Pat Starnes

Today I was treated to a superb lunch at the Parker House Restaurant in Olde Towne Ridgeland. The Parker House has an interesting history that you can read about on their website, but suffice it to say that it is fine dining in a old English style residence-turned-restaurant in the heart of Olde Towne.

The food was exquisitely prepared and served in a timely fashion. Our meal began with a serving of fried green tomatoes, some of the best I've ever had. It was difficult deciding what to order--everything looked so GOOD! Although I strongly considered the shrimp and grits, ultimately I selected the fried catfish topped with sauteed mushrooms and lump crab-meat. Delicious! And the side of garlic smashed potatoes were just as yummy.

They have a daily luncheon special at The Parker House. Fried quail with (I think) the smashed potatoes was today's choice. I'm sure it was good, but my dinner companion and I chose to order off the menu. And we were very pleased with our meal. We skipped dessert and instead munched on dinner rolls topped with sweet honey butter.

The atmosphere of The Parker House is something to experience. We sat in one of the private booths, complete with curtains that can be closed for a more intimate setting. The booth was private enough to carry on a conversation with few distractions.

There is a bar and lounge in the back of the restaurant, which overlooks their pool and three-tired fountain. There is outdoor seating, too, if you care to dine in their courtyard. At night it is lit with soft accent lighting, making it a truly enticing place to dine.

The Parker House has dining rooms that can accommodate groups, so keep that in mind when planning holiday parties.

The Parker House is located just off Highway 51 and West Jackson Street on SE Madison Drive in "Olde Towne" Ridgeland.

Written and Published by Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC

The Fall Parade of Homes began this past weekend in Hinds, Rankin, and Madison Counties. If you missed it, you have one more opportunity to tour approximately 100 new homes throughout the Metro Jackson area. The Parade continues Saturday & Sunday, October 25-26 from 1-5 p.m.

The Parade of Homes is presented by Home Builders Association of Jackson. Plaques and Certificates of Merit Awards are given for Craftsmanship, Architectural Design, Kitchens, Interior Design/Décor, and Baths. The awards are prominently displayed throughout the homes on tour.

One Green Home received an Award of Excellence for Innovation in Building Practices this year. The award went to David Smith Builder, Inc. for his home in Farmington Station, a neighborhood in Brandon, MS. Smith is the current President of the local home builders association.

If you are in the market for a new home, or just want to check out the designs and features available in today's homes, be sure to put Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26 on your calendar. Grab a copy of the Clarion Ledger for the parade route.

Written and Published by Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC

Regardless of where you live, you've likely heard the benefits of walking. Many people walk to lose weight, but there are many advantages to walking; it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, improves your stamina, and elevates your mood. That's a good reason in and of itself. But for each hour spent walking, you add two hours to your life. Now that is an incentive!

The Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi campaign is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and First Lady Marsha Barbour, wife of Gov. Haley Barbour, is the spokeswoman. Most Mississippians have seen the public service announcements encouraging walking to get people out from in front of their television sets and outdoors.

There are numerous parks, lakes, and walking trails throughout our state where people can get outdoors and walk, but there are two opportunities coming up where you can walk for a cause.

The American Heart Association is hosting the Metro Jackson Heart Walk on Sunday, October 26 at the State Capitol. This is a three-mile walk beginning at the new Capitol Building at 400 High Street in downtown Jackson. Registration begins at noon and the walk begins at 1:00 p.m. Go to Metro Jackson Heart Walk to see more details.

The following weekend, the American Lung Association will host the Lung Walk on Sunday, November 2. The walk will take place at Winner's Circle Park in Flowood, MS. The park is at the intersection of Flowood Drive and Old Fannin Road. Registration begins at 12:30, with the walk starting at 2:00 p.m. The American Lung Association is raising money to prevent asthma as well as all lung diseases.

The Mississippi weather this time of year is perfect for being outdoors, so get out there and enjoy it!

If I can help you with any real estate needs, please let me know. Your referrals are always welcome!

Written and Published by Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC (Reprinted for Rankin County, MS)

Regardless of where you live, you've likely heard the benefits of walking. Many people walk to lose weight, but there are many advantages to walking; it lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, improves your stamina, and elevates your mood. That's a good reason in and of itself. But for each hour spent walking, you add two hours to your life. Now that is an incentive!

The Let's Go Walkin' Mississippi campaign is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and First Lady Marsha Barbour, wife of Gov. Haley Barbour, is the spokeswoman. Most Mississippians have seen the public service announcements encouraging walking to get people out from in front of their television sets and outdoors.

There are numerous parks, lakes, and walking trails throughout our state where people can get outdoors and walk, but there are two opportunities coming up where you can walk for a cause.

The American Heart Association is hosting the Metro Jackson Heart Walk on Sunday, October 26 at the State Capitol. This is a three-mile walk beginning at the new Capitol Building at 400 High Street in downtown Jackson. Registration begins at noon and the walk begins at 1:00 p.m. Go to Metro Jackson Heart Walk to see more details.

The following weekend, the American Lung Association will host the Lung Walk on Sunday, November 2. The walk will take place at Winner's Circle Park in Flowood, MS. The park is at the intersection of Flowood Drive and Old Fannin Road. Registration begins at 12:30, with the walk starting at 2:00 p.m. The American Lung Association is raising money to prevent asthma as well as all lung diseases.

The Mississippi weather this time of year is perfect for being outdoors, so get out there and enjoy it!

If I can help you with any real estate needs, please let me know. Your referrals are always welcome!

Written and Published by Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC

Last week I attended an informative presentation about all the growth and renovation throughout the entire downtown Jackson area. I wanted to see for myself what the buzz was about.

There are currently 16 projects, large ones, in "the works", and several already in progress.

A few days later I took a walk through the Historic Fondren District and took the following photos along Duling Avenue.

These two photos depict the newly constructed Fondren Place, set to open in mid-November. The building will house BankPlus and have other office spaces, some retailers, and a restaurant. There are also loft apartments and rooftop decks.

The newly refurbished Duling School, which is adjacent to the new Fondren Place building, is set to open as a mixed-use property. The School will contain a restaurant called The Auditorium, The Elephant's Ear, an antique store, a jewelry store, and several other retailers.

Many other projects are being started and planned in different parts of downtown Jackson, but there are too many to discuss here. The information is overwhelming, but I will post more as time permits. Meanwhile, you may want to visit Downtown Jackson Partners and The City of Jackson.

Written and Published by Pat Starnes, McIntosh and Assoc., LLC