Friday, October 30, 2009

Happy Halloween!



Happy Halloween!
(Squirrel pumpkin by Laurie G. Fisher!)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

SOS - Dogs seized from puppy mill in Bay Springs, Mississippi need homes!



Dogs Seized from Bay Springs Puppy Mill

Written by Gail Brown
Wednesday, 02 September 2009 18:30




October 24, 2009 Bay Springs, Miss — The Bay Springs Sheriff's Dept. in conjunction with the ASPCA seized 43 dogs from shockingly poor conditions at a Jasper County puppy mill. Conditions were found to be so deplorable that law enforcement obtained an emergency search and seizure warrant. Forty-three of the most critical dogs were seized with 60+ remaining on site. Dogs seized displayed severe neglect including eye and skin conditions, malnourishment, and parasites. Dogs seized included Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Basset Hounds, Schnauzers, Feists, Poodles, and Bichons including Shih Tzu/Papillon mix breeds. Animals were transported to the OLHS on October 25 where staff and volunteers worked to set up and supply food, water, blankets, toys, and attend to medical issues.

Volunteers worked Monday on grooming dogs, but there are still many in need. If you can help with grooming or can sponsor a dog for grooming, please contact the OLHS at 662.236.7631. All dogs are viewable under the OLHS "Adopt A Pet" link. If you are interested in adopting one of these loving babies, please complete our online application or come by the shelter.

The Mid-Town Farmers' Market rocks on ... don't miss what might be their last of the season this Saturday ...




Fresh mustard greens, tomatoes, yellow squash, cucumbers and Brown Family Dairy milk from the Mid-Town Farmers' Market - this Saturday's market might be their last of the season, don't forget to check it out, 7am-11am at the Mid-Town shopping center in Oxford, Mississippi - just past the square on North Lamar.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Yappy Halloween!

Yappy Hour at Parrish's was a big hit!



















This pug was my favorite in his PepĂ© Le Pew ensemble.  Amazing!













Yappy Hour is a monthly event and proceeds benefit the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society of Oxford, Mississippi.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The latest from ravine restaurant in Oxford, MS...

First and foremost, thanks to all of you that have been supportive in different ways over the past month. Our pursuit of fair and equal treatment from the state of Mississippi in regards to resort status will continue. I will keep you informed as the developments unfold over the next few weeks and months.

The next wine tasting will be Wed, November 4th, at 6 pm. The theme of the wine and food pairing will be pinot noir, as we will taste terroir from all over the world. To enable our ability to have some better tier wine, the cost will be $35. We will pick a couple of wines from our list, but also order some special wines from the state just for this pairing. I hope you will join us for the exciting pairing, remember to call early if you are interested. The last pinot noir tasting we had sold out quite quickly.

Thanks as always, remember we have started a new brunch menu, as well as live music for Sunday Suppers!

Best,
Joel


Joel Miller
ravine
53 cr 321
oxford, ms 38655
www.oxfordravine.com 
662.234.4555

A special thanks to The Oxford Enterprise!



The Oxford Enterprise is the new Sunday paper in Oxford, MS.  The current issue features an article about me in the Arts & Entertainment section.  The paper is for sale around town for $1.00 (cash only at Kroger or 4 quarters only in the dispensers.)  It's a fantastic issue, it includes a powerful guest commentary submitted by Milly Moorehead West, "Oxford should make 'Going Green' a real plan of action, not a slogan."
Buy a paper today!  (And don't forget to recycle it!)

Monday, October 26, 2009

Haunted House at the Library Bar on the Square - ya'll it is really scary...













Visit the Haunted House at the Library Bar & Grill on the Square tomorrow night 5-10pm, and don't forget to check out Yappy Hour as well at Parrish's!  $5 per person!  Proceeds for both events go to the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society!

Oxford's first ever Haunted House on the Square - tonight and tomorrow night! - Get a free pass to Yappy Hour if you attend!



(This image is curtesy of  http://www.bluebison.net/ - might be my new favorite art site - the artist offers free original drawings in all sorts of formats for non-commercial use!!!  Check out the free pdfs to download as coloring pages!)


Tonight is the first ever Haunted House on the Square at the Library Bar & Grill!   5-10pm!  Proceeds go to the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society.  Admission is $3 for kids, $5 for adults, and you can get an unlimited pass for $10. It's going to be really fun! The OLHS staff worked really hard on it all day and night and it looks great!  This is a haunted house for kids, it is going to be a scary but it is going to be kid friendly!


Please help spread the word! It's tonight and tomorrow night from 5-10PM.
Library Bar and Grill

120 South 11th Street
Oxford, MS 38655
662-234-1411

From their website:  Haunted House - Oct 26th & 27th, 2009

The Library Bar and Grill is hosting a Haunted House October 26th and 27th with all proceeds going to the OLHS building fund! Join the spooky fun on Monday, October 26 and Tuesday, Oct 27 from 5 PM - 10 PM. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for the kids and $10 for an Unlimited Pass. The Library's Bar will be closed/no alcohol served. Those who visit the Haunted House will also receive a "Free Pass" to Yappy Hour at Parrish's for Tuesday, October 27th from 6 - 8 pm. Fun for the whole family!

Please support the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society in their efforts to raise funds and complete their new building project.  Click here to see photos I took of their current shelter.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

The Midtown Farmers' Market continues through the end of October - get your fresh produce while you still can!



The remaining vendors that continue to sell at the Midtown Farmers' Market are Bost Farm, Brown Family Dairy and the Jumbo Gulf Shrimp vendor (pictured above).  I wanted to buy something from this seafood vendor, and I was so thrilled to be able to purchase some crabmeat!  (It was delish!)  They also sell boiled gulf shrimp, heads on shrimp and peeled shrimp, and shucked oysters.



I'm more of a Chesapeake Bay seafood kind of gal, but gulf crab is also delicious.




Brown Family Dairy eggs and gulf crabmeat -
There is nothing I love more than a fantastic crab cake...



I [heart] my Green Pans.  If you haven't gotten rid of all of your old pans to switch to these, I highly recommend doing so.  They are great pans, they cook fast with or without oil and are so easy to clean! 
GreenPan is a Belgian cookware manufacturer which is the first to launch PTFE free non-stick cookware. 
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is most well known by the DuPont brand name Teflon, and is used in many types of cookware pans, but it also has numerous other applications.  The EPA's scientific advisory board decided in 2005 that PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) — a chemical compound used to make Teflon—is a "likely carcinogen."  Currently this chemical is not regulated by the EPA but can be found in all of our old non-stick pots and pans.  Yikes!



Crab cake dinner - gulf crabmeat crab cake made with Brown Family Dairy eggs, soup made from Bost Farms yellow squash and sweet potatoes from the Farmers' Market grocery store, and asparagus from the Farmers' Market grocery store.



I used the Very Crabby Crabcakes recipe from this awesome book - I Love Crab Cakes!  This book is one of my favorites, it has 50 great crab cake recipes, from simple to complex! 

Bon appetit and thanks to the Midtown Farmers' Market for all of their lovely produce!  They have a new website that they are having trouble with, but they should have it running correctly by next season.  They also have a weekly e-mail updating customers about the vendors, produce and entertainment that will be at the market each week.  To get on their e-mailing list for next season (starting in April 2010), contact Errol Castens errol.castens@djournal.com.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Mark your calendars for the first Haunted House on the Square and for Halloween Yappy Hour!

First ever HAUNTED HOUSE on the square!!!!! The Library Bar & Grill is hosting a bone chilling Haunted House to benefit the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society October 26th and 27th from 5-10 PM. The cost is $3 for kids, $5 for adults, or buy an unlimited pass for $10. Get ready to be frightened by ghouls, ghosts, and goblins! The Library Bar & Grill will not serve alcohol and the bars will be closed, it is going to be open both nights as a Haunted House ONLY. You'll walk on paths through three rooms of the entire building. The walk is approximately 15 minutes depending on how fast you walk/run through the terrifying haunted house! (This will be a kid friendly event).
Don't forget Yappy Hour Tuesday, October 27th at Parrish's on the Square from 6-8 PM! Feel free to bring your furry friends if socialized and friendly. There will be food from Parrish's and Lenora's, beverages, Yappy-tizers for your pets, and LIVE music. The pet with the best Halloween costume wins a prize! Get a free pass to the haunted house when you come to Yappy Hour.

Ole Miss Health Fair October 28, 2009 - they've got flu shots!

Ole Miss Annual Student Health Fair
Wednesday October 28, 2009 in the Student Union from 10am-2pm.
Come by to receive free screenings such as HIV testing and counseling, bone density, hearing and eye exams, cholesterol, blood pressure, body composition, and even a free massage! Learn about what organizations and practices are available to you on campus and in the Oxford area while benefiting from free give-a-ways and coupons for these various practices and organizations.
Mississippi Blood Services will have their blood donation unit parked in front of the Union. Please consider stopping by to donate. Flu shots will also be available at the Health Fair!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Midtown Farmer's Market to continue through the end of October...



The Midtown Farmer's Market in Oxford, MS will continue to sell produce through the end of October.  (The official city of Oxford website says it ends in September - confusing!)  A few vendors continue to sell produce on the regular market days: Saturday mornings 7am - 11am and Wednesdays 12 noon to 5pm.  Check it out if you're in town and get your hands on the freshest local produce!  I buy nearly all of my vegetables from Bost Farm.  The Bosts come from Water Valley, MS to sell their fresh garden vegetables at the Midtown Farmer's Market.  Their selection generally dictates my menu, so we eat a lot of squash, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers and onions.  The market also all most always has Brown Family Dairy milk and a big truck selling fresh seafood from the Gulf.  The milk is divine, I have yet to try any of the seafood.  For more information, visit the city of Oxford website's page about the market.  If you've never seen the big sign for the Market, it is located in the parking lot of the Midtown shopping center on North Lamar Boulevard.  It is in the same parking lot that is shared by such favorite local spots at Big Bad Breakfast and Snack Bar, and the shopping center is across the street from Volta Taverna.

I [heart] Star Package Wine & Spirits Store in Oxford, Mississippi!



Star Package - the best wine & spirits store in Oxford, Mississippi - now gives away these bottle totes when you purchase 6 bottles to a case.  How nifty is that?!  We have used our 2 Star Package tote bags twice all ready - they are majorly handy when travelling to the Grove.

It is my own opinion that Star Package is the best wine & spirits store in Oxford, although I do think they were voted best by a recent poll taken by The Local Voice.  The folks that work there are so pleasant - and they are so helpful and knowledgeable about what they are selling.  I was also so pleased/shocked to discover that this small, family-owned business also has a terrific website - so many businesses in Oxford do not have websites.  Check out Star Package's website and print their 10% off coupon!

Star Package Inc
308 Jackson Ave.
Oxford, MS 38655
Phone: 662-234-3331
Contact: jeannezinn@ms.metrocast.net

* Note of interest - When I first moved to Mississippi, I had never heard of a "Package Store."  I was driving around Oxford and saw Star Package for the first time and noticed all the alcohol bottles and liquor signs in the windows.  I went home and told my husband about the funny store that sells boxes as well as alcohol.  He explained to me how the name "Package Store" has stuck ever since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.  Apparently a political compromise between the temperance movement leaders and the government was reached whereby containers of alcoholic beverages could not legally be carried in public without being concealed in a brown bag or "package."  Thus, stores that sold alcohol wrapped or "packaged" their bottles for their customers' convenience.

The 7th Cup is Free! Bring your own to go cup to Honey Bee Bakery and get your card punched every time!



Honey Bee Bakery is saving the Earth by offering a free cup of coffee/tea for every 7 times you bring your own to go cup or mug.  Stop by Honey Bee Bakery and pick up one of these little cards to have punched for every time you bring your own cup. 

Honey Bee Bakery offers fair trade coffee, French press service with beans ground to order and ceramic mugs made by local artists. 

Honey Bee Bakery in Oxford, Mississippi
2305 W. Jackson Avenue Suite 202
Oxford, MS 38655
662.236.2490

Oxford, MS Walgreens is completely out of Flu Shots!!!













I got my flu shot last week at the Walgreens on University Avenue in Oxford.  It took about 30 minutes, and there were about 4 people waiting in line.  I'm glad I got it when I did because I just called Walgreens to confirm the information I was about to post and THEY ARE COMPLETELY OUT OF FLU SHOTS AND DO NOT KNOW IF THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET ANY MORE.   I can't believe they ran out! 
I also inquired about the H1N1 vaccine.  The Oxford Walgreens does not have this vaccine, nor are they sure they will receive it.  The pharmicist also told me over the phone that he could not tell me at this time who will be eligible for this shot. 

Chaney's Pharmacy in Oxford, MS is still offering the flu shot, but you must call in advance on the day you wish to get the shot to see if there is actually someone present to administer the shot.  Call 662.234.7221.

The Ole Miss Health Services clinic is still giving flu shots but is very close to running out.  Their hours are Monday - Thursday, 8-5pm and Fridays 9-5pm.  They were supposed to have the H1N1 vaccines by mid-October 2009, but they have not yet received the them.  Call 662.915.7275 for more information.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Cheers to year one at Honey Bee Bakery - Oxford's new favorite bakery!

Last night we celebrated Honey Bee Bakery's one year in business anniversary with a cocktail reception and art show at the bakery.


Shannon Adams, owner of Honey Bee Bakery with her parents and Sean.




Tori+cake!


Shannon + wine!


Amazing snacks by Honey Bee Bakery - giant halloween frosted cookies, pecan pie wedges, cucumber sandwiches, fried bean cakes, chocolate eclairs and more!




Gourmet popcorn!
A lovely time was had by all!  Thanks to Shannon for including me in the art show - I had a blast!


Thursday, October 15, 2009

Preventing Swine Flu - Some good advice and some good questions...



You may have received this email going around with some unusual tips for preventing swine flu:

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know.


The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.


While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):


1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).


3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.


4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*


5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.


6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

As concerns for pregnant women increase, many were thrilled to play Ginea Pig for the first round of H1N1 vaccine trials.  But now some women are concerned about the levels of mercury found in this vaccine.  In this CBS news videos, doctors explain that some women are concerned that the vaccine will cause miscarriages. 


Watch CBS News Videos Online

If pregnant women and/or women of child-bearing age are concerned about mercury, they should also be concerned about the amounts/types of fish they are consuming.  This from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website:

... nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. For most people, the risk from mercury by eating fish and shellfish is not a health concern. Yet, some fish and shellfish contain higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's developing nervous system. The risks from mercury in fish and shellfish depend on the amount of fish and shellfish eaten and the levels of mercury in the fish and shellfish. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are advising women who may become pregnant, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children to avoid some types of fish and eat fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.

Visit the FDA's website for more information.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm110591.htm

Mississippi's own Clarion Ledger has also reported their skepticism on receiving the H1N1 vaccine.  Read more here.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Recycling in the grove on Ole Miss football weekends


The University of Mississippi has lots of information posted on their Green Initiative website concerning their monster of a problem: recycling in the Grove and at football games.

If you happened to watch ESPN on Saturday, October 10th, 2009, you would have heard the estimate that at 12 noon in Oxford, Mississippi, there were 90,000 people partying in the famous Grove at the center of the Ole Miss campus. We all know that people won't recycle unless it's easy. And when you're in the Grove, among thousands of people with all of their tents and various tailgating accessories, it's not only hard to find your friends and your tent, but finding a recycling receptacle can also be a challenge! Here are a few pics from the scene in the Grove last weekend - these shots were taken during the game, and exodus of about 60,000 left us for the stadium, while we partied on in the mud watching the game on satellite flatscreens:

Click these images to enlarge

As you can see, the Ole Miss red and blue trash cans are unmistakable. These new green-netted recycling bins do not stand out as much. I hope people will take the time to find them!

Here are your recycling options in the Grove, from the Ole Miss Green Grove Campaign site:

Recycling in the Grove and Circle
Before the Game:

Before the game, tailgaters have several options to support the collection of gameday recyclables.

Tailgaters can place their plastic bottles and aluminum cans within designated recycling bins located throughout the Grove and Circle. Starting in the 2009 football season, UM will utilize new collection bins, which feature foldable metal leg frames and green, clear plastic bags.


Tailgaters can also drop off recycling bags fu
ll of plastics #1 and #2 and aluminum cans at the Crunch Time Recycling Tent (open from 10AM to 6PM), located in front of the Student Union. Recycling bags designated for individual tailgating tents will also be available at the Crunch Time Recycling Tent.

Volunteers will walk through the Grove 1-2 hours before kickoff to collect recycling bags. Volunteer time shifts will adjust based on the time of each home game. In general, volunteers will be available up until the time of kick-off to collect your tent’s recyclables.

After the Game:

After the game, we encourage tailgaters to place their plastic water bottles and aluminum cans next to the nearest clear stream recycling container located throughout the Grove and Circle. Any recycling bags containing non-recyclables or any other trash bags left at tailgating tent locations after the game will be considered trash, as these bags are often contaminated with food products. Please note that Red Solo Cups are not recyclable and should not be placed in the recycling bins.

Collection Process

On gameday, recycling bins will be set up throughout the Grove and Circle several hours before kickoff. Following the game, gameday recyclables from the Grove, Circle and in the stadium are collected in large recycling bins and then transported to the local recycling facility.

During the cleanup process following the game, all the bins are picked up to avoid damage or theft of either the bins or recyclables. Between games, the bins are stored at an on-campus storage facility.


Monday, October 12, 2009

Football Weekends in Oxford, Mississippi - how to get it done!

Laurie, Lizzie and Liza

We started off the weekend by grilling our own Heartland Catfish: farm-raised in the Mississippi Delta! Farm-raised catfish is the freshest seafood you can get in the Hills of Mississppi. We also grilled asparagus and mushrooms purchased at the Farmers' Market in Oxford.

Our Grove tailgate consisted of bloody marys and mimosas, fried chicken with pickles from Lindsey's Chevron - featured in last month's Bon Appetit, veggies from the Farmers' Market with dips, homemade salsa with Santitas authentic Mexican style chips, homemade ham and cheese poppyseed biscuits and a dessert selection from my favorite bakery, Honey Bee Bakery!

*Note - We did not have our own tent/table/chairs/cooler to set up our own tailgate in the Grove, so we payed a professional who was actually nice enough to let us rent his personal stuff. Most people who offer to set up your tent/table/chairs/cooler the night before, expect you to supply your own. If you are visiting Oxford, you will have to arrange to rent these items, which can get to be $$$. Call Brandon Mason to help set you up in the Grove - he's the best there is! 662.538.1211!

Amazing fried chicken strips from Lindsey's Chevron in Oxford. Order in advance for a game weekend, and be sure to pull back the tin foil covering the platter upon pickup! (The chicken will continue to cook under the tin foil - if you remove the foil, the chicken + pickles will stay crisp!!!)

Awesome dessert box from Honey Bee Bakery - we dropped it as we unloaded the car in a mass of Grove chaos and the chocolate cupcakes got smushed!

Dramatic sights from the Grove!

Our neighbor's tailgate spread...

It's impossible to get a dinner reservation on a game weekend without calling at the very least a month in advance. That's the true reason why we cooked at home on Friday night. It's also hard to find a lunch spot on Saturday - and forget about it on Sunday! All most all of the restaurants in Oxford are closed on Sundays, and they also cannot serve alcohol (city of Oxford law.) However, Ravine was open for brunch and we were lucky enough to get a seat there on Sunday!

blackened shrimp atop fried green tomato, with maque choux and remoulade

pear and gorgonzola tossed with spinach, pine nuts and roasted peppers with a side of fried potatos

beef tenderloin grillades, with peppers and onions, over white cheddar grits

You may have read in the Oxford news that Ravine is fighting to be able to serve alcohol on Sundays since they are physically located outside of the city limits of Oxford. You can read more about their recent battle on theoxfordenterprise.com:

Ravine owner may file suit against the state.
Joel Miller vows to keep fighting for wine sales

By Rick Hynum
The Oxford Enterprise Editor

Chef and proprietor Joel Miller said he will not give up fighting for the right to sell wine on Sundays at his upscale restaurant/bed-and-breakfast, Ravine, despite last week’s setback when the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors declined to back his efforts.
Miller said on Wednesday that he is mulling over his options and may file a lawsuit against the state.

Miller appeared before county supervisors on Monday and asked that they draft a letter to the State Tax Commission supporting his goal to offer wine on Ravine’s Sunday menu. However, District 2 Supervisor Johnny Morgan said the decision rests with the State Tax Commission, not the county, and advised Miller to “exhaust all options with the state.”
District 1 Supervisor Mike Pickens later moved to deny Miller’s request. The motion passed by a 4-1 vote, with only District 4 Supervisor and board president Lloyd Oliphant voting against it.

The State Tax Commission granted Ravine “resort status” but restricted it to the hours for legal alcohol sales in Oxford, even though the restaurant is located just beyond the city limits. According to Miller, the commission told him that if the county supervisors wrote a letter saying they had no objection to Sunday wine sales in Ravine, the restrictions could be changed.

“Supposedly, I still have a route to the State Tax Commission (and) can directly appeal to them,” Miller said Wednesday. “But they also told me that just because I have the right to appear before them, they don’t have to listen to me.”
Miller said a better approach may be to “lawyer up” and take his case to court. “I want to try to do this as diplomatically as possible” and follow the proper channels, he said. “But I have a feeling I’ll run into the same close-mindedness.”

He said he didn’t expect the supervisors to take his side in the first place. “There was no surprise, no disappointment,” he said.

Even so, he made his plea to the board on Monday, arguing that he ran a respectable business with a respectable clientele. “People come in there for a glass of wine with their meal. They don’t come in there to binge-drink.”
He pointed out that Castle Hill Resort (formerly the Colonel’s Quarters), also located outside of the city, is permitted to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “I’m not asking for that,” he noted.

Oliphant seemed to agree with Miller, calling it “a fairness issue.” But Morgan said Miller’s problem lay with the State Tax Commission, not the board. “I personally feel that it is not in the best interests of this board to preempt the actions of a state agency and second-guess their decision,” he said. “They’ve got to have a reason. Of course, nobody’s given me that reason yet. I’d like to know more about their reasons” for requiring Ravine to adhere to Oxford’s alcohol sale hours.

But Miller said he has never been able to get a clear answer from the commission.
On Wednesday Miller said he is still working on his game plan, but added, “We are going to pursue it. No question. A lot of people were hoping I’d give up and go away. That’s not going to happen.”