.....Fondren ADA Committee Member Dr. Scott Crawford and Jackson ADA Coordinator Herbert Humphrey confirm that the curb height in front of SE Lock and Key is a danger to pedestrians and vehicles alike. While a typical curb height is 6 inches, this curb measures 8 1/2 inches - just high enough to fool the eye into thinking it's normal but too high to accommodate a normal step up. The curb is also high enough to damage the front of vehicles that pull too close.

.....At its last meeting, the ADA Committee reviewed security video of numerous people falling onto the sidewalk as a result of the atypical curb height, many times resulting in serious injury.

.....The video incidents were captured on the security cameras of SE Lock and Key. Just a few yards down, in front of Barrelhouse, the curb is only 2 inches high. The discrepancy is an issue for visually impaired people.

....."Obviously, the curb is too high, and dangerously so, at SE Lock and Key and too low a few yards away at Barrelhouse. But the greater concern is at SE Lock and Key because there are so many videos of seemingly able-bodied people failing as they try to step up that high curb," said Dr. Crawford. "This needs to be fixed before more people are hurt."

The FRF Board of Directors welcomed two new board members at its May meeting. Board members serve 3-year terms and serve up to two terms.

.....Jonathan Werne joins the board as a representative of St. Dominic Health Services where he serves as Regional General Counsel.

.....Jonathan is a graduate of Jackson Prep and Ole Miss. He attended law school at Ole Miss.

.....He is married to Jamie Russ Werne and they have three sons.

.....Sandy Carter joins the board as a resident of Fondren since 1996. Sandy is Vice President and Trust Officer with Trustmark National Bank.

.....He graduated from Ole Miss in 1980 with a banking and finance degree. He has worked for Trustmark for the past 32 years focusing on fund management for non-profits and foundations.

.....Sandy is married to Ann Carter who is an interior designer. They have three grown children.

.....Wilson Stribling gave WLBT viewers a look into the Fondren project currently underway along North State Street which will soon bring a bowling alley, a movie theatre and a tiki bar to the area.

....."It's an entertainment complex," said famed chef and restauranteur Robert St. John who is a partner in the project along with local developers Jason Watkins and David Pharr.

.....St. John often calls Fondren "the coolest neighborhood in the biggest city in the state."

.....According to the report, the bar, bowling alley and theatre will open this fall, with another restaurant, Ed's Burger Joint, opening in early 2022.

.....To view the story on WLBT, CLICK HERE.

.....Most Fondren restaurants are now hiring for all positions in advance of a busy summer, starting with the kick off of Fondren Live.

.....If you are looking to be part of "the coolest neighborhood in the biggest city in the state" you can apply through most restaurant web sites where you can also find a list of positions available.

.....Or, you can use the link below to complete an application which will be forwarded to all Fondren Restaurants.

.....CrossFit Fondren will kick off it's 800 Gram Challenge with a meeting on May 27 at 6:30 p.m. at their gym, 3002 North Mill Street.

.....The 800g Challenge allows you to eat 800 grams (by weight) of fruits and/or vegetables per day plus any other foods you want.

.....For more information, visit their special webpage

And Afterglow 8 - 10 p.m.

.....Local singer, songwriter Tatum Henry will appear at Fondren Live on June 3, 6 - 8 p.m. You can hear her sing her first original single, titled "Cooperate" in front of the 3000 Fondren Building, at 3000 Old Canton Road.

.....Tatum was recently given a golden ticket to enter the Hollywood phase of the ABC singer series American Idol, for which she auditioned for in San Diego.

.....Other buskers scheduled to perform live in the business district from 6 - 8 p.m.:

Dimitri Reeves, singer, dancer, entertainer

Zoey Girls, sister violists

Rock band, Lady Gun

Gypsy.Soul.Circus, fire performers

Singer Justin Ross

Acoustic Guitarist Jarrett Caraway

Vish Shenay, Sitarist

Also: SoFo Ladies, Vaccination Station, Green Ghost Taco Truck and classic cars from The Vault.

Fondren Live AFTERGLOW

Scott Albert Johnson will play from 8 - 10 p.m. at AfterGlow with a special AfterGlow performance from Gypsy.Soul.Circus.

....We need 300 people to commit to purchase a special Fondren car tag.

..... FRF accepts contributions of all sizes! Help us Keep Fondren Fabulous with a tax deductible contribution today!

.....Thank you to these individuals for your support of FRF:

.. .....Become a partner with JPD in solving neighborhood crimes!

.....Whether you have a sign or not, you can upload video and photos from your home security camera directly to JPD's Precinct 4 with this link: Send video to JPD.

..... The sign is just a deterrent to those who may be trespassing, informing them that their images may be sent to Precinct 4 and used as evidence.

Renaissance Society Members 

 "foundation of the foundation"

Katherine & Michael

Boerner

Shani & Jackie

Meck

Michelle & David

Pharr

Mary Linley Sweat

Liz Brister

John Lauderdale

Belmont Trapp

Roy Campbell

Melissa Hutchison

Matt Jeffries

Jonathan Werne

Sandy Carter

Britney Moss

Sarah Bentley

Michael Boerner

Ryan O'Beirne

Molly Walker

Jonathan Lee

Matthew Majure

Dr. Ardarian Pierre

Buddy Graham

Coleen O'Brien

Kevin Reid

Kathy Clem

Joseph Martin