And A Very Good morning Tupelo! Today is Monday, December 9, 2019. It is the 343rd day of the year. There are only 22 days left. Winter officially starts in 10 days, Hanukkah begins in 13 days, and Christmas is just 17 days from today.
Today’s Rundown is sponsored by Kyle Barker at Comcast Business.
For home business or people who work from home, you can use business class internet at home instead of xfinity, which gives them no data cap, commercial grade equipment, and a 3-hour (versus 7-day) residential response time! For new service, contact your local account executive Kyle Barker at (662) 372-0567.
FOOD TRUCKS
Tupelo’s Food Trucks can be found today at the following locations:
Today in Tupelo, there are several things going on!
You can find Photos with Santa at the Mall at Barnes Crossing in the Belk Wing today from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. They close to take a break from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Also, Paw-fect Pics with Santa at the Mall at Barnes Crossing means that you can bring your pets for photos with Santa tonight as well! *Dogs and cats only please, and pet photos are available from 5:00 p.m. to set close.
Tupelo-Lee Humane Society invites you to Kitten Yoga! Kitten Yoga is held every Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. Classes are $10 per person and will be taught by professional yoga instructors in an environment filled with kitten happiness!
Tupelo Community Theatre will hold auditions for Puffs by Matt Cox auditions on December 9 at 6:00 p.m. at TCT Off Broadway at 213 East Franklin Street. No advance preparation is needed, but those auditioning should be at least 21 years of age or older. Marley Maharrey will direct, and the production dates are February 13 through 15, 2020. For more information, please contact the director at msmaharrey@gmail.com, or call the TCT office at (662) 844-1935.
Grace Oasis Church is hosting Sewing Lessons for Teens and Adults at 5:30 p.m. today through the 11th. The instructor for this event will be Vanya Kovacheva, who has been a Fashion and Costume designer for 20 years. There is Limited Seating for this event each day, so please register by emailing your name to graceoasistupelo@gmail.com.
VOW Yoga Studio invites you to join them for some cardio dance and holiday festivities at 5:30 p.m.. They will also have mini facials, low sugar holiday cocktails, and their two dietitians talking about how to get through the holidays without all the food shaming.
Local Events Outside of Tupelo
Outside of Tupelo, there are some other events you might like to check out:
In Fulton, check out the Trees & Treats Tour. Take a tour of Christmas Trees decorated in the theme of each participant in Fulton. Take your picture with the themed trees and make sure to get your treat too! Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
— Christmas Parades —
There are several Christmas parades happening today! Cities and times are as follows:
Belmont – 6:00 p.m. Okolona – 7:00 p.m. Vardaman – 6:00 p.m. West Point – 6:30 p.m.
—MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT—
Unfortunately, we didn’t find any live music or other entertainment listed anywhere today for Tupelo or the surrounding areas.
If we missed listing an event you know of, let us know!
Want us to know about something coming up? Just tag our Facebook page, or you can even mark us co-host on an event you are having on your Facebook event listing. You can also send us a message on our Facebook page, or shoot us an email at submit@ourtupelo.com and we will help you share it.
Be sure to check out our extended calendar of events as well, for upcoming happenings in the area!
Have a great day and get out there and enjoy Our Tupelo!
* We update all listings periodically as new information becomes available.
Good morning Tupelo! Today is Sunday, December 8, 2019. It is the 342nd day of the year. There are only 23 days left. Winter officially starts in 11 days, Hanukkah begins in 14 days, and Christmas is just 17 days from today.
Today’s Rundown is sponsored by Kyle Barker at Comcast Business! Comcast offers services for internet, phone, tv, cloud access, office 365, web security, security cameras, back-up internet and so much more available! For new service, contact your local account executive Kyle Barker at (662) 372-0567.
HAPPENING TODAY
There’s quite a bit going on today in Tupelo! Let’s dive in.
You can find Photos with Santa at the Mall at Barnes Crossing in the Belk Wing today from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. They close to take a break from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
At the Bancorpsouth Arena, Disney On Ice: Celebrate Memories will have one showing at 2:00 p.m.. Your favorite Disney stories come to life! Sail along with Moana on her high-seas adventure and dance with Woody, Buzz, and all the Toy Story friends. Feel inspired when love wins in Frozen, and when dreams come true for the Disney Princesses. Share the excitement and make new memories the whole family will treasure forever! *Note: Costumes not permitted for guests 14 years & older.
Grace Oasis Church is hosting Sewing Lessons for Teens and Adults at 5:30 p.m. through December the 11th. The instructor for this event will be Vanya Kovacheva, who has been a Fashion and Costume designer for 20 years. There is Limited Seating for this event each day, so please register by emailing your name to graceoasistupelo@gmail.com.
Join Harrisburg Baptist Church on Sunday evening, December 8th at 6:00 p.m. in the Worship Center as their Music Ministry presents “Christmas Joy” highlighting the music that celebrates Christ in the most wonderful time of the year. This will be a night of worship with beautiful music for the Christmas season!
There will be a Christmas Party and Open House at Hope Unbridled Equestrian Program on Sunday, December 8, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Come and have your picture made with some horses who are getting ready for Christmas!
Tupelo Community Theatre will hold auditions for Puffs by Matt Cox auditions on December 8 at 2:00 p.m. and again on December 9 at 6:00 p.m. at TCT Off Broadway at 213 East Franklin Street. No advance preparation is needed, but those auditioning should be at least 21 years of age or older. Marley Maharrey will direct, and the production dates are February 13 through 15, 2020. For more information, please contact the director at msmaharrey@gmail.com, or call the TCT office at (662) 844-1935.
Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo invites you to their Christmas Night of Worship this evening at 6:00 p.m.. This event is presented by the Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra, Sanctuary Bells, Singin’ Saints, and Children’s Choirs.
Downtown Tupelo Bike Gang is having a Holiday Hangout this afternoon! Meet at the east side of Mugshots, by the patio, at 3:00 p.m. for a bike ride, and then hangout after. Holiday flair encouraged! If you haven’t yet, please bring a donation of new underwear or socks for the homeless.
Local Events Outside of Tupelo
Outside of Tupelo, there are some other events you might like to check out:
In Fulton, check out the Trees & Treats Tour. Take a tour of Christmas Trees decorated in the theme of each participant in Fulton. Take your picture with the themed trees and make sure to get your treat too! Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Parades
There are some Christmas parades happening today! Cities and times are as follows:
Mooreville – 3:00 p.m. Rienzi – 2:00 p.m.
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
Unfortunately, we didn’t find any live music or other entertainment listed anywhere today for Tupelo or the surrounding areas.
If we missed listing an event you know of, let us know!
Want us to know about something coming up? Just tag our Facebook page, or you can even mark us co-host on an event you are having on your Facebook event listing. You can also send us a message on our Facebook page, or shoot us an email at submit@ourtupelo.com and we will help you share it.
Be sure to check out our extended calendar of events as well, for upcoming happenings in the area!
Have a great day and get out there and enjoy Our Tupelo!
* We update all listings periodically as new information becomes available.
Do you ever have one of those days when you feel like just giving up? I mean one of those days when it feels like the misery will never end. You may have started the day with so many high hopes, so many ideas, so many dreams. Then, BAM! Like a thief in the night, they were taken away from you. Who or what took them can sometimes be a mystery. All you know is that the energy is gone.
If you have never experienced one of these days, lucky you. But if you have, I feel less alone. You see, I recently had one of those days. I was so excited to finish a certain project, but then I received unexpected news — no, let me say devastating news. I was bewildered, with no answers in sight. I had two choices: to put up or shut up. I could either continue to pout about the problem, or I could fight my way through the problem.
I chose to fight and push through.
I am not going to tell you that pushing through is easy, but I will tell you that it’s worth it.
The opposite of pushing through can be giving up. And some people take that path. But why? A few reasons you may feel like it’s not worth the fight: You may not feel like exerting the effort; the follow-through may not be worth it for the end result; you may have changed your mind or course of action; you didn’t want to, or if I can say the “L” word…you may have become a little lazy.
Of course, everyone has their reasons for giving up, and sometimes it may even be necessary for your wellness in the moment. If it is necessary, then dust the dirt off and keep it moving. Tomorrow is a new day, and we can try again.
But for me, giving up that day was not an option because I truly believed in my project. I believed in myself, even if no one else did. And this belief in myself gave me the courage to push through.
A few things that helped me push through:
1. I had a sincere and profound belief in myself and in my idea.
2. I was truly excited about the potential outcome, and knew that my goal was achievable.
3. I enjoy creating, planning, and organizing.
4. I knew that my idea would help others.
Seeing value in my idea helped reduce the fear and doubt surrounding the devastating news mentioned earlier. Do not get me wrong, I did consider the criticism. I believe learning to appropriately respond to the criticism can be a part of the growth process. Yet, I chose not to yield to it.
Friends, do ya’ll remember as kids getting tickled at something and not being able to stop laughing? It didn’t matter what was going on around you, you were laughing and couldn’t stop! And it usually was contagious to any other kid nearby!
I remember this happening lots of times, even in church! But there is one time it happened that I will never forget! We were going to Memphis for something, and Emory, John Barry, Jeff, and I were riding in the back of the pickup.
Now don’t freak out, this was pretty common back then. Kids rode in the back! I didn’t say it was safe, just that we did it! Dad had one of those old camper covers and we were under it, sitting in lawn chairs, looking backward! Now you can add up all the things wrong with that picture!
Well, we stopped for gas, and had the back window up, and apparently the old boy who pumped the gas didn’t know how to duck his head — but he was fixing to learn!
He came running around the corner and — WHAM! — he ran straight into the corner of that window!
It shook the whole pickup!
Of course, he screamed out some cuss words while holding his head; he even put his old grease rag on it to stop the bleeding! But he was a tough one; he went ahead and started the gas pump, and then he started to go doctor up!
Here is where we got so tore up laughing…
When he started back around the pickup, John Barry hollered out, “Duck! Duck!” to which he responded with some more unkind words!
We just fell out laughing at this poor guy, holding a grease rag on his head, and cussing like a sailor!
And we knew he was going to come back directly to turn of the pump! So after we quit laughing long enough to get a breath, John Barry said, “When he comes back, let’s all scream DUCK at the same time!”
We waited till he came back, turned off the pump, and started back around the back, and then we all screamed DUCK! at the top of our lungs, and you ain’t going to believe what happened next!
Yep, he ran into that window again!!
Now, we just couldn’t help it — we fell down laughing!
He continued to spray cuss words into the air and we continued to laugh!
He was still cussing up a storm while we drove off!
Good morning Tupelo! Today is Saturday, December 7, 2019. It is the 341st day of the year. There are only 24 days left. Winter officially starts in 12 days, Hanukkah begins in 15 days, and Christmas is just 18 days from today.
Today’s Rundown is sponsored by Kyle Barker at Comcast Business!
Comcast Business offers backup internet if there is an outage so you are always up and running! For new service, contact your local account executive Kyle Barker at (662) 372-0567.
FOOD TRUCKS
Tupelo’s Food Trucks can be found today at the following locations:
There’s so much going on today in Tupelo! Let’s dive in.
The Link Centre‘s 2019 Holiday Market is today, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Hosted at the Link Centre Reception Hall, this is a free event, fun for the whole family! A platform for community entrepreneurs to present their wares, The Holiday Market welcomes YOU to come and enjoy great finds and support your local artists and artisans at the same time. If you want a cool holiday photo, come check out their traditionally non-traditional Santa photo op.
The Link Centre will also be hosting a Womanless Beauty Pageant, as a fundraiser for Guardian Angel Elderly Outreach Ministry, who provides residents at Assisted Living Facilities with Christmas baskets full of items of wants and needs that bring so much joy to them, and also for participants! Please come out and join us for an evening of laughter and help us raise funds to provide for as many facilities that we can reach! This event will be help from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will include formal wear, a talent competition, and a swimsuit competition.
The Tupelo Ballet will be performing the holiday classic The Nutcracker at the Tupelo High School Performing Arts Center. There will be a 2:00 p.m. Matinee show as well as an evening show at 7:30 p.m.. This ballet includes a 200-member cast, featuring Clara’s beautiful dream with live music by the North Mississippi Orchestra. Go to Tupeloballet.com and click the gold ticket to order your tickets.
Cooking as a First Language is hosting a German Christmas Market Cooking Class! This is a family-friendly event, and will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. With the help of our German friend, Margarete Garner (Simply Sweet by Margarete Bakery), Hannah Maharrey will lead kids ages 7-11 in making traditional German Christmas Market Foods. Note: There will be a recipe involving nuts. So for the kids who have nut allergies, stay tuned for the next class!
You can find Photos with Santa at the Mall at Barnes Crossing in the Belk Wing today from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. They close to take a break from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m..
If you have little ones, you will love StoryTime with Barnes & Noble at the Barnes & Noble at Barnes Crossing! They have it every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and then again at 3:00 p.m.
At the Bancorpsouth Arena, Disney On Ice: Celebrate Memories will have showings at 11:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m.. Your favorite Disney stories come to life! Sail along with Moana on her high-seas adventure and dance with Woody, Buzz, and all the Toy Story friends. Feel inspired when love wins in Frozen, and when dreams come true for the Disney Princesses. Share the excitement and make new memories the whole family will treasure forever! *Note: Costumes not permitted for guests 14 years & older.
Grace Oasis Church is hosting Sewing Lessons for Teens and Adults at 5:30 p.m. on December 5th through the 11th. The instructor for this event will be Vanya Kovacheva, who has been a Fashion and Costume designer for 20 years. There is Limited Seating for this event each day, so please register by emailing your name to graceoasistupelo@gmail.com.
A special program of dulcimer music will be provided by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Parkway Visitor Center located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi. The North Mississippi Dulcimer Association teaches dulcimer history, tradition, craftsmanship, and music by sharing its knowledge and talents. The National Park Service and the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association invite everyone to listen to the soft sweet sounds of the dulcimer and learn about its extensive history.
Extreme Athletics and All Shook Up have partnered to bring you Flips and Flapjacks with Santa! This event will be held at Extreme Athletics from 9:00 a.m. to noon. They invite you to join them for Breakfast with Santa, photos, writing letters, and some tumbling. There will be an obstacle course for the young athletes as well. Grab a ticket early for only $10 or it will be $15 at the door.
Shoe Country Warehouse in Tupelo will have Photos with Santa from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Local Events Outside of Tupelo
Outside of Tupelo, there are some other events you might like to check out:
In Fulton, check out the Trees & Treats Tour. Take a tour of Christmas Trees decorated in the theme of each participant in Fulton. Take your picture with the themed trees and make sure to get your treat too! Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Also in Fulton, the Itawamba County Pratt Memorial Library invites you to their Special Saturday STEM-in-Action Christmas Celebration! Starting at 11:00 a.m., they will have Children’s Musician Jacob Johnson to deliver a blend of Christmas music and Musical Science Fun. At approximately noon, Old Saint Nick himself will arrive to hear the kiddies’ Christmas lists and to pose for pictures. They will also read Christmas stories, do some fun crafts, and have some Christmas snacks.
The Claude Gentry Theatre in Baldwyn presents: Southern Fried Chickie Christmas at 7:00 p.m. The Southern Fried Chickie herself, Christy McBrayer, is back with a NEW one-woman play, this time sporting a distinctive holiday flair. Ho ho ho! The Saltillo native will perform all her favorite characters using props, costumes and the ever-present help of her band, “The Redneck Greek Chorus,” featuring Chance Moore, Trey Stanford and Kathy Gusmus-Brown. Christy’s December production at The Claude Gentry Theatre is the World Premier of her new work and is the sequel, so to speak, to her play “Southern Fried Chickie” which made its Mississippi premiere in Baldwyn last year. The show is sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank, and contains mild adult humor.
Also in Baldwyn, stop by Pop and JoJo’s Attic, Etc. from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus! (You must bring your own camera or phone.) Kids can write Christmas cards to the Troops, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa, and write letters to Santa.
The Community Event Foundation in Guntown will be hosting Breakfast with Santa from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Santa will be there for pictures and to meet all the kids. Please bring your own camera. This event is open to all kids up to 15 years old. Any donations will be accepted.
In Mantachie, you are invited to Christmas with the Grinch! Hosted by 3SIX3 Restaurant, this event will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m.. Christmas with the Grinch will include Cookie Decorating or Ornament painting, with breakfast included! Parents are welcome to take photos of the children with the Grinch by the fireplace. The cost for this event is $25 per child.
Also in Mantachie, the Itawamba County Development Council invites you to A Mantachie Christmas from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come enjoy a parade at 2:00 p.m., followed by appearances by Santa, Hot Chocolate and Coffee at the Town Hall, a Scavenger Hunt Shopping Punch Card Event, and Lighting of the Tree with Christmas Carols at Town Hall 6:00 p.m. Punch cards are to be turned in at that time with the drawing following the lighting. Businesses are also participating in a Best Decorated Storefront competition. The public will vote at the lighting for the winner!
Also in Mantachie, For the Love of Paws will be hosting an adoption event at 1:00 p.m.. The Paws Team will have lots of puppies up for adoption. Applications and Vet Reference will be required. Deposits will be taken on each pup, and you may pick your pup up after it has been completely vetted! All vetting is included in the adoption fee. Vetting includes all age appropriate shots, wormer, nexgard, spay/neuter, microchip, rabies (if pup is of age), and a Health Certificate from the vet! They accept cash or credit card for all items. All proceeds will go towards the continued care of unwanted litters of pups, strays, abused and abandoned animals of North MS. They will also have Hot Cocoa for sale $1.00. They are also doing Christmas mini photo sessions with your new dog for $5! Tractor rides are also available to ride through their land to see the rescues for $2.00 per person. They will have Long Sleeve shirts for preorder for $22.00, decals for $5.00, Christmas bandanas for your new pet, MAKE YOUR OWN Paw Christmas ornament with your new baby for $8.00, and lots of home baked goodies for you and your pet.
In Amory, Walton’s Greenhouse invites you to their Christmas Swag Make & Take event, with three event times at 10:00 a.m., noon, and 2:00 p.m.. They will help you create your own unique door swag with fresh cut greenery, berries, and bows to decorate your door. This is a prepay event with limited availability. The cost of this event is $35 for one swag.
In Booneville, EPW Wrestling will have Headlocks for Toys at 8:00 p.m. benefiting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Free admission if you bring a $5 toy; otherwise $8 per person. Toy offer is per person.
— Christmas Parades —
There are a TON of Christmas parades happening today! Cities and times are as follows:
The Tupelo DAV will have Southbound, starting at 8:00 p.m.
The Shade Tree will have a Jack & Jill 8-ball pool tournament. There’s a $10 entry fee per person. The best 2 of 3, with double elimination, and Shark Hunt rules. Calcutta starts at 3:00 p.m. The Shade Tree will ALSO have live music with Hannah and Karly, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Tonight in Columbus, check out Karaoke with Valentine at Sey’s, R Way Karaoke at Louie’s, Skip McLaughlin at Johnny Kelly’s Lounge, DJ Will at Muddy Waters, and Cheeze Burger at American Legion.
If we missed listing an event you know of, let us know!
Want us to know about something coming up? Just tag our Facebook page, or you can even mark us co-host on an event you are having on your Facebook event listing. You can also send us a message on our Facebook page, or shoot us an email at submit@ourtupelo.com and we will help you share it.
Be sure to check out our extended calendar of events as well, for upcoming happenings in the area!
Have a great day and get out there and enjoy Our Tupelo!
* We update all listings periodically as new information becomes available.
TUPELO – There were plenty of laughs to be had around lunchtime Thursday at Cafe 212, a popular eating establishment downtown, when a tourist was overheard asking what day Casserole Friday is on.
The tourist, who wishes to remain anonymous, is insistent that he’s not an idiot.
“I can’t believe I said that. I knew as it was coming out of my mouth that it was a mistake. Someone in line told me I should come back for Casserole Friday, and I asked when that is. There’s no coming back from a slip-up like that. I was humiliated.”
Witnesses say that the man was so appalled that he ran out without ordering.
“I was the one who told him about Casserole Friday,” says Tony Tannehill, a regular at the restaurant. “I just assumed he knew that Casserole Friday was on a Friday. It’s in the name.”
Casserole Friday is a celebrated day in Tupelo, always on a Friday, when Mama’s Chicken Casserole is the lunch special at Cafe 212.
It occurs weekly. On Friday.
“We just got so tickled. And you know how it is when someone can’t stop laughing. It makes other people laugh,” says Amanda Hayden.
Amanda and her husband Jason own Cafe 212 . Mama’s Chicken Casserole is her mother’s recipe.
“He couldn’t have asked at a worse time for him,” says Jason Hayden. “It was noon, and we were slammed like we always are at that time. Half of downtown was there. A lot of people heard him say it. The laughter was thunderous.”
“We didn’t mean to embarrass him,” Amanda insists. “He left us a bad Yelp review, but I’m not concerned. I was shocked though. He can navigate Yelp but doesn’t know how a calendar works?”
Local sources say the man was seen the following Sunday pulling into Chik-fil-A.
Good morning, Tupelo! Today is Friday, December 6, 2019. It is the 340th day of the year. There are only 25 days left. Winter officially starts in 15 days, Hanukkah begins in 16 days, and Christmas is just 19 days from today.
Today’s Rundown is sponsored by Kyle Barker @ Comcast Business! Did you know: Comcast was founded in Tupelo in 1963. For new service, contact your local account executive Kyle Barker at (662) 372-0567.
HAPPENING TODAY
— Story Time at Reed’s at 10:30am
— Photos with Santa at the Mall at Barnes Crossing (in the Belk Wing) 12:30pm-6:00pm, with a break 3:00pm-3:30pm
— Disney On Ice presents Celebrate Memories at the Bancorpsouth Arena
— Pack the Pickup Event 5:30 am to 5:30 pm at Fairpark in Downtown Tupelo: We want to build a happy, healthy community so please avoid junk food or expired food. And if you can’t make it out, you can donate direct to the Tupelo Lee Hunger Coalition by texting PICKUP to 40403! Come out Friday, December 6th and help us Pack the Pickup – partnered with Food Giant and Dossett Big Four.
— Egg Bowl Trophy Tour: Come by Metro Ford and take your picture with the Egg Bowl trophy and Bully at Metro Ford Friday from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
— The Dance Studio in Tupelo invites you to their Tacky Christmas party! Beginner and Intermediate Rumba class at 7:00 pm and the party starts at 8:00 pm. Show off your Tackiest Christmas attire and shake a leg! Don’t know how to dance? Come anyway and bring a friend. The more, the merrier! No RSVP needed.
— Grace Oasis Church is hosting Sewing Lessons for Teens and Adults at 5:30pm
—Fulton Trees & Treats Tour, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm: Take a tour of Christmas Trees decorated in the theme of each participant in Fulton. Take your picture with the themed trees and make sure to get your treat too!
— The Claude Gentry Theatre in Baldwyn presents: Southern Fried Chickie Christmas, at 7pm
– Taquería Ferrus is on West Main beside Computer Universe – Jo’s Cafe will be at Longtown Medical Plaza, 11:00 am – 1:30’ish – Gypsy Roadside Mobile will be at Fairpark 11-2pm – Local Mobile will be at Fairpark 11-1:30pm – Mobile Chef will be at Fairpark 11-1:30pm
.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
— Steele’s Dive will have Bonfire Orchestra at 9pm — Blue Canoe will have Blue Mother Tupelo — The Shade Tree Lounge will have Big Daddy Karaoke at 8pm — Old Venice Pizza Co. will have Spunk Monkees Lite at 8 pm — The Thirsty Devil will have FIDK at 8pm — Nautical Whimsey will have DÆPÆ (Acoustic) at 6:30pm
— Romie’s Grocery will have either Gypsy or Tim Sheffield at 8pm (found listings for both)
—— Legends Sports Grille in Fulton will have Thornton at 7pm
——In Pontotoc, Lep’s BBQ will have Twenty2Seven at 7:30pm . As always, if we missed listing an event you know of, let us know in the comments below!
Want us to know about something coming up? Just tag us, or you can even mark us co-host on an event you are having, we will help you share it. Be sure to check out our extended calendar of events at https://ourtupelo.com/events!
SCHLATER – Mississippi’s top utility and water services agency plans to find ways to help residents on the outskirts of this Delta town of more than 300 people get access to running water.
Brandon Presley, Mississippi Public Service Commissioner for the Northern District, reached out to a Mississippi Today reporter for information on how to contact six families who are without running water and to see how the agency can help, said a spokesperson. The Public Service Commission is the state’s governmental agency that oversees electric, gas, water and sewer utilities.
Officials said they heard of the residents’ situation after reading Mississippi Today’s coverage of the six families – living in the countryside of Schlater – who have been without running water for months as a result of broken water pumps. The Delta News, a Greenville-based television station, broke the news of the plight of Minerva Clemon, a Schlater resident who spoke out about how she and the other families were coping.
Following the report by the Delta News, people from Mississippi, Alabama and other states donated water to the families.
“I’m grateful people have been donating water to us,” Clemon said in a phone call with Mississippi Today on Monday. “We’re happy to have as many people who wants to help.”
When the well pump broke in July, Clemon said she spent over $1,000 in unsuccessful attempts to get water flowing again. In addition, she spent more than $300 on cases of water in order to cook, drink and bathe in clean water. Eventually, she reached out to Anjuan Brown, Leflore County supervisor, who represents her area.
Once he was notified of the issue, Brown said he immediately took action, making calls to federal, state, and local officials, to work on a long-term solution. As a temporary fix, the county donated a water tank for the residents. County officials said they don’t have any additional funds in their budget, so they plan to seek grants to cover the costs of either replacing the wells or building a water line to connect to the city of Greenwood, said Brown.
Cost estimates are not yet available.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
While millions of Americans will be kicked off food assistance under the Trump Administration’s new restrictions, Mississippians stand to see their benefits increase.
Folks in Mississippi won’t be forced off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new work requirement, set to take effect in April, because the state already imposed the restriction on recipients in 2016.
Instead, researchers estimate another lesser known provision will increase Mississippi’s food assistance allocation by $32 million or 4.9 percent, the most of any state.
When a person applies for benefits, their eligibility and the amount they receive each month is determined by several factors. If the person has utility bills, they receive a standard deduction, determined by the state, that reduces their countable income and increases their benefit amount. The new federal rule standardizes the calculation of this deduction, called a utility allowance. Under that formula, Mississippi’s monthly allowance will increase from $274 in 2017 to $338, according to Urban Institute senior fellow Laura Wheaton.
This will not affect every household, such as those who do not receive an allowance because their utility is included with rent.
“Too many Mississippians lose utilities due to inability to pay,” said MDHS Executive Director Christopher Freeze. “This increase in benefits will not only allow us to come to the aid of those who need assistance but also allow us to broaden other programs such as workforce development that give Mississippians the opportunity to increase their quality of life.”
In other states, the rule adjusted utility allowances downward, leading to reduced benefits. Nationally, the Urban Institute estimated 22,000 households would lose eligibility and 71,000 would begin participating in the program — either because they became eligible or are encouraged to sign up because of the increase — as a result of the rule.
In states that stand to see increases, including Alabama and Arizona, 2.5 million households will receive an average of $14 more each month, according to the Urban Institute report.
The other rules changes — tightened work requirements and other eligibility tweaks — are expected to result in 3.7 million fewer people receiving the assistance nationwide, including 26,200 in neighboring Louisiana.
The federal government currently requires people between the ages of 18 and 49 to work at least 20 hours a week or participate in workforce training in order to keep receiving food stamps. But it granted waivers to states with areas of high unemployment.
Among the states with the highest unemployment, Mississippi qualifies for the waiver but chose not to renew it in 2016. The state also passed a law, the Act to Restore Hope Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE), in 2017 promising not to “seek, apply for, accept or renew” any work requirement waiver for the food assistance program in the future, except in the event of a natural disaster.
The new federal rules would restrict these waivers nationwide, imposing the work requirement on areas with unemployment under 7 percent. In October, 16 counties in Mississippi had an unemployment rate of over 7 percent, according to Mississippi Department of Employment Security.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released a statement saying the new policies “restore the original intent” of the food assistance program, “which is to be a second chance and not a way of life.”
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
All the best stories happen at The Chicken Store at 4 a.m.
Let me start from the beginning. There’s an all night gas station just down the road. It has a name, but everyone around here just calls it The Chicken Store. It is the only thing open for miles and miles AND MILES after 10 p.m.
I don’t sleep, so I visit The Chicken Store pretty often in the wee hours of the night. Sometimes for coffee. Sometimes for a snack. Sometimes just to get out of my own head, in hopes that I might get to sleep eventually.
One morning, somewhere between 3 and 4 a.m., I was at The Chicken Store grabbing an iced coffee. As I was in line to cash out, I glanced around, as one does, to check out other patrons. The lady behind me looked back with an electric smile. I mean a million watts, this lady’s smile. Her smile could have lit up the whole Delta seaboard.
The guy cashing me out says, “Good morning,” over the top of my head (I’m fun-sized) to her.
Lady: YASS IT IS, LORDT.
::Me giggling::
Lady continues: I got me a new bra, and LORD HAVE MERCY, all is right with the world!
::Me giggling louder::
Lady goes on: I tell you, it feels so good! Everything’s where it’s supposed to be. Straps feel good. Back feels good. Nothing hanging out nowhere. No hunching all over. LORD, I love a new bra.
(At this point, I am full on laughing out loud and egging her on.)
Me: PREACH THIS MORNING!
(All other customers and employees are men. Just to help set the scene.)
(I feel I should also point out that while she’s going over all the ways she loves her bra, she’s also running her hands all around her sides and boobs.)
Me: I love a good new bra, too. I just hate they’re so expensive!
Lady: I KNOW! I gave $60 for this one, and I hate it, but I love it. I. LOVE. IT.
Me: I have no idea why boob holders are so damn expensive.
Lady: GIRL I KNOW. I love me some “buy one, get one” sales. That’s the only time I can afford a new one. I BOUGHT FOUR O’ THESE THANGS.
Me: I woulda too! Well, I gotta get back to the house. You have yourself a good morning!
Lady: YOU TOO, GIRL!
I leave, laughing all the way out the door, and see all the men hidden among the aisles behind us. Some are smiling, some are frowning, one has his head straight down at the floor with his shoulders hunched and shaking. I don’t know if he was laughing or crying, but he was clearly feeling some type of way.
I swear, I chuckled about that encounter all the way home. She may have been acting a mess, but I thank her from the bottom of my heart for the best laugh to start the day that I’d had in months.
