4 mins ago - The Mt. Herman Baptist Church, cordially invites you to come and help celebrate their pastor, Reverend Jame Granger, 6th year anniversary on June 2, 2013 (1st Sunday in June) at 2:00pm. Rev. Marcus Lawrence of the Mt. Araat Baptist Church, Scooba, Mississippi and the First Baptist Church, Wahalak, Mississippi will deliver the anniversary message.

Posted: 8:53 AM - Blood Donors Needed to Sustain Holiday Blood Supply Meridian, MS. "Memorial weekend can be a tough time for local blood centers, and United Blood Services is no exception. With school letting out, graduation, and people prepping for the long holiday weekend, the number of people volunteering to donate blood significantly falls off. Memorial Day also marks the season of high blood usage at our local hospitals,” explained Sr. Donor Recruitment Representative, Cheryl Reed. “We are asking the public to take time this week or next week to donate blood.” In light of all the recent tragedies, donating blood is a great way to help others and count your blessings of good health. United Blood Services is currently struggling to have an adequate supply of O blood type for our area hospital patients. Although all blood types are needed, O blood type can be transfused to many other blood types. You can save a life by giving your pint of precious lifesaving blood at Donate blood at United Blood Services, 1177 Bonita Lakes Circle in Meridian, MS All donors will receive a special gift and be automatically registered to win a $500 travel voucher. NEW!!!  Quick & easy donor self-interview process!!  On the day of your donation, follow this link https://edhq.unitedbloodservices.org  to complete the health history questionnaire on our website. The health history must be completed the same day as the donation; it cannot be completed a day or two ahead of time. Once you’re done, print the Fast Track Donation Ticket and bring it with you to your donation. It’s that simple! Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. United Blood Services has been this area’s non-profit community blood provider since the 1950s and serves patients in 74 hospitals in Mississippi and West Alabama. The United Blood Services network is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the AAB Monday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - CLOSED Friday - 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday - Noon - 6 p.m.

Posted: 8:45 AM - Please join fans, friends and family of Jimmie Rodgers," The Father of Country Music" at his gravesite at Oak Grove Cemetery in Meridian, Mississippi on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. for the traditional wreath laying ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of his death on May 26, 1933 in New York City. Rodgers passed away at the Taft Hotel just two days after completing his final recordings. His body was brought by train to his home town of Meridian, Mississippi for burial at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bonita.

Posted: 05/20/2013 - Calendar of Downtown Events May 20th - 26th Vol. III No. 21 Monday, May 20, 2013 Event: New Line! Location: LaBiche Jewelers Time: All week For More Information: Call 601.693.6071 Come in and see our beautiful new line of Diamond Marriage and Christian Marriage Symbol Jewelry. Event: Pandora is Here! Location: The Liberty Shop Time: All week For more information: Call 601.693.533 Event: Half Off Bottles of Wine Location: Weidmann's Time: All Day For More Information: Call 601.581.5770 Event: Young Professionals of Meridian Meeting Location:Rush Foundation Hospital Private Dining Room Time: 12pm - 1pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1306 Young Professionals of Meridian is for those individuals ranging in ages 21-45, or young at heart. The monthly meetings have a different speaker each time and focus on various topics from community service to business. Website: www.ypmeridian.com Event: Run For The Wall Location: Doughboy Monument, Downtown Meridian Time: 3:45pm For More Information: Call 601.938.0392 Run for The Wall. Motorcycle riders arrive at 3:45pm at the Doughboy Monument. Riders ride past the monument in route to the Ag Center on Highway 19 South. A Fly-Over is also scheduled. Contact Jim Swartz, 601.938.0392. jimswartz35@yahoo.com Event: Bo and The Show Location: Echo Lounge Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Tuesday, May 21, 2013 Event: Live Music with Matt Jones Location:Weidmann's Time: 7pm For More Information: Call 601.581.5770 Event: Southern Drive Location: Echo Lounge Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Event: Gary and Jacob Walters/Aaron Reichert Exhibition Location: Meridian Museum of Art Time: 11am - 5pm(Wednesday-Saturday) For More Information: Call 601.693.1501 Exhibition will be at the Museum until June 1, 2013. Admission to the Museum is free. Event:Ladies' Night Location: Weidmann's Time: 4pm till close For More Information: Call 601.581.5770 Event: Karaoke w/Karaoke Chris & Service Industry Night Location: Rhythm & Brews Time: 8pm For More Information: Call 601.282.5608 Event: The Chad Peavy Band Location: Echo Lounge Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Thursday, May 23, 2013 Event:Meridian Police Department Ribbon Cutting Location:210 A 22nd Avenue South Time:10am For More Information: Call 601.485.1927 Event: Karaoke/Open Mic Night Location: Faces Lounge Time: 10pm For More Information: Call 601.880.6315 No cover. Event: Ladies Night & Chad Peavy Band Location: Rhythm & Brews Time: 8pm For More Information: Call 601.282.5608 Event Scott McQuaig and The Tomcats: Location: Echo Lounge Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Event: DJ Location: Brickhouse Bar & Grill Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.286.3153 Friday, May 24, 2013 Event: MUM Day Location:Meridian Underground Music Time:All Day For More Information:Call 601.485.1363 Event: Thirty 9 South Location: Echo Lounge Time: 8pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Event: DJ Soundwave/Ladies Night Location: Faces Lounge Time: 8pm For More Information: Call 601.880.6315 Ladies Free before 9am. $5 after 9pm. Event: Live Music with Kenny Suire Location: Weidmann's Time:9pm For More Information:Call 601.581.5770 Event: Live Music Location: Brickhouse Bar & Grill Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.286.3153 Event: Live Music Location:Rhythm and Brews Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.282.5608 Saturday, May 25, 2013 Event: Live Music Location: Brickhouse Bar & Grill Time: 7pm For More Information: Call 601.286.3153 Event: Live Music with Kenny Suire Location: Weidmann's Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.581.5770 Event: Mojo Trio Location: Rhythm and Brews Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.282.5608 Event: Thirty 9 South Location: Echo Lounge Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Event: Just a Few Cats featuring Alvin Garrett & Logan Location: Faces Lounge Time: 10pm For More Information: Call 601.880.6315 Grammy Nominee Alvin Garrett and Logan the Entertainer. $10 cover Sunday, May 26, 2013 Event:Jazz Brunch with Steve Watson Location: Weidmann's Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm For More Information: Call 601.581.5770 Event: Jimmie Rodgers Festival 2013 Wreath Laying Ceremony Location: Oak Grove Cemetery Time: 2pm For More Information: Call Betty Lou Jones 601.917.4344 Event: Bo and The Show Location: Echo Lounge Time: 9pm For More Information: Call 601.693.1523 Meridian Main Street is an award winning not-for-profit, public/private partnership working in concert with others for the revitalization of downtown Meridian. To join Main Street, call 601.693.7480 or visit our website http://meridianmainstreet.com. To submit a downtown event, email johnmcclure@meridianmainstreet.com by Wednesday prior to the event.

Posted: 05/20/2013 - The Meridian Performing Arts Center presents ... "Meet Me in St. Louis" Performance Dates ... Friday, August 16th - 7:00 pm Saturday, August 17th 7:00 pm Sunday, August 18th 2:00 pm Tickets .... $ 15 Adults $10 Students for info, call ... Susie Johnson - (601) 604-2129 Sarah Benton - (601) 527-6812

Updated: 05/20/2013 - The Meridian Performing Arts Center will conduct Auditions for "Meet Me in St. Louis" Audition Dates will be May 30th & 31st at Trinity Presbyterian Church - 4223 Poplar Springs Drive Meridian, MS. All ages ... be prepared to sing 16 bars of a show tune ... (bring sheet music) Note ... Performance Dates will be held at the Temple Theatre August 16th & 17th at 7 pm and August 18th at 2 pm Tickets for the performance will be ... $15 Adults $10 Students Call ... Susie Johnson - (601) 604-2129 Sarah Benton - (601) 527-6812

Posted: 05/20/2013 - 60TH ANNIVERSARY JIMMIE RODGERS FESTIVAL IS GIANT SUCCESS! WOW! WHAT A TEAM EFFORT! WHAT A TEAM! WE REALLY WORKED HARD AND OUR HARD WORK SHOWED OFF FROM THURSDAY –SATURDAY! WE REPRESENTED JIMMIE AND OUR MISSION IN THE BEST LIGHT POSSIBLE! IN SPITE OF THE WEATHER WE HAD A GOOD NIGHT WITH ROOTS N BLUES ON THURSDAY! THE SYMPOSIUM WAS FABULOUS! THE RILEY CENTER REALLY DID US PROUD WITH LOTS OF MENTIONS OF JIMMIE RODGERS FROM DENNIS AT RILEY AND FROM THE TIME JUMPERS AND VINCE GILL. THE TALENT SHOW WAS GREAT! ARTS AND CRAFTS GREAT ! CAR SHOW WAS WONDERFUL! VENDORS GREAT! PARADE MADE ME HAVE CHILLS! JIMMIE’S JAM WAS SUPERB! THANKS TO EACH AND EVERY BOARD MEMBER WHO PULLED THEIR WEIGHT AND MADE THIS COME TOGETHER AND HAPPEN! ALL IN ALL WE “DONE GOOD!”. SPECIAL THANKS TO RICHARD FERGUSON FOR HIS FANTASTIC LEADERSHIP AS FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN! BIG THANK YOU TO JOSH TAYLOR FOR HIS HARD WORK AS CO-CHAIRMAN AND HIS WORK ON PR! THANKS TO RON HARPER FOR A GREAT CAR SHOW AND PARADE AS WELL AS VAN MAC FOR HIS HELP! THANKS TO JENNIFER TAYLOR FOR BEING A GREAT VOLUNTEER CHAIR AND HER MANY STEPS! THANKS TO BILLY DUCKWORTH FOR GOOD VENDORS AND LOTS OF ORGANIZATION IN THAT! THANKS TO BARBARA WATSON FOR GREAT COORDINATION OF THE QUEENS, TALENT SHOW, AND MANY OTHER DUTIES! THANKS TO STACEY FOR GOOD ARTS AND CRAFTS, T-SHIRT AND CD SALES AND LOTS MORE! THANKS TO COOPER FOR HIS HARD WORK ON SPONSORSHIPS! THANKS TO KEN FLINT FOR LOTS OF GOOD PICTURES AND MUCH MUSCLE ON SETTING UP! THANKS TO RICK COURTNEY FOR THURSDAY AND OTHER DUTIES! THANKS TO BRAD GARRETT FOR JUKE JOINT COORDINATION AND MANY OTHER TASKS! THANKS TO CAROLYN SMITH FOR HER HARD WORK IN KEEPING UP WITH OUR MONEY! THANKS TO SHINE POGUE FOR HER CONSTANT WATCH OVER OUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE NEEDS FOR HOSPITALITY! THANKS TO SCOTT STEVENS FOR EMCEEING THE TALENT SHOW! HE DID A GREAT JOB AND WOULD HAVE BEEN WITH US MORE EXCEPT FOR HIS OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE IN BYE BYE BIRDIE(HE IS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE THEATRE PART OF OUR WORLD THE MERIDIAN LITTLE THEATRE). THANKS TO GREG HATCHER FOR HIS MUSEUM COORDINATION AND ON GOING SUPPORT. (He had a big wedding reception at Soule and that required his presence non stop from Thursday-Saturday with caterers. Brides and grooms, mothers of the bride, etc. after all that is his job responsibility and he had to be there but he did slip away to attend the Symposium on Friday. ) I CAN NOT BEGIN TO MENTION ALL THAT EVERYONE DID! JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION IN MAKING THE 60TH A GREAT SUCCESS! FOR LACK OF BETTER WORDS “ THANKS FOR AND TO EACH OF YOU AND EVERYTHING YOU DID!!!” THANKS TO ALL THE VOLUNTEERS! THEY WERE GREAT! THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! We could not do this without them! THANKS TO THE CITY OF MERIDIAN! WOW! TIM MILLER! JERRY RICKS! DAVID SHARP! MAYOR CHERI BARRY! MERIDIAN CITY COUNCIL! CASEY NULL! WHAT WOULD WE HAVE DONE WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT! THANKS TO TOURISM! THEY WERE GREAT CHEERLEADERS ALL THE WAY! THE $15,000 MADE OUR MARKETING POSSIBLE! WTOK-TV REALLY BLEW IT OUT FOR US! THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR WTOK-TV AND TIM WALKER, CHIP SCARBOROUGH, CHRISTIAN MONSOUR, BRADY RUSHING, DEANA DAY, WADE PHILLIPS, SHEILA MCLAIN, ANDREA WILLIAMS, THOMAS BURTON, JOHN JOHNSON, AND THE WHOLE TEAM AT WTOK! WE REALLY APPRECIATE THEM AND THEIR SPONSORSHIP! THANKS TO THE LAUDERDALE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR THEIR CONTINUING SUPPORT! THANKS TO OUR MEDIA SPONSORS! THEY REALLY DID A GREAT JOB OF PROMOTIONS! THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY JIMMIE RODGERS FESTIVAL IS HISTORY NOW! IT WILL BE MARKED IN THE HISTORY OF JIMMIE RODGERS AND MERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI AS A GREAT SUCCESS DUE TO MANY REASONS THE FOREMOST BEING THE HARD WORKING BOARD AND ITS MANY PARTNERS!

Posted: 05/20/2013 - We the President, Officers, and Members of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Inc cordially invite you and your church family to attend a Benefit Program that is being held to assist one of our faithful members, Pastor L. C. Thedford. Pastor Thedford has been a faithful Pastor in this community for many years. Because of his recent sickness, and hospital stay, a benefit program will be held to help him and his family during this time. The Benefit Program will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 5:00 P.M. It will be held at the El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2300-State Blvd., Meridian, MS. The guest speaker will be Rev. Gary Houston, Pastor of the New Hope Blackwater Missionary Baptist Church, Daleville, MS and President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Inc. Musical Selections will be provided by New Hope Blackwater Baptist Church Choir of Daleville, MS, Fitkins Memorial Church of the Nazarene, and Rev. Joe Moore, & Many, Many others. Everyone is asked to come out and help make this Benefit Program a success. In addition, we are asking Each Pastor/Minister to contribute $25.00 and each church to contribute $100.00. For more information, you may call (601) 490-0759. Thanking you in advanced. Yours in Christ, Rev. Gary Houston, President

Posted: 05/20/2013 - Please join us ... Meridian Law Enforcement Center Ribbon Cutting & Open House Thursday - May 23 - 10:00 AM Located in the old Cowboy Maloney building on 22nd Ave Building a new police station has been a major priority for my administration. It has not been easy. We have had to be creative in the financing and committed in purpose. We had to keep moving forward no matter how many obstacles we faced. What you will see on Thursday is the result of our efforts. When asked why we focused on a police station, I believe MPD Acting Chief James Sharpe answers that question best. "This new facility will enable us to do things we couldn't do in the old one," Sharpe said. "We will be a better police force. That is a given. We will be more efficient and better able to conduct our business like never before." Contact: Office of the Mayor 601 23rd Avenue Meridian, MS 39302 (601) 485-1927 www.meridianms.org

Posted: 05/17/2013 - East Mississippi Baptist State Congress of Christian Education Auxiliary to the East Mississippi Baptist State Convention Rev. Carlos Wilson, President Rev. A. D. Lewis, President East Miss. Baptist State Convention East Miss. Baptist State Congress The 84th Annual Session of the East Mississippi Baptist State Congress of Christian Education will be held Tuesday, June 4 - Thursday, June 6, 2013 8:00am each day at the Fifth Street Baptist Church, 2530 Hwy 45N, Meridian, MS where Rev. W. C. Brown serve as Pastor. The Children and Youth Department will meet with the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 1803 10th Avenue, Meridian, MS where Rev. Timothy Jones serve as Pastor. Rev. A. D. Lewis State Congress President