Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $2,013,494 through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / National Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention & Health Promotion in Cancer Prevention and Control Program funds to Mississippi State Department of Health.

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Child Nutrition is seeking sponsors to operate the 2023 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) in counties throughout the state. The federally funded program provides nutritious meals to children during school vacation periods though the program operates from June through August in most areas of Mississippi. Meals and snacks are served to children in places such as schools, churches, playgrounds, libraries and parks. Public or private nonprofit schools; units of local, municipal, county or state government; residential summer camps; and public or private nonprofit organizations may qualify as sponsors of the program. To be eligible, potential sponsors must: Be currently licensed through the State Department of Health Possess a current food permit Show you are financially and administratively capable of operating the program Provide continuing services to the community Serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as part of an organized program for enrolled children at camps. New and returning sponsors are encouraged to attend a training session set for Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. For additional training information, contact SFSP Director Susie Q. Evans-Gater via email at susie.evans@mdek12.org or SFSP Outreach Coordinator April D. Catchings at acatchings@mdek12.org or call (601) 576-5000. More information about the SFSP may be accessed through the USDA website at: fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

For many folks, it’s that dreaded time again. The Christmas holiday dinner with the extended family. The event that causes you to have to make a choice. A choice between seeing Mom’s happy smile because everyone came, or staying home so you don’t have to be around The Tongue this year. You know who I’m talking about. You promised yourself last year that God Himself couldn’t force you to sit through another dinner with Conceited Connie or Bully Bart again. Every time you hear that voice, you immediately feel your insides quiver with intense dislike. Oh yes, you’ve warned yourself repeatedly, “Just don’t react,” but every year you’ve felt a strong urge to pick up the nearest overloaded dinner plate and smash it over the head of said person. Compared to four hours of listening to their drivel, standing one-legged on the point of a needle in a hail storm sounds easy. But your spouse protests when you’re honest about wanting to boycott the family dinner this year. “But honey, you know how your mom looks forward to getting the whole family together at Christmastime! If you don’t go, she’ll be so disappointed.” And then your beloved pulls out the big guns and aims straight at your conscience. “And you know, your mom isn’t getting any younger. We’re not really sure how many more years we’ll have her here with us.” So, you sigh and pull on your big girl panties, or you men take a deep breath. You square your shoulders, and march out to the car. Knowing exactly how the condemned man feels as he marches to the gallows where the hangman’s noose dangles. Sound familiar? Probably. And you’re not alone in your dilemma. It’s a well-known fact that most families here in the good ol’ USA have issues. But knowing that just doesn’t help much, does it? So, what to do when the dreaded Dinner With The Tongue rolls around? First of all, have your plan of survival firmly fixed in your mind. Take an antacid. Or two. Fortify yourself with the prescription muscle relaxer of your choice. Scope out the nearest exits of the room ahead of time. Then plaster a smile over your gritted teeth and glue it in place. And when you hear that nerve-grating voice that lets you know The Tongue has arrived, keep taking deep breaths. But when you have finally reached your boiling point, excuse yourself quietly and beeline out of the room for a while…leaving Mom’s holiday dinnerware intact on the table. So, why should you even bother going? Because, if you ghost the family holiday dinners completely, everyone else has to face The Tongue without you. That happens very many years, and others will decide to join you in your strike – leaving only a few committed die-hards sitting around Mom’s table, staring at empty chairs. And Mom’s annual family dinner disintegrates to nothing. And another American family is no longer that…family.

By Kara Kimbrough The email in my inbox sounded so appealing: “From Thanksgiving to New Years, Beau Rivage in Biloxi is transformed into a winter wonderland adorned with larger-than-life nutcrackers, colossal Christmas ornaments, hundreds of frost-covered trees, thousands of brilliant poinsettias and Santa’s sleigh and reindeer soaring high above the atrium. A stunning 25-foot Christmas tree and classic winter scenes throughout the resort’s public spaces invoke the spirit of the season.” It’s ironic that a Currier & Ives-like Christmas is recreated on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, an area more famous for sun, sand, beaches and warmer temps. But regardless of where we find it, Mississippians, myself included, long for a similar Christmas. Coast residents still speak longingly of the “Christmas snow of 1963,” but we'll likely never enjoy a Christmas filled with the cozy fireplaces and sleigh rides depicted in 99% of all Hallmark Christmas movies. I try to visit the Coast each December to view Christmas decorations at cities and towns along the beach, shop at holiday open houses and dine at new and innovative restaurants that pop up every week or so. Believe me, our state’s southernmost area is the perfect holiday getaway for those in need of a jumpstart to the Christmas season. My first stop is always the Beau Rivage. The sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are everywhere, especially in the cavernous lobby, atrium and shops. In short, it rivals anything Hallmark has to offer. It’s fun to simply wander around or people watch while sipping coffee in the open-air Roasted Bean. The four-diamond beachfront resort is open to the public for shopping, dining at one of the fine or casual eateries and trying one’s luck on the gaming floor, regardless of whether or not you're staying in one of the comfortable guest rooms. And from now until New Year’s, an entertaining mix of shows, concerts and family events are planned for guests of all ages. Below are a few Christmas events at the Beau, followed by additional Coast holidays happenings. As always, contact each venue or municipality with questions about hours, parking and tickets: The Beau’s BR Prime will host an upscale Santa Brunch on Dec.4. Capture memories and dine on an exquisite holiday meal with an exclusive event featuring Santa. Enjoy strolling characters, a commemorative photo and cherished keepsake gift to mark this special holiday occasion. Scheduled for Dec. 15-26 in the Beau Rivage Theatre, Finding Christmas is a Broadway-style musical variety production that follows young siblings as they set out on a quest to find the true meaning of Christmas. Besides a spectacular show, attendees are treated to snowfall at each performance. December headline entertainment at the Beau kicks offs with The Commodores (Dec. 2) followed by A Boy Band Christmas (Dec. 3) and country singer-songwriter Josh Tuner (Dec. 9). The Nutcracker presented by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Ballet Theatre performs on Dec. 10 and Dec.11. Popular party band The Molly Ringwalds will close out 2022 with an unforgettable New Year’s Eve performance in the Beau Rivage Theatre. Gulfport’s Annual Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival is recurring daily until Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Eve). The festival features over 1 million Christmas lights across Jones Park. Visitors can walk or ride aboard a free heated trolley. Admission is $15 general admission; $5 for children ages 5-12, and free for any child age 4 and under. Tickets can be purchased online here or at the box office. It’s not actually an event, but one of my favorite Coast “sights” - Annual Snowflakes in the Bay- begins November 28 and extends through Jan. 1 in downtown Bay St. Louis and Depot Row. Beautiful century old Live Oaks are decorated with illuminated snowflakes, providing a breathtaking backdrop for walking, shopping and dining in the historic Bay area filled with restaurants, shops and nightlife. There are literally hundreds of Christmas activities taking place on the Coast, ranging from tree, lighthouse and boat lightings, parades, Santa events for children and so much more. For a complete listing of holiday events, visit gulfcoast.org and simply search “Christmas.” Officials at Coastal Mississippi are happy to help plan your trip. If there are festive Christmas events or decorations in your city or town, please drop me an email and let me know. I’ll share everything I receive in upcoming columns. In the meantime, if you’d like my list of favorite places to stay, dine and shop on the Coast, email me and I’ll send it to you. To get into the Christmas spirit before my Coast trip, I made a batch of microwaves pralines found in one of my favorite cookbooks, The Gulf Gourmet. It’s almost foolproof and in reminiscent of the pralines found in New Orleans. Like almost everything on our Gulf Coast, it’s simply wonderful. Microwave Pralines 1 box brown sugar 1 small container whipping cream 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 cup pecans Mix brown sugar and whipping cream together in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cook in microwave for 8 minutes. Take out and stir. Place back in microwave for 5 minutes. Take out, stir in butter and pecans until mixture begins to lose gloss. Spoon quickly onto wax paper. Let stand until candy sets and remove from wax paper. Makes about 30 pieces when dropped by tablespoon. Recipe from The Gulf Gourmet, Recipes from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Not since the last time I watched the opening monologue of the classic movie Patton have I observed a leader address his staff in the passionate, direct, and “lay it all out” manner that Commissioner of Corrections, Burl Cain did when he spoke on October 17, 2022 in Jackson. He is definitely a man with a mission. I was the only non-Department of Corrections (DOC) employee there, having been invited by the Commissioner as an observer for the Mississippi Reentry Council. Some Background: The Mississippi Reentry Council was established by the Legislature on the recommendation of former Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. Its specified purpose is to “create effective strategies to assist former inmates in their return to the general population, to reduce the recidivism rates of inmates, to increase public safety, and to reduce budgetary constraints presently created by prison-related costs.” MCA §47-7-101. The Council is led by a Steering Committee made up mostly of State and Federal officials. A few weeks before this meeting, members of the Steering Committee met with Commissioner Cain and other corrections officials to discuss the agendas for the DOC and the Council. Out of this came the invitation to observe the October 17th meeting. The Commissioner’s Speech: Promptly at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Cain began. His first admonition was that “many of us are working against one another.” His specific language was that we are “grinding the gears” of the truck and getting nowhere. “We must all get on the same page.” He then admonished the group about the absence, or delay, in getting departing inmates driver’s licenses or suitable IDs, a necessity for getting a job. Ten inmates were denied release the week before for this reason. He stressed that a job is a necessity, and he then went straight into finding out from the Parole Board 2 who would be considered each week so inmates could be fully prepared for release and employment. He looked straight at the Superintendents and Wardens and said, “You are in charge of your institution, and the buck stops with you. Get it done.” Hope (Helping Offenders Prepare for Employment) Grant: Next came the main reason for the meeting – the project funded by a 4.2 million dollar grant. The Commissioner had previously told the Council about the project and that he had spent over 30 years learning about corrections and developing the program, but this was the first opportunity he had had to implement it with adequate funding. At our first meeting in September, the Reentry Council presented him a list of our priorities. He advised that the project addressed each of them, and he laid out the immediate goals of the project. 1. “Get teachers certified.” The academic portion of the project requires teachers, and to be able to issue diplomas or certificates, the teachers must be certified. He addressed the persons in charge and said, “Get it done.” 2. “Search the prisons for former plumbers, carpenters, truck drivers, and mechanics.” The ones with longer sentences would be teachers of those with shorter sentences, and a member of the staff, a former inmate at Angola, was replicating a program there that listed 13 different vocations where certifications could be given, including welding, truck driving, small engine repair, auto and diesel repair, culinary arts, and others – all needed and much in demand. 3. He addressed character building and religious training and talked about field ministers (current inmates who had completed appropriate training who were sent out to other prisons as missionaries), a program used in Louisiana prisons that is extremely successful. 4. Violence in the prisons – getting firm with gangs – break them up and send the leaders to other institutions. 5. Stopping extortion of inmates by other inmates and stiff consequences for gang activities. This is a real problem in many institutions. His exact language was: “Get off your a _ _ and stop it, respond quickly to violence. Use drug dogs every day. We are going to have prisons and schools with the Wardens leading the fight.” He continued, “Increase shake-downs, have body cameras so that staff knows that if they do something illegal that they won’t get away with it.” 6. Stop political favors. “Quit moving inmates. The inmates don’t need their schooling and programming interrupted.” 7. Work closely with the Department of Employment Security, a necessary partner. Utilize best corrections practices – evidence-based programs that have been proven to reduce recidivism. Build additional partnerships with employers and train inmates for promised jobs before they are released so that they can immediately go to work. Improve our skills as corrections officers and enforce the dress code – take our system to the next level. The Grant: The funding for the proposed program is sufficient for 2500 inmates to complete a sixmonth program. After receiving a certification, an inmate can receive a cash award to be used to help with their move back into the outside world. Also, some cash assistance is available upon release for basic cell phones and other necessities for life in 2022. Probation Officers are being reclassified to be called Reentry Counselors where their primary task is to assist returning inmates in successfully completing their community 4 supervision. The Commissioner has also proposed a program called “One Day with Dad” when children of inmates go to the institutions and spend the day with their dad to help them reconnect and prepare for the homecoming. The Commissioner’s dream program is laudable, and I fully support it, but it needs unified support for it to succeed. Crime is on everyone’s mind these days, and with good reason. This is an election year, and the members of the Legislature will have to make some tough choices about their positions. But what is the goal? Community safety and enforcing the rule of law should be the number one objective of responsible Government leaders. 98% of prisoners are going home to communities throughout our State. (Go to the DOC website and see how many are returning annually to your county.) The question is – will those released be better and safer or will they return to a life of crime? Reducing recidivism saves lives, money, families, and communities. It will take courage for the Legislature to stand up for prison reform and properly fund it. In 2014 House Bill 585 was implemented, which allowed several thousand inmates to be quickly released, and prison numbers dropped. But one thing didn’t change – the number of community corrections officers to supervise them, and the prison population is on the rise. The Legislature promised that the money saved would be used in corrections, but that promise is yet to be fulfilled. Our State is potentially on the cusp of substantial prison reform, but will we only have business as usual? Time will tell. Keith Starrett is a Senior U.S. District Judge having served for over 30 years in both State and Federal courts. Throughout his entire career he has developed and implemented criminal justice reforms to reduce recidivism and provide job opportunities for former inmates. His email address is keith_starrett@mssd.uscourts.gov.

Celebrating Families and Community Leaders with Mississippi Families for Kids Mississippi Families for Kids is excited about its fourth annual Champions for Children Winter Gala fundraiser benefitting the organization’s programs and services. This year’s program will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Duling Hall located at 622 Duling Ave, Jackson, Mississippi 39216 in Fondren. Early-bird tickets are $75 per person until Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022. Regular and on-site admission is $100. Event sponsors will receive promotional recognition and priority seating. The black-tie affair will have fine dining, music, and activities honoring this year’s Champions: Mike Johnson (Carlisle Corporation/Wendy’s) as the Corporate Champion Jasmin Chapman (Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center) as the Trailblazer Open up MS Youth Leadership Council (NAMI MS) as the Gen Z Champions *Special recognition will also be given to the Bryant Family (Family Champions) who adopted through the organization. Fundraising activities will include a public raffle ($10 tickets) for an Alaskan cruise voucher for two, residential cleaning services, or a Regions Bank cruiser bike. The sum of the prizes are valued is $3,500. Participants do not have to be present to win. The gala drawdown ($10 tickets) will reward large a cash prize during the program (must be present to win). For additional information, contact Nadeane Cattrell, Executive Director of Mississippi Families for Kids at 601.957.7670 or go to our website at mffk.org/events.

By Bob Garver Like the “World” of a certain movie, the holiday weekend at the domestic box office sure was “Strange.” It’s not so strange that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” continued its dominance in first place. But it was strange the forgettable “Strange World” was able to take the second-place spot when there was clearly more interest in third-place finisher “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” The problem is that “Glass Onion” is only playing on a sixth as many screens as “Strange World,” and its theatrical release window is limited to a week. I’ve decided that the fair thing to do is give both movies a mini-review. “Strange World” Disney’s latest animated offering follows a family from a town completely surrounded by unpassable mountains. Explorer Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) makes it his life’s mission to conquer the mountains, at the expense of his relationship with his son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal). The two have a falling-out when Searcher abandons the mission in favor of bringing energy-conducting plants called Pando back to the town. Twenty-five years go by. Searcher is hailed as a hero for discovering Pando, and starts a successful farm with his wife Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White), but Jaeger never returns from the expedition. Problems arise with Pando that call for Searcher to go on a mission deep under the surface to try to restore it. Meridian and Ethan tag along, and before long they all encounter the long-lost Jaeger. Adventure and family dysfunction ensue. The family dynamic is about what you’d expect from Disney (minus anyone dying in the first act, thankfully). Everyone has their flaws, everyone realizes they need to adjust their way of thinking, everyone learns a lesson. The actors give heartfelt performances, but there’s not much heart in the way the characters are written. The film has an impressive visual style, even more notable after the missed opportunity that was “Lightyear,” though I have to wonder why the characters are human when their world’s ecosystem is so different from ours. “Strange World” is a feast for the eyes, if not for the brain. Grade: C “Strange World” is rated PG for action/peril and some thematic elements. Its running time is 102 minutes. “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” Back in 2019, “Knives Out” introduced the world to southern-fried super-sleuth Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) in a much-heralded revitalization of the “whodunit” genre. Now Blanc is back, ready to solve a murder at the private island residence of billionaire mystery-lover Miles Bron (Edward Norton). Bron has invited his friends to come and solve his murder. Is Bron about to be murdered? Is someone else about to be murdered? Has someone already been murdered? Those are all legitimate questions, and they bear answering before the “by whom?” part can really kick in. Bron’s guests include a governor in the midst of a Senate campaign (Kathryn Hahn), a world-renowned scientist (Leslie Odom Jr.), a disgraced fashion icon (Kate Hudson) and her harried assistant (Jessica Henwick), a men’s rights activist (Dave Bautista) and his scheming girlfriend (Madelyn Cline), and a mysterious woman (Janelle Monae) with no interest in playing Bron’s games. It’s implied that these characters are “suspects,” but for there to be suspects, there has to be a crime, and as with the first “Knives Out,” it’s a mystery as to what the crime even is. You can drive yourself crazy trying to “solve” whatever crime may or may not be committed, or you can just enjoy the ride. Craig, Norton, Monae, and especially Hudson give great comedic performances. I could watch these characters for hours, and frankly this movie could have used another hour so we could get a more satisfying conclusion. I suppose that like the film’s theatrical release window, we should just be grateful that we get as much as we do. Grade: B “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” is playing in select theaters through November 29. The film arrives on Netflix December 23. The film is rated PG-13 for strong language, some violence, sexual material and drug content. Its running time is 140 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

Honestly guys, how much sense does dodging shadows make? Can shadows themselves inflict harm? Nope, and in the respect of inflicting actual harm, shadows are just like fear. Fear can make you dread and dodge, but fear itself cannot create the physical harm. But what it does to you is actually very harmful. Fear can take away the pleasure of simply living, the joy of the day. The onset of depression, anxiety, obsession about what-could-happen, and loss of simple peace and happiness is the result. Not a tradeoff that anyone should want to make. But it is happening all too often today. We tell ourselves that we are simply trying to face life realistically. That, “I am just preparing myself for the worst, in case it happens. And by the looks of life right now, the worst could be around the corner, so I better concentrate on getting ready for it.” That kind of thinking ring any bells for you? If so, bet you struggle. Now, I am not trying to tell you to stick your head in the sand, and pretend all is well. Stupid and blind, you and I ain’t. But I am trying to say this. The more you worry and obsess… the less you trust in your Creator, laugh, and enjoy life. Doesn’t do too much for wanting to get up each morning. Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have fear, anxiety and depression parked front and center in the parking lot of your brain and refuse to leave? Probably some good reasons for that. Probably you have experienced some trauma in your life and don’t know how to move on from it. Probably you are fearful of more pain in the future and spend a great deal of time worrying about the possibilities. Here is an important fact: You can learn to enjoy life more when you take control of your thoughts. Scripture says that your life and behavior is influenced heavily by your thought life. Proverbs 23:7. Stay with me. Fear that a ‘certain something bad might happen’ doesn’t make it fact. Fear is an emotion, and emotions are not fact – just feelings. And allowing your feelings to control your life isn’t fair to you. So what is more fair? First, acknowledge your fear is real, but realize it is only an emotion. Yes, your fear could have some reality to it, which is fueling your obsessive thoughts. So, to the best of your physical ability, logically set about to take real action to prepare for that dreaded one-of-these-days-could-be-a-reality. Secondly, deal with your fear by reminding yourself to trust your Creator. He is real, always present, and does care about you. Lastly, deliberately divert your thought life. Read positive books, hang out with friends who are uplifting, avoid shows that bring you fear and dread. Concentrate on finding daily little things to enjoy. All of this is aimed at getting you to let go of the thoughts that hold you captive. In essence, give your brain a break!

By Kara Kimbrough In a couple of days, we'll be in what I call the safe zone. Basically, it's the fleeting days between food-heavy Thanksgiving and the frenzied weeks of the Christmas season. I plan to take full advantage of the all-too-brief days after Thanksgiving and the month of December, which flies by at warp speed. And, since the weather has turned uncharacteristically cold for November, it provides a great excuse to fill my freezer with plenty of what I call “winter food,” i.e. soups, stews, chilis and heavy fare like red beans and rice. Before delving more into the contents of my free-zone week's worth of freezer food, I have to share the heated feedback from a social media post/photo of a simple bowl of gumbo served to me at Doc’s Seafood in Orange Beach, Ala. I jokingly posted, “You know you’re not in Mississippi when the gumbo contains okra,”- or something to that effect. I was striving for humor. It backfired. The reason for the comment that appeared to offend so many? I’ve interviewed many Gulf Coast cooks and they never definitively said, "Okra is a prerequisite for gumbo." As long as your file’ powder or roux is on point, gumbo does not HAVE to contain okra. Also, I’ve eaten many, many bowls of gumbo along our state's coastal region and some of them, including many from reputable restaurants, did not contain the slimy vegetable. Side note: I do like fried okra in the summertime. It’s the boiled variety that leaves me cold. Anyway, I was clearly in the minority among friends who felt I needed my head examined for even suggesting that gumbo is perfectly fine sans okra. I truly never knew that okra inspired such loyalty among Mississippians. Trust me, I do now. But I still prefer my gumbo okra-free. Feel free to send me your thoughts – Team Okra…or not? Second, I received a lesson in judging other states for, to put it bluntly, not being “Mississippi.” I mean, they can’t possibly create food that rivals anything Mississippi cooks place on the table – right? I actually caught myself about to pass up a cookbook containing the best recipes from California. The fact that it was part of the “Best of the Best” state’s cookbooks series published by Mississippi’s Quail Ridge Press AND cost only fifty cents on a library’s book sale table caused me to purchase it. As I thumbed through the pages, I was shocked to find so many recipes I actually wanted to try, including chicken pot pie, shrimp Creole, peach pie and seafood salad, to name just a few. In my defense, my misconception about California’s cuisine stemmed from tales from friends who lived in the state for a while and talked about the “seeds, nuts, berries and kale” on which health-conscious Californians seemed to survive in order to be able to wear bikinis and Speedos to the beach year-round. Lesson learned: don’t judge an entire state OR its cooks by hearsay. I even selected a taco soup recipe from the cookbook that I’ll make in a double batch to stock my freezer for a while. Last, I said this week was a reprieve from thinking about either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but I have one small request. Please send me the “best of the best” Christmas activities, decorations and places to enjoy holiday meals in your surrounding area. I’ll include them in columns before Christmas, along with tips on how and where to shop for food and gifts. In the meantime, enjoy this “in-between week,” filled with plenty of winter comfort food, before the Christmas season officially arrives. . Super Cali Taco Soup 8 ounces ground beef ½ cup chopped onion 1-1/2 tablespoons flour 2 cups water 17-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained 16-ounce can kidney beans 16-ounce can tomatoes 2 tablespoons taco seasoning 1 tablespoon mild taco sauce 1 teaspoon seasoned salt ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Brown ground beef and onion in skillet, stirring frequently; drain. Add flour, stirring until dissolved. Add water. Pour into large saucepan. Add corn, beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, taco sauce, seasoned salt, garlic powder and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle into soup bowls. Garnish with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, crushed tortilla chips and sour cream. Serves 8. (doubles easily) Recipe from Best of the Best from California Cookbook. Quail Ridge Press, 2000. Best Red Beans and Rice 1 pound dry kidney beans ¼ cup olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 2 tablespoons minced garlic 6 cups water (for beans) 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon dried sage 1 bay leaf 1 pound Andouille sausage, sliced 4 cups water (for rice) 2 cups long grain white rice Rinse beans thoroughly, then soak in a large pot of water overnight. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Slice sausage and cook in oil until browned. Drain and move to a plate; refrigerate. Cook onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic in remaining oil (add more if needed) for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Rinse beans again, then transfer to a large pot filled with 6 cups water. Stir cooked vegetables into beans. Season with Cajun seasoning cayenne pepper, sage and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 2 1/2 hours. While beans are cooking, prepare rice by bringing water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes Stir sausage into beans; simmer for 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve beans and sausage mixture over steamed white rice. Favorite Chili Recipe 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 pound ground chuck 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon garlic powder 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1-1/2 cups beef broth 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained 16-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (can omit beans if you prefer) 8-ounce can tomato sauce Add olive oil to a large skillet and turn heat to medium-high. Add chopped onion; cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add ground chuck and separate to cook thoroughly. Cook 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned. Pour onions and beef into a large stockpot. Into the stockpot, add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt and pepper; stir until well combined. Add broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), drained beans and tomato sauce. Stir well. Bring liquid to a low boil, then reduce the heat to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pot from the heat. Let chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve over steamed rice (my preference, but not a requirement) and top with shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped chives or other favorite topping. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

50 million Americans will take to the roads for he long Thanksgiving weekend this year, says the American Automobile Association (AAA). AMR, Mississippi’s busiest ambulance service, urges drivers to put safety first in their holiday trips. Ryan Wilson, operations manager for AMR says, “Without fail, the number of vehicle crashes spikes every Thanksgiving and all holidays with a huge surge in traffic. Our paramedics and EMTs want everyone to reach Grandma’s house safely and return home without a scratch.” Wilson advised drivers to: Be sure the vehicle and the drivers are in good condition. Have the vehicle serviced before the trip. Especially check the tires, brakes, windshield wipers, headlights, tail-lights, belts and hoses. Be sure the driver is alert at all times. Drivers should be well-rested before departing. Take frequent breaks. Switch drivers every two hours or less. If all drivers get drowsy, go to a motel and sleep. Do not pull off the road, take a short nap and then resume driving. Schedule the trip so you drive mainly if not totally during daylight hours. Start your trip early enough to avoid rushing to reach your destination. Expect heavy traffic and delays. Stay on interstates and divided four-lane roads all you can. Avoid two-lane roads if possible. Insist that everyone in the vehicle wears safety belts or uses a child safety seat anytime the vehicle is moving, no matter how short the trip. Almost half of those killed in vehicle crashes were not wearing a safety belt. Avoid distractions behind the wheel. Turn cell phones off and put them out of reach. To make your vehicle more visible, drive with headlights on, day and night. Remove items on dashboards and rear view mirrors which may restrict the driver’s view. Holiday traffic often includes big, slow recreational vehicles. Be on the lookout for them, especially on hills and curves. Stay alert for construction zones, stalled vehicles and deer. Impatience can kill. Observe the speed limit. Don’t pass in no-pass zones. Don’t rush through yellow lights to beat the red light. If your vehicle begins to fail, pull off to the road shoulder. Park as far as you can from the traffic. Pulling off at an exit ramp is safer than parking next to the main road. Designated drivers save lives. Never drink and drive. Remember: A designated driver is someone has drunk zero alcohol, not the person in your group who has drunk the least.

The risk of dying from a sudden, serious heart ailment increases from Thanksgiving to New Year’s and is highest on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas and New Year’s Day, say paramedics at AMR. The medics recommend avoiding “triggers” for cardiac crisis, paying attention to your heart and calling 911 at the first sign of a problem. Emergency medical teams call the increased risk “holiday heart.” While the term was coined in 1978, the first major study on holiday heart was published in 2004 in Circulation, an international journal for heart doctors. In studying 53 million deaths nationwide between 1973 and 2001, researchers found, “The number of cardiac deaths is higher on December 25 than any other day of the year, second highest on December 26 and third highest on January 1.” Those days, there are about five percent more deaths from cardiac crisis compared to other days of the year. Studies since the first research have confirmed the original findings. The risk rises due to holiday stress, skipping medications and dietary mistakes. Cold weather strains the heart, but the spike also occurs in warmer states. Over-exertion is another factor. Drinking large quantities of alcohol can also contribute to a holiday heart crisis. A form of cardiac crisis paramedics often see with “holiday heart” is called atrial fibrillation or a-fib. With a-fib, the heart does not pump blood effectively because the upper and lower chambers of the heart are not beating in synch. Atrial fibrillation can lead to stroke and heart failure. Too much salt, large meals and eating more fatty food than usual can also contribute to holiday cardiac crises. Skipping exercise may be another factor. Ryan Wilson, operations manager at AMR Central Mississippi, said, “It’s important to recognize an emergency heart problem quickly and call 911 immediately. Particularly during holidays, all too often, a person suffering a cardiac emergency doesn’t tell anyone. Symptoms can include pain in the chest or jaw or down the arm, shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness or nausea. Women suffering a heart crisis are more likely than men to feel pain in the arms, back, neck or jaw, stomach pain and extreme tiredness even if they’ve been sitting for a while.” “With atrial fibrillation, heartbeat may feel rapid, racing, bounding, irregular or fluttering. Heartbeat can also feel too slow,” Wilson said. “If symptoms such as these last more than five minutes, call 911.” “This time of year many people who feel such symptoms put off going to the doctor and even delay calling 911 because they do not want to disrupt holiday festivities. That delay can be fatal,” he said. Wilson said ambulance services and hospital emergency departments expect an uptick in emergency heart patients during the year-end holidays. “There’s a term we sometimes use in our field to describe a heart crisis on December 25 or 26. It’s ‘Christmas coronary,’” Wilson said.

Draping electric icicles around the eaves, hanging wreaths and placing the angel atop a tall tree are only three parts of holiday decorating which often require a ladder. Of course, what goes up must eventually come down. American Medical Response (AMR) reminds central Mississippi residents that falls from ladders can cripple or kill, and even short stepladders pose a hazard. The National Safety Council and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported several thousand people per year in the U.S. are injured in falls from ladders. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that men and the elderly are at higher risk of injury from falling. According to AMR spokesman Jim Pollard, “Elders are more likely to fall from ladders because their vision and balance may have changed and elders who fall often require longer rehabilitation.” Men, he added, are more likely to be overconfident about using ladders and more inclined to take risks using them. People who fall from ladders can suffer head injuries and break hips, arms and legs, Pollard said. According to the Home Safety Council, misuse of the ladder is the main cause of injuries due to falling off a ladder. In a recent study, the Council found more than half of those injured placed the ladder on uneven ground. Nearly half reached farther than they should. Almost 40 percent fell after dark. More than a third fell after standing on the top two ladder steps. More than 20 percent drank alcohol while using the ladder. “Most folks use ladders infrequently so they lack experience and skill with them,” Pollard said. “We’re most likely to use ladders during year-end holidays and spring fix-up. With the year-end holidays, we face twice the risk because we have to take down all the decorations we put up. We all need to be mindful of the risk of ladder falls.” Pollard gave this advice to prevent ladder injuries: Before climbing a ladder, think about your current health. If you have lost strength or it is harder to keep your balance, stay off the ladder. If your instincts warn you to beware of climbing ladders, stay off them. Avoid using a ladder outdoors after dark. Keep your ladders in good condition. Check ladders for cracks or weak spots. Be sure rungs are sturdy and locking devices work properly. The feet of the ladder must rest on a surface that is firm, level, dry and not slippery. When leaning a ladder against a wall, move the bottom of the ladder away from the wall one fourth of the height of the ladder. Do not lean ladders against gutters or other weaker parts of a building that may break away. It is safer to use ladders with built-in stand-off bars that hold the ladder off gutters and other soft parts of a structure. If you’re using power equipment with cords, be absolutely sure the cords are in good condition. Metal ladders will carry an electrical jot if a frayed cord is touching the ladder when the tool is running. Wear shoes that are dry and have enough tread to prevent slipping. Never use a ladder in front of a door someone may open. Insist that another person hold the ladder the whole time someone is on it. Ladders are a two-person tool. Follow the manufacturer’s warnings on weight limits. Keep both feet on the same rung while you are working. It’s safer to maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Do not stand on either of the top two rungs. Do not reach or lean so far in any direction that you cannot keep both feet flat on the rung where you are standing. Instead of reaching too far, climb down, move the ladder closer to the spot you need to reach, climb back up and reach safely. Keep your tools on a belt or in your pockets or hand them to your “spotter” so both hands will be free when you’re going up or down the ladder. Do not use ladders when you have drunk alcohol. Do not use ladders outside on days with stiff winds. Remember: Climbing onto the roof from a ladder is especially dangerous.