A Service of WXXV FOX 25 24 January 2008, Thursday Coffee Talk 2 Moss Point School District and City Roll Out Welcoming Mat for Local Realtors and Contractors Quality of schools, property value, and crime rate are some of the top considerations for families wanting to buy a new home, according to the National Association of Realtors. That is why the Moss Point School District and the City of Moss Point are partnering to host an event in which local realtors and contractors are invited. The event is called “Coffee Talk #2” and is scheduled for Thursday, January 24, 2008. Its purpose is to provide realtors an opportunity to learn more about the Moss Point School District and the city as a whole. It is also a chance for school district and city officials to hear from realtors regarding the challenges they face as they try to sell homes in Moss Point. “We understand that education is directly connected to every aspect of the community,” said Superintendent Lt. Col. Kim Staley. “That includes the housing concerns in our city. We want to ensure that the school district does its part to address this issue.” “The city is proud to partner with the school district for this event,” said Moss Point Mayor Xavier Bishop. “The more we communicate about issues such as housing, the better we understand what our needs are and how to address them.” Coffee Talk #2 will include a short presentation from the superintendent and mayor, a roundtable discussion on real estate as it relates directly to Moss Point, and a short tour of schools. “We hope that realtors leave with a better idea of what the Moss Point School District and the city has to offer potential home buyers,” said Staley. “We are also eager to take what we learn from our dialogue with them and apply it to the way we market ourselves. This will be the beginning of a great partnership with local realtors.” The event will begin with coffee and meet and greet at 8:00 a.m. in the media center at Moss Point High School located at 4913 Weems Street. The program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. All realtors and contractors are invited to attend. For more information, please call Myya Robinson or Grenita Capilla at (228) 474-3399. Coffee Talk #2 is the second in a series. The school district held its first one of the school year in partnership with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce in September. Businesses throughout Jackson County were invited to attend to learn more about the school district. The event laid the groundwork for enhancing business partnerships and forming new ones with schools throughout the district. Livestock Show JL Cartlidge Forrest County Multi Purpose Center Post Office Box 1151 962 Sullivan Road Hattiesburg, MS 39403-1151 Phone: (601) 583-7500 Fax: (601) 583-7504 www.ForrestCountyCenter.com Upcoming Events January 23-24, 2008 Annual Forrest County Livestock Show The Annual Forrest County Livestock Show will take place on the Complex Grounds. Forrest County 4-H and FFA students will be showing their prize cows, pigs and goats. These students spend a lot of time and effort in getting their animal ready to be shown. At the end of the show these students will sell their animal to the highest bidder. Come support Forrest County’s youth. Admission is free to the general public. For more information call 601-545-6083. January 25-27, 2008 Annual South Mississippi District Livestock Show The Annual South Mississippi District Livestock Show will be held on the Complex Grounds following the Annual Forrest County Livestock Show. The District Show will bring in competitors in from every Southeastern County. Admission is free to the general public. For more information call 601-545-6083. February 9-10, 2008 Great Hattiesburg Gun and Knife Show The Great Hattiesburg Gun & Knife Show will take place in the Main Arena. The two-day show will feature hundreds of tables of merchandise. Vendors from all over the region will be on hand to display their goods and will be willing to trade with individuals. The event will start Saturday at 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and resume Sunday at 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Admission to the event is $5.00 for adults. Children 12 and under free. For more information call 601-825-6844. February 15-16, 2008 Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo The Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo will take place on the Complex Grounds throughout the weekend. The annual event brings top professional cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country to compete for their chance to get closer to qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. The rodeo will start at 7:30 pm both nights. Stay tuned for more information regarding ticket prices. For more information call 601-266-5405. COMING SOON IN 2008!!! February 23…..Xtreme World Arenacross Racing February 28-March 2…..ASA Regional Archery Tournament March 6-9…..Deep South Paso Fino Horse Show March 14-16….HD Team Roping March 21-23…...Easter Fun Run Barrel Race March 27-29…..Que Delta Weekend April 4-5…..Magnolia Classic Boer Goat Show April 9-13…..Arabian Horse Show-Golden Stirrups I & II April 19…..Kids Day and Camp Expo April 26-27…..Great Hattiesburg Gun & Knife Show Stone County Economic Development Ad Unveiling What: Unveiling of teh Stone County Economic Development ed When: 5:30 - 7pm, Jan. 24th Where: Serendipity, 203 E. Pine Ave, Wiggins Details: 1-601-928-5418 Thank Your Mentor Day January 24 is Thank Your Mentor DayŌ Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi Offers Four Ways to Honor Your Mentor JACKSON, Miss. (January 10, 2008) - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi is encouraging Gulfport and Biloxi residents to honor those individuals who encouraged and guided them, and had a lasting impact on their lives on January 24, Thank Your Mentor DayŌ. “Every one of us remembers a neighbor, teacher, relative or friend whose time and attention had a positive impact on our lives,” said Joel Waters, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mississippi “In honor of National Mentoring Month, we are offering suggestions on thanking that important person.” Contact your mentor directly to express your appreciation. Your thanks in the form of a handwritten note, e-mail or phone call will mean a lot. Return the favor by becoming a mentor yourself. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for volunteers from all walks of life. There is now an urgent need for men to volunteer as Big Brothers. It isn’t easy being a kid these days. In these complex and confusing times, children need a caring adult to be a mentor and a friend — someone they can talk to, have fun with, and learn from. You don’t have to change your life to change theirs. All it takes is a few hours a couple times a month. Visit www.bbbsms.org or call 601-961-9286 for more information. Make a financial contribution to a mentoring program such as Big Brothers Big Sisters. More than 75% of Big Brothers Big Sisters funding comes from individuals. Charity Navigator, the country’s premier independent charity evaluator, has awarded Big Brothers Big Sisters of America a 4-star “exceptional” rating for outstanding fiscal management for the fifth consecutive year. To donate, go to BigBrothersBigSisters.org. Write a tribute to your mentor for posting on the National Mentoring Month web site www.WhoMentoredYou.org Thank your Mentor DayŌ is an initiative of the Harvard School of Public Health. National Mentoring Month is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a lead partner. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America BigBrothersBigSisters.org is the largest mentoring organization in the U.S. In 2006, Big Brothers Big Sisters served 2,658 children age 5 to 15; nationally, the total was 242,000. Independent research shows that that professionally supported, one-to-one relationships between young people and their Big Brothers and Big Sisters have a direct, measurable and lasting impact. Children in the program are more likely to graduate from high school and less likely to be involved in violence. Real Stories of Mentoring Matches Made in Mississippi Ingredients for a Great Friendship Denise and Kate have been matched for two years. Denise, who is the Big Sister, was a little unsure about mentoring at first. She gave the usual concerns such as, not having enough time or not really being experienced with children. Little Sister Kate is raised by her father and she was entering adolescence. Her father noticed changes in Kate and turned to the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in hopes of finding a positive female role model to help Kate deal with things that he did not really understand. At a Big Brothers Big Sisters function, Denise was given information about the program and finally decided to mentor Kate. Denise and Kate became fast friends. Kate was able to express herself to Denise and really came to value their friendship. They often hang out together at Denise’s house and do things together like shopping, cooking or going out to eat. Kate wants to be a chef when she grows up so Denise arranged for her to participate in a few cooking classes. They are still matched and Kate will be soon going off to college. They are both appreciative for each other and the friendship they share. A Friendship with a Passing Grade On February 2nd, 2006, Warner and LJ were matched. While LJ was in the 1st grade, he was struggling and wasn’t passing many of his subjects. He tended to be a follower and a bully, so the teacher referred him to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big Brother, Warner took his job as a Big Brother very seriously and wanted to help LJ. They would read together, play outside, work on class work. In August of 2006, LJ was held back to repeat the 1st grade again. Warner was really disappointed, but it didn’t stop him from seeing LJ on a weekly basis. Warner remained diligent in LJ’s reading and academics, but always allowed time for fun experiences to develop a lasting relationship. LJ’s second year in 1st grade was a complete turn-around, he was making all A’s, was a good student and was nice to his friends! LJ is now in the 2nd grade and Warner is still very consistent in seeing him weekly. When asked how everything is going, Warner always replies, “It’s the highlight of my week getting to go see him!” Warner has seen a huge change in LJ and takes pride in the fact that he helped him get to where he is now. ### Women Singers Needed! WOMEN SINGERS NEEDED! Soprano, Alto, Contralto Women Singers are needed to Workshop an original A cappella choral number by local composer, Patricia Causey. Ages 15-100 welcome! No Audition necessary. All Rehearsals will be held at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Gulfport across the street from City Hall. This piece is arranged for 6-part Women's Chorus. A recording is tentatively scheduled for February 10th, and all participants will get a copy. Starting Thursday, JANUARY 24th Rehearsals will run for approximately 3 weeks Thursdays: Jan. 24 & 31, Feb. 7 - 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Sundays: Jan. 27, Feb. 3 & 10 - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. No Audition necessary. But please let us know you will attend so we can have enough sheet music: 228-831-1003 or TrishCausey@aol.com Please leave your contact info & Vocal range (i.e., high soprano, 2nd soprano, low alto, etc.). We look forward to having you join us! For questions regarding this calendar, contact: Deidre Pyron Licensed To: WXXV Fox Television