Just recently a few Lake Macquarie councillors wanted to officially make Charlestown the main CBD of Lake Macquarie.
Their move was narrowly defeated in a 7-5 vote. What a bummer.
Whether by name or nature, everyone pretty much knows Charlestown is the main town in Lake Macquarie - the city's capital so to speak - don't they? [see below]
Words are important, but so are actions. And here we have some action: Lake Macquarie City Council is seeking expressions of interest for "creative furniture designs" for a "new-look Pearson Street Mall".
Jacqui Hemsley, of the council's arts and culture section, said the chosen artist would be asked to "design and deliver" three pieces of "interactive street furniture".
The furniture would be part of an art trail from the mall to Charlestown Skate Park.
Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said Charlestown's mall would "undergo a dramatic transformation in 2020".
"This underutilised area will become an active and creative space where people come to eat, meet, work and play," she said.
The mall upgrade is expected to start in the first half of 2020, including new landscaping, Wi-Fi, environmental sensors and spaces for food trucks and market stalls.
Artists are invited to submit up to three designs in response to a brief.
The successful applicant will receive $45,000 to design and fabricate the three artworks. The council will install the works as part of the mall upgrade.
To submit an expression of interest, visit lakemac.com.au.
We were just thinking, is Charlestown the main CBD of Lake Macquarie, or could it also be seen as Newcastle's second CBD?
Don't say that around Lake Macquarie folks, though. It's like throwing the cat amongst the pigeons.
Cats and Pigeons
Speaking of malls, pigeons and cats, Glen Fredericks spotted a pair of pigeon mascots at Ka-fey in Hunter Street Mall.
The pigeons are ready for the silly season.
"I think they should be named Coo and Poo because that's what their real life counterparts are most renowned for," he said.
He wonders if other cafes in and around Newcastle have quirky resident characters getting into the Christmas spirit?
Glen does like to visit the region's cafes. He was at Medowie at a cafe on Tuesday, which he said had "great coffee".
"My car was at my favourite mechanics getting some work done," he said.
Glen is known for being the former owner of The Empire Coffee Co in Newcastle, which had a Star Wars theme.
"If my previous history is anything to go by, you could say I'm a bit of a fan of themed cafes," he said.
"Even though I'm more of a dog person, I reckon a cat cafe would suit Medowie."
He's even thought of a name - Cafe Meowy at Medowie.
"If anyone does it, my royalty payment is a free cat-puccino whenever I'm in the area for a rego check, new tyres or a tune-up."
