By Judge Keith Starrett 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.

Wesson Garden Club (WGC) members learned how to bring more birds, bees and butterflies to their yards and improve the overall eco system in the process at their October meeting. Phyllis Harris, Backyard Habitat Chairman for Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., shared her insights at the meeting, providing tips on plants that can be incorporated in landscaping to attract different species that create a better environment. Those attending the meeting at the American Legion Post 79 building were Rebecca Norma Carroll, Sherri Carty, Sonya Cowen, Sherry Davis, Cherry Head, Debbie Hoaglin, Denise Jackson, Camille Johnston, Pam McLemore, Ashley Munn, June Owens, Pam Owens, Jennifer Peets, Marilyn Phillips, Jean Ricks, Debbie Smith, Lisa Smith, Dixie Thornton, Brittney Warren, and Joy Wesbrooks. At the meeting, members also discussed awards received at WGC at the Natchez Trace District Fall meeting, including District Club of the Year. Sherry Davis, Ashley Munn, Jean Ricks and Brittney Warren provided refreshments at the meeting. WGC is a member of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc., National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., Natchez Trace District-Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc.

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.

By Guest Columnist Gary R. Bachman Now is the time to plant one of the great, classic cool-season annuals: Violas. Tough plants with a dainty look that will perform through the fall, winter and into the spring landscape and garden seasons. Violas go by either of the botanical names Viola tricolor or Viola cornuta, but most gardeners I know call them by their common name, Johnny jump ups. Like their pansy cousins, violas are tough and tolerate the cold and winter weather. As a kid growing up in Michigan, I remember the violas -- I called them pansies back then -- that would pop up in our lawn and flower beds seemingly at random. Botanically, most of the Johnny jump ups we plant are Viola tricolor, which makes sense, as many of the selections available have sets of multicolored petals. They make great choices for both the landscape and containers. Violas will grow right through Thanksgiving and still be shining in the garden at Easter and beyond. I’ve seen many times where these plants can be even more hardy than pansies. Johnny jump ups are actually among the easiest cool-season flowers to grow this year and for years to come. Deadheading fading flowers encourages the production of more flowers, but I like to let them go to seed. They have prolific seed production, and when the wind blows, the seeds are distributed around my landscape. The following year, I enjoy the surprise of Johnny jump ups in whole new locations. Violas grow best in consistently moist, well-drained soil. Amend the soil with good, composted organic matter before planting. These plants prefer growing in the full sun. For best performance now and the following spring, plant violas before cold weather sets in. This allows the roots system to become established. That means if you want to grow violas this year, the time to plant is now. In north Mississippi, apply a layer of mulch to help with overwintering. Keep the soil nutrition at optimum levels to ensure that your violas will keep blooming throughout the growing seasons. I like to add a couple of teaspoons of slow-release fertilizer to each planting hole to help keep the nutrition at optimum levels. Did you know that viola flowers are edible? For many years, upscale restaurants have used viola flowers to add color and interest to salads. This is a trick that the home gardener can use for special dinners. But I offer a word of caution. It is important to know the source of your blooms, especially if the viola plants are coming from the nursery. With a little patience, the home gardener can grow violas from seed. The wait is certainly worth the effort. Right now, there is a quite a selection of violas in garden centers, and the color palette seems to get bigger each year. Plant some of these cool-season wonders and enjoy their flowering show for months to come. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Gary Bachman is an Extension and research professor of horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also the host of the popular Southern Gardening television and radio programs. .

Starting this month, Brookhaven restaurants licensed to sell beer, liquor and wine can do so on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. The change in the city’s ordinance regulating alcoholic beverages will also extend hours liquor stores can remain open Monday through Friday to 10 p.m. and allow Sunday beer sales at convenience and grocery stores from 12 noon until 12 midnight on Sundays.

In October, Wesson Garden Club (WGC) recognized the landscaping efforts of Barbara Ashley at 1009 Debbie Street, Blake and Amy Oberschmidt at 1104 King Road, Another Time. . . Another Place at 2056 Highway 51 in its Yard of the Month town and rural residential and organizational categories. WGC also recognized Jaymie and Amy Heard at 1013 Dickerson Road and Billy and Teri Ellison at 1047 Beech Street with it Autumn Design and Autumn Special awards. The Yard of the Month awards that recognize maintenance principles and elements of landscape design seek to encourage ongoing beautification and cleanliness of the Wesson area and cultivate a citizenry which values and protects natural resources and assumes responsibility for enhancing the environment. The Garden Club's Yard of the Month awards honor landscapes during the spring, summer and fall.

With the holiday season dawning, Co-Lin’s Fine Arts Division is showcasing the diverse creative activities of its students. On November 15, it brought the varied components of the program together in its annual Spectacular at the Ewing Administration Building. A sampling of everything that comes out of the Division’s learning and practical activities was featured On the music side in the free public event, the Division’s choir, marching band and Sojourners ensemble will perform in concert in Rae Auditorium. The works of students in the visual arts will be on display in the lobby and halls at Ewing. This year, historic numbers have participated in the marching band and choir. Overlapping participation of students in the two primary musical programs of the college spurred the growth of both of them, with band reaching a membership of 147 and the choir, 47 – the largest for each. The Spectacular follows a free choral production of Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol performed by choir this past Saturday at Stewart Auditorium in the Fine Arts Building. Throughout the holiday season, the marching band will also participate in Christmas parades throughout the area: Mendenhall. November 29. Evening. Bude. December 1. Afternoon. Brookhaven. December 1. Evening. Wesson. December 2. Evening. New Hebron. December 3. Monticello. December 3. Members of the Fine Arts Division staff are Juanita Proffitt (chair/director of bands), Dr. Bobby Helms (director of choral activities), Chad Austin (assistant band director/percussion instructor), Cody McElwain (woodwind/color guard instructor), Kennedy Moore (Collette instructor), Steve Russell (piano accompanist for choir) and Carisa Mitchell (visual arts instructor).

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.

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!

1 Mississippi. 2 Museums. 5 Years. Since opening on December 9, 2017, more than half a million people have visited the Two Mississippi Museums – Museum of Mississippi History and Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Join us December 9–11 for a free, fun party weekend to celebrate our fifth anniversary. “In celebrating this fifth anniversary, we acknowledge the wealth of opportunity and wisdom these museums give us,” said Pamela D.C. Junior, director of the Two Mississippi Museums. “More than 500,000 people have come together to listen, investigate, learn, and reflect on our Mississippi history. We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you, for many more years to come!" The celebration begins on Friday, December 9, with free admission and continues Saturday, December 10, with free admission, trackless train rides for children, live music, food trucks, guided tours, and a party with champagne. Admission will also be free on Sunday, December 11, with a showing of The Muppet Christmas Carol. The Mississippi Legislature funded construction of the $100 million Two Mississippi Museums along with generous support from private donors. A significant early contribution from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation was critical to attracting additional support from others. “The Two Mississippi Museums preserve the painful stories and truths of our ancestors and are a testament to the deep resolve we have to healing our communities,” said Rhea Williams-Bishop, director of Mississippi and New Orleans programming for the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. “We are excited to celebrate the museums’ anniversary and help ensure everyone can learn our rich and complex history.” The anniversary celebration also will give visitors an opportunity to see the special exhibit The World of Marty Stuart before it closes on December 31. This exhibit includes hundreds of items never shown before in the state, including Marty's first guitar, original handwritten manuscripts by Hank Williams, guitars from Merle Haggard and Pops Staples, costumes from Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, personal items from Johnny Cash, including his first black performance suit, and much more. The free weekend is sponsored by the Community Foundation for Mississippi through funding from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

50 million Americans will take to the roads for the 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.