Blighted properties, abandoned houses, un-permitted commercial ventures in residential areas
.....FRF is working with City Code Enforcement to bring our community into compliance with city codes and regulations.
.....You can help us compile a list of properties that need the city's attention by reporting areas that need city attention (see below form.)
.....City Code Enforcement Officer Robert Brunson will be reviewing the list submitted by FRF and taking the appropriate action.
.....Brunson, who grew up in Jackson, told WAPT last year, "We go after them by sending certified mail. We try to get proper notice to each one of the owners. If they don't respond back, we have to take things into our own hands."
.....The city may have to go to court to force an absentee owner to maintain their property, he continued, noting that the city can fund the clean up and put a tax lien on the lot before it can be sold.
.....Help FRF and the city bring our community into compliance by reporting the properties that need to be reviewed.
Special thanks to Barrelhouse for providing lunch for our volunteers!
And, you can show your appreciation to the volunteers by putting trash in trash containers, maintaining your property and the streets/sidewalks adjoining your property.
FRF Board pursuing Fondren Car Tag
.....At the April Board meeting, the Fondren Renaissance Foundation Board of Directors discussed pursuing a special Fondren Car Tag.
.....In order to proceed, the Board needs 300 people to commit to purchasing the special Fondren tag, once it is approved. The special car tag will cost between $30 - $50 over the cost of a regular tag.
.....While the concept is not intended as a fund-raiser, a small amount of funds will be generated.
.....It is the board's intend to set those funds aside for special Fondren beautification projects. The funds will not be used as general operating funds. Those who purchase the tags will likely be given a chance to vote on how the funds will be utilized each year.
.....If enough names are committed by the July Board meeting, the Board will continue the process.
....."This is an opportunity for us to show that we are proud to be a resident of Fondren," noted Mary Linley Sweat, FRF Board President. "And, it also creates an opportunity to increase the visibility of Fondren as a destination for our businesses and our residents."
Pavement markings installed on Old Canton Road last week
Street Safety Task Force To meet with Chief Davis
.....FRF's Street Safety Task Force will meet with JPD's Chief Davis on Thursday to continue discussion of strategies to curb street racing and other safety issues in Fondren.
.....Members of the Street Safety Task Force are: Liz Brister, Chair, Troy Walters, Francine Thomas, Chris Wilbourn, Jake McGraw, Chris Hannibal, Jesse Emling, Patricia Ice, with Senator David Blount and Representative Debra Gibbs as ex-officio members.
Interiors Market Hosts Freida Rothman
.....Fondren merchant Interiors Market is hosting a trunk show with jewelry designer Freida Rothman on Thursday from 1 - 5 p.m.
.....In advance of Mother's Day, Rothman's line features "strong jewelry for strong moms."
.....Rothman is also founder of the "Women of Strength" campaign which celebrates women who are "role models and inspire younger generations with their positive outlook on life, their perseverance and incredible strength."
.....Rothman will also be speaking at a Women of Strength luncheon, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Fairview Inn. For tickets, call Interiors Market: 601-981-6020.
....You can also meet Rothman at a wine and cheese reception on Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., at Interiors Market. RSVP by Monday evening by calling 601-981-6020.
.....It was the night before a final exam and Scott Albert Johnson ’92 had some studying to do. Only he wasn’t studying. A suitemate who came to ask Johnson a question heard through the door an instructional cassette tape and a small, reedy instrument. “What are you doing?” he asked in disbelief. “We have an exam in six hours.”
.....“I know,” Johnson responded. “But this is really important.…I’ve always wanted to learn how to play harmonica.” Thirty years after this junior-year moment, he doesn’t remember the test’s content, and had even forgotten the course’s subject (twentieth-century music) until the friend reminded him a few years ago. He is, however, one of the country’s finest harmonica players—known for a distinctly melodic approach and mastery of the “overblow” technique, which allows him to hit notes most can’t reach on the instrument. The post-midnight harmonica session was a sign, he says. “I didn’t even realize how important it was.”
Scott Albert Johnson will be participating in the return of Fondren's First Thursdays in June.
Fondren Guitars celebrated their new location, next to Fondren Fitness, last week with an open house. See WJTV's "Celebrate Fondren" segment: Click for Video
Take a tour of Fondren!
.....Join Jane Halbert Jones and More Than a Tourist for:
Fondren BitesNStroll - Saturday May 15
.....Starting at The Bean and finishing with a delicious dinner at Aladdin, the tour will stop in local shops to hear about what they do and why they do it in Fondren. Cost is $70 REGISTER
Fondren's Got Talent!
.....Whether you are a musician, a mime or a human statute, we want to showcase you this summer as part of our Business District Busking Program. (Busking is an international term for street performers.)
.....The first step is to show us what you do by registering for our Busking Directory.
.....Examples of buskers include: Dancers, mimes, artists, clowns, magicians, musicians (especially bagpipers, saxophonists, accordion players, cellists), puppeteers, jugglers, acrobats, tumblers, human statutes, contortionists, escape artists, street percussionists (pots, pans and buckets), animal tricks, dressing and acting like a character from a book or movie.
.....Busking is about pulling people away from the chaos in their own lives and giving them something to smile about for 10+ seconds.
.....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:
Stephanie Volk
Neighbor-hood Watch Signs
.. .....Become a partner with JPD in solving neighborhood crimes!
Virtual Neighborhood Watch signs are now available to deter people from entering your property to commit a crime. For a donation of $10, FRF will deliver a yard sign to your property. You can relocate the sign, once it is received.
.....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.
