LEAP (Linking Education and the Public) will be holding its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 17th from 7:00 - 8:00 pm at the Burgess-Peterson Academy media center.   LEAP is another name for EACA's Education Committee.  In addition to educating the community about our area schools and daycare options, LEAP also sponsors activities for children.  It is part of our ongoing mission to bring families together and build the relationships necessary to support the changes needed in area schools.
 
Our agenda for our next meeting will focus on feedback and communication between APS and the community.  We have two major efforts underway on this front, with the largest being an upcoming survey of East Atlanta parents regarding education.  We're also beginning to organize an event that will allow parents in East Atlanta to provide direct feedback to Dr. Hall and APS on the type of information APS needs to be providing to the community.  We'll have several other topics to discuss, including fundraising at Burgess-Peterson Academy, and volunteer opportunities related to LEAP's goals for the year.  Parents are welcome to bring their children to our meetings

If you wish to join the LEAP e-mail list, you can do so by clicking on the Update Profile/E-mail Address link at the very bottom of this newsletter.  If you follow the instructions, you will be given a choice to select a box for Education and Children.  If you can't make the LEAP meeting but would like to get involved or wish for us to add you to the LEAP e-mail list, drop a note to education@eaca.net.
 
For a consolidated view of all your local school choices, visit the EACA Schools page at http://eaca.net/index/about_east_atlanta/schools.  This is the time of the year when you need to be registering your child for the 2009-2010 school, so please contact education@eaca.net if we can be of assistance in this process.

 

The EAV Farmers Market and Georgia Organics are working with Burgess-Peterson Academy on a garden project this year.  The garden will be part of a student wellness program at the school facilitated by Coach Jackson. 

The 1st & 2nd grade classes and their teachers will be the primary users of the garden, and the student Wellness Ambassadors (4th and 5th graders) will be serving as mentors.  Volunteers from the community are meeting with the teachers and students on Wednesday the 28th to talk about what the garden should include, pick a site and start developing a plan.  Trees Atlanta has offered a couple fruit trees and others like Fairywood Farm have offered materials.  

If you are interested in participating with the Burgess-Peterson Garden, please contact Jonathan Tescher at jtescher@farmeav.com.

DeKalb Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis will hold an unprecedented 11 public hearings throughout DeKalb County to ensure the people's concerns and questions are addressed regarding the 2009 budget recommendations. The 2009 recommended budget can be found HERE. 

The hearing nearest to East Atlanta will be Tuesday, February 3, 2009 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the East Lake YMCA. For dates and locations of other hearings, look HERE.

Participating businesses include:

• Champagne Taste
• A Diva's Domain
• Sheer Bliss
• Fluff and 'Em
• East Atlanta Florist
• Trader's
• Bound To Be Read Books
• Park Pet
• Blah Blah Boutique
• Smoochies (across from new fire station)
• Watkins (make sure to mention First Friday)
• Australian Bakery
• The Glenwood
• Cafe Slush

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Cafe Slush New Offerings, Featured in Daily Candy

Cafe Slush was featured in Daily Candy this week. Cafe Slush has expanded offerings from its original natural/organic smoothies to now also include sandwiches, groceries, and room to relax and use free wireless. Stop in to see the new offerings.Also, check the most recent Savvy Shopper for a Cafe Slush coupon. More Cafe Slush info can be found on their website - www.cafeslush.com
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The Glenwood has opened a WINE BAR in the NON-SMOKING DINING ROOM which was recently completed. Over 35 wines are available by the glass, and there are wine stewards available to discuss the selections.  Beginning Friday, Feb 6th, CHARCUTERIE and ARTISAN CHEESES will be served. The new space has a separate heating and air conditioning unit so the air stays fresh and clean. And the newest addition: a bright red ESPRESSO MACHINE!!

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Offering Healthcare Directives at Special Rates in February

An Advanced Healthcare Directive can easily allow a person to avoid stressful family situations in determining what happens to you when you are no longer able to communicate your wishes pertaining to medical treatment.

Larsen & Teusink, PC is excited to announce that during February 2 through February 20, its attorneys are offering the residents of East Atlanta Advance Healthcare Directives for the low cost of $50.00 per person.  Plus, if you and your spouse or partner purchase the drafting of an Advance Healthcare Directive, the total cost is only $75.00!

For further information, continue reading HERE.

 

Week 4 Police Report
At each month's EACA meeting, we present the monthly crime statistics for our area along with year-to-date trends and analysis. Linked below is the weekly detailed crime report for January 18th - 24th, 2009:

• Week 4 Crime Report
  

CRIMETRAC
DeKalb County rolled out "CRIMETRAC, an innovative mapping system designed to give citizens a first hand look at crime statistics in unincorporated DeKalb County." For more information, visit the CRIMETRAC site HERE.

 

 

The trend is still continuing where most burglaries are occurring after dark.  One other trend that seems to be accompanying the evening burglaries is at least one person stopping by to see if someone is at home and to see what you may have to steal.  One home has been approached twice in the past two weeks.  The first time a burglary was attempted later that night.  The next time their phone line was cut, possibly in preparation for another burglary attempt that night. If you have an alarm system, we strongly recommend installing a wireless backup.

 

If you have additional questions, please direct them to securitypatrol@eaca.net, or call EACA Public Safety Chair Myron Polster at 404-429-8815.

Atlanta Charter Middle School
As public schools, charter schools comply with state and federal regulations, and their admissions are open to all. For the 2009-2010 school year, ACMS will enroll a new class of entering sixth grade students, as well as fill whatever openings may arise in the seventh and eighth grades.
 
Since East Atlanta is in The Atlanta Charter Middle School's primary attendance zone, registration begins on Monday, February 2, 2009 and concludes on Monday, February 23, 2009 at 4:00 PM.  

You must attend a mandatory Information Session if you wish to register your child.  All students in the primary attendance zone that register during the first registration period have an equal chance of being enrolled, so there is no rush to register prior to attending an information session.
 
Information Sessions are currently scheduled at the school on the following dates and times (RSVP to Maria Larson at mlarson@atlantachartermiddle.com or 678-904-0051):

•  Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM
•  Tuesday, February 17, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM
•  Saturday, March 7, 2009 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM

If you are unable to attend one of the information sessions but are still interested in applying, please contact the school's principal, Matt Underwood, at munderwood@atlantachartermiddle.com or (678) 904-0051.
 
For registration details and applications, visit http://atlantachartermiddle.com/content/enrollment.php

Neighborhood Charter School

Begins: Monday, March 2
Ends: Monday, March 16

Join or renew your EACA membership today! Annual dues are $10 per household. As an EACA member, 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.

 

Contact Information:
E-mail: newsletter@eaca.net
Website: http://eaca.net

Submissions:
If you're interested in submitting an article to the EACA weekly newsletter, send it to newsletter@eaca.net 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.