The Mississippi Administrative Office of Courts is seeking bilingual speakers to interpret courtroom proceedings. An Ethics and Skill Building Seminar will be held Nov. 2-4 at the Gartin Justice Building, 450 High Street in Jackson. The registration deadline has been extended to Oct. 31. The registration form is at this link: https://www.courts.ms.gov/aoc/courtinterpreter/forms/2022Registration%20Form.pdf. The $125 registration fee includes the seminar, snacks on Wednesday afternoon and a box lunch on Thursday and Friday. The seminar will introduce bilingual speakers to requirements for court interpreting. Participation in a court interpreter orientation seminar is the first step in the program which will train, test and certify individuals who wish to serve as interpreters in Mississippi courtrooms. Candidates to become interpreters must already be fluent in English and a second language, and must develop an understanding of court proceedings. The seminar will provide an introduction to court proceedings. The program will introduce participants to the role of the court foreign language interpreter, ethical requirements, modes of interpretation and credentialing requirements. Participants should arrive by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 2 to sign in. The Nov. 2 presentation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Class on Thursday, Nov. 3 will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Friday, Nov. 4 class will be from 9 a.m. to noon. AOC will administer the written exam for interested participants on Friday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. Additional fees are required. Participants may wait to take the exam. The AOC developed the Mississippi Court Interpreter Credentialing Program to assist state courts in their endeavors to provide equal access to justice for people of limited English proficiency (LEP). AOC provides all state courts with a roster of foreign language interpreters who have demonstrated proficiency in interpretation of court proceedings. Deenie Miller, who joined AOC in July, is AOC’s first full-time Language Access Coordinator. She is in charge of educating judges, court staff and attorneys about requirements for providing court interpreters for people of limited English proficiency as well as recruiting, training and certifying language interpreters. Miller said, “When a person of limited English proficiency is involved in a legal proceeding, it is imperative that they be provided a qualified court interpreter. A court interpreter is not only for an LEP to understand the proceedings, but also so a judge can effectively administer justice.” Data from the National Center for Immigration Studies shows that from 1980 to 2018, the population of people who speak a language other than English at home grew by 140 percent in Mississippi. Miller said that 3.8 percent of Mississippi’s population is people of limited English proficiency. For more information, please contact Deenie Miller at 601-359-4469 or deenie.miller@courts.ms.gov.

Mississippi State Fire Marshal's Office K9’s Ralph and Ringo will receive bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Ralph and Ringo’s vests are sponsored by Leah Beale of Oklahoma City, OK and will be embroidered with the sentiment “This gift of protection provided by Leah A. Beale”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,789 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718

By Kara Kimbrough “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it." Last week, this somewhat-flippant saying came to mind on a couple of occasions. A trip to the Gulf Coast’s mammoth eight-day event, “Cruisin’ the Coast,” and the discovery of innovative recipes courtesy of…don’t judge…TikTok, opened my mind and broadened my horizons to new experiences I’d previously overlooked. First, as much as I love visiting our amazing Gulf Coast, I've pointedly steered clear during the annual extravaganza highlighted by cars and trucks from a bygone era. I’ve never been a car aficionado, as evidenced by the fact that I drive vehicles until the wheels fall off. But a chance to check out a new restaurant (review will be forthcoming) in an historic hotel happened to coincide with Cruisin’. So I headed down, all the while reminding myself to “avoid the old cars” and “stay out of traffic.” Both goals were dashed pretty soon upon arrival. I realized there was no way to steer clear of increased traffic or the more politically-correct term, vintage vehicles. Close to 10,000 cars and trucks of a bygone era were registered in this year’s event. But surprisingly enough, as I zoomed along U.S. 90, I thoroughly enjoyed cruising side by side a fire engine red truck, flashy silver Corvette and a flawlessly restored Model T with a melodic horn. According to event organizers, cruisers from 44 states, Canada and England convened on the Coast to show off their restored vehicles, many worth thousands and thousands of dollars. Most impressive to me (besides the fire engine red truck) were the crowds of friendly and yes, very happy, people gathered in parking lots in every city and town along the Coast. Blue skies, sunshine and balmy breezes enhanced the good-time feeling and camaraderie that flowed between vehicle owners, locals and tourists who’d gathered for no other reason than to admire beautiful vehicles made in every decade since the early 1900's. To say this event has a monumental economic impact on the Coast – and the entire state as well, as Cruisers cross Mississippi from all directions on their way to the Coast – wouldn’t be an exaggeration. After returning from my Cruisin’ adventure, a friend told me about a TikTok recipe I HAD to try. I have a TikTok account, but rarely access it. TikTok has received negative publicity for unsavory content, but there are ways to filter out the “bad stuff.” I have my account set to only allow videos from certain categories (cooking, food, decorating and DIY, to name a few) to appear on my page. Searching for “most popular TikTok recipes” unearthed a wealth of interesting, creative and delicious-looking recipe videos I immediately “pinned,” or saved for a later date. Baked spaghetti - the video/recipe mentioned by my friend – is a glorious combination of melted butter, heavy cream, marinara sauce, ground beef, cheese and pasta. The end result is a mouth-watering dish filled with some of my favorite things. If you’d like the complete recipe, drop me an email and I’ll send it to you. The Italian grinder salad sandwich, a “viral” sensation on the internet, was pinned as my #1 video to watch. It’s the perfect combination of salad/sandwich for tailgate parties at football games, for watching football at home or served to a hungry crowd at your dinner table. After making it, I can attest that it’s undeniably delicious and can feed the multitudes. Even better, it proved that TikTok, like Cruisin’ on the Coast, has more than a few redeeming qualities. TikTok Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich Salad ingredients: ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup Italian dressing ½ tablespoon red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ⅓ cup Pepperoncini peppers ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese 3-4 cups Iceberg lettuce, shredded. Sandwich ingredients: 1 large loaf crusty Italian bread 4 ounces sliced Pepper Jack cheese 4 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese ¼ pound of salami ¼ pound of ham, thinly sliced ¼ pound sliced pepperoni ¼ pound honey roasted turkey breast, thinly sliced 1 medium tomato ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese, thinly shaved 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced into rings (optional) Salad Assembly: In a large bowl add the dressing ingredients - everything except lettuce. Stir until combined. Next, add the shredded iceberg lettuce and using tongs, toss until the salad is thoroughly coated with dressing. Refrigerate until later use. Sandwich Assembly: While salad marinates, prep the sandwich by preheating oven or air fryer to 425 degrees. Slice the bread lengthwise and open sides to lay flat. On one side, layer pepper jack cheese and top with slices of salami, ham and pepperoni. On the other half, add sliced turkey and top with mozzarella cheese. Toast for 8-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and bread is toasted. Remove from heat and add sliced tomato on top of the baked deli meats and cheeses; season tomatoes with a little salt and pepper Top the seasoned tomatoes with the salad, grated parmesan and onions, if using. Last, fold the top of the bread over the grinder sandwich and press down to meld all ingredients. If taking to an event, wrap well in wax paper and keep cool until serving. Note: ingredients can be adjusted “up or down” to your taste. And, add other favorite ingredients if you'd like. Everything “works” in this versatile salad/sandwich! Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Growing up in a large family, with very little income, usually doesn’t create a kid who is spoiled by having all the finer things in life. In fact, sometimes it can mean that a child lives without having some of the physical essentials of living – food, water and shelter. Growing up in poverty certainly creates a distinct outlook on life. An adult who lived that way as a child doesn’t take having those essentials for granted. He will work to provide them for himself (unless that adult simply decides “I can’t provide for myself, therefore I won’t really try.”) But that point is not the focus today. Today it’s the opposite - the kid who is indulged with everything he could possibly want. And there are several negative sides to that. Self-centeredness, difficulty accepting they must work, instant self-gratification issues, dissatisfaction with what they have, and lack of empathy for those with less, are some real possibilities. Being a parent who loved my children, I too am acquainted with the temptation to indulge their every whim. After all, the love of your own child makes you want to give them the moon when you can. Your resolve to not give in to their pleas can melt away like milk chocolate left in the sun in July. Oh yes, you really do want your child to eventually become a responsible, others-focused, successful adult. But as you stare into hopeful young eyes as they eagerly beg for so-and-so, somehow your determination to give them only what they need as a child - and not just want - fades into the horizon of “But they want this so badly!” But being a good parent doesn’t just mean loving them, providing the essentials in life, and being there when they need you. It also means saying “No” sometimes. Making yourself look beyond what they are wanting - and you’re wanting to give - and seeing if you are creating a responsible adult later on. Fun stuff? Nope, not really. We parents like to indulge our kids. And denying them all the best toys and experiences really isn’t that enjoyable. Kids are good at pouting, getting mad, and accusing us of abusing them when we withhold unnecessary things. After all, they are just kids, and bad-mouthing seems to be a part of being immature. But we are the adults, we don’t have the luxury of making bad choices and pampering every whim. On the contrary, we hold the responsibility of teaching them to become functioning adults in a few years. And that means letting them learn how to deal with “No. For your own good, my love.” Oh, yes, you will be yelled at and disliked - you can take that to the bank. But years later, you stand a lot better chance of proudly hugging a strong, independent, hard-working adult. One who looks at you with understanding and appreciation of your sacrifice long ago.

Governor Tate Reeves has declared October 17-22, 2022, Fall Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Mississippi. “When it comes to a severe storm, preparation could be the difference between life and death,” said Governor Tate Reeves. I encourage you to dedicate time this week to learn how to better prepare your family in order to keep them safe.” Seventy-six tornadoes touched down in Mississippi in 2021. Mississippi usually sees significant storms during this secondary severe weather season from November through December. In February of 2021, snow and ice hit Mississippi in a way seldom seen, closing down its capital city of Jackson, causing a city-wide boil-water alert, and causing multiple power outages. “Mississippi can see multiple types of extreme weather during the fall and winter months. We urge residents to prepare for the upcoming secondary severe weather season. Prepare by checking insurance policies, building a disaster supply kit, and reviewing emergency plans with your family,” says MEMA Executive Director Stephen McCraney. To promote severe weather preparedness, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is partnering with the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Department of Transportation to highlight different types of hazards and ways to prepare ahead of the upcoming secondary severe weather season. Here is the list of this year’s featured topics: Monday, October 17 Warning Reception Methods Tuesday, October 18 Severe Thunderstorms Wednesday, October 19 Tornado Safety – A statewide tornado drill will be conducted at 9:15 AM weather pending Thursday, October 20 Flash Flooding Friday, October 21 Snow and Ice Saturday, October 22 Mobile Home Safety Each day of the week, MEMA will share messaging on these topics on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Your National Weather Service offices will also share additional severe weather information. Four National Weather Service offices cover Mississippi: Jackson, Memphis, New Orleans, and Mobile. A copy of the Governor's proclamation can be found here. More severe weather preparedness tips can be found on our website: www.msema.org.

The G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center (GVSMVAMC) is scheduled to host a Drive-Thru Food Pantry and Vaccination Event on Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. at the main facility. The facility is located at 1500 E Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS. The Drive-Thru Food Pantry and Vaccination Event, spearheaded by the GVSMVAMC Center for Development and Civic Engagement, formerly known as Voluntary Service, and GVSMVAMC Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program, is designed to provide perishable and non-perishable goods and offer annual immunizations through the convenience of a drive-thru. The event is scheduled to function as a drive-thru, with GVSMVAMC employees volunteering to distribute pre-loaded bags to Veterans, caregivers, and other eligible individuals who will not have to leave their vehicles. Clinical staff will also be on-site to administer vaccinations, as requested. Veterans will be required to show proof of identification – a Department of Veterans Affairs or retired military identification card – to GVSMVAMC employees during the event. “We typically host a drive-thru food pantry for our Veterans every third Saturday of each month,” GVSMVAMC Chief of Center for Development and Civic Engagement Tony Bailey said, “but now that we are approaching flu season, we thought it would be a great idea to offer vaccinations this Saturday as well.” The facility will offer multiple immunizations during the drive-thru food pantry and vaccination event, including influenza, Bivalent COVID-19 booster, Pneumonia, Tdap, and Shingrix vaccines. “Getting a flu shot protects you, your family and your community, and if needed, you can safely get vaccinated for COVID at the same visit – one visit, two vaccines,” said Dr. Tawana Tucker, the GVSMVAMC Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program Manager. Community members interested in donating are encouraged to contact GVSMVAMC’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement at 601-364-1391. The G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VAMC and the Columbus, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Kosciusko, McComb, Meridian, and Natchez VA Clinics are all part of the VA Jackson Health Care System which is headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, and provide a variety of medical outpatient services to more than 54,000 Veterans. For more information, visit www.Jackson.va.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

By Congressman Bennie Thompson "Student loans have been mounting for decades. Borrowers are mired in debt. Students are leaving college with insurmountable student loan debt. President Biden vowed to offer student loan debt relief to working and middle-class families, and he has kept his word. Last month, President Biden stated that there will be up to $20,000 in debt cancellation for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation for Non-Pell Grant recipients." Borrowers who earn less that $125,000 per year receive a portion of their debt cancelled. The Biden administration's proposal to reduce student debt will help a lot of Mississippians, as well as many others, who now face the possibility of starting loan repayment. According to data from the Institution of Higher Learning, the median income for a Mississippian with a bachelor's degree was around $43,500 in 2019, while the median income for those with a graduate degree was about $55,500. According to the United States Census Bureau Quick Facts, Mississippi reflected 22.8% of citizens with a bachelor's degree, 19.4% in poverty, and a median income of $46,511 as of July 2021. With these staggering statistics, this debt relief program is one of the best programs aimed at students. Mississippi is a great state, but also ranks low in salaries when compared to other states. The student debt relief program will decrease expenses for many and possibly improve credit ratings for some. The program will also provide more disposable income for those who were struggling with their expenses before the pandemic relieved payments. In support of the Biden-Harris Administration debt-relief and student loan forgiveness program, I will continue to work diligently in my district to disseminate information and announce pertinent information about the programs.

The 23rd annual homecoming anniversary for one of Bolton’s finest citizens, Mr. Albert “Country Boy” Lewis will be held on October 23, 2022 at the Jimmie Lewis Pavilion in Bolton, MS. The event is to honor Mr. Lewis for his promotion of gospel music around the state of Mississippi and elsewhere. The overseer of the event will be 90.1 WMPR. Gates will open at 12:00 PM with the program beginning at 2:30 PM. The event is free to the public. Joining in the celebration will be various gospel groups from around the state. The New Gospel Keystones will be in charge of the event. Some of the groups that will be performing will be Pure of Heart from Bolton, MS, White Chapel Choir from Jackson, MS, Westhaven Choir from Jackson, MS, The Mighty Kings of Joy from Philadelphia, MS, Mt. Elizabeth Male Choir from Bolton, MS along with many more. There will be free food at this event. You may bring your lawn chairs and tents as seating is limited. Come out and join us for a day of worship and praise. For more information, contact Albert “Country Boy” Lewis at 601-665-2069.

A few years ago, we had a guest preacher in our church one Sunday morning. Several of his congregants also were there in support of their beloved pastor. In the middle of his sermon, suddenly one of the visiting ladies lunged to her feet and began applauding. The members of our church were notoriously known to be a quiet bunch - or reverent, as they like to call it - during our worship services. So when others of that pastor’s flock quickly joined her enthusiastic response to what he had said, it certainly created shock waves that reverberated throughout our small auditorium. Later, at the lunch held for the entire congregation, Andy found the lady and teasingly mentioned that, “No one ever claps when I preach!” To which she grinned and promptly responded, “Aw, Preacher, mebbe you’ve never said nuthin’ worth clappin’ for!” Thankfully Andy took the comment in good fun, just as she assured him that she meant it to be. (At a later sermon when Andy preached, she again led the crowd in an ovation.) But days afterward, it was still reverberating in his mind. ‘Do my sermons really say anything noteworthy to my listeners? Honestly, do my words make any difference in somebody’s life?’ Well, according to the Bible, words most certainly do make a difference – good or bad. In fact, it says that the power of life and death are in the tongue. Interpretation? What any person says - not just a preacher - has the power to give encouragement and love. But that same tongue can do just the opposite. It can be viciously aimed at a victim and effectively maim hopes and dreams. Wounding their spirit with discouragement, hate or mockery. Not exactly the way the Creator meant for anyone to use the tongue that He gave them. Maybe you own an irritating, horrible version of what the world calls a sibling, one who loves to make you angry, or even hurt you. The automatic reaction is to take your own revenge on their body or their feelings. But stop and think. Anything hurtful that you say is only going to make the situation worse. Because that brother or sister will definitely seek revenge and will probably stop at nothing to win the Sibling War. Or, you know something has to be said to your employee, or that unruly child, or that friend, but how do you say it constructively? Before you let fly with your tongue and hurl out whatever is lurking on the edge of your brain, stop for just a few seconds and think. “Is what I want to say kind, and meant to create a good change? Or am I just venting my anger? Better response? In Proverbs 15:1, the Bible says “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” May take a while to accomplish, but certainly worth it.

By Kara Kimbrough Mississippi is famous world-wide for Southern comfort food – fried chicken, homemade biscuits, vegetables and sky-high meringue pies and banana pudding are just a few of the delicacies tourists list as some of their favorite dishes when they visit our state. Further south on the Gulf Coast, fresh seafood beckons those who crave fresh-from-the-gulf shrimp, oysters and fish. Despite these well-known items, less commonly discussed is the plethora of ethnic restaurants representing a multitude of cuisines. Italian restaurants are at the top of my list and finding a good one is not that hard, even in the Deep South. Last week, I enjoyed Italian food in a location that conjured up memories of a bygone era. It’s worth a detour if you’re near the area. But first, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my first Italian love. I’ve written about Amerigo on more than one occasion. It’s a place at which I’ve dined since it opened over three decades on Old Canton Road in Jackson. There’s now a location in Flowood, making dining at one of my favorite restaurants even more convenient. There are also a plethora of above-average Italian restaurants in north Mississippi and even a few on the Gulf Coast. But I was Hattiesburg last week, so I decided to try the much-heralded Mario’s Italian Restaurant. Friends and even readers have gently chastised me for not getting around to dining there – in fact, as one friend put it: “How can you NOT have gone to Mario’s?” With that rebuke ringing in my ears, I pulled into the parking lot of a former Pizza Hut on U.S. 49 just north of the city. Memories of high school and college forays to Pizza Hut for a fun night out with friends came flooding back. It’s always fun to visit a place from one’s past, especially since so many buildings and restaurants of yesteryear are razed to make room for urban development. Once I entered the restaurant, I recalled features of the pizza chain, albeit ones that have been renovated, repainted and refurbished to create a soothing Italian eatery. Nostalgia was soon obliterated as I perused the lengthy menu filled with almost every form of pasta and pizzas, steak, chicken and veal dishes, appetizers plenty of soup and salad choices. The list of specialty pasta dishes was almost mesmerizing, filled as it was with dishes like tortellini alla pana, fettuccine carbonara, ziti pomodore, spaghetti with choice of sauce or meatballs and sausage arrabiata, to name a few. Chicken-based parmigiana, cacciatore, Romano and piccata all sounded appealing, as did shrimp-centric dishes like scampi alla palermo, fettuccine Alfredo and diavolo. Since I visited at lunch and had a busy afternoon ahead, I decided to forgo an appetizer, even though I’d been told Mario’s spinach dip is heavenly. And, I selected a dish from the lunch menu. Dishes ($10.99 like chicken alfredo and cacciatore, lasagna, manicotti, ravioli and chicken parmiagiana made it hard to choose just one. I settled on spaghetti and meatballs. It’s my personal belief that an Italian restaurant is only as good as its meatballs. I wasn’t disappointed in my choice. Perfectly-cooked pasta was topped with a thick layer of rich sauce highlighted with an ample supply of thick, juicy meatballs. The meal was preceded by a green salad with homemade dressing and the star of the meal, a basket of Mario’s famous homemade garlic rolls. The fact that the salad and bread are part of the lunch special instead of being sold separately made me add Mario’s to the list of restaurants to which I will return. Mario’s is located at 1410 N. 31st Ave. and 122 Carlisle Dr. in Hattiesburg. The restaurant is closed on Monday. Hours are 11 a.m. – p.m., Tuesday-Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sunday. Check their website for more information: marioshattiesburg.com. I encourage you to try any of the Italian restaurants I’ve mentioned (email me if you’d like a more detailed list) but in the event you’re dining at home with a penchant for Italian, here are two quick and easy dishes that can be stirred up in a hurry. Better yet, they include ingredients most of us have on hand. Bon appetit! Italian-Flavored Pasta 8-ounce package dry pasta of your choice 1-ounce package Italian salad dressing mix ½ cup whipping cream ½ stick butter ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and keep warm. Cut butter into chunks so it will blend easily. Add remaining ingredients and toss together to blend. Serve hot; warm a couple of minutes in the microwave before serving if ingredients don’t mix well. Recipe doubles easily. Vegetable Pasta 8 ounces spinach linguini 2 cups whipping cream 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup frozen English peas, defrosted until soft and slightly warm (can substitute another favorite vegetable) Cook linguine according to package director, drain, cover and keep warm. Combine whipping cream and broth in a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to scorch. Remove from heat and add cheese and peas until cheese melts. Use microwave to reheat linguini if it has cooled. Toss with linguine and serve.

By Bob Garver After several weeks of increasingly ineffective horror movies, “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” was a nice change of pace. Actually, it was nice to have anything at all for the kids, who haven’t had a movie since “DC League of Super-Pets” all the way back in July. In many ways, this harmless piece about a singing crocodile is exactly what the movie landscape – maybe the American landscape – needs right now. Unfortunately I’m much more grateful for this movie’s mere existence than for what it actually brings to the table. We follow Lyle (Shawn Mendes) as he bounces between two families. First up is magician Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem, putting in much more effort than you’d expect for a movie with this title). Valenti can’t catch a break in showbusiness, and his old-fashioned act isn’t exactly a hit on reality TV. He decides what he needs is an animal, and in a rare bit of good luck, he happens upon the singing croc. Lyle is shy and only communicates through song, but singing alone is good enough for the act. Valenti raises Lyle until he’s fully-grown, at which point he books them in a theater, offering up his family’s NYC brownstone as collateral. The act bombs when Lyle proves too scared to sing, and Valenti is ruined. If you’ve ever seen the cartoon “One Froggy Evening” with Michigan J. Frog, it’s basically that. If you’ve never seen “One Froggy Evening,” I apologize for your childhood. Valenti is forced to go on the road and leave Lyle behind in the brownstone, which is sold off. In come the Primm family: dad Mr. Primm (Scott McNairy), stepmom Mrs. Primm (Constance Wu), and son Josh (Winslow Fegley). Josh doesn’t fit in at school or in New York, but he makes fast friends with Lyle once the latter is discovered. The parents are freaked out at first, but they too come around on Lyle once they discover that he can cook, wrestle, sing, and rock a scarf. The singing infuriates downstairs neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), who wants Lyle taken away by animal control. Valenti returns and wants Lyle for himself. Will Lyle be imprisoned, forced into showbusiness, or get to stay with his new family. This is a kids’ movie, so it’s a pretty safe bet it won’t be prison. The best thing about the movie is its overarching sweetness. Lyle is the nicest crocodile in the world, even if he is accident-prone. The Primms want nothing more than to spend time with Josh, and it’s because the youngster likes the carnivore that they welcome him into the family. And the musical numbers are all pleasant as well, with some covers and some originals courtesy of the team from “The Greatest Showman,” and all featuring Mendes’ heavenly voice. I like that crowd-pleasing style, so those were highlights of the movie for me. As for covers, don’t worry, a certain Elton John song gets some inevitable love. Sadly, the movie is a mess in other parts, which prevents me from giving it an overall recommendation. The “well-meaning animated/CGI animal getting into trouble in New York City” troupe was overdone last year in both “Tom and Jerry” and “Clifford, the Big Red Dog,” though I’d say this is a notch above both of those movies. The Primm family may be nicer than Valenti, but they’re not nearly as interesting, and it drags the movie out when Lyle has to win over one parent and then the other, when both at once would have been sufficient. Perhaps worst of all is the ending, with a rushed courtroom scene that relies on Valenti’s family history, which has never been discussed before. “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is a movie that the family needs to see only if you’re low on other options, but there aren’t too many other options, so sure, go see it. Grade: C “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” is rated PG for mild peril and thematic elements. Its running time is 106 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Walmart invites communities to get healthy ahead of peak flu season at Walmart Wellness Day on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., where customers can receive affordable immunizations like flu, pneumonia, shingles, HPV and more at pharmacies nationwide. COVID-19 bivalent boosters will also be available with no out-of-pocket costs to patients. As children return to school this fall and adults resume normal activities, immune systems may be exposed to germs and viruses they haven’t battled since the pandemic. Walmart Wellness Day encourages families to stay updated on immunizations, connect with local pharmacists and take advantage of free wellness resources. It’s also a great time for customers to learn about our overall health and wellness offerings and solutions. More than 4,600 Walmart pharmacies across the country will host Walmart Wellness Day events, featuring the following health resources, administered by qualified pharmacy teams: Affordable immunizations, including flu, pneumonia, shingles, HPV, measles, mumps, whooping cough (TDAP), Hep A & B and more No out-of-pocket cost to patient COVID-19 bivalent boosters Wellness resources and the opportunity to talk with pharmacists Demos, giveaways and product sampling (in select stores) “As we move into the fall and winter seasons, we want to do our part in helping families remain protected through immunizations,” said Kevin Host, Walmart’s senior vice president of pharmacy. “Wellness Day is such an impactful event because it allows customers an opportunity to check in on health priorities, meet our incredible pharmacists and engage in conversations around wellness. Along with our pharmacies, we also deliver care through Walmart Health Virtual Care and Walmart Health Centers, which highlights our commitment to improving access to quality, affordable healthcare.” Since 2014, Walmart pharmacies have hosted Walmart Wellness Days, administering more than 5 million health screenings for customers. More than 4,000 Walmart stores are in medically underserved areas, which means Walmart is often the first stop for health care in these rural and underserved communities. To find a Wellness Day event in your neighborhood, visit Walmart.com/wellnesshub.