Alicen Blanchard, MCM Director of Education says, “Storyland is truly early literacy in action. Whether sneaking under Mr. McGregor’s picket fence, building a snowman, playing on a giant coconut tree, or mixing up an enormous batch of cookies, children and parents will delight in seeing their favorite characters and settings come to life at MCM this summer.” Storyland’s grand opening will be tomorrow beginning at 10:00 a.m. MCM Members will have the opportunity to view the exhibit from 8am until 10am. 

MCM’s mission to provide unique and exciting educational experiences is accomplished through hands-on and engaging exhibits and programs focusing on literacy, the arts, science, health and nutrition. Storyland will provide museum guests with an early-literacy focused educational experience unlike any other. The traveling exhibit is free with paid admission to the museum.

The Mississippi Children’s Museum is located at LeFleur’s Bluff Park, just across the way from St. Dominic’s Hospital in Fondren.

“Hey, I saw you and about 15 people in reflective vests running up Old Canton hill last night. Looks like fun! Can I join?”

I get questions lately from some of my Fondren neighbors. We have been quite active and it seems that people are noticing. You see, I train people to live a healthier life and as part of that training, I am out and active with my clients in my neighborhood. Sure, we get some double takes, but that tells me that people are paying attention, and as they pass through, they will remember something is different about Fondren – something that they may not have yet in their own ‘hood.

Fondren is different for sure, and that is a great thing because I am, too. Oftentimes, I tell people that Fondren is my playground. By that, I mean it is somewhere that I can be a kid. It is somewhere where everyone knows me, but I also feel like I can disappear into the background and be myself without being judged for being a little different. In Fondren, I can drop down on the steps of a local church and do some inclined push-ups and then get back up and keep on running up Duling Avenue and then back down State Street. In Fondren, I can run with my dog through the streets as fast as I can and see my neighbors laughing instead of staring. In Fondren, I can run a 5k promoted by Rod’s Racers or join one of the community bike rides put on by Jackson Bike Advocates. And it is in Fondren that if I ever want to participate or watch some skateboarding, I can do so at one of Swell-O-Phonic’s Skate Jams.

The thing about “playing” in Fondren is that it shows to others that we are “moving” in Fondren. Not only are we moving for our health, but we are moving in positive directions as a community. We are not remaining stagnant and accepting the status quo; we are demanding better things of ourselves and for ourselves. We have some great businesses here and most likely some new ones on the way. We have people moving into our neighborhoods that are young and influential people in the greater Jackson area. These are people that expect more from their leadership, from local business owners and from their neighbors. When I was running up the Old Canton hill the other night and saw a group of people in their reflective vests running behind me, I thought about how great it was. We’re showing the people passing by what can be done when a group of like-minded individuals get together to “play.” Come play with us.

Terry Sullivan is our go-to responsible living consulting. He is the owner of liveRIGHTnow. This article was originally printed in our Spring 2012 Guide.

Wolf met requirements that included enrolling in a culinary arts program at an accredited university or culinary school, having a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and writing a 750 word essay, entitled “How I Plan to Better My Community in My Role as a Chef.”

Source: Broad Street Baking Company, Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association

Creative minds on the loose! That’s the way artist Roz Roy describes students at Boyd Elementary this week as they experience art in their schools courtesy of supporter Fondren Renaissance Foundation (FRF). 150 4th grade students are learning the art of collage paper making from Roy and watercolor technique from Natalie Ray, all part of a program to bring art into public schools. This is the third year FRF has sponsored the Boyd lessons and Foundation Executive Director Jim Wilkirson said the organization is fortunate to have these two artists leading. “We’re showing them what we do as artists,” Ray said, “and letting them be inspired to create their own work.” 

The lessons are also a way to identify young artistic stand outs and foster their talents. A former Boyd student herself, Ray told us she will be teaching a camp this summer at The Cedars where a hand selected group will create pieces for a fall art show. The camp, in mid July, will be kept to a small size to give individualized attention to each student. “We’re very excited,” Ray told us. “We’re going to have some great campers.” Art from last year’s camps still hangs in the student art room at The Cedars. 

As public school budgets dwindle, Roy said she is thankful for FRF and the funds they are providing for the art program. “All of these kids just love this,” she told us, “and really, this kind of art is inexpensive to do.” Roy says there’s something about seeing pencils, paints and paper that gets young minds going. And Ray agrees. “They’re soaking this up. We’re very excited to see what they come out with.”

While it’s too early to know the new building’s design and layout, several tenants already are set. Biotech company incubator space will occupy about 25,000 square feet on one floor. That will mark the first phase of a long-term plan to construct the Mississippi Biotechnology Research Park. The building will also house laboratory animal facilities and UMMC Cancer Institute labs. Hall said administrators will survey space needs of departments and research centers. “Some faculty members are in 1950s space, original buildings that have had no renovations. These facilities aren’t adequate for modern research,” he said, referring to the North Wing of the original Medical Center building that opened in 1955. 

UMMC leaders put plans on hold last year for a Mississippi Biotechnology Research Park project at the old farmers market when Congress swore off federally targeted funds, known as earmarks. The project already had received nearly $20 million in federal earmarks, and UMMC had taken ownership of the farmer’s market property, located at West Street and Woodrow Wilson Avenue. With little likelihood of further federal support, administrators opted to include biotech incubator space in the Cancer and Biomedical Science Research Center, which allowed use of the $20 million for the on-campus building. The Cancer and Biomedical Science Research Center represents just one part of the Medical Center’s long-term plan. Utility work already under way, a new entrance to campus on Lakeland Drive and a parking deck will pave the way for new buildings in the long-term plan.

Source: Jack Mazurak, UMC Public Affairs

The Blind Boys of Alabama will be LIVE Sunday night in Fondren

Much in the world has changed since the original version of the Blind Boys of Alabama first raised their voices together in 1939. Today, more than 70 years later, founding member Jimmy Carter can look back on a career far beyond what he and his colleagues could imagine at that time. Yet throughout this long adventure, they kept one secret to themselves. “All my life, I’ve loved country music,” confesses Carter. “I was raised up around it. Back in the 1940s, I remember listening to Hank Williams and so many others. Their voices were great. The writers were great. And every song had a meaning. I still have loads of country music in my home and I play it all the time. As a matter fact, I’ve got it on XM radio as we speak.”

Though the group has recorded and performed with a few country artists, along with others as diverse as Ben Harper, Tom Petty, Peter Gabriel and Prince, they never crossed the line and committed to doing a project inspired by the country genre until now, with the release of  Take The High Road on Saguaro Road Records. This landmark recording draws from modern and traditional country to enrich the group’s gospel-rooted sound with fresh and illuminating insight. Arden Barnett says “this Sunday night could be on of the greatest concert experiences of the year.” 

A list of accolades and honors:
• Winners of 5 GRAMMY Awards (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009)
• Honored with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award (2009)
• Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees (2003)
• Winners of 4 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards (2003, 2006, 2 Awards in 2009)
• 3 U.S. Presidential Administrations have invited The Blind Boys to the White House: President Clinton in 1994, President Bush in 2002 and President Obama in 2010.

The Blind Boys have appeared on recordings with Bonnie Raitt, Randy Travis, k.d. lang, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Charlie Musselwhite, Susan Tedeschi, Solomon Burke, Marty Stuart, Asleep at the Wheel and many others. 

Hear the Blind Boys of Alabama LIVE, this Sunday evening at Duling Hall in Fondren, presented by Ardenland. Save with an advance ticket purchase from Ticketmaster, Babalu Tacos &  Tapas or Morningbell Records. Ticket Scholarships available: arden@ardenland.net

Image, copy: BlindBoys.com

Evans returned to Jackson three years ago and finalized his business plan in father John Evans’ Lemuria Books Dot Com space before locating his distillery in Gluckstadt and his home and home office in Fondren. Mississippi was an obvious choice, he tells us, since there was no distillery here. “And”, he says, “there are a lot of industry related draws.” Patrick moved here shortly after Evans did and the pair built a company that celebrated and supported the musical heritage they are offhandedly named for. “A cathead was the folk art bluesmen painted to supplement their incomes,” he tells us. “That’s what they called musicians they respected – cats – so it’s our tribute.” Indeed Evans and Patrick put their money where their mouths are in respecting blues cats, donating $1 of each bottle sold to the Oxford, Mississippi based Yoknapatawpha Arts Council. “It’s our way of giving back.”

Cathead’s newest product is Honeysuckle Vodka, a culturally specific product that took some time to get right. “We’ve had the idea the whole time,” he says, “but it took us two years to get the flavor profile down.” Evans explains that you can’t release a product like this without the proper distribution routes. “It’s complicated, but we’ll get it into the eight states we distribute in, as far north as Indiana and east to Virginia.” 

The 31 year-old Fondren Corner resident says his choice to live in Fondren was an easy one. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” he mentions. And with his busy schedule that has him on-the-go, he’s thankful for the numerous restaurants within walking distance of his apartment. “I just don’t have time to cook.” But, there’s another benefit to his location. “I hired my neighbor as a sales guy and my business partner lives a hundred feet away. Everyone I deal with is in Fondren.” Evans loves the community vibe here and says the open and accepting atmosphere makes this the place to be in Jackson. “There’s a different energy about people who live here and I know people in Fondren are pushing Jackson in the right direction.”

It’s official: Fondren’s Pix/Capri Theater will re-open as a multi-screen cinema as early as summer 2013. Principal partner Jason Watkins, along with Marcy and Aaron Vick, David Pharr and Dorsey Carson have signed the deal with big plans for the historic space. “Our idea,” Watkins says, “is to restore, redevelop, and relaunch it as a movie theater with a dine-in concept.” Similar concepts have been carried through with much success in other cities where moviegoers can enjoy full menu food service while seeing a first run feature. The $5 to $10 million plan has never been for a single screen complex. “Historically, that hasn’t worked in Jackson,” Watkins reminds us. He plans to add on to the existing structure without disturbing the significant nature of the building. And, the Pix/Capri main theater will have some stage aspect to it to serve a multipurpose, hopefully for performing arts groups. 

Also in the plans? An underground parking structure will be located behind the theater with a green space on top. “That green space has always been a part of the mix,” he says. It’s expensive, he tells us, to build parking underground, but it wouldn’t require lots of digging. He also says that land is too valuable for a surface lot. “We will vision that with our architects and see what it looks like. It’s such a natural and obvious thing to do.”

Another aspect Watkins and his group are exploring is a residential development. With about 100 condo and apartment units, this portion would be built across the back section of the property. Adding this could bring the total cost to around $30 million. He also mentions that there are no plans to lose existing homes on Mitchell or Oxford. 

Realistically, he says, dirt won’t likely turn until 2013, but that’s not stopping the building from being put to good use in the meantime. Good Samaritan Center’s N.U.T.S. announced plans last month to move a retail thrift shop location into the front lobby on a temporary basis. And on the day we stopped by, crews were inside the theater cleaning up. “This isn’t something we look at five years down the road,” Watkins explains, “and say ‘when will this happen?’ It’s happening right now.” 

As for the overall Whitney Place development (a separate project all together), what is known as The Strip will be redeveloped in some way. Watkins is a part of its development and says that when the time comes, it will fit in with the Pix/Capri project. They have spoken with tenants and architects alike to come up with a plan that they believe satisfies everyone. “We want to maintain the facade and then recreate from there.” He says plans that made the rounds in the early days of Whitney Place talks were never ready for public eyes. “Those were only concepts on paper.” For now, Watkins and his group hope people will love what they see and understand the commitment they are making to bringing back this historic treasure. “What we want to do, Watkins tells us, “is let this project be absorbed by the neighborhood. This is a really big deal for Fondren.” 

Bike Walk Mississippi is gearing up for a big week. Bicycle events will be held throughout the state of Mississippi in conjunction with National Bicycle Month. The entire month is dedicated to remembering those who have been killed or injured on Mississippi roads and to raise awareness of the need for a more bicycle friendly Mississippi.

Wednesday, May 16, Bike Walk Mississippi is hosting its 2nd annual “Wear Yellow Day”, and is asking people statewide to wear yellow or other high visibility clothing items to help raise awareness for increased safety on Mississippi roads. Bike Walk Mississippi Executive Director Melody Moody told Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Ezra Wall last week “it’s a chance to be united as a community, and I don’t mean that as a bicycling community. This is a statewide community that says ‘this is important to us and something we care about.’ “ Bike Walk asks you to make a commitment to pay attention to the roads, to give at MINIMUM 3 feet when passing a runner, walker, or bicyclist and to stop distracted driving or driving under the influence. Bike Walk Mississippi invites people of all ages, whether or not they regularly run, walk or bike, to stand together in solidarity to bring awareness to what all Mississippians can do to make Mississippi a healthier and safer state. 

Other Bicycle Month events in the area include National Bike to Work Day on May 18. The Jackson Bike Advocates will host an “epic bike weekend” scheduled for Thursday, May 24- Saturday, May 26. Events will include a Thursday bike ride from Rainbow CoOp to the Mississippi Museum of Art’s art garden to view the movie of the month, “Ferris Beuler’s Day Off”; the 3rd annual JBA “Alley-cat” on Friday, a friendly race & scavenger hunt around some of Jackson’s favorite hot spots, followed by an after-party at Sneaky Beans Coffee shop featuring the Overnight Lows and Bloodbird. Saturday, May 26, bike polo enthusiasts from Mobile, Memphis, Little Rock and New Orleans will join the Jackson Bike Advocates for an epic Bike Polo match. Sunday, May 27, Jackson Bike Advocates will wrap up the weekend with a friendly bike ride to Julep Restaurant for brunch, emanating again from Rainbow CoOp. These events are free, everyone is welcome and all bicyclists are encouraged to wear helmets.

 For more information on statewide bicycle month events contact bikewalk@bikewalkmississippi.org

Sturdivant

With a young, eclectic and socially connected neighborhood like Fondren, is it possible to feel “out of the loop?” One Fondrenite thinks so and that’s why he’s taking initiative to bring the young – and young at heart – closer together. Micajah Sturdivant says an event next Thursday night at 5pm at Brent’s aims to bridge the gap for people who may not feel plugged in. Next Thursday night’s “Neighborhood Social” will be a chance for people to gather, get acquainted and find out about all of the things Fondren has to offer. “No one should be intimidated by going to Brent’s,” the Fondren Renaissance (FRF) board member reasons, “and this is a chance for us to be informed. It’s important to make sure we all know what’s happening.” The brainchild of Sturdivant and Brent’s owner Brad Reeves, the duo didn’t want to create a new organization but to make existing organizations work for those who are here. Part of the evening will consist of collecting info and contacts to put them into systems that are already in place. “The easiest way to do that is to get people together to meet and find out about each other’s interests.” FRF executive director Jim Wilkirson says those interests may line up very closely in a neighborhood where people seem to have a lot in common. “We have a lot of music and art events,” he says, “but what about things like volunteering? There are many areas we can plug you in to.” 

Sturdivant cites the upcoming summer concert series at The Cedars as a gathering opportunity. “Do we know what Ardenland is doing,” he asks? “What about festivals like this past weekend’s Stray at Home?” All of these things, he tells us, are places where people can get together – if they know who they can get together with. It’s that pesky question – “don’t I know you from somewhere” – that Sturdivant believes holds people back, even himself. “I’ve seen people out that I think I should know, and I feel bad to ask their name. It’s good to have an outside party like this social, get in the room, and (re)introduce yourself.” And it’s an opportunity to introduce a different generation to FRF. “This isn’t an opportunity to look for new donors,” he says, “but to find ways we all can celebrate together.” And FRF provides many of those opportunities. Wilkirson says they have fun, free things open to the neighborhood, and they want you to be a part. And he thinks a social like this could be a springboard for other things. “Maybe someone rises up to put on an event or be on a board; let’s let them know they’re valued.”

The FRF sponsored Neighborhood Social is FREE and will be held next Thursday, May 24, from 5 to 6:30pm at Brent’s in the Woodland Hills Shopping Center on Duling Avenue in Fondren.