East Atlanta Community Association
Newsletter
August 17, 2009 |
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| Greetings! |
Hello!
CORRECTION - Please note that SEABA's mayoral forum is actual this week on Thursday, August 20th (the link had the correct information however we referenced it as occurring last week).
Also, the East Atlanta Scavenger Hunt (to benefit the Strut) is this Saturday - see details below for what promises to be a great event!
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SEABA - Mayoral Forum this Thursday Morning @ Zoo Atlanta **Date Corrected**
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The South East Atlanta Business Association is holding a forum of mayoral candidates this Thursday, August 20th from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
It is likely that one of these
candidates will be our next Mayor: Lisa Borders, Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed, Jesse
Spikes. Citizens need to know their positions on
various subjects and their credentials for top leadership of Atlanta.
Please see the linked flyer (Not
mentioned is a complimentary continental breakfast beginning at 7:30 AM
(many thanks Zoo Atlanta!)) and feel free to pass along this information to your friends and
neighbors. We have seating for 250 and would really like to fill up The Coca Cola World Studio in the ARC building at Zoo
Atlanta for this exciting event. | |
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| East Atlanta Scavenger Hunt for the Strut - 8.22.09 |
This Saturday is the East Atlanta Scavenger Hunt for the Strut! For $25, your team can sign-up to  take part in this digital scavenger hunt. First place is a $100 cash prize and there are spot prizes along the way (including bar tabs, t-shirts and other merchandise)!! The scavenger hunt begins at Midway Pub and runs from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sign up in advance by e-mailing eavscavengerhunt@comcast.net or on the day of at Midway. Gather your friends and come out for what is sure to be a great time (and all the proceeds benefit the East Atlanta Strut - a community non-profit!) See the flier HERE! Also, don't forget - the grant application for local nonprofit organizations is due 8/31/2009. It's located here: http://www.eastatlantastrut.com/documents/grant_app.DOC
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Burgess-Peterson Academy in Wall Street Journal's Market Watch
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Story from the Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch
DECATUR, Ga. (MarketWatch) -- French fries are
a staple and ketchup a vegetable as far as American kids are concerned. But at
least some schools are finding children will eat healthier meals when offered
them and take nutrition to heart if they are taught about the positive impacts
on their bodies.
Last spring when Cristy Nolton, executive chef
of the Graveyard Tavern in Atlanta, prepared radish and cucumber salad in the
classroom for first and second graders at nearby Burgess-Peterson Academy, the
children cleaned their plates, said Betty Jackson, a physical education teacher
and wellness coordinator at the public elementary school.
A center for food
entrepreneurs
New York City announced plans to build an
industrial kitchen space in Harlem which will be available to food-focused
entrepreneurs. By supporting the city's $5 billion dollar food manufacturing
industry, New York hopes to foster the growth of city jobs. Kelsey Hubbard
reports.
The vegetables came from a two-bed organic
garden planted at Burgess-Peterson last February with the support of several
community nonprofit groups. "The children have been studying the life
cycles of plants," Jackson said. "Giving them hands-on activities
outside in the garden not only reinforces what they are learning in the
classroom but they also are interested in eating the vegetables that they
planted."
Since then, the school
has secured a $4,600 grant from Lowe's (LOW 22.83, -0.48, -2.06%)  Toolbox in Education program to expand
the garden to seven beds next fall and hosted a sold-out "Farm to
School" roundtable discussion to discuss school policies and encourage
community involvement.
For its commitment to wellness,
Burgess-Peterson received a bronze medal on June 24 from the Alliance for a
Healthier Generation, a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and
the William J. Clinton Foundation that hopes to significantly reduce childhood
obesity in the United States by 2015.
Childhood obesity has tripled in the last 20
years, to 17% of U.S. children. And schools share in the blame, teachers,
nutritionists, physicians and lawmakers contend.
America's public schools serve 30.5 million
lunches per day in the National School Lunch Program at a cost of $8.7 billion
a year, but many dishes are high in saturated fat, low in fiber and omit
fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Congress is scheduled to review federal
school nutrition guidelines this fall.
One big reason why schools have few healthy
choices such as whole-grain bread and fresh fruit and vegetables is that they
cost more, said Benjamin Senauer, a professor of applied economics at the
University of Minnesota who studies nutrition issues.
Schools also may serve more fat-laden dairy
and meat products because they can receive them at low cost through federal
subsidy programs, whereas there are much fewer such programs for vegetables,
Senauer said.
Finally, many schools do not have their own
kitchens nor staff trained in cooking, so they buy highly processed food from
vendors and simply heat it up, he added.
Cutting calories
without adding costs
To help schools find cost-effective ways to
make lunch menus healthier, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
started an annual School Lunch Report Card. The 2008 study, which evaluates
best practices by 20 districts from around the United States, showed evidence
of improvement, said Katie Strong, a registered dietician and PCRM
spokesperson.
"It gets better every year, which is
impressive because schools are economically challenged," she added.
"We are seeing a lot of schools getting rid of deep fryers, which is
really important for lowering fat content. We're also seeing schools providing
more vegetarian and vegan options, which tend to be lower in fat and
calories."
In May, Sodexo School Services, a division of
international catering firm Sodexo Inc., which provides food management to 470
U.S. school districts, became the first food service provider to sign on to
School Beverage and Competitive Food Guidelines developed by the Alliance for a
Healthier Generation.
Under the guidelines, Sodexo will take such
steps as replacing potato chips with baked chips, full-fat yogurt with low-fat
and soft drinks with juices and bottled water.
The
company saw the pledge not just as the right thing to do but also as a way to
win new clients who need the economies of scale of a larger provider to deliver
healthy choices to their districts, said Lorna Donatone, president, Sodexo
School Services. "There are always financial challenges for school
districts to do as much as they want to do, and that's where we can provide
that value," she added.
Bye-bye cookies
Burgess-Peterson
started making changes in February 2006 after Atlanta Public Schools mandated
that all its schools have wellness programs. The district also has made major
changes to its lunch menus. For example, all elementary schools in the district
now serve only 1% milk, have eliminated all fried food and ensure that some
fresh vegetables and fruits are offered daily.
"Initially
it was a struggle for the district, but we made it a priority in our budgeting
and have been successful," said Marilyn Hughes, director, nutrition
administration for the district's School Nutrition Department. "We found
that if children were offered healthy choices, we would have good participation
and therefore it would make it more profitable."
When
the new menus began last fall, Jackson said she grabbed her camera to take
pictures of the children eating bowls of fresh carrots, broccoli and cucumber
"We
don't have cakes and cookies like we used to," she added. "Now we
have apples, oranges and blueberries -- things that we didn't see in the lunch
line before."
Because
children are notoriously finicky eaters, the district conducts plate weight
studies to see what items children are discarding and organizes student focus
groups led by student wellness coordinators, Hughes said. Such studies have
revealed, for example, that elementary-age children do not feel they can eat an
entire apple but will eat apple slices, she added.
Classroom work
However,
to truly alter children's eating habits, schools need to partner menu changes
with nutritional education programs, Hughes said. To develop such programs, all
Atlanta Public Schools now are required to have a wellness council made up not
just of teachers but also students and parents, and cafeteria offerings are
aligned to what is being learned in classrooms when possible, she added.
Education
about healthy behaviors and the involvement of parents are crucial to making a
lasting impact on obesity rates since students do not eat just at school, said
Dr. Stephen R. Daniels, pediatrician-in-chief at The Children's Hospital in
Denver. "While public policy and legal approaches are important, what's
especially exciting to me is that individual schools, principals, teachers and
community members are in many cases taking this problem into their own hands
and saying 'what we can do to solve it,'" he added.
Indeed,
outside financial support has been crucial to ensure that Burgess-Peterson's
efforts are not just words on paper, Jackson said. "If we don't have any
monies to put these policies into place, they won't last," she added.
The
statistical rise in childhood and adolescent obesity rates has seemingly
leveled over the past two years, but whether that trend is due to actions by
schools, neighborhoods or other causes and if it will hold is unknown, Daniels
said.
Another
big question is whether children exposed to healthier choices, such as the ones
at Burgess-Peterson Academy, will continue to make healthy eating choices as
they progress to middle and high school and into adult life, he added.
Believing
older students should have access to more choices and also to encourage them to
eat on campus, Atlanta Public Schools has not thus far removed french fries
from high school cafeterias, Hughes said. Efforts have been made, though, to
ensure that pizza slices come topped with vegetables and fresh vegetables are
available, she added.
"That
[children will continue to make healthy choices] is definitely the hope,"
Jackson said. "Burgess-Peterson feeds into Sammye E. Coan Middle School
which just built their own garden too."
Anya
Martin is a freelance writer based in Decatur, Ga.
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MARTA's Modifications to Rail & Bus Services - Effective 8.15.09
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Beginning August 15, 2009 there were many changes to both MARTA's rail and bus services. These changes have been implemented in efforts to control costs as MARTA continues to face financial challenges. Please see the linked document for the full scope of the changes (note - the .25 rate increase does not go into effect until October 1, 2009.
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Bringing Brownwood Rec Center Back - With Your Help!
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As many of you
know, Brownwood Recreation Center has been closed for more than a year due to
the City's budget woes. The East Atlanta Kids Club has
entered into an agreement with City of Atlanta to reopen the facility. EAKC and EACA will now be
managing the Rec Center (and paying for its upkeep). Kids Club activities will return
next week, and other community-oriented activities will begin there soon.
We've spent the last few months renovating --
painting, installing carpet, upgrading the computer lab, creating
a new classroom space, building a storage room, etc. Virtually all of this work
has been done by volunteers and supported by generous sponsors and donors. In our efforts
to get the center in shape for a variety of community uses, we could
now use some additional help from you, the community.
Below is a list of some of our current needs --
things and services. Please let us know if you can help with anything.
This effort to reclaim our recreation center and
turn it into a vital community space will be ongoing, and it
will truly be up to all of us to make it thrive.
Of course, if you'd like to donate some cash to
the cause, and help us to keep the lights on (literally), we'll
take that, too. You can make a tax-deductible donation online at: www.eastatlantakids.org/donate (Be sure to put "for Brownwood" on the
donation form. (You can also make a pledge to donate goods or services there,
too).
Brownwood
Recreation Center Wish List
Things we need: (please note: we need items in good
condition).
. Refrigerator (Large, 20+ cu.ft, w/ top or bottom
freezer)
. Microwave (over-the-range)
. 6' rectangular folding tables [8]
. 5' round folding tables (10)
. Padded folding chairs (80)
. Folding chair storage racks/dollies (2)
. Office Desks/Cubicle Work Spaces (6)
. Office Chairs (6)
. Portable Room Partitions (3)
. Bookcases (Tall) (4)
. Shelving system for storage room --heavy duty,
3' wide x 12' long shelves (4)
. Door (Metal, Commercial, hollow core, w
cylindrical lock & closer) (1)
. Multi-line phones (6) & phone switch
. Couches (2) (for Teen Club area)
. Conference table - 10' +
. Desk drawer organizers (4)
. Cooking pots & pans, utensils, silverware
. Chafing pans, racks (lg) (6)
. Vacuum
. Trash cans: 3 tall kitchen cans, 3 small office
trash cans
. Pool cues with intact tips (4); felt for pool
table
. PA system
. Projector
. Large photocopier
. Small Cabinet for 19" wide Computer Server
(~22"-23" wide)
. Note: we do not need any computers, monitors or printers!
Services we need:
. Pest Control
. Custodial services
. Floor cleaning: Strip, clean & wax floor
. HVAC repair & maintenance
. Fix pool table: Re-felt surface; Screw corners
together
You can reply here, by email, or make a pledge at www.eastatlantakids.org/donate
Many thanks,
Jill
Jill Sieder
Executive Director
East Atlanta Kids Club
jsieder@eastatlantakids.org
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| EABA Business Briefs |
 Graveyard Hosts Benefit to Combat HomelessnessOn Thursday, August 20th, the Atlanta Outreach Project is hosting its first annual dance party at the Graveyard Tavern beginning at 8:00 p.m. Donations of household items, canned foods, clothes and toiletries will be accepted and much appreciated! There will also be raffles throughout the night with gift certificates from local businesses and also a DJ. This is a FREE event with donations being taken at the door. Come out and let's "Make Homelessness History!" See Flier HERE for additional details. ___________________________________________________________________________  Dance 411 Studios has opened in its new location closer to the Village and is currently offering discounts on its Fall Children's Programming. See information on the new site and classes HERE! ___________________________________________________________________________
FitWit Fitness - Attend Bring a Friend Day for Free!
Come see what your friends and colleagues in the neighborhood are raving about and join  FitWit for a FREE workout Thursday, August 20th in Grant Park! Come see why 90% of our campers return. There are four camp times to choose from; three morning sessions and one evening session. Bring one friend- bring many. For more information contact: josh@fitwit.com
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| Upcoming East Atlanta Area Meetings |
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EACA Public Safety - July Reports
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The monthly summary reports for July 2009 can be found below. Week 32's crime report will be available next week.
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| East Atlanta Security Patrol News & Information |
 To learn more about the East Atlanta Security Patrol or to enroll, visit the EASP website (http://patrol.eaca.net). The cost to join the patrol is $50 per quarter, with a 50% discount for longtime residents and those 65+. To qualify, you must have lived at the same address for 20 years or be over age 65. We also have a 20% discount for members of an APD-sanctioned Neighborhood Watch. Please contact us if you're interested in setting up a Neighborhood Watch on your street.
If you have additional questions, please direct them to securitypatrol@eaca.net, or call EACA Public Safety Chair Myron Polster at 404-429-8815. |
2009 EACA Membership
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Join EACA 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 businesses 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 on Facebook/Twitter |
If you're a Facebook member, be sure to join both the EACA group and become a fan of the East Atlanta Village page, too! Click on links below to take you directly to each.
 <--- East Atlanta Village Page
<--- EACA Group |
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.
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