Lower Mississippi River Dispatch
Vol 9 No 9d, Monday September 17, 2013
Lower Mississippi River
News & Upcoming Events:
- Help Wanted! News Editor, Clarksdale Press Register
- Barefoot Workshops Free Public Screening, Friday, September 20th, Shack Up Inn
- Tensas River Hunting & Fishing Day Saturday, September 21st, Tallulah Louisiana
- Full Harvest Moon Autumnal Bear Dance
- Rivergator Celebratory River Trips
- Who Owns Water - Official Trailer
- Maria the Korean Bride
- New Madrid Floodway
- King Biscuit Festival, Helena Arkansas, Oct 10-12th
- Phatwater Challenge XII Oct 12th in Natchez
Rivergator 2013
Sign up Now:
November 4-8
Caruthersville to Memphis
November 12-15
Memphis to Helena
November 18-22
Greenville to Vicksburg
Job Opening:
News Editor-Layout Guru
Clarksdale Press Register
September 17, 2013
Company: Clarksdale Press Register
Position: News Editor-Layout Guru
Location: Clarksdale, Mississippi
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: $25,000 to $30,000
Website: http://www.pressregister.com
Description:
Clarksdale Mississippi, the most "Southern Place on Earth" according to Oxford American Magazine, and home to the infamous Crossroads where Blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to be the greatest guitar player ever, is looking for a news editor who's just as comfortable laying out newspaper and magazines as covering the local government or school boards.
In its 148th year serving Clarksdale and Coahoma County, the Clarksdale Press Register is a twice-weekly newspaper focused on local news that publishes its print product on Wednesday and Friday, and uploads its breaking news stories to its newly revamped website daily. We also produce quarterly magazines and dozens of special sections that allow its writers to pen stories on a myriad of topics.
Our ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of AP style, be familiar with QuarkXPress and having a passion for accurate and detailed community journalism. He/she would also be comfortable working against deadlines and have some digital photography experience.
Clarksdale is known for its local live music and Blues festivals that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, and its Southern hospitality and laid back style of life. Employment benefits include: low-cost, partially-funded individual health insurance and 401K. Relocation expenses also negotiable for the right candidate.
If you possess a positive attitude, can work well within our team atmosphere and are interested please send a cover letter and resume to Publisher, Jesse Wright at publisher@pressregister.com with "News Editor" in the subject line.
When applying, mention you saw this opening listed at JournalismJobs.com.
Job ads copyrighted by JournalismJobs.com -- © 1998-2012
Barefoot Workshops
Free Public Screening
Friday, September 20th, 2013
From Founder/Driector Chandler Griffin
Hi Delta friends,
For nine years Barefoot WORKSHOPS has been coming to Clarksdale to tell community stories through documentary filmmaking and photography workshops. Forty-six documentary stories and twenty-six photo stories have been produced.
We consider this body of work a time capsule for YOUR community. On Friday, the tradition of screening documentary stories back to the community continues with new material from our three-week documentary filmmaking workshop led by Chandler Griffin and Lisa Biagiotti. We will also be sharing work from our recently completed one-week photo workshop.
Our current team of documentary filmmakers is working hard to make the Friday screening deadline.
We would appreciate all of you coming out and supporting not only the photographers and filmmakers but also the people highlighted in the stories. These stories are a reflection of Clarksdale and the North Mississippi community.
The screening will start on FRIDAY at 8:00pm.
THE SHOW:
* SEVEN DELTA PHOTO STORIES : 1-Week Documentary Photography Workshop. Images by Jess Clementine Bollaert, Damon Copeland, Hart Henson, Sam Lane, Sarah Pueleo & Deanna Tilley. This workshop was led by photojournalist, Ron Haviv, and ran from Aug 25th-Sept 1st, 2013. TOPICS : Roosevelt Lee, John Ruskey, Jonestown, MS Farm To Table, Ragland-Horton Family, Sweet Magnolia IceCream, Jane Dunlap & Rosalind Wilcox.
* ISSAQUENA COUNTY PROJECT- Wet-plate collodion photography by visiting artist, Jennifer B. Gardner, assisted by Ms Delta photographer, Euphus Ruth.
* THE FARM - a film by Darryl Freedman & Mary Freedman. Fifteen years after a tragic accident, a mother and son rebuild their lives through art and an exotic animal farm. (featuring Nanette and Jason Roberts).
* MISSISSIPPI MILK - a film by Shanna James, Brittany Retherford & David Rogers. A story about Mississippi milk and one farmer's struggle to get local product to his surrounding community. (featuring BROWN FAMILY DAIRY).
* Stick around after the screening for LIVE music by Clarksdale bluesman, BIG A.
{ 4 Rivers Fresh Foods (food hub) and Hernando Farmers Market will be at the screening with information about the importance of sourcing local food. }
Mississippi Public Broadcasting will be filming at the screening for a Mississippi Roads segment on Barefoot Workshops.
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FRIDAY : 8PM
September 20th, 2013
Where:
The Shack Up Inn - Juke Joint Chapel
Hopson Plantation
Clarksdale, Mississippi
FACEBOOK EVENT
A large crowd is expected so please RSVP as soon as possible. chandler@barefootworkshops.org
We look forward to seeing all of you there,
Chandler Griffin
Founder - Barefoot Workshops
PRESS RELEASE
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Mississippi Delta Documentary Photography & Film Screening
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Barefoot Workshops is hosting a three-week documentary filmmaking workshop in the Mississippi Delta culminating with a FRIDAY night (SEPTEMBER 20TH) FREE documentary screening. The screening will be at Hopson Plantation/The Shack Up Inn (Juke Joint Chapel) at 8pm. The photo workshop was led by VII Photo Agency Co-founder, RON HAVIV and the film workshop is currently led by Chandler Griffin and Lisa Biagiotti.
Each year Barefoot Workshops offers several photography, editing and documentary workshops in the Mississippi Delta, Texas and Cape Town, South Africa for individuals with beginner through advanced levels of training. The aim of the Barefoot Workshops is to help create responsible filmmakers who care about the world they live in, and who have a desire to give back to their respective communities.
Founder of Barefoot Workshops, Chandler Griffin said, “One of the goals of the course is to provide an intense overview of the art of documentary photography and filmmaking. We do this in what seems to be a completely unrealistic timeline, which pushes the students to step up and take the challenge.” The recent workshop was conducted in and around Clarksdale, and lasted for one weeks. This is the fourteenth documentary program held in Clarksdale. Since 2005, over forty documentaries films and over twenty documentary photo stories have been produced in Clarksdale by the Barefoot teams with students coming from twenty-two countries.
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Press Contact:
Chandler Griffin
917-385-9343
chandler@barefootworkshops.org
www.barefootworkshops.org
Tensas River NWR
Hunting & Fishing Day
Saturday, September 21, 2013, 9am - 3pm: Tensas River NWR Hunting & Fishing Day - Free Admission!
Visitor Center, 2312 Quebec Rd.
Tallulah, LA
Youth Deer Lottery Registration & Drawing
Live Music
Wildlife Exhibits
Skeet, BB Gun & Archery Shooting
Door Prizes
Health Screening & Blood Donation
Calling and Cutest Kid in Camo Contests
Rock Climbing Wall, Bounce Area, Bear Maze & Bird Identification Demonstrations: Woodduck Rocket Net, Indian Tools, Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest & Exhibit, Dog Treeing Raccoon Demo, Canine Drug Dog Demo
Information Booths: USDA-Hog Trapping & Animal Diseases, LA Black Bear Forestry & Logging, ATV’s, LDWF Game Wardens, TRNWR Association / Volunteers & More
?Food Concessions: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Cokes, Ice Cream, Snow Cones, & Much More (Reasonable Prices)
?Silent Auction
?Craft Vendors
?Face & Hair Painting, Washable Tattoo, Children’s Games Items listed with diamond are all free
? Items indicated with arrow are fee items MANY MORE FUN ACTIVITIES NOT LISTED
Sponsored by Tensas River Refuge Association (Non Profit organization)
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 318-574-2664
Rivergator 2013
Sign up Now!
November 4-8
Caruthersville to Memphis
November 12-15
Memphis to Helena
November 18-22
Greenville to Vicksburg
What are The Rivergator Celebratory Trips?
In November 2013 we’ll be running a series of multi-day expeditions to celebrate the opening of the Lower Mississippi River Water Trail from Caruthersville Missouri through Memphis to Vicksburg, Mississippi. By voyageur style canoe. No previous experience necessary, but must enjoy wilderness style camping and must be willing to paddle! We are reserving 4 seats on every segment for writers, photographers and any journalists who will help us share the story about the beautiful and dynamic Mississippi River and the Rivergator Water Trail describing it! Please contact John Ruskey, john@island63.com to reserve your seat, and for more information. November 4-8: Caruthersville to Memphis; November 12-15
Memphis to Helena; and November 18-22: Greenville to Vicksburg.
W.O.W.
Who Owns Water?
Who Owns Water - Official Trailer
Georgia, Alabama and Florida are locked in an epic battle over the fresh water from their once bountiful rivers.
They call it the "Water Wars." It's a conflict once unthinkable in the deep green South.
But is it all about high-stakes politics and legal action?
Two brothers decide to find out more. David and Michael Hanson paddle the three rivers for 30 days to ask the big questions, at water-level.
From the North Georgia Mountains to the Gulf of Mexico, everyone wants to know Who Owns Water.
whoownswater.org
A film by Upstream and Fourmile Media
Trailer Music Credits: Connor Moore, The Law, Shovels & Rope
Maria the Korean Bride
Illinois and Georgia Movie Premiere
I am thrilled to announce that my documentary, Maria the Korean Bride will be showcased at the Naperville Independent Film Festival (40 min west of Chicago) on Tuesday, 09/17 and at the Atlanta Korean Film Festival on Monday, 09/23. If you could join me please let me know!
New York Movie Premiere: September 28
It's only few weeks away be sure to call the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 212-220-1460, to RESERVE your tickets today. It has already received some media attention on DNAinfo, New York and more to follow such as Tribeca Trib to name a few. There will be a party reception immediately after. Plus some of the movie stars will be present to meet all of you on Saturday, 09/28 at 4:00 p.m. Yes, kids are welcome. For more info, please go to http://tribecapac.com/maria-the-korean-bride-film
New Madrid Floodway
COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013
New Madrid Floodway
Accepting Comments during
“Review Session”
extended until
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013
Paddlers and river-rats: please consider writing a letter to register your opposition… See below for details, where to find more info, and some sample letters.
Editorial
The proposed St. Johns and New Madrid Floodway Project would remove an 80,000 acre floodplain from the Lower Mississippi River in the Missouri Bootheel just below Cairo Illinois. This would result in a severe disruption of the natural processes of the Mississippi River by cutting and removing the main channel from its wetlands. There is only one reason to complete this project, and that is for increased farming and industry in places that it really shouldn’t be located. Hey, we can find 80,000 acres elsewhere for farming and industry. But there is nowhere as significant to the health of our nation as the floodplain of its biggest river, the Mighty Mississippi. Cairo, Illinois and everyone downstream will be effected by this closure. The waters will rise a little bit higher in each future flood as result. The US Army Corps of Engineers is asking for your input on a project called the St. Johns and New Madrid Floodway project. The defining component of this project is a new ¼ mile long, 60 ft. high levee that will sever the Mississippi River from an 80,000 acre floodplain in SE Missouri, eliminating critical fish and wildlife habitat, and putting dozen of river towns & cities downstream at increased flooding threat (including Memphis, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, and everyone in between). The Dead Zone will be a little bigger every year as result of increased nutrients in the river. Make a phone call, send a letter or email. Keep reading below for contacts and more information.
Comments can be submitted
to the following:
Mr. Brad Horchem
U.S. EPA region 7
11201 Renner Blvd
Lenexa, Kansas
horchem.brad@epa.gov
USACE NEPA Coordinator
Mr. Joshua Koontz
Upper Delta Environmental Compliance Branch
167 N. Main, Room B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Phone: (901) 544-3975
Fax:(901) 544-3955 joshua.m.koontz@usace.army.mil
USACE Project Manager:
Mr. Danny Ward
Project Management Branch
167 N. Main, Room B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Phone: (901) 544-0709
Fax:(901) 544-3955
daniel.d.ward@usace.army.mil
For more information about project visit:
http://www.mvm.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/StJohnsBayouandNewMadridFloodwayProject.aspx
and also:
www.nwf.org/newmadrid
Comments can be submitted
to the following:
Mr. Brad Horchem
U.S. EPA region 7
11201 Renner Blvd
Lenexa, Kansas
horchem.brad@epa.gov
USACE NEPA Coordinator
Mr. Joshua Koontz
Upper Delta Environmental Compliance Branch
167 N. Main, Room B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Phone: (901) 544-3975
Fax:(901) 544-3955 joshua.m.koontz@usace.army.mil
USACE Project Manager:
Mr. Danny Ward
Project Management Branch
167 N. Main, Room B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Phone: (901) 544-0709
Fax:(901) 544-3955
daniel.d.ward@usace.army.mil
For more information about project visit:
http://www.mvm.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/StJohnsBayouandNewMadridFloodwayProject.aspx
and also:
www.nwf.org/newmadrid
Examples of letters already sent:
Aug 27, 2013
Mr. Joshua Koontz
Upper Delta Environmental Compliance Branch
167 N. Main, Room B-202
Memphis, TN 38103-1894
Dear Mr. Koontz,
I want to go on record as opposing the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project
Before I retired to Mississippi from California 10 years ago, I had never kayaked. I'm now an avid paddler, both on the Mississippi itself and several of its tributaries. The river and its flood plain, aside from their aesthetic and recreational values, are critical habitat for scores of air, land, and water-borne species.
The Mississippi River is the cultural and geographical heart of the country. More clinically, it is the aortic artery. The Mississippi and its dependent plant and animal systems can only take so much encroachment, and we're long past the point where, as a nation, we should have stopped taking from the river and started giving back to it. The appetite of farmers, industrialists, and developers for new land is insatiable, and the line must be drawn somewhere. I suggest it be at the site of this project, in the Missouri Bootheel.
I urge the responsible decision makers to block the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project.
Best regards,
Cliff Lawson
301 Panola Street
Water Valley, MS 38965
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From: Keith Kirkland
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 10:28 AM Pacific Standard Time
To: Pogue, James T MVM; Koontz, Joshua MVM
Subject: Opposing St. Johns Bayou New Madrid Floodway Project
Cc: Quapaw Canoe Company <john@island63.com>
Jim, I’ve been with the Wolf River Conservancy for 27 years now, and we appreciate your support with the Wolf River Restoration Project.
However, I want to inform the U.S. Corps that I vigorously oppose the St. Johns Bayou – New Madrid Floodway Project!
Closing off these vital wetlands to satisfy a few wealthy, politically powerful farmers does not make good ecological or financial sense.
The ability of this floodway to assist with major floods by storing and retaining floodwaters, its thousands of acres of wetlands that will be blocked by the new levee and the importance of these wetlands for wildlife, and the threats to communities downstream when major flooding occurs again are all great reasons for me to oppose this project.
Please register my opposition to this plan,
Thanks,
Keith Kirkland
Director of Outreach
Wolf River Conservancy
P.O. Box 11031
Memphis, TN 38111
901-486-1919 Cell
Keith@wolfriver.org
www.wolfriver.org
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September 6, 2013
I am sending my thoughts on the proposed St. Johns and New Madrid Floodway project. The need for natural wetlands ecosystems along the Mississippi River should take precedence over additional farm land. Through the farm bill we are currently paying for farmland to be retired to wetlands and conservation. Why then do we need to remove 80,000 acres from the natural ecosystem of the river system? These acres experience the natural flooding and drying cycles associated with being in a river flood plain. Sediments accumulate in this flood plain creating a unique habitat for wildlife and plants. The sediments removed during flooding incidents keep downstream navigation channels and the estuary systems from filling so quickly. Why send more sediment downstream where it is not needed? The natural river system should be preserved as much as possible at this point. These types of flood plain habitats are already limited. I am very much opposed to this project.
Thank you,
Jim Steeby, Ph.D.
James (Jim) Steeby, Ph.D. Associate Professor Emeritus Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture Mississippi State University
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From http://www.mvm.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects/StJohnsBayouandNewMadridFloodwayProject.aspx
COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED TO MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013.
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTSt. Johns Bayou – New Madrid Floodway Project
The responsible lead agency is the Memphis District Corps of Engineers.ABSTRACT:
This draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) provides information regarding the formulation and evaluation of alternatives for a project designed to manage flood risks to the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodw