Get ready to show off your school spirit, BEEMS Rangers! Homecoming Spirit Week kicks off on September 30, 2024, with a full week of themed dress-up days and activities. Every day is a new opportunity to celebrate, have fun, and display your Ranger pride. Don’t miss out on the excitement, and let’s cheer our Rangers on to victory!

By Bob Garver               I actually had high hopes going into “Transformers One.” Not because I’m a big fan of the toys or really anything about the property, but because this movie promised to correct some of the mistakes made by its predecessors. Namely, I was excited that there wouldn’t be any live-action actors. For some reason, this franchise has never shied away from shoving human Shia LeBeouf or Mark Wahlberg characters down our throats when we all know it’s the giant robots that sell tickets. This time, no humans, all robots. Also, animated versions of previously-live-action franchises have been pleasing me lately. Both “Spider-Verse” movies are outstanding, and last year for the first time I found myself liking a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie with “Mutant Mayhem.” Could “Transformers One” turn me around on another property that I had previously dismissed as a series of glorified toy commercials? Sadly, no.             The new film is a prequel that looks at the friendship-turned-feud between Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry) back when they were just humble miners on the planet Cybertron. The robots, known then as Orion Pax and D-16, respectively, live to serve planetary leader Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), but they can’t do much since they lack the gears to Transform. Orion believes that if he can retrieve an ancient artifact known as the Matrix of Leadership, he can help the struggling planet more than Sentinel ever could. He hatches various harebrained schemes that include breaking into forbidden records rooms, entering he and D-16 in a race off-limits to non-Transformers, and exiting the mines and visiting the planet’s surface ultra-dangerous surface.             It’s on the surface that they meet left-for-dead Prime robot Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne), who warns them of a threat to the entire planet. They also come across a roving band of disavowed High Guard robots led by Starscream (Steve Buscemi), who may become allies if Orion and D-16 can win them over. History is learned, secrets are revealed, some characters are captured by the villains for the final act. Along for the ride are disgruntled ex-mining supervisor Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and waste management grunt B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key). Supposedly the latter will eventually become Bumblebee, a Transformer I know to be more competent than Optimus Prime, but here is just an annoying screwup, making me understand why “Bumble” is part of his name.             B-127 is responsible for about a third of the unfunny comedy in this movie, meaning that he’s the “most” responsible, but he’s not the only one. There’s a weird… what I’ll call “frat boy” energy permeating the scenes with male robots in this movie, outside of Fishburne. It’s like Hemsworth, Henry, and Hamm are all competing to nail the perfect ratio of humor, chill, and action stardom. The result is three performances that are basically the same, which might work if the humor was funnier and the chill was necessary. And by “chill” I mean overly casual mannerisms, not the reassuring calmness that an actor like Optimus Prime’s previous voice actor Peter Cullen brought to the role.             The action scenes didn’t really do it for me either. It’s nice that the animated movie doesn’t have to worry about Earthly limitations, but with every character being an arguably-soulless robot, it’s hard to care about anyone having an advantage over anyone else. Plus, while the characters may have some color to their trim, their skeletons are all the same grayish metallic color, and that’s what you mostly see during action sequence, so it’s hard to tell who’s winning.             “Transformers One” doesn’t have much to offer outside of the Orion/D-16 relationship, which does provide some nice emotional moments from Hemsworth and Henry. Otherwise, this movie is right on par with the live-action “Transformers” movies that I wanted to leave behind. To be sure, getting rid of the humans is a step in the right direction, but it will take many more steps before I give one of these movies a recommendation.   Grade: C-   “Transformers One” is rated PG for sci-fi action and animated action throughout, and language. Its running time is 104 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Send any responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com Two-month-old Lydia suddenly feels uncomfortable, so she begins twisting her little head back and forth, whimpering, and when that doesn’t bring her mom, she begins shifting her body around. According to her beliefs, that lady-in-waiting has only one function in life - to attend to Lydia’s every whim and need. Mom is supposed to be watching that tiny body 24/7, so as to catch the first indication that “Hey, ma’am, I am not happy, and you should have already fixed this situation forty-five seconds ago!” And if that dear lady is lax jumping to attention and attending to the baby’s immediate desire of the moment, then in another few seconds all hell is going to break lose in the room. Baby fists will flail, tiny feet will kick and her face will turn redder and redder, as she screams and demands the attention she wants NOW. And the din and chaos will only get louder until she gets her way.   There is no reasoning with the child – she doesn’t want to hear any explanation Mom could offer in self-defense. There are no excuses that will be acceptable to her. Mom could lovingly argue that the phone is ringing, someone is at the door, the soup on the kitchen stove is boiling over, and she just took a header on the tile floor rushing to see what her angrily screaming baby is wanting….it matters not. The tyrant wants what she wants. NOW. And absolutely nothing but the best for her. If she is hungry, there better be warm milk on tap at the ready. If her issue is a less-than-comfortable feeling between her legs, then by golly, nothing and I mean nothing, should prevent her from nestling her tiny bottom on a comfy and dry diaper.   Whine, squirm, complain loudly, and refuse to stop manipulating those around her, until the goal of getting what she wants is achieved.   That one simple sentence containing only twenty-two words describes the behavior of two-month-old Lydia…and our 2024 Presidential Election.   Here's my question.   WHAT IS WRONG WITH US ADULTS!!!!??  Some people on both sides of the issues are acting like spoiled br…um…babies. Just like tiny infants, the needs and fears of everyone else in our country are absolutely meaningless to them, and are being totally ignored. There is a terrifying amount of “I want what I want, and I will accept no less!” surrounding this presidential election. No holds barred. We are seeing grown adults – among our country’s leaders, no less! -  unwilling to listen to another point of view, with an arrogant smirkiness that smacks of the childish taunt, “Just talk to the hand ‘cause I’m not about to listen, and you can’t make me.”   Lydia is only acting her age.  But today we have adults behaving worse than tiny tots. It’s past time to grow up, people, before we lose everything we hold dear.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson provided updates on new online ticketing options, new attractions and security measures for the upcoming 165th Mississippi State Fair taking place October 3-14, 2024. Commissioner Gipson was joined by Michael Lasseter, Director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Steve Shows, Chief of Security for the Mississippi State Fairgrounds; Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Department of Public Safety;   Chief   Bo Luckey, State Capitol Police; Colonel Charles Haynes, Mississippi Highway Patrol; Lt. Colonel James Ivory, Mississippi Highway Patrol; Chief Deputy Latasha Holmes, Hinds County Sheriff's Office; Chief Joseph Wade, Jackson Police Department; Captain Mark Hodges, Jackson Police Department; Colonel Jerry Carter, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; Colonel Keith Davis, Mississippi Law Enforcement Division; along with other state and local law enforcement officials.  "The Mississippi State Fair began as an agricultural exposition, and agriculture remains the heartbeat of this massive event over 160 years later," said Commissioner Gipson. "I'm proud to oversee this incredible, family-friendly event. With over 100 food vendors, over 60 rides, 73 expo participants, nationally recognized artists and so many great acts and shows in between, there is something for all to enjoy. And for the first time in Mississippi State Fair history, fairgoers can purchase general admission tickets and ride wristbands online ahead of the State Fair."  The 2024 Mississippi State Fair will open at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, and run through Monday, October 14. Gate admission will be $10.00 per person and parking is free. Children aged 5 and under will be admitted free of charge. The public can purchase advance admission tickets, concert tickets and ride wristbands at  www.msstatefair.com . Enjoy free admission every weekday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., except on Monday, October 14, Columbus Day. "I want to thank our fairgrounds staff," said Michael Lasseter, Director of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. "It's a lot of work putting this event together and they work tirelessly for months to get everything ready and ensure an outstanding State Fair. This year, our goal was to make things even more convenient and accessible for fairgoers." The public now has the option to buy admission tickets in advance online or at the gate. Tickets can be  purchased at the gate through one of multiple kiosks or at the ticket booth. Tickets will then be scanned digitally from a smartphone or from a printed receipt next to the point of purchase. Therefore, fairgoers who purchase online tickets in advance can skip the line. Online tickets are available for purchase now through Wednesday, October 2, for a discounted price of $8 per person. Fairgoers can expect all their favorites, including the Taste of the Dixie National Rodeo; State Fair Marketplace Expo and Genuine MS® Store; State Fair Pageant and Talent Show; Farm Bureau Petting Zoo and pig races; 4-H and FFA livestock shows; Zerbini Family Circus; and the beloved Biscuit Booth. In addition to all the usual vendors, shows and rides, the 2024 State Fair will also feature all-new attractions like the Tumbleweed Crossing Wild West reenactment, the family-friendly Agri-Puppets show and the hands-on 4-H and FFA Barnyard exhibition. Fairgrounds and law enforcement officials also stressed that safety is a top priority for the annual Mississippi State Fair, highlighting the continued partnership between local and state law enforcement agencies, as well as first responders. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Highway Patrol, State Capitol Police, Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, State Fire Marshal's Office, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau, Hinds County Sheriff's Office, Jackson Police Department, Pearl Police Department, American Medical Response and Swetman Security are all working in collaboration with the Mississippi State Fairgrounds. "Ensuring a safe and secure environment for all attendees of the 165th Mississippi State Fair is our top priority," said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. "Law enforcement will work tirelessly to guarantee that everyone feels welcome and confident in their enjoyment of the fair here in our Capital City," said Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Fairgrounds Chief of Security Steve Shows outlined the following safety measures that will be in effect at the 2024 Mississippi State Fair: Beginning at 9:00 p.m., any guest under the age of 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. Guests are encouraged to bring identification. When entering the Midway, all guests will proceed through one of several 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. "Thank you to all our men and women in law enforcement who are partnering with the Mississippi State Fairgrounds to ensure the safety of our visitors so they can relax and enjoy their time at the 2024 State Fair," continued Commissioner Gipson. "I look forward to seeing you all there!" View  https://youtu.be/OOups_xYpr8  to watch the full press conference online. For more information, visit  www.msstatefair.com  and follow the Mississippi State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and X.

By: Bob Garver “Speak No Evil” is a remake of a 2022 Danish movie with a famously vile twist. I went into this film expecting it to have the same twist. That’s not to say that I expected it to have the same “ending,” exactly, as I knew the film might deviate from the source material once it reached a certain point. But there could be no question that it was indeed winding its way to that point. It was no surprise that what came after that point was horror movie shlock, but I was surprised by how captivated I was by what led up to that point. The film finds protagonist couple Ben and Louise Dalton (Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis, respectively) on vacation with their daughter Agnes (Alix West) in Italy. They’re about as unhappy there as they are at home in London, which is to say pretty unhappy, with Ben falling short as a provider and Louise possibly dabbling in infidelity. But things pick up when they meet fun couple Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) and their mute son Ant (Dan Hough). The kids become fast friends, the families have a great time together, and Paddy and Ciara invite the Daltons to their house in the country. The thing is that when everybody met, they were all on vacation, so the playing field was level in terms of accommodations and shared mood. The dynamic shifts a little when the Daltons are guests in Paddy and Ciara’s home. At first it’s just little inconveniences like the guest room sheets having stains and there not being a proper bed for Agnes. But as the days go by, the Daltons find that they like their hosts less and less. Paddy and Ciara don’t treat an immigrant neighbor very well, they’re too open about their sex lives, and they have some differing views on parenting that they’re increasingly unafraid to impose. Also, Ant keeps urgently trying to tell them something, which is frustrating because a condition with his tongue makes it impossible. The film is at its best in this portion. Everyone has acquaintances whose sense of boundaries don’t quite mesh with their own, and the film milks that universal anxiety for all it’s worth. It might not be “horror” in the traditional sense, but I’d sure be scared to be in some of these situations where I might come off as a bad friend or ignorant or “in the wrong.” Of course, this movie isn’t being sold on exploiting the audience’s fear of social faux pas, eventually the other shoe has to drop and proper horror elements have to present themselves. And from that point forward, this movie becomes just another exercise in flat tires, cut phone lines, and characters running up the stairs when they should be bolting out the door. Oh, and a villain or villains that have been meticulous for years suddenly getting so sloppy that you’ll wonder how they ever had any success in the first place. “Speak No Evil” was doing so well for so long. The astute technical team recreates certain shots perfectly from the original movie and the gradual dissolution of politeness and respect is paced beautifully. Part of me was hoping that the Daltons could get away from Paddy and Ciara just so their battle of passive-aggressiveness could be picked back up at another time. But no, this just has to be a movie with a body count, and the chances for a sequel are as bleak as the original’s ending. I do give a recommendation to “Speak No Evil,” but it would be evil of me to say that you should expect a truly excellent movie. Grade: B- “Speak No Evil” is rated R for some strong violence, language, some sexual content and brief drug use. Its running time is 110 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Send responses to: andybowman839@gmail.com You’ve surely seen them. The people in your life that rarely look at the glass as half empty. To them, having a half-empty glass just means they can to fill it to the brim with whatever they choose. But to a person who is discouraged, depressed, and feeling victimized by endless defeats, a Constantly Contented Connie can be absolutely irritating to be around. We commonly refer to the two attitudes as Victor and Victim Mindsets. Victors. They have decided to be just that. They have already decided that they will play the long game. Sure, they remember the defeats, the heartaches, the horrible times in the past.  They aren’t ignorant and naïve. They know sad times are going to roll over and flatten them again. But here’s the difference. They know a difficult time can only defeat them as much, and as long, as they allow it to defeat them. So, during the discouraging times, they concentrate on the good parts in their life, wherever they can find them. A tornado blows away their home – they thank God that their family is alive. A fire takes the life of their loved ones – even in their overwhelming grief, they find ways to be grateful for other things and other loved ones left in their life. They lose their only means of income – they invariably open their heart to others and realize they can be grateful for so many other things and people in their lives. While they determinedly begin searching for a new way of supporting themselves. They simply refuse to quit. And because they won’t, they keep marching ahead. Oh, yes, of course they feel pain and discouragement – they’re not happy little robots who can only get in touch with their positive emotions. But the difference is this. They have determined within themselves to not become victimized by the difficulties of their life. They know if they do, they will be destined to feeling hopeless. Always feeling victimized.    On the other hand is the Victim. A person who has been hurt badly – over and over again in life. And at some point they began to give up hoping that they will catch a break, that life will be good to them. And unfortunately, hopelessness can be the birthplace of anger, which is usually the grandparent of depression. Not a great way to live life. A victim mindset can be changed. But only if you want to change and will work at it. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your circumstances will automatically become the stuff of dreams. But it does mean that you won’t have to live your life just knowing that the worst will always happen. Ongoing pessimism is your enemy. The killer of dreams and the ambusher of any optimism and happiness that life can hand to you. Give yourself the chance to win – even in loss.

By: Kara Kimbrough   Here’s a sobering thought. The overall quality of life of Americans living in the previous century compared to modern-day residents was much better. No surprise, our ancestors were much healthier. Diseases like cancer and diabetes were rarer and here’s why.   Researchers attribute moderate doses of sunshine, rigorous daily exercise from working on farms and most importantly, primarily eating made-from-scratch foods like home-grown vegetables and farm-raised chicken, beef and pork as the reason our grandparents and prior generations experienced fewer health problems.     The report made me realize I need to rely more on home-cooked meals made with fresh ingredients instead of frozen and processed ones. Some argue they “don’t have time” or aren’t very proficient in the kitchen, relying instead on heat-and-eat meals courtesy of the supermarket or other places. This train of thought doesn’t hold water, since there are hundreds – maybe thousands- of 4 and 5-ingredient recipes requiring little preparation time before cooking.      Here are three of my favorite quick-and-easy go-to dinner recipes that would undoubtedly make my healthier ancestors proud: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken and   Dried Beef 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 4-ounce jar dried beef slices, separated 6 strips bacon (don't use thick-cut)  1 cup sour cream 1 can cream of mushroom soup      Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Placed dried beef strips in bottom of greased casserole dish. Wrap bacon slices around each chicken breast and place over beef. Combine sour cream and soup; spread over chicken. Cover and bake for two hours. Serve over noodles or rice. Pork Chops and Potatoes Bake 4 to 6 pork chops 4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½-inch slices 1 can cheddar cheese soup 1 cup sour cream      Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place two layers of sliced potatoes in bottom of greased casserole dish. Place pork chops on top. Combine soup and sour cream. Pour over chops. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Ham and Potatoes O’Brien Casserole 5 slices of deli ham, chopped 24-ounce package Ore-Ida Potatoes O’Brien, thawed 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature 4.5-ounce jar green chilies, chopped      Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place thawed potatoes and chopped ham in greased casserole dish, combine and spread out with a spatula. Combine cream cheese and green chilies. Pour over potatoes and stir well. Bake for 40 minutes. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com .

The sample ballot for the 2024 November General Election is now available on the Mississippi Secretary of State's website. Note:  The order of the sample ballot was set forth by the State Board of Election Commissioners in accordance with Miss. Code Ann. Section 23-15-367, which provides nominees of political parties shall be listed first and organized alphabetically by candidate last name. After political party nominees, independent candidates are listed alphabetically by candidate last name. Click here to access the sample ballot 2024 Election Dates September 23 - Absentee Ballots Available October 7 - Voter Registration Deadline for the General Election November 2 - In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline November 5 - General Election Day

By: Mika Hartman    October is here. As we commemorate both Down Syndrome Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), I can reflect on what I have learned on this journey, share some of the hard truths and hope for a better tomorrow for my son.    Hudson is only 6; however, the dreams I have for him should not be limited based on an outdated mindset or the “no longer applicable” laws that still exist. It is time to look at the success stories of our children and raise our expectations. It is beyond time to put back in the hands of people with disabilities what their glass ceiling is and whether or not they can break it; that is up to the individual. The laws, as written today, hold back our buddies and give society the doubt that greatness can be achieved. We currently live in a “prove you can do more” versus a “sky’s the limit” outcome all while holding back the tools needed to achieve the successes our buddy's desire.     Did you know that if two people with Down syndrome want to get married, they will lose their SSI benefits? Why? Because they would become a two-person income family and exceed the dollar amount cap to receive the benefits. All while many states still offer sub   minimum wages to our friends born with an extra chromosome. Many families find themselves fighting against raising wages to not put at risk the benefits that their loved one needs. How backwards is all of this? Penalize an individual who has to work harder at the job they have all while likely not being given the proper training. And let’s not even add in layoffs and who is first to go. And back to the thought of finding love and wanting a commitment in a legal way to be stopped by the government. It’s more than outdated, it’s discrimination.    Last year, I wrote about my hopes for Hudson’s future. I don’t care if he wants to build pizza boxes or run for President of the United States, it is up to me to make sure he is provided with all the tools he needs to be whatever he dreams to be. If he wants to be married, I absolutely want this for him, too. It’s what we should all want for him; to find love, to be loved and to have the choice to give a girl his last name. I more than welcome it, I pray for it.    Two individuals with Down syndrome, that I met years ago, may not have been able to be legally married; however, they did have a commitment ceremony. Heather and Craig Blackburn fight this issue at every turn. They didn’t let the law stop them from being committed in this relationship, but it has stopped them from being able to live together, because they currently live in two different states and moving will change their benefits. Crossing state lines can change so much for our buddies. We are a military family, and I understand this inconvenience all too well. Our families already have enough challenges, it seems like elected officials would help make some things easier on our journey.     Let’s also talk about what SSI provides: it varies per state, but the maximum monthly payment is $943. That is $11 316 per year per person. If a person earns $2 from work, their SSI payment will be reduced by about $1. If a couple gets married, their benefits go to $1 , 371 average per month for two people. Divide that in two, you see they go to $685 per person and that’s only if they don’t have a job, much less both be working. The system is so backwards; punish two people who want to be married and work, but who need the benefits because they have more health concerns and more needs like glasses, hearing aids, thyroid medication, heart issues, transportation worries, accessible living needs and more.     In celebrating NDEAM, my ask is that you get involved. Learn about the laws that need to be revised and be a voice for the needed change. I ask that you see my son and his possibilities, not his disability. Remove the outdated stigmas and do some research to see what all our buddies are accomplishing today. Help them achieve their dreams, don’t be the one stopping them.     My son is EXTRA; if or when he pops the question one day, I hope the worry of this issue is gone and we can focus on celebrating the future Mrs. Hartman and the next chapter of the life we want for our son….    … that is the life he EXTRA wants and EXTRA deserves!

By Bob Garver               In preparation for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” I watched the original film from 1988. I found that I liked “some” things about it, like the set and character designs and much of the humor, but it’s not a film I would recommend overall. The special effects weren’t well-integrated (even for the 80’s), motivations between the warring factions made no sense, and worst of all, the characters just weren’t likeable. I’m not talking about obvious villains like the ruthless profiteers or Michael Keaton’s sleazy trickster-for-hire Betelgeuse (hereafter referred to as “Beetlejuice”). I mean that I couldn’t even root for harmless yuppie couple the Maitlands (you guys are dead, find something to do with your eternal lives and stop bothering the living) or Winona Ryder’s teenage goth icon Lydia Deetz (“’somebody’ wants attention”). The good news is that the new film is better about making its protagonists likeable. The bad news is that, while it addresses one issue, others remain and a few new ones pop up.             The story finds the now-adult Lydia returning to her family’s old home to attend her father’s funeral. In tow are her eccentric artist stepmother Delia (Catherine O’Hara, reprising her role from the first movie), her manipulative fiancé Rory (Justin Theroux), and her distant daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Though moody around her family and bullies, Astrid isn’t as standoffish as Lydia was in the original. She even makes friends with local boy Jeremy (Arthur Conti) and the two have a sweet little romance that you know is too wholesome for this movie, so something’s going to have to go wrong.             What isn’t too wholesome is what’s going on in the Netherworld. Ever-scummy bio-exorcist Beetlejuice isn’t having much luck with his favorite pastime of haunting Lydia, appearing to her for only a split-second at a time, which makes her question her sanity. He’s being haunted himself by his ex-wife Delores (Monica Bellucci). The two have a tumultuous history, having killed one another in their human forms. Now she’s back in his (after)life and she wants… to suck out his soul, I think. Or maybe she wants to remarry him? Or use him for a demonic ritual? Like its predecessor, this movie has a problem establishing motivations. Her inventive introduction in a scene where she fixes her own dismemberment is supposed to compensate for a lack of character development. Also underdeveloped is Willem Dafoe as Wolf Jackson, an actor who played detectives in his lifetime before transitioning to a career as an actual detective in the afterlife. Sometimes he gets his roles and his job mixed up. Great idea for a character, but the movie never quite knows how to work him into the story.             Twists and turns wind toward a wedding between Lydia and Rory that Beetlejuice wants to crash. Poor Lydia just wants to keep her family alive and Beetlejuice out of her life, but of course things can’t be that simple. She has to go through an ordeal filled with demonic babies, a half-devoured-by-fish ex-husband (not to be confused with her half-devoured-by-fish father), a literal Soul Train, and another forced musical number that wants to outdo the “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” sequence from the original.             Like the original “Beetlejuice,” I like the creativity and humor on display here, but I don’t like that the script is full of holes (and not just of the “afterlife rules are random” variety) and plot threads that go nowhere. What helps is that in this movie, the three generations of women that serve as protagonists are ultimately more loving and supportive than the characters in the original. In fact, it helps so much that, unlike its predecessor, I will recommend this movie. I’ll even look forward to the inevitable third installment, as I seriously doubt that a franchise obsessed with saying a character’s name three times is going to stop at two.   Grade: B-   “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is rated PG-13 for violent content, macabre and bloody images, strong language, some suggestive material and brief drug use. Its running time is 105 minutes.   Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu .

Mississippi Food Network (MFN) is proud to announce its 40th anniversary celebration, featuring the annual Moonlight Market fundraiser. This year's event, themed "Party Like It's 1984," will take place on September 12, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the MFN Distribution Center in Jackson, Mississippi. For four decades, the Mississippi Food Network has been at the forefront of combating hunger in the state. Today, MFN distributes over 1.5 million pounds of food monthly, serving 150,000 people through 430 member agencies across Mississippi. The Moonlight Market is not just a fundraiser; it's a testament to the unwavering support MFN has received over the years and the impact made together with the community. The event promises an evening of nostalgia and community spirit, featuring: Live 1980s cover songs performed by 'The Patrick Harkins Band' Delicious food prepared by local favorites Bulldog Burger, Elvie's, and Iron Horse Grill An opportunity to learn about MFN's impact over the past 40 years Attendees will have the chance to mingle with MFN staff, board members, supporters, and community stakeholders while supporting a crucial cause. The Moonlight Market will be held at the Mississippi Food Network Distribution Center, located at 440 W Beatty St, Jackson, MS. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit  www.msfoodnet.org/moonlightmarket .

Jim sat down at his desk that morning only to be immediately summoned into his supervisor’s office. Where he was assured that while he had been doing good work, he was also told that due to the company’s economic struggles, he was part of the layoffs in one month. That evening still in shock, he slumped into the house, hugged his kids, and went into the kitchen where his wife was cooking dinner for the family. Reluctantly giving her the bad news, he saw her eyes widen in disbelief, and fill with tears. Then he watched as his normally upbeat and optimistic wife limped over to a barstool at the island, and began sobbing. When she finally could speak through her hiccups, Jim learned that the iffy brakes on her car had finally failed at a busy intersection and she had caused a three-vehicle pileup that day. Her own visit to the emergency room had revealed only strained muscles, but the drivers of the other cars weren’t quite as fortunate. Broken limbs and car repair estimates were a part of their own lives for the next few weeks. Then she looked up through red-rimmed eyes and chokingly admitted the rest. Due to their financial difficulties in the last year, their car insurance payment hadn’t been paid for the last three months, so undoubtedly their insurance company would deny coverage of the accident. Jim comforted and reassured Rhonda the best he could and then retreated to their bedroom to begin absorbing everything. And to start trying to wrap his trauma-fogged mind around unpaid bills, updating his resume, and job hunting. No other thoughts penetrated his world at that point. Not until he heard his oldest daughter scream a warning aimed at his six-year-old son. His head jerked up at the frantic sound in her voice, and then the yelp of their little dog. Leaping off the bed, he raced down the hall to the living room, where he was accustomed to seeing his son playing his strictly enforced one hour of computer games. Not today. Today Brian had decided to entertain himself by leaping from the back of the couch to chase their dog through the house. But the little dog had darted left instead of right. Brian had landed squarely onto top of Bama, who now lay moaning painfully on the floor. Their vet gravely pronounced surgery was next on the list for the day. That night his best friend, Brad, came over to the house. He listened to their horror story, then assured Jim and Rhonda of his help through it all. Reminds this writer of another Friend. “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not dismay, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41;10. Horrible times do come, but He has promised His friends that He will be there. To never abandon us.