About Hinds County, MS

Now here's an interesting piece of information we thought would be good to include in our weekly blog. There is a superintendent search for Jackson, Mississippi going on through October 2, 2009.

We recently came across the news that the Mississippi Board of Education is searching nationally for a new superintendent. They are seeking a candidate who will keep all ongoing programs on track and help in the advancement of the student's education.

They say the perfect candidate should be an advocate for increasing student achievement and funding the Mississippi Adequate Education Program.

Application and position information will be posted on the Mississippi School Board and the Mississippi Department of Education's websites by August 24^th. All candidates must submit their application by the October 2^nd deadline to even be considered for the position. Interviews are expected to be conducted between October 23^rd and November 19^th.

Applicants must have a master's degree in any field and a minimum of five years of experience in the education field.

Currently, Dr. John Jordan is serving in the position and will continue to serve until a new superintendent is named.

Whoever the Board of Education chooses, it sounds like the education of Jackson's students is what is most important to everyone. It really shows in what they are requiring of their candidates and we like to hear that education is very important to many in Jackson, Mississippi.

Realtors® Mary & Bill Watkins ~ Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate

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When it comes to finding the perfect community for relocating your entire family, many potential buyers are looking for a community they can feel comfortable in; one that comes together for good times and good fun. And Bryam, Mississippi residents come together for Fun Nights Out to mix-n-mingle with one another throughout the year. This helps keep Byram a great community to live.

Last weekend Byram came together for another Fun Night Out with food, dancing and singing. It was the perfect time and place for families to come together in celebration of keeping Bryam a tight-knit community and crime free.

Children were able to ride their bike, play games and feel safe. However, there was a deeper meaning behind the event. Many come together for this Fun Night Out to get to know their neighbors.

A big part of Fun Night Out is to help fight crime within the community. And since the event has begun, it has been a big success. Making friends with your neighbors helps make a bond that keeps a community together and safer.

Since Byram, Mississippi is a newly incorporated city, residents here are trying to set an example for future residents on how to fight crime within the community. They also encourage other communities to help fight their own crime by starting a Fun Night Out in their town. Even if they have to start block by block, it is an effective way to bring a community together with good times and good fun.

Realtors® Mary & Bill Watkins ~ Jackson, Mississippi Real Estate

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Crye-Leike, REALTORS In Jackson, Mississippi Invite The Public To A Back To School Open House Extravaganza With Special Pricing Only During The Two Day Event

Crye-Leike, REALTORS in Jackson, Mississippi invite the public to a Back To School Open House Extravaganza on August 15th and 16th. During the two day campaign several Jackson MS homes will be open for touring with reduced prices on those homes good only during the special event.

"The Back To School Campaign gives buyers a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of our special pricing and will provide our sellers with the opportunity for a quick sale," said Crye-Leike Ridgeland Manager Pam Barr. "Crye-Leike has a passionate commitment to unsurpassed service to its clients. In an effort to continue this service, the Jackson Metro Crye-Leike Branches have designed this Back To School Campaign for our clients and the community to take advantage of amazing special prices."

• Crye-Leike' Jackson Metro offices hope to meet and see many people touring homes at the open house extravaganza on Saturday, August 15th from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday, August 16th from 1pm-5pm.

Each open house will have a Crye-Leike Open House sign in the yard with a Crye-Leike balloon bouquet. All the open houses will have many directional signs as possible to attract attention and each home participating will have the full lists of homes with directions to hand out to the public on the day of the extravaganza.

"We are excited for buyers to see all the finest available homes we have on the market in the Hinds, Rankin, and Madison counties of Mississippi," said Barr. "With the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, with interest rates still at a historical low and with a good selection of homes on the market to choose from, now is a great time for anyone to purchase a home."

A full list of properties included in the special Back To School Open House Extravaganza and other property listings the Jackson Metro Branches have can be viewed on the offices' website at Jackson Mississippi Open Houses .

"Anyone who's interested in finding out more about the event can just stop by one of our offices or give us a call," said Barr.

Agents in Crye-Leike's Jackson Metro Flowood Branch and Jackson Metro Ridgeland Branch assist buyers and sellers in and around Madison, Rankin, and Hinds counties specializing in all types of real estate sales.

For more information on the Back To School Open House Extravaganza and for your real estate needs or personal referrals, please contact any one of our Jackson Metro Crye-Leike offices by phone at: Flowood Brach (601) 939-5160 or Ridgeland Branch (601) 957-3998 or e-mail the offices at jacksonmetro@crye-leike.com. Find the offices and their listings on the web at http://www.crye-leike.com .

Hinds County residents should now feel doubly safe since Sheriff McMillin may soon be keeping Jackson and Byram, Mississippi safe at the same time as he plays dual roles of sheriff and police chief.

Byram became an official city on June 16, 2009. And now, by law, the city must have a police chief. The Sheriff's Department already serves Byram. therefore, it makes complete sense for McMillin to take over the role as acting police chief of Byram. The city will still have to work out a budget and that isn't set to happen until 2010. McMillin is happy to take on the extra work and isn't worried about the pay either.

McMillion has played dual roles before; acting as Jackson's sheriff and police chief back in 2007. This gives him the experience he needs to do the job without concern.

Once McMillin takes over as chief, he will then swear in Hinds County deputies as city police officers until the City of Byram is ready to take the lead. And watch out Byram drivers! The first item on the chief's list is to start running a radar to catch all you longtime speeders.

The City of Byram may be a small town, with just over 7,000 residents, but it has a rich heritage and is in a great location in the southeast. There's also a lot to do, including sports activities, leisure activities, ample shopping, fine dining, ballet competitions and much needed solitude.

Realtors® Mary & Bill Watkins ~ Jackson Mississippi Real Estate

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Great news art lovers! For the whole month of July, there will be over 200 outstanding paintings on display from artists across the state at the Art Center of Mississippi in downtown Jackson. It is what we locals have come to know as the annual Mississippi Artists' Guild fine arts exhibition.

Art work will be judged by Gary Walters, an award-winning artist and Jackson native, and much of the artwork will be for sale. Artists in the show range from beginners to longtime painters. Some of the showcased painters are even well known artists. However, they will all be at the art show for the same purpose: to inspire us all by art.

This will be a free event: both exhibit and parking. The show will be open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 201 E. Pascagoula St. in the Art Center of Mississippi, which was formerly the Mississippi Museum of Art before the new building was finished half a block away.

The Art Center of Mississippi or Mississippi Art Center, as some call it, mostly serves as administrative offices for the opera, symphony and ballet. However, they do host special events, such as this art exhibit and other exhibits along with rehearsals and shows by independent performers on a rental basis. So, you can still catch some really great events throughout the year and many of them are free.

This is one event you are sure to find some good deals on really fine art for your home.

Realtors® Mary & Bill Watkins ~ Jackson Mississippi Real Estate