An election to fill the vacant position of Alderman-at-Large resulted in the need for a run-off, which was held on May 24. The seat was vacant due to the resignation of William Woods as Alderman-at-Large. The run-off was between Alberta Gibbs and Brady Holder. Gibbs won the run-off with sixty percent of the votes in her favor. Gibbs graduated from Hinds County Agricultural High School in 1970, from Utica Junior College in 1972, from Alcorn State University in 1974, and from Lewis University in 1981. Her platform included fighting to refurbish abandoned homes to expand the community, working to fix the streets and roads so guests and citizens of Bolton can ride smoothly around town, bringing awareness to underserved African-American youth, pushing the need for academic programs to help the children to excel, providing resources to single parents and building a sports platform for the youth.

Join Stewpot on April 3rd at The District for our annual homegrown hunger relief event, Taste of Mississippi! Taste of Mississippi is one of the largest food festivals in the Magnolia state, with culinary delights prepared by fabulous area restaurants and beverages from local distributors. All proceeds benefit the various ministries of Stewpot Community Services. Come experience The Taste! Date: Monday, April 3, 2023 Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm Location: The District at Eastover Tickets: $70 online at www.tasteofms.org and $90 at the door. Entertainment: Even Odds Participating Restaurants Library Lounge, BRAVO!, Sal & Mookie's, Broad Street, The Holy Smokers, Iron Horse Grill, Table 100, Aplos, Tuk Tuk Boom, Saltine, Amerigo, Campbell’s Bakery, Chunky Dunks, Eddie Wright BBQ, Hal & Mal’s, Highball Lanes, Johnny T’s, Logan Farms, Ooh Lala’s Bakery, Oops All Vegan, Poppy Pies, Pot & Paddle, Scrooge’s, St. Dominic, Sugar’s Place, The Hungry Goat, Velvet Bleu Creations, and Uniquely Kovered Beverage Vendors Southern Beverage (Southern Prohibition, Chandeleur, Key City, Urban South), Cathead Distillery, RNDC, Pemberley Coffee, and Island Grove Wine Company Sponsors Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, The District at Eastover, Beckham Custom Jewelry Co., Fountain Family Foundation, Nissan, iHeart Media Jackson, Trustmark, Atmos, Ross & Yerger, Regions Bank, Origin Bank, Baker Donelson, Brunini, Hertz Investment Group, Jones Walker, StorageMax, Hotel & Restaurant Supply, Element Wealth, TRIO Community Meals, St. Dominic, Pigott Law Firm, His Way, Entergy, Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, Sunbelt Sealing, Officers Involved Security Group, Eventful, Independent Roofing Systems, Waste Management, McGraw Gotta Go, Alpha Lit Jackson, Davaine Lighting, and Mosquito Authority

We all have done it. Whether we deliberately intend to speak those words, or they just kind of slide out when our mouth opens. But things that we should’na said are suddenly floating there in the air for someone else to digest. Then we live with the consequences. Usually not a good thing. There are reasons this happens to otherwise well-meaning calm, even-keeled people. Those folks who usually are known for saying things that are easily stomached by those around them. But every once in a while…people just simply slip up. No, I’m not referring to telling raunchy jokes, or swearing until the old seasoned sailor would blush. I’m referring to normal people, who for one reason or another, say something hurtful and totally out of character for them. Why do they do that? Enormous stress coming from fear of personal loss is usually a bomb threat. Somehow that emotion can loosen the tongue like little else can in life. For example, if a person - always known in the community for being a quiet sweetheart - is put under enormous stress from fear of loss, it can cause the mouth to open and spikes of fire will come out. Leaving the unfortunate one who said the wrong thing incinerated and feeling like crumpling into a pile of hot ashes. (Or, more likely, Mrs. Unfortunate will strike back with her own claws out.) Ouch. Many good relationships have been damaged when fear of loss enters the picture. Want to hear another threat-producing scenario? The centuries-old emotion of pure anger. “You did so-n-so to me or my loved one, and I am so furious that I’m not responsible for my behavior or my next words!” Again, said target of that anger probably won’t just knuckle under and apologize. Most likely, narrowed eyes will begin to center with laser-like precision on their target, the mouth opens, and war begins. Another relationship goes down the drain. One more reason. Deeply hidden shame that has been triggered by something someone else said or did. Nuthin’ like feeling that your hated secret is exposed to the world to make a person want to burn the hide off their exposer. Sometimes a vindictive exposer knows exactly what they are saying and means to say it. Other times, their innocent comments accidentally hit a long-buried hurtful issue. Then the surprised speaker can suddenly have their eyebrows singed. All because of someone’s hidden shame. No matter the reason, the result can be the same. A usually mild-mannered person can become an activated verbal time-bomb with the right provocation. And then, when the crisis is over and gone, that usually normal person is left wondering, “Why in the world did I….ME!!... say all those things? I don’t treat people that way!” I’ve said it before, and I say it again. Cut each other some slack. We all have our issues and sometimes we need forgiveness and understanding.

By Kara Kimbrough Not since I learned that spaghetti and meatballs are an urban myth - the two food items are never served together in Italy - have I been as disillusioned as I was recently upon learning Americans' typical St. Patrick’s Day fare didn’t originate in Ireland. Oh sure, the Irish knew about corned beef and cabbage. The problem was, most of them couldn’t afford it, dining instead on pork and potatoes when March 17 rolled around. Despite these misconceptions, it’s still fun to celebrate St. Paddy’s with a hearty meal of corned beef, cabbage or a Reuben sandwich, my favorite way to combine the two. As much as I love a Reuben, I’ve never been a fan of sauerkraut. Something about the fermenting process turns my stomach. So, I found a delicious substitution that is similar in texture, but lacks the sour taste of sauerkraut. Cook a few slices of bacon until brown, remove from the pan and set aside. In the bacon grease, add a package of Asian chopped salad. Sauté the vegetables until wilted, then add ½ cup of hot water into which a chicken bouillon cube has been dissolved. Chop bacon and add to the mixture, stirring well until everything is thoroughly mixed and heated through. Use the end result as a topping for a Reuben or as a side dish with corned beef. Even though I’ve debunked the myth about corned beef and cabbage being an authentic St. Paddy’s Day dish, that’s no reason not to enjoy them – or a succulent Reuben – this Friday. I even found a delicious appetizer recipe – crispy baked Reuben pinwheels – that I can’t publish since it’s not mine. But if you’d like the recipe, email me and I’ll send it your way. In the meantime, enjoy St. Patrick's Day Friday with these delicious recipes that’ll create a meal any Irishman would be lucky to claim. Luck O’ the Irish Crockpot Corned Beef & Cabbage 5 potatoes, peeled and quartered 4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks 1 onion, peeled and cut into chunks 4 cups water 2 cups beef broth 4 pounds corned beef brisket 1 head cabbage, coarsely sliced and chopped Place carrots, and onion into the bottom of a Crockpot; add water and lay brisket on top of vegetables. Pour broth over brisket. If brisket contains a spice packet, sprinkle that over the meat. If not, add your favorite seasonings. Cook on high for 7 hours; stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour. It’s Easy Being Green Key Lime Pie For crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, broken into pieces 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled 3 tablespoons sugar For filling: 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 4 large egg yolks ½ cup lime juice 1 tablespoon lime jest Green food coloring To make crust: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together graham-cracker crumbs, butter and sugar in a medium bowl; mix well. Press into a 9-inch pie plate and bake until lightly browned, 11-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. To make filling: Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees. In a bowl, whisk together condensed milk, egg yolks, lime juice and zest and a drop of green food coloring. Pour into the prepared crust. Return pie to oven and bake until the center is set, 15-17 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator before serving. Top each slice of pie with a scoop of whipped cream or Cool Whip; sprinkle with green sugar or more lime zest.

By Bob Garver I’m willing to argue that “Scream” is the greatest slasher movie franchise of all time. Not only is the 1996 original a meta-horror classic, but prior to “Scream VI,” three of the five movies in the series were halfway decent. Can any other slasher property with at least five installments boast that kind of ratio of good to bad? “A Nightmare on Elm Street” got too silly with jokes that didn’t land, “Friday the 13th” was overrated in the first place, and fans got sick of “Halloween” constantly reinventing itself. “Scream” has thus far needed only one clear reboot, and last year’s fifth installment was a rousing success. A mere fourteen months later, we’ve got a sixth chapter, and it… keeps the property out of trouble. After a prologue where we follow a film professor (Samara Weaving) and a student (Tony Revolori) and their encounters with the latest incarnation of the terrifyingly-masked killer known as Ghostface, it’s time to catch up with some familiar faces. Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) has moved to New York City to be with her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega). Yes, I can finally reveal a twist I was keeping under wraps in my review of the last movie: after an impressive performance by Ortega in the opening scene, Tara survived the Ghostface attack, and in fact the whole movie, a rarity for this series. Will Weaving or Revolori be so lucky? Also returning are twins Chad (Mason Gooding) and Mindy (Jasmin Savoy Brown) from the fifth movie, Kirby (Hayden Panettiere) from the fourth, and reporter Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox), from every single one of these. New characters include Tara’s roommate Quinn (Liana Liberato), Quinn’s cop father Wayne (Dermot Mulroney), Sam’s boyfriend Danny (Josh Segarra), Mindy’s girlfriend Anika (Devyn Nakoda), and Chad’s roommate Ethan (Jack Champion). I wasn’t really digging the new characters, but I said that about Chad and Mindy in the last movie, and they’ve since grown on me. Sam and Tara remain compelling as the new faces of the franchise. It was the right decision for the series to shift to them as leads when it did. I was looking forward to the heavily-promoted change of setting from small-town California to New York City, where I live. Sadly, the city’s atmosphere only comes into play in two scenes, one in a bodega and one on a subway. I didn’t like the bodega sequence because Ghostface uses a gun, which goes against the rules of the slasher genre. And I didn’t like the subway sequence because it invokes a station and line that I use at least five days a week, but it doesn’t look familiar, so it just draws attention to the fact that the movie wasn’t filmed in New York (it was actually Montreal). But the characters mostly have all the space they need to hide, stalk, and chase, especially in the case of an Easter Egg-filled abandoned movie theater that this Ghostface uses as a home base. “Scream VI” is just okay. It isn’t groundbreaking like the original or reinvigorating like last year’s reboot. My jury is still out on whether it has the charm of the second movie. But it isn’t making me wish the franchise would just die like the third or fourth. It was probably a good idea to rush this movie out, so fans wouldn’t have time to get their hopes up for a better movie and then be disappointed. I’m sure there will be a seventh “Scream,” and I will be eagerly anticipating another installment in the greatest slasher movie franchise of all time. But hopefully that one will be a better reminder of why this franchise is so great. Grade: B- “Scream VI” is rated R for strong bloody violence and language throughout, and brief drug use. Its running time is 122 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health and local chapters of The Links, Incorporated will host the Black Family Wellness Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, March 18, 2023. The expo will be held at Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, located 3502 West Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39213. Dental exams, wellness screening, health education and various resources to improve health outcomes for the entire family will be available. During the expo, attendees can enjoy food, family fun, and entertainment. The event is free and open to the public. Vendors interested in distributing resources at the expo should complete vendor form. The vendor form link is: bit.ly/3F9NsAo . The Black Family Wellness Expo is designed to build stronger families and is also sponsored by the Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center. For more information or to secure a vendor form, contact the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health at smelvin@advancingminorityhealth.org or at (601) 521-9031

Central Hinds Academy senior Keith Purvis has been named STAR Student for the 2022-23 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council M.B. Swayze Foundation. The foundation selects STAR Students based on academic excellence, based on ACT scores and scholastic averages. Each STAR student selects a teacher that has significantly contributed to the his educational achievement to be a STAR Teacher. Keith has chosen English teacher Tyanne McCoy to receive this honor. Congrats to Keith and Mrs. McCoy!!!

Everyone knows how to procrastinate – including me. I decided about two months ago to write this column. Finally, today I had to force myself to sit down and begin. Why? Why do we humans put off doing what we know we need to do? From what I have observed, the animal kingdom doesn’t do that. Just us. There is no squirrel sighing, “Yeah, the winter’s coming and I know that there won’t be any nuts on the ground that I can scrounge, but I just don’t feel like hunting, carrying and storing those things this week. I’ll get to it…later.” No colony of ants is rebelling against the direct order of their queen ant to retrieve another home’s entire stash of food – crumb by crumb. “We just feel like doing something else today, Miz Queen. That last kitchen was plumb full of sugary stuff, so we wanna celebrate instead of working. A bunch of us have decided to just have our own picnic.” So, I ask again, why do we top-of-the-heap-creations procrastinate? One excuse bouncing around in our heads; “I’m just not psyched up to do that yet.” Another one; “I am afraid to try, I have no doubt I’ll just mess it up.” Or how about this; “It’s way too big, I’m completely overwhelmed by even thinking about that.” Or something along these lines; “That ain’t gonna be any fun, and I would rather go pick ticks off my dog than have to settle down and get that done.” Here’s a familiar one: “I just don’t have time, I’m way too busy for that.” Or: “It’s not due for another thirty minutes yet!” Any of those sound familiar to you? Or you may have your own favorite excuses that you use to put off hated tasks that are scary, or overwhelming in size. People will use anyone or anything to keep from beginning. Like a panic-stricken woman grabbing for a water-logged pillow when she is trying to find something to keep her afloat in the ocean, it doesn’t have to make sense. Procrastinators will look around and seize any excuse they can find to avoid a task that they dread. But why did I put off writing this column? Good question. Difficult subject? Exposure of one of my own weaknesses? Writing on the subject would make me confront myself, and my tendency to run from difficulty? Ouch. I finally made myself sit down at my desk by the fireplace with a cup of something hot, opened up my computer, and started writing. Blindly trusting that my thoughts on the ugly subject will materialize into some sort of order and make sense to you. Sometimes folks, that’s what we have to do –just bite the bullet and begin doing the very thing we need to do. Doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect down to the last word. In the words of a cowboy preacher friend of mine, “Just get ‘er done!”

The CHA Tennis Team is on FIRE! They move to 3-0 with a win over Christ Covenant! Winning for the Cougars: #1 Singles- Macie Curtis, #2 Singles- Reagan Lord, #1 Girls Doubles- Grace Barnett and Emerson Bingham, #2 Doubles- Payton Townsend and Brooke Smith #2 Singles- Luke Barlow, #2 Doubles- Matthew Bradshaw and Walker Rushing, Mixed Doubles- Chase Hankins and Kayla Houston

The IRS will open the Jackson Taxpayer Assistance Center on Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 100 W. Capital St., Jackson, Mississippi 39269. The special opening is part of its efforts to improve service this tax season. During the special Saturday opening, taxpayers can receive face-to-face help from IRS employees without an appointment. Normally, these centers are open during the week and people should have appointments to receive services. But during these Saturday hours, walk-ins will be accepted for all services routinely offered at an office, except for making cash payments. Tax return preparation is not a service provided at IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs). Services provided The IRS’s Contact Your Local Office site lists all services provided at specific TACs. If someone has questions about a tax bill, an IRS audit or they need help resolving a tax problem, they’ll receive assistance from IRS employees specializing in those services. If these employees aren’t available, the individual will receive a referral for additional help on these services. IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service employees may also be available to help with some issues. Professional foreign language interpretation will be available in many languages through an over-the-phone translation service. For deaf or hard of hearing individuals who need sign language interpreter services, IRS staff will schedule appointments for a later date. Alternatively, these individuals can call TTY/TDD 800-829-4059 to make an appointment. For more information on the special Saturday openings, visit IRS.gov/saturdayhours. For a snapshot of the most requested customer service topics, see Publication 5136, IRS Services Guide. Come prepared Individuals should bring the following documents with them: Current government-issued photo identification, Social Security cards or ITINs for themselves and all members of their household, including their spouse and dependents (if applicable), Any IRS letters or notices received and related documents, For identity verification services, two forms of identification and, if filed, a copy of the tax return for the year in question. During the visit, IRS staff may also request the following information: A current mailing address, Proof of bank account information included on a tax return to receive payments or refunds by direct deposit. Tax return preparation options While tax return preparation is not a service offered at IRS TACs, information will be shared about available local free tax preparation options. Help is also available using the following services: Eligible individuals or families can get free help preparing their tax return at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites. To find the closest free tax return preparation help, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. To find an AARP Tax-Aide site, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 1-888-227-7669. Any individual or family earning $73,000 or less in 2022 can use tax software through IRS Free File at no cost. There are products in English and Spanish. MilTax, a Department of Defense program, offers free return preparation software and electronic filing for federal tax returns and up to three state income tax returns. It’s available for all military members, and some veterans, with no income limit. Help available 24/7 at IRS.gov The IRS encourages people to explore IRS.gov before traveling to an office. It’s the fastest and easiest way for people to get the help they need. They can learn about the many self-service tools and resources available to resolve common tax concerns online. Some include IRS identity protection services, requesting Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN), refunds, transcripts and payment options. Go to www.irs.gov for more information. Available resources include: Where’s My Refund?, check refund status and estimated delivery date. Direct Pay, make tax payments or estimated tax payments for free from a checking or savings account. Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, individuals or businesses can make all types of federal tax payments. Online Payment Agreement, set up installment payments to pay taxes owed. Where’s My Amended Return, track the status of an amended return. Interactive Tax Assistant and FAQs, get answers to many tax law questions. All IRS Forms and Publications, find and download current tax forms, instructions and publications. Those without access to the internet can call 800-829-3676 to order tax forms by mail.

By Kara Kimbrough After highlighting some (notice, I said "some," as there are hundreds more) of the best places to visit in Mississippi cities and towns north of the Capital City, it's only fair that I mention a few spots further south. Spring, which seems to have arrived a few weeks early, is the absolute best time to get out and explore all that Mississippi has to offer before summer's oppressive heat makes sheltering indoors under the a/c the only viable option. There’s no way I can list them all, but here are a few on my top picks to enjoy spring break with the family or for anytime the urge to take a road trip emerges. 1. Mississippi's Capital City is blessed with an outstanding lineup of museums rivaling the number and quality found in any metropolitan area. A few that come to mind are, in no particular order: Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, Children's Museum, Agriculture and Forestry Museum, Sports Hall of Fame and Museum and Museum of Natural Science. Learn more about these and other museums around the city at: visitjackson.com. While each of these museums is amazing and worthy of a visit, the Old Capitol Museum holds a special place in my heart. Visiting this historic building during elementary schools field trips remains a favorite memory. This breathtakingly-beautiful structure, a National Historic Landmark and one of American's premier examples of Greek Revival architecture, has reigned supreme on State Street in downtown Jackson since 1839. Mississippi's most historically-significant building served as the first state house until 1903 and was the site of historic legislation, including crafting of the state's constitution and secession from the Union in 1859. Wander through the cavernous, newly-renovated building and enjoy viewing interesting artifacts from Mississippi's past, interactive multimedia exhibits and information on historic preservation. Admission is free; learn more about the building and hours of operation at: mdah.ms.gov. 2. Hattiesburg is a typical "college town," filled with dining and shopping opportunities, museums, nightlife and recreation. However, there are plenty of activities geared to families, including those with children. One of the best places to visit is Kamper Park featuring its crown jewel, the Hattiesburg Zoo. It's not the largest zoo but does contain a more than respectable collection of animals from around the globe. In addition to the main exhibits, there's an Australian Wallaby Walkabout offering the chance to mingle with animals from Down Under, daily giraffe feeding opportunities, petting zoo and more. Other features include an electric train, high ropes adventure course, mining for gems and stones and plenty of pavilions and picnic spots. For more information, visit: hattiesburgzoo.com. A more detailed list of all the area has to offer can be found at: visithburg.org. 3. A trip to our beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast is always a good idea. Harrison, Hancock and Jackson Counties are packed with thousands of opportunities for family fun, ranging from water sports and excursions, museums, dining, shopping and much more. If I had to recommend just one Gulf Coast attraction, the spectacular Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport is near the top of the list. And since many of the aquarium's exhibits are located outside, spring is the perfect time to visit before heat and humidity descend. Overlooking the gulf, the spectacular Mississippi Aquarium contains nearly 6 acres filled with an amazing collection of sea life, wildlife, birds and more. Over 200 species can be viewed in 12 habitats designed to allow visitors to safely view animals and sea creatures from a few feet away. A spectacular 30-foot, 360-degree tunnel allows up-close views of marine life - sharks, sea turtles and numerous species of exotic fish - from above and below. Outside, crocodiles and alligators are dozing in the sun and playful river otters and dolphins splash and play in open pools. Believe me when I say the adults (myself included) are every bit as entertained as the youngest visitor. Last, no trip to the Gulf Coast is complete without a delicious meal, preferably one with a water view. Weekly, I receive emails from readers asking for restaurant recommendations. To receive my top picks for a memorable Gulf Coast dining experience to fit any budget, taste or age group, drop me an email and I'll gladly send it to you. Happy spring, ya'll! Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

With the federal government ending the continuous Medicaid coverage requirement on March 31, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid (DOM) is notifying Medicaid members that eligibility renewals will begin on April 1. DOM urges all Medicaid members to make sure their contact information is correct by visiting www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered. During the COVID-19 public emergency, states and territories have continued to cover every person who has been eligible for Medicaid on or after March 18, 2020, even if their income or circumstances have changed and otherwise would no longer be eligible. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) passed in December, Congress has now required states to begin the process of redetermining the eligibility of all Medicaid members. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has instructed all states to begin normal redetermination operations by April 1, 2023, at the latest. To prepare for the return to annual renewals, DOM is sending notices to recipients alerting them to the change in federal requirements and to look for renewal forms in the mail in the months ahead. Members can update their information online at www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered, or by calling DOM at 1-800-421-2408 or 601-359-6050. DOM has been actively increasing its eligibility workforce through various recruitment and retention efforts, including hiring temporary staff to help with the caseload and streamlining training requirements. In January, DOM also launched a Stay Covered campaign, which includes a Coverage Champions program for community partners, advocates and providers to support Medicaid members and prepare for the end of the continuous coverage requirement. The Stay Covered webpage (www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered) includes a media toolkit, a link for members to update their contact information, and more important information about the unwinding process. Following federal guidance, renewals for all current Medicaid members must be initiated within 12 months following April 1, and all renewals must be completed within 14 months. When DOM begins redeterminations, electronic verification sources will first be used to try to renew a member’s benefits. If more information is needed to complete a renewal, the member will be mailed a renewal form, and they will have 30 days to fill it out and return it. DOM is also reaching out to members via email and text messages. Find more information and frequently asked questions (FAQs) online at www.medicaid.ms.gov/staycovered.