Brookhaven Regional Arts Guild (BRAG) members have chosen Gloria M. Sweatman as their July Artist of the Month for Little Sassy!!, a 8-inch x 19-inch prismacolor pencil on Canson paper. Each month, BRAG members submit artwork based on which their fellow members choose the Artist of the Month. Member voting is on the 27th of each month from 8 a.m.- 10 p.m., and BRAG announces the chosen artists on the 28th of each month. BRAG is an offshoot of Brookhaven Trust organized in the early 1990s to save and restore Mary Jane Lampton Auditorium now part of the Mississippi School of the Arts on the former historic Whitworth College Campus. The Trust's Fine Arts Committee, tasked to preserve the arts in Brookhaven and help revitalize its arts community through exhibitions, art talks and competitions, evolved into BRAG after a group of area women started meeting on a regular basis in the mid 00s to create works. BRAG first met in January 2014. Contact BRAG at 813 Highway 51 N, Brookhaven, MS 39601-2079 or visit BRAGarts.com.

Whether you enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, kayaking, wildlife watching, exploring creeks and streams, or paddling coastal bays and estuaries, Mississippi’s waterways have a lot to offer. But water quality must be maintained for them to function properly and citizens can make the difference. Mississippi boasts approximately 123,000 miles of stream and 225,000 acres of fresh water, along with coastal waters. Public water bodies are common places for recreation. They also support navigation that is important to the state economy and provide habitat to numerous fish and wildlife species. Citizens who live and enjoy recreation near the water can play an important role in noticing changes in water quality. An easy way to connect to water bodies near you is by paying attention to water conditions. Watching for patterns in water flow, paying attention to odd smells, or observing abnormal changes in water color, cloudiness or algae growth can be important contributions in maintaining water quality. Sometimes pollutants -- sediment, waste, oil, detergents, manure and fertilizers, and other chemicals -- can be transported from land to the water. This type of pollution, coming from many different landscapes in surface runoff, is referred to as “non-point source pollution,” which degrades water quality in many Mississippi water systems. Tracking water quality over time can also document healthy streams and rivers that should continue to be protected. Routinely collected water quality data can help citizens identify water that might not be safe for recreation, serve as an early indicator of a water quality concern that might need additional monitoring, and guide local decision making and planning. A Mississippi State University Extension program, Mississippi Water Stewards, offers educational opportunities for citizens to get more involved in monitoring and protecting local water bodies. The program coordinates a statewide effort for training citizens in scientifically sound methods for monitoring bacteria and chemistry in local lakes and streams on a routine basis.

Looking for a way to serve your community? Think community garden. With funds from a grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ten volunteers in north Jackson planted an in-ground community garden at Fresh Start Church in spring 2020. “We wanted a sustainable project, and we wanted to be good stewards of the funds we had,” said project leader Rosie Payton. Their idea: Grow fresh produce for members of the community who could not get to the grocery store on a regular basis. Get community members involved and teach them how to grow produce. Mississippi State University Extension Service provided much needed guidance. “Once we got started, we realized we had no idea what we were doing,” Payton said. “We also ran into problems with the weather and equipment availability, and interest and involvement began to go down.” Kyle Lewis, a Mississippi State University Extension Service agent in Hinds County, provided the assistance in the midst of the pandemic shutdown. He conducted classes through Zoom, shared several Extension gardening publications with the volunteer group, and communicated with them over the phone and through email. The volunteers also attended a series of distance-education classes on gardening offered by Keith Whitehead, an Extension agent in Franklin County. Lewis’ most important suggestion: plant the garden in raised beds. Lewis also helped the group install an irrigation system. The group moved their garden to property in south Jackson owned by De’Keither Stamps, a former Jackson city councilman and current Mississippi legislator. Stamps has used the property for about four years to facilitate gardening education in the community. The group installed about 20 raised beds inside an existing high tunnel on the property. They grew several types of greens, Chinese cabbage, bok choy and a few other fall vegetables. “Part of their issue with the in-ground garden was keeping it weeded and watered,” Lewis said. “Raised beds reduce weeding, and the irrigation system waters with a timer.” “What Kyle has taught us helped us so much,” Payton said. “Using raised beds is much easier than in-ground gardening, and that makes it easier to get community members to participate. We’re also thankful to Mr. Stamps for allowing us to put our garden on his property. The high tunnel allows us to work out here even if it is raining.” Stamps said he is looking forward to what the group will contribute to the community. “I’m excited about this project, and I’m happy to provide a place for the volunteer to carry out a large part of the project,” Stamps said. As part of the educational aspect of the project, the group helped some community members who installed raised beds at their homes learn how to grow some of their own food. The group plans to continue teaching others what they’ve learned. “What we are most excited about is the opportunity to educate other community members of all ages,” Payton said.

Lawns, pastures and even winter food plots are at risk as an insect army advances across much of the state in higher than normal numbers. Blake Layton, entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, says fall armyworms are the most damaging insect pests of bermudagrass hayfields and pastures. Armyworms attack golf courses and lawns, and they can defoliate an entire yard or field almost overnight. "They are called fall armyworms because their numbers are highest in late summer and fall, and hay producers, cattlemen, turf managers and homeowners should expect to be dealing with this pest until frost,” Layton said. Armyworms arrive each summer when moths migrate back into the state from the Caribbean, Mexico and areas of South America. “Severity and distribution of fall armyworm infestations depend on when moths arrive, how many moths arrive, where in the state they arrive and weather conditions they experience once they get here,” Layton explains.. Fall armyworms are caterpillars that reach about 1½ inches long at maturity. Their body color varies depending on their stage of development and diet. Most are green or tan, but some can be dark brown to almost black, especially late in the year. The body is punctuated with dark spots. When they metamorphose into moths, they are about ¾-inch long when resting with their wings folded. They are active at night and spend the day resting in foliage. Eggs hatch in two to five days, and the newly emerged larvae begin feeding on the underside of leaf blades. Their feeding habits result in tiny, white “windowpanes” in the leaf blades or a white frizzing of the leaf tips .Damage caused by young caterpillars is easy to overlook because fall armyworms do 80% to 90% of their feeding in the last two to three days of their life. There are treatment options for lawns, pastures, fields and golf courses, but the key is vigilance and quick action when the pest is detected. Well-established home lawns that are heavily damaged by fall armyworms will grow back, but homeowners can speed along the process with good watering, fertilizer and weed control. Both pyrethroids and non-pyrethroid products are available for lawns. Hose-end applicators work for small areas, while broadcast sprays work for large lawns.

Do you watch home remodeling shows and wonder where they find the unique pieces they put in the homes they remodel or do you have a Pinterest board filled with ideas for your home? Vintage Market Days® brings all of that to you! With numerous of the best vendors in Vintage from across the US – they bring truckloads of repurposed, specialty “finds” that will be unique to your home! Vintage Market Days® of Mississippi owners Chris, Jana and Betty Fuss are pleased to announce the Jackson area Vintage Market Days® event “All is Bright” will be held at the new Mississippi Trade Mart at 1200 Mississippi Street in Jackson. The three-day event will take place October 22 - 24. Vintage Market Days® co-owner Jana Fuss is excited to bring the Vintage experience to the Metro Jackson area. “Vintage Market Days® is more than a show” said Jana. “We love adding special touches to make it a special family friendly Vintage event.” We have been receiving great response from vendors and the community. The Vintage Market Days® vendors are some of the best in the country. Vintage Market Days® also has the opportunity to give back at each event. We are honored to partner with the Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi, a powerful association of men, women and children committed to bringing about lasting personal and social change. With a focus on nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors, the Y enables youth, adults, families and communities to be healthy, confident, connected and secure. “We are excited to help support the local area, specifically the YMCA’s feeding program,” Fuss added. The event will follow all state and city COVID guidelines that may be in effect at that time. Tickets can be purchased at the door (Fri - $15 and Sat/Sun $10) or in advance at https://VintageMarketDays.com/market/mississippi/tickets. Free re-admission all weekend. About Vintage Market Days® Vintage Market Days® is an upscale vintage and vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, architectural salvage, handmade treasures, home decor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. Vintage Market Days® is a franchised Vintage event that began in Tulsa, OK in 2012. It has grown to 70 markets and/or 150 events a year across the US. For more information, please visit vintagemarketdays.com, facebook.com/vintagemarketdays or email mississippi@vintagemarketdays.com. Vintage Market Days® is a registered trademark of Vintage Market Days®, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owner.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Commissioner Brent Bailey reminds businesses and utility operators that cybersecurity protection planning and deployment should be at the forefront of any operations review to protect against cyber-based threats. Over the last few decades, rapid advancements in technology have transformed the energy sector, especially electricity, and the pace of the change is not slowing down. Cybercriminals don’t just target personal data anymore. They now pursue the ability to shut down critical national infrastructure and create physical consequences for utilities and customers as critical infrastructure operations become more integrated. “Cyberattacks are increasingly advanced and more widespread than they have ever been,” Commissioner Bailey said. “As Commissioners, we all play a key role in keeping critical infrastructure cyber secure. I am proud to have seat on the NARUC Critical Infrastructure Committee. This Committee makes cybersecurity one of its top priorities within the energy and utility sectors, allowing our nation to retain a safe, secure and reliable energy network.” One of Commissioner Bailey’s weekly newsletters in February 2021— Cybersecurity and State Regulatory Commissions — provides an overview on cybersecurity in the utility world and explores how state regulatory commissioners can implement cybersecurity in their work programs to complement existing regulatory functions. “Our outreach focuses on how the advancements in technology and increased access points to operating systems requires companies to be proactive in the protection of critical infrastructure,” Commissioner Bailey said. “The key message is that businesses, operators and regulators of all types and sizes, must understand cyber-based risks and how to defend against them.” Visit https://www.psc.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2021-02/FromtheDeskOfBB_CybersecurityStateRegulatoryCommissions.pdf to download a copy of the cybersecurity newsletter.

Prepare with Pedro Saturday, October 2 at 10:00 a.m. Prepare with Pedro is a FREE virtual presentation! Prepare with Pedro the penguin is a preparedness education program for children in grades K-3. This program teaches kids how to BE PREPARED and TAKE ACTION for either home fires or a local hazard. Kids learn valuable coping skills and receive a digital storybook to share what they have learned with others. Click the link to register https://tinyurl.com/PreparewithPedroSpanish Facebook post: https://fb.watch/8lV2MYRoWJ/ Be Red Cross Ready: Emergency Preparedness and Home Fire October 7 at 7:00 p.m. Join this special presentation of Be Red Cross Ready: Emergency Preparedness and Home Fire. Learn how to: Make an emergency kit specific for your household. Get a plan for what you and your family will do in an emergency. Be informed when emergencies happen. Click the link to register today. https://tinyurl.com/BeRedCrossReadySpanish The presentation will be in English and Spanish. Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossMiss/photos/a.367773716733659/1966281693549512

Beginning today, appointments for a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine are now available at all county health department clinics for those who qualify. Appointments can be made through https://covidvaccine.umc.edu or by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 877-978-6453. Booster shots help maintain your immunity, which may decrease over time. You can get a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine if you are: Fully vaccinated with two shots of Pfizer, AND It’s been at least 6 months since your last shot of Pfizer. AND you fall into one of the following categories: Adults aged 65 years and older, OR Long-term care facility residents, OR Adults aged 18 and older with certain underlying medical conditions (see https://msdh.ms.gov/boosters), OR Adults aged 18 and older in certain occupations that increase their risk of exposure (see https://msdh.ms.gov/boosters). Third or additional shots of Pfizer and Moderna for people with weakened immune systems are also available at county health departments. Please note: COVID-19 vaccines are available at numerous other providers statewide, including pharmacies and clinics. Go to https://www.vaccines.gov/search to find locations near you where you can receive first and second COVID-19 shots as well as additional COVID-19 shots for weakened immune systems and boosters. MSDH also has first and second shots of COVID-19 vaccine available at county health departments. Please remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccine card to your appointment, if available, if you have received prior shots of COVID-19 vaccine. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

Wills for Magnolia State First Responders is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that brings together volunteer Attorneys and Paralegals to prepare estate planning documents for First Responders and their Spouses FREE of charge. SIGN-UP – All First Responders and their Spouses MUST sign up for a time slot to participate and fill out an initial questionnaire. To sign up please contact Kristy Hogan at info@wffrms.com or (601) 519-0334. THE EVENT – First Responders and their Spouses will check in at their allotted time where they will meet with a Paralegal to go over their initial questionnaire. Documents will then be drafted onsite by a Paralegal and reviewed by an Attorney. The Attorney will then meet with each First Responder and Spouse privately to go over their documents. All documents are signed and notarized onsite. Each First Responder and Spouse will receive their original documents – NO COPIES ARE RETAINED BY WFFRMS. These documents include: Basic Will – A basic Will allows you to designate how you want your assets distributed, to name an Executor who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes, and to designate a guardian(s) for your minor children (if applicable). These basic Wills do not provide a trust for minor children or other heirs. Advanced Healthcare Directive – An Advanced Healthcare Directive allows you to designate an individual to make medical decisions on your behalf in the event you are unable. It may also document your wish to direct medical treatment in more specific ways, such as your choice regarding which life sustaining treatments be withheld/withdrawn in the event you are unable to make your own medical decisions. This service is provided to all First Responders and their Spouses completely FREE OF CHARGE! For additional information, including upcoming event dates, times, and locations please contact Kristy Hogan at info@wffrms.com or (601) 519-0334. Thank you, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, Kristy Hogan President Wills for Magnolia State First Responders

Co-Lin men’s basketball coach David Sanders has announced the hiring of Reggie Chambers as assistant men’s basketball coach. “Reggie brings a blend of the knowledge of the game and the ability to connect with today's student athlete to our staff,” said Sanders. “He is an energetic, sincere coach who will instantly give our basketball program credibility state and nationwide.” Chambers played his collegiate career at Florida Gulf Coast University (2008-10) and West Virginia Wesleyan (2010-12). While at Florida Gulf Coast, Chambers was named to the all-freshman team. In his two years at West Virginia Wesleyan, he led his team to back-to-back tournament appearances, including the school’s first national tournament win and a 22-9 overall record. After the completion of his college career, Chambers played two years of professional basketball in Uruguay and the Dominican Republic. Prior to coming to Co-Lin, Chambers was an assistant men’s coach at Southwest Mississippi Community College. He was a graduate assistant at the NCAA Division I level at Liberty University and Arkansas State University and at NCAA Division II Delta State University. Chambers was an assistant men’s coach at Barry University (NCAA Division II) and at Central Wyoming College (NJCAA). His experience includes recruiting, scouting, basketball operations and player development. Chambers has served as a camp counselor at numerous camps across the country, including Dixie State Team Camp, Matt Harping Basketball Camp, University of Utah Basketball Camp, Five Star Basketball Camp, and Delta State’s Basketball Camp.

Seasonal influenza vaccinations are now available for children and qualifying adults at all Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) county health departments. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older as the best protection against the flu. "We recommend that all Mississippians get their flu shots every year, but especially now with COVID-19. The flu vaccine can be given at the same time – or any time before or after - the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no minimum amount of time you need to wait between these vaccinations," said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. Dr. Byers said that flu season can begin as early as November and last as late as March in Mississippi, but usually peaks anywhere from December through February. Individual flu cases are not reported to MSDH, but the agency monitors flu activity through the ILI System, made up of healthcare providers in Mississippi who report the percentage of patients with flu-like symptoms to a statewide database. Providers participating in the system also submit respiratory samples for flu testing to the MSDH Public Health Laboratory. State health officials use this information to determine the presence and spread of flu throughout the state. "We recommend getting vaccinated now before we reach peak flu activity. Influenza vaccination is especially important for young children, pregnant women, those over 65, and those with underlying health problems," he said. "Flu vaccination is the best way to protect both children and adults from serious complications such as hospitalization, and in many cases, death." Those 18 and under who are eligible for the Vaccines for Children program can receive a flu vaccination for $10. Insurance, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is accepted for children’s flu shots. A list of all VFC providers can be found at www.HealthyMS.com/vfc. Adults who are underinsured or uninsured and who meet certain high-risk criteria qualify for an adult flu vaccination at MSDH county health department clinics. Flu shots for insured adults are now widely available through private physicians, pharmacies and retail centers. While vaccination is the best protection against flu, basic infection control measures can also reduce the spread of flu and should be taken whether or not individuals are vaccinated. These measures include covering your mouth when coughing and sneezing, staying at home when you or your children are sick, and washing your hands frequently. Wearing a face covering in public places offers additional protection against the flu. Please call your local county health department to make an appointment for your vaccination. To locate a county health department clinic in your area or for more information on flu, visit the MSDH website at www.HealthyMS.com/flu. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy student Aliza Abrams of Wesson received the traditional white coat at a ceremony at the Gertrude C. Ford Center in Oxford. Abrams was one of 102 students to don the white coat and recite the Pledge of Professionalism that binds them to the responsibilities of the profession. The white coat is a symbol of professionalism, and this ceremony marks the beginning of their professional journey toward becoming a pharmacist. Founded in 1908, the UM School of Pharmacy is ranked among the top 25 pharmacy schools in the nation and houses the internationally-renowned National Center for Natural Products Research. Through its education, research and service missions, the school aims to improve the health of citizens of Mississippi, the nation and the world.