March 1, 2024 * Issue 367 | |
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Macon Mental Health Matters hosts Men’s Mental Health Meet-Up | |
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On Tuesday, February 27, Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) and Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) held an opportunity for men in our community to talk about their mental health. The third Men’s Mental Health Meet-Up was held at Churchills on Cherry.
“We wanted to create a safe space for men to talk about their challenges and mental health,” said MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom. “We as a society often overlook how a man is feeling or doing mentally because we expect them to ‘be a man’ and always be okay. We want men to know it’s okay to not be okay, and there is help.”
The meetups are held every fourth Tuesday of the month. They provide an opportunity for men to come together and talk about anything going on in their lives or any feelings they may be experiencing and get support from other men listening. This is also an opportunity for them to learn about the free services MMHM offers.
The most recent meeting included a speaking portion from Ocmulgee Mortgage to talk about financial health. The next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 26, at the same location and time.
You can find more information on the MMHM website, www.maconmentalhealthmatters.com and by following MMHM on Facebook.
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Marching into a better mindset with Wellness Weekend | |
Join our Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) team starting Friday, March 8, at 6:00 p.m. for the next the Wellness Weekend, which is a 3-day long opportunity for people to focus on their mental health.
Yoga in the Plaza is happening Friday, March 8, at Cotton Avenue Plaza (intersection of Cotton Avenue and Second Street) beginning at 6:00 p.m. You can bring your own yoga mat, but if you don’t have one, some will be available. In case of rain, yoga will be moved to the McEachern Art Center (332 Second Street).
The next day, Saturday, March 9, is the Pop-Up Gym, at the L.H. Williams Community Center (325 Pursley Street), rain or shine, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Like all events that weekend, it is free and open to everyone in the family. People will be able to consult with a licensed therapist, practice yoga and meditate, be part of a drum circle, get free produce from the Melanated Community Stimulation Project, and more.
The final day – Sunday, March 10 – is the Healing Hike at 10:00 a.m. starting at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (1207 Emery Hwy). The hike will allow people to walk at their own pace to clear their mind and talk with a mental health professional, if needed.
You can find more information on the MMHM website, www.maconmentalhealthmatters.com and by following MMHM on Facebook.
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YouthUp, Inc., a Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) partner, is hosting opportunities for families to sit down and talk through its new initiative Real Talk for Stronger Families.
“We want to offer parents and teens a place to gather and have meaningful conversations on navigating the ups and downs of today’s world,” said YouthUp Founder and Executive Director Amanda Smith. “YouthUp believes that it still takes a village and if we work together, our youth can reap the benefits.”
YouthUp, Inc. is a MVP grant recipient and has partnered up with the Recreation Department to host these monthly gatherings from March to October. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Rosa Jackson Recreation Center (1211 Maynard Street) at 6:00 p.m. Seats are very limited, so you must register by calling (478) 733-8602 or emailing youthupmacon@yahoo.com.
This month’s meal is Helping Our Kids Rise Above Peer Pressure. A light meal will be served at each gathering and attendees can offer tips and suggestions on what works for them and what doesn’t.
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Learn to grow, care for fruit trees and bushes at next Gardens at Brookdale gardening class | |
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Here we grow again! Join the next Brookdale Resource Center Gardening Class next weekend to learn how to plant and grow fruit trees and bushes. The University of Georgia’s Macon-Bibb County Extension and the Gardens are hosting two classes on Saturday, March 2 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 3 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.
You’ll learn all the ins and outs of planting and delve into the world of fruit trees and bushes. The classes are free and open to everyone in the family. You can register here.
The class will be planting fig, peach, pear, and plum trees in the Gardens’ new orchard. The trees were generously donated by Site One.
“We’re happy to help out such a great cause in our community,” said Daniel Strickland with Site One. “We’re excited to see these trees grow and produce food for people at the Brookdale Resource Center.”
“We’re very grateful for the donation and excited to have people join us for these classes. Not only does it bring awareness to Bibb County Extension services and Brookdale Resource Center, but during the classes they are helping us in the garden to provide fresh food for the residents who are experiencing homelessness,” said Gardens at Brookdale Manager Susan Fisher. “Everything we grow goes to the kitchen here at Brookdale.”
Since the start of the Gardens at Brookdale last spring, we have harvested more than 4,000 pounds of fruits, vegetables, and herbs that go straight to the Brookdale residents’ tables for each meal.
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Early voting happening now | |
Early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary is going on right now through Friday, March 8. This is the first time voters can experience the polls at our brand-new Board of Elections Office at the Macon Mall (3661 Eisenhower Parkway).
People are also able to vote at the Elaine H. Lucas Senior (132 Willie Smokie Glover Drive) and Theron Ussery Community Center (815 N Macon Park Drive).
Polls will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., as well as Saturday, February 24 and Saturday, March 2, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. All you need to bring with you is your ID.
Click here to learn more about voting and see upcoming elections.
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Police Academy at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center | |
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Community spreads the love at Brookdale Resource Center | |
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The Brookdale Resource has been feeling the love from our community the past month! Several businesses and organizations have been making contributions to the Center.
- Subaru of Macon recently collected and donated winter coats for children at the Center.
- Piedmont Macon employees held a ‘Jean Day’ where employees pay $5each Friday of the month to wear jeans. That money they pay goes towards donation of a non-profit of the month, and for the month of January, Piedmont Macon chose Brookdale. The money raised was used to buy pillows for the residents at the Center.
- Georgia Farm Bureau made a generous donation of $2,500 to the Center.
- The Police Academy at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center donated pillows and blankets to the Center.
- Former professional football player, Adrian Peterson, took the time to visit residents at Brookdale for an inspirational speaking and even gave away signed copies of his book, Don’t dis my abilities by Adrian Peterson. This was sponsored by Bear’s Books of Macon.
“We are so grateful for all of the donations, the time, and consideration these organizations and people have so graciously given us,” said Charity Lucas, Case Manager at Brookdale Resource Center. “This Center is able to run and change the lives of others because of generous donations. We couldn’t do what we do without you.”
The Brookdale Resource Center first opened its doors in January 2021, as a warming center. That quickly turned into a 90-day transitional housing program, where people of all ages are able to not only have a safe space to sleep and eat, but get the resources needed to get them back on their feet.
The Center runs on volunteers and donations of all kinds, and you can help! If you’d like to donate, volunteer, or learn more, click here.
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Adrian Peterson signing books | |
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The Association for Career and Technical Education designated the month of February as Career and Technical Education Month (i.e., Georgia’s Technical, and Agricultural Education), also known as CTAE. On Monday, February 26, students in CTAE gathered at City Hall to get recognition from Mayor Lester Miller. He presented each group with a proclamation. You can read it here.
CTAE increases graduation rates and improves academic performance through meaningful experiences - enhancing the quality of their education, engaging students, preparing them for careers and post-secondary education, and giving all students leadership opportunities in their fields and in their communities.
CTAE programs in the Macon-Bibb County School System are continually providing students with opportunities to gain invaluable work-based learning experiences through apprenticeships, internships, and cooperative education programs.
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Macon Water Authority (MWA) Hosting 19th Annual Kids Fishing Derby | |
The Macon Water Authority (MWA) is holding its 19th Annual Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Javors Lucas Lake (150 Broach Lane, off Upper River Road). Registration begins at 6:00 a.m., and fishing begins at 7:00 a.m. Weigh-in to determine biggest catches of the day starts at 10:00 a.m.
This is an opportunity for outdoor recreation for local families, while promoting the sport of fishing. Also, to provide public education on the importance of protecting and preserving drinking water resources, such as Javors Lucas Lake.
As a result of the March date of annual Kids Fishing Derby, the MWA has stocked the area where the Kids Fishing Derby will be held with rainbow trout for the young anglers, who must bring their own bait and tackle. The Kids Fishing Derby kicks off the 2024 Fishing Season at Javors Lucas Lake. For this year’s MWA public fishing schedule, please visit the Authority’s website at www.maconwater.org.
This MWA Kids Fishing Derby is free for all kids, ages 3 to 16. Immediately after the weigh-in, kids and adults are allowed to fish for free for the rest of the day, until closing at 5:00 p.m. No fishing licenses are required. Prizes will be awarded for the overall biggest catch of the day, as well as for the top three catches in four age group categories – ages 3 to 5, ages 6 to 9, ages 10 to 13, and ages 14 to 16. Refreshments also will be provided.
The MWA Kids Fishing Derby is an annual event that is organized by the Macon Water Authority’s Outdoor Recreation Committee, with support from the Macon Water Alliance – the Authority’s non-profit subsidiary founded to provide environmental education for citizens of Middle Georgia and water-resource-focused assistance for MWA customers.
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From Macon Area Tennis - At the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Georgia Annual Community Tennis Development Workshop, Macon Area Tennis Association and area facilities, players, and events received top honors in several categories. Recipients attended the Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening at the JW Marriott, Atlanta where they were recognized by tennis enthusiasts from around the state.
Adaptive Tennis Program of the Year – Macon Area Tennis Association’s (MATA) Net Therapy Tennis for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Now in its seventh year, Net Therapy for Children with Autism offers 3 free 6-week tennis clinics a year for children on the autism spectrum. The passionate vision of then Marketing Director, Jenni Eddlemon and currently spearheaded by MATA’s Events and Marketing Coordinator, Collin Wilson, Net Therapy is an Adaptive Tennis Program that offers an athletic outlet for its participants and their caregivers. “It is said that success is often measured by the lives you touch,” stated MATA Executive Director Mary Cay Morgan. “Many of our volunteers would say they certainly receive more benefit than our participants. We are thrilled that some of our NT athletes are starting to move onto some of our mainstream youth tennis programs.”
Net Therapy for Children with Autism also received the Adaptive Tennis Program of the Year for USTA Southern District. The program was selected from programs covering nine states in the district- Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The next Net Therapy session begins on February 22, 2024.
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From Bike Walk Macon - Are you ready for Macon’s quirkiest bicycling and walking event? Grab your gaudiest green gear and get ready to get silly on Saturday, March 9, 2024, with Bike Walk Macon. It is our pleasure to invite you to join us for the 2024 Shamrock ‘n’ Ride: Scavenger Hunt - a super fun, challenging, and family-friendly event.
This signature fundraiser supports Bike Walk Macon's mission to make bicycling and walking a safe and convenient option for transportation and recreation for everyone in Macon-Bibb County. Your participation in the event or generous donation directly contributes to enhancing the safety, connectivity, and overall enjoyment of our streets.
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The Hub is Macon-Bibb County's source of information for employees, residents, businesses, and partners. With this regular e-blast, the Office of Communications provides a consistent flow of information about the efforts and successes of the consolidated government and partners to strengthen Macon-Bibb as the Hub City of Middle Georgia.
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The Office of Communications include Media Relations, MaconBibbTV, and Customer Service. Its goal is to provide people information about the consolidated government and partner organizations,
and to give them the chance to provide feedback, ask questions,
and request services.
The Office has earned multiple
recognitions for its efforts.
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Macon-Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County is the fourth largest city in Georgia. Created on January 1, 2014 after being approved by the voters, it is Georgia's newest consolidated government and serves about 155,000 residents and thousands more visitors.
Its governing body consists of 10 Commissioners, with the Mayor serving as its Chair and the Chief Executive Office of the administration.
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