Downtown Destinations

“Help keep Macon beautiful. Wipe your feet before you leave.”

In the Limelight: Market City Cafe
Where it’s at: 502 Cherry Street (on the corner of Third)
What to do: Eat, look at art, and be happy

Before I begin, I must confess something: I have only eaten at Market City Cafe once. However, I feel confident enough endorsing the place for two reasons: a. When I was there it was full, and 2. everyone looked pretty happy, so I believe it is safe to assume they were enjoying the experience. A restaurant full of happy (and sober) people says more than some chick who’s not even a food expert.

Now, on to my evaluation. The atmosphere is bright and open with a high ceiling and lots of windows. It’s not too noisy, but there’s enough noise that if you laugh loudly, you don’t get a lot of dirty looks that make you feel like you just ruined everyone’s quiet, laughter-free day. (That is something I always have to consider when I’m going somewhere.) There are lots of plants and paintings on the walls that make it colorful and cheery. Outdoor seating is also available on the sidewalk if you’re feeling adventurous.

The food choices are typical for a cafe- mainly sandwiches, soups and salads. They do have a burger, though, for all you men out there who require “manly” food. They also serve lasagna and chicken parmesan, or you can build your own pizza.

I had a market garden salad and a chicken salad sandwich on a toasted croissant. The salad was fresh and crisp and didn’t have any of those weird chunks of lettuce that nobody wants. The chicken salad was mayonnaise-based and had enough little pieces of onion, celery and nuts to give it a very good flavor. The croissant was super fluffy and flaky and soft and everything a croissant is supposed to be. They also have home-made (cafe-made?) potato chips, and they are good.

Market City does not have a website so here are the hours:
Monday-Thursday: 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Friday: 7 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Saturday: Breakfast served from 7 a.m.- 1 p.m., open for dinner until 9 p.m.
Closed Sunday

So eat at Market City Cafe, check out the art on the walls, and, like the message says above the door as you’re headed out, “Help keep Macon beautiful. Wipe your feet before you leave.” No, I don’t really get it, but it’s still kind of funny.

[Funny story: the server came to our table to take our order, and I wasn’t quite ready. So Keith said, “She’s going to need a little longer. She’s not very good at reading.” Do you see what I have to work with, people? :-)]

Changing Drivers

Long before our first gathering I was describing New City Church as a 'church of house churches (Missional Communities; MCs) who gather together for worship and celebration on Sundays.' Then a small group of us launched New City Church downtown publicly with Sunday gatherings and no MCs! For the nine months following our launch of weekly services I continued to preach, teach, talk about, and shout that New City Church was a church of house churches that gathered together for worship and celebration on Sundays.

For those first nine months it was all talk - all vision casting. And we - New City Church was driven by our Sunday morning service.

For the next nine months - leading up to today - we have inched toward the reality of being a church of house churches who gather together for worship and celebration on Sundays. Our MC leaders have grown into this role - MCs are the primary place for care, ongoing encouragement, strengthening one another..., and the majority of our training and focus is on MC leaders.

Still, we have largely been driven by Sunday mornings

Tonight we may have taken our largest step toward changing drivers! We have, as most churches do, used Sunday mornings as our time to recruit...BEG for help in various areas like the nursery, children, greeters, coffee bar, the 567, and other areas. As leadership talked tonight about our family stepping up to help out in areas of need, we all agreed that as a church of house churches who gather together for worship and celebration on Sundays, it was up to our house churches to take care of family needs and to be intentionally missional by watching/keeping/teaching the children of those not yet a part of the community. Already our MCs take care of set up on Sundays, now they will work together to take care of other needs as well. In other words, our MCs will now begin driving our Sunday services!!!

It will take more time, teaching, preaching, talking about, and shouting, but New City Church downtown IS a church of house churches who gather together for worship and celebration on Sundays!

Downtown Destinations

If you throw the noodles at the fridge and they stick, that's when you know they're ready.

In the Limelight: Spaghetti Alley

Where it’s at: 575 Mulberry Street Lane

What to do: Enjoy some fine Italian cuisine

As you’re walking down Second Street in downtown Macon, you may notice a little spot called Spaghetti Alley tucked away down Mulberry Street Lane. If you’ve only noticed it and haven’t eaten there yet, you ought to give it a whirl. It’s a small, casual and relatively quiet place with white paper tablecloths and crayons at every table, which is great if you have kids, or if you’re an easily amused adult...such as myself.

The lunch menu features a wide variety of pastas, as well as subs and salads. On Monday, you can choose from $5 lunch specials, including Chicken Alfredo and Chicken Pesto. Lunch specials run $6.95 the rest of the week.

The dinner menu is much larger and offers appetizers, entrees, and soup and salad. They also fire up the grill for the evening crowd and serve up steak, chicken and salmon. Mmmm.

Not only can your kids color on the table, but if they are ages 11 or under, they can eat for 99¢ on Tuesday. Even if it’s not Tuesday, you can probably still afford to bring them along to Spaghetti Alley, since every item on the kids’ menu is only $3.99.

I’ve eaten at Spaghetti Alley a few times and have never been disappointed. Service is quick, and they bring some wonderful bread and dipping oil to enjoy while you wait. I’ve had Chicken Alfredo and Blackened Shrimp Pesto, and both were delicious. You can also get a personal pizza, a new menu item, which, according to Patrick and Tyler, are very tasty.

So, let’s recap: Spaghetti Alley offers a pleasant atmosphere, great food at very reasonable prices, and for heaven’s sake, you get to color on the table. And you don't have to throw noodles at the fridge, because someone else is cooking for you. Need I say more?

Click here to visit the website. Be sure to look at the hours. They are closed on Sunday, and they don’t serve both lunch and dinner on some days. Check ‘em out!

The Intern

Some of you already know Amanda, some have met her at the 567 or the theater. Amanda is getting ready to graduate from Ga College - just one problem... Amanda needs some hours interning somewhere related to her major. Turns out, without the hours interning - Amanda can't graduate!

The good news for us? We have an intern!

What will our intern do for New City? Whatever we need!! More good news! She is working for New City, for the 567, for City Watch, for Grace Giving International, and FOR FREE.

One thing Amanda will be doing for us - for you - for our city is blogging. Amanda is going to contribute to this blog what she is learning about the city - great places to eat, visit, and hang out downtown. So - WELCOME - Amanda Miles - aka, the intern.

City Renewal - How Can We be Involved?

Macon mu$ic: City could make millions by creating a downtown entertainment district

That was the headline for the story following yesterday's meeting at the Capitol Theater. The main speaker was instrumental in the re-making of Memphis and the famed Beale Street.

The idea:

capitalize on Macon's fame as the birthplace of Southern Rock.

Key needs, other than marketing:

more places playing more music; local unique restaurants and shops; new offices and businesses; a unified effort of all of the developers and planners

There was, of course more.

My Question for New City Church is this - How can we be involved in seeing this transformation happen? What can we do to help?

And

How does this shape our future since we desire staying in the heart of the city?

Family Photo

This is a photo of one of our MCs (Missional Communities). Paul and Alesia have been great MC leaders. I love the age span!

Where else can younger men learn from older men and older women teach younger women?

Tangible Transformation in the City

If the Kingdom of God were present in your city - what would be different?
That is a question (paraphrased) that Tim Keller asked in Gospel Christianity. It has changed my perspective on seeing transformation in our city! If the Kingdom of God were truly present in my City - today - it seems that transformation would be tangible... we could see it, hear it, touch it. Well, the Kingdom of God IS present in our city, if we are present in our city. If this is true, then through us there should be tangible changes in our city... like reduced crime, cleaner streets, new life and less decay, healthier people, thriving businesses, and a more beautiful city - to name a few.
This is why New City Church operates the 567 Cafe, volunteers at events like Bragg Jam, sponsors and works hard at City Watch Macon, and is now calling for volunteers to sign up for the Facade Squad's renovation of the Thorpe Building on Cherry Street. I am thrilled that one of our MC leaders (Shae Hinson) is also one of the founders and leaders of the Facade Squad.

Founded in 2008, Facade Squad’s mission is to dramatically improve the aesthetic appearance of the downtown region of Macon, GA. The organization covers 100% of the expenses and completes work by enlisting the help of volunteer workers when possible. Direct benefits include increased property value, improved city image, and a more enjoyable downtown. In addition, there are many indirect benefits, including increased commercial activity, reduced crime and increased interest from real-estate investors. Downtown Macon, GA, has faced significant economic and social challenges for decades. There are myriad causes, including relative lack of industry, growth in the north Macon, loss of important corporations, crime, negative public image, etc. In addition, the decayed appearance of much of downtown is a significant factor. Studies have shown that improving the physical appearance of an area has a profound impact on the vitality of that area, both economically and socially. Therefore, Facade Squad strongly believes that by improving appearances, it can help improve economical and social vitality of the downtown region of Macon, GA.
For more information about Facade Squad, please visit ttp://www.FacadeSquad.org. Contact Information:
Stephen Windsor, Executive Director
876 Mulberry St., Ste. 4A Macon,
GA 31201 Mobile phone: 478-952-2418
Email: swindsor@FacadeSquad.org

Volunteer to help bring about tangible transformation for the good of our city!
When:
Friday June 5, 2009 6:30-10 p.m.and
Saturday June 6, 2009 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where:
588 Cherry St. Macon, GA 31201

Saturday breakfast and lunch will be catered. Facade Squad t-shirts will be provided to all volunteers.For more information on this project and the Facade Squad, click here. To sign up, email the Facade Squad here, or call 478-952-2418.

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper'" (Jeremiah 29:4-7).

Life, Mission, Intentional living and 20 Somethings

Caught this on Ed Stetzer's blog...


check out Threads

Growing Pains

With growth comes unexpected challenges. New City leadership has been looking at the Capitol Theater's seating for a few weeks - trying to figure out how many we can seat, how we can make the upper balcony seats more usable, do we need to add video monitors... And it seems at our current rate of growth we could stretch one service gathering until Fall of 2010. We would need to add video monitors upstairs for the upper rows, add a 2nd coffee gathering area in the unused upstairs dining - but it would work.
Then came word from our nursery folks...
The Green Room - used for our birth through 2s is becoming unsafe for our infants. The toddlers are a little too mobile for the infants and the growing numbers of both groups is making it difficult to give good attention to both groups in the same room.
Then came a request from our 3 thru 6 year old area - our 5 and 6 year olds need to be split from our 3 and 4 year olds...
OK - so we need to split the nursery for safety reasons - a priority. We need to split our 3-6ers so that the older kids can be better taught - lower priority.
Problem:
The theater only offers the Green Room - in use, and 2 open dining areas (too loud for toddlers and older).
Reality:
We will outgrow the theater quickly - not because of theater seating, but because we are reaching young, reproductive families!
Solution:
For now we will move infants to the upstairs dining area - purchase a few items, set up a new area and we will be OK - for now. BUT not for long. This is only a temporary solution to a growing (and great) problem.

Something Crazy

We needed space for our New City band to practice, and we needed a place to gather for teaching/meetings and I needed an office. A couple of us talked about our needs and our mission in the city - Gospel Transformation. I wish I could tell you how smart we were as we laid out an incredible plan on how to use our space for the mission - but I can't. We knew that we wanted the space to be for the good of the city, and we wanted it to be a place where people from all over middle Georgia gathered - to see art or to hear really good music. So we proceeded - without a plan. Piece by piece it quickly came together - paint colors, carpet, stage, a sound system, sound/art panels, lighting, tables and chairs... and a name - the 567 cafe.
And Something Crazy happened.
People started coming. Art began rotating monthly. Musicians started asking to play here. And I sit today - a year later - in utter amazement. I cannot tell you the number of conversations about Jesus that I have had with patrons, artists, and musicians from all over the country. Stunned. This is crazy. This weekend we should have 2 packed nights of incredible music and opportunities to meet a ton of new people.
Take a minute to check out some of the talent that will be playing at my office:

This Saturday - Eleisha Eagle




June 5 - Ken Will Morton




August 1 - Joy Whitlock