We [Expand] in the Corridor

This summer has been filled with great expansions in the Corridor.  Several additions have helped our community to grow and to increase our city's revenue.  Mercer University has made several additions to their campus throughout the past year as well.  Downtown Macon has also added more businesses, including a new buffet style restaurant and a drama and dinner theater located just outside the College Hill boundaries.  These are just a few of the new additions that impact both the citizens of Macon and its visitors.

       
If you're expecting guests and need to send them to a new, hip hotel with a historic flair, direct them to the new Orange Terrace Inn of Macon, GA.  This restored home is small, pet-friendly, and conveniently located between Mercer University and Downtown Macon at 800 Orange Terrace.  They also rent out their space for bridal showers, receptions and other social gatherings.  Lee Burg's, formerly known as Len Burg's, has opened behind the Federal Courthouse at 240 Post Office Alley.  Owned by Alex and Helga Lee, this restaurant serves a country southern style buffet.  The landmark downtown restaurant closed in 2005 after nearly a century of service.  They reopened on June 5 of this year under new management, with a new twist to the menu.  Aside from their buffet, they now serve Greek salads, Korean dishes, and sushi.

       

Mercer University has been constructing and expanding all across its campus.  Phase II of the Lofts at Mercer Village is near completion and the grand opening is set for Friday, September 28.  The new building will be home to the Center for Collaborative Journalism, a project funded by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to launch a journalism collaborative with Mercer University, The Telegraph, and Georgia Public Broadcasting.  These organizations will share space on the ground floor of the Lofts, with student apartments above. 

Another building set to open next school year is The Emily Parker Myers Admissions and Welcome Center.  Located across from Greek Village on Johnson Avenue, the new Admissions building is named after Emily P. Myers, who served Mercer for almost thirty years as the senior vice president for university advancement.

        

Mercer's most popular construction project would probably be the new football field. The Tony and Nancy Moye Family Football and Lacrosse Complex will be home of the football season set to begin Fall 2013. New head Football Coach Bobby Lamb has begun recruitment for the team and anticipation for the team and the season grows every day.

Get excited for all these new businesses and projects in the Corridor. Try out a new restaurant and support your local business owners to improve our economy and build a better community.  The Corridor is continuing to grow and make Macon a better city for everyone and we all can be a part of its expansion!

I [Prepare for School] in the Corridor

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. -Albert Einstein

The summer is winding down and kids from all ages are preparing to return to school within the next two weeks to begin another year of tests, studying, learning, and much more.  The season has been filled with incredible events such as last week's voting for the consolidation of Macon and Bibb County, the 2012 Summer Olympics; and, of course, College Hill Alliance's Second Sunday events, which take place in the evening during the summer months to avoid the record-breaking afternoon heat in Macon.

This week marks the beginning of children returning to school.  Some parents are getting their kids ready for their first year of school while other parents are preparing their seniors for their last year of secondary education.  Bibb County schools begin Monday, August 20, and the tax free weekend begins this Friday, August 10.  Get your school supplies with deals around town.  Barnes and Noble in Mercer Village has a wide selection for students of all ages to prepare them for the upcoming school year.

Mercer University students begin their classes Tuesday, August 21, but some of them moved in early this week.  Programs such as Opportunity Scholars and the Minority Mentor Program have upcoming freshmen move in a few days early to get a head start on their college experience.  Some members of Greek organizations move in this Friday, August 10, to prepare for an array of events like recruitment, fundraisers, and other unique programs.

On Monday, August 20, Mercer's Campus Life Department will host Bear Fair to inform freshmen about the hundreds of clubs, restaurants, and local businesses in Macon. The two-hour event gives on-campus clubs and off-campus businesses a chance to showcase what they offer and what they can anticipate in the upcoming year.

New Mercer Student Government Association President Mollie Davis and Vice President Joshua Lovett have big plans for this school year as well. Their Paint The Town Orange initiative plans to create a strong bond between students and the local business community by encouraging students to frequent local businesses and by having the businesses offer special discounts and post employment opportunities for students.

How are you preparing for school?  If you're done with school, stop by the University Center at Mercer University this year for volleyball games or Bear Field to watch our men's and women's soccer team.  Remember, you don't have to be a Mercer student to have school support for the Mercer Bears!

I [Am a Student Leader] in the Corridor

It's Better to Light a Candle than Curse the Darkness!

-Doug Pearson, Dean of Students, Mercer University 

 

This past weekend, Mercer University's former vice president, Ike Ekeke, and Campus Life Intern and recent Mercer graduate, Emily Halstead, put together the Mercer Student Leadership Retreat.  Carrie Ingoldsby, Campus Life Director and Cindy Drudy, Campus Life Assistant Director, oversaw the weekend's events, but this year it was run by Mercer's student leaders.  Almost 30 Mercer students traveled back to the campus Friday, July 27, to begin the retreat.  I was thrilled to be a part of it and see what I would learn from the experience.  After a few icebreakers and short introductions, the students got acquainted with one another and were split into groups.  Mercer graduate Deborah Ayoade, who was involved in several different organizations while at Mercer, also came to Macon to assist.

Groups were given multiple tasks to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses as individual leaders.  Students were classified into groups according their leadership styles: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.  There were three people in the dominant group, but the majority of the students were evenly split into the other groups.  We all realized the differences and similarities between our personalities and tried to understand one another.  Students also identified goals among their organizations and learned of different ways to collaborate with one another.  Saturday morning started with a rope course that incorporated many mental and physical challenges.  Despite the early morning and brutal heat, we managed to have a great time with one another while learning about integrity and teamwork.

Later in the day, things got serious as we broke down barriers between one another through a challenge called, Earthquake.  The goal was to order the tasks that a group should perform when an earthquake happens.  However, the ultimate lesson learned was to see how others perceive us while actively working as a team.  This exercise pointed out the good and the bad to see how we each can improve our ways of leading, organizing, and collaborating.  Cross the Line was another exercise that helped the students see past the people we thought we all knew.  By "crossing the line" if you fell into a certain category, we all learned more about each other and grew closer.  We all let down our walls for a second and encouraged one another to shine our own light.

By the end of the retreat, we had all grown closer bonds with students we may have never talked to, if we had we not attended the retreat.  This school year, Mercer University should anticipate more collaboration between student organizations and a few more waves across campus from faces that may have otherwise never known how much support they had from their peers.

I [Run a Business] In the Corridor

In 1988, the father-in-law of Brad Cork banded together with some business partners to create the chain of restaurants known as El Sombrero.  A few years later, Cork’s father-in-law chose to open his own string of restaurants in Middle Georgia and named them Margaritas Mexican Grill.  Cork has been managing several of these restaurants for many years and and is now the co-owner, along with his wife Valerie, of Margaritas at Mercer Village, located in the College Hill Corridor's retail and restaurant district.

When asked about the newest restaurant location in Mercer Village, Cork said what sounded like a great opportunity to work in a new area has worked out tremendously for them.  The different crowd of people has been exciting and many Mercer University students flock to Margaritas for their great deals and fantastic food.  Mercer graduate Brittany Davis appreciates their Monday deal of 99 Cent Taco Night.  Cork also works closely with organizations at the University to rent out the restaurant for special occasions.  The restaurant's casual and family-friendly atmosphere appeals to local residents as well, with a great staff that makes the Margaritas' experience in College Hill a fantastic one.

When I asked Cork to share one of their popular recipes, he was hesitant to reveal his secret traditions - as any smart businessman would be.  He did, however, tell me that the key to great salsa includes tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeños, and an array of different spices.  Their secret recipe has been passed down for many years and keeps my personal group of friends coming back.  From past experiences, I always enjoy my time spent at Margaritas, whether it be for business or pleasure, at the bar or at a table, for dinner or a quick lunch on-the-go. I have always received the great service that Cork says they strive to achieve.  Customer satisfaction is a key factor to running a successful business in the Corridor and Margaritas aims to please each and every customer.

I [Cook] in the Corridor

Cook ingredients that you are used to cooking by other techniques, such as fish, chicken, or hamburgers. In other words, be comfortable with the ingredients you are using.

-Bobby Flay 

 

After this past holiday, I've been trying lots of new dishes lately.  I have ventured into different restaurants and I've even tuned in to the Food Network for inspiration on new recipes or twists on dishes I've created before.  I want to share a few of my experiences in the kitchen and offer a great recipe that I hope you'll enjoy!

The most popular summer dish in my family was hamburgers.  My father loved to grill them and my mother created her own special hamburgers in the oven.  My personal favorites were her self-proclaimed "Buffalo Bleu Burgers."  By adding a coat of buffalo sauce to the burger and topping each one of with a layer of thick and chunky bleu cheese, she prepared my ultimate favorite hamburger.  My family has always experimented in the kitchen.  Lots of failures came about, but many great dishes were also created when someone ventured out of the ordinary.

While I encourage everyone to try the great restaurants in Mercer Village and throughout the Corridor, cooking at home has many advantages.  It saves quite a bit of money.  At Taco Bell, it costs $5 plus tax for only five tacos.  At your local grocery, for $5 you can buy a pack of taco shells, one pound of ground beef, and seasoning mix. For the same price, you get twelve tacos!  Add a twist to your homemade tacos and burritos by squeezing a fresh lime into your meat.  It doesn't take much to really spice up a simple dish.  If you're not in the mood to stay in, Margarita's in Mercer Village has been serving some of the best Mexican food since 1988.

No Knife Necessary Ribs

 

A few weeks ago, I bought some ribs but I wasn't sure how to prepare them. I don't own a grill, so I researched recipes to learn how to cook ribs in the oven and found No Knife Necessary Ribs.  First, I applied a great-smelling pork rub and let them sit overnight.  The rub's main ingredient was red pepper which created enough kick, but was balanced out with the sweet taste of brown sugar.  I brushed a thin layer of steak sauce on them and poured a little Worcestershire sauce on them as well.  I then laid the ribs on a sheet of aluminum foil and covered them with another layer and sealed off the ends.  I popped them in the oven at 300 degrees for approximately two and a half hours.  Slow cooking them on a lower temperature made them so tender I didn't need a knife to cut them, hence the name.  Sealing them in a make-shift aluminum bag mixed all the juices together to create a unique dipping sauce.  I recommend this to anyone without a grill who is looking for a great summer time dish!

Cooking at home can be a great bonding time for a family, couple, and can even be an evening of adventure for a night by yourself.  Don't limit yourself to one recipe for a specific dish. Compare several recipes to see what ingredients are commonly used and use your judgment to adjust to your taste buds.  Several trials and a little tweaking could lead to you cooking some award winning dishes in the Corridor!

I [Celebrate] in the Corridor

Freedom is never given; It is won.

-Philip Randolph

I hope everyone had a truly happy Fourth of July!  My holiday was filled with holiday sales, cooking, and, of course, fireworks! I didn't have a grill, but I cooked my first rack of ribs and they were delicious. I moved into my new apartment at Mercer University just in time to see someone's incredible fireworks display right outside my apartment too. I visited different areas of the Corridor to see what others were doing for America's birthday.

Every Independence Day I call my father to see what he is up to for the holiday.  As a National Guard veteran, he appreciates this day  more than a great day for grilling.  "It's great to live in a country where I can travel from state to state without being stopped.  I love America and I'm so glad I live here," he said to me yesterday afternoon.  Last night, he decided to celebrate the day by going downtown to view the fireworks along with many others. 

I stopped by College Hill's Second Sunday site, Washington Park, to see what families were there to celebrate the holiday.  I stumbled upon Karina Lewis and her family who decided to have a picnic under the shade for the day.  Despite the heat, they were having a great time! Her mother, a soldier for the U.S. Army, makes her family celebrate this day rain or shine.  Grills are not allowed at the park so they had an array of food brought from home for everyone to enjoy.

Mercer Student, Jakyll Henry, chose to have a barbeque with some close friends in his home off of Ross Street.  "The weather is hot, but so is the grill," he told me.  They cooked ribs, hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken with their special barbeque sauce.  The ribs were no match for mine, but I had to take an extra plate of that chicken home with me.  When I asked what Independence Day meant to him, Jakyll replied, "It's a day where I can be thankful that I was born in a country that gives me a great education and freedom."

This was a great Fourth of July for me and I hope you can say the same. No matter how you celebrate Independence Day, remember why we celebrate it.  Celebrate with family, with friends, with food. Just remember, there is plenty to celebrate in the Corridor!

I [Volunteer] in the Corridor

Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. 

~Author Unknown

Every time I walk around Tattnall Square Park, I think of all the people who help make it beautiful. Tattnall Park is one of the dozens of city spots that attracts volunteers, such as the Friends of Tattnall Square Park, to help keep it clean. Programs like Habitat for Humanity gather volunteers of all ages and put them to work helping communities around the city. Reoccurring large-scale projects such as Mercer University's Be a Good Neighbear also attract hundreds of people each year to clean various areas within the Corridor.

With the recent filming of the movie 42 taking place in Macon, volunteers pitched in to spruce up Downtown Macon before the arrival of the cast and crew. Main Street Macon hosted the Hello Harrison Cleanup, in which a group of over twenty volunteers put on their gloves and gathered trash, pulled weeds, and painted along Cherry and Poplar Streets, even targeting  alleyways. Check out this video to see the cleanup in action!

Looking for a great place to volunteer in the Corridor? Visit the Ronald McDonald House. Located in the heart of Corridor at 1160 Forsyth Street, the Ronald McDonald House works with various hospitals to allow families with sick children to access specialized medical treatment by providing a place to stay at little or sometimes no cost. 

Want to make your mark on the community with a new idea for College Hill? Submit an application to the Knight Neighborhood Challenge grant and you could receive funding to enhance your volunteerism. You can also contact the College Hill Alliance to help with upcoming projects.

There are dozens of volunteer opportunities you can participate in to help make the Corridor an even better place to live, work and play. Visit handsonmacon.org to see how you can help!

I [Exercise] In The Corridor

Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast.

-Thomas Jefferson

Hello everyone! It's summertime, it's hot and I hope people are hitting the pools and staying cool.  Some of us are trying to lose some pounds or gain some muscle before they bare their bodies at the local swimming pool, myself included in the bunch.  However, without a workout partner, I couldn't find any motivation to go to the gym.

Two weeks ago Residence Life at Mercer University created the AAA challenge, a competition between its employees that uses points to account for how much each person workouts.  Kids receive points for cardio, weight lifting, and even healthy eating habits.  Participants can even earn points for eating the food of the week; this week, it is broccoli.  Created by Residence Life intern Jamie Corcoran and Senior Resident Assistant Clem Bell III, the Awake and Alive Challenge sparked over a dozen adults on campus to work out.  Mercer University also offers two fitness classes each weekday free to faculty, students, and staff. Check out what classes might interest you by clicking here!

Kids and adults outside the University can also choose from a variety of public places to exercise in the Corridor.  If you are looking for a great running route in College Hill, just follow the Trail of Bears!  The trail, funded by the Knight Neighborhood Challenge and implemented by the Macon Arts Alliance, features six impeccably painted bear statues and is designed to help connect Mercer University to Downtown Macon by encouraging people to walk and recreate in the Corridor.

YogaMoga is a popular exercise facility downtown that offers a range of yoga classes for people of all ages.  Located on Second Street, I went in this summer for the Yoga Movement Class and had a blast!  Students receive 20% off their visits and classes are offered Monday through Saturday.  Visit their website to see what they else have to offer!

One of the most popular sports played amongst young men in the Corridor is basketball.  Rising junior Langston Hall, point guard of the championship winning Mercer basketball team, shared part of his workout routine with me.  His individual workout consists of basketball drills up and down the court.  These include a couple of dribbling exercises, passing drills, and a variety of different shots, such as pick and roll.  Then, he teams up for a game of two-on-two or three-on-three.  

There are so many great sports programs you can get involved with in Macon.  Whether it be soccer, basketball, or Tae Kwon Do, get out and be active!  Here's one last link that provides information on local programs for youth sports. 

Lastly, don't forget to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water!

-Morgan Robinson

I [Recreate] in the Corridor

A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp.

-Raymond Duncan 

Summer is here. School is out. What is there to do? Some people are on vacation, others are working, but many are at camp! This summer, Mercer University is host to over a dozen camps that range from athletics to computer creativity. Not only are children and young adults here, but adults of all careers and ages are spending part of their summer in Mercer dormitories to enhance themselves as well.

Bobby Lamb, new head coach of Mercer University's football team, will be coaching over 100 high schoolers and middle schoolers this summer through several football camps to improve their game skills. As I spoke with Bobby Lamb today, he was very excited for his team of coaches and the boys he will begin working with starting this Sunday.  If you are interested in this camp, click here to sign up!

On the other end of the spectrum, Will Jordan, director of the unique Great Books program at Mercer University,  is hosting a two-week summer program for high school teachers.  This camp guides high school teachers through a series of books and uses analytical thinking that can be applied to teaching styles in the classroom and for personal enjoyment.  The camp has become so popular, even attracting teachers outside the state, there had to be two sessions implemented to make room for everyone interested in the program.

Coach Bob Hoffman, head of the men's basketball team, is putting his championship winning team to use by having them assist dozens of young boys from all over the state at his basketball camp.  In the afternoon, these young campers are seen running laps inside the arena where Mercer basketball games are held.  Coach Hoffman teaches key fundamentals and character training to individuals, teams, and camps of young boys ranging from age 7 to age 17.

Upward Bound is another big camp at Mercer University this summer. Rising high school sophomores and seniors take high school or college level classes to prepare them for their upcoming school year.  The kids are taught inside and outside of the classroom.  Each weekend the camp hosts a field trip.  Last weekend, they took a day trip up to Six Flags.  This weekend, Upward Bound can be seen at AmStar movie theater.  Teen Counselor, David Peterson, is working with them for the first time this summer. "It's a blast working with the kids and giving them an opportunity to excel," said David.

These are just a few of the camps that recreate during the hot summer in Macon.  If you are looking for summer camps, there is still time to sign up.  Look around!  There are dozens to choose from to suit all interests and hobbies.

Have a great summer! Stay cool!

-Morgan Robinson

I [Work] in the Corridor

"Choose a job you love, and you'll never work a day in your life." 

-Confucius 

Halfway through my college career I decided it was a great time to change majors from psychology to business marketing. Around the same time, I applied and interviewed for an internship with the College Hill Alliance. Both of these decisions have opened some doors for me this year that I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring. Through my internship, I have discovered that I have a real passion for community and urban development. I like to think of it as polishing "hidden gem" towns, similar to Macon. A job like that, I imagine, would be a lot of work but would also be very rewarding. 

Thanks MGA for letting us borrow from your Facebook photo!

Speaking of rewarding work, Amy Abel-Kiker recently explained to me what her job with Mid Georgia Ambulance entails. Amy has put her communications and journalism double major from Mercer University to good use as she now handles all things under the umbrella of media relations, public relations, social media, marketing, and special events for the company. Amy really credits her position now to the opportunities Mercer gave her because, as she says, "Mercer University facilitates an environment where anyone can make a difference." That kind of attitude is the very thing that keeps Mercer graduates in Macon after school to work. Amy admits she wanted to stay in Macon after graduation to work but did not think, at the time, a job would become available. But then, as she describes it, "the right job found me, and it is more of a blessing than I deserve." This opportunity is what allowed Amy to remain living in the town she considered a second home as an undergraduate student. 

Rich Inner Life on Typepad: Thanks for letting me share this sweet photo!

As Amy shares with me, there are many positives to planting your stakes in Macon to live and work. A town this size allows the opportunity for people to get involved in what they are truly passionate about and to voice their opinions politically and socially in local decision-making. You are able to achieve a sense of belonging, whether it is through membership in a local neighborhood association, through the walkability to almost anything in the Corridor, or through the familiar faces passing you at the local store or on the street. As an alumnae of Mercer, Amy also still feels very connected to the University community and still feels very included. 

With all that being said, Macon is a great place to work, live, and play! You may just find your calling here if you are listening for it :)

- Kelsey Jones

I [Relax] in the Corridor

"Summer, Summer, Summer Time" – Will Smith

School is out and summer break is finally here! Children have retreated from the hallways and classrooms to pools and parks. They’ve replaced textbooks for magazines and traded school lunch for better-tasting food at Macon’s favorite cafés. As a Camp Assistant for Residence Life at Mercer University and the new summer intern for College Hill Corridor, I have had the pleasure of staying in the company of summer school students at Mercer University. So what has everybody been doing these past couple of weeks? I went out around the Corridor to find out.

This past weekend there were many barbeques at Tattnall Park. Memorial Day weekend was full of food on the grill and enjoying the NBA playoffs for me (Go Celtics!). Some of my summer plans were to read the Hunger Games Trilogy and work on my tan. What better place in the Corridor to make that happen than Plunkett Pool at Mercer University? As I walked over to this popular summer spot, I found Kei’Shawn Tention, a 21-year-old computer engineering junior who chose to spend her summer taking classes and enjoying being away from home. If she isn’t studying for her summer courses, she’s working at the Macon Mall. Not much relaxing gets done throughout her week, so she decided to go for a swim during the long weekend holiday. I asked several others at the pool how they were going to relax this summer. The top three answers were waking up late, tanning, and hanging out with friends. Others were going to spend their time in the gym, playing sports and working out.

While some are going out of the city or state to enjoy a nice vacation, I’m making the most of my time here in Macon by exploring and experiencing new stores, parks, and restaurants. More of my summer plans include visiting Washington Park and tasting the great cuisine in Barefoot Tavern.  Of course, my favorite mode of transportation around the Corridor is my cruiser bicycle. I call her Roxanne.

-Morgan Robinson

I [Learn] in the Corridor

"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."

 - Christopher Columbus 

One of the biggest blessings of my life has been my decision to choose Mercer University for college. The ever-growing private university nestled among a little bit of art, southern hospitality, and historic homes caught my eye and has captured my heart. I cannot imagine going anywhere else for undergraduate work--the professors are amazing, the community is so spirited and lively, and the students are some of the most determined leaders I have ever met. Only being a sophomore allows me two more years to learn in the Corridor, and I could not be more excited about that!

On Mercer's campus, you are going to stay busy!
Thanks to the University for sharing this photo of Mercer Village. 

With a little Mercer spirit on my mind, I decided to meet former Student Government Association (SGA) President Trent White and outgoing SGA President Jordan Locke for some Jittery Joe's Coffee. Both Trent and Jordan were interns for College Hill in the spring of last year, so we were able to swap intern stories. With both guys graduating in a short month, I thought it was the perfect time to ask some questions about what it really means to learn in the Corridor. For Jordan, a sociology and accounting major at Mercer, urban revitalization akin to what is taking place in the Corridor has been a special learning experience. Trent has been able to apply his international health and development major to forge partnerships with area leaders, like Community Health Works, to work towards alleviating childhood obesity in Macon. As the guys put it, "Macon provides a great opportunity to not just learn on Mercer's campus but experience the world on larger scale." Jordan commented that he would not trade living in Macon for the past four year for anything--and that makes me smile! The two remind me that the Corridor is a great place to live, work, and learn. As Trent pointed out, one of the greatest lessons he has learned living here has been the meaning of community.

Two of my favorites! Thanks Jordan, for letting me borrow from your Facebook :)

College Hill supporting the Bears at a home game.

We ended our chat with a little bit of advice for a first year at Mercer (got to admit, even being a sophomore, I was taking notes). Jordan and Trent emphasized the importance of making Macon home when coming to Mercer. Macon is your home just as much as the university is, and the city has a lot to offer! Instead of waiting for your FYS class or an upperclassman to show you what the city has in store for you, go check it out for yourself. Trent and Jordan agreed that getting plugged in "not just at Mercer, but in the community as a whole" can make your experience that much better. And I could not agree more. Enjoy these last few weeks of school, Bears, because we sure are fortunate to call Mercer home!

I [Shop] in the Corridor

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment 
where excellence is expected."

- Steve Jobs

Ah, one of my favorite pastimes - shopping. Seriously might even consider it an unhealthy addiction. But nonetheless, I would like to think of myself as a connoisseur of all things fashion. Which brings me to an interesting and often overlooked point about the Corridor. Right here in the heart of Georgia are some fabulous and unique shopping opportunities. Whether it is a hidden gem waiting to be plucked up at The Vault, the latest fashions at Ginger Michelle, or the newest shipment of North Face at Rodeo Beach, the Corridor has a lot to offer.

To get the inside perspective of the shopping scene in Macon I chatted up J.J. Hobbs, co-owner of Rodeo Beach in Mercer Village. I discovered that the hip outdoor gear provider started online for a good six years before opening a storefront. J.J. and her business partner, Christyanne Gaspar, did a little research and picked Macon, Georgia, as their launchpad because they liked "the community, the area, and the people." Nobody at the time was reaching the demographic looking for popular brands like Patagonia and Chacos. At the heart of the business's vision was a sense of trust between customers who would soon become friends. A dedication to the highest caliber of customer service - which was completely evident to me during our talk as J.J. personally welcomed everyone entering her store - is the kind of blueprint that has put Rodeo Beach on the map. Now, Rodeo Beach offers products that it knows Maconites want to see on their website and on their racks. From kids to grandparents and all ages in between, from those who exercise inside to those who recreate outdoors, Rodeo Beach will have you prepared for whatever lifestyle you choose - and make you look and feel good too. 

Though owning your own specialty boutique is a challenge within itself, J.J. finds triumph in being able to "provide jobs for a community of people we know and love." That kind of community stability makes any shopping deal you could find even sweeter. To know that you are buying quality items in a customer-centered environment that is providing local jobs, I just cannot think of anything better. So why not go shop local in Macon?! Check out Shoplocalmacon.com if you need a little help and let me know what y'all find out there. You know I love a good shopping story :)

I [Dine] in the Corridor

"There is no love sincerer than the love for food." 

- George Bernard Shaw

There is a lot of truth to the idea that good food brings people together. At least for me there is. Some of my fondest memories of college so far have been around the table of a local restaurant, surrounded by my friends. One of those great places is Francar's Buffalo Wings in Mercer Village. I absolutely love the atmosphere there, and the owner, Carl Frambo, has become a good friend. There is something wonderful about sharing a meal in a place where everyone knows you by name, and even remembers your order of ABC's and lemonade!

All our images are courtesy of Francar's. And they sure look good!

Right outside the large windows of Francar's, Carl and I chatted about what it takes to run a local legend. Carl saw the wing scene starting up north and wanted to bring the cuisine to the south. His experience in the kitchen while serving in the military proved to be the ticket to starting up a small restaurant on Log Cabin Drive. From there the rest was history - and a yummy one at that. The business then moved to its current location on Linden Avenue, right here in Mercer Village. With a work ethic Carl describes as "pulling your own weight and constantly being hands-on with the business," Francar's has become a hotspot for not only Mercer University, but also for residents of and visitors to the Corridor.

Thanks to Francar's for letting us borrow some pictures!

Carl has seen a lot of people come in and out of his door; in fact, he remembers couples coming in on their first date to his Log Cabin location and now he sees their children at his tables in Mercer Village. A lasting legacy like that is something not every business is so lucky to have, but definitely one that has been earned by Francar's. Carl offers me a bit of advice, to which he adds the disclaimer: "this isn't just advice, it's my life." He says, "Starting up a business is full-time work, so make sure it is something you are passionate about." He started out by drawing up a business plan and then he stuck to it. Carl's plan has become the vision that still keeps the business running and thriving.

Not only did we talk business, we also talked food! Big thank you to Carl for sharing this original recipe with our readers. Make sure to stop in and try one of 40 original and mouthwatering sauces on wings, fingers, or strips. MMM!

Lemon Pepper With a Kick

32 oz. of any sauce

1/3 cup of lemon pepper seasoning

8 oz. of water

1 stick margarine

1/2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. of corn starch

Pour all liquids in one container. Combine lemon pepper seasoning with the cornstarch. Mix thoroughly with a whisk, slowly. Slowly heat until steam rises. Sauce is now ready!

I [Play] in the Corridor

"Life is a beautiful thing, and there is so much to smile about."

- Marilyn Monroe

The Corridor has a lot to offer as far as entertainment. In fact, through this internship I have discovered what all the Alliance is plugged into. Early on in my internship I was asked how many Second Sundays (stayed tuned, I'm going to explain what this is) I had attended since coming to Mercer University. I was ashamed to say I had never been to one before. Since then I have committed to not only attending Corridor events, but also bringing my friends and their friends along for the fun. If we all brought a friend who brought a friend who brought another friend to a free Corridor event, our whole neighborhood would be there! Here is my shameless promotion for our Second Sunday Brunch featuring JuBee and the Morning After. The event takes place on April 1st (no fool's day joke, here!), starting at 1pm, and the entire event is going to be jam packed of fun stuff. The best part of all is that it is free! Who doesn't love free, tell me, who doesn't love free?

So, April 1st, the place to be is Washington Park. The day kicks off with Second Sunday at 1pm and continues into the afternoon with the Magnolia Street Soapbox Derby at 3pm. Over coffee, I chatted up Koryn Young and Dan Zook, the self-proclaimed "rock-stars" running the show this year in conjunction with other Magnolia Street residents. What is most exciting, in my opinion, about the event is how community-driven it is. With a list of sponsors that includes The Hummingbird, Boy Scout troops,  private donors, local organizations, and Mid-Georgia Ambulance, the community's backing has become the backbone of an event that is sure to be high-energy and fast-paced. Koryn and Dan concentrate their efforts on making the event "permanent, happening every year" centered around the businesses and people in College Hill and Downtown Macon. Check out their cool new logo and video of last year's event:

This Sunday I am looking forward to my biggest event yet working for College Hill, and I would love to see you there! There will be boxed brunches for sale and a super cool band playing in a beautiful park. In the afternoon, you can laugh with me as we watch some brave souls test out their soapbox cars down Magnolia Street hill. See you there!

I [Live] in the Corridor

 "I make up for lost time when I come home." Winston Churchill

I personally did not consider Macon to be the hub of music, culture, and art that I have come to know it as now. When looking into colleges, Mercer University did not seem to me to be the college town atmosphere that one expects as the setting for their four year journey to a degree. However, I figured it was worth giving the city a shot, and I have not regretted that decision since. Interning for College Hill has allowed me to appreciate Macon from a different perspective. Every time I leave Macon--whether it is for a short weekend or a summer break from school--I find myself missing my second home!



Appreciate this dandy photo, fellow blogger Rhythm of Needles!

So I sat down with Historic Macon Foundation's Marketing and PR Coordinator Jennifer Mayer to delve into what all the Central City has to offer. Jennifer has the super cool job of coordinating special events that advocate preservation in Macon, with a lot of the effort fueled by membership--so you know it has the community's backing in whatever it undertakes. She describes her job as "never the same thing every day", and that seems to be the pivotal reason the Foundation is able to stay so connected to the community in a fresh and hip way.

The Foundation is focused on neighborhood revitalization, and they just undertook five rehabilitations in Beall's Hill. A lot of their work also goes into education for these historic homeowners, like encouraging them to take advantage of tax incentives and facade loans. Jennifer describes Historic Macon's focus on the Corridor as work for the people, people who really care. Macon's best kept secret--one that we hope to let out of the bag!--is that "there is always something to do here" as Jennifer puts it. Specifically the Corridor itself has a lot going on, and the best part is, it is all within walking distance. That walkability allows easy access to the lifestyle Historic Macon promotes, one that features sweet neighborhoods, Southern hospitality, and comforts of today blended with a rich history. So what should draw you to Macon and our College Hill Corridor? Well I would like you to discover that for yourself, because everyone's answer is unique but nonetheless important. Let me know what you find and happy exploring, ya'll!

A Walk in the Park

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown,

for going out, I found, was really going in."

- John Muir

The place you call home - whether it be for the first time with a family, for four short years at a private university, or for a lifetime in a city filled with history - is very important. So why choose Macon, Georgia? In the course of this blog, I hope to leave you asking why not Macon, Georgia? And more specifically, I hope to explain how the College Hill Corridor initiative fits into the puzzle.

For those of you unfamiliar with the College Hill Corridor initiative, it is a collaboration of everything that makes a community into more than sidewalks and turns strangers into neighbors and friends. With the tag line hip and historic at the heart of these efforts, the College Hill movement takes pride in the restoration and revitalization of homes and neighborhoods, the push for cleaner, bike-filled streets, and the invitation to enjoy community-centered events. With a calendar chock-full full of exciting happenings, the Corridor is the place to be. As shown in the map below, the Corridor encompasses Mercer University towards Riverside Drive and is bounded by I-75 as well as First and New Streets in Downtown Macon.

I had the opportunity to get the inside scoop from Alex Morrison, now serving as the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority Executive Director and one of the students behind the College Hill idea as it was first developed in a senior capstone class. Alex described the original vision as the result of noticing a disconnect between Mercer University and the community right outside its parameters. A sort of invisible wall, Alex describes, separates students from residents, and the idea was a development strategy that would permanently erase those walls. A strong emphasis was placed on walkability - the beautification, branding, and development of a community that needed a little push in the right direction. That kind of vision allowed Alex to fall in love with, as he puts it "the potential and what someone can accomplish here just by believing." I love that kind of spirit! For the future, Alex hopes to see a sense of stability for the Corridor because, as he puts it, "the greatest gift to any community is its own people loving exactly where they are." 

So, now that you know a little bit more about the Corridor itself, take a walk in its ideology, a metaphorical walk in the park. Join us at one of our free community events like this Satuday's Mercer Village St. Patrick's Day Festival or volunteer with our Second Sunday Brunch on April 1st. Stay tuned to my exploration of what it truly means to be in the Corridor! 

- Kelsey Jones, College Hill Alliance Communication Intern