East Atlanta Community Association Newsletter
November 16, 2009 |
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Greetings! |
Hello!
In this week's newsletter, you will find notice of tonight's Fireside Chat with APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall, an update from Brownwood Park, information on the current promotion by the East Atlanta Security Patrol, and further information on a community meeting on the Distance Exemption ordinance (as well as a link to the full language of the currently proposed ordinance).
Also, mark your calendars now for EACA's annual holiday potluck meeting on Tuesday, December 8th and come join your neighbor's at this end of the year meeting! |
East Atlanta Santa to benefit Kids Club
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East Atlanta Santa is back for a third year of laughing, crying, barking, and begging for smiles at Joe's Coffee/Avenue Realty on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009.
All of our appointments are already filled, but we will fit folks in between appointments as best we can, on a first-come first-served basis. We're starting at 10 a.m. and will go until 12:30 and then give Santa and the elves a break. We'll return at 1:30 and go until 3 p.m.
Just like last year, $15 gets you a CD burned with the best couple of shots while you wait. All proceeds benefit East Atlanta Kids Club -- www.eastatlantakids.org.
Joe's toy drive and canned food drive will also be in full swing, so feel free to bring a little something to help out.
We're happy to offer this chance to avoid the mall and benefit a great local group. E-mail eavsanta@gmail.com if you have any questions!
~Santa and his merry elves.
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Tonight - Fireside Chat with APS Superintendent Dr. Beverly Hall |
Council of Intown Neighborhoods and Schools (CINS) and Atlanta Public Schools Invite You to Attend the SRT-3 FIRESIDE CHAT with Superintendent Dr. Beverly L. Hall Tonight!
LOCATION CHANGE: The Fireside Chat will now be held at Inman Middle School located at 774 Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30306.
For more information, click HERE. |
EASP Update - Membership Promotion thru Nov 22nd |
The EASP is running a promotion this week only. If you join by Sunday November 22nd, we'll begin coverage on November 23rd rather than the normal wait until December 1st. This also allows you to submit out of town requests if you will be away over the Thanksgiving holiday. A single Out of Town request to the EASP can be distributed to not just the EASP officers, but also to Zone 6 and Safe Watch. We accept requests by e-mail and fax, and most people find that it only takes a couple minutes to complete the form.
To learn more about the East Atlanta Security Patrol or to enroll, visit the EASP website ( http://patrol.eaca.net). There is 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. |
Brownwood Park Updates + Save the Date |
Come to Brownwood Park and enjoy the beautiful fall weather! A couple of new features, recently installed for your convenience:
- Spanking new drinking fountain at Tennis Courts - this fountain now has a dog bowl for the four-legged park users.
- Sarkling new DogiPot bag dispensers at both entrances to the South side of the
park - no excuses now to ignore what your dog is leaving behind. It will eventually end up in the creek and if you think picking it up is bad, imagine swimming in it! A BIG thanks goes out to the East Atlanta Animal Clinic for donating these for park users.
- 4 new benches at the tennis courts replaced old benches whose supports were corroding and paint was peeling.
- New big garbage cans installed at the Pavilion for all park users to use to help keep Brownwood clean.
Look for a bright show in the spring - 500 daffodils were planted this past week around the Rec Center and in the bed on Ormewood Avenue.
Save the Date! (Dogs) Drink for Brownwood at The Midway Pub on December 5!
Join the Friends of Brownwood Park on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 2 to 6 pm at The Midway Pub for a holiday fundraiser. Toast with friends, celebrate the season and help Brownwood Park at the same time.
Saturday, December 5th will find East Atlanta Village celebrating the holiday season with great shopping deals, a holiday tree lighting, photo ops with Santa and a social inside The Midway for lovers of dogs, good beer and fine friends. Collect a group of folks and find us at The Midway for drink specials, some great raffles and more.
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Drafted Distance Exemption Ordinance - Community Meeting Thursday |
The proposed ordinance was presented at last week's EACA meeting and a special meeting is being held for community members to discuss the ordinance this Thursday, November 19th at Martha Brown United Methodist Church at 6:00 p.m. For the full language of the ordinance, click HERE. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MEMORANDUMFrom: Ed Gilgor - edwardmgilgor@comcast.netSubject: Summary of Proposed Modifications regarding Exemption from Distance Requirements.
Date: November 8, 2009
As you all know, there has been an on-going effort for several years to modify the current distance restrictions placed on businesses which sell alcohol for on-premises consumption. Specifically, the effort has been to make it possible for businesses to offer live musical entertainment, which they are currently precluded from doing by the ordinances. The proposals contained in this memo represent the combined efforts of business owners, residents, and neighborhood leadership to craft a balance which would allow for such live performances and at the same time ensure that interests of other businesses and residents are adequately protected as well. Given that the proposed Ordinance consists of ten pages of single-spaced text, this Summary is not meant to be comprehensive in terms of detail, but rather is designed to provide a broad overview. Covered Area: Glenwood Ave: Joseph to Haas. Flat Shoals Ave: Metropolitan to May. General Conditions - Applicable to all business which seek to use the exemption, whether they have a live performance scheduled or not.
- Have people stationed outside of the licensed premises making sure that no person left with any alcohol or beverage container.
- Place refuse receptacles directly in front of the licensed premises to allow for trash to be deposited.
- The business would agree to respond in writing to any concerns regarding its operations.
- The physical structure would be maintained in good repair. The grounds of the premises would be swept daily. Exclusive enclosed and screened Dumpster for each business.
- If there was a noise complaint stemming from the performances, the business would agree to enter into a process to resolve the issue.
Live Performance Conditions
- Hire an off-duty Police Officer to patrol for parking violations at least two hours after any performance begins and for noise, litter, vandalism, and similar violations at least one hour before and after closing time. This would be a total of four hours per night per performance.
- Have exclusive parking available during the time of any performance with a ratio of one parking space per four potential attendees at the event within 400 feet of the facility or have valet service available.
- No later than 8:00 AM on the day following any performance, all glass bottles, plastic cups, aluminum cans, cigarettes, matches, and cigarette packs would be collected.
Benefits to Businesses
- The distance requirements set forth in Section 10-88(a) & (b) shall not apply, so as to allow restaurants to offer Live Performances.
- When there is a Special Event which has a Temporary Alcohol License, alcohol can be transported between the event and any Licensed Premises next to the event, if both the Special Event Applicant and the Licensed Premises agree;
- When there is a Special Event which has a Temporary Alcohol License any business next to the event can expand the boundaries of its licensed premises into the temporarily licensed premises so that the two overlap, if both the Special Event Applicant and the Licensed Premises agree;
- Outdoor music is permissible, but it is not permitted to be audible at a distance more than 100 feet from the property line of the licensed premises at which it is being played;
- Bars, which could not otherwise sell alcohol on Sunday, can do so if they have a Ticketed Performance taking place on that day;
Process for Seeking Exemption
- Business Submits Application for Exemption to License & Permits Unit.
- Review by Neighborhood Planning Unit of Application.
- Special Panel Convenes to hold Public Hearing to review Application.
- Special Panel made up of: Director of the Bureau of Planning, Commissioner of Public Works, Presiding Officer of Neighborhood Planning Unit, and the Atlanta Police Zone Commander.
- Special Panel considers following factors in determining whether to grant a request for an exemption, and if so, under what additional requirements to impose:
- The unique geographical circumstances of each business relative to other commercial and to residential properties.
- Impact of criminal activity;
- Impact of traffic;
- Impact of parking;
- Impact of patrons walking to and from vehicles;
- Impact of debris & litter; and,
- Impact of noise.
- Exemption would automatically renew, unless complaint made, and then Special Panel would review complaint to determine appropriate course of action.
General Information
- The Ordinance shall operate for a period of three years at which time it will cease to be in effect. At that point the community will have the opportunity to determine whether they wish to re-enact the Ordinance, or allow it to expire.
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EACA Seeking New Leadership |
EACA is actively seeking new leadership for next year. Current President Jelena Crawford will not be eligible to return next year and current Secretary Lea Johnston will be welcoming her firstborn into her family. This is a great chance to improve your neighborhood in areas such as Public Safety, Code Enforcement, Land Use and Zoning, Education and Transportation to name just a few. Elections will be held at the December 14th EACA meeting for all four officer positions, including Vice President and Treasurer. To learn more, contact one of the nominating committee members, either Henry Bryant at 404-377-6148 (or hbryant@mindspring.com) or Myron Polster at 404-429-8815 (or myron.polster@comcast.net). |
EABA Business Briefs |
 Thanks to Holy Taco and EABA for sponsoring the East Atlanta Strut Volunteer Appreciation Party on Saturday night!
Also, now is the time for business owners to take advangage of the 2010 membership discount. EABA is offering 10% off of 2010 dues to everyone who joins or renews by December 31. So that's $90 for the whole year! $7.50 per month. The benefits of joining EABA include: our District Web Site, Facebook & Twitter Page, Marketing Plan/Execution, Special Events Media Relations and Execution, Community Development/Relations, New Resident Welcome bags, and many other initiatives.
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East Atlanta Library Events |
Teeny, Tiny Tales Tuesdays, November 3-24.10:30 a.m. Children will enjoy stories, songs, puppetry and crafts. Ages 18-36 months. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more.
Monday Night @ the Movies - Home Alone Monday, November 16. 5:00 p.m. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) has become the man of the house - overnight! Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, Kevin gets busy decorating the house for the holidays. But he's not decking the halls with tinsel and holly. Two bumbling burglars are trying to break in, and Kevin's rigging a bewildering battery of booby traps to welcome them! All are welcome. Rated PG. 103 min. Reservations are required
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Upcoming East Atlanta Area Meetings |
NPU-W Transportation Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 18th, 7:00 p.m. Location: Martha Brown United Methodist ChurchFor more information, contact Transportation Chair Russell Baggett at inspired_by_design@hotmail.com NPU-W Monthly MeetingWednesday, November 18th, 7:30 p.m. Location: Martha Brown United Methodist ChurchFor more information, contact Ed Gilgor, NPU-W Chair at edwardmgilgor@comcast.netSpecial Meeting on Distance Exemption OrdinanceThursday, November 19th, 6:00 p.m. Location: Martha Brown United Methodist ChurchFor more information, contact Ed Gilgor at edwardmgilgor@comast.net |
EACA Public Safety - Weekly Crime Report & October Reports
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The crime report for Weeks 44 & 45 can be found below, as well as October's trends and overall report: October Reports: |
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.
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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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