Local Digest

By Staff
WEBB Center hosts free tax seminar for business
A free tax seminar for business will be presented in the Multi-purpose Room at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus today at 6 p.m.
The seminar, sponsored by Meridian Community College's WEBB Center, is designed to help new and existing small business owners get a better understanding of their tax responsibilities.
For more information, call Johnny Thompson at MCC at 482-7445 or call (800) MCC-THE-1.
Lauderdale Web site
Check out Lauderdale County's new Web site and find out anything you need to know about your county government. You may also renew your Lauderdale County Vehicle Tags. www.lauderdalecounty.org
Arbor Day celebration planned
Pine and oak tree seedlings will be given away at an Arbor Day celebration Friday at 10 a.m., below the 22nd Avenue Overpass (behind Computerland.) The celebration will feature "Children and Community: A Caring Combination" with the students of Poplar Springs and Crestwood elementary schools.
Quitman to host health fair
A health fair will be held Friday at the Multi-Purpose Building in Quitman. The fair gets under way at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 1:30 p.m. Registered nurses have volunteered to check blood pressure and glucose tolerance. Various agencies will also have displays offering educational information. For more information, or to volunteer to help, call the Clarke County Extension Service at 776-3951.
Tickets available for Junior Auxiliary ball
The Meridian Junior Auxiliary's annual charity ball will be held Saturday at the Frank Cochran Center. Tickets may be purchased from any Junior Auxiliary member. For more information, call 485-5170.
Northcrest Baptist sponsors blood drive
Northcrest Baptist Church will sponsor a blood drive Sunday, from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in the bloodmobile at the church. Church members and area residents are encouraged to take time to donate blood.
Gospel choir concert
In observance of African-American Heritage Month, the New Hope United Methodist Church of DeKalb, will host the Alcorn State University Gospel Choir in concert on Saturday at 6 p.m. Also appearing will be the Blessed Combination Family Choir, consisting of the Cole, Brown, Rush and Jennings families. For more information, call Robert Bohannon 743-4221.
Dr Whitehead to conduct sleep disorders meeting
Sleep disturbances are one of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is also most commonly associated with widespread pain and multiple tender points in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips. The meeting will begin with social time at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 681-8171 or 679-7282.
Humane society meeting
The Lauderdale County "Dumpster Dog" Humane Society will meet Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. in the courthouse annex. All interested residents are encouraged to attend. For more information, call Cheryl Walton, 644-9924.
Plans for Mardi Gras block party under way
A Mardi Gras block party will be held Feb. 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Dumont Plaza in downtown Meridian. There will be live onstage entertainment, including Secondhand Heros, Rose Ledet and the Whodaddys. Mardi Gras-style food and beverages will be prepared at downtown restaurants. Admission is free.
Local businesses may hang a Mardi Gras event poster, decorate a storefront and use the Mardi Gras theme for a weekend promotion or sale. If your business is interested in participating, call the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau at 482-8001 or Main Street Meridian at 484-6841.
MCC announces upcoming events
Look for these events, sponsored by Meridian Community College, in the coming weeks:
Today Lifetime Quest's "Great Books" at 2 p.m. at Hardin Hall, Room 124. For more information, call Michele Thames 484-8696.
Today Health Job Fair from 8 a.m.-noon at the Health Center. For more information, call Bonnie Ethridge 484-8712.
February 8-10 MCC Arts and Letters Series musical, "Pump Boys and Dinette" at 7:30 p.m. at MCC Ivy Hall Theater. Tickets: $8 adults,$5 children and children under 12 free. For ticket information, call Michele Thames 484-8696.
Saturday ACT Exam from 8 a.m.-noon at MCC. For more information, call Quinn Carlisle 484-8707.
Monday How to Manage a Business and Increase Profit class, Marketing for a Small Business, from 6-9 p.m. For more information, call Milford Smith 482-7445.
Wednesday Lifetime Quest lunch brunch program beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Banquet Room of Meridian Hall. For more information, call Michele Thames, 484-8696.
February 15-16 Campus blood drive from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Banquet Room of Meridian Hall. For more information, call Coach Hilary Allen 484-8699.
Saturday, Feb. 17, MathCounts competition from 8 a.m- 2 p.m. in Health Center Room 240. For more information, contact Dick Dixon 484-8661.
Saturday, Feb. 17 EMT Refresher course from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Health Center Room 215. For more information, call Glenda Kopt 484-8778.
Meridian High School Class of 1981 meeting
A class meeting for Meridian High School's Class of 1981 is scheduled for Sunday at 5 p.m. at Unique Hair Designs. All class members are asked to be present. For more information, call Charles Moore 693-5218 or Mattie Gordon 483-4089.
MHS Band Boosters to meet
The Meridian High Band Boosters Association will meet Feb. 12, at 7 p.m., in the MHS cafeteria. All MHS Band parents and friends are invited to attend. The annual banquet will be discussed. Membership for the Band Boosters is $5 a year and is open to anyone. For information, call Rick Burton at 482-2532.
MSO to present third concert
The Meridian Symphony Orchestra will present the third concert of the 40th anniversary season on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Meridian Community College's Ivy Hall Theatre. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
The concert, "American Influences," will feature guest artist Christopher Rex. A preconcert lecture led by Maestro Claire Fox Hillard begins at 7 p.m. in the Casteel Gallery in the MCC library.
Tickets may be purchased at the door for $15, $12 for seniors/military and $8 for students. Children under 12 will be admitted free.