Monday, March 26, 2012

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!

Monday, March 12, 2012

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!