East Atlanta Community Association
  Newsletter
January 5, 2009 
In This Issue
Atlanta Waste & Recycling Changes
MARTA Community Forums
Atlanta Education Fund
Atlanta Charter Middle School Enrollment
Imagine Wesley Open Houses & Enrollment
News Around Town
Upcoming East Atlanta Meetings
2009 EACA Membership
EASP News & Information
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
 
 Greetings!

Welcome from the EACA President

Welcome to 2009 in East Atlanta! As the incoming EACA President, I feel excited and energized by the momentum we have built in East Atlanta over the last few years and I look forward to building on our accomplishments.

With the ringing in of the New Year, we usher in not only changes to our EACA newsletter format, but also a new EACA Executive Board.

The EACA Board is comprised of very dedicated and enthusiastic community members who seek to work with you in bettering our community. As we formalize our annual goals and priorities, we will reach out to you, the residents of East Atlanta, to partner with us in achieving our objectives this year.

EACA's 2009 Board:
President - Jelena Crawford
Vice President/Membership - Austin Dickson
Secretary - Lea Johnston
Treasury - Loyal Berger
Beautification - Mellissa Dobraski
Land Use & Zoning - Ted Hitch & Andrew Walter
NPU-W Chair/Liasion - Ed Gilgor
Parks - Joanie Stovall
Public Safety - Myron Polster
Web Team - Howard Fore

We continue to seek leaders for both our Education and Transportation committees. If you have interest in serving on these committees, please e-mail [email protected] for further information.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge Past President Myron Polster for his leadership and dedication over the last 2 years. Many of you may have met and partnered with Myron as he tirelessly worked on many initiatives ranging from public safety and the East Atlanta Security Patrol to education and our community schools. Luckily, Myron will continue serving as a valuable member of EACA in the role of Public Safety Chair.

Looking to a great 2009 with you,

Jelena Crawford
 
Atlanta Waste & Recycling Schedule Changes
In accordance with the recently implemented citywide furlough plan, the Department of Public Works-Solid Waste Services has adjusted operating hours and service delivery.

Effective Monday, January 5, 2009 Solid Waste Services will implement the following schedule and service changes:
  • Weekly garbage collection will continue, but on a four (4) day schedule, Monday through Thursday.
  • Recycling and Yard Waste collection will change from weekly to every other week, on the customer's scheduled collection day, per this calendar.
  • Friday pickups are being absorbed within the four (4) day schedule. There are approximately 20K customers who receive Friday pick up service.  A separate notice will be delivered to these customers indicating their new pick up day.
  • There are approximately 5K customers who receive back yard pick up service.  Their pick up service may or may not change depending upon their address.  These customers will receive a separate notice if there are any changes to their scheduled pick up service.
If you have questions or need additional information, the Customer Service Call Center can be reached Monday - Thursday, 8:15 am - 6:00 pm. at (404) 330-6333 or via email to [email protected].
 
  MARTA Community Forums - This Week
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MARTA is hosting community forums seeking public opinion and involvement from citizens. Each forum will include a brainstorming session on possible solutions to MARTA's current fiscal challenges.

There are 3 Forums:
 Call 404-848-5686 for more information.

 Atlanta Education Fund - Small Community Conversations - 1.22.09
The Atlanta Education Fund (AEF) is holding several small community discussions throughout the City of Atlanta to talk about Atlanta Public Schools.

Objectives of these small community discussions include informing parent participants about the performance of APS schools, using the district's performance metrics/data; and also soliciting ideas and suggestions about how to best increase meaningful community and parent engagement/involvement in APS.

For further information about the event and on the Atlanta Education Fund, click here.

 Atlanta Charter Middle School Launching 2009-2010 Enrollment
Beginning in January, the Atlanta Charter Middle School (ACMS) will launch its enrollment season for the 2009-2010 school year.  Interested families can visit the school's website at www.atlantachartermiddle.com and click on "Enrollment Information" link to find out more about the enrollment process, upcoming information sessions, and visiting the school.

ACMS is a free public school of choice, open by lottery admissions to all students zoned for an Atlanta Public Sch ool in grades six through eight.  Opened in the fall of 2005 by a group of area parents and educators, ACMS is a small school committed to student-centered and project-based learning.  ACMS is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools and follows the organization's principles of helping students to use their minds well, personalized instruction, and a democratic community.  ACMS is located in Ormewood Park in southeast Atlanta.
 
What makes ACMS such a unique place?
  • Student-centered, project-based learning that asks students to investigate deep and interesting questions in order to develop essential skills and habits
  • Each student is known well because of a low student-to-teacher ratio and the mentorship of a faculty advisor
  • A democratic community that involves students, families, and teachers in collective decision-making on important issues
  • An emphasis on the "whole child" through exploration of the arts, technology, Spanish, and physical and social-emotional wellness
  • A diverse student body that exposes students to ideas and experiences  different from their own
 Imagine Wesley Open Houses and 2009-2010 Enrollment
Imagine Wesley LogoImagine Wesley will be hosting Open House meetings and campus tours on the below dates from 6:30-8:30 p.m.:
  • Thursday, January 8, 2009
  • Thursday, January 29, 2009
  • Thursday, February 12, 2009
  • Thursday, February 26, 2009
2009-2010 registration begins January 5, 2009, at 7 a.m. and the list of information needed to submit an application can be found here on the Imagine Wesley website.
 
 News Around Town - Atlanta News
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  Upcoming East Atlanta Meetings
NPU-W Land Use & Zoning Meeting
Monday, January 5th - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Zoo Atlanta Resource Center's Technology Lab
For more information, contact NPU-W Chair Ed Gilgor at [email protected]

SAND Monthly Meeting
Thursday, January 8th - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Ormewood Park Presbyterian Church Meeting Hall
For more information, contact [email protected]

East Atlanta Community Association Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, January 13 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Branan Towers
For more information, contact EACA President Jelena Crawford at [email protected]

NPU-W Transportation Committee Meeting
Thursday, January 15th - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Martha Brown United Methodist Church
For more information, contact NPU-W Transportation Chair Russell Baggett at [email protected].

  2009 EACA Membership
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Check a New Year To Do off your list and join or renew membership in EACA today!

Annual dues are $10 per household. With your EACA membership, you can vote at EACA meetings on topics of interest within our community. Additionally, there are numerous local business who offer discounts to EACA members. See the official list of EACA member discounts and take advantage of them by showing your 2009 membership card throughout the Village.

You can sign up for your 2009 EACA membership and order EACA Yard Signs on-line! Pay electronically through your online banking site or via Paypal HERE.
 
 East Atlanta Security Patrol News & Information
EASP Logo Nathaniel Thompson, a young male living on Stallings, was recently arrested again (while out on bail) and charged with attempted burglary. He was previously arrested in mid-November for a burglary on East Side Avenue here in East Atlanta. Please contact DeKalb County Community Prosecutor Dana Lawrence and inform her of the need to prosecute this case vigorously. Stallings Avenue is a major problem area in East Atlanta, and a stiff sentence for Mr. Thompson would send a good message to the large group of young men who linger in that area. Numerous 911 calls are directed to various illegal behavior being reported at the address where Mr. Thompson resides. Ms. Lawrence can be contacted at [email protected].

Anyone living in the vicinity of Brownwood Park or 593 Gresham Avenue should report any suspicious activity immediately to 911 and EASP, which can include foot traffic or vehicles.  We have been seeing more burglaries in this area, with recent incursions on Stokeswood and Milton Place.

To learn more about EASP or to enroll, visit the East Atlanta Security Patrol website (http://patrol.eaca.net). The cost to join the patrol is $50 per quarter, with a 50% discount for longtime residents and those age 65 and above.
 
If you have additional questions, please direct them to [email protected], or call EACA Public Safety Chair Myron Polster at 404-429-8815.

Contact Information:
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://eaca.net

Submissions:
If you're interested in submitting an article to the EACA weekly newsletter, send it to [email protected] by the end of the day on Friday. Include relevant dates, times, locations and contact information, as well as details of the event or announcement.