Allison, Mary Grace, Joel and Emily

Brown's Fine Art & Framing

3 years into the next generation

.....Mary Grace and James Brown grew their custom framing shop into a beloved family business. In 1965, with three small children, they opened Brown’s Frame Shoppe on North State Street. For 55 years, Mary Grace Brown worked alongside two of her children, Allison Simmons and Joel Brown, to sculpt Brown’s Fine Art & Framing into one of the South’s finest art galleries and custom frame shops. 

.....In 2020, Mary Grace sold Brown’s to her daughter, Allison Simmons, and granddaughter, Emily Simmons Sandoval. 

.....February 1 marked three years of Allison & Emily running the family business. They are still in the heart of the Fondren business district and love supporting their community and helping their customers with all their art and framing needs. 

.....Mary Grace and Joel retired in 2020 with the switching of hands, but remain lovers of Fondren, including Joel's time serving on the Fondren Business Improvement District's History Committee.

Working Together To Keep Fondren Safe

Back row: Capt Lonie, Asst Chief Wade, Deputy Chief Harris, Asst Chief Jordan, Chief Luckey, Front row: Lt Gordon, Capt Thomas, and Chief Whitlock.

JPD, Cap Police, BID Security: "Call Us!"

.....Representatives from Jackson Police Department, Capitol Police and the Fondren Business District Security met last week to collaborate on strategies to improve public safety in Fondren.

.....Each representative stressed the need for members of the public to call when they observe anything unusual or suspicious, in addition to calling in criminal activity. (See phone numbers below)

.....The representatives also announced a series of "Coffee With Our Cops" - informal gatherings for members of the public to hear from their law enforcement officers and have the opportunity to ask questions. These meetings will be held at Homewood Suites at 9 a.m. on the following dates: March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 31 and August 28.

.....Law enforcement officials comprising the Fondren public safety effort: Representing Capitol Police; Chief Bo Luckey, Assistant Chief Derrick Jordan, Lt. Jeremy Gordon. Representing JPD; Deputy Chief Tiny Harris, Assistant Chief Joe Wade, Captain Jacquelyn Thomas, Captain Julian Lonie. Representing the Fondren Business Improvement District Security, Chief Cory Whitlock.

Ways to support our public safety efforts

1) Call when you see anything suspicious or unusual

.....Precinct 4 Dispatch - 601-960-2034

.....Capitol Police Switch Board - 601-359-3125

.....Business District Security - 601-942-7314

2) Upload videos or photos of any suspicious activities or people

.....Link for uploading into a secure data base for law enforcement

3) Attend "Coffee with Our Cops" on March 27

SO fun, SO supportive ... SoFo

.....There's no better way to support your Fondren Community and build your network of friends than to become a part of SoFo, our women's circle of Fondren Ambassadors.

So Fun, So Family, So Friendly, So Not Faux, So Fabulous, So Convenient, So the place to be!

Yes, add me to the mailing list!

Promote Fondren: Join our Social Media Team

.....Our Social Media Diva Rachel Harris is expanding our Social Media Team. If you'd like to help get the word out about Fondren and our activities, let us know. No experience? If you are willing to learn some new skills, we'd love to teach you!

.....Sign up by February 28 and plan to meet in mid-March.

I'll join the team!

Soup's On in North Fondren, Feb. 11

.....On February 11, leave the cooking to your neighbors in North Fondren as they present their annual fund-raiser "Soup's On."

.....This year you have 18 varieties to chose from; everything from Chicken Noodle Soup to Dill Pickle Potato Soup.

.....Orders close Friday, Feb. 10 with pick up from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Broadmeadow United Methodist Church, 4419 Broadmeadow St.

.....Leftover soup will be available for sale from on the 11th from noon - 1 p.m.

.....Prices range from $10 to $15 a quart.

ORDER SOUP HERE!

Renaissance Society Yard Signs Delivered

.....2023 Renaissance Society members should have received their yard signs by now. If you have not received a sign, please email Rebecca.

FRF publishes highlights from 2022

.....Fondren Renaissance Foundation has published its 2022 Annual Report, chronicling its activities from last year, including the people who financially support the activities and the volunteers who made them happen.

.....To view an on-line version of the Annual Report, click on the below link.

2022 Annual Report

Keeping Fondren Fabulous!

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

.....Thank you to these individuals for supporting Fondren:

Drs. Ann Myers and George Schimmel

Frenchie and Buddy Graham

David Anderson

Sara Weisenberger

Virtual Neighborhood Watch

.....When your home security cameras catch something suspicious, upload the video to our Virtual Neighborhood Watch data base.