkinman.com)

Best Place to Buy Kids’ Clothes/Toys: Leap Frog Children’s Consignment & More

104 Village Blvd., Madison, 601-898-0727, leapfrogmadison.com

When Mary Anna Chaney moved to Madison from Yazoo City in 1999, she noticed the area didn’t have a local children’s consignment store. She realized it was a vacancy she could fill, and a couple of years after moving to the area, she opened her store, Leap Frog Children’s Consignment & More, which Jacksonians selected as this year’s Best Place to Buy Kid’s Clothes/Toys. Chaney says her goal for the store, which sells new and consigned clothing and toys for infants to tweens, has always been the same. “When I opened the store, it was to never look like a consignment,� Chaney says. “I’ve always wanted it to look like a new boutique, and we have people who walk through the door and say, ‘I thought these were (supposed to be) consignment clothes.’ So I’ve met my goal.� —Micah Smith Finalists Bows & Arrows (182 Promenade Blvd., 601-992-9966) / Helen’s Young Ages (4750 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-0317) / Nursery Rhymes (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 152, 601-368-9997) / Olde Tyme Commissary (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 9011, 601-366-1849) Sweet Dreams Children’s Boutique (1888 Main St., Suite A, Madison, 601-856-2080)

Best Kids’ Event: Boo at the Zoo October, jacksonzoo.org

During the middle of fall in Mississippi, which feels more like a less humid summer, the Jackson Zoo opens its gates for the annual Boo at the Zoo, which Jacksonians selected as this year’s Best Kids’ Event. At the zoowide Halloween party, children can dress up as their favorite character or animals and have fun while avoiding the holiday hazards that come with trick-or-treating. With bounce houses and hayrides, the event is a unique way for the Jackson Zoo to educate kids and their families on endangered animals and conservation efforts while also providing a safe activity for all, Marketing and Communications Manager Angela Harris says. “When the kids are at the zoo, they’re learning and giving back to conservation and nature, but they’re also having fun,� she says. —Maya Miller Finalists KidFest (April, kidfestridgeland.com) / Sal & Mookie’s Annual Street Carnival (April, zddparade.com) / Touch A Truck (April, touchatruckjackson.com) / Wellsfest (September, wellschurch.org)

Best Place to Buy Comics: Van’s Comics & Cards 398 Highway 51, Suite 202, Ridgeland, 601-898-9950, vanscomicsandcards.com

Whether you’re reading up on the latest superhero showdown, browsing for a unique board game or trying your hand at comics, card games, manga, or model building for the first time, Van Peeples, owner of Van’s Comics and Cards, can point you in the right direction. Peeples first opened his store in 1996, not far from his current space, where he relocated in October 2011. Besides the store’s expansive selection and game space, which hosts tournaments for games such as “Magic: The Gathering� and “Yu-Gi-Oh,� one of the biggest draws is its constant discounts—20 percent off all new comics, trade paperbacks, games and back issues for subscribers. “I just want to give my customers a better deal,� Peeples says. That mindset, he says, is one of the factors that’s kept Van’s open for 19 years. —Micah Smith Finalists Comic Commander (579 Highway 51, Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-856-1789) / Offbeat (151 Wesley Ave., offbeatjxn.com)

Best Place to Get Married: The South Warehouse

Best Music Festival: Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival August, jacksonrhythmandbluesfestival.com

Finalists 3rd Eye Music Festival (November) / International Gumbo Festival (September, jacksongumbo.com) / Jacktoberfest (October, jacktoberfest.com) / State Street Concert Series / Wellsfest (September, wellschurch.org)

COURTESY JACKSON RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL

If you’ve ever attended the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival or Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, then you’ve probably discovered the biggest problem with both: They are more than two hours away. The Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival, which won a second title as the city’s Best Music Festival, solves that problem in style. Held every year in the many buildings located on the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum grounds, the massive music festival ensures that any place you are, there will be a party happening with great music from a variety of genres. 2015 saw the likes of Chaka Khan and The Isley Brothers mixing it up with regional favorites such as Bobby Rush and Scott Albert Johnson. —Tommy Burton

COURTESY FACEBOOK

627 E. Silas Brown St., 601-939-4518

At The South Warehouse, which Jacksonians voted Best Place to Get Married for a second year in a row, owner Wendy Putt and her team ensure that couples have a unique, memorable day. The former warehouse is roughly 19,000 square feet, which can be left open to accommodate a big crowd or broken up by curtains into smaller, intimate spaces. It also is easily divided into separate ceremony and reception spaces. Putt, who owns Fresh Cut Catering & Floral in addition to The South and The Railroad District, is “hands-on� in all aspects, from menu planning to flower arrangements. Catering Manager Jeanette O’Reilly says the building has a lot of character, and furniture stored on-site can lend a “homey, funky vibe,� juxtaposed with elegant chandeliers against its industrial brick. —Julie Skipper Finalists Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com) / Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org) / The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601-366-5552) / The Cotton Market (2644 S. Pearson Road, Richland, 601-906-5499) / The IVY Venue (1170 Luckney Road, Flowood, 601-906-5499, theivyvenueflowood.com)

Best Place to Buy Books: Lemuria Books

If you’ve walked into the wall-to-wall literary wonderland that is Lemuria Books, you can probably understand why Jacksonians select it as the Best Place to Buy Books year after year. John Evans, who opened the business in 1975, keeps Lemuria stocked with a bevy of books by Mississippi authors, best-sellers, classics and hidden gems. “I’ve always been dedicated to giving the best bookstore and best inventory to my community,� Evans says. Lemuria is also one of the few local venues that regularly hosts book-signing events. Evans says bringing authors such as Ernest Cline, Richard Ford and Katy Simpson Smith face to face with fans is one of the most important things he can do for the bookworms of Jackson. —Micah Smith Finalists The Book Rack (1491 Canton Mart Square, Suite 6, 601-956-5086; 584 Springridge Road, Suite C, Clinton, 601-924-9020; bookrackjackson.com) / N.U.T.S. (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-7458) / The Book Shelf (637 Highway 51, Suite AA, Ridgeland, 601-853-9225)

Best Place to Work: University of Mississippi Medical Center 2500 N. State St., 601-984-1000, umc.edu

The University of Mississippi Medical Center has a claim to many distinctions, including being the only organ transplant center and poison-control center in the state, hosting the state’s only children’s hospital and being one of the largest employers in the state, with more than 10,000 employees on its payroll. It’s little wonder, then, that Jacksonians named it the Best Place to Work this year. “Not a single day goes by that we don’t touch or support the health and life of another Mississippian, whether it’s a family or a stranger we’ve never seen before,� Michael Estes, UMMC’s chief human resources officer, says. “What makes us such a good organization to work for is that our staff is so committed to and aligned around doing the best we can do for the folks we serve. Advancing the important work done here to improve Mississippi health is the most fulfilling part about being here.� —Dustin Cardon Finalists Mangia Bene (3317 N. State St., 601-982-4443) / Mississippi Children’s Museum (2145 Museum Blvd., 601-981-5469, mississippichildrensmuseum.com) / Soulshine Pizza Factory (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1, Ridgeland, 601856-8646, 5352 Highway 25, Suite 1100, Flowood, 601-919-2000) / St. Dominic Hospital (969 Lakeland Drive, 601-200-2000, stdom.com)

The 2016 Best of Jackson Party is this Sunday in downtown -DFNVRQ ,QYLWDWLRQ RQO\ ,I \RX DUH D ¿ QDOLVW RU ZLQQHU DQG QHHG WR RSVP, please call Mary @ 601-362-6121 x18 by Friday at 3 p.m.! Visit bestofjackson.com to read about last year’s winners.

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FILE PHOTO/ TRIP BURNS

4465 Interstate 55 N. Suite 202; 601-366-7619; lemuriabooks.com

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Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor: Electric Dagger Tattoo

Best Fitness Center/Gym: Baptist Healthplex

717 Manship St., 601-968-1766, mbhs.org; Baptist Healthplex at Mississippi College, 102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-925-7900, healthplexclinton. com; Madison Healthplex Performance Center, 501 Baptist Drive, Suite 100, Madison, 601-856-7757, healthplexperformance.com; mbhs.org

IMANI KHAYYAM

2906 N. State St., Suite B-6, 601-982-9437

If a membership-included pool, indoor walking track and fitness courses are on your list of gym must-haves, this year’s Best Fitness Center/Gym, Baptist Healthplex, might be for you. The gym has three locations in Jackson, Madison and Clinton, and for anyone who works downtown, the Jackson location is in a great place to stop for a workout before or after work. David Carpenter, who is the director there, says his gym mainly serves an adult population. Although personal training does come with an extra fee, Carpenter says it’s one of the most popular features. The Healthplex in Jackson offers 25 to 30 group classes weekly and 20 to 25 water exercise classes. Popular classes include high-intensity training courses and boot-camp-style workout classes. The Clinton location has amenities such as a lap pool, basketball court, an indoor walking track and a training area. Madison features an after-hours fitness area and a physical-therapy clinic. Those two locations have group classes as well. —Arielle Dreher

(left to right) Ert DiRosa, Jason Thomas, Mike Richardson and Mallory Palmertree

Jason Thomas opened Electric Dagger in Fondren in October 2013, and Jacksonians have already named it the city’s Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor for two consecutive years. Thomas, 38, always loved to draw and says tattooing was the first medium he ever cared about. In 1998, he got his first job in the industry at a now-closed shop in Richland, Miss., called Dermagraphics with owner Russell Parish. “Tattooing chose me,� Thomas says. “I always felt like tattoos were a spiritual thing.� Three other ink-slingers—Mallory Palmertree, Mike Richardson and Ert DiRosa—round out the Electric Dagger team, which Thomas says always strives to be the best in the city. —Imani Khayyam

Best Thrift/Consignment Shop: Repeat Street 242 Highway 51 N., Ridgeland, 601-605-9393, repeatstreet.net

Michele Austin needed a creative outlet after working in a veterinary clinic for 10 years. So, in October 2006, she opened Repeat Street, which has won Best Thrift/ Consignment Shop every year since 2012. “I grew up doing this,â€? she says, “My mother and my grandmother were always into resale, and it was just time ‌ to do something for me that I enjoyed.â€? Austin began by announcing the opening of her consignment shop to friends, and the operation snowballed from there. From the original one-woman, 700-square-foot shop to the 17,000-square-foot space in which Repeat Street is currently housed, the community has been one of the store’s top focuses. “We became involved with the community early, and I think people appreciate that,â€? Austin says. “We try to give back.â€? —Adria Walker

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Finalists Leap Frog Children’s Consignment & More (104 Village Blvd., Madison, 601-898-0727, leapfrogmadison.com) / N.U.T.S. (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-7458) / Private Collection (101 Village Blvd., Suite B, Madison, 601-607-6004) / The Orange Peel (422 Mitchell Ave., 601-364-9977)

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Best Veterinarian/Veterinary Clinic: Briarwood Animal Clinic 1471 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-5030

For many pet owners, animals are part of the family, which is why this year’s Best Veterinarian/Veterinary Clinic, Briarwood Animal Hospital, makes pets its top priority. Since 1961, the clinic has served the furry friends of Jackson, offering care in small-animal medicine, surgery, radiology and other areas. Briarwood even expanded its reach with a second location, Millcreek Animal Clinic in Brandon, Miss., in 1985. Briarwood Pet Shop & Kennels, which is next to the hospital, has a kennel for boarding both cats and dogs, as well as full-service grooming for those looking to give their pets a little pampering. It has pet supplies, food, and treats, as well as kittens and puppies for sale. All pets for sale are vaccinated and receive a full check-up before customers buy them. —Maya Miller

COURTESY BRIARWOOD ANIMAL CLINIC

Finalists House of Pain Custom Tattoos (22 Holiday Rambler Lane, Suite 300, Byram, 601-321-9040) / Ritual Customs (1016 Hampstead Blvd., Clinton, 601-925-0205, ritualcustomtattoos.com) / Squench’s Tattoos, Ltd. (3780 Interstate 55 S., 601-3722800, squenchstattoos.com) / True Addiction Tattoo Studio (317 S. Main St., Yazoo City, 601-454-0469) / Twiztid Images (557 Highway 49 S., Richland, 601-664-0000, twiztidimagestattoo.com)

Finalists Courthouse Racquet & Fitness (Multiple Locations, mscourthouse.com) / The Club at St. Dominic’s (970 Lakeland Drive, 601-200-4925, theclubms.com) / Metro Jackson YMCA (multiple locations, metroymcams.org) / Focus Fit (5709 Highway 80 E., 601-591-7487)

Finalists All Creatures Animal Care Center (262 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, 601-856-5333, allcreaturesanimalcarecenter.com) / Hometown Veterinary Clinic (1010 Highway 471, Brandon, 601-825-1697) / North State Animal and Bird Hospital (5208 N. State St., 601-982-8261, northstateanimalhospital.com) / Oakdale Animal Hospital (2028 Highway 471, Brandon, 601-724-7450, oakdale-vet.com)

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3025 N. State St., 601-594-2313, butterflyyoga.net

Butterfly Yoga has been part of the Jackson area since local yogi Scotta Brady founded it in 2002. The business moved to its current location in Fondren in 2004 and has won the Best Yoga Studio in Best of Jackson for many years running. The studio’s website says Butterfly is grounded in the yoga principles of alignment, heart-opening encouragement, and the freedom of discovery and self-expression necessary for yoga practice. The studio has classes for people of all ages and abilities with an interest in yoga, from beginners to longtime practitioners. It even has belly dancing on Sundays. Butterfly also offers its own yoga teacher-certification program for those who want to share their knowledge. Prices range from $15 for a single class to $800 for 12 months of unlimited sessions. —Amber Helsel Finalists Joyflow Yoga (7048 Old Canton Road, Suite 2F, Ridgeland, 601-613-4317, joyflowyoga.com) / M Theory Yoga (118 W. Jackson St., Suite C, Ridgeland, 601-790-7402, mtheoryyoga.com) / StudiOm Yoga (665 Duling Ave., 601-209-6325, studiomyogaofms.com) / Tara Yoga (200 Park Circle, Suite 4, Flowood, 601-720-2337, tara-yoga.net)

UP TO 50% OFF FROM LOCAL MERCHANTS

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Available At

59

THURSDAY 1/28

FRIDAY 1/29

SATURDAY 1/30

Michael Hall signs copies of “Frankencrayon� at Lemuria Books.

The Metro Jackson Heart Ball is at Country Club of Jackson.

The “Long Live David Bowie� concert is at Offbeat.

BEST BETS JAN. 28 - FEB. 3, 2016

FILE PHOTO/TRIP BURNS

WEDNESDAY 1/27

Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2016 is at 7 p.m. at Malco Grandview Cinema (221 Grandview Blvd., Madison). Films include “Bulgarian Rhapsody� Jan. 27, “Apples for the Desert� Jan. 28, “Kicking Out Shoshana� Jan. 30 and “Theodore Bikel� Jan. 31 with music from the Beth Israel Shirim Choir. Additional dates: Jan. 28, 7 p.m., Jan. 30, 7 p.m., and Jan. 31, 2 p.m. $10, $40 weekend pass, discounts for students; call 601-898-7819; jewishcinemams.com.

THURSDAY 1/28

IMANI KHAYYAM

The Mississippi Child Welfare Institute Conference is from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Jackson Marriott (200 E. Amite St.). The keynote speaker is David Chandler, executive director of Mississippi’s Division of Family and Children’s Services. Additional dates: Jan. 27, 7-8 p.m., and Jan. 29, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $125 professionals, $45 students; call 601-979-8899; email theresia.johnson-ratliff@jsums.edu.

The Best of Jackson 2016 Party is Sunday, Jan. 31. Invitationonly; you must RSVP to enter!

email sksentllc@gmail.com or thehistoricalamotheater@ gmail.com (sponsors and vendors); follow The Alamo Theatre on Facebook. ‌ Robert Earl Keen performs at 8 p.m. at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). The country singer and Houston, Texas, native performs. Doors open at 7 p.m. $35 in advance, $40 at the door, $3 surcharge for under 21; call 877-987-648 7; email arden@ardenland.net; ardenland.net.

check their inboxes for details. Finalists can email party@ jacksonfreepress.com to get on the list; bestofjackson.com. ‌ The African Children’s Choir performs at 7 p.m. at New Jerusalem Church (5708 Old Canton Road). The choir has performed internationally, for several dignitaries and with artists Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox and Mariah Carey. Free, donations welcome; call 601-371-6772.

SATURDAY 1/30

MONDAY 2/1

The Dreamwork for Playwriting Workshop is from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). Dr. David A. Crespy is the instructor. Includes writing exercises, readings and group work. The class is in conjunction with the production of “Who’s Afraid of VirBY MICAH SMITH ginia Woolf?â€? Register by Jan. 28. Limited to playwrights and playwriting students. Free; call JACKSONFREEPRESS.COM 601-948-3533, ext. 224; email FAX: 601-510-9019 submissions@newstagetheatre. DAILY UPDATES AT com; newstagetheatre.com. ‌ JFPEVENTS.COM Chinese Cultural Spring Festival 2016 is from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. in downtown Jackson. At the Mississippi Museum of Art and Thalia Mara Hall. Includes a food fair, children’s activities, a parade and a gala. Free festival and parade; gala: $20, $10 children and students with ID; email springfestival2016@gmail.com; facebook.com/springfestms.

“Disney’s Beauty & the Beast� is at 7:30 p.m. at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The musical is based on the award-winning and beloved feature film and includes songs such as “Be Our Guest� and “Something There.� $25$100; call 800-745-3000; jacksonbroadway.com.

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2/2 EVENTS@ TUESDAY “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?� is at 7:30 p.m.

The Blaxpoitation Film Festival is Friday, Jan. 29, at the Alamo Theater on Farish Street.

FRIDAY 1/29

The Blaxploitation Film Festival is at 4:40 p.m. at the Alamo Theater (333 N. Farish St.). See classic films such as “Foxy Brown,� “Shaft,� “Super Fly� and “Blacula.� Additional date: Jan. 30, 12:45 p.m. $25 for three shows, $35 all-day pass on Jan. 29; $25 for three shows, $30 for four shows, $50 60 all-day pass on Jan. 30; call 800-745-3000 or 601-291-6587;

SUNDAY 1/31

The Best of Jackson 2016 Party is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The JFP party is an annual celebration of all things Jackson. By invitation only; JFP Daily subscribers should

at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). The play is about the breakdown of a marriage that comes to light at a social gathering. Enjoy cake during intermission in honor of New Stage’s 50th anniversary. Additional dates: Jan. 27-29, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 30, 2 p.m., Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 3-6, 7:30 p.m., and Feb. 7, 2 p.m. $28, $22 seniors and students; call 601-948-3533, ext. 222; newstagetheatre.com

WEDNESDAY 2/3

History Is Lunch is at noon at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). State Sen. David L. Jordan discusses his book, “From the Mississippi Cotton Fields to the State Senate: A Memoir.� Sales and signing to follow. Free; call 601-576-6998.

Best of Jackson 2016 Party Jan. 31, 6-10 p.m. The JFP party is an annual celebration of all things Jackson. By invitation only; JFPDaily.com subscribers should check their inboxes for details. Finalists can email party@jacksonfreepress.com to get list; bestofjackson.com. Must RSVP for entry.

#/--5.)49 Metro Jackson Heart Ball Jan. 29, 6-11 p.m., at Country Club of Jackson (345 St. Andrews Drive). The annual gala is a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. $250, $500-$2,500 couples, sponsorships available; call 601-3211215; heart.org/metrojacksonheartball. Rock the Runway 2016 Jan. 29, 7 p.m., at Jackson Convention Complex (105 E. Pascagoula St.). Gary Wit Da Tea from the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and 97.7 FM’s Tambra Cherie are the hosts. The red carpet event is at 7 p.m. and the fashion show is at 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit various charities. $25 in advance, $30 at the door; call 601-345-8205; thebeatofthecapital.com. Success Master Class Event Jan. 30, 10 a.m.5:15 p.m., at The Church Triumphant Global (6531 Dogwood View Parkway). Speakers include author Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul�), Bishop Adrian Ware and Pastor Tonya Ware. Registration required. $299, $199 group rate (10 or more), $599 VIP (includes 9 a.m. power breakfast); call 601-260-1848; email events@thesuccesshouse.co; thesuccesshouse.co.

&//$ $2).+ Soup’s On 2016 Jan. 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at Broadmeadow United Methodist Church (4419 Broadmeadow Drive). The sale of soup, bread and muffins is a fundraiser for the Broadmeadow Neighborhood Association. Orders required. Prices vary; call 366-1403; email broadmeadowneighborhoodassoc@gmail.com; topoffondren.com.

30/243 7%,,.%33 Health & Wellness Expo Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). In the Thad Cochran Center. Includes health screenings and fitness and nutrition demos. Free; call 982-8467; jacksonmedicalmall.org.

34!'% 3#2%%. Jewish Cinema Mississippi 2016 Jan. 27-28, 7 p.m., Jan. 30, 7 p.m., Jan. 31, 2 p.m., at Malco Grandview Cinema (221 Grandview Blvd., Madison). Films include “Bulgarian Rhapsodyâ€? Jan. 27, “Apples for the Desertâ€? Jan. 28, “Kicking Out Shoshanaâ€? Jan. 30 and “Theodore Bikelâ€? Jan. 31 with music from the Beth Israel Shirim Choir. $10, $40 weekend pass, discounts for students; call 601-898-7819; jewishcinemams.com. Events at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.) UĂŠÂş7Â…Âœ½ĂƒĂŠ vĂ€>ˆ`ĂŠÂœvĂŠ6ÂˆĂ€}ˆ˜ˆ>ĂŠ7œœÂ?vœĂŠJan. 27-29, 7:30 p.m., Jan. 30, 2 p.m., Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 2-6, 7:30 p.m., Feb. 7, 2 p.m. The play is about the breakdown of a marriage. $28, $22 seniors and students; call 601-948-3533, ext. 222; newstagetheatre.com. UĂŠ -/ĂŠ ˆ>Â?Âœ}Ă•iĂƒ\ĂŠ Â?Lii]ĂŠ7œœÂ?vĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*Ă•Â?ÂˆĂŒzer Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. The speaker is performance scholar David Crespy. The seminar is in conjunction with the production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?â€? Free; call 601-9483533; newstagetheatre.com.

Blaxploitation Film Festival Jan. 29, 4:40 p.m., Jan. 30, 12:45 p.m., at Alamo Theater (333 N. Farish St.). See classic films such as “Foxy Brown,â€? “Shaft,â€? “Super Flyâ€? and “Blacula.â€? Jan. 29: $25 three shows, $35 all day; Jan. 30: $25 three shows, $30 four shows, $50 all day; call 601-291-6587 Âş ÂˆĂƒÂ˜iĂž½ĂƒĂŠ i>Ă•ĂŒĂžĂŠEĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ i>ĂƒĂŒÂťĂŠFeb. 1, 7:30 p.m., at Thalia Mara Hall (255 E. Pascagoula St.). The musical is based on the feature film. $25-$100; call 800-745-3000; jacksonbroadway.com.

#/.#%243 &%34)6!,3 Ă›iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ"vvLi>ĂŒĂŠ(151 Wesley Ave.) UĂŠ-ĂŒÂœÂ˜iĂœ>Â?Â?Ăƒ]ĂŠ Â“ÂŤĂŒĂžĂŠ ĂŒÂ?>ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ˆiĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ >ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠ Jan. 27, 8-11 p.m. In addition to the local bands’ performances, meet representatives from Outbdflt.com. All ladies receive free T-shirts. $10; call 601-376-9404 UĂŠ œ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆĂ›iĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`ĂŠ ÂœĂœÂˆiĂŠJan. 30, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Carlos Danger, Rafiki Grove and Ben Ricketts perform. $10-$10; call 601-376-9404. ,ÂœLiĂ€ĂŒĂŠ >Ă€Â?ĂŠ iiÂ˜ĂŠJan. 29, 8 p.m., at Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave.). $35 in advance, $40 at the door, $3 surcharge for under 21; call 877-9876487; email arden@ardenland.net; ardenland.net. Chinese Cultural Spring Festival 2016 Jan. 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 30, 2-3 p.m., Jan. 30, 6:45-8 p.m., at the Mississippi Museum of Art and Thalia Mara Hall. Includes a food fair, children’s activities, a parade and a gala. Free festival and parade; gala: $20, $10 children and students with ID; facebook.com/springfestms. /Â…iĂŠ vĂ€ÂˆV>Â˜ĂŠ …ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜½ĂƒĂŠ Â…ÂœÂˆĂ€ĂŠJan. 31, 7 p.m., at New Jerusalem Church (5708 Old Canton Road). The choir has performed with artists such as Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox and Mariah Carey. Free; call 601-371-6772.

THANKS FOR THE VOTES Best of Jackson 2016 Finalist

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT

FINALIST BEST LIVE MUSIC

Best Bar Best Jukebox Best Open Mic Night Place to Dance Pub Quiz/Trivia Night

BEST OF JACKSON 2016

THURSDAY

1/28

OYSTERS

LIVE MUSIC

ON THE HALF SHELL 5-9 P.M.

Every Saturday - JANUARY 28 -

$9.99 TAMALE THURSDAY 4-9PM LADIES NIGHT 9PM

FRIDAY

1/29

THE TALLAHATCHIES W/ THE STONE COATS

- JANUARY 29 -

MUSIC THERAPY

DVDJ REIGN

SATURDAY

& SPECIAL GUEST DJ: VIOLATOR ALL STAR DJ - JANUARY 30 -

10 P.M.

1/30

BILL SHAKESPEARE

DARK WATER REBELLION

(MEMBERS OF RISKO DANZA)

601-960-2700 facebook.com/Ole Tavern

SUNDAY

10 P.M.

1/31

BEER BUCKET SPECIAL (5 Beers for $8.75)

416 George St, Jackson, MS

ALL DAY LONG!

MONDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT

,)4%2!29 3)'.).'3 ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Ă›>Â˜ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >Ă€ĂžÂ˜ĂŠ<Ă•VÂŽiÀÊ iVĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ Book Signing Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m., at Millsaps College, Ford Academic Complex (1701 N. State St.). In the recital hall. The authors of “In a Different Key: The Story of Autismâ€? speak. Free, $30 book; call 601-974-1000; lemuriabooks.com. Âş Ă€>˜Ži˜VĂ€>ĂžÂœÂ˜ÂťĂŠJan. 28, 3 p.m., at Lemuria Books (Banner Hall, 4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202). $17.99 book; call 601-366-7619; email info@lemuriabooks.com; lemuriabooks.com.

#2%!4)6% #,!33%3

Ă€i>Â“ĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ*Â?>ĂžĂœĂ€ÂˆĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ7ÂœĂ€ÂŽĂƒÂ…ÂœÂŤĂŠJan. 30, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St.). David Crespy is the instructor. Includes writing exercises, readings and group work. Register by Jan. 28. Free; call 601-9483533, ext. 224; newstagetheatre.com.

ALL STADIUM SEATING Listings for Fri. 1/29 – Thurs. 2/4 Kung Fu Panda 3 PG 3-D Kung Fu Panda 3

Fifty Shades of Black

R

/ÂˆÂ˜ĂžĂŠ/ÂˆĂŒ>Â˜Ăƒ\ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ÂœĂƒ>ÕÀÊ }}ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ >LˆiĂƒĂŠMondays-Saturdays through May 1, at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The hands-on exhibit includes a collection of dinosaur eggs and nests, explorations stations and animated video presentations. $6, $5 seniors, $4 ages 3-18, children under 3 and members free; call 601-576-6000; mdwfp.com/museum. Check jfpevents.com for updates and more listings, or to add your own events online. You can also email event details to events@jacksonfreepress.com to be added to the calendar. The deadline is noon the Wednesday prior to the week of publication.

Brooklyn

PG PG13

The Finest Hours PG13

Carol

R

The Revenant

R

3-D The Finest Hours PG13

Star Wars: The Force Awakens PG13

Jane Got a Gun R Dirty Grandpa

R

The Boy

PG13

Ride Along 2 PG13

Daddy’s Home PG13 Joy

PG13

Sisters

$5 APPETIZERS (D O ) INE IN

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TUESDAY

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi R Norm of the North

PG

The 5th Wave PG13

%8()")4 /0%.).'3

2/1

R

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip PG

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

DAILY BARGAINS UNTIL 6PM Online Tickets, Birthday Parties, Group & Corporate Events @ www.malco.com

Movieline: 355-9311

2/2

SHRIMP BOIL 5 - 10 PM

$1 PBR & HIGHLIFE $2 MARGARITAS 10pm - 12am

UPCOMING SHOWS 2/5 - Downright 2/6 - Jake Slinkard (Members of Tombigbees) 2/12 - Higher Learning 2/13 - The Quickening 2/19 - CBDB w/ Backup Planet 3/25 - Samantha Fish 4/2- Twiddle

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61

SOUTHERN COOKIN’ Four Generations of Southern Cooks

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES

FINALIST

BEST BBQ

Thanks for your support! Best of Jackson 2016 Finalist: Best Soul Food Best Lunch Buffet Best Local Fried Chicken Monday - Saturday 10:30 - 2:00 Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 4:30 - 8:00

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Catering & Room Rental Available

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751 Hwy 51 Madison, MS 39110 located behind the Log Cabin

601-856-4407

BEST OF JACKSON 2016

970 High St, Jackson

(601) 354-4665

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MEDITERRANEAN GRILL

Thank You For Your Votes and Support!

Join Us for Breakfast

"EST OF *ACKSON &INALIST )N

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Sugar’s Place Downtown 168 W. Griffith St. Jackson, MS 39201 Monday-Friday: 7am-5pm Phone: 601-352-2364 Fax: 601-352-2365 www.sugarsdowntown.com sugarsdowntown@bellsouth.net

DIVERSIONS | jfp sports the best in sports over the next seven days

SLATE

by Bryan Flynn

USM’s Next Hire is Critical USM ATHLETICS

Super Bowl 50 will have many storylines. But the main one will be the old man, Peyton Manning, against the young gunslinger, Cam Newton. THURSDAY, JAN. 28 College basketball (6-8 p.m., SECN): The Lady Rebels get their shot against the No. 2 Lady Gamecocks. ‌ College basketball (8-10 p.m., SECN): The Lady Bulldogs look to get back on track against the Lady Volunteers.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30 College basketball (1-3 p.m., ESPNU): The University of Mississippi goes out of conference and on the road to take on Kansas State. ‌ College basketball (7:309:30 p.m., SECN): MSU looks to keep winning conference games at Missouri. SUNDAY, JAN. 31 NFL (6-10 p.m., ESPN): The 2016 Pro Bowl will feature plenty of stars from the AFC and NFC after Mississippi Valley State University star Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin pick the teams. MONDAY, FEB. 1 College basketball (6-8 p.m., ESPN): A Top 25 matchup once again in the ACC as No. 2 North Carolina faces off against No. 16 Louisville. TUESDAY, FEB. 2 College basketball (8-10 p.m., SECN): MSU hosts Alabama as the Bulldogs hope to get hot and make a postseason run. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3 College basketball (8-10 p.m., SECN): The UM Rebels hit the road to take on the Missouri Tigers as they hope for a postseason berth. This will be the third Super Bowl to feature two SEC quarterbacks and the biggest age difference between starting quarterbacks at 13 years and 48 days. The previous record, Manning and Russell Wilson, was 12 years and 250 days. Follow Bryan Flynn at jfpsports.com, @jfpsports and at facebook.com/jfpsports.

University of Southern Mississippi Director of Athletics Bill McGillis is about to make the biggest hire since he took LMW TSWMXMSR MR 8LI YRMZIVWMX] RIIHW XS VITPEGI MXW HITEVXMRK GSEGLÂŻ[LS [EW Ă&#x;REPP] KIXXMRK XLI XIEQ SR XVEGO

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ou’ll have to forgive University of Southern Mississippi football fans if they act like it is 2011 again this week. They could be experiencing a severe bout of dÊjà vu after the news broke in the middle of the NFL’s AFC Championship Game that the Golden Eagles’ head coach, Todd Monken, was leaving the school. The situation is eerily familiar to the same spot USM was in at the end of the 2011 season. In that instance, the Golden Eagles had a breakthrough campaign, won their division and went on the play in the Conference USA title game. This season, USM did the same thing, though the difference is that the 2011 team won the C-USA title game and their bowl game, whereas this team lost both. After the 2011 season, head coach Larry Fedora left the program to take the head coaching job at the University of North Carolina. Monken has now left the program to become the offensive coordinator and wide-receivers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. People should have no hard feelings toward Monken for leaving Southern Miss. Schools don’t have much loyalty to coaches, and in turn, coaches don’t have much loyalty to schools. There is no telling who turned on who first, but that is how the system is now. Similarly, no one can fault a coach for trying to reach the top of his or her profession, and for Monken, doing a great job in Tampa Bay could give him the chance to become a NFL head coach down the line. Besides, Monken is gone, and there is no need in crying over a lost coach. It is time for USM to move on and move

on quickly, with high-school players making their college choices on National Signing Day, Wednesday, Feb. 3. What Southern Miss has to avoid is a repeat of its hire after Fedora left. That hire, Ellis Johnson, led the program to a winless record in the 2012 season. Monken struggled for two seasons before finally righting the ship this season. USM can’t afford to get this hire wrong and take 10 steps back after taking five steps forward. The formula for success has been hiring Oklahoma State University offensive coordinators. Both Fedora and Monken held that position before they were hired as the head coach at Southern Miss. Currently, Mike Yurcich is the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State. It might not be wise to go to the well for a third time, but if something works, it is at least worth considering again. Whomever USM selects to be its newest head coach, the candidate needs to be a young, hungry assistant coach at the moment. Preferably, the hire should be an offensive coordinator who knows the spread offense. Southern Miss Director of Athletics Bill McGillis is about to make the biggest hire since he took his position in 2013. This selection is ultimately going to be much bigger than the hiring of Doc Sadler as head basketball coach in 2014, and it could end up costing McGillis his job if he gets it wrong. Otherwise, if this hire goes south, the USM football program could be set back another four years or more. Southern Miss has to get this one right. Read more sports coverage at jfp.ms/sports.

30/243 &!#4 /& 4(% 7%%+ by Amber Helsel Former Seattle Mariners center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. had a candy bar named after him— the Ken Griffey Junior Milk Chocolate Bar—even though he was allergic to it.

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FRIDAY, JAN. 29 Special (9-10 p.m., ESPN2): Take a look back at the great history of the Harlem Globetrotters in this reflection and celebration during the Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary Special.

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$10 mo. basic membership

67

Deadline for enrollment is January 31.

People in Mississippi saved an average of $351 a month on health insurance premiums.* How much could you save?

Join us at these locations for FREE HELP from local experts

3+ , *#1 $i!#

Jackson Medical Mall

Behind Applebee’s on Lake Harbour Drive

Downtown Jackson West of Memorial Stadium

772 Lake Harbour Dr., Ste #3 Ridgeland, MS 39157

350 W. Woodrow Wilson Dr. Jackson, MS 39213

Mon.–Fri. 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. – Sat. 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. It’s time to enroll in health insurance, 32 7-3 "-,`2 & 4# 2- i%30# '2 -32 *-,#@ To learn more, visit HumanaHelps.com/SignUp or call 601-605-5130.

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*Source: cms.gov for plans purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Insured by Humana Insurance Company.

Humana 22529-JFPR- Jackson Free Press FP4C Back Cover) 9.2” x 12”

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