Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Exerpt from an article from Portico Magazine-
"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" A city is only as strong as the people who call it home and their sense of pride in their communities.
By: Murray Windham
North Jackson-
Now Executive Director of the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation (www.greaterbelhaven.com) for nine years, Virgi Lindsay has been a Belhaven resident for about 25 years, and has been active in the organization that was founded 10 years ago in order to create long-range plans for the Belhaven and Belhaven Heights areas.
"We are charged with connecting people, place and purpose," explains Virgi, adding that she networks with people who live, work and own businesses in the area, a designated urban neighborhood through the Mississippi Main Street Association.
"We have the privelege of having two historic districts --- Belhaven and Belhaven Heights," she says, "and we have some of the best collections of historic architecture in the state."
Virgi is quick to credit the foundation's business and institutional partners with the area's success. She praises Mississippi Baptist Health Systems, New Stage Theatre, Belhaven College, the Eudora Welty House, First Presbyterian Church and Fairview Inn for assistance.
She says that a diverse group of people has been drawn to the area, and she feels it is a great place to raise a family. "It is a small community within a big city. We know each other and watch out for one another." Since people live and work in the same area, they do not ahve to spend long periods of time in their vehicles and are able to get to know one another. Virgi believes that people in her area are taking stock and rethinking their lives, and they see the benefits of living in the area where they work and play.
Visitors can get a feel for the neighborhood with a stay at Fairview inn, dinner at one of the many good restaurants, a play at New Stage Theatre, and a trip to Fenian's Pub for traditional Irish music. She suggests a trip to Belhaven Market, citing a merger with the downtown Farmer's Market as a smart move.
Nearby, Alison Davis is relatively new to the Fondren Renaissance Foundation (www.fondren.org), taking over as executive director in July 2009. She grew up in Fondren and then returned after living in Savannah, Georgia, for about 12 years.
"The area took a bit of a dip," admits Alison, "but when I came back, it was on the cusp of moving upward. The revitalization is due to the residents' grass-roots efforts and a focus on the district's socioeconomic base."
Although Fondren is an urban neighborhood, not all such areas have the benefit of a strong business district as it does, according to Alison. The residential and commercial paths contribute to each other. "Families are out in the yards; children are walking through neighborhoods. My son can go to Brent's for milkshakes and Campbell's Bakery for doughnuts, and people know him by name." Alison explains that Fondren has served as a Jackson gathering place for years. "In the nineteenth century, the Cedars was a large plantation and served as a stagecoach stop, and in the mid-twentieth century. Fondren was a turning point for the trolley. Woodland Hills was the first shopping center in Jackson. It was established as an area where people could gather."
Alison points to such events as Arts, Eats, and Beats; Symphony at Sunset; Fondren Unwrapped; and Fondren After Five as attractions that impact not only Jackson residents but people outside the metro area.
"It is a unique community that offers nonstandard fare. The convenience of the area has made such an impact on those of us who live here, and it makes life a little easier."

Jackson, Miss., has nice sound to it

It might not be on the radar as a major tourist hub, but Jackson, Miss., is a popular destination for musicians because of The Malaco Music Group, which has recorded gospel and soul music there since 1968. Everyone from Kid Rock and the Rolling Stones to Johnny Cash has sung odes to the state capital.
A good time to visit is Aug. 14, when the Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights street festival takes place. Named as a Top 20 annual summer event by the Southeast Tourism Society, the family-friendly festival is an end-of-summer celebration featuring multiple music stages playing jazz, bluegrass, rock, Celtic and acoustic acts; a children's activity area with bounce houses, mural painting and a climbing wall, and plenty of food vendors offering a variety of cuisine, including local specialties such as fried catfish. Festival hours are 5:30-9:30 p.m. and it costs $4 for adults and children 13 and older, $1 for children 12 and younger. Check www.greaterbelhaven.com for more information.
Eudora Welty House
Literary and history buffs will want to visit this historic house in the Belhaven neighborhood that Jackson's own Welty -- an iconic figure of 20th century literature -- called home for most of her life. The Tudor Revival house, built in 1925, is a National Historic Landmark and museum open for guided tours. The writer also was an avid gardener, and the garden on the grounds has been restored to its former splendor as it looked when Welty and her mother were still tending it. In honor of Welty's birthday, April 13, admission is free on the 13th day of every month at 1109 Pinehurst St. It costs $5 for adults, $3 for students, and is free for children younger than 6. Tours are 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Tuesdays-Fridays. Reservations are required. Call 601-353-7762, or call up www.eudorawelty.org
Farish Street Historic District
In 1995 the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed this historic African-American neighborhood as one of the "11 Most Endangered Historic Places" in the country. Thankfully, the news is much better now as the neighborhood is undergoing a major revitalization project that will keep its distinct architecture intact and turn the area into an entertainment district.
Even though there is construction going on you can still walk or drive through the neighborhood and see many historic buildings (over 690 listings on the National Register of Historic Places are located in the district), eat authentic soul food at Peach's Restaurant (327 N. Farish St., 601-354-9267), where Sen. Barack Obama dined during his Presidential campaign, and catch some live music and a cold beer at F. Jones Corner (303 N. Farish St., 601-983-1148). Some important sites on the Mississippi Blues Trail also are located in the Farish Street district, such as Trumpet Records and the Alamo Theatre. Look for the distinctive blue roadside markers along Farish Street that signify Blues Trail sites.
Mississippi Farmers Market
Drop by the market adjacent downtown to the Mississippi State Fairgrounds for some locally grown produce, handmade crafts from local artisans, chef demonstrations and live entertainment. There is a restaurant on site. The market is covered and open, rain or shine, at 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays. Check www.msfarmersmarket.com
If you go
Jackson is about a six-hour drive west of Atlanta on I-20.
Where to stay
The Fairview Inn. Luxury accommodations in a Colonial Revival mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rates start at $139. 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, www.fairviewinn.com
Cabot Lodge. Located on the campus of Millsaps College just down the road from Belhaven. Rates start at $109. 2375 North State St., 601-948-8650, www.cabotlodgemillsaps.com
Where to eat
Sophia's Restaurant. Elegant dining at the Fairview Inn. Separate lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch menus with Southern, Creole and French elements. Reservations recommended but not required. Dinner entrees start at $18. 734 Fairview St., 601-948-3429, www.fairviewinn.com/dining.htm
Pizza Shack. Popular pizza joint near the Belhaven neighborhood, also serving deli-style subs and salads. Whole pies start at $5.50. 1220 N. State St., 601-352-2001, www.thepizzashackjackson.com
Visitor information
Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau, 800-354-7695, www.visitjackson.com
Provided by Demand Studios

Wedding Traditions

With weddings happening every weekend in the Summer at the Fairview, I have started to wonder where certain wedding traditions come from. Why is it important to wear something old, new, borrowed, blue, and a sixpence in the shoe? Why do we tie cans to the bumper of the car in which the bride and groom depart? Why does the bride wear a veil? Does an aisle runner actually have a traditional meaning?
Well, after a little research I now have a better understanding of what each of these traditions actually mean and why they are important.
Traditionally, the white aisle runner that the bride walks down to meet her groom symbolizes purity and a pathway into happiness. When walking down the white runner sprinkled with rose petals, the path would lead the bride to a bright and happy future.
Cans tied to a bumper? Stemming from a Middle Ages wedding tradition of ringing cowbells and making a lot of noise to ward off any evil spirits, the tradition was modified to a more subtle sound of rattling cans or honking the car horn. It is also a way of announcing the marriage to everyone around.
The old adage of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in the shoe," is something that many brides take quite serious. Traditionally, something old signifies a sense of tradition and continuity and represents a link to the bride's old life and her family. Something new represents a new beginning and new life for the couple together. Something borrowed- Typically the bride will want to borrow something from a happily married friend or family member. The idea is that borrowing something from someone that has a happily married life, your life will mirror theirs and be extremely happy, as well. The meaning of wearing something blue is quite simple- blue represents fidelity, love, and purity. A sixpence in the bride's shoe is a tradition that some brides still observe. A sixpence in the shoe signifies financial wealth and a wealth of happiness.
The wearing of the bridal veil is an old custom that has been modified quite a bit. There are a couple of theories behind where the veil actually came from. One idea is that the veil stems from the days when the Groom and his friends would throw a blanket over the bride's head when they captured her. A second theory is that during the time of arranged marriages the bride's face was kept covered during the ceremony so that the groom would stay committed and not run off if he was disappointed in the bride's looks.
Despite the meaning behind these somewhat whacky traditions, bride's seem to always abide by these wedding customs.

The Help, by: Kathryn Stockett- Book Clubs

Fairview Inn- The Perfect Spot for a Book Club
June 14, 2010 By: Megan Kendrick

You may be thinking about where your book club should have their next meeting to discuss details about the book you are reading. A novel that has become extremely popular is The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. In this fictitious story, Stockett tells a Mississippi tale of three amazing women whose drive to start a movement forever changes a town and the way women view each other. The Help is a story about the rules we abide by, and the ones that we don’t.
Recently, “More Than a Book Club” visited the Fairview Inn to discuss The Help. The book club, from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is a group of ladies who read certain novels and then do activities based upon the novel they have read. For example, when the group read Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes, they prepared a dinner based upon the book. From time to time the group will take road trips to locations that the novel they are reading is based upon. When starting The Help the group knew that this was a “road trip book.” So, they planned their stay in a place that is mentioned in the novel on p.148, the “Fairview mansion.”
Before packing up for their trip, “More Than a Book Club” did their research on the area that the novel was based on- Jackson and Belhaven. The group contacted Virgie Lindsey, head of the Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation, and she arranged for a local Author and an Architectural Historian to speak with the group. Todd Sanders, Architectural Historian, spoke with the group in the Governor’s Board Room of the Fairview Inn. With the group he discussed the architecture of the homes in Jackson in the 1960’s as it relates to The Help. The Fairview Inn, which was constructed in 1908, reflects the architecture of the early 1900’s and brings the novel to life. While in Jackson and at the Fairview, the group was able to envision the novel and see the setting first hand. The group explored much of what Jackson has to offer and made it a priority to visit Eudora Welty’s home, which is right down the street from the Fairview Inn. They were able to speak with local author, Patti Carr Black, who gave insight into being an Author in Mississippi.
The book club had an amazing trip and possibly even plan to come back to Jackson to see the premier of The Help, which will begin filming in Mississippi in the next couple of months. For more information on how your book club can have their next meeting at the historic “Fairview mansion,” please contact Events Coordinator, Amy Grace Warren, 601-948-3429 ext. 316 or events@fairviewinn.com.

Sophia's Restaurant Announces New Executive Chef

SOPHIA’S RESTAURANT INTRODUCES JASON JONES AS EXECUTIVE CHEF
Jackson, MS-June 4, 2010 - Sophia’s Restaurant at the AAA Four-Diamond, Fairview Inn announced today the appointment of their new Executive Chef, Jason Jones. “We are excited about Jason’s enthusiasm and breadths of culinary experience,” said Peter Sharp, Proprietor of the Fairview Inn. “We anticipate Jason’s knowledge and approach to cooking will further enhance Sophia’s favorable reputation in the community.”
Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Jones brings to Sophia’s a creative philosophy towards cooking. This philosophy comes from cooking with his grandmother, who would prepare delicious meals fresh from the farm. From this he learned to cook what was in season and what was grown locally. Jason spends time researching the foods native to the region and then perfects recipes reflecting these ingredients.
After having attended the New England Culinary Institute, Jason spent several years working in Northern California. He recounts the experience there and learned that until you have been exposed to new ingredients, you don’t know to seek them out. He makes it a top priority to find what is raised and grown in the region. Before joining Sophia’s team as Executive Chef, Jones gained insight into the foods of Mississippi by working as Executive Chef at Morgan Freeman’s, Madidi Restaurant in the Mississippi Delta. Jason plans to partner with local farmers to maximize the farm to table concept as much as possible.
When asked how Jason described his style of cooking, Jason said “I guess you would describe it as American Regional Cuisine – taking the best the local region has to offer and using cooking techniques and influences from around the world.” He is not only committed to seeing the business he is working for succeed, but seeing his kitchen team excel also. When asked about his influences on others Jones says, “Being a chef in my world is about creating a team in the kitchen and teaching them dishes that they can not only learn to execute, but can take ownership of.” When asked about his goal as a chef, Jones says it’s simple, “To make well-prepared, straight forward and honest dishes.”
Sophia’s Restaurant is a 66-seat fine dining restaurant in the Fairview Inn which offers lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. In addition to their regular menu, a nightly prix fixe three and four course special menu, Sophia’s offers a monthly Culinary Tour of different countries around the world. The Fairview Inn offers eighteen luxurious guest rooms and suites, Sophia’s Restaurant, nomiSpa Day Spa and event facilities for weddings, corporate meetings and social gatherings.

Sophia's Restaurant- Culinary Tour

Fairview Inn's Culinary Tour puts unique cuisine on the map
Sherry Lucas • slucas@clarionledger.com • May 9, 2010
Transporting. Without all that bother of actual transportation. Such as packing. Security lines, airports, funny money, foreign tongues and forsaking home ... forget all that.
Boil it down to a single, savory essence: food.
Pepper that with this pleasing notion: nearby.
A once-monthly Culinary Tour at Fairview Inn's Sophia's Restaurant feeds the wanderlust, baggage-free.
One weekend a month, a five-course set menu inspired by a different country or region can take diners' taste buds on a trip without leaving the table.
A passport flags what to expect from the remaining seven cuisines through November. Get at least six of them stamped to become eligible to win a real trip for two to Europe.
In the meantime, it's just fun to pretend. And partake.
An initial tour "stop" countered Mississippi mugginess with the red-checkered cheer of Italy. Accordion music from Janusz Szlubowski added spirited ambiance.
Tempting either-or choices streamlined menu selection at the top of the evening and courses progressed like a stroll through an Old World neighborhood. There's a good soak in the surroundings, and a teasing curiosity of what's next around the corner.
When a bowl of clams and mussels arrived - shells open like wide-eyed smiles in the wine butter bath - it presented a whole other take on a happy meal. Fried calamari danced rings around a roasted tomato sauce as the other antipasti choice.
For the pasta course, it was a choice of lobster ravioli, creamy with a light Alfredo, or fettuccine with green beans, roasted tomatoes and walnut pesto. Selection got a rest with the salad (a party of field greens, sliced cukes, Kalamata olives, capers and more), only to gear up again for the next course - meat or fish. Specifically, a grilled veal chop in a red wine mushroom sauce or snapper made even snappier with an assertive puttanesca sauce.
Dessert wrapped up supper with a lip smack, whether tiramisu or a gelato trio that balanced lemon and mango refreshment with hazelnut indulgence, nestled in a cookie with berries on top.
Chuck and Francine Reynolds made the first tour stop and hope to follow through on the rest. "We do have a few ethnic restaurants in Jackson, but how often do you actually get to do something like that?" he said.
It's fun to look at the lineup ahead and wonder. "Like, Germany. ... It's going to be interesting to see what they actually fix, outside of schnitzel. ... France is on there, that'll be fun," Chuck said.
"It was really fun because when we travel, we love to go to different restaurants," Francine said. "We were sitting there, going, 'Well, what's Spain going to be?' and then he was like, 'ooh, I can't wait for Greece.' "
Next up: Spain.
"I think everybody enjoys a dining experience throughout the area, but once in a while, they like to try something different and unusual," said Peter Sharp, innkeeper at the Fairview.
"That's why I wanted to start this Culinary Tour, to give people the opportunity to experience a different country's food without having to go to a different city to try it."
Diners have a choice to do the dinners with or without accompanying wines.
"We do a regular prix fixe menu every night in the restaurant, so it's just expanding on that idea," Sharp said. "It gives people a taste of different countries. Also, to try the wines from that particular country. I'm not sure we'll find wines from India, but we'll find the right thing to go with Indian food," he promised with a chuckle.
The biggest aim is to stay as authentic as you can to the cuisine at hand, chef Gary Hawkins said.
"It'll be good to expose people to different things," he said, branching beyond the traditional Mediterranean favorites. Germany and New Zealand are on the tour, too, as is Argentina - a cuisine where an Argentinian co-worker can lend a hand. "It'll be a great influence from her to do the empanadas the way her mother did them.
"Some of it is good for me, too, because there's a lot that I don't really know about New Zealand's cuisine, so you can look that up and do some research yourself as a chef," he said. "Just try and find something ... authentic that you can do that's not the same old, same old."
Remaining Culinary Tour dates are: Spain, May 21-22; France, June 18-19; Greece, July 30-31; India, Aug. 20-21; Argentina, Sept. 17-18; Germany, Oct. 29-30; and New Zealand, Nov. 12-13.
A tapas plate, paella, grouper Basque style and orange flan are selections on the horizon for Spain. Other upcoming menus? He's still coming up with ideas.
Said Hawkins, "Sometimes you come up with your best inspiration when you're down to a deadline."

Jackson, MS Spa Specials

Only three more days to save 20% on all therapeutic massage treatments! Treat yourself to a relaxing massage-- you deserve it! Call today to make an appointment 601-948-3429 ext. 314! For a full list of all of our treatments: http://www.fairviewinn.com/jackson-spa-services.htm