In-person and mail-in absentee ballots are now available through your county circuit clerk's office for the November general and special election to be held on November 8, 2022. To verify eligibility, Mississippians can utilize the Step-By-Step Absentee Guide from the Secretary of State's Office or contact their local circuit clerk. If eligible, ballots will be provided upon request by your circuit clerk. For those who cannot visit their circuit clerk's office during the work week, Saturday in-person absentee voting dates are Saturday, October 29, 2022, and November 5, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. To familiarize yourself with the upcoming election, all congressional and state district races can be viewed on the Secretary of State's website. For a sample ballot specific to you, contact your local circuit clerk. In order to vote in the November election, Mississippians must be registered to vote by October 10, 2022. The Secretary of State's Office serves as the primary, trusted source for election information. Visit our Y'all Vote website (yallvote.ms) for a variety of helpful resources including Frequently Asked Questions for absentee voting and contact information for county election officials. For voter registration or elections questions, contact ElectionsAnswers@sos.ms.gov or call the Elections Hotline at 1-800-829-6786.

Today, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson, along with state and local law enforcement officials, addressed security staff and safety measures for the upcoming 2022 Mississippi State Fair taking place October 6-16. Commissioner Gipson was joined by Jimmy Herzog, Chief of Security for the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Colonel Randy Ginn, Director of Mississippi Highway Patrol; Chief Bo Luckey, Mississippi State Capitol Police; Chief Ricky Davis, State Fire Marshal’s Office; Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones; Chief James Davis, Jackson Police Department; along with other law enforcement agency representatives. “I want to thank our local law enforcement agencies, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Police Department, for their longtime partnership keeping the Fairgrounds safe, and this year, I appreciate our State Troopers with the Mississippi Highway Patrol for providing assistance during the State Fair. State Troopers will be on site, and the Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Mounted Unit, for the first time, will deploy alongside the Hinds County Mounted Patrol. Also, the State Fire Marshal’s Office will have highly trained K-9 units on site. Multiple agencies including the State Capitol Police, Department of Homeland Security Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, and Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau will also be assisting with security and logistics,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson. Commissioner Gipson outlined the following safety measures that will be in effect at the 2022 Mississippi State Fair: Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of eighteen (18) seeking admission to the Fairgrounds must be accompanied by a legal adult (21 or older). Any guest may be asked to show official proof of age to be admitted after 9:00 p.m. When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one (1) of the seven (7) entry security points utilizing a metal detector, and/or be subject to magnetic wanding. All bags are subject to search. The maximum bag size that will be accepted into the Fair is 12”x12”x6”. No outside food or beverage allowed. No marketing, soliciting, political, or vending items allowed unless and as authorized under Fairground regulations. No animals (other than service animals or as authorized by Fair management for Fair activities), banners, fireworks/explosives, or laser pointers allowed. Pursuant to state law, the legal carry of firearms by all lawful adults is recognized on the Mississippi Fairgrounds. Exceptions and challenges to these policies will be satisfied at the discretion of Fair Management. “Safety is a priority at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Our number one goal is to keep people safe as they enjoy a unique, family-friendly Mississippi State Fair experience,” said Commissioner Gipson. The 2022 Mississippi State Fair will open at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6, and run through Sunday, October 16. Gate admission will be $5.00 per person and parking will be $5.00 per car. Children aged 6 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase advance admission tickets at the Coliseum Box Office until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 6. Enjoy free admission every weekday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 10, Columbus Day. View https://youtu.be/opKblBhE8aE to watch the full press conference online. For more information about the Mississippi State Fair, visit www.msstatefair.com.

We are so proud of our August students of the month! Alynn Creel, Jackson Teasley, Emilee Peters, Reagan Lord, Morgan Townsend, Chase Hankins

As a student did you ever use this one? “But, teacher, I promise, my dog ate my homework!” Or telling your mom, “I didn’t think we should, but she made me!” Or just the plain old standby that works every time, “I just forgot, I’m sorry.” Ever had a teacher or your dad look you in the eye and firmly state, “Excuses are like hineys, everybody’s got one. But nobody should be goin’ thru life sittin’ on ‘em.” It's beginning to look like our nation has developed a full-blown plague. What would this plague be named? Hmmm… maybe the “DON’T BLAME ME DISEASE.” The symptoms of the disease that can be seen? Well, that’s easy. Look at our current work force problems. And then there are symptoms you can hear. “I really can’t because…” and then insert whatever excuses or reasons all these unemployed adults cite. Does this downward spiral pattern of particular symptoms sound familiar? “I quit my job because I was undervalued and/or mistreated. I know that I deserve better.” “I’m trying, but I can’t find a job where I am going to be treated fairly.” “Now I have no money because I have no job.” “Yes, I admit I was caught stealing, but I do have to survive.” “Now that I have a theft record, nobody will hire me. So It’s not my fault I can’t find a job.” “I have to take all the help that the government will give me, because I refuse to starve and be homeless. And like I said, nobody will give me a job.” “Actually, I have more money in my pocket from Uncle Sam’s check than if I was working any job I can find. So, honestly, I can’t afford to take a job.” Ouch. Such a downhill slide. So unfair to that person. They unknowingly swallowed the delicious bait of ‘I deserve better than this,’ and never saw the cruel hook buried inside. The hook of, ‘I might possibly become unemployable. Making my life very difficult.’ Excuses to not work, and to not pay our bills are available to all of us. And there’s no doubt, using excuses is the easy and tempting way to go through life. But they have such a heartbreaking end. No money, the loss of your reputation, and your family eyeing you with disgust – that is a high price to pay. On the other hand, holding your head high while doing that menial job you despise, even with the unfairness or mistreatment that comes with it, will pay off in the future. Eventually, you will have the chance to find a better job, or further your education, or to land a job that allows you to use your skills and gifts. But that normally happens in the future when you refuse to use excuses in the present. Sitting on your hiney using excuses will hurt you in the end. Pun intended.

By Kara Kimbrough An email from a reader led to a series of events last week. One was a slightly negative dining experience and the other led to the creation of a dish that brought back memories of an unforgettable meal at Carmine’s in New York City. I don’t want to get ahead of the story, so here’s how it began. The reader asked the difference between what she’d always assumed were two different dishes - chicken Parmigiana and chicken Parmesan. A little research revealed that while one name is more exotic, they’re basically different names for the same recipe. And, with a name that includes the word “Parmigiana”, you might assume this recipe is 100% Italian. While it did originate in Italy, the original dish’s primary ingredient was breaded, fried strips of eggplant. At other times, favorite Italian meats like pork or veal served as the main ingredients. It was only after Italians immigrated to America and settled primarily along the East Coast that they got a little more creative with the classic dish from the Old Country. Unlike their Italian grandmothers, they added whatever protein was least expensive and available at the corner market. In many cases, that proved to be chicken. A little tinkering with the ingredients led to the name being Americanized to “chicken parmesan,” or chicken parm. After passing on these little jewels of knowledge, a craving for the dish, using whatever name anyone wanted to call it, led me to order it at an Italian restaurant last week. I won’t embarrass the restaurant by listing its name (I will say it was the first time I’d visited, so it’s never been mentioned in my column). However, I have to say, I was let down by its version of the dish elegantly listed as “chicken parmigiana.” The red sauce was thin and tasteless and cheese was applied with a very controlling hand. I had to search desperately to find the angel hair pasta hidden underneath the breaded chicken breast. I will say the perfectly-breaded, seasoned and pan-fried chicken was the dish’s redeeming quality, but only by a small margin. Last, I know these are trying times for restaurants, but being served a somewhat-pricey dish without even a cup of iceberg lettuce drizzled with dressing or a breadstick to round out the meal did little to elevate the dining experience. Finally, I’m getting to the positive part of the week. After leaving the restaurant without the satisfying chicken parmigiana experience I’d sought, I went home and pulled out my Carmine's cookbook. I replicated (or at least, attempted) the chicken parmesan my friends and I had enjoyed at the famed eatery in NYC's Times Square. Carmine’s recipe is a little lengthy, but if you’d like to try it, drop me an email and I’ll send it to you. In the meantime, here’s an easier version of chicken parmigiana. Since it’s an abbreviated recipe, we’ll just call it chicken parm. Bon appetit! Easiest Chicken Parm This Side of Italy 2 pounds chicken tenderloins, washed and trimmed of tendons on edges 2 teaspoons salt, divided 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 1½ cups panko bread crumbs 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano Reggiano or grated Parmesan, divided 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried thyme 2 -½ cups flour 3 large eggs Olive oil, for pan 2 cups homemade or store-bought marinara sauce 1-1/2 cups mozzarella, shredded 1 pound angel hair pasta, boiled al dente Flatten the tenderloins with a kitchen mallet so that they are around ¼-inch thick. Season the chicken with half of the salt and half of the pepper and set aside. Boil pasta, drain and set aside. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, 1 cup of the Parmigiano Reggiano, oregano, thyme and remaining salt and pepper. Mix well to combine with cheese. Place flour in another shallow bowl, then use a whisk to beat the eggs in a third bowl. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Dredge the chicken in the flour, coating evenly, then dip in the eggs, letting any excess drip off; then dredge in the panko mixture, turning and patting to make sure they're evenly coated. Place the breaded chicken on the foil-covered baking sheet. Preheat the broiler and set an oven rack about 4 inches from the heating element. Meanwhile, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer over low heat. Cover and keep warm. Line another baking sheet with aluminum foil; set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, cover the bottom of the pan with oil over medium heat. Place 5-6 tenders in the pan in a single layer and cook until the first side is golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until golden and cooked well. Cook the remaining chicken in the same manner, adding additional oil only if necessary and adjusting heat to insure chicken doesn’t get too brown. Place the cooked chicken on the second foil-covered baking sheet. Equally sprinkle the mozzarella and remaining Parmigiano Reggiano or Parmesan over the center of the chicken tenderloins. Place baking sheet containing chicken under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 1 to 2 minutes. Place a serving of pasta into each individual plate, then add a piece of chicken. Spoon marinara sauce over the cheese, leaving the edges of the chicken bare to insure crispiness. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

The Town of Bolton will host its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 10, 2022. The parade will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. This year's theme iş: “Peace on Earth." Please allow this letter to serve as a formal invitation to participate in this festive occasion. We are encouraging all our local elected officials, business owners, churches, local schools, civic and social organizations to participate in this year's parade. The entry fee for the parade is $10 for individuals and $30 for car/horse/motorcycle clubs (up to five participants). The committee is waiving the entry fee for area bands participating in the parade. Enclosed is the official parade application. Please complete the application and submit the entrance fee by Thursday, December 1, 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Alfenette Robinson (601-383-2407), Ms. BendaLonne Griffith (601-942-8694), Mr. Eddie Gaines (601-953-8044), Mrs. Rochella Sanders (601-866-7960), Mrs. Jean Butler (601-866-7317), Mrs. Johnie Thompson (601-291-0087) Mrs. Bobbie Hopson (601-866-7505) or Ms. Susie Carter (601-866-7125). ***ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ALLOWED***

By Bob Garver Last week I wrote that critics were a little too eager to embrace the random-twist horror movie “Barbarian” because the release calendar was in a slump and there hadn’t been a good movie in a while. If those critics had just waited a week, they could have embraced “The Woman King,” an audience-pleasing historical epic with a chance to make some real money and maybe pick up a few awards. As it is, the film will still deservedly be seen as a creative and commercial success, but I’m disappointed that it won’t get more recognition for saving us from the August-September slog. The film follows the Agojie, an army of female warriors that protect the African kingdom of Dahomey in the 1820’s. The women, led by General Nanisca (Viola Davis), dispatch slavers from the rival Oyo Empire who want to sell captured women to Europeans. Dahomean king Ghezo (John Boyega) also deals with selling slaves to the Europeans. Nanisca wishes he wouldn’t deal in slaves and instead trade something harmless like palm oil. She has his ear to a degree as a general, but she would have real influence if he were to give her the title of Woman King. Not a queen, to be clear, but a Woman King, a woman with kingly importance. But no woman has been given that title in decades. Nanisca would have to do something outstanding to earn it. Given that it’s the title of the movie, I’d say it’s likely that Nanisca will indeed do something outstanding. The ranks of the Agojie are often filled with women freed from the Oyo, but some come from within Dahomey itself. Nawi (Thuso Mbedu) is a young woman given to the king by her callous adoptive father because she won’t marry a rich scumbag who beats her. She quickly decides that the wife life isn’t for her and signs on to become an Agojie. She still takes a beating, in a manner of speaking, but it’s on her terms. She doesn’t have much natural skill, but thanks to perseverance and the tutelage of her trainer Izogie (Lashana Lynch), she finishes first in her class. This gets her the attention of Nanisca, who sees a lot of herself in Nawi. Nawi’s performance at her graduation also gets her a different kind of attention from Brazilian trader Malik (Jordan Bulger), the kind that is forbidden in the Agojie. I’d like to say that the romantic subplot is dull and unnecessary, but this movie couldn’t be dull if it tried. Malik warns Nawi of an impending attack by the Oyo, led by the fearsome Oba (Jimmy Odukoya), with whom Nanisca has history. Can the Agojie defeat the Oyo and their European allies? Will anyone be named the Woman King? Will there be incredible performances along the way? I can’t get into spoilers for those first two questions, but can answer the third with a resounding yes. Davis, Mbedu, and Lynch are all going to be forces in the next Oscar race. Here’s a fun game you can play as you watch: try to guess which ten-second clips will be used to represent each actress at the ceremony. You’ll find no end of excellent choices. Surprisingly, it’s the action scenes that are the weakest parts of “The Woman King.” Much of the fighting is blade-based, and some of the sequences have to be confusing and obscured so the film can cling to its PG-13 rating. But what the film lacks in battlefield drama, it more than recuperates in human drama. For the first time in a long time, I heard heartfelt cheering and gasping from an audience that was invested in characters they had known for only a few minutes. Most franchise pictures can’t pull that off with characters audiences have known for years. I hope this movie reigns atop the box office for a good long while. Grade: A- “The Woman King” is rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, some disturbing material, thematic content, brief language and partial nudity. Its running time is 135 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The U.S. Small Business Administration approved Governor Tate Reeves' request for assistance for businesses affected by the Jackson Water Crisis. Many businesses within Hinds County, including the City of Jackson, have experienced economic losses due to total or near total loss of water pressure following the Pearl River flooding in late August 2022. With little to no running water throughout the city, businesses could not serve, clean, cool, or sanitize, forcing them to either suffer losses or temporarily shut down. "These low interest loans will go a long way to support our Jackson businesses and help them make it through the ongoing water crisis," said Governor Tate Reeves. "I'm committed to ensuring that we both restore clean water to the city and relieve the burdens of this crisis for Jacksonians." Businesses in Hinds County and the following contiguous counties are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Claiborne, Copiah, Madison, Rankin, Simpson, Warren, and Yazoo. These loans help small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. The application filing deadline is June 14, 2023. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Hinds Community College is offering ACT basics test preparation online beginning on Sept. 19 and going through Dec. 17. The self-paced noncredit courses cost $50 for the basic course, $95 for English prep and $95 for the math prep. To register and pay for the courses go to https://hindscc.catalog.instructure.com/browse/workforce The ACT Basics course is designed to help students improve their ACT scores by becoming familiar with the ACT test, test prep resources and strategies to begin mastering ACT questions. The English prep course is designed to help strengthen the core grammatical and semantic skills that are central to doing well on the English section of the ACT. Just as importantly, it helps with strategy, including insight on how the exam is structured and tips to use that structural knowledge to improve scores. The Math prep course offers opportunity to take a practice test, see which topic areas need the most assistance and practice lessons to help improve knowledge in those particular areas of mathematics through videos, explanations and practice problems. For more information, contact Jennifer Rodgers at 601-857-3789 or email Jennifer.rodgers@hindscc.edu.

Renie wanted a gorgeous new flower garden. So she spent some time picking the brain of a college educated agriculturalist. A man who had spent years as a high school teacher in that field. Plus, for the last ten years after retirement, he and his wife had a “hobby” - working their own small truck farm. He had qualifications galore for knowing when, what, where, and how to plant just about anything. So now she was ready. She knew exactly what plants she wanted to have in her flower garden, and where, And how to care for them. The expert had briefed her on the best environment for her plants. Fertilizing, watering, and amounts of sunshine were included in the tutorial. So far, so good. The morning came when they both began the process of digging holes and planting. (Well, in the interest of full disclosure - Renie mostly directing, Andy digging and planting.) Renie, sweetly: “Honey, these have to be right here, ‘cause they need morning sun, but they can’t take the scorching heat of the afternoon. And don’t forget to sprinkle the fertilizer in the bottom of the hole each time!” Andy, cheerfully: “Okay, sweetie, you were the one who talked to the expert, so whatever ya say!” This process went on for quite a while, her directing with him patiently digging, fertilizing and planting. But as the hours went by, and the day’s heat increased, so did the conversation. Renie, exasperated: “Andy, I thought I specifically said this plant had to be placed in full sun! Look at it! Here it is only 1:00 P.M., and it’s already in the shade!” Andy, muttering: “I can specifically tell you where I’d like to place that plant, and it would be in full shade!” But finally, all was done, and it looked great. Every one of those babies were in the perfect location, fertilizer in the holes under them, watered well, and lookin’ good! Weeks went by, and they flourished, with deep green leaves and beautiful blooms beginning to show. Then it began. A wilted leaf here, a drooping bloom there, Then those pretty blooms started hitting the ground, and those wilting leaves began yellowing. And finally, everything was acting as if autumn had hit a couple of months early, the garden looking like the end of October. What in the world? Yep, you’ve probably guessed it by now. Too much of a good thing…fertilizer. Folks, anything can be carried to excess and cause the exact opposite of its intended outcome. Dessert gives a great touch to meals, but too much leads to bad endings. Working extra hours is admirable, except when you take on so much that the kids begin to ask Mom what Dad looks like. Building up your credit score is a great idea – but without monitoring your spending, it’s gonna backfire on you. Plan, execute, and enjoy. Important stuff. But correct dosing is pretty important too.

By Bob Garver With “Barbarian,” writer/director Zach Cregger of “The Whitest Kids U Know” becomes the latest performer primarily known for comedy to take a stab at the horror genre. The gold standard is of course Jordan Peele, whose “Get Out” in 2017 was an out-of-nowhere success both at the box office and awards podiums. Then there’s John Krasinski, who led “A Quiet Place” to critical and commercial success in 2018, and perhaps even more impressively, “A Quiet Place Part II” to becoming arguably the first post-pandemic blockbuster last year. “Barbarian” isn’t a creative game-changer or a box office powerhouse, but it gets Cregger’s foot in the door for what might be a rewarding career in horror. The film (at first) follows Tess (Georgina Campbell), a woman traveling under unenviable circumstances. It’s dark, it’s rainy, she’s not familiar with the area, and she’s in a bad part of Detroit. All she wants to do is check into her rental home, and wouldn’t you know it, there’s no key in the drop box. But there is a light on inside. It’s a skittish man named Keith (Bill Skarsgard), who claims that he’s the one renting the house this weekend. He offers to share the house, and the out-of-options Tess agrees. But something is off about Keith. He suffers from night terrors, he insists way too hard that he’s not a threat, and he’s played by Pennywise from “It.” Tess finds her way into the basement, and clearly someone has been doing more than laundry down there. She finds an unlit passage and enlists the moderately-suspicious Keith to go ahead of her to investigate. Something horrific happens. The story then follows A.J. (Justin Long), an actor plagued by scandal. He’s the owner of the house, but it might just be on paper. He arrives a few weeks later to sell the property, and it very well may be the first time he’s ever set foot in it. He too is driven to the basement, and after a detour upstairs (the comedian in Cregger rearing its head), he goes exploring the darkened, seemingly endless passage. No good comes of it. Then again, A.J. is a huge slimeball and maybe “no good” is too good for him. We had a faint idea from earlier what was hiding in the passage, but A.J.’s exploration fleshes it out more, as does a flashback to the house’s previous owner, Frank (Richard Brake), a sicko from the 1980’s. Exposition from other characters, including local squatter Andre (Jaymes Butler) fills in the rest. The film revolves around the twist of what’s in the passage, but it’s not anything suggested by the setup. I’ll give you a hint like I did last week with “The Invitation”: the entity is dead-set on treating the characters like something that can be found by changing the I in “Barbarian” to a Y and then dropping five letters from the title, including both R’s. I’ve seen a lot of critical praise for “Barbarian,” and I’m sorry to say that I just don’t get it. I think critics just wanted something to recommend amid the traditional August-September dry spell. Yes, it’s a better film than I’d expect from Cregger (whose only other theatrically-released directorial effort earned a dismal 5% on Rotten Tomatoes), but the last act sabotages a lot of what came before it. I can picture Cregger giggling as he was writing the ending, which isn’t as clever or funny as he thinks it is. The good thing about the success of “Barbarian” is that it will afford Cregger the chance to make another horror movie, and hopefully that one can stick the landing. The best thing I can say about this movie is the admittedly-backhanded compliment that Cregger shows a lot of promise and I can’t wait to see what he does next. Grade: C “Barbarian” is rated R for some strong violence and gore, disturbing material, language throughout and nudity. Its running time is 102 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Starting today, appointments for the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shot are available at all Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) county health department clinics. Appointments can be made through https://covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453. The FDA has authorized an updated COVID-19 booster that offers improved protection against recent variants. The new booster is bivalent, providing better protection against both the original strain of COVID-19 and the Omicron variants that are currently causing most infections (BA.4 and BA.5). The updated vaccines are recommended for use as a booster shot for those 12 and older at least two months after completion of the primary vaccination series (Pfizer, Moderna or Noravax two-shot regimen, or Johnson & Johnson/Jannsen’s one-shot regimen) or two months after the last booster shot. “We strongly recommend that anyone eligible should go ahead and receive the updated booster now to provide the best protection against COVID-19 infection and severe complications from COVID-19,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. “There is always the possibility of increased cases as we move into the fall and winter months. Don’t wait to protect yourself.” MSDH recommends vaccination against COVID-19 for anyone 6 months and older. Vaccination is especially important for adults 65 and older, children, and adults who have weakened immune systems, and anyone with underlying health problems. COVID-19 vaccinations are available at no cost from county health departments. Vaccinations are also available at numerous pharmacies and private providers throughout the state. For information about eligibility and to make an appointment for COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters, visit https://covidvaccine.umc.edu. Please remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to your appointment, if available.