It is officially Mardi Gras season on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Ocean Springs is ready with a king cake contest and Mardi Gras parade line up.

Can you imagine a world without French fries, scalloped potatoes, hash browns, mashed potatoes, bangers and mash (if you are a Brit), potato pancakes, or a baked and stuffed potato? It’s not an idea that is pleasant to contemplate, is it? 

The Fine Arts Gallery at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus announces the opening of the exhibit “ZENOSYNE,” featuring the 3-D ceramic work of Josh Edgar. The show will open on Thursday, Jan. 16, at 12:15 p.m., with a reception and artist talk in the Fine Arts Gallery.  

For residents living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, eating oysters in months that end in “R” is a tradition, except this past year when the oyster population was nearly destroyed due to the intrusion of fresh water in the Gulf of Mexico. But because oysters are such a huge hit for locals and visitors, many people have learned to garden oysters.

Coke float anyone?

The Willis H. Lott Learning Resources Center (LRC) at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Perkinston Campus has partnered with the Mississippi Humanities Council to host a family literacy program. The weekly programs will be held on the second floor of LRC each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., from Jan. 28 to March 10.

MGCCC’s Pi Epsilon is working hard to fight habitat degradation.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that Teckie Hinkebein has joined its corporate communications team as a manager of media relations.

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Polymer Science and Engineering undergraduate program has reached a significant milestone with national accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This marks the program’s inaugural accreditation since the University began offering engineering courses in 2012.

Over 50 people looking to improve their health and wellness are participating in the Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA’s Y Fit Challenge. The program, which runs for eight weeks, kicked off this Saturday and aims to help participants make lifestyle changes to make them successful in their fitness and weight loss goals.

Yes, it is the time of the year for gumbo, jambalaya, and all of those great, hearty recipe we are famous for in south Mississippi. No, its not very cold, we hardly need the extra calories, but it sure is satisfying to serve a big bowl of steaming gumbo to friends and family. But, I have to be honest with you, my most favorite comfort food isn’t gumbo, its pasta.  

Mac McAnally, the 10 time Country Music Association Musician of the Year, is returning to his roots. Well, sort of.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) announced today that Jason Brown has been promoted to vice president and chief information officer (CIO) for Ingalls Shipbuilding.

Great community events coming up at Jackson-George Regional Library locations.

Trees still provide much of what we use everyday

Everyone loves a good gumbo this time of the year, jambalaya, or a big stew, like the famous French beef bourguignon (ala Julia Child or Anthony Bourdain), but one of my favorites is a simple dish of collard greens. Collard greens? Really? Yes, when done right, collards are hearty, simple to make and delicious.