Summer 2012- Jackson, MS

It's that time of year again, when the days get longer and kids run around carefree; it's summertime! Some ways that we think you might enjoy spending your summer in Jackson:

- June 2: Mississippi Boychoir Spring Concert- current and former choir members perform selections from Mozart, John Rutter, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more. Free! Fondren Presbyterian Church, more info.

 - June 5: Snake Day- MS Museum of Natural Science, See a snake exhibit and learn to identify them. Hepetologist Bryan Fredrick gives lectures at 10am and noon. Regular admission price applies. More info.

- June 14: Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey: Barnum Bash- MS Coliseum, enjoy the circus like you've never seen it before. See animals up close, visit with performers, try on costumes and more. Tickets start at $14. More info.

- June 16: Annual Car Show- Jackson Zoo, enjoy an exhibit of vintage and customized cars. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children. More info.
- June 17: Father's Appreciation Day- Jackson Zoo, Fathers receive half off admission for Father's Day with paying for a child's admission. More info.
- June 23: Breakfast with the Beavers and Otters- What better way to start the day than by having a delicious breakfast in a climate controlled Mississippi Wilderness Aquatic Building and watching the antics of the zoo's favorite furry swimmers- the otters. Enjoy breakfast and fun family activities from 7-9 and then enjoy a day at the zoo-all for one low price. Admission applies. More info.

- June 28: Red, White and Jackson- Downtown Jackson, Join in the fifth annual Red, White, and Jackson. Free. For more information, call 601-946-7575.
- July 4: Watermelon Classic- MS Sports Hall of Fame, this annual race includes a 5K run/walk, a one-mile wellness run and a Tot Trot for children ages 3 and under. Watermelon served after the race. Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. More info.

- July 14: Ice Cream Safari- Jackson Zoo, Sample more than a dozen ice cream flavors scooped by local television, radio and print media celebrities, and vote for your favorite flavor as well as favorite celebrity scooper. Admission. More info.

 Get out this Summer and explore all Jackson has to offer. Remember, we have some great things to do right here in Jackson! Make sure to check out the MS Children's Museum, Natural Science Museum, Jackson Zoo, Old Capitol Museum, MS Museum of Art, Ag and Forestry Museum, MS Sports Hall of Fame, and so many others- you're sure to discover a new adventure!

Queen of the Mississippi- historic cruises

American Cruise Lines to Feature Civil War Cruises Aboard Queen of the Mississippi
Source: www.civilwar.com 

American Cruise Lines has announced the offering of a series of Civil War theme cruises aboard its brand new authentic paddlewheeler, Queen of the Mississippi, currently under construction in Salisbury, Maryland for its 2012 inaugural season.

Passengers will be invited to retrace the steps of the Civil War, discovering famous museums such as Vicksburg’s National Military Park and New Orleans’ Civil War Museum, the oldest museum in Louisiana; memorial monuments such as the 60-foot-tall statue of Robert E. Lee; and famous historic battlefields including those of Vicksburg and Nashville. Onboard, passengers will enjoy era-inspired cuisine, music and entertainment, while sharing war theories along the way with onboard Civil War historians and lecturers. Dependent on itinerary, each theme cruise will feature elements specific to each destination, making for a truly exclusive experience.

Civil War theme cruises are available on three of American Cruise Lines Mississippi River itineraries:

St. Louis – Cincinnati

7 night cruise departing September 22, 2012 from St. Louis, MO

Ports of Call:  St. Louis, MO; Cape Girardeau, MO; Paducah, KY; Cave In Rock, IL; Henderson, KY; Mt. Vernon, IN; Louisville, KY; Madison, IN; Cincinnati, OH

New Orleans – Memphis

7 night cruise departing November 17, 2012 from New Orleans, LA

Ports of Call: New Orleans, LA; Oak Alley, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; St. Francisville, LA; Natchez, MS; Vicksburg, MS; Helena, AR; Memphis, TN

New Orleans Roundtrip

7 night cruise departing December 8, 2012 from New Orleans, LA

Ports of Call: New Orleans, LA; Natchez, MS; Vicksburg, MS; St. Francisville, LA; Baton Rouge, LA; Oak Alley, LA

Noted Civil War historian, Dr. Michael Deeb, will also be joining passengers aboard the Queen of the Mississippi. Dr. Deeb is the author of several Civil War era historical novels including his latest novel, The Lincoln Assassination. He also writes book reviews for the Civil War News and the New York Journal of Books.

The Queen of the Mississippi carries 150 guests in spacious staterooms, many of which are twice the size of those on any other Mississippi riverboat. Staterooms feature large private balconies with sliding glass doors and all of the amenities today’s travelers expect, while maintaining the elegance of classic late 1800s Mississippi riverboats. American Cruise Lines will operate the authentic paddlewheeler over the entire Mississippi River System, including the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. The Queen of the Mississippi will also be able to travel at significantly higher speeds than all other Mississippi riverboats, minimizing night travel and making more itineraries possible with longer visits to the river towns. A number of unique riverboat journeys are planned that take passengers as far north as St. Paul, MN on the Mississippi River and as far east as Pittsburgh, PA on the Ohio River.

For more information about cruising on the mighty Mississippi with American Cruise Lines, please visit americancruiselines.com or call 1-800-814-6880. Our reservations office is open seven days a week to assist you.

Mississippi in the Springtime

For those who live in Mississippi or who have traveled to the state during the Spring have probably noticed all of the beautiful plants in bloom. However, there are a couple distinct plants to the area that probably catch the eye first.

Rhododendrons, specifically Azaleas (of the genus Rhododendron) are arguably the South's favorite shrubs. In fact, no plant has shaped the Southern garden more than the Indica Azalea, which first came to us from Japan. By 1845, the largest and oldest collection of Azaleas flourished at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens up the Ashley River from Charleston. Azaleas are planted planted abundantly as ornamentals in the Southeast United States. They bloom in Spring with their blooms lasting several weeks. 

 Another plant/tree distinct to the Southern region is the Southern Magnolia Tree. The Southern Magnolia is one of the best known trees found in Mississippi and throughout the South. As the state flower and tree, Mississippians have a strong love for Magnolia trees. In 1986, the American Forestry Association awarded a Southern Magnolia in Smith County, MS, the distinctive National Champion. At a height of 122 feet and diameter of over six feet, this tree became the largest Southern Magnolia reported in the United States. Flowers appear at intervals during the summer on the Magnolia tree. In 1938, Mississippians elected the Magnolia as the state tree and in 1952 the Magnolia flower as the official state flower. The Magnolia tree located at the Fairview Inn is a favorite spot for travelers and locals alike to take a photo opp.

Some of the most famous gardens in the South include Mynelle Gardens in Jackson, MS, the Biltmore Gardens in Asheville, NC, and Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, AL.

 Bellingrath Gardens

 Mynelle Gardens

Biltmore Gardens

Easter Egg Hunt 2012- Jackson, MS

Easter is only a week away! A couple of local attractions have some eggciting fun planned for this weekend and Easter weekend.

 Strawberry Patch Park- Madison
Saturday, March 31
Kids ages 3-9
Sponsored by the City of Madison and the Madison Beautification Commission. Face painting, arts and crafts, a strawberry dessert contest and entertainment by Inky the Clown.Begins promptly at 10AM-12noon.  More info. 

Diabetes Foundation of MS
Highland Village
Saturday, March 31
Annual Easter Egg Hunt. More than 1,000 eggs hidden with prizes awarded to all egg hunters. 10AM-11AM. More info.

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
Saab Park on Liberty Drive, Canton
Thursday, April 5
Hunt eggs by flashlight starting at 7PM on April 5. Bring basket and flashlight.

Brandon Easter Egg Hunt
Shiloh Park
Thursday, April 5
Eggs dropping from the sky! 17,000 eggs dropped from a helicopter, space jumps, train rides, petting zoo. Bring a basket! 5:30PM-8:30PM.

KidsFest
City of Ridgeland, Freedom Ridge Park
Peter Cottontail visits KidsFest on April 6 and April 7. More info.
Ridgeland
Renaissance at Colony Park Easter Egg Hunt, April 7 from 11AM-1PM. Space jumps, spider jumps, and more. Kids ages 2-9. More info.

City of Flowood
13th Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 7. 10AM-12noon 
Liberty Park behind Flowood YMCA. 2,500-3,000 expected to attend. Space jumps, kid karaoke, petting zoo, face painting and goodie bags. More info. 

Jackson Zoo
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Saturday, April 7
Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet from 7AM - 8AM, then beginning at 8AM, take a special zoo tour to select animal exhibits where animals will be given a special Easter treat! Admission applies. **RSVP and pre-ticket purchase are required to attend this event. Click here for ticket purchase or call 601-352-2500.
More info.

After Breakfast with the Easter Bunny hop on over to the Ag Museum for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Egg hunt, egg decorating, games, pony, carousel and train rides, pictures with the Easter Bunny and more! You don't want to miss this.
MS Ag Museum
Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 7
9AM - 12noon. Prices: $6 adults, $4 children ages 3-18 (under 3, free).

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALL EASTER EGG HUNTS IN THE JACKSON METRO AREA, CLICK HERE. 

St. Patrick's Day Events- Jackson, MS

St. Patrick's Day is observed on March 17, the date of St. Patrick's death. Legend has it that St. Patrick was the one to drive the snakes out of Ireland. This, however, is not true and it is said the snakes actually represent the pagans that he converted to Christianity. Wikipedia gives a great explanation as to why there are no snakes in Ireland, read here.

 Fun facts about St. Patrick's Day:
- The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland- it was in New York City in 1762 when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through the city.
- In Ireland on St. Patrick's Day, people traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear orange, white and green badges, and women and girls wear green ribbons in their hair.

- Been pinched on St. Patrick's Day for not wearing green? Ever wonder why? An entirely American tradition that is said to have started in the 1700s, those wearing green were thought to be made invisible to leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch anyone they could see (not wearing green).
- 34 million people have Irish ancestry, that's almost 9 times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

 - One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular 3 leaf clovers for every one lucky 4 leaf clover.
- It is said that each leaf of the clover means something- the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love and the fourth is for luck.

 - The city with the largest population of Americans of Irish descent is Boston (23%).
- The original Guinness Brewery in Dublin has a 9,000 year lease. 
More St. Patrick's Fun Facts  

St. Patrick's Day fun in Jackson: 
Mal's St. Paddy's Parade, which began in 1983, is one of the largest St. Patrick's parades in the country (drawing over 65,000 each year). The theme this year is "that's what I like about the South." To visit parade website, click here.

Parade festivities include:
8AM- Parade Race, 5k run, 5k walk, 1 mile fun run
9AM- Trustmark Children's Festival
10AM- Pet Parade
11AM- Children's Parade
1PM- Parade Starts
After Parade- Street Dance, $5, no coolers or pets

For more info on schedule: click here. 

Octavia Spencer- Oscar Win, Acceptance Speech

 Whether it was Minny's chocolate pie or her no-room-for-nonsense attitude, many who read the novel "The Help" or saw the film came to love the character of Minny. 

What better person to portray Minny on the big screen than the actual person who inspired Kathryn Stockett to create the character of Minny. Octavia Spencer, who portrays Minny in the film, and Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help, have been friends since 2003. Kathryn has said in several interviews that Octavia's overall mannerisms and her whole being inspired the creation of Minny.

After landing the role of Minny in the film, Octavia Spencer spent six hot summer months in Mississippi filming. Jacksonians and Mississippians in particular seem to have a personal connection with the movie, actors, etc., since the story has a close tie to many of their lives.

 Mississippians could not be happier or more proud of the job done by Octavia Spencer (and the whole cast and crew of "The Help")! It is The Mississippi Film Office's hope that the film will help showcase the Magnolia State as a premier filming location. They have even created bigger incentives to filming in the state. Check out the interview with the Mississippi Film Office, here.

The Fairview Inn was so inspired by the novel, "The Help," that a themed package was created. This package includes overnight accommodations at the Fairview (mentioned in the novel), a special welcome basket filled with Mississippi themed items, a self driving tour of locations mentioned in the novel, mint juleps, and a Southern dinner for two. See more on the package, here.

CONGRATULATIONS Octavia Spencer for winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress! Acceptance Speech

"Fried chicken just tend to make you feel better bout life." - Minny Jackson

Innsider's Scoop on Top 25 Things to Explore in Jackson, MS

As a Jacksonian and Innkeeper, here are my favorite things to explore, places to eat and just have fun.

So, come on down y'all!

1. Eudora Welty House, located in the historic Belhaven neighborhood, within walking distance of the Fairview Inn, you'll find the Tudor looking home of one of Mississippi's prolific writer's and Pulitzer Prize winner, Eudora Welty. Tours are offered by reservation.

2. Mississippi Museum of Art, this modern museum offers several permanent collections of Mississippi Art as well as special featured exhibitions. Unique events are held throughout the year. Check out their calendar.

3. Renaissance Shopping, located just north of downtown Jackson, in the suburb of Ridgeland at Colony Parkway, is a collection of fine national brand-name and local boutique stores, with plenty of dining and special events year round.

4. MS Crafts Center, pottery, art, jewelry, weaving- you name it, the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi offers a fine selection for viewing or purchase. Located north of downtown, off the Natchez Trace and near the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

5. New Stage Theatre, the best local theatre you will find anywhere. Located in the Belhaven historic neighborhood. Shows available year round.

6. Underground 119, available for dinner, but comes alive after 8pm with local talented musicians offering up jazz, blues and sometimes Bluegrass. Located downtown.

7. Viking Cooking School, learn to cook great recipes, study and sample wines in intimate classes with fun Chef Instructors. Great experience alone, as couples or with a group of friends. Pre-booking required. Visit website and click on Ridgeland location.

8. Pickenpaugh Pottery, try your hand at throwing some clay and taking home a unique memento. Let Robert and Merry show you how it's done at their Saturday classes. If you can't make their class it's worth a visit to browse their shop.

9. Koinonia Coffee House, visit Lee & Alexis at this eclectic home that emphasizes the cultural aspects of our community, offering pottery, music or art (along with a good cup of coffee). Stop by Friday mornings early to hear the sages in the Jackson Community talk about politics, social issues or new developments in our city.

10. Fondren Antiques, shop or just gaze at a collection of fine antique stores and collectibles for home interiors. The Fondren neighborhood recently underwent a renaissance of development with new and renovated retro period stores and great options for lunch and/or dinner.

11. Brent's Drugs, the location for filming scenes from the movie, "The Help," Brent's also offers up a great burger and malted shake. Although no longer selling pharmaceuticals, this Jackson classic will take you back to the fifties with a soda fountain and menu to boot.

12. MS Children's Museum, great for families or kids at heart, this state-of-the-art museum offers loads of fun and learning experiences for kids to experience all about Mississippi, healthy eating, reading and arts.

13. Vicksburg Trip, Just 40 minutes West of Jackson, Vicksburg offers great vistas of the mighty Mississippi River and a historic drive through National Military Park. With narrated Civil War history available on CD to listen to as you are driving, and the ability to be able to stop around the Park on your own schedule. You will be moved by the cemetery at the end of the drive.

14. Walker's Drive-In, one of the best restaurants in Jackson. The paradoxical atmosphere of a gourmet restaurant set up in an old drive in, as well as a greasy spoon lunch fused with a gourmet touch makes this classic a mult-layered favorite. James Beard recognized Chef Derek Emerson features great seafood in this eclectic, hip eatery.

15. Seasonal Events, throughout the year Jackson offers up some great reasons to visit. Experience the Mal's St. Paddy's Day Parade, Taste of Mississippi, Sante South Wine Festival, or the Mississippi Blues Marathon, to name a few.

16. Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, from the classics to contemporary music, this talented group of musicians always put on a great concert with visiting soloists also adding to the fun. I especially like Pepsi Pops outside at the Reservoir in May under the stars with fireworks.

17. Fenian's Pub, about as Irish as it gets, this Belhaven neighborhood pub (just a few blocks from the Fairview) offers traditional pub food, great pints on tap and a variety of great live music most evenings. You can even try your hand at Karaoke on Mondays or if you have musical talent open mike on Tuesdays.

18. Old Capitol Museum, newly renovated, this original State Capitol (and Mississippi's most historic building) is now a museum that presents the history of politics and governance in our State. Many interactive exhibits and super architecture make it well worth the visit. And did I say it's all FREE! You may also wish to hire Forrest Cooper from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to give you the real tour of our Capital City.

19. Natchez Trace, one of the most beautiful drives of scenic highway anywhere. Great for biking, the Trace has stops for hikers also, and runs from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN right through Jackson. Trucks are not permitted and the speed limit is 50mph.

20.Old Trace Park-Ross Barnett Reservoir, take a picnic lunch to this scenic park overlooking the Ross Barnett Reservoir. Great vistas, ideal at sunrise or sunset, and close to boat rentals (at Main Harbor) if you choose to fish or take in the views from the water.

21. Lemuria Bookstore, this quintessential bookstore has been around since the mid 70's and is perfect for rainy day browsing or picking out that special Mississippi souvenir. Taking up almost the entire floor of Banner Hall, John Evans, the owner, puts together some great events, readings and author book signings and is a great resource for almost anything. You won't be disappointed.

22. Delta Blues Trip, you can't leave Mississippi without experiencing the Blues and there is no better place to experience the blues than a trip to the Delta. My perfect day includes a trip to the BB King Museum in Indianola, lunch at the Crystal Grill in Greenwood, then head up Route 61 checking out the Mississippi Blues Trail markers along the way to Clarksdale. While in Clarksdale, you must see the Delta Blues Museum, have dinner at Madidi's (owned by Morgan Freeman) and then enjoy live music at Ground Zero Blues Club or Red's Lounge for a real blues experience. If staying late, plan to stay overnight at the Shack Up Inn before returning to Jackson.

23. MS Museum of Natural Science, located in LeFleur Bluff State Park, the museum's mission is to focus on the protection of Mississippi's natural landscape and it's inhabitants through education. On 300 acres and with 2.5 miles of trails, the museum has a 100,000 gallon aquarium and over 30,000 sq. feet of exhibits. It's fun for the kids and the entire family.

24. Two Sisters Kitchen, some of the best Southern "comfort food" around. On the menu- Fried Chicken, Grits, Okra and Bread Pudding, just to name a few. This all you can eat country style buffet is true soul food and you cannot leave Jackson without sampling true Southern cooking.

25. Hal & Mal's, a fixture in Jackson for over forty years, owners Hal & Mal White created this upscale "honky tonk" with art memorabilia, New Orleans influenced food, live music, and a great atmosphere favored by the locals. Monday night has great Blues Musicians.