It's common for some folks to fire off a simplistic answer to what kids need, like "good parents," or "a father and a mother."

The truth is that not all children have good parents, and giving birth or marrying a person of the opposite gender does not turn people into good parents. Not to mention, good parents don't guarantee perfect kids.

The experts say that giving children what they need is more complicated than that, but it is accessible to everyone, regardless of family configuration. And those who aren't parents can help offer "assets" and character-building to children with less-than-stellar (or overworked) parents.

These lists of assets are not exhaustive, but they are research-based, meaning that they work. Let's make sure our kids get what they need. We all pay if they don't.

In his book, "How Children Succeed—Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character" (Mariner Books, 2013), journalist Paul Tough looked at the efforts of two New York City schools—one public and one private—to supplement academics with character-building in their students.

In his book, as reported by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Tough warns that character "isn't about morality." He writes: "It's more about learning a set of skills to help kids achieve their goals."

That's good news if you think about it. Character can be broken into skills that can be learned and treated as a craft that can be honed and improved throughout life.

That fact also disproves myths that some kids are "bad kids" who cannot be helped.

Tough writes about seven character traits that the schools focused on—resulting in academic and interpersonal improvements.

Grit and Self-Control 
 Neuroscientists these days like to talk about "grit," or resilience, as an indicator of whether a person has the strength to do the hard work of being successful, as well as overcome tragedy and difficult challenges. Research psychologist and McArthur "genius" fellow Angela Lee Duckworth pushes grit, along with self-control, as the main predictors of success in young people. She defines grit as "the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals": that is, to stick to something long enough to succeed (as in school, college, music, sports, writing, etc.) Self-control is how you make short-term good decisions. Learn more about grit (and self-control) and find grit scales for adults and children at jfp.ms/gritscales. See Duckworth's TEDTalk on grit at jfp.ms/gritted.

Curiosity It's obvious, if sometimes elusive: We need to be curious to be great learners. We need to want to know.

"[R]esearch shows that it is a child's internal desire to learn (their curiosity), not external pressure, that motivates him to seek out new experiences and leads to greater success in school over the long term," the National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families tells us (zerotothree.org). Kids need to be around adults who are mindful and interested in the world around them and encourage them to be.

Social Intelligence This is another biggie: socially (or emotionally) incompetent kids become troubled adults who have a tough time in relationships or having good attitudes at work. That is, children need good "people skills" to get along and cooperate with others.

Zest Merriam-Webster defines "zest" as "lively excitement: a feeling of enjoyment and enthusiasm." Sadly, many adults lose it by adulthood and then pass on their unhappiness and dull approach to life to their kids. If you have children, learn to get your zest on. Pursue your interests and focus on learning to love life. Model it, and teach your kids to do the same. If you live in tough circumstances, a dose of zest just might give you the energy to pull out and change it. And if you're mentoring a child in an unhappy family, be sure to bring zest and healthy excitement into their lives.

Optimism It's true: People who believe the future will be good are more likely to see (and help) that belief come true. And we believe in ourselves more when we accomplish tough tasks. Elizabeth Scott, M.S., advises families to help children experience success by giving them tasks from an early age, then give them credit for succeeding. Watch what it takes for them to succeed and then help them develop those skills, she says. Get more of her tips at jfp.ms/raiseoptimists.

Gratitude Turns out that your mama was right: It is healthy to give thanks. The focus of prayer is healthy, but you can take it even farther with your child. Have him do a short list every day (perhaps in a fun journal) of what he is grateful for. It can be anything: his new puppy, her teacher, a good grade, a cartoon, a sports figure. A gratitude list brings a sense of balance and grace to your child's life, and can become a life-long habit. Adults should do it, too, to fight stress and instill more mindfulness. Grateful children also tend to be healthier. (Same with adults.)

Ideas for Grateful Kids

Heather Johnson (theidearoom.net) has a super list of tips for instilling gratefulness in young people. They include:

Start saying "no." If you give them everything they want, they don't learn to be grateful when they get what they want.
Don't compare what you have (and don't) to others. It'll make you unhappy, too.
Stop talking about material things like new houses and cars, or even clothes.
Model saying "please" and "thank you" to everyone, from your kids to the office cleaning person.
Give them opportunities to work and do chores. Make sure you don't communicate that work is bad and play is good. Stop the complaining about your job: They need to learn a good work ethic from you.

Read more at jfp.ms/gratitude.

The Socially Intelligent Child

Start very young to build your child's interpersonal skills.
Support their friendships and help them work through differences.
Expect your child to relate to others the way you relate to her and others. Be respectful and tactful.
Teach that all people are important, thus the reasons to be kind, on time and respectful.

These tips are from Dr. Laura Markham at jfp.ms/socialkids. Also see jfp.ms/socialkids2 and jfp.ms/socialkids3.

How to Raise Curious Adults

Follow your children's lead. If they're interested in something, encourage them to learn more.
Answer questions clearly and let them know if you don't know. Then, go learn together!
Use the public library. It's a great place to go wander and find and pursue new interests. Just "read" the shelves until your child settles on something he or she wants to pursue.
Ask your child open-ended questions to encourage them to think. And ask their opinions.
Create interesting, stimulating environments. Think art, color, whimsy. Rotate to keep it fresh.
Let them decide what to create and how. Coloring outside the lines can open minds.
Be interested and mindful about the world around you: the stars, moon, flowers, art, animals, everything. Ask "why" a lot. Give yourself permission to wonder out loud—in front of your child. Do it often.

Adapted from zerotothree.org.

Curiosity: The Don'ts

Dr. Bruce Perry warns on scholastic.com that the "less-curious child will make fewer new friends, join fewer social groups, read fewer books, and take fewer hikes. The less-curious child is harder to teach because he is harder to inspire, enthuse and motivate." Here are three ways that adults snuff out a child's curiosity:

Fear: "Fear kills curiosity. When the child's world is chaotic or when he is afraid, he will not like novelty. He will seek the familiar, staying in his comfort zone, unwilling to leave and explore new things. Children impacted by war, natural disasters, family distress, or violence all have their curiosity crushed."
Disapproval: "'Don't touch. Don't climb. Don't yell. Don't take that apart. Don't get dirty. Don't. Don't. Don't.' Children sense and respond to our fears, biases and attitudes. If we convey a sense of disgust at the mud on their shoes and the slime on their hands, their discovery of tadpoles will be diminished."
Absence: "The presence of a caring, invested adult provides two things essential for optimal exploration: 1) a sense of safety from which to set out to discover new things and 2) the capacity to share the discovery and, thereby, get the pleasure and reinforcement from that discovery."

Read more at jfp.ms/kill_curiosity.

Move Over, IQ:

"IQ was not the only difference between my best and my worst students. ... What we need in education is a much understanding of students and learning from a motivational perspective ...."

—Former public-school teacher and McArthur "genius" fellow Angela Lee Duckworth

How to Raise a Pessimist

Elisabeth Scott, M.S., warns on About.com about parental practices that, though well-meaning, can squelch your child's optimism.

She writes:

Don't praise when not warranted: "Optimism researcher Martin Seligman believes that telling a child that everything they do is great—rather than helping them experience real successes and persist in the face of reasonable obstacles—puts the child at a disadvantage, creating an overly strong self-focus and actually making them more vulnerable to depression."
Avoid negative labels: "Correct unacceptable behavior, but don't label your child with negative labels—ever! Children tend to live up—or down—to our expectations, so if you say, 'Jack's our whiner,' or 'Lucy's our shy child,' what may have been a passing phase becomes a more permanent identity. This is much more damaging to a child's self-concept than some parents realize, and it perpetuates the very behavior you find so objectionable."
Don't be a poor example: "Children watch us and see us as constant examples, whether we like it or not. The good news about this is that we can teach by doing. Practice optimistic thinking yourself. When you achieve success, don't downplay it with false modesty, but give yourself credit for a job well done. When things go wrong, don't catastrophize; put things in perspective."

Many Ways to Help Children

In our research for this issue, we ran into a delightful March 1999 Rotarian article reposted by Dr. Bob Ingram of the Miami-Dade County School Board listing 100 ways to help children. Here are a sampling of the ideas; go to jfp.ms/rotarian for a full list. Then pick a handful and bring it.

Take a child to a zoo, museum, or amusement park.
Volunteer to be a Big Brother or Big Sister to a child from a single-parent family.
Provide children with opportunities for diversity; let them interact with kids who have disabilities, or are of different religious, racial or ethnic backgrounds.
Help them establish goals for their studies, careers and lives in general.
Instill in them belief and pride in their own capabilities.
Invite single parents and their children to attend your club's family-oriented activities.
Be a good listener whenever you talk with a child so that they feel heard and worthy of your attention.
Offer to babysit for your single-parent relatives and friends.
Read to children often.
Take a child outside and show them the wonders to be found in a patch of grass, garden or yard.
Teach children a skill they will have for a lifetime, such as drawing, swimming or dancing.
Arrange for local churches, schools, and other facilities to serve as shelters for homeless children and their families when not in use.
Help instill in children the concept of service to others by taking them on a field trip to a Rotary Club service project, such as an orphanage, soup kitchen, nursing home.
Help establish a quality day-care program for children of single, low-income parents who work or are looking for work.
Help impoverished city children broaden their perspective and enrich their lives by taking them for a day in the country, highlighting activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing or canoeing.

Rates of robbery and serious property offenses are at the lowest in more than 40 years among black youth; rape and murder rates are the lowest since the rates were first calculated in the 1960s.

(Source: FBI, Bureau of Justice Statistics)

Mississippi has become a leader in juvenile-justice policies in the last decade.

(Source: National Juvenile Justice Network)

The ratio of high-achieving, high-income students to high-achieving, low-income students in the U.S. population is only about two-to-one.

(Source: Brookings Institution)

Childhood obesity declined in Mississippi this year.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Youth incarceration dropped 69 percent in Mississippi from 2001 to 2010 after jumping 94 percent from 1985 to 2000.

(Source: National Juvenile Justice Network)

Youth Court referrals dropped 23 percent in Hinds County from 2011 to 2012.

(Source: Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Today's generation of young people may be the safest, smartest and most resilient we've ever experienced. Yes, including here in Jackson and Mississippi.

Really.

It has long been true that young people—including those who grow up in challenged communities—are not the monsters many adults assume they are. A huge problem that child experts warn about is media perpetuation of myths about children. Violence sells. So do dramatic, hand-wringing stories about children getting in trouble.

That media coverage doesn't help, however. Neither do myths about our younger generations, their schools (know that schools have long been safer than homes for children?) and their neighborhoods. And even the most needy communities and families need less hype—which actually increases hopelessness and crime—and more opportunities to improve their own conditions.

If we can separate fact from fiction, and stop silly blame games, we are much likely to support families in ways that help them and the community as a whole.

Tamping down the hype about teen violence is a good place to start (as is learning the difference between a car break-in and an actual act of violence). Ask many Mississippians (or Americans, for that matter) for the biggest problem facing the state (or nation), and many will say youth violence. And when they say that, many of them mean violence by young non-whites.

Put bluntly, what may be a growing number of Americans of various races are afraid of young people of color. Look no further than the killing of black youth around the nation (from Trayvon Martin in Florida to Quardious Thomas in Jackson to Renisha McBride in a Michigan suburb) to understand that many Americans are so afraid of young people of color that they use that fear to justify hysterically responding to unarmed young people with lethal force.

Obscured under all those layers of fear is good news that you may not have heard. Politico.com, and then the Atlanta Black Star, reported in November that, despite the media-driven beliefs about kids of color, violent crime is actually down among African American youth in the United States.

Here's what a lot of media aren't telling you: "The latest figures from the FBI, Bureau of Justice Statistics and public health agencies show that among black youth, rates of robbery and serious property offenses are the lowest in more than 40 years. Rates of murder and rape are now lower than when nationwide crime statistics first appeared in 1965—and those were far less thorough than today's," the Atlanta Black Star reported, citing Politico.com and FBI reports.

We also learn that violent and other criminal victimization of young blacks has fallen to record lows. So have drug abuse, unplanned pregnancy and school dropouts—a surprise to many.

Still, "[d]espite the sharp decrease in crime in America, and other industrialized countries, the mainstream media continues to propagate an image that black males are a growing threat to the safety of the general public," the paper reports.

The tough reality, still, is that African Americans are still "over-represented" in many crimes—meaning a larger percentage commit some crimes than whites. Many of those are young black men who are growing up in impoverished, crime-riddled neighborhoods that have been neglected by the larger community (and, usually, were abandoned by whites who resisted fully integrated neighborhoods).

The response from the larger community is usually overly simplistic: Blame the parents. The problem with that response is that the historic breakup of families of color—dating back to slavery times and then through Jim Crow, the drug war and over-incarceration of black men and then women—means that many of the young people committing the crimes don't have strong families present for them.

Often, at least one parent is in prison for a drug crime, or had such deep emotional wounds from cycles of poverty and violence that good parenting seems beyond their reach. This happens with people of all ethnicities, of course. But the peculiar and devastating psychology of impoverished neighborhoods—and being continually distrusted and castigated by a majority culture that created the conditions in the first place and then won't commit the resources to repair them—combine to create very volatile conditions for young people growing up there. And through no fault of their own.

The cycle, of course, isn't helped by the eventual flight of young people who excel despite the conditions, leaving fewer successful role models in the community, not to mention less tax base.

This is a vicious cycle by definition, but it is not one any of us should be content to allow to continue. This GOOD Ideas issue is dedicated to what each of us can, and should do, to help reverse these trends that ultimately hurt us all by sowing distrust and fear, not to mention actual crime committed by young victims of our neglect of the larger beloved community.

The ideas in this issue are just a start, and you may disagree with some of them. But the point is to be motivated to think about these issues from a much deeper and more spiritual place than a surface fear of young people. Put simply, we cannot shoot ourselves out of the box our historic wrongs and neglect have built for us all, but we can choose a corner and start hammering away with proven solutions.

That is what this issue is dedicated to: solutions. But, first, let's figure out why both the problems (and the perceptions) exist, then turn the page and get to work.

MYTH BUSTER

• Murder and violent crimes are very rare among African Americans—less than 2/10 of 1 percent. 

NEWS TO SHARE

• Since the early 1990s, homicide deaths and arrests have fallen 70 percent among young blacks.

Basketball is one of a few sports where a special player can take over a game and lead his or her team to a victory (this is the only reason Kentucky coach John Calipari makes deep tournament runs). If you don't have one of these special players on your roster, you better have an outstanding coach.

A great coach knows when to use a time-out at the perfect time to stop an opposing team's offensive run of points. These coaches know when to substitute players with foul trouble or when to give their best player a rest for the stretch run at the end of a game.

As the college game becomes more micromanaged, especially at the end of game, a good coach becomes even more important. Our state might be starting to amass a nice collection of coaches who fit these descriptions.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Coach: Rick Ray

Career coaching record: 17-24, all at Mississippi State

2012-13 season: 10-22 overall (4-14 SEC)

2013 Postseason: None

Arena: Humphrey Coliseum

Radio: 105.9 WRKS FM

Simply looking at the win-loss record for Mississippi State doesn't begin to tell the story of the heck of a job Rick Ray did in his first season in Starkville. Nearly every night on the floor the Bulldogs were the underdogs in terms of experience and talent. Nonetheless, Ray had his Bulldogs fight hard, even when they came up short. Lowlights, such as the 95-49 beat down from North Carolina (yes, that North Carolina), were balanced with some highlights, including a win over Ole Miss and a win over South Carolina in the SEC tournament.

Ray faced a rebuilding challenge last year. This year, folks expect the Bulldogs to be improved, but barring a magical run in the SEC Tournament for the league's automatic bid, an NCAA berth for Mississippi State is unrealistic.

Mississippi State returns most of last season's roster, which includes Craig Sword and Gavin Ware, both on the All-SEC Freshman Team at the end of last season. Sword, Ware and Roquez Johnson are all averaging double-digit scoring. This trio is part of eight players getting 12 or more minutes of playing time, which shows the depth of rotation Ray is building.

The schedule is filled with a bunch of cupcake games, but Ray is trying to rebuild a program and building confidence is part of that job.

Mississippi State has two losses so far against TCU (who finished last in the Big-12 last season) at home and Utah State (who finished fourth in the WAC last season) on the road. The Bulldogs had a terrible first half late against the Aggies, putting themselves in a big hole early on the road.

MSU hosted the Horned Frogs in the Big-12/SEC Challenge, losing that game by 10 points. The Bulldogs were down 59-56 with 2:24 left in the game, but couldn't close the deal. State is still learning how to win.

This season will be a success for Ray and the Bulldogs if MSU can earn a NIT bid to build on for next season. A NCAA bid should be the goal for the 2014-15 season if Mississippi State can keep this young squad together. Ray looks like a good hire after his first season, but the Bulldogs need to show improvement in SEC play.

Postseason: NCAA berth highly unlikely but NIT bid—which is possible—should be the goal.

Mississippi Rebels

Coach: Andy Kennedy

Career coaching record: 159-89 at Ole Miss and 180-102 overall

2012-13 season: 27-9 overall (12-6 SEC)

2013 postseason: NCAA Tournament (ended with a 76-74 loss to La Salle in the round of 32)

Arena: Tad Smith Coliseum

Radio: 93.7 WFMN FM

Andy Kennedy finally did it: In his seventh season at Ole Miss, he led the Rebels to the NCAA Tournament.

Forget about the SEC being historically weak last season, and Ole Miss playing more cupcakes than you will see at bakery. The Rebels hadn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2002, and Kennedy made me and just about every other sports writer eat crow when he not only got Ole Miss into the Big Dance, but also led the team to a victory in the SEC Tournament.

This season, the Rebels have to replace low-post players and rebounders. The good news is Ole Miss is returning reigning Howell Trophy winner Marshall Henderson. The shooting guard has garnered headlines for all the wrong reasons, including an arrest this offseason. Henderson is, without a doubt, the best player on the Ole Miss team, but he is on thin ice with his behavior.

The Rebels also return Jarvis Summers, LaDarius White, Aaron Jones, Derrick Millinghaus and three other players from last year's squad. One newcomer to watch is Sebastian Saiz, who played internationally. Currently, the Rebels show a lot of depth with nine players averaging 16 minutes or more per game.

The non-conference schedule this season mixes teams from last year's NCAA Tournament with some tough games against Georgia Tech and Penn State. The non-conference slate ends with the Mercer Bears and Dayton Flyers—two of the best mid-majors in college basketball right now.

So far in the 2013-14 campaign, Ole Miss has defeated North Carolina A&T, the defending MEAC Champions, but lost very close games to perennial Big Dance teams Kansas State and Oregon.

The Rebels still have games against Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky. Both teams reached the NCAA Tournament last season.

Reaching the NCAA Tournament for a second-straight season will test Kennedy's coaching abilities. Kennedy and the Rebels NCAA chances will improve if the rest of the SEC is better than last year, and if Ole Miss can finish with a good conference record.

The conference games that could help Ole Miss reach the Big Dance include home games against Missouri and Florida and a home series against Kentucky. Ole Miss will be a lock for the NCAA if it can win its home games against these three opponents.

Postseason: NCAA bid extremely possible & NIT bid is a lock.

Jackson State Tigers

Coach: Wayne Brent

Career coaching record: 0-0 (First season as college head coach)

2012-13 season: 11-18 overall (9-9 SWAC)

2013 postseason: None

Arena: Lee E. Williams AAC

Many watchful eyes will be trained on the Jackson State basketball program over the next few years. Wayne Brent takes over for Tevester Anderson, who retired after spending the last decade on the JSU bench. They'll be waiting to see if Brent can repeat the success he had at the high school level. Brent was an assistant under former Ole Miss coach Rod Barnes and has won state titles at Provine and Callaway high schools.

No one is expecting Brent to win national championships at Jackson State, but the hope is that he can lead the program back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. The eyes on Jackson will be watching to how well Brent's team play, with the hope of landing the next big coaching prospect (like Sean Woods at Mississippi Valley State).

Brent will get a chance to show off his coaching abilities right away. Jackson State only returns two players with experience from last year's team: senior Jeff Stubbs and junior Derrell Taylor, the only returning starter. The rest of the 12-man Tigers roster consists of new eligible transfer players, seven true freshman and a redshirt freshman. One freshman to watch is Javeres Brent from Provine High School.

Julysses Nobles is a senior and former Arkansas starter who will give Brent some on-the-court expertise for the team to rely on this season. B.J. West, a transfer from New Mexico State University, will also be immediate help for the Tigers.

Brent, Noble, West and Stubbs are the Tigers' current top four scorers. Currently, nine players for Jackson State are averaging 11 minutes or more of playing time.

JSU has only three wins so far, but the Tigers have been very competitive in nearly every game. That includes a two-point loss to Mississippi State, an 11-point loss to Louisiana Tech and a five-point loss to Tulane.

The only way the Tigers will make the Big Dance is by winning the SWAC Tournament to earn the conference's automatic bid. Jackson State has been picked to finish in the middle of SWAC this year.

If Brent can build a winner at Jackson State, Tiger fans can expect big jobs to try to lure the new lead Tiger away.

Postseason: It is NCAA or Bust for the Tigers.

Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Coach: Donnie Tyndall

Career coaching record: 36-11 at Southern Miss & 180-100 overall

2012-13 season: 27-10 overall (12-4 C-USA)

2013 postseason: NIT Tournament (lost 79-62 in Quarterfinals to BYU)

Arena: Reed Green Coliseum

Radio: 105.1 WQJQ FM or 620 WJDX AM

Donnie Tyndall and USM might be the best coach-university fit in the state.

Tyndall has re-energized Southern Miss basketball in his first year with the program. Not since the late, great M.K. Turk was head basketball coach at USM has this much excitement existed around the program existed—not even during the James Green or Larry Eustachy eras.

In his first season in Hattiesburg, Tyndall and his Golden Eagles finished second in the conference, behind former Conference USA powerhouse Memphis in the regular season and C-USA tournament. Southern Miss lost the C-USA championship game in double overtime, denying the team a NCAA Tournament bid.

The last two seasons, USM has finished behind Memphis in C-USA, but the Tigers are gone, and the conference has added a slew of teams. Currently, it looks like C-USA will be a one-bid league in the NCAA Tournament this year, just as last year.

Tyndall will be trying to replace two major pieces from last year's team, Dwayne Davis and Jonathan Mills. Both Davis and Mills were instrumental to the success the Golden Eagles saw last season.

Southern Miss returns Neil Watson, Jerrold Brooks, Michael Craig and Daveon Boardingham from last year's campaign. The Golden Eagles also have two transfers eligible this season in Aaron Brown (from Temple) and Chip Armelin (Minnesota). Tyndall has plenty of depth with nine players getting 11 minutes or more of playing time so far this season.

This year's schedule already features wins over some strong mid-majors including DePaul, North Dakota State and Morehead State (coached by former MVSU coach Sean Woods). Southern Miss' lone loss so far this season came on the road against the defending NCAA Tournament Champion, Louisville.

Louisville blew out the Golden Eagles, but the Cardinals will blow out a lot of teams. USM also has a game against Western Kentucky (a NCAA team last year) and Drexel still on the non-conference slate. Southern Miss' non-conference schedule is filled with cupcakes from mid-major conferences, hurting their strength of schedule and making it necessary to win the C-USA Tournament. That could change if some of USM's opponents turn out to be diamonds in the rough in conference play.

A host of other teams will challenge Southern Miss in conference. Louisiana Tech, UTEP, Tulsa, Charlotte and UAB look to be the other major contenders for the C-USA crown.

If USM beats Charlotte, it could help their chances immensely since Charlotte already has big non-conference wins against Michigan and Kansas state, plus a good loss in overtime to Davidson. Even better could be a win against the 49ers, that could be huge down the season's stretch.

C-USA might get only one bid, but it is too early in the season to tell as teams play non-conference games. A good win early in the season can mean nothing in March and a meaningless win early could turn into a big plus for an at-large bid.

Southern Miss needs to hope they can be one of the top teams in C-USA and the teams they beat rack up good wins. A NCAA bid for Tyndall could be in reach come March.

Postseason: A lock for NIT bid and a better-than 50-50 shot at an NCAA bid

Alcorn State University returns just one starter, All-SWAC forward LeAntwan Luckett, from last year's 10-24 team. The Braves head coach Luther Riley has recruited some size to Lorman with junior college transfers Josh Nicolas (7-0), Stephane Raquil (6-10) and Shantardrick Hester (6-8). Alcorn State's only shot at reaching the Big Dance is by winning the SWAC Tournament.

Mississippi Valley State University has one of the toughest coaching jobs. Head coach Chico Potts must try to win games facing a second straight postseason ban and, to make matters worse, without last year's SWAC leading scorer Davon Usher, who transferred. Potts hopes to improve on last year's 5-23 with junior college transfer Anthony McDonald and returning player Matt Smith.

Delta State University returns three starters from last year's 11-16 team and is looking for better results in year two under head coach Jim Boone. The Statesmen return Cornel Knight, Mike Weems and Jack Madgen—Knight and Weems being seniors. Delta State wants to improve on its preseason predicted finish of fourth in the Gulf South Conference, and Jackson State transfer Willie Readus could be the difference for the Statesmen.

Mississippi College returns just one starter from last year's 15-11 team that went 11-8 in conference play.

Lakin Ford is the only returning player for the Choctaws on a team predicted to finish seventh in the American Southwest Conference. Head coach Don Lofton enters his 10th year at MC hoping to maintain the streak of being the only team to qualify for every conference tournament. The Choctaws have made 15 straight tournament appearances.

Millsaps College hopes to improve on last year's 5-21 squad. Head coach Tim Wise wants this year's team to resemble the one that upset number-two seed Rhodes in the Southern Athletic Association Tournament. The three seniors on the Majors' team—Ryan Berger, Tully Gilligan and Murray Kastner—will play at least once near their hometowns.

Belhaven University turned to former assistant coach John Aiken (now in year two) last year to lead the program, and the squad finished 12-18 overall and 8-10 in the Southern State Athletic Conference. The Blazers return several players from last year's team including Curt Hall, Chris Cofield and Jackson native Jerrial Dawson. Belhaven was picked to finish tenth in the very competitive SSAC.

Tougaloo College enters its second year with Harvey Wardell as head coach. His first campaign finished with an 8-18 record. The Bulldogs feature Denzel Hardy, who made the Preseason All-Conference Team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Conference coaches picked Tougaloo to finish sixth in the conference.

This past year has given us some memorable up-and-down sports moments, both as a state and in the greater sports world.

The year started with Mississippi State losing its bowl game to Northwestern—Dan Mullen's first bowl loss. Four days later, Ole Miss won its bowl game against Pittsburgh to finish out a great first season for Hugh Freeze.

The year gave us one of the most memorable Super Bowls in history, with two brothers coaching opposing teams in the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers. The game came down to the final play, and the Ravens won—but most people might remember the lights going out in the New Orleans Superdome during the third quarter most of all.

Ole Miss had one of the most entertaining players in all of college basketball in Marshall Henderson. The Rebels reached the NCAA Tournament, and Henderson became one of those players folks love to hate (but Ole Miss fans love to love). The bid to the Big Dance also earned Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy a fat new contract.

Speaking of the NCAA Tournament, Louisville won, but Wichita State turned Cinderella until the Final Four (where they lost to the eventual champions). La Salle bounced Ole Miss but joined the Shockers and Florida Gulf Coast as mid-majors to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

Southern Miss didn't make the NCAA Tournament, but the Golden Eagles were a one-seed team in the NIT. USM beat Charleston Southern and Louisiana Tech before falling to BYU in the quarterfinals and falling a game short of reaching Madison Square Garden.

The biggest local sports moment of the year arguably came from the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Both Ole Miss and Mississippi State made the tournament, but the Rebels couldn't get past William and Mary, losing twice.

Mississippi State, on the other hand, made a magical run starting by winning the Starkville Regional. The Bulldogs next won the Charlottesville Super Regional by defeating No. six national seed Virginia in two straight games to reach the College World Series.

The magic didn't stop there for head coach John Cohen's MSU squad. Bulldog magic swept Omaha, Neb., as Mississippi State defeated national third seed Oregon State to reach the championship series.

Mississippi State added to the SEC's streak of reaching the finals with the Bulldogs making it six straight for the conference. MSU's magic finally ran out against UCLA in the championship series as the Bruins won two straight to win their first baseball title and 109th title in all sports.

The NBA Finals were a thrilling seven-game series between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. It featured a Spurs choke job in game six and a Heat blowout in game seven.

In case you missed it, the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Boston Bruins for the Stanley Cup. The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series in game six.

Southern Miss football finally broke a 23-game losing streak in the final game of the 2013 season with a win over UAB.

Finally, the year ended with both Mississippi State and Ole Miss playing in bowl games to bookend the year.

Current Southern Miss head basketball coach Donnie Tyndall made a fitting tribute to former Golden Eagle head coach M.K. Turk at the end of USM's 75-65 overtime win against Georgia State. One of Turk's sports coats hung on an empty chair of the Golden Eagles bench and, when victory was certain, Tyndall walked over the chair and raised the coat in revelry and to celebrate Turk, who died Dec. 6.

Turk is, without a doubt, one of the top five college coaches in Mississippi history. He made Golden Eagle basketball matter after it was one of the worst programs in America.

Southern Miss hired Turk in 1976, and it turned out to be one of the best coaching hires in university history. Turk quickly turned around the USM program, taking it from wayward independent, to a member of the very competitive Metro Conference, to a charter member in Conference USA.

The Golden Eagles experienced a lot of basketball firsts with Turk at the helm. In the 1980-81 season, he led Southern Miss to its first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament with a 20-7 record.

Turk brought Mississippi its only Division I basketball championship by winning the 1985-86 NIT in the 50th championship of the tournament.

Southern Miss defeated La Salle 84-80 in New York City's Madison Square Garden to win the event.

He became the first coach to lead USM to a NCAA Tournament berth, in the 1989-90 season. Turk was also the only coach in Southern Miss history to lead the Golden Eagles to back-to-back NCAA appearances, returning to the tournament in the 1990-91 season.

Turk coached Clarence Weatherspoon, who went on to become the ninth pick of the 1992 NBA Draft, chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers. Randolph Keys was another great player Turk coached—the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Keys with the 22nd pick in 1988.

Before and after his coaching career, Turk received many honors. He earned the titles of 1885-86 Metro Conference Coach of the Year and 1986-87 NIT Coach of the Year. He is a member of the Southern Miss Legends Club, the Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

By the time Turk retired in 1996, he had led Southern Miss to eight postseason appearances, including two NCAA appearances and six NIT appearances. Turk retired with 301 wins—the most in Golden Eagles history.

In fact, Turk's 301 wins dwarf the records of any coach in Mississippi State or Ole Miss history. During research, the only coach I found with more wins at the Division I level was another Mississippi college basketball legend, Lafayette Stribling of Mississippi Valley State, who racked up 315 wins during his 22 seasons leading the Delta Devils.

In his 20 seasons at the helm of the Golden Eagles program, Turk made Southern Miss basketball matter more than it had before or has since. He left a legacy that subsequent coaches James Green and Larry Eustachy were unable to repeat.

Near the end of each basketball season for the past nine years, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum has honored the top men's basketball player with the Howell Award. The trophy is named after Mississippi State great Bailey Howell.

The award won't be given out until next year, but it is never too early to look at potential contenders. Here are the players I think might make the finalist list, in no particular order.

Marshall Henderson, The University of Mississippi

Henderson is the first player from Ole Miss to win the award in 2013 and could repeat as winner. The Rebels guard would likely have to really top his play from last year after his postseason off-the-court behavior. Ole Miss temporarily kicked Henderson off the team, and he has sat out one game already. He will miss a couple of SEC contests coming up as well. Currently, Henderson is averaging 18.3 points per game, and his career-high 39 points and 10-for-23 three-point shooting helped Ole Miss nearly upset Oregon.

Gavin Ware and Craig Sword, Mississippi State University

Last season, both Gavin Ware and Craig Sword made the SEC All-Freshman team. Both these players will be in the mix for the Howell Award if Mississippi State is in contention for some type of postseason tournament.

Ware is currently averaging 10.8 points per game for the MSU Bulldogs. Sword is leading the team in scoring with 15.3 points per game and had a game-high 24 points in an overtime win against Loyola (IL).

Julysses Nobles, Jackson State University

Nobles is a transfer from Arkansas eligible to play this season for Jackson State. At press time, Nobles was Jackson State's leading scorer, averaging 17.1 points per game. Nobles was instrumental in the Tigers' three wins so far this season. Against Air Force, he put up 16 points and sank the two game-winning free throws; and, against Tennessee-Martin, Nobles had 17 points and five assists.

LeAntwan Luckett, Alcorn State University

Luckett is the only player from a Mississippi SWAC team named to the Preseason All-SWAC team. The sophomore guard for Alcorn State joined the second team during the SWAC preseason honors. Luckett was a big part of two of the three Braves wins this season. He had 14 points in Alcorn's win over Tougaloo, and he led the Braves with 20 points in a win over Mississippi College. Currently, Luckett is leading Alcorn State in scoring with 14.2 points per game.

I'm not sure what it says about the Saints' playoff chances when they sign a new kicker and promote a new tackle with two weeks left in the season. I guess we'll find out quickly.

Thursday, Dec. 26

College football (5-11 p.m., ESPN): Recover from Christmas with two bowl games featuring back-to-back MACtion, as Bowling Green takes on Pittsburgh, followed by Northern Illinois facing Utah State.

Friday, Dec. 27

College football (8:30-11:30 p.m., ESPN): Three bowl games air today, but the best bet might be the last game of the day: BYU plays Washington.

Saturday, Dec. 28

College football (5:30-9 p.m., ESPN): The next-to-last Saturday this college football season features four potentially really good games; the best one will probably be Miami (FL) against Louisville.

Sunday, Dec. 29

NFL (12-3 p.m., Fox): The New Orleans Saints take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their final regular-season game.

Monday, Dec. 30

College football (2-5:30 p.m. ESPN): Ole Miss facing option-oriented Georgia Tech highlights this Monday, which offers four bowl games to choose from, including Oregon against Texas.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

College football (3-6 p.m. ESPN): Close out 2013 with Mississippi State looking to go 3-1 in bowl games under Dan Mullen. MSU plays Rice, followed by Texas A&M against Duke.

Wednesday, Jan. 1

College football (4-7 p.m. ESPN): We have six bowl games to feast on New Year's Day but the "Granddaddy of Them All" turns 100, so the Rose Bowl, featuring Michigan State and Stanford, is the best bet.

This is the last Slate until next year to feature nothing but college and pro football games. I'm already starting to miss football.

For better or worse, you talked about them. A lot. Some deserved it. Others? You decide.

Chokwe Lumumba

Soon after his election, whites who had long controlled the economic and political system vowed to leave the homeland and take their wealth them. But the new president, Nelson Mandela, urged his black and white and countrymen to reconcile and move South Africa forward.

The parallel was not lost on Chokwe Lumumba, whose election to mayor of Jackson this summer touched off the same kind of xenophobic hysteria among many local whites and some middle-class blacks.

"We're going to see comparisons between us and many of the African liberation struggles and other parts of the world," including the anti-apartheid movement, Lumumba told the Jackson Free Press in June. "South Africa is one where that fight still goes on, but the election of Nelson Mandela took it to whole new level. And now it has to go to new levels still."

In the intervening months, Lumumba's tenure has likely surprised his detractors and supporters alike. A self-styled champion of oppressed people, Lumumba bit the bullet and moved ahead with a plan to implement a 1-percent sales tax increase with the controversial commission in place. He is also making moves to de-privatize government functions—meaning that city government may grow as a result.

Yet, the mass exodus of whites conservatives predicted hasn't happened, a signal they must like something Lumumba is doing. And it's not uncommon to hear white conservatives say they believe he is doing a good job.

Ultimately, it will be up to history decide Lumumba's legacy. He's not making any predictions. "I have to wait to see what similarities I have to other places because I'm not quite sure where I would see our hallmark in history compared to other places," he told the JFP.

—R.L. Nave

Bill Allain

The family of former Mississippi Gov. William "Bill" Allain, who died Dec. 2 at age 85, wants him remembered as someone who explicitly fought for Mississippians who historically haven't had many people fighting for them.

"His administration was inclusive of all people: black and white, male and female, Catholic and Protestant, rich and poor," family representatives wrote in a statement announcing his death.

Allain was born into a Catholic family on Valentine's Day in 1928, in the town of Washington, Miss. Family members say Allain, who served as governor from 1984 to 1988, remained a "strong Catholic" his entire life and that "his Catholic faith and servanthood were the driving force in his life and career."

After attending Notre Dame and earning a law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1950, Allain served three years in the Army during the Korean War as an infantryman. After being discharged, Allain practiced law in Natchez until 1962 when he was appointed an assistant state attorney general under Gov. Ross Barnett.

In 1979, Allain ran successfully for attorney general, where he first made a name for himself as an advocate for Mississippi consumers, which included blocking a plan to store nuclear waste in Mississippi—a debate that recently received new life in 2013.

—Tyler Cleveland

Dr. Hannah Gay

Everyone took a collective breath when Dr. Hannah Gay's story broke. Gay, a pediatric doctor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (2500 N. State St., 601-984-1000), cured a toddler of AIDS, though she insisted to the Jackson Free Press that she simply followed standard treatment protocols (jfp.ms/hannahgayinterview).

The real story is that Gay diagnosed this particular toddler and began treating her and her mother. The pair stopped treatment for 18 months, and when they came back, clinicians couldn't find the virus in the girl's system. Gay may not have cured the disease as a whole (you have to have the same result on multiple patients, and it would be unlikely to get the same result in adult patients), but she cured someone.

And that's a headline maker.

—Amber Helsel

David Watkins

Perhaps nobody in Jackson can say they had the kind of whirlwind year that Jackson developer David Watkins experienced in 2013.

From developing a state-of-the-art Meridian Law Enforcement Center to testifying before a Mississippi secretary of state's office investigation into allegations for securities fraud against him, Watkins surely experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows.

The man who spearheaded the renovation of the King Edward Hotel and Standard Life Building couldn't work the same magic on Farish Street, at least not before the Jackson Redevelopment Authority took its ball, and Watkins' lease on Farish Street, and went home.

Now the project is tied up in litigation as far as the eye can see. In addition to the secretary of state's investigation, contractors have liens against Watkins, Watkins has liens against the Jackson Redevelopment Authority board, and the JRA board is counter-suing Watkins—meaning that this story will likely extend far into 2014 at least.

Still, Watkins insists he can finish the project, and with malice toward none, if JRA will drop its suit and give him back the lease. Time will tell.

—Tyler Cleveland

Cassandra Welchlin

The Jackson Free Press endorsed Cassandra Welchlin for the Senate 28 seat vacated by the death of Alice Harden, partly because of Welchlin's work as president of her West Jackson Capitol  Neighbors Association and her part in organizing a vigil for James Craig Anderson, who was murdered in 2011. What she lacks in on-the-stump political experience, she makes up for with chops in the arena of policy development and sheer energy and passion for improvement of Jackson and addressing the root causes of problems such as crime and poverty.

Welchlin was unsuccessful in that bid. Unlike many failed office seekers, Welchlin has not disappeared from public view, however. She remains extremely active as the public face for the Mississippi Low Income Child Care initiative's campaign against a state program to force low-income parents to scan their fingers to pick their children up from day care. She also continues advocating for west Jackson issues such as keeping the Jackson Zoo from moving to a new part of town.

—R.L. Nave

De'Keither Stamps

After returning from a tour of duty in Iraq in the U.S. Army, De'Keither Stamps decided to start his second career as a civil servant. He ran for the Ward 4 Jackson City Council seat, which was vacated when Frank Bluntson decided to run for mayor.

Since taking his seat on the council, Stamps, 37, has maintained a perfect attendance record, save one day he had the flu, and serves in some capacity on every council committee. Not only that, but he's one of the most engaged council members on every issue, showing a willingness to question even sacred-cow issues, indicating early that his is an independent voice.

The Forest Hill High School graduate also serves on the boards of the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District and the Mississippi Municipal League.

His commitment to service isn't something he learned overnight. Stamps provided presidential security in 1996, and visited all 50 states in the process. His military service took him to Tanzania, Kenya, Switzerland, Great Britain and, eventually, Iraq, where he commanded a 17-man, 4-vehicle unit in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit.

Stamps still owns the family farm on Highway 18, and spends his time away from city council tending to the cows, bailing hay and growing vegetables.

—Tyler Cleveland

Josh Hailey

If you're a local Jacksonian with an Instagram account, chances are you've probably seen or heard of Josh Hailey's Photamerica project. The local artist/photographer drove cross-country for two years, interviewing people from all areas and walks of life on what it means to be American. He posted a multitude of photos of people and things and all the crazy and cool stuff he got to see and do.

Now, he's back and getting ready to wrap up that project. As part of his Heartalot nonprofit, he and girlfriend and artist Brittany Schall run a pop-up gallery at 3009 N. State St. On Dec. 23, he had a showcase for the Photamerica project and the opening of his Story Projectors installation. If there's one thing you can say about Hailey, it's that he never sits still. Who knows what he'll do next? Whatever it is, it'll make Jackson that much more intriguing.

—Amber Helsel

James Beard Chefs: Dan Blumenthal, Jeremy Enfinger, Jesse Houston, Mike Roemhild, Mitchell Moore, Tom Ramsey, Nick Wallace

Cooking at the James Beard House in New York City's Greenwich Village is an honor only bestowed on the top chefs around the country. This year, seven local chefs representing some of Jackson's most popular eateries experienced that thrill.

Dan Blumenthal, Jeremy Enfinger, Jesse Houston, Mike Roemhild, Mitchell Moore, Tom Ramsey and Nick Wallace planned and executed a "Friends of James Beard Scholarship Dinner" in Jackson in January 2013. It impressed the folks from the James Beard Foundation enough to earn them an invitation to New York to cook their "Southern Comfort Redux" menu in the big leagues.

"If your name appears in bold type in the journals of food and fine dining, an invitation to the Beard House is expected, but for the legions of journeyman cooks and chefs it is akin to getting called up from AA ball to pitch in the majors," Ramsey wrote in BOOM Jackson.

"It takes work and dedication and a desire to prove oneself by trial of fire in full public view."

Since then, Wallace returned to New York to participate in the James Beard Foundation's Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change and got the opportunity to cook a solo dinner at the James Beard House in December. He is working with the foundation to bring a conference, or "salon" to Mississippi next year, the first time the foundation will host one in the state.

—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Quardious Thomas

We know more about Quardious Thomas' death than we do his life—and we may not even know the complete story about how or why he died. The official story of homeowner Eric Williams, who shot and killed 20-year-old Thomas, was that after hearing the sound of car windows breaking, he went outside, found Thomas in his car and fired five shots when Thomas started to fumble around in the dark.

Whether Thomas was the mastermind of a car-window-breaking ring we'll never known. But that is less important than how officials handled the case. After a brief interview, Jackson police officials took Williams' word that what he said happened actually happened without an arrest or further investigation. Police also determined that Williams' actions in using deadly force to protect his Chevy Avalanche was justified under the so-called Castle Doctrine.

The other intriguing layer to this saga involves District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.He is Thomas' cousin, but has not elected to pursue the matter himself or turn the case over to an impartial special prosecutor. That is, as far as we know—he won't return phone calls.

—R.L. Nave

Eddie Outlaw and Justin McPherson

In June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8. In September, local businessmen Eddie Outlaw and Justin McPherson finally married—in California.

Outlaw and McPherson aren't the only gay Mississippians to wed since the Supreme Court decision—likely not even the first—but they have garnered national attention. Outlaw participated in a Google Hangout with Chris Hayes of MSNBC covering the topic earlier in the year. The couple is also the subject of a new documentary by filmmaker Lauren Cioffi (see page 17) called "A Mississippi Love Story," the trailer of which has been featured on sites such as the Huffington Post (watch the trailer at jfp.ms/lovestory).

Outlaw wrote in a JFP column that the filmmakers "(hope) to capture the lives of an openly gay couple living and working in a state that likely won't change much on the issue for some time. The goal (is) to show the world that Mississippi has much good in it and abundant opportunity for change. Throughout the past four months, (Cioffi has filmed) the highs and lows of our everyday life—a life we hope will make a difference here and abroad and, hopefully, a story that might help LGBT youth understand that there is possibly a better Mississippi ahead."

The two also expanded their business this year, opening Fondren Barber Shop, which focuses on men's haircuts, shaves and skin care, next to their William Wallace Salon in Fondren.

—Kathleen M. Mitchell

subSIPPI Filmmakers: Vincent Jude Chaney, Lauren Cioffi and Greg Gandy

Three young Mississippians—Vincent Jude Chaney, Lauren Cioffi and Greg Gandy—set out in 2012 to shine a spotlight on the state they call home. The result was the "subSIPPI" project, a documentary (and hopefully, future interactive website) about the different cultures coexisting today in Missisippi.

The trio used crowdfunding website Kickstarter to raise money for the project, in addition to soliciting donations and selling merchandise. They used social media to create buzz about the project, and to get feedback and suggestions of places to visit.

Chaney told the JFP that the filmmakers wanted to capture an honest portrayal of the state. "There is this superficiality when it comes to people and their missions, usually, when filming in Mississippi—they want to show a certain demographic or certain agenda. And that's what they go for, and they can find it, and they shoot it. But with any good art or meaningful conversation, you see that there is some complexity to people," he said.

After more than a year of fundraising, traveling, filming and editing, the three 20-somethings premiered "subSIPPI" in Hattiesburg, before hosting premiere viewing parties in other cities across the state, events Chaney hoped would be "a place where people can come experience the energy that's present in the state, the undercurrent. The—what do they call it?—zeitgeist. The feeling of the time."

—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Alyce Clarke

Alyce Clarke, the first African American woman elected to the Mississippi Legislature in 1985, walks slowly and doesn't have to speak loudly. Her 28-year record speaks loudly enough, even if she doesn't always get credit for it.

Clarke, who was 44 when she first joined the Mississippi House of Representatives, has been in the thick of advocating for everything from restrooms for women lawmakers in the 1980s to authoring legislation that established drug courts in Mississippi.

The significance of the state's drug-court program is often underestimated. In 2012, Mississippi State Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. credited the use of drug courts with saving the state $36 million. Drug courts are also a vital component of a task force's recent recommendations to overhaul the state's corrections system to reduce the numbers of people taking up prison beds, and costing taxpayers money, for nonviolent drug offenses.

"I definitely believe it is much better to treat people and to help them become productive citizens instead of just incarcerating them," Clarke told the Associated Press in 1998. "Not only do you help the individuals and the family, you help the community as a whole."

—R.L. Nave

Willie Jerome Manning 

Mississippi has the nation's second highest incarceration rate and, in 2012, executed the second most people in the nation. Yet, hours before he was to be executed for the 1992 murders of two Mississippi State University students this May, Manning got a reprieve from the state Supreme Court.

In a letter to Oktibbeha County District Attorney Forrest Allgood who prosecuted Manning, U.S. Justice Department admitted that their expert's testimony during the trial contained "erroneous statements regarding microscopic hair comparison analysis was used" and offered to test the DNA material. Manning has always said he did not commit the crime; in fact, he says he was at a club on the night of the murders. For years, he's been trying to convince the state to test DNA from the crime scene. As of press time, the DNA testing in Manning's case had not been completed.

Manning was also convicted in 1996 for killing two women in Starkville, and sentenced to death for those murders.

—R.L. Nave

Wayne Brent

Jackson State University basketball is at its best when its recruiting local kids, and if March's big news is any indication of things to come, there are good times ahead for the Tiger faithful.

New coach Wayne Brent picked up his first big commitment from highly touted forward Treshawn Bolden. A former player of Brent's before he left Callaway High School to take the JSU gig, Bolden reportedly held offers from Auburn, DePaul, Marquette, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Southern Miss and Virginia Commonwealth.

Jackson Public Schools annually produce an abundance of quality college players, but usually those upper-tier players select the other schools off that list. Bolden's commitment is a coup for Brent, but if he has it his way, Bolden will be the first of many JPS products to give Jackson State a second look.

The 45-year-old coach finished his sixth season at Callaway last spring, where he won four of the last five state championships. He won the first of his five total state titles in 1998 at his alma mater, Provine. At JSU, he replaced veteran coach Tevester Anderson, who had held the position for 10 years and compiled a record of 250-222 before announcing his retirement in March.

—Tyler Cleveland

In the mid-1850s, Samuel Colt needed a seven-year extension of the patent on his legendary revolver, so he decided to petition members of Congress—and their wives and children.

Colt's competitors blasted the campaign as tantamount to bribery, which eventually prompted an inquest, revealing that Colt had staged "lavish entertainments for wavering senators" and that his representatives had presented gifts of Colt pistols to certain congressmen and at least one to a lawmaker's son, who was no more than 12 years old.

The investigative committee's report into Colt's activities stated: "The money has been used, as the evidence shows, in paying the costs and charges incurred in getting up costly and extravagant entertainments, to which ladies and members of Congress and others were invited, with a view of furthering the success of this measure. The ladies, having been first duly impressed with the importance of Colt's pistol extension by presents of Parisian gloves, are invited to these entertainments."

It was during these "entertainments" when Colt's agents would make their pitches to ask the Congress members to support the patent extension.

Not a lot has changed in the past century and a half.

Lobbyists remain one of the most formidable forces in Congress and under capitol domes around the nation. Lobbying, which the U.S. Constitution protects as a form of free speech, has at times precipitated scandals and, at other times, ushered landmark legislation. Mississippi is no exception. Legislators and policymakers rely on lobbyists, who represent corporations, nonprofits and government agencies—or, sometimes all of them—to explain the complicated legislation before them.

Cecil Brown, a Democrat from Jackson, said lobbyists and other public-interest groups are a valuable source of information, helping sort out the hundreds of bills that come before legislators during the session. When a lobbyist requests a meeting, Brown asks two questions: "Who do you work for?" and "Who's on the other side?" And they're usually honest, Brown said.

Lobbyists, and the lawmakers they want to influence, descended on the Mississippi Capitol for the 2014 legislative session, which began Jan. 7 at noon.

This year, lobbyists could be more influential than they have in years past. At the beginning of the term, when Republicans took control of both chambers of the Legislature for the first time more than a century, the party laid out a broad agenda. Thanks to the mechanics of the legislative process, power jockeying among key Republican players and some shrewd maneuvering by Democrats, it took a while for the GOP leadership to get items on their wish lists.

Much of that was achieved in 2012 and 2013, with the passage of strict abortion regulations and education reform that included expanding the presence of charter schools. Lawmakers also passed the first bond bill for construction projects it had in many years.

Republicans having gotten so much of what they wanted has created some oxygen for lawmakers to start listening to constituent groups, including business, civic and social-justice organizations.

We'll see how that plays out.

The Rules

Despite the popular image—and some notoriously unscrupulous practitioners—state law binds the state's lobbyists to strict rules.

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann's office enforces regulations of campaign-finance laws, which extends to lobbyists. Lobbyists are defined broadly, but anyone who meets the definition must register with the secretary of state. The state's 2014 lobbying handbook defines lobbying as the: "influencing or attempting to influence legislative or executive action through oral or written communication. ... solicitation of others to influence legislative or executive action. ... (or) paying or promising to pay anything of value directly or indirectly related to legislative or executive action."

However, exceptions exist. Elected officials acting in their official capacity do not have to register as lobbyists nor do private citizens representing themselves, people who do not get paid or receive "anything of value for lobbying," or people who do provide anything less than $200 in value per year.

Lobbyists must file an end-of-session report, which provides a snapshot of activities during the session, within 10 days of sine die, or adjournment. Then, annual reports are due Jan. 30 of each year, meaning the public cannot get a clear picture of a lobbyist's activities until almost a year later.

State law also prohibits lobbying contracts from guaranteeing specific outcomes, nor are lobbyists supposed to receive bonuses from their employers, said Willie Bozeman, a former state representative, who has been a lobbyist since 2000.

Unlike some lobbyists who represent a single client or focus on one issue, Bozeman has several clients—including Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. and the Southern Poverty Law Center—which would seemingly would pull a person's attention in a number of directions.

Not so, Bozeman said. "We represent the clients' interests. It's not a juggling process. You're hired to do a certain thing and in order to uphold your end of the process, you make it work. It's the same as being hired by any employer. Your passion is to your employer," he said.

Fighting Over Money

Mississippi's economy is not growing as quickly as the national economy, but state revenues are trending upward, creating opportunities for groups to clamor for funding.

State revenue has grown about 5 percent annually for each of the past two years, while spending has increased about 2 percent a year. In his executive budget recommendation, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant proposed a state spending plan that would put more money into education and public safety, including prisons, but does not increase taxes or fees. Bryant's budget proposes spending $6.1 billion during fiscal year 2015, which begins July 1. That sum includes all but two percent of a $5.4 billion revenue projection.

"This budget addresses state priorities with three guiding principles in mind: spending prudently, saving for the future and prioritizing the core functions of government," Bryant said when he unveiled the budget this fall.

Bryant's budget, which is only a recommendation that will have to be reconciled with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee plan, is $5.3 billion and contains less money that Bryant wants to spend for his ambitious prison reform agenda.

Neither budget proposal fully funds the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, which the Legislature instituted in 1996 to ensure that all school districts would receive equitable funding levels.

Legislative leaders who control the purse strings to the treasurer have only said that the state's economic footing is still too unsure to fully fund MAEP this year, which has not received its full allotment for more than three years, putting the state's public schools more than $1 billion in the red.

In 2014, Brown said Democrats will push for more involvement from its constituents to ratchet up the political pressure on Speaker Philip Gunn, Lt. Gov. Reeves and Bryant. To offset the Legislature's failure to give schools the money they need to perform adequately, local school districts have had to raise property taxes, Brown said.

"There's money there; there's not the will," Brown, a former House Education Committee chairman, said of full MAEP funding.

The other huge battle of wills expected to again play out this year is over Medicaid expansion. The federal Affordable Care Act, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2012, permits states to loosen eligibility requirements for the state-federal health-care program for low-income people, but some states with Republican governors, including Mississippi, have disavowed Medicaid expansion.

Lawmakers debated Medicaid expansion during a special session last year, but ended up reauthorizing the Medicaid program without the expansion. However, the door remains open for another debate, and possible expansion, of Medicaid in 2014.

"We have an opportunity to do something smart," Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, told the Jackson Free Press in December.

This time around, Medicaid proponents will have some new ammunition.

Researchers David Becker and Michael Morrisey, both researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, affirms previous studies showing millions of dollars in additional economic activity would come from adding more people to the state-run insurance program for the poor.

Even with the intense debate of the last year or so, the conversation over Medicaid expansion in Mississippi has focused on the costs and benefits to the state and to the health-care industry in broad terms. Becker's report, commissioned by one group promoting Medicaid expansion, goes a step further and looks at Medicaid expansion's effects on regions and local communities. It shows that billions of dollars are at stake in Medicaid.

"It's a deal that seems too good to pass up," said Becker, speaking at the Jackson Medical Mall Dec. 12.

That deal is outlined in Becker and Morrissey's analysis showing that Mississippi taxpayers would spend $579 million between 2014 and 2020, but draw more than $1.4 billion in tax revenues as a result, and generate upward of $14 billion in total new economic activity.

The deal would also create 20,000 new jobs and provide an $848 million increase in net state and local tax revenues.

Those benefits would eventually trickle down to cities and counties. Jackson would get the biggest boost, representing more than $1 billion in total economic activity over the seven-year period between 2014 and 2020.

In the Jackson metropolitan area, including parts of Madison and Rankin counties, that benefit would be closer to $2 billion.

Medicaid expansion would also mean 2,712 new jobs for the capital-city area, Becker and Morrissey wrote.

The Mississippi Economic Policy Center, a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that conducts research on public-policy issues that affect low- and moderate-income families will also continue making a case Medicaid expansion.

Also high on MEPC's agenda this year is addressing Mississippi's college financial aid parameters, said MEPC workforce Analyst Dee Polk, who is helming the effort endeavor.

"Need-based financial aid is in need of updating," Polk told the JFP.

Currently, only 15 percent of Mississippi's grant funds are need-based compared the national average of 71 percent, states the MEPC report, "Investing in Our Future: How to Strengthen and Update Mississippi's Financial Aid Programs for Today's College Students."

Despite the low rate of need-based grants, Mississippi also has a high student-loan default rate.

Tuition has risen faster than household income, and students with fewer resources may wind up being pushed out of higher education simply because they don't have the funds to stay in college.

"In Mississippi, we have a lot of students unable to finish college," Polk said. MEPC will also focus on pushing for more transparency regarding revenue bills by having fiscal notes attached to the legislation.

"Both lawmakers and the public should know how much something costs before it gets passed into law," says Ed Sivak, executive director of MEPC.

Brown, the lawmaker, calls opposition to Medicaid in the face of such abundant hard data "irrational."

"I don't know how anybody explains that," he said. "I'm hoping they come to their senses," he added.

Fighting for Justice

Amid the high-rolling corporate lobbyists, some Mississippi-based organizations will try to help craft legislation to promote social and economic equality.

One group that actively monitors legislative proceedings is the Mississippi Center for Justice, a nonprofit public interest law firm founded in 2003 with two employees. Today, the center now has 30 employees and offices in Jackson, Biloxi and Indianola.

Beth Orlansky, MCJ's advocacy director, sums up the group's mission, which is at the center of its lobbying, as striving for racial and economic justice. The center focuses particularly on housing, education, consumer protections, disaster relief and health care.

The staff has been busy. As a law firm, the center provides an array of services. Providing foreclosure relief, following up with HUD in cases of housing discrimination, and handling BP oil spill claims are only a few of the services the center provides to Mississippi's most underserved and vulnerable.

The center uses pro bono attorneys and law students who assist in the information gathering process, all of whom attend legislative hearings and floor debates at the Capitol.

Those efforts have included partnering with University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Mississippi State Department of Health to advocate for people with HIV and educate homeless shelters turning people away due to their HIV status.

Their first step is to educate a fearful public and alleviate fear; but the center's attorneys will step in if needed to protect people with HIV from discrimination.

MCJ also supports Medicaid expansion and worked to pass legislation to restrict high-interest payday lenders. The center is currently working with employers, banks, and credit unions to try to establish small dollar loans with lower interest rates and to provide financial-management education to low-income workers.

Sandy Middleton, executive director of the Center for Violence Prevention in Pearl and chairwoman of the Governor's Domestic Violence Task Force, hopes to build on last year's successful campaign to beef up the state's human-trafficking law.

This session, Middleton plans to support a bill to change how domestic-abuse shelters receive funding from the state.

A report from the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review confirmed that the state agency in charge of distributing the grants had not given out $1.6 million that should have gone to shelters.

Middleton argues that distribution authority should go to an independent commission, and said Gov. Bryant, a former Hinds County sheriff's deputy, supports the change because he has seen the effects of domestic abuse on families.

"Anyone who understands crime, especially interpersonal crime, understands the importance of doing this," Middleton said of Bryant.

Christmas has come and gone, but Jackson leadership is hoping the Mississippi Legislature will find a little room to stuff a few more much-needed gifts in the city's stocking.

To that end, the city has put forth an aggressive agenda that includes long-shot initiatives like a re-streaming gas tax revenue from state coffers to municipal coffers, and proposals the Legislature is likely to find harmless, such as reimbursement for the Jackson Police Department's security at state events inside the city.

The city is going into the new session with a new mayor, Chokwe Lumumba, and a new lobbyist, the director of policy for former Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., Walter Zinn.

Zinn presented the mayor's suggestions to the Legislative Committee of the City Council on Dec. 16, 2013, with each of the eight proposed items receiving nearly unanimous support from committee members De'Keither Stamps (Ward 4), Tony Yarber (Ward 6), Margaret Barrett-Simon (Ward 7) and Charles Tillman (Ward 5).

Elect JPS Members, Please

Committee members made it clear that Jackson would like to see a change in the process of choosing Jackson Public Schools board members. Lumumba would like to hand off the responsibility of choosing school board members to the voters in order to hold members more accountable for their decisions and attendance.

Most districts in rural Mississippi have elected boards, but it is not uncommon for districts in some of the state's more highly populated areas to have an appointed board.

It's unclear exactly how voting would work and what standards for nominees would be, but Zinn said many of the details would be ironed out during the crafting of the legislation. "If you want to have term limits or minimal qualifications, we can always go one of two routes and work that out," he said. "We can make it local and private, or we can put a population classification on it; either way, it will only be germane to Jackson."

The Legislature made a similar caveat for Jackson on the proposed 1-percent sales tax, a 2009 option that included language regarding "cities over 150,000 in population." Jackson is the only city in the state with a population higher than 70,000.

City Council President Charles Tillman, who once served as JPS board president, said he had reservations over who would go through the "rigamarole" of a campaign and election for a job that is long on hours and short on pay. Tony Yarber had his answer: the same kind of people who would run for city council.

"When you were describing that job, you could have been describing us," Yarber said to Tillman at the Dec. 16 Legislative Committee meeting.

"When we have a situation like we had last week, when the bus drivers all went on strike, I know you got more calls than the school-board representative for your ward," Yarber added. "I know that because I know how many calls I got. I don't know about you, but I don't like to be held accountable for things I can't pull the trigger on."

Paying for State Security

The city also wants support for a bill that would reimburse the Jackson Police Department, or the city, for extra security at big events that take place in the capital city.

Zinn said in December that the Mississippi State Fair, which comes to town every October, often means overtime for traffic cops who provide security and help direct traffic to avoid long lines and congestion. It complicates things, he added, when an organization like Jackson State University, which has a contract with the city to provide security, has a home football game during the time the State Fair is in town.

"We've brought this up before, and essentially we are looking to make an appropriation to law enforcement to cover what has turned into overtime, as the state fair has seen record attendance for a couple of years running," Zinn said. "It becomes hard to provide security and traffic controls at all the events."

Other than the fair, Jackson is also home to the Mississippi High School Athletics and Activities Association's basketball tournament and six state championship football games at the Mississippi Coliseum and Memorial Stadium, respectively.

Think Cooperatively

Yet another initiative, and the one that best fits with what Lumumba's vision that helped him to an overwhelming victory in the mayoral race in July, is the expansion of the role of cooperatives in the city.

Long reserved, in Mississippi, for rural farming, cooperatives are autonomous associations of workers voluntarily cooperating for their mutual, social, economic and cultural benefit.

Cooperatives—or co-ops—include non-profit community organizations and businesses that are not owned and managed by one certain person or company.

The three types of co-ops Lumumba would like to see are consumer co-ops (for things like food, child care, housing and credit unions) like Rainbow Grocery in Fondren, producer co-ops that pool process and market the member products and worker co-ops, which are owned by the people who work at the business.

"These community-oriented worker co-ops create more businesses than their own," Zinn said. "This bill got pretty far last year, but I think the interest from this administration is to create a way for people to bring themselves up.

It's consistent with what the Republicans are always saying about 'pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps.'"

Streets and Crime

The city is also looking for two concessions from the Legislature when it comes to crime and the court system. Current law prevents Mississippi cities and towns from appointing more than six municipal judges at a time, which Zinn told the city council has potential to cause a backup in cases.

The city is requesting the power to appoint up to 10 judges, even if some are on a temporary basis, to expedite the court process.

The city would also like a financial endorsement for its prisoner re-entry program, which Zinn said has been successful but is underfunded.

He estimated the city has about 600 releases in the city annually, and participating in the re-entry program greatly decreases the chances of the released prisoner returning to jail.

Jackson's experience with the sales-tax legislation could be a model for other cities, said Quincy Mukoro, public affairs director for the Mississippi Municipal League.

The MML will once again attempt to pass what it calls the Community Economic Development Act, or local option sales tax. CEDA would be similar to the law that authorizes Jackson's to levy a 1-percent tax on certain sales.

Under the MML bill, 60 percent of citizens would have to approve the tax, which will only be levied for specific projects, nor does the plan involve implementing oversight commissions, which long served as an obstacle to Jackson's holding a sales-tax vote. Mukoro and MML see CEDA as a way to give local communities more control over their economic destinies.

"Just as the state doesn't want federal-government control, cities and towns don't want the state telling them how to run their communities," Mukoro said. "Citizens should be able to make their communities better."

As evidence, he points to Oklahoma City and the state of Texas, both of which have passed versions of a local-option sales tax.

Economic observers, including current Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, have heralded OKC's local option experience as a success and credit it for keeping the city afloat during troubling economic times.

Texas' local-option tax goes even further than the one being floated in Mississippi, and allows municipalities to hold referendums for public safety.

In year's past, the local-option sales tax has met bipartisan opposition, with fiscal conservatives panning the effort as a tax increase.

In Jackson and smaller cities around the state, Mukoro sees the local-option sales tax as potential economic game-changer.

"Fix the infrastructure, and the sky's the limit," he said.

Most politically active citizens in Jackson are angry about something. Get them started, and you're in for a sermon. Popular topics for outrage include crime, low land value, the public education system and, of course, roads that have potholes big enough to sink a car.

But nothing rivals the level of disappointment over what has happened on Farish Street, the historic area on downtown Jackson's periphery designated as the future site of an entertainment district.

It doesn't make sense, thought, to talk about the Farish Street development project without noting the history of the area, one that is as illustrious as its redevelopment has been shameful.

At its peak from 1900 to World War II, the strip housed African American attorneys, doctor's offices, a bank, two hospitals and a dentist's office. During the oppression of Jim Crow Laws—which kept black residents out of many white businesses—commerce on Farish Street thrived.

By the 1950s and 1960s, civil-rights leaders started holding meetings in the Farish area's churches, restaurants and homes. Icons of the movement, including Stokely Carmichael and Medgar Evers, made the push for equality out of an NAACP office located at 507 N. Farish St.

When those men were successful, and Jim Crow was, at least on paper, kicked to the curb with the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the changes were remarkable for the black community. It didn't happen overnight—Mississippi schools didn't fully integrate until 1970, and Jackson didn't elect its first black mayor until 1997—but slowly, opportunities for minority-owned businesses to open shops downtown and in north Jackson emerged.

Farish Street was abandoned as customers moved elsewhere, with just a handful of businesses hanging on by a thread.

In 1983, Jackson architect Steven Horn came forward with a plan to renovate the area, and the push to revive Farish Street began.

The Early Tries

But nothing happened for two decades. Without a developer to take the reigns, the area sat nearly motionless.

In April 2005, Memphis development firm Performa and its president, John Elkington, picked up the stalled idea, promising Jackson an entertainment district that would rival Beale Street in Memphis. Elkington had cut his teeth luring big businesses to Beale during that area's renovation.

But Elkington's new Beale Street never happened. The way he tells it, Performa ran into problems with the Mississippi Development Authority and a state statute that outlawed alcohol sales near the expanded Mississippi College campus (which was resolved in July 2008 with a resort designation).

Elkington also told the Mississippi Business Journal in November 2013 that then-MDA President Leland Speed, who later retired in late 2012, demanded that Performa add residential apartments. He said Watkins got involved in the project first as a lobbyist working to get the resort status in place.

But even with resort status, the project stalled. The JFP reported in 2008 that Elkington was facing problems getting a bank loan, even though MDA was guaranteeing it. That angered Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen, who was pushing for Farish to be Jackson's version of Beale.

At the time, Allen hinted that forces out of Performa's control were blocking the project: "There's a whole lot I'd like to say about it, but many of us are working hard to get this resolved, and I don't want to fan the flames in any way, shape, form or fashion. We're just trying to get it done," Allen told the Jackson Free Press then.

By October 2008, Performa was out, and the newly formed Farish Street Group took over, generating renewed hope because of chief investor David Watkins. He was known for his push for renovation of the historic King Edward Hotel and Standard Life buildings, both of which were still undergoing renovation at the time.

They are now fully operational and breathing life into downtown Jackson.

That momentum didn't carry over to nearby Farish, though. The strip does have one nightclub, Frank Jones Corner (commonly referred to as F. Jones), open at the corner of Farish and Griffith streets, and a small handful of legacy businesses hanging on, but none of that was Watkins' doing.

The Farish Street Group's plans included 13 venues on the stretch of storefronts from Amite Street to Griffith Street, but the future of those buildings is once again unclear. Watkins had hoped to have a B.B. King's Restaurant and Blues Club open on the street by the end of 2012, but after architects finalized designs for the club, engineers discovered that the structure was not capable of supporting the capacity load. In fact, the building didn't even have a foundation.

The Jackson Redevelopment Authority cancelled the lease with the Farish Street Group Sept. 25, 2013.

Now, Farish Street Group, Watkins and the JRA are embroiled in a legal battle so tangled it could take years to clean up. Watkins placed liens on the buildings he was working on when JRA terminated his lease, and the JRA is suing Watkins for placing those liens. Not to be left out, the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District and the Mississippi Development Authority, two agencies with money tied up in the project, are both urging the JRA to reinstate Farish Street Group's lease until the parties can reach a more-amiable divorce agreement.

Two circuit-court judges have already recused themselves from the case, and both sides have logged hours of deposition.

The legal situation will eventually sort itself out, but what will happen to Farish? After 25 years, millions in investment and hundreds of hours of discussion, we're still left with more questions than answers: What does Jackson need out of the district? What will work? What kind of a role does race play? And maybe most importantly, who's going to get rich, and who is going to be left holding the bill?

Even with the adversity, the turmoil surrounding Farish could give Jackson an opportunity to hit the reset button and assess the situation—and maybe even have a conversation about what the aim of the project should be going forward.

What Won't Work?

Watkins wants to develop Farish Street as an entertainment district, which many developers and city leaders agree Jackson still needs. But should historic Farish Street turn into a tourist trap like Beale?

VisitJackson.com, a website run by the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, states that "Farish Street is to Jackson what Beale Street is to Memphis and Nelson Street is to Greenville."

The comparison is easy to make.

Beale Street was once a lot like Farish. In the early 1900s, it was filled with many African American-owned clubs, restaurants and shops. NAACP co-founder Ida B. Wells co-owned and edited an anti-segregationist paper called Free Speech there, and Beale Street Baptist Church, built in 1864, served as a meeting place for black leaders during the Civil Rights Movement.

Like Farish's, many of Beale's businesses shuttered their doors in the late 1960s and early '1970s. The street sat lifeless as a ghost town before developer John Elkington, who is white, worked with city officials, preservationists and investors to turn the area into a thriving entertainment district.

A walk down Beale Street reveals a bustling community of nightclubs, blues bars and restaurants, with tourists walking from business to business carting big, green plastic alien-shaped drinks. Tennessee's self-proclaimed top tourist attraction is full of tourists, and while it retains some of its history, much is papered over.

A 1998 New York Times piece by Brian Knowlton noted the stark difference between the old Beale Street and the freshly refurbished entertainment district.

"The faces in Beale Street are now more white than black," Knowlton wrote. "While 40 percent of new businesses are owned by blacks, white-owned venues, including a Hard Rock Cafe, dominate."

Knowlton talked to Beale Street photographer Ernest Withers, who became famous for his black-and-white images of the segregated south before his death in 2007. "I'm old enough and wise enough to know that nothing lasts forever," he said. "The street's not what it was. It's something else now, and you just got to take it as it is."

Today, the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce member registry lists one minority-owned business on Beale Street: the Black Business Association.

"There are a few others," Black Business Association of Memphis President and CEO Roby S. Williams told the JFP in an interview. "There's a place called Eel Etc. Fashions that is doing pretty well, they've been there almost longer than anyone else, and of course, there's B.B. King's."

B.B. King's, named for the legendary bluesman and Itta Bena, Miss., native, was also set to be the anchor venue for the rest of the two blocks of Farish, from Amite to Hamilton streets, originally set to become the entertainment district.

Williams, who grew up in the Beale Street area, said he remembers when the area was the economic powerhouse for the black community in Memphis.

"When I was a kid, Beale Street was cookin', and it was black folks," he said. "Now you go down there, and the busiest places are stuff like Hard Rock Cafe and out-of-town chains."

That a similar trend could start on Farish is a real concern in Jackson, where 72.2 percent of the city is non-white, but only 44 percent of the city's businesses are minority-owned.

Likewise, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba roundly rejects the idea of gentrification—a shift in an urban community toward wealthier residents and/or businesses and increasing property values, sometimes to the detriment of the poorer residents of the community.

In his inaugural speech on July 1, 2013, Lumumba said he regarded the gentrification of urban communities as "nothing more than a war on the people who already live in the community." Typically, areas around districts such as Beale become pricier to live in—thus gentrifying out poor people and often people of color.

While the Farish Street plan might have originally involved a lot of local businesses relocating to the two blocks of Farish from Amite to Hamilton streets, some argue that the Farish Street Group installed roadblocks that priced out at least one business.

Geno Lee, who owns and manages the historic Big Apple Inn, said the financial benefit of moving his business did not outweigh the initial steep costs.

Despite the fact that Big Apple Inn has been black-owned and on Farish for 75 years, Lee said Watkins quoted him such cost-prohibitive prices that it would have been easier to open a location on County Line Road or at the Renaissance in Madison, two areas on the periphery that have already established high commercial value.

"They told me it would cost $300,000 up front for an 1,800-square-foot space, and then I would pay nearly $25 a square foot for rent," Lee said. About half of that was the actual price for the Big Apple Inn to move in, and the rest to pay for building improvements, including air-conditioning repairs.

"There's no way I could afford to do that. For comparison, they are leasing space as low as $10 per square foot on County Line, and the one-time fee to get into Renaissance isn't anywhere near $300,000."

Lee said that Watkins told him that those prices were comparable to rents on Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Beale Street in Memphis. In talking with the folks from the Renaissance in Madison, Lee said he's found their price for rent to be not just comparable, but cheaper than Farish Street.

"It's crazy," Lee said. "But maybe that's why that area is successful. They aren't pricing themselves out of the market and not gouging the businesses that move in. And people wonder why a lot of economic development is moving out of Hinds County."

But Farish Street isn't anywhere near where those entertainment districts are, at least not in terms of foot traffic and commercial appeal, and it may never be. After running the numbers, Lee said he just couldn't pull the trigger.

"There were club owners and restaurants that were ready to take the plunge and try to make it down there," Lee said. "But to make the prices something we couldn't touch, I have no idea why they would do that, unless they had another agenda."

When Lee responded by saying the asking prices were too high, and that it would price him, and many other businesses out, the response from Farish Street Group, he says, was unnerving.

"There was no negotiation," Lee said. "They basically said, 'That's too bad.'"

Watkins, through his attorney Lance Stevens, said this week that he is sticking by what he said in a 2011 JFP article by reporter Adam Lynch on the same topic, and declined comment for this story.

"We can't afford to have any clubs that don't really generate a lot of money and attract a lot of traffic and customers," Watkins told Lynch in February 2011.

"...[A]ll of the developments have to be at a high level of quality, and all of the developments have to be approved by (the Department of) Archives and History."

Because development of the district must conform to expensive building standards set by the Department of Archives and History, Watkins said, the resulting real estate is some of the most expensive in the state.

"Every lease has its own build-out provisions," Watkins said. "We end up with so many governmental approvals that you have devils in the details."

What Will Work?

The good news for folks who oppose turning Farish Street into a place where you can have a Beale Street-like experience is that the comparison between the two streets ends at the history.

"What has benefited Memphis in building Beale Street is that, aside from being a bigger city, they started much earlier on the renovation than we did," Director of the JSU Center for University-Based Development and former JRA Executive Director Jason Brookins said.

"It was developed over a couple of decades. New Orleans created Bourbon Street over a couple of decades. We can't start now in the same place those communities started. It's going to take a multi-year plan.

"But if we're being honest, we don't want in the heart of our downtown, in between downtown and a residential area, a Bourbon Street or Beale Street. It needs to be our own kind of thing. It could be family-oriented, but still have some nightlife for the young people. It could have pockets of a lot of things. It needs local flavor, and local people."

Watkins' vision of Farish was one of a big anchor, B.B. King's, and several other smaller clubs, including Funny Bone Comedy Club, daiquiri bar Wet Willie's and the King Biscuit Cafe, a blues club. But the Farish Street Group was going to have to spend big money to fix the building set to house it. He has said B.B. King's wasn't going to come in if it was going to be the only club. It was only interested in installing a location if it was going to part of an entertainment district.

If Watkins returns to the project after the legal battle ends, it stands to reason that his vision will return with him.

Local attorney and former JRA board member John Reeves said in a recent interview with the JFP that if anyone can make the project work, it's Watkins, because he's involved for the right reasons, Watkins, he said, has a vested interest because he has already was the public face of two projects in the area: the King Edward Hotel and the Standard Life Building.

"At the time (that the took on the Farish Street lease)," Reeves said, "I told him, 'I don't know why you're doing this.' Honest to goodness. Performa couldn't get a single local or state bank to put a penny in it, and he was going to have to beg for tax credits and get investment from out-of-state banks, because when local people start running the numbers, they can't make it work on paper."

The work of finding a new developer will be tough, Reeves said, especially considering the lengthy court battle that is ramping up now.

"David would still want to do it," Reeves said. "He's an optimist like that. I think they should let him have it, but honestly I don't know why he'd want it. Most successful business people would agree that Farish Street lease is a liability, not an asset."

Et Tu, Alternatives?

If Reeves is right that the current Farish lease is a liability, it could mean that Jackson should rethink what we want out of the historic Street.

Local businessman Malcolm Shepherd, who grew up on Farish Street and at one time worked for the Jackson Advocate, a black newspaper in Jackson, recently parted ways with development company Full Spectrum South to return to work full time for his own company M&M Services. He said in a recent interview with the Jackson Free Press that perception is a big problem when trying to get funding in Jackson.

Shepherd worked on the Old Capitol Green project—a stalled plan to develop the area around the warehouse on Commerce Street that houses Hal & Mal's into a shopping and entertainment area—until the Hinds County Board of Supervisors denied the next phase of funding in late 2013.

He said that, in lieu of big-money investors, whomever the Farish Street developer ends up being should take a local approach. To that end, he said he encouraged his friend, and former Green Party gubernatorial candidate, Sherman Lee Dillon, to open F. Jones Corner at the intersection of Farish and Griffith Streets, which he did along with his son Daniel Dillon and family friend Adam Hayes in 2009.

F. Jones has made it, Shepherd said, because it's the only game in town when it comes to Farish. "They aren't making a million dollars a month," he said. "But they are doing alright. So what if we get a couple of other local investors to open other old bars up and down the street. I'm talking about the Crystal Palace Ballrooms and Birdlands of Jackson's past. People would remember and go to those places."

Brookins also points to F. Jones Corner as a source for optimism.

"The benefit of doing it in that area is that the JRA already owns the land. That should expedite things. It's also an easy spot for tourists to frequent. It's got the theme of Mississippi talent, homegrown talent. The Mississippi Development Agency and the Department of Tourism both recognize it as a key stop on a tour of Mississippi's birthplaces of American Music.

If the city embraces tourism as a major economic engine, Brookins said, then Farish could become unique among entertainment districts, and serve as a showcase for what Mississippi has to offer visitors to the state.

"You do want local people, because that ties you into local investors," Brookins said. "When you bring in a national chain, so much goes back out of the community. ... We've got to sell it, and it's got to be a part of the national narrative. It's got to be a global discussion, and everyone in the state has to buy into it.

"We could have food from the coast, and music from the Delta and north Mississippi. This is the capital city, and it makes more sense for us to have an entertainment district where people can taste a piece of the rest of the state. We'll consider it their first blush at us."

What Role Does Race Play?

One telling aspect of the Farish Street saga is this: In the entire revitalization process, not one private bank has extended credit to anyone to invest in the project.

The Mississippi Development Authority has put $4.7 million in through the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, and Watkins invested $4 million, but there have been no bonds, no loans and no private investors.

Local developers and businessmen point to two reasons behind that.

First, Reeves pointed out, is that there's a perception that the project is doomed to fail. Businessmen, he said, are looking to make viable investments that have a great shot at succeeding and being successful.

"If the Farish Street project can't stand on its own economically, it shouldn't be done," Reeves said. "If it doesn't make sense on paper, it's going to be near impossible to do it. Let's say you build a restaurant and bar on Farish Street. Is a couple that lives in Brandon going to scratch their heads at 6 p.m. on a Friday and say, 'Let's go to Farish Street and get a bite to eat?' The answer is no.

"Look at all the development in the outlying areas. You've got Madison Crossing, The Outlets of Mississippi (in Pearl). The Farish Street development isn't happening any time soon. I'd like to see it work. I'm sure it'd be wonderful, but it's only going to happen if a businessman can look at a balance sheet and see where he is going to make a profit. People don't open businesses unless they think they can make a profit."

Shepherd suggested that the motivation behind the non-investment is due to archaic thinking around investing in majority-black areas of the region. He called the perception of Jackson as a base of operations among state business leaders "outdated."

"People are real conservative from a historical perspective," Shepherd said. "It's ingrained in some of them. We've got support from the (Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau) and the state tourism department with the blues markers and things like that. That's free help. To not take advantage of that, I think, is a reflection of people's attachment to their historical perspectives.

"They can't see the viability of this area, because they never invested their intellect. It's like keeping blinders on, because you can't recognize that the market has changed. Well, change is coming whether you want it or not, and in fact, it's already here. Diversity is what you need."

Shepherd compares the neglect of the African American community as an empowered financial consumer group to the way college-age kids were once perceived—where once students were thought to have little-to-no buying power, today their needs are driving the narrative of development.

"The powers-that-be finally realized that the students are the ones that are going to these venues and supporting the restaurants," he said. "They are the ones calling for bike lanes and complete streets. It just goes to show you that we have been drug into the 21st century kicking and screaming."

That perception is slowly changing, he said, thanks to developments on Lynch Street near Jackson State University and the growth around the Mississippi Medical Mall. "A new grocery store moved in, and now there's a Walgreens there," he said. "It's happening; it's just happening slower than these projects in Madison and Pearl and Flowood because there's not big money behind it."

When Elkington had the lease on the project, the Jackson Advocate reported that Beale Street had been built with little minority participation, and tried to dissuade city leaders from allowing the same thing from happening on Farish Street.

So did things get any better when Watkins and the Farish Street Group came on board? "Hell, no," former Jackson Advocate writer Stephanie Parker-Weaver said. "We never had a problem with (Watkins) personally, and I think he's a very pleasant, nice guy. But development-wise he started becoming a Leland Speed-type developer. (Watkins) had made a bunch of money as a lawyer for the JPS board, and he was able to take on projects and develop, which was great, but he continued, and continues to feed out of the public trough."

Speed rebuked that indictment Tuesday morning by phone, noting that he worked as head of MDA for four years without receiving a pay check.

Parker-Weaver would prefer to see Farish developed in a more grass-roots way with more taxpayers benefitting. "Public dollars shouldn't be used to line the pockets of already-wealthy people. The needs are too great: housing, street resurfacing, water and sewer. Instead, those Community Development Block Grant funds, which are supposed to be for the poor, end up going to development projects."

See jfp.ms/watkins to read more about the current legal problems plaguing Watkins and the Farish Greet Group.

Best Local Business Owner; Best Urban Warrior; Best Visionary; Best Campaigner for the Best of Jackson Award: Jeff Good

Mangia Bene (bestjacksoncatering.com)

Jeff Good wears a lot of hats, sometimes literally, in the creative and colorful ads he stars in for the three restaurants he co-owns.

Usually, though, his hats are figurative. Good is a business owner, entrepreneur, idea man, community cheerleader, political activist, husband and dad.

Good grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and moved to Jackson the summer before his senior year of high school. He graduated from Murrah High School and went on to Millsaps College. After graduation, he stayed in Jackson and sold computer systems, but it wasn't until the '90s that he found his place to shine in the city, when he paired up with Dan Blumenthal to open BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar. Since then, the duo has added Broad Street Baking Company, Sal & Mookie's and Mangia Bene Catering to its roster, each a popular addition to the Jackson culinary scene.

For years now, Good has shown that he is the guy willing to do anything for his company and for his city. His passion for Jackson spills out into his frequent social-media posts and his involvement in political campaigns. He regularly collaborates with other Jacksonians, even those technically considered his competition. It's no wonder he cleaned up in this year's Best of Jackson, taking home four awards by himself.—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Best Local Business Owner

Second: Byron Knight (Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349) / Third: Chris Jacobs (The Islander Seafood and Oyster House, 1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441) / Finalists: Chris Paige (Custom Cuts & Styles, 2445 Terry Road, 601-321-9292); Nathan Coughlin (Nathan's Salon, 101 W. Washington St., Suite C3, Ridgeland, 601-707-7015); Stephanie Barnes (LaCru Salon, 5352 Lakeland Drive, Suite 600, Flowood, 601-992-7980)

Best Urban Warrior

Second: Brad "Kamikaze" Franklin / Third: Josh Hailey / Finalists: JaVonta Young; Julie Skipper; Ron Chane

Best Visionary

Second: Chokwe Lumumba / Third: Josh Hailey / Finalists: Arden Barnett; David Watkins; Melvin Priester Jr.

Best Campaigner for the Best of Jackson Award

Second: Brad "Kamikaze" Franklin / Third: JaVonta Young / Finalists: Griff Howard; Herbert Brown aka James Crow; Janis Boersma; Jean Powers

Best Public Figure; Best TV Personality: Maggie Wade (WLBT)

Emmy-nominated broadcast journalist Maggie Wade has been a fixture in the Jackson community for many years. Her two awards in this year's Best of Jackson contest only add to Wade's list of numerous community-service accomplishments. Tougaloo College honored her as the 2009 Volunteer of the Year, and the Salvation Army gave Wade the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. In 2009, Wade became a member of the Mississippi Association of Public Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Wade's tireless work with "Wednesday's Child," a news segment that highlights children in foster care awaiting adoption, has earned her the title of Champion of Adoption and Foster Care Causes in Mississippi and an Angel in Adoption in 2011 from the U.S. Senate, and Citizen of the Year in 2009 from the National Association of Social Workers, Mississippi Chapter.

The Crystal Springs, Miss., native attended Hinds County Public Schools, graduating from Utica High School. She began her journalism career while at Mississippi College, working at the school's radio station. She later worked at WMSI (MISS 103; formerly WJDX). During her senior year in college, Wade began working at WLBT and has delighted the Jackson community ever since. With her smoothly professional on-air delivery, top-notch broadcast reporting, infectious smile and commitment to public service, Wade informs Jackson residents about the latest news on a daily basis.—Turry Flucker

Best Public Figure

Second: Barbie Bassett / Third: Malcolm White / Finalists: Chokwe Lumumba; Haley Barbour; Jeff Good; Melvin Priester Jr.; Phil Bryant

Best TV Personality

Second: Barbie Bassett (WLBT) / Third: Megan West (WAPT) / Finalists: Bert Case (WLBT); Howard Ballou (WLBT); Walt Grayson (WLBT, MPB)

Best Bartender; Sexiest Bartender (Male): Brad Regan

Julep Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 105, 601-362-1411, juleprestaurant.com)

Cocktail culture is booming these days, which means bartenders are sort of becoming the new rock stars. Instead of saying we're headed to a particular bar, we reference going to see a particular bartender. We find out their schedules with the diligence of crazed fans, so we can show up when "our guy" is working. And for many folks (particularly of the female persuasion), mentioning the bar at Julep is synonymous with bartender Brad Regan. Is it that signature rock star-esque hair? Is it how he shakes a martini? 
 We may never know for sure, but he has that certain something that makes folks remember him and keep coming back for more.

Since Regan has been slinging drinks at Julep for eight of the 11 years it's been open, both management and patrons appreciate his signature hair and tattoos (a manager who shall remain nameless says, "Girls eat it up with a spoon"). But he's just as committed to service. Known for being fast and productive behind the bar, he often has regulars' beverages sitting in front of them in the time it takes to walk from the door to their favorite seat.—Julie Skipper

Best Bartender

Second: Robert Arender (The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs, 655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517) / Third: Ashley Lewis (The Bulldog, 6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502) / Finalists: Amy Boatner (The Islander Seafood and Oyster House, 1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441); Jamie Moss (Fenian's Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055); Jonathan Webb (Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint, 565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919)

Sexiest Bartender (male)

Second: Jamie Moss (Fenian's Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055) / Third: John Ingram (Parlor Market, 115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090) / Finalists: Austin Ford (Capitol Grill, 5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Rob Toombs (The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs, 655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); Robert Arender (The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs, 655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517)

Craig Noone 'Rock it Out' Best New Chef: Adam Brown

Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919, salandmookies.com)

The late Craig Noone of Parlor Market believed in finding and cultivating talented people, giving them the encouragement but also the freedom to reach their potential. While one might not think a pizzeria is the sort of place for a chef to innovate, the folks at Sal & Mookie's found just the guy to do that in sous chef Adam Brown.

Brown creates popular daily specials that incorporate unexpected ingredients, such as smoked-salmon pizza with spicy sriracha or a Greek-style burger with feta. He's not afraid to push past pizza, inventing great dinner menus that hit just the right tasting notes for the restaurant's popular craft-beer events, and he wowed this writer with his menu for a craft cocktail dinner. No doubt, Brown will continue to rock it out for years to come.—Julie Skipper

Second: Stephen Kruger (The Iron Horse Grill, 320 W. Pearl St., 601-398-0151) / Third: PJ Lee (Hal & Mal's, 200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888) / Finalists: John Thogerson (The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs, 655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); Matt Mabry (BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111); Lance Gammill (Capitol Grill, 5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Reynolds Boykin (Parlor Market, 115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090); Ryan Bell (Fairview Inn, 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429)

Sexiest Bartender (female): Ashley Lewis

The Bulldog (6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com)

Our city boasts as many beautiful bartenders as intelligent, quick-witted and fun-loving bartenders. The key to being the sexiest bartender is being able to combine all these elements in one person—such as Ashley Lewis. Just as important is enjoying where you work. "The clientele and the people I work with make for a super fun environment," 
Lewis says.

Lewis has been bartending for almost five years and knows that a good bartender can recall everything from a customer's favorite drink to their most despised sports team. One quality that helps her shine in her job is her ability to playfully talk trash while maintaining a smile on her face. "I say whatever I want, and I think that's something people enjoy—the abuse," she says with a laugh.—Michael Jacome

Second: Amy Boatner (The Islander Seafood and Oyster House, 1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441) / Third: Courtney Culpepper 
(Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint, 565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919) / Finalists: Adie Smith (The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs, 655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); Hali Sappington (Babalu Tacos and Tapas, 622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757); Nicole Rogers (Fenian's Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055)

Best Chef: Derek Emerson

Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com); Local 463 (121 Colony Crossing Way, Suite A, Madison, 601-707-7684, local463.com)

Jackson has an amazing food culture, and each year new restaurants and bars make a splash on the scene. Then there's Walker's Drive-In, which not only holds its own against the hype of new eateries, but consistently stays at the top of the restaurant game, all thanks to the delicious cuisine of Chef Derek Emerson. After cooking at Schimmel's and BRAVO! 20 years ago, Emerson made a name for himself by opening the now-iconic Walker's more than a decade ago. Then, in 2010, Emerson and his wife, Jennifer, opened Local 463 in Madison; the award-winning chef now splits his time between the two restaurants.

Although Local 463's menu and experience are different from Walker's, Emerson did bring along one of his most beloved dishes. "I think if I came to Madison without that Redfish Anna, I would have been shot," Emerson told the JFP at the time.—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Second: Alex Eaton (The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, 1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562) / Third: Nick Wallace (Palatte Cafe at Mississippi Museum of Art, 380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) / Finalists: Dan Blumenthal (Mangia Bene Catering, Inc., 3317 N. State St., 601-362-2900); Jesse Houston (Saltine, opening in 2014, 622 Duling Ave.); Lance Gammill (Capitol Grill, 5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Luis Bruno (Adobo, 127 S. Roach St., 601-944-9501); Tom Ramsey (La Finestra, 120 N. Congress St., 601-345-8735)

Best Facialist/Esthetician: Rachel McDuffie

Aqua the Day Spa (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, 601-898-9123, aquathedayspa.com)

Rachel McDuffie became an esthetician because she wanted to help people with problematic skin, something she has dealt with in past years. McDuffie attended Magnolia Cosmetology School and recently graduated from Belhaven University with a business degree. The Jackson native has worked at Aqua the Day Spa for three years. When she's not working, McDuffie enjoys traveling, seeing live bands in the southeast and planning her wedding with her fiance, Ben.—LaShanda Phillips

Second: Ryan Hodges (Sanctuary Body Spa of St. Dominic's, 340 Township Ave., Suite 200, Ridgeland, 601-790-2222) / Third: Jamie Jordan (Blackledge Face Center, 1659 Lelia Drive, 601-981-3033) / Finalists:: Anne Geddie (Complexion, 622 Duling Ave., 601-316-2325); Ashley Ficklin; Diane Henson (Skin by MD, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 215, 601-212-0955); Laya Parisi (Remedy True Health, 655 Lake Harbour Drive, Suite 900, Ridgeland, 601-
898-0911); Rosmari Kruger (Sun Gallery Tanning Studio, 2720 N. State St., 601-366-5811)

Best Barista: Amanda Ivers

Cups Fondren (2757 Old Canton Road, 601-362-7422, cupsespressocafe.com)

Some people are not morning people. Some are grouchy all day long. That doesn't fly at Cups in Fondren. Amanda Ivers' ability to turn any frown upside down—all while making a mean latte—shows why she is this year's winner. You can expect her to know not only your "name and story," but also your favorite drink.

Her friendliness is matched only by her passion for coffee. "I love coffee, the taste, the science of it, everything," she says.

But don't let her demeanor fool you—Ivers is not to be taken lightly: When she is not working or enjoying a Nicaraguan blend (her current favorite coffee), she can be found practicing marksmanship and archery, a hobby she has had since she was a little girl.—Michael Jacome

Second: Cody Cox (Cups Fondren) / Third: India Jade Clark (Cups Downtown, 210 E. Capitol St., 601-352-0514) / Finalists: Byron Knight (Sneaky Beans, 2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349); Caitlin McNally Cox (Sneaky Beans); Kevin Smith (Sneaky Beans)

Best Filmmaker: J. Lee

J. Lee Productions (jleeplays.com)

Celebrating its six-year anniversary in May and wrapping up its 10th production led to an exciting year for Jackson-based media company J. Lee Productions. The short film "The Murderer" also showcased at both the Crossroads Film Festival and the Mississippi International Film Festival. "I was honored to be among a variety of different filmmakers within the state of Mississippi and the national field," writer, director and producer J. Lee says.

Jackson native Lee started writing in middle school and always dreamed of starting his own production company. "J. Lee Productions has always been my brainchild," he says. "I wanted to start my own production company where my work could come to life. One of Lee's favorite film projects is "Black Love," a three-part documentary about the intricacies of romantic relationships within the African American community.

"We try to make sure that all the productions are things that people can relate to—real life experiences that can offer some type of message or give you some insight into something you may be going through," Lee says.

Having hit his stride, J. Lee plans to release another film and play in 2014, and venture into other markets throughout Mississippi and other states.—ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Tate Taylor / Third: Amile Wilson / Finalists: Alex Warren; Clay Hardwick; Robby Piantinida

Best Professor: Noel Didla

Jackson State University (406 College of Liberal Arts Building, 601-979-5864, jsums.edu)

It's no wonder to anyone who has worked with, learned under or even casually met Jackson State University's Noel Didla why she is this year's Best Professor. The key is in her passion for her students and her adopted community. Didla earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in English Literature from Nagarjuna University, India. Since moving to Jackson, Didla has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of Jacksonians in and out of her classroom. A teacher for 20 years, she has coordinated study-abroad programs, been a youth advocate and, most recently, engineered a series of panel discussions between Millsaps College and JSU about race, art and identity.—Michael Jacome

Second: Al Chestnut (Belhaven University, 1500 Peachtree St., 601-968-5940) / Third: Bill Storey (Millsaps College, 1701 N. State St., 601-974-1000) / Finalists: Holly Sypniewski (Millsaps College); James Bowley (Millsaps College); Jean Powers (Holmes Community College, 412 W. Ridgeland Ave., Ridgeland, 601-856-5400); Johannah Williams (Hinds Community College, P.O. Box 1100, Raymond 601-987-8107); Richard Boada (Millsaps College)

Most Soulful Dancer: Kennitra Thompson

Dollhouse Dance Factory (1410 Ellis Ave., 601-969-4000, dollhousedancefactory.com)

When I saw Kennitra Thompson glide across the stage to the song "Take Me to the King" at the Dollhouse Dance Factory spring recital, it moved me to tears. To watch this graceful and petite dancer interpret the words of the song so beautifully was stirring given what Thompson had just survived.

"It was a little bit of mixed emotion," she says. "I was thankful to be dancing, but I was hoping I wouldn't do anything to hurt myself, because a month before I couldn't walk. When I dance, I try to put aside restrictions and go in it wholeheartedly."

In March, Thompson was in a coma for two weeks after contracting Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare and serious disorder in which the skin and mucous membranes react severely to a medication or infection. For Thompson, the disorder started off with flu-like symptoms and progressed to a rash and blisters that covered her face, mouth, tongue and body. The disease affected Thompson's ability to breathe and, at one point in time, while in intensive care at UMMC, she flat-lined.

Now on the road to recovery, Thompson is open to where God will lead her in her life and, above all, is still dancing. "I love the freedom of expression. I love that the stage becomes my canvas," she says.

Thompson, who started training as a dancer in 4th grade at Power APAC, is a former Miss Junior Teen Jackson, Miss Black Mississippi, Miss Rankin County Southwest, Miss Metro Jackson and Miss Mississippi contestant. She recently started her own pageant coaching business, Krown Keepers. She will graduate from Jackson State University in the spring with a degree in mass communications and works as a dance instructor at the Dollhouse Dance Factory. She is trained in ballet, en pointe, jazz, modern, lyrical and some tap and African.—ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Rachel Myers / Third: Bridget Archer / Finalists: Johnny Burgess (UniverSoul Circus, universoulcircus.com); Tiffany Jefferson (Dance Works Studio, 3247 Davis Road, Terry, 601-720-1885; 1104 E. Northside Drive, Clinton, 601-720-1885)

Best Rising Entrepreneur: Byron Knight

Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

Jackson native Byron Knight has lived in Tennessee and Alabama, but he decided to come back home to open Sneaky Beans in Fondren. The popular coffee shop, which he opened in 2008, triples as a gallery for local artists, a place to get delicious coffee and snacks, and a venue for local and touring musicians to perform. Knight, 33, attended William B. Murrah High School and went to Mississippi College on a soccer scholarship in 1998. He later graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2007 with a music production degree. When he first moved back to Jackson, Knight produced music for local band Passenger Jones.—Briana Robinson

Second: Nathan Coughlin (Nathan's Salon, 101 W. Washington St., Suite C3, Ridgeland, 601-707-7015) / Third: Marissa Simms (Royal Bleau Boutique, 1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 8, 601-321-9564) / Finalists: Chris Paige (Custom Cuts & Styles, 2445 Terry Road, 601-321-9292); L. Sherie Dean (LSherie Alert, thelsheriealert.com); Stephanie Barnes (LaCru Salon, 5352 Lakeland Drive, Suite 600, Flowood, 601-992-7980)

Best Hair Stylist: Nathan Coughlin

Nathan's Salon (101 W. Washington St., Suite C3, Ridgeland, 601-707-7015)

Five years ago, hair stylist Nathan Coughlin opened his own salon because he saw a need for a creative yet professional hair salon in the Jackson area. Coughlin, a Clinton native, received his training in Los Angeles but came back to Mississippi soon after. Nathan's Salon is expanding to several locations in the Jackson area, including a location in the Livingston development area off Highway 463, and plans to expand outside of Jackson over the next few years. Coughlin is happily married with three kids and, when he's not running his business, he enjoys long-range shooting, working out and hanging out with his kids.—LaShanda Phillips

Second: Crystal Williams (HeadGames Hair Studio, 6712 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-5052) / Third: Nikki Henry (Ritz Salon, 574 Highway 51, Suite H, Ridgeland, 601-856-4330) / Finalists: Griff Howard (Ritz Salon); Kate McNeely (Trim Salon, 419 E. Mitchell Ave., 601-982-5575); Lauren Ellis (Trim Salon)

Best Fitness Trainer: Paul Lacoste

Paul Lacoste Sports, paullacoste.com

A traumatic bout with West Nile Virus in 2012 reaffirmed personal trainer Paul Lacoste's resolve to change the lives of Mississippians.

"The thought of walking up a set of stairs seemed insurmountable. I've never experienced anything like that in my life. ... It humbled me in a big way," Lacoste says. Paul Lacoste Sports runs multiple programs throughout the year in the metro area and on the coast. In 2013, his clients collectively lost more than 22,000 pounds, and his programs changed hundreds of lives.—Michael Jacome

Second: Jenell Ward (Parks and Recreation Community Center, 320 Center City Drive, Pearl, 601-932-3541) / Third: Brandi Derrick (Baptist Healthplex - Clinton, 102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-925-7900) / Finalists:: Danielle Wells (Baptist Healthplex - Clinton; YMCA - Clinton, 400 Lindale St., Clinton, 601-924-5812); Lauren Smith (YMCA, 5062 Interstate 55 N., 601-709-3760, metroymcams.org); Marci Williams (Fitness Lady, 331 Sunnybrook Road, Ridgeland, 601-856-0535); Noah Hirsh; Terry Sullivan (liveRIGHTnow, 601-717-2012, liverightnowonline.com)

Best Jackson Visual Artist: Wyatt Waters

Wyatt Waters Gallery, 307 Jefferson St., Clinton, 601-925-8115

Watercolor is a fairly unforgiving art medium. It's beautiful, sure, but unless you have a lot of experience with it, you may find that your colors blend together or that you've ruined the paper.

Wyatt Waters makes it look easy. A fan of the en plein air style, Waters paints his works from real life rather than using photographs. He mostly depicts Mississippi, but he has also painted places such as the Caribbean and Italy.

In October 2013, Chef Robert St. John and Waters published their third collaborative cookbook, "An Italian Palate," full of recipes from Italy and Waters' watercolor scenes of the country.

The brushstrokes of Waters' paintings are detailed despite the medium, and he has the ability to transport the viewer into the scene. It's as if you're there in his beautiful, slightly watered-down world. It's easy to see why Jacksonians voted Waters the Best Jackson Visual Artist numerous times.—Amber Helsel

Second: Josh Hailey (joshhaileystudio.com) / Third: Tony Davenport (tonydavenportimages.com) / Finalists: Ellen Langford (ellenlangford.com); Ginger Williams-Cook (gingerwilliams.tumblr.com); Jason Jenkins; Jerrod Partridge (jerrodpartridge.com); William Goodman (enhancedmixture.com)

Best Server/Waitperson: Chandler May

Babalu Tacos and Tapas (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, babalums.com)

"To give real service, you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity." —Douglas Adams

A veteran server, Chandler May is the epitome of down-home hospitality. In the last three years, Babalu Tacos & Tapas has made its mark in the Jackson metro area as a premier hotspot. Part of its appeal can be attributed to the service of this young man—although he wasn't always "best" material. "I started as one of those servers you never wanted to get," May says. His willingness to learn and the help of the staff at Babalu made May the server he is today.—Michael Jacome

Second: Janis Boersma (Nick's Restaurant, 3000 Old Canton Road, 601-981-8017) / Third: Cathy Ambrose (Fenian's Pub, 901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055) / Finalists: Keandra McNeil (Fenian's Pub); Kris Bennett (Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint, 565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919); Lindsay Cash (formerly of Nick's Restaurant, 3000 Old Canton Road, 601-981-8017)

Best Massage Therapist: Martha Howell

Baptist Health Complex (717 Manship St., 601-968-1766, mbhs.org)

Big things are happening for massage therapist Martha Howell this year. Besides turning 30, she has been accepted for a competitive internship with the Mayo Clinic February through August. Howell is one of 12 candidates accepted into the program. She has been a massage therapist for seven years and has been at the Baptist Healthplex for six years. Besides perfecting her craft, Howell has traveled nationwide and to about 10 different countries, mostly European. In 2011, she interned in a month-long program in China.—LaShanda Phillips

Second: Jermaine Sims / Third: Kali Horner (Jackson Posture Center, 3670 Lakeland Lane, Suite 23, 601-842-8221) / Finalists: Courtney Mansell (Professional Massage Therapists Group, 16 Northtown Drive, Suite 106, 601-966-1459); Jessica Hollis Edwards (Mellow Inc., 2906 N. State St., Suite B4, 769-226-9166); Karl Bombich (AcuCare, 644 Lakeland East Drive, Suite F, Flowood, 601-345-8621); William Boren (Mississippi Medical Massage Therapy, 4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 239, 601-942-5014)

Best Radio Personality or Team; Best Radio Station: Nate and Murphy/Y101

Y101.com

Nate West and Tim Murphy can make a morning commute a lot more fun with the Showgram Show on Y101. Whether they're giving call-in advice to a listener with relationship issues, opining on pop culture or having Murphy taste-test foods his pregnant wife might crave, the two are always up to something to keep you listening. That's all before you even get to the music. The station keeps current top hits coming all day, along with Middays with Charlie and the Carson Radio Program as you round out your work day. The station gives back, too, conducting an annual Operation Angel Tree drive for Christmas. —Julie Skipper

Best Radio Personality or Team

Second: DJ Jonasty (WJMI 99 Jams) / Third: Rick and Kim (MISS 103 FM) / Finalists: Bo Bounds (The Zone 105.9 FM); Kim Wade (WYAB 1030.9 FM); Scott Steele (WUSJ 96.3 FM)
 Best Radio Station

Second: WMSI (MISS 103 FM) / Third: WRBJ (97.7 FM) / Finalists: WJMI (99.7 FM); WKXI (107.5 FM); WMPN (91.3 FM)

Best Community Garden/Nature Attraction: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

2148 Riverside Drive, 601-354-7303, mdwfp.com/museum.aspx

At the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, you can see everything from dinosaur skeletons to bees. The museum offers indoor, outdoor, aquarium and nature exhibits, including Mississippi's prehistoric past, the state's reptiles and fish, current wildlife across the state, and a nature trail ranging from easy walking levels to hard terrain.

Founder Fannye Cook established the museum in 1932. It houses more than 870,000 specimens, "representing the largest single reference for Mississippi's vertebrate animals and freshwater mussels in existence," the museum site says. —Amber Helsel

Second: Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) / Third: Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St., 601-352-2580) / Finalists: Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton, 601-926-1104); Mayes Lake at LeFleur's Bluff State Park (2140 Riverside Drive, 601-987-3923); Mynelle Gardens (4736 Clinton Blvd., 
601-960-1894)

Best Nonprofit Organization: Stewpot Community Services

1100 W. Capitol St., 601-353-2759, stewpot.org

In 1981, seven local church organizations formed Stewpot Community Services. Frank Spencer, executive director, began as a volunteer himself in 1998. "It appealed to me seeing that Stewpot was doing a lot of good things for the homeless," Spencer says. He loves that Stewpot involves Christian churches, the Jewish synagogue, and the Hindu and Muslim religious community as well.

Stewpot Community Services is a nonprofit that offers a little bit of everything for the needy—a community kitchen that feeds Jackson residents, neighborhood children's program, Meals on Wheels, camps, a food pantry that provides a four-day supply of food to qualified applicants, and shelter services for men and women. —Tam Curley

Second: Community Animal Rescue and Adoption (C.A.R.A.) (960 N. Flag Chapel Road, 601-922-7575) / Third: The Salvation Army (110 Presto Lane, 601-982-4881) / Finalists: The Good Samaritan Center (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-6276); Junior League of Jackson (805 Riverside Drive, 601-948-2357); Operation Shoestring (1711 Bailey Ave., 601-353-6336)

Best Local Live Theater/Theatrical Group: New Stage Theatre

1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3531, newstagetheatre.com

New Stage Theatre is celebrating nearly 50 years of outstanding theatrical productions. It is Mississippi's only not-for-profit professional theater. Jane Reid Petty founded New Stage Theatre in 1965 with a primary mission to provide professional theater of the highest quality for the people of Mississippi and the southeast, and the theater remains dedicated to that mission today. The theater has staged adaptations of "A Christmas Carol," "Hairspray," the gospel musical "Mahalia," "High School Musical" and "The Great Gatsby." This year, we look forward to seeing Brad Henry's "Goodnight Moon" come to life on stage and to productions new to the theater, such as "The Whipping Man" and "Shrek the Musical."—Pamela Hosey

Second: MADDRAMA at Jackson State University (5531 Spencer Drive, 601-454-1183) / Third: J. Lee Productions (jleeplays.com) / Finalists: Actor's Playhouse (121 Paul Truitt Lane, 601-664-0930); Black Rose Theatre Company (103 Black St., 601-825-1293); Fondren Theatre Workshop (fondrentheatreworkshop.com)

Best Stage Play: "A Christmas Carol" by New Stage Theatre

1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3531, newstagetheatre.com

Everyone loves a Christmas classic. New Stage Theatre's annual production of the Charles Dickens favorite "A Christmas Carol" is a yuletide tradition worth treasuring. "A Christmas Carol" is the spirited and redemptive tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Bringing together a cast of more than 20 characters, Marianne Savelle gave New Stage Theatre a seamless and comprehensive direction in 2013. She successfully delivered a creepy eeriness reminiscent of a good ghost story, but she also incorporated elements of humor and love, making the play the perfect holiday fare. Effectively balancing an ambience with intimately heartfelt moments, Savelle created a mesmerizing production that brought the beloved classic to life. —Pamela Hosey

Second: "Forbidden Fruit" by J. Lee Productions (jleeplays.com) / Third: "Hairspray" by New Stage Theatre / Finalists: "Annie" by Actor's Playhouse (121 Paul Truitt Lane, 601-
664-0930); "Grapes of Wrath" by New Stage Theatre; "Mahalia" by New Stage Theatre; "Steel Magnolias" by Actor's Playhouse

Best Arts Organization: Mississippi Museum of Art

380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515, msmuseumart.org

Under the leadership of Director Betsy Bradley, the Mississippi Museum of Art brings the Jackson community works of art by great masters and extraordinary Mississippi artists (both past and present). MMA is also on the forefront of becoming an interdisciplinary cultural institution by highlighting the literary contributions of Mississippi writers including William Faulkner, Eudora Welty and Margaret Walker Alexander in its public programming.

To enhance its commitment to interdisciplinary programming, MMA expanded beyond its walls and installed a 1.2-acre public green space in downtown Jackson. The Art Garden is complete with outdoor art installations, a performance stage, mosaic fountains and murals. Winner of the 2010 Institute for Museum and Library Services' National Award for Museum Service, MMA exemplifies exploratory work in the art arena on a national level.—Turry Flucker

Second: New Stage Theatre (1100 Carlisle St., 601-948-3531) / Third: Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi (950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, 601-856-7546) / Finalists: heARTalot (heartalot.com); Mississippi Arts Commission (501 N. West St., Suite 1101A, 601-359-6030); Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Association (110 Homestead Drive, Madison, 601-853-4508; 
106 Autumn Ridge Drive, 601-992-9016)

Best Cover Band; Best Jazz Artist; Best Original Band: Southern Komfort Brass Band

One might not expect Jackson to be home of a talented New Orleans-style brass band. But with influences including Rebirth Brass Band and Soul Rebels Brass Band—two influential groups from New Orleans—the Southern Komfort Brass Band uses brass-band music as a base to which it incorporates covers of R&B, hip-hop and pop songs.

Southern Komfort includes sousaphone player Jamie Abrams, percussionist Tim Boyd, trombone player Lorenzo Gayden, percussionist Gerard Howard, tenor saxophonist Cedric Eubanks, trumpet player Joseph Handy, trumpet player Terry Miller and trombone player Eric James. Trumpet player Corey Hannah and trumpet player and percussionist Dorran Thigpen serve as alternates.

Since its formation in 2010, Southern Komfort has made an impression with its second line-style performances, which allow audience members to participate by dancing alongside the band, as well as energetic stage performances. —Briana Robinson

Best Cover Band

Second: Jason Turner Band (jasonturnerband.com) / Third: The Colonels / Finalists: Diesel 255; Kid Vicious; Otis Lotus

Best Jazz Artist

Second: Cassandra Wilson / Third: Pam Confer / Finalists: Barry Leach; DimeBros; Lisa Palmer; Rhonda Richmond

Best Original Band

Second: Jason Turner Band (jasonturnerband.com) / Third: The Weeks (theweeksmusic.com) / Finalists: AJC & the Envelope Pushers; Chad Wesley Band (chadwesleyband.com); 
Furrows; Young Valley

Best Bar; Best College Student Hangout; Best New Bar: Fondren Public

2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589

"This is like Facebook come to life," Mark Ward said, describing Fondren Public one weekend in November. The bar—open just over two months at that point—was packed to capacity during a Homecoming weekend, with folks running into friends and acquaintances in every nook of the multi-room bar. The sound on the back porch was deafening, as laughing, chatting groups filled every table, bench, chair and rail.

Fondren Public has enjoyed that type of scene more often than not since opening. The bar feels in some ways like a transplant from a much bigger city, with style to spare and a one-in, one-out policy when it gets full.

Although the bar's main focus is craft beer (especially local brands such as Lucky Town and Lazy Magnolia) and handcrafted cocktails, it also serves some pretty delicious food. The menu keeps it simple and creative, offering appetizers including truffle dip, salads, sliders, and "big bites" such as a fried chicken and waffle taco. The pub also offers beer by the growler starting at $12 a fill.

Patrons can't get enough, whether they are playing shuffleboard indoors or bocce ball on the outdoor back deck, sipping on a signature copper cup containing a Mississippi Mule—a take on the Moscow Mule featuring Cathead vodka—or watching a Saints game with friends.—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Best Bar

Second: Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888) / Third: Metropolitan Bar Sports Grill (M-Bar) (6340 Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-398-0999) / Finalists: The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); The Bulldog (6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502); Fenian's Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055)

Best College Student Hangout

Second: Cups: An Espresso Cafe (Multiple Locations, cupsespressocafe.com) / Third: The Bulldog (6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502) / Finalists: Club Magoo's (824 S. State St., 601-487-8710); Fenian's Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055); Sneaky Beans 
(2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

Best New Bar

Second: Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517) / Third: Metropolitan Bar Sports Grill (M-Bar) (6340 Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-398-0999) / Finalist: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845)

Best Rock Artist; Best Singer; Best Singer/Songwriter: Jason Turner

jasonturnerband.com

Since he started performing live in the late '90s, Jason Turner has played more than 2,500 shows, mostly solo gigs in Mississippi. Turner's solo set, however, isn't the average "guy singing with an acoustic guitar." He goes to his shows also equipped with his harmonica and several effects pedals. Although he's using only two instruments at a time—harmonica and guitar or vocals and guitar—his sound is massive. His loop pedal allows Turner to create layers of sound through his guitar playing.

Constant performing has proved to be the right direction for Turner, as he wins and places in more Best of Jackson award categories each year. This year, in addition to winning three categories, he also got second place in Best Country Artist, Best Cover Band, Best Musician and Best Original Band.

This summer, Turner plans to release "Like the Night," an album he has been working on at Malaco Records with bassist Dan Joiner and drummer Murph Caicedo. Also in the next few months, Turner hopes to record a live solo album at New Orleans' House of Blues. —Briana Robinson

Best Rock Artist

Second: The Weeks (theweeksmusic.com) / Third: Chad Wesley Band (chadwesleyband.com) Finalists: Diesel 255; Furrows; Storage 24; Young Valley

Best Singer

Second: Pam Confer / Third: Kerry Thomas / Finalists: Akami Graham; Chad Wesley; Victoria Cross

Best Singer/Songwriter

Second: Taylor Hildebrand / Third: Kerry Thomas / Finalists: Chad Perry; Chad Wesley; Zach Lovett

Best LGBT Hangout; Best Open-Mic Night: Fenian's Pub

901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055, fenianspub.com

Being voted Best LGBT Hangout doesn't mean that Fenian's is now a gay bar; it's actually a testament to the bar's open and welcoming environment for all people. Patrons of all different backgrounds come together there peacefully to have a good time.

The bar's weekly open-mic night is probably one of the most organized in the city. Prospective performers must call the bar after 4:30 p.m. on open-mic nights to schedule a time to play. A local musician, such as Joe Carroll and Jason Bailey, hosts the event starting at 9 p.m. and keeps the night running smoothly. —Briana Robinson

Best LGBT Hangout

Second: Bottoms Up (3911 Northview Drive, 601-981-2188) / Third: Club Metro Reloaded (4670 Highway 80 W., 347-685-9745) / Finalist: JC's (425 N. Mart Plaza, 601-362-3108)

Best Open-Mic Night

Second: Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700) / Third: Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) / Finalists: Martin's Restaurant and Bar 
(214 S. State St., 601-354-9712); Soul Wired Cafe (111 Millsaps Ave., 601-863-6378)

Best Dive Bar; Best Jukebox; Best Place to Drink Cheap: Cherokee Inn

1410 Old Square Road, 601-362-6388, cherokeedriveinn.com

Cherokee Inn has been a staple landmark of the Jackson landscape for more than seven decades. After several moves on State Street, previous owner Chip Angelo moved the business to its current location on Old Square Road in 2003. Hayes and Blake McMillan, current owners, bought the establishment in October of 2006.

Cherokee Inn boasts a laid-back staff, most of which have worked at the restaurant and bar for more than a decade. With such a staff on hand, it's easy to see how Cherokee Inn earned 
its regular patrons.

The restaurant and bar has daily lunch specials, such as Monday's homemade chicken and dumplings or Friday's country-fried steak with rice and gravy. Cherokee also makes its own award-winning comeback dressing. Happy Hour at Cherokee Inn is from 4-7 p.m. every day, and domestic long necks are $1.75 on Throw 
Back Thursdays.

Cherokee Inn also offers corporate catering and rentals for private parties. —Briana Robinson

Best Dive Bar

Second: Fenian's Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055) / Third: Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700) / Finalists: Martin's Restaurant and Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712); Pop's Saloon (2636 S. Gallatin St., 601-961-4747); Sam's Lounge 
(5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526)

Best Jukebox

Second: Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700) / Third: Sam's Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526) / Finalists: The Green Room (444 Bounds St., 601-713-3444); Peaches (327 N. Farish St., 601-354-9267)

Best Place to Drink Cheap

Second: Fenian's Pub (901 E. Fortification St., 601-948-0055) / Third: Martin's Restaurant and Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712) / Finalists: Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589); Sam's Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526)

Best Live Music Venue: Hal & Mal's

200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888, halandmals.com

It's hard to imagine something as universally reviled as Mondays, but those in the know in Jackson have found a way to beat the weekend hangover, and the answer comes from a familiar spot.

Hal & Mal's, the winner of Best Live Music Venue for the past several years, hosts the Central Mississippi Blues Society every Monday night. It serves as a kick-start to what promises to be another week of good music at one of Jackson's downtown landmarks.

Commerce Street has been home to Hal & Mal's for 29 years, and the venue has hosted everyone from Leon Russell and B.B. King to Snoop Dogg. The atmosphere is rough around the edges, but its unmistakable character is what makes it great. —Tyler Cleveland

Second: Duling Hall (622 Duling Ave., 601-292-7121) / Third: Underground 119 (119 S. President St., 601-352-2322) / Finalists: Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038); Club Magoo's (824 S. State St., 601-487-8710); The Penguin Restaurant and Bar (1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 6A, 769-251-5222)

Best Musician: Hunter Gibson

huntergibson.com

For as long as he can remember, Hunter Gibson has had diverse musical tastes. "I started really being influenced by Elton John and Billy Joel," he says. "But I was also really influenced by piano players from the 1970s, like Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Pete Wagner." The keyboard sensation plays everything from Elvis to The Black Eyed Peas. Gibson, a Jackson native, says playing the piano, rather than the guitar, allows him more range than other artists in the Jackson area. "It gives me something different," he says.

You can hear Hunter Gibson play at Jackson-area spots such as Olga's, Shucker's on the Rez and Shea's on Lake Harbour. No matter where he is, he strives to give the crowd a great experience. In addition to original songs, he often plays covers of popular songs. "If people request a song, they probably like it the way it was played by the original artist," he says. "I also think it's important to pay tribute to the original artist to play the song the way it was written."

To hear more of Gibson's music, visit his website or find him on Facebook. Gibson also plays for private events across the metro. —Greg Pigott

Second: Jason Turner (jasonturnerband.com) / Third: JaVonta Young / Finalists: Barry Leach; Chad Wesley (chadwesleyband.com); Cody Cox; Scott Albert Johnson 
(scottalbertjohnson.com)

Best Place to Dance: Underground 119

119 S. President St., 601-352-2322, underground119.com

When it's time to break out the dancing shoes and glide across a smooth dark floor, no place is more inviting than Underground 119. The basement restaurant and bar is the ideal place to fill your belly, quench your thirst and satisfy your need to move. Let your body rock to the rhythm of blues, jazz, bluegrass and classical music. Underground 119 offers live music most nights of the week from artists such as Time to Move Band, Grady Champion, Southern Komfort Brass Band and Swing de Paris. And don't let the size of Underground 119's dance space fool you into thinking this is a sit-down bar—although the genres change from night to night, every act is booked with one thing in mind: getting patrons to hit the dance floor. —Brittany Sanford

Second: Club Magoo's (824 S. State St., 601-487-8710, clubmagoos.com) / Third: Freelons Bar and Groove (440 N. Mill St., 601-949-2535, freelons.com) / Finalists: Bottoms Up (3911 Northview Drive, 601-981-2188); Martin's Restaurant and Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712, martinslounge.net); Ole Tavern on George Street (416 George St., 601-960-2700); Shucker's on the Rez (116 Conestoga Road, Ridgeland, 601-853-0105, shuckersontherez.com)

Best R&B Artist: Jarekus Singleton

artistecard.com/jarekussingleton

It's tough to be a blues musician in Mississippi. Many giants of the genre hailed from the small towns scattered throughout the state. Jarekus Singleton, 29, has done his homework and risen to become one of the most exciting names playing blues in 2013. His live concerts feature a blend of slow jams to outright funky soul from his debut release, 2011's "Heartfelt." He was a featured artist at 2013's R&B Festival, in addition to frequent shows at local haunts such as Underground 119. The Clinton native's diverse range appeals to live audiences and critics alike. Blues and Rhythm magazine in the UK said he is "destined to be the next big thing in the blues world." The future of blues music is all right as long as musicians like Jarekus Singleton keep playing. —Tommy Burton

Second: Kerry Thomas (soundcloud.com/kerrythomasmusic) / Third: Victoria Cross / Finalists: A1; AJC & the Envelope Pushers; Akami Graham

Best Club DJ: DJ T. Lewis

DJ T. Lewis, born Terrell Lewis, has been bringing beats since 2002. He began as a student at Callaway High School and continued his passion while as a student a Jackson State University, where he graduated with degrees in speech and mass communications.

"I would have annual birthday parties every year, and I would be the host of my party. And I would have parties in high school after football games and dances," Lewis says. "When I deejay, I want to give people that are feeling bad a better feeling about life. I like hearing everyone singing the songs and having a good time. ... It's all about the memories."

Lewis now works full-time as a DJ traveling throughout Mississippi and other states, especially through college towns. You can find him at Freelon's, where he's been working since 2008, every weekend. If you can't make it to the club, tune in to 97.7 FM WJMI to hear him spin live Saturday nights. "I'm really trying to perfect (my) craft ... to be a better show DJ," he says. "I want to be one of the people who helps define Jackson's party culture and Mississippi's party culture." —ShaWanda Jacome

Second: DJ Young Venom / Third: DJ Cadillac / Finalists: DJ Jonasty; DJ Phingaprint; DJ Spre; DVDJ Reign; The Nasty Sho

Best Karaoke DJ: Angela Pittman

When Angela Pittman started doing karaoke around 15 years ago, she was just a singer who wanted to make sure the people listening to her had a great time. Now she's the "Queen of Rankin County Karaoke" and has developed a local following. The Jackson native says female country singers like Tammy Wynette and Patsy Cline are her biggest influences, but makes no secret that she loves all music genres. Pittman is a paralegal by day, but puts on karaoke events throughout the Jackson area, including Monday nights at Burgers and Blues, and Friday nights at Alumni House in Pearl.

Pittman also plays monthly at restaurants, events and festivals. She likes her events to have a family atmosphere, and says building relationships with the regular singers is her favorite part of the experience. She also loves learning about new music. "Some of these songs I had never heard, but I hear someone sing them at karaoke, and I wind up really liking it," she says. "We love doing this, but it's not about the money. We just want to have a great time." —Greg Pigott

Second: Matt Collette / Third: Casey Hardigree / Finalists: D-Day; Josh Hailey; Mike Mott

Best Place to Shoot Pool: The Green Room

444 Bounds St., 601-713-3444

With drink specials that offer to fill your cup for less than three George Washingtons and billiards tournaments that could fill your pockets with thousands of dollars, The Green Room proves once again it is the best place to shoot pool in Jackson. While other locales might offer a felt-top table tucked away in a corner, The Green Room centers its entertainment on billiards—and local pool sharks know it. The bar and restaurant, which Truett Hawkins owns and operates, is a member of the American Poolplayers Association, and regularly offers 8-ball and 9-ball singles, doubles and team events. The Green Room has also hosted world-renowned pool players such as hall of famer and trick shot champion Mike Massey for exhibitions. With so much to offer in the world of pool sports, The Green Room is right on cue. —Kathleen M. Mitchell

Second: Cherokee Inn (1410 Old Square Road, 601-362-6388) / Third: Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700) / Finalists: Reed Pierce's (6791 Siwell Road, Byram, 601-376-0777); Sam's Lounge (5035 Interstate 55 N., 601-983-2526)

Best Hip-Hop Artist: David Banner

Follow David Banner on Instagram as I do, and you'll see that the rapper-turned-actor has come a long way from his childhood as Lavell Crump, miles from his local Crooked Lettaz duo days in Jackson, even a distance from his early national "On the flo, on the flo" success when he would come home to Freelon's and show out and show off.

I met and trailed Banner, who turns 40 this year and has produced six studio albums, around for a story (jfp.ms/banner) in the very early years of the JFP when his "Mississippi: The Album" was climbing the charts. What I liked about Banner then—beyond his more meaningful recordings like "Cadillac on 22's"—was that he was bent on both succeeding and using that success to give back. He was also, like many other commercially known hip-hop artists, a deep thinker who seemed to both regret and accept that the industry forced him to do the kind of recordings that would give him a platform to effect social change—from his local Boys & Girls Club support to his post-Katrina charity concerts to his get-out-the-vote efforts.

The Provine High School and Southern University graduate even appeared before Congress in 2007 to defend violent, misogynistic rap lyrics: "I can admit there are some problems in hip-hop, but it is only a reflection of what's taking place in our society," he said. "Hip-hop is sick because America is sick."

Since 2007, he has piled up 14 acting credits (including Lee Daniels' "The Butler" and the now-filming "The Last Punch"). Banner also has 11 soundtrack credits under his belt, and has produced music for several big-brand commercials. —Donna Ladd

Second: Hollywood Luck / Third: 5th Child / Finalists: AJC & the Envelope Pushers; James Crow; Tricky LT 45

Best Place to Watch the Game: Burgers & Blues

1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038, burgersblues.com

The only thing more difficult than choosing what game to watch on one of Burgers & Blues' many television screens is deciding what burger to have with it. Large televisions hang at the bar, making it the perfect place to make friends with those cheering on your favorite team. Or you can load up on one of the family-style picnic tables with a cadre of jersey-clad friends to make an afternoon of it. Within its 3,000 square feet, Burgers & Blues provides something for every type of sports fan, no matter who you're watching with or which team you're cheering on. —Michael Jacome

Second: The Bulldog (6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502) / Third: Metropolitan Bar Sports Grill (M-Bar) (6340 Ridgewood Court Drive, 601-398-0999) / Finalists: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 
769-216-2589); Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700)

Best Gospel Artist: Mississippi Mass Choir

Like the God who is at the center of its soulful praise, the Mississippi Mass Choir seems omnipresent. Franklin Delano Williams, a Smithdale native and record company executive, formally organized the choir in the late 1980s and produced its first studio album in 1988. Since recording its first album, "The Mississippi Mass Choir Live," the choir has been central to African American Christian and American musical experiences. Today, the mass choir tours internationally, including a multi-city stop in South Africa in 2011, the group's first time performing in Africa. In October 2013, a quarter-century after its inception, the Mississippi Mass Choir completed its 10th live recording. —R.L. Nave

Second: Dathan Thigpen / Third: Laurie Walker / Finalists: Benjamin Cone III and Worship; Chandra Wise; Darius Brown and FreshWind; Larry Johnson

Best Country Artist: Skylar Laine

Fans of Skylar Laine, better known as Skoutlaws, have been following her rise as a country artist since her appearance on Season 11 of "American Idol." Last year was an exciting one for the talented and spirited performer. She relocated to Nashville to continue writing, performing and pursuing her dream of a music contract. Creative Artists Agency and The Cirlot Agency currently represent her, and she launched a swanky new website in April where she debuted two new songs: "Renegade" and "Miss You in the Morning."

Laine played shows all over Mississippi, and even made a trip up to New York in July to sing the national anthem for the Syracuse Chiefs game. She also stopped by Woodville Heights Elementary in south Jackson for Dr. Seuss/Read Across America Day, where she read "Green Eggs and Ham" as a special celebrity guest. She chatted with teachers and staff, and posed for tons of pictures; she is one of the kindest young ladies you'll meet. In 2014, Laine will marry her long-time love Coty Holifield—our hats areoff to her for a great new year! —ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Jason Turner / Third: South of 20 / Finalist: Shaun Patterson

Best Place for Cocktails: Julep Restaurant and Bar

4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 105, 601-362-1411, juleprestaurant.com

If you are looking for a place to unwind after work, take a date, or just hang out with friends, Julep Restaurant and Bar is the place to be. This Highland Village staple serves up fresh ingredients in classic drinks and unique cocktails. The restaurant offers an extensive wine list and a martini menu—try the Wedding Cake Martini, it's my favorite. Other martinis include the Jolly Rancher, the Francotini and the classic variety, in gin or vodka. But the real appeal is in the knowledge of the bartenders, who can mix up just about anything you ask for.

At Julep, no one goes thirsty for long, whether ordering a drink or two with dinner, celebrating with a group of friends into the evening, or sipping on two-for-one mimosas or bloody Marys with brunch. If you're lucky enough to snag a seat at the bar, catch Brad's eye and he'll make something special. —Pamela Hosey

Second: Babalu Tacos and Tapas (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757) / Third: The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517) / Finalists: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Library Lounge at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090); Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202

Best Blues Artist: Jesse Robinson

Actor Jack Nicholson once said, "The blues and jazz will live forever ... So will the Delta and the Big Easy." Jackson-based jazz guitarist Jesse Robinson is one artist who helps to keep blues going strong year after year. Robinson was born in Benton and grew up on a farm until his family moved to Jackson when he was 15 years old. His childhood was filled with music, and he eventually started playing guitar in church. These days, you'll find Robinson playing solo as well as with a band at various venues around Jackson including Underground 119, Peaches Restaurant, F. Jones Corner or at special events.

In 2013, Robinson released "Stray Star," a collaboration with Brazilian guitarist, producer and composer Robertinho de Recife. The music, recorded in Jackson and Rio de Janeiro, is based on Brazilian poetry. Mississippi singers including Jewel Bass, The Williams Brothers and Rhonda Chambers, as well as Brazilian singers, provided backup vocals. As part of the Two Rivers Cultural Exchange program, Robinson also played at the Virada Cultural Festival Sao Paulo. —ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Jarekus Singleton / Third: Grady Champion / Finalists: Chad Wesley; Jason Bailey

Best Museum; Best Tourist Attraction: Mississippi Children's Museum

2145 Highland Drive, 601-981-5469, mississippichildrensmuseum.com

One sign of a great tourist attraction is its ability to generate repeat visits—especially from the locals. It doesn't hurt if it is reasonably priced, either. The Mississippi Children's Museum is a great attraction for out-of-town visitors, but it remains first and foremost a wonderful addition to Jackson, for 
Jackson children.

My son and I have been to the museum several times, and yet his enthusiasm has not declined—we even held his birthday party there. Distinctive areas with interactive and playful exhibits to explore mean every child will have a blast, whether they are interested in Mississippi heritage, the cultural arts, sciences, literature or technology.

The museum also hosts regular workshops during the week for preschoolers and on the weekends for those a bit older. With about 40,000 square feet to explore, kids have plenty room to stretch out their minds in an enjoyable, 
productive way. —Michael Jacome

Best Museum

Second: Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive, 601-354-7303) / Third: Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) / Finalists: Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum (1150 Lakeland Drive, 601-432-4500); Smith Robertson Museum and Culture Center (528 Bloom St., 601-960-1457)

Best Tourist Attraction

Second: Fondren / Third: Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) / Finalists: Jackson Zoo (2918 W. Capitol St., 601-352-2580); Old Capitol Museum (100 S. State St., 601-576-6920)

Best Locally Owned Business, Best Place to Buy Books: Lemuria Books

4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 202, 601-366-7619, lemuriabooks.com

Since 1975 Lemuria Books has kept the local bookstore alive in Jackson. It's the best place to browse for the perfect book in a cozy and friendly atmosphere, while receiving individualized customer attention from owner John Evans, manager Joe Hickman or the other helpful 
Lemuria staff.

Lemuria offers an array of services, including the First Editions Club, the OZ First Editions Club, Literary Brews, the Eudora Welty-inspired Cereus Readers Book Club and the Lemuria Book Club Registry. Lemuria also hosts book signings and author readings throughout the year.

The name comes from the myth of the lost continent of Lemuria, the store's website explains. The Lemurians were an advanced human civilization with the gift of telepathy. They challenged the gods, who took their gift away. The Lemurians then developed the world's first system of writing and began recording their thoughts in books.

In 2014, Lemuria will publish a photography book, "Jackson: Crossroads of the South," with photos from Ken Murphy, captions by Lisa Newman and commentary from John Evans. —ShaWanda Jacome

Best Locally Owned Business

Second: McDade's Market (Multiple Locations, mcdadesmarkets.com) / Third: Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589) / Finalists: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Custom Cuts and Styles (2445 Terry Road, 601-321-9292); LaCru Salon (5352 Lakeland Drive, Suite 600, Flowood, 601-992-7980); Mangia Bene (3317 N. State St., 601-362-2900); Nathan's Salon (101 W. Washington St., Suite C3, Ridgeland, 601-707-7015); Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

Best Place to Buy Books

Second: The Book Rack (1491 Canton Mart Square, Suite 7, 601-956-5086; 584 Springridge Road, Suite C, Clinton, 601-924-9020) / Third: N.U.T.S. (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-7458; 3011 N. State St.) / Finalist: The Bookshelf (637 Highway 51, Suite AA, Ridgeland, 601-853-9225)

Best Place to Book a Party or Shower; Best Place to Get Married: Fairview Inn

734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, fairviewinn.com

Location, location, location—besides the wedding dress, the location of your wedding is probably the next most important decision. For more than 30 years, Jacksonians (and out-of-towners) have turned to the Fairview Inn as the venue for their most treasured day. The Fairview is an AAA four-diamond small luxury hotel located in the historic neighborhood of Belhaven. The 1908 Colonial Revival mansion offers several options for indoor and outdoor weddings: in the gazebo, on the great lawn by the rose garden, under a 90-year-old magnolia tree, by the fireplace or in the library. What bride doesn't dream of descending a grand staircase like a fairy tale princess? —ShaWanda Jacome

Best Place to Book a Party or Shower

Second: The South Warehouse (627 E. Silas Brown, 601-939-4518) / Third: The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601-366-5552) / Finalists: Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562); Sanctuary Body Spa of St. Dominic's (340 Township Ave., Suite 200, Ridgeland, 601-790-2222)

Best Place to Get Married

Second: St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral (305 E. Capitol St., 601-354-1535) / Third: Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St., 601-960-1515) / Finalists: The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601-366-5552); Cotton Market Venue (2644 S. Pearson Road, 601-906-5499); Mynelle Gardens (4736 Clinton Blvd., 601-960-1894); The South Warehouse (627 E. Silas Brown, 601-939-4518)

Best Place to Buy Antiques: Flowood Flea Market

Climb the steep steps and walk down the long porch to enter the Flowood Flea Market, and you might be a tad turned off. That is, unless you love junk.

I, admittedly, do at least love to pick through junk looking for that perfect retro or mod collectible—better yet, at an amazing price.

That is a commitment at 36,000-square-foot flea market; once inside, you can enjoy poking through just about every kind of kitsch imaginable and wander from vendor booth to booth—some of which seem to look more like grandma's living room—or Elvis'—in search of that antique or collectible that will make your heart sing.

Yes, you can find many valuable collectibles and antiques inside the huge market—the prices some of the 120 vendors charge show that they know what they're selling, so be ready to bargain. And if you're like me, you're always delighted to visit any outlet of N.U.T.S., which is also set up near the back of the flea market. And don't miss the 15,000-square-foot salvage market while there.

Go, spend your $1 to get in, rummage and haggle every Saturday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday (noon until 5 p.m.) Just plan to spend some time. And to be surprised. —Donna Ladd

Second: Repeat Street (242 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-605-9123) / Third: Old House Depot (639 Monroe St., 601-592-6200) / Finalists: Antique Mall of the South 
(367 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-853-4000); Belgique Inc. (320 Commerce Park Drive, 601-982-6060); Interior Spaces (5060 Interstate 55 N., Suite B, 601-956-4199); Interiors Market (659 Duling Ave., 601-981-6020)

Best Annual Event: Mal's St. Paddy's Parade

March, malsstpaddysparade.com

It was back in the early 1980s. Disco was dead and buried. Our nation was in the midst of a recession. And the world just seemed a little bit grim. Bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras with him to Jackson, Malcolm White of Hal & Mal's came up with the concept of Mal's St. Paddy's Parade. With a few friends, Malcolm helped forge a Jackson tradition that is not only still going strong but gets bigger and better every year. This Jackson classic now includes a competitive parade, activities for the kids, a pet parade and a 5K fundraiser for Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. This year's theme is "Drink Local, Think Global," and the parade will be held March 15. —Michael Jacome

Second: Mistletoe Marketplace (November, jljackson.org) / Third: Wellsfest (September, 
wellsfest.org) / Finalists: CelticFest (September, celticfestms.org); Dog Days of Summer 
(August, carams.org); Jacktoberfest (October, jacktoberfest.com)

Best Art Gallery: Southern Breeze Gallery

500 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-607-4147, southernbreeze.net

Mississippi's creative class is one to be proud of, and its visual artists are a big part of that creative tradition. Showcasing a huge roster of local and regional artists, Southern Breeze Gallery has a selection big enough to offer small works and prints for those purchasing their first piece as well as major pieces for aficionados looking to add to a large collection.

Gallery owner Jacqueline Ellens will even come to your home to help determine what art will work best in your space if you're unsure where to start. The gallery strives to make art accessible and affordable for all; including one of the most popular items, Ellens' reasonably priced prints of Jackson landmarks such as the Cherokee, Brent's Drugs and Walker's Drive-In. —Julie Skipper

Second: Brown's Fine Art & Framing (630 Fondren Place, 601-982-4844) / Third: Gallery 1 at Jackson State University (1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 4, 601-960-9250) / Finalists: Fischer Galleries (736 S. President St., Suite 404, 601-291-9115); Sanaa Gallery & Boutique (5846 Ridgewood Road, Suite C212, 769-218-8289)

Best Liquor/Wine Store: Kats Wine & Spirits

921 E. Fortification St., 601-983-5287, katswine.com

At first, conventional thinking would suggest that a liquor store would be easy to own and fairly profitable. Most folks like to have a drink, and the stuff should sell 
itself, right?

Wrong. As any liquor-store owner will tell you, the market is competitive, and the markup on liquor ain't much. The separation between success and failure, then, comes in the service—which helps explain why Kats Wine & Spirits in Belhaven has been voted best liquor store in town.

Owners Tasho and Kanello Katsaboulas established a liquor store near the corner of Jefferson and Fortification streets that has become the go-to for wine connoisseurs and whiskey drinkers alike, due to exquisite selection and excellent service from the family atmosphere. You can chalk the latter up to staff continuity—along with the brothers Kats, Jimm Brumley, Robert Anderson, Bob Fowler and Scott Hancock provide some of the best and most personable service around. —Tyler Cleveland

Second: McDade's Market (Multiple Locations, mcdadesmarket.com / Third: Fondren Cellars (633 Duling Ave., 769-216-2323) / Finalists: Briarwood Wine and Spirits (4949 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5108); Joe T's (286 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-605-7602); Stanley's Liquor & Wine (1049 S. State St., 601-353-0331); Wine and Spirits in the Quarter (1855 Lakeland Drive, Suite A10, 601-366-6644)

Best Caterer: Wendy Putt, Fresh Cut Catering and Floral

108 Cypress Cove, Flowood, 601-939-4518, wendyputt.com

Each year since the category has joined the Best of Jackson ranks, Wendy Putt has won Best Caterer, but she and her Fresh Cut company are much more than the title suggests.

Fresh Cut does full catering and floral design for events across the metro area, and Putt is a wedding resource for many brides. A favorite of wedding planners such as Kendall Poole and Shanna Lumpkin, Putt specializes in hyper-custom setups with lots of little details.

And, although she specializes in weddings, Putt has spun her magic for events as small as birthday parties and showers, and as large as the Junior League of Jackson's Mistletoe Marketplace weekend. From canapes to ranunculus, Wendy Putt knows her stuff.—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Second: Mangia Bene Catering (3317 N. State St., 601-362-2900) / Third: Cool Water Catering & Events (1011 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601-919-7622) / Finalists: Cosmopolitan Catering and Cafe (2947 Old Canton Road, 601-983-4450); Julie Levanway (601-506-7454)

Best Tattoo/Piercing Parlor: Squench's Tattoos, Ltd.

3780 Interstate 55 S., 601-372-2800, squenchstattoos.com

When Squench's Tattoos opened in 1985, it was Jackson's first tattoo shop. It was the only one for quite a while, until tattoo parlors began popping up around the area.

The shop has three tattoo artists: Squench, Curtdog, Mallory (Sweet), Josh and Shelly. Chad, Curtdog's brother, is the shop's piercer. Squench kicked the new year off with two tattoos of infinity symbols on a couple's ring fingers.

Find Squench's on Facebook to see their work or visit squenchstattos.com for more information. —Amber Helsel

Second: Electric Dagger (2906 N. State St., Suite B-6, 601982-9437) / Third: Twiztid Images (557 Highway 49 S., Richland, 601-664-0000) / Finalist: Pristine Ink (5735 Interstate 55 N., Suite C, 769-251-0569)

Best Beauty Shop or Salon: LaCru Salon

5352 Lakeland Drive, Suite 600, Flowood, 601-992-7980, lacrusalon.com

Some salons are known solely for the services they provide. However, LaCru Salon is known for its compassion. "What sets us apart is that we see our clients as family. We're here to listen and to be a friend first," owner Stephanie Barnes says. Barnes bought the salon from its previous owners in 2007 because she always envisioned owning her own salon. Seven years later, LaCru Salon is still thriving and even established Mississippi's first hair smoothing bar last year. "I just thank God because he has really blessed us," Barnes says.

LaCru is a full-service salon that offers extensions, keratin treatments and waxing. The stylists are Redken-certified colorists and have more than 35 years of combined experience. They also sell Emi-Jays and Three Bird Nest hair accessories.—LaShanda Phillips

Second: Nathan's Salon (101 W. Washington St., Suite C3, Ridgeland, 601-707-7015) / Third: Barnette's Salon (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 201, 601-362-9550; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-9123) / Finalists: Ritz Salon (574 Highway 51 N., Suite H, Ridgeland, 601-856-4330); Smoak Salon (622 Duling Ave., Suite 206, 601-982-5313); Trim Salon (419 E. Mitchell Ave., 601-982-5575); William Wallace Salon (2939 Old Canton Road, 601-982-8300)

Best Dance Studio: Salsa Mississippi Studio & Club

605 Duling Ave., 601-213-6355, salsamississippi.com

Why sit and watch celebrities dance salsa on "Dancing with Stars" when you could be tearing up the floor yourself right here in Jackson? Salsa Mississippi Studio and Club has been going strong since its humble beginnings in 2006. Married couple Sujan and Sarah Ghimire own the 1,400-square-foot gem tucked away on Duling Street in Fondren. The couple met in Sujan's hometown of Kathmandu, Nepal, while Sarah was on a mission 
trip there. The Ghimires have built a dance community here in Jackson that is welcoming and non-threatening. The studio offers salsa, belly dancing, kickboxing, Zumba and Bachata classes weekly. Every Saturday, the heat really turns up with the Latin Dance Party, which is a great time for dancers to practice the moves they've been learning in class. The studio is also available to rent for private functions.

In 2013, Salsa Mississippi paired with the Greater Jackson Arts Council on the Studio 54 Disco dance contest in conjunction with the 8th Annual Storytellers Ball. The contest was open to all dancers, singles or couples, from across the southern region. In August, Salsa Mississippi instructors Shawntell McQuarter and Victoria Walker partnered with local celebrity dancers for the Mississippi Opera Guild's 4th annual Dance with the Stars. —ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Association 
(110 Homestead Drive, Madison, 601-853-4508; 106 Autumn Ridge Place, Brandon, 601-992-9016) / Third: Dollhouse Dance Factory (1410 Ellis Ave., 601-969-4000) 
Finalist: The Studio Under the Direction of Sarah Wheat Mann (309 Morrison Drive, Suite B, Clinton, 601-
201-6090)

Best Boutique: Material Girls

182 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-992-4533; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 7005, Ridgeland, 601-605-1605, shopmaterialgirls.com

Far from bland and smothered in style, Material Girls takes the Best of Jackson award for Best Boutique for the sixth time in a row. The four locations of Whitney Giordano's stylish boutique—Flowood, Ridgeland, Oxford and Hattiesburg—are bursting with classy, chic styles.

Fans can also stay connected to what's new online; Material Girls frequently posts about new items or sales on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, and shoppers can reserve or purchase items right from the store's Facebook page or website. Material Girls prides itself on providing the trendiest accessories, clothes and shoes, as well as tailgating ensembles in the colors of all the local teams. —Brittany Sanford

Second: Treehouse Boutique (3000 N. State St., 601-982-3433) / Third: Fondren's Fashion House (310 Mitchell Ave., 601-362-9090) / Finalists: Arco Avenue (1107 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 107, Ridgeland 601-790-9662); Posh Boutique (4312 N. State St., 601-
364-2244); Royal Bleau Boutique (1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 8, 601-321-9564)

Best Bridal/Formal: David's Bridal

1039 E. County Line Road, Suite 105, 601-957-0505, davidsbridal.com

It had been a stressful week when I finally made the trek to go look for my wedding dress. I didn't really know what I wanted, so I headed to David's Bridal—I figured it was a good place to start. When I arrived, the sales teams greeted me with friendly smiles. My consultant helped me look around the store as we discussed my budget and various details of the wedding.

We eventually picked out a few dresses and headed to the fitting room. I'd be lying if I said it was a magical moment; it was quite the opposite—I cried. All these beautiful dresses I had seen in pictures didn't look good on me. My consultant was very patient and led me to look at some other dresses. We finally found a simple ivory-bronze charmeuse gown with a tulle overlay. I cried again, but with joy this time.

David's Bridal has been around since 1950 and has perfected the art of helping brides find everything they need for their special day. They feel that "every bride should look and feel like a million dollars, regardless of budget." Top designers like Vera Wang, Oleg Cassini, Melissa Sweet and Galina have collaborated with David's Bridal to create fashion-forward dresses for a reasonable price.

Manager Stacey Mitchell runs the Jackson store. David's Bridal carries bridal gowns, bridal party attire, tuxedos, special occasion and prom attire, accessories, invitations, and gifts. It also carries accessories for the ceremony or reception including unity candles, garters, cake toppers, guest books and decorations. —ShaWanda Jacome

Second: The Bridal Path Inc. (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 104, 601-982-8267) / Third: 
Alfred Angelo Bridal (1230 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-1806) / Finalist: Lace A Bridal Boutique (109 Grants Ferry Road, Brandon, 601-665-4860)

Best Barbershop: Maurice's Barber Shop

1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 360, 601-362-2343; 398 Highway 51, Suite 60, Ridgeland, 601-856-2856; 1060 Highway 51, Suite D, Madison, 601-856-0015

People love Maurice's Barber Shop not only because it offers has great service, but also because it's a longtime Jackson institution. The Northside Drive location opened in 1952, making it a historic part of Jackson that isn't going anywhere any time soon. The current owner of that location, Mison Wetzel, bought it from Maurice Howard in 1998. Though it was remodeled two years ago, it is the oldest location. Since the '50s, other locations have sprung up in Ridgeland and Madison. The three locations are individually owned. Maurice's provide services for men, women and children, so if you're looking for a new place to get a haircut, highlights, a shave or other barbering services, try one of Maurice's classic shops. —LaShanda Phillips

Second: Custom Cuts and Styles (2445 Terry Road, 601-321-9292) / Third: Nathan's Salon (101 W. Washington St., Suite C3, Ridgeland, 601-707-7015) / Finalists: ACEY Custom Hair Design (3015 N. State St., 601-937-7754); Southside Barber & Beauty Shop (715 McDowell Road, 601-321-9240)

Best Flower Shop: Greenbrook Flowers

705 N. State St., 601-957-1951, greenbrookflowers.com

Greenbrook Flowers has a long-standing dedication to the Jackson area. The shop has provided a variety of fresh flowers since 1917. Janet Jacobs heads Greenbrook Flowers these days, the fifth generation of a family of florists. The name Greenbrook is a meshing of two maternal figures, Green and Westbrook—Mynelle Westbrook Hayward, of Mynelle Gardens, was one of the founders of Greenbrook Flowers. Her husband, Brook Jacobs Sr., started Good Neighbor Day in 1994 by giving away a dozen roses in hopes that the recipient would keep one and give the remaining away. Good Neighbor Day, which now takes place every September, aims to promote friendship. —LaShanda Phillips

Second: A Daisy A Day (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 194, 601-982-4438) / Third: Green Oak Florist & Garden Center (5009 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5017; 1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite E, Ridgeland) / Finalists: Drake's Designs (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-
957-6983); Mostly Martha's (353 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-956-1474); Mum's the Word (255 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-992-4900); Tulip Floral (115 N. State St., 601-572-1777); Whitley Flowers (740 Lakeland Drive, 601-362-8844)

Best Garden Supply: Callaway Yard and Garden

839 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, 601-957-1731, callawaysonline.com

I first remember visiting Callaway as a child when the store put out its extensive Christmas decoration displays. All the trees, ornaments and lights were magical. That early experience taught me from the start that Callaway's is more than just a garden store. I have since expanded my experience of it to the garden side of things, though, and can attest that whether you need plants, garden supplies or advice, the helpful staff can steer you in the right direction whether or not you have a green thumb. If you have a small space, pick up a houseplant from the greenhouse; for major outdoor projects, it offers landscaping and irrigation services as well. The store has been family-owned since 1954, and that personal touch comes through in every interaction. —Julie Skipper

Second: Lakeland Yard and Garden (4210 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-939-7304) / Third: Green Oak Florist & Garden Center (5009 Old Canton Road, 601-956-5017; 1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite E, Ridgeland) / Finalists: Hutto's Home and Garden Center 
(1320 Ellis Ave., 601-973-2277); Martinson's Garden Works (650 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-856-3078)

Best Mechanic: Tony's Tire & Automotive Inc.

5138 N. State St., 601-981-2414

A community favorite, owner Tony Murphy's 38 years in the automotive business and his commitment to his customers demonstrates why his shop is this year's Best Mechanic. Tony's Tire understands how important the car is no matter the age, income or background. The shop offers free diagnostics for engine problems, a free tire rotation with oil changes, and a 10-percent discount for the military and law enforcement. You never really want to give up your car any longer than you have to, so Tony's makes sure you have a pleasant experience and get back on the road as quickly as possible, all for a fair price. (Pictured: Tony Murphy Sr. on left; Tony Jr. on right) —Michael Jacome

Second: Freeman's Auto Repair Service (847 S. State St., 601-948-3358) / Third: Graves and Stoddard Inc. (722 Highway 80 E., Flowood, 601-939-3662) / Finalists: Michael Bryant; Putnam's Automotive Services Inc. (4879 N. State St., 601-366-1886)

Best Kids Event: Zippity Doo Dah

March, zddparade.com

Zippity Doo Dah is a family-friendly weekend full of music, fun and games for the whole family. Fondren Renaissance presents the weekend each year, which benefits the Friends of Children's Hospital at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. Organizers estimated that more than 20,000 people attended the event last year. Some of the highlights from the 2013 events included a visit from the Budweiser Clydesdales, the Color Me Rad 5K run and walk, the Sal & Mookie's children's carnival and the Zippity Doo Dah parade.

The Sweet Potato Queens, who founded Zippity Doo Dah weekend, headline the parade. Jill Conner Brown, the "original Sweet Potato Queen," welcomes SPQs from all over the country to Jackson to join the festivities. Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's dates: March 21-23. —Adriane Louie

Second: Ice Cream Safari at Jackson Zoo (July, jacksonzoo.org) / Third: KidFest (April, kidfestridgeland.com) / Finalists: Once Upon a Fall Festival (September, 
mississippichildrensmuseum.com); Wellsfest (September, wellsfest.org)

Best Place to Buy Kids' Clothes/Toys: The Children's Place

1200 E. County Line Road, Suite 157, Ridgeland, 601-206-1162; 200 Bass Pro Drive, Suite 435, Pearl, 601-939-9879; 122 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood, 601-919-9717, childrensplace.com

Whether you are looking for onesies or monster T-shirts, The Children's Place can supply all your children's clothing needs—including sneakers, sandals and dress shoes. The store offers a total range of sizes, from newborn to size 14 for girls and boys. Don't forget about the accessories, either—pick up pom-pom hair clips, sun hats, tights, ties, socks and belts while you're there. The Children's Place also sells novelty items that make great birthday gifts, such as colorful watches and bracelets, football wallets, baseball caps and, of course, Laffy Taffy lip balm. —Adriane Louie

Second: Leap Frog Children's Consignment & More (104 Village Blvd., Madison, 601-898-0727) / Third: Olde Tyme Commissary (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 174, 601-366-1849) / Finalists: Nursery Rhymes (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 152, 601-368-9997); Popfizz Boutique (1481 Canton Mart Road, 601-977-1000, 1107 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 111, 601-427-5821); Smitten Gift Boutique (207 W. Jackson St., Suite E, Ridgeland, 601-856-1655); Sweet Dreams Children's Boutique (1888 Main St., Suite A, Madison, 601-856-2080)

Best Day Spa: Aqua the Day Spa

4465 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-9550; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 8001, Ridgeland, 601-898-9123, aquathedayspa.com

Voted the Best Day Spa since 2003, Aqua the Day Spa is the perfect place to relax your mind, body and soul. The atmosphere is serene, with a Zen-like quality that puts you at ease the moment you walk through the door. Soft music fills the air while you take a deep breath in the stillness of the relaxation room before your beauty service begins. Aqua uses Skin Authority products and offers an array of services such as massage therapy, manicures and pedicures, aloe and mango facials, bamboo and ginseng hydration body wraps, eyelash extensions, and more.—Adriane Louie

Second: Massage Envy Spa (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 280, 601-709-4300) / Third: Sanctuary Body Spa of St. Dominic's (340 Township Ave., Suite 200, Ridgeland, 601-790-2222) / Finalists: Drench Day Spa (118 W. Jackson St., Suite 2-B, Ridgeland, 601-707-5656); Remedy True Health (655 Lake Harbour Drive, Suite 900, Ridgeland, 601-898-0911); The Skin District (2629 Courthouse Circle, Suite B, Flowood, 601-981-7546)

Best Fitness Center/Gym: Baptist Healthplex

717 Manship St., 601-968-1766; 102 Clinton Parkway, Clinton, 601-925-7900, mbhs.org

A new year brings new-year resolutions. I've had my share of gym memberships and have found that Baptist Healthplex has some of the best individual and family gym membership rates. My husband uses Baptist Healthplex of Clinton. He loves both gyms because of the clean facilities and amenities such as the indoor basketball court and steam room at the Clinton location. Both locations offer Zumba and Pilates classes, so if you don't want to go alone, grab a friend and go get your sexy back! Both locations are open seven days a week, so leave the excuses back in 2013.—Tam Curley

Second: Courthouse Raquet & Fitness (Multiple Locations, mscourthouse.com) / Third: YMCA (Multiple Locations, metroymcams.org) / Finalists: Anytime Fitness (Multiple Locations, anytimefitness.com); The Club (Multiple Locations, theclubms.com); Planet Fitness (772 Lake Harbour Drive, Suite 1, Ridgeland, 601-427-5901); Pure Barre (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 235-A, 769-251-0486)

Best Music Festival: Jackson Rhythm and Blues Festival

August, jacksonrhythmandbluesfestival.com

In the middle of August 2013, the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum hosted the city's very first R&B Festival, which presented performers such as Bettye LaVette and Dr. John alongside longtime local favorites like Bobby Rush and Dorothy Moore. The layout of the festival was perfect. If festival-goers found it too hot outside, they could retreat into one of the air-conditioned buildings on the grounds, each of which housed excellent concerts in addition to the main outdoor stage.

The festival also featured local food vendors such as Penn's and Big Apple Inn, and artists selling blues-inspired works. The party-like atmosphere was made complete with a diverse audience.

If the first year was any indication, this should grow to be our state's biggest music festival.—Tommy Burton

Second: Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights (August, greaterbelhaven.com) / Third: Jacktoberfest (October, jacktoberfest.com) / Finalists: CelticFest (September, celticfestms.org); Wellsfest (September, wellsfest.org)

Best Reason to Live in Jackson: The People

I was born in Jackson, but moved away with my family when I was 2 years old. Yet, after being back here for the past seven years, I'm happy to call Mississippi home, all because of the people that I've been fortunate enough to meet. Whether it's all the fun people I've met while working at the Jackson Free Press, the nurses and doctors who cared for my mom while she was at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, my fellow educators at the Jackson Public Schools, fellow liveRIGHTnow hill runners, or all the delightful servers at some of my favorite Jackson eateries—the intricate network of Jacksonians makes Jackson important to me and makes it a wonderful community to be a part of.

When I think of Jackson, I think of the "The Breakfast Club" and the letter those five students wrote to assistant principal Vernon at the end (but with a Jackson twist): Who do we think we are? Everyone sees Jackson as they want to see it, sometimes negatively and sometimes positively. But Jackson is not defined simply by what it has or does not have; it is defined by the quality of the people who live and work here. In the city of Jackson you will find people that are a little bit of many things, in each of us you will find a brain ... and an athlete ... and an artist ... and a caregiver ... and a foodie ... and a visionary ... and a champion for our city. —ShaWanda Jacome

Second: Fondren / Third: Cost of Living / Finalists: Food; Music

Best Women's Shoes: The Shoe Bar at Pieces

135 Market St., Flowood, 601-992-9057

Most women cringe at the idea of another woman showing up to an event in the same dress or shoes. To avoid this, you need to go where exclusive, rare or even one-of-a-kind items are available. Try The Shoe Bar at Pieces. It sells name brands such as Jeffrey Campbell, Joie and Coconut, as well as clothes and exclusive pieces of jewelry. The store originally opened in 1993 as Designer's Shoe Palace, but when the economy slumped, Becky Hicks wanted to create something new. She changed the name, and the boutique now has a hippy chic feel to it. The store recently relocated to the Flowood area, where it held its grand 
opening Nov. 1. —LaShanda Phillips

Second: Maison Weiss (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 109, 601-981-4621) / Third: Material Girls (182 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-992-4533; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 7005, Ridgeland, 601-605-1605) / Finalists: Arco Avenue (1107 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 107, Ridgeland 601-790-9662); Soma Wilai (2906 N. State St., Suite 103, 601-366-9955); Treehouse Boutique (3000 N. State St., 601-982-3433)

Best Veterinarian or Vet Clinic: Briarwood Animal Hospital

1471 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-5030, briarwoodhospital.com

A visit to see a veterinarian can be scary for a pet—and an owner. But Briarwood Animal Hospital has been easing animal-related worries for more than 50 years. Veterinarian Hugh Ward opened the pet hospital in 1961, and Briarwood has kept a focus on patient care ever since. With five vets leading the staff (each with his or her own area of expertise), Briarwood can take care of pet-related concerns as small as grooming and as large as surgery. The hospital also offers boarding services for your pet.

Turn over a new "leash" this year by visiting the pet store—one more thing that sets Briarwood aside from other vet clinics. —Tam Curley

Second: North State Animal & Bird Hospital (5208 N. State St., 601-982-8261) / Third: All Creatures Animal Care Center 
(262 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, 601-856-5333) / Finalists: Canton Road Veterinary Hospital (4960 Old Canton Road, 601-
956-6144); Hometown Veterinary Services (1010 Highway 471, Brandon, 601-825-1697); Northtown Animal Clinic (38 Northtown Drive, 601-956-4960); Oakdale Animal Hospital (2028 Highway 471, Brandon, 601-829-9949)

Best Men's Clothes: The Rogue and Good Company

4450 Interstate 55 N., 601-362-6383, therogue.com

In a world where shopping for fine men's clothing often involves trudging to a local department store, The Rogue stands as a beacon of hope for stylish guys who don't like going to mall. Offering suits and sportswear, clothing for men and boys, outerwear and footwear, The Rogue carries such high-end brands as Robert Talbott, Southern Tide, Joseph Abboud, Peter Millar, Eton of Sweden and Robert Graham. The Rogue also sells its own brand of neckwear and slacks that harkens back to an age when clothing was so well made, it lasted you a lifetime. The Rogue team says that years later, their fashions will still look as good as the day you bought them. In terms of prices, let's just say that the Rogue isn't exactly the Sears men's department. However, you can usually find a sale on clothing, shoes or unique accessory items such as sleek tablet sleeves 
and briefcases. —R.L. Nave

Second: Kinkade's Fine Clothing 
(120 W. Jackson St., Ridgeland, 601-898-0513) / Third: Great Scott (4400 Old Canton Road, Suite 100, 601-984-3500) Finalist: Mozingo Clothiers (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 140, 601-713-7848)

Best Place for Unique Gifts: Mississippi Craft Center

950 Rice Road, Ridgeland, 601-856-7546, mscrafts.org

Nestled in a curve on Rice Road, the Mississippi Craft Center—the concrete building with iron sculptures in the yard—is hard to miss. On most days, visitors can watch iron workers honing their craft in the iron-working shed in the parking lot. Sliding glass doors open into a great open space decorated with fantastic pieces from members of the Mississippi Craftsmen's Guild. Founded in 1973, the Craftsmen's Guild has more than 400 members from 19 states.

The Craft Center's gallery, open every day from 9 a.m. to 
5 p.m., welcomes shoppers and wanderers to explore handcrafted pottery, quilts, jewelry, woodwork, stained glass, sculptures, ironwork, and other artsy items. Browsing the gallery is a gift in itself. Each handcrafted piece embodies the skill and dedication that the artist put into making it, offering the gift of time, experience and love. —Leslie La Cour

Second: The Pine Cone (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 220, 601-713-1421) / Third: Apple Annie's Gift Shop (152 Grants Ferry Road, Brandon, 601-992-9925; 1896 Main St., Suite D, Madison, 601-853-8911) / Finalists: circa. Urban Artisan Living (2771 Old Canton Road, 601-362-8484); Interiors Market (659 Duling Ave., 601-981-6020)

Best Category We Left Off: Best Photographer

Everyone's a photographer these days. Anyone with a smartphone is carrying a decent point-and-shoot camera at all times, and photo-sharing apps like Instagram have made pictures of food and sunsets and shoes just as ubiquitous as those nights out on the town. And although this saturation of snapshots has flooded social media with a lot of less-than-impressive photographs, it has also made us appreciate the artistry behind great photography.

It's no surprise, then, that the category most Best of Jackson voters want to see added next year is "Best Photographer." Whether they specialize in weddings, fashion shoots or just capturing everyday Mississippi, some truly great photogs roam our streets. Their work fills galleries, local magazines and, yes, our 
Instagram feeds.—Kathleen M. Mitchell

Second: Best 5K/Running Event / Third: Best Attorney / Finalists: Best Actor; Best Car Detail Shop; Best 
Nail Technician

Best Tailor: Custom Tailoring by Al

1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 4004, Ridgeland, 601-607-3443, customtailoringbyalofms.com

For most people, it is challenging to find clothes that fit perfectly. Something is always a little too tight or too loose or, in my case, too long. Lucky for us, we have people like Al Guevara, who can tailor clothing to fit any individual need. Custom Tailoring by Al has offered tailoring services for more than 20 years. The shop is located in Ridgeland and happily provides services throughout Mississippi. Al Guevara can custom-tailor any fabric and garment. —LaShanda Phillips

Second: Finishing Touch Alterations (4551 Office Park Drive, 601-362-5288) / Third: Tailored to You (258 Dogwood Blvd., Flowood, 601-992-1373) / Finalists: Cathy's Alterations (3010 Lakeland Cove, Suite R, Flowood, 601-
933-0036); Tom James Company (1775 Lelia Drive, 601-713-2034)

Best Thrift/Consignment Shop: Repeat Street

242 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-605-9123, repeatstreet.net

Looking for vintage clothing and furniture or trendy what-nots? It's the unique collectibles, excellent furniture and gently used trendy clothing that bring impulse shoppers to Repeat Street. If Repeat Street's wide variety of merchandise hasn't made you peek inside the store at least once, maybe its community effort will. It accepts donated items and sells them on special racks for various charitable fundraisers. The store also collects both old and new donated bras each October to string across the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, helping raise money for breast-cancer awareness. For each bra collected by Repeat Street and other donors, the American Cancer Society receives $1 from Riverwalk Casino. —Tam Curley

Second: Orange Peel (422 E. Mitchell Ave., 601-364-9977) / Third: N.U.T.S. (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-7458; 3011 N. State St.) / Finalists: Bargain Boutique (5070 Parkway Drive, 601-991-0500); Fondren Muse (3413 N. State St., 601-345-1155); Leap Frog Children's Consignment & More (104 Village Blvd., Madison, 601-898-0727); Silly Billy's Consignment Shop (534 E. Mitchell Ave., 601-672-6693)

Best Yoga Studio: Butterfly Yoga

3025 N. State St., 601-594-2313, butterflyyoga.net

In 2002, seeing the need for a dedicated yoga studio in Jackson, Scotta Brady opened Butterfly Yoga. Though Jackson offers other yoga studios now, Butterfly Yoga still thrives. The studio strives to build a community of health-minded folks and increase local awareness of yoga. It is a balanced exercise that not only strengthens but also teaches relaxation and concentration techniques. Brady believes her background in Anusara yoga has helped her achieve physical accomplishments, including coming in first place in her age group in her first triathlon. They also offer tabatas (a type of high intensity interval training with fast-paced but short sessions that you repeat) and belly-dancing classes. Visit Butterfly Yoga if you want to become more flexible, find a program to accompany your other sport activities or just learn to unwind. —LaShanda Phillips

Second: Courthouse Racquet & Fitness (Multiple Locations, mscourthouse.com) / Third: Joyflow Yoga (7048 Old Canton Road, Suite 2F, Ridgeland, 601-613-4317) / Finalists: StudiOM Yoga 
(665 Duling Ave., 601-209-6325); Tara Yoga (200 Park Circle, Suite 4, Flowood, 601-720-2337)

Best Happy Hour; Most Innovative Menu; Best Margarita; Best Mexican/Latin; Best Outdoor Dining; Best Place for a First Date: Babalu Tacos and Tapas

622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757, babalums.com

Babalu Tacos and Tapas is the kind of restaurant people talk about nonstop when they leave Jackson. It's the kind of place they miss while studying in France, among some of the best cuisine in the world. Babalu is the kind of place that appeals to just about every type of gastronome—young and old, vegetarian and carnivore, teetotaler and happy-hour enthusiast.

When Babalu moved into Duling Hall in 2010, it brought "I Love Lucy" marathons and tableside guacamole and fresh tacos and that incredible burger. Signature cocktails such as the Pepe O'Malley, Baba Blue and Baba-Rita made a splash immediately. Since then, Babalu has continued to grow and innovate, offering seasonal infused margaritas with flavors such as blood orange and hibiscus, and Executive Chef David Ferris' dinner specials such as pan-seared scallops or whole roasted quail. This winter, the restaurant extended the life of its outdoor porch dining space, enclosing it in to stave off the cold. The eatery has been so successful that owners Bill Latham and Al Roberts, and their business partners, are opening a second location in Memphis with plans for a Birmingam location to follow.

The site of many a birthday party (featuring tequila-bottle sparklers), reunion, post-concert snack and first date, Babalu has become a part of the fabric of Fondren. The restaurant partners with local charities such as Stewpot and the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital during the holidays, and offers occasional discounts for scrubs-wearing University of Mississippi Medical Center students and doctors. It's no wonder every hour is a happy one at Babalu. —Kathleen M. Mitchell

Best Happy Hour

Second: Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700) / Third: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845) / Finalists: The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-216-2589); Library Lounge at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429)

Most Innovative Menu

Second: Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090)/ Third: Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633) / Finalists: Adobo (127 S. Roach St., 601-944-9501); The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); Underground 119 (119 S. President St., 601-352-2322)

Best Margarita

Second: Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (1625 E. County Line Road, Suite 120, 601-957-7672) / Third: Jaco's Tacos (318 S. State St., 601-961-7001; 7049 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-898-3242) / Finalists: La Cazuela (1401 E. Fortification St., 601-353-3014); Papitos Mexican Restaurant and Grill (111 Colony Crossing Way, Suite 400, Madison, 601-605-0275; 173 Promenade Blvd., Flowood, 601-919-0448); Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950)

Best Mexican/Latin

Second: Jaco's Tacos (318 S. State St., 601-961-7001; 7049 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-898-3242) / Third: Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (1625 E. County Line Road, Suite 120, 601-957-7672) / Finalists: Cafe Ole (2752 N. State St., 769-
524-3627); La Cazuela (1401 E. Fortification St., 601-353-3014); Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950); Taqueria La Guadalupe (6537 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-206-7776)

Best Outdoor Dining

Second: Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038)/ Third: Walker's Drive-In 
(3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633) / Finalists: Anjou Restaurant (361 Township Ave., Ridgeland, 601-707-0587); Jaco's Tacos (318 S. State St., 601-961-7001; Kristos - Casual Greek Dining (971 Madison Ave., Madison, 601-605-2266); Que Sera Sera (2801 N. State St., 601-981-2520); Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919)

Best Place for a First Date

Second: Julep Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 105, 601-362-1411) / Third: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111) / Finalists: The Apothecary at Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 769-257-3517); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090); Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633)

Best Asian Restaurant; Best Sushi/Japanese: Nagoya Japanese Restaurant

6351 Interstate 55 N., Suite 131, 601-977-8881; 111 Colony Crossing, Suite 380, Madison, 601-856-5678, nagoya-ms.net

People often seem surprised to discover that Jackson has some really great sushi. For the past five years, top honors has gone to Nagoya Japanese Restaurant, which offers area diners two locations where they can enjoy traditional and inventive takes on sushi as well as a hibachi menu.

On the sushi side, a full offering of fresh fish brought in daily can satisfy those who want simple sashimi in its purest sense, while Nagoya's "New Orleans Style" items like the oyster tempura roll make the adventure less intimidating for folks easing their way into sushi. The expansive menu also offers a variety of dishes featuring udon or soba noodles, as well as teriyaki dinners that come with miso soup and a salad at reasonable prices. If you find it hard to commit, combination plates give you a chance to try sushi and cooked dishes. —Julie Skipper

Best Asian Restaurant

Second: Mr. Chen's Restaurant (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601-978-1865) / Third: Wasabi Sushi and Bar (100 E. Capitol St., Suite 105, 601-948-8808) / Finalists: Edo Japanese Restaurant (5834 Ridgewood Road, 601-899-8518); Miso (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 769-251-0119); Sakura Bana (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 11, 601-982-3035); Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant (2640 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-420-4848); Thai House (1405 Old Square Road, 601-982-9991)

Best Sushi/Japanese

Second: Little Tokyo (876 Avery Blvd., Ridgeland, 601-991-3800) / Third: Sakura Bana (4800 Interstate 55 N., Suite 11, 601-982-3035) / Finalists: Bonsai Japanese Steak House (1925 Lakeland Drive, 601-981-0606; 102 Clinton Center Drive, 601-924-4448); Crazy Ninja Rock-N-Roll Sushi & Hibachi (2560 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-420-4058); Edo Japanese Restaurant (5834 Ridgewood Road, 601-899-8518); Ichiban Hibachi and Sushi Japanese Steakhouse (153 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-0097); Wasabi Sushi and Bar (100 E. Capitol St., Suite 105, 601-948-8808)

Best Beer Selection: The Bulldog

6111 Ridgewood Road, 601-978-3502, bulldog-jackson.draftfreak.com

Tucked away in the far northeast corner of Jackson, The Bulldog looks like your garden-variety American casual-dining establishment. It isn't.

In fact, The Bulldog is one of the most pleasant surprises in Jackson. Sure, you can order a bite to eat, flirt with singles, or watch the game on one The Bulldog's large screens, but it's not quite a restaurant, nightclub or a sports bar.

Everything at The Bulldog revolves around its beer; specifically, its more than 62 beer taps. The Bulldog's managers attribute the beer pub's success to a combination of the vast selection, a CO2 and nitrogen mix they use to pump the draft, a special dishwasher and detergent for cleaning the glasses, and cleaning all the beer lines about twice a month, among other secret ingredients. —R.L. Nave

Second: Fondren Public (2765 Old Canton Road, 769-
216-2589) / Third: Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919) / Finalists: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Martin's Restaurant and Bar (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712); McDade's Market (Multiple Locations, mcdadesmarkets.com)

Best Meal Under $10; Best Sandwich Place: Newk's Eatery

Multiple Locations, 601-709-4990, newks.com

Newk's, based in Jackson, offers budget-friendly meals and a family-friendly atmosphere. You can choose from a variety of fresh tossed salads, oven-baked sandwiches, pizzas, homemade desserts and more. The grilled chicken sandwich, served on warm toasted bread, is my favorite, while many of my co-workers gravitate toward the Pimiento cheese sandwich. Did I mention the loaded potato soup? It is always a crowd pleaser. In fact, all the soups are one of Newk's greatest-selling points (check the website for rotating daily soup schedule). To round out the meal, Newk's also serves desserts, including homemade cakes (buy a slice for your meal or take a whole one home), peanut-butter crispies and brownies. The "grab and go" station is available for those on the run or stopping through to pick up a quick meal. —Adriane Louie

Best Meal Under $10

Second: Georgia Blue (Multiple Locations, georgiablue.net) / Third: Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427) / Finalists: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033); Basil's (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601-982-2100; 120 N. Congress St., Suite L1, 601-944-9888); Cafe Ole (2752 N. State St., 769-524-3627); Gloria's Kitchen (2855 Bailey Ave., 601-362-0009)

Best Sandwich Place

Second: Room Service (4659 McWillie Drive, 601-362-4617; 1020 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 104, Ridgeland, 601-707-3600) / Third: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-
362-2900) / Finalists: Basil's (2906 N. State St., Suite 104, 601-982-2100; 120 N. Congress St., Suite L1, 601-
944-9888); Beagle Bagel Cafe (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 145, 769-251-1892; 898 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-956-1773; 100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601-
856-4377); Steve's Deli (125 S. Congress St., Suite 103, 601-969-1119; 200 S. Lamar St., 601-714-5683)

Best Barbecue; Best Place for Ribs: E&L Barbeque

1111 Bailey Ave., 601-355-5035

When my mother-in-law came to visit in the spring, she said wanted to try some great ribs while she was here, and the first place that came to mind was E&L. So one afternoon we piled into the car for our great barbecue adventure. When you first pull up to E&L, you might be a bit unsure if you're at the right address. The no-frills eatery often doesn't even look open. Yet regardless of the restaurant's appearance, its food is exquisite.

You'll almost always encounter a line during E&L's regular hours (from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and until midnight Friday and Saturday), but the wait is worth it. When we got home, we rolled up our sleeves and dove into our succulent, sticky-sweet, tangy, big-ole messy Styrofoam box. Since that trip, I've been back several times, and I've not once been disappointed. Although simple, the menu at E&L offers something for everyone: spare ribs, rib tips, smoked hot links, polish sausage, chicken wings, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, turkey legs, pork, pig ear and steak sandwiches, catfish, pan trout filets, baked beans and potato salad. Put simply, E&L is meaty heaven. And always, always say yes to "sauce on fries."—ShaWanda Jacome

Best Barbecue

Second: Hickory Pit (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-7079) / Third: Chimneyville Smokehouse (970 High St., 601-354-4665) Finalists: Haute Pig (now closed); State Street Barbeque (960 N. State St., 601-961-3433)

Best Place for Ribs

Second: Hickory Pit (1491 Canton Mart Road, 601-956-7079) / Third: Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q (2603 Highway 80 W., 601-355-7434; 1374 W. Government St., Brandon, 601-825-7675) / Finalists: Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Ave., Suite 100, Ridgeland, 601-707-7950); State Street Barbeque (960 N. State St., 601-961-3433)

Best Breakfast; Best Brunch: Another Broken Egg

1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1009, 601-790-9170, anotherbrokenegg.com

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, Another Broken Egg Cafe is the perfect way to kick off a day of shopping at the Renaissance at Colony Park. The restaurant offers more than 114 different combinations of menu items. Traditional pancakes and cinnamon roll French toast, healthy fruit plates and yogurt parfaits, omelettes, eggs benedict, and Huevos Rancheros are some of the popular dishes. A local favorite is the sweet potato pancake, topped with a cinnamon-marmalade-infused syrup along with spiced pecans and whipped cream. Shrimp and grits is also a crowd-pleasing selection. If you like your brunch to lean more toward the lunch side, Another Broken Egg also offers heartier, more savory fare including sandwiches, salads and burgers. —Adriane Louie

Best Breakfast

Second: Primos Cafe (515 Lake Harbour Drive, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601-936-3398) / Third: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-
362-2900) / Finalists: Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427); Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349)

Best Brunch

Second: Julep Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 105, 601-362-1411) / Third: Nick's Restaurant 
(3000 Old Canton Road, 601-981-8017) / Finalists: Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562); Mint the Restaurant (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 5002, 601-898-6468); Sophia's Restaurant at Fairview Inn (734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429); Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202)

Best Place for Healthy Food; Best Vegetarian Options: Rainbow Co-op

2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1602, rainbowcoop.org

Big-box grocery stores don't always have the best options if you're trying to eat healthy. Often, the produce isn't organic, and specialty items can be difficult to find, dwarfed by extra-large chip bags and frozen food in bulk. If you want healthier groceries, look no further than the ueber-local Rainbow Co-op in Fondren. Don't be fooled—Rainbow might look like a tiny grocery store, but it contains a great selection of natural, healthy, and vegan foods and ingredients. If you're seeking hard-to-find ingredients such as kefir and almond flour, Rainbow has you covered. The store has rows and rows of different types of flour, nuts, trail mix and other foods, with plastic bags and zip ties at each end so customers can measure out the amount they want.

Rainbow also got the vote for Best Vegetarian Options. The store has a great selection of vegetarian foods, including multiple varieties of veggie burgers and tons of tofu. If you're looking for a good vegetarian restaurant, look no further than High Noon Cafe, housed inside the complex.—Amber Helsel

Best Place for Healthy Food

Second: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033) / Third: High Noon Cafe (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1513) / Finalist: Adobo (127 S. Roach St., 601-944-9501)

Best Vegetarian Options

Second: High Noon Cafe (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1513) / Third: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033) / Finalists: Adobo (127 S. Roach St., 
601-944-9501); BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111)

Best Greek Restaurant; Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern: Keifer's

705 Poplar Blvd., 601-355-6825; 120 N. Congress St., 601-353-4976

Keifer's is a popular winner every year, and for good reason. The restaurant Rick Olson and Paula Coe opened three decades ago consistently serves good food, fast and dependable. Now with a second location downtown and a new and improved location across the street from its original home, the Greek eatery serves lunch and dinner to an eclectic mix of college students, medical personnel, businesspeople, families and more.

Popular menu items including the chicken gyro, thick-cut cottage fries and pita mozz (or as I like to think of it—a feta dressing delivery system) have propelled Keifer's to its sixth Best Greek Restaurant award in a row—and this year, the eatery proves its hummus can stand with the best of them, taking the Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern prize as well. So grab a group of friends, order some pitchers of beer to split and enjoy Keifer's brand of comfort food. —Kathleen M. Mitchell

Best Greek

Second: Bill's Greek Tavern (4760 McWillie Drive, 601-982-9295) / Third: Kristos - Casual Greek Dining (971 Madison Ave., Madison, 601-605-2266) / Finalists: Krilakis (207 W. Jackson St., Suite D, Ridgeland, 601-790-9463); Wraps (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 420, 601-366-2006)

Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern

Second: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill (730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033) / Third: Mediterranean Fish and Grill (6550 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-0082) / Finalist: Petra Cafe (2741 Old Canton Road, 601-366-0161)

Best Lunch Buffet; Best Soul Food: 
Mama Hamil's Southern Cookin'

480 Magnolia St., Madison, 601-856-4407

Mama Hamil's Southern Cookin' in Madison is the definition of soul food—the chefs and restaurant owners put their souls into their food. I remember as a kid hearing Mama Hamil herself singing "Amazing Grace" from the kitchen of the small cabin that housed the restaurant until its move to a larger space in 2007.

I love taking friends visiting from out of state to Mama Hamil's because it truly captures Mississippi's authenticity. With the long picnic-table-style seating, you're elbow-to-elbow with people from all walks of life, all smiling, talking and enjoying their meal. The community captures the spirit of the south, and the food reflects the tastes of our culture. Collard greens, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pulled pork are just some of my favorites from the buffet. Of course, you can't forget to top it off with the homemade banana pudding or fruit cobbler. There's a reason Mama Hamil's dominates in these categories every year—it is simply the best. —Holly Perkins

Best Lunch Buffet

Second: Two Sisters' Kitchen (707 N. Congress St., 601-353-1180) / Third: Ichiban Hibachi and Sushi Japanese Steakhouse (153 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-0097) / Finalists: Spice Avenue (4711 Interstate 55 N., 601-982-0890); Thai House (1405 Old Square Road, 601-982-9991)

Best Soul Food

Second: Two Sisters' Kitchen (707 N. Congress St., 601-353-1180) / Third: Peaches (327 N. Farish St., 601-354-9267) / Finalists: Collins Dream Kitchen (1439 University Blvd., 601-
353-3845); Gloria's Kitchen (2855 Bailey Ave., 601-362-0009)

Best New Restaurant; Best Plate Lunch: 
Georgia Blue

223 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-919-1900; 111 Colony Crossing, Suite 130 Madison, 601-898-3330; georgiablue.net

Georgia Blue offers a relaxed, home-style atmosphere dipped in southern flavor, with classic ingredients such as grits and crawfish re-imagined in more adventurous dishes (crawfish crepes or turnip green bites, anyone?) Dishes are served on bowl-shaped license plates, a nice, creative twist. Each weekday, Georgia Blue serves up a rotating lineup of classic blue-plate fare: country-fried steak, chicken and dumplings, and black-eyed peas are just a few of the items you can choose from.

The restaurant prides itself on defying labels. "We like to think of Georgia Blue as a wildcard in the restaurant world," the website says. Although the locally owned restaurant chain has only been around for a few years, Georgia Blue is already looking to expand to a fourth location—and beyond. The two locations in the Jackson metro also offer live performances by bands and guest singers on weekends. —Brittany Sanford

Best New Restaurant

Second: The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562) Third: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845) / Finalists: Cafe Ole 
(2752 N. State St., 769-524-3627); Miso (3100 N. State St., Suite 102, 769-251-0119)

Best Plate Lunch

Second: McDade's Market (Multiple Locations, mcdadesmarkets.com) / Third: Primos Cafe (515 Lake Harbour Drive, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601-936-3398) / Finalists: Cherokee Inn (1410 Old Square Road, 601-362-6388); Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888); The Trace Grill (574 Highway 51, Ridgeland, 601-853-1014); Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633)

Best Hangover Food; Best Pizza: The Pizza Shack

925 E. Fortification St., 601-352-2001; 5046 Parkway Drive, Suite 6, 601-957-1975, thepizzashackjackson.com

The Pizza Shack calls itself the "neighborhood pizza place," and this year, Best of Jackson voters agree. The Pizza Shack, which has been in business since 2005, offers "Mississippi style" pizza, boasting an eclectic and extremely expansive menu. Try buffalo wings, cheese sticks or breadsticks for a traditional starter. Next, follow that up with one of The Pizza Shack's specialty pizzas, such as Double Cheeseburger (double seasoned beef with special sauce blend, aged cheddar cheese sauce, sliced American cheese, shredded cheddar, pickles and onions) or Cajun Joe (spicy andouille sausage, seasoned chicken, green and red pepper, and onions). You can also build your own pizza from a large variety of fresh ingredients. If you are not in the mood for pizza, try one of the large salads, sandwiches or dessert, including salted caramel brownies, cookies, New York Style cheesecake or tiramisu. Are you hungry, yet? —Adriane Louie

Best Hangover Food

Second: Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038) / Third: Brent's Drugs (655 Duling Ave., 601-366-3427) / Finalists: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845); Cherokee Inn (1410 Old Square Road, 601-362-6388)

Best Pizza

Second: Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919) / Third: Soulshine Pizza Factory (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 1, Ridgeland, 601-856-8646, 5352 Highway 25, Suite 1100, Flowood, 601-919-2000) / Finalists: Basil's 904 (904 E. Fortification St., Suite B, 601-352-2002); Hungry Howie's Pizza (7157 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-898-5008; 1060 Spillway Circle, Brandon, 601-706-0418; 105 Highway 80, Clinton, 601-708-0001); The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen (1200 N. State St., Suite 100, 601-398-4562)

Best Wine List/Selection: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar

4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111, bravobuzz.com

Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine, a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy." Well, BRAVO!'s wine list is proof that proprietors Jeff Good and Dan Blumenthal, and sommelier Lesley McHardy, also love us and love to see us happy. The Italian eatery offers a list that includes good values as well as splurge bottles for special occasions, and regulars eagerly anticipate the annual "clean out the cellar" month, where they can bid on bottles at bargain basement prices. The restaurant's ongoing Corks for Charity program gives a local nonprofit a chance to win a donation in the amount of the value of your bottle of wine when you donate your cork. Everybody wins! —Julie Skipper

Second: Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202, tableonehundred.com) / Third: Shapley's Restaurant (868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601-957-3753, shapleysrestaurant.com) / Finalists: Anjou Restaurant (361 Township Ave., Ridgeland, 601-707-0587, anjourestaurant.net); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090, 
parlormarket.com)

Best Restaurant: Walker's Drive-In

3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633, walkersdrivein.com

While it might seem like 2013 was the year of new Fondren, with fresh shops, restaurants and bars making the area arguably the hippest place in Jackson, Walker's Drive-In has been a Fondren staple for years. With consistently delicious food and equally consistent and stellar service, Walker's has the rare ability of making patrons feel like they're enjoying fine dining at their best friends' house. The diner-style restaurant offers a friendly, small town atmosphere, but the food is anything but "small town." The dinner menu boasts Veal and Lobster Kathy, and a Redfish Anna with Lump Crab Meat that's practically considered a Jackson institution, while the lunch menu includes daily blue-plate specials and arguably the best redfish sandwich in town at a price that won't break the bank. —Holly Perkins

Second: The Penguin Restaurant and Bar (1100 John R. Lynch St., Suite 6A, 769-251-5222) / Third: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111) / Finalists: Babalu Tacos and Tapas (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757); Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562); Nick's Restaurant (3000 Old Canton Road, 601-981-8017); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090); Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919)

Best Local Fried Chicken: Two Sisters' Kitchen

707 N. Congress St., 601-353-1180

When it comes to what makes Two Sisters' Kitchen's fried chicken so special, owner and founder Diann Alford will only say "the secret is in the spice." Along with the famous sides and other entrees, the delicious award-winning fried chicken has become a fixture of downtown dining. Since 1989, the Congress Street buffet has been a lunch hotspot serving folks from government employees to visiting dignitaries. The buffet-style meal rotates among other meats, vegetables, biscuits and dessert, but always features the chicken that made Two Sisters famous. Everything on the menu is made in-house and are "handmade with love," Alford says.

The welcoming home atmosphere and delicious cuisine has propelled Two Sisters' to national recognition in publications such as Food and Wine Magazine and The New York Times Food and Travel section, in a feature called "36 Hours in Jackson, Miss." An episode of the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food Nation" recently featured Two Sisters', which Alford says has boosted the restaurant's business, as tourists and fans of the show come to try the fried chicken they saw on television.—Greg Pigott

Second: Mama Hamil's Southern Cookin' (480 Magnolia St., Madison, 601-856-4407) / Third: Julep Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 105, 601-362-1411) / Finalists: Downtown Cafe (224 E. Capitol St., 601-592-5006); Primos Cafe (515 Lake Harbour Drive, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601-936-3398); Rooster's (2906 N. State St., 601-
982-2001)

Best Place for Dessert: Primos Cafe

515 Lake Harbour Drive, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601-936-3398, primoscafe.com

I love stopping by Primos Cafe to find a special treat behind the glass bakery counter. It is especially fun around the holidays, when the eatery offers iced cookies decorated as pumpkins, turkeys or Christmas trees. The bakery case is always stocked with drool-worthy delicacies such as fruit drop cookies, Gingerbread men, caramel cupcakes and Primos' famous petit-fours. Both Primos locations also offer a take-away cooler with whole cakes and pies available for pick up, in classic southern flavors such as caramel, red velvet, Italian cream and strawberry. Everything is homemade and baked fresh, making a dessert from Primos the perfect complement to any potluck lunch or dinner party. You can also order ahead of time to guarantee that your favorite dessert will be available. —Adriane Louie

Second: Amerigo Italian Restaurant (6592 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-977-0563) / Third: Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919 / Finalists: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900); Campbell's Bakery (3013 N. State St., 601-362-4628); Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562)

Best Doughnuts: Shipley Do-Nuts

103 Highway 80 E., Clinton, 601-925-0020, shipleydonuts.ws

As you walk in the door of Shipley Do-Nuts, the sweet aroma of fresh dough and sugar greets you, enough to make your mouth water. Shipley Do-Nuts is a local favorite with plenty of crowd-pleasing donuts to choose from. Whether it's the chocolate iced donuts, chocolate cream-filled donuts or cinnamon twists (my personal favorites), or the apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, cake donuts and do-nut holes, Shipley serves them hot and ready starting at 6 a.m. daily. Grab a treat for yourself or buy a dozen or two for the whole office. After one bite, you will be coming back for more.—Adriane Louie

Second: Scurlock's Donuts Shop & Eatery (now closed) / Third: Donut Palace (Multiple Locations) / Finalists: Donut Barn (1069 Highway 51, Madison, 601-605-8100); Monroe's Donuts and Bakery (6310 Medgar Evers Blvd., 601-981-3208); Pillow Donuts (1679 Old Fannin Road, Flowood, 601-992-6040; 707 Beau Pre Drive, Ridgeland, 601-790-9697)

Best Place to Get Coffee: Cups: An Espresso Cafe

Multiple locations, cupsespressocafe.com

Cups: An Espresso Cafe opened in 1993 and has been a favorite among Jacksonians ever since, thanks to its casual but eclectic environment that is both warm and inviting. Cups' ever-evolving menu always includes new flavors of coffee and tea, as well as Cups originals such as the Blondie (which combines flavors of coffee, caramel and white chocolate, topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel) and the Brunette (similar to the Blondie with darker chocolate and a hint of hazelnut). Cups also serves fruit smoothies made with low-fat yogurt, Italian sodas, hot chocolate, handcrafted espresso and pour-over coffee.

The espresso cafe prides itself on using coffee beans roasted in Jackson, and you can purchase raw or locally roasted beans in the cafes or online as well. The company, which Janice and Dennis Cameron founded, is also involved with the local arts scene, displaying local artists' work in each of its roastery locations. — Adriane Louie

Second: Sneaky Beans (2914 N. State St., 601-487-6349) / Third: Seattle Drip (Multiple Locations, seattledrip.com) / Finalists: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900); Fusion Coffeehouse (1111 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite A, Ridgeland, 601-856-6001)

Best Local Burger: 
Stamps Superburger

1801 Dalton St., 601-352-4555

Nothing compares to a great hamburger—real beef seasoned to perfection served on a toasty bun. Stamps is a staple in Jackson and has been often imitated, but never quire replicated. The original stands tall as the granddaddy of other burger joints.

Algernon Stamps Sr. founded Stamps in 1970 and created the recipe and design for what became known as the "Superburger." The restaurant has been operating from the same location on Dalton Street for the past 44 years.

The original "Superburger" is a monster nearly one-pound behemoth, and the smaller 8-to-10-ounce version is plenty for the average person. The eatery even offers a turkey burger that matches its beef counterpart in size and flavor. No other hamburger can compete with the ones made at Stamps. The burgers are thick, tasty and filling.—Tommy Burton

Second: Mugshots Grill & Bar (4245 Lakeland Drive, Flowood, 601-932-4031) / Third: Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038) / Finalists: Babalu Tacos and Tapas (622 Duling Ave., Suite 106, 601-366-5757); Cool Al's (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-713-3020); Majestic Burger (1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601-707-0093); Rooster's (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090)

Best Bakery: Broad Street Baking Company

4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900, broadstbakery.com

The best place to get fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cookies is once again Broad Street Baking Company. Start your day off with a fresh danish or sticky bun, or stop by on the way home for a sweet afternoon treat. The chefs bake up a selection of artisan breads on site daily, from San Francisco sourdough, foccacia and rye (popular choices to bookend Broad Street's sandwiches) to more rare varieties such as Scottish struan and jalapeno cheddar brioche. The bread schedule is posted on Broad Street's website so you can see what day your favorite is available. Catering is also big business for Broad Street—the restaurant offers trays of sandwiches, pastries and desserts for office lunches, after-school snacks and more. —Adriane Louie

Second: Campbell's Bakery (3013 N. State St., 601-362-4628) / Third: Primos Cafe (515 Lake Harbour Drive, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601-936-3398) / Finalists: Beagle Bagel Cafe (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 145, 769-251-1892; 898 Avery Blvd. N., Ridgeland, 601-956-1773; 100 Mannsdale Park Drive, Madison, 601-856-4377); Corner Bakery Cafe (108 Market St., Flowood, 601-919-9797; 149 Grandview Blvd., Madison, 601-607-7377); Gil's Bread (655 Lake Harbour Drive, Suite 500, Ridgeland, 601-856-0885); Great Harvest Bread Company (5006 Parkway Drive, 601-956-4406)

Best Veggie Burger: Burgers & Blues

1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038, burgersblues.com

Though some meat eaters may be skeptical when it comes to veggie burgers, vegetable-based patties can be just as delicious as the real thing. One, in particular, could make even the most carnivorous of Jacksonians admit its deliciousness: the garden patty at Burgers & Blues. You can get it with the basic burger toppings, or you can have your veggie burger with barbecue sauce, steak sauce, eggs—almost any topping. My personal choice? The Sonic Boom with a garden patty. The burger has lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, habanero mayo, mustard, ketchup, fried jalapeno peppers and hot pepper jack cheese. —Amber Helsel

Second: Cool Al's (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-713 3020 / Third: Majestic Burger (1067 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite B, Ridgeland, 601-707-0093) / Finalists: Adobo (127 S. Roach St., 601-944-9501); High Noon Cafe (2807 Old Canton Road, 601-366-1513); Steve's Deli (125 S. Congress St., Suite 103, 601-969-1119; 200 S. Lamar St., 601-714-5683)

Best Gumbo: Que Sera Sera

2801 N. State St., 601-981-2520, queserams.com

In 1989, Boo Noble opened Que Sera Sera in a Fondren neighborhood that was far from developed. When asked about the future of his establishment, he simply said, "Whatever will be, will be," and Que Sera Sera was born. The restaurant's famous gumbo, which has become a neighborhood staple, highlights Noble's New Orleans training.

Current owner Perrin Noble, Boo's son, says the gumbo is based on an original recipe from the Duggan family of the Duggan seafood company. "We've made modifications, but the gumbo will always special because it's made from scratch," the younger Noble says. The gumbo is always made fresh with quality ingredients including shrimp, crab, andouille sausage, oysters and crawfish, and features a plethora of different seasonings as well as celery and okra. Noble prides himself on Que Sera Sera staying true to his father's tradition of affordability while also featuring quality menu items. "We really feel like our restaurant brings out the diversity of Jackson," he says.

"Since we got here, the neighborhood has become an attractive spot for all people in the Jackson area, and I like to think my father was partly responsible for the building up of the neighborhood," Noble says. In addition to fresh food and sauces made in-house, Que Sera Sera also supports live music, hosting concerts called "The Party on the Patio." —Greg Pigott

Second: Hal & Mal's (200 S. Commerce St., 601-948-0888) / Third: Fat Tuesday's Restaurant (6923 Old Canton Road, Suite 105, 601-956-2971) / Finalists: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900); Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562); The Islander Seafood and Oyster House (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441)

Best Ethnic Restaurant: Aladdin Mediterranean Grill

730 Lakeland Drive, 601-366-6033, aladdininjackson.com

In 2004, Yoseph Ali looked at Jackson's restaurant scene and noticed an opening he was glad to fill. Originally from Ethiopia, Ali had been living in Jackson since 1997. While attending Jackson State University for a master's degree in hazardous materials management, Ali noticed Jackson had a distinct lack of the kind of food he had grown up enjoying in Ethiopia.

"I always wanted to have food like the kind I had in my home country here," Ali said. "I was living here in Jackson and saw there was room for good Mediterranean food here, since there were hardly any restaurants like that around. That gave me the idea to bring that kind of food home to Jackson, and I ended up starting Aladdin."

Ali opened the first Aladdin location in Fondren in 2004, and opened a second location in Flowood in 2007.

Aladdin offers falafel and gyros; sheep, beef and chicken kababs; chicken and beef shawarma; hummus, lamb chops, tilapia, fried kibby, baba ganuj and more. For dessert you can enjoy fresh baklava, burma, baklava fingers, bird nests and tiramisu. Aladdin also offers excellent vegetarian options and frequently makes the top three for JFP's Best Vegetarian Options category, with this year being no exception. Aladdin also has its own grocery store where customers can pick up ingredients to make their own great Mediterranean dishes at home.

Ali is looking to make this year a special one for Aladdin. "We're going into our 10th year of business, and I'm planning to have a celebration sometime this year for our customers to look forward to," he said. "I appreciate being here and look forward to celebrating another year in Fondren."—Dustin Cardon

Second: Mr. Chen's Restaurant (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601-978-1865) / Third: Thai House (1405 Old Square Road, 601-982-9991) / Finalist: Spice Avenue (4711 Interstate 55 N., 601-982-0890)

Best Place to Eat When Someone Else Pays: 
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse

1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 6001, Ridgeland, 601-853-2734, ruthschris.com

You voted, and when someone else foots the bill, you want USDA Prime. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Ridgeland offers up that classic steakhouse experience you crave, starting with dark wood, leather-upholstered chairs, and a wine list from its European-inspired cellar that is heavy on reds. The restaurant, which started in New Orleans, also serves up a variety of steaks for you to enjoy at your companion's expense, from filet and New York strip to the giant Cowboy Ribeye if you're up for a challenge. Less red-meat-centric diners can enjoy lobster or seafood selections. Sides are a la carte and include traditional steakhouse staples such as spinach or broccoli au gratin and several takes on potatoes. Homemade desserts round out the decadent meal, which begs the question ... if someone else pays, does that include the caloric damage, too? —Julie Skipper

Second: Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633); Third: Shapley's Restaurant (868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601-957-3753); Finalists: Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562); Parlor Market (115 W. Capitol St., 601-360-0090); Table 100 (100 Ridge Way, Flowood, 601-420-4202); Tico's Steak House (1536 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-1030)

Best Wings: Wingstop

Multiple Locations, wingstop.com

The lemon-pepper and original-hot wing flavors at Wingstop make my cheeks pucker and tongue dance. My family loves to order the family pack, which includes three choices of wing flavors, two dipping sauces, seasoned fries and veggie sticks. The good thing about the family pack is that we don't have to limit ourselves on the number of wings we eat, and we always have leftovers. You can choose between boneless or bone-in wings—usually it's bone-in for me. Wingstop also offers beer by the pitcher, which is the perfect complement to a 
basket of wings and a great game on the television. —Tam Curley

Second: Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919, salandmookies.com) / Third: Last Call Sports Grill (1428 Old Square Road, 601-713-2700, lastcallsportsgrill.com) / Finalists: Capitol Grill (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite F, 601-899-8845, capitolgrillofjackson.com); Wing Station (5038 Parkway Drive, thewingstation.net)

Best Take-out: Room Service

4659 McWillie Drive, 601-362-4617, roomservicejackson.com 1020 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601-707-3600, roomservicenorth.com

Boasting 32 salads and 34 sandwiches—featuring ingredients ranging from pork loin to pimiento to smoked salmon and capers—the menu for Room Service offers an overwhelming assortment of lunch options.

Besides the main items, you can round your lunch out with sides of chips, spuds, chicken salad, chili or soup, as well as desserts and drinks. The company, which Hays Thompson founded more than 25 years ago, prides itself on making all the food fresh each day—no prepackaged salads or preservative-packed meat that was cooked in California and shipped in.

Room Service can serve much of the metro area between its two locations, one in Jackson and one in Ridgeland at the Renaissance, and it sticks to a simple formula. You order lunch Monday through Friday and it delivers, fast and fresh. —Kathleen M. Mitchell

Second: Newk's Eatery (Multiple Locations, newks.com) / Third: OEC Japanese Express (Multiple Locations, oecflowood.com) / Finalists: Mr. Chen's Restaurant (5465 Interstate 55 N., 601-978-1865); Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919); Tokyo Express (5050 Interstate 55 N., Suite D, 601-957-1368); Wok to Go (4329 N. State St., Suite F, 601-981-2112)

Best Kids' Menu: Sal and Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint

565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919, salandmookies.com

Jeff Good and Dan Blumenthal opened Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint in Fondren in 2007 following a year spent developing a New York-style pizza recipe with Sal & Mookie's Chef Jon Pixler and Andrew Robertson, and a three-day pizza-eating/research trip to New York's best pizzerias to ensure they got it just right.

Sal and Mookie's offers a huge variety of specialty pizzas named for New York icons, such as the Empire State, the Andy Warhol, the Riker's Island, the South Street Seaport and many more. The restaurant also offers dishes from gourmet grilled panini sandwiches and Italian-style pastas to New York submarine sandwiches and hamburgers. The menu appeals to kids and adults alike, with specialties like the mac-and-cheese pizza (pictured). With approachable ingredients for young palettes mixed with more sophisticated tastes, it's the perfect place to entice kids to try new foods.

Of course, little ones likely think Sal and Mookie's ice cream parlor is the main attraction, with its 24 flavors of ice cream, sundaes, splits, shakes, malts and floats. As for adults, they often find their dessert in the fully stocked PiE Lounge bar, which offers handmade craft cocktails, and more than 40 beers on draft or by the bottle.  —Dustin Cardon

Second: Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038) Third: The Froghead Grill (121 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, 601-924-0725) / Finalists: Broad Street Baking Company (4465 Interstate 55 N., Suite 101, 601-362-2900); The Islander Seafood and Oyster House (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441); Primos Cafe (515 Lake Harbour Drive, 601-898-3600; 2323 Lakeland Drive, 601-936-3398)

Best Steak: Shapley's Restaurant

868 Centre St., Ridgeland, 601-957-3753, shapleysrestaurant.com

When I hear the name Shapley's restaurant, I think "steak." Clearly, I'm not alone in that, as Jacksonians have once again agreed that the Ridgeland restaurant has the best steak in town. Tucked behind County Line Road, Shapley's has been grilling up some of the finest steaks in the Jackson area since 1985.

The restaurant uses flavorful seasonings on only select beef, offering steaks weighing up to 40 ounces. This is not the kind of restaurant where diners have to worry about charred meat, overcooked or undercooked filets, overseasoning, or any of the other rookie steak mistakes.

Be sure to ask one of the knowledgeable servers for advice on pairing your dinner with 
one of the wines from their impressive award-winning wine list. —Holly Perkins

Second: Tico's Steak House (1536 E. County Line Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-1030) / Third: Char Restaurant (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 142, 601-956-9562) / Finalists: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111); Ely's Restaurant & Bar (115 W. Jackson St., Suite 2E, Ridgeland, 601-605-6359); Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633)

Best Italian: Amerigo Italian Restaurant

6592 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-977-0563; amerigo.net

Amerigo Italian Restaurant, which has been a local favorite since 1987, offers a combination of traditional and modern Italian dishes, including grilled paninis, fresh seafood entrees, five-layer lasagna and handcrafted pizza. Bon Appetit magazine even featured the restaurant's famous cheese fritters. One of my favorite dishes at Amerigo is the Chicken Margarite, which is grilled chicken served over angel hair pasta with mozzarella cheese; I choose to top it with garlic butter sauce. I always finish my meal with dessert—the Tiramisu with vanilla cream and Kahlua chocolate sauce is to die for. Amerigo also offers family-style catering that can accommodate a group of any size, featuring the same favorites patrons enjoy while dining in. —Adriane Louie

Second: BRAVO! Italian Restaurant and Bar (4500 Interstate 55 N., Suite 244, 601-982-8111) Third: Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano (970 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, 601-354-6600) / Finalists: Cerami's Italian Restaurant (5417 Lakeland Drive, Suite I, Flowood, 601-919-2829); Fratesi's Italian Cuisine (910 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, 601956-2929); Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919)

Best Seafood: Mayflower Cafe

123 W. Capitol St. 601-355-4122, mayflowercafems.com

Mississippi knows seafood, but you don't have to head to the coast to get the best. Since 1935, Mayflower Cafe has provided Jacksonians with fresh, delicious seafood. The neon lights of the Mayflower Cafe shining down onto Capitol Street are an iconic part of the city's history. The eatery is an icon of downtown Jackson, and for good reason. The self-proclaimed "Mississippi's Original Seafood Restaurant" has so many seafood offerings that it's difficult to choose just one. Luckily, you don't have to—seafood platters offer a variety, or you can mix and match oysters, redfish, stuffed shrimp, soft-shell crab and fresh sea scallops, to name a few of the menu items.—Holly Perkins

Second: Walker's Drive-In (3016 N. State St., 601-982-2633) / Third: Crab's Seafood Shack (6954 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-956-5040) / Finalists: The Islander Seafood and Oyster House (1220 E. Northside Drive, Suite 100, 601-366-5441); Sal and Phil's (6600 Old Canton Road, Ridgeland, 601-957-1188)

Best French Fries: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

122 Market St., Flowood, 601-983-5555; 1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Suite 2001, Ridgeland, 601-605-1115; fiveguys.com

When you walk into Five Guys, it's a fairly original experience. The menu is simple—burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese and fries. The grilled cheese and burgers are great, but besides their famed burgers, Five Guys is also known for their fries. They take pride in their fried potato sticks, letting restaurant goers where they've sourced their current supply of potatoes by a sign on the wall. The homestyle fries are the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and the bits of potato skin give the fries that extra touch. You can get them Five Guys style or Cajun style, which is my favorite. And if you partake in the English tradition of using malt vinegar, Five Guys sets some out for you. —Amber Helsel

Second: Rooster's (2906 N. State St., 601-982-2001) / Third: Stamps Superburger (1801 Dalton St., 601-352-4555 / Finalists: Burgers & Blues (1060 E. County Line Road, Suite 22, Ridgeland, 601-899-0038); Cool Al's (4654 McWillie Drive, 601-713-3020); Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St., 601-368-1919)

Don Feusner ran dairy cattle on his 370-acre slice of northern Pennsylvania until he could no longer turn a profit by farming. Then, at age 60, he sold all but a few Angus and aimed for a comfortable retirement on money from drilling his land for natural gas instead.

It seemed promising. Two wells drilled on his lease hit as sweet a spot as the Marcellus shale could offer - tens of millions of cubic feet of natural gas gushed forth. Last December, he received a check for $8,506 for a month's share of the gas.

Then one day in April, Feusner ripped open his royalty envelope to find that while his wells were still producing the same amount of gas, the gusher of cash had slowed. His eyes cascaded down the page to his monthly balance at the bottom: $1,690.

Chesapeake Energy, the company that drilled his wells, was withholding almost 90 percent of Feusner's share of the income to cover unspecified "gathering" expenses and it wasn't explaining why.

"They said you're going to be a millionaire in a couple of years, but none of that has happened," Feusner said. "I guess we're expected to just take whatever they want to give us."

Like every landowner who signs a lease agreement to allow a drilling company to take resources off his land, Feusner is owed a cut of what is produced, called a royalty.

In 1982, in a landmark effort to keep people from being fleeced by the oil industry, the federal government passed a law establishing that royalty payments to landowners would be no less than 12.5 percent of the oil and gas sales from their leases.

From Pennsylvania to North Dakota, a powerful argument for allowing extensive new drilling has been that royalty payments would enrich local landowners, lifting the economies of heartland and rural America. The boom was also supposed to fill the government's coffers, since roughly 30 percent of the nation's drilling takes place on federal land.

Over the last decade, an untold number of leases were signed, and hundreds of thousands of wells have been sunk into new energy deposits across the country.

But manipulation of costs and other data by oil companies is keeping billions of dollars in royalties out of the hands of private and government landholders, an investigation by ProPublica has found.

An analysis of lease agreements, government documents and thousands of pages of court records shows that such underpayments are widespread. Thousands of landowners like Feusner are receiving far less than they expected based on the sales value of gas or oil produced on their property. In some cases, they are being paid virtually nothing at all.

In many cases, lawyers and auditors who specialize in production accounting tell ProPublica energy companies are using complex accounting and business arrangements to skim profits off the sale of resources and increase the expenses charged to landowners.

Deducting expenses is itself controversial and debated as unfair among landowners, but it is allowable under many leases, some of which were signed without landowners fully understanding their implications.

But some companies deduct expenses for transporting and processing natural gas, even when leases contain clauses explicitly prohibiting such deductions. In other cases, according to court files and documents obtained by ProPublica, they withhold money without explanation for other, unauthorized expenses, and without telling landowners that the money is being withheld.

Significant amounts of fuel are never sold at all—companies use it themselves to power equipment that processes gas, sometimes at facilities far away from the land on which it was drilled. In Oklahoma, Chesapeake deducted marketing fees from payments to a landowner—a joint owner in the well—even though the fees went to its own subsidiary, a pipeline company called Chesapeake Energy Marketing. The landowner alleged the fees had been disguised in the form of lower sales prices. A court ruled that the company was entitled to charge the fees.

Costs such as these are normally only documented in private transactions between energy companies, and are almost never detailed to landowners.

"To find out how the calculation is done, you may well have to file a lawsuit and get it through discovery," said Owen Anderson, the Eugene Kuntz Chair in Oil, Gas & Natural Resources at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and an expert on royalty disputes. "I'm not aware of any state that requires that level of disclosure."

To keep royalties low, companies sometimes set up subsidiaries or limited partnerships to which they sell oil and gas at reduced prices, only to recoup the full value of the resources when their subsidiaries resell it. Royalty payments are usually based on the initial transaction.

In other cases, companies have bartered for services off the books, hiding the full value of resources from landowners. In a 2003 case in Louisiana, for example, Kerr McGee, now owned by Anadarko Petroleum, sold its oil for a fraction of its value—and paid royalties to the government on the discounted amount—in a trade arrangement for marketing services that were never accounted for on its cash flow statements. The federal government sued, and won.

The government has an arsenal of tools to combat royalty underpayment. The Department of Interior has rules governing what deductions are allowable. It also employs an auditing agency that, while far from perfect, has uncovered more than a dozen instances in which drillers were "willful" in deceiving the government on royalty payments just since 2011. A spokesman for the Department of Interior's Office of Natural Resources Revenue says that over the last three decades, the government has recouped more than $4 billion in unpaid fees from such cases.

There are few such protective mechanisms for private landowners, though, who enter into agreements without regulatory oversight and must pay to audit or challenge energy companies out of their own pockets.

ProPublica made several attempts to contact Chesapeake Energy for this article. The company declined, via email, to answer any questions regarding royalties, and then did not respond to detailed sets of questions submitted afterward. The leading industry trade group, the American Petroleum Institute, also declined to comment on landowners' allegations of underpayments, saying that individual companies would need to respond to specific claims.

Anderson acknowledged that many landowners enter into contracts without understanding their implications and said it was up to them to do due diligence before signing agreements with oil and gas companies.

"The duty of the corporation is to make money for shareholders," Anderson said. "Every penny that a corporation can save on royalties is a penny of profit for shareholders, so why shouldn't they try to save every penny that they can on payments to royalty owners?"

Gas flows up through a well head on Feusner's property, makes a couple of turns and passes a meter that measures its volume. Then it flows into larger pipes fed by multiple pipelines in a process the industry calls "gathering." Together, the mixed gases might get compressed or processed to improve the gas quality for final sale, before feeding into a larger network of pipelines that extends for hundreds of miles to an end point, where the gas is sold and ultimately distributed to consumers.

Each section of pipeline is owned and managed by a different company. These companies buy the gas from Chesapeake, but have no accountability to Feusner. They operate under minimal regulatory oversight, and have sales contracts with the well operator, in this case Chesapeake, with terms that are private. Until Chesapeake sold its pipeline company last winter, the pipelines were owned by its own subsidiaries.

As in many royalty disputes, it is not clear exactly which point of sale is the one on which Feusner's payments should be based—the last sale onto the open market or earlier changes in custody. It's equally unclear whether the expenses being charged to Feusner are incurred before or after that point of sale, or what processes, exactly, fall under the term "gathering." Definitions of that term vary, depending on who is asked. In an email, a spokesperson for Chesapeake declined to say how the company defines gathering.

Making matters more complicated, the rights to the gas itself are often split into shares, sometimes among as many as a half-dozen companies, and are frequently traded. Feusner originally signed a lease with a small drilling company, which sold the rights to the lease to Chesapeake. Chesapeake sold a share of its rights in the lease to a Norwegian company, Statoil, which now owns about a one-third interest in the gas produced from Feusner's property.

Chesapeake and Statoil pay him royalties and account for expenses separately. Statoil does not deduct any expenses in calculating Feusner's royalty payments, possibly because it has a different interpretation of what's allowed.

"Statoil's policy is to carefully look at each individual lease, and to take post-production deductions only where the lease and the law allow for it," a company spokesman wrote in an email. "We take our production in kind from Chesapeake and we have no input into how they interpret the leases."

Once the gas is produced, a host of opaque transactions influence how sales are accounted for and proceeds are allocated to everyone entitled to a slice. The chain of custody and division of shares is so complex that even the country's best forensic accountants struggle to make sense of energy companies' books.

Feusner's lease does not give him the right to review Chesapeake's contracts with its partners, or to verify the sales figures that the company reports to him. Pennsylvania—though it recently passed a law requiring that the total amount of deductions be listed on royalty statements—has no laws dictating at what point a sale price needs to be set, and what expenses are legitimate.

Concerns about royalties have begun to attract the attention of state legislators, who held a hearing on the issue in June. Some have acknowledged a need to clarify minimum royalty guarantees in the state, but so far, that hasn't happened.

"If you have a system that is not transparent from wellhead to burner tip and you hide behind confidentiality, then you have something to hide," Jerry Simmons, executive director of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO), the premier organization representing private landowners in the U.S., told ProPublica in a 2009 interview. Simmons said recently that his views had not changed, but declined to be interviewed again. "The idea that regulatory agencies don't know the volume of gas being produced in this country is absurd."

Because so many disputes come down to interpretations of contract language, companies often look to courts for clarification. Not many royalty cases have been argued in Pennsylvania so far, but in 2010, a landmark decision, Kilmer v. Elexco Land Services, set out that the state's minimum royalty guarantee applied to revenues before expenses were calculated, and that, when allowed by leases, energy companies were free to charge back deductions against those royalties.

Since then, Pennsylvania landowners say, Chesapeake has been making larger deductions from their checks. (The company did not respond to questions about this.) In April, Feusner's effective royalty rate on the gas sold by Chesapeake was less than 1 percent.

Paul Sidorek is an accountant representing some 60 northeastern Pennsylvania landowners who receive royalty income from drilling. He's also a landowner himself—in 2009, he leased 145 acres, and that lease was eventually sold to Chesapeake. Well aware of the troubles encountered by others, Sidorek negotiated a 20 percent royalty and made sure his lease said explicitly that no expenses could be deducted from the sale of the gas produced on his property.

Yet now, Sidorek says, Chesapeake is deducting as much as 30 percent from his royalties, attributing it to "gathering" and "third party" expenses, an amount that adds up to some $40,000 a year.

"Now that the royalties are flowing, some people just count it as a blessing and say we don't care what Chesapeake does, it's money we wouldn't have had before," Sidorek said. But he's filed a lawsuit. "I figure I could give my grandson a first-class education for what Chesapeake is deducting that they are not entitled to, so I'm taking it on."

Landowners, lawyers, legislators and even some energy industry groups say Chesapeake stands out for its confusing accounting and tendency to deduct the most expenses from landowners' royalty checks in Pennsylvania.

"They've had a culture of doing cutthroat business," said Jackie Root, president of Pennsylvania's chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners.

Chesapeake did not respond to questions on whether its approach differs from that of other companies.

Root and others report good working relationships with other companies operating wells in Pennsylvania, and say that deductions—if they occur at all—are modest. Statoil, which has an interest in a number of Chesapeake wells, does not deduct any expenses on its share of many of the same leases. In an email from a spokesperson, the company said "We always seek to deal with our lease holders in a fair manner."

Several landowners said that not only do deductions vary between companies using the same gas "gathering" network—sales prices do as well.

On Sidorek's royalty statements, for example, Chesapeake and Statoil disclose substantially different sales prices for the same gas moved through the same system.

"If Statoil can consistently sell the gas for $.25 more, and Chesapeake claims it's the premier producer in the country, then why the hell can't they get the same price Statoil does for the same gas on the same day?" Sidorek wondered.

He thinks Chesapeake was giving a discount to a pipeline company it used to own. Chesapeake did not respond to questions about the price discrepancy.

Chesapeake may be the focus of landowner ire in Pennsylvania, but across the country thousands of landowners have filed similar complaints against many oil and gas producers.

In dozens of class actions reviewed by ProPublica, landowners have alleged they cannot make sense of the expenses deducted from their payments or that companies are hiding charges

Publicly traded oil and gas companies also have disclosed settlements and judgments related to royalty disputes that, collectively, add up to billions of dollars.

In 2003, a jury found that Exxon had defrauded the state of Alabama out of royalty payments and ordered the company to pay nearly $103 million in back royalties and interest, plus $11.8 billion in punitive damages. (The punitive damages were reduced to $3.5 billion on appeal, and then eliminated by the state supreme court in 2007.)

In 2007, a jury ordered a Chesapeake subsidiary to pay $404 million, including $270 million in punitive damages, for cheating a class of leaseholders in West Virginia. In 2010, Shell was hit with a $66 million judgment, including $52 million in punitive fines, after a jury decided the company had hidden a prolific well and then intentionally misled landowners when they sought royalties. The judgment was upheld on appeal.

Since the language of individual lease agreements vary widely, and some date back nearly 100 years, many of the disagreements about deductions boil down to differing interpretations of the language in the contract.

In Pennsylvania, however, courts have set few precedents for how leases should be read and substantial hurdles stand in the way of landowners interested in bringing cases.

Pennsylvania attorneys say many of their clients' leases do not allow landowners to audit gas companies to verify their accounting. Even landowners allowed to conduct such audits could have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars to do so.

When audits turn up discrepancies, attorneys say, many Pennsylvania leases require landowners to submit to arbitration—another exhaustive process that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Arbitration clauses can also make it more difficult for landowners to join class action suits in which individuals can pool their resources and gain enough leverage to take on the industry.

"They basically are daring you to sue them," said Aaron Hovan, an attorney in Tunkhannock, Pa., representing landowners who have royalty concerns. "And you need to have a really good case to go through all of that, and then you could definitely lose."

All of these hurdles have to be cleared within Pennsylvania's four-year statute of limitations. Landowners who realize too late that they have been underpaid for years—or who inherit a lease from an ailing parent who never bothered to check their statements—are simply out of luck.

Even if a gas company were found liable for underpaying royalties in Pennsylvania, it would have little to fear. It would owe only the amount it should have paid in the first place; unlike Oklahoma and other states, Pennsylvania law does not allow for any additional interest on unpaid royalties and sets a very high bar for winning punitive penalties.

"They just wait to see who challenges them, they keep what they keep, they give up what they lose," said Root, the NARO chapter president. "It may just be part of their business decision to do it this way."

A controversy that started more than two years ago, during the waning days of Gov. Haley Barbour's final term in office, sparking a lengthy legal battle between environmentalists and state officials, could be decided before the end of the month.

Any day now, Hinds County Chancery Judge William Singletary is expected to hand down his ruling on the question of whether the Mississippi Development Authority properly developed rules for mineral testing, exploration and, ultimately, drilling off the coast in the Mississippi Sound.

Ever since Barbour announced that MDA would draft rules for seismic testing—which energy companies conduct to determine the amount of oil and gas there is in an area before they start drilling—environmental groups have claimed that setting up drilling rigs could threaten ecosystems and discourage tourism.

About three dozen people, including citizens and representatives from the plaintiff groups, the Mississippi Sierra Club and New Orleans-based Gulf Restoration Network, jammed into Singletary's courtroom on Jan. 6.

"That's fundamentally arbitrary," Wiygul said.

Roy Tipton, an assistant attorney general representing MDA, argued in court that the agency made its decision after hearing substantial evidence at a public hearing in early 2012. Tipton added that in drafting the rules, MDA was only following orders from the state Legislature, which in 2004 divided the portion of the Gulf of Mexico that lies in state-owned waters into blocks that could later be leased to energy firms for exploration.

"There is nothing in MDA's grant of authority that says they have the right to second-guess the Legislature or decide if they may or may not lease the land," Tipton said in open court.

Wiygul's clients assert that MDA does have an obligation to consider the broad economic effects of its decisions, however. They have relied on a fall 2012 report issued by engineer Jeffrey K. Bounds, who attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has family on the Mississippi Coast. Bounds' findings, which Wiygul presented in court, show that even if one in 20 visitors—or 5 percent—stay away from the Gulf Coast because of the of unsightly drilling derricks out on the horizon, the loss of state tourism revenue over the life of the reserve would amount to $168.5 million.

Pro-drilling state officials dismiss those claims, saying that boundaries the Legislature set in 2004 would prohibit drilling between the mainland and barrier islands and within one mile south of the barrier islands, creating a two-mile-wide strip at least 10 miles away from the coast where drilling companies would be able to lease.
 The state has long maintained that opening state waters to oil and gas drilling represents a potential windfall for jobs and economic development.

Leland Speed, the former MDA executive director, wrote a letter before stepping down from his post in which he estimated the state could collect between $241 million and $523 million in royalties, with more than 97.5 percent going to the state's education trust fund.

Bernard Weinstein, associate director of the Maguire Energy Institute and professor of business economics at Southern Methodist University, points to the fact that the boom in onshore natural gas production was helped along by the process of hydraulic fracturing as a reason why oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico makes perfect sense.

Weinstein dismisses critics who argue that drilling alone would deter tourists from visiting the coast.

"There's no impact on tourism unless you have a major spill. I think the prospect of a major spill is unlikely," Weinstein told the Jackson Free Press, adding that the Deepwater Horizon explosion and disaster led to more stringent oversight of drillers.

Wiygul said that if Singletary directs MDA to conduct an economic-impact statement, his clients hope the report will show that drilling in the Sound will cause major harm to the economies of coastal cities.

"They basically decided the question before they started the process."

"It didn't matters what the public said or what the facts said. They asked the public for comment and they advertised and all that stuff but they had already decided what they were going to do," Wiygul told the Jackson Free Press.

Growing up, I didn't know very much about my great-grandparents. I have few memories of them. Once, I was visiting my great-grandmother in the hospital when I was very young. I asked why she was sick. My mother responded, "She swallowed too much smoke." To this day I remember being told that, even at an age when I could not read or write. Oral traditions and stories are still just as powerful as they ever were.

Although I've looked through old photographs to see astoundingly young versions of my father's grandparents, I never really knew them. I don't get a sense of just who they were in their lives. They're a mystery to me.

This mystery extends to my grandparents, who hold great significance and wonder for me. I am curious: What were they like when they my age? What would it be like to meet them? What would we talk about? The difference is that I've spent a lot of time with my grandparents (even the ones that are no longer here) compared to my great-grandparents, but I'm still curious.

Now all that's changed. People 100 years from now will not have such mysteries. They'll have different ones.

Imagine a future where, if you are curious about your great-grandmother, you can find all there is to know through social media—her baby pictures posted on her mother's Facebook page, a Vine of her taking her first steps with a family pet, the Instagram selfie she posted when she graduated high school or her Pinterest filled with her subtle hopes. If you want to know what she sounded like, you can watch a video she posted of herself goofing around on a random Sunday. Here are her favorite movies and books, here's what music she listened to on Spotify. Here are her thousands of tweets she accumulated in her life.

Through all of this, how can we retain mystery? What are the aspects about us that we don't post on social media? It turns out, thankfully, that we don't share everything. It also turns out that what we don't share is more valuable than what we share.

For example, have you ever had the pleasure of meeting someone new, looking at their profile somewhere, going through all their pictures, going through the years of posts and funny quotes, and then meeting them again? You know and have seen all of this information, but what did it really tell you about them? So they like to post pictures of themselves with quotes that require a Google search. What exactly does that tell you about them other than that plain fact? Perhaps it's not too dissimilar from reading an extensive biography of someone and yet still wondering, what were they like in real life?

Technology, in the broadest sense of the word, allows us to interact with our loved ones in astonishing ways. Just this Christmas, I watched my grandmother FaceTime with my sister in Wyoming (my grandmother initiated it on her iPad).

Socially, a great deal of our culture is now infused with different modes of communication. These technological devices are getting cheaper to produce, so it's easier for more people to participate. This can change not only the way we see each other, but times in history. We now live in a world where soldiers post from the front lines of Afghanistan, where we see the protesters in Egypt and Yemen, thousands of miles away ... instantly.

Even with all this technology (much like new "technologies": the written word, books and TV, etc.), love still confounds us. It's still a mystery why we love whom we love. Sure, we can point to science for evidence—there's plenty of that, but the answers are unsatisfying. We can be in a "relationship" with every avenue available to "get in touch" with someone, except for the one that's most valuable these days: hanging out, taking a walk or ride or drive, having a meal, watching "Sherlock" on Netflix, lounging around in bed.

Although I'm exhilarated with the multitude of ways I can interact with the people I love, I'm more pleased with the mysteries that plain facts and texts cannot convey—a laugh, the brilliant color of their eyes, the feel of a cool hand, and the warmth of an embrace.